The HTC Wildfire handset is getting the Froyo update. Users under Vodafone and T-Mobile will be getting the update a little earlier with the expected update to launch by the end of this week. For those Wildfire users under other networks, the wait might take as long as until February of next year. Version 2.2 Froyo brings Flash support, better performance and of course, is a step closer to the Gingerbread OS.
Speaking of the Gingerbread, the Google branded Nexus One smart phone will be receiving the update in a matter of weeks, though it has yet to be confirmed when the exact release date would be. As the first Google branded device (and the one that Google has handed directly to developers), the Nexus One is one of the first Androids that we should expect to receive standalone updates first.
Android smart phone owners will be happy to know that the touch screen typing aid Swype is finally coming. The tool that makes typing on the virtual keyboard a lot easier and more intuitive is finally here; this allows users to send messages and updates faster than ever, without the need for a slide out QWERTY keyboard.
Location based service app Foursquare has now updated their servers to take on not only the light load of user login details, but also for longer comments and more importantly, images. Users of the app can now choose to upload images of the locations of various Foursquare locations.
Lastly, Microsoft is enjoying a quiet success with the Windows Phone 7. While the overall public reaction seems lukewarm, the sales show a different scenario with over 1.5 million devices sold in a span of six weeks. While this does place the new OS only slightly over the Samsung Bada, it is still a good start –and only time will tell if the platform can live up to Andy Rubin’s earlier visions for it.
Posts Tagged ‘Google-Nexus-One’
Mobile Phone News: Today’s Top Headlines
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010Vodafone’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.
No More Nexus One Online
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
The Google branded smart phone, the Nexus One was heavily criticized for its initial launch availability. The device was initially only available through the Google Online Store which made it difficult to obtain for many smart phone fans. Because of this, the sales figures of the Nexus One was significantly lower than expected –the device only sold 20,000 units in the first week of sales –as a point of comparison, Vodafone UK’s January launch of the iPhone 3G took in 100,000 sales in a single week (and at that point, the iPhone was already out for almost two years).
The UK launch of the Nexus One was far more successful –Google saw that the online store was not as accessible as they believed it would be; this saw the Google handset being made available on store shelves locally.
While it was not so surprising for Google to have a self-branded smart phone, the industry is certainly surprised at the recent announcement from Google that there would be no Nexus Two handset. The company has never confirmed that the Nexus would be a series of handsets, but they certainly never discouraged the notion earlier on.
In any case, Google has just announced that the Nexus One would no longer be available on the online stores. While the device is still available in retail, it is believed that the production of the handset has already ceased.
Those hoping to still get a Nexus One can do so with Vodafone UK –the device is available on contract deals. Developers can also purchase the handset directly from Google through a special developer access channel.
The Nexus One comes with a 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screen display, a 5 mega pixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU. While the handset carries the Google Branding, it was actually manufactured by longtime Google industry partner, HTC.
Eric Schmidt: No Nexus Two
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
According to the big man of Google himself, there will be no Nexus Two Android smart phone.
The move from platform developer to phone maker was simply a step for Google to push the industry forward. And by that, they mean creating a smart phone that would serve as a new benchmark for all upcoming Android devices. It certainly pushes the industry forward, though one could argue about the effectiveness of the strategy.
By most considerations, the Nexus One was hardly a trendsetter. Months before the handset has been announced, Sony Ericsson has already confirmed that they will be releasing an Android smart phone with a large 4 inch touch screen, an 8 mega pixel camera and most importantly, a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU. While the XPERIA X10 did not arrive until after the Nexus One was released, the handset still sets a new standard.
HTC, the manufacturer who made the Nexus One, also had a device as well: the HTC Desire. In fact, months before the Nexus One was even confirmed, the handset had already been leaked in the HTC roadmap as the HTC Bravo. The name may have changed, but the specs are still the same: 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screen, a 5 mega pixel camera and Snapdragon CPU.
In any case, at least Google was able to show the world that they could design a decent smart phone –if only it was as financially successful as it was technically high-end. The initial decision by Google to leave the Nexus Two as an online-only purchase dissuaded many would be buyers. It was not until the UK launch of the Nexus One did phone become available on retail.
In some ways, as much as we would like to believe that the Nexus One would not be continued because it already achieved its goal; it seems much easier to accept that the series has been halted because it failed as a product.
Frozen Yogurt and the Google Nexus One
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Owners of the Google Nexus One smart phones are now able to update to the latest version of the Android operating system and the update will also be released for other mobile phones in the coming weeks. Expect to see some major traffic as excited fans all try to get the update from Google’s servers over the next few days.
Speaking of the new Android 2.2 Froyo, here are some of the special new features that will be included in the latest version of Google’s open source mobile platform.
First off, the OS will now have a special series of “tip widgets” that would provide useful tips, tricks and advice made by Google developers for new users of the Android OS. Even better, the tips will include ways for people to customize the display and even make new home screens –which is very important for Android owners.
Users of Exchange accounts will not be able to access the service from the Android. So far, no performance issues have been reported and it is said that it service is secure, stable and reliable.
The new image management controls and the camera use controls provides a more detailed level of sorting capabilities for images that are stored in the device. The new user interface for taking images also improves a lot of context controls for zooming in, flash and other important effects.
As stated in many previous announcements from Google, the new 2.2 Froyo bring tethering or using the handset as a dedicated WiFi hotspot. Owners of multiple WiFi capable devices would certainly enjoy this little feature quite a lot.
Performance of the new Android has also been boosted a lot. Google has announced that they changed the way Java is handled as well as changing the Kernel Memory Management settings. The result is that more resources are now available for processing.
Future Forecast: WP7 and Android
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Windows Phone 7 will soon be available by the holidays and this is something that smart phone fans cannot afford to miss. As impressive as the upcoming Apple iPhone 4 may be, experts are predicting that the two big giants of the mobile phone industry to battle it out will be the Android operating system and the Windows Phone 7.
First things first, the reason why Apple’s new iPhone is not expected to make it as big as the previous handset: the main reason lies in the fact that the iPhone 4 is not innovative. Sure, it looks great, the features and nice and overall, the device has improved greatly on the previous operating system. But sadly, that is where it ends. Apple’s lack of hardware upgrades will eventually limit the iPhone from competing with its more versatile opponents. And with its “closed” system, it limits itself from being able to match the new features offered by Microsoft and Google.
Critics may argue that Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 is also closed, but that mere fact alone does not make for a bad OS (in the first place, the previous iPhone was a hit despite being closed). The issue here is that Microsoft is pushing WP7 to be more compatible with everything that is out there –an outlook that Apple does not share.
Google’s Android on the other hand, is at the forefront of cross platform technology. Once again, the future of the mobile tech industry looks like another open-source versus closed-system match, but this time, Microsoft will be taking over Apple’s previous role. The only question that remains to be seen is which new operating system will be getting more customer support.
Android’s new OS may already be out in the Nexus One and updates will be added in the months to come, but Microsoft is also preparing its own line of varied handsets that use WP7 and from their own hardware requirements, these devices are set to be on the higher end of the spectrum.
Why Apple Still Needs Flash
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
There is no doubt that HTML5 will eventually replace Flash. But despite that certainty, people have come to realize that having Flash support is a very obvious necessity –despite the fact that Apple’s devices will not have it.
As it is the Apple iPhone 4 is considered to be the “IT”-phone of today. No one knows if the new Apple handset will be able to stay on top for as long as the older iPhone 3G/3Gs did, but many are certainly looking forward to seeing how far the new device can go. In terms of technology and capabilities, there is little that one can question Apple about. But with their current policies, even great products can potentially meet early ends.
There is no doubt that Steve Jobs’ decision to completely push Adobe out of the picture led to the Flash developer’s decision to finally give up on Apple. If the folks at Cupertino continue doing this, they not only risk losing industry partners, but the faith of many other companies and developers as well.
Sure, there are ways to get around the lack of Flash content; there are Apps for YouTube that will allow iPhone users to watch the videos on Apple devices. Other similar websites that use Flash are also adopting apps as a workaround. Even Zynga’s famous Facebook App Farmville is going to get an Apple App.
But for the rest of the internet, Flash will still remain inaccessible to Apple users. Sites such as Newgrounds and Kongregate which feature thousands of Flash content will not be accessible to Apple devices.
On the other hand, Google has announced that they will be supporting both Flash and HTML5. This means that once Android 3.0 Gingerbread comes out, the Nexus One will be able to access all the HTML5 content that Apple’s iPhone can, as well as all the Flash content that the Apple iPhone cannot.
A Look at the Latest Androids
Friday, June 4th, 2010
Android smart phones are taking the headlines recently. After all, Google has been forging partnerships and alliances with more companies than one could imagine –and Apple’s standoffish approach with dealing with people certainly is not earning them any friends in the industry. The recent fuss between Adobe and Apple predictably led to the team up of the Flash developer and Google, who welcomed Adobe with the openness that Apple denied them for so long.
Of course, all that inter-company drama was not just for show. The latest line of Android smart phones are poised to be updated with the latest version of the OS –which brings plenty of new features, better performance and native Flash support for the smart phone. So far, the only update available is for the Nexus One and later on June 23 for the Desire, but it is expected that Froyo updates for other devices will be launched in the following weeks. In the meanwhile, here is a sneak peek at some upcoming Androids.
HTC’s Wildfire smart phone might not be the high end handset that the Taiwanese company is often known, for, but it brings to users plenty of functionality and social networking features that people might just want to pass up the Legend and the Desire to get this handset. Sleek looking, highly functional and cheaper than other HTC handsets, the Wildfire is certainly something to check out when buying a phone.
Dell’s Streak (also known as the Mini 5) has been confirmed by O2 UK and it will be on shelves this Friday. It is going to be expensive, but with the 5 inch touch screen display, it is well worth the cost. Why bother with a big clunky tablet when Dell provides the same experience with a smaller device and phone features?
Motorola’s Flipout is also coming out this June. This impressive little compact phone brings users a QWERTY keyboard -which is a pretty rare commodity among Android smart phones. With a 700MHz CPU and a 3.15 MP snapper, it is an excellent mid range model for Android fans on a budget.
HTC Wildfire: Desire Gets a Mini Version
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Mini versions of high end smart phones are among the most in demand devices in the mobile phone market. After all, not everyone has the budget for the newer Snapdragon powered monsters that are competing for our phone budgets –the best phones to buy are those that bring together as much of the great features found in the high end devices, but also with the toned down hardware which brings comparatively cheaper prices.
Anyway, HTC just released a Mini version of the HTC Desire, the Wildfire. Many of us may remember the HTC Desire as the high end Snapdragon Android smart phone that basically served as the basis for the Google Nexus One. While the Desire is impressive, it was also expensive –almost as expensive as the Nexus One itself. This was because the HTC phone was packed to the brim with its 1GHz CPU, 5 mega pixel camera and a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen.
The Wildfire is a much smaller touch screen smart phone, it packs a 3.3 inch capacitive touch screen, a Qualcomm MSM7225 528 MHz CPU and of course, the latest Android operating system. While it is a toned down device, it is not that much lacking in terms of software features. The phone brings all of the Android Éclair’s features –which means users will get free voice guided sat nav services, Google Goggles, Picasa, Google Talk and more. Flash and AIR support will be added later on with the update from 2.1 Éclair to 2.2 Froyo.
One comment that most tech experts are giving this new phone is that unlike the AMOLED screen on the Desire, the Wildfire only has a basic QVGA display in which the Android UI does not look quite as good.
Expect this phone to arrive in store shelves later this July to September.
Nexus One Finally in Stores
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
When Google first announced that they were working on their own version of the Android smart phone, the tech industry was obviously on its toes in anticipation. It did not take long before it was revealed that the device would be manufactured by HTC and will come packed with a whole set of high end hardware and the latest Android operating system. All in all, the phone was set to be the best smart phone of its time, and plenty of reviewers quickly dubbed it as the real iPhone killer.
But now, several months later launch, the Nexus One still remains as one of the more obscure high end Android devices –despite being quite famous in the tech community, there are only a few of the devices actually out in the market. The iPhone killer did not live up to its’ name.
The reason is simply, Google chose to have the device exclusively available to their online store –quickly alienating plenty of would be customers. People then turned to other Android devices as the Google made device was quite inaccessible. The initial week of sales for the Nexus One was a major disappointment at 20,000 units. In contrast, Vodafone’s re-launch of the iPhone quickly hit 100,000 units within the first week in that same month.
The UK release of the Nexus One is far more promising; Vodafone has announced that they will be selling the Android handset directly instead of having to refer customers to Google stores. It has also been confirmed that the Nexus One will now be sold in US stores as well, allowing the device to catch up in terms of sales.
This high end Android smart phone comes with the latest Android 2.1 OS, a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, a 5 mega pixel camera and a 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screen display.