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Hulu Plus Android app is now playing on Evo 4G, Thunderbolt, myTouch 4G and G2
Last month Hulu Plus finally arrived on Android however support was unfortunately limited to just six devices, but tonight the official blog has announced the count has reached double digits. Four HTC phones are on the list -- the Evo 4G, Thunderbolt, myTouch 4G and G2 -- bringing the total to ten models supported, featuring a mix of first and second gen Snapdragon chips clocked at varying speeds. Given shared architecture with some phones already on the list it's not clear why these had to wait, but Senior Product Manager Lonn Lee is quick to point out that the streaming video site isn't done yet. Even as it's on the auction block, there's at least some chance to pick up disgruntled Netflix subscribers and adding a few underserved handsets is as good a way as any to reach out.
T-Mobile G2 quietly discontinued, Z-Hinge's future remains unclear
We'd had some indication that the T-Mobile G2 was nearing end of life status, and it looks like that inevitable milestone has already come to pass. According to TmoNews, the HTC-built device was officially discontinued by T-Mobile on June 6th, no doubt in an effort to make a bit a bit of room in the carrier's QWERTY slider lineup for the likes of the MyTouch 4G Slide. Of course, existing G2 users do still have some good news to look forward to -- namely, a Gingerbread upgrade that should breath a bit of new life into their crazy-hinged handset.
T-Mobile G2 not long for this world, per leaked document
We'd like to think that good phones -- like soldiers -- don't die, they just fade away, solemn and proud, with a faint tear rolling down the cameraside cheek. This appears to be the case for T-Mobile's G2, which seems content to quietly disappear as younger and fresher handsets are prepped to take its place in the near future. It's no longer anywhere to be found on the carrier's site, and a leaked document (shown above) has surfaced that mentions the phone's inevitable demise. If the G2 is truly nearing EOL status, we suspect T-Mobile is ditching it to make room for newer QWERTY Android phones like the MyTouch 4G Slide. Regardless, if you have any inkling to get the G2 before it completes the path to obscurity, now would be an ideal time to lace up the running shoes.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 ups the interchangeable lens ante with fancy new touchscreen
Right on schedule, Panasonic's gone and made its thinly-veiled Lumix DMC-G3 Micro Four Thirds shooter official. The camera succeeds the G2 with a 16 megapixel sensor, support for 1080p AVCHD video recording with stereo audio, 4fps burst shooting at full resolution, and an articulating, 3-inch touchscreen that supplants some of the dials adorning the last-gen model. In addition to poking around menus, you can touch that display to focus on your subject, and slide your finger to tweak exposure, white balance, and depth of field -- all in all, not unlike how you might interact with a smartphone camera. And, at 11.8 ounces, the aluminum-clad body weighs about ten percent less than its predecessor. Look for it in June for $700 in brown, red, and white -- in addition to your garden-variety black. In the market for something more compact? Panny also trotted out the Lumix-FH7, a 16 megapixel point-and-shoot with 4x optical zoom and 720p movie recording. Oodles of photos below with a press release after the break. %Gallery-123430% %Gallery-123421%
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 leaked, expected to launch tomorrow
Panasonic is rumored to be launching the Lumix DMC-G3 tomorrow, the update to its Micro Four Thirds G2. According to 43 Rumors, the new cam will be 25 percent smaller than its predecessor, and will include a 15.8 megapixel sensor and a 3-inch articulating LCD. Overall, the camera appears to have a very similar form factor to the G2, but scraps the left dial, presumably shifting those controls to the touch-enabled display. The site lists the launch rumor at its highest accuracy level (think DHS threat levels, but for camera rumors), so they're pretty sure we'll have all the details come tomorrow morning.
HTC says Gingerbread coming to T-Mobile's G2, exactly when remains a mystery
We wouldn't blame you if you'd snatched up T-Mobile's G2 citing quick Android upgrades as motivation. Given HTC's reputation and the phone's nearly stock build, a timely Gingerbread release seemed likely following the introduction of the halo device. In a cruel maneuver only bound to heighten anticipation, an HTC spokesperson confirmed with Computer World that Google's spicy treat is coming to G2 owners -- just not quite yet. We're told to expect the update this quarter (which means anytime between today and June), and while readers were rather accepting of some upgrade latency in our "How would you change..." segment from December, we're well aware of the growing clamor. The manufacturer wasn't specific on version numbers, so we're left hoping this great wait brings the 2.4 variant of Gingerbread. It never hurts to be optimistic, right?
Visualized: the HTC keyboard slider family
Clockwise from the top left, that's the Sprint Arrive, the likely-for-Verizon Merge, the Sprint Evo Shift 4G, and the T-Mobile G2. If we had to rate them, we'd say the Arrive has the best key feel, followed by the Merge, the Evo Shift, and finally the cramped G2 -- although the super cheap-feeling hinge on the Evo Shift knocks off several points. We'd also say the physical keys on the G2 feel better than the mushy keys on the Merge, but the G2's cramped layout doesn't do it any favors. In any event, picking one of these is a pretty great problem to have, don't you think?
T-Mobile bumps myTouch 4G, G2 prices to $250
It started as a leak on TmoNews earlier today, and T-Mobile's now made it official -- the carrier is bumping the prices of both the T-Mobile G2 and MyTouch 4G from $200 to $250 on a two-year contract (with no mail-in rebate). That, of course, follows the T-Mobile's little "mistake" last week with its pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S 4G, which was first listed at $150 before being changed to $200 a few days later. A number of other more inexpensive phones have also seen some minor prices changes -- hit up the link below for the complete rundown on those.
Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts
One big sticking point for those still unwilling to embrace the eco-friendly credentials of electric vehicles is the undeniable fact that building an EV costs plenty in terms of resource and energy use. Hoping to counter this concern, Genovation is working on developing a new G2 electric car (the G1 was a Ford Focus modified with off-the-shelf parts to run on batteries), which will try to maximize the use of renewable and recycled materials in its construction. It's just completed the first phase of its development, where quarter-size models have been built by Tata Technologies and a bunch of simulations, analyses, and performance tests have been run. Phases two and three will involve the building of functional prototypes and pre-production road vehicles, with phase four presumably being the onset of our sustainable living utopia.
T-Mobile G2 free on contract for a limited time, Android buyers have never had it so good
Want one of the best Android handsets around, equipped with a dandy keyboard and some pseudo-4G internet connectivity? Taking the leap into Google's mobile world just became that little bit easier as T-Mobile has decided to strip off the last remaining $50 on its G2 contract price and set it loose for free on two-year deals. This will be a quite familiar sight to our European readers, but premier Android handsets rarely, if ever, occupy such sweet price points in the US. Let's hope it's a harbinger of happy things to come. [Thanks, Dani S] Update: This pricing is only valid between now and January 20th, so if you want in, better do it soon.
HTC Media Link DLNA streamer review
Apple's AirPlay might be getting all the attention lately but it's hardly the first solution for wirelessly streaming media to the television. Far from it. In 2003, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) formed with its first set of interoperable products hitting the market in 2004. Since then, the alliance has certified thousands of products supported by more than 245 member companies, 29 of whom are listed as "promoter members" including such heavyweights as Sony, Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Verizon, AT&T Lab, LG, Qualcomm, Cisco, Microsoft, Panasonic, Intel, HP, and Motorola. Pretty much everyone but Apple. Recently, HTC joined the DLNA ranks with the introduction of two smartphones -- the Desire Z and Desire HD -- and a tiny media streamer known as the HTC Media Link, HTC's first attempt to gain a foothold in the living room. Over the last week we've been testing the Desire Z (a Eurofied T-Mobile G2) with the Media Link, lazily streaming video, music, and images around the house using a myriad of sources and controllers from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and Western Digital. How did it perform? Click through to find out. %Gallery-112218%
Radio Shack selling $99 EVO 4Gs with a trade-in, $80 myTouch 4Gs (update)
Hey, EVO admirer: got a crappy phone you wouldn't mind seeing disappear? You might want to consider bringing it down to Radio Shack, where a new promo running through Christmas will net you a shiny new EVO 4G for $99 on contract if you bring in "any working handset," which should presumably include that dirt-encrusted StarTAC that's stuck in that no-man's land between "usable" and "collectible." From an article over on TmoNews, looks like they're also hawking you're choice of a myTouch 4G or G2 or $79.99 on contract if T-Mobile's more to your liking than Sprint (or if you don't have WiMAX coverage in your neck of the woods). Even better, any new activation will apparently get you a free Bluetooth headset, so you'll walk out of the store with a shiny new smartphone and a reason to keep it off your greasy face. Score! Update: Did we say you needed a trade-in? You may be able to keep that StarTAC in the display case if you buy online, as we're seeing the same magical $99 price for an EVO 4G at Radio Shack's website. It comes with a Plantronics Explorer 240 and free shipping, too. Find it at our more coverage link. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
How would you change the T-Mobile G2?
Outside of the Nexus One (and recently-launched Nexus S, of course), T-Mobile's G2 is about as close as one can get to stock build of Android. 'Course, it's now a point release behind Gingerbread, but we're hoping that'll be remedied in short order. Outside of that, we're curious to know how you'd change the slip-sliding Android phone if given the schematics and the ability to start over from scratch. By and large, we felt that HTC nailed the design, but of course, everyone's capable of seeing things in a slightly different light. What would you tweak about the G2 if given the choice? Change up the keyboard? Offer it on AT&T or a CDMA carrier? Throw in a row of LEDs along the left edge, just for kicks? All (reasonable) ideas are welcome in comments below -- you never know who'll be tuning in.
T-Mobile drops the G2 to $50 on contract, really wants you to buy one
Pretty self-explanatory really: the T-Mobile G2 is now available to buy for a measly 50 greenbacks from its carrier's online store. It's a web-only deal, but it's sweetened by free overnight delivery for anyone ordering before the 20th of December. So, $50 and two years of your wireless freedom in exchange for a phone capable of exploiting T-Mobile's HSPA+ network and offering an almost stock Android experience? Decisions, decisions.
HTC Desire Z review
HTC's come a long way since its first ever portrait QWERTY slider phone Blue Angel (O2 xda IIs, Vodafone v1620, Sprint PPC6600, etc.) circa 2004, the legacy of which is carried by the TyTN, Touch Pro, G1, myTouch 3G Slide, and many more sliders albeit in landscape form. The cumulative phone-building expertise leads us to the Desire Z, which is probably better known as the European alter ego of the T-Mobile G2 (which we've already reviewed). The difference? As far as hardware goes, the two Androids are practically identical twins; but for software, the AWS-free Desire Z comes tattooed with HTC's Sense UI, and packs a handful of extra goodies. So will this phone trump its American cousin? Read on to find out. %Gallery-106469%
Panasonic and Pentax pack a pair of pickled firmware updates, DMC-G2 gets 3D, K-5 better bursting
Well, lookie here, a couple of little firmware files have wandered into our midst. Panasonic gets credit for the most interesting with its 1.11 update for the DMC-G2, offering a "performance enhancement," an improved AE lock that holds even when using the touch shutter, and support for the new H-FT012 lens we recently played with -- the one that adds a third dimension to your otherwise 2D shooter. Pentax, meanwhile, has a 1.01 update for its K-5 that will let you capture 20 RAW images in a burst, which a lot more than the eight it can grab currently. Then there's "improved stability for general performance such as exposure range on HyP mode," which sounds awful nice too. Both are available now, so mosey those SD cards on over and click on through.
T-Mobile G2 overclocked to 1.9GHz, in danger of going critical
If you dream of turning your shiny new G2 into a hot, molten mess of plastic, aluminum, epoxy, and shattered dreams, attempting to clock it faster than your laptop is a solid start. A new kernel floating around xda-developers pegs the G2 at a mind-numbing 1.9GHz, nearly two and a half times over the processor's stock speed of 800MHz. The developer says "it gets a little warm," which may very well mean it will leave you with third-degree burns all over your hand, face, and / or outer thigh, depending on where the phone happens to be. But yeah, we kid... hopefully. [Image via EZGrill]
Windows Phone 7 beats iPhone 4 and Android ... in a grilling contest (video)
Let's face it, it's a question the world's been dying to know the answer to: which of the T-Mobile G2, HTC Surround and iPhone 4 will withstand a (literal) grilling the longest? Well, just in time for a mildly singed breakfast today, we have the answer. As you might have surmised from the title, HTC's WP7-equipped Surround showed the most endurance, though in the end it too cashed out its Earthly credits and moved on to that great scrapyard in the sky. Video of its final moments awaits after the break.
T-Mobile G2 gets a permanent, honest-to-goodness root
You can slow 'em down, HTC... but you can't stop 'em. That's the message that xda-developers is sending loud and clear today on news that the T-Mobile G2 has graduated from a temporary root solution to a permanent one, despite HTC's attempt to lock it down tight in hardware. Interestingly, the solution involves starting with the already-tried-and-true temporary root and applying a few additional steps; as always, you want to be careful with these sorts of things, but we've no doubt there are thousands of G2 owners out there who've already beaten us to the punch. Let us know how it goes, won't you? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile G2 WiFi calling and tethering update begins rolling out today?
Get ready G2 owners because it looks like an OTA update will begin distribution on November 3rd (yes, that's today) to flip the switch on WiFi tethering and T-Mobile's WiFi Calling for Android feature. The anticipated update lets G2 owners make voices calls and send SMS messages from WiFi networks without a femtocell thus conserving their monthly contractual network allotments -- something that could prove very beneficial at home. It also includes WiFi hotspot tethering (a native part of the Android 2.2 Froyo OS) although T-Mobile won't have data plans ready at the same time. In other words, enjoy your free WiFi tethering while it lasts.
