Microsoft has made a new move, they just made the Microsoft Office Mobile suite free for Android users. The app itself was free all this while, but needed a valid subscription to the MS Office 365 Cloud Suite for users to make use of the app. The move could be a direct result of changes being made by the new CEO Satya Nadella. He recently announced that the company is fully committed to bringing all of its Cloud Services to all platforms.

Microsoft Office Mobile lets you create and edit various kinds of documents, most of which everyone is familiar with. But they are very late to this party and many others have already filled this gap. Most other productivity suites for Android are mature and rich in features so the “MS Office” tag would likely not be enough to move users to the Microsoft side. What do you think? Will you try it out or simply be content with what you have?

Source: Google Play

Image Credits: Microsoft

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HTC released several Sense 6 apps into the Google Play Store ahead of this afternoon’s launch event and, in the process, revealed the Google Play Edition HTC One M8. The actual statement that has shown us this new development (an expected one) is found in the app description of HTC Gallery. So now we know a Google Play Edition is coming, but when?

Source: Android Central

Image Credits: Android Fan Network

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The post Google Play Edition HTC One M8 Confirmed in HTC Gallery App Description appeared first on Android Fan Network.

Finally, Google has made it possible for developers to give separate user change-logs for public, alpha and beta releases in the Google Play Store. It has been something nagging users for quite sometime, and even though it isn’t an astronomical change, it’s a welcome addition none the less.

Previously, developers had to either make incredibly complex change-logs that would cater to all the user groups or leave out the beta and alpha testers in the name of simplicity. This was very annoying since the testers would have to dig deep on either the app’s home page or in a Google+ community to find out what’s really new on the build they are testing. This update solves those issues, helping users as well as developers.

But, it has to be seen as to how many developers would actually take the pain and use this feature. I guess, we will have to wait and see!

Source: Google via Android Authority

Image Credits: Google

About Ananthu Kurup

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The post Google Play “What’s New” Description for Alpha and Beta Apps Added appeared first on Android Fan Network.

Yet another leak about the 2014 HTC One has just surfaced, and it confirms the presence of multiple gestures to wake up the device. The leak is of a Sense 6 build running on the OG HTC One, which was originally posted on Reddit.

Appart from the normal double tap to wake, the new build features the following gestures.

• Swipe left to wake up device and go to widget panel.
• Swipe right to wake up device and go to Blink feed.
• Swipe up to wake up phone and unlock it.
• Pick up phone and press volume rocker to open the camera app.
• Take phone to your ear while it rings to pick up the call.

All these features are part of the Motion Launch and seems to be the only new feature worth noting at this point. A flash-able build for HTC One owners is expected in the following weeks.

Source: Reddit

Image Credits: SlashGear

About Ananthu Kurup

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The post HTC Sense 6 Build Leaked Showing Multiple Gesture Support appeared first on Android Fan Network.

Apparently Google has let slip a test build of its Youtube app into the public stream. So, anyone seeing the strange new icon, fear not, as it’s just a test build.

Details about the features are not out yet, and, since the version doesn’t seem to be showing many bugs, we won’t have to wait long to know. So, anyone among you who received the update, have you noticed anything new?

Source: AndroidAuthority

Image Credits: Google+

About Ananthu Kurup

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One of the early Kickstarter champs might just be diminishing into the distant past. OUYA, an Indie Console maker seems to be struggling with an idea that was initially extremely well received.

OUYA was among the first of a great run of success stories powered by Kisckstarter. The device was very hyped and was expected to turn the gaming industry upside-down. But after unmet ETAs, poor hardware, and scams this once great idea has been relegated into a mere “me-too” in one of the highest earning industries in the world. In their latest statement for TheVerge, they expressed the prospect of moving concentration to the software space, saying that we can expect TVs and set-top boxes to come with their Android based software package. They even went forward and said that they would only keep the hardware alive as a reference point for further development of the platform.

So, what do you think? Are they saying “we tried but failed,” or are we to expect something just as good as the original console seemed to be at first? Lets wait and see!

Source: TheVerge

Image Credits: Kickstarter

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So, all you Cyanogen lovers out there, we have news for you to rejoice! CyanogenMod Inc. has just announced that they have uploaded CyanogenMod 11 Milestone 4 release.

The official change-log mentions the following:

• Immersive Mode – prevent accidental clicks on swipe gesture (EdgeGesture service)
• Bluetooth LE – Wipower SDK APIs, various fixes
• System NavBar – Left Hand mode (landscape only – not available on tablets)
• Motion Accelerometer support (device dependant)
• Volume Panel – transparency support
• Translations – new language additions, localization and long-string fixes
• MediaPlayer – new APIs for Suspend/Resume
• CM Easter Egg
• QuickSettings – Volume Tile sync fix, Quick Config, Alarm tile shows alarms, User Profile fix
• Recent Apps Panel – low-end device tweaks
• Theme Engine – Fix crashes
• Performance – Speed up booting on multi-core devices, add option to force high-end graphics option on low-end devices
• Trebuchet – decouple icon mask and background (should fix some icon packs)
• Settings – multiple hands-free device support
• Privacy Guard – confirm on permission reset
• Profiles – add expanded desktop support

As you can see, CyanogenMod team continues to take great care in trying to improve the user experience of arguably the most famous custom ROM in the Android world. Happy flashing folks!

Source: CyanogenMod Inc.

Image Credits: AndroidCentral

About Ananthu Kurup

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Last week, some T-Mobile LG G2 users received the KitKat update via the LG PC Utility software. But some of you guys out there were still waiting for the official OTA to start rolling out. Well, we have just the right kind of news for you: the T-Mobile Support page says that the OTA is online and available for download. Your phone won’t download the update automatically till March 6th, but you can have it now by clicking the update button in the settings.

T-Mobiles support page only mentions auto brightness fixes and a few user improvements, but users can expect a host of other internal tweaks that comes with the version bump. As with most other skinned versions of Android, most changes aren’t visible initially, but they are there.

This is a staged roll-out as usual, so don’t be surprised if you are unable to download it at the moment. In the mean time, its button mashing time!

Source: T-Mobile Support

Image Credits: ubergizmo

About Ananthu Kurup

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The post T-Mobile LG G2 KitKat OTA Starts Rollout Today appeared first on Android Fan Network.

Samsung’s Unpacked 5 has come to  a close and left us with the new Samsung Galaxy S5, the company’s latest flagship. I doubt anyone will need an introduction to this device, after all, “Galaxy S” is arguably the most famous line of Android phones ever to be sold, consistently out selling all of its competition.

It all started with the original Galaxy S, a phone that had countless variants sold across the world. Those devices were well received, and it wasn’t a surprise when the second version sold like hot cakes. If the first phone concentrated on bringing as many features and functionality to Android, the second did more of rounding it off – a more mature device shall we say? The third one saw Samsung look at the whole user experience and brought fluidity (something Android lacked at that time).

It was when the 4th iteration came out that we saw Samsung running out of good ideas, which they compensated by throwing in every single gimmicky feature they possibly could. All that evolution has now brought us to this, the Galaxy S5.

As expected, there were a lot of alleged leaks and rumors about this particular device, and Samsung’s promise to go back to the basics meant that the rumors mills went wild. Many expected the device to have a revamped UI and better material choice. Both of these particular elements were what most people criticized Samsung for. The rumors also suggested on screen soft keys and an screen integrated finger print scanner. So, I think I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that the Galaxy S5 was the most anticipated launch at MWC 2014. Everyone, including me, expected Samsung to pull their game together after the disappointing reception of the Galaxy S4, hoping that the Korean giant would learn from their previous mistakes and bring back the magic of the first 3 devices.

But, did they…………? To be honest, no! Yes I know, the device is powerful, it is feature rich, yeah the finger print scanner is cool and so is the hear rate sensor. But, how often are you going to use the heart rate scanner? Many people who have had hands on time with the device have expressed inconsistencies with the finger print scanner. To a lesser extent, not everyone who would own a Galaxy S5 would use all that processing power either. For me, the device seriously lacks that special something, that something which I have come to expect from Samsung after the first few years of their uprising. Regardless of my feelings here, the phone is certainly still a powerhouse.

So, why am I so negative if I accept that the device is worth your money? It’s quite simple actually; the device is basically just like its predecessor aside from a few gimmicks and even fewer useful features. Most of these things are cool to show to your friends and watch, but once they lose their novelty, most people just turn them off. I still remember when I got a Galaxy S4 a few days after its release. I was all excited and showing off to my friends the cool little things it could do. The first few days were exciting, but gradually, many of those features either revealed themselves as battery hogs or useless. Some features like the air gestures and smart rotate weren’t just useless, they were annoying and just plain inconsistent. This is my point: why would you buy a device that’s quite expensive for features you eventually turn off?

That bring us to the UI, which, for me, is the worst part. Yes it brings certain features and functionality that could really improve the user experience, but Samsung’s insistence on keeping their arguably childish looking UI is killing the consistency of the UI. With Google’s push, most third party developers have started to pay attention to the app design guidelines and such apps simply look out of place on a Samsung device. Add to that the heavy nature of TouchWiz, and many users will be disappointed. The iconography is just not up to the mark any more, and with more and more manufacturers toning down their skins, Samsung really needs to accept it, TouchWiz needs a major overhaul.

Moving on to build, we have a typical plastic build. It has its fair share of advantages, but the new device just looks like a cheap toy. So, maybe instead of that metal-like-plastic rim around the device, they could have used real metal. That would have improved the feel of the device without affecting the advantages like the removable battery. I wouldn’t want to comment much on the home button since it is extremely subjective, and as far as I’m concerned, if the physical home button lasts the life of the device, I’m cool with it!

All this said, the new phone has quite a few plus points as well. The home-baked Samsung UI bring along the much loved multi-window feature (which really does improve multitasking), and this one includes the new found in the Note 3. The camera has been improved and includes hardware based HDR. Also included is a phase detection auto focus system which should provide faster and more accurate auto-focus even in low light environments. Samsung touts new and improved connectivity.New IP certification will also be well received by prospective buyers. But after all this is said, the new phone will look and feel like a slightly larger and faster Galaxy S4,with none of its quirks fixed.

At the end of the day, sales are all that matter, and something tells me that the Galaxy S5 will sell just as much, if not more than the predecessor. However, I really hope such market trends won’t affect innovation within the market. So, that pretty much sums up my feelings about the Galaxy S5, what about you? Are you looking at your next phone or would you go with something like the recently announced Xperia Z2 or upcoming HTC M8? Let us know in the comments below!

Image Credits: Samsung Mobile Press

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The post Edge of the Galaxy or the End of an Era! appeared first on Android Fan Network.

Samsung has finally unveiled the Galaxy S5, a much anticipated flagship from the world largest mobile manufacturer. It was launched in grand event at MWC 2014, but last year,s flagship was launched in a even fancier private event. Samsung had acknowledged that their devices have some pitfalls and promised that they are “Starting with the basics” to rectify them and build something truly amazing!

Typical to the flagship “Galaxy S” moniker, the Galaxy S5 comes filled to the brim with exciting and cutting edge technology. The device sports a Quad core 2.5 GHz application processor (probably some variant of the Snapdragon 800) complimented with 2GB of RAM. Imaging is taken care by a 16 MP ISOCell sensor behind and a 2 MP unit up front. The device can shoot 4K video with digital stabilization, a step up from the Note 3 that lacked stabilization for 4K videos. You could view all this and interact with the device using its 5.1″ Full HD Super AMOLED display. The device also comes with a 2,800 mAh battery, 16/32GB internal storage with support for up to 128GB microSD cards.

Then comes the fingerprint scanner that brings it on par with the Apple iPhone 5S and a heartbeat scanner for all you health crazy folks. All this hardware is protected from the elements by an IP67 certification, making the S5 dustproof and water resistant for 30 minutes. Furthermore the device will ship with the latest version of Android, 4.4.2 Kit Kat, with Samsung’s home baked TouchWiz enhancements.

Samsung touts the connectivity of this phone as one of its major selling points, with LTE Cat.4 and some advanced WiFi features. The phone features a download booster mode that allows us to simultaneously use the LTE and WiFi to download just that much faster.

Samsung has decided to keep the plastic build and as expected, they are using a leather like texture, similar to the Galaxy Note 3 that came before. The IP certification means that the USB 3.0 port is covered by a flap. The plastic build will probably be a talking point after the device will become available, and so will the supposedly toned down TouchWiz UI. The device is expected to hit 150 markets on April 11th.

So, are you impressed or disappointed?  Are you going to make a purchase or will you steer clear of this new Samsung flagship?

Source: Samsung

Image Credits: Samsung Mobile Press

About Ananthu Kurup

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