Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Android Community

Android Community

NPD: Android Passes BlackBerry in Second Quarter

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 10:54 AM PDT

Android is a train that just won’t stop. Not that there’s anything wrong with that at all, but it’s still impressive to see it as it rushes through numbers. And sales. A recent report from Nielson stated that Android was in top shape, actually surpassing the iPhone in quarterly sales. However, a new, supporting report from the NPD Group shows that not only did Android surpass iOS, but it also managed to top Research In Motion’s BlackBerry platform.

There’s one point to take away from this, though. The NPD Group’s report is based on purely consumer sales, and doesn’t include corporate or enterprise purchases. And, even if Android is starting to make some headway in that landscape, that’s still RIM’s market. But let’s just get into the numbers, shall we? Based on the stats, it looks like 33% of consumers chose the Android mobile Operating System as their OS of choice, while 28% chose BlackBerry, and 22% chose the iPhone. Noteworthy, is the fact that Motorola’s Droid took the lead for most sold Android device, while the HTC Droid Incredible, HTC EVO 4G, HTC Hero, and HTC Droid Eris filled out the rest.

[via NPD Group]

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Motorola Sage leaks again: AT&T’s next entry-level Android phone

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:52 AM PDT

The last shot of the upcoming Motorola Sage was tiny and blurry, criticisms which can’t be levelled against the latest batch of leaked pictures.  Engadget were sent a handful of photos of the Sage, which is expected to take up residence in the entry- to mid-range of AT&T’s line-up sometime soon.

As you might expect, that means the hardware isn’t exactly mouth-watering.  A 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen presents the latest iteration of MOTOBLUR as found on the DROID X, with Android 2.1 underneath and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for all your fumbled text messages.  There’s the usual WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth, plus a camera of unknown megapixels with what looks to be an LED flash.  Inspiring?  No.  A sign of Motorola’s continued determination to drench the Android handset segment?  Oh yes.

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Facebook for Android updated

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:28 AM PDT

The Android Facebook app hasn’t exactly proved inspiring in comparison to the company’s iPhone version, but there are signs that the company is waking up to the popularity of the Google platform.  Overnight the app has been updated, with more in-app functionality rather than kicking users out to the mobile website version in the Android browser.

That functionality includes video playback, the ability to view and RSVP for events, respond to friend requests without leaving the app, and an updated home page; the latter gets a draggable notifications drawer, a photo reel for easy viewing of friends’ photos and videos, and the ability to post a status update or search for friends with just one click.  Facebook for Android is available in the Android Market.

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Archos Gen 8 Android tablet specs leak

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 04:59 AM PDT

Some specs on a new Archos generation 8 tablet have leaked thanks to JR.com. The specs show that the new tablet will have a small 3.2-inch screen with a resolution of 400 x 240.

The little device will run Android, but exactly which version is unknown at this time. The other specs of the gadget that surfaced include an ARM Cortex A8 CPU and support for gobs of audio and video formats.

The Gen 8 device will support formats like MPEG-4, H.264, WMV and many more. Archos crams WiFi, Bluetooth, and composite video outputs into the small device. It will support 720p HD video at up to 24fps. The price for the smallish tablet is pegged at $150.

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HTC Glacier is T-Mobile’s Project Emerald?

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 06:56 PM PDT

When Project Emerald news broke, there was all sorts of speculation surrounding what it could be. Despite all the rumor mongering and speculation, we still don’t have a confirmation from T-Mobile what it is. But, we have to keep the rumor mill turning, so here we are with another addition. The HTC Glacier is, supposedly, the device that will spur T-Mobile’s Emerald emergence, and it’s actually HTC’s dual-core processor device.

Not only do we have the name, but thanks to the tip we just received, we have some images that include benchmarks taken with the HTC Glacier, against devices like the Droid X and HTC EVO 4G. The tipster was scanning the GLBenchmark 1.1 database, and they managed to come across a new device. Yeah, you guessed it: the Glacier. And, while that’s not exciting in of itself, the results therein are definitely interesting.

As we are well aware, the HTC EVO 4G features a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and the Droid X features a 1GHz OMAP processor. Both of them are workhorses in their own right, but according to these benchmark scores, pale in comparison to whatever the Glacier is. Testing the benchmarks versus, say, the iPhone 4, T-Mobile’s Samsung Vibrant, and the EVO 4G pulled some interesting results.

The Glacier managed to pull 1432 frames in the GLBenchmark Pro ES 1.1 CPU Skinning test consistently. While the Droid X reached 856 frames, the EVO managed 516 frames, and the G1 pulled a parsley 113 frames. While the iPhone 4 did 1016 frames. Shockingly enough, or perhaps not at all, the Vibrant reached 1409 frames. So, with those numbers, especially against the 1GHz Snapdragon processor in the EVO, the tipster believes that the 1432 frames (versus 516) means that the Glacier could very well be the dual-core monstrosity that we’ve all been waiting for.

We’re skeptical, but at the same time, the results speak for themselves. Even if the Hummingbird processor in the Vibrant managed to keep up, there’s definitely a possibility that the Glacier is indeed part of Project Emerald. Now, as always, the epic waiting begins. We’ll be sure to keep our feelers out for more information about Project Emerald and the Glacier itself. For more information about the tests the tipster did, head on through the source link.

[via AlienBabelTech; thanks, abt!]

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Motorola Droid Update to Android 2.2 Available Now

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 01:12 PM PDT

All righty, folks, it’s that time. Just as Verizon had promised us, the Android 2.2 update for the original Motorola Droid has begun to make its way to devices. And, just as we would imagine, the direct download file has made its way to the Internet. So, if you’ve got your Droid ready to go, follow the break for the details.

Just with any other software update to the Android platform, you don’t necessarily have to wait for the OTA update to make your device the best it can be. First, though, we should mention that we have had a few reports that if you start checking your system for updates, you might get the OTA notification early. We’ve only heard a few scattered reports of this so far, though, so don’t bank on that. If you want to download the file directly, and install the update manually, then follow this link. And remember: if you get the update, either way, let us know in the comments and let us know what you’ve noticed has changed, and what you like and don’t like.

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Motorola Droid X Does Android 2.2 on Video

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:34 PM PDT

While the Droid 2 is set to launch with Android 2.2 (whenever that happens), and the original Droid should be getting an OTA update any day this week, we’re now just waiting to hear when the Droid X will get its own update. We’re still hearing the end of August, which actually only helps that August 12th release date of the Droid 2, but if you want to see what it looks like a little early, go ahead and check out the video below.

Someone managed to grab a test build of the latest version of Android for the Droid X, and obviously they did the right thing: they recorded their time with it. Of course, if you watch the video, you’ll notice that the user is pretty confused on how Android 2.2 got loaded onto his device, which is pretty entertaining in of itself. (We’d be happy to have our own test build, Verizon. You know, if you’re feeling gracious.) The video is pretty bare, but at least you get some kind of glimpse as to what’s coming some time next month (hopefully). So, enjoy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via Droid-Life]

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Motorola Glam Heading to South Korea Thanks to SK Telecom

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:22 PM PDT

When it comes to Android devices, we’re all expecting them to be some great pieces of technology. Especially now-a-days. And after the launch of several Motorola devices that sit at the top of the hill (albeit all for one carrier), seeing another device heading to South Korea that fits the bill makes us plenty happy. Today we’ve got the Motorola Glam, a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen device heading for the SK Telecom airwaves.

As we just mentioned, the Glam will feature a 3.7-inch touchscreen display. It will also feature integrated WiFi, a 5MP camera on the back (with dual flashes), an HDMI port, the ability to record video in 720p HD, and it will launch with Android 2.1. There’s no word on whether or not it will have MOTOBLUR, or if it will be upgraded to Android 2.2. It should hit stores here soon, and it will be an exclusive device for SK Telecom.

[via Android Central]

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Viewsonic Plans for Android 2.2 Tablet

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 12:01 PM PDT

Viewsonic, for the time being, is known pretty much predominantly for their monitors. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all. But, it looks like they’re ready to broaden their horizons, because they’ve just unveiled plans to launch an Android-based tablet some time in the future. And, shockingly enough, it’s not just another run-of-the-mill tablet, either. It’s actually coming with updated software!

The tablet itself will be of the 7-inch variety, and it will feature Android 2.2. There will also be a built-in camera, but not mention whether or not it will be a front-facing one. It will have voice calling support, and have some kind of 3G connectivity. Unfortunately, Viewsonic is just planning on releasing this in the UK some time in the near future, and it will retail for somewhere around the 500-range. No word on whether or not it will ever come state-side. But, considering all the other options we have out there, will anyone miss this?

[via GadgetMix]

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Motorola Droid 2 Coming August 12th After All?

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 11:36 AM PDT

At this point, considering the amount of tips we’ve received to enforce that title up there, and the images that keep reinforcing those rumors and tips, we’ll just go ahead and start assuming that the Droid 2 is coming August 12th. No, that’s not an official declaration — it’s just an educated guess at this point. (Feel free to interject here, Verizon. Any time now.) This latest slide does add a few interesting points, though.

According to a tipster to Phandroid, apparently the Droid 2 launch team is busy sending out slides that detail the launch of the upcoming Android-based handset. Thanks to the leaked images, it looks like August 12th is indeed the day that the Droid 2 will hit Verizon shelves. Now, if you look at that screenshot long enough, and we have, we can’t see anywhere that actually states the date of August 12th, but again, this is what our tipsters are telling us, as well as the person who sent in the slide above. (If you can find August 12th in that screenshot, let us know. We’re just not seeing it.)

However, what the slide does tell us, is that Verizon is serious about not kicking up the promotion of the Droid 2 until the end of August. We had heard that the marketing campaign for the successor of the Droid would be quieter than most would assume, probably due to the fact that the Droid X is still just fresh in the consumer’s mind. Supposedly, Verizon isn’t even going to announce the device until August 10th, and you’ll only have one day to pre-order it.

Whatever reason Verizon has for doing this, we’ll see if it works, or backfires on them. What do you think? Is this a good strategy on Verizon’s part? Is the Droid X, if you ignore the fact you can’t really get one right now, good enough even a month later to take the limelight away from the newly released Droid 2, with its improvements over the first generation?

[via Phandroid]

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