Archive for the ‘eclair’ Category

HTC confirmed to be cooking up Android 2.0 update for Hero, other devices unclear

Anyone with an existing Android device and a nasty case of DROID envy today might want to hold off before switching devices, emptying the bank account, and possibly switching carriers in the process, because HTC’s got a little bit of information here to end our day on a high note. Here’s the full quote:

“Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero.”

Bottom line, the Hero is signed up for Android 2.0 and it’s just a matter of HTC getting Sense ported and tested — makes sense (no pun intended), and we imagine Motorola will have to go through these same hoops with BLUR. The company went on to mention that it intends to bring the update to all versions of the Hero, though it’s up to partners (like Sprint, for instance) to help coordinate how and when that’s going to go down. We don’t have any information on the sundry Dream and Magic variants around the world at this point — but it’s important to remember that the Hero uses the same processor as its older siblings, so at least there’s hope for a good xda-developers port if nothing else.

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC confirmed to be cooking up Android 2.0 update for Hero, other devices unclear originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taste Android 2.0 ‘Eclair’ From Your Own Computer

If you’d like to explore the latest version of Android, aka Eclair, you can wait until Verizon starts selling the Motorola Droid, which is scheduled to be unveiled Wednesday. Or you can download the free Android 2.0 software development kit, which includes a spiffy emulator.

Google made available its latest software development kit for Eclair on Tuesday and the emulator bundled inside allows anyone to explore the upcoming features of Android.

The emulator mimics the Android OS. Developers use it to test their applications so they don’t have to use a handset to see every single change. But you can use it to get an idea of what’s inside Eclair. (Hint: It’s not a creamy filling.)

Every phone is different, so the emulator is a general representation. You can explore the entire OS, from browsing the web to making a mock phone call.

There are also quite a few updates and added features found in Eclair, including:

• Microsoft Exchange support
• An inbox allowing multiple email accounts
• HTML5 support
• Double-tap zooming in the browser
• Digital zoom for the camera
• Improved dictionary for your keyboard (it learns words you frequently use and suggests contact names)
• Improved graphics architecture for better hardware acceleration

The nice folks at Android and Me have posted step-by-step directions on how to install the SDK on your computer and run the emulator.

Whether you’re interested in buying an Android or a curious iPhone diehard, you can taste a sample of Eclair from the comfort of your own computer.

[via Android and Me]

See Also:

• Verizon Attacks the iPhone, Hints at Upcoming Droid
• 12 Phones Strong, Android Army Mobilizes for Explosive Growth …
• Google Muscles Android Developer, Offers Olive Branch
• Verizon Promises Two New Android Phones This Year

Photo: Azh7/Wikimedia Commons, with Android logo added by Wired.com

Dell Streak is a 5-inch Android 2.0 MID, packs 3G and WiFi (video)

Well, hello there! Those Dell MID rumors we’ve been hearing have finally received vindication in the form of a nice, picture-heavy leak courtesy of some industrious folks in Vietnam. What we know as of now is that there’s an 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen display (with multitouch zooming), WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G WWAN connectivity, all riding atop an Android 2.0 (aka, Donut Eclair) install. A dual-LED flash 5 megapixel camera adorns the back, and there’s a 1,300mAh battery to power all that goodness. See pics below and a video awaits after the break, where an old friend of ours plays with the jumbo smartphone.

[Via SlashGear; Thanks, Nicky N.]

Continue reading Dell Streak is a 5-inch Android 2.0 MID, packs 3G and WiFi (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Dell Streak is a 5-inch Android 2.0 MID, packs 3G and WiFi (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid stands in for glamorous photo shoot

What a difference two months make. It’s was late July when we first saw a render and spy shot of Motorola’s “other” Android devices, the Verizon-bound Droid, a.k.a. the Artist Formerly Known as Sholes. Boy Genius Report has been teasing the handset for the better part of the week, and now it’s giving us the full monty of the hardware, including its 5 megapixel autofocus camera on the back, and various Eclair-powered screens. Boy Genius himself notes that it’s the fastest Android device he’s used — thank goodness for an authentic OMAP3 — is “slightly” thicker than an iPhone 3GS, runs that Android 2.0 we’ve been hearing so much about, and includes a desktop cradle that turns the Droid into a glanceable display with weather and the like (sounds like a miniature Hub in a way, doesn’t it?). Anyhow, you want all to see the whole show? You know just where to click.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Motorola Droid stands in for glamorous photo shoot originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 2.0 given a once-over, makes 1.6 look a little dated

Many Android-powered devices around the globe haven’t even been granted an official Donut update yet, but 2.0 (Eclair, if you like) is already well on its way to completion, and Boy Genius Report has a rather extensive gallery of shots of the latest and greatest code in action. The biggest disappointment might be that the browser seems to be little more than a minor bump from the one that’s shipping in 1.6 — though it’s a boatload faster, which is a start — and the good news is that pretty much everything throughout the platform appears to have been rethought and refined. The skin looks more modern, new UI elements like graphical balloon-shaped submenus are a welcome touch, and features like integrated Facebook synchronization risk putting MOTOBLUR back on its heels. Look, T-Mobile, we appreciate the quick 1.6 rollout, but can we go ahead and get this pushed out stat while you’re at it? Check a shot of the new Contacts pop-up menu after the break.

Continue reading Android 2.0 given a once-over, makes 1.6 look a little dated

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Android 2.0 given a once-over, makes 1.6 look a little dated originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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