Engadget app updates: BlackBerry Storm is a go, Android widget fix is in!

Hey everyone -- a few quick updates for you on the Engadget apps. Firstly, for everyone who has been waiting for it (and we know you have), we now have a BlackBerry Storm-compatible version for you, which you can go and download right here. Thanks for your patience with the wait! Secondly, as a lot of you know we updated our Android app yesterday and were having some widget issues. That problem has been resolved and an update is now available in the Market. You can find a QR code for the app right here on our download page if you're too busy to click your icon. That's all for now -- thanks!

[BrianlikeshisMoment Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:27PM]

@JerryE, because that would be to easy!

[ilh Posted Apr 14th 2010 1:48PM]

So what's the sync rate on the widget? I see no settings to change it and don't want it to sync every 2 minutes.

One thing I have noticed is that the widget still continues cycling the headlines when the widget is not visible, even when the phone is locked. It should not do anything when it is not visible like the HTC news widget, otherwise it's just wasting battery life for no reason.

It needs a sync setting and to stop cycling when it's not visible, then it'll stay on my home screen.

[ilh Posted Apr 14th 2010 1:52PM]

@ilh
Another thing, the widget doesn't seem to keep up to date with the actual app so if the app gets updated posts, the widget doesn't get updated too...do they not use the same Content Provider?

[KungFuHamster Posted Apr 14th 2010 2:19PM]

Not fixed for me. :(

[NYC_ROCK Posted Apr 14th 2010 2:49PM]

Jeez guys. The android app force closes half the time. WTF is with your quality control? How can I downgrade back to the non widget version?

[m4ryv Posted Apr 16th 2010 2:31PM]

@NYC_ROCK settings>applications>manage>uninstall updates.

[palomosan Posted Apr 14th 2010 2:57PM]

Nice update, what's next, make the widget bigger, thanks.

[Punchdrunkbrian Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:46PM]

Thanks and all, but as others have pointed out there's no support for reading comments from the app. That and I like seeing more than just the title of the article, I need pictures to catch my eye. I am a Storm owner, right? I must need visual stimulation.

[MarcO Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:00PM]

Why no support for lower resolution Android phones ? 320x240 is not supported... That sucks.

[Ops Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:18PM]

iPad app requested also

[rav97 Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:22PM]

Bug report: the widget doesn't restart the application if it has been terminated by the system (for example, to make room for other running apps that needed the ram)
How to replicate:
1) install the Engadget widget on your desktop
2) kill the Engadget app (either by using a task killer application, or by going into Settings>Applications>Manage applications>Engadget and pressing Force stop)
3) tap on the Engadget widget
The desired behavior is for the widget to (re-)start the application, instead a dialog appears with "Sorry! - The application Engadget (process com.aol.mobile.engadget) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again." appears, and you have to FC. By contrast, other applications widgets like the Android 2.1 Weather & News widget or WeatherBug correctly restart the app when it's not running. Please fix this. Thanks.

[BrianlikeshisMoment Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:34PM]

1. Why is everyone bitching? I mean come on its a work in progress.
2. Is it really that hard to just use your browser?

[dano272 Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:55PM]

A UI suggestion. The share button on the android ui is usually a circle with two arrows.

[Dreads34 Posted Apr 14th 2010 5:06PM]

For Zune HD?

[Troll feeder Posted Apr 14th 2010 5:18PM]

Okay, i didn't even realize the new version of the android app was always running (says foreground) until i started getting force close errors on the home screen. Uninstalled.

[tsheets Posted Apr 14th 2010 5:32PM]

Anyone else (Storm/Storm2 users) have issues with battery drain?

I noticed My Storm2 getting warmer than usual and found the battery at 5% after installing this earlier today. I can usually go 2 days between charges and started at full this AM.

[HTCMatt Posted Apr 14th 2010 9:44PM]

DinoBerry

[DJ Posted Apr 15th 2010 12:02AM]

To the people having force close issues with the Engadget app, try clearing your cache.

Go to settings>Manage applications>Engadget and click the clear cache button. If you're running the ROM manager app also try the permission fix. After that reboot.

I did that and for the last few hours I've had no force closes, and have fully closed and reopened the app at least 5 times. Before doing this it would crash every other time I opened the app.

[monkeyzero Posted Apr 15th 2010 1:56PM]

Engadget App Update: Android widget is worse than before! Download now to endure unlimited frustration!
UNINSTALLED