The 2013 Nexus 7 LTE Finally Gets A Full Android 4.4.4 Factory Image

Google rolled out the 4.4.4 update to devices earlier this year, with the 2013 Nexus 7 seeing the OTA in mid June. Here we are over three months later and Google has finally posted the full factory images and binaries for the LTE version of the N7. It's about time, guys.

Factory images differ from an OTA update in that they contain the entire software build for the device. Even if you've flashed 20 ROMs and tweaked your kernel all to hell, flashing the system image gets you back to 100% stock. There are sometimes licensing-related delays in getting these files up on the website, especially with devices packing cellular radios, but this is a much longer wait than usual.

The Nexus 7 is still technically the current Nexus tablet, despite being more than a year old at this point. Maybe work on this device has slowed down as the release of the long-rumored Volantis/Nexus 9 got closer. Either way, download at your convenience at the links below.

[System Image, Binaries]

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Chromecast's Backdrop Casting Feature May Finally Be Rolling Out Soon

Among the many things announced at Google I/O was support for casting custom backdrops to the Chromecast. We haven't heard anything about it since then, but now users are beginning to report seeing "Casting Backdrop" listed on their devices.

By default, the Chromecast cycles through a catalog of nice images when not in use. Custom backdrops will allow you to connect your Google+ galleries to the device or simply choose a specific category of images from the main feed. The Chromecast app will probably be the hub for these settings, and it'll also tell you about the image currently up on the screen.

What we're seeing right now is only the "Casting Backdrop" phrase, but there are no additional settings just yet. It's also only popping up on Android L. Presumably an update to the Chromecast app is needed before the full functionality is unlocked. It may also be a separate app, but I wouldn't bet on that.

[Thanks, Daniel Walsh]

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Sprint finally makes the HTC One E8 official, available today for $100 with a 2-year agreement

After prematurely publishing a video to their YouTube account nearly 2 weeks ago, Sprint is ready to stop beating around the bush and make the HTC One E8 official. The nation’s 3rd largest carrier has officially announced that the One E8 will be coming to their network later this year and provides the same One experience you’ve come to expect from devices like the One M8, only in a fresh new polycarbonate design. Yum.

The HTC One E8 features hardware specs eerily similar to the HTC One M8 only with one exceptions. HTC has dumped the 4MP UltraPixel camera in their flagship phone for a regular ‘ol 13MP shooter. While we haven’t seen any picture samples just yet, we’re sure that on paper, the higher number count will make a few of you happy, although we’ll reserve judgment until we can see a few comparisons.

Other One E8 specs include a 5-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, and a 2,600mAh battery — all running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Other key features include:

Motion Launch:  Allows you to access your phone with just one swipe. Simply lift your phone to answer a call – no device unlocking needed.

Wi-Fi Calling: An included service that lets you use voice and messaging services over existing home, office and public Wi-Fi networks.

HTC Sense™ 6.0

3G/4G mobile hotspot, supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices.

HD Voice enabled: Sprint HD Voice expands the normal voice call from a four-octave range to seven octaves to deliver crystal clear voice calls while helping to reduce unwanted background noise.

Sprint Spark enabled: Sprint Spark provides the capacity to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications while opening the way for futuristic applications.

Sprint reminds us that HD Voice is now available nationwide and while Sprint Spark’s enhanced LTE service is currently available in 27 markets across the US, they plan to blanket 100 million customers by years end.

The HTC One E8 is available right now for $100 with a 2-year contract from either Sprint.com or through their telesales department in either “Polar White” or “Misty Gray.” Well qualified buyers can even put the phone on Easy Pay, paying off the phone over 2 years with monthly payments of  $20.84 (or $500 outright).

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