Android Community |
- X-Wing targeting computer GPS App, sweetest app ever?
- DROID 2 R2-D2 special edition spotted in wild
- Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint Launching August 31st for $249.99
- Sony Ericsson Bringing Android 3.0 to Handheld Game Console
- Motorola Droid 2: Live Images and First Impressions
- HTC myTouch HD and G1 Blaze to Empower T-Mobile’s Project Emerald Later This Year?
- Samsung Epic 4G and HTC EVO 4G Compared by Sprint [video]
- HTC Droid Incredible and EVO 4G Source Codes Released by HTC
- HTC Desire Landing on US Cellular Shelves on August 27th
- Motorola Droid 2 Walkthrough Video Shows What’s So Great About the New Droid
- Samsung Captivate for AT&T Gets Processor Overclocked to 1.2GHz
- Archos 32 Internet Tablet Passes Through FCC, With Pictures
- Motorola Droid Update to Android 2.2 Expected to Wrap-Up by August 18th
| X-Wing targeting computer GPS App, sweetest app ever? Posted: 12 Aug 2010 05:32 AM PDT I bet almost every one reading this has seen the original Star Wars and recalls the iconic scene where Luke flies down the trench and tries to put a missile up the Death Star’s port. The targeting computer does him little good and the Force saves his rear in the end.
A geek has created one of the coolest GPS apps ever for Android devices using Adobe AIR and some creativity. The app looks like that targeting computer and your destination is represented as a red mark coming closer on the targeting computer. When you aren't driving somewhere, the app can also be used as a clock. The downside is you don't get those pretty arrows you are used to seeing in GPS apps. ) |
| DROID 2 R2-D2 special edition spotted in wild Posted: 12 Aug 2010 04:53 AM PDT Verizon’s R2-D2 special edition of the Motorola DROID 2 has been spotted in the wild, snapped by a convention attendee at Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando ahead of the carrier’s planned preview. Basically the same DROID 2 as is on sale now but with an R2-D2 skin, the handset is certainly distinctive and more than a little geeky.
Verizon has also kicked off a pre-registration page for those looking for further DROID 2 R2-D2 information. The limited edition Android 2.2 smartphone is set to go on sale from September 30th, but so far we don’t know quite how limited or how much the handset will cost.
[via Android and Me] ) |
| Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint Launching August 31st for $249.99 Posted: 11 Aug 2010 09:35 PM PDT After plenty of speculation, and plenty of rumors swirled around, it turns out that that August 11th rumor was actually accurate. And, we were cutting it pretty close, at least on the West coat. (It is technically the 12th over there on the right side of the US, after all.) But, sure enough, Samsung have officially announced the Samsung Epic 4G’s availability date, and have gone ahead and done one better: told us the price, too.
As the title suggests, you’ll be able to get your hands on the device itself beginning August 31st. You’ll have to drop $349.99 at your local Sprint store, but luckily you’ll get a $100 mail-in rebate, so that should take some of the sting off your new toy. What’s also interesting, is that Sprint is offering –for the first time ever, apparently– the ability to actually reserve your handset, instead of just pre-order it. That’s right. You can start reserving the device on August 13th, and that will safely secure your 4G device for your purchase on the 31st. Store like Sprint establishments, Best Buys, Walmarts (that aren’t 24 hours), and RadioShacks are going to be opening at 8:00am local times, too, just to make sure that you get to spend all day with the Epic. Press Release Where to Get It A New Reservation Process Please see the attached news release and fact sheet. ) |
| Sony Ericsson Bringing Android 3.0 to Handheld Game Console Posted: 11 Aug 2010 03:09 PM PDT Whoa. In a brand new report from Engadget, we can basically say that our socks have been officially rocked. If you own an Android handset, and we’re pretty sure you do, then you know that the gaming market hasn’t necessarily been the best on the mobile Operating System so far. Sure, there are some options out there that are fun in their own right, but there aren’t many high-profile titles out there. Especially not compared to the competition. But, if this is turning out to be true, then things are about to change in a major way.
Sony Ericsson is working on something different. Something new, and something that’s going to completely change the way the Android consumer looks at Sony Ericsson. Speaking to a trusted source, the company is apparently developing not only an entire ecosystem, a device, and an entire gaming platform, all based on the Android 3.0 mind state. The hardware is based on the idea of a phone, and apparently it’s not going to lose that appeal. Apparently it’s going to look reminiscent of the Samsung Captivate, and a strange crossover to the PSPgo. A landscape slider, that instead of having a full QWERTY keyboard, will actually have a control scheme more suited for video games. The display will be between anywhere between 3.7- and 4.1-inches, have a WVGA resolution (or better), and a 5MP camera on the back of the device. Under the hood, the report suggests that a 1GHz Snapdragon processor. But, apparently none of these details are finalized, and could change well before the launch of the device. The color scheme will be between black and silver, and apparently the controls will be white. Apparently, it’s “pretty damn sexy.” The software will be the aforementioned Android 3.0, or Gingerbread. And, it will have a phone-oriented skin. The Android Market will be a game-specific version. As for graphics, they’ll be on the level of PSX or PSP, which isn’t half bad at all. Amazing, in fact. Basically, that’s 3D gaming, and that’s great news. Apparently titles are already being shown off, like Modern Warfare, God of War, and Little Big Planet. Details are still light in the really important parts here, but as you can see, there’s still plenty to go on. As for a release date, apparently there’s more to be announced or revealed by the time October rolls around. That’s so close, it’s almost ridiculous. However, even October hasn’t been confirmed. As soon as more happens, we’ll pass it along. [via Engadget] ) |
| Motorola Droid 2: Live Images and First Impressions Posted: 11 Aug 2010 01:37 PM PDT The Motorola Droid 2 is one of the most widely leaked devices in recent history, but that’s not a bad thing. It built up plenty of anticipation for the device. Which can only go to help the sales of the true successor to the original Droid, which launched late last year, especially considering Verizon is taking a far quieter approach with the release of this device. Pre-orders kicked off today, and it will officially go on sale tomorrow at Verizon locations all over the country. But, we managed to get some hands-on time with the device yesterday, which turned into an impromptu photoshoot (which was taken with the Droid X).
Initially, especially after using the Droid X for awhile now, the Droid 2 feels small. That’s not surprising, though, considering compared to the 4.3-inch touchscreen display on the Droid X, the 3.7-inch version on the Droid 2 is a noticeable difference. That aside, though, the build quality is plain as day, just as it was on the original Droid. Though, without the obvious metal finish, that may be lost on some customers. It does feel solid in the hand, and the slider is just as good, if not better than the original’s.
Sliding the device will show you the update physical keyboard. Compared to the original, this new one is leaps and bounds better. With raised keys, and a plastic/rubber feel to them, which means you won’t be sliding around all over the place, we found it immediately easier to type on. We will add that the keys themselves felt small for some reason, but again, that could just be that the phone as a whole feels smaller. We don’t think it would actually alter the typing experience, or hinder it in any way. As with any keyboard, using it over time will make you more adept with it. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to play around with the software, but considering we know it’s the same as the Droid X’s, we know what to expect, and probably don’t need to go into any depth on that anyway. As for the rest of the physical aspects, on the back of the device you’ll find the 5MP camera with the LED flash. Oddly, the back cover has a blue hue to it, while the front of the device has that obvious silver lining. We’re not fans of the color scheme, truth be told, and we would have much preferred the matte black coloring of the original. But, it’s not a deal breaker by any means. Overall, with as quick of a hands-on as we had, we like the device. And, considering it’s running Android 2.2, and should work “better” (at least software wise) than the Droid X, we’re tempted to trade it in. Even if we are losing the HDMI output and larger screen, we’re wondering if it would be worth it in the end. Especially, if anything, for that updated physical keyboard. Check out the full gallery below.         ) |
| HTC myTouch HD and G1 Blaze to Empower T-Mobile’s Project Emerald Later This Year? Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:46 PM PDT T-Mobile’s Project Emerald is still something of a sore subject for a few people out there. Sore, because we still have absolutely no idea what it is. Sure, there’s plenty of speculation. Ranging from a new myTouch 3G, to something more akin to a powerhouse like the HTC Glacier, there’s no quiet amidst this front. And, it’s about to get a lot louder. According to a trusted source speaking with Phandroid, apparently Project Emerald isn’t going to focus on one device, after all.
The source says that T-Mobile is actually going to launch a pair of 3.5G devices, accessing the fourth largest wireless carrier’s HSPA+ network. The source goes on to say that the two devices will be the HTC myTouch HD and the HTC G1 Blaze. The images here are of previously named devices, called the HTC Desire HD (above) and the HTC Vision (below). But, the devices will get the name changes before their launch on the magenta network, some time later this year.
The devices will have a “secret launch.” Apparently, T-Mobile doesn’t want people to know that they’re launching their first ever HSPA+ devices. At least, not right off the bat. Apparently, Android representatives are leaving T-Mobile stores to get some specialized training on the devices, which are supposed to launch on September 22nd and 29th. No word on which device will be launched on the date, though. We’ll count this as a rumor for now, just like everything else. T-Mobile’s got a good thing going here with their Project Emerald, with plenty of speculation fueling the rumor mill to a ridiculous point. If the device are launching next month, here in the next few weeks we should expect something a bit more official — whether it’s leaked or not. So, stay tuned. [via Phandroid] ) |
| Samsung Epic 4G and HTC EVO 4G Compared by Sprint [video] Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:36 PM PDT When the Samsung Epic 4G was announced, despite the fact it had plenty of the same features seen on other Samsung Galaxy S devices, one of the stand-out features was that ability to connect to Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network. Sure, the EVO 4G was the first device to do it, but it couldn’t stay in the limelight forever. Now that the Epic 4G is close to a release date (we assume), here’s Sprint to show you why you’d want to take a look at the Epic, versus the EVO.
Heather does a great job of showcasing that the Epic 4G features things like a Super AMOLED display and the physical keyboard, while the EVO’s display is larger, and doesn’t have a physical keyboard. She also shows that the Epic’s media streaming is top-notch. Truth be told, whichever device you decide to get will be based solely on personal preference, which you can’t get unless you play with both devices. Watch the video below, anyway, and let us know which device you’re leaning towards (if you already haven’t bought the EVO 4G (unless you plan on getting rid of it)). Click here to view the embedded video. [via Sprint's YouTube Channel] ) |
| HTC Droid Incredible and EVO 4G Source Codes Released by HTC Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:30 PM PDT Over the last couple of weeks, other major manufacturers released the source code for some of their devices, too. Both Motorola and Samsung released the code for the Droid X and Galaxy S devices, respectively. Which will make plenty of developers out there happy. This time around, HTC have pulled the curtain off the source code for two of their most high-profile devices.
Developers can now get their hands on the open source code for the HTC Droid Incredible, and the HTC EVO 4G. The Incredible, which is available on the Verizon network, features a 3.7-inch AMOLED (and Super LCD) display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and HTC’s Sense UI. While the EVO has a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, the same 1GHz Snapdragon processor, HTC’s Sense UI, and the ability to connect to Sprint’s 4G network. Developers should be able to do quite a bit more now in the custom ROM area of things with the source code now released. So, all you rooted users out there, get ready for a bunch of new ROMs. [via AndroidGuys] ) |
| HTC Desire Landing on US Cellular Shelves on August 27th Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:25 PM PDT August is turning out to be a pretty big month for Android, and not just in the software side of things. With the launch of plenty of Android-based devices, on several networks here in the States, it should come as no surprise that some of the regional carriers out here want to get their hands on some high-profile devices. For one such carrier, US Cellular, the HTC Desire is their device of choice.
When it was revealed a couple of months back that US Cellular would be getting the Desire, manufactured by HTC and the brother to the Nexus One, many people thought it was a big joke. But, sure enough, the carrier has confirmed a couple of times in the past that the device is certainly coming. But, you won’t have to wait much longer if you are on the regional carrier’s network, because August 27th is right around the corner. You’ll be able to get your hands on that 3.7-inch AMOLED display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and HTC’s Sense UI in just a couple of weeks. And then you can start showing it off. Don’t act like you won’t. [via US Cellular] ) |
| Motorola Droid 2 Walkthrough Video Shows What’s So Great About the New Droid Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:20 PM PDT It’s standard fare to see Verizon release a walkthrough video for one of their newly released devices. And obviously, despite the fact that the Droid 2 got a remarkably quiet/soft launch, that’s not stopping Verizon from releasing a video where one man goes through the process of explaining all the great features of the new Droid device.
This time around, it’s Derek taking us through the ropes. He guides us through the web browsing experience, which is great, and then he shows us the hardware keyboard, and explains why it’s better than the previous iterations. He does a good job of telling us why the Droid 2 should be your next phone, but only you can decide whether or not this device stands out amongst the crowded Android line-up on Verizon’s network. With that 1GHz processor, newly designed physical keyboard, and the 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display, it will more than likely find some nice home, somewhere. At least a few of them, anyway. [via LaptopMag] ) |
| Samsung Captivate for AT&T Gets Processor Overclocked to 1.2GHz Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:13 PM PDT When it comes to processors in our high-end Android devices, the benchmark at this point is that 1GHz point. It wasn’t too long ago that that that speed was something of a novelty, something to be stared at due to its rarity. Obviously that isn’t the case anymore. And one of the best parts of having a fast phone, is making it even faster. That’s why it’ll be good news to hear that the Captivate, the Samsung Galaxy S variant for AT&T has been overclocked to 1.2GHz.
With the new report and images, apparently 1.2GHz just isn’t fast enough, either. Suggestions that the Hummingbird processor can be taxed all the way up to 1.6GHz are already starting to fly around. Though, we’re sure that 1.2GHz, running on a stable kernal, should be good enough for most of the Captivate owners out there. Go ahead and hit up the source link below to find out more about the overclocked kernal, and determine whether or not it’s for you. [via XDA Developers Forum] ) |
| Archos 32 Internet Tablet Passes Through FCC, With Pictures Posted: 11 Aug 2010 12:07 PM PDT The Archos 32 Internet tablet features a 3.2-inch touchscreen display. Truth be told, we’re not exactly sure that falls into the whole “tablet” range of devices at all, but we’ll go ahead and give Archos the benefit of the doubt here. We know that tablet is a fancy new word now-a-days, and it will probably do well to sell more of the devices. And thanks to the FCC, we now know what it looks like.
While the feature set may not be the best on the planet, at least we can say it looks plenty shiny. Definitely shiny enough to get folks looking at it. Featuring things like a kickstand, and a price tag that runs only $150, the Archos 32 may indeed be a good answer, versus say the iPod variants out there. Though, with the 8GB of on board storage, you’ll definitely probably want to expand that. Thankfully it runs Android 2.1, too. That’s good news in of itself. Now we just need to get the official release date. Who’s interested? [via Engadget]    ) |
| Motorola Droid Update to Android 2.2 Expected to Wrap-Up by August 18th Posted: 11 Aug 2010 11:58 AM PDT Officially, the Motorola Droid’s update to Android 2.2 began on August 3rd. That’s the official statement, but as we’ve seen over the last week, that didn’t necessarily happen as smoothly as Motorola (or Verizon) would have liked. Not surprising at all, though. As we saw today, the OTA update is happening now for the majority of other Droid owners out there, which falls right in line with the whole “roll-out” process.
Thanks to a new image from a Verizon internal source, it looks like the OTA update should stop rolling out to customers on August 18th. So, that’s one more week, from today. That may be good news for Droid owners as a whole, but if you haven’t already received your update, and we’re sure you’re still checking like crazy, then knowing that you may have to wait up to a week to get it could be a bit disheartening. Then again, it’s only a week — right? [via Droid-Life] ) |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android Community To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment