Android 4.4 KitKat Update: CyanogenMod 11 M11 Snapshot Now Available

Software customization team CyanogenMod continues to develop its Android 4.4 KitKat-based CyanogenMod 11 ROM with the M11 version of its software, which is now available for download. The latest version does not have many major updates, but rather includes several minor bug fixes and software fine-tuning. Pundits expect that the CyanogenMod team is preparing for the launch of Google Inc.’s Android L operating system, which will likely to keep them busy for some time.

But the M11 version of CyanogenMod 11 introduces support to several new devices, including many foreign handsets, such as the Korean mode of the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy S4 Active, the Galaxy S5 GSM model, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Player 4.0. The new software is currently available for approximately 50 devices.

The CM 11 M11 snapshot is based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the latest software by Google Inc. which became available in mid-June. The CyanogenMod team has been working with CyanogenMod 11 since December 2013. It releases “M” or “monthly” build versions every month to address vital bug fixes in addition to introducing new features. CyanogenMod has released ten monthly builds so far and they're considered more stable than “nightly” build versions that come out more frequently with the latest features but with little attention to bugs or other issues.

CyanogenMod details a number of new and improved features found on this iteration of CM 11, in its change log, listed below:

New Devices: Galaxy S4 Active (jactivelte), Galaxy S4 SK I-9506 (ks01lte), Galaxy S5 GSM (klte), Galaxy Tab 10.1 (picassowifi), Galaxy Player 4.0 (ypg1)
Re-introduce Samsung Galaxy Relay 4G (apexqtmo) support
Fix signal strength showing ’2147483647′ on certain devices
Frameworks & Core Apps: CAF and other upstream updates
Lockscreen: Do not play sounds while a phone call is active & MSIM updates
Frameworks: Add base & MSIM APIs for SEEK (Secure Element Evaluation Kit) support
Frameworks: Fix volume button changing two ‘steps’ per click
Frameworks: Add ‘Screen Off’ action for double-tap/long-press configuration options
Show devices connected to your WiFi (tethering) Hotspot
Fix bug related to ‘switch to last app’ action while in Recents view
Fix Navigation Bar arrow keys in RTL locales
Translations updates from CyanogenMod CrowdIn team
Adjustments to ‘Glove Mode’ (High Touch Sensitivity)
APN Updates for various regions
Camera: Add support for all available Slow Shutter speeds (hardware dependent); Improve shutter button
Dialer/InCallUI: Fix smartcover always showing answer fragment
LG G2: Address GPS and NFC issues
Base support for HTC Desire 816 & HTC One Mini 2 (pending nightlies)
Various security updates

General bug fixes As always, users should proceed with caution when installing custom firmware on their devices, keeping in mind their warranties may be voided. Backing up your device is recommended. CyanogenMod installation requires root access and custom recovery software.

You can download CyanogenMod 11 here.

The Gapps Zip file for Google Play Store and Google Services can be downloaded here.

Leak may reveal Samsung’s bold new Android interface

There are two things you can bring up that will almost instantly annoy certain diehardAndroid fans: The first is mentioning what a drag it is to wait so long for the latest software updates thanks to carrier and OEM constraints. The other is Samsung’sTouchWiz UI, which is to many Android fans what Jar Jar Binks is to Star Wars fans or what Nikki and Paulo were for Lost fans — that is, something that’s capable of single-handedly wrecking something they otherwise love.

RELATED: The inside story of how Google rescued Android from Samsung’s Magazine UX

Why do many Android fans dislike TouchWiz so? For a couple of important reasons. In the first place, TouchWiz often hinders Android’s performance on Samsung’s flagship smartphones, which can be surprisingly laggy given their often gaudy specifications, though some of the blame for that also goes to the insane amount of bloatware that Samsung clogs onto its devices. Second, because Samsung is by far the biggest Android vendor out there, many people assume that all Android phones offer the same kind of experience as TouchWiz-enhanced phones, which thus hurts Android’s reputation.

Now PhoneArena points us to some new leaked concept images posted atGalaxyClub.nl that indicate Samsung has a new UI in the works called Iconic UX that will hopefully be a lighter touch than TouchWiz.

“Solely judging by the accompanying images, the user interface will allow Samsung users to navigate between various UI elements by swiping up or down, thus expanding or compacting a slew of UI categories, namely the calendar, the music player, the gallery, etc,” PhoneArena writes. “All in all, it bears certain similarities with Samsung’s Magazine UX. “

For those of you who don’t recall, Magazine UX was the Samsung-designed UI that so thoroughly took over the Android home screen that Google had to angrily intervene to get Samsung to scrap it.

We’ve posted one concept image of Iconic UX below but you should really head over to GalaxyClub.nl to get the full look.

New Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 Update Now Rolling out at Verizon

Verizon announced a new Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 update is now being pushed to the users. Even though your device will not be updated to a new version of Android, the new firmware brings quite a few changes, so keep an eye on the notifications bar.

Because all the KitKat-specific goodies such as transparent status and navigation bars, white status bar icons, immersive mode, cloud printing, color emoji support, new Location menu, or full screen movie and album art in the lock screen were patched in the previous Android 4.4.2 update for Galaxy S4, the new firmware arrives to address bugs and improve the security of your device. According to the changelog posted on Verizon’s support page the update improves connectivity with messaging app, accuracy of AOL email count, voicemail, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also brings KNOX 2.0 and changes ISIS Wallet name to Softcard and adds “Apply” and “Cancel” buttons to Home Screen mode. The new update brings Keyboard enhancements and support for MyVerizon Diagnostics, Side Sync Call Forwarding Framewok, and Kids Mode, too.

As usual, Verizon will roll out the new Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 update in phases, which means that some of you might have to wait longer than others. Once your Galaxy S4 becomes eligible to receive the new firmware update, you should be able to see a system update message in the notifications bar. Tap on it, then follow the on-screen instructions. In case the system update notification failed to show up, you would also want to perform a manual check under Settings > More > About phone > Software update > Check for software updates. Alternatively, you can grab the USB cable and check out for the update via KIES.

The new update has build number KOT49H.I545VRUFNG6. Verizon didn’t reveal the size of the update file, but expect it to exceed 300 – 400 MB. It’s recommended to download the new update using a WiFi network in order to avoid unwanted data charges.

Are there any Verizon Galaxy S4 owners reading this? Have you received the new OTA update? Please let your fellow S4 owners know in the comments section below.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs iPhone 6 Plus Comparison (video)

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs iPhone 6 Plus

Amazon selling unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in the US, no warranty attached

Starting next week, all major US carriers will start stocking the Galaxy Note 4, but for those can’t wait to get their hands on the 5.7-inch metallic phablet, Amazon is offering an unlocked variant of the device right now. Amazon is selling the international 32GB model (SM-N910), with the black version priced at $854.88 and the white version at $868.99. Unfortunately, Amazon isn’t offering a warranty on the device, which isn’t surprising considering it will be an imported unit, and the phone also won’t work on CDMA networks like Verizon and Sprint. The gold version can also be purchased for $904.88, though that model will ship within 6 to 10 days, meaning you’re better off waiting for the official launch on October 17th.

The Galaxy Note 4 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display, an octa-core Exynos 5433 chipset, 3GB of RAM, a 16-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, a 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera, 32/64GB of expandable internal storage, a 3,220 mAh battery, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. It also comes with the traditional S Pen stylus, and is the first Galaxy Note smartphone to feature a metallic body.

Hit that source link if you want to order the Galaxy Note 4 from Amazon.

Via | Source