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.

MWC 2014 Barcelona Spain – This is the time of the year where all Mobile manufacturers showcase their yearly flagships. For Samsung their Galaxy S5 has been anticipated that we’ve been reading leaks left and right.

What’s new with the Samsung Galaxy S5? What are the upgrades they added and other features that you might need as a user? If so happen you read a lot about the Galaxy S5 since its announcement you will not be surprise to my criticisms both bad and good about the S5.

Let us start with the external. The design of S5 is much like a hybrid of S4 and S3 but I was reading some comments in Reddit that they suggest that this much look like the Galaxy S2 that for me is the most beautiful Samsung phone ever made. The curve and bezel is much a like the S4. Samsung is still using non-capacitivie or physical home button and capacitive buttons for the side buttons.

Its display is a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, yes it is a full HD screen much like of the S4 giving a true to life colors. The processor is very powerful at 2.5Ghz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM for multi-tasking.

The 16-Megapixel rear-facing camera has new features for more stabilization and focus and 2-Megapixel front-facing for video calling for example. Yes some uses it for selfies! This new Samsung flagship has fingerprint scanning feature mainly use to unlock your device or do some payment just like the Apple iPhone 5S. The back casing is removal and it is like the Nexus 7 backplate made of rubber. The S5 is IP67 certified meaning it is water proof up to 3-feet and would last up to 30mins.

The win-win for this phone for me is the expandable memory up to 128GB if you like to store HD files and lossless music files. If you store HD files you need a faster connectivity and Samsung put USB 3.0 to the new S5, 5x faster than the USB 2.0.

The most notable of all the feature is the battery capacity at 2,800mAh. The battery capacity of our smartphone nowadays is mediocre for our needs especially for those who travel a lot.

The Software side:

Samsung and Google agreed that Samsung will reduce the S-branded apps bundled with the device to give way more to Google’s own native apps. Samsung also gives emphasis in Health. We have to admit that many of the users are more health conscious that they use their phones to track their health with the use of 3rd-party monitoring apps and Samsung joins this trend. The Galaxy S5 has a heart rate monitor and connected to its app S-Health 3.0.

There is no price release for the Galaxy S5 but it will be available this April 11 worldwide including the Philippines.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Specs:

• Display 5.1″ FHD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080)
• Processor 2.5GHz quad-core application processor
• OS Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
• Network LTE Cat.4 (150/50Mbps)
• Camera 16MP (rear), 2.0MP (front)
• Video UHD@30fps, HDR, video stabilizationVideo Codec : H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, MP43, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
• Video Format: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM
• Audio Audio Codec : MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/ AAC+/ eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
• Audio Format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA
• Camera Features HDR (Rich tone), Selective Focus, Virtual Tour Shot, Shot & More
• Additional Features IP67 Dust- and water-resistant
• Ultra Power Saving Mode
• Download Booster
• S Health 3.0
• Quick Connect
• Private Mode
• Kids Mode
• Google Mobile Services Chrome, Drive, Photos, Gmail, Google, Google+, Google Settings, Hangouts, Maps, Play Books, Play Games, Play Newsstand, Play Movie & TV, Play Music, Play Store, Voice Search, YouTube
• Connectivity WiFi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac HT80, MIMO(2×2),
• Bluetooth: 4.0 BLE / ANT+
• USB 3.0
• NFC
• IR Remote
• Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Hall, RGB ambient light, Gesture(IR), Finger Scanner, Heart rate sensor
• Memory RAM: 2GB
• Internal Memory: 16/32GB
• microSD slot up to 128GB
• Dimensions 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1mm, 145g
• Battery 2800mAh
• Standby time: 390 hrs / Talk time: 21 hrs

Samsung Galaxy Note II users rejoice! Galaxy Note II (GT-N7100) and Galaxy Note II LTE (GT-N7105) are receiving Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. The out of the box Galaxy Note II & Note II LTE is running Android 4.1.2 and Samsung did not push any update [4.2.2] after that.

This Android 4.3 upgrade for the Note II will bring update to Samsung stock apps, newer drivers, better RAM management. The Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch will be support as well, also the Samsung wallet and KNOX.

The most noticeable upgrade is the UI. The user interface is the same that of Galaxy S4 and Note 3. So if you have a NOTE II, try to plug it via Kies Software and check. Samsung release the update per region and Northen Europe is starting to get the update.

For Samsung Galaxy Note II users in the Philippines, I think we need to wait for few days to weeks to get an update and also those carrier branded Note II from Globe and Smart will get an update too.

Samsung Note II Android 4.3 changes:

• GALAXY GEAR Support
• TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)
• Samsung KNOX
• Samsung Wallet (Pre-loaded)
• Better RAM management
• Core UI elements updated to the ones on the Galaxy S4 (Galaxy S4′s theme all over)
• New Samsung Keyboard
• GPU drivers have been updated (Higher GPU benchmark scores)
• New Lockscreen: Multiple Widgets, improved ripple effect than Android 4.1.2, ability to change clock size and set a personal message
• New screen modes (From S4): Adapt Display and Professional Photo
• Daydream
• Driving mode
• Actionable notifications
• Move-to-SD-card feature
• New Camera mode : Sound and Shot
• New Additions in Notification Centre
• Completely revamped Settings UI (Tabbed interface – Exactly like the Galaxy S4)
•  Implementation of Voice controls (Let’s you control various parts of the phone using voice commands – Galaxy S4 feature)
• New Samsung Apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music
• Full screen Samsung apps
• New S-Voice (from Galaxy S4)

Fore more details follow SamMobile as they are the best place for Galaxy devices resources. If you can’t wait for the official OTA upgrade you can download the firmware via SamMobile and flash it using Odin Flash Tool.

Remember, always backup your device before updating/upgrading.

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

Probably the easiest rooting method is the CF-Root. ChainFire is an elite developer at XDA and with over 9.5million downloads. He even joked that what if those 9.5 million downloads donated him $1 :). Anyhow, I am trying to Root the Android 4.4 but there are few tools used for Mac good thing Nexus 4 CF-Auto-Root of Chainfire is a cross-platform. He created 3 scripts for Windows, Mac and Linux each and it really helps. When I was a Samsung user his CF-Root method is my first choice.  So let’s begin Rooting the Nexus 4 runnong on Android 4,4 KitKat.

Warning: Rooting may cause Data Wipe, BackUp everything before you rooting your device. Misuse of this instruction may cause your device to brick thus render unusable. I am not personally responsible. Use this with your own rick.

Rooting Android 4.4 – Nexus 4

1. Download CF-Auto-Root: Here
2. Extract the Zip File e.g Desktop
3. Boot your device in bootloader/fastboot mode. Usually this can be done by turning your device off, then holding VolUp+VolDown+Power to turn it on.
4. Connect your device to your computer using USB

For Windows:

• Run root-windows.bat 

For Mac OS X

1.  Drag the Folder of the extracted zip to Terminal
2. Command ‘ls’ to list down,
3. chmod +x root-mac.sh
4.  root-mac.sh (drag to terminal)

For Linux
— chmod +x root-linux.sh
— Run root-linux.sh

- Follow the on-screen instructions – watch both the computer and the device ! If successful the device will boot and locate the SuperSU app. Note, ChainFire did not include a recovery system on this rooting. You need to install it separately if you like to add a recovery.

Note that if your device had not been unlocked before, this procedure will wipe all your data !

I encountered some issues with the original instruction on how to install Android 4.4 KitKat on Mac so I look somewhere and I was checking my directory I stumbled  techfanitic9′s mac toolkit. This toolkit I used before to Root and Unroot (back to Stock) for Nexus 4. I modified the script for Android 4.4 KitKat and thankfully it worked.

Warning: This will wipe your DATA…so BackUp Everything…I am not responsible for your data loss and misuse or skipping the method I gave will render your device unusable. 

How to Install Android 4.4 KitKat to Nexus 4 on Mac:

Requirements:  Google Factory Image: 

1. bootloader-mako-makoz20i.img
2. image-occam-krt16s.zip (new build as of 11/20/2013)
3. radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1700.84.img

Adb & Fastmode files bash script

Instructions:
1. Download Google Factory Image (occam) Nexus 4 KT16O Android 4.4: Here
MD5Sum: e60c3077c9bc9bd106eb3077992f0d6c

2. Download this Install-Android-KitKat-Nexus4-Mac-Tool: Here (new)
MD5Sum: 028e465179052cfc3ed4b6357c62e1b8
Package includes: adb, fastboot & KitKat.installer.tool

3. Once you have the Google Nexus 4 Factory image, extract the bootloader-mako-makoz20i.img, image-occam-krt16s.zip, radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1700.84.img to the directory where your adb, fastboot and install.kitakat.to-nexus4.tool are located.

4. Shutdown your Nexus 4.

5.  Boot to FASTBOOT mode (Vol+ & Vol- & Power On)

6. Connect your device 7. Run the script Install.KitKat.to.Nexus4.tool (just drag it to the terminal)

8. The script will run, it will unlock the bootloader, erase boot, erase recovery, install bootloader, install radio and the system image.

9. Just wait for the script finish Installing.

10. The device will  reboot and the Android will begin installing, wait for few minutes, 10mins or so…

11. Set up your device as normally we do.

12. Enjoy your KitKat!

FAQ:

Q: I run the script and says permission denied?

A: Your permission is limiting you to run scripts, go to Preferences > Security & Privacy – and set “Allow apps downloaded from:” – to Anywhere. Just return to your normal settings after you are through.

If you have more questions just comment below.  This method is tested and proven. I use this to install KitKat. Rooting method will follow soon.:)

Credit: XDA Forum

OLD DOWNLOADABLE/S: Install-Android-KitKat-Nexus4-Mac-Tool: Here (Old – Build KRT16o)

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

A new start up company called Tresorit is offering $25,000 to any hacker out there to hack their system. Tresorit offers encryption by the default to your cloud-storage. They are offering 5GB of Free storage and accessible in all platforms from Windows-Mac in desktop to Android-iOS for mobile devices.

See Tresorit compared to other cloud-storage:

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Referral

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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:

Image: Khidr Suleman / itpro.co.uk/authors/khidr-suleman

Samsung main man JK Shin proudly said that their latest flagship Smartphone, the Galaxy S4 has sold 40 million units since it was announced earlier this year. This, according to Shin is a followup on the report that 20 million S4′s were sold in just two months prior to its release.

Samsung’s CEO also noted that 30 million S3 units were released in 2012, making it a double celebration for the Korean mobile manufacturer.

The company also has a lot of things to look forward to, considering that they just outed the Galaxy Note III, the Galaxy Gear and the soon to be announced Galaxy Round as the world’s first Smartphone with a curved display screen. Also in line is the recent development of the Galaxy S5 and the company’s next flagship, the Galaxy F series.

Bravo, Samsung, bravo.