Friday, 3 September 2010

Android Community

Android Community

Target App for Android Now Available

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 11:04 AM PDT

Well, if you’re a fan of Target stores, or maybe you just don’t happen to have a Walmart close by and Target’s your only choice, you’ll be happy to know that selecting your next object to buy just got a little easier. Deciding against going with a full press release or anything of the sort, Target has officially released an application of their own into the Android Market. Oh, and it’s available right now.

As you might imagine, the application will let you look up stock, see if the store nearest you has what you’re looking for, and check out pricing. It will also give you directions to the nearest Target, if you find yourself in an area you’ve never been, and you have to get pick up something right then. A notable feature: it will actually tell you where to go, the exact aisle in the particular store, to get what you’re looking for. Sure, it’s a little thing, but it’s the little things in life, right?

Other features include a barcode scanner, which works specifically for Target, and won’t show you comparison prices for other retail locations around you. So, the app is free, and you can get it right now. It may not be the biggest app to release this week, but hey, it’s a Friday — get ready to enjoy your long weekend. Maybe even find something at Target to make it enjoyable.

[via Android and Me]

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Huawei Ideos S7 Tablet and U8150 Hands-On Videos from SlashGear

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 10:55 AM PDT

Over there in Europe, there’s a little show going on right now called IFA. And by little, we actually mean huge. And, as we had heard rumored well before its official kick-off, there’s plenty of Android related news, devices, and everything else flying around the event. As we’re sure you’ve already noticed, there’s hands-on videos all over the place, so hopefully you’re not getting sick of them. Because here’s another one, featuring Huawei’s Ideos S7 tablet and Ideos U8150 smartphone.

First and foremost, the smartphone. The cheap, cheap smartphone. The Ideos U8150 is meant to target the entry-level crowd, as it is rumored to have a price tag that borders on $150, without contract. Interestingly enough, though, the price doesn’t reflect the features. Under the hood you’ll find Android 2.2, but there is a 2.8-inch QVGA display. There’s a 3.2MP camera on the back. Additional features include the capacitive touhscreen, and a 3G mobile hotspot feature built-in. You won’t find a 1GHz processor, though, which isn’t surprising considering the price point.

As for the hands-on time with the S7 tablet? Well, there was no network connection available, so while we could play with the device a bit, we couldn’t really put it through its paces. Responsiveness on the home screen wasn’t the best, and there were a few times we were waiting for the device to catch up with us. Could the S7 tablet have been a good purchase at the beginning of the year, when there weren’t any real Android-based tablets on the horizon worth looking at? Probably. But that’s a totally different story now, isn’t it? Check out the hands-on videos, and make sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

[via SlashGear]

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Unboxing And First Look

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 09:35 AM PDT

Android Community has received a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 for AT&T to review and had a chance to unbox it, along with take a first look at the hardware. The device currently runs Android 1.6 and has Sony’s skin with Timescape and Mediascape on board. It has a 4 inch LCD display, with Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot and 2GB card included along with 429MB of internal storage for apps.

We will put in some time with the device and put the pressure on it to see how it holds up, and how Sony’s skin is in everyday use. While we are doing that check out the unboxing and first look below to see what the phone has in store.

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ViewSonic ViewPad 100 For You Android Dual-Boot Lovers

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 09:15 AM PDT

ViewSonic is working on a tablet that isn’t ready for primetime that dual-boots the Android OS, along with Windows 7. This is a 10 inch device (1024×600) that has 2 point finger multi-touch, and is running an Atom N455 processor paired with 1GB of DDR3 memory. This is basically a netbook replacement that has lost its hardware keyboard.

The prototype is only running Android 1.6, along with Windows 7 because currently 1.6 is the most recent version of Android that supports Intel’s ATOM CPUs. ViewSonic did say they have plans to update the version as soon as compatibility is available. Some specs for the tablet include, Wi-Fi, 16GB SSD, memory card slot, USB ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. ViewSonic says that they expect the tablet to be available in Europe in October 2010, priced at under £500 ($769).

[via SlashGear]

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Angry Birds Available In The Marketplace

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 08:13 AM PDT

So we knew it was coming, but now it is official. Tap on over to the Marketplace on your Android equipped phone and search for Angry Birds. You will be busy all night playing this addictive game if you are a fan.

We do have to say, we installed it on our Nexus One and it ran and looked just as expected. The graphics were very crisp and clear and the game play was right on par. Keep the good games coming for Android.

Download Link

If you can’t see Angry Birds in the Market, you can head over HERE to get the APK to side load it.

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Verizon Fascinate September 9th $199

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 07:56 AM PDT

So just as expected it looks like the Fascinate will be available on the 9th of September. With the leaked screenshot it looks like you will have to come up with $200 dollars, and a signature on the dotted line to commit yourself into 2 years. Still not confirmed, what the pricing will be full retail if you decide you might want to get this as a pre-paid phone.

There is also talk about there being a by-one-get-one offer also when released. So we still think this is a tough choice for many. Get a Droid device or the new Samsung? It all comes down to personal opinion of course. Hey, if there is a BOGO you could always get both.

[via Android Central]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab Take 2 [Video]

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 07:20 AM PDT

So you had to know that once wasn’t enough when the hit of the IFA-2010 event, the Galaxy Tab is in the building. After spending some more quality time with the Galaxy Tab, we still have the same positive outlook that we had on our first hands on impressions. So for your viewing pleasure we have, went back and gotten more pictures and videos, enjoy.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab still fits very well in hand and surprisingly will fit in a jacket pocket without ripping the seams. You can also see that the screen real-estate is drastically bigger when put up against the 4 inch Galaxy S phone, and was not disappointing when compared to the Super AMOLED display in the phone. The larger screen has allowed for some better functionality with the email app and calendar app. The email app in landscape gives you a sizable two column view that supports POP, IMAP and Exchange, that will allow you to quickly switch between different accounts.

Current apps that you get in the Marketplace are not designed to run at a resolution of 1024 x 600, so Samsung has built in some app-resizing that stretches the current software. It is quite surprising at how good the apps do actually look. Running the HDMI dock you will be able to output full 1080p video to your HDTV along with 5.1 channel surround sound, which is another very welcomed addition.

We did hear some pricing rumors yesterday and Samsung is still keeping the lid tight on that because they are (just like we thought) working with the carriers on pricing and subsidy options. However Samsung is preparing the tablet to be available to multiple carriers just like they have done with their Galaxy S phones.

The Galaxy Tab will actually launch in Italy first, later in September, shortly followed by the UK before the end of the month (we've heard Vodafone are the likely carrier, though obviously Samsung wouldn't confirm that). Samsung told us that this is the first of many tablets that they have in store for us, and plans for expanding the line in 2011 are imminent. We do highly expect to see bigger screened tablets available especially when they mentioned Android 3.0 and 3.5 yesterday.

Samsung has also said that they are working closely with Google to share code, so that will allow them to stay on top of the updates and allow minimal work to get Android running on the larger displays. Overall we are excited about the Galaxy Tab and think it is really cool. Hopefully, it will be available through several carriers, we are hearing the rumors it is coming to Sprint just this morning. In the mean time keep your browser home page set to Android Community to see how it unfolds.

[via SlashGear]

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ViewSonic ViewPad 7 hands-on [Video]

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 06:07 AM PDT

Just the other day we heard the announcement of the ViewSonic ViewPad 7 and we were really anxious to get our hands on it. Low and behold, we ran across it at IFA-2010. We must say, for a 7 inch 2.2 Android tablet that is said to cost £350 ($539) with 3G and Wi-Fi data access, this tablet looks very compelling when compared to its direct rival the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The ViewPad is a solid feeling tablet, with a glossy back and metal band around the sides. On the the back sits a 3 megapixel camera along with the company’s logo, also there is a front camera for making those video conference calls. The capacitive touchscreen was reasonably responsive, and the screen looks very nice. ViewSonic said, that you will be able to use the tablet as a cellphone also, when a survey reported most people said they would like the functionality built into it.


Running the tablet is a 600MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which is a little low compared to the other tablets and phones we have been seeing, but pages loaded quickly and the games ran without any lag. ViewSonic has left Google’s Android OS alone without any skinning on top, and have not made any mention of whether 3.0 Gingerbread will be available to the device. It seems like we could have a winner here at the cheaper price point that the ViewPad has. This device is unlocked and not paired with any carrier, so let’s see if it stays that way.

[via SlashGear]

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Huawei Ideos 2.2 Handset Announced

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 09:20 PM PDT

Announced today at IFA-2010 was a little handset called the Ideos, by Huawei. This will be a Vanilla 2.2 Android device that has a 2.8 inch capacitive display with a resolution of 320×240, and 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera without a flash. Providing power to the device is an underpowered 528MHz processor, along with HSDPA, Wi-Fi, and micro SD card slot.

This is defiantly a low-end device and will not have Flash running as we heard earlier today, but the most intriguing thing about the phone is that, it has the official Google labeling on it. Huawei says, they have been involved with Google and that means when the updates to the OS come out direct from Google, the devices will be some of the first to get the updates (like we have seen on the Nexus One.) The price is said to be around $175 without a contract and there is not any official word on whether the device will be available in the US yet.

[via Boy Genius Report]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab Pricing And Full Spec List

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:51 PM PDT

Samsung has been hush-hush on pricing since the Galaxy Tab was announced this morning. Probably, because they are working with carriers to get it at subsidized pricing. This has not kept some stores online from putting it up for pre-order though. The pricing looks like it will be ranging from €699 ($890) to €799 ($1,020) in Europe.

In the UK, the retailer Expansys is taking pre-orders at £680 ($1,050). They are saying that the tablet will be available around the 11th of October, and we are thinking that pricing seems a little rich for our blood. It is a little more money than the iPad but, we are really thinking that Samsung is focusing on working with the carriers to get it at a cheaper rate. Anyways, we are still glad to see that it is being sold as a stand alone device and not just as a subsidized device. No mention on the US info yet but in due time we will know. If you would like to see the specifications they are listing about the tablet, hit up the gallery below.

[via Android And Me]

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Samsung Gem Jumps Out Into The Open

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:27 PM PDT

Best Buy has a guide that is showing the Samsung Gem, to be coming soon to Verizon. It does appear that this will be a lower end Android handset when you put it up next to the Fascinate and all the other heavy hitting Droid phones.

What we do know about the Gem is, it will be running Android 2.1 and have TouchWiz 3.0 layered on top. Swype will be added as it is for most Samsung Android devices, and it will have a 3.2 megapixel camera, 16GB SD card slot (not sure if card is included) Wi-Fi, and GPS. There is not any pricing or release date information, but we would imagine that it would be on the cheaper, and sooner than later side. If your interested, we will keep you posted.

[via Android Central]

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Adobe Says Not All Froyo Equipped Devices Will Run Flash

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:03 PM PDT

Although you suspect, that all 2.2 devices will be able to run Flash 10.1, Adobe says that is not always the case. Devices will be required to have minimum specs to be able to run the plug-in. Adobe’s website clearly shows that devices that have a VGA screen, need to at least be running a 550Mhz processor with hardware vector FPU support.

On top of that, displays that have WVGA need to have a dedicated Cortex A8 800MHz processor, also with the hardware vector FPU support. These listed devices should have support for Flash 10.1 currently, Google Nexus One, HTC EVO 4G, HTC Desire, and Motorola Droid, Droid 2 and Droid X. Even though most of the top end phones will have the option to have Flash run on them, there are still plenty of phones coming out later this year that will not meet the minimum specifications, Adobe has mentioned. We like to think it is probably better off anyways because Flash on a lower end device would not be the best user experience.

[via PhoneScoop]

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Samsung Favoring Android Over Windows Phone 7 And Bada

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 11:56 AM PDT

Samsung’s Mobile Marketing head YH Lee has said that they plan on staying on board with Google and Android, over Windows Phone 7 and their own OS called Bada for the most part. This is probably a blow to Microsoft, being that Samsung has been one of their major handset partners in the past. This goes to show you, that the manufacturers want to be able to customize an already popular platform, to be relevant and at the same time differentiate themselves from the others. We would say this is for sure, that Samsung at no time, plans to stop putting their skins on top of Android.

With the sudden success of the Galaxy S phones and now the Galaxy Tab trying to get into the running, we can honestly say that we see where Samsung is coming from. It appears they have found the perfect OS to pair with–since Microsoft abandoned their old Windows Mobile platform to head to a platform that has less customizability. All in all this makes us happy because, this means more Samsung Android products for us in the future.

[via electronista]

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Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Commercial Is Live

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 11:24 AM PDT

We thought since all this Galaxy Tab info is coming across the line today with IFA-2010 going on, you might like to see the first Samsung Commercial that has been released. We do not know what kind of jacket pocket this guy pulls this thing out of, but it must have been custom built to have this 7 inch slate fit.

This commercial has us realizing how Samsung wants us to use this thing, and it appears as a tablet and phone together. However it ends up being, we wanted you to all know that the guy at the end sitting at his desk, is what some of us bloggers look like sometimes. Just so you would have a mental picture.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via SamsungMobile]

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