Author: Stephen Tenerowicz

Phandroid is reporting a bit of interesting news tonight.  Apparently a member of Howards Forums who tried to benchmark his overclocked droid using the Quadrant app (which lists the top bench-marked handsets) saw sitting just below a Nexus One running Android 2.2 a device listed as the Shadow MB810. That’s right folks, it appears to be the Motorola Shadow (although obviously nothing can be confirmed).

What does the benchmark results tell us? Well, put simply, the phone listed(which may or may not be the Motorola Shadow) is very very fast. Blazing fast!

So, whose ready for the Motorola Shadow? I really hope this possibly benchmark test proves true.

Source: Phandroid

Click here to view the embedded video.

Are you ready for Sling Player on Android? I know I am.  If the above video is any indication of how great it will be we all should be looking forward to this.  Check it out folks! Multiple times if necessary!

Source: Android Central

As many of you know, Vlingo for Android was released this week for Android smart-phones running Android 2.0 and above.  For years,  Vlingo has had a strong presence on the Blackberry and iPhone, but this was the first time they launched a product on Android.   They did not disappoint.

If you wondered what Google meant when they said the Nexus One would be getting “more retail availability”,  just take a quick look at the image above.  That’s right, it’s an advertisement for a Nexus One sold through a retail channel!  Oh my!  When did this happen you might ask?  Well, it appears wireless retailer and T-Mobile affiliate i Wireless has started offering a number of Android devices in the past few days, including the Nexus One.  I Wireless is now selling the phone for $299.95 on contract after rebate — a good bit more than the $179 Google charges, but in return, it looks like you can select just about any plan T-Mobile offers (Google restricts you to the Even More 500 plan to get the subsidy).  This is a pretty good deal if you ask me.

So, anyone want to head over the i Wireless and pick one up?

Source:  Engadget

Earlier today, the big magenta announced that they will finally be expanding their HSPA+ network through the Northeast. Now, all of you lucky T-Mobile customers using 3G Android phones will be able to experience a major boost in speed.  We have been checking here in Albany, New York all evening but haven’t seen anything yet, but speeds should increase in the next few days.  As someone who watches a lot of streaming media, I can’t wait.

For those who don’t know, the HSPA+ wireless standard delivers download speeds up to 21Mbps (although most current phones only support 7.2Mbps).  This is quite a bit faster than Sprint’s Wimax network.  Another good thing about HSPA+ is that customers can keep their current 3G phone to experience the boost.  T-Mobile does not require you to purchase any new phones(unlike some of their competitors).  It is also important to mention that T-Mobile doesn’t charge you an extra ten dollars per month to access these HSPA+ speeds like Sprint will be.

Are any of you guys experiencing a speed boost in the Northeast? What are your download speeds?  If so, let us know!

Source: Press Release

Gowalla is really raising their game lately. The latest version of their Android app, labeled Gowalla 2.0, is now available in the Android Market and takes it up a notch towards Foursquare.  Overall, the 2.0 app has many new features including:

• Sharing and viewing photos attached to a location
• Comment on posts
• View bookmarked Spots
• View Facebook/Twitter profiles
• Accept or reject friend requests
• View more of your friends’ Passport info

In addition to the new features, Gowalla 2.0 also has some core improvements to it’s design. The app perform tasks faster than you have previously experienced. It is very very fast, even on 2G.  Along with the new features, Gowalla should provide a better experience for users.  Personally I really enjoy using it to locate friends and places to spend time.  It’s good fun.

If you want to check out Gowalla 2.0 and I recommend you do, head on over to the Android Market and search “Gowalla.”

Let us know what you think!

Source: Gowalla

TechCrunch is reporting that Android 2.2, codenamed “Froyo”,  is going live for the Nexus One.  That’s right folks, it appears to already be on the way!  Get ready Nexus One owners!   If I were you, I would check for an OTA update right now.

Apparenlty, TechCrunch reporter MG Siegler confirmed through pictures that 2.2  has actually rolled out to his device and he says it is very very fast.  As soon as we get more confirmations we will let you know as soon as we can.

Has anyone else seen a system update for Android 2.2 on their Nexus One yet?  If you do, let us know!

Wondering if your new HTC Desire will be getting Android 2.2? Yeah, so are we!  Well, according to HTC if your Android handset was made in 2010, it has a very good chance of seeing the Froyo upgrade (yay!).  The Desire, Droid Incredible, My Touch Slide, HTC Legend, as well as future models are a definite.  When this happens is anyone’s guess, but expect it to occur in the second half of 2010 at the earliest. For those who don’t want to wait you can always root!

Here is a portion of the official HTC statement regarding Froyo upgrades:

[…] 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.

Source: Android Central

In other Android news(can you believe there was actually other Android news today besides Froyo?), the Google Voice app for Android was updated. Last time around, the application received a major message syncing feature, which gave nearly instant notification of SMS.  While, this update isn’t as big, it is definitely still significant.  Google has now given users the ability to turn on and off SMS forwarding from the application, something I have wanted for a while. One great new feature is that now in the notification pull down, it says who the SMS is from, instead of just displaying the  Google Voice app icon like it used to. Overall, the update will make messaging through Google Voice more convenient.  Check it out when you get a chance.

Source: Google Voice

When it comes to watching video on Android handsets, there aren’t too many different options. However, this might all change come Summer.  Why might you ask?  Well, coming in June, MobiTV will debut its video streaming service on Android. According to a report at Androinica, MobiTV will launch this Summer on both the Motorola Droid and Droid Incredible (are you jealous Nexus One owners?).   There is no word yet on whether or not older phones will be supported, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

MobiTV, the company that also powers Sprint TV,  allows users to watch a vast array of content.  Having previously had it on my iPhone, I can tell you first hand that you can watch on-demand video, live channels like ABC News or FOX News, as well as music video streaming channels.   The list is very impressive.

Something of importance to note though is that if Flash is as good as we are hearing, a service like this will be rendered obsolete.  Who would pay for TV on a handset when they could just watch it using Flash for free?  I know I wouldn’t.

Is anyone excited about this? Let us know!

Source: Androinica

Seesmic- one of the most popular social software clients on Android -announced the integration of Google Buzz into Seesmic for Android today.  Users will now be able to manage Google Buzz in Seesmic for Android, as well as Seesmic for Web, Ping.fm, and Seesmic’s preview version of the next generation of Seesmic Desktop.

Seesmic for Android (which is only available to attendees at Google I/O who attend the Seesmic booth but not yet available from the Android Market) allows users to add a Google Buzz account and view, search and post to the personal Buzz feed. It even supports to add comments and likes to streams.  It is very comprehensive.

Seesmic has yet not announced when Seesmic Mobile for Android with Google Buzz support will be available to the public from the Android Market.  Hopefully they do soon.  I for one, can’t wait.

Are you excited about this?  Do you want to see Google Buzz support in Seesmic?  Would you rather see a native Google Buzz app from Google? Let us know!

Source: Unwired

Today, Google announced the acquisition of Global IP Solutions, a move that could lead to native Android video chat.  Are you excited yet? It is possible this video chat(if it becomes a reality) will be integrated in Gmail, Google Talk, or even Google Voice.  It might even become something new altogether.

While this is all very new, check out the video below to get an idea of Global IP Solutions does and can do with Android.  As always, we will bring you more on this as soon as we hear it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: Electronista

Engadget is reporting that the latest version of Android — you know, the one with 450 percent performance improvement and  Flash playback — will, upon updating, guide you to visit a selection of Flash-enabled websites.  In my eyes, this is a direct counter by Adobe and Google of Apple’s list of iPad-ready (aka Flash-free) websites (CBS and NBC that means you!).  If they have something like this planned, I have a feeling that Flash 10.1 will not disappoint, it might just be great.  I am also fully confident this will enrage Steve jobs and the folks over at Cupertino.  What do you think about this planned “Flash exhibit ?”  Are you looking forward to Flash on Android?  Let us know in the comments!

Source: Engadget

Mobileblab is reporting that something very interesting has been found regarding Google’s Smart TV project while searching the Google Patent data base.   What exactly could be so interesting?  Well, according to the database, the new Smart TV will be Android powered, and come with a special Android app store with its own TV applications.  This patent application was filled by Google and Sony for a “network media player with user-generated playback control.” That name sounds a little similar to their latest Android powered TV that should be announced soon.

From what I read, the Android powered TV is planned to be able to bring all your media players into one and allow you to play your movies from cable, satellite, online, and more all in one place. Pretty damn cool if you ask me.

They patents talk of a way users could add their own graphics on top of a recorded videos.

“User-generated overlays can be used to create custom playback of content. For example, a user could overlay a frame image, add a ticket bar, place a logo in the corner of the screen, add a sound track, or perform any other overlay function.”

This information is great, but I still have a lot of questions for Eric and the crew. What do you guys make of these images?

Source:  Mobileblab

As of a now, Evo fans can go into a Best Buy and Radio Shack and preorder the Evo 4G for pickup when the Android superphone launches on June 4.  You will have to go into an actual store to place the order, but the good news is that you’ll get the $199.99 price instantly (provided that you sign up for a two-year contract).  This will mean you actually pay $199.99 the day you purchase it, no sending in anything through the mail for a rebate.

Radio Shack is also offering a free $20 accessories gift card to those customers who put down a $50 deposit.   Sounds like a deal!

So Android fans? Who is getting one?

Source: CNET

If you have an Android Handset and State Farm Insurance, your life just got a little bit easier. Why you might ask? Well, State Farm has released an Android app they refer to as the “Pocket Agent.”  Pictured to the left, the app is one of the most comprehensive insurance company apps I have seen on either the Android or iPhone platforms.  It is just great.

The fully-featured app packs quite a few features into a neat little package. Among other things, the app allows users to submit claims, pay their bill, contact a state farm agent, and locate hotels, gas stations, tow trucks and rental car services using the handset’s GPS.  Overall, the app is very quick and I felt like the features would never end.  It really made me wish I had State Farm Insurance!

Overall, any other insurance companies who are thinking of making their own apps, should use this as a guide.  The bar has been set, so let us hope Progressive and the others can reach it.

For those who do have State Farm we would love to know what you think. Do you use the “Pocket Agent ?”  Let us know in the comments people!

Source: State Farm

Motorola announced it’s Q1 earnings today, with the technology company pulling in more than $5 billion dollars! That’s right, $5 billion dollars!  Its mobile arm brought in $1.6 billion, shipping 8.5 million phones, including 2.3 million Android smartphones.  Nice!  While overall Motorola sold less Android phones this quarter, I think that is still pretty damn good! Good job Moto! Personally, I think next quarter we need less Backflip phones and more Droids!

Source: Motorola

Well, look what we have here! The above HTC Android handset has just passed through the FCC with AT&T 3G bands.  Yippee!  I have got to be honest, I am loving the form factor, looks a lot like an HTC Touch Pro 2.  Typing on an Android version of the Touch Pro 2 makes me drool just thinking about it.  What do you guys think? Nice form factor?  Let us know in the comments!

Source: Android Cenral

Praise the Android Gods, we now have a date for when the HTC Desire will launch on U.S. Cellular!   According to the U.S. Cellular Facebook page, the HTC Desire will be launching sometime in July so get your checkbooks ready. Originally, it was thought the HTC Desire would land on more carriers, but it appears that U.S. Cellular has scored an exclusive.  Honestly, I am kinda surprised this phone didn’t land on one of the “big four.”  So, how many U.S. Cellular customers are excited? Let us know!

Source: Android and Me

The Alex E-Reader has just been rooted!  That’s right, all the goodies that go along with rooting your Android device are now available for your Alex E-Reader as well.  If you are interested in doing this all you need to do is download the .ZIP file, copy it to the root folder of your Alex’s SD card and that’s it. Then, power down your device, press and hold both “Back” and “Next” page buttons, and the power button as well until the Alex logo appears.  After that, presto! Welcome to recovery mode!  Hit both “Back” and “Power” buttons to apply the ZIP file. Let us know how you folks make out if you try it.  With more Android readers on the way, we should see  more of this in the coming months. Can’t wait! Happy hacking everyone.

Source: Ubergizmo