Top 5 News: Android 4.4.3 and 4.4.2, hardware comparisons and Android Lollipop

This was the week the LG G3 finally graced our palms, and we dropped some phones from great heights to see how long it took them to break (don't worry, videos are coming soon). The Galaxy S5 Active appeared and we started the fun process of comparing the G3 to every other major flagship around right now. In one of our last surveys we asked what current flagship you wanted most, and the Oppo Find 7 came out on top, just pipping the G3! We love an underdog and will keep a close eye on Oppo and OnePlus as things evolve. But now, for the biggest stories this week.

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Android 4.4.3 KitKat Release Still Coming as Google I/O Nears

The Android 4.4.3 KitKat release might remain out of reach but according to a well known insider, that doesn’t mean that the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has been cancelled.

In late March, HTC insider and ROM developer LlabTooFeR suggested that Google was working on an Android 4.4.3 KitKat update to replace Android 4.4.2 KitKat and fix at least one of the Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems plaguing device owners. In the weeks since then, we’ve seen Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumor after rumor. We’ve even seen Google itself leak Android 4.4.3 KitKat deals. However, we still haven’t seen the Android 4.4.3 KitKat release.

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Beats acquisition to result in first and only Apple apps for Android & Windows Phone

When recent reports suggested Apple was considering bringing iTunes to Android to help boost flagging music sales, skeptics scoffed at the thought of the iPhone maker supporting a competing platform. But with its $3 billion purchase of Beats, Apple has now revealed it plans to keep the Beats Music subscription apps alive not only on Google's Android, but also Microsoft'sWindows Phone.

Speaking at the Code Conference on Wednesday, Apple executive Eddy Cue revealed that Beats Music for both Android and Windows Phone will continue to exist. That's a significant change for Apple, as the company has historically discontinued applications on competing platforms following an acquisition.

"It's on Android now, and we want to keep it that way," Cue said.

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Five Android 4.4 KitKat Smartphones You Can Buy Under Rs. 8,000

      Android 4.4 KitKat was announced in November last year but until recently, smartphones running the latest version of Android have been few and far between.

The entry level segment might not grab headlines, but for most people it represents the segment to which their first smartphone belongs. We pick five smartphones in the sub-Rs. 8,000 segment running the latest Android version, but before that, let's take a look at the improvements in KitKat itself.

Android 4.4 KitKat: What's New?

Android 4.4 KitKat has a number of changes compared to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean including more immersive graphics, as well as deeper integration with Google's intelligent assistant, Google Now.

Android 4.4 allows users' to just say "OK Google" from the home screen to launch the Google Now assistant and do a voice search, send a text, get directions and even play a song. Google has been enhancing Google Now with new card types that bring information about contextual topics that interest users such as updates from favourite websites.

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How does LG's supercharged G3 stack up against the best Android phones?

With LG's official launch of the G3, all major Android manufacturers have now unveiled their flagship smartphones for 2014. HTC has the One M8, and Samsung is of course garnering the most buzz (and sales) with its Galaxy S5. In many ways, it's a battle reminiscent of the one we saw last year when the G2, original One, and Galaxy S4 squared off. Samsung destroyed its rivals in that round — assuming you still believe the company has legitimate foes. But LG is hoping to establish its place in the smartphone race by leaping ahead on hardware specs instead of matching Samsung stride for strideas it did last year. The G3 has a gorgeous, super high-resolution display and a camera that focuses with lasers. Are these factors and others enough to help its cause and give the new flagship a chance? Let's take a look.

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Android 4.4.3 Release Date Imminent: Delayed Android 4.5 Precursor Finally Coming to Nexus?

Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has been long rumored, but is yet to receive even a release date confirmation.

The interim update of the Android OS, which is believed to pave the way toward the much-anticipated Android 4.5 release, was said to roll out on Nexus 5, 7 and 10, followed by HTC One M7 and M8 as well as Samsung devices including Galaxy S5, S4, S3 and Note3 and 4.

The suggested release dates of April and May have come and gone. While May 23 was a likely candidate for the Android 4.4.3 to roll out on Nexus devices, the update had been delayed, according to Android Geeks.

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Android 4.5 Lollipop OS may be a desktop OS-like mobile firmware

The next generation of Android OS dubbed as 4.5 Lollipop will be like a desktop OS packed into a mobile device.

Google is about to unveil the next flavor of Android OS at the company's annual I/O Conference on June 25. Rumors claimed that the upcoming mobile software will have the functions of a desktop OS coming to smartphones and tablets.

Reports claimed that Android 4.5 will redesign its user interface. According to a report of Android Police, the company was currently experimenting with Project Hera, which "essentially represents Google's effort to unify the experience users have in Android, Chrome, and Search all on your Android-powered device."

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Android KitKat 4.4.3 Update on Google Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10: Release Date Coming Before End of May 2014?

So far there has been little sign of the eagerly anticipated Android 4.4.3 KitKat update, the latest rumors are claiming that the update could be rolled out before the end of the month. According to rumors, the Google Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 will be the first to receive the update.

An earlier leak had claimed that the HTC One M8 and HTC One M7 would also receive Android 4.4.3 KitKat at the end of this month, but those claims did not specify any details whatsoever as to an exact date.

Android users are desperate for the update to be rolled out, as the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update will fix numerous problems that have been faced by users since the OS was launched in November.

According to reports the update will fix over three dozen bugs currently plaguing the Android OS, and it is expected that the upcoming update will deal with random reboots, unstable data connections, VPN fixes, missed calls, LED problems and more.

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Sony Seeds Android 4.4.2 (10.5.A.0.230) KitKat for Xperia Z/ZL/ZR/Tablet Z [FTF Links]

Sony has begun rolling out Android 4.4.2 KitKat software upgrade for its Xperia Z series handsets.

In March, Sony released Android 4.4.2 update for Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra. Along with the release, Sony confirmed that similar software updates will be released for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z in the middle of second quarter.

Last month, Sony changed the software update status for aforementioned Xperia Z series handsets with the next version of Android 4.4.2, which was expected to be released in May.

Now the Japanese mobile manufacturer has confirmed the availability of Android 4.4.2 for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z starting today.

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Microsoft looks like it's working on a new Android smartphone, the Nokia X2

If reports are correct, Microsoft is already working on a successor to Nokia's Android-based X smartphones, which could ship in 2015.

According to BGR India, Microsoft Mobile, the Finland-based part of Microsoft that makes Nokia-branded phones, has a new Nokia X device in the works.

If the report is accurate, Microsoft will address the Nokia X range's lack of a soft home button, common to all Android devices. As the report notes, X devices don't have Android's scroll down notifications, but rather Nokia's Asha Fastlane hub for messages and media, which is accessed from the home screen. What many didn't realise was that Nokia however made a long press on the back button (to go back to the last open app on Android) a shortcut to the home screen.

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Motorola Moto E review: The best gateway to Android for beginners

It’s easy to see why the Motorola Moto E is creating such a frenzy in the smartphone world. Finally, a tier-I brand has managed to offer uncompromised specifications that don’t ruin the Android experience. Moreover, you also get the latest version of Android and the promise of good after sales support. Motorola has done what Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony couldn’t – make Android likable for a beginner.

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@evleaks: There is no Nexus 6, alludes to Android Silver debuting later this year?

After hints of the Nexus 6 and Nexus 8 turned up in Chromium code the other day, this newest rumor might come as a surprise to many of you. @evleaks, otherwise known as Evan Blass, dropped a bombshell of a tip this afternoon after tweeting that there will be not be Nexus 6 to follow up last year’s Nexus 5.

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Android User: Apple Tech Support Admits There May Be A Problem With iMessage When Users Switch To Android

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – There has been rumblings for awhile about iMessage issues when iPhone users switch to Android.

Android users have said that the iPhone text messaging system either delivers texts to Android users late, or simply not at all because their contacts still think the number is associated with iMessage.

The iPhone users who send the texts to the Android say they will see a “delivered” receipt as if everything was sent properly, but sometimes that is not the case.

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Eight Android 4.4 KitKat smartphones you can buy under Rs. 20,000

Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat in November last year, but smartphones running the latest version of Android have been few and far between. Even the ones available often come with a stiff price tag, especially in India.

The sub-Rs. 20,000 segment might not grab headlines, but for most people it represents the segment to which their first smartphone belongs. We pick eight smartphones in this segment running the latest Android version, but before that, let's take a look at the improvements in KitKat itself.

Android 4.4 KitKat: What's New?

Android 4.4 KitKat has a number of changes compared to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean including more immersive graphics, as well as deeper integration with Google's intelligent assistant, Google Now.

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Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update Nears: More Sightings Indicate The New OS Version Is On Its Way

Android 4.4.3 continues to show up in various mediums, indicating that the new version of the KitKat operating system should release at some point.

Most recently, Android 4.4.3 has been discovered within an AOSP change log and within an informational video for the Motorola Moto E mid-range smartphone that was announced on Tuesday.  

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Android 4.4.3 changelog points to new Nexus device, Google TV coming soon

Recently published changelogs in the Android Open Source Project (ASOP) appear to hint that a new HTC-made Nexus and Google's rumoured Android TV are on the way.

Fish and Android would have little do with each other if it weren't for Google's practice of codenaming the next Nexus to be released after a different sea creature: the Nexus 4 was codenamed Mako, the Nexus 10 was Manta, the Nexus 5 was Hammerhead, while Nexus 7 in 2012 was Grouper, followed 2013's Razor. 

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Google Announces New Android Silver Devices: Ending Nexus Tablet, Smartphone Lineup

The future of the Nexus line will soon be abandoned by Google, reports Tech Republic. Instead of a single line of phones representing Google's take on its open Android operating system, a new initiative called Google Android Silver will create a more standardized experience for Android users on several chosen lines of products.

These products will feature modern and more avant-garde devices with less bloatware and a stronger focus on Google apps. Reports also said that the Nexus 5 smartphone will be the final Nexus handset. It further stated that the tablet line will be discontinued after Google Nexus 10.

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HTC ‘flounder’ and Google ‘molly’ devices teased by Android 4.4.3 changelog

Get your pen and paper ready, folks, because today I’ve got a couple of new codenames that you’ll want to make a note of.

A changelog for Android 4.4.3 was discovered in the Android Open Source Project today, and buried deep within the .txt file are references to a couple of heretofore unknown devices. The first is the HTC “flounder.” There aren’t any details about the hardware within that file, but a second AOSP page discovered by Droid-Life includes a “Tegra” reference, suggesting that the device will be powered by an NVIDIA chip.

So what might the “flounder” be? Well, it’s worth pointing out that past Nexus devices have carried fishy codenames, like the Nexus 4 “mako” and Nexus 7 “grouper.” Since “flounder” is also a type of fish, it’s possible that this product could be some sort of new HTC Nexus device.

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From Android Wear to Project Ara: Everything we’ve heard about Google I/O 2014

The annual developer conference that Google holds in San Francisco’s Moscone Center every year is an unpredictable beast. Rewind to 2012 and it was a singing, dancing extravaganza featuring the Nexus 7, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and the Nexus Q, which built towards a show-stopping skydiving demo of Google Glass in a live Google Hangout. By contrast, 2013 was all about developers, with no hardware in sight, and additions to Google services like Maps, Google Now, and Google+ generating the headlines.

This year’s Google’s I/O has been pushed back a month and is set to take place on June 25 and 26. The tickets are long gone, but you can watch live streams of the keynote and there will be Hangout sessions for developers who couldn’t be there. So, what are we expecting to see?

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Android Silver: everything you need to know about Google’s upcoming range of premium smartphones

Google’s Nexus range is reportedly on the way out and will be replaced by “Android Silver”. Silver won’t be a range as such, but more a set of hardware and software standards set by Google – if a device meets those standards, it’ll be considered an Android Silver device and can be sold as such. Here's everything we know – or think we know – so far about Google's next range of devices.

THE IDEA IS TO DELIVER A PREMIUM ANDROID EXPERIENCE

Unlike the rigidly-controlled iOS, Android is a highly fractured platform – hardware ranges from low to high-powered and build quality ranges from cheaply put together to highly engineered, there are several different versions of the operating system knocking around, and on top of that many manufacturers are laying their own Android UI (Samsung’s TouchWiz and HTC’s Sense are examples) on top of the stock Google version .

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Oracle wins key reversal in Java copyright case against Google's Android

According to a report by Reuters, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington issued a ruling today that reversed an earlier decision that prohibited Oracle from claiming copyright for portions of its Java platform used by Google in Android.

Google had argued in the original trial that Oracle's Java wasn't protected by copyright for a number of reasons, including the ideas that the code isn't purely a creative expression; that it used short phrasing and that Google borrowed Java API code in order to maintain interoperability with Java. The initial court agreed.

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How to Find a Lost or Stolen Android Smartphone or Tablet

When it comes to protecting your smartphone from loss or theft there’s plenty of apps in the Google Play Store, but like Apple’s Find My iPhone, Google has its own Android Device Manager users should know about.

Tracking down a lost or stolen Android smartphone or tablet can be a daunting task, not to mention trying to secure all the important and often times sensitive information that’s on our smartphones these days. While April is the highest month for mobile theft, users still need to be protected year round.

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Here’s what happens when a longtime iPhone user switches to Android

For Apple loyalists, the mere thought of dumping the iPhone and switching to Androidis enough to send shivers down your spine. For Android fans, the idea of using an iPhone in the first place is an awful one. Enthusiasts on either side of the fence seem incapable of imagining life in the other group’s shoes, and online battles between Apple users and Android users erupt constantly. But do things really have to be this intense?

We have covered accounts in the past from people who have made the switch from one mobile platform to the other, and experiences have varied tremendously.

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Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat Update Reportedly Cancelled

New Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 release details have leaked out today and while the news is good for some Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users, the news isn’t good for those hoping for a Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 Android 4.4 KitKat release in the future.

Earlier this year, Samsung USA and Samsung Poland declared that they would be issuing Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat updates and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat updates down the road. Samsung Poland, however, announced that it would only be issuing the Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update to owners of the LTE model. At the time, it said that it would not be issuing an update to the 1GB model due to performance issues.

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Samsung pushing Android 4.4 to more phones, says leaked doc

Samsung could be prepping an Android 4.4 KitKat update for a new batch of smartphones within the coming weeks, according to a new report.

A document obtained by tech site SamMobile suggests that Samsung has finalized the software update for a number of last year's models, including the Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy Note 3 Neo. Testing is allegedly still underway for the international versions of the Galaxy Grand 2, Galaxy Mega 5.8, and Galaxy Mega 6.3. Reportedly, there are up to eight models set to see 4.4 in May and June.

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Android Still Growing Market Share By Winning First Time Smartphone Users

Android is continuing its onward march. The latest market figures from analyst ABI Research peg the platform at 80% marketshare of smartphone OSes, with just under 300 million smartphones running Android — or an Android fork — shipped in the quarter.

The analyst notes that basic mobile phone operating systems lost 5% share in the quarter — with Android hovering up most of those users as they upgrade to smartphones.

That suggests Google’s mobile platform is set to be the biggest winner as the “billions” of remaining mobile subscribers upgrade to smartphones — helping to keep what is already the dominant smartphone platform ahead of the competition.

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How to use Google Maps offline mode on iOS, Android

When Google revamped the look of Google Maps for iOS and Android, users were upset about the lack of traditional features. Some users were so upset, the option of reverting to a much older versionof the app was the answer.

With Google's announcement today, Google Maps is finally starting to gain some of the beloved features that were once left out. One such feature is proper Offline Mode. While there was a method forcaching offline maps in prior versions of Google Maps, it was less than intuitive.

The new version streamlines the process of not only saving a section for offline use, but for accessing said sections later when you're without a connection.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 Update Review (AT&T)

The Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 update delivers a smooth and fast user experience with a collection of bug fixes that users will enjoy. After spending a month testing the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 update on AT&T, it is easy to say that this is a worthwhile update that is worth installing.

While there are still many users waiting for a Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 update to arrive, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile customers can already download the new update and experience the latest version of Android.

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Google setting a Silver standard for Android

Ag. For the nerdly inclined, that symbol is readily recognized. For the Google-inclined, it's something altogether different. What is Google Silver? It's a new software standard and certification process that Google plans to roll out to several OEMs (including Motorola and LG) to ensure a more unified Android experience. This new program is aimed at replacing the current inexpensive Nexus initiative.

Upon first blush, it seems like Google plans on reigning in the controls of Android a bit. With the partners in line, Google wants to try to gain a better foothold on Android and make sure the OEMs have devices with something as close to "stock" as possible. This "stock" will definitely include Google Now and possibly Photo Sphere. Google also plans on keeping the expanded Silver features closed off to non-Silver OEMs. In other words, if you don't pay, you don't play.

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Apple's Win in Court Won't Hurt Samsung or Android

Apple Inc. AAPL +0.19% won a $119 million jury verdict against Samsung ElectronicsCo. 005930.SE +0.22% for infringing on three of its patents. But it didn't achieve a key goal: inflicting pain on its Korean rival.

The late Friday verdict also did little to derail the momentum of Google Inc.GOOGL -0.87% 's Android operating system, which has eclipsed Apple's, first with high-end iPhone alternatives from Samsung and now with low-cost smartphones from Chinese manufacturers.

A U.S. District Court jury in San Jose, Calif., found that some Samsung devices had infringed on Apple's patent for "quick links," a feature that dials a phone number included in an email, and Apple's "slide to unlock" patent, for gaining access to a device. The jury will reconvene on Monday to determine whether additional damages are necessary for Samsung's infringement of Apple's "auto-complete" patent, which offers suggestions about how to change or complete a word during typing.

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Which Android Phone Should You Buy?

Google has one key advantage over Apple when it comes to the smartphone market: choice.

Android phone shoppers can browse devices in different price ranges and sizes, while iPhone loyalists have only three primary options that are typically more expensive.

This can also mean that it can be much harder to choose the best Android phone to fit your needs.

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for Android phones.

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A Look at Google’s Not-Always-Secret Contracts With Android Phone Makers

Google’s arrangements with Android phone makers have been all over the news in recent weeks, showing up first in the Apple-Samsung patent trial and then again this week, in a consumer class-action suit.

The Mobile Application Distribution Agreement, or MADA, is a deal that applies to phone and tablet makers that want to use Android applications such as YouTube or Gmail. Among other things, the MADA requires phone makers that want one of the Google apps to install all of them.

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Secret Google deals made Android phones more expensive, lawsuit claims

A lawsuit filed Thursday accuses Google of strong-arming device manufacturers into making its search engine the default on Android devices, driving up the cost of those devices and hurting consumers.

The consumer class-action complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges Google does that by making secret agreements with manufacturers that also require applications such as YouTube and Google Play store to occupy prime real estate on the devices’ screens.

It argues device manufacturers enter such secret pacts with Google, called Mobile Application Distribution Agreements (MADA), because they know consumers expect to see a full suite of Google apps when they buy a device.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat Release Rolls On

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat release continues today as the highly anticipated Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update has landed for the GT-7100 in a major market.

At the end of last week, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update started rolling out for the first time. In true Samsung fashion, the roll out was limited to just one variant in one region. Those who own the GT-N7100 Galaxy Note 2 in France were the lucky recipients of Samsung’s first Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update.

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Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for Samsung Galaxy S3 on Sprint comes day after kernel source code released

The over the air (OTA) update of Android 4.4.2 KitKat was expected to roll out to the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 any day now after the South Korean giant released the Android 4.4.2 KitKat kernel source code for the device.

However, it's come earlier than expected after the firmware update appeared on Sprint's update support page.  

Until now, owners of the Samsung Galaxy S3 have had to use the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and they have been waiting a long time for the update to Android 4.4.2 KitKat after the offical L710VPMK3 build appeared last November.

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