Android 5.0 Lollipop

Google has officially revealed the name of the next major release of Android. Android 5.0 will be, from now on, known as Android Lollipop. At the time it was being announced, my Google Plus feed was filled with Lollipops, Androids dancing, People dancing (GIF) and whatnots. Most of us already know what Android 5.0 has to offer. It is a major update and according to Google, the sweetest Android yet. It has a revamped UI which they named as Material Design. This version of the platform will also brought to not just smartphones or tablets but it extends to Android Wear, Android TV, and Android Auto. Everything I have said here were already previewed in this year's Google I/O so if you missed that, click here.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat released for Nexus devices

Android 4.4.4 KitKat has been released to Google's Nexus devices. For those who owns these Nexus devices should get a notification regarding a software update. The devices included on this rollout are the, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (WiFi) 2013, nexus 10 (WiFi), Nexus 4, Nexus 3, Nexus 7 (WiFi) 2012, Nexus 7 (Mobile) 2012). If you own those and don't have the notification, you might want to manually check for yourself via the device's settings. Cheers!

Google announces Android Wear

Google has announced their take on Wearables. Well this is not hardware, apparently, this is the software that wearables will be running on when OEMs will be making. Think of it as the Tizen OS Samsung used in their Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and the Gear Fit. But unlike Samsung's Tizen OS, Android Wear is still Android, only that it is optimized (or redesigned, if you may) to work seamlessly to Wearables. I should say, Google nailed this. With Google Now and their brilliance? This will definitely make Samsung's wearables look dumb. But then again, this is just a "concept" again, if you may. There is still no hardware for this. Motorola and LG might have announced their own smartwatches but they still can't actually demo them because Android Wear is still being developed. Nonetheless, this is awesome. Wait until you watch the video Google made to intro the said OS.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra gets Android 4.4.2 KitKat

For those who owns Sony's phablet, the Xperia Z Ultra, then good news since the Japanese phonemaker has started rolling out the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update to the said device. According to UV, the update is reported to have been rolled out first in Hong Kong to the unlocked and unbranded Ultras. If you ain't from Hong Kong or your sure your device was not bought there you probably still did not receive the update. Rest assured, it will arrive. There is no harm in checking just to be sure. Cheers!

iOS 7.1 now available for download

Apple has officially released their first ever update on their mobile platform after releasing iOS 7. The iOS 7.1 update is now available for download. For those who owns an iDevice go ahead and check for a software update. I am not sure though which devices are included but I will have to assume that the iPhones 4 to the 5S will all be able to get the update also with the iPads, and the iPod Touches. Just give it try. One of the major additions to the iOS 7.1 is CarPlay (previously iPhone in the Car) which will be available to select cars in 2014. I heard Ferrari has already jumped into the bandwagon for this. For more details about the update click here.

Google announces Android 4.4 KitKat

Google timed it for Halloween! They have at least two treats for all of us. One is what you see above, yup! Android 4.4 KitKat is now officially official. It has been but today we now know what the latest version of Android has to offer. If Android Jelly Bean is about a smooth platform, Android KitKat is all about memory optimization. That means that KitKat is expected and is built to run on a hardware with just 512MB of RAM. But it is not just that. We all know what Googlers can give us right? They stuffed Android KitKat with as much features as they can like Wallpapers are now in fullscreen which means that your wallpapers will extend through the notification bar and system buttons and whatnot.

Google officially announces the next name, version, and mascot of Android - Android 4.4 KitKat

Google has officially unveiled the next icon, name, and version of the world's most popular mobile operating system. The photo above is real, it was taken by one of the people over at Google Developers and uploaded it to Google Plus making everything official. I do not think Google has the version of the OS in detailed announcement yet only that the next version will be named KitKat. After this photo, Android's official Google Plus profile has shared the unveiling of the statue with a video but it is set to private which is a total bummer. Anyway, the good thing is we now know that the next major version of Android is not Android 5.0 and is not named as Key Lime Pie, which was the rumored name of the OS but it is Android 4.4 KitKat.

Google Play Edition HTC One gets Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update

Google has started shipping the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update to the Google Play Edition HTC One and the Galaxy S IV via OTA. These devices are not Nexus devices who gets the newest version of Android seconds after they are announced by Google. But the fact that they are the first among all the other devices, even their original counterparts. For those who owns these smartphones get your Android 4.3 Jelly Bean installed now. For the HTC One, the update is 150MB while the Galaxy S IV's update is at 180MB.

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update comes to the Sony Xperia ZR

Sony Mobile, as reported by XperiaBlog, has started rolling out the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update to the Sony Xperia ZR.  The software was scheduled to roll out early August but the blog site has received reports that the update has started rolling out even before August came. Well, that is great news, since today it is already August we should expect the roll out to be more prominent on all devices. For those who owns an Xperia ZR, check your phones for the update! Cheers!

LG's Nexus 4 and the Asus' Nexus 7 gets Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

This will be very short and you might be wondering why this post only has those two Nexus devices contained in it. I will be blogging about the Samsung-made devices over Samsung City. Anyway, this does not come as news since everybody knows that when Google announces or releases a new version of Android the Nexus devices will always get it immediately. When Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was announced, Google is already busy pushing the OTA update to there 4 Nexus devices including the LG made Nexus 4 and the Asus-made Nexus 7 (original). So for those who own these devices can manually check if they have the update ready and waiting if your device did not notify you of one yet.

Google officially announced Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Google, without me knowing, has officially announced Android 4.3 Jelly Bean sometime yesterday. According to articles about the announcement I have read, this version of the platform is not a major update. You can actually tell that by the fact that it is still an Android Jelly Bean and not the rumors Key Lime Pie. This version of the platform is currently the variant that is running on the newest tablet Google has in store for us which I will be posting about after this. With regards to devices getting an update, I will also post them after this. Anyway, head over the break to check the new stuff Google has stuffed into Android 4.3 JB. 

AT&T Z10s now getting the BB OS 10.1 update

AT&T BlackBerry Z10 owners are expected to receive their BlackBerry 10.1 update as the carrier have started rolling out the update to users. The update includes improvements to the platform (like notifications) and now includes Skype support. The camera of those who own the Z10 should also get HDR shots. The update is rolled out OTA and Z10 owners should get the notification about the update but for those who wants to wire their devices to a Mac or PC can do so by heading over here.

HTC rolls out the Android 4.2.2 update for the HTC One in Europe

HTC has started rolling out the Android 4.2.2 update of their 2013 flagship smartphone in some European countries. This is great news for HTC users because the company announced the update only a few days ago and then made it into reality that quickly. According to Android Central, the update is being rolled out in Europe to 4G versions of the device which is a 417MB update. These European countries are said to be the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Finland, and Norway. According to the same report, it seems the update is still yet to break into light in the UK. For now, it is only in those countries were the update is being seen. 

Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update started rolling out to select countries

According to a report, the Sony Xperia Z is finally getting its Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update in select regions of this world. Hong Kong and Spain has started receiving the update and those are phones that are generic (which I believe means an unlocked non-carrier Xperia Z). The update is not via OTA so people who own the device needs their PCs and their PC Companion in order to get the update. Xperia Zs with carrier customizations (those bought via a carrier contract) in the Czech Republic, Austria, and The Netherlands have also been reported to have started rolling out. In Taiwan, generic Xperia Zs are also getting the same update.

 

Sony Mobile starts rolling out the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Xperia S in France

Sony Mobile has officially started rolling out the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update of their Xperia S smartphone. The update is being rolled out, for now, in France but pretty sure other parts of the world should also get the update soon. For those who own an Xperia S in France you might want to check your devices for any updates available. You can check it right from your device or via Sony Mobile's PC or Mac softwares. Cheers!

MWC 2013: Mozilla introduces Firefox OS

So, finally, Mozilla has announced their very own mobile OS dubbed as the Firefox OS. This, together with Ubuntu will make the smartphone world more wonderful for consumers. Wonderful because competition keeps everything in check. Anyway, the first smartphones to sport the said OS from Mozilla will be ZTE's Open (photo above) and Alcatel's OneTouch Fire (photo below). I have specs for the ZTE device but nothing from the Alcatel. You can check out The Verge's hands on video of these two device and check out the OS itself.

Ubuntu for Tablets announced - "Cleanest, freshest, most beautiful tablet experience around"

Ubuntu unviels the new face in the mobile OS market, Ubuntu for Tablets. This is already a late post, since the developer preview of the OS was already available since Feb. 21. I have to say, Ubuntu did a great job on this OS. Fluid, smooth, elegant, and base on the video, it works. The OS is said to focus on Nexus devices for now, the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. This OS will definitely have a fighting chance compared to MeeGo's attempt of eating a bit of the marketshare. We will have to wait when Ubuntu will eventually make this available to the public (if it is not available yet). Anyway, for now, watch the video from Ubuntu showing us how amazing this OS will be.

Nokia announced the Windows Phone 7.8 update for the Lumia line

Nokia has officially made the Windows Phone 7.8 update for the Nokia Lumia 505, 510, 610, 710, 800, and 900 available for download. Remember that this update, apparently, is not Windows Phone 8 but will pretty much be like Windows Phone 8. These Lumias were announced back in 2012 and like what Nokia already promised will update these phones into 7.8. Anyway, for those who uses one of these devices, you need Zune software (for Windows) or the Windows Phone App (Mac). Enjoy the update! 

Sony Mobile starts rolling out the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to their 2012 Xperia phones

Sony Mobile has officially announced and has actually started rolling out the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to their 2012 Xperia line of smartphones. The phonemaker, albeit a bit late on this, at least they have finally sent it out. The updates should start arriving to unlocked Xperia smartphones starting today. For those who got their devices via a carrier might have to wait for a longer time since the update that Sony released will still have to pass through the carrier's inspections and customization. Also the update will not arrive at the same time, it will also vary depending on what part of the world you are in. For more information about the update you can visit Sony Mobile's Update page.

PHIL: Windows Phone 7.8 rolls out to the Nokia Lumia 800

During the time Microsoft was introducing to the world Windows Phone 8, they made it clear that previous Windows Phone smartphones won't get the latest version of the OS but rather they will get Windows Phone 7.8. WP 7.8 is that version of the Windows Phone that is still Windows Phone 7 but looks and has features taken from Windows Phone 8. Think of it as like a bridge before you get to the land of WP8. Anyway, in the Philippines, the WP 7.8 update has started rolling out to the Nokia Lumia 800 (Nokia's first flagship Windows Phone device). For those of you who owns that device, you can download the update via your PC or Mac, just run Zune and connect your device.