TrackID – Best Music Recognition App

If you hear a song playing around you and are not able to recognize what it is, we now-a-days have lots of Android apps for it which recognize the song along with more details like the Album, Artist etc. While you might have heard of apps like Shazam, SoundCloud etc, TrackID from Sony is one of the best music recognition apps available on the Android platform.

TrackID is from Sony and is pre-installed on all Sony Xperia range of phones. All other Android phones can download TrackID from the Google Play Store.

The TrackID app has a great user interface with a big button in the centre, making it clear and easy for the user to use it for just what the app is designed for. By clicking the record button, the app records the music from the nearby source using the phone’s microphone.

As long as your Android phone is connected to the internet via EDGE/3G or WiFi, the TrackID app will be able to search the internet for the song you had recorded and requested details about it. As soon as the song is found, it displays the song with more information such as the artist, album, track details etc.

Other options in the TrackID app include personalized Artist info and Album Art depending on the song and its availability of extra details. The TrackID app also has download and purchasing options which one can use to purchase or download the song they had just scanned making it quick and easy for them to get that song on their phone.

The TrackID app also has share options which displays the standard Android menu of all the share options that are available on various apps. TrackID is very accurate and displays the exact song and its corresponding details even if there are two songs which are closely related with each other, having a similar tune.

The TrackID app is a must download for those Audiophiles who spend a lot of their time on their Android smartphones listening and exploring music. For the others, the TrackID makes a good app to try and find your favorite songs on the go. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

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List of Android Phones getting Android 4.4 KitKat Firmware Update

The Android 4.4 KitKat version was recently announced and it is soon to be officially launched by Google when they would be coming up with the next version of Nexus, the Nexus 5 device. But it would always be a guessing game for the users, to see whether the 4.4 update would be coming to their device or not. With most of the high-end devices that were launched recently, one can easily expect that they would be receiving the KitKat update, but for the earlier devices, you will have to wait to see whether the manufacturer is deciding to send the update and whether the device hardware would be able to support it.

For now, check the list below to know which devices are going to get the next big version of Android OS.

Samsung Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

Samsung has not given any confirmation regarding the devices to be released with Android 4.4 update. However, anyone with a Samsung Galaxy Nexus won't be getting KitKat at all — Google has said the handset is too old to get the OS. Samsung UK will announce the rollout plans for Android 4.4 in due course. For now, a few devices which may be going to get the Android 4.4 update are as follows:

• Samsung Galaxy S4

• Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

• Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

• Samsung Galaxy Note 3

• Samsung Galaxy Mega (no confirmation whether the 5.8, 6.3 or both)

• Samsung Galaxy S3

• Samsung Galaxy Note II

• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

• Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 & Tab 2

The Galaxy S3 and Note II have been facing a few regional lock issues and that is what is prompting Samsung to come up with a major update on these devices, as confirmed by one of the Samsung representatives. But again, the document mentions it is the S3 which has 2GB of RAM, and that is the U.S. version which might be getting the update, and the International users might have to wait and watch if Samsung has made it ready for their devices too or not.

Sony Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

Sony has officially updated the list of the Android smartphones in the Xperia range which are going to receive the Android 4.4 KitKat update, and these mostly include the recent smartphones. The exact dates are not mentioned and the company has advised Xperia owners to keep an eye out on its @SonyMobileNews Twitter account for the specific timing of the release. Here are the smartphones which would receive the KitKat update sooner or later:

• Sony Xperia Z1

• Sony Xperia Z

• Sony Xperia Z Ultra

• Sony Xperia ZL

• Sony Xperia Tablet Z

However, most of those devices will get Jelly Bean first: Sony said it will also begin rolling out Android 4.3 over the next month to the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1. But, that may vary by market or carrier.This directs us to a point that these devices aren’t going to receive the KitKat update any time soon. The Xperia T, Xperia TX and Xperia V are the ones which would get the Android 4.3 update directly from Android 4.1 JB.

HTC Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

The HTC One Max is to be announced very soon, and that should be anyways getting the update after the launch, but the devices which are expected to get the Android 4.4 KitKat update after its launch, includes HTC One. HTC hasn't provided an update on the timing and version of Android for the HTC One max and the HTC One mini, but details will follow. Meanwhile, HTC US this week confirmed it will push KitKat to HTC One owners in the same timeframe as the UK. 

HTC has officially named a few devices on its Twitter account, and these are the smartphones which would be getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update:

HTC One (Verizon Wireless) – end of Jan 2014

HTC Droid DNA – around the end of Quarter 1, 2014 after the approval from the carrier

The other phones where the update is still expected, but with no official update from HTC, include:

• HTC One

• HTC One X+

• HTC One X

• New Desire series phones launched in 2013

• HTC Droid DNA

• HTC J

• HTC Butterfly

LG Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

We did hear that the LG Optimus G Pro might be receiving the update a little later, but the LG G2, latest smartphone from the company is sure to get the KitKat version of Android very soon after the launch.

The company hasn't released a schedule for when its own Android devices, such as the G Pad tablet, and Optimus range, will get KitKat. This is just the initial list of the devices may get the update but it could change anytime:

• LG G2

• LG Nexus 4

• LG Optimus L7, L5, L3

• LG Optimus G

• LG Optimus G Pro

• LG Optimus VU

This page will be updated whenever there will be some actual confirmation or leak from the sources.

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra

This post is about the sleekest smartphone (could be called 'phablet' too) which is packed with many more features. This time SONY comes with the biggest screen ever. So, if you want something big, have a look at this device. Read the post to find out more…

Smartphones are increasingly getting bigger, closing the gap with tablets. In fact, at a point where the smartphone screen crosses the 6-inch, it's difficult to call them smartphones. While not everyone likes to call them 'phablets', they clearly lie in hybrid territory, offering smartphone features in a near tablet form factor.

Sony has also recently forayed into this segment, with its new device, the Xperia Z Ultra, which boasts of a 6.4-inch display. It's certainly not the first device to sport a large screen; we've seen the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and the Huawei Ascend Mate featuring 6-inch+ displays, but we'd have to say that it's the sleekest out of all of them, at this point in time. The Xperia Z Ultra is super slim with a thickness of just 6.5mm.

It weighs 212 grams, the overall weight to dimensions ratio is optimum and the phone doesn't feel very bulky. Having said that, it doesn't easily fit the front pockets of your jeans, and you'd need to put it in a bag or hold it all the time. The Xperia Z Ultra follows the same design language that we've seen in the Xperia Z and looks more rectangular as the edges are just subtly rounded.

The front of the device is dominated by its 6.4-inch display. The Xperia Z Ultra's screen has a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels and is the first smartphone display that integrates Sony's Triluminos technology, which the company introduced at CES with its Bravia televisions. Sony claims that through the technology the display reproduces a greater range of rich, natural colours to deliver true, natural shades. It won't be wrong to say that the Xperia Z Ultra's screen is the brightest and vivid display I've ever seen on a device of this size. Unlike the Sony Xperia Z, where observed minor niggles with viewing angles, the Xperia Z Ultra's screen was flawless. Pictures and videos looked natural and colour reproduction was pretty accurate. The big screen and the full-HD resolution makes watching videos a joyful experience. Blacks had the perfect depth and the screen contrast was optimum.

Another interesting feature of the Xperia Z Ultra is its handwriting recognition functionality. The phone's screen is compatible with any pencil and selected stylus or pen with tip diameter over 1mm.When tried using a lead pencil to input text on the phone's screen with the Notes app and found that it recognised our writing with mixed accuracy. It offers word predictions even in the handwriting recognition mode, so this should not be a major problem.

The device's 2-megapixel front facing camera and the sensor array are located above the display. There are no hardware buttons on the front and the Xperia Z Ultra features software controls for navigation.

The front panel is surrounded by a thin frame which meets a thicker aluminium frame that separates the front and back panel.

The right side of the device features the same round metal button for the Power/ Screen lock functions that resembles the crown of a watch. Below this button, you'd find the Volume rocker key, made of plastic. Both these keys are easily accessible.

Since the Xperia Z Ultra is also dust and water proof and comes with IP55 and IP58 certification, the ports and slots are protected with plastic flaps. A flap that hides the microSD card and the micro-SIM card sits above the Power button at the right side. The 3.5mm headset jack is located just above this flap.

The left side of the device features a flap that protects the micro-USB port. You'll also find contacts for docking the device to a dock accessory, which is sold separately. The top and bottom edges feature small speaker outlets.

The back of the device is made of glass and sports a shiny, reflective finish. You'll see minimalist Sony and Xperia branding and the 8-megapixel rear camera lens at the back. The back is not removable. Unfortunately, the device doesn't offer an LED flash to shoot pictures in the dark.

Under the hood, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra features a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM. It's the first device in the market featuring the Snapdragon 800 processor and in my short time with the device, the user experience delivered was pretty snappy. The Xperia Z Ultra's interface which has been customised by Sony was responsive and smooth during the use. I played the preloaded Asphalt 7 game and the gaming experience delivered by the phone was top notch.

When the device’s camera is used to shoot pictures with decent amount of light but found that there was some noise when one zooms in 100 percent.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra key specifications:

• 6.4-inch TFT Triluminos display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels and Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant glass

• 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor

• 2GB RAM

• 8-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS sensor

• 2-megapixel front facing camera

• 16GB internal storage expandable up to 64GB via microSD card

• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

• 4G LTE/ NFC/ Bluetooth 4.0/ Wi-Fi

• 3000mAh battery

Overall, the Xperia Z Ultra's USP is its big and bright screen, though it is not necessary that everyone would be happy with its form factor, and the fact that it doesn't feature an LED flash with the camera. At an MRP of Rs. 46,990 ,no one would like compromises.

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