[App Roundup] Our Top Seven Picks For The Best New Apps Of July 2014

For a lot of our readers, July is really freakin' hot. It was also a surprisingly hot month for new app releases, especially if you're a fan of advanced tools and alternates to built-in apps. Below are our seven favorite apps from July, in no particular order, with a list of honorable mentions as well. It won't make you any cooler (figuratively or literally), but your phone will appreciate the attention.

[App Roundup] Our Top Seven Picks For The Best New Apps Of July 2014 was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Featured Review: Spigen Ultra Fit Case for the LG G3

Today, we’re taking a look at another case for the LG G3. This one is the Spigen Ultra Fit, and it’s one of the best cases I’ve used on a device in quite a while. Now that’s saying something, given all of the cases I review on the site and actually buy for my own device. Mobile Fun was kind enough to send over this Spigen Ultra Fit case for us to check out. They have a ton of LG G3 cases (and I do mean a ton), as well as cases for other devices like the OnePlus One available. So you’ll want to check them out.

The Spigen Ultra Fit is a hard case that goes over your LG G3. It’s actually really thin and the back feels real soft and super grippy. I know one of the bigger complaints about the LG G3 is the fact that the back isn’t very grippy and it’s actually pretty slippery. Well the Spigen Ultra Fit fixes that without adding a bunch of bulk to it. The Ultra Fit case does have a cut out on the back for the camera module which includes the volume rocker and power button. As well as cut outs for the laser auto-focus and dual flash, and there’s another one at the bottom for the speaker.

With the Ultra Fit case, Spigen also ships a Crystal Clear screen protector, which I haven’t used – I don’t really like screen protectors unfortunately – but it is nice to have around, especially for those that are clumsy or drop their phones a lot. I’ve been using the Ultra Fit for a few days now and I have to say, I really like this case. I mean I really like it. It feels great in the hand, it looks great, and best of all, it doesn’t make the LG G3 bulky at all, which was my number one concern with cases for the LG G3. There is also a bit of a lip on the sides of the screen too, so that if you put it face down on a table, you shouldn’t get any scratches or anything.

Mobile Fun is currently selling the Spigen Ultra Fit for $18.49 right now, while Amazon has it for $9.99. So you can pick your poison as to where you want to pick it up from.

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Microsoft files lawsuit against Samsung for Android royalty payments

It may come as a surprise, but Microsoft owns a lot of patents used in Android devices. In 2011 after a dispute over licensing fees, the tech behemoth entered a cross-licensing agreement with Samsung, allowing the allies to share one another’s intellectual property at a cost. Today, Microsoft has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to force Samsung to hold up their end of the bargain.

While the exact details of the lawsuit haven’t been revealed (and we have yet to hear Samsung’s rebuttal), Microsoft’s stance is that in the years since the agreement, Samsung’s wireless division has grown significantly and Samsung aren’t paying their proper due. In 2014 Samsung is on the way to selling 314 million intelligent devices, up from 82 million units the year the pact was signed. As a result, Samsung is obligated under contract to pay a larger sum to Microsoft.

David Howard, Corporate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel for Microsoft, claims that Samsung is using Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s wireless division as leverage to nullify the contract. He goes on to say,

“We don’t take lightly filing a legal action, especially against a company with which we’ve enjoyed a long and productive partnership. Unfortunately, even partners sometimes disagree. After spending months trying to resolve our disagreement, Samsung has made clear in a series of letters and discussions that we have a fundamental disagreement as to the meaning of our contract.”

While Samsung’s side of the story has yet to come out, this isn’t the first time they’ve been taken to court for patent disagreements. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out in the coming weeks. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on the matter.

Via: Phone Arena

Source: Microsoft

Come comment on this article: Microsoft files lawsuit against Samsung for Android royalty payments

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Deal: Google Nexus 5 16GB for $339

eBay has the 16GB Google Nexus 5 on sale right now for just $339. They are offering the black, white and red Nexus 5 16GB as well. The Nexus 5 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 5-inch 1080p resolution display, 16GB of storage and a 2300mAh battery inside. It also has Android 4.4.4 on board. It’s updated directly from Google which is why it’s so popular amongst us tech geeks.

Google Nexus 5 – 16GB

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[Deal Alert] eBay Daily Deals Offers The 16GB Nexus 5 For $399.99 With Free Shipping And No Tax Outside California

At this point, it's likely that everyone who really wants a Nexus 5 already has one. But if by some chance you don't, an eBay seller is offering it at a small discount that could add up to significant savings. The Daily Deals page is selling the standard 16GB Nexus 5 for $339.99, $10 off of the price you get in the Google Play Store.

Maybe that doesn't seem like much, but add in the fact that you get free shipping and no sales tax if you live outside California, and the savings add up.

[Deal Alert] eBay Daily Deals Offers The 16GB Nexus 5 For $399.99 With Free Shipping And No Tax Outside California was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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[Weekend Poll] The Google Now Launcher Is Now Available For Most Devices - Are You Using It?

To the excitement of many, Google has finally made the Google Now Launcher available for all Android devices running Android 4.1 or later.

The GNL is what Google thinks your Android device should look like, in a basic sense. A dedicated Google Now homescreen pane, a permanent Google Search shortcut at the top of every screen, and a very bare-bones app drawer. It's simple, fast, and Google-y. What's interesting is that, despite some degree of love for the GNL in the wider Android community, it's really not an enthusiast's launcher at all.

[Weekend Poll] The Google Now Launcher Is Now Available For Most Devices - Are You Using It? was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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