Monday 6 December 2010

Android Community

Android Community


HTC Desire 2.29.405.2 Update Available Now

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:30 AM PST

An HTC Desire update has just been made available OTA. The update, version 2.29.405.2 is only going out to users of the unlocked devices and it’s currently unknown when it will be coming to the carrier versions of the devices or what regions in which update is available.

The update comes in at 28.87MB and you will need at least 25MB of internal storage free to download and install. We currently are also unaware of what exactly is updated, hopefully it’s a preparation for Gingerbread? We sure hope so.

[Via Androinica]

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Sony Ericsson Planning on Releasing Froyo for the X10?

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:22 AM PST

The Sony Ericsson X10 has been quite the abandoned device. From delayed updates, to confirmation that 2.1 will be the final update, then even word that we may be seeing a multi-touch update, status on its future has been all over.

However it seems now the fans of the device will have something to look forward to, this time it’s Froyo. Now that Froyo isn’t even the latest update this isn’t such great news but X10 users will definitely welcome the update. However, the bad news is that it will be dropping in the second quarter of 2011.

The information comes from an email from a Turkish customer support representative who states we can expect the Android 2.2 update in Q2 2011. Although customer service representatives aren’t exactly the best source for information regarding updates, they’re definitely closer to the matter than any of us, so we will state this as just further confirmation of a rumor – and nothing more.

[Via GSM Arena]

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Nexus S Review and Rundown by TechCrunch

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:00 AM PST

Correctly referring to it as “the reference phone for this generation of Android,” our friends at TechCrunch have begun their review of the Google Nexus S, the next generation smartphone released with direct design input from the Google Android team. This phone was built on the bones of the Nexus One, and will be available to purchase at Best Buy in the USA through T-Mobile and at Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. – available on December 16th of this year (in ten days!) with pre-orders taken sooner. Significantly faster than Nexus One, slightly heavier than the Galaxy S, and slightly thicker, wider, taller, and with a bigger screen than iPhone 4.

The Nexus S is sized approximately 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm, contains a 1GHz Hummingbird processor and it’s screen is a large 4-inch Super AMOLED 480×800 touchscreen with lots of viewing angles, nice blacks, and TechCrunch notes, only second to the iPhone 4 in quality. The 1500 mAh Lithium Ion battery provides them 6+ hours of heavy use. There’s a rear facing 5 megapixel camera with flash as well as a front facing VGA camera. Inside you’ll also find a gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor, haptic feedback, and light sensor, with 16GB of internal flash memory and no additional expansion slot.

There’s Wifi, GPS, and Bluetooth of course, and everything’s seeming to work without a hitch. Nexus S has Near Field Communication (NFC) inside which will eventually allow you to replace you credit card with this phone, just with a bit of a bump against a sensor at the checkout. This technology isn’t fully developed yet, so TechCrunch (and we) suggest you de-activate it to preserve battery time for now, but man! The future! Noise cancellation is also inside, making for some really clear conversations.

As far as software is concerned, you’ll find none other than Android 2.3 Gingerbread, improving the user interface in “many small ways” including color changes and so forth. Text entry has been slightly improved, and Gingerbread supports the use of VoIP/SIP calling. The best part about Gingerbread on this Nexus S, TechCrunch says, is the fact that it’s a clean install, with no third party software to get the house all dusty.

In wrap-up, TechCrunch notes that if you’re an iPhone user, this phone isn’t going to make you switch to Android. On the other hand, if you’re either an Android user already or haven’t decided on what smartphone you’d like to try first, they recommend this phone for shizzle.

[Via TechCrunch]

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Nexus S $529 unlocked confirms Best Buy

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:56 AM PST

Best Buy has confirmed pricing for the incoming Google Nexus S, with the Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone to be $529 unlocked and contract free. Alternatively, if bought with a new, two-year T-Mobile USA agreement, the Nexus S will be $199.

The Nexus S will be available via Best Buy stores and on the retailer’s site from December 16. More details on the Nexus S here.

Press Release:

Best Buy Mobile® Partners With Google to Exclusively Launch Nexus S Smart Phone

Nexus S, from Google and Samsung, is the world's first smart phone with Android 2.3, Gingerbread. Nexus S hits Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com after Dec. 16

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 6, 2010 – Best Buy proudly announces the exclusive North American launch of the new Nexus S™ smart phone, co-developed by Google™ and Samsung, the world's most advanced Android™ smart phone.

Nexus S is available after Dec. 16 in all Best Buy big box stores, the 157 Best Buy Mobile specialty stores and on BestBuy.com. Customers can purchase Nexus S for $529 as an unlocked phone without a contract. Nexus S optimized for T-Mobile's network is available for $199 with a two-year service agreement and qualifying voice and data plan.

Best Buy Mobile has rapidly become a leading destination for mobile technology purchases with the most smart phones under one roof. With the addition of Nexus S, Best Buy Mobile now offers more than 20 Android phones across all four major networks, a full line of accessories for the devices and highly trained mobile associates providing support and guidance.

"We have invested a lot of time and resources to ensure people get the smart phone and support that's right for them, and we expect to see significant consumer excitement focused on Nexus S," said Mike Vitelli, president of the Americas for Best Buy. "This is a groundbreaking mobile device that you have to see to believe, and that's exactly what people can do at every Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile location. We couldn't be more excited to partner with Google and Samsung to launch this phone in time for the holidays."

Nexus S also is launching in all Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK later in December.

"We're thrilled to launch Nexus S with Gingerbread, and we're also excited to be partnering with Best Buy to launch this device," said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google.

Nexus S is the world's first mobile phone to feature a 4" Contour Display. Its unique design and curved display make it easy to use while the powerful 1GHz application processor combined with the newest version of Android 2.3 or "Gingerbread" means users will enjoy one of the fastest and most seamless user experiences available. The combined Flash and HTML5 technology means internet browsing is high-speed and sophisticated.

Additional Nexus S features include:

16GB of internal memory
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows users to read NFC tags
Front and rear facing cameras
Voice Actions allows users to text friends, search for and call restaurants and stores, write notes to self, receive step-by-step directions via Google Maps™ with Navigation and Latitude, and ring and email contacts just by speaking into their smart phone
Access to Google mobile services including Google Search™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Calendar™, Google Talk™, Google Voice™
Gyroscope support for enhanced gaming and motion detection

Nexus S, Google, Android, Google Maps, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Calendar, Google Talk, and Google Voice are trademarks of Google, Inc. T-Mobile is a trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG.

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Nexus S video demos: NFC, VoIP, more

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:49 AM PST

The Google Nexus S isn’t due in retail stores until December 16, but Google is hoping to tide us over with a bevy of videos of the Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone in action. The clips show everything from the sort of performance we can expect from the handset’s 1GHz Hummingbird processor, to just how useful NFC might be.

Meanwhile there’s also internet calling, the improved copy/paste functionality in Gingerbread, and the tweaked color scheme which is actually supposed to improve battery life as well.

Look & Feel:

Click here to view the embedded video.

VoIP/SIP Support:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Copy/Paste:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Portable WiFi Hotspot:

Click here to view the embedded video.

1GHz Hummingbird CPU:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Near Field Communication:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Google Maps Navigation:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Voice Actions:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Nexus One Owners: Have You Received Gingerbread Yet? [Update: Not for a Few Weeks]

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:35 AM PST

Not only has Google and Samsung come clean, and all official, on the Nexus S, which is the first handset to launch with Android 2.3 on board, but Google has also released the Gingerbread SDK. With that released, developers all over the world will be able to find the latest mobile Operating System’s secrets, and make them work for their own desires. But what about the Nexus One?

We’ve heard a few grumblings, from here and there, that the first Nexus device is just now beginning to see some update notifications. This update, as you might expect, is designed to bring Google’s latest version to Android onto the handset. With it, users should see improved power management, application usage, and improvements/refinements to the User Interface in general.

However, we want to hear from you: if you own a Nexus One, have you received your update notification? If you have, have you downloaded it, and are you playing around with the new OS as we speak? If you have, let us know in the comments, and tell us what you think of the changes/improvements that Google has issued.

[Update]: Well, there’s still a lot of confusion going around about the update to Android 2.3 for the Nexus One. While everyone knows it is coming, there were a few reports slipping out that the update was happening right now for the handset. Unfortunately, the reports were unconfirmed, and there were several people saying that the update wasn’t actually happening. And now, we’ve got @retomeier, who is an Android developer advocate for Google, saying that the update to Gingerbread for the Nexus One “should be coming in a few weeks.” Sure, there may be a few individuals out there who are getting the update to their handset by some unknown forces, but it looks like the general roll out isn’t happening right now.

[via @retomeier]

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Google Nexus S gets official: NFC, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, more

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:13 AM PST

Google has officially announced the Google Nexus S, along with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The Samsung-made Nexus S has a 4-inch WVGA touchscreen, T-Mobile USA 3G support and NFC (Near Field Communications) for contactless payment. There’s also WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a 5-megapixel camera, plus a second camera up front.

The Nexus S will have 16GB of onboard storage, Samsung’s 1GHz Hummingbird CPU and mobile hotspot functionality. More on Android 2.3 Gingerbread here. The Nexus S can be purchased (unlocked) online and in-store from Best Buy retailers in the U.S. starting after December 16 and at Carphone Warehouse retailers in the U.K. after December 20. It will be priced at £549.95 unlocked in the UK.

Google Nexus S:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread:

Click here to view the embedded video.

google_nexus_s_2 google_nexus_s_1 Nexus S specs 706001 705001 google-nexus-s_product_page SAM_GOOGLE_NEXUS_BLK_LSD big-2 big-4 big-5

Press Release:

SAMSUNG AND GOOGLE TO DELIVER NEXUS S, THE FIRST MOBILE PHONE IN THE WORLD POWERED BY ANDROID 2.3

Nexus S offers the latest version of the Android platform, Gingerbread, 4" Super AMOLED touch screen with curved design, Near Field Communication (NFC), front and rear-facing cameras and 1GHz application processor

SEOUL, Korea, and DALLAS, US December 6, 2010 — Samsung Electronics, a leading mobile phone provider and the No. 1 mobile phone provider1 in the U.S., and Google™ today announced Nexus S™, the world's first handset to feature the latest version of Google's Android™ platform. Powered by Android 2.3, Samsung and Google have packed Nexus S with powerful technology and the latest in hardware features.

JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, said, "Samsung and Google have worked together closely to deliver the best Android smart phone experience for consumers. It has been our ambition in working with Google to continue to push the Android platform forward and create a smart phone that has both superior functionality and a stunning user-experience. It is extremely satisfying to see this partnership again bear tremendous fruit."

"Samsung was thrilled to work with Google to create the first device featuring the much anticipated Android 2.3 OS. Nexus S is powerful proof of Samsung and Google's commitment to bringing technology firsts to market and launching products that utilize the open and innovative Android operating system," said Omar Khan, chief strategy officer of Samsung Telecommunications America. "Nexus S integrates Samsung's best-in-class hardware and technology with the exciting new features and upgrades of Android 2.3 Gingerbread to give consumers a breakthrough smartphone experience."

“Google is excited to co-develop Nexus S with Samsung, ensuring solid integration of hardware and software to deliver the lead device for the latest version of Android, Gingerbread,” said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google.

Nexus S is designed with Samsung's brilliant Super AMOLED touch screen technology providing a premium viewing experience. The 4-inch Contour Display features a curved design for a more ergonomic style and feel when held to the user's face. Nexus S also features Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which allows you to read information off of everyday objects like stickers and posters that are embedded with NFC chips. Powered by a 1 GHz Samsung application processor, Nexus S produces rich 3D graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content.

Nexus S is equipped with a 5 megapixel rear facing camera and camcorder, as well as a VGA front facing camera. In addition, Nexus S features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user is tilting the device up or down or panning the phone to the left or right. Nexus S also comes with 16 GB of internal memory.

Android 2.3, Gingerbread, is the fastest version of Android yet. It features support for Near Field Communication (NFC), a new and improved keyboard with multi-touch support, Internet calling (VoIP/SIP support), and a clean new user interface. Nexus S also includes popular Android features such as portable Wi-Fi hotspot, true multitasking, access to Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, Voice Actions, Google Voice™ and YouTube™, and access to over 100,000 apps and widgets on Android Market™.

Nexus S can be purchased (unlocked) online and in-store from Best Buy retailers in the U.S. starting after December 16 and at Carphone Warehouse retailers in the U.K. after December 20.

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Android 2.3 SDK Officially Released

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 08:10 AM PST

Today’s a Google day. The company, after announcing before the weekend that they had a couple of announcements ready to go for Monday, has officially pulled the curtain off their latest version of the Android mobile Operating System, Android 2.3. Its’ better known as Gingerbread, and for those in the development community who have been waiting to get your hands on it, the time is now.

Google has just now officially released the Android 2.3 SDK. In it, you’ll find all of the vast improvements the company has provided for this version. Users will be able to have better power management of their devices, as well as better control of the applications running on their phones. There’s obviously some User Interface changes, and refinements, which we’ve seen on video. There’s integrated support for NFC, as well as Internet calling. And, there’s better download management.

So, go ahead and make your through the source link, and start having some fun!

Click here to view the embedded video.

And check out the backstory on the Nexus S:

Click here to view the embedded video.

[via Android Development]

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Samsung W899 is twin Super AMOLED touchscreen clamshell

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:44 AM PST

Samsung has outed a new dual Super AMOLED clamshell smartphone, the Samsung W899, running Android 2.2 on a 1GHz processor. Initially destined for China, the W899 packs CDMA/EVDO and GSM/UMTS connectivity, WiFi and mobile hotspot functionality, but its most interesting feature is the fact that it has a 3.3-inch touchscreen on both the outside and inside of the flip.

That means users will be able to choose between on-screen controls or the physical numeric keypad on the inside. There’s also a 5-megapixel camera, GPS and a microSD card slot. It measures 17.55mm thick, and will be available on China Telecom; no word on when – or if – the Samsung W899 might make it to North America or Europe.

[via OLED-Display]

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Google eBookstore launches with new eBook Reader for Android

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 07:15 AM PST

Google has launched its much-anticipated Google eBookstore, complete with an ereader app for Android (and one for iOS too). Users will be able to choose from more than three million titles – including hundreds of thousands for sale – made up of public domain classics and brand new bestsellers.

If you don’t have an Android 2.1+ or iOS device, you can use Google’s eBooks Web Reader for cloud-based ereading in the browser. The Google eBookstore is initially only available in the US.

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ZDNet outlines the top Android phones

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 06:38 AM PST

If you are new to Android and are trying to figure out where the hoards of smartphones running the OS rank you might be having a hard time. ZDNet has listed what it things are the top ten Android smartphones in order of how good they think the devices are.

The top phone according to the site is the HTC Evo 4G, I bet that a lot of users of the phone would agree. Next on the list is the Nexus One, third place is the Samsung ‘Vibrant, fourth is the HTC Desire and the HTC Incredible with both having the same number (tie?), fifth is the Droid X, sixth is the Epic 4G, and seventh is the Droid Pro.

Down on the eight spot is the Samsung Captivate, the Droid 2 takes ninth, tenth goes to the HTC Aria, and 12th is the LG Ally. I would note that the list seems to have an issue with the numbers, with two phones in fourth and no ninth place offering. Do you agree with this list?

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Survey says Android is fastest growing OS

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 06:25 AM PST


Android is super hot right now and the popularity of the OS is showing no signs of letting up. Android is overtaking other OS and some of the OS’ that it is overtaking in growth have been around for a long time.

At the same time that Android is growing, RIM is seeing its share of the OS market decline. The iPhone is still growing, but Android is keeping up. The results of a survey from comScore were offered up recently and the survey found that Android is still in third place in the chart of the top OS, but the subscriber base for Android grew 6.5%. At the same time subscribers for RIM devices shrunk 3.5%.

The survey also showed that Microsoft and Palm were losing share as well. The growth rates were gleaned from a survey of 30,000 mobile phone users by comScore. If the growth continues Android is expected to end up in second place globally right behind Symbian from Nokia.

Via TMCnet

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Big day for Android today says Notion Ink, NFC suspected

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 04:04 AM PST

We already know that Gingerbread will have NFC tech support opening up some cool and interesting possibilities for new features on coming Android devices. We have a couple rumors that are dovetailing in with NFC that we should see more info on this week. One of the rumors is that Gingerbread is coming today or tomorrow.

Since Gingerbread has NFC support as I said, that fits nicely in with the rumors that circulated before that Notion Ink had some secret hardware addition to its Adam tablet. Take that secret hardware rumor and tie it in with the Notion Ink tease recently for “a big day for Android” on December 6 and we start to get a picture of what might go down.

We are thinking that the secret hardware feature of the Adam is NFC compatibility and that Android 2.3 will land on the 6th, which is today if it’s still too early for your brain to work. We should get more details soon and see if our thoughts turn out to be accurate.

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NOOKcolor Android 2.2 Froyo hack revealed [Video]

Posted: 06 Dec 2010 01:30 AM PST

Having been rooted at the tail end of November, the Barnes & Noble NOOKcolor is now getting Android 2.2 Froyo, though only unofficially. Several people have managed to get the updated OS onto the 7-inch touchscreen tablet, with jacememes sharing a video of it in action (that you can see below), but if it’s instructions you’re after then Jesse Vincent has the details.

Be warned, however, this isn’t the simple matter of downloading a ROM and reflashing your ereader. Instead you’ll have to compile the OS yourself, and then do potentially dangerous things like shut off the battery heat monitor that could potentially see your NOOKcolor cook itself. Meanwhile WiFi, Bluetooth and many other things will be missing. Still, we’re guessing a public-ready release is already in the works by the usual suspects.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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