Verizon’s less fortunate Moto line devices are getting an update today, and if you have a Moto E second gen you can definitely check that Update button now. The Motorola Moto E is the runt of the Moto line and it is sold to pre-paid Verizon customers; unlike the DROID Turbo which has been running on Android 4.4 ever since it launched. Well now it’s time for a change. The US carrier is updating the E to Android 5.1 and you don’t get much different stuff from the usual Android stock. The most important changes are the factory reset protection, increased minimum swipe distance which lowers the accidental interaction rate with an activated Ambient Display and the pull-down controls where you can easily select WiFi and Bluetooth settings. The update brings Moto E to version number 23.11.17.surnia_verizon.verizon.en.US vzw. We do not know how big the update is, but expect a large file and connect to a WiFi network to download it in order to not kill your data plan. If you made any modifications to Android 5.0, expect the flash to fail. It may take up to a week for the update to reach your phone at the moment, so you need some patience. Source: Verizon via AndroidPolice
Tag Archives: Phone
YUphoria and YUreka are getting CyanogenMod 12.1 nightly support
The YUphoria and YUreka are getting an update to CyanogenMod 12.1 nightlies if you are willing to accept the bugs that come with this build as your own. Both devices are basically Cyanogen OS phones from India made by Micromax subsidiary YU. Yuphoria is a mid-range device that competes with Moto G and other similarly constructed devices. Its nightly is codenamed lettuce and it brings about CyanogenMod 12.1, a custom ROM version based on Android 5.1. The ZIP archive measures 365MB. The Yureka also has an update in the form of a 12.1 nightly codenamed tomato. This device has a more powerful Snapdragon 615 and a slightly larger price as well. Its nightly measures around 366B. These two Yu devices run on Cyanogen out of the box which means that flashing a new CyanogenMod version will not make such a striking difference as it happens with changing TouchWiz or Sense UI for example. The nightly builds are updated on a daily basis and bugs are sorted out as soon as they are signaled. Stability issues may appear if you do flash this nightly, so tread carefully. Source: AndroidPolice
AT&T teases Samsung Galaxy S6 Active – workout-oriented device to launch soon
AT&T recently teased the Galaxy S6 Active on Twitter, which can only mean that we are bound to see it in stores sooner rather than later. The US carrier has been hinting at launching a workout-friendly handset soon, and that can be the S6 Active, if we are to believe rumors and leaks. “Only one thing is missing from your workout. It’s almost time to activate your full power.” Nice word-play AT&T! There’s a cropped picture showing you what the device looks like if it was an orange block, but recent leaks show its real flavor too. Samsung Galaxy S6 Active should relate to the S6 line in terms of specs, with an Exynos 7420 processor, 3 GB or RAM and at least 32GB of storage encouraged by a 16MP camera. On top of all of that you also get the much desired water and dust resistant design plus physical nav buttons. Source: Twitter via Android Police
Xiaomi announces Mi 4i – mid-range smartphone aimed at the Indian market
Xiaomi recently announced the Mi 4i, a mid-range phone aimed at the Indian market at the moment. The device itself is priced at around $200 and it will begin shipping starting April 10th. It appears that Xiaomi is mostly trying to sell the “sunlight display”, one of the best LCDs to use outdoors at the moment. Under the chassis you will find a decent Snapdragon 615 – a 64-bit octa-core chip with four cores running at 1.7 GHz and the other four at 1.1 GHz. You also get 2 GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Below is the full spec list: Ultra-compact unibody design 2nd gen Snapdragon 615 octa-core 64-bit processor 1.7GHz 2GB LPDDR3 RAM and 16GB Flash 5″screen, 1920×1080, 441PPI, Sunlight Display 3120mAh battery, 1.5 days of normal usage 13MP camera, two-tone flash, 5MP front camera 4G dual SIM, dual standby MIUI 6 on Android 5.0 Mi 4i has a soft touch plastic build and it will be available in various colors. It runs on Android 5.0 with a modified MiUi skin on top. The device is available for pre-order on Flipkart and it sells for Rs.12,999. There is no news regarding its availability and pricing outside of India at the moment. Source: Miui
LG announces G Stylo – large phablet with little specs
LG recently announced the G Stylo, a low-end phablet with a stylus pen and mediocre hardware. Basically, what you’re getting from this phone are the huge screen, the stylus and nothing else of importance. The branding and name of the device seem to be a play on the words stylus and stylish. Let yourself digest that move for a moment! The G Stylo is a sequel to the G3 Stylus. Here’s what you can find under the chassis: 7” 720p screen Snapdragon 410 processor 5 GB of RAM 8 GB storage plus MicroSD card 8 MP primary camera with a 5MP front camera Android 5.0 3000 mAh battery. LG G Stylo starts selling on various markets on May 5th. No news relating pricing and specific location is known at the moment. Because it has a big screen with a brand name and mediocre specs, the phablet will probably be picked up by US carriers as well. Source: LG via AndroidPolice
VAIO Phone – a first attempt to the Android market from former SONY brand
VAIO just announced its first smartphone, the VAIO Phone. We all know this name from the Sony Empire, where it was merely a brand, but last year it was sold off and now it has become a competitor on the smartware market. Its phone is now official and it will become available on Japanese carrier B-Mobile starting March 20th. VAIO Phone is a LTE device with a very clean Android 5.0 build without much bloatware. It looks a lot like Nexus 4, both inside and out. Below you can see the spec list: 2GHz Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor 2GB RAM 16GB storage 5-inch 720p display 13MP camera 2500mAh battery Android 5.0 OS. VAIO’s attempt at the mobile market proves to be a mid-level design with a price of $420 or 51,000yen. It is a bit of a high price, but maybe they’re just trying to become a real player on the Android market as soon as possible. Source: Endgadget