R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
This week was a tad calmer than the previous week which brought a slew of new devices. However, the device onslaught isn’t over yet as HTC has something in store for October 8, not to mention tomorrow’s Android One announcement. The debate regarding the battery life on the Moto 360 continues to get heated. Rejoice, Google Voice isn’t dead as it finally merged with Hangouts. T-Mobile continues to shake the industry up. How many more tricks do they still have? Amazon’s phone is now priced appropriately, but is there a chance in hell that anyone buys it? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be another interesting week in the Android world.
Editorials
Is there a compelling reason to buy an Android smartphone now that the iPhone 6 is upon us?
Guides
Best Android apps for managing your grocery lists [September 2014]
Moto 360 ‘ambient screen’ and ‘auto brightness’ explained
This is what the pre-installed Moto 360 custom watch faces look like
How to use Motorola Connect to customize the pre-installed Motorola watch faces on the Moto 360
How to setup and use Moto Voice on the Moto X 2014
How to setup and use Moto Assist on the Moto X 2014
How to setup and use Moto Actions on the Moto X 2014
How to setup and use Moto Display on the Moto X 2014
Reviews
A closer look at the battery life on the Moto 360
Accessories
LG now including extra battery and charging cradle with purchase of new G3
Motorola Moto X (2014), Moto Hint, Turbo Charger pre-orders open September 16 as the Moto 360 returns
Android Wear
Motorola Connect snafu installs Moto 360 apps on non-Motorola devices
Apps – New
Samsung releases WatchON Plus to the Play Store for Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4
Glympse’s new Keyboard app shares your location as quickly as possible
Chromecast Wallpapers brings the $35 dongle’s wallpapers to your device
Apps – Updates
Spotify for Brands will introduce video ads for free users
Facebook Messenger update lets you draw and type on your pictures
Twitter’s “Buy” button has begun testing in the United States
Amazon finally adds Prime Instant Video to their Android app
Google officially launches Voice integration in Hangouts
Google Adds Free Voice Calling to Hangouts App
Google Play apps refund window officially set at two hours
OneDrive now supports files up to 10 GB
Google Hangouts gets more changes than addition of Voice
HTC puts Lock Screen in the Play Store for easier updating
eBay updates app with new look and features
Google Play Music All Access Brings Back Public Playlist Search
Cameras
HTC to build a waterproof sports camera to rival GoPro
Carriers
Moto 360 to be made available by AT&T at a later date
AT&T to not Offer Wi-Fi Calling this Year
Boost Mobile’s Moto G receiving Android 4.4.4
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on Sprint receiving Android 4.4.4 soon
Sprint promises to match or better competing trade-in offers
16 million Sprint customers now have access to HD voice coverage
T-Mobile to offer guaranteed best trade-in values on smartphones and tablets
T-Mobile Un-carrier 7.0 is here, Wi-Fi Un-leashed
Samsung Galaxy S 4 from T-Mobile receiving Android 4.4.4 software update
Metal-banded Moto 360 up for pre-order on Verizon’s web site with a Nov. 11 ship date
HTC One (M8) for Verizon now receiving software update with Extreme Power Saving Mode and more
Verizon pushing Android 4.4.4 update to Samsung Galaxy S 5
Unannounced Motorola DROID handset to feature Quick Charge 2.0 technology
Chrome
Google drops Google account requirement for Chrome browser app installs
Google announces first batch of Android apps compatible with Chrome OS
Developer Update of Chrome OS Includes Google Drive Chromecasting
Chromebooks
Chromebook’s Lending Library is Coming to Campus
Chromecast
Google Cast Beta extension update allows for 1080p casting of Chrome tabs
Netflix post-play features finally come to Chromecast
Developer Update of Chrome OS Includes Google Drive Chromecasting
Chromecast Wallpapers brings the $35 dongle’s wallpapers to your device
Gaming
Humble Mobile Bundle 7 features six games and counting
Google gives us a peak at winning entry image recognition system
Hangouts On Air viewers can applaud during a live broadcast
4.93 Million Gmail Usernames and Passwords Leaked; Google Claims System Wasn’t Breached
It’s that time of the month, Android distribution numbers show continued growth for 4.4 KitKat
Google Play apps refund window officially set at two hours
Google comments on leaked passwords and usernames
Google updates security section in Account settings
Is Polar the best acquisition announced by Google?
Google Glass
Google speeds things up with XE21.0 Google Glass release
Hardware
Qualcomm’s entry-level Snapdragon 210 supports LTE connectivity
Home Automation
Filament by WigWag, smart color LED light bulbs, now available for pre-order
Phones – Amazon
Amazon’s Fire Phone heading to the United Kingdom
Amazon’s Fire Phone takes a drastic price cut down to 99 cents on-contract
Phones – Android One
Flipkart leaks Android One device ahead of Monday unveiling
Amazon Announces via Tweet it will Carry the Micromax Android One Tomorrow
Phones – HTC
HTC to host selfie-oriented ‘Double Exposure’ event in NYC on October 8
HTC Eye may be identical to the One M8 with an updated front-facing camera
HTC One (M8) ‘Eye’ said to have a 13MP Duo Camera setup, different from the HTC Eye
HTC and Amazon deal may have fizzled because of AT&T objections
HTC One (M8) for Verizon now receiving software update with Extreme Power Saving Mode and more
Phones – LG
LG G Flex 2 to have smaller, higher-resolution display
Brazil to be first country to get LG L Fino and LG L Bello
LG now including extra battery and charging cradle with purchase of new G3
Phones – Meizu
Meizu MX4 Pro alleged specs includes 4GB of RAM
Phones – Motorola
Motorola Moto X (2014), Moto Hint, Turbo Charger pre-orders open September 16 as the Moto 360 returns
Motorola working on a “Pure Edition” of the Motorola Moto X
Motorola’s next DROID handset arrives at the FCC, heading to Verizon with wireless charging
Unannounced Motorola DROID handset to feature Quick Charge 2.0 technology
Boost Mobile’s Moto G receiving Android 4.4.4
Phones – Nexus
Specs leak from “Nexus 5 2014,” Running Android “Lion”
Phones – OnePlus
OnePlus One 64GB Free Giveaway over Google+
OnePlus One facing touchscreen issues
Phones – Samsung
Galaxy Note 4 wallpapers now available to download
Note Edge available for preorder in Germany for €999
Full metal body on the way for Samsung SM-A500
Specs for Samsung SM-A300 Appear Online
Verizon pushing Android 4.4.4 update to Samsung Galaxy S 5
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on Sprint receiving Android 4.4.4 soon
Samsung Galaxy S 4 from T-Mobile receiving Android 4.4.4 software update
Phones – Sony
New video details new software features of the Xperia Z3
Sony now rolling out Android 4.4.4 to Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z
Smartwatches
Apple Watch parody shows how non-revolutionary the new smartwatch is
LG G Watch dips to $179 price tag on Google Play
HTC is still planning an Android Wear-powered smartwatch for early 2015
Metal-banded Moto 360 up for pre-order on Verizon’s web site with a Nov. 11 ship date
Moto 360 to be made available by AT&T at a later date
Motorola accidentally offers nonexistent Moto 360 option
Motorola Moto X (2014), Moto Hint, Turbo Charger pre-orders open September 16 as the Moto 360 returns
iFixit tears down the Moto 360, finds an extremely difficult to repair watch
Motorola responds to Moto 360 battery discrepancy
Motorola Connect snafu installs Moto 360 apps on non-Motorola devices
Tablets
NVIDIA confirms what we already knew, the HTC-made Nexus 9 is coming soon with a Tegra K1
Updates
New leaked image of Android L shows possible UI refinements
Sony now rolling out Android 4.4.4 to Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z
Verizon pushing Android 4.4.4 update to Samsung Galaxy S 5
Samsung Galaxy S 4 from T-Mobile receiving Android 4.4.4 software update
Verizon HTC One Update Delayed a Day
Boost Mobile’s Moto G receiving Android 4.4.4
HTC One (M8) for Verizon now receiving software update with Extreme Power Saving Mode and more
Wallpapers
Galaxy Note 4 wallpapers now available to download
Updates
Specs leak from “Nexus 5 2014,” Running Android “Lion”
Verizon approves Android 4.4.3 update for HTC One (M8), rolling out Wednesday
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on Sprint receiving Android 4.4.4 soon
Miscellaneous
Trolltastic: Sony, HTC rip into Apple’s advertising campaign on Twitter
IDC expects phablet shipments to surpass laptops and tablets in the next two years
Samsung has fun on Twitter at Apple’s expense
Samsung targets iPhone 6 in humorous new ads
Google speakers to give keynote at Big Android BBQ
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for September 8 – September 14, 2014
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