Hasta La Gadget!

Like we said, you don’t have to wait until August 3rd to get your Android 2.2 Froyo update for the EVO 4G. You can grab the update file right now from HTC’s servers (via source link). All you gotta do then is move the file to the root directory of your SD card, boot the phone into recovery mode (hold the “up” button while the phone is turning on), and select apply update from the associated .zip file — you might also have to rename the file “update.zip” and expect a few other variations in the instructions, user depending. Too much thought process for Friday evening? Feel free to take a crack at it tomorrow, or simply wait for Sprint to give your phone the head’s up next week.

Update: HTC just shot us a message to clarify that this is not the final ROM version and that the company is strongly recommending not to install this. Additionally, a request has been put in to remove the file from the server, so if you still want to try at your own risk, better download now while it’s still available.

Update 2: … and now it’s gone. We’re sure crafty internet users can still find the file lingering elsewhere, but you won’t be getting it from HTC’s servers this weekend. You know the old saying, ye who snoozes, something something, tough luck.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

EVO 4G’s Froyo firmware was available for download, manual install (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slowly but surely, Samsung’s future as a tablet PC provider is taking shape. Details on the outfit’s foray into the world of the slate has been trickling out over the past few months, and shortly after learning that a so-called Galaxy Tab would be out and about in Q3, now we’re finding out two more critical details: screen size and operating system. According to the company, the Q3-bound device (assumed to be the aforesaid Galaxy Tab) will boast a smaller-than-average 7-inch screen, and rather than humming along on Bada or Windows 7, Google’s Android will be at the helm. We’re being forced to wait for further information, but given the proximity to Q3, all should be crystal clear in the not-too-distant future.

[Thanks, Keith]

Samsung’s Q3-bound tablet to boast 7-inch display, Android OS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC’s Evo 4G phone will become the first device (after Google’s Nexus One) to get an upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo, the latest version of the Android operating system.

Sprint will begin pushing out the upgrade to Evo users starting Tuesday, August 3. All Evo users will have Android 2.2 by the middle of the month, says the wireless carrier.

The upgrade will offer features such as voice dialing over Bluetooth, the ability to store apps on the external memory card and browser improvements including a faster JavaScript engine and Flash support.

Sprint launched the Evo in June with version 2.1 of the Android OS. The phone has become a best seller for Sprint and HTC.

Sprint’s move is also likely to put pressure on Motorola and Verizon to get the Droid upgraded to Android 2.2 as soon as possible. Earlier reports have suggested that the Droid’s 2.2 upgrade is expected in “late summer.”

For Evo users, the upgrade will be pushed over-the-air to the device and automatically installed. Those who can’t wait will have the option to manually download it. Customers can access the update through their phone under the Settings Menu > System Updates > HTC Software Update.

Sprint says the change to the firmware will not wipe personal data such as contacts, apps, settings and photos — but it’s always a good idea to back up your device before performing a firmware upgrade, just in case.

See Also:

• Storage Bug Hits HTC Evo 4G Phone Just Before Launch
• Wired Video: HTC Evo 4G Dissected
• Oops! Sprint Says it Overstated HTC Evo Phone Sales
• Sprint, HTC Unveil First 4G Android Phone

Photo: (Mike Saechang/Flickr)

Chinese company TESO has an unrequited love for all things Apple. Not that it cares, we’re sure it’s doing just fine on the grey market with its KIRFy Cupertino crafts. But maybe it’s time for this Shenzhen cloner to go mainstream with what’s purported to be a 9.7-inch tablet running “MeGoo” (a MeeGo typo, certainly) or “Andriod2.2” (that’d be Froyo) OSes on a 14-mm thick LPAD powered by Intel’s newest 1.9GHz Z600-series Moorestown processor. Of course, it’s a hell of a lot easier to list specs on paper than it is to ship highly spec’d product. And given TESO’s inability to correctly copy the names of its choosen operating systems onto a sheet of paper, what hope is there of it cloning the user experience of a class-leading tablet?

Keepin’ it real fake: TESO LPAD runs ‘MeGoo’ or ‘Andriod’ on Moorestown originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve just heard directly from HTC regarding that hotly anticipated upgrade to Android 2.2: it’s happening this weekend for lucky Euroland owners of the Desire. Provided your Sense-laden 3.7-incher is not carrier-locked, you should be receiving your serving of Froyo by the end of the week, together with a new 720p video mode and iTunes sync for your music. HTC is also throwing in its App Share widget that it first introduced with the Wildfire, along with its smart Caller ID feature. Very nice, though it’s quite a shame that operator-specific versions of the update are still stuck in testing and are expected “in several weeks’ time.” Ah well, guess that’ll teach us to buy our gear unlocked.

Continue reading Official: HTC rolling out Android 2.2, 720p video, iTunes sync to unlocked Euro Desires this weekend

Official: HTC rolling out Android 2.2, 720p video, iTunes sync to unlocked Euro Desires this weekend originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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