Bye-bye Google Play Edition phones? HTC One M8 GPe out of Play Store

It would seem Google has effectively killed its Google Play Edition (GPe) line with the latest device they've taken out. According to PCWorld, the HTC One M8 GPe has been taken out of the Play Store. GPe devices were designed to run stock Android but Google slowly took these out of its digital store. Now, if you want to get a vanilla experience of Android your option is Nexus 5 and Nexus 6, which are both Google-branded phones.

Source: PCWorld

Android Lollipop update for HTC One Google Play Editions gets delayed

A bit of bad news for those waiting for the Android 5.0 (Lollipop) update for the Google Play Editions of the HTC One M7 and M8 versions. The update is being pushed back a bit again. Mo Versi, vice president of product management at HTC, said there is another software version request, meaning more work still needs to be done until the update is released. Versi did promise its users though that they will let us know when the update is finally ready and that it gets its nod from Google.

@DarienSumting Darien, not tomorrow. Google requested one more SW spin. Will advise once we receive approval. Thanks.

— Mo (@moversi) November 21, 2014

Source: Ubergizmo

Google releases Android stock email app as standalone app for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices

If you’ve been wanting to get your hands on Android’s stock email app and own a Nexus or Google Play Edition device (including HTC One M7 and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Editions), you can now download the app from Google Play Store. Google has previously released its Google Calendar and keyboard apps so we’re not as surprised that this app is turned into a standalone app. This email app comes preinstalled with Android 4.4 KitKat.

Source: Ubergizmo

Google starts Android 4.4.3 KitKat rollout

Google has finally begun rolling out the latest iteration of its mobile operating system to Nexus devices and a few Google Play versions of some OEMs. It’s no surprise the update arrives first to Google-owned or -managed devices. The update has shown up on Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi version), Play editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One M7 and M8, and Sony Z Ultra. The Moto X for T-Mobile is also getting the update first, the Moto G bought online in the US and in retail stores in Brazil, and the Moto E bought online in the US.

This minor update will have a new interface for the dialer, new colors, as well as additional bug fixes, security patches, and overall stability improvements. It will also reportedly fix the battery drain that happens when the camera is used.

Source: CNet