Category Archives: Android
Virgin Mobile Wants to Sell Only Vanilla Android Devices
With all the different customized versions of Android running around, its easy to forget that there is a “stock” Android experience. That experience is hard to come by and phones with it are far and few between. Only Nexus devices and a couple of recent phones on T-mobile really give you plain vanilla version of Android. Most carriers could care less, except Virgin Mobile. They are committed to delivering ”vanilla” Android phones. In a statement made to PCMag.com a Virgin Mobile Spokesperson said
“Virgin Mobile USA aims to make available devices that allow the end user to have the freedom to customize the device to their liking. We like to take a consistent approach with our Android portfolio and so we prefer to have the true Android experience loaded on all our Android phones.”
From [PCMag via Android Community]
HTC Announces OpenSense Developer SDK
Sense is much more than just a skin for HTC, it has developed into it’s own platform. HTC is looking toward developers to take Sense to the next level by opening up an SDK (software development kit) for devs to create apps and plugins within the Sense framework. Think about the Picasa or Flickr plugins for the gallery or the skins that easily change the entire look of your device. Now think of what developers can do with, hopefully, open access to a bunch of APIs and the framework of Sense. HTC has opened up the developer portal and is requesting formation, but they have not released the SDK yet. I am really looking forward to what devs come up with.
“OpenSense SDK. It’s just the beginning. The HTC OpenSense SDK will allow developers to harness software and hardware innovations on HTC phones to develop more deeply integrated mobile apps and experiences. Altogether, you’ll have access to documentation, sample code, APIs and more importantly, the support and inspiration of the HTCdev community.”
Via [HTCdev.com]
HTC Evo 4G Getting Gingerbread OTA June 6th or Manually June 3rd
All you Evo owners out there are about to get a tasty treat this month. On June 6th Sprint will begin rolling out the 2.3 Gingerbread update to handsets over the air (OTA). To those that want to get the update ASAP, on June 3rd grab your phone and hit home screen/Menu/Settings/System updates/HTC software Update to initiate the upgrade manually.
“HTC EVO™ 4G from Sprint will receive the Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, update through an over-the-air maintenance release beginning on Monday, June 6.
Sprint will send update notifications to users in waves. The notification will let users know the update is available and provide the simple two-step, over-the-air download instructions.
Users will receive a notification that Android 2.3 is available for download.
Once the user has downloaded the update, they will be prompted to install the update. The user will be notified that their device will be disabled during the installation process. The phone will be ready to use once the process completes.
Can’t Wait Until June 6?
For those who just can’t wait to get Android 2.3, there will be an easy user initiated option to download the upgrade starting on Friday, June 3. To access the update – from the home screen/Menu/Settings/System updates/HTC software Update. This will initiate the upgrade process.
The software release upgrades HTC EVO 4G to Android 2.3, Gingerbread. This version of Android improves download management through the Downloads application, offering the user easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email or another application. It also fixes the devices ability to stream media through certain applications for the device.
Gingerbread restores HTC EVO 4G’s ability to sync multiple Gmail™ accounts, display email attachments in the email client and fixes battery discharge issues.”
HTC will no longer lock down bootloaders
Today on HTC’s Facebook page Peter Chou, the CEO of HTC made a statement that from this date forward HTC will release phones with unlocked bootloaders. This comes as welcome news to those who enjoy customizing their Android phones. Hopefully this will prompt other manufacturers to take the same path.
“There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we’ve listened. Today, I’m confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience,” Peter Chou, CEO of HTC
[Facebook]
Guru Inspection: HTC Thunderbolt Review
The HTC Thunderbolt is the first US phone to have real deal 4G by way of Verizon’s LTE network. Although it packs the latest network technolgy, the Thunderbolt has a steep moutain to climb. It is going up against phones with dual core processors, better screen technology, and of course Verizon’s own iPhone 4. Does the Thunderbolt have what it takes to make it rain in the club, or is it a mild drizzle? Find out in this Guru Inspection.
