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Refresh Roundup: week of September 5, 2011

Brad Molen — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST

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!

Official Android updates

Verizon was spitting out new refreshes left and right this week, as we saw Gingerbread begin to roll out as OTA downloads on the Motorola Droid 3, HTC Droid Incredible, and -- get this -- even the Motorola Droid 2 R2-D2 edition. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Interestingly enough, Android 2.3 for the Droid 2 Global was already getting pushed out, but was pulled just a couple days later after a Microsoft Exchange encryption issue was discovered. We've been told the updates will resume "soon." [via Droid-Life]
Finally, Verizon also pushed out one other software upgrade -- this time on its 4510L LTE MiFi. (Thanks, Matt)
HTC continues to expand its bootloader unlock tool to more phones, region by region. This week the company enabled support for the EVO 3D in Canada and Europe. [via Phandroid]

Unofficial Android updates / custom ROMs / misc hackery

The Motorola Droid 3 and Droid X both now have access to an SBF -- System Boot File -- to act as a safeguard for anyone who manages to brick their phones. [via Droid-Life (1) and (2)]
Recently we heard about the Honeycomb ROM for the HTC Flyer getting leaked by MoDaCo, but no screenshots were available at the time. This week, however, someone successfully grabbed a few images to share with the world (shown in the above image). The ROM appears to run on Android 3.2 with HTC Sense 1.1 for tablets as the featured UI. [via AndroidBugle -- thanks, Dennis]
Let's talk a little more about leaked Sense ROMs. We've already seen Sense 3.5 working on the Desire HD, and now we have another device to add to the list: the EVO 4G. [via XDA]
The first kernel for unlocked bootloaders on the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is now waiting for your download, so head over to the link for instructions. [via XDA]
If you've been waiting and hoping for CyanogenMod 7 on your HTC Sensation or EVO 3D so you can shed the Sense UI, that time may be very close at hand. According to a member of the CyanogenMod team, an early alpha build for both devices may be available by the end of this weekend, so keep an eye out. [via Phandroid]

Other platforms

Two new unofficial ROMs -- one for Windows Phone Mango and another for NoDo --are now available for the Samsung Omnia 7. The Mango ROM improves the device's radio, camera drivers and motion sensors, in addition to a few other enhancements. [via WPCentral]

Refreshes already covered this week

Vizio rolls out Tablet software update, promises performance boosts aplenty

Refresh Roundup: week of September 5, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition lands September 30 for $249

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:20:00 EST

Just how badly do you want Star Wars branding on your Droid 2, eh? You'd better want it bad, because Verizon has just announced that it'll be charging $249 for the privilege of owning an R2-D2 Limited Edition -- with a $100 mail-in rebate on contract, which means that you'll actually be paying $350 up front. Then again, for that dinero you get not just the funky-looking phone but a Star Wars-themed dock and a box custom-designed to look like carbonite (Harrison Ford not included, we presume). You'll also get a variety of custom live wallpapers, sounds, photos, widgets, and a "binoculars app," which we imagine is some sort of digital zoom tool. Conspicuously missing is any sort of indication that this features the rumored 1.2GHz processor from the also-rumored Droid 2 World Edition, so the wait for that news continues. CTIA next week, perhaps.

On a related note, other Verizon customers with Android 2.1 (and higher) devices will be able to access a special Empire Strikes Back app and related content for a one-time charge of $2.99, which will include a trivia app to test your muster as a George Lucas fangirl or fanboy. Meanwhile, look for the phone to go live on this Thursday, September 30. Follow the break for the full press release and a couple more pics!

Continue reading Verizon Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition lands September 30 for $249

Verizon Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition lands September 30 for $249 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit makes emergency landing

Darren Murph — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:32:00 EST

It's getting awful close now, eh? Merely hours after hearing that Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kits were splashing down in select Verizon Wireless locations, in flies a foursome of images proving as much. Of course, we still can't promise you that these fellows will be available for the taking a moment before the 30th of September, but if you know someone at Big Red, at least there's a chance he / she may be able to get you a sneak peek starting now. Or, you know, you could just peek the gallery below.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Gallery: Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit

Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit makes emergency landing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 R2-D2 edition dummy units force-arriving at Verizon retail?

Ross Miller — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:20:00 EST

The little astromech smartphone that could (pilfer your wallet) is now touching down in at least one Verizon Wireless store, according to spy shots via Boy Genius Report. The Motorola Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit contains just a dummy unit, not an extremely well-put together little Droid, so you won't find any lightspeed animation contained within. Still, if it's the faceplate you want see up close and personal, looks like you might get a chance at just that a tinge earlier than September 30th.

Droid 2 R2-D2 edition dummy units force-arriving at Verizon retail? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed

Donald Melanson — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:32:00 EST

Not willing to wait for the genuine R2-D2 edition Droid 2 later this month? Then it looks like you can now get the next best thing -- the Star Wars-themed boot animation and live wallpapers from the phone have already been dug out from the recently leaked ROM and made available for download. Those include the Millennium Falcon flying through an asteroid field, the always exciting jump to lightspeed, an interactive R2-D2, and everyone's favorite: the space slug. Head on past the break for a pair of videos, and hit up the links below to check out the rest (and download them).

Continue reading Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed

Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid R2-D2 gets docked -- not in a X-Wing

Ross Miller — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:55:00 EST

Verizon's teaser site for the Droid 2 R2-D2 edition has been teasing a series of locked spokes, accessible by all as soon as anyone in the community solves the "puzzle." We don't know exactly what the magic code was, but regardless, thanks to David H. yesterday, we've got a new gallery of devices pics and -- oh, lookie -- a special edition Droid R2-D2 dock. We don't see room for a hyperdrive anywhere, nor wings, proton torpedos, or a cockpit for future Jedi to blast orbital space stations. So, let's just call it a vacation home for astromechs needing a respite.

Update: As a number of you have pointed out, it's "proton" torpedo in Star Wars canon, and "Jedi" is already plural. We're left with two options here: total retcon the scope of which would put midi-chlorians to further shame, or just fixing the copy. We'll let ya know what we decide.

Gallery: Droid 2 R2-D2 edition dock

Droid R2-D2 gets docked -- not in a X-Wing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid Pro is the global Droid 2: the evidence grows

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:13:00 EST

We'd reported before our belief that the rumored Droid Pro is nothing more than the dual-mode version of the Droid 2, but the question remained: knowing that the Droid 2 has a model code of A955, what the heck is the difference between the model codes A956 and A957 that have been showing up in Verizon's systems? Looks like we might have some clarification on that question this afternoon thanks to a new shot clearly calling out the A957 as the R2-D2 version of the Droid 2 that's launching late next month. What does that mean? Well, it means that if the Droid Pro is a separate product with insane specs, it hasn't shown up in any screen shots and we don't have a model code for it. Our original tipster was pretty insistent that Verizon didn't have any product on its 2010 phone roadmap with crazier specs than the Droid X -- and besting it inside of six months would seem like an awful business move anyway -- so now, the only question seems to be whether Big Red will go with the "Droid 2 World Edition" or "Droid Pro" branding when this thing launches in the coming weeks.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Droid Pro is the global Droid 2: the evidence grows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 R2-D2 edition coming September 30

Nilay Patel — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:46:00 EST

Looks like Verizon and Motorola have finally come clean with the release dates on that sweet Droid 2 R2-D2 edition -- a poster next to that demo unit at the Star Wars-themed Celebration V convention in Orlando says it's due to arrive on September 30. Unfortunately there's no word on how much more this thing will cost over the regular Droid 2, but hey -- Artoo's worth it, right? Check a couple more high-res shots at the source link.

Droid 2 R2-D2 edition coming September 30 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 R2-D2 edition spied in the wild, ready to repair your X-wing

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:16:00 EST

If you compare this shot of the bespoke R2-D2 Droid 2 to the background of Verizon's teaser site (inset), you can see this is almost certainly the genuine article -- and we knew that Verizon intended to intro this thing at the Star Wars-themed Celebration V conference kicking off today, so this is all making a lot of sense. We admit, we were kind of hoping for a graphic that was a little more... you know, R2-D2-shaped, but when it comes to astromech-themed gear, we'll take what we can get.

[Thanks, Brian D.]

Droid 2 R2-D2 edition spied in the wild, ready to repair your X-wing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola's Droid 2 in the wild, looking as blue as ever

Darren Murph — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:44:00 EST

And that, folks, is our first in the wild look at Motorola's second generation Droid. It's not officially supposed to hit retail until tomorrow, but that obviously hasn't stopped a delivery truck from unloading a few at a nondescript Sam's Club. We're still waiting to hear back on whether or not they're actually being allowed out of the store today, but hey, tomorrow ain't too far away.

P.S. - Nice Sony Ericsson mat.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Motorola's Droid 2 in the wild, looking as blue as ever originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Droid 2 (and R2-D2 edition!) finally official: Android 2.2, Swype, $200 on contract

Darren Murph — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST

All together now: "Finally!" At long last, the leaks are being plugged by none other than Verizon itself, who today confirmed that the Droid 2 is more than just a figment of everyone's imagination. Shortly after hamstringing the Froyo update for the original Droid, Big Red is tossing a tempting upgrade all up in your grille, as the Droid 2 ships with Android 2.2, mobile hotspot (a $20 / month add-on), Flash Player 10.1 and a revised QWERTY keyboard. It also ships with Swype pre-installed, though we'd prefer Swiftkey thrown in for good measure. You already know the specs by now -- a 3.7-inch multitouch display, 5 megapixel camera, DLNA streaming, 8GB of onboard memory and a 8GB microSD card -- but what you haven't known is the on sale date. VZW is putting this gem up for pre-sale tomorrow at $199.99 on a 2-year contract, with in-store availability locked for Thursday.

In other news, that R2-D2 edition Droid 2 we told you about last month is legit, and we're having a hard time containing our excitement just dreaming about the design. Said phone will be available online only in September, and it'll ship with "exclusive Star Wars content and external hardware designed to look like the trusty Droid from the film saga." We're guessing these will sell out in no time flat, but there's no price being divulged just yet. Oh, and if you're wondering how on Earth you're going to swing this upgrade, Verizon's allowing any customer with a contract ending by December 31, 2010 to upgrade now (to any other smartphone, including the Droid 2) sans penalty. Sheesh guys, you shouldn't have!

Update: The R2-D2 edition portal has gone live. And yes, if you click this link, you will hear R2-D2 say "Droid!" Too bad there aren't any images of the handset, though. Thanks, Eric!

Gallery: Motorola Droid 2 on Verizon Wireless

Continue reading Motorola Droid 2 (and R2-D2 edition!) finally official: Android 2.2, Swype, $200 on contract

Motorola Droid 2 (and R2-D2 edition!) finally official: Android 2.2, Swype, $200 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 launching as soon as August 12, embraces Star Wars roots with R2-D2 edition

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:24:00 EST

Ready to have your mind blown? Good, then sit down for a moment: we're hearing from a trusted source that the thoroughly-leaked Motorola Droid 2 for Verizon will be launching on August 12 -- although it seems to be something of a soft launch, because marketing efforts aren't scheduled to kick in until a week and a half later on the 23rd. What's even more interesting, though, is that there'll be a Star Wars edition of the phone launching with a white R2-D2 on the back. For the record, this isn't the first time Verizon has toyed with the Droid line's Star Wars origins; Motorola actually had to license the name from Lucasfilm, and to promote the original phone, Big Red sent around remote-control Artoos last year to various media outlets. What we don't know is whether the special edition will be launching at the same time as the stock version -- so if the plain-vanilla Droid 2 comes out first, that might automatically make the decision of which to buy for some folks. What about you?

[Thanks, RBF]

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Droid 2 launching as soon as August 12, embraces Star Wars roots with R2-D2 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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