Samsung has finally taken the wraps off of its next big smartphone (pun intended), the Galaxy Note 4.

As expected, the Galaxy Note 4 should be the phablet to beat in the Android world for the next year to come. Sporting a stunning 5.7-inch 2560×1440 Quad HD display, the Note 4 boasts a 2.7 GHz quad-core or 1.9 GHz octa-core processor depending on region, 16-megapixel OIS camera, 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera, 32GB of expandable storage, 3GB of RAM, a 3200mAh fast charing battery and Android 4.4.

Of course the Galaxy Note 4 also comes with an enhanced S Pen which takes advantage of a ton of special software features made just for the Note (keep an eye out for another post with more on that).

Announced alongside the Galaxy Note 4 is a new addition to the Note family: the Galaxy Note Edge. The Galaxy Note Edge is almost identical to the Note 4 except for one important design change. The Note Edge features a 5.6-inch 2560×1440 with 160 Super AMOLED panel that wraps around the side of the Note Edge. That extra real estate is used for showing things like notification counts, so you can glance down at the side of your device and see what’s going on, and more.

Both devices have inherited the premium design philosophy of the Galaxy Alpha, with metal bands surrounding the edge of the Note 4 and Edge, and a soft touch battery cover found on the back.

Both The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge will be hitting carriers all over the world later this year.

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ASUS kicked things off at IFA today by announcing its first Android Wear device – the ASUS ZenWatch. Similar to other Android Wear smartwatches, the ASUS ZenWatch is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragfon 400 SoC, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage and features a 1.6-inch AMOLED display.

The ASUS ZenWatch is built with stainless steel and is paired with a tan leather strap and an ASUS-branded fastener. The ZenWatch isn’t as eye-catching as the Moto 360, but it does look a lot better than the first-gen devices released by Samsung and LG. ASUS has designed the ZenWatch to be splash proof, so be sure to take it off if you’re going for a swim. 

The main features of the ASUS ZenWatch are tied to the Android Wear platform, but the company has also added in a few new tricks which enhance the watch’s functionality. The watch features a build-in phone finder, desktop presentation controls and can even silence your phone by placing your hand over the face of the watch. The  ZenWatch can also act as a remove for your smartphone camera and can be customized with more than one hundred different watch faces.

The Asus ZenWatch will go on sale before Christmas and will sell for €199 in Europe, £199 in the UK, giving the watch a $260 price tag with a straight currency conversion. 

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Do you Verizon HTC One owners need something to help you power through this shortened week? If so, we’ve got the cure to what ails ya.

HTC exec Mo Versi has revealed that the Verizon version of the HTC One (M7) is slated to get Android 4.4.3 later this week. The update will include the fixes from Android 4.4.4 as well as Extreme Power Saving mode. As for the Verizon-flavored One (M8)? That update is expected to hit next week.

We’ve watched quite a few variants of the One (M7) and One (M8) get bumped up to Android 4.4.3 lately, so it’s nice to see that Verizon’s models are both getting their updates in the near future. Now we just have to be patient for a bit longer while we wait for the pushes to get underway. Stay tuned and we’ll update you once those rollouts begin.

Sources: @moversi (1), (2)

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Android Wear has been out for a few months already, but you have a choice between only two devices. The LG G Watch retails for $229.99 and the Samsung Gear Live for $199.99. We’re waiting for more options to appear, and they’re not far off. The fan favorite Moto 360 should launch soon, though it’s probably going to be at a price premium.

But ASUS also has a smart watch up its sleeve, and we’ve already learned a few details about it. It’ll be called the ZenWatch, and according to the CEO, it’ll be priced under $199. This may just mean it’ll end up priced at $199.99, but we really hope it’ll be cheaper and bring Android Wear to more people. A $150 smart watch would be awesome.

We’ll find out more at IFA where ASUS will be launching the device. We’ll also probably see more smart watches released, bringing competition and variety. The wearable device market is booming and I can’t wait to see what awesome devices will come.

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Destiny is poised to become the next huge thing in video games. And thanks to a partnership with Google, you can explore the world of Destiny without having to play the demo or buy the game.

“Created with Google technologies,” Destiny’s Planet View lets you jump between Mars, Venus and the moon, exploring the terrain using familiar Google Maps controls. Each destination features a handful of information in the form of videos, pictures, sound clips and more. Bungie, Destiny’s developers, are known for having a good sense of humor. Combine that with Google, and you can just imagine the types of easter eggs found in Destiny Planet View.

Check out the video for Planet View below. Once you’re done with that, suit up and hit the skies. It’s up to you to decide how you want to explore our cosmos.

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There have been a few Google services that have been downloaded over a billion times, but with the apps being pre-installed on all Google approved Android devices, it makes sense that they would get there first. But many Google apps still haven’t reached that point, and a third party app has overtaken them to the 1 billion downloads mark.

Everyone’s favorite app has reached the milestone! Facebook for Android is the first non-Google app to break the 1 billion downloads mark. Of course it would be Facebook, many carriers preload it onto their devices and many people can’t live without it. But to be fair, the app has come a long way from its terrible origins.

How many of you aren’t running Facebook for Android?

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Reddit’s regular Ask Me Anything posts have gone from a personal, interesting approach to the Q and A session, to a cultural phenomenon. Everyone from the president and large corporations having just made big business changing decisions, to your mom and dad can and have participated in AMA posts. But if you aren’t terribly familiar with Reddit, they can often seem unorganized and be down right confusing to read. Thankfully, Reddit is working to release an app on Android that will make reading AMA posts really easy.

The app, currently available on iOS, turns AMA posts into easy to read, easy to find lists with clearly defined questions and clearly defined answers. Too often in AMA posts, questions and specific answers get lost in a sea of comments that lose sight of the topic at hand. While it’s interesting to see the commentary that might surround a certain polarizing question, sometimes you just want to know how the person hosting the AMA has answered. And that’s not always easy on Reddit’s website. You can switch to a mode that shows unanswered questions in the new app, but the answers view is where you’ll spend most of your time.

Aside from making AMAs much easier to read, you can also search past AMA posts, view by category and enable notifications to keep up with trending AMAs and upcoming posts that may interest you. You don’t have to have an account to use the app, but if you do you can login and upvote or downvote posts as you see fit.

We’ll be sure to let you know when the app launches for Android later this week. Until then, do you remember any AMAs you found interesting, or have any you’d like to see in the future? Let us know.

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Just can’t wait to see what Sony has to unveil at this year’s IFA trade show? Don’t worry, you don’t have to. New information on the Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact has surfaced today showing what the two devices will look like, as well as what is stuffed inside.

Thanks to a photograph obtained by Sony Xperia Ailesi, we can expect the Xperia Z3 to come with a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display, a 20-megapixel Exmor R camera with 4k video capture, DSEE HX enhanced stereo speakers, a 2.5GHz quad-core MSM8974AC, 3GB of RAM, 16GB expandable memory, 3100mAh battery and everything needed for the device to be dust proof and water proof. While we only see the device pictured in black, it will also come in white and a new copper color.

In a separate leak from Ausdroid, we get to see the full color range for the Xperia Z3 Compact. The pictures show the Compact in white, green, black and orange, with what looks to be a glass or plastic flat back and translucent plastic sides. According to Ausdroid, you can expect the Z3 Compact to come with the same processor and camera as the Xperia Z3, but with a smaller 2600mAh battery and 4.6-inch 720p display.

Sony still has a lot more planned for IFA, but if this is how they start the day’s announcements, we’re in for a darn good showing.

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The HTC One (M8) is one of the most popular Android smartphone of 2014. The phone is available from nearly all major service providers, but you will need to SIM unlock the HTC One (M8) if you already own the phone and want to switch service. While there are paid services like HTC SIM Unlock which will send you the unlock code for your HTC One (M8) for as little as $12.95, we thought we’d put together a simple guide which walks you through three options which allow you to SIM unlock the phone for free.

Option 1 – carrier unlock code request

Believe it or not, the best easiest way to get your hands on a SIM unlock code for your HTC One (M8) is calling your service provider and simply asking for it. It’s that simple. Most service providers require that the phone is paid in full or that you’re at least 18 months into your 24 month contract. Check with your service provider for their exact requirements. If you do not meet the criteria required by your service provider, the following two options may work for you.

1. Locate your handset IMEI number by dialing *#06#
2. Write down your IMEI number
3. Call your service provide and ask customer service for the SIM unlock code for your HTC One (M8)
4. Customer service use your IMEI number to process the unlock code request for your HTC One (M8)
5. Your HTC One (M8) unlock code will be emailed to you in 1-3 days
6. Insert a nanoSIM card from another service provider into the phone
7. When prompted, enter the HTC One (M8) SIM unlock code
8. Enjoy!

Option 2 – super CID (warning: will void your warranty)

This SIM unlock option for the HTC One (M8) is a little technical, but it’s a great alternative for those who already have an s-off HTC One (M8). Changing the CID on your phone essentially changes the region status of your phone. Changing the CID to the right number will trick the phone into thinking it’s already unlocked. This will allow you to use a SIM card from another service provider in your HTC One (M8) without entering a SIM unlock code.

1. Gain s-off on your HTC One (M8) (instructions)
2. Change your CID to  Super CID “11111111″ (instructions)
3. Insert a nanoSIM card from another service provider into the phone
4. Enjoy!

Option 3 – universal SIM unlock  (warning: will void your warranty)

Those who don’t want to mess with the CID of the HTC One (M8) can also try the s-off universal SIM unlock option. The first half of the process is just as technical as option 2, but things get easier after that. You do have to trust SIEEMPI with your email and IMEI number, but we have not heard of any privacy concerns form anyone who’s used this method.

1. Gain s-off on your HTC One (M8) (instructions)
2. Fill out the form on SIEEMPI with your IMEI, phone model and email address. A unique file for your  HTC One (M8) will be emailed to you
3. Download the config.dat file in root of your microSD card.
4. Reboot into bootloader mode (press and hold volume down + power buttons).
5. In bootloader mode use the volume keys to highlight SIMLock, press the power button and the config.dat file will be applied.
6. Follow the prompts on the screen and reboot your phone.
7. Insert a nanoSIM card from another service provider into the phone
8. Enjoy!

The simple, paid alternative

If you don’t meet your service provider’s SIM unlock requirements or don’t want to void your warranty and risk bricking your phone, there is a fourth option that’s quick and hassle free. There are dozens of SIM unlock services on the web like HTCSimUnlock.com that can unlock your HTC One (M8). Like your service provider, all they need is the IMEI number for your phone and they will usually send you the unlock code in less than 30 minutes. Most SIM unlocking services even have a money-back guarantee if they are not able to locate the SIM unlock code for your HTC One (M8).

If you know if any other free options to SIM unlock the HTC One (M8), please let us know if the comments below.

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Fleksy is announcing a partnership with the just announced app subscription service App Pass this week that will bring the third-party keyboard replacement app and its premium features to Sprint subscribers enrolled in App Pass.

App Pass is a new service available to Sprint users that gives Android device owners access to a list of hand-selected premium and paid apps for a monthly fee. Think Netflix for apps (someone had to say it). Thanks to Fleksy’s partnership with App Pass, just $4.99 a month gets you access to Fleksy keyboard and full-access to all of the premium themes available in Fleksy, normally available as in-app purchases.

Having Fleksy on board is a great way to jump start to App Pass, a service that will theoretically grow in value as it adds more partners over time. We kind of like the idea of paying a monthly fee for access to paid software, so long as the value is there, what do you think?

For more information on App Pass, visit Sprint.com/AppPass. If you don’t have Sprint, you can still download Fleksy from Google Play using the widget below.

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