Google Edition Galaxy S4 and HTC One are available to buy on Play Store

Yesterday we reported that Nexus edition Galaxy S4 and HTC One are coming on 26th of June. And now they have landed. Boom. Both devices have worn a new skin and now have joined Nexus family. Both HTC One and Galaxy S4 will run on latest Android version i.e. Jelly Bean 4.2.2.  You can buy them from Play Store directly. 

Officially these devices are called "Google Play Edition" devices. Earlier Google used to refer them as "Nexus Experience devices" but suddenly the name is changed to GPE (Google Play Edition). Google hasn't give the word about the name change. Sense and TouchWiz skins are gone. There are some plus points as well as negative points for both devices on getting this upgrade. We can't access IR Box, HTC Zoe, Blink Feed, TouchWiz gestures, Samsung multi window etc. but these devices will be update directly as a Nexus device gets new Android update. 

Specs haven't been changed for any of the devices. Both are Full HD phones running on Snapdragon 600 processor and have 2 GB of RAM. Well, camera app is updated for Play Store Edition devices. Options are moved into curves from circular and are now two layers showing HDR, brightness, hue. Front/Rear toggle. 

Galaxy S4 GPE is available $649 for 16 GB which is bit heavy for the pocket. While  HTC One GPE is priced at $599 at 32 GB. You can order today, but Google says phones will ship by July 9. 

• Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition on Play Store
• HTC One Google Play Edition on Play Store

We are also listening that Oppo and Sony are also designing Google Edition of their flagship devices i.e. Find 5 and Xperia Z. Are Google Edition phones going to change the way we use Android and Google rule the Android Smartphone industry? Share with us in comments.

CyanogenMod adds encrypted messaging service PushSMS

CyanogenMod is the most installed ROM and the one of the largest Android communities. Koushik Dutta, the developer of ClockworkMod Revocery has designed and is being currently testing a new messaging plugin to encrypt the messaging functionality of the OS, to protect the users' messages from NSA.

NSA is currently spying on people's information and the communication they have done. So, the popular Android ROM is going to be secured with new secure plugin, PushSMS. This plugin will be similar to Apple's iMessage in terms of encryption. It will allow users to securely send and receive texts between devices running CyanogenMod. And there are more than 7 milltion devices using CyanogenMod, so it will be widely accepted. 

Currently the plugin is under development. We'll inform you when it will available straight through the ROM.

Read more @

+CyanogenMod 

HTC One and Galaxy S4 Nexus Edition coming today

Samsung's flagship device Galaxy S4 and HTC's flagship One changed the experience of smartphones that people use. Both of the phones are awesome with Full HD displays and unique features. As we are hearing from a long time that a Nexus edition of both Galaxy S4 and HTC One will be released that will run on pure Android and will be updated straight through Google. 

Now we are closer to the launch of these special edition phones. It is recently announced that both phones will be launched today i.e. on 26th of June, 2013. These will be available to buy on Google Play Store. Nexus edition Galaxy S4 will cost $649 and HTC One will cost $599. 

Will you buy any of these devices or may be both? Share with us in comments.

Sony Xperia Z launched with 6.4" screen and Snapdragon 800 processor @ 2.2 GHz

Samsung has got one more competitor to the phablet market. This time Sony has challenged Smasung. Note series is going to be offended by Sony's phablet Xperia Z Ultra. And it has more larger screen than Samsung's highest screen smartphone i.e. Galaxy Mega 6.3. Xperia Z Ultra has screen of 6.4 inches packed with 1920 x 1080 pixels that is also called 1080p or Full HD display. As being a Xperia Z series phone, it also features water resisitivity. 

Similar to Samsung's Note series, Xperia Z Ultra also works with a stylus. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It is also the first phone launched with Qualcomm's Quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor that is clocked at 2.2GHz. Xperia Z Ultra features 8 MP rear camera and 2 MP at the front, 16 GB internal memory out of which 11 GB is available for user. It is second to the Huawei Ascend P6 when talking about thickness, it is 6.5 mm thick, and weighs 212 gm. 3,000 mAh battery is ready juice the phone. 

Sony has also introduced two new features: Triluminos and X- Reality

As made clear by Android Authority

Triluminos is a technology that enables LCD TFT displays to show a wider range of colors, and thus to display images that are richer and more vivid.

X-Reality is an image processing technology that enhances the images and videos displayed on the Xperia Z Ultra. It makes pictures look sharper, reduces noise, improves contrast, and fine tunes saturation.

Till now phablets are not much vivid and do not have sharp display but Sony's Xperia Z Ultra is going to change the game. With its 6.4" phone, Sony seems to be leading the phablet industry.  

Quick Specs of Xperia Z Ultra

• 6.4-inch (1920×1080) TRILUMINOS display
• Colors: Black, White, Purple
• 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5mm
• 212 grams
• Quad core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2.2 GHz 
• Android 4.2
• Internal Storage: 16GB (microSD expandable up to 64GB)
• 3,000mAh battery
• 8-megapixel rear camera
• 2 MP front camera

Sony SmartWatch 2 goes official with Higher Resolution and Water Resistivity

Sony has introduced major upgrade to its wearable Tech device with the announcement of its SmartWatch 2. Similar to last SmartWatch it is an android powered device and features 1.6 inch touchscreen display with 220 x 176 pixels resolution which is higher than earlier model. SmartWatch 2 is built up of aluminum body and has a stainless steel wristband. 

Sony has also added Water resistivity feature (IP57) derived from Xperia Z. Device is capable of answer calls, read email and texts, snap photos, controlling presentations, music playback, adjusting volume and running mapping and fitness apps, as well as Twitter and Facebook notifications. It also features Bluetooth and NFC for connectivity and can be paired with any device running Android 4.0 or higher. 

The company says it has “over 200 unique apps” for the SmartWatch that have been downloaded over 1 million times to date. Sony is also welcoming developers to create new apps for its SmartWatch devices via its Open SmartWatch initiative. Well, there's no official word about pricing. The global release is expected to be in this September. 

Sony Xperia Z Ultra (Togari) launcher specs leaked

Sony is rumored to be preparing a 6.4" screen size smartphone codenamed as Togari or Xperia Z Ultra. It will be a phablet running on Android 4.2.2. Some images are leaked on web. Today we've got some screenshots of the device of launcher. App icons are smaller than we usually have on our devices. Sony has also added one more column and one more row to app drawer. App dock has also got two more extra app columns instead of static 4, making 6 apps and app drawer icon in dock.

This device is expected to be running on Snapdragon 80 which is extreme powerful CPU. We are expecting Adreno 330 GPU, 2.1 GHz quad-core processor, 1920 x 1080p full HD display, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, 8 MP rear camera with 2.2 MP in front and 16GB of storage. Xperia Z Ultra is expected to be announced in Sony's upcoming Munich (June 25) and Paris (July 4) events. 

What do you think that this device can conquer Galaxy Mega 6.3? Will Galaxy Note 3 be effected by Xperia ZU? Share with us in comments. 

Next Optimus G device will be powered with Snapdragon 800 CPU

LG and Qualcomm have announced that the next LG Optimus G device will be powered with Snapdragon 800 CPU. It is expected to be coming in Q3 of 2013. Last Optimus G device i.e. Optimus G Pro was loaded with Snapdragon 600 processor. This deal is not an unexpected one as Optimus G was one of the first devices to be running on Snapdragon S4 Pro. And because it is Snapdragon 800, so it has the unbeatable powerful figures that can make any device a powerhouse. It will improve the performance of device by 75%. 

Adreno 330 GPU, Ultra HD video capture and playback capabilities and support for 4G LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation make it a robust power producer.Whether you are a gamer, blogger, developer, on the go artist, you can't remain impressed from Snapdragon 800. 

Benchmark score of Snapdragon 800 by PCWorld (Click to enlarge)

iOS 7 caught on running on iPad and iPad mini

Apple has launched iOS 7, the latest version of its mobile operating system in WWDC 2013. It is currently available as a beta build for iPhone developers and beta for iPad will come in few weeks. Stable release is said to be rolling out this fall. 

iGen has spotted images of iOS 7 running on iPad and iPad mini. All of the icons are same, but here we can see a red icon which will be most probably for Photobooth, which isn’t present on the iPhone or iPod touch.

If Jony Ive redesigns everything

We all know that Jony Ive is behind the design of Apple's products and now he has brought a total new upgrade to iOS with a lot of features. The new look is flat with clean and sleek interface. You may or may not like it. But there's a Tumblr JonyIveRedesignsThings who has created a parody of Jony Ive's new design of iOS to lot of products and they are not Apple's. Have a look them below.

Garageband

Mac OS X

Microsoft

MonaLisa 

Windows 8

Windows Phone

Jony Ive's T-shirt

Evernote

Facebook

What we've got in new iOS 7

Yesterday Apple has launched something which was heavily rumored, something that digital world was waiting for. The mobile world is treated with the 7th generation of iOS with a completely redesigned look and a lot of amazing new features including updates from the lock screen to Siri and Control Center. The new UI is somewhat flat, clean, and sleek by the team of Sir Jony Ive who has designed and developed a lot of Apple's products. iOS 7 has gone through the biggest change in the history of iOS since the launch of iPhone in 2007.

With release of iOS 7, Apple has also announced that there are 600 million iOS powered devices. 7th gen iOS 7 brings some amazing features and we're discussing some of them here.

Mutlitasking: Multitasking is a major addition to iOS 7. All apps have now access to multitasking and this is not only limited to some selected apps. Multitasking will now support intelligent scheduling of resources to apps that require them and also prioritize based on network conditions. This means, if you don't have great reception or not in a Wi-Fi area, the OS won't try to prioritize applications that require that to function. A new multi-tasking API will allow all apps to run in the background and allow users to switch between apps.  Multitasking is displayed in card like previews of each app. 

Safari: Mobile browser can't stay un-updated if the whole OS is getting update. Icon is changed with a simple and flat compass icon with blue and white colors. It can go full screen and you are not limited to open 8 tabs only. It will also save your passwords with the iCloud Keychain and has enhanced parental controls.

AirDrop: Airdrop is a new feature to share your files wirelessly using encrypted peer-to-peer Wi-Fi. You can share files to those who are you close by. You can see the recepients in updated control center. There's no need of NFC for file sharing. It will be available for new Pad iPhone 5 and iPod Touch latest.

Camera: As being Apple, camera is special for the company. Like the Instagram style, live filters are available. Users can swithc between multiple modes such as camera, video, normal photo and panorama by swiping.

Photos: Photos app is updated to match the theme of iOS 7 i.e. Flat UI. Newly added Moments feature organizes images by time and location, and can provide an overview of all of the pictures that have bee taken in a particular year or a month or time period.

Siri: Siri has got a new interface with better search features. It has been updated to have both male and female voices in English, German, and French (with more languages being supported later on). Updated Siri can control more features of the device. You can search on Bing, Twitter etc. and change settings of most of the apps.

iOS in the Car: This is a really impressive feature of new iOS. Soon you will see cars will be loaded with iOS in them, in 2014. With Siri already integrated, you can make your calls, pla music, navigation options without taking your hands off the Steering wheel.

App Store: It's improved with the age relevancy feature so you will easily find apps according to your age or your child's. And it updates apps automatically. 

iTunes Radio: And finally Apple has added its music streaming service iTunes Radio to its product and service line. It is one of the major updates to iOS 7. It is similar to internet radio services such as Pandora or Spotify’s radio app and has distinct similarities to Google Play All Access music service. You can select your favorite music on more than 200 genre-focused stations. You can create and customize your stations . 

Activation Lock: Activation Lock is a feature to secure your device. Once it is activated this will prevent thieves from doing anything with the device without your Apple ID, even Find my iPhone or wipe off is turned off.

Other new features for iOS 7 include notification sync across devices, FaceTime audio calls over Wi-Fi, better search in Mail, and the ability to block phone calls, FaceTime calls, and messages.

iOS 7 is currently avaiable to developers as a beta build for iPhone and for iPad it will rolout in upcoming weeks. For general public, stable build will be released in the fall of 2013.

Official Apple iOS 7 page

Samsung is going to launch online accessories shopping store in Europe in early July

The Korean Tech giant Samsung is going to launch an online shopping store that will provide smartphone accessories for Samsung users. Samsung has been producing accessories for  smartphones and tablets and is now going to enter the distribution market. 

According to reports from Korean news service ET News, Samsung's online shopping store project is under development and will be launched in Europe in early July. This online store will sell both accessories made by the company itself and some made by its partners. Samsung has already working to make it Galaxy S4 and other flagship devices reach top by launching 1400 Samsung Experience stores in Best buy locations. 

HTC One Android 4.2 update is close, may come today

HTC One the powerful phone of market is still running on Android 4.1 and users are eagerly waiting for Jelly Bean 4.2 update. Well don't worry you waiting seems to come to an end. According to leaks and rumors, all the international version users of One are going to receive Android 4.2 update on Wednesday, June 12. Within 24 hours, you may be using updated android version.

A tweet from an HTC Ambassador for HTC France, Yves Wi,  is suggesting that the HTC One Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update will roll out tomorrow. Jelly Bean 4.2 will bring photosphere, wireless sharing, daydream, rich notifications, gesture typing keyboard with predictive text and many more. 

#HTCOne Update (OTA) coming tomorrow to 2.x version (4.2.2 & Sense 5)
— Yves Wi (@Hawk1902) June 11, 2013

Apple's music streaming service "iTunes Radio" announced at WWDC 2013

After a lot of rumors and leaks, Apple has today launched its music streaming service: iTunes radio. The service will be free for U.S. users, and will use both text and audio ads to support the free streaming. iTunes Match subscribers won't receive advertisements. The service is built directly into iOS 7's music app, featuring easy access to radio based on your music collection. 

You can create your custom music stations and if you like a song, then you give it a thumb up. Also you can buy the songs from iTunes store. Apple is serious to compete with Google's recently released "All Access for Google Play". iTunes Radio can be used on all of your Apple devices viz. iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, Macbooks and iMacs.

#wwdc2013

You don't need to update apps, iOS 7 does it automatically

Apple has recently announced the latest and awaited version of iOS i.e. iOS 7 with whole new look and loaded with lots of features. App Store, the premium place for users to download app, has got one more feature. It will automatically update the installed apps, so users don't need to bother to download the updates. Well this might be useless for a lot of users as most of don't want automatic updates. 

#wwdc2013

iOS 7 with new Flat UI and design launched at WWDC 2013

Apple has announced the most awaited version of its mobile Operating System iOS 7. iOS 7 is a redesigned operating system for a new generation of mobile users who already take the iPhone for granted. It’s a radical redesign, and According to CEO Tim Cook, “It is the biggest change to iOS 7 since the iPhone.” 

iOS 7 has completely the changed the hierarchical style of iOS. It doesn't reseble any early version of it. It's a never seen before UI. Sir Jony Ive and his design team has been consistently working to deliver this version of iOS. Every visual element is redesigned. This new look is very neat, skinny and clean.

The lock screen is changed for the first time in iOS’s history, with no more shine top or bottom bars for slide to unlock or the clock. Instead, Slide to unlock is translucent above the background image. A more white and translucent keyboard is added with new background for notifications. 

#wwdc2013

Read more @ 

The Verge, Engadget, 9to5 Mac

Gallery of iOS 7

Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks announced at WWDC 2013

Craig Federighi has released for which he and his team was working from one year, he next iteration of OS X i.e. OS X 10.9 codename "Mavericks". This time Apple has ditched the name from cats and has moved to the name Maverick. company says that Maverick will feature more than 200 features including new Safari, new Apple maps, iwork, multiple finder tabs and may more. 

iBook is also launching in OS X 10.9 Mavericks and will provide access to 1.8 million iBooks.  iCloud Keychain is also a new feature for storing several passwords in one place. 

#wwdc2013

White Nexus 4 unboxed and compared with Black Nexus 4

Nexus 4 was launched in late last month and we've seen that are only minor changes that differ from the original black version. The major change is of the addition of LTE on White version which takes it over the black one. While the other hardware as well as software specs are same, let us see a quick video comparison of both handsets from Google.

At a quick glance, White version of Nexus 4 comes with 4.7" 1280 x 768 display with 320ppi, 2 GB RAM, 1.5 GHz quad core Snapdragon S4 CPU, 8/16 GB storage, 8 MP rear and 1.3 MP front camera, LTE, NFC and latest version of Android i.e. Jelly Bean 4.2.2.

White Nexus 4 v/s Black Nexus 4