We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. In what was a pretty significant milestone, the Vivo Xplay 3S was officially unveiled with a 2K display. Unfortunately, it won’t get nearly as much press as the upcoming Galaxy S 5. Another major milestone has to be the Oppo N1 CyanogenMod edition that will be available this week, not to mention that CyanogenMod hit the 10 million installs mark. Motorola continues their dominance with KitKat updates while other manufacturers push 4.3. Meizu plans on entering the U.S., but is there room for another manufacturer? Speaking of other manufacturers, when the hell will Amazon release their phone? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.
Guides
Best Android apps for running, working out, biking, and hiking [December 2013]
Reviews
Featured Android App Review: Why you should consider Action Launcher to be your launcher of choice
Featured Android Game Review: Strategy & Tactics: Medieval Wars
Accessories
Official CyanogenMod cases available for Nexus 5
Apps – New
Sony’s Xperia Z1 MotionShot camera app available on any device with Android 4.0 and up
Dolphin Zero Takes Incognito Mode to a Whole New Level
Comcast releases XFINITY TV X1 app with voice input
New App: PPLCONNECT offers virtual connectivity to your phone for calls and SMS for free
Apps – Updates
Google Calendar gets an update that improves accepting event invitations from within Gmail
“Dislike” emoticon released for Facebook Messenger
Facebook rolling out auto-play video ads to desktop and mobile
Updated Dropbox app now allows folder sharing among friends
Box app improves picture navigation and UI polish in latest update
Google Dialer limited to Nexus and GPE devices, manual install for KitKat ROMs now available
Spotify updated on both Android and desktop, features minor interface tweaks, new artist pages
SwiftKey update includes new winter theme, updated install process
Big update to Press for Android brings new themes, gestures, more
Motorola Contextual Services now available in Google Play
Facebook updates Home to improve lock screen functions
Google Play Books Update Removes In-App PDF Uploading
Updated Apex Launcher comes to Play Store with new KitKat details
Carriers
AT&T internally testing what could be the Samsung Galaxy S 5
Android 4.3 Arrives Today for AT&T Galaxy Note II
AT&T Users Able to Roam on 4G LTE in the UK Thanks to Deal with EE
Sprint Lights Up LTE for Over 70 New Locations
Sprint not alone in wanting to buy T-Mobile, Dish eyeing bid next year
T-Mobile ready to hold another Uncarrier event, tweaks AT&T
John Legere, dressed as Santa Claus, gives the other carriers coal for Christmas
Could Uncarrier 4 cover ETF for users switching to T-Mobile?
Verizon Changelog for HTC One Android 4.3 Update Surfaces
[Deal] Verizon Moto X just $49.99 through Moto Maker until January 1
DROID Maxx, Ultra, and Mini getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today
Chromecast
[Deal] Chromecast available for $29 at Amazon and Best Buy
Chromebooks
145,000 Chromebook 11 chargers being recalled by Google and HP
LG to unveil the Chromebase at CES, an all-in-one computer powered by ChromeOS
Gaming
Samsung GamePad availability officially announced for European markets
Angry Birds Star Wars gets final update with 30 new levels
Dead Trigger 2 gets a holiday update with new weapons, environments, and game modes
Humble Bundle 8 offers six games for both Android and PC
Samsung GamePad comes with Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 in New Game Edition
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas carjacks its way into the Play Store
SEGA holding holiday sale with Sonic games for up to 80% off
Ratchet and Clank: BTN hits Google Play with tie-in to PS3 title
Google said to be testing smart thermostat, again
New Google Search easter egg will get you in the holiday spirit
Google releases “Year in Review” video culminating biggest events from 2013
New Google EnergySense information emerges
Google may allow users to upload songs to Play Music via web browser in near future
New analysis shows Google Search not compatible with many “on device” apps on Android 4.4
Google didn’t scrap original Android phone designs after iPhone announcement after all
Watch Will Ferrell’s Elf for free on Google Play in standard definition, $4.99 for HD
Google+ auto-backup users will get a personalized “Year in Review” video
Google Glass
Google Glass XE12 update brings Hangouts, YouTube and photography with a wink
Phones – Amazon
Amazon to launch smartphone in first-half 2014
Phones – ASUS
ASUS PadFone X seen in benchmark, may be released soon
Phones – Gresso
Never worry about dropping your device again with Gresso’s all-titanium Android phone
Phones – HTC
Verizon Changelog for HTC One Android 4.3 Update Surfaces
HTC Butterfly S receiving Android 4.3 and Sense 5.5 starting today
Phones – Huawei
Huawei announces the Glory 3X / Honor 3X with a true octa-core processor and an affordable price
Phones – LG
LG announces the Gx, 5.5-inch display along with a Snapdragon 600
Phones – Meizu
Meizu targeting 2014 U.S. launch, will showcase devices at CES next month
Phones – Motorola
Moto X bamboo backplate now available via Moto Maker for $100 extra
New Moto X print ad changes colors upon touching it
[Deal] Verizon Moto X just $49.99 through Moto Maker until January 1
DROID Maxx, Ultra, and Mini getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today
Moto G update to Android 4.4.2 KitKat starts rolling out ahead of schedule
Phones – Nexus
Teardown video shows you how to repair a Nexus 5
Phones – Oppo
Oppo Find 7 officially set to have 2k display
Photos and Specs for Oppo R1 Leak Revealing Glass Back with Metal Construction
Oppo N1 with CyanogenMod 10.2 pre-installed will be available starting December 24th
Phones – Samsung
Samsung could unveil the Galaxy S 5 with 2,560 x 1,400 display and iris scanner at MWC 2014
AT&T internally testing what could be the Samsung Galaxy S 5
Samsung SM-G900F specs confirmed, is it still a Galaxy S 5 candidate?
Samsung releases new Galaxy Note 3 video, showcases holiday spirit
Samsung launches Galaxy Note 3 in Merlot Red in South Korea
Samsung Galaxy S 4, Note 3 getting KitKat at the end of January, according to French carrier
Samsung ready with pink Galaxy S4 for U.K. market
Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III finally receives 4.3 update
Android 4.3 Arrives Today for AT&T Galaxy Note II
Samsung’s entry-level Galaxy Core Advance launching early next year
[Deal] Grab the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom for as little as a penny at Amazon
Phones – Sony
Android 4.3 Rolling Out for the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra
Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition receiving Android 4.4.2 today
Phones – Vivo
Vivo Xplay 3S gets officially unveiled as first smartphone with 2K display
ROMs
Cyanogen secures an additional $23 million in funding, TV and wearables could be in the future
Koush’s ROM Manager app gets pulled from Play Store over in-app PayPal purchases
Rom Manager Returns to the Play Store After Brief Hiatus
Oppo N1 with CyanogenMod 10.2 pre-installed will be available starting December 24th
CyanogenMod hits 10 million installs in time for launch of CM-powered Oppo N1
Smartwatches
Pebble App Store Coming in 2014, Available for Developers Now
New Patent Demonstrates How Motorola Could Make Flexible Smartwatches a Reality
Tablets
Amazon offering Kindle Fire HDX with a payment plan
ASUS PadFone X seen in benchmark, may be released soon
Adam II tablet by Notion Ink unveiled with ticker-style display on side
Samsung could launch four tablets during first quarter of 2014
Samsung to unveil 10.5-inch tablet with AMOLED display at CES
Details emerge regarding Samsung’s four new tablets set to launch in early 2014
Samsung GamePad comes with Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 in New Game Edition
Updates
Android 4.3 Rolling Out for the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra
Verizon Changelog for HTC One Android 4.3 Update Surfaces
Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition receiving Android 4.4.2 today
Android 4.3 Arrives Today for AT&T Galaxy Note II
Samsung Galaxy S 4, Note 3 getting KitKat at the end of January, according to French carrier
Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III finally receives 4.3 update
DROID Maxx, Ultra, and Mini getting Android 4.4 KitKat starting today
Moto G update to Android 4.4.2 KitKat starts rolling out ahead of schedule
HTC Butterfly S receiving Android 4.3 and Sense 5.5 starting today
Miscellaneous
LG quashes rumor of Huawei partnership
Samsung HomeSync now compatible with a few non-Samsung devices
Samsung seeks a retrial of the retrial in Apple copycat case
HTC’s global sales duties given to CFO Chang Chialin
Korean researcher says flexible displays will hit mainstream devices sometime next year
The First Episode of the Galaxy 11 Campaign Debuts
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for December 16 – December 22, 2013
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