Electronics Circuits

Inline with earlier rumours, Google announced a variant of the Samsung Galaxy S4 that runs stock Android at the Google I/O event in San Francisco. Google will be selling the phone bootloader and SIM unlocked on Google Play Store at a price of $649 (Rs. 35,500 approximately) before taxes and shipping starting June 26. Since the phone is SIM unlocked, it should work on GSM operators across the globe.

Bootloader unlocked means the users are free to install any custom Android ROM on the phone, or, theoretically at least, any other OS on their phone altogether. As mentioned earlier, the phone runs 'stock' Android, which means it is free from any third-party skins or software and provides the Android experience as Google intended. Google also confirmed that the phone will receive updates directly from Google, just like the Nexus phones.


As of now, Google has announced plans to sell the phone only in the US and plans to launch the phone in other countries remain unclear. The phone targets users and developers who prefer the stock version of Android over the version that adds Samsung's TouchWiz user interface layer. We're not sure if many are fans of Samsung's TouchWiz UI, that has been panned for employing big, glossy and cartoon-like icons and menus.

So the phone might find favour among Android enthusiasts who'd like to have all the power that the Galaxy S4 carries under the hood along with the simplicity of stock Android. We wonder what will happen to Samsung's custom apps, motion and hand gestures, and camera features such as dual-shot, employing the use of both front and back camera, eraser shot mode to remove people from photos, and a Cinemagram like feature called Cinema Photo.

The phone's apps also make use of its several hardware sensors including temperature and humidity sensors. It will be interesting to see if Samsung has deployed additional apps and software to offer the same functionality or totally get rid of it.

HTC is reportedly set to release a smaller version of its current flagship smartphone, the HTC One. According to prolific phone leaker Evleaks, the device is codenamed "M4" and will feature a 4.3-inch 720p display, an "UltraPixel" camera similar to the HTC One's, a dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, Android 4.2, and LTE connectivity.


Evleaks suggests it will launch with "some manner of One branding," and we also expect it to feature the latest version of HTC's Sense skin, 5, rather than the semi-stock experience found on HTC's similarly-sized Facebook phone, the First. HTC is reportedly set to announce the phone before the end of June.

Updating Android apps is usually very simple: Click on the Google Play Store app, My Apps and "Update all." You can even set apps to update automatically. This process is simple for the end user, but creates a time-consuming middleman for app creators. Some apps tried to circumvent this process by including automatic updaters right in the app.


But Google has put a stop to this process: As of now, all Google Play Store app updates will come via the Play Store or not at all. This ban on auto-updaters only applies to software acquired through the Play Store. Users can still install third-party apps from stores such as Amazon or Tencent, or even directly from the web, by allowing app installation from "unknown sources" in a phone or tablet's settings.

Samsung has updated its tablet lineup with the Galaxy Tab 3, a 7-inch tablet running Android 4.1 or Jelly Bean. The device sports a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 8/16GB of internal storage memory (expandable to 64GB via memory cards), and a 3-megapixel camera on the back, coupled with a 1.3-megapixel one on the front.


The 7-inch screen has a 1024x600 pixel screen, which sounds awfully low by today's standards, but the device is capable of Full HD video playback. Samsung has stuffed all that into a 111.1 x 188.0 x 9.9mm package that weighs 302g if you choose the Wi-Fi version, or 306g for the 3G variant.

The Wi-Fi version of the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 will be available globally in May, and the 3G version will come in June. Exact pricing and availability will vary by market and will be rolled out "gradually," Samsung claims.

Facebook just announced the much awaited 'Home' app on Android and it looks like it is nothing more than a simple but very feature-rich launcher app for Android phones and tablets. The Facebook home app will sit on your Android phone on the homes creen. Your face will be centered at the bottom of the screen like a button, and you’ll swipe up to see your apps.


You’ll be able to tap on people, and bring up your messages with those people, even as you flip through different apps. You can also swipe through different “home screens” that show mainly your friend’s photos as you swipe along. This is obviously a great new step by Facebook into making phones more social than the already are and as Mark said "home app is meant to make the world more open and connected". The new ‘home’ launcher app will be available for download through Google Play on April 12.