Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Android and Me

Android and Me

Is Verizon in violation of its LTE licensing requirements?

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 01:47 PM PDT

It’s my notion that when you purchase data services, your provider should not be concerned with how you go about accessing those services. It turns out I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Recently Free Press, a non-profit organization aiming to reform the media, has filed a complaint with the FCC asking them to investigate Verizon's practice of restricting access to services through tethering–specifically citing Verizon's request to remove tethering applications from its version of the Android Market. According to the complaint, this is in direct violation of the licensing rules Verizon agreed to when purchasing the spectrum used to roll out the LTE network.

In order to back up its claim, Free Press calls out a clause in the agreement, which states that the licensee “shall not deny, limit or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice.”

Free Press then explains in detail how the act of removing third-party tethering applications from the Android Market violates this clause. These are the major points of argument:

  1. Disabling access to tethering applications effectively limits the ability to use applications of one’s choosing.
  2. Removing tethering applications from the Android Market limits and restricts the ability  to use devices of one’s choosing.
  3. Verizon's actions violate the Commission's rules, even though Verizon needs Google's assistance to disable applications in the Android Market.
  4. The exemptions set forth in the C Block Rules do not excuse Verizon's conduct.

The full complaint can be found on the Free Press website.

While this pertains to the LTE contract, I am not aware of any such clause applying to Verizon's 3G network. So, this issue might be a question in three parts.

  1. Can Verizon differentiate between its 3G and 4G network? (Surely that is possible, right?)
  2. Does Verizon have an obligation to allow 4G handsets to use third-party tethering applications, if they are not using the 4G network while tethering?
  3. Does Verizon have an obligation to allow tethering at all?

So, what say you? Has Verizon violated the openness rules it agreed to when purchasing the spectrum for its LTE network? Or, does Verizon have a right to restrict how its customers access its network?

Samsung Galaxy S II coming to Verizon in July?

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 12:54 PM PDT

Update from ComputerWorld: This story originally said that Verizon Wireless expected to make the Galaxy S II smartphone available sometime in July. After the story appeared, the Verizon spokeswoman quoted in the story said she was incorrect and meant that Samsung Galaxy Tab would appear in July. She didn’t comment on whether the carrier is making the smartphone available next month.

Mobile World Congress brought one of the most anticipated devices of the year, the Samsung Galaxy S II. The device’s popularity quickly gained momentum and reached the top of our wish lists, with some of the most groundbreaking specs of this year (at least for now).

This device will be among the best phones in the market, upon its release. Featuring specs like a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, front and rear cameras, a stunning Super AMOLED Plus display, and its amazing design, this device is sure to bring some good competition to other manufacturers. But when is it going to be released in the U.S.?

The Samsung Galaxy S II was first released in South Korea, but before today, we had no idea when it would be reaching the U.S. According to the guys at Droid-Life, a Verizon spokeswoman has stated that they are planning to have the Samsung Galaxy S II for sale by July (no specific date given), which is actually sooner than expected.

Though we wish we could have more details about the release date (and whether it will have 4G LTE connectivity or not), at least we know that the Samsung Galaxy S II is about to reach the U.S. There is also no word on the Samsung Galaxy S II versions for the other carriers, but we can assume that the competition won’t lag too much. For now, Verizon users can have something to look forward to until next month. Any Verizon users out there getting this?

Google Navigation to get true offline mode this summer?

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 11:01 AM PDT

The folks over at AllAboutPhones have just uncovered some awesome news for fans of Google Navigation.

In the opinion of many, especially developers of alternative navigation applications, the main fundamental flaw of Google Navigation has been that it requires you to be connected to a data plan in order to use it.  Google has offered a partial remedy to this with cached routes, where Google Navigation will automatically store your route and the surrounding areas in case you happen to lose coverage along the way. Though this solution is helpful, it doesn’t go all the way as Google Navigation is rendered useless if you wish to navigate to a different location but happen to find yourself in a dead zone.

AllAboutPhones is reporting that a full-fledged solution should land on Google Navigation sometime this summer, adding full offline map support. Once this update drops, Android users will no longer need to rely on their data connection to get them from point A to point B. From how this functionality is delivered in other applications, we assume that Google’s solution will require users to download a maps package for their region (most likely U.S. only to begin with), and store that data on either the phone’s memory or an external SD card.

What’s missing from this report is what price, if any, Google will charge for this service. Though I would like to see Google continue to offer an amazing navigation service at no cost to the end-user, I have a feeling this may not be the case. That being said, we’re hopeful that Google may surprise us with this one.

What do you guys think? Will this service be free? If not, what would you be willing to pay for it? Let us know in the comments.

HTC Thunderbolt keeps rebooting? Fix is on the way!

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 10:36 AM PDT

Being Verizon’s first 4G LTE Android smartphone is no simple task. The consumer is not very easily satisfied, and the HTC Thunderbolt’s battery life is already a huge concern. Well, some things we can handle. We might even forgive Verizon for the infamous 4G downtime. We also know that 4G LTE sucks the life out of the batteries, so we can even live with that if we so choose to. But, things got pretty bad with the last OTA update.

While updates are always exciting, the Thunderbolt’s last update didn’t bring good things. After the OTA was rolled out, customers started reporting issues with signal, as well as multiple device reboots throughout the day.

Android Central just got a leaked internal document (posted below) that proves Verizon and HTC are working on a fix for this problem. This problem will be fixed sometime during the second half of June. Sadly, it seems like Thunderbolt users have no option but to wait it out, since Verizon has no short-term fix.

According to this document, if the situation is “unacceptable from a customer perspective,” one can simply get a new Thunderbolt from Verizon. If you think you can handle a few reboots a day, though, you can simply wait for the software maintenance release to come around.

As smartphone users, we have gotten used to bugs here and there, but multiple device reboots a day? That simply sounds like too much to handle, and this issue should have definitely been addressed sooner. What do you guys say? Are Verizon and HTC taking too long to fix this? Are you happy to hear that this update is coming? Also, let us know what kind of issues you are experiencing since the problematic update came around.

Video: 7 reasons to trade in your EVO 4G for an EVO 3D

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 10:36 AM PDT

The official price and release date for Sprint’s HTC EVO 3D were finally announced a couple days ago, and it’s just crying to be picked up. Announced at CTIA 2011, this device has been one of the most anticipated of the year. And it only has a few worthy competitors. (Mostly the HTC Sensation and the Samsung Galaxy S II).

Soon after the EVO 3D’s price and availability were made official, multiple companies started announcing pre-order offers. Target seems to stand out amongst the crowd, since they’re offering a $150 credit if you’re willing to trade-in your HTC EVO 4G. And Radio Shack is willing to give a $100 credit for it. Why should you give up your beloved EVO 4G? Here’s 7 reasons why the upgrade is very much worth it:

Processor

If you thought your HTC EVO 4G was fast, wait ’til you see the power of the EVO 3D. Packing one of the best processors to-date, the EVO 3D’s 1.2 GHZ dual-core Snapdragon will surely impress. Not only is this CPU clocked higher, but the dual-core factor should also substantially improve the performance of the device.

RAM

Though this might be a battery drainer for some, (we all know Android devices have bad battery life anyway–especially ones with HTC Sense), this device does have 1 GB of RAM, which will greatly improve your multitasking experience.

3D Camera and Display

Though many think a phone should not be 3D, it’s actually very nice to have the option. Being able to record and watch 3D video (glasses-free) can definitely improve your media experience. 3D is growing–slowly, but it is growing–and this feature makes your device just a bit more future-proof. But if you just can’t get used to 3D, it’s very simple to turn the feature off. Even without it, this is a great phone.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread

It’s mid-2011, and you’d expect all devices to be released with Android 2.3. But that’s not always the case. Many devices are still being released with Froyo, which is simply not acceptable at this point. The HTC EVO 3D, however, does come with Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box, making it one of the very few to have the latest Android OS.

HTC Sense 3.0

If you guys haven’t seen the improvements in Sense 3.0, you’re really missing the action. It’ll only take the first power-on for you to see how much HTC Sense has improved. Literally the first thing you see, the lock screen is among the most exciting features of Sense 3.0. (At least it’s my favorite). And that’s only the beginning.

TV Connectivity

The HTC EVO 3D features DLNA and HDMI (MHL port). This will prove amazing for those who want to take their entertainment to a bigger screen. Plug in your device via HDMI or simply sync it wirelessly, if your TV is DLNA capable. It’s that simple to play your HD–and 3D–videos on your living room big screen.

Price/Trade-in Credit

While some other high-end devices are being released with a price tag of $250-$300, the EVO 3D is breaking the rules, with a price of $199.99 on a two-year contract. So, if you trade in your EVO 4G at Target and get the $150 credit ($100 at Radio Shack), it adds up very nice. (We’ll let you do the math). Although, if you try to sell your EVO 4G through a site like eBay or Craigslist, you might end up getting even more for it.

Pre-orders are up and running, so make your decision and be sure to get your device by the 24th. With the popularity of the EVO 3D, supplies probably won’t last long.

EVO 4G, I love you, but people (and technology) change. It isn’t you, it’s me…

As always, we’d love to know what our readers think. Let us know your opinions! Are you pre-ordering your EVO 3D? If so, are you trading in your EVO 4G for the store credit?

Radio Shack has put together this closer-look video of the EVO 3D, as if you needed any more prompting.

OnLive shows the future of gaming, web browsing on Android

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:18 AM PDT

A few days ago, we told you OnLive was bringing its video gaming service to Android devices later this year. Coincidentally, there was a little something  going on this week called E3 where the company unveiled all the details–and then some–about its Android app.

For those of you who don’t know, OnLive is a cloud gaming service that processes and renders video games on its data centers and then streams the video to your device. By offloading the workload to the cloud, OnLive lets you play console-quality games on even the most wimpy netbook. The end-result is the same as playing a game on your console or PC, but without the hassle of installing any software or spending a small fortune upgrading your PC.

As we told you before, OnLive will be releasing an Android app later this year (we’re hearing around August) that will let you play any game that the service offers. If your heart just stopped when you thought about playing Duke Nukem: Forever on your Android tablet, you’re not alone. You’ll be able to play games by using either on-screen touch controls, which developers have to implement, or the OnLive Universal Wireless Controller we showed you last week.

There seemed to be a lot of confusion about the Universal Wireless Controller when I wrote about it last week, so I’ll try to explain it better this time. The controller connects wirelessly to your Android device without anything in-between. There’s nothing to hook up and no other device is needed to connect to your Android tablet/phone. The controller can also connect this way to your PC, Mac and some Vizio TVs. In the rare case that your device doesn’t support the Universal Wireless Controller, OnLive will sell you a USB dongle that will let you connect it.

While playing console-quality games on our Android tablet is enough to send us into a geek-induced comma, OnLive has some much more interesting and mind-blowing stuff coming down the pike. Like how you’ll be able to use your Android device as a controller for OnLive. Or how the company will use the same video-compression technology that it’s using on games to give you a full-blown browser that has a 10-Gbit Internet connection. Wait what?

That’s right. The company is working on a “web browser” for Android devices that works just like its video game app, but instead of streaming a video game, it gives you a full-desktop browser with Flash included. The company demoed how fast full Flash websites like Mercedes Benz’s would load on your device. Also, since none of the rendering is done on the actual device, the “browser” allows you to watch content from Netflix and Hulu right on your Android device. Are you excited about OnLive now? Well, you haven’t heard the best part yet.

The company is working with video game studios to bring OnLive-exclusive video games to the platform. This will allow video game developers to take full advantage of OnLive’s processing power, which is several times more powerful than the most high-end desktop computer available today. The company showed how, by using OnLive’s servers, video game developers could build games that looks just like real life–or better. The company said the technology to bring life-like games to console and computers is not here yet, but it does exist on data centers.

Steve Perlman, CEO of OnLive, gave us a glimpse at the kind of graphics we can expect from games that use the power of the cloud. Basically, games would look just this Batman Arkham City trailer–as realistic as it gets. Virtual reality, here we come.



Show Press Release

iPad, Android Tablet Instantly Becomes Touch/Motion Controller
or Standalone Cloud Gaming System with Touch/Motion or Game Controller
Seamless Integration of Tablet with or without HDTV
First Touch/Controller Game from Major Publisher Unveiled
for OnLive
Unparalleled Multiplayer Mobile or In-Home Experience
Available in Autumn 2011 in US and Europe
Los Angeles, Calif. (E3 Expo 2011) — June 7, 2011 — OnLive, Inc., the pioneer of cloud gaming, is pleased to report that gamers throughout the world can immediately experience the seamless integration of tablets and HDTVs with high-end gaming. Their current iPad or Android tablet and current HDTV will not only provide this experience in 2011, but will provide it with far higher performance, richer gameplay and deeper social integration than any console announced for 2012, with more than 100 games available today.
OnLive is pleased to announce the OnLive® Player App for iPad and Android. Like the recently announced consoles, the OnLive Player App will enable gameplay of virtually all OnLive games on an iPad and Android tablet with touch or OnLive’s new Universal Wireless Controller. In addition, the OnLive Player App allows the tablet to be used as a touch and motion controller combined with an HDTV (or PC/Mac® if preferred), and allows both synchronized or independent video on the tablet and HDTV screen, enabling combined gameplay with tablet and HDTV, or separate gameplay on tablet and HDTV.
Full voice chat-enabled multiplayer is supported, both in-room and with others throughout the world, providing a complete multiplayer experience whether at home or on the go with a mobile device.
Core patent-pending exclusive OnLive cloud gaming features such as massive spectating of live gameplay throughout the world, instant no-obsolescence gameplay, Facebook integration with Brag Clip™ videos, etc., will work seamlessly on both tablets and HDTVs and will continue to distinguish OnLive from consoles, both in 2011 and beyond.
"The power of the cloud is definitely the theme this week, displacing what had been assumed to be platforms that could never be displaced," said Steve Perlman, Founder and CEO of OnLive. "The OnLive Player App for iPad and Android shows how with the power of the cloud, the question is not whether cloud gaming will be able to catch up to consoles, it will be whether consoles will be able to catch up to cloud gaming."
OnLive is excited to demonstrate the first game from a major publisher supporting both OnLive’s iPad/Android tablet touch and game controller, as well as running seamlessly on an HDTV, PC and Mac, to be released later in 2011. Come to OnLive’s booth (South Hall, Booth #801) for a demo.
For gamers preferring a smaller screen, OnLive will provide the exact same functionality on iPhone and Android smartphones, allowing them to be used both as game systems themselves with touch and the OnLive Universal Wireless Controller, or as a controller to an HDTV (or PC/Mac), for simultaneous or independent play.
OnLive is also unveiling as part of this experience the first 10 gigabit cloud-based full-featured browser for iPad, Android and HDTV; bringing the full richness of the Web loading from ultra-fast 10 gigabit/second Web connections to OnLive’s cloud-based servers, including support for full-featured Flash and video sites. Mobile and home devices will no longer be limited to the speed of their local connection for Web browsing or Web plug-in compatibility, opening up access to Flash games and social gaming for tablets and HDTVs.
All OnLive games played using the OnLive Player App will play seamlessly across all OnLive-compatible devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android, on HDTV via the OnLive Game System, on connected HDTV and Blu-ray/media players and on PC and Mac.
The OnLive Player for iPad and Android is being showcased live at OnLive.s booth (South Hall, Booth #801) and will be available later this year. For a video presentation please visit http://www.onlive.com/corporate/pressroom.
About OnLive
OnLive is the pioneer of instant cloud gaming, delivering real-time interactive experiences and rich media through the Internet. With groundbreaking video compression technology, OnLive harnesses cloud computing to provide the power and intelligence needed to instantly deliver the latest, premium game titles to any HDTV via the OnLive Game System or nearly any PC and Mac via a small browser download. The OnLive Viewer app is available for the iPad and full gameplay is coming to both iPad and Android tablets. OnLive is currently available in North America, and will be available in the UK and expanding into Europe later this year. OnLive technology is backed by hundreds of patents and patents pending. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. OnLive investors include Warner Bros., Autodesk, Maverick Capital, AT&T, British Telecommunications (BT), The Belgacom Group and HTC. More information is available at www.onlive.com.

HTC readying OTA update to unlock Sensation’s bootloader

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:50 AM PDT

Keeping true on the promise to return to their hacker-friendly roots, HTC has indicated they are working to prepare a software update for the T-Mobile HTC Sensation that will serve to unlock the phone’s bootloader. (Though we still aren’t completely sure what they mean by “unlocked”).

This update from HTC didn’t come via traditional channels such as Facebook or Twitter, but instead surfaced as an email response to concerned members over at XDA. With the launch of the Sensation only a week away, the modder/early-adopter crowd was starting to get antsy over this issue, and it’s good to see that HTC has responded in some way to their concerns.

Since no visual proof was offered, we’re still a tad on the skeptical side before we receive official word from HTC on this issue. That being said, we are optimistic that the Sensation will be unlocked at some point in light of HTC’s recent adjustment of their lockdown policy.

Does this move by HTC have you re-considering the Sensation 4G, which hits stores on June 15th, or have you already decided on the Galaxy S2? Or to hold out for the Nexus 3? Sound off in the comments.

NVIDIA to critics: Tegra 2 fully compatible with Verizon’s LTE network

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 07:35 PM PDT

Rumors have been spreading around, pertaining to why the Droid Bionic was delayed and why the Verizon Motorola Xoom has taken so long to receive the 4G LTE upgrade. One of the oft-suspected culprits is the idea that NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 processor doesn’t play nice with Verizon’s super-fast 4G LTE Network.

Well, it turns out NVIDIA was none too happy with these rumors. In an attempt to silence critics, NVIDIA issued the following statement today regarding Tegra’s compatibility with Verizon’s LTE network:

Tegra has no compatibility issues with LTE at all. The Tegra-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE tablet runs on Verizon's LTE network and is a perfect example of Tegra working fine w/ 4G LTE. Tegra 2 interfaces with many types of modems via standard interfaces, including LTE. There is nothing inherently unique about LTE as far as Tegra 2 is concerned.NVIDIAvia Droid-Life

I’m not big on taking statements at face value, but I look forward to the day when I’m able to get my hands on a Tegra 2-toting LTE device to test out for myself. Hopefully we’ll start to see these devices pop up in the next month or two.

Now that NVIDIA has cleared this one up, anyone want to speculate on why the Bionic was delayed? How about the Motorola Xoom? Or do you not buy NVIDIA’s statement about their processor? Sound off below.

Nope, this isn’t the Nexus 3 either…

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 07:22 PM PDT

In my mind, there are three different kinds of leaks. The “Genuine” leak, where some unappreciated ninja gets some secret info and sends it to whoever can get it to the Internet without getting them in trouble. There’s the “Corporate” leak, where a company is leaking information in an attempt to create buzz. And then there’s the “Fakies.”

The Fakies are made by people who desperately need a hug, by Internet trolls who are “doin it for tha lulz,” or by blogs desperate for page views. Recently there’s been an upswing of Fakies in the general direction of the upcoming Nexus 3, or whatever it’s going to be called.

Remember that HTC device that was leaked a few weeks ago? You know the one. No buttons, lots of screen real estate, photoshopped by the owner of a tech site just lookin’ to make it big in the crazy ol’ world?

Maybe you didn’t know that last part, but the digital Jedis of the world dropped down on him in a godly firestorm the likes of which have caused him to retract nearly the entire article. Nearly. For some reason, the image is still there, but the details have been [Redacted].

This week we have this LG picture that’s been flying around the Android blogosphere. It looks awfully legit. You can see the LG logo on it and everything, and everyone knows we are pretty solidly set that LG is the one most likely to bring the world the next Nexus thingy. So, why haven’t we written anything on this seemingly legit drop from LG?

Well, we did, back in September of 2010 when it was the release image for the unveiling of the LG Optimus One series of phones. Seems pretty unlikely that LG would use the exact same hardware design and then use the exact same press imagery. But hey, it’s a tough economy right?

What makes each of these even remotely believable at first glance are the unknowns that come with Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). The biggest speculative leap that’s been made regarding ICS phones is the complete removal of the soft buttons, which both leaks and the conversations that followed seemed to indicate. While Android 3.0 is certainly devoid of soft buttons, I think that’s born out of necessity given the size of those devices. Simply put, there is no convenient place to put soft buttons on a 10″ tablet, whereas phones have a rather organic place for them to live.

Whether or not ICS devices like the next Nexus will have soft keys is a mystery. Even if the Nexus is devoid of these buttons, there’s nothing that says that manufacturers will immediately follow suit. After all, look how long it’s taking other manufacturers to get an NFC device to market.

Leaks are fun. They’re fun to read and fun to write about, and it’s fun to watch everyone light up and share their ideas for what happens next. It’s a really cool experience, especially for someone who has been on both sides of the fence. Let’s not get carried away though, alright?
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