Android 4.4 KitKat will grace other devices soon, but not the Galaxy Nexus

KitKat arriving in style

Update: Unfortunately, Galaxy Nexus owners will not be getting Android 4.4 KitKat.

Google stated as much on a support page, noting that because the phone was released two years ago, it doesn't meet the 18-month window where devices normally receive updates.

There's also word over at Engadget Spanish the phone won't get the upgrade because it carries a chip made by Texas Instruments, a company that no longer produces mobile silicon. Therefore, it wouldn't be able to provide support for the new operating system. Google hasn't confirmed this is the reason behind the decision, but it seems likely.

It's lame to be sure, but then again, it's probably time for you to update your phone after two years anyway.

Original article ...

The brand spankin' new Google Nexus 5 isn't the only device that will receive Android 4.4 KitKat.

Announced today by Google, the Nexus 4, with Play editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, and the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 will also get a piece of Android KitKat "in the coming weeks."

We'll probably even see the sweet new system on budget phones soon afterwards since the OS is compatible with as little as 512MB of RAM.

Google notes on its developer site that, "KitKat streamlines every major component to reduce memory use" for a broader range of devices, meaning the whole OS has been condensed, along with memory used by Google services like Chrome and YouTube. More memory efficient apps can also be created.

That KitKat OS

4.4 KitKat is seeing a lengthy range of improvements; the interface is much cleaner and boasts changes like full-screen album art during music playback to better search options like new voice command options using "OK Google."

According to Gizmodo, the OK Google feature requires heftier hardware like Snapdragon 800 so it's only out on the Nexus 5, but don't count out other Android smartphones yet since many are likely more than capable.

• Now with all the announcements about the Nexus 5 and KitKat out of the way, we have more time to sniff out more next-gen Nexus 10 news.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-4-kitkat-will-grace-a-whole-list-of-phones-soon-1195478

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Alleged image of Motorola Moto G leaks out on Twitter

After appearing alongside the Moto X on Motorola’s website the other day, the yet to be announced Moto G showed up yet again. This time, an image of the smartphone, along with some alleged specs made the rounds on Twitter.

Alleged photo of the Moto G (click to enlarge)

Reportedly, the Moto G will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC with 1.5GHz quad-core CPU. The display is said to be a 4.7” 720p unit. An 8MP camera, 8 or 16GB of built-in memory, and an LG-made 1,950mAh battery complete the list of leaked specs.

The Moto G is said to start for free on contract when available.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_image_of_motorola_moto_g_leaks_out_on_twitter-news-7106.php

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Nexus 5 torn down in front of a camera

Here is another Google Nexus 5 leak. In case you aren't tired of seeing the smartphone leaking from pretty much every corner of the universe, here we have yet another set of pictures for you.

This time the Nexus 5 poses in front of a camera with an opened battery cover. You'll get to see the 2,300 mAh battery, the alleged OIS camera, plus the round earpiece.

LG Nexus 5

There are a few high-res photos of the Nexus 5 itself.

LG Nexus 5

We already know everything there is to know about the LG-made Google Nexus 5. You can check its specs here if you think you've missed something.

We expect Nexus 5 to go official any moment now. It's about time really, because we are all getting really tired of this leak marathon.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_nexus_5_torn_down_in_front_of_a_camera-news-7102.php

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Forget movies, smartphones are the new box-office winners for Sony

Sony getting smarter on phones

Olympus Has Fallen. This was the movie name-checked in Sony's recent financials, where it announced it has slashed its full-year profit forecast by a whopping 40%.

It's an unfortunate title when you consider that one of the giants of the tech world has once again showed with a plummet in profits how volatile the entertainment and technology space is.

The movie's poor showing at the box office was revealed to be one of the many things that has brought Sony slipping back into the red. This alongside an ailing TV and video camera business unfortunately masked an area where Sony is excelling – mobile phones.

As with LG's recent earnings report, smartphones are big business once more for companies that were primarily known for their television output. They are propping up profits, plastering over the cracks other devices are continuing to add to brands.

This is good news for the phone industry, but more importantly great news for mobile phone users. 2013 has been a golden year for mobile phones.

Mobile redemption

No longer are Samsung and Apple the only ones name-checked when someone asks 'what is the best mobile phone?'. The HTC One, LG G2, Nokia Lumia 1520 and Sony Xperia Z1 are all viable alternatives for the 'best phone' crown.

Sony's redemption in the phone market has come at a great time for the company. Without its recent success in this space, where sales of its phones have grown to 39%, Sony's outlook for 2013 would be, well, even more bleak.

And, despite criticism, it shows that at least one of the prongs on CEO Kazuo Hirai's three-pronged approach to the electronics market – mobile, imaging, and gaming – is sharp. But this doesn't mean that he should turn trim this approach into a solitary spike.

Let the games begin

Yes gaming was hit with a loss, because of PS Vita price cuts, but 2014 is certain to be different. The PS4 is launching, along with it better PS Vita functionality.

The PS4 also makes fantastic use of Sony smartphones and offers the 4K functionality that could be key to kickstarting people buying televisions once more, two key things that could finally create the 'one Sony' eco-system the company is currently craving.

Sony is struggling, but its renewed focus in mobile gives it hope. The news that there's a sequel to Olympus Has Fallen, does not.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/forget-movies-smartphones-are-the-new-box-office-winners-for-sony-1195315

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Pink Samsung Galaxy Note 3 goes on sale in the UK

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was announced in three flavors - black, white and pink. The black and white Note 3 are already available globally, while the pink is yet to hit the shelves.

It seems UK is the first market to get the pink Galaxy Note 3. It will be available tomorrow exclusively via Phones 4U. You can get the phablet for free with a 2-year contract on various plans starting at £43. If you need a cheaper contract - you can get the phablet on £40/month deal, but you will have to pay £100 upfront.

If you get the pink Galaxy Note 3 on a 4G tariff, you get a free wireless speaker worth £120. What’s more, anyone upgrading to the new smartphone on a Vodafone 4G ready plan will gets Sky Sports Mobile or Spotify Premium included for no extra charge.

The Phones 4U exclusivity will last until the end of November. After that the pink Galaxy Note 3 will become across the UK.

There is no info on when other markets will be getting the pink edition.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/pink_samsung_galaxy_note_3_goes_on_sale_in_the_uk-news-7101.php

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Nokia seeks to ban import of One smartphones in UK

Nokia has scored an important victory in its legal crusade against HTC. The Patents Court in London has found that the Taiwanese company infringes on one of Nokia's patents. The Finns will now try and leverage on the decision and pursue an import ban of the One smartphones as well as seeking compensation of undisclosed amount.

The Finnish company is displeased with HTC for using its patent for a "modulator, equipment used by phones to transmit data". The Taiwanese manufacturer has argued that the technology in question is found in Qualcomm chips it purchases for its One smartphone, and it's up to the chip maker to negotiate the licenses. That's why HTC feels the court has taken the wrong decition and has expressed its plans to appeal.

It seems the essence of the argument is very similar to the one that occurred in April in the Netherlands. Then, Nokia won a short ban against the HTC One sales over a violation of a patent regarding the use of a proprietary microphone. It turned out that ST Microelectronics, which had signed a deal with Nokia to exclusively manufacture it for its Lumia devices, slipped up and allowed HTC to use it too.

In the end, the ban was lifted from the Hague after it ruled out that HTC was not at fault.

By the look of things, HTC is going to employ the same strategy here to try and lift the ban on the One sales in the UK. The Taiwanese highlighted that Nokia had signed an agreement in the US not to sue Qualcomm over the matter, so going after HTC doesn't make sense.

Nokia expressed its satisfaction with the decision and has released the following statement:

"This is the third court this year to find that HTC infringes Nokia patents, bringing the number of patents found infringed to four," said a spokesman for the European company.

It's not yet known what the outcome of the case would be, but Nokia we are certainly hoping the two companies will find a solution that doesn't involve sales bans. After all limiting the choice for end-users is hardly the point of the patent system.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_wins_patent_case_against_htc_seeks_sales_ban-news-7099.php

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Android 4.4 KitKat could spread the love to budget handsets

KitKat could bring an end to fragmentation

Android has come on leaps and bounds since its launch in 2008, but many users are using old or low powered phones which aren't compatible with more recent versions of the OS. In fact versions as old as Gingerbread are still relatively common.

Android 4.4 KitKat aims to change that according to a new leak from JessicaLessin.com. The leak states that Android KitKat "optimises memory use in every major component" and makes it easier to develop memory efficient applications for entry level devices right down to those with just 512MB of RAM.

So if you're stuck on a phone running Android Gingerbread there may be hope for an update. If this rumour bears fruit it could also revitalise sales of ageing handsets and make lower end Android phones a more attractive proposition as they might be in for an upgrade.

Wear and walk

Android KitKat also appears to be built with wearables in mind, as the same source states that KitKat will support three new types of sensors, specifically a step detector, a step counter and a geomagnetic rotation vector.

The most obvious use for them would be in Google's rumoured smartwatch, but they could also benefit other smartwatches and Google Glass, while even phones could potentially utilise them, as fitness apps such as pedometers would surely be able to make great use of a step counter.

The source further suggests that these sensors might also be used to help Google map out indoor locations and improve walking directions.

With Android KitKat likely to be unveiled very soon it wont be long until we know just how true all this is.

• Have a break, have some more KitKat rumours.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-4-kitkat-could-spread-the-love-to-budget-handsets-1195232

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Nexus 5 hands-on video leaks, again

This is getting embarrassing – the Nexus 5 has leaked all over the place, even gone on preorder, and yet Google still hasn't officially announced it. Well, you might not be getting the official info on the Nexus 5 yet, but here's a lengthy hands-on video in case there was something about the phone that wasn’t known yet.

The About screen on the device reports it as the Nexus 5 running Android Key Lime Pie, which means it was probably running old software. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 800 chipset and has around 12GB user-available storage, which means 16GB total storage.

The video shows off some of the apps – Chrome, Camera, Calendar, YouTube, Keep, Google Earth, but doesn’t, for example, show the new Hangouts that is supposed to come out soon.

Come on Google, just announce the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat already.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_3_exynos_version_benchmark_results_are_in-news-7098.php

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active mini all but confirmed

Is this the rugged S4 Active mini? Do we even want an Active mini?

Mini smartphone models seem to be all the rage, and with FCC and Chinese equivalent filings joining benchmark entries, a Galaxy S4 Active mini model looks to be on the way.

Chinese FCC equivalent Tenaa has a filing for a device called the "Samsung GT-I8580", giving us some pictures that look just like the S4 Active, but a little smaller.

Add to this the fact that the spec list on Tenaa matches up with an FCC filing of a device also called Samsung GT-I8580, and we can't help but start to believe its another tangible mini outing from Samsung.

Meanwhile, GFXBench also has a 3D Graphics performance entry for the Samsung GT-I8580, sporting the same spec list.

Watering down the Active

According to the spec lists, the Active mini will come sporting a slightly smaller 4.65-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 800, making it only slightly smaller than the original S4 Active, but with a heavy downgrade display sharpness.

Most of the "mini" aspects of the device most likely refer to the general spec downgrades, as internally, it will be powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM, a drop from the original's quad-core processor with 2GB or RAM.

The rear camera will sit at 5MP and the smartphone will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It will also come with the same physical keys setup as the original S4 Active, and the same water- and dust-resistant features.

As Samsung already has a Galaxy S4 mini out in the wild, an S4 Active mini isn't a far stretch for the company.

But while FCC filings can generally be trusted, we'll be taking at least the spec details with a grain of salt – still, we'll be keeping our ears to the ground for more news about the so-called Samsung GT-I8580.

Via: TheDroidGuy

• Here's 10 things you should know about the original Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-active-mini-all-but-confirmed-1195181

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