R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
Google I/O is only a few days way, kicking off this Wednesday. What exactly will we see? One thing we probably won’t see is the upcoming Nexus 8 (or 9), but we finally know more information about it. Amazon unveiled the Fire Phone. Is this just another flop or is it a game changer? The Moto X+1 continues to leak on video, but the Galaxy Note 4 appears to be the next big thing. Google continues to bring stock apps to the Play Store, this time the email app. Speaking of apps, why on earth did Nike bring the Nike+ FuelBand app to Android now? A little too late don’t you think? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be an epic week in the world of Android.
Guides
How to update the Google Play Store app on your Android device the easy way, no APK download necessary
Reviews
[App Review] UberConference is a conference calling service with a focus on efficiency
Apps – New
Garmin launches new premium navigation app called víago
Terrain Home, backed by Samsung Accelerator, aims to simplify your Android device
Sony partners with YouTube to allow live broadcasting from new app
Slingshot, Facebook’s Snapchat competitor, lands in the Play Store
Nike+ FuelBand app for Android finally arrives, “optimized” for six devices
Access wallpapers from different OEMs, Android versions, ROMs or other OS’s with DroidPack app
SureMote app for Android aims to make your smartphone the only universal remote you will ever need
Oyster e-book subscription service opens the cover on Android app
Google brings the stock email app to the Play Store [APK Download]
Apps – Updated
Here’s the new World Cup themed boot animation on the Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E
Snapchat slingshots back at Facebook, launches “Our Story” social sharing feature
Sunrise Calendar adds hooks to additional platforms like Evernote, Tripit and Songkick
Samsung launches Milk Music for several tablets
Using Google Search for music can now redirect you to compatible apps
Yo app dealing with hacks
Google Play Movies now supports 21 new countries
UpTo gets new widgets and an improved interface with latest update
Carriers
AT&T reports data breach targeting unlock codes for phones
AT&T pushing Android 4.4.2 update to Samsung Galaxy S III
Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini, Galaxy Mega 6.3 for Sprint receiving Android 4.4.2
Sprint rolling out Android 4.4.3 to the Moto X
T-Mobile boasts wideband and VoLTE network presence, removes music streaming from data limits
John Legere lets everyone know how he feels about alleged Amazon, AT&T exclusive smartphone
T-Mobile’s John Legere apologizes for comments at Uncarrier event
Un-carrier 5.0 and 6.0 off to great starts
T-Mobile flips the switch for VoLTE on a few devices
LG G Vista reportedly heading to Verizon Wireless
Alleged LG G Vista for Verizon promotional image leaks, looks oddly similar to the G3
Verizon rolls out Android 4.4.2 for Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Sudden arrival of Android 4.4.4 pushes Motorola DROID line (2013) update 3-5 weeks
Chrome
Chrome OS adds support for “supervised users,” allows for stronger control over alternate user accounts
Chromebooks
NVIDIA-powered Chromebook by Acer appears online
Chromecast
Lynda.com app update brings video library to Chromecast
YouTube live events now supported by Chromecast via mobile device
[New Chromecast App] Cast photos, weather, call/sms notifications, and album art with HomeCast
Google wants help to improve Tab Casting with Chromecast
Gaming
Angry Birds Transformers is coming soon from Rovio and Hasbro
Sonic Dash lets you play as Bugdroid and an Android-like Sonic
Several Sonic titles from Sega on sale for Android devices
Google to offer Project Loon based Internet next year
YouTube plans to launch paid music streaming service by end of summer
Google expected to unveil Android for your car at I/O dev conference next week
Google Fiber TV shows up in FCC filing
Google Search will allow you to make calls to businesses through Hangouts
Dalvik hits the end of the road
Android to get kill switch following success of Apple implementation
Google’s latest initiative “Made with Code” aimed at inspiring future female programmers
Android 4.4.4 factory images and binaries for Google Nexus devices posted
Nest to acquire Dropcam for $555 million
What to expect at I/O’14 – Design
Google adding native “help page” interface on its Android apps
Google Glass
Google announces new Glass at Work program, first round of certified partners
Hardware
Soap, an intelligent router, will monitor and secure everything connected
Home Automation
Nest Protect returns to shelves after being recalled, price drops to $99
Archos selling full total smart home package starter kit for $250
Phones – Amazon
Amazon finally enters the smartphone game with the unveiling of the Fire Phone
Missed Amazon announcing the Fire Phone? Watch it again here
New Amazon smartphone to be an AT&T exclusive
Phones – HTC
Updated rumors on the Nexus 8 and HTC One (M8) Prime
Phones – Huawei
Images of Huawei’s next flagship leak
Phones – LG
LG G Vista reportedly heading to Verizon Wireless
Alleged LG G Vista for Verizon promotional image leaks, looks oddly similar to the G3
Unknown LG device’s model number with its Odin processor surfaces
Phones – Motorola
Image and spec details for Motorola Moto X+1 leak
Moto X+1 leaked in video ahead of September launched
Moto X+1 leaks again, this time covered in saran wrap
New Moto X+1 video leaks — it’s blurry, but it’s something
Moto X+1 might feature a 4K video recording
Motorola may finally roll out Moto Maker to European markets
Sprint rolling out Android 4.4.3 to the Moto X
Moto G with LTE now available through Motorola
Sudden arrival of Android 4.4.4 pushes Motorola DROID line (2013) update 3-5 weeks
Here’s the new World Cup themed boot animation on the Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E
Phones – Nexus
More of the same: LG exec denies Nexus 6 rumors, does not confirm Android Silver project
Phones -Nokia
Nokia’s next Android smartphone could be revealed on June 24
Phones – OnePlus
How to get a OnePlus One without an invite
OnePlus launches “invite contest,” participate to earn invite to purchase 64GB Sandstone Black version of OnePlus One
iFixit team tears down, repairs OnePlus One, receives average repairability score
Design choice delays OnePlus One in Europe
Phones – Oppo
Oppo Find 7 with QHD display now available for pre-order
Phones – Samsung
Samsung one-ups itself with Galaxy S5 LTE-A, let the buyer’s remorse begin (in Korea)
Galaxy Note 4 will definitely sport a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 display
Here’s the alleged Samsung Galaxy Note 4 specs based on AnTuTu benchmark
Full list of Samsung Galaxy Note 4 model numbers leak
Samsung Galaxy F press render leaked in ‘glowing gold’
Verizon rolls out Android 4.4.2 for Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
First 64-bit Samsung smartphone hinted at in benchmark
Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime pops up in the Netherlands without QHD display
AT&T pushing Android 4.4.2 update to Samsung Galaxy S III
Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini, Galaxy Mega 6.3 for Sprint receiving Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Phones – Sony
Upcoming Sony Xperia smartphones codenamed Pegasus, Aries and Leo show up
Security
Yo app dealing with hacks
Smart Glasses
Samsung files trademark application for Samsung Gear VR
Smartwatches
Google releases Android Wear introduction video on YouTube ahead of Google I/O conference
New info on LG G Watch shown on Google Play
New image of LG G Watch surfaces
Samsung’s new Android Wear smartwatch to be unveiled at Google I/O
Fleksy releases app to allow texting from Samsung Gear 2
Samsung Gear Store trademark filed with USPTO
Tablets
According to LG, the new G Pad is perfect for your next day off
Updated rumors on the Nexus 8 and HTC One (M8) Prime
Nexus tablet Volantis manufactured by HTC leaks: 8.9-inch display, NVIDIA Tegra K1, and more
WiFi versions of Samsung Galaxy Tab S to hit stores in U.S. next week
Samsung explains the magic behind the Super AMOLED display of the Galaxy Tab S
Updates
Android 4.4.4 factory images and binaries for Google Nexus devices posted
Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini, Galaxy Mega 6.3 for Sprint receiving Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Verizon rolls out Android 4.4.2 for Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Sprint rolling out Android 4.4.3 to the Moto X
Sudden arrival of Android 4.4.4 pushes Motorola DROID line (2013) update 3-5 weeks
Wearables
Samsung Gear Store trademark filed with USPTO
Miscellaneous
Chinese government discloses long list of patents Microsoft leverages over Android manufacturers
Samsung has launched over 100 Android smartphones so far
Nuance Communications considering possible sale to Samsung
Amazon Appstore value rising as many developers see equal revenue with competing platforms
US Transportation Department investigating ways of regulating navigation apps on your smartphone
Unicode Consortium announces version 7.0 including 250 new emoji
Samsung working on world’s first Smart Bike
Amazon’s Appstore coming to BlackBerry this fall
Samsung and Apple edge closer to patent truce
Supreme Court rules that software patents cannot be about abstract ideas
Twitter acquires SnappyTV in order to bolster its video content for media partners
Amazon dangles carrot worth $15,000 of Amazon Coins in front of developers to optimize apps for Fire Phone
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for June 16 – June 22, 2014
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