You knew this was coming sooner or later. Android Auto has been viewed as a mostly closed system, if not by nature of the software itself (which is technically open source) then by the fact that it's an extension of Android running on a big chunk of metal installed in your car. But some intrepid developers over on enthusiast forum AVIC411 have discovered a way to boot software directly from the SD card slot on Pioneer's NEX series of aftermarket Android Auto head units. That paves the way for custom ROMs in your car, or at least your car's entertainment system.
Read More[Weekend Poll] Would The Loss Of An SD Card And Removable Battery Make You Less Likely To Buy A Galaxy Note 5?
While far from completely definite, strong rumors abound that the Galaxy Note 5 will not have a removable battery or an SD card slot. Given that the phone is suspected to essentially be a giant Galaxy S6 with a stylus, that makes sense.
What may not make sense is the continued allure of the Note series of devices if this is true, at least among you - people who read Android Police. The stylus isn't without value to some users (I, personally, have never been one of them), but the flexibility of a removable battery and expandable storage have long made the Note series the all-around power user device of choice among Android fans.
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Solid Explorer v1.6.3 Updated For Lollipop, Adds SD Card Support And Improves Compatibility With Root
Every power user has a favorite file manager. It doesn't matter how many are installed or why, there is always one that takes the lead position. Of course, as new features become popular, it's not uncommon for people to switch out their favorite app to pull up one that offers whatever they need. The new must-have among file managers is support for writing to the SD card on Android 5.0 Lollipop. One week after Root Explorer added this ability, Solid Explorer comes rolling in with its own update.
Version 1.6.3
-ability to write SD card contents on Android Lollipop
-improved root handling on Android Lollipop
-fixed misaligned splashscreen on high resolution displays
Now that Lollipop no longer requires root permission to gain access to the SD card, most file managers will be working to add compatibility fairly quickly.
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Root Explorer 3.3 Update Adds SD Card Write Capability Without Root In Lollipop
Root Explorer is one of those apps that has been on each and every one of my Android devices for years, and part of the reason why is that developer Speed Software has kept it relevant with near-constant useful updates. The latest, version 3.3, takes advantage of the revised SD card management on Android 5.0. Those with Lollipop devices can once again write to an external SD card even without root.
Yes, Root Explorer works without root permissions - if you haven't rooted your device (or you can't), it's basically just a well-rounded file manager that can't modify the /system partition or other protected areas of Android's file system.
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[APK Teardown] Google Play Services 6.5 Adds Android Auto, Smart Profiles, Lockbox, Kid Accounts, And Expands On The Mysterious Firmware Updater
Since the launch of Android 5.0 last month, the sheer number of app updates has been magnificent – and downright overwhelming. Believe it or not, most of the new versions haven't done much more than add Lollipop support and splash a fresh coat of Materialized paint on the UIs. Seriously, we've been checking. This isn't entirely a bad thing, as it's giving me time to work on some other projects... You'll see soon enough <wink>. But, we've finally got something to talk about with the latest release of Google Play services 6.5. Strictly speaking, a few of tidbits to follow were actually first seen in different minor releases of 6.1, but we're putting it all together here.
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Android 5.0 Makes SD Cards Great Again, Extends API To Allow Full Directory Access, Automatic MediaStore, And Improves Security
Over the last few years, few topics have been more hotly contested by Android users and developers than how SD cards are handled by the OS. Back in February, I discussed some of Google's changes during the transition from Android 2.3 to 4.0, and then how more recent policy changes ultimately led to 3rd-party applications losing most of their access to removable storage. By the time I/O came around, Google acknowledged that KitKat's newly added Storage Access Framework still didn't offer enough range for apps to get their work done. With the release of the L Developer Preview, new APIs were added to allow apps to request access to directories owned by other providers.
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Chainfire Updates DSLR Controller With Interactive Timelapse, Remote Shutter For Android Wear, And Several Improvements For KitKat
Yesterday, Google's Camera app was updated to add a pretty handy remote shutter feature that can be used on a paired Android Wear wristwatch. But what if you're packing some serious camera equipment –let's say, something in the Canon EOS family– and you'd like to appear in some of your own shots from time to time? Chainfire has you covered with the latest update to his incredibly powerful DSLR Controller. Not only does the new version offer a remote shutter button on Android Wear, but it's also sporting some big improvements to the Timelapse feature, new white icons and faster wi-fi transfer speeds on KitKat, and fixes for the way SD cards are handled on KitKat and above.
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Beats Music Updated To Version 1.1 With Landscape Support, Option To Save Music To SD Card, And More
The first major update to the Beats Music app since Apple bought the company two weeks ago is now rolling out to Android devices. This release, version 1.1, addresses some areas that previously revealed just how young a piece of software this is. For starters, the app now supports landscape mode. Go ahead, turn your phone sideways and see what happens. Better yet, fire Beats up on a tablet.
In addition to that, people listening in offline mode can now save music to an SD card. Other changes affect how users discover new music. The "Find It" section has been renamed "Browse," and the "Just for You" recommendations have been refined so that they're more useful.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
DoubleTwist Gets Support For Qualcomm AllPlay Speakers And SD Card Sync On KitKat, Removes Google Play Pinned Music Importing
DoubleTwist fans, we have some good news and some bad news. Since it's Friday and you're probably in a pretty good mood, let's start with the bad: as of today's update, DoubleTwist can no longer import pinned Play Music tracks. Why? Because Google put the hammer down. You knew it was only a matter of time, right? Yeah, you did.
With that bit of grimness out of the way, this update also brings a couple of improvements, like the ability to stream to Qualcomm AllPlay Wi-Fi speakers. Also, you can now sync music directly to the sandbox folder on the SD card of KitKat devices.
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Motorola Announces Moto G 4G LTE With New SD Slot For $219, Pre-Orders Start Today
Alongside the launch of the brand new super-budget Moto E, Motorola also announced an improved variant of its marginally more expensive Moto G. The updated version is now equipped with an LTE radio and an SD card slot. Naturally, the price of the LTE model is also a bit higher at $219, which is still a bargain. Oh yeah, now it also comes in white!
This is certainly a boon to those seeking a low-cost device, but don't want to settle on 3G speeds. Several people are also likely to jump on this model simply for the new SD slot that was lacking in the earlier version.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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16 temporarily free and 22 on-sale apps and games for Columbus Day
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Monday deals: Get a Google Nest Hub for $58, plus $50 off Eufy Video Doorbell and more
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Today only, Eufy's Wi-Fi-connected RoboVac 15C is just $170 ($80 off)
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[Update: Dead] Upcoming Jabra Elite 75t earbuds can be pre-ordered for just $130 ($50 off) right now
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Get a Eufy Smart Floodlight with Camera for $150 with coupon code ($50 off)
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Latest Poll
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18 new Android games from the week of October 7, 2019: DIGIMON ReArise, Lovecraft's Untold Stories, and Xenowerk Tactics
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19 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last two weeks including Vivaldi Browser Snapshot, Threads from Instagram, and Duet Display (9/21/19 - 10/05/19)
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19 best new Android games from the week of September 23, 2019: Mario Kart Tour, Lock's Quest, and Vestigium
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
Pixel 3 and 3 XL review: Come for the camera, stay for everything else
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2 Years Ago Today
Google Assistant gets playful with new Halloween-themed Easter eggs
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3 Years Ago Today
Samsung Chromebook Pro will come with a 2K 12.3-inch screen, 360° hinge, and a stylus pen
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4 Years Ago Today
[Deal Alert] Mystery Album Free On Google Play Music (US Only)
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5 Years Ago Today
Google: The New "Messenger" App In Android 5.0 Is A Stock SMS/MMS Solution, Not A Hangouts Replacement / Rebrand
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6 Years Ago Today
Feedly Version 17 Adds Faster Start-Up Time, Article Search, Visual Tweaks, Support For Android KitKat And Galaxy Gear, And More
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7 Years Ago Today
Archos GamePad Gets Some Hands-On Time, Shows Off How Button Mapping Works
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8 Years Ago Today
[Exclusive] The Ice Cream Sandwich Gallery Is Likely Getting A Built-In Photo Editor; We've Got The Feature List
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9 Years Ago Today
HTC Desire HD Photographed In Fabulous Detail, First Impressions Posted
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10 Years Ago Today
Installing The Android Plugin For Eclipse
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