Android Community |
- Motorola A955 Passes Through WiFi Alliance
- Samsung GTI5801 Could Replace the Galaxy Spica [Video]
- Android Could be the Next Operating System of the Chevy Volt
- LG Ally Hits Verizon May 20th for $100
- Nexus One Running 450% Faster Thanks to Froyo (Android 2.2)?
- Garmin-Asus phone available in June for $199
- World’s first $99 laptop goes Android, Cherrypal drops Linux in favor of Android (still Linux)
- WordPress for Android Version 1.2: Geotagging and Video Upload
- Verizon and Google Working On An Android Tablet?
- Cellular South Boosts Android Line-Up With Motorola Milestone
- Google Maps for Android Gets Biking Directions, Navigation Shortcut, Sharing, and More
- Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Gets Passes the FCC
- Boxee paid-content due July/August Android plans tipped
| Motorola A955 Passes Through WiFi Alliance Posted: 12 May 2010 11:25 AM PDT There’s only one thing we know for an absolute certainty at this point: Motorola has a successor to the Droid coming out. What we don’t know, however, what it looks like, or what it will even be called. There’s some talk that the Motorola Shadow, which recently popped up again on the radar, is, in fact, the Droid 2 and not the Nexus Two as originally believed. But, there’s been some additional developments, and now we’re just baffled.
If you can remember that far back, the original Motorola Droid has a model number A855. And now we’ve got the A955 passing through the WiFi Alliance, getting all the necessary requirements it needs before it can launch later this year. Now, this is a big departure from the original model number we were all associating with the Nexus Two/Droid 2/Shadow, which is MB810. That basically tells us that there’s two devices coming down the pipe, and if the rumors are true, then they both have some pretty remarkable similarities. Like the 4.3-inch screen size, and full landscape sliding QWERTY keyboard. Even seeing some live shots of a device doesn’t help clear anything up.
However, if a tweet from May 6th is any indicator, then the A955 is indeed the Motorola Droid 2. The tweet comes from a profile that watches over Android-based handsets, based on their particular device signatures. If this turns out to be true, then we may have solved which device is going to be marketed as the Droid 2, and which will be the Shadow (if the Shadow even exists). Now, is the Shadow the Nexus Two? Just more questions without answers. [via Boy Genius Report] |
| Samsung GTI5801 Could Replace the Galaxy Spica [Video] Posted: 12 May 2010 10:34 AM PDT The Android Revolution continues on. Here’s a leaked video from HowardChui.com, showcasing the Samsung I5801, which up until about now has just been a rumor running its course on the mill. Now we get to see it, powered on and doing stuff, and not just in pictures, either. We’ve got a video for you, if you’re a fan of Samsung and all things Android.
The phone itself is just an entry-level device, but when you get Android that obviously means more than what it would for other devices. It’s got a 3.5mm audio jack on the top, as well as a screen that’s probably going to be somewhere near 3.2-inches. It’s a touchscreen, and the phone itself doesn’t look half bad, especially considering how shiny it is. It will feature 3G support, and it will also have WiFi b/g/n for good measure. As for the Operating System version? Android 2.1, thankfully. There’s also a MicroSD card slot, but there’s no word on how much space you can put into it. The phone’s aesthetics aren’t bad, but it does look like the 5801 is about as thick as the Spica, which is either a bad thing or a good thing depending on your personal preference. It’s obviously featuring Samsung’s OS tweaks, meaning the icons are going to look a bit different than you’d see on other handsets, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. There’s absolutely no word on when this device will hit retail availability, how much it will cost, or where it will even be sold. But now that it’s out there and on video, we imagine Samsung won’t waste much time before they officially announce it. Click here to view the embedded video. [via Samsung Hub] |
| Android Could be the Next Operating System of the Chevy Volt Posted: 12 May 2010 10:24 AM PDT As cars get smarter, there’s no surprise that the Operating Systems powering them are going to get a lot more mainstream. No more just worrying about computer chips. No, as we get navigation units, and as OnStar gets smarter, we have to start looking at the things that power our every day items. Like our phones. And, as we can clearly see from the mobile phone market, Android is one of the strongest competitors to date. Apparently General Motors feels the same way, because reports are coming in that they’re about to strike a deal with Google that would put Android in the Chevy Volt of the future.
And not ten years from now, either. These reports are saying that GM executives are currently in negotiations with Google to work out an extensive OnStar partnership, that would mean that the Google mobile Operating System (OS) would power the system from this point on. The Chevy Volt will already be one of the first cars on the market to utilize phone applications to watch over crucial data, like the current charge level of your vehicle or whether or not it’s plugged in, but this would take it to a whole new level. It would allow OnStar to use its already powerful implementation, and make it even better. By utilizing Android, OnStar would have instant access to Google Maps, real-time data, and the ability to push and pull data from Google’s servers. There would also be access to online entertainment, according to the report. The real question would be: what does this mean for OnStar? A partnership sounds great, but it would seem to us that Android would basically make OnStar obsolete. Or could we see the emergence of DroidStar? [via GM-Volt.com] |
| LG Ally Hits Verizon May 20th for $100 Posted: 12 May 2010 08:04 AM PDT Are you in the market for a mid-range smartphone? We already knew the LG Ally existed, starting with some leaked images, and then a site that showed us what the device would officially look like. Before it all finally got unofficially confirmed thanks to another leak. But now Verizon Wireless has finally come forward and officially announced the Ally for their network, and it’ll be hitting shelves very soon.
The LG Ally features Android 2.1, first and foremost. You’ll have a 3.2-inch glass touchscreen to poke all day long, and for those messages you’ll surely be typing at one point or another, there’s a full, landscape sliding QWERTY keyboard. There’s also a 3.2MP camera on the back. You can expect WiFi b/g/n, along with the standard Bluetooth and GPS connectivity options. LG threw in their own stuff, too. You get the suite of Android 2.1 features, but you’ll also receive LG’s custom created widgets for Twitter, Facebook, weather, news, and others. So, much like HTC’s own widgets, LG wanted to jump on the bandwagon. You can preorder the LG Ally starting tomorrow, if you’re interested, and it will hit shelves starting May 20th, for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. You’ll also have to sign a new, two-year agreement, of course. Anyone getting this? Press Release:
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| Nexus One Running 450% Faster Thanks to Froyo (Android 2.2)? Posted: 11 May 2010 08:24 PM PDT The guys over at AndroidPolice claim to have a Nexus One running Android 2.2. They conducted a few performance tests on the device and the result was astounding. The Nexus One will run up to 450% faster than it does on 2.1. When you take into account that the Nexus One already could be the fastest phone on the market now, more than quadruple the speed and you will have a true "Super phone" on your hands. If this is true, Google use of that term will be cemented after the release of Froyo.
By now we've all seen Flash 10.1 running on a Nexus One outfitted with 2.2. It appears the real reason why apple didn't want Flash on the iPhone is because it couldn't handle it, Android after Froyo has more than enough horse power to shoulder the load of running Flash. A few other things that are rumored to be included in 2.2 are the ability to save apps to the SD card and the introduction of JIT. These gains in performance can be directly connected to the implementation of JIT. The Nexus One running Android 2.1 without JIT gets about 6.5-7 MFLOPS. And the same device running 2.2 with JIT enabled gets a whopping 37.5 MFLOPS. That's over four times the performance and that's crazy. Google is keeping 2.2 under tight wraps, usually by now we would have a leak, we're going to have to wait for the I/O this time around. Check out the results over at AndroidPolice, they have some very interesting stuff there. |
| Garmin-Asus phone available in June for $199 Posted: 11 May 2010 04:32 PM PDT Well, the price and date is set. The Garmin-Asus Android phone will release in June for $199 on T-Mobile. This price is only for new 2 year contracts with a qualifying rate plan. T-Mobile is also rumored to load it up with a few apps, I wonder what they could be.
This phone will cost you $450 off contract which may be a little steep once you consider the limitations of this device. Early reviews of this device have not been favorable and many people do not like the UI of the phone. Couple that with Android 1.6 and no mention of 2.1 and this device may not sell as well as T-Mobile may be anticipating. But, if you travel a lot this device is almost a lock to be an awesome navigation device to have handy and you can make calls on it. Anybody going to be waiting in line for this? [via engadget] |
| World’s first $99 laptop goes Android, Cherrypal drops Linux in favor of Android (still Linux) Posted: 11 May 2010 04:14 PM PDT Everyone is jumping on the Android bandwagon as of late. And that's great news for us, we will get a bunch of new different devices from almost every sector of the tech world. The Cherrypal Asia will be a $99 android laptop. It will ship with Android 1.6 and will feature a 7inch screen. There will also be an option to upgrade to a wide screen 10.1 inch version.
This laptop will feature ARM9 533 MHz processor, 256MB RAM, 3 USB 2.0, 2GB local storage and full keyboard. The 10.1 will have the same specs but adds a 1.3 MP camera and will retail for $148.00. [via rushprnews] |
| WordPress for Android Version 1.2: Geotagging and Video Upload Posted: 11 May 2010 03:57 PM PDT wordPress has been updated to version 1.2 today. This app was already a very well refined app, it has just gotten a whole lot better. The latest update brings geotagging and video uploading capabilities. Now you can better manage your blog right from your Android device anywhere you are.
Taken from the WordPress blog: WordPress for Android version 1.2 has been released to Android Market. Some great new features have been added: * Video upload and video sharing to a new WordPress post. If you have a WordPress.com blog, video upload works great with VideoPress. If you have a self-hosted WordPress blog, you may need to install the PJW Mime Config plugin to allow the 3gp video files to be uploaded to your blog.
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| Verizon and Google Working On An Android Tablet? Posted: 11 May 2010 03:43 PM PDT Usually I would call something like this a rumor but this has been confirmed by the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg who spoke with two different executives and they both pretty much said the same thing. Google and Verizon are working together to bring an Android tablet to the market. I fully expect this to make a debut at this year's Google I/O.
There is little to go on at the moment, actually there's nothing to go one but the word from these two execs. So far there is no information on a release date, pictures or specifications of this tablet. I'm pretty sure it's going to out spec the iPad by a lot. I don't know about you but I can't wait for the I/O to get underway so we can see all these great things Google has in store for Android. |
| Cellular South Boosts Android Line-Up With Motorola Milestone Posted: 11 May 2010 02:53 PM PDT The regional carriers in the United States seem to be putting up a one last stand situation here. Much like US Cellular, Cellular South isn’t one of the Top 4, and many people out there probably don’t even know it exists. But, it does. And, sure enough, after getting the HTC Hero for their Android line-up, they wanted to make sure they got another top-of-the-line device.
The DROID came out last year, but it’s still arguably one of the best Android-based devices out there with a full, physical QWERTY keyboard. Thanks to Cellular South’s Facebook page, and a cleverly worded riddle for the masses, the wireless carrier showed off to the world what Android phone would be next on their network. Here’s the riddle, if you’re curious: Many of you have asked, "What's next for Android?” Seems pretty normal, right? Well, it is. But, if you look at the first letter, in the first word, of each sentence, you’ll start seeing what Cellular South was getting at. MILESTONE. So, unless they’re about to pull the biggest prank in the history of pranks, it looks like the regional carrier will be getting the premiere handset from Motorola soon. Unfortunately, no word on when that will be, exactly, but as soon as we know more, we’ll pass it along. [via Android Guys] |
| Google Maps for Android Gets Biking Directions, Navigation Shortcut, Sharing, and More Posted: 11 May 2010 12:48 PM PDT Google released an update today to Maps that introduces a few new and exciting features. Now there are biking directions, you can share your location via Google Buzz, Facebook, or Twitter and there is a new navigation Icon you can place on your home screen. This update is for 1.6 and up devices.
Market Description: Download the latest release of Google Maps, and never carry a paper map again. New features: Also includes:
[via google] |
| Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Gets Passes the FCC Posted: 11 May 2010 11:53 AM PDT While the larger X10 makes its way around the world, the X10 Mini has been patiently waiting on the sidelines. The X10 Mini has just received approval by the FCC and could make its way across Europe real soon. The keyboard version is expected to pass soon as well.
The X10 and its two little brothers have been rumored to be launching on AT&T soon. Currently the X10 is available in Canada, that's as close as us here in the US has gotten to the device so far. Since AT&T and Rogers share the same 3G bands the current X10 can be shipped here and will work just fine. These two Mini X10's might make their way to Roger shortly after its European tour. [via engadget] |
| Boxee paid-content due July/August Android plans tipped Posted: 11 May 2010 11:34 AM PDT Today, Boxee and their partner Vindicia have announced plans to bring paid content to their set top box. They also have plans to bring this service to many of the leading mobile platforms including Android. These services are expected to debut this summer.
Boxee will provide subscription as well as pay per view models. There also have been hints that Boxee will off "DVD" style backgrounds in these products. Customers will be able to pay for this service by credit card, gift card, or PayPal. There may even be an option to exchange currencies and calculate taxes automatically for European and Canadian users. Boxee will off Android users another option for mobile video viewing. Checkout the video demo over at Slashgear. [via slashgear] |
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