We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Motorola had a banner week as they brought the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Moto Xs to KitKat, less then a month after the official announcement. HBO GO became the next app to be Chromecast compatible and the upcoming hackathon could mean a lot more apps to come. Is Samsung’s Galaxy Gear a flop and will they ditch fingerprint scanning in favor of eye scanning? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.
Guides
Best Android apps for reading books and syncing between devices [November 2013]
Best Android apps for finding the hottest Black Friday deals
Reviews
Nexus 5 review: A fantastic value, but not a flagship phone
Accessories
HoneyDru is a cute new car charger from Power By Gen
Nexus Wireless Charger now available in Google Play Store, selling for $49.99
LG QuickCover and bumper cases for Nexus 5 now available in Google Play Store
Motorola now offering device accessories at 30% discount until November 27
Dead Zebra announces Series 04 of collectible figurines, first two make web appearance
Dead Zebra announces five more Series 4 Android collectibles in time for holiday season
Apps – New
Google combines Currents and Play Magazines apps into Google Play Newsstand
Motorola migrates two more apps to the Play Store: Motorola Connect and Motorola Assist
Epic Launcher brings some KitKat sweetness to Android 4.0+ users
Apps – Updates
Todoist receives a handy update, now works with Google Now to keep you productive
DIRECTV Android app updated with remote control functionality
Google translate makes conversations easier with latest update
FlightTrack 5 hits the Google Play Store
ESPN revamps ScoreCenter as SportsCenter, fresh layout and social integration
Google updates Wallet app to add cards via photo
Latest Facebook app test build shows revamped “flat” style UI
Instagram rumored to incorporate private messaging system before years end
Turntable.fm shutting down DJ service, to focus on live event platform
Cameras
Android-powered Samsung Galaxy NX camera officially available starting at $1,600
Carriers
U.S. carriers reject “kill switch” that would prevent smartphone theft
AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint plan to stop charging customers for spam texts
AT&T Moto X Soak Test invites go out, presumably for Kit Kat
AT&T pulls Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S 4, reason unknown
AT&T’s Moto X now receiving 4.4 KitKat OTA update
Sprint announces holiday deals including $50 LG G2, free Galaxy S 4 Mini, and $100 port-in credit
LG G Flex for Sprint passes through the FCC
You can officially use a Nexus 5 on Sprint MNVO Ting
Android 4.4 currently arriving for T-Mobile Moto X
Black Friday sales information from U.S. Cellular released, sale for current customers going on now
US Cellular, Sprint Galaxy S III receiving Android 4.3 update
HTC One Max now available at Verizon Wireless for $299 on contract
Chromecast now being sold by Verizon, offers 25% corporate discount
Verizon adds Galaxy S III Mini and Galaxy S 4 Mini to phone lineup
Verizon launches the Daily Plan, a prepaid plan at $5 for 300MB a day
Verizon Wireless Black Friday deals leaked online
Verizon Moto X officially getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today
Chromebooks
“OK Google” command making its way to Chromebooks
Chromecast
Motorola adds Chromecast to online store
Job postings hint that Chromecast could be going international
HBO GO app on Android gets Chromecast support
Chromecast now being sold by Verizon, offers 25% corporate discount
Next month’s Chromecast Hackathon could mean a lot more apps on the horizon
Gaming
OUYA releases new white version of gaming console, offers 16GB of storage instead of 8
Humble Mobile Bundle 3 brings two new games to Android, six total games in all
OUYA Abominable Snowman update brings refreshed UI and support for USB storage
PlayStation Store support arrives for nine new countries
Check out some great Android games that are currently on sale!
Google readying new Android camera API that supports Camera RAW
Google engineer explains white status bar icons and connectivity in Quick Settings
Google settles states’ Safari probe allegations with $17 million
Google’s Patch Reward Program adds numerous open source software projects
Google combines Currents and Play Magazines apps into Google Play Newsstand
Google Wallet Card is official, physical cards available only in the U.S.
Google engineer explains why you shouldn’t clear Google Services Framework data
Middle Earth comes to life in new Google Chrome experiment
Google modifies Play store to help tablet users find tablet-optimized apps
Google Glass
Google shows off the Glass Development Kit, opens the door to new possibilities for developers
Google negotiating with VSP Global to develop frames and prescription lenses for Glass
Hardware
Samsung might go with eye scanning tech instead of fingerprint scanning
Qualcomm announces the Snapdragon 805, will bring an UltraHD home theater to your pocket
MediaTek reveals MT6592 octa-core CPU with clock speeds up to 2 GHz
Eight-core and quad-core versions of LG’s Odin processor to be made available
Phones – Alcatel
Successor to Alcatel Idol X appears to be in the works, images leak
Phones – HTC
HTC “M8″ APKs leak, 249 of them to gaze upon
HTC specifies Android 4.3 and 4.4 updates for Verizon HTC One and Droid DNA
HTC One Max now available at Verizon Wireless for $299 on contract
HTC’s “Desire” lineup to be revamped come November 27th
Phones – Huawei
Huawei Ascend P6S photos leak, specs too
Specs, pictures of the Huawei Ascend Mate 2 leak
Phones – LG
LG G Flex for Sprint passes through the FCC
Phones – Motorola
3D Systems partners with Motorola to manufacture modular enclosures for ‘Ara’ smartphones
Verizon Moto X officially getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today
AT&T’s Moto X now receiving 4.4 KitKat OTA update
Android 4.4 currently arriving for T-Mobile Moto X
Motorola gives nod to custom development, reverses decision to void warranty on unlock codes
Motorola now offering zero down, zero interest options through online store
Motorola announces Android KitKat for several older devices
Phones – Meizu
Meizu releases first ever 128 GB smartphone in China
Phones – Nexus
LG comments on the retail price of the Nexus 5
You can officially use a Nexus 5 on Sprint MNVO Ting
Nexus 4 finally starting to receive Android 4.4 KitKat OTA update
OTA download links for Android 4.4 now available for Nexus 4
Phones – Samsung
Samsung preparing to produce 560 ppi displays in 2014 smartphones, Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy S5 expected to include 64-bit processor, 128-bit processors on the horizon
Possible Samsung Galaxy S 5 casing leaks, metallic present
Samsung’s Galaxy Gear a bust or just a test like the Galaxy Round?
U.S. owners of the Galaxy Note 3 can get $50 in Google Play Store credit
Samsung may have another bloated battery issue
5.25-inch Samsung device surfaces in Europe, mid-range specs inside
AT&T pulls Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S 4, reason unknown
Samsung pulls Galaxy S III Android 4.3 update and issues statement
US Cellular, Sprint Galaxy S III receiving Android 4.3 update
Samsung Galaxy Note II (GT-N7105) officially getting Android 4.3
Verizon adds Galaxy S III Mini and Galaxy S 4 Mini to phone lineup
Phones – Vivo
World’s first QHD smartphone specs leaked – Vivo Xplay 3S
Phones – ZTE
ZTE announces the Nubia Z5s and Z5s Mini
Massive ZTE Nubia Z7 leaks, shows a 6.44 inch screen
ROMs
CyanogenMod teases new hardware partner in Google+ post
Smartwatches
Qualcomm set to release Toq smartwatch on Cyber Monday, December 2nd
Samsung’s Galaxy Gear a bust or just a test like the Galaxy Round?
Samsung says Galaxy Gear far from a bust and is the most popular smartwatch ever
Galaxy Gear gets a custom ROM with Play Store access and the ability to connect to any device
Tablets
Fire OS 3.1 now available for Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Amazon Kindle Fire HDX tablets
Amazon sending out invites to try the Kindle Fire HDX free for 30 days, no payment required
Google modifies Play store to help tablet users find tablet-optimized apps
[Deal] Nexus 7 (2013) 16GB on sale through Amazon, 32GB too
Toshiba Excite 7 announced, available starting today for $170
Updates
Near final version of Android 4.3 for Galaxy Note II (GT-N7100) leaks
AT&T pulls Android 4.3 update for the Galaxy S 4, reason unknown
Verizon Moto X KitKat update coming very soon, soak test ready to commence
New KitKat build KRT16S being pushed out to squash bugs
Samsung pulls Galaxy S III Android 4.3 update and issues statement
Samsung Galaxy Note II (GT-N7105) officially getting Android 4.3
Fire OS 3.1 now available for Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Amazon Kindle Fire HDX tablets
Verizon Moto X officially getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today
Motorola announces Android KitKat for several older devices
HTC specifies Android 4.3 and 4.4 updates for Verizon HTC One and Droid DNA
Nexus 4 finally starting to receive Android 4.4 KitKat OTA update
OTA download links for Android 4.4 now available for Nexus 4
Miscellaneous
Apple vs. Samsung battle renewed by U.S. Court of Appeals
While damages trial goes to jury, Samsung seeks mistrial
GameBench hopes to measure up with new benchmarking software for Android devices
Sony files patent for “smart wig” with computing technology and sensors built in
Syncing and signing in issues with Exchange occuring for Nexus 5 and KitKat users
Where do you fall in Smartphone Etiquette? [Infographic]
Witness credited by Apple juror as being “superstar witness”
Amazon Appstore renovated with new-look UI
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for November 18 – November 24, 2013
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