Monday, 1 August 2011

Android Community

Android Community

Motorola Atrix HD Could Also be 4G LTE Device

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 10:45 AM PDT

We recently saw a large collection of leaked pictures of a new Motorola phone headed to AT&T. It is believed to be the Motorola Atrix HD or maybe just the Atrix 2. The screen has some curved glass and is larger than the original Atrix. Now we are hearing even more details on this device that sound quite nice.

Not only will this be an upgrade to the original with a larger screen and what we believe to also be a 720p HD display, but new reports are even saying this phone might be one of the first devices to launch on AT&T’s new 4G LTE network. Yes they’ve called phones 4G as of late but that is more of a marketing term until they finally get the real goods out and that is 4G LTE like Verizon is currently pushing.

The leaked images of the Atrix HD have some details along with them and apparently there was area codes of specific AT&T 4G LTE networks listed as well as a few other indications that it will indeed be LTE powered. With the Droid Bionic delayed again if AT&T can get this thing out in time it appears Verizon and the Bionic might have some pretty strong competition. This device looks like it might be the Bionic’s twin but for AT&T.

Interesting additional details that I’m sure many of you on AT&T that have been eying the Bionic are probably happy to hear. Now hopefully we start learning more about AT&T’s LTE networks in the coming weeks.

[via Phandroid]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales halted in Australia pending Apple suit

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 05:19 AM PDT

Apple has little battles being fought on multiple fronts around the world as it seeks to stop what it feels are copycat products that are looking to take the easy route by copying its products like the iPhone and iPad. One of the fronts that Apple is fighting Samsung on is in Australia. Apple has won a skirmish in the patent war too with Samsung agreeing to not sell its tablets in the country pending the outcome of the legal battle.

Apple has alleged that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringes on ten Apple patents. The patents that Apple alleges the Samsung tablet infringes on include the look and feel of the iPad as well as the touchscreen tech. Samsung agreed to not sell the tablet in Australia until the case is resolved. Samsung will pay damages if it loses the case.

Apple is seeking an injunction to stop the sale of the tablet in Australia and other countries. Samsung says that Apple is basing the Australian claims on the US version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which is said to be different from the version sold in Australia. Samsung has provided three samples of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Apple that will be sold in Australia for review.

Thanks Dylan!

[via Bloomberg]

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Samsung orders 30M touch sensors and gears up for larger AMOLED screen production

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 04:12 AM PDT

Samsung is one of the most popular makers of Android smartphone out there so when the company starts talking about massive orders and future plans Android fans tend to listen up. Samsung is set to purchase a huge number of touch sensors for Galaxy smartphones in the second half of 2011 according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes.

The sources tell DigiTimes that Samsung is set to order 30 million touch sensors that are used to make 4-inch AMOLED screens. Samsung is reportedly purchasing those sensors to make the AMOLED screens from Chunghwa Picture Tubes and other suppliers. At the same time Samsung is ramping up for 4-inch AMOLED production and securing supplies of touch sensors, it is also getting its own production line to kick off the production of 7-inch AMOLED panels.

The prototype panel was on display at FPD-international and had a resolution of 1024 x 600. Samsung will produce the 7-inch panel on its new 5.5G OLED production line started production in June. The prototype that I mentioned was a standard AMOLED. OLED-display.net thinks that the new 7-inch panels might get resolution enhancements ahead of production and suspects that the 7-inch screen that enters production will be of the Super-AMOLED variety. Looking at these reports overall it appears that Samsung likely has new Galaxy devices coming soon and a 7-inch tablet too.

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LG starts rolling out new Remote Call application OTA for all Optimus smartphones

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 03:42 AM PDT

LG Optimus smartphone users will have access soon to a new OTA firmware update that will bring new features to every Optimus phone out there. The update will be offered globally and will come over the LG FOTA (Firmware over-the-air) system. LG claims that the update makes it the first mobile phone manufacturer to offer remote maintenance services to diagnose problems and distribute software upgrades directly to phones.

When connected to a 3G or WiFi network the Optimus smartphone user will be able to get help with their smartphone in the event of an issue without having to go to a LG Customer Information Center. The service has been available in Korea since May and has been well received according to LG.

The remote call services will be available on premium Optimus smartphones like the LG Optimus 2X, the LG Optimus Black and the LG Optimus 3D. Once the user installs the update and registers LG agents will be able to wirelessly access the smartphone. The LG staff will not be able to access any personal information when accessing the phone. That includes no access to email, messages, calendars, and photos without the users consent.

[via LG]

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Kyocera Echo gets Gingerbread update and cool new features

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 03:10 AM PDT

If you have the Kyocera Echo Android smartphone, the gingerbread Android 2.3.4 update is available for you to apply to your device. We went hands on with the Echo in March. The new update brings some nice features to the Echo that a bunch of people will really appreciate. The upgrades include notables like the ability to make calls over the internet when using a WiFi connection. The update also brings NFC communications to interact with posters, ads, and products.

Other features that the update brings include the upgraded Sype 3.0 virtual keypad with Tap Correction and a predictive text word choice list. The update also brings an improved downloads application with easy access to files downloaded from the browser, email, and other applications. The update also adds pinch-to-zoom in Browser, Gallery, Maps, and Sprint Navigation.

The cool part about the addition of the NFC support means that inside the Echo all this time there was an NFC chip that went unheralded. The update should be rolling out now and if you use the device let us know how the new features work.

[via Engadget]

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HTC Desire Android 2.3 Gingerbread update released

Posted: 01 Aug 2011 01:25 AM PDT

HTC has released the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the HTC Desire, though because of limitations of the ROM thanks to HTC’s efforts to squeeze it down to suit the storage space the smartphone has, it’s being released via the company’s developer site rather than as an OTA upgrade. Various HTC apps have been removed – though will be available to download separately – and the official Facebook app has been stripped out and must be re-installed via the Android Market.

In addition, all customizations to the ROM – including anything carriers may have installed or mandated – have been removed, and in fact even the wallpapers (bar the default) have been taken out to save space. HTC warns that some people may lose SMS/MMS functionality after upgrading too, though it sounds like that’s because this is a generic ROM and may not have the carrier settings required; those should be readily added back in afterwards.

Still, unlike the streamlined OTA process, installing Gingerbread on the Desire will wipe out all of your existing customizations, messages, emails, apps and other content, so HTC is recommending it for “expert users” and development purposes only. You’re also out of luck if you have a Desire from Germany (Deutsch Telekom), North America, South America, South Korea, and Japan, where “concerns raised from our partners” have led to HTC not allowing the update in those regions.

If you’re feeling brave, you can download the HTC Desire Android Gingerbread 2.3 ROM from http://developer.htc.com/

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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Android Market Web Version Gets Another Update

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 12:04 PM PDT

The Android Market when you’re not on your device hasn’t seen a lot of love in the past but as of late things have changed a bit. I personally use market.android.com all the time for its convenience. Just a few days ago it received a fancy update adding graphs to application download history and although small it was a nice touch. Today they’ve added some user interface enhancements for navigating screenshots.

In the screenshot above you can clearly see the new navigation arrow for scrolling through and seeing screenshots of the selected applications. This goes both directions and is a smooth scrolling interface. Before they displayed 3 screenshots of the application with tiny and hard to click dots below for viewing. While this might not be a large change or update either, its nice to see they are improving things on the web based market.

While many users might not use the web based market it really is great. Being able to wirelessly install applications to multiple devices without having them in hand, or even in the same location all from the online market rocks. I push apps to my tablet and multiple devices all the time, especially when I find a fun new Live Wallpaper.

The actual Android Market on phones was also updated as of late and it looks completely different than before. That link will also provide the updated apk if you’ve yet to receive the new market on your mobile device and would like to manually update. For now I’m enjoying both the web and device markets and hope Google continues to update them as frequent as they have been.

[via Android Police]

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LG Thrill 4G Delayed Til End of August

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 11:47 AM PDT

That fancy new 4G device with glasses-free 3D known as the LG Thrill 4G, yea apparently it’s getting delayed for a few more weeks. A few weeks back we saw a leaked RadioShack memo claiming August 7th was the release date as well as the amazing price of just $80 dollars. Now we are hearing slightly different info and if it indeed is delayed that would be a shame.

Just a few days ago it was live on the AT&T website showing it was headed to stores “in the coming weeks”– weeks being multiple that counts out RadioShack’s August 7th release date. Now new reports are suggesting that AT&T has delayed the phone and we wont see it until the end of August, some are claiming August 21st but that has yet to be officially confirmed.

The LG Thrill 4G is the sweet dual-core glasses-free 3D device headed to AT&T and we were able to get it early for you so check out our Thrill 4G hands-on video. If you don’t want to wait we’ve already reviewed its twin brother the Optimus 3D as well right here.

For now we don’t have anything official other than a leaked Radio Shack screenshot suggesting the delay, hopefully AT&T or LG will come out with an official word in the coming days to clear up the confusion. In the mean time I’d go pre-order the phone because its only $80 from RadioShack and it will be $99 from AT&T (new contracts of course). This is a pretty great price for what you get, take that EVO 3D.

[via PCMag]

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Logitech Revue Now Just $99

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 11:33 AM PDT

In a recent earnings call by Logitech they announced that the Revue wasn’t selling so hot and it would be getting a steep price drop. Today that has finally happened and now you can get the highly functional device for only $99. It originally launched for $299 at places like Best Buy so this is a pretty huge discount.

The Logitech Revue has seen its share of issues and some might question its purpose but streaming Netflix, Pandora Radio and watching YouTube from your living room has never been easier with the Revue. You can see its insides in this teardown for an idea of the hardware. It is available for the new $99 price right now at logitech.com

Oh and if you haven’t seen them yet you must watch the Kevin Bacon Revue Commercial, and the commercial part 2 as it was equally creepy and awesome at the same time. The Revue should see Android Ice Cream along with other devices and recently the Google TV Fishtank program leaked if you’ve already got one and would like to check things out.

We wont talk about how much use the device will get or not, instead here is the link so you can head over and buy one.

[via Logitech]

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