Dec 23

Dell Venue launched in Hong Kong, we go hands-on

Posted in: Android, cellphone, Features, froyo, hands-on, mobile phone, MobilePhone, phone, smartphone, Today's Chili, video
Isn’t it fun when you hit the right place at the right time? We just happened to be chillaxing in Hong Kong when Dell chose the city for the Venue’s global launch (and it’s actually hitting the shops slightly ahead of South Korea), so a quick hands-on is inevitable. As we’ve seen previously, this HK$3,999 (US$514) handset is essentially the Venue Pro’s Android 2.2 cousin, sporting the same curved (or “Shear Design”) vibrant AMOLED display at 4.1 inches and 800 x 480, but missing the slide-out keyboard. Under the hood lies a 1GHz Snapdragon with 1GB ROM and 512MB RAM, along with the usual microSD expansion, 1400mAh battery, 8 megapixel AF camera with LED flash, Bluetooth 2.3 EDR, WiFi and AGPS.

There aren’t any surprises in terms of software — the Venue shares the same snappy Stage UI and Swype keyboard with the Streak, except for the lack of landscape orientation for the homescreen (and that’s with orientation enabled in system settings). As for hardware, the killer feature here is the screen, and we found its curved Gorilla Glass to be surprisingly nice for our thumbs while swiping across it. The AMOLED panel underneath is also vibrant with great viewing angles. Elsewhere, build quality is almost solid bar the squeaky battery door, but at least it provides some grip. That’s all we got for now — we’ll delve into more details in our forthcoming review, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Dell Venue hands-on

Continue reading Dell Venue launched in Hong Kong, we go hands-on

Dell Venue launched in Hong Kong, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 07:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 23

Google’s Honeycomb Android tablet release slated for March?

Posted in: Android, Google, honeycomb, msi, release, Release Date, rumor, tablet, tegra 2, Tegra2, Today's Chili

The only official timeframe we have for an Android 3.0 Honeycomb release is sometime “next year.” A little too vague for our liking and for a seemingly infinite list of manufacturers chomping at the bit to release their fully sanctioned Android tablets onto the world. Now DigiTimes narrows things down a bit with an off-the-cuff comment about MSI preparing to sell its Tegra 2-based tablets in April or May “after Google releases Android 3.0 in March.” Of course, a March release seems almost definite what with Acer hoping to ship its tablets with Honeycomb in April as well. Hopefully we’ll get this confirmed at CES in early January.

Google’s Honeycomb Android tablet release slated for March? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 06:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 23

ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 ‘Eee Slate’ EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated)

Posted in: 10-inch, 7-inch, Android, ASUS, qualcomm, tablet, tegra 2, Tegra2, Today's Chili, video, windows 7, Windows7

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard anything official from ASUS about its 12-inch EP121 tablet announced back at Computex in May. That changes today as ASUS Chairman, Jonney Shih, promises an “Eee for everyone” at CES 2011 — and that’s not an exaggeration what with 7-, 9-, 10-, and 12-inch Armdroid and Wintel tablets expected. While the video doesn’t show the physical EP121 first revealed as a prototype in Taipei, it does call it an “Eee Slate” (not an “Eee Pad” like before) while demonstrating pen-based input on the multitouch display riding Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system and a Core i5 processor. Naturally, ASUS is also promising better performance and more flexibility than existing tablets. Don’t worry, we’ll be getting hands-on with this beast in a few weeks before it hits retail sometime (somewhere) in January. Until then, you can watch the teaser after the break.

Update: DigiTimes claims that the EP121 will target enterprise customers when launched. Additionally, two 10-inch Eee Pads (one with Windows 7 on Oak Trail and one with Android on Tegra 2) will hit retail as early as March for $499 to $599. Meanwhile, 7-inch Android models will also launch as early as March featuring either Tegra 2 or Qualcomm chipsets with at least one model featuring a “3.5G” radio for “phone functionality.”

[Thanks, Sal]

Continue reading ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 ‘Eee Slate’ EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated)

ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 ‘Eee Slate’ EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Google adds AT&T billing to Android Market payment options

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, att, Google, Today's Chili

Having rolled out to T-Mobile just about a year ago, Google’s celebrating the anniversary of its Android Market carrier billing feature in the US by expanding the service to AT&T. Put simply, this means that if you’re using an Android device on an AT&T line, you’ll no longer need to use a credit card — you can just bill your purchases straight to your AT&T bill, which is painless… almost too painless, really, if you’re the compulsive type. And no, we’re not aware of a way to bill a Froyo update for your Captivate to your account — but believe us, we’ll keep on looking.

Google adds AT&T billing to Android Market payment options originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Samsung sells 9.3 million Galaxy S devices, within reaching distance of its lofty goal

Posted in: Android, GalaxyS, sales, samsung, smartphone, Today's Chili

10 million freaking smartphones. Who thought, when Samsung put that number forward as its 2010 Galaxy S sales goal two months ago, that it was actually going to happen? Well, with just over a week left in the calendar year, the Korean giant has racked up 9.3 million sales of its Android superphone globally and actually expects to sneak past the mythical 10 million mark just before the champagne glasses start clinking. The Galaxy S has also scored a win in its home market of South Korea, where its two million units sold so far leads the 1.8 million iPhones sold since the series debuted in November 2009. Hearty congratulations are due to the crew in Seoul, such success doesn’t happen by chance, but let’s keep working on those Froyo (and Gingerbread!) software updates as well, eh chaps?

Update: This article has been update to reflect Chosunibo’s claim that 1.8 million iPhone series devices were sold — not just iPhone 4 handsets.

Samsung sells 9.3 million Galaxy S devices, within reaching distance of its lofty goal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Archos’ Android-based 70b e-reader up for pre-order in Europe

Posted in: Android, archos, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, Google, pre-order, Today's Chili

We have all ideas that the 70b will look mighty weak after next year’s spate of slates, tablets and readers hit the public view at CES, but with a price tag as diminutive as €99.99 ($130), who cares about bells and / or whistles? Spotted first in the FCC’s lairs a few weeks ago, the Archos 70b e-reader is now up for pre-order in Europe, boasting a 7-inch WVGA touchpanel, 4GB of storage, 802.11b/g WiFi and an SD expansion slot. We’re told that the battery will keep things humming for around ten hours (or up to 18 if using it strictly as a music player with the screen flipped off), and if we had to guess, we’d say it’ll probably make the trip through the Panama Canal in Q1 2011. Question is: will you care?

Archos’ Android-based 70b e-reader up for pre-order in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Samsung LTE phone with front-facing camera headed to Verizon?

Posted in: 4G, Android, froyo, in the wild, InTheWild, lte, rumor, samsung, Today's Chili, verizon, Verizon Wireless, VerizonWireless, vzw

Let’s be real: it should come as little surprise that Sammy — a company with multiple Android phones on Verizon already — would be joining LG, Motorola, and HTC in prepping a new model for its LTE network. Sure enough, Gizmodo has scored an alleged shot of said phone, showing Froyo (Android 2.2.1, to be specific) along with a front-facing camera and a model number of SCH-i520; it’s said to feature TouchWiz (as most non-Nexus S Android phones from Samsung tend to do) and, fortunately, lacks the Bing integration that Verizon’s been pushing on its low- and midrange smartphones lately. Given the company’s iffy track record on getting Froyo deployed in a timely manner to the Galaxy S line, we’re not sure how we’d feel about buying a new Froyo model when Gingerbread’s now available — especially with all these other LTE models that Verizon’s going to have on top — but options are good, we suppose.

Samsung LTE phone with front-facing camera headed to Verizon? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Acer’s Android tablet (and its gyroscope) previewed on video

Posted in: Android, android tablet, AndroidTablet, froyo, honeycomb, slate, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, Today's Chili, video
While Acer wasn’t willing to let us power on its forthcoming Android tablets at its press event last month, it looks like the company just doesn’t have the same kind of control over its partners or employees. Three videos of what appears to be Acer’s 10-inch Android tablet have popped up on YouTube, and not only is the slate powered on, but the footage provides a pretty clear look at some of Acer’s custom Android apps. The entire UI looks like it’s still in a beta stage and the video itself looks like it is some sort of internal test demo — don’t forget Acer is planning to ship these with Honeycomb in April — but the company seems to be messing around with gyroscope-based page turns and some unique zoom gestures within the photo / e-reader application. We’re assuming the tablet is running Froyo as there’s a quick peek at the homescreen and app drawer in the first video, but other than that we’re really at a loss for details here. Hit the break for the trio of videos and to see it all for yourself. Oh, and Acer, if you send us one, we promise to go easier on the screen (see 0:12 of video three) than this lady… just sayin’!

Continue reading Acer’s Android tablet (and its gyroscope) previewed on video

Acer’s Android tablet (and its gyroscope) previewed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Dell lowers Streak price to $400, but will make you wait until January to get it

Posted in: Android, official, price, pricing, streak, Today's Chili

Good news: Dell’s unlocked Streak has just plunged down the pricing charts with a neat $180 discount taking it to a palatable $400 level. Bad news: you won’t get yours shipped until the 10th of January, according to Round Rock’s web outlet. Android 2.2 won’t come preloaded, you’ll have to snag the OTA update, though you do get a wide palette of colors to choose from, including black, noir, nero, preto, and schwarz — pick wisely!

[Thanks, Xelaenil]

Dell lowers Streak price to $400, but will make you wait until January to get it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

IOne Chip is All-in-One Android Phone and Camera

Posted in: Android, Phones, Today's Chili

See that wafer of silicon above? That’s the chip that will turn Android phones into video and photo powerhouses, and cameras into mobile studios. The iOne system-on-chip, from Amabarella, is both image processor and Android CPU, and is designed to bring internet connectivity to cameras.

Inside, there is a Dual-core 1-GHz ARM CortexTM A9 CPU for running Android, and any apps that may run on top of it. For video and photography there is another 533-MHz ARM-11 chip which can support 3D graphics, process 5-megapixel images at 30fps, and decode 1080p video. And you also get the full suite of connections any modern cellphone deserves: WiFi (802.11n), GPS, Bluetooth, FM radio and mobile TV.

The specs are certainly impressive, but we’re more excited to see what people will do with it. A kick-ass camera-phone would of course be nice, but what about a proper camera with phone-like functions. You could live-stream video, send photos straight to Flickr and, best of all, if you didn’t like the crappy interface that [insert camera manufacturer here] has saddled you with this week, then you could just download a new one.

Amabarella release iOne image processing chip for hybrid cameras [Press Release]

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