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Nexus 5 log tips wireless charging, Miracast, themes

A leaked log confirms much of what we think we know about a new pure Google phone, and offers a few surprises.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
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Eric Mack
2 min read
Back in the spring, the Nexus 5 was rumored to be a super-phone code-named "Megalodon." Current leaks are similar to the early chatter, but with a stripped-down camera and less RAM. Android and Me

The flow rate of Nexus 5 leaks is rapidly accelerating as we near an inevitable reveal. The latest come in the form of a log file that confirms much of what we've already heard in terms of specs, but brings a few new surprises.

The log appears to confirm previous suspicions that the new pure Google phone will come with the necessary guts for wireless charging, as previously revealed in FCC filings.

Also found in the log, which MyCE obtained and combed through for us, is a reference to Miracast. This Android mirroring technology allows you to wirelessly "throw" your Android screen to a TV.

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No, it's not the same as a Chromecast, which relies on your home Wi-Fi network and is limited in what it can do. Miracast is a true mirroring technology that basically enslaves your big screen as an extension of your Android device, and via its own ad hoc network.

A final interesting and new detail is the possibility of new themes that could be part of Android 4.4 KitKat. The log makes reference to a theme that still sports a Key Lime Pie icon in some instances.

In addition, MyCE shared leaked screenshots with CNET that show different colored icons in the notification bar. Some show blue icons, some gray icons. Put that together with the mention of a parameter for a "theme" in the logs and we're speculating that it might be possible to choose your own color scheme in KitKat. Some of the screenshots come from sources close to Google, giving me a higher level of confidence than normal of their legitimacy.

The log also confirms other previously reported specs -- a 5-inch, 442 ppi full HD display; 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU; 2GB RAM; 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2-megapixel front; a full host of sensors; and LTE radio and NFC capability.

The actual reveal and availability dates for a new Nexus phone seem a little less definite, but it looks like we'll finally get a glimpse of one sometime in October, perhaps as late as Halloween. Let's hope there are more treats in store than tricks when it comes to Nexus 5 specs.