Portable Electronics Ltd // Technology you can carry.

Android Central is reporting that a new Froyo build for the Droid Incredible has recently been outed into the wild.  Now you Incredible owners don't have to wait for rumors to come true to have some Froyo goodness on your handset.

Here is a link to the XDA Forum thread giving instruction on how to flash and install the ROM.  Let us know your experience with installing and using it!  Open Source Community FTW!

Froyo Build for Droid Incredible Leaked originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

Logitech continues to gear up for the launch of their Google TV companion box, the Revue, as they released two new teaser videos and announced the nine finalist of their lofts contest. Our friend the TV with legs is back once again in a series of creepy videos that try to depict how much he is neglected. We are still waiting on an official release date and pricing information for the Revue, but we know Google TV will launch this fall and companion boxes could debut around $300. Videos after the jump.

From Logitech.com:

“Q: What’s the big deal about Revue?

A: First of all, it’s Google TV – so you get seamless search and access to content anywhere on the Web, from your satellite or cable provider, even some compatible DVRs. Secondly, our companion box has our Logitech Harmony technology built in – so you’ll have integration with your home-entertainment system. Third – we’ll be making a variety of options available right away, including video calling and a variety of controllers – even a Logitech smart-phone app — and even more stuff we can’t talk about.”

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• Logitech Revue: Meet the world’s first Google TV box
• Logitech sees Google TV as an emerging gaming opportunity
• Logitech Revue is coming [Teaser]
• Logitech Revue clears the FCC with new details revealed
• Google TV – An Overview

Here in just a few days, all of the major wireless carriers in the United States will have launched their own versions of the Samsung Galaxy S device. All of them, except Verizon. In all honesty, it probably makes sense that Verizon hasn’t launched the Fascinate yet, simply because they’ve been putting a lot of backing on their Droid line of Android-powered handsets, and off setting that with the launch of the Fascinate is probably counter-productive to whatever their game plan is. That being said, it looks like the Super AMOLED-toting device is starting to show up in Verizon warehouses.

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, the leaked images indeed show that the Fascinate is beginning to make an appearance in Verizon-related buildings somewhere out there. The speculation about when the device will launch is certainly picking up now, even if the device still isn’t listed in Verizon’s equipment guide yet. A rumor we had heard a couple of weeks ago pegged the Fascinate as an October launch, but not counting the R2-D2 model Motorola Droid 2, that would mean Verizon would have the entire month of September without an Android device.

So, is the Fascinate going to launch at the beginning of September, or will Verizon take a break this next month, and still launch it in the Halloween month? Anyone’s guess at this point, but hopefully it gets cleared up sooner than later. There’s plenty of people out there waiting for this phone, Verizon.

[via Phandroid]

Pretty standard fare here. With the launch of the second 4G-enabled device, Samsung’s Galaxy S variant called Epic, getting ready launch in just a few days now, it’s no surprise that the user manual has managed to show up online. And sure enough, if you’re into reading brand-spanking-new (as of August 17th, technically) digital PDF files for a phone you don’t quite have yet, here’s your chance.

So far, there doesn’t seem to be anything all that groundbreaking. No word has come from the depths of the community to make us think otherwise, anyway. If you want to take a look at it yourself, you can view it right here [PDF file]. And if you do find something interesting in there, and you want to share it with the world, go ahead and leave a comment below.

[via Android Central]

As usual, there’s plenty of different handsets the Merge could be. It makes it hard to guess when we know about plenty of other devices heading to the market soon enough, and there’s just one out there, without any real defining feature list or images, that alludes us. This month, it’s the Merge. Manufactured by HTC, with a model number ADR6325, the Merge is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

When Phandroid got a tip that the device with the model number and name appeared in a Verizon database somewhere, people got pretty excited. Especially knowing what’s coming to Verizon in their Android line-up later this year, the possibilities for that device to feature a 10MP camera on the back and a bunch of other goodies, while launching on the largest wireless carrier here in the United States is pretty exciting. That being said, we still don’t know what it is — a tablet? Maybe. A smartphone/superphone? It’s certainly possible.

Softpedia saw the device pop up again on radar, with the same ADR6325 model number, but this time over at the Global Certification Forum. With it, a few more details were released: this version, at least, is coming with quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, with single band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA at the 2100MHz frequency. That means this one’s heading for Asia or Europe. Or maybe both.

As you might expect, the speculation follows closely. Is this the Asian version of the Desire HD or Desire Z? Or is this something completely different? So many questions, and yet there’s not enough information to tell us any answers quite yet. As many times as this guy has popped up recently, we’re sure it’s only going to pick up the pace, so stay tuned. Something will turn up soon enough.

[via Softpedia]

In February 2009 Arron La launched an app in the Market called Advanced Task Manager (ATM), which at the time was only available for root users and made La on average $500 a month during its first four months. Near the end of that fourth month La was able to make the app available to non-root users which led to a substantial increase in profits averaging approximately $1,900 a month over the next five months.

In November of 2009 La made a free ad-supported version of the app available in the Market running ads served by AdMob and began to see additional profits through that model. While things got off to a rocky start for the ad revenues it quickly turned around and within a few months was competitive with the paid version and in June of this year the profits from the ad-supported version eclipsed those of the paid version.

Last month La made $10,600 from the two versions of ATM with 40% coming from the paid app and 60% from the ad-supported app. The month prior La made $9,400 and is on pace to see a similar total for the month of August. La continues to work full-time for IBM while supporting ATM, but obviously with this level of earnings someone could easily rely on it as their sole source of income.

Beyond the rundown of his earnings La had a number of points regarding the Market that he wanted to share with prospective Android developers; I’ll paraphrase here as La is a bit verbose.

• First as his numbers clearly show Android can serve as a viable revenue stream even if it may not make you independently wealthy overnight. La believes that he would have seen greater profits had he priced his app at something more than 99 cents, but as he was both satisfied with his earnings and had competitors spring up he elected not to do so.

• La stresses that while appearing in the top paid list certainly helped his sales that newer developers shouldn’t just assume they can’t make the list as Google’s algorithm takes into account many factors beyond pure sales.

• La calls out Google Checkout and the Market app as being woefully inadequate as they stand. As many others have pointed out the options for discovery are limited and the availability of Google Checkout in only a little over a dozen countries are real thorns in the sides of Android developers. He is hopeful that these issues will be eased soon by the new Market tweaks that Google mentioned at I/O and the recent news that Paypal may soon be an option for Market purchases.

• Offering the free version of the app with AdMob proved extremely successful for La and if your app is of a type that requires more than just an occasional reference it is an option worthy of your consideration.

• La praises the 24-hour return policy in the Market as he feels it is critical that users feel protected by the Market.

• The piracy issue is a real problem, but one that Google is taking steps to cure and it is not so damaging as to warrant shying away from developing for Android.

If you want to read La’s exact figures or find out a little more about the app you can hit up his blog via the source link below.

To any of the developers out there or those that are considering developing for Android hopefully this will encourage you to keep at it as there is money to be made and with 200,000 new activations a day the opportunities are are only growing.

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• Android Market Paid App Reviews
• Gameloft continues Android Market boycott, offers free HD games trials from online store
• Developers buy out remaining Nexus One stock
• Google hosting event tomorrow to unveil “new mobile features”
• Could launcher spam become a big problem in the Android Market?

Verizon has just pinged us to let us know that DROID owners should expect an OTA update sometime from today, that will allow them to download and install the Adobe Flash Player 10.1 app from the Android Market.  That means access to in-browser Flash animations, videos and games.

You’ll need to be running Android 2.2 in order to install Flash Player 10.1, which Verizon began distributing to owners of the original DROID earlier this month.

“Verizon Wireless has begun pushing an update  today to the DROID by Motorola (introduced November 2009) that will  allow customers to download Adobe Flash 10.1 via Android Market. Flash Player 10.1 provides access to millions of sites  with rich content including animations, casual games, videos, rich internet  applications, audio and much more.”

Personally, I have yet to be tired of hearing about news regarding Samsung's Galaxy Tab.  Unfortunately, our latest offering isn't big news like the teaser site going live, however, we have a bunch of new pictures courtesy of oled-display.net.  There's a picture that reconfirms the Galaxy Tab will come with Android 2.2 Froyo, as well as a few that show off the large display and full web browser.  I am hugely excited to hear more details about this new device and any new pictures that surface immediately have my attention.

What do you guys think? IPad Killer, gimmick, oversized Galaxy S?  Who's looking forward to a release?

New Pictures from the 7 inch Samsung Galaxy-Tab/Pad originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

I think Notion Ink heard your cries of 'vapourware', and have kicked themselves into top gear to get the Adam out and about by the years end. Notion Ink have said on their official blog that they're hoping to have it cleared by the FCC in Oct/Nov so they're then able to sell it to the masses. To also keep people interested, vague pricing details were also stated for the four versions of the Adam that will be sold, all those details after the break.

• Pixel Qi - WiFi ($454)
• Pixel Qi - 3G ($???)
• LCD - WiFi ($???)
• LCD - 3G ($563)

In addition to all this, Notion Ink have started 'Genesis', they're own developer competition to get people developing applications that users would never have thought possible. It's pretty enticing with a prize pool of around $1,000,000. Can't for the Oct/Nov to come around!

Well the time has finally come! At 5pm tonight (August 26th), we will be gathering on the Roof at the Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group to launch the inaugural Twin Cities Android Meetup. We hope you will be able to come out and share a drink or two (or five) with other members of the Android community.

What: Twin Cities Android Meetup

When: TONIGHT, August 26th at 5pm

Where: Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group, 3001 Hennepin Avenue, Uptown, Minneapolis, MN

So tomorrow afternoon head on over to the Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group’s Sky Bar (on the roof) and talk some Android with us. See you there!

UPDATE: If you’re still on the fence as to whether or not you can come, I will have a few minor things to give away to a few lucky attendees. Nothing major, of course, but something nonetheless.

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• Save the Date – August 26th, 2010: Twin Cities Android Meetup/Happy Hour
• Don’t forget: Austin Android meetup tonite!
• HTC Desire HD gets shown off in HD
• Android continues to grow, 200,000 new handsets activated daily
• Q2 report: Android largest smartphone platform in U.S.

A couple of weeks ago I was the first to speculate the T-Mobile G2 would contain Qualcomm’s new MSM7230 CPU, but then several leaks kept suggesting it would be a regular old Snapdragon. Thanks to the G2 software dump we can now confirm the G2 will ship with the newer 1 GHz MSM7230.

So what exactly does the MSM7230 have to offer? We initially labeled it as a budget-Snapdragon since Qualcomm’s press release said it was destined for “mainstream smartphones”, but now it looks like it will offer about the same performance as Samsung’s Hummingbird chip or TI’s OMAP3630.

Based on all the info we can gather the MSM7230 is a 45nm system-on-chip which contains a similar Scorpion CPU as the previous Snapdragon (QSD8x50) matched with an Adreno 205 GPU. The new Adreno 205 offers about 4x the graphics performance of the previous Snapdragon (Adreno 200), which is around the equivalent of a PowerVR SGX535. Support for HSPA+ 14.4 Mbps and HDMI out are other notable features.

The Adreno 205 GPU is also believed to be in the dual-core Qualcomm QSD8672, which first appeared in the HTC Glacier benchmarks that everyone went crazy over. It should offer plenty of power to run all the Gameloft HD titles, but we still expect the GPU inside Samsung’s Hummingbird is a tad faster.

So while the T-Mobile G2 might not break any benchmark records, it should still offer similar performance to the latest Android phones from Motorola and Samsung. When you consider it will be running stock Android 2.2 and support T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network, that might make it the most desired phone when it launches next month (at least until dual-core chips ship).

For an idea of what kind of performance to expect, check out the following video of some early Qualcomm MSM7x30 dev units.

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• Test Android build for the T-Mobile G2 gets leaked
• HTC PC10100 granted FCC certification, could be T-Mobile G2
• Rumored T-Mobile G2 specs and release date leak out
• T-Mobile G2 spotted in the wild
• HTC Vision to be named HTC Desire Z for European launch

We asked our readers to submit questions when we unboxed the Sprint Epic 4G and now we are back with the first round of answers. I’ve only had the device about a week, but it’s pretty obvious the Epic 4G is the best Android phone with a full QWERTY keyboard.

The overall performance is best in class and exactly what we have come to expect from the Galaxy S line of phones. Samsung’s Super AMOLED display still blows me away, the PowerVR GPU is the fastest available and runs the Gameloft HD titles with ease, and the 4G download speeds finally impressed me.

I’ve found some odd quirks in the software (like the browser has its own brightness setting), but I’m having a hard time coming up with any major gripes about the phone. Our only complaint at this point is that the Epic launches with Android 2.1, but Sprint has already stated Android 2.2 is coming soon and I expect we could see it arrive in September.

Initial impressions of the battery performance are positive. I was traveling this weekend and playing with the Epic almost the entire time and it generally feels like it lasted longer than the EVO 4G. I’m saving the detailed battery tests for another post, but my experience with the Galaxy S phones is that they have the longest standby times.

Check out our video below for 15 minutes of Q&A with the Epic 4G (or hit up YouTube for the HD version). Please continue to submit questions and I’ll do my best to address them in the next video.

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• Sprint Epic 4G unboxing video, submit your questions now
• Samsung Galaxy S launches across Europe, landing soon in U.S.
• Sprint Epic 4G delivers fastest download speeds yet
• Sprint Samsung Epic 4G is $249 on August 31st
• Sprint compares new Samsung Epic 4G to EVO 4G

Motorola continues their trend of devices named after NBA stars as details of the Kobe leaked out this week. This mid-range Android phone is headed to AT&T later this year and highlights include a 3.5 inch display, 800 MHz OMAP3 processor, 2 GB internal storage, 512 MB RAM, and 3 megapixel camera.

Early reports indicate the Kobe will ship with Android 2.1 and the Motoblur UI, so this leads us to believe the launch is coming sooner rather than later. Motorola already has several phones with Android 2.2 (Droid and Droid 2), so hopefully an over the air update will hit the Kobe after launch.

Benchmark scores show the Kobe’s performance sits just below the new Droid X and Droid 2. It still has the same PowerVR GPU as the other devices, but the CPU should be clocked a littler slower. For a mid-level device that is pretty impressive and the Kobe will have plenty of power to run Flash Player 10.1 and the best 3D games.

Hit up the source link for a couple more shots of the Kobe.

Rumored specs of the Motorola Kobe (MB520) include:

• 800MHz TI OMAP3 CPU
• PowerVR SGX 530 GPU
• 3.5? display, FWVGA
• 2GB internal storage, 512MB RAM
• 2GB microSD card
• 3 megapixel camera (no flash)
• 802.11 b/g/n wifi

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• Motorola Sage for AT&T gets some blurrycam love – Update:New Photos
• Motorola Backflip on sale now
• Motorola teases MOTOBLUR Super Bowl ad
• Motorola Charm now available
• Motorola, “MOTOBLUR will not be our focus going forward”

Images of the supposed Droid X-esque Motorola Kobe have leaked.  First off, the phone is definitely not Droid x-eque as first thought, but more midrange  As heard earlier, the handset appears to have Motoblur and is going to be launching on AT&T (sigh!).  According to Engadget, the Kobe will also receive an Android 2.2 OTA shortly after release.  I have to say, I really can't stand Motoblur, but these blurry shots show midrange promise. It certainly looks much better than the Backflip. All we can really do though is wait and see though at this point.

Oh, and as soon as we know more about the Kobe, we will update this post. Hit the source link for more images.

Image Source: Engadget

Source: Engadget

Images of Motorola MB520 Kobe Leak Out originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

Marking a device for end of life, especially so early, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t expect future updates from this point on. As usual, an internal document from any company is meant to stay internal, so if you think just because your Droid Incredible is listed here it means it’s over and done with, no worries. You’ve still got some time.

The new document goes through the process of listing all of Verizon’s current generation devices, ranging from BlackBerry’s, and encompassing all of their Android offerings. The Motorola Devour? Despite the fact it actually isn’t even getting an update, it’s still listed here as not going through its death throes until March of next year.

Noteworthy handsets are the HTC Droid Incredible (03/31/20100), the Motorola Droid 2 (03/31/2011), and the Motorola Droid X (03/31/2011). That’s only seven months from now, so while it may not be as long as the original Motorola Droid’s 10 month lifecycle, we’d be willing to bet that that’s going to be a hearty life for the devices. Especially if a slew of new Android-based devices, and tablets, are really coming by early next year.

[via PhoneDog]

Sony Ericsson managed to unveil the Xperia X8 back in June, but the most surprising announcement back then was the fact that it would actually be released in a normal time frame, unlike its bigger cousin, the X10. And while we do hope that SE can manage to officially release the device some time in the third quarter of this year, like they iniitally planned, just because it’s making the rounds in the FCC right now doesn’t mean they’ll make that window.

The X8 isn’t as high-profile a device as the X10, nor will it catch as many eyes as the X10 Mini. While the white handset definitely is striking in its own right. It features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 320×480, and there’s a 600MHz processor tucked under the hood. You get 128MB of RAM, and the real unfortunate part: Android 1.6. You get integrated WiFI, a-GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 3.2MP camera on the back.

There’s no word on what carriers are going to launch the X8, but considering AT&T just announced the Vivaz and already carries the X10, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch of the imagination to think they’d launch the X8, too. As soon as we know more, we’ll pass it along.

[via Gadgetell]

This morning we're excited to announce our first giveaway/competition in partnership with MobiCity, who have kindly donated us an LG Eve to give away to you, our dedicated readers. The LG Eve is a great little device with a full 5 line QWERTY keyboard that is great for sending texts & emails. With full access to the Android Market you'll never run out of games to play or apps to inform you.

Some cool LG Eve features:

• 5 line physical QWERTY keyboard
• 5MP camera w/ flash
• 3" resistive display
• HSDPA/HSUPA 900/2100MHz
• FM Radio
• 2GB microSD
• DivX Playback
• Android 1.5

Hit 'Read More' to see how to enter!

All you have to do to enter is follow two easy steps:

• Twitter
  1. Follow: @Ausdroid & @MobiCity
  2. Tweet: "Retweet this & follow @Ausdroid & @MobiCity for your chance to win an LG Eve - http://bit.ly/c9E9Jc" (without the quotes..)

A winner will be chosen at random (or the most retweeted ) on the 10th of September, so you have just over two weeks to get people retweeting!

Small print: No delivery outside of Australia, not even if you bribe me.

It’s been a little while now since the HTC EVO 4G launched for Sprint. Awhile enough for the phone to be a relative hit for the network, and to leave plenty of customers out there eagerly anticipating the “official” car dock for the device. Well, sure enough, today’s the day that you can finally head into a Sprint store and get your hands on one.

The “car upgrade kit” lets you do all the cool things you’ve wanted to do: put your EVO into it, and use it as a real GPS unit. You can plug your car charger into the dock itself, which connects to the EVO via its micro-USB port, so your phone shouldn’t die while you drive around aimlessly, finding new places you’ve never visited.

However, here’s a few things you should take note of: you can’t access the SD card when the EVO’s plugged into the car dock. It only works in landscape mode (we can’t really see that being a problem), and your phone won’t do data transfers while it’s plugged into the dock, either. Truth be told, we don’t see any of these things being a real issue while you’re driving, because you’re focusing on the road, right? Right?

[via GoodandEvo]

The Motorola Charm finally landed in T-Mobile stores today where it is selling for $79.99 with a 2-year contract or $269.99 at full price. This phone features a unique compact design (some would say inspired by BlackBerry) and includes a 600 MHz OMAP3410 processor, 2.8 inch QVGA display, 512 MB ROM, 512 MB RAM, 3 megapixel camera, QWERTY keypad, and a Backtrack rear touchpad.

Android 2.1 comes installed on the Charm along with the love-it-or-hate-it Motoblur UI. It would have been nice if Motorola could have included Android 2.2, but we heard this device was already delayed once and I’m sure T-Mobile just wanted to get it out the door. Hopefully a future software update will bring Android 2.2 (and Flash Player 10.1) to the Charm, but with the record that Motorola and T-Mobile have you can’t be too sure.

I think it’s safe to say our hardcore audience might laugh the Charm off, but I think it is still a pretty interesting device for the younger crowd. We should have one in house later this week, so we will put it through the paces and see how it performs. In the mean time, check out the hands-on video from our friends at Wirefly.

Want to order your Charm online and save some money? The Android and Me store has it available for FREE with 2-year agreement.

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• Motorola Charm debuts on T-Mobile August 25th for $75
• Motorola unveils its newest Android, the T-Mobile Charm
• Motorola Charm coming soon, price still up in the air
• Motorola, “MOTOBLUR will not be our focus going forward”
• Motoblurry pics of the new mini Droid for Verizon

With the Motorola Droid 2 having launched with 2.2, and the original Motorola Droid having received at least two different OTA updates for Froyo over the last few weeks, there’s plenty of people out there wondering when the Droid Incredible, manufactured by HTC, will get the prodigal update. Considering other HTC devices featuring Sense UI, like Sprint’s EVO 4G, have already received their official update, people are beginning to scratch their head. And after plenty of other rumors, here’s a new one to whet your appetite for at least a little while.

A tipster has suggested to Droid-Life that the Incredible’s update to Froyo is actually coming next week, and will begin its roll out starting September 1st. While an OTA update isn’t specifically mentioned, we can probably safely assume that’s how the update will happen. The source also mentions that the Verizon marketing team is already preparing to start pumping out new Incredible commercials next week, to promote the device’s new features.

Those features include 720p HD video recording, better voice calls, and 3G mobile hotspot. Nothing new, as we’ve heard plenty of those features listed in the past. We’re not looking forward to all the bloatware that’s supposedly coming along for the ride, too, but beggar’s can’t be choosers, we imagine. If this does indeed turn out to be true, we should start seeing leaked documents outlining the update process soon enough, so stay tuned. Though, we don’t think anyone’s going to start holding their breath quite yet.

[via Droid-Life]