Yeah I just coed a spiegen joint today on amazon it should be here Friday.
Essential Official Android Thread
Yeah I just coed a spiegen joint today on amazon it should be here Friday.
The download booster is hilariously fast. Lol.
It's a good camera that could have been better if it had OIS. But nonetheless I haven't had any problems with it. My pics have come out more than decent.
Notorious 1 E.Y.E.
Superstar
Yo. Anyone know why the 4 isn't usb3.0?
only things i've done is download themer and changed the theme/launcher cuz i dont like the regular app tile look
and downloaded batteryguru for battery optimization.
Immortalized Outlaw
THE GENERAL
Nexus 6 is an Android Silver product
I went back to read the Android silver rumor report and everything lines up with the nexus 6. It doesn't matter what its called at the end of the day but its just interesting. The information said this "Google is gearing up for a major effort to spur development of premium Android smartphones and re-assert control over the Android ecosystem as it seeks to better compete with the Apple iPhone and blunt the growing power of Samsung, the leading maker of Android phones. The expensive effort involves dumping the four-year-old Google Nexus phone brand in favor of a new program called Silver, under which manufacturers and wireless carriers will effectively be paid to produce and sell high-end devices that closely adhere to Google specifications, according to four people briefed on the project. The requirements sharply limit the number of non-Google apps that can be pre-installed on devices, or mandate that phone owners be able to uninstall them. [An update on the Nexus program, which is continuing, can be found here. An update on Android Silver"
A Nexus with OEM customization
The Nexus 9 is a traditional Nexus looking device with a LED notification. A nexus device with no LED notification. It has Tap to wake and active display along with always listening. The key give away is that it looks like a Moto X 2014. What finally made me believe that this was android silver was because are they are promoting Android and not the Nexus line on TV and all over the web. The Nexus is not even out yet or Android L. Nexus ads were specific to google services. They are connecting Android One, Nexus, and Android in general etc with one ad campaign. Android One is the exact same thing as Android silver. Time will tell for certain.
"To qualify for Android Silver status, a handset must "run the latest version of Android with no or very limited customizations," (emphasis ours) and only 5 such handsets will be selected by Google for Silver status at any given time. These devices will not be sold by Google, however - at least not exclusively - this campaign is aimed squarely at carriers."
Android L has a new NFC device setup and Device-2-Device Account Transfer and Device Backup To Google Drive
"Carriers must also help all Android Silver customers set up their devices with a Google account, assist in migrating their data from an old device, and complete the first Google Play purchase for the customer (presumably to acquaint users with the idea and process of spending money on Play).Migrating data from an old device would seem to be a goal similar to what Motorola's done with Migrate - customers must be able to pick and choose what they wish to transfer, and Google is demanding a "nothing-slips-through-the-cracks" guarantee, along with a process that completes in under 5 minutes. This would probably lead one to believe Google is actively working on its own data transfer app specifically to meet those goals."
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...t-transfer-new-authorization-techniques-much/
I went back to read the Android silver rumor report and everything lines up with the nexus 6. It doesn't matter what its called at the end of the day but its just interesting. The information said this "Google is gearing up for a major effort to spur development of premium Android smartphones and re-assert control over the Android ecosystem as it seeks to better compete with the Apple iPhone and blunt the growing power of Samsung, the leading maker of Android phones. The expensive effort involves dumping the four-year-old Google Nexus phone brand in favor of a new program called Silver, under which manufacturers and wireless carriers will effectively be paid to produce and sell high-end devices that closely adhere to Google specifications, according to four people briefed on the project. The requirements sharply limit the number of non-Google apps that can be pre-installed on devices, or mandate that phone owners be able to uninstall them. [An update on the Nexus program, which is continuing, can be found here. An update on Android Silver"
A Nexus with OEM customization
The Nexus 9 is a traditional Nexus looking device with a LED notification. A nexus device with no LED notification. It has Tap to wake and active display along with always listening. The key give away is that it looks like a Moto X 2014. What finally made me believe that this was android silver was because are they are promoting Android and not the Nexus line on TV and all over the web. The Nexus is not even out yet or Android L. Nexus ads were specific to google services. They are connecting Android One, Nexus, and Android in general etc with one ad campaign. Android One is the exact same thing as Android silver. Time will tell for certain.
"To qualify for Android Silver status, a handset must "run the latest version of Android with no or very limited customizations," (emphasis ours) and only 5 such handsets will be selected by Google for Silver status at any given time. These devices will not be sold by Google, however - at least not exclusively - this campaign is aimed squarely at carriers."
Android L has a new NFC device setup and Device-2-Device Account Transfer and Device Backup To Google Drive
"Carriers must also help all Android Silver customers set up their devices with a Google account, assist in migrating their data from an old device, and complete the first Google Play purchase for the customer (presumably to acquaint users with the idea and process of spending money on Play).Migrating data from an old device would seem to be a goal similar to what Motorola's done with Migrate - customers must be able to pick and choose what they wish to transfer, and Google is demanding a "nothing-slips-through-the-cracks" guarantee, along with a process that completes in under 5 minutes. This would probably lead one to believe Google is actively working on its own data transfer app specifically to meet those goals."
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...t-transfer-new-authorization-techniques-much/
Last edited:
How Android TV Is a (Video) Game Changer
Since the early days of the video game industry, consoles have ruled the home. Companies like Nintendo, Sega, Sony and Microsoft thrived by building closed ecosystems that developers could creates games over the course of five to 10 years before a new, more powerful box entered the market and the cycle began all over again. But ever since the introduction of smartphones from companies like Apple, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Google and Amazon, video game creators have flocked to these powerful mobile devices and an entire ecosystem of small and independent development studios have flourished (also in part thanks to the digital distribution networks on new consoles from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft).
In recent years, this marriage between smartphone (and tablet) and the traditional game console has resulted in micro-console devices like Ouya, Mad Catz M.O.J.O., Nvidia Shield and Amazon Fire TV. With Google’s entry into this space this fall with Android TV, game developers will be able to create cross-platform experiences that will begin to compete more directly with the traditional console manufacturers. Chris McKillop, Android TV engineering manager, explains how this new technology could forever change the game.
What are your thoughts on the speed at which new technology from companies like Nvidia has impacted the gaming capabilities of Android smartphones and tablets?
McKillop: It’s incredible. The latest generation of GPUs in Mobile SoCs are now at or exceeding those of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. When the PS3 originally launched, Android was still nearly two years away from a 1.0. It’s not going to take long for the mobile chipsets to catch up with the current fourth-generation systems (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One).
How have you seen mobile game experiences advance over the years on Google Play?
Mobile game experiences have made big strides on Google Play. Android is all about the ecosystem, and moving an ecosystem forward happens over time. It started with the NDK in 2009 and now with the upcoming Android Extension Pack for PC class gaming in L release. I don’t see any limit to what game developers can bring to Android. As the broader handset and tablet space start having CPUs and GPUs that can provide great high definition gaming, there is a big incentive for developers to be on Google Play.
What opportunities has Android opened up for game developers, especially smaller teams?
There are a lot of small shops (sometimes just one developer) doing great work. Since Google Play Store has such a quick turnaround time for developers to publish updates and new games, it makes it easier for smaller shops to have a bigger impact. Another element is free-to-play gaming.
How do you see Android TV impacting the current video game ecosystem, which is tiered separately (for the most part) across mobile, console and PC games?
Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to discuss this with game developers across all three of these spaces. Mobile developers are excited to have more screens running Android. I don’t think we know yet exactly how the console players will come to the space but, as Android TV grows, it’s a question that will have to be answered. We have some ideas, and I’m excited about the next couple of years as they come to life.
What differentiates the big-screen gaming experience from the mobile experience today?
Input system and power. Mobile experiences are almost always touchscreen-based and battery operated. Once you hit the living room, developers are going to see gamepads and remote controls, and the systems will be plugged into a wall so the chipset can run faster for longer. For some developers, it will be the first time they have had to think about non-touch gaming. For others, it will be like going back in time. Prior to the upcoming L release, Android hadn’t set down a standard for button mappings and how Gamepads should work. This made it really hard for developers to target controllers, so they either did one-off development for a single brand or just ignored controllers altogether. Android TV will give them a reason to get controllers working, and this will translate directly to controller gaming on phones and tablets. That’s the power of a single platform across all form factors.
How do you see micro-consoles like Android TV changing that?
Android TV is much more than just a system for micro-consoles, it’s all about bringing Android to the big screen in your living room — either built into your TV, cable STB, media streamer or micro-console. Having a standard platform for all of these devices is going to have the same impact in the living room that having a standard platform for mobile devices has had on the mobile industry since 2008. It’s going to be a big win for developers and consumers and raise the overall expectations of everyone involved.
How have you worked with Nvidia on Android TV?
We have worked very closely with Nvidia (they are at the heart of the ADT-1). The folks at Nvidia really “get” gaming and gamers — it’s in their DNA. They have helped us work with game developers, as well as optimize graphics performance on the developer devices we gave away at Google IO. We also work with GPU vendors across the industry, including Qualcomm ARM, Intel, etc.
What does Tegra K1 technology open up for video game experiences?
It brings third-generation console and PC-class gaming to mobile and small living room devices. We did a demo with Nvidia and the folks at Epic Games with Unreal Engine 4 at Google IO to show off what’s going to be possible.
How do you see game developers creating titles across mobile devices and Android TV when it comes to the touchscreen versus physical controller?
In an ideal world a game should operate both ways equally. Since the physical controllers for Android TV devices will also work with phones and tablets, the investment for developers will be across all devices. Most of the games on the Preview Play Store for Android TV are the same ones you install on your phone or tablet. I can see a lot of kids carrying a tablet and two gamepads to school next year.
How does technology like Unreal Engine 4 open up new opportunities for cross-device and cross-platform gaming experiences?
When a game developer invests in something like Unreal Engine 4 for the core of their experience, it broadens the market they can address with a lower incremental cost. Couple this with a system like Google Play Games Services, and you can really do some fun things with cross-platform, multi-device and multi-user gaming.
How do you see the actual gameplay experiences evolving with the ability to play on the road and then continue on the big screen at home?
Most games have a cloud-based solution, like Play Games Services, for save game state so you don’t lose your progress if you get a new phone. Since we are using the same core platform for Android TV, all the same technologies continue to work. Developers love that if you buy a game on your TV, it’s installable on your phone and vice-versa. You will see us investing heavily in these sort of cross-device experiences going forward.
One of the current challenges facing game developers on Android is the sheer number of different devices. How do you see a unified platform like Android TV making things easier for developers to focus on creativity versus ports?
We have CPU and GPU performance requirement built into the Android TV spec. We want game developers to know that even on the low-end devices they are going to have room to play. There will always be devices that perform well beyond these specs, and there will always be game developers that want to take advantage of those capabilities when they are present. This looks a lot like the PC gaming space, and it is a model that has worked well for years. I think game developers are going to be pretty happy with this approach.
Given the speed at which we’ve seen technology, including the Tegra line of chips, advance over the last few years, how do you see more advanced and complex games impacting the traditional console business dominated by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo?
Technology always ends up disrupting existing industries. You just need to look at the mobile space and compare the big players in 2006 with the big players in 2014 to see this in action. I don’t think that the living room will be any different, but it’s impossible to predict the winners and losers. Let’s look back in five to six years.
How have you worked with actual game developers in creating Android TV?
We started reaching out to select game developers almost a year ago and disclosed our plans with close partners. We also worked closely with Nvidia and their existing Nvidia Shield developers to get their apps ready for a non-touch world. Probably one of the best parts of building Android TV has been how positive and supportive the various game developers have been around our efforts. Android has an incredible Developer Relations team that is filled with avid gamers.
Since the early days of the video game industry, consoles have ruled the home. Companies like Nintendo, Sega, Sony and Microsoft thrived by building closed ecosystems that developers could creates games over the course of five to 10 years before a new, more powerful box entered the market and the cycle began all over again. But ever since the introduction of smartphones from companies like Apple, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Google and Amazon, video game creators have flocked to these powerful mobile devices and an entire ecosystem of small and independent development studios have flourished (also in part thanks to the digital distribution networks on new consoles from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft).
In recent years, this marriage between smartphone (and tablet) and the traditional game console has resulted in micro-console devices like Ouya, Mad Catz M.O.J.O., Nvidia Shield and Amazon Fire TV. With Google’s entry into this space this fall with Android TV, game developers will be able to create cross-platform experiences that will begin to compete more directly with the traditional console manufacturers. Chris McKillop, Android TV engineering manager, explains how this new technology could forever change the game.
What are your thoughts on the speed at which new technology from companies like Nvidia has impacted the gaming capabilities of Android smartphones and tablets?
McKillop: It’s incredible. The latest generation of GPUs in Mobile SoCs are now at or exceeding those of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. When the PS3 originally launched, Android was still nearly two years away from a 1.0. It’s not going to take long for the mobile chipsets to catch up with the current fourth-generation systems (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One).
How have you seen mobile game experiences advance over the years on Google Play?
Mobile game experiences have made big strides on Google Play. Android is all about the ecosystem, and moving an ecosystem forward happens over time. It started with the NDK in 2009 and now with the upcoming Android Extension Pack for PC class gaming in L release. I don’t see any limit to what game developers can bring to Android. As the broader handset and tablet space start having CPUs and GPUs that can provide great high definition gaming, there is a big incentive for developers to be on Google Play.
What opportunities has Android opened up for game developers, especially smaller teams?
There are a lot of small shops (sometimes just one developer) doing great work. Since Google Play Store has such a quick turnaround time for developers to publish updates and new games, it makes it easier for smaller shops to have a bigger impact. Another element is free-to-play gaming.
How do you see Android TV impacting the current video game ecosystem, which is tiered separately (for the most part) across mobile, console and PC games?
Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to discuss this with game developers across all three of these spaces. Mobile developers are excited to have more screens running Android. I don’t think we know yet exactly how the console players will come to the space but, as Android TV grows, it’s a question that will have to be answered. We have some ideas, and I’m excited about the next couple of years as they come to life.
What differentiates the big-screen gaming experience from the mobile experience today?
Input system and power. Mobile experiences are almost always touchscreen-based and battery operated. Once you hit the living room, developers are going to see gamepads and remote controls, and the systems will be plugged into a wall so the chipset can run faster for longer. For some developers, it will be the first time they have had to think about non-touch gaming. For others, it will be like going back in time. Prior to the upcoming L release, Android hadn’t set down a standard for button mappings and how Gamepads should work. This made it really hard for developers to target controllers, so they either did one-off development for a single brand or just ignored controllers altogether. Android TV will give them a reason to get controllers working, and this will translate directly to controller gaming on phones and tablets. That’s the power of a single platform across all form factors.
How do you see micro-consoles like Android TV changing that?
Android TV is much more than just a system for micro-consoles, it’s all about bringing Android to the big screen in your living room — either built into your TV, cable STB, media streamer or micro-console. Having a standard platform for all of these devices is going to have the same impact in the living room that having a standard platform for mobile devices has had on the mobile industry since 2008. It’s going to be a big win for developers and consumers and raise the overall expectations of everyone involved.
How have you worked with Nvidia on Android TV?
We have worked very closely with Nvidia (they are at the heart of the ADT-1). The folks at Nvidia really “get” gaming and gamers — it’s in their DNA. They have helped us work with game developers, as well as optimize graphics performance on the developer devices we gave away at Google IO. We also work with GPU vendors across the industry, including Qualcomm ARM, Intel, etc.
What does Tegra K1 technology open up for video game experiences?
It brings third-generation console and PC-class gaming to mobile and small living room devices. We did a demo with Nvidia and the folks at Epic Games with Unreal Engine 4 at Google IO to show off what’s going to be possible.
How do you see game developers creating titles across mobile devices and Android TV when it comes to the touchscreen versus physical controller?
In an ideal world a game should operate both ways equally. Since the physical controllers for Android TV devices will also work with phones and tablets, the investment for developers will be across all devices. Most of the games on the Preview Play Store for Android TV are the same ones you install on your phone or tablet. I can see a lot of kids carrying a tablet and two gamepads to school next year.
How does technology like Unreal Engine 4 open up new opportunities for cross-device and cross-platform gaming experiences?
When a game developer invests in something like Unreal Engine 4 for the core of their experience, it broadens the market they can address with a lower incremental cost. Couple this with a system like Google Play Games Services, and you can really do some fun things with cross-platform, multi-device and multi-user gaming.
How do you see the actual gameplay experiences evolving with the ability to play on the road and then continue on the big screen at home?
Most games have a cloud-based solution, like Play Games Services, for save game state so you don’t lose your progress if you get a new phone. Since we are using the same core platform for Android TV, all the same technologies continue to work. Developers love that if you buy a game on your TV, it’s installable on your phone and vice-versa. You will see us investing heavily in these sort of cross-device experiences going forward.
One of the current challenges facing game developers on Android is the sheer number of different devices. How do you see a unified platform like Android TV making things easier for developers to focus on creativity versus ports?
We have CPU and GPU performance requirement built into the Android TV spec. We want game developers to know that even on the low-end devices they are going to have room to play. There will always be devices that perform well beyond these specs, and there will always be game developers that want to take advantage of those capabilities when they are present. This looks a lot like the PC gaming space, and it is a model that has worked well for years. I think game developers are going to be pretty happy with this approach.
Given the speed at which we’ve seen technology, including the Tegra line of chips, advance over the last few years, how do you see more advanced and complex games impacting the traditional console business dominated by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo?
Technology always ends up disrupting existing industries. You just need to look at the mobile space and compare the big players in 2006 with the big players in 2014 to see this in action. I don’t think that the living room will be any different, but it’s impossible to predict the winners and losers. Let’s look back in five to six years.
How have you worked with actual game developers in creating Android TV?
We started reaching out to select game developers almost a year ago and disclosed our plans with close partners. We also worked closely with Nvidia and their existing Nvidia Shield developers to get their apps ready for a non-touch world. Probably one of the best parts of building Android TV has been how positive and supportive the various game developers have been around our efforts. Android has an incredible Developer Relations team that is filled with avid gamers.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/1...ilable-for-the-2013-wifi-nexus-7-and-nexus-5/
The new images have build number LPX13D and should be API-complete. That means developers will get the chance to test their Lollipop-compatible apps on something that closely mirrors the final version of Android 5.0. If you're flashing from KitKat, you definitely want to do the full wipe. You could maybe get away with keeping data intact coming from the L preview, but no promises.
You're looking at a few hundred megabytes, and you can download them below. The Google developer site is acting a little funky right now, so the links there might not work just yet. but we have direct links that will work.
Quick instructions on flashing:
adb reboot bootloader
Unpack the .tgz file
Run flash-all.bat (Windows) or flash-all.sh (Mac)
Note: if you don't want to wipe data, then edit the script and remove "-w" from fastboot -w update image-hammerhead-lpx13d.zip
The new images have build number LPX13D and should be API-complete. That means developers will get the chance to test their Lollipop-compatible apps on something that closely mirrors the final version of Android 5.0. If you're flashing from KitKat, you definitely want to do the full wipe. You could maybe get away with keeping data intact coming from the L preview, but no promises.
You're looking at a few hundred megabytes, and you can download them below. The Google developer site is acting a little funky right now, so the links there might not work just yet. but we have direct links that will work.
Quick instructions on flashing:
adb reboot bootloader
Unpack the .tgz file
Run flash-all.bat (Windows) or flash-all.sh (Mac)
Note: if you don't want to wipe data, then edit the script and remove "-w" from fastboot -w update image-hammerhead-lpx13d.zip
Immortalized Outlaw
THE GENERAL
Getting tired of t mobile not updating note 2, yes I know
every US carrier had theirs months ago. I was thinking of getting
the note 4 but now I am not sure with Tmob.
every US carrier had theirs months ago. I was thinking of gettingthe note 4 but now I am not sure with Tmob.