Skype will go through your Android address book

MICROSOFT'S SKYPE DIVISION has announced the latest version of its Android Skype client.

Skype for Android 5.0 is a major release that introduces a proactive scan of contacts to find others who use the service and list them as contacts.

This will raise concerns for some people about privacy, however Microsoft is keen to assure us that this is not an issue. On the Skype blog, Pierre-Eric Jacoupy told users, "As we add this new feature to Android, we remain dedicated to making sure you're in total control of your Skype experience.

"In your settings, you can easily choose whether you want your address book contacts to be automatically added to Skype or not. And don't worry, your number will not be a public part of your profile. You can modify the phone number associated with your account or deactivate it completely, if you don't want to be found by your phone number."

As well as trawling your phone's directory, the new Skype for Android will also search within your Microsoft account, covering contact lists in Outlook.com and its predecessor Hotmail.

At the moment, Android is the only operating system with this feature, however Microsoft said that it is planning to introduce it to other versions soon.

Last week Microsoft introduced free group video calling to Windows and Mac users, but this feature is yet to arrive on Android. Android users shouldn't feel too downhearted, however, as the uptake of video calling in its first half century has been slow.

First iPhone 6 Clone is Out, Runs on Android

It only takes a few leaks of different iPhone 6 parts and you've got a clone. The Chinese makers made sure to include all the icons from iOS 8 to make the device look realistic. 

 

French website Nowhereelse.fr has posted 16 photos of a seemingly identical to an iPhone 6 device. The phone is working just fine and it has the looks and some of the feel of the Apple gadget, but it runs on a modified version of Android OS, just like all the other clones. 

 

According to the source of this story, the clone was made using technical designs, industrial models and the back casing was copied after the rear shell of the iPhone 6 that was smuggled out of the Chinese manufacturing plants working with Apple. 

 

This is a common practice among Chinese knock-off makers, but they usually do not come out with devices before Apple releases the new iPhone. That would be because they want to make sure they can fool more customers into buying the clones and they need to copy every single detail from the original. 

 

This clone even has a Touch ID ring around the home button, but the people who got their hands on this device did not specify if it actually works as a fingerprint reader. 

 

The iPhone clone came out with all the default apps that the original has: Messages, Calendar, Photos, Camera, Weather, Clock, Maps, Videos, Notes, Reminders, Stocks, Newsstand, App Store, Passbook, Compass, Settings, Phone, Mail, Safari and Music. 

 

There's also a YouTube app that doesn't usually come with the operating system and another icon with an "S" on it. The phone doesn't have a lightning port connector, but a microUSB and the flash on the back is not a dual one. Also, the back camera protrudes from the case.

 

The Settings.app has less menus than the ones on iOS. The missing ones are Personal Hotspot, Carrier, Wallpapers & Brightness and Touch IS & Passcode. 

 

A redesigned version of iPhone is expected early fall 2014. The new Apple flagship phone is rumored to come out in two different models - a 4.7-inch diagonal display and a 5.5-inch one. So far, we have seen parts made for what looks like the 4.7" model. They all came from the Chinese manufacturers that are currently under contract with Apple - Pegatron and Foxconn.  

Android bug leaks your location via WiFi

YOUR ANDROID DEVICE could be telling the world where you are and where you've been.

According to a report by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a vulnerability introduced in Android 3.1 Honeycomb means that anyone can use your WiFi connection to get a coherent overview of your location and travels.

Preferred Network Offload (PNO) is a service within Android that allows the phone to search for and connect to WiFi networks, even while the screen is switched off. The result is reduced battery consumption and lower data usage, however it comes at a price.

A device with PNO activated that isn't connected to a WiFi network can be intercepted by anyone within WiFi range. The hacker can then read a list of the last 15 WiFi networks (SSID) that the device has last connected to. This will include public WiFi hotspots with plain English names to which the service has connected but not actually logged in, for example "Pub Chain - Croydon" or "Tommy's Coffee Public WiFi".

Putting that information together, along with saved private WiFi credentials, creates an eerily accurate map of the phone's movements.

Although most chains anonymise their SSIDs to a generic name, such as the name of the provider - for example, The Cloud - or the chain - for example, Starbucks - the MAC address is also shown and therefore is traceable with a bit of extra digging.

A Google spokeman told the EFF, "We take the security of our users' location data very seriously and we're always happy to be made aware of potential issues ahead of time. Since changes to this behaviour would potentially affect user connectivity to hidden access points, we are still investigating what changes are appropriate for a future release."

In the meantime the EFF, which recently launched a lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) for withholding information about zero-day security flaws, suggested disabling the PNO feature under advanced WiFi settings, acknowledging that it might cost a bit more in data charges and battery life, but it also warned that not even this worked on some handsets, citing US-only Motorola phone the Droid 4 as an example.

At present, the recently announced Android L mobile operating system is still under development, so we might yet see a fix in the final release

Behind The Wheel With Google's Android Auto

We'll see Google cars on the road a lot sooner than expected — they just won't be driving themselves.

Google unveiled Android Auto on Wednesday, a new version of the company's operating system built specifically for car dashboard displays.

The new software links to the driver's Android device, then uses the dashboard monitor as an interface for drivers and passengers to operate familiar apps and features such as Maps, Spotify, and voice calls. The driver can control the screen using touch; there's also a voice recognition button on the car's steering wheel.

"In many ways, our cars keep us connected to the physical world around us," Patrick Brady, Director of Android Engineering, said at Wednesday's Google I/O keynote, "but they remain disconnected from our other devices in our digital lives."

The push into auto-focused software makes a lot of sense for Google. Americans spend more than 25 minutes each way on average driving to and from work. That's a lot of time to be away from your always-on mobile device.

Brady claims that 25% of accidents in the United States are caused by gadget use behind the wheel. Android Auto requires the user to plug their device into the car, and then go hands-free — a safer solution than looking down at your phone to pull up directions or make a call.

The connection isn't wireless, which is somewhat surprising considering the prevalence of Bluetooth technology. But the physical connection does two things. It forces drivers to put their phones down, and it also creates a more reliable connection between phone and automobile.

Once the phone is plugged in, a home screen pops up on the dashboard. The screen features five main tabs, such as Google Maps and Google Play Music.

With Maps, users can tap the button on the screen or steering wheel, say their destination out loud, and the software will automatically determine the best route and begin the navigation process. This automation limits the need to fumble with buttons on the screen, a Google spokesperson told Mashable.

With music, Google's default player is Google Play Music, but the software supports other popular music apps like Spotify and Pandora, too. Drivers can tap the voice recognition button on the steering wheel and say a command — such as "Play Katy Perry on Spotify" — to pull up their music on the go.

The main home screen also offers a button intended to reveal mechanical information about the car, such as when you last changed your oil. The spokesperson said Google is working with manufacturers to determine what information can be shared, but the technology could offer drivers a safer driving experience by instantly identifying issues like a burnt out taillight or a leaking tire.

Safety appears to be a major focus for Google with Android Auto. Voice search, for example, returns audible answers through the car speakers instead of appearing on the dashboard — another way to keep people from looking at a screen while driving.

An auto version of Android offers major benefits for Google.

There's a wealth of information available in your car, it simply needs to be tapped.

There's a wealth of information available in your car, it simply needs to be tapped. The data includes where you drive, what you listen to, what you search for while driving. It's a glimpse into you as an individual, but also car owners in general.

Bringing Android to the car also generates more user loyalty. AsWired points out, you own a car a lot longer than you do a phone. If your car runs Android, there's less of a chance you'll switch to iOS on your next contract.

Android is far from alone in the connected car space. Apple also offers an in-car iOS experience known as CarPlay, and traditional manufacturers like BMW have their own systems as well. Android Auto simply benefits drivers who use an Android mobile device.

The Android Auto announcement wasn't a complete shock. Google hinted at the news in January when it started the Open Automotive Alliance, a collaboration between tech and automative companies to bring safer technology to cars. Manufacturers such as Ford, Chrysler and Volkswagen have since joined the organization. (Apple and BMW have not.)

There's no date yet for when Android Auto will hit the road — although Google said at the I/O keynote to expect the technology in actual cars by the end of the year. A SDK for developer apps was also announced; that is not yet available either.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to rival LG G3 with 5.7in qHD screen

SAMSUNG REPORTEDLY will challenge the LG G3 with its next Galaxy Note smartphone, which looks set to feature a 5.7in qHD screen.

LG has been keen to boast that the 5.5in 2560x1440 resolution dislay on the LG G3, which features 548ppi pixel density, is the best on the market. However, the smartphone's title might be short-lived, as leaked documents have revealed that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will also have a qHD screen.

According to the documents seen by Gsmarena, the Galaxy Note 4 will boast a 5.7in 2560x1440 resolution display, meaning that the LG G3 won't be the only qHD smartphone available. However, LG's offering likely will remain the sharpest of the two, as if the rumours are true, the Galaxy Note 4's screen will feature a lower pixel density of 512ppi.

That's not all we know about the mooted Galaxy Note 4 phablet. There's also talk that the Galaxy Note 4 will be available in two versions - one curved and one flat - although the flexible model likely will only be available in Samsung's home country of Korea.

The Galaxy Note 4 is also likely to arrive running the latest version of Android - be it Android 4.4 Kitkat or version 5.0 by the time the smartphone debuts - and will come with support for Samsung's S Pen stylus. There's also talk that the phablet will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chip, a 4K camera and, much like the Samsung Galaxy S5, resistance against dust and water.

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Note 4 in September at the IFA technology show in Berlin, and we'll be there to bring you all the latest.

Sony unveils 7mm thick Xperia T3 with 5.3" screen and LTE

Sony unveiled "the slimmest 5.3-inch phone," the Xperia T3. It measures 7mm thick, not the thinnest ever but still impressive for a mid-ranger of this class. It shares a lot of similarities with the Xperia T2 Ultra, but is more compact.

The Sony Xperia T3 has a Triluminos IPS display with 720p resolution. The screen has an average 277ppi pixel density and Bravia Engine 2.

The frame is built following the traditional OmniBalance design with a metal frame that's exposed on the sides. The back is a matte plastic in one of three colors: white, black or purple.

The new 5.3" smartphone runs Android 4.4 KitKat on a Snapdragon chipset with a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU, 1GB of RAM and Adreno 305 graphics. It has 8GB of built-in memory (5GB user available), which is expandable by microSD cards of up to 32GB.

The camera department boasts an 8MP Sony Exmor RS sensor with 1080o video capture and Sony's usual camera extras like Superior Auto, AR effects, Steady Shot stabilization, Social live (live streaming to Facebook) and tracking autofocus. The front-facing camera is a 1.1MP / 720p shooter.

The Sony Xperia T3 has rich connectivity for a mid-range device, starting with the usual 2G/3G, LTE Cat. 4 for up to 150Mbps download speeds, Wi-Fi with Miracast and DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and A-GPS.

Leaked Samsung Galaxy F image shows brushed metal back

A couple of days ago evleaks posted an image of what someone claimed to be the Samsung Galaxy F (variously known as Galaxy S5 Prime and S5 Dx). That was a small, grainy image that didn’t reveal much, but this new image gives us a much cleaner look.

Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy F looks almost exactly like the Galaxy S5, except the perforated leather look has given way to a brushed metal back. The "leather" is just plastic, of course, but then again LG used a metal-looking plastic for the LG G3 and it looks and feels pretty great.

The Samsung Galaxy F (G906) will have a slightly bigger screen – 5.2" – than its non-premium sibling and it will bump up the resolution to QHD. It will allegedly be powered by a Snapdragon 805 chipset and have faster LTE connectivity (225Mbps).

It was imported in India for testing and certified in its home country, but despite rumors for a June release there's no solid info on when the new flagship will launch. The only official Samsung event this month is on June 12 and is for the new Galaxy Tab S tablets.

Android 4.4.3 now available to all Google Play Edition phones

T-Mobile was the first to unleash the official Android 4.4.3 KitKat update on its Nexus (4,5,7) lineup. Then Motorola begun updating the Moto X, Moto G and Moto E.
Today the entire Google Play Edition phone lineup has been treated to Android 4.4.3 KitKat. The OTA firmware is available for HTC One, HTC One (M8), Samsung Galaxy S4 and Sony Xperia Z Ultra. There is no info on the LG G Pad 8.3 slate, but we bet it will be getting it very soon if not already.
The owners of Nexus devices outside T-Mobile are still waiting on the over-the-air update although Google has already release the official factory images. We guess Google should take care of this soon too.
Android 4.4.3 is a minor update bringing a refreshed UI in the Phone app, plus critical bug fixes, stability and performance improvements.

Microsoft smartwatch to rival Samsung Gear Fit with 'always-on' heart rate sensor

MICROSOFT REPORTEDLY will be the next firm to enter the growing wearables market, with speculation claiming that its unannounced smartwatch will be the first to work with iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices.

Forbes claims to have got the scoop on Microsoft's first smartwatch, having heard from its anonymous sources that the device will sync with iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, and will be the first to feature an always-on heart rate monitor.

Microsoft's Kinect division reportedly has developed the sensor, which reportedly will track a user's heart rate continuously over the court of a day, unlike the Samsung Gear Fit, for example, which requires users to switch the feature on.

"The device will draw on optical engineering expertise from Microsoft's Xbox Kinect division to continuously measure heart rate through the day and night," claimed Forbes' sources.

While it will get one-up on Samsung's Gear Fit with its always on monitoring feature, it apparently will look quite similar to the fitness focused wearable, touting "a full colour touchscreen about half the size of a stick of gum". However, bizarrely, Forbes notes that the screen will be positioned on the inside of the wearers' wrist, aimed at making it easier and more private for users to view notifications.

There's no release timeframe provided for the rumoured smartwatch, but Forbes suggests it could arrive as early as this summer, with a two-day battery life.Apple's rumoured iWatch is set to debut around the same time, with a circular watchface like the Motorola 360.

Microsoft declined to comment on the speculation, with a spokesperson saying, "We have nothing to share."

However, this isn't the first we've heard about a Microsoft smartwatch, with reports earlier in May claiming that the firm has filed a patent for a "Wearable Personal Information System". This filing suggests that as well as an always-on heart rate monitor, the device will also track a user's calorie intake and other health statistics.

It is also thought the unnamed device will feature, again like the Gear Fit, a detactchable screen that can be dismounted and attached to a charging dock, while ex-Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is said to head up the project. 

Best Free Racing Games for Android

Racing games are loved a lot by all age groups around the world. Previously we used to have playstations, controllers, game boy and other hardware devices.

Now, we are in Android Era where we can do anything right on our smartphone. It goes with us everywhere so, if you are waiting for the bus or travelling in bus or train you can play these games for time pass and entertainment. We are presenting a collection of Top 10 Free Android Racing Games.

1. Drag Racing

Drag racing is one of the best car racing game developed by Creative Mobile Games. It is available for free at Android App Store. This game has a lot of stylish and amazing cars like  iconic Skyline GT-R, a classic 69′ Mustang or BMW M3 .

This racing game has virtually every sport car that you would love to drive. Make the right balance between power and grip. Use nitrous booster to add more fun. Challenge your friends in the game, compete with them and beat them. It has the real fun.

You can also join team to discuss strategy and share your achievements. There are various game modes for beginner and amateur.

Download Drag Racing

2. Asphalt 8: Airbone

This is a wonderful Arcade car racing game developed by Gameloft. You can perform high speed racing stunts in an intense driving experience powered by a brand-new physics engine.

There are 47 new high performance cars for you to drive from top manufacturers like Lamborghini Veneno, Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari FXX and Pagani Zonda R. Race in 9 different settings, such as Venice, French Guiana, Iceland, the Nevada Desert and other exciting locations.

Download Asphalt 8: Airbone

3. Fast Racing 3D

Fast Racing is a very exciting 3D racing game brought to you by Doodle Mobile Ltd. Experience the most exhilarating 3D racing action. It includes a number of amazing stunts, high quality graphics with addictive game play.

Don’t miss the chance to drive amazing cars, with astonishing physics, beautiful tracks and surroundings etc. You can upgrade and customize your vehicles. Earn cash rewards to unlock new cars.

Download Fast Racing 3D

4. Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3 features high quality visuals. You can get the game for free from Google Play. However, there are some in-game purchases that you may disable. Drive Real Racing’s largest roster of cars from top manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti, and Audi.

Compete in over 1500 events, including Cup races, Eliminations, Endurance challenges, and Drag Races. Upgrade and customize your car for maximum performance.

Download Real Racing 3

5. CSR Racing

CSR Racing is a popular racing game developed by NaturalMotionGamesLtd. CSR Racing combines stunning, high-fidelity graphics with addictive gameplay and stunning multiplayer head-to-head competition to create a new type of racing experience.

Take your garage collection and beat your friends with incredible precision racing. Upgrade your car turbos, engine stages, racing tires and other things to increase its performance. Make a statement with custom license plates, custom paints and original custom decals.

Download CSR Racing

6. GT Racing: Motor Academy Free+

GT Racing has the richest gaming stimulation ever and it is available for free. The game has 26 manufacturers and 111 licensed cars to buy, drive and upgrade.

Each of the car provides realistic driving stimulation. It will help you master your gaming and driving skills. Play against drivers from all over the world with local and online multiplayer for up to 6 players.

Download GT Racing Motor Academy Free+

7. Hill Climb Racing

Meet Newton Bill, the young aspiring uphill racer. He is about to embark on a journey that takes him to where no ride has ever been before. With little respect to the laws of physics, Newton Bill will not rest until he has conquered the highest hills up on the moon.

Face the challenges of unique hill climbing environments with many different cars. Gain bonuses from daring tricks and collect coins to upgrade your car and reach even higher distances.

The game features a number of stylish vehicles with unique upgrades, numerous stages, Cool graphics and smooth physics simulation and many other interesting things.

Download Hill Climb Racing

8. Fast and Furious 6: The Game

The Game takes mobile racing to new heights with stunning graphics, new game modes, addictive online races and exciting ride or die missions. An exciting and challenging racing game for your Android.

Collect, customize and upgrade a variety of high end licensed cars.

Download Fast and Furious 6

9. Raging Thunder 2

Raging Thunder 2 will take you through abandoned temples, tropical beaches, snow-covered mountains, the Great Wall and a range of other breathtaking vistas the world over. You will like its beautiful visuals.

Download Raging Thunder 2

10. Beach Buggy Blitz

Drive your hot-rod beach buggy as far as you can into the uncharted depths of a mysterious tropical island. Swerve and smash through a gorgeously detailed and completely destructible world packed with Tiki statues, grass shacks, giant crabs, lava monsters and even yetis.

Explore the sun-swept beaches, the secret caves, fog-shrouded swamps, ruined temples and erupting volcanoes in this action-packed quest of discovery and mayhem. It is a truly exciting game for all age group racing game lovers.

Download Beach Buggy Blitz

Which is your favorite racing game? Share your experience with us. If you think some other racing game should be a part of this list then please let us know in comments.

Nokia launches first Android phone

Nokia is targeting emerging markets with three low-cost smartphones that use Google‘s Android operating system rather than the Windows Phone software from Microsoft, which is about to buy Nokia’s handset business.

Nokia will ditch many of the Google services that come with Android and use instead the Microsoft services such as Bing search, Skype communications and OneDrive file storage. Its home screen sports larger, resizable tiles resembling those on Windows phone.

“More and more people are buying smartphones for less that 100 euros,” Stephen Elop, Nokia executive vice president, said Monday as he presented the new phones at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. “That sub-100 range is a massive opportunity for us. According to analysts, it will grow four times as fast as rest of smartphone market.”

Once the No. 1 maker of cellphones, Nokia has been struggling to keep up with the iPhone and devices running Android. And even as competition intensifies for high-end smartphones, Nokia has been hit by competition from cheaper made by Chinese and other Asian companies.

The Nokia X is on sale immediately for 89 euros ($122). The Nokia X+ will cost 99 euros and the Nokia XL will cost 109 euros, with both going on sale in early March.

The Nokia X and X+ both have 4-inch screens, but the X+ offers an SD card. The XL has a 5-inch screen and a better 5-megapixel camera. The one on the X is 3 megapixels.

Elop said all three phones will be “available broadly around the world, starting in growth markets.” The aim is to make the Nokia X a bridge to high-end Windows smartphones under the Lumia brand.

They won’t be available in the U.S., Canada, Korea and Japan in part to avoid competing with Lumia phones, which cost hundreds of dollars in the U.S. without subsidies from phone carriers.

Elop said that despite the use of Android, Nokia remains committed to Windows and Microsoft, which is buying Nokia’s phone business and patent rights in a 5.4 billion euro ($7.3 billion) deal expected to be completed next month.

Timo Toikkanen, Nokia’s executive vice president for mobile phones, said Nokia went with Android in part because of the greater availability of apps, particularly those tailored for local markets. He said the aim is to lure customers who wouldn’t have bought a high-end Windows phone anyway, but might have gone for a rival Android offering.

In a blog post, Microsoft said it is pleased that the new devices will include Microsoft’s services, as it “provides the opportunity to bring millions of people, particularly in growth markets, into the Microsoft family.”

Nokia announced two even cheaper phones on Monday, also expected to go on sale in early March:

- The Nokia 220 is meant as a starter phone for 29 euros ($40). It will have Facebook, Twitter and some games already installed, but users won’t be able to add apps.

- The Asha 230 will offer more options for apps. The 45-euro ($62) phone is meant for people who are not yet ready for the Nokia X. It comes with a touch screen, but lacks the power and versatility found in smartphones.

For a first-time smartphone experience, Nokia Corp. is pushing the Nokia X. Because it uses Android, it will be able to run most Android apps. However, app developers may have to tweak some of their software because the phone doesn’t have key Google services.

For instance, location services will have to be designed for Nokia’s Here mapping software rather than Google Maps. In-app payments will have to be tweaked to allow billing through mobile carriers rather than credit cards, which many people in emerging markets lack.

Both the Asha and the Nokia X will have a feature called Fastlane. It remembers your favorite apps and services and offers quick access, along with recent notifications, on a single screen that is one swipe away from the home screen.

Google, Audi to announce in-car Android plans next week

Google has big plans to put Android in cars, and will start by announcing a tie-up with Audi at CES 2014 next week, according to the WSJ. Its sources said that Android will power an in-car entertainment system for that automaker, which will run on hardware built directly into the car rather than your smartphone. The collaboration will also involve NVIDIA, and such a system would give you access to the same navigation, entertainment and communication functions available on your handheld device. Audi recently announced LTE for select models, and a recent report from EE Times suggested that Google's had the automotive space squarely in its sights since Apple announced its iOS in the Car initiative supported by BMW, Daimler and others. We'll remain skeptical until we see a product demo, but it would be more surprising if Big G didn't do something with car companies to stymie its arch-foe.

Google rebuilds Android camera base for better photos

Want a better camera on your Android device? Google does, too.

For that reason, the company has overhauled the mobile OS's plumbing. Google has built deep into Android support for two higher-end photography features -- raw image formats and burst mode -- and could expose those features so that programmers could tap into them, the company said.

Evidence of raw and burst-mode photos in the Android source code surfaced earlier in November, but Google has now commented on the technology. Specifically, spokeswoman Gina Scigliano said the support is now present in Android's hardware abstraction layer (HAL), the part of the operating system that handles communications with a mobile device's actual hardware.

"Android's latest camera HAL (hardware abstraction layer) and framework supports raw and burst-mode photography," Scigliano said. "We will expose a developer API [application programming interface] in a future release to expose more of the HAL functionality."

An API means that programmers would be able to use the abilities in their own software. Google already uses burst mode on the Nexus 5 smartphone's HDR+ mode, capturing multiple photos in rapid succession and merging them into a single high-dynamic range photo.

Hardware still matters a lot for a smartphone's photographic capabilities. But a better software foundation could mean Google's mobile OS becomes more competitive, especially if programmers choose to tap into the full data that Android makes available.

Image-processing pipeline
In modern digital photography, a camera consists not just of the lens and image sensor but also image-processing hardware and software that's used to generate a photo. That includes options for features such as noise reduction, the elimination of unpleasant color casts, correction of lens problems, and combination of multiple photos into a single shot with a better balance of bright and dim areas.

All that image processing points to big changes in store for Android-based photography. The more advanced hardware abstraction layer means that Google will let programmers write more sophisticated camera apps that make more of the underlying data.

Such processing begins with the raw image-sensor data and typically produces something more convenient like a JPEG-format photo. Many photography enthusiasts, however, prefer to make the image-processing decisions themselves with software such as Apple Aperture or Adobe Lightroom, and Google's approach could make that more feasible. Raw photography on mobile phones is arriving with Nokia's Lumia 1520 and 1020, two Windows Phones models.

Raw photos, typically an option only on higher-end cameras, offer more flexibility and image quality than JPEGs, but they also require manual processing that makes them inconvenient. For photo enthusiasts, the hassle is often worth it. Nokia chose to package its raw data in Adobe's openly documented DNG format, a move that makes it easier for those writing image-processing software. Scigliano wouldn't comment on Google's file-format plans for raw data.

Google also isn't willing to commit to a schedule for delivering its new API so that third-party software will be able to use the new Android camera foundation. The company said only that it'll ship "in a future release."

Burst-mode basis
Google's plans for a more advanced camera API should allow more sophisticated photos once it's exposed so that apps besides Google's built-in Nexus 5 camera app can take advantage of it.

"The core concept of the new HAL and future API is centered around burst-mode photography," Scigliano said. "The basic idea is instead of taking a single shot with a given set of parameters, you instead have the power to queue up a request to take multiple shots each with different parameter settings such as exposure gain. The camera subsystem captures a the burst of shots, which can be subsequently post-processed by the application layer."

Google's description of Android's new mechanism for handling camera hardware goes into more detail.

The first Android camera hardware interface "was designed as a black box with high-level controls," not something that exposed much detail to apps. Some expanded capabilities arrived with version 2, which was in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but it wasn't set up for detailed app control, either.

The bigger changes came with version 3.0 and 3.1, which are designed to "substantially increase the ability of applications to control the camera subsystem on Android devices," the documentation states. "The additional control makes it easier to build high-quality camera applications on Android devices that can operate reliably across multiple products while still using device-specific algorithms whenever possible to maximize quality and performance."

For example, the new camera subsystem "results in better user control for focus and exposure and more post-processing, such as noise reduction, contrast, and sharpening," and makes it easier for programmers to tap into a camera's various functions.

Better Nexus 5?
The fact that digital photography is so dependent on processing of the raw image data means that Nexus 5 owners also could benefit from Google changes. That's because a software upgrade can improve the performance of a camera that's left reviewers unimpressed.

There are limits, of course. The performance of the lens and sensor have a lot to do with the quality of a photo. But Google is optimistic that software improvements will help the Nexus 5.

"The team is aware of the issues and is working on a software update that will be available shortly," Scigliano said.

Source: Cnet

Google Android 4.4 'Kitkat': Five things you need to know

The latest version of Google's Android operating system is out.  Google with its new version of mobile software Google has added always-listening search, motion tracking features and more Here's what you need to know about it today.

Google unwrapped a brand new version of its mobile software on 31 October called Android 4.4 “Kitkat,

With Android this latest version Google has improved Android’s performance, added new features and services, as well as integrated new software to support the potential for innovative new uses.

Android 4.4 continues the confectionary naming scheme

Since its inception, Google has used both an increasing numeric value, like Android 4.4, as well as names taken from famous confectionary.

It started with Android 1.5 “Cupcake”, and continued through the alphabet via Android 1.6 “Donut”, Android 2.0 “Eclair”, Android 2.2 “Froyo” (frozen yoghurt), Android 2.3 “Gingerbread”, Android 3.0 “Honeycomb”, Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” and most recently Android 4.1 “Jelly Bean”.

It was long-rumoured that the follow up to Jelly Bean would be “Key Lime Pie”, however in a deal with Nestle, Google named Android 4.4 after the Kitkat chocolate biscuit.

Better memory management

Google did more than just reduce Android's 4.x's memory footprint. "KitKat streamlines every major component to reduce memory use and introduces new APIs and tools to help you create innovative, responsive, memory-efficient applications."

This more efficient use of memory will show to its best advantage as KitKat starts to catch on and developers start building apps that can take full advantage of it. For users, this will mean your applications will run faster, and switching from one program to another will go faster.

Full screen immersion

Google has taken steps with Android 4.4 Kitkat to make the experience of using apps like ebook readers or web browsers a much more immersive experience. It has changed the way the system-level interface elements are presented, including the status bar at the top of the screen and the Android menu buttons at the bottom.

Instead of permanently bracketing your screen with two black bars, the top notification bar is now transparent, allowing more of your homescreen wallpaper to shine through. The menu bar at the bottom of the screen can now also disappear when an app is put into a full-screen mode, allowing content to take up the full real estate of the screen.

Dragging your finger down from the top of the screen or up from the bottom of the screen now reveals the notification or menu bars when in full screen applications.

Support for lower-end phones

Android fragmentation has been a big problem for app developers ever since the operating system’s inception. Essentially it means that multiple versions of Android that aren’t up to date exist on various devices. While that’s not an issue in and of itself, for developers it presents a massive challenge as they have to programme their apps to support multiple versions of Android – all with differing capabilities.

Google has already taken steps towards minimising fragmentation through the decoupling of its own applications and services from the operating system into separate downloadable apps. That allows users on older versions of Android to update these apps separately through the Google Play store and gain access to the new services and features.

Now Google is taking its battle with fragmentation a step further by reducing the system requirements for Android 4.4 Kitkat. In doing this Google has made it possible to run Kitkat on much lower power devices.

Improved phone app

I know how 20th century of me it is to want to use a smartphone as a phone, but darn it, sometime I do, and Android 4.4 makes it easier. Google is "making calling easier than ever, by helping you search across your contacts, nearby places, or even Google Apps accounts (like your company’s directory), directly from within the app".

In a related development, Google+ Hangouts, which is also more closely tied into KitKat and replaces Google Talk, includes texting, location sharing, and animated GIFs. This functionality will be available in any device running Android 4.x or higher. Eventually, Google Voice, Google's voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service, will work with this, but for now, Google Voice and new Hangouts are having trouble cooperating with each other.