Elektrobit’s Specialized Device Platform tailors Android devices for security-minded markets, won’t hem pants

The defense industry may already have its share of deadly high-tech toys, but when it comes to the latest in mobile, it’s often left to watch from the highly-secured sidelines. Enter Elektrobit Corporation with a just announced Specialized Device Platform that crafts made-to-order, Android-based devices for the public safety, security and aforementioned defense markets. Citing its lower cost, faster development approach, EB’s service marries the “best of the traditional mobile world… with product-and industry-specific features” so clients won’t have to deal with last year’s Android OS. Oh wait, actually they will. The currently on offer Froyo-flavored, 1GHz single-core OMAP3 model packs a WVGA capacitive touchscreen (either 4-, or 4.3-inch), 5 megapixel camera, VGA front-facing camera, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS with quad-band GSM, tri-band UMTS / HSDPA and CDMA2K / EVDO support. Clients interested in a 700MHz LTE, Gingerbread option — that’s right, no Ice Cream Sandwich — will have to hold off until the first half of 2012, when the company’s 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP4 models will be available for production. Alright, so these specs aren’t exactly bleeding edge tech, but hey — who needs a quad-core phone when you’ve got this.

Continue reading Elektrobit’s Specialized Device Platform tailors Android devices for security-minded markets, won’t hem pants

Elektrobit’s Specialized Device Platform tailors Android devices for security-minded markets, won’t hem pants originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid Bionic specs revealed: TI OMAP 4430 dual-core CPU, Android 2.3.4 on board (update: wrong model number)

Can’t wait to get those mitts on a Droid Bionic, but still wondering what lies beneath? Seems as though the Motorola mobile of mystery can’t hold its secrets forever, since the specs of the Bionic are now up for perusal on Motorola’s developer site. Here’s the skinny: it’s got a TI OMAP 4430 1GHz dual-core CPU bundled with 1GB RAM (twice the amount in the Droid 3), a 4.3-inch qHD display with 960 x 540 resolution, HDMI 1.4, 8 megapixel rear camera accompanied by a VGA front-facing shooter and 1080p HD video capture, webtop capabilities, and the obvious LTE radio. Unfortunately, the specs confirm the Bionic’s lack of GSM / EDGE — essentially turning it into a fancy PMP when traveling abroad — and doesn’t bother mentioning battery size (or life, for that matter), the most confounding question still lingering aside from the release date. C’mon, Motorola, can we at least get a hint?

Update: A keen-eyed tipster alerted us to one minor snafu in the above image: it shows the Motorola XT865 — the original Droid Bionic unveiled at CES 2011 last January — instead of the XT875, which belongs to the new and redesigned model. We can’t be sure if this is an typo on the site or if it really is the old version. Either way, we’ll keep a close eye on the story and update if we hear anything else.

Motorola Droid Bionic specs revealed: TI OMAP 4430 dual-core CPU, Android 2.3.4 on board (update: wrong model number) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid-Life, MyDroidWorld  |  sourceMotodev  | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide review

Not too long ago, things were pretty simple in T-Mobile’s Android land. For us (the nerds, geeks, power users, early adopters, and other misbegotten social deviants) there was the G series of phones with plain Android, culminating recently with LG’s delightful G2x. If you wanted to buy your mom an Android smartphone, you’d point her at the myTouch series of handsets with custom HTC Sense-based skins, like last winter’s myTouch 4G. Life got a bit more complicated with the introduction of LG’s Optimus T, Samsung’s Galaxy S 4G, and other devices that don’t neatly fit into the carrier’s grand branding scheme. Well, fear not! T-Mobile and HTC went ahead and refreshed last summer’s lovely myTouch 3G Slide with a dash of dual-core tech lifted right from HTC’s Sensation flagship and a bespoke 8 megapixel shooter said to be “the most advanced camera of any smartphone”. Those are fighting words… so does the myTouch 4G Slide (as it’s called) beat the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy S II, Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc, and Nokia’s N8 in terms of imaging performance? Is the sliding keyboard as pleasant to use as its predecessor? And most importantly, is this your mom’s next phone? Read on for our full review.

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Primed: are multi-core chips worth the investment?

Primed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day — we dig deep into each topic’s history and how it benefits our lives. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com.


My, how times have changed over the last eight months. At CES 2011, we ecstatically witnessed the introduction of mobile devices with dual-core CPUs and drooled over the possibilities we’d soon have at our fingertips. Now, we look down at anything that doesn’t have more than one core — regardless of its performance. Not only are these new chips quickly becoming mainstream, Moore’s Law is in full effect with our handheld devices since tri-core and quad-core systems are just over the horizon. We can’t even fathom what’s in the pipeline for the year 2015 and beyond (we don’t think we’re too far away from that 3D shark seen in Back to the Future 2).

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here, however. After all, we first need to wrap our puny human minds around the idea of what this newfound power can do, and why it’s changing the entire landscape of smartphones and tablets. In this edition of Primed, we’ll focus on why multicore technology makes such a difference in the way we use our handheld devices, whether we should even consider purchasing a handset with a single-core chip inside, and why one-core tech is so 2010. Check out the whole enchilada after the break.

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Engadget Primed: are multi-core chips worth the investment? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Streak 10 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1… fight!

Why look at this! Samsung’s very own Galaxy Tab 10.1 decided to stop by in Beijing to greet Dell’s latest tablet. As mentioned in our hands-on post, it’s clear that the Streak 10 Pro would need to go on a little diet to match the Korean tablet’s lovely figure and weight, though the latter won’t be released in the country until some time next month. Also, there’s no doubt that Sammy will continue to ask for a premium price in exchange for the better display and portability, so our wallets will be the final judge. For now, just enjoy our quick and dirty comparison photos in the gallery below. You’re welcome.

Update: It appears that some of our readers are missing the point: the 16GB WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 is being sold for $499 in the US, and it’ll most likely be more expensive in China; whereas the Streak 10 Pro is priced at just ¥2,999 ($465). So again, you get what you pay for.

Dell Streak 10 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1… fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Streak 10 Pro tablet makes global debut in China, we go hands-on (update: video!)

There’s a Chinese saying that will suit most of our Western readers here: “quenching thirst by gazing at plums.” Oh yes, we’re talking about Dell’s Streak 10 Pro alright. Just as promised, said US company has skipped its home country to debut its first 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet in China (ka-ching!), and we happened to be at the Beijing press event for some intimate hands-on time. To be honest, you won’t be needing many imaginary plums for this Android’s rather mundane specs: it’s equipped with the oh-so-familiar 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 T20 chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 1,280 x 800 LCD (with Corning’s Gorilla Glass), 5 megapixel camera and 2 megapixel camera back and front, and regular-size SDHC expansion. That said, Chinese buyers can grab this 16GB WiFi tablet plus 2GB of cloud storage for just ¥2,999 ($465) a pop — a slightly more attractive price compared to its competitors. Check out our impressions after the break.

Update: Hands-on video added after the break.

Continue reading Dell Streak 10 Pro tablet makes global debut in China, we go hands-on (update: video!)

Dell Streak 10 Pro tablet makes global debut in China, we go hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gingerbread comes to T-Mobile G2x, users feel loved again

Dost our eyes deceive us, or are genuine, bona fide Gingerbread updates for the T-Mobile G2x taking to the airwaves? We’re inclined to believe the latter, since the T-Mobile support site announced that the OTA download is now underway. The rollout begins less than a day after the refresh became available as a manual install via the LG Updater Tool. As if this isn’t enough proof already, our inboxes have been flooded by G2x users who’ve personally witnessed Hades freeze over on their handset. Haven’t seen it show up on yours yet? Fret not, getting these updates out to everyone takes time. But if you were an eager beaver who managed to beef your phone up with Android 2.3.3 manually, go ahead and relax; grab a lemonade, dust off the ol’ hammock, and enjoy the rest of the summer afternoon free of (virtual) bugs.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gingerbread comes to T-Mobile G2x, users feel loved again originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic Raboo UT-PB1 e-reader gets official, acts more like a tablet

Panasonic already took its UT-PB1 e-reader out for a step-and-repeat at the e-Book Expo Tokyo this year, but kept some important details under wraps. Now the tablet e-reader is ready for its official coming out party. The 7-inch, color touchscreen Raboo UT-PB1 is set to launch in Japan on August 10th, retailing at about ¥34,800 (that’s $444) and packing 600 plus “pre-viewable books.” There’s an Android OS running on an unspecified dual-core CPU under that book-mimicking surface with the company’s own UI slathered all over it — so there’ll be no tablet-esque shenanigans here, yet. The 400 gram (14 ounce) handheld also comes furnished with 8GB of storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, microSDHC, support for various video and audio files, and packs basic web and email apps. Sound like a dedicated reading device to you? Unfortunately, it only plays nice with the XMDF e-book format, so if you’re interested in picking one up, you’re gonna be tied to the Rakuten E-Book store. Check out the video below for a glimpse of the non-tab in action and maybe even a little dental training doll cameo.

Continue reading Panasonic Raboo UT-PB1 e-reader gets official, acts more like a tablet

Panasonic Raboo UT-PB1 e-reader gets official, acts more like a tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourcePanasonic (Translated)  | Email this | Comments

Droid 3 on sale now at Verizon Wireless

Big news for Big Red-eyed fans — the Droid 3’s finally made its dual-core, qHD, global 3G surfin’ ways official at the carrier’s retail outlets. You can pick this QWERTY slider up now for $199 on a two-year contract, or just go whole-hog and pay $459 with no strings attached. It’s not the operator’s top of the line offering, nor is it the increasingly mythical Bionic, but it should satisfy your Android needs. Click the source to order the latest in the Droid’s lineage.

Droid 3 on sale now at Verizon Wireless originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community  |  sourceVerizon Wireless  | Email this | Comments

Motorola Photon 4G gets the bargain bin treatment at Wirefly, Walmart

Pew pew. Those are the sounds we instantly hear whenever we come across Motorola’s Photon 4G. Sadly, the soon-to-be dual-core star of Sprint’s smartphone lineup won’t come pre-loaded with a laser soundboard on July 31st, but it can be pre-ordered now — for a significant markdown. All it takes is a quick internetting trip to either Wirefly or Walmart, where this WiMAX handset’s up for a $20 – $40 discount. It’s not a massive price chop on par with free, but it should move some yellow-tinged operator inventory. If walking the straight and narrow’s your bag, you could still always opt for the direct carrier two-year contract option — but why? Hit the source to get yourself in line for this cut-rate beast.

Motorola Photon 4G gets the bargain bin treatment at Wirefly, Walmart originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 02:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Unwired View  |  sourceWalmart, Wirefly  | Email this | Comments