Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Google Outs The HTC Sensation With A June 8th Release Date?

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 06:27 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

An interesting tip regarding a potential release date of the HTC Sensation just came our way courtesy of our friends at T-Mo News. They’re reporting that for some individuals (I tried it and got nothing), doing a simple Google search for “HTC Sensation” brings up a Google ad showing a June 8th release date and a link to the official site for the phone.

HTC and T-Mobile have remained tight lipped on the actual launch date of the Sensation ever since showing off the phone at an event held in London earlier this year, citing nothing more than a “summer” launch. Last time I checked, Summer starts in June here in the US. So there you have it, conspiracy theorists. I wouldn’t have placed much weight on this coincidence until I saw a picture from HTC’s press release and lo and behold if you look at the weather widget, BOOM. The June 8th date appears once again.

As with most rumors, these should be taken as nothing more than a grain of salt. But what do you guys think? Are we looking too much into this little snafu? Could this be a potential UK launch date? Is Lady Gaga really a part of the Illuminati? As always, stay tuned into Phandroid and we’ll bring you the latest as it develops.

[Via TMoNews]

Samsung Galaxy S II Gets Official UK Release Date of May 1st… Sort Of

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 05:31 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

I can’t tell you how many news articles I’ve read of new release dates for Samsung’s Galaxy S II. First its been delayed, then its not, then it came out last week, then it didn’t. Its enough to drive someone mad! It actually reminds me a lot of this song  my sister used to play, “Cuz you’re hot then you’re cold. Yes then you’re no.”

Well, apparently we’ve finally gotten the official word from Samsung that they are planning to launch their newest flagship phone May 1st. You may now update your Google Calendar. Or actually – you might want to wait for this next part.

UK retailer Phones4U (great name by the way) will actually allow you to pre-order the phone and get it in your hands as early as April 27th. I know just by reading our comments on Phandroid that a lot of you cannot wait to get your hands on this phone and will definitely be taking up Phones4U on their offer.

So what are you waiting for? Update your Google Calendar (again) and come April 27th you can be one of the first lucky people in the world to get their hands on the powerful, yet slim and uber sexy Galaxy S Part Deux.

[Via DialtoSave]

Qualcomm Posts Higher Than Expected Quarterly Results

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 05:00 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Looks like Intel isn’t the only company doing better than expected this quarter. Popular chipset maker, Qualcomm Inc. posted higher than expected quarterly results for 2010 and because of it, they’re raising their 2011 fiscal revenue targets. Despite stiff competition from Nvida, Samsung and Texas Instruments this year, the company is bumping up its 2011 goal of $13.6 billion to a modest $14.1 billion.

Although doing quite well for themselves, some analysts suspect that the earthquake in Japan could have potentially hurt some of Qualcomm’s growth.

You can find Qualcomm’s chips in just about every first generation Android device and smartphone. This year, they’re hoping to make a big splash being the chipset of choice powering HTC’s new superphones, the Sensation and Evo 3D.

[Via Reuters]

ITG: Thunderbolt Sold More on Verizon Than their iPhone 4 Last Month

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:44 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

With all of these quarterly financial reports coming out this week, we’re bound to find an interesting tidbit or two floating about. ITG – an investment research firm – reports that the HTC Thunderbolt sold more units than Verizon’s iPhone 4. I can’t necessarily describe my response as being “surprised” considering early reports that said Verizon’s iPhone 4 wasn’t doing much better than AT&T’s, but I definitely am intrigued as to why the Thunderbolt outsold it. That shiny new LTE network might have a bit to do with it, I imagine. Sustainability is more important than a fast start, though, so we’ll wait another month or two to see if the Thunderbolt is able to continue outselling Verizon’s iPhone 4. [via NYPost]

Samsung DROID Charge Nearing Launch With Promo Materials, Accessories Surfacing

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:09 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

The Samsung DROID Charge is yet another Verizon device rumored to be launched on April 28th. With today’s confirmation from Wirefly that its HTC-made cousin – he DROID Incredible 2 – would be out on 4/28 following a presale window tomorrow, word has come in of marketing materials and accessories for the DROID Charge making their way to Verizon stores. And while that doesn’t definitely confirm the rumored 28th launch, it’s about as good as we’re going to get at this point. Let’s hope Wirefly confirms launch details for the Charge just as they did with the Incredible 2. [via AC]

Pre-Order DROID Incredible 2 at Wirefly 3am EDT on 4/21, Ships 4/28, Unboxing Video Now Live

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 02:53 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Well Verizon’s not helping us in the way of any sort of official confirmation but at least Wirefly’s got our back. They’ve just let us know that the DROID Incredible 2 will be up for presale on their site at 3am tomorrow morning, April 21st. And once you put that order in, you can expect it to arrive on April 28th – just as the rumors have been saying.

What’s more is that they seem to have the world exclusive on the first unboxing video. (Which shouldn’t surprise you considering they’re a retailer with early access to this stuff.) It’s pretty unorthodox of Verizon to let someone else out their product – especially a DROID-branded product – but Wirefly’s done it and we’re not mad at all.

Wirefly says to expect a full review tomorrow sometime after the pre-order window opens. Check the unboxing video out above and be on the lookout for a link from us sometime early tomorrow morning.

Rumor: Amazon Has Chosen Samsung to Make Android Tablet

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 02:35 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Here’s a sweet rumor for you this late afternoon. Amazon has long been rumored to be working on an Android tablet. The launch of their Android Appstore led us to believe that it was true, but it seems their goal with that is a bit different than we originally expected. Other evidence – such as job postings for Android-experienced engineers – came up, but nothing really came of it after that.

And now the retail giant is rumored to have inked a deal with Samsung to create the hardware for their Android-based tablet. It came by way of gdgt, a site whose credibility has been solid over the few years since its inception. The editor responsible for breaking the story – Peter Rojas – says he’s 99% certain of the details. Said details are still scare, though. We want an Amazon tablet just as much as the next guy but it looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we get even the slightest of hints as to its existence. [via Electronista]

Return Those Brand New G2x Units to T-Mobile and Get it for $150 From Amazon Instead

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 02:22 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

The T-Mobile G2X was just launched in-stores today and deals are already floating about the internet. Hell, just this morning Amazon had the stock Android dual-core device for $200 but that amount has since been reduced by $50. And the best part of all – no nasty rebates to mess around with. Go ahead and check it out at their online storefront. [Amazon]

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Reportedly Delayed Until June

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 01:37 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

Just when thing were starting to look up for ASUS’ forthcoming Honeycomb tablet, it’s reportedly being delayed. The word first came in through Amazon who told their customers not to expect the dockable tablet until June of this year. To put that into context, the thing was expected to be out already. And technical issues aren’t to blame, apparently.

It’s because so many people want this tablet that ASUS won’t have enough to sell once they are ready to put it on store shelves. That’s good news for ASUS, but it’s also bad news at the same time. They’d better hurry on and release this thing because we’re set to see an onslaught of Honeycomb tablets this summer. Samsung will be releasing theirs in the US in the same timeframe and they have already set a solid date – June 8th.

LG just came to market with the G-Slate on T-Mobile here in the US. And those brands have a lot more traction right now that ASUS’. Let’s hope they can get more manufactured before too long. [via KnowYourMobile, Thanks Douglas!]

T-Mobile UK Getting an Onslaught of Quality Androids [Galaxy S II, Xperia Neo, Optimus 3D]

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:15 PM PDT

This image has no alt text

This should come as no surprise to anyone – UK carriers tend to carry most high-profile devices without much of a fuss – but T-Mobile UK has published coming soon pages for the Galaxy S II, the LG Optimus 3D and the Xperia Neo. (This is in addition to the HTC ChaCha found earlier.)

These phones were all announced at Mobile World Congress and have gotten a ton of attention. (And for good reason.) The Galaxy S II, as you know, will be a 4.3-inch dual-core beast with a front-facing camera and Android 2.3. LG’s Optimus 3D will be their first 3D-enabled handset without the need for accompanying glasses.

And the Xperia Neo – while not as sweet as the Xperia Arc and Xperia Play – can hold its own against any high-end smartphone today. Go ahead and check out the respective coming soon pages for these smartphones here, here, and here. [via Unwired View]

Motorola Sending Emails to ATRIX 4G Owners to Test New Software Upgrade

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 11:44 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

Just moments after learning Motorola had published a method for getting back to stock firmware on the ATRIX 4G, we’ve learned they’re sending out emails to owners to help beta test a new software upgrade. Just the other day, it was reported on XDA that one lucky soul received not one, but two updates which eventually uncapped his upload speeds. (Something AT&T promised they’d do in a future software upgrade.)

His claims were met with uncertainty, but it was later revealed he owned a development phone that is authorized to receive pre-release software. Today’s news confirms that Motorola and AT&Twill soon be issuing a software upgrade, though, and if it’s anything like their other phones we could see it rolled out before the weekend. Any of you here receive any such email? [XDA 1, 2, Motorola, Thanks Roze!]

Motorola Releases Method to Get Back to Official ATRIX 4G Firmware

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 11:20 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

Motorola knows that people root – they’re not sworn to hate that. And they know there will be some people who’ll want a nice HSUPA upgrade once AT&T gets around to issuing it. (And we hear it’s already in the hands of testers.) Thus, they’ve released a method to return any Motorola ATRIX 4G on 4.1.51 and 4.1.52 to get back to the official build at any time. Simply quoted, “to get it updated go to Motorola Software Update and Choose Atrix 4G and follow the steps.” [Motorola via AC]

How to Root the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 11:08 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

I sometimes feel it’s pointless to post these “root achieved” articles because it’s almost always possible no matter which phone you have and no matter how locked down it is. The latest is Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc, which launched in several regions recently but seems to be the forgotten cousin of the Xperia Play.

If there are some of you out there who own the device and wanted to know if you could root it, though, then you’re in luck. I shouldn’t have to say much more, but remember that going through with this deems you responsible should anything happen to it and [insert rest of usual disclaimer mumbo jumbo here).

That said, be sure to get your bootloader unlock key from Sony Ericsson as this method requires an unlocked bootloader. (And not that unlocking your bootloader may void your warranty, as per Sony Ericsson's warning.) After doing so, you can find the instructions over at XDA. [via Xperia Blog]

Did Apple Really “Steal” Their iPhone Design From Samsung? [Pot, Meet Kettle]

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:52 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

Take a look at this picture. Take a good look at it. On the right? an iPhone. (I’m not sure which revision, really.They all look the same to me.) On the left? Well that’s a little fellow from Samsung known as the Samsung F700. The image alleges that the phone was announced in 2006 and released in February 2007, but only the latter is fact. The iPhone was announced and released in 2007.

So that begs the question: who’s really stealing from who? (If you didn’t know, Samsung is being sued by Apple for the Galaxy S’ resemblance to the iPhone.) Samsung clearly had something going with this design way before they thought up the Samsung Galaxy S and before we even knew of the iPhone’s existence. And the user interface isn’t looking too much different form iOS, either. (If we’re just talking about grid-based layouts.)

The answer: no one is stealing from anyone. Apple didn’t invent icons, nor did they invent the grid in which they sit. They didn’t invent the rectangle. They didn’t invent the touchscreen. They surely didn’t invent the nice looking button sitting at the bottom. And last, but not least, they didn’t invent phones.

And all of the same applies to Samsung and any other OEM. This image should serve as a good reminder that with innovation comes imitation. A standard is always set and manufacturers will always look to meet or surpass that standard. Apple can’t go around suing everybody because their phone was the first one that looks like it to be successful. Fall back, Apple – you really have no case here. [Thanks, Suriv!]

PS: Feel free to use this as ammunition in your court battles, Samsung – we’re on your side.

[Note]: Yes, we’ve seen the debunk article at Apple Insider. Even if Samsung did release the F700 a month after Apple showed the iPhone, it takes months for a design of any product to be finalized. Unless Samsung had some insiders at Apple leaking design information and documents, then it’s not right to say that the F700 copied the iPhone.

Motorola May Finally Be Bringing Another Stock Android Device, This Time to Virgin USA

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:34 AM PDT

This image has no alt text

It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten a stock Android device from Motorola – I think the last one was the Milestone/DROID. We’d love it if they’d consider bringing more out to more carriers, but we’ll just have to remain satisfied with today’s news that they’ll be bringing a new handset to Virgin Mobile that appears to be stock Android.

There are some things that throw us off here – like that 3×4 grid that should not be possible unless the launcher was customized. Perhaps it’s just a press shot and the designer has no clue how Android works, or perhaps this is just one quirk of hopefully very few on quite possibly the second device from the big M running stock Android. We’re hoping it’s the former.

As for the hardware, it simply looks like a smaller DROID X with capacitive buttons instead of hard ones. Nothing else is known about this one for the time being, but you know our interest is piqued. [PocketNow]
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)