We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Google gave us a lot of goodies this week. Things kicked off with the announcement of 10 new Chromecast compatible apps. Then they announced the first Google Play Edition tablet, the LG G Pad 8.3. Next up was the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition. They didn’t stop there as they announced a white version of the Nexus 7. Android 4.4.2 KitKat start rolling before a lot of people received the 4.4.1 update. We continue to get a few more leaks regarding HTC and Samsung’s next flagships, and the Moto X is experiencing production delays. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.
Guides
Best Android calendar apps for phones and tablets [December 2013]
Accessories
Get into the holiday spirit with Ornamental Androids from Dead Zebra
Google offering new folio case for Nexus 7 devices
[Deal] 20% off tablet, smartphone accessories on Best Buy’s site
Apps – New
Motorola launches Active Display in the Play Store and fixes lag
Google makes Android Device Manager app for mobile devices
Contextually aware Cover lock screen replacement now in the Play Store
Mirror for Android allows rooted KitKat devices to record and share with Apple TV
Apps – Updates
Hangouts 2.0.2 released adding import SMS option, group messaging toggle and MMS bug fixes
Updated Nova Launcher includes elements of 4.4 KitKat in new version 2.3 update
Twitter app for Android gets a rather big update
Google updates Play Books to include PDF and ePub uploading
Google’s Androidify app comes back from the dead with holiday update
Google adds 9 new languages to Google Translate, now supports 80 languages
Dayframe Prime available for $0.99, price raises after one thousand installs
Spotify announces expansion, changes in service at NYC event
Google Santa Tracker app updated for 2013 with Chromecast support
Instagram debuts ‘Direct’ allowing you to share photos and videos with select friends
SwiftKey 4.5 Beta brings Emoji and dedicated number row
Google adds blue theme option into Google Keyboard update
Google Maps update includes Gmail integration for reservations
Motorola updates Touchless Control to allow unlocking PIN with voice commands
Skype updated on Android, includes handy picture-in-picture option
Carriers
FCC and U.S. Carriers reach a deal to allow consumers to unlock their mobile phones and tablets
AT&T strikes deal with Rogers to allow 4G LTE roaming in Canada
AT&T CEO speaks on future of wireless, possible end of subsidies
Sprint launching Galaxy S 4 that supports their Spark LTE network
Sprint rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat update to Moto X
Sprint to buy out T-Mobile? Regulators could stop deal short
T-Mobile offers $0 down on Galaxy line, throws jab at AT&T in the process
Android 4.3 finally on its way to T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 users
Verizon rolling out update for Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Photo of Verizon’s Moto G leaks, usual branding is missing
Verizon Galaxy S 4 Mini gets 4.3 update with Galaxy Gear support
HTC One from Verizon finally getting Android 4.3, should be receiving Android 4.4 in January
[Deal] DROID MAXX available for $12.49 at Amazon, new accounts only
Chromecast
Google adds 10 new Chromecast apps including Plex, Vevo, and Songza
[Deal] Get $35 Google Play credit with purchase of Nexus 7 and Chromecast combo
Google Santa Tracker app updated for 2013 with Chromecast support
Native Chromecast support comes to Play Movies and Play Music from the web
Google to open up Chromecast SDK in 2014, make it available in new international markets and more
Contests
Lookout says 63% of us can’t keep up with mobile tech, nominate your “Tech Hero” in contest
Gaming
Play Store forming new game categories, launches February 2014
Mad Catz M.O.J.O console now available for $249
Rovio’s Angry Birds Go speeds into the Play Store
New Christmas-themed update allows you to run as Santa in Temple Run 2
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 now in the Google Play Store
Cut the Rope 2 gets a release date.. for iOS, Android likely next year
Google lets you create your own Street View
Plans for Google’s barge in the San Francisco Bay at a stand-still for time being
Google Drive spreadsheets gets renamed to Google Sheets with offline support
Google Keep on the web gets a new redesign
Gmail to automatically display email images in Android app next year
Google launches Google Tips to help you use Google products more efficiently
Google’s Ingress project is bigger than it seems
Google goes shopping— buys Boston Dynamics, inventors of bizarre robots
Google+
Google+ study reveals IT workers are most active user group
Latest Google+ update allows you to shake your device like a snow globe to add snow to your photos
Hardware
Qualcomm’s new 64-bit chip targets entry-level devices
Phones – ASUS
ASUS PadFone Mini officially announced, 4.3-inch phone with 7-inch tablet dock
ASUS bringing PadFone to US in Q2 2014
Phones – HTC
HTC M8 aka HTC One Two receives WiFi certification
HTC One Max shows up in black on HTC Hong Kong site
HTC now able to sell all phones in UK again
HTC One Google Play edition receiving Android 4.4.2 update
HTC One from Verizon finally getting Android 4.3, should be receiving Android 4.4 in January
HTC One Mini to receive Android 4.3 soon, update appears in Europe
Phones – Huawei
Huawei Ascend P7 specs get confirmed thanks to internal document leak
Phones – LG
LG could be working on a 5.5-inch LG Gx
Smaller LG G2 may be in the works, matches internal specs of bigger sibling
LG G2 sales fall short of expectations, but not by much
Estonian LG Optimus G receives Android 4.4 update [Updated]
Phones – Motorola
Moto X owners get a new holiday boot animation [Update: Moto G as well]
Sprint rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat update to Moto X
Moto X Camera update rolling out with manual focus and exposure control
Moto X and Moto G orders delayed because of Winter Storm Dion
Photo of Verizon’s Moto G leaks, usual branding is missing
Moto CEO Dennis Woodside sits down for Q&A on Moto G, direction of company
[Deal] DROID MAXX available for $12.49 at Amazon, new accounts only
Phones – Nexus
Nexus devices receiving Android 4.4.2 (KOT49H), manual update ready
Nexus 5 gets slight revision with improved buttons and larger speakers
Phones – Nokia
Nokia’s first Android phone is codenamed Normandy
Phones – OPPO
Oppo confirms Find 7 smartphone, mid-range Find 5 mini could be in development
Phones – Samsung
Samsung SM-G900F is latest Galaxy S 5 or F Series candidate to show up in benchmarks
Samsung could drop AMOLED displays in favor of PLS LCD for Galaxy S 5 and Galaxy Note 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite said to be entering production, could be 30% of Note 3 sales
Inside look at Samsung facility reveals torture tests for smartphones
Samsung Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition made available in Thailand
Sprint launching Galaxy S 4 that supports their Spark LTE network
Samsung makes Galaxy J official in Taiwan
Samsung cuts forecast 2014 smartphone sales down to 330 million
Verizon rolling out update for Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Android 4.3 finally on its way to T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 users
T-Mobile offers $0 down on Galaxy line, throws jab at AT&T in the process
Verizon Galaxy S 4 Mini gets 4.3 update with Galaxy Gear support
Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition now receiving Android 4.4.2 update
Phones – Sony
Google adds Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition to lineup
Sony Xperia Z1S shows up at the FCC with ‘Amami’ name
Phones – Vivo
Vivo sends out very cool augmented reality invitations for Xplay 3S event
Phones – Xiaomi
Xiaomi’s Magic Cube to take on Motorola’s Project Ara in the modular smartphone revolution
ROMs
CyanogenMod announces WhisperPush SMS system for CM 10.2 nightlies
CyanogenMod screencast app released through Play Store beta channel
Smartwatches
Samsung’s new Christmas ad is nice, not naughty like last year
Qualcomm Toq smartwatch now available through Amazon
Tablets
Amazon slashes prices on the Kindle Fire HDX and Kindle Fire HD again
ASUS PadFone Mini officially announced, 4.3-inch phone with 7-inch tablet dock
ASUS bringing PadFone to US in Q2 2014
ASUS to host ‘In Search of Incredible’ event on January 6
LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition tablet now available in the Play Store
LG G Pad 8.3 GPE receiving Android 4.4.2 now
Nexus devices receiving Android 4.4.2 (KOT49H), manual update ready
Google unveils the a 32GB Wi-Fi Nexus 7 dressed in white
[Deal] Get $35 Google Play credit with purchase of Nexus 7 and Chromecast combo
Winners of Nexus 7 tablets from KitKat promo in India getting the 2012 model
[Deal] Grab the 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi 16GB for only $179 or 32GB for $229 at Office Depot
Samsung SM-T331 could be Galaxy Tab 4 with AMOLED display
Updates
Nexus devices receiving Android 4.4.2 (KOT49H), manual update ready
Android 4.4.2 update fixes Nexus SMS exploit
Android 4.4.2 factory images available for recent Nexus devices
Android 4.3 finally on its way to T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 users
Verizon rolling out update for Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Sprint rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat update to Moto X
Estonian LG Optimus G receives Android 4.4 update [Updated]
LG G Pad 8.3 GPE receiving Android 4.4.2 now
“App Ops” privacy feature removed from Android 4.3
Verizon Galaxy S 4 Mini gets 4.3 update with Galaxy Gear support
HTC One Google Play edition receiving Android 4.4.2 update
Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition now receiving Android 4.4.2 update
HTC One from Verizon finally getting Android 4.3, should be receiving Android 4.4 in January
HTC One Mini to receive Android 4.3 soon, update appears in Europe
Miscellaneous
Company brings 3D scanning to mobile devices
Samsung focusing on smartphone accessories, peripherals in 2014
Microsoft negotiating massive deal with Samsung, $1 billion on the table
Samsung loses home turf court battle in South Korea to Apple
Samsung to merge divisions in hopes of improving smartphone cameras
Alliance for Wireless Power picks out Rezence brand name for wireless charging products
Samsung moving their plants from China to Vietnam
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for December 9 – December 15, 2013
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