Google TV: Android-based web platform for the living room, with help from Intel, Sony, and Logitech

There’s not a lot to see here — in fact, there’s nothing at all to see at this point — but The New York Times has it on good authority that Google, Intel, and Sony have teamed up to develop an Android-powered internet platform using Atom processors for televisions and set-top boxes. Dubbed Google TV, the apparent mantra seems to be making web app navigation (Twitter, Picasa, etc.) as easy as changing the channel. Joining the fun will be the peripheral casanovas at Logitech for, you guessed it, peripherals. It certainly isn’t novel territory, from as far back as WebTV to as recent as Yahoo! widgets — and from Google itself, be it Motoblur boxes or Dish Network trials — but the proof will be in the pudding, and for now, mum’s the word on any more concrete details. As they say, stay tuned.

Google TV: Android-based web platform for the living room, with help from Intel, Sony, and Logitech originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make it four: Google’s Nexus One coming to Sprint

Making the rounds, are we Google? Just over 24 hours after we saw an AT&T-friendly Nexus One go on sale, along come Sprint yelling “me too!” at the top of its lungs. Today marks the day that Google’s first-ever smartphone now has at least a holding place on all four of the major US carriers, with T-Mobile nabbing it first and Verizon users still waiting for that vague “spring release.” Unfortunately, Sprint’s making us wait when it comes to finding out an exact price and release date, but at least we’re assured that both are coming “soon.”

Make it four: Google’s Nexus One coming to Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid’s Android 2.1 update going to ‘a small number’ of users tomorrow

Possibly confirming those leaks suggesting that the first volley of Droid updates to Android 2.1 would be limited to just a quarter million folks, Verizon just shot out a statement to let everyone know that the over-the-air push is “being deployed to a small number of Verizon Wireless test users tomorrow afternoon.” Beyond that, no dates are given for the rest of us to get in on the action — probably because Verizon and Motorola need to see how the first group manages before sending out the remainder — so for the moment, just hope that you’re one of these incredibly blessed “test users” and stay tuned.

Droid’s Android 2.1 update going to ‘a small number’ of users tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google issues statement on Nexus One sales, touts Android Market’s 30,000 apps

Numbers released by Flurry Analytics yesterday suggested that Google’s Nexus One had sold around 135,000 units in 74 days (the same amount of time it took the iPhone to hit a million) — not a staggering number by any measure. Now, we don’t really have any way to assess the accuracy of Flurry’s data, but we spoke with Google’s team about a few things, and here’s what they had to say. For starters, Google wanted to assert the idea that selling lots of a single handset isn’t the company’s primary goal, an idea which makes sense considering how many handsets are currently available with Android. In our conversation, Google actually called out the sales figures for the Droid and seemed eager to make the point that their game is more of a war of attrition fought on a variety of fronts. Read their statement — and lots more — after the break…

Continue reading Google issues statement on Nexus One sales, touts Android Market’s 30,000 apps

Google issues statement on Nexus One sales, touts Android Market’s 30,000 apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile HD2, CLIQ XT Get Prices and Release Dates

HTC_HD2.jpg
T-Mobile has finally taken the wraps off plans for two highly anticipated smartphones.
First, T-Mobile has announced a price and release date for the long-awaited, Windows Mobile 6.5-powered HTC HD2 (pictured): March 24th, $199.99 with a two-year contract. Customers will also be able to get the HD2 for $449.99 with no monthly contract and the carrier’s less expensive, Even More Plus plan.
In addition, T-Mobile has announced that the Android-powered Motorola CLIQ XT will hit stores today, for $129.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates.
For more information, check out our full Motorola CLIQ XT review. We’ll also have a hands-on with the HD2 up very soon.

Verizon Finally Announces Droid 2.1 Upgrade

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Could this have taken any longer? Verizon Wireless has finally unveiled an Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Droid, which will finally give the handset feature parity (at least software wise) with the Google Nexus One after several false starts early in February.
By installing the update, Motorola Droid owners will now get pinch-to-zoom in the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps. That’s the big one, but there’s much more: it also includes new weather and news widgets, voice-to-text entry, a 3D gallery layout, live wallpapers, free Yahoo Mail support, an updated Google Maps app, a night mode for Google Maps Navigation, and several smaller pattern-lock and audio enhancements.
Get the details and instructions now at verizonwireless.com/droidsupport. Dive in and let us know how it works for you in the comments.

HTC Desire shows up in slinky silver (video)

Here’s another thing the Desire has that the Nexus One doesn’t: a second color option. We’re told our Dutch buddies will soon be able to skip the default gunmetal paintjob that’s shared by HTC’s twin brothers and opt into the silvery casing you see above. The pictures are captioned with a note saying the silver Desire will be exclusive to BelCompany in the Netherlands, but we’ve found a few other retailers claiming their own exclusief. Either way, we still don’t know how things will shake out elsewhere, but at least there won’t be too long to wait. We’ve got video of the very slightly altered handset after the break.

[Thanks, Miguel]

Continue reading HTC Desire shows up in slinky silver (video)

HTC Desire shows up in slinky silver (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola CLIQ XT comes to T-Mobile for $129.99

Your hopes, dreams, and deepest desires for a keyboardless CLIQ have finally materialized today now that Motorola’s CLIQ XT has reached T-Mobile shops across the country. Interestingly, yesterday’s leaked documentation pegged the date, but not the price — rather than the rumored $99.99, the XT will actually be going for $129.99 on a two-year contract. We guess that’s still not bad for a bona fide myTouch 3G alternative with a 5 megapixel cam — as long as you can get down with Blur, of course.

Motorola CLIQ XT comes to T-Mobile for $129.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Spica grows up to Android 2.1

Also known as the Galaxy Portal in the UK, Samsung’s i5700 is today officially entering the Eclair portion of its Android existence. We got a nice leak of the 2.1 ROM in February, whose small glitches will no doubt have been ironed out in this official release. You’ll need to either hook up to the Samsung neural network using their proprietary PC Studio 7 software to leech the upgrade or just buy a new handset — it all depends on the ratio between your disposable time and income. Guess this will make the Spica that little bit more seductive to Rogers customers, who only just got the option to own the handset last week. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Spica grows up to Android 2.1

Samsung Galaxy Spica grows up to Android 2.1 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google says Android should ‘flourish’ in China, effectively concedes a point

Whether for real or for show, Google tried to make the world believe it would use Android OS as a bargaining chip during the company’s terse, slow negotiations with China. Now, the company has seemingly abandoned that option. During an educational webcast about the future of Google’s mobile business, CFO Patrick Pichette told viewers that he expected the company’s Android platform to do well in China despite all the recent threats and ultimatums in the country. “The Android platform is available to everybody,” said Pichette, “and China is obviously another great market in which Android should flourish.” Good to hear that Google and China are finally in accordance, right? Thing is, with China circumventing Android’s default search engine, Google’s stance against Chinese censorship of search depended on taking Android handsets hostage. But if the OS is indeed available to everybody, that’s not going to happen. The mobile market might one day be dominated by Android, but if Google doesn’t step up, mobile search will go to competitors more willing to play wallball with the Great Firewall of China.

Google says Android should ‘flourish’ in China, effectively concedes a point originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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