World Mobile News

Samsung is currently in the process of updating a few of its devices to Android 5.0 Lollipop. So if you have, say, a Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 3, or Galaxy S5 you're pretty much already covered (though some rollouts have only made it to some regions at this point). But what if your device of choice is the Galaxy S5 Mini? The Korean smartphone maker did promise that it too would receive Lollipop, but that hasn't happened yet. And it looks like you're still in for quite a wait. Samsung's French arm has revealed that the S5 Mini is slated to taste the latest version of Android sometime in the second quarter of this year. That starts in April and ends in June. So clearly Samsung's priority is to give its highest-end offerings the software update first, then starting to work on mid-rangers such as the Galaxy S5 Mini. This is no surprise, really, as it's been the company's modus operandi in the past too. Yet if you were hoping for the S5 Mini to receive Lollipo...

The Kodak IM5 Android smartphone, which was announced early last month, will first be launched in the UK. The device, costing ?189.98 ($289), is up for pre-order on Clove, and is expected to be in stock in late March or early April, the British retailer says. Specifications-wise, the device is powered by an unnamed 1.7 GHz octa-core processor, and sports a 5-inch 720p touchscreen. It has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory (expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD card), and runs Android 4.4 KitKat (with a Lollipop update on the cards). In terms of camera, the smartphone features a 13 MP rear unit with LED flash, a 5 MP front snapper. You'll also get an app that will allow you to quickly edit photos, share them on social media, or directly print them. Source View the original article here

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Note II will also get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, although it hasn't yet confirmed the date. The announcement was made by Samsung Poland via a tweet. It is worth noting that the South Korean company usually updates it flagship devices for around 1.5 years, but the Note II seems to be an exception as it has been more than two years since the device was launched. The news comes just a day after the Galaxy Note 4 started receiving the Lollipop update in Poland. Via View the original article here

AT&T has started rolling out the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop for the LG G3 units that it's sold. This follows the rollout of the new software for G3 models from other parts of the world, which started last year. If you have an AT&T G3, it should soon notify you that an update is available to download and install, if it hasn't done so already. The file you need to grab comes in at around 690MB, and after performing the five-minute installation procedure your phone will be running Android 5.0.1, software version D85020f, build number LRX21Y. If you haven't received the update notification yet, you can always manually make the smartphone check for it by using the relevant part of the Settings menu. Source View the original article here

LG G Pro 2 in South Korea got the official Android 5.0 Lollipop update ten days ago. It brought features like Material Design, rich notifications, better security, and improved performance. As of today LG G Pro 2 is getting Android Lollipop in Europe as well. Hungary is the first country to get the update, but other markets will follow suit shortly. It is now available over the air and weighs about 640MB, while its build date is February 2. The change log includes text-to-speech, new apps and, of course, Android 5.0 Lollipop. We also got a tip that the Taiwanese LG G Pro 2 is also getting updated right now, which means other Asian countries will be getting it very soon, too. Thank you, Ivan Pauliuc, for the tip! Via View the original article here

Although Google has revealed the existence of Android 5.1, and there have even been reports that the new version is already being rolled out in Android One markets markets like Indonesia, it isn?t yet clear when the update will roll out for other Android devices. However, that might happen soon, as a 2nd gen Motorola Moto G (shown above) has been spotted running Android 5.1. According to a report from Techdroider, ?the build seems to be of 2nd Feb and may be Motorola is still testing it.? Given that neither Motorola, nor Google has confirmed this, and the image was forwarded by one of the website?s followers, the news should be taken with a healthy pinch of salt, though. Via View the original article here

If you bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 I9506 ? aka S4 LTE-A or S4 LTE+ - you may have been feeling a little left out of the Lollipop update bonanza. This version of the phone has a Snapdragon 800 chipset, just like the Galaxy Note 3 and an update over the Snapdragon 600 in the I9505. Most of its siblings got Android 5.0 ? the Google Play Edition and Exynos versions of the Galaxy S4, the Galaxy Note 3 as well. Anyway, the update is finally available ? for SIM-free devices in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, plus Vodafone handsets in Germany and the Czech Republic. The China Unicom version of the Galaxy S4 LTE-A G9006 is being updated too. The firmware is a heavy one ? 1.2GB for the European phones. The exact version those phones are receiving is Android 5.0.1, build I9506XXUDOA6, while the China Unicom software is Android 5.0, build G9006WZNU1BOA4. You can download these files to manually flash your Galaxy S4 LTE-A though that's for advanced users (make sure to back up your data first!...

Yesterday Sprint's version of the original HTC One from 2013 started receiving the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. And today it's time for its successor to get the tasty treat too. That's right, Sprint has made it official: the rollout for the Lollipop update for the HTC One (M8) starts today. As with all such over-the-air releases though, it may of course take a few (or more) days until it reaches all the devices out there. Rest assured that it is on its way, however. It looks like the initial rollout time frame was set for next week, but for whatever reason Sprint decided to push things forward, which is definitely good news for owners of the One. Your phone will notify you when it's ready to download and install the update. If it hasn't done so already, you can always manually check by going to Settings > System updates > HTC software update, and then tapping on Check now. After applying the update, you'll be running build 4.20.651.10. Aside from movi...

Android 5.1 Lollipop name has been creating quite a buzz over the social networks through the last few hours. The new version has appeared on various screenshots and its name and build numbers popped up through various logs. Google has already confirmed the next Android iteration - 5.1 Lollipop - via its official Android One page. There you can clearly see the mention of the new Android OS though there are no details on the improvements. The new Android version is already shipping with the Android One devices listed on the official web page, including the Nexian Journey many people posted screenshots of. We guess lots of bug fixes and performance boosts will be in tow with the update, but Google is yet to release the official changelog, builds and source code. Once we get the complete lists of changes, you bet we'll post it immediately. Stay tuned! Source View the original article here

Android 4.4.4 KitKat is now seeding to Samsung Galaxy S5 for AT&T over-the-air. The new OS build brings a number of features to the SM-G900A headed by support for VoLTE. Security updates, bug fixes, and other improvements are also part of the update. HD voice capability, AT&T service additions, and preinstalled Uber app round up all the highlights. Considering that Samsung Galaxy S5 for Verizon Wireless began receiving Android 5.0 Lollipop yesterday, we find it it a tad surprising that its AT&T sibling lags so far behind with the OS updates. Here?s hoping that the SM-G900 won?t stay with Android 4.4.4 for too long. Source View the original article here

If you needed more proof about how successful Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been, especially in the US market, then this is going to be it. According to the analysts at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, iOS has managed to take the lead from Android in the US smartphone market in the fourth quarter of 2014 (so between October and December). Granted, Apple's managed to sell only slightly more iOS devices than all Android makers combined - the difference is just 0.1%. Still, it's interesting because the last time something like this happened was in Q4 of 2012. For the last three months of last year, Kantar says 47.7% of smartphones sold in the US were iPhones, while 47.6% ran Android. Windows Phone accounted for 3.8% of the market, while BlackBerry had to make do with just 0.3%. Throughout the holiday quarter, the iPhone 6 was the best selling smartphone in the US, as well as the most popular handset to be given as a gift. Samsung's Galaxy S5 was the second best. When ...

The update to Lollipop for the three Android One devices available in India will finally be out "in the next few weeks". This is according to Google's Indian arm, so it's official as can be. Unfortunately though, this vague timeline is all we have for now, as the company behind those updates hasn't yet decided to share anything more on the matter. Last we heard anything about Android Lollipop updates for the Micromax Canvas A1, Karbonn Sparkle V, and Spice Dream Uno, they were supposedly going to arrive by the end of January. That obviously hasn't happened. And today Google took its Android One initiative to Indonesia, where the three handsets that have launched all ship with Android 5.1 Lollipop preinstalled. Given this fact, it will be interesting to see if the Indian Android One phones will jump straight to this version of the OS, or first receive updates to 5.0. If the former possibility becomes reality, then the long delay in releasing Lollipop for Andr...

Software giant 'seriously considering' Android app support, reports The Verge Future Windows Phone handsets and Windows computers could run Android apps, according to a report from The Verge's Tom Warren. Citing unnamed sources, the outlet says Microsoft is "seriously considering" bringing support for Android applications to its Windows and Windows Phone operating systems. While discussions are said to be ongoing within Microsoft, and opinions within the company apparently sharply divided, the move is seen as a possible way for Windows Phone to bridge the so-called "app gap" between with Android and iOS. Warren points out that the ubiquity of Android and its relatively strong library of apps could allow Microsoft to position Android support as a "Band-Aid" for its Windows Phone app woes. The move has echoes of BlackBerry's Android runtime, a feature which in its latest release allows BlackBerry 10 devices to run Android apps alongsid...

Sony has started rolling out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update to users in some markets, namely Malaysia and Australia. At the moment, the new software (version 12.1.A.0.266) isn’t available over the air, and you’ll rather have to use Sony’s PC Companion desktop software to download and install it to your phone. That’s not the problem considering all the goodies you’ll get in return. These include the fancy white UI seen in other Sony smartphones that run Android 4.3, a new Sony Smart Camera and Sony media apps, new downloadable Xperia themes and wallpapers, a new launcher, as well as a number of performance improvements that make the UI feel a lot smoother. We’ve no idea when the Japanese company will bring the same update to other parts of the world and can only hope this will be a short wait. In addition, we’re hoping Sony will allow this process to be conducted over the air rather than requiring their infamous desktop software… [Via: XperiaGuide, UnwiredView] Dusan has been using sma...

There’s a weird rumor going around the Interwebs, suggesting that Microsoft may allow Android apps to run on Windows Phones. Something like that would quickly increase the app count for Microsoft’s mobile platform, but there are downsides as well. For one thing, this could entice developers to skip “regular” native development for Windows Phone. It’s a tricky choice. On one hand, the Redmond giant could benefit in the short term to have all those Android apps and games available on Windows Phone handsets. On the other hand, they could pretty much face extinction from the mobile game, with Windows Phone pretty much turning into yet another Android launcher. So no, we don’t think Microsoft will allow this to happen. At the same time, it may not stop other companies from pursuing this opportunity. Think BlueStacks, the company that already allows Android apps to run on Windows computers. Perhaps these same guys/gals can enable the same functionality on Windows Phones. We doubt the Redmon...

Interesting news from Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet. This ruggedized handset from Korean manufacturer, Bluebird has the ability to run both Android or Windows Phone. the devices look identical except for the buttons below (which I’m assuming you choose beforehand AT THE STORE other than it modifying as you switch  OS?). The main point it seems is that the manufacturer pretty much just designs one phone. These are targeted at enterprise customers. Imagine if Nokia Normandy could perhaps dual boot? WP and Android share a back button. WP and Android can also accommodate onscreen buttons. Cheers Alvester for the tip. Category : Lumia, Nokia Hey, thanks for reading my post. My name is Jay and I'm a medical student at the University of Manchester. When I can, I blog here at mynokiablog.com and tweet now and again @jaymontano. We also have a twitter and facebook accounts @mynokiablog and  Facebook.com/mynokiablog. Check out the tips, guides and rules for commenting >>click Contact us at...

Introduction Everyone was expecting Key Lime Pie to serve as the delicious moniker for the next version of Android. Google surprised us all by bucking tradition and releasing Android 4.4 under the name KitKat. Version 4.0 started life as Ice Cream Sandwich , but the last three decimal additions came under the Jelly Bean banner. This new version was obviously deemed different enough to snag a new nickname, but not different enough to merit a jump to version 5.0. That 0.1 bump hardly does it justice. Don't be fooled: this is an important step up for Android. KitKat is super-smooth, the UI is refined and elegant, there are improvements to the long-neglected calling and messaging side of the platform, a new focus on productivity, and your fortune-telling digital assistant is brought front and centre as Google Now reaches maturity. General surprise in the tech world wasn't just based on the erroneous supposition that Key Lime Pie had to be next; there were also some raised eyebrow...