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Metal Samsung Galaxy F Set to Top Galaxy S5 in 2014 is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is shaping up to be another stellar smartphone, and probably the best Android device of 2014. However, Samsung has something else on the horizon, and that is the Galaxy F. Taking a new approach to the design and finally offering a metal-clad smartphone.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the name “Samsung Galaxy F” and it probably won’t be the last, although at this point it’s all just a rumor. Back in September rumors started swirling about an aluminum or all metal Galaxy F, and today we’re hearing more of the same, only it will arrive with or shortly after the Galaxy S5, and be the company’s new flagship smartphone.

Samsung’s home country seems to know all the details, with the Korean site ETNews reporting the Galaxy F will top the Galaxy S5 in 2014. Stating we could see both arrive around the same time frame, if not the Galaxy F shortly after, which would be the new top-tier flagship premium device for the year.

This report contradicts others suggesting Samsung’s Galaxy S5 will finally ditch the often complained about plastic design in favor of something more durable and robust. Think HTC One or iPhone type aluminum or metal, but that may not be the case. Samsung could look to continue the Galaxy S5 trend of a plastic housing with a replaceable battery and micro-SD slot for additional storage, then release an even better Galaxy F device.

Read: 15 Samsung Galaxy S5 Predictions

We know the Galaxy S5 will have a 5.2-inch display, possibly 2K in resolution and host many top-tier flagship features like a quad or 8-core processor 16 mp camera, possibly a fingerprint scanner and maybe even a curved display. If so, that would leave the Galaxy F to sport an all aluminum design, and hopefully top-tier specs and front facing speakers to take on the HTC One and others.

We’ll be taking most rumors with a grain of salt until something more concrete arrives, but as things stand today the Galaxy S5 looks to be an excellent smartphone for the new year. Samsung’s premium Galaxy F could arrive at the same time however, and steal its thunder.

Metal Samsung Galaxy F Set to Top Galaxy S5 in 2014 is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

LG Lifeband Touch Leaks Ahead of CES is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

Wearables are the next big thing, at least according to the multiple companies all jumping in the arena, and today we’re getting our first look at what we can expect early next year from LG. From Google Glass to smartwatches and fitness trackers, everyone wants to offer a wearable computing device.

Paired to our smartphones and mobile devices Google Glass, smartwatch options, and even fitness trackers will be big in 2014, and were even quite popular throughout 2013. While we’ve seen a few of these from LG in the past, none were ever released, and now we’re seeing what’s being called the LG Lifeband Touch ahead of the CES unveil.

Thanks to the popular leakster @evleaks we’re getting a glance at LG’s fitness tracker and wearable before CES, which is where many are expecting it to make a debut. With a similar look the the popular Nike FuelBand or FitBit, the LifeTouch appears to have a display on front (hence the name Touch) and will be quite the fitness companion.

The image above is all we know at this point, and we’re assuming the “touch” aspect is top center just to the right of that glowing green button, which is where you’ll see the time, calorie counter, battery life, and anything else integrated from LG.

Last year LG teased something similar at CES that offered connectivity to apps, smartphones, and TVs, had GPS, and of course tracked motion, as shown above, but sadly it never reached store shelves. We could be seeing this new model tied into LG’s smartphone and smart TV plans in 2014. Expect a companion app for Android, iOS, and even your LG-powered smart TV in the near future.

LG Lifeband Touch Leaks Ahead of CES is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

Google Glass Availability Expands to Google Music Users is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

Wearable gadgets and technology are going to be a big part of 2014, and as the year ends Google is finally opening up the floodgates for Google Glass, the company’s wearable smart glasses running Android.

Google Glass is still a novelty item, and far from a retail product, but Google’s still looking to allow more and more users access to it. After initially offering Glass to a select few Google IO attendees, followed by an invite system, Google is now allowing anyone that is a paying subscriber to Google Play Music All Access (the music streaming service) to now buy Glass. It’s an odd approach, and if you have the money Google Glass can be yours.

While we’re still hearing mid to late 2014 is when we can expect some sort of redesigned and official launch of Google Glass, the company is still looking for developers and beta testers to enjoy the latest and greatest in wearable technology. Today emails are going out inviting anyone with a Google Music subscription to get Glass.

Yes, you’ll still need to pay the crazy developer price of $1,500 for Glass, but it’s worth it for some. Google Music recently arrived for Glass, allowing users to listen to tunes completely hands free with a quick voice command, and as a celebration if you love Google Music, you can now love Google Glass.

Google Glass is still a developer device, that’s for sure, but we’re excited about its future. It made our list of Best Tech of 2013 and will be something to look forward to in 2014 as the technology and features expand. If you’re on the fence knowing the official release could arrive in 2014, Google’s already replaced the first version with the revised Glass 2 for buyers, and we could see them do the same later this year.

The next few months should make or break Google’s plans with Glass, and be on the lookout for plenty of news and competitors to Glass and other wearable devices throughout 2014.

Google Glass Availability Expands to Google Music Users is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

Verizon Moto G Rumored at $100 is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

Earlier this year Motorola shocked many by announcing an all-new approach to smartphones. Of course we’re talking about the impressive Moto G offering excellent specs, customization options, and more all for just $179.

We knew Verizon and many US carriers had plans to offer the extremely wallet-friendly Moto X in early 2014, but a new leak and report today suggests that Motorola and Verizon have big plans. Big plans for a small price. According to 9to5Google the Verizon Moto G could arrive for just $100, no contracts required.

So what’s the big deal about the Moto G? It’s the best smartphone available to date when you consider the price, and Motorola has a real winner here. Offering a 4.5-inch 720p HD display, quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 5 megapixel camera, and the latest Android 4.4 KitKat all for just $179. You heard us right. $179 with no carrier contracts.

The Moto G is the first of many budget devices we’re expecting from Google and Motorola in the new year, and if all goes according to plan the company could be selling them by the truckload over at Verizon. Motorola.com and some other countries currently offer the 16GB model for $179, and a 32GB variant for $199. Making it the best price/performance and all around deal available. Missing 4G LTE and rocking a mediocre camera are the only negatives to this relatively excellent and budget friendly phone.

Read: Moto G Review

Motorola confirmed Verizon and other main US carriers will offer the device completely unlocked for pre-paid customers in early 2014, and it looks like Verizon will be up first. Above is a leaked photo showing the device in full Verizon retail packaging, and the leakster claims Verizon will actually offer it for $99. Making it a crazy deal we’ll be recommending to friends and family for months and months.

That price is crazy, and no where near confirmed at this point, but that price was leaked along with the picture so we’re inclined to believe it for now. Verizon is expected to launch the Moto G within the first few weeks of January, so the wait shouldn’t be too long.

Verizon Moto G Rumored at $100 is a post by Cory Gunther from Gotta Be Mobile.

LG To Unveil webOS Based TV at CES 2014 is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.

Remember webOS? That was the mobile operating system developed by Palm for smartphones an mobile devices made famous by the Palm Pre. When Palm went belly up, it was later bought by Hewlett Packard and used to power the short-lived TouchPad Tablet. LG later bought webOS from Hewlett Packard and we haven’t heard much about webOS since. Well, it looks like at CES 2014 we’ll be hearing a little more. According to the Wall St. Journal Digits Blog, LG will be unveiling a webOS based TV in Las Vegas in just a few weeks.

webOS featured a card-like user interface that users to choose running apps by cycling through cards or swipe them away when a user wanted to close an App. Yeah, we see remnants of that all over the place in mobile Apps these days, so you can say that the webOS UI is dead but not forgotten.

The report in the WSJ, attributed to the usual sources close to the matter who don’t want to be named, says that the TV OS will feature that same card-like UI allowing viewers to swipe through a stack of pop-ups that will allow users to navigate a series of applications. One would assume that also might mean content selections as well.

Think of all of the content you view on various TV boxes these days from Netflix to Apple TV to HBOGo, to pick a device that you view these sort of icon or tiles. It certainly would be interesting to swipe them away with a gesture. The interaction with providers and cable providers would certainly prove to be a challenges, but these kind of things have to start somewhere.

LG To Unveil webOS Based TV at CES 2014 is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.