Android ar is got a needed boost in utility this week with some helpful new features, including support for watches with built-in G the ability to play music directly from the watch to Bluetooth headphones. The 4.42 update is starting to hit the smartwatch universe, with the Samsung Gear ve the latest to get the notice.
Android ar updates are just the tip of the iceberg, with many devices getting some update love this week. Things should pick up more as we get closer to the launch of Android llipop.
Each week we gather up all the major software updates for the biggest devices; phones tablets on U.S. carriers ( unlocked phones, of course), wearables, round them all up so you don’t miss a thing.
Making sure your device installs the latest software is a good housekeeping practice, ensuring you have the latest features, close security holes, squash those pesky bugs.
Android ar
Samsung Gear ve: The 4.4.2 Android ar started showing up for Gear ve owners on Friday. It has all -crafted goodies, such as hiding notification cards playing music locally when paired with Bluetooth headphones. This particular watch unfortunately doesn’t have a G chip, so you won’t get any of the location-aware newness.
If you get impatient waiting for the update, flash it yourself by grabbing it from XDA Developers.
Moto 360: ong with its Android ar update to 4.42, the Moto 360 got a bunch of other tweaks fixes this week, namely an automatic shut-off of ambient mode when the battery hits 15 percent better adjustment to the room brightness.
There’s a lot of other smaller adjustments that should improve the experience, so if you want the full changelog head on over to Motorola’s site.
Unlocked devices
Nvidia Shield Tablet: This is a minor bump to 1.2.1 for the gaming tablet, adding in improved Fi performance on the 5GHz b, performance optimizations for encrypted devices, a fix to other intermittent issues. Game on.
Verizon
HTC One M8, E8: Two of HTC’s models are getting the much-ballyhooed Eye experience software. It includes screen sharing, Split Capture, Voice Selfie, Crop-Me-In mode, improved face tracking. No periscope included.
T-Mobile
Galaxy Tab 10.1: This super-sized tablet is getting Android 4.4.4, which has a few security stability fixes beyond its current version of 4.4.2. It’s another good sign that llipop won’t be far off for such devices, with Samsung staying pretty busy on the update front.
Galaxy Tab 4: Samsung’s smaller tablet is also getting some love, with T-Mobile sending out an update that pushes it to Android 4.4.4. It’s a pretty minor bug fix update, but it surely can’t hurt to make sure you’re on the latest version.
HTC One M8: At least they got this in before llipop’s release. This model of the M8 is also getting bumped up to Android 4.4.4 – just in time for Android 5.0 llipop to be ready. If HTC wants to stay competitive with all those new phones rolling out, the One M8 should see llipop sooner rather than later.
Sprint
G2: HD Voice is a pretty neat feature, so G2 owners will want to grab the ZVE update from Sprint that improves call clarity. There’s also a security patch bundled with the update. Sprint says you can force it by tapping on System Updates then pressing Update Software.
Samsung Galaxy Mega: The original oversized phone is getting a minor update, with the N patch sending out support for HD voice, international Fi calling the obligatory security fixes.
llipop for the Galaxy Note 4
Samsung doesn’t have the best record when it comes to timely Android software updates, but things may be different this time around.
Anyway you look at it, the #GAXYNote4 Quad HD Super AMOD display is pretty sweet. #NoteTheDifference pic.twitter.com/8fYyz7
— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) October 21, 2014
The tease is a good indication that it won’t be an excessively long wait for llipop on Samsung’s popular phablet. Given that the company has already been testing it out on a Galaxy S5, we can only assume the same has been in place for the Note 4.