R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
We now have confirmation that we will get the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in early September. Will it boost Samsung’s lackluster sales? We should also see major announcements from Sony and Huawei that same week, but still no word on when Motorola will unveil the Moto X+1 or the Moto 360. Google releases the Google Fit preview SDK, which also gave us an updated Android L Developer Preview. Verizon Wireless continues its shenanigans, while Sprint changes the guard. 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
LG G3 Review: Everything you want in a smartphone
Accessories
uBeam’s working prototype will charge devices via ultrasound across the room
Android Wear
WhatsApp beta update brings in Android Wear support
[New Android Wear App] Attopedia brings Wikipedia to your wrist
Facebook Messenger adds Android Wear support
Apple vs Samsung
Apple and Samsung agree to stop all current litigation outside the U.S.
USPTO nixes Apple patent, could benefit Samsung with trial damages
Apps – New
NFL Now takes the field to provide video highlights and news
Apps – Updated
WhatsApp beta update brings in Android Wear support
Google Hands-Free showing up in Google Search
Foursquare releases all new version of their app
YouTube, Play Music, and Hangouts all receiving minor updates
Google Search updated to version 3.6 with new app deep linking and hints of a hands free mode
Facebook Messenger adds Android Wear support
Android Device Manager joins the update club
VSCO Cam 3.0 update includes VSCO Grid to showcase your shots
HTC Gallery app updated to allow users to share Duo Camera photos on the web
Dish Anywhere app updated with a slew of new features
Fleksy gets Arabic and Chinese support, plus several new premium themes
LG G3 users reporting 1440p streaming option within YouTube
T-Mobile adds Device Unlock to Google Play
Google brings back device deauthorization limit for Play Music
Blame record labels for Play Music deauthorization mess until Google fixes it
Google Play hosting summer sale with nearly 50 apps discounted by up to 85%
Carriers
Carriers recommend Samsung devices more than Apple and its iPhone
Samsung Galaxy Alpha variants unofficially confirmed, AT&T and T-Mobile models included
AT&T to sell the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE for $0.99 when bundled with certain LG phones
Motorola sending out soak test invites to Moto X owners on AT&T
AT&T announces LG G Vista is coming soon
SoftBank selecting Brightstar’s Marcelo Claure as new Sprint CEO
LG G3 S renamed G3 Vigor on Sprint, according to leak
T-Mobile to start Summer Savings Upgrade Offer for select customers
Kyocera announces ruggedized Kyocera Hydro Life smartphone coming to T-Mobile, MetroPCS
T-Mobile keeps going and going in battery tests
T-Mobile is officially the number 1 prepaid carrier in the US
Sony Xperia Z3 being tested on T-Mobile’s network prior to announcement
T-Mobile adds Device Unlock to Google Play
Moto X+1 set for September 25 launch on Verizon
FCC continues to express frustration with Verizon data throttling
Verizon replies to FCC concerns regarding data throttling plan
Verizon Push to Talk Plus now available for select smartphones
Chromebooks
Amazon discounts Chromebooks for back to school sale
Gaming
Google Play Store refund window increases to 2 hours
Humble Mobile Bundle 6 arrives with six games in exchange for a donation
NVIDIA SHIELD Portable update features SHIELD Controller Support and SHIELD Hub App
Rovio releases teaser trailer for Angry Birds Stella, will be released September 4
Sony is no longer supporting PlayStation Mobile for Android
Female Gamers outweigh their male counterparts with money, time, and loyalty
Google Play hosting summer sale with nearly 50 apps discounted by up to 85%
Google tips police to suspicious photos hidden inside a sex offender’s Gmail inbox
Google bans offensive “Bomb Gaza” game from Google Play store
Google expands the universe of email addresses it will recognize in Gmail
Google Play announces Spider-Man films and TV shows sale
You can now explore the Moon and Mars with Google Maps
Gmail adds easy “unsubscribe” button
Google scoops up smart IM client Emu
Look out Amazon: Google and Barnes & Noble team up
Google Fit now available to developers as a preview SDK
Yahoo working with Google to create encrypted email system
Google brings back device deauthorization limit for Play Music
Blame record labels for Play Music deauthorization mess until Google fixes it
Phones – HTC
The ‘HTC Eye’ super-selfie phone is coming to all major US carriers
HTC A11 specs and pictures leaked
New photo of HTC One M8 Prime next to One M8 leaks on Twitter
Phones – Huawei
Huawei Ascend D3 could sport a fingerprint scanner
Spin-off of the Huawei Ascend P7 could sport a Sapphire display
Phones – Kyocera
Kyocera announces ruggedized Kyocera Hydro Life smartphone coming to T-Mobile, MetroPCS
Kyocera’s Sapphire Shield display on the Brigadier passes stress test with flying colors
Phones – Lenovo
Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro announced, carries a stunning 6-inch QHD display
Phones – LG
LG’s 5.9-inch ‘G3 Stylus’ makes appearance in promotional video, will compete with Samsung’s Note 4
LG G3 Stylus not expected to go head-to-head with the Galaxy Note 4
LG announces new LG G3 A variant of their flagship
AT&T announces LG G Vista is coming soon
LG G3 S renamed G3 Vigor on Sprint, according to leak
LG working on solution to unlock the G3′s bootloader
Phones – Motorola
Unidentified Motorola box shows up at Verizon, model number is XT1096
Moto X+1 confirmed to pack the Snapdragon 801
Moto X+1 set for September 25 launch on Verizon
Moto G successor may have bigger screen, but same processor and specs
Moto G2 looking like an August release
Moto X eventual update to Android L confirmed by Motorola’ VP of Product Management on Google+
Motorola sending out soak test invites to Moto X owners on AT&T
[Deal] Best Buy selling the Moto G 4G for just $180
Phones – Oppo
Oppo N1 Mini already available in Malaysia
Phones – Pantech
Pantech Pop Up Note to enter large, stylus-equipped smartphone market
Phones – Samsung
Samsung’s three-sided display nearing release
Samsung holding Unpacked 2014 event on Sept. 3, Most likely Note 4
Samsung hints at Note 4 at September 3rd IFA
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with Snapdragon 805 supposedly confirmed
Samsung’s Galaxy Alpha in white gets photographed, looks very familiar
Samsung Galaxy Alpha variants unofficially confirmed, AT&T and T-Mobile models included
Pictures of Galaxy Alpha alongside iPhone 5s leak online
Samsung Galaxy Alpha shows up at the FCC
Samsung Galaxy Alpha specifications leak with just about nothing to hide
Blue Samsung Galaxy S 5 coming to Best Buy August 17
Phones – Sony
Sony Xperia Z3 being tested on T-Mobile’s network prior to announcement
Z3 or possibly another Sony Xperia phone smiles for the camera
More Sony Xperia Z3 Compact images leak
Sony’s IFA 2014 press invite leaks online, teases new devices
Phones – Xiaomi
Xiaomi sells 15,000 Mi 3 smartphones in 2 seconds
Set-top Boxes
Amazon Fire TV gets more content
Smartwatches
Spare LG G Watch charging cradle now available in Play Store
Pictures of wireless charging dock for Moto 360 appear online
Pebble releases limited edition green, pink, and blue smartwatches
Samsung to announce Gear Solo at IFA 2014 next month
Samsung Gear Live receives same update as G watch
Tablets
AT&T to sell the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE for $0.99 when bundled with certain LG phones
Nexus 8 specs revealed
Samsung, Barnes & Noble co-hosting event August 20 to launch Galaxy Tab 4 Nook
New Xperia tablet pegged for launch
Samsung unlikely to achieve tablet shipment goals for the year
Updates
Moto X eventual update to Android L confirmed by Motorola’ VP of Product Management on Google+
Android “L” to include Multi-user functionality on phones
Updated Android L preview builds available for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7
Miscellaneous
July sales for HTC hit five-month low
Xiaomi’s sales in China soar at Samsung’s expense
LG forecasted to hit 60 million smartphones in worldwide sales for this year
Android smartphone vendors expect poor sales numbers for second half of 2014
Samsung announces reduction in business with supplier involved in child labor
Samsung’s U.S. market share grows as LG, Motorola, and HTC all see small dips
HTC allegedly working with Bose to shrink speakers size for smaller bezels
Female Gamers outweigh their male counterparts with money, time, and loyalty
Carriers recommend Samsung devices more than Apple and its iPhone
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for August 4 – August 10, 2014
Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!
News via TalkAndroid