Yup, this week was a little crazy, but a good crazy. Google announced the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player (Android TV) and kicked off the “Be together. Not the same.” campaign. That wasn’t it as Android L was officially named Android Lollipop and given 5.0 for the version. The OTA update won’t take place till next month, but the developer preview is already live. We reviewed the Galaxy Note 4 and were quite impressed. Nearby multiplayer hits Google Play Games and more Google apps adopt Material Design. The DROID Turbo gets a launch date, and so much more. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be another exciting week in the Android world.
Reviews
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 review: The best Samsung smartphone ever
Accessories
OnePlus announces JBL partnership and E1+ Earphones
Best Buy now stocks official Moto 360 chargers
MHL Adapter Charges your phone and Sends out 4K Video
Android TV
Google’s Nexus Player is Google’s first Android TV device
Plex announces its support for Android TV and the upcoming Nexus Player
AOL jumps on the Android TV bandwagon
Nexus 9 and Nexus Player are now up for pre-order in the Google Play Store
Nexus Player pre-order facility withdrawn from the Play Store
Nexus Player passes through FCC, may go on sale again soon
Android TV Developer Kit able to sideload Android 5.0 Lollipop
Android Wear
Gameboy emulator comes to Android Wear because a watch needs those sort of things
Apps – New
OnePlus sends Cyanogen Camera app to the Play Store
Skype launches new video messaging app called Skype Qik
Androidify update overhauls with new design, GIFs, and new items
Apps – Updates
Dropbox offers a free year of Dropbox Pro to users affected by Selective Sync bug
Facebook slaps its stickers into comments for all users
Dropbox usernames and passwords leak online, Denies responsibility and says passwords expired
Messenger application will not replace Hangouts on Nexus 6
HTC Dot View app gets third-party notifications, music controls, and holiday surprises
Facebook ‘Safety Check’ lets friends and family know you’re safe during a disaster
CBS All Access launches for $5.99 a month, offers full seasons and episodes on demand
Twitter adds new audio feature to mobile client
Firefox Beta update brings ‘tab casting’ & more!
Twitter adding suggested Tweets to the timeline based on user interest
Swiftkey updates for Halloween with spooky new themes
Cameras
India gets the HTC One (M8 Eye), Desire Eye, RE Camera, and a few more devices
Carriers
Nexus 6 to be available on all major U.S. carriers
The ASUS PadFone X mini is coming to AT&T on Oct. 24, $199 contract free on GoPhone
AT&T introduces new Passport plans for international travelers
Special Beats Music offer from AT&T comes to an end
AT&T Hints at Imminent Nexus 6 Release
Sprint’s HTC One (M7) update fixes Miracast
According to a new FCC filing, Sprint will carry the Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung Gear S will have own Plan on Sprint
T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 receiving minor update
Sony Xperia Z3 coming to T-Mobile October 29
Iliad moving on after T-Mobile declines acquisition offer
T-Mobile now rolling out Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 coming to U.S. Cellular on October 17th
Verizon to launch Motorola Droid Turbo at an event on October 28th
New image and details for Verizon’s DROID TURBO surface
Verizon soak test for Droid Ultra, Maxx and Mini brings VoLTE
Verizon Increases Edge Upgrade Time and some Pricing Points
Moto X now $50 on-contract with Verizon
Chrome
Google releases new Translate extension for Chrome
Google’s Earth View extension brings a touch of satellite imagery to Chrome
Shuffle in positions may signal more Android/Chrome consolidation
Chromebooks
Samsung’s Intel-based Chromebook 2 availability and pricing announced
Chromecast
Next version of the Chromecast hits the FCC
Deals
Sony offering student discount on Xperia Z3 Compact
Expansys now offering refurbished Nexus 4 from $149
Gaming
Amazon Games Studio Announces Three new Upcoming Games
NBA 2K15 for Android exclusively available from Amazon
Nearby Multiplayer comes to Google Play Games
Humble Mobile Bundle 9 gets two new games for the big donors
Ghostbusters-themed Fruit Ninja update hits the Play Store just in time for Halloween
Google teases Android L in latest YouTube video
Google Shopping Express shortens name and launches in three more cities with more retailers
Teenagers use voice commands most often and really want to order pizza
New Poodle Bug Revealed by Researchers
Google Classroom getting several improvements for students and teachers
Google Play Store downloads beat out iOS App Store downloads in volume by 60%
Android 5.0 Lollipop is official, includes full Material Design overhaul and tons of new features
Google posts video showing how Lollipop name was decided on
Android 5.0 Lollipop statue arrives at Google headquarters in Mountain View
Google posts Android Lollipop Statue Unwrapped video
Android Lollipop features “Factory Reset Protection” to stop thieves from wiping stolen phones
Google to eventually back off on control of Android Wear, Android TV, and Android Auto
Nexus device packaging to get new look
Shuffle in positions may signal more Android/Chrome consolidation
Google releases video covering speech recognition and how we communicate with technology
Google updates Material Design guidelines with new resources
Google Glass
Google Glass Launches Notification Sync
Hardware
Samsung SDI develops new batteries that are both flexible and rollable
The newly announced Exynos 7 is 57 percent more powerful than the Exynos 5
Phones – ASUS
The ASUS PadFone X mini is coming to AT&T on Oct. 24, $199 contract free on GoPhone
Phones – HTC
India gets the HTC One (M8 Eye), Desire Eye, RE Camera, and a few more devices
HTC pushing Eye Experience update with Android 4.4.4 to unlocked One (M8) on Tuesday
HTC reaffirms promise of Lollipop to the M7 and M8 in 90 days
Sprint’s HTC One (M7) update fixes Miracast
Phones – Huawei
Huawei announces limited edition Glory 6 Extreme Edition with pre-orders launching October 21st
Huawei Ascend Mate 2 now available from Newegg for $300
Phones – LG
LG aims to improve camera in next flagship device
Phones – Motorola
Verizon to launch Motorola Droid Turbo at an event on October 28th
New image and details for Verizon’s DROID TURBO surface
Motorola announces which devices will get Android 5.0
Verizon soak test for Droid Ultra, Maxx and Mini brings VoLTE
Moto X now $50 on-contract with Verizon
Phones – Nexus
Nexus 6 with Android Lollipop officially unveiled, pre-orders start late October for $649
Nexus 6 to be available on all major U.S. carriers
Google shows us what the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 have to offer in a couple of new promotional videos
Here are the first camera samples from the Nexus 6
Nexus 6 poses with the iPhone 6 Plus
Google releases animated ads showing off the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9
Expansys now offering refurbished Nexus 4 from $149
Phones – Oppo
Oppo N3′s camera shown off in teaser
New details emerge about OPPO N3 camera
Oppo N3 smart rotating camera gets a demo video
The Oppo N3 will have a fingerprint scanner on its back
Phones – Samsung
Google Hints at a Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition
Galaxy Golden 2 user manual leaks showing off some impressive specs
The Galaxy Note 4 gets firmware update in time for worldwide launch
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 coming to U.S. Cellular on October 17th
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to go on sale in India on October 17
Samsung announces its latest “Galaxy Gifts” campaign for the Note 4 & Note Edge
T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 receiving minor update
According to a new FCC filing, Sprint will carry the Galaxy Note Edge
Phones – Sony
Sony Xperia Z4 to be a hardware juggernaut according to tipster
Sony Xperia Z3 coming to T-Mobile October 29
Xperia Z3 and Peek help doctors diagnose eye conditions around the world
Sony offering student discount on Xperia Z3 Compact
Sony is updating their entire Xperia Z line to Android Lollipop
Security
Dropbox offers a free year of Dropbox Pro to users affected by Selective Sync bug
New Poodle Bug Revealed by Researchers
Smartwatches
Blocks modular smartwatch will use Samsung’s Tizen OS
Best Buy now stocks official Moto 360 chargers
Will.i.am reveals Puls, a monstrous smart-cuff with a focus on fashion
Samsung Gear S will have own Plan on Sprint
Google Play lists Sony SmartWatch 3 as “coming soon”
Tablets
The ASUS PadFone X mini is coming to AT&T on Oct. 24, $199 contract free on GoPhone
Lenovo to launch tablets under Motorola’s name once acquisition completes
Google releases animated ads showing off the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9
HTC’s Nexus 9 is official, complete with brushed metal design and BoomSound speakers
Google shows us what the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 have to offer in a couple of new promotional videos
Nexus 9 finally shown off in real pictures and videos with keyboard case
HTC Nexus 9 pre-order goes live one day early on Amazon
Nexus 9 and Nexus Player are now up for pre-order in the Google Play Store
T-Mobile now rolling out Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
Updates
Android 5.0 Lollipop is official, includes full Material Design overhaul and tons of new features
Developers will be able to grab the Android 5.0 SDK on October 17
Android Lollipop features “Factory Reset Protection” to stop thieves from wiping stolen phones
Google releases Android 5.0 Lollipop SDK and other tools
Lollipop to be Released November 3th for Wi-Fi Nexus Devices
Get the Android Lollipop look and sound with wallpapers and sounds
Get ready to tap with Android 5.0 Lollipop Easter egg
Motorola announces which devices will get Android 5.0
HTC reaffirms promise of Lollipop to the M7 and M8 in 90 days
Sony is updating their entire Xperia Z line to Android Lollipop
The Galaxy Note 4 gets firmware update in time for worldwide launch
HTC pushing Eye Experience update with Android 4.4.4 to unlocked One (M8) on Tuesday
Samsung set to roll out Android 4.4.4 update to 9 models of the Galaxy range
Verizon soak test for Droid Ultra, Maxx and Mini brings VoLTE
Sprint’s HTC One (M7) update fixes Miracast
T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 receiving minor update
T-Mobile now rolling out Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
Virtual Reality
Archos plans to release low-cost virtual reality headset
Wallpapers
Get the Android Lollipop look and sound with wallpapers and sounds
Miscellaneous
Samsung announces development of commercially-viable 60GHz Wi-Fi technology
Former Google executive hired by Xiaomi for push into India
Samsung and Facebook strengthening relationship, but what’s in store?
Standalone streaming service from HBO coming in 2015
Lenovo to launch Chinese direct-to-consumer smartphone company
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for October 13 – October 19, 2014
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