The new Moto X and Moto G are here!

Motorola has finally officially announced the much awaited Moto X+1 (it's official name is just Moto X) along with the successor of the highly successful budget Android phone Moto G and the first in-ear wearable Moto Hint which I won't be covering in this article.

Design

The 2 single lines on the top and bottom of the screen which were first introduced in the low-cost Moto E make their way into the new Moto X and Moto G and I have a feeling that this will have mixed  reviews from different people and will end to personal choice.

Thankfully, the bezels are thin (*coughs* HTC) and this results into a phone that will rest comfortably in your hand despite having a decent 5.2" screen. 

The Motomaker software is also available so that you can make your Moto X your own. But interestingly enough, the specs hint that the standard version will have 16 GB of storage and you will HAVE to buy a 32 GB phone if you buy it through Moto Maker. And it also looks like the wood versions will be available.

Software

Motorola has been releasing near stock Android phones for a year or so now and this phone is no exception. It comes with stock 4.4 Kitkat out of the box and I can pretty much guarantee that it will receive Android L when it comes out. Obviously, it also includes some of Motorola's apps like Assist but those don't feel like bloatware.

Camera

The Moto X was criticized for it's 10 MP shooter that under performed but Motorola seems to have solved this with a 13 MP F 2.25 rear camera which also shoots 4K video. If you were surprised that there is no LED flash at the back, you will be even more surprised to know that the flash is actually in the form of a ring around the camera. The front facing camera is a 2 MP shooter with 1080p recording.

Motorola has a unique camera LED setup which goes around the lens

Technical Specs:

Operating system: Android 4.4.4 KitKat® 

Capacity Storage (ROM) Std: 16GB; Motomaker: 32GB

Dimensions: Height 140.8 mm, Width 72.4 mm, Depth 9.97mm

Weight: 144 grams

Camera Rear camera: 13MP F 2.25 Front Camera: 2MP (1080p)

Audio

Speakers: front-facing and at bottom

Processor

MSM8974-AC 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 with quad-core CPU

RAM 2GB

Display: 5.2” (423 ppi) 1080p OLED

Corning Gorilla Glass 3

Battery: 2300 mAh

Connectivity: Wifi 80211.ac, BT 4.0 LE

USB centered at bottom

Moto G 2nd Gen

                Black variant                                                                                    White variant

The Moto G 1st edition was a great success in the USA and even a greater one in India. It was launched on February 6, 2014 exclusively on flipkart.com and the 16 GB version sold out in just 15 minutes which costed 14,000 INR (~232.5 USD) which was probably the start of an awareness of stock Android in the people of India. A similar thing happened with the Moto E and that too, was exclusively on Flipkart. Anyways, let's get started about the 2nd Gen Moto G!

There are not many changes in the design as compared to last year's model except the added bars on the top and bottom which are new also in the Moto X. So, I'll straightaway compare the specs of both the models and tell you what's improved this year.

Differences from last year's model:

• Thinner; 11 mm vs 11.6 mm.
• Bigger screen: 5 inches vs 4.5 inches.
• Heavier: 149 gms vs 143 gms.
• Lower pixel density: 294 ppi vs 329 ppi.
• Higher resolution cameras: 8 MP vs 5 MP(main) and 2 MP vs 1.3 MP(front-facing).
• Lesser battery life: I assume this because of better specs and the same 2070 mAH battery.
• Disadvantage: Same processor, RAM and GPU.

Technical specs:

Operating system: Android 4.4.4 KitKat®

Capacity Storage (ROM): SS-8GB

SIM card slot: Micro SD Card Slot

Dimensions: 70.7 x 141.5 x 10.99mm

Weight: 149g

Cameras: Rear camera: 8 MP AF, Front Camera: 2 MP

Audio: 2 Speakers: front-facing, 2 Mics

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU

RAM: 1GB

Display: 5" 720p HD

Connectivity: WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n, BT 4.0LE

USB centered at bottom

3.5mm Headset Jack

Battery: 2070 mAh

That's it guys. Let me know in the comments section if I missed anything, any ways to improve my writing or ANY other suggestion. Keep reading! :)

Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact, by the specs

Sony's knack for releasing hydrophobic and console-related devices can be seen in IFA 2014 as they release three flagship devices in different sizes. The same omnibalance design, rectangular body and dual glass protection is maintained, which seems to be the fad for Sony's mobile devices.

Sony Xperia Z3

The Sony Xperia Z3, is the fourth iteration to Sony's original flagship line-up. With its new albeit shorter six-month cycle of releasing Xperia Zx phones, Sony promises to deliver incremental upgrades to the series, and it doesn't fail to do so. 

Somehow, I disagree with their new ideology, but I find it agreeable that they stay away from the 4K-screen club because of two reasons: first, most tech critics agree that 4K resolution on small displays are not beneficial, and second, higher-resolution screens tend to be horrible battery drainers. And in case you're gonna ask, the Z3 has a Full HD (1080p) display. It is further enhanced by Sony's Triluminos display and X-reality engine, which has been the hair and skin of almost every Xperia.

Its actual dimensions put it a strand thinner on every aspect than its predecessor. Z3 has an actual dimensions of 5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 in while Z2 has dimensions of 5.78 x 2.89 x 0.32 in. Its screen diagonal is said to be 5.2 inch. But take note - the Z3's corners now have nylon caps to protect them from scratches. Come to think about it; a phone's corners are often abused since they stick out.

On the internals department, Z3 is given a small bump on the processor side. It's running on Snapdragon 801 with a clock speed of 2.5 GHz, as opposed to Z2's 2.3 GHz speed. It retains the same 3 GB RAM of memory on its predecessor; but unlike the latter, you can have the option now for a 32 GB internal storage. You can also pack a 128-GB micro-SD card for storage junkies out there. On the software side, it runs on the latest Android version, Kitkat 4.4.4. And you should have a nano-SIM card for mobile usage.

For the camera department, it is packed with Sony-crafted lens which garners a 20.7 MP count and a relatively larger 1/2.3 sensor. It can record 2160p videos at 30 frames per second, although we have yet to see its quality. A new feature makes it more useable in low-light environment - an option to increase the ISO setting up to 12 800. That seems to be a first in the smartphone department, and for comparison's sake, my Nokia Lumia 1520 tops the ISO setting at 4000 only. Another use for a high ISO setting is that it seems to take a better image of a moving object. But a word of advice: a higher ISO means grainier images. On the other hand, its front camera has a 2.2 megapixel count which can record videos at 1080p.

Let's get a little bit more on the interesting side of things. Sony claims that with its new improvements on the Z3, its 3100 mAh battery can last two days with normal usage and with stamina mode turned off. This seems to be a really interesting (and almost unbelievable) development since most of the phones that Sony released before are criticized to have low battery life (take for example the Z1 and Z Ultra). For comparison, the Sony Xperia Z1 has a Sony rating of 1.1 days while the Z3 has a rating of 2. I will reserve my compliments later once this is proven in real life, but Sony told something that can garner potential believers: their new devices have something like a 'screen cache' which stores images that are not used for too long in a cache so that the screen won't refresh every other second.

Another interesting thing is a feature borrowed from PS Vita where you can stream your PS 4 games on your devices. The Z3 (as well as the Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact) also has a native support for the PS 4 controller. For gamers out there, this could mean a difference between buying an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy Note and an Xperia Z3. As for my opinion, I don't get it why people would want to stream their games on a smaller-screen Z3 (let alone the Z3 Compact) when they already have larger screens on their living rooms. I would like to do the reverse, though.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Last year, a demand for smaller phones (those with screen size below 5 inches) with flagship qualities has been raised by certain netizens. If you will take a look at the 'Mini' series released by Samsung, LG, HTC and other manufacturers and compare it to their big brothers, these 'Mini' phones are belittled not only in size but also in the spec sheet. And so, Sony, being a different thinker, stayed away from the club and produced a super 'Mini' phone - the Z1 Compact. And now, this hell of a Mini phone has another successor.

The Z3 Compact proves not only Sony's unique thinking but also that size doesn't always matter in terms of power. Unlike its bigger sibling, the Z3, Z3 Compact was released after a nearly year-long hiatus of releasing flagship products in this size category. So definitely, a bigger difference is expected to set a Z3 Compact from Z1 Compact, but does it?

Dimension-wise, the Z3 Compact is nearly identical to the Z1 Compact. Just compare the latter's 5.01 x 2.56 x 0.34 in dimensions to the former's 5.0 x 2.56 x 0.37 in. Ironically, the Z3 Compact's screen diagonal is almost a huge bump - from the Z1 Compact's 4.3-inch diagonal, it was upped by 0.3 inches longer.

The Z3 Compact houses the same internals and camera than its big brother, so there's no need to keep things lengthy in this segment. The only difference would be the screen's True HD (720p) resolution which will prove to be easier to deal with by the processors and thus produce better performance than its big brother. See, small things do beat bigger counterparts on a few occasions!

On the battery department, it houses a smaller 2600 mAh battery. With Sony's new 'screen cache' technology and with a 720p display, we could expect that this phone can last longer than its larger sibling.

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

The second Sony tablet, the Xperia Z Tablet, proved to be a successful creation and eventually became popular in the market despite its larger size. And after a long time, Sony enters the small tablet category with flagship specs. Meet the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, (an annoyingly long name for a product which most techies have high expectations of).

Look at the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013, iPhone 5S and iPad Mini retina, Z3 and this tablet and you can see something familiar. Yes, each tablet that I have mentioned looks like bloated counterparts of the respective phone. The only difference between the Z3 Tablet Compact to its small cousin is the landscape orientation of its home screen, since phones are usually oriented in portrait mode.

Its vital statistics is 8.40 x 4.87 x 0.25 in, which says it has a very thin body (just one-fourth inch) but it is definitely larger than the Nexus 7 2013. Sony also drops the dual-glass panel and opts for a matte back. Its rear camera is also fixed at 8 MP, but it would be really awkward to capture photos with a tablet (though I still see a lot of people doing this...)

Aside from the things previously mentioned, this tablet has the same internals, same screen resolution, same front camera and other specs of the Z3 (except for the battery size). Of course, one can expect less from its name, and it is the most likely candidate for PS 4 streaming due to its larger size.

On the power department, the Z3 Tablet Compact packs a battery at 4500 mAh, which should last as long as this tablet's complete name. For references, the Nexus 7 2013 has a 7-inch screen diagonal and has a 3900 mAh. The Nexus 7 2012 has a 4050 mAh.

Final words

Sony's products seem to be very attractive, especially that Sony retains its design philosophy and other functions that are reminiscent of their earlier flagships. And it didn't stop them from providing innovations to their new products. For a better perspective of these products, we should wait for these to be actually released and tested by techies and bloggers out there. I can't wait to see reviews of their new screen technology works, since it really looks like a very good innovation.

Samsung roundup at IFA: Note 4, Note Edge, and Gear VR

Everybody knew this was coming. But Samsung managed to pull some surprises from it's bag of tricks which were, surprisingly enough, not leaked before the announcement.

Galaxy Note 4

As expected, Samsung has launched the Galaxy Note 4 at its pre-IFA 2014 event, Samsung Unpacked 2014 Episode 2. Samsung also launched a unique smartphone with a side display called the Galaxy Note Edge.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 comes with the new S Pen stylus with improved pressure sensitivity, as well as the new Smart Select feature, apart from the new calligraphy and signing pen writing options.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 runs on Android 4.4 KitKat, and features a 5.7-inch Quad-HD (1440x2560 pixel) Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 515ppi. It weighs in at 176 grams, and is 8.5mm-thick. 

The Galaxy Note 4 will be made available in 4G LTE and 4G LTE Cat.6 (LTE Advanced) variants depending on the region. The processor will be either a 2.7GHz quad-core processor, or a 1.9GHz octa-core (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-Core) processor. Both feature 3GB of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 features a 16-megapixel autofocus rear camera with Smart OIS, and a 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera with a f/1.9 lens. It comes with 32GB of built-in storage, and expandability via microSD card. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac, GPS/ Glonass, NFC, Bluetooth v 4., IR LED, USB 2.0, and MHL 3.0.

Sensors onboard the Galaxy Note 4 include an accelerometer, geo-magnetic, gyroscope, RGB, IR-LED, proximity, barometer, hall sensor, finger scanner, UV, heart rate monitor. It features a 3220mAh battery.

Samsung is also touting the Multi-Window feature available from the Recent button. 

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in Charcoal Black, Frost White, Bronze Gold, and Blossom Pink in global markets starting October.

Full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note Edge

The Note family added a second new phablet today, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. The name isn't random, the right edge of the screen folds to cover the side of the device and enable unique interactions. So, not the three-sided screen of the rumors but two sides are unique enough.

The Galaxy Note Edge is based on the Galaxy Note 4 internally, but it's the screen that makes all the difference. The folded side adds an extra 160 pixels so the resolution grows to 1,600 x 2,560 (the highest on a pocketable device yet if you keep note on those things) but it also makes the Galaxy Note Edge a bit wider than its straight-screened sibling.

Samsung has added enough smarts to the curved side that accidental touches to it are not a problem.

With the phone locked, the curved side can display the Quick Glance info (time and notifications). When you wake the screen, the side displays notifications for various features, including timer and flashlight shortcuts and even a ruler (which works surprisingly well on the curved side).

With the phone finally unlocked, the number of options grows threefold. You can keep shortcuts on the side for easy access or use the curved side for at-a-glance info (say a Twitter feed or a stock ticker). Or you can use it to enhance multitasking by switching between several screens (think virtual desktops). Event switching between the pages of the homescreen or the app drawer is also handled by the curved side.

Individual apps can put the curved side to use too, usually to keep the main screen free from clutter. Both the camera and the video player put their controls on the side so the screen is left to the viewfinder/video. Samsung will release an API to enable third-party devs to utilize the potential of the curved side as well.

As you can imagine, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge experience revolves mostly around the curved side of the screen. Beyond that it's a Galaxy Note 4 with Snapdragon 805 or Exynos 5433 chipset, Android 4.4, 16MP OIS camera and S Pen stylus.

The Note Edge has a slightly smaller battery (3,000mAh vs. 3,220mAh) and the USB port moves back to version 2.0.

Full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

Gear VR

Samsung announced its first-ever virtual reality headset, named Gear VR. It is a headset that Samsung has built in conjunction with Facebook owned VR company Oculus, and the company aims to invest more in this technology in coming time. 

So, what does it feel like to play a game or watch a movie using the headset? Here are our first impressions of Samsung's new Gear VR virtual reality headset... 

Samsung Gear VR is a pretty big gadget and consists of two parts -- the headset and the strap. The headset is big and characterized by a curvy and sloping design. You need to pop a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in the headset in order to make Gear VR work. 

On the right side of the headset is a touch-sensitive scroll pad that can be used to juggle between different functions on the screen. The volume hardware key is also located on the right. You can change the focus of the image from a scroll wheel located on the top of the screen. This feature works well even if you wear prescription glasses. 

However, if the difference in the power of both your eyes is very big, then viewing the image would be a problem as you cannot change focus separately for both eyes. 

The strap is pretty much what you would expect from a gaming headset: it sets Gear VR on your head such that it doesn't slip off. The plastic piece on strap that goes above the head is shaped ergonomically, such that it is flush with the shape of the head. 

Despite trying to make the Gear VR as comfortable as possible for the wearer, Samsung has not been able to manage the weight of the device. The headset is pretty heavy so your head would keep drooping in front when you wear it. There is no way to add weights in order to balance the weight of the device as well.

Watching a video 

Samsung demoed a video using IMAX technology on Gear VR at the launch event. You can see videos loaded on the Galaxy Note 4 on the headset, and there are a number of content companies that Samsung has partnered with for the device. You can choose content offered by Vevo, Marvel, Imangi Studios, Warner Bros etc. 

When the video started playing on Gear VR, we could see the video as it would look in an IMAX theatre. Move your head to the left or right and you will see empty seats in the virtual movie hall. Look up and you will see the ceiling. It is a very different experience compared to watching a movie on a mobile device. 

However, there is a problem, and a major one at that. Gear VR shows very pixilated videos, even though the Note 4's screen has a QHD resolution. The likely reason is that Gear VR's lenses focus on only a small portion of the screen to play the video and then magnify it up this portion only, thus resulting in a pixelated display. 

Another problem we encountered was the sound quality. The sound is delivered by the speakers of Note 4, and the headset itself does not amplify it artificially. During our demo, this resulted in low sound while watching the movie. Of course, this was in a noisy hall where around 500 people were milling about, so your real-world experience would most likely be better. 

Operating the device is pretty simple: touch the scroll pad on the side to fast forward, rewind, pause or play. Turn the volume up or down using the hardware key on the same side. 

UI which is seen inside the Oculus

Playing a game 

Playing games on a VR device is also very different from playing them on a console, PC or mobile device. You are a playable character in the game and can interact with other characters. Instead of panning over the screen once to see what's near you, on Gear VR (as well as other VR headsets) you move your head to see your surroundings. 

You can perform actions using the touch-sensitive pad on the right side, so picking up objects, moving around etc is done using this controller. 

Low audio was a problem here too, but we don't foresee any issues when you are playing a multiplayer game with friends who are also on Gear VR.

That's it guys, if you liked this article, +1 to let me know and follow me/our officiall page on Google+ to be one of the first ones to know whenever we post more awesome content like this! :D

HTC Desire 820 with octa-core 64 bit processor announced at IFA

OH.MY.GOD. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 & Note Edge, HTC Desire 820, Moto X+1 & G2, iPhone 6, Sony Xperia Z3 & Z3 Compact. Is there a record for most number of phones being released in 1 week?

Anyways, HTC announced their newest addition to their "Desire" family of phones called the Desire 820. The major standout point is it's Snapdragon 615 Octa-core 64-bit processor so that you can play Swing Copters even more smoothly! :P

This phone is a direct competitor for the Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A and LG G3 Prime in terms of specs. This phone boasts of a 8 MP front facing camera, a 13 MP BSI rear facing camera.

It has a 2600 mAH battery with a 5.5 inch screen and a resolution of 720x1280 which means that the pixel density is below average as per today's standards at 267 ppi. 

Of course, it comes with HTC Sense out of the box and also the much appreciated BoomSound speakers. The display quality and glossy plastic on the back are probably the only negatives of this phone.

Links:

HTC's Press Release

Full Official Specifications

That's all for this short article about the newest phone by HTC. If you liked this article, you can also read other articles which are listed on the right hand side or find articles that you might be interested in by using labels which are also on the right side. Also +1 this article and follow me/our official page on Google+ to be one of the first people to know whenever we post more awesome articles! (y)

Samsung Galaxy Alpha flaunts it's metal body!

The day that we had all been waiting for is finally here. Samsung today officially announced the Galaxy Alpha, its new metal touting smartphone that we have been consistently hearing about over the past few months. There have been countless rumors about its specifications and dozens of pictures leaked online but none looked better than the official press images that Samsung has released today.

As expected the Samsung Galaxy Alpha has a 4.7-inch 1280×720 Super AMOLED display, Samsung’s own Exynos octacore processor (Quad 1.8GHz + Quad 1.3GHz) with 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage (no microSD support), LTE-A support, 1860mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, 12 megapixel rear camera with 4K video recording, 2.1 megapixel front shooter and more. Camera modes include HDR, Panorama, Selective Focus, Dual Camera, Beauty Face, Virtual Tour and others.

Software features like the Ultra Power Saving Mode, Download Booster, Quick Connect and Private Mode are also present, baked into Android 4.4.4. There’s support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and USB 2.0. Sensors include an gyro, geomagnetic, hall, light, proximity, gesture and HR. An accelerometer is present onboard as well.Despite its metal build the Galaxy Alpha is just 6.7mm thick and it weighs in at 115g. The Galaxy Alpha will be released in five colors: black, white, gold, silver and blue. Samsung says that the new device will be released sequentially in more than 150 countries starting September 2014.

Conclusion:

Those of you hoping for a metal Samsung Galaxy phone that packs the latest, greatest mobile technology around will be disappointed. Its screen resolution doesn't impress, it lacks the water resistance of the S5 and the camera has been knocked down a peg. Still, it's a good-looking piece of kit and will no doubt receive a lot of love from those of you not keen on the plasticky feel of Samsung's other Galaxy phones. So for now, you have an option only between the build quality of the Galaxy Alpha and the Specs of the S5/S5 LTE-A.

So, that's it guys, hope to see you again soon. If you liked this article, please also read our other articles which are listed on the right and share it with your friends who love Android too! Also, if you want to make sure you are one of the first persons to get notified when we write more awesome stuff like this, add me in your circles, +1 or follow the blog via e-mail!

Forget the Moto 360; HP's new Smartwatch has looks to kill for!

Moto 360 was the obvious standout for the crowd in the bunch of Android Wear smartwatches and it was mostly because the Moto 360 doesn't look weird to wear in everyday use. Recently, HP has teamed up with fashion designer Michael Bastian and they have created a smartwatch design that can truly fool anybody as a "dumbwatch".

Despite their utility, smartwatches remain a geeky niche item thanks to a certain lack of je ne sais quoi. However, HP is partnering with a retailer called Gilt to build an Android and iOS compatible smartwatch that may finally tick the style box, thanks to US designer Michael Bastian. He'll take care of the design, which will feature a circular, 44mm stainless steel case and three swappable bands: black rubber, brown leather, olive green nylon and a limited edition black.

Bastian says the design cues came from luxury automobiles, namely interior features like the dashboard and trim. Meanwhile, HP will will add the watch's smart features, which will include notifications like email, text and calls, along with user controls for music and other apps. HP will also supply the software, meaning the watch may be platform agnostic and not tied to Android Wear, for instance. It'll reportedly arrive this fall, but there are no other details like the type of display, memory or pricing -- but we imagine it will be in the "if you have to ask" category.

That's all we know about the HP Smartwatch as of now. If you liked this article, you can read others listed on the right hand side or find ones in which you might be interested in by using the labels which are also listed on the right hand side. Follow me on Google+ to be one of the first ones to know whenever I write more awesome content! :)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini is Official!

They're on it. Another Samsung Galaxy S5 variant to fit another need! This time, it's a phone with a smaller screen for people who prefer it or have very small hands. Many people get fed up with the number of devices Samsung releases every year. But I am all for it. I know they look similar but that is what Samsung is aiming for, a family of phones with one for everybody. Want a brilliant camera phone? Galaxy K Zoom. Want a little rugged phone? S5 Active. A phone with specs of 2015? S5 LTE-A/Prime. This is what everything should be about: variety. If somebody likes the build quality of the M8 but wants a waterproof or a one with even an average camera, god help them. Anyways, we're here to discuss about the S5 Mini so, let's get started!

The S5 Mini is a 4.5" phone with looks very similar to the S5

The device features the same design with the textured back as the Galaxy S5, in a smaller form factor. Samsung is also bringing features that were exclusive to the Galaxy S5, like IP67 certification, Ultra Power Saving Mode, a heart rate monitor and the fingerprint scanner.

The Galaxy S5 mini features much better hardware from the last two generations of mini variants, and comes with a 4.5-inch 720p screen which has a pixel density of 326 PPI. Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core CPU, and includes 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, microSD card slot up to 64 GB, 8 MP camera at the back with LED flash, 2.1 MP front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, USB 2.0, A-GPS + GLONASS, IR blaster and a 2,100 mAh battery. The Galaxy S5 mini runs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box and comes with the latest version of Samsung's TouchWiz UX skin.

One of the major highlights of the device includes LTE Category 4 connectivity, which allows you to download at 150 Mbps. While pricing information for the handset isn't available, Samsung mentioned that the Galaxy S5 mini will be launching in Russia later this month, with other countries set to follow in due course of time. At launch, the device will be offered in four color versions: Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue and Copper Gold.

That's everything about the S5 Mini. If you agree or disagree with my opinions, feel free to post a comment in the section at the bottom. If you liked this article, +1 and follow me or our official page on Google+ by using the sidebar to be one of the first ones to know whenever we post more awesome content like this! :)

Google I/O 2014 Keynote Wrap-up: Must Read!!

I/O happened! I am pretty sure all the Android enthusiasts around the world would have watched the I/O either via live stream or in a viewing party. Let's get started!

Firstly, Sundar Pichai, VP of Android, gave an overview of advancement in the technological world. P.S.: I don't know if many people noticed, but he was wearing a Moto 360!

Google is so far the only company that talks about 30 day active users. If they talked about just installations, the numbers would double or triple. These were some common stats given but the fun began now!

Android Silver = Android One

The LONG rumored Android Silver was announced at I/O in the name of "Android One". The concept is that Google will partner with manufacturers to provide them stock Android and hopefully every device will get software updates STRAIGHT from Google. This is very similar to Google Play Edition devices. They gave the example of a Micromax phone and 3-4 other manufactures from India. (+1 if you are Indian!)

Android L Developer Preview

Old Gmail app and new Gmail app

One apk for all form factors

Heads Up was officially announced received an UI overhaul 

New Recent Apps in Android L

This I/O, Google announced the Developer Preview for Android L and the full version will be announced later this year, hopefully with a Nexus 6.

It looks like they still haven't named the OS and for now, they are teasing us by calling it "L".

There are 5000 new APIs in Android L and a major UI overhaul, one like going from Gingerbread to ICS.

Next, Wolverine gave us a look at Material Design (:P). Material design is a new design language at Google that aims at giving pixels not only width and height, but also depth. Material design is the rumored Quantum paper. They have also update the Roboto system font.

The lockscreen now shows notifications below the clock. The best current example of this is Dashclock. Dashclock is a lockscreen widget that gives you options to add extensions for certain apps.

Motorola implemented a feature called "Trusted Bluetooth Devices" last year with the Moto X. It basically means that if a trusted bluetooth device is connected with your phone, it will not ask you for a password. Google added this feature in Android L, but on steroids. If you have an Android Wear smartwatch and you are wearing it, the phone will not ask you for a password, but as soon as you give your watch to someone else, your phone gets protected.

All this is awesome but the standout for me this year is Project Volta. Project Volta aims at improving battery life by limiting the times that radio signal wakes up your phone.

Android Wear

Android Wear was officially announced a while ago but now, the first devices, namely the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live are up for pre-order on the Play Store with shipping starting from July 7th. Read more about Android Wear and a comparison of both the devices here and here.

Android Auto

Android Auto is kind of like the central entertainment/GPS system in your car. The SDK for development is released if anybody wants to develop for this platform. The concept is similar to CarPlay by Apple but it has Google Now instead of Siri and Google Maps instead of Apple Maps ;) It's very simple to use: you plug your phone in via a cable and then you can receive and initiate calls and text messages or listen to music. It is basically Google now on your car dashboard.

Android Auto will start shipping out in cars before the end of 2014 (YES) in over 40 manufacturer's cars.

Android TV

If I had to give the shortest description possible: Android TV is a chromecast built into your TV with gaming support. But I don't have to give a short desciption, do I? :P

Android TV has a beautiful UI and if you read my previous article about what to expect from I/O this year, you would know that I was super excited for this. Android TV connects via Wi-Fi to the internet to give you Play Movies and TV on your TV. You can control Android TV with a controller, your phone or your Android Wear smartwatch (Kudos, Google).

Android TV does everything the Chromecast can do, including casting local media or your device's screen onto your TV. It will come built into select TVs starting from 2015 with all major TV makers like LG, Samsung and Sony, Sharp, etc.

Chromecast improvements

Massive increase in Chromecast usage

Tutorial showing casting without being in the same Wi-fi network

Chromecast is a winner as it is but Google improved it even more this I/O. Your Chromecast can now connect to Android L devices without being in the same Wi-fi network. It uses supersonic waves to achieve this.

Backdrop lets you cast your Google+ photos in the background

The photo stream of Chromecast from Google is beautiful but now with the Chromecast app, you can choose to have a slideshow of your personal Google+ photos.

Screen mirroring via Chromecast app

Supported devices for screen mirroring

Chromecast now also supports mirroring your Android device. And I'm glad to tell you that with Android L, you just have to swipe down from your notifications and press on "Cast Screen". It's as simple as it gets!

Chromebook

Incoming calls

Text messages

Battery low warning

If you have connected your Chromebook with your Android L device, any incoming calls or messages will also be seen on the Chromebook and it's a super awesome feature!

Apart from this, Google Drive now offers unlimited storage to enterprise customers for 10$/user/month in the celebration of 190M 30 day active users.

That's all for this I/O wrap up guys, I hope you liked it! If you did, check out my other articles listed on the right or you can find the ones you might be interested in by using the labels. Follow me or our official page on Google+ to be one of the first to know whenever we write more awesome content! :)