All About Android 159

All About Android Episode 159

Guest

• Derek Ross, Writer at Phandroid
• +DerekRoss

News

• Android Silver to replace Nexus program next year

That rumor we spoke about a few weeks back just got corroborated by four new sources to The Information, who's staff consists of former Wall Street Journalists so take from that what you will. This sounds more and more legit:

Android Silver is likely to replace the Nexus brand of phones, with the following:

High end devices

Little to no OEM/carrier customization on devices.

Devices could be made specifically for Silver or be versions of existing devices tailored for the program

Timely update guarantee

Google will market promotion of the handsets

What of the supposed low cost Nexus device rumors?

What about developer-friendly stuff like unlocked bootloader?

• Rumor: 'Ok Google Everywhere,' Modular Actions, New Navigation Buttons Coming To Android

HTC has long been seen as a manufacturer that designs beautiful handsets. What happens, then, when HTC's head of design Scott Croyle, the person responsible for the design of the HTC One's line, announces he is leaving the company? HTC describes the move as a long term transition keeping him involved with product development for at least a few more months.

• HTC Senior Director Ford Davidson Also Leaving

Croyle isn't the only one leaving HTC. HTC's Senior Director Ford Davidson and others are also transitioning out of the company over the coming months.

Email

26:33

I am a bit behind on the episodes but I have a question that I hope hasn't been asked yet. What apps to you still use that were in the arena? I know you all download apps but delete after a week or two. What are the ones that you found that are still around for the long term?

Lorri from NC

Hardware

36:40

• OnePlus One is a high-end phablet with CyanogenMod for $299 unlocked
• Smash your phone
• Russell Holly - This is the list of phones +OnePlus will accept you smashing in order to get a $1 phone from them.
• Don’t Smash the Past: This OnePlus One promotion is a bad idea
• Ron Amadeo - My issues with the OnePLus One
• OnePlus Responds To OPPO Controversy
• Samsung's Galaxy K zoom is a high-end smartphone and an incredible selfie machine

Samsung has announced the Galaxy K zoom which likely won't see a US release. But it's notable for what it brings:

retractable 10x zoom lens

20.7MP sensor

4.8" 720p Super AMOLED display

Hexacore design with 2x1.7GHz cores and 4x1.3GHz

Running Android 4.4.

It's a pretty nice camera that also makes calls. The camera features a suite of tailored features and apps. Also, Selfie Alarm. You set a spot on the screen where you want your face to appear. Then when you turn your camera around to take a self, the K will beep when you are framed as you wanted and take up to 3 pictures.

• Samsung Galaxy K Zoom Is the Smartphone for Selfie Addicts
• Nod Gesture Control Ring Is Designed For Continual Wear, Starts Selling Today For $149

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet mini review

52:58

Glass News

55:40

• Google Glass users can now say 'Explore Nearby' to launch Field Trip, discover the world around them

Field Trip is now voice-integrated into Google Glass. Now, Glass wearers can say "Explore Nearby" and Field Trip will show interesting facts about the world that surrounds them. Field Trip is developed by Niantic Labs which is actually owned by Google, though operated independently. Available today!

Also, Google announced upcoming changes to Glass: Photo and video backup now available with any internet connection, not just powered wifi. Also, smarter phone answering that will know if Glass is on your face when a call comes through and route it accordingly.

• A few more #GlassUpdates are on the way.

Apps

58:58

• Study: Samsung’s Apps Are Ubiquitous but Unloved

Samsung is well known for having its own apps and services to compete with Google's on their devices. The question always remains: "Yes, choice is good… but are people using Samsung's apps?" A new study from Strategy Analytics shows that the US users of S3/S4 tracked during last month reported on average around 7 minutes of total usage of an array of Samsung apps, versus an average of 149 minutes on just Play Store, YouTube, and Search.

• LastPass update brings Galaxy S5 fingerprint authentication

LastPass updated their Android app to include fingerprint authentication support to the Galaxy S5.

Android Arena!

1:08:00

• Last Week's Poll
• Jason - Frontback (FREE)
• Ron - Hello SMS (FREE)
• Derek - Fitbit (FREE)
• Gina - IFTTT (FREE)
• This Week's Poll

Sponsors

• xprintserver.com/twit
• Ad Time: 34:00

Production Information

• Edited by:
• Notes:

This area is for use by TWiT staff only. Please do not add or edit any content within this section.