WhatsApp for Android now lets all users make voice-calls

WhatsApp’s much-discussed move to support voice-calls is nearing completion, as news emerges that anyone on Android can now make calls in-app to other WhatsApp users.

The Facebook-owned mobile messaging company first revealed its plans to introduce voice-calls way back in February last year, but it wasn’t until the past few months when the feature first started showing up in some Android users’ apps. Things subsequently opened up a little, with the feature being made available to anyone who received a call from another WhatsApp user who had voice-calls unlocked.

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LG Spirit With Android 5.0 Lollipop Launched at Rs. 14,250

LG has launched one of its new curved mid-range smartphones in India, the LG Spirit, listing it on its country-specific website at Rs. 14,250. The company has not yet announced availability details for the smartphone.
The LG Spirit was globally unveiled in February along with three other smartphones LG Magna, LG Leon and the LG Joy. The firm had showcased all the smartphones during MWC 2015 this month.

As per specifications, the dual-SIM (Micro-SIM) LG Spirit (LG H-422) runs Android 5.0 Lollipop and includes 4.7-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) resolution display with pixel density of 312ppi. The display is curved slightly, with a 3000mm radius curvature. In India, the smartphone packs a 1.3GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM.

The LG Spirit features an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a 1-megapixel front facing camera. The 8GB of inbuilt storage is expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB). Connectivity options on the LG Spirit include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, and Micro-USB. The handset measures 133.25x66.12x9.95mm and is backed by a 2100mAh battery.

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Nexus 9 Android 5.1 Lollipop Update: What to Expect

Roughly five months after the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop and the Nexus 9, and Google’s now released a few small updates as well as a bigger bug fixing Android 5.1 Lollipop update. We’ve seen countless Nexus devices all get updated to Android 5.1 Lollipop, but those with the latest Nexus 9 tablet are still stuck waiting, but it should be coming soon.

Back in June Google debuted Android L, which is now known as Android 5.0 Lollipop that the company fully revealed in October and launched in November on the new Nexus 9, Nexus 6, and Nexus Player. They quickly released Android 5.0.1 and Android 5.0.2 with fixes, but then this month released a big Android 5.1 Lollipop update. One that is fixing many key bugs.

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Android fans confess what they envy most about iOS

Android fans are a proud bunch who don’t like admitting things they envy about other platforms, especially those made by (*spit*) Apple. However, open-minded Android and iOS fans alike can see things in other platforms they like and Reddit’s Android community recently had a confessional session in which they admitted what iOS features they’d most like to see Android adopt in the future.

The most popular response had to do with having more granular app permissions on the Google Play store. While Apple lets users grant individual app permissions to apps while rejecting others, app permissions on Google Play are an all-or-nothing proposition where you either grant all permissions or not use the app.

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Cyanogen wants to seize Android from Google, and now it has the cash to do it

In just 18 months, Cyanogen Inc., the commercial arm of the popular CyanogenMod Android variant, has raised over $110 million.

The latest round was for a whopping $80 million, and included investors such as Twitter Ventures, Qualcomm and Rupert Murdoch.

SEE ALSO: Cyanogen versus Google: Biting the Android that feeds

Investors are betting on Cyanogen because they believe it has the best shot at being the third biggest mobile OS, after Google's Android and Apple's iOS.

But wait, you're saying. Isn't Cyanogen based on Android? It sure is. But as Mashable contributor Evan Blass outlined last month, Cyanogen has aspirations for building a mobile ecosystem with no trace of Google.

In fact, Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster has said that Cyanogen is "attempting to take Android away from Google."

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The latest move in Microsoft’s quiet Android coup

With Windows Phone still stuck in neutral, Microsoft has come up with some extremely clever ways to make its mark on Android, including most recently a way for Android users to install a Windows 10-based ROM onto Android devices that essentially would take them over and offer Windows-based software offerings such as Cortana, Office and Skype. Microsoft on Monday made another announcement that could go a long way toward boosting its presence on Android by signing deals with OEMs such as Samsung and Dell to preload Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Skype onto their Android-based devices.

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Android 5.1: Top 5 Features That'll Make You Want To Lick Lollipop Now

Android 5.1 is rolling out, boasting a number of new features and improvements over Android 5.0.

While it is a rather minor update, there are some worthwhile additions in Android 5.1 Here are the top five features.

1. Device Protection

Android 5.1 adds a number of device protection features designed to help users better secure smartphones. Device Protection will be automatically activated for users that use security methods like a PIN code.

The feature essentially makes it much harder for someone to break into the user's smartphone. An example is the fact that a device will stay locked even after being factory reset, unless the user's Google password is entered.

It's important to note Device Protection is only available to the Google Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and new Android 5.1 devices.

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Android 5.1 Lollipop Update for Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 Devices; But Users Report New OS Problems

Following the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google announced that it has now rolled out the newest Android 5.1 Lollipop for a slew of its Nexus devices like the Nexus 6, 5, 7, and 10.

Presently in various stages of receiving the update, a report from GSM Arena pointed out that the tech giant had recently put up the factory images of the latest mobile operating system for the Nexus 5.

Released globally this week, the Lollipop Over-The-Air OS upgrade measures about 220.7 MB of file. One of its most significant features includes the Device Protection which, as reported, offers maximum security for owners who might lose their devices.

It has been said that unless the user signs in with their Google account, the device remains locked even after a factory reset.

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Motorola Is Already Testing Android 5.1 For The 2014 Moto X, And Here's The Changelog

Motorola got Android 5.0 out the door to the 2014 Moto X Pure Edition within a few weeks of Nexus devices, and now the company is already testing Android 5.1. This is just a soak test, but the changelog has been posted on Motorola's customer support portal. They might take it down, but we've got all the details.

Here's what Motorola says is coming in the Android 5.1 update (version 23.1.38).

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The five things Android finally got right with Android 5.1

Google is finally delivering a few perks that didn’t make the cut when it rolled out Android Lollipop.

Android 5.1 is here (at this time only for Nexus devices), and it tidies up Google’s operating system with some extra niceties that help you zip through various tasks. Here are the details as to what’s new and how it spruces up the overall utility and performance of Android.

Quick toggle settings for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

You you can now change which Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth device you’re connected to without the need to maneuver through the settings menu.

When you swipe down with two fingers to the Quick Settings panel, you’ll notice tiny arrows below the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sections. These indicate a pop-out menu is available. When you touch there, you’ll see a list of available Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth networks that you’ve previously paired with. Just touch the one you want to switch to it.

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TAG Heuer’s Android Move Means Switzerland Is Embracing The Smartwatch

Today the Swiss watch industry makes a major leap into embracing the smartwatch. LVMH Watch Group head Jean-Claude Biver is not a man to ignore pop culture and all that is modern even though he made his money running companies that sell traditional, mechanical watches. Today, sitting as the CEO of Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, he stands with representatives from Intel and Google announcing the first ever Android Wear-powered Swiss smartwatch. As recently as 2014 Jean-Claude Biver was an outspoken critic of smartwatches and what he felt was a slim value proposition to consumers of “traditional” watches whose marketing strategy often falls on offering a product that consumers can wear for many years. Biver and some of his colleagues have been extremely quick to point out that in their opinion the major failing of smartwatches is that consumers are asked to buy something potentially expensive that they will feel inclined to shelve as soon as something better comes out. Jean-Claude Biver is regularly referred to as one of the smartest and most dynamic people in today’s luxury watch industry and he has been able to open the entire industry up to new ideas.

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Microsoft cooks up way to run Windows 10 on Android devices

Microsoft has crafted its own technology that can transform Android phones into Windows 10 devices.

While announcing the summer launch of Windows 10, Microsoft also revealed on Tuesday an agreement with Chinese mobile device maker Xiaomi. Under the plan, some owners of the Xiaomi Mi 4, an Android smartphone, will be able to install and test the Windows 10 Technical Preview in order to provide feedback to Microsoft.

So just how will people be able to install Windows 10 on an Android device? Through a custom-based ROM, TechCrunch reported Wednesday. Such ROMs (read-only memory), which are essentially installable images of an operating system, are typically used to overwrite a device's existing OS with a customized one. For example, CyanogenMod offers a customized Android ROM that can replace the Android build that comes with a device. In this case, the flashed ROM would override Android, thereby transforming the device into a full-fledged Windows 10 phone outfitted with the necessary Microsoft services.

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Android Circuit: Supercharged Galaxy S6 Active Leaks, Android 5.1 And Bloatware, Google Attacks iOS

Taking a look back at the week’s news across the Android world, this week’s Android Circuit highlights a number of stories including the cost of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, pre-orders for Samsung’s new phones, the S6 Active leaks, the release of Android 5.1 by Google and 5.0 by Sony, Android Wear’s new features, the Chromebook Pixel’s USB-C update, Google Calendar on iOS, and the upcoming rise of bloatware on Android.

Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android over the last seven days (and you can read the weekly Apple news digest here).

How Much For The Galaxy S6?

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 (and to a certain extent the Galaxy S6 Edge) continues to dominate the Android news. Ahead of its public availability in April, Forbes’ Gordon Kelly has been looking at the potential price of the handset. While subsidised costs will probably sees the handset available for $199, the true price is much higher and it feels like a bad piece of strategy:

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Here’s what changed in Android 5.1 Lollipop

Google has finally announced the long awaited Android 5.1 update after its not-so-secret debut on Android One devices in the Philippines. This new build of Lollipop is rolling out to Nexus devices right now, but what’s in it? The official changelog was severely lacking in detail, but now that it’s hitting devices we can see all the tweaks to this version of Android. Let’s check it out.
Improved Interruptions

Google implemented a new system of notification modes in Android 5.0 known collectively as Interruptions. You can choose, all, priority, and none as notification modes. This is independent of the volume, but it can be a little confusing. Android 5.1 cleans up the feature a bit and adds some much needed options.

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Android 5.1 arrives with HD calling and safeguards for stolen phones

After weeks of teasing, it's here: Google has officially unveiled Android 5.1 Lollipop. The new release focuses on support for features that usually depend on extra software to work, such as multiple SIM cards (handy for prepaid service in countries like China and India) and higher-quality HD voice calls on networks like T-Mobile or Verizon. You can control your WiFi networks and Bluetooth devices from the quick settings area, too.

However, the biggest deal may be something you'll hopefully never have to use: Device Protection. Android 5.1 will let you require a Google account sign-in if your device is stolen, even if it's reset to factory settings. In other words, a thief can't simply wipe the storage on your phone and pawn it off. The feature will only be available on hardware shipping with Android 5.1 as well as the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, but it could reduce the incentives to swipe your stuff in the long run.

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Android 5.1 Lollipop Update Breakdown

With an Android 5.1 Lollipop update supposedly imminent for Nexus users, we want to take a look at everything there is to know, right now, about the Android 5.1 Lollipop update and the Android 5.1 Lollipop release.

Google has stayed extremely busy since its initial Android 5.0 Lollipop release back in November. In the weeks since the company’s first roll out, we’ve seen the company dish out two new Android 5.0 Lollipop updates in Android 5.0.1 Lollipop and Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Both brought bug fixes to Nexus users and owners of other big name devices including Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones.

While the two updates squashed some Android 5.0 Lollipop issues, many Nexus users are still complaining about Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. One visit to Google’s Nexus Help Forum and you’ll get a feel for some of the issues that remain on board. Fortunately, it looks like Google will try and fix some of these problems as well.

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Google’s MDM program for putting Android to work

In what might be good news for government IT managers, Google’ recently announced Android for Work program provides mobile device management (MDM) options for organizations supporting growing numbers of Android devices. Android for Work is an MDM platform that supports Android applications and a partner program for Google's hardware and software vendor partners.

In introducing the program, Google said it wanted to tap into the potential for the use of smartphones and tablets that so far as been “largely underutilized in the workplace.”

IT departments will get the benefit of having a consistent management approach for Android devices via the program's standardized management APIs, Google said in unveiling the platform. Developers will be able to, "create a single version of any Google Play app that can be securely deployed to any Android device without alterations or wrapping," Google promised, in its announcement.

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Google confirms Android Pay: a mobile payments layer 'anybody can build on'

Google has announced that it's working on a new mobile payments framework named Android Pay. Speaking at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Google exec Sundar Pichai confirmed that this would not be a new product for users, but an "API layer" that allows other companies to support secure payments on Android in both physical stores and via apps.

"We are doing it in a way in which anybody else can build a payments service on top of Android," said Pichai. "So, in places like China and Africa we hope that people will use Android Pay to build innovative services."

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Lenovo brings 64-bit Android to its $129 tablet

Tablets running 64-bit Android haven't been out for long but prices are already set to fall fast.

Lenovo's 8-inch Tab 2 A8 will ship in June starting at $129, with a 64-bit version of Android 5.0 and a 64-bit quad-core processor from MediaTek. It was one of three tablets Lenovo announced ahead of the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.

Sixty-four-bit tablets have a few advantages. They can support more memory and therefore make light work of multimedia-intensive apps such as games, as well as apps that use encryption for security. More 64-bit Android apps are in development, so a 64-bit tablet also provides some future-proofing.

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Top Android news of the week: Android for Work, Android Pay, owning the market

Android for Work launched

Google is making a push into the enterprise with the launch of Android for Work. The initiative is aimed at the BYOD crowd, enabling work profiles for smartphones and tablets. This allows IT departments to deploy approved apps to workers in a controlled and secure manner.

Android for Work allows employees to use personal apps alongside the work apps, while keeping personal data safe from employer access.

Android Pay coming to compete with Apple

Apple Pay is growing at a fast pace, and Google is taking aim at it with Android Pay. The upcoming system will use APIs to allow companies to add the new mobile payment system to their apps.

Android Pay will work like other mobile payment systems, allowing Android phone owners to store credit card information and pay with a single click at checkout time.

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