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You might recall that Android 4.4 added support for native screen recording, but it was a very developer-oriented tool that required you to plug the device into a computer and use ADB to control the capture. Some root-only apps came about that made use of that system sans USB cable, but Android 5.0 adds an API for screen recording that doesn't require root. We're still in the early days, but it looks like there's one less reason to root now.
If you follow Artem on Google+ or check Reddit, you probably saw him discussing the likelihood that Google has delayed updating Nexus devices to Android 5.0. This was originally slated to begin November 3rd, but now the date we're hearing is November 12th. There's no official word, but it looks like a particularly troublesome WiFi bug in the developer preview might be to blame.
It might not be the latest and greatest anymore, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is on sale today for the reasonable price of $369.99. That would be a good deal all by itself, but this is also an unlocked device.
Google has been rolling Inbox invites out at a somewhat brisk pace, but if you find yourself still waiting, there's a surefire way to get one today. Just send an email to inbox@google.com between 3 and 4PM PT today and you'll have your invite by 5PM.
This one's for you developer-types. Google has just pushed the Android 5.0 kernel sources for the Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. Head over to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and poke around at your leisure. For non developers: a thing happened that is good, but it's not something you personally need to worry your pretty little head over.
The popular exercise tracker RunKeepr is getting an update today to work with Google's new fitness platform. The addition of Google Fit is the only change this time around, and it's an unassuming update. In fact, you might never know it was there unless you dig into the settings.
Even though the Shield Tablet is NVIDIA's new baby, the venerable Shield Portable has not been forgotten. This device is getting update v99 today with a few tweaks and improvements. Hit your update menu to grab it.
Android 5.0 is a new age for rooting on Android. Google's latest security enhancements require more hackery to circumvent and the Nexus 9's 64-bit software complicates matters even further. Still, after just a few hours, Chainfire has updated SuperSU to work on the Nexus 9, but there are a few extra steps.
Update: Apparently Google is doing something different with the Nexus 9's binary release: there isn't one. According to Bill Yi, a regular Google poster, the necessary proprietary drivers are actually included on a separate partition of the Volantis software image. That would explain why the LRX21L release is almost twice as big as the last KitKat images for previous devices.
The wounds are still fresh from Google's somewhat disastrous Nexus 6 launch last week, but the company is trying to get things back on track. The Nexus 6 page on the Play Store has been updated with a promise that Google is working to get more stock, and it's aiming to have some phones ready to go each Wednesday.
Software updates tend to take time, at least if you look at the historical average. A few OEMs have been pushing the envelope recently, though. For example, NVIDIA is saying that Android 5.0 will be on the Shield tablet this very month.
It is rare for Microsoft to invite another company to play in its sandbox, but let's face it—most people don't use OneDrive. Microsoft would probably prefer you did, but Dropbox is the king of online file storage right now. That's why the companies are getting together to add Dropbox files to Office. So what does this have to do with Android? Well, those Office apps in the Play Store are getting an update.
Bicoin is a neat idea, but it's not very easy to use. In a world where most people have trouble figuring out how a ZIP archive works, asking them to manage their own encrypted Bitcoin wallet file is probably not going to happen. Having a third-party do it for you is risky too, but Circle aims to make Bitcoin safe and easy to use. The new Android app looks pretty great too.
There may not always be a power outlet nearby when you need one, so perhaps a giant external battery is something you should consider. In fact, there's a particularly massive battery from EC Technology on sale through Amazon right now. 22,400mAh of power for just $34.99.
In the world of offline reading services, few come close to the style and ease of use you get with Pocket. This app has stayed consistently at the forefront of Android design, and now it's getting an update to v5.7 with a new Lollipop vibe. You might not have the update yet, but it's rolling out.
When the forces of evil get together, it's usually bad news for the innocent bystanders, but this time it might be a good thing. Verizon and AT&T are getting together to take over the world make voice over LTE (VoLTE) work across carriers. That means you will soon be able to make calls from one carrier to the other using LTE rather than falling back to 3G technologies.
You can cross another one off your list—Google Calendar is getting its material design update today for Lollipop devices, according to Google. It's not just the design, though. The new version of Calendar is adding some awesome features and new layouts too. It's a big, big deal. This is usually where I tell you we have an APK for you, but we don't (it's out "in the coming weeks"). We do, however, have all the details for you to salivate over.
If the regular Note 4 just isn't weird enough for you, there's always the Galaxy Note Edge, which is about to make its US debut on AT&T and Sprint. In addition to the flat touchscreen surface we've all become accustomed to, the Note Edge has an extra column of screen that wraps around the right edge of the device. Is it a good idea? Questionable, but it's at least interesting.
The latest installment of the Call of Duty franchise has landed today and Activision is ready with an Android app that will help you earn extra goodies. After all, you don't want to ever be completely disconnected from the game, right? That would just be crazy.