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.
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.
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.
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.
After the iPhone (AppStore link) and BlackBerry, Urbanspoon is “going Android.” The application keeps all the functionality (and UI) of the iPhone version, allowing users to find restaurants based on price, current location (nearby) and culinary style. Moreover, Urbanspoon users can rate and review restaurants, providing other folks with the real-life information that can be/is useful when picking a place to dine.
Probably one of Urbanspoon’s most popular features is the random local restaurant finder, and it’s of course included in the Android version. Simple shake the phone, and the application will suggest a place nearby.
As for the Android-specific features, I haven’t caught much. Actually, it’s fair to add that it takes advantage of the bigger screen found in devices such as the Nexus One and Moto Droid/Milestone to show more options.
And that’s about it. If you like it, simply search for “Urbanspoon” in the Android Market and take it from there.
We haven’t seen many real devices from HTC’s roadmap yet (the Bravo is the only thing that comes to mind), but the Android-powered Legend has recently made an appearance. Eye candy aside, there’s not much additional information – at most, the Sense UI is confirmed. The screen looks an awful lot like the Verizon (NYSE: VZ) (NYSE: VZ)-bound Incredible, which we saw earlier today.
If we’re to take the roadmap at face value, the Legend will be packing a 3.2” display, quadband EDGE/GSM and 900/2100 HSPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 5 megapixel camera, optical trackpad, 3.5mm headphone jack, and 600 MHz processor. It could be coming out in March, which means an announcement at Mobile World Congress this week is pretty likely.
Personally, I find the phone a little blocky looking, and not really digging the chrome-coloured casing, but hey, if this thing comes out at $200 or under, it should offer a marginal upgrade option for the Hero.
Myriad, a company you and I have never heard of, is a member of the OHA (Open Handset Alliance). The OHA was created to bring companies together and have them contribute code that eventually becomes a part of Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s mobile operating system, Android. A critcal part of any smartphone platform is 3rd party developers. Android third party developers write their applications in a specially optimized version of Java known as Dalvik. Myriad tweaked and optimized Dalvik and have claimed to make existing applications run 3x faster, while also improving battery life. They call it Dalvik Turbo and are going to be showing it off next week at Mobile World Congress.
When will Davlik Turbo be integrated into Android itself? Will existing devices be upgraded to Dalvik Turbo? How much battery life is gained in real world scenarios by switching to Dalvik Turbo? I’ve emailed Myriad asking them these questions, and if they don’t answer because they’re too busy getting ready for Barcelona, then I’ll be swing by their booth and ask again.
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]")
