Top 10 Android app updates this week: LINE, AmpMe

Welcome back to our weekly Top 10 Android App Updates column, where we take a look at the most frequently upgraded apps for the week. We’ve found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to find the ones that are actually being updated by the developers rather than selecting the apps with the most installs. As in the past, we’re going to filter out minor updates for the super-popular apps that have over 10 million installs, but we’ll make exceptions for apps that have had significant updates. We hope you enjoy this weekly feature and that you discover some apps that end up being useful.

ES File Explorer - Version 4.0.5.3

What’s new in this version:

• Removed Charging Boost function for better user experience

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

Snapseed - Version 2.5.0

What’s new in this version:

• Apply last look from the Main Screen
• Horizontal flip in the Rotate Tool (left to right)
• Better display of photo metadata
• Bug fixes

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

Next Lock Screen - Version 3.2.0

What’s new in this version:

• New logo and color scheme. The new logo has a streamlined ‘N’, and expresses our identity as a location-based lock screen.
• Notifications: optimized icons for smoother look, and better performance.
• Launchpad: minor UI enhancements, added setting to hide contacts.
• Screen time out: bug fixes.
• Bing wallpaper: update check changed to once every hour.

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

Skype - Version 7.0.0

What’s new in this version:

• New tablet design makes it easier to multitask as it comes with a multi-pane view when in landscape orientation.
• Improved universal search

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

Slacker Radio - Version 7.0.19

What’s new in this version:

• Play actions are larger, making it a breeze to find and play your favorite stations while on the go (because multi-tasking is an art form )
• Our original content (interviews, countdowns, etc.) has been moved to the forefront, so you’ll always know what’s new
• The My Music and Offline sections have been streamlined, allowing for quick access to whatever you’ve saved or downloaded
• It’s now easier to Sign In & Sign Up. Boom.

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

AutoInput - Version 2.0.0

What’s new in this version:

• new AutoInput Screen Capture action: record video of your screen and capture screenshots. Video here: https://youtu.be/RHt_9nK6ByI
• inspect pixel and area colors on your screen
• Added “Write” and “Replace” actions in “AutoInput Action”
• new AutoInput Screen Unlock action: unlocks your screen on most pre-Marshmallow devices (some devices are known not to be compatible)

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

LINE - Version 6.3.1

What’s new in this version:

• • Timeline Enhancements
• ​It is now possible to add #tags to Timeline posts.
• Type @ to mention friends or group members in your posts.
• You can now easily view multiple photos and videos you uploaded at a glance.
• Scroll down on any tab to collapse the upper tab menu and display more of the content area.

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

AmpMe - Version 3.2.2

What’s new in this version:

• AmpMe is adding YouTube as a music source.

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

Periscope - Version 1.15.0

What’s new in this version:

• Save your broadcasts. Now your broadcasts save permanently by default. If you’d rather delete them, you can after ending your broadcast or from your profile.

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

AutoNotification - Version 2.5.5

What’s new in this version:

• Another attempt at reducing memory usage
• Added compatibility with Android TV

(Playboard) | (Play Store)

 

Android Match

Android and Me 11:37 PM No comments

ZTE Axon 7 is an all-metal phone with a 5.5-inch Quad HD display and up to 6GB of RAM

Since debuting the original Axon in mid-2015, ZTE has introduced several other Axon-branded devices. The latest model announced today is a new flagship called the Axon 7.

The Axon 7 is ZTE’s latest Android flagship, running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on a 5.5-inch 2560×1440 AMOLED display. The front of the Axon 7 is also home to dual speakers and an 8-megapixel camera. Meanwhile, the backside of the 7 is home to a 20-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus, and dual LED flash, as well as a fingerprint reader beneath it.

Inside of the Axon 7’s all-metal body is an array of high-end features. That includes a Snapdragon 820 processor, microSD slot, 4GB/6GB of RAM, 64GB/128GB of storage, USB Type-C, and a 3250mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0. The 6GB RAM/128GB storage model also packs in Force Touch display tech.

One other highlight of the Axon 7 is that it supports Daydream, the virtual reality platform announced by Google at I/O earlier this month. ZTE is launching a VR headset to go along with the Axon 7 so that owners can get into VR right away.

The ZTE Axon 7 is launching in China today and will roll out globally soon. It’ll be sold in the US by ZTE as well as Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, eBay, and Newegg. ZTE says that it’ll support AT&T and T-Mobile, and possibly Sprint and Verizon later in 2016. As for pricing, ZTE says that the Axon 7 will cost less than $500.

With features like an all-metal body, Snapdragon 820, up to 6GB of RAM, and a sub-$500 price tag, the ZTE Axon 7 has the makings of a competitive smartphone. Here’s to hoping that it launches in more territories soon so that we can really put it to the test.

Android Match

Android and Me 10:54 AM No comments

Samsung Announces Batman-Themed Galaxy S7 Edge Injustice Edition To Commemorate Third Anniversary Of Injustice: Gods Among Us Mobile Game

Have you been trying to decide which phone to buy, but none of them are Batman enough? Then Samsung has just the product for you. In partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive, Samsung has announced the Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition.

Fans might be wondering what this is all about. Well, you see, we've come upon the three-year anniversary of the release of Injustice: Gods Among Us, which (for you non-fans) is a Batman mobile game.

Read More

Samsung Announces Batman-Themed Galaxy S7 Edge Injustice Edition To Commemorate Third Anniversary Of Injustice: Gods Among Us Mobile Game was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Android Match

Apps , Apps/Games – Android Police – Android News , Games , Phones , Tablets 10:02 AM No comments

Google wins $9 billion Oracle case

Google’s battle with Oracle has spanned years. We were at the point where Oracle was demanding a part of the Android business to the tune of almost $9 billion, plus half a billion of lost licensing revenue.

Thankfully, the matter has been settled. After witnesses spoke out, including Eric Schmidt (who worked at Sun Microsystems before Oracle bought them), the jury chose to side with Google. It was decided that use of Oracle’s APIs is considered fair use in this case.

As you can imagine, it’s not over. Oracle plans to appeal this verdict, which might pose a problem since the U.S. Court of Appeals had sided with them back in 2014. We’ll have to see how it goes from now on, but this may set a very important precedent for all developers out there.

Android Match

Android and Me 9:45 AM No comments

Samsung’s Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition has a special Batman design

Remember how Samsung teased a Batman edition of the Galaxy S7 edge earlier today? Well we didn’t have to wait long to see the phone, because Samsung just revealed the limited edition model.

The Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition is a regular ol’ GS7 edge when it comes to specs, but it’s decked out in a special design with a deep black color, gold accents, and a Batman logo emblazoned on its backside. The package also includes an all-black Gear VR that looks pretty sweet, the Injustice mobile game, and Oculus VR credits.

So that’s the good news. Now for the bad, which is that the GS7 edge Injustice Edition will only be available in select markets when it launches in early June. Samsung says that those markets include China, Singapore, Korea, Latin America, Russia, and some others that’ll be announced soon.

This Batman-ified Galaxy S7 edge looks pretty awesome. While Samsung does offer a regular Galaxy S7 edge in black, the gold accents on the home button, earpiece, Samsung logo, and rear camera housing really set this smartphone off. The black Gear VR looks pretty slick, too. Here’s to hoping that Samsung’s got several other territories lined up to launch this thing so that more of us can actually get our hands on it.

Android Match

Android and Me 8:44 AM No comments

Samsung to sue Huawei back over initial lawsuit

Huawei is currently suing Samsung both in China and the US over the unlicensed use of patents relating to 4G and a few other things. It’s funny, in a way, that a Chinese company is suing a well-established mobile company. It’s usually the other way around.

Now Samsung may be suing back. Head of Samsung’s intellectual property division, Ahn Seong-ho, responded to the lawsuit during a weekly meeting at Samsung, saying, “We will take countermeasures, including a lawsuit.”

This could turn into a bigger battle than expected, but hopefully the companies will manage to settle. Samsung’s constant lawsuits and counter-suits with Apple are a huge mess and a financial drain, and we hope things between Samsung and Huawei won’t escalate that far.

Android Match

Android and Me 7:43 AM No comments

OnePlus 3 info spotted on TENAA

Though we’ve seen a bunch of leaks of the OnePlus 3, it looks like we’re getting some likely official info thanks to TENAA. TENAA is similar to the FCC in the US, and it’s posted both photos and specs for all to view.

Like previous rumors stated, the device features a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution,  a 2.15GHz quad core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 3,000mAh battery, a 16MP rear camera, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

The photos also show off the metal body, looking similar to some HTC designs. The front looks similar to the OnePlus 2 and features a fingerprint sensor in the home button.

How many of you are excited for the release of the OnePlus 3? Leave a comment!

Android Match

Android and Me 7:43 AM No comments

Lenovo says Motorola integration ‘did not meet expectations’

Lenovo has released its yearly financial and sales results, showing some losses. In particular, the company’s revenue in Q4 2015 was $9.1 billion, down 19% year over year. Full year revenue is down only 3%, though, so Lenovo isn’t facing obvious trouble.

However, in this financial report, the Motorola acquisition was touched upon. Motorola sold nearly 5 million units in Q4, part of the 10.9 million smartphones shipped by Lenovo overall. The report says that integration efforts “did not meet expectations.”

People haven’t been happy with Motorola recently, both in terms of quality and customer service. We’ve seen people denounce Lenovo’s new Motorola, which is unfortunate because it’s a company many used to love.

However, it’s not all bad news. The company is focusing on growth in China, where shipments declined 85%. Let’s hope Lenovo doesn’t outright kill Motorola and take the loss.

Android Match

Android and Me 6:58 AM No comments