Android Community |
- Garminfone Unboxed by Phonedog
- An army of Android robots led by the Nexus One
- Samsung Galaxy S coming soon to Vodafone UK
- Sharp IS01 1GHz Android MID developer edition arrives in Japan
- Preorder your EVO now at Best Buy
- Android 2.2 Froyo packs WiFi/USB data tethering
- Sprint HTC EVO 4G Hitting Shelves June 4th for $199
- T-Mobile’s Project Emerald Could Bring a New Superphone to the Line-Up
| Garminfone Unboxed by Phonedog Posted: 13 May 2010 10:10 AM PDT No matter what the product is I think it's safe to say we love to see a nice unboxing. And the pot is even sweeter when the device is turned on for a short demo. Noah from phonedog received the upcoming Garmin-Asus android phone from-Mobile. And he was nice enough to share the unboxing with all of us.
This is a great unboxing, you get the see the device and all the accessories one at a time. Then there is a quick look at the custom UI that this phone introduces to Android. The Garminifone is expected to be a navigating powerhouse. For now its stuck on Android 1.6, it has a 3.5 inch screen which is quickly becoming too small for today's standards. Click here to view the embedded video. There are some nice accessories included with this device that may make up for some of its short comings. It has a few things that can get you by when traveling. There is an international-ready power adapter and a cigarette lighter charger. A dock is also included, these things don't usually come with phones so they will save you a few dollars. |
| An army of Android robots led by the Nexus One Posted: 13 May 2010 09:37 AM PDT At this year's Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, visitors were treated to a bunch of cool prototypes. Some of these included robots powered by Android. The robots were powered by G1's, Droids and a few Nexus Ones.
These Cellbots was controlled via the Bluetooth protocol XMPP that is included in these Android handsets. Some of the robots ran off the phones battery. There's even a neat Cellbot icon that you can place on your home screen and when the program is active there's another icon in the notification pull down bar. Click here to view the embedded video.
If you like you can try this yourself. There's a tutorial on how to make your own robots here. There are also more pictures and a few videos of these robots in action. [via cellbots] |
| Samsung Galaxy S coming soon to Vodafone UK Posted: 13 May 2010 09:15 AM PDT Look like Vodafone will be the first company in the world to release the Samsung Galaxy S. although you can't preorder now, this handset has been moved to the "coming soon" on Vodafone's website. But, you can register to receive updates and availability, when it's ready for preorder you will be notified first.
The Galaxy S feature a 1GHZ ARM Cortex A8 processor, 4.1-inch Super AMOLED with 480×800 resolution, Android 2.1 and Samsung's Touch Wiz 3.0. Don't let that scare you away from purchasing the phone TouchWiz 3.0 has little resemblance to the last version. Even though this phone is packed with awesome features, the main attraction is the now infamous hummingbird GPU. This GPU will help take Android gaming and graphics to the next level. It is capable of graphics that rivals today's home consoles. So if you're in the UK, head to Vodafone's site and sign up for updates on this great handset. [via engadget, slashphone] |
| Sharp IS01 1GHz Android MID developer edition arrives in Japan Posted: 13 May 2010 08:53 AM PDT This is the first of two MID's Sharp promised to release in Japan. The consumer edition should follow suit soon. the developers MID likely released first because Sharp wants the dev's to make some good app and utilities before it launches to the general public.
This version of the IS01 doesn't have access to all the features of the consumer's version. For example, it can't utilize the FM transmitter, 1Seg digital TV tuner, EVDO modem and phone functionality. I don't know why Sharp blocked these features for the developers, they could've used those features to make some awesome apps. But they are granted access to the full 1.6 SDK and a proprietary Sharp API which includes the camera, LED flash, opening and closing notifications, the file picker and infrared that will be used for data transfer. Both devices feature a 1GHZ Snapdragon, a 5-inch 960 x 480 capacitive touch screen. Sharp has requested that the developers make apps with resolution up to 854 x 480. That's the more in line with the usual Android apps. This version is only available in brown, the consumer's edition is scheduled for release next month. [via slashgear] |
| Preorder your EVO now at Best Buy Posted: 13 May 2010 07:14 AM PDT This morning Best Buy announced they would start preorder of the HTC EVO immediately. You can heads to your local store and place your order right now. This may be the best way to go, if you remember HTC phones have been selling like hot cakes and this phone will surely sell out the first day. Preordering will reserve your handset and guarantee that you will have when it launch, Who knows you might even get lucky and have it sent to you before it's released.
The email contained no mention of the rumored mandatory $10 a month charge for 4G service. You will need to put down a small fee of $50 to reserve your phone, Best Buy will likely substitute the rebates for an in store instant rebate, this will save you more money upfront then if you got your device from Sprint themselves.
As expected, the small print lists the terms of service for buying a discounted phone. The 2 year agreement makes an appearance here, an activation charge will be present. This agreement also states the 4G coverage is not available everywhere and the 4G is currently active in 30 markets across the country. And certain restrictions apply, hurry to Best Buy and preorder yours now. [via androidpolice] |
| Android 2.2 Froyo packs WiFi/USB data tethering Posted: 13 May 2010 02:05 AM PDT One of the most asked-for features – and commonest reasons for rooting an Android device and installing a custom ROM – is tethering support, and it looks like Google are including that in Android 2.2 Froyo. According to TechCrunch, the upcoming version of Android will have integrated USB and WiFi tethering, allowing you to share your phone’s data connection either via a wired link to your laptop or by turning the smartphone into a MiFi-style mobile router.
It’s unknown whether carriers will be able to selectively deactivate the functionality, but we expect they’ll be looking to add a little extra to your monthly data plan in order to cover tethering. Still, this is brilliant news if you don’t want to pay for a separate 3G contract for every mobile device you have – say, tethering a tablet (like an iPad; I know, blasphemy!) or netbook while you’re on the move. We’ve already heard that Froyo runs significantly faster than previous Android builds; this tethering leak is the cherry on the frozen yoghurt. Android 2.2 is expected to arrive at – or in time for – Google I/O next week, and Android Community will be there to bring you all the news. |
| Sprint HTC EVO 4G Hitting Shelves June 4th for $199 Posted: 12 May 2010 06:50 PM PDT If you were waiting for some official wording from Sprint about the HTC EVO 4G’s release date, today’s the day you’ve been waiting for. Sprint held their EVO event tonight, and they spilled the beans on a lot of the handset’s functionality, which included some demonstrations at the event of features that the majority of people are waiting for. Like video calling.
Sprint was happy to announce that their first 3G/WiMax is also one of the first handsets in the US market to fully support live video chats. Folks probably assumed that Skype would have something to do with that, but instead Sprint went with video streaming service Qik, which already features a very popular app for smartphones. Unfortunately, there’s no language on whether or not this feature will be a chargeable one, but as soon as we find out, we’ll pass it on. Sure enough, though, the EVO 4G can support voice and data at the same time, courtesy of the WiMax coverage. But, as you can expect, you need to be safely within a 4G market to take advantage of it. The EVO 4G is also fully capable of streaming HD video content over the wireless network, so no worrying about searching for that WiFi location. In addition to the video streaming goodness, Sprint wanted everyone to know that their YouTube app on the phone allows for users to watch “high quality” YouTube videos. So, that’s a plus. As for pricing, you’re looking at $199, after a mail-in rebate. You’ll also need to sign up for a new, two-year contract to get the subsidized pricing. Monthly costs start at $70 for Sprint’s Everything Unlimited plan, and you need to spend an additional $10 per months simply to access the 4G/WiMax network. And yes, that’s mandatory for most 4G devices (including the EVO 4G), whether or not you’re in a 4G coverage area or not. And if you want to take advantage of the EVO 4G’s mobile hotspot feature, which will allow you to connect up to 8 devices at once, you’ll have to pay another $30 per month. You can get all of the Android 2.1 loving, 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen displaying, HTC Sense UI goodness starting on June 4th. So, you know, mark your calendars. Press Release:
[via Sprint] |
| T-Mobile’s Project Emerald Could Bring a New Superphone to the Line-Up Posted: 12 May 2010 11:38 AM PDT T-Mobile USA loves their project names, don’t they? Just as much Project Dark was a big mystery a few months back, now feast your eyes on what’s being whispered around now: Project Emerald. There’s a big, if not completely monstrous question mark floating above this report, because at the moment there’s no one that can give us any additional information about whatever this may be. Of course, people exist, but they certainly aren’t talking to us.
The million dollar question at the moment, for obvious reasons, is “What is Project Emerald?” It’s a good question. And one that we wish we had the answer to right now. After all, Tmo News has been getting a lot of whispers about the project being orchestrated for a large handset launch. What’s large enough to warrant this kind of attention? They seem to think it’s the HTC Desire. That could be true. It’s one of the handsets that’s been rumored to be heading over to Magenta, anyway. It also makes sense, considering Verizon Wireless has just launched the Droid Incredible by HTC, which is basically the same handset, with a few tweaks here and there. So, is T-Mobile trying to get their hands on a comparable device? One that they can actually sell in their own stores? Or is this some kind of device that no one expects? Maybe the Motorola A955, even. As soon as we know more, we’ll pass it along. [via Tmo News] |
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