A few days ago, we reported on an internal FAQ screen that showed Qik could be charging an extra $5 to use video chatting capabilities on the HTC EVO 4G with Sprint. It seems that the FAQ has been misinterpreted, though, as Qik chimed in to let us know that the charge was optional to enable premium features for whoever wants them.
“the core features of 2-way video chat and live video sharing from phone to phones, web, desktop will be FREE. What we’ll be rolling out are optional premium features that users can subscribe to.”
As it stands, the “core” functionality of Qik remains free: phone-to-phone video chatting, streaming, and the other features you’ve come to know and love with Qik are all covered here. Now all that’s left is to see if those premium features will turn out to be worth $5 a month when they detail what they are June 4th.
[via AndroidGuys]
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Not even a week after we reported the original story regarding GameLoft’s horrific DRM policy, they listened to the concerns of many of their potential customers and has taken significant action. For starters, they’ve completely reversed their stance on redownloading games that aren’t in the Android market.
We’d like to announce you that policy regarding Android HD+ games sold through our own store is currently changed to allow you to re-download a game that you paid for.
Unfortunately this change will take a bit of time but rest assured we will announce once it is live.
Thank you for your patience.
That’s a great first step, but they’ve not implemented the functionality just yet (we’re chalking it up to them having to figure out a technical solution to minimize piracy risks). The heat was on them and they showed that they’re willing to do what it takes to make sure their customers feel comfortable buying their games. Has this move restored your faith in GameLoft?
[Thanks, Dave Loft!]
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One of T-Mobile’s lesser known Android offerings – the T-Mobile Pulse – has just been updated to Android 2.1. T-Mobile Hungary’s site has the download links and instructions you’ll need to try and apply the update for yourself.
As with any upgrade, you do risk losing any files and settings on your phone and MicroSD card, so be sure to back them up anyway you can before applying the update. Also note that once you’ve made the jump to Android 2.1, you will not be able to revert to Android 1.5 (but who would want to do that, anyway?). Head over there for everything you’ll need now.
[via Android Authority]
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At one point, it would cost $199.99 to get the MyTouch Slide with a 2-year contract agreement with T-Mobile. Walmart’s slashed that price to a low $129.99, now, and if you’re due for an upgrade, they’ll let you grab the device for $139.99.
At this price (granted signing a two-year contract isn’t of dire concern to you), you cannot go wrong with a unique device by HTC. Jump on over to Walmart’s website now to preorder the phone at this incredible price.
[via TmoNews]
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After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, root has finally been achieved on the HTC Droid Incredible. Jake Day and BoostdScoob (AllDroid.org) are the hackers responsible for this breakthrough, and while we’re waiting for them to post some instructions on how to unlock the true potential of your Android device, let’s daydream a little bit.
The first obvious item on the wishlist is a Froyo port. This seems to be the trend, these days, and the Incredible would be no different. Secondly, any ROM based on the Incredible’s official Android 2.1 installation will hopefully help with various issues that some Incredible users seem to be having with their devices. What are you guys looking forward to get out of your root?
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We expected some hardcore hacking to be done ahead of the HTC EVO 4G’s launch thanks to Google giving the device away to 5,000 developers. We’re grateful that at least one of these developers didn’t throw their EVO up on eBay hoping for a nice profit (preceded by ‘???’, of course) and it resulted in the device getting a Froyo port.
We first heard that the EVO 4G had been rooted just days after the event, but now a Froyo port really does make the future bright for the future of the phone’s XDA/after-market development support. As this is an SDK image port, we can’t imagine that the port works any better here than on the other devices it’s been unofficially applied to, but it’s something to chew on for the time being until Google decides to formally release Froyo and its source code. You can find video of the phone running Android 2.2 above.
[Thanks, Engadget]
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While you’re winding down from your three-day weekend, kick your feet up and join us after the break as we re-watch the Android 2.2 keynote address from Google I/O, where Google first showed us the major features in Froyo. Then head back here for our breakdown of said features, and our own demos. Dunno about you, but it’s even better watching in a second time.
This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store
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[YouTube link]
If you’re the type of person who frequently swaps microSD cards and are looking at the Sprint HTC Evo 4G, then this video might be a little painful. First, the card’s under the battery. That’s not all that unusual, though it’s still a tad unwelcome. But getting at the card on the Evo 4G’s a little tricky. First there’s a tab that needs to be pried up to unseat the card. And that’s easy. But actually removing the card is a bit more difficult given its placement. Long fingernails may help (and forget about it if you’re a nail-biter), but even then it’s pretty tough, and we needed tweezers to actually remove the card.
Getting it back in is a little easier, but it still might take a couple of tries. It’s just one of those trade-offs we have to come to live with in the smartphone world.
This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store
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We went over the strengths and weaknesses of LauncherPro recently, and if there was one thing really holding it back from taking the number one spot, it had to be the lack of customization – especially when it comes to the dock bar. The author must have heard our prayers, because he released an update that enables us to do just that. With a simple long press on the icons you can replace them with whatever application you fancy. You can also change the shortcut to your favorite browser bookmarks – something Helix doesn’t do. Put simply, LauncherPro is a big time contender now, and let’s hope the improvements and features keep on coming. [Market link]
This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store
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With Google I/O now over, the folks over at Android Tapp created a visual representation of the ground that has been covered in the short 18 months of Android’s life, using statistics given during the keynote addresses.
- Google rapidly produces updates to the Android platform; often times OEMs and carriers struggle to keep up with software updates for consumer devices. Many factors attribute to this like phone processor limitations or custom user interfaces.
- Android is first in total Web & App usage in the U.S. and second in smartphone sales behind RIM’s Blackberry.
- More than 1 billion miles have been navigated with Google Maps Navigation.
- Google experienced a 5x growth in mobile search (from 2008-2010).
- Last month we told you Google was seeing more than 60k daily activations, that number has now jumped over 100k.
- There are 60 compatible devices, 59 carriers, 48 countries, and 21 OEMs supporting Android.
- Android has more than 50,000 Android Apps with more than 180,000 developers.
With a spectacular 18 months behind us, Google still plans to "blow our minds" with the next six! [via Android Tapp]
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