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Android 4.4 KitKat makes its way to Sprint’s Galaxy Nexus via custom ROM ‘SlimKat’

Macky Evangelista
November 9, 2013

By Macky Evangelista | November 9, 2013

While Google has abandoned the Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.4 KitKat, that never stops the resilient devs over at XDA. A dev team by the name of “SlimRoms” has built KitKat straight from source and made it available for most variants of the Galaxy Nexus, and all was left was the Sprint Galaxy Nexus (toroplus). If you wish to flash this, you will need your bootloader to be unlocked and have a custom recovery installed. Considering this is still in alpha stages, so bugs may be prevalent.

Head over to the source link for the XDA thread and for download links.

source: XDA

Google releases two new Nexus 7 promos

Macky Evangelista
November 9, 2013

By Macky Evangelista | November 9, 2013

Google

Nexus 7

If you didn’t need any more of a reason to purchase the affordable Nexus 7 tablet by Google, a couple of new promo videos have been released. Take a look and let us know what you think after the break!

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TalkAndroid Daily Dose for November 8, 2013

Robert Nazarian
November 8, 2013

By Robert Nazarian | November 8, 2013

Daily Doses

With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Guides

Google didn’t eliminate lock screen widgets in Android 4.4 KitKat, here’s how to enable them

Accessories

Stylus ES22 accessory announced for Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Apps

Google Now could get exciting new features on November 13

Gogo Text and Talk Enables In-Flight Phone Service

Twitter opens up alpha testing program for Android app

WatchESPN app gets Monday Night Football and a makeover

BlueStacks PC app player finally upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich after spending years on Gingerbread

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BlueStacks PC app player finally upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich after spending years on Gingerbread

Jared Peters
November 8, 2013

By Jared Peters | November 8, 2013

bluestacks

Emulator

ice cream sandwich

BlueStacks, the Android application emulator for PCs, has finally received a major software update. Before now, it’s been running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, believe it or not. It’s finally seeing the upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich today, though.

BlueStacks doesn’t really benefit from many of the advantages of newer operating systems, but it still doesn’t hurt to finally get it off of the incredibly ancient Gingerbread, at least for increased app compatibility. There are many apps that take advantage of APIs that are only available in 4.0 and up, and BlueStacks can finally run them. If you want to download the latest version, hit the link below.

source: BlueStacks

via: Android Police

Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 passes through the FCC again, this time it’s WiFi-only

Justin Herrick
November 8, 2013

By Justin Herrick | November 8, 2013

With Samsung possibly shifting its focus to tablets for 2014, we have some new information on one of their upcoming tablets. Passing through the FCC again is the Galaxy Note 12.2, but this time it seems to be the WiFi-only model. The previous FCC filing had only LTE bands that were supported in Korea; therefore, we were unsure if this massive tablet would make its way onto U.S. shores. A WiFi-only model could prove that this will indeed be available in the United States.

The Galaxy Note 12.2 is set to be available in early 2014. The tablet has a 12.2-inch screen with a 2560×1600 resolution. Under the hood will be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor/Samsung’s own Exynos 5420 (depending upon your market), 3GB of RAM, and Android 4.3 or maybe even Android 4.4 KitKat. And in true Note fashion, the S Pen stylus is sure to be on board.

Source: FCC
Via: SamMobile

Kickstarter backed GameStick yet again delayed; Now pitted to be released alongside the Sony PS4

Macky Evangelista
November 8, 2013

By Macky Evangelista | November 8, 2013

GameStick

Kickstarter

While this is starting to become a little redundant, the Kickstarter backed console GameStick has yet again been delayed due to “production and logistical” issues. What’s even worse is that now the newly targeted released date of November 15th has the $80 console pitted against Sony’s powerhouse in the PlayStation 4 release. While I don’t think having the device released during the same day as the PS4 will affect its sales whatsoever, keeping the customers who pre-ordered the device constantly in flux isn’t a good idea.

Either way, have you pre-ordered the GameStick? If not, any plans of grabbing it once it’s released?

source: Engadget

XDA devs look to improve Nexus 5 camera via software mods

Macky Evangelista
November 8, 2013

By Macky Evangelista | November 8, 2013

Nexus 5

XDA

Disappointed in the quality of your Nexus 5’s camera? A developer by the name of Jishnu Sir over on XDA created a flashable .zip file in hopes to vastly improve the quality of your camera. It’s essentially a whole new app that replaces the stock camera that you currently have. Obviously doing this will require you to unlock your bootloader and have some sort of custom recovery (i.e. ClockworkMod or TWRP). Here’s a full list of what the new camera app adds or improves:

1) Sound Recording now in Stereo with the secondary Mic.
2) Faster Focusing for the camera.
3) Front Camera also records 720P Videos@ 20 Mb/s.
4) Front camera Audio Bitrate@ 192000 Kb/s.
5) AntiBanding default set to 50Hz
6) Focus Range Adjusted.
7) Enhanced Smooth Zoom.
8) Turned Edge Enhancement ON.

If you’d like to read up on some user feedback on how the hack has worked for some, check out the source link which directs you to the XDA thread. If anyone out there is willing to give this a shot, report back in the comment section and let us know your results!

source: XDA

Google didn’t eliminate lock screen widgets in Android 4.4 KitKat, here’s how to enable them

Robert Nazarian
November 8, 2013

By Robert Nazarian | November 8, 2013

So you just got your shiny new Nexus 5, but there doesn’t appear to be a way to add lock screen widgets. Thankfully Google didn’t eliminate them, but they did add a setting to turn them on or off, and the default happens to be off. You will find the option in Settings > Security. Just make sure “Enable Widgets” is checked. That’s all there is too it.

Now if you later disable it (by unchecking the box), you don’t have to worry about losing your widgets. When you re-enable them, the widgets that you already had setup will magically appear. This means Google could disable them by default when upgrading from Jelly Bean to KitKat, but we won’t know that for sure until Google releases KitKat to other devices. Hit the break for a quick video showing you how it’s done.

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Nexus 5 to be available through T-Mobile web store starting November 14th, in stores on November 20th

Jeff Causey
November 8, 2013

By Jeff Causey | November 8, 2013

Google

Nexus 5

T-Mobile

Earlier this week information leaked indicating the Nexus 5 could be coming to T-Mobile’s retail stores starting November 20th. T-Mobile confirmed the date this afternoon and added that it will be available online starting October 14th. The Nexus 5 will sell for $449.99 through T-Mobile, which is the same price that Best Buy started selling the device for off-contract. However, customers can take advantage of T-Mobile’s installment payment plan, and instead of dropping the full price up front, they can pay $41.99 down followed by 24 monthly payments of $17.

If you want to be first in line for a Nexus 5 from T-Mobile, you can sign up now using the source link.

source: T-Mobile

WatchESPN app gets Monday Night Football and a makeover

Christian de Looper
November 8, 2013

By Christian de Looper | November 8, 2013

WatchESPN

For the sports junkies among us, WatchESPN was updated this morning giving the app a vastly different user interface as well as the ability to watch Monday night football straight from your tablet.

The app now follows the Android user interface guidelines, which aim to make the user interface more uniform across the Android platform. Not only that, you can now access scores, news, and live feeds straight from the main menu, making the app much easier to navigate. WatchESPN has essentially been redone completely from both a content and a visual standpoint.

Hit the break to find the QR code and download link, as well as the press release.

Read more

Android 4.3 update arrives on US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S 4

Aditya Thawardas
November 8, 2013

By Aditya Thawardas | November 8, 2013

Android 4.3 is eventually making its way to all versions of the Samsung Galaxy S 4. Following the Sprint and Verizon S4s getting 4.3 last week, it’s US Cellular’s turn to get the new software. In addition to 4.3, firmware version R970VXUAMJA brings Galaxy Gear support, Samsung’s KNOX enterprise security suite, and various bundled apps including Mobile TV, Slacker Radio and Amazon Shopping.

We’re still waiting for 4.3 to land on the AT&T and T-Mobile S4s. According to a leaked timetable, it looks like they will come on November 13 and 18, respectively.

Source: Samsung Support

Twitter opens up alpha testing program for Android app

Aditya Thawardas
November 8, 2013

By Aditya Thawardas | November 8, 2013

alpha

Twitter

Following their social network counterpart Facebook, Twitter is inviting users to take part in a new alpha testing program. Twitter opened up their beta program in August of this year, which provided users the latest, frequently changing versions of the Twitter app. The not that was sent out to beta testers said that the new program “will also give you an opportunity to provide direct feedback and collaborate with us via a forum, so you can take a more active role in testing out bugs.”

Requests will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you’re currently a beta tester, check the group page or your email to see if you have an invitation to take part.

Source: Twitter Google Group