Android KitKat 4.4. will reportedly focus on supporting TVs,wearable tech and tackling fragmentation

A leak published today suggests the next version of Android  – named ‘KitKat’ – will focus on catering for low-end smartphones, while also supporting wearable devices (including that rumored smartwatch) and Google-powered TVs.

The author, ex-WSJ reporter Amir Efrati, suggests that — in addition to tackling Android fragmentation – Google will take “another crack” at NFC and let developers turn devices into Android remote controls. Documents perused by Efrati also suggest there will be support for three new types of sensors — geomagnetic rotation vector, step detector and step counter — and much more.

➤ Android’s Next Targets: Wearables, TVs, Low-End Phones [Jessicalessin.com]

Images via Google

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Google Glass accessory store quietly comes online, selling chargers, earbuds, shades and shields

Google has updating Google Glass before the release of the device to its Explorer program later this year, and now an official accessory store has quietly come online, Marketing Land reports.

There is now a section labeled ‘Accessories’ under the Google Glass help site, listing items including chargers, earbuds, shades and shields, swapping frames and pouches — and then linking users to the accessory store.

The store can also reportedly be accessed via the “My Glass” control panel which all Explorers see in order to manage the device and its apps. Currently there are only four items stocked in the store.

*  Google’s Glass Accessory Store Is Coming Online (Wow. Stuff’s Expensive!) [Marketing Land]

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Report: Facebook Is Collecting Data on Your Cursor Movements

The social network is reportedly experimenting with new technology that tracks and collects data about a user's activity on the site, including cursor movements, according to the Wall Street Journal. The technology is being tested now with a small group of users.

The data could be used in a number of different ways, from product development to advertising, Facebook analytics chief Ken Rudin told the Journal.

The technology can supposedly determine where a user is hovering his or her cursor on the screen, meaning it could be used to determine the most appropriate places for advertisements. The technology also tracks whether Facebook's mobile users can see their News Feed at any particular time from their smartphone.

Facebook did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.

Facebook will reportedly decide "within months" whether or not to continue this data collection and analysis. It could be relevant for targeted advertising where Facebook has already seen quarter-over-quarter growth in 2013.

Facebook is set to reports the company's quarterly earnings Wednesday afternoon.Facebook Said that

"Like most websites, we run numerous tests at any given time to ensure that we're creating the best experience possible for people on Facebook. These experiments look at aggregate trends of how people interact with the site to inform future product decisions. We do not share this information with anyone outside of Facebook and we are not using this information to target ads."

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Google celebrates Halloween with hocus-pocus witch doodle

Halloween, which is celebrated on October 31 ever year, Google has already updated its Australian homepage with its Halloween special doodle. 

The Halloween doodle features an aged witch going through a huge manuscript that includes information related to witchcraft.

After clicking on the play button of the doodle, the witch starts with her practise and gives the viewer an unique opportunity to participate with her in the proceedings. With a spooky sound in the background to add to the effect, the procedure has four different items to chose from-- a bone, bottle, skull and an apple-- out of which the witch lets you chose two items to perform her witchery. 

To know what happens next, check out the google doodle here.

History of Halloween:

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31.  The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows' Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win").

It is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.

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This is what the new Google Glass looks like [Photos]

Google is offering a preview of the refreshed Glass hardware that it plans to release to its Explorer program later this year. The company announced on Monday that testers will be able to swap to the new hardware, which has a mono earbud and will support prescription frames and shades.

Explorers now have the option to invite three friends, so make sure to be extra nice to them if you want to get your hands on a pair in the coming weeks.

➤ Glass on Google+

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Google+ Claims 540m Active Users – Introduces Auto Awesome Video, Better Auto Enhance, and More

Google+ users, get ready for more Awesome. Thanks to updates announced this morning during a live Hangout, you can expect the photo and video experiences through Google’s social network to get additional muscle in the very near future. We’re talking Auto Awesome for  videos, better control over Auto Enhance, new features for Auto Awesome photos, improved editing tools, full-size backups, and more. 

As you can see, Google+ is no longer the ghost town that some use to refer to it as. With over 540 million active users and 1.5 billion photos uploaded every week, it has really grown into a great place for finding people with similar interests, sharing and editing photos, and chatting with folks through live video Hangouts.

Photos and Videos

Google introduced new tools to better enhance or find your photos with little effort. Not only did they add new abilities to Auto Enhance, but they increased their library of words that help you quickly find photos with a simple search. They also brought full-sized backups of photos to G+ on iOS, if you care.

• For starters, full size backups and background sync are coming soon to Google+ for iOS. This way you can backup your photos as you take them.
• In addition, finding your photos is actually fun. We now recognize over a thousand different objects—from sunsets to snowmen—so you can just type what you’re looking for, and find matching items in your library.
• Auto Enhance improves each photo you add to Google+, and now you can now dial the enhancements up or down. If you’re already processing your images elsewhere, you can choose to exempt an album entirely.
• If you like to edit on the go, then you’ll enjoy Snapseed and its new HDR Scape filter. While high dynamic range (HDR) imaging requires multiple photos to create its effect, HDR Scape can deliver similar results with a single tap.
• We’re also adding Analog Efex Pro to the Nik Collection (still just $149). With it you can reimagine your images using classic cameras and processing methods—from toy and medium format to wet plate and vintage.

Auto Awesome photos was upgraded with three new features:  Action, Eraser, and Movie. Google provided examples of each, all of which we have included below. Keep in mind that Auto Awesome Movie only works on certain devices running Android 4.3+, but the rest of the new goodness is supported on most devices:

• Action. Maybe it’s your child’s first gymnastic meet, or you’re skateboarding with a friend. Action can take their tumble or half pipe trick, and create a strobe-effect photograph.
• Eraser. When you’re taking pictures of landmarks, people and cars often get in the way. Eraser can take a sequence of these photos, and erase whatever’s moving to give you a “cleaner” image.
• Movie. Movie produces highlight reels from your photos and videos—complete with effects, transitions and a soundtrack—automatically. You can share the movie as is, or dive into the editing process to customize even further.

And that’s pretty much that. There was a lot covered this morning, so hit up the Google source below to get all of the dirty details, or re-watch the event. Via: Google

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Google Announces New Hangouts Features: SMS, Location Sharing, and Animated GIFs

During this morning’s Google+ event, Vic Gundotra announced that they will introduce three major new features to Hangouts on Android. The first is SMS integration. Yes, “IT’S HAPPENING.” Gundotra didn’t say MMS, but at least you’ll finally be able to integrate the text experience on your phone with Hangouts, something you have been asking for since Google I/O.

We’ll also get the ability to share our location with friends through a simple location button tap, and share animated GIFs through chats. There was no mention of Google Voice or calling integration.

All of the slides during the presentation say “today,” so the update should go live later on. We’ll be sure to pass it along as soon as we see it.

 The official release timeline out of Google is “in a few days.”

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Facebook Intros Redesigned Messenger to Android Users, Looks Like a Mash of Kit Kat and iOS 7

This morning, Facebook is pushing out a newly-designed Messenger app to select Android users, one that is chock-full of butter and improvements. You will notice a new look, one that strongly reminds us of iOS 7 and a few of the leaked Kit Kat screenshots we have seen; we like the way it looks so far. 

The app also received a few new ways to reach your friends faster. When you see the blue Messenger badge by a friend’s picture, that means they are on Messenger and can be reached instantly. In addition, you can also text your friends if they are not signed into Messenger, but just make sure to have your own phone number confirmed so they can text you back through the app.

To top it off, an entirely new menu system has been set in place. There are now three columns that the app functions around. There is the contacts column, where you find all of your friends to chat with, including the ones synced on your device, there is your recent messages column, and a Settings column where you handle all of your enabled or disabled settings such as location sharing. You can swipe through each column, which is actually a pretty nifty user experience.

And of course, Chat Heads is still there.

Facebook has been recently investing a lot of time into its Android offerings, and we say it is about time.

Note:- If you want to sideload the app before it rolls out to everyone, you can download it here. You may have to uninstall your current version, though. (via)

Via: Facebook

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Download: New Google+ 4.2.0 With New Photo Features

A new Google+ update has already begun to rollout as build 4.2.0.55778941, and we’re only a couple of hours removed from Google’s event. 

 

The update changes up a couple of items, most notably the photo area. That’s no surprise since today’s announcements all surrounded photo and video handling through the social network. If you want to start taking advantage of things like Auto Awesome Movie and better photo searching, feel free to sideload the update through one of the links below. 

In terms of UI changes, you’ll see a new Photo menu once you tap on Photos that includes shortcuts to Auto Awesome, Albums, Videos, Photos of You, etc. You can also easily swipe between Camera and Highlights in the gallery now, and search quicker. Appears to be a solid update.

Download Link [mirror]

  

Play Link

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Motorola Announces Project Ara, An Open, Modular Smartphone Hardware Platform

Remember Phonebloks and how we all had a good laugh about how unworkable and idealistic it was? It turns out Motorola has been working on a similar project for the last year, and it's called Project Ara. This is really happening.

Here's what Ara is, according to Motorola:

The design for Project Ara consists of what we call an endoskeleton (endo) and modules.  The endo is the structural frame that holds all the modules in place. A module can be anything, from a new application processor to a new display or keyboard, an extra battery, a pulse oximeter--or something not yet thought of!

Motorola isn't just taking the Phonebloks vision and running with it. The company will be working with Phonebloks and its developer community to make a modular phone possible. Motorola will soon start seeking input from so-called Ara Scouts to help the Google subsidiary shape the future of Project Ara. In a few months, Motorola will begin inviting developers to design modules for the Ara platform – a Module Developer's Kit (MDK) could be ready as soon as this winter.

It almost goes without saying, but if Motorola (with Google's backing) can make this work, it's going to be an honest-to-goodness revolution in the smartphone industry. Want a better camera, but don't need much storage? You can spend big on the image sensor and cheap-out on the NAND. Speaker in your phone busted? Just disconnect it and add a new module. Rather than buy a whole new phone, you could simply upgrade the parts you want.

It's also worth noting the crowd-sourced "Thunderclap" campaign for Phonebloks is happening in about 9 hours. So, the timing here seems very convenient. This idea sounds insane, but maybe it has a real shot now.

Via Androidpolice

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Nokia Lumia 929 caught on a video

The rumored Lumia 929 didn't surface at Nokia's big event this past week. Don't worry -- WPCentral forum member Falorin has posted photos and a video (after the break) revealing more details of Verizon's Windows Phone flagship.

As previous leaks implied, the 929 is effectively a compact Lumia 1520; the 1080p screen resolution, 20-megapixel camera and Snapdragon 800 chip remain intact. There's no microSD slot, although there will reportedly be models with 32GB and 64GB of built-in storage. 

The biggest surprise is Nokia's use of a nano-SIM, which suggests that the company no longer minds using a competitor's SIM format. Those who like what they see might not have to wait long to try the new Lumia for themselves. If Falorin is accurate, Verizon hopes to release the 929 around Thanksgiving.

SOURCE: WPCentral (1), (2)

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Google Updates reCAPTCHA with Easier CAPTCHAs for Humans

Google released an update to its reCAPTCHA system that creates different classes of CAPTCHAs for different kinds of users. In short, it makes your life easier if you’re a human, and your work much harder if you’re a bot.

For those who have encountered CAPTCHAs and reCAPTCHA, but have no idea what they are, here’s a quick primer. CAPTCHA stands for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”, and as its name implies, it is a quick test used in computing to determine whether or not the user is human. You’ve probably encountered hundreds of these if a site decides to verify whether you’re human or not.

reCAPTCHA, which was acquired by Google in September 2009, is similar to the CAPTCHA interface, except that it asks users to enter words seen in distorted text images onscreen. It presents two words: one which it knows (used to test whether you are human), and one which it doesn’t (used to help digitize the text in books).

Google notes that over the last few years, advances in artificial intelligence have reduced the gap between human and machine capabilities in deciphering distorted text, and the reCAPTCHA team has been making its system more adaptive via extensive research and steady improvements.

Unsurprisingly, Google wouldn’t share too much detail as to how the new system works, aside from saying it uses advanced risk analysis techniques, actively considering the user’s entire engagement (before, during and after) with the CAPTCHA. In other words, the distorted letters are not the only test.

Here’s what Google says it gains from the changes:

This multi-faceted approach allows us to determine whether a potential user is actually a human or not, and serve our legitimate users CAPTCHAs that most of them will find easy to solve. Bots, on the other hand, will see CAPTCHAs that are considerably more difficult and designed to stop them from getting through.

Since humans find numeric CAPTCHAs (pictured above) significantly easier to solve than those containing arbitrary text, Google will be showing you more and more numbers. Bots, meanwhile, won’t even see them.

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'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' Trailer Unites a Trio of Heroes

The most patriotic comic book hero needs help fending off evil in Marvel's upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie, and as the new trailer shows, Captain America and ally Black Widow find that assistance in the wing-wielding Falcon.

Captain America, played by Chris Evans, is trying to defend the nation's capital alongside Natasha Romanoff (a.k.a. Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson). The action-packed trailer sets the captain out to "neutralize a lot of threats before they even happen," according to Samuel L. Jackson's character, Nick Fury, the head director of international intelligence agency S.H.I.E.L.D.

Falcon, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, soars in to help battle the villains, including the sequel's namesake, Winter Soldier. The big bad guy is a brainwashed assassin — and Captain America's former best friend — played by Sebastian Stan. Robert Redford will debut in the film franchise as new S.H.I.E.L.D. leader Alexander Pierce.

The film is a sequel to 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, which told the story of how ordinary Steve Rodgers morphed into Captain America. After a 60-year slumber, the World War II hero returned to protect the modern world.

Winter Soldier will arrive in theaters in the UK on March 26 and in the United States on April 4.

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Microsoft Installs 27-Foot Wide Surface Tablet in Trafalgar Square

Microsoft promoted the launch of its Surface 2 tablet this week by installing what may be the largest tablet we've ever seen in the middle of London's Trafalgar Square. The tablet is 27 feet wide (yes, feet — not inches) and 17 feet tall. Apparently the tablet actually works, too.

Come down to Trafalgar Square today and play on our #GiantSurface! #London pic.twitter.com/agEvvCdL55
— Microsoft UK (@MicrosoftUK) October 24, 2013

So @Microsoft has only gone and installed a giant Surface 2 in Trafalgar Square. Keyboard works apparently. pic.twitter.com/QXQ2TdnFB5
— Peter Gothard (@petergothard) October 24, 2013

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LG Reveals the Fireweb, Its First Firefox Smartphone

LG launched its first Firefox OS smartphone on Wednesday, called the Fireweb — a 4-inch device that runs Mozilla's mobile operating system.

Previously, Firefox OS has appeared on smartphones such as the ZTE Open, but this is the first full Firefox OS smartphone for LG. The Fireweb (pictured below) will arrive in Brazil via local carrier Telefonica.

"Telefónica announced that Vivo will sell the new LG Fireweb and Alcatel One Touch Fire Firefox OS phones in Brazil, starting today," Mozilla wrote on its official blog. "Telefónica also announced that they will launch Firefox OS phones soon in Mexico, Peru and Uruguay."

Mozilla revealed it would launch Firefox OS-based devices in new markets worldwide. The company first launched its collection of Firefox OS smartphone (the ZTE Open and Alcatel One Touch Fire) this summer in Spain, Colombia, Venezuela and Poland.

The LG Fireweb will be an entry-level smartphone for users who aren't looking for a ton of bells and whistles. It features a HVGA TFT touchscreen, 3G Qualcomm processor with 1GHz and 2GB memory, which will limit the number of apps users can download on the device. It also comes with a 5MP camera, LED flash and a 480 x 320 display.

The Firefox OS will bring a web browser, calendar and a few more apps — as well as the Firefox Marketplace — to the handset. Companies that already support Firefox OS include eBay, Wikipedia, The Weather Channel, Fox Sports, Facebook and Kayak.

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T-Mobile Announces 200MB Free Tablet Data for Life, $0 Down on Tablet Purchases

T-Mobile told told This morning, they delivered that announcement, which involves 200MB of free tablet data for life, other affordable tablet plans, and $0 down on the purchases of new tablets. This is the latest move in this UnCarrier world that T-Mobile has attempted to create. 

So what exactly are we looking at? According to T-Mobile, anyone who owns a data-ready tablet that works on T-Mobile’s network can take advantage of free 200MB of 4G LTE data per month “for as long as they own their tablet.” 

And we’re not talking about current customers of T-Mobile, we’re talking about anyone with a tablet who can connect to their network. For example, if you bought an unlocked tablet like say the new Nexus 7 LTE, you could pick up a T-Mobile SIM and start enjoying 200MB of free data per month with “no strings attached.” T-Mobile claims that 200MB amounts to “800 Instagram photos, more than 2,500 emails or stream 200 minutes of music.”

If you want more data, T-Mobile now offers daily, weekly, and monthly data options. For voice customers, you can get unlimited data (500MB full 4G LTE speeds) at $10 per month. If you want to up that full speed data in 2GB increments, simply add on $10 per month. If you want to go the daily route, T-Mobile is offering 500MB of 4G LTE data for $5. Weekly passes run $10 for 1GB of 4G LTE data.

Should you like the sounds of these new plans, T-Mobile wants you to know that you can buy tablets from them at $0 down with monthly payments afterwards. Better yet, if you own a WiFi tablet, but want to take advantage of their new data plans, you can trade it in for a discount on a new tablet. T-Mobile currently plans to sell the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.

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Plants vs. Zombies 2 Now Available on Android!

We thought it was coming tomorrow, but no, PopCap and EA have surprised us with the launch of Plants vs. Zombies 2 on Android today. You can grab it from Google Play this minute for free. After an initial launch on iOS (and a rumor about truckloads of money to keep it off Android), then launches on Android in China and Australia, the wait is finally over.

The Game is now Live on Play Store. Go Grab the Game from the Store and Make your fingers Ready to play the Game.

Play Link

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Dead Trigger 2 Hits the Play Store, Time to Get Your Trigger Fingers Ready

It is always nice when a game company announces a launch date and sticks to it, unlike some games we know.Madfinger Games, the studio behind the popular Dead Trigger series, said that October 23 was the day that we could expect to get back to killing zombies and they were not lying. Dead Trigger 2 is now live on play store.

Taking to their Twitter account a while ago, they announced that DT2 was now available for download in the Apple Store. and Also in the Android Market.

Like with all popular games, we all expected a sequel. Something more immersive, with better gameplay, more features, a deeper storyline, and the like. Madfinger has been teasing Dead Trigger 2 for some time now, which should offer all of the above features, and now it's finally available. Right now.

This game is packed to the gullet with guts (much like a normal human being, I suppose), guns, and action. You're once again fighting for your life against hordes of undead, but this time you're not alone. DT2 brings about a whole new level of gameplay, as you'll actually have to team up with other in-game NPCs to complete specific missions.

While the living companions in themselves bring a whole new angle of gameplay, there are new undead to face, as well. Bigger, stronger, more undead-ier, they're ready and willing to eat your face. And torso. And legs. But not your feet. Fun fact: even zombies hate feet. Crazy, I know.

Dead Trigger 2 is a free game in the Play Store, and much like last year's title should feature what I assume will be fairly reasonable and optional IAPs. Hit the link to start playing.

Go get in through Google Play. [Play Link]

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Nimbuzz makes international calling very cheap, charges 1 paisa per second

Nimbuzz, a cross platform instant messaging application has introduced the international calling feature that allows you to make ISD calls for as low as 1 paisa for every second. The company has joined hands with Spectranet for this service that has been dubbed Spectranet hello ip.

This is actually a VoIP service which means that you can make calls over the internet using 3G or 2G connections or Wi-Fi. But there are a whole lot of applications such as Viber and Line which offer the same service and that too free of charge, so what sets this one apart?

Well, the difference is that the other VoIP apps facilitate merely peer-to-peer calls. Which means both the caller and the receiver should have the particular application along with an active internet connection. But as far as the new Nimbuzz feature is concerned, you can use it to place calls on landlines or mobile numbers, regardless of whether they have the utility installed or not.

Nimbuzz has made international calls as cheap as local calls. But it should be noted that calls can only be placed from India to another country. It doesn’t work the other way round. You can talk to your friends and relatives in nations like the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, France, Canada, Bahrain and Kuwait amongst others.

Vouchers, internet recharge and refilling via credit or debit cards are the means by which you can pay for Nimbuzz Spectranet hello ip. You can sign up for the service by creating an account through the official website or by downloading the application for your mobile or PC platform.

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iPad Air will ship on November 1 in 41 countries, iPad mini with Retina coming later in November

Apple announced the iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina. The successor to the iPad 4 will ship on November 1, 2013 in 41 countries, while the iPad mini successor will arrive later that in the month, though no specific date was given.

Here’s the full country list for the iPad Air: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finalnd, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

It’s worth noting that the iPad Air will be launching in China from day one, just as the iPhone 5s did. This is a first for Apple, a company that’s pushing hard to grow its customer base in the world’s most populous country.

The iPad Air’s pricing remains unchanged from the iPad 4, meaning it starts at $499. The iPad 2, on the other hand, will remain at $399.

The iPad mini with Retina will debut at $399, while the original iPad mini’s price has dropped to $299.

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Download: Google Play Version 4.4.21, Features Pullout Navigation Bar

A new version of Google Play is currently circulating, so we figured we should give our readers the heads up and ability to try out the latest update for themselves. This is version 4.4.21, which brings a new navigation menu to the entire application. Much like many other Google apps, simply pull the navigation bar out from the left side of your display to access your apps, wishlist, redeem menu, and other Google accounts. 

From my 5 minutes with it, we aren’t seeing anything else right off. Download it yourself and let us know if you find anything special.

File Size History

• com.android.vending-3.10.14.apk 5.88 MB (6,174,123 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.0.25.apk 5.89 MB (6,183,354 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.0.26.apk 5.89 MB (6,181,405 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.0.27.apk 5.89 MB (6,181,458 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.1.6.apk 5.75 MB (6,036,474 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.1.10.apk 5.76 MB (6,040,792 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.2.3.apk 5.76 MB (6,046,580 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.2.9.apk 5.84 MB (6,129,144 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.3.10.apk 5.75 MB (6,036,657 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.3.11.apk 5.75 MB (6,038,575 bytes)
• com.android.vending-4.4.21.apk 5.84 MB (6,126,172 bytes)

Download: com.android.vending-4.4.21.apk

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