Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
Viper SmartStart has released a new app for Android OS smartphones that allows you to use your phone to start and stop a car engine.
Up till now, the Viper SmartStart software has only been available on the iPhone and Blackberry devices, but now Android users can also benefit from the service.
The Android version of the app allows users to start the car, lock/unlock the doors and open the boot/trunk. [Read more…]
There’s lots of news around today about Android 2.2 hitting a number of smartphones soon. The list includes the HTC Desire Android 2.2 update coming this weekend along with the HTC EVO 4G Android 2.2 update next week.
We now hear from Samsung that the Galaxy S Android 2.2 update will be landing in September. This of course isn’t as quick as the two smartphones mentioned above, but at lease Galaxy S owners now have some kind of idea about when the latest update will be arriving. [Read more…]
The HTC Desire Android 2.2 update will start rolling out this weekend. The roll-out of FroYo is happening across Europe and is being pushed out as an OTA update to unlocked devices only. If you have purchased a locked HTC Desire from a network, you’ll need to wait “several more weeks” according to HTC.
The information comes from Engadget who quoted the following… [Read more…]
Sprint [S] is about to roll out the latest version of Android to the HTC EVO 4G. Many people though that this wouldn’t happen this year, but surprisingly it has. The roll-out for Android 2.2 on the HTC EVO 4G starts on August 3rd.
An official press release about the Android 2.2 update has also been pushed out by Sprint that says an OTA notification will start appearing on some phones on August 3 with more OTA updates arriving over the course of a few days till all devices are updated. [Read more…]
HTC in China is now starting to ship the HTC Desire with Android 2.2 pre-installed along with HTC Sense.
From what Engadget heard from the company, HTC will be now shipping all HTC smartphones in China with Android 2.2 installed which includes the Wildfire and Tianyi.
It also appears that HTC will be pushing out the Android 2.2 update OTA to all phones that can use it next month meaning that anyone with a HTC smartphone capable of running it, will be running it. [Read more…]
A new Android smartphone from Modu has been spotted in the wild. Phandroid have dubbed it ModuPhone for now and managed to get some pictures of it uploaded to their site.
The phone has a block-ish style design and has a pure plastic bezel around the edges. The device it’s self lacks 3G for some reason which leaves you getting data at speed via WiFi only. This however, could be because of it being a prototype at the moment, so we’ll keep an eye on that missing point.
The device has an FM radio, stylus, resistive touchscreen (not confirmed but likely because of the addition of a stylus), a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot. [Read more…]
The Acer Stream Android Smartphone will be made available in the UK exclusively from eXpansys when it launches in a couple of weeks time.
The phone it’s self has a 3.7 inch AMOLED screen along with a 5 megapixel camera that can capture video in 720p. Other features include a HDMI output.
The Acer Stream when launched will run Android 2.1 and unfortunately no news of an Android 2.2 update have been provided although we suspect it will be made available OTA later on this year. [Read more…]
We are hearing some rumours today that Droid X will get an Android 2.2 update next week. As well as Droid X getting the update, we hear that the HTC Droid Incredible and the Motorola DROID will also get the update at the same time.
Although we say it’s a rumour, the tipster who sent a message to Android Spin, says that this is not a rumour, but confirmed.
The “rumour” also says that Android 2.2 FroYo will be pushed out simultaneously to both the HTC and Motorola devices beginning August 6 which is a week on Friday. The update will finish rolling out by August 15 a couple of weeks later. [Read more…]
Google [GOOG] has updated Google Maps for Android bringing it up to version 4.4. The new version includes a dedicated Places icon for the home screen that allows you to quickly grab details of nearby places. The GPS on the smartphone is used to track location so that the places it lists are relevant to the location you are based in.
On Android-powered phones with Google Maps 4.4, you’ll find the new Places icon in the app launcher with the rest of your apps. Press and drag it right onto your home screen to use it when you’re looking for a restaurant, shoe store, movie theater or any other type of local business. You’ll get a detailed list of all the nearest places and can choose one to learn more about it on its Place Page.
When loading the application up, you are presented with a “find places” screen that has places that are commonly searched for such as ATM’s, Petrol Stations, Attractions and local restaurants to name a few. [Read more…]
Dell has demoed the Dell Streak running Android 2.1. The version of 2.1 has a number of Dell additions to the UI that are currently available in the current Streak Android OS.
However, Kevin Andrew who demoed the device did mention that Android 2.2 will be launched later this year. It isn’t clear if Dell will release Android 2.1 at all for the Streak, but it’s good to see they are at least working on something for the tablet.
The downside here is that there has been no time-line released. We are hoping for sooner rather than later though as will others who own the device. [Read more…]
Android from Google [GOOG] is picking up quite a bit in the UK from what we are hearing today. Analysts GfK Retail and Technology is today reporting that sales of Android are up 350 percent from numbers taken in the 1st quarter.
Android’s share of the UK mobile contract market was three percent in Q1 rising to 13.2 percent in quarter two of this year.
UK Android Smartphone Sales Rise By 350 Percent during the period sales of all mobile contract phones rose by just one percent, whilst sales of Android smartphones rose by a massive 350 percent.
Android users will soon be getting the ability to use carrier billing when purchasing apps through the app store. The details come from the new Google Android terms and conditions that indicate an easier method to pay for apps will be used.
When purchasing an application the amount, in the future, will appear on your carrier’s monthly statement and be taken by whatever method you pay for your monthly plan charges. [Read more…]
