Android 3.0 Gingerbread getting revamped UI, Froyo living on for lower-end phones?

Android 3.0 Gingerbread getting revamped UI, Froyo living on for lower-end phones?: "Last we'd heard, the next major release of Android -- codename Gingerbread -- was scheduled for a fourth-quarter launch, but the always-entertaining Eldar Murtazin has apparently just spilled a few details on what he knows of the release on a Russian podcast. Most notably, the dude says that we can expect an entirely revamped UI -- the first that the platform will have undergone since its introduction -- and will take cues from the fancy 3D Gallery app launched with Eclair. There's said to be a new 1280 x 760 resolution available for devices larger than 4 inches, which would dovetail nicely with Verizon's desire to bring a bunch of Android tablets to market. Like Windows Phone 7, Murtazin claims that Google will be laying down the law with some hardcore hardware specs to run 3.0, demanding a minimum of a 3.5-inch display, a 1GHz processor, and 512MB of RAM -- so what about cheaper devices? Well, those will apparently continue to run Android 2.1 or 2.2, which sounds like yet another serious recipe for platform fragmentation from the outset. We'll apparently see the first devices launch in time for the holidays following an October introduction, which lines up with what we've heard so far. Needless to say, we'll be keeping a close eye on this one.



[Thanks, John]

Android 3.0 Gingerbread getting revamped UI, Froyo living on for lower-end phones? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities

Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities: "

Cisco's just announced a business-aimed Android tablet, and it's calling it the Cius. The tablet will offer HD video streaming, real-time video, multi-party conferencing, plus all the regular tablet functions like messaging, email, and browsing. We're not sure about the size of the device yet, or any of it technical specs, but we do know that it's going to weigh in at 1.15lbs, so it can't be terrifically large. There's also no word yet on pricing or availability yet either but we'll let you know as soon as we do, okay, businessmen? Full press release is below.

Continue reading Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities

Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 2.2 Froyo FRF85 now available for Nexus One (update: official)

Android 2.2 Froyo FRF85 now available for Nexus One (update: official): "

We've been receiving numerous tips over the last hour that Nexus One owners on AT&T bands are receiving an over-the-air update for Android 2.2 FRF85, otherwise known as the 'bulletproofed' Froyo build. No confirmation at this point, and since you're asking, no word yet either on an update for the larger T-Mobile N1 install base (though we've had at least one report of a user on FRF50 getting the OTA today). We've pinged Google for answers, will let ya know what we hear.



Update: Thanks to a few readers, we've now got a direct link from Google's servers to update from EPE54B to FRF85.



Update 2: Tipster Christian R has sent us a picture of his T-Mobile-banded Nexus One with FRF85, apparently updated from Android 2.1 build ERE27. Has the T-Mobile rollout begun? Not for us, at least.



Update 3: And now we've got a direct link to download a FRF85 build that'll supposedly work for any Android build. We can safely say that it worked for us on a T-Mobile device with 2.1 / ERE27. Download from Google here, and if you need direction on how to do the update yourself, take a cue from our commenters. [Thanks, MRCUR and afinite]



Update 4: And now it's official. Keep an eye on that notification bar if you're itching for the OTA method. So that's one phone down, quite a few to go! [Thanks, cl]



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Android 2.2 Froyo FRF85 now available for Nexus One (update: official) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Developers to get native x86 version of Android 2.2 this summer?

Developers to get native x86 version of Android 2.2 this summer?: "

We knew that Intel had designs on Android for its Moorestown CPU, and as you might have guessed, the company's plans don't stop there. Renee James, a Senior VP at Intel, recently said as much in a conversation with APC. Apparently, devs can look forward to seeing a fully native x86 version of Froyo at some point this summer. James goes on to say that 'all of the code will be fed back into the open branch that will be created for x86.' Awesome! Perhaps 2011 will see a flood of generic, Atom-powered Android tablets. Because we don't see enough generic Android tablets as it is.

Developers to get native x86 version of Android 2.2 this summer? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altek's Leo in the wild: point and shoot, Android phone, or both?

Altek's Leo in the wild: point and shoot, Android phone, or both?: "

As cameraphone picture quality goes, the story is that it's not really about the sensor resolution, it's about the optics -- and if you want to go by that rule, Altek's beastly Leo should probably have your attention. Just because you've got a huge, telescoping lens doesn't mean it's any good, of course, but we'd argue that it's a good sign in a world dominated by tiny, plastic lenses atop 8 and 12 megapixel sensors of questionable heritage. Indeed, the Android-powered monster has bowed at CommunicAsia 2010 as promised, bringing a 14 megapixel CCD with an honest-to-goodness 3x optical zoom and 720p video capture, WVGA display, 802.11n WiFi, and HSPA for a Q4 '10 release. Amazingly, Altek plans on selling it for $499 -- unlocked, we assume -- and CNET Asia managed to score a few minutes with it this week. Follow the break for video from the event along with Altek's press release.

Continue reading Altek's Leo in the wild: point and shoot, Android phone, or both?

Altek's Leo in the wild: point and shoot, Android phone, or both? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19 Android Phones You Can Buy Today (or Soon)

19 (20?) Android Phones You Can Buy Today (or Soon): "If you are looking to switch to Android or upgrade your existing device, here's a list of all the Android phones available by wireless carrier.

20 Android Phones You Can Buy Today (or Soon)

• By Priya Ganapati

Updated 06/15 to include the latest version of Android OS on the phones and added MyTouch Slide.

Less than two years after Google introduced the first Android phone, the free, open source operating system has turned into a juggernaut. There are 17 Android phones available today, and three new devices will hit retail stores in the next few weeks.

The latest Android phone is the HTC Aria. AT&T revealed the Aria on Monday as a mid-range phone that will run Android 2.1, have a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch display and a slower processor than the Nexus One or HTC Evo 4G (the Aria’s CPU clocks 600 MHz, compared to 1 GHz on the latter).

Aria is not the last Android phone from AT&T this year. The company has said it will have five Android devices in 2010 and is likely to announce yet another Android phone soon.

Google debuted the Android operating system in 2008, and the first handset to use it was T-Mobile’s HTC G1. Since then, the four major U.S. wireless service providers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint — have embraced the OS. AT&T’s Android portfolio, though, is the weakest, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering its exclusive deal with Apple: Thanks to the success of the iPhone, AT&T has less reason to explore Android alternatives.

From the $50 LG Ally on Verizon to the most advanced handset available today — the HTC Evo 4G on Sprint — there’s an Android phone for almost every price range and level of use.

So if you are looking to switch to Android or upgrade your existing device, check out our list of all the Android phones available by wireless carrier. Prices mentioned below are those listed on the website of the carrier, with a two-year contract, except as noted.

For more details on each of these phones, click through to the carrier sites: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

• AT&T

• Motorola Backflip
• Android 1.5 (upgradable to 2.1), 5-megapixel camera, 528-MHz Qualcomm MSM7200A processor, 3.1-inch display, 4.7 ounces, $100.

• Google Nexus One
• Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm 1-GHz processor, 3.7-inch display, 4.6 ounces, Not available subsidized. $530.

• HTC Aria
• Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 600-MHz Qualcomm MSM 7227 processor, 3.2-inch display, $130. Available June 20.

• Dell Aero
• Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 624-MHz Marvell chip, 3.5-inch display, Pricing not disclosed. Available this summer.

• Sprint

• HTC Evo
• Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), dual cameras includes 8-megapixel camera and 1.3-megapixel front camera, Qualcomm 1-GHz processor, 4.3-inch display, 6 ounces, $200.

• Samsung Moment
• Android, 3.2-megapixel camera, 800-MHz Samsung S3C6410 processor, 3.7-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $100.

• HTC Hero
• Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 4.5 ounces, $80.

• Motorola i1
• First ruggedized push-to-talk Android phone, Android 1.5, 600-MHz Freescale ARM processor, 5-megapixel camera, 3.1-inch display, 4.63 ounces. Pricing not disclosed. Available this summer.

• T-Mobile

• Google Nexus One
• Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm 1-GHz processor, 3.7-inch display, 4.6 ounces, $180.

• HTC G1
• Android 1.6, 3.2-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7201A 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $100.

• HTC MyTouch
• Android 1.6, 3.2-megapixel camera, 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 5.9 ounces, $180.

• Motorola Cliq
• Android 1.5, 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7200A 528-MHz processor, 3.1-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $130.

• HTC MyTouch Slide
• Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 600 MHz processor, 3.4-inch display, 5.8 ounces, $180.

• Samsung Behold II
• Android 1.6, 5-megapixel camera, 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch OLED display, 4.2 ounces, $100.

• Garmin Asus Garminfone
• Android 1.6, 3-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7227 processor, 3.5-inch display, 4.9 ounces, $200.

• Verizon

• Motorola Droid
• Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 5-megapixel camera, 550-MHz ARM processor, 3.7-inch display, 5.9 ounces, $150.

• HTC Droid Incredible
• Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 8-megapixel camera, 1-GHz Snapdragon processor, 3.7-inch display, 4.6 ounces, $200.

• Motorola Devour
• Android 1.6, 3-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7627 600-MHz processor, 3.1-inch display, 5.9 ounces, $80.

• HTC Droid Eris
• Android 1.5 (upgradable to 2.1), 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7600 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 4.3 ounces, $50.

• LG Ally
• Android 2.1, 3.2-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7627 600-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $50.

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Motorola wants a 2GHz Android by year's end, so do we

Motorola wants a 2GHz Android by year's end, so do we: "

Looks like we didn't get the full dish from Sanjay Jha's bout of loquaciousness this morning. It turns out Moto's chief of handsets has also expressed his company's intention to bring the world its first 2GHz smartphone and to do so on an aggressively accelerated roadmap. By the end of the year, Sanjay? Yes please. Another Moto exec is cited as saying NVIDIA Tegra will be providing the graphics prowess, Flash 10.1 will be fully supported, and a gyroscope will accompany HD video recording and output on the dreamy spec sheet. We wouldn't invest all of our trust in the conveniently anonymous exec's promised specs, but that 2GHz number comes straight from the top -- let the countdown begin.

Motorola wants a 2GHz Android by year's end, so do we originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus One steps up to 720p HD video thanks to latest hack (video)

Nexus One steps up to 720p HD video thanks to latest hack (video): "

Just more evidence that rooting is the only true path of the geek. The indefatigable coders over at xda-developers have just pushed out a download that allows the Nexus One to start shooting video at 720p resolution. You'll need to have at least CyanogenMod version 5.0.8test3, but once you get your house in order, you'll be enjoying one of the big touted features of the latest handsets on your five-month old Googlephone. Pretty neat, and what's even better is that work is already underway to improve audio and the fps rate, as well as making the code compatible with Android Froyo, it all just requires a bit more tinkering. So, hit the source link to get the download or join us after the break for a quick sample video.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Nexus One steps up to 720p HD video thanks to latest hack (video)

Nexus One steps up to 720p HD video thanks to latest hack (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus One gets USB host driver from a dude with an oscilloscope (video)

Nexus One gets USB host driver from a dude with an oscilloscope (video): "

For Sven Killig, running Android 2.2 wasn't enough. No sir, this dude wanted even more power for his Nexus One, so he went ahead and penned a few lines of code that have allowed his Googlephone to act as a USB host. As a result, he can now do cutting edge stuff like plugging in USB keyboards and webcams, as well as more useful things like watching movies off USB sticks or connecting to a monitor via a DisplayLink USB-to-DVI adapter. All these features are demonstrated in the video after the break, and you'll find the downloadable binaries at the source -- Sven expects them to work on Android 2.1 as well.

Continue reading Nexus One gets USB host driver from a dude with an oscilloscope (video)

Nexus One gets USB host driver from a dude with an oscilloscope (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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