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Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[ICS and Jellybean now on a quarter of all Android devices, but over half still stuck on Gingerbread]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/02/ics-jellybean-on-a-quarter-of-all-android-devices/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/02/ics-jellybean-on-a-quarter-of-all-android-devices/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/02/ics-jellybean-on-a-quarter-of-all-android-devices/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Android Stats

It seems like only yesterday that Google bundled Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 in its little biscuit layers and sent it off into the world (it was December, 2011, actually). That Android flavor has since climbed the charts rapidly, around four percent each month for the last while, and now occupies the ROM on 23.7 percent of robot-based devices -- up from 20.8 percent last month. That's in part due to new devices (like many in China) still coming out of the box with it, on top of older warhorses like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 finally grabbing some ICS. Meanwhile, its smooth-running younger sibling, Jelly Bean, made a slight gain to 1.8 percent of all Google-run slates and phones -- though that will likely change when the Galaxy Note II hits the market en masse and the Galaxy S III OTA 4.1.1 disseminates to all its owners. Meanwhile, Gingerbread still dominates Google OS installed devices at 55.8 percent, probably thanks to delays or denials of newer flavors to legacy devices.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Google

Comments

Via: Android Central

Source: Android Developers

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.1android 2.2android 2.3android 4.0android 4.1Android StatsAndroid1.5Android2.1Android2.2Android2.3Android4.0Android4.1AndroidStatsdashboardfroyogingerbreadgooglehoneycombIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichICSJelly BeanJellyBeanstatisticsstatsversions Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:02:00 -0400 21|20338835 <![CDATA[Google: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user base]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/android-ice-cream-sandwich-june-2012-stats/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/android-ice-cream-sandwich-june-2012-stats/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/android-ice-cream-sandwich-june-2012-stats/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Google Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 71 percent of Android user base

Well, it's about time that Ice Cream Sandwich made some headway -- even if the process is much slower than consumers deserve. According to the Android developer hub, Android 4.0 now accounts for 7.1 percent of all Android smartphone and tablet installations, which is a sharp and welcome increase over the 2.9 percent figure that we reported just two months ago. Naturally, Gingerbread users still account for the lion's share of the Android ecosystem with 65 percent, but it's worth pointing out that this segment also grew during the last month -- no doubt at the expense of Froyo and Eclair. Don't know about you, but we like our desserts fresh, thank you very much. Go ahead and hop the break to see the full breakdown.

Filed under: Mobile

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.1android 2.2android 2.3android 4.0android statsandroid versionAndroid1.5Android2.1Android2.2Android2.3Android4.0AndroidStatsAndroidVersiondashboardfragmentationfroyogingerbreadgooglehoneycombIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichicsmobilepostcrossstatisticsversions Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:36:00 -0400 21|20249929 <![CDATA[ICS reaches 2.9 percent of active Android devices, 63.7 percent still on Gingerbread]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/ics-reaches-2-9-percent-of-active-android-devices-63-7-percent/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/ics-reaches-2-9-percent-of-active-android-devices-63-7-percent/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/ics-reaches-2-9-percent-of-active-android-devices-63-7-percent/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

ICS reaches 2.9 percent of active Android devices, 63.7 percent still on Gingerbread

As we check back in on Android's Platform Versions dashboard for the first time since January, we can finally see notable growth in the percentage of devices running some flavor of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, up for 0.6 percent then to 2.9 percent. That's likely fueled by the release of updates for the Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Sensation family of devices, and is a sharp uptick from last month when it registered on 1.6 percent. Gingerbread (2.3) still reigns supreme, running 63.7 percent of the Android hardware that accessed the Play market in the last two weeks, but its growth seems to finally be slowing. Last year at this time that position was filled by Android 2.2, with 2.3 on just one percent of the hardware and Android 3.0 barely registering at all, a point which highlights the long cycle of upgrades. Call it fragmentation or flexibility, app developers can use these stats to plan their releases going forward, although it may be a little while still before the majority of the crowd can access any Ice Cream Sandwich-specific features.

Filed under: Mobile

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.1android 2.2android 2.3android 4.0android statsandroid versionAndroid1.5Android2.1Android2.2Android2.3Android4.0AndroidStatsAndroidVersiondashboardfragmentationfroyogingerbreadgooglehoneycombIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichicsmobilepostcrossstatisticsversions Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:17:00 -0400 21|20207034 <![CDATA[Android 2.3 continues soaring upward, now installed on 55 percent of Google devices]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/android-2-3-continues-soaring-upward-now-installed-on-55-percen/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/android-2-3-continues-soaring-upward-now-installed-on-55-percen/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/android-2-3-continues-soaring-upward-now-installed-on-55-percen/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Google's monthly Android distribution charts may be the most visual piece of evidence that the mobile OS is riddled with fragmentation, but at least Gingerbread has clearly become the dominant player -- and it continues to build momentum at a healthy pace (for now, at least). As always, Google reviewed which devices accessed the Android Market during a 14-day period of time in the month of December, and found that over 55 percent of those units were running a version of Android 2.3, a ten percent turbo boost from October and an increase of seventeen percent over three months. Froyo devices -- many of which are likely older phones or tablets sentenced to a upgrade-less future -- numbered over 30 percent, and Honeycomb still amounts to a meager 3.3 percent. Cupcake and ICS are tied for last place, but we expect ICS to climb rapidly as soon as it's, y'know, officially available on more devices.

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.2android 2.3android 3.0android 4.0android fragmentationandroid statisticsandroid statsAndroid1.5Android2.2Android2.3Android3.0Android4.0AndroidFragmentationAndroidStatisticsAndroidStatscupcakedonuteclairfragmentationfroyogingerbreadgooglehoneycombicsstatisticsstatsupgrades Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:23:00 -0500 21|20140398 <![CDATA[People of Lava invites Android developers to version 2.0 of its app market for TVs]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/people-of-lava-invites-android-developers-to-version-2-0-of-its/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/people-of-lava-invites-android-developers-to-version-2-0-of-its/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/people-of-lava-invites-android-developers-to-version-2-0-of-its/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

While Google continues to work on an official Android Market for TVs, Sweden's own People of Lava has announced the second version of the app store for its Scandinavia Android TV. With version 2.0 People of Lava is focusing on attracting developers to create apps specifically for the Android 1.5-powered TVs in order to fill its own app marketplace. Like Google, it has opened up a developer site stuffed with information for anyone interested in developing apps for the TVs, which are currently hand built in 42-, 47- and 55-inch sizes with prices starting at €2500 ($3,564). We wish them well, but with that high price developers may have as much trouble finding a wider audience as current Google TV partners have so far.

Comments

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5appsdevelopersgooglegoogle tvGoogleTvpeople of lavaPeopleOfLavascandinaviaslide meSlideMesweden Fri, 27 May 2011 18:57:00 -0400 21|19952203 <![CDATA[CLIQ XT won't get Android 2.1 upgrade, Motorola's word as good as dirt]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/cliq-xt-wont-get-android-2-1-upgrade-motorolas-word-as-good-a/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/cliq-xt-wont-get-android-2-1-upgrade-motorolas-word-as-good-a/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/03/cliq-xt-wont-get-android-2-1-upgrade-motorolas-word-as-good-a/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Motorola's dangled an Android 2.1 upgrade in front of CLIQ XT users for what seems like forever -- now it's putting away the bait indefinitely. In a statement released this morning, the company said that despite months of rigorous testing, the phone will remain on Android 1.5. We first heard promises of an update in June last year, but Motorola quickly reneged. In November, its predecessor got an upgrade, but the CLIQ XT was left hanging. Then in December, the company announced a delay, citing "additional testing," and when those tests failed to bear fruit, it just plain gave up. Now CLIQ XT users are stuck with a phone indefinitely sporting an OS that's three steps behind the most up-to-date competition, and unfortunately, that's all she wrote -- Motorola shows no signs of pursuing another upgrade anytime soon. And that, friends, is your cue to pick up a handset made by HTC and situated on Verizon Wireless.
[Thanks, Josh]

]]> AndoidAndroid 1.5android 2.1Android1.5Android2.1cancelledcellphonecliqCLIQ XTCliqXteclairMotorolamotorola cliq xtMotorolaCliqXtupdateupgrade Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:01:00 -0500 21|19827818 <![CDATA[People of Lava launches Scandinavia Android TV, melts home theater hearts and wallets]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/people-of-lava-launches-scandinavia-android-tv-melts-home-theat/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/people-of-lava-launches-scandinavia-android-tv-melts-home-theat/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/people-of-lava-launches-scandinavia-android-tv-melts-home-theat/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

After teasing us with its cool hardware and even cooler name last spring, Swedish TV maker People of Lava has now launched what it claims is the world's first Android-powered TV -- that is if you don't count Korea's Smartroi TV running Android 1.5. Its top-of-the-line 55-inch models cost a wallet-singeing 40,000 Swedish Krona (or roughly $5,820) and ship with Android 1.5 along with widgets for Google Chrome, Facebook, YouTube and Google Maps. They also have access to an app store which currently only includes 20 titles, but could grow to more than 1,000 by the end of the year -- since according to marketing director Martin Ljunggren, the store should import any app now in the Android Market that's scalable to a TV screen. That's a feat we're curious to see given Android's difficultly scaling apps even to tablet screens -- but hey, what do we know? In terms of sales, People of Lava hopes to move $29 million dollars worth of Scandinavia units in 2011, in both Sweden and niche US and UK markets. Overall that's great news for the tech savvy well-to-do, but considering Mountain Vew's focus on Google TV, we're not sure how long these Android TVs will be around.

]]> androidandroid 1.5android appsandroid marketandroid marketplaceandroid tvAndroid TVsAndroid1.5AndroidAppsAndroidMarketAndroidMarketplaceAndroidTvAndroidTvsPeople of LavaPeopleOfLavascandinaviascandinavia tvScandinaviaTvset top boxset top boxesSetTopBoxSetTopBoxesSmart TVSmart TVsSmartRoiSmartRoi TVSmartroiTvSmartTvSmartTvs Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:49:00 -0500 21|19716801 <![CDATA[Pandigital Novel review]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/pandigital-novel-review/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/pandigital-novel-review/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/pandigital-novel-review/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

It's our guess that the Pandigital Novel has been turning quite a few heads at retailers across the US during the last few weeks. How could it not? It's got a full-color, 7-inch touchscreen, 2GB of on-board memory, runs a skinned version of Android and is priced around $180 (depending on where you're shopping). Oh, and it's got access to Barnes & Noble's e-book store. About one-third the price of the iPad, we sure can see the attraction, but after attempting to read an entire novel on it we can't help but wonder how it found its way past product development and into the stock rooms of Walgreens, Bed, Bath & Beyond and JCPenny, to name a few. Hit the break for our full review and to see just exactly we're talking about.

Gallery: Pandigital Novel review

]]> android 1.5Android1.5e booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersnovelpandigitalPandigital NovelPandigitalNovelPanDigitalNovelEReaderreviewvideo Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:15:00 -0400 21|19599625 <![CDATA[Smartroi Android powered TV is officially headed to Korea]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/smartroi-android-powered-tv-is-officially-headed-to-korea/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/smartroi-android-powered-tv-is-officially-headed-to-korea/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/smartroi-android-powered-tv-is-officially-headed-to-korea/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Remember our slight skepticism in April over reports that South Korean manufacturer GPNC would soon be releasing TVs running Android 1.5? Well it seems our clairvoyant powers that day were on the fritz, since the company has now officially announced the launch of an Google-powered TV dubbed Smartroi. Other hard details on the unit are predictably slim, but GPNC has confirmed that the TV will be sold in Korea and sport a 42-inch Full HD LED backlit screen, a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a 500cd/m² brightness, and USB connectivity. There's no verification on what version of Android will ship with the unit, but support for OS upgrades in the future has been hinted. Not satisfied with those measly tidbits? Neither are we, but considering Google still labels GPNC's site as suspected of malware, we're content to just keep letting updates flow to us.

Filed under: HD

]]> AndroidAndroid 1.5android hdtvAndroid TVAndroid1.5AndroidHdtvFull HDFullHdGNPC KoreaGNPC TVGNPC TVsGnpcKoreaGoogleGoogle TVGPNCGPNC Android TVGPNC SmartRoi TVGPNC TVhdHD TVHDTVHDTVsLED Backlit TVLED HD TVLED HDTVLED TVLedHdtvLedTvSmart TVsSmartRoiSmartRoi TVTVTVs Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:51:00 -0400 21|19561804 <![CDATA[Enso zenPad unboxing and hands-on: one disappointment after another]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/enso-zenpad-unboxing-and-hands-on-one-disappointment-after-anot/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/enso-zenpad-unboxing-and-hands-on-one-disappointment-after-anot/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/enso-zenpad-unboxing-and-hands-on-one-disappointment-after-anot/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

For the price, there's nothing truly terrible about the SMiT MID-560A touchscreen tablet. If you've never held an Android device, you might even be pleasantly surprised with the functionality on offer. But if you have -- or if you bought yours from a company called Enso and became embroiled in a vaporware scandal as a result -- the zenPad is quite the letdown. Hear why after the break.

Gallery: Enso zenPad unboxing

]]> alberto armandiAlbertoArmandiAndroidAndroid 1.5android tabletandroid tabletsAndroid1.5AndroidTabletAndroidTabletsbuyer bewareBuyerBewareensoenso zenpadEnsoZenpadGoogle AndroidGoogleAndroidhands onhands-onHandsOntablettablet pcTabletPczenpad Mon, 31 May 2010 17:26:00 -0400 21|19497764 <![CDATA[RAmos W7 Android MID is alive and shipping (in China)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/ramos-w7-android-mid-is-alive-and-shipping-in-china/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/ramos-w7-android-mid-is-alive-and-shipping-in-china/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/ramos-w7-android-mid-is-alive-and-shipping-in-china/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

It's been a long strange trip for the onetime "mystery MID," but now it looks like the RAmos W7 is finally finding its way to customers. According to Pocketables, the Android 1.5 device is selling for 999 yuan (about $146), which isn't bad seeing as how they've gone on eBay for four times that -- although the price suggests that the rumored 3G connectivity is a non-starter. Whatever the case, we'll definitely keep our eyes peeled for a stateside appearance.

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5MIDramosramos w7RamosW7slatetabletw7 Fri, 28 May 2010 11:47:00 -0400 21|19495578 <![CDATA[Samsung Behold II fails to fulfill Android 2.0 promise, jilted users contemplating lawsuit (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/samsung-behold-ii-fails-to-fulfill-android-2-0-promise-jilted-u/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/samsung-behold-ii-fails-to-fulfill-android-2-0-promise-jilted-u/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/samsung-behold-ii-fails-to-fulfill-android-2-0-promise-jilted-u/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

When Samsung launched its Behold II with Android 1.5 on board, it made something of a big deal about the fact the handset will be upgradeable to version 2.0 when that software became available. Such a big deal that it even put the promise of an OTA update into a promo video -- a video that subsequently got yanked as the company realized it wasn't going to be able to stick to its word. Well, that evidence has now been tracked down (see it after the break), and all those buyers who were left with a Cupcake in lieu of a promised Eclair have hardly forgotten about it either. Samsung's position varies between the boilerplate "we don't have a future release date," to a stone cold "the SGH-T939 will never qualify for the Android 2X update," depending on which rep you speak to. The disappointed users have therefore resorted to putting a petition together, which asks that either a refund, replacement Android 2.x handset, or a real update be provided to them, and concludes that "legal action will be taken" if Samsung fails them. That's not exactly unreasonable , given the unfulfilled expectation -- Samsung, what say you?

[Thanks, Yitzhak]

]]> androidandroid 1.5android osAndroid1.5AndroidOsbehold iiBeholdIicontroversycupcakeeclairfalse promiseFalsePromisefirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdatelawsuitmobile osMobileOspromisessamsungsamsung behold iisamsung mobileSamsungBeholdIiSamsungMobilesgh-t939t-mobilet-mobile usaT-mobileUsaupdateupgradevideo Thu, 27 May 2010 08:33:00 -0400 21|19493503 <![CDATA[eviGroup's Android Wallet MID now available, chrome is optional (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/evigroups-android-wallet-mid-now-available-chrome-is-optional/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/evigroups-android-wallet-mid-now-available-chrome-is-optional/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/evigroups-android-wallet-mid-now-available-chrome-is-optional/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

eviGroup's Android Wallet MID now available, chrome is optional

The last time we saw eviGroup's Wallet it'd been given an '80s-style two-tone bezel and a January release date. Thankfully, the two-tone look has gone, but that anticipated date didn't exactly pan out either. The MID is officially now shipping, with the base (chrome-free) model going for €199 (about $245). For that you get a five-inch, 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen device running Android 1.5 from 1GB of built in storage, augmented by a microSD slot. Power comes from a 667MHz Samsung ARM processor and the battery is said to last about six hours. For your €199 you'll also get a car mount and a car charger, but given the device has neither GPS nor access to Google Navigation we're not entirely sure the point of all that. Still, it's not a bad price, but those who really like showing off their wealth can get one with a chrome backside for an extra €20. Heart-felt unboxing after the break.

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5evigroupmidmobile internet deviceMobileInternetDevicenow availablenow shippingNowAvailableNowShippingvideowallet Thu, 20 May 2010 09:50:00 -0400 21|19484719 <![CDATA[Archos 7 Home Tablet review]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/archos-7-home-tablet-review/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/archos-7-home-tablet-review/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/archos-7-home-tablet-review/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Upon first look is there anything not to love about the Archos 7 Home Tablet? It's .5-inches thick, has a seven-inch touchscreen, runs Android, and wait for it...only costs $199. It's all sounded pretty great to us since its CeBIT unveil, but then small, yet saddening details began to emerge about the device: it has a resistive touchscreen, lacks an accelerometer, and doesn't have access to the Android Market -- and worst of all, it runs Android 1.5. Sure, you get what you pay for, but can the Archos 7 rise above those shortcomings and persuade us to dig $199 out of our piggy banks? We've spent the last week with the tablet, so you'll just have to click on to find out.

Gallery: Archos 7 Home Tablet review

]]> 7 Home Tablet7HomeTabletandroidandroid 1.5Android1.5archosarchos 7archos 7 home tabletArchos AppsLibArchos7Archos7HomeTabletArchosAppslibarm 9Arm9home tabletHomeTabletreviewtabletvideo Thu, 13 May 2010 10:00:00 -0400 21|19474532 <![CDATA[Alex e-reader rooted, five users overwhelmed with joy]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/alex-e-reader-rooted-five-users-overwhelmed-with-joy/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/alex-e-reader-rooted-five-users-overwhelmed-with-joy/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/alex-e-reader-rooted-five-users-overwhelmed-with-joy/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Well, it was only a matter of time before the Alex e-reader got it's Android sportin' self hacked, right? According to e-reader enthusiast (and oddly named pirate) Bluebrain, this is exactly what he did over the weekend! You're psyched, right? Want to see pics? Get instructions? Try it out for yourself? What else are you going to do on a Monday morning -- work? Hit that source link to get started.

Update: Bluebrain sent us a brand-new direct download for the zip file, with 100 percent less irksome advertising. Check it out!

]]> alexandroidandroid 1.5Android1.5e booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersgooglehackmodreaderreviewSpring DesignSpring Design Alexspring designs alexSpringDesignSpringDesignAlexSpringDesignsAlex Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:53:00 -0400 21|19454051 <![CDATA[HTC Hero won't see upgrade to Android 2.1 until June, at least in Europe]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/htc-hero-wont-see-upgrade-to-android-2-1-until-june-at-least-i/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/htc-hero-wont-see-upgrade-to-android-2-1-until-june-at-least-i/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/htc-hero-wont-see-upgrade-to-android-2-1-until-june-at-least-i/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Plenty of UK Hero owners were disappointed this morning upon hearing the news that free Google Maps Navigation had spread beyond the borders of the USA but required Android 1.6 as the minimum OS version. Stuck in their Android 1.5 world, they must have hoped that HTC would just hurry up and open the gates to Eclair heaven, but hurrying up is, regrettably, the opposite of what's happening. Tech Radar heard from a Google rep that the Hero's move to Android 2.1 won't be happening until June, and followed it up with HTC directly. The official response was that a free update for European Hero variants will indeed be provided "starting in June." At least this cloud of disappointment will only hang over Europe, as other territories -- like Taiwan -- might still get the update reasonably soon.

[Thanks, Paul]

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.1android eclairandroid osAndroid1.5Android2.1AndroidEclairAndroidOseclairfirmwaregoogleherohtchtc heroHtcHeroupdateupgrade Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:24:00 -0400 21|19448729 <![CDATA[The Engadget app for Android gets updated to 1.0.2 -- now with more widgets!]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/the-engadget-app-for-android-gets-updated-to-1-0-2-now-with-m/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/the-engadget-app-for-android-gets-updated-to-1-0-2-now-with-m/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/the-engadget-app-for-android-gets-updated-to-1-0-2-now-with-m/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

If you're a fan of the Engadget Android app (and let's be honest, you are a fan), then we've got some good news for you today. The app has been updated with some minor fixes, and one not-so-minor addition... a homescreen widget! Included in this release (besides your new favorite widget) is a fix that enables the Android status bar, built-in sharing for articles and galleries, a refresh button for article views, and other assorted tweaks that will make your Engadget experience even more delightful. Don't sleep on this one -- go get the update!

Update: We know there's an issue with the space the widget takes up, we're working on it!

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.0android 2.1Android1.5Android2.0Android2.1engadget android appengadget android applicationengadget appengadget applicationEngadgetAndroidAppEngadgetAndroidApplicationEngadgetAppEngadgetApplication Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:32:00 -0400 21|19438326 <![CDATA[The Engadget app for Android is finally, really here!]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/25/the-engadget-app-for-android-is-finally-really-here/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/25/the-engadget-app-for-android-is-finally-really-here/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/25/the-engadget-app-for-android-is-finally-really-here/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Everyone, stop what you're doing. The day you've been patiently waiting for has finally come. That's right, the Engadget app is now available for the Android platform... totally free, of course. Can you believe it? Owners of Android 1.5 devices and up will finally have access to the unedited, unrestrained application, which allows quick access to Engadget, Engadget Mobile, and Engadget HD, podcasts, the Engadget Show, galleries, and more. Just as in the iPhone and webOS versions of the app, you've got full support for commenting, options to tip us, and lots of ways to share news with friends, family, or mortal enemies. We're also constantly updating, and we have plans for some changes right out of the gate -- like a homescreen widget that should be coming in the next version, so you can always stay on top of Engadget news. Keep in mind, we're still going to be cranking away on all our other versions too (the BlackBerry and webOS apps have just recently been updated) -- so expect more good stuff coming your way. Okay, less talk more rock -- the app, er... prog, is available for download right now from the Android Market. Go get it!

]]> androidandroid 1.5android 2.0android 2.1Android1.5Android2.0Android2.1breaking newsBreakingNewsengadget android appengadget android applicationengadget appengadget applicationEngadgetAndroidAppEngadgetAndroidApplicationEngadgetAppEngadgetApplication Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:20:00 -0400 21|19413977 <![CDATA[Dell Aero first hands-on!]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/dell-aero-first-hands-on/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/dell-aero-first-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/dell-aero-first-hands-on/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Here she is, folks -- Dell's first-ever Android device destined for a Stateside release, and AT&T's second overall handset (the first being the Backflip) with a Google-based operating system. At CTIA's MobileFocus event, we were able to brush up against a fully functional Aero (shown beside a Mini 3, just for your information), but we left without seeing the actual home screen. The closest we came to witnessing Android 1.5 boot up was the typical AT&T intro screen, and once that popped up, our presenter promptly popped the battery out in order to stop what would've otherwise been a truly momentous occasion. We begged and pleaded for a few interface shots, but Dell insisted that AT&T was holding an invisible gun to its head in order to keep the screen dimmed. We were told that the interface was still being tweaked, and the carrier simply wasn't ready for the world at large to take a peek.

Outside of that, we learned that this will indeed be the planet's lightest Android phone ever when it ships (believe us, it was light), and while v1.5 will be onboard, Dell seemed confident that 2.1 (and beyond) would be made available shortly after launch. We were also told that it would ship with a 5 megapixel camera (a step up from the Mini 3's 3 megapixel shooter), an undisclosed amount of internal storage, a new color / design scheme (the one you see here will be the only shade available at launch) and a 2GB microSD card bundled in at purchase. You'll also find a good deal of AT&T baked into the OS, but it's not like you should be surprised to hear of carrier meddling. Finally, we were informed that pricing would be set by AT&T, and that it would be shipping "soon" -- far sooner than "six months from now" -- from both AT&T and Dell channels (though not available unlocked from the latter). There's also the possibility that Dell could arrange some sort of Aero / Mini 10 combo deal for those looking to really sink their teeth into a hefty AT&T contract, but there's nothing substantial to go on just yet in that department. Enough chit-chat -- give the gallery below a look to see what's coming your way.

Gallery: Dell Aero first hands-on!

]]> aeroandroidandroid 1.5Android1.5attbreaking newsBreakingNewsctiactia 2010Ctia2010delldell aeroDellAerofeaturesgsmhands-onsmartphone Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:08:00 -0400 21|19411919 <![CDATA[Motorola makes i1 official, melds Android and push-to-talk this summer on Sprint]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/motorola-makes-i1-official-melds-android-and-push-to-talk-this/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/motorola-makes-i1-official-melds-android-and-push-to-talk-this/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/motorola-makes-i1-official-melds-android-and-push-to-talk-this/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Right on cue, just after the aptly-timed teaser poster, Motorola signs on just the right dotted lines to make its i1 push-to-talk Android handset official. Let's run through the specs quickly, shall we? A 3.1-inch HVGA (320 x 480) touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and 4x zoom, WiFi, and microSD expansion -- no mention of the processor, so we'll have to find out on our own later. The OS version is 1.5 and, ~~while there's oddly not a single mention in either the press release of fact sheet, given the official images and~~ ~~unofficial leaks, it's definitely got~~ ~~Motoblur~~. The browser of choice is Opera Mini 5 with support for Flash 8, and if you're worried about Mother Nature's wrath, the i1 meets Military 810F standards for handling averse weather conditions. iDEN lovers can pick up the call sometime this summer on Sprint, with price yet to be named.

Update: Motorola's just sent word that the i1 does not have Motoblur, despite the presence of the traditional green call / blue contacts buttons. That begs the question, then, of what exactly defines Motoblur here (is just the Happenings widget missing?), and what Android skin is on the i1 -- the press images here are definitely not showing vanilla 1.5. We're still awaiting a response to that, stay tuned.

Gallery: Motorola i1 melds Android and push-to-talk

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5ctiactia 2010Ctia2010flashflash 8flash liteFlash8FlashLitei1idenmotomoto blurMotoBlurmotorolamotorola i1MotorolaI1nexteloperaopera miniopera mini 5OperaMiniOperaMini5pttpush to talkpush-to-talkPushToTalksprintsprint nextelSprintNextel Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:37:00 -0400 21|19409689 <![CDATA[Spring Design Alex review]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/spring-design-alex-review/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/spring-design-alex-review/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/spring-design-alex-review/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

We realize that the e-reader market is about as crowded (not to mention overwhelming) as a Walmart on Black Friday, but ever since the dual-screen Spring Design Alex surfaced and we mistook it as the Barnes & Noble Nook, we've been incredibly intrigued by it. Though its 6-inch E-Ink display and 3.5-inch Android LCD form factor may seem like a riff on the Nook, the Alex has quite a few more tricks up its sleeve, including a full Android browser and the ability to extend what appears on the LCD to the E-Ink screen. And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the unorthodox extras baked into the $399 Alex. Still, games and gimmicks only get you so far, and you're probably wondering if it has what it takes to pull up next to the majors like the Kindle or Nook and knock them from the top. We've got that answer and lots more details on what it's like to use two screens rather than one just after the break in our full review. Join us, won't you?

Gallery: Spring Design Alex review

]]> alexandroidandroid 1.5Android1.5e booke book readere bookse readere readerse- readere-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-bookse-readere-readerseBookebook readerebook readersEbookReaderEbookReadersebooksfeaturefeaturedfeaturesgooglereaderreviewSpring DesignSpring Design Alexspring designs alexSpringDesignSpringDesignAlexSpringDesignsAlex Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:37:00 -0400 21|19406052 <![CDATA[Motorola CLIQ XT comes to T-Mobile for $129.99]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/motorola-cliq-xt-comes-to-t-mobile-today-for-129-99/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/motorola-cliq-xt-comes-to-t-mobile-today-for-129-99/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/motorola-cliq-xt-comes-to-t-mobile-today-for-129-99/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Your hopes, dreams, and deepest desires for a keyboardless CLIQ have finally materialized today now that Motorola's CLIQ XT has reached T-Mobile shops across the country. Interestingly, yesterday's leaked documentation pegged the date, but not the price -- rather than the rumored $99.99, the XT will actually be going for $129.99 on a two-year contract. We guess that's still not bad for a bona fide myTouch 3G alternative with a 5 megapixel cam -- as long as you can get down with Blur, of course.

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5blurbreaking newsBreakingNewscliq xtCliqXtmotomotoblurmotorolat-mobile Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:21:00 -0400 21|19402561 <![CDATA[Droid Eris rooted to 2.1, but look before you leap]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/16/droid-eris-rooted-to-2-1-but-look-before-you-leap/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/16/droid-eris-rooted-to-2-1-but-look-before-you-leap/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/16/droid-eris-rooted-to-2-1-but-look-before-you-leap/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Tired of waiting for Verizon and dissatisfied with a series of recent buggy leaks, the fine folks at XDA Developers were determined to trade their Cupcake-laden Droid Eris for a more toothsome Eclair on their own terms. Yesterday evening, it seems they finally achieved their goal, though not without a caveat or three. If you're still running the stock Android 1.5, it's a simple matter of dropping a ZIP file onto your SD card and restarting your phone; if not, you're completely out of luck. Rooters warn that the hack won't work on phones that have already been flashed to that aforementioned Eris 2.1 leak, and that they haven't yet figured out a way to restore any non-1.5 phones back to factory default. If hacking isn't your daily bread, proceed with caution -- Sense UI may be fancy and all, but chaining your phone forevermore to an unsupported OS just ain't worth it. See what an Eris Eclair looks like after the break.

]]> 1.52.1androidAndroid 1.5Android 2.1Android1.5Android2.1CupcakeDroid ErisDroidErisEclairErishackhackedhacksHTCHTC SenseHtcSenserootrootedSense UISenseUiVerizonVerizon WirelessVerizonWireless Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:28:00 -0400 21|19400410 <![CDATA[Motorola CLIQ XT hands-on]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/motorola-cliq-xt-hands-on/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/motorola-cliq-xt-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/motorola-cliq-xt-hands-on/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

We know you've barely recovered from our Devour review, but Moto just threw another Blur-ified phone in our laps this afternoon - the CLIQ XT. We've been playing around with the Android 1.5-based, Flash Lite-supported, multitouch-capable handset for the last couple of hours -- but before we grace you with our first impressions, just a fair warning: we don't yet know the price of the new T-Mobile Android handset, though Motorola did promise us that it will hit shelves this month. With that said, hit the break for a quick rundown of our early thoughts.

Gallery: Motorola CLIQ XT with MotoBlur hands-on

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5blurcliq xtCliqXthands-onmotomotoblurmotorolaMotorola Cliqmotorola cliq xtMotorolaCliqMotorolaCliqXtphonesmartphoneswypeswype androidSwypeAndroidt-mobile Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:10:00 -0500 21|19390536 <![CDATA[Motorola Zeppelin spotted again, Android-ness confirmed]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/motorola-zeppelin-spotted-again-android-ness-confirmed/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/motorola-zeppelin-spotted-again-android-ness-confirmed/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/motorola-zeppelin-spotted-again-android-ness-confirmed/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Yes, we've seen this puppy before -- but last time, we'd merely heard it was running Android. This time around, we've got a little more confirmation that the so-called Zeppelin from Moto is sporting Google code (allegedly Cupcake, sadly) with a dash of Blur added in for good measure. Gizmodo Brazil -- which scored some time with a prototype -- suggests that this'll see duty on the lower end of Motorola's smartphone lineup, and we tend to agree considering the HVGA display that takes up far less space than it could if Moto had wanted to go for broke. A keyboardless companion to the CLIQ / DEXT, perhaps? Carriers are an open question here, but we've heard rumblings of interest on T-Mobile USA's part; the site says it'll hit streets in March, so we shouldn't have long to wait to find out.

]]> androidandroid 1.5Android1.5in the wildInTheWildmotomotorolarumorzeppelin Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:25:00 -0500 21|19343656