Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Android Community

Android Community

Dell to create a 10 inch Android tablet

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:07 AM PST

Dell is diving into the tablet market with both feet with a 10 inch Android Tablet as part of their “Dell Means Business” concept which promises the largest product lineup the company has ever launched.  Dell Android  tablet development is fresh off the suggestion that Dell is also creating a Windows 7 tablet in their effort to lure business into the realm of mobile computing beyond smartphones.

The Dell Means Business Product launch includes 39 products which include laptops, tablets, desktops, and workstations.  But the attention today was on the 10 inch Android Tablet and maybe a Windows Tablet 7, Dell is also showcasing the Dell Streak 5, 7 and Venue and Venue Pro smartphones.  There aren’t a lot of details, but speculation is that the tablet will run Android 2.2 (Froyo) to begin with and the Stage UI overlay.  That seems a little behind the power curve since Android 3 Honeycomb is the flavor of the month with the tablet scene.

[via Android Central]

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Archos partners with Alcatel for Phone/Tablet bundle

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 10:43 AM PST

Alcatel One is pairing up with tablet maker Archos to bundle  Android smartphones with their Android based tablet computers.  The offer will be available to all telecom operators in the US and Europe. Utilizing Alcatel’s “One Touch Connect” feature that takes advantage of what looks to be a trend of offering a single subscription to cover both devices, One Touch Connect allows users to share the 3G connection under the WiFi hotspot feature in Android 2.2 (Froyo).

Archos had led the charge in mobile computing and enterainment since their first MP3 players debuted in 1988, so it makes sense that they would be on the forefront in pairing mobile devices together.  And the ability to share a single subscription, rather than being bogged down in multiple internet data plans is very attractive and represents the public’s desire to share their data plan, not duplicate it.  Demonstrations will take place during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at Alcatel’s One Touch Booth starting Monday and running through February 17th.

Press Release
February 8th, 2011
ARCHOS and ALCATEL ONE TOUCH announce a partnership bundling a
smartphone with a tablet
ALCATEL ONE TOUCH has partnered with the French manufacturer ARCHOS, leader in the
Android-based internet tablet market, to offer a tablet bundled with an Android smart
phone. This offer is open to all telecom operators in Europe and the United States.
The proposition fits with the recently unveiled strategy of telecom operators to offer a single
subscription for multiple connected devices by mid 2011. Using the ''One Touch Connect''
feature, this bundle lets users share the 3G connection of their smartphone with their
ARCHOS internet tablet via the built in WiFi hotspot available in android version 2.2 (Froyo).
Demonstrations will take place at the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH booth – AV06 – during Mobile
World Congress in Barcelona from 14th to 17th of February 2011. During the fair, TCL
Communication will also be revealing its new brand identity through ALCATEL ONE TOUCH.

The objective of this new identity is to show the strong connection to the customers, and
communicate this through a new brand expression together with better design and smarter
products.

About ARCHOS
ARCHOS introduced the hard-drive-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000, and
since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company introduced
the portable video player in 2003 and was the first to bring TV recording, wireless and touch
screens to the portable media player. In 2008, ARCHOS introduced the first Internet Media
Tablets, offering consumers uncompromised access to the Internet, movies, photos, video,
music and television anytime, anywhere. Now, ARCHOS introduce Internet Tablet, PC
Tablets, Netbooks and MP3/MP4 Player. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the
United States, Europe and Asia, and is quoted on Compartment C of Euronext Paris, ISIN
Code FR0000182479.

About ALCATEL ONE TOUCH / TCL COMMUNICATION
ALCATEL ONE TOUCH designs, manufactures, and markets globally an expanding portfolio of
mobile and Internet products designed to be as individual as the people who use them.
Currently the fastest growing of the world's top ten mobile phone manufacturers, ALCATEL
ONE TOUCH makes access to today's mobile lifestyle simple by offering colorful, easy-to-use
devices equipped with the technology people need most at smart prices they can afford.
ALCATEL ONE TOUCH is a brand of TCL Communication, a public company listed on the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange (2618.HK) and part of TCL Corporation one of the largest consumer
electronics companies in the world. For more information, please visit
www.alcatelonetouch.com.

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BBC iPlayer coming to Android and iOS

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 10:03 AM PST

As reported early today on SlashGear, it appears that America’s appetite for the “Beeb” is not waning anytime soon as BBC has announced their iPlayer app will be coming soon to not only the iPad, but Android tablets tablets as well.  Last year, BBC launched their BBC News app to great success, and now, the Royal network plans to premiere their iPlayer as the next in a steady line of apps for British Television.



Initially, the news was iPlayer would be coming to iPad only, but it looks like Android development is well advanced and the company hopes to premiere both apps by the end of the week.  Here’s a breakdown of iPlayer’s features for both platforms:

  • Users will be able to watch TV and listen to radio, not previously available on mobile devices
  • Search BBC’s complete catalog of programming, as well as a seven day que of TV and radio on demand
  • Series tracking of your favorite BBC programs

The apps promise to be a significant improvement over the original BBC News app, which was admittedly just a repurposed web interface.  One downside, however, the iPlayer app won’t be available for every single Android device due to technical reasons.  Viewers must have at least Android 2.2 (Froyo) , Adobe Flash 10.1 installed, and a WiFi connection for a smooth viewing experience.

[via BBC]

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Android to generate a billion dollars in ad sales in 2012?

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 06:44 AM PST

We all know that one of the big drivers behind the development of Android was to get more ad money for Google. Apparently, that is working out well for the search giant. Forbes reports that Android could become a billion dollar ad platform in 2012.

The news comes by way of analyst Gene Munster. Munster claims that Android generated $5.90 per use in mobile advertising in 2010 and that in 2012 that per use amount will work out to $9.85. Munster also figures that the Android Market could earn more per user from in-app ads over the next couple years.

Munster predicts in 2012 that there will be 133 million Android users and at $9.85 per user, Google will rake in $1.3 billion in Android advertising revenue. I could see these numbers happening and if one really popular device hits the market, like a more reasonably priced Xoom tablet, the numbers may be even better.

Via Forbes

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2X VirtualDesktopServer 9 integrates Android with Windows IT infrastructure

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 06:05 AM PST

If your business uses a Windows infrastructure, but you aren't a big fan of Windows Mobile smartphones and prefer to use Android a new version of a virtual desktop application that supports Android in Windows environments has launched called 2X VirtualDesktopServer v9. The application delivers virtual desktop capability to tablets and smartphones with Android2.x.

In addition to Android, the software supports Apple gear as well. The latest release from the maker offers improved implementation and management of virtualized infrastructures for users. The virtual server is secure and supports applications hosted on a number of platforms.

The supported platforms include Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware vSphere, ESX and ESXi, Parallels Virtuozzo Containers, Citrix XenServer, Oracle VirtualBox, Windows Remote Desktop Services/Windows Terminal Services. Other virtualization platforms are also supported. You can get the full details on the software here and the Andorid app is a free download.

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ZAGAT for Android launches with photos, tips, and reviews of eateries and more

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 04:36 AM PST

If you are big on eating out and want to be sure that the place you have chosen is worth the money a new app for the Android smartphone has surfaced from Zagat that will help you make a good choice. The Zagat app has ratings and reviews of 40,000 restaurants, nightspots, hotels, and shops in the neighborhood you live and all around the world.

The app allows the user to take advantage of GPS to find places to eat, sleep or play close to where they are. The app also has an advanced search capability to help you find the type of food you are looking for. Users can also make reservations instantly from within the app.

Zagat also offers a top list of the best places to eat in the city. A desktop widget is also offered along with the app. Zagat isn’t a free app; it sells for $9.99 and can be downloaded right now on the Android Market.

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LG Optimus 3D video preview: “No longer just an idea”

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 03:54 AM PST

LG’s Optimus 3D continues to emerge in a steady drip of pre-MWC 2011 details, the latest being a render video that seemingly tallies with the leaked handset spotted last month. Pocket-lint‘s source sent them the footage, which shows a brief glimpse of the murky smartphone and some double-flashing action from the camera array on the rear.

The video follows footage of LG’s other 3D-toting Android device, the LG G-Tablet, which emerged earlier today. Unlike the G-Tablet, however, the Optimus 3D is expected to have a glasses-free 3D display which can show three-dimensional pictures without the silly specs.

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Honeycomb for Dell Streak 5 ROM shows early promise

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 03:00 AM PST

Dell’s record releasing firmware for the original 5-inch Streak hasn’t been all that hot, so thankfully there are unofficial firmware developers pushing out their own interpretations of what the tablet/smartphone hybrid should run. MoDaCo member Stephen Hyde has delivered the first build of Android 3.0 Honeycomb on the Streak, a very early work-in-progress but certainly more than we expect Dell itself to deliver.

Most impressive is that the Streak 5 Honeycomb install was done in a spare evening, hacking up the Android 3.0 SDK and dropping it onto the tablet. Right now the touchscreen isn’t doing quite what it should, and since there’s no hardware acceleration the 3D graphics are slow, but we’re expecting that with a bit more time this could turn out to be quite a popular ROM.

[via Engadget]

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LG G-Slate demos anaglyphic 3D on video

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 02:24 AM PST

LG’s G-Slate has been caught on video doing its 3D thing, and it’s bad news if you were expecting the sort of 3D technology we’ve seen on HDTVs in the living room of late. Instead, the G-Slate uses a basic anaglyphic system, phasing the picture into two red/blue images that will use passive colored-lens glasses to combine them into a 3D picture.

It’s all courtesy of a new video overview posted to YouTube, seemingly the latest in LG’s attempt to slip the Honeycomb-based G-Slate out in every way bar actually giving reviewers one to play with. Still, we won’t argue with a glance at all the ports and the docking station connector pins, and hopefully we’ll have some hands-on time next week when Android Community heads to MWC 2011 to play with the European version of the G-Slate, the LG Optimus Pad.

[via SlashGear]

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Myriad Alien Dalvik promises Android apps on MeeGo (with more OSes to come)

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:47 AM PST

Android apps could be getting a much wider audience in the future, with the announcement of Myriad’s Alien Dalvik cross-platform system. Billed as offering a seamless way to run Android apps on non-Android phones, Alien Dalvik will launch first on MeeGo later in 2011, but Myriad intends to extend support to a variety of other OSes.

They claim that, with generally no modification to the core software required, and only repackaging of the Android APK files necessary, Alien Dalvik apps will run as if native on the new device. Myriad expect to demo Alien Dalvik on an N900 at MWC 2011 next week.

Press Release:

Myriad Announces 'Alien Dalvik', Enables Android Apps to Run on Non-Android Phones

• Alien Dalvik allows operators, OEMs and application store owners to create new revenue opportunities from Android ecosystem
• To be demonstrated for the first time next week at Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona, Myriad Suite AV91

DUEBENDORF-ZURICH, Switzerland – 08 February 2011 – Myriad Group AG (SIX: MYRN), a global leader in mobile technology having shipped over 3.7 billion software applications on more than 2.2 billion phones, today announced the launch of Myriad Alien Dalvik, enabling Android apps to run on non-Android platforms. The launch opens up the Android experience to new audiences, generating new revenue opportunities for mobile operators, OEMs and app store owners.

Building on the launch of Dalvik Turbo, Alien Dalvik signifies Myriad's latest Android innovation by enabling Android apps to operate on a much wider range of platforms and devices. As a result, operators, OEMs and application store owners can now easily access the Android ecosystem and deploy Android applications across multiple device operating systems, all without compromising performance.

Alien Dalvik enables the majority of Android applications to run unmodified, allowing application store owners to quickly kick start Android application store services by simply repackaging Android Package (APK) files.

From a user perspective, Alien Dalvik is completely transparent. Alien Dalvik applications appear as native and can be seamlessly installed on device without user disruption. All the user sees is that he now has access to a wider range of applications, thus encouraging a higher frequency of downloads and increased ARPU.

"The proliferation of Android has been staggering, but there is still room for growth. By extending Android to other platforms, we are opening up the market even further, creating new audiences and revenue opportunities," said Simon Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, Myriad Group.

From application components to complete device integration, Myriad provides best-in-class Android solutions. As a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), Myriad has been playing a key role in Android solutions since its early days. When partnering with Myriad for Android application development or porting, operators, OEMs and application store owners will benefit from Myriad's rich heritage in Java technology and unique Android expertise.

Myriad Alien Dalvik will be commercially available later this year on the MeeGo platform. Other platform support will be announced in the coming months. Alien Dalvik will be demonstrated for the first time on the Nokia N900 at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 14th-17th at the Myriad hospitality suite located at The Avenue, Stand AV91.

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Sprint Kyocera Echo First Ad Spot

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 04:02 PM PST

We’ve been live at Sprint’s special event on Monday, February 7 where we’ve been treated to an odd set of events including David Blaine underwater letting fish come out of his mouth, a pair of CEO fellow shaking hands for a full minute, and a brand new phone from Sprint and Kyocera, the Echo, a dual-screen Android smartphone with a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, a WVGA 3.5 inch touchscreen on both pieces of the phone, and several modes of operation.

This phone’s first ad spot shows the device flipping around dramatically in its several modes, text flying across the screen saying things like “Expand your horizons” and “Expand your etc.” This phone is given an official logo in this preview video and several flips in and out by human hands. Take a peek at the full video here:

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Kyocera Echo Dual-Screen Full Details and Specs [Sprint NY Event]

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:51 PM PST

Sitting here at Sprint’s special event in New York we found out that the newest product to come off the assembly line is the Kyocera Echo, a dual screen fold-open phone working with Android 2.2 Froyo. Moving into describing the inner workings of this phone, Sprint told the audience that this phone can be used in several modes: single screen, laptop mode, or fullscreen tablet mode. One example of how dual screen might be employed is in the email client, writing the message below and having a preview above.

Another example of putting the dual screen to good use is to have a gallery of images on the bottom screen while the top screen shows each image individually. Same goes for searching for videos below and playing videos above – this works with YouTube videos via an app called YouQueue. Next, the phone features the ability to text on top, email on bottom, Twitter on top, Facebook on bottom.

This expands to a new optimized version of The Sims where one example of new gameplay includes an editing screen below and your changed Sim character above. This phone will be running a 1 GHz snapdragon processor, and each of the 3.5 inch screens are WVGA. Check out the full press release below:

Echo_back_open_1 Echo_bottom_closed Echo_Special_Pose_2_4 Echo_SP_2-2_w-screen-vert2 Echo_Front_Horz_w-Screen2 Echo_Front_Closed_w-Screen

Kyocera Echo, Exclusively from Sprint, Revolutionizes the Android Experience as the First Dual-Touchscreen Smartphone

Two screens connected by an innovative pivot hinge offer the ability to complete two tasks at once, taking the ability to multitask to a powerful new level

Available this spring for $199.99 after mail in rebate;
Visit sprint.com/echo to pre-register and check out images of the
only Android phone with two screens

NEW YORK – Feb. 7, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced the first dual-touchscreen Android™ smartphone, Kyocera Echo™, exclusively from Sprint. This Android-powered device features two high-resolution 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen displays connected by a patent-pending "pivot hinge" that enables the two displays to operate independently, side-by-side or combined to form an oversized 4.7-inch (diagonally) integrated display.

Until now, a single screen on a smartphone could only be used to complete one task at a time, even with limited multitasking capabilities available on some smartphones. Kyocera Echo's second screen provides the ability to do two things at the same time and get more done – send an email on one screen while surfing the web on the other, watch a video on one screen while texting on the other, comparison shop online with one web site on each screen and so much more.

Images and video of Kyocera Echo's dynamic design in action are available now at www.echobykyocera.com. Pre-registration begins today at www.sprint.com/echo.

In its closed position, Kyocera Echo is a pocket-friendly, single-display smartphone. When opened, Kyocera Echo reveals a revolutionary new platform for wireless multitasking and gives customers a new level of versatility in Android. Its innovative hardware and optimized software enables consumers to use the touchscreens in four unique ways:
• Single-Screen Mode with all the functionality of a single-display, touch-screen smartphone.
• Simul-Task™ Mode with two of the phone's seven core apps (messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, phone, gallery, contacts and VueQue™) running concurrently but independently on the dual displays – e.g., reading e-mail on one screen and opening a text message on the other; checking Facebook® via the browser on one screen while looking through a photo gallery on the other; or even searching the Web on one screen and checking email on the other.
• Optimized Mode with both displays supporting a single, optimized app with complementary functionality and enhanced usability – e.g., composing e-mail on one screen with a touchscreen keyboard on the other; watching a YouTube™ video on one display while browsing and queuing additional YouTube videos on the other (with a preloaded Kyocera app called VueQue™); or viewing gallery images on one display while browsing image thumbnails on the other.
• Tablet Mode with one application spread across both displays for a full 4.7-inch viewing area. Tablet Mode is ideal for viewing maps, videos, websites, detailed documents, and long lists on-the-go.
"Sprint is proud to boast the most powerful Android portfolio available today and Echo adds to that legacy with industry-leading technology that will change the way our customers use smartphones," said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. "Today's busy schedules often demand that we do at least two things at once. Kyocera Echo is the first device that allows us to do a different task on each of two screens while also providing a tablet-like, larger screen experience that easily fits in a pocket when closed."

Kyocera Echo will be available this spring for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $100 mail-in rebate in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-Sprint1). Pricing excludes surcharges and taxes.

"For years Kyocera has provided handsets to Sprint's Prepaid Group and MVNOs, as well as to Sprint under the Sanyo brand," said Eiichi Toriyama, president of Kyocera Communications Inc. "We value greatly our relationship with Sprint and we are thrilled that they have chosen Echo as the standout product with which to reintroduce its customers to the Kyocera brand. With Kyocera Echo, we are proud to give Sprint an iconic, industry-changing device that delivers an entirely new experience for smartphone users."

Kyocera Echo also includes customized apps optimized for the dual-screen Optimized Mode experience including VueQue™, which lets users watch a YouTube video on one display while browsing, queuing and buffering additional YouTube videos on the other display. Additional applications optimized for the dual-screen experience include:
• Messaging and e-mail: Users can turn the device horizontally and use the top display to view the e-mail/message application while using the lower display as a full-sized virtual keyboard.  
• Browser: Takes the browser experience of a standard 3.5-inch smartphone and enhances it, allowing users to view two websites simultaneously.
• Gallery: Users can scroll through thumbnail images on one screen while viewing an enlarged image on the other.
• Contacts/phone: Users can view more of the phone's contact directory or an expanded virtual dial pad.

Beyond the dual touchscreen innovation, Kyocera Echo operates on the Android 2.2 system and has access to more than 100,000 apps in Android Market™ – everything from Facebook to Angry Birds. Additional key features include:
• Sprint's nationwide 3G network and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)*
• Wi-Fi hotspot capability, which supports wireless connections for up to five devices
• 5-megapixel camera with flash, autofocus and digital zoom
• 720p HD camcorder to quickly capture those on-the-go memorable moments
• Corporate (Exchange ActiveSync®) and personal (POP & IMAP) e-mail, IM (Google Talk™), text messaging
• Media player with a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
• Stereo Bluetooth® 2.1 (+ EDR)
• Full HTML Web browser with Google Search™
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor (QSD 8650 Android)
• 1 gigabyte (GB) of onboard memory and an 8GB microSD™ card for the external memory card slot supporting cards up to 32GB
• Voice and text prompts in both English and Spanish

Kyocera Echo comes packaged with a spare battery (1370 mAh) and a low-profile charging cradle. Along with charging the spare battery independently of the phone, the charging cradle also can tether the spare to Kyocera Echo as an external power supply.

Additional Google™ features include Google Maps™, Google Talk™, Gmail™, synchronization with Google Calendar™, and access to Google Goggles™ to search with pictures instead of words. With Sprint, Kyocera Echo users have access to Sprint Zone™, providing one-stop wireless account access, phone tips, news, a list of top apps plus TeleNav GPS Navigator, Sprint TV and Movies® and more.

A Software Development Kit (SDK) and developer guide for Kyocera Echo will be available before the launch on the Sprint Application Developer Program (ADP) website at http://developer.sprint.com/android. The developer guide will provide details on developing for a dual-screen handset and Android 2.2 device. It also will provide information on how to take advantage of Kyocera Echo's unique hardware and software capabilities on the Sprint Network. The Sprint ADP has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.

Some competitors may offer lower prices, but Sprint customers get more with unlimited data while on the Sprint Network with their monthly plan. Sprint offers real simplicity, value and savings vs. competitors, making it easy for customers to get the most out of their phones without using a calculator to tally up costs or worrying about how much data they've used.

Kyocera Echo requires activation on one of Sprint's Everything Data plans plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month vs. Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web, and $35 per month vs. AT&T's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and just 2GB of data (excluding Verizon's Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes.)

Sprint Everything Data plans qualify for automatic enrollment in the Sprint PremierSM loyalty program1. Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.

An optional charge of just $29.99 per month turns on Kyocera Echo's mobile hotspot feature, connecting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, gaming devices and digital cameras, at 3G speeds anywhere on the Sprint 3G network (pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).

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Sprint Echo Dual-Screen Smartphone Revealed

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:36 PM PST

We’re live at Sprint’s New York special event today and we’ve just been treated to one gigantic telephone up on stage. This phone is a Kyocera dual-screen smartphone by the name of Echo. This is an Android phone and I quote, “It’s almost like a tiny tablet, but you can put it into almost any pocket.” This phone will be available at Sprint for $189. Combined, these two screens create a 4.7-inch viewing space. Kyocera’s CEO stands on stage, very proud of himself, telling everyone that he wishes he were taller.

For approximately one full minute, Kyocera and Sprint shake hands, and they turn to leave, introducing Sprint’s product chiefs Fared Adib and David Owens. Adib and Owens demo the Echo, showing the coolness of the double screen. They speak of how computing has changed from multitasking to switching between apps. Instead of calling this multitasking, they are calling this “simultasking.”

The Echo will be running Android 2.3 Froyo, and the featured display mode is a tilted “laptop” mode. This phone has six pending patents on this hinge, and they are very very proud of it. Expanding on the rationale behind the double screen, they describe how they wanted to start at the roots of a phone, making it small enough to carry around with you, and continue by making sure it’s not caught in the middle ground between smartphone and desktop.

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Sprint Announces David Blain in a Fishtank

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 03:21 PM PST

We’re live at Sprint’s special event in New York with David Blaine the magician / illusionist and the wait for the strangest announcement in recent memory has begun with an announcement that the David Blaine segment will not be allowed to be filmed or photographed. Too much magic wrecks cameras anyway. In fact, there’s to be no photography of anything during the entire event – yeah right. The event begins with David Blaine in a big tank of water, and goes on to reveal him let a fish out of his mouth, to which a woman screams “A FISH!”

David Blain then opened a book, from whens several more fish escape, and lights a cigar (LED lights more than likely) and blows smoke. Blaine continues by pouring wine underwater, and seems to continue to hold his breath underwater. Next, Blain waves a cloth around, there’s a lovely ocean soundscape going on, and there’s a bunch more fish appearing out of nowhere.

Hopefully there will be something more like a device revealed during this event, but just seeing this magic has made it worth the trip. We’re suspicious that this might be a coverup for a less than amazing product. Or maybe the opposite?

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Best Buy Smartphone “buy back” program details emerge

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 02:23 PM PST

Details have emerged in the Buy Back program that Best Buy previewed on a commercial ad during the Super Bowl. For a limited time (this week only) the buy back program will be free with a supporting electronic purchase and then after which, there will be a $100 optional buy-in to become part of the program.  The program gives customers the right to trade in their old smartphones and get up to fifty percent off.

Check out the commercial starring Ozzy and Sharon Osborne and Jusin Beiber:

Here are the details:   return your smart phone within the first six months and Best Buy will give customers a gift card for up to 50% the original purchase price.  From 6-12 months and customers get a gift card worth 40 percent.  From 12-18 months, the credit towards another smartphone to 30 percent, and then 10 percent less after that for up to 24 months.  What’s important, however, is that customers must bring the product back in good, working condition with all originally included accessories when you’re ready for the next big thing.

For more information, check out the official Best Buy Buyback page.  But you better hurry, the free program enrollment ends Sunday.

[via Android Central]

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Verizon rumored to offer 4G plans at 3G rates

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:58 PM PST

With presales having begun for the HTC Thunderbolt with Verizon, the wireless carrier is rumored to planning to continue their 4G LTE data service at existing 3G data rates. Originally tested last December, the $30 price point will, however, probably involved a restrictive data cap to keep heavy users from bogging down the network.  Originally, in limited markets, 4G was to carry an additional $10 a month price point. But since Verizon is rolling it’s LTE network in over 200 cities nationwide, perhaps there’s not longer a need to charge the additional fees.

Additionally, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam has boasted that the 4G LTE network is actually cheaper to deliver than 3G, so perhaps a $30 price point is legitimate.  But Verizon needs to get off the dime and announce it’s data rates because presales for the Thunderbolt began blindly on Super Bowl Sunday.  Either way, LTE is rolling out with a vengeance and the HTC Thunderbolt is leading the charge.

[via AndGeeks]

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Google I/O sells out in less than an hour

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:18 PM PST

Tickets for the Google I/O sold out today in 59 minutes – more than 1200 times faster than 2010.  The annual two day developers confab, held at Moscone Center in San Francisco, focuses on sessions on building of web, mobile, and enterprise applications with Google technologies such as Android, Chrome, and others.

A few short years ago, in 2009, the conference initially sold out in ninety days.  But the near instant sell out of the conference only underscores the wide reach that the Android platform has on developers who are itching to get an inside look on what’s on the horizon in mobile, web, and Google labs applications.   In addition to the keynotes and topics covered, there will be a wide range of developers showcasing applications based on Google technologies in the Developer’s Sandbox.

And although all tickets have been sold for the conference, Android Community readers can take comfort in the fact that we’ve successfully reserved our spot and will be there bringing you the news as fast as we get it!

The Google I/O 2011 will be held May 10-11, 2011 in San Francisco, CA.

[via @VicGundotra of Google I/O on Twitter]

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ClockworkMod Recovery and DL17 for Samsung Continuum Released

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 01:10 PM PST

Hooray! Odd phone users rejoice – if you’re one of the 10 people who purchased a Samsung Continuum as your Android Galaxy S phone of choice, you’re in luck! ClockworkMod Recovery and a simple DL17 ROM have been released for the double screened wonder, and it’s time to get to work on making that extra screen do backflips. This hack is a brand new release and they need YOUR help in making it a bunch better.

The original poster of this note lets the world know that the DL17 ROM is extremely simple, being neither debloated or debinged, rooted or deodexed or zipaligned. It does not include radio or kernel. So what’s the point of working with it? It’s like building a car starting with only the frame. It’s time to grab your tools and get to smashing, gluing, welding, and attaching. Grab what you need and leave feedback or offer help in these two threads on XDA: DL17 and ClockworkMod.

The Samsung Continuum is a phone that yours truly has grown rather fond of due to its oddness. Although the Android Community review of the phone originally noted that it seemed as though the extra screen would be the only sell point, it’s turned out to be a pretty full, nice setup. Grab one for yourself, especially since it’s gonna be cheap cheap cheap at this point.

[via XDA Developers]

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New Xperia Neo images leak

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 11:18 AM PST

New images have leaked for Sony Ericsson’s XPeria Neo and it looks to be a pretty nice Android headset. As highlighted in a recent Neo Hands on that popped up a few days ago, the Neo comes stacked with a 1Ghz Qualcomm processor, 4 inch LED backlit touchscreen, 512 MB RAM and the same Adreno 205 GPU as the Xperia Play.  Additionally, the Neo will use a large 8 MP camera with LED flash and will also record HD video in 720p, as well a a front facing 2 MP camera for video chat.

The Neo is also slated to run inclusion of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with a TimeScape overlay.   But a really nice feature that’s becoming more standard is the mini-HDMI out connection which will allow for adding larger screen  and a microUSB connection to boot.  The Sony Ericsson Neo will debut  awith the Xperia Play at the Mobile World Congress later this month.

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[Via My Android Life]

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