Preview: Android L for Samsung Galaxy S5

Android L's release is nearly here soon, perhaps even this month (as well as November). We have known for months what Google wants its next mobile OS version to appear like, considering that the company's already presented its new Material Design. But what in regards to the different phone makers? They've thus far gotten applied to modifying the looks of stock Android quite a whole lot, so it is interesting to discover how they will approach this version.

And in fact now we could get a look into what Samsung's interpretation of Android L will appear like, as someone got their hands on the pre-release build from the new OS for that Galaxy S5. This build is said to become very slow and buggy, so there is clearly lots of work that Samsung still should do (and it really is the rationale why it hasn't been made available for download).

Should you be hoping that Samsung would throw in the towel on its TouchWiz UI overlay entirely, well, you had been wrong. Samsung's Android L does not appear like Google's Android L - not entirely. There are plenty similarities, though, then it's nice to discover Samsung finally change some design bits that were left pretty much unaltered for a long time. Take for instance the Settings menu. This really is now white, and never blue. Then again, the quick settings inside the notification shade look very much like those in Samsung's KitKat release for that Galaxy S5.

The good thing is always that Samsung's built-in apps (for example Dialer, Memo, Clock, etc) have already been redesigned in keeping with Material Design guidelines (though they are not finished yet, as they simply haven't animations at this stage). The new lock screen from Google's Android L makes an appearance in Samsung's vision, but sadly the quantity of notifications it may show is simply two (when compared with four inside the stock OS). To obtain a better idea about what you are able expect from Samsung's Android L update for Galaxy S5, watch the video below.

Windows 10 release date : mid/late 2015

Next major version of Windows has also been announced - inside a surprising turn of events, it'll be called Windows 10, and from the looks of them, it'll become a step back direct from heavily metro-fied realities of Windows 8, bringing the focus back upon the desktop small portion the OS. A thing you need is certain, an open road prior Windows 10 remains long - Microsoft has made likely to mention on several occasions during its announcement event the project remains in its early stages, and there is quite lots of developing left to become done.

In spite of this, we shouldn't be surprised the new platform is not expected to land anytime soon. Still, the expected Windows 10 release date actually does not seem too distant also. Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will launch sometime in late 2015, following its Build developer conference, which traditionally occurs in April. Since this can be a rather wide time frame, we'd say that many of us expect Windows 10 to become released around the centre of 2015, or merely a couple of months after that - close to the end of the summertime, but in fact, that is just speculation.

So, there you've it guys - a spanking new Windows will be upon us soon, and it'll likely be here in under a year from now!

Microsoft skips Windows 9, jumps right to Windows 10

Well, it is really official folks, Microsoft has officially introduced its new version of Windows, but guess what - this is not Windows 9 that we're speaking about. Don't Be Concerned, though, we are not addressing some kind of a spin-off or an enterprise-centric version - it'll become a full-blown Windows alright. You observe, We're all expecting Microsoft to reveal Windows 9 at its event in San Francisco today, but what it is that we got instead is... drum roll, please... Windows 10!

We ain't joking - it appears Microsoft is so happy with the tasks it is really done upon the new Windows, that must be ready to provides it a much bigger name, something which will reflect the new beginning of sorts. After all, all of the meaningful leaks we have seen about Windows 9 thus far remain valid, including the metrofied Start Menu and also a refocus upon the desktop environment. Stay tuned in for more information, as Microsoft reveals more in regards to the upcoming Windows 10, which, i would like to add, is scheduled for release in 2015.

Apple already testing major iOS 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 updates

Here is a slight secret : no company releases software that's bug free. It is almost an impossible task. The very best you could hope is the company should have identified many of the bigger bugs, and gets working over a fix as fast as they possibly can. It's like Apple is requried to be made by that track, because evidence is showing major iOS 8. x updates already in testing.

We already knew that there could be an iOS 8. 1, because each version of iOS has gotten some major update. The interesting part of the news is Apple is reportedly also testing iOS 8. 2 and 8. 3. Previously, only iOS 4 received two major updates after its initial release (ending on 4. 2. 1). These version numbers are actually confirmed through the visitor log from 9to5Mac, which shows devices running iOS 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 visiting the web page recently.

You will find a couple possibilities when interpreting these details. First, the evidence of iOS 8. 2 and 8. 3 could be meaningless. Second, 9to5Mac posits that Apple could be moving towards a far more continuous update cycle, much like OS X which usually gets about 8 updates within the year between version changes. This would allow Apple to repair and add features more quickly, however it sounds to a small degree out of every character for iOS. Not even Google does that with Android.

Our theory is really a twist on the very first idea. We wonder if maybe iOS 8. 2 and 8. 3 won't actually exist, but those numbers are increasingly being used at the moment as Apple works out fixes for giant issues with iOS 8. For instance, maybe the devices running " iOS 8. 1 " are focused read more about improving the performance, devices with " iOS 8. 2 " are focusing on Wi-Fi and security issues, and " iOS 8. 3 " is targeting Apple Watch features. But, once all the problems are sorted out, maybe the very first two be packaged together as iOS 8. 1 as the main bug fix update, and when there is an iOS 8. 2, it is really a feature release to compliment the Apple Watch.

Whatever is going on, it might be a few months before there are any major update to iOS, so we will just have to stay an eye out.

Next version of Windows will free upgrade for Windows 8 users

In practical terms, Windows 8 was the evolution relevant to an operating system hunting for a challenge to solve. Upon the desktop, Microsoft had no problems getting others to buy-in to upgrading from Vista to Windows 7.

Windows 8 wasn't received likewise though, despite its aim to become more form factor agnostic, with optimizations that favored either desktop or tablet, many of the features that traditional users regarded like a mainstay, like the Start Menu, went AWOL.

During Build 2014, Microsoft said which the Start Menu could well be coming for people who used the desktop, and it might incorporate the Live Tiles that can be harnessed via the now established Start Screen. Successive generation of Windows is additionally expected to take Cortana straight into the environment, support for multiple and separate desktops, as well as a notification center, among other highlights.

Shortly later on debut of Windows 8, Microsoft confirmed which the update to Windows 8. 1 wouldn't cost anything to the first adopters. It's like the update to Windows 9, or anything it ends up being called, will additionally not cost existing users of Windows 8 anything.

That is founded on comments made via the president of Microsoft Indonesia, Andreas Diantoro to the local online news outlet. What Isn't known is that if Microsoft will certainly be sweetening the pot get others to ditch Windows XP, now four generations old, and in fact now Now Not supported.

Windows Phone Preview for Developers getting Windows Phone 8.1 Update

If you are a member from the Windows Phone Preview for Developers program, build 8. 10. 14176 is now being pushed out for you by Microsoft. The update includes performance improvements and bug fixes. The build should clear the 80188308 error that some Windows Phone users were seeing while aiming to install Windows Phone 8. 1 on the phones. The error screen was popping up " as a result of not enough storage space inside the system partition during update. " Microsoft expects the new build to set this issue. If this does not help, you'll need to work with the Nokia Software Recovery Tool to rest your phone.

Other problems fixed include the inability from the HTC 8X and HTC 8S to have the Windows Phone 8. 1 update. Those two models Didn't possess the proper drivers installed, which caused Microsoft to prevent aiming to update the 2 handsets.

Lastly, more Lumia owners that are participants in the Developer Preview program, will start receiving the Lumia Cyan update. Microsoft had started rolling it for some models many weeks ago. Though the guys and gals in Redmond plan on speeding things up. Each day, a handful of more devices will certainly be receiving the update until all Lumia models are accounted for. The Lumia Cyan update includes a brand new Start screen, the Swype-styled Word Flex feature, a file manager, IE11 password improvements, calendar enhancements, and an Action Center for notifications.

People who find themselves participants in Windows Phone Preview for Developers be able to arrive at test out new Windows Phone builds before they're made open to regular Windows Phone members.

HTC US Product Manager joins Cyanogen

Cyanogen continues to engage away talent from other mobile companies. On Tuesday, another HTC employee made the jump. Product Manager Leigh Momii, who has got spent three 5 years using the manufacturer, will elevate to a Product Evangelist for Cyanogen starting this Friday ; this really is another solution to saying that she is going to probably be implementing various pr campaigns for the corporate.

Cyanogen is we were young. Late last year, it teamed up with Oppo to provide the CyanogenMod version from the Oppo N1. And recently, CyanogenMod 11S, depending on Android 4. 4 Kit Kat, powers the OnePlus One.

Momii posted on her Google Plus page that producing the switch was a painful decision. Cyanogen is we were young from a little gang of custom ROM builders to some company that needs the expertise of any Product Evangelist.

" The data I have gained at HTC is invaluable. I do know that everything I’ve learned here mentioned in a previous couple of years will certainly benefit me immensely during this new role. You will find a great deal of great lessons learned and insights I now have that I may take with me and hopefully influence Cyanogen in a manner that positively impacts the industry and it is essential coming from all : the customer. " -Leigh Momii