Samsung’s Galaxy 11 campaign pitches soccer stars vs. aliens

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Samsung has a penchant for over the top marketing campaigns, but this latest one is probably one of the zaniest yet.

Here’s the premise: soccer stars including German legend Franz Beckenbauer and Argentinian demigod Leo Messi will have to fight off a bunch of mean-looking aliens hell bent to take over our planet. Luckily (we think), the extraterrestrial bullies have agreed to an all-or-nothing soccer match against Earth’s finest, that will decide our collective fates.

Back to earth for a second, the campaign is dubbed Galaxy 11, and has just kicked off in earnest. So far, Samsung teased it with crop circles-style markings in London, New York, and Rio de Janeiro, and the presence of “aliens” at a few high-profile European matches. Beckenbauer will play the coach and Leo Messi (who’s no stranger of Samsung ads) will be the Galaxy 11’s captain. More big players will probably fill out the team’s roster in the following weeks.

Here’s Messi’s grand entrance:

You may ask, what do aliens, soccer, and Samsung have in common? Well, obviously, the Galaxy 11 will use Samsung’s Note 3, Galaxy Gear, and Note 10.1 to stave off the attacks of galactic invaders, in an Ender’s Game with balls kind of mash up. Head over to TheGalaxy11.com if you want to learn more or just stick around and tell us your opinion on Samsung’s latest stunt.

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/samsungs-galaxy-11-campaign-315852/

Cheap Moto G listed on Amazon, could become available this Wednesday

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After the high profile Moto X, Motorola is gearing up to launch a new device, and this time it’s all about the booming entry-level market. The Google-owned company will launch the Moto G tomorrow, at an event in Sao Paolo that will livestream on Google Plus.

The device’s mid-range specifications and attractive price have apparently been confirmed by a listing on Amazon UK, which pegs the actual availability of the Moto G, for Wednesday, November 14.

The listing refers to the device as the Motorola DVX, the internal codename of the Moto G, and was put up by Amazon, rather than a third-party seller. If the listing is accurate, the Moto G will sell for a very appealing £159.99, the equivalent of $256. Since UK and European prices are generally higher than those across the pond, it’s safe to assume that the Moto G will sell for $200 if it ever becomes available in the US.

The Amazon Moto G listing states that the device is due for selling on November 14, just a day after its official unveiling. Looking at the details provided by Amazon, one thing that sticks out is the “Advanced Android with guaranteed upgrade” spec, potentially alluding to stock Android.

In related news, the Moto G/XT1032 showed up in the GFXBench benchmark database with Android 4.4 and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8226 processor. Whether that’s a test device or the actual Moto G, we’ll find out in about 24 hours.

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/moto-g-amazon-listing-315834/

Android 4.4 KitKat plans for AOKP, CyanogenMod, OmniROM and Paranoid Android detailed

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Android 4.4 KitKat is only officially available on the Nexus 5 so far, but various custom ROM makers have further detailed their KitKat-related plans, including AOKP, CyanogenMod, OmniROM and Paranoid Android.

AOKP

The AOKP team announced that it’s working both on Android 4.3 and Android 4.4 builds. Half of the team is preparing the final Milestone build for Android 4.3, while the other half is going to focus on Android 4.4 in a “clean” fashion.

In other words, the first KitKat AOKP build will actually be a “nearly barebones” AOSP ROM, with more AOKP features expected to arrive soon after that first release. Nightlies for KitKat are expected to arrive “soon.”

Speaking of a launch date, there isn’t one available just yet, so “soon” could mean just about anything.

CyanogenMod

We already know that the CyanogenMod team has started work on CyanogenMod 11, and the team has provided more details in a post on its website.

But a release date for CM11 is not available yet, and there’s no list of devices that will get it either. However, several devices have been named:

The source code for Android 4.4 began its release on October 31st (yay Halloween!). From there, it took us roughly 4 days to get the code whipped up into shape and pushed up to our Github repository, with a manifest to match. […] This milestone also kicked off the bulk of the device bring-up efforts, and we are already seeing good results. Just to showcase a few: Xperia T, HTC One, S4 Mini, Galaxy Tab, Nexus 10, Skyrocket and many more (yes, including the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (12/13) and Nexus 5).

Furthermore, the team said that “just because KitKat is touted as being better for lower RAM devices, doesn’t mean [they’ll] be bringing back support for devices that [they’ve] dropped in the past.”

However, the good news is that CM11 nightlies are expected by the end of this month, with an “unofficial alpha” already started by “individual maintainers.”

OmniROM

OmniROM is one of the newest players in the Android custom ROM game, and the team has KitKat plans for you.

In fact, “experimental” KitKat Omni versions are already available for the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S3, Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, LG Optimus G, Galaxy S2, Oppo Find 5, Xperia T, with “many more” to come in the future.

The team has also detailed some of the features that will be available in Omni 4.4 – here’s a list:

• Our universal, open source Omni Installer (which actually already works with a couple devices)


• A lightweight, and fully open and secure, OTA system


• More customization… Than what you ever could think of


• Never-before-seen security features (deniable PIN, NFC challenge unlock, different encrypted locations…)


• Multi-workspace


• OmniLink, an open interface for multiple backend providers of various services (it’s cooler than it sounds)


• More (useful) audio filters in DSP Manager to enhance your audio experience


• Roadrunner mode


• Non-intrusive call notification


• Stock SMS app enhancements


• Stock Dialer app enhancements


• Daydream enhancements

Paranoid Android

Paranoid Android has already released its first AOSP builds for KitKat, and just like AOKP, the team is “starting over with a pure AOSP base” for its KitKat ROM, and “incrementally adding custom functionality.

A release date for the updated Paranoid Android ROM is not available at this time, but the team did say that it will try to offer users an “as close to stock as possible” experience.

Wrap up

While we wait for these ROMs to be released, we’ll remind you that unofficial KitKat ports are already available for various smartphones and tablets, with the list including the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013 models), Galaxy Nexus, HTC One and Xperia Z.

That said, we’re not going to advise you to install any custom ROMs on your hardware, and we’ll also remind you that you’re going to be the only person responsible for whatever happens with your devices during such procedures.

What KitKat-based custom ROM are you looking forward to install on your devices?

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/android-4-4-kitkat-aokp-cyanogenmod-omnirom-paranoid-android-detailed-315786/

Rumor: Google Play Store support included in BlackBerry 10.2.1

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A set of reportedly leaked images shows the Google Play Store running on a BlackBerry handset with a new operating system version on board, but that’s a feature yet to be confirmed by the Canadian handset maker.

A CrackBerry forum poster has shared the images below, which seem to suggest that BlackBerry users running the upcoming 10.2.1 OS update will get direct access to the Play Store on their handsets.

However, we’ll point out that there’s no way to confirm at this time whether these images are genuine or fake.

Aside from its BBM messaging platform that’s doing tremendously well on Android and iOS devices, BlackBerry doesn’t really have many reasons to be happy about right now.

The company has decided to try to reinvent itself instead of accepting bids from various rumored buyers interested in at least some parts of the BlackBerry operation, so it’ll be interesting to see if this former giant of the mobile business will survive.

In case the images are real, should we understand that one way to reinvent itself would be for BlackBerry to officially support the Google Play Store? We’ll be back with more details for you once we have more evidence to back up the story the images above seem to tell.

Would you buy a BlackBerry handset with Google Play Store support?

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/rumor-google-play-store-blackberry-10-2-1-315774/

Verizon Moto X MotoMaker page goes up briefly, service still not available

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Verizon’s Moto X MotoMaker page has been briefly listed by the carrier, although its customers aren’t yet able to order a custom device.

Just as previous rumors said, Verizon is apparently preparing for what looks like a November 11 MotoMaker launch, however the page has been pulled (even though the URL is still there – see Source link) and orders for custom Moto X handsets can’t be placed.

As you can see in these images, Verizon’s Moto X will come with the mobile’s operator branding – after all, custom AT&T Moto X handsets have carrier branding on the back as well.

Droid-Life reports that back engravings are also going to be available to buyers, although that’s yet to be officially confirmed.

We expect the MotoMaker landing page for the Moto X to go back up again soon, so make sure you keep checking that URL in case you want to buy a customized Verizon Moto X handset.

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-moto-x-motomaker-page-service-315766/

Must read Android: top 12 stories this week

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This week in your world of Android: Android 4.4 hit (unofficially) a bunch of devices, we learned more about the Google Experience Launcher and the new ART compiler, Samsung teased its future tech, a bunch of core Google apps received updates, and we got a peek at HTC’s future flagship phone.

These are the essential stories, the summary of an entire week in just a few phrases. It’s must read Android.

Android 4.4 update news

Google is keeping mum on its Android 4.4 update plans, but mercifully, some OEMs have been more forthcoming. Meanwhile, hackers and tinkerers have begun to release their own unofficial KitKat-based ROMs.

• Android 4.4 KitKat ROMs arrive for the HTC One, Xperia Z and Sprint Galaxy Nexus


• LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat update tipped for November/December


• Android 4.4 KitKat unofficially arrives to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus


• Sony unveils its Android 4.3 and Android 4.4 upgrade plans

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New Google launcher may be Nexus 5-only

This week we learned the ins and outs of the new Google Experience Launcher on the Nexus 5. The bad news is that the new app may not make it to other devices.

• Google Experience Launcher – Hands on


• Nexus 5’s Google Experience Launcher may not come to other devices, Nexuses included

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Peering into Samsung’s future

At Samsung’s Analyst Day event this week, execs talked about tech coming to mobile devices starting next year: from ultra-crisp displays to custom 64-bit processors, the future is bright for Samsung fans.

• Samsung in 2014 and beyond: 560 ppi, foldable displays, custom 64-bit processors, 16MP Isocell sensors

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ART is in, Dalvik is on its way out

One of the oldest parts of Android, the Dalvik virtual machine, is approaching retirement. Google’s working on a new VM called ART, that should bring faster app execution and increased stability.

• Dalvik’s future replacement debuts in Android 4.4 KitKat, currently an experimental feature

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Google core apps updates

From the bigger and better Hangouts app to the improved default keyboard, some of Google’s most important apps were in the spotlight this week.

• Google Keyboard 2.0 begins rolling out to Google Play


• Latest Hangouts update arrives to the Play Store


• Google Text-to-Speech engine arrives to Google Play

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A sneak peek at the HTC M8

As we get closer to 2014, upcoming flagship devices begin to leak, and the successor to the HTC One is among them. The new M8, due early next year, can’t come soon enough.

• These may be the first images of the M8, the successor to the HTC One

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What’s the biggest story in Android this week? Tell us in the comments.

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/top-android-stories-november-10-2013-315544/

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft confirmed for Android launch

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Blizzard’s Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft has been confirmed to launch on Android as well, in addition to other platforms, but a release date is not yet available.

Blizzard chief creative officer Rob Pardo made the announcement a BlizzCon earlier this week, revealing that both the iPhone and Android version of the free-to-play Warcraft digital card collectible trade game will be available to mobile users in the second half of 2014.

The game will be available to iPad owners at some point next month, and it’s already playable in closed beta on PC and Mac.

The game promises to offer a lot of Warcraft-based action, although it’s a card game, so don’t expect any World of Warcraft-like play on your mobile devices any time soon.

However, the game will offer access to lots of hero classes, various cards to improve their skills, and leveling up for better cards.

The video above should better help you understand how Hearthstone is played, and why it’ll be a great game for mobile devices.

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/hearthstone-heroes-of-warcraft-android-launch-315754/

Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update reportedly available in service centers

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After the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3, the Galaxy Note 2 seems to be the next in line to get the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, which is apparently available already in service centers.

Sam Mobile reports that Samsung service centers have access to the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 build, with one phone user in India having already had his device updated to the latest Jelly Bean version (see screenshot below).

According to the publication, the new Galaxy Note 2 firmware is N7100XXUEMJ9, having an October 31 build date.

We have already seen Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 test ROMs leak in the past weeks, so we’re not surprised to see that Samsung is getting ready to roll out the update.

@SamMobiles pic.twitter.com/SCXGI74RDo

— Bhanu ( بانو )™ (@bhanusoi) November 8, 2013

However, while it’s not clear when that will actually happen, we’ll remind you that carriers are also involved in Android update roll outs, which means some Galaxy Note 2 versions will get their Android 4.3 upgrade sooner than others.

We’ll be back with more news about the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update once we have them.

via Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-2-android-4-3-jelly-bean-update-service-centers-315750/