ATT Announces the HTC Aria, Its Second Android Phone

htc aria.gif

AT&T Wireless has just announced the HTC Aria, the second Android
phone to join the network’s lineup this year. The Aria is AT&T’s first
device to run Android OS 2.1 and the first to include the HTC Sense
UI.

Sense aims to streamline and enhance the mobile experience and
offers features such as the Friend Stream, which integrates Facebook,
Twitter, and Flickr updates into a single mobile social-networking
experience. AT&T is positioning the Aria as a petite powerhouse–it
measures just a bit more than 4 inches long and weighs just 4.05
ounces. A “soft touch” back cover eliminates sharp
edges and make the Aria comfortable to hold.

The device has a 3.2-inch HVGA, a capacitive touchscreen display, and a
5-megapixel camera, plus an optical joystick designed to make
navigation easier. The full suite of Google Android applications is
included, such as GMail, Google Maps, Google Navigation, and Google
Search, plus YouTube and the Android Market.

Other features include
HSPA for faster downloads and Wi-Fi wireless networking; customers will
also have free access to AT&T’s more than 20,000 WI-Fi
hotspots nationwide. The HTC Aria will be available on June 20th for
$129.99 after a $100 rebate with a new two-year agreement.

HTC Aria goes official for AT&T, gets toyed with on video (update: $130, coming June 20)

Um… okay? In what’s easily one of the most curious product introductions of the year (in terms of method, not design), AT&T has seemingly just made official the first not-awful Android device to be sold in subsidized fashion for its network. ‘Course, those who don’t mind ponying up for an out-of-contract phone have been able to to pick up an AT&T-compatible Nexus One for a few months now, but contract lovers have been stuck with the Motorola Backflip and the promise of Dell’s admittedly underwhelming Aero. Dante Martin, a product manager at the carrier, has followed up on a prior video with a confirmation that the HTC Aria is indeed “launching on AT&T,” though he gives precisely no specifications in his address posted after the break. All we know is that the phone will most certainly ship with Sense and an optical trackball, but mum’s the word on a price or release. For now, anyway. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning — AT&T needs a decent dose of Android in the worst possible way.

[Thanks, Travis]

Update: Ah, and here’s the official presser. It’s a mid-range phone with Android 2.1, a five megapixel camera, 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touchpanel, inbuilt WiFi and support for 7.2Mbps HSPA. There’s also a soft-touch back and a total weight of around four ounces, and AT&T says this one will be available on June 20th nationwide for $129.99 on a two-year contract (after $100 mail-in rebate, of course). As for specs? There’s a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM 7227 processor, proximity sensor, integrated GPS, a digital compass, light sensor, 512MB ROM / 384MB RAM, a microSD card slot (2GB included) and a 1,200mAh battery good for up to six hours of yapping.

Continue reading HTC Aria goes official for AT&T, gets toyed with on video (update: $130, coming June 20)

HTC Aria goes official for AT&T, gets toyed with on video (update: $130, coming June 20) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceYouTube (ShareATT), AT&T Specs [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

Samsung’s 7-inch ‘Galaxy Tape’ to run Android 2.2 on 1.2GHz A8 processor?

More details about Samsung’s new tablet have emerged courtesy of Tinh te and from what it claims is a highly reliable source. This time around, the Vietnamese site is claiming that Samsung’s 7-inch Tab will be running Anroid 2.2 (Froyo) on an A8 processor clocked to a peppy 1.2GHz. It’s all powered by a 4,000mAH battery that contributes to the tablet’s 370-gram weight with 16GB of on-board storage and up to 32GB of microSD expansion. Oh, and the 7-inch panel is said to be of Samsung’s Super AMOLED variety which should make it readable outdoors judging by its smaller sibs. Sounds hot, but we’ll have to see how Samsung’s TouchWiz UI holds up to being stretched across all that very expensive screen-estate.

P.S. We’ve also been told that it’ll be called the “Galaxy Tape,” not Tab or S-Tab as previously rumored.

Samsung’s 7-inch ‘Galaxy Tape’ to run Android 2.2 on 1.2GHz A8 processor? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTinh te  | Email this | Comments

This Week’s Best Android Apps [Android Apps]

No, Android fan boys and girls, you’re not imagining it. We’ll be rounding up the best new Android apps every two weeks from here on out. This week, apps that make you smarterer. More »

Android’s Acne Problem: Or Why You Should Stick to the Google Phone [Android]

HTC’s Evo might be the last phone running custom software on top of Android that you should even consider buying. Because the whole trend of skinning Android has become a horrible, dividing mess. More »

HTC EVO 4G’s appearance on HSN is either a great sign, or a harbinger of the apocalypse

Remember to use Tootie!

Continue reading HTC EVO 4G’s appearance on HSN is either a great sign, or a harbinger of the apocalypse

HTC EVO 4G’s appearance on HSN is either a great sign, or a harbinger of the apocalypse originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Good and EVO  |  sourceHSN  | Email this | Comments

Yep, the iPhone runs Android 2.2, too

Sure, we might be seeing some big changes to the iPhone tomorrow, but what if you could see some big changes on your very own iPhone, today? Well, you can if you’re brave enough to try installing Android on your iPhone, which we’ve seen done before, but not with Android 2.2 (otherwise more deliciously known as Froyo). Still not convinced that such a thing is possible? Then head on past the break for the video evidence, and hit up the link below for the complete, not-for-the-faint-of-heart instructions for performing the feat yourself.

P.S. Of course, “runs” isn’t exactly the same as “runs well.” The iPhone in the video apparently got noticeably hot after five minutes of use, and there’s some issues with Android not recognizing little things like WiFi or the phone’s GPU.

Continue reading Yep, the iPhone runs Android 2.2, too

Yep, the iPhone runs Android 2.2, too originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGadgets DNA  | Email this | Comments

Dell Streak review

Streak. It needs no introduction, as this slate’s been gaining a lot of attention amongst gadget lovers around the world. Thanks to the UK launch last Friday, we were one of the first on this planet to procure Dell’s finalized Android 1.6 phone from O2. Yep, you heard right — Engadget’s now in possession of two Streaks, with the older one still in its original and somewhat unstable prototype state. Our new toy sports a matte “carbon” finish instead of chrome (no word on future availability; the red version’s coming in two weeks’ time), and now 399MB of RAM instead of 405MB (according to Android System Info app; yet it’s advertised as 512MB). Anyhow, now that we have the real deal, there’s plenty to go through, so join us after the break to see if the Streak’s really going to start a new trend.

Continue reading Dell Streak review

Dell Streak review originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Metro PCS to join Android game with a Motorola QWERTY slider

A four-row sliding QWERTY keyboard? Check. Metro PCS splash screen? Check. Motorola insignia? You better believe it. The folks at AndroidGuys have obtained what very strongly appears to be Metro PCS’ first Android phone, and along with a handful of pics there’s some alleged specs, too. From the man (or woman) behind the curtain: a 600MHz processor, 3 megapixel camera, and Android 2.1 with Motoblur dressing. An EVO 4G combatant it is definitely not — nor ever intended to be — but we wouldn’t be surprised if the price turned more than a few heads. Any indication of price, release date, or even official name is, however, still a mystery.

Metro PCS to join Android game with a Motorola QWERTY slider originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AndroidCommunity  |  sourceAndroidGuys  | Email this | Comments

Acer Liquid gets early Android 2.2 ROM, unstable CPU unlock (video)

Nexus One, EVO 4G, Droid and Dream sure, but the Acer Liquid? Yes, the underclocked Snapdragon slate that never made it stateside has just received its own Android 2.2 port. Though still in early alpha with no Wi-Fi or camera functionality and plenty of bugs to boot, the freshly frozen yogurt has the Liquid turning tricks already — with very playable-looking framerates in Raging Thunder II and Flash video support. Early adopters note that the phone isn’t terribly stable at higher CPU frequencies, so don’t expect to push that processor much higher than stock, but even 768MHz is reportedly nice and snappy when you’re running Android 2.2. Video proof after the break, and you’ll find the unfinished ROM at our more coverage link if you’re the adventurous sort. [Thanks, Miroslav]

Continue reading Acer Liquid gets early Android 2.2 ROM, unstable CPU unlock (video)

Acer Liquid gets early Android 2.2 ROM, unstable CPU unlock (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMoDaCo  | Email this | Comments