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Refresh Roundup: week of January 16, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
HTC Status review
For many smartphone users, a quality keyboard is the only feature that truly matters. These passionate devotees will proudly live and die with their thumbs blazing, and for of all RIM's recent troubles, it's currently floating on a life preserver: a compelling handset with a portrait QWERTY keyboard doesn't exist for Android. The HTC Status ($50 on contract) attempts to succeed where others have failed, and -- if it's any good -- could entice many BlackBerry-toting teens that want a new handheld fixation. They rarely bother with email, as text messages and Facebook reign supreme for communication. To that end, the Status promotes itself as the perfect phone for Facebook users, but is the integration truly useful, or simply a chintzy add-on? More so, can HTC successfully marry Gingerbread with an upright keyboard? Join us after the break to learn whether we "Like" the HTC Status. %Gallery-128742%
HTC Status hands-on (video)
As you can imagine, AT&T was eager to show off its newly minted HTC Status at its holiday preview event, right up there along with a blue Xperia Play and the HP Touchpad 4G. If you'll recall, the Status is the HTC ChaCha that was announced a few months back, and what makes it stand apart from other Android handsets is a dedicated Facebook button for liking things on these very internets. In AT&T's case, it's also the carrier's first phone running Android 2.3. We're taking one home to review, but in the meantime we couldn't resist giving it the full hands-on treatment. You know the drill: photos below, video and early thoughts past the break. %Gallery-128231%
HTC Status for AT&T announced on Facebook, risks being tagged in embarrassing pics
The HTC Status (formerly known as the ChaChaCha, the ChaCha, and "the Facebook phone that's not a Facebook phone") is inching ever closer to its AT&T debut. It's already been pictured, sashayed its way through the FCC, and now it's been revealed for all the world to see, appropriately enough, on Facebook. As we were already aware this social networking-focused, QWERTY candybar has had its CPU bumped up to 800MHz, but otherwise it's the same Sense and Gingerbread packing device we saw back in February. Unfortunately, all we can tell you is that the Status will land on AT&T shelves at some point -- price and availability are still as much of a mystery as ever. There's some refresher PR after the break.
HTC Status for AT&T finally gets its profile picture
Hello, meet the HTC Status. You may know it from such previous names as the ChaCha, ChaChaCha, or our personal favorite, "the Facebook phone that's not a Facebook phone." None of these titles made it through AT&T's gauntlet, however, and that's a-okay with us -- in fact, given its emphasis on social networking, the new name actually makes much more sense. The pictures above and below (the break) display the phone's AT&T branding, new Facebook button, and rearranged keyboard in the same fashion as the leaked press shot we saw earlier. If there was any doubt that you'll be seeing this device "in a relationship" with store shelves anytime soon, let this assuage your skepticism.
HTC ChaCha boots up for Telus, release date remains a mystery
HTC's Facebook-loving ChaCha may not have sparked the buzz the company's other recent hits have, but if you're rocking a Canadian accent, carry a Jansport, and your day involves mandatory gym class -- we have an inkling this post's for you. Based on the image here from MobileSyrup, the portrait QWERTY with a glowing blue blemish seems to have been caught with its Telus showing. That's right over-sharing neighbors to the north, your Android-running, Sense-wearing 2.6 inch touchscreen dreams are closer to reality -- we're just not sure when. While you're waiting, make sure to double-check the handset's moniker doesn't run afoul of any local pejoratives.
HTC ChaCha seemingly confirmed for AT&T, courtesy of leaked press shot
It got its passport stamped by the FCC just a few days ago, but the HTC ChaCha has apparently donned its AT&T costume and already had a photo shoot to commemorate the occasion. The leaked press shot above shows the same cutesy phone with the logo of its future carrier on top, but look even closer and you'll see a few other minor changes when compared to the European version launched at MWC this year. First, the Facebook button at the bottom of the phone is slightly modified, though we're not sure if this means there'll be any different features or functions to go along with it. In addition, a few other keys have been renamed or rearranged, and the screenshot shows a date of July 17; this could be the planned launch date or mere coincidence, but it's difficult to discern at this point. Our skeptical minds aren't certain this is the real dance yet, but at least the song appears to be next up on the playlist.
HTC's ChaCha shuffles its way through the FCC's clutches with support for AT&T 3G
We know you've all been dreaming of the HTC ChaCha's potential launch on AT&T -- well, okay, maybe not, but we're sure a good handful are for sure -- and if you're lucky, that day could be soon given today's FCC blessing. In case it's slipped your mind, HTC's ChaCha was officially unveiled at Mobile World Congress this year with a 600MHz CPU -- that's been bumped to 800MHz since we first saw it -- a very winsome and useful QWERTY keypad, a cute little dedicated Facebook button, and of course AT&T 3G bands are now on tap. Sadly, while the FCC does reveal test results, interesting photos of labs studded with foam cones, and even device sticker placement, they don't tell us when a device will launch or what it'll ultimately cost. All that good stuff will be hand delivered to you by us, so keep an eye out and we'll let you know the whole story as soon as we do.
HTC ChaCha dances its way onto Vodafone, available now
If you've come to the realization that status updates are far more important than actual phone calls, you're going to be very excited to hear that the HTC ChaCha -- the Facebook phone that's not a "Facebook Phone" -- is now available on Vodafone starting at the low, low cost of zilch. There's not a lot to distinguish this phone from other Sense-powered devices, with the exception of some additional social network functionality integrated into the UI. Oh, and there's that little F button below the keyboard with a light that pulsates anytime you're doing something that could be shared with the entire world. Top it all off with Gingerbread, an HVGA display on a 2.6-inch screen, 512MB RAM, and a 600MHz CPU, and you've got a device that should reasonably handle all your social tendencies. So, boogie on down to the press release after the break or tango over to the source to purchase the ChaCha online.
HTC ChaCha coming to Phones 4u in the UK, free on contract
Didn't think the HTC ChaCha's 2.6-inch screen and dedicated Facebook button were reasons enough to shell out £249.99 off contract? Well, UK friends, you might want to try this on for size. The lilliputian, Gingerbread-powered phone is landing on Phones 4u tomorrow, June 2nd, and will cost nothing -- so long as you sign a two-year agreement. If you'd rather pay as you go, the price will skyrocket to £299.95, at which point you might want to consider buying it through Amazon and saving yourself a precious £50. Given its middle-of-the-road 800MHz processor, we can see where you wouldn't want to pay a flagship-worthy price, though if you've been holding out for an Android 2.3 device and have a penchant for QWERTY keyboards and peeping other people's vacation photos, this could be a sweet deal.
HTC's Facebook phones, ChaCha and Salsa, get Amazon pre-order with June 26th delivery
Feeling the need for a phone with a dedicated Facebook button? HTC's got two to offer you, and now Amazon's UK bureau is ready to take pre-orders for the new Salsa and ChaCha handsets for a June 26th delivery. The ChaCha's equipped with a portrait QWERTY keyboard and a 2.6-inch touchscreen, while the Salsa stretches out to 3.4 inches and eschews the physical keys. Both feature 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 processors and 512MB of RAM, which are used to run Android with Sense laid over the top. The unsubsidized prices are set at £250 ($409) for the ChaCha and £320 ($524) for the Salsa, though we're sure you'll be able to get them without any upfront payments if you're happy to sign your life away to a carrier for the next couple of years.
HTC ChaCha to be known as ChaChaCha in Spain, somebody didn't do enough market research
As it turns out, the word "chacha" is used as a term of disparagement in the Spanish language. Coincidentally, perhaps after somebody hit HTC's marketing genii with a Spanish phrasebook, the HTC ChaCha will hereafter be known as the ChaChaCha in the land of sun, sand and siestas. This follows mobile search engine ChaCha suing for trademark infringement a couple of days ago and serves as an instructive example of why one should do one's market research before deciding to use one's internal codenames as retail product nomenclature.
ChaCha sues HTC for Facebook phone trademark infringement
Facebook phone rumors were swirling for quite awhile, then HTC answered a question that seemingly nobody asked by delivering unto the world a phone with a dedicated Facebook button... the ChaCha. In what can only be considered a stroke of luck for all of humanity, the Taiwanese handset maker has been granted the opportunity to rectify its naming gaffe courtesy of a trademark infringement suit brought by ChaCha Inc. That company trademarked its name and logo in 2007 for its text and voice internet search engine services and is (rightfully) displeased with the HTC's choice of names for its Facebook-focused handset. ChaCha doesn't want mobile users thinking that it's endorsed the phone, and given that the company's bread and butter is providing mobile search, such confusion seems likely. ChaCha is asking for money damages and a permanent injunction to prevent the phone from going to market with its name. That's just fine with us -- if only the courts could grant an injunction to remove that Facebook button.
HTC Incredible S, Desire S, and Wildfire S video hands-on
Okay, by now you've likely seen most if not all of HTC's monstrous MWC 2011 launch (HTC Incredible S, Desire S, and Wildfire S), but we'd be remiss in our duties if we didn't complete the video tours. Sadly the HTC Salsa and ChaCha weren't ready to play just yet -- the software isn't quite ready for primetime -- so they had to remain behind a safe layer of glass. We did, however, get a quick overview of each of the S devices mentioned above and have some pretty galleries of them, too. So enjoy the show. %Gallery-116704% %Gallery-116698% %Gallery-116703%
HTC Salsa and Chacha bring the dedicated Facebook button to Android (update: eyes-on)
Yes folks, the leaks were for real, HTC really is bringing out a pair of new handsets adorned with a dedicated, delicately illustrated Facebook key front and (almost) center. HTC is very careful not to call its Salsa -- a 3.4-inch, 480 x 320 touchscreen device -- and portrait QWERTY-sporting ChaCha "Facebook phones," however Mark Z's highly successful social network is indeed the focus around which both are built. The OS is Android 2.4 underneath, however the Sense customizations have taken on an extra few tweaks and functions to accommodate a Facebook-centric lifestyle. That royal blue button is context-aware, with a pulsating light surrounding it any time there's an opportunity to share whatever you're doing with the phone through Facebook. A good example of that is you can long-press the F key to automatically check in with the social mothership. In terms of specs, you're looking at a lot of common components between these two. There's a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 -- which didn't seem to struggle unduly with basic functions during our quick play around with the Salsa -- 512MB of both RAM and ROM, a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, and a VGA front-facing cam. The resolution on the ChaCha is 480 x 320 as well, which should provide decent pixel density on that 2.6-inch screen. Both are expected to launch globally before the end of Q2 2011, at pricing points above the newly announced Wildfire S, but below the similarly fresh Desire S and Incredible S handsets. Hands-on photography by Sean Cooper. %Gallery-116715% %Gallery-116718%
Introducing Monster Hunter 3's 'Chacha'
All right, Monster Hunter 3. You got us. We are officially enchanted.This Claymation-style trailer, introducing the new "Chacha" creature, is one of the cutest things we've seen in some time, and definitely the cutest thing we've seen in a long time about hunting and killing large animals.Apparently, just like in the video, the Chacha will follow you underwater, and has a special "dance" attack. In the video, the "dance" appeared to summon a large monster, but we aren't sure if that's what it really does in-game.As much as we enjoy looking at this Monster Hunter stuff, we must still note that the game hasn't been officially dated for North America yet. Please, Capcom? And if it wouldn't be too much trouble, we'd like it in bundle form as well. Thanks!