May 20

Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ beta hands-on: Flash 10.1, WiFi hotspots, and some killer benchmark scores

Posted in: droid, froyo, Google, GoogleAndroid, hands-on, nexus one, NexusOne, Today's Chili, video

Much to our surprise at the time, when Adobe sent us a Flash 10.1-enabled Nexus One for testing, the phone came preloaded with a preview build of Android 2.2 — a.k.a. “Froyo” — the apparent turning point for curbing Android fragmentation due for a very public unveiling today at Google I/O. We’ve had a day or two to dig into it, and while we’re surely missing some improvements here or there (Google was unable to provide us a changelog as of this writing), we’ve spent pretty much all our waking moments combing through every virtual nook and cranny. So what can Eclair alumni expect from the revised platform? Read on for more!

Gallery: Android 2.1 Eclair vs. 2.2 Froyo… food fight!

Gallery: Android 2.2 Froyo (unabridged)

Continue reading Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ beta hands-on: Flash 10.1, WiFi hotspots, and some killer benchmark scores

Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ beta hands-on: Flash 10.1, WiFi hotspots, and some killer benchmark scores originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 08

Motorola Droid solves Lego-encased Rubik’s Cube in 24 mind-melting seconds (video)

Posted in: Android, arm, awesome, droid, Google, GoogleAndroid, lego, moto, motorola, Today's Chili, toy, video

Oh sure, you’ve seen your disgustingly hairy cousin solve a Rubik’s Cube in 3 minutes and 13.4 seconds, and we’ve seen quite a few sophisticated robots do it in far less time. But in the latest episode of “Yes, Droid Really Does,” we’ve got Motorola’s darling solving a Lego-encased Cube in just over 24 seconds. Let’s recap: a Droid, a Mindstorms NXT monstrosity, a Rubik’s Cube and faux techno. Is there any chance you aren’t clicking through to watch this video?

Update: Whoops — had the wrong image in there somehow. Fixed now!

Update II: Drats — the video owner removed the clip. We’ll keep it embedded should it return.

Continue reading Motorola Droid solves Lego-encased Rubik’s Cube in 24 mind-melting seconds (video)

Motorola Droid solves Lego-encased Rubik’s Cube in 24 mind-melting seconds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 May 2010 23:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 06

Lego, Motorola Droid Combine to Solve the Rubik’s Cube

Posted in: Android, arm, droid, Hacks, Mods and DIY, lego, motorola, Today's Chili

It can take someone anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to solve the Rubik’s Cube puzzle. But a neat contraption built out of an Android powered Motorola Droid phone and a Lego Mindstorms NXT kit can whip the Cube into shape in just under 25 seconds.

Folks at ARM, whose architecture the Motorola Droid processor is based on, created the device and have called it the Speedcuber. With the use of the yellow Lego pieces and the droid, the robot is extremely attractive. But it’s not just about looks.

An Android App running on the Motorola Droid uses the phone’s camera to take pictures of each face of the cube and sends the solution to the Lego NXT controller via Bluetooth.

Check out the video above to see the cube twisted into the right configuration in seconds.

The Speedcuber was on display at the Embedded Systems conference that ended Wednesday.

See Also:

[via Make]

Video: Armflix


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May 05

Droid Incredible versus Nexus One: cameraphone showdown

Posted in: Android, droid, HTC, NeXus, nexus one, NexusOne, Today's Chili, verizon, vzw

With all this talk of the Droid Incredible ousting the Nexus One from Verizon Wireless, having a better multitouch implementation, and just being newer and shinier, you might think this comparison of cameras is just mercilessly piling on the pain for the original Googlephone. After all, the Nexus One and its 5 megapixel sensor came out a good few months ahead of the 8 megapixel Droid Incredible, so surely this battle would be over before it’s even begun? Not so fast, says Android and Me, whose diligent testers have put the two HTC handsets through a side-by-side shootout. As it turns out, the Nexus One rather swept the contest in both naturally and flash-lit shots, while the Incredible habitually exhibited a blue hue in less than perfectly lit photos. Both cameras were adept at taking excellent daylight photos, as is to be expected, but the devil is as usual in the details — and you can find all of them at the source link below.

[Thanks, Matt]

Droid Incredible versus Nexus One: cameraphone showdown originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 29

HTC Droid Incredible arrives as promised (Update: not yet!)

Posted in: Android, cellphones, droid, HTC, launch, Today's Chili, verizon

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. HTC’s impressive Droid Incredible has arrived, so if you pre-ordered one you can expect it today (if you haven’t already gotten it) — and if you didn’t, well you can pick one up at a nearby Verizon store. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our full review of the Incredible.

Update: So, a friendly tipster pointed out to us that on Verizon’s website, it actually still lists the Droid Incredible as available for pre-order. To quote: “Due to high demand, this device will ship by 5/4.”

Continue reading HTC Droid Incredible arrives as promised (Update: not yet!)

HTC Droid Incredible arrives as promised (Update: not yet!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 26

Motorola gives Google the boot, turns to Skyhook for location services

Posted in: Android, droid, Google, GoogleAndroid, gps, moto, motorola, smartphone, Today's Chili

Well, this is… something. Out of seemingly nowhere, Motorola has just made the decision to shun Google’s location services in favor of those from Skyhook, proudly becoming the “first Android device maker to abandon Google for its location services.” According to the release — which feels atypically jovial to us — the device maker will marry Skyhook’s GPS, WiFi and cellular location in the “vast majority” of its phone models, and since Skyhook will be baked into the OS, every single app can reap the benefits. Reportedly, developers are pretty stoked about the news, and it’s pretty clear that Motorola is equally confident that Skyhook’s location solution is the best on the market. Not like Google really needs any more frenemies right now, but hey — you won’t find us kvetching about anyone keeping the Big Shot on its toes.

Continue reading Motorola gives Google the boot, turns to Skyhook for location services

Motorola gives Google the boot, turns to Skyhook for location services originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 25

Droid Incredible comes with ‘limited introductory offer’ of 2GB microSD

Posted in: droid, Today's Chili, Verizon Wireless, VerizonWireless

All in all, we thought the Droid Incredible was a pretty nifty phone, but in our full review we still called out a couple ways Verizon and HTC could make it a little more… well, you know. It seems Verizon has taken one of our suggestions to heart, because we’ve just learned the company will ship new phones with a 2GB microSD card. No word on how long the promo offer will last or whether existing pre-orders are included, but we hear at least one early adopter got left out. We’ll have to see if more speak up… like you, for instance. Let us know in comments if you get shortchanged.

[Thanks, Shawn M.]

Droid Incredible comes with ‘limited introductory offer’ of 2GB microSD originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 24

Sirius XM app for Android ‘coming soon’

Posted in: Android, app, droid, nexus one, NexusOne, radio, streaming, Today's Chili
iPhone and iPod touch users may have had a Sirius XM app for close to a year now, but it looks like Android users will soon finally be able to get in on some mobile streaming as well. While there’s still no specific launch date, the app is apparently “coming soon,” and looks to be mostly identical to its iPhone OS counterpart, complete with support for streaming over both WiFi and 3G. Somewhat curiously, however, Sirius XM seems to be saying that the app will only be available for the Droid and Nexus One, although that’s a bit puzzling considering they’re not the only Android 2.1-ready phones with fast processors (if those are indeed the only requirements). Full press release is after the break, and you can sign up to be notified of the app at the link below.

Continue reading Sirius XM app for Android ‘coming soon’

Sirius XM app for Android ‘coming soon’ originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 23

Game Gripper review

Posted in: droid, feature, Features, gaming, review, Today's Chili, video
Game Gripper review

We love an innovative fix to a problem, and so were immediately smitten by the Game Gripper when we saw it in action. It’s a little keypad that slaps on over the keyboard of your Motorola Droid or Milestone, turning it into what looked like perhaps the most perfect blend of smartphone and portable gaming machine we’d ever seen. (Sorry, N-Gage.) Naturally we had to try it, and the Gripper’s creator, Hyrum Fairbanks, was kind enough to send us one to test — even customized to match the Engadget Mobile color scheme. Is it worth the measly $15 he’s charging for the thing, and is it good enough to execute a hadouken? Read on through to find out.

Gallery: Game Gripper

Continue reading Game Gripper review

Game Gripper review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 21

Droid Incredible arrives early for a few lucky, smug pre-orderers

Posted in: droid, HTC, Today's Chili, unboxing, verizon, Verizon Wireless, VerizonWireless, video

While the new Verizon Droid Incredible isn’t supposed to arrive until April 29th, a few blessed pre-orderers are getting their units early. From the sound of it, there was a glitch in Verizon’s system that was allowing some phone orders to be shipped right away — sadly, that apparently has since been plugged. Interestingly, the boxes these are being shipped in so far just say “HTC Incredible,” not that it’s any surprise that the Droid Incredible moniker was a late-in-game addition. Of course, cries of “fake!” rang out in the forums, so one of the recipients (appropriately self-dubbed “SoSmarmy”) posted a video of the phone booting up for all to see. Check it out after the break. Not seething with envy yet? Perhaps you should re-read our review of the new flagship Android handset.

[Thanks, Aaron]

Continue reading Droid Incredible arrives early for a few lucky, smug pre-orderers

Droid Incredible arrives early for a few lucky, smug pre-orderers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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