Android 5.1 lollipop Rumored To Arrive By February Next Year

Google released the first minor Lollipop update recently – Android 5.0.1. The update has started arriving for Google Nexus devices and also a few devices from other manufacturers such as HTC, Motorola and Samsung. But if a report published on AndroidPit is to be believed, the Mountain View based company has much bigger plans for a major Lollipop update early next year. AndroidPit claims to have heard from a reliable source that Google will be pushing out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update by the end of February next year.

The website also claims that they have a complete change-log of the 5.1 update. The change-log shared by AndroidPit does seem pretty realistic, although we will still advise that you take this news with a grain of salt until more information on this arrives in the coming weeks. The leaked change-log lists improved RAM management, stability improvement, sudden app closure fix, improved battery management, excessive consumption of network devices when using Wi-Fi fixed, wireless connections issue fixed, Okay Google function solved, notifications problem solved, fix for sound problems on certain devices, changes to Material Design color palette, other improvements and changes, and addition of the ‘missing’ silent mode feature on Android 5.0 Lollipop. The change to the Material Design palette is not confirmed though, as the sources claim that it may be saved for a higher version instead. Google has been receiving complaints from users on the choice of colors with its new Material Design in Android 5.0 Lollipop. More features could be part of the update, but AndroidPit sources aren’t aware of the other features and new functionalities that the new 5.1 version may bring with it.

AndroidPit claims that the information they have regarding Android 5.1 has been confirmed by two of their sources. How accurate this information turns out remains to be seen, but the changes listed in the leak are definitely welcome. The almost 5 month gap between Android 5.0 and Android 5.1 Lollipop does seem pretty reasonable and that is the time frame Google usually sticks to when releasing major updates to an Android version. Android 4.2 Jellybean was unveiled only around three months after the release of Android 4.1 Jellybean. The gap between Android 4.2 and Android 4.3 was much longer though, almost a year.

Verizon Releases new Android OTA for Samsung Galaxy S4

While Android 5.0 Lollipop is already pushed out for different Android smartphones and tablets, Verizon just released a new official update for its Galaxy S4 devices. No, it is not the OTA Lollipop roll out you expect, as this time we are only talking about a minor OS improvement, so KitKat is the common word.

The new Verizon OTA should embrace your Samsung Galaxy S4 right away, so you can already check if a new notification is available on your phone. The notification should be displayed automatically on your phone – just slide down the notification panel – or you can manually search for the new OTA by going to “menu – settings – about phone – software update”. If the update is there, ensure a Wi-Fi connection and follow the on screen prompts to automatically flash the same.

As already pointed out, these roll out represents only a minor Android improvement that should smooth things up on your Verizon Galaxy S4. The firmware should address issues related to VPN connectivity and intermittent power cycle problem. And that’s quite all; just these two problems will be resolved by this OTA release, so don’t expect to receive new features or apps along with other stability improvements.

Anyway, after all, it’s good to see that Verizon is still trying to satisfy its clients, even if it implies in providing such a small update. Of course, Android 5.0 Lollipop should be also prepared by the carrier as it is quite frustrating to see other devices receiving the new Android OS ahead of Samsung’s own flagships: Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5.

New Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 Update Now Being Pushed to AT&T Users

If you happen to own the AT&T variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 you should keep an eye on the notifications panel. The carrier has officially announced that a new Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 update is being rolled out to the device.

As usual, the new Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 update is being pushed to users in stages, which means that some of you might not be able to download and install it right away. You probably know already that once your device becomes eligible to receive the new firmware you should be able to notice a system update message in the notifications bar. Tap on it then follow the on-screen instructions. You can also perform a manual check under Settings > More > About device > Software update > Check for updates. Alternatively, you can grab the USB cable, connect the device to the PC and then check for the update via KIES.

Because all the KitKat-specific features such as transparent navigation and status bar, white status bar icons, full screen movie and album art in the lockscreen, cloud printing, color emoji support, or immersive mode were patched in the previous update when the AT&T S3 made the jump from Jelly Bean to Android 4.4.2, the new firmware only arrives with minor changes. According to the changelog posted on AT&T’s page it brings Android OS Enhancements.

The new Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.2 update has build number I747UCUFNJ1 and has a size of only 69 MB. Even so, it’s recommended to use a stable WiFi network while downloading it to avoid unwanted data charges.

Moto X and Moto G Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Confirmed by Motorola

Android 5.0 Lollipop is on everyone’s lips now. Lately, Motorola is a company known for bringing fast updates to their devices and the phone maker rushed to announced their plans for the Android 5.0 Lollipop.

According to a recent Motorola blog post, the Android 5.0 Lollipop will be released for Moto X (1st and 2nd gen) and Moto G (1st and 2nd gen). The phone maker also confirmed they will be updating the Moto G LTE to the latest Android version.

As you may know, Motorola’s latest smartphones bring an almost-stock Android experience with very few OEM customizations. Therefore, it shouldn’t take Motorola too long to optimize Android 5.0 Lollipop for their devices. In fact, the same blog post also reveals that all Motorola smartphones launched in 2013 and later will get the new update. Besides the five aforementioned models, the affordable Moto E will also get the Android 5.0 update, along with Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini. Unfortunately, Motorola didn’t reveal when the new update will arrive, but promised to return with more information in the near future.

Without a doubt, Android 5.0 Lollipop is the most major update Google’s mobile platform has received since its debut in 2008. The new update brings a whole new design philosophy – Material Design – based on a colorful UI, more animations, and more realistic shadows, Lock Screen notifications, a redesigned Notifications Panel, a new Quick Settings area with new toggles, battery saver mode that promises 90 more minutes of battery life, dynamic status, document-centric multitasking, support for 64-bit processors, ART runtime instead of Dalvik, and more.

As you may know, once your device becomes eligible to get updated to Android 5.0 L, you should be able to see a system update message in the notifications panel. You know the drill: tap on it, choose “Download now,” wait until the download is completed, and select “Install now.” Your smartphone should reboot and install the new firmware. In case the system update notification fails to show up, you would also want to check for software updates under Settings > About phone > Software updates > Check now.

New Samsung Galaxy Mega Android 4.4.2 Update Rolling out at Sprint

Sprint officially revealed today that a new Samsung Galaxy Mega Android 4.4.2 update is now being pushed to users. Therefore, you happen to own the massive smartphone, you should keep an eye on the notifications panel.

The new software update isn’t a major one, but it adds a couple new features. Because all the KitKat-specific features such as transparent status and nav bars, white status bar icons, immersive mode, cloud printing, new location menu, color emoji support, or full screen album art in the lock screen have been patched in the previous Android 4.4.2 update for Sprint Galaxy Mega along with updates for Samsung native apps and TouchWiz UI improvements, the new firmware only brings some minor changes. After you update your device you will be able to enjoy HD Voice Icon Support and International Wi-Fi calling. The new update also brings Google Security Patches.

It’s also worth noting that the new Android 4.4.2 update for Samsung Galaxy Mega is labeled L600VPUBNI3 and that will be rolled out in phases. This means that some users might not be able to download and install it right away.

As you may know, once your device becomes eligible to receive the new OTA update you should be able to see a system update message in the notifications menu. Tap on it then follow the on-screen instructions. If the system update notification failed to show up, you would also want to perform a manual check under Settings > More > System update > Update now. Alternatively, you can grab the USB cable and check for the new update via KIES.

Sprint failed to mention the size of the update file, but it shouldn’t exceed 200 MB. Anyway, we are recommending you to download the update using a Wi-Fi network in order to avoid unwanted data charges.

Android L: Will Your Device Receive the Update?

We’re all eagerly waiting for Google to release their latest version of Android. Sadly, it isn’t out yet and we don’t have any new information about when it will be released. Either way, let’s talk about which devices will receive the update whenever Google does release it, and what you can do if your smartphone is too old.

With every major release of Android, people generally ask the question, ‘will my device be updated?’. It’s never fun to see your friends and co-workers update their smartphones and brag about all the new features they get while you sit there with old software. As the hardware in our smartphones reaches a plateau, manufacturers will use guaranteed updates as a way to entice you into purchasing a new device every couple of years. Even though the smartphone industry is booming right now, the way software updates are being handled is a thorn in almost everyone’s side.

I find it funny that Microsoft can update Windows XP for 12 years before ending support while we’re seeing a 2-year cycle as the standard in the smartphone industry. I know, I shouldn’t be directly comparing smartphones to PCs, but it shouldn’t be the way it is right now. As competition heats up between the various smartphone manufacturers, properly supporting their hardware could be the deciding factor for which company customers support in the future. I know in the last 7 years, there have been tremendous advancements with mobile hardware, so it’s not fair to compare it directly to PCs. Although, when mobile hardware truly starts to stagnate, I would love to see manufacturers update their devices for 5 or maybe even 10 years before retiring them.

As it is now, if you don’t own a smartphone that’s less than two years old, then you shouldn’t expect to see your device updated to Android L. This can change at the discretion of the manufacturer, but as of right now, it’s not anything you should expect. If you want to stay updated with the latest version of Android and your device is over two years old, then you will need to root your device and install a custom ROM. Sadly though, not every device has community developers willing to dedicate their own time and energy into porting or creating custom ROMs.

Earlier this week, we talked about which devices from the major manufacturers will receive the update. However, there are hundreds of different Android smartphones on the market right now. This is why we say that if your device is more than two years old, you’ll be stuck with your current version of Android unless you install a custom ROM. Thankfully, we see ROMs like CyanogenMod taking up the slack in this department, but they never guarantee to support your device. It’s one of those things that you should be thankful for if it happens, but you should never expect it.

The chance of your smartphone receiving a version of CyanogenMod all depends on the hacker/developer support that it’s received. There are two things that need to happen in order to get developer support for your device. The first thing that’s needed is the ability to gain root access. Lots of times, you’ll see bounty threads over on XDA where the community pledges to donate some money if the device is rooted. When a hacker gains root access, they give their PayPal or Bitcoin account so those funds can be sent. Sadly though, we rarely see the full amount actually given to the hacker. I’ve heard that the person who collects the bounty will generally see 10% to 25% of the total bounty amount after the root method is released.

The second thing that needs to happen is the bootloader needs to be unlocked. This is another hack that needs to take place and we generally see a separate bounty thread created for this too. What this does is it allows a developer to create or port a custom recovery for the device. With a custom recovery, you can create ‘nandroid backups’. A nandroid backup is essentially a complete backup of all the available partitions on your smartphone. With this in place, the custom ROM developers can safely experiment and develop the custom ROM without worrying about breaking the device. If something goes wrong, they can simply restore from the backup and then continue tinkering with the device.

This is a lot of work and that’s generally why we don’t see community development with devices that are heavily locked down. It just takes too much time and since there is no guarantee of payment, it’s simply not worth it for most hackers. This is why we see such a massive amount of community developer support for devices like the Nexus line, but not so much for the other locked down devices. This all depends on the popularity of the device though. Since Samsung devices sell by the millions, we’ll see more support for those devices than we will for others. Unless there’s a major change with how the industry works, the customers who spend upwards of $750 (or more) on their smartphones will continue this game of cat and mouse.

Android 5.0 L Update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10: Release Date Rumors

The release of the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 is imminent and, as we get closer to the moment when Google will make the new Android update available for the public, more leaks and reports are surfacing online. Even though the Mountain View-based giant didn’t reveal when Android 5.0 L will go live, the recent reports are painting an almost complete picture of when we should expect it.

As you may know, starting this year, the folks at Google changed the strategy regarding Android launches. So far, we had two major Android releases a year: one in the summer and on in the fall. Now, Google is launching Android 5.0 L Apple-style. Their main rivals are usually announcing new iOS updates in the summer at WWDC, make them available for beta testing for a few months, then release them for the public in the fall, synchronized with the debut of a new iPhone. Android L was revealed in the summer at Google I/O and made available for testing soon after as Developer Preview (there’s an update for Android L Developer Preview for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013 here). The final version will most likely be announced in the fall, when new Nexus hardware will also arrive. Or at least that’s what the latest reports are indicating.

In April we heard that a new Google program called Android Silver might replace the already-popular Nexus program. After Google’s Dave Bruke denied the rumors that said that the Nexus family is dead, rumors of new Nexus hardware stated to surface online. First we’ve learned about a new Nexus tablet manufactured by HTC and codenamed Flounder. It seems that the unofficially dubbed Nexus 9 has an 8.9-inch display with 4:3 aspect ratio, 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor, 4 GB RAM, 8 MP primary cam, 2 MP secondary cam, and “aluminum zero-gap construction.” The rumor mill also talks about a new Nexus smartphone. Codenamed Shamu, the Nexus 6 is manufactured by Motorola and sports a 5.9-inch Quad HD screen, quad-core Snapdragon 805 CPU, 3 GB of RAM, and 13 MP rear-facing shooter. There’s even a leaked photo of the Moto Shamu roaming around the web. Of course, both devices will run Android 5.0 L out of the box.

Earlier this month, an Nvidia document said that the Nexus 9 is expected to debut in the third quarter of the year. Soon after, respected member of the Android community Paul O’Brien tweeted that Nexus 9 will be announced October 16, quoting an anonymous tipster. Then we’ve heard from two trustworthy sources that the release date of the HTC-made tablet is “very close.” Another source claims that, while Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 will be announced mid-October, Android 5.0 L will not be rolled out sooner than November 1st.

But what will be the final name of Android L? I’m glad you’ve asked. All Android iterations so far had a dessert-inspired name and a specific version number. Given the tremendous amount of changes the new update brings, we are sure that its version number will be 5.0. The name will no doubt begin with letter “L” and we have some dessert names already floating around. While early reports said that it will be either Lollipop or Licorice, lately we’re hearing about Lemon Meringue Pie more often. Therefore, you should expect the new release to be named Android 5.0 Lemon Meringue Pie (or Android 5.0 LMP).

Now that we have an idea about when the Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will be rolled out to the public, let’s talk about some of the most important features of the new Android iteration. Android 5.0 L is generally acknowledged as the biggest update Google’s mobile operating system has received since its debut back in 2008. It’s even bigger than the jump from 2.3 Gingerbread to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

One of the most important changes brought by Android 5.0 L is Material Design. Courtesy of the new design philosophy, Android 5.0 L is more animated and more colorful. The 3D effects and shadows are making the interface more intuitive, allowing the user to see where everything came from and where everything goes. Moreover, Google has promised fluid 60 fps transitions.

The new update will also introduce performance enhancements. The obsolete Dalvik runtime has been replaced by ART and 64-bit processors are now natively supported. We are also glad to announce you that the battery life will be improved in Android 5.0 L courtesy of Project Volta. For example, a Nexus 5 running Android L Developer Preview has 30 – 40% more battery life than one running KitKat.

Google’s new update also brings enhancements to the Notifications Panel. It has received a new color scheme, while the background is transparent in order to allow you to see what’s on your screen while checking unread notifications. The Quick Settings button is gone, but not the Quick Settings menu itself. You will just get to it in a different way. You will have to swipe down once to go to notifications, and then swipe again to access Quick Settings. There are toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Data, Airplane Mode, Notifications, Auto Rotate, Location, and Cast Screen, and a slider for Brightness control.

You will also get to enjoy a new Lock Screen in Android 5.0 L. Now, it is capable of showing your notifications and it even allows you to interact with them. You can dismiss them by swiping, read them by tapping, or see more details by swiping down. Google also promised that the lock screen notifications will be prioritized based on the frequency you interact with them.

Enhancements have been applied to the Status Bar, as well. The new Dynamic Status Bar is capable of changing its color to match the action bar of the app running on the screen, while remaining transparent in home screen and lock screen. Even though the Android 5.0 L native apps will e updated to take advantage of the Dynamic Status Bar, third-party devs will have to update their apps for us to enjoy a unified visual experience.

You should also be able to notice that the Settings app looks different, too. Besides arriving with a new color scheme, the Settings app has also been reorganized and has received new animations, toggles, and check boxes. There’s also a search bar that will allow you to search for the option you are trying to access.

Another major change brought by Android 5.0 L is the new Recents screen. Recently opened apps look like cards stacked one over another. In fact, they look a lot like the recent tabs in Chrome. Google also announced a document-centric multitasking, which basically means that certain apps will be able to show more than one card in Recents.

The Android 5.0 L update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 will no doubt be the first one to hit the users. Next in line will most likely be the Google Play Edition smartphones and tablets. Motorola is known for releasing quick updates, so their supported smartphones could get Android 5.0 L pretty fast. HTC promised to roll out the new update for One M7 and One M8 within 90 days after Google releases the final version, while reports are showing that Galaxy S5 and Note 4 might get it late November or early December. Sony and LG might also release Android 5.0 L for their flagship devices by the end of the year.

Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 Android L Update Reportedly Coming November/December

Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 Android L Update Reportedly Coming November/December

A new report coming from the folks at Sammobile suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 Android L update will be pushed to the users sometime late November or early December. The South Korean company doesn’t have a history of bringing fast updates, but things might change in the near future.

As you may know, Google introduced Android L back in June and was made available for testing purposes as Developer Preview. Google failed to reveal when the final version of Android L will be released for the public, but most reports are suggesting that the roll out will begin sometime early October. Just like any other previous major Android update, Android L will be released synchronized with the debut of new Nexus hardware. An Nvidia document revealed earlier this month that the Nexus 9 is expected to debut Q3 2014, which probably means that the Android L update will be rolled out for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 owners early Q4.

Naturally, the Samsung fans have been wondering when the Android L update will be rolled out for their devices. If the latest report proves true, then both the Galaxy S5 and the new Galaxy Note 4 will get updated to the latest Android version sometime late November or early December, meaning that the South Koreans would be pretty quick to adapt the new build for their own devices.

Android L Feature Spotlight

Android L Feature Spotlight

Recents

This summer brought us Android L, the latest and greatest update to Google’s mobile operating system. Even though Android L was not made available for the public, Google released Developer Preview builds for both Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013 for testing purposes.

Besides allowing developers to see how their apps look and behave in Android L, the Developer Preview builds also allow us to take an early look at the features that will be introduced by the new Android update. This post aims to show you the changes Android L brings to the Recents screen.

Besides changing the way the navigation buttons look like, Google has also changed the way the Recents screen looks and behaves. The Android L Recents has received a Material Design makeover and brings improved functionality.

The little thumbnails of the last opened apps have been replaced by a cards stacked one over another. In fact, the Recents screen looks a lot like Chromes opened tabs screen. It also brings a, how Google likes to call it, document-centric multitasking, allowing certain apps to show more than one card in the Recents screen. For example, Chrome can show a recents card for each opened tab.

Google failed to reveal when Android L will be released for the public, but, if the latest reports are to be believed, the new update will be rolled out sometime late September or early October.

Project Volta

Google took us by surprise and introduced Android L at their annual I/O conference back in June. Android L is the biggest update made to Google’s mobile operating system since its debut back in 2008, both in terms of design and functionality.

Besides drastically improving the interface with the help of Material Design, besides making notifications more accessible, and besides introducing ART runtime, the new Android L update also aims to address one of the biggest issues of modern smartphones: battery life. The autonomy improvements are centered around Project Volta, Google’s attempt to bring better battery life to Android-powered smartphones and tablets.

How big the battery life improvements will be? For example, a Nexus 5 running Android L Developer Preview can get 30 – 40% more battery life which is an insanely huge improvement. How is this even possible? Well the new job scheduler API is one of the factors. It instructs apps to do more of their unimportant tasks while your phone is charging instead of while running on battery.

Another change brought by Android L is the introduction of Power Saver mode into stock Android. You can have battery saver always on, or you can instruct your device to turn on battery saver as soon as your battery drops to a certain level.

The Battery screen in Settings has also been improved. It now brings a better insight on how your battery has been used, is capable of showing how much time you have left until your phone dies, or how much it will take to fully charge your battery.

We are glad to see that Google is making efforts to improve the battery life of the devices running on their mobile operating system.

Setting App

Google showed us Android L for the first time at I/O in June. Even though the new update wasn’t made available for the public yet we’ve already been able to take a look at the new changes it brings courtesy of the Android L Developer Preview builds that have been made available for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013.

Besides many other visual and performance changes, Android L also brings improvements to the Settings app. This post aims to bring you an insight on the changes made to the Settings app.

If you had the occasion to play with Android L Developer Preview you probably noticed that the Settings app was completely redesigned and reorganized. The Android L Settings app arrives with a new color scheme, new animations, new toggles and check boxes.

After you update your device to Android L you will be able to use the new search box to easily find that option you were looking for. You will also find a lot of new options integrated in the new Android release. For example, in the Display area, you will now have Adaptive Display and the “Cast Screen” option to mirror your display on a Chromecast device.

There are tons of new features available in Android L, some very important, others just variations of the previous functions.

Material Design

In a surprising move, Google officially introduced Android L earlier this summer at I/O tech conference. They even changed their strategy on how the new update will be released for the public.

As you may know, Google used to introduce two major Android updates a year: one in the summer and the other one mid-to-late fall, but things will be different with Android L. The new Android iteration was officially introduced in the summer, made available for download for testing purposes as Developer Preview, and it will be released for the public this fall, when new Nexus hardware will also see the light of day.

Android L is the most major update Google’s mobile platform has seen since birth and Material Design is a big part of this update. Material Design is a whole new design philosophy and Google talked a lot about it at I/O 2014.

Material Design aims to make Android more intuitive with the help of 3D effects and shadows. The interface is flatter, while the new animations allow you to see where everything came from and where everything goes. Everything slides from somewhere and Google has promised fluid transitions at 60 fps.

The new Android L interface as a while pays more attention to details and it’s more colorful, being the most important change brought to Android in terms of UI. Most native apps have been redesigned and more will follow soon.

Notifications Panel

Google I/O has brought us Android L, the latest and greatest iteration of Google’s mobile operating system. We don’t know yet when Android L will be released for the public or what its final name will be, but we already know what the search engine giant prepared for us in the new update.

As you may know, soon after the I/O announcement, Google released Android L Developer Preview for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013 for testing purposes. They even issued an update a few weeks ago.

Android L is no doubt the biggest Android update ever. It’s even bigger than the jump from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich, bringing tons of new features and new functionality. This article aims to bring you an insight over the Android L Notifications Panel.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Android L Notifications panel is the new color scheme. Moreover, the panel now has a transparent background so you can still see what’s on your screen. The Notification Panel can be accessed using the classic swipe down move, but you will definitely enjoy the new animation. You will be able to swipe left or right to dismiss notifications or tap to look at the notification.

The Quick Settings button is gone, but the Quick Settings menu is still there. In order to go to Quick Settings you need to swipe down once you bring up the Notifications Panel, then swipe down again. The Quick Settings menu has been redesign now showing toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Data, Notifications, Airplane Mode, Locations, Cast Screen, and Auto Rotate. Yes, we Google has finally made a toggle for Auto Rotate.

Android L also introduces Heads-up notifications. So, if, for example, you receive a call while doing something full screen like reading or gaming, the call won’t totally take over your screen, allowing you to decide whether to take the call or continue what you were previously doing.

Lock screen

Earlier this summer, during their annual I/O conference, the folks at Google officially introduced Android L. Even though the Mountain View-based giant didn’t reveal the release date of the new Android iteration, they demoed most of its new features at I/O and made it available for download as Developer Preview.

Android L is the biggest update Google’s mobile operating system has seen since its launch back in 2008. It arrives with tons of new features, but this app concentrates on the Lock Screen changes and improvements.

As you may know, in KitKat and previous Android version, the Lock Screen did nothing else except for showing you the time, how many notifications you have, or allow you to secure your smartphone or tablet. Well, the Android L Lock Screen has learned a couple of new tricks.

The new Lock Screen is now capable of displaying your notifications and it even allows you to interact with them. Furthermore, Google has found a clever way to prioritize the notifications based on the frequency you interact with them.

Now, instead of grabbing that small lock and moving it around, you will need to swipe up in order to unlock your screen. Furthermore, you can swipe left to get to the Camera (was previously available in KitKat) or swipe right to get to the Phone app.

The Android L Lock Screen allows you to swipe away notifications to dismiss them, or tap to open a specific notification. You can also swipe down on a notification to see all notifications from the respective app.

Samsung Galaxy S3 I9305 4G KitKat Update Android 4.4.2 Still MIA Outside US

Samsung Galaxy S3 I9305 4G KitKat Update Android 4.4.2 Still MIA Outside US

Samsung started rolling out the Android KitKat 4.4.2 update for its 2012 flagship – Galaxy S3 a few months back, but the update release has been painfully slow. Not just that, but many variants of the Galaxy S3 are yet to receive the much awaited update from Samsung.

While US owners of the Samsung Galaxy S3 4G LTE model have received the update, owners of the device across Europe are still waiting. They’ve only received the Android 4.3 Jellybean update from Samsung so far.

Vodafone Spain says they’ve not received any official word from Samsung on when the KitKat update will be pushed to the devices. They claim to have only received information about the Android 4.3 update, which remains the latest update available for S3 LTE users.

Not just Spain, but carrier-bought S3 LTE devices across the UK and Australia are also stuck on Android 4.3 Jellybean. The carriers seem to have no fitting reply for frustrated Galaxy S3 LTE owners who’ve been waiting for the Android 4.4.2 update for a long time. They wonder why the US models with the same hardware have received the update from Samsung, but not their devices. What’s making the wait even more difficult for owners is the buggy Android 4.3 Jellybean firmware for their devices.

Australian network carrier, Telstra, seems to be as clueless as European carriers on the S3 LTE 4.4.2 update. They’ve received Android 4.4.2 and other updates for devices like the Galaxy Note 3, Note 2 4G and the Galaxy S5, but nothing for the S3 LTE.

Nexus 5 Successor to Feature Android L 5.0 Update

Nexus 5 Successor to Feature Android L 5.0 Update

Nexus 6/Nexus X is a very mysterious device right now, but it’s set to be the next iteration of Google’s flagship phone which has been sold to tens of millions worldwide. A French retailer, fnac, has recently showcased this device on their website (along with some info) before Google actually unveiled the device. The news comes as a surprise, because if we look at the situation right now, it’s possible that the tech magnate is set to release not one, but two Nexus devices this year, including the Nexus 8.

New Information Leaks Regarding the Nexus X’s OS and CPU

Fnac reports that Google’s new phone will come with Android L straight out of the box, packing a 5.2 inch display, a Snapdragon 805 CPU, and a 13MP rear camera. The Android OS it runs also comes under the name “Android 5.0 Lemon Meringue Pie”

The model listed on fnac is XT1100, a codename for a phone developed by Motorola, which suggests that the two tech companies are working together on this one. It’s a common thing these days for companies to work together to produce better working phones, and better software. This collaboration is particularly interesting because Motorola is currently developing some very interesting accessories and smartwatches, so we’re curious to see if they’ll join forces with Google in that regard.

Nexus X is said to come in two variations: a 32GB version and a 64GB version. No sign of a 16GB version, though. As for the price, it’s rather steep, but worthwhile. The Nexus X 32GB version was priced at €419.99 which translates to $419.99 off-contract in the United States, while the Nexus X 64GB version is priced at €449.99.

As a final word, TK Tech News reported that the fnac website is very prone to hacker attacks occurring, so as always, take this information with a pinch of salt.

HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 OTA Update Now Being Pushed to AT8T Users

HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 OTA Update Now Being Pushed to AT8T Users

The international HTC One M8 received the Android 4.4.3 OTA update about a month ago, while the T-Mobile variant got it last week. Now we hear that the HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 update is being rolled out for the AT&T users, therefore you should keep your eye on the notifications bar. For what it’s worth, the Verizon model is expected to get the new firmware sometime mid-September.

Because the HTC One M8 runs Android 4.4 out of the box, the usual KitKat stuff such as transparent status and nav bars, white status bar icons, immersive mode, new Location menu, cloud printing, or full screen album and movie art in the lock screen came pre-loaded. The AT&T HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 update doesn’t introduce any visual improvements, but it arrives with numerous optimizations, bug fixes, and security improvements, so you would definitely want to install it on your device.

As usual, AT&T will be rolling out the new update in stages, which means that some of you might not be able to download and install it right away. As you may know, once your HTC One M8 becomes eligible to receive the new firmware, you should be able to see a system update message in the notifications bar. Tap on it, then choose “Download now.” After the files are downloaded, choose “Install now.” After the installation process is complete the Smartphone will reboot. In case the system update notification failed to appear, you would also want to perform a manual check under Settings > About phone > Software updates > Check now.

It’s also worth noting that the new Android 4.4.3 update for AT&T HTC One M8 has firmware number 2.23.502.3. Since it has a size of around 660 MB it’s recommended to download it using a stable Wi-Fi network in order to avoid unwanted data charges.

I remind you that HTC was one of the first companies to announce they will be bring Android L to their flagship devices. According to them, both One M7 and One M8 will receive the new software update within 90 days after Google releases the final code.

Android L 5.0 Update: Possible Names and Features

Android L 5.0 Update: Possible Names and Features

We’re getting closer to the release of the next major version of Android, so we wanted to talk about what Google could end up calling it. We know that it should start with the letter L, but that’s as much as anyone (besides Google employees) truly knows. Let’s go over the possible names that we could see Google using this year.

Licensed names

Since Android 4.4 KitKat was internally known as Key Lime Pie before they struck a deal, this makes it highly possible that Google could do the same this year. No matter what clues or hints we read about Android L, we could see Google change things right before the latest version of KitKat is released.

With as much battery saving changes going into Android L, Life Savers is something that could actually fit. Or they could take it in a comical direction and go with Laffy Taffy. A few have suggested the possibility of Lemon Heads too, but out of all the licensed names, this one seems the most unlikely.

Generic names

Assuming that Google’s commercial partnership was a one-time deal, we have a lot of other desserts they could choose from – things like Ladyfingers, Lollipop, Licorice, Lemon Tart, Lemon Drop, Lemon Bar, Lava Cake or even Lemon Meringue Pie. We’ve seen the letters LMP appearing in Wi-Fi certification papers just two day ago. It seems like Lemon Meringue Pie just might be the internal code name for the next version of Android.

Features expected in Android L

We are more than excited to see what Google ends up releasing in the final version of Android L. Material Design is one of my favorite new changes and I can’t wait to see which 3rd party application developers can capitalize on this first. Google has also redesigned how Android handles notifications. We’ve seen similar features like this from Paranoid Android, with Hover and CyanogenMod with the Heads Up notifications. This will also bring a non-intrusive call notification window instead of taking you out of your application and interrupting your session. Everyone will benefit from Project Volta and the new Android L battery optimizations. These will be applied system-wide and there will also be a new Job Scheduler API for 3rd party developers to integrate into their applications.