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The community behind LineageOS, the successor to the ill-fated CyanogenMod ROM, continues to impress. New devices are constantly being added to the build roster, and we're even seeing new software features crop up, like custom Quick Settings tiles. Now the project has started supporting nine additional devices.
Galaxy Note 3 owners on US Cellular have a fun treat waiting for them today—a Lollipop OTA. You can grab the update via Samsung Kies or by heading to the update menu and pulling down the OTA over WiFi.
The Verizon Note 3 is the latest Android device to be invited to the Lollipop party. The Note 3's product support page on Verizon's site has been refreshed with the announcement of the software update and a brief overview of the enhancements of Android 5.0.
Those looking for an off-contract deal on fairly recent phones have a treat today: the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 are available in refurbished condition on eBay for 0 (Note 3) and 0 (S4) with free shipping. They are Verizon devices, but are unlocked and technically able to pick up 3G from GSM carriers, according to the seller.
If you're going to start messing around with ROMs and serious modding, you'll need a custom recovery. There are a few popular ones, but TWRP is the go-to for most devices. Getting official support on your device of choice is cause for celebration, and today Note 3 owners on Verizon get to party.
WatchON is a Samsung-exclusive offering that serves as a universal remote and TV guide all bundled up into one place. When the Galaxy S5 launched earlier this year, the Korean conglomerate released an updated version of WatchON for its new flagship device and introduced the app to the Play Store for the first time. Yet despite this Google Play presence, the updated version remained exclusively available to the Galaxy S5, and Samsung's other handsets were left with an older version of the pre-installed software. Now the company is bringing the newer UI to the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 via a separate identical app that it's calling WatchON Plus.
Sprint started rolling out Wi-Fi calling earlier this year, but so far the carrier has only introduced the feature to a couple of eclectic devices. Now another device is making the list. Starting today, Sprint Galaxy Note 3 owners should receive an update enabling the feature. According to the change log, it doesn't look like this OTA will bring about anything else. The version number is N900PVPUCNC5.
We've learned from experience that when Samsung drops some Note 3 kernel source, the update is only a few days away. This time the Note 3 on T-Mobile is in Samsung's sights as the KitKat code has just been uploaded to Samsung's open source page.
The Galaxy S4 is nearly a year old now, but that doesn't mean Samsung's done releasing new variations of it. Today the company has officially announced a new "Black Edition" of the flagship that comes with the plastic, faux-stitched back panel that first appeared with the debut of the Note 3.The new S4 model is joined by a variation of the S4 mini that looks the same, just smaller.
An Android 4.4 update has been hitting Galaxy Note 3s all over the world, and while some people who have yet to receive it may feel a bit envious, there are benefits to waiting. Some users have reported being unable to use third-party flip covers that trigger a special lockscreen when closed. Following the upgrade to KitKat, only Samsung's official products, which contain a special identification chip, would work. Now Ars Technica has received a statement from Samsung acknowledging the issue as a "bug" and announcing a future OTA update that will return functionality to third-party accessories.
Earlier this week, Samsung officially started the rollout of the Galaxy Note 3's update to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Appearing first for those in Poland through KIES, the update matched what had been leaked shortly before the rollout began.
The Galaxy Note 3 has a massive screen, plenty of battery life, and a ton of power. Unfortunately, it also has matching price tag. This has left the device inaccessible to some who would gladly wield it. Word on the street has mentioned a more affordable "Lite" version that would alleviate this problem, and now GSM Arena has gotten its hands on leaked spec sheets that give this device a name, the Galaxy Note 3 Neo.
Having rechargeable batteries is nice, but everything comes with its own cable these days. As a result, attempting to charge multiple devices at once can turn the space behind that nightstand into an unmanageable cluster of cables. But more and more devices now support wireless charging, and if you want to add your Galaxy Note 3 to that list, you need to invest in a wireless charging cover. While this extension would normally cost $39.99, today you can get it for just $19.99 from the Samsung store. You just have to use the coupon code rv18623, which only works once per account. The cover is available in both black and white.
Samsung has been cranking out the open source kernel files for the Galaxy Note 3 since before the device launched internationally. While the company didn't release files for every model all at once, if you take a look over at Samsung's open source site, you will find that they've been busy. They uploaded the open source kernel files for the AT&T and Sprint Galaxy Note 3's a couple of days after their release, and they're now upping their game by sharing the open source files for the Verizon Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900V) a few days ahead of its intended launch date.
If you're dedicated to The Now Network and plan on renewing the two-year grip it has on your wallet with the Galaxy Note 3, you're in for a bit of a shocker: the on-contract price is $350. New customers can use the $100 port-in credit to get it for just $250. Ouch.
Galaxy Note 3 Deep-Dive Review: Still Making Every Other Big Phone Look Bad
Galaxy Note 3 Deep-Dive Review: Still Making Every Other Big Phone Look Bad
You've been warned: the Galaxy Note II was probably my favorite smartphone of 2012, and it looks like its successor, the Note 3, is stealing my heart all over again. With big hardware improvements across the board, as well as substantial additions to software, the Note 3 feels like a true next-generation sort of phone. Samsung has rather effectively ruined every other large-screen device for me, and frankly, probably every other phone released this year.
Our time at IFA is drawing to a close, and after the dust has settled, it's pretty clear who came out on top in terms of interesting unveils - Samsung. The Note 3's new features, enhanced display, faster processor, and continued focus on maximizing screen space without increasing the size of the device itself have clearly kept people interested in the increasingly-popular line of handsets. Having played with the Note 3, I must agree - it's better in nearly every way than its predecessor. I have little doubt it will receive wide critical praise and an even stronger reception from Note fans.