Author: PhoneDog.com – Latest videos, reviews, articles, news and posts

At this point, seeing shots of the BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider in the wild is nothing new, but seeing proof of a native WebKit browser on OS 6.0, well that’s something else!  Thanks to the folks at TheCellularGuru, the picture you see above is the 9800 passing the Acid3 browser test (a test that checks how well a browser renders content based on certain web standards) with a perfect score, a feat not to be taken lightly.

According to TheCellularGuru, a tipster sent them the pictures which shows a keyboard very similar to the Bold 9700 coupled with a touchscreen like that of the Storm.  Also displayed is the “About” page showing OS 6.0, and the “Memory” page which alludes to 4GB of on-board memory.  Word on the street is that the Bold 9800 will be sliding on over to AT&T sometime this June, with the announcement to come a few weeks prior.

Will you be waiting for a BlackBerry slider with the newest BlackBerry OS?  Let us know in the comments!

Via SlashGear, TheCellularGuru 

T-Mo’s new MyTouch Slide is an Android phone made by HTC. It’s got a QWERTY board and it’s customized to the gills. $180 after rebate on June 2.

Though Google TV was cool (when it worked), the big news of the day was the official announcement of Android 2.2, also known as “Froyo.”  Featuring some cool changes across the platform, the Android 2.2 SDK is available now, with retail availability sometime in the future.

Among the improvements:

• External storage for applications.  Finally, Google announced the upcoming availability of external storage for applications.  Barring the Incredible and its built-in 8 GB of storage, app storage has always been an Achilles’ heel in the Android platform.
• OTA application installation.  This is just cool.  Instead of perusing through the Android Market on the phone, you can do so from your computer, and click a button to initiate an OTA download to your phone. 
• iTunes streaming.  Google purchased Simplify Media, a company that pushes iTunes content to your phone.  If the demo was any indication, the application is quite nice – simply open and click “all” to stream the songs to your device.
• “Cloud to device messaging.”  If you’re using Chrome on your computer, and you need a map, you can send it to your phone and it will automatically pop up in Google Maps.  No text message directions – it’s the real deal. 
• Changes in updating of apps.  Android 2.2 adds the option of updating all apps in one swoop versus individually.  Additionally, Froyo adds the ability to have your apps update automatically.
• Just-in-time compiler.  Makes the device much faster – two to five times faster, to be exact.

Check out the official Google video below for a great rundown of the new features in Android 2.2!

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Via Engadget

Noah gets an Evo 4G at Google I/O 2010 and unboxes it. America’s first WiMax phone runs Android with HTC Sense and is on Sprint – $199 on contract, available June 4.

After the information about Android 2.2 was released today at Google I/O and then release details came out about the MyTouch Slide 3G, the Android train keeps on rolling.  Today HTC stated to Android Central that if your device was released in 2010, it will most likely be upgraded to Froyo.  When asked if and when HTC’s phones will get the 2.2 upgrade, the company had this to say:

“…if your phone was launched this year, we will most likely offer an upgrade for it to the Froyo version. This includes popular models like the Desire and Droid Incredible as well as hotly anticipated phones like the Evo 4G, MyTouch slide and upcoming models. We will announce a full list of phones and dates once we are closer to launching the upgrades. We are working closely with Google and our other partners to ensure we have the earliest access to everything we need to provide a complete and solid Sense experience on Froyo. We expect to release all updates in the second half of this year but can’t be more specific yet.“

Even though HTC couldn’t give any sort of definite release date, this is certainly better than sitting and hoping that your shiny new DROID Incredible will be updated.

Via Android Central

Not that “cool kids” or “nerds” is a judgment in any way (or that one is better than the other), but it seems to be how things are shaping up in 2010.  Apple is the cool kid on the block, playing foosball over in the corner with a leather jacket.  Google, on the other hand, is the nerd, sitting in the corner with the calculator and pocket protector thinking “one day, these people will work for me.”  Who will win the battle?

Cast your vote below for the nerds or the cool kids, but be sure to defend your choice in the comments!

{Widget type=”poll” id=”3231421″ name=””Apple vs. Google: Will the nerds or the cool kids win?”}

T-Mobile sent out a press release today giving us some concrete information on its upcoming Android-based myTouch Slide 3G.  The device will be released on June 2nd for $179.99, after a $50 mail-in rebate, on a two year contract.  The myTouch Slide will be available in black, white, and red and will require a data plan.  The phone will feature a hardware QWERTY keyboard, a skinned version of Android 2.1 on a 3.4-inch screen, and a new “Genius button” that features enhanced voice commands.  Early looks at the myTouch have said that the physical keyboard is fantastic, so it looks like G1 owners may finally have a worthy successor to their aging Android device. 

Are you planning on picking up a myTouch Slide 3G? Tell us below!

Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Retail Price: $369.99
Phone Price: $99.99
Hot Features: Android 2.1, Touchscreen, Full QWERTY, WiFi, 3.2MP camera

Noah is live from San Francisco at the Google I/O Day 2 Keynote. We’re expecting some Android, and maybe some Google TV, so stay tuned!

It’s not every day that you see Dell Streaks in the wild.  Actually, considering that the phone isn’t released, it’s more like never.

Seattle Times writer Brier Dudley spotted four of the Android-powered MIDs strapped to a plank, along with two computers.  Apparently, AT&T network technicians were testing their ability to send correct E-911 information across Big Blue’s airwaves.  From what I can tell, there were three black units and one crimson red one in testing, leading me to believe that the pink and orange versions may be coming at a later date.

With a public showing like this, we can’t be too far off from an official release.  Anyone planning on picking one up?

Via Engadget

We may all be waiting for Google to give us details about Android 2.2, a.k.a. Froyo, today, but Google is already looking forward to the next major update to the Android OS, which we now know will be called Gingerbread.  The update is referred to in the FAQ for the new WebM format that was announced yesterday, and it says that we can expect Gingerbread sometime in Q4 of this year.  We still don’t know the version number of the update, but at least we all have something to look forward to after Froyo’s release.

Via Engadget

The Seek is a messaging phone with a full QWERTY keyboard and an interface similar to the one on the Samsung Instinct. A quick unboxing by Sydney.

Just as a quick update to our previous post about the Samsung Acclaim, it seems that the actual device has been spotted at the Google I/O conference on the wall of Android devices.  The real Acclaim looks slightly shorter and more rounded than the previous device and looks like it could be sporting an optical trackpad.  Noah’s video showing the Acclaim can be seen below.  It’s at about 5:47 in, but you should really watch the whole thing just to get a nice retrospective on almost every Android device released to date.

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Via Engadget Mobile

The Link is not your typical feature phone, mostly because it looks and feels like a smartphone. Don’t write it off as not worth your time. Take a look as Sydney does a full review.

Noah checks out the massive display case of Android phones at Google I/O 2010. It’s not every Droid ever, but it’s close.

What’s Good: Finally, an iDEN device (along with the i9) that doesn’t look like something out of a bad 80’s television show.

What’s Bad: Battery life is rather poor.

Verdict: If you need Direct Connect and want a stylish phone, the i890 is for you.

Every time I use a new Nextel phone, the first thought that crosses my mind is “wow, they’re actually stylish now.”  Though one can still pick up a rugged (and hefty) iDEN device, it seems like Sprint is finally realizing that it is possible to mesh style and Direct Connect.  To that end, the Motorola i890 is a svelte, RAZR-esque device with a spring-loaded hinge that can be purchased at Sprint stores and online for $129.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and two-year agreement.

The phone ships in a box complete with the phone, battery, AC adapter, and instruction manuals.  Overall, it feels good in the hand, and isn’t bulky (even when the flip is opened).  At 4.2 ounces, the i890 is perfect for a pocket, purse, or briefcase.  In an age of minimalism in regards to phone design, the Motorola i890 is loaded with buttons.  The volume rocker and Direct Connect button can be found on the left side of the device, while the hinge release and lock button can be found on the right side.  The speaker and menu buttons can be found on the top of the unit, and the 2.0-megapixel camera is located on the hinge.  The phone sports a large external display with four touch buttons (three under the display, one above it).  Once opened, you’re greeted with a 2.2-inch display with 65,536 colors and 240 x 320 pixels.  One of the neat features on the i890 is the ability to navigate through select parts of the phone’s menu from the external display.  Using the touch buttons, I was able to access many of the media functions on the device.

The Motorola i890 offers a numeric keypad.  I found myself missing a QWERTY layout, but the large buttons on the device made it easy to get used to it.  The menu structure is similar to what we’ve seen on Nextel devices in the past, and after a few days of working with it, I was able to navigate with ease.

I’ve been testing the Motorola i890 in the Charlotte area, and call quality has been strong.  When I took the device to a known Nextel trouble spot, I was able to hold the call, despite choppiness here and there.  During calls, users told me that they could hear me fine, and I had no trouble on my end.  I paired the Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset to the device, and used it without trouble.  As with any device equipped with Direct Connect, the speaker on the i890 is next to phenomenal.

The i890 is an iDEN device, so data connectivity isn’t its best feature.  That being said, CNN’s mobile page loaded in about seven seconds, while the PhoneDog page loaded in about 42 seconds.  It’s not the device for the data-hungry consumer, but for occasional web browsing, it gets the job done.  While estimated talk time rolls in at about 3.4 hours, I have only been able to obtain about two before the low battery indicator flashes.  I’m still conducting battery tests, but with moderate use encompassing calling, text messaging, occasional web browsing, and Direct Connect usage, I was barely able to make it over a day before the unit powered down.  It’s a close call, so if you’re interested in it, be sure to purchase a car charger before you leave the store.

Stay tuned for my full review of the device!

Technology: Global device
Rumored Carriers: Could be 2 or 4 U.S. carriers
Rumored Release Date: We are hearing possibly August 2010

Noah got to finally get his hands on the Samsung Galazy S at the Google IO event May 19, 2010.  Specs are still not being released and neither is carrier information.  We do know it is a capacitive touchscreen device with Android 2.1 and a 5MP camera with video capture.  Stay tuned as we continue to update our site with information.

Okay, okay, it’s not a huge phone launch by any means, but it’s always nice to see a few new colors in the BlackBerry pallet.  Shown off at WES 2010 last month, T-Mobile will be picking up the white BlackBerry Bold 9700, along with a fuchsia red Curve 8520.

Both the fuchsia BlackBerry Curve 8520 and the white BlackBerry Bold 9700 are available today in retail stores and online for $49.99 and $129.99 respectively (two-year agreement required).  In the same release, T-Mobile also informed us that OS 5.0.0.586 is available for the Bold 9700, which offers “general OS stability, improved call quality, trackpad performance, text messaging user interface improvements, as well as offer new features including mobile backup support.”  It can be downloaded at www.t-mobile.com/bbupgrade.

There you have it, new colors for your computing pleasure!  Give us a shout if you plan on purchasing one!

It looks like Nokia fans on T-Mobile will have more choice than the Nuron and some low-end candybar phones next month.  A tipster has sent a screenshot to TmoNews that shows off the new Nokia E73, named the “Mode” for T-Mobile, that shows a photo of the device and says it will be arriving on June 16.  The E73 Mode will support 3G and Wi-Fi as well as Wi-Fi calling and it looks like it has a similar physical QWERTY keyboard and optical d-pad as the E72.  Other information, like pricing, is unknown at this time but we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.  Does the E73 look like a device you’d choose over a BlackBerry or a similar smartphone? We want to know your thoughts!

Via TmoNews

Noah finds a table full of Samsung Galaxy S Android phones at Google IO and goes hands-on. This is one nice piece of hardware.