Nexus 5 Render Brings Leak to Life

When Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat, it also erected a statue to commemorate the occasion. And while the company wanted the focus of the raising of the Android 4.4 KitKat statue to be the focus, the event also seemed to reveal an unknown Nexus smartphone that some believe could be the rumored Nexus 5.

The video, which showed Google putting the Android 4.4 KitKat statue up on its campus, showed a man holding a Nexus device that didn’t and doesn’t resemble any known Nexus smartphone on the planet. The brief sighting led Google to mysteriously pull the Android 4.4 KitKat video for unexplained reasons, leading many to wonder whether it had just shown off a new Nexus smartphone.

Rumors have been swirling in regards to a Nexus 5, possibly built by LG, possibly built by Motorola, that will be coming later on this year with a new version of Android. Whispers have suggested a launch in October and thus, this sighting has brought about a ton of excitement in the Android world.

This Nexus 5 render is based on a leak from Google’s Android 4.4 video.

While we still aren’t sure if the device in question is the Nexus 5, Yugatech has created a Nexus 5 render that is based off of the device that we saw emerge in the video. The device features the large Nexus lettering on the back, a large camera sensor in the top left corner, and it even features the disputable LG logo that many believe was on board the device in the video.

The device features a black finish like the device from Google’s video and ultimately, it offers a fantastic up close look at what might just be Google’s new Nexus smartphone.

Is this the Nexus 5?

Of course, this is still unconfirmed and it could be that the device was a prototype or a device within a protective shell to shield the actual design from view. it could also have been Google trolling ahead of the real Nexus 5 unveiling. It is, however, telling that the company took down the video shortly after the device was discovered and started making the rounds.

Whatever the case may be, Google typically announces and releases a new Nexus smartphone in the fourth quarter of the year so we should get a glimpse at the actual Nexus 5 in the weeks ahead.

Rumors suggest that it will either be a Motorola Nexus that isn’t like the Moto X or perhaps an LG Nexus 5 that is based, in part, upon the LG G2 that is scheduled to hit the United States in the month of September.

iPhone 5 Cases Will Fit iPhone 5S According to Case Maker

Will iPhone 5 cases fit the iPhone 5S? It’s a question we’ve been hearing from readers as the iPhone event approaches and leaks point to a device that looks almost identical to the iPhone 5 we are starting to get input from case makers.

Based on the latest round of iPhone 5S cases appearing online, it’s safe to say case makers think the iPhone 5 cases they already sell will work on the iPhone 5S.

If this is the case there will be a plethora of iPhone 5S cases available to users on day one. This is a major difference from the iPhone 5 release, when Apple Stores did not carry any iPhone 5 cases for months and it was tough to find decent cases for the first several weeks.

Spigen iPhone 5 cases should fit the iPhone 5S according to the company’s Japanese website.

As case makers start teasing iPhone 5S cases and some begin taking iPhone 5S case preordersit’s becoming clear that companies who invest large amounts of cash into making iPhone cases are betting on an iPhone 5S that fits in most iPhone 5 cases.

This week Spigen changed the iPhone 5 cases listing on its Japanese website to include an iPhone 5S/5 listing. This is similar to the iPhone 4S/4 listing it uses for the older style iPhone.

Spigen Japan prepares for iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 cases that fit the new iPhone and the old device.

The change is not in place on the U.S. version of the website, but it is a sign that Spigen is planning on the iPhone 5S name and the same form factor.

While case makers don’t get an inside track from Apple in most instances, they are keenly following the rumors and once rumors start to take shape into a specific style device, they can begin working on new case.

We will likely see many other case makers jump on board with the iPhone 5S name and iPhone 5 cases which they claim will fit both devices. When the iPhone 5S release arrives, likely on September 20th, we could see some cases at stores with the iPhone 5S/5 label and likely many more with a “new iPhone” sticker or label.

Leaks point to a dual-led flash on the iPhone 5S. Image via Martin Hajek.

While the iPhone 5S leaks point to a device that will use the same dimensions as the iPhone 5S, panels that include an opening for the rumored dual-LED flash show a bigger opening which may mean that not every iPhone 5 case will work perfectly with the iPhone 5S.

Apple tells case makers to avoid flash interference.

Apple offers developer guidelines for iPhone cases, which include specific instructions for case openings to avoid interacting with the flash or lens. The image below shows an Apple case maker document for the iPhone 5 which includes specific measurements and the image above shows Apple’s reference document outlining flash interference caused by cases that bounce back some of the flash.

Apple delivers detailed iPhone dimensions and instructions to case makers.

Until Apple updates the document for the iPhone 5S and case makers get their hands on the iPhone 5S on release day we don’t know for certain, but chances are good the iPhone 5S will work with most iPhone 5 cases on day one. We could even see iPhone 5S battery cases available on day one.

iBooks Change Hints at Fast OS X Mavericks Release

A small change in the listing for iBooks textbooks in iTunes points to a fast OS X Mavericks release that could come as an announcement at the September 10th iPhone event Apple scheduled for next week.

Apple announced OS X Mavericks, also known as OS X 10.9, at WWDC 2013 in June with a Developer Preview following soon after alongside the iOS 7 beta.

While all signs point to a major focus on the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C and iOS 7 at Tuesday’s event, Apple could use the time to announce the OS X Mavericks release date and price.

If this is the case, it could also mean that the New MacBook Pro release date is weeks, not months away as speculation points to new MacBook Pro Retina and new MacBook Pro models in September or October, with timing based around the OS X Mavericks release timing.

Check out our OS X Mavericks price and release date predictions.

Macworld spotted a change in the iBooks language inside iTunes which points out Textbooks now work on any iOS device. The new message uses a less definitive iOS device name and mentions OS X 10.9 by name which leads us to believe the iPhone iBooks experience is getting an upgrade on September 10th and the OS X Mavericks release date can’t be too far behind. The image below compares wording.

This small wording change hints the OS X Mavericks release is at hand.

iBooks is a key upgrade for OS X Mavericks, as the app comes to Mac for the first time, completing the iBooks experience. Now, like the Kindle users can read on the iPhone, iPad and on their Mac. This is an important addition for textbooks which users will likely want to read on any device while in class or studying.

Apple is currently on OS X Mavericks Developer Preview 7, which is the 7th OS X 10.9 beta seeded to developers since June. With this many iterations under way, Apple could be ready to deliver the OS X Mavericks Gold Master at Tuesday’s event and announce the official OS X Mavericks release date as well.

There was some speculation that since Apple is hosting the event at Cupertino, rather than at an outside venue where there is more seating and where the iPhone 5 launched, but it could also be Apple inviting us to the campus to see the army of new products Tim Cook promised earlier this year.

If Apple uses the media event to announce the OS X Mavericks release, we could also see the new Mac Pro and new MacBook Pro models, but it is still not likely that we will see new iPads at the event.

iOS 7 App Updates Arriving Ahead of September 10th

With the iOS 7 release date at hand, Electronic Arts, one of the big publishers on Apple’s App Store, has updated its Real Racing 3 with iOS 7 compatibility as developers prepare for the impending arrival of Apple’s latest iOS update.

In June, Apple announced a new version of iOS dubbed iOS 7 which is said would be arriving for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch sometime this fall. After months of speculation and iOS 7 beta releases, the iOS 7 release is closer than ever with Apple scheduled to talk about the iPhone on September 10th in Cupertino.

Apple typically discusses iOS even further at its iPhone events and thus, the company is expected to detail iOS 7 features but also the highly anticipated iOS 7 release date.

iOS 7 is expected to arrive soon.

While it likely won’t come until at least September 10th, app developers have seemingly begun preparing for the final release of iOS 7 as EA, one of the App Stores largest publishers, has updated one its games with compatibility with Apple’s new iOS update.

Real Racing 3 received an update today that comes with several new features new cars and a new series. However, tucked away in the release notes, EA acknowledges that the update also has arrived with support for iOS 7 saying that the app has “full support for the latest version of iOS.”

The listing, first noticed by 9to5Mac, is a sign that developers are making preparations for the new gaming APIs found inside iOS 7 including new security measures, leaderboards and challenges. EA is the first developer to issue an iOS 7 compatibility update for a major application but it may not be the last to do so ahead of September 10th.

Apple is expected to detail the iOS 7 update and more on September 10th. And with the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C expected to be released on September 20th, all signs point to an iOS 7 release date somewhere in between September 10th and September 20th.

Rumors have suggested that it could arrive on September 10th but Apple traditionally releases its new software somewhere in the middle of launch and release.

The software is expected to land for many of Apple’s older devices including the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and the iPod touch fifth-generation and it’s expected to land for the iPad 4 and below and the iPad mini.

iOS 7 for iPad rumors suggest that the release may lag behind the iPhone with rumors suggesting a release sometime in October around the time the company announces the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.

New Chrome Apps Are Google’s Best Shot at Replacing Windows & Mac

In a move that turns the traditional computing market on it’s head, Google is choosing the fifth anniversary of its Chrome Web Browser to announce a new development platform that will bring fully featured applications outside of it’s web browser.

Google detailed the new type of Chrome Apps in a blog post this morning. According to Google, unlike the Chrome applications that users have been able to download for some time, the new platform will allow users to create applications that are native to the desktop.

This new breed of Chrome App will allow users to work offline too and won’t need to be activated through the Google Chrome web browser like Chrome web apps. These new applications are available from the Google Chrome Web Store today for users with Chrome OS or Windows installed on their computers. The company says it’s planning a release for Mac & Linux sometime soon.

In addition to working offline, Google will allow users to interface with its platform to create applications that can do many of the things Mac, Windows and Linux applications that are natively installed do today. This includes connecting to Google Drive, triggering desktop notifications, the ability to assess Bluetooth functionality and connect to devices over USB. Just like applications for Android, these apps will update automatically and will actively save the user’s progress in real-time.

The Pixlr Touch Up image editor uses Chrome App’s new technologies.

Each application will also behave independently of each other, so that users won’t have to worry about installing applications that could endanger their device.

The first batch of these applications are available today. They include, Pixlr Touch Up – a photo editing application, Wunderlist – a way for users to keep track of their tasks and Cracking Sands, aMario Kart racing-style game that features Xbox 360 controller support.

With today’s announcement of native Chrome Apps, Google has fired its most potent shot at the operating systems of Apple and Microsoft yet. Since Chrome Apps are cross-platform, Google is hoping that widespread adoption of the app development model will make the app ecosystems of more established players in the industry moot.

If it succeeds, the long-term gains for its own Chrome OS operating system could be huge. With a large, cross-platform app ecosystem to call its own, Chrome OS would be in the best position to take down both Windows and Mac OS with casual users.

iPhone 6: Apple Reportedly Testing Screens Up to 6-Inches

The iPhone 6 remains the bastion of hope for Apple fans looking for a larger screen comparable to the Galaxy S4 or dominating Galaxy Note 3 and the latest reports indicate that Apple is testing iPhone displays for a new iPhone that will most likely carry an iPhone 6 name with displays as large as 6-inches.

In less than a week Apple will announce a pair of new iPhones at a special event according to months and months of rumors. The new iPhone for 2013 will reportedly come with the same 4-inch Retina Display as the iPhone 5 and will look enough like the current iPhone that cases should fit both iPhones.

iPhone 6 rumors continually point to a larger screen for the iPhone which some analysts claim would help the carrier attract more consumers in Asia and better compete with Samsung’s Galaxy S4 which offers a 5-inch screen and relies on ads to steal consumers away from Apple’s iPhone.

iPhone 6 concept with a 4.8-inch display via Nowhereelse.fr.

In late 2012 rumors of an iPhone 6 prototype with a 4.8-inch screen first appeared. While there are no photos of these alleged iPhone 6 prototypes this early model used a larger 4.8-inch display with a higher Resolution Retina display. Apple’s current iPhone Retina Display maxes out at 1136 x 640, which is adequate on a 4-inch display, but would not likely meet Apple’s quality demands on a larger display.

A new report in The Wall Street Journal details Apple’s quest for a larger screen iPhone, without going so far as to talk about the iPhone 6 by name. The WSJ cites people familiar with Apple’s plans stating,

“The electronics giant has begun evaluating a plan to offer iPhones with screens ranging from 4.8 inches to as high as six inches,”

These claims line up with earlier iPhone 6 leaks and represent the current range of flagship smartphones which includes the Galaxy S4 with a 4.8-inch display, Moto X at 4.7-inches and the just announced Galaxy Note 3 at 5.7-inches. It would also put an iPhone 6 with a 6-inch display in range of the Samsung Galaxy Mega which ships with a 6.3-inch display.

Comparison shows a range of smartphone screen sizes from 4-inches to 5.7-inches.

The sources claim Apple spent the last several months testing larger iPhone screen sizes, but is, “particularly interested in recent tests for a 4.8-inch screen,” according to the component suppliers working with Apple.

It would make sense for Apple to explore multiple screen sizes for the iPhone 6, or whatever the company calls a new iPhone with a larger display. Companies routinely test a variety of screen sizes for upcoming phones. Samsung reportedly tested Galaxy Note 3 screen sizes ranging from 5.5 to 6-inches.

It is not clear if Apple would offer an iPhone 6 as a single new iPhone model with a bigger screen or if the company would sell it alongside the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C as a larger option for users that are eyeing a Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 3.

We’ve already discussed how the iOS 7 release lays the framework for supporting an iPhone 6 with a larger screen. We outline the reasoning in the video below, but in short the new gestures, and enhanced landscape mode line up with reports that Apple is experimenting with iPhone screen sizes.

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, previously talked down current large screen, high-resolution displays, saying they fall short of Apple’s standards, but new screen tech is on the way to phones and labs as you read this article.

Several analysts predict the iPhone 6 release in 2014, and the latest note from Citi Research analyst Glen Yeung, points to an iPhone 6 release date in early 2014. Citi goes as far as to call the next new iPhone the iPhone 6 and tell investors it will come with a larger screen.

ASUS Announces New Fonepads and MeMO Pads at IFA 2013

ASUS announced two new phones and a pair of tablets at IFA in Germany. They reminded the market about the huge 7-inch phablet smart phone called the Fonepad 7, which ASUSpreviously announced to go along with a new Fonepad Note 6.

These six and seven-inch smartphones will bring phablet users a new option to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Mega and theSamsung Galaxy Note 3 that Samsung will soon release after their announcement this week. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 sold well so competitors hope to grab market share by bring out their own phablets.

ASUS jumps into the market with these new phones, one for potential Note 3 customers since it comes with a stylus, but the other seeming more like a Galaxy Tab or Nexus 7 competitor with phone capabilities.

The ASUS MeMO Pad 8 squares off against the iPad mini and possibly the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.

ASUS Fonepad 6

The Fonepad Note 6 brings with it an active digitizer stylus, like the Galaxy Note, and a 1920×1080 IPS screen. The phone runs on an Intel Atom Z2580 dual-processor at 2GHz. Add to that 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of on board storage. Users can add more with a micro-SD card. One weakness is the lack of LTE built into the device, according to the press release.

The phone’s battery measures at 3200mAh. The rear camera users an 8MP sensor while the front is a 1.2MP sensor.

The Fonepads only run Android 4.2.2, but come with little other software making it one of the few none Nexus phones with a close to stock OS out of the box.

The Fonepad Note 6 measures 10.3mm thick and weighs 210g. ASUS says it will last up to 23 hours of 3G talk-time and 6.5 hours of video playing.

They will ship with a flip cover, much like Samsung’s flip cover for the Note.

ASUS Fonepad 7

The ASUS Fonepad 7, announced earlier this year and re-announced today, doesn’t include the stylus, a strange choice for a larger tablet-like device measuring seven inches. It also gives users a lower end 720p screen resolution and slightly slower Atom Z250 processor running at only 1.6GHz and a single gigabyte of RAM. Users can get one with 8, 16 or 32 GB of RAM. The rear camera only takes 5MP shots. ASUS includes the same 1.2MP camera that ships on the Note 6. The Fonepad 7 also lacks 4G LTE.

The Fonepad 7 seems like a budget tablet designed for emerging markets where people can only afford to carry one device, want a smart phone and a tablet, but don’t have the cash to buy a high-end device in each category. So, they can settle for the Fonepad 7.

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10

ASUS also announced a pair of new tablets called the ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and ASUS MeMO Pad 10. These low-cost tablets measure eight and ten inches and come with 1280×800 720p IPS displays.

The tablets run Android 4.2 with little other bloatware installed. The MeMO Pad 8 will come with 16GB of storage and a micro-SD slot for further expansion. The MeMO Pad 10 also includes the card slot but adds an option for an 8GB model along with the 16.

Each of these tablets sports a 1.2 MP front camera, but different rear facing cameras. The 8 has a 5MP camera while the 10 only offers a 2MP camera on back. Other specs include:

• 802.11n wi-fi and Bluetooth 3.0
• 3.5mm headphone jacks
• A GPS on the MeMO Pad 10
• 3960mAh battery on the 8 and 5070mAh battery on the 10

New iPhone Lineup Could Look Like This

If a new leak is to be believed, at least one carrier will be pushing out the iPhone 4S and 32GB and 64GB versions of the iPhone 5 in favor of the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5 16GB and theiPhone 5C.

It appears that Vodafone Germany plans to discontinue the iPhone 5 32GB and iPhone 5 64GB thanks to a leaked screenshot from German site Flo’s Webblog. If the inventory screenshot is real, it looks like the white and black versions of both devices will be discontinued and the iPhone 4S will be discontinued completely.

Read: iPhone 5 Cases Will Fit iPhone 5S According to Case Maker.

The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C could push out the iPhone 5, at least at Vodafone Germany.

An earlier leak from MobileSyrup pointed to the same thing happening at Canadian carrier Telus who also appears poised to discontinue both the 32GB and 64GB versions of the iPhone 5.

If these are accurate and it’s looking like they very well could be, it could mean that Apple’s new iPhone lineup is going to look something like this:

• iPhone 5S 16GB/32GB/64GB and perhaps a 128GB starting at $199.99.
• iPhone 5 16GB at $99.
• iPhone 5C as Apple’s $0 on-contract device, replacing the iPhone 4S.

The iPhone 5S is almost assuredly going to be Apple’s premium iPhone, replacing the iPhone 5 with a better camera, processor, and a fingerprint reader for added security. Rumors have suggested that the iPhone 5C will be a cheap plastic iPhone that will come in a host of colors, a 4-inch Retina Display, Lightning port and iOS 7 and will be aimed at cheaper devices.

So, it could be that the iPhone 5C takes the place of the iPhone 4S at Apple’s lowest price point, just like the iPhone 4 replaced the iPhone 3GS last year.

The iPhone 5 may be sticking around after the iPhone 5S launch.

This of course remains unconfirmed and likely will remain that way all the way up until September 10th when Apple takes the stage in Cupertino and makes its new iPhone plans known.

Earlier this week, Apple finally sent out media invites for an event in the Bay Area wherein the company will likely show off the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, both of which are all but confirmed for arrival. The company is also expected to detail iOS 7 and its release date as well.

The devices are expected to be released on September 20th, just a few days after they launch. Rumors suggest that the iOS 7 release date could land on September 10th though that remains unconfirmed as well.

New iPhone Call of Duty: Strike Team brings Console-like Gaming to iOS

Gamers who purchase Call of Duty: Strike Team for the iPad and iPhone are in for a lot of different game mechanics in addition to shooting enemies.

Now available in the iTunes App Store for $6.99, the latest entry into the mobile Call of Duty franchise won’t just enable users to shoot enemies with the first-person game mechanics that its console counterpart is best known for. Instead, users will actually be able to switch between views that give them the traditional view of their soldier’s environment, and a third-person on-high view of the objects and other soldiers that are around them.

This isn’t to say that game’s developer – Activision – hasn’t borrowed things that work in other Call of Duty titles. Users can look forward to the same weapon load-out choices, they’d expect in other editions of the game.

Activision is also letting users scratch their itch for new modes including a Campaign that’s designed with its own unique story, cut scenes and art work; plus Survival Mode, an option that allows users to test their skills while facing an increasing onslaught of enemies until their finally killed. Users can then compare the scores earned in Survival Mode with friends and family through the game’s leader boards.

A screenshot from Call of Duty Strike Team for iPhone and iPad.

Perspective users can check out many of the features of the game in a new YouTube video celebrating the game’s launch. During the video, the game’s developers are seen showing off everything from the game’s fluid view switching system, to the new directional navigation system that allows users to drag their character with one finger around maps to face new enemies. As the video also indicates, the game is very graphics intensive, and seems to push the envelope in terms of sheer graphic capabilities.

That’s most likely why Call of Duty: Strike Team is only compatible with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad Mini, third and fourth generation iPad, and the fifth generation iPod touch. The game also requires iOS 6.0, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system.

How to Add Storage to Your iPhone 5S, iPad 5: Kingston MobileLite Review

In the post-PC revolution, computers are being replaced with smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, for many consumers making that switch, the transition isn’t all smooth sailing. Though devices like the Google Nexus 4, Apple iPhone 5 and forthcoming iPhone 5S, the iPad 4 and forthcoming iPad 5 tablets, and the HTC One Android smartphones offer plenty of computing power, you’re still working in a world where colleagues and friends are still using PCs. As such, USB flash drives, SD memory cards, and removable hard drives are still the norm. So how does a mobile user cope in a world that’s still full of PCs and Macs? One quick and rather inexpensive solution is the MobileLite by Kingston, a device that’s not much larger than the iPhone 5 that would allow you read your camera’s SD card, share files on a USB thumb drive, or download and stream movies on a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 portable hard drive. Best of all, it even allows you to add storage to your existing device even if you don’t share with others.

And come to think of it, it’s not so bad living amongst PC users. These forms of storage may seem archaic to those who rely on the cloud to store, share, and exchange information, but they are still superior and are sometimes preferred over the cloud. Consider situations where you don’t have Internet access, either WiFi or mobile broadband off of your carrier’s data network, or if you’re in a meeting with friends or colleagues and both of you are using mobile devices but need to look up a backup on a thumb drive.

Still, a simpler use would be that we are all suffering from information overload and need a way to manage that. iPhone users must choose on the day that they decide to buy their phones how much storage they want–16, 32, or 64 GB are available today–since Apple’s phones do not have a memory card for you to add storage to.

Choose the wrong storage capacity and you’ll live two years full of regrets until your next eligible iPhone upgrade where you won’t be able to download anymore music, purchase anymore movies, or snap anymore photos and post them to Instagram. It’s a tragedy that could either be avoided with a lot of foresight–balancing how much money you want to spend on a phone with how much storage you think you may need–or can be resolved after your device purchase with the MobileLite.

The MobileLite is your personal cloud, a device that allows you to plug in either a SD card or USB storage device and access the device’s content from either an Android smartphone or tablet, or an iPhone or iPad. The MobileLite will create its own WiFi network so it could stream content to your device. You can play videos, stream music, access documents, or view photos using the MobileLite. The best part is that you can connect the MobileLite to a WiFi network through a simple configuration using the free app for your Android or iOS device. This way, you’ll have access to your personal, local cloud, as well as the Internet.

iPad mini, ZAGG keyboard, Kingston USB 3.0 flash drive with 64 GB storage, and the Kingston MobileLite together make a great mobile office.

I tested the MobileLite by viewing some saved images I found on Flickr while planning a vacation to Burma on my iPad. Over the holiday weekend, I decided to go to a remote bed and breakfast to relax, and I know I don’t want to be connected to the Internet as it was supposed to be a rest and relaxation getaway. To prepare for the trip, I downloaded some iTunes movies with DRM on my MacBook Pro at home and then I transferred the files to the MobileLite. My connecting to the MobileLite on my iPad mini and going to the browser, rather than the iOS app, and typing in “mobilelite.home,” I was able to stream my Beasts of the Southern Wild iTunes movies with DRM to my iPad mini. The streaming of the 1080p HD video file was flawless and it kept me entertained on my getaway without wasting storage on my tablet.

Though this may seem like a convoluted way of doing things, it does solve several key problems with large movie files. I’ve resolved any storage concerns, won’t have to find a WiFi hotspot or waste data on a mobile network trying to download a 4 GB HD video file, and can stream to multiple devices if I have kids with post-PC devices as well.

The MobileLite retails for about $60 right now and is a great companion to mobile devices as it allows you save on storage on your device and expand your device’s storage capacity endlessly through multiple memory cards or USB drives. Best if all, it has a built-in battery that can give your device a charge if your phone or tablet runs low. All in all, it’s a simple way to augment your storage need in a cost-effective way.

Samsung to Reconcile With Android As Galaxy Gear Looks to Expand

Although the Galaxy Note 3‘s announcement earlier this week was more about Samsung, TouchWiz, and the software enhancements that deliver value to the S Pen than it was about Google’s mobile OS, Samsung is looking to reconcile its differences with the Android ecosystem as it looks to find more homes for the Galaxy Gear.

The Galaxy Gear smartwatch, dubbed a wearable device by Samsung, will initially be limited to the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition before it finds its way to older Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy S4, and the Galaxy S3. However, Samsung wants to expand the Galaxy Gear to support additional Android devices not made by the company, though at this time details are scarce on what devices Samsung will be turning its Gear on.

Gear Welcoming Non-Samsung Phones With Open Wrist Straps

Product marketing manager Ryan Bidan confirmed that Gear will eventually find new homes, which may show that Samsung is still trying to work together with the larger Android ecosystem rather than going its own way as it becomes the biggest Android device manufacturer. However, despite Samsung’s openness to Android, there are still concerns about Gear’s compatibility for other Android devices.

Challenges of Expanding

Primarily since Gear is tied to many Samsung software and services, it may be hard to deliver the same level of completeness on a non-Samsung device with Gear. Gear taps into S Voice, a proprietary voice command function developed by Samsung, and integrates with S Health and other Samsung services. It’s unclear how Samsung would enable these services on other devices.

The Problem With Software-Hardware Integration

Image via Yahoo

One possibility, which may not make as much business sense, is to open up S Voice and other S services that are required for full functionality on Galaxy Gear to rival platforms. Perhaps as a download on Google Play Store, owners of HTC One and the Moto X, for example, could download S Voice and other apps so they can experience using Galaxy Gear in its complete form like Galaxy Note 3 owners would.

Similarly, rival Motorola Mobility had debuted the MOTO ACTV sports watch in the past with initial support for Motorola smartphones. The device initially supported the Droid RAZR family, but Motorola eventually expanded support for the watch to other Android handsets and also added support for Twitter, Facebook, and weather notifications through a companion app that runs on the phone.

However, as the MOTO ACTV has the sensors built into the watch, it’s easier to enable support for the watch on non-Motorola handsets as it’s just a matter of software. In Samsung’s case, with apps like the S Health, sensors are tied to the phone. The Galaxy S4 has a temperature and humidity sensor and likely if S Health came to the Galaxy Gear, the GPS and pedometer data may be taken from the GPS and accelerometer from the phone, rather than from the watch. This means that for non-Samsung phone to achieve similar functionality, those devices would need similar hardware as Samsung’s devices as well.

Will Gear Favor Samsung Over Rivals?

Another option would be to offer a more crippled experience for rival smartphone models. This may not be too big of a deal considering the Galaxy Gear has a touchscreen and users can still interact with the watch by tapping on the small display. Owners of non-Samsung phones would have to experience Gear by tapping, rather than through spoken voice command.

Embracing Google

And still a third option would be for Samsung to more openly embrace, rather than merely reconciling, with Google. This could result in Samsung using Google’s speech APIs from Google Now in lieu of S Voice for use on non-Samsung Android devices.

This would be similar to how Motorola implements the always-on voice search on the Moto X and recent Droids like the Droid Ultra on Verizon.

By relying on Google to deliver results, Gear could tap into Google’s search for more powerful voice features as well. Gear could become the digital assistant that’s strapped to your wrist in the same way that Siri has been tied to Apple’s iPhone.

Gear as the First Successful Smartwatch

It’s unclear how Samsung will proceed, and despite criticisms of the Galaxy Gear’s shortcomings, the smartwatch is still the best effort to date. Out of the gate, it already has robust third-party developer support and the Samsung brand should help the watch appeal to consumers. Previous smartwatch efforts came with little third-party apps, making them more limited in functionality.

Why Gear is Limited to Note at Launch

And according to Bidan, the reason that the Gear has been limited to the Note 3 and Note 10.1 2014 Edition at launch is because of the hardware and software that’s needed to connect with the Galaxy Gear. Galaxy Gear pairs with Android devices using the Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy protocol. That standard is also known as Bluetooth Smart on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

“Right now the specific APIs and functionality are tied to the Galaxy Note 3. For obvious reasons we are looking for additional devices to support it,” Bidan told Read Write Web. “We will announce those when they come, but right now it is Galaxy Note 3 specific.”

The Bluetooth 4.0 LE chip is only available on a limited number of existing devices on the market today, and even then the hardware itself isn’t fully realized until those devices upgrade to at least Android 4.3, the first Android OS to support Bluetooth 4.0 LE. Potentially, this could mean that the Gear could arrive on devices like the Nexus 7 (2013) as that device has both.

In recent years, though Samsung uses the “open” Android OS, it is acting more like Apple by carefully marrying hardware and software together. As the most profitable Android device-maker, it’s been successful at that end as most consumers think Galaxy and TouchWiz when they think of Android rather than Google and other brands. However, as the smartphone and tablet market is becoming saturated, Samsung and other technology companies are looking at wearable computing as the next big thing. So while the Galaxy Gear may help Samsung sell more Galaxy Note 3 due to the integration, Samsung does want to expand Gear’s appeal to users of other smartphones to really grow in this emerging computing category. It will be interesting to see how Samsung resolves its strategy moving forward and how it intends on delivering its services and software to support non-Samsung products through Gear while still embracing Google’s open ecosystem.