Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Sprint Changes Stock Lock Screen Experience With Unique Options on EVO 3D [Video]

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 06:23 PM PDT

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When I took my first look at the HTC EVO 3D at Sprint’s press event yesterday, I didn’t think to check out the lock screen as it seems to be a pretty standard affair. They’re shaking things up with the EVO 3D, though. Sprint’s latest Sense device is the only one – from any carrier or region – to get this treatment.

To put it simply, it’s like a more dynamic implementation of the popular Widget Locker application that allows you to place widgets and shortcuts on your lock screen instead of just showing the date, time, carrier, and other standard bits of information.

They’ve added a few different options for users to apply. There’s a gallery screen that’ll allow you to scroll through your photos and jump right into the gallery to view them, while a standard applications dock screen will give you access to four customizable shortcuts to launch applications immediately following the unlock process.

It doesn’t sound like it holds any discernible differences compared to the flexible Widget Locker way, but you’ll have to look at the rest of the options to see just how cool this stuff is. Sprint left in hope for future additions to the current stable of options. I asked them if developers would be able to create stuff as nice as HTC has, but they couldn’t offer a confident statement regarding that. I’d love to see that happen, of course, but only time will tell. Take a look at this stuff in action in the video above.

Motorola Rebuts, XOOM Production Will Continue

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 10:43 AM PDT

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We’ve been in touch with Motorola who claim yesterday’s rumor regarding the planned decline and termination of XOOM production by July 2011 is inaccurate. Here is the official response I received:

The Digitimes article is NOT accurate. Motorola Mobility is planning to manufacture and sell the Motorola XOOM beyond the second quarter.

Motorola declined further comment.

If that XOOM rumor has ANY legs I’m guessing it’s a matter of semantics. It’s very possible that someone in the supply chain saw decreasing and then disappearing production of the XOOM SKU in system inventory but this doesn’t prove anything. Motorola could have a new SKU for units shipping with 4G (current XOOMs require a free hardware upgrade) or that another type of refresh simply requires the SKU be slightly different.

Regardless of how those smaller details play out, Motorola wants to make it clear that XOOM sales are doing just fine and production will continue. Business as usual folks, nothing to see here… XOOM along!

Opera Refreshes Android Browser With Much Needed Features [Video]

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 09:28 AM PDT

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Anyone who knows me knows I’m a browser nut. I struggled for years to choose browsers on the desktop and even though I’ve found the right one for me (Chrome) I still can’t resist checking the competition every once in a while. Unfortunately, my addiction has gone mobile.

That’s why I was excited to learn that Opera would be launching versions 11 and 6 of their Mobile and Mini Android offerings respectively. Starting with Mini, they’ve finally added true multi-level pinch-to-zoom. Before, performing a pinch-to-zoom gesture would net the desired result, but it wasn’t smooth and you could only zoom in and out once to pre-determined levels.

Now, you can get as close or as far away as you need to as you can in countless other browsers. Opera Mini has quickly become a great option for those on older phones or for people who need to do a bit of browsing on a slow network. Due to the nature of the application, there is no flash support and there probably never will be.

That’s where Opera Mobile 11 comes in. It’s the browser for those who have decent/better than decent phones who can take advantage of a fast 3G or 4G network. The one complaint many had, though, was its lack of Flash support when Adobe debuted the Flash 10.1 player for Mobile.

This week’s update adds just that, thankfully. They’ve also apparently flipped the switch on hardware acceleration in this version, but we honestly couldn’t tell. (Unless that contributed to the lack of checker-boarding that used to plague the app.) Things still didn’t look as smooth as they do on iOS devices, but it was still a VERY usable and desirable browsing experience. The only thing I’d like to see now is improvement in the browser vendor’s rendering engine, but that’s still a bit of a problem on desktops. It’s getting there, though.

Finally, they’ve introduced the Honeycomb-specific version of their browser. There isn’t much to the update: it puts the status bar on top and shuffles a couple of the UI elements around. Other than that, it’s a good looking browser that does some good looking browsing. Check out video of the mobile versions above and the tablet version below.

Verizon Offering HTC Thunderbolt for $149.99 to Some

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 09:02 AM PDT

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Just a heads up: Some existing Verizon customers have been receiving an email offering the new HTC Thunderbolt for a low $149.99 after a two-year contract and $100 instant rebate. If you are in the market for a Thunderbolt and near the end of your current Verizon contract, chances are you fall within the range eligible for the discount. You can’t find it online, but a sales number (800-437-6132) should get you what you are looking for.

[via DroidLife]

Nintendo 3DS AR Cards Packaged Into Android App for Augmented Reality Goodness

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 08:26 AM PDT

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We here at Phandroid have been pretty intrigued by the developments in glasses-free 3D for mobile devices, but our content range has left one non-Android related device without much coverage: the Nintendo 3DS. A new Android app is giving us an excuse to talk about the new handheld gaming system, however, and its augmented reality gaming capabilities.

The aptly named 3DS AR Cards app packages the physical augmented reality generating cards that trigger interactive games into a digital form to be displayed on your Android phone’s screen. The result is the same: computer generated baddies pop out of real life surfaces, archery targets arise from kitchen countertops, and the 3DS tracks it all in real time. It sure beats hauling around stacks of cardstock.

The app is available for free in the Android Market. Sure, the handheld hasn’t launched just yet, but why not be prepared for the moment it does?

Android Market Link: 3DS AR Cards

[via Engadget]

Samsung Nexus S 4G From Sprint Quick Take [Video]

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 08:25 AM PDT

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If you guys were wondering what the Nexus S 4G on Sprint would be like, look no further. Just as you might have guessed it’s almost exactly the same as the GSM version except it doesn’t have a SIM card slot and it has a WiMax radio inside. Sprint won’t be preloading any applications, of course, as it’s a requirement for Nexus phones in America to only be loaded with Google apps. It’s a bit under a minute of footage so take a quick look above. The phone will be out sometime this Spring.

Cobra’s iRadar and PhoneLynx for Android [Video]

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 08:21 AM PDT

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Cobra came to CTIA with the Android versions of their iRadar and PhoneLynx applications. We’ve been waiting for these for a long time so it was refreshing to see them on hand. As I like to describe it, iRadar helps keep you out of jail. It’s a police scanner at heart, but will help you in many other ways. Instead of the usual speed trap warnings iRadar will alert you of any other problem areas, will alert you if the speed limit changes, lets you know which stop lights have cameras and a lot more.

The app itself will be a free download but you’ll need the in-car unit to go with it – that’ll cost you $130. (Best Buy has the iRadar on sale here.) It’s a sensible investment, though, if you’re the type who tends to run into the law on the road more often than not. (Another alternative would be to not speed and learn how to drive properly.)

PhoneLynx from Cobra is a bit less exciting but no less useful. PhoneLynx uses a bridge between your cell phone and your landline that’ll allow you to make phone calls with your mobile number using your home phone. It’s useful for folks who need to charge their phones and can’t be tied down to one area when talking on it. You don’t need an actual landline connection to use this which is great if you’re like me and use your mobile phone as your main line.

Another use case the rep provided was talking to someone and using your phone at the same time to send them an email or an image. It’s not an issue for users on GSM phones or certain CDMA phones (like the HTC Thunderbolt , but there still exists a large group of people who could use something like this around the house. PhoneLynx is currently on sale and in the Android market today. The video is above. For your reference, the PhoneLynx coverage is in the beginning while the iRadar bit is found at the 1:20 mark. [Cobra]

Samsung Galaxy Indulge (MetroPCS) Hands-on [Video]

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 07:16 AM PDT

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We’d heard MetroPCS had a Samsung-made LTE phone coming and they brought it to the show. The Samsung Galaxy Indulge is the company’s first LTE device and it’s a great device to get behind if you have MetroPCS coverage in your area. They’re not calling it a Galaxy S device, but it’s only a few components away from being one.

It has Android 2.2.1 with TouchWiz 3.0 on top, a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, a 3.5 inch WVGA display, a full slide-out QWERTY with a dedicated number row, a 3.2 megapixel camera and more. I didn’t go extremely in-depth with it but I do know that you’ll want to take a look if you’re a MetroPCS fan and you’re on the fence about it. Hit the play button on the video above.

Source Code Released for HTC Incredible S, myTouch 3G Slide, Wildfire

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 07:10 AM PDT

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For you developer types out there (or those simply interested in perusing line by line the code of your beloved handsets), HTC has released the source code for three more handsets into their developer portal. The code for the HTC Incredible S T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide, and HTC Wildfire are now available for download. For those who enjoy custom ROMs on their devices, this should mean a few new options could be headed your way shortly.

[via AndroidCentral]

ViewSonic gTablet Is Today’s Woot.com Deal, Only $279.99

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 07:04 AM PDT

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It might not be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb, but for $279.99 you would be a fool to pass up today’s deal over at Woot. The ViewSonic gTablet running Android 2.2 and featuring a 1GHz processor, 10.1-inch screen, and 16GB of on-board storage offers, for the day at least, another alternative for a cheap Android tablet that gives the rooted and modded NOOKcolor a run for it’s money. Another device that has received much love from the development community, the gTablet might be no Motorola XOOM, but for this price, who is complaining?

[via Woot | Thanks to all who sent this in!]

HTC Merge Pre-Orders Begin at Alltel March 28th, $124.99

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 06:39 AM PDT

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Though initial reports placed the phone as launching way back in November of 2010 on Verizon’s network, their subsidiary Alltel looks to be the first to snag the HTC Merge with a pre-order for the device going live March 28th. The handset is priced at $124.99 after a mail-in rebate and signature on a two-year service agreement.

The Merge, which features Android 2.2 with HTC Sense, an 800MHz Qualcomm CPU, and 3.8-inch display, will also hit other, unannounced carriers, according to the official press release.

[Alltel via AndroidForums]

CEO Dan Hesse Says Sprint Will Appeal AT&T Buyout of T-Mobile, Deal Will “Stifle Innovation”

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 06:30 AM PDT

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T-Mobile subscribers worried about the future of their network aren’t the only ones showing concern over AT&T’s planned buyout of the wireless carrier. Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has come out saying his company plans to file an appeal with Congress during the deal’s review process, citing the “tremendous” power the combined AT&T/T-Mobile would hold. He also points out that combined with Verizon, the companies would amass a 79 percent grip in the market, leaving a smaller slice of the pie than ever for Sprint.

Sprint share took a 14 percent dive after news of the merger broke, but his company’s well being isn’t the only thing Hesse is concerned about. He believes the narrowing of market competition will “stifle innovation.” AT&T’s senior executive vice president Jim Cicconi responded to Hesse, stating, “We feel policymakers will readily understand that any company with whom AT&T competes may not be especially positive about anything which makes AT&T a better competitor in the wireless market.”

[via Bloomberg]

What’s The Best Groupon Deal You’ve Ever Got?

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 06:05 AM PDT

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I’ve had Groupon downloaded for several months but have yet to pull the trigger on any offers. The one that got away? I’m currently in Hawaii and last month I passed up a Half Price Honolulu Helicopter Tour that I would have definitely put to good use.

For all you Grouponers out there – chime in with the following:

  • Best deal you’ve got and used (and the city)
  • Best deal you regret passing up (and the city)
  • Tips and tricks for fellow grouponers

In related Groupon news, President and COO of the company took a Groupon offer called “immediately stepping down from your job”. Reasons for the decision are absent and considering Groupon’s rise to success and possible IPO, I agree with Kara Swisher in saying the sudden move seems bizarre at best. But who knows… maybe the brother just wanted to cash in his chips and enjoy the rest of life.

Despite Rumors to the Contrary, Samsung Denies Speculation of Tablet Inventory Build-Up

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 06:04 AM PDT

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MoneyToday reported rumors on Wednesday that Samsung, who has just announced the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and a revamped Galaxy Tab 10.1 at CTIA, is experiencing a stock backlog reaching into the several hundred thousands after selling a meager 3 million units of their 7-inch Galaxy Tab since it’s launch last fall. In typical fashion, Samsung is denying the reports. Spokesperson for the mobile manufacturer James Chung said, “We don’t comment on market speculation, but such talk is absolutely groundless.”

Along with the irony of the two halves of that compound sentence, Chung offered, “Our tablet strategy is offering a broad product range with different sizes to support wider customer choice.”

Whether that “choice” is actually leading to a build-up of stock in Samsung’s warehouses we may not know for sure, but remember this isn’t the first time confusion has arisen from Galaxy Tab sales. Quite small or quite smooth, that is the question.

[via Reuters]

LG Optimus 3D Passes FCC with T-Mobile 3G Bands

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 05:46 AM PDT

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We know AT&T is in the process of buying out T-Mobile for some $39 billion. We also know AT&T is getting their own version of the LG Optimus 3D under the LG Thrill 4G title. But could the newly acquired TMo network — the one already receiving the Optimus 2X as the T-Mobile G2x — get their own version of the glasses-free 3D handset? A new FCC filing is suggesting as much, as the LG P920, otherwise known as the Optimus 3D, has passed through the checks and standards board with AWS 3G bands at 1700MHz. That would happen to be TMo’s location on the network spectrum.

As mentioned before, T-Mobile has a good working history with LG, having already scored the G-Slate as an exclusive version of the Optimus Pad along with the dual-core G2x. We’d say it is likely we will see the Optimus 3D hit the magenta carrier. Will we possibly see it released as the myTouch 3D?

[FCC via UnwiredView]
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