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Can you feel that? That’s the cool breeze of more Samsung Galaxy Note 4 details flowing in ahead of Samsung’s official September 3rd announcement. This time we get more key details on the device’s camera sensor, which is said to be a 16 megapixel shooter with optical image stabilization and 4K video recording.

Perhaps the most interesting detail is the “side touch” shutter button that Samsung is reportedly testing. Instead of a physical button that you would use to capture a photo (much like an actual digital camera), the side touch button is capacitive and doesn’t require any tactile feedback. Unfortunately this would eliminate the ability to half-press the button to get focusing just right, but it’s better than not having a shutter button at all. The source notes that you won’t be able to use the button in Easy Mode, Portrait Mode, or video capture.

Samsung also reportedly put a lot of time into selfies this year, what with that fad now slowing down and all. Three new modes alone are dedicated to selfies alone, including Selfie, Wide Selfie and Selfie Alarm. The first mode is your typical selfie, except you’ll be able to wink or smile in order to initiate the capture sequence. Wide Selfie simply widens the perspective to allow you to fit more people in. Finally, Selfie Alarm allows you to take a selfie with the rear camera — it’ll automatically take the photo for you once it has properly detected and on your face and focused in on it.

Another new mode — Create a GIF File — will let you take a sequence of photos and produce an animated GIF file ready to upload to your favorite social networks. Pretty neat stuff. Of course, all of Samsung’s other goods (such as HDR Live and Selective Focus) are expected to make their return here.

All of it sounds great, but we won’t know just how cool it is until we get a taste of our own. That’ll be happening once we make the trip to New York City in a couple of weeks to get up close and personal with what should be the biggest phone of this side of 2014.

[via SamMobile]

The North Face athlete Alex Honnold stopped by GearJunkie HQ this morning. He’s in town to give a presentation titled “Relativity of Risk,” a part of The North Face speaker series.

Feld & Volk, a luxury iPhone vendor, has managed to come across two new photos of a production 4.7-inch iPhone 6. In addition to showing off its slim body, they give us a glimpse of the front panel's slightly tapered edges melding seamlessly into the rounded edges of the rear shell. Early reports say that the phone could boast a flexible and scratch-proof sapphire Retina display (1704 x 904 resolution), a quicker A8 processor, improved rear-facing camera, and built-in wireless charging support. The video above shows a conceptual "instant charging" station where the battery is swapped out for a fully charged one when placed in the dock. Continue reading for leaked images of a reversible Lightning cable, and more information.

Phan Favs is a recurring feature that turns the tables and asks you, the readers, about the best apps and games. It’s your turn to drop some knowledge on us! Read more.

Don’t call it a comeback, but podcasts are popular again. Everyone from Joe Rogan to Rachel Maddow has their own podcast, and many popular media outlets do as well (including our very own Mobile Roar Podcast). There are plenty of places where audio-only entertainment comes in handy. You can listen while going for a run, taking a shower, or doing the dishes. We love podcasts, and we know you do too, so what app is the best for listening to them?

Last week we asked you to tell us what app you use for listening to podcasts. We got over 300 votes, but one app was the clear winner. Here are the top 5 podcast apps according to you. Enjoy!

1. Pocketcasts

With over half of the total votes, Pocketcasts was the clear winner. This beautifully designed app simply has it all. You can have certain podcasts auto-download for offline listening, sync subscription and playback progress across devices, send audio to Chromecast to hear it through the TV, set a sleep timer, control playback speed, and so much more. Pocketcasts costs $3.99, but many of you have already gladly paid for it. It’s worth every penny.

2. BeyondPod

BeyondPod has been around on Android for a long time, but it’s still alive and well. You can do most everything you would expect. Play content via streaming or offline, adjust playback speed, Chromecast support, and it integrates with Feedly so you can even read your RSS feeds. The design is pretty standard #HOLOYOLO, but it gets the job done without getting in the way. BeyondPod is available for phones and tablets.

3. DoggCatcher

Like most of the apps on this list, DoggCatcher can do a bevy of things you would expect. You can set certain podcasts to automatically download for offline listening, plus it automatically deletes old episodes to keep your device clean. DoggCatcher is highly configurable so it can behave exactly how you want. The built-in search feature allows you to find feeds from any podcast you can imagine. There is also support for Chromecast for when you want some louder speakers. Doggcatcher is free and $2.99.

4. Podcast Addict

Addicted to listening to podcasts? This is the app for you. The aptly named Podcast Addict app is for hardcore listeners of podcasts. Not only can you manage audio episodes, but also video podcasts, and even YouTube channels, and news feeds. Podcast Addict has a clean Jelly Bean-style design, Chromecast support, and you can even import subscriptions from iTunes. The best part is it’s free

5. Stitcher

Last, but not least, on our list is Stitcher Radio. This podcast service is different from the other ones on this list. Artists have to apply to get their shows on the Stitcher network. Almost any popular podcast that you can think of is available on Stitcher (including ours), but not all. You might ask “why should I even use this app then?” Stitcher has a great design, sync across the web and devices, custom stations, breaking news, and more. Plus it’s free.

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Those are your picks! Thanks for sharing your favorite apps with us. Do you agree with your fellow readers? If you think your favorite app should have been on the list make your case for it in the comments. Check out the chart below to see how the voting was spread out among all the apps. We’ll be back again soon with another edition of Phan Favs!

The guy in the blue Brewers jersey with sunglasses on his head was heading back to his seat holding beers in each hand when he lost both trying to snag a foul ball. As he approached his seat, Josh Thole sliced a foul ball right at him and he was in the perfect position to grab it, but for the occupied hands. All he could do was try to bear hug it, but he spilled beer all over himself in the process and lost the ball to that falling snake in yellow.

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While just about everyone can agree on the overall practicality or vision of Google Glass and the way it could shape the future of wearables — augmented reality, hands-free use, etc. — there’s just no denying they are a terrible eyesore. Still very much in its early prototype phase, the Google Glass Explorer Edition has been described by critiques as something out of TV sci-fi. Obvious comparisons to La Forge’s VISOR from Star Trek or Vegeta’s Scouter have been made in addition to the man privacy concerns Google Glass has raised.

Now, we’ve seen some of Google’s early design patents before showing a much more fashionable design, but nothing like this. The latest patent to be uncovered from the USPTO (filed back in 2012 but granted last week) shows Google once again toying with a more practical design. This time around, they’ve completely removed the thick unsightly prism arm, tucking it behind the lens and arm of the glasses.

You can see there is still an arm, only it appears to be much flatter (and more Dragon Ball Z-ish), with a camera hole on the opposite side. This gives Google Glass a much more incognito look when paired with shades or prescription lenses but still doesn’t address how it would look a la carte.

With our mobile devices and even smartwatches doubling as fashion statements, it’s clear Google can’t simply skate by with making Google Glass functional, they have to make it pretty too. Even though this is only a design patent and in no way means anything is set in stone, it does provide us a brief look into the minds at Google and how they’re already looking to change Glass for the better. What do you guys think of this design?

Appearing on The Lowdown with Alex Loeb on 104.9 FM in Austin earlier today, former NFL QB Vince Young said that he would have returned to UT if he had known the Houston Texans, which took Mario Williams first overall in 2006, weren't going to select him:

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Update 4:45 p.m. ET: The ACLU says the officer has been removed from duty as a result of a letter the organization sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Update 5 p.m. ET: A spokesman with the St. Louis County Police Department confirmed the removal in a statement to Mashable and called the action "inappropriate." He writes:

On Tuesday, August 19, 2014, shortly before midnight, an incident occurred wherein a St. Ann Police Officer pointed a semi-automatic assault rifle at a peaceful protestor after a verbal exchange. It was at this time a St. Louis County Police Sergeant walked over and immediately took action, forcing the officer to lower the weapon, and escorting him away from the area. The unified command strongly feel these actions are inappropriate, and not indicative of the officers who have worked daily, to keep the peace. The St. Ann Police Officer involved in the incident has been relieved of duty and suspended indefinitely. Read more...

Every NFL coach needs to be more like Chip Kelly.

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It’s hard to see the latest solar panel technology — which is kind of the point.

Researchers at Michigan State University developed a new type of solar panel that is almost completely transparent. It harnesses solar energy using organic molecules, which glow when exposed to sunlight.

The panels utilize infrared light with tiny photovoltaic strips around the edges of the pane. These are miniaturized versions of the more standard solar panel you might see on a solar farm or a rooftop.

But the infrared light being used is invisible to the unaided human eye, so the panels appear transparent. Read more...

Bob Costas threw the ceremonial first pitch(es) in St. Louis tonight and missed badly on his first toss. After fist-exploding with the Cardinals mascot, he cooly jogged to the rubber for his pitch. It's unclear if it was nerves or just the adrenaline pumping, but he airmailed his first throw through the left-handed batter's box. He asked for another shot at it, and threw a strike to A.J. Pierzynski.

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The author senses something during this section of the Pacific Northwest Trail from Metaline Falls To Oroville, Wash. His story will make you shiver.

From the humble pocketknife to serious “survival” blades, this tutorial breaks down 10 common (and some not so common) types of outdoor blades. Daggers, throwing knives, and the classic Bowie knife are just a few included in the mix.

Google is reportedly preparing to launch a child-centric version of some of its services — a move that would give kids their own Google accounts for the first time

Currently, the company's age limit on those who can officially obtain a Google in the U.S. is 13 years old

According to a report in a report by The Information Monday, the new initiative will allow younger users to obtain their own YouTube accounts on a "child safe" version of the video site

Google will also start requiring that users disclose their age when signing up for a Google account on Android devices, the report says — and
will give parents a dashboard application that will allow them to monitor the activity of their children on Google services Read more...

Google tries to make sure its most popular Android apps are also available to iPhone users, but not everything makes the cut

Now Google's Photo Sphere app, designed to help you capture three-dimensional views of your world, has finally come to iOS.

Like Google's other Android-to-iOS app ports, Photo Sphere blends in well with the operating system's minimalist interface while delivering snappy performance

After you launch the app, click on the camera menu option and you'll immediately see an orange positioning dot and a targeting frame prompting you to begin creating your immersive photo Read more...

Bike crashes often don't end well, and very few of them can be called fun. This one, though, caught on a Russian dashboard camera, has the least likely outcome you could imagine — and it seems to leave participants unhurt.

The 30-second video, which has a July 30 datestamp, was published on YouTube on Aug. 19. According to Jalopnik, the incident occurs in Russia, on a bridge near the city of Korolyov.

We cannot confirm the authenticity of the video, and we haven't been able to find any info about the accident. If it's real, however, that biker probably used up his luck for the year — or decade. Read more...

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Matthew McConaughey—the lieutenant of L-I-V-I-N, the commander of casual, the bombardier of being real—was at Sunday's Astros-Red Sox game, wearing a fanny pack. He did not care about anyone else's opinion of his fanny pack.

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Update: Roku has updated its Android app with support for Roku TV. The changelog provides insight on what kind of integration users can expect.

What's new:

This update enables support for Roku TVs. Use all your favorite features of the Roku app directly with your Roku TV!

Roku TV features include:

• Volume up and down, mute, and power off.
• The volume of a Roku TV can be controlled with the physical volume buttons on the mobile device.

Roku Announces 'Roku TV' Platform To Ship On Upcoming Hisense And TCL Smart TVs With Android App Compatibility [Updated] was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Sprint has heard your regular complaints about its slow network, your jabs at its decision to cram an r into the word family, and your steady insistence that it just isn't good enough to compete. Now the company is trying to turn that around with a bargain that, on paper at least, makes for a good deal. It's rolling out a new family plan called the Family Share Pack offering 20GB of shared data plus 2GB per device for just $100 a month.

Sprint Announces Family Share Pack Offering 20GB Of Shared Data For $100 Per Month Through 2015, Available August 22nd was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

When developer Dong Nguyen first released Flappy Bird, it took the Apple App Store and Google Play by storm. Some people called the game addictive. Some thought of it as brilliant in its simplicity. We here at Android Police were so bold as to call it apparently entertaining. Well now the developer is back and ready to bestow upon the world a follow-up game that looks just as mindbogglingly and unreasonably frustrating - Swing Copters.

Flappy Bird's Creator Dong Nguyen Unveils His Upcoming Game 'Swing Copters,' Aka Upward Flappy Bird was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Oh hey, it's that one guy!

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Giants rookie Joe Panik was the unwilling participant in a magic trick when he slid into second during Sunday's game against the Phillies. Now you see his pinkie finger, and now—oh, shit.

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That's Browns PR guy Rob McBurnett on the left side of the screen likely informing Johnny Manziel that his middle finger will be a full-blown Thing tomorrow. Manziel's reaction is perfect. This is body language that screams man, I am an idiot but, goddammit, why can't they let me live?

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After all these years, Al Pacino finally found The Truth...and justice for all.

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See past editions of Android Wallpaper

Shark Week may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean we have to forget about these awesome creatures of the sea. Earlier this week we showed you some cool Shark-themed apps and games. Today we are taking a look at some Shark-themed wallpapers for your Android device. Some sharks are vicious, some are cute, but all of them look great on your phone or tablet.

Below you will find six HD wallpapers that should look great on any device. We’ve chosen a few different styles, from real photos to cute cartoons. Hopefully one of these strikes your fancy. To get one of them on your phone, tablet, or even PC, simply tap or click the download link underneath each image. Let us know which one is your favorite, and be sure to share a screenshot if you use one of these wallpapers! Are you a fan of Shark Week?

Push new Android Wallpaper to your Android device with this IFTTT recipe.

Under Shark

Download (2560 x 1600)

Cute Shark

Download (2560 x 1600)

Shark Jump

Download (2560 x 1600)

Minimal Fin

Download (1920 x 1080)

Shark Wave

Download (2560 x 1600)

Shark Yawn

Download (2560 x 1600)