Sony Rolling Out Android 4.4.4 To Xperia Z1 And Xperia Z Ultra

Sony’s flagship devices aren’t as popular in the US compared to Samsung’s Galaxy S or HTC’s One series. In Europe though, and other parts of the world Sony’s Xperia handsets are very popular. They are about to get even better, as Sony announces Android 4.4.4 updates for the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra.

To refresh your memory, the Sony Xperia Z1 was Sony’s 2013 flagship with a 5” 1080×1920 display, Quad-Core 2.2GHz Snapdragon processor and 2GB of RAM. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is Sony’s high end phablet, based on the Z1 platform. It has a 6.4” 1080×1920 display and the same Quad-Core 2.2GHz Snapdragon processor/2GB of RAM combo as the Z1.

Sony is updating the Xperia Z1 (C6903) and Xperia Z Ultra (C6833) devices to Android 4.4.4 (14.4.A.0.108) The update includes a few Sony specific improvements along with Google’s changes. The full changelog can be found below.

Firmware 14.4.A.0.108 changelog for the Xperia Z1, Z Ultra and Z1 Compact

Android 4.4.4 including the latest enhancements and security updates from Google

Updated and improved camera experience

Improvements when using Google voice, Contacts, Music streaming and Google+

The latest versions of our Sony apps for you to enjoy

All of our latest bug fixes, optimisations & improvements

Go grab the update when it comes to your device and let us know how you what you think about it in the comments.

The post Sony Rolling Out Android 4.4.4 To Xperia Z1 And Xperia Z Ultra appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/Vwekma

US Cellular Updates Its Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini And Galaxy Mega Phones To 4.4.2

All the talk about Android L this week overshadows the unfortunate fact that the previous release is still on less than 15% of Android devices. This weekend US Cellular is helping in a small way, releasing KitKat to two of its Samsung phones. The US Cellular versions of the Galaxy S4 Mini and the Galaxy Mega (6.3) are both being updated to KitKat, so those with the applicable hardware should keep an eye out for the over-the-air alert.

US Cellular Updates Its Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini And Galaxy Mega Phones To 4.4.2 was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1odvDC3

Android L’s ‘Heads up’ notifications now available for any Android 4.3+ device [DOWNLOAD]

Hey, all you non-Nexus elite. If the Android L Developer Preview (which arrived exclusively for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7) got you feeling down in the dumps with all its glitz and glamor, don’t worry. It appears that many Android devs are working ’round the clock to bring some of those flashy features introduced in Android L — like the all new Heads Up notifications — to our “filthy casual” Android devices.

Fresh out the Google Play Store is “Heads Up! notifications” by Woodblock Without Co.. The developer announced the availability of the app over on XDA (where it can be previewed/downloaded for free) and as the name suggests, Heads Up! brings Android L type Heads Up notifications to any device running Android 4.3+ — Android L not required. This app is not only great for themers who like to hide the notification/status bar using 3rd party launchers, but also for times when your phone goes into full screen media mode (like watching a movie or playing a game).

In fact, the best part about the app is all the many filtering options it provides. You can whitelist only specific apps, or filter out “silent” heads-up notifications and/or ongoing ones. There’s even an option to only display heads-up notifications while in fullscreen mode.

Heads Up! is only a buck on Google Play, but if you’d like to try before you buy, you can always download straight from the developer via XDA here .

Heads Up! – notifications (Playboard) | Heads Up! – notifications (Play Store)

from Phandroid http://ift.tt/1qWcszX

INSIDE.COM Releases Curated News App For Android For News On The Go

INSIDE.COM has just released a version of their curated news app for Android. The INSIDE app takes a different approach on reporting the news, instead of algorithms, there’s a dedicated team of journalists that sift through the oceans of news every day and choose what they think is the most important news to their customers. By taking a “human” approach to reporting news on their app, the team cuts out a lot of garbage from unreliable sources and repeat information from a mass of re-bloggers.

Once the team has chosen a story they feel worthy of their consumers, they write an “update” consisting of 270 to 300 words. It is these “updates” that appear on their app. This allows users of their app to save time by reading only the most relevant news in a condensed, fact filled summary. They claim that you will be the first “to know” with their round-the-clock coverage and that they publish a new story every 3 to 5 minutes.

The app is packed with features to keep you informed while on the go. The app has a “Top feed” that includes the 100 most important stories of the moment, allowing users to stay up to date on what’s trending and what the world is talking about. The app also allows users to customize their own feed with topics that interest them. By swiping left on any update, users can browse through the archive on the topic, then swiping down gives you more stories on the subject that interest you. Users can also vote stories up or down and comment, updates with the most votes make it into the top feed. A user profile can be automatically created that displays favorite topics and activity within the app. There’s also personalized push notifications to alert users of breaking news and news pertaining to topics of choice.

If you’re always on the go and would like to stay up to date with current events, but lack the time to go web surfing on your own, the INSIDE app might be your answer to “in the know” bliss. The app is now available on the Play Store.

The post INSIDE.COM Releases Curated News App For Android For News On The Go appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1q152th

Deal: SanDisk Extreme 32GB MicroSD Card – $25.99

Today, Amazon has a pretty good deal on a 32GB Extreme MicroSD card from Sandisk. It’s on sale for $25.99, which is about $9 off the normal price. Speed Performance: Up to 45/45MBs (read/write) speed. Compatibility: Compatible with all microSDHC and microSDHC UHS-I enabled devices. Water-proof, temperature proof, X-ray proof, shock proof. RescuePro Deluxe data recovery software downloadable offer, for bringing accidentally deleted images back to life. Great for super-fast 3G and 4G Android powered smartphones and tablets, and Includes a lifetime limited warranty.

SanDisk Extreme 32GB MicroSDHC UHS-1 Flash Memory Card Speed Up To 45MB/s With Adapter, Frustration-Free Packaging- SDSDQXL-032G-AFFPA

The post Deal: SanDisk Extreme 32GB MicroSD Card – $25.99 appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1qEjXsS

Blu Announces KitKat Updates For A Handful Of Devices, Rollout Will Begin 'In The Coming Days'

Basically all of Blu's phones as of the last year or so have been released with Android 4.2.2, leaving users waiting for any sign of an update to put them past Jelly Bean. We've known that the company planned on pushing KitKat to a number of devices towards the end of June, and it has now released the initial devices that will be the first to get 4.4, along with a statement on Facebook.

Blu Announces KitKat Updates For A Handful Of Devices, Rollout Will Begin 'In The Coming Days' was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1iFMCxV

Sponsored Game Review: Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup

Description: Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup is a game for Android that puts you in control of 7 different tractor and trucks. The aim of the game is to cleanup Toxic Waste in a variety of different levels. There are over 100 levels on offer, and you’ll use different techniques and different tractors and trucks together in order to clean up the mess. built with the Unity engine, Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup features decent graphics and realistic physics, among other things.

How it Works: To get started, you’ll need to download Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup from the Play Store, there’s also a free version available to try out. Once you have the game installed on your device, you can start and choose from one of the environments on offer.

When you first start a level, you’ll be given some pointers on how to play the game.

Using the tractor is the majority of the fun, and you’ll need to adjust things gently in order to correctly collect the toxic waste.

The later levels include more than one vehicle, with which you’ll have to use together in order to complete the levels. These include dumper trucks and more.

There are more to the levels shown here though, and each one of them has a different challenge to overcome, so why not try them all out?

Opinion: It’s not the most illustrious game out there, but Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup is a decent game that has something a little different on offer and will appeal to all members of the family. The look and feel of the game could do with some music added and some higher resolution assets, but it’s a decent enough looking game and the controls are fairly easy to get to grips with. Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup has a variety of levels on offer, and thanks to the different tractors and trucks on offer, simulation fans will have more than enough to keep them occupied.

Ratings

• Speed (4/5) – A speedy game, I never had any issues with how Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup ran and you can go as quickly as you like through the levels.


• Features (4/5) – With over 100 levels and 7 different tractors and trucks available, simulation fans and casual gamers will find that Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup ticks a lot of the right boxes.


• Theme (4/5) – With some added music and higher-resolution assets available Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup would look even better.


• Overall (4/5) – A solid game that simulation fans will love, Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup has a good attention to detail with realistic physics and some decent looking graphics along with some easy to use controls.

Pros

• Simulation fans that have played similar PC games will really enjoy this on the move.


• 7 different tractors and trucks give a nice variety of strategies to the game and will deliver some challenging aspects to the game.


• No need to spend time with awkward analog sticks or anything like that, as this controls allow for some fine adjustment when needed.


• Works well on smartphones as well as tablets.

Cons

• Backgrounds do seem a little similar from level-to-level.


• Added music would work wonders for the overall look and feel.

Conclusion: It might now be the most fully featured game out there, Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup will appeal to casual gamers as well those better versed with PC simulation titles. The 7 different trucks, which are used during the levels together to tackle difficult challenges. Cleaning up toxic waste is a nice little touch and should help the children get involved with the game as well. For big kids or little kids that want to put themselves behind the wheel of a tractor, this is the app that can help them do that. If you’re still on the fence, you can always try out the free version.

The post Sponsored Game Review: Tractor Crew: Operation Cleanup appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1wVaMHd