Monday, 27 September 2010

Android Community

Android Community

Verizon’s Droid R2-D2 coming September 30th

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 09:57 AM PDT

We have heard about it, we have seen it, even dummy units shipping to stores. Well now we finally know when it will be available from Verizon. The Droid R2-D2, Star Wars themed DROID 2 will be coming to Verizon online and select stores September 30th.

The skinned phone comes with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset all in a custom box resembling carbonite. As if showing off your inner Star Wars geek wasn't enough on the outside, the phone comes packed with some exclusive content on the inside including:

  • R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones
  • Live Wallpapers (Blast the Probe Droid; Luke Balancing Yoda; Navigating the Asteroid Field; Watch Bespin's Cloud City)
  • R2-D2 Clock Widget
  • Exclusive Binoculars App
  • "The Best of R2-D2" video with the original Cantina music

    Also, Verizon Star Wars fans who already are on contract with their current Android device can pick up the Star Wars Mobile App which comes with much of the same features that are pre-loaded on the Droid R2-D2 for $2.99 (one time fee) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film hitting theaters.

    To get your hands on the R2-D2 Droid it will cost $249 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) and must sign up for a two-year voice and data plan.


    Press Release:

    “MAY THE DROID BE WITH YOU: LIMITED EDITION DROID™ R2-D2™ BY MOTOROLA LANDS ON VERIZON WIRELESS' NETWORK

    DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Brings the Galactic Empire to Customers

    BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Verizon Wireless announced that the highly anticipated limited edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in select Verizon Wireless Communication stores beginning Sept. 30. With a graphic design to look like the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, the DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be packaged in a custom box resembling carbonite and come with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset. Exclusive content comes pre-loaded on the special edition smartphone, including:

    · R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones
    · Four live wallpapers
    · R2-D2 Clock Widget
    · "The Best of R2-D2" video with the original Cantina music
    · Exclusive Binoculars App

    Star Wars Mobile App Available for All Customers with Android 2.1 phones

    To celebrate 30 years since the film hit theaters, customers with Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher will soon be able to get the Empire Strikes Back app from Android Market™. The app, only for Verizon Wireless customers, allows Jedi Masters to browse, preview and download Star Wars content related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Verizon Wireless customers can access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99.

    The Star Wars mobile app will have the following features and content:

    · Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
    · Sound and Photo Gallery
    · Live Wallpapers:
    o Blast the Probe Droid
    o Luke Balancing Yoda
    o Navigating the Asteroid Field
    o Watch Bespin's Cloud City
    · Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about The Empire Strikes Back
    · Widgets

    The DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

    For more information on DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2.

    [Via SlashGear]

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Android Community Week In Review – Week 38 2010

Posted: 26 Sep 2010 12:20 PM PDT

This week was clearly the week of updates for Android devices across all carriers and manufacturers. The Droid X got the much anticipated, although a bit buggy, Froyo 2.2 Upgrade, while other manufacturers were pushing out general updates for their devices. Google's CEO commented on requiring device makers to have a fresh, non-customized option of Android ready to download if the end-user so chooses. And finally the T-Mobile G2 made was available for pre-order.

________________________________________________________________________

The following Updates were released this week:

  • EVO 4G receives update – Framerate cap removed
    • The framerate cap that was apparently "not fixable via software update" was fixed… via software update. On the updated EVO 4G you can now output video over 30fps and the cap no longer applies to video on the device as well.
  • Nexus One gets Froyo 2.2.1
    • Google's own Nexus One got an update that most likely fixed some bug's and broke root. However, the update also interfered with the devices ability to use 3rd party keyboards, Swipe, a popular typing keyboard, has been confirmed to be bugged with this update as well as Swiftkey.
  • Samsung Captivate gets a GPS update
    • This over-the-air update was pushed to users to fix the Captivate's GPS performance, media scanning time, adding the full version of Quickoffice, and addressed an issue with the Microsoft Exchange 2003 policy.
  • Not an update, but word on an update from T-Mobile UK, the Samsung Galaxy S 2.2 update has been confirmed to be released by the end of this month
    • From the T-Mobile UK forums we were given word that the update to Froyo on their lineup of Samsung Galaxy S devices will be released towards the end of the month via Samsung's PC only Kies software
  • And finally, the most anticipated software update for Verizon users was released, the Droid X received 2.2.

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Updates aside, the much anticipated T-Mobile G2 was available for pre-order this week. To only existing customers and employees, eager enthusiasts were directed to the T-Mobile site to place their pre-orders. The official price of the on contract G2 was pegged at $199.99 and delivery is expected to take place by October 6th. No word yet on how many pre-orders were made available, or how many have been placed, but if you're still looking for a new T-Mobile Device the solid G2 is definitely one of your best options.

    And finally, Google's CEO this week was presented with the question wondering if they have plans on making Android Phone manufacturers give an option to the end-user to offer a clean, non-modified version of Android along with their customized options. This would leave the ultimate decision up to the user which a lot of people think is a great idea. Google, not so much.

    In a quote from the event:

    "if we were to put those type of restrictions on an open source product, we'd be violating the principle of open source."

    So we are left with using the manufactures version of Android, or adding a ROM that better suits our personal taste.

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