May 20

Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXIII: Magic trick goes awry on eBay

Posted in: Android, Google, HTC, kirf, t-mobile, Today's Chili

Sigh. Where to begin? It looks like a Magic, it smells like a Magic, but the perfectionist in us fully understands that it’s absolutely not a Magic. The self-proclaimed followup to HTC’s G1 has itself an impostor, and that very shammer is parading around on eBay for the low, low price of $122.99. Granted, that doesn’t buy you an HTC logo, Android or 3G, but hey, it just might fool a few folks on the subway. Take it from us, though, it’s totally not worth the risk of embarrassment.

[Thanks, Jeremy]

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Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXIII: Magic trick goes awry on eBay originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 21:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 20

HTC passes CDMA / GSM hybrid Touch Pro2 through the FCC

Posted in: HTC, Today's Chili, Windows Mobile, WindowsMobile

Remember that Touch Pro2 we saw in Sprint livery yesterday? A leaked roadmap indicated that this would be a global roaming device packing both CDMA and GSM radios — and Telus’ inventory system certainly corroborates the existence of such a device. Further proof now comes to us in the form of an FCC filing for yet another variant of the Rhodium (HTC’s codename for the Touch Pro2), and while only CDMA is being tested here, there’s also some assurance from HTC that the FCC needn’t worry about the locked-down GSM radio lying dormant in there. In other words, it’ll only be used outside US borders — places the FCC doesn’t give two flips about. Even better, there are actually two versions being referred to here — the RHOD400 and RHOD500 — which could very well represent separate bodies for Sprint and Verizon. As if you needed another reason to upgrade from the original Touch Pro, Sprint folks… well, here you go.

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HTC passes CDMA / GSM hybrid Touch Pro2 through the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 19

HTC Touch Pro2 for Sprint spotted in the wild, mid-June release?

Posted in: HTC, Sprint, Today's Chili, Windows Mobile, WindowsMobile, winmo

We’ve known that a version of the HTC Rhodium / Touch Pro2 was inbound for Sprint at some point this summer (assuming no delays), but would mark the first time we’ve seen one in what appears to be finished production trim. A SprintUsers poster claims that the global roaming-capable device should be hitting retail mid-June with the portrait QWERTY Snap following in July — and yes, we’d be more inclined to ignore the noise had said poster not also provided the glorious pictures. Looking good — really good, actually — but good luck tearing any eyes away from the Pre kiosks in the stores next month, HTC.

[Thanks, David D.]

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HTC Touch Pro2 for Sprint spotted in the wild, mid-June release? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 19

New video of HTC Hero’s Android build offers Frenchy vision of widget utopia

Posted in: Android, Gadgets, hero, HTC, Today's Chili

The verdict is still out on whether what we’ve been seeing is indeed some precursor to Android 2.0 “Donut,” or (more likely) some elaborate HTC skin designed bring HTC’s Android home screen experience up to par with its extensive Windows Mobile reskinning. Either way, things are shaping up quite nicely for the HTC Hero, with another leaked build showing widget functionality galore, including weather widgets that actually show the weather. Interestingly, this isn’t a complete replacement for the existing home screen, since in the add widget dialogue you can pick an HTC Gadget, a Google Gadget, or other regular things like Shortcuts, and most everything seems to cohabitate well in the example video. With the rate these leaks are coming, we’re guessing we’ll be hearing more about the HTC Hero before too long, and if not we’ve always got the nouveau cocktail jazz electro crossover stylings of Air to keep us calm. Video is after the break.

[Via Android Guys]

Continue reading New video of HTC Hero’s Android build offers Frenchy vision of widget utopia

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New video of HTC Hero’s Android build offers Frenchy vision of widget utopia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 19

NTT DoCoMo counters SoftBank with 18 new handsets of its own

Posted in: Android, HTC, Japan, LG, Panasonic, Sharp, Today's Chili, Toshiba, Windows Mobile, WindowsMobile

8 megapixel cameras and 3-plus-inch wide VGA displays are the order of the day in NTT DoCoMo’s 18-strong summer 2009 range of phones from Panasonic, LG, Fujitsu, NEC, Sharp, HTC, and Toshiba, but a few are definitely standing out for us. First would be the unforgettable N-09A from NEC, integrating patent leather right into the phone’s case; it’s not often that you need to condition your handset with saddle soap, so that one definitely caught our eye. Next up, we have a couple smartphones (not to say that anything in this lineup can be labeled “dumb” by any stretch) from HTC and Toshiba — the expected HT-03A and T-01A, respectively, which are localized rebrands of the Magic and TG01. Only a Japanese carrier lineup oozes enough machismo to make a TG01 look like a 16-ounce can of weak juice, so our hats go off to you, NTT DoCoMo — thanks for ruining one of 2009’s most promising devices for us. Hey, at least they’re offering the Magic in both white and black.

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NTT DoCoMo counters SoftBank with 18 new handsets of its own originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 05:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 18

T-Mobile USA delays Android 1.5 rollout by a few days

Posted in: Android, breaking news, BreakingNews, HTC, t-mobile, Today's Chili

We knew it was too good to be true, eternal curmudgeonly pessimists that we are — and sure enough, T-Mobile USA has put the kibosh on the start of its Android 1.5 rollout to G1 users. It seems that the build is still being “optimized” to “ensure optimal functionality and smooth delivery,” which doesn’t necessarily explain why T-Mobile UK users are already enjoying this stuff — but then again, we’re not the engineers and tech support folks that have to put up with the fallout from a failed launch. The carrier thinks everything will be delayed by about a week, which means that we’re now looking at early June before everyone gets it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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T-Mobile USA delays Android 1.5 rollout by a few days originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 18

Android build for upcoming HTC Hero has revamped interface, social networking?

Posted in: Android, hero, HTC, Today's Chili

This one’s a bit of a mystery, but it’s certainly a tantalizing one: Haykuro of xdadevelopers fame has posted video of what purports to be the Android build off of HTC’s upcoming Hero device. What’s special about it is a reworked interface, which shows a lot of polish from icons to built-in apps to general interface elements… and maybe just a bit of TouchFLO flair. There are also new features like a login / logout menu for “social networks” in the settings menu. While the device lists the firmware as 1.5, there’s a small possibility that some of this new look and feel could be headed for Android 2.0 “Donut,” or perhaps HTC just feels like it needs to diverge from the pack a bit now that other manufacturers are starting to drop their own Android handsets. Check out the incredibly epic video after the break.

[Via Android Central]

Continue reading Android build for upcoming HTC Hero has revamped interface, social networking?

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Android build for upcoming HTC Hero has revamped interface, social networking? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 15

Exchange-enabled HTC Magic explained: it’s not a “with Google” phone

Posted in: Android, Google, HTC, Today's Chili

We’ve gotten the lowdown on that HTC Magic seen sporting Exchange support over in CNET Asia’s capable hands, and as many readers opined, it’s indeed a custom solution rolled by HTC without any Google involvement. Of course, HTC is no stranger to customizing OS builds loaded onto its devices; it already does this with every single Windows Mobile phone it sells, so we shouldn’t be surprised to see some tweaks on its Android wares, either. Here’s where it gets juicy, though: it turns out that Google forbids user of the “with Google” branding (as seen on the back of the G1, for example) when the build is customized, so the particular Magic that was being tested here lacked the Google name. Not all Magics are sold this way — it’s a carrier decision. Vodafone’s version is Google-branded, for example, but in order to score the Google name they’ve got to comply to Google’s standards for the software load.

Some unlocked Magics (like CNET Asia’s) are being sold in this sans-Google configuration, but if you like your Google apps, don’t sweat it — these devices still have GMail, Maps, and the like installed — it’s strictly a marketing and branding issue we’re talking about here. In addition to Exchange support, the HTC-customized Magics include a reworked Smart Dialer with better contacts integration, a “much more responsive and full featured” camera app, and additional home screen widgets not found on the Google-ified Magics. We know which version we’d choose.

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Exchange-enabled HTC Magic explained: it’s not a “with Google” phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 09

T-Mobile to release “multiple” Android devices this year

Posted in: Android, HTC, netbook, rumor, rumors, samsung, t-mobile, tablet, TMobile, Today's Chili

It’s no secret that T-Mobile has some grand Android-based plans after the million-selling success of the G1, and although we’ve heard sketchy reports of future devices to come, it sounds like things are starting to firm up: CTO Cole Brodman told GigaOm yesterday that the carrier is planning to launch “multiple” Android devices from “three partners” later this year. One of those is pretty obviously the HTC Magic / Sapphire / myTouch, but that’s just the tip of the potential iceberg here — we’ve got a feeling that the Samsung I7500 “Houdini” will be involved, the G1 v2 is certainly interesting, there’s that mysterious Huawei set we saw at MWC, and hell, we’ve even got reports of netbooks, tablets, and home phones in the mix. That’s a lot of directions Timmy-O can go, any predictions?

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T-Mobile to release “multiple” Android devices this year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 May 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 08

Engadget Podcast 145 – 05.08.2009

Posted in: Android, engadget podcast, EngadgetPodcast, HTC, netbook, podcast, Today's Chili, xbox 360, Xbox360

Sure, you love the Engadget Podcast… but how much do you love it? Allow the power of your undying devotion to the sounds of Engadget chatter be tested this week as Josh, Paul, and Nilay take a journey through space and time. This week, you’ll hear the guys dissect Amazon’s Kindle DX launch, wax excited about Android v1.5 (that’s Cupcake for us pros), talk openly about Google’s netbook designs, and generally rap about a whole bunch of really cool junk. Don’t miss it. Seriously.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Take On Me

00:01:04 – Amazon Kindle DX announced: $489, ships this summer
00:37:44 – Android 1.5 coming to T-Mobile UK now, USA next week
00:52:00 – Is Dell cooking up an Android-powered netbook?
01:00:20 – HTC working on an Android netbook for T-Mobile?
01:02:50 – Xbox 360 to get motion-sensing add-on with full body game control?
01:13:37 – DJ Hero announced at last, along with Band Hero for the family and Guitar Hero 5 for the face melters

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Engadget Podcast 145 – 05.08.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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