When you thought we were ready for Google’s next announcement , along comes some fresh information, courtesy of regular Google news-breaker , Amir Efrati . He’s apparently taken a look at confidential documents outlining what’s going on with the next big mobile OS update. The Android KitKat iteration will apparently tackle that tricky fragmentation issue , and has been designed to work well even on lesser-specced Google-powered handsets. The new Android OS “optimizes memory use in every major component, ” and will include tools to make memory-friendly apps for “entry-level devices” with memory even as low as 512MB. The other major point is how Google, a well-known proponent of wearables , is already is prepping for even more smartwatches and visors on its mobile operating system. The new version will reportedly include support for three new sensors: geomagnetic rotation vector, step detection and step counters, which could be Android’s way of answering Apple’s inclusion of a dedicated motion processor in its latest iPhone. The source reckons these are geared towards Google’s rumored smart watch — or possibly glass. Google is apparently still working on making NFC a bigger deal, and has also worked internally on improving smartphones’ skills controlling your TV and other devices. Apparently, this will involve unifying how Android deals with IR blasters, rather than the fragmented approach brought by phone makers including Samsung, LG, Sony and HTC. Bluetooth is also rumored to see significant improvements, with Bluetooth HID over GATT and Message Access Profile increasing what Android-running hardware can talk with. We’ll hopefully see how much of this hits the mark soon, and we have our fingers crossed that there’s also a new phone , primed with those sensors, to go with it. Filed under: Cellphones , Software , Mobile , Google Comments Source: JessicaLessin.com
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Android KitKat leak suggests big improvements for cheap phones and wearables
itwbennett writes “Taiwan is demanding Apple revise its mapping software and remove a label that describes the island as a province of China, rather than as a sovereign state. The complaint was lodged after local media reports said that users on the island had noticed the change in Apple’s latest iOS and Mac OS versions. ‘The maps don’t acknowledge Taiwan as its own nation. We voiced our disapproval, and hope Apple will make the change, ‘ an official with Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Wednesday. This isn’t the first time such a mistake was made. Google also labeled Taiwan as a Chinese province in 2005.” Read more of this story at Slashdot. 
