The Android 2.1 testing that we first reported was in progress must have been much further along than previously thought. Motorola has stated that the Android 2.1 update will begin this week via it’s official Facebook page. This should include some multitouch Browser and Gallery apps for the DROID on top of the multitouch Maps app already updated. They are stating that they will have information on other device upgrades later, in other words, the CLIQ won’t get it yet, but hold tight.
Hi all– we know you are frustrated with the lack of details regarding Android software upgrades and we sincerely apologize for not being able to share info sooner. We’re happy to relay the 2.1 upgrade to DROID will start to roll out this week, and we will have more information to share on other device upgrades later …
This is excellent news. We’ll see how much of the Android 2.1 build gets into the DROID. Hopefully it will be more than previously reported was in test. But, this should mean that all your Droid users get some 2.1 fun for now. Now, for the rest of us…humph.
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Nexus One Early Termination Fee from Google now $150
0 Comments | 91 Views | Posted by Benjamin at 3:08 pm
Google has lowered it’s “equipment recovery fee” that it charges should you cancel your contract with T-Mobile prior to keeping the phone for 120 days without returning the phone. This brings the phones price inline with the cost for purchasing the phone contract free for $529; $179 purchase price (2 year contract) + $150 Google equipment recovery fee + $200 T-Mobile early termination fee = $529. This is a good step forward in helping reduce the cost of the Nexus One. But, it is still a fee that is unique to the Nexus One/T-Mobile setup. Of course, you can always wait that 120 days and end your T-Mobile contract for $200, making the total price of the phone, $179 + $200 = $379. That’s up to you. Was this due to the FCC involvement? Wall Street Journal kind of thinks it might be related.
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Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Accessories – MW600
0 Comments | 113 Views | Posted by Benjamin at 1:00 pm
November 3rd, 2009. Along with the official announcement of the XPERIA X10 from Sony Ericsson, another lesser known device was announced; The SE MW600. What’s that you ask? The MW600 is a stereo bluetooth FM receiver that will accept any standard 3.5mm headphones/earphones and includes a small OLED screen for displaying called ID and or music track titles etc. Also, it supports remote volume control of your phone as well as a few noise/volume enhancing features. Continue Reading…
Google has been running their series of Nexus One : The Story for a few days now. Today is episode 5: Day One. This video is about a day in the life of a Nexus One user, from waking to the Android alarm all the way until using the Google Sky Map app to look at the stars at night. One particular area of interest is a quick shot of what could be the car dock accessory for the Nexus One. It’s not a great shot, but it’s a little preview. Continue Reading…
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Why I Choose an Android Phone Over the Competition
0 Comments | 171 Views | Posted by Benjamin at 11:04 am
I choose an Android phone because it reflects who I am. The Android OS is an open source mobile operating system built by a community of developers and is fully capable of being hacked, tweaked and customized in ways that are only limited to the imagination of us humans. I want a mobile phone that will conform to me and not the other way around. The manufacturers have realized this too. Just look at the number of added customization being done by the manufacturers, Sense UI, Sony Ericsson User Experience, MOTOBLUR, and TouchWiz. This allows for a unique experience for each person and the selection allows the user to purchase the phone that is just right for them. Continue Reading…
HTC has had a bad case of leaked information as of lately. Luck for us. Here are some shots of the HTC Legend, a GSM Android with Sense UI and most likely Android 2.1 on board. We first reported on the Legend a while back with leaked specs from an HTC conference presentation. The Legend is said to have a Qualcomm 7227 CPU at 600Mhz, a 3.2″ 480×320 AMOLED screen, 512 MB ROM and 256MB RAM, a nice 5MP camera with LED flash, an optical mouse and an FM radio. Continue Reading…
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Android 2.1 Live Wallpaper Video Demo – 12 of Them
0 Comments | 372 Views | Posted by Benjamin at 9:50 am
Since the introduction of Android 2.1 on the Nexus One, Live Wallpapers have been a much talked about feature. The live wallpapers feature animations as well as interaction with the user and can make for an entertaining “neato” feature. That’s about all it adds, with no real functionality built in, at least yet, the live wallpapers are just a visual “ohh and ahh” to show off to your friends. Well, the guys over at AndroidandMe have rounded up a dozen live wallpapers and posted a 10 minute video showcases them. Some are very nice, others are ok. If you are looking to build your own, a recent post to the Android Developers Blog by Romain Guy, has some very helpful hints and tips for getting your wall paper going. For the video Continue Reading…
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Motorola Droid with Android 2.1 Testing at Verizon
3 Comments | 1,750 Views | Posted by Benjamin at 8:11 am
Looks like Motorola Droid owners can start salivating now. Apparently, Android 2.1 version 1 is making its way through the testing department at Verizon making sure that ever nook and cranny is checked for bugs before a public release. This version and Android 2.1 brings with it pinch-to-zoom Browsing, but no word on a multitouch Gallery as of yet. According to a trusted source over at Engadget, while this does report as Android 2.1, it’s lacking just a bit of the Nexus One features. Continue Reading…
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Dell Mini 5 Clears FCC, Packin’ AT&T 3G
0 Comments | 331 Views | Posted by Ryan Trevisol at 8:03 am
Engadget has found another nugget of information in the FCC’s archives. We already knew from Michael Dell himself that the Mini 5 Tablet/Smartphone/Face Shield is headed to the US, but now we know which 3G Frequencies it will support. As we speculated earlier, the Mini 5 will run on AT&T’s network.
We still have unanswered questions, though. Michael Dell said that the unsubsidized price for the device would be over $1000. We don’t know at this point if AT&T will subsidize Dell’s big handset or not.
If AT&T does pick it up, we still don’t know how it will be offered: as a standard smartphone, or with AT&T’s data-only plans, a la the iPad. With the sheer size of the device, many will be wont to put it up to their face, and a data-only (perhaps data and SMS only?) option might be attractive.
Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X10 has been in works for many months now. Rumors of it’s release are getting hotter and hotter. It’s been a while since SE first started to show off it’s Android phone and since then, Android OS has changed, updated and moved on. The XPERIA X10 comes with a custom user experience on top of it’s Android 1.6 base OS known as the “Sony Ericsson User Experience platform.” The SEUE includes unique interfaces such as Timescape for keeping all your social dealings in order, as well as Mediascape for organizing your media in a fashionable way. However, many people are starting to ask SE what about the base OS? Will it be updated. The short answer, yes. For the longer answer Continue Reading…
