Sep
1
2010
Motorola formally announced the Milestone 2, aka the European Droid 2, in a press release issued today. The device is essentially a Droid 2 for release outside of the United States, and is nearly identical in every way. It features Android 2.2, Motoblur, a slide out QWERTY keyboard, a 1GHz chip, and the ability to record video in 720p. There is no word yet on pricing, but it is expected to be released starting in Europe in Q4 2010.
Continue reading the official press release after the break.
Categorized as Android News, Android Phones | Full Post
Sep
1
2010
So, you have your brand new Epic 4G, but maybe you’re not so fussy about TouchWiz. Well, you’re in luck, because you can actually disable it if you so desire. This process also works on the Samsung Fascinate, but not on the Captivate or Vibrant. Just follow the steps outlined below, and you’re all set!
Instructions
This process works on TouchWiz 2.5 devices. It will work on the stock Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint or Samsung Fascinate for Verizon, but it will not work on the Samsung Captivate for AT&T or the Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile.
- Head over to the Settings application. (Press “Menu” button, Click “Settings”)
- Scroll down and click “Applications”
- Click on the “Manage Applications” button
- Press the “Menu” button, click “Filter”
- Press “All”
- Scroll almost all the way down to “TwLauncher” and click it
- Under “Launch by default” press “Clear defaults”
- Now, click your Home button
- Choosing “Home” instead of “TwLauncher” will bring you to the Vanilla Android launcher and homescreens. You can click on “Use by default for this action.”
To switch back, perform the same operation, but clear the defaults for the “Home” application. Now choose “TwLauncher” as your default home-button launcher.
[via BriefMobile]
Categorized as Android Carriers, Android Phones | Full Post
Sep
1
2010
Motorola has added a new Android phone to its ever expanding lineup, this time in the form of the Defy, a Motoblur’d Android 2.1 device which features a nearly indestructible 3.7-inch display. Once again, Gorilla glass comes to the rescue here, which is the technology behind Samsung’s Super AMOLED screen.
The device is supposed to be able to withstand being placed in up to a meter of water, so a trip to the beach or the pool might not spell disaster if the phone decides it wants to take a bath. The Defy will also feature a 800MHz chip, and is expected to launch in Europe sometime in Q4 2010. There is no word yet about pricing, or if this will ever be released in the US, but hit up the source link below for some more photos and information about the Defy.
[via Motorola]
Categorized as Android Phones | Full Post
Sep
1
2010
Sprint has issued a press release announcing the expansion of their 4G service to 3 additional markets: Boston, Daytona Beach, and Providence, R.I. Fresh off the release of their latest 4G phone, the Epic 4G, Sprint is continuing to expand its 4G service to additional markets within the US.
Sprint currently has 4G support in 51 markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia. The press release did not hint at which cities will receive 4G next, so be sure to check back often for more information. Continue reading after the break for the full press release.
Categorized as Android Carriers | Full Post
Sep
1
2010
Update: It’s out. We’ve got a competition. Having problems with Angry Birds lite? Let us know
At first we said it’d be towards the end of August, but we heard yesterday that it’d be Sept 3rd. Just to make sure this wasn’t some rumor, we contacted Rovio and this is the exact reply we received:
Dear Sirs,
Angry Birds Begin Hatching On Android
This week, we were planning to run a closed beta test of Angry Birds Lite for Android. Due to the massive response and demand from the Android community, we have decided to make Angry Birds Lite Beta available for everybody through the Android Market this Friday.
Please note that this will be the beta version of the application which is still undergoing final testing before official release. Angry Birds Lite Beta is presented on an “as is” basis, and we cannot guarantee its functionality on every Android device.
Angry Birds Lite Beta will run on second generation Android devices and upwards.
We have tested the game on a number of Android devices, and we would love to hear your feedback on how the game is performing on your personal device. Should you have any problems running Angry Birds Lite Beta, you can simply click the report a bug button in the main menu of the game to provide us with direct feedback.
We want to ensure that we will publish the best game ever released on Android, and we hope that this beta version will prove to our Android fans that Angry Birds has been worth the wait!
More information on Friday when we have the game available on Android Market.
For instant notification of the beta release sign up to android.angrybirds.com
Kind Regards,
Rovio
So there you have it kiddies, straight from the horses mouth that one of the most popular i*hone games will be “hatching” on Android this Friday and I can’t wait 
Categorized as Android Applications, Android Gaming | Full Post
Sep
1
2010
Well well, how the tables have turned. How the mighty have fallen. How the… oh wait, I see what you did there.
Skyfire, makers of the popular multi-platform mobile browser with almost one million Android users, have announced the submission of their iPhone and iPad version to Apple for review and final approval. You may be asking yourself, how will this browser allow Flash video to be played on the iPhone and iPad?
Skyfire accomplishes this by transcoding all of the Flash video into HTML5 on the Skyfire servers, taking the burden off the phone itself. This allows the playback of Flash on Apple devices, without what Steve Jobs calls the “technical problems” of Flash.
It will be interesting to see whether or not this is approved by Apple. Given the fact that Skyfire has been working closely with them in adhering to their strict HTML5 guidelines, all signs are pointing to yes. However, if it is rejected, it will prove once and for all that Jobs’ Flash ban is more political than it is technical.
Continue reading after the break for the full presser:
Categorized as Android News | Full Post
Aug
31
2010
DoubleTwist, the application with the ability to be to Android devices as iTunes is to iPhones, has announced a slew of great new features in their coming update. They have announced that they will be releasing a new website, and that it is intended to be “the iTunes.com of Android” with support for the Amazon MP3 Store later this fall, as well as the ability to install apps to your phone via your desktop (AppBrain, anyone?).
They also mention that their new desktop client will be the happy recipient of faster syncing and improved media library management. There is also talk of the Android DoubleTwist app getting the ability to use FM radio (we assume you would require the appropriate hardware), as well as syncing over wifi.
Sounds pretty good to us, but we want to know what you think! Be sure to leave your comments below!
[via DoubleTwist]
Categorized as Android Applications, Android News, Android Software | Full Post
Aug
31
2010
If you’re anything like me, there’s times when you just don’t feel like grabbing your USB cable for a quick file transfer. Well, now you don’t have to, thanks to a great little app called WiFi File Explorer, which allows you to browse and transfer files stored on your phone over WiFi.
The process is fairly straight forward. Simply connect the phone to your WiFi network, launch the app to receive the unique address, and then enter that into your browser. Now you are ready to browse your phone’s SD card over your WiFi connection.
The application comes in two version. The free edition does not allow for uploads, only downloads. Also, neither version has a way to transfer files in bulk, so it is best used for a few quick files at a time.
Rate and download: WiFi File Explorer Free
Rate and download: WiFi File Explorer Pro
[via lifehacker]
Categorized as Android Applications | Full Post
Aug
31
2010
T-Mobile has continued expansion of their HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access) network coverage into nine new markets. While the G2 will be the first phone in T-Mobile’s lineup to be able to take full advantage of HSPA+, they claim this is beneficial to most phones of their subscribers. Read the official statement below. If you’re the owner of a T-Mobile phone and in one of these locations please tell us if you’re experiencing any noticeable speed changes in the comments.
Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced the continued expansion of its super-fast mobile broadband network to 100 million Americans in more than 55 major metropolitan areas.
T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network – which offers theoretical peak throughput speeds of 21Mbps – is now available in Boston, Mass.; Erie, Penn.; Fresno, Palm Springs and San Diego, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; Richmond, Va.; Spokane, Wash.; and Topeka, Kan.
“Our new network offers today’s available 4G speeds to more people than any other wireless network in the country and we’re not done yet. We are now on pace to more than double our HSPA+ footprint – reaching more than 200 million people by this year – with plans to offer 42Mbps theoretical speeds in 2011,” said Neville Ray, chief network officer for T-Mobile USA.
For more information, please visit http://t-mobile-coverage.t-mobile.com/coverage.
Categorized as Android Carriers | Full Post
Aug
31
2010
A promotional video for the Motorola Milestone 2 was inadvertently posted to Motorola’s You Tube page today. It was reported to be taken down initially but it appears Motorola has reposted the vid as the damage has already been done. The Milestone 2 will simply be the international release of the Droid 2 under another name. The specs are identical and those clowns at Motorola are still boasting the inclusion of Motoblur. Check it out if you got a free 1:58 below.
Categorized as Android Leaks & Rumours, Android Phones | Full Post