Friday 28 May 2010

Android Community

Android Community


Froyo Ported To The HTC Desire

Posted: 28 May 2010 08:43 AM PDT

The Froyo that is floating around may not be the final build but that isn't stopping Android modders from porting it over to different devices. Yesterday we showed you all 2.2 on an Acer Liquid and today it's the Desire's turn. Ahmgsk from the XDA is the mastermind behind this port.

As you can see from the picture above, 2.2 on the Desire is fast. It came in second right behind the Nexus One and bumping the Shadow down to number 3. There are a few things that need to be worked on but this ROM is useable. If you would like to try it on your Desire, it is expected to be released sometime today.

[via xda]

Samsung Galaxy S for AT&T leaks?

Posted: 28 May 2010 08:14 AM PDT

Technically the name for this device is the Samsung i897. Rumors have it, this is AT&T's version of Galaxy S. they both share almost identical specs and looks. No launch date has been leaked yet but it looks like it's really close to production.

The Galaxy S is expected to make its way to every major carrier in the US, these carriers would like to differentiate their device from the others so they could all look a little different. This version doesn't have the one button at the bottom and its form factor is rounded at the edge while the original Galaxy S is more boxed. Also, there may be a few of Google's apps removed in favor of Yahoo and AT&T apps.

The Samsung i897 features Android 2.1, a 4 inch AMOLED screen and a 5-megapixel camera. But this device is rumored to have a 1GHZ Snapdragon instead of the Cortex A8 that is installed in the Galaxy S. this is all we know for now, we'll keep you updated if any new information comes out.

[via slashgear]

Hands-on with SlingPlayer Mobile on Nexus One [Video]

Posted: 28 May 2010 03:50 AM PDT

After Sling Media showed off their SlingPlayer for Android beta, we knew we had to have a try ourselves.  After a little cajoling we got our hands on the pre-release software and booted it up on a Google Nexus One for a place-shifting play.

The app is clearly almost ready for prime-time, though we did encounter some issues when it came to closing and reopening it.  Image quality over WiFi was decent – especially since we were testing the app in the UK, with content being shifted from a US-based Slingbox hooked up to a DISH Network STB – though we haven’t been able to get it working over 3G as yet.

[Update: We've spoken with Sling Media about the 3G connection issues we've been seeing, and they think it could be to do with the O2 network in the UK that our Nexus One is using; apparently they've seen similar issues with O2 iPhones.  They're looking into the issue and we'll revisit this when they have a solution; needless to say, they intend Sling over 3G to work on Android, and it's performing just as it should over US 3G networks.]

More first-impressions over at SlashGear.

Qik video chat for EVO 4G a $5 monthly extra?

Posted: 28 May 2010 02:52 AM PDT

One of the things Sprint didn’t have ready in time for our HTC EVO 4G review was Qik video chat functionality, the ability to make video calls to other Qik users via the smartphone’s front-facing camera.  Now, according to a leak to AndroidGuys, it turns out the functionality may add even more on top of the EVO 4G’s basic monthly costs.

They’ve received a leaked screenshot purportedly from inside Sprint, which tips a $4.99 monthly service charge for the Qik video call system.  That would be paid via Paypal rather than included in your monthly Sprint bill.

With Skype video calling for Android expected later on in the year, we’re reluctant to start paying Sprint (or Qik) $5 a month for the same service.

Skype video chat Android app coming this year

Posted: 28 May 2010 01:55 AM PDT

Skype’s exclusivity deal with Verizon Wireless has left many Android owners bemoaning the absence of the VoIP app on their non-Verizon handsets, but that could all be changing soon.  According to Skatter Tech’s contact with the company, Skype are planning to bring a mobile video calling app to the Android Market later in 2010, and it will be freely available rather than limited to a single carrier.

“Skype envisions a world where video plays a larger role in the way we communicate. The next generation innovation involving video calling will not be bound to the computer. We're seeing a proliferation of video calling shared between all kinds of connected devices. It's on computers (today 1/3 of all calls on Skype happen via video), televisions (Skype bringing video calls to living rooms via Panasonic, Samsung & LG partnership), and it will eventually be coming to mobile devices too. We're betting big on video, and we intend to set the bar on mobile video calling, and it's something we're going to do this year.

We will be bringing a direct to consumer app to the Android marketplace later this year. This application will be available for all consumers globally to download regardless of carriers. (i.e. similar to how we offer the iPhone app today)”

– Brianna Reynaud, Skype PR

The app will be of particular interest to Sprint HTC EVO 4G owners, since the handset has a front-facing video camera making it ideal for Skype video chat.  Unfortunately it’s not a feature shared by many other Android devices at the current time.

What remains to be confirmed is what other functionality the Skype Android app will have; we’re presuming VoIP for voice-only calls will be supported, as on the desktop client, but Skype’s statement carefully edges around making any comment on voice calls.

Motorola Shadow Benchmarked and It’s Pretty Fast

Posted: 27 May 2010 04:04 PM PDT

A member from Howard Forums benchmarked his Shadow with an app called Quadrant. The results were very favorable for the Shadow especially if it is running Android 2.1 or lower. It took second place in a performance test right behind the Nexus One on Android 2.2 and right above the Samsung Galaxy S which took third place.

All evidence leads us to believe the Shadow that was used in this testing is running Android 2.2. The Shadow has a PowerVR SGX 530 GPU while the Samsung Galaxy S has a PowerVR SGX 540 GPU and a 1 GHZ processor. The Shadow would surely lose to the Galaxy in a head to head challenge on the same OS. Either way the Shadow is shaping up to be a nice device and it hasn't even been announced officially.

Here is the benchmark video of the OMAP 3430 used in the DROID vs the OMAP 3630 rumored to be used in the Shadow.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via alienbabeltech]

SlingPlayer for Android Demoed

Posted: 27 May 2010 03:35 PM PDT

A video demo of the upcoming Sling Player has recently surfaced. This peripheral for Android may has been highly anticipated since Android was introduced. Some people may want it more than most Android phones.

Sling Player for Android is currently list as "coming soon" but it has been in private beta testing for awhile now. Judging from its performance it's very close to being released. If you haven't heard of Sling Player before it allows you to stream live TV from your cable of satellite provider directly to your computer or mobile device. The best thing about this version is it has a new feature for Android that allows you to view your favorite channels on your handset. It also is capable of viewing material that is saved on your DVR at home.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via pocketnow]

Altek Leo 14MP Android with HD video and optical zoom?

Posted: 27 May 2010 02:48 PM PDT

Ok I'll be the first to say it, all these high megapixel cameras on cell phones are ridiculous and I love it. Altek announced the first 14 megapixel camera phone, it's called the Leo and it could come equipped with Android. If this does in fact turn out to be an Android phone, it will without a doubt have the best camera available on any Android device, maybe even the best camera on any phone in general.

Three of the four physical keys above are the same keys usually found on Android phones. It's possible that the fourth is a search key although it may launch the camera app. Although this phone has been announced, the OS hasn't. I for one will keep my fingers crossed for Android to be installed on this device.

Besides having a massive 14 MP camera, it is capable of HD video recording and also has a 3x optical zoom lens. It has both Xenon and LED flash and is expected to be presented at CommunicAsia 2010 event in June. There's also Wi-Fi, 3G and it will surely have a microSD card.

[via GSMArena]

Google Buzz mobile now available for all Android devices

Posted: 27 May 2010 12:59 PM PDT

When Google released Buzz back in February, Android users with 2.0 or higher were the only group to fully enjoy it from their mobile device. Today Google has updated Buzz work on any browser. This is likely an attempt by Google raise the popularity of Buzz.

Just type buzz.google.com in phones browser and you will be able to login an enjoy Buzz in all its glory. From here you can view the stream of buzz posts, comment on post or even produce your own post both public and privately. If you have a pre 2.0 version of Android and always wanted to try Buzz from your phone, you can do so now.

[via google]

Android 2.2 Running on Acer Liquid

Posted: 27 May 2010 12:47 PM PDT

Since Android 2.2 was released to developer's phones recently, modders around the world has been working hard to port it to other Android devices. Froyo may be making its way to the Acer Liquid soon. A video posted by Josselin Cornou shows Android 2.2 running on the Liquid.

Unlike the fake Froyo pictures of the Droid, this Liquid is indeed running Froyo. It was able to generate linpack scores between 28-38, these numbers are possible because of JIT. The Acer Liquid runs a 1GHZ Snapdragon like the Nexus One so it should perform just as good once its modded. For some reason Acer opted to under clock its processor to 768.

From the video there are a few kinks to workout but that's expected at this point. The home screen looks a little different then stock Android 2.2, a home replacement may have been used or the developer probably changed it a bit. Hopefully this mod will be released to the public soon so all of you Liquid owners may be joining the Nexus in some Froyo fun.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via frandroid]

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