Recursion

Google Nexus 5

The Google Nexus 5 has now official been unveiled via the Google Play Store. The latest LG-made Google phone is set to replace the Nexus 4 which had, until now, been the flagship Android smartphone made by the company. 

The LG Nexus 5 features a similarly if not more minimal design compared to that of the Nexus 4, so much so that even the small design touch on the back of the Nexus 4 has been replaced by a matte black surface with the word 'nexus' in the middle.

Once again though LG and Google appear to have made a flagship smartphone that's in disguise as the specs are impressively premium making it a serious contender for Apple's iPhone 5c.

Just 8.59mm thin the Nexus 5 is the slimmest Google phone to date making it thinner than the iPhone 5c though not as thin as say the Samsung Galaxy S4.

The Nexus 5 screen is certainly impressive on paper, a 5-inch Full-HD display sporting a massive 1920x1080p resolution with 445ppi making it significantly higher in resolution than the iPhone 5s and even the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX tablet.

The design also appears to feature a much smaller bezel than that found on the Nexus 4, instead the Nexus 5 has a design on the front which looks very similar to the LG G2. If the design is a little too minimalist for you then you'll be able to kit your new phone out with some Nexus 5 cases available in four distinct colours.

 

Inside you'll find there's an impressive quad-core 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor along with 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage. Sadly no microSD support though which will surely come as a blow to the Android die-hards out there.

On the back there's an 8MP camera with the ability to shoot 1080p Full-HD video along with a 1.3MP front-facing camera for Google+ Hangout conversations and of course Skype.

Wireless charging comes as standard which means you won't have to buy an extra case whilst 4G connectivity is available, something that many criticised the Nexus 4 for not having.

Of course the first thing people will notice when they turn the device on however is the addition of Google's new operating system Android 4.4 KitKat.

  

KitKat comes with some key design changes which make the OS seem less intrusive on the screen, it should also allow more focus on that Full-HD display.

The Nexus 5 also comes with the new version of Google Now which first appeared on the Motorola Moto X allowing you to ask your smartphone to perform tasks even when the phone is locked.

Looking set to take on Apple's Siri, Google Now will be able to set alarms, answer questions and perform actions all without a physical prompt as the smartphone's mic will be able to recognise when it's being spoken to intelligently recognising that it's you and not someone else.

Android KitKat 4.4 : Irresistible?

Google has revealed the full tech-specs of the all new Android KitKat.Since Android announced the name of the new Android OS,the markets have been buzzing about the possible designs and features.And after the initial confusion between Keylime Pie and Kitkat has been cleared and finally the all new KitKat 4.4 is out.

At the launch of Android 4.4,instead of delivering a raft of flashy new features to advance the mobile OS arms race, KitKat's most notable promise is to really fix the age-old Android problem of fragmentation. As Google's Android chief Sundar Pichai put it, KitKat will be one version of the OS that will run across all smartphones. The goal is to bring Android to the next billion people and the way to do it is to make KitKat use less memory than previous Android versions.

 

4.4 features an advanced interface of apps.'OK Google' is the new voice keyword for managing all activities on your phone.From web search to making calls,everything can be done with your voice commands.

The new features included in Kitkat

• The revamped phone dialer app will evaluate which contacts you talk to most and automatically prioritize your phone book accordingly. Also, integration with more Google apps such as Maps will let you search for nearby places and businesses right in the phone dialer.
• Caller ID gets a boost, as well. For incoming calls that don't match a phone number not in your contacts, Google apps will scan and display any matches from local businesses listed in Google Maps.
• The immersive mode will clear up clutter on your screen by automatically hiding everything except except the one thing you're viewing (like a photo, map, or game). In other words, you'll be in full-screen mode without status and navigation bars. When you're ready to move on, you can bring back your status bar and navigation buttons by swiping the edge of the screen.
• A new Hangouts app consolidates all of your text and mulitmedia messages, conversations, and video calls into one place.

• You'll be able to print photos, documents, and web pages from your phone or tablet. Any printer connected to Google Cloud Print will be compatible, along with HP ePrint printers and other printers with Google Play apps.
• If you have an Android device with an IR blaster, you'll be able to use applications that function as a TV remote. Also, capable devices will now support Chromecast.
• You'll get an emoji keyboard, if you're into that short of thing.
• When switching between homescreens, you can change the order by moving them around.
• Support for the Message Access Profile (MAP) will let drivers exchange messages between their Bluetooth-enabled cars and devices.
• Closed captioning comes to most applications.
• A new look for the e-mail app brings nested folders, contact photos, and revamped navigation.
• NFC features now will work with more wireless carriers.
• App developers can take advantage of new step detection and counting composite sensors.
• Smaller details range from a uniform color for status bars to a new condensed font.

Lastly, KitKat has a deeper integration of Google services depending on how you use a phone. Google Now will be accessible via one swipe from the home screen. Also coming are new card types that give you more information specific to your interests.