TalkAndroid_Weekly_Recap

We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories.The excitement and speculation surrounding the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 Kit Kat continues to build. A decent amount of information has been uncovered thanks to a Nexus 5 log file and the service manual, as well as a slew of screenshots from Android 4.4. Samsung and LG are about to embark on the next big battle: flexible displays. Samsung will probably get first dibs, but LG won’t be too far behind. The woes continue for HTC, but they deserve a round of applause for getting the Android 4.3 update out faster than everyone else. Google continues to keep the Chromecast from blossoming, but we are excited that Hulu Plus is now supporting it. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

How to automatically disable Android’s security lock screen when connected to your home Wi-Fi, Bluetooth device or by location

Accessories

Remote Wireless charging could be a reality in 2015 thanks to Cota technology

Premature SPIGEN Nexus 5 case on Amazon met with sarcastic reviews, hints at October 31 release date

Pioneer updates their heads-up displays to restrain drivers from being distracted

Samsung jumps into wireless audio speaker market with new Shape product

Apps – New

‘Agent’ app promises to offer a more effective, useful personal assistant

Samsung releases PEN.UP in the Play Store, allows Note II and Note 3 owners to share S Pen artwork

Sony explains PlayStation app, set to release alongside PlayStation 4

CBS releases new app providing streaming, full HD episodes of shows

Gameloft’s Modern Combat 5 to be delayed until 2014

Cut The Rope 2 to be released by Zeptolabs in time for the holiday season

Apps – Updates

Samsung’s ChatOn instant messaging service hits 100 million registered users

Google Play Music All Access arrives in seven new European countries

Hulu Plus now supports Chromecast

Watch ABC streaming app updated to add support for seven new devices

Rdio enables free streaming for their 20 million songs

Google Search updated to include redesigned results and notifications for people

Ads are now showing up in Gmail’s Promotions folder in the Android app

Instagram aims to add “natural” advertisements to your feed

Carriers

AT&T to begin deploying fiber network in Austin, Texas to compete with Google Fiber

Target confirms previously leaked Brightspot prepaid mobile plan

MetroPCS adds LG Optimus F6 to portfolio

Sprint HTC One to receive Android 4.3 today

T-Mobile bringing Classic plans to an end at national retailers

Leak suggests refreshed partnership between T-Mobile and Target

T-Mobile kicking off October with no money down on ‘Amazing Devices’

T-Mobile tweet teases Phase 3 of #UnCarrier Revolution, features Shakira

MotoMaker likely heading to Verizon on November 11

HTC One Max images show the phablet with Verizon logo

Verizon leads pack in smartphone sales, T-Mobile marks a change

Verizon to honor unlimited data upgrades from this weekend, fixes loophole

Chromebooks

Chromebooks now account for 22% of computers in schools in the US

Chromecast

Hulu Plus now supports Chromecast

Is Amazon Set to Release a Chromecast/Apple TV Competitor?

Gaming

Humble Mobile Bundle 2 updates with three new games

Google

Google Play vending machines arrive in Japan

Apple and Google overtake Coca-Cola as most valuable brands, but Apple gets the edge

Google Drive receives updated UI, now features a cleaner and more simplistic look for Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Google rolling out updates to Chrome for Android and for the desktop

Tech startup Flutter acquired by Google

Jelly Bean now on just about 50% of Android devices, Gingerbread keeps on ticking

Recent Google report suggests Android malware at a minimum on Google Play enabled devices

Google Glass

Google Glass wows fire chief

Google now accepting Glassware applications for review process

Hardware

LG to match Samsung by unveiling their own smartphone with a flexible display in October

Quad and octa-core MediaTek processors to come to Samsung devices in 2014

Phones – Amazon

Amazon smartphone project seems to be back in the works according to latest rumors

Phones – HTC

HTC Butterfly 2 front panels leak

HTC One Max will still have Beats Audio, despite selling off remaining stake

More images of the HTC One Max leak, shows off removable back and poses with Galaxy Note 3

HTC One Max images show the phablet with Verizon logo

Canadian carriers updating HTC One to Android 4.3

HTC faces U.S. import ban after ITC judge rules in favor of Nokia

HTC takes home gold thrice at T3 Gadget Awards, including ‘Phone of the Year,’ ‘Gadget of the Year’

HTC to roll out Android 4.3 to AT&T’s One next week

Sprint HTC One to receive Android 4.3 today

Verizon approves minor DROID DNA update, doesn’t include Sense 5 or Android 4.2.2

Phones – Lenovo

Lenovo announces Vibe X and Vibe Z smartphones to tackle the international market

Phones – LG

LG to match Samsung by unveiling their own smartphone with a flexible display in October

LG’s first curved smartphone to be called the G Flex

LG F340 shows up in benchmarks, could be curved G Flex

LG G Pro Lite Dual may have a stylus

MetroPCS adds LG Optimus F6 to portfolio

Phones – Motorola

AT&T’s Moto X receiving camera and Touchless Control update

MotoMaker likely heading to Verizon on November 11

Images of low cost Motorola DVX surface thanks to FCC documents

Phones – Nexus

Nexus 5 to sport a nano SIM card slot

Another Nexus 5 image surfaces, looks like previous shots

Nexus 5 Android 4.4 log file reveals OIS, USB OTG support, and updated stock apps

Nexus 5 to raise the bar with MEMS camera technology

Premature SPIGEN Nexus 5 case on Amazon met with sarcastic reviews, hints at October 31 release date

Nexus 5 specs all but confirmed due to purported service manual leak

Phones – Pantech

Pantech to release the Vega Note, a stylus-wielding phablet, on October 10th

Phones – Samsung

Samsung to unveil Galaxy Note 3 with curved display next week, LG to follow up with the curved LG Z

Possible Samsung curved screen smartphone spotted on benchmark site

Galaxy Note 3 ‘Regional SIM Lock’ is a bigger problem than originally thought, older phones could be an issue with Android 4.4

Samsung caught juicing benchmarks again, this time with the Galaxy Note 3

Samsung responds to Galaxy Note 3 benchmarking issues

Samsung releases 60-second commercial spot ‘Dreams’ to promote Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear

Galaxy Note III with dual-SIM launches in Asian markets, not region-locked

Galaxy S4, Note 3 will not be receiving full 8-core Exynos performance patch

Android 4.3 test firmware leaked for Samsung Galaxy S 4

Phones – Sharp

Sharp announces Aquos Xx and Aquos Xx Mini

Phones – Sony

Xperia Z1 f (aka Honami Mini) specs and pictures leak

Sony Xperia Z1 f likely to appear at NTT DoCoMo’s Winter Presentation in Japan

Sony Xperia Z1 f brochure leaks with images

Phones – Xiaomi

Xiaomi MI3 with Tegra 4 to be released October 15, variant with Snapdragon 800 to come later

Phones – ZTE

Unlocked ZTE Grand S and Nubia 5 coming to the U.S. available for pre-order October 5

Smartwatches

Samsung releases 60-second commercial spot ‘Dreams’ to promote Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear

Samsung Galaxy Gear firmware based on Android 4.2.2

Rumor: Nexus smartwatch codenamed ‘Gem’ could be unveiled October 31

Tablets

Archos launches three new “Platinum” Android tablets

ASUS Nexus 10 nearing a release according to @evleaks

Dell announces Venue 7 and Venue 8 Android tablets, beginning at $149

Nexus 7 LTE 2013 receives surprise Android 4.3.1 update

Upcoming RCA Internet Music System includes a removable 7-inch Android tablet

Updates

A slew of Android 4.4 screenshots leak, plus an Easter Egg

Canadian carriers updating HTC One to Android 4.3

Android 4.3 test firmware leaked for Samsung Galaxy S 4

Sprint HTC One to receive Android 4.3 today

Early Android 4.3 test firmware for Samsung Galaxy Note II leaked

Nexus 7 LTE 2013 receives surprise Android 4.3.1 update

Verizon approves minor DROID DNA update, doesn’t include Sense 5 or Android 4.2.2

HTC to roll out Android 4.3 to AT&T’s One next week

AT&T’s Moto X receiving camera and Touchless Control update

Miscellaneous

Samsung invests in PowerbyProxi to push the Qi standard for wireless charging

Qualcomm plans to help develop standard for hybrid wireless charging as it joins Power Matters Alliance

Android tablet sales surpass Apple’s iPad for the first time ever in Q2 of 2013

Bluetooth SIG and Alliance for Wireless Power connect on new specification for smart charging stations

Other Companies Guilty of Boosting Benchmark Scores, Adds to How Seriously Benchmarks Shouldn’t be Taken Seriously

Jimmy Kimmel offers a cure for iOS 7 motion sickness victims

Samsung Mobile chief product officer leaves company

Samsung HomeSync will be available in the US on October 6 for $299

Samsung could invest in Best Buy

HTC posts large losses in Q3 2013, continuing on their downward spiral

ComScore numbers for August shows a slight dip in Android while Apple and Samsung see growth

Google, Cisco, and SAP may be placing bids on BlackBerry

Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for September 30 – October 6, 2013

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