Archive for May 26th, 2010

myTouch 3G Slide Getting Android 2.2 Shortly after Launch?

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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AndroidSPIN is reporting that they have confirmed a rumor that the myTouch 3G Slide will be receiving an update to Android 2.2 as early as next week. The update will first be sent out to T-Mobile employee phones for testing, with it making its way to the average Joe’s slide at a yet unknown date. This jives with a statement made last week by HTC naming the Slide as one of the phones that should be getting the update before the end of the year.

Considering that Google is just getting the Froyo code out to OEMs and that an update proper hasn’t even occurred for the Nexus One, I’m a bit skeptical that the update will make it to the end-user anytime soon. If anything, this at least confirms the update to Android 2.2 can be expected if you plan on purchasing the Slide next week.

[via AndroidSPIN]

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Verizon Working to Address Issues Resulting from Droid Eris 2.1 Update

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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When the OTA update to Android 2.1 for the HTC Droid Eris finally arrived, owners of the handset were hoping to receive an experience very similar to what they were already familiar with on their devices while adding in the benefits of the newer OS version. For the most part the update achieved its job, but then a series of complaints ranging from call audio glitches and message notification issues to a malfunctioning weather widget began to show their ugly head.

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It seems Verizon is taking the claims seriously, Android Authority is reporting. They received word that Verizon is currently working on a solution to at least the problems surrounding the weather widget. So if you have been experiencing these issues a fix may be in your future. As for some of the other glitches and bugs we’ll have to wait and see.

[via Android Authority]

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Google Location History Dashboard Shows You Where You’ve Been

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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Location history is nothing new to Google Latitude, you either opt in or you don’t when enabling the service on your phone. But a list of the places you have been can only tell you so much, so Google has launched the Location History Dashboard in beta to help identify trends in your traveling habits. It could be the places you stopped on a road trip, the places where you spend the most time, or the places you are visiting more often today than you were a year ago.

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The new take on Latitude’s location history is just enough to start bringing a little more purpose to the service. Still there is no explicit check-in function and you won’t be getting any mayorships out of it, but at least now there is a more interesting way to explore the data that Latitude collects. As always, the use of location history is strictly by choice and the data is kept private.

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Google claims there are over 3 million people using Latitude, and the new dashboard is sure to allow some of them to kill a bit of time examining their travel history, but if Google wants to truly best FourSquare and Gowalla they are going to have to start making the service more social. If you have been using Latitude with location history enabled, you should be able to access the feature now. If you are just enabling location history you’ll have to wait about a week for Google to pool enough data to present you with trending info.

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Garminfone Releasing on T-Mobile June 9th

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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T-Mobile has announced that the Garminfone will be coming to select retails stores and authorized dealers, as well as going up for sale on the T-Mobile website beginning June 9th. On a two-year contract you’ll be paying $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. The Garminfone, if you couldn’t tell by the name alone, is the mutant offspring of a stand-alone GPS device and full-blown Android smartphone, and offers pretty deep navigation tools and apps.

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Along with the announcement of the pending launch, T-Mobile’s twitter account is hosting a contest with winners taking home one of five Garminfone handsets. You’ll need to follow @TMobile_USA and tweet your best tale about getting lost without a GPS in 140 characters including the hashtag #needgarminfone.

So add this one to the list of major releases coming in early June to wireless carriers far and wide. The question is does the Garminfone navigate to the top of the pack or will it get lost below some of the heavier hitters?

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Telus “Unleashing” the HTC Triumph on June 8th?

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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The first two weeks of June are chock full of big handset releases (and we aren’t just speaking strictly about Android. Lookin’ at you, iPhone), and Telus doesn’t want to be left out of the mobile madness. Telus’ home page now has a countdown teasing of something that will be unleashed June 8th, and the only thing that has been on our radar that may be worthy of such promotion is the HTC Triumph, a supposedly rebranded version of the HTC Desire headed to the Canadian network. If this is the case, its only two weeks out before Telus subscribers can get their hands on the Android handset that has already taken Europe by storm.

[via Engadget Mobile]

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Vic Gondotra on Apple, Location-Based Services, and Future Tablet Plans

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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With his brilliant performance as the emcee for Google’s Android-related keynote at Google I/O, Vic Gondotra has emerged as the voice of Google’s mobile products. We laughed, we cheered, we cried (ok, so maybe we didn’t cry…well at least I didn’t) as he smoothly sailed past malfunctioning tech demos, delivered Android announcements with the fervor of a burning bush on Mt. Sinai, and took a few pot shots at Apple without even sounding defensive or mean. I could probably sit and listen to the man wax philosophical on any topic, but throw in Android and it just gets good. I’m sorry, I seem to be developing a little man-crush…moving on.

Vic sat down with Evelyn Rusli at TechCrunch Disrupt to talk a bit more about the future of Android and its position in the mobile space. Some interesting things to take away:

  • Vic sees location-based services such as Latitude and Buzz as the future of mobile software, and says all of Google’s future products will use location awareness in some way.
  • He predicts smartphone prices will drop as the mobile phone becomes the main computing device in developing markets.
  • Google is examining the tablet market and have been working on some interesting things, but you’ll have to wait for any official announcement.

Of course, any post-Google I/O discussion with Vic wouldn’t be complete without bringing up his tactfully placed jabs at Apple. He says they were all in good fun, and only meant to highlight Google’s approach to their products. Watch the full video below to be mesmerized by the man himself.

[via TechCrunch]

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Get a Motorola CLIQ XT Free on a New Contract with T-Mobile

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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Looking to get on T-Mobile now that they are announcing all these new (and very fast) HSPA+ regions? Want a cheap or FREE Android handset to hold you over until something better comes along? If you head over to T-Mobile’s site now and sign up for a new 2-year agreement you can have just that, a brand new Motorola CLIQ XT at no cost to you. If Motoblur is your thing, this one may be for you. Of course if you are looking for an Android phone with a social-media-centric UI and a bit more juice, you may just want to wait for the myTouch 3G Slide coming June 2nd, but that one won’t be free in the slightest.

[via Cell Phone Signal]

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HTC Legend Headed to Virgin Canada, Too

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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We’ve known for a little while now that Bell would be getting the HTC Legend (it should be launching right around June 11th) but we are now learning that the Legend will be available from Bell-owned Virgin Mobile as well. An inventory screenshot dug up by those friendly Canadians at Mobile Syrup shows the device as already listed.

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The Legend is priced at $357.00 in Virgin’s inventory, which is a bit cheaper than what it has been selling for in Europe, but we’re talking Canadian dollars compared to euros and frankly I’m no expert. No word whether this price will stick, what the contract price will be, or when it will be released, however.

[via Mobile Syrup]

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Component Shortages the Cause of Droid Incredible Supply Woes

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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After a brief scare yesterday, the HTC Droid Incredible is ready to be purchased (now with an included 2GB microSD card to boot) with the caveat that it won’t ship out to those that order via the Verizon website until June 16th. On top of a demand that greatly exceeds what was expected by Verizon, component shortages are to blame for the apparent stock issues.

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Speaking at Barclays Capital Global Communications, Media & Technology conference, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam cited a low supply of Samsung-manufactured displays were causing production shortages on HTC’s end. He went on to say, “The Incredible has done very well for us. We could sell twice the number I have at this point.” Twice the demand than the available supply? That’s great news for the Android community, but not so great news for those eagerly waiting to get their hands on the best smartphone Verizon offers.

All issues aside, McAdam says that the amount of phones available should catch up to the amount of people that want one within 30 to 60 days. Demand may drop off a bit by that point however, as I get the sinking feeling we’ll be hearing alot more about another killer Android handset headed to Verizon very soon.

[via Fierce Wireless]

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Motorola Looks to Be Gearing Up for Froyo Update

Posted by androidjunkie at 26 May 2010

Category: Android

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We’ve all heard the whispers in the jungle alluding to the Motorola Droid most likely being the next device after the Nexus One to receive the Android 2.2 (Froyo) update. It makes the most sense, as the Droid is the only other major handset to use a ‘vanilla’ version of Android. Today Motorola posted through their Facebook page that they are well aware many people have questions about “software updates” and that they will have more information as soon as possible. Take it as you will. It could just be Motorola’s attempt at quieting the writhing masses thirsty for Froyo blood, but it could also be a sign that they will be making announcements regarding such an update soon.

[via Facebook, thanks Trident for the heads up!]

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