Android L Gets Ported to Nexus 4, Download Now

A couple of weeks back, Google made official a new flavor of its mobile operating system, one that will arrive on devices later this year under the name of Android L, but which has been released as a preview for developers and ported to Nexus 4 handsets.

Android L was pushed out as a preview only for the owners of Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) devices, but enthusiasts took their time to make it available for more users out there, and a Nexus 4 port is now available for download for all interested parties. This is only a beta release of Android L for Nexus 4, it seems, though it is the second beta, and it is said to be far more stable when compared to what the initial release had to offer.

The previous version included a series of bugs related to Bluetooth, camera, and NFC, but it appears that all of these issues have been resolved in the new iteration and that the port is fully functional now. The port is available for download through the XDA-Developers forum but, as Android Police notes, users should keep in mind that there are many applications that still don’t work on Android L and that the overall experience won’t be as good as one might expect.

Android L on Nexus 4
Image credits to AndroidPolice

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iPhone 6's Flexible Display Caught on Video

With every leak that comes out of the Chinese factories, we get closer to understand what the new iPhone 6 will look like.

Latest info shows that the curvy, rounded-edges display will also be flexible. Also, Apple will work some magic for their batteries, as well. The battery specs for the 4.7" and 5.5" iPhone were shown today by Chinese websites. It appears that the smaller iDevice will sport an 1800 - 1900 mAh battery. This is a step up from the 1570 mAH battery the iPhone 5s has now, but the larger display may actually show that the new iPhone will have an inferior stand-by life. The rumored 5.5" iPhone will have a much larger battery - up to 2500 mAh. This is great if you compare it again with the current models, but the huge display will eat up this battery in no time. iClarifies notes that the 5.5 inch LG G3 has a 3000 mAh battery and the 5.7" Galaxy Note has a 3200 mAh battery. Is worth mentioning there's no way to verify this information, but the next one is verified by a good looking video posted by tech blogger Sonny Dickson.

It appears, the iPhone 6 will get all bendy. The almost 4-minute long video shows a supposedly white iPhone display with the home button. The panel looks like its made out of sapphire glass and it's the same size as the one we've seen at the end of last week. Sonny's video is doing a great job measuring each side of the display, then goes on showing the rounded edges to the camera. The home button shows no surprises with the same steel ring. This display has the same location for the camera cut hole - to the left of the earpiece. The best part of the video is the stress test that occurs three minutes into the video. The glass is bent and it even looks too flexible for an iPhone.

The latest rumors suggest that the iPhone will not have a Corning's Gorilla Glass display, but one made of sapphire which is virtually unbreakable in day to day operation. Apple is rumored to release a new iPhone at the end of September, so we only have to wait for two and a half months to see if these leaks are true.

iPhone 6's display is flexible
Image credits to Sonny Dickson

iPhone 6 Screen Comparison
Video credits to Sonny Dickson


iPhone 6 Glass Bending
Video credits to Sonny Dickson

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Sony Xperia Selfie Phone (Codenamed Gina) Spotted in New Photos [Video]

Today, Japanese mobile phone maker Sony Mobile has started teasing a new selfie-centered smartphone for tomorrow, and some additional details on the device have emerged online, courtesy of leaked photos and a video with it.

The mobile phone hasn’t been officially named as of now, but rumor has it that it could arrive on shelves as Xperia C3. Moreover, a new report on the matter suggests that it would be codenamed Gina. The main selling point of this device will be a LED flash next to the front camera, which will allow users to take clear photos of themselves even in low-light conditions. The front camera on this phone might be of around 5 megapixels or higher, yet no specific info on the matter has been provided as of now. However, you can see the sensor and the LED flash in action in the video embedded below, available courtesy of ePrice. As XperiaBlog notes, the handset appears to have been packed with a special feature that will allow users to snap photos by double-tapping on its back. However, the function will act like some sort of a timer, as the picture will be snapped only several seconds after the phone is tapped twice.

Moreover, the clip shows some of the software that this new device will arrive on shelves with, and which resembles the Portrait Retouch camera app, allowing users to tweak their complexion with preset tones, and to change eye pattern as well. Other editing tools should also be included in the package. On top of that, the upcoming mobile phone appears to arrive on the market with a Self-portrait voice guide, similar to what the original Xperia C had to offer. Basically, the functionality will enable people to snap photos with the phone’s rear camera using their voice. The upcoming selfie phone from Sony is also said to include a 2500mAh battery, which will allow it to deliver long usage times.

According to ePrice, the handset might sport a 5-inch touchscreen display of unknown resolution, yet no confirmation on this has been provided as of now. All in all, specific details on what the phone will have to offer will emerge only tomorrow, when Sony officially introduces it. One other thing that should be noted here is the fact that Sony is also expected to announce the Xperia Z2a smartphone in Taiwan tomorrow, and chances are that the two will be unveiled simultaneously.

Sony's Xperia selfie phone
Image credits to ePrice

Sony's Xperia selfie phone
Image credits to esato via gforgames

Sony's Xperia selfie phone
Image credits to ePrice

Video credits to ePrice HK

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Motorola Confirms Android L Will Be Available for Moto X and Moto G

We reported late last month, Motorola confirmed the next version of Android, currently called L, will be arriving on Moto X and Moto G smartphones sometime in the fall.

However, what appeared to be an obvious confirmation from the US-based handset maker turned out to be just a speculation from an unofficial Facebook page, according to Motorola. Here is the company’s official statement regarding the previous rumors: "Unfortunately, we have found that a Facebook profile under the name ‘Motorola Germany’ with the following URL facebook.com/MotoDACH/ was created. We would like to point out that this is not an official Motorola site and expressly distance ourselves from said content. All relevant information about Motorola can be found only here on this page.”

Even though Motorola denied the confirmation of the Android L for Moto X and Moto G, it’s almost certain that the company will offer the update by the end of the year if nothing wrong happens. The assumption seems to be backed by the latest news on the presumably Android L update for the Moto X and Moto G, which confirms it for later this year. The folks over at AndroidOrigin have been recently tipped on the upcoming availability of Android L for Moto X and Moto G, which seems to have been confirmed by the company’s technical support reps. Although it’s not the most reliable source for this kind of information, it’s the first time that a Motorola official is pretty clear on the release of the highly anticipated Android L upgrade for both smartphones.

While replying to one of its customers, a Motorola technical support rep confirmed Android L would be released for Moto X and Moto G “once it is available.” This means that Motorola may offer the next major Android upgrade to Moto X and Moto G, as early as this fall. Google is likely to release Android L in October, but a more accurate timeframe is likely to be announced in the coming months. Moto E owners will probably be disappointed to hear Motorola did not confirm Android L will be released for this particular smartphone as well. According to the same Motorola technical support rep, the company does “not have any information as of today” in regard with Android L for Moto E. This means that Motorola is still assessing the possibility of Moto E getting this update as well, but a decision has yet to be made.

Motorola Moto X
Image credits to Motorola Mobility

Motorola technical support conversation
Image credits to AndroidOrigin

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"Nokia by Microsoft" Lumia 1525 to Feature Snapdragon 801 CPU

One of the Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones that have been rumored recently to arrive on shelves soon is the Lumia 1525, and some more info on it is now available.

The handset, previously said to be en route to wireless carrier T-Mobile, is now expected to arrive at AT&T and Verizon too, at least this is what a recent post on evleaks.at reads. Lumia 1525 is also said to be among the first handsets to arrive with the recently spotted Nokia by Microsoft branding on the back. Moreover, the infamous tipster claims that the mobile phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor, but that it will be similar in every other aspect to the Nokia Lumia 1520 that was released last year. Thus, we’ll see the Windows Phone 8.1 device released with a 6-inch touchscreen display capable of delivering a full HD resolution, as well as with 2GB of RAM inside.

Moreover, the phone should sport 32GB of internal memory, a microSD memory card slot for expansion purposes, 4G LTE connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and a built-in GPS receiver, along with the usual set of sensors. On the back, Lumia 1525 will feature a 20-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, ZEISS optics, and full HD video recording, paired with a 1.2MP front camera for video calling. No official confirmation on this device has been provided as of now, but chances are that a formal announcement will be made in the not-too-distant future, so keep an eye on this space for additional details on this.

Nokia Lumia 1520
Image credits to Nokia

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“Nokia by Microsoft” Branded Android Smartphones Coming Soon

There have been some rumors that Microsoft it looking to license the Nokia brand in order to continue to use it on its Windows Phone handsets after the initial licensing agreement will expire next year.

The first details regarding this marketing move emerged online last week, along with the information that Microsoft may replace the Surface brand with Nokia’s Lumia. Today, @evleaks is back with a follow-up on the initial rumor, which claims the next handsets to be branded with the “Nokia by Microsoft” name will ship with Android operating system out of the box. The Android smartphones that are expected to come soon will also bear the Lumia name aside bring being tagged with the “Nokia by Microsoft” brand. For the time being, it’s unclear whether “Nokia by Microsoft” brand will also be used on future Windows Phone handsets, but we expect more details to surface in the coming months.

Microsoft’s plans for Windows Phone and Android are a bit unclear, as many unconfirmed rumors are running around in the wild. Hopefully, the Redmond-based company will come forward with an official statement that would confirm or deny these speculations. What do you think about the company’s plans to add the “Nokia by Microsoft” brand to its Android smartphones? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Nokia X Android smartphones
Image credits to Nokia

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