Android Phone Fans |
- Things We Missed, You Shouldn’t [March 11th]
- Verizon Approves Thunderbolt for Sale Pending HTC Agreement, Rep Tweets March 17th Launch Date
- Further Evolving as the Tablet No One Expected it to Be, Bluetooth Now Functional on the NOOKcolor
- Brick-Salvaging Motorola Atrix 4G System Boot File Leaks
- Swype for Android Updated, Includes Support for New Devices and More
- Did the Samsung Nightwing Just Pass the FCC with Model Number T839?
- Another Analyst Sets Low Expectations for the XOOM, Predicts Motorola to Sell only 300,000 this Quarter
- Wishing Google Voice a Happy Second Birthday, Wishing Harder for VoIP Calling
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi to Launch April 4th for $399?
- Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Launching in the UK on March 31st
- Samsung Galaxy S II Visits the FCC with North American 3G, i708 Development Phone Makes an Appearance as Well
- AT&T Responds to Motorola Atrix 4G Speed Capping Claims, Says HSUPA Support is in the Works
- HTC Thunderbolt Rumored Launch Date of the Week: March 17th
- XOOM: Return to Stock With OTA Image File, Hack for USB Host Mode
- Rumor: Bell to Carry the HTC Incredible S for $499.99 Starting April 4th
| Things We Missed, You Shouldn’t [March 11th] Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:59 PM PST  TGIF! Another long week followed by too short a weekend, and never enough time to cover all the Android news between the two. See some of the smaller items from today below.
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| Verizon Approves Thunderbolt for Sale Pending HTC Agreement, Rep Tweets March 17th Launch Date Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:21 PM PST
Within the past 24 hours we have heard two new rumored release dates for the HTC Thunderbolt March 17th and March 21st. Depending on how HTC responds to Verizon’s conditional final approval of the device, we may or may not miss those anticipated dates. According to an inside source, Engadget is reporting that Verizon has finally deemed the Thunderbolt ready for primetime, but the actual release of the phone hinges on HTC agreeing to requested fixes and updates to be included in future firmware updates following launch. It is pointed out that this process typically takes two to four weeks. If this holds true, we may indeed see the Thunderbolt on March 21st at the earliest, though given the pressure to release the handset we don’t see why things might not move quicker for a release on the 17th. HTC rep Imran Shahid seems to agree with the earlier date based on a recent tweet, though it was retroactively removed after being picked up by media outlets. See the original tweet below.
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| Further Evolving as the Tablet No One Expected it to Be, Bluetooth Now Functional on the NOOKcolor Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:19 PM PST
For those of you out there that own the NOOKcolor or are looking for yet another reason to own the NOOKcolor, a significant step forward has been taken in the development of stable Android ROMs for the device. In a new SD bootable build of CM7 for the e-reader turned tablet Android developer verygreen of XDA has enabled Bluetooth support. There are still some kinks to be worked out. Currently, Bluetooth only has a functional range of about 13 inches. For now that means most will find use pairing their NOOK to a keyboard or headset in close proximity. With further development the range should hopefully be extended to at least a few feet.
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| Brick-Salvaging Motorola Atrix 4G System Boot File Leaks Posted: 11 Mar 2011 01:50 PM PST
The Motorola Atrix 4G has proven to be a rather tricky beast when it comes to digging deep into its software and emerging on the other side with a still functional handset. While the code hasn’t been completely cracked, the process of hacking the newest Android smartphone for AT&T has no doubt left a few users with mere paperweights. Luckily for owners of bricked Atrix phones, the System Boot File (SBF) for the device has leaked onto the internet. Sure, you will still need to know your stuff to leverage the SBF and coax a dead handset back to life, but it provides a bit of a security blanket for those afraid to take the plunge. See the source link below for download mirrors. [via BriefMobile]
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| Swype for Android Updated, Includes Support for New Devices and More Posted: 11 Mar 2011 01:03 PM PST
Before I go any farther, I must preface this news by saying the new update only applies to those who have Swype installed via the Android beta program. For those of you counting yourselves among those ranks, read on. The new update to Swype beta not only brings support for new devices, including support for the qHD display Motorola Atrix 4G but also rids the software keyboard of that annoying hidden word tip dialog you might be familiar with. The full list of updated features can be found at the below Swype source link.
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| Did the Samsung Nightwing Just Pass the FCC with Model Number T839? Posted: 11 Mar 2011 12:42 PM PST
Way back at the beginning of the year rumors of a new Samsung handset headed for T-Mobile flared up under the Nightwing codename. The name reminded us of the super hero, or at least a gadget Batman would use, but we have heard little about the rumored phone since. At that time it was believed the phone would carry a rather measly 480×320 screen resolution, but a new FCC filing for a matching device with model number T839 not only shows us this handset is not forgotten, but also bumps the display up to 480×800 and mentions an ARM 11 processor. Other than that, there isn’t much to add. Chances are this will fall into the mid-range category when it eventually lands on T-Mobile.
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2011 12:15 PM PST
At first glance, you might think 300,000 units sold would be perfectly healthy figures for the Motorola XOOM in its first quarter. When you then realize the original iPad sold over that amount in its first day alone and the iPad 2 expected to push its launch weekend sales even higher, the estimated figure put forth by Morgan Keegan analyst Tavis McCourt seems a bit underwhelming. His calculation is based on averages showing only two XOOMs sold per day through Verizon, though units moved through Best Buy were not included in his count. Anyway you slice it, analysts don’t have it out very good for the XOOM. Whether one is saying Android Honeycomb is to blame with its geek-oriented approach or another points to a high price tag, most feel Motorola’s attempt at tablet relevancy is doomed with the launch of the iPad 2. What we are more interested to see is how the XOOM sells once a contract-free Wi-Fi version is available at a lower price point, as this may be the only true way to compare the freely available iPad to a device currently only available via a wireless carrier. [via Electronista]
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| Wishing Google Voice a Happy Second Birthday, Wishing Harder for VoIP Calling Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:55 AM PST
The Google Voice team just reminded us that today marks the second birthday of the service that grew out of Google’s acquisition of GrandCentral way back when, so we though it fitting to wish a happy day and another year of great things to one of our favorite services available on Android. We shouldn’t have to remind you of the many great advancements GV has made since 2009, but what we are more excited about is what the future holds. Recent murmurs are suggesting true VoIP calling could be headed to Google Voice in the very near future. If we were to blow the candles out on the birthday cake ourselves, something tells me our wish might have something to do with that. But we wouldn’t tell you, anyway. The wish wouldn’t come true. [via Google]
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| Samsung Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi to Launch April 4th for $399? Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:43 AM PST
In what may be a text book case of too little, too late, we are now hearing that the Wi-Fi only version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab might finally launch on April 4th (ignore the Photoshop bomb in the picture above). It will be priced at a slightly more wallet friendly $399, but will anyone have any interest in purchasing it? Word is a the Wi-Fi version of the Motorola XOOM may be out by then, and with this Galaxy Tab still shipping with Android 2.2 we see little appeal. Maybe if Samsung offered a Honeycomb upgrade we’d have something to talk about, but that is simply wishful thinking. Speaking of new versions of the old Galaxy Tab, what ever happened to the 4G version we saw unveiled for Verizon at CES? [via DroidLife]
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| Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Launching in the UK on March 31st Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:25 AM PST
Prepare yourselves, friends in the UK, for an all-out marketing blitz, because that is just what Sony Ericsson is promising us for the launch of the much-anticipated Xperia Play handset on March 31st. With so much buildup to the gaming smartphone prior to its official announcement, we are sure more than a few of you are feeling a bit deflated about the whole thing. SE hopes to remedy that with some snazzy advertising and the temptation of six pre-installed games. The handset will be available at all mobile operators and retailers, with a chance that distribution may span to game retailers as well. This leaves the UK just about three weeks out from release, so that leaves plenty of time to get amped up again. [via Engadget]
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:09 AM PST
Even though we have no word of when the Samsung Galaxy S II might hit North American shores, a recent FCC filing is as good an indication as ever of the inevitable launch of the Android 2.3 smartphone. The filing shows the handset with support for the 850MHz and 1900MHz North American 3G bands, making the phone compatible with AT&T in the US and Bell, TELUS, and Rogers in Canada. We can’t be certain the phone will ever land in its current state in the US, as carriers in North America received unique versions of the original Galaxy S. If we had to guess, we’d most likely expect this filing to be for a phone destined for a Canadian carrier, but without any confirmation we can only speculate. One thing seems certain: we probably won’t be seeing this phone until late summer or early fall. A user manual included in the listing is off-limits until September 6th and upcoming phones like the Samsung Stealth and Samsung Infuse 4G leave little room for a North American launch in the imminent future.
Along with the Galaxy S II, there is a curious listing for a phone with the model number Samsung i708. Most intriguing about this filing is the inclusion of cellular radios covering GSM frequencies for HSPA as well as CDMA and EVDO. The label says the phone is not for sale, but development only, meaning we may never see something with such a wide-range of radio power released to the general public. Still, a completely universal smartphone is an interesting notion. [via Electronista]
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| AT&T Responds to Motorola Atrix 4G Speed Capping Claims, Says HSUPA Support is in the Works Posted: 11 Mar 2011 10:26 AM PST
It took a complaint registered with the Better Business Bureau, but AT&T has responded to the claims that their Motorola Atrix 4G is seeing capped data speeds on their “4G” network. The complaints have been growing louder about slower than advertised upload speeds on the Atrix 4G and HTC Inspire 4G. While AT&T says they are not capping data, they do more or less admit that these HSUPA-capable handsets have the ability shut down for the time being while they finish getting their network up to speed. The statement goes so far as to say “when we turn [HSUPA] on, you will continue to have a world class experience.” The problem is they leave us with no indication of how soon HSUPA may be switched on, and in the mean time we do feel awfully misled by commercials and advertisements boasting the 4G speeds of these handsets when they are obviously gimped. Here is the full statement of AT&T:
[via BGR]
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| HTC Thunderbolt Rumored Launch Date of the Week: March 17th Posted: 11 Mar 2011 09:49 AM PST
I feel like we’ve been through this before. Anyway, after CLEARLY missing the March 10th launch date that was rumored ever since the rumored March 4th, 3rd, February 28th, 24th, and 14th dates were missed, and after March 21st has become a new date of interest, another new date has emerged: March 17th. That’d be next Thursday. If you let Verizon tell the story the phone is already out, but we all have our wits about us. We’ll be circling this date, just like the hundred other ones we have, and will continue to tap all the resources available to us to see if this one will stick. [via Android Central]
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| XOOM: Return to Stock With OTA Image File, Hack for USB Host Mode Posted: 11 Mar 2011 09:18 AM PST
You XOOM tinkerers have a few goods to wake up to today. Firstly, the OTA update that Motorola issued today is rolling out, and users don’t have to jump through hoops to get the file. The installation is a bit involved, however. Flashing the file will take you to stock Android 3.0.1 and will unroot and re-lock your device. Instructions can be found at the very bottom of this post. [Droid-Life] At the same time, SlateDroid hackers have come out with a mod that allows you to use your XOOM’s USB port in USB Host mode, effectively allowing you to plug up USB flash drives, USB keyboards, and more. This process is pretty involved too, but we’ll elect to forward you to SlateDroid to ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date set of instructions and community support. [AC]
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| Rumor: Bell to Carry the HTC Incredible S for $499.99 Starting April 4th Posted: 11 Mar 2011 08:31 AM PST
Bell’s looking to become the premier carrier of Android devices in Canada, it seems. They’ve already gotten the Desire Z, the Motorola ATRIX and Nexus S are coming soon, and now they’re looking to bring the newly-announced HTC Incredible S to Canadians, according to the latest round of rumors. Subscribers will have to buy this thing for $499.99 if they want it outright, but there’s no word on whether or not they’ll offer it cheaper on contract. Expect to see it land April 4th if the rumors are to be believed. [via MobileSyrup]
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