R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
Finally a smartphone that is affordable to all, the Moto E was announced by Motorola earlier this week. HTC also announced the HTC One Mini 2, which is almost as small, but won’t be as affordable. LG is inching closer to making a big splash with the G3. Will it make an impact? The Google Silver program might be launching sooner than we thought. Will we ever see a Nexus 6? Google has announced the schedule for next month’s Google I/O. Does it indicate a pending doom for Google+? Samsung is just about to announce another set of tablets, but does anyone care? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be another exciting week in the world of Android.
Guides
The 5 Best Android music player apps [May 2014]
Accessories
Nexus 5 snap case now available on Google Play
Samsung and Seagate partner to create $179 1.5 TB WiFi hard drive and battery
Samsung external battery pack raises the design bar for accessories
Apps – New
Motorola releases Motorola Alert app to Google Play
Makers of Beautiful Widgets releases new weather app
Foursquare’s new check-in app, Swarm, is now available in the Play Store
Cloud.tv announces new Kairo theme for HD Widgets
Apps – Updates
Twitter starting to officially roll out new mute feature
Sonos releases new, refreshed app
Google Maps receives update in UK, now offers data on all trains, buses, trams and ferries
Plex Pass camera upload feature now available for Android devices
Vudu adds new Share My Movies feature, allows up to five users to share movies and shows
Get the new PayPal enabled Google Play APK now
Bill reminder integration rolling out to Google Now
‘MapMyFitness’ updated with new UI, expanded features
Google adds Quick facts to Maps results
Carriers
AT&T readying $50 billion purchase for DirecTV, could be announced next week
AT&T’s LTE with an equipped General Motors vehicle will cost $10 per month
AT&T’s HTC One (M8) receiving update that fixes Google Drive bug
AT&T to begin rolling out HD Voice and VoLTE on May 23rd
Galaxy S 5 Active could be coming to Sprint while AT&T may receive another Galaxy Note model
Moto X+1 coming to Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T with leather backs
LG Volt available today from prepaid carriers Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, Sprint’s Spark LTE connectivity included
Straight Talks gives small data bump to $45 plan
Entry level ZTE Concord II added to T-Mobile and MetroPCS
HTC One Remix to land on Verizon soon
Verizon Galaxy Note 3 gets KitKat update through wired methods
Verizon support docs suggest that Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR M will be getting KitKat 4.4.2 soon
Verizon will launch “XLTE” network on May 19
Verizon expands MORE Everything Plans with additional options for small businesses
HTC One Remix for Verizon press render leaks
Software update for the DROID Ultra, Mini and Maxx coming, It’s probably not 4.4.2
Gaming
NVIDIA brings blockbuster titles Portal and Half-Life 2 to SHIELD
Monument Valley is now available in the Play Store after a very successful iOS run
Flappy Bird will return to the Play Store in August
Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen teases new game
Grand Theft Auto trilogy, Walking Dead Season 2, and more added to Amazon FireTV
Gmail app first to make the 1 billion installs plateau on Google Play
Google patent describes integration between Google+ and wireless carriers
Google flooded with removal requests after EU creates “right to be forgotten”
You can now use PayPal to purchase apps and digital content in Google Play
Google I/O schedule released with plenty of exciting events
Google paying for app refunds in some cases
Android Silver slated for February 2015 arrival
Quest Visual, creators of Word Lens, acquired by Google to improve Translate product
Google releases Hangouts plugin for Microsoft Outlook
Google Glass
Google Glass cost per unit might be a little more than $80
Google Glass available for anyone in the US for $1500
Google Glass v2.0 already in the works
NBA looking to give anyone with Glass a courtside experience
Design aficionado Ivy Ross to head Google Glass team May 19
Laptops
ARCHOS unveils the ArcBook, and laptop running Android
Phones – Amazon
Amazon’s smartphone could utilize Pixart CMOS sensor, manufacturer at least 2 million units
Phones – HTC
HTC One Mini 2 officially announced
HTC One Remix to land on Verizon soon
HTC One Remix for Verizon press render leaks
HTC working on two entry-level smartphones to join the Desire family
Leaked image of HTC One (M8) in blue shows up
HTC shows off 3D render of the yet-to-be released red One M8
Blue HTC One (M8) shows up for pre-order on U.K. retailer site
HTC’s head of communications officially announces red HTC One (M8), but only in Taiwan (for now)
Gary Oldman returns for HTC One (M8) ‘Power of Suggestion’ commercial
AT&T’s HTC One (M8) receiving update that fixes Google Drive bug
Original HTC One (M7) Developer Edition/unlocked models receiving update
Phones – LG
LG G3 press renders show up giving excellent look at new device
LG releases official teaser video for LG G3
LG G3 and its Quick Cover case seen in public
More pics of the LG G3 leak along with more info about that mystery sensor on the back
Multi-angle press renders of the LG G3 in white, gold surface
LG G Flex 2 said to be on its way early next year
LG among the first to be part of Android Silver, handset could have 64-bit processor
LG Volt available today from prepaid carriers Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, Sprint’s Spark LTE connectivity included
Phones – Motorola
Moto E officially announced along with LTE version of Moto G
Hands on with the Moto E
Motorola to hold Hangout On Air to discuss Moto E
Motorola announces the Moto G Ferrari Edition for Mexico with a hefty price tag
Amazon makes Moto G LTE available via pre-order
Moto X+1 coming to Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T with leather backs
Verizon support docs suggest that Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR M will be getting KitKat 4.4.2 soon
Software update for the DROID Ultra, Mini and Maxx coming, It’s probably not 4.4.2
Phones – Nexus
Nexus 6 and Nexus 8 mentioned in latest Chromium code
Nexus devices to receive Android 4.4.3 on May 23
Nexus 6 said to be nonexistent, Android Silver hinted as replacement
Phones – OnePlus
OnePlus CEO Peter Lau explains how the One costs just $299
Phones – Oppo
Specs for upcoming Oppo N1 Mini leak, Oppo N2 rumored to be in development
Phones – Samsung
The Galaxy S 5 Prime shows up on Korean web site, disappears just as quickly
Galaxy S 5 Prime may retail for $880 at launch
Premium Samsung Galaxy S 5 Prime heading to Korea in a few colors
The Galaxy S 5 Prime might have just been Bluetooth certified
Aluminum Galaxy S5 Prime shown off in leaked photos
Samsung device information leaks for upcoming S5 Prime, Mega 2, S5 Active, Gear Solo
Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A pops up with 2K display
Galaxy S 5 Active could be coming to Sprint while AT&T may receive another Galaxy Note model
Support documents suggest Samsung prepping S5 Active for international launch
Galaxy S 5 Active benchmark confirms Snapdragon 800 and a 5.1-inch 1080p display
Variant of Galaxy Note 4 coming to all major carriers
Galaxy S5 updated, bringing faster camera and improved finger scanning
Samsung offering Galaxy S 5 in two pink colors in Japan
Verizon Galaxy Note 3 gets KitKat update through wired methods
Phones – ZTE
Entry level ZTE Concord II added to T-Mobile and MetroPCS
Set-top boxes
Grand Theft Auto trilogy, Walking Dead Season 2, and more added to Amazon FireTV
Smartwatches
According to Motorola exec, smartwatches so far have been “pretty crappy”
Smart Glasses
Samsung’s ‘Glass Gear’ could be unveiled in September, run Tizen
Tablets
Intel-powered Asus MeMo Pad 7 leaks
Specs for LG’s G Pad 7 tablet revealed in benchmark test
Updated LG home screen leaks, could be used for G Pad Series tablets
Nexus devices to receive Android 4.4.3 on May 23
Nexus 6 and Nexus 8 mentioned in latest Chromium code
Samsung Super AMOLED tablets and a new 13.3-inch LCD tablet detailed
Leaked photos of Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 show up online
Samsung “Tab Into Color” event scheduled for June 12th
Samsung announces durable Galaxy Tab 4 Education built just for schools
Xiaomi’s high-res MiPad unveiled, features first-ever Nvidia Tegra K1 chip
TVs
Xiaomi announces new Android smart TV with 4K display
Updates
Galaxy S5 updated, bringing faster camera and improved finger scanning
Verizon Galaxy Note 3 gets KitKat update through wired methods
Verizon support docs suggest that Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR M will be getting KitKat 4.4.2 soon
Nexus devices to receive Android 4.4.3 on May 23
Software update for the DROID Ultra, Mini and Maxx coming, It’s probably not 4.4.2
Original HTC One (M7) Developer Edition/unlocked models receiving update
Wearables
LG will launch Lifeband Touch and Heart Rate earphones on May 18th
Miscellaneous
279 million smartphones shipped in Q1 2014, 34% had over 5-inch displays
Samsung facing public scrutiny after workers’ deaths from poor working conditions
Sony expects to ship 50m Xperia units in 2014, ships 8.8 million in last quarter
Compatibility layer project brings iOS and Android apps together
Epson adds wireless printing support thanks to KitKat
Samsung rebranding an entire Heathrow terminal for the Samsung Galaxy S 5
Motorola and Apple settle smartphone patent litigation
iPhone user sues Apple over vanishing texts after iPhones swapped
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for May 12 – May 18, 2014
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