CyanogenMod switches on CyanogenMod 11 nightly builds for dozens of devices

The makers of the one of if not the most popular custom Android ROM is proceeding full steam ahead with its transition to an Android 4.4 codebase. Now it has activated the nightly builds for devices that can support CyanogenMod 11.

Last week, the CyanogenMod team announced the first CyanogenMod 11 snapshot, CyanogenMod 11 M1. This snapshot, however, was limited only to more recent Nexus devices. The team did promise that it will soon be enabling nightly builds, and now its announcing which supported devices will fall under which CyanogenMod version. This list accounts for all 156 officially supported devices compatible with CyanogenMod 10.0 and higher.

Dozens of devices, including the Galaxy Nexus, will be receiving nightly builds of CyanogenMod 11, which is based on Android 4.4. But even more than that, Android 4.4.1, which has just started rolling out to Nexus devices, is already being merged into the codebase. This means that the next round of nightly builds will soon include the latest maintenance update as well. Unfortunately, this announcement also spells the end of nightly builds for devices running CyanogenMod 9 or older, to give way to CM 10.2 and CM 11.

The list of devices, which you can read from the source link below, is not yet exhaustive nor is it final. Some devices under CyanogenMod 10.2 are expected to move up to CyanogenMod 11 over the next few weeks. Nightlies are, of course, considered to be raw versions, so they should be installed and used with care and a bit of knowledge of the risks involved.

SOURCE: CyanogenMod

Jolla CEO says they want to sideload Sailfish OS onto Android devices

Sailfish OS is, like Tizen and/or Firefox, an upstart that hopes to disrupt the market a bit. It’s a bit more of a continuation of Nokia’s MeeGo operating system than a fresh take on mobile, but it has a cult following of anticipation and excitement. While desired, some wonder who would use Sailfish, or why, when iOS and Android dominate.

Sailfish may not need someone to make it home, though. In a recent interview with Finnish site Talouselama, CEO of Jolla (the company behind Sailfish) Tomi Pienimaki said they’d make a home on Android devices. Like Cyanogen before them, Sailfish wants to end up on Android:

It is fairly easy to install the OS on Android devices. There is no such culture in these parts of the world [Finland], but there are people that are installing new operating systems on their devices.

He went on to note that China is of particular interest to Jolla, saying there are websites that are already distributing operating system software tot he Chinese consumer, making it more approachable. More to the point, they need no education on just how side loading an OS works.

Finland may be Jolla’s home, but they might find resistance to an unofficial OS. The US is always attractive, but we’re wary of anything that isn’t Android, or comes with GAPPS. If Jolla can educate the European market on just how to side load an OS, though, they might be able to lock up a huge region.

Android 4.3: Update Samsung and HTC devices already in construction

By Jean-Louis Petrod on July 25, 2013

Update their devices in the next version of the OS, already already caused to the nexus range and 4.3 Samsung and HTC announced Android, just rich with new devices. Although none of the two constructors have envisioned what terminals for the update and when they are used, now, would Google confirmed but the next update a Google Edition HTC.

Digital communication said, however, the Taiwanese manufacturer, Jeff Gordon: "we currently consider the Android 4.3 update to determine how it fits into our plans.

Korean is meanwhile showed in the vague, that its Taiwanese rival, which States: "Samsung UK will in the coming months plans for the selected Galaxy devices confirmed updated.

Android on HTC and Samsung devices 4.3.

To sum up two say official statements but no accuracy, which is what HTC and Samsung devices, Android 4.3 get. In addition the use of the expression "within months" 5.0 come from the British Korean Division update be deployed manufacturer according to prior to 2014 although until then Android key lime pie will have already been proposed and is already on devices with the exception of those of the nexus range exist.

Therefore, it is the only certainty you can have, that Android 4.3 devices such as the HTC one or Samsung Galaxy S4 will be eligible. Same side of the Galaxy note 2, Galaxy Notes 8.0 or Galaxy S3, but I'll be much stubborn on the side of HTC when it fate that Taiwanese HTC S. a reserved has

Finally, in the meantime, it is still possible to install the ROM-Google Edition or other Roma custom.

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Rymdkapsel bringing minamalist strategy to PlayStation-certified devices

A hidden gem at GDC 2013 was tucked away at the PlayStation booth called Rymdkapsel. This is a minimalistic strategy game with some Tetris-style base expansion mechanics. Players have to collect resources, research new technologies, and defend themselves against the occasional wave of attackers. 

Micromanaging is kept to a minimum, though it's clear that there's still plenty of complexity to the game. The demo was on the PlayStation Vita, but Rymdkapsel is due for PlayStation-certified devices this April, and hitting Google Play at large anout two months later. 

The thing I really like about Rumdkapsel is that it's designed for longer play sessions - upwards of 40 minutes, which is pretty bold in an era of bite-sized mobile gaming. That said, it looks very much like Rymdkapsel will be a test of endurance, where players are balancing the conflicting needs to expand and discover new resources while maintaining a defensible perimeter. 

First Sony Xperia Z firmware update hitting some devices in Europe

It seems Sony's Xperia Z is in the midsts of its first official firmware update. Xperia Z owners in Europe are reporting receiving the update to version 10.1.A.1.434 through the Sony PC companion app, however it seems the update isn't rolling out for everyone just yet, and it's not yet available directly on the device as an over-the-air update either. For our part, we haven't received any update on the unlocked UK model we've been using.

There's also no firm information on exactly what's new in this update, though there's speculation it might address the recently discovered "sleep of death" issue causing Sony Xperia Zs to randomly die. According to XDA forum reports, the latest firmware doesn't fix the slow camera start-up times we pointed out in our Xperia Z review, which is unfortunate.

If you've got an Xperia Z in Europe, be sure to hit the comments and let us know if you're seeing this latest firmware update.

Source: XDA

Samsung isn't forgetting about devices for emerging markets

Samsung may be spending tens of millions of dollars to put on events for the unveiling of the Galaxy S4, but it hasn't forgotten about making devices targeted at emerging markets. We see a lot of new Samsung devices come through that are targeted at the mid range -- such as the Galaxy S3 Mini -- but the Korean manufacturer is also targeting the hyper low-end of emerging markets such as India and Indonesia. In areas where the landscape until recently has been dominated by feature phones, Samsung has gained considerable market share with devices that cost about $100 unlocked. The Wall Street Journal points out that Samsung's market share in Indonesia has risen from 2-percent in 2010 to over 50-percent last quarter.

While there is still a huge untapped market of feature phone users trying to make the move to smart phones, some are worried that Samsung's race to meet the low-end demands will cut into profits. Analysts calculate Samsung's operating margin on these low-end devices at about 12-percent, or less than half of what it is for high-end devices. It's hard to fault Samsung for trying to grab every piece of the market, however. In many cases these consumers are either buying a cheap phone or no phone at all, so choosing to not offer a low-end device to them is a completely lost sale. And with a company the size of Samsung, there's hardly a fight for resources to push into a new market.

Samsung is likely smart to push into emerging markets, if for no other reason than to get consumers acquainted with their smart phones for future purchases. Building up both market share, but also mind share, is extremely important for the long-term viability of sales in a market. They may be buying just $100 entry-level smart phones today, but in a couple of years there's a good chance that the same group of consumers will be ready for the higher end device -- and Samsung will be waiting there to sell them one.

Source: WSJ