Sep 14

HTC Droid Incredible nearing switch from AMOLED to SLCD?

Posted in: droid, HTC, LCD, screen, Today's Chili

HTC already transitioned its Desire and Nexus One units from AMOLED to Super LCD, and it looks as if the outfit may soon be doing likewise on the highly popular Droid Incredible as it struggles against a long-running AMOLED shortage. The Verizon memo you see above clearly lays out the firm’s intentions, with an entirely new SKU (ADR6300VW3) expected to flush through retail channels “around the end of September.” In other words, those who purchase an Incredible after the end of this month will all but definitely be guaranteed an SLCD unit. We pinged HTC to see if it wanted to deny or confirm the claims, and here’s what we received:

“We haven’t announced any moves towards changing the Incredible display from AMOLED to SLCD.”

Yeah, a textbook denial. Oh, and if you’re wondering whether to rush or retard your impending Incredible purchase, have a look at our Desire head-to-head here. Decisions, decisions…

HTC Droid Incredible nearing switch from AMOLED to SLCD? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Droid Does website points to imminent Froyo update for Droid X… but what does it mean?

Posted in: cdma, droid, froyo, Google, GoogleAndroid, mobile os, MobileOs, smartphone, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update, verizon, Verizon Wireless, VerizonWireless

Just as Paul Vasquez would have us do, we’re questioning the true meaning behind a curious page that has popped up over at the Droid Does website — a very authentic portal that Verizon Wireless itself has been pushing for nearly a year. Put simply, the splash page details “great news!” surrounding a heretofore unannounced Android 2.2 update for the arguably gigantic Droid X. In fact, we’re even told about all the amazing features that Froyo brings, but alas, our own X has yet to get any sort of notification from Big Red. The image you’re peering at above was purportedly texted to a tipster from VZW, but unfortunately, the links led to the previously referenced splash page rather than a download. Still, we’re guessing that this means a bona fide release is just around the corner — Verizon’s already a few weeks late at this point, so hopefully the finishing touches are nearly done.

[Thanks, Kellen]

Continue reading Droid Does website points to imminent Froyo update for Droid X… but what does it mean?

Droid Does website points to imminent Froyo update for Droid X… but what does it mean? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 09

Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed

Posted in: droid, leak, motorola, Star Wars, Today's Chili, video

Digg

Not willing to wait for the genuine R2-D2 edition Droid 2 later this month? Then it looks like you can now get the next best thing — the Star Wars-themed boot animation and live wallpapers from the phone have already been dug out from the recently leaked ROM and made available for download. Those include the Millennium Falcon flying through an asteroid field, the always exciting jump to lightspeed, an interactive R2-D2, and everyone’s favorite: the space slug. Head on past the break for a pair of videos, and hit up the links below to check out the rest (and download them).

Continue reading Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed

Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community  |  sourceAndroid Police, Droid Life  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 03

How would you change Motorola’s Droid X?

Posted in: Android, droid, Features, Google, GoogleAndroid, HowWouldYouChange, HWYC, motorola, smartphone, Today's Chili

Last week we gave the Apple loyalists in attendance a chance to rip and rag the iPhone 4, and this time around we’re doing the same for Motorola’s best frienemies. The Droid X is without question the largest Droid in the family today, and calling it a showstopper on Verizon would probably be understating things. Now that it’s been on the market a few months, we’re curious to know how you early adopters like (or dislike) it. Did the massive screen end up being too large for comfort? Anything you’d tweak software-wise? How’s the VZW service been? Might your world change if Android 2.2 ever hits in official fashion? Go on and let us know how you’d alter this behemoth down in comments below — but give it some real thought first, cool? Cool.

How would you change Motorola’s Droid X? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 03

Droid R2-D2 gets docked — not in a X-Wing

Posted in: Android, droid, motorola, Star Wars, Today's Chili, verizon

Verizon’s teaser site for the Droid 2 R2-D2 edition has been teasing a series of locked spokes, accessible by all as soon as anyone in the community solves the “puzzle.” We don’t know exactly what the magic code was, but regardless, thanks to David H. yesterday, we’ve got a new gallery of devices pics and — oh, lookie — a special edition Droid R2-D2 dock. We don’t see room for a hyperdrive anywhere, nor wings, proton torpedos, or a cockpit for future Jedi to blast orbital space stations. So, let’s just call it a vacation home for astromechs needing a respite.

Update: As a number of you have pointed out, it’s “proton” torpedo in Star Wars canon, and “Jedi” is already plural. We’re left with two options here: total retcon the scope of which would put midi-chlorians to further shame, or just fixing the copy. We’ll let ya know what we decide.

Gallery: Droid 2 R2-D2 edition dock

Droid R2-D2 gets docked — not in a X-Wing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 03

Android Phones and NES Controllers Together At Last

Posted in: Android, diy, droid, HTC, nintendo, Today's Chili, video games

I’ve long held that ROMs are the biggest selling point for Android phones that no one wants to talk about (or are at least neck and neck for those of you who absolutely need your porn on the go). If, after a few drinks, I start having a good natured debate about smartphones with an iPhone owning friend (which does indeed happen more often that I’d care to admit), I’ll usually break out my Droid and start playing a round of Super Mario 3.

However, the Droid QWERTY keyboard is okay–but not great–for such gaming. In fact, I’ve actually worn down some of the keys on the thing playing Super Mario Brothers. And, all things considered, I’ve actually got it good. There are plenty of Android handsets that rely entirely on the touchscreen for control–a pretty miserable way to play a console-formatted sidescroller.

Game Gripper offers a decent and intriguing answer–a controller that slips right over the keyboard of a number of handsets. But let’s be honest–you’re still not playing the way that god (and Shigeru Miyamoto) intended.

With that in mind, I submit to you my nominee for hack of the day. Using an HTC EVO 4G, a BlueSMiRF Bluetooth module, an Arduino board, and, of course, an original NES controller, this fellow designed what is quite possible the ultimate Android/Nintendo hack.

The final product ain’t all that pretty–and, let’s be honest, you’d look pretty dumb playing it on the subway (where most of my own handset gaming occurs)–but damn it if it doesn’t work like a charm

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Sep 02

Skype updates Android app for Verizon users, lets you keep the WiFi on

Posted in: Android, BlackBerry, droid, skype, Today's Chili, verizon, wifi
Well, it looks like you still won’t be able to actually make calls over WiFi, but Verizon Android users can now at least keep their WiFi connection active while using Skype Mobile — something that was curiously not possible before. That’s just one of the improvements in the latest version of the app (also updated for BlackBerry), which also includes features like incoming caller ID, support for copy and paste and emoticons in IM conversations, and the ability to automatically set your location as your mood message.

Skype updates Android app for Verizon users, lets you keep the WiFi on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 31

Prepaid Droid, BlackBerry and Palm phones coming to Verizon? (update: confirmed, box spotting)

Posted in: Android, BlackBerry, droid, leak, pre, rumor, Today's Chili, verizon
We’d heard a few rumors of some new prepaid offerings from Verizon recently, but it now looks like the carrier could really be about to expand things in a big way — at least if some purportedly authentic leaked documents are any indication. Apparently received by Android Does from a helpful tipster, the documents list a whole new lineup of prepaid phones, including a slew of BlackBerrys, the Palm Pre and Pixi Plus, and just about every Android-based phone Verizon offers (including all of the Droids and even the yet-to-be released Samsung Fascinate — again listed for September 9th). While there’s no indication of prepaid pricing for the phones themselves, they would apparently be available with an unlimited $30 a month data plan, which would have to be tacked on top of a minimum $45 a month voice plan. Yeah, that’s pretty aggressive for Verizon any way you slice it — maybe too aggressive to be true?

[Thanks, Bryan]

Update: Well, it looks like this chances of this happening just got a whole lot better — head on past the break for a shot we received of a Verizon Prepaid BlackBerry Curve box. If you look closely at the back of the box, you’ll also notice that the pricing matches up with the leaked documents, including monthly plans from $45 to 75 a month, and unlimited email and web for $30 a month. What’s more, while there’s no shots just yet, we’re hearing that the prepaid Droids are also a go (with the same plans), and that at least the Droid 2 has been specifically mentioned.

Update 2: As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also now gotten a handful more tips confirming that this is the real deal, and that it will apparently include BlackBerry, Android and Palm phones only (at least when it comes to smartphones).

Update 3: And just in case you still don’t believe us, we just got screenshots of Verizon’s inventory system listing all the current Droids, the LG Ally, the Motorola Devour, the Palm Pre / Pixi Plus, and a host of Blackberrys as pre-paid capable phones. Check it in the gallery.

Gallery: Verizon pre-paid smartphones

Continue reading Prepaid Droid, BlackBerry and Palm phones coming to Verizon? (update: confirmed, box spotting)

Prepaid Droid, BlackBerry and Palm phones coming to Verizon? (update: confirmed, box spotting) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 30

Motorola says leaked Droid X Android 2.2 build won’t be updated to the official release

Posted in: Android, droid, froyo, leak, motorola, Today's Chili, verizon

Can’t say this is a surprise, but Motorola posted a note on its support forums today warning Droid X users against upgrading to that leaked Android 2.2 build or any of those custom ROMS that’re out there — they’ll be cut off from the official upgrade when it hits in early September and potentially “stuck on the leaked version.” Ouch. Of course, that’s the risk you take when you start flashing your phone with unofficial firmware, but between this, eFUSE, and those cease and desist letters, it certainly feels like Motorola is decidedly unhappy that anyone would have the gall to hack or tweak one of its handsets, even if the phone in question is the size of a small tank and marketed by aggressive murderous robot hands insisting that it “does” everything one can think of with no restrictions. Contrast that with HTC, which is not only at peace with the hacking community, but even takes the initiative to resolve similar problems.

Of course, no one would care about any of this if Motorola would just release stock Android builds for its devices as soon as they’re ready, but why learn that lesson when it’s possible to waste money developing Blur and adopting painfully annoying staggered OTA rollout schedules at the behest of carriers? That would just be silly.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Motorola says leaked Droid X Android 2.2 build won’t be updated to the official release originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid-Life  |  sourceMotorola Support  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 30

Motorola XT300 mini portrait slider leaks out in clearer photos

Posted in: droid, leak, leaks, motorola, QwertySlider, rumor, rumors, slider, Today's Chili, video

We’ve been wondering about this oddly intriguing mini Motorola portrait slider since we saw it back in July, and a new set of leaked photos today hasn’t done anything to diminish our curiosity, since that keyboard looks pretty amazing. The reappearance of the red Droid eye seems to indicate this one’s eventually destined for Verizon, but we’ll see — we’re curious about the XT300 name being used in this photo set, which ties in with Moto’s GSM naming scheme, and Verizon’s reserved the Droid name for higher-end sets so far, while this thing looks like a mid-range Blur phone to us. Video after the break — and more photos and vids at the source link.

[Thanks, Thomas]

Continue reading Motorola XT300 mini portrait slider leaks out in clearer photos

Motorola XT300 mini portrait slider leaks out in clearer photos originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMobiflip.de  | Email this | Comments

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