On July 11th, HTC will be holding an event in New Delhi to launch two new smartphones in the country. HTC has begun sending out the invites but they do not tell us what type of phones that they will be launching that day. The two new devices that you should expect from HTC are the HTC Desire 616 and the HTC One E8. These are mid-range smartphones, not the high quality type of phones that most people who like to throw their money at would buy.
To give you some specs on the unannounced device, the HTC Desire 616 has a 5 inch display with 720p screen resolution. Running on the device is a 1.4GHz octa-core MediaTek processor. Like most of the phones in the region, the Desire 616 features dual sim card support. For pictures, the Desire 616 has an 8MP rear camera with a 2MP front facing camera. The device also has 4GB of native internal storage, but that can be bumped up with the microSD card slot that is built in, and powering the phone is a 2000 mAh battery. Moving on to the HTC One E8, this device is pretty much the plastic version of the flagship HTC One M8. The device comes with all the same hardware and software but includes a 13MP rear camera instead of the duo found on the M8. Another lacking feature is the IR blaster but that’s really about it.
The two expected devices come with some pretty good hardware and are expected to be announced at the event in New Delhi. From what we know, the HTC One E8 and the HTC Desire 616 will only be available in India. If HTC ever plans on bringing these two devices over to the US we will be sure to let you guys know. We have no word on the pricing of these devices as well, but there is no need to worry, the event is a day and a half away so the news will most likely surface at that time. You can let us know what you think about the latest to come from HTC in the comments below. Would you bother buying one of these devices?
The post HTC Sends Out Invites For Press Event Held In India For July 11th appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
Google’s backup and restore feature needs some work, to say the least. Some users have issues with things like Wi-Fi passwords being restored properly, and everyone knows the frustration of really old apps being restored from several devices ago. The service may be getting a handy new feature, and we hope, a bit of an overhaul. Android Police has stumbled on a rumor that Google is working on making backup and restore options that are specific to certain devices. Meaning you’ll be able to separate and keep track of backups by device, and restore only the apps and data that you want. No more tablet apps on your smartphone, no more old apps that you uninstalled ages ago being restored before you can stop them.
The new restore options will be baked right into the Google Play Store app, according to the rumor. Users will have the option of selecting previously backed-up devices to restore from. This will make restoration more accurate and allow you to keep things in order when restoring data to a brand new device, or just when you are wiping your current device and starting fresh. You’ll be able to keep phone and tablet apps separate, and even select individual apps for backup.
The current backup and restore process is clunky and a bit vague about what data is transferred. Most phone settings and contacts will be restored, but sometimes info like Wi-Fi passwords or certain settings get missed. The backup and restore option only shows up during the initial device setup process. The new functionality would be easily accessible anytime, if it’s built right in the Play Store. The current system also restores every single app you’ve ever installed, making the process longer and forcing you to manually delete old or incompatible apps. Apparently this new feature is in the early development stages, but it could be made ready for the official Android L debut in the fall. We sure hope Google gets this process revamped and improved. It would be a welcome addition to all of the awesome things that Android L brings with it.
The post Android L May Bring Improved Backup And Restore Functionality With It appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
In-app purchases, we all hate them. For the most part. They aren’t so bad some of the time as long as they don’t run rampant and become a requirement to move past a certain point in a game. As consumers IAP’s are something that we will probably just have to deal with for quite a long time but when you’re the company behind the app store where these IAP’s can be made, they serve a different purpose. In-app purchases have been something of a concern for parents who use both Google’s Android powered devices and parents who have devices that run iOS. Both companies have been in the limelight this year over kids who have racked up in-app purchase amounts worth a hefty sum, with parents blaming both Google and Apple for the issue.
Back at the beginning of the year Apple had made an agreement with the FTC over the IAP policy that they had set in place which ultimately led them to settle a lawsuit set forth by parents effected by the way the policy worked, which gave users a 15 minute window to make purchases after a password had been entered. The settlement cost Apple a total of $32.5 million which is no small sum, merely over kids misusing of in-app purchase products made while playing games. While parents should have been and should be moving forward, more aware of what their kids are doing on their smartphones or tablets, that’s not to say that app store and play store policies didn’t need a slight change.
Apple is now apparently trying to convince the FTC to go after Google over the same exact issue, which could possibly result in the search giant having to pay out a settlement fee over parents who’s kids spent money on IAP’s. Up until somewhat recently this year, the Play Store had a 30 minute window where any IAP’s could be made without having to enter a password, even if you had that setting turned on. The issue would only pop up however if you had previously entered the password for a purchase prior to that 30 minute window opening up, and after the half hour passed the password would be required again. Google was met with much resistance over this particular detail and eventually changed it so that you can make any purchases require the password to be entered. There’s also the option of blocking your child’s access to the Play Store altogether by only giving them access to a restricted account. Whether or not these changes will have any effect on the FTC’s decision to pursue a similar settlement with Google to what Apple had faced earlier this year is uncertain. Currently Amazon is in the FTC’s cross-hairs over this matter but they aren’t afraid to fight this in court. With Amazon willing to to battle off any sort of FTC restrictions Google has the potential to do the same, although that all depends on if the FTC pursues the issue with Google to begin with.
The post Google Could Be Targeted Next By The FTC Over IAP Issues From Parents appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
The long wait for the next installment of the Modern Combat franchise from Gameloft is almost over. For months and months they have been teasing us with details and information about the game ranging from the new character classes that will be available to choose from to the unified progression system spanning across the single player campaign and the multiplayer modes. All of that information is great and as someone who has loved and supported the Modern Combat series since the first title, feeding on all of it has happily made me want more and I’m not afraid to admit that I’d nearly sell my soul just to play it ahead of everyone else. OK, maybe I wouldn’t go quite that far but I do want to get my hands on it as soon as possible.
Thanks to some hands on time from various sources and the gameplay footage shown off by Gameloft themselves from this year’s E3 conference just last month, we now have a good idea of what to expect visually with the game while it’s being played. All of that could only matter so much though as the most important details had yet to be announced. Those details that everyone has been waiting on are the release date(for Android of course)and the pricing details. So far we still don’t know whether this game will cost $6.99 like Modern Combat 4 or if Gameloft has decided to give this game a free to play pricing model, but now we do finally know when we can pick up and play this game for the very first time.
Starting this month on July 24th, Android gamers worldwide will get their chance to experience what Gameloft is promising will be the an “incredible FPS experience” on mobile. Sometimes with game releases(especially big ones like this)we can expect to find them live on the Play Store after midnight if not right on the dot. That won’t necessarily be the case here but if you’ve been waiting on this game as long as the hardcore fans(which I suppose makes you a hardcore fan)then you’ll probably be like me and check the Play Store for the launch at around 12:01 am and spam till it shows up. Just a couple of more weeks to go until Modern Combat 5: Blackout is here.
The post Gameloft Finally Reveals The Launch Date For Modern Combat 5: Blackout As July 24th appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!
Android Wear
Google creates workaround for Android Wear paid apps issue
[APK Download] Update to Google Camera puts Android Wear devices to work
Apps
Motorola updates Motorola Connect app with new look and features
[APK Download] Chromecast app update activates Cast Screen feature for Android devices
[APK Download] Gmail app update allows sharing Drive files
[APK Download] Update to Google Camera puts Android Wear devices to work
Carriers
Sprint adds the ZTE LivePro to portfolio
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet heading to Verizon on July 17, pre-ordering starts tomorrow
Chromecast
[APK Download] Chromecast app update activates Cast Screen feature for Android devices
Gaming
Leo’s Fortune, a new platformer that pleases the eye, hops into the Play Store
Modern Combat 5: Blackout ready to hit the virtual shelves of Google Play on July 24th
Google could be readying selective app restoration across multiple devices
Phones
Lenovo’s octa-core Golden Warrior officially announced for July 18th
LG G3 S leaks, features dual SIM capabilities, SIM-switching soft button
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact now available in the U.S. unlocked
ROMs
That didn’t take long: LG G Watch gets its first custom ROM
Security
Android’s factory reset option might not delete everything
Smartwatches
Motorola discusses inspiration behind the round shape of Moto 360
Tablets
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet heading to Verizon on July 17, pre-ordering starts tomorrow
Wearables
LG announces “KizOn” wearable for parents to keep track of kids
Miscellaneous
Motorola ordered to stop selling phones infringing on antenna patent in Germany
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Daily Dose for July 9, 2014
If you thought (like me) that Update Wednesday had concluded, you thought wrong. It appears Google's also started pushing an update to Google Play Games, bringing the app up to version 2.0 with Level-up notification controls, XP rankings, and a few UI changes.
Readers may remember Quests and Level-up notifications from one of our exclusives last month. The functionality, along with Snapshots, was confirmed in the official announcement of Google Play Services 5.0.
Google Play Games 2.0 Rolling Out With Level-Up Notifications, Revamped Inbox, UI Tweaks [APK Download] was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
If you are in need of a mobile platformer that is graphically intense, look no further than Leo’s Fortune. The game is about Leo, a fluffy little ball, who is hunting a thief that still his gold. Players will control Leo and voyage, survive, and follow through twenty-four levels in order to reacquire the gold. Upon completing the main story, players can enter into Hardcore Mode that provides the task of completing the game without dying a single time.
The game became available today in the Play Store for $4.99, but that is the one and only cost players will ever come across. Leo’s Fortune does not even feature in-app purchases anywhere. The graphics are stunning and the gameplay seems pretty smooth. So while $4.99 seems a lot for any app or game, rest assured you are getting a very high quality product.
Hit the break for the trailer, gallery, and download links.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Leo’s Fortune, a new platformer that pleases the eye, hops into the Play Store
Lenovo’s Golden Warrior smartphone has finally been given an official launch date after a few previous leaks. The device will hit shelves in China on July 18th, and Lenovo is offering a fantastic deal to Weibo members that will allow them to get their hands on the phone for roughly $32. Even if you can’t manager to get in on that deal, the device will run between $130 and $145, depending on which Chinese carrier you want the golden smartphone on.
Specs are pretty solid for such a cheap device, including MediaTek’s MT-6592 octa-core processor, a 720p 5-inch screen, 2 GB of storage, and a 13 megapixel camera. The Golden Warrior will run Android 4.4 out of the box, and you’ll be able to add in up to a 32 GB micro SD card.
If you need a solid, affordable device for use in China (or don’t mind importing just to have something to play with) Lenovo’s Golden Warrior looks like one of the best budget phones we’ve seen this year.
source: Lenovo
via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Lenovo’s octa-core Golden Warrior officially announced for July 18th
Of all of the Android Wear devices that have been announced, the Moto 360 is arguably the most hyped device of the bunch. Many people are excited for the 360 because not only will it be a solid Android Wear device, but because it looks great for a watch. The rounded design and aesthetics of the device continue to look impressive, especially compared to the typically-square designs of other smartwatches.
Motorola very easily could have followed suit and gone with a square design, but from the beginning they had the round design in mind and they’ve stuck to it. On the Motorola blog, they’ve uploaded a short video where the lead product designer, Lior Ron, discusses the inspiration behind making the Moto 360 look great. It’s only about a minute long, so it’s definitely worth watching.
Are you still waiting on the Moto 360, or have you already committed to the LG G Watch or Samsung Gear Live?
source: Motorola
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Motorola discusses inspiration behind the round shape of Moto 360
The setup after purchasing a brand new Android device can be a little tough considering you have to reinstall every application and, with many of them, start from scratch. According to Android Police, Google is working on a solution to restore app data when a user activates a new device.
The current process is just app restoration without much of any information being carried over by a tidal wave of apps. Users cannot select what is brought over and it winds up being a pretty big mess. Google would implement the new app restoration process within the Play Store by allowing users to specifically select what apps are restored. That way, they only get to bring in what they want. The amount of data being brought over is unclear, for now, but we would assume Google wants to try and restore as much as possible when a user is activating a new device.
Source: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Google could be readying selective app restoration across multiple devices
Shown off briefly onstage during this year’s Google I/O, Leo’s Fortune is now officially available on Google Play. The game wasn’t technically supposed to arrive until tomorrow, but we wont fault developer “1337 Game Design” for releasing it ahead of schedule. Besides, somewhere in the world it’s already July 10th.
For those not following the mobile gaming scene, Leo’s Fortune is a 2D platforming adventure game that’s been receiving nearly perfect 5/5 reviews since launching on iOS back in April. Yeah, it’s that good. Described by many as one of the most beautiful mobile games to date, you’ll be hard pressed to find another title with such vibrant and crisp visuals. Like the other causal greats of our time, the premise of the Leo’s Fortune is simple: you play as Leopold, a fluffy hairball with a wicked mustache who must track down the mysterious thief who stole his fortune.
But it’s in the gameplay where the game really shines. Not because it offers some crazy leveling system or complicated controls. Players simply slide Leo across 24 fine-tuned levels, following a trail of coins while avoiding traps and solving physics-based puzzles. While the game will cost you a #2 combo at McDonald’s (roughly translates to $5), you’ll be pleased to find neither hide, nor hair, of a single in-app purchase. We like that.
It comes as no surprise that Leo’s Fortune does offer gamepad support (another plus) and just like Google showed off during I/O 2014, should look great playing on Android TV once it officially launches later this year. You’ll find download links just after the trailer below.
