Hasta La Gadget!

As you might have heard, 2011 is shaping up to be a big year for dual-core smartphones, and it looks like you can now officially count Broadcom in on the act. It’s just announced its new dual-core BCM2157 platform that provides both HSDPA modem connectivity and applications processing courtesy of some dual-core, 500MHz ARM11 processors. The platform as a whole is also designed to support features like HVGA multitouch displays, 5-megapixel cameras, and mobile hotspots, among other standard fare — all of which is specifically tailored for Android devices. That obviously doesn’t place the processor at the high-end of the dual-core spectrum, but Broadcom says it will allow companies to “deliver high-end smartphone features on more affordable 3G Android handsets,” and that’s surely a goal we can all get behind. Head on past the break for the complete press release.

Continue reading Broadcom announces dual-core BCM2157 processor, promises high-end features for cheap Android phones

Broadcom announces dual-core BCM2157 processor, promises high-end features for cheap Android phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You had to know the hacking community was going to have a field day with the Nook Color — a $249 Android Tablet hiding behind with a thin e-reader coating. Indeed it didn’t take long to get rooted nor for Android 2.2 to get installed on there, but that particular hack comes with an interesting potential side-effect: small-scale thermonuclear explosions. Enabling FroYo requires disabling the device’s battery monitoring process, the very one that would be responsible for shutting down the device before the cells start overheating and, ultimately, going critical. Yeah it’s unlikely, but it could happen. Meanwhile, another hack has enabled the Android Market, but those instructions begin with a very daunting warning: “Very smart people have failed at this. If the following instructions confuse you, you might want to wait until an easier method has been developed.”

And, thankfully, there might be a much easier way coming, with Barnes & Noble reportedly telling Smartphone Mag that Android 2.2 will be officially coming to the Nook Color in January. Yes, Android 2.3 is what’s happening, but this is still an exciting upgrade as it will finally also allow access to a traditional Android home screen and even enable the Android Market.

Update: Okay, cancel that order for an asbestos carrying case. One of the developers of the Nook Color root wrote in to let us know that there is a secondary temperature monitor which should keep things below the ignition point. Hack away — or just wait a month.

Update 2: Barnes & Noble PR just got back to us to reiterate that Nook Color’s own shop will begin adding apps in early 2011 and that there are currently no plans to enable Android Market. Move along, nothing to see here, folks.

[Thanks, Ryan]

Nook Color getting Android 2.2 and Market in January, current hacks could make it blow up? (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want a Nexus S this Thursday? Yeah, well, welcome to the club, pal — you’re not alone, so you’re going to want to be armed with the right information to figure out your plan of attack. Best Buy has announced the details of how it’ll go about selling Samsung’s Google-branded monster, and unlike many recent launches, this one is strictly first-come, first-serve — none of that craziness where you put down $50 in advance to secure your place and get it off the price of the phone on launch day. All stores will be opening at 8AM local time (which is just the normal open time during the holiday season, actually), and online sales will commence at 8AM Eastern Time to coincide with the phone’s retail launch on the east coast. You’ll be limited to two phones per person — sorry, eBay scalpers — and you might want to call ahead or make friends with an employee in the next day or two, because inventory will vary from store to store. What won’t vary, though, is demo unit availability: every store that’s selling the phone will have a live demo unit to play with while you make your decision. As a refresher, you’re looking at $199 on contract, $249.99 with an add-a-line activation, or $529 contract-free; follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Best Buy tells the Nexus S retail story: 8AM online sales, two per customer maximum

Best Buy tells the Nexus S retail story: 8AM online sales, two per customer maximum originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei’s really starting to make a splash in the American smartphone market, breaking into the Big Four with the launch of the T-Mobile Comet not long ago — but it’s the budget regionals where these guys might have a chance to dominate. MetroPCS has taken a cue from archrival Cricket in launching Huawei’s Ascend today, offering a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera, and microSD memory expansion to 16GB atop Android 2.1. The $179 they’re asking seems a bit steep for the specs until you remember that MetroPCS offers its hardware contract-free — and it’ll save you a dime or two over the carrier’s name-brand Android offering, the Optimus M from LG. It’s available today; follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading MetroPCS follows Cricket’s lead, launches Huawei’s Ascend budget Android phone

MetroPCS follows Cricket’s lead, launches Huawei’s Ascend budget Android phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI to reintroduce WindPad tablets at CES, claims Oak Trail improves performance and battery life originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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