2.1

General
October 28, 2010
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HTC Wildfire coming to regional carriers in North America

By on October 28, 2010 at 11:03 PM.

HTC Wildfire coming to regional carriers in North America

Today, via a press release, HTC announced that it would bring its compact, Android handset — the Wildfire — to “multiple regional North American carriers beginning in Q4 2010.” The Wildfire is a mid-range Android set with a 3.2-inch QVGA touchscreen display, 528MHz processor, 512MB ROM, 384MB RAM, 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, 1300mAh battery, and Android 2.1 with Sense. The European and Asian Wildfire variants contain both 900/2100MHz HSPA and 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM radios. Pricing was not made public in the brief. Hit the jump for the full announcement. More →

24 Comments
Software
October 21, 2010
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Winamp beta comes to Android Market

By on October 21, 2010 at 8:47 PM.

Winamp beta comes to Android Market

We recently dedicated a Throwback Thursday to Winamp and, as many of you were quick to point out, the product is still alive and quite awesome. Today, via a blog post, Winamp maker Nullsoft reminded us just how awesome their product is with the release of a Winamp beta for Android. The media player, which will work on handsets running Android 2.1 or higher, offers: seamless synchronization with Winamp’s desktop suite, wireless syncing with your desktop, persistent player controls, widgets, and scrobbling with last.fm. Oh, and in case you were curious… the player still lets you know that it “really whips the llamas ass” when you first launch it. What are you waiting for? You know you’re curious. Hit up the Android Market, grab the goods, and let us know what you think.

More →

27 Comments
General
October 6, 2010
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Sprint officially unveils LG Optimus S, Sanyo Zio, and Samsung Transform

By on October 6, 2010 at 8:05 PM.

Sprint officially unveils LG Optimus S, Sanyo Zio, and Samsung Transform

On schedule and as reported, Sprint has officially announced the addition of the LG Optimus S, Sanyo Zio, and Samsung Transform to its Android handset lineup.

The LG Optimus S in an Android 2.2 device that boasts a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display, 3.2 megapixel camera, visual voicemail, Sprint ID, Wi-Fi (with hotspot capabilities), GPS, 1500 mAh battery, and micro-SD card slot. The device will retail for $49.99 on-contract (after a $100 mail-in rebate) and will be available beginning on October 31.

The Sanyo Zio is an Android 2.1 device with a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, 3.2 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi b/g, visual voicemail, Sprint ID, GPS, 1140 mAh battery, and micro-SD card slot. The device will retail for $99.99 on-contract (after a $100 mail-in rebate) and will be available for purchase on October 10.

The Samsung Transform is an Android 2.1 device with a 3.5-inch HVGA display, full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth, GPS, 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera with flash, front-facing VGA camera, Sprint ID, 800 MHz processor, 256 MB of RAM and 1500 mAh battery. Samsung has said they will update the operating system to Android 2.2 “later this year.” The device will retail for $149.99 on-contract (after a $100 mail-in rebate) and will be available on October 10.

There you have it. Hit the jump for links to all of the press releases. More →

17 Comments
General
October 6, 2010
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T-Mobile's Android Wi-Fi Calling explained

By on October 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM.

T-Mobile's Android Wi-Fi Calling explained

This morning, T-Mobile announced that Wi-Fi calling would be coming to select Android handsets in the near future. We reached out to our friends at T-Mobile to ask what the difference — if any — would be between Wi-Fi calling on an Android device versus a non-Android device. Here is T-Mobile’s response:

Wi-Fi Calling for Android is built upon the same technology as UMA, but is a different implementation from our past offerings. While T-Mobile’s current Wi-Fi Calling solution which operates on BlackBerry smartphones, for instance, seamlessly hands off calls from T-Mobile’s network to Wi-Fi networks, Wi-Fi Calling for Android does not.

A pre-installed application from T-Mobile will allow customers to make and receive voice calls and SMS over an accessible Wi-Fi connection.  This provides customers with better in-door coverage and in some cases may provide the ability to make voice calls in locations where they weren’t able to do so previously.

For consumers, Wi-Fi Calling for Android increases coverage and uses voice minutes. [NOTE: calls originate on Wi-Fi, but are carried across T-Mobile’s network once beyond the initial Wi-Fi connection.]  T-Mobile also has plans for business which can help defer wireless minutes and provide cost savings.

Wi-Fi Calling will be available on the new T-Mobile myTouch, Motorola DEFY and others Android phones in the coming weeks. We are planning to expand Wi-Fi Calling for Android to as broad a selection of Android smartphones in our line-up as possible.  Éclair (2.0/2.1)  and Froyo (2.2) are the Android OS versions that currently support the application.

There you have it. Let us know your thoughts.

69 Comments
Breaking
October 5, 2010
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Verizon Wireless announces Motorola DROID Pro and CITRUS

By on October 5, 2010 at 7:17 PM.

Verizon Wireless announces Motorola DROID Pro and CITRUS

Today, Verizon Wireless announced the addition of two Motorola, Android handset to their smartphone lineup, the DROID Pro and CITRUS. The DROID Pro is a candybar-style, Android 2.2, world-phone that is, to be blunt, not what anyone really expected.

The CITRUS is a full-touchscreen Android 2.1 device, complete with MOTOBLUR, and  full touchscreen display. The official press releases haven’t dropped yet. We’re waiting at the ready to give your the full rundown on both devices.

Developing… More →

97 Comments
General
October 5, 2010
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Motorola's BRAVO, FLIPOUT, FLIPSIDE handsets come to AT&T

By on October 5, 2010 at 10:28 AM.

Motorola's BRAVO, FLIPOUT, FLIPSIDE handsets come to AT&T

Today, AT&T announced three additions to its Android handset lineup, the Motorola BRAVO, FLIPSIDE, and FLIPOUT; all of which will run the Android 2.1 operating system and the MOTOBLUR interface. The BRAVO is a 3.7-inch, WVGA, full-touchscreen device with an 800 MHz processor, 3 megapixel camera, and DLNA support. The FLIPSIDE has a 3.1-inch HVGA display, full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, GPS, and a fairly large trackpad. The FLIPOUT is described as having a “stylishly square, affordable and innovative pivot design. FLIPOUT whips open to reveal a full keyboard below its touch screen with a dedicated fifth row for numbers.  Users can customize the color to match their mood with Dark Sapphire and Saffron battery covers included in the box for personalization.” The site AT&T’s press release directs us to to learn more about the FLIPOUT is currently down (Bravo!). The BRAVO and FLIPSIDE will be available by the holidays for $129.99 and $99.99 respectively with two-year agreements; the FLIPOUT will be available on October 17 for $79.99 with a 2-year agreement.

UPDATE: The FLIPOUT website is now back up. More information here: FLIPOUT, FLIPSIDE, BRAVO. More →

40 Comments
General
September 21, 2010
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Samsung Galaxy S line getting Android 2.2 in late October?

By on September 21, 2010 at 5:10 PM.

Samsung Galaxy S line getting Android 2.2 in late October?

The Facebook page of Samsung Mobile España has posted up a quick note that seems to indicate the Samsung Galaxy S will be getting its Android 2.2 update in “late October.” Why is this important? Samsung previously indicated that, like the roll out of the device, updates to the various handset models would come more or less around the same time. If the Froyo-date for the unlocked Galaxy S is set for late October, we would be willing to bet branded versions of the device (e.g. Vibrant, Captivate, Epic, Fascinate) will have to wait even longer than that. If true, the timetable seems pretty disappointing, no?

[Via Engadget] More →

31 Comments
General
August 20, 2010
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Dell Thunder prototype detailed

By on August 20, 2010 at 7:29 AM.

Dell Thunder prototype detailed

It seems as though the mobile phone stork delivered a set of twins to Engadget… smartphone twins that is. The blog was gifted with two Dell Thunder Android smartphone prototypes, and they’ve done the honor of shedding some light on just what we’re looking at. The Thunder will pack a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor with Qualcomm Adreno graphics (think Nexus One), 4.1-inch touch-screen display, 512 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM, 8 megapixel camera with LED flash, and (possibly) a front-facing VGA camera. The two units were sporting different operating systems and screen resolutions. One unit was running a developer build of Android 1.6 while the other was running Android 2.1. As mentioned above, the screen resolutions on the two units are also not identical, one has a resolution of 800 x 600 and the other 1,280 x 768. The gang found evidence in the software of a CDMA test suite, indicating the potential for a Verizon or Sprint model, and one unit had AT&T’s HSPA 3G bands while the other had T-Mobile’s AWS 3G bands. Furthermore, the device has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1,400 mAh battery, and micro-SD card slot. The Thunder’s glass screen is also slightly beveled, which Engadget described as “as useless as it is cool.” So if you like Dell hardware, and the Streak is too much phone for you, what do you think about the Thunder? More →

39 Comments
Rumor
August 12, 2010
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Dell Thunder prototype gets photographed, 4.1-inch Android device

By on August 12, 2010 at 9:04 AM.

Dell Thunder prototype gets photographed, 4.1-inch Android device

The folks over at Engadget were sent images (Mr. Blurrycam style) of the unannounced and unreleased Dell Thunder. The Thunder is reportedly an Android 2.1 full touch-screen device with a 4.1-inch screen (possibly OLED), 8 megapixel camera with 720p video recording, 800 x 480 resolution, and a 1400 mAh battery. No details were given about the processor speed or internal storage of the newly photographed device. Hit the read link to check out a few more images and a quick video. More →

26 Comments
General
August 11, 2010
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U.S. Cellular releases second Android device, HTC Desire

By on August 11, 2010 at 5:37 PM.

U.S. Cellular releases second Android device, HTC Desire

It appears that U.S. Cellular has become quite smitten with the “Androids” these days. Today, the company announced that the HTC Desire will be available to its customers in stores and online on August 27. The Desire will join four other Android-powered smartphones in the US Cellular line-up, including the Samsung Acclaim and the Samsung Galaxy S, which will arrive in October. “For us, it’s not just about delivering this array of cutting-edge phones that our customers want and deserve […] We love making our customer’s lives easier”, said Edward Perez, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Operations for US Cellular. This phone is being released with Android 2.1, while Froyo (Android 2.2) is already available on several competing devices. Cutting-edge?  We say maybe not, but we still think it’s a pretty solid device. More →

38 Comments
mobile
August 2, 2010
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Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G teaser site goes live

By on August 2, 2010 at 8:31 AM.

Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G teaser site goes live

Sprint’s second 3G/4G dual-mode handset, the Samsung Epic 4G, now has its very own teaser page. For those of you closely following the genesis of the Epic handset, there isn’t much this new site will tell you. The new micro site, like all hype-sites, will afford you the privilege of volunteering your name and email address… to be notified when the device goes live of course. We’re interested to know, which Android QWERTY-slider phone interests you more? The Epic 4G or the DROID 2? Hit the bounce to vote in our poll! More →

53 Comments
mobile
July 29, 2010
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EVO 4G getting Android 2.2 this weekend?

By on July 29, 2010 at 4:15 PM.

EVO 4G getting Android 2.2 this weekend?

Engadget is reporting that HTC EVO 4G owners may be getting Android Deuce Deuce as soon as this weekend. The blog received a whole heap of Sprint corporate slides that detail a launch plan; the plan includes an official announcement scheduled for tomorrow and code rollout beginning on August 1st. The slides also detail tons of improvements made to the phone’s software, some of which include: improved 720p video recording, Flash 10.1 support, 4-point orientation rotation, alpha-numeric pins for device unlock, and the ability to use the LED-flash as a flashlight. Who’s excited? More →

75 Comments
mobile
July 27, 2010
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Dell demos Streak running Android 2.1, $299 on contract, $549 off

By on July 27, 2010 at 3:21 PM.

Dell demos Streak running Android 2.1, $299 on contract, $549 off

In a sort of puzzling YouTube post, Dell did a quick demo of the 5-inch Streak running Android 2.1 (Eclair). The handset, according to Dell, is supposed to get Android 2.2 sometime after launch so we are a bit confused as to why 2.1 is even on the table. We suppose it is a good sign that Dell’s Android team has 2.1 running on this beast, but seriously Dell… bring on Froyo! Also, the device will retail for $299 with a 2-year AT&T contract and $549 full retail. We’ve got the tripod-less video ready for you after the break. More →

39 Comments