Android 2.2 coming to Droid in ‘late July,’ Droid X in ‘late August?’

Care for some more specificity on when exactly to expect the Droid X to become even awesomer? Well, according to one “very reliable” source over at Droid Forums, we can look forward to a late August landing for Android 2.2 on the X, which will be preceded by a late July delivery on the venerable Droid. Both dates are caveated with an ominous “currently planned” proviso, so don’t consider them carved in (Mile)stone, but we’re liking the idea of Motorola having both its flagship devices tasting of Froyo by summer’s end. There’s no mention of the Droid 2, however, which may mean nothing or might suggest that handset’s still a fair way away from its release. We shall see.

Android 2.2 coming to Droid in ‘late July,’ Droid X in ‘late August?’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US Cellular adds HTC Desire and BlackBerry Bold in August, teases BlackBerry 9670 for ‘later this year’

We were extremely close to cramping our sarcasm muscle with all the faux excitement we had to drum up for the 3.2-inch Acclaim, but US Cellular has now come back with word that it’ll soon count HTC’s Desire among its roster of phones. The Desire, which is mooted to be coming to other smaller carriers like Cellular South, will debut in August alongside the BlackBerry Bold. We’re more excited, however, to find US Cellular promising it’ll offer “a BlackBerry flip smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard” later this year. That sounds like RIM’s slightly unorthodox 9670 to us, and will probably form the second part of the BB maker’s pledged introduction of two new handsets. US Cellular’s 2010 device lineup refresh will be completed with a pair more Androids, courtesy of LG and Samsung. The former is said to have a “large touch screen and slide-out, ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard,” while the latter is only described as “highly-anticipated.” Not too shabby.

Continue reading US Cellular adds HTC Desire and BlackBerry Bold in August, teases BlackBerry 9670 for ‘later this year’

US Cellular adds HTC Desire and BlackBerry Bold in August, teases BlackBerry 9670 for ‘later this year’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google flexes biceps, flicks Android remote kill switch for the first time

We knew Google had the power to remotely remove Android appsMicrosoft and Apple have backdoors into their mobile operating systems, too — but it’s always a little disconcerting to see a kill switch used. Such is the case today, as we’ve just heard Google unleashed the hounds this week, siccing bits and bytes of remote deletion power on a pair of “practically useless” but still Terms of Service-infringing apps. Curiously enough, Google admits that most who’d downloaded these programs had deleted them already, and that this “exercise” of the remote application removal feature was merely a cleanup operation. Google says users will get a notification beamed to their phone if an app is removed, however — so as Big Brother as that all sounds, at least the company’s being nice and transparent about the whole matter, eh?

Update: To be clear, the developers of the offending apps had already removed them from the Android Market, so this was technically a cleanup. The only question is why Google would go out of its way to mop up an app that absolutely no one would miss.

[Thanks, Matt]

Google flexes biceps, flicks Android remote kill switch for the first time originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus One getting Android 2.2 FRF83 update over the air?


The Android 2.2 source code just went public this morning, but we’re hearing a fully-compiled, legitimate OTA version of Froyo may be hitting small batches of Nexus One handsets as well. Though a 1.78MB ZIP file floating around XDA-developers this afternoon was originally thought to be the droid we’ve all been looking for, Android and Me reports that they received an honest-to-goodness OTA version of FRF83 after trying (and failing) to get that ZIP to work, and we’re getting several similar reports. Let us know in comments if you’ve received a frozen treat of your own.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nexus One getting Android 2.2 FRF83 update over the air? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google setting up music store later this year, looking for search and Android synergy

Remember that chart that pointed out the differences between Google, Apple and Microsoft? Well, it’s looking increasingly like Google is intent on filling any and all gaps in its portfolio. Those good old unnamed sources have been talking, originally to CNET last week and to the Wall Street Journal today, and disclosing Google’s supposed intent to introduce its very own music store. This would initially encompass a web store where you can stream or download tracks, with a search tie-in that’ll get your money into Google’s pocket in the fastest possible way. Subsequent plans are said to include Android integration in 2011 — something that Google rather nonchalantly demoed at its I/O conference last month. Of course, none of this is as yet confirmed, but it looks like Apple and Google will be competing across yet another front — hold on tight.

Google setting up music store later this year, looking for search and Android synergy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCNET, Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Acclaim arrives in US Cellular stores July 9, we’re sure somebody will care

Looks like we have a small band of US Cellular fans among our numbers, as we’ve received a slew of tips letting us know that the national carrier has dropped an official release date for the Samsung Acclaim. This most mundane of Android sliders will arrive on July 9, and… well, that’s it really. US Cellular hasn’t seen fit to entice us with any actual specs or even an Android version, though information floating about the interwebs suggests it has a 3.2-inch HVGA screen and a stock Eclair installation. We’ll just have to wait until somebody at Samsung swallows the shame of being associated with the Acclaim and finally gives us some official details.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung Acclaim arrives in US Cellular stores July 9, we’re sure somebody will care originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceU.S. Cellular (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy S preview

Just because the US has gone gaming crazy these past couple of days doesn’t mean the smartphone world has stopped turning. Samsung trotted out its Galaxy S handset last night in London, and we were naturally there to try and glean a better understanding of where this 4-inch Android 2.1 device fits in our wishlist hierarchy. It’s quite the stat sheet stuffer, as we’re sure you’re aware, and it strikes an alluring figure for those looking to get on the true do-it-all smartphone bandwagon. Check out our latest impressions — replete with video and a whole gallery dedicated to the Super AMOLED screen’s performance in sunlight — just past the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S preview

Samsung Galaxy S preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson’s 3-inch Xperia X8 made official, coming in Q3 2010 for €259

While the real Shakira may be busy gallivanting over in South Africa, Sony Ericsson’s handset that bore the same (code)name has today been unveiled as the latest member of the Xperia line. Bridging the gap between the fully formed X10 and its Mini siblings, the 3-inch Xperia X8 will run Android 1.6 somewhere deep underneath a comprehensively customized skin.That means you get Sony Ericsson’s social (Timescape) and media (Mediascape) aggregators whether you like them or not, and by the looks of the early hands-on pictures, it seems like a straight port of the UI available on the X10 Mini. A 3.2 megapixel camera is available around back, with WiFi, a 600MHz CPU, 1,200mAh battery, and interchangeable covers completing the value proposition. The X8 will cost around €259 ($318) when it launches in the third quarter of this year. Hit the sources for more pictures.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson’s 3-inch Xperia X8 made official, coming in Q3 2010 for €259

Sony Ericsson’s 3-inch Xperia X8 made official, coming in Q3 2010 for €259 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAll About Phones, GSM Helpdesk, hi-tech.mail.ru  | Email this | Comments

HTC EVO 4G fully rooted, freedom loving people everywhere rejoice

You’ve undoubtedly been following the story — hell, maybe you’ve even partaking in some serious WiFi tethering. Well, the Android Police (not an actual police force) are reporting that the EVO 4G has finally been rooted, fully and completely. What’s this mean? Well, for starters, enterprising individuals will soon be writing to /system from within the OS, removing Sprint’s apps and flashing from custom ROMs. Pretty sweet, right? Hit up the source link to get started! But please, don’t brick your phone. For real.

HTC EVO 4G fully rooted, freedom loving people everywhere rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Liquid gets early Android 2.2 ROM, unstable CPU unlock (video)

Nexus One, EVO 4G, Droid and Dream sure, but the Acer Liquid? Yes, the underclocked Snapdragon slate that never made it stateside has just received its own Android 2.2 port. Though still in early alpha with no Wi-Fi or camera functionality and plenty of bugs to boot, the freshly frozen yogurt has the Liquid turning tricks already — with very playable-looking framerates in Raging Thunder II and Flash video support. Early adopters note that the phone isn’t terribly stable at higher CPU frequencies, so don’t expect to push that processor much higher than stock, but even 768MHz is reportedly nice and snappy when you’re running Android 2.2. Video proof after the break, and you’ll find the unfinished ROM at our more coverage link if you’re the adventurous sort. [Thanks, Miroslav]

Continue reading Acer Liquid gets early Android 2.2 ROM, unstable CPU unlock (video)

Acer Liquid gets early Android 2.2 ROM, unstable CPU unlock (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMoDaCo  | Email this | Comments