Tuesday 1 June 2010

Android Community

Android Community

Motorola Shadow battery spotted, more benchmark scores and its not running 2.2 but “Ninja Blur”?

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 11:31 AM PDT

For now let's just take this a few grains of salt. The latest benchmark of the upcoming Motorola Shadow suggests that if it had Android 2.2 it would be twice as fast as the Nexus One. Is this possible? I would say no but anything could happen. The most shocking part of this story is the Shadow in the test is not running Android 2.2 but a new version of MotoBlur called NinjaBlur.

bill23: “My Droid 1 scores 834 with stock froyo.on the quadrant app.my shadow scored better than some of the other scores i have seen..very impressive …”
sjavvaji: “lol “my shadow”…plz tell us if it is on froyo…if its not matching nexus on 2.2 is amazing…if it is its still friggin’ amazing…this wait is killing me”
bill23: “Its not on froyo”

If this is true it presents a double edge sword. First, it's really amazing that a device could be this fast without the aid of Froyo. Second, why would Motorola introduce a new version of Android that will surely take forever to be updated to the latest version? I guess only time will tell if this is true or not, I think the Shadow in the test is running Froyo but I have been wrong before.

Almost forgot, the battery for the Shadow has been leaked supposedly. It's a 1500mAH and given the fact that the Shadow will have a 45nm processor onboard the Shadow, it should have very good battery performance as well.

[via alienbabeltech]

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HTC selling HTC EVO 4G for $199.99, $299.99 and $549.99?

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 11:12 AM PDT

HTC has just opened an HTC EVO 4G order site. You can purchase you EVO directly from HTC and there are 3 different price rates to choose from. If you're a new customer and would like to sign up for the lowest upfront cost, you can order the EVO with a new 2 year agreement for $199. If you're a current customer and would like to extend your contract you can have it for $299. And the best offer out of the three is to buy it outright, for $549 this can be yours with no contract.

Free shipping is included with all three purchase plans. It's great that HTC themselves are offering another way of purchasing the EVO. From the looks of it their off contract price will land you right in the middle. Past rumors say Best buy will offer it for $600 and Sprint for $449. There are also rumors that Radio Shack will offer it for $499 off contract.

Now that the good news is out the way, it's time for a bit of bad news. In an effort to limit competition with their partners, if you order the EVO from HTC you will not get it on the day it launches. Preorders will be shipped out on June 4th which is the day it releases in stores. If you know you can't make it into a store this may be your best bet of getting this handset. HTC has had problems keeping up with demand in their last 4 or so handsets. If this sells out there could be a lengthy wait ahead of you.

[via goodandevo]

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HTC EVO 4G Teardown

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 10:49 AM PDT

Maybe I'm a bit odd but I love seeing a good teardown of popular handsets. Especially when it's caught on video and at the end it gets reassembled and it still boots up. Hate to be a biz kill but there's no video for this one, it's just a good ole teardown of the HTC EVO 4G.

Many of us wonder how our phones look on the inside but didn't want to run the risk of ruining it forever by taking it apart ourselves. Thanks to popular online repair site, ifixit, you can view this and other teardowns right from the comfort of your home computer. And if you really adventurous, there's even a step by step guide on how to perform this task yourself.

From the looks of it all you need are 3 tools, a Phillips #00 Screwdriver, T5 Torx Screwdriver and an iPod Opening Tools. If you have these and an EVO 4G you could get started. This site is also a great place to go if you wish to repair your own device, this will save a bunch of time and will likely give you a big headache. But in the end you will learn a lot and be comfortable with repairing cell phones, I would just have mines replaced but I'm sure there are a few of you that like this type of stuff.

[via ifixit]

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Acer eBook: Qualcomm MSM7227 Android Tablet

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 10:35 AM PDT

Acer is at it again, just last week when their CEO demonstrated an Acer tablet another one emerges. In the past Acer has said they will not be entering the tablet market but it appears that decision has been overturned. This is the second leak in as many weeks of an Acer branded Android tablet.

This is said to be an eBook that is most likely going to be targeted at the Kindle's audience. It will feature an unnamed version of Android, most likely 1.6, and Qualcomm’s MSM7227 processor. Some say this tablet looks like a slightly bigger version of the iPhone. The guys over at Engadget got some hands on time with this device and the results were not favorable. It is said that it is very unresponsive and a bit slow. This is likely an early prototype so things could change before it is released, if it ever is.

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Motorola Droid clone, runs WinMo?

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 10:21 AM PDT

They say imitation is the best form of flattery, this doesn't fall under that motto. It's an utter disgrace to see such a vile piece of electronic garbage. Well, maybe it's not that bad but it is a waste of electronic hardware. A company in China has just made a Motorola Droid clone that runs Windows mobile.

The usual clones often come as iPhone knockoff, looks like android devices are the new target. It does look like its built pretty good and may be a very solid handset. It appears to have a front facing camera which the real Droid doesn't. Unfortunately, the keyboard looks worst then the Droid keyboard, if you're going to imitate you should at least try and improve on the hardware design.

It's actually not too far off as far as specs go. It has a 533 MHz Huawei processor instead of the 550MHZ in the Droid. It has the exact same RAM as the Droid, 256. If you love Windows Mobile 6.5 but want the look of what is probably the most popular Android device, this may be the handset for you.

[via crunchgear]

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Sony Ericsson: Walkman Android Tablet/MP3 Player?

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 10:04 AM PDT

Sony might have a few extra plans for Android up their sleeve. They could have a new Walkman in the making that will powered by Android. There also could be a Sony CyberShot Android based Camera in the making as well. According to the rumors, Sony plans to make an official announcement introducing these products next month.

Rumored Specs:

* Display 2.6 “TFT touchscreen display
* 5.1 megapixel camera, but without LED-flash.
* GPS
* Bluetooth
* 3G
* 600MHz processor

There is currently no solid information on the camera but the tablet is said to be running Android and look similar to the X10 Mini. The version of Android that is preinstalled is currently unknown as well, we're hoping for 2.1 at the minimum. Could Android revitalize the once popular Walkman line? I think so and we'll find out if this is true very soon.

[via android.hdblog.it]

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VIA’s WonderMedia Android 1.6 tablet

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 09:50 AM PDT

When we first heard about VIA Wonder Media's entrance into to the Android tablet market, at the time there were no pictures or specs of any of the devices. Now we at least know what they will look like thanks to our friends over at Engadget. They caught on video a few of them hanging out at VIA's booth at this year's Computex expo.

At the expo, there were about 4 of these tablets on display. VIA said previously that these tablets would range between $100-$200. All of the tablets on display featured a 7-inch resistive touch screen display and was preloaded with Android 1.6. They are also based on the WM8505 ARM 9 based processor and feature an interesting home display while docked. It'll be interesting to see these devices in action if and when they hit the market.

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Android Updates Will be Coming Once a Year in the Future

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 09:31 AM PDT

There’s no doubt that updating the Android platform is one of the most talked about elements of the mobile Operating System since its launch late 2008. As more devices get released, and more and more of them feature all sorts of tweaks to the OS, we’ve all seen that getting the latest update can seem like pulling teeth. Andy Rubin, current lead of the Android team for Google, knows this is a situation, and has gone ahead and cleared up one of the biggest lingering questions we’ve had: when will it all calm down?

According to Rubin, the Android updating steamroller has slowed down quite a bit since updates began rolling out. And he would be right. It seemed like only moments between updates 1.0, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, and even 2.0 to 2.1. In fact, they all happened so fast that some manufacturers out there, like HTC, just decided to skip some, in favor of others. But, that’s all changing, and that’s on purpose. Rubin wants the whole system to slow, so that, as of right now, Android looks to be updating two times per year.

But he wants a more Apple-like updating procedure to be the case some time in the near future. He says that, as things settle down and developers begin to keep up, Android will start getting updated only once per year. That would make it a lot easier for developers and manufacturers, without a doubt, and it would mean that there probably wouldn’t be so many handsets out there running on months-old out-dated software any longer. Of course, that would also mean Android users wouldn’t have multiple things to look forward to in a year, but hey, easier is so much better.

[via TechCrunch]

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O2 Dell Streak free on contract; £429 SIM-free

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 06:51 AM PDT

While we knew the Dell Streak was due to arrive in the UK on June 4th, until now we’ve not known exactly how much the Android MID will be.  Happily UK retailer The Carphone Warehouse has stepped up with some figures, confirming that the Streak will be available on carrier O2 from free with a new contract.

That’s assuming you’re willing to commit for £25 per month (or £35 per month with unlimited data).  If you’re more interested in buying SIM-free, the Streak will be £429 – the price of an entry-level iPad WiFi + 3G, incidentally.  It’s worth noting that, while the iPad 3G has 3G access for the US and Europe, the Streak will only have European 3G.

[via SlashGear]

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Motorola Droid Xtreme MB810 appears in Verizon database

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 06:40 AM PDT

Having been the subject of nebulous rumor recently, a listing for the Motorola Droid Xtreme MB810 has been spotted in Verizon’s database.  PhoneArena’s tipster couldn’t share any hardware details, but it’s been speculated that the Xtreme might be Motorola’s high-spec successor to the original Motorola DROID.

The handset is said to be definitely different to the Motorola Shadow, and will likely have a slide-out hardware keyboard of some sort (whereas the Shadow is a touchscreen-only device).  Whether its appearance – together with accessories including docks and cases – in Verizon’s systems means it’s fast approaching the market we can only guess at.

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AT&T HTC Aria leaks?

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 05:37 AM PDT

Details and blurry images of what’s purported to be an upcoming HTC Android device have leaked, with AndroidGuys suggesting it’s the new HTC Aria headed to AT&T.  According to their source it runs Android 2.1 complete with HTC Sense, and has a 5-megapixel camera, microUSB port and an optical joystick.

Interestingly, though the images aren’t the best quality, the phone pictured does bear a striking resemblance in cross-section to the HTC HD mini.  That handset hasn’t been released in the US, so it’s possible that HTC could’ve borrowed the industrial design for use on the Aria.  Alternatively it could’ve been used as the basis for some industrious Photoshopping.

Assuming it’s real, and based on that comparison, our assumption is that the Aria would have a 3.2-inch HVGA display.  AT&T are tipped to announce the Aria next week.

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Acer Liquid E Ferrari edition debuts

Posted: 01 Jun 2010 01:31 AM PDT

Acer have outed a new version of their Liquid E Android smartphone, a special-edition Ferrari themed handset that comes preloaded with various car-themed content.  Most obvious is the new, red finish – complete with a microphone hole redesigned to look like an air intake inlet – but there’s also a special five-pane Ferrari wallpaper too.

Beyond that it’s the same Acer Liquid E as we’ve seen before, which means a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen and 5-megapixel autofocus camera.  Acer have also developed a matching Bluetooth headset, just in case you want to make sure you’re Ferrari branded at all times.  No word on pricing or specific availability, but Acer say press samples will be out in July so we’re guessing retail won’t be long after that.

Press Release:

Acer moves up a gear with the Liquid E Ferrari special edition smartphone

Acer Liquid E Ferrari special edition is the most exclusive smartphone in the world, dedicated to those who refuse to settle for mere perfection and demand something extra from their technological devices: passion, cutting-edge technology, performance, and above all, exclusive features!

Passionate, like the red of its livery, Sophistication, expression of the utmost perfection, High performance, like the finnest race cars, Exclusive, like a tailor-made suit, and Fully-equipped, like a luxurious object: these ingredients make the Acer Liquid E Ferrari special edition utterly unique and in a class of its own.

Created from a pure racing soul, the Acer Liquid E Ferrari special edition combines powerful performance with design excellence. It is not merely a luxurious smartphone or status symbol; it is an object with nothing was left to chance, where obsessive attention to detail ensures its owner a uniquely rare experience.

Above all, it flaunts a bold yet elegant design: the glossy red casing with chrome trim makes it a true pleasure for the eyes. The front is dominated by a spacious 3.5″, hi-resolution capacitive touchscreen, while the back sports the legendary "Scuderia Ferrari" shield with details in carbon fibre, while the redesigned microphone recalls the "air intake inlet", lending it a powerful look to keep it in pole position.

Acer has completely personalised the user interface, thereby allowing fans of the Rossa to have the thrill of the Gran Premio always at their fingertips:

_The Ferrari wallpaper brightens up the 5-page home page for total immersion into the roaring world of Formula 1.
_Stunning images and videos are always at your fingertips.
_A special set of ringtones allows you to personalise your phone with the inimitable sweet music of the Ferrari engine.

Do you always want to flaunt the best? Here is the coolest headset ever to be produced. Bearing the Ferrari brand name, it is small and compact to fit any ear perfectly. In just a few centimetres this object concentrates advanced technologies for perfect reception anywhere, anytime. In fact, it was designed to eliminate outside noise and ensure incomparable clarity. Moreover, it features technology that cancels echos and automatically regulates volume for perfect communications – always.

Protect your Acer Ferrari Liquid E special edition with the ultra chic Ferrari case and safeguard it from shocks and dust. The high-quality material makes this luxury accessory a pleasure for the eye and touch.

"A Ferrari is not just about speed. It is an expression of beauty, power, excitement, pleasure and natural excellence" comments Gianpiero Morbello, Acer Vice President, Marketing and Brand. "From the original concept to the finished product the new smartphone was conceived down to the finest details with the idea of giving a stronger sense of belonging to all Ferrari fans."

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