Droid Life

Update on DROIDX Gingerbread and DROIDX2 Launch Software, Xperia Play Will be First With Android 2.3 on Verizon (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:33:05 +0000

It's May 16 and if we were going to see a roll out of Gingerbread to the DROIDX, we probably would have seen some signs from Verizon that it was actually happening. As you may have guessed, we haven't seen any of them, so we'll have to assume that it won't be here today or maybe even this week for that matter. There are a couple of rumors floating around behind the scenes that suggest it may not be out until after the DROIDX2 hits on May 26. And why would they do that? Well, because the DX2 is also looking more and more like it won't launch with Android 2.3, but 2.2 instead. All of those leaked pictures we've seen from the user guide and launch kit with blue Blur are not Gingerbread according to our sources. We were worried that they might slap the new Blur over 2.2 just like we saw on the Bionic at CES and those fears appear to have come true. We've been told that the device guide for employees also clearly says "Froyo" and that dev builds of the phone are still running 2.2. Just think, is there any way they would allow the original DX to be running newer software than its replacement? They wouldn't let it happen. And to add to this rumor, we've also been told that when the Xperia Play launches on the 26 alongside the DX2, it will be dubbed the "first Verizon phone running Gingerbread." Update: We have pics of an official update here. Need a recap? DROIDX2 launching May 26 with new blue Blur, but only running 2.2. Xperia Play launching May 26 with stock Gingerbread. Original DROIDX won't receive Android 2.3 until the DX2 has it. Hopefully that didn't ruin too many Mondays, but we wanted to keep you in the loop on what we're hearing. If things change, we'll be sure to let you know. Cheers CK and DB!

Verizon Nexus S Pops Up in Android Market - Real, Fake or Just Confusing? (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:55:15 +0000

Update: There is absolutely no way to tell if this is 100% real, so we're moving on from it. You can apparently edit the HTML with Chrome's developer tools as well to show whatever device you want. Sorry all. Form your own opinions, but we're sticking with the strong possibility of it being fake. Update 2: The guy has now admitted that he changed his build.prop to get Netflix working and that's why it is showing up like this. He has apologized, and like we already said, are moving on with life. Sorry folks! So as many of you know, we received the picture from above of a Verizon Samsung Nexus S, but were quickly skeptical of it being real due to the fact that you can easily update the name of your device in your Market Account settings. We shoved the post back to page two because we didn't want to lead you all on, and then we received this second shot from the same reader to help his case.

Here is his Market Account settings page with the make, model and carrier showing as the Verizon Samsung Nexus S. These fields cannot be altered from what I can tell, so now we're back to just being confused. This screen is also showing that he (or someone) used the device today and that it was registered back in April, but the guy swears he doesn't own one. So again, did a tester's Nexus S somehow get attached to his account? Are we all being duped? What? We'll let you guys decide.

Samsung Begins Roll Out of Gingerbread To Galaxy Devices

Tim — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:55:04 +0000

There are more than a few people who know of Samsung's track record with keeping their devices updated to the newest and greatest Android OS. Needless to say, it's not that great, but it looks like they were listening at Google I/O. Samsung will begin its roll out of Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" to the Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab, Gio, and Galaxy Ace starting mid-May, which essentially means right now. That's a pretty great list, but we'll see if they include the Fascinate which was left out in the cold on Froyo for quite some time. And as you may have expected, the U.S. is not first in line.

"The Android 2.3 upgrade will start with GALAXY S in the UK and Nordic countries from mid-May, and gradually rolled out to other European markets, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, Africa and rest of the world according to the regional plan."

So now all the wonderful Samsung owners have a wintery Gingerbread Summer to look forward to. Full press release after the break.

Samsung Offers Android 2.3 “Gingerbread” Upgrade for GALAXY S and GALAXY Tab
SEOUL, Korea – May 16, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in Android™ mobile devices, today announced the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) upgrade to the Samsung GALAXY S, GALAXY Tab, and GALAXY Ace/Gio/Fit/mini, giving users enhanced performance and an improved user interface. The GALAXY S and GALAXY Tab are Samsung’s intelligently designed smart devices with 1 GHz application processors, giving users an intuitive, immersive and integrated mobile experience. The upgrade from Froyo 2.2 to Gingerbread 2.3 offers an even greater user experience, with features including: · Faster Performance – Multimedia content now has a lower CPU consumption rate, while support for more powerful 3D Graphics enables an enhanced mobile gaming experience. · Upgraded Usability – The user interface has been improved, enabling faster access and control and a more intuitive user experience. Users will also benefit from improved copy-and-paste functionality. The Android 2.3 upgrade will start with GALAXY S in the UK and Nordic countries from mid-May, and gradually rolled out to other European markets, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, Africa and rest of the world according to the regional plan. The upgrade will be available via Kies, Samsung’s device management software. Kies can be downloaded from Samsung’s corporate website (http://www.samsung.com). About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Gingerbread Test Build Leaks for HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:44:48 +0000

The posse over at 911 Sniper just made our day by dropping a test build of Gingerbread for the HTC Thunderbolt on us. We're downloading it now, will be digging into it, and then sitting tight while devs do work on it to see if this is something that can even be flashed. The release of this matches up perfectly to the news HTC broke through us back in March that Android 2.3 would be released in Q2 of this year. In case you didn't know, Q2 ends June 30, so test builds in the wild definitely mean they are doing their best to meet that timeline. Stay with us today Tbolt owners, it's about to get pretty. Via: 911 Sniper

Verizon Starts Name Dropping New 4G LTE Cities that Go Live on May 19

Kellen — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:28:22 +0000

Verizon is taking to Twitter today to announce the next batch of 4G LTE cities, that they teased us with on Friday. So far we have at least 6 new cities and some expanded coverage in Philadelphia. The activation of service is not supposed to go live until this Thursday, May 19, but we wouldn't be surprised if these cities are turned on within the next 24 hours.

Philadelphia, PA (expanded coverage)
Gainsville, FL
Pensacola, FL
Tallahassee, FL
Mobile, AL
Montgomery, AL
Fayetteville-Lumberton, NC

Anyone enjoying new 4G yet? Cheers Gorgio!

App of the Day: MySchedule on Android

Mark — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:49 +0000

On Sunday, we brought you a quick review of FlexT9. What did you all think of it? The AAS free paid app for today is Monkey Preschool Lunchbox.

_________________________________________

Instead of covering that though, we're taking a look at a third party app by a developer many of you have heard of, Jason Calhoun. We reviewed his app System Info Widget here before, but wanted to bring him back into the spotlight with a different app, MySchedule. MySchedule is a handy app for everyone that lives through their calendar. The app lets you easily connect with your Google Calendars and all of its events. I say easily because it puts your upcoming events right into your pulldown/notification menu. Everything is customizable in the app and gives you more features than the calendar app included within Android - colors, icons, frequency, and more. Jason’s apps are on or have been on all of my devices. System Info Widget is without a doubt one of the few widgets I actually have on my homescreen. Market Link | You can view the rest of his apps at http://www.jasoncalhoun.com/. Also if you follow him on twitter, @JasonC, he frequently gives away swag, apps, and more. Oh, did I mention that HE IS GIVING AWAY A FREE NOOK COLOR? That’s right! On Memorial Day, anyone who purchases an app for a measly dollar will be entered into the drawing. You can buy any app for a dollar and also there are ways listed to get up to 150 entries into the drawing! I encourage everyone to head on over and check out his site. Third party developers are vital to the growth of Android apps. Let us know which app you went with and what you think!

DROID Charge Attempts to Sell Its $300 Self Through New Ad

Kellen — Mon, 16 May 2011 07:35:06 +0000

The DROID Charge finally went on sale just days ago which means it's time for the mega-marketing push that almost always accompanies what Verizon has deemed the next big "DROID." So to start it all off, this new Charge ad has been released and talks about one of the few positives we've seen from the device, its beautiful Super AMOLED Plus display. Is this going to be enough to justify it's extremely large $300 price tag? We'll see. Anyone pick up a Charge this weekend? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc3aLMTwB0c[/youtube]

Download: Motorola DROIDX2 User Guide

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 22:25:12 +0000

We first reported earlier this week that the DROIDX2 would be arriving on May 26, so to get you all set for its release, wanted to hand out the user guide in case you had any questions before deciding to buy it. The device will most definitely run on a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, sport a qHD 540x960 4.3" screen, have 8GB on-board storage, an 8GB SD card, and a 1540mAh battery. Download: droidx2.pdf We grabbed a couple of shots from the guide which help out the argument that this device will indeed launch with Gingerbread. Assuming of course that Moto doesn't decide to release it with some form of blue Blur built over Android 2.2. They wouldn't do that, would they?

Cheers Nico!

Free Hotspot for HTC Thunderbolt Extended to June 15

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 13:20:00 +0000

Since the DROID Charge was delayed over two weeks, Verizon has decided to extend the free hotspot offering for both it and the HTC Thunderbolt until June 15.

And I just want to point out that if it weren't for 4G LTE and my phone as a hotspot during IO, it would have been one long conference. Love me some free 4G. Thanks Big Red!

Via: Twitter

Android Market Now Allows for Content Filtering

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:00:35 +0000

When we covered all of the new features that the Android team implemented into the Market earlier in the week to make finding apps easier, we forgot to mention the fact that users can now set up content filters. If you need to set up filters so that your kids or husband aren't late night wallpaper shopping, then the Android Market will now allow you to do that. You can even set a PIN, so that those filters cannot be removed. To access content filtering, head into your market and press Menu>Settings. Cheers 0mie!

DroidDoes.com Receives Spicy Makeover, Incredible 2 and Charge Added (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 11:10:00 +0000

If you were bored and needed to waste a good 20 minutes today, then head over to the new Droid Does site and play around with all the new goodies they've tossed into it. This new version is much better than that floating device thing they had up for the last year or so. You can tell that a ton of time and energy went into the planning of this. There are voice-overs and intricate product details - we're just wishing they would have spent that time unlocking bootloaders or finding a happy marriage between 4G LTE and dual-cores. The DROID Charge and Incredible 2 are up though, in case we haven't given you enough details on them already. Oh, and the DROID2 Global has been removed, but is still available for purchase over at Big Red's site. Visit: www.droiddoes.com Update 1: If you plug the code 242743 into the Level 2 activation screen, you get to look at some secret DROID Charge documents: (Cheers CG!)

Update 2: The DROIDX page has obviously been prepped for the DROIDX2 which will be here on May 26th. The screen is showing up as having a resolution of 540x960 which we all know means qHD and is not featured on the original. (Cheers fuzonic!)

Cheers Frankie!

How to: Watch Hulu on the Motorola XOOM

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 11:00:37 +0000

Motorola XOOM champ BigRushDog just released some magic - a patched version of Flash 10.3 that allows for Hulu playback as long as you are on Android 3.1. And it definitely works. Here is how to do it: 1. Uninstall your current Flash 10.3. 2. Download the file from below and install it. 3. Head into your browser and update the UAString to "Desktop."

Type: about:debug and press enter. Head into Settings>Debug>UAString>Desktop.

4. Jump over to Hulu.com and enjoy. Download: Flash_10.3-Hulufied_BRDizzle.apk Again, all credit to BigRushDog at XDA. Be sure to donate to him. Via: XDA Cheers Joe!

Motorola XOOM WiFi Owners Will Not Have Movies on Android 3.1, Access Coming in "Near Future"

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 09:00:08 +0000

If you've updated your Motorola XOOM WiFi to Android 3.1 already, you probably noticed something major was missing. The new Movies tab in the Android Market will not appear and according to Motorola, that was by design. The Verizon XOOM, as I've shown in a quick walk-through video definitely has it, but the WiFi model won't see until some time in the "near future" according to the Moto Support forums manager.

The new Movies tab in the Android Market will not appear on updated Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xooms immediatly after the update. Google will make that available in the near future.

No reason was given as to why they would withhold this new Market feature, but it'll likely be here before too long. The plan has always been to bring this service to all Android devices including phones, so after a couple of weeks of testing on the VZW XOOM, I bet we see it. Via: Motorola

FlexT9 Keyboard is FREE Today From Amazon, You Better Get This One

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 08:08:05 +0000

FlexT9 on Android is free today (normally $4.99) from the Amazon Appstore and we're definitely recommending that you go grab it. While it make look a little i*hone-ish, it might be one of the best keyboards you'll ever use. Not only is it easy to type on, it also allows you to swipe words, use voice-to-text, and even write out words free-hand. And not to hate on Swype, but this keyboards seems to have a couple of swiping bonuses over it. Market Link Cheers Tim and all of you on Twitter!

DROID3 Benchmarked, Looking Like Dual-core OMAP and qHD Screen

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 07:15:03 +0000

The Motorola DROID3 just popped up over at benchmarking site Nenamark and let slip a couple of details we had yet to fully confirm. With a PowerVR SGX 540 GPU inside, we can basically throw out the idea that it will be powered by a Tegra 2 and instead assume that the OMAP4430 from Texas Instruments' will be in it. Yes that's still dual-core, my friends. We're also seeing confirmation that the screen is qHD at 960x540, plus it'll be running Gingerbread (or at least was during this benchmark). This is essentially what the DROID2 should have been and are excited for it to finally arrive with its front-facing camera and sleek new black and silver exterior. There is no reliable word on when this device might be out and we're still almost 100% sure that it won't be LTE, but it's looking like a beast. Via: Nenamark, Blog of Mobile

DROID Charge Receives First Update to Version ED2, Stops Media Hub 3G Downloads

Kellen — Sat, 14 May 2011 06:51:52 +0000

The DROID Charge is finally back on sale, people. If you planned on picking one up today, just know that when you boot it up for the first time, there will likely be an update waiting for you just like you are seeing above. The update is ED2, is 5.2MB and doesn't do anything except stop you from downloading Media Hub items over 3G. Was hoping for it to be a little more robust and include the removal of the worst OEM UI in the history of Android, but that hasn't happened.

More info.

Bang Bang Racing THD Now Available on Android in the TegraZone

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:43:56 +0000

So Bang Bang Racing THD just hit the Android Market for Tegra device and I was going to toss together a quick video of it in action, but I'm officially the worst player you'll ever see. Rather than be embarrassed on a Friday night, I decided to instead just paste the video demo below. "Pansy!" I know. The game is fun though and brings back childhood memories of my Micro Machines collection. Oh, it is also $8, so watch that demo video more than once before purchasing. Market Link ($8.00) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6pAtVenBt4[/youtube]

BuddyTV Headed to Android This June, Your Device is About to Tell You What to Watch and When

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:30:54 +0000

One of the the great things about this week's Google I/O was the chance we had to meet app developers and also to see what new things they have planned for the near future. BuddyTV is one that stood out for a number of reasons (and we'll get into them all), but there was one thing we thought the readers of this site would truly appreciate. There is a very familiar name working on the project whom you may know from that custom recovery that's probably powering your device. Yes, I'm talking about Koush. When Mr. Clockwork himself asked that we check out an upcoming TV-ish app that he was working on, we couldn't turn it down. So what is BuddyTV? It's an app that has two major uses, but those uses are made up from a bunch of awesome little uses. First, it acts as a replacement to your lineup of TV remotes. Once you give it permission, the BuddyTV app can control everything from your Dish DVR to your Tivo box to your basic cable. Cool, right? Don't worry though, it doesn't stop there and goes well beyond just being a universal remote. The most important part of BuddyTV is the fact that it's smart enough to tell you what you should be watching and when it'll be on. It grabs all of your media channels, looks into what you are/were watching, and then starts pumping out ideas of things that you might also enjoy. As you can see in the screenshot up top, the app is pulling from a Netflix account, Dish DVR, and also telling you what's on in HD that might interest you.

So instead of sifting through your Netflix queue and then jumping back to your entire list of 500+ HD channels to find something to watch, it's already telling you that your favorite things are ready by putting them right in front of your face. The big idea here, is to save you from having to channel surf for 20 minutes to find something that looks interesting. No one wants to be overwhelmed with all these media channels, so that's what BuddyTV is trying to eliminate. Oh, and I should point out that it can also recommend new shows and other gems to you to watch based upon the rest of your TV lineup. So let's say you are like our very own Timotato and love having pajama marathons of Gossip Girl on Sundays - it might recommend that you give 16 and Pregnant a shot later that night. (Hah) It's really a fantastic concept and I can't wait for it to hit the Android Market in June. If you are interested though and want to be on their early notification list, check out the BuddyTV site and then come back and watch the video preview of it below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf7x9AKjQ4A[/youtube]

And some shots of the mobile version:

Verizon Readies Another Batch of New 4G LTE Cities

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:00:44 +0000

Verizon just sent out a sneaky little tweet a few minutes ago, letting us know that we will be seeing new 4G LTE cities very "soon." Of course, they made no mention of what those cities are or when we will see them, but I can tell you that my Thunderbolt and Charge are both in hand here in Portland hoping for an icon change. Back on the 19th of April, they activated an additional 6 cities on the east coast, so I'd say it's about time we get some love over here on the west side of things. We knew they'd be moving fast with these cities, especially with a goal of having 145 markets by the end of the year. Let's just hope they don't announce another "mess" since that turned out to be less than 10. Via: Twitter

Verizon Stores Have Been OK'd to Sell DROID Charge Today

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:39:13 +0000

If you can't wait until tomorrow, then feel free to head into a Verizon store today and pick up a DROID Charge. This news just buzzed through the wire to those up top and should be filtering down to sales reps within the hour. Just make sure you have $300 with ya.

Wireless Charging Battery Cover for HTC Thunderbolt Hits FCC

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:50:19 +0000

This is most definitely the accessory for the HTC Thunderbolt that I have been impatiently waiting for. I want to see what all the wireless charging (Qi) goodness is all about, but for whatever reason the battery cover for the Thunderbolt has remained unavailable. In fact, I have a Energizer Qi charging pad sitting on my desk and staring right at me with sad Panda eyes because it can't get any love from a phone. Today's stop off at the FCC is at least a sign that it's still coming though. We can't say as much for the multimedia dock... Via: FCC, Wireless Goodness

Official: DROID Charge Available Tomorrow, No Reason Given for Delay

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:17:44 +0000

Well, you already all knew this information because we first reported it about 4 hours ago to the world, but it's now official from Verizon. The DROID Charge and it's $300 price tag, single-core processor, and TouchWiz UI will be available tomorrow. No reason was given for the delay in the press release, but we're guessing it had to do with the 3G issues we experienced. Actually, we'll be the judge of that as we bust it back out for one more spin before we drop our review on you. Anyone interested in this "DROID" still?

Verizon wireless UNLEASHES DROID CHARGE BY SAMSUNG

DROID Charge Joins Verizon Wireless’ Android Family
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the DROID Charge by Samsung will be available for purchase in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com. The DROID Charge is designed with Samsung’s 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus display, setting a new touchscreen standard for brightness, clarity and outdoor visibility. The DROID Charge is equipped with both a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for both stills and video chatting. The smartphone’s 1 GHz application processor and HTML 5 Web browser maximizes high-speed 4G LTE connectivity for faster downloads and graphics processing. Additional features:

4G LTE – Customers can expect download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage area

Android 2.2 platform – Support for Google Mobile Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk, Google Search, Google Maps and access to more than 200,000 apps available to download from Android Market™

Adobe^® Flash^® Player compatible

Mobile Hotspot capability – Share 4G connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices or a 3G connection with up to 5 devices

Samsung Media Hub – Samsung’s own content service, offering a vast lineup of critically acclaimed films and TV programs for rent or purchase

Virtual QWERTY keyboard featuring Swype technology

Pricing and data plans:

The DROID Charge by Samsung will be available for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

DROID Charge customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Unlimited 4G LTE data packages start at $29.99 monthly access. Mobile Hotspot feature will be included for a limited time at no additional charge.

For more information about the DROID Charge by Samsung, visit www.droiddoes.com/charge. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. # # # About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About Samsung Telecommunications America Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones.

Video: Quick Android 3.1 Honeycomb Walk-through

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 09:40:59 +0000

Whether you own a Verizon Motorola XOOM or the WiFi-only version, you should be receiving a notification to update to Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) any day now. The update introduces a handful of much needed enhancements and more than likely a bundle of bug fixes, but most importantly (at least in my opinion) is starting to turn this into a legitimate and polished tablet OS. I put together this quick video to show off some of the tweaks that were noticeable here and there including the new widget resizing feature. For some reason I did forget about the ability to scroll through your recent tasks list and apologize, but I did do a walk-through of the new Movies section in the market. I would like to point out though, that those of us that have manually updated are not able to watch movies. That's right, you will receive licensing and DRM errors, so if movies are your thing, you'll need to wait and update officially. If you would like to see the entire list of changes though, be sure to head over to the 3.1 highlights page. Enjoy! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8MDY8bKDYY[/youtube]

HTC Thunderbolt Users Experiencing Random Reboots After Update

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 09:00:28 +0000

How's everyone doing after receiving the HTC Thunderbolt update that went live yesterday? All good? Not good? Experiencing random reboots? We're not surprised at all. This same update was leaked out a few weeks ago and gave users the exact same problem. In fact, our buddy Justin Case has been tweeting about it since day one and we were hoping was the reason that it was initially delayed. I guess we hoped wrong. We've already heard from a number of readers who accepted the update and are now hating life as a Thunderbolt owner. In fact, one reader (Brian) has had at least 6 in just the last 24 hours since he pulled the update to his phone. He's not the only one though - our Twitter account isn't all that pretty with Tbolt @mentions. So please, let us know in the comments if you are experiencing this known issue. We'll be reaching out to Verizon. *Tip - If you are struggling to get the update to pop up on your device, try this:

##778## thing and change the RevA setting to "enable" instead of "eHRPD" - then use LTEOnOff to switch to CDMA auto (PRL)

Cheers Aaron, Brian and everyone else!

App of the Day: Contract Killer on Android

Mark — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:30:14 +0000

Happy Friday the 13th! While waiting for the forever delayed Gingerbread update for the Droid X, we thought this would be a good opportunity to start an App of the Day review. We will take a look at the Amazon App Store free paid app, a favorite Android Market app, or a third party app in the reviews. With these reviews we really look forward to reader feedback of the app in the comments. We plan to list the Amazon App Store (AAS) free paid app of the day even if we don’t review it, just so you guys know what that app is. So that being said: Today’s AAS free app: Enjoy Sudoku, normally $2.99. AAS rating - 4.5 stars. You guys want me to review a Sudoku app? Because I will but….. GLU, the makers of hit titles such as Gun Bros and WSOP: Hold ‘Em Legend, have FINALLY released a very popular game called Contract Killer. Now before all else, please be aware this is a mature title as it does show violence. The game is just what the title says, kill for contracts. It is not a free roaming environment. You open the level at a fixed point and use your weapon of choice to eliminate the target. Zoom in as a sniper, use a handgun from range, etc. This is a typical Glu design in that the app is free to download from the market and play, but to really explore the game to it’s full potential, Glu will have you purchase in game add ons and goodies. There are more that 15 main missions and tons of side missions. The game does require, like Gun Bros, approximately 240MB of download data to sdcard. I have played this app on other platforms and it does provide a good amount of entertainment for those of you into mobile gaming. Check it out and give us your thoughts! Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G069W83fuU[/youtube]

Angry Birds Rio Updated on Amazon, Beach Volley Levels Added

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 07:47:44 +0000

It's there for the taking! An update to Angry Birds Rio should be sitting there in the Amazon Appstore, waiting for your pretty little thumbs to tap on and install it. As you can see from my screenshot though, you'll need to have dominated the first two episodes in order to play this new beach goodness. To the Angry Birds pros that are already there, please let us know how much fun it is. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U443fas0XZo[/youtube] Cheers reynoldov and everyone on Twitter!

DROID Charge to Go Back On Sale Tomorrow

Kellen — Fri, 13 May 2011 06:56:13 +0000

We just received word that the DROID Charge will go back on sale tomorrow, May 14 after a two week delay due to issues still unannounced by Verizon. Techs and sales reps have been informed to throw on those Charge t-shirts from launch if they are scheduled to work this weekend. I guess that means we should probably put out that review, eh? I'm sure that many of you would like to know whether this should be your next DROID or not... Cheers C and M!

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Headed to Verizon in Black and White, Possibly 4G LTE?

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:09:48 +0000

Could the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (our hands-on) be on its way to Verizon in two colors (white and black), with two different storage capacities (16GB and 32GB) and as 4G LTE device? After looking at the information we've just received, we are definitely inclined to think so. A model number of SCH-I905 is listed in a Big Red system which is most definitely a Samsung device. It's also being referenced as a "4GTablet" that runs on Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). And I should point out that we have additional information suggesting that it won't come loaded with VCAST garbage, so it could be a fairly stock experience, much like we saw from Samsung at CTIA.

A WiFi certification has been released for it already, but does mention it as being a smartphone. Of course, we're seeing it as a "4GTablet" and running Honeycomb above, so that would lead us to believe this isn't the Verizon version of say the Galaxy S II or other small device. No idea when this 4G LTE version could be ready, but we do know that Samsung has a big press event scheduled for May 26th (same day the DROIDX2 is released). Most of us expect them to announce the S2 in the U.S., but they could also slip in something about this new tablet variation.

Cheers ___!

Download: Netflix for the DROIDX

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:45:19 +0000

Weren't happy with news that Netflix was old made available to a handful of devices? What if I were to tell you that it also works on the DROIDX running Gingerbread? Download it below. And I have a feeling that it'll work on the DROID2 as well, but cannot test it at this time. Feel free to let us know in the comments though! Download: Netflix.apk *Note 1 - My DX is running Gingerbread. *Note 2 - Did not work on my Thunderbolt, XOOM or Samsung Tab 10.1. *Note 3 - We're hearing that it definitely works on the DROID2 running Gingerbread, plus the original DROID running a variety of ROMs. Via: XDA Cheers nepholex!

Flash 10.3 Update Goes Live, Looks Like Bug Fixes

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:06:00 +0000

Just on the heels of news that Netflix decided to finally release an Android app, the Adobe team has stepped up and dropped Flash 10.3 on us. We aren't exactly sure what prompted this big jump from .2 to .3, but the market does says that "Important bug fixes and security enhancements" were included. So nothing major up front or on the level as the update the other day which tipped us all to the release of Android 3.1. Market Link | Details Cheers shroomz, Michael and Chuck!

Netflix Releases Android App for DROID Incredible, Other Select Devices

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:34:34 +0000

Netflix has finally released their Android app. Let's all take a minute to breathe...and now it's time to get fired back up again. The app is only supported on a select handful of devices at this time, including the DROID Incredible and Nexus S. Anyone else see a device or two missing? Maybe the Thunderbolt or brand new Incredible 2? We'll just assume that they are working hard to bring it to all of these devices since they both run Snapdragon processors. As far as all of the Moto devices in the building though, it could be a while. We'll see what we can find out. Update: Working version available for the DROIDX here. Here is the entire list of compatible devices.

HTC Incredible with Android 2.2
HTC Nexus One with Android 2.2, 2.3
HTC Evo 4G with Android 2.2
HTC G2 with Android 2.2
Samsung Nexus S with Android 2.3

Market Link Cheers Anish!

DROIDX2 Launching May 26th with Dual-core Processor, qHD Screen and Gingerbread

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:26:38 +0000

The Motorola DROIDX2 was rumored to originally be scheduled to release today, but with the push back of the DROID Charge, we were wondering if it hadn't been pushed back as well. According to Verizon, that is definitely the case. The new date for the launch of Verizon's first dual-core Tegra 2 Android beast will be May 26th with direct fulfillment orders starting on May 19th (which we're thinking means a pre-order is on the way). The device will as you all know, have a 4.3" qHD screen with a resolution of 960x540, dual-core Tegra 2 processor clocked at 1GHz, 8MP rear camera, 720p video capture, 1080p out, 8GB of internal storage, an 8GB pre-installed SD card, and a 1540mAh battery. Oh and did I mention Gingerbread (Android 2.3) in the title? If you look at the screen featured above and you own an original DROIDX, then you'll recognize that blue top bar as being 2.3. And this only makes sense, especially with the possibly of GB rolling out to the original this week - we wouldn't want last year's model having a newer operating system than the freshly released version, would we?

*Note - I do want to point out that the Bionic we saw at CES had the same blue Blur and was only running 2.2, but I can't imagine this would be the case here.

Update 5/12: Just in case you needed anymore confirmation (via @TheDroidGuy):

Cheers ___!

Google Starts Sending Out Music Beta Invites to Verizon XOOM Owners

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:06:41 +0000

On day 1 of Google I/O, we were told that Verizon Motorola XOOM owners would be receiving an invitation to their new Music Beta by Google service and are apparently delivering on that promise starting today. The email below was just received by one of our readers...

Hello Motorola XOOM user, We'd like to tell you about some changes to the Music player on your tablet. The latest app update now supports Music Beta, a new service from Google. As a Verizon Motorola XOOM user, you’ve been extended an early invitation to beta test this service. Music Beta lets you store your personal music collection online and access it instantly without the hassle of wires or syncing. Enjoy your music anywhere — listen on any web browser, your Motorola XOOM, or any other device running Android 2.2 or higher. Save your favorite albums, artists, and playlists on your smartphone or tablet so you can keep listening even when you're not connected. Create your own custom playlists or build them automatically from a single song. To get started, click the button below and sign in with your Google ID: Get Started Regards, The Android Team

We've been told that the link provided in the email isn't working at this time and still just shows a "thanks for showing interest" message, but that will likely change before long and as the rollout for these invites really begins. To check if you are one of the lucky XOOM owners though, head to music.google.com. Cheers Steven!

Samsung Infuse 4G Easily Rooted Using Super One Click

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:47:40 +0000

It may be an AT&T device and that's normally not our area of concern, but since the Samsung Infuse 4G is the first device from them that allows sideloading of apps and HSUPA out of the box, we figured there might be at least a few of you interested. And what if we told you that it can be rooted instantly using a 1-click we haven't heard from in a while, Super One Click? According to the pics we just received, that's all it took for this 4.5" Super AMOLED Plus device to feel free.

Cheers D!

DROIDX2 Dummy Units Arrive at Costco, Release Now Up in the Air (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:27:28 +0000

Update: We received all of the official launch info here. It's coming May 26th. Just over a week ago, we were tipped to a set of possible release dates for a variety of Verizon devices, one being the DROIDX2 on May 12 with it's beastly dual-core Tegra 2 processor. But after a delay of the DROID Charge and no signs of it ever reappearing, the schedule has to have been changed. We're here on May 12 and Verizon hasn't said a word about the either the DX2 or LG Revolution, so I would advise that you not run out to a store just yet even if dummy units are arriving at Costco. These delays sure seem to be killing a lot of the excitement that we once had back at CES - first it was the Thunderbolt for almost a month, now the Charge is already at 2 weeks, and it's all forcing Verizon to push out the rest of its lineup over what we're assuming are LTE issues. Thing is, the DX2 is the first dual-core phone on Verizon and is not LTE, so let's make the kids happy and get it ready for prime time. We'll be digging for updates...

Breaking: HTC Thunderbolt Update is Available Now! (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 08:20:46 +0000

HTC Thunderbolt owners, you may want to head into Settings>Software update and hit the "Check New" button... This would be the same update we uncovered almost two weeks ago and is also the same one that was cancelled on the day it was supposed to be released to the world. After updating, you should have a much stronger 3G connection and better GPS functionality. Feel free to accept it, although we're not sure how that will affect root at this time. Update: We thought this was funny. The Verizon support site for the Thunderbolt claims that the update is rolling out tomorrow...of course we know that's not the case. (Cheers @DroidMatters!)

Cheers George and @snmemx!

Android Market Introduces 5 New Features To Help You Find Great Apps

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 08:04:31 +0000

It might seem like it has taken a while, but the Android Market is starting to feel much more like an established market, especially with this new set of features that were introduced yesterday at Google I/O. Users have been waiting for ways to find apps easier using things like lists of top apps, apps that were related to ones they are purchasing, and even ones that are trending - that's exactly what Google has given us and more.

New top app charts - We’ve revamped our top app charts to be fresher and country-specific, so you get the most current, relevant results. We’ve also added top new free, top new paid, and top grossing lists, all right on the Android Market home page. Editors’ Choice - These are some of the very best apps available for Android, as chosen by the Android Market staff. They span everything from games to productivity and beyond. Top Developers - We’re also recognizing those developers creating the highest quality, most popular, and most notable apps available on Android Market. They’ll get a special icon on our Android Market website, appearing wherever the developer name is shown, starting today for an initial set of over 150 developers. Better related apps - On the left side of an app page, you’ll now see two groups of related apps: apps frequently browsed by people who viewed this app, and apps that people tend to install alongside this app. For example, people who view ScoreMobile, my favorite sports score app, often also view other sports score apps, while those who install ScoreMobile tend to also install apps for specific sports leagues or teams. We’ll also show you related apps once you decide to install an app. Trending apps - Finally, we’ve added a new section to the Android Market homepage showing trending apps – those apps that are quickly growing in daily installs. Look here to stay ahead of the curve and find new apps as they get hot.

All of these features are already available through the web market, but there are plans for these to also hit the mobile and tablet versions very "soon." Via: Google Mobile Blog

Motorola XOOM WiFi is Already Receiving Android 3.1 (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 12 May 2011 07:14:42 +0000

We were told yesterday by Motorola that the XOOM WiFi would see the newly released Android 3.1, but not for "several weeks" with the Verizon version set to see it first. Apparently they should have gone with "several hours" because users this morning are filling up our inbox with proof that their WiFi models are already being prompted for the update. If you missed any of our coverage at I/O, then you may have missed some of the goodies that will come with version 3.1. You can read all about it here.

Oh and if anyone is wondering if this person just updated manually from a forum, here is the prompt they received on their device. It's definitely rolling out.

Update: And Motorola has now made it official. WiFi XOOM is indeed getting the update.

Cheers @errocha81 and Jim!

HTC Merge Finally Launches Tomorrow on Verizon (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:22:49 +0000

We just received word that tomorrow is finally the day...the day that the HTC Merge becomes officially real on Verizon's network. You all know this device - the one that popped up oh, 18 times during Q4 of 2010, was rumored to be getting an LTE radio and other random upgrades, but never ever made it to store shelves. Well, tomorrow is looking like the day. And no, it hasn't been upgraded, is still flooded with Bing and an 800MHz processor. It does have global capabilities and that sexy keyboard though. Still, does anyone still want one of these? Updated: It's definitely looking like it's launching tomorrow, although it appears as if it's only going to 3rd party retailers and not corporate stores.

Cheers ___!

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Rooted, You Won't Believe How Easy it is

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:10:03 +0000

You know that shiny new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 that we received yesterday at I/O? You aren't going to believe how easy it is to root this thing, so I'm going to walk you through a story of sorts to add to the suspense. Last night, I'm kickin' it with @_MRBIRDMAN_, @DROD2169, and @b16a2smith. Pints are flowing, random Android chatter is filling the room, and then the 3 of them drop word that they'll be rooting this new toy of ours tonight (as in last night). So around midnight, we all part ways, some of us stumbling and 2 hours later...we have root. All you have to do is download this file: allidoiswin.zip Then push it in adb to your SD card. Reboot into recovery. Apply the file. Enjoy root. *Note - There is no way it'll be this easy on the official release. Via: AllDroid

DROIDX Update Servers Say "Try again later", Gingerbread on the Way?

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 11:24:36 +0000

Last week we were tipped to the possibility of the official Gingerbread (Android 2.3) update being approved and then released to the DROIDX by May 13th. Word on the likely hood of that happening was sort of confirmed a few days later, and now that we're seeing funny things happen in the System Updates page of the DX, we're wondering if we aren't finally there. Now, I know the picture above is tough to read, but normally when you head in to check for a system update on your phone, it'll simply tell you that you are up-to-date and that nothing is available. Well as of last night, the DROIDX started in with the message above which reads ""Check for update was not available at this time. Try again later." Is that a sign that the update is being prepped for Moto servers? Something similar happened back around the Froyo update, so we'll continue to monitor this. Cheers Bharath!

Google I/O Day 2 Keynote

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:23:00 +0000

No live blog today, we're just going to sit back and enjoy the Chrome. That's right, today should be all about the future of Google's browser-inspired OS.

We'll be tweeting like crazy though, so be sure to follow us there.

Watch it all live here.

WiFi Motorola XOOM to Receive Android 3.1 in "Next Several Weeks"

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:00:54 +0000

The rollout of Android 3.1 for the Verizon Motorola XOOM is already underway (download), but many of the WiFi-only XOOM owners in the building were wondering when they would see some love. According to Moto, it should be ready in the "next several weeks" which as I'm sure you are aware, is not all that specific. But hey, at least they addressed it immediately, right? Press note about the 3.1 update.

Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) Software Update, Coming First to Motorola XOOM™, Delivers Support for Android Market Movie Rentals and Numerous Other Enhancements

Over-the-air software update rolling out this week to Motorola XOOM tablets on Verizon Wireless
Motorola XOOM users on the Verizon Wireless network will soon be able to rent movies, use a Bluetooth® headset during video chats, resize their widgets and more with an over-the-airsoftware update for Android™ 3.1 (Honeycomb) that makes the Motorola XOOM experience even more powerful than before. The software update, coming first to Motorola XOOM and rolling out this week, delivers a wide range of new features and expanded functionality, including:

Support for the new Android Market movie rentals service with thousands of titles available for immediate viewing on the Motorola XOOM’s high-resolution display or on a larger screen via HDMI

Full support for the final release of Adobe® Flash® Player 10.2, delivering significant performance enhancements when viewing rich Flash content on the web

Resizable widgets to enable further customization of home screens

Support for USB-connected peripherals and accessories, such as keyboards, mice, game controllers and digital cameras

Expanded Bluetooth features to support Bluetooth headsets in Google Talk™ video chats and Bluetooth mouse support in addition to additional shortcut keys with the Bluetooth keyboard

Picture Transfer Protocol Feature support to enable easier transfer of photo files to your PC without the need for drivers

Motorola XOOM with Wi-Fi tablets and other variants of Motorola XOOM will receive the update within the next several weeks. If users have questions or need support, they can visitwww.motorola.com/myxoom or www.motorola.com/support, or get help from other owners on our online community at https://supportforums.motorola.com. Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas; additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Specific functionality and features with each software version of Android may vary. Contact your service provider for details. MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. Android, Google, Google Talk, and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc. Adobe and Adobe Flash are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved.

Video: Could Ice Cream Sandwich Look Similar to This on a Phone?

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 08:30:14 +0000

The Android 3.1 SDK was released yesterday just after the announcement that it would be rolling out to the XOOM and our friend @Haxzamatic jumped into the emulator to see what he could find. From the looks of it, he was able to boot up the emulator as a phone, and found that it's really starting to look a lot more polished and functional than say the 3.0 emulator. We still have months to go before this thing is anywhere near a release, but we are definitely seeing signs that it's getting closer to actual phone compatibility. So what do you guys think, is this what Ice Cream Sandwich could potentially look like? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EINzRv44qs4[/youtube]

Wednesday Poll: Favorite Announcement from Google I/O Day 1?

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:39:30 +0000

We walked out of yesterday's keynote thinking, "Wow, we just saw so much amazing stuff...how did they pack it all into an hour of time?" Ice Cream Sandwich was made official, Android 3.1 with Movies was released, we saw the crazy future with Android @ Home and so much more. It was quite the day...anything stick out as your favorite part? [poll id="83"]

Google I/O Day 1 Keynote Video Now Available

Kellen — Wed, 11 May 2011 06:52:41 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxzucwjFEEs[/youtube]

If you didn't have a chance to watch the live stream of Google I/O's day 1 keynote or follow our live blog, then let me just tell you what you missed. Ice Cream Sandwich. Android 3.1. Updates coming to phones a heck of a lot faster. Movies in the market. Music Beta by Google. Yep, you missed a lot and need to catch up.

Download: Motorola XOOM HMJ37 Android 3.1 Update

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:23:18 +0000

Here is the download link for the Android 3.1 update. [HMJ37] We don't have instructions for flashing yet, but you may as well grab the file now. We'll try to get on Koush tonight at the I/O party and see if he can hook something up. Stay tuned... Huge cheers to Mr. Peter Alfonso!

Ice Cream Sandwich is Now Official, Headed to Handsets in Q4 of this Year

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:30:26 +0000

Not that this comes as a surprise to anyone, but the Google team announced today that the next edition of Android will indeed be called Ice Cream Sandwich. No word on what the numbering scheme may be, but the excitement here is really the fact that they are working towards having an operating system that works on any device, no matter what the size or form factor. In fact, they kept using the phrase "one OS everywhere" throughout much of today's opening I/O sessions. Essentially what we'll see when this is released some time around Q4 of this year, is Honeycomb that's made for phones too. Well, that's not totally correct. We'll see a lot of the fun new features from Honeycomb ported over to ICS including the new holographic UI, launcher, and widgets, so that you can enjoy everything from the tablet experience on smaller devices as well. Oh, they also gave us the fancy new logo/mascot which you can see in the photo above. For more from the day 1 keynote, check out our live blog.

Video: Quick Hands-on with the Limited Edition Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 from Google I/O

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:53:35 +0000

We couldn't possibly just leave you hanging with a simple unboxing of the limited edition Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 that we just received at Google I/O, so we took it for a quick spin in a "hands-on" video. You might be surprised to find out our thoughts on how it compares to the Motorola XOOM. While it's way too early to declare a winner in this battle, we're definitely impressed by this new Honeycomb tablet. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOal5lxdS8o[/youtube]

Motorola XOOM Android 3.1 Updates Arriving, First Pics!

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:23:59 +0000

Well look at that - the first pics of the Motorola XOOM running Android 3.1. The update is indeed rolling out now and as expected, brings goodies like resizable widgets which you can see one one of our readers' devices just after the jump.

Cheers @Fade2Black318!

Confirmed from Verizon: XOOM Update to Android 3.1 Will Begin Rolling Out Today

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:00:02 +0000

The next version of Honeycomb (Android 3.1) was announced at I/O and was supposed to start rolling out to Verizon Motorola XOOM devices immediately. We had yet to hear of anyone who had received the update and started to question whether or not today was actually the day. Well, our friends at Verizon just reached out to inform that today is indeed the day that XOOMs will start to see the update. As we see with all updates though, it's likely that it will roll out to just a few thousand today and then hit th rest of the devices that are eligible over a week's time. Oh, and let's not forget that our developer friends will likely find the Google URL before long. Hang in there! Update: Verizon has updated the XOOM support page again. Here we go! (Cheers CG!) Cheers ___!

Movies Added to Android Market Lineup, Rent for as Little as $1.99

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:25:46 +0000

Today's Google I/O keynote was filled all sorts of good news, but they really took some major steps towards turning our Android devices into media beasts. They launched a new Movies section in the Market which allows you to rent them for as little as $1.99 and keep them for up to 30 days. Well, you can keep it for 30 days, but once you start watching it you only have 24 hours to finish it. Currently, movies can only be rented and watched through your PC browser, but once the Motorola XOOM is updated to version 3.1, it will also give you the option to rent. Phone support will come at a later date. Start renting movies here: https://market.android.com/movies More on the keynote, check out the live blog we ran.

Android 3.1 Honeycomb Announced, Headed to Verizon XOOM Starting Today

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:22:21 +0000

Google announced during the day 1 keynote at I/O that Honeycomb (Android 3.1) is ready and should start rolling out to the Verizon Motorola XOOM some time today or at least in the next couple of days. This is clearly the update that was pulled back at the end of April and also the same one we caught Adobe referencing in the latest Flash update. The odd thing is that Verizon hasn't updated their support page to show that the XOOM update is coming. And as far as I know, we don't have any reports of anyone receiving the update. We should know more very soon. So what should we expect in this new version? We'll see resizable widgets and probably some other bug fixes, but the big news is that your tablet will have the ability to act as a USB host which means you can pair gaming controllers, mice, keyboards, etc. with it. And we also can't forget that you'll be able to take advantage of the new Movie section in the market. For more on the day 1 keynote, check out our live blog.

Limited Edition Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Unboxing - Google I/O 2011

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:55:34 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K0zdBHbQXg[/youtube]

As you may have heard, all attendees at this year's Google I/O received a limited edition Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and we decided to unbox it real quick for you! Unboxings may not be the most entertaining things on the planet, but there are only 5-6,000 of these in the wild and you likely won't see it in stores. So this may be the only chance you have of seeing one. And damn am I impressed with it so far.

Google Partners with Mobile Big Dogs to Help Update Devices Faster and to Extend Their Lives

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:38:03 +0000

During today's keynote at I/O, Google announced that it has formed a new team of industry players that will work together to find ways to update Android devices much quicker and to also provide support for them to help extend their lives (hopefully up to 18 months worth of updates). Some of the key players that have signed on are Verizon, HTC, Samsung, Sprint, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Motorola and AT&T, which as you can see is pretty much everyone you would have hoped for. You've got the 4 major phone manufacturers along with the 4 major carriers - now we're just hoping they come up with a plan sooner rather than later. Excited? You all should be. More on the keynote, check out the live blog we ran.

Video: Google Introduces Music Beta

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:35:15 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrNhKcxBbZo[/youtube]

If you had any questions about Music Beta by Google, then you'll want to check out this overview video. You'll also want to make sure you sign up for an invitation and grab the new 3.0 Music player.

Google Music Player 3.0 is Available in the Market

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 09:51:51 +0000

The new Google Music 3.0 app that will sync up to the new Music Beta service is live and in the market. Probably going to want to grab this one. Market Link

Google I/O 2011 - Day 1 Keynote

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 08:46:08 +0000

So as you can see, we are in the I/O arena, ready to watch Google do work. Be sure to follow along here if you can't watch the live stream that will be up at this site (here too). We'll be tossing out notes that we find extra spicy. 8:48AM - We're still 10 minutes away from go live here, but until then, we wanted to make sure everyone heads over to the Google Music Beta site that is live. Invitations appear to be open! 9:00AM - And here we go! 9:01AM - Vic Gundotra is on stage...

9:02AM - For those not watching live, he's just covering the last year and how awesome Android has been. He's also touching on the fact that they are streaming this world-wide. 9:03AM - Hugo Barra on stage now to kick off the Android keynote. Here we go!

9:05AM - 100 million Android activations as of today. 36 OEMs. 450K developers. Activating over 400K devices every single day. 200K+ applications in the market. 4.5 billion application installs. 9:10AM - Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) is being released today to the Verizon XOOM.

9:11AM - Demo time. New 3.1 features...resizable widgets! Android is now a USB host so you can transfer photos, use keyboards, mice, game controllers and more. 9:13AM - Honeycomb coming to Google TV this summer! Plus the Android Market. Current GTV owners will receive the update over the air.

9:13AM - Ice Cream Sandwich coming Q4. Here is the logo. The goal is make it one OS that can run on anything, just as was speculated on a month or so ago.

9:16AM - OpenGL facial recognition software...

9:20AM - Shifting topics to media. Cloud Services team is on stage, meaning it's Google Music time. Or not...they announced a movie store in the market! Pricing starting around $1.99. All will be attached to your Google account just like Books and Apps are.

9:22AM - Movies will be stored in the cloud, but you can also "pin" them so that you can play them offline as well. You can purchase via browser-based market and also through tablets and phones. New Movie availability will come with Android 3.1 for the XOOM today. It's also live right now through the browser. 9:26AM - Music Beta made official.

9:27AM - Music Manager software will go on your computer to help you upload your collection. You can then control everything from the browser which includes making playlists and of course playing music.

9:30AM - Phones and tablets obviously have access to the new cloud music service. Point made that since it is attached to your Google account, your music collection is available from all of your devices including new ones. 9:31AM - Music Beta launching today by invitation only. 20,000 songs can be added and it's free (at least while it's in beta). All I/O attendees get an invitation!

9:32AM - The new Android music player will also be released today. It works on 2.2+ devices. 9:34AM - You are looking at the companies that have signed on to work with a new team that will make sure phones and tablets receive timely updates. This might be the biggest news of the day.

9:37AM - Open Android Accessory plan announced. They are showing a demo of how you can connect your phone to say an exercise bike which would then launch an app to make your workout awesome. Idea is to create compatibility of apps and handsets with "accessories."

9:39AM - Demoing a development kit for for this Open Accessory plan on a maze toy. And then they showed video of a tablet controlling a room sized maze. More info here. 9:43AM - More on Android accessories, this time for your home. Basically includes Android controlling your entire home including dishwashers, lights, and any appliance you can think of.

9:46AM - Already partnering with companies to get involved in this Android @ Home movement. Lighting Science is preparing LED bulbs and software that will work with Android @ Home. 9:52AM - And we're all getting the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Looks like the sexy white version. It'll hit our hands with 3.0, but should get 3.1 in the next couple of weeks.

9:54AM - And we will also have new Android Market announcements coming tomorrow. That's a wrap! ...

Google Music Site Goes Live!

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 08:39:54 +0000

And just as we enter Google I/O, the Google Music site goes live.

And Google I/O we go...

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:59:45 +0000

We're out the door and on our way over to the Moscone Center to witness the latest and greatest in Android at this year's Google I/O. We have a keynote in just about 2 hours that could include the unveiling of Music Beta by Google or who knows, they could be saving huge news like that for tomorrow just as they did last year. It's about to get exciting. To stay up to date on everything that goes down just as it's happening, you'll want to be sure to follow us on Twitter and also right here at the site! Oh, and you can watch almost everything live here.

Skype Acquired by Microsoft for $8.5 Billion

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:37:45 +0000

So much for those rumors last week that Google would be buying up the calling giant, I'd say. Microsoft announced this morning that their acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion has become official. It's looking like they plan to incorporate Skype's service into a number of their products, but all we care about is Android, right? Well, the press release specifically mentions that they "will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms" so no need to worry yet kiddies. Full presser below.

Microsoft to Acquire Skype Combined companies will benefit consumers, businesses and increase market opportunity. REDMOND, Wash., and LUXEMBOURG – May 10, 2011 – Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: "MSFT") and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype. The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype's world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft's existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services. With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE. Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms. "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world." Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft, and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer. "Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers," said Tony Bates. "Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype's plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate," Bates said. "Tony Bates has a great track record as a leader and will strengthen the Microsoft management team. I'm looking forward to Skype's talented global workforce bringing its insights, ideas and experience to Microsoft," Ballmer said. Speaking on behalf of the investor group that sold Skype to Microsoft, Egon Durban, managing director of Silver Lake, said: "We are thrilled with Skype's transformation during the period of our ownership and grateful for the extraordinary commitment of its management team and employees. We are excited about Skype's long-term future with Microsoft, as it is poised to become one of the world's most dynamic and comprehensive communications platforms." Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009. Skype has made impressive progress over the past 18 months under Silver Lake's leadership, increasing monthly calling minutes by 150 percent, developing new revenue streams and strategic partnerships, acquiring the intellectual property powering its peer-to-peer network, and recruiting an outstanding senior management team. Other members of the selling investor group led by Silver Lake include eBay International AG, CPP Investment Board, Joltid Limited in partnership with Europlay Capital Advisors; and Andreessen Horowitz. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The parties hope to obtain all required regulatory clearances during the course of this calendar year. About Skype Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they're apart. Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg. Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free.

Via: Engadget

Music Beta by Google Launching at IO as a Cloud Storage Service, No Song Purchases Yet

Kellen — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:09:13 +0000

All signs point to Google finally announcing the first piece to a music service this week as a cloud storage similar to what we've seen from Amazon. According to reports, the service will be dubbed Music Beta by Google and will offer users enough space to load up to 20,000 of their songs into the "cloud" for free. Yep, it crushes Amazon's 1,000 song for free setup. Motorola XOOM owners (Verizon version) will be one of the first sets of people to receive an invitation to Music Beta, while others will have to sign-up and hope to get an invite. The tricky situation here is that Google is apparently proceeding to open this new cloud-based service without the consent of record labels just as Amazon did. They've run into problems securing contracts, but they need to get this service up since we all know that Apple is preparing one of their own in the coming weeks. We're here in San Fran, so if this news drops, we'll have it for you! Via: NY Times

Watch ESPN App Lands on Android, Streaming Sports is Go

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:33:56 +0000

Who's ready for some live ESPN action on their Android device? WatchESPN was just released to the market and appears to work on every single device known to man (OK, that's sort of an exaggeration - probably just 2.2+). And it opens on the XOOM, plays something that you could consider video, but you wouldn't want to brag to your friends about it. Small devices on the other hand appear to be handling the service a little better. Oh, it's also free. *Tip - At first login, I chose Comcast and was denied access. If you do, be sure to go "Clear data" on the app and re-choose a service like FiOS which definitely works. You don't actually need a FiOS account to watch streams immediately. Market Link Cheers Gustafson and everyone else!

Android Jumps RIM in Latest Smartphone Market Share Numbers, Now Tops U.S. Charts

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:44:36 +0000

ComScore released its 3-month rolling smartphone platform numbers today for a period of January-March 2011 and showed some pretty daunting numbers for the folks over at RIM. After ending December 2010 with 31.6% of the mobile smartphone market share in the U.S. and the overall lead, they have now dropped some 4.5% into second while Android toppled it by jumping another 6% to hold 34.7% of the overall share. Apple gained an extra 0.5% and will surely surpass it by within the next 3 months leaving the U.S. smartphone battle with really just 2 leaders. The Android platform will continue to skyrocket, but we also know that Apple and it's iOS products aren't going anywhere any time soon. Talk about the free fall of the century here from RIM...yikes. Some other cool stats from their new report:

72.5 million people now own smartphones; up 15% since December.
Only 25.7% of mobile users claim to play games with their device.
234 million Americans own mobile phones.

Via: PR Newswire

Netflix Posts New "Senior Android Developer" Position on Craigslist

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 11:54:18 +0000

We have a feeling that a release of Netflix on Android is just around the corner, especially if you look at the new posting for a Sr. Software Engineer the movie streaming giant just posted on Craigslist in San Fran. The LG Revolution is expected to be the first Android device to receive a thumbs up from Netflix and could be here this Thursday, so with new jobs opening that are geared specifically to better the experience on this platform, then you've got to be excited. Or should we be worried?

We are looking for a Sr. Software Engineer to help us build the absolute best experience on Android-based handsets and any other platform that may come down the road. In this role, you will participate in the implementation of the Netflix application in all of its various components from the UI shell down to the media playback stack. It is a great time to be at Netflix and a great time to be working on mobile at Netflix; we currently have more than 20 million members and are now a video streaming company, first and foremost. The goal for Netflix on Android is to enable Netflix users the ability to watch Netflix wherever they are on their Android device.

Does this actually mean that we're farther from a release than anyone imagined? We would have expected there to be a Sr. something or other heading up the Android project already, unless of course this is just an additional one to help out the mass launch we have all dreamed of. Anyone interested? Via: Craigslist Cheers Clyde!

Gentle Alarm is FREE Today from Amazon

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:49:38 +0000

The best alarm app on Android is free today through the Amazon Appstore. Gentle Alarm, which has been downloaded more than 50K times as a paid app and well over 100K as a trial, is rivaled by no other app in its category. Normally priced around $3, this is one of those apps that you should get even if you don't plan on using it all that often. You never know when you may need an alarm while on the go, and this is the best. Save yourself $3. Market Link Cheers Joe!

Vic Gundotra "Previews" What We Can Expect at Google I/O

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:01:58 +0000

We'll leaving for San Fran in about 5 hours so that we can absorb all that is Google I/O 2011, but beforehand, we wanted to point out this little preview that Google VP of Engineering, Vic Gundotra just sent out. It doesn't include any specific details, but it definitely re-iterates the fact that we'll see more Chrome and Android than we can probably handle.

Google engineers from Andy Rubin and Sundar Pichai’s teams will unveil new features, preview upcoming updates, and provide new insights into the growing momentum behind these platforms.

So we get new features and a preview of upcoming updates? Exactly what we expected, right? Now to start speculating as to what those will be. In our Friday poll we asked everyone what they wanted to see - here's to hoping we hit at least half of that list. And even though we'll be there blogging the entire thing, you can still watch almost every second of it live right here.

And just because it was so much fun last year, we dropped the day 2 keynote below so that you can relive some of the Android history that was made which included a first look at Google Music. Day 2 Keynote Part 1 2010: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xc_1Vv69k[/youtube] Day 2 Keynote Part 2 2010: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBQFXRW5ZiE[/youtube]

Monday Poll: What HTC Thunderbolt ROM are you using?

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:23:07 +0000

When the HTC Thunderbolt was first released we talked a lot about rooting it, but once some custom ROMs starting popping up, we sort of backed off until we heard from readers on their favorites. We were also waiting to see which ROMs were popping up as the most popular and with the most support before we started pimpin' any of them. Well, it's time we start pinging some of our brave rooted and ROM'd readers to see which Thunderbolt ROM is fulfilling their needs. Is it Das BAMF? Liquid Thundersense? Let us know! [poll id="82"]

Dolphin HD 5 to be Demoed at Google IO, Sign Up to Beta Test it!

Kellen — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:54:30 +0000

Our friends behind the ever-popular Dolphin Browser HD are getting ready to show off their new HD V5.0 at Google I/O this week and asked us if we thought our readers would be interested in beta testing it. Of course our answer was "Yes!" as we know how much all of you looooove testing a new app. So here is the deal - it's Dolphin HD 5, will be shown at Google I/O, has better performance, a new UI, and a ton of new features. If that sounds sweet, then all you have to do is tell Dolphin why you would be an awesome beta tester and they'll send you a link on May 10 (tomorrow) to start using it. How to enter:

Follow Dolphin on Twitter or become their fans on Facebook

Tell them “Why would you be a good Dolphin HD v5.0 beta tester?”, using hashtag #dolphinhd5 and should @dolphinbrowser if you choose leave message on twitter.

According to your reasons, they will pick the most persuasive messages and the corresponding followers or fans to be their beta version testers.

Don’t forget to leave your email address to them when you send them the short messages, so that they can contact you directly

They will send you the download link around May 10.

More info. And don't forget, we are also on Twitter and Facebook. [shameless]

Wave Launcher is FREE Today from Amazon

Kellen — Sun, 08 May 2011 11:00:15 +0000

Been a while since we've featured an Amazon "App of the Day", but since today's is Wave Launcher and is an app that we covered back when it first launched, we couldn't pass it up. So is there anything new that you need to know about? Probably more than I can even even express in words. You might not even recognize it anymore if you haven't seen or used it since it was first released because of all the new features that are built-in. The team behind it introduced support for a new series of WL-specific plug-ins, added color customization options, combinations of custom and recently used apps, and seriously so much more. Our own MrPicolas can't stop talking about it, so if you haven't used it in a while and need a good app/task switcher - give this one another try. At least give the changelog a look, to see how much work has gone in to making this one heck of an app. Market Link Cheers Tim!

ADW EX Updated with Infinite Looping, New Screen Transitions, and Experimental Honeycomb Support

Kellen — Sun, 08 May 2011 09:55:19 +0000

Seems like so long ago that we received an update to ADW EX, but I think you'll be very pleased after seeing the goodies that Ander has packed into this latest verison. First off, he completely re-did the app drawers to improve memory usage and to make them more responsive. He has definitely succeeded as the fluidity of the drawers was instantly noticeable. He brought over "true" homescreen looping from ADW Launcher 2, reconfigured the theme management screen, added 3 new screen transitions, some cool zooming effects, drawer swiping between catalogs, and probably most importantly, started getting the app ready for Honeycomb. Market Link Full changelog at the ADW site. Cheers Manny!

Power Control Plus Updated, Allows for Notification Bar Toggles on Honeycomb

Kellen — Sun, 08 May 2011 08:59:24 +0000

Power Control Plus is easily one of the more "worth it" apps I've ever purchased on Android. You can set up toggles for some 30 different settings and drop those into a widget that is customizable in more ways than I can even count. With this latest update, an app that was already top notch, just got even better by introducing support for Honeycomb (Android 3.0). As you can see in the screenshot above, PCP now allows you to set up a toggle widget that pins to your notification bar. And unlike the version for phones, this notification toggle bar actually allows you to quickly adjust settings rather than through a pop-up screen. If there was a setting that took too many steps to change on your XOOM, then I highly recommend you check this app out. Plus, with all of the customization options, you can make it look uber sexy like I have just under my clock. Market Link ($1.99)

Download: My Verizon App for HTC Thunderbolt, The Official One That Works

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:54:28 +0000

We're not sure why Verizon hasn't released a working version of the My Verizon app for the HTC Thunderbolt and other 4G LTE devices yet, but we thought we'd point out a link to the official one that does work so that you can all relax a little and keep track of all those geebeez. Again, this is not a hacked version from a forum - this is the official version. And yeah, that's about all we really need to say about it. Download: MyVerizon.apk (VZW asked that we remove it.) Uninstall the current version on your device and then install this one. If prompted in the market to update afterwards, do not update or it'll break it again. Everyone be sure to thank our friend @0mie for the love!

Friday Poll: What do you want to see next week at Google I/O?

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:01:08 +0000

Google I/O 2011 kicks off next Tuesday and we're expecting to see some magic. There are rumors of Google's new music service finally kicking off, the possibility a new version of Honeycomb (3.1), and maybe even the next big thing, Ice Cream Sandwich. We'll be there bringing it all to you live, but is there something in particular that you can't wait to see or are at least hoping to see? [poll id="81"]

New Angry Birds Rio Beach Volley Episode Gets Previewed

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:58:26 +0000

We had yet to find out what the theme of the new Angry Birds Rio update for next week would be, but thanks to a preview video uploaded to Rovio's Youtube account today, we get a full 48 second look. Beach Volley is the title, and as you can see is set on a sunny beach with loads of monkeys. Should be another wild addition that I'm sure many of you will pound through in less than 20 minutes. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U443fas0XZo[/youtube]

DROID Incredible 2 Drops to $79 at Amazon

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:33:16 +0000

Anyone needed a last minute Mother's Day gift? The brand new DROID Incredible 2 by HTC is available at Amazon for $79 if you sign a new 2-year contract. I'd call that more than a steal, especially knowing that it'll cost you $199 if you walk into a Verizon store. We've already reviewed it, in case you were looking for reasons as to why you should or should not make this your next Android device. We're highly recommended it as long as you don't care about dual-core processors and 4G LTE. This is one of the more polished phones I've used in the last 6 months, and can easily say that you won't be disappointed. Buy. Cheers Doug!

Plume Beta Released, Shows All Sorts of Love to Honeycomb

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:11:11 +0000

I spoke way too soon and need to apologize. It looks like Plume beta received an update last night to better support Honeycomb and is clearly the winner in the "Best Tablet Twitter" app. This thing is fully featured, allows you to quickly jump between lists, attach photos, customize the color scheme and seriously, so much more. TweetComb was awesome last night when someone turned me onto it, but it has a long way to go to catch up to this beta from Level Up Studio. Download: Plume.apk Install as you would any other .apk file. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnWOzyJQxe4[/youtube] Cheers @el_bori1!

Verizon Signs Off on Official Gingerbread for DROIDX? Time to Prepare for the Update

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 09:08:26 +0000

Somewhere on the internet you heard that Motorola was hoping to get an official build of Gingerbread (Android 2.3) for the DROIDX signed off on by Verizon today...oh that's right, you heard it right here from us. And according to our homie P3Droid, Verizon has done just that, meaning we are days away from seeing the build made available to our phones. So how do you get your phone to a state where it can receive the update? Well, a method has been provided that doesn't include flashing an SBF back to Froyo. A new build (4.5.595) has been made available and will apparently allow you to accept the update when it arrives. I know that some of you just got done flashing 4.5.591, but P3 assures us that you need to jump up to .595 in order to get the official build which should be 4.5.596. And if you are running either of the other two leaks (.573 or .588) then you'll need to update to 4.5.595 as well. Make sense? Download: Full Stock - No Root | Full Odexed | Full Deodexed Update: If you want to receive the official update, you'll need to be on the "Full Stock - No Root" version. Instructions: 1. Drop the file on your SD card. 2. Boot into recovery using the Bootstrap. 3. Install the zip through Clockwork Recovery. 4. Enjoy version 4.5.595 of GB. Full support can be found at MyDroidWorld.

TweetComb is the First Twitter Application Tailored for Honeycomb and Tablets

Kellen — Fri, 06 May 2011 07:54:14 +0000

Seriously, it's about damn time. The Motorola XOOM came out on February 24th and we're just now getting a Twitter app that was made specifically for a tablet? Everyone owes a huge "Thanks!" to developer Chris Stewart, the developer behind this impressive app. And I must say, he's done a pretty fantastic job. TweetComb, reminds me a lot of the desktop version of TweetDeck, and as far as I can tell is only missing the ability to upload photos and to add lists as a custom column or it might be perfect. Update: Hold off on buying this. Check out the new Plume beta. A few more pics after the jump. Market Link ($2.99) [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"] Cheers @nacho220!

HTC Flyer Digital Stylus to be Sold Separately, for Around $80? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:37:45 +0000

The speculation over whether or not the HTC Flyer would include a digital stylus in the box at launch was starting to boil over, so we reached out to HTC to see what they could tell us. Bad news folks - the Flyer will hit stores by itself without the fancy pen. The Stylus will be sold separately and they aren't ready to reveal what pricing will be, although some trusty Android enthusiasts have already discovered that Best Buy is willing to sell it for $79.99. From an HTC rep:

I understand you would like confirmation if the Digital Stylus would be coming with the Flyer. The Digital Stylus will be sold separately. We currently do not have any pricing information on how much the Digital Stylus would be.

Update: We reached out to HTC again today for further clarification and they basically backed off of everything we had originally reported. They aren't ready to say whether or not it will ship with a Pen:

I appreciate your interest in the Android tablet known as the HTC Flyer and you were wondering whether the tablet comes with the magic pen or is this accessory separate. HTC unveiled the new HTC Flyer back in February and you are welcome to check out the press release from the worldwide HTC website at www.htc.com/www under the Home tab ). Unfortunately, I do not have any other information concerning the magic pen and whether it would be an accessory included with the Android tablet.

Update 2: Engadget has heard that only the Best Buy version will ship without a pen. And, that's lame. So if you are interested in this non-Honeycomb'd 7" WiFi-only HTC tablet, you'll be forking out $499. And if you want to draw all over it and leave your sweety little doodles while she's taking bubble baths with Hello Kitty dolls, then that'll cost you another $80 bucks. Still want one? I sort of do.

Verizon Spring/Summer Guide Doesn't Mention DROIDX2 or Bionic

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:24:53 +0000

Verizon released their Spring/Summer 2011 guide today and for some reason, the DROIDX2 and Bionic are no where to be found. The LG Revolution and DROID Charge are featured as "Coming soon!", but our first two dual-core brothers are missing and we're wondering why. The HTC Trophy, aka the first WP7 VZW device, is there with the Xperia PLAY, but again, no dual-core beasts. Should we now assume that the DX2 won't be here next Thursday and we might be seeing the LG Revolution by itself instead? Looking pretty likely at this point. Oh, and we heard another confirmation on the Xperia PLAY launching the 26th, so we're at least good there. *Note - I didn't think about this initially, but we should have included the DROID3 in that title. No mention of it either. Entire VZW Guide. Cheers JayMonster!

Bang Bang Racing THD Headed to Tegra Zone and Android Devices Tomorrow?

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:27:45 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6pAtVenBt4[/youtube]

Who isn't giddy as a school girl after watching that video? Bang Bang Racing is like Reckless Racing only with mini cars and ridiculously good graphics. There is a chance it'll pop up in the Tegra Zone tomorrow for your Tegra 2 device (which we're hoping includes the XOOM), but we have been unable to confirm that. There are reports floating around that it was announced by NVIDIA and @BBR_THD, except those tweets seem to have been pulled or are for some reason invisible to us. Either way, we'll be following this game closely. Via: Android Community

Thursday Poll: The Worst OEM Skin in Android is?

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:47:03 +0000

While sitting at my desk today and looking at the variety of devices strung about, something depressing hit me. Out of the 8 devices lying around my office, only 2 of them were left untouched by an OEM: the original DROID and the Nexus S. That's it. So 75% of the devices I own are filled with a skin that a manufacturer decided would make the experience on my phone more enjoyable to me. And you know which device I've found myself using more and more over the last 2 weeks than any of them? The Nexus. There is nothing better than a Google Experience device. But after I cheered myself up thinking about the Cinco de Mayo celebrating that is about to commence, I started wondering which of the skins on these phones I despised the most. Which phones would I discount immediately due to the custom icky-ness that has been forced upon them? Is it Blur? What about TouchWiz? HTC's Sense? You guys tell me. [poll id="80"]

Taptu Updated with Tablet Support

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 12:30:41 +0000

We're finally starting to see full tablet support on an abundance of apps these days, and Taptu is one of them. Rebuilt from the ground up with Honeycomb in mind, this is picture-styled news reader which will remind you of Pulse, except that it has unique features like the ability to import up to 100 feeds from your Google Reader account. They also tossed in the ability to add multiple Twitter accounts, which is something the iOS version can't even accomplish. The rest of the goodies in this release:

Themes: Change the color theme from dark text on a white background to white text on a background for better reading day or night.
Full screen reading: Read articles in fullscreen instead of a tabbed look.
Instapaper support: Don't have time to read it now? Send it to your Instapaper account to read it later.

Market Link What are you guys using on your tablets? Google Reader, Pulse, or Taptu?

Google Earth Update Brings Full Honeycomb Support

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 12:19:22 +0000

Google Earth was updated today and now fully supports Honeycomb tablets. A new action bar has been introduced along with 3D buildings, an option to "fly" to your destination, and new layers that include Wikipedia, Places and Panoramio Photos. Yep, G-Earth just got Honey-pimped. Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFVSc12r3-A[/youtube] Via: Google Mobile

Gameloft Introduces 8 New Android Games Including N.O.V.A. 2 and Fast Five

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 11:47:37 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sHhy9ybGUc[/youtube]

Whether or not you like Gameloft's approach to selling Android games, it's tough to deny that they are some of the best you'll see from any developer. This week they've introduced 8 new titles that all live up to their "HD" standards including: Dungeon Hunter 2, Eternal Legacy, The Settlers, Shadow Guardian, Sacred Odyssey, Starfront: Collision, NOVA 2, and Fast Five. Most start at around $5 - still nothing available for the XOOM from what I can find. Oh, and some of these aren't available to devices like the Thunderbolt yet. Buy.

Thunderbolt Software Update Page Changes to "COMING SOON!"

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 09:49:06 +0000

We first reported news yesterday afternoon that the newest HTC Thunderbolt update had been delayed and that Verizon was telling customers to check out the support page of the device for details. Initially, there was nothing there, but as of this morning or very late last night, the page has changed and now reflects a "COMING SOON!" message which confirms our report. We have no word on what caused the delay or when it will go live, so you'll just have to sit tight. The odd thing here, is that a XOOM update was originally scheduled to roll out back on April 28 and has also been cancelled. We'll try not to speculate on what all that means...you can though! Comments? Cheers Shannon!

Is this the DROID Bionic Boot Animation?

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:57:25 +0000

The big news of the last month has clearly been the delay of the DROID Bionic, but that hasn't stopped continued speculation and leaks from popping up. Today, we're seeing what is rumored to be the Red Eye boot animation for the device. There isn't necessarily a way to tell if this indeed for the Bionic, but since it's new, we can sort of assume so. Although, we still wouldn't put it past Motorola to issue new anims for the DROIDX2 and DROID3, so this could easily be for one of those devices which are expected to be out before the Bionic. And since I know that a couple of you will ask, I'll just toss out a few of the rumors I've heard regarding the release date for the device: July 14, July 21 or September. Yeah, talk about a time frame. I would recommend not holding onto any of those dates though, as it's way too early to be speculating on an exact day. In fact, just ignore that I even mentioned them. If Moto or Verizon are targeting a day, it's likely to change at least another 10 times. Just expect it to be in the summer like we've been told. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NRqoA1jf7A[/youtube] Via: PocketNow

Leaked Netflix Android App has a New Message for Users, How Close are We to Launch?

Kellen — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:14:21 +0000

Over the last couple of days, the leaked Netflix app for Android has started showing the message you are seeing above, leading us to believe that the LG Revolution could actually meet that May 12 launch date that was dropped in our inbox on Tuesday. Most of you know by now that the REVO will more than likely be the first Android device to support Netflix, so when we see the Android version of the app referencing a "Netflix Ready Devices" list, we have to assume we're getting close. And you may remember that previous errors upon use referenced codes and other indecipherable nonsense, so seeing a new message that any fool can understand has us at least a little intrigued. Oh, and I already checked that URL and it's definitely not showing anything Android. Cheers Ryan!

Google Maps Updated to Version 5.4.0, Brings Searches to Web History

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:23:05 +0000

Who doesn't love a Google Maps update? Version 5.4.0 has been released and now captures your search history and places it into your Google web history. The good news about this feature, is that if you jump onto a computer after doing searches on your phone, Google will remember and offer them up as potential results. They also tossed in additional business info on search results, but we're still trying to figure out if that means from the map like you are seeing below with the star rating, or from the actual business page. Oh, and they also started a beta program for reporting "destination not here".

And how those searches appear in your Google history: Market Link Cheers bigsike and @ronoffringa!

HTC Thunderbolt Update Delayed

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:54:07 +0000

The update for the HTC Thunderbolt that we were all expecting to start rolling out yesterday has been placed on hold. Verizon just dropped us this note and are directing everyone to the support site to stay up-to-date on this situation. There was no explanation given as to why it has been delayed, but with all of the 4G LTE issues that have popped up lately, we have a pretty good idea. Stay tuned...

Samsung Can't Stop Talking About the DROID Charge Today, Finally Releasing Tomorrow?

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:06:18 +0000

If you follow @SamsungMobileUS, then you probably noticed that they can't stop talking about the DROID Charge today. In fact, over the last 16 hours, they've sent out almost 30 tweets having to do with this yet-to-be-released 4G LTE phone from Verizon. The odd thing is, after we first reported that the device would be delayed from its April 28 launch date, we're still sitting here without a hint as to when the phone is actually coming out. And we still haven't been given a reason as to why it was delayed, but have a pretty good idea that it has to do with signal issues and not the major outage that went down last week. But with all of this talk from Samsung, we're starting to wonder if tomorrow won't be the day. After hearing word from one of our most reliable sources that Verizon is currently scheduled to release the DROIDX2 and LG Revolution next Thursday, I can't imagine that they would push this device out any further. Hopefully we hear something by the end of the day. Oh, and here is a device overview from Sammie that we had yet to post: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjLDEx7FlaI[/youtube] Cheers @wynalazca!

Rumor: Official DROIDX Gingerbread Possibly Rolling Out May 13

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 13:40:53 +0000

We've seen at least 3 leaked versions of Gingerbread (Android 2.3) for the DROIDX now, so you can imagine that we must be close to something official. And according to friends around the DL family, "close" could be May 13. What we've been told is that Motorola has finalized the latest build (not 4.5.591 - something newer) and expects Verizon to sign off on it by the 6th with hopes that it can be made available by next Friday. So if it is a go, then Friday could become the test phase of a rollout with the mass load hitting users by the next week starting on or around the 16th. A lot of "ifs" in there, I know. And as always, we want to make sure you understand that this information can change at anytime and should be taken as rumor. Verizon has already rejected at least 3 builds from Moto, so there are no guarantees that this is going to be the one that finally passes through. The good news is, we'll probably have another leak! Yes, that was cheesy sarcasm. Cheers ___!

Wednesday Poll: Current Android App Obsession is?

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:47:55 +0000

It's been a while since we've asked, so that means it's time. With Android apps still exploding onto the scene at an amazing pace, there are abound to be some you've discovered over the last month or two that you now can't live without. For us, HBO Go is topping the list, but the new Fring Group Video is also up there since so many of us have front-facing cameras now. And we also can't forget about Amazon's Cloud Player, which has given our music collection some new life and fully weened us off of almost every other music service. What about you guys? Your current app obsession is...?

Samsung Dumbs Down Specs on WiFi-only Galaxy Tab, Doesn't Bother Mentioning it to Anyone

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:41:11 +0000

The 3G version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab that has been sold through carriers came packed with a 1GHz Hummingbird processor and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU, giving it plenty of juice to fuel that 7" screen and provide an above average user experience. The WiFi-only version, maybe not so much and that's because Sammie pulled the ol' switcheroo on those same two components we just listed and didn't bother to tell anyone. That's right, as you can see in the screenshots of two WiFi-only Tabs above, the GPU is a generation below that of the 3G-version, the PowerVR SGX530. Oh, and the processor that would be powering it is more-than-likely not the Hummingbird, but a 1GHz OMAP 3630. I guess we should also mention that they took the liberty of dumbing down the Bluetooth technology by going with 2.1 rather than the 3.0 that 3G versions enjoy. And this is me shaking my head at you, but that's nothing new. Via: XDA, Engadget

Viber Brings FREE VoIP Calls and Texts to Android, Beta Test it Now

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:51:35 +0000

Viber, a free VoIP calling and texting app from iOS has made its way to Android and needs you to beta test it immediately. The service has been tested on over 20 different devices, so there is a pretty good chance that it will work on yours, plus the Andy version has some exclusive features. You can set Viber as your default dialer and as you've seen on other texting apps, receive pop-ups every time a text arrives. Calls are free as long as they are made to other Viber users and that includes your random weird friends with an iPhone. Sign up for the beta here.

VCAST Apps Coming with DROIDX Gingerbread Update, Renamed to "Apps"?

Kellen — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:03:05 +0000

This shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone that's owned a Verizon device over the last decade, but I believe this is one of the first times we've seen it appear on the DROIDX. Yep, we're talking about the VCAST appstore which has showed up in the newest 4.5.591 Gingerbread build for the DROIDX. And to make matters worse, it's looking like Verizon is trying a new technique to get customers to use their market - trickery. Since all of their other VCAST apps get buried at the bottom app drawers, they've changed the name on their appstore by calling it "Apps" which as you can imagine, popped it right up to the top so that everyone will see it each time they open an app. This will also confuse the hell out of novice users who wouldn't know to look for something called the "Market" and will assume that this is where all of their "Apps" are. Sneaky, sneaky. Anyone ever used the VCAST appstore? More than once? Cheers Dale!

Possible New Release Dates for the DROIDX2, LG Revolution and Xperia Play on Verizon?

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:04:43 +0000

Our friends at Verizon just reached out to share with us the upcoming May release schedule for a variety of new devices including the DROIDX2, LG Revolution, and Xperia Play. All have been rumored left and right, but it's starting to look like Big Red has firmed up its plans for each one of them. Here is what we've got:

DROIDX2: May 12 - Reps are being told to sell through the remaining inventory of the original DX to make room for the DX2. And remember that the DX2 is expected to be Verizon's first dual-core Tegra 2 phone.
LG Revolution: May 12 - The next 4G LTE device, which will follow up the DROID Charge. It's also expected to be the first Android phone to launch with Netflix support.
HTC Trophy: May 12 - The first Windows Phone 7 device for Verizon. Possibility of a limited supply.
Sony Xperia Play: May 26 - You all know it as the PlayStation Phone. It looks like it's finally ready for the States. Should be offered in all VZW stores.

As you have all probably realized, May 12 is looking like a huge day and is next Thursday. If these dates indeed hold up, and we're expecting at least a couple of them to, then you should start seeing press releases by the end of this week or at the very latest, next Monday. Talk about device overload. We just barely got our hands on the Charge and Incredible 2! Cheers ___!

HTC DROID Incredible 2 Review - Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:30:30 +0000

To say that the new DROID Incredible 2 has some big shoes to fill is quite the understatement. The original Incredible enjoyed massive amounts of success even with delays due to component shortages, finishing out the year as one of the most popular Android devices to date. Can the second version come anywhere close to it? With a decent bump in specs and a shiny new 4" screen, but with the same look and feel as the original, we're going to do our best to find out.

The Good:

Hardware: It might not be dual-core, but it's still running the newest single-core Snapdragon which has been one of the top performing processors of the last year. HTC also tossed in an 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera for video chatting, 768MB of RAM, new rotating soft keys, and a beautiful 4" Super LCD screen. We won't necessarily give it the "beast" tag, but you'll see no performance issues on this phone.

HTC Sense: Whether you hate Android skins or not, it's hard to argue against the polish of HTC's Sense. With the Incredible 2, you get a slightly updated version over that seen on the Thunderbolt, but it's still technically "2.0". They've added some new sorting options in the app drawer, recent tasks in the notification bar, widgets and increased stability. It's just too bad we aren't seeing 2.1 which really isn't that big of a jump.
Feel: The build quality on HTC phones is always top notch. While they may not take many risks or adjust the look of many of their devices, they still top the charts for appearance. The Incredible 2 is all black, has smooth curves, a signature contoured back plate and feels amazing in hand. This might be my favorite in-hand device in some time.
Camera: The camera on the original DROID Incredible was one of the best of last year, so I was happy to see that HTC included a similar one with this phone. At 8MP with dual-flash and 720p video recording, users should be more than satisfied.

Screen Size: A 4" Super LCD screen is a thing of beauty and possibly the perfect size. If you have average size hands, you won't find yourselves adjusting to reach across it or to pull down the notification bar. You can easily flip from screen to screen while holding the device firmly in one hand.
Battery: For a 1450 mAh battery, I have been very pleased with life. During the first few days of Thunderbolt ownership, I was constantly complaining about battery technology, but battery companies turned out to be the wrong enemy. As we all know now, the LTE technology was to blame, which means that the Incredible 2 as a 3G device has above-par battery life and throughout my time has proven to be much better than the original Inc.
SD card: The Inc2 comes loaded with a 16GB SD card which is pretty standard these days in higher-end phones. And trust me when I say that you'll need every ounce of it, especially with the internal storage only weighing in around 2GB.

Global: Yep, the Incredible 2 is a global device. You can take it to 220 or so countries and still have service.

The Not-so-Good:

Verizon Bloatware: Seriously, is it necessary that you include 19 unremovable bloatware apps on a single device? Seriously, there are 19 Verizon-related apps on here. They even created a special VZW tab in the app drawer so that I could quickly count them and vomit a little. This is becoming a joke. Is it just me, or does it feel like carriers are trying to turn Android phones into bigger feature phones? We haven't seen this much crap on a piece of technology since the days of the LG enV.

Not dual-core: It's April 2011 HTC, why are we still releasing single-core phones when you have your first dual-core phone coming out in 2 months? I can admit that the single-core MSM8655 runs perfectly fine on both the Dinc2 and TBolt, but there are techie geeks out here who want and expect more.
On-board storage: We're still not exactly sure how much internal storage the Inc2 has, but after installing just a couple of apps, you'll notice that you only have about 1GB left. HTC Sense appears to be growing by the second and as it does on the Thunderbolt, hogs almost all of the internal storage. Luckily you have that 16GB SD card.
No 4G LTE: It's become hard for us to consider this a truly "high-end" device and that's because it's not 4G LTE. It's baffling to us that Verizon would continue to release phones that aren't capable of running on their brand new 4G LTE network. Talk about locking yourself into 2-years of last year's technology.

Not Stock Android: We shouldn't be surprised that HTC has loaded this phone up with Sense, but we still like to point out to these manufacturers that we would really appreciate a stock experience from time to time. In fact, it's time you all start to consider giving us an option at purchase.
Not Gingerbread: There aren't many phones running "official" Gingerbread to this day, but releasing a phone that isn't running it seems so 2010. Android 2.3 has been available for months now, so what are we waiting for HTC? Releasing a phone running a year old version of Android is not what we like to see. And you know why? Because we'll spend the next 3 months asking you when it'll be updated along with our millions of readers.

Unboxing:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8JhwbU512U[/youtube]

Benchmarks:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYIY5HiqyrY[/youtube]

Gallery:

[gallery link="file" columns="4"]

The Verdict:

Two things kept popping into my mind while I put this review together: 1. This is one solid Android phone. Possibly the perfect size and weight. 2. Why is it not 4G LTE and a dual-core? So that's really the verdict on the DROID Incredible 2. It's one of the most polished Android devices to date, has an amazing screen, might be the perfect size, has little bugs, feels great in hand, runs one of the newest versions of Sense, and isn't $250-$300. But it's still lacking something and that would be the "new" technology that we are about to see in the next month or two on a variety of phones. This is 2011 and consumers expect to see the latest and greatest in mobile phones, especially when the technology changes every 4-6 months and carriers are forcing everyone into 2-year contracts. While I'll be the first to admit that I'm generally impressed by this device, I can't help but ask why this wasn't released last year? And I'll finish with this - if you don't see a use for dual-core this or that, aren't interested in the fast speeds of 4G LTE, and think 3D is a gimmick, then by all means jump on this phone. It's a fantastic phone. While using it, I have had very few negative things to say about it and have been pleased during my time with it in pocket. In fact, I bought one for my better-half, because that stuff doesn't mean anything to her and I know she'll thoroughly enjoy this device. However, if you want to be on the leading edge of the tech world and have an upgrade available, this might be one to skip on by.

Other Incredible 2 Coverage

HTC Sense 2.0 Skins Also Work on the New DROID Incredible 2

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:11:47 +0000

When the HTC Thunderbolt was first released, we were turned onto a couple of gold mines of Sense 2.0 skins. They were all easily installable, giving us all an almost unlimited supply of new looks for Verizon's first 4G LTE device. Well, guess what? Those same skins all work on the newly released DROID Incredible 2. Since the version of Sense for the Inc2 sits somewhere in between 2.0 and 2.1, we're assuming that the framework hasn't changed at all and is allowing us to enjoy these beautiful creations on another device. Examples: rEVOlution | Dusk | DroidLife To install: 1. Download a file manager from the market. 2. Download the files from above or from one of the posts below. 3. When they finish, tap on them and select “Install.” 4. When that finishes, head back to your home screen and select “Personalize.” 5. You will now see your new Skin listed. 6. Repeat steps for each additional skin. More skins at these two posts: here and here.

HTC Thunderbolt Update Starts Rolling Out Today

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:41:54 +0000

The HTC Thunderbolt update that we uncovered on Friday will be rolling out in stages starting today according to Verizon's Support Twitter account. They would also like to remind everyone that by checking your System Updates screen over and over again will not speed up the process. When the update is pushed to your phone, you will be notified. This isn't like Motorola's Blur that allows you to pull updates manually. What does this update fix? Well, afterwards you should have better 3G connectivity and your GPS updates will load much more quickly in Google Maps. The rest of the update includes bug fixes, but we're hoping that combined, they will drastically improve natural battery life. More info here. Via: Twitter

Download: HTC Flyer User Guide

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:08:41 +0000

The HTC Flyer is available for pre-order right now, but without a firm release date, it's hard to tell when you'll finally get your hands on this device. Until then though, you can browse the 197-page user guide that just snuck onto the interwebs. A full tablet Sense walk-through is included, but what you'll definitely want to check out is page 45 which includes the tablet pen overview. Download: HTC_Flyer_UM_English.pdf And here are some bonus wallpapers that were also posted which might be from the Flyer. Examples:

Via: 911 Sniper

Video: Android Apps Demoed on BlackBerry PlayBook

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:15:13 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjP4vnBOU8s[/youtube]

Just in case any Android enthusiasts were still interested in purchasing a BlackBerry PlayBook.

Drama in Asus Transformer Land, Retailers Are Selling and Then Cancelling on Customers

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:35:52 +0000

It might be time to start forgetting about the Asus Transformer. It's now looking like this Honeycomb tablet was too good to be true all along, especially after hearing rumors that Asus may be suffering from component shortages or even this new rumor from Android Police suggesting that they just can't figure out how to manufacture the damn thing properly. Retailers that were offering up the device both on pre-order and for sale are starting to cancel customers' orders because they have no idea when they'll be seeing the device. And of course, this is prompted conspiracy theories including one that Target is only cancelling orders from people that used the $40 off coupon code we told you about yesterday. Sites like NewEgg will show you "in-stock" 1 minute and "out of stock" the next, Best Buys are claiming to have them in stores this week with no guarantees, and 500+ page threads on forums like XDA are starting to turn into circuses. The guys at Phandroid even received this email from a cancellation through Target:

Thank you for shopping at Target.com. Unfortunately, the following item is not currently available from any of our sources. Asus Eee Pad Transformer 10.1″ Android Tablet (TF101-A1) with 16GB Hard Drive, 1GB Memory – Black/Brown We have cancelled this item from your order. To view the current status and the costs associated with your order, please visit My Account (http://www.target.com/my-account). Because you only pay for items when we ship them to you, your credit card has not been charged for this item. Thank you for being a valued Guest. We hope you visit us again. Sincerely, Guest Service Department Target.com http://www.target.com

Update: We should point out that one of our readers received this same email, but is showing his order as still "OK" and even confirmed through Target that it has not been cancelled. Maybe these are some sort of auto-responder while their systems remain confused? Ugly, right? I'd just like to know if any of our readers were actually able to purchase and receive one in the last week? Please sound off in the comments on whether or not readers should fight off the urges to look elsewhere or make the Transformer their next tablet. If this thing is indeed on minimal order until June, this could turn into the ultimate disaster for Asus. Cheers eclsnowman!

Review: Sonos Controller on Android

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:15:13 +0000

The folks at Sonos are doing everything they can to make sure you are all aware of their new Sonos Controller app on Android and how it can turn your wireless home sound system into something really special. The app is now available for free and can power your entire Sonos setup from any room in your house as long as you are connected to your WiFi network. Multi-room control is something I hadn't imagined before receiving a bundle of products from Sonos, but I'm now trying to imagine how I could ever live without it.

Background. A couple of weeks back, Sonos sent out one of their wireless home system bundles to us which includes two S5 units and a ZoneBridge, so that we could set up a multi-room system and give their new app a proper run-through and share our thoughts on it. A Sonos S5 is a high performance, all-in-one, 5-speaker music system (2 tweeters, 2 mid-ranges and 1 subwoofer) that can be paired with multiple units, giving your house a simply brilliant sound setup. A ZoneBridge is the wireless connector between S5s, allowing you to wirelessly power multiple devices from various rooms that you may not have network access to. The entire bundle can be purchased together at their site for $798. Setup. The set up for this bundle was a breeze. After opening each box and placing each piece in the room I desired, all I had to do was install some quick software on my PC, click a couple of buttons and start jammin'. I placed one S5 in my office, the other in my living room, and the ZoneBridge next to my wireless router. Sound. Since I'm no audiophile, and am not about to act like one, I'll just say this: these S5s are insanely crisp and clear. In fact, they will be the go-to music option for my entire house for the foreseeable future. Part of that has to do with the amount of control I can have over it, but most of it has to do with the sound quality. I would be surprised if anyone wasn't impressed by these. And I'd attempt to go into detail on how amazing they are, but this is really about the app isn't it? Sonos Controller on Android. So the app...how does it work? Let's jump into some visuals. Actually, the first thing you'll set up is the PC software which gives you ultimate control. As you'll see in the picture below, you can control the different "Zones" you have set up individually or together; my two "Zones" are the rooms I have my two S5s set up in.

Once you have that set up though, it's time to get the app up and going. After downloading it from the market, I pressed a couple of connection buttons and the entire system was then accessible from my phone. I had complete control over both "Zones" in almost the exact same way that I did from a PC. You can set up one Zone to play from Pandora and the other to play from your music library, both from the same service, or even just use 1 at a time and turn the rest off.

And as I mentioned earlier, you have access to services like Pandora, but you also get iheartradio, Last.fm, Napster, Rdio and the list goes on. You can view your own library once you've allowed Sonos access, but can also turn on Radio stations from across the country or even shrink the list down to your local favorites.

You can set up a queue of your favorite music for parties, adjust the volume level in each room, and do things like browsing by artist.

Overall. It's hard to deny that this is one of the most impressive Android apps to date. No force closes, was a breeze to set up, it has an incredibly polished UI, has the full functionality that is seen on the PC controller, and is more-than user friendly. Pair the Controller with a set of S5s as an entire system and you have a musical force to be reckoned with. Assuming you can afford it all that is. This is definitely not meant for the average music lover. Well, I shouldn't say that. The system will sound amazing to everyone, but as a bundle for $798, we can see it not necessarily matching up to everyone's budget.

So I'll say this - if multi-room high-performance music is something of interest, I highly suggest that you stop by a local high-end music store or even a Best Buy to hear a Sonos system for yourself. You definitely won't be disappointed with the app, but we all have different ears, don't we?

S5 Info | ZoneBridge Info | Sonos Store | App Download

Asurion Out of DROID Incredible Replacements, DROIDX is Your Best Bet

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:31:03 +0000

Might want to be extra careful over the next few weeks with that DROID Incredible of yours, Asurion appears to be all out of replacements. That's right, a number of readers who have filed claims over broken devices, have been told that the current option for replacement is the DROIDX. Now, both devices are favorites of ours, but the experience from one to the other is night and day. Sense vs. Blur? They are even comparable, so I'd suggest taking care of that sweet little DI or you may be in for a Hummer with a locked bootloader. Cheers Robert and everyone else!

Accessory Sales: 25% Off of Items From Verizon and Motorola

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 08:44:25 +0000

There are couple of accessory deals going on today through both Verizon and Motorola that will save you 25% (up to) off of whatever you order. If you choose Verizon, you have to grab 3 or more items to save 25% off, but you can drop it down to 2 and still save 20%. It also looks like they have some bundle deals for devices that may be worth checking out. On Motorola's Facebook page, you can save 25% off of XOOM accessories by using the code "Facebook" at checkout. Cheers Doc!

Qualcomm Starts Hyping New Dual-core Processors, Developer Phone Available

Kellen — Tue, 03 May 2011 07:36:17 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnn5bthvq7M[/youtube]

We're currently only able to enjoy NVIDIA's dual-core processors in phones and tablets at this point, but Qualcomm wants to make sure you aren't forgetting about what they have in store, the MSM8660. This would be Qualcomm's first dual-core processor, but one that is the world's first a-synchronous processor meaning each core can operate at up to 1.5GHz. This is an insane amount of power here, but it's only getting better. Qualcomm is offering up this new 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon to developers in their new MDP (Mobile Developer Platform) unit, so that you can begin to optimize games and other apps before this chip hits consumer units. Calling it a "beast" is an understatement. Along with the new MSM8660, the device has their new Adreno 220 GPU, 13MP camera, HDMI-out, and runs Gingerbread. Now, it may not be the prettiest of devices, but who wouldn't want to take a spin with an unreleased dual-core processor? Oh, it'll cost you $1350 though. You can see a full preview of the device in the video at the top. Down below though, you are getting a quick look at how Snapdragons handle Flash video better than anyone else, plus you'll see the future of 1080p on-device playback through the MDP. Even Qualcomm knows how to hypebeast. +1

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ilIooqAnU0[/youtube]

Report: Twitter Buys TweetDeck for $50 Million

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:02:28 +0000

Twitter may have just snatched up super hot 3rd party client TweetDeck to keep it out of the hands of odd little social app guru, UberMedia. According to TechCrunch, UberMedia was in position to buy TD, but Twitter swooped in and outbid them by some $20 million at the last minute to keep it out of their hands. Apparently, UberMedia is really into buying up Twitter clients and the originators of the service decided they weren't a fan of one company owning that many of their users. So what does this mean for TweetDeck? Well, we really have no idea. All we can do now is cross our fingers and pray to Buddha that they don't decide to axe one of (if not the) top Twitter clients in all the land which has already been downloaded over 1 million times on Android (and who knows how many times on iOS). But with Twitter really pushing their own client these days, we're wondering how much longer it'll be around. Do we need to start a petition? (Hah, bad joke sorry.) Thoughts? Via: TechCrunch

Tip: XOOM Won't Turn On? Stuck With a Black Screen? Try this Quick Trick

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Since I've helped out a dozen or so people now that have run into a Motorola XOOM that either won't turn on or is stuck at a black screen, it's time to drop the fix as a tip on the site so that more people can find it. And we're not sure exactly why some XOOMs hit a black screen that leaves the power button almost useless at times, but it's definitely happening to more than a couple of people. Don't worry though, there is a simple fix that can be applied by pressing just a couple of buttons. So how do you fix it?

Hold Volume Up and Power until your XOOM turns back on.

Seriously, that's it. And actually, Volume Up + Power will get you out of all sorts of jams on your XOOM. If you are ever stuck with your device on or off and can't make anything happen, this will almost surely get you back to normal. And now back to XOOMin'. Cheers to those of you who ran into the issue!

Google Shopper Receives New UI and QR Scanning through Update

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:54:29 +0000

I'll be the first to admit that I've never used Google Shopper, but after seeing this new update that includes a shiny new UI, I'm starting to think about it. QR and magazine scanning were added, some bugs were fixed, and filtering has become much cleaner. +1 G-shopper. Market Link Cheers Anim!

Angry Birds Rio Update Lands Next Week

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:12:05 +0000

Another Angry Birds update is on the way, this time for the Rio edition. Since it's May now, the new set of levels will be made available just as the game hinted towards back at release. No idea what the theme will focus on, but going off of the previous two playable levels, we'll likely see some new animals to attack. The announcement was made via Facebook:

Squawk! Hold on to your hats, people: the first update for Angry Birds Rio lands next week! Get ready for more marmoset-mauling action and more juicy secrets to discover. Did you already find all the Golden Pineapples and Bananas?

And we're just guessing here, but since the game was originally launched through Amazon, we'll assume it'll hit that market first. But, there is an ad-spammed version in the regular Android Market that will likely see it as well, so just keep an eye for both. Via: Facebook

HTC Flyer Online Pre-sale Begins, Shipping May 22?

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:45:31 +0000

The HTC Flyer has been available on pre-sale since April 24 in Best Buy stores, but as of this weekend, also became available online for $499. We still have no word on an actual release date, but its new landing page does offer up at estimated arrival date of 5/22-5/27, so we'll surely be marking that week on our calendars. Now, I don't about you guys, but after having a XOOM for 2 months, I'm starting to really look forward to this 7" entry from HTC. It should have Honeycomb shortly after launch, will be ultra-portable, and again, is sexy as hell. Anyone skipping the Tegra 2 wave and going with the smaller Sense-filled Flyer? Pre-order. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0pL2t2_CIw[/youtube] Cheers Chris!

Next Version of Android Almost Confirmed to be Ice Cream Sandwich

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:11:40 +0000

It's no secret that the next version of Android will utilize the same naming convention as all previous versions and will undoubtedly start with an "I". It's also become pretty obvious that they have gone the semi-obvious route and chosen a variation of the words "Ice Cream", with signs at this stage clearly pointing towards it being "Ice Cream Sandwich" at launch. We had heard this name back in January, but thanks to Android master Romain Guy, we may have just received a confirmation from Google. In response to a bug posted to the Android support forums, Mr. Guy revealed that there would be a fix coming in "Ice Cream Sandwich." So, does that put this non-controversy to bed? Cheers Mike and everyone!

DROID Charge Crushes the Thunderbolt on Battery Life

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 10:43:11 +0000

We've been playing around with the DROID Charge for almost 6 days now and had to point out one thing in particular before we jump into our full review: the battery life is ridiculously good. One of the major problems we all had (some still have) with the HTC Thunderbolt, is the pathetic battery life unless of course we tweak 18 sync settings and buy an extended battery. But with the Charge, I haven't touched one extra setting and as you can see, have cruised through almost 2 days without plugging it back in to give its standard 1600mAh battery any extra juice. And I should also point out that for whatever reason, I've had some connection issues with this phone (that apparently no one else is), which you would think would hammer on the battery. Nope, not the case. If after turning it off/on a dozen times, switching between 4G and 3G-only, the phone still managed to hold on for 2 days. Also, here is the status of MrPicolas' battery after more than 2 days of 4G/WiFi:

So if you haven't decided yet whether you should buy this or the Thunderbolt, feel free to add battery life to the +1 side of the Charge. And we'll be dropping our full review on it this week some time, but are sort of waiting for Verizon to decide when they plan to release it before doing so. Stay with us.

Hands-on and First Impressions | Unboxing | Benchmarks

Asus Only Shipping 10,000 Transformers Per Month Due to Shortages, Should be 300,000

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 09:34:54 +0000

The Asus Transformer went on-sale briefly last week through online retailers, but as many of you know by now, was sold out within minutes. There were rumors of component shortages, and according to new sources, those same shortages could plague this tablet's life through June. Asus is reportedly only able to make/ship 10,000 units per month when they originally expected to make upwards of 300,000. Ouch. No idea what component is troubling production, but we'll just wish everyone a giant "good luck!" if you still plan on getting one. If you don't mind waiting though, feel free to pre-order one from Target using coupon code TCA27BAR and you'll save $40. Via: CrunchGear, NetBookNews Cheers Bryan and Jon!

DROID3 and DROIDX2 Pop Up in Best Buy System, Model Numbers Confirmed

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:59:45 +0000

Best Buy cellebrite systems have updated and now include the DROID3 (XT862) and DROIDX2 (MB870), leading us to believe that we're a matter of weeks away from a release of at least one of these phones. The current rumor-wire has the DX2 launching some time in May, but the D3 has always been thought of as a summer release. Maybe with the DROID Bionic now delayed until the summer, Motorola has moved up the D3 launch to fill a void? If you want an early look at the DROID3, then check out this post which features parts of the upcoming device and confirms a new 4" screen and a front-facing camera. I'm doubting that the D3 will be LTE, but the new screensize and re-styling sure has people around these parts talking. And with that front-facing camera included, something the DROIDX2 is lacking, could this be the next big DROID until we see the new Bionic? Cheers @conspiracydroid!

Another Motorola DROIDX Gingerbread Leaks, Version 4.5.591

Kellen — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:35:59 +0000

Another version of Gingerbread (Android 2.3) has been released for the DROIDX, this time as version 4.5.591. We're being told that if you are running one of the other 2 leaks, you can install this right over the top assuming you haven't modified anything. If you kept it completely stock but with root, then you should have no problems flashing this. If you have modified anything, you'll need to return your phone to a stock state or you will more than likely run into issues.

*Rooted users only. If you need to root, use GingerBreak. *If you lose root afterwards, use GingerBreak to re-root. *Nandroids back to Froyo will no longer work after updating. SBF still will. *Only change made was to the build.prop to show all apps in market.

Downloads: Deodexed Apps + Odexed Framework| Fully Deodexed | Fully Odexed 1. Drop whichever file you choose from above onto your SD card. 2. Boot into recovery using Bootstrap. (Still using D2 Boostrap.) 3. Flash as you would any other .zip file. Full support can be found at My Droid World. Cheers Brian!

T-Mobile Takes Shot at Verizon Over 4G LTE Network Down Time

Kellen — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:22:35 +0000

Pretty funny of T-Mobile, right? Take shots at a company who just experienced more than 24 hours of down time on their brand new 4G LTE network. Hey, I'd do the same too if I were a competing carrier. The only thing is, T-Mobile doesn't even have a 4G network. That's right, I'm pulling out the "Fake 4G" card, because when it comes to trash talking, you have to at least have something legit behind your stance...and they don't. And while Verizon's outage was one of the most preposterous things I've ever seen from a company this large in a long time (and we are still owed an explanation), I'm just going to shake my head at T-Mo and ask that they keep trying. Or better yet, why don't you go sell your soul. Oh, that's right, you did...to AT&T. Via: Phandroid, Twitter

HTC Thunderbolt Update is Ready: Enhances 3G Connectivity, Fixes SMS Bugs, and Speeds Up GPS Load

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:18:48 +0000

We were wondering when Verizon was going to ready this update for the HTC Thunderbolt as it has been in the works and talked about behind the scenes for weeks now. The update is 22.28MB and will enhance connectivity to Big Red's 3G network and also help load times for GPS updates on Google Maps. There are some other minor bug fixes in there for SMS and such, but the connectivity is huge. After the update, you will be on version 1.13.605.7 and your baseband will remain the same.

Web Browsing and Data Access + Enhanced data connectivity when accessing the Verizon 3G network. Email and Messaging + SMS and MMS messages are stored properly in the MessagingApplication (Inbox, Sent, etc.). Additional Device Features + Timing for device activation has been improved. + “Backup Assistant” is correctly displayed in the Application menu. + Stability improvements for data centric applications such as Facebook, KAYAK, Yahoo! Mail, My Verizon and more. + Accurate location is displayed when accessing the Weather Widget. + Quickly load GPS updates for Google Maps and VZ Navigator™.

More info. Cheers everyone!

LauncherPro Plus Skins are Ready to Take Over Your Phone, Droid Life Themed Version Included

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:09:50 +0000

Droid Life Skin | BNW Inverted | Glass Sense

We just wanted to take a quick minute to point out that the skinning engine for LauncherPro Plus widgets is taking off like crazy. If you pop into the market and search for "launcherpro skin" you'll run into 4 pages worth of custom goodness for your phone. And one in particular that we'd like to point out comes from out good friend six7one, who put spiced one up with the Droid Life branding and color scheme. Sexy pink on a Friday? Yessir. Other than that, we just grabbed 5 others that really stood out to us as being high quality. Oh, and don't forget about signals23 and his entire collection.

Galaxy S2 | WP7 Red | Minimal Magic

Find any other good ones, be sure to drop them below!

DROID Branding Comes to Headphones Too, S10-HD Bluetooth by Motorola

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:41:42 +0000

Are we now taking this DROID-branding thing a little too far, or is it just me? We saw the CommandOne Bluetooth headset grab a hold of our favorite brand name a couple of weeks ago, but it doesn't look like Motorola plans on stopping there. From the picture above, it appears as if they are ready to re-introduce their S10-HD Bluetooth headphones with some special packaging. Normally priced at $79, it looks like you'll be dropping an extra $20 for this special edition version. Are we blaming that sweet DROID armband for the price jump, or because they are "sweat proof"? Yes, that was sarcasm. Cheers ___!

Review: Total Agenda

Matt Demers — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:45:35 +0000

One of the things that's always frustrated me about Google Tasks is that it's mercilessly tethered to other Google services. You cannot access it by itself; it's either present through Gmail, Google Calendar, iGoogle or throwing https://mail.google.com/tasks/ig into a Chrome application window.

This carries over to Android; while there's no shortage of apps that support Google Tasks, finding one with polish that has Calendar functionality was pretty difficult. However, Total Agenda is fulfilling my needs beautifully; it's useful, stylish and has replaced Google Calendar's default app as the premier organization tool on my phone.

What sets it apart is its emphasis on streamlining the task creation and editing process; I'm definitely as fan of this, as I prefer to do as little typing on my phone as possible. Tasks can be created quickly by hitting the "add [checkmark] button beside the day you want the task to be associated with. As explained by the middle screenshot above, most of the screens that would be traditionally accessed by a "properties" menu inside an individual task listing are instead shunted to the front. This minimizes the amount of clicking around a user has to do in order to manage their tasks.

The app also has the primary "calendar" functions, such as reminders and repeatable events support. This app is primarily made to be used with Google Calendar, so things sync both ways nicely. My only complaint so far is the unintuitive nature of the time-and-date sliders, as pictured above. It's very difficult to input a precise time on your first couple tries, and definitely needs patience to work around.

Total Agenda is still in Beta, which makes me cringe a little. However, the developers at least have the decency to release their app for free with no type of advertising involved [update: the newest update has brought some ads]; this gives us a clean product to work with until they finalize everything.

Total Agenda is a free download from the Android Marketplace, and is worth your time if you use your phone's calendar for any stretch of time.

LG Ally Update to Android 2.2.2 is on the Way, Requires App from Market?

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:18:22 +0000

Any LG Ally owners still in the wild? If so, you should be receiving an update to Android 2.2.2 any day now. You may also be receiving a text like the one above from Verizon which is reminding you that before you can update, you'll need to download a special app from the market. We're not exactly sure why LG and Big Red are requiring an app on your phone in order for this update to go through, but that's what is needed. The update looks to be an SMS and other random bug fixer. Nothing major.

Market link for app. More info. Cheers @nach220 and rocktoonz!

Nexus S Android 2.3.4 Available to Download for Some Models

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:48:52 +0000

The Android 2.3.4 update for the Nexus S is available to download, although you need to know which version of the NS you have, what baseband, and what your current Android build is. Right now, there are two builds available, but again, make sure you match up your device with the proper build below. (All info pulled from this XDA thread.)

Currently available:

Model: i9020T, i9023 Baseband: KB1 Build: GRI40 Download Model: i9023 Baseband: unknown (will not work with KB3) Build: GRI54 Download

Still waiting on files for these versions to be released:

i9020A: GRI54, KB2 i9023: GRI54, KB3 i9020T: GRI54, KB3 i9020T: GRH78C, JK8 i9020T: GRH78, JK8 If you are one of the unfortunate ones like me that are waiting for yours to arrive, you'll want to pay close attention to the XDA thread referenced at the top of the post. It likely won't be too long now before we're all up on 2.3.4.

HBO Go Released on Android

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:30:55 +0000

We first reported that HBO Go was on the way to Android and possibly on May 2, but the folks behind this fine premium network have given us a present early. You can grab it from the market now and start to enjoy all of your Game of Thrones and East Bound and Down action from anywhere as long as your provider is AT&T U-verse, Charter, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS or have Comcast's Xfinity. I'm actually surprised that Comcast is letting this fly, but you won't see me complaining! HBO Go on the Thunderbolt is all sorts of win. Market Link

Netflix All But Confirmed to Come Pre-installed on the LG Revolution

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:50:21 +0000

There are times when the LG Revolution feels like the forgotten step-child of Verizon's 4G LTE family, but it shouldn't be, especially since it will likely launch as the first Android phone with Netflix. We've seen a working Netflix app appear a couple of times at trade shows through this device, so it's fair to say that the screenshot above doesn't surprise us. The good thing here though, is that it's the first time we've seen a "Coming soon!" and Netflix mentioned on the same document next to the phone. To recap the Revolution a bit, just know that it'll be priced at $249, has a 4.3" screen, 5MP camera, 1GHz single-core Snapdragon processor, will run 2.2, and could possibly be stock, but more than likely will have an LG skin on it. I'd call it the least awesome of the four devices from Verizon, but that doesn't mean it still isn't good. Via: Android Central

Is Wireless Tether About to Get the Android Axe? Carriers Finally Starting to Block it?

Kellen — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:11:59 +0000

If you aren't sure what that picture is saying, let me attempt to break it down for you. After receiving a tip that Verizon may be blocking Wireless Tether from the market, I decided to do a little digging on the variety of devices I own. Sure enough, from all of my phones, including the Nexus S I have running on AT&T, I was unable to find Wireless Tether in the market. So to see what was really going on, I jumped into the browser-based Android Market to see if I could find the app and definitely did. But what you are seeing, is my list of devices, all of which cannot accept this app. Now, we've known for some time now that carriers were going to start cracking down on tethering, and you know what, it makes sense that they would. In fact, AT&T has been warning users that were illegally tethering over the last week, so it wouldn't surprise us if Verizon was jumping on board with that program. And if these quick couple of searches that I performed this morning mean anything, then it looks like your days of "stealing data" are about to come to an end. Anyone else able to find Wireless Tether? Let me know your phone and carrier please. Cheers AC!

Official Android 2.3.4 Update List

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:09:01 +0000

By now you probably know that Android 2.3.4 will be popping up on Nexus S and Ones over the next few weeks, but other than the update including Google Talk with Video, we weren't really sure what else would come along for the ride. Well, thanks to our friends at Google, we now have the list which details those "bug fixes" for the N1 and NS.

New feature: video chat in Google Talk Previously only available to tablet users on Android 3.0, Google Talk with video and voice chat is now available on Android phones running 2.3.4 that have front-facing cameras, starting with Nexus S. For more information please see our blog post: http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/04/video-chat-on-your-android-phone.html Bug fixes for Nexus S & Nexus One - Phone shuts down or reboots: a very small percentage of users reported this problem, which is fixed with the latest release. (Nexus S) http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=44db6d8e31129d4c - Wi-fi & 3G icons both indicate active: for anyone who saw this strange behavior in your phone’s status bar, it should now be fixed. (Nexus S) http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=62b9e23a049f4ef0 - Battery life: some users let us know that their batteries didn’t seem to be lasting as long; battery life should be improved for these folks. (Nexus One) http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=5d1a4878e4ace375 - GPS location/navigation: some Nexus One users who noticed location and navigation problems after updating to 2.3.3 should notice improved location accuracy. (Nexus One) http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=4e60b45c18d6665c

Cheers.

Details on DROID Bionic Delay, Launching at Same Time as 4G LTE on XOOM

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:36:23 +0000

We just got off the Motorola Q1 earnings call and while the amount of money these corporations make isn't our thing, we do listen in to see if they drop any hints at future phones or tablets. With Moto being the leader in all things "DROID", this is one we didn't want to miss especially with all of the Bionic delay talk floating around these parts. And sure enough, we got a bunch of info that will help paint the Moto timeline for the next 3-4 months, including more details on why the Bionic was delayed and when the XOOM will see 4G LTE.

On the new DROID Bionic:

Question: Does the push out of the Bionic impact the product lineup for the backend of the year or does the Bionic overlap other products you planned to put out in Q3? Motorola (Sanjay): As we saw that that product (original Bionic) was pushing out a little bit, we worked with our partners at Verizon Wireless and re-featured the device and we believe that the result of it, we will have a much better device. We had another device which was a potentially...which had different features than...and we brought in some of the features to deliver what we consider to be a higher feature device that will launch as we go forward into the summer. Follow-up question: Can you say anything about what the features would be? Motorola (Sanjay): My anticipation is that it will be an important device for us.

Bionic delay due to 4G issues - Launching at same time as 4G on XOOM:

Question: What kind of precipitated the Bionic delay - your side or the Verizon side? And on the XOOM, the 4G, is that kind of the timing over the summer that you had talked about before? Is it possible that the XOOM and the Bionic - does the timing of 4G on the XOOM have anything to do with the change in plan of the Bionic or completely different issues? Motorola (Sanjay): They are related and it is to do with the timing of 4G for us. That is the issue that delayed us. We are engaged with all of the providers in the industry and we feel very comfortable with the fast forward here. We believe that we will launch both devices with 4G capabilities in the summer here. Follow-up question: So once you sell one, you sell the other and they both come out at the same time? Motorola (Sanjay): You got it.

More on the Bionic delay - Hardware or software issue?:

Question: On the delay of the Bionic was it a hardware chip side issue or software issue or a response to the competitive landscape? Motorola (Sanjay): It was really a software issue of getting the performance to a place that both ourselves and our partner Verizon Wireless were comfortable launching the device. And as you understand there is a great deal of complexity in launching any new technology like this and that was probably the main matter at heart here.

On Motorola XOOM sales:

Question: You guys said that you shipped over 250,00 units - can you talk about how many you sold through and what the inventory situation looks like in the channel? Motorola (Mark): We shipped over 250,000 in the quarter - with respect to the sellout, the sellout was good. We had shipped that product late in February, we only had about 5-6 weeks of sell through opportunity there, but we're pleased with levels of stock and channel at the end of the quarter as well as what we've seen through this earnings call.

And a quick recap:

The original Bionic was delayed because it was having 4G LTE issues, but also because Motorola had another device with better specs that it decided to sample from. The device will launch this summer along with 4G on the XOOM. Oh, and the XOOM sold just fine and is still selling just fine. Thoughts?

Google Announces Android 2.3.4, Will Roll Out Over the Next Few Weeks and Includes Google Talk with Video

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:06:32 +0000

Well, here is one surprise, although according to @GoogleNexus, there is still another one to come later today. Android 2.3.4 will begin rolling out over the next few weeks to Nexus S and One devices, bringing Google Talk with Video and some other fixes. Yessir. This update will allow you to have video chats with friends over 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi and between friends on tablets, phones and in Gmail. Check out the video and pics of this new video chatting GTalk after the jump.

And the video demo: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJAiH5-64sI[/youtube] More info.

Flash 10.2 Updated: Includes Hardware Accelerated Video and Enhanced Browser Integration for Android 3.1? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:34:58 +0000

An update to Flash 10.2 is available in the market and it looks to be a big Honeycomb enhancer. Hardware accelerated video and enhanced browser integration are the stars, making the overall experience on your new XOOM or Transformer much more enjoyable (we hope). Update: As I clearly overlooked, this Flash update talks of Android 3.1 which is not out yet. The Honeycomb currently running on the XOOM is just 3.0.1, meaning things just got a lot more interesting, didn't they? Was that new XOOM update from Verizon supposed to be 3.1? Is @GoogleNexus about to announce 3.1? I'm so confused. Update 2: The market listing has changed and just says "Android 3" now. Whoops!

Update 3: The "3.1" reference was more than likely a big boo-boo and shouldn't have been in there, yet. Adobe just let us know that this Flash 10.2 update will include all of the features listed there, but none of you will be able to utilize them until a new Honeycomb update is released which we're now assuming will be 3.1. This could have been the update that Verizon told us was coming, but it doesn't mention anything about new hardware acceleration or Flash support. So confusing.

Today we are releasing Flash Player 10.2 for Android Honeycomb devices, available for download from Android Market. This final release will take advantage of Google’s enhancements in an upcoming update to Honeycomb, including hardware accelerated playback of 720p high-definition video referenced in our earlier blog post. Users of Android 3.0.1 will not experience these improvements until their devices receive the update to Honeycomb. In addition, this Flash Player 10.2 release includes a security update addressing the Flash Player vulnerability announced on April 15th for all versions of Android.

Stay tuned! Market Link Cheers @KrazyRod and @dscarfogliero!

@GoogleNexus is about to announce something, any guesses?

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:24:56 +0000

Google's Nexus Twitter account has been teasing us for 3 hours now and since we're seeing all sorts of guesses on Twitter, we thought we'd just bring the question to the masses. Any ideas on what they might announce? Free Nexus S 4Gs for all I/O attendees? A Verizon Nexus (hah, right)? A new phone altogether? Android 2.3.4? As always, let us see your thoughts in the comments...

Motorola XOOM Update Still Coming Today? Features List Removed from Verizon Site

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:04:10 +0000

Yesterday, Verizon informed us that the Motorola XOOM would be receiving an update starting today, but if you check back to their support site for the device, the new features list has been removed and reverted back to the HRI66 update. We're not sure what this means, although we can hope that they took it back to the drawing board and are planning to include SD card support. OK, that's definitely not happening, but it would be nice to know what's going on. Stay tuned... Cheers Mr. Alfonso!

Motorola DROID 3 Parts Show Up at Supplier, Targa Name Listed? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:54:27 +0000

An apparent OEM parts re-seller has posted up what appear to be DROID3 screen and top half kits, which we've taken and compared to the few D3 pics that are in the wild. Yep, I'd say these are definitely the same thing, now we're just wondering why this site is already selling them? We weren't expecting to see this device until late summer, but if you and I can already go out and buy pieces for one, I'd say that Motorola might be closer to having this ready than anyone thought. The odd thing, is that they mentioned the name Targa alongside the DROID3, but we're almost positive that is the codename for the new Bionic and that the D3's is Solana...or should we flip flop those? The Solana has been spotted with a model number of XT862 which would match up much more closely to the naming scheme for a keyboard-less phone like a DROIDX which the original pictures of the Targa resemble. And as you may recall from the original DROID and 2 we saw model numbers of A855 and A955, so it would be odd for Moto to switch up that series now, wouldn't it? Update: A reader (Cheers Ryan!) has pointed out that the same parts site is showing the original Bionic as having the model number XT865, which is the same number we saw back at CES and is definitely the old one. Could be legit? Update 2: As more readers and our homes at Phandroid have pointed out, the site has gone through and done a full comparison for us of the original DROID, DROID2 and this new version. 4" screen is definitely go:

And I didn't think I needed to point this out, but yes, that is indeed a front-facing camera up there and not just another proximity sensor:

And of course, we can always fall back on the theory that this site is simply using the name "Targa" to better place itself in search engines and this is all just one ugly coincidence. Things just got a lot more confusing.

Via: Global Direct Parts Cheers Reymond!

My Water Live Wallpaper Pulled from Transformer, Ported to Motorola XOOM

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:55:37 +0000

More goodies for your XOOM! Our friends over at XDA are already snatching items from the Asus Transformer and making sure they work on other tablets. First up, is the My Water live wallpaper which you've probably seen from press shots and such. It swishes around on your screen just like you would expect water to, has bubbles for more fun, and then goes into bubble hyperdrive when plugged in for charging. Fun, fun. Download: MyWater.apk (stock kernel) | MyWater.apk (Tiamat or other kernel) Install just as you would any other apk. And be sure to cruise over to XDA to see the other apks they've pulled from the Transformer. Cheers Graham!

Fring Group Video Leaves Beta, Hits Android Market

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:25:30 +0000

Fring introduced a new group video calling feature to a select beta group about 3 weeks ago and are already releasing it to the public for free. The service allows you to chat with up to 4 friends from all over the world and on a variety of platforms including iOS. The timing of the release couldn't have been better, especially with Verizon introducing a couple of new phones that include front-facing cameras, like the DROID Incredible 2. And I'd ask you to "fring me!", but I don't think I can handle that many video chats at once. Go grab it! Market Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8WbBaMo6GY[/youtube] Via: Fring

Motorola XOOM Camera Kit Available for $19.99, Support Coming Through Update

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:42:39 +0000

When we first reported yesterday that a Motorola XOOM update would be made available today, we were sort of confused about one of the new enhancements included in it - the new "picture transfer protocol." We kept wondering how this was going to work, but the answer is now obvious thanks to a couple of tips from some VZW friends. Motorola is introducing a XOOM Camera Kit that is available for $19.99 and can be ordered if you ask a Verizon rep to use item#: MOTMZ600ADPKIT. We say to ask a rep because the accessory is not yet viewable online, but we're being told that it's definitely in stock and can be ordered. Cheers DroidHAM and Legion!

First HTC Flyer RUU Leaks

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:20:42 +0000

We still aren't sure when the HTC Flyer will be released, but we can download the first RUU for this 7" tablet and start digging inside to see what this Scribe technology is all about. Don't forget, you can pre-order it from Best Buy now, just don't expect to walk out with a firm launch date. Via: 911 Sniper

Verizon 4G LTE has been Restored Nationally

Kellen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:35:40 +0000

Well, here is some semi-good news this morning folks. 4G LTE is back up nationwide, although we've been told eHRPD is not, which means no soft hand-offs between 3G and 4G at this time. Here is the text we received:

LTE Connectivity Restored: Network has been able to confirm that the LTE Network has been restored nationally.

Update: Verizon has also now confirmed via Twitter. So again, we're getting there slowly but surely. Everyone back up? Cheers Spaniard!

DROID Incredible 2 Available Now through Verizon, Casio G'z0ne Too

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:23:00 +0000

As they always do at midnight EST and 9PM Pacific on the eve of a new phone launch, Verizon has updated their site to include the DROID Incredible 2 and Casio G'z0ne which are both available in stores tomorrow. If you won't have time to cruise into one though, you can order them online right now and receive free overnight shipping. And yep, there is that lovely $439 full retail price we saw yesterday. Buy. Still undecided on this new Incredible? Check out our early coverage below:

Full Unboxing | Hands-on Gallery | Benchmarks

And we should point out that the DROID Charge is not available as it should have been, but we aren't surprised as we first reported its delay about an hour ago.

Cheers Nick and KLY412!

DROID Charge Not Launching Tomorrow, will be Rescheduled Due to 4G LTE Outage? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:28:58 +0000

We just received word from three separate Verizon friends who say they have been notified within the last hour that the DROID Charge will not launch tomorrow, and we're assuming it's due to the 4G LTE outage that is still currently plaguing Big Red's new network. We had heard rumbles of a delayed launch as a possibility earlier in the day, but managers are now informing their employees that there will indeed be a rescheduled launch. It looks like this network issue has become bigger than they had imagined. We'll keep you posted and will be hoping for a late night miracle. Would be nice to wake up and hear that the launch is back on, wouldn't it? This is not the start the first 4G LTE DROID needs. Update: 3G and even some 4G LTE seems to be returning around the country. Could we see the Charge make it at the last minute? Update 2: The Charge commercial from earlier today is now set to private. (Cheers nativi!) Cheers SV, L, and J!

Official: The “New” DROID Bionic is on the Way with an “Improved Form Factor”

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:55:24 +0000

Yesterday, we first reported that the DROID Bionic was slowly being removed from Motorola's site, which came as a little surprise since we all know that it has been delayed until this summer while Moto enhances it. That removal though, is now complete and the only page left that even mentions the word "Bionic" is the one you are seeing above. And this updated page (even with that old date on it), talks of a "new" Bionic that sounds exactly like the one we've been hinting at for 2 weeks now, the Targa. Here is the most meaningful quote from the release which points out that the original Bionic is not the one you'll be seeing this summer - something we've been telling you over and over again since that first cancellation rumor came out.

Based on compelling feedback since the show, we are incorporating several enhancements to make this an even better consumer experience. This includes expanded features, functionality and an improved form factor. Motorola Mobility and Verizon Wireless are very excited about bringing the 'new' DROID BIONIC to market.

I know you are all disappointed that a dual-core phone won't be hitting Verizon store shelves in May, but trust me again when I say that you'll be more than satisfied with this new version. It's destined to make every other phone on the market look silly. Even those gimmicky 3D ones. Via: Motorola Cheers @EggoEspada!

Benchmarks: DROID Charge vs. DROID Incredible 2

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:00:18 +0000

DROID Charge on the left, Incredible 2 on the right. Did you just say, "Yikes!"? Don't worry, I did too when I first ran them. And then to be fair, I kept running Quadrant over and over again on the Charge hoping that it would improve. It didn't. Now, we all know that Quadrant isn't the most consistent or realistic of all benchmark apps, but at least it's something. It does give us a pretty good idea of where a device stands when compared to another and in this situation, the Incredible 2 is the victor. *Note - As many have already pointed out in the comments, the low scores from the Charge have to do with its garbage RFS file system which we were hoping they would have done away with by now. I guess we know the answer to that. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYIY5HiqyrY[/youtube]

New DROID Charge Commercial is Massive.

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:19:45 +0000

We've always been a fan of DROID campaigns, but this new set of ads for the Charge is shaping up to be one of the best yet. This is a follow-up to the teaser we saw last Friday. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz13Ecw9Fr4[/youtube]

DROID Charge Unboxing - Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:00:39 +0000

It's been quite the DROID phone day, I'd say. First we gave you hands-on of both the DROID Charge and Incredible 2, then dropped an unboxing for the Inc2, followed by a screenshot taking tip for the Charge, and now we're back with one more. It's time to unbox the first 4G LTE "DROID" on Verizon and see if anyone will start to change their minds over it. It hasn't received a lot of love up to this point, so we're hoping that a full couple of weeks with it followed by a review will help change everyone's mind. Let's do it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3C5HQrsTsc[/youtube]

DROID Incredible 2 Unboxing – Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:20:14 +0000

Earlier today we gave you a quick hands-on gallery and our first impressions for the DROID Incredible 2, so now it's time for a quick unboxing. While unboxings are painful as hell, we still wanted to give you some shiny 1080p video of it in action. It's such a sexy little phone...and there I go calling it "little" again. It's not little, just smaller than the 4.3" tanks that have taken over my desk. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8JhwbU512U[/youtube] And here is a quick gallery of it compared to the original Incredible: [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"]

Tip: DROID Charge Can Take Screenshots Without Root

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:28:48 +0000

Did you need another excuse to buy the DROID Charge tomorrow from Verizon? How does having the ability to take screenshots without root sound? Sure, it seems minor, but just browse the comments on a post we did for Screenshot ER yesterday and you'll see that people are dying for this feature. So, how does it work? It's simply really. All you have to do is hold down the Back button and press Home and it should snap one. Doesn't matter where you are on your phone, you can easily take screenshots without using a 3rd party root-required app. Your screenshots can then be found in the ScreenCapture folder in your gallery. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHnh8kSk0Is[/youtube] Cheers Legion!

Breaking: Motorola XOOM Update Goes Live Tomorrow – Bluetooth for Google Talk, Picture Transfer Protocol and Proxy Support

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:48:08 +0000

A Motorola XOOM update will be made available tomorrow that brings a bunch of fixes to the device including Bluetooth support on Google Talk and for a mouse, proxy support, and a new picture transfer protocol. Check out additional details after the break. Oh, and no, this does not include a fix for SD card support. You still have to root and flash a new kernel to get that action. Update: Additional details are up - looks like it'll be a 28MB update:

*Note - No need to freak out and worry about backtracking your rooted XOOM just yet. Once the update is out, we can probably expect someone to grab the file and then someone to find away to flash it. And if you've simply unlocked your device, then you should be able to receive the update without issue. More info. Cheers ___ and DroidHAM!

DROID Incredible 2 Hands-on and Quick First Impressions

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:40:37 +0000

Ahh the DROID Incredible 2. How will you ever live up to the success of your original self? Well, hopefully by showing up with a 4" Super LCD screen, more RAM, a newer 1GHz processor, and a front facing camera, all of which you did. I've only had the device for an hour or so now, but as you would expect, I like it. HTC brought back that lovely contoured black battery cover from the original, but for some reason decided not to include any color accents which is a little disappointing. Other than the color though, this looks like it's going to be a great little phone. Actually, calling it "little" isn't fair, but with 4.3" phones sitting right next to it, it's going to look smaller and possibly less attractive. With that said, it still sports almost the same exact specs as the HTC Thunderbolt, except for that 4G LTE radio. It's a tight little package that would be perfect for anyone who won't be in an LTE area any time soon. Oh, and with the back plate poppin' off as a single piece, we're pretty sure there are going to be different colored backs for it just like we saw on the original. So like the Charge, we'll be doing more coverage on this device than you can probably handle, but that's the nature of this business. Unboxings for both are on the way, and from there we'll start with the really fun stuff like benchmarks and comparisons. Gallery below. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"]

DROID Charge Hands-on and First Impressions

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:09:26 +0000

It's been almost 5 months since we first had our hands on the DROID Charge by Samsung, but I'll tell you that our first impressions this time around are much better. While the Charge sure hasn't been the hottest of devices around these parts leading up to its Thursday launch party, I will say that it feels pretty damn good in person for those that have remained skeptical. The weight is much more manageable than the HTC Thunderbolt, the Super AMOLED Plus screen is gorgeous, and the fact that it has HDMI-out is something worth noting. I know that many of you are still worried about it ever receiving updates, however Samsung appears to be righting that ship by releasing source code after source code. They still have some major kissing up to do to us though, but at least they seem like they are starting to care. We just got the phone, so we haven't had a chance to test battery life or tear apart TouchWiz yet, but don't worry, that's all coming. In the mean time, you'll want to take a look at the gallery below to see that this is a much more polished and handsome device than we've been seeing in a variety of press shots. Full gallery after the jump. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"]

Beginner's Guide to the HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:20:36 +0000

HTC Thunderbolt owners, Verizon has released a series of videos to help you better understand your new phone and make the transition to it much more enjoyable. As the first 4G LTE phone, it is a device that has grabbed the attention of users from all sorts of mobile platforms which means there will be a learning curve while these new faces adjust to Android. And what better way to conquer that, than through some quick video tutorials? After the break, you'll find tips for navigating around your phone, its social apps, creating contacts, and even utilizing Google Maps. Navigation tips: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td5TfpBj1ZY[/youtube] Creating contacts: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmVASr6FJnw[/youtube] Using Google Maps: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJmDl0Dq-9A[/youtube] Browsing the web: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDMe_aUxfxA[/youtube] Sharing and editing photos: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFkHta0kzw8[/youtube] Using social apps: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxwOEQbNjZ4[/youtube] Using email and documents: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7tsH3s2lyY[/youtube] Using mobile hotspot: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=robWFpMMc7U[/youtube]

Google Docs App for Android Released

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:18:44 +0000

Yes! Google Docs for Android has finally arrived and it's looking feature packed. You can now access your G-Docs from anywhere and from any account, share items with contacts, upload docs from phone, open through Gmail, and even perform a variety of functions through a new widget. The coolest feature though, is clearly Google Docs' ability to take a photo of an image with text and turn it into an editable document. You can also turn photos with text that are already on your phone into editable documents that will appear in your list of files almost immediately. Works on all Android 2.1+ phones. And yeah, it's free.

Market Link Via: Google Mobile

Official Incredible 2 Packaging, Same Ol' Greyish DROID Industrial Look

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:59:39 +0000

Last week we got a shot of the packaging for the DROID Incredible 2 that was all white and were wondering why they moved away from the standard DROID grey box. Apparently they haven't. That was just a demo unit box - the official retail box is the one you are seeing above. Nothing to get overly excited about, especially after seeing the hotness that was the HTC Thunderbolt's box.

Now the DROID Charge packaging on the other hand, is a thing of beauty. Stay tuned for it. Cheers ac666!

Download: Casio G'z0ne Toolbox Apps, Widgets and Live Wallpapers

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:44:16 +0000

The Casio G'z0ne will be out this Thursday, but if the phone itself wasn't necessarily something you were interested in and the apps were, then you are in luck. Everything, including the G'z0ne Toolbox, widgets and live wallpapers have all been pulled and can be enjoyed on any Android 2.2 device (well, at least the ones I've tested). Turn your Thunderbolt or DROID into the outdoor-sy beast you always dreamed of without sacrificing those hot looks. Download: Commando.zip In the file, you'll find 3 folders: Tools, Widgets and Live Wallpapers. In order to enjoy all of the apps and widgets, you have to install each one individually, but you really need to make sure you have the GzMenu.apk as it allows you to access them all. The widgets work as you would normally expect them to, and the live wallpapers are all pretty solid especially the Honeycomb and Growing Tree versions. *No root needed. Via: XDA

Motorola XOOM Keyboard Folio Case Coming Soon, Transformer Who? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:20:55 +0000

If you already own a Motorola XOOM and have become a little jealous over the Asus Transformer and its nifty keyboard/laptop dock, then we may have a solution for you. Moto and Verizon plan to release the "Keyboard Folio" which is like a leather laptop case with built-in keyboard (assuming it's just the Bluetooth keyboard) so that you can also take advantage of an all-in-one and on-the-go experience. While it may not look exactly like a laptop as the Transformer does, it still gives you an option and should help ease any post-tramatic-XOOM-disorder. No telling what the price may be. Update: We've added a close up shot of the new keyboard folio above, but it's looking all that pretty. Is that contrast stitching I see? Eww. Click that image for the big dog version. Cheers Legion!

Verizon 4G LTE Networks Down Nationwide (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:08:13 +0000

Verizon's brand new 4G LTE network is and has been down across the nation for a number of hours now starting at some point late last night. Yep, anyone with a Thunderbolt will be running on 1x until they fire this thing back up, even if you are in a non-LTE city. And toggling your LTE on/off isn't going to help you either. Time to pull out the OG? Verizon has acknowledged the problem:

Possible fix to get you back on "old" 3G while they work out issues: (spursrchamps2007)

Dial ##778# and hit send * A pop-up window named EPST will show up giving you 2 choices: View Mode and Edit Mode. Pick: Edit Mode. * Enter the Password: 000000 * Go down to Modem Settings and pick “Rev A“ * You’ll want to choose enable and click OK, hit the menu button and then press “Commit Modifications.” * Restart your phone and you should see 3G is working To switch back to 3G/4G, follow same instructions but choose eHRPD.

Update 7:51AM: We're hearing reports that Chicago may be fine as well as the Lehigh Valley, PA. Update 9:02AM: Verizon with a minor update, although it doesn't tell us much other than the network is still down for HTC Thunderbolts.

Update 1:47PM: Another update. We're still down in a lot of areas, but at least they have figured out the problem and are starting to bring people back up:

Update 8:32PM: We just heard from 3 separate sources that the DROID Charge has been delayed due to this network outage. It looks like we all may be without 4G LTE for a little big longer. Update 7:36AM (4/28): We've just received word from Verizon that 4G LTE is back up nationally. Unfortunately eHRPD is not up though, and that means no soft hand-offs between 3G and 4G. Stay here as we'll continue to keep you updated... Cheers Edward, Adam and everyone else!

Verizon Continues with Lowered Full Retail Pricing, DROID Incredible 2 at just $439

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:04:53 +0000

Just 2 weeks ago, one of our astute readers noticed that full retail prices on smartphones at Verizon seemed to have dropped significantly over night, leading many of us to wonder if this was the new pricing model now that 1-year contracts had been eliminated. Big Red was quick to deny any connection between these lowered prices and their approach to contracts, but it is looking like this new lowered pricing is here to stay. The brand spankin' new DROID Incredible 2 which comes out this Thursday, will launch at just $439 without a contract, according to the employee flyer you are seeing above. While many of us weren't excited to see 1-year contracts go, it's hard to be too disappointed in this new approach to full retail pricing. We may only have two options when buying a phone now, but at least Big Red appears to have met us somewhere in the middle. Change anyone's mind on the Incredible 2? Via: TheDroidGuy

Tuesday Poll: Buying a DROID Incredible 2 or Charge?

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:31:29 +0000

As always when a new DROID family member is just days away from release, we ask our readers if they plan to buy it, but since there are two dropping on the same day, this feels even more important. And it's not that we are trying to force two of our favorite phones to battle it out, although we are curious as to which has the most interest at this time. With one as the first DROID from Samsung with 4G LTE, and the other stepping in as a revamped 3G version of its former and incredibly popular self, it's hard for us to not want to know their current popularity. So folks, interested in the DROID Charge or Incredible 2? [poll id="79"]

City ID is Now the Greatest Bloatware App in History…Because it can be Uninstalled (Sort of) (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:00:13 +0000

I don't know how long City ID has been allowing this to go on, but today when notified that my trial of their service was over, I was able to uninstall it. Yes, you read that correctly. City ID, known for their notification annoyances on phones like the DROID Incredible, is no longer on my Thunderbolt. And at this time, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank them personally. You understand that if we don't want your app that we should be able to remove it from our phones. You understand that we like to actually feel like we own our phones by not having permanent fixtures of spam sitting in our app drawer. You understand that some people have old phones and a minimal amount of app storage space. You understand that corporate greed should not control a product's life. You understand...well, you just understand. Thank you City ID. *Update 1* - We should point out that this option appears to only be available on the Thunderbolt. *Update 2* - As some have also pointed out, the actually CityID.apk still remains in your /system/app folder, but to the average user, that doesn't mean anything. They'll just be happy that the app is gone from their app drawer. *Silly post I know, but we like to make sure that some of the carriers around the world see that we appreciate little things like this. Cheers rudyt83!

DROID Bionic Axed from Motorola Site, the "Enhancements" have Begun

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:53:43 +0000

Well, not completely axed. If you stop by Motorola.com, you can see the image we featured above, but clicking through just takes you to a generic mobile phone page with no mention of the DROID Bionic. You can even try using Google to find a cached version of the old Bionic spot, but you'll likely come up empty unless you do some serious digging. Here is the link to the previous page for it. It's gone, right? It looks like we are officially in "enhancement" mode then. And as we pointed out last week, the device was originally scheduled for a May 12 release, but after rumors of it being cancelled in favor of the much beastlier Targa surfaced, we knew this day was coming. So wave goodbye to the Bionic you are seeing above, as you will be introduced to a much different version by this summer. Something semi-similar to this, but hopefully with some of that original Bionic look. Cheers Dave!

Screenshot ER Might be the Best Screenshot App on Android, Includes Full XOOM Support and Shot Previews

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:05:42 +0000

Screenshot ER has been floating around the back alleys of the Android developer community for a month or two now, and to my knowledge is still the only screenshot app that has full support for Honeycomb and the Motorola XOOM. What makes this app really great though, is the fact that it gives you a quick preview of the screenshot you just took and allows you to share it, save it, or discard it. Most of (or all of) the other screencappers simply take your shots and drop them in a folder that has to be found through your gallery or file manager before sharing or approving. Seems like such a simple step removed, but man does it make a difference. Screenshot ER also allows you to specify a save location and picture type.

Market Link ($.99) - Rooted users only. Cheers J Kline!

Twitter for Android Update Introduces a Bunch of Enhancements, Still No Real Tablet Support

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:19:09 +0000

An update for the official Twitter app on Android just went live and includes a bunch of enhancements like tabbed search results, font size settings, message deleting, and improved data clearing. Nothing uber-exciting, especially since we were hoping that it would provide real support for Honeycomb and bigger screened devices. I guess we'll just continue crossing our fingers that TweetDeck or Hootsuite are working on something. Full change list:

Displays search results in a tabbed view

Add and remove saved searches from universal search suggestions

SSL used for network requests

Font size setting

Tapping on a map in detail view searches nearby Tweets

Launch links directly from a message

Ability to delete messages

Added Tweet count to user profile

Improved avatar loading

Improved the way data is cleared to conserve more space

Fixed a bug where music skips when refreshing, etc.

Many other improvements and bug fixes

Market Link Cheers @kaufkin!

Motorola Eases Up on Locked Bootloader Stance, Plans to Unlock Portfolio in 2011?

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:57:14 +0000

All the talk of locked bootloaders over the last few months has been a little depressing, but today's word out of Motorola may finally mean that all of our persistent attention to the matter is paying off. Everyone remember the Motorola bootloader petition that made its rounds almost a month ago? Well, the man behind it (Irwin Proud) has made several attempts to contact Moto over the issue and finally received a response that I'm sure you'll enjoy...

“In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”

Talk about the ultimate PR response. While this may not be a definitive, "We'll unlock everything," it is at least a positive acknowledgement from Motorola and it also takes the pressure off of them and puts it squarely on the carriers. We've pointed the finger at carriers for months now even while others thought we were out of our minds, but this is about as clear of a statement as you'll find from a phone manufacturer blaming them. "Where carriers and operators will allow it." Now there is the real battle. Again, it shows that our work as a community is paying off, but that doesn't mean this battle is over. So, who's starting up the "Carriers, let them unlock the bootloader" petition? Via: AusDroid Cheers Picolas!

Qik Releases Video Connect, Live Video Chats to All Android Users

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:57:23 +0000

Previously, Qik was only available as a video chatting option to those that purchased a device with it pre-installed, but as of today, everyone with a front-facing camera can enjoy the service. Video chats from everywhere and with everyone are supported, including those with your random friend that owns an iPhone. One thing I'd like to note is that Skype actually owns Qik. Yep, the same Skype that was supposed to release a video chatting app of their own on Verizon almost a month ago when the Thunderbolt was released. Odd, but whatever. Grab Qik for free in the market! Market Link Via: Qik

Nielsen: Future Smartphone Buyers Now Prefer Android Over iPhone, 50% of Recent Acquirers Go Green

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:04:01 +0000

Android phones have now become the cool thing to have according to the latest 2011 numbers out of Nielsen. After surveying a number of people from January-March of this year, the numbers show that 31% of future smartphone owners plan to buy one running Android, which slips past the iPhone (30%) for the first time. They also found that 50% of recent smartphone acquirers purchased Android phones, with iOS devices coming in at only 25% and in second. And of course, Android maintained its grasp on the overall market share, controlling 37% of it. Not that we need to point this out, but this includes almost 2 full months of Verizon iPhone 4 data. So much for it killing off Android.

Via: Nielsen

Amazon MP3 Update Includes Lock-screen Controls and Playback Enhancements - Bug Fixes for XOOM

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:27:06 +0000

Amazon and their MP3 cloud player are still truckin' along even with the music industry showing their displeasure over the service's surprise arrival. They pushed out an update last night that includes lock-screen controls (a must-have for music players), playback enhancements, and fixes for the XOOM. At this point, I'm just wondering why you would need to use any other music player? Oh, and to make things even more legit on the developer front, they tossed out a CM7 reference in the latest "What's New" list. +1 Market Link Cheers Kwasi!

Casio G'z0ne Also Announced, Headed to Verizon April 28 for $199

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:56:48 +0000

Such a rugged beast. The Casio G'z0ne is also headed to Verizon on Thursday, April 28 for $199, making outdoor fanatics feel slightly more Bear Grylls-ish. The G'z0ne will be available for $199 on 2-year contract, meets military standards for Immersion, Rain, Shock, etc., runs Android 2.2, has a 5MP camera and is about as secure as you'll find any phone.

VERIZON WIRELESS AND CASIO INTRODUCE THE CASIO G’ZONE COMMANDO

First Ruggedized Android Smartphone for Verizon Wireless
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and Casio today announced a new addition to the rugged wireless category and a new Android-powered smartphone in the marketplace, the CASIO G’zOne Commando™. Deployment ready, the Commando is a mobile office with high security features for secure corporate email; Wi-Fi for high-speed Web access; XT9 and T9 trace input for efficient typing; and snap-out menu for customized access to high-use applications. Designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, the CASIO G’zOne Commando easily transitions from work to play with advanced G’zGEAR software. As the ultimate outdoor tool in a mobile device, G’zGEAR operates in eight modes to enhance the active, adventure-driven lifestyle. With the help of its Triple Sensor technology utilizing direction, acceleration and temperature, G’zGEAR enables adventurers to perform at their peak. The Casio Commando is ideal for the business environment, especially for fields such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, utilities and healthcare. Workers in hazardous environments, such as construction sites, warehouses and factory floors, need a smartphone that has the capability to download blueprints, files and pictures; update project plans; access field force management, inventory access and corporate applications; and capture signatures. Key features:

Android^™ 2.2

Meets Military Standards 810G for Immersion, Rain, Shock and Dust Resistant, Vibration, Salt Fog, Humidity, Solar Radiation, Altitude, Low and High Temperature Storage

5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, still photo, video capture, LED light

High-security encryption for corporate email

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity

Stereo Bluetooth^™

VZ Navigator^® for GPS and audible turn-by-turn directions

Mobile Hotspot capable-share 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices

Lifestyle features:

G’zGear operates in eight modes

o Earth Compass – Functions as a standard compass, the GPS shows the distance and direction to several domestic and international landmarks, including Yosemite National Park and Mt. Everest. o Walking Counter – Measures steps, distance and energy consumption, and total steps for the day, week or month. It also provides virtual treks for famous North American trails and roads including Mt. Kilimanjaro, Annapurna Circuit, Torres Del Paine Circuit, John Muir Trail and Transcontinental o Adventure Training – Takes training to a new level by allowing users to run with virtual opponents, like world-record holders, wild animals, or their own best personal performance stored in the training history. o Trip Memory – Plots and records outdoor activities along with location information to share with friends and family on Twitter^™ and Facebook^®. o Tides – Showcases the tidal graph for the day; time of tide ebb and flow; and current, past and future sea tide levels. GPS displays the nearest location map. o Thermometer – Displays current temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit with numeric and graphic thermometer readings and compares the current temperature across multiple locations. o Sun / Moon – Checks the time of the next sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset, and tracks the moon phases for your current location. o Star Gazer – Utilizes GPS to display the stars and constellation names based on the current season and time. Pricing and availability:

The CASIO G’zOne Commando will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com on April 28 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. CASIO G’zOne Commando customers will need to subscribe to a data plan. Unlimited data plans are available to customers starting at $29.99 monthly access.

Business customers who want to purchase the device can contact their Business Sales Representatives at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

For more information on the CASIO G’zOne Commando or for other Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go towww.verizonwireless.com. Customers can visit www.CasioGzOne.com to experience the CASIO G’zOne Commando. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About NEC CASIO Mobile Communications, Ltd. NEC CASIO Mobile Communications, Ltd. was spun off from NEC Corporation and took over the Mobile Terminal Operations Unit on May 1, 2010. On June 1, 2010 Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications Co., Ltd. was merged with NEC CASIO Mobile Communications, Ltd. The company brings together the many highly competitive technological assets possessed by NEC, CASIO and HITACHI to provide customers with highly innovative and reliable mobile phone products packed with cutting-edge technologies. For more information visit our website athttp://www.nec-casio-mobile.com/.

It's Official - HTC DROID Incredible 2 Launching April 28 for $199

Kellen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:20:39 +0000

Well folks, there it is. The DROID Incredible 2 is finally official and will be available this Thursday, April 28 for $199 on a new 2-year contract alongside the DROID Charge. Not that you don't already know everything there is to know about this device, but let's do one last refresher. The Incredible 2 has a 4" Super LCD screen, 768MB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, same 1GHz Snapdragon processor that's in the Thunderbolt, HTC Sense 2.1, Android 2.2, and is global-ready. It's a welcomed addition to the DROID family.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF INCREDIBLE: DROID INCREDIBLE 2 BY HTC DELIVERS STYLE AND PERFORMANCE TO VERIZON WIRELESS

DROID Incredible 2 by HTC Available Beginning April 28
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced that DROID Incredible 2 by HTC, exclusively from Verizon Wireless, will be available beginning April 28 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. DROID Incredible 2 by HTC follows in the footsteps of the popular DROID Incredible by HTC and features the Android^™ 2.2 platform, a crisp 4-inch super LCD display, next-generation 1 GHz Qualcomm^® Snapdragon^® processor and 3G Mobile Hotspot that can connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Equipped with the hallmark HTC Sense^™ experience, DROID Incredible 2 by HTC offers advanced personalization options, consolidated email capability and unique camera effects and filters. With its sleek, all-black design, DROID Incredible 2 by HTC combines functionality and speed into one stylish package. DROID Incredible 2 by HTC is a global-ready Android smartphone, allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries, with more than 125 with 3G speeds. Additional features include:

8.0-megapixel main camera with dual LED flash

1.3-megapixel front facing camera

720p HD video capture plus DLNA^® to share multimedia content with a compatible TV

Adobe^® Flash^® Player

SRS WOWHD™ surround sound

Automatic face detection for more accurate pictures

Integrated noise-cancellation technology

Verizon Wireless customers that purchase DROID Incredible 2 by HTC will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access and an unlimited smartphone data plan is $29.99 for monthly access. Verizon Wireless customers traveling outside of the United States should contact Verizon Wireless’ global customer support team at 1-800-922-0204 before embarking on their trip to ensure their phones have the right features for global usage. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About HTC HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

Google Talk with Video to be Introduced at I/O as Part of Android 2.3.4?

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:39:24 +0000

With Google I/O just two weeks from tomorrow, our first hint as to what we can expect may have just splashed all over Twitter thanks to @MAFiA303, who "works" with Samsung. How does Google Talk with Video sound? As a feature currently only enjoyed by those of us with Honeycomb (Android 3.0) tablets, this would be huge to everyone else that now has a phone with a front-facing camera and hates the current crop of video chatting apps on the market. And I realize that the tweet above talks of video calling "using Gmail", but we're going to assume he meant Google Talk. Building a video chatting feature into Gmail makes zero sense especially when its GTalk brother already has it. Also, if this tweet above is to be believed, the next version of Android to touch the Nexus S will be version 2.3.4. And now you know why I bought that pretty little white one. Oh yeah, we'll be there for it all. Via: Twitter, Android Police

CM7 Pre-Alpha Available for the HTC Thunderbolt, Time to Ditch Sense for Stock

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:50:37 +0000

If Sense 2.0 on the HTC Thunderbolt is not your cup of Android tea, then prepare yourselves for stock goodness with CyanogenMod 7. A pre-alpha build started to make the rounds over the weekend and while it has a handful of expected issues, most brave testers are enjoying the heck out of it. Again, this is pre-alpha, but it's looking like we'll be adding the Tbolt to the list of CM devices that we throw coverage at. Who's been testing it already? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Download links and instructions can be found at this XDA thread.

Cheers Bobrowitz and everyone else!

Amazon Offers $25 Appstore Credit for Verizon Device Purchase Between Now and May 1

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:18:08 +0000

If you didn't jump on Amazon's $130 HTC Thunderbolt price, then maybe this new deal will help push you over the edge. From now until May 1, Amazon is tossing out $25 Appstore credits for those that buy any Verizon Android phone. You could also fork out a penny for the DROIDX or Incredible, but why would you when the new versions of each phone will be here in just a matter of days. Buy. Cheers Wade and Amazon!

Review: SpeedX on Android

Matt Demers — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:48:19 +0000

Even though I've upgraded my aging Milestone to an Atrix, I still don't use my phone that often for gaming. Aside from a few puzzle games, there just seems to be a lack of titles that hold my interest. I'm not the type that likes to play games for long stints - just when I'm waiting for something or need to kill time on the subway.

Usually those games aren't very graphically-intense, either; this isn't a bad thing by any means, but I've been looking for something that both delights my eyes as well as my synapses. SpeedX happens to do both quite well.

SpeedX is a game where you are travelling down a long tube and steer by tilting left/right. Your mission is to avoid blocks. You score by simply moving forward, and the game ends when you die. Along the way, the playing field shifts from a tube to a flat plane to an inverted tube and back again, taking your eyeballs along for the ride with it. It's quite the simple premise.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtw_7zw9Ma4[/youtube]

But then again, DDR had a simple premise. So did Audiosurf. We all know what happens to games we think are simple; they usually surprise us with their ball-busting difficulty. SpeedX is no different; as soon as you get comfortable with the level you're at, it throws curve balls (like color shifts and gravity wells) into the mix, screwing with your perception and making it all the more difficult to stay out of the way of those blocks. This isn't a bad thing. It makes the game extremely fun. It also keeps the game from getting stale; Feint integration takes care of any lingering boredom the user might have otherwise.

What surprised me the most about this game the most is how it kept my attention; by coincidence, I found that playing music overtop of the default soundtrack (not bad in its own right) makes for a whole different experience. I want to beat my high score in SpeedX. I want to unlock the powerups and game modes. I want to burn whoever thought the "install sponsored apps to get in-game currency" model was a good idea (looking at you too, Gun Bros!) But more importantly, I want to give props to developer HyperBees for making a game that I want to keep on my phone. And it's not just me: HyperBees' Twitter is reporting that SpeedX has been played over 15 million times, with 200,000 players each day. If that's not a sign of success, I don't know what is. You can pick up SpeedX on the Android Marketplace for free, or pay $1.40 for an ad-free and unlocked version. --- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app review guy, and recommends listening to "Waters of Nazareth" for the full trippy effect. Or just for the Jesus. Wish Matt a Happy Easter by following him on Twitter!

DROID Charge and Incredible 2 Show Up in Best Buy Buyer's Guide for May

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:21:37 +0000

The DROID Charge has already been announced for this Thursday, April 28, but we're still waiting on Verizon to even acknowledge that the Incredible 2 exists. We're almost willing to throw down a bet on it also arriving in 3 days, but these release dates change faster than Alyssa Milano runs through an entire MLB bench. And while we've seen April 28th mentioned multiple times as the "All Channels" launch for the device, plus a bunch of accessories, retail packaging and demo units, a showcase app and even a quick appearance on Verizon's website, we still have to wait on Big Red to say so. This is sort of a random thought, but if the Charge didn't say "4G" in its description, would you even consider purchasing it over the Incredible 2? Actually, does the 4G matter or is the Inc2 more attractive anyway? Via: Best Buy Cheers Mike!

BlackBerry Playbook Now Runs Honeycomb, Wait What?

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:32:56 +0000

Silly MacMall, the BlackBerry Playbook doesn't run Honeycomb. Although, I wouldn't put it past one of our developer friends to make that happen at some point in the near future. Cheers Robert!

Another DROID Charge Teaser Released, “DROID Does 4G” is About to Take Over

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:33:34 +0000

We somehow missed this second teaser video for the DROID Charge on Friday and wanted to toss it out there. As you'll quickly realize, "DROID DOES 4G LTE" is about to be blasted across your TV sets more than you can probably prepare yourselves for. We should also note that the scavenger hunt for 16 free Charges is still going on, with zero devices having been found yet. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4IV8UKCQF0[/youtube]

Is this an Unannounced Motorola Multi-core Device? Possibly Targa or Something Beyond?

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:58:57 +0000

Last week we were tipped to the possible existence of two new Motorola Tegra 3 devices headed for Q1 2012 codenamed the Jet and Bullet, but without confirmation from additional sources, it was definitely dubbed as one giant "rumor." And then this weekend, we received these two pictures that are also apparently of an unannounced Motorola device in testing. Is it the Targa? Could it be the Bullet? Maybe it's just a DROIDX2 with a fat battery cover? And of course it could be nothing at all and just a fake? It's really impossible to tell from these pictures, so we'll just have to let you guys decide. What we've been told is that it's a "multi-core" phone with a qHD display, that new 12MP camera we talked about last week, and a rubbery silver back that houses a 1900mAh battery. Also, there are apparently 4 devices very similar to this in testing, so again, we have no idea what this is or could be in the future. What do I think? Well, the silver almost looks like a really bad paint job, but as those that follow this blog closely know, silver testing devices are not uncommon from Motorola. The HDMI and micro USB ports are in a similar spot to the DX and DX2, but look to be slightly lower on the side of the device, so I'd almost rule out the DX2. It doesn't look much like the early renders we've seen of the Targa other than the color, so I'd lean towards ruling that out. The odd thing is that the back piece appears to not fit at all on the back side which you can see from the small gap towards the right side of the picture. If this is indeed real, it looks to me like a DX body, but they needed to make room for new internals and went with some giant make-shift battery cover. I guess this could be a nice way to disguise an unannounced phone? And then this picture really just looks like a DX and nothing more...

And here are two pics of my DROIDX compared to these at similar angles. As you can see, it has almost the exact same shape, but that extra silver back piece is throwing us all for a loop.

(Click images for bigger comparisons.)

What do you guys think?

Root DROIDX Gingerbread 4.5.588 Using GingerBreak V1.10

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:38:50 +0000

If you grabbed that semi-official DROIDX Gingerbread build 4.5.588 from a few weeks back and didn't wait for the steps to update with root, you are now in luck. XDA member chainfire has released an app called GingerBreak that worked flawlessly on my non-rooted DX the first time. The app is actually based off of an exploit found by the Android Exploid Crew. Download: ~~GingerBreak-v1.1.0.apk~~ Update: Here is version 1.2. Instructions: 1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone. 2. Download and install the app from above. 3. Open it and hit the "Root device" button. 4. Your phone will reboot when it's finished, with root access. To make sure you have the latest version of GingerBreak and to read up on possible bugs including random SD card formats, you'll want to watch this XDA thread. Cheers Evan!

Skype with Video is Finished, We're Just Waiting on Verizon to Release it?

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:46:13 +0000

HTC Thunderbolt owners have been waiting semi-patiently for Skype with Video to be released from Verizon for over a month now and still aren't sure when it's coming. There were rumors of it being delayed and then on-again all during the pre-launch of the phone, but after a version leaked out a couple of weeks ago that appeared to be pretty finalized, it seemed as if we were just waiting for them to tap "Go." According to the email you are seeing above from a Skype CSR, that is most definitely the case. Skype creates and finishes the different versions of their apps and then Big Red gets to decide when they are released. Since they have a massive partnership that began last February, we shouldn't be all that surprised by this, but we're just wondering what the hold up is at this point. You may remember that Skype issued a vulnerability fix to their non-Verizon app last week, but we've been told that the version with video has also already been updated to patch any security holes. In fact, they have updated the app at least 5 times in the last month, which could mean that they are still tweaking things, but is also a pretty good sign that we should be getting close to a release. Cheers 0mie!

CyanogenMod 7.0.2 Released for Original DROID and Incredible, Just a Bug Fixer for Most

Kellen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:54:09 +0000

Just two weeks in after the official release of CM7 and we've got an update that fixes some of the bugs you may have encountered. It also is the first official "stable" version of 7.0 that we've seen for the original DROID. Nice work guys. Now, if only everyone in this business would act this fast on bug fixes... Downloads: DROID | Incredible Changelog. Cheers Keith and blackcatroad!

Verizon's Wireless Charging Pad Retails for $69.99, Shows Up in Stores

Kellen — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 11:30:22 +0000

We've know for a few weeks now that wireless charging was about to take over Verizon's Android lineup, but with battery covers arriving in stores this week along with the actual pad that they will charge on, we might be days away. Thanks to our homie TheDroidGuy, we now know that in order to enjoy wireless powering juice, you'll have to start with the $69.99 pad that you are seeing above, and then fork out anywhere from $29.99-$39.99 for the battery cover for your specific phone. Is wireless charging worth $100? Via: TheDroidGuy

DROID Charge Available on Pre-order at Let's Talk for $249

Kellen — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 10:16:08 +0000

The DROID Charge was announced this week and will make its way to wireless stores around the country on Thursday, April 28 as the first "DROID" 4G LTE phone. Pricing was originally set at $299 on a 2-year contract, but Walmart (Let's Talk) appears to be willing to undercut Big Red's number and is offering it up on pre-order for $50 less at $249. The device should arrive at your doorstep by Friday at the latest with the free overnight shipping included. Anyone ordering? Buy. *Note - I always like to point out that these incredible deals from online retailers almost always come with some sort of a catch. Most of them force you to retain every single aspect of your plan including features for at least 181 days after purchase or they will slap you with an unannounced charge for the full retail price of the device. So if you purchase a phone through them, make sure you read the fine print and try not to switch the phone to another line, cancel texting, or drop to a lower minute plan for a few months or you could be in for a hefty fee.

Sofia Vergara's DROID Pro is One Lucky Phone in New Diet Pepsi Ad

Kellen — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:00:38 +0000

Not that any of the dudes in the building will be looking for a phone in a Diet Pepsi commercial starring Sofia Vergara, but we still wanted to make sure you all noticed the DROID Pro. Because...that's what...we...were looking...at. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEFI-_Sg5G0[/youtube] Cheers Jason!

Review: Robot Unicorn Attack

Matt Demers — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:19:18 +0000

The Internet's given us a great many things, including a boatload of Flash games with which to waste our time. Last year, when there seemed to be a bit of a lull with them in favour of Facebook games like Farmville, one glorious product emerged: Robot Unicorn Attack. This game took the Internet by storm, and introduced a whole new generation of gamers to the wonders of 80's synthpop and its infinite trippiness. What started off as a Flash game on Adult Swim's site migrated to the infinitely more profitable markets of Facebook, iOS and now Android. Robot Unicorn Attack comes in at a cool 99 cents (I'm assuming, as it shows as $0.94 due to Canadian price adjustment) and, from what I can tell, it worth just about that. Just-less-than-a-buck seems to be the magic price for a lot of apps, as its not so much that it provokes a huge decision, but not so little to not make any cash. The game is essentially simple; it's got a button to jump and a button to dash. Your job is to get as many points as possible in three lives. Throughout the entirety of the app, you're treated to "Always" by Erasure: YouTube it. You won't be disappointed. With such a simple premise it's hard to review; I mean, the app does its job and replicated the experience on the Android platform well. However, the only complaint is that until the game starts up, I get the black bars (pictured above) on my Atrix; I'm not sure if this is a resolution problem or if it shows up on other phones. You guys will have to help me out in the comments. The game offers two control schemes: one with on-screen buttons and one based on gestures. The gesture controls, while a bit interesting, don't necessarily allow for accurate play at the game gets faster and faster. I'd recommend sticking to the button controls unless you want a challenge after the ticker rolls past 10,000 points. Feint integration, which I'm usually not a fan of, adds some much-needed replayability to a game with such a simplistic concept. I don't have many friends on it (feel free to add MattDemers), but score competition could definitely keep this game from getting stale. You can download Robot Unicorn Attack from the Android Marketplace. --- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and will be stepping up the review production now that school's over. Follow him on Twitter for more updates!

DROID Incredible 2 and Casio G'Zone Demo Units Arrive in Stores, First Shots of Retail Packaging?

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:18:49 +0000

Live demo units! And retail packaging! (Maybe) That's right, the DROID Incredible 2 and the manly Casio G'z0ne are in stores awaiting their April 28 launch. And actually, you could probably sneak into a store this weekend and coerce a VZW employee into letting you play with one if you can't wait another 6 days. For those not familiar with the G'z0ne, this is the outdoorsy phone we broke news on just 2 days ago. It's essentially the toughest little Android 2.2 device we've ever seen. If you want a full spec list for it, you can check it after the break along with a bunch of extra Incredible 2 pics. [gallery link="file"] Cheers Spaniard and ___!

Google Offers Goes Live in Portland to Battle it Out with Groupon

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:45:48 +0000

This may not be Android-related yet, but you can bet it will be before long. Yep, Google activated their new Google Offers program today which will be similar (or exactly the same) to the services offered by companies like Groupon and Living Social. A 1-day deal on a product or service for a fraction of its original price is the scheme, and my fine friends in Portland, Oregon get to experience it all first. Assuming the beta test here in P-town takes off, the plan is for Google to expend to NYC and then the Bay Area. And when I say that it's not Android-related "yet," that's because we're assuming it'll only be a matter of weeks before an update to Google Maps goes live with Google Offers integration. Or maybe even a Google Offers stand-alone app? It only makes sense. Portlanders, sign up here! Cheers 0mie!

More DROID Incredble 2 Cases Arrive at Verizon Stores, No Longer Expecting an Announcement?

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:56:01 +0000

At this point, we're not sure if Verizon is ever going to announce the DROID Incredible 2 and are starting to wonder if it'll slip into the lineup without much of a mention like the DROID2 Global did. We've now seen cases for the device 2 or 3 times, gave you the official user guide, found the showcase app in the market for it, and even handed out the official spec sheet with an April 28th launch date on it. And with only 6 days left until we hit that date, all we have is an announcement for the DROID Charge as our next family member when we're almost positive both phones will be available next Thursday. Even Wirefly is on the same page and they sell these things for a living. Although, we should point out that they've backed way away from their pre-sale date and have also hidden that pre-mature unboxing video. Who knows anymore. Maybe there are just too many DROIDs these days and Verizon can't find enough cash in the marketing budget to talk about them all. Cheers Spaniard!

Video: Motorola XOOM is Everything a Tablet Should Be

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:49:23 +0000

A new promo video for the Motorola XOOM has surfaced, giving potential buyers a full walk-through of the device while making sure everyone knows that this is the tablet to beat. It's actually a pretty solid overview of the device, which has us wondering where this was back in February when it was launching alongside those odd spaceship promos. And to the Cyanogen fans in the building, you'll most definitely enjoy the color scheme of the spot. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV7cxMc7-HI[/youtube] Anyone else notice that the DROID Bionic was missing from Moto's website at the 45 second mark?

Fire up the conspiracy engine!

Pre-sale for the HTC Flyer Begins April 24 at Best Buy for $499

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:05:51 +0000

The HTC Flyer is getting closer to that "Spring" release we heard about back in March. The WiFi-only version of this 7" 1.5GHz single-core tablet with nifty Scribe technology will go on pre-sale starting this Sunday, April 24 at Best Buy stores for $499. My feelings over the Flyer are still pretty mixed. Without Honeycomb, most people are writing this off as a failure, but you can't count out HTC's new version of Sense made specifically for a tablet. If anyone could do the first tablet skin right, it would be HTC. Plus, Scribe technology is something we haven't seen on any other tablet including the dual-core beasts. Oh, and it's damn sexy lookin'. Anyone interested in the Flyer? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0pL2t2_CIw[/youtube] Via: Best Buy

DROID Pro Update to Version 3.8.7 is Live!

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:53:43 +0000

The DROID Pro update that we uncovered last week which brings the device up to Blur version 3.8.7 along with a bunch of ActiveSync fixes and the VCAST appstore, is rolling out now. Actually, it may have started rolling out yesterday, but the big push is happening today. Via: Twitter, Motorola Support Cheers Nadeem and Christian!

Rumor: Motorola Prepares the Jet and Bullet as its First Tegra 3 Devices, Headed for Q1 2012?

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:40:28 +0000

Everyone ready for a couple of massive rumors? First off, we should probably let you know that this report has not been confirmed by a second source, something we always try to do before posting, unless of course we have photo evidence. So proceed with caution, feel free to question it, and just know that it's information we felt needed to be passed on. And who doesn't love 7-month long conversations about rumored devices, anyway?

________________________________________

Here is the deal. We've been tipped to two new Motorola devices under development that will be the first from Moto to run NVIDIA's new Tegra 3 (Kal-El) quad-core processor and are currently scheduled for either a Q1 2012 unveiling or release (We're thinking unveiling - CES 2012 anyone?).

Motorola Bullet

Bullet (obvious codename) is the non-keyboarded of the two. Will sport a 4.3" qHD screen, Tegra 3 (Kal-El) quad-core processor, at least 1GB DDR2 RAM (possibly 1.5GB), 16GB on-board storage, NFC chip, and a redesigned sensor to provide its new 12MP camera with amazing photos. This phone will launch before the Jet.

Motorola Jet

Jet (another codename) is the keyboarded version of the two. Will sport a 4" qHD screen, Tegra 3, 1 to 1.5GB of DDR2 RAM, 16GB on-board storage, same new 12MP camera as the Bullet, NFC chip, and a fully redesigned chicklet-style keyboard.

________________________________________

Crazy, right? Like I said at the beginning of the post, I was unable to confirm these with any of our other sources, so you've got to take them for what they are. With that said though, I do want to point out a couple of things to help this report. First, the mention of the Tegra 3 in a phone coming in Q1 of 2012 matches up almost perfectly to what NVIDIA told us all back at MWC. They fully expect to be ready to ship their quad-core beasts in handhelds by the end of 2011 (tablets this summer). The second thing has to do with the new camera sensor that was brought up multiple times. A new camera sensor is something that I've heard mentioned from some close friends, as one of the major focuses of Motorola going forward as they've realized their camera technology is not on-par with competitor's phones. Lastly, we have no idea what carriers these would end up on, although the early word is that both are 4G LTE, so we'll assume Verizon. Do I truly believe that we'll see these phones in Q1 of 2012, though? It wouldn't surprise me, but again, 7 months in this industry is an eternity and things change so quickly that it's hard to say for sure. These could be two phones on a drawing board somewhere and in 2 months will look 100% different with completely tweaked specs. Rumor, people. And as always, we'll continue digging around the interwebs and in the brains of our closest insiders to see what else we can find out.

Verizon "Unleashed" $50 Unlimited Prepaid Plan Appears to be Real, Shows Up at Best Buy

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:12:33 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we first reported news of a $50 unlimited everything month-to-month (prepaid) plan from Verizon called Unleashed that we were dying to hear more on. Well, it looks like the plan definitely exists and is already being promoted on prepaid phone packaging, so now we just hope that they allow some decent smartphones to gobble up this deal. We still haven't had official word out of Verizon's camp on its existence, but that doesn't mean we won't see it any day now. Update: We're hearing that the Unleashed plan launches 4/28 and will only be available in southern California and Florida. Update 2: Another shot which includes the plan info we've seen already...

Cheers Jay!

HTC Thunderbolt Drops to $129 at Amazon

Kellen — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:59:35 +0000

Been holding off from purchasing Verizon's first 4G LTE phone, the HTC Thunderbolt? We (and our readers) would like to point out that Amazon has the device on sale right now for $129 which is one heck of a deal. Now, you have to remember that almost all of these online phone retailers have strict rules after activating, so if you go this route, try not change anything on your plan for 6 months or so. Still, a great deal. Buy. Cheers Mike and everyone else!

DROID Charge Also has an Inductive Battery Cover, Welcome to the Future of Charging

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:07:16 +0000

An inductive charging cover for the HTC Thunderbolt popped up on Verizon's site last night, but now thanks to the picture you are seeing above, we know that it won't be the only 4G phone on Big Red throwing a wireless power party. The DROID Charge, which was just announced, is going to receive a similar back piece to allow for wireless charging on one of LG's new Powermat-esque pads and at $29.99 it might be cheaper than the Tbolt's. Oh, and we're also pretty sure the new DROID Incredible 2 will see a similar accessory. Looks like pad charging is the way of the future. Are you excited? If you aren't familiar with wireless charging, you'll want to check out this video from our friends at BGR: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZvI5pquN3c[/youtube] And more from Androinica: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrsAzeuBUUE[/youtube] Cheers Spaniard!

Amazon Kindle App Updates, Now Supports Honeycomb Tablets and Larger Screens

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:30:30 +0000

The Amazon Kindle app on Android hit version 3.0.0 today, which is fitting, especially since the update brings it into compatibility with Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). A new layout for newspapers and magazines is introduced along with a seamlessly integrated shopping experience, all of which were designed for tablets and larger screened devices. The Amazon team also tossed in the ability to pause and resume downloads, made it easier to look up words, and decided that Germans might like reading books too. I'd show you a bunch of screenshots, but my XOOM has decided to hate this update and will not allow the app to fully display or view pages others than the main landing screen. And apparently, I'm not the only one with this problem. Hoping for a fix! In the mean time, you'll have to enjoy the picture above that I stole from Mr. Kameka over at Androinica. Market Link Cheers Smooth!

Eye-Fi Launches Direct Mode, Bringing Your Camera's High Quality Photos Instantly to Your Android Device From Anywhere

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:30:22 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN8ZRzXLG_I[/youtube]

Back at CES, Eye-Fi announced a new feature for their wireless transfer SD cards called Direct Mode which would allow you to not only snap photos with your camera and upload them wirelessly to your computer, but you would also be able to send them to your Android phone or tablet from anywhere. The need to be on a wireless network would no longer be a requirement as long as you had your Android device near your camera with an Eye-Fi card inserted. So, guess what? As of this week, Direct Mode is available and can be utilized through a new free Android app. Time to pull out your Eye-Fi cards, and get back to snappin' beauties. Oh and did we mention that one of Eye-Fi's co-founders is a huge Droid Life reader? Market Link | More on Direct Mode | Eye-Fi Product Page

HTC Thunderbolt Inductive Charging Battery Cover Makes Appearance on Verizon Site

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:14:16 +0000

Back before the Thunderbolt launched, there was talk of an inductive battery cover that would allow you to charge the device using LG's charging pad, but once it actually hit stores, was impossible to find. That was until now...sort of. Spotted last night on Verizon's accessory site, the landing page for the battery cover went live with a price of $39.99 - unfortunately, it wouldn't let you purchase it and has since been removed. Same thing sort of goes for the multimedia dock which was all over the place pre-launch and has yet to go on sale anywhere in almost a month. Let's get it together Big Red, some of us love accessories for our new toys. Via: GottaBeMobile

Download: 70+ WidgetLocker Themes - Your Lock Screen Never Looked Better

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:39:37 +0000

We've featured WidgetLocker on DL a couple of times now, but had yet to really dive into the theming side of this lock screen replacement app. Then today happened and we stumbled onto an XDA thread that has been compiling beautiful lock screen themes for almost 2 months now. I've featured 3 of them above, but trust me when I say that this doesn't even touch on the 70+ variations of custom sliders that you can sample from. For those of you into the minimalistic lifestyle, this would be your goldmine. Download: simplismSense | WindowsPhoneMin | MNML Light *Themes created by qwerty160, dbrits, and zHk3R. Instructions: 1. To install these, simply download the file to your phone and move it into:

/data/com.widgetlocker.teslacoilsw/themes

2. Then from your WidgetLocker lock screen, add a new custom slider. 3. Choose from the Theme pull down menu. The rest of the 70+themes can be found at this XDA thread. FAQ here.

The DROID Charge Scavenger Hunt is About to Begin, Teaser Video is Live

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:50:34 +0000

Two days ago, the @DroidLanding Twitter account that has been used for a variety of DROID-related contests over the last year reactivated, which meant a new contest was about to begin. And with the DROID Charge getting an official announcement within the last hour, a new landing page for the next scavenger hunt went live...along with this teaser video. How to enter:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQEUgMJkrcU&[/youtube]

DROID Charge Announced by Verizon, Available April 28 for $299 on Contract

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:12:34 +0000

Well, we wish there was a surprised tucked into the DROID Charge press release, but we've pretty much shared with you all there is to know by now. The phone as we said, will launch on April 28 for $299 on 2-year contract, and has all of the same specs we saw back at CES. The device will sport a 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus display, 1GHz single-core processor, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, HDMI-out, will run Samsung's TouchWiz, and fly on Verizon's 4G LTE network. A new landing page has been set up for the phone here. An interesting note from the press releases talks about signing up for a 4G LTE data plan that starts at $29.99 per month. New plans being introduced soon? Oh, and free mobile hotspot for a limited time. And as expected, a new scavenger hunt will start any minute. Follow it at www.chargelanding.com. Full release after the break. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"]

VERIZON WIRELESS UNLEASHES DROID CHARGE BY SAMSUNG

DROID Charge Joins Verizon Wireless’ Android Family as Samsung’s First 4G LTE Smartphone
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the DROID Charge by Samsung will be available for purchase on April 28 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com. The DROID Charge is designed with Samsung’s 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus display, setting a new touchscreen standard for brightness, clarity and outdoor visibility. The DROID Charge is equipped with both a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for both stills and video chatting. The smartphone’s 1 GHz application processor and HTML 5 Web browser maximizes high-speed 4G LTE connectivity for faster downloads and graphics processing Additional features:

4G LTE – Customers can expect download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage area

Android 2.2 platform – Support for Google Mobile Services including Gmail^™, YouTube^™, Google Talk, Google Search, Google Maps and access to more than 150,000 apps available to download from Android Market^™

Adobe^® Flash^® Player compatible

Mobile Hotspot capability – Share 4G connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices or a 3G connection with up to 5 devices

Samsung Media Hub – Samsung’s own content service, offering a vast lineup of critically acclaimed films and TV programs for rent or purchase

Virtual QWERTY keyboard featuring Swype technology

Pricing and data plans:

The DROID Charge by Samsung will be available for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

DROID Charge customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Unlimited 4G LTE data packages start at $29.99 monthly access. Mobile Hotspot feature will be included for a limited time at no additional charge.

Find the DROID Charge Beginning April 21, anyone over the age of 18 can participate in an exclusive DROID Charge Scavenger Hunt. Follow the online clues to find hidden locations in 16 different U.S. cities to win a DROID Charge by Samsung. For additional information about the DROID Charge Scavenger Hunt, visit: www.chargelanding.com. For more information about the DROID Charge by Samsung, visit www.droiddoes.com/charge. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, serving more than 104 million total connections, including 88.4 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About Samsung Telecommunications America Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones.

Skyfire 4.0 Released on Android, Premium Video Feature FREE to Verizon Customers

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:00:02 +0000

A new Skyfire (version 4.0) will be introduced today and includes a boatload of new features to make this a truly all-in-one browser experience. In this latest update, users will notice a customizable "Skybar" with new Groupon, Twitter, Sports, News, Finance and Google Reader integration to go along with Facebook, Like, and Video options. The biggest news here is the fact that Skyfire will be asking $2.99 for their video optimization feature going forward. Before you freak out though, they've informed us that their current 3 million users will all be grandfathered in and will not have to pay the one-time fee. Also, they are offering all Verizon customers the chance to get the fully featured Skyfire for free for a limited amount of time. You can find it in the VZW section of the Android Market. Market Link

Skyfire Launches 4.0 Version of its Popular Android Mobile Browser with Eight New Killer Features

Skyfire Unveils Customizable SkyBar With Twitter, Groupon and Google Reader Integration; Converts Video Feature to Premium In-App Option for New Users
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (April 21st, 2011) – Today Skyfire, maker of the award-winning and popular mobile browser, announces the release of Skyfire 4.0 for Android -- its highly anticipated next-generation Android browser. Skyfire 4.0 for Android allows users to personalize their SkyBar^TM toolbar, while adding eight new SkyBar features. While the basic browser and toolbar will remain free to Android users, Skyfire is also introducing a premium in-app purchase to enable its Video feature, which draws on Skyfire’s cloud-based servers to optimize videos from across the web. As a thank you to over 3 million early beta users of the app, all existing users will be “grandfathered” in for free access for the lifetime of their device. Skyfire’s SkyBar toolbar is now scrollable and customizable, allowing for a larger and more personalized number of features to be positioned on the toolbar. Beyond the‘Video’, ‘Facebook’, ‘Fireplace’, ‘Popular’, ‘Ideas’ & ‘Like’ buttons, Skyfire has added full Twitter, Groupon and Google Reader integration, a ‘Share’ button, Sports, News and Finance feeds, and a ‘Settings’ button. Skyfire for Android is one of the most popular applications in the Android Market and has seen over 3 million downloads since launching in April 2010. The mobile browser was upgraded to critical acclaim in November 2010 with integrated social media and Facebook capabilities, and the app currently has a user rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible five stars, based on tens of thousands of reviews in the Android Market. This latest update will continue to build on Skyfire’s strong track record of innovation. With v4.0, Skyfire for Android will begin offering its video optimization as an optional $2.99 premium feature, unlocked via an in-app purchase after a three day free trial. The feature pays for itself for most users around the world by allowing users to watch more video with less data usage (where users have capped or metered data plans), as well as increasing battery life. As part of a special, limited time offer, Skyfire is offering the video optimization feature free to all Verizon customers downloading Skyfire 4.0 for Android. Skyfire will be available in the VCast^TM Apps section of the Android Market for Verizon users during this promotion. Skyfire 4.0 for Android, including the video optimization feature, will remain free for all of the over 3 million beta testers around the globe who have used the app to date, in gratitude for their support in helping Skyfire grow and improve. “With Skyfire 4.0 for Android, we’re enabling users to customize their browser toolbar to fit their interests, from sports, to social networks, to finance, news, and local deals,” said Jeff Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “While the basic browser will remain free, with the launch of Google’s Android In-App purchase platform, the time has come to make our video cloud acceleration service a premium feature that reflects the investment we make to support each user in our cloud. We deliver state-of-the art web video tuned to your current mobile connection bandwidth, saving 75% on average data loads. For users who enjoy web video, or who are on metered data, the service can pay for itself in the first month of use. New Features in Skyfire 4.0 for Android include:

Customizable SkyBar – Skyfire’s toolbar is now configurable and expandable, enabling users to create their own flavor of Skyfire experience. With the new scrollable SkyBar, users now have access to fourteen Skyfire features and have the ability to enable, disable and position each button as they see fit.

New SkyBar Features –Skyfire has added eight new features:

o Twitter – Login to the ‘Twitter’ Button to have one-touch access to Twitter streams. Tweet, search, and check in with the Twittersphere without leaving the Skyfire browser. (And yes, watch videos shared on Twitter with just one click.) o Groupon – With the ‘Groupon’ Button, the SkyBar is now delivering nearby deals so you can do a quick check on the deal of the day at all times. o Share – Easily share websites, articles, pictures & videos with the touch of the ‘Share’ button, a feature previously accessible through the Skyfire menu. o Google Reader – Use the ‘Google Reader’ Button to keep up with feeds from your favorite sites. Google Reader keeps you in the know by constantly checking your favorite news sites and blogs for new content. o Sports, News & Finance – Three new buttons, ‘Sports’, ‘News’ & ‘Finance’, have been added to the SkyBar to bring one-touch access to the latest events. o Settings – The ‘Settings’ button could easily be labeled the ‘Customize’ button. Use this to enable, disable or position SkyBar features to your personal preferences.

General Tips – We’ve added a host of new in-browser tips, tricks & tutorials to help users get them most out of browsing with Skyfire.

Download Skyfire 4.0 for Android today here: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skyfire.browser About Skyfire: Skyfire is dedicated to using cloud computing to improve multimedia experiences on mobile phones, and has created the first “Compression as a Service” (CAAS) offering for wireless carriers and device makers. Skyfire’s technology has been visible to consumers through the Skyfire browser app, which has enabled Skyfire to refine its technology with millions of users. The app was named the #2 App of All-Time for Android by TechCrunch, and was the top pick in a PC World September 2010 comparison of all Android browsers. Skyfire won the Best Mobile Application-People’s Voice at the 2009 Webby Awards and was named a Top App of 2009 by the New York Times’ Gadgetwise. Skyfire’s iPhone browser, launched in November 2010, quickly reached the top selling app rank on the Apple App Store^SM, as the first way for iOS users to access videos designed for the Adobe Flash Player^TM. Skyfire was recently recognized by Light Reading as the #4 StartUp to watch in 2011. Skyfire is based in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.skyfire.com, www.facebook.com/getskyfire.android or follow Skyfire on Twitter at twitter.com/skyfire.

Second Report: HTC Thunderbolt Outselling Verizon iPhone 4

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:40:42 +0000

One thing that has always irritated the hell out of me, was the ridiculous amount of sales comparisons that seem to be made between the current iPhone and whichever new Android device has just landed on the market. Why? Well, you have to remember that the iPhone and the sales of its 2 or 3 different versions get grouped together to form one giant number. You never hear that the 16GB model sold 40K units while the 32GB hit 100K. It's always, "Verizon sold 2 million iPhones." But when Verizon starts selling a DROIDX, DROID2 and Thunderbolt, we seem to break them all out as individual devices, which will of course lead to lesser numbers. After all, there are how many different Android handsets and on how many different carriers? And this is the reason we scoff off at most of these comparisons, because the real numbers should and have always been between Android activations and iPhones sold. And we all know who's dominating that race. With that said, when you do actually hear of a single Android device putting our Apple counterpart to shame, it's worth a quick mention because it's quite the feat. According to a second report from another research firm (ITG), the HTC Thunderbolt has been outselling Verizon's iPhone as consumers are looking for something "new" and of course fast. Hello LTE. *Note - Obviously we need to spell this out for the Apple fans who can't seem to grasp how any of this works. The Thunderbolt has not outsold the iPhone in total sales, and how could it have? It's been out a month less. The point is, that since the Thunderbolt was released, it has been outselling the iPhone. Rocket science, I know. Via: NY Post Cheers Brian!

Asus Transformer Launching April 26 for $399, Laptop Dock for $149

Kellen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:51:51 +0000

We made mention of the Asus Transformer (yes, we refuse to say Eee Pad) a week or so ago when a $399 price point leaked out of Best Buy, so today's announcement that $399 is indeed the price is music to our ears. Well, $399 is the price of the 16GB model, but if you want to double that storage, you'll have the choice of a 32GB model for just $100 more at $499. They are also making the sweet little laptop dock available for an additional $149, which I'm assuming is the reason that many of you are interested in this tablet? Actually should have more reasons to buy it than that, as the Transformer is shaping up to be one of the best Honeycomb tablets yet. It will be available at almost every major electronics retailer including Best Buy, Fry's, Staples, Walmart, Target, OfficeMax and Amazon. Oh, and if you want to win one, check out their Facebook page. Cheers Chris!

Verizon Samsung Fascinate Froyo Update is Go!

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:07:22 +0000

Samsung Fascinate owners, check your phones now. The update to Android 2.2 is live. To check to see if your phone can receive the update:

Menu>Settings>About Phone>System Updates>Check New

Cheers @xFenixKnightx, @ericwilborn, @7Android7, @IRONMatt14, Charles, Taylor, @CurtisR765, @lince90 and everyone else! Did I show enough love there?

Wednesday Poll: How do you protect your Android?

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:58:30 +0000

Anyone taking any extra measures to keep their Android phone protected? Hard case? Soft case? Screen protector? Naked? As you can see from my lineup above, my phones live on the wild side, but that doesn't mean that all of you should. For those of us that sit at a computer all day and rarely take our phones into battle, it's OK, but for those of you grindin' every day, a little extra padding may be needed. So, who's using a case? And to help out the rest of our readers, feel free to list out the form of protection keeping your device safe in the comments (brand, case type, etc.) [poll id="78"] Cheers @timberwolfkw for the poll question!

Rumors: Incredible 2 Pre-sale Tonight, DROIDX Gingerbread Rolling Out May 10, Casio G'Zone Commando Available April 28

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:14:43 +0000

On a semi-slow day, our inbox was just hit with a variety of rumors that we thought were worth sharing as long as you all understand these are just "rumors." None of these have been 100% confirmed, but since they impact a couple of our closest family members, we wanted to get them out in the open. 1. DROID Incredible 2 pre-sale tonight. Odd right? We've seen April 28th pop up twice now as a launch date, but according to online retailer Wirefly, you can pre-order the device tonight at midnight. It will then ship on the 28th. That was nice of them to make an announcement before Verizon has even acknowledged that it exists, wasn't it? 2. DROIDX Gingerbread on May 10. Completely unconfirmed, but wouldn't surprise us. A couple of Gingerbread leaks have snuck out, including one that appears to be pretty official. There are also rumors of a test group getting the update over the last week, so May 10 would give them just enough time to test it before it's unleashed to the masses. 3. Casio G'z0ne Commando launching April 28. This isn't much of a rumor since we have the all channel launch info below. This looks like one heck of a rugged beast. Oh, it runs Android 2.2, has a 3.6" screen, 8GB SD card pre-loaded, 5MP camera, a bunch of outdoor apps (Earth compass, walking counter, Therm0-meter,etc.), and is water and shock resistant. If I was a mountain man, this would be my steez.

Cheers Scott!

Seesmic Update Introduces Shortcuts for Accounts, Facebook Pages, and More

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:40:38 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qqY43_l0go[/youtube]

Seesmic received an update today which gives users the ability to drop shortcuts to a variety of things right on their home screens. Want to quickly jump into your Mentions screen? Shortcut it. How about a favorite list? Shortcut that too. Maybe a Facebook page? Yep, that too. Market Link Via: Seesmic

Motorola's Facebook Fans Appear to Like Unlocked Bootloaders

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:21:00 +0000

We've been avoiding this post for 3 weeks now because it was such a silly move by Motorola that we couldn't even bring ourselves to talk about it, but it appears to have picked up enough steam that we should all take a minute to have a good laugh at it. For whatever reason, Moto thought it would be a good idea to ask its Facebook fans what cool apps they would like to see from developers. And to no one's surprise, a certain topic was voted on over and over again which had absolutely nothing to do with the actual question. Bootloaders, bootloaders, and more bootloaders. I believe the total vote count is now around 20,000 if you combine all of the options for unlocking the bootloader, leaving any real app suggestion in the dust. Maybe this will have more success than that petition? Via: Facebook Cheers to everyone who sent this in over the last 3 weeks!

Breaking: Samsung Fascinate Froyo Update ED01 is Finally Ready, Rollout Begins Tomorrow

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:45:28 +0000

Samsung Fascinate owners pop the champagne. Your Froyo (Android 2.2) update is ready. Finally. More info.

The Story of the Original DROID: How a Single Phone Helped Save Three Companies

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:10:45 +0000

Last Thursday, Wired put out an article that walked through the story of how Android has exploded onto the mobile scene. It talked Andy Rubin and the endless battles with Steve Jobs and Apple, but what really stood out to us, was the section that focused solely on the original Motorola DROID. Is it possible for a single device to save three major corporations? Just ask Motorola, Verizon, and Android that question and you might find a common answer. With all three companies struggling to come up with anything that could compete against the iPhone in 2009, they joined forces to create what folks around this blog consider the greatest phone of all time. As you'll see in the piece below, the phone with its sharp and rugged look, was not an instant hit with CEOs who were expecting it to bring them back from the grave. But with an impressive marketing campaign that focused on what the phone "does" as compared to its competitor, it was an instant hit that helped propel this mobile operating system that we love to incredible heights. It's a fantastic read. Here is an excerpt from Wired's piece:

Fortunately for Rubin, Sanjay Jha was in just as dire a position. Jha, the new co-CEO of Motorola, had been talking to Rubin for months, hoping to persuade him to let Motorola build the next Android phone. Once the dominant mobile device maker in the world, Motorola hadn’t had a major success since the Razr—in 2004. Jha had been hired in August 2008 to resurrect Motorola’s handset business, and he had pursued an all-or-nothing strategy, laying off thousands and betting Motorola’s future on his ability to build a hit Android phone. Now Jha had come to Google headquarters to unveil his design—and it was impressive. Jha promised a device that would be far faster than any other smartphone. He said its touchscreen would have a higher resolution than the iPhone. He said it would come with a full keyboard, for customers who didn’t like the iPhone’s virtual keys. He promised a phone that was thin and sleek, one that could compete with the iPhone on pure aesthetics. And, thanks to his longstanding relationship with Verizon, he offered the potential of a partnership with the country’s then second-largest wireless carrier; in fact, Motorola and Verizon had already discussed building a smartphone together. “We were all kind of jazzed,” says Hiroshi Lockheimer, one of Rubin’s chief lieutenants, who was at the meeting. “I think we said OK on the spot.” But that optimism faded a few months later, in the spring of 2009, when the first prototype arrived in the Android offices. To Rubin’s eyes, they looked nothing like the designs Jha had presented. Indeed, they were hideous. Yes, there is always a gap between a manufacturer’s sketches and the eventual prototype, but Rubin and his team had so much faith in Jha that they expected him to deliver a phone much closer to the one he had pitched. Despair set in. “It looked like a weapon. It was so sharp and jagged and full of hard lines. It looked like you could cut yourself on the edges,” says someone who saw the prototype. “We were really concerned. There were a lot of conversations where we asked, ‘Is this really the device we want to do? Should we try to talk Motorola out of it?’” The implications of canceling the project were huge. Another dud, right on the heels of the disappointing G1, might cement the public’s perception of Android as a flop. Executives at Verizon, who had agreed to serve as the phone’s exclusive carrier, would look inept. They were still taking heat for passing on the iPhone. Apple had gone to AT&T instead, signing an exclusive deal and bringing the carrier millions of new customers. And a failure would likely mean the end of Motorola, the company that invented the cell phone. “There was a lot riding on it,” Rubin says. “I was betting my career on it.” A sense of doom pervaded the whole summer. Google engineers worried the phone wouldn’t sell but still found themselves working weekends and holidays to develop the software. Jha spoke almost every day with John Stratton, Verizon Communications’ chief marketing officer at the time, trying to figure out a way to tweak the design without having to reengineer all the electronic components. Meanwhile, they were facing a November deadline. And the phone still didn’t have a name. McCann, Verizon’s longtime ad agency, had come up with a list of possibilities—including Dynamite—that few liked. As late as Labor Day, the phone still went by its codename, Shoals. Feeling cornered, Stratton reached out to McGarry Bowen, a young ad agency known for its unconventional approach. “We told them they had a week,” said someone who was involved in the discussions. “A few days later, cofounder Gordon Bowen comes back and says, ‘What do you think when I say Droid?” In retrospect, what the agency had done was simple: It turned the phone’s menacing looks into its biggest asset by marketing it as an anti-iPhone. The iPhone was smooth and refined, so they would pitch the Droid as rough and ready for work. The iPhone’s electronics and software were inaccessible, so they’d market the phone’s hackability. “If there had been a phone in the movie Black Hawk Down, it would have looked like the Droid,” Bowen told the executives. A few weeks later, in early October 2009, Verizon and its new agency presented the Droid campaign to a group of 200 Android staffers. One ad featured stealth bombers dropping phones on a farm, in the woods, and by the side of a road. Another attacked the iPhone as a “digitally clueless beauty pageant queen.” A third listed all the things the Droid could do that the iPhone couldn’t. When they were over, the room erupted in applause. The Android team had been demoralized, but “when they decided they were going to do this full-on attack on the iPhone—that we were going to war—we got really excited,” says an Android employee. Apparently you didn’t have to work at Google to love the campaign. When the Droid launched, on schedule, it was a tremendous hit, outpacing sales of the original iPhone in its first three months. Motorola started to make an amazing turnaround; today, thanks to the Droid, it is profitable again. Verizon started winning more new subscribers. It also improved its bargaining position with Apple. Less than two years later, when the two companies introduced the Verizon iPhone, the carrier managed to get a better deal from Apple than AT&T had. Most important, the Droid halted Apple’s march toward smartphone dominance. In fact, it is by some measures outpacing its rival, powering 23 percent of all smartphones worldwide in 2010—more recent estimates are even higher—compared with the iPhone’s 16 percent. (Symbian still accounted for 38 percent of smartphones, on average, in 2010, while the BlackBerry OS accounted for 16 percent, but both were trending sharply downward.) Users activate more than 300,000 new Android devices every day; by comparison, as of October, combined iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch sales accounted for about 275,000 daily activations. Even Steve Jobs seems rattled; last October, he dropped in on an investors’ phone call to deliver a rant on what he sees as Android’s flaws.

Anyone interested in the Motorola Dynamite? I highly recommend you cruise over to Wired and finish off the entire article. And not to get all emotional on you all, but this definitely hit home for me. This blog was founded on the original "OG" DROID, so to finally hear the story behind it brings a smile to face and maybe even a couple of tears of joy. We wouldn't have an amazing community like this to hang out with everyday if this phone had not have been such a smashing success. Good stuff.

Swiftkey Releases New Betas for Tablet and Phone, Personalization Options Learn From Your Life

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:26:21 +0000

If you a part of the Swiftkey beta program, then you are likely already enjoying a new update that just went live this morning for both phone and tablet. What was included, you ask? A new Personalization service tops the list and allows one of our favorite keyboards to learn from some of your most used services such as Gmail, Facebook and Twitter. Similar to the way Swiftkey already learns from your SMS app, these new Personalization features take the learning a step further and into your social life. Makes sense, right? Other phone changes:

Adjusted prediction parameters to improve prediction and correction
Improved response times
Improved battery usage

Other tablet changes:

Adjusted prediction parameters to improve prediction and correction
Increased split-screen key size
Improved response times
Improved battery usage
No keyboard animations (for improved speed)

To get these new betas, you'll have to join the Swiftkey VIP program which is free. You can sign up at the links below. Phone thread | Tablet thread

Skype on Android Updated: Security Vulnerabilities Fixed, 3G Calling Tossed In

Kellen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:33:04 +0000

After surviving the firestorm of bad press that accompanied news of Skype's lack of protection over your personal information, the company has reached out to make sure that all of our readers know that their info is now secure. An update has been released to the Android Market which fixes the blatantly obvious vulnerability that was discovered last week. We're hoping this means they went back to Encryption 101 and received a passing grade. Skype has not had 1 reported example of a 3rd party application accessing any of their customer's personal info. They will continue to monitor the situation for the foreseeable future to make sure that everyone understands their commitment to security. Oh, they also tossed in nationwide 3G calling (including the U.S.), something that only Verizon customers previously enjoyed. Well, that was nice of them. And before anyone asks, we'll just cut this one off at the pass. NO, the leaked Skype with video has not been fixed. Market Link

Motorola Assures Everyone Through Twitter that the DROID Bionic is Not "Cancelled"

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:06:16 +0000

This DROID Bionic cancellation situation just keeps getting more interesting by the minute. First it was a Motorola spokesperson this morning talking about "enhancements", and now @Motorola has decided to insert itself into the fold with a whole barrage of tweets. They definitely want to make sure you are aware that a phone with the name "Bionic" attached to it will be available this summer and that more details surrounding the device will be available later. OK, they didn't say exactly that, but since we've been told that the Targa has moved into the Bionic's slot, that's how we are interpreting these messages. And maybe to help stop some of the confusion we've seen in our other posts affiliated with this topic, I should point out that "Targa" is just a code name much like "Etna" was for the original Bionic and "Olympus" was for the Atrix. So, what does that mean exactly? Well, if the Etna has indeed been axed, then I would say there is a name up for grabs, wouldn't you? Cheers @AnurajBhatt!

New DROID Contest in the Works from @DroidLanding? Account Reactivates Itself

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:31:45 +0000

Get your Twitter clients ready for a new DROID contest courtesy of our friends behind the @DroidLanding account. After almost 5 months of silence, they just sent a tweet which we're assuming is hinting at some DROID Charge or Incredible 2 goodness. Both phones should be here on April 28 - it's about to get silky in here. Cheers Mark, Brandon and Max!

Tuesday Poll: Are you still interested in a tablet?

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:18:31 +0000

We're now almost 2 full months into the life of the Motorola XOOM, and while the device has been a pleasure to use for some, I'm starting to hear from users who were not so pleased and actually returned theirs. It just makes me wonder if this tablet arena is overrated or already overrun by a certain fruit-logo'd company. Basically, what I'm asking is: if you are not interested in owning the latest stretched out app jukebox device (yes, the iPad2), then are you interested in a tablet at all? The XOOM (our review) received mixed reviews, the G-Slate is getting torn apart for being a 3D-gimmick, the Playbook was unfinished, and the Flyer might not even launch with Honeycomb. What do you guys think? And as always, feel free to express your thoughts on tablets in general in the comments. [poll id="76"]

Verizon's NFL Mobile App Will Cover 2011 Draft, is that a DROIDX2 in the Commercial for it?

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:31:37 +0000

So Verizon, where'd the camera button go on that DROIDX in your new commercial? That wouldn't be a DROIDX2, would it? As many of you know, it's long been rumored that the new DROIDX2 would lack a physical camera button since the on-screen one does a fine job by itself, but is there any chance that Big Red would slip it in a commercial weeks before it has even been announced? At first glance, we certainly thought they did...and then we stumbled upon the 19 second mark while going frame-by-frame and found a red blotch lookin' as DROIDX-y as ever. Hypebeast.

Oh, and if the 2011 NFL Draft is of interest, feel free to get all of your coverage from the NFL Mobile app. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HasADNKNIkM[/youtube] Cheers Ken!

Verizon’s “Mess” of New 4G LTE Cities are…

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:20:39 +0000

Verizon tweeted yesterday that it would be flipping the switch on a "mess" of new 4G LTE cities come Thursday, which we were hoping meant anywhere from 20-50 cities, but boy were we off. Well, so far. Big Red dumped a slew of early press releases over the last 24 hours - one for each of the 6 cities that should be live by the end of the week. And actually, we wouldn't be surprised if many of you in the cities listed below already had 4G LTE coverage. According to our Twitter feed yesterday, we had 4G service popping up all over the east coast. Lucky, lucky. The early list:

Columbia, SC
Cleveland, TN
Clarksville, TN
Wilmington, NC
Hilton Head, SC
Lehigh Valley, PA

Nothing on the west coast. Here's to hoping they aren't stopping with these 6 and by the time Thursday gets here, we have another 14 or so to add on. Via: Verizon

Preview: BaconReader Alpha

Matt Demers — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:45:31 +0000

You know what guys? I almost made a major faux-pas when I went to type out this post. I mean, after writing an entire column about how "beta" was becoming a shield for developers to hide behind I almost labelled this post a review. BaconReader is an application for browsing the website Reddit.com; while this may seem counter-intuitive to just using your phone's browser, the app brings a lot to the table in terms of functionality and usability. It's the same kind of thing with having a Twitter client or the "Facebook for Android" app on your phone: sure, you could use your mobile browser for that, but sometimes it just doesn't cut it. At the moment, Reddit does have a mobile interface (http://www.reddit.com/.compact), and it's quite usable. There's also another app called Reddit is Fun that replicates that functionality with an emphasis on speed. However, BaconReader adds a lot of polish to its interface, making it look like Reddit paid good money to have it developed. Other features include previews of all shapes and sizes (images, YouTube, article) and management of your Reddit account. With a couple clicks you can manage incoming messages and subreddits, as well as filter the threads you want to see with a hide button. While these might seem like really elementary features, its been hard to get this experience on a mobile app. I mean, I've used Reddit is Fun for awhile now, but I've really been converted to BaconReader because it looks like it's more than something that was cobbled together as a part time project. It looks like it deserves to be in the Marketplace and making money; this extra effort in usability wins it points from me. But I'm not going to go too much into that, because this isn't a review. In reality, BaconReader's just getting into its alpha phase right now; I signed up for initial testing awhile back, but you can register for updates at BaconReader.com.

Evernote Updated to Version 3.0: More Sharing, Map Fun, and New Widget Added

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:50:53 +0000

So Evernote just received a giant update today, bringing it up to version 3.0. In it, you'll find everything you see listed above. I'd say more, but instead I need to ask a few questions to all of the Evernote users in the building that I've been dying to find answers to. What exactly do you all use this app for? It seems to have this cult following of tech geeks, but I'm just not getting it. What are you all taking notes of? I used it for X-mas gift lists last year and have used it for grocery trips at times, but other than that, I'm struggling to find reasons for this to be in my life. Is there an underground note-taking society that I need to join? Are you all sharing pr0n collection lists? I'd love to hear what I'm missing out on. Oh, and new feature video after the jump. Download Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usUg-CdJEKo[/youtube] More info at the Evernote blog.

DROID Bionic Launch Pushed Back, Motorola Incorporating "Several Enhancements" to Make for Better Experience

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:31:39 +0000

In not-so-surprising news today, the WSJ is reporting that the DROID Bionic has been pushed back from its original Q2 release date while Motorola incorprates new enhancements to make for a better overall phone. Here is what Motorola specifically said:

"Based on compelling feedback since the show, we are incorporating several enhancements to make this an even better consumer experience," a Motorola spokeswoman said.

We have talked for a week now about the possibility of it being cancelled, and are still sticking by that report. Well, "cancelled" might not be the right term, but we can almost guarantee that the Bionic pictured above will not be the one you purchase this summer. There we go droppin' even more hints. Via: WSJ Cheers Nathan!

LauncherPro Update with Skinning Support Hits Market

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:08:20 +0000

The beta version for LauncherPro with skinning support was released at the end of the last week, so many of you have already had a chance to enjoy some of the early released skins. It's time to check your My Apps page in the Market though, because the official version just went live. Gotta stay up-to-date, right? I should point out that other than this new skinning support, Fede also reduced the memory usage of LP in hopes of cutting out those random force closes. Download Link

New RUU Leaks for HTC Thunderbolt - Fixes GPS, Audio Recording and LTE Hand-off (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:29:28 +0000

Mr. JCase whom you may know from Team AndIRC, dropped a new RUU for the HTC Thunderbolt this morning, one that is potentially an OTA update which could be here any day. He's tweaked it just enough so that you will keep root if you flash this, but know that you will indeed lose all of your apps and other user data. This definitely wipes everything. Luckily, we all should be using the mighty Titanium Backup at this point, so wiping isn't a worry. So what does this new update fix? Some things that have troubled many of you:

GPS Location Services

LTE/3G Transitions

Audio Recording

Video Playback

Proximity Sensor drain

SQLite API

Update: The full RUU for non-rooted users is on the way...stay tuned. Update 2: Non-rooted users: Full RUU download for non-rooted users. Download Link Rooted users: Download Link (MD5SUM: 53e78863b7cc829261b4c6e1b984c200) *Rename to PG05IMG.zip, drop it on SD card, flash in HBOOT. Full support can be found at this XDA thread. Full RUU thread.

DROID Incredible 2 Showcase App Hits Market

Kellen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 07:43:42 +0000

A new showcase app for the DROID Incredible 2 showed up last night and is usually a pretty good sign that the device will be here any day. Actually, we already know that the current scheduled release date is April 28th, but as you all also know, we like to check things off the list as those dates approach - this being one of them. This is similar to the showcase app we saw for the Thunderbolt, and includes mostly Tbolt videos, but it confirms the specs we posted for you over the weekend. I wouldn't recommend downloading this, as it doesn't do much for you and makes your GPS constantly run in the background. Just know that we're getting closer. Download Link Cheers @jsprake1!

Is HBO GO Headed to Android on May 2?

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:52:20 +0000

Early last week, HBO announced its new HBO GO and MAX GO services for subscribers that want to watch their catalog of award winning shows and movies online, but it caught our attention because it mentioned that Android support was on the way. And while the press release may have said "later this year" as a release time frame, one of our readers noticed an HBO GO commercial that aired at the end of the premier for Game of Thrones last night with a date of 05.02.11. Unfortunately for Comcast users, the service will continue to redirect you to an Xfinity page, so even if this app does go live in a couple of weeks, you'll likely be locked out of it. DirecTV users though, you are golden. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jva6uah9cNI[/youtube] To find out if you'll have access, check out the HBO GO signup page. Cheers Matt!

GoLauncher EX Receives First Two Widgets: Task Manager and Contacts

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:57:52 +0000

Fans of GOLauncher should be excited after receiving today's update and finding out that they now have 2 widgets to bring them closer to some of the other big dog launchers. Well, they should only be half-excited since one of them is a task manager. Yep, they opted for a task manager over say, a Facebook, Twitter or even calendar widget. At this point, anyone with any knowledge of Android knows that task managers are useless after updating to Froyo, so it's a little puzzling that they would go this route, unless of course their userbase is all pre-2.2. At least the contacts widget is decent! And I will admit though, that I'm excited to see the GO team start to release widgets and hope they continue to pump out more in the very near future. Truthfully, if it weren't for our dual-obsession with ADW and LP, we'd definitely be using GO as our daily flavor. To use these widgets, you'll need GOLauncher installed. After that, hit up the links below to install each widget separately. Then add them to your home screens just like you would any other widget. Task Manager Widget | Contacts Widget Cheers David!

Facebook on Android Updates, Friend Tagging in Status Updates Arrives

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:10:29 +0000

A decent Facebook update for Android just became available, giving socialites the ability to tag their friends when updating their status. You can also search your friends easier and add your phone number to your profile. Stalk, stalk, stalk! Oh, and to tag a friend, just type "@" and then their name to see a list appear.

Download Link Cheers shroomz!

Apple Sues Samsung Over Nexus S and Galaxy Line, Copies Look and Feel of iPhone and iPad

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:38:13 +0000

I hate for this to sound like I'm defending Apple here, but is anyone actually surprised at them suing Samsung? Just look at the photo above of a Galaxy S device and what I'm assuming is an iPhone 3GS. It has the same curves, same cheesy icons, same ugly dock bar and pretty much the same overall look in general. When I reviewed the Fascinate back in September, I couldn't help but point out that it mimicked an iPhone, and many of you mentioned it as well. Here is what Apple had to say about our Android friends from Korea:

"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," the lawsuit said.

So the Galaxy S line of phones I get, but not the Nexus S and Galaxy Tab. The Nexus S may have curved corners, but just about every smartphone on the planet has those these days. And the Galaxy Tab isn't even near the size of the iPad, nor does its UI look anything like iOS. If Apple plans to sue Samsung over those devices, then they might as well start suing everyone. Silly mobile industry. Thoughts? Via: WSJ

Motorola XOOM Clockwork Recovery Now Available, Full Backups Are Go

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:31:56 +0000

With SD card support being added to the XOOM late last week, we knew the Clockwork Recovery would be soon to follow. And sure enough, it was released yesterday, allowing those of us with XOOMs to create full nandroid backups to our SD cards and feel much better about our hacking adventures. Full support thread including download and instructions here. *Pro Tip - When inserting an SD card, do not drop it in the SIM slot or you may be sending your XOOM back to Motorola to have them fish it out. Yeah, I'm talking about me. Update: Fixed my XOOM! A T5 screwdriver and 4 screws later and I fished it out. Cheers Graham and Luis!

Speedtest.net Receives Android Overhaul, Appears to Handle Thunderbolt 4G LTE Tests Correctly

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:11:51 +0000

We just got a hold of the new Speedtest.net HD app before it hits the market and wanted to show you guys the nice job they've done with its UI and also the fact that it now appears to correctly calculate 4G LTE results on the HTC Thunderbolt. To test it, we ran (drove) all the way out to Portland's airport, since the rest of the city isn't covered at this time and put it through a whole series of tests. The results, as you may have expected, are awesome. And with Verizon announcing today that Thursday would mark the launch of a "mess" of new 4G LTE cities, this has got to turn you on. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ8OKhjx0K8[/youtube] Update: The update to the Speedtest.net app is now available to everyone. Cheers Chris!

Signals23 Ports LauncherPro Plus Themes Collection Over as Skins

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:43:29 +0000

Our buddy signals23 who has been pumping out LauncherPro Plus themes for months now, is already using the newly released LP skinning engine to port over his entire collection. And actually, he has most of them up in the market for you to download - some free and some $.99. It sounds (and looks) like he's about half way done, but the plan is to have them all there in the very near future. Download them all from the signals23 Anroid Market page. For those of you new to "skinning," here are a few tips. You will need to have LauncherPro Plus, which now has an unlocker in the market. From there, you download skins of your choice which can be found at the signals23 link above. After downloading, navigate to Preferences>LP Widget Settings and then tap on the widget of choice. You will then see an option to "Select Skin" which gives you a drop down of the skins you have installed. Choose one, back out to your home screen and add that widget. *Note - Each time you change skins, you'll have to remove and re-add the affected widget.

DROID Charge Launching April 28, DROID Bionic Originally Scheduled for May 12?

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:34:33 +0000

First things first, let's talk about the DROID Charge and the April 28 launch date you are seeing listed for it above. We're starting to hear from a variety of people that next Thursday should be massive with the launch of both the Incredible 2, Charge and then possibly even the Xperia PLAY, although there are rumors that the Japan earthquakes have delayed that phone. We good there? Bionic time. Since our report that the DROID Bionic would be cancelled in favor of the Targa, there have been a lot of rumors floating around the interwebs, so I'd just like to add a little something to help ease your minds. Like we had said in that cancellation post, the Targa would be moved into the Bionic's place, but trust me when I say that you should be happy this is happening. So that 5/12 date you are seeing above, is just an old one - we've still got at least 2 months to go kiddies. While that isn't nearly as poetic as our Panda friend can be on occasion and doesn't include nearly as many details as I'd like to give you, I think you can dig enough into that to get a good feel for the situation. Cheers ___!

Verizon About to Flip Switch on "Mess" of New 4G LTE Cities this Thursday

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:53:15 +0000

HTC Thunderbolt owners, prepare for more 4G LTE coverage. Verizon just announced via Twitter that they will activate their shiny new high speed network this Thursday in a "mess" of cities and towns, most of which should be from this list. Just tell me that Portland will be one of them...please? And if you see that 4G icon pop up on your device for the first time, be sure to let us know in the comments here, but most definitely on Twitter. Via: Twitter

Easter Edition of Angry Birds Seasons is Now Available

Kellen — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:36:54 +0000

The update for the Easter edition of Angry Birds Seasons that was previewed by Rovio yesterday is now available on the Android Market. Not sure about Amazon yet, so those if you with the ad-free may have to wait it out just a bit. The update itself though, brings 15 new levels, another 3 that look to be unlockable through Twitter, and some special golden eggs. Another solid update to this franchise of silly games that so many just can't seem to get enough of. Download Link

Cheers Gotska81 and everyone else!

Video: Angry Bird Seasons Easter Edition Preview

Kellen — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:33:44 +0000

There is a pretty good chance that the new Easter edition of Angry Birds Seasons will be here this week, but until then, feel free to feast your eyes on the new preview that Rovio just released. Cute bunny ears are everywhere. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OagPEBfmMw0[/youtube] Cheers 0mie!

DROID Incredible 2 Shows Up on Verizon Website

Kellen — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 08:54:07 +0000

A reader stumbled upon the device page for the DROID Incredible 2 just minutes ago, making that April 28th "All Channels" launch date almost look too far away. Is there still a chance we could see this phone next Thursday, April 21? It's not all that likely, but with the DROID Charge seemingly set for the 28th as well, it wouldn't surprise us if one of them showed up next week. The device page for the Inc2 doesn't include any surprises, but that's likely because we already gave you things like the user guide and official specs. Oh and I should point out that the screenie up top mentions Skype Mobile. With video? Hmmm. One more shot below.

Cheers Yianni!

Trillian is Today's FREE App from Amazon

Kellen — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:30:55 +0000

One of our favorite chatting apps, Trillian, is today's free app from the Amazon Appstore. Normally priced at a $4.99 (which is silly), I'd definitely recommend grabbing this one before the end of today. Trillian connects to services like AIM, Facebook Chat, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, and ICQ, which pretty much covers them all. Download Link Cheers Dave!

DROIDX Pours Beer in New Bud Light Commercial, Yes Beer

Kellen — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 09:36:13 +0000

Note to advertising companies: mix beer and Android together in a commercial and we'll feature it every single time. Even if it is Bud Light. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVxqk5JAvIc[/youtube] Cheers @andrew53517!

DROID Incredible 2 Confirmation on April 28 Launch, Full Spec Sheet

Kellen — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 09:15:41 +0000

A couple of days ago we saw April 28 pop up as the "All Channels" launch for the DROID Incredible 2 and we've got information to further confirm that. We've also got the entire official spec sheet for the device in case there was something you didn't already know. Again, it's global, comes packed with a 16GB SD card, a 4" Super LCD screen, 1GHz processor and SRS WOW HD surround sound. Yeah, I'd say it's a nice addition to the DROID family. More after the jump. [gallery link="file" orderby="ID"]

DROID Incredible 2 to Feature Bloatware Sorting, App Drawer with New Filters

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:20:38 +0000

This is probably just a built-in feature for Sense 2.1 that will come with the DROID Incredible 2, but it's also one of the first times we've really seen Verizon tweak HTC's skin in such a way. What you are seeing above and below, is the new app drawer that will come on the Incredible 2 and will allow different filtering options (all, frequent, and downloaded), including a way to sort by Verizon's pre-loaded apps which seem to be piling up by the day. I have to admit that I'm glad they are including the frequent and downloaded apps filters, but I'm guessing many of you will not be using the Big Red inspired one much. One more pic after the jump.

Cheers money!

DROIDX2 Gets Benchmarked on Video, Definitely Looking Like Dual-core

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:15:10 +0000

Clearly the DROIDX2 is no longer a secret. After probably a dozen leaked videos and pictures of it now, we pretty much know all there is to know about a device that will attempt to match the success of its predecessor. We had heard long ago that it would be a dual-core device, so this latest video which shows off an amazing benchmark isn't all that surprising. This phone really is just like the original, but it has a 4.3" qHD (960x540) screen, dual-core processor (potentially 1.2GHz), bump to 768MB of RAM and no camera button. Other than that, it would be tough for the novice phone user to even tell the difference between the two. And I'm still dumbfounded by the decision to not included a front-facing camera in this phone.

Skype Acknowledges Security Issues with Android App, Begins Work on a Fix

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:26:30 +0000

As many of you know by now, Skype was outed as having one of the least secure apps on Android, and has already issued a statement to help ease the minds of its users. They definitely didn't deny any of it and are now working hard to make sure that the personal information of their 10million+ users is safe and secure. They even took a page from our book and are also advising against late night "sexy girl pictures" searches in the Android Market. Via: Skype

Download: DROID Incredible 2 User Manual

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:21:33 +0000

With the DROID Incredible 2 set to launch on April 28th, we figured that many of you would like to check out the full user guide to prepare yourselves for Sense 2.1 consumption. That's right, the Incredible 2 will launch with a newer version of Sense than the Thunderbolt, giving users opting for this 4G-less phone at least one thing to brag about. Download: Incredible2UG.pdf Have fun with that.

DROID Charge vs. Internal and External Competition, Plus Official Specs

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:18:18 +0000

We broke news earlier on the DROID Charge having the ability to connect up to 10 devices through its mobile hotspot app, but we're back with more. Been wondering how the device compares to the competition both inside and outside of Verizon? Above we have the battle between it and the Inspire 4G, Atrix 4G, myTouch 4G and EVO 4G. And below, we have the Charge compared to other Big Red devices like the Thunderbolt, Fascinate, DROID 2 Global and i*hone 4.

LauncherPro Releases Skinning Engine, Beta Version of App Available Now

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:47:55 +0000

Our boy Fede released a new skinning engine for LauncherPro today that will allow some of our favorite themers to attack widgets and make them beautiful without requiring you to install a whole new version of the app. The hope is to launch the full version in the market Monday (or so), but themers can get to work now so that we can enjoy some fabulous skins ahead of time. I should also point out that this will allow you to set different skins for each of your LP widgets, so you are not just stuck with one particular theme. Nice, right? +1 Fede. Download: LauncherPro_WidgetSkinningBeta.apk Here are the dirty details of this new engine:

(Almost) All of the graphics you see on the widgets will be skinnable. That includes header background, the shadow below the header, the widget body background, the footer background, refresh icon, buttons (for example, the Timeline/Mentions/DM buttons on the Twitter widget), etc.
Most backgrounds should be 9-patch images
Most clickable images, like buttons and the footer (refresh bar) should have two states; normal and pressed. When the user presses the button/image, it will change to the pressed graphic.
You'll be able to change the color of any text elements on the widgets.
Changing text sizes might not make it into the first SDK, but will definitely come in future updates.
More fine-tuning options like changing element positions and dimensions will also come in future updates. This first release should provide enough customization to create some cool skins.

All of the instructions for skinning can be found at this thread. And here is a sample skin that someone already created. Cheers everyone!

Last Day to Order this Limited Droid Life T-Shirt!

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:46:14 +0000

It's hard to image that 4 days have almost gone by since we announced the release of this limited edition Droid Life shirt designed by Chris Bishop. But we said Friday at midnight would be the cutoff, and we're now just hours away. So grab this exclusive shirt now for just $17! This might be the last time you ever see it!

Purchase Here

NetTALK on Android Allows You to Make Outgoing Calls on Motorola XOOM

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:49:29 +0000

Our fine friends over at XDA managed to sideload the .apk for netTALK onto a Motorola XOOM and noticed that it actually allowed them to make calls over both WiFi and 3G. For whatever reason though, it won't allow you to accept calls, but making them brings us at least half way there, doesn't it? As you can see from the screenie above, it definitely worked on my XOOM, although the mic did not appear to be working so the conversation was sort of 1-way. I'm sure someone will tweak it enough to work in no time though. You can download the app here and try it for yourself. Via: XDA, TheDroidGuy

Samsung Fascinate Froyo Source Released...Wait What?

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:05:04 +0000

That's right folks, the Samsung Fascinate source code of Froyo (Android 2.2) has been released, but that doesn't mean you can have it on your phone yet. Well, unless you've rooted it and can wait a few hours for developers to pounce on it. For those of you that are running stock 2.1 though, you are still stuck waiting for Verizon to make it available to your phone. And if you were wondering, this hasn't been standard practice in the past by any means. Normally an update comes out and the source is released weeks if not months later, so this is a great sign coming from Samsung. Let's also not forget that they released the DROID Charge source and that phone hasn't even been made available yet. +1 Sammie. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for a notification from Verizon on an update. Via: XDA Cheers Andrew!

Skype on Android Might Be One of the Least Secure Apps on the Planet

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:46:45 +0000

The over 10 million users of the standard Skype app in the Android market may be leaving their personal information wide open for a potential hacker to easily peruse. According to our friends over at Android Police, Skype is leaving your contacts, profile, instant message logs, and more without encryption or proper permissions. Actually, that isn't even the tip of the iceberg here. All of your friends' information, cell phone number, date of birth, etc. etc. can all be exposed without much work by even a novice hacker. To prove that this information is readily available, AP tossed together a quick app that grabbed everything it asked for from within Skype directories without having root access or any other special permissions. Pretty shocking, right? Oh, this also affects the leaked Skype with video as well, but for some reason, Skype made sure to lock down the Verizon version. Skype is apparently looking into the issue, but for now if you can't part ways with the app, I'd recommend that you refrain from downloading any odd apps from the market for a couple of days and stick with well-known developers. Basically, I'm saying that this wouldn't be the time for a late night "Sexy Girls" search in any Android market. Via: Android Police

DROID Charge Training Begins at Verizon (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:18:14 +0000

DROID Charge training officially started today for Verizon employees, only, we're still not 100% sure when it'll be available. For the last few days, it's looked like April 28th would be the day, but after seeing that date pop for the Incredible 2, we're pretty much just guessing at this point. Would be odd for Big Red to release two DROIDs on the same day wouldn't it? We still have this feeling that one of them will be next followed by the other on the 28th. Stay tuned! Update: We're told that the training makes reference to the fact that the Charge can support 10 (yes, ten) devices through it's mobile hotspot app, 2 more than the Thunderbolt. Not bad. Update 2: Here are all of the official specs for the Charge. Also, how it compares to a variety of other leading Android devices. Cheers Spaniard!

White Samsung Nexus S Hands-on and Gallery, Boy Does Stock Android Feel Good

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:20:28 +0000

Stepping out of our Verizon realm for a second, I wanted to show everyone the newest edition to the DL lineup of phones, the white Samsung Nexus S. While it feels really weird (like a cheating girlfriend) even holding this phone since I had to activate it on AT&T in order to get 3G and data, the point of this is to let you all know that there are still stock Google Experience devices out there and they are a breath of fresh air. I've only had the device for 2 days now and haven't been able to put it down. It constantly brings back memories of the original DROID and all its stock goodness. I just keep asking, "Why can't we get this Verizon? Why?" Now, I'll be the first to admit that I really like HTC's Sense, but if two devices were set in front of me and one was stock, it wouldn't matter what that other phone was because I know that the stock phone gives me freedom and would choose it instantly. There are rumors that the Nexus S will one day land on Verizon, but unfortunately those rumors seem to be dying off as we get closer to the summer. There are also murmurs of carriers offering up a couple of special "developer" devices each year, but as the year goes on and we have no official word on that, it's hard to know if that will ever happen. With more and more manufacturers jumping on the locked-down bandwagon, we may only see one per year - phones like the one pictured above. So instead of rambling on for pages and pages which I could easily do on this subject, I'll instead just leave you all with a couple of questions as we like to do from time to time. When was the last time you held a truly stock Android phone? We're all fans of Big Red at this site, but would you be willing to switch carriers just for a stock experience? *Note - Just so we're clear, I don't want anyone to think I'm cheating on them and going blue. The Thunderbolt and other Verizon devices are still my daily drivers. This was a purchase for the site, so that we can bring you detailed coverage of the newest Android OS releases when they come out. Something we've lacked in the past. Pics and a quick video of the device after the break.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTiCz_skgmk[/youtube]

[gallery link="file" columns="4"]

Outbreak! Zombie Apocalypse is the Coolest Social Check-in Android App

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:12:02 +0000

Forget Foursquare and Google Places, this is the check-in app for Android that you should all get if you live in a city. Outbreak! Zombie Apocalypse is a pretty radical attempt at a location-based role playing game. The idea here, is that while you are out and about on the town, you can check into the app by scanning your thumb to see of zombies or clean people are around you and either attack them or infect them depending on your status. The more attacks you commit, the more points and rewards you receive. As a society that seems thrilled with zombie flicks, this game just screams "Awesome!" This game has been out for a few weeks now, but seems to really be picking up steam as more users are signing up. For those of you in Portland, you better watch yourselves. I'm clean now, but can guarantee that I will be for long!

Download Link | Instructions on how to play Cheers Timoh and everyone else!

DROID Incredible 2 Now Launching April 28? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:42:10 +0000

So we'll try and ignore the fact that the screenshot above says "4/28/2010" and assume that the date below it showing the current year is the correct one. Can you all wait exactly 2 weeks before buying your DROID Incredible 2? We're pretty sure the DROID Charge is already launching on that day, so this comes as a little bit of a surprise. Our money was on the Inc2 next week, but hey, Verizon has done some whacky things over the last couple of months, so let's not put anything past them. Update: More Incredible 2 cases are now appearing in stores. We sure it's not launching next week?

Via: DroidDog

DROID Pro Update to Version 3.8.7.XT610 Ready for Launch

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:34:55 +0000

An update for the DROID Pro appears to be ready for launch and will bring the device up to Blur version 3.8.7.XT610 which isn't Gingerbread, but does appear to be a new numbering scheme for Blur. After the 43.8MB update, you'll see much better ActiveSync support and the VCAST Appstore along with some other tweaks to the corporate side of things. Feel free to head into Settings>About>System Updates to see if the update is ready.

More info.

DROID Charge Price Tags Show Up at Wal-mart Stores, is $298.88 Far Too High?

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:49:24 +0000

Maybe it's the "DROID" tag that has been attached to it, otherwise, I can't figure out how Samsung or Verizon can justify a $300 price tag for this phone. Sure, the DROID Charge has a beautiful 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus screen, but it's still running Android 2.2 and TouchWiz with a single-core processor. It also doesn't appear to be launching with the 32GB SD card or even close to the 768MB of RAM that the Thunderbolt has. I keep expecting there to be a surprise announcement about it having a dual-core or something, but so far haven't heard a thing. This has to be coming down at final launch, right? Our MAP'd pricing list sure isn't suggesting so though. Oh, and all signs are pointing to April 28th for this device to be released. If I were a betting man, I'd peg the Incredible 2 for next Thursday, with the Charge jumping in right behind it the following week. Cheers S!

Rumor: Has the DROID BIONIC Been Cancelled? (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:00:32 +0000

First of all, we want to make sure you are all clear that this is just one giant rumor at this point, but that we've heard enough behind the scenes to at least raise the question. We have always tried to keep you guys in the loop when we start hearing murmurs of things, and this is no different. Here we go... While I can't go into a lot of details on what I've been told, just know that word on the street suggests that the DROID BIONIC has possibly been scrapped completely or severely delayed for the Targa. This is a subject that has been tossed around with our sources for a couple of weeks now, but things have really come forward in the last couple of days. Update: Looks like Howard Forums members are hearing similar things. Update 2: Mr. Panda weighed in the other day at AC forums... (Cheers Paul!)

The Bionic will not be cancelled and is well on track for the expected release date. The issues that alot of people are claiming are due to release to larger testing group. Does the device have issues?? YES.. will be kill a release? NO chance in hell.. Its a 4.3 inch display dual core proc device running LTE, so battery and performance tweaks are ongoing with Motorola on a almost daily basis.

Update 3: Our Panda friend is now hearing that changes are in order...

A recent story came out about the much anticipated Droid Bionic from Motorola being scrapped. I checked into it and yes there are legs to it, but the final nail in the “bionic” has not been hammered as of yet.

Take it all for what it's worth, but also know that we have reached out to Motorola for comment. Update 4: You can pretty much ignore the paragraph below. And to counteract this rumor, let me just say that the device not ever seeing a store shelf would surprise the heck out of me. Other than the Atrix, this was THE device to see at CES this year and has been the #1 requested phone on this site since January. Many of you are waiting to upgrade because you want this phone and no other and I don't blame you. Let's just hope we have more details soon, but a delay sounds more likely to me than anything. Keep it here...

Motorola DROID CommandOne Bluetooth Headset Available Now?

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:32:11 +0000

We're still trying to wrap our heads around the idea of a DROID-branded Bluetooth headset, but after seeing the little case that comes with this CommandOne version, we're loving the idea. Well, except for that $129.99 price tag. But seriously, jump past the break and see the DROID-styled case that you can put your cute little Bluetooth ear piece in for maximum DROID protection. Can someone just send me the case? And if you buy one, please put that case to use when you aren't driving. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT wear your CommandOne into the grocery store, gym, or other public arena; it just looks...just don't be that guy. Apparently you grab one now if your local Verizon store has them on the shelves.

Via: Phandroid

HTC Thunderbolt 1700mAh Battery Now Available

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:23:01 +0000

Bringing up the battery life on the HTC Thunderbolt is like fingers scraping across a chalkboard, but I still wanted to point out that a 1700mAh battery is now available for it. Up until now, you've had Seidio's overpriced 1600mAh version or the ugliest battery on the face of the Earth aka the 2750mAh from HTC. So while this isn't a huge jump, it is an option that some of you 4G hogs may want to consider. As of right now, it only looks like it's available on eBay or HTC Express which I've linked below. eBay. HTC Express. Via: Limitless Droid

Motorola DROIDX2 Poses in New Video, Shows Off Dual-core Bootup Screen

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:53:55 +0000

We first reported back in January that the DROIDX2 would have a dual-core processor, so this video which shows the device booting up with the same dual-core startup that we've seen on the XOOM and Atrix 4G is pure sweetness to our eyes. Of course, this could just be a placeholder bootup while the device is under development, but we're crossing our fingers that it's a sign of things to come. And you'll probably notice that the DX2 featured here is only running Froyo (Android 2.2) which is a little disappointing, especially with all of the leaks sneaking out for the original DX. We'll just assume that it'll have 2.3 at launch...please Moto. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0uYR9iddjI[/youtube] Via: Android Central

New DROIDX Gingerbread 4.5.588 Rooted

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:35:56 +0000

That mysterious Gingerbread update that snuck out for the DROIDX earlier this week has been rooted. The process isn't all that difficult, but it's also not the simplest you've seen in your rooting days. There are two sets of instructions: 1 for those running the previous leak and 1 for those running official 2.3.340. P3 and the boys have put together a complete step-by-step that you need to follow in order for this to work right, so to make sure you get there, I haven't altered his instructions at all. Please make sure you read every single step at least twice before proceeding. I'd also suggest that you head over to the MDW thread below to see what sorts of issues that users have run into. And good luck. You must follow the directions exactly to the letter, if you do not I can not guarantee the results. Please do not post questions here if you have not read the directions below. Before beginning ensure that you understand the directions that you have read. Good now that you have read above the you are ready to proceed.

For those running rooted 2.3.340 official firmware:

1. Your phone must be in the following condition before you can use the patched updater.

Your phone is running the 2.3.340 official Froyo Firmware

Your phone has been rooted

Your phone is using the Droid2 Bootstrap program (Do Not Use DroidX Bootstrap)

2. Have you gotten your phone in the proper state to upgrade to the newest leaked Gingerbread. Yes go ahead, if No go back to step 1.

Download all 3 files and place on the root of your sdcard.
Install File Part 1 md5 = 55903982607d3b1b22b3b9f3af1ff807 size = 99.1 MB (103875449 bytes)
Download Part 1 - Mirror 1 Download Part 1 - Mirror 2 Download Part 1 - Mirror 3
Install File Part 2 md5 = a021e4e0dffb39018bdabf7e679f4d35 size = 16.2 MB (17028214 bytes)
Download Part 2 - Mirror 1 Download Part 2 - Mirror 2 Download Part 2 - Mirror 3
Install File Part 3 md5 = 7cb97560c1f757ad2b9ccd131200911b size = 220.7 KB (226025 bytes)
Download Part 3 - Mirror 1 Download Part 3 - Mirror 2 Download Part 3 - Mirror 3

Restart the Droid2 Bootstrap in recovery mode.

Install all three zips files in order. DO NOT LEAVE RECOVERY UNTIL ALL 3 HAVE FINISHED BEING INSTALLED.

Most testers have installed this over the of 2.3.340 firmware without the need for a wipe, about 15% did wipe, the choice is yours.

For those running the 4.5.573 leak:

1. Perform a backup using clockwork recovery 2. Downgrade to the 2.3.340 firmware 3. Follow the above procedure to upgrade 4. After upgrading enter into Bootstrap recovery 5. Perform an Advanced Restore ----Select Data

Full support can be found at My Droid World.

Cheers B3t@ and blakjakdavy!

HTC Thunderbolt Won't See New HTC Sense 3.0 (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:33:07 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COi4S1yoyO4[/youtube]

Probably not the nicest thing for me to do, right? Put up a video at the top of the post of the new HTC Sense 3.0, a version you will never see on your brand new Thunderbolt according to the official HTC Twitter account. Instead, they are saving it for their newer devices which have the "hardware requirements" to support its beauty. We're not surprised at all by this actually, and just days ago pointed out the fact that no major HTC device has had an upgrade to a newer Sense including the original EVO which is still stuck on something like 1.0. So until the Sensation and EVO 3D are released and ripped apart for the developers in the building to port over to the Tbolt, we'll be stuck with 2.0. Oh, and this also means that the Incredible 2 which isn't even out yet, will likely remain at 2.1 for its life.

Update: And just like that HTC has responded...

So they might bring some stuff over, although we have no idea what it will be. Just give me that lockscreen, new notification bar with dual-tabs, and that spinny wheel homescreen look and we're good! Thoughts? Do you really need that fancy lockscreen? Sure would be nice. Via: Twitter, UnwiredView

Source Code for the DROID Charge Released, Time for a Phone Announcement

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:02:14 +0000

Whether you think the DROID Charge is awesome or not, you've got to give props to Samsung for releasing the source code to it before the phone has even been made available. There's no telling how long it's been sitting there, but developers who plan on grabbing this phone ought to be happy. The phone has already missed at least one rumored release date and will probably tack on another after tomorrow, but we're still expecting it in the next week or two. Head over to Samsung's open source site and search for "SCH-I510" to download. Cheers Mark!

DROIDX2 Receives $199 Minimum Advertised Price, LG Revolution at $249

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:16 +0000

The DROIDX2 and LG Revolution have been MAP'd! That's minimum advertised price for those new to this game. Basically, this is the minimum price that anyone is allowed to advertise these products at when they launch, but is not necessarily a sign of what you'll pay at the register. Remember that Verizon is now allowed to toss out instant discounts in some cases instead of making you deal with those pesky little rebates that used to drive us all nuts. Oh, and the dates up there are not release dates, but the period of time that the MAP must be honored. A device landing on this list is usually a pretty good sign that it'll be here soon though. The DROID Charge and Incredible 2 should look familiar since we first reported on their MAPs just a few weeks ago. For Samsung's sake, they better hope that $299 is the biggest misprint in the history of MAP'd sheets or they better surprise us with a dual-core. Cheers ___!

If the DROID3 is Codenamed the Solana (XT862), then it just Received Bluetooth Certification

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:54:44 +0000

The DROID3 made its first appearance about a month ago, but I somehow missed a post which featured what appears to be all of the system info pulled from the device including the codename (Solana) and model number (XT862). Looks odd right? The previous two DROID models followed a different model number scheme of A855 (D1) and A955 (D2), but since this is from famed Moto-leaker kbman, we'll go with it for now. We'll also cross our fingers with hopes that the mention of an OMAP4 processor in the system dump comes true. Hello, beast. And back on track...if the D3 is indeed the XT862, then you'll be excited to know that it received its Bluetooth certification yesterday, giving us hope that it'll be arriving before too long. Actually, we shouldn't expect it all that soon as all contacts on our end haven't even mentioned the phone, but this is definitely a good sign. It might not be 4G, but that revamped keyboard, qHD screen, and hot new metal and black look sure would make us consider it.

Via: Bluetooth, Blog of Mobile, PocketNow

Sprint Adds Direct Carrier Billing in Android Market, Where You at Verizon? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:32 +0000

Sprint jumped on-board with direct carrier billing all of 10 minutes ago, joining the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile, leaving Big Red as the only major U.S. carrier to not offer the feature. If you are not familiar with the concept, just know that direct carrier billing allows you to slap app purchases onto your monthly bill that can be paid at the end of each month rather than to your credit card. It's got win written all over it. Update: I reached out to Verizon and received this in response to the idea of direct carrier billing happening in the near future:

Verizon Wireless has always offered customers the option of charging apps to their Verizon Wireless bill when the apps are selected from the Verizon Channel in Google Market or from the V CAST Apps store. We don’t currently have plans to allow customers to charge any app in the Marketplace to their Verizon Wireless bill.

There you have it. Although, my phones definitely don't let me charge anything to my bill even from the Verizon tab in the market, so I'm as confused as you are. The point is, that they don't have any plans at this time. Via: Android Developers Blog

Verizon Slashes Full Retail Smartphone Pricing After Eliminating 1-year Contracts? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:32:45 +0000

There has been a lot of not-so-happy talk over the last week about Verizon and the elimination of 1-year contracts from new customers or from those that are renewing, but after glancing around their site for a few minutes today, things may not be so bad after all. Check out the screenshot above that was taken within the last few minutes from Big Red's site and tell me you aren't excited about those full retail prices. A DROIDX for $399? DROID Pro for $429? How about the brand new HTC Thunderbolt for $569? While we're sad to see 1-year contracts go, this appears to be a great sign for those of us that refuse to sign contracts at all. We'll be digging around our VZW contacts for more info. Update: I reached out to Verizon for comment on this new price drop and received this back:

...there is no connection between the 1-year contract announcement and adjustments in our smartphone pricing. We adjust our pricing from time to time to address current market dynamics and to stay competitive. The good news is the Droid franchise is extremely popular so lower prices mean more customers can experience one of the fastest growing operating systems on the nation’s largest and most reliable network.

Let's just hope these prices stick for the foreseeable future because I'm a fan. Thoughts? Cheers James!

Easter Edition of Angry Birds Seasons First Screenshots Arrive

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:19:56 +0000

An Easter edition of Angry Birds Seasons is supposed to be arriving next week and will include 15 new levels and possibly a couple of extras that may somehow be tied into Facebook. The team over at Rovio sure seems to be working extra hard these days to try to keep people excited about their games. Regular updates like these will certainly help. So until next week arrives though, enjoy these 4 screenshots of the new version that went live on the interwebs yesterday. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"] Via: Pocket Gamer

DROID Incredible 2 Marketing Materials Arriving in Stores

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:59:24 +0000

We were sort of expecting to see DROID Charge marketing materials before the DROID Incredible 2's started to arrive, but you won't see us complaining. We had word that the Inc2 would arrive next week on April 21st, so this is exactly what we like to see. We must be gettin' close, folks, especially after seeing accessories for the device arriving in stores last week. So what do we know about the Incredible 2? Well, we broke the news 3 times now on it being a global device (here, here, and here) which seemed to come as a surprise to those outside of DL. We know that it will essentially have identical specs to the Incredible S with a 4" screen, front and back cameras, and a 1 GHz processor. It's really just a slimmed-down Thunderbolt without 4G LTE, but still has that sexy contoured back from the original.

Via: Android Central

Video: Regina 3D Launcher Laughs at SPB Mobile Shell

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:41:05 +0000

When a reader sent over this new launcher called Regina 3D last night, my first impression was, "Hey, that's sweet...total SPB Mobile kang...cool...probably too complicated." But now that I've actually had more than a couple of minutes with it, I have to admit that it's pretty damn impressive. This thing has more goodies built in than almost any launcher I've seen to this day. It's definitely complicated, but once you get a grasp on how it works, it's pretty fun. Oh and the best part? It's free. Take that SPB Mobile. Download Link *Note - I should point out that you'll need multiple Regina apps from the market to get the full experience. You'll see them all when you hit up the download link from above. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXhtxecPHr8[/youtube] Via: XDA Cheers Ryun!

DROID Charge Hits Walmart Site, Still Coming Tomorrow?

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:28:33 +0000

The DROID Charge has appeared over at Walmart's cell phone shop, but when will it be released? We had word that it would be here tomorrow, although a lack of a press release still has us questioning that. No dirty secrets have been revealed on this placeholder page, so we'll just be keeping an eye out for that word out of Verizon with hopes that it'll be here any day. Oh, and there is that beautiful DROID red eye again. Neat.

Verizon Officially Eliminates 1-year Contracts Online, Before April 17

Kellen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:35:45 +0000

When Verizon reminded you all that you weren't purchasing 1-year contracts in enough volume to keep them around, we assumed that the April 17 end date on a variety of documents out of their camp was the day they would go away. Not so. According to Big Red's website, you can no longer choose the option of a 1-year contract. And in case you didn't know, today is only April 13, but their customer service reps are being told that they actually went away yesterday (online).

Zack: Why can I not select 1-year contract pricing for a phone? Tristal (VZW rep): How are you this morning Zack? Tristal: If you are upgrading, you have to be completely out of contract to get that option. Zack: It showed me the option on Monday Tristal: It does show the option, but as you continue with the order, you will see where it change back to 2 year depending on your eligible. Zack: Even if you are not signed in to the account and just go to the verizon website it does not show 1-year contracts Zack: I thought 1-year contracts were going away the 17th of April Tristal: Ok, let me check. One moment please. Tristal: Zack, the 1-year contract did go away yesterday for online orders.

So, if the DROID Charge comes out tomorrow (which we're starting to doubt), you will have to grab it for full retail or on a 2-year deal if ordering online. Of course, you could always head into a store to see what sorts of deals they can conjure up. Cheers Zack!

Mysterious Google Maps Update to 5.3.1 Arrives, Recent Changes Not Included (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:51:24 +0000

A few hours ago, Google Maps received an update to 5.3.1 which we gladly accepted. What exactly did the update do though? We have no idea. A "Recent changes" section has yet to appear, and on initial open after updating, a new welcome screen is no where to be found. We had been holding off on writing something up with hopes that a changelog would appear by now, but we're still sitting here without one. As soon as we find out what has changed, we'll be sure to let you know. Until then, grab the update in the market. Update: Thanks to tipster Jeff, we now have a changelog:

Update! We've pushed out a new release, version 5.3.1. This version should fix the Manage My Places and auto-checkins issues you've been reporting in this thread and elsewhere in the Forum. Please head to Android Market to download version 5.3.1, and, as always, let us know what you think! Cheers, Tom

Cheers everyone!

Download: DROIDX Gingerbread V4.5.588

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:38:35 +0000

Well here you go. The random OTA update of Gingerbread for the DROIDX that we talked about earlier is out for everyone to enjoy manually. Just know that you have to be completely stock on Blur 2.3.340 in order to run this update file. There is no root at this time, but we're hoping to have a version with root some time tonight. And this is for everyone, including non-rooted users. Actually, this is easiest for non-rooted users.

Download: Blur_Version.2.3.340.MB810.Verizon.en.US.zip Instructions:

*Note 1* - For non-rooted users. You have to be running stock 2.3.340 or this will not work. *Note 2* - To rooted users, you will need to SBF back to 2.3.340. *Note 3* - P3Droid is hoping to have a rooted version up by tonight. *Note 4* - We still aren't sure if this is the final Verizon build or not.

1. Download the file from above and drop it on the root of your SD card. 2. Rename it to update.zip. 3. Turn your phone all the way off. 4. Boot into recovery:

*Hold the Home button + Power. When triangle appears, press Search.

5. Choose the option to install update.zip using your volume keys. 6. Your phone will now load the new Gingerbread. 7. Enjoy! More mirrors can be found at DX Forums. (All links appear to be dead.) Cheers @P3Droid for this file!

PewPew 2 is FREE Today from the Amazon Appstore

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:39:29 +0000

The original PewPew (our review) was one of the most talked about games of the last couple of months , so you can imagine how excited we were to see that PewPew 2 hit the Amazon Appstore today for FREE. Normally priced at $2.99, you'll definitely want to grab this. Download Link Cheers EvantheGamer and everyone else!

New Motorola XOOM Kernel Adds SD Card Support for Rooted Users

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:17:18 +0000

The Motorola XOOM shipped with an inactive SD card slot that was extremely annoying to everyone looking to purchase one, especially when we weren't really given a time table as to when we could expect an update to fix it. Well, thanks tot he folks at XDA, the wait is over. A new kernel has been released for rooted users that will enable the SD card...and I'm speechless. *Note - Haven't had a chance to test this myself yet, but will be doing so momentarily. Full set of instructions can be found at this XDA thread. Cheers Will and Luis!

Is Official Gingerbread for the DROIDX Starting to Roll Out? (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:54:06 +0000

A new version of Gingerbread (Android 2.3) for the DROIDX has popped up as an OTA update to one lucky user's phone and appears to be newer than the leaked version we had a few weeks back. As you can see in my screenshot above, the leak was system 4.5.573 and the new one that popped up today is 4.5.588. It's definitely newer, and according to community Motorola guru P3Droid who has the file now, this also includes a new bootloader. What does that mean exactly? Well, he's suggesting that if your phone prompts you with the update, that you might want to hold off for now if having root access in the future is important to you. Right now there isn't an SBF to get you back to an older build from this new version. No new root exploit has been found either. And I should point out that we've checked in all the usual Verizon places for notes on an update and have come up empty. This update is a complete surprise. For those of you that are non-rooted and running Blur 2.3.340, you might want to start checking your phones. Update 12:18PM: According to P3, you can accept the update and still flash back to 2.3.340 using the SBF that's available. Update 2:22PM: Loading up now for a quick look...

Update: Here are the instructions for installing it. This is definitely developing...

Video: New HTC Sense 3.0 is Sensational

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:13:25 +0000

HTC officially announced the HTC Sensation today, which everyone is all jazzed about since it has a dual-core processor, qHD screen, etc. What really impressed me though, was the new Sense 3.0 that it'll run out of the box. We've seen glimpses of this new Sense on the HTC EVO 3D, but this new intro video for the device (Sensation) shows off the new lockscreen, 3D wheel animated homescreens, and that new notification bar. It's too bad I can't recall HTC ever updating a version of Sense on a phone that has already been released. Maybe they'll make an exception for our brand new Thunderbolt? Check out the new hotness after the jump. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COi4S1yoyO4[/youtube]

Limited Edition Droid Life Shirts: Andy vs. Bear Available Now!

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:11:57 +0000

We're extremely excited again today to unveil a new limited edition Droid Life shirt. Say "Hello!" to Andy vs. Bear, an exclusive design to DL by Chris Bishop (same guy that did Andy Versus), making this a one of a kind t-shirt that is only available for the next 4 days. After that, it's gone for good, so you'll want to grab as many as you can now. At just $17 (plus shipping), and on American Apparel cotton, I'd pretty much call this the steal of the year for Android swag. Shirts are available in S-3XL, so you shouldn't have any problems fitting that beer belly into one. After we close out orders on Friday at midnight, shirts will be printed and shipped out on Monday to everyone. Kids and girl shirts available upon request.

Purchase Here

We should also point out that our favorite shirt makers are having a hoodie sale, which just so happens to feature a couple of leftover limited edition Droid Life hoodies. There are only a few left (possibly 10) in a couple of sizes (S, M, and XL) at $22 a piece, so be quick. Purchase hoodies.

Update for Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab is Rolling Out Now

Kellen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:36:41 +0000

The 34.6MB update for the Samsung Galaxy Tab on Verizon is rolling out now... Cheers Nick!

App Preview: ADW Launcher 2

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:08:24 +0000

A new ADW Launcher could be on the horizon or at least a major update to the current EX or regular versions that will include a set of new and extremely impressive features that you'll most definitely enjoy. I had the pleasure of spending a few minutes with a really early version of "ADW2" today and am already craving more of this hot sauce. So what's included? Hit the break to see. Infinite looping homescreen:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gpnWplan_k[/youtube]

New widget options on long-press:

When you are on a home screen and long press on a widget, you now see more options than before including shortcuts to the Application info and Market pages for the app. You can also quickly set up custom shortcuts using ADW's menus rather than the standard Android process. New app drawer functions on long press:

These new app drawer functions are probably the most impressive. You can now long press on apps from within the drawer to see a variety of options, giving you more control over the look and feel. You can also add folders directly in, plus a bunch of other shortcuts. After playing with the new app drawer for 30 seconds, you see how amazing these new tweaks will be once this thing gets fine-tuned and is ready for release. App is not available from me, but by doing a search on Twitter for "ADW2" I'm sure you will get some clues as to where you can find it. Cheers @davekover and Tato!

Download: Skype with Video on Android

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:45:59 +0000

Here you go HTC Thunderbolt owners - Skype with video has arrived for you to install and enjoy. Get your video chat on, from just about anywhere. Download: com.skypevideo.apk [mirror] [mirror] Download: [zipped version] - Do not try to flash in Clockwork. It's just a zip file.

Install as you would any other .apk file. *Note - Would not install on my XOOM or Incredible. Will only work on Thunderbolt.

Cheers 0mie!

Download: Honeycomb Boot Animations in a Variety of Colors

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:47:25 +0000

The Honeycomb boot animation on the Motorola XOOM is easily one of the hottest we've ever seen, so to see it in a variety of colors that are all flashable to almost any device, you have to be excited. Thanks to ahavens17 over at XDA, there should be a color that will fit your current setup. I've grabbed my 3 favorites and posted them below, but you'll want to hit up the thread link to find them all. Download: White | Pink | Google Instructions:

*Before proceeding, it's a good idea to make a backup of your current boot animation. Add a .old or .bak to the end of the file name of your original to save a copy. *Rooted users only, unless you know how to push files in adb.

1. Download whichever boot animation you like from above. 2a. Most phones: Rename it to bootanimation.zip 2b. Thunderbolt stock/rooted: Rename it to VZW_bootanimation.zip 2c: Thunderbolt custom ROM: Rename it to bootanimation.zip 3a. Most phones: Using Root Explorer, move the file into /data/local. 3b. Thunderbolt stock/rooted: Using Root Explorer, move the file into /system/customize/resource. 3c. Thunderbolt ROM: Using Root Explorer, move the file into /system/media. 4. Reboot your phone and enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J50cWuuryIs[/youtube]

Download the rest from this XDA thread. Cheers Picolas!

HTC Thunderbolt Receiving Gingerbread Before End of June?

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:44:30 +0000

We first reported that the HTC Thunderbolt would be receiving Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) before the end of Q2 of this year, but things may have gotten a little more specific if anyone is willing to take an HTC rep's word for it. How does end of June sound? Actually, before the end of June. According to an email from another HTC rep, that's exactly what the plan is assuming there aren't any setbacks. June seems so far away to me, but maybe I'm just jealous at the fact that devices will be launching with Android 2.3 before then? And does it seem like it's taking manufacturers a lot longer this time around to start updating phones? If it weren't for a leaked Gingerbread build for the DROIDX and DROID2, we'd still be sitting here with just the Nexus S and One. Via: UnwiredView, Phandroid

OreoSlice Wallpapers Packed Up and Dropped on Android Market

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:20:37 +0000

When the OreoSlice theme came out for Liberty ROM a while back, many of you were wondering how you could get the black and white wallpaper pack that came with it since you either don't own a Liberty-compatible device or weren't into flashing the entire theme. Well today, your prayers to Buddha have been answered, as the SliceThemez crew just published it as an app in the market. The app currently has 32 black and white wallpapers to choose from, but the plan is for them to populate it with more and more over time. There is a free and "donate" version, with the donate version meaning you get new additions long before the free version.

Free Version | Donate Version

Download: Droid Life HTC Sense 2.0 Skin

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:30:47 +0000

Last week we posted up another 10 skins made by XDA member gadget! for your HTC Thunderbolt or other Sense 2.0 device, and are back one more time with a special edition version crafted specifically for the readers of this site. gadget! was kind enough to put together a skin that sports our color scheme, logo as app launcher, and signature pink as the highlight for all of your HTC widgets. So for all of the pink fans in the building, get your install on! Download: DroidLifePink.apk If you'd like the wallpaper from above, grab it from the Droid Life Wallpaper Pack. And here are two bonus wallpapers if anyone is interested:

(First one courtesy of @davekover!)

Huge "Thanks!" again to gadget! for taking the time to put this together for us. It's awesome.

Zenonia 2 is Amazon's FREE App of the Day

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:59:04 +0000

Zenonia 2 is the free app today from Amazon's Appstore. While I haven't played either Zenonia titles, what I've gathered is that they are role playing games similar to Zelda with hundreds of unlockable weapons, helmets, and fashion items. It's normally $5, so why not give it a quick spin? Could find yourself thumbs-deep in a 40-hour quest. Download Link Cheers EvantheGame and Tim!

CyanogenMod 7.0 Officially Released

Kellen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:15:07 +0000

The "Release Candidate" days are over for CyanogenMod 7.0 as the stable release went live last night to almost all of the 30 devices they now support. You'll find the DROID Incredible on that list with the original DROID likely coming in the next few days. Built from the latest Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread), this is essentially the newest software that your phone could possibly be running, but with added goodies that you won't find anywhere else. This has really turned in to quite the impressive support group for so many Android devices including tablets. Download: Incredible | Other Stable Mirrors | Changelog Via: CyanogenMod Cheers Abraham, Dave and everyone else!

X Construction is Amazon's FREE App of the Day

Kellen — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:30:21 +0000

Amazon has been slacking over the last few days in the FREE app category, so when we saw a classic like today's, we just wanted to drop it a quick mention. X Construction is one of those architectural puzzle games that doesn't appear to be all that difficult at first glance, but once you get going and realize that building bridges that can handle the strain of a train is quite difficult, it becomes addicting. Again, this isn't some groundbreaking concept or rocket science, but it's definitely worth a few minutes of your time this Saturday while you are stuck at the mall shoppin' with the wifey. Another game with a little more spark than this is called Tiki Towers. Highly recommended. Download Link Cheers Mike!

Motorola DROID Commandone Bluetooth Headset Caught on Camera

Kellen — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:54:36 +0000

If you aren't moving enough CommandOne bluetooth headsets, what would be the best way to turn that around? Slap the "DROID" tag on it of course. Actually, I have no idea if that's the case here, but to my knowledge, this is the first time we've seen Motorola use the DROID brand on a headset like this. And it looks like they've even given it some special voice prompts and a snazzy little case. Ahh, the power of DROID. Via: Engadget

DROID Incredible 2 Case Poses for First Pictures

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:43:28 +0000

The DROID Incredible 2 has been getting a lot of play this week, but we're no longer surprised after we received word that it now has an April 21 release date attached to it. And to make that date seem even more likely, we have the first pictures of an Incredible 2 case looking as DROIDie as ever. The packaging for these products still hasn't changed, but I'm not going to lie, part of me wishes they adopt the Thunderbolt styling...damn was that a sexy box.

Cheers ___!

Review: LiveProfile looks to take BBM’s IM crown

Matt Demers — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:00:06 +0000

A few weeks ago I reviewed a Blackberry Messenger-a-like called Beluga. Within the review, I noted that because Beluga's features were too similar to RIM's own Blackberry Messenger, it was not released in the Blackberry Appworld; applications who do try to pass themselves off as an alternative are usually sniped down, like Toronto-developed app Kik.

BBM is a heavy advertising point for RIM, and a reason why a lot of users haven't abandoned it; rumours of BBM's transition to a multi-platform software posed the question of whether people would still buy Blackberry hardware if they were able to get the same experience elsewhere.

While we haven't heard anything in the rumour mill in the last little while, another app has stepped up as a catch-all solution for the instant messaging conundrum. LiveProfile is an offering that's available on all platforms and uses many of the standard BBM features, like address book integration and contact sharing by a PIN number.

Users can also pull in contacts from Facebook, which is crucial to its success: upon doing so, you can let your wall know that you're using LiveProfile, which encourages others to do so, as well. It also does the same with your phone contacts; however, this depends on whether a user has included their phone number in their LiveProfile.

Like Beluga, it looks to be a one-stop shop for instant messaging; the difference between the two is that people actually seem to be using it. The user base has been increasing steadily since launch, prompting server upgrades and some nice stats: even during its downtime, the LiveProfile team is reporting as many as 16,000 people signing up per hour as its reached 5 million users in 5 days. Even if you depend on SMS for a lot of your communication (like I do) there's a good chance someone you know is using this app.

This is a big deal, as trying to convert users away from any established system is a chore in itself; these numbers are indicative of either a boredom with Blackberry's current software or very successful marketing as the IM app of the future.

But the question remains: is it worth the download?

I'm going to say yes. Even though I've never seen the point of BBM in a practical sense before, the fact that most of my friends are now using this is actually getting me off my butt and chatting. I can imagine this being like the early days of Facebook; most people were on MySpace, and it only took a decent amount of friends using a decent product to sway most people who wouldn't use it otherwise.

LiveProfile does its job extremely well, despite some hiccups that I'll go into. It integrates its notifications quite well, and the chat interface works a lot better than some SMS apps out there. It also features media messaging in a simple-to-use package, which is par for the course when compared to BBM. However, group chatting or broadcasting is curiously omitted; this might be something included in new updates.

However, what I'm hearing from a lot of people (and experiencing myself) is that developing for multiple platforms is taking its toll on the development team. There are multiple clear-as-day bugs in the application, such as profile pictures not updating or embedded videos not being viewable.

This might not seem like a big deal - what app doesn't have bugs, right? - but it might turn out to be a danger for LiveProfile. If too many people believe the application not to be worth the trouble, they will not use it. In turn, the friends of those people won't have a userbase to interact with and they won't use it. This danger, coupled with a slow release cycle (due to the management of three different apps) may make things complicated in the long run if LiveProfile wants to be successful.

In order to "kill" BBM, a company would have to provide a free service that makes it easy to share and chat with contacts, and just works. BBM has loyalty because it is a corporate-level software, not a startup - RIM is held accountable for every screwup and hiccup. Being used to this quality might make users unwilling to wait for improvements in quality, and spell LiveProfile's doom.

We can only really watch and see; for those curious about LiveProfile, it's a free download on the Android market. Check it out and feel free to share your PINs in the comments below if you want to chat with other Droid Lifers. -- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and writes reviews thrice weekly. If you like his work, you can follow him on Twitter or visit his portfolio; he likes hearing from fans.

Updated Verizon Roadmap: DROID Charge Launching April 14, Incredible 2 on April 21

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:04:30 +0000

Last week, a Verizon roadmap leaked out which showed the release dates of almost all of their new phones including the Incredible 2 and DROID Charge, but things may have changed slightly which only makes sense since the Charge didn't make that original April 7 date. According to the sheet you are looking at above (image removed), Sears (Kmart) plans to start selling the Charge next Thursday (April 14) with the Incredible 2 following up right behind it on April 21. The Charge doesn't come as a surprise especially since we've seen accessories already arriving in stores as of today. The Sony Xperia PLAY will then finish out the month on April 28, making April insanely busy for us in the mobile phone industry. Anyone jumping on any of these? Cheers ___!

Entire New DROID Lineup Appears in Verizon Device Manager: BIONIC, Incredible 2, Charge, and DROIDX2

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:02:57 +0000

Verizon's device management system has always been one of those we go to when looking for the newest info on upcoming devices. So when we saw that the DROID Bionic, DROID Charge, DROID Incredible 2, and DROIDX2 were all included, we got excited and had to share. While there are no release dates tied to these, it's just one of those things we cross off our lists when we're in countdown mode for a phone's release. Some things to note though:

No mention of 4G LTE anywhere near the DROIDX2. This matches up with everything we've heard from day 1 when we first reported news of this phone's existence, almost 3 months ago now.
The Incredible 2 is definitely global, again news we first reported on.
The VCAST store is headed to all of the devices except for the DROIDX2.
The LG Revolution, HTC Merge, and Xperia PLAY are also all in device manager.

[gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"] Cheers ___!

Verizon Introducing $50 Unlimited Month-to-Month Talk and Text Plan? (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:20:50 +0000

Not even a day after learning that Verizon plans to axe their 1-year contracts leaving you with just 2 talk and text plans (2-year or month-to-month), the photo above dropped into our inbox. While it's unclear how new this information is, what we do know is that this is a month-to-month (prepaid) plan for $50 that would give customers unlimited everything, well except for data. Talk about attractive. We should point out that there was talk of a plan similar to this back in the summer of 2010, but only as a test in certain regions. I can tell you this - if they start to offer $50 prepaid plans along with $30 unlimited data per month, it would be hard for anyone to even consider sticking with a 2-year contract. Sure, you don't get the instant discount on a new device, but you also aren't signing 2 years of your life away to your wireless carrier. Update: Another shot of this new Verizon Unleashed plan which looks like promo material:

We'll be digging for more... Cheers DL app tipster!

DROID Charge Accessories Arriving in Stores, Multimedia Dock is Go

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:45:34 +0000

The Samsung DROID Charge is our next family member whether we are ready for it or not, and with accessories showing up in stores today, an announcement making it official could be here any minute. As you can see from the shot above, it'll definitely have a multimedia dock available at launch which we're hoping takes advantage of its HDMI-out, unlike the HTC Thunderbolt. I know that many of you were quick to jump on the TBolt, but the screen (Super AMOLED Plus) on this Samsung might be worth at least a few minutes of your time. Here is our hands-on with the DROID Charge back at CES. Cheers DL app tipster!

Verizon Preparing to Sell a 16GB Motorola XOOM with 4G LTE?

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:11:32 +0000

Less than a month ago, Motorola announced the XOOM Wi-Fi for $599 which we all assumed was their attempt at competing with Apple along with the ridiculous amounts of other cheap tablets that were poised to hit the market. What if they weren't stopping there though? According to our friends at Verizon, a 16GB model could be in the works. And just like the 32GB Motorola XOOM that's available now, will be upgradeable to 4G LTE in the near future if the screenshot above holds any weight. No word on what pricing could end up at, but we're seeing WiFi-only tablets with 16GB of storage fall in around the $400-$450 range. Could a 4G 16GB XOOM land on Verizon at $699 or even cheaper? And should we assume that a WiFi-only 16GB XOOM would follow as well? Cheers ___!

Onslaught of Cheap Honeycomb Tablets has Begun, Acer Iconia A500 Launching April 24 for $449 at Best Buy

Kellen — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:41:59 +0000

Best Buy announced this morning the Acer Iconia Tab A500 which is very similar to the Asus Transformer we pointed out earlier in the week, marking the official launch of every random electronics manufacturer's attempt at the tablet game. This new Acer addition matches up pretty closely to the Motorola XOOM, but as you guessed, is much cheaper at $449 and will be available on April 24th with pre-orders beginning on the 14th. The Iconia Tab has a 10.1" screen, 1280x800 resolution, front (2MP) and back (5MP) cameras, Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and runs on stock Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). Yep, it's a pretty solid WiFi-only product that also has a bunch of accessories. Anyone interested? We might need a poll about this massive push of random tablets today.

Acer Iconia Tab A500 Tablet Super-Charges Mobile HD Entertainment, Connectivity

First Acer Tablet with Android 3.0 for US Market Now Available for Pre-Order at Best Buy; Provides Superior Mobile Entertainment, Connection to Internet, Games, Movies, Social Networks
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 8, 2011 – Acer America today debuts the Acer Iconia Tab A500 in the United States and announced that it is available for pre-order online exclusively from Best Buy. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is the company’s first 10.1-inch tablet running Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) in the new Acer Iconia family of tablets for North America. The new Acer Iconia Tab A500 tablet enables customers to interact with and enjoy technology in ways that are both truly natural and exciting. The 10.1-inch multi-touch screen provides accurate finger-tip control for personal access to applications, games and entertainment. The tablet provides an enhanced level of performance with its NVIDIA Tegra 250 1GHz dual-core processor and integrated GeForce™ GPU that lets customers enjoy HD gaming, 1080p video and faster browsing, as well as running multiple applications and digital media playback at the same time. Customers can take advantage of these capabilities with the new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system, which gives them the flexibility to customize their experience to suit their interests. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 was built for usability on-the go. Its slim and modern aluminum design weighs only 1.69 pounds and measures only 0.52-inches thin. It also includes forward and rear-facing cameras for capturing videos and photos as well as video conferencing. A Best Buy exclusive, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 with WiFi is now available for pre-order online at bestbuy.com and may be pre-ordered in stores beginning April 14. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 with WiFi will be available in stores and online beginning April 24. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $449.99. “Staying connected and entertained are firmly embedded as a part of our everyday lives – and the Acer Iconia Tab A500 does this and so much more in a performance-minded, sleek and stylish design,” said Sumit Agnihotry, vice president of product marketing, Acer America. “This tablet absolutely delivers on the expectation that customers can be entertained, stay in touch with family, friends, colleagues and social networks, as well as keep up on the world around them in a way that is intuitive and fluid, and also incredibly enjoyable.” Best Buy’s vice president of computing, Jason Bonfig, stated, “Tablets are paving the way for people to enjoy a whole new form factor in entertainment and connection. We’re pleased to have Acer join our tablet selection and to offer our customers an opportunity to try this tablet out for themselves at any Best Buy store.” Extraordinary Mobile Entertainment and Fun; Two Great Games Included Navigating through the interactive environment with the touch of a finger-tip is incredibly natural. The 10.1-inch capacitive touch-screen tablet delivers a remarkable degree of accuracy and responsiveness. The high-resolution 1280×800 TFT WXGA display is crisp and clear, and provides an 80-degree wide viewing angle to ensure an optimal viewing experience. The large 10.1-inch size is ideal for comfortably accessing and enjoying a number of applications – from movies and games to social networks and scrolling through photos in the photo book application. Designed for HD entertainment, the high-color contrast 10.1-inch widescreen display allows customers to enjoy exhilarating HD 720p video in a 16:10 aspect ratio. Customers can also use the Acer Iconia Tab A500 as their media hub and share full 1080p Blu-ray-quality video via the built-in HDMI port with other devices, such as a high-definition big screen TV or monitor. Dolby Mobile technology completes the entertainment experience with heightened audio. One of the tablet’s most impressive features is its ability to run and play premium HD arcade games and complex online games. The 10-point touch display and six-axis motion sensing gyro meter control guarantees an entertainment experience on par with the best game consoles. Plus, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 comes with two full versions of leading games already on it. “Need for Speed: Shift” gives customers a sense of exhilarating speed and power as they “steer” the ultra-responsive tablet to maneuver through courses with dynamic HD graphics. In “Let's Golf,” customers choose their character and swing for a hole in one on a variety of courses from around the word in vibrant color. Taking along hundreds of books and magazines is easy with the Acer Iconia Tab A500. The tablet supports eReading and comes pre-installed with Acer LumiRead and Google Books eReading apps for enjoying eBooks, while Zinio is pre-installed for reading full-color digital magazines. The technology in the Acer Iconia Tab A500 delivers a thrilling level of performance. It features a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 250 Cortex A9 1GHz processor, supported by the ultra-low power GeForce graphics and 1GB of RAM for blazing mobile performance. It also supports flash. The new tablet comes with an integrated 16GB of flash storage for programs and apps to give customers incredibly fast access while limiting weight and noise. The platform can support a larger storage capacity of 32GB, which is planned for future models. The Micro-SD card reader supports up to 32GB Micro-SD cards, so customers can access and download their own digital content, including videos, movies and eBooks. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 can be used in a range of environments thanks to its ambient light sensor. The integrated accelerometer provides auto-rotation between portrait and landscape modes for viewing movies, websites, games and more. Staying Connected and On-the-Go Today’s customers are connecting with their social networks in a real-time way that brings more meaning and convenience to their lives. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 connects to Wi-Fi networks with reliable Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11a/b/g/nWi-Fi CERTIFIED wireless technologyat home and on the go for updating social network apps, Twitter feeds and accessing the Internet. Customers can also set up multiple email addresses in the tablet and even open and view Microsoft Office documents using the trial version of the “Docs to Go” app to boost their productivity. The two webcams boost customers’ ability to stay in touch. The 5MP rear-facing camera has a flash and is auto-focusing, so it captures excellent video and images. The 2MP fixed-focused front-facing webcam is ideal for video conferencing and recording HD video and comments for YouTube and Facebook. Customers can utilize the built-in GPS with various apps to enjoy navigation and location-searches while traveling and driving. Plus, the integrated Bluetooth allows consumers to connect the tablet to a variety of other devices, such as headsets and printers. Customers will enjoy extra-long uptime with their Acer Iconia Tab A500. Thesystem’s two 3260 mAh Li-polymer batteries provide up to eight hours of playback for casual games, eight hours of HD video playback and 10 hours of WiFi Internet browsing. Superior Mobile Browsing Experience with Android 3.0 The advances in Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) build on the leading-edge performance in the Acer Iconia Tab A500 to deliver a mobile experience unlike anything customers have experienced to date. Specifically optimized for a tablet environment, Android 3.0 runs on the Acer Iconia Tab A500 to deliver superb browsing with an array of features that make online time rewarding and productive. Plus, customers can get even more out of their Acer Iconia Tab A500 by customizing it with Android apps of their choice from the Android Market and other Android-based app sites. Innovative Design Boosts Usability The Acer Iconia Tab A500 will be used in a very personal way, so it was designed with great attention to detail. Customers will enjoy using it as a primary connection to their world from wherever they take it. The design boasts an Alpine Silver brushed metal aluminum chassis that is cool to the touch and comfortable to hold. The design’s upscale look and feel features a high-gloss finish decorated with engraved patterns that create a subtle sophistication. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is incredibly easy to use and enjoy. It easily fits in a purse, briefcase or book bag. It measures 10.24(w) x 6.97(d) x 0.52(h)-inches and weighs only 1.69 pounds. Acer offers several options for customers to further personalize their Acer Iconia Tab A500. They are:

The full-sized dedicated keyboard connects to the tablet via Bluetooth to boost productivity. MSRP is $69.99.

The dock with IR remote securely holds the Acer Iconia Tab A500 into a secure position with two tilt angles. The dock charges the unit and includes a connection for an external speaker or headphone. MSRP is $79.99.

The sleek protective case guards the tablet without adding weight or bulk. It allows access to the connectors and ports, while also propping it up in two positions while on a desk or nightstand. MSRP is $39.99.

The Americas power adapter set comes with the four connectors used in North, Central and South America as well as the UK and Europe. MSRP is $29.99.

clear.fi for Digital Media Sharing Acer clear.fi is installed on the Acer Iconia Tab A500 to connect it with any other DLNA-compliant device to quickly and easily share digital media. Clear.fi automatically connects all Acer devices on a network (smartphones, notebooks, desktops, HD media players and storage devices) and then gathers and organizes media files by type (video, music, photo, pre-recorded TV). About Acer Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for total PCs and notebooks. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company's continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach effectively integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer strives to design environmentally friendly products and establish a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 8,000 people worldwide. Revenues for 2010 reached US$19.9 billion. See www.acer-group.comfor more information.

Verizon Plans to Discontinue 1-year Contracts Effective April 17

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:18:40 +0000

The bad news seems to be pouring in from all angles these days, doesn't it? According to the above document, Verizon will remove the option for customers to sign 1-year contracts effective April 17th. Why on Earth would they do such a thing? Well, because very few customers seem to ever choose 1-year deals, but more importantly, this will "streamline" the contract process and help reduce customer confusion. It's always nice of Verizon to help us decide what we want by removing choices. Like when they eliminated 1-year upgrades and the NE2 program, cut out rebates, and tightened up warranty replacement rules, they were surely thinking of us, right? My life feels super streamlined these days; thank you Big Red. This will not affect those that are currently on a 1-year contract until their contract runs out. From there, you will have the choice of a 2-year contract or a month-to-month. Sound off! Via: Gadget U

By End of 2012 Android Will Own 49% of the Global Smartphone Market

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:32:16 +0000

Android has already seized control of the U.S. smartphone market, but by the end of this year it will have grabbed a hold of the global market as well according to Gartner. And by the end of 2012, it should have a stranglehold on almost 50% of it if their predictions are at all correct. Let me just say that one more time - 50% of the world's smartphones will be running Android. A whole barrage of thoughts have been running through my head since reading this information this morning, but I'd love to hear what this means to all of you. Does it make Android any less attractive? Are we still the cool kids? Early adopters? Are you all proud to be #1 now? It just seems like Android is only getting started, so even if it is the number 1 mobile OS now or will be very soon, I still feel like we're all on to something new and fresh. This is a product that has so much room for growth, yet it's already throwing knockout punches to the competition. Your thoughts? Via: Gartner

PSX4DROID Pulled From Market, Developer Decides to Offer It FREE

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:47:56 +0000

Since the Google has pulled PSX4DROID from the market and possibly frozen the developer's accounts, he's taking a stand and offering it up for free to everyone. I have no idea what this emulator used to cost, but you can bet its removal has something to do with the new batch of Sony Playstation titles that hit the market this week including Syphon Filter and Cool Boarders 2. If you still want to get your game on, then grab the .apk file below and install as you would any other 3rd party app. There is no telling how long he'll offer this up for free as he is exploring other markets, so jump on it. Download: psx4droid_V3.0.0.apk Cheers Lonnie!

DROID Incredible 2 Press Shots Revealed Along with Red Eye

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:29:50 +0000

I'd say we're getting pretty close to a release of the Incredible 2 if press images are starting to leak out, wouldn't you? After seeing new shots of the device leak out this morning from a tester followed by these images that will accompany an official announcement, I'd say we're almost there. Oh, and look at that, the DROID red eye that comes with every DROID-branded phone. Looks pretty similar to the eye from the original, but maybe a little larger? Via: PocketNow

Wolfram Alpha is Amazon's FREE App of the Day

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:49:02 +0000

Time to get your geek on with Wolfram Alpha. It's normally $1.99, but Amazon is offering it up for free today giving you the chance to search for the most random scientific information on the planet and receive an answer back like "Distance to moon / length AAA battery" or "Words containing letters mpg." Make yourself smarter today with Wolfram. Download Link Cheers Owen and Murph!

Verizon Galaxy Tab Update on the Way, It's Definitely Not Honeycomb

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:41:39 +0000

See, Verizon hasn't forgotten about its version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab! An update is primed and ready to roll out and includes a bunch of fixes, but is definitely not Honeycomb. In fact, we're still not sure that it will ever officially see Android 3.0, so instead, try to focus on the fact that this device which is now down to $199 on contract, is still getting some love. The update is approximately 34.6MB in size and includes the following:

Web Browsing and Data Access +Enhanced browser performance and speed. +Searching for Wi-Fi hotspots no longer negatively affects battery life. Email and Messaging +Access hyperlinks directly within email messages. +Time displayed on the status bar will accurately reflect when the latest email was received. +Easily manage and download 2000-2003 Word documents attached to email messages. +Send multiple name cards with the "Select All" feature. +Successfully open 5MB video attachments from email messages. +Font size change in email remains when replying to messages. Additional Device Features +When using the alarm feature. the second alarm will still sound even if the firs t alarm is snoozed. +Fixed Time Zone calendar setting ensures calendar events are accurate. regardless of the time zone you are currently in. +Adobe" Flash'" player version has been updated to version 10.1.95.2.

More info here. Cheers Mike and Tim!

Motorola XOOM Hack Provides Permanent Desktop Browser Fix, Voice Calls and SMS

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:16:15 +0000

Your Motorola XOOM is about to get awesome-er. Thanks to XDA member sangreal06, XOOM owners can now enjoy the CRT screen-off animation (in portrait), enjoy desktop versions of websites without having to re-do the "about:debug" trick over and over, send SMS messages (fees apply), and even attempt to make calls (no working mic though). It was only a matter of time, right? And if you want to get around the SMS fee part of this, just activate Google Voice and your texts are free. I should point out that this hack makes the Contacts app a little odd looking since it enables calling and the dialer. The CRT screen-off only works in portrait or when the device is upside down. The browser fix is key though, and there is a special .apk below that will fix just that if you don't want to mess with the other stuff. Download (all fixes): framework-res-040611.apk Download (website fix only): framework-res-uastring.apk Instructions:

*3G XOOM ONLY. No support for WiFi version yet. *Your accounts and wallpaper may disappear after doing this. *Rooted XOOMs only.

1. Please read all of the notes from above before proceeding. 2. Make a backup of your current framework-res.apk

/system/framework - Copy it and save it in a safe place.

3. Download whichever file you want from above and rename to framework-res.apk. 4a. In Root Explorer, move the framework-res.apk file into /system/framework.

*You'll need to hit the Mount R/W button first.

4b. You can also move the file in adb using the following set of commands:

adb remount adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework reboot

5. If it asks you to replace, just say yes. 6. Your phone will reboot immediately after it replaces it. 7. You may need to reboot a couple of times afterwards. *Note* - This process worked just fine for me, but I'm sure using adb is the much safer route. If anyone knows the set of commands for that, please drop them in the comments and I'll add them to the post. Full support and the most current files can be found at this XDA thread.

New Pictures of the DROIDX2 and Incredible 2 Arrive, No Surprises Revealed

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:16:33 +0000

Two of our family members made appearances last night, looking as expected. The DROIDX2 which is still revealing no signs of ever being 4G LTE or having a front-facing camera, posed for a few pictures, all while showing off the fact that it's still running Android 2.2. Other than not having a camera button, you really couldn't tell the difference between this and the original. The Incredible 2 on the other hand, looks like a bigger version of its former self, and that's a good thing. As many of you know, this is really just the Incredible S that is already available in Europe, but with Verizon branding. It has a 4" Super LCD screen, front and back cameras, 768MB of RAM and a single-core 1GHz processor. It's almost like the Thunderbolt, but with a slightly smaller screen, no LTE radio and a newer version of Sense. I keep saying this, but for those of you that aren't in an LTE area for the foreseeable future, this should be on your radar.

Still no official word on when either will be available, but current time lines have the Incredible 2 headed to stores at the end of this month (April) with the DROIDX2 following it some time in May. Via: Android Central, 2

New RUU Leaks for HTC Incredible 2 on Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 07:31:30 +0000

The HTC "Vivo" aka the Incredible 2 is nearing release, and usually with any HTC device, we see versions of its final software start hitting the interwebs courtesy of 911 Sniper. Well, guess what? A final RUU and PG32IMG just went up in the last hour and are available for you to download. We'll be digging around in them after our snailish downloads finish and report back. An April release for this follow-up to the original would feel good, wouldn't it? Via: 911 Sniper

Andy Rubin Reassures Us that Android Remains Open, Delay of Honeycomb is Not a Change in Strategy

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:02:21 +0000

After a lot of talk over the last couple of weeks in the press about Android possibly not being "open" anymore, Mr. Android himself Andy Rubin, took to his team's blog to clear the air. We'd start pulling pieces out of it and paraphrasing, but that just doesn't seem right. This should be read by everyone that's a fan of this mobile OS.

Recently, there’s been a lot of misinformation in the press about Android and Google’s role in supporting the ecosystem. I’m writing in the spirit of transparency and in an attempt to set the record straight. The Android community has grown tremendously since the launch of the first Android device in October 2008, but throughout we’ve remained committed to fostering the development of an open platform for the mobile industry and beyond. We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” solution. The Android platform has already spurred the development of hundreds of different types of devices – many of which were not originally contemplated when the platform was first created. What amazes me is that the even though the quantity and breadth of Android products being built has grown tremendously, it’s clear that quality and consistency continue to be top priorities. Miraculously, we are seeing the platform take on new use cases, features and form factors as it’s being introduced in new categories and regions while still remaining consistent and compatible for third party applications. As always, device makers are free to modify Android to customize any range of features for Android devices. This enables device makers to support the unique and differentiating functionality of their products. If someone wishes to market a device as Android-compatible or include Google applications on the device, we do require the device to conform with some basic compatibility requirements. (After all, it would not be realistic to expect Google applications – or any applications for that matter – to operate flawlessly across incompatible devices). Our “anti-fragmentation” program has been in place since Android 1.0 and remains a priority for us to provide a great user experience for consumers and a consistent platform for developers. In fact, all of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance agreed not to fragment Android when we first announced it in 2007. Our approach remains unchanged: there are no lock-downs or restrictions against customizing UIs. There are not, and never have been, any efforts to standardize the platform on any single chipset architecture. Finally, we continue to be an open source platform and will continue releasing source code when it is ready. As I write this the Android team is still hard at work to bring all the new Honeycomb features to phones. As soon as this work is completed, we’ll publish the code. This temporary delay does not represent a change in strategy. We remain firmly committed to providing Android as an open source platform across many device types. The volume and variety of Android devices in the market continues to exceed even our most optimistic expectations. We will continue to work toward an open and healthy ecosystem because we truly believe this is best for the industry and best for consumers.

Everyone good now? Honeycomb features are on their way to phones, the source will be released after that, fragmentation has always been something they have been concerned with, and they are not against custom UIs. Time for dinner. Via: Android Developers Blog

Motorola XOOM Sales Hit 100,000 in Just a Month and a Half

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:29:50 +0000

See what I did there? We're not about to make this the next "XOOM sales ONLY at 100K! What a bust!" posts, because we don't think the Motorola XOOM has anything to be ashamed of. According to Deutsche Bank, who looked at the Android versions chart you are seeing below, decided that there are approximately 100,000 XOOMs in the wild right now (they figured that there are 50 million total Android devices and took 0.2% of that). So, I say, "Not bad!" for 100K sold in less than 6 weeks. As a product that will lead the way for future Android tablets while running the first REAL tablet operating system, I'm all good with these numbers. A hundred thousand early adopters of a product that will only get better and better over time is a pretty good sign that the Google team is doing something right. Silly iPad owners and their childishly stretched app jukebox UI. At least we have 100K people in this country that can think for themselves. (Kidding! Had to! We have love for everyone.) What do you guys think? 100K in 6 weeks enough to consider the XOOM an early success?

Via: Business Insider

And the Droid Life Bracket Challenge Winner is…

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:00:05 +0000

It's hard to believe that March Madness has come and gone so quickly because that also means we have a winner (or two) in our Droid Life NCAA Bracket Challenge! Even though my bracket went bust some time in the elite 8, many of you still had more than 1 team heading into the final weekend. With UConn coming out on top, two players tied with a total of 1230 points, so it came down to the tiebreaker to decide the official winner. So who was it? Rafael G. is your DL Bracket Challenge winner with 1230 total points and a final score of 142 for the tiebreaker, beating out B. Russell by just 6 points. Rafael will be awarded $100 cold hard PayPal cash, but I decided not to stop there. Both of our top two players will also receive 2 Android mini-collectibles (1 original and 1 series 2 mystery box) for being dominant forces in this year's challenge. Congrats guys! And thanks again to the 1,079 players that joined in on the fun! The DL community is the best you'll find anywhere.

Dancing Android Returns, is Still Awesome Even in Malaysia

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:15:59 +0000

He's back! The dancing Android that took over the interwebs just two weeks ago is still jiving to the Xperia Arc beat only this time in Malaysia. We're still trying to figure out why he's rockin' a Miss America sash, but we'll let it slide this time around. Taking me higher, hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigher.... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkAZSADx_jE[/youtube] Cheers to everyone who sent this in!

Samsung Announces Availability of WiFi-only Galaxy Tab, In Retail Stores April 10 for $349

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:49:17 +0000

A couple of weeks ago we were tipped to the WiFi-only Samsung Galaxy Tab possibly launching on April 4, but it looks like the device was pushed to April 10 instead and even dropped to a price of $349. You can all pick up this 7" Android 2.2 tablet from a variety of online and local retailers, but just know that we have no idea if it will ever see Honeycomb. The price is very nice and the specs haven't changed on this edition (our review), so if the idea of possibly never having an update is OK with you, then by all means run out and grab one. Update: Samsung realized it made a boo-boo and made sure we knew that this version still only has 16GB of internal storage. The press release has been corrected.

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ Available for Purchase at Multiple Retail Stores and Online Outlets

Consumers receive chance to purchase WiFi-only version of Samsung’s award-winning Android™ platform mobile tablet
DALLAS, April 6, 2011—Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.¹, announced today that several retail stores and Web sites will carry the WiFi-only SamsungGalaxy Tab™ by April 10, offering customers the opportunity to buy this powerful and compact mobile tablet for $349.99. Consumers can visit http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab for a complete list of retail outlets selling the WiFi Galaxy Tab. The Galaxy Tab is powered by the Android™ 2.2 platform and has a 7-inch TFT display with a 1024 x 600 resolution. The super-light and sleek device weighs just 13 ounces, is 12 millimeters thin and easily fits in a pocket or purse. The Galaxy Tab includes 16 GB [corrected]of internal storage and offers microSD expansion to allow for up to 32 GB of additional storage. “We are excited to have the WiFi version of the Galaxy Tab join our growing portfolio of Galaxy-branded devices,” said Dale Sohn, President of Samsung Mobile. “The 7-inch Galaxy Tab is the first truly mobile tablet on the market, allowing users to comfortably hold the device in one hand while typing or navigating the Web with the other.” Outstanding Entertainment Options The Galaxy Tab supports Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 to deliver an enhanced content experience and allow users to engage with thousands of sites with rich Adobe Flash Player compatible applications and content including games, animations, rich Internet applications (RIAs), data presentations and visualizations, ecommerce, video, music and more. Plus, the device is designed with a rear-facing 3 megapixel camera for taking pictures on-the-go, and a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder for video chat. In addition, the Galaxy Tab includes access to Media Hub, Samsung’s own content service, offering a vast lineup of critically acclaimed films and TV programs for rent or purchase. The biggest and best names in entertainment, including CBS, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. provide new release movies, next day TV episodes and full TV show seasons to the robust Media Hub library. Media Hub also promotes content sharing, including the ability to send purchased films and TV programming to as many as five devices that carry the Media Hub application. Google Services & Social Hub Services like Google Maps™ Navigation and Google Goggles are available on Google’s Android platform. With useful location-based services like Google Maps™, consumers can search in Standard English instead of entering an exact address. A search-by-voice function is just as intuitive, meaning searches can also be completed easily on the go. Google Goggles™ is a powerful, visual search tool that uses the Samsung GALAXY Tab’s camera to uncover information – an image of a landmark or artwork is automatically used to perform a search, delivering relevant content like a description or history. In addition, with a camera, users can enjoy various augmented reality services which are downloadable in the application market. Plus, Galaxy Tab users have full access to more than 150,000 applications available for download from the Android Market™. The Galaxy Tab keep users organized and connected with Samsung’s Social Hub application. Social Hub works with the user’s Messaging and Contacts to initiate the sending and receiving of information, whether it is e-mail, instant messaging, social network updates or SMS messages. Additionally, calendar information from portal calendars, such as Google Calendar, and social networking services are displayed together in one calendar with two-way synchronization. Samsung Galaxy Product Portfolio The WiFi Galaxy Tab joins other popular products under the premium Samsung Galaxy brand, including the upcoming Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy 8.9, Galaxy Player 5.0 and Galaxy Player 4.0 and the portfolio of Galaxy S smartphones. About Samsung Telecommunications America Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 174,000 people in 193 offices across 66 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. ¹Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q4 2010 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.

Invites for Fring Beta with Group Video Calling Already Arriving Today

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:19:02 +0000

Fring sure didn't waste any time sending out the beta version of their newly announced group video calling app, did they? Just yesterday, they invited a limited number of users to test out the app and we just so happened to be one of the lucky few. We'll be giving it the proper run-through over the next few days and will report back. Anyone else receive it?

Android Benchmark Confirms Tegra 2 Processor and qHD Screen for DROID X2?

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:58:57 +0000

The DROIDX2 appears to have been benchmarked over at Nenamark recently, possibly confirming that it will have a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, which is news we first reported on back in January. It is also showing up with a screen resolution of 960x540 which would suggest that it will have the same qHD screen that will accompany the DROID BIONIC and the rest of Motorola's new high-end devices. This is good news for a device that was really just looking like a small re-hash of last year's uber successful original DROIDX. Oh, and about that rumor that it will be a 4G LTE device - I'm still not ready to buy into that idea. Could we still be on for a May release though? Wouldn't surprise me.

Via: Pocketnow

Beautiful Widgets Tablet Beta Expires, Here is a New One

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:41:27 +0000

If your Beautiful Widgets tablet beta expired today leaving your clock looking like the one above, don't worry because there is a new 5-day active version already available. Grab it below, install it, and enjoy. Download: bwbeta.apk Via: Twitter Cheers Tato and everyone else!

Grooveshark Pulled from Android Market for Violating "Terms of Service"

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:52:01 +0000

Grooveshark received the axe last night from Google and is no longer available on the Android Market due to violating their "terms of service." There has been no indication as to what specific terms were violated, but its removal happened on the eve of a Google lawyer's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee over concerns that they profit from piracy by allowing sites to post up their ads. This all could be one giant coincidence though, but the fact that the music industry has long targeted Grooveshark as a service filled with piracy makes the timing seem about right. Although, we could also argue that these two are completely unrelated since the House Committee is looking into websites rather than apps and could point more towards the finalization of Google Music. Last year, Apple felt some pressure from the music industry and removed Grooveshark, so with Google attempting to lock down final contracts with record labels, this could be one of those last steps needed in order to move forward. And this is just a random thought, but man, doesn't it seem like things are really changing for the worse in this Android world lately? No more source code, Google tightening up Android policies with manufacturers, rumors of massive carrier lockdown strategies to battle rooted users, and now this? Via: CNET

PicSay Pro is FREE Today on the Amazon Appstore

Kellen — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 07:49:33 +0000

All those silly little games that Amazon keeps popping up as their free app of the day are nice and all, but we'd love it if they would start propping up apps like PicSay Pro which they've done today. Normally at $3.99, PicSay Pro is the image editing app I go to when I'm out and about and still attempting to blog it up for all of you. And in my experience, it's easily the best app for doctoring up fake leaks or hypebeastin' phones with insider images while putting back pints in a local pub. All jokes aside though, this is a fantastic app that is a must have for anyone that deals with a ton of pictures on their smartphone. Grab it! Download Link Cheers Shane!

Amazon Appstore Receives Update to Version 1.08

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:51:07 +0000

An update to the Amazon Appstore just went live, and it doesn't appear to be all that pretty. Once you are pinged through your notification bar to update, you'll be asked to replace your old Appstore with the new one bringing you up to version 1.08 which you can see in the screenshot below. When I call it unpretty though, I mean that it appears to break almost all of the images that belong to apps. App installing still works, but damn is this thing ugly with all of these "No Image Available" placeholders. And still no word on what this update includes, but it doesn't look to be anything major. Update: Non-updated markets are also seeing broken images. What up, Amazon? Update 2: I guess this is the second update. Whoops!

And this is what it looks like now...broken.

Cheers to everyone who tipped us!

FlightBoard 1.0.2 Optimized for Tablets, Live Wallpaper Included

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:37:52 +0000

Big time business traveler that always needs to know the status of your flight? FlightBoard might be your best friend and it's just been optimized for tablets giving you another excuse to play with your brand new Motorola XOOM. The app itself is pretty basic and simply displays arrivals/departures, but unlike most travel apps, FlightBoard has access to over 4,000 airports and 1,400 airlines worldwide, so the chances of you finding your flight are pretty high. It comes with live wallpapers for the lazy and odd airline folks in the crowd, updates every 5 minutes, and also lets you share flight info with friends via Twitter, Facebook, SMS or email. The price seems to be a little steep at $3.99, but I guess you've got to pay to have this much access. Download Link ($3.99) [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="ID"]

Xperia PLAY System Dump Available: Wallpapers, Ringtones, and Boot Animation Pulled

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:11:21 +0000

The Sony Xperia PLAY system dump dropped over at XDA yesterday, so I took a quick look inside to see if there was anything worth grabbing. In just a few minutes, I was able to grab all of the ringtones, notifications, alarms, boot animation and wallpapers for you to start with. If I see anything else, I'll be sure to add it to this post. And if you'd like to play around with it yourself, then grab the whole file below. Also, this does not appear to be the Verizon version. Download: Ringtones, Notifications, and Alarms | Wallpapers | Boot Animation | Full System Dump

(Sample papers)

Via: XDA Cheers Manny!

Angry Birds Seasons Easter Update Coming Soon, Rio and Regular in May

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:11:35 +0000

If you are just now finishing up the St. Patty's Angry Birds Seasons update, you might not want to put your device down as an Easter edition is right around the corner according to game maker Rovio. With Easter falling on the 24th of this month, we could probably target the week of the 20th for a release, couldn't we? Oh and if you were wondering about Angry Birds Rio or the regular edition, they'll be seeing updates some time in May. So yeah, no slowage of flying birds any time soon. Via: Twitter, Android Community

Fring Announces Group Video Calling Limited Beta – Sign Up Now!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:40:10 +0000

The Fring team just announced a beta version of their app that will allow you to video call with a group of friends and is inviting you to sign up if you have a video chatting-capable phone. They plan to invite a "limited" number of people to test this new app out, so cruise over to this form immediately and fill it out before all of the spots are full. Then be sure to check out the new group video chatting in action below. And a reminder to Thunderbolt owners - don't forget to grab the beta version of Fring that works on your phone from this post (non-group-video version). [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIcJHqYpktA[/youtube] Via: Fring

Download: Another 10 Skins for the HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:50:41 +0000

It's been one of those days with download after download. First there was the new 3.0 music player, then we had some mostly-broken leaked apps, and just minutes ago followed those up with Bgill's Linear Skin for the Thunderbolt. Not complaining though, are we? Well, after our homie Picolas dug around a little more, he stumbled onto 10 additional skins made by XDA member gadget! which as you might have guessed, worked perfectly on any phone running Sense 2.0. Below are 3 that I was super impressed by, but be sure to hit up the source thread for more. Download: Dusk | Gears | Uber Green Download, install, head home and "Personalize." Choose your new Skin. To grab the rest, be sure to head over to this XDA thread. Cheers Picolas!

Linear Skin by Bgill55 for HTC Thunderbolt Available

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:49:58 +0000

When the HTC Thunderbolt first dropped, we posted up 30 additional skins for users to check out, but now that the device has been around for a few, some of our favorite themers are starting to put in work as well. Bgill55 has started work on his famous Linear theme and has a beta version available for everyone to try (yep, non-rooted users are welcome) right now. Download: Linear_Sense_Beta_1.1.apk Download the file to your phone, hit "Install", then head home and "Personalize". Check for updates at this XDA thread. Cheers Picolas!

Backbreaker Football is FREE Today from Amazon Appstore

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:44:23 +0000

Backbreaker Football is one of the original "HD" games on Android and can be had today from Amazon for FREE. Normally priced at $2.99, this is a game that will give you some instant satisfaction as a football fan or even just someone that loves getting crushed while holding a football. Might as well grab and give it a good 10 minutes at least; you'll more than likely get a few laughs out of it when your head gets knocked off while showing-boating at the 2. Download Link Cheers Tato!

Review Double Shot: Catch and I Journal

Matt Demers — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:00:50 +0000

It's not often I tackle two apps in the same review. However, today's a bit different: the apps I'm looking at, Catch and I Journal, are meant to be used together. Catch is note-capturing tool similar to Evernote, while I Journal is a journaling tool that uses Catch's engine and tagging system in order to function. For those who have never used a cloud-based note system, Catch is definitely a great tool for organizing your thoughts. Using its system, you can store text, voice, photo and notifications to a cloud-enabled account, letting you access it from both your browser and your phone. This is obviously a big help if you're the creative type that has ideas often and doesn't have the memory to back it up. The main appeal of Catch is this cloud functionality; it's a great way to easily share and store photos as well as quick notes. I have a few concerns about it being able to do any heavy lifting, but I'll get to that later in the review. Catch's partner in this review, I Journal, is based around concepts outlines in a book called "The Happiness Advantage." I'm not going to shill for the book because I've never read it; instead, I'm going to approach the app like I would any other.

I Journal uses Catch as storage for the journal entries it makes; it automatically marks posts created through it with "#Ijournal" and other tags for easy identification. Within the creation process, users can mark whether an entry is one that relates to "Gratitude," "Exercise," "Meditation" or "Kindness," which in turn will add more tags. This allows for easy sorting and reflecting, especially when coupled with a "rate your day out of five stars" query. I've always liked journaling; part of why I write opinion is that I like to open myself up to other people. However, I'm a bit skeptical about Catch as a way to do this. Like my problems with tablets, I take issue with that fact that it's very unwieldy to enter long-form writing on a mobile screen. I don't like typing on my Atrix for any extended period of time: I don't write Droid Life posts on my phone, and don't see myself journaling with it, either. However, I could see myself using Catch like I do Evernote - for quick review and offline reading. Since syncing stores an offline copy of notes on your phone, Catch is useful when you absolutely need access to something you've stored there; as long as you've synced recently, things should be alright. Catch and I Journal's usefulness is really dependant on the individual user. They're very well-implemented systems, but it's difficult to blanket whether they're "good" or not based on the fact that I already have apps that do the same job. I mean, I could easily use Evernote to do the exact same things as Catch: however, I Journal's specific purpose makes it easy for people who are looking for that experience to get into it. It's like when I reviewed ActionComplete a couple weeks ago: it's an app specifically tailored to the Getting Things Done system. I could have easily use Astrid to do the same things that ActionComplete does, but since the latter is specifically tailored to my my needs, I'm obviously going to use it. Who knows? Maybe these apps are something you, the reader, needs. Both Catch and I Journal are free downloads. -- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and kind of misses journaling. The next best thing is his Twitter and Tumblr, which are updated daily. Check them out!

Download: New Camera, Gallery, Desk Clock and Cube Wallpaper Android Apps (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:16:20 +0000

Here are a few additional downloads that originated from Tech From 10's test Android Market. The new camera, gallery and desk clock apps are below for you to download, but for whatever reason, they may not work on most or any phones. In fact, the only app that would not force close for me, was some sort of test cube wallpaper that is also available below. Feel free to install them all though and report back if you have any success on any of your devices. The new music player which definitely works, is back at this post. *Note - Again, these may not work at all. But if they do, please let us know what phone you are using. Download: Camera | Gallery | Desk Clock | Cube Wallpaper Install just as you would any other .apk file. Let us know if any of them work for you! Update: Camera app works on DROIDX Gingerbread. Nothing all that new.

Cheers postal32!

Download: New Android Music Player 3.0.336

Kellen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 07:24:44 +0000

A test market somehow made its way onto the phone of a writer over Tech From 10 and embedded not-so-deeply in it was the new 3.0 Music player that mimics the version seen on Honeycomb, only it works flawlessly on your smaller smartphone. As you can from the shot above, you now get the "Recent" section with album previews and a scrolling wheel feel, streaming music service that I can't figure out how to unlock, and a much more finished experience than the previous leak. Download: com.google.android.music.apk Download and install to your phone just as you would any other .apk file. Apks for the new camera, clock and gallery app can be found here. Cheers 0mie!

Monday Poll: Unlocked old developer phone or locked down high-end phone?

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:04:57 +0000

A story came out over the weekend suggesting that the days of easily rooting every Android handset are about to become a thing of the past and that most devices will be unrootable and seriously locked down in the very near future. To go along with that story though, comes word that carriers will start to release 1-2 developer phones each year to give those of us wanting more from our device, an option. I raised the question about the newness of these developer devices and if they could even compete with the locked down devices available from carriers. You would expect the higher-end phones on carriers to be locked down, right? They sure as hell aren't going to spend the time and money to lock down a phone only to have the majority of people buy the unlockable one next to it, are they? For example, rumors suggest that the Nexus S will show up on Verizon this summer as the only "developer" option (there is always the Xperia PLAY too), but we all know that dual-core 4G LTE phones like the BIONIC will be out by then. So which phone do you go with? The older but developer-friendly phone or the brand spankin' new super high-end device with little chance at ever being rooted or ROM'd? [poll id="75"]

More on Android Fragmentation, 86% of Developers Think It's a Problem

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:33:29 +0000

The chart you are staring at above displays the results of a survey that asked 250 "working" developers if they thought fragmentation on Android was a problem. As you can see, 86% of them said that it was in some form a problem with 74% saying it is definitely something they worry about. We've heard the cries of tech pundits who have suggested all along that fragmentation was evil, even while some of the bigger app developers (like Rovio) would say otherwise, so in a way, this should make a lot of talking heads feel special today. On a related note though, we know that Google is already working to eliminate mass fragmentation by tightening up their Android policies, making it harder for manufacturers to simply release anything they please without a plan to stay current. We should also point out that 71% of those who responded to the survey said they were developing for Android with just 61% giving the thumbs up to iOS. Obviously fragmentation isn't causing too much harm. Via: Fortune

Want to Turn Off 4G LTE on the HTC Thunderbolt Easier? Try LTE OnOff

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:38:10 +0000

Back on March 22, we provided you with a little reader tip that would let HTC Thunderbolt owners toggle their 4G LTE service on or off in hopes of improving battery life. The process was simple, but required you to enter *#*#4636#*#* into your dialer, followed by a couple of menu presses to make the switch happen, leaving many of you to beg for a toggle switch. Well folks, the crew at Team AndIRC has almost accomplished that with their LTE OnOff app. It's basically just a shortcut to that "Phone info" menu that will allow you to choose CDMA auto or CDMA+LTE and is not necessarily a perfect toggle like you would have on say a Power Control widget, but it gets the job done. Download Link (free) Cheers everyone!

Minor Google Maps Update Available: Enables Location History, "Home" Setting, and Custom Rating Aspects

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:53:51 +0000

An update for Google Maps should be waiting for you in the Android Market that introduces a couple of new features for Latitude. You can now check out your location history, add your own rating aspects (service, music, etc.) and set up a "Home" location to check in to whenever you arrive back at the ol' pad. And yeah, that's pretty much it. Download Link Cheers Kendal!

Are the Days of Rooting Android Phones Coming to an End?

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:15:42 +0000

This is not necessarily the type of subject we like to begin a new week with, but as I can tell from my inbox and Twitter feed, many of you are looking for our opinion on thismatter. Over the weekend, our buddy P3droid put out a memoir of sorts on the future of the rooting scene on Android which dove into subjects like bootloaders and how carriers plan to stop you from ever fully enjoying your device. The knowledge he shared scared the hell out of many of you, and to tell you the truth, it should. The details he presented over the weekend are ones that he's been whispering in my ear for months now, so to see him go public with them, I can assure you that he means business. So what did he say? (I'll do my best to sum it all up for you.)

July 2010: Rumors started flying that Motorola was working on ways to make rooting much more difficult than in the past by tweaking the kernel. Fortunately for us, Froyo on the DX was rooted and life went on. (Note: This was also the first time we really saw a locked bootloader here on U.S. soil.)
October 2010: Word began to leak out that locked bootloaders would become the norm and not just from Motorola devices; other manufacturers were jumping into the game and were probably being pushed by carriers. The motivation behind this new carrier stance was theft of service by rooted users, the return of non-defective devices due to consumer fraud, and the use of non-approved firmware on the networks.
December 2010: Multiple carriers began to test a service that would allow them to identify rooted users and create a database of their MEIDs. New security features were also being baked into stock ROMs on devices such as identifying rooted phones and throttling those that were tethering illegally.
March 2011: Verizon and another major carrier seem to be tracking rooted phones by seeing who has not accepted updates. They also seem to be doing this as of right now, meaning you could be on their list if you have a rooted device. New builds for phones will include a tracking code which if removed, could potentially leave your phone lifeless without data or voice access. The overall goal here is for carriers to lock down devices tighter than ever, but then provide 1-2 dev devices each year for those of us that wish to actually enjoy our phones.

If that doesn't give you enough detail, you can read the full writeup at My Droid World. My thoughts? This isn't surprising at all. Do I think we should all freak out? Not...yet. It was only a matter of time before the freedom we've enjoyed on Android started to fade away as all of these carriers realized that "open" isn't necessarily good for their bottom lines. With data theft (tethering for free) more than likely climbing by the minute and bloatware contracts flooding handsets, it's almost shocking that this didn't happen sooner. The cell phone business hasn't always been the most consumer-friendly, so why should we expect it to be now? If P3 is right, and we see a couple of developer devices each year that will be unlockable, we won't be entirely S.O.L., but I'm just wondering how top of the line they'll be. The current time frame for the Nexus S to land on another carrier besides T-Mobile is maybe in the summer which would put that device at 7-8 months old. Locked or unlocked, I don't want a phone that's almost at the end of its life cycle even if it is more root-friendly. I'm just scared that carriers will offer up these "unlockable" devices, but make them no where near the level of new locked down phones in terms of specs. Ugh. I should point out that we have no idea what Verizon or any of these others carriers plan to do with the information they are collecting about rooted users, but you can bet that we'll know before too long. With 1-year upgrades disappearing, new 4G LTE networks and amazing high speeds taking over, and manufacturers like HTC seemingly giving into to carrier lock-down demands, it's time to get real picky when it comes to your next phone purchase. Your thoughts?

Custom LauncherPro Plus Widgets Updated with Gmail Widget

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:12:52 +0000

signals23 has already updated almost all of his LauncherPro Plus widget themes to the newest version of LP (0.8.4.1) which includes the Gmail widget. If you were looking to keep your phone's overall theme intact, but didn't want to downgrade to a stock LauncherPro, you are now good to go. I chose the Blurps Blue themed LP in the screenshots above since it matches up well with the new blue Blur on Gingerbread for the DROIDX. You can download that version here. Full set of custom apks can be found at this XDA thread.

Is the Asus Eee Pad Transformer on Your Honeycomb Tablet List?

Kellen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:34:06 +0000

We haven't covered the Asus Eee Pad Transformer up until this point, but with a launch looming and an initial $399 price point (for 16GB wifi-only) accidentally leaked from Best Buy, it's time we mention this beast. For those not familiar with it, the Transformer will be powered by a Tegra 2 processor (the standard these days), have 1GB of RAM, front and rear cameras, 16/32GB storage, HDMI-out, and of course run Honeycomb, but the price is the story here. $399 for a 16GB Honeycomb tablet with specs that match up almost exactly to the XOOM? And we haven't even mentioned the docking station that you are seeing above, which provides the device an additional 8 hours of battery life bringing the total up to 16. How it compares to the Motorola XOOM:

(Click image for big boy version.)

And a video walk-through of it actually running Honeycomb:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBXpDBFjrb0[/youtube]

Anyone waiting for the Transformer to drop?

Cheers Jared!

Review: Meganoid for Android

Matt Demers — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:41:11 +0000

One of the things I've enjoyed about my new Atrix is the ability to play more games at full blast, so to speak. There's a distinct difference between my overclocked-to-hell-and-back Milestone and this dual-cored beast, and it really shows when you run some apps. Meganoid, however, is a game that works amazingly well no matter what phone you have. A mix of old-school platforming and new-school mechanics, this OrangePixel offering is quite impressive. The premise is simple: your character "Hero" must traverse a number of increasingly-difficult levels, collect gems and avoid the numerous one-hit-kill hazards that stand between him and the level's end. As you play through the levels, medals are given at the end of each based on how many gems you collect and whether you beat the level's timer or not. It's very similar to games like Super Meat Boy or VVVVVV; simple mechanics, but a difficulty that ramps up quickly to keep you hooked. The Hero can double jump and pick up crates to throw at aliens; that seems to be the extent of his skill set. Everything else is left up to the player to see whether he survives or not. This, however, is kept relatively non-frustrating by the slick controls at your disposal. The game has a number of control schemes, including on-screen buttons (my preference) and tilt controls. I haven't been able to get my hands on a WiiMote to test out its remote controller functionality, but I can imagine it adds a new layer to the "old school" gaming feel. I'll definitely be trying this out as soon as I can. While this might seem weird to say, the game feels very complete. The controls work amazingly well, and are easy to pick up. The challenges are laid out well, and feel rewarding to achieve: beating the timer and getting all the gems for a level unlocks the "Sarge" version of that level, where you play as a different sprite but in a drastically more difficult layout. This is similar to the "Dark World" of Super Meat Boy in the sense that gamers who don't want to play the levels can skip over them entirely, but the masochists in us can try them out if we want. There is also OpenFeint support for those who like those shiny achievements, but I usually skip over them. I only have a couple complaints about this game, and they're related to the mechanics. For instance, you only have a three life limit for each play session: if you die three times quickly, it's back to the main menu for you. For particularly hard levels, this is frustrating; other games that can kill you instantly at least have the courtesy to let you spawn infinitely. Another quirk is that the countdown timer does not reset when you die; if you're hoping to beat the time on particularly difficult levels, you better hope to get them done on your first try. While this doesn't seem major, it kind of punishes players who want to meet that goal and die. Otherwise, I can't really find a reason to not recommend this game. It plays well and all the parts fit together nicely; it even wins some points from me because there doesn't seem to be an iOS port. I feel that there isn't enough Android-exclusive games with polish in the Marketplace, and hopefully Meganoid will inspire some developers to step up in terms of quality. Meganoid is a free download in the Android Marketplace. --- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy and is surprised how often he picks this up just to play a level or two. If you like his work, you can find him on Twitter and check out his portfolio.

Google Commemorates the Ice Cream Sundae with Doodle, Android Related?

Kellen — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:21:45 +0000

Google is showing some love to the 119th anniversary of the first documented ice cream sundae using one of their classic Doodles today, and many are speculating that it is Android-related. So is it? The next iteration of Android will most definitely start with the letter "i", possibly Ice Cream or even Ice Cream Sandwich, but this seems a little soon for the Android team to be hinting at a release, doesn't it? Google I/O is just over a month away, and with that we're hoping to see the launch of a variety of products including their new music service. Are we now thinking Android 3.1 or 2.4 will be included? You guys tell me. Cheers Mr. Turner and Ryan!

Review: ZDBox for Android

Matt Demers — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:39:28 +0000

Previously, I had a lot of different tools to do what ZDBox does all at once; I'd use 3G Watchdog to keep an eye on bandwidth, Battery Indicator for battery percentage in my notifications bar, Advanced Task Killer if the situation arose, etc etc. While these apps are all great, it's sometimes good to consolidate, especially if the quality of the replacing app is high enough that it doesn't bring any problems when it comes to functionality.

ZDBox is a toolbox that combines many different apps' purposes into one easy-to use package. Within, one can find a battery meter, task killer, app manager (with batch move-to-SD and uninstall capabilities), 3G traffic monitor, Do Not Disturb timer (for silencing/airplane-moding your phone at certain times) and an App Lock. This last one was a bit interesting, as it sets up a barrier to access an app with a PIN number, but on a per-case basis. Want someone to be able to pick up your phone to play Angry Birds, but not browse your texts? App Lock is the thing to ensure your privacy.

These apps actually work quite well, and I got the feeling that some real effort was put into making sure that they all meshed together into one product. The interface is slick and easy-to-use while not being overly cutesy or complicated. This wins it some major points. However, it's the ability to make all this information available quickly that really makes this app stand out.

Upon installation, ZDBox adds a notification bar icon while gives you a summary of most of its information when you drag your tray down. This is great, and can be customized to a certain extent: disabling services in the settings menu bumps up the next-running service to the top icon. However, there doesn't seem to be a way to remove the icon at all; this can be a bit of a deal-breaker for those of us who like to keep their notification trays clean. [Update: you can turn off the notification icon via settings; I'm not sure how I missed this. Thanks, commenters!] I mean, it bugs me enough that I have to plug my phone into my computer in order to take screenshots with my Atrix; those "Connected with USB" icons stick out like a sore thumb.

ZDBox gets a big thumbs up from me because it consolidates a lot of other apps without losing functionality and does it stylishly. Definitely worth the free download from the market. -- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and so happy that he finally has a phone with a bit of oomph to it. Playing games without fearing my phone will explode is a good upgrade. Follow him on Twitter, his personal site or e-mail him.

No Surprise Here, Verizon's 4G LTE Network Crushes Sprint's 4G WiMAx in 1,000 Speed Tests

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:30:09 +0000

Research firm BTIG decided it was time to for Verizon's HTC Thunderbolt to battle it out with Sprint's HTC EVO 4G to see who's 4G network reigned supreme. As you can probably imagine, it wasn't much of a competition. Big Red's new LTE network is the closest of any carrier's network to resembling true 4G, and this was clearly apparent after 1,000 tests were completed in New York City. Testers used the mobile hotspot app on both phones to provide network access to a Toshiba laptop and iPad2 and these were the results:

Again, the numbers aren't close, but I'm not sure that many of us expected them to be. The interesting notes here are the fact that BTIG claimed that Verizon's brand new network had better overall coverage than Sprint's almost 3-year old network. They also had to toss out the fact that the TBolt has slightly better battery life. Priceless. Via: BGR, BTIG Research

Google Releases Much Needed Update to Voice Search, Pig-Latin Included

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:35:09 +0000

How can you not love April Fools' Day? We've been following along with most of Google's antics, but this one sure hits home being Android and all. Anyone up for the Pig-Latin update to your Voice Search? This video took some skills. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg7Wayo1rLU[/youtube]

Breaking: Verizon to Launch Both DROID BIONIC and iPhone 5 on June 9

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:11:17 +0000

Things are about to get even testier when it comes to the battle between good and evil. Our friends at Verizon just shot over this document which appears to detail a dual-mega-launch of epic proportions. How does a June 9th launch of both the DROID BIONIC and iPhone 5 sound? As many of you know, June 9th falls on a Thursday, but not just any Thursday. It's the Thursday during the week of Apple's WWDC conference which up until now, had been rumored to not include the launch of a new iPhone. Well, that may no longer be the case. You guys ready to see who will officially come out on top of this long heated rivalry? Update: To those of you coming on to this post late, understand that it was an April Fools' prank. Stop acting like children in the comments. Cheers VZW tipster!

How to: Organize Your Motorola XOOM Home Screens Using CircleLauncher

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:26:01 +0000

Just posted up the new Beautiful Widgets tablet version and noticed that a few of you were interested in the setup I have on my XOOM's main home screen and wanted to share. It's really a pretty simple setup that involves CircleLauncher and a couple of quick custom icons. I should point out that you can use almost any folder or app organizer for this as long as it allows you to use custom icons and are not necessarily stuck with CL. Again, this is super simple, but here is a set of instructions to help you out. Download: icons.zip 1. Download the file from above and unzip it's contents onto your XOOM internal storage. 2. Download and install CircleLauncher. [Download] 3. From any homescreen, press the "plus" + button to add a widget. 4. Choose CircleLauncher. 5. Pick your launcher type, select apps, and style.

6. When you get to "Launcher icon" make sure to hit the "Select custom icon" button. 7. Now, sift through your gallery until you find the icons you downloaded from above. 8. Choose whichever you need, and then finish up by clearing the "Launcher label." 9. Repeat steps for multiple launchers. And here is the wallpaper.

Download: Rooted and Deodexed Gingerbread for DROID2

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:59:14 +0000

A deodexed Gingerbread was released on Tuesday for the DROIDX, but we almost missed the version for the DROID2 that came out yesterday. Wouldn't want to leave out any D2 owners would we? A big thanks again to the guys at My Droid World for this. Instructions:

*DROID2 ONLY. *DROIDX version is here.

1. You HAVE to already be running the rooted Gingerbread. 2. Read step 1 again. Good? Proceed. 3. Download: d2gbrooteddeodexed.zip 4. Drop the file on the root of your SD card. 5. Using the D2 Bootstrap, reboot into recovery. 6. Choose “install zip from sd card”, “choose” the file from above. 7. When finished, your phone will reboot and appear to bootloop, which is fine. 8. If it bootloops for more than a minute or 2, pull the battery and reboot. Note 1 – If it doesn’t work the first time, try wiping data and then re-flashing the file. Note 2 – If you are having syncing issues afterwards, perform a factory reset a couple of times. Note 3 – If you are missing apps from your market, here is the fix. [courtesy of JRummy] Full support can be found at My Droid World. Cheers Owen!

Beautiful Widgets Beta 3.5 with Tablet Support Available

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:37:27 +0000

A beta version of Beautiful Widgets has just been released and is the first version to include a tablet-specific clock size of 4x3. You can see from my screen above that it actually doesn't look all that bad, especially once you start skinning it just as you would with any other version. You won't find it on the market yet, but there is an .apk below to get you going. Install as you would any other .apk file. Download: bwbeta.apk

Via: Twitter Cheers @el_bori1!

Theme: Stock Gingerbread for DROIDX on 2.3 - GingerBlur

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:16:11 +0000

Not a fan of the new blue MotorBlur that was introduced in the leaked Gingerbread? How does having the stock black and green theme from real Android 2.3 sound? We're talking black menus, black menu bar, GB keyboard, etc.; the way it was supposed to look. Thanks to brenneisec over at MDW, we have just that. Download: Alpha-1_2.zip [mirror] Instructions: 1. You have to be rooted and running Gingerbread on your DROIDX. 2. Download the file from above and drop it on your SD card. 3. Boot into recovery and MAKE A BACKUP. 4. Mount System, then flash the file. 5. Enjoy! If you want to revert back to the blue theme, you really need to make a backup. Via: My Droid World

OpenFeint Launches 14 New Chart-Topping Games on Android

Kellen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:00:02 +0000

All the way back in July we started hearing about OpenFeint and their suite of iOS games that they had hoped to bring over to Android to legitimize gaming on the platform and I'd say they've succeeded if you look at these new numbers. Today, after announcing another 14 "chart-topping" games, the total for Feint logo'd titles is up to 315 which is an astounding number, especially when you think that they had just 20 back in September. Included in this new wave are hits like Guerilla Bob, Can Knockdown 2, Ninja Rush Deluxe and Tank Hero; all of which can be found through the Feint Spotlight app or the Android Market. Not bad right? Now, if only we could get them to update the Feint app to include many of the iOS features that make gaming that much more entertaining. Full list of games after the break.

OpenFeint Brings 14 Chart-Topping Mobile Game Titles to Google's Android Platform

Cross-platform mobile social games network now powering 315 mobile games
April 1, 2011- Burlingame Calif. - OpenFeint has been making key strategic partnerships this year to bring quality games to Android. First, the company announced that it would bring their cross-platform social gaming network to AT&T’s Android devices. Next, the network partnered with The9 and the $100 million Fund9 to help iOS developers port their games to Android. Today, OpenFeint is revealing the latest 14 hit games it has brought to Android. OpenFeint is also releasing some of their game growth statistics. Since November, OpenFeint has added 215 mobile gaming titles to the Android ecosystem, totaling in 315 games. That’s over a 200 percent increase in five months. “At the end of the day, I should be able to destroy my brother’s high score in Fruit Ninja, whether I’m on my iPad or Droid X,” says OpenFeint’s CEO, Jason Citron. “Gamers and developers agree and want to use OpenFeint for this reason.” OpenFeint attributes the significant surge in Android titles to more developers discovering the platform and the benefits of going cross-platform. “At first, indie game developers chose iOS because it was the easiest way to distribute their games,” says OpenFeint’s VP of Marketing, Eros Resmini. “As Google has improved the Android Marketplace and we’ve introduced game discovery and porting opportunities with AT&T and The9, iOS developers are more and more interested in Android.” New OpenFeint titles out on Android in March include:· Can Knockdown: 2 Infinite Dreams· Doodle Bowling: GameResort· Grave Defense Silver Free: Art of Bytes· Guerrilla Bob: Angry Mob Games· Meganoid: Orange Pixel· Ninja Rush Deluxe: Feelingtouch Inc.· Pyxidis: Hyperbees Ltd.· Return Zero (BETA): We came from Mars· Snail Mail for Android: Sandlot Games· Speedx 3D free&full: Hyperbees Ltd.· Stellar Escape: Orange Agenda· Stupid Zombies: GameResort· World Series of Poker Hold'em Legend: Glu· Tank Hero: Clapfoot Games. Now with over 73 million users, OpenFeint’s growth is a global phenomenon. Android users are playing its games in 214 countries. North America represents the largest audience, but the network is rapidly growing its presence in Asia. Developers interested in using OpenFeint in their games should visit OpenFeint.com/Developers for more information. About OpenFeint: OpenFeint is the largest mobile social gaming ecosystem for all app stores and mobile devices, with over 73 million registered users and a presence in over 5,000 games. OpenFeint is backed by Intel Capital and The9. Developers interested in more information about OpenFeint and its leading mobile social gaming technology should visit OpenFeint.com/Developers.

HTC Wants You to Take the Flyer Seriously

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:13:55 +0000

We haven't talked about the HTC Flyer much on this site, but are starting to think it's time we do since the wifi-only model is headed to Best Buy any day now. As many of you know, the Flyer is HTC's 7" Gingerbread (not Honeycomb) tablet that runs a custom version of Sense for big screens and has "Scribe Technology" which allows you to draw, highlight or write on almost any screen at any time. It has front and back cameras, a 1.5GHz single-core processor and truthfully, is no slouch. At least that's what HTC will have you believe as they try to sell you on it through this new 6-minute video. And I've got to admit, they've done a pretty nice job of it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzn9LkvKM8E[/youtube]

Report: HTC Thunderbolt Outselling iPhone 4 at Verizon Stores

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:10:42 +0000

Well after some not-so-fun news about warranty replacements, we actually do have good news about HTC Thunderbolt and its sales as compared to the i*hone 4 at Verizon. Research firm BTIG put in calls to 150 different Big Red stores throughout 22 major cities and received news on the two that may surprise many of you. According to this report, 61% of stores said the devices were selling at about the same rate, with 28% saying that the TBolt was outselling our fruit foe. And to add to this report, I'll toss out the fact that the local Portland store that I visit for all my device needs, was adamant at the TBolt launch day as being far busier than the i*hone's. It is a pretty lovely phone even if it has battery issues. Via: BGR, BTIG Research

Verizon Changes Certified Like-New Replacement Program, Prepares to Charge You for Device Blemishes?

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:09:47 +0000

A couple of days ago, I received the screenshot you are seeing above which has a giant bullet in the middle referring to CLNR (certified like-new replacement) changes that will go live on March 31st. I seriously thought nothing of it, and then today, a report came out with the dirty details of these CLNR changes. Let's just say that you not being thrilled with these changes is the understatement of the year. Here is a chart comparing the former CLNR policy to the new one that apparently went live today:

In the new program, you can see that you will no longer be able to walk into a store and pick up a CLNR device and instead will have to order one (hence the DFill only). Yep, even though your phone is under warranty, you will be without a device until one has been shipped to you. Is shipping free? Only if you want to wait 5 days before holding a working phone in your hand again. If you want it quicker it'll cost you $6.99 for 2-day and $12.99 to have it the next day. If you have Total Equipment Coverage (TEC) or an extended warranty you'll still receive your phone in 1 day just like you always have. Another important change is the amount of time you have to return your busted device. 5 days instead of 10. What if you don't make it in the 5 days? You could be charged for the full price of the device even if the phone shows up on day 6. You can still return it within 150 days and receive a refund. We're not stopping there though; this is about to get even better. Previously, you could send in your warranty-covered phone no matter what the state of the device. As long as something on the inside stopped working, you could trade it in even if you had a giant scratch across the screen or dust under the camera lens. That is no longer the case. If say, your screen were simply to stop working and you had to return your phone under warranty to get a new one, there is a chance that you will be charged $299 for your phone depending on the amount of physical damage done to the outside of it. So even though your screen died and was 100% not your fault, you could still be charged because your battery cover is scuffed and your physical keyboard has a couple of letters missing from keys. That's right, unrelated physical damage could result in a fee that is determined by the warranty device processing facility. Here is what a CLNR device must look like in order to be sent out to you:

And how you can attempt to receive a CLNR device:

Someone tell me this is just one giant April Fools' joke? Please? Via: TheDroidGuy, Gadget U Cheers Patrick!

Liberty ROM 2.0 Released for DROIDX and 2

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:29:08 +0000

JRummy and Kejar dropped Liberty ROM 2.0 on us this morning for those of you that have not upgraded to Gingerbread or are willing to flash an SBF back to 2.3.340. This new version includes a revamped theme by @davekover, new wallpapers, a tad bit of Blur for stability issues, and a crazy new Toolbox. The previous versions of Liberty were top notch, so you can bet this will be too. In order to get it right now though, you'll have to donate $5 by purchasing the Liberty Toolbox Pro which will then download version 2.0 automatically. If you aren't down to drop $5, then just wait a couple of days for it to go fully-public.

*WILL NOT FLASH OVER GINGERBREAD. YOU HAVE TO SBF BACK TO 2.3.340.

Changes in 2.0:

- Redid some of the base of the ROM - added some blur framework back which was causing battery and stability issues - New default Liberty theme by Dave Kover - A TON of changes to Liberty Toolbox. So much I can't remember - Updated wallpapers - sysctl enabled by default. HUGE! - Raised default minfree - Set dalvik vm heap to 48m - Add interactive and conservative governor support - Redid init.d and cleaned up startup and other scripts - Update busybox to v1.17.2 - Remove kang check script - Enable cron schedular (Thanks IMosey On) - Set default colors in Terminal Emulator to Liberty gold/yellow

Full support can be found at this thread.

Story of the Year: Fake "Walk and Text" App Reminds You that Piracy is Bad

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:10:34 +0000

There is an app in the Android Market called Walk and Text, which allows you to use your camera to see in front of you while texting so that you don't say, walk right into something. The app runs about $1.54 if you'd like to purchase it, but for the cheap ones in the crowd, I'd suggest that you avoid running out to your favorite shady pirated app site to grab it. Why exactly? Well because someone (possibly, but not likely affiliated) took it upon themselves to set you up in one of the most hilarious fashions I've seen in a long time. A fake version of Walk and Text has been sent out to a variety of illegal apps sites looking exactly like the original you'll find in the actual market. That is until you open it of course. Upon launching the app for the first time, it acts a lot like one normally would with a "processing" screen, except that processing screen is just a placeholder while the app accesses your name, phone number, IMEI information, etc. and sends it out to an external server. That's not all though! During this stage, it also accesses your entire contact list, sending out texts to each person with the note you are seeing above and on the left:

Hey,just downloaded a pirated App off the Internet, Walkd and Text for Android. Im stupid and cheap,it costed only 1 buck.Don't steal like I did!

Once it finishes that piece of the fun, the app then prompts you with the screen you are seeing on the right:

Application Not Licensed We really hope you learned something from this. Check your phone bill;) Oh and dont forget to buy the App from the Market

Classic. You should all be sitting at your desks giving the creators of this a round of applause. Piracy is bad, ya'll. Show a dev some love today. Via: Symantec Cheers Mike and everyone else!

CyanogenMod 7 RC4 Released for Original DROID, Other Devices

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:20:53 +0000

You know we're getting close to a final build of the new CyanogenMod 7 when the original DROID is starting to see release candidates. RC3 for CM7 was released just a few days ago without the OG, so since it has been included in this latest mass drop, you should probably go grab it. The Incredible also has an RC4, but the jump from RC3 to 4 isn't going to mean much to you and really just includes bug fixes. All CM7 DROID builds can be found here. Rest of the devices here. If coming from another CM7 build, you might not need to wipe data and cache, but it never hurts. Flash in Clockwork like you would any other ROM. Cheers Matt!

Google Tightens Android Policies, Time to Start Controlling Fragmentation

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:12:29 +0000

A report out of BusinessWeek has caused quite the stir in the mobile world today, and has to do with a subject that Android enthusiasts talk quite a bit about, and that's fragmentation. According a variety of "sources" from within the industry, Google has really started to enforce "non-fragmentation clauses", giving the Android team the final say on how much can be tweaked on their stock code. They may even be playing favorites with certain manufacturers that are willing to quickly abide by the rules they've set, which essentially means that a "common denominator" must be reached, before the green light on customization will be given. So what does all that really mean? A couple of things. The first is about fragmentation, which we all know is a problem with this "open" platform. It sounds to me like Google is telling manufacturers that they need to be up-to-date or they won't get preferential treatment any longer. Companies like Samsung and LG seem to be at the front of this story (are actually named), and we all know their track record with updating handsets. While we all love an open approach, we also understand that it's not necessarily proper of these companies to release a new handset every 6 months, while ignoring any they've launched prior. If Google wants to start forcing these companies to update their handsets and potentially put an end to fragmentation, you won't see me complaining. The second thing has to do with the "common denominator" which we're guessing comes back to fragmentation again. That common denominator is likely just Google saying, "You need to start with the newest Android build because you won't be ready to update in 6 months with a skin on top of it." It could also mean that they don't want garbage like Bing replacing their suite of apps, but that's an entirely different argument. And how should we feel about all of this? Well, the arguments for Android continuing to be truly "open" are hard to find these days, so you really just need to ask yourself if you care. It'll likely always be considered fairly open, or at least more open than the competition, but for this to succeed in the long run, we can't have Android running amok which BW states. Forcing device manufacturers to finally stay current on their handsets is something we've wanted since the beginning, so are you happy that we might finally have it? Via: BusinessWeek Cheers PJ and Robert!

DROID CHARGE Minimum Advertised Price at $299, DROID Incredible 2 at $199?

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:34:18 +0000

You may be feasting your eyes on initial pricing of the soon-to-be-announced DROID CHARGE and HTC Incredible 2 which we are expecting to land in Verizon stores some time in April. We're a little shocked at the CHARGE $299 price, but will have to assume that it will drop to $249 or even $199 at stores through instant discounts because there is no way in you-know-what, that they'll move any units if it comes in at that price. This phone has received zero love from our readers on every poll we've run with it as a choice, so hopefully they have a plan that includes immediate cuts from that "MAP'd" price. Seeing the Incredible 2 at $199 though, seems just about where we'd expect it to be. The previous version was at $199, so was the DROIDX, DROID2 and every other non-4G high-end Android device that's come through Verizon. I hate to say this, but isn't $199 almost looking inexpensive these days? I feel as if $249 for the Thunderbolt was just the beginning of a trend towards ridiculously expensive handsets. Cheers SV!

Fruit Ninja is FREE Today from Amazon

Kellen — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:55:25 +0000

Not much to say here, is there? It's Fruit Ninja. It's fun. It's free. Grab it from the Amazon Appstore and slice some melons. Download Link. Cheers EvantheGamer!

Wednesday Poll: Verizon’s Roadmap Leaks, Which Phone will be Yours?

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:35:37 +0000

A roadmap for Verizon's Spring lineup of phones may have leaked out this morning giving you the schedule for a one of the most impressive collections of new phones we've seen on a carrier in a while. You've got dual-core options, 4G LTE options, 3G-only phones, 4" and 4.3" screens, Gingerbread, skins, gaming pads, and a ton of power. How on Earth will any of you decide? And I have a feeling I know which phone you are all waiting for, but let's vote it out and see. [poll id="74"]

Color and the death of “Beta”

Matt Demers — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:30:15 +0000

This past Friday was pretty confusing for app reviewers; while scoping out new releases to examine, I came across a large number of media outlets reporting that Color, released March 23, was going to be the newest thing in social sharing. It touted a number of features that both amazed and confused me, particularly its main function: photos taken in a geographic proximity to each other (such as at a concert, office or party) would be grouped automatically together for viewing and commenting.

Users would take a picture of themselves to furnish a profile, which, in turn, would be viewable to anyone who happened to be in range. Naturally, since it was reported on heavily, users scrambled to download Color en masse; after all, how much bragging rights would they be entitled to if they were among the first to use such an amazing and revolutionary app?

Color is an interesting concept, and provoked a number of questions, like "What if people didn't want every photo available they take at a party made public?" "What happens when someone wants something deleted?" and "Do people actually take party pictures with the frequency the FAQ image would suggest?"

It would have been great to answer some of these questions, had the application not been a buggy piece of garbage.

So that's how it's supposed to work...

I'm honestly quite disappointed. On paper, Color should have been an interesting take on the Instagr.am "social photo stream" fad: it had received $41 million dollars in pre-release funding from venture capitalists and had taken the time to secure two large domain names (color.com and colour.com, respectively.) That much effort and potential shouldn't have yielded a bad product. Any company with so much media hype and investor confidence has to be good, right? Sadly, users didn't see it that way, slamming the app's market page with harsh review after harsh review.

But were those users right in doing so? I mean, Color applied the "beta" tag to the title. In theory, that should absolve it from fault when it:

Failed to work at all on any number of phone models.
Looped force-close after force-close when the user tries to do any number of basic app functions, such as attach a user image, or take photos, period.
Forgot to teach the user how to use the app in the first place, due to a lack of any FAQs, tutorials or information whatsoever.

I would list more, but that was all I could get Color to do on my Motorola Milestone, which is barely a year old. Not everyone has access to horribly high-end models, and should be able to expect that something as low-fi as a gallery should work quite well. But these flaws in basic operation are alright; I mean, it's in beta, right?

I would fully expect Color to try to take advantage of that "beta" status to save face, saying that its obvious lack of quality control or testing was all "part of the plan". After all, it was the glorious users who alerted them to the problems, so the beta must have done its job. It's a pity that what was once a term that had a valid point in a development cycle of an app is now being used as a licence to ship something completely nonfunctional.

"Beta" used to imply that a piece of software was close to completion, had all its features in a row and just neeed some last minute tweaking by a small group of users who understood that they were getting an unfinished product. While Color hits some of those points, it utterly fails on others: it is nowhere near "feature complete" if, as a social app, it cannot run on a great number of phones.

It is even worse if the control group of users who are testing expect that it is complete, regardless of the label attached. As we've seen, the Android userbase is quick to chew up and spit out anything that fails to deliver. Does this mean we, as users, are going to be wary of the beta tag in the future? Will we be more likely to forgive developers who hide behind its shield?

Will we insist that an app actually be worked on until it's fit for mass consumption, instead of being pushed out to generate and satisfy hype?

These are questions to think about while you're mashing that "download" button in the Marketplace. --- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and has missed writing these kind of articles. You can follow him on Twitter and through his site, and e-mail him with tips.

HTC Confirms Thunderbolt Noise Cancellation Video Issue, Software Fix is Coming?

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:11:22 +0000

Our inbox has been filling up slowly with frustrated videographers who noticed that the sound quality in videos taken with their brand new HTC Thunderbolt has been, well, awful. After multiple back-and-forth conversations with both HTC and Verizon, one of our readers seems to have received a slightly favorable response that could include an update in the near future to fix the issue. Apparently, they've narrowed it down to a problem with noise cancellation...

Dear Nathan, Thank you for the reply. Nathan, as I stated in my 2nd reply, this information is, also, used for updates for the phone. The low sound is due to the device’s noise cancellation feature. When taking a video from a distance, the noise cancellation feature blocks out a lot of the other noise therefore making the video sound lower. Keep an eye out as there may be a future update at HTC - Mobile Phones, Smartphones, Cell Phones, PDAs. In the meantime, you can download a 3rd party application from the Marketplace. Search for video or camcorder recorder. Again, we apologize Nathan, for any inconvenience. To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number. Sincerely, Carol HTC

And just after receiving this email and while working up this post, it looks like someone over at Android Central's forums received a similar response...

It is our pleasure to provide you with the best possible assistance for all questions and concerns you might have regarding your HTC Thunderbolt. This is an issue with the noise cancellation software. We are seeing that all noise is canceled out by the phone. HTC is currently working to resolve this issue with a software update.

So a fix is on the way. Cheers Nathan!

Angry Birds Rio Lands on Android Market

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:53:55 +0000

We're hoping to make this the last Angry Birds post of any kind for a while, although that probably won't happen because Rovio seems to keep pumping out new titles and variations by the second which many of you still can't seem to get enough of. So yeah, Angry Birds Rio (with ads) is available now on the Android Market for FREE, but again, the ad-free version from Amazon is still available without cost. Choices, choices. Download Link Cheers EaglesDudeNFL and Rey!

Deodexed Gingerbread Released for DROID X

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:37:12 +0000

If stock rooted Gingerbread (Android 2.3) for your DROID X wasn't enough to satisfy your needs, then you'll want to grab the newly released DEODEXED version that just went live over at My Droid World. Why would you want a deodexed version? To flash themes of course! Instructions:

*DROIDX ONLY.

1. You HAVE to already be running the rooted Gingerbread. 2. Read step 1 again. Good? Proceed. 3. Download: dxgbrooteddeodexed.zip [mirror] [mirror] 4. Drop the file on the root of your SD card. 5. Using the D2 Bootstrap, reboot into recovery. [Yes, D2 Boostrap] 6. Choose "install zip from sd card", "choose" the file from above. 7. When finished, your phone will reboot and appear to bootloop, which is fine. 8. If it bootloops for more than a minute or 2, pull the battery and reboot. Note 1 - If it doesn't work the first time, try wiping data and then re-flashing the file. Note 2 - If you are having syncing issues afterwards, perform a factory reset a couple of times. Note 3 - If you are missing apps from your market, here is the fix. [courtesy of JRummy] Let us know if you run into any issues! Via: My Droid World

SoundHound Infinity is Amazon's FREE App of the Day

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:05:36 +0000

I'll be the first to admit that I didn't think this Amazon Appstore was going to work out, but with free $5 apps like today's, it's hard to not give them some love. It's almost become a regular morning tradition now - wake up, check email, Google Reader, Amazon Appstore...weird. Enough of that rambling and on to SoundHound Infinity which as I already pointed out, is free today, but on normal days is $4.99. It's your standard "What's that song!" app, but allows you to purchase the songs you find through Amazon, grab lyrics to them, and even search for videos by the artist on Youtube. Might as well grab it if it's free, right? Download Link

Cheers Tim and Mark!

SPB Shell 3D Out of Beta and Available on the Android Market

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:22:26 +0000

Remember SPB Mobile Shell? It's now known as SPB Shell 3D and is available in the Android Market and at one heck of a steep $14.95 price tag. We posted up our video walk-through of the beta of this software almost a month ago, so it's not going to be new to any of our readers, but wanted you to know it's there for the purchasing. A couple of notes: it's not supported on tablets and also doesn't allow live wallpapers for "performance" reasons. So, a $14.95 price tag and can't run one of the basic Android functions. Anyone interested? Download Link ($14.95) Here is our video again: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KlULbfUTI8[/youtube] Cheers Jason!

Want Motorola to Unlock More Bootloaders? There is a Petition for that.

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:32 +0000

Locking bootloaders is about to become a common subject that spans beyond the walls of Motorola, so to hopefully cause enough of a stir to either slow down this plague or eventually stop it, a petition has been launched. With over 2,500 signatures in just a short couple of weeks, it's time we flex a little DL community muscle and see if we can't help this thing really move forward. This is one of those battles that probably has too much money involved for us to really make a difference, but that isn't going to stop us from trying. While Motorola and the rest of the phone manufacturers would have you believe that they are locking bootloaders to protect consumers from themselves, we all really know that they are protecting the contracts they have signed with software companies and carriers. This is a business after all, right? It is, but there are other approaches that can be taken that have been successful without making customers feel like they don't truly own a device they just paid $600 for. So what do you say? Should we all get to signin'? Sign the petition.

Download: Gingerbread CRT Screen-off Animation for DROID X and 2 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:59:21 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhxPN47JU30[/youtube]

Many of you noticed that that CRT-esque screen-off animation from the Nexus S and stock Gingerbread (Android 2.3) was missing from the leaked builds on the DROID X and 2 and wondered how to get it. It's now available below, although you'll need to run a few adb commands to get it. Instructions:

*Note* - This will likely not work on anything but Gingerbread. I would not try to flash this on a 2.2 ROM. *Note 2* - I have not tested this on a DROID2, just assumed it would work. Be careful D2 owners.

UPDATE: There is now a simple .zip file that can be flashed in Clockwork. [Download]

1. CREATE A BACKUP FIRST. 2. Download this file to your computer: framework-res_CRT_ENABLE.apk 3. Rename it to framework-res.apk and place in your SDK/Tools folder. 4. Connect your phone and run the following commands in adb:

adb remount adb push framework-res.apk /data/local/tmp/framework-res.apk adb shell su stop rm /system/framework/framework-res.apk cp /data/local/tmp/framework-res.apk /system/framework/ rm /data/local/tmp/framework-res.apk reboot

5. Your phone will reboot and with CRT screen-off set to "Go!" Full support can be found at this XDA thread. Cheers Max and Droidzfx!

Verizon Roadmap: DROID CHARGE and Incredible 2 Headed for April - BIONIC, X2, and Revolution in May

Kellen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:33:58 +0000

Been a while since we saw a big roadmapped leaked out from Verizon, but today, our friends over at Phandroid appear to have the latest which details more phones than I think any of us can even comprehend at this point. Over the next 2 months, we are expecting to see at least 7 above average Android handsets (some DROID, some not) that will easily keep Verizon on top of the game throughout the rest of the year and this is only one half of it. So here we go!

Samsung DROID CHARGE: April 7 (next Thursday) - The 1GHz 4G LTE device we saw at CES, but for some reason still lacked a name. We broke the news on it being called the DROID CHARGE over a week ago, and truthfully, are surprised this phone received the "DROID" tag.
Sony Xperia PLAY: April 14 - The "Playstation" phone that will launch with what we're hearing is stock Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
HTC Incredible 2: April 28 - It's just the Incredible S from Europe, but that doesn't mean it won't be awesome. A bunch of pictures and system images have leaked out already, leaving almost no surprises for us come the 28th.
LG Revolution: May 5 - Another of the 4G LTE phones that debuted at CES. It does have one potential trick up its sleeve though; the first Android phone to ship with Netflix support. Guess we'll know in a month?
DROID BIONIC: Some time in May - Ahhh, the phone that people have been waiting so long for. I guess those April rumors that we ignored weren't so credible? We've been hearing May/June since the beginning and this may have just confirmed that.
DROID X2: Some time in May - While we were huge fans of the first DROID X, this phone looks like it may be one giant bust. A tiny processor upgrade, more RAM, and a slightly nicer screen isn't going to bring out the crowds like the original. Possibly 4G?
Samsung Galaxy S2: Some time in May - Should be a beast of a phone, but Fascinate owners will tell you to run screaming from it. Possibly 4G?

Everyone, there is your Verizon visitation schedule for the next 2 months. Looks like a lot of trips into your local store to be testing and playing with phones, but I'm sure you are all fine with that Via: Phandroid

Fugly Android: a blog about horrible home screens

Matt Demers — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:32:46 +0000

Every once and awhile a skinning experiment goes awry and our phones don't turn out exactly how we want them to. I know here at Droid Life we can be pretty meticulous about how our Home Screens look, but some people... aren't. Fugly Android is a Tumblr dedicated to those of us whose home screen fashion might need a little bit of policing. My friend Amanda pointed this blog out to me yesterday and it's actually a pretty fun read. If you ever want to feel better about the way your Android looks, look no farther than some of these monstrosities. Thanks Amanda! -- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and he can't tell you how many times he's fiddled around with horrible icons. Contact him via Twitter or e-mail.

In-App Billing Goes Live on Android

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:03:59 +0000

Along with the launch of Tap Tap Revenge 4 comes the activation of in-app billing for the first time on Android. In-app billing allows developers to sell virtual goods from within their apps or even provide users with the option to upgrade from a free to paid version. In Tap Tap Revenge's case, users will now have the ability to purchase extra songs to battle it out with. The hope here, is that more developers will look to Android as a legitimate mobile platform that they can make a living from, which in turn should give us better apps in the long run. Several other apps are now taking advantage of in-app billing as well: Comics by ComiXology, Gun Bros, Deer Hunter Challenge HD, WSOP3, and Dungeon Defenders: FW Deluxe. Via: Android Developers Blog

Tap Tap Revenge Released on Android

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:14:57 +0000

Tap Tap Revenge 4, one of the more popular games on iOS, is now available on Android. Think of TTR as Rock Band for your fingers, only you are just tapping along to the beat or lyrics rather than attempting to play an instrument. The game has current hits from a variety of artists, 3D graphics, a chatting platform, global leaderboards, arcade modes, battles, custom avatars and weekly contests. This is a real deal mobile game. Free. Download Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov-aNNv6ogE[/youtube]

Cheers Chris!

With Kernel Source Released, HTC Thunderbolt Clocked to 1.8GHz Pushing 3000+ Benchmarks

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:50:47 +0000

HTC released the kernel source to the Thunderbolt late last night and already, we're seeing developers take a crack at overclocking the device. Early reports had a 1.5GHz overclock in the wild, but on a 1.8GHz overclock created by @drod2169, our buddies @TheRealBeesley and @JsinLegacy dropped 2772 and 3047 Quadrant Benchmarks on us. It's about to get nutty around here. Via: Twitter Cheers Wade!

Angry Birds Rio Headed to Android Market with Ads this Week

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:13:48 +0000

Still trying your hardest to hold out from purchasing or downloading anything from the new Amazon Appstore including Angry Birds Rio? Your hold out is about to pay off, well for AB Rio at least. Rovio announced today via Facebook that the latest addition to their Angry Birds lineup will be available (with ads) for free on the Android Market later this week...

Angry Birds Rio Free will launch later this week in Android Market, as soon as we fix a couple of issues. Squawk! The ad-free version is available exclusively in the Amazon Appstore, where you can download it for free for a limited time. Massive thanks to all Angry Birds fans who already downloaded the game! How are you enjoying it so far?

Not sure I understand why anyone would deny the ad-free version which is free from Amazon right now, but some people love to make points. So keep an eye out for AB Rio in a market near you! Via: Facebook Cheers Mike and everyone else!

New MotoBlur Allows for Quick Text Message Replies to Ignored Calls

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:24:51 +0000

With the new MotoBlur that comes over top of the leaked Gingerbread (Android 2.3) that we've been talking non-stop about for days, there is this nifty little feature that allows you to ignore incoming calls and then quickly reply to them via text message. As you can see from the screenshot above, this is the pop-up I received immediately after hitting ignore to a call that just came through. There are some stock messages already built in, but it also allows you to create your own quick hitter which is a bonus. You can also turn it off completely if you'd like. Any other tips like this that you guys have stumbled across?

Samsung DROID CHARGE Red Eye Revealed

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:09:10 +0000

When we first reported the name DROID CHARGE, to the world, we were still waiting on one more thing to fully solidify this Samsung 4G LTE device as one of our new family members - it's DROID red eye. And now we have it thanks to the crew at PocketNow. It's looking a little shinier and a lot more detailed than those of some of the devices from the past which shouldn't be that surprising especially after seeing the crazy boot animation on the Thunderbolt. From this picture (assuming it's the real deal), we're also seeing that the shiny silver edge of the device might now be a charcoal or dark metal to better represent the brand. A big "Thank you!" to whoever made that decision. What do you guys think? Via: PocketNow

Download: 12 Blue Docks for LauncherPro or ADW to Match the New Blur

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:33:01 +0000

A friend of DL's just sent over a batch of docks that fit perfectly with the new blue Blur that we're seeing from the leaked Gingerbread that's come out this week. If you are like me and fully embracing this new color scheme, then these docks will only add to the experience. They'll work with both ADW EX or LauncherPro, so no one should feel left out. Feel free to download the whole set of docks which are zipped below, or grab the few individual files that I've posted separately. Download: Gingerblur_Docks.zip If you need instructions on using custom docks: LauncherPro | ADW EX

Huge Cheers to Nick!

Download: Fring Beta for HTC Thunderbolt and Atrix 4G

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:26:01 +0000

The current market version of Fring doesn't support the new HTC Thunderbolt or Motorola Atrix 4G, but there is a version floating around behind the scenes that definitely does. The Fring team has been sending out a beta version that will work on these two devices and we have it for you below. Enjoy! Download: Fring2459.apk [mirror] Install as you would any other apk. Cheers Jason!

How to: Get Rooted Gingerbread on DROID 2

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:13:28 +0000

As many of you know by now, Gingerbread for the DROID 2 and X was released over the weekend giving all of us a taste of Android 2.3.3 and the new blue Blur from Motorola, only there was one thing missing. Root access. Well, that problem has now been fixed by our friends over at My Droid World, and we've got full instructions for you after the break if you jumped on GB early. Yep, we walk you through every single step including flashing an SBF file which is something you won't find anywhere else. In these instructions, you are essentially reverting back down to Blur build 2.3.20 and then re-upgrading to rooted Gingerbread. The process looks intense, but again, we outlined every step to help you get there.

Instructions for DROID2:

*WARNING* - You will lose everything on your phone by following the process. This wipes it all people. *WARNING 2* - This is NOT for the DROID X. Those instructions are here. *Note* - If you didn't jump the gun and flash the non-rooted version and are still running something like say, Liberty ROM, all you have to do is flash the .zip file below just as you would any other ROM.

Download: Monster_2.3.2_4.5.153_updater_Rooted.zip

*Note Again* - If you have not already upgraded to Gingerbread, simply download the .zip file, flash it like you normally would a ROM, and ignore this entire process.

1. Download the file from above and drop it on your SD card. 2. Download the 2.3.20 SBF file for the DX. [Here] 3. Download, install and open RSD lite 4.8. [Here] 4. Plug your phone into your Windows PC and turn your phone off. 5. Boot into the bootloader by holding Power + Up Arrow. 6. Your computer will likely install new drivers at this point. 7. Once RSD lite recognizes your phone, hit the "..." box and choose the 2.3.20 SBF file. 8. Click "Start." 9. When it finishes and gets to 100%, power your phone off. 10. Boot into recovery by holding Home + X. 11. When the triangle appears, hit both Volume Up and Down at the same time. 12. Navigate down to wipe data/factory reset, select it with camera, say "yes." 13. When it finishes, reboot your phone. 14. Download z4root 1.3.0 and root your phone. 15. Download D2 Bootstrap and bootstrap your recovery. 16. Reboot into recovery. 17. Choose "install zip from sd card", "choose", then the Monster_2.3.2_Rooted.zip. 18. Your phone will now install Gingerbread with root. 19. When you reboot, your phone will appear to bootloop. Let it. 20. If it does it for say, 5 minutes, just pull your battery and reboot. 21. To Boostrap after installing Gingerbread, you'll need to use the D2 Bootstrapper. 22. Enjoy! Full support can be found at My Droid World.

How to: Get Rooted Gingerbread on DROID X

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:30:56 +0000

As many of you know by now, Gingerbread for the DROID X and 2 was released over the weekend giving all of us a taste of Android 2.3.3 and the new blue Blur from Motorola, only there was one thing missing. Root access. Well, that problem has now been fixed by our friends over at My Droid World, and we've got full instructions for you after the break if you jumped on GB early. Yep, we walk you through every single step including flashing an SBF file which is something you won't find anywhere else. In these instructions, you are essentially reverting back down to Blur build 2.3.340 and then re-upgrading to rooted Gingerbread. The process looks intense, but again, we outlined every step to help you get there.

Instructions for DROIDX:

*WARNING* - You will lose everything on your phone by following the process. This wipes it all people. *WARNING 2* - This is NOT for the DROID 2. Those instructions can be found here. *Note* - If you didn't jump the gun and flash the non-rooted version and are still running something like say, Liberty ROM, all you have to do is flash the .zip file below just as you would any other ROM.

Download: dxgbrooted.zip

*Note Again* - If you have not already upgraded to Gingerbread, simply download the .zip file, flash it like you normally would a ROM, and ignore this entire process.

1. Download the file from above and drop it on your SD card. 2. Download the 2.3.340 SBF file for the DX. [Here] 3. Download, install and open RSD lite 4.8. [Here] 4. Plug your phone into your Windows PC and turn your phone off. 5. Boot into the bootloader by holding Volume Up + Camera + Power. 6. Your computer will likely install new drivers at this point. 7. Once RSD lite recognizes your phone, hit the "..." box and choose the 2.3.340 SBF file. 8. Click "Start." 9. When it finishes and gets to 100%, power your phone off. 10. Boot into recovery by holding Home + Power. 11. When the triangle appears, hit the Search button. 12. Navigate down to wipe data/factory reset, select it with camera, say "yes." 13. When it finishes, reboot your phone. 14. Download z4root 1.3.0 and root your phone. 15. Download DX Bootstrap and bootstrap your recovery. 16. Reboot into recovery. 17. Choose "install zip from sd card", "choose", then the dxgbrooted.zip. 18. Your phone will now install Gingerbread with root. 19. When you reboot, your phone will appear to bootloop. Let it. 20. If it does it for say, 5 minutes, just pull your battery and reboot. 21. To Boostrap after installing Gingerbread, you'll need to use the D2 Bootstrapper. 22. Enjoy! Full support can be found at My Droid World.

Firefox 4 on Android Is Officially Official, Still Doesn't Support Flash

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:03:22 +0000

Mozilla just popped out an announcement for Firefox on Android, making the current version in the market the official version and that's really all that has changed since the release candidate that dropped last week. In fact, it's changed so little, that my market hasn't even asked me to update the version from last week to make it really official. Weird, I know. So yeah...ummm, this is official Firefox. Anyone using it? I was most definitely high on the browser last week when it came out, but after spending an entire week and weekend with it, I'm not longer using it. It's just not ready to compete with the Dolphins of the world yet, although it could be at some point down the road. It has some really great features built into it with a superb UI and PC browser syncing (wait people use Firefox on PCs?), but the lack of Flash support plus some other little annoyances (like awful zoom rendering) have me back to a much lighter browser. I promise to be back for version 4.1 though. Intro video after the break. Download Link. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCe_1DxBQDc[/youtube] Via: Mozilla Blog

Angry Birds Seasons is Free and Ad-free from Amazon Today

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:30:34 +0000

Here is your chance to put a stop to that awful lag that's experienced whenever you play Angry Birds Seasons and an advertisement pops up. The ad-free version is...FREE, today through the Amazon appstore! And just so you know, this will replace your currently installed ad-blasted version, but will not overwrite any settings or gameplay. After installing, you'll be right where you left off. Download Link Cheers @davekover and rocktoonz!

HTC Thunderbolt Kernel Source Released, Time To Get Your Real ROM on

Kellen — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:05:11 +0000

Something big happened late last night, the kernel source for the HTC Thunderbolt was released. What exactly does that mean? Well, for 1, that developers can start to create real ROMs for the device that will more than likely function a hell of a lot better than your stock one would. This is a huge step towards the Thunderbolt reaching its full potential with a better battery life. Download the kernel source from HTC's site. Cheers 0mie and MrBob!

Amazon Announces Cloud Music Service and Player on Android, Your Music from Anywhere

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:14:59 +0000

Talk about awesome midnight news out of the Amazon camp. How does a new cloud music service sound? So here is the deal - it's a new cloud-based music service that allows you to purchase music and decide to upload it to the cloud so that you can access it from anywhere, or save it directly to your device. Obviously the smart thing here is to attach all of your purchases to your personal Amazon cloud so that you can later download them onto any device of your choosing. Here's the catch though; you only start out with 5GB of free cloud storage space, but can quickly up that to 20GB just by purchasing an MP3 album. You can also upload your current music library to the cloud using Amazon's uploader. Here are the pricing plans for additional Cloud storage:

We've got that whole process for using the cloud detailed for you in pictures below.

When you open the new Amazon MP3 app, you get to decide if you want to shop for songs or head straight to the player to play any music that you have in your cloud. It will also let you play music stored on your device and is really an all-in-one kind of guy.

If you decide to shop, you can decide after purchasing if you want to save your songs to the cloud drive or directly onto your device.

Here is what the cloud music player looks like after saving your purchases to your cloud drive. Oh, and it also includes a button to allow you to download to the device you are currently using. Yessir.

More info here, here and here. Download Link. Cheers James!

Did 3G Mobile Hotspot for DROID X and 2 Running Gingerbread Just Go Live for Free?

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:56:39 +0000

Earlier today we were poking fun at the official 3G mobile hotspot apps for the DROID X and 2 on Gingerbread because they erroneously told us to go sign-up at att.com/mywireless in order to use the service, but we should have dug deeper. It's now looking like the feature is free on both devices as long as you are on Gingerbread. As far as I can tell, this hasn't been the case up until now, so maybe with this version of Android 2.3 not being official, it's possible that it had not been turned off yet? As you can see in the screenshots above, I've successfully tethered my DX to my XOOM over 3G. If you do decide to use this, understand that we have no idea how this could affect your bill. What we do know is that tethering really gobbles up data, so you might want to be careful. Anyone else? Am I just out of the loop and this service has been free for a while? Maybe they decided to make it free along with the Thunderbolt until May? And we're talking the official 3G mobile hotspot app, not a 3rd party app like Barnacle. Cheers Robert!

QuickOffice Pro HD Coupons Rolling Out Now, Final Price After Discount is $9.99

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:47:32 +0000

QuickOffice Pro HD for Honeycomb came out yesterday, and already the 30% off coupons are starting to roll out to those that signed up when we told you to. And remember, this is an additional 30% off of the $14.99 introductory price, so you end with a final price of just $9.99. Not a bad deal on a $24.99 full office suite for your Motorola XOOM. And I'd drop the coupon code right here in the post, but I want to make sure that everyone who signed up early has a chance to get their order in first. As many of you know, when we post up coupon codes, they tend to get squashed by the host within a matter of minutes. If someone were to post it up in the comments though, I cannot stop that. (Hint...) Buy.

DROID X and 2 Gingerbread Mobile Hotspot Tells You to Sign-up through AT&T?

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:33:38 +0000

Maybe this is the reason that the first Gingerbread (Android 2.3) builds were rejected late last week by Verizon? Someone at Motorola must have been cracking away at the 2.3 update for the Atrix 4G and forgot to swap out hotspot apps for Verizon's DROID X and 2 phones, leaving users with the warning you are seeing above. And I'm guessing if you head to att.com/mywireless you aren't going to have any luck. Silly Moto. The good news is that maybe Atrix users are closer to Gingerbread than we had imagined! Cheers David and Dominic!

CyanogenMod 7 RC3 Released for DROID Incredible, Other Devices

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:31:15 +0000

Release Candidate 3 for CyanogenMod 7 has started rolling out to a variety of devices, including one of our family members, the DROID Incredible. If you head over to the CM release site, you'll find RC3 for the DI, plus what appears to be a new nightly. Anyone already running this? Cheers Steve!

How to: Root the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:29:12 +0000

If you bought a Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi this weekend, hopefully you didn't try to root it the same way we all did with the 3G/4G version because there is a chance you would have bricked it. This is slightly different, but not all that difficult if you have a decent grasp on adb commands. Yes, adb commands. It's time you all start to learn these and get your Android SDK setup properly. Update: 1-click method added. All credit to the members of XDA forums for this method.

1-Click Instructions:

*WARNING* - This method is pretty much untested. Proceed with extreme caution. Read the support thread below first. We don't want anyone bricking their brand new XOOM.

1. Download this file: RootMyXOOMNOUNROOT.zip 2. Unzip the tool and all of the folders and files into a directory. (i.e. c:\xoom ) 3. Run the Xoom One Click EXE tool and follow the instructions. Read the prompts carefully. Full support for 1-click can be found at this XDA thread.

Manual Instructions:

*You will need the newest Moto USB drivers. [Download]

1. Download this file to your computer: xoomwifiroot.zip 2. Unzip it and drop all files into your Android SDK Tools (or Platform-Tools) folder. 3. Open a command prompt from within the Tools folder. 4. Unlock the device's bootloader with these commands:

adb reboot bootloader fastboot oem unlock adb reboot bootloader

5. Once it boots back up, enter the following commands in adb:

fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot reboot adb remount adb push bcm4329.ko /system/lib/modules/bcm4329.ko adb push cifs.ko /system/lib/modules/cifs.ko adb push tun.ko /system/lib/modules/tun.ko adb push scsi_wait_scan.ko /system/lib/modules/scsi_wait_scan.ko adb push su /system/bin adb shell ln -s /system/bin/su /system/xbin/su adb shell chmod 4755 /system/bin/su adb push Superuser.apk /system/app adb push vold.fstab /system/etc/vold.fstab adb reboot adb shell

6. Enjoy being rooted! Here is a video tutorial which starts after you unlock the bootloader: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsVpY0PDwtQ[/youtube] Full support can be found at this XDA thread. Cheers Chris and everyone else!

You're Welcome Verizon Trade-in Site…

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:09:17 +0000

This isn't really news, but we thought it was funny enough to share. If you head over to Verizon's phone trade-in portal and enter in your device as the HTC Thunderbolt, you are treated to the picture above, which is...one of ours! You may remember it from that exclusive 12-photo spread we had of the final Thunderbolt build a couple of weeks before it was to be released, and it looks like Big Red was impressed. You're welcome! Cheers Jim!

Benchmarks: DROIDX and DROID2 on Gingerbread vs. HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:45:23 +0000

I know, I know, benchmarks (especially) Quadrant are inconsistent, can be faked or bloated and aren't a great tool to compare phones, right? I've heard the arguments, but at least these give us something. So we took both the DROIDX and DROID2, slapped the leaked Gingerbread on both and then compared them to the HTC Thunderbolt running Android 2.2 with Sense. The results are about what we figured since the Thunderbolt has slightly different and newer hardware, but Android 2.3 really seems to have given the DX and D2 a nice boost. [gallery link="file"]

Video: Angry Birds the Movie [Spoof]

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:06:54 +0000

Anyone up for Angry Birds the movie? Yeah, me neither. But this spoof trailer from the guys at Rooster Teeth is actually good for a couple of laughs even if it does mention that fruity app jukebox phone from the other side. The drill sergeant/boss almost ruins it and is the most unfunny character of the entire thing, but once you see the birds for the first time you'll...well, just watch it and see for yourself. And no, this has nothing to do with Angry Birds Rio. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2matH4B9bTo[/youtube] Cheers Andrew!

LauncherPro Update Brings Gmail Widget, New Screen Transitions and Fixes

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:30:57 +0000

LauncherPro (Plus) finally received its Gmail widget today along with a couple of new homescreen transitions, and some other fixes. Been a while since we've had an update, right? No word on the full re-write, but this should hold you over for a while...

New Gmail widget for Plus users!

New "Flip" and "Rotate 2" homescreen transition effects. The old "Flip" transition is now called "Flip 2".

Facebook login is now done through the official Facebook app (where available).

Updated the Twitter widget code to fix some issues.

Download Link

Video: DROID X Gingerbread Walk-through

Kellen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:50:28 +0000

When the leaked Gingerbread (Android 2.3) builds for the DROID X and DROID 2 were released last night, we couldn't help but dive right into them and see what Moto had changed. At first glance it looked like a lot, but after playing with this DX build for a few minutes you quickly realize that alongside the few eye-popping cosmetic changes there are some back-end things that really make the difference here. The performance increase you'll see will have you excited even if the new blue Blur isn't your thing. We go hands-on after the break. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMKIgqHAlJc[/youtube]

Download Links and Instructions | DX Benchmarks | Benchmarks vs. Thunderbolt

Video: DROID X Gingerbread Benchmarks

Kellen — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:31:28 +0000

Gingerbread (Android 2.3) for the DROID X has been leaked/released and we've got the benchmarks for you. Prepare to be impressed by a phone who still only has a 1GHz single-core processor and 512MB of RAM. Who would have thought that a software update could make a phone feel and perform better than it ever has? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=339bnvTQ87g[/youtube] Update: Benchmarks of the DROID 2 and DROID X vs. Thunderbolt.

Gingerbread Released for DROID X and 2, Downloads and Instructions Provided

Kellen — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:53:36 +0000

Yep, our homies over at My Droid World released Gingerbread for both the DROID X and DROID 2 today. Please thank them at the source links by donating and then get yourself to downloading from the links and instructions below. Neither have been rooted, but it'll give you a taste of Android 2.3 and the new Blur long before Verizon will release them to you. You can always return to stock using one of the SBF files that is in the wild, so don't be too scared about upgrading. We can definitely get you back to stock for the official build.

UPDATE: Instructions for rooted Gingerbread below:

[DROIDX] [DROID2]

______________________________________________

*You need to be rooted in order to install these. [Instructions] *Benchmarks of Gingerbread on the DROID X. [Here] *Video walk-through of Gingerbread. [Here]

Instructions for DROID X:

1. Download this file and drop it on SD card. 2. Use Bootstrap to get your phone into recovery. 3. Create a backup (This is not compatible with new firmware). 4. Install the Firmware using recovery:

1. Select install zip from sdcard 2. Choose zip from sdcard 3. Select the file you downloaded

5. Restart phone. If your DX bootloops after installing: 1. Hold down power and home. 2. When you see the triangle hold down both volume buttons 3. Select wipe data/factory reset ---press power button to select 4. Reboot system

Instructions for DROID 2:

1. Download this file and drop on SD card. 2. Use Bootstrap to get your phone into recovery. 3. Create a backup (This is not compatible with new firmware). 4. Install the Firmware using recovery.

1. Select install zip from sdcard. 2. Choose zip from sdcard. 3. Select the file you downloaded.

5. Restart phone. 6. Re-activate your phone. 7. Dial *228. 8. Select 1. If your D2 bootloops after installing: 1. Hold down x and power button 2. When you see the triangle hold down both volume buttons 3. Select wipe data/factory reset ---press power button to select 4. Reboot system Via: MDW DX | D2

QuickOffice Pro HD Released for Honeycomb, Business XOOMers Pop the Bubbly

Kellen — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:20:35 +0000

QuickOffice Pro HD for Honeycomb is now available for the business users in the building. It's starting out at an introductory price of $14.99 (regularly $24.99), but if you signed up for that 30% off discount we shared a week or so ago, you may be able to get it even cheaper once those codes are sent out since they claim it will work on the "introductory" price. I grabbed it so that I could snap a few screenshots for everyone, and while bloggers and online writers definitely don't get dirty in spreadsheets all that often, it's obvious that this is going to be a great app. Here is a description pulled from the market to give you an idea of its uses:

...ability to CREATE, VIEW, and EDIT, Microsoft® Office files including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. Conveniently ACCESS files remotely from your Google® Docs, Dropbox, Box, Huddle™, SugarSync, and MobileMe™ accounts or from your SD card using our Connect File Manager with SmartTouch™ technology. Also included is our advanced PDF viewer.

And here are the key features:

✔ Clipboard access (cut/copy/paste in app and between apps) ✔ Undo / redo most user actions ✔ Insert and resize images from gallery or camera in Word and PowerPoint files ✔ Text-to-speech document recital and voice input dictation ✔ Thumbnail preview scrolling for multi-page documents ✔ Improved toolbar and performance enhancements ✔ Paragraph alignment in documents ✔ Edit speaker notes in presentations ✔ Share files from via e-mail ✔ Support for advanced formulas and charts in Excel files ✔ Edit in page layout mode and thumbnail page navigation in documents ✔ Add, delete, and rename worksheets in Excel files ✔ Apply formulas to multiple cells by tapping and dragging ✔ Move & resize text boxes, images, and shapes

The file system and remote access services:

Word document:

Spreadsheet:

PowerPoint:

Download Link ($14.99) Cheers Omar!

Is your Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Black or Silver?

Kellen — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:50:31 +0000

On Friday, one of our readers received his Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi early from Staples, so we made sure to spread the word which it seems many of you took advantage of. And when he unboxed it, showed off the black back cover, leaving us to believe that the silver model was a European exclusive. Or is it? Another of our readers picked up a wifi-only XOOM (from Staples) down in Southern California and was surprised to see it sporting a silver back cover. It also appears to be missing the "with Google" text that everyone's black version has. So what's the deal? Note: Best Buy's site says their wifi-only model comes in "Dark Titanium" which we're assuming is this silver color. So if you want to be guaranteed a silver version, might want to head to Best Buy. It sounds like Staples is displaying black versions, but sometimes selling the silver version. (Cheers @ScottHubiak!) To those of you that picked one up this weekend, what are you seeing? Silver or black?

DROID Incredible Receiving Gingerbread at End of Q2?

Kellen — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 09:39:17 +0000

Yesterday we dropped news that the HTC Thunderbolt would be receiving Gingerbread (Android 2.3) some time in Q2 of this year, but many asked about its little brother, the DROID Incredible. Well, if we are to believe the email below, which is from another HTC rep, it looks like the DI will also see GB in Q2, but towards the end instead.

Dear Thomas, I will be happy to assist with your software update inquiry. Indeed the Incredible is going to get 2.3 Gingerbread and we expect to be ready to release it with Verizon before the end of the second quarter of this year. To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number 11USCW14ENA000091. Sincerely, Douglas HTC Want to see what others are saying? Have a question to ask other HTC fans? Become a fan of HTC facebook.com/htc Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/htc Subscribe to our YouTube Channel youtube.com/htc Explore our development resources developer.htc.com We are unable to receive replies to this email account. Please visit us at htc.com if you have any questions or need further assistance.

We should remind you to take these HTC rep emails for what they are, just rumors until an official HTC announcement makes its way out. Again, it is nice to start seeing some dates thrown around at though; gives us something to look forward to. Cheers T!

Another One Click Root Method Available for HTC Thunderbolt

Tim — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:16:20 +0000

It was only a matter of time. There's something about being able to buy a phone then immediately being able to root and customize it. But isn't that why we are all here in the first place? The constant assault of developers working hard to make this thee most desired phone in the community, now has a route for people who are easily intimidated by long and complex instructions. We have published a few ways of already rooting the device here and here, but if you ran into issues with those, this is another for you to try. This is probably not the most easy method for Beginners; it's not the easiest One Click method I have ever seen, but if you already have all of this set up (most people don't) then you'll just need the file. Good luck! Here is a little list of the prerequisites:

Windows OS running Computer. That's Important
Drivers Installed & Working
SDK Installed with ADB
Exploits.zip with contents extracted to your ADB dir
PG05IMG.zip
Downgrade RUU
A Thunderbolt running 605.6 or 605.9 Firmware

So if you're feeling froggy, head to the thread and go for it! Source: XDA Thread Cheers Flashtotalk15!

Swiftkey is FREE Today from Amazon

Kellen — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 10:30:22 +0000

Not a bad start from the Amazon Appstore, I'd say. First it was Angry Birds Rio, then Doodle Jump followed by Shazam Encore, and today we get Swiftkey for free. If you aren't familiar with Swiftkey, just know that many have chosen it over Swype as their everyday keyboard. It seriously reads your mind while you type. Grab it!

Gingerbread Headed to HTC Thunderbolt Q2 2011

Kellen — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:45:06 +0000

One of our readers reached out to HTC over an issue they were having with Bluetooth on their new HTC Thunderbolt and received a response back with some information that should make everyone's weekend 100% better. How does Q2 of this year for a Gingerbread update sound? The HTC rep also dropped a list of Android 2.3 features in her email, but we're thinking she may have just pulled them from an official 2.3 update list because she included NFC in there. As far as we know, the TBolt doesn't have an NFC chip in it, but either way, the Q2 announcement is what we really care about. Soooo...some time in the next 3 months, you should have GB. I guess this really isn't surprising since the majority of HTC's new phones will all launch with Android 2.3, but we always love confirmations from HTC reps. Check out the full email after the break.

Dear John, Congratulations on obtainng the HTC Thunderbolt. We understand how important it is that your device meets your needs. John, Bluetooth manufacturers make their devices to be compatible with our phones. We do not make our phones to be compatible with the thousands of Bluetooth devices in the market. Bluetooth manufacturers conduct the testing to see if complete compatability is achievable. It is the software in the Bluetooth devices which dictates whether they work or not. Our software in the phones, ensures that the phone can pair and turn on the Bluetooth. Anything else, goes to the Bluetooth manufacturer for troubleshooting. You would need to speak with the car manufacturer to ensure that full compatibilty is achievable. The Thunderbolt does have a text to speech feature. We are excited to announce that the Thunderbolt will receive the Gingerbread (Android 2.3) update in Q2 2011. Stay tuned for details as we get closer to the update availability. New User Features UI refinements for simplicity and speed Faster, more intuitive text input One-touch word selection and copy/paste Improved power management Control over applications Internet calling Near-field communications Downloads management Enhancements for gaming Performance Native input and sensor events Open API for native audio Native graphics management Native access to Activity lifecycle, window management Native access to assets, storage Robust native development environment New forms of communication Internet telephony Near Field Communications (NFC Rich multimedia Mixable audio effects Support for new media formats Access to multiple cameras New Platform Technologies Media Framework New media framework fully replaces OpenCore, maintaining all previous codec/container support for encoding and decoding. Integrated support for the VP8 open video compression format and the WebM open container format Adds AAC encoding and AMR wideband encoding Linux Kernel Upgraded to 2.6.35 Networking SIP stack, configurable by device manufacturer Support for Near Field Communications (NFC), configurable by device manufacturer Updated BlueZ stack Dalvik runtime Dalvik VM: Concurrent garbage collector (target sub-3ms pauses) Adds further JIT (code-generation) optimizations Improved code verification StrictMode debugging, for identifying performance and memory issues Core libraries: Expanded I18N support (full worldwide encodings, more locales) Faster Formatter and number formatting. For example, float formatting is 2.5x faster. HTTP responses are gzipped by default. XML and JSON API response sizes may be reduced by 60% or more. New collections and utilities APIs Improved network APIs Improved file read and write controls Updated JDBC Updates from upstream projects: OpenSSL 1.0.0a BouncyCastle 1.45 ICU 4.4 zlib 1.2.5 We apologize John, for any inconvenience that you may have experienced. To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number XXXXXXXXXXX. Sincerely, Carol HTC Want to see what others are saying? Have a question to ask other HTC fans? Become a fan of HTC facebook.com/htc Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/htc Subscribe to our YouTube Channel youtube.com/htc Explore our development resources developer.htc.com We are unable to receive replies to this email account. Please visit us at htc.com if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Cheers 4n1m4l !

Rumor: Gingerbread DROID X Build Rejected by Verizon?

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:07:38 +0000

Another rumor...yuck. So a Twitter user named PydePypper, has apparently heard that Gingerbread for the DROID X was rejected by Verizon just after Motorola approved it. This comes almost a day after we heard that there was a chance the update would start rolling out Sunday; who knows at this point. We have been unable to get further confirmation on it actually going down this weekend, so to be safe, we'll just have to tell you all to not expect anything any time soon. We were unbelievably surprised to learn that it could have been released this weekend, and are definitely not holding out hope at this point. It just seems way too soon. Instead, let's talk about the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi that officially becomes available on Sunday! And from a quick look around the blogosphere, it appears as if everyone is taking our advice and heading into Staples to grab one early. Nice. Cheers webmastir!

Honeycomb Quickly Becoming an Unofficial Reality on the Samsung Galaxy Tab

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:37:51 +0000

Admit it Galaxy Tab owners, that picture above is quite beautiful. Honeycomb, booted up and looking as pretty as you would have expected? Now, if only it was available to everyone, we'd be having one hell of a Friday. We're getting close though, according to XDA member spacemoose1 who is leading the charge to get Android 3.0 on a device that may not see it otherwise. Sure, Samsung claimed back in 2010 that it would be updated to something at some point, but I'm willing to bet Fascinate owners have an opinion on that. We're definitely getting close, although there are still some things to be worked out on this attempt including wi-fi. So don't expect to have it up and running on your device today, but instead applaud a great step towards HC goodness.

Follow this XDA thread to find out the latest on HC for the GTab. Cheers Tom!

Google Music Internal Testing has Begun?

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:21:13 +0000

According to "music industry sources," Google has started internal testing of Google Music which has everyone speculating that the service is almost ready for prime time. Employees are apparently running around using the service, one that resembles the mysterious syncing we saw from the leaked music app a few weeks ago. There is a good chance though, that the final product will be much different. (Wait, what product? Wasn't it just a mysterious cloud syncing? Moving on...) There is no telling when we could see the service debut, but this dog-fooding is usually a good sign that we're close. (+1 for use of dog-fooding) Maybe a Google I/O unveiling? We can only hope. Via: CNET, Phandroid

Shazam Encore is FREE from Amazon, Ad-free Angry Birds Also Available

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:30:49 +0000

We're still trying to decide if the Amazon Appstore is necessary or not, but if they keep pumping out free apps each day that normally cost $5, we aren't about to start complaining about it. They have already featured Angry Birds Rio and Doodle Jump, but today's offer of Shazam Encore is something to note. The app runs for around $5 on both the Android Market and Amazon store, giving you unlimited tags of songs along with LastFM and Pandora support. We might have to start featuring each app of the day in the sidebar or something - wouldn't want anyone to miss out. And on a semi-related note, you can find ad-free versions Angry Birds and Angry Birds Seasons over at the Amazon Appstore for $.99 a piece. One of the major complaints about the free versions of these games has been the amount of lag experienced when ads appear. Well, it looks like you can now defeat that problem with a dollar or two.

Shazam Encore | Angry Birds | Angry Birds Seasons

Cheers Tim, Mike and 4n1m4l!

Gameloft Opens Arms to Amazon Appstore for HD Game Distribution

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:20:35 +0000

Gameloft CEO Michel Guillemot said recently in an interview that they plan to embrace the new Amazon Appstore rather than the official Android Market, and will use it as an outlet to release their suite of HD mobile games. In the past, Gameloft has chosen to sell games on their own, basically showing that they don't trust the official market with the amount of piracy that takes place. Clearly they feel like Amazon will protect their apps much better...

Gameloft Chief Executive Michel Guillemot said Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, where consumers are comfortable using their credit cards to pay for everything from toasters to online movies, provides the perfect platform for mobile games. "The Amazon ecosystem is controlled where we don't find too many pirated version of our games or malware games, so for the consumers, it will be a safer place to come and get applications," Guillemot said in an interview.

It's at least a step in the right direction. Amazon's Appstore appears to at least work, so this should provide a lot less frustration to those that have had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with Gameloft's purchasing process. We're still not sure if they'll force you to re-buy games for each of your phones or not, but we're thinking they will. I was able to download Angry Birds Rio to multiple devices without paying though, and it's technically a paid app. I guess we'll soon find out. Via: Reuters, Droid Gamers

DROID X2 could end up as 4G LTE device?(Updated: Fake)

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:20:36 +0000

Our homies over at Phandroid received this photo a couple of days ago, and while we're all pretty sure it's fake, I did want to at least show it to everyone here at DL. What does everyone think? Fake or real? It's lacking a camera button which is what we've been told has changed on the DROID X2, but the 4G LTE logo just looks a little odd, doesn't it? We've seen a few people mention something about the weird circle down by the Google logo, but we saw that on the original DROIDX from back in its Xtreme days. I will mention one thing though. One of our readers hit me up just a day or so ago after running into a Motorola employee of some sort who was enamored with the DX2 (DROID X²), claiming that it would be a 4G LTE device and a better option than the BIONIC. Craziness, right? Feel free to weigh in below... Update: Yeah, that photo is clearly just a 'shopped photo of one that the MobiZone leaked a while back. (Cheers Scott!) Via: Phandroid Cheers Phil!

Staples Shipping Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Early? To at Least One Lucky Customer

Kellen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:43:52 +0000

We were tipped to March 27th as being the day that the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi would be available at Staples (variety of other retailers as well) for everyone to pick up, and that's definitely still the case. But for one of our readers, March 25th is the magical day. "How'd he swing that," you ask? By calling the Staples sales number and placing an order over the phone rather than through their website which wanted to hold him to the 27th date. Sneaky, sneaky. Oh and if you were wondering what the color of the back piece would be, you can see it below.

No silver back to be found. Same black as the 3G/4G version. And on another note, we're hearing that ABC Warehouse in the Michigan, Ohio and Indiana area will be selling them today if you swing by. Apparently they are still on the truck, but could be available in the afternoon. Cheers Chris and Jason!

Official: BlackBerry PlayBook Will Run Android Apps

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:15:31 +0000

The BlackBerry PlayBook has been rumored (and proven) to have the ability to run Android apps for quite some time, but we were just waiting on RIM to confirm it. Today, they did. RIM plans on launching "app players" that will allow Android apps to run within, making this device instantly more desirable. Everything will eventually be available in BlackBerry's App World, including these Android apps which may come as a surprise to some of you. How will that work? Well, RIM claims that there is a "high degree of API compatibility" and porting apps over to be able to run on the PlayBook should be simple. Hats off to RIM; talk about a great way to give the millions of Android users a reason to check out your new product. While BlackBerry handsets are snoozing in the smartphone race these days, it's hard to deny the impressive spec list and look of the PlayBook. And priced at $499 for a 16GB model, who isn't thinking about giving one a test drive? With a dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, front (3MP) and rear (5MP) cameras, HDMI out, and Flash support, aren't you at least a little interested now? Press release after the break. [Spec List]

RIM Expands Application Ecosystem for BlackBerry PlayBook

BlackBerry PlayBook to support BlackBerry Java and Android apps

Native C/C++ development support added, in addition to HTML5, Flash and AIR support

Support from leading game engines: Ideaworks Labs (AirPlay) and Unity Technologies (Unity 3)

BlackBerry PlayBook becomes a new market opportunity for all the developers who have already created over 25,000 BlackBerry Java apps and more than 200,000 Android apps

Waterloo, ON - Developers wanting to bring their new and existing apps to the highly anticipated BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet will soon have additional tools and options to enhance and expand their commercial opportunities. Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced plans to greatly expand the application ecosystem for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The BlackBerry PlayBook is scheduled to launch in the U.S. and Canada on April 19. RIM will launch two optional “app players” that provide an application run-time environment for BlackBerry Java® apps and Android v2.3 apps. These new app players will allow users to download BlackBerry Java apps and Android apps from BlackBerry App World and run them on their BlackBerry PlayBook. In addition, RIM will shortly release the native SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook enabling C/C++ application development on the BlackBerry® Tablet OS. For game-specific developers, RIM is also announcing that it has gained support from two leading game development tooling companies, allowing developers to use the cross-platform game engines from Ideaworks Labs and Unity Technologies to bring their games to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Support for BlackBerry Java and Android Apps “The BlackBerry PlayBook is an amazing tablet. The power that we have embedded creates one of the most compelling app experiences available in a mobile computing device today,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “The upcoming addition of BlackBerry Java and Android apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook on BlackBerry App World will provide our users with an even greater choice of apps and will also showcase the versatility of the platform.” Developers currently building for the BlackBerry or Android platforms will be able to quickly and easily port their apps to run on the BlackBerry Tablet OS thanks to a high degree of API compatibility. The new optional app players will be available for download from BlackBerry App World and will be placed in a secure “sandbox” on the BlackBerry PlayBook where the BlackBerry Java or Android apps can be run. Developers will simply repackage, code sign and submit their BlackBerry Java and Android apps to BlackBerry App World. Once approved, the apps will be distributed through BlackBerry App World, providing a new opportunity for many developers to reach BlackBerry PlayBook users. Users will be able to download both the app players and the BlackBerry Java and Android apps from BlackBerry App World. The BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry Tablet OS are built on the QNX® Neutrino® microkernel architecture with a 1GHz dual core processor and a leading OpenGL solution, which allows RIM to make this incredibly broad platform support possible. BlackBerry PlayBook users and developers who are interested in seeing the new app players for BlackBerry Java and Android apps can see demos at BlackBerry World in Orlando, Florida (May 3 to 5, 2011) (www.blackberryworld.com). BlackBerry Tablet OS Development Tools The BlackBerry Tablet OS already supports an incredibly robust platform with support for Web development standard HTML5, through the BlackBerry® WebWorks™ SDK for Tablet OS, and Adobe® AIR®, through the BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Adobe AIR. The BlackBerry Tablet OS is built from the ground up to run WebKit and Adobe® Flash® as well, giving developers a fast and true Web experience to leverage. RIM is also announcing today that the BlackBerry Tablet OS Native Development Kit (NDK), which is currently in limited alpha release, will go into open Beta by this summer and be demonstrated at BlackBerry World. The BlackBerry Tablet OS NDK will allow developers to build high-performance, multi-threaded, native C/C++ applications with industry standard GNU toolchains. Developers can create advanced 2D and 3D applications and special effects by leveraging programmable shaders available in hardware-accelerated OpenGL ES 2.0. Other features of the BlackBerry Tablet OS NDK will allow developers to:

Take advantage of the QNX POSIX library support and C/C++ compliance for quick and easy application porting and for creating native extensions for both BlackBerry and Android applications

Easily integrate device events like gesture swipes and touch screen inputs

Integrate the BlackBerry Tablet OS environment into existing code management and build systems using industry standard Eclipse CDT (C/C++ Development Tools)

Leverage work done in standard C/C++ to make it easier to bring applications to the BlackBerry Tablet OS

Find and fix bugs quickly with provided debug and analysis tools

“The response to the BlackBerry PlayBook from the developer community has been exceptional. Our commitment to supporting HTML5 and Adobe AIR development has resonated and spurred developers to create fun and innovative applications for BlackBerry PlayBook users,” said David Yach, Chief Technology Officer, Software at Research In Motion. “The upcoming BlackBerry Tablet OS NDK beta will add C/C++ tools to our repertoire and gives developers one of the broadest and deepest platforms to develop on.” Gaming Engines Building on the power of the BlackBerry Tablet OS NDK, RIM is working with leading gaming and application development technology providers such as Ideaworks Labs and Unity Technologies to implement their native engines and application development platforms. Developers will be able to take advantage of these engines when building games and other applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The Ideaworks Labs Airplay SDK is expected to include support for the BlackBerry Tablet OS soon, making it easy for publishers and developers to use their existing code to bring their games and apps to the BlackBerry PlayBook. "Supporting a new OS can be a challenge for developers," says Alex Caccia, President of Ideaworks Labs, "however, integration of the BlackBerry Tablet OS with the Airplay SDK makes this a non-issue. We think this is a far-sighted move by RIM: the BlackBerry PlayBook is a great device for games and applications, and combining this with content distribution via BlackBerry App World brings an exciting new ecosystem for developers." RIM has also been working closely with Unity Technologies, providers of the highly popular, multi-platform Unity development platform and Union, the firm’s games distribution service. Through Union, dozens of high-quality Unity-authored games are slated to make their way to BlackBerry App World for the BlackBerry Playbook. “With a sharp focus on the multimedia experience, very powerful hardware, and fantastic games in the pipeline, the BlackBerry Playbook has all the right ingredients to be a mainstream hit,” said Brett Seyler, GM of Union at Unity Technologies. “Through Union, Unity developers have an opportunity to reach a new audience and grow with another great new platform.” Availability The new app players for the BlackBerry PlayBook are expected to be available from BlackBerry App World this summer. More information and demonstrations of the new app players will be shared at BlackBerry World. The BlackBerry Tablet OS NDK will be available in beta later this year and will also be showcased at BlackBerry World. Useful Links For more information on the BlackBerry Tablet OS and BlackBerry PlayBook developing, visithttp://us.blackberry.com/developers/tablet/ To see the BlackBerry Tablet OS in action running conceptual applications from The Astonishing Tribe, please visithttp://www.youtube.com/blackberry#p/c/8D8C3A23664E6761/5/uH7NKhNyygw andhttp://www.youtube.com/blackberry#p/c/8D8C3A23664E6761/0/mWJG-sB7H4Y For RIM insights into developing for the BlackBerry Platform, visit http://devblog.blackberry.com or follow @BlackBerryDev on Twitter. Visit the BlackBerry Developer Zone at www.blackberry.com/developers for the latest news, information and updates for BlackBerry developers. Visit the BlackBerry Developer Video Library at www.blackberry.com/go/developervideolibrary to view a variety of instructional videos. Sign up for the BlackBerry Developer Newsletter at . For the latest news and information about the BlackBerry Developer Conference visitwww.blackberrydeveloperconference.com. About Research In Motion Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Pulse News Reader Updated to Version 2.0: Add up to 60 News Sources, Share them Easier

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:34:59 +0000

Everyone's favorite picture-laden news reader app, Pulse, updated to version 2.0 today and now allows you to add up to 60 of your favorite feeds in that beautiful column format. They've also enhanced the performance by improving swiping smoothness and made sharing with your favorite social outlets easier. Is anyone using anything besides Pulse or Google Reader these days? Top two in my opinion. What's in this version:

Three Times More Sources: Personalize your mobile news reading experience by selecting up to 60 news sources (compared to the previous 25) across five customizable pages.
Social News: Easily browse social content from Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, Digg and Reddit
Improved Google Reader: We now save stories read offline on Pulse and sync them to Google Reader when the app is online later.
Smooth Swiping: We have improved swiping between stories in text and web view to be smoother than ever.

Via: Pulse

In-app Billing on Android Launching Next Week

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:40:10 +0000

In-app billing will go live next week on Android and developers can start testing the service on their apps now. What is in-app billing? A new feature that developers can build into apps that will allow users to purchase things like virtual goods or even upgrade the app they are using from a lite to full version. The big thing here, is that developers will have additional income streams which hopefully means we'll see better and better apps (or more apps for that matter). It also means that apps will have fun little add-ons for all of us to tinker with. Not exactly sure how payments will work, but the Android team did mention that this new process will use "familiar forms of payment" which we're thinking probably means Google Checkout. Although, adding a credit card might also be an option, which is fine as long as an app is up to security standards. Via: Android Developers Blog

Google Not Releasing Honeycomb Source for a While, Isn't Ready for Outside Developers

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:42:20 +0000

According to Businessweek, Google is not ready to release the source code to Honeycomb (Android 3.0) because it's not ready for developers outside of the few major device manufacturers like HTC, Motorola, Samsung and LG. When asked what the reason for the "delay" would be, Andy Rubin (Mr. Android) had this to say:

"To make our schedule to ship the tablet, we made some design tradeoffs," says Andy Rubin, vice-president for engineering at Google and head of its Android group. "We didn't want to think about what it would take for the same software to run on phones. It would have required a lot of additional resources and extended our schedule beyond what we thought was reasonable. So we took a shortcut."

To anyone that follows Android news on a regular basis, this shouldn't come as a big surprise. Honeycomb was built basically from scratch for tablets, and was rumored to be delayed over and over again while it was fine-tuned for the Motorola XOOM. If Google struggled to get it to work on a tablet, why should we think they were working to make it phone-compatible as well? And why should the Android team deciding to polish it up before letting developers hack away on it, be looked at as a bad thing? Of course, Businessweek has taken this movement as a negative, questioning the openness of Android, but we're not going down that road yet. We all know that the Android team has been working on a phone OS and a tablet OS simultaneously with hopes of molding them together at some point in the future. The only bad news here is that we don't have a timetable for when the source will be released. Via: Businessweek Cheers MBanicek!

Rumor: Gingerbread for DROID X Rolling Out this Sunday?

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:11:50 +0000

As the title clearly points out, this is just a rumor for now, but one that we're hoping to know more on very shortly. The DROID X could start seeing official Gingerbread (Android 2.3) from Verizon starting Sunday at midnight (to business clients first), with the full rollout happening all of next week. This seems a little early to me and comes as a huge surprise, but a friend in the business has already said that the build is finished and it is now up to Verizon/Moto to decide when to roll it out. Again, let's not get too excited until we have more. Feel free to cross your toes for a bit though. Update 3/25 - 10:43AM: Still waiting for that confirmation. Apologies for the delay on info, we fully expected to have it by now. Again, let's not hold out too much hope for this. Oh, and to get an idea as to what this 2.3 Blur will look like, check out this post.

Color Launches as an Instant Social Group Photo Sharing App

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:31:30 +0000

Just what we need, another photo sharing, social sort of groupish app that we'll use for another two days, right? Well, this one might be around for a while if the $41 million in funding that it received has anything to do with it. The app is called Color, and it allows you to take photos while you are with friends, family, etc. and instantly share them together into a group gallery. As long as you are within 150ft of each other, the photos should automatically pull together. You can comment on recently taken photos, thumb them up if you like, and even share the entire thing to Facebook or Twitter. The idea has "win" written all over it, but after playing with the app itself for 5 minutes, we'll have to hope they put some more time into developing it. I was able to get my DX and Thunderbolt to snap photos and instantly share together, but my original DROID struggled. The app itself is also incredibly tough to navigate. Someone tell these folks that Android users have more than one button on their phones. Hello, Settings menu? So the next time you are out with a group of friends, try suggesting that they all grab this app and snap photos throughout the night to bring back memories that you may have sloppily forgotten. 150ft though! Download Link (free) Cheers @koush!

Show Off Your DROID Home Screens Day!

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:04:41 +0000

Been a while since we took a day to let everyone show off the beauty that is their personalized home screen. And since a lot of you are rockin' out with a new HTC Thunderbolt, we figured that you've probably had to change up that look a little. We also have a variety of new themes in the wild for the DX/D2 and OG, so let's show them off! If you missed out the last time we did this, here are the basic guidelines:

Take screenshots of as many of your screens as you’d like using apps like drocap2 or ShootMe if you are rooted. Follow these instructions to take them using the Android SDK if not rooted.
Upload your screenshots to an image hosting site like dropbox, Imgur or Tinypic. Paste the URLs to the images in the comments to allow everyone to see the images as click-able thumbnails.
Comment on and "like" your favorites.

With your shots, list out some, all or more of the following info:

Device (D1, D2, Incredible, DX, etc.)
Current launcher
Special wallpapers, widgets, icons
Custom ROM if you are running one.

My screens:

Left: DROIDX | Right: Thunderbolt
Stock launchers on both; Sense on the TBolt
OreoSlice wallpaper pack on both, CircleLauncher, Circle Battery Widget, SimiClock on DX, BobClock on TBolt.
Liberty 1.5 on DX. rEVOlution skin on TBolt.

Verizon Experiencing 4G/3G Data Issues, Thunderbolt Activations in Limbo?

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:03:15 +0000

We're getting word from a variety of readers and a couple of Verizon stores, suggesting that 3G/4G data could be down in some areas. We're also hearing that Thunderbolt activations at stores could be stuck in limbo until the network comes back up. Hopefully this doesn't last long, we need screenshots of your home screens! For now, if you could drop your city in the comments with status on your data, that would be very helpful. Stay tuned...

New Android Shirt: Flying Andy

Kellen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:43:51 +0000

Another Andy t-shirt is available! "Flying Andy" is the name, and as usual, is printed on 100% American Apparel cotton, available for $19, and in another great design. You all know that we're big fans of the shirts these guys make, and it's hard for us not to be, especially after the release of the Droid Life limited edition hoodie. Maybe it's time for another exclusive DL shirt? Be sure to grab this one first though. Buy.

HTC Locking Other Bootloaders, DROID Incredible 2 Could be Next?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:52:39 +0000

The big controversy surrounding the HTC Thunderbolt last weekend had to do with its locked down bootloader and signed recovery, which temporarily scared the hell out of anyone who just bought it. Luckily for all of us, the crew at AndIRC quickly jumped on it and cracked it wide open before Verizon had a record number of opening day returns on their hands. The really scary thing here though, is not that it was the Thunderbolt that was locked, but that it was HTC doing the dirty work. Previously, HTC had been known as a "dev" friendly phone manufacturer, so when we saw a bunch of signed pieces on this new 4G LTE phone, we all freaked. But what if they weren't stopping there? The crew over at Android Police took a look at an RUU from the Incredible S and discovered that it could also be just as locked down. Well, after seeing their report, our thoughts immediately jumped over to the DROID Incredible 2, which could be here any day and will actually affect many of you. We opened up the system image that was leaked out a couple of weeks ago and found what appears to be the exact same news that AP ran into with the IncS. Now, we have no way of proving if it's officially locked just by looking at a system image, but seeing the words "signed" all over the place sure isn't leading us to believe it won't be. Who's to blame in all of this? We've been hearing for months now that carriers are starting to place more and more stress on manufacturers to find ways to keep users like you and I out. So with HTC seemingly jumping on board with the likes of Motorola, our days of a truly open handset could be numbered. Maybe our friendly neighborhood Panda will find us a Nexus S 4G LTE to grab a hold of?

Leaked Netflix App on Android Now Works

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:17:28 +0000

A Netflix application was pulled from the LG Revolution last week, but failed to work (not surprising). Guess what, though? A new one has popped up and it is definitely working on select devices. Grab it below before it's gone! We have a running list of devices that it is currently working on, but feel free to leave your results in the comments. Download: com.netflix.mediaclient-2.apk [mirror] Install just as you would any other .apk file. Confirmed devices:

DROID Incredible
Nexus S
Nexus One
HTC EVO 4G

Via: XDA Cheers Tato!

ViewSonic gTablet 10.1 at Woot Today for $279

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:41:34 +0000

Not Verizon or DROID-related, but it's a cheap dual-core Android tablet that's only available for one day from Woot.com. The ViewSonic gTablet 10.1 running Android 2.2 can be had for just $279 plus $5 for shipping. Not a bad deal right? Before you get too crazy though, it's my understanding that this tablet isn't the most hacker-friendly. So if you were planning on grabbing it and then slapping Honeycomb on it, you might be out of luck. Ignore all of that non-hacker-friendly business. It appears as if this device is indeed friendly to the hackz, although some of them may not be as awesome or stable as you'd want them to be. Apologies for the semi-bad info. [more info] Buy. Cheers Pops and everyone else!

Firefox 4 Release Candidate for Android Available, Most Polished Version to Date

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:38:33 +0000

Firefox 4 on Android has finally hit "release candidate" status and is pretty damn awesome when compared to previous builds. Well, aside from lacking support for Flash that is. It has speed to compete with any other browser, is no longer riddled with performance hogging bugs, and with its side panels, is one of the easiest to use on the market. While I'm not a huge fan of Firefox on a PC, I'm definitely a big fan of their mobile version. Download Link [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hm_7JOU6Jw[/youtube] Via: Mozilla Blog

Wednesday Poll: Interested in 3D on your Android smartphone yet?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:36 +0000

For some reason, device manufacturers decided that 3D technology in smartphones is the new hotness, but we're wondering how many of you are actually excited about it? We now have 3D devices from LG and HTC (both phones and tablets) on the way this summer, all of which look like phenomenal devices on paper. But from the responses we're getting on Twitter though, the idea of having 3D technology on your phone or tablet isn't overwhelmingly in favor. Is this something you have to have in your next device? Is it one giant gimmick? We asked about this back in January; view the results here. Let's see if anyone has changed their mind. [poll id="73"]

HTC Thunderbolt Easy Root Released

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:22:20 +0000

Couldn't handle the manual root instructions for the HTC Thunderbolt? XDA member dbzfanatic has you covered, although we're not sure that's a good thing. Some times people need to learn to do things the hard way, but for those that don't have time, here is your easyroot method. (Windows-only) I still highly recommend that you read through the full root instructions to get an idea as to what is really happening to your phone during this process. And don't forget, we posted up a video of the entire thing just yesterday. *DISCLAIMER: Team AndIRC is not affiliated with this program and by using it you agree that neither AndIRC, dbzfanatic nor Droid Life is responsible for any damages caused by this program. Download: New Download at XDA Thread I'm downloading the file now, have not used it or seen it in action yet, but it should work. As we find out more about this tool, we'll be sure to share. Via: XDA Cheers Carlos and Matt!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005292

Screenatics: An Exclusive Lockscreen Replacement from the Amazon Appstore

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:30:54 +0000

We were introduced to the Amazon Appstore yesterday with Angry Birds Rio as an exclusive, and already, we're starting to see that having an exclusive isn't going to be a 1-time thing. A new lockscreen replacement called Screenatics is available in this new 3rd party store, and actually isn't all that bad. First of all, it's free, but it also allows you to see recent text messages, missed calls and calendar items, plus you get shortcuts to your favorite text app, browser, camera, dialer and contacts. It needs an update that will allow for a little more customization, but overall is a pretty good product. And we're guessing this won't be the last of the Amazon-only apps. Have you all had a chance to really play around with this new app store? Liking it? Hating it? You all OK with it having exclusives? Download Link Cheers Picolas!

Motorola Considering its Own Smartphone OS, Android "Shooting itself in the foot"?

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:34:22 +0000

This is one of those "You've got to be kidding me!" kinds of stories. Motorola, according to a couple of sources close to the matter, has been hiring mobile and web engineers from companies like Apple and Adobe like crazy because it has plans to create its own mobile operating system for smartphones. Uh oh. When asked to comment on these reports, a spokesperson had this to say: "Motorola Mobility is committed to Android as an operating system." Not exactly a denial, right? One of the sources close to the matter brought up Android as one of the reasons for Moto to consider its own mobile OS, stating that "Android is shooting itself in the foot." How exactly are they doing that, you ask? According to this "source", fragmentation, product differentiation, and issues related to Google's support for its partners are the concern. Really? Let me just throw an idea out there if fragmentation and product differentiation are a concern: stop putting a garbage skin over top of a product that doesn't need it. If you are having trouble updating fast enough, maybe it's time to stop throwing in bloatware, skins, and worrying about locking down phones and instead offer up what Google is giving devices like the Nexus S; it sure seems to get updates on a regular basis. And how about showing some love to the mobile OS that brought you back from the dead? (/end rant.) I should also point out that this is just a rumor and should not be taken as fact. They could be considering an OS, but we should at least attempt to be a little fair until there is concrete evidence to support these semi-anonymous claims. So what do you guys think? Dumbest move in history? BlurOS is #winning? Via: Information Week Cheers Rob!

Beginner's Guide to the Motorola XOOM

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:10:12 +0000

Motorola has just released a series of videos to help owners of the XOOM get comfortable with their new device. This is a great guide for beginners as it teaches you the basics of using the tablet, the keypad, setting up email, taking and editing pictures, and even creating Google Documents. Each video is short and to the point, so as someone new to Honeycomb (Android 3.0), you should be able to learn a few things in very little time. I'd also recommend that you check out our review of the XOOM, which includes a full 30-minute walk-through of Honeycomb. Using your tablet: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwPLadHPVe8[/youtube] Using the keypad: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grEp9kXKwHg[/youtube] Setting up and using your email: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bVoRn-Mw3s[/youtube] Using your calendar: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkuhN27p_H0[/youtube] Taking and editing pictures: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcp84PQBKAI[/youtube] Creating Google Documents: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EINKgIO4Gk8[/youtube] Using your device as a mobile hotspot: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaOnfhxQqz4[/youtube]

Verizon Offers HTC Thunderbolt for $149 to Select Customers (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:19:34 +0000

Any of you not pick up an HTC Thunderbolt yet, but have been wanting to for a week now? Now might be a good time. Verizon is sending the email you are seeing above, to select customers (possibly DROIDX and Pro owners) which offers them a TBolt for $149 after an instant $100 discount. The deal doesn't appear to be regional and could be just going to those with an upgrade available now or at least in the near future. No matter what though, this would be a good thing to print out and show your local store if you are in the market for the first 4G LTE phone on Verizon. Oh, and this deal is not available on-line, but a sales number was offered up: 800.437.6132 Update: We're hearing now that this could be a regional deal, possibly around Chicago only. If you were able to get this deal outside of Chicago, please let us know. A VZW supervisor also wanted to point out that we made this deal go "viral." Classic. +1 to all of you. Cheers David!

The Now-Famous Dancing Android...

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:28:19 +0000

This video of a dancing air-filled Android has been making the rounds today, and is...pretty awesome. It looks like a Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc launch of some sort that featured our favorite robot gettin' low, low, low. To those of you that are sports fans out there, this is something you've more than likely seen from your local mascot, but it's still pretty fun. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTUwqxHpXMY[/youtube] Cheers to everyone who sent this in!

Download: 30 Additional Sense 2.0 Skins for Your HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:21:55 +0000

If the stock Skins on your HTC Thunderbolt weren't satisfying your needs, then get ready because we have some treats for you today. XDA member sopL87 ported a bunch of themes over into 30 additional skins that can be downloaded and installed on any TBolt running Sense 2.0. That's right, no need to be rooted or anything else; all of you can enjoy these. I picked 3 of my favorites and included direct download links below, but you'll want to head to the thread link listed to get the additional 27. This is some amazing work right here. Download: rEVOlution | OBsensed | distINCtion To install: 1. Download a file manager from the market. 2. Download the files from above, or from the XDA thread to your phone. 3. When they finish, tap on them and select "Install." 4. When that finishes, head back to your home screen and select "Personalize." 5. You will now see your new Skin listed. 6. Repeat steps for each additional skin. All credit to sopL87 over at XDA Forums. Download the rest of his skins at this thread. Cheers Picolas!

Verizon CEO: "We're not interested in Sprint."

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:16:43 +0000

After news broke on Sunday that AT&T was looking to buy up T-Mobile, naturally, the quick reaction was for industry folks to ask if Verizon would now try to snatch up Sprint. That definitely won't be the case, at least in the near future if Verizon CEO Dan Mead has anything to say about it. While attending CTIA this week in Orland, Mead was asked if Big Red is planning to make a move on Sprint and said, "We're not interested in Sprint. We don't need them." Well, that sure squashes that idea. Mead also mentioned that he expects the AT&T/T-Mobile deal to go through. Via: BGR, Reuters

Angry Birds Rio Unplayable if Amazon AppStore is Uninstalled

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:03:50 +0000

If you installed the new Amazon AppStore this morning to grab Angry Birds Rio, you might not want to uninstall it any time soon. If you do, and then try to play AB Rio, you'll see the following message on your screen.

It looks like the Amazon Appstore was uninstalled from your device. Please install the Amazon Appstore and sign in with your username and password to use this app.

Smart move by Amazon, but frustrating to those of you out there that don't want an extra appstore app taking up space on your phone's internal memory and in your app drawer. Kids got to make money somehow, right? Hopefully this isn't a trend with all of their apps. Cheers @davekover and everyone else!

Review: Hextacy on Android

Matt Demers — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:00:11 +0000

Ah, it seems like it's been awhile since my last game review. I got knocked on my ass by a pretty serious case of the flu last week, so I apologize that my reviews have been sparse. This week I bring you Hextacy, an oft-discussed game that's hit the Android market and making quite a splash. At its core, Hextacy is a very simple tile-matching game; you match hexagons of three or more together in order to eliminate them from the playing field and score points. Matching is done by dragging your finger along strings of tiles in a row, and the elimination is completed when you release contact. This presents an interesting game mechanic: you can't go over the same tiles twice. It emphasizes a decision to be made: which tile decision will lead to further combos? As move options deplete, tiles are replaced until there are literally no moves left; rinse, repeat. It's puzzling action in a very bite-sized format that I've found works best when played in short bursts. Unlike previously-reviewed puzzler Runik, there aren't many powerups to extend game life; they don't appear often, and are usually a last resort to get some more tiles to work with. This forces the player to be strategic, which I enjoy; not only are players rewarded for thinking ahead, that action is needed for their continued survival. I think Runik coddled me a little bit in expecting more ways "out" of bad decisions. With Hextacy, bad choices are just met with a simple "Game over. Try again, sucker." I threw together a quick gameplay demo, to those who want to see how the game works. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaNnM6a48JQ[/youtube] I like Hextacy better than Runik because there is simply a way to lose. There has been many times where I sit and try to play Runik, only to be frustrated that I've never posted a high score. The game simply gives you too many ways out, which rewards lazy play. Hextacy, on the other hand, smacks you with a hammer if you're dumb. I commend this. The game also runs extremely smoothly, even on older phones like my Milestone; this is great, considering the concept doesn't exactly scream "graphically-intensive." Definitely give Hextacy a download: its free version is arguably the best (see below) and you won't really miss on out anything by refusing to pony up. Its paid version gives you access to the "hardcore" and "pure" game modes, which removes hexagon chains greater than three and powerups, respectively. These aren't big losses, as the default mode will keep you entertained for a good long while. Hextacy Lite is a free download on the Android Market. -- Matt Demers is Droid-Life's app guy, and is happy to finally have killed the cold. You can contact him on Twitter or via e-mail; he also is taking Paypal donations for an upgrade to his FlipHD camera.

Video: Rooting the HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:42:39 +0000

NOTE: AN EASY ROOT METHOD HAS BEEN RELEASED.

If you were a little frightened by the rooting instructions for the HTC Thunderbolt, then maybe this video that was just sent in from @nate3mil will help. He took the instructions that were posted up from a few days ago, went through the process 2 times, captured the entire thing on video, and has now shared it with all of you. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFD8vWzMmDA[/youtube]

Samsung DROID CHARGE Appears in Verizon System, Announcement Coming?

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:58:01 +0000

There was a lot of talk about Verizon's Samsung 4G LTE device yesterday including confirmation of DROID branding and an official name of DROID CHARGE, but it's now looking more and more like the device will be announced at any minute. Along with the DROID branding confirmation came word out of Costco that a pre-sale for the device would begin this Thursday along with a potential launch date of April 7th, so to see it now appearing in Verizon systems, we have to think that a press release is imminent. Stay tuned... Via: Engadget

Tip: Force HTC Thunderbolt to Use 3G Only, Turn Off 4G

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:16:29 +0000

If you needed another tip to help you save battery life on your brand new HTC Thunderbolt, then this might be the best one yet. For those of you not in a 4G LTE area, or who just don't need those kinds of speeds, this will tell your phone to stay on 3G and quit the constant searching of 4G towers. This tip first popped up in our inbox last Friday, so I apologize for not sharing it sooner. Instructions: Dial: *#*#4636#*#*

Then choose "Phone information":

Change preferred network to "CDMA auto (PRL):

Back out and enjoy your 3G-only phone! To turn 4G LTE back on, repeat the steps and choose "CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto." Cheers 4n1m4l and zeeds6!

Verizon Announces Additional 4G LTE Cities for 2011, 145 Markets by the End of the Year

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:42:45 +0000

With the release of the HTC Thunderbolt last week, Verizon wants to make sure that more of you can take advantage of its ridiculous 4G LTE speeds. At this time, only 39 markets are enjoying the power, but by the end of 2011 will be in 145 markets including my hometown of Portland, OR. Below, we have an updated map of the 49 cities that were announced in January plus an additional 59 that were just announced today.

(Click image for larger version)

VERIZON WIRELESS BRINGS 4G LTE TO MORE THAN 145 MARKETS BY THE END OF 2011 BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Today, Verizon Wireless unveiled an additional 59 markets that will benefit from the world’s first large-scale 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network by the end of this year. These newly named areas, added to the 39 initial markets launched in December 2010 and 49 markets announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, mean that consumers and businesses in at least 147 U.S. cities will have access to the fastest, most advanced 4G mobile network in America. David Small, chief technical officer for Verizon Wireless, said, “Aggressively expanding this powerful network beyond major metro areas reflects the reality that the 4G LTE ecosystem is growing quickly. Our commitment to reach deep into medium-sized cities and smaller communities by the end of 2011 means the power of 4G LTE can be harnessed and provide advanced services to law enforcement, healthcare workers, educators, and other professionals, as well as to individual consumers, sooner than many thought possible. So whether you spend time in New York and San Francisco, or Harrisburg, Penn., Saginaw/Bay City, Mich., Huntsville, Ala. and Las Cruces, New Mexico, you can connect to the most advanced 4G network in the country.” The HTC ThunderBolt™, launched Thursday, March 17, is the first in a suite of consumer-oriented smartphones, tablets, hotspots and notebooks that will run on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network by the middle of this year. The new consumer devices join two USB modems from Pantech and LG which have been providing laptop users with speeds up to 10 times faster than the company’s 3G network. In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. Verizon Wireless is building its 4G LTE network with the same commitment to performance and reliability for which it has long been recognized. Verizon Wireless’ consistent focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year. The company’s 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G, including a contiguous, nationwide network license. Verizon Wireless is also working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum. Already, six rural companies have signed on to leverage Verizon Wireless’ scale for infrastructure while keeping their customers on the cutting edge of technology. Since 2007, when Verizon Wireless jump-started the global 4G LTE ecosystem with its selection of LTE for its 4G technology, the company has developed deep partnerships to spearhead a broad LTE ecosystem, including the LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., and an LTE Applications Center, slated to open in San Francisco this fall.

Cheers J!

Amazon App Store Opens, Angry Birds Rio is Today's FREE App of the Day

Kellen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:01:36 +0000

The Amazon AppStore is live! Wait...why do we need another app store again? It does have the new Angry Birds Rio though, and it's available today for free as the paid app of the day. To get the appstore, head to Amazon's website, or download it through the Amazon app in the Android Market. After that, you should download AB Rio right away before it's cut off. What about the new Amazon AppStore though? Well, it looks decent. You can browse Amazon's site to find apps that you may like, click to purchase them, and then find them waiting for download in the app. It's a nice concept, I'm still just not sure why we need another app store that has all of the same apps as the regular Android Market. Anyways, go download Rio! And AT&T customers...looks like you are S.O.L. Cheers Stephen, Brock, Matt and everyone else!

Video: HTC Thunderbolt Hands-on and Walk-through

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:05 +0000

We've had the HTC Thunderbolt for a good 5 days now and decided to whip up this quick walk-through to get you all up to speed on this 4G LTE device from Verizon. Just to be clear up front, we love this phone even if it lacks a dual-core processor. The speed is up there with any other device we've ever used, feels incredible in the hand (even if it is heavy), has a beautiful exterior, and performs extremely well on HTC's Sense 2.0. Enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2nu7WEq5cE[/youtube]

Oh those DROID Bootloaders - Still Locked. Forever Locked. Trolls. (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:42:48 +0000

About that DROID bootloader unlocking story. Just read the conversation above and move on with your lives. It's locked, will always be locked, and we're glad we used a bunch of question marks and "coulds" in our post about it. And you guys call me the hypebeast? Update: Motorola reached out to us to clear up more of this situation. They said as plain as day, "We did not send the C&D letter to Mr. Pitcock [nenolod]." They also did not receive any notice of vulnerability which nenolod claims to have sent. This probably isn't surprising since the guy admitted to it being one giant scam, but Moto wanted to make sure you all knew. Via: Twitter

Verizon's Samsung 4G LTE Device will be called the DROID CHARGE

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:23:03 +0000

Word leaked out of Costco this morning that Verizon's Samsung 4G LTE device would be DROID-branded, but for some reason still contained the name "Stealth." We've been told for almost a month now that "Stealth" was just a codename, and with a second confirmation on the official name coming within the last hour or so, we are ready to roll with it. The device at launch should be called the DROID CHARGE, unless of course something dramatically changes over the next few weeks. We still aren't exactly sure how we feel about Samsung joining the DROID family, but at least people can stop calling it the Stealth now. Cheers Z!

Monday Poll: Does a DROID-branded Samsung Phone Interest You?

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:23:21 +0000

There is an above average chance that Verizon's Samsung 4G LTE device will end up with DROID branding on it, making this our next family member. We're just wondering if that is a good thing or not? We all know how Sammie did with the Froyo update to their Galaxy S line of phones (Fascinate still doesn't have it by the way), so it's only fair for many of us to be skeptical of anything else they release. And with this phone more than likely running Android 2.2 out of the box, you know people will be crying for Gingerbread from day 1. It'll be rockin' a beautiful 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus screen, HDMI-out, front-rear cameras, and no Bing, but will that be enough to get you excited? Are you interested in a DROID-branded Samsung device? Here is our hands-on with the device. And how it compares to the other 4G LTE phones. [poll id="72"]

CircleLauncher Update Brings Tablet Support, Growing Launcher Circle

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:50:01 +0000

We're still pretty big fans of CircleLauncher, so when an update for it popped up in our market showing that it has "beta" support for tablets and a growing circle, we were excited. One of the constant problems with this app was the cramped feel and warning you got when loading up around 9 or so apps. That is no longer an issue after this update. The circle starts expanding as you add more apps, giving you a lot of flexibility with your CL widgets. Other enhancements:

Growing launcher circle: the size depends on the selected item count
HD support for CircleLauncher icon packs from the Market
Revised configuration dialogs
Settings icon removed
Better support for tablets and Honeycomb (beta)

Download Link To get that clear circle icon you see above, you have to download the official CircleLauncher icon pack, which for some reason costs $1.34.

Verizon's Samsung 4G LTE Device Launching April 7? Will be DROID Branded.

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:40:26 +0000

Costco is informing its employees that they are planning to launch the Samsung 4G Droid Stealth around 4/7 and that a pre-sale will start for the device on 3/24 (this Thursday). Couple of things to note here. This device will definitely be DROID branded at launch, which is a little odd and something I've been trying to wrap my head around for a couple of weeks now. One of my most trusted sources hit me up with this news and is the reason I kept saying there would be a "surprise attached" to it, so this is exactly the public confirmation that I was hoping to see. We can now start talking about it! The second note though, is about the name. All signs on my end still point to this not being called the Stealth at launch. Wish I could share what I've been told is the official name, but sometimes in this business you don't get to go public with every bit of insider info. Looks like a CTIA announcement from Verizon should be here any minute. Stay tuned!

Via: Android Central Cheers Chris!

Download: Honeycomb Bee 3D Boot Animation

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:05:28 +0000

We always love it when readers submit their own work to us, especially when it's in the form of a high quality boot animation that will give our devices a little newness and spice. This latest release is of the Honeycomb bee, only it has been turned into a spinning 3D version that looks extra saucy on a big screened device like the DROIDX. Should work on just about any phone though. Download: bootanimation.zip Place the file in /data/local using Root Explorer and reboot. Enjoy! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lEZ901s-Eo[/youtube] Cheers Dan!

Swiftkey Tablet Keyboard is Available to Beta Program Testers

Kellen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:39:23 +0000

Back in February, Switfkey announced a tablet-specific version of their keyboard that would make typing on a bigger screened device infinitely easier. This new TRON-esque keyboard would allow you to type quickly with your thumbs while in landscape mode and while using their predictive typing engine, something we have currently only seen from Thumb Keyboard. Yesterday, they made the first beta version available to those in their VIP beta program. As you'll see in the screenshots below, you can switch between a full keyboard or the thumb version easily and still use major features like voice-to-text. I've been playing with the keyboard for almost a day now and like it, but I've got to admit that I was starting to get used to Thumb Keyboard. We might do a video walk-through in a bit if appears to be needed. Sign up for the beta program. [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="title"]

DROID X/2/Milestone Bootloaders About to be Unlocked? Keys for SBF Files Released (Updated)

Kellen — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:52:38 +0000

Things are about to get really interesting on the DROIDX and DROID2 bootloader fronts. @nenolod, one of the few Motorola community members to continue to pursue cracking it, has possibly come through with keys to unlock and sign SBF files for flashing recoveries, system images, etc. To let you understand how big this is, just know that within minutes of releasing these keys, a C&D was sent from Moto. This could be the real deal. Update: We're pretty sure this is all one big giant pile of fake garbage (yes, that's me trying to keep it clean). This shouldn't surprise anyone though, it's not like this nenolod character has ever been right before. Lame. Lame. Ridiculously lame. It's time that hackers stop taking to Twitter with their theories and instead show some proof. Update 2: Yeah, it was definitely fake. More info on his key leak can be found here. FreeMyMoto will be taking over work on the project going forward.

How to: Root the HTC Thunderbolt and Unlock the Bootloader

Kellen — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:58:41 +0000

NOTE: AN EASY ROOT METHOD HAS BEEN RELEASED.

The amazing hackers in the Android community took on the HTC Thunderbolt the minute it was released and stumbled upon some not-so-exciting news. It had been completely locked down like no other HTC device in history. While many were quick to yell at HTC, I'm pointing fingers at Verizon and will save further comment for another time. The good news is, Team AndIRC and Scotty2 weren't about to be stopped and permanently rooted it while also unlocking the bootloader and providing S-OFF. So who's ready for some TBolt unlocking? Before you say yes, you need to be thoroughly warned. This requires adb, a mega-list of commands and is one of the most intense rooting procedures I've seen in a long time. You are essentially, flashing old system software, unlocking the bootloader, and then re-flashing the release software with S-OFF to open your phone up. Again, this is intense and should only be attempted by those familiar with adb.

*This is not for beginners.

*Fully charge your device before proceeding.

*Read the entire list of instructions at least once through.

*I have not attempted this, but our man Picolas has with success.

*Again, this is not for beginners. This could brick your phone.

Step 1

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO WALK-THROUGH

First, download these files: RUU_Mecha_VERIZON_WWE_1.03.605.10_Radio_1.02.00.01 03_2r_NV_8k_1.37_9k_1.52_release_165253 (md5sum : aae974054fc3aed275ba3596480ccd5b):

Multiupload mirror
GalaxySense mirror
DroidSite mirror

Mirrors for the package (contains busybox, wpthis, psneuter, su, readme.txt, misc.img, and hbooteng.nb0) (md5sum : 3b359efd76aac456ba7fb0d6972de3af):

Multiupload mirror
GalaxySense mirror
DroidSite mirror

Custom RUU mirrors (md5sum : aff07b8256628a175c40938d408fa16f):

Multiupload mirror
GalaxySense mirror

Step 2

Note that adb is required. Push misc.img, busybox, and psnueter using the following commands:

adb push psneuter /data/local/ adb push busybox /data/local/ adb push misc.img /data/local/ adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/psneuter adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/busybox

Step 3

This step will gain temp root and flash the custom misc.img. Run:

adb shell

Now the shell should display "$". Run:

/data/local/psneuter

You will now be kicked out of adb, and adb will restart as root. Let’s confirm the md5 of misc.img:

adb shell

At this point, the shell should display "#". Run:

/data/local/busybox md5sum /data/local/misc.img

Output should be "c88dd947eb3b36eec90503a3525ae0de." If it’s anything else, re-download the file and try again. Now let’s write misc.img:

dd if=/data/local/misc.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p17 exit

Step 4

Here you will rename the downgrade RUU as PG05IMG.zip and place it on your SD card. Then, run the following command:

adb reboot bootloader

Choose the bootloader option and press power; let the ROM flash. When asked to upgrade, choose yes. Don’t freak, it’s a long reboot. Once done, reboot and delete PG05IMG.zip from your SD card. Set up the two part exploit, to gain root and unlock MMC. Push wpthis, busybox, and psnueter:

adb push psneuter /data/local/ adb push busybox /data/local/ adb push wpthis /data/local/ adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/psneuter adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/busybox adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/wpthis

Step 5

Next, enter the following commands:

adb shell /data/local/psneuter To unlock eMMC: adb shell /data/local/wpthis exit

Step 6

Please pay attention – this is very important. This step involves a small chance of bricking if you mess up. To push the eng bootloader:

adb push hbooteng.nb0 /data/local/ adb shell /data/local/busybox md5sum /data/local/hbooteng.nb0

If the output does not match "6991368ee2deaf182048a3ed9d3c0fcb" exactly, stop, delete it, and re-download it. Otherwise, continue. Now we will write the new bootloader.

dd if=/data/local/hbooteng.nb0 of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p18

Confirm proper write:

/data/local/busybox md5sum /dev/block/mmcblk0p18

If the output does not match "6991368ee2deaf182048a3ed9d3c0fcb," try again; if it still doesn’t work, seek help from chat.andirc.net in channel #thunderbolt. DO NOT REBOOT. Now, reboot your phone and put the custom RUU (PG05IMG.zip) on your SD card. Then flash it. This will upgrade you to release firmware with an S-OFF bootloader. Next, run this command:

adb reboot bootloader

After it flashes, you will be running release firmware with S-OFF.

Step 7

Push SU, busybox, and psneuter:

adb push psneuter /data/local/ adb push busybox /data/local/ adb push su /data/local/ adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/psneuter adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/busybox

To gain root:

adb shell /data/local/psneuter

The following will remount /system and set up SU:

adb shell mount -o remount,rw -t ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk0p25 /system /data/local/busybox cp /data/local/su /system/xbin/su chown 0:0 /system/xbin/su chmod 6755 /system/xbin/su

Step 8

Install Superuser from the Market. Reboot your phone. You should now have full root permissions.

Step 9

Finally, install ROM Manager and flash the ThunderBolt recovery.

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO WALK-THROUGH

If you have problems getting SU to work, a couple extra reboots will likely fix it. If you still have problems, come to the chat: irc.andirc.net #thunderbolt or use http://chat.andirc.net:9090/?channels=#thunderbolt. And for those of you that have completed this, please leave any tips you can in the comments. *Last note* - We'll sit back and hope for something simpler from the guys at unrevoked, but it could be a bit. Via: XDA, Android Police

Review: Launcher 7 on Android

Guest — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:55:44 +0000

This is a guest post written by @ronoffringa, a long time Droid Life reader and launcher aficionado. There are a lot of third-party application launchers available for Android from GO Launcher EX to ADW to LauncherPro. Most Android users choose to go to a third party launcher to either get a stock look on their phone or just to customize it more. While my personal favorite launcher has always been LauncherPro (please no hate mail from ADW fans), the delays in an update to the rewrite of LauncherPro made me begin to look elsewhere for a new feel for my phone. Launcher 7 is an attempt to replicate the simplicity of Windows Phone 7’s launcher on an Android device, and it does a great job. There are others out there (like Windows Phone Android), but Timo Kujala’s Launcher 7 easily takes the cake. From live tiles to widgets to transition animations, Launcher 7 is the way to go for someone who wants a simple launcher or who loves the look and feel of Windows Phone 7, but doesn’t want to leave the Android fold. The Set Up When you first open Launcher 7 it gives you a default set of icons like Phone and Browser and then lists the rest of your applications to the next screen on the right, which can be accessed by swiping over or pressing the arrow. If there is an application that you want to add as a tile to the main screen, all you have to do is long press the application and a new screen will appear allowing you to customize the tile with whatever icon you want and how large you want the tile to be (1x1, 2x1). Launcher 7 comes with a set of white icons to use if you want to try and make each tile look as close as possible to WP7, or you can just use the application’s default icon. Live Tiles This is where Launcher 7 really shines over and against other WP7 launcher imitations. There are options for live tiles, like the calendar tile you see above. The calendar tile will cycle through your 24 hour events or display an event that is coming up that day. Another option for live tiles is a People tile, which displays pictures of your various contacts. For those familiar with WP7, you’ll recognize that these live tiles are straight from the WP7 launcher. While the options for these lives tiles are limited right now, there is a lot of potential to make the app even more like WP7 and then to expand beyond with custom live tiles.

Widgets Recently, support for widgets has been added. As you can see from the images above, my battery percentage and weather forecast widgets fit right in with the rest of the tiles. Any widget can be added by pressing menu and then Add Widget. While there will be some limitations for which widgets can be added (mostly size), you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a way to get the information you need onto your main screen. The widgets update automatically and respond exactly how they would if they were on a normal Android launcher. Wrap Up Launcher 7 isn’t for everyone, but for people who love a simple experience and want access to their information and their applications quickly, Launcher 7 is worth a try. The dev doesn’t guarantee that the launcher will work on all phones, but a quick perusal of the comments will show that most phones handle the launcher just fine. It has easily replaced LauncherPro for me because of its simplicity. I’m by no means a lover of minimalism (I would pick Fancy or Beautiful Widgets clocks over any other clock), but with a busy schedule and a need to access things quickly and easily, Launcher 7 helps me get things done. Besides all of that functionality mumbo-jumbo, it’s fun to use. I find myself choosing to use Launcher 7 more and more because I enjoy the simple beauty that it offers. You can find both a free version (with ads on your applications list page) and an ad-free paid version in the market. Even die hard fans of Launcher Pro and ADW should give this a shot - you may be pleasantly surprised.

Asurion Rates Dropping and Deductibles Climbing on Verizon

Kellen — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:29:29 +0000

We had this information back in January, but it looks like the rollout has started and customers are being notified of changes to their Asurion equipment coverage on Verizon. Monthly rates for Total Equipment Coverage and Wireless Phone Protection are dropping by about $1 per month, but deductibles appear to be going up to $99 from $89. If you are currently enrolled, the changes will go into effect June 1. They are also holding an open enrollment right now, that will run through April 28 if you are out of your initial 30 day new device period and want coverage. More info on that here.

Cheers Kris and Michael!

AT&T set to buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion

Matt Demers — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:13:44 +0000

After what was otherwise a slow weekend, a major bombshell has dropped in American telecom news: AT&T and Deutche Telekom has just entered into an agreement that arranges the purchase of T-Mobile USA for a stunning $39 billion. AT&T's combined user base will swell to approximately 130 million users after the requisite bureaucracy time, which is estimated to take one year. Full press release after the break.

AT&T TO ACQUIRE T-MOBILE USA FROM DEUTSCHE TELEKOM

Provides fast, efficient and certain solution to impending spectrum exhaust challenges facing AT&T and T-Mobile USA in key markets due to explosive demand for mobile broadband

Enhances network capacity, output and quality in near term for both companies’ customers

AT&T commits to expand 4G LTE deployment to an additional 46.5 million Americans, including in rural, smaller communities, for a total of 294 million or 95% of the U.S. population

Provides 4G LTE service for T-Mobile USA’s 34 million subscribers

More than $8 billion in incremental infrastructure spend by a U.S. company over seven years, enabling nation’s high-tech industry, innovation and economic growth

Creates substantial value for AT&T shareholders through large, straightforward synergies
DALLAS, TEXAS AND BONN, GERMANY — March 20, 2011— AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Deutsche Telekom AG (FWB: DTE) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $39 billion. The agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile USA provides an optimal combination of network assets to add capacity sooner than any alternative, and it provides an opportunity to improve network quality in the near term for both companies’ customers. In addition, it provides a fast, efficient and certain solution to the impending exhaustion of wireless spectrum in some markets, which limits both companies’ ability to meet the ongoing explosive demand for mobile broadband. With this transaction, AT&T commits to a significant expansion of robust 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) deployment to 95 percent of the U.S. population to reach an additional 46.5 million Americans beyond current plans – including rural communities and small towns. This helps achieve the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and President Obama’s goals to connect “every part of America to the digital age.” T-Mobile USA does not have a clear path to delivering LTE. “This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and CEO. “It will improve network quality, and it will bring advanced LTE capabilities to more than 294 million people. Mobile broadband networks drive economic opportunity everywhere, and they enable the expanding high-tech ecosystem that includes device makers, cloud and content providers, app developers, customers, and more. During the past few years, America’s high-tech industry has delivered innovation at unprecedented speed, and this combination will accelerate its continued growth.” Stephenson continued, “This transaction delivers significant customer, shareowner and public benefits that are available at this level only from the combination of these two companies with complementary network technologies, spectrum positions and operations. We are confident in our ability to execute a seamless integration, and with additional spectrum and network capabilities, we can better meet our customers’ current demands, build for the future and help achieve the President’s goals for a high-speed, wirelessly connected America.” Deutsche Telekom Chairman and CEO René Obermann said, “After evaluating strategic options for T-Mobile USA, I am confident that AT&T is the best partner for our customers, shareholders and the mobile broadband ecosystem. Our common network technology makes this a logical combination and provides an efficient path to gaining the spectrum and network assets needed to provide T-Mobile customers with 4G LTE and the best devices. Also, the transaction returns significant value to Deutsche Telekom shareholders and allows us to retain exposure to the U.S. market.” As part of the transaction, Deutsche Telekom will receive an equity stake in AT&T that, based on the terms of the agreement, would give Deutsche Telekom an ownership interest in AT&T of approximately 8 percent. A Deutsche Telekom representative will join the AT&T Board of Directors. Competition and Pricing The U.S. wireless industry is one of the most fiercely competitive markets in the world and will remain so after this deal. The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world where a large majority of consumers can choose from five or more wireless providers in their local market. For example, in 18 of the top 20 U.S. local markets, there are five or more providers. Local market competition is escalating among larger carriers, low-cost carriers and several regional wireless players with nationwide service plans. This intense competition is only increasing with the build-out of new 4G networks and the emergence of new market entrants. The competitiveness of the market has directly benefited consumers. A 2010 report from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) states the overall average price (adjusted for inflation) for wireless services declined 50 percent from 1999 to 2009, during a period which saw five major wireless mergers. Addresses wireless spectrum challenges facing AT&T, T-Mobile USA, their customers, and U.S. policymakers This transaction quickly provides the spectrum and network efficiencies necessary for AT&T to address impending spectrum exhaust in key markets driven by the exponential growth in mobile broadband traffic on its network. AT&T’s mobile data traffic grew 8,000 percent over the past four years and by 2015 it is expected to be eight to 10 times what it was in 2010. Put another way, all of the mobile traffic volume AT&T carried during 2010 is estimated to be carried in just the first six to seven weeks of 2015. Because AT&T has led the U.S. in smartphones, tablets and e-readers – and as a result, mobile broadband – it requires additional spectrum before new spectrum will become available. In the long term, the entire industry will need additional spectrum to address the explosive growth in demand for mobile broadband. Improves service quality for U.S. wireless customers AT&T and T-Mobile USA customers will see service improvements – including improved voice quality – as a result of additional spectrum, increased cell tower density and broader network infrastructure. At closing, AT&T will immediately gain cell sites equivalent to what would have taken on average five years to build without the transaction, and double that in some markets. The combination will increase AT&T’s network density by approximately 30 percent in some of its most populated areas, while avoiding the need to construct additional cell towers. This transaction will increase spectrum efficiency to increase capacity and output, which not only improves service, but is also the best way to ensure competitive prices and services in a market where demand is extremely high and spectrum is in short supply. Expands 4G LTE deployment to 95 percent of U.S. population – urban and rural areas This transaction will directly benefit an additional 46.5 million Americans – equivalent to the combined populations of the states of New York and Texas – who will, as a result of this combination, have access to AT&T’s latest 4G LTE technology. In terms of area covered, the transaction enables 4G LTE deployment to an additional 1.2 million square miles, equivalent to 4.5 times the size of the state of Texas. Rural and smaller communities will substantially benefit from the expansion of 4G LTE deployment, increasing the competitiveness of the businesses and entrepreneurs in these areas. Increases AT&T’s investment in the U.S. The acquisition will increase AT&T’s infrastructure investment in the U.S. by more than $8 billion over seven years. Expansion of AT&T’s 4G LTE network is an important foundation for the next wave of innovation and growth in mobile broadband, ensuring the U.S. continues to lead the world in wireless technology and availability. It makes T-Mobile USA, currently a German-owned U.S. telecom network, part of a U.S.-based company. An impressive, combined workforce Bringing AT&T and T-Mobile USA together will create an impressive workforce that is best positioned to compete in today’s global economy. Post-closing, AT&T intends to tap into the significant knowledge and expertise held by employees of both AT&T and T-Mobile USA to succeed. AT&T is the only major U.S. wireless company with a union workforce, offering leading wages, benefits, training and development for employees. The combined company will continue to have a strong employee and operations base in the Seattle area. Consistent with AT&T’s track record of value-enhancing acquisitions AT&T has a strong track record of executing value-enhancing acquisitions and expects to create substantial value for shareholders through large, straightforward synergies with a run rate of more than $3 billion, three years after closing onward (excluding integration costs). The value of the synergies is expected to exceed the purchase price of $39 billion. Revenue synergies come from opportunities to increase smartphone penetration and data average revenue per user, with cost savings coming from network efficiencies, subscriber and support savings, reduced churn and avoided capital and spectrum expenditures. The transaction will enhance margin potential and improve the company’s long-term revenue growth potential as it benefits from a more robust mobile broadband platform for new services. Additional financial information The $39 billion purchase price will include a cash payment of $25 billion with the balance to be paid using AT&T common stock, subject to adjustment. AT&T has the right to increase the cash portion of the purchase price by up to $4.2 billion with a corresponding reduction in the stock component, so long as Deutsche Telekom receives at least a 5 percent equity ownership interest in AT&T. The number of AT&T shares issued will be based on the AT&T share price during the 30-day period prior to closing, subject to a 7.5 percent collar; there is a one-year lock-up period during which Deutsche Telekom cannot sell shares. The cash portion of the purchase price will be financed with new debt and cash on AT&T’s balance sheet. AT&T has an 18-month commitment for a one-year unsecured bridge term facility underwritten by J.P. Morgan for $20 billion. AT&T assumes no debt from T-Mobile USA or Deutsche Telekom and continues to have a strong balance sheet. The transaction is expected to be earnings (excluding non-cash amortization and integration costs) accretive in the third year after closing. Pro-forma for 2010, this transaction increases AT&T’s total wireless revenues from $58.5 billion to nearly $80 billion, and increases the percentage of AT&T’s total revenues from wireless, wireline data and managed services to approximately 80 percent. This transaction will allow for sufficient cash flow to support AT&T’s dividend. AT&T has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years, a matter decided by AT&T’s Board of Directors. Conditions The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, a reverse breakup fee in certain circumstances, and other customary regulatory and other closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in approximately 12 months. Advisors Greenhill & Co., J.P. Morgan and Evercore Partners acted as financial advisors and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Arnold & Porter, and Crowell & Moring provided legal advice to AT&T. Conference Call/Webcast On Monday, March 21, 2011, at 8 a.m. ET, AT&T Inc. will host a live video and audio webcast presentation regarding its announcement to acquire T-Mobile USA. Links to the webcast and accompanying documents will be available on AT&T’s Investor Relations website. Please log in 15 minutes ahead of time to test your browser and register for the call. For dial-in access, please dial +1 (888) 517-2464 within the U.S. or +1 (630) 827-6816 outside the U.S. after 7:30 a.m. ET. Enter passcode 8442095# to join or ask the conference call operator for the AT&T Investor Relations event. The webcast will be available for replay on AT&T’s Investor Relations website on March 21, 2011, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET through April 21, 2011. An archive of the conference call will also be available during this time period. To access the recording, please dial +1 (877) 870-5176 within the U.S. or +1 (858) 384-5517 outside the U.S. and enter reservation code 29362481#. Transaction Website For more information on the transaction, including background information and factsheets, visit www.MobilizeEverything.com.

DROID Incredible 2 Boot Animation Reveals Official Specs

Kellen — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:51:39 +0000

Our buddy @IRONMatt14 has been digging through the Incredible 2 system dump that's in the wild and stumbled upon its boot animation which all but confirms every major spec on the device. Now, I know that we sort of already have the specs since this device is essentially just the Incredible S that's available in Europe, but it's nice to see them on display through the real device. We also get another confirmation that the phone will be "global", which is news we broke back in January. So what do we have?

1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 processor (same as the Thunderbolt)
8MP camera with dual-Xenon flash
4" WVGA TFT display
768MB RAM
TI audio chip with surround sound
Global
Wireless charging

We have to assume at this point that the Incredible 2 is just weeks away. To see a finalized boot animation with DROID eye in-tact, you know it's close. Plus, we saw it show up in a Best Buy system just days ago which is never a bad sign. It's almost exactly the same as the Thunderbolt but has a slightly smaller screen and no 4G LTE radio; it is global though, and probably a lot lighter. I've been saying this for weeks now - if you are not in a 4G area and won't be any time soon, this is a device you should be considering. And here is that new boot animation in action on a DROID X: (download) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqckrPRC5Hs[/youtube]

DROID Incredible 2 Appears at Best Buy, Start the Announcement Clock

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:16:11 +0000

Hi there DROID Incredible 2. Thank you for showing up at Best Buy and providing us with a new device to get to hypebeastin' on. Should we expect an announcement at CTIA next week? Would certainly be a good spot for one. Cheers money!

Adobe Flash 10.2 Now Available on Android

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:00:40 +0000

It's here! Flash 10.2 has been released to the Android Market and can now fuel your embedded Youtube watching addiction. Experience the entire web the way it was meant to be experienced, just like you would on your PC, but not your iPad2. Download Link

Friday Poll: How is the Battery Life on Your HTC Thunderbolt?

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:09:34 +0000

You've had the phone for 1 full day and yet, we still feel like we need to ask this. The Thunderbolt and its battery have been a big topic of conversation over the last couple of weeks, so we want to know what you are all experiencing. I'm in a non-4G area and have had pretty normal battery life, but we're hearing different stories from those of you in 4G LTE areas. Bad? Normal? Really bad? [poll id="71"]

Quickoffice Pro HD for Honeycomb is on the Way, Save 30% by Signing Up

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:48:53 +0000

Quickoffice Pro HD for Honeycomb is nearing a release, and if performing work actually sounds like something you want to do on your XOOM, then you may want to take advantage if this opportunity. If you sign up at the Quickoffice site to receive notification of the release of their Android 3.0 office solution, you should see a 30% off coupon when the app goes live. From what I've been told, the app will be on display at CTIA next week, and then available to everyone just a few weeks later. Sign up. Cheers Trebor!

HTC Introduces the Staff Behind the Thunderbolt, Verizon's "Rooftop" Ad Returns

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:32:22 +0000

HTC released a video today that introduces us to the staff that helped create Verizon's first 4G LTE phone, the Thunderbolt. Other phone companies across the globe need take note; this is how you create a promo video. This may come off a little like a fluff piece, but they've filmed it in a very attractive way with topics and commentary that are actually interesting. It's definitely worth the entire 4:24. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_xYblI4Sog[/youtube] The "Rooftop" ad: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYITDFL0SIY[/youtube]

HeLauncher Enters Home Replacement Game, Variety of Manufacturer Launchers in One Spot

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:55:51 +0000

We just want to start this off by recommending that you don't compare this to ADW or Launcherpro as it is something completely different. HeLauncher took all of the manufacturer home replacements like stock Gingerbread, Sense, Blur, etc. and made them all available in one app. Basically, it allows you to enjoy the look of the Froyo launcher for 5 minutes, and then switch over to Gingerbread to see how much tastier green is than grey. You can compare Blur's ugliness to HTC's pretty little Sense; all with a button tap or two. There aren't custom dock icons, scrollable docks, or some of those really advanced options that are enjoyed on the two big home replacement players, but that's OK. The developer did manage to include re-sizable widgets, drop to uninstall, and is offering his work up at no cost though.

Download Link (free) Cheers Jim!

HTC Thunderbolt Rooted.

Kellen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:14:32 +0000

NOTE: AN EASY ROOT METHOD HAS BEEN RELEASED.

At exactly 11:35PM last night, members of XDA Forums gained permanent root to the HTC Thunderbolt. Yep, that was fast. We now await instructions, recovery from @Koush, and s-off. Via: XDA Cheers Incredible and kly142!

Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Pre-sale Also Starts at Staples

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:09:45 +0000

The Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi is approaching faster than I think anyone expected. A pre-sale started this morning at Costco, and now Staples has joined in on the party. As you may remember, our friends at Staples helped us spread a lot of news about this wifi-only XOOM, so we've got to show them some love now that the device can finally be ordered. It's $599, will ship on March 25th, and should arrive on either the 27th or 28th. Yay! Pre-order. Cheers Joe!

HTC Thunderbolt Hands-on Gallery

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:41:29 +0000

Well, there it is. The HTC Thunderbolt is finally available and while I've had zero time to really play with it, you can't deny its beauty. Here is a quick gallery to show off those magical curves and that big shiny 4.3" Super LCD screen. Everyone loving their new phone? [gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="title"]

Verizon's 4G LTE on the HTC Thunderbolt, What Speeds are you Seeing?

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:29:33 +0000

If you picked up an HTC Thunderbolt and live in a 4G LTE area, I'd love to see what sorts of speeds you are seeing while using the SpeedTest.net app. As you can see from the shots above, many of our readers are seeing out of this world upload speeds with some very impressive download marks as well. You almost have to think that the SpeedTest.net app is broken, because these numbers are mindbogglingly good. Any chance that Verizon uncapped the uploads on purpose after finding out that AT&T is capping theirs? We're not sure, but we'd love to see your numbers! Feel free to drop them in the comments. Cheers ____!

Skype Mobile with Video is Still on the Way?

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:13:37 +0000

Last night we started to question whether or not Skype Mobile with Video was ever coming to the HTC Thunderbolt, but according to a representative from Skype, it looks like it will still be here, we just have no idea when. They are clearly experiencing issues with the video chatting version of it, something we noted back in February as being one of the reasons for the TBolt's delay...

Verizon Wireless and Skype are committed to providing a great mobile video calling experience for customers, and we are currently working on ensuring that when launched, Skype mobile with video on Verizon 4G LTE phones will deliver the best possible video calling experience. We don’t have a specific date for availability to share at this time.

At this point, are we sure Skype even matters? Thousands of you have already picked up Thunderbolts, all while knowing that Skype would not be included. There are plenty of alternatives on the market that will satisfy your video chatting needs, right? Via: Examiner Cheers Brian!

Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Available for Pre-order at Costco and Amazon

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:27:03 +0000

Pre-orders for the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi have started over at Costco and Amazon, but one of them will set you back $10 less. Costco is offering it up for $589 and also tossing in a gel case to help protect your beautiful new 10" investment. Anyone jumping on this? If you need more info, we wrote up a Motorola XOOM review that I highly recommend you check out. Just ignore any 3G talk in it.

Costco Pre-order. Amazon Pre-order. Via: Phandroid Cheers Don!

Verizon Data-only 4G Plan Changing on March 25 from Unlimited to 5GB for $49.99?

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:09:49 +0000

As you all know, the HTC Thunderbolt just rolled out today and we're getting a taste of the first 4G LTE data plans. One thing to note, is that VZW is offering non-contracted customers a $49.99 data package which according to the email above, is unlimited at this time. Great news, right? Well, it could be changing on 3/25 (next Friday). While the email above doesn't specifically say it, we're hearing that it will drop to a 5GB limited plan, but early adopters of this data package should be able to keep theirs unlimited if they jump on it now. Sort of an odd post, I know. The email doesn't provide a ton of information, but if you are interested in the non-contracted data package, we wanted to make sure that you at least asked your local VZW rep about it. To clarify, this has nothing to do with the $29.99 unlimited plan that comes with a 2-year contract. All signs point to that sticking around for at least a few months. This is something separate. Cheers JFMFT!

ESPN Bracket Bound 2011 Lets You Track Your Picks, and the DL Tourney Challenge

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:32:35 +0000

If you joined the Droid Life Tourney Challenge, then you'll want to grab the ESPN Bracket Bound app to keep track of my dominance over the 1000+ that decided to battle it out this year. The app is free in the market, allows you to track your bracket, your standings in any of your groups, and even view the overall leaders in the entire country. It's actually a pretty solid attempt here by ESPN. Download Link

Cheers @richardsonadm!

Best Buy Extends $249 Price of HTC Thunderbolt Past March 20

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:52:01 +0000

In not-so-shocking news, Best Buy has announced that it will extend the $249 price of the HTC Thunderbolt past March 20. The original plan was for BBY to sell Verizon's first 4G LTE phone to pre-order customers and early adopters at $249, but then jack the price up to $299 on contract starting Sunday. Someone obviously drank the over-70 IQ Kool-aid.

Statement: Best Buy® Extends HTC ThunderBolt 4G Pricing at $249.99 MINNEAPOLIS, March 17, 2011 – Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) today confirmed that it will extend the $249.99 pricing for the HTC ThunderBolt 4G beyond the initial May 20 end-date outlined in the original announcement, available at Best Buy Mobile standalone stores and online atwww.bestbuy.com/mobile. This pricing change reflects Best Buy Mobile’s ongoing commitment to provide the most smart phones under one roof with straightforward pricing, informed advice and someone to be there for the life of your phone.

And yes, that statement above actually says "May" instead of March, but we know what they mean.

HTC Thunderbolt is Live on Verizon's Site!

Kellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:08:10 +0000

It's live everyone! Go get yourself the first 4G LTE smartphone on Verizon, the HTC Thunderbolt. You can grab one today for $179 at Amazon on a 2-year contract or at a variety of different prices directly from VZW. It may only have a single-core processor, but trust me when I say that it's no slouch. This was in our top 2 at CES back in January and still ranks up there today. It's about time. Hype. Beast. Buy.

Amazon Selling the HTC Thunderbolt for $179 on Contract

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:14:57 +0000

Talk about a steal of a deal right there. Who wouldn't jump all over an HTC Thunderbolt for $179 on contract? Oh, and you'll notice the full retail price is listed at $749 which is odd since Verizon tweeted that it would be $599 just a couple of hours ago from them and just $319 on a 1-year contract. Silly Amazon.

Buy. Cheers @BlairAlton and @juergenscj!

Wednesday Poll: Buying an HTC Thunderbolt Tomorrow?

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:45:20 +0000

Tomorrow is the day. You've managed to stay sane through all of the hypebeastin' and now have the opportunity to pick up Verizon's first 4G LTE phone, the HTC Thunderbolt. Are you still ready to pull the trigger? Are you unsure? Are you waiting for something else? Our friendly 4G Panda dropped another poem on us last night that hints at a variety of phones on the way which are expected to be as good or possibly better. Are you proceeding with caution now or this the phone of your dreams? [poll id="70"]

Skype with Video Appears to be Axed Completely from the HTC Thunderbolt

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:37:02 +0000

It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were enjoying Verizon's CES press event which featured its lineup of 4G LTE devices, all with front-facing cameras to take advantage of the newly announced Skype mobile with video. Oh how times have changed. Questions surrounding this new video chatting app all started after our friends at Big Red informed us that Skype would not be ready at launch for the Thunderbolt in February. Within days of that report though, a new 2/28 date surfaced, giving hope to those wishing to video chat with friends on their new 4.3" tigerblooded beast. And then 10 days later, Best Buy sent out memos to employees with really bad news. The exact words were, "The Skype feature will not be available on the HTC Thunderbolt." Uh oh. It didn't say, "not available - but will be." It just said, "not be available." And almost immediately after that news hit our inbox, the changing of HTC's and Verizon's sites started happening. The 4G LTE page for Big Red which used to feature its own Skype tab, was now missing for some reason.

And then HTC took down their big Flash intro for the phone, only to bring it back within the last week; missing any reference to Skype of course.

Finally today, some friends of ours reached out to show how their marketing materials had changed within the last few days. Stickers were being sent to cover up references to Skype on posters and other displays.

So will we ever see Skype mobile with video? You would hope so, right? The original plan was for it to be built into your Sense contact list to give you quick access to your friends with Skype, but that no longer appears to be the case. We'll just try to hold out hope for a last minute change. Who doesn't want some face time with friends from afar? Cheers J!

BobClockD3 Now Customizable, No More Apk Swapping for New Colors

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:27:28 +0000

One of the hottest minimalist clocks to come out of XDA over the last month was the BobClockD3, which Matt wrote about here. There was really only one downside; you were unable to customize it to fit your own color scheme and instead had to install and uninstall the different varieties that were submitted. Those times are now over. An update has been released, and you are can now pick the color and transparency of each number, giving you full control over this fantastic clock. Download: BobClockD3.apk Uninstall old version. Install this version as you would any other apk. Via: XDA Cheers Thomas!

SongBird for Android Sheds Beta Tag, Available as 1.0 in the Market

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:38:33 +0000

SongBird has been available for a month or so now on Android, but just this week, it dropped the "beta" tag and became officially official as version 1.0. This is a fantastic music app. It's simple and "elegant", but still includes all of the goodies you'd expect from someone trying to compete in the music app scene. You get a simple yet polished widget, Flicker stream of artist images, search, and this handy "now playing" drawer. This might not have Winamp's llama or all of the neon lights featured in something like PowerAMP, but SongBird holds its own. Classy keeps coming to mind. If there is one negative, it's the lack of a lockscreen widget. They assure us all that it's coming soon though.

Download Link

Regular Angry Birds Receives 15 New Levels for Ham 'Em High Stage

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:30:45 +0000

The original Angry Birds (not Seasons or Rio) received an update today that includes 15 new levels for it's Ham 'Em High stage. As you can see from the screenshot below, I'm no where near being able to play them, so I'll rely on all of you let the world know just how awesome they are. The update is free as usual and weighs in at 16MB or so. Grab it now!

Cheers @vbads13 and Elwin!

Motorola XOOM Review – Verizon

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:43 +0000

Finally, right? After almost a month with the device, we're ready to put together our thoughts on the Motorola XOOM, the world's first Honeycomb tablet. This tablet deserved a lot more than those quickie 2-day press reviews we saw around launch time, especially since it introduced the world to a new tablet operating system. Or should I say, the only tablet operating system? We didn't want this to come off as one of those barely-there overviews, so instead, we took our sweet time with it. We really wanted to blend the XOOM into our every day lives and see if it could keep up. Did it? Let's find out.

The Good:

Honeycomb: Other tech sites want to hate all over Honeycomb as a product that doesn't feel finished, but I'm going to praise it for what it is. The only real tablet operating system. This isn't a phone OS that was stretched out to fit a bigger screen. This isn't an app jukebox. It's the real deal for tablets. If you want your tablet to run like a computer with multi-tasking and widgets, only in a slim-downed portable device, then a Honeycomb device is what you should be looking for. Sure it has bugs; it's brand new! The bugs will be gone in no time, we'll have plenty of apps to play with in the next 3-4 months, and life with an Android product in hand will just continue to get better. This is the Android team showing the world that it really is going to change the way your mobile devices work. They aren't just taking something elastic and stretching it.
Specs: Hard to argue with the specs on the XOOM. Dual-core processor, front and back cameras at 5MP and 2MP, 4G LTE (soon), 1GB of RAM, 32GB built-in storage, 10" HD display, HDMI and USB ports, dual-speakers, and expandable storage. There is nothing like it on the market right now.
Tablet Apps: There may not be 65,000 of them, but the ones we do have are pretty damn good, especially the Google apps like Gmail, the browser, Books, and Gtalk. The good news is, we're seeing new apps on a daily basis, so by the time you finish reading this review you'll probably have something new to download and play with.

Flash: Flash 10.2 for Honeycomb will be out by Friday and then all of the haters in the world can shut the hell up. Yep, with the Motorola XOOM or any other Android tablet, you can view the entire web just as you would on a PC. In a "post PC" world, you'd think that you would want to experience everything the same only on a portable device. Android tablets like the XOOM are currently the only ones allowing you to do that.
Front Camera and Google Talk: The 2MP camera on the front of the XOOM works better than I expected and paired with the new Google Talk, this is the best video chatting experience you'll find almost anywhere. In fact, it's worked every single time I've used it and without issue. Sound quality was above average, the picture quality was better than expected, and not once did I lose connection with my other participant.
Battery Life: Hello battery life. With the XOOM, you'll get 10-12 hours of hard usage and a lot longer than that on standby. I can't tell you if it's a couple of days or a week, but the battery has never been an issue at any time over the last 3 weeks. Charging without USB is a little bit of an annoyance, but it's not going to be a factor in deciding whether or not you should buy one.

Video Recording: The quality of video on the XOOM isn't all that bad. In fact I'd say it does a better job of recording video than it does taking still shots. At 720p, this isn't going to blow your mind, but it's still better than most smartphones can do at this point.
Gaming: Hard to express the amount of fun it is to game on a device this powerful. I've played a ton of different games so far on the XOOM and all of them play as well as you would expect them too. We have a whole gaming demo video below which shows just how nice this device is for gaming on.

Ports: This could probably fit into the "Specs" section, but we still wanted to mention that we appreciate having separate charging, USB, and HDMI ports.
Build: Standard Motorola quality which is a good thing. While the device is definitely heavy, this thing is built like a rock. There are no moving or shaking parts and the all-black finish matches up to the rest of Moto's mobile lineup. Loving the look of the XOOM.
3G Coverage: This is an odd subject to review, but I had to mention this. I don't know if they packed in a super-powered 3G radio into this thing or what, but I seriously get coverage everywhere. While cruising up and down I-5 a couple of weeks ago, I was struggling to make a call on my DROID X, but the XOOM always seemed to have 3-4 bars at all times. I know that many of you purchased the device and will use wifi only, but the 3G is no slouch if you are a big time traveler.

The Not-so-Good:

Still Camera Shots: The video on the XOOM is pretty solid in the quality department, however, the still shots aren't where you'd expect them to be. It's a 5MP camera that does a so-so job at best. While I'm no camera guru, I still expected much cleaner results.

Weight: The XOOM is one heavy beast. Not sure which piece of hardware is to blame, but this thing is far from a one-handed device. At 730g, it's heavier than any other major tablet on the planet, and that's without it's 4G parts.
Lack of Apps: Honeycomb is new, so it's tough to be too critical in this category, but it has to be mentioned. Until developers start pumping out Android tablet-specific apps like they are for smartphones, it's going to be a tough battle. And if they are doing this already, then we need to be able to find them better. The Android team is starting to do a better job of highlighting the good ones, but we really need a filter for apps that are built for tablets. You shouldn't be worried about the lack of apps though. Apple dealt with this last year when the iPad first launched and they are doing just fine.
Software Bugs: People keep talking about Honeycomb as an unfinished product. That's not really fair. Sure, it has bugs, but this is the first real tablet operating system. As much as other companies want to tell you that they have one, they are lying. Google started from nothing and built an operating system that won't be used on phones ever. It was made to give you the ultimate tablet experience and it will definitely be there. It's just not yet. Although, the 3.0.1 update that came out sure seemed to fix a lot of stability issues.

Fingerprints: Rubbing off fingerprints has become a daily chore with my XOOM. And I'm talking with a cloth, some heavy breathing and elbow grease. This thing attracts prints like nothing I've ever used before.
Price: It's overpriced. There is no denying that. For Motorola to sell an unfinished product for $799, it's impossible for me to run around saying, "The price is just right!" If this launched with Flash, the SD card slot working and 4G LTE, then we might have a different story.
Unfinished: As I just mentioned above in price, this product was clearly pushed to stores to beat the iPad 2. It's unfinished and that's annoying. When you are looking to enter a market that's dominated by a product known for being of the highest quality, you probably shouldn't release one 3 months ahead of schedule knowing that it's missing some key features. People don't care what your device can do in the future; they want to know what it can do for them now.

MrPicolas' Notes:

Honeycomb: Honeycomb, just works. Being that I use my mobile devices to look for news-worthy rather than a computer, I need a device to not be a hindrance for me or it is just not worth it. The UI is smooth and standard Android fare with a fresh look and a few new tricks. One of the most noticeable things are the scrolling widgets. The lack of physical or capacitive buttons is a little strange at first but is not hard to overcome, so people new to android should have no problems getting around. I can have all my information on one screen. (Finally!) Overall this is a great start to the future of tablets and I hope that other manufacturers take note of the XOOM and work on improving upon it.
Build: Motorola is known for great build quality. This holds true for the XOOM as well, except for one minor thing in my opinion, the charging port. I would recommend getting the dock for charging. The power and volume buttons feel solid and should hold up for quite a long time. The front glass also feels great and wipes clean easily. The rear and front cameras work well; I've had no issues with them.
Kids/Autism/Ease of Use: OK, so I have this great tablet in a house full of kids; sooner or later my kids will want some time with "Dad's" new toy. Now, my oldest son has autism and albeit he is highly functional, it is hard for him to express himself socially and sometimes in writing. Enter the XOOM. He sat down with it and was instantly wanting to know what it could do. We downloaded some apps and let him get used to using it. The XOOM kept him focused and with the ability to correct any mistakes he may have thought he made, it reduced the stress level for him. This is a big thing for kids with autism regardless of what app. Whether it be a note taking app or an art application, seeing his eyes light up and having the ability to understand what he is trying to convey brought tears to my eyes. Most any tablet should be able to help with the above mentioned things, but the XOOM did so without any annoying hiccups or limitations.

Unboxing:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLXq55ZyHTk[/youtube]

Honeycomb Walk-through:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZPS4mzNezw[/youtube]

Gaming on the XOOM:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi7kcknBAf8[/youtube]

Benchmarks:

Accessories:

Standard Charging Dock | Bluetooth Keyboard | Portfolio and Gel Cases

Gallery:

The Verdict:

The hardest part of this review...should you buy one or not? There really is no straight forward answer for that. Is this one hell of a powerful device that I've enjoyed every second of? Yes. Does it accomplish everything that I expected it to? Yep. Has it replaced my laptop at times? Definitely. Will it continue to be a part of my everyday life for the foreseeable future? Indeed it will. But is it annoying that I paid $799 for a device that isn't finished? You betcha. The tablet world is an odd one. This really is a "luxury" item. It's not like anyone really needs a tablet, but I'm not going to lie; it sure is nice to have one handy when you are traveling or even just relaxing at home away from your office. With the XOOM, you get a solid product, but it's also one that isn't 100% done yet. So as a "luxury" item, it's sort of hard for me to scream "Go get one now!" We're still waiting for Flash (which will be here Friday), we're waiting for 4G LTE, and we're waiting for SD card storage. We're also waiting for Honeycomb to really hit its stride and show us all exactly what it can do. I don't want to say that the XOOM and Honeycomb together are a half-baked or beta product like many others have said, but it's definitely one that early adopters will love and novice users may get frustrated with at times. It's the first attempt in a long line of products. If you are expecting it to be perfect out of the gate, you might be disappointed. If you are expecting to watch the product evolve and get better and better over its first few months, then you will definitely enjoy it.

Motorola XOOM Specs | Other XOOM Coverage

Review: TiltArena > PewPew

Matt Demers — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:00:24 +0000

A couple weeks ago I reviewed a Geometry Wars lookalike called "Pew Pew," which was fun, but I had a few complaints about. I'm generally not a fan of games like it, which try to emulate game controls on-screen. Coupled with the fact that the play area was a bit on the small side, these joysticks blocked my field of play to the point where it was frustrating. However, yesterday I came across another Geometry Wars clone which solved most of the problems I had with PewPew. Instead of relying on on-screen controls, Tilt Arena does everything via your phone's accelerometer. By tweaking sensitivity settings found in the menu, users can fine-tune their steering and speed and blow up shapes to their heart's content. The graphics are beautiful and emulate the Geometry Wars experience a lot more closely, right down to the screen flashes when enemies die. This is a recent change, and one that can be thankfully turned off. The game also manages to zoom out a little bit, giving the player a greater view of the battlefield they're playing on. What really got me was how well it ran on my aging Milestone; not many games that involve a lot of action and particle effects do. Tilt Arena was smooth, responsive and the opposite of frustrating, which wins it major points. To give you guys an idea of how it plays, I whipped together a quick gameplay demo. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnfOxnG4vZE&hd=1[/youtube] The only thing I find lacking with this game is its lack of depth: PewPew may have been a bit more annoying in gameplay, but at least it had a lot of variety when it came to play modes and ship selection. There's really no replayability here except for a high score table, which is a bit disappointing. However, apparently this is Priority Interrupt's first effort at a game: hopefully more updates are coming. Tilt Arena is a free download Source: Reddit -- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and is sick as a dog. You can hear it in the video. You can wish him well via Twitter or e-mail.

One Last HTC Thunderbolt Software Update Leaks Before Launch

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:00:54 +0000

It looks like one last software update has gone out to the HTC Thunderbolt just hours before it goes on sale. If you are planning on joining the land of the superusers once this bad boy is rooted, then you might want to think about grabbing this latest PG05IMG file.

Download: PG05IMG

To get your collection of these ready, you'll want to check out this, this, this, this, and this post. Via: 911 Sniper

Video: Honeycomb (Android 3.0) Tutorial and Walk-through

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:39:19 +0000

Our Motorola XOOM review will be out later this afternoon, but leading up to that, we wanted to do a Honeycomb walk-through/tutorial since we had not had the chance to yet. This is a full 31-minute video and to tell you the truth, it doesn't even scratch the surface of what Android 3.0 can really do, but it should give you a pretty good overview. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZPS4mzNezw[/youtube]

Motorola Announces XOOM Wi-Fi, Confirmed for March 27th at $599

Kellen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:43:21 +0000

Motorola confirmed date and price today of the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi, a product we've been ruthlessly tracking for a couple of weeks now. This 3G-less model will hit stores on March 27th (a date we had last week) and at a price of $599 (a price we had a few times) through a variety of retail channels. Staples, Best Buy and Sam's Club are just a few of the big box stores that will be selling this wifi-only model with prices expected to drop into the $539 range at some of them. This is a huge step for Moto, but one that was needed in order to compete against its rivals. It's about time some of these manufacturers ditched the carrier-only approach and started spreading products around. Who's buying one? Full press release after the break.

Motorola Mobility Brings MOTOROLA XOOM™ Wi-Fi to United States LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – March 16, 2011 – Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI), today announced the upcoming availability of MOTOROLA XOOM^™ Wi-Fi edition from leading retailers across the United States starting March 27. Amazon.com, Best Buy, Costco, RadioShack, Sam’s Club (select locations), Staples and Walmart will be offering the 10.1-inch widescreen HD tablet with Android^™ 3.0 (Honeycomb) through both online and retail store channels. The MSRP for MOTOROLA XOOM Wi-Fi with 32 GB of memory will be $599. “MOTOROLA XOOM is a truly innovative tablet – its design, coupled with being the first tablet to have Android 3.0, results in a user experience that is one-of-a-kind,” said Dan Papalia, vice president of retail sales for Motorola Mobility. “We are now continuing to expand the choices available to consumers with the MOTOROLA XOOM Wi-Fi to be available soon from numerous leading retailers in the United States.” In addition, the MOTOROLA XOOM Wi-Fi will be available to commercial IT channels and regional retailers through a distribution agreement with Synnex Corporation, and regional carriers through Brightpoint, Inc. MOTOROLA XOOM showcases the innovations of the Honeycomb user experience – including widgets, true multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization – on a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, enabling video content that’s richer and clearer than ever before. With a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM, MOTOROLA XOOM delivers exceptionally fast web-browsing performance. The latest Google Mobile services include Google Maps 5.0^™ with 3D interaction and access to more than 3 million Google eBooks and apps from Android Market^™. MOTOROLA XOOM also supports a Beta of Adobe^® Flash^® Player 10.2 downloadable from Android Market, enabling the delivery of rich Flash based web content including videos, casual games and rich Internet applications. As the first device running Android 3.0, MOTOROLA XOOM benefits from our aggressive work with developers across the ecosystem through MOTODEV, Motorola’s developer support program to enable world-class tablet and smartphone experiences. These devices will be able to access more than 150,000 applications within the Android Market as well as the rapidly increasing number of applications optimized directly for the Android 3.0 OS. In addition, thousands of Flash-based web applications and sites will become available for the MOTOROLA XOOM. As a part of the company’s commitment and leadership -- along with Google’s -- to the Android ecosystem, Motorola announced a series of global developer events in 11 cities across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. These MOTODEV events give developers access to tools, support and Motorola's team of Android experts. The first of these events was hosted in San Francisco on March 1 and had more than 665 developers in attendance. MOTODEV also recently announced a new testing and certification program for Honeycomb applications, encouraging developers to submit their applications to get early feedback and support on MOTOROLA XOOM performance. This is a part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the ecosystem in delivering high quality experiences to the consumer. More information about MOTODEV tools, resources and events can be found at http://developer.motorola.com. About Motorola Mobility Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visitmotorola.com/mobility.

Thunderbolt Will Have a Multimedia Desktop Charging Dock, Priced at $59.99

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:55:14 +0000

As a huge fan of desktop charging docks, this is great news, especially since the Incredible's couldn't seem to find any room on a store shelve during its life. Our buddies over at Phandroid snagged a shot of the Thunderbolt equipment guide though, and it details a lot of the accessories that should be available for Thursday's launch including a multimedia dock. It looks to be priced at $59.99, which is pretty standard for these types of docks. We aren't sure yet if it'll have an HDMI-out port, and we're thinking it won't since the device itself doesn't, but they did call it "multimedia." We'll keep our fingers crossed. And hit up the source link to see word on the extended battery that will be available. I know some of you are battery freaks and have been dying to know when or if it will come out. Yay accessories! Via: Phandroid

Video: Gaming on the Motorola XOOM

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:21:56 +0000

We're finally putting together our full review of the Motorola XOOM, and with that comes a quick video demo of a bunch of games that run as smoothly as you would expect. A big beautiful screen, Tegra 2 and 1GB of RAM sure make a difference when you are slicing up samurai and blowing away robots. This truly is a great device for playing your favorite mobile games on. The good news is, that it will start to become more than just a mobile gaming device once Honeycomb really learns to take advance of this dual-core processor. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi7kcknBAf8[/youtube]

Netflix Android Application Pulled from LG Revolution System Dump

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:22:20 +0000

The Netflix app has been pulled out of an LG Revolution system dump and should install on almost any device. It definitely doesn't let you stream movies at this time, but you can login and check your instant queue. Once you press "Play" though, it switches to landscape and then returns back to your main screen. And yes, it'll install on the XOOM. We're hoping that it just needs the Netflix team to press the "Go" button for it to work. Download: Netflix.apk [mirror] Install just as you would any other application. Cheers Mr. Tato!

DROID3 Poses Again, This Time With Keyboard Showing

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:10:43 +0000

The DROID3 made a surprise public appearance this morning and apparently wasn't done. A lot of of us were wondering how its keyboard would look under what appears to be a much thinner top piece. I think it's safe to say that we now know. Five rows of fun, with an HDMI port just below it on the side. Slap a stock Google Experience on this phone with a 4" qHD screen and you could have yourselves a major player here.

Via: Howard Forums Cheers @EggoEspada!

Facebook Updated on Android, Upload Photos to Friends' and Group Walls

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:52:09 +0000

A new Facebook update is available! Exclamation mark not necessarily needed there (sorry), but yes, there is an update available. In this latest version photo sharing is the star with users now being able to upload photos to the Walls of friends or Groups. They've also worked out some bugs, made landscape mode work better, and improve security. Oh Facebook. Recent changes:

Added the ability to upload photos to friend's Walls.
Upload photos to Groups.
Photos will always upload with the correct orientation.
Improvements to landscape mode.
Improved security using SSL.
Various bug fixes.

Download Link Cheers @PHoldridge7232!

Tuesday Poll: Your Next DROID is...

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:44:46 +0000

It's a little early to ask this because we know so little about each device, but we've seen pictures of them all now and looks are one of the biggest factors in helping to determine if a phone will be yours or not. DROID BIONIC. Incredible 2. Targa. DROIDX2. DROID3. Which one are you currently leaning towards? [poll id="69"]

DROID Targa and DROID3 Make First Appearances, DROIDX2 Again as MB870

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:48:18 +0000

Now that we're done hypebeastin' the HTC Thunderbolt, it's time to get back to the family of phones that truly drives us to do what we do everyday. Some photos of the new DROIDs made the rounds last night and included a new player which has been codenamed Targa. The Targa picture above appears to just be a mockup, but mockups are usually pretty good indicators of what the final phone will look like. And this is one of those that we're hoping is spot on because this phone is hot. You can see that the plan is for it to be a 4G LTE device on Verizon, has at least a 4" screen which we'll assume is qHD, front and back cameras, and a super sleek body that emulates the DX, but a heck of a lot smoother. No word on official specs or release date, but we're not buying into the current rumor of it coming out by X-mas. We're thinking we could see it way before then. First look at the DROID3:

Ahhh the 3rd version of the original that started it all. I'm liking this new thinner top for a slideout. The D2 was incredibly heavy, so we're hoping this new version will come in at a much lighter weight while also sporting a 4" qHD screen. It appears to have a front-facing camera, but that could also just be sensor. And what about that new slanted lip? This is definitely an upgrade over the D2's look. And the DROIDX2 again:

Well, we've seen pictures of the DROIDX2 already, but now we know for sure that Daytona is indeed the codename for it and the model number is MB870. It's also running 2.2.1 with the new Blur at this point, so hopefully that changes to Gingerbread come launch. Thoughts? This is a lot to take in on a Tuesday morning. Via: Howard Forums, (2), (3), Engadget Cheers to everyone who sent these!

Download: HTC Thunderbolt User Guide

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:44:38 +0000

Download User Guide Absolutely zero mention of Skype mobile with video. Yikes. Via: AC Forums Cheers @rusty_richards!

Best Buy Waits for Verizon this Time: Confirms March 17th Date for Thunderbolt at $249, Jumps to $299 March 20th

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:21:09 +0000

Exactly 2 minutes after Verizon sent out the press release for the HTC Thunderbolt, Best Buy posted up their confirmation of the date. After possibly jumping the gun back on February 6th and allowing pre-orders, they are ready to accept the rest of your money; starting March 17. The price will be $249 initially, but after March 19, will go up to $299 on 2-year contract. So if you pre-ordered, you might want to get into a store before the weekend hits.

MINNEAPOLIS, March 15, 2011 – Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) today confirmed that the HTC ThunderBolt 4G will be available to the public beginning March 17 in all Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile standalone stores and online at www.bestbuy.com/mobile. The HTC ThunderBolt 4G, a national retail exclusive for Best Buy, will be offered at a special launch price of $249.99 through Saturday, March 19, including all pre-orders. Beginning March 20, the price will be $299.99. “The HTC ThunderBolt has generated a lot of excitement for us since it was announced,” said Scott Anderson, head of merchandising for Best Buy Mobile. “Customers have already spoken loud and clear – people want this phone, and we’re excited to deliver it on March 17.” Best Buy Mobile has rapidly become a leading destination for mobile technology purchases with the most smart phones under one roof, and one of the largest selections of carriers, handsets and accessories available anywhere. In addition, Best Buy Mobile offers an array of services aimed at improving the mobile phone buying experience, including:

Upgrade Checker: A quick and easy service that gives customers the ability to see when they are eligible for their next phone upgrade. When the upgrade time is nearing, customers receive a complimentary reminder call, e-mail or text message.

Walk Out Working™: Free in-store smart phone setup by a Best Buy Mobile Phone Specialist who will sync personal email accounts, set up Bluetooth headsets, transfer contacts and activate other services to allow the customer to leave the store with a fully functional new smart phone.

Buy Back: Consumers can take advantage of the new Buy Back Program, which provides convenient access to upgrades with the help of a Best Buy gift card from “buying back” past purchases. Click here for more information on how customers can utilize the Buy Back Program when purchasing a smart phone like the HTC ThunderBolt.

For more information or to find a Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile standalone store in your area, visit www.bestbuy.com/mobile or www.BestBuyMobile.com.

Via: Best Buy

HTC Thunderbolt Finally Announced by Verizon, Available 3/17 for $249 on Contract

Kellen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:45:02 +0000

After somehow making it through 8,000 denied delays, 1,800 rumored release dates, battery issues, Skype removals, and 100,000 angry trolls, Verizon's first 4G LTE device is ready to be placed in your pocket. The HTC Thunderbolt has been announced and to no one's surprise is $249 on a new 2-year contract. Data plans will hit the $29.99 mark, just like we said they would months ago, but we have to assume they won't be that cheap for long. Skype was not mentioned in the release and from what we can tell will not be ready Thursday when the device goes on-sale. Are there battery issues? Not that anyone is going to tell us about. Now, breathe for a second. One cool thing to note is that the 8-device hotspot feature is free until May 15, but will be at least $20 a month after that. Everyone still interested in this device after all that we've been through? Full press release after the break.

THE THUNDERBOLT™ BY HTC, THE FIRST 4G LTE SMARTPHONE FOR VERIZON WIRELESS ARRIVES MARCH 17 ThunderBolt™ by HTC Available Beginning March 17 BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced that the ThunderBolt™ by HTC, exclusively from Verizon Wireless, is available on March 17 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $249.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Powered by Android™ 2.2, the ThunderBolt by HTC is the first smartphone to take advantage of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. The ThunderBolt by HTC features the latest version of the HTC Sense™ experience, which offers enhancements including new personalization options, a consolidated e-mail inbox, and unique camera effects and filters. The ThunderBolt by HTC is equipped with support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™ and Android Market™ with thousands of free apps. Additionally, the ThunderBolt by HTC will feature 4G LTE optimized apps such as EA’s Rock Band, Gameloft’s Let’s Golf, Tunewiki and Bitbop. Additional features:

4G LTE – customers can expect download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage area

4.3” WVGA display

8- megapixel rear facing camera and HD (720p) video recording

1.3- megapixel front facing camera with video chatting capabilities

Newest generation of the 1GHz Snapdragon processor

Mobile Hotspot capability – share 4G connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices

8 GB of onboard memory and a pre-installed 32 GB microSD card (Actual formatted capacity will be less)

Built-in kickstand for easy media viewing

With the ThunderBolt by HTC, customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access and an unlimited 4G LTE data plan is $29.99 monthly access. Mobile Hotspot allows users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the nation’s fastest wireless network via an application available on the ThunderBolt by HTC. Mobile Hotspot will be included through May 15 for no additional charge. After May 15, customers may choose to activate Mobile Hotspot for $20 for 2 GB of data per month. Customers can track their data usage by downloading the My Verizon app available in Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon accounts online at www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon. For additional information on Verizon Wireless 4G LTE visit www.verizonwireless.com/4glte. For more information about the ThunderBolt by HTC please visit www.verizonwireless.com/thunderbolt. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About HTC HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

Verizon Site Looks to be Preparing for a Thunderbolt Announcement (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:39:52 +0000

New front page image on Verizon's website is what you are seeing above. All talk today centered around Thursday, March 17 as a legit launch date for the HTC Thunderbolt and this would be a sign that they are preparing for an announcement. If you click on the "Learn More" button, it just pushes you onto the Thunder Tracker page with no new info. This really is like a lightning countdown... Update: HTCSense.com seems to be mysteriously down. Related? (Cheers @joeydnj!)

Update 2: The phone has been announced. Finally. Cheers @rusty_richards!

DROID Incredible Disappears from DroidDoes.com, Should We Make Anything of it?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:31:51 +0000

Notice anything odd about the screenshot above? Anything missing? Where did our friend the DROID Incredible sneak off to. We know he's still hovering around Verizon's main site with the discounted price of $99, but why has he been removed from DroidDoes.com? Normally we would just think that VZW was performing some sort of maintenance to the site, except that all of the Incredible-specific sub-pages also appear to be dead (like this one). This is going to be the biggest stretching idea on the planet and I'm admitting that up front, but could this possibly have something to do with the Incredible 2? We know that the Incredible S is already on sale, way ahead of an initially scheduled launch over in Europe and is basically the same device, so what if the Inc2 is also ready? The phone is definitely in the hands of testers as images of the phone came out over the weekend looking as polished as ever. Again, I know this is a stretch, but we did hear back in January that it could be available in March. Any chance in hell that Verizon releases the Inc2 anywhere near the Thunderbolt? Update: We are hearing that it could be gone for good. Device may have landed on the EOL (End of Life) list. If that's truly the case, then R.I.P. DI. It will be tough for anyone to match your awesomeness. Cheers Matt!

Download: OreoSlice Theme for Liberty ROM 1.5 by bassdj and droidzforlife

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:04:59 +0000

Earlier today we brought you a new pink Droid Life-inspired theme, but since we know that not everyone is the biggest salmon fan, how about another option? Theming gurus droidzforlife and bassdj has created something that might be a true masterpiece called OreoSlice. And while they are claiming that it's not quite finished, I don't care and neither should you. This theme is insanely good and anyone out there running Liberty 1.5 on their DROID X or DROID 2, might want to grab this one. The download seems huge, but that's because he tossed in a ton of black and white wallpapers for you to choose from. Seriously, applaud these two. Note: The transparent market is ridiculous... Download: OreoSlice_Liberty[Almost_Done].zip [mirror] 1. You need to be running Liberty ROM 1.5. (DROID X or 2) 2. Download the file from above and drop it on your SD card. 3. Reboot into recovery and make a backup. 4. [Might be able to skip this step] Then “mount system” and “install zip from sd card.” 5. Choose the OreoSlice.zip and install. 6. Enjoy! [gallery link="file" orderby="title"] Support can be found here.

Review: PicPlz on Android

Matt Demers — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:30:28 +0000

If you've got friends who use iOS, there's a good chance that at least one of them uses Instagr.am; for the uninitiated, the app takes a lot of the work out of photo editing and sharing. Users can take photos, apply effects and publish photos to social networks like Twitter and Facebook quickly and easily, which, for some, is an asset. Not all of us have the time to bring up Photoshop if we just want to convert things to black and white.

Though Instagr.am doesn't have an Android app, it has something that's similar. PicPlz achieves the same functions and more; in addition to Twitter and Tumblr, users can automatically add their photos to a Dropbox account. This makes it very easy to transfer photos off your phone without connecting a cable, and eases the process of viewing them later.

Users can use the app to comb their contacts for friends who also have PicPlz installed; they can, in turn, be added as "friends." An in-app timeline lets you know what your friends have been up to with the ability to comment. This turns PicPlz into its own social network, but really, why would you use that system when you're going to be posting to Twitter, anyways?

PicPlz has many of the same filters as Instagr.am, which is the main appeal; primarily, I'm using the faux-high-definition filter due to its ability to make my pictures look a little more detailed - at least at lower resolutions. Blown up it looks a bit off, but for Twitter, it's alright.

If you don't use a camera replacement, PicPlz is for you; it doesn't add any new features to the camera itself, but makes it easy to share photos quickly. However, if you want to just snap and forget, the default camera might be a better option, as having to navigate filter and posting menus can be annoying.

PicPlz is a free download, which is great. You can find it on the Android Market. --- Matt Demers is Droid Life's app guy, and staving off strep throat at the moment. Good vibes on Twitter or e-mail would be appreciated.

HTC Thunderbolt Equipment Guide Says "All Channel Launch" is March 17

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:47:00 +0000

There you go. March 17th is indeed the day for the HTC Thunderbolt. It's a date we've known about for a few weeks now, but just needed to see something semi-official. Everyone in Verizon knows it, there are trainings scheduled for today, so now we just sit and wait for the press release to come out. Oh, and the "1 Mississippi..." commercial has returned... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9h_Klwueks[/youtube] Cheers ___ and brum08!

Download: Droid-Life Theme for Liberty 1.5 by CamDroid

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:53:45 +0000

The pretty hath returned. You all know how we feel about pink themes here at Droid Life, so when @CamDroid hit us up yesterday with his latest creation, we had to share. It's been a while since we've featured something with our lovely color scheme; too long really. This pinkness themes a ton of icons, widgets, and framework, bringing you a classic DL look. Compatible with Liberty 1.5. Download: Droid_Life_Pink_1.0.zip [mirror] Instructions: 1. You need to be running Liberty ROM 1.5. 2. Download the file from above and drop it on your SD card. 3. Reboot into recovery and make a backup. 4. Then "mount system" and "install zip from sd card." 5. Choose the Droid_Life_1.0.zip and install. 6. Enjoy the pinkness! Feel free to donate! Wallpaper:

(Big shoutout to my friend Justin for creating these back in the day. Glad to see 'em still getting love.)

(960x854)

(960x800)

Base credit to Justin at DroidPirate.com for some of the theme.

Verizon Waiving $35 Activation Fee on Month-to-Month Motorola XOOM Data Plans?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:45:51 +0000

There has been a lot of talk about the lack of a $35 activation fee on the new iPad 2 from Verizon when we all know that customers looking to grab a Motorola XOOM are being forced to pay one. Doesn't seem all that fair, right? Well Verizon it appears (at least their indirect retailers), is trying to cool the situation by waiving that activation fee for the time being. Customers who pick up the XOOM and its real tablet operating system will see a $35 activation fee on their bill, but right next to it will be a credit cancelling it out. Thanks Verizon. Cheers Stealth Voodoo!

Contest: Join the Droid Life Bracket Challenge!

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:55:58 +0000

This is my absolute favorite time of the year. Some people love X-mas or the Super Bowl, I love the NCAA tourney. And to celebrate that here at Droid Life, it's time to invite everyone in to the DL NCAA Tourney Bracket Challenge where one of you will walk away with $100 cold hard PayPal cash. This is a winner-take-all contest, as no one cares about second place when it comes to the NCAA tournament. We're not doing anything weird with this; it's your standard bracket challenge just like you would fill out with your homies in the office. We'll even accept in the ladies who choose by uniform color and mascot animal. Let's do this! Rules: 1. Entry is free. 2. Join the Droid Life group on ESPN.com:

Group: Droid Life Password: droid

3. Fill out your entry and submit before the games start Thursday (17th) morning. 4. Winner with the highest total points following the NCAA Championship is our winner. 5. Winner will be notified and prize arrangements set. Good luck everyone!

Angry Birds Rio Launching Exclusively through Amazon App Store (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:29:47 +0000

The still-yet-to-be-launched Amazon App Store just scored a pretty major exclusive, Angry Birds Rio. AB Rio would be the follow up game to Angry Birds Seasons and a game that has been set up to launch alongside a new kids movie that should be out in the next week or so. But what about the game itself? We have no word on a release yet, although we have a feeling that it will be either this week or next and possibly on March 22nd since that's the date iOS users will see it. All signs point to this version of Angry Birds having a price attached to it, but again, no idea what that will be. Following @roviomobile would be a good place to start though, if you want the latest info. Update: And here is the gameplay trailer for Angry Birds Rio... (Cheers Jason!) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzSNaUvmaOc[/youtube] Via: Twitter, (2)

Verizon Makes Calls and Texts to Japan FREE Through April 10

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:52:59 +0000

If you have family or friends in Japan dealing with the aftermath of this latest earthquake/tsunami and are a Verizon Wireless customer, you can call, text and multimedia message them for free until April 10. The company is also providing FiOS customers with access to channel 1770, TV Japan, to keep up with all of the coverage of this devastating situation.

VERIZON MAKES CALLS FREE TO JAPAN FROM MARCH 11 TO APRIL 10 Verizon Wireless Customers Can Text to Japan for Free NEW YORK – To help its customers contact loved ones in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Verizon is making calls to Japan free for most wireless and residential customers through April 10. All Verizon Wireless post-paid customers will receive free calling to Japan from March 11 through April 10. Post-paid customers are those who receive a monthly bill from the company. In addition, Verizon Wireless post-paid customers in the U.S. will receive free text and multimedia messaging to Japan for the same time period. Verizon Wireless has also made it easy for customers to text donations to a host of non-profit organizations responding to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Customers can easily make a $10 donation by simply sending a text message and may choose from 10 organizations aiding those in need in Japan. All calls made from a Verizon residential landline to Japan will be rated at $0.00 per minute, from March 11 through April 10. Customers with Verizon World Plan (300, 500 or unlimited minutes of long-distance calling) can call Japan without using any minutes from their time-allotment blocks. Additionally, Verizon Prepaid Phone Card charges for all long-distance calls placed to Japan from the United States will also be waived from March 11 until April 10. The company is also providing FiOS TV customers who are not subscribed to the channel free access to TV Japan through March 17. The channel location is 1770. * Only long-distance usage charges associated with calls made from residential landlines terminating to wireline or wireless destinations in Japan will be waived from Mar. 11 – April 10. All other fees including taxes, surcharges, monthly recurring charges (MRCs), minimum spend levels (MSLs), monthly minimum charges (MMCs), etc will continue to apply. Post-paid calling card charges to Japan will also be waived. ** If long distance calling fees were charged, credits will be issued in a future bill statement. About Verizon Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion. For more information, visit verizon.com/news. VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon’s News Center on the World Wide Web at verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Staples Tablet Lineup: Samsung 8.9-inch, Toshiba 10-inch, HTC 10-inch Devices All on the Way

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:13:43 +0000

According to Staples' training guides, they sure appear to be taking this tablet game pretty seriously. We already know that they plan to release the wifi-only Motorola XOOM some time around the end of March or early April for $599, but they aren't stopping there. They are expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9" device that should be announced in the coming weeks at CTIA, Acer and Toshiba 10" devices, and even a 10" HTC slate. Now, we saw the HTC Flyer at MWC a few weeks back, but that was only a 7" model. Could a 10" be the rumored EVO tablet that Sprint is expected to announce in the near future? Cheers ___!

Thunderbolt Stock Switches to "In Stock", Best Buy Calls Customers for March 17th Appointments

Kellen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:54:09 +0000

We were hoping that a press release with an official announcement for the HTC Thunderbolt would be smiling at us from within our inbox this morning, but Verizon appears to have forgotten to click "send." So without that, everything should still be taken as rumor including the tips that we received over and over again this weekend. What were they?

Best Buy is calling and emailing pre-order customers like crazy. We received at least a dozen reader confirmations that Best Buy had called them with an expected date of March 17th. The funny thing here is, that they said they would call back later in the week to set up an appointment, meaning they still aren't sure if it'll happen this Thursday or not. It amazes me that they would be calling customers after the month and a half of messes they've already been through.
The second note from the weekend is actually a little more legit though. VZW distribution centers have now changed there ADR6400LVW (Thunderbolt) status from "quantity on order" to "quantity in stock." No date has been attached, but this is another of those launch date checklist items that can be crossed off.
And hot off the Twitter wire, an account claiming to be a local Verizon agent seems ready to spread word that the 17th is indeed the day. Take this one as lightly as you possibly can. Seriously, you probably shouldn't even read the tweet below...

Cheers Anki, Carlos and everyone else!

Staples Ad For WiFi-only XOOM Shows March 27th Release?

Tim — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:32:43 +0000

So as was mentioned previously, it was looking like Staples was going to be selling the wifi-only XOOM some time in early April, but from the flyer above it looks like it may be sooner on March 27th. Take that anyway you would like, we all know how much fun newspaper ads have been lately. We definitely got the pricing point confirmed again from this post though. It's always dates that give everyone the run around. Don't you hate that? So who here is getting wifi-only version? The price is much more user friendly, that's for sure. Count me in! -Tim-o-tato Cheers Anonymous!

HTC Incredible 2 Pictures Arrive, Fans of the Original Should be Very Pleased

Kellen — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 09:00:15 +0000

A device that we are fully expecting to launch with the DROID tag attached to it decided to make an unofficial public appearance yesterday. The Incredible 2, which is essentially the Incredible S that debuted last month at MWC, is looking like a clear winner for those of you not expecting to see LTE service any time soon. It has a 4" Super LCD screen, front facing camera, 8MP rear camera, 1GHz processor, 768MB of RAM, and that sexy contoured back that we loved on the original. My only complaints about the first Incredible were the small screen and lack of front camera...looks like they solved that.

Is this anyone's next phone? Via: AndroidSpin

WiFi-only Motorola XOOM Priced $599 at Staples

Kellen — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 07:15:39 +0000

Last week we started to receive information on the wifi-only XOOM from our friends at Staples which included a potential April 3rd release date, and today they've included pricing. Everyone remember the $600 number that Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha threw out at MWC? Well, that's exactly what Staples is showing in their system. $599.98 if you want to get really specific. This is above the $539 we're expecting from Sam's Club, but you have to remember that they are a "big box" store and like Costco, usually price things much lower due their enormous bulk orders. We're hearing a "mid April" release is now the time line. Oh, Staples is also showing the Blackberry Playbook for $499 with that "mid April" tag and the 10" Toshiba tablet shortly there after. Sounds like Staples is taking this tablet game seriously.

HTC Announces That They Will Announce the Thunderbolt "Soon" (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 06:53:51 +0000

Just a couple of hours after we caught an HTC rep attempting to confirm that the Thunderbolt will be on Thursday the 17th, his employer took to Facebook to help ease the minds of those waiting impatiently for the first 4G LTE phone headed to Verizon. What did they announce? That they will be announcing something soon. Yes, feel free to laugh at that statement. We're hoping for a Monday morning press release, but I'm definitely not willing to put any money on that. So there you have it... Update: The email below just hit our inbox as well. One of our readers reached out to HTC to express his displeasure over what seems to be the wildest phone release in history and actually heard back. While we know support reps aren't always in-the-know, this person did mention the word "delay" and also blamed it on LTE. Sounds about right. "Delay" and "LTE" seem to be the common theme with this phone.

Dear XXXXXX, I understand the importance of having the latest devices on the market. The reason behind the delay in releasing the HTC Thunderbolt is due to the new technology it is running on, LTE. As with all new technologies we and Verizon would like to ensure that the systems work prior to releasing a new product. This is further explained here: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/verizon-cto-were-working-through-lte-smartphone-issues/45789?tag=content;search-results-rivers. I do apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced and I am sorry to hear that you will not be purchasing the HTC Thunderbolt. To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number 11USCW11ENA002273. Sincerely, Jeffery HTC Want to see what others are saying? Have a question to ask other HTC fans? Become a fan of HTC facebook.com/htc Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/htc Subscribe to our YouTube Channel youtube.com/htc Explore our development resources developer.htc.com We are unable to receive replies to this email account. Please visit us at htc.com if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Cheers to everyone who sent this in last night! And Mike!

So Yeah Flash 10.2 has "Leaked"

Kellen — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:53:03 +0000

Download: Flash.apk [mirror] Should work on Froyo, Gingerbread and Honeycomb. Install as you would any other apk.