R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
Things continue to heat up regarding the HTC One 2014. Does HTC have a chance to wow us on March 25, based on the fact that we know so much about the phone before its unveiling? On top of that, ZTE plans on trying to steal the spotlight by making a big announcement on the very same day. We continue to see new Chromecast apps, but most of the major music and video apps are non-existent. We continue to hear rumors about an Amazon phone. Will they ever come out with one? and will anybody buy an updated Galaxy Beam? Could Flappy Bird make an encore appearance? and what the hell is the OnePlus One phone all about? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week in the world of Android.
Guides
Best Android SMS text messaging replacement apps [March 2014]
Best Android apps for managing your contacts / Address book [March 2014]
Accessories
Samsung launches “Specialized Usability Accessories” for the Galaxy Core Advance customers
Apps – New
Samsung unveils Samsung Cloud Print and NFC Printers for small and medium-sized businesses
Smart Alarm Clock gets comfy and takes a snooze in the Play Store
[New Chromecast App] DrawCast lets your draw on your phone and TV at the same time
[New Chromecast App] Class6ix brings personalized local and national news to your Chromecast
Apps – Updated
Talon for Twitter gets updated to version 2.0 with several new fixes and features
WhatsApp sends update to Google Play with new privacy settings, other additions
Instagram receives a new update, brings a refreshed user interface and faster performance
Google Wallet app receives a new update, introduces “Orders” feature
Google Translate update brings handwriting support for 13 more languages
Google Search app updated with expanded card information, better image searching, and other new features
YouTube 5.5.26 (accidental?) update brings Dogfooding menu
Plex makes Chromecast support free for everyone
Facebook Android app updated, bringing photos in comments, ability to delete albums, and more
Chromecast app sees update to version 1.5.3 with new language support and improved Samsung device optimization
Latest version of the Google Play Store is now available to download manually
DrawCast updated with multi-device support
Google URL Shortener undergoes simplifying name change
Don’t have a KitKat device? Say goodbye to Google Wallet’s tap and pay feature on April 14
Google Maps updated to show upcoming events
Cameras
Here is a video explaining what Samsung’s ISOCELL camera technology is
Specs for Samsung Galaxy S 5 Zoom surface on GFXBench
Carriers
AT&T’s 4G LTE is making its way to the 2015 Audi A3 with a hefty price
AT&T sends out Moto X soak test invites, possibly for Android 4.4.2
AT&T CFO thinks that the Sprint and T-Mobile merger is not possible
AT&T is merging Aio Wireless with Cricket Wireless, Cricket is the name that stays
Republic Wireless getting the Moto G
Straight Talk now offering nano SIM cards for compatible phones
Sprint chairman says that U.S. data speeds are horrible, says he can fix that
Sprint announces new prepaid plans called “Sprint Prepaid”
Sprint chairman wants to try and purchase T-Mobile
T-Mobile celebrating the anniversary of its 4G LTE with network upgrades and a Verizon attack ad
Samsung Galaxy S 4 on T-Mobile receives Android 4.4.2 today
T-Mobile to sell both 16GB and 32GB Samsung Galaxy S5
Sony’s Xperia T2 Ultra likely headed to T-Mobile USA
US Cellular tweaks their plans to add more data
According to Verizon it’s a mistake to abandon the subsidized handset model
Verizon offering low price, contract encumbered Nexus 7 for $49.99
Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is up for sale
Verizon Smart Rewards program may be ready to roll out nationwide
LG Lucid 3 (VS876) for Verizon leaks, nothing left to hide
Chromebooks
Google giving all Chromebook users 60 days of Play Music All Access
Chromecast
Chromecast to expand to new markets within the month
[New Chromecast App] DrawCast lets your draw on your phone and TV at the same time
DrawCast updated with multi-device support
[New Chromecast App] Class6ix brings personalized local and national news to your Chromecast
Plex makes Chromecast support free for everyone
Chromecast app sees update to version 1.5.3 with new language support and improved Samsung device optimization
Google to launch Chromecast in UK on March 19
Gaming
Mount & Blade: Warband is a new mobile game exclusively for Tegra 4 devices
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Android game will be released in April
Dong Nguyen, creator of Flappy Bird, is considering bringing back his wildly popular game
Humble Mobile Bundle 4 adds three more games to the mix, brings the total to nine
Angry Birds Epic will be turn-based RPG style
Asus Game Box Controller appears on Bluetooth SIG site
Threes! finally makes its way onto the Google Play Store
Amazon’s set-top box controller leaks
Wikipad cuts $50 off its Android gaming tablet, drops to $199
Crazy Taxi: City Rush coming later this year, SEGA makes the original free in the Play Store through March 19
Refer Google Apps to friends and make some money
Google giving all Chromebook users 60 days of Play Music All Access
Google Docs and Sheets get official add-ons in Chrome
Google’s first physical retail store to open in downtown Manhattan
Lawsuit filed against Google over in-app purchases by minors
Google buys Green Throttle Games in quest to develop set top box
Google still mum about auto-login app for WiFi hotspots
Google lowers cost for Google Drive storage
Larry Page may have been holding Motorola back from making a legitimate Google phone
Google files patent application for a new radial menu feature in Android
Google Glass
Preview for Glass scans movie posters and shows you the trailers
MedicAR for Google Glass uses augmented reality to teach future surgeons
Hardware
Samsung’s “most advanced” DDR3 memory has entered production
Phones – Amazon
Amazon expected to release “Project Aria” smartphone this year
Phones - Gionee
World’s thinnest smartphone set for release next week
Phones – HTC
Sound file in ‘all new HTC One’ suggests wireless charging capabilities for device
Review video for upcoming ‘all new HTC One’ appears on YouTube, later pulled by user [Updated]
The all new HTC One gets another photo shoot
Leaked ‘All New HTC One’ ad reveals ‘Duo Camera’ function
HTC’s All New One specs and sales guide leaks
Once again, images of Verizon Branded ‘The All New HTC One’ leak
New HTC One (M8) shows up on eBay with retail box and it’s not called what you think it is
HTC UK teases launch of the All New HTC One on Twitter
Phones – Huawei
Huawei’s Dual OS smartphone will be available in Q2
Phones – LG
LG D850 (G3) model spotted on LG’s website hints at Quad HD screen
Screenshot taken on LG’s G3 pops up online, hinting at a quad HD screen resolution
LG G3 confirmed to have QHD display, adaptive software
LG Lucid 3 (VS876) for Verizon leaks, nothing left to hide
LG G Pro 2 to be available in red color as well
Advertisement for LG G Pro 2 features Magic Focus feature
Phones – Motorola
AT&T sends out Moto X soak test invites, possibly for Android 4.4.2
Republic Wireless getting the Moto G
Phones – Nokia
Pre-orders for the Nokia X have reached one million in just four days in China
Phones – OnePlus
OnePlus One will feature a 5.5-inch screen in a 5-inch body smaller than Sony’s Xperia Z1
OnePlus One design sketch leak shows what the device may look like
Phones – Oppo
Oppo Find 7 Specs Confirmed
Check out Oppo’s very cool Find 7 event invitation
Oppo Find 7 photos leak days before announcement, shows device and retail packaging
Phones – Pantech
Pantech Vega Iron 2 could be first Snapdragon 805 powered device
Phones – Samsung
Will there or will there not be a premium Galaxy S 5?
Factory fire could affect Galaxy S 5 production
Galaxy S 5 sales might be a little weak at launch
Samsung Galaxy S 5 will be available for pre-order in the UK starting from March 28
Here is a video explaining what Samsung’s ISOCELL camera technology is
T-Mobile to sell both 16GB and 32GB Samsung Galaxy S5
New and updated Galaxy S 5 TouchWiz apps now available for download
Samsung is working on a new Galaxy Beam device
Lebron James not happy over how his Galaxy Note 3 wiped off all the data on it
Black Edition Samsung Galaxy S 4 now available in UK
Samsung launches “Specialized Usability Accessories” for the Galaxy Core Advance customers
Samsung’s Galaxy Grand 2 hits South Korea
International Galaxy S 3, Note 2, and Grand 2 Duos may actually get KitKat
Samsung Galaxy S 4 on T-Mobile receives Android 4.4.2 today
Phones – Sony
Sony Xperia T2 Ultra makes an appearance both in and out of the retail box
Sony’s Xperia T2 Ultra likely headed to T-Mobile USA
Single and dual-SIM Sony Xperia E1 now available in India
Phones – Xiaomi
Xiaomi kicks the budget phone game up a notch with a larger screen and octa-core processor
Phones – ZTE
The upcoming ZTE Grand S EXT might sport the best combination of metal and plastic we have seen
ZTE’s Nubia X6 rear camera will feature Optical Image Stabilization technology
ZTE has elected to announce its Nubia X6 smartphone on March 25, same day as The All New HTC One
ROMs
TRWP 2.7 released, bringing huge list of new features
Xiaomi launches MIUI software designed for tablets, works on Nexus 7
Security
Developer claims Samsung is using a backdoor to access user data, but security expert disagrees
Smartwatches
ASUS shares a little more info on upcoming smart watch device
Pebble App Challenge launches, will provide $5,000 to top developer
Specs of LG made Google smartwatch leak
Tablets
Could Google drop Snapdragon in favor of Intel’s chip for Nexus 8?
Verizon offering low price, contract encumbered Nexus 7 for $49.99
Samsung working on new tablet with AMOLED 2560×1600 display
Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is up for sale
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 passes through FCC
Updates
Samsung Galaxy S 4 on T-Mobile receives Android 4.4.2 today
AT&T sends out Moto X soak test invites, possibly for Android 4.4.2
International Galaxy S 3, Note 2, and Grand 2 Duos may actually get KitKat
Wearables
Samsung’s S Band returns in new leak that fully exposes the Activity Tracker
Miscellaneous
Sony introduces “Xperia Themes” for phones running Android 4.3 or later
HTC ‘Power To Give’ project helps cure Aids, Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer through your smartphone
Samsung, Microsoft join the Wireless Power Consortium to adopt Qi wireless charging
New Samsung patents point the way to flexible display devices
Pandora still the top streaming service, Spotify drops to fourth
Amazon’s upcoming music service might not feature unlimited music streaming
Samsung patent approved for phone with 21:9 aspect ratio
Analysts project Lenovo to become 2nd largest Android manufacturer
Amazon Prime increases price $20 to $99 per year
U.S. panel rules that HTC, ZTE and Huawei did not violate FlashPoint patents
8-core smartphones not expected to be big sellers in 2014
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for March 10 – March 16, 2014
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