MWC 2014 Barcelona, Spain – GSMA the group behind the Mobile World Congress awarded the “Best Smatphone” to HTC One breaking the winning streak of Samsung (Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3). HTC One is favored over Galaxy S4 – Samsung’s 2013 flagship and other smartphone manufacturer like SONY, LG and among others.

HTC launched a mid-range phone in MWC 2014 with their Desire 816 while they are preparing for their big event this March 25 in London. We might be able to see the second generation HTC One. The HTC One is one beautiful mean beast and it’s one of the few Android devices with Aluminum body. Personally my vote goes to HTC One as well versus Galaxy S4 and Xperia Z. My top three Android phone of 2013.

HTC is also updating the HTC One to Android 4.4 Kitkat in all its variant.

After the debut of Android 4.4 KitKat like few days ago Google release the Android 4.4-r1.2 KRT16s  KitKat. This is a bug fixes update. The old build KRT16o was removed all through out and replaced by build KRT16s. To date many are still waiting for an OTA update and seems the KRT16s will be pushed for all devices instead of KRT160 to Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 10.

List of Factory images (KRT16s) and can be use to flash your device to Android 4.4-r1.2.

Nexus 5 “hammerhead”(GSM/LTE)
Nexus 7 “razor” [2013] (Wi-Fi)
Nexus 7 “razorg”[2013] (Mobile)
Nexus 10 “mantaray”
Nexus 4 “occam”
Nexus 7 “nakasi” [2012] (WiFi)
Nexus 7 “nakasig”[2012] Mobile

Instructions

You will find these files useful if you have used the Android Open-Source Project, flashed custom builds on your device, and wish to return that device to its factory state.

In order to use these files, you need to have the fastboot tool in your PATH. That tool is compiled as part of every configuration of the Android Open-Source Project and is the tool used to flash custom builds on your device. On GNU/Linux systems, this also implies that you have configured USB access as mentioned in the machine setup instructions.

Your device needs to be in fastboot mode, with the bootloader unlocked. The relevant key combinations and commands are documented on the page about building for devices.

You need to uncompress each download before use, which creates a new directory for that exact download. That directory contains a./flash-all.sh script, which handles the various operations, installs the necessary bootloader, baseband firmware(s), and operating system. Note that this operation deletes all user data by default. – Google Developer

Image Credit: TechnoBuffalo

Today Google released the Android 4.4 KitKat for Nexus 4 device. I tried to restore my device to stock and lock its bootloader to get OTA but so far my device is not included in the OTA update but there is way on how to install Android 4.4 KitKat to Nexus 4 manually via Factory image.

Google posted the Factory image to their repository and at the time of this writing I am downloading the 345MB Android 4.4 KitKat.

How to Install Android 4.4 KitKat to Nexus 4:

How to flash a factory image (to not have it wipe your device, see Step 7):
Step 1 - Download Android 4.4 Factory Image (occam-krt16o-factory-75ccae7a.tgz) for the Nexus 4 on your PC, if you haven’t already.
Step 2 - Connect your Nexus 4 to your computer using the USB cable.
Step 3 - Please make sure Fastboot is configured and properly installed on your computer.
Step 4 - Turn OFF your phone.
Step 5 - Get into the Fastboot/Bootloader Mode on your phone by using the key combo.  (Hold Volume + & Volume – & Power On)
Step 6 - Now extract the downloaded file anywhere in your computer. Go to the folder then copy/paste all the files to your Fastboot directory.
Step 7 - From the factory image files in your Fastboot directory, do the following depending which OS you are on:

Edit the flash-all.bat file and remove the wipe command (-w) if you do not want it to wipe your device. (thx kzoodroid)

On Windows: Run the file “flash-all.bat”.
On Mac: Run the file “flash-all.sh” using Terminal.
On Linux: Run the file “flash-all.sh”.

Step 8 - Now wait and watch as the process is completed.
Step 9 - Done!

Download Nexus 4 Android KitKat Factory image: 4.4 (KRT16O)

Credit: XDA Forum

The CyanogenMod Installer App is downloadable via PlayStore, after you install this app you can apply rooting and download of CM ROM to your device. CyanogenMod is compatible in more than 180 devices both smartphone and tablet. Check the link I provided for the complete list of the device supported by the CM ROM.

Download CyanogenMod Install App below:

The criminal, Juan Perez-Gonzales was caught by the Kentucky State Police after he drove the 18-wheeler truck to a telephone pole. Bizarre as it may sound, the cargo was still in the truck and as per the report, still contained most or all of Smartphones – some $12 million in all.

It is also possible that Perez-Gonzales was not alone when he car napped the truck, but investigators revealed that they haven’t been successful in locating Perez-Gonzales’ accomplices.

He is now facing theft raps with a dash of receiving stolen property and leaving the scene of an accident. The cargo will, in time be returned to its proper owner but will first be used as evidence.

Via: AndroidPolice

Also in the news is a Google+ event, which is probably a hint of things to come – a highly straight to the point concept that heightens our expectations before the great announcement of the Nexus 5, the Android KitKat, the Nexus 10 and the Gem Smartwatch.

Leaks of the supposed Nexus 5 were recently spotted in an LG distribution warehouse in Canada where boxes upon boxes of the 5 were seen. Reports also said that there are some 30,000 of these babies scattered across the country and it is quite evident that the box that comes with the LG’s latest flagship Smartphone is as good as it gets.

Well, not that awesome as that of the S4, but it’s all fine and dandy on my end.

I am, as a confirmed fan of the Nexus 5 going to update and confirm to you guys, the somewhat legitimate specifications of the device:

• Display: 4.95 inches with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 at 1920×1080 (445ppi)
• Camera: 8 megapixel (rear, with OIS), 1.3 megapixel (front)
• Operating System: Android 4.4 KitKat
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
• 2.3GHz Wireless Dual-Band
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
• 16/32 Internal Memory
• RAM: 2GB

Pretty convincing, eh? Begin the countdown.

L’Expansion reports that Google recently acquired French company FlexyCore for 16.9 million Euros or roughly around $23 million. This was then confirmed by the Search Engine giant but the amount paid wasn’t disclosed by the company and further added that they have been working on a deal with the Gilbert Cabillic founded optimization company and finally sealed the deal earlier this month.

Based in Rennes, France, FlexyCore’s primary products was to “optimize Android for carriers and manufacturers” although they directly went on to sales with DroidBooster, an application that was removed from the Play Store.

A French Google rep also suggested that the company has been absorbed by Google which indicates that both companies are already striding on the right foot.

What do you think of the Nexus 5? Are you getting one! Share your thoughts by commenting below.

In a previous report by Google, October is D-Day for the Android KitKat to be rolled out on some of our devices. But just like the other new updates before the 4.4, not all devices will be able to get their gears on the latest OS. This may be somewhat a boo for most of us, but it likely to come down on Google delivering KitKat now, and others will be one the “soon to follow” list. Don’t be dismayed, people: Google’s generous enough to hand us a bite.

For the most part, Nexus devices are the first in line to get the Android 4.4 KitKat and this includes the:

• Galaxy Nexus
• Nexus 4,
• Nexus 7 2012 edition
• Nexus 7 2013 edition
• Nexus 10

Also in line to get the update (note: this handsets have the highest probability to get the KitKat soon after the first batch are done) will be the following:

• Samsung Galaxy S4,
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
• Galaxy Note 3,
• LG G2,
• LG G Pad,
• Sony Xperia Z, Z1, Xperia ZL and Z1 Ultra,
• HTC One and One Mini and lastly, the
• Moto X.

Is your device included in the list? If so, watch out for the official roll-out. If not, keep your eyes and ears peeled for the next update.

Another day, another Nexus 5 leak.

Aren’t we all just excited to see and hold the LG-D821 and come to think of it, leaks are just hyping our nerves should the real thing arrive anytime in the next few months. As for us here at PinoyDroid, we just can’t wait and, in all honesty wait for those hints of the device. (Yes, we’re that anxious)

The latest link – given by an anonymous tipster – is the supposed Service Manual of the LG Nexus 5 and, well, slaps us with the technical makeup and a much closer closer look at the device. Also with this are the diagram, flowcharts, line drawings and more.

Tech specs of the LG Nexus 5 below:

• IPS TFT 4.95″ 1080p display
• 32GB internal storage
• 2GB RAM
• MSM8974 aka Snapdragon 800 at 2.3GHz
• 8MP OIS rear camera, 1.3MP front camera
• 2300mAh battery
• Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity/Ambient Light, Pressure
• Slimport compatibility
• Micro SIM slot
• Notification light
• Wireless charging
• NFC
• Bluetooth 3.0 (OR 4.0 as per the docs)
• UMTS/GSM/CDMA/LTE compatibility

The document also depicted the Nexus 5 to have the same dimension as that of its predecessor, the Nexus 4.

These are not the EXACT manual that will go with the Nexus 5 (more likely a draft) but at least someone was generous enough to poke our imaginations again