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Android 5.0 for HTC One (M8) starts rolling out via OTA

HTC has now received the green light from Google to roll out Android 5.0 Lollipop for the HTC One (M8) – that is, the Developer Edition and unlocked versions of the handset. This follows the Android Lollipop roll out to the HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition versions that happened a month ago.



In a tweet, HTC VP for Product Management Mo Versi has revealed that HTC has received 'TA' – which should mean “Technical Acceptance” – from Google for the Android 5.0 Lollipop + Sense 6 UI firmware update that they have lined up for the aforementioned HTC One (M8) versions. The rollout is scheduled to start the night of January 14, according to Versi.


Users of the HTC One (M8) Developer Edition and unlocked versions can either just wait it out to ssee when the notification to update firmware would show up, or they can check for available updates by going into “Settings > About phone” to manually check. This Android 5.0 Lollipop update should come with build number 4.16.1540.8 and is reportedly around 580MB. That’s just about normal for a firmware update, but still a pretty hefty for a download. We recommend that you use a wifi connection to get it.


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Android 5.0 Lollipop, besides adding Material Design aesthetic from Google, includes a couple of new things that users should be excited about, including a new Android 5.0 Lollipop lock screen, the notification tray system, and some improvements to search function among others.


SOURCE: @MoVersi





Samsung Galaxy S6 rumors: reduced TouchWiz, production by February

The MWC in Barcelona is still a few months away, but rumors are already swirling about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6. The latest whisperings are saying that the soon-to-be-flagship will have a "toned down" interface of the memory hog proprietorial TouchWiz. Meanwhile, some say that as early as February, the Korean OEM will start mass production on their newest smartphone.



While the TouchWiz UI gives the Samsung touch and look to differentiate it from other Android smartphones, not everyone appreciates it because it drastically affects the memory footprint of the device. Korean media has been harping on the fact (or rather, the rumor) that the Galaxy S6 will tone down this UI and remove the unnecessary features, even if they were part of the original core functions.


An "industry source" has also said that Samsung is actually planning to bring the Galaxy S6's OS to the level of the Nexus 6, which is pretty great news for those who love the OEM but are also fans of how Google has made "pure" smartphones through that line. Physically speaking, the rumor mill is saying that the new smartphone will come with a metal unibody case and probably a Dual Edge display for the Limited Edition version.


As to the estimated availability of the Galaxy S6, sources say that mass production will start by February and that those living in South Korea might even have the device out later that month. Volume production has reportedly started in Vietnam already to be able to make it to the expected March world wide release. As February approaches, expect to hear more rumors and speculation about Samsung's newest upcoming smartphone.


VIA: G Games





Facebook requests Xiaomi as friend, but declined.

Word got out today from Reuters that Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun spoke with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg about a potential investment seen back in October, but no terms were set in stone. Xiaomi started off as a business that sold smartphones at a low cheap cost. Those that are in business know that you can't make a profit selling at cheap margins. Apparently those that do know business, didn't know that you can actually make a killing by doing just that - and exactly how Xiaomi executed its success. Now one of the largest growing companies for smartphones and other small gadgets, the company is valued at $45 billion.



Facebook is trying to be friendly by investing in some of that good fortune that Xiaomi has brought in. Releasing their first smartphone three years ago, the company has seen nothing but success making real competition for Samsung late last year.


As Xiaomi sought financing last year, it was only smart for Zuckerberg to get in where the actions at, but difficult considering the social networking giant has has been blocked "by China's censorship board for concerns of national security.


The investment from Facebook would have raised international profile for Xiaomi, but it seems the business is depending on Google for its smartphone softwares. The collaboration of the two could have been positive outcomes as Xiaomi tries to grow into a global internet company providing various online services to China. Xiaomi could potentially give Facebook an avenue to distribute its apps that could in turn give the social network leverage to overturn their China ban.


SOURCE: Reuters





Facebook will now notify you of AMBER alerts

Being messaged of an Amber Alert on our phones is nothing new but promising in a sense that its a new way to communicate attention. Facebook announced today that they would be collaborating with the National Security for Missing and Exploited Children to send AMBER Alerts to the Facebook community. The efforts to communicate the Amber Alert would up the chances of a rescue and possibly save a life.



Facebook feeds have changed drastically over the past several years. No longer do you log in and just see endless posts of photos being uploaded by your friends and family. We see content from advertisement, to blog posts, videos, and pictures from other sites. AMBER Alerts will now be posted into your news feed in targeted search areas after a child has been abducted and National Center has issued an alert.


The alerts will include photographs, details of the missing child, and info relating to the vehicle. Alerts will be displayed on both mobile and desktop versions. This will allow more sharing throughout the community and will allow everyone to be notified more efficiently.


The new partnership sounds promising with efforts to execute locating children who fall victim to abduction. Lets work together and keep the children of America safe.


SOURCE: Facebook


Google Glass app brings augmented reality to Tesco grocery stores

The Google Glass wearable released in the UK back in June of 2014. There are groups who believe in the wearable as a strong product and has been trying to develop softwares for it. One of those groups is Tesco, a general UK grocer and retailer, who released their Google Glass Shopping App today.



The Google Glass app resembles only a fraction of what Iron Man would see in his helmet, but its a start. Saying commands like “OK Glass” and “find a product” or “scan a barcode” would be features display on screen. The Glassware will let you add to your shopping cart and view nutritional information as well.


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The original video posted about 6 months back showed how the prototype app worked. Tesco says that it has changed substantially, but in terms of functionality - that's still basically the same Tesco says that it frequently tries to improve user experience.


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Google Glass launched in the UK back in 2014 at a price of £1,000. With hope that the Google wearable will make a comeback, Tesco provides you the Glassware app for free. If you have the wearable, go give this new app a shot.


VIA: Google





Brand new OPPO R1C announced, out to market on January 20

We were just talking about this a few days ago, but the time and the day is here – China-based manufacturer OPPO is out with another mid-range to high-end phone in the OPPO R1C… erm, Polaroid issues aside, that is. But let’s not get sidetracked by rotating cameras, let’s see how you can get your hands on this new phone.



As was expected, Wednesday morning in China made way to the introduction of the OPPO R1C, which if you know your China-made phones, is actually a refresh of the OPPO R1S that was announced around middle of 2014. The purchase details are these, that the R1C will start shipping on January 20th at a price point of around USD$400 – not your usual low-end to mid-range phone, but the specs kinda prove that point as well.


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The Oppo R1C has a 5-inch HD (720p) display, powered by a 64-bit octa-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon 615 processor. That in turn is backstopped by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. If you need more storage – which you most likely will – expansion via microSD is available up to 128GB. There is a 13MP main rear camera that uses the Sony IMX214 sensor, complete with f/2.0 aperture – which means better low-light pictures for you, and a 5MP selfie cam. All of these is powered by a 2,420mAh battery, and the phone runs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box.


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There is a version of the OPPO R1C that uses that much-hyped sapphire glass (haha, hello Apple) and features 4G connectivity as well as support for dual SIM cards. The phone is slim for most phone form factors at 6.85mm. Are you excited about this?


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SOURCE: OPPO





Android Lollipop comes to Samsung Galaxy S5 in the UK

UK Samsung Galaxy S5 owners can now breathe a sigh of relief (if ever they were waiting with bated breath) as the OEM has announced that they are rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop to the device. But while there is already a version of the major update that is 5.0.2, the one arriving for the Galaxy S5 is still the original 5.0 code. Better than nothing yes?



While other countries in Europe like Poland, Russia, and Spain already had Lollipop running around on their Galaxy S5, the UK users had to wait a little longer. Probably the release of 5.0.2 will have delayed having the major update arrive on devices, and so Samsung decided to just have the already existing 5.0 be rolled out to users. Another minor update will probably be released after a month or so.


The Lollipop update will bring much-talked about changes to the Galaxy S5, including the new design guidelines that have "forced" Samsung and other app developers to change their look to match the Material Design. It will also bring other features like the lockscreen and heads-up notifications, an automatic set-up assistant called Tap & Go which makes it easier to change settings, ART runtime, MirrorLink support, and other minor tweaks to Android and Samsung devices.


Updating your Galaxy S5 can be done two ways. You can connect your smartphone to your computer and use Samsung Kies 3 or through the Firmware-Over-The-Air service if you prefer to do it wirelessly. For the latter, just go to the settings > system > about device > software update > update. Just make sure you've backed up all your data before updating.


VIA: SAM Mobile





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