Android Weekly: top 14 stories this week

This week in your world of Android: Google was rumored to impose more restrictions to OEMs, HTC’s upcoming devices leaked, LG detailed the G Pro 2, Flappy Bird was taken down, Google updated some of its core apps, more Galaxy S5 details surfaced, Nokia’s Android device was confirmed, and OPPO announced the launch date of the Find 7.

These are the essential stories, the summary of an entire week in just a few phrases. It’s Android Weekly.

Reining in OEMs

Google is reportedly going to impose some limits on what versions of Android OEMs can use on devices. Nothing is confirmed yet, but the idea is to stem the flow of new devices running outdated versions of Android, which gave the OS a bad name.

• Rumor: Google may soon force OEMs to use recent versions of Android on new devices

HTC devices leak

HTC devices just kept leaking this week, starting with the flagship M8 and continuing with the M8 mini and the brand new Desire 8 midranger.

• HTC’s new Desire 8 series leaks, 5.5-inch display, sleek design, and mid-range specs
• Alleged HTCM8 image leaks, shows off the device’s front
• HTC M8 mini rumor suggests bigger screen and 13MP camera
• More purported images of the HTCM8 show two-tone flash and onscreen buttons

LG details G Pro 2

LG was supposed to unveil the new G Pro 2 at MWC, but it looks like they just couldn’t wait anymore. With a massive 5.9-inch display, this unabashedly large device will go up against the Note 3 and other overweight phones on the market right now.

• LG G Pro 2 made official ahead of Mobile World Congress

Flappy Bird is no more

Just as swiftly as it flapped on to millions of smartphone screens, viral hit Flappy Bird disappeared. Developer Dong Nguyen took the game off the Play Store, supposedly because he thought it became “too addictive.”

• What the flap? Flappy Bird is no longer in the Play Store
• Flappy Bird creator says he took it down because it was too addictive

Google lets you call mom easier

Google updated some of its apps this Wednesday, including Search, which now has the capability to tell when you are referring to a family member like “mom” or “grandpa”, and Music, which gained a couple of couple new features including offline radio caching.

• Google Search update now lets you designate contacts as mom, dad, etc
• Google Play Music updated, adds offline radio caching and ‘My Devices’ setting

Galaxy S5 rumorware

Korean media reports the Galaxy S5 would sport a fingerprint scanner integrated into the display. Meanwhile Samsung teased the new user interface coming on the device, promising a complete revamp of the tired old TouchWiz.

• Rumor: Galaxy S5 to have fingerprint scanner embedded in the display’s corners?
• Samsung Galaxy S5 teaser hints at new user interface

Nokia’s really forking Android

We’ve suspected it for a while, but now that the WSJ confirmed it, we can almost call it a sure thing – Nokia’s long rumored Normandy is coming at MWC, and the soon to be owned by Microsoft company is preparing its own Android app store for it.

• WSJ: Nokia to launch Android phone at MWC, will run Nokia’s own Android store

Find 7 on March 19

Chinese company OPPO is gearing up to unveil its latest flagship on March 19. Dubbed Find 7, the device will be among the first to feature an ultra-crisp WQHD display, and we can’t wait to see it.

• OPPO Find 7 launch date set for March 19 in Beijing

What was the biggest Android news this week in your opinion?