Tuesday 26 October 2010

Android Community

Android Community

Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy Tab (with Video)

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 10:40 AM PDT

Hooray for Chris Davies, who here has himself his very own Samsung Galaxy Tab and has to gratefully taken the time to open up the box right in front of his camera, for us, the whole world. The fine folks at the DHL shipping company brought him a nice crate full of a brand spanking new TAB, one box inside another, shiny and new. And just for you folks without the stats burned into your memory, they’re listed below and are very much so exactly what you’d expect.

The Galaxy Tab has a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution, 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 3G connection(either the UMTS/HSPA of the GSM model, or EVDO Rev.A for the Verizon/Sprint version) and WiFi b/g/n. This TAB runs on Android 2.2 Froyo with a custom user interface by Samsung plus several redesigned apps AND Android Market access. On the back is a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, another camera in the front for video calls, and lots of fun regular apps like Gmail, Google Maps Navigation, and Samsung’s own teeny tiny apps store.

Take a look at the video for a closer look, then head on over to SlashGear if you’d like more words from your faithful narrator Chris Davies.

[Via SlashGear]

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4.8 Inch Clamshell Android MID Prototype by Dion

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 10:34 AM PDT

Here’s a rather fat hybrid machine for you to place your eyeballs on. This machine is being worked on by Chinese brand Dion and is generally thought to be still in the prototype stage. It has no name, no number, and basically appears to be very similar to a mini notebook when closed. When open, it runs Android 2.1 and has a Samsung-sourced 4.8 inch WVGA capacitive LCD touchscreen with LED backlighting, support fo rmulti-touch, and has a full QWERTY keyboard clearly made for thumb typing. There’s also a tiny 1.3MP webcam and mic for all your video calling needs.

This machine is powered by a Marvell PXA935 processor and NPX5209 chipset, the PXA935 very possibly ranging in speed from 624MHz to 1GHz or more. Connectivity is thus: 2G GSM for voice, 3G WCDMA for data/voice, b/g/n WiFi, GPS, TV reception, FM radio, Bluetooth, and support for microSD cards up to 32GB for extra storage. Looks kinda like a Nintendo DS with a big fat keyboard on one side, yes? What do you think of such a device?

[Via Pocketables]

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Best Buy Offers Huawei Ideos S7 Android Tablet on Pre-Order (Right Next to Samsung’s Galaxy Tab)

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 09:57 AM PDT

You may now order the Galaxy Tab on pre order from Best Buy for $599.99 on either Verizon or Sprint. This lovely maching comes with Android 2.2 (Froyo), runs on a 3G connection, has Wi-fi, 1 GHz processor, 16GB of internal memory, and has two cameras, one for video calling and one for… having lots of fun. Best Buy also has the Android tablet Huawei Ideos S7 available for pre-order (this is the one in the picture you see here, now.)

The Huawei Ideos S7, sitting right next to the Galaxy Tab, costs basically half as much at $299.99. Ideos S7 comes with only Android 2.1 and Wifi. It is a sad little puppy in comparison, but if you’ve only go the amount of work that requires just the functions it’s got, well then, you know what to do. Ideos S7 is estimated to be shipping starting November 7.

[Via Unwired View]

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TELUS HTC Desire Android 2.2 Froyo going out OTA

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 08:16 AM PDT

Canadian carrier TELUS has begun to push out its Android 2.2 Froyo update for the HTC Desire.  The product page for the Desire – which launched running Android 2.1 Eclair – has been updated with the message “Upgrade your HTC Desire to Android 2.2 today” along with a list of new features.

Android Community reader Donald called TELUS, who confirmed that the Desire update is going out OTA from today.  However it’s yet to show up on his handset, which suggests it’s a staggered release rather than a mass push-out.

[Thanks Donald!]

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Pre-orders for Viewsonic Viewpad 7 open in UK

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 05:20 AM PDT

Viewsonic’s Viewpad 7 tablet has gone up for preorder in the UK, priced at £399.99 ($634) with deliveries expected to kick off on November 15.  Currently only Misco is accepting preorders, but Maplin, Scan and Expansys are all expected to offer the 7-inch Android slate as well.

That’s a fair chunk less than for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, and is likely to slip down a little more as competition for preorders takes off.  Check out more on the Viewpad 7 in our hands-on report from IFA 2010.

[via Carrypad]

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Gemalto sues Google over Android

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 05:07 AM PDT

Companies suing Google over the Android operating system is nothing new. The latest suit comes against Google and Android by Gemalto. Gemalto is a digital security company that claims Google and several other phone companies infringed on a patent it holds.

The patent covers some high-level languages that operate on a “resource-constrained device” such as Java running on a mobile phone. Gemalto field the suit in a Texas court and a rep from the company said, “Gemalto is recognized as a pioneer and ground-breaking contributor to the JavaCard [sic] , one of the devices for which the patented technologies were conceived.”

Exactly what Gemalto hopes to get from the suit is easy enough to guess, the company wants licensing fees. With the number of Android devices on the market and the popularity of the OS, this sort of suit will continue to be an issue. Oracle has also sued Google over Java and alleged IP infringement.

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Garmin and Asus stop co-branded phones, but keep working together

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 05:00 AM PDT

Remember the Garmin-Asus phones that hit the market running Android as the OS with Garmin GPS nav software? Not really? Don't feel bad the phones didn’t exactly burn up the sales charts being mostly a big pile of meh. Garmin and Asustek have parted ways as far as co-branded phones go.

However, the two firms announced today that they will continue to work together on phones, but those devices will be branded individually. Asustek mobile phone general business manager Benson Lin said, “We are moving from co-brand to brand cooperation, and we will use Garmin’s solutions in our new Android phones exclusively for a couple of years.”

So we will continue to see phones under the Asus brand with Garmin nav software installed and Garmin will be a “close partner” for Asus. Garmin and Asus will jointly continue to support the co-branded devices on the market.

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SeenEarly for Android keeps track of your phone activity

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 04:51 AM PDT

If you want to be able to archive your activity on your phone for some reason or keep a close eye on a child when they are using the phone a new app called SeenEarly is available for you. The app runs on Android and records all mobile activity including SMS, MMS, calls, web browsing, and GPS data.

The data is archived and the user can go through the data, as they want. The software would be a great way to be sure a child isn’t getting bullied or sexting before marriage. Businesses can also take advantage of the app to be sure that works aren't abusing company phones.

If you are worried that someone might install the app on a users phone without them knowing, the owner of the phone has to opt into allowing the data to be archived. Still, you could grab your significant other’s phone and install the app yourself if you were not the trusting sort. SeenEarly also promises that it will not sell the data to marketing companies.

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JooJoo turn to Android for second-gen tablet

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 02:42 AM PDT

Fusion Garage plan to use Android for their second-gen JooJoo tablet, though the new slate may not have access to the Android Marketplace.  Instead, the company apparently intends to streamline mobile usage, by pulling together frequently accessed services – such as Gmail and Facebook messaging – into a single interface.

The new slate – which is due to arrive in early 2011 – will seemingly be the first of a platform of multiple models offered by the company, with the original JooJoo phased out.  No word on technical specs at present.

[via Gizmodo]

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No Skype for Verizon Galaxy Tab at launch

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 01:33 AM PDT

A leaked Verizon training guide for the Samsung Galaxy Tab has revealed that the tablet will lack Skype support at launch, together with the carrier’s V Cast and NFL Mobile apps.  The news, passed on by an Engadget tipster, comes as a disappointment, considering Verizon has blocked voice call functionality on their slate.

The scrap of hope is in Verizon’s wording, which suggests the three apps will be absent “at launch”; that implies a subsequent release, hopefully sooner rather than later.  Verizon’s version of the Galaxy Tab will go on sale come November 11, priced at $599.99 with an optional contract-free data package.

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LG Optimus T Android Community Halloween Giveaway!

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 04:33 PM PDT

We have all heard about the impressively powerful Android 2.2-based LG Optimus T that is going to launch early next month. Shipping with a 3.2-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, and a 600 MHz processor the LG Optimus is one of the most powerful starter Android options around. Now is your chance to win one from us here at Android Community in the spirit of Halloween!

The rules are simple: Dress up your phone in the most creative Halloween costume you can think of. Post the picture of your device in the comments section of this post and we will be judging to see who gets a new Android phone for Halloween!

This contest is open to the US residents only and you may enter as many times as you like. The contest ends at 11:59PM on October 30th. The winner will be announced on Halloween and will have the phone shipped to them directly from T-Mobile!

We look forward to seeing your submissions! You have only 6 days, so start getting creative!

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Motorola Milestone Gets Android 2.2 Test Build, Poses for Photos

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 02:00 PM PDT

So, if you’ve got yourself a Motorola MILESTONE, then you’ve probably been trying to wait patiently for the upgrade to Android 2.2. While Motorola hasn’t really been all that forthcoming with 2.2 information for the device, at least we know it’s coming. And, sure enough, the European side of the company has taken some steps to show off the test build for the device, and show them off.

There aren’t any details here, but at least there’s some images. And, as you can imagine, it looks just like you’d expect. You’re getting the updated keyboard, which will more than likely mean you’ll be getting access to Swype, too. You’ll get all the other goodies, too. But, since we don’t really have much to go on here, go ahead and sit back and take a gander at the photo gallery below.

[via Motorola Europe's Facebook]

Milestone-Froyo Milestone Froyo2 Milestone Froyo3 Milestone Froyo4 Milestone Froyo5 Milestone Froyo6 Milestone Froyo7 Milestone Froyo8 )


Dell Venue Pro Coming in Android Flavor in the Future

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 01:30 PM PDT

So, the handsets that would be bringing Windows Phone 7 into the world were announced not too long ago, and out of the plethora of handsets that were uncovered, it was Dell’s Venue Pro that got a few more glances. Perhaps it’s because the device is a portrait slider, or that it has a beautiful touchscreen display hiding the full physical QWERTY keyboard. Whatever the reason, it’s a device that plenty of people want, even if they don’t want Windows Phone 7. Good news, then, as apparently Dell has every intention of launching the device in the future, with Android.

According to a new report from PCWorld, Dell is indeed planning on launching another version of the Venue Pro. It will have the same body and looks, and apparently will resemble the Venue Pro in just about every way — other than the mobile Operating System. Dell will switch it up to Android in the future. There’s no release date quite yet, but we do know it will feature a 1GHz processor under the hood, and have a 4.1-inch touchscreen display.

There’s no launch dates, nor is there any word on what version of Android will be launched with the handset. But, if Dell wants to stay ahead of the pack, it will have to be the most updated version possible. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed it’s Gingerbread, shall we?

[via PCWorld]

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Circle Battery Modification for your Android Based Phone

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 12:12 PM PDT

Oh how little fixes make the world such a nicer place. Oh how I desire a circle battery instead of that old crappy battery-shaped battery. I can have it if I want it?! Oh joyous day! Thank you K! Everyone working with the new ClockworkMod for your Android-based device can take a look at this tiny tweak that makes all the difference: the circle battery. Take a look at the image below to get an idea of what’s going on here. This is not an “official” fix, rather something some ingenuitive folks came up with to do away with that ancient icon.

To employ this modification, (now in the colors you desire,) you’ll need to use ClockworkMod to integrate it – the circle battery files and the new build files available over at the XDA Developers forum. Once they’re ready to go, change your notification bar color by going setting – cyanogenmodsetting – user interface – notification color – custom notification bar(check) – bar color(your color choice). If you are unable to see any percentage of your battery, go setting – cyanogenmodsetting – user interface – status bar – battery percentage(check) and change the color. And use at your own risk, as with any unofficial modification.

[Via XDA Developers Forum]

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Amazon Releases Kindle Sales Report with No Numbers

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 11:43 AM PDT

Say what? Amazon presents a report on sales of the newest generation Kindle (3rd-generation) without actually telling the reader how many it has sold. Apparently this is the status-quo for Amazon, as it makes no big deal of instead comparing its sales to sales of previous Kindles it’s had in… what’s that? The last three months of 2009? What in the world? On a more understandable note, Amazon reports that it’s now selling more Kindle titles than paperback and hardcover books. That’s a statistic to remember.

Another detail from the report: in the 12 weeks following the introduction of 3rd gen Kindles, the top 15 best selling items on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk were Kindles or Kindle-related. Reports related to this one include I.Khan of JP Morgan’s E Book report and a report by Citi, boosting their Kindle estimates. Below, read the whole press release presented by Amazon:

New Generation Kindle Device Sales Already Surpass Fourth Quarter 2009 – The Peak Holiday Shopping Season and Busiest Time of Year on Amazon
Amazon.com Customers Now Buying More Bestsellers on Kindle Than Paperbacks and Hardcovers Combined—At a Rate of 2 to 1
SEATTLE—October 25, 2010—(NASDAQ: AMZN)—The new generation Kindle devices are the fastest-selling Kindles of all time and the bestselling products on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.  Today, Amazon.com announced that sales of the new generation Kindle devices since their introduction have already surpassed total Kindle device sales from October through December 2009.
"It's still October and we've already sold more Kindle devices since launch than we did during the entire fourth quarter of last year—astonishing because the fourth quarter is the busiest time of year on Amazon," said Steve Kessel, Senior Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "Readers continue to choose Kindle for its all-new electronic ink screen with 50 percent higher contrast, readability in bright sunlight, long battery life of up to one month, light 8.5 ounce form, flexibility to read their books across all major LCD devices and platforms, and low $139 price.  It's clear that this is going to be the biggest holiday for Kindle yet—by far."
In addition, Kindle book unit sales continue to overtake print on Amazon.com, even while print book sales continue to grow.  During the past 30 days, Amazon.com customers purchased more Kindle books than print books—hardcover and paperback combined—for the top 10, 25, 100, and 1,000 bestselling books on Amazon.com.
"For the top 10 bestselling books on Amazon.com, customers are choosing Kindle books over hardcover and paperback books combined at a rate of greater than 2 to 1.  Kindle books are also outselling print books for the top 25, 100, and 1,000 bestsellers—it's across the board," said Kessel.  "This is remarkable when you consider that we've been selling hardcover and paperback books for 15 years, and Kindle books for just 36 months."
Other recent milestones for Kindle include:
• In the 12 weeks following the introduction of the new generation Kindles, Kindle devices or Kindle-related items such as Kindle books and covers represented 15 of the top 15 bestselling items on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk combined.
• Amazon sold more than 3 times as many Kindle books in the first nine months of 2010 as in the first nine months of 2009.
• The Association of American Publishers' latest data reports that e-book sales grew 193 percent between January and August 2010. Kindle book sales growth during the same period exceeded this rate.

[Via the Wall Street Journal]

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T-Mobile LG Optimus T Available for $29.99 on November 3rd

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 11:27 AM PDT

We knew the LG Optimus would be hitting T-Mobile for the holidays, we even seen dummy units hit stores, now we have an official date – November 3rd. Running Android 2.2 it features a 3.2-inch touchscreen as well as 3.2-megapixel camera.

“With Google services and a stylish design, LG Optimus T is the ideal device for first-time smartphone users ready to explore the Android world. The LG Optimus T comes equipped with the latest Android platform, features a responsive touch screen, and offers close integration with popular Google services, such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Talk™ and Google Maps™.”

For a very low price of $29.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate and 2 year contract this is a very solid entry level device for anyone new to the Android platform.

[Via T-Mobile Facebook]

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Wall Street Journal Phone Survey Closes – Windows Best Operating System?

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 11:15 AM PDT

We let you know of the previously ongoing poll of the day over at Wall Street Journal asking who makes the best mobile operating system late last week. When we posted Google was clearly ahead with 52.5% of the votes [that's 3627 out of 6,906]. However something strange has happened since we last saw the results.

It appears that, somehow Microsoft has shot up substantially. Now we all know polls are just for a general idea, but this may be a big case of the misinformed altering the results. What most likely happened is, because it doesn’t list operating systems and only companies, readers may have thought this applied to desktop operating systems and clicked Microsoft.

That can be the only other reason other than some sort of foul play that Microsoft would pass up Android or even iOS. I highly doubt that 11,000+ have gotten their hands on Windows Phone 7, and Windows Mobile simply can’t compete.

[Via Wall Street Journal]

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