Android News 23 January 2014 – 12:00 GMT / 07:00 EST:
- Google Nexus 5 To Receive Colorful Editions
- Samsung Offers Galaxy Note 3 Olympic Games Edition
- Xperia Z1s is Now Available on T-Mobile’s Stores
- Third-Party Accessories Are Blocked in the Galaxy Note 3 with KitKat
- Off-Contract Gold HTC One Arrives in the UK and Gets A £479.99 Price Tag
1. Google Nexus 5 To Receive Colorful Editions Soon
Google is reportedly preparing different colorful coats for its latest device, Nexus 5, and according to a video file, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple will be the new colors for the Nexus 5 which join the Black and White editions.
The video suggests that the new colors will only cover the backplate, just like what Nexus 5 white looks like, and the price remains unchanged as the 32GB version costs you $399.
There are no details when these new colors get available, and we just know these days, manufacturers do like new colors!!
2. Samsung Offers Galaxy Note 3 Olympic Games Edition
Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics will be started in about 10 days (From February 6th to February 23), and Samsung is the official worldwide partner of Olympic. As of the promotional campaigns, the Korean has already announced Galaxy Note 3 as the official phone of the upcoming Winter Olympic, and Sochi 2014 WOW app, developed by Samsung and of course optimized for Galaxy devices, provides direct access to Sochi 2014 events, games and competitions.
The newest edition of Galaxy Note 3 is actually the Olympic Games Edition, which is supposed to be released in Netherlands with no intend for wider release (at least for the time being). While the specs remain the same, this new edition will have a special package, a special flip cover and offers tickets to skating sessions in the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium, as well as given the chance to win tickets to Sochi 2014.
3. Xperia Z1s is Now Available on T-Mobile’s Stores
Sony Xperia Z1s is in fact the T-Mobile’s variant of Xperia Z1 with minor changes and tweaks, like lighter plastic frame and offering the 32GB version (instead of 16GB version on the international version of Xperia Z1). As announced at CES, T-Mobile will be the exclusive carrier to offer the Xperia Z1s in the U.S. and from today you can get yours at $528 unsubsidized, or 2 2$ monthly with a free 24months agreement.
Go to T-Mobile Store
4. Third-Party Accessories Are Blocked in the Galaxy Note 3 with KitKat
While almost every Android user is looking forward to update their devices to latest Android versions via official ROMs, the story for Galaxy Note 3 users might change a little, as the company seems to have blocked third party accessories (only unofficial S Flip Covers at the moment) from functioning properly on the Galaxy Note 3 running Android KitKat.
Samsung hasn’t replied to the news yet, but it seems restricting the functionality of non-original S Flip Covers, is just the beginning and Samsung will block more accessories, like batteries and chargers, soon.
Note that if you are already using a Spigen’s S-View case, you can get it to work if and only if your device is rooted and you have already installed Xposed Framework mod.
Read to source below to find the instruction (At Your Own Risk)
Update: Here is Samsung's statement regarding this compatibility issues:
To ensure a pleasant and smooth user experience with Samsung products for our customers, we recommend that only original accessories from Samsung to use. Of course, customers can continue to rely on third-party accessories. The full functionality of our devices and accessories, however, can only be ensured with genuine Samsung components, since only in this way it is ensured that equipment and accessories are perfectly matched. A correlation between the Android version 4.4 and the supposed incompatibility of third-party accessories does not exist.
5. Off-Contract Gold HTC One Arrives in the UK and Gets A £479.99 Price Tag
Good news for those who don’t want to get a Gold HTC One with a contract, and rather getting the SIM-free version. The UK retailer Expansys, is now offering the Off-Contract Gold HTC One and the device is ready to be shipped in 4 days. According to the Expansys website, Gold HTC One is priced at £479.99 for the 32GB version.
If you recall, on December 19th, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U started offering Gold HTC One in the UK under different carriers and plans, but Expansys is the first UK retailer to offer the unlocked version of Gold HTC One
Go to Expansys Store
