Stuck with an HTC HD2 but really wishing it was an HTC EVO 4G? You can get closer than ever by replacing that tired version of WinMo with Android, and thanks to the HTC Linux team you’ll now get a properly functioning touch screen. The release (also supporting other variants of Linux such as Ubunutu) isn’t quite stable, but soon enough your “practically an EVO” might just be running Android well enough to fool even the most discerning cell phone connoisseurs at a quick glance.
[via Engadget]
Quite a few people suffered an unfortunate side effect of the latest HTC EVO 4G update. Instead of a fresh take on their software they were hit with a phone that wouldn’t even power on. There is no easy fix for the problem, but there is hope. Sprint and HTC are recommending you take your fouled-up EVO to the nearest Sprint Corporate store where they should have a solution. Whether that solution is simply an exchanged handset or a forced hardware reset isn’t specified, but rest assured one way another you will be walking away with a fully functioning phone.
[via HTC]
Go ahead, modder community, let out that big sigh of relief. HTC won’t be shutting down Coinflipper and his merry crew of hackers over at Shipped-ROMs after all. Due to the cooperation of the site, HTC is extending the date on their cease and desist order and working with Coinflipper to identify exactly which software images need to go.
The problem lies in not Shipped-ROMs hosting HTC’s files, but rather hosting files that were co-developed with carriers. HTC is saying their own ROMs are fair game and that only the carrier specific varieties need to go. It will still cut down on the number of images available, but it won’t be the deafening blow everyone feared.
Coinflipper is even going so far as to inquire about becoming a legitimate licensed partner with HTC so he can go about distributing his goods free of any legal threats. The handset manufacturer didn’t say it would happen, but they didn’t count it out either.
[via XDA-Developers]
Android 2.2 build FRF84B was leaked earlier this week for the Motorola Droid, and if you’re included in the group who decided to install the ROM on your rooted handset you may want to hold off on attempting to use the new tethering feature to share a data connection with a PC. Those that do are directed to a Verizon Wireless page asking users to sign up for Mobile Broadband Connect…but no plan for the Droid exists. Of course this is because Droid owners aren’t technically supposed to have Android 2.2 (and VZW claims they in fact did not push a test update to select owners).
One reader over at Droid-Life related the following exchange with a VZW customer service rep:
“Just got back off the phone with vz and they stated that I should not have 2.2 and they wanted to know where I got it. I refused to answer that because I just read and am not an active participant in the Droid Life community. They said if they find out anyone is tethering they can suspend or terminate there contract. As well as they refused to release whatever they put on my account to stop me from tethering.”
Verizon is getting ready to launch its mobile hotspot plan with the Droid X, and the feature will also be present on the Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate. We’re confident the function will also come standard on the Droid 2, so it is foreseeable that when the original Droid gets its official update current subscribers will be able to add hotspot capabilities onto their plan.
For now, if you are the kind that backs down in the face of threats you may want to hold off on trying to tether your device if you are running 2.2.
[via Droid-Life]
Qualcomm is gearing up for an augmented reality revolution with the introduction of their mobile augmented reality SDK, which will first be available for Android starting with a a beta this fall. Qualcomm eventually plans to get their SDK on additional platforms, citing the “quantum leap in the mobile experience” that augmented reality brings with it. Initially partnering with Mattel and Unity Technologies, Qualcomm hopes to make a splash in a technology sector that is still finding its legs.
Mattel is bringing an augmented reality version of their popular Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em game as a proof of concept for the sort of ways the technology can be used. That is slightly refreshing, as the lion’s share of AR apps thus far have focused on pasting a virtual layer for locating points of interest in an area on top of images being brought in by your phone’s camera. Utilizing AR to bring a degree of virtual reality to mobile games could bring a Microsoft Kinect-like experience to Android handsets.
Unity Technologies is including Qualcomm’s AR SDK in their Unity for Android game development package, as well. While both companies and their products are mentioned in the official press release, we can’t seem to dig up any images or video of the SDK being put to use.
Developers can sign up now for the beta, and Qualcomm will be hosting a developer challenge based around their SDK when it is released this fall. More information can be found here.
[Press Release, via TalkAndroid]
Verizon is holding no punches with their Droid X campaign, which again has taken to attacking the phone’s main competitor and the company’s biggest rival in much the same way the original Motorola Droid directly challenged AT&T and the iPhone’s “There’s an app for that” slogan with “Droid Does.” The latest print ad for the X showed up as a full page in today’s New York Times, going straight for the juggular and attacking perhaps the only weakness the mainstream media has been willing to admit with the iPhone 4 since the device’s launch: the grim-sounding Grip of Death.
For anyone unfamiliar, no, holding your iPhone 4 the wrong way won’t kill you, but it will kill your signal. Seems like a pretty big oversight on Apple’s part, but I won’t throw stones. Verizon is already taking care of that. The ad — which you can view below — included this friendly little jab tacked on to the closing print:
And most importantly, it comes with a double antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere to make crystal clear calls.
I guess the truth hurts sometimes, but it’s all part of “friendly” competition. Then again, it would seem that those wanting the iPhone really just don’t care about how features stack up anyway.
[via MobileCrunch]
Either Motorola is really close to getting the anticipated Android 2.1 update out to the CLIQ and CLIQ XT, or they have just given up on naming a timeframe to avoid the metaphorical tomatoes and other assorted fruits and vegetables owners of those devices have been stockpiling to fling in their direction come the end of this month. Take it how you will but Moto just updated their Android 2.1 timeline listing the status for the CLIQ family of devices as “testing in process.”
This should mean that they have compiled a build they are happy with and just need to get the final quality checks out of the way before delivering it just slightly later than the promised Q2, right? Here’s hoping…or not. Word from Motorola:
For those asking for an update regarding a software upgrade on CLIQ in the U.S., we’ve made a decision to take more time on the release to optimize the experience in some key areas. We will continue to work to deliver it as soon as possible and apologize that we have been unable to provide an upgrade to these users in Q2 as planned.
We are working hard to provide an upgrade to Android 2.1 as soon as we can. Our consumers’ experience is our first priority and we will provide an upgrade when we can deliver the best possible user experience.
[via Motorola]
The Phandroid team and myself were working our butts off capturing the footage and covering the stories that YOU would want most at the Captivating, Fascinating, Epic, Vibrant Samsung Galaxy S launch event in New York City. But we’ll admit… we had a whole lot of fun while we were at it:
Baller.
We were also treated to delicious food like donuts skewered above grass blades (wish I would have gotten a picture, but trust me), drinks, an amazing view and an all together pretty darn fun and entertaining launch party. Props to Samsung, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and all the folks who worked their butts off making it happen – totally worth it!
OK, so you have been wanting to dive deeper into your device, gain root access, maybe install a new ROM, slide a few apps over to your SD card, and fidget with some other things…no big deal. But what’s that? You’re not quite confident in your ability to root your HTC EVO 4G without bricking it to go through with the hack? What if I told you that you could drill right down to root in only three simple clicks?
If you are ready to go through with it, head over to this thread at XDA-Developers first to get the necessary goods, soak in that info, then hurry back. Install the program onto a Windows computer (sorry Mac brethren), and then limber up that pointer finger. Click one: open up root access. Click two: unlock Nand. Click three: Flash Recovery. And you’re done. That wasn’t so painful was it?
If you’re new to root you may want to head over to our Android Forums section dedicated to the topic to further expand your knowledge and understanding of just what exactly it does. We really don’t want you doing some serious pain to that nice new EVO, after all.
[UPDATE]: If you performed the recent OTA update provided through Sprint you won’t be able to use this tool to root your phone. I suspect it won’t take the guys behind it long to fix that, though.
[via Androinica]
There are a LOT of similarities between the four Galaxy S phones recently announced by Samsung, but there are also a bunch of differences. One of the most distinct and noticeable differences is the full slideout QWERTY keyboard on the Epic 4G. As some people are stuck on QWERTYs I thought I’d give it a whirl on video to share my specific thoughts:
Very spacious. I’d personally say the layout is a bit wide and keys a bit flat to make it perfect in my personal opinion, but keyboard preferences vary GREATLY from person-to-person. As does the definition of perfect. Furthermore, you need awhile to get used to the input of a new device – familiarity and effectiveness are directly correlated. That being said, I was still VERY excited about the Epic 4G having a full QWERTY and it brings a great option to Sprint customers who like typing on hardware rather than software.
Fun fact: it has a dedicated smiley face hardware button!
Also of note is the car racing game Asphalt which comes prepackaged on the Epic 4G. The graphics were pretty stunning – especially on the Super AMOLED – and Kevin got behind the wheel to school computer guys in a little thing called “speed”:
Dusted by computer guys.
Part of Asphalt 5’s awesomeness is purely due to the stunning screen of ALL the Galaxy S devices – not just the Epic 4G in particular. We wanted to give you a demonstration of just how awesome the video is and that is exactly what we tried to do using a sample clip pre-installed on the phone. Remember, however, that there is limited video recording quality which gets dilluted when rendered for YouTube and then dilluted again when uploaded to YouTube. So watch this YouTube in the highest quality possible if you want the best idea…
but you really have to see it for yourself….
At the end of the last video Kevin mentions video out; none of the American Galaxy phones have HDMI video out but instead a protocol called (protocolled?) DLNA. You need DLNA compliant hardware in order to use the wireless video out technology and its becoming more popular. Wikipedia tells us that 26 big tech companies currently promote the standard and if you’d like to learn more, visit dlna.org where they talk about DLNA compliant devices such as TVs, DVRs, phones, laptops, printers and more.