Friday 16 July 2010

Android Community

Android Community

Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile Unboxed and Compared to AT&T’s Captivate

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 09:38 AM PDT

Android Police have unboxed the Samsung Vibrant, and they’ve even managed to compare it to the Samsung Captivate. Another device in the Galaxy S lineage, launching on AT&T. As we are all already aware, there are many similarities between both devices. They both have a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, and mostly the same specifications. But, in the end, the Vibrant seems more complete and solid than the Captivate, according to the folks behind the unboxing.

After all of the similarities, let’s move onto the differences. First off, the packaging. The Vibrant has more variation in their design, while the Captivate is pretty generic. The Vibrant also ships with a microSD, but the Captivate does not. The Vibrant comes with pre-loaded with a few applications (The Sims 3, Amazon’s Kindle software, and Slacker radio) and a complete copy of James Cameron’s AVATAR movie. What’s very odd, though, is the fact that AP points out there are odd, and somewhat random software tweaks and differences between the handsets. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the Vibrant allows third party application installs. But, the Captivate does not. So it looks like AT&T’s not backing down on that subject at all.

There also different in the physical build quality. The Captivate is more plastic-y while the Vibrant is more solid. Also, the Vibrant battery cover is smooth and glossy plastic, but the Captivate’s is a matte battery cover that feels like a fake metallic. The Vibrant is a little bit lighter than the Captivate as well. The front design of the Vibrant looks similar to the first generation, while in our opinion the Captivate looks like a BlackBerry Storm 2 at first glance. So, if you’ve got a choice, which one are you going for? The Vibrant or Captivate?

[via AndroidPolice]

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DROID X Commercial Gets the Marketing Stage Under Way

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 09:25 AM PDT

Looks like you don’t have to wait for that marketing material for the DROID X. Verizon’s got their hands on one of the greatest Android phones out there, so it shouldn’t be that big of a surprise to see a commercial of this magnitude showcasing the new king of the throne. The storyline for the commercial is quite interesting. Basically, a group of astronauts/scientists are going underground and there they stumble upon the DROID X.

The most interesting part is when a man sticks his hand out towards an object, and it turns his hand into a robot hand. And then the X appears in the palm of his hand. The music is something that you would heard from those movies like Aliens or Star Wars, and that’s not a bad thing at all. What do you think of it? Better than the original marketing for the first DROID?

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via AndroidGuys]

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Droid Incredible OTA Upgrade Finding Its Way to Handsets

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 09:16 AM PDT

A couple of days ago, there were rumors about an OTA update for the Droid Incredible, which would arrive on July 16th. There were plenty of people out there saying it was just a rumor and nothing more, but it looks like the naysayers have been silenced: the update is real.

Droid-Life is reporting that they did receive the update last night, and that it includes all of the goodies everyone was looking forward to. That includes a new boot animation, the 3G mobile hotspot feature (which you’ll need to pay an extra $20 per month, for 2GB), and 720p HD video recording. Today is a big day for Droid Incredible users. Although, it’s not Froyo, but this is better than nothing. Let us know in the comments if you’ve received yours, and what you think of it.

[via Phandroid]

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Motorola: eFuse does prevent unofficial ROMs but won’t brick your phone

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 09:13 AM PDT

Motorola has denied the eFuse technology used in its Android smartphones will leave customers handsets “bricked” if they attempt to install unofficial ROMs, though the company concedes that the system will indeed be non-functional with anything other than Motorola firmware.  ”If a device attempts to boot with unapproved software” Motorola explains, “it will go into recovery mode, and can re-boot once approved software is re-installed.”

“Motorola’s primary focus is the security of our end users and protection of their data, while also meeting carrier, partner and legal requirements. The Droid X and a majority of Android consumer devices on the market today have a secured bootloader. In reference specifically to eFuse, the technology is not loaded with the purpose of preventing a consumer device from functioning, but rather ensuring for the user that the device only runs on updated and tested versions of software. If a device attempts to boot with unapproved software, it will go into recovery mode, and can re-boot once approved software is re-installed. Checking for a valid software configuration is a common practice within the industry to protect the user against potential malicious software threats. Motorola has been a long time advocate of open platforms and provides a number of resources to developers to foster the ecosystem including tools and access to devices via MOTODEV at http://developer.motorola.com.”

It seems the real difference between the rumors earlier in the week and the truth about eFuse – which is found in the DROID X, DROID 2 and other Motorola Android devices – is that users themselves will be able to “restore” their handsets rather than needing to send them off to Motorola to be reflashed.  That’s certainly the implication from the official statement.  However, the end result is the same: if you want an Android device that’s open to the various third-party ROMs available, Motorola probably shouldn’t be your first port of call.

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Motorola Milestone XT720 hits UK on Monday

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 08:13 AM PDT

The Motorola Milestone XT720 will land in the UK on Monday July 19th, according to retailer Clove, offering a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 display, 720MHz processor and 8-megapixel camera with Xenon flash.  Priced at £381.88, the XT720 runs Android 2.1 and supports 720p HD video recording and playback via a mini-HDMI port.

There’s also the usual GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth and an FM radio, together with a microSD card slot and a 10.9mm thick chassis.  For more on the XT720, check out our hands-on report over at SlashGear.

Motorola Milestone XT720 hands-on:

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Verizon DROID and DEVOUR now end-of-life?

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 05:48 AM PDT

Verizon’s DROID X has only just gone on sale – and is already sold out, with new deliveries not expected until July 23rd – but the carrier is already looking to phase out its predecessor.  According to a leaked screenshot Droid Forums received from the carrier’s systems, both the Motorola DROID A855 and the DEVOUR A555 are being classed end-of-life, with “limited or no remaining shipments from the vendor”.

It’s unclear how much time that gives would-be DROID (or indeed DEVOUR) owners to pick up their handset of choice, so we’d advise ringing ahead to check your local Verizon store has them in stock.  Both are currently available for order via the carrier’s website.

[via Unwired View]

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