Updated stock Android camera app ripped, ready for download

The two Google Edition phones – Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One – went on sale yesterday via the US Play Store and they run Android 4.2.2. However, both have a new camera app, boot animation and wallpaper that do not match what's in current stock Android. Those have been ripped out of those phones, so you can install and enjoy them too.

The new camera features new on-screen settings - the circular menu has given way to an arc. Also, you can use the volume rocker as a shutter key. The rest seems to be the same, including the Photo Sphere function.

Screenshots of the new camera on HTC One and Galaxy S4 Google Edition

You can grab the new Camera app from here – note that on Nexus devices it replaces the Camera and Gallery apps, while on non-Nexus devices it installs them alongside your current apps. Note that some users report the Photo Sphere functionality is missing.

The Google Editions of Galaxy S4 and HTC One also came with a brand new boot animation and live wallpaper. You can grab those from here (the boot animation is available in 720p and 1080p).

Source (in Italian) | Via (in Italian)

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iOS 7 coming with head movement gestures

With the new iOS 7 beta that has been rolled out a new and very innovative way of controlling functions on the Apple device have been discovered which is called as 'head gestures'. As crazy it might sound Apple has included the ability to track user's head movements for the devices with the iOS 7. The device will track users head movement and in turn will result in the related function which of course the users would be free to choose from.

As reported , the movements recognition is just limited to left and right head movements but for starters this is a big step in enabling gesture recognition which is not just limited to hovering your hand a few inches abode the device.

With the use of the newly added gesture recognition system users can make the left or right head movement act as a home button, controlling Siri, accessing Notification Center or to simply toggle volume as well.

It is being suggested that the new gesture technology is meant for accessibility users enabling them to use the devices better and much easier. But with the technology already showing utility in various use case scenarios it is definitely be going to be used by any and all Apple device owners.

Image: emediavitals

Google Hangouts app for iOS updated with new features

Google's Gtalk successor app - Hangouts has received yet another update. The new Hangouts app for iOS platform has received an update after considering the feedback on the first version. New Hangouts app 1.1 version brings couple of improvements and fixes for the app under the hood. The Hangouts is Google Talk successor bringing capability to share images and make video calls for free.

The Hangouts app 1.1 version brings a capability to send links that are clickable and also the received links are clickable. By clicking on those links, the user can open them in the mobile Safari web browser. Invitations to friends can be sent via SMS to join the Hangouts.

Whenever there is an incoming message, there will be an in-app sound to notify you about the new message. The badge counter behaviour has been improved to give you a correct number. The app update also brings number of bug fixes for better performance and experience with the app. Apart from that, the app also brings support for iOS 6.0 and higher.

However, there still some things missing such as no emoji support for the iOS device owners. The Hangouts app update can be downloaded from the Apple App Store .

New camera interface spotted in Nexus devices

The nexus versions of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One devices are now available through the Google Play store. These devices are limited just for the USA region and both devices carry the native Google Nexus experience - means stock Android system without any third party customizations or add-ons.

The new Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One with Google Play edition running Android Jelly Bean version is similar to the Nexus 4 in terms of software experience. However, couples of changes were visible from the quick interaction with the device. AnandTech published a review of both the devices and pointed out the new bootscreen as well as wallpaper as the obviously visible changes.

Apart from that, the camera app had a totally new user interface which had been rumored to arrive with the purported Android 4.3 Jelly Bean MR2 update. The camera UI in the Nexus devices usually offers the options at the one side of the screen, towards the capacitive buttons located at the bottom.

While the new camera UI in the Google Play edition devices presents the settings in an arch format on the screen. User can thus quickly access the relevant settings.

As of now, there is no clarity on whether this user interface will remain exclusive to these two Google Play edition devices or will be made available to other smartphones as well.

First alleged image of the Sony Xperia Honami leaks

Sony's event a couple of days ago brought us the Xperia Z Ultra, but still left only one major phone in the rumor mill – the Sony Xperia i1 Homani. This could be the first image of the device – the OmniBalance design gives away its Xperia Z family allegiance, but the camera positioning doesn’t match any of the official models.

The photo allegedly shows the Honami next to the new Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia ZQ (Brazil's ZL version).

The rumors are that Sony is trying to revive its camera phone business with the Honami, putting in a large 1/1.6" sensor with an impressive 20MP resolution. To be honest the smartphone looks a bit too slim to be able to host such a large sensor, but only time will tell. The Techtudo team who leaked the photos claims they have verified the 20MP resolution, but could not download any photos to publish.

The camera on the Xperia Honami may borrow the BIONZ image processing tech Sony puts on its Alpha DSLRs.

The Honami appears bigger than the ZQ, so it should be about the same size as the Xperia Z, supporting the rumors of a 5" display. It was reportedly not a finalized device, but it ran Android 4.2 without glitches on a Snapdragon 800 chipset.

The back is made of glass as on the Xperia Z and Z Ultra and there are microSIM and microSD card slots on the sides of the device.

Keep in mind those are unverified rumors and we cannot confirm their authenticity or that of the photo. We can't even confirm that the device in question is the Honami – a big 20MP sensor with a single-LED flash seems an odd combo.

Source (in Portuguese)| Via

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HTC One in Glamour Red hits UK in the coming month

HTC today officially showed the world a new Glamour Red version of its One flagship smartphone. This brings the number of available HTC One color options to three - grey, black and red, with a blue one reportedly in the works.

The HTC One Glamor Red is going to be available in the UK initially, and is expected to make a broader European debut later on. UK retailer Phones 4u will be offering the smartphone exclusively from mid-July. Unsubsidized pricing is expected to float around the £500 mark, so get your wallets ready. The UK retailer also offers the device with a 2-year contract from £33.

One of the HTC One's main rivals, the Samsung Galaxy S4, is also offered in blue and red colors, but we really think the colorful versions look better on the One's aluminum body.

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Google Now gets Live TV, third-party music playback support

Google's smart search feature, Google Now has received yet another update that brings more interesting features to it. Among the new features include Live TV, third-party music playback and support for location-aware Google Offers in select regions.

Google Now is the company's new approach to search on mobile devices. The Google Now is available as part of Google Search app for Android and iOS platforms. Different information such as location, weather and other things are individual presented in the form of cards. User can easily go through them and differentiate between those cards.

The new update for the Google Now for Android brings access to Live Television for the Internet Connected TV users. Ideally for the Google TV users, this feature will be really interesting.

Another improvement is for the music loving folks. Using the Google Search, simply feed "Play The Only One by The Black Keys" and it will offer you a choice of using YouTube or Google Play Music app for enjoying that particular track. Basically, the word "play" triggers Google search for that particular track or artist in the YouTube and Google Play Music listings. It is very endearing to directly head for playback instead of searching for the song and then clicking on couple of links before you get to listen the song.

For select regions, the Google Offers card will show reminders about the nearby stores whenever one is travelling.

New cards can be enjoyed through the updated Google Search app from the Google Play store .