Google’s Web Starter Kit shows off Quantum Paper redesign, expect more at Google I/O

Earlier this month, there were rumors of Google finally giving all their apps a redesign in an effort to, not only freshen things up a bit, but unify the way all their apps and services look across a variety of platforms (Android, iOS, and the web). Dubbed “Quantum Paper,” we got our first hints of this in leaked images of both the Gmail app, and it’s matching Gmail interface on the web. We’d later see this new design peek its head in the latest Google+ update which scrapped its earlier design in favor of an all new Quantum Paper user interface.

If there was any doubt that we are likely to hear more about this during Google I/O 2014 kicking off next week, the internet search giant is already showing off their shiny new interface in their Web Starter Kit, a new template for developers to help build mobile websites. It seems Google wants every mobile site to feel like more like a native Android app, well the Google apps anyway. If nothing else, this is further confirmation of the new Quantum Paper we’ve been hearing so much about.

As we’ve been saying for weeks now, we don’t expect Google will unveil a major firmware update until later on in the year, but when it comes to its own apps and services, expect Quantum Paper to be a major talking point. You guys excited?

Thanks, Tito_01!

[Google Developers]

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First Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A benchmarks just in – is it as impressive as it sounds?

Long rumored as a premium version of Samsung’s flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A is not lacking in any department. Its stunning specs, improved display and build quality will surely make it a successful smartphone, even if only released for the Korean market (for now). Is the phone really as amazing as it’s put out to be, though?

The first Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A benchmark has just shown up, courtesy of AnTuTu, a popular benchmark application for Android devices. The improved Galaxy S5 LTE-A scores in at 35,411, beating all current high-end smartphones. Samsung’s premium device goes past the HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Note 3.

The worrisome part is that the phone doesn’t beat the other high-end devices by very much, but there are many factors to consider. Previous benchmarks show that the newer Snapdragon 805 processor doesn’t do much for performance. Instead, its focus is in graphics. While the new chip is plenty powerful, it shouldn’t offer a huge jump in benchmarks.

Also important to remember is the addition of a QHD (2560x1440p) display, a resolution none of the listed AnTuTu devices have. Currently, LG’s G3 is the main competitor with a QHD display, and it actually got a much lower score of 29,760 (it has a Snapdragon 801 processor) in our review tests.

Display definition makes a tremendous difference in performance and graphics, even if paired with an amazing Snapdragon 805 processor and 3 GB of RAM. Do keep in mind benchmarks don’t always translate directly to performance. What matters is how well-optimized software and hardware are.

Phones with lower benchmarks scores often prove to have seamless performance; the same can be argued the other way around. The Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A is meant to be one hell of a smartphone. We are sure it is all it’s put out to be… and probably more.

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Google Moving “Help” For Its Applications From The Web To An App User Experience

Google wants to change the way we get help for its line of Google core applications on our mobile devices. Everyone knows that we could all use a little help now and then, and currently the way we get help for Googley things(apps mainly)is through a web portal interface that we’re transported to after we hit the help button inside the menu of any one of Google’s apps.(or most of them at least) This is all fine and dandy but it seems that Google wants to make things even easier for people when it comes to asking for the help that they need, and is attempting to port that process of assistance over to an application format. There’s nothing wrong with taking users to a support webpage to get what they need when they have a few questions that they’d like answered, but ultimately an app would be much more useful and this is speaking from a users perspective.

Of course I know that there will be some people that would rather use the web portal interface, but the majority must feel differently if Google was convinced to make the change. Native on device help through an app UI should make things much quicker with faster load times as you won’t have to wait for the browser to load. The new application version of Google assistance is looking like it will bear the name Google Help(and rightfully so)and should provide pretty much the exact same functions of which a user could access from the web portals, which includes help articles with a possible resolution to any users issues that they may have, and of course the last ditch effort would allow a user to reach a Google employee from the support staff through a call.

The evidence was found within several strings of code in various Google apps like YouTube and Wallet, which points to the help features being utilized within the app itself, unfortunately as “helpful” as this sounds there is no real information as to when we might expect to see this type of assistance come to users. We can only hope it will be sooner than later.

The post Google Moving “Help” For Its Applications From The Web To An App User Experience appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

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Mozilla's Unannounced Chromecast-Like Firefox OS Streaming Stick Gets Demoed On Video

Mozilla employees have mentioned a few times that the company is working on its own streaming device to compete with Google's $35 Chromecast, and now we're getting our first look at how it will work. The device is based on Firefox OS and actually plugs into most Chromecast-enabled apps out of the box.

The home screen interface of the Mozilla streamer looks quite a lot like the Chromecast, with the substitution of "Fling" for "Cast" as the operative verb.

Mozilla's Unannounced Chromecast-Like Firefox OS Streaming Stick Gets Demoed On Video was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Spyware-bearing Galaxy S4 clone gets banned from eBay

Buying smartphone clones can prove to be a dangerous activity, often causing more headaches than their discounted prices are worth. Proof of such devices’ danger manifested itself in the form of a spyware-bearing Samsung Galaxy S4 clone discovered this week.

The Star N9500 was is nearly identical to Samsung’s past-generation flagship device, both inside and out, but it carried very nasty malware within. The news spread all over the web after German security firm G Data revealed the malicious nature of the device, to which eBay reacted by banning the smartphone from its storefront.

The €130 to €165 Star N9500 is no longer available from eBay, reducing the company’s global reach by titanic proportions. Said device’s manufacturer deserved no less than this, as they were taking users’ private information with no consent.

The Star N9500 could “retrieve personal data, intercept calls and online banking data, read emails and text messages or control the camera and microphone remotely”, sending everything to a Chinese server. All while camouflaged as the Google Play Store in the process management settings.

G Data

The malware could not be removed, as it was baked right into the firmware, and it prevented security updates. Needless to say, it was one nasty little bug you don’t want to run across.

No longer will future customers need to worry about this specific smartphone, but try to be careful when choosing your next phone. Clones coming from less than reputable manufacturers will have their problems. We wish these were all performance problems, but some may even attempt to take your privacy and information, as did the Star N9500.

Choose wisely and try to stick to well-known brands. As for eBay’s decision, we must tip our hats to them. It was the best they could have done for their customers. We certainly wish more retailers and sellers were as sincere.

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Android Game Of The Week: Warhammer 40,000: Carnage

This game should delight not only Warhammer fans, but any gamer who enjoys RPG style titles, as well as the occasional hack and slash element and a little bit of gunplay. Warhammer 40,000: Carnage is a sidescrolling RPG based game where you play the role of the Space Marine, running and gunning through the mayhem of the orcs and hellish enemies that want to see you slain. There is plenty in Warhammer 40K: Carnage to begin with, at 50 levels across two maps and each level having nine different ways to complete it, with level modifiers like corrosive atmospheres, enemies that explode in your face as you run through them, meteor drops, and more. Each level also has varied level difficulties, so if you have already beaten a level on 100%, try upping the carnage to 150%.

Warhammer 40K carnage starts you off playing as the extremely powerful general(commander)of the space marines, but after one level of play he seemingly comes into contact with a force that stops him in his tracks. This is where the games journey truly begins, setting you back to a lowly yet dedicated and still menacing ultramarine that you’ll need to level and gear up with over 500 possible wargear items. You can equip armor, weapons and special items to your ultramarine and swap out as you come across better gear. You can even brandish the boltgun and chainsaw sword to do some real damage. Once you have played through the game long enough you can unlock the insanely awesome Blood Angel unit, and swap back and forth between characters at will. Changing to the Blood Angel will make you restart from the beginning though, however your progress with the Ultramarine stays where it’s at and you can switch back any time.

While 50 levels across two maps may not seem like a lot, there will be FREE expansion packs coming that will include a total of six more maps. So basically, Roadhouse plans to drop an expansion pack with two maps each most likely, which we can assume will include another 50 levels per two maps. If that’s the case, then when everything is all said and done the game will have a total of 200 levels. That should help those that think the levels are a bit short, which they are, but that’s OK because the game is loads of fun and there is still plenty of replayability through level modifiers. If you want to pick up Warhammer 40,000: Carnage it will set you back $6.99, but it’s well worth the asking price. There’s lots to offer here for those who game often on their smartphone or tablets.

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Updated rumors on the Nexus 8 and HTC One (M8) Prime

We have some information that’s been passed along on the web today regarding both the HTC One (M8) Prime and the Nexus 8. Hit the break to find out what’s going on with these two devices.

We previously reported that the HTC One (M8) Prime was supposedly cancelled, or at least postponed. The device, which was supposed to be a higher-end version of the HTC One M8, (yes, we wondered how that was possible, too) would have featured a screen with a 1440 x 2560 resolution, 3GB of RAM, a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, LTE-A Cat. 6 connectivity and a Duo Camera on the back, like its predecessor. Today’s rumor tell us that the previous reports were correct — there will be no HTC One (M8) Prime, at least for now. However, HTC will unveil a new flagship in the 2nd half of 2014, which will replace the HTC One Max and will feature a 5.2-inch display.

The second rumor today regards the Nexus 8. We thought the Nexus name might be dead and replaced by the Android Silver program after its expected announcement at Google I/O next week, but it appears that the Nexus 8, which will most likely built by HTC, will actually be introduced at a separate event later this year. This means that if the rumors are true, Google won’t be killing off the Nexus name at this year’s I/O — that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen eventually, but the Nexus name is safe for now.

Source: Phone Arena

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