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TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for March 10 – March 16, 2014


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Guest Robert Nazarian
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Things continue to heat up regarding the HTC One 2014. Does HTC have a chance to wow us on March 25, based on the fact that we know so much about the phone before its unveiling? On top of that, ZTE plans on trying to steal the spotlight by making a big announcement on the very same day. We continue to see new Chromecast apps, but most of the major music and video apps are non-existent. We continue to hear rumors about an Amazon phone. Will they ever come out with one? and will anybody buy an updated Galaxy Beam? Could Flappy Bird make an encore appearance? and what the hell is the OnePlus One phone all about? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week in the world of Android.

 

Guides

 

Best Android SMS text messaging replacement apps [March 2014]

 

Best Android apps for managing your contacts / Address book [March 2014]

 

Accessories

 

Samsung launches “Specialized Usability Accessories” for the Galaxy Core Advance customers

 

Apps – New

 

Samsung unveils Samsung Cloud Print and NFC Printers for small and medium-sized businesses

 

Smart Alarm Clock gets comfy and takes a snooze in the Play Store

 

 

[New Chromecast App] DrawCast lets your draw on your phone and TV at the same time

 

[New Chromecast App] Class6ix brings personalized local and national news to your Chromecast

 

Apps – Updated

 

Talon for Twitter gets updated to version 2.0 with several new fixes and features

 

WhatsApp sends update to Google Play with new privacy settings, other additions

 

Instagram receives a new update, brings a refreshed user interface and faster performance

 

Google Wallet app receives a new update, introduces “Orders” feature

 

Google Translate update brings handwriting support for 13 more languages

 

Google Search app updated with expanded card information, better image searching, and other new features

 

YouTube 5.5.26 (accidental?) update brings Dogfooding menu

 

Plex makes Chromecast support free for everyone

 

Facebook Android app updated, bringing photos in comments, ability to delete albums, and more

 

Chromecast app sees update to version 1.5.3 with new language support and improved Samsung device optimization

 

Latest version of the Google Play Store is now available to download manually

 

DrawCast updated with multi-device support

 

Google URL Shortener undergoes simplifying name change

 

Don’t have a KitKat device? Say goodbye to Google Wallet’s tap and pay feature on April 14

 

Google Maps updated to show upcoming events

 

Cameras

 

Here is a video explaining what Samsung’s ISOCELL camera technology is

 

Specs for Samsung Galaxy S 5 Zoom surface on GFXBench

 

Carriers

 

AT&T’s 4G LTE is making its way to the 2015 Audi A3 with a hefty price

 

AT&T sends out Moto X soak test invites, possibly for Android 4.4.2

 

AT&T CFO thinks that the Sprint and T-Mobile merger is not possible

 

AT&T is merging Aio Wireless with Cricket Wireless, Cricket is the name that stays

 

Republic Wireless getting the Moto G

 

Straight Talk now offering nano SIM cards for compatible phones

 

Sprint chairman says that U.S. data speeds are horrible, says he can fix that

 

Sprint announces new prepaid plans called “Sprint Prepaid”

 

Sprint chairman wants to try and purchase T-Mobile

 

T-Mobile celebrating the anniversary of its 4G LTE with network upgrades and a Verizon attack ad

 

Samsung Galaxy S 4 on T-Mobile receives Android 4.4.2 today

 

T-Mobile to sell both 16GB and 32GB Samsung Galaxy S5

 

Sony’s Xperia T2 Ultra likely headed to T-Mobile USA

 

US Cellular tweaks their plans to add more data

 

According to Verizon it’s a mistake to abandon the subsidized handset model

 

Verizon offering low price, contract encumbered Nexus 7 for $49.99

 

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is up for sale

 

Verizon Smart Rewards program may be ready to roll out nationwide

 

LG Lucid 3 (VS876) for Verizon leaks, nothing left to hide

 

Chromebooks

 

Google giving all Chromebook users 60 days of Play Music All Access

 

Chromecast

 

Chromecast to expand to new markets within the month

 

[New Chromecast App] DrawCast lets your draw on your phone and TV at the same time

 

DrawCast updated with multi-device support

 

[New Chromecast App] Class6ix brings personalized local and national news to your Chromecast

 

Plex makes Chromecast support free for everyone

 

Chromecast app sees update to version 1.5.3 with new language support and improved Samsung device optimization

 

Google to launch Chromecast in UK on March 19

 

Gaming

 

Mount & Blade: Warband is a new mobile game exclusively for Tegra 4 devices

 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Android game will be released in April

 

Dong Nguyen, creator of Flappy Bird, is considering bringing back his wildly popular game

 

Humble Mobile Bundle 4 adds three more games to the mix, brings the total to nine

 

Angry Birds Epic will be turn-based RPG style

 

Asus Game Box Controller appears on Bluetooth SIG site

 

Threes! finally makes its way onto the Google Play Store

 

Amazon’s set-top box controller leaks

 

Wikipad cuts $50 off its Android gaming tablet, drops to $199

 

Crazy Taxi: City Rush coming later this year, SEGA makes the original free in the Play Store through March 19

 

Google

 

Refer Google Apps to friends and make some money

 

Google giving all Chromebook users 60 days of Play Music All Access

 

Google Docs and Sheets get official add-ons in Chrome

 

Google’s first physical retail store to open in downtown Manhattan

 

Lawsuit filed against Google over in-app purchases by minors

 

Google buys Green Throttle Games in quest to develop set top box

 

Google still mum about auto-login app for WiFi hotspots

 

Google lowers cost for Google Drive storage

 

Larry Page may have been holding Motorola back from making a legitimate Google phone

 

Google files patent application for a new radial menu feature in Android

 

Google Glass

 

Preview for Glass scans movie posters and shows you the trailers

 

MedicAR for Google Glass uses augmented reality to teach future surgeons

 

Hardware

 

Samsung’s “most advanced” DDR3 memory has entered production

 

Phones – Amazon

 

Amazon expected to release “Project Aria” smartphone this year

 

Phones - Gionee

 

World’s thinnest smartphone set for release next week

 

Phones – HTC

 

Sound file in ‘all new HTC One’ suggests wireless charging capabilities for device

 

Review video for upcoming ‘all new HTC One’ appears on YouTube, later pulled by user [updated]

 

The all new HTC One gets another photo shoot

 

Leaked ‘All New HTC One’ ad reveals ‘Duo Camera’ function

 

HTC’s All New One specs and sales guide leaks

 

Once again, images of Verizon Branded ‘The All New HTC One’ leak

 

New HTC One (M8) shows up on eBay with retail box and it’s not called what you think it is

 

HTC UK teases launch of the All New HTC One on Twitter

 

Phones – Huawei

 

Huawei’s Dual OS smartphone will be available in Q2

 

Phones – LG

 

LG D850 (G3) model spotted on LG’s website hints at Quad HD screen

 

Screenshot taken on LG’s G3 pops up online, hinting at a quad HD screen resolution

 

LG G3 confirmed to have QHD display, adaptive software

 

LG Lucid 3 (VS876) for Verizon leaks, nothing left to hide

 

LG G Pro 2 to be available in red color as well

 

Advertisement for LG G Pro 2 features Magic Focus feature

 

Phones – Motorola

 

AT&T sends out Moto X soak test invites, possibly for Android 4.4.2

 

Republic Wireless getting the Moto G

 

Phones – Nokia

 

Pre-orders for the Nokia X have reached one million in just four days in China

 

Phones – OnePlus

 

OnePlus One will feature a 5.5-inch screen in a 5-inch body smaller than Sony’s Xperia Z1

 

OnePlus One design sketch leak shows what the device may look like

 

Phones – Oppo

 

Oppo Find 7 Specs Confirmed

 

Check out Oppo’s very cool Find 7 event invitation

 

Oppo Find 7 photos leak days before announcement, shows device and retail packaging

 

Phones – Pantech

 

Pantech Vega Iron 2 could be first Snapdragon 805 powered device

 

Phones – Samsung

 

Will there or will there not be a premium Galaxy S 5?

 

Factory fire could affect Galaxy S 5 production

 

Galaxy S 5 sales might be a little weak at launch

 

Samsung Galaxy S 5 will be available for pre-order in the UK starting from March 28

 

Here is a video explaining what Samsung’s ISOCELL camera technology is

 

T-Mobile to sell both 16GB and 32GB Samsung Galaxy S5

 

New and updated Galaxy S 5 TouchWiz apps now available for download

 

Samsung is working on a new Galaxy Beam device

 

Lebron James not happy over how his Galaxy Note 3 wiped off all the data on it

 

Black Edition Samsung Galaxy S 4 now available in UK

 

Samsung launches “Specialized Usability Accessories” for the Galaxy Core Advance customers

 

Samsung’s Galaxy Grand 2 hits South Korea

 

International Galaxy S 3, Note 2, and Grand 2 Duos may actually get KitKat

 

Samsung Galaxy S 4 on T-Mobile receives Android 4.4.2 today

 

Phones – Sony

 

Sony Xperia T2 Ultra makes an appearance both in and out of the retail box

 

Sony’s Xperia T2 Ultra likely headed to T-Mobile USA

 

Single and dual-SIM Sony Xperia E1 now available in India

 

Phones – Xiaomi

 

Xiaomi kicks the budget phone game up a notch with a larger screen and octa-core processor

 

Phones – ZTE

 

The upcoming ZTE Grand S EXT might sport the best combination of metal and plastic we have seen

 

ZTE’s Nubia X6 rear camera will feature Optical Image Stabilization technology

 

ZTE has elected to announce its Nubia X6 smartphone on March 25, same day as The All New HTC One

 

ROMs

 

TRWP 2.7 released, bringing huge list of new features

 

Xiaomi launches MIUI software designed for tablets, works on Nexus 7

 

Security

 

Developer claims Samsung is using a backdoor to access user data, but security expert disagrees

 

Smartwatches

 

ASUS shares a little more info on upcoming smart watch device

 

Pebble App Challenge launches, will provide $5,000 to top developer

 

Specs of LG made Google smartwatch leak

 

Tablets

 

Could Google drop Snapdragon in favor of Intel’s chip for Nexus 8?

 

Verizon offering low price, contract encumbered Nexus 7 for $49.99

 

Samsung working on new tablet with AMOLED 2560×1600 display

 

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is up for sale

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 passes through FCC

 

Updates

 

Samsung Galaxy S 4 on T-Mobile receives Android 4.4.2 today

 

AT&T sends out Moto X soak test invites, possibly for Android 4.4.2

 

International Galaxy S 3, Note 2, and Grand 2 Duos may actually get KitKat

 

Wearables

 

Samsung’s S Band returns in new leak that fully exposes the Activity Tracker

 

Miscellaneous

 

Sony introduces “Xperia Themes” for phones running Android 4.3 or later

 

HTC ‘Power To Give’ project helps cure Aids, Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer through your smartphone

 

Samsung, Microsoft join the Wireless Power Consortium to adopt Qi wireless charging

 

New Samsung patents point the way to flexible display devices

 

Pandora still the top streaming service, Spotify drops to fourth

 

Amazon’s upcoming music service might not feature unlimited music streaming

 

Samsung patent approved for phone with 21:9 aspect ratio

 

Analysts project Lenovo to become 2nd largest Android manufacturer

 

Amazon Prime increases price $20 to $99 per year

 

U.S. panel rules that HTC, ZTE and Huawei did not violate FlashPoint patents

 

8-core smartphones not expected to be big sellers in 2014

 

 

Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for March 10 – March 16, 2014

 

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