Archive for June, 2010

Droid X Pre-Orders Abruptly Halted Due to Low Inventory Levels?

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: , , ,

This image has no alt text

This one hasn’t been confirmed just yet, but a little rumor is starting to spread that Motorola Droid X pre-orders at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations were closed down today due to overwhelming demand. It would seem the number of phones that will be ready to ship come July 15th has been surpassed by the number of Droid-thirsty consumers, according to BGR.

droidxofficial

Hmmm, that is turning out to be a growing trend with Android phones. Pro-tip for manufacturers: stop underestimating the demand for your product. OK, we get it, you need to make your margins somewhere, and betting big up front might not be the most effective way to turn profits quickly. Were you lucky enough to get your pre-order in? Were you turned away when trying to place yours today? Let us know!

[via BGR]

Related Items:

Super Glue Corp. BGR-6 Bondini Brush-On Remover Gel- Pack of 6Super Glue Corp. BGR-6 Bondini Brush-On Remover Gel- Pack of 6
Otterbox Defender Series Hybrid Case & Holster for iPhone 4 & 4S - Retail Packaging - BlackOtterbox Defender Series Hybrid Case & Holster for iPhone 4 & 4S - Retail Packaging - Black
Here It Goes AgainHere It Goes Again

Popularity: unranked [?]

No Comments

Motorola FLIPOUT Launches in Brazil

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: , ,

This image has no alt text

Motorola-FlipOut-Android-MotoBlur-official-2

Just in time for Brazilians to get all social and tweety about how well their nation’s team is doing in the World Cup, Motorola has announced their MOTOBLUR-driven squat and square Android known as the FLIPOUT  for the South American country (why they insist on BILLY MAYS-ing all of their product names is beyond me). There isn’t a whole lot to add that hasn’t already been said about the device, and it should be available by mid-July at an unspecified price.

Press Release:

Motorola launch in Brazil the FLIPOUT™ with MOTOBLUR™: a stylishly square & pocket perfect mobile
Multi-touch screen pivots to reveal QWERTY keypad on company’s latest Android 2.1 smartphone

June 30, 2010

Sao Paulo, Brazil – June, 30th – Motorola (NYSE: MOT) today announced the Motorola FLIPOUT™ with MOTOBLUR™, a stylishly square and compact smartphone that’s as individual as its users. The FLIPOUT runs on Android™ 2.1 and features an innovative square pivot design that opens to reveal a five-row QWERTY keypad with a separate row for numeric keys. The smartphone will be available in Brazil by the first half of July and will retail at R$ 999.

FLIPOUT features up to seven customizable home screens and has live, interactive wallpapers available only in Android 2.1. It also offers enhanced MOTOBLUR, making it easier to follow who and what really matters to you on relationship networks

“The FLIPOUT with MOTOBLUR launch reinforces Motorola’s commitment to giving users a more complete and customizable Android experience while maintaining its heritage of innovative smartphone design”, said Sergio Buniac, Vice President of Mobile Devices for Motorola Brazil.

FLIPOUT will retail with three different colored battery doors that users can exchange according to the occasion.

Enhanced MOTOBLUR

MOTOBLUR is Motorola’s exclusive Android experience that syncs contacts, posts, messages, photos and much more — from sources such as Twitter™, Gmail™, Facebook®, MySpace and Orkut, work and personal e-mail, and Last.FM — and automatically delivers them to the home screen. MOTOBLUR automatically backs up contacts, log-in information, home screen customizations, e-mail and social network messages to a secure server and provides remote data wipe for lost or stolen devices. One username and password restores contacts, messages and connectivity to prior networks and email providers.

FLIPOUT offers enhanced MOTOBLUR functionality and features, including:

- Happenings and Messages widgets – filter by social networking account, by contact(s) or by contact group to only see the information you want

- Screen customization – move and resize preloaded widgets on up to seven home screens

Battery Manager – manage battery consumption by operating in one of three performance modes
Data Manager – monitor data usage to better manage pay-as-you-go and limited data plans
Personal and Corporate e-mail – pushed directly to the device
Re-tweet capabilities

Audio Quality

FLIPOUT comes with CrystalTalk™ PLUS, proprietary Motorola technology that adds a second microphone and speaker, reducing background noise and ensuring even clearer audio quality.

Multimedia

FLIPOUT brings optimal web and photo browsing to the palm of your hand with multi-touch pinch and zoom and is Adobe® Flash® Enabled to provide access to most content-rich websites. For music fans, FLIPOUT’s connected media player offers full screen lyric support, integrated song ID and a social solution for knowing what people around you are listening to.

Additional multimedia features include a FM radio with RDS support, a 3.1MP camera with digital zoom and KODAK PERFECT TOUCH technology for better, brighter pictures and gallery mode for tagging and labeling of photos. One-touch uploads to Facebook®, Orkut, MySpace, Picasa and Photobucket make sharing your images quick and easy. Also included are video capture, playback and streaming options along with Bluetooth®1 capabilities for wireless calls, music and file transfers.

FLIPOUT includes a 2GB memory card, expansible to 32GB, built in GPS, E-Compass plus Wi-Fi and 3G support for connectivity and features full Google™ services including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™ and access to thousands of apps on the Android Market™.

SHOP4APPS: Discover and Download

Flipout is the first handset with access to SHOP4APPS, Motorola’s Android applications store. This makes it easy for the user to discover, purchase and download free and paid applications for Motorola Android-powered phones. SHOP4APPS complements Android Market™ experience by providing consumers with a broad selection of local language apps across multiple categories that have been tested and optimized for Motorola devices.

- Find your favorite app. Search for your favorites or find new ones – from games and entertainment to lifestyle and business tools – SHOP4APPS offers something for everyone.

o Access, browse and purchase apps from a handset or PC

o Search by category, keyword, interests, developer, service type, location and more

o “Try before you buy” demo option available on most apps

o Rate, recommend and share apps with friends

- Let us show you our favorite picks. Browse MOTOPICKS and discover the newest and most popular applications.

- Download or Purchase Once. Keep It Forever. Purchased and downloaded apps are stored in a personal storage area, called the “App Locker,” making switching handsets or restoring applications seamless and easy.

Product Availability

The Motorola FLIPOUT with MOTOBLUR will be available in Brazil by mid-July 2010.. To experience MOTOBLUR, please visit www.motorola.com/motoblur.

About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to high-definition video and mobile devices, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

Related Items:

Motorola Flipout Unlocked GSM Quad-Band Android Phone with Bluetooth, Camera, QWERTY Keyboard and Wi-Fi - Unlocked Phone - US Warranty - BlackMotorola Flipout Unlocked GSM Quad-Band Android Phone with Bluetooth, Camera, QWERTY Keyboard and Wi-Fi - Unlocked Phone - US Warranty - Black
Black Phone Protector Faceplate Cover(Rubberized) For MOTOROLA MB511(Flipout)Black Phone Protector Faceplate Cover(Rubberized) For MOTOROLA MB511(Flipout)
Motorola Milestone Droid Unlocked Touch Screen Phone with 5 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, GPS and QWERTY Keyboard - Unlocked Phone - No Warranty (Black)Motorola Milestone Droid Unlocked Touch Screen Phone with 5 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, GPS and QWERTY Keyboard - Unlocked Phone - No Warranty (Black)

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments

[Rumor] Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) Details Outed, 1GHz Minimum Specification

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags:

This image has no alt text

With most of the Android faithful still waiting on Android 2.2 (and some even still waiting on Android 2.1) for their devices, we’ve apparently gotten first details of the supposed Android 3.0 updated (supposedly codenamed Gingerbread). We’ve long heard that we wouldn’t see this crunchy, sweet, gingery treat until the latter parts of the year, and new information suggests that it could be landing in the beginning (mid-October).

According to Digestiv, Android 3.0 will not be adaptable to hardware that does not meet the following specifications:

It must have a CPU clocked at 1GHz or higher
It must have 512MB or more of RAM
It must have a screen sized 3.5-inches or higher

If this turns out to be true, Android 2.2 will be the end of the line for a lot of manufacturers who prefer to diversify their line-up with a myriad of quirky devices (here’s looking at you, Motorola). This would make a lot of sense for Google to impose said restrictions: it would ensure that – going forward – their ambitions for Android can’t be hampered by the need for manufacturers with low-end ambitions to adapt. For them, Android 2.2 will have to suffice (and considering Google has plans to end this fragmentation problem going forward, we can’t say it will have as much of an effect as one might initially think).

Android-Gingerbread

Enough about that, though, let’s get into some more of the meaty details that come along with this supposed rumor. Android 3.0 will include native support for devices with an HD resolution of 1280×720 (720p) so long as they’re 4-inches or larger. With Android’s tablet pool filling up by the day, this will be a welcome addition for many vendors that want to take on the iPad.

The user interface is also said to be getting some very close attention with this release. A complete revamp would be in the works, and we believe it: Google hired Matias Duarte – the leading user interface and experience designer responsible for Palm’s webOS – to take on the task of making Android look as beautifully as it performs. I don’t want to cite the overly-used, overly-cliche saying of putting make-up on a pig (especially since I should be the last Vanilla Android-loving person to call the interface “pig-like”), but hopefully it will encourage vendors like HTC and Motorola to ship more devices with Android’s default skin to avoid the headache of making users wait months at a time for firmware upgrades. For an example of how the UI is aiming to look and feel, they say take a look at the Gallery app that comes with Android 2.1, and apply the same overall feel to the right of the OS. That will be a nice looking Android, indeed!

android_gallery_20_21

And finally, Android 2.1 and 2.2 will continue to be maintained in their own separate branches, while Android 3.0 will be maintained in its own branch for devices that meet the specifications required by it (like we alluded to above).

Froyo is still a long way from home for some of you, but should this information turn out to be true, are you ready to get your gingerbread houses built up before this holiday season?

[Digestiv via Unwired View]

Related Items:

Samsung Exhibit II 4G Prepaid Android Phone (T-Mobile)Samsung Exhibit II 4G Prepaid Android Phone (T-Mobile)
SanDisk 16 GB microSDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDQ-016G (Bulk Packaging) - Class 2SanDisk 16 GB microSDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDQ-016G (Bulk Packaging) - Class 2
H2000 Quad Band Dual Cards Android 2.2 with Wifi Analog Tv Capacitive Touch Screen Smart PhoneH2000 Quad Band Dual Cards Android 2.2 with Wifi Analog Tv Capacitive Touch Screen Smart Phone

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments

Galaxy S: Samsung Captivate vs Fascinate vs EPIC 4G vs Vibrant [VIDEO]

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: , , ,

This image has no alt text

What I dislike MOST about the American Galaxy S devices are the naming schema: they wanted to keep the Galaxy S brand but obviously each carrier needed their own little brandable baby. Intentions acknowledged, but it’s confusing as heck to consumers and technically irritating to repeatedly explain. For the record, I think Samsung should have insisted on each carrier rolling with their own S-word: Galaxy Sting, Galaxy Spin, Galaxy Shine, Galaxy Star, Galaxy Something-That-Starts-With S.

But I digress – what YOU want to see is the 4 phones in action so here they are:

The 4 Galaxy S phones we’re talking about above are:

all4

  • Samsung Captivate for AT&T
  • Samsung EPIC 4G for Sprint
  • Samsung Fascinate for Verizon Wireless
  • Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile

They’re all variations of the same Galaxy S phone with both hardware and software modifications. So let’s take a look at what ALL of the phones have in common and then where they differ. First, the commonalities:

  • 4-inch SUPER AMOLED screen (800 x 480)
  • Android 2.1 with TouchWiz Interface
  • Samsung’s Social Hub / Media Hub
  • 1GHz Cortex A8 “Hummingbird” CPU
  • 5MP with 720p video recording
  • 3.5mm Headset Jack
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • 512GB RAM
  • A-GPS, accelerometer, digital compass, proximity sensor, light sensor, FM Radio

And some of the main differences:

galaxy-compare

Each of the devices are also packed with some custom content. Not only do you have the traditional stuff like VCAST Services and NFL Mobile on Verizon’s Fascinate, Sprint Football and Sprint TV on the Epic 4G, etc… you’re also treated to some special stuff depending on carrier. For example, T-Mobile’s Vibrant comes with the movie Avatar preloaded on the device and Sprint’s Epic 4G gets an awesome car racing game called Asphalt included.

While all four phones are prepackaged with Swype, you’ll also see some apps you can find in Android Market pre-installed on different versions of the Galaxy S. For example T-Mobile starts you off with the Kindle App, MobiTV, Slacker Radio and Gogo Inflight Internet. But that’s nothing you can’t download to your other phones anyways.

Here are the four phones on stage when they were announced at the NYC event:

all4

Related Items:

BLACK Hard Plastic Rubberized Case Cover For Samsung Samsung Captivate Glide SGH-i927 (AT&T)BLACK Hard Plastic Rubberized Case Cover For Samsung Samsung Captivate Glide SGH-i927 (AT&T)
Samsung Exhibit II 4G Prepaid Android Phone (T-Mobile)Samsung Exhibit II 4G Prepaid Android Phone (T-Mobile)
Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor with Infrared Night Vision and Zoom, 2.8 InchMotorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor with Infrared Night Vision and Zoom, 2.8 Inch

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments

T-Mobile’s Samsung Vibrant Actually $449.99 When Buying With Even More Plus

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: , ,

This image has no alt text

Earlier this morning, we reported that the Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile would be priced to sell at $329.99. This revelation came to us through fine print that the Even More Plus plan option would see you paying $82.50 over the course of four monthly installments. One of our readers also managed to grab a screen from T-Mobile’s website (before they promptly pulled it down) showing that the price for the Even More Plus option was indeed $329.99.

vibrant720

T-Mobile’s since contacted us and updated us with an official price.

T-Mobile’s Even More Plus price for the Samsung Vibrant is $449.99

That’s more in line with what we figured a smartphone like the Samsung Vibrant should cost. We can’t help but wonder where the mix-up came in, then. My first thought is that the $329.99 price is for a 2-year contract before mail-in or instant rebates. If anyone follows T-Mobile’s new tiers closely, they’ll know that Even More subscribers usually split the discounted cost of their new phones over the course of four months, while Even More Plus subscribers pay the unsubsidized cost over a period of 20 months (first payments due at the time of purchase for both plans).

logo_tmobile

That fact leads me to believe that someone screwed up with the pricing information on the site, forcing T-Mobile to take it down and quickly update us on the matter. Whatever the case may be, at least it’s cleared up. Our excitement got the best of us for just a few hours, but we can all come back to reality: this is a high-end phone and you’ll be paying some high-end bucks to get it.

Related Items:

Tiny Love Take-Along Arch, Sunny StrollTiny Love Take-Along Arch, Sunny Stroll
Fisher-Price Precious Planet 2-in-1 Projection MobileFisher-Price Precious Planet 2-in-1 Projection Mobile
Samsung Standard Car Power Charger [CAD300UBEB/STD]Samsung Standard Car Power Charger [CAD300UBEB/STD]

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments

Where to take your bricked Evo 4G

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

We’ve talked with HTC some more about this week’s OTA update for the Evo 4G that brought some improvements to most, and bricks to a scant few. Here’s where we stand:

  • If your update went just fine on Monday, you’re good to go. Mazel tov.
  • If you’ve updated since yesterday (after the update was briefly pulled), you’re good to go.
  • If your phone was bricked during the update — and HTC stresses to us that the number of affected phones was very low (though that’s of little consolation to those with a brand new paperweight) — you need to take your phone to a Sprint corporate store to get things taken care of. Easiest way to find one is by using the tool at sprint.findlocation.com, and be sure to click the "Repair centers near me" button. That’ll get you the nearest store where they can make things right.

For those of you new to Android (and smartphones, for that matter), fear not. Think about how many over-the-air updates have gone out for our beloved platform. While problems occasionally occur, it’s the exception, not the rule. And HTC and Sprint’s responses were swift and should be commended.

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Related Items:

OtterBox Commuter-Series Case for HTC EVOOtterBox Commuter-Series Case for HTC EVO
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini E10i Unlocked Smartphone with 5 MP Camera, Android OS, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth--International Version with Warranty (Black/Red)Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini E10i Unlocked Smartphone with 5 MP Camera, Android OS, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth--International Version with Warranty (Black/Red)
3-Pack HTC EVO 4G Sprint Combo Mirror Screen Protector for HTC EVO 4G Sprint

Popularity: unranked [?]

No Comments

CyanogenMod 6 (Froyo) status update

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

cyaongenmod

If you use a custom ROM on your Android phone, you should know about CyanogenMod.  If you don’t, go hit Google now, then come right back.  (pretty freakin’ sweet, huh?) With the drop of the Froyo (Android 2.2) source code everyone is patiently waiting for the code wizards behind the CyaongenMod project to give us the kind of custom goodness we’ve become used to.  To quell the mountain of inquiries, Cyanogen himself has updated the CyanogenMod homepage with a progress report.

The condensed version? Things are going well.  The Nexus One and Droid ports "just work," the Dream/Sapphire port has everything but one minor issue working, Wes Garner has the Slide (MyTouch 3G slide) port well underway, and ports for the Desire, Incredible, and Evo have no status report as of yet.  Also, we’re told to expect some experimental releases (for the Nexus One and Droid most likely) by the weekend.  (YAY!)  Hit the source link to read the post and take a minute to thank Steve and the whole crew for their hard work! [CyanogenMod]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Related Items:

316L Surgical Steel Prong Set - CZ Single Flare Tunnels with 1 Black 0 - Ring - Light Weight - 4G - Sold in a Pair316L Surgical Steel Prong Set - CZ Single Flare Tunnels with 1 Black 0 - Ring - Light Weight - 4G - Sold in a Pair
The iOS 5 Developer's Cookbook: Core Concepts and Essential Recipes for iOS Programmers (3rd Edition) (Developer's Library)The iOS 5 Developer's Cookbook: Core Concepts and Essential Recipes for iOS Programmers (3rd Edition) (Developer's Library)
3-Pack HTC EVO 4G Sprint Combo Screen Protector for HTC EVO 4G Sprint

Popularity: unranked [?]

No Comments

Motorola Droid X — hold it any way you like

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: ,

hold it any way you want to

Read the fine print :) .  This is supposedly a full page ad in the New York Times (can any readers verify?) for the new Motorola Droid X, that lets you know you’re free to hold the phone any way you like. I’m not much for the mudslinging, but I’m lovin’ it.  Antenna? Droid does. [Twitter via  @sarahintampa]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Related Items:

Verizon Motorola Droid A855 Android Cell Phone (no contract)Verizon Motorola Droid A855 Android Cell Phone (no contract)
Motorola Flipout Unlocked GSM Quad-Band Android Phone with Bluetooth, Camera, QWERTY Keyboard and Wi-Fi - Unlocked Phone - US Warranty - BlackMotorola Flipout Unlocked GSM Quad-Band Android Phone with Bluetooth, Camera, QWERTY Keyboard and Wi-Fi - Unlocked Phone - US Warranty - Black
Motorola Droid RAZR XT912 Shell Holster Combo W/ Kick-Stand "Not for Droid RAZR MAXX"Motorola Droid RAZR XT912 Shell Holster Combo W/ Kick-Stand "Not for Droid RAZR MAXX"

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments

Xperia X10 gets an update, still waiting on Android 2.1

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: ,

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

The good news: An update is rolling out the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 as we speak. The bad news: Nope, it’s still stuck on Android 1.6. Here’s what you are getting, though:

This update focuses on improving the general performance, speed and responsiveness of Xperia X10. For example, there are speed improvements in messaging tasks and camera UI. In addition we add a free back up and restore application so you’ll never lose your settings and information. In selected markets, PlayNow™ with premium apps and games will also be added.

Better than nothing, we guess. But as we talk more and more about devices starting to get Froyo, the wait for Eclair becomes that much harder to stomach. [Sony Ericsson Product Blog]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Related Items:

Programming AndroidProgramming Android
Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current VersionApple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version
5-Pack EZGuardZ© Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 MINI PRO Screen Protectors (Ultra CLEAR)(EZGuardZ© Packaging)5-Pack EZGuardZ© Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 MINI PRO Screen Protectors (Ultra CLEAR)(EZGuardZ© Packaging)

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments

Motorola releases status update on Android 2.1 for CLIQ/CLIQ XT

Posted by androidjunkie at 30 June 2010

Category: Android

Tags: , , ,

It’s been officially stated that the Motorola CLIQ and CLIQ XT will definitely be receiving an Android 2.1 update, but now the question is: When?  Well, folks, just hold your horses.  Motorola jumped on Twitter this morning and released a statement:

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.

Basically, that’s Motorola saying that the update just isn’t ready yet, and they can’t tell you when it will be. Luckily, last week they opened mailing lists that will inform you when 2.1 has walked through the door. Until then, all we can do is be patient. [Motorola via Twitter]  

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Related Items:

Motorola RAZR V3 Unlocked Phone with Camera, and Video Player--International Version with No Warranty (Black)Motorola RAZR V3 Unlocked Phone with Camera, and Video Player--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Motorola Vehicle Power Adapter micro-USB Rapid Rate ChargerMotorola Vehicle Power Adapter micro-USB Rapid Rate Charger
SanDisk 16 GB microSDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDQ-016G (Bulk Packaging) - Class 2SanDisk 16 GB microSDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDQ-016G (Bulk Packaging) - Class 2

Popularity: 1% [?]

No Comments
« Previous
Next »

博百优