Next Android version will remain Jelly Bean 4.3, not Key Lime Pie 5.0

Hey Folks, there's a serious news for Android lovers. For past 5-6 months we've been rumored for the next version of Android to be launched under the name "Key Lime Pie" as version 5.0. Now, the Google I/O is near (May 15-17, 2013) the reports are floating on the web that the next taste of Android will not be Key Lime Pie, Google is still in the mood to call it "Jelly Bean" with version number 4.3.

A reddit user danrant has chimed in with a whole bunch of evidence that points to an incremental Jelly Bean release rather than Key Lime Pie. The thread can be found here. Another proof comes from Artem Russakovskii.

The devices seen via the server logs are the Nexus 4 handset and Nexus 7 tablet, using a build identified as Android 4.3 JWR23B. As Artem notes, the first letter of the build code matches its corresponding dessert name, which in this case points to another Jelly Bean release. This would also suggest that the next Android update won’t be a major new release, but rather an incremental refinement of the existing Jelly Bean offering. 

According to Android Community, it is also being heard that Google will also be releasing a PDK (Platform Development Kit) to help manufacturers update Android versions more quickly. Well, Google hasn't said any word about these rumors, neither about Android 4.3 JB nor about 5.0 KLP. Everything will be clear in Google I/O. Till then, wait and watch.

Read more @

Android Police, Android Community

Samsung prices Galaxy Note 510 for India at Rs. 30,900

Finally Samsung has priced the Galaxy Note 510 for India. In the international market it is known as Galaxy Note 8.0. It was released in Mobile World Congress 2013 and we covered that. As promised the tablet is now up for pre-order on the Samsung India eStore for Rs 30,900. 

Galaxy Note 510 is the second Note series tablet and fourth Note series device. It means it features apps optimized specially for Galaxy Note devices. It is loaded with S-Pen stylus, a star feature of Samsung for smart note taking. S Pen stylus has been upgraded to work both on the touchscreen of the Note 8.0 as well as with the physical navigation buttons, and Samsung is also extending the functionality of the pen in other ways. Apps are optimized for S-Pen such that S Note, S Planner, Email with hand-writing integration, Quick Command, Easy Clip, Photo Note, Paper Artist, Air View, Popup Note, Popup Video, Shape Match, Formula Match, and Idea Sketch.

If you’re interested in picking up the Samsung Galaxy Note 510, you can find out more about the device, and also pre-order it, from the official Samsung eStore here. Pre-ordering the tablet before April 30 will also get you a book cover worth Rs 2,699 for free.

Quick Specs of Galaxy Note 510

• 8-inch 1280 x 800-pixel display
• Exynos quad-core 1.6GHz processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 5 MP rear camera, 1.3 MP front camera
• 16GB or 32GB of internal storage
• 64GB expandable memory 
• 4,600mAh battery
• 3G connectivity
• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean

Read more @ 
Android Authority

Samsung announces 6.3 and 5.8 inch Galaxy Mega smartphones

After waiting for months, Samsung has launched its Mega devices. Yes these are Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Galaxy Mega 6.3. It is currently announced only for Europe, but will soon come to other countries.

It seems Samsung focuses on big screen sizes and with Galaxy Note, Note II, Mega 5.8 and Mega 6.3, anyone will surely believe it. Both devices have mid-range phone specs such as 6.3-inch 720p display, LTE connectivity, 8GB or 16GB of storage, and a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, while the 5.8-inch model has a qHD display, HSPA connectivity, 8GB of storage, 8-megapixel camera, 1.5GB of RAM, a microSD slotand a 1.4GHz dual-core processor. Both are powered by Jelly Bean 4.2, the latest iteration of Android. Both have IR blasters for controlling televisions.

They will also, apparently, feature some of Samsung's new software, like Air View and Pop-Up Play. Prices have't been disclosed yet, but seem to be cheaper than Galaxy Note 2. Would you like to buy such big devices for your daily life access? Share with us in comments. 

[Image Courtesy: Ubergizmo]

Samsung starts ad campaign of Galaxy S4, ads go on-air

Samsung has started campaigning for its latest flagship phone: Galaxy S4. Launched in March, the phone has not got its official dates for sales. Samsuns is working hard on its big ad campaign to promote Galaxy S4.

In this series of advertisements, there are 3 ads which highlight Samsung's 3 features- S Translator, Group Play and Sound Shot. All of these videos are enclosed in a limit of 30 sec. S S translator is a built in app to translate text in different languages. The best thing is, it can work offline. Group Play lets users connect their Galaxy S4 devices to play similar song, all devices will work like speakers. Sound Shot is a nice feature. It provides users the ability to take a picture and also record the surrounding noise.

Finally Play Store gets new UI with version 4.0

Finally Play Store has got new look. +Google has introduced a new look for the +Google Play  Store for Android devices running 2.2 Froyo or later. The new version of Play Store is version 4.0.

The new design focuses on bigger images that jump off the page. Similarly themed content is grouped together so you can hone in on a magazine to read or an app to try. As you move down the page, new recommendations continue to appear so there is always more to see and explore. The payment is also improved. 

Get ready for a simpler Google Play.

In some ways it resembles the desktop version of the Play Store. 

Read more @

Official Android Blog, Android Guys

Google is looking to buy Whatsapp

WhatsApp users, you may get surprised or even get shocked when reading it. Google is looking to buy the popular chat application, WhatsApp, according to an inside source.

WhatsApp has been the topic of acquisition rumors before such as in Dec. 2012 when Facebook had supposedly approached the company. Digital Trends has talked with an internal source, which reports that Google is discussing with WhatsApp heads. This conversation has took place already, a month ago. The rumors say that the acquisition price is $1 billion.

WhatsApp gains traffic of 18 billion messages per day. That will not be tough to manage for a web giant like Google. Google is also reported to be developing a single chat platform for all its chat applications, named as Babble. Will this deal also merge WhatsApp in Babble? Well we have no idea, all we can do is wait and watch.

Read more @

Digital Trends, TechnoBuffalo

Next Galaxy Tab may have name Galaxy S Tab

After the launch of Galaxy S IV, public has kept its eyes on Galaxy Note III and Galaxy Tab III. Well, some images and specs of the upcoming Samsung Tablet and we think it's the possible look. 

According to the reports, the third version of Galaxy Tab will not have a usual name. Samsung is gonna change the name to Galaxy S Tab or Tab 3 Plus. But the major chances are of Galaxy S Tab as Samsung wants to put the S series on the top of every segment. 

As shown in the images, the new tablet has a default landscape orientation. The Samsung logo, as well as the Menu, Home and Back Buttons imitate as of Galaxy S III and IV. User has to hold it in landscape mode, as in Nexus 10. It is not clear that what screen size will be present. It may be 10.1 inch or a 11.6 inch. The expected specs are nice to hear.

Expected specs of Galaxy S Tab 

• 2,560 x 1,600 pixels resolution
• Octa Core Exynos Processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 32/64 GB on-board storage
• microSD support 
• 9,000 mAh battery