Mereja

Author: Taylor Wimberly

  • Contest: Review an app, win a superphone

    Update: Changed rules to accept entries from all countries.

    Did you know this site gets over one million visits per month? With all that traffic comes a ton of requests for Android app reviews and there is no way for us to keep up. You might have noticed we added several contributors to help out (and they are doing a great job), but the time has come to hire two senior editors for reviews.

    Clark is currently working on coding our new site and he is building a huge bucket. We need more content to fill that bucket up and Android app reviews will play an enhanced role after the redesign.

    We could have put up a generic call-for-help type of post, but in traditional site fashion we are turning this into a contest with prizes. Starting today, we will begin an open tryout that will last all month.

    The Positions

    We are looking for two editors who will be solely responsible for reviewing apps. One will focus on applications while the other is in charge of games. Each position will be part time and come with a contract for a monthly rate.

    Requirements for the job include:

    • An Android phone (any will do really, but something with Android 1.6 or greater preferred)
    • The ability to capture screens from your phone (it is not that hard)
    • The ability to author a WordPress post (we can teach you)
    • 10-15 spare hours each month

    Responsibilities include:

    • Author five original reviews per month (minimum goal)
    • Edit and publish reviews that other contributors submit
    • Managing the new application and game hubs

    The Review Format

    Our goal is to keep the reviews short and compact.

    Each review should contain the following:

    • Body of the review: 200-300 words – more is acceptable when needed.
    • “Pros” and “needs improvement” lists (name will change): Short bullet list of the positive and negative points about the app. If there are no negative points, you can also substitute suggestions for improvements or additions you would like to see.
    • Special notes: Does the app require a certain version of Android?
    • Final verdict: Quick 1-2 sentence summary of the entire review. We are not using a points system to rate apps at this time. Is it worth the price? Should I maybe try it out? Or just avoid it all together?
    • Gallery: 3-5 screenshots

    Optional content for reviews:

    • What is next?: Do some research and find out what updates are in store for the app or game. Many Android apps are constantly changing with new features and improvements being added.
    • Video: Search YouTube and find a video of the app. Many devs record their own demos and upload them for promotional purposes.

    The Rules

    The contest (aka public tryout) will run for the entire month of April. At the end of the month we will select the two people who submitted the best reviews. Multiple submissions are encouraged. Entries will be judged on the overall quality of the reviews and the responses generated from our readers.

    • Contest runs from April 1-30. Winners will be selected at the beginning of May.
    • Open to previous and current contributors along with anyone else who wants to apply.
    • Looking for reviewers in the United States since many new Android apps are U.S. only, but we will accept entries from any country.
    • Not all reviews will be published. If you do not meet the requirements, we will reject your review and explain why.
    • Each review that is published on the site will gain you entry into the contest. Users can submit multiple reviews during the contest period.
    • I have no problem with users reposting their reviews on their own personal blog, but please respect a 48 hr exclusive for our site.

    All rules are subject to change. If I left something off or need to clarify an issue, the rules will be updated.

    How to Enter

    Author an original review and send it to reviews (at) androidandme.com

    Include a short bio if you would like to write for the site. Please follow the above review format. Screenshots can be attached to the email. Please leave images in their original PNG format.

    The Prizes

    Each winner gets to choose any Android smartphone they want that is available on a U.S. carrier. If the user is from another country they must find an online vendor we can purchase the phone from or be able to accept PayPal. Keep in mind the contest does not end till the end of April so the phone purchases will be made in May. Hopefully, several new phones should be available by that time. If there is no phone the winner wants at the time, they can opt to wait or accept a $500 cash prize.

    Each winner will receive:

    • Android phone of their choice
    • Invitation for a paid position with A&M

    Help us review the reviewers

    Check out the tag reviewcontest to follow all the entries that are submitted. Let us know which ones you like by leaving your input on the review pages.

    Questions?

    I wanted to get this started today, so I might have left off some details in my rush to post this. If something needs to be clarified, please leave a comment and I will do my best to address it.

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  • HTC Incredible on order at Verizon warehouse

    The last rumor we heard about the HTC Incredible was it would arrive in two weeks. We predicted Verizon would announce the phone at CTIA, but the show came and went with no Android-related news from the nation’s largest carrier.

    Almost two weeks to the day since the last rumor, someone who “knows a guy” that works in a Verizon warehouse has leaked some inventory screens which claim the Incredible is on order for over 150k units. The source claims the product has actually been delivered, but they have not received it into their system.

    In a former life I managed a CompUSA (RIP) warehouse and have a history with retail inventory systems. Normally “on order” means just that, but sometimes transactions didn’t post in our system till the day after we received the purchase order. Either way, it is a positive sign to see the initial shipment of phones is in the system (received or not).

    I’m a little amazed more information has not leaked out, but several different sources still expect the Incredible to land in Verizon stores later this month. We already know the Nexus One is also coming soon, so it will be interesting to see which phone launches first. Both devices should be spec’d and priced in the same ballpark, but the Incredible will offer HTC’s Sense UI while the N1 features stock Android.

    The Incredible is expected to his stores this month.

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  • Google removing language barriers between the species

    Google’s Reto Meier hinted the London Android team was working on a “pretty incredible” app and now we have learned the details. Available now on the Android Market, Translate for Animals bridges the gap between humans and animals by using the power of Google Search to generate cross-species translations. Current translations are available many species including cat, dog, bird, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, tortoise, horse, chicken, sheep, donkey, and pig. Look for more animals to be added in a future update.

    From Android Market: Recognizes and transcribes words and phrases that are common to an animal species. To develop the app, we worked closely with many of the world’s top language synthesis teams, and with leaders in the field of animal cognitive linguistics, including senior fellows at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

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  • Confirmed: No multitouch for Xperia X10

    Yesterday we ran a story which claimed the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 would never support multitouch because of a hardware limitation. The source of the information was a comment left on the official Sony Ericsson Product Blog, but we still had a hard time believing the news. How could a company leave out multitouch support from their high-end Android phone?

    We contacted Sony Ericsson to clarify the issue and received the following response.

    “It is correct that the X10 will not support multi-touch. However with the X10’s signature applications, the X10 offers an excellent user experience.”Sony Ericsson spokesperson

    Although brief, I guess that settles the issue. The X10 will not support multitouch (ever).

    Also still in question – will a United States carrier actually launch this phone? We still don’t know the answer, but I think the chances just got a little slimmer.

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  • Watch the Sprint EVO 4G demonstration

    You might have read our report on the highlights of the HTC EVO 4G and now you can watch Sprint’s presentation from CTIA. The new videos from Sprint are a continuation of the EVO 4G announcement and demonstrate several of the new features of the phone. Watch as Sprint’s Kevin Packingham and Fared Adib provide a quick run down of YouTube HQ, video out via HDMI, streaming with QIK, and mobile hotspot.

    Which feature of the EVO 4G are you looking forward to the most?

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  • On demand: Android and Me Show Ep 008

    Every Wednesday at 2PM CT (3 PM ET / 12 PM PT) we broadcast live, spilling all the latest Android news and rumors for your benefit. We’ve been averaging around 400 of you listening live each week and the chat room has really been picking up speed. If you’d like to join us, come to our BlogTalkRadio page later today to listen, chat, or call in: http://blogtalkradio.com/androidandme.

    Show Notes

    Manually installing Android 2.1 for the Droid – Droid finally does updates! After months of waiting users can manually install Android 2.1. We’ll take a look at the process and the new features you’ll gain from an upgrade.

    Live wallpaper roundup – Along with 2.1 comes live wallpapers so we’ll take a look back at some of our favorite animated home screens. Join us in the chat and sound off! We want to know if we’ve missed anything noteworthy.

    Google TV – New details emerge about the upcoming Android-powered Google TV. We will cover everything that is known about the service and talk about possible features we would like to see.

    Samsung Galaxy S to include the fastest GPU – The Galaxy S may have been eclipsed last week with all the attention the EVO was pulling, but as the dust settles comes new info about the GPU. The Hummingbird chip is boasting 3X the power of a Snapdragon, and that’s got us excited.

    Galaxy S vs EVO 4G – The superphone battle royale has been underway for a while now but things are really starting to heat up. The EVO 4G and the Galaxy S both have a lot going for them, we’ll break down who’s got what and how much of it.

    No multitouch in Xperia X10 – The coolest phone you’ve been waiting on for what seems like an eternity just got a bit less cool. The Xperia will likely never have multitouch because of a hardware limitation.

    AT&T Dell Aero – Engadget got some hands on time with the Dell Aero and found it doesn’t have Google Apps. We’ll discuss the what a lack of Google Apps will do to a phone and want to hear from you guys in the chat.

    Download of the week: Asphalt 5 – New 3D racing king? Asphalt 5 has graphics, speed, polish, the whole package.

    http://blogtalkradio.com/androidandme

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  • New doubleTwist integrates Android Market

    DoubleTwist has always been our favorite program to easily convert all types of media for our Android phones and the service continues to add new features all the time. The latest update for doubleTwist (Mac only for now, PC coming soon) now includes a fully integrated Android Market to allow users to search for apps. Unfortunately, application syncing is not yet supported and users will have to scan QR codes to download apps.

    Anyone can browse the doubleTwist Android Market online in addition to their new podcast search engine.

    From doubleTwist:  We’ve integrated the Android Market into doubleTwist to help users search, browse and discover new apps. The launch of the doubleTwist Android Market finally brings Android on an equal footing with the iPhone by enabling users to discover apps and view ratings and comments without being limited by the small screen real estate of their phone. With the Android Market integration doubleTwist ties together apps, music, photos, videos and podcasts for Android users.

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  • How to manually install Android 2.1 for Droid

    Starting today, Verizon will begin rolling out the Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Droid. Only 10,000 users should receive the OTA update on the first day, but anyone can manually install it in a few simple steps.

    Update: This is the official update file that is being sent out over the air. You can wait a week to get it from Verizon or you can download it from Google now and install it today. This update is only intended for the Verizon Motorola Droid.

    We already know how to manually flash an update and we are only waiting on the official download link to be discovered. As soon as someone sends me the link, I will verify it works on my Droid and then share it with everyone else.

    For complete details and benefits of the Android 2.1 update, see the official Verizon support page.

    To manually install Android 2.1 on the Verizon Droid, perform the following steps:

    1. Download the official Android 2.1 firmware from: Android 2.1 (ESE81)
    2. Copy the file to your microSD card and name it update.zip (newb warning: not update.zip.zip)
    3. Power off your phone. Hold down the “X” button on the physical keyboard and power it back on to boot into recovery mode.
    4. When you see the “/!\” symbol, press volume up and the camera button to display the recovery options.
    5. Use the d-pad to navigate to “apply sdcard:update.zip” and select it.
    6. When you see “Install from sdcard complete”, select “reboot system now”.
    7. …
    8. Profit?

    Having problems? Leave a comment or start a thread in our forums for help.

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  • Panasonic says Google TV sets will be expensive

    What kind of hardware does it take to run an Android-powered Google TV?

    Panasonic has decided to pass on Android TV’s for now because they claim it would “require processing power that adds too much to the cost of the set”. The hardware they are referring to is likely the Intel Atom chipsets that Sony has chosen for their internet-connected TVs.

    Android is an open source operating system, but manufacturers still have to meet a minimum set of requirements (in order to maintain a consistent user experience) before Google will bless the device with its full suites of services.

    This is a significant win for Intel because Android has been dominated by ARM-based processors since its debut. We have previously reported that Android could run on Intel’s Moorestown, but that platform probably will not ship in a significant volume this year (although I hope I’m wrong about that).

    It looks like customers will still be able to access Google TV services with a non-Android TV. Dish Network is said to be testing a set top box which runs Android. Blu-ray players are also candidates for Google TV.

    Rounding out the hardware partners will be Logitech, who will provide a remote accessory with a tiny keyboard. If Logitech goes all out with their remote (accelerometer, microphone, touchpad, etc.), Google TV sets could become viable gamimg consoles. Google already has the Android Market to sell apps and games so we expect it will make an appearance on the TV too.

    What crazy ideas would you like to see on your Google TV service?

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  • X10 gives multitouch fans the finger, 2 not supported

    I am having a hard time believing this, but SlashGear is reporting that the Xperia X10 will never support multitouch. We already expected the device to ship with Android 1.6, but Sony Ericsson is planning to update the firmware to Android 2.1 (which includes the multitouch APIs). ‘

    Unfortunately, even Android 2.1 will not add multitouch functionality to the X10. It appears the X10 suffers from a hardware limitation and will only allow input from a single finger.

    “I don’t have any technical details around the screen to share, sorry! – However I have now gotten confirmation on the question of multi touch. As said earlier there’s no multitouch in X10 – and I also can confirm that it’s not only related to SW but also to HW. Despite this, for future updates of X10 we are of course working on other solutions for e.g. zooming, which has been requested frequently on this blog, such has the solution demoed on X10 mini.”Rikard SkogbergSony Ericsson

    Instead of the intuitive pinch zoom we have come to expect in the Browser, Gallery, and Maps, Sony Ericsson has created their own zoom shortcuts. Users can long press a zoom area and then slide their finger up and down to zoom. A quick demonstration of this zoom method was captured on video for all to see (about 1:15 mark).

    It is nice to see Sony Ericsson implement new zoom solutions, but we are still a little saddened by this news. If a U.S. carrier ever decides to pick this phone up, the lack of multitouch will really hurt the X10 reviews.

    Is multitouch support really that important to everyone? Or do we no longer care about the subject?

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  • Cricket Wireless to launch first Android phone in July

    Boy Genius Report has posted some leaked slides which reveal Cricket’s 2010 device lineup. Among the new devices is the Kyocera Zio, which will be the carrier’s first Android smartphone. The Kyocera Zio is targeted for a June 2010 release with a retail price of $299.

    Most of our readers probably don’t pay any attention to Cricket Wireless, but the carrier recently reached a roaming agreement with Sprint to provide nationwide coverage in all 50 states.

    Cricket is positioning itself as T-Mobile’s chief rival and is going after the larger carrier in print and radio ads. The carrier now claims a coverage area 277 million people, which is 9 million more than T-Mobile. Cricket is also marketing their unlimited plans at half the cost of T-Mobile.

    It will be interesting to see what rate plans Cricket offers for their smartphone lineup because they have some of the best values in the industry right now. Cricket customers can currently get unlimited talk, text, and web for only $35 per month (no contract required).

    They might not offer the fastest Android phones, but it looks like Cricket really could deliver the cheapest unlimited 3G smartphone value. Any takers?

    The Kyocera Zio.

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  • Confirmed: Droid 2.1 update arriving today

    After months of waiting, this finally looks like the real deal. Verizon informed their employees the Droid OTA update for Android 2.1 would begin today and several users have already reported receiving it. Both Droid Life and Phandroid have user pics of the new Android 2.1 firmware (Build ESE81) freshly installed.

    As long as the original time line stands, another 9,000 users will receive the update at midnight. A 24-hour dark period will follow tomorrow and then 200,000 users per day should see the update starting April 1.

    Look for the manual install instructions once the official download link for the update is discovered.

    Below is the software-upgrade notification schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time):

    • At noon on 03/30, 1,000 users will receive notification of the update.
    • At 11:59 PM on 03/30, 9,000 more users will receive the update notification.
    • After the first 10,000 users receive the update on 03/30, there will be a 24-hour period when no additional upgrades will be delivered.
    • On Day 3 (04/01), 200,000 users will receive the update notification at 11:59 PM. This schedule will continue each day thereafter until the update has been delivered to all users.

    ESE81 is the final build number for the new Android 2.1 update.

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  • Fennec gets compiled for the Motorola Milestone

    We previously saw Mozilla developers port Fennec (Firefox for mobile) to the Droid and now a German developer has compiled and released a semi-working version. Anyone with a Droid (or Milestone) can grab the package and install it, but you might want to watch the video below before you spend your time setting it up. The app takes up 40 MB and the user interface is very sluggish, so don’t get too excited yet.

    Mozilla recently dropped Windows phone support for Firefox mobile and hopes to have at least a public beta by late 2010.

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  • Verizon begins new test of Motorola Droid OTA update to Android 2.1

    The Motorola Droid OTA update to Android 2.1 has been delayed more times than we care to dig up. We had been speculating that Motorola was dealing with some distribution issues, but it appears they made some unknown fixes at the last moment.

    The build number that Verizon originally intended to rollout (ESE53) has been replaced with a newer version (ESE81). We have no word of what changes were made because Verizon is still listing the same benefits of the update on their support site.

    Engadget has posted an internal Verizon email which states a small test of 1,000 users will begin today. If that round of updates is successful, then 9,000 more users should expect the update tonight. This is similar to the earlier schedule we saw leak, but all the dates have been updated.

    If everything goes according to plan (cross your fingers), the majority of Droid owners should see this update hit their phones late this week.

    Below is the software-upgrade notification schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time):

    • At noon on 03/30, 1,000 users will receive notification of the update.
    • At 11:59 PM on 03/30, 9,000 more users will receive the update notification.
    • After the first 10,000 users receive the update on 03/30, there will be a 24-hour period when no additional upgrades will be delivered.
    • On Day 3 (04/01), 200,000 users will receive the update notification at 11:59 PM. This schedule will continue each day thereafter until the update has been delivered to all users.

    If this update hits your phone today, please let us know.

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  • 5 reasons to wait for the Samsung Galaxy S

    We originally overlooked the Samsung Galaxy S when it was announced because everyone was focused on the Sprint EVO 4G unveiling. After the hype finally settled down, we realized the Galaxy S has the specs to turn heads and it definitely deserved a closer look. After reading all the passionate comments on 7 reasons to choose the EVO 4G, we decided to highlight some exclusive features of the Galaxy S and give you a few reasons to hold out for this Android phone.

    1. Super AMOLED display

    The Galaxy S features a 4 inch Super AMOLED display.

    The EVO 4G offers a larger display at 4.3 inch, but we are more excited about Samsung’s Super AMOLED screen. This new technology offers a super bright picture that consumes less energy than a traditional display. The only major knock on AMOLED displays is their visibility in direct sunlight, but Samsung says they addressed this issue with their Super AMOLED technology.

    The main advantages of Samsung’s Super AMOLED vs traditional AMOLED:

    • 20% brighter
    • 80% less sunlight reflection
    • 20% more battery life

    At 4 inches big, the Samsung Galaxy S features the largest Super AMOLED display available.

    2. Internal storage of 8 or 16 GB

    This message makes me sad.

    Some people went nuts when we posted the rumored specs for HTC’s Incredible which showed the device might come with more than the traditional 512 MB of internal storage space we normally see on Android phones. The EVO 4G improved in this area with its 1 GB ROM and the Galaxy S now raises the bar with16 GB of internal storage. Customers who purchase the Galaxy S will not have to worry about running low on space after installing a handful of apps.

    3. Fastest Android phone announced

    The Samsung S5PC110 chipset is codenamed Hummingbird.

    There is still some controversy about the actual chipsets included inside the Galaxy S (because they were left off the official press release), but Samsung is claiming it will be the fastest Android phone. Samsung’s Omar Khan said the device would have three times the graphical processing power of the Snapdragon platform (which powers the Nexus One and EVO 4G).

    “There is no faster processor in the market. It processes a staggering 90 million triangles per second, which is more than three times more powerful than leading smartphones in the industry.”Omar KhanSamsung Mobile

    We are still awaiting official confirmation from Samsung, but all signs point to the S5PC110 “Hummingbird” chipset being used in the Galaxy S. This application processor was jointly developed with Intrinsity and they claim it is the world’s fastest Cortex-A8 based processor. The S5PC110 combines a 45 nm Cortex-A8 core with a dedicated PowerVR SGX graphics processing unit (believed to be the SGX540).

    Also left off Samsung’s press release is the amount of RAM used in the Galaxy S. I have read conflicting reports of 256 MB or 512 MB and we are still awaiting confirmation.

    4. Thinnest Android phone

    The Galaxy S is only 9.9 mm thick.

    Those people who complained the EVO 4G might be too large will enjoy the slim form factor of the Galaxy S. The phone measures just 9.9 mm deep, which Samsung claims is the thinnest touchscreen smartphone. Samsung was able to achieve this slim size thanks to the Super AMOLED display.

    5. Improved battery life

    The S5PC110 processor uses a 45 nm low power fabrication process.

    The EVO 4G and Galaxy S both use the same size 1500 mAh battery, but Samsung has some technical advantages which should help their device last longer.

    The Super AMOLED display offers 20% more battery life vs a traditional AMOLED display (like the N1) and even more power savings over the older TFT display of the EVO 4G.

    Most CPUs in Android phones still use the 65nm production process, but Samsung has already made the move to 45 nm. I’m no expert on CPU architecture, but smaller transistors draw fewer watts and the 45 nm die size should offer lower power consumption.

    Reasons to skip the Samsung Galaxy S

    The Super AMOLED display and faster GPU might be enough to win some over, but I’m sure many people will be sitting on the fence until we have more concrete details on this device.

    A few of the reasons to pass on the Galaxy S and keep dreaming about the EVO 4G include:

    • S Life / TouchWiz 3.0: We don’t know enough about Samsung’s custom UI for Android 2.1. The last time we saw TouchWiz on an Android phone (Behold II), reviewers outright rejected it.
    • 5 MP Camera, no HDMI out: Megapixels are not everything, but the EVO 4G does have an 8 MP camera. We will have to wait and for some hands on time to see which camera comes out on top. The Galaxy S allows media sharing over WiFi (DLNA), but it does not have a mini HDMI port like the EVO 4G.
    • No United States carrier yet: Samsung said the device is coming to the U.S. later this year, but we do not have an official carrier yet. The EVO 4G should hit the market first and users could be left waiting awhile on the Galaxy S.
    • No 4G: The Samsung Galaxy S supports HSDPA 7.2 for 3G data and that is it. I don’t know if anyone cares about “4G” data yet, but now that the EVO has it we are going to measure other phones against it.

    How do you think the two phones stack up? Is it more important to have a faster network (4G WiMax) or go with the best display (Super AMOLED)?

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  • Disappointment: Engadget goes hands on with AT&T Dell Aero

    We feared the worst last week when Dell announced the Android-powered Aero for AT&T, but would not let anyone in the media film an actual working device. What were they hiding?

    According to Engadget, the Dell Aero was missing Gmail, Google Maps, and Android Market. We already know AT&T plans to lockdown their Android phones, but it was a shocker to read the carrier might actually remove Google’s app store.

    Thankfully an AT&T spokesperson was quick to point out to Engadget that the final device will ship with the Android Market. No word was given on the other Google apps, but Google is beginning to place more of their native Android apps in the Market so users can still download them.

    Engadget reports that the Aero is definitely loaded with AT&T bloatware which the user is unable to remove and they feel Dell wants to turn this device into a glorified feature phone.

    Another notable feature is the combination of the back and home keys into a single button located on the side of the device. Users must long press for home and short press for back.

    Some people have complained that Android is too complex for beginners, so maybe AT&T is intentionally dumbing down their Android phones to attract the feature phone crowed who are intimidated by smartphones.

    Check out the video and let us know what you think of the Dell Aero’s UI.

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  • MyTouch Fender LE announces comeback tour

    T-Mobile told us the myTouch Fender phone would be available in limited quantities, but we were a little surprise when the phone sold out within three weeks of its launch. If you missed out on this collectors edition Android phone the first time, TmoNews is reporting another shipment should be hitting T-Mobile as early as tomorrow. This is likely the last shipment of these phones so grab one quick before they are gone.

    The device is still shipping with Android 1.6, but T-Mobile has already said users can expect Android 2.1 this spring.

    A new shipment of Fender phones should be in stores tomorrow.

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  • T-Mobile begins testing for Motorola CLIQ 1.4.8 update

    Motorola and T-Mobile began testing a new OTA update for the CLIQ tonight. Insert bad Droid Does pun.

    TmoNews is reporting that 1000 lucky users got the update and a broader rollout will begin after monitoring feedback from the initial push. The latest CLIQ software update is version 1.4.8. which Motorola says adds improvements to the phone’s battery, touchscreen, and Bluetooth functionality. Unfortunately the operating system firmware remains at Android 1.5, but Motorola is still planning a move to Android 2.1 come Q2 2010.

    If you would like to try and grab the update early, monitor this thread on the official T-Mobile forums for instructions.

    The 1.4.8 software update for Motorola CLIQ provides several fixes to known issues along with the following enhancements:

    • Improved battery life
    • Improved software performance and stability
    • Improved home screen
    • Improved widget response
    • Decrease in ‘Force Close’ error messages
    • Added support of .WMA and .WAV media files

    Note: This is not the Android 2.1 upgrade.

    For a detailed list of changes, please see the official release notes from Motorola.

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  • Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 could receive Android 2.1 for U.S. launch

    The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 was announced so long ago that most people have became bored of waiting and set their sites on newer, faster Android phones. We originally thought the X10 would land on AT&T or T-Mobile, but neither carrier has made any announcements on the device.

    Now that newer Android phones have launched to market, the Xperia X10 looks to be aging with its outdated Android 1.6 firmware. Sony Ericsson was trying to tell us the version of Android didn’t really matter by pushing the customizations they added to the phone (like Mediascape and Timescape), but we know better.

    Sony Ericsson finally wised up and said Android 2.1 would be coming to the X10, but it would not be available till the second half of the year after launch.

    So where do we stand now? Review units are being passed around to some of the blogs, but no U.S. launch date is in site. Considering their current lineup, we still believe AT&T and T-Mobile would like to carry the high-end phone in their stores.

    Gizmodo was one of those lucky sites to receive a demo unit and they decided not to review it.

    The reason? Sony Ericsson confirmed the phone is coming in Q2 2010 (presumably to the U.S.) with a “muchly updated OS”. They did not specifically say which version of the firmware it will include, but Android 2.1 is the next logical step after 1.6.

    The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 with Android 2.1 on AT&T or T-Mobile. Would you buy it?

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  • Motorola Devour now available in Verizon stores

    Best Buy shoppers got an early start, but the Motorola Devour is now available in your local Verizon store. The Motorola Devour retails for $479.99 at full retail price or $249.99 with 2 year contract (plus $100 mail in rebate). Customers who shop at Verizon’s online store will find the Devour priced at $149.99 with 2 year contract.

    We just received our Devour this week and shared our initial impressions in a video post. A full review is coming soon, so if you have any additional comments about the Devour just leave a comment.

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