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Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica Hacked to have Multitouch

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by Chris Moor on
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The Samsung Spica historically has no multitouch capabilities, which is very disappointing for it’s users. For a lot of people you would guess that this is simply because of the screen that Samsung chose. Well, be prepared to be shocked as this is not the case. It is in fact a support issue from Samsung. They seem to have chosen not to include multitouch on this device for some unknown reason.

Luckily for Spica users everywhere, some lovely hackers have fixed this issue. They have created some drivers that are making their way on to homebrew Spica ROM’s.

This is identicle to two years ago when a hacker improved the G1/HTC Dream by adding multitouch.

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[via engadget]

Samsung to increase mobile display production in 2011

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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Samsung’s Mobile Display division has announced they will be significantly increasing their capacity to produce displays, starting in 2011.  The manufacturer has been having difficulty keeping up with production, especially given the immense popularity of their Galaxy S line.  Currently, Samsung is only able to produce 3 million screens a month, whereas the new operation will be able to handle capacities upwards of 30 million.

Samsung does not only produce displays for their own mobile devices, but for other manufacturers as well, including HTC.  The popularity of the Droid Incredible, as well as the Evo 4G, have also put incredible strains on the production line.  The shortage has caused HTC to look to Sony for some of its displays, which has helped relieve some of the pressure on Samsung.  The increase in production is also in reaction to Samsung’s expectations that demand for AMOLED displays will increase 35 times  to 700 million units by 2015.

Samsung has maintained that their Galaxy S line does not get priority over other devices, and in fact held off on giving them out to employees to maximize the number available to the general public.

[via WSJ]

LG to introduce smartphone line utilizing NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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LG Electronics has announced their plans to introduce a line of high-end smartphones that will run NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 processor.  The Tegra 2 is a dual-core chip, which would provide the devices a significant speed and graphics capability.  These new phones will become part of LG’s Optimus Series, which expects to have 10 devices out by the end of this year.

The Tegra 2 features a number of mobile firsts, including the first mobile dual-core CPU, the first mobile NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor, and the first processor capable of recording in full 1080p HD video.  Chang Ma, Vice President of LG’s Mobile Marketing Strategy Team, had the following to say.

“LG is committed to making its Optimus Series smart devices the de facto standard in speed and graphics performance. We selected NVIDIA because it is the visual computing leader and has a long history of creating amazing consumer experiences.”

LG has not announced any specifics about the devices, but our gut feeling is that at least one of them will be running Android.  We’ll be following this one closely, so stay tuned.

[via Korea IT Times]

ViewSonic ViewPad 7 goes vanilla with Android 2.2 in their 7-inch tablet

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by Steve Ginter on
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The latest big buzz on Android tablets has been the Samsung Galaxy Tab, but there’s another tablet looking to grab some of that 7 inch marketspace:   the Viewsonic ViewPad 7, which was recently shown off at IFA 2010 Berlin.  It may not have specs as impressive as the Galaxy Tab (slower processor and lower resolution), but the fact that it’s already running Froyo 2.2, and stock at that, is a comfort.  It even has Marketplace access.  Maybe manufactures are starting to listen to the consumer plea for vanilla Android.

What exactly does this mean?  Instead of waiting for a software update from the manufacturer, you will get your updates directly from Google as they are released.  Keep in mind, that although the ViewPad 7 has lower specs, it also means it will most likely be priced better then the competition.  Which is good for public consumption.  If you want something with more power, there is also the Viewsonic ViewPad 100 coming out, which is a 10-incher with beefier specs, although it has only been seen running Android 1.6 so far.

Check out the hands on video of the ViewSonic ViewPad 7 below:

» Read the rest

Unrevoked 3.2 available now, plays nice with Android 2.2

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by Chris Moor on
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Update2: Well at least if you actually got 3.2 running then you’re free and clear and don’t have to worry

Update: This isn’t good news!!  ”We’re looking at some minor bugs that a very small number (two) EVO users have encountered and have taken the tool down for a short while until we’re satisfied that they have been resolved.” – unrevoked team

Android tweakers rejoice, the unrevoked team has just released  unrEVOked 3.2. Here’s the change log for the latest version:

  • Added support for Froyo builds on all supported devices
  • Added support for the CDMA Desire
  • Optionally disables security on supported CDMA devices

So those are the newest features, but what about supported devices? That list has grown to include the following list of Android phones:

If that wasn’t enough, unrevoked3 now will permanently unlock NAND write protection by default on the EVO 4G, Droid Incredible and HTC Desire CDMA.

Pretty sweet eh? Among other news with the release of 3.2, the unrevoked team has noticed that the basic workings behind unrevoked3 may apply to other rooted HTC phones running Froyo. So if you’re current phone isn’t on the “cool list” above, then be sure to contact the unrevoked team.

[via unrevoked]

Thanks Chuck for the heads up!


Uloops Music Composer for Android

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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For all of you musically inclined Android users out there, this is one application you definitely want to check out.  Uloops Music Composer is an elaborate DAW (digital audio workstation) for Android, which allows users to produce music utilizing a variety of samples and virtual instruments.

If you are familiar with traditional DAWs such as Ableton Live, Reason, or FL Studio, you will find Uloops to be very familiar territory.  You can set the tempo and audio bit rate of your track, choose from several virtual instruments, such as a drum machine, synthesizer, and modulator, and apply various effects, including tremolo, delay, reverb, and chorus.

» Read the rest

Google Music & Google TV means even better Android integration

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by Steve Ginter on
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Google’s foray in the phone operating system industry is booming.  The growth of Android, along with the abundance of “DROID” advertising, has helped launch itself into the forefront of consumers who seek an alternative to the white walled garden, and of AT&T.  While Android’s speed of development has been great, there is definitely one area that can be improved upon still:  media.  I’m not just talking Android’s lackluster default media player (at least we have alternatives), but the way you obtain, organize, and manage your music and videos.  Now, I don’t believe Android NEEDS an iTunes equivalent, as I’m quite contempt with manually transferring my media, but it would make some things easier.

The fact that Google is looking to launch Google Music with their next update, code-named Gingerbread – aka, Android 3.0 , gives us a good indication that they wants to be your go-to gadget for tunes. On top of that, Google TV is making great strides with it’s partnership with Logitech, showing off a Harmony Remote app for Android.

While many details are not yet known to us yet, the fact that Google is looking to launch Google Music, and Google TV means even tighter integration with Android.  So stop playing the Angry Birds beta for just a second and take a stroll with me to the possible future….

  • Management and organization of your media with the database powers of Google’s search
  • One stop access to downloading music, TV, & movies
  • Google TV integration for transferring TV shows & Movies to your phone or tablet
  • Wireless/Wifi Syncing of new media content

What other possibilities can you imagine? Let us know in the comments.

LA Fitness for Android

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by Chris Moor on
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lafitnessiconWhile not a mass-market application, if you are a member of LA Fitness you may very well find this new app worthwhile. Most gym goers typically just go to the same location all the time and never do much of anything else. But if you travel, are involved in tournaments, use personal training, or other amenities then this app can come in really handy.

For me, I have one facility that is rather close to the house but I play racquetball with a friend at a different facility. Trying to schedule a court has required calling in, waiting on hold, getting someone on the phone, having them log into the reservation system, look up available times, take down your bar code, enter your reservation, and then let you know its in the system. The process takes anywhere from a few minutes to ten minutes depending on hold times. With the LA Fitness app, I can now make a court reservation in about 20 seconds.

» Read the rest

Droid 2 receives first custom ROM

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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For all of you Droid 2 owners out there who have been eagerly awaiting your first custom ROM, your wait is over.  Matt4542, the developer behind the EPIC ROM for the first Droid, has managed to get it working on the Droid 2.

The ROM is still rocking the Blur theme, but it’s been completely deodexed, and all traces of bloatware have been removed. You can grab the full set of instructions and download links from the source link below.

[via Droid-Life]

Is Adobe essentially killing Flash on the Droid/Milestone?

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by Tyler Cunningham on
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Reports are coming in that Adobe has upped the minimum requirements for running Flash on mobile devices.  Phones with WVGA resolutions are now required to at have at least an 800 MHz processor, and with the Droid/Milestone having a 550 MHz chip, that puts them well outside of the new requirement.

There is no word yet as to whether this new requirement will apply to new phones going forward, or if the Droid/Milestone will receive an OTA update removing Flash.  I suspect they will leave the Droid alone, and that this will only apply to future devices.  Adobe hasn’t made a formal announcement on the matter, so check back later for more information.

[via adobe]

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