Friday, April 22, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Things We Missed, You Shouldn’t [April 22nd]

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 03:49 PM PDT

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Another week in the books, but the Android news won’t sleep. Anyone doing anything interesting for the holiday weekend? Whether you are spending time with family, dying eggs, or just catching up on your sleep, her is some extra news for the weekend.

Leaked Dell Roadmap Names Dell’s 10-inch Tablet

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 02:58 PM PDT

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It had been assumed the the 10-inch tablet upcoming from Dell would fall into the Streak lineup, but a new tablet roadmap is confirming the name as the Dell Streak Pro. The roadmap also includes a few specs we can expect in the upcoming Honeycomb tablet. The screen will (obviously) be a 10-incher and will run at 1280×800 pixels. It will feature the NVIDIA Tegra T25.

Unlike the original Streak, the Streak Pro will be data only — no voice calls on this one. But there will be a cam and mics for video chat. The Dell Stage 1.5 interface and enterprise application stack should provide some corporate-level usability. The tablet is listed as coming in June, but this is unconfirmed as recent rumors suggest we won’t see it until fall.

[via AndroidCentral]

Droid Incredible 2 and Casio Commando Demo Units Arriving in Stores

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 02:46 PM PDT

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April 28th is looking to be a big day for Android phones at Verizon, and while only one — the Samsung DROID Charge — has been formally announced signs still point towards the Droid Incredible 2 and Casio g’z0ne Cammonado landing on the same date. Take for example demo units of the both handsets arriving in Verizon stores.

The Commando we have heard rather little of, but it is the first Android entry into Casio’s rugged g’z0ne lineup. The life-resistant phones are no stranger to Verizon’s networks. While the Droid Incredble 2 is the anticipated follow up to last year’s hit phone, the Commando intrigues us here, simply for it’s unique features in Verizon’s lineup.

[via DroidLife]

Google Might Be Tracking Your Location, But Not Without Your Permission

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 02:25 PM PDT

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News that Apple was collecting location data behind user’s backs caused quite a stir, and as expected caused those in the industry to take a second look at what Google might be doing with tracking info collected from Android smartphones. Google won’t deny that they do collect user location data, but they were quick to point out that they won’t do it without permission. In a statement made responding to the claims, Google said:

“All location sharing on Android is opt-in by the user. We provide users with notice and control over the collection, sharing and use of location in order to provide a better mobile experience on Android devices. Any location data that is sent back to Google location servers is anonymized and is not tied or traceable to a specific user.”

The real debate, as brought up by the Wall Street Journal, concerns the anonymity of the user the data is collected from. Turns out those fears are mostly unfounded as well. A unique identifier is attached to the location data, but that identifier, which corresponds with the phone, is not paired with any person data such as phone number, name, or email address. Therefore the ability to pinpoint the specific user of any specific phone is virtually nonexistent.

Unlike Google, Apple has yet to come forward with the reason behind collecting user location data.

[via TechCrunch]

HBO Launching On Select Android Phones May 2nd

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 01:18 PM PDT

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If you were wondering when DirecTV and HBO would launch the HBO Go service announced earlier this month, a tweet from the television service provider provides us with the answer. According to DTV, May 2nd will be the day HBO Go comes to select Android devices.

This should play out in the same way as other device or carrier-locked applications, much like Verizon’s Skype exclusive or the upcoming Netflix app headed for the LG Revolution Which devices or service providers will have access to HBO Go has yet to be detailed. Would it be a bit redundant to ask for the app to eventually hit Google TV?

[via AndroidCentral]

Best Buy Announces Pre-sale of HTC Flyer for April 24th, Priced at $499

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:36 AM PDT

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Best Buy hasn’t narrowed down their spring launch window for the Wi-Fi-only version of the HTC Flyer, but they have announced the beginning of pre-sales for the device. Starting this Sunday, April 24th, you can reserve your Flyer ahead of its release for $499. Best Buy will be the exclusive retailer of the Wi-Fi-only Flyer in the United States, though we question how great the demand for the device will be. The $499 price tag matches up with the lowest price point for the iPad 2, though that device features a larger screen and all the marketing power of Apple behind it. Even if the Flyer came with Android Honeycomb onboard (which it doesn’t), the tablet has an uphill climb in front of it.

While we aren’t sold on the Flyer yet, fans of HTC’s Sense UI looking for a smaller tablet for factor might be interested in at least giving it the once over.

[via Best Buy]

Japanese Social Gaming Network GREE Acquires OpenFeint for $104 Million

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:26 AM PDT

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Japan’s leading social gaming network, GREE, is taking a big step onto American soil with the purchase of OpenFeint for $104 million. The acquisition doesn’t come with many changes in store for either company. The services will remain as separate entities as OpenFeint will continue to work on spreading their worldwide impact and hiring more staff. Still, the combined userbase of both services tops 100 million, establishing the largest network of gamers in the world. With two separate entities, GREE is hoping their global reach can be catered to specific markets.

Pretty great news for OpenFeint, a company that has been a driving force behind bringing a plethora of new, quality titles to the Android platform. With the backing of the larger GREE the company should continue to grow and provide new gaming experiences for mobile users around the world.

[via DroidGamers]

Motorola Droid Pro Update Now Rolling Out to All

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:08 AM PDT

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Last week it was discovered that the Motorola DROID PRO was due for an update, one that would bring the phone up to Blur version 3.8.7 and provide a bevy of fixes and tweaks int he process. Much of the update has to do with correcting certain ActiveSync problems, but it also includes the VCAST Appstore. Reports had us thinking it had started already rolling out, but the update seems to have been hitting handsets sparingly. Today, Motorola announced the larger push of the update should start hitting handsets in waves. If you haven’t received yours yet, hang tight. More info in the update can be found at Motorola’s support page.

[via DroidLife]

Will Spotify Be Google Music’s Savior?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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The Google Music saga continues to unfold as the tech giant scrambles to piece together a service that could compete with Apple’s iTunes. It was recently revealed that Apple may beat Google to market with a cloud music service. As such, Google is reportedly turning to the established and popular Spotify for a partnership that could benefit both sides.

Spotify has long wanted to break into the US market but has been having trouble tacking down the exact specifics of launching their streaming music service in the States. Google has struggled to pen deals with record labels to secure the necessary rights and licenses to make Google Music a reality. The combined product would likely stray from the music store/cloud music service initially teased by Google, but a streaming service would offer a product much different than what iTunes currently offers.

Spotify has been the talk of the town in streaming music in other parts of the world, but those in North America can only trust the opinions of our European neighbors for now. The two companies teaming up would please more than a few eager to give the highly-praised service a try.

[via Gizmodo]

The US Army Has a Prototype Android in the Works

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 09:56 AM PDT

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We’ve long known about the United States’ ARMY’s plans to bring smartphones to their soldiers in the field, and we knew they were leaning toward Android, but nothing solid had ever been confirmed to be in the works. Things may finally be underway, though, as they reportedly have a prototype in the pipeline.

The device has quite the windy name – the Joint Battle Command-Platform – and is being made by a company named MITRE. The ARMY is expected to release an SDK for the platform in July for developers to create military-grade applications for use in the field.

Unfortunately, the military is still waiting on someone to help deliver a solution that will bring about a more secure Android. We imagine this shouldn’t be too difficult in practice considering how open the platform is, but the theory has yet to be set. In any case, it looks like June is set for Android’s first big push into the armed forces. [via Ars Technica]

Hoping For a Good Camera Experience on the HTC Sensation? This Video May Please You

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 09:43 AM PDT

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One of the few complaints many people have with HTC devices are their cameras – they used to stink. Badly. Somewhere around their second generation of Android devices – namely the Inspire 4G, the Thunderbolt, and the S series of devices – they started using improved sensors.

These looked great compared to the sensors of yesteryear but were still lacking compared to other OEMs’. And now new camera samples of the Sensation have surfaced and I think HTC’s finally found their sweet spot. I’d still like to see how the cameras perform in lowlight situations (where an HTC camera used to be absolutely unusable even with flash), but this’ll have to do for now. Let’s hope the rest of the experience is as good as it is in natural daylight. [via PocketNow]

Sprint Reportedly Set to End Instant Rebates May 7th

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:48 AM PDT

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Remember when Sprint followed in Verizon’s footsteps and offered customers smartphones at the lowest subsidized price without having to deal with any mail-in rebates? (Sort of like what Best Buy does for all carriers and phones.) Yea, it’s about to come to a close.

We shouldn’t be surprised considering Sprint mentioned that this would go on for an undisclosed period of time. (Though I do understand if you’re upset with the carrier for not disclosing that period of time.)

Anywho, May 7th is the cut-off date if you want to buy a new phone from them without having to deal with any rebates according to this leak. Let’s hope some of their newer devices make their way out before then. [via BGR]

Sidekick 4G Rooted, You Say?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:34 AM PDT

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You had to expect this was coming: the Sidekick 4G has been rooted. The device was released alongside blockbuster devices such as the T-Mobile G2X and the T-Mobile G-Slate on April 20th. This has almost become standard procedure, though, so I’ll just close this up by forwarding you on over to XDA where you can find some pretty detailed instructions. [via Android Community]

You Might Already Have Sprint’s Special Google Voice Integration

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 07:41 AM PDT

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Sprint originally said their enhanced Google Voice integration would make its way to the service sometime this month but didn’t have an exact date until just yesterday – it should be here April 26th. You should check your Google Voice account right now, though, because you may be able to see that sweet Sprint logo alongside your phone number. I logged in yesterday afternoon to check some voicemails and – sure enough – there it was. I suggest you folks go ahead and do the same. Don’t fret if you don’t end up seeing it because the 26th is only a few days away.

Investors Shoveling $100 Million Into the Android Ecosystem

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 07:15 AM PDT

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This is a pleasant piece of news this good Friday morning. DCM – an investment firm in Silicon Valley – has announced A-Fund, a $100 million pool of money headed straight for up and coming players in the Android ecosystem. DCM is one of many firms who have identified Android as the hottest thing going in mobile right now and they’re looking to capitalize on that by helping Android-focused startups with capital.

What really pushed them to do this was Android’s rise to dominance in Asia, including countries such as Japan, China, and Taiwan. If you need a bit more history on their success, Zynga is just one name of many that they saw dollar signs in starting out.

DCM has not yet announced which companies will see investments from the A-Fund, but four are expected to be announced next month. Let’s hope this pushes Android over the top and has developers competing for top dollar in the Android market. [Mashable]
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