We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Was it National Moto X week or something? Things have changed a little from a few months ago when the Galaxy S 4 and the HTC One were making all the headlines. Well now it’s Motorola’s turn. Motorola is definitely stealing the thunder with the Moto X, but the DROID Ultra is also making headlines. Google made a major update to Maps and T-Mobile proved once again why they are the UN-Carrier. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.
Guides
How to backup or transfer photos from your Android phone to the cloud or desktop computer
How to: cache maps for offline use in the new Google Maps update
How to add password protection to your Google Play Store account to prevent unintentional purchases
Reviews
Logitech Harmony Ultimate, Smart Hub, and Android app review
AT&T Optimus G Pro quick review: A fantastic phone at a fantastic price
Accessories
Garmin’s new HUD accessory will project navigation information on your windshield
Apps – New
Crazy Taxi pulls into the Google Play Store
‘One Today’ charity app by Google released to public, invite no longer necessary
Rovio Stars’ Tiny Thief now available in the Play Store
Sprinkle Islands makes big splash in Google Play Store
Pacific Rim game hits the Play Store
Vector Unit releases new videos showing Riptide GP2 gameplay
Tinder Android app launches when 1 million people want it
Apps – Updates
Google Maps updates with new UI
Google quietly brings back open-view option for offline maps in the new Google Maps update
Update for Google+ app allows users to see friends’ +1 activity in stream
Vine app for Android gets large update, includes timeline features and new camera tools
Carbon for Android Twitter client gets big update, promises of more in the near future
Carriers
T-Mobile announces ‘Jump’ program, major 4G LTE expansion, and new four-line family plan
Sprint looks to change “Everything” plans to “Unlimited, My Way” with fresh set of options
Sprint makes Unlimited My Way and All-In plans official
T-Mobile launches #hate2wait promotion
Verizon releases ‘FamilyBase,’ gives nearly complete control over kids’ phones to parents
Gaming
Test drive an NVIDIA Shield at a select few SHIELD Movie Theater Experience Centers
Latest Android distribution shows Jelly Bean up to 37.9%, Ice Cream Sandwich slides to 23%
Google brings back phone calls to Hangouts
Google Latitude to be discontinued August 9
Google releases new Maps commercial featuring update v7.0, Google Glass… and Detroit Rock City
Phones – BLU
BLU Dash 4.5 is an Android 4.2 phone for only $139 unlocked
Phones – HTC
HTC One in Glamour Red surfaces in hands-on video
HTC One “Google Edition” passes Bluetooth SIG again, this time with Android 4.3 and Bluetooth 4.0 LE
AT&T and Sprint HTC One on sale for $49.99 on Amazon
HTC One variant for Big Red finally hits FCC, expected to launch later this summer
Leaked Verizon roadmap shows HTC One and Moto X release dates
New shots of HTC Butterfly S with dual-sim slots pop up on Twitter
Phones – Huawei
Images of Huawei Honor 3 hint at mid-range device with a little extra
Phones – LG
LG G2 leaked photo shows how it looks from the side
More LG G2 front and rear images leaked
Leaked video, images of LG Optimus G2 hit the Internet
LG confirms August 7th G2 launch with new teaser vid
LG G2 comparison pictures leak, device alongside Samsung Galaxy Note 2
LG to release the slimmest full HD LCD display in the world, most likely for upcoming G2
AT&T LG Optimus G Pro finally gets Value Pack upgrade
Phones – Motorola
Possible Motorola DROID ULTRA image leaked
More DROID ULTRA images surface
Leaked storyboard for DROID MAXX promises 48 hours of worry-free battery life
Motorola DROID Mini, Ultra and MAXX in leaked picture
Yet more Moto X Phone images surface
Moto X to incorporate clear pixel technology in camera hardware
Latest Motorola X leak shows a dual-SIM variant is likely on the way
More Moto X leaks; Shows off full back side of the device
Motorola to spend up to $500 million marketing the X Phone on all four major carriers
Leaked Verizon roadmap shows HTC One and Moto X release dates
Eric Schmidt reveals Moto X while talking about Google’s relationship with Apple [Updated]
Moto X customers will be able to pick back plate material, source says
Verizon Moto X pictured for the first time
Motorola X Phone pops up in video, shows off in white and black with always-on voice actions
Motorola hints at fast Moto X camera
Phones – Samsung
Could Samsung be planning to launch four versions of the Galaxy Note III at the same time?
Phones – Sony
T-Mobile nabs the Sony Xperia Z as an exclusive, available July 17 for $99 down
Phones – ZTE
ZTE U988S could be the world’s first Tegra 4-powered handset
ROMs
Latest CyanogenMod nightlies allow Google Voice users to send texts through any messaging app
CyanogenMod official blog post reveals security bug fix in latest version, CM 10.1.1
Video showcases MoDaCo.SWITCH’s ability to easily switch between Sense and Stock
Security
Google releases patch to fix Bluebox security threat, users await OEMs and carriers for updates
Smartwatches
Sony Smartwatch 2 UK availability pushed back until September
Tablets
Nexus 7 price goes down to $179.99, new model on the way?
Techno Source unveils kid-friendly line of Kurio tablets to be sold exclusively at Toys”R”Us
[Deal] Grab a 32 GB Nexus 7 for $199 through Newegg
Amazon to revamp Kindle Fire line with higher resolution displays and new design
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 series of tablets now available nationwide
Second-generation Nexus 7 may not reach 8 million sales
Benchmark on upcoming Acer tablet reveals a beast in the making
Grab a 16 GB Nexus 7 for $149 through Staples or 32 GB for $169
Entry level Toshiba tablet shows up in benchmarks
Updates
DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD updates roll out
HTC Butterfly gets Android 4.2.2, Sense 5
Miscellaneous
Samsung, HTC, others may add Zigbee support to smartphones
Dropbox announces Sync API as part of Dropbox Platform for third-party apps
Samsung sees bright future for ‘wearables’ and phone displays in new concept video
Android co-creator talks about fragmention, considers it an “overblown issue”
True Apple fanboy at heart, man steals a bunch of iPhones, leaves Samsung Galaxy at scene of crime
Qualcomm releases video imagining world without mobile
Apple rubbing off a bit on Samsung? Samsung fights LG over use of the word “unpack”
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for July 8 – July 14, 2013
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