Android Phone Fans |
- HTC EVO 3D Gets an Ad in ESPN The Magazine
- Early Nexus S 4G Makes Video Debut, Wireless Tether is a Go
- Samsung to give T-Mobile another 4G phone with the Exhibit 4G?
- Sony Ericsson Acro Unveiled as Japanese Xperia Arc Alternative
- Dell Streak 7 Copy Is a Knock-off that Could Best the Original
- Could Windows Phone Really Overtake Android as the World’s Top Smartphone Platform by 2015?
- Some Sprint Stores Already Selling the Nexus S 4G
- PhanMail Friday: We’re Back! [May 6th, 2011]
- Don’t Miss This Deal: HTC Droid Incredible 2 Only $79.99 at Amazon
- Honeycomb Ported to Notion Ink Adam, But It Isn’t Pretty
- InfoGraphic: A Globe of Searches
- T-Mobile Q1’11 Results Show Positive Revenue, But No Signs of Growth
- ASUS: We’re Shipping 100,000 Transformer Tablets This Month, Another 200,000 in June
- Download: T-Mobile G2x Gingerbread ROM
- P3Droid: Verizon Has Approved Latest Gingerbread Build for DROID X
| HTC EVO 3D Gets an Ad in ESPN The Magazine Posted: 06 May 2011 03:41 PM PDT
We’re still awaiting the official release date, but that doesn’t mean HTC won’t tease us with an ad spread in ESPN The Magazine. The HTC EVO 3D was featured among the pages of the latest issue touting its glasses free 3D. Now when can we get our hands on this again? Oh, at least you can pre-order if you ask nicely. [thanks, deltatko!]
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| Early Nexus S 4G Makes Video Debut, Wireless Tether is a Go Posted: 06 May 2011 03:36 PM PDT We saw earlier that a few Sprint locations were more than willing to part ways with the new Nexus S 4G a few days ahead of schedule, but now we have the above video showing the catch in all its glory. Android Forums members wallstreet777 gives us a quick look at the handset and confirms that, yes, the wireless tether hotspot is active on his brand new Nexus S 4G. Anyone else have luck grabbing one of these early? [via Android Forums | Thanks, wallstree77 and azman]
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| Samsung to give T-Mobile another 4G phone with the Exhibit 4G? Posted: 06 May 2011 02:22 PM PDT
From the looks of it, Samsung has yet another phone that isn’t the Galaxy S II pending for release on an American carrier. The latest is slated for T-Mobile HSPA+ bands and will likely sport the name Exhibit 4G. The phone is specced as a sort of mid-range/high-end hybrid with a body style that most closely resembles the Droid Charge recently released for Verizon. A 3.7-inch 480×800 AMOLED display, 1.4GHz ARM11 processor, and 5MP camera are the main features. The handset also scores a VGA front-facing cam. We’d prefer if Samsung would stop flooding the market with second takes on the original Galaxy S and get to releasing the Galaxy S II, but it looks like they aren’t prepared to do that anytime soon. When the Exhibit 4G will hit the streets is still unknown. [via TMoNews]
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| Sony Ericsson Acro Unveiled as Japanese Xperia Arc Alternative Posted: 06 May 2011 01:51 PM PDT
A while back we started to see the Xperia Arco name floating around in Sony Ericsson’s Japanese lineup. We were pretty sure it was a variation on the Xperia Arc, and those suspicions have been confirmed. SE announced the Arco for Japan and detailed what we can expect from the device when it hits the Land of the Rising Sun this summer. A 1GHz processor, Android Gingerbread, and 4.2-inch Reality Display powere by the Mobile Bravia Engine are the highlights. The handset also gets the 8.1MP Exmor R camera for high quality images in all lighting environments and 720p video recording. One of the major difference between the Arco and Arc is the inclusion of a mobile TV tuner, a feature that is big in Japan but not quite so in other regions. For this reason we don’t expect the Arco to spread out much after its initial launch. Full presser below. [via SE]
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| Dell Streak 7 Copy Is a Knock-off that Could Best the Original Posted: 06 May 2011 01:04 PM PDT
Spoiler alert: this Dell Streak 7 knock-off does not, in fact, best the original. Why? We will distill it down to once simple spec, a resistive touchscreen. But if you can bear having to jam your fingers firmly against the glass to perform any and all touch operations, then prepare to be marveled by the 1.2GHz CPU, 3000mAh battery, and Android 2.3 install found on this copy of the Streak 7. Take that, expensive branded alternative! Did we mention that, unlike the real deal, this thing actually makes phone calls? All for under $180 dollars. Other reasons not to buy: presumably shoddy build quality, probably won’t find it outside of China’s black market electronics markets, no reason to believe the thing actually works as advertised. [via Engadget]
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| Could Windows Phone Really Overtake Android as the World’s Top Smartphone Platform by 2015? Posted: 06 May 2011 12:26 PM PDT
The outcome of a partnership that will see Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 as the operating system of choice for Nokia, one of the world’s top mobile phone manufacturers, has yet to have any real impact on the global smartphone market. At least one firm, Pyramid Research, thinks the combination could have Windows Phone ranking as the top smartphone platform in the world by 2015. This goes right in the face of report, after report, after report stating otherwise. The number crunching of the likes of IDC, ABI, and Gartner all say Android will hold nearly 50 percent of the market by mid-decade. Their analysts admit Windows Phone will rise as a competitor thanks to Nokia, but put it only at second place with each firm predicting around 20 percent of total global smartphone market share. Pyramid concedes that Android will be the driving force behind smartphone growth over the next five years, taking smartphones from about 27 percent of all mobile phones sold in 2011 to 53 percent of all phones sold in 2015. Why, exactly, they have chosen Windows Phone as the eventual top dog in the battle for smartphone supremacy is lost on me. [via BGR]
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| Some Sprint Stores Already Selling the Nexus S 4G Posted: 06 May 2011 11:09 AM PDT
If you can’t wait until Sunday to pick up the Nexus S 4G you might want to head down to your local Sprint store and try pestering an employee or two. A few lucky customers have been able to pick up the first 4G Google handset early. The official street date for the phone is May 8th, so if you can’t convince the folks at the Sprint store to let you walk with one today, remember, patience is a virtue. You will just have to hang tight for the next 48 hours or so.
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| PhanMail Friday: We’re Back! [May 6th, 2011] Posted: 06 May 2011 11:05 AM PDT
It’s been a loooooong long time since we’ve done one of these. Due to hectic schedules, donuts, and other circumstances beyond our control the past couple of months, we haven’t been able to answer all of the great questions that continue to flow in. We’re putting an end to all of that, though. If you don’t remember, PhanMail Friday is a weekly collection of some of the best questions sent to us and answered by our very own editors. Whether you need help with your phone or if you want our thoughts on current Android happenings, we’re happy to answer any and everything. (Just don’t expect us to entertain obscene questions – those will get trashed without delay.) Please continue to send your questions in by heading over to the Contact Us section and use the PhanMail form. Check back each Friday to see if your question was answered. I’ll do my best to answer as many of them as I can but I can’t get to them all. Without further delay:
Yea, it angers me too, Andy. Even though we write about and review phones, we can’t get our hands on a majority of the European exclusives until their North American counterparts make their way over to the US. And on a personal tip, I’m waiting to buy a certain phone that I’m hoping will come out for a certain carrier with certain features. (I won’t disclose which phone as I don’t want it to seem as if I’m endorsing it.) But yes, we hear you. It sucks. I always say that American cell phone companies should just adopt the Europeans’ style. Their carriers are willing to carry any and everything and you can get any phone for “free” with the right data plan. Actually, I think I might just move to Europe. Bye.
I haven’t seen anything like that, Walsh, but if you don’t mind an ugly solution I’m sure one of the many silicon cases available will be able to stretch right over that extra junk in the trunk.
Stop. Go to the DROID X’s All Things Root section at AndroidForums.com or XDA-Developers’ DROID X General section and ask your question there. I’m not saying this because I don’t feel like answering the question, but I wouldn’t dare give advice on a device I don’t own and have no experience with. You’ll find that the Android hacking community – while a bit testy at times – will get you going before you can say “I’m going to switch to the iPho–”
That’s awesome, Brad! There’s no better way to become a user than to sign up at our sister site AndroidForums.com. It’s owned and operated by us here at Phandroid and your username there will enable some great functionality here on Phandroid.com in the months to come. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter – if you haven’t, you’re currently missing out on a chance to win whatever Rob gets at Google I/O. (Keep your fingers crossed for it being a device of some sort!) Look for the newsletter button on the upper right of this page to get started.
Android has tethering (modem) features built in since Android 2.2, but your carrier may have opted to get rid of them or replace them with their own solution. If you don’t have the option, you may need to root your device and use one of several free tethering applications. This may or may not be legal depending on who your operator is so be sure to check your contract or terms of service.
Hi Keith. I’m unable to endorse any one carrier, but if your $75 reimbursement covers you no matter what, you may only be paying a few dollars per month for service at a couple of different carriers. I know T-Mobile and Sprint have affordable rate plans compared to the two biggest carriers in America, AT&T and Verizon. Verizon’s only two 4G devices at the moment are the Samsung DROID Charge and the HTC Thunderbolt. Their network can also rival most Americans’ broadband internet connections in terms of speed. Unfortunately that leaves us back at square one – there is never an easy way to choose carriers. Consider your limits and see who is the best fit for you.
I can assure you that this will be a problem no matter where you go in the United States, whiskey. Samsung has proven that they can deliver timely and stable updates to unbranded Galaxy S phones in Europe. They were alongside the first group of folks to receive Froyo and the same will ring true for Gingerbread. In the United States, as you know, there are no unbranded Galaxy S devices – each update for each phone had to go through respective carrier. They have to customize it with certain preinstalled applications and carrier specific features and must test and test and test. All four major carriers in the United States took quite a while to get Froyo out, and not all of their updates were stable when they did bring them out. (Forcing them to take the update offline until further notice.) Switching carriers isn’t going to help anything so I’d only suggest you do that if you have other reasons. That’s all the room we have to answer this weeks, folks. Now that I can assure you this feature will continue weekly from here on it, don’t be hesitant to send your questions through. We always love to hear what’s on you guys’ minds and this is no doubt one of the funnest ways to do it. See you next week!
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| Don’t Miss This Deal: HTC Droid Incredible 2 Only $79.99 at Amazon Posted: 06 May 2011 10:47 AM PDT
The HTC Droid Incredible 2 is only a week old, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a killer deal on the Verizon handset. Amazon has cut the $199.99 price tag by over 50 percent, bringing the cost of the DInc 2 on a new two-year contract down to $79.99. The Incredible 2 follows the incredibly popular Droid Incredible and does so with great poise and class. For its improvements, it does lack 4G LTE and dual-core processing. If that puts you on the fence, check out our full review of the device or hit up Android Forums to see what others are saying about the phone.
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| Honeycomb Ported to Notion Ink Adam, But It Isn’t Pretty Posted: 06 May 2011 09:52 AM PDT When we first heard of the Notion Ink Adam we were hoping it’d eventually get Android 3.0. Unfortunately Google’s limiting who can get a fully-licensed version of the tablet-specific software and is electing not to release the source code. Folks are tired of waiting and have taken it upon themselves to port Honeycomb to the device. Don’t jump for joy jet yet, though – it’s not the least bit ready for primetime. The video of the port above shows extreme sluggishness and unresponsive controls. There likely won’t be a stable port until Google decides to release the source code for Android 3.0. If you’re growing tired of your Adam and are feeling brave enough, though, head over to Tablet Roms to get your own taste. (Or at least follow the discussion to see what progress is being made.) [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
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| InfoGraphic: A Globe of Searches Posted: 06 May 2011 08:58 AM PDT Ever wanted a cool way to see how many people were searching in what different languages in each part of the world? Wanting to see something like that never crossed my mind, but when Google introduced Search Globe it made me appreciate unique infographics no matter what type of information they reveal. It’s a browser-based app coded in WebGL. You can spin the globe ala Google Earth and it’ll show you spikes of colors – these colors represent different languages. The more colors there are in one area the more people are searching.
You can spin the globe by simply holding your mouse button and dragging it until you get to the region you want to see. Using the scroll wheel (or two finger swipes on MacBooks and Macs with a Magic Mouse) zooms in and out. Google’s even open sourced the project in case you want to see what they’ve done and apply some of it to your own projects. Cool stuff indeed. Check it out here. (Note: use Google Chrome if other browsers are giving you issues.) [Google via Pocket-Lint]
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| T-Mobile Q1’11 Results Show Positive Revenue, But No Signs of Growth Posted: 06 May 2011 08:35 AM PDT
T-Mobile’s Q1’11 financial results have finally been publicized. They raked in nearly $4.63 billion in service revenues, but – as one would imagine – lost some customers. 99,000 net customers were lost. To be specific, 471,000 contract customers opted not to renew their contracts, but they did manage to get 371,000 additions through prepaid channels and wholesale. That brings their total of customers to 33.63 million, which is actually 100,000 customers less than what they had in the same quarter last year. T-Mobile’s clearly struggling to grow which explains – you guessed it – Deutsche Telekom’s desire and need to sell it to AT&T. T-Mobile looked to hush questions about AT&T’s impact on T-Mobile’s business model with the following quote:
T-Mobile certainly has been operating as if it were its own company (because they are) with several high profile device launches having just taken place at the end of last month and with new devices announced to be headed our way soon such as the HTC Sensation and HTC Flyer. The company fully understands that the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile may very well be rejected by the FCC. [via Yahoo]
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| ASUS: We’re Shipping 100,000 Transformer Tablets This Month, Another 200,000 in June Posted: 06 May 2011 07:38 AM PDT
A lot has been made of the recent ASUS Transformer shortages that has everyone going crazy. The device launched to great success, but unfortunately demand far exceeded supply as it was virtually impossible to find mere minutes after launch. (We have seen several reports and videos suggesting these are in the hands of every day users, though.) It was originally suggested that the company would only be shipping 10,000 units per month due to component shortages, but spokesman David Change says this isn’t the case. ASUS expects to get 100,000 Transformer units in stores this month, while they expect to double that unit by June. It’s said that the shortages are expected to end after June and they’ll be able to reach their original goal of 300,000 units a month smack dab in the middle of summer. Unfortunately no word was given on when exactly the 100,000 units would make their way to store shelves this month. The only thing you folks can do is keep calling to see if you can get lucky and score one. If you can, be sure to let ask them how many they have in stock and let us know. [via NetbookNews]
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| Download: T-Mobile G2x Gingerbread ROM Posted: 06 May 2011 07:00 AM PDT Any T-Mobile G2X users waiting for Gingerbread either from CyanogenMod or T-Mobile themselves? A few days ago we got a look at Gingerbread for the device on video but had no idea how to get our hands on it. Paul from MoDaCo seems to be the man when it comes to LG’s dual-core devices, though, as he’s brought another gem to the community – a downloadable flashable ROM for all rooted users to enjoy. Paul notes that this may very well be the version that T-Mobile rolls out over the air suggesting the upgrade probably already finished. He couldn’t get the updated baseband, unfortunately, but suggests it has indeed been updated and that we would have it when he has it. As always, you’re responsible for anything and everything you do with your device. We can not be held accountable if a unicorn jumps out of the screen and stabs you with its horn. Head over to MoDaCo for the links. [via Android Central]
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| P3Droid: Verizon Has Approved Latest Gingerbread Build for DROID X Posted: 06 May 2011 05:26 AM PDT
Looks like the official Gingerbread OTA upgradefor the Motorola Droid X may finally be headed our way. P3Droid has it on good authority that Verizon has signed off on Motorola’s latest build meaning we could be seeing an OTA rollout within the next seven days. (Don’t take my word for it.) He was also gracious enough to detail an upgrade path for those who are on unofficial builds and want to get stepped up to the official OTA once the time comes. Click through to MyDroidWorld for more information and prepare for Verizon’s official Gingerbread upgrade. [AndroidForums.com, Thanks Steven!]
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