Someone anonymously sent Android Spin information about an upcoming HTC device that wasn’t mentioned in the infamous roadmap leak of December 2009. If their information is to be believed, then HTC will come out with a device called either the Scorpion or the Olympian, that it will be powered by an ARM Cortex based 1.5 GHz processor, and that it runs Android 2.2.
The weird part out of all of this is that this mysterious device is supposed to include WiMAX. The amount of people using WiMAX devices right now is so small, so insignificant, couple that with an entire industry is moving to LTE, and I’m simply left confused. But hey, it’s a rumor.
Qualcomm has confirmed that they’re working on 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processors, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) is obviously working on a new version of Android, HTC is one of Google’s best partners, so we’re definitely going to see something turn up in the future that matches this rumour. Whether or not it lives up to the expectations you’ve set for yourself, or has the same model name that we’ve seen today, is a whole other story.
Sygic Mobile Maps for iPhone has got a major update. It is bringing a whole UI reworking to its users free of charge – sweet! It is traffic-ready and the traffic info system will be gradually launched to the regions during this quarter. Additionally, it supports speed camera or road incident sharing between the app users and much more – such as:
Fresh new look and feel of the whole application
Natural scrolling through menus with no buttons needed
Pinch to zoom the map
Dynamic menu animation
Optimized music playback during navigation
iPhone-like keyboard
Contacts integration enhanced by means of utilizing 1400 common abbreviations for address segments across 24 languages
Policetraps community – share mobile and static speed cameras and get warnings updated in real-time. Sign up on policetraps.com or report anonymously. Tap the bottom part of the navigation screen to report speed cameras or incidents
Traffic info icon is already present in the main menu – it will be activated at the moment of launching the service, availability and launch time depends on region
Useful indicators – network signal, battery status, GPS signal strength icon and time – now present throughout the menu on top right panel
New instruction voices added
The address input within the country simplified by means of skipping the country name input field – the user can still decide to take the step back if he/she happens to be in different country compared to the last route
The app is ready for Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Local Search and Sygic is awaiting the green light from Google. The weather information feature is also ready and awaiting activation
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Well I know I’ll be checking it out in my Local iTunes store (the UK)!
Sygic Mobile Maps (UK & Ireland) / £29.99 (but update is free if you already have the App) [iTunes link]
As an apparent answer to all those Nexus One customers who have been complaining that Google (NSDQ: GOOG) is taking too long to respond to customer service emails/inquiries, Google has rolled out a new Nexus One customer support hotline. Now, instead of just emailing the traditionally closed and uncommunicative search giant, Google is offering Nexus One owners and soon-to-be users a phone number that they can call to talk to a live person. Combined with the Google’s decision to lower the Nexus One return fee, it seems Google is looking to boost the Android phone’s flat sales.
Here’s Google’s statement on the matter:
“By design, we focused initially on providing the best possible customer support through our on-line channel, and our experience in the four weeks since the Nexus One launch enabled us to significantly enhance that on-line support offering. We have been able to address a large majority of customers’ inquiries successfully through on-line support, in combination with phone support from our partners, HTC and T-Mobile (NYSE: DT). That said, our approach with our new consumer channel is to learn fast and continue to improve…Live phone support from Google, combined with an optimized on-line support experience, enables a superior Nexus One customer experience.”
Starting today, Google will field all your Nexus One customer support questions through their new toll-free phone number. If you’re in the US, just dial (888) 48NEXUS (63987) between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. to talk to a real, live person. If you’re thinking about calling to get technical support or in reference to your T-Mobile service, you can find phone numbers here.
Google’s Nexus One sales have been fairly flat since the Android phone was launched earlier this year, but things may change with Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s decision to reduce its early termination fee. The Nexus One maker has been getting some bad press surrounding the Nexus One’s $350 early return fee – something Google calls their “equipment recovery fee” – and has even drawn an official inquiry by the FCC. It’s not clear why, exactly, but Google has announced that it has dropped the fee for returning a Nexus One down to $150.
Still, the drop in fees doesn’t make the Nexus One a cheap smartphone to return. Google’s new $150 “equipment recovery fee” rides on top of T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s $200 ETF fee, so it’s still going to cost you a pretty penny to give the N1 back to Google. If you return the phone within 14 days of purchase, you’re free and clear of the penalty. But, should you return the phone after 14 days, you’ll be stuck paying Google’s fee in addition to T-Mobile’s ETF.
Check out Google’s new Nexus One terms of sale here.
We’ve already seen Flash running on the Nexus One, but apparently other devices running anything less than Android 2.1 won’t support it. Call it a hardware bottleneck, but the droid and Nexus One are the only devices out there presently that will run Flash 10.1. Along with Android, Windows Mobile and webOS plug-ins will be available in the first half of this year, likely with BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) not too far behind.
If the limitation is strictly software-based, then it won’t be all lost – upcoming devices like the X10, which are launching with Android 1.6, will likely be able to upgrade to 2.1, and potentially support Flash. I’m not seeing where Adobe made the announcement of this limitation to 2.1, but in the same breath, they also forecasted that over half of smartphones will be packing Flash by 2012. Now, who wants to take bets that the iPhone will get it by then?
To the people who need to know code names, the next version of Android has officially been dubbed Gingerbread by Brian Swetland, a Google (NSDQ: GOOG) employee working on the Android kernel.
Feature list? Nein.
Release date? Between now and the end of the world, aka 2012.
I know many an AT&T (NYSE: T) Bold 9000 user has asked me when we’ll see 5.0. It’s been a bit of a wait for sure… and while this isn’t an official release from AT&T, it is official from another carrier. Via Zain Kuwait, OS 5.0.0.464 is now available. With this dropping (and other official releases sure to come) I’m sure we’ll get the official down-low from AT&T sooner rather than later.
Still, if you’re tired of waiting for AT&T, you can pick up OS 5.0.0.464 via Zain Kuwait right here.
Note: As always, be sure to backup your device and take all necessary precautions before you proceed!
Chances are, if you’re wanting to pick up a myTouch 3G, you’d be best served waiting for the myTouch 3G 1.2 to drop. From all reports it looks like the launch of the 1.2 is coming tomorrow, but still… if you want to save a few dollars and pick up yesterday’s technology, the original myTouch is going to drop in price tomorrow as well. Starting on February 10th, the myTouch 3G will go for $99.99 on a 2-year contract… that’s a $50 savings. Not bad.
In the end $100 for the myTouch ain’t a bad price at all. However, if you’d rather have the latest and greatest in the myTouch lineup, save a few extra dollars and pick up the myTouch 1.2 tomorrow instead. I have a feeling the extra money you spend will be well worth it.
Note: I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll see the original myTouch go on sale for $79.99 or perhaps even $49.99 if sales don’t go so well. If you’re fine with biding your time in hopes of saving a bit of moola, it may be worth the wait for you.
Just a quick OS update notification here for the Storm2 9520 users out there. Looks like OS 5.0.0.436 has gone official on multiple carriers, as listed below. If you’re rockin’ the 9520 and decide to update, be sure to backup your device and take all necessary precautions before you install. After installation, be sure to let us know of any major changes or fixes you see in this build. Happy OS updating!
Motorola DROID users will soon be able to get their hands on Android 2.1. This, according to Motorola’s Facebook page. Details of the update are still fuzzy at best, but the good ‘ol team over at Engadget have jotted down their thoughts on what may be coming in 2.1 for the DROID:
The update is based on Android 2.1. Build currently in the works is 2.1 version 1.
News and weather widgets intro’d on the Nexus One will be included
No active wallpapers or home screen updates
Keep in mind this is all speculation… There’s only one thing for certain here: The DROID update is being tested by the good folks at Verizon (NYSE: VZ), and we’ll see it real soon (provided the testing goes smooth as butter). I’ll keep my ear to the ground for more details as they become available.
Note: Canadian ‘DROID’ seekers… Still nothing new on the TELUS Motorola Milestone yet. I still suspect we’ll see it by the end of the month… I’ll be sure to let you know once I hear anything official.
As an apparent answer to all those Nexus One customers who have been complaining that Google (
Google’s Nexus One sales have been fairly flat since the Android phone was launched earlier this year, but things may change with Google (![penis Ultrabrief: What comes after Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, and Froyo? Gingerbread! [Android]](http://images.intomobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/penis.jpg "Ultrabrief: What comes after Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, and Froyo? Gingerbread! [Android]")
