R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
Rumors surrounding a Motorola Nexus continues to build steam, but where is the Nexus 8? The Moto 360 is the most anticipated smartwatch in history, but will it be trumped by HP? Google is cooking up customized accessories, but what is going on with those party barges? Flappy Bird makes its return, but has the excitement died down? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be another big week in the world of Android.
Reviews
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 review: It’s all about the display, and it’s gorgeous
Accessories
Google Workshop project looks to bring customization to Nexus accessories
Apple vs Samsung
Apple drops cross-appeal against Samsung in apparent sign of court fatigue
Android Wear
Wear Mini Launcher gets an update and moves from Alpha to Beta
Apps – New
Creators of WordPress release “Selfies” app to Play Store
Official Amazon Seller app now on Play Store
Apps – Updates
Facebook finally moves all messaging over to Facebook Messenger app
Swiftkey Keyboard updates with new themes, performance improvements and more
Google Search can now utilize hotel confirmation emails for suggestions
Samsung’s Kid Store reaches 900 apps
Yahoo Finance gets redesigned with new interactive graphs and real-time quotes
Samsung’s Milk Music gets $3.99 subscription option [Updated]
Hulu now offering a selection of free content on Android devices
Google Now Launcher appears to support a few new devices
NFL Mobile app updated ahead of this weekend’s first preseason game
Amazon expands Appstore to 41 new countries and territories around the globe
Stitcher Radio brings its updated Front Page feature to Android
XBMC changing name to Kodi
Carriers
U.S. Senate reports that companies are cramming customer bills with obscene charges
ZTE Grand X coming to Cricket Wireless on August 8
FreedomPop to offer LTE-enabled tablets with free voice, text and data
Samsung launches budget-friendly Galaxy Avant on T-Mobile
T-Mobile launches a promotion aimed directly at AT&T’s “Best Ever” plan
T-Mobile to carry the Sony Xperia Z3
T-Mobile boasts momentous growth for fifth consecutive quarter
Iliad wants a controlling stake in T-Mobile, submits $15 billion offer
LG G Vista now available on Verizon
Verizon Galaxy S5 receiving update which brings bevy of bug-fixes, breaks root access
Verizon pushing Android 4.4.4 update to all Moto X users
The FCC isn’t pleased with Verizon’s new policy to throttle unlimited data customers
Chrome
64-bit support for Chrome now in beta for Windows users
Gaming
Flappy Bird returns, and he’s bringing friends
Two new Pac-Man games for Android coming soon
Google Drive updated with new Material Design-inspired “home screens” for the web
Google Play Developer Publishing API now open to all developers
Grab coffee with Eric Schmidt, Google’s chairman, for winning a charitable auction
Google to show off self-driving cars at Maker Camp this Friday
Google Hangouts made more business-friendly with latest changes
Android gobbles up 85 percent of global smartphone shipments in Q2 2014
Google is decommissioning one of their mysterious barges and selling it for scrap
Google Workshop project looks to bring customization to Nexus accessories
Google may separate Photos from Google+ in the near future
Google Glass
Man steals Google Glass and quickly gets caught
Hardware
Lithium ion battery life could double according to new study
Phones – Amazon
Amazon spends $205 on every Fire Phone built
Phones – Facebook
Facebook files patent for unibody phone design, could be new Facebook Phone
Phones – HTC
The new HTC J Butterfly launched by KDDI
HTC holding press event on August 19, likely a One (M8) with Windows Phone
HTC provides free One (M8) to owner of melted Galaxy S4
Phones – Huawei
Huawei Ascend Mate 3 spotted in benchmarks packing powerful specs
Huawei teases new phone to be announced at IFA in September
Phones – Lenovo
Alleged Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro Mini gets photographed
Phones – LG
LG G Vista now available on Verizon
LG says additional LG G3 colors to be available starting in August
Analysts predict LG G3 to be twice as popular as the G2 despite imminent iPhone 6 launch
Phones – Meizu
Meizu MX4 may claim title of thinnest bezels
Phones – Motorola
Motorola Nexus likely as Android Silver plans come into question
Trademarked “Moto Maxx” hints at potential Motorola handset
Possible photos of the upcoming Moto G successor have leaked sporting a slim design
Verizon pushing Android 4.4.4 update to all Moto X users
Phones – OnePlus
OnePlus could be dropping CyanogenMod for Home-grown ROM
OnePlus dropping ColorOS in China for own ROM
Phones – Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 announcement slated for September 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 model number appears in Korean carrier’s database
Samsung Galaxy Alpha display resolution confirmed to be 720p
Samsung Galaxy Alpha to be officially unveiled on August 4th
Samsung Galaxy Alpha announcement happening August 13, specifications surface early
Samsung launches budget-friendly Galaxy Avant on T-Mobile
Samsung officially announces the Galaxy Star 2 Plus
Verizon Galaxy S5 receiving update which brings bevy of bug-fixes, breaks root access
Galaxy Mega helps save a man from being shot
Phones – Sony
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact gets photographed again
T-Mobile to carry the Sony Xperia Z3
Sony Movie Creator app shows up for Sony Xperia Z2
Phones – Vivo
VIVO could be the first to have a Sapphire display
Phones – Xiaomi
Xiaomi sells through batches of phones in China and India in under a minute
Phones – ZTE
ZTE Grand X coming to Cricket Wireless on August 8
Security
Android malware can attack devices with “Fake ID” exploit
Smartwatches
HP, Gilt working on Michael Bastian designed smartwatch
LG G Watch charging contacts wearing away for some users
LG pushing update to G Watch to fix charging pin residue issue
Photos of Motorola’s Moto 360 leak online
New rumor suggests Moto 360 to be made out of plastic
OnePlus ‘OneWatch’ leaks in unpublished product page on OnePlus’ website
Samsung files for another Gear related trademark – Gear S
Tablets
FreedomPop to offer LTE-enabled tablets with free voice, text and data
Upcoming Kindle Fire HDX to sport the Snapdragon 805
11.6-inch, Intel i5 hybrid Android Tab Book from LG announced
Alleged Nexus 9 image turns out to be just a stock image
Google now out of stock on non-LTE Nexus 7 tablets
Samsung’s Galaxy Gifts commercial showers people with happiness
New Samsung #TabletRealities campaign begins, three videos released
Wearables
Runtastic enters the wearable market with the Runtastic Orbit
Updates
Verizon pushing Android 4.4.4 update to all Moto X users
Miscellaneous
Hilton Worldwide spending $550 million to make mobile devices hotel tools
Samsung is still the king of smartphones but continues to lose market share
Motorola announces change of leadership
Samsung talks strategy to address financial slide
Qi wireless charging will soon adopt short-range resonance charging
It’s legal to unlock your cell phone (again)
Microsoft files lawsuit against Samsung for Android royalty payments
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for July 28 – August 3, 2014
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