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It's been a long time since Facebook was just a social media platform, and now the empire is looking to expand into yet another field. The Financial Times reports that Facebook is just weeks from obtaining regulatory approval in Ireland to offer services that would let users store their money, as well as pay and exchange that money with other users. Facebook would become an "e-money" institution, making the virtual currency valid throughout Europe. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

We already know that Google is readying an update (4.4.3) to squash a number of bugs. The only question is when will will land? Well that day just might be today. Turns out that Sprint has announced an update to their version of the Nexus 5. This update (KTU48F) does bring Sprint Spark bands 26 and 41 to the phone, but it doesn’t appear that’s all. There is no changelog yet, but “miscellaneous Android updates” were mentioned. Is this the expected Android 4.4.3 update? We don’t know for sure just yet, but we suspect that it is. Why would Sprint want to push two updates so close together? If this is Android 4.4.3, then expect an announcement from Google later tod…

Over a year ago, we covered some of the best available replacement keyboards for Android devices. Many of those keyboards are still fantastic options, but they’ve been updated to include great new features, and other keyboards have hit the Play Store that are just a little better than what was available a year ago. Keyboards are still just as important as always, so we’re going to give you an up-to-date guide on the best of what’s available. SwiftKey made our list last time, and it’s done nothing but improve since then, including knocking out one of its biggest flaws; a separate phone and tablet application. The text prediction and autocorrect on SwiftKey is…

Huawei’s Ascend P7 has been slowly leaking for some time now, but we now have our first quality pictures of the device. From the pictures, we can see that the Ascend P7 closely resembles the previous P6, with a few tweaks here and there. As a reminder, the Huawei Ascend P7 reportedly has a quad-core 1.6Ghz HiSilicon SoC and will feature a 5-inch Full HD display, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear-camera coupled with an 8MP front facing shooter, and 16GB of internal storage (expandable via a MicroSD card). You can check out the rest of the images via the source link below. Source: Weibo Via: G for Games Come comment on this article: Pictures of Huawei Ascend P7 le…

Google and their Google Glass project continue to look for ways the devices can benefit users as part of an effort to turn the tide of public skepticism over the devices. The latest example of a positive use comes to us once again from the medical field where plastic surgeon Ramtin Kassir is using Google Glass in a variety of ways when dealing with patients. Similar to other reports of Glass being used to record or live stream activities in the operating room, Dr. Kassir is doing the same thing with his patients, along with accessing medical records hands-free without leaving the patient. Dr. Kassir thinks Google Glass could be a game changer for doctors. Dr. Kassir in…

Whenever Google releases a new version, or major update, to Android one of the most common questions for owners of existing phones is whether their device will ever benefit. Owners of the Motorola DROID devices from 2012, the DROID RAZR HD, DROID RAZR M, and DROID RAZR MAXX HD has some reason to be concerned when Android 4.4 KitKat was released last fall as their devices were already “old” in terms of smartphones. They probably breathed a sigh of relief when Motorola announced they would make KitKat available for their devices at some point. After months of no updates though, some were questioning whether Motorola was really committed to the effort to make KitKat availab…

Apple's CarPlay solution might not look like much on the surface but as we explained shortly after its debut, CarPlay is a pretty huge deal for the auto industry. In a market overrun by terrible infotainment solutions, Apple's CarPlay allows an iOS device to take over a vehicle's stereo system and provide drivers with access to Siri, music, calling and plenty more. The bad news, of course, is that you'll need a car with a compatible infotainment system in order to use CarPlay. As it turns out, however, users will be able to add Apple's CarPlay product to just about any car beginning this fall. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

Google announced on Monday that it would be acquiring Titan Aerospace, a startup that develops high-altitude, solar-powered drones. Titan Aerospace was previously courted by Facebook for a reported $60 million buyout, but it appears that Google struck first. The Wall Street Journal reports that Google did not divulge the price of the acquisition, but the search giant did say that the 20 or so employees of Titan will remain in their New Mexico location. CEO Vern Raburn will also continue to run the company. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

A recent report out of South Korea referred to LG's upcoming G3 flagship Android phone as a "Galaxy S5 killer." Of course, regardless of how impressive the new phone might be, there is simply no way it will "kill" the Galaxy S5 as far as sales are concerned. If LG's G3 sales amount to even 10% or 15% of Galaxy S5 sales, LG will have done an impressive job. As it turns out, however, there may actually be one key area where the G3 is indeed a "Galaxy S5 killer," and it's an area that will come as quite a surprise. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

We're just hours away from witnessing the first of a super-rare tetrad of "blood moon" eclipses but it might start a little too late for those of us who want to watch it on the east coast. As NPR tells us, the moon will start turning blood-red at 1 a.m. ET and won't peak for another couple of hours at 3 a.m. ET. If you're on the west coast, however, the times for eclipse-watching become much more reasonable since it starts at 10 p.m. PT and peaks at midnight PT. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

Motorola’s yet-to-be-unveiled Moto X+1 smartphone will have even more customization options than its predecessor, @evleaks revealed in a recent tweet, including the leather backplate option that was previously rumored. The well-known gadget leaker has obtained a document that lists 25 different back covers users will apparently be able to choose from when ordering the device. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

http://androidforum.us/data/MetaMirrorCache/4557d7a20f9ce65f04299b2aa51d0ce3.jpg Samsung's Galaxy S5 might be a brand new smartphone, but it's also quite familiar in a number of ways. The look of the phone is very similar to the Galaxy S4 aside from the new texture on the back, and the software is unmistakably similar as well. In fact, I noted in a recent post that the best thing about the Galaxy S5 just so happens to be its gorgeous display. The screen, of course, was also the best thing about last year's Galaxy S4. As it turns out, these two flagship phones also have something else in common: Their worst feature. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Re…

Ahead of the holidays last year, AT&T unveiled new smartphone plans that finally offered subscribers what many people have been seeking for years: a discount on phone service once the device subsidy is paid for. Traditional cell phone service plans include an additional fee built in to help carriers recoup the cost of the phones they sell, which are made available to customers at a discounted price up front. The rest of the phone's value is worked into the monthly cost of service. Now, just as AT&T did this past December, Verizon on Monday announced a new promotion that will offer users a similar deal. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

Apple’s iconic co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs was essential to the company’s successes, both in its early days and especially after he was hired back to steer it away from dark waters. The company has been responsible for reshaping various industries, including the computer, music, smartphone and tablet businesses, with Jobs at the helm — and the CEO was always ready to share his opinions on everything having something to do with the company. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

http://androidforum.us/data/MetaMirrorCache/62223a79337af673493745c68591f09f.jpg As with previous Samsung flagship devices, the recently launched Galaxy S5 handset comes with the company’s custom user interface on top of Android, as well as various bloatware apps, which buyers may not necessarily appreciate. Luckily, there is a way to better customize and manage the Android device, although it requires users to root their Galaxy S5 units in the process. SamMobile reports that many Galaxy S5 versions can be rooted, thanks to the work of recognized developer Chainfire, including several models launched in the U.S. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

The HTC One (M8) might not be the breakout hit that the company was looking for, but HTC isn't throwing in the towel quite yet. According to a report from TMTpost, HTC is preparing a plastic version of the HTC One (M8) for release as early as next month. The specifications for the plastic model should be identical to those of the metal One (M8) -- the difference comes in the price tag. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

We have already heard that Android and Chrome will unite under Project Hera, so it’s no surprise that the same will happen with icons. Right now, Google has different icons for the web and Android, but Android Police is reporting that Android icons will be altered to more resemble web icons. Of course, all Google projects have an internal name, and this one is “Moonshine.” It’s expected that Android icons will become flatter, with long, hard shadows. This change could also bring updated design guidelines because the current square or circular boilerplate icons wouldn’t fit in. Hit the break for all the proposed Android icons. source: Android Police …

Samsung has sent out invitations for an event that will announce the next generation Zoom. However, contrary to the belief that the device will be known as the Galaxy S 5 Zoom, the device will become the Galaxy K. It’s interesting that Samsung went with that name considering they’ve already released a Galaxy K in South Korea. Albeit that was almost four years ago. According to rumors though, the Galaxy K will be a brand in of itself and will not resemble the Galaxy S 5 in anyway. As a further break away from the S 5, the device won’t even share any of the hardware aspects the S 5 has. Rather, the Galaxy K will be considered of a more mid-tier device. It’s rumored t…

After a slight delay, T-Mobile just unveiled their 3rd and final installment of big announcements to further shake up the mobile industry. Last week brought a new Simple Starter Plan for day 1 and day 2 was that LTE tablets will be priced the same as Wi-Fi-only tablets. Day 3 is all about overage charges. T-Mobile will no longer charge overages to their customers, which is a pretty good announcement in itself, but John Legere and team are taking it one step further. They are encouraging AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless to do the same, and they have created a petition on Change.org. Overage charges for 2013 totaled more than $1 billion, which isn’t chump chan…

In what should be surprising news — but isn’t — a reporter by the name of Kyle Russell had his Google Glass pulled from his face and eventually smashed. Coming from covering a protest involving a Google lawyer, Jack Halprin, who has started evicting tenants of a rental building he recently bought, Russell was heading home when a lady, who saw that he had Glass, shouted “Glass!” and tore the $1,500 wearable off his face. She then ran off and when Russell and a friend gave pursuit, turned and threw the piece of tech on the ground, smashing it. Luckily, Russell and his friend weren’t hurt in the altercation but some are calling it a hate crime. However, because …

With HTC’s One M8 out and available for purchase, it would only be a matter of time before we started hearing more regarding the smaller cousin to this year’s (so far) most beautiful handset. The HTC One M8 Mini is currently rumored to be releasing in May. A second rumor has leaked all but confirming the first rumor. According to Taiwan’s ePrice, the M8 Mini is set to go on sale in Taiwan in May which correlates with UK rumor from March. There’s no official confirmation of specs but according to rumor, the device will pack a 4.5-inch screen with a 720p resolution. It will also feature 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (expandable via micro SD), a 13MP rear camera (n…

Samsung will soon unveil the Galaxy S4 Zoom successor, but SamMobile reports the device will not be part of the S5 family, as previously rumored. Instead, the company will apparently introduce a new Galaxy family of camera phones, the Galaxy K. Samsung has quietly announced on Twitter a “Kapture the Moment” media event set to take place on April 29 in Singapore, suggesting it will unveil a new camera later this month. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

The highly anticipated Apple iWatch will be significantly cheaper than expected, one analyst believes, as health insurers could subsidize the cost of the smartwatch in the future. Cowen & Co. analyst Timothy Arcuri said in a note to investors on Friday that “we continue to believe it is possible the product (iWatch) is backstopped by some sort of insurance subsidization model similar to the carrier subsidization model for the iPhone.” Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

Will the Galaxy S5 find huge success and erase any memory of the S4's lackluster sales performance last year? It's far too early to know for certain, of course, but a new report suggests that Samsung's latest flagship phone is off to an impressive start, with launch-day sales that not only topped last year's Galaxy S4, but even doubled S4 sales in some markets. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report

http://androidforum.us/data/MetaMirrorCache/f77fe935d68932cc7960c2531bb4d8bd.jpg Taking the stand on Friday in the second U.S. Apple vs. Samsung patent lawsuit, Google’s Android engineering vice president Hiroshi Lockheimer said that the company did not copy iPhone when designing Android. However, Re/code and AppleInsider have obtained internal Google documents submitted into evidence that remind us just how different Android was in the beginning, with the first Android devices not even supposed to support touchscreen displays. Continue reading... Via BRG - Boy Genius Report