Hasta La Gadget!

Sorry, gents, but your conspiracy theories are wholly kaput — not only is a Samsung Galaxy S getting Android 2.2 stateside, but the speedy software update will start rolling out tomorrow on T-Mobile USA. That’s the word direct from T-Mo chief marketing officer Cole Brodman, who tossed the news to PC Magazine this afternoon, saying that the delay was a “quality control and timing issue.” Apparently, there’s extra work involved in skinning the operating system and adding exclusive apps like WiFi calling — though he didn’t confirm either would specifically appear in the Vibrant’s build of Froyo. Here’s some more welcome news, though: the gentleman promised that in general, Android updates on T-Mobile will be more prompt from now on, as the firm’s shooting to update all phones to new versions within five months of Google making source code available. Does that mean we should expect some Gingerbread men by May? We’re not totally sure, but we imagine that T-Mobile’s rivals aren’t sitting still — we’ll probably hear some fascinating, captivating and totally epic news about Froyo any minute now.

Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant will get Froyo tomorrow, says T-Mobile CMO originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh, there’s no need to act like you’re surprised, fellow Brits. As promised, HTC’s going to dish out its latest budget Froyo Android and flagship WP7 slider to the UK next month. Just a quick recap: the “pearl white” Gratia — which is the international version of the Aria — sports a humble 600MHz processor, along with a 3.2-inch 480 x 320 LCD and a 5 megapixel camera with VGA camcorder. As for the 7 Pro, it packs the bog standard WP7 specs (1GHz Snapdragon, 8GB storage, and 5 megapixel camera with 720p recording), as well as a slide-and-tilt 3.6-inch 800 x 480 display that reveals a landscape QWERTY keyboard underneath — the tilting part still a first for WP7. Sadly, it doesn’t look like any carriers have picked up either handset yet, nor has HTC shed light on their standalone costs, but hey, patience is priceless.

Continue reading HTC 7 Pro and Gratia get anglicized, heading to the UK in February

HTC 7 Pro and Gratia get anglicized, heading to the UK in February originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The choice of Android Gingerbread handsets just grew by one, courtesy of the Sony Ericsson MT15i and Russia’s premier mobile reviewer, Eldar Murtazin, who has put it through his rigorous preview cycle. The typically curmudgeonly gent was pleasantly surprised by SE’s latest (and entirely unofficial) handset, claiming that the company “has developed and is about to launch truly cutting edge devices and … has almost nothing to fear in the hardware department as well.” He has praise for the above-average front-facing cam, the endurance offered by the 1500mAh battery, and the 854 x 480 res on the Reality Display — though he does warn that Sony’s Bravia Engine is only used when consuming multimedia and therefore has limited impact on improving output quality.

Internally, you’re looking at 512MB of RAM and a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM7630 with Adreno 205 graphics, all of which resulted in perfectly smooth, lag-free operation. In spite of its many pluses, Eldar describes the MT15i as a phone targeting the mid-range, which invites all sorts of delicious pricing speculation, though we’re not entirely sure we agree with his postulation that this handset will be called the Vivaz 2. The Xperia branding up front and the replacement of Symbian with Android would collectively suggest it’ll bear an altogether new name when it’s unveiled — which we’ll go ahead and presume is going to happen at MWC next month.

Sony Ericsson MT15i / Vivaz 2 ensnared by Eldar Murtazin, given glowing preview originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 02:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This one’s only a concept so don’t get your hopes up, but we’re loving the design here, called the Flip from designer Kristian Ulrich Larsen. It’s a triple-display handset running stock Android that pops out like a tent, collapses into a standard (if curved) slate, and even folds out like a little book. Each screen is said to be Super AMOLED hiding behind Gorilla Glass, with steel mesh acting as hinges — and there’s a full QWERTY keyboard somewhere in there too. Is it magic? No, it’s just a render, but we’re hoping that something like this becomes rather more physical in the not too distant future. Until then, enjoy the dreamy video after the break.

Continue reading Triple-display Flip phone powers our dreams with Android (video)

Triple-display Flip phone powers our dreams with Android (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kristian Ulrich Larsen’s “Flip” phone is deceptively named. With its three-sided construction it’s a shape-shifter for sure, but it’s definitely no Razr clamshell.

Gadget Lab favorites Yanko Design have brought us yet another piece of industrial design porn with Larsen’s tripartite concept smartphone, the Flip.

In its triangular position (seen above), the phone rests on flat surfaces elegantly, reminiscent of a bedside alarm clock at some futuristic Motel 6. But if you don’t have plans to dream of electric sheep any time soon, the Flip can shift into a slimmer version of itself, collapsing and tucking away one of its three super AMOLED screens between the outer two.

Each of the Flip’s three sides are connected by steel mesh links, so snapping it apart comes as no easy feat. And if you absentmindedly happen to sit on the phone, the Gorilla Glass screen covers can withstand a good ass whupping.

Aside from the novelty of your phone being able to double as a flower vase — seriously, watch the embedded video below — the Flip’s design addresses enough practical smartphone user issues to make it an intriguing product concept. For one thing, the Flip’s ability to morph from one shape to another could come in handy, say, when you feel like reading an e-book on an actual dual-sided, open-faced surface.

Or if you have the sudden desire to work on a teeny-looking laptop, you can flip one screen up to a 90 degree resting position and type away on the LED-backed keyboard. And with the front facing video camera, shifting the Flip back into the triangular shape means hands-free video chatting.

My favorite part? The Android OS the phone is running. Froyo, anyone?

Check out the video below to see more of the Flip in action.

What is being creative? from Kristian Larsen on Vimeo.

Photos: Yanko Design

See Also:

• Yanko Design
• Design Fiction: Mercedes-Benz Interior Sculpture Aesthetics …
• Why Wristwatches Are Still Worth Watching
• “No More, No Less” Faucet Precisely Pre-measures Water Output …
• Philips Food Creation concept as design fiction
• Energy