Samsung unveils Galaxy K Zoom with 20.7 MP and Android 4.4 KitKat

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy K Zoom today, their new smartphone-camera hybrid running on Android 4.4 KitKat. With a redesigned TouchWiz UI in tow, the new addition to the family of Galaxy cameras shoots with a 20.7 MP camera sensor and allows for a 10x optical zoom. What else does the Camera K Zoom have in store?

© Samsung

Samsung breathed fresh air into their camera line with the Galaxy K Zoom, a slimmer, redesigned smartphone camera (with the Galaxy S5 material on the back), in comparison to past models.  Thanks to its retractable lens, it looks quite elegant. With a new camera UI encompassing 28 camera modes, the camera also has a 10x optical zoom, a Xenon flash and OIS (optical image stabilization). One of the features in the K Zoom is Pro Suggest which suggests five filters based on your environment and the lighting. There will also be a higher color gamut than the standard sRGB screen and a better image quality than the Galaxy S4 Zoom. Videos will shoot at 60 fps in Full HD.

 © Samsung

The 4.8-inch display has a resolution of 720p and the entire device is running on a hexa-core Exynos 5 Hexa 5260 processor clocked at 1.7 GHz, backed up by 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 64 GB. The battery also seems quite decent with 2,430 mAh.

OS	Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Display	Super AMOLED 4.8-inch, 1,280 x 720, 306 ppi
Processor	Hexa-core Exynos 5 Hexa 5260, two 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 cores and four 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores
RAM	2 GB
Internal storage	8 GB (microSD up to 64 GB)
Battery	2,430 mAh
Camera	CMOS sensor, 20.7 MP, 1/2.3 BSI, 10x optical zoom, OIS / 2.1 MP front camera
Connectivity	LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS, NFC and HSPA+ (42 Mbps)
Dimensions	137.5 x 70.8 x 16.6-20.2 mm
Weight	200 grams
Price and availability	499 Euro in Netherlands May 21 2014 (692 USD approx.)

All in all, the K Zoom looks like a major improvement over the Galaxy S4 Zoom, not only because of the design but also features, UI and camera capabilities.

 © Hi-Tech.mail.ru

Samsung will be shipping the device in Europe as of May 21st for 499 Euro in the Netherlands and in Russia, which equates to approximately 692 USD, though only time will tell the exact price for US and other market prices. The device comes in various color combinations as well.

Check out our image gallery below or follow the link if on the AndroidPIT app.

›

Image Gallery

Galaxy K Zoom announced

What do you think of the new Galaxy camera? Yet another one we didn't really need or a nice new addition to the Galaxy line you might actually buy?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Galaxy S5 Neo nears – yet another S5 variant

The Galaxy S5 Zoom just appeared, even if it's called the Galaxy K Zoom, and we're hearing more and more about the Galaxy S5 Mini and the S5 Prime, but yet another S5 variant has just cropped up: the Galaxy S5 Neo. The Neo looks to be a S5 clone with lower specs targeted at a mid-range audience.

Let's see if the Galaxy S5 Neo is water-resistant and has the heart rate monitor. / © AndroidPIT

A user agent profile uploaded to Samsung's servers revealed a device with the model number SM-G750 a week or so ago. There wasn't too much to glean from that UAP, other than the presence of an almost-guaranteed Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3 GHz (the clock speed appeared in the UAP) and 1,280 x 720 pixel resolution. Originally we thought this might be the Galaxy S5 mini, but that device turned out to be model number SM-G800 with a 4.5-inch screen.

Now we know that the Galaxy S5 Neo's HD display is 5.1 inches. / © Zauba

The latest news comes from an Indian import site called Zauba, and it shows that the SM-G750 will also feature a 5.1-inch display, making it the same screen size as the flagship S5. Same size display at lower resolution, slightly slower processor than the flagship and running on Android 4.3? This sounds like Samsung's Neo recipe to me. So now you might be able to get a premium Galaxy S5 Prime and a sub-standard Galaxy S5 Neo, plus a Galaxy S5 Zoom and a Galaxy S5 mini with more variations possibly on the way. The family just keeps growing, like a wet Mogwai. We'll just have to wait and see if the S5 Neo is water-resistant.

What do you think of using the flagship name for a mid-range device? What do you think of Samsung's ''one for every price point'' approach to product releases?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

 

How to disable BlinkFeed on the HTC One (M8)

Perhaps you're a fan of Google Now? Or perhaps you simply hate HTC's BlinkFeed occupying such prime real estate on your shiny new One (M8)? Fortunately, the new One doesn't suffer from the same issue as the previous One (M7) – you can quickly and easily remove BlinkFeed anytime you want to.

If you don't like BlinkFeed, you don't have to put up with it. / © HTC, AndroidPIT

Disabling BlinkFeed is super easy, but if you didn't know it was possible you might never bother to go looking for how to do it. There's two simple ways to do it: the first is a simple matter of pinching the home screen to bring up your home screen and widget view. From here you can press and hold the BlinkFeed tile at the top and drag it to the right, where Remove will appear. Done.

Add a widget or remove BlinkFeed (or any otehr home screen). / © AndroidPIT

The other option is equally easy. Just long press anywhere in a blank spot on any home screen to bring up a home screen popup menu. You want to select ''Manage home screen pages'' at the bottom, swipe over to BlinkFeed and tap Remove at the bottom. That's it. Whoever thought ditching BlinkFeed would be so easy this time around!

Home screen management on the HTC One (M8) allows you to remove BlinkFeed entirely. / © AndroidPIT

Are you a fan of BlinkFeed? What home screen setup do you prefer?

 

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Android 4.4.3 update: which devices will get it?

The update to Android 4.4.3 has been a tricky little beast: first leaked by Sprint for the Nexus 5 the update never really saw the light of day. Nevertheless, the rumors continue to circulate about when it will appear, who will get it and what it includes. We've written previously about the various bug fixes that Android 4.4.3 will address, but today we wanted to share the latest on which manufacturers have plans for the update.

Android 4.4.3 hasn't arrived yet, but we have some pretty good ideas about who will get it. / © AndroidPIT

All sources agree on a May release for Nexus devices, June for Google Play editions and in the following months for everyone else, according to both manufacturer and carrier information. However, nothing is officially confirmed in this summary, it is all based on analysis of leaks and rumors. Also, when we have too many doubts about certain devices, we'd prefer not to announce anything, but rest assured, there are more out there in the pipelines.

Nexus devices are, as always, first in line for the latest Android update. / © AndroidPIT

Nexus and Google Play edition devices

It's a safe bet that the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 will the first devices to get the Android 4.4.3 update in the coming weeks. According to "reliable" sources around the net, the update will also cover the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 but also the various Google Play editions in June (including HTC One, Galaxy S4 and Moto G).

• Nexus 4


• Nexus 5


• Nexus 7


• Nexus 10


• All Google Play edition devices

The mm-qcamera-daemon bug needs to be flushed from the Nexus 5. / © AndroidPIT/Android Police

Samsung

The Galaxy S5 will receive Android 4.4.3, for sure, but don't hold your breath for it to be speedy. It is also almost certain that the Galaxy S4 will receive the update, probably a little later, probably in the fall. It stands to reason that an update is in the pipes for the Galaxy Note 3 as well but the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 will not qualify for the update.

Regarding tablets, it is difficult to decide on the Galaxy Tab 3 series, because Samsung are not as responsive to updates for mid-range devices as flagships. It is possible that the Tab 3 will not get the update and instead the Android 4.4.3 debut will be on the upcoming Galaxy Tab 4. The Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2, Tab Pro 10.1 and Tab Pro 8.4 should, however, benefit from the upgrade, considering they are already on Android 4.4.2 KitKat and have a higher price tag.

• Galaxy S4


• Galaxy Note 3


• Galaxy S5


• Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4


• Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1


• Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2

When it comes to HTC update plans, @LlabTooFeR is hard to beat for information. / © LlabTooFeR

HTC

According to HTC developer LlabTooFeR, HTC will begin the deployment of the Android 4.4.3 update with the HTC One (M8) in May-June, along with some possible improvements to the Sense 6.0 interface. The HTC One (M7) will have to wait until June-July but it will get the Sense 6.0 treatment at that time too. The One (M8) Google Play edition should receive the update shortly before the M8 running Sense. Unfortunately it seems that the mid-range and entry-level models of the brand will be remaining on Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5.0, with only Butterfly models making it to Android 4.4.2 and Sense 5.5, but no plans for Android 4.4.3 or Sense 6.0. The HTC One (M7) dual-SIM variant has no plans for the update either and there's no word on the One Max or One Mini.

• HTC One M8 Google Play edition


• HTC One M8


• HTC One M7

Sony's plans haven't been braodcast yet for Android 4.4.3, but it's coming. / © AndroidPIT

Sony

Recently, a Google Play edition Xperia Z Ultra was spotted running Android 4.4.3. The info comes from a Bluetooth SIG listing sheet, which pretty clearly shows a KTU72 software version (the supposed Sprint update for the Nexus 5 was KTU84), but this doesn't mean anything for the widespread release. Nevertheless, it's a Google Play edition device, so we'd expect it to arrive at the same time as the other GPe devices listed above.

Sony is generally known for announcing updates directly on the product support pages on its official website. This is commendable and helps to silence the rumors, but the information available at present for most devices simply tells us that the current version is "Android 4.4 KitKat" with no mention of future updates adding that extra decimal point. It is very likely that the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet will both receive Android 4.4.3 at some point though.

• Xperia Z Ultra Google Play edition


• Xperia Z2 Google Play edition


• Xperia Z2


• Xperia Z2 Tablet

Will the LG G2 get more KitKat or jump straight to Android 4.5 or 5.0? / © AndroidPIT

LG

LG is a little behind in updates, and the LG G2 could skip the minor bug fixes (mostly directed at the Nexus 5) included in Android 4.4.3 and go directly to the next iteration, either Android 4.5 or 5.0. Very little information has leaked on LG updates and even if it seems highly likely that both the LG G2 and G Pad 8.3 will be updated, nothing is confirmed. The LG G3, which is expected to arrive in June, may very well be released with Android 4.4.2. As for the G2 Mini, it remains very uncertain, as mini devices never seem to get the same amount of love as their larger screened and more expensive brothers.

• LG G2


• LG G Pad 8.3

Let's see if the Moto G and Moto X beat any Nexus devices to the Android 4.3 party. / © AndroidPIT

Motorola

Considering the Moto X scored the Android 4.4. KitKat update before the Nexus 4, it seems safe to assume that Motorola will be on the front foot when it comes to the Android 4.4.3 update, but there's even less than no rumors swirling for the Moto X and Moto G. With the sale of Motorola to Lenovo, the close ties to Google have been severed, but Google always said that Motorola wouldn't be treated any different when it came to updates. The Moto skin, being very close to stock Android, is a big reason why they managed to get the updates out so quick. Let's hope the same is true for both the Moto X and Moto G on Android 4.4.3.

• Moto X


• Moto G


• Moto G Google Play edition

Have you heard any other news about possible timelines for Android 4.4.3 or which devices will be getting the update?

 

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

How to fix ''Unfortunately app has stopped'' - Beginners alert!

There is a problem that plagues not only beginner users, but advanced Android owners alike (the only difference is the latter usually know how to fix it): sometimes when you are using an app, it will suddenly close and the message ‘unfortunately (fill in the blank) has stopped’ will appear. This message also show up when you aren’t even using the app. Here is a way to fix this issue.

 © AndroidPIT

Clearing up app storage

This problem often arises with the contacts, gallery and launcher apps, among many others. For example, I always receive the ‘Unfortunately contacts has stopped” error on my Galaxy S3 and it’s particularly annoying. The procedure to fix this is generally always the same.

• First, you must navigate to the settings on your Android smartphones.


• Scroll down until you see Application Manager or Apps, the name differs per Android device.


• Swipe left until you find the ‘All’ applications tab.


• Scroll down to the app that stopped and tap on it.


• Here you will clear the data and cache.

What you need to understand is that clearing the data will erase the changes made to the app’s settings, but not the actual content, like pictures in the gallery app for example. Cleaning the cache will get rid of saved data which allow apps to load much quicker when you launch them. Erasing this will only slow opening up an app a little bit, but will also help solve the problem.

In addition to clearing the cache with the red arrow, you always want to clear the data, this will erase any saved settings for the app in question.© AndroidPIT

Uninstall the app

If the app isn't a built-in app, like Contacts for example, you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the app again from the Google Play Store. Simply open the Play Store app and open the menu bar on the left hand side and tap on ''My apps''. Find the app in question and hit uninstall, which takes a few seconds. Atterwards, you can install it again.

Soft reset

You can also try doing a soft reset. This is super simple and is quite effective if your phone has been on for a long time. A soft reset will power cycle your phone, meaning turning it off and then back on again. This of course won’t delete anything. It’s a good idea to turn your phone off every few days for a few minutes and will help a sluggish phone with a variety of issues, whether app, network, audio, email issues and more.

In the case of Google Play itself not working, the solution is a little more extensive: delete the cache as a first step and if this doesn't clear things up, you can then clear your data, and finally uninstall any Play Store updates. The same goes for Google Play services, but try these one by one, you don't want to lose all your Play Store preferences for no reason. Check out the complete tutorial on what to do when the Google Play Store isn’t working.

Last resort: factory reset

In the worst case scenario when nothing is working, you can resort to a factory reset, but again, this really shouldn't be done until no other option presents itself. When doing a factory reset, ensure that you have backed up all of your data beforehand. I repeat: backup all of your data first. I mean it. Do it. A factory reset will wipe your device to factory defaults, taking any bugs with it. You can then restore your apps and data afterwards.

Did this fix the problem for you? What others fixes do you know for these little pesky Android problems that you can share with your fellow beginner users?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

 

Samsung unveils Galaxy K Zoom with 20.7 MP and Android 4.4 KitKat

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy K Zoom today, their new smartphone-camera hybrid running on Android 4.4 KitKat. With a redesigned TouchWiz UI in tow, the new addition to the family of Galaxy cameras shoots with a 20.7 MP camera sensor and allows for a 10x optical zoom. What else does the Camera K Zoom have in store?

© Samsung

Samsung breathed fresh air into their camera line with the Galaxy K Zoom, a slimmer, redesigned smartphone camera (with the Galaxy S5 material on the back), in comparison to past models.  Thanks to its retractable lens, it looks quite elegant. With a new camera UI encompassing 28 camera modes, the camera also has a 10x optical zoom, a Xenon flash and OIS (optical image stabilization). One of the features in the K Zoom is Pro Suggest which suggests five filters based on your environment and the lighting. There will also be a higher color gamut than the standard sRGB screen and a better image quality than the Galaxy S4 Zoom. Videos will shoot at 60 fps in Full HD.

 © Samsung

The 4.8-inch display has a resolution of 720p and the entire device is running on a hexa-core Exynos 5 Hexa 5260 processor clocked at 1.7 GHz, backed up by 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 64 GB. The battery also seems quite decent with 2,430 mAh.

OS	Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Display	Super AMOLED 4.8-inch, 1,280 x 720, 306 ppi
Processor	Hexa-core Exynos 5 Hexa 5260, two 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 cores and four 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores
RAM	2 GB
Internal storage	8 GB (microSD up to 64 GB)
Battery	2,430 mAh
Camera	CMOS sensor, 20.7 MP, 1/2.3 BSI, 10x optical zoom, OIS / 2.1 MP front camera
Connectivity	LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS, NFC and HSPA+ (42 Mbps)
Dimensions	137.5 x 70.8 x 16.6-20.2 mm
Weight	200 grams
Price and availability	499 Euro in Netherlands May 21 2014 (692 USD approx.)

All in all, the K Zoom looks like a major improvement over the Galaxy S4 Zoom, not only because of the design but also features, UI and camera capabilities.

 © Hi-Tech.mail.ru

Samsung will be shipping the device in Europe as of May 21st for 499 Euro in the Netherlands and in Russia, which equates to approximately 692 USD, though only time will tell the exact price for US and other market prices. The device comes in various color combinations as well.

Check out our image gallery below or follow the link if on the AndroidPIT app.

›

Image Gallery

Galaxy K Zoom announced

What do you think of the new Galaxy camera? Yet another one we didn't really need or a nice new addition to the Galaxy line you might actually buy?

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

 

Motorola Connect problems and an alternative

For those of you who use Motorola connect it might have proven to be a very useful app. For those of you who do not know what Motorola Connect is, it is a two pronged solution that in tandem with an Android app and a chrome browser extension allows the user to respond  to incoming calls from the desktop as well as to see and reply incoming text messages from the desktop as well. This is very useful for users who may miss calls and alerts due to being on the PC a lot of the time.

Motorola is the company behind the connect service/ © Motorola

The downside to this Motorola Connect thing is that it has been down since last Friday apparently and there has been no word on when it will be up and there also has been no word from Motorola as to what the actual problem is.

Users of the service have apparently tried everything including re-installing and nothing has worked. We can only guess that something is wrong from Motorola’s side of things. The service is limited to Motorola devices like the Droid ones and the Moto X.

The good news is that while you wait for the service to get back up and running again, there are some alternatives for you to try. Pushbullet is one and like the name suggests it pushes notifications from your phone on to your desktop PC. Much like Motorola Connect, it also relies on a chrome extension to work too. Responding to text messages on this app is a little different as it doesn’t really allow you to send a text message but rather if you add the contact as a pushbullet contact, you can push messages to their device. Obviously the other person has to have push bullet installed as well.

What do you think of this solution? Was it useful for you? Please leave us a comment below and we will get back to you.

You can download the chrome extension for the app here.

Pushbullet INSTALL

 

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Moto X camera launching gestures now on all Android phones

One of the unique features of the Moto X phone was its camera launching gesture that allowed the user of the phone to twist their wrist twice in order to quickly open up the camera application. This is useful for obvious reasons but now the feature has come to other Android phones in the form of the quick camera app.

Moto X Camera gestures now available to all Android phones / © AndroidPIT

An XDA users decided that there would be demand for the service on other Android phones so an alpha version of an app called Quick Camera is now on the Google Play store and it mimics the Moto X’s intuitive gesture.

The app is simple. All you have to do is start the service. It runs in the background and it will open up the camera app if you twist your phone in quick succession. The accelerometer in the Android phone is used to register the gesture and since it is standard in nearly every Android phone this means it should work with almost any Android device on the market nowadays.

The app is in its alpha stage which is before the beta stage so it will still be buggy and will probably take up more battery life than the finished version will. If you’re interested in downloading it you can join the testing community here.

If you have a comment please leave it below and we will get back to you.

 

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Nexus 6 and iPhone 6 comparison: Android and Apple

The iPhone 6 is already here and available for purchase, but we’re still waiting for the Nexus 6 which is rumored to be released by mid-October. However, thanks to a bunch of leaks of information and some sightings of the Nexus 6 in the wild, we have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to expect.

Android and Apple. Nexus and iPhone. / © ANDROIDPIT

Design

According to the latest leaks, we know the Nexus 6 will follow the new Moto X in terms of design: the device will have a polycarbonate body, aluminum frame, and a matte rubber backside. Right now, it’s unconfirmed about whether the back will be removable to allow access to the battery and a possible microSD slot, but knowing Google’s reputation with Nexus devices lately, this is probably not likely to happen. Coming in with a 5.9 inch display, the Nexus 6 will be more in the size league of the iPhone 6+ rather than the iPhone 6.

The Nexus 6 would be a Motorola device with a 5.9 inch display. / © Android Police

Meanwhile, the iPhone 6 has an aluminum unibody and as such, has a much higher quality of design albeit being a bit heavier due to the material. Much like many iPhones, the build quality of the iPhone 6 is top notch but has been suffering from some issues with bending lately due to the size of the device in relation to how thick it is.

The unibody design of the iPhone 6.  / © ANDROIDPIT

Display

Everything is pointing towards the Nexus 6 having a 5.9 inch display with QHD resolution (2560 x  1440 pixels) which would result in a very bright and vibrant display. The iPhone 6 has a ppi of 321 and comes with a 4.7 inch display and a resolution of 1334 x 720 pixels.  While the Apple display has a tendency to make white colors appear almost yellowish, we have to reserve judgment for the Nexus 6 as we can’t say much about something we haven’t seen in person.

• Nexus 6 confirmed to have 5.9-inch QHD display

Will we see better viewing angles on the Nexus 6? / © ANDROIDPIT

System

The Nexus 6 will bring Android L to the table, much like the Nexus 5 brought Android 4.4 KitKat with it. This new version will represent a total renovation of the Google operating system with a new design, new icons, new features, and more. The iPhone 6 came package with iOS 8, something that Apple promoted as being revolutionary in terms of what it brings to the table. However, upon closer investigation, it was revealed that a lot of these “features” have been present in Android for some time.

Android L and Material Design bring significant changes to Android. / © Google

Performance

Apple hasn’t changed much on the inside with their new iPhones, so you won’t really notice a whole bunch of changes when it comes to their performance. The Nexus 6, however, is going to be bringing something new to the table for the Nexus line of devices. With the supposed Snapdragon 805 chipset and 3 GBs of RAM, you can expect a much faster device compared to the Nexus 5. Unfortunately, it looks like the Nexus 6 will be sporting the 32 bit architecture instead of moving towards 64 bit, which Apple has embraced since the iPhone 5s.  For more information, read our article on the reasoning behind 64 bit processors in smartphones.

• Nexus 6 specs look to be confirmed at last

Battery

The Nexus live of devices have never really been known for their battery life. This has been eased by the fact that we are able to install different custom ROMs and modify our usage through battery saving tips, but it still doesn’t address the issue at heart: the battery size. It is still too early to say exactly what kind of battery we’re going to find inside the Nexus 6, but hopefully thanks to the size of the device and the integration of some of Motorola’s battery specific software, we’re convinced it will outlast the iPhone 6s 1810 mAh battery.

Technical Specifications

	Nexus 6	iPhone 6
Sistama	Android L	iOS eight
Screen	5.9-inch, 2,560 x 1,440 pixels	4.7 inch IPS LCD RetinaHD 1334x750 pixels, 326 ppi
Processor	805 Snapdragon 2.6 GHz Quad core	Apple A8 2.0GHz Quad core 64bit
RAM	3 GB	1 GB
Internal Memory	16/32/64 GB	16/32/64/128 GB
Battery	-	1,810 mAh
Camera	13 MP / 2 MP	8 MP / 1.2 MP
Connectivity	LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, wifi, Qi	HSPA, LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi Hotspot, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / c, NFC (Apple Pay)
Dimensions	-	138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm
Weight	-	129 grams
Price	-	$649 (16GB), $749 (64GB), $849 (128GB)

Conclusion

Each device is targeted for a different type of audience: Apple versus Android. While the Nexus 6 might disappoint many people with how large it will be, we have a feeling that Motorola and Google are going to present something that redefines the Nexus line. The bottom line, however, will remain in seeing how this change will affect the long subsidized pricing of the Nexus smartphones. Regardless, it most likely is safe to say that the Nexus 6 will cost quite a bit less than an off-contract iPhone 6.

What are your thoughts?

 

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

Should you buy a used Android smartphone? How to avoid the scams and get the best deal

Buying a used smartphone is a great way of getting a good phone for a good price, but there are some important things to watch out for. A bargain isn’t a bargain if it doesn’t do what you want it to.

Older Android phones can still be a great buy. / © Samsung, ANDROIDPIT

If you drooled over the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Xperia Z2 but couldn’t stomach the price tag, you might want to check out the second hand market. There are lots of second hand phones out there, often because their gadget-crazed owners have upgraded to something newer and shinier. That means you can get a great phone for an even greater price, but you do need to be careful.

Buying a used Android smartphone: warranty

In most cases the manufacturer warranty expires after one or two years, and while it’s transferable to the next owner there may be conditions: for example, HTC’s Western Europe warranty for Android (PDF) says that HTC must consent in writing and that you must provide proof of purchase if you want to make any warranty claims. It also excludes wear and tear, damage from “use other than in accordance to the user manual” and use with unapproved accessories.

Buying a used Android smartphone: battery

As we all know, batteries don’t last forever and you’ll usually notice a drop in performance after a year. In the case of our Nexus 4, that drop was dramatic: after a year the battery life is measured in blinks rather than minutes or hours. It’s worth budgeting for a battery replacement when you look at a second hand phone: find out the cost for that specific model to make sure that buying second hand won’t turn out to be a false economy. Remember that even if a device has a non-removable battery, you can usually replace it yourself anyway, as you can see in our Nexus 5 battery replacement video.

Buying a used Android smartphone: best prices

Before going second hand, shop around - even a phone that’s a few months old can be massively discounted, and buying that way means you get a new battery and a full warranty. Especially just after a new flagship device replaces it. Consider refurbished phones too.

Keep an eye on other models too: for example, the current Moto G 2014 is fantastically cheap - and that’s a brand new, up-to-date KitKat device.

Don't forget about new, cheap phones such as the Moto G 2014. It's a bargain. / © ANDROIDPIT

Buying a used Android smartphone: where to buy it

We’d recommend asking friends before hitting eBay or Gumtree, and if at all possible we’d recommend meeting the seller in person: that massively reduces the risk that someone’s messing with you. Be very, very, very, very, very suspicious of online auctions: check feedback carefully, read the wording with a magnifying glass - people have been conned by carefully worded descriptions that imply you’re getting a device when all that’s on offer is its box - study the photographs and make sure the device isn’t locked to a particular network. Never do anything that would invalidate the buyer protection you get on sites such as eBay.

Buying a used Android smartphone: scams and cons

We could go on all day: phones sold that turn out to be stolen and blocked; phones that don’t work; phones that have been seriously damaged, bricked or their ports broken; phones that never arrive… Due to the comparatively high price and high demand for mobiles, any scam that’s ever been tried is currently being done with smartphones. If possible ask the seller for the IMEI number (in Android that’s Menu > Settings > About Phone > Status) and look it up on a site such as Check ESN Free. That’s a US stolen phone checker, and there are equivalent services for most other areas. As with any other online buying, trust your gut: if you have the slightest hint of a bad feeling, go with your gut and go elsewhere.

What do you think? Do second hand savings outweigh the risks?

 

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

How to block a number on the Galaxy S3

It sometimes becomes necessary to block a phone number; an annoying ex, an annoying salesperson, an annoying parent. Whatever the reason, using call rejection on Android is easy, just follow our guide for how to block a number with the Galaxy S3.

Learn how to block a number on the Samsung Galaxy S3. / © AndroidPIT

Firstly, what do we mean by "blocking" a number? Blocking a number simply means that you will be unable to receive a message, or call, from that number until you unblock it. On Android, the process of blocking a number means adding it to your “reject list”.

Please note that just because you block a number, the owner of that number could still contact you if they have other contact details of yours (such as your email address).

• How to boot the Galaxy S3 into recovery mode

How to block a number on the Galaxy S3

To begin with, tap your phone icon. This will bring you to your call logs, contacts and dialer page. From here you can choose to go to your contacts page, if you already have the number saved of the person you wish to block, or go to “logs” if it was a recent, unsaved number.

Begin by going to your phone menu and then to your call logs. / © ANDROIDPIT

• How to speed up the Samsung Galaxy S3

To block a number which does not appear in your address book, scroll through your call log until you find the number you wish to block. Tap and hold on that number and a list of options should appear. Touch “add to reject list” and you may receive a message asking if you wish to proceed. Select okay and the number will be blocked.

Find the number which you wish to block, tap and hold it, then select add to reject list. / © ANDROIDPIT

To block a number which is saved in your address book, go to your "contacts" page and find the contact whose number you wish to block; tap and hold on their name. In the menu that pops up, select “add to reject list”.

To block a number in your address book, find the contact you wish to block, tap and hold on their name and hit add to reject list. / © ANDROIDPIT

• Galaxy S3 tips and tricks

To manage your blocked numbers/reject list, press the “options” button (bottom left of your handset) while in the “keypad” tab, tap “call settings” and go to “call rejection” on the next page.

To see your blocked numbers, go to your call settings and into call rejection. / © ANDROIDPIT

From here you can toggle “auto reject numbers” on or off (this will need to be switched on for your blocked numbers to remain blocked) and you can view your list of rejected numbers by tapping the “auto reject list”. You can also add a number straight to the list from within this menu.

From here you can find your reject list, aka your blocked numbers! / © ANDROIDPIT

• How to factory reset the Galaxy S3 for improved performance

And that's all there is to it. This can be used to reject nuisance calls from sales and market research companies or from your landlord, if you so please. Let us know in the comments below if you have any other tips for blocking numbers.

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

 

Tips and tricks for the new Moto G (2014)

The second generation of the Moto G (2014) comes packed with a bunch of features that were present in the original Moto G and also brings with it a few tricks up its sleeves. We’ve selected some of our most interesting tips, most frequently asked questions, and more that will help you adapt to your brand new Moto G.

Tips for new Moto G (2014). / © ANDROIDPIT

Transfer your data with Motorola Migration

This app comes natively on the Moto G but can also be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store. Through it you can transfer contacts, call history, SMS messages, among other settings and preferences.

The Motorola Migration assistant in action. © ANDROIDPIT

Motorola Migrate INSTALL

Replace the back cover without frustration

The new Moto G has a back cover that can be swapped out with different colors to help customize your smartphone to your liking. However, this isn’t the most easy thing to do because the only opening in the frame is in the micro USB port at the bottom of the device.

Use your thumb and rest it on the center of the back of the device to gain some support and then pull up from the opening in the micro USB port with your fingernail. This will pop the back cover off easily and without worry.

Save battery

Motorola has a feature that will save you on average about 30% more on your battery life. You can enable this feature by heading to Settings > Battery. Once activated, the option will optimize the use of 3G data as well as adjust the display brightness and temporarily disable location services and GPS.

As well, disabling the light sensor will help save a bit of battery as well since it will turn of the sensor from always scanning for light conditions. Heading to Settings > Display > Brightness and uncheck Automatic Brightness.

Change the wallpaper

Sure, the wallpaper on your smartphone can say a lot about you and so you should definitely make sure to customize your Moto G with someone that screams “you!”

We recommend two of the best wallpaper applications on the Play Store which showcase some extremely stunning wallpapers available for your device.

Zedge

One of the best (if not the best) apps has several categories of static and dynamic images. One of the nice things about Zedge is that is also has free ringtones that can be used for actual ringtones as well as notification sounds for events and applications.

ZEDGE™ Ringtones & Wallpapers INSTALL

Zedge and a ton of selection of options for wallpapers.  / © ANDROIDPIT

Pattrn

Looking to give yourself a little bit of a more vintage look? Pattrn features wallpapers based on different prints and designs, ranging from lines and modern shapes to flowery prints in pastels. From retro, vintage, and more.

Pattrn INSTALL

Wallpaper selection by Pattrn / © ANDROIDPIT

Improve the sound on headphones

The Moto G comes with a sound equalizer to improve the playback of music and videos. By default, the 3D stereo audio option isn’t enabled which gives a greater amount of echoes and treble.

To turn it on, head to Settings > Sound> Audio Options and then you can disable or customize sound effects within the headphones option.

What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for the new Moto G? Be sure to share them with us in the comments below.

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com

 

Smartphone Evolution: This is the Nexus series

Every year, like clockwork, each smartphone manufacturer will pump out a brand new flagship device for people to ogle over. With this cycle and the number of manufacturers out there, it’s easy to forget what was top of the line just a few years ago. We’ll take another step back through out time machine and take a look at the evolution of the Nexus series throughout the years.

© Flas100, Shutterstock, Google, ANDROIDPIT

The Nexus series by Google is, among tech enthusiasts and Android purists, an extremely popular range of phones and tablets. Starting as a developer smartphone in the early days of Android, it has now evolved into a serious flagship device that has made its way to the mainstream. Much has happened since the introduction of the first Nexus device. We’re aware that the Nexus series goes back past the Galaxy Nexus to the Nexus One and Nexus S, but the Galaxy Nexus was the first foray into the true consumer market with proper advertising and appeal.

Galaxy Nexus

The Galaxy Nexus was the last time that Google worked on a smartphone with Samsung. With its slightly curved design and a matte polycarbonate housing with a small glimmer to it, the Galaxy Nexus was a real looker in a simple package. It was almost the last time that we saw a replaceable battery in a Nexus device, something that we sorely miss. The back of the device was made of a grippy textured plastic which felt ergonomic and comfortable in your hands.

As well, there was no microSD expansion available for the Galaxy Nexus, a decision that Google has repeatedly made with the Nexus line in an attempt to get people to rely less on insecure physical storage and more on cloud services. Because that's heaps more secure.

The Galaxy Nexus. / © Google, Samsung

Nexus 4

The Nexus 4 marked the beginning of the partnership with LG, which continued up until the Nexus 5. The Nexus 4 had a soft-touch rubberized edge mixed with a glass back that had a glitter effect (based on the Optimus G) to make it look extremely classy. With the Nexus 4, Google changed its pricing policy and began subsidizing the Nexus series of devices to offer them at a much lower price point than any of their competitors. Sales numbers are usually very hard to get from Google, but it is generally assumed that the Nexus 4 sold relatively well considering that it was constantly sold out.

In terms of hardware, the Nexus 4 was potent enough to stand up to most tests but wasn’t considered to be top of the line. Nevertheless, the Nexus 4 solidified Google’s reputation as providing a solid and affordable smartphone at an amazing price point.

The Nexus 4.  / © Google, LG

• Nexus 4 Review: How Does It Compare to the Galaxy Nexus?


• Make your Nexus 4 awesome again

Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 probably had the most hype built up behind a Nexus smartphone prior to its release. In terms of design, Google moved more towards a simplified design and provided a device that was both simple and pragmatically elegant. Its low-price policy continued and Google also decided to release a 32 GB version of the device for sale. Unlike its predecessor, the Nexus 5 was moved towards the forefront of processor power available at the time and turned this budget friendly device into a true competitor for other manufacturers.

Unfortunately, Google put a relatively weak camera into the Nexus 5 and it has plagued the device despite a few software updates to try and fix the issues. The Nexus 5 also brought with it some specific changes to Android, notably the transparent navigation and notification bar, that is now standard in the latest versions of Android.

The Nexus 5.  © Google, LG

• Nexus 5 review: the measure of all things great and small


• Nexus 5 tips: 5 essential tricks to make the most of your Google smartphone

Nexus 6

Right now, we’re holding our breath on what the latest Nexus will bring with it. While everything up until the official announcement cannot be truly confirmed, we are prepared to call it that Motorola will be behind the next Nexus smartphone. While speculation behind the latest Nexus tends to lend more credibility to it being based on the newest Moto X, everything else is still undetermined.

The possible Nexus 6, at 5.9 inches. / © Droid-Life

• Nexus 6 specs look to be confirmed at last


• Nexus 6 (Nexus X) release date, news, specs and rumors 

Specifications at a glance

	Galaxy Nexus	NEXUS 4	NEXUS 5	NEXUS 6 (TBC)
Manufacturer	Samsung	LG	LG	Motorola
Operating system	Android 4.0	Android 4.2	Android 4.4	Android 5.0
Display	4.65 inch Super AMOLED (1280 x 720 pixels, 316 ppi)	4.7 inch LCD (1280 x 768 pixels, 320 ppi)	4.95 inch LCD, Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels, 445 ppi)	5.2 inch QHD Display (2560 x 1440 pixels)
Processor	Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 dual-core, 1.2 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, Quad-Core, 1.5 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, quad-core, 2.3 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, quad-core, 2.65 GHz
RAM	1 GB	2 GB	2 GB	3 GB
Internal memory	16 GB	8.16 GB	16/32 GB	32/64 GB
Camera	5 MP (rear), 1.3MP (front)	8 MP (rear), 1.3 MP (front)	8 MP (rear), OIS, 1.3 MP (front)	12/13 MP (rear, still rumoured), 2.1 MP (front)
Battery	1750 mAh (changeable)	2100 mAh	2300 mAh	Unknown
Connectivity	HSDPA / HSUPA, Wi-Fi a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC	HSPA +, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC	LTE, HSPA +, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC	Unknown
Dimensions	135.5 x 67.9 x 8.94 mm	133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm	137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59 mm	Unknown
Weight	135 g	139 g	130 g	Unknown
Release Date	November 2011	November 2012	November 2013	November 2014

Make sure to take a look at some of our previous looks at the evolution of other smartphones:

Source fromhttp://www.androidpit.com