Google Nexus 5 gets unofficial CyanogenMod 11

CM11 might not be officially available yet, but you can still get a taste of it since the code was freely distributed to Github earlier in the month. The unofficial release of CM11 for the Nexus 5 is now available via XDA Developers. Because of the fact that this release is unofficial it will still probably have a few glitches, but in case you want to see what it’s like before the official release you can head over to XDA Developers to check it out.

CM11 has been in the works since the source for KitKat was released on October 31. The devices that will receive the upgrade have yet to be announced, but CyanogenMod is hoping to bring all devices that are currently running CM10.2 up to CM11. The first official release of CM11, CM11 Nightly, is expected before the end of the month.
There are a number of features that come with installing CyanogenMod, but one of the biggest advantages is the ability to bring your device up to the latest version of Android even if your device doesn’t technically support it.
Source: XDA Developers
Via: MobileSyrup

Google redesigns Google Now website to explain how cards work with animations

Along with releasing a new version of Google Search, including Google Now, Google has also redesigned their Google Now website, and it looks pretty. Filled with short videos and animation, Google shows users how exactly Google Now cards work, and which cards are available.
The website is worth a look, even if you are already familiar with the ins and outs of Google Now. Head to the source link to check it out.
Source: Google Now

Get any tablet from Staples $50 off, including Nexus 7

Black Friday is coming up in just a few weeks, but Staples already has great deals flowing. You can get any tablet over $149 for $50 off. That includes the new Nexus 7, and brings down the price to $179 for the 16GB version, and $219 for the 32GB tablet. That is an incredible deal for a brand new, top of the line device.
All  you have to do to take advantage of this deal is enter the coupon code 24373 while you’re checking out on Staples.com. This deal is only valid today, so be quick!
Source: 9 to 5 Google

Possible specs of the HTC M8 leak, new processor and a larger 1080p display

New information regarding the HTC One’s successor is becoming more frequent since it is going to launched within the next few months. We’ve already seen its casing, with a possible fingerprint sensor like the One Max, and @evleaks suggests it could be available on the big four U.S. carriers at launch. Now @evleaks has information regarding the specs of HTC’s 2014 flagship. He says the device will likely, and predictably, have “a 5-inch, 1080p handset powered by KitKat and a Snapdragon 800.” This would improve upon the HTC One’s 4.7-inch display and Snapdragon 600 processor.
An issue may arise with what Samsung will do with their 2014 Galaxy S 5. The company is working on its own 64-bit processor and it is likely that HTC is not going to include one at all. This would put them behind Samsung from the beginning. HTC needs to somewhat future-proof their device for the immediate future rather than being surpassed by Samsung once their flagship launches.

Source: @evleaks

New FCC boss wants people to be able to unlock their phones

The new chairman of the FCC, Tom Wheeler, has just announced to wireless companies that they are to pass rules that allow people to be able to unlock their phones, allowing them to change carriers. These rules, Wheeler says, are to be put in place by December.
The issue in question, “unlocking”, was in the news back in January thanks to a law that made it illegal for you to unlock your phone and bring it to another carrier, even if you paid all the fees associated with unlocking your device. Currently, unlocking your device requires you to hack it – a move that could send you to jail for up to 5 years.

The FCC is pushing for phone carriers to be required to follow 5 rules:

1. Consumers must know about unlocking their phone from the start.
2. Consumers should be able to own their unlocked device after paying off their contract.
3. Consumers must be made aware that their devices can be unlocked at no cost.
4. Carriers must unlock a phone within two business days, or tell consumers why their device cannot be unlocked in that time.
5. Carriers must unlock phones for people in the military when they are deployed.

Such rules would make a big change to the way phone carriers currently work, but the aforementioned law will still need to be changed. One advocate of the new rules, Sina Khanifer, who founded an organization called Fix The DCMA, says that consumers should be able to unlock their phones without the need for carrier cooperation. One bill is currently in Congress that could help with that, called the “Unlocking Technology Act”. Khanifer says that he hopes people will contact their representatives to let them know of their support for the bill.
Source: Business Insider

Google highlights ‘Flight Search’ feature to find and save flight information

Google’s ITA Software blog just posted some information highlighting the best features of Google Flight Search.
If you’re not ready to book your flight immediately, you can save the information and easily access it all later when you’re ready to book it. To save a flight, you can hit the star icon, and you can access these flights again later by hitting the star icon again when you’re on the flight search home page. Any price changes or availability details will be reflected in the saved information as well.
It’s definitely a handy little tool that can be used when searching for flights on the go.
Source: ITA Software Blog

Samsung plans for flexible screen on next-gen of smartphones leak, features interactive side-pane

The race to release the first smartphone with a flexible screen is over. The LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy Round have been released in all their glory. Now, the race begins to create an a smartphone that actually utilizes the flexible screen correctly.
Some Samsung sketches just leaked, which show exactly what they’re trying to do here with their next generation of smartphones. These ideas aren’t anything new, as Samsung showed us a prototype with a bent screen on the side of the device, creating a control/information bar.
Bloomberg brings us today’s leaked plans. Hit the break to see just a few things that could be done with such a phone:

1. Slide to lock/unlock functionality and battery charge indicators could be located on an “always-on” side-screen.
2. The ability to arrange and navigate through photo gallery via folder or dates, or by a combination of touch/tilt gestures.


3. Quickly navigate through long list-apps such as address books or bookmarks in an e-book.


4. Easily store items on the side screen for later sharing/viewing use. (View-able copy/paste clipboard)


5. See more details about certain items, such as the size of attachments on messages.


If you ask me, I’d say these features beat out the G Flex and Galaxy Round in just about every single category. It’ll be exciting to see what gets implemented and all of the other possibilities for this new technology. The folks over at Unwired actually suggested that this could make for a legitimate use for Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. (Until, of course, Google implements the flexible display hardware into Android, and once again reduces the need for TouchWiz…)
Via: Unwired
Source: US Patent and Trademark Office