(Credit:
Josh Miller/CNET)
On Thursday, Sprint revised a tweet it sent out last week regarding an Android update for the Samsung Moment and HTC Hero. Both smartphones won't be getting an Android 2.0 update; instead, they will get Android 2.1. (Pause for applause.)
The carrier made the announcement via its Twitter account, but unfortunately didn't provide any more specific details as to when the updates might be rolled out other than it would be sometime in the first half of 2010.
Currently, only the Nexus One is running Android 2.1. While features of this version of the operating system are still largely unknown, some people have spied enhancements including a Palm WebOS-like Deck of Cards feature, more home screen panes, and additional 3D items in the app tray.
(Additional sources: Engadget Mobile, Gearlog)
(Credit:
FCC)
Updated at 4:20 PST with response from T-Mobile.
After a busy weekend where it made its very unofficial debut, HTC's Nexus One entered into full legitimacy Monday with approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC documents also reveal that the device will support North American GSM bands (850 and 1900) and T-Mobile's 1700 3G network.
Though at least one Nexus One sighted this weekend was running on an AT&T SIM card, the support for T-Mobile's 3G would leave AT&T out of the running for the Nexus One, at least for now. The two carriers use the same GSM bands for voice calls, but their 3G networks are incompatible.
T-Mobile said it doesn't comment on rumors or speculation, but its participation in the Nexus One (aka the "Google phone") would send a mixed message concerning how the device would be distributed to consumers. The Wall Street Journal reported today that Google would directly sell the Nexus One as an unlocked unsubsidized model. Distribution through a carrier channel, however, would mean that Google wouldn't sell the Nexus One on its own.
Details and specs on the Nexus One remain mostly unknown, but the FCC documentation also shows that the handset would support hearing aids, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth, and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi.
(Source: Phonescoop)
Updated at 5 p.m. PST with additional details and at 10 a.m. PST December 13 with photo of the phone.
A blog post from a Google executive on Saturday morning dropped hints that the company would release a Google Android phone of its own.
In the post, Mario Queiroz, a Google vice president of product management, said the company had developed a "mobile lab" device that "combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android." According to Queiroz, Google has distributed the device to Google employees worldwide so that they could test the new technology and help improve it.
Quieroz's announcement came only a few hours after reported sightings of the device. CNET TV Associate Producer Jason Howell, who had a very brief hands-on with the gadget Friday night and first relayed the news on Twitter, confirms that the "mobile lab" device is an HTC phone running the Android 2.1 operating system.
"I knew it was an HTC device," Howell said. "It looked like the Touch, but was a lot thinner...it was a slick-looking thing and very nice." He also spotted a trackball and four standard Android menu controls, and he said the display was "supersharp" and rivaled that on the Motorola Droid.
Howell didn't get a chance to dig into the handset's specs or detail the changes from the 2.1 update, but he noticed animated wallpapers, slight visual enhancements to the user interface, and a camera on the rear face that resembles the HTC Touch Pro 2. Curiously, Howell said he didn't see any Google logo on the handset. TechCrunch published additional, though unconfirmed, details, including a Snapdragon processor, an OLED touch screen, and a voice-to-text feature, while TheUnlockr posted leaked photos.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the handset will be called the Nexus One. Although HTC made the hardware, the software and user interface is all Google, from the applications to the "look and feel of each screen."
The Journal also said Google will begin selling the device early next year, directly to consumers, thus bypassing the traditional carrier channel. As an unlocked GSM device, the Nexus One could be used with T-Mobile or AT&T, though it's unclear which carrier's 3G bands the handset will support. During his brief tour, Howell wasn't able to test the performance, but he said that the Nexus One he handled was running on an AT&T SIM card.
Reports that Google would release its own Android phone first appeared earlier this year. The move is significant, as it could pit Google against the carriers that it so far has used to distribute existing Android phones. Also, without a carrier contract and subsequent service rebates the Nexus One could cost a few hundred dollars. For those reasons, I was a little skeptical when I first heard the rumor, so count me wrong on this one.
Acer S100
(Credit: FCC)The highlight at the Federal Communications Commission is the Google Android-powered Acer S100 that appears to be destined for AT&T. Because the FCC has to certify every phone sold in the United States, not to mention test its SAR rating, the agency's online database offers a lot of sneak peeks to those who dig. And to save you the trouble, Crave has combed through the database for you. Here are a selection of filings from the past week on new and upcoming cell phones. Click through to read the full report.
Acer S100
Kyocera S2300
LG LN240
LG VX5600
Motorola
Motorola
Nokia (RM-482)
Pantech P2000
Pantech UM815
Samsung GT-B5722C
Samsung GT-E1086L
Samsung GT-S3650W
Samsung GT-S5150
Samsung SGH-A867
Samsung SGH-T939
ZTE X990
(Credit:
Josh Miller/CNET)
While Verizon customers have been feeling the Android love lately with updates for both the Motorola Droid and HTC Droid Eris, Sprint users have been left to wonder when they might see an update for their Android devices. Well, we sort of have an answer now.
The carrier announced via Twitter on Friday that it will offer an Android 2.0 update for both the HTC Hero and the Samsung Moment, which is great news. Unfortunately, the update won't come till the first half of 2010 (no specific date was given), but hopefully it'll be on the earlier side of the new year like the Droid Eris so you won't have to wait too long.
As promised, T-Mobile last night began rolling out a new billing option for Google Android users.
Customers of the nation's largest Android carrier now have an option to charge Android Market purchases directly to their monthly bills and bypass their credit cards and Google Checkout accounts. T-Mobile is the first carrier to offer a billing alternative, though Sprint has also committed to making a similar move.
As the update is considered "invisible," T-Mobile customers will not receive any notifications of a pending software update. Rather, you can access the new billing option by logging into the Android Market and making a purchase.
This update will roll out over the course of the next few weeks and should hit all handsets by the end of the year. Similar to Google Checkout, applications uninstalled within the first 24 hours after purchase will not show up on your T-Mobile bill.
For now, the only paid apps that can be applied to your monthly bill must be in U.S. currency. Titles priced in other currencies must be purchased using a credit card. According to the official T-Mobile Forum, they are working in conjunction with Google on a solution to convert these apps to U.S. dollars.
(Credit:
Josh Miller/CNET)
We don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that the Motorola Droid was the hottest Android phone to be released in 2009. Of course, the Verizon Wireless ads attacking AT&T and the Apple iPhone did a lot to bring attention to the smartphone, but it wasn't all hype. The smartphone delivered with excellent performance, an attention-grabbing 3.7-inch WVGA touch screen, and the benefits of Android 2.0, including Google Maps Navigation.
With the combination of clever marketing and just being a solid device all around, the Droid has quickly become one of CNET's most popular smartphones and more than 1 million units are expected to be sold by the end of the year.
Perhaps you're one of the thousands who purchased the Droid and are enjoying all that the smartphone has to offer. However, to help you get even more out of the device, we've rounded up some of our favorite accessories and apps for the Droid, as well as some frequently asked questions about various features, tips and tricks, troubleshooting, and more. Of course, this is just a sample of what's out there, so if you have any favorite accessories or tips that you want to share with other fellow Droid owners, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Accessories
Motorola Droid accessories
Cell phone accessories blog
Software update
Android 2.0.1 for Droid users coming soon
Applications
Yelp
AndroidStats
Fring VoIP
Cooking Capsules
Photoshop for Android
Slacker Radio
Pandora Radio
Personal Assistant
Facebook
Droid FAQ
All about the Droid
The Droid and hands-free calling
(Credit:
Josh Miller/CNET)
Verizon announced on Thursday that it has begun pushing out a software update to HTC Droid Eris users.
Like the upgrade for the Motorola Droid, the over-the-air update (specifically, ROM version 1.16.605.1/Radio version 2.32.40.11.09) will be delivered to small group of customers first and then slowly rolled out to everyone within a week. Users will receive a notification on their smartphone alerting them when the update is ready for download.
Highlights of the update include:
- While on a call and the device is in screensaver mode, pressing the End key now takes the device out of screensaver mode, and a second press will end the call
- Device now switches effectively from 1x mode to 3G
- Device no longer requires users to reselect a default e-mail after power-cycling
- SMS and MMS messaging delivery is improved
- Eighty-character MMS/SMS message subject lines are now allowed
You can view a full list of feature enhancement and bug fixes here (PDF) and for step-by-step instructions on downloading the update, please check Verizon's support page.
It's been a slow week but we still have quite a bit of cell phone news for you. We hear that Nokia will be slowing down smartphone production, that Android updates are imminent, and that the FCC is asking Verizon some tough questions about ETF. We also chat about our latest reviews and answer your questions.
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News
Nokia to reduce smartphone offering by half in 2010
HTC Droid Eris to get Android update in 2010
Android 2.0.1 for Droid users
FCC questions Verizon over ETF hike
Sprint to phase out Qchat
Check your wireless coverage on CNET
Reviews
Casio G'zOne Rock
Sony Ericsson Aino
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530 (Verizon Wireless)
Top 10 most popular cell phones of 2009
Upcoming reviews
Nokia N900
HP iPaq Glisten
LG Shine II
Powermat
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
While Motorola Droid owners are prepping to get Android 2.0.1 delivered to their smartphone in the coming weeks, HTC Droid Eris users might be wondering, "Hey, what about us?" Well, the good news is that there is an update coming. The bad news is you're going to have to wait a bit longer.
Verizon said Friday that it plans to release an OS update for the Droid Eris, which currently runs on Android OS 1.5, in the first quarter of 2010. The carrier did not specify which version of Android it would release for the smartphone, but did say that customers will get support for Google Maps Navigation.
On a somewhat related note, Verizon is running a buy-one, get-one-free promotion for the Droid Eris starting Friday, December 4, and ending Monday, December 7. During that time, if you buy an HTC Droid Eris or a Motorola Droid, you can get a second Droid Eris for free.
