Xperia T and V firmware certified (9.2.A.0.276); could it be the 4.3?

A new firmware update is now certified for Xperia T (LT30p, LT30a) and Xperia V (LT25i) with build number 9.2.A.0.276. The previous version of firmware update is 9.1.A.1.145, so it could be the major update. 

Sony says the 4.3 update should begin to roll out in December, however there's only one more day in December, so the update will likely start to roll out in January 2014. The update for Xperia TX (Xperia T for some markets) hasn't been certified so far, but we'll keep you posted.

Via I Be sure to follow us on Twitter so you don't miss any updates from us.

LG's L-series II handsets to get 'Knock' feature via maintenance update

LG announced on Sunday in Korea that its premium feature called 'Knock' (formerly known as 'KnockON') will be standard for other new and future handsets. KnockON is a feature that allows user to easily wake the device from sleep. KnockON makes its first debut on LG G2, where the volume button is located on the back of the device, so users can easily wake the device with double-taps.

After G2, this feature also exists on the LG G Pad and G Flex, all have power button on the back, so user can easily turn his/her device on from sleep with double taps.

Now, all the LG Optimus L Series II phones (L7 II, L5 II, L3 II single-SIM and dual-SIM versions, and maybe other L Series II phones that is not listed, even the power button is not located on the back of the device) reported to get the Knock feature via maintenance update in January.

Here's the full press release report:

SEOUL, Dec. 29, 2013 — LG Electronics (LG) announced that its popular Knock feature (formerly known as KnockON) will be included as a standard feature in the company’s key mobile devices in the future while its line of L Series II smartphones will receive Knock through a global Maintenance Release upgrade starting in January 2014. 

Knock was first introduced in LG G2 as a convenient way to turn the smartphone on and off by tapping twice on the display since the power button was located on the back of the phone. Then Knock was featured in a tablet for the first time with the LG G Pad 8.3 followed by the G Flex curved smartphone which also shared the rear button design of the G2. The reaction of audiences to this new feature was so positive that a version for LG’s best-selling L Series II was developed to offer the feature to as many customers as possible.  

"Knock is distinctively an LG UX and a great example of what happens when you marry the latest in mobile technology with consumer-centric insights,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics’ Mobile Communications Company, “No one ever thought that a power button needed to be improved until our engineers wondered why they couldn’t turn the entire screen into a power button.”

Source: LG I Via
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HTC give us a closer look behind the Android updates

Today, HTC releases an information about behind the scenes in making an update. Here's the process:

• Step 0: Evaluation
• Step 1: Development
• Step 2: Integration
• Step 3: Certification
• Step 4: Push to customer

To see the full process, take a look about the picture below. Click the picture to enlarge.

Source

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Android Jelly Bean 4.3 Update now rolling for Xperia Z, ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z

Last Monday, we're telling you that the Sony Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra got the Android 4.3 update. On Tuesday, we got a news that the Android 4.3 update with build number 10.4.B.0.569 for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z has been certified by PTCRB. And today we want to tell you that the Android 4.3 update for Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z starts to rolling out.

According to Sony Mobile News, the update brings some new features and some improvements. 

• Android 4.3, of course; bringing UI improvements and a smoother graphical experience
• Sony Smart Social Camera (Timeshift burst, Info-eye, Social live, AR effect) are now on the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z 
• Sony's pre-installed apps updated to the latest version; Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, and Sony Select
• Xperia themes; downloadable UI theme packs from Sony Select
• Some new feature (or some enhancements in the section) called Xperia in Business
• Sony's power management app updated to the latest version
• Sony's Media apps (Album, Movies, and WALKMAN) with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration
• Increased user control feature for Xperia Tablet Z; now has restricted profiles; option to create isolated, secure spaces with individual local storage, home screens, widgets and settings.

The update availability may vary by country and carrier. Sony also confirmed that other Xperia smartphones will get this Android 4.3 update. (What do you mean by 'other'?)

Source

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Motorola Moto G gets Android 4.4 KitKat

The Motorola Moto G starts to receive Android 4.4.2 KitKat starting today. You do get the update if

you bought the Moto G from Motorola.com or Amazon.com in the US. The KitKat will rolled to other carriers and countries soon as well. Let us see what's new:

• Android 4.4.2 KitKat, of course; bringing some enhancements such as restyled status and navigation bars, a new full screen mode, color emoji support, improved closed captioning support, astronger security, smarter power use, and more tools and capabilities for better app development;
• Improved the phone dialer app; ability to look up contacts directly from the dial pad, see and tap frequent contacts, and search your corporate directory easily;
• Enhanced 'touch-to-focus' option; a new circular, on-screen control that can be dragged by your finger around the viewfinder to adjust the photo's focus and exposure;
• Added support for printing photos, Google Docs, Gmail messages, and other content via WiFi, Bluetooth, and hosted services like Google Cloud Print and HP ePrinters;
• Added new photo editing options to the Gallery app including new filter effects, draw on your photos, advanced cropping, and adjustments to color, exposure, contrast and more;
• Incorporated a new version of Google Hangouts that supports integrated SMS/MMS messaging; and
• Added support for Square credit card reader.

You can read more in the source link. You can also read some additional information at the Official Motorola Blog.

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Nokia Lumia 1020 AT&T gets Lumia Black software update

The AT&T version of the Nokia Lumia 1020 receives a Lumia Black update starting today. The update, according to Nokia Lumia 1020 US support page, bringing some new features:

• Daily delighters: lock the screen rotation, close apps easily in the app switcher, use custom ringtones for messaging and mail, among other things
• Update to Nokia Camera that combines Nokia Smart Camera and Nokia Pro Camera. Available from the Store app.
• Get the latest version of Nokia Glance Screen – see quick status notifications, for example, about calendar and messaging events on the lock screen.
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE – preserve energy while staying connected via Bluetooth
• Get enriched camera performance, enhanced battery monitoring, and other stability and usability improvements

You can check updates manually by entering Settings> Phone Update> Check for Updates.

Have fun with the latest software update!

Via MNB.

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Is this the Windows Phone 8.1 notification configuration setting?

Few days ago there are many rumors saying that the WP 8.1 will feature notification center and quick access settings. But, today WMPoweruser got a screenshot (via an anonymous tipster) showing the customization menu of the notification center. Well, some people are not sure that this is real (they think that this is fake) because there are three dots in the picture (in the bottom right, near the 'Messaging> On' panel) and a 'banner' option. What do you think?

(Source)

Android 4.3 software update certified for Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z

A few days ago we've just reported that the Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra are getting Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. However, looks like the other Xperia Z series device are getting this Android version. A new firmware upgrade for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, and Xperia Tablet Z has been certified in the PTCRB with 10.4.B.0.569 build number. It means that this upgrade will be rolled as fast as possible. 

Certification link:

Xperia Z (C6602 I C6603 I C6606)

Xperia ZL (C6502 I C6503 I C6506)

Xperia ZR (C5502 I C5503)

Xperia Tablet Z (SGP321)

Xperia Z C6603 Certification screenshot

Windows Phone 8.1 may launch in April, will reveal some new features

A report shows that the WP 8.1 will launch in April next year at the Build Developer conference. 

According to TheVerge, two new features that this update brings are the notification center and a Siri-like Cortana personal assistant. The notification center will displayed at the top of the display and can be revealed by swiping down the panel from the top of the screen. 

Read more here.

Nokia Camera beta app brings support for more Lumia smartphones

The Nokia Camera app is the app that mixes the Nokia Smart Cam and Nokia Pro Cam app, first appearance in Lumia 1520 and 2520. Now, the pre-release of the app called 'Nokia Camera beta' has updated with its latest version. The latest update now supports all Nokia Lumia WP8 devices (Lumia 520, 521, 620, 625, 720, 810, 820 and 822) along with stability improvements. 

If you want to download and try the app, sign in to your Nokia account or sign up if you don't have one and click this link. You can give feedback about the app there. Note that your phone must be updated to Lumia Amber and Lumia Black update. More info can be found here and here.

Sony rolls out Jelly Bean 4.3 update for Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra

Sony has rolled out the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update to is Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra smartphone starting today. Let's take a closer look about what's new:

- The Android Jelly Bean 4.3, of course; bringing some UI improvements
- Social live, Info-eye, Timeshift burst, AR effect are now available on Xperia Z Ultra
- Sony's WALKMAN, Album, and Movies app are now with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration
- New 'Xperia Themes' app, offers downloadable themes
- Updated some Sony apps (Sony Select, TrackID, Sony Small Apps, and messaging)
- Some improvements on 'Xperia in Business' section

The timing and availability may vary by your country/carrier.However, the update on other devices are still 'around the corner', so stay tuned for updates.

Source

Update: The build number of the update is 14.2.A.0.290. This update also fixed the bootloader camera bug 

WP8 Skype app gets updated (2.13.0.290); new features and improvements

Skype for Windows Phone 8 has also dropping an update. According to the 'What's new?' tab, this updates brings new features. These features are:

- New copy & paste feature in instant messaging section.
- Faster start-up time.
- New 'high contrast' mode.
- Various bug fixes and improvements.

If you want to update your old Skype app to a newer version, go here.

Google updates his Gmail app to version 4.7, bringing new features

Google has rolled out the new Gmail app update (version 4.7 - 941620). This updates brings few new features. 

These new features are:
1. Gmail now can send any file as an attachment in the mail. Previously, you can only attach picture and video files.
2. Gmail now can download ZIP files.
3. Gmail adds auto-respond messages. If you're taking a vacation, you can send an auto-responder saying that you're on vacation.
4. New 'printing' feature, on KitKat.
5. With Project Svelte, Gmail now runs smoother on lower-memory devices.

You can update your old Gmail app to a newer version by clicking here.

App screenshot (via Phandroid):