Wednesday 24 November 2010

Android Community

Android Community

DROID 2 Global gets officially announced, sort of

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 09:39 AM PST

The DROID 2 Global has been the phone of focus the last few months. We first saw it leak, heard about its 1.2 GHz processor, and even found out about its color options long before it was announced, which was actually never. Yes, it has still not been officially announced, it just appeared on the scene.

Well now that has changed, in about as much as we’re expecting to get, Verizon has sent out an email to Droid email subscribers. The email details how the Global is the first smartphone with a 1.2GHZ processor but beyond that it doesn’t say much.

But at least it’s good for them to acknowledge they have the device, right?

[Via DroidLife]

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HTC PB92300 hits FCC with dual cameras [Update: new HTC Aria?]

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 06:43 AM PST

A new HTC smartphone has been spotted passing through the FCC, though right now very little is known about the handset. The HTC PB92300 is, we’re guessing, an Android device, since it has both front and rear cameras; that’s not something Windows Phone 7 is set up to deal with right now.

Otherwise, the only other confirmed hardware is Bluetooth, WiFi and GSM/EDGE support for the 850 and 1900 bands. HTC has applied for confidentiality until May 15 2011, so we might not see this particular handset – whatever it turns out to be – until Q2 next year.

Update: We couldn’t get that bright yellow color out of our heads, and so dug around for some shots of the HTC Aria (PB92110) with its battery out. Mojeng provided, and it looks as though this new FCC sticker has the same distinctive cut-outs as the Aria’s (shown below). We already know HTC is bringing out a European-spec version, the HTC Gratia, but it’s unclear if this is the new phone’s label or otherwise.

[via Wireless Goodness]

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Droid Incredible Free From Dell, Shipping, Activation, and a Gift Card Included

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 06:32 AM PST

We all know the holidays bring in the best deals on many mobile handsets. This year we see a great deal coming out of somewhere we wouldn’t exactly expect it. Dell.com is currently offering up the DROID Incredible for free with a 2-year contract.

With a purchase from Dell, you will not only get the Incredible for free, you will also get free shipping and activation plus a $25 Dell gift card. Impressive deal for anyone looking to purchase a great DROID phone.

The special deal does not only extend to the Incredible, you can also get the EVO 4G for $99, and the DROID X for just $9.99. The offer extends to November 29th which doesn’t leave much time, so if you are wanting any of these devices, it’s advised you purchase one soon.

[Via Dell]

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Yelp adds check-in offers for Android

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 05:42 AM PST

The Yelp app has had the ability for users to check in at their hotel for a while now, but there was no real compelling reason for folks to use that feature. A compelling reason may have finally landed for some. Yelp has added the ability for users to get discounts nearby the hotel when checking-in using the app.

Only the Android app supports the feature as of now thanks to an update that went out late yesterday. The idea is that checking-in using the app would allow the app to know where you are and then the user could get discount offers from local businesses.

That would be things like check-in on a vacation and get a discount offer for dinner at an eatery up the street. One discount that The Washington Post fond is sure to get the eyes of some folks – a free beer. All you have to do to get the discounts is show the app to the establishment apparently with the discount offer.

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Laptop Magazine reviews Viewsonic ViewPad 7 tablet

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 05:32 AM PST

If you have, been having some serious thoughts about buying one of the new Viewsonic ViewPad 7 tablets Laptop Magazine has posted up their review of the device. Laptop gets right into it saying that that ViewPad 7 is a cut above the other also ran Android tablets that it has checked out.

The machine gets high marks for full Android Market access, a cool design, and enough power for 7 hours of use per charge. One bad thing compared to the Galaxy Tab is the screen resolution of the ViewPad 7, which is 800 x 480 compared, to the 1024 x 600 on the Tab. However, the resolution makes apps designed for smartphones look good on the screen.

In the end after all was said and done Laptop reckons that the ViewPad 7 is a very nice tablet worth a look. The gang prefers the Galaxy Tab for its higher resolution screen, faster processor, and better software. The big benefit for some will be the ViewPad 7′s lower price.

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PC World runs down the best apps for Black Friday on Android

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 05:21 AM PST

Black Friday is only days away and hoards of brave souls will descend on stores all around the country to shop. If you are going to hit the stores there are a few apps that can make your shipping experience easier if you use an Android smartphone and PC World is running down the best of them.

In the top spot is Black Friday App that lets you save a shopping plan in the smartphone and find available sales in the area along with store hours for the places you want to go. The second app is The Coupons App that offers an up to date list on freebies, discounts, and special deals.

In the third spot is ShopSavvy that lets you scan barcodes to get information on a product as well as price comparisons. Number four is Google Shopper and it is much like ShopSavvy but can also get info from pics of books, CDs, and video games. The final app is Discount Calculator that does what the name implies. You can enter a price and then see what you will pay with the discount offered and sales tax.

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Android exploit opens SD card to data theft [Video]

Posted: 24 Nov 2010 03:17 AM PST

An Android security flaw has been identified which, if exploited, could allow unauthorized access to data saved on a user’s memory card and, in some cases, on the device’s own storage. Spotted by Thomas Cannon, there are certain limitations to the exploit – hackers must know the name of the files they wish to steal, not terribly difficult if you’re dealing with system-named files like photos – but already the Android security team are cooking up a fix.

  • The Android browser doesn't prompt the user when downloading a file, for example “payload.html”, it automatically downloads to /sdcard/download/payload.html
  • It is possible, using JavaScript, to get this payload to automatically open, causing the browser to render the local file.
  • When opening an HTML file within this local context, the Android browser will run JavaScript without prompting the user.
  • While in this local context, the JavaScript is able to read the contents of files (and other data).

The flaw has been independently verified by Heise.de, and Google says it will be rolling a fix into Android 2.3 Gingerbread. That could be released as soon as December 6 2010. Until then, be wary of unexpected downloads or HTML code in emails from users you don’t know.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via rigelt]

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Android 2.3 Gingerbread Announcement Coming December 6th?

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 08:57 PM PST

We know it’s coming, we know it’s coming soon, but as far as how soon – we just don’t know. However, that may all change here soon. Word is that we may be seeing an official Google announcement of Android 2.3 Gingerbread on December 6th.

According to IntoMobile, Andy Rubin is scheduled to make an appearance at the D: Dive Into Mobile Conference on the 6th of December. For those of you who don’t recall it was Rubin who said we will be getting Gingerbread details in the coming weeks, so who better to reveal it to us than someone this close to the matter.

We still do not know exactly what Android 2.3 will feature. We know that it will bring some major UI revisions such as a black notifications bar with green highlights, but beyond that we are left in the dark.

Stay tuned as we near the approach of Android 2.3 and get more details on the much anticipated update!

[Via IntoMobile]

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Motorola Defy coming to Telstra in Australia

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 08:24 PM PST

As many of you know, the Motorola Defy has been recently released throughout America and Europe, but it looks like the Defy will be heading to the down under soon. The Defy will be available from Telstra on November 30th.

For those of you that are looking to grab the Defy, you can get it for free on a two year, $49 per month contract. If you want the device with no contract commitment, you’re going to have to shell out $600. If you’re not on Telstra, you will have to wait until May 30th to get the device on a separate carrier. Telstra has the exclusive until May 30th, so you’ll have to wait till then. Get in touch with your local Telstra for more details on the Motorola Defy. Also check out our full review right here.

Via [AusDroid]

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FlightView Elite now available in Android Market for $3.99

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 06:24 PM PST

FlightView Elite was launched today in the Android MarketPlace for $3.99. A free, basic version of this app has been available in the MarketPlace for a while now and a ad-free version for 99 cents.

Here is the full list of details for FlightView Elite:

  • Flight Boards – from where you can view and sort through arriving and departing flights for all of the top U.S. and Canadian airports — i.e. just like you were on an airport.
  • Directions to the airport – view airport locations on a map and obtain turn-by-turn driving directions from the current location.
  • Weather Forecasts – seven-day forecasts for over 900 airports around the world.

This app pretty much brings everything you would need to know for traveling into one app. It not only helps you get to the airport, but it also gives you the weather and flight times. I highly recommend picking up this app if you travel alot.

Via [IntoMobile]

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Vince Reviews Droid Pro on SlashGear

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:27 PM PST

Behold! The … business side of fun? As Vince says, there are few exceptions to the idea that an Android phone has to be a candybar with a big touchscreen and either a flip-out keyboard or none at all – Droid Pro is a misfit! Droid Pro appears to take more of a BlackBerry approach with a keyboard set below the screen portrait style, how close can Android get without directly competing? Or is this direct competition? This is a Droid phone with a small 3.1-inches of screen, another 1/3rds worth of the phone taken up by keyboard, and keys that look like they and the BlackBerry Torch had the same baby mamma.

Vince goes on to note the only missing key to be a trackpad in the center, lists the 3.5mm headphone jack at the top next to the power button, volume rocker and microUSB charge/sync on the left, and on the right a user-assignable multifunction key (for calendar, camera, media player, or any other app.) On the back there’s a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash, with a smooth plastic case (Vince notes that we’d rather see more metal here especially for a business related device and I’d definitely agree.)

The phone is 119 x 61 x 11.7 mm in scale, 134g in weight, has CDMA/EVDO Rev.A connectivity in North America, quadband GSM/EDGE and triband UMTS/WCDMA abroad, and WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, with GPS, a digital compass, proximity and light sensors. Inside is a 1GHz TI OMAP processor (same as DROID 2,) there’s 2GB of onboard storage and a microSD card slot (with a 2GB card preloaded by Verizon.)

Software includes Android 2.2 Froyo, but has a MOTOBLUR-inspired user interface. Apps include everything you’d expect plus some resizable homescreen widgets. In the web browser there’s Flash 10.1 support which you can turn off/on for speedier/slower experiences, but the small screen size negates any big fun you’d expect to have.

Photography is an overall good experience, with the camera, although not the tip-top of the market with 5 megapixels, performing well. The video doesn’t appear to work quite as well. Battery life is average (aka you’ll want to plug it in every day), not quite beating BlackBerry’s battery time.

In the Wrap-Up, Vince notes that the keyboard is one of the best on an Android device today, that the RIM/BlackBerry copycat design has more benefits than it does drawbacks, and that this device is meant for those who email more than web browse. Droid Pro doesn’t quite allow you the highly-business oriented experience that a nice BlackBerry give you, but it seems to be simply because BB’s been in that game realm longer. BUT, Vince does end up placing Droid Pro over BlackBerry Torch for overall experience, noting that the Pro is more compact, offers many more third-party apps, and the OS “feels more intuitive than BlackBerry 6.” Check out the full review over at SlashGear.

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Slashgear’s week with the NOOKcolor: Reading on the NOOKcolor(core apps)

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 02:15 PM PST

Our sister site SlashGear has been spending this week doing hands-on segments with the NOOKcolor. Today, Chris went over the reading capabilities of the Android based table made by America’s mot popular book store. One feature is the ability to highlight specific passages in novels and share it via Twitter, Facebook, or one of your contacts.

You can also highlight with this feature, add a side note, or use this highlighted text to search the rest of the novel you are reading. Users can also adjust the text to their liking by changing the text or text size. If you change it by accident you can always set it back to publisher’s default. On top of novels, you can also read newspapers. Magazines are one of the best features of the NOOKcolor. You can view magazines in either landscape or portrait mode, but landscape is recommended since that is intended how they are supposed to be read by the publisher. One of the most awesome features of the magazines is the article view ability. This is very useful because it allows you to read the whole article, which might be scattered throughout the magazine, all in one viewing. There’s also children’s books and a whole bunch of other cool features on the NOOKcolor, so go and check the rest of them out at the link below.

[Via SlashGear]

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