Themer: The Elegant Launcher

Many Android themes aren't too elegant, particularly those included by default on many handsets. Themer, however, manages to surface the best with a voting system, allowing its members to favourite themes they particularly like. The result is that the most innovative, interesting and intelligent rise to the top.

Themer allows users to switch between different homescreens with one click, browsing through a user-generated database of themes to find the one that best suits their needs. 

Themer deals with the wide range of apps used by Android users. Instead of including icons for Pandora, Spotify, Google Play Music and so on, theme-creators instead just include a music icon. The first time you press that, it'll ask you which of the music apps installed you'd like to use. From then on, whichever theme you install will open that app.

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom is a phone-camera hybrid. The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom is the sort of device you might imagine resulting if you put a compact camera and a phone next to each other and pushed them together really hard. It has the dimpled back styling of Samsung’s latest phones, and looks just like a normal phone from the front. But on the back is a giant lens housing that sticks out and alters the weighting of the phone substantially. 

The Samsung Galaxy K Zoom's impressive 10x optical zoom gets you up close with your subject without losing image quality. It has plenty of power for most tasks and it has the latest Android software too.

KEY SPECS

• Display: 4.80-inch
• Processor: 1.3GHz
• Front Camera :2-megapixel
• Resolution :720x1280 pixels
• RAM: 2GB
• OS: Android 4.4
• Storage: 8GB
• Rear Camera: 20.7-megapixel
• Battery capacity: 2430mAh

Samsung Galaxy Alpha: A High-End Android Smartphone

Samsung Galaxy Alpha, a high-end android smartphone device produced by Samsung Electronics. 

The Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's first smartphone to incorporate a metallic frame, although the remainder of its physical appearance still resembles previous models such as the Galaxy S5. It also incorporates Samsung's new Exynos 5430 system-on-chip, which is the first mobile system-on-chip to use a 20 nanometer manufacturing process.

Specifications

The Galaxy Alpha's overall design is an evolution upon that of the Galaxy S5, incorporating a chamferred metal frame and a dimpled, plastic rear cover.With a thickness of 6.7 mm (0.26 in), Samsung considers the Galaxy Alpha to be the company's thinnest smartphone.

International models of the Alpha utilize an octa-core, Exynos 5430 system-on-chip; consisting of a bank of four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 cores, and four 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores. The Exynos 5430 is the first ever mobile system-on-chip to use a 20 nanometer HKMG manufacturing process.

The international model will also be the first device to incorporate Intel's XMM7260 modem for category 6 LTE Advanced support. U.S. models will include a 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor instead; both models will include 2 GB of RAM.

The Galaxy Alpha features a 720p 4.7 in (120 mm) Super AMOLED display, and also incorporates a 12 megapixel rear-facing camera, fingerprint and heart rate sensors, and a removable 1860 mAh battery. The device includes 32 GB of non-expandable storage, and runs Android 4.4.4 "KitKat" with Samsung's TouchWiz software suite.

OTA Provides Updates On Your Devices

Over-the-air programming or OTA, is the wireless delivery of new software or data to mobile phones and tablets. 

Important Feature

One important feature of OTA is that one central location can send an update to all the users, who are unable to refuse, defeat, or alter that update, and that the update applies immediately to everyone on the channel. A user could "refuse" OTA but the "channel manager" could also kick them off the channel automatically.

As mobile phones accumulate new applications and become more advanced, OTA configuration has become increasingly important as new updates and services come on stream. 

OTA via SMS optimises the configuration data updates in SIM cards and handsets and enables the distribution of new software updates to mobile phones or provisioning handsets with the necessary settings with which to access services such as WAP or MMS. OTA messaging provides remote control of mobile phones for service and subscription activation, personalization and programming of a new service for mobile operators and telco third parties.

Features:

• Add and remove OTA Updates in a centralized database.
• Push notification on ROM update.
• Check for updates once a day.
• Check for updates manually when the user wants to.
• Download the ROM and flash it directly.
• Download the ROM without flashing.
• Wipe data and/or cache before flashing the update.
• All available ROMs in one list on the website.
• Multi-device files (one file for multiple device models)
• Its free to use!

O+ USA Unveiled The 360 Touch

O+ USA unveiled their newest innovation, the 360 Touch, which allows easier navigation on your phone with just one hand!

As the name initially suggests, these devices sport a back touch panel. This new feature is something very unusual, which makes it one of the key selling points of these devices.

Two Variants

There are two phones under the newly unveiled O+ 360 Series: the O+ 360 and O+ 360 Alpha. The O+ 360 is the larger of the two smartphones, while the O+ 360 Alpha is smaller and more affordable.

The O+ 360 which is priced higher than the 360 Alpha, features 5-inch qHD IPS display and comes equipped with 8 megapixel rear camera. The phone has a quad a core processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage with up to 32GB microSD card expansion. It is a dual SIM phone and is capable of rendering 3G connection service. As for the operating system, it comes with the Android 4.4.2 KitKat with some software-enhanced features such as Air Shuffle, Peace to Selfie, Mobile Anti-Theft, Flip to Silent, Shake to Answer Calls, Shake to Switch, Encrypted Messages, Selfie Fix.

O+ 360 Specifications:

• 5-inch qHD IPS LCD display (950×540) – not scratch resistant
• Cortex-A7, Quad core,1.3GHz speed
• Mali-400 MP, 2 core, 400MHz speed
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB internal storage expandable via MicroSD up to 32GB
• 8 megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash
• 5 megapixel front facing camera
• Dual SIM, Dual Standby
• 3G, WiFi, WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth
• GPS, A-GPS
• Android 4.4 Kitkat
• Battery: 2,000mAh Li-ion
• Dimension: 146 x 74 x 8.6 mm

O+ 360 Alpha Specifications:

• 4.5-inch FWVGA IPS  854×480 (not scratch resistant)
• Quad core, 1.3GHz speed, MT6582V/X Cortex-A7
• Mali-400 MP, 2 core, 400MHz speed GPU
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB internal storage expandable via MicroSD up to 32GB
• 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash
• 5 megapixel front facing camera
• Dual SIM, Dual Standby
• 3G, WiFi, WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth
• GPS, A-GPS
• Android 4.4 Kitkat
• Dimension: 135.4 x 66.8 x 9.1 mm
• Battery: 1700mAh Li-Ion

Android Wear: The New Smart Companion

Launched less than a year ago, Android Wear is now coming into its early golden age with devices such as Sony's Smart Watch 3, LG's G Watch R, Motorola's Moto 360 and more.

What Android Wear does?

Android Wear is intended to provide "information that moves with you" and so far it lives up to that promise. It puts the entire world inches from your suddenly-free fingertips.

It doesn't just tell the time. The wearable operating system makes suggestions based on time and it factors location into its context-sensitive data.

There are now several hundred apps available for the OS, augmenting your Android Wearable's powers beyond the standard notifications 'n' fitness realm. 

Extending Android to Wearables

Android Wear extends the Android platform to a new generation of devices, 

with a user experience that's designed specifically for wearables.

• Get glanceable, actionable information at just the right time with notifications that are synced from your handheld device.
• Say “Ok Google” to send messages, ask questions, and get stuff done.
• Design apps that can access a wide range of sensors and other hardware directly on the wearable.

Developing for Android Wear

The Android Wear APIs are delivered in the Android Support Library and Google Play services. When using these libraries, handheld devices running Android 4.3 or later can communicate with wearables.

Synced Notifications

Notifications on handhelds can automatically sync to wearables, so design them with both devices in mind.

Voice Actions

Register your app to handle voice actions, like "Ok Google, take a note," for a hands-free experience.

Build Wearable Apps

Create custom experiences with activities, services, sensors, and much more with the Android SDK.

Send Data

Send data and actions between handhelds and wearables with data replication APIs and RPCs.

Lenovo Vibe Z Features

Lenovo Vibe Z, a blazingly-fast smartphone. The Vibe Z originally ran Android 4.2.2, also known as "Jelly Bean." It now comes with Android 4.3 and Lenovo has announced an upgrade to 4.4 Lenovo customized the dialer in order to facilitate one handed dialling. Lenovo has also included numerous proprietary apps. SECUREit includes antivirus, child safety, privacy and anti-theft functionality. SYNCit backs up and restores contacts, messages, and call logs. SHAREit facilitates file sharing, including via direct connections using Bluetooth and ad-hoc wi-fi. Power Manager extends battery life and protects the battery from premature failure.

Features of Lenovo Vibe Z are:

• Qualcomm® 2.2GHz Snapdragon™ 800 Processor. Thrilling speed and smooth navigation characterize the Lenovo VIBE Z smartphone. The power-efficient Qualcomm® Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz processor delivers the muscle to match any combination of apps, videos or 3D games.
• Dual High Resolution Cameras. The VIBE Z makes you centre of attention with its 5 megapixel front camera and 84° wide angle lens for high quality self shots, plus amazing video chat. You can also capture sensational images, even in low-light conditions, with a 13 megapixel rear camera with BSI sensor, and shoot 1080p HD video.
• 4G Speed. The VIBE Z supports high-speed LTE (4G) networks for the fastest data connectivity making websites, apps and games reach their full potential.
• 20/20 Vision. Enjoy vibrant and pin-sharp images, gaming and video with the VIBE Z’s 5.5” 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution display. At more than 400 pixels per inch you can browse full-version websites, or enjoy and share hi-res images and video at their absolute finest. Plus, in-plane switching (IPS) allows for nearly 180-degrees of wide-angle viewing.
• Lenovo DOit Apps. Lenovo's new DOit series of apps let you and your device do more including sharing data with other Android devices without requiring a network, preventing viruses and malware, and backing up your contacts and sms log. Go to the Apps tab for more details.
• Lenovo Smart UI. With Lenovo Smart User Interface, one hand smartphone control has never been easier. To light up, press the volume button, and you can answer a call by just putting the VIBE Z to your ear. In addition Smart UI makes it easier to find your favorite apps with simple drag and drop folder organization.
• Android 4.3. Android 4.3 includes restricted profiles which control access to apps and content helping secure your smartphone. In addition, Bluetooth Smart support enables mobile apps that connect to fitness sensors, while games look great thanks to the 3D realistic, high performance graphics powered by OpenGL ES 3.0.
• Comfortable and Light. Ultrathin at 7.9mm and with a power-to-weight ratio to envy at only 147g, the VIBE Z slips easily into your pocket or bag. Its laser-etched fabric-feel rear cover also offers a comfortable grip and resistance to fingerprints and scratches, while its Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 display is as tough as they come.

Google Messenger: The Latest Messaging App

Google has released Lollipop Messenger app, the new Google Messenger app will ship on Android 5.0-powered devices like the Nexus 6 in addition to Hangouts, giving folks the option to choose whether to integrate SMS into Hangouts or not. For those that are curious enough to try out the app now, the APK has been unofficially made available and seems to work just fine on Android 4.4 KitKat.

As you can see, the app is very minimalistic in design and follows the Material Design guidelines that you’d expect from a new Lollipop app. If you’re coming from a fresh install without imported messages, you’ll have nothing more than a blank screen on the main page, though as you add conversations they’ll populate here. As with many other apps, your contacts with either have an associated photo or a colored circle with a the first letter of their name.

If you're not a fan of using Hangouts on stock Android to send and receive an SMS then don't worry, the Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google has included a new messaging application for SMS & MMS bearing the features of Material Design. And best of all - you can download it today! Messenger is now available for install from the Google Play Store.

Key features:

• Faster sharing: Select or take pictures and videos directly from the app and share easily. You can even send audio messages to your contacts.
• Easy search: Search through contacts and conversation threads to find exactly what you are looking for.
• Purposeful design: New, fluid, material design that is intuitive and delightful.
• More control: Ability to block SMS senders. No interruptions when you don’t want them!
• More features: audio messages, emoji support 😃, colored text threads, message archiving and more.

Messenger is supported on devices running Android™ 4.1, Jelly Bean, and above.

Nexus 6: Do-Anything-And-Everything Tablet Replacement

Nexus 6

As the first plus-size smartphone from Google, the Nexus 6 isn't a simple upgrade from the Nexus 5. Motorola-made Nexus 6 in those terms -- as a do-anything-and-everything tablet replacement -- then it's a fantastic device. With a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 805 processor, a gorgeous quad HD display, a nimble camera that can take ultrasharp photos, and that large screen, the Nexus 6 gives you more room for things you really do on a smartphone, mainly checking email, browsing the Web, watching movies and taking pictures.

That said, even as other manufacturers rush to build larger phones, the jump to the Nexus 6 is a debatable move on Google's part. Size does matter, and by breaking from companies like Apple and Samsung that make both phone and phablet models of what is essentially the same handset, Google risks alienating users who consider it too big (it's heavier and wider than other big smartphones) or who don't want to pay the $650-plus premium to buy it.

The Nexus 6 is a smartphone developed by Motorola Mobility, running Android Lollipop 5.0. It was first announced on October 15, 2014.

Display: 5.96" 1440×2560 pixel (493 ppi) Quad HD AMOLED display

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 - Quad Core 2.7 GHz

Cameras: 13 MP rear camera with f/2.0 lens featuring OIS; 2 MP front camera

Battery: 3220 mAh with Turbo Charging technology

GPU: Adreno 420

Storage: 32 or 64 GB

RAM: 3 GB

Speakers: Dual front facing stereo

• The Good: The Google Nexus 6 has a razor-sharp and expansive display, a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 805 processor, the latest Lollipop OS and an OIS-equipped camera that takes great outdoor photos.
• The Bad: The Nexus is heavier and wider than most big smartphones, and its call volume is low on audio speaker. And it's the most expensive Nexus yet.
• The Bottom Line: Although the Nexus 6 trails the slimmer Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in processor performance and native productivity features, it's still the most powerful pure Android handset available and the largest Nexus yet.

Tether Your Laptop To Your Android Phone

If you’re away from your office and not able to use a dedicated 3G/4G modem or rent the use of a secure WiFi hotspot then your Android smartphone offers two ways for your laptop computer to access the internet so you can check email, VPN into your corporate computer network or complete online checkin for a flight.

Note: The usefulness of Portable WiFi Hotspot and Tethering functionality depends very much on the signal strength, reliability and speed of the 3G/4G data network used by your Android mobile phone. We have used it at remote office locations where there was only 2G mobile data and it took 10 minutes to send a small email attachment as well as in large cities where hundreds of megabytes of files were transmitted within a few minutes using a 4G mobile network.

• Portable WiFi Hotspot– Wirelessly connects your laptop to your Android smartphone so the laptop can access the internet. The advantage is no cable is required. The disadvantage is that it uses a lot of your phone battery, so how long you can use it depends on the charge level of your phone battery when you start.

• Tethering – A MicroUSB cable is used to connect your phone’s microUSB port to one of your laptops USB ports. The advantage of this method is that your phone battery gets depleted slower when tethered compared to used as a hotspot, as the phone recharges from the laptop battery. The disadvantage is that you have to carry a microUSB cable in your laptop case.

The following instructions are for the Samsung Galaxy S II running Android 2.3.X Gingerbread version.

Setting up a Portable WiFi Hotspot

• Open the Settings menu
• Choose the Wireless and network option
• Choose Tethering and portable hotspot at the bottom of screen
• Choose Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings

• Read the introduction to WiFi hotspots and tick "do not show again"
• For Network SSID choose a unique name for your WiFi hotspot, not too long in length or commonplace a word
• Select WPA2 PSK for Security level
• Choose a good password. Not the word "password" or the same as your Network SSID.
• Save. Your WiFi Hotspot is now active with the checkbox ticked.
• Turn on your laptop or other device that needs WiFi and search for nearby WiFi networks
• Choose the Network SSID name you chose eg: "Sams hotspot"
• Enter the password you chose and Connect.
• Your laptop should now be connected to the internet wirelessly using your Android smartphone's 3G/4G data access.
• When finished using the WiFi go back into the Android Wireless and Network settings and untick the checkbox for the WiFi Hotspot.

Setting up Tethering

• Open the Settings menu
• Choose the Wireless and network option
• Choose Tethering and portable hotspot at the bottom of screen
• Find your Micro USB cable, connect one end of the cable to your Android smartphone and the other end to the USB port of your laptop (which is already on and logged in to Windows/Mac OSX).
• Your laptop may now install some drivers (special software) to be able to communicate with the Android smartphone. If this fails contact your laptop help line, abandon tethering process and use the Portable WiFi Hotspot process instead.

• The USB Tethering option on the Android smartphone screen should now be un-greyed and say "USB Connected. Tick to tether"
• Tick the checkbox
• Tethering is now active
• Your laptop should now be connected to the internet through the microUSB cable using your Android smartphone's 3G/4G data access.
• When finished go back into the Android Wireless and Network settings and untick the checkbox for Tethering.
• Unplug the microUSB cable from your phone and laptop, store it away safely in your laptop case.

Caution: Some mobile phone carriers (especially US carriers) block Android tethering and/or portable WiFi hotspot functionality, unless you pay them an extra monthly fee. Other mobile phone carriers such as those in Australia allow Android phones on their network to be tethered or used as portable WiFi hotspots without extra charge. Call your carrier to check if they allow Android phones on their network to use tethering and WiFi for free.

Credit: Courtesy of  beready.net

Android L: The Latest Android Version

During the launch of the Nexus 6, Android Lollipop was officially confirmed as the name for Android 5.0.

The Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 are Google's first devices to come with Android Lollipop, but these aren't the only Nexus products which will get the latest sweet treat.

Android 5.0 "Lollipop" is the latest version of the Android mobile operating system developed by Google. Unveiled on June 25, 2014 during Google I/O, it became available through official over-the-air (OTA) updates on November 12, 2014.

Breaking out of the mold from previous releases, Google took to the stage during its Google I/O developer conference to announce a new version of Android, dubbed simply "Android L." In October the name was finally released as "Lollipop" and given the distinction of Android 5.0. The name comes from the Android naming convention that goes in alphabetical order, where L would follow the previous release, KitKat. The difference this time around being that Google released certain parts of the OS ahead of time under the "Android L" name to get it in developers' hands, and released the naming later.

Android 5.0 Lollipop comes with yet another interface design tweak, this time coming with the name "Material Design." The design language builds heavily on some of the interface experimentation Google has done with Google Now, leveraging the "card" metaphor throughout the Lollipop interface. Cards of various colors and sizes appear throughout the system, with different colors and shadows providing a feeling of depth in the interface. Apps can respond to touch with different shadows and ripple effects to make the interface feel as though it is being manipulated directly by users, and bold new colors palettes give apps distinctive personalities. Animations are supposed to reflect user interaction, not just happen at random.

Under the hood in Lollipop are dozens of new features and over 5000 new APIs that developers can plug into as well. Things like new notification hooks to work with Android Wear, better control over battery with Project Volta and cross-platform compatibility with Chrome OS devices are huge pillars of Android Lollipop.

The first builds of Android L were distributed to developers at Google I/O 2014 with factory images made available for both the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7, and then launched officially with the release of the Nexus 6 phone and Nexus 9 tablet.