HTC Desire owners under the Vodafone network have something new to be excited about. According to reports, the official 2.2 Android Froyo update is now ready for downloads and the update will not only bring the latest new features to the open source mobile platform, it will also uninstall those annoying Vodafone 360 features that came with a previous update from the network operator.
For those hoping for an automatic connection, you will have to wait. Right now, the only way to avail of the Froyo update is to manually connect through the HTC Desire. Once up and running the update will require users to have at least 25 megabytes of storage space on the device (so be sure to free up even a little space if you have managed to cram plenty of content into your handset).
The Google Android 2.2 update is considered by many to be an important upgrade to the Android OS. This will bring support for the new Flash player from Adobe which makes the handset fully compatible with almost all of the media found on the web today. There is also a better Exchange sync connection, a revamped used interface for the camera (which allows for easily adding effects to shots) and plenty of other added features.
The big bonus that Froyo brings is the performance boost. While the Android has never been known for having serious issues, it is hard to deny that running the 2.2 version of the OS will set a new benchmark for speed.
The user interface has been confirmed to have been boosted up to three times faster while browsing many web pages will be running about five times faster (connection speeds willing). The OS speed boost is thanks to better kernel management while the browser benefits from having an updated Java handler.
Posts Tagged ‘Android-2.2-Froyo’
Android Update for Vodafone Users Now Available
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010Apple Could Learn a Thing or Two from Vodafone UK
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Companies and manufacturers are not perfect, the institutions and corporations are run by the same flawed humans just like everyone else, and like everyone else, they make mistakes. The big issue about mistakes it that when someone makes it, fixing the problem becomes a whole lot harder when there are more people involved. With mobile phone manufacturers, every single person owning a specific handset can become victims.
Apple has shown that it is unable to take care of its consumers; if anything, they have proven that the real focus of Apple is expansion and not the well being of their users. This is what happened with the recent antenna issue and how Apple kept denying that there was any real problem at all. Despite the announcement that they would be giving away free iPhone 4 bumper cases, the fact remains that the antenna on the handset does not function properly.
Vodafone could have taken a similar route; in fact, they had more of a right to do so. A couple of weeks ago, a misleading interpretation of a Vodafone announcement led many HTC Desire owners to believe that an update for their handset’s OS would be available. However, upon downloading the update, users realized that this was not an Android 2.2 OS that they received, but an implementation of Vodafone 360 features.
The operator never said that the update was for the Android OS specifically, but they still took responsibility for the issue. Vodafone has announced that the real 2.2 Froyo update is going to be available shortly and that the update will not just bring in the new OS, but will also remove the 360 software installed from the previous patch.
Apple ought to realize that companies need to make sacrifices too, and even if they stand to lose by offering a repair program or a recall of all iPhone 4 stocks, it is pretty much an ethical principle that they need to uphold.
Unstable Froyo Update for Galaxy S Leaked
Friday, July 30th, 2010
There is plenty of fuss and excitement over Android 2.2 Froyo, mostly because Google is just taking so long to come out with updates for all the non-Nexus One smart phones. Just recently, an update for Android Froyo for the Samsung Galaxy S smart phone was leaked.
From the looks of it, the firmware update is authentic –it is the real deal from Samsung and Google. But this is a leaked copy, not one that has been released for consumer use. As such, this current update is still unstable and could cause undocumented changes to a mobile phone. Some believe that this is just a prototype update that Samsung’s developers are using to test the OS for the handset.
Samsung i9000 Galaxy S owners would be able to download and use the update. However, this version is not officially sanctioned and as a warning, users should not use this update unless they are certain that they are willing to take the risk. Also, this version of the Android Froyo is still incomplete. It apparently lacks Flash player support. Several who have already used the OS have reported that aside from a few missing features, the system seems stable enough.
Even if this is a pre-release version of the Android Froyo some of the upgrade functions already work –most notably, the speed boost in the Android smart phone’s performance. According to the initial announcements regarding Froyo, it will update the Kernel Memory Management settings for the OS and will make interface navigation about 2 to 3 times faster. Those who already tested this update have confirmed the speed boost, though it will naturally slow down once several apps are running at once.
Anyway, we still recommend that Samsung Galaxy S users take the time to wait for the release of the official version. With this test type already leaked, then the official one might not be too far behind.
Just Announced: HTC Hero Android Update Available
Thursday, July 29th, 2010According to reports, an update for the HTC Hero has just been made available: the Android 2.1 Éclair.
Version 2.1 is not the latest in the series, but it is pretty close. And with the 2.2 Froyo updates slowly being developed for a series of roll outs for various smart phones, it is a great time for the Hero to finally get updated.
This much anticipated update has sadly arrived a little too late for some of Orange mobile’s HTC Hero users. Several are confirmed to have switched networks due to the fact that the Android update that was supposed to arrive by January got delayed by a full seven months. Several Hero users are reported to have opted to install a hacked 2.1 Éclair update since it seemed that an actual update might never arrive for the handset.
The issue here, aside from the fact that Google and mobile phone makers take a long time getting their act together when it comes to delivering OS updates. Sure, there is a little bonus for some companies who get timed exclusivity on the updates, but on a more general note, Google needs to be more transparent with their actual progress and plans.
Had Google let it known earlier that the Hero patch was well underway, then some of the users might have opted to wait it out. The same goes for many other handsets –most Android owners have no clue as to when an update will be made available. While it is impossible for Google to create OS updates for all instantly, they could at least let the market know which devices are still going to get an eventual update, and which mobile phones are stuck with an older version of the OS.
Among the devices still awaiting Android updates are the Sony Ericsson smart phones: the XPERIA X10, X10 Mini and the X10 Mini Pro.
Vodafone’s Froyo Update for Nexus One Now Available
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
The very first handset to ever get the Android 2.2 Froyo update is the Google Nexus One. However, not all Nexus owners were able to update their devices to the latest Android OS. Those who got their Android smart phones under Vodafone had to wait for a while before a special version of the update has been made available.
According to Vodafone the wait is finally over. The Nexus One’s Android 2.2 update is now up and fully running. This new version of the Android operating system provides massive performance boost to the system and its browsing capabilities. It also supports the new Flash Player 10.1 from Adobe –giving the device access and full support for all Flash content on the internet.
The kernel management has been optimized, making the user interface run smoother and faster. Google states that overall performance has been increased three fold. Browsing online has also been fixed; Java now loads much faster and surfing the internet can be around two to five times faster than before (of course, not considering the connection speed that is).
Froyo also brings a few additional features such as tethering and using the handset as a wireless hotspot (which users are warned to always disable when not needed, as it could compromise data and of course, drain battery power). Exchange support has also been streamlined and several other features have been added in as well.
The Nexus One is currently only available through Vodafone UK. The old Google online store for the handset has been taken down just recently. App developers will still be able to order the handset directly from Google.
This high end Android smart phone comes with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, a 5 mega pixel camera (with autofocus, LED flash and geotagging) and a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen display.
HTC’s Upcoming Android Handsets for Q4 2010
Friday, July 16th, 2010
Taiwan based mobile phone manufacturer HTC is busy working on several upcoming handsets that are expected to come out later this year. With a newer version of the Android OS coming and the Windows Pone 7 OS about to launch by that period, HTC is making sure to cover all ground by offering several handsets for each new platform.
Several of the devices have been outed by a leaked roadmap, while others came out on separate rumors. The latest in the new HTC phones is the HTC Desire HD, which is basically a second version of the original Desire but with a much larger touch screen display and more emphasis on video playback.
The Desire HD’s hardware is identical to the original phone: it has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5 mega pixel camera, Android 2.2 Froyo and all the same extra features. The device has been upgraded to have a much larger 4.3 inch capacitive touch screen (the older screen is only 3.7 inches). The device will also support XviD videos and 720p HD recording.
Another upcoming HTC Androids are the HTC Vision and the HTC Ace. So far, no details have been uncovered about the Ace (though it is possible that the Desire HD and the Ace are one and the same). As for the HTC Vision, this upcoming Android smart phone is the very first time HTC combines the Google OS with a slide out QWERTY keyboard. This is quite notable as many Android fans have been hoping for such as device from HTC (though Motorola’s Milestone is also a pretty good alternative).
With a physical keyboard, the new Android 3.0 Gingerbread (as rumors state), a 1.2 GHz CPU, and a 4 inch AMOLED touch screen, the HTC Vision is one of the most exciting handsets to ever be announced by HTC.
Project JAL: Orange’s Own Custom Android Smart Phone
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Having a custom Android smart phone is a great idea for Orange’s proprietary handset. Vodafone UK already has the 360 series (the M1, H1, etc) and T-Mobile UK already has the Pulse. Orange is pulling in mobile phone maker ZTE to create this brand new low end smart phone that is meant to bring the Android experience even to users who are on a budget.
So far, the tentative details and specs on the Project JAL handset are quite promising. First off the device will be using a 3.5 inch OLED capacitive touch screen display. Since the handset will not have a slide out QWERTY keyboard, the touch screen will serve as the primary user input. Of course, the screen aspect ratio will be using WVGA standards.
No word yet on what camera the handset will be packing, though the initial estimates give out something between a 2 to 3.2 mega pixel camera. Considering that the device is expected to have a retail price of only 100 to 150 Pounds Sterling, many do not expect to the camera to be anything much.
As a new Android device, many are already expecting that the phone will come with the version 2.2 Froyo update. So far, Google has yet to officially comment on what OS the device will be using.
Speaking of Android devices, there are several other Android devices coming up from other mobile phone manufacturers. HTC is getting geared up with the HTC Vision and Ace handsets. The details on the HTC Ace still minimal for now, though the HTC Vision is certainly worth checking out; the phone comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard which is an extreme wish for many Android smart phone fans. The Vision is expected to come out with a 1.2 GHz CPU and a 4 inch capacitive touch screen display.
Android Fans Calm Down After Google Clears Up Rumors
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Google has finally arrived to squash the growing rumors about the upcoming Android 3.0 Gingerbread update that is supposedly going to be imposing some high minimum requirement for smart phone owners. According to the rumor, the new OS will be needing high end specs like a 1GHz CPU and a 4 inch touch screen –these requirements are so high that only a very small number of Android devices could actually live up to the new standards. If the rumors had been true, it would have been as if Google came out with a completely new OS.
The fact that the rumors declared minimum requirements cause a stir in the tech community as Android purists considered the announcement as an extreme move –causing many to doubt the validity of the claim.
Considering that one of the Android’s greatest strengths is the fact that it is used in so many mobile phones is something that Google would not turn its back on –a direction that the rumor was implying.
In any case, current Android smart phone owners need not worry about their handset’s compatibility with upcoming versions of the open source mobile platform. While the switch from 2.1 Éclair to 2.2 Froyo is taking some time, Google has confirmed that they are working closely with the various mobile phone makers in order to bring the update release earlier.
The current latest version of the Android OS is known as the 2.2 Froyo. This version brings a big boost in the speed and performance of the UI and the web browser with its better Java and kernel memory management. The phone will also be sporting a new UI for the camera as well as a tips widget to help out new users. Also, Adobe’s recently launched Flash Player is compatible only with the Android Froyo. Google’s Nexus One is already running Froyo, and updates for other Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S and HTC Desire are expected soon.
Samsung’s Galaxy S Getting Updated Soon
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
There are plenty of good reasons to get the Samsung Galaxy S, this impressive little smart phone packs in plenty of hardware power, plenty of multimedia playback capabilities and most of all, the Android operating system. It’s a great big package that would make you want to think twice before splurging money on another handset like the new Apple iPhone 4.
And for anyone who chooses the Galaxy S over the iPhone 4, this Android (along with many others) will offer a great new feature not present in the Apple handset: Flash support.
Adobe has just released the new Flash Player version 10.1 for mobile phones which enables all Flash content online to be viewable by smart phones. The Android OS version 2.2 is the only platform to support the new player but it has also been announced that the BlackBerry OS, WebOS, WP7, MeeGo and other platforms will also be getting the player –except the iPhone OS that is.
The Samsung i9000 Galaxy S packs a massive 4 inch super AMOLED capacitive touch screen technology. This is the very same screen technology that was used on the Samsung Wave and considering how impressive the graphic quality it, it easily matches the new HD screen on the iPhone 4. While the Nexus One and the HTC Desire also sport AMOLED screen technology, Samsung’s super AMOLED screens are a full tier higher in terms of overall graphic quality.
The phone also packs an ARM Cortex A8 1GHz CPU, a 5 mega pixel camera with 720p HD video recording at 30 frames per second, around 8 to 16 GB of internal storage (depending on the version) and wrapping it all up is the Android 2.1 Éclair operating system.
The update for the Galaxy S from 2.1 Éclair to 2.2 Froyo is expected to arrive in a matter of days to a couple of weeks –significantly faster than originally expected.
September Launch for Android Froyo on Many Smart Phones
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
The new Android 2.2 Froyo may already be out, but the fact that only the Nexus supports the current build means that it will be a while before other handsets will be able to get the new Froyo update. According to reports, it seems that the updates for other Android handsets will only be available until the end of Q3 2010 –which gives us a possibility that all the big updates will be made available by September.
Coincidentally, September is the projected launch date of the Android 2.1 Éclair update for Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X10, X10 Mini and the X10 Mini Pro. It is possible that when these devices get the Éclair, they might also be given a subsequent Froyo patch to go with it. Currently, the Sony Ericsson Android devices are at the bottom end of the list with most smart phones already updated (or are currently updating) to version 2.1 Éclair. Despite the X series devices being newly released, they still use the older 1.6 Donut OS.
Anyway, the original announcement before was that the HTC Desire was supposed to get an update to Froyo for this week while the HTC Legend and the Wildfire will be getting updates on a slightly later date. Now it seems that instead of waiting for weeks, HTC Android owners might have to wait for months before the release of the new OS is available for downloads.
For those wondering why the new Froyo update is so important, many are pointing out the Flash player support as a major addition. That is not the only feature of Froyo however. The new OS also brings updates to the user interface –such as a batter camera UI for taking images and videos. The OS will also be running faster thanks to improvements with resource handling capabilities.