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New Swype beta fulfills the Ice Cream Sandwich promise

Edgar Alvarez — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:37:00 EST

It may be here a bit later than the 140-character box promised, but this fresh beta version of your favorite third-party keyboard app brings along a treat you'd been begging for. Swype's latest gift to the early-adopting crowd brings along some much requested Ice Cream Sandwich support. And, although all you Gnex-rockin' folks are getting what you wanted, the beta also adds other bits like accuracy improvements, add-ons with DragonGo! as well as downloadable languages for slates. We figured all that tapping's got you fatigued, so we're hooking you up with a clickable link to the download below.

New Swype beta fulfills the Ice Cream Sandwich promise originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype getting official taste of Ice Cream Sandwich at the month's end

Edgar Alvarez — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:08:00 EST

Global swipers didn't respond well when they were told there'd be no ICS support for their beloved Swype. Although we're sure some of you have cut corners and gone the unofficial route, you'll be happy to know that the third-party keyboard firm's tweeted that official Ice Cream Sandwich support is coming soon -- like, "end-of-month" soon. Swype didn't include an exact date within its 140 character-limited box, so all you proud Galaxy Nexus owners will have to make due with what you've got, or wait a few more weeks to get a legitimate copy.

Swype getting official taste of Ice Cream Sandwich at the month's end originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype gets a new beta, adopts Dragon Dictation for speech to text (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:55:00 EST

Look, either you love or hate Swype -- there's just no two ways about it. Those that can't imagine life without the gesture-based virtual keyboard will probably only fall deeper in amour with it when greeted with the latest beta. Eagle-eyed observers might notice the microphone key in that image above has been replaced with a tiny flame logo that should be familiar to any fan of Nuance's voice-to-text apps. Swype now has Dragon Dictation baked right in -- a development we could have guessed was coming after the October buy out. Check out the epic video after the break for a few more details.

Continue reading Swype gets a new beta, adopts Dragon Dictation for speech to text (video)

Swype gets a new beta, adopts Dragon Dictation for speech to text (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype won't initially be available on Ice Cream Sandwich, but it's in the works

Brad Molen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:16:00 EST

Swipers won't be swiping on Ice Cream Sandwich... at least, not for a while. Swype tweeted the above message, indicating that the third-party keyboard company has its work cut out for it. It appears that Android changed things up this time around, including the way it reports screen resolution -- a crucial element to a keyboard, which naturally would cause a company like Swype a little bit of grief. No timeframe for availability has been set, but don't panic if you have to stick with the stock 'board on your brand new Galaxy Nexus for a spell.

Swype won't initially be available on Ice Cream Sandwich, but it's in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N9 swipes fresh goodies with PR1.1 update, NFC and Swype in tow

Zachary Lutz — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:41:00 EST

Outside of snapping up an even newer handset, N9 users who are looking to score a taste of the very latest from Nokia will uncover a delicious morsel waiting in the form of a software update. Known as PR1.1, the downloadable package adds such refinements as music controls on the lock screen, new status indicators on the standby screen, along with NFC tag support and Swype's renowned keyboard. The crew in Espoo also promises improved multitasking, noise cancellation and faster syncing of Mail for Exchange. Rounding out the list, the camera app has gained color filters for still and motion captures, and as for that option to close apps with a downward swipe -- it's now enabled by default. The update has begun rolling today, which Nokia will be deploying in waves. In other words, if you're not among the early recipients, persistence and patience will likely become your new mantra. Enjoy the freebie, folks.

Nokia N9 swipes fresh goodies with PR1.1 update, NFC and Swype in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson brings Gesture input to Xperia line, gives new meaning to 'Swiper, no swiping!'

Joseph Volpe — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:32:00 EST

Xperia-toting Scandinavians got to claim first dibs on Gingerbread 2.3.4 this past September. But now Sony Ericsson is looking to share that Android update love with owners worldwide. And when that firmware finally hits your handset, don't be surprised to find a pre-installed, Swype-like doppleganger on board. Dubbed "Gesture input," this SE-made mobile keyboard option shamelessly apes its competitor's sweep-to-type implementation for texting, tweeting and general emailing. Anyone who's spent quality time with the finger-dragging solution will know exactly what to expect. A roll call of devices set to get this feature upgrade is listed on the company's blog. So, if you're curious about your place in this upgrade line, check out the source for a little illumination.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson brings Gesture input to Xperia line, gives new meaning to 'Swiper, no swiping!'

Sony Ericsson brings Gesture input to Xperia line, gives new meaning to 'Swiper, no swiping!' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP replaces the Slate 500 with the Slate 2, adds Swype and cuts the starting price to $699

Dana Wollman — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:43:00 EST

Until Microsoft gives Win8 the final seal of approval, the Windows tablet show must go on, right? Right. HP just refreshed its enterprise-friendly, Windows 7-flavored Slate 500 with the Slate 2, and took the opportunity to knock the starting price down a hundred bucks to $699. In terms of design, there's nothing much to see here -- it has the same 8.9-inch tablet and N-Trig DuoSense digitizer that allows for pen input. Only this time, HP added Swype, refreshed the CPU with Intel's Atom Z670 and proffered a smaller 32GB SSD option to appease the IT guys who are going to heavily lock these down anyway. Speaking of security, it also packs TPM circuitry and Computrace Pro for tracking lost or stolen laptops and then deleting the data remotely. It'll be available worldwide this month -- just in time for corporate to buy you a lil' somethin' for the holidays.

Gallery: HP Slate 2

Continue reading HP replaces the Slate 500 with the Slate 2, adds Swype and cuts the starting price to $699

HP replaces the Slate 500 with the Slate 2, adds Swype and cuts the starting price to $699 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nuance reportedly buying Swype for $100 million

Sean Buckley — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:08:00 EST

It's only been about a year since Nuance traced Swype's finger gliding input method with QuickType, but it seems like the firm is ready for the real deal: Michael Arrington says it's nabbing the Seattle-based startup to the tune of $100 million. With competition heating up in the voice command space after Apple's Siri assisted iPhone upgrade, Nuance could be stocking up on more traditional input methods, or at the very least edging out the potential for more competition. There's no word just yet if Swype will replace or fade away in lieu of the firm's own traceable input brand, but we'll be sure to let you know if we hear something official.

Nuance reportedly buying Swype for $100 million originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba announces 7-inch Thrive tablet, we go hands-on (video)

Dana Wollman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST

Toshiba rolls out fix for Thrive tablet's sleep problems

Toshiba's super-thin AT200 tablet running late, not out til next year

ASUS TOUGH 7-inch Honeycomb tablet lands in Japan ready for some corporate abuse

It looks like the AT200 isn't the only Toshiba tablet poised to land in time for the holidays. The company just announced the Thrive 7", a (surprise!) 7-inch version of the original. Like its big brother, it runs on Tegra 2 and packs twin 5 MP / 2 MP cameras, though this time around that textured, rubberized back isn't removable, and the rear-facing camera comes paired with an LED flash. As you'd expect, in exchange for a smaller form factor (0.88 pounds, half an inch thick), you'll be giving up the full-sized ports that made the original so unique. Instead, it offers a more typical selection, including mini-USB and micro-HDMI sockets, a headphone jack, docking connector and a microSD slot. Like pretty much every 7- and 8-incher trickling into the market, it runs Android 3.2, and Toshiba did us the favor of leaving it completely unskinned (it did include Swype as a keyboard option, though). No word yet on pricing or availability, though a Toshiba rep confirmed that 16GB and 32GB models will go on sale by early December with a starting price of "less than $400." How low is Toshiba willing to go? Your guess is good as ours but until then, you can meet us past the break for some early impressions and a short vid, too.

Gallery: Toshiba Thrive 7"

Gallery: Toshiba Thrive 7" hands-on

Continue reading Toshiba announces 7-inch Thrive tablet, we go hands-on (video)

Toshiba announces 7-inch Thrive tablet, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Photon 4G review

Myriam Joire — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST

It's summer, which means the usual deluge of Android handsets is upon us. The Motorola Photon 4G is Sprint's latest specimen, and follows hot on the heels of HTC's somewhat disappointing EVO 3D. Like its stablemate, it's a proper superphone with a dual-core processor, large qHD display, and of course, WiMAX. Instead of trying to wow us with a gimmicky 3D camera, it differentiates itself by being Sprint's first global phone with WiMAX, and as such supports CDMA / EV-DO for North America along with GSM / HSPA for the rest of the world. Motorola further spices things up with a dash of WebTop functionality, something it first introduced on the Atrix 4G. So, is the Photon just the smartphone flavor du jour, or does it stand out from the seasonal crowd? How does it compare to the EVO 3D and the other Android flagships? Hit the break for our full review.

Gallery: Motorola Photon 4G review

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Motorola Photon 4G review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Wildfire S now available on T-Mobile, can be yours for $80

Brad Molen — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:49:00 EST

It's August 3rd -- do you know where your HTC Wildfire S is? That's right, it's taking up its own share of real estate on T-Mobile's website, ready for you to hit that fancy "add to cart" button. The eency-weency Android handset, true 'nuff to its word, came out right on schedule for $80 on a two-year commitment. And here's what you'll get for those hard-earned green rectangles stuffed in your wallet: Android 2.3, a 3.2-inch HVGA display, 512MB RAM, a Qualcomm MSM7227 600MHz CPU, and a 5 megapixel camera. If the package -- and price -- are right, make your way to the source link and push through some of that fun paperwork.

HTC Wildfire S now available on T-Mobile, can be yours for $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide review

Myriam Joire — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:57:00 EST

Not too long ago, things were pretty simple in T-Mobile's Android land. For us (the nerds, geeks, power users, early adopters, and other misbegotten social deviants) there was the G series of phones with plain Android, culminating recently with LG's delightful G2x. If you wanted to buy your mom an Android smartphone, you'd point her at the myTouch series of handsets with custom HTC Sense-based skins, like last winter's myTouch 4G. Life got a bit more complicated with the introduction of LG's Optimus T, Samsung's Galaxy S 4G, and other devices that don't neatly fit into the carrier's grand branding scheme. Well, fear not! T-Mobile and HTC went ahead and refreshed last summer's lovely myTouch 3G Slide with a dash of dual-core tech lifted right from HTC's Sensation flagship and a bespoke 8 megapixel shooter said to be "the most advanced camera of any smartphone". Those are fighting words... so does the myTouch 4G Slide (as it's called) beat the likes of Samsung's Galaxy S II, Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc, and Nokia's N8 in terms of imaging performance? Is the sliding keyboard as pleasant to use as its predecessor? And most importantly, is this your mom's next phone? Read on for our full review.

Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide review

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kyocera Echo Gingerbread update now rolling out, may brick (update: rollout pause)

Joseph Volpe — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:55:00 EST

Kyocera may have jumped the gun yesterday with word of the Echo's Gingerbread destiny, but today those Android 2.3.4 goods have been made official. Rolling out to users in the next few weeks, the OTA update adds Google's latest OS refinements to the dual-screened phone, as well as a new Downloads app, Swype 3.0 and power-saving Eco Mode. Impatient owners can always forego the wait for a carrier-pushed upgrade and pull it themselves, but a word of caution: commenters over on AndroidCentral's forums are claiming this update bricks phones. We've reached out to Sprint for comment on the matter and while the company is aware of the issue, no official statement has been made. So, go ahead and start downloading, or not?

Update: We've confirmed with Sprint that there is indeed an issue, and that its product team is "troubleshooting the issue and [has] suspended the update until further notice." Here's hoping things get going soon, with the sailing being a bit smoother the second go 'round.

Kyocera Echo Gingerbread update now rolling out, may brick (update: rollout pause) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kyocera Echo Gingerbread update bringing WiFi calling, NFC support? (update: sadly not)

Darren Murph — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:27:00 EST

Um, okay? Hot on the heels of rumors that Kyocera's Echo would see its first major Android update on August 1st, in flies an updated page over at the company's own website detailing the impending changes. Unless someone at Kyocera's pulling a fast one, it looks as if the imminent Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) update will bring a downright staggering list of new features, making an already unique handset capable of even rarer feats. Interest piqued? We're told that the refresh will provide pinch-to-zoom support in the browser, gallery, Maps and Sprint Navigation, an improved downloads app and an upgrade to the Swype 3.0 virtual keypad, with Tap Correction and Horizontal Word Choice list.

But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg -- the real kicker is the addition of "internet calling over WiFi" as well as "an NFC reader to interact with posters, advertisements, products, etc." You heard right, WiFi calling and a previously unmentioned NFC chip -- hopefully of the UMA variety, rather than just SIP. As of now, the only major US carrier to support WiFi calling is T-Mobile, and neither Sprint nor Kyocera have mentioned any secretive Near Field Communications module to us. The luckiest of the early adopters should see their over-the-air update swing through as soon as a half-hour, so be sure to let us know if this all proves true in comments below. Naturally, we'll be watching for the update on our own set and updating accordingly.

Update: Bah, humbug! A Kyocera rep contacted Brief Mobile and explained that the feature page shown here went up prematurely, and that the WiFi calling and NFC support in particular weren't supposed to be listed. Consider our hopes dashed, and our dreams crushed.

[Thanks, Brain_ReCall]

Kyocera Echo Gingerbread update bringing WiFi calling, NFC support? (update: sadly not) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba Thrive review

Dana Wollman — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST

This isn't the first time Toshiba has showed up fashionably late to a party. Back in 2009, long after most every other consumer electronics maker big and small had jumped on the netbook bandwagon, the company belatedly released its first mini, the NB205. And it was fantastic. So we were optimistic when the outfit finally got around to releasing the Thrive, its first Android tablet for the US market. Surely, we thought, it's learned a thing or two from everybody else's mistakes.

And in that regard, at least, this 10-inch tablet doesn't disappoint. It has full-sized USB and HDMI ports, an SD card slot, and a removable battery -- all features you'd sooner find on a laptop. It comes with a raft of practical apps already installed, so that you don't have to go hunting for them in Android Market. It's one of the first out of the gate with Android 3.1, an undeniably improved version of Honeycomb. Oh, and it starts at $429, undercutting many of its competitors. Right there, in less than a paragraph, we've laid out why you might want this over any of the other umpteen tabs crowding the market. But should you get one? Well, folks, we'll need more than a paragraph to tackle that. Join us after the break, won't you?

Gallery: Toshiba Thrive review

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Toshiba Thrive review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unofficial Swype port makes its way to iOS, slides in via Jailbreak radar

Joe Pollicino — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:36:00 EST

Did you finally use JailbreakMe to free your iPhone? Well, if you're also sick of pecking at its virtual keyboard, then Andrew Liu's new Swype iOS port may pique your interest. Although the app's still in the earliest of stages -- version 0.1.0, to be exact -- we can confirm it works, but it did take us two downloads via a repo with Cydia and functionality proved limited. We were able to swipe words in pre-loaded apps like Messaging, Mail and Search, but had no luck with Safari or others we've downloaded. Furthermore, Swype's all-important blue trace-line is absent, and our words didn't always come out as expected. Liu stated on Twitter that the current release is still a beta and that he'll be sprucing it up soon; in the meantime, let us know how your swipe-typing goes in the comments if you choose to install it.

Update: Looks like the newest beta includes the aforesaid blue line, and accuracy is said to be improved by some degree.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Unofficial Swype port makes its way to iOS, slides in via Jailbreak radar originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sliding Keyboard: it's like Swype, but for Windows Phone 7

Billy Steele — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:32:00 EST

In the Android realm, Swype has been life-changing for many; of course, reverting back to the messaging ways of old has been a must when jumping ship to WP7. Now, gesture tracing crosses the aisle, and it's hopping over to Microsoft's turf courtesy of Invoke IT's Sliding Keyboard. With the look of the regular ol' WP7 keyboard, this set of arm floaties records the user tracing out text, just like ex-Android fans are accustomed to. The company goes a bit further by offering a pair of goggles -- in the form of Bing search, text messaging and email options along the bottom of the app. Sure, it's seeing its fair share of first-revision bugs (word recognition seems a bit poor based on early reviews), but at a cool $1.29 (and a free trial preceding that), it's a good bit cheaper than a therapy session. Right?

Sliding Keyboard: it's like Swype, but for Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVO Shift 4G getting Gingerbread, Swype on June 20

Dana Wollman — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:33:00 EST

Shift owners, you didn't think you were chopped liver, did you? On the heels of blessing the EVO 4G with Gingerbread, the Shift 4G is about to get some Android 2.3 lovin' of its own. According to this leaked page of instructions sent in by an anonymous tipster, the package includes not just Gingerbread, but Swype, a downloads application, and a fix for apps that haven't been able to stream media properly. Officially, the update's coming on Monday, though it looks like impatient folks should be able to manually update their phones starting tomorrow. Let's just hope it's a smoother transition than when the EVO 4G stepped up to Android 2.3 -- we got a deluge of tips from disgruntled readers who found the update had rendered Netflix unusable.

EVO Shift 4G getting Gingerbread, Swype on June 20 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC EVO 3D review

Myriam Joire — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:41:00 EST

The first time we saw the rumored Supersonic we were blown away. HTC and Google had just wowed us with the Nexus One, and here we were looking at something even better -- a 4.3-inch phone with WiMAX wrapped in a white body. This prototype was buggy and had abysmal battery life, but it was real. Four months later it landed in our hands at Google I/O. We're of course talking about the EVO 4G which went on to become a runaway hit for HTC and Sprint as the first ever 4G smartphone in the US. And here we are a year later with the HTC EVO 3D, the legitimate heir to Sprint's mobile kingdom -- at least until the Motorola Photon 4G comes along. When we first played with the 3D-capable handset at CTIA we were suitably impressed, but we left with a lot of unanswered questions. How do the 1.2GHz dual core processor and qHD display affect battery life? Is 3D a compelling feature or just a gimmick? What is 2D camera performance like with the lower specced camera? Is the EVO 3D a worthy replacement for the EVO 4G? Find out in our review after the break.

Gallery: HTC EVO 3D review

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HTC EVO 3D review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:01:00 EST

The folks at Swype sure know how to get our attention. The Android keyboard app has always inspired us to get a bit dramatic, but we had no idea that predictive text and moveable QWERTY pads were this intense. To celebrate the beta release of Swype 3.0 it appears the company hired Doug Liman (or at least some one who has studied the Bourne Identity very closely) to whip up a promo video. Enjoy the thrills of a resizable input area! Be wowed by the Honeycomb support! Get stunned by the auto-correct! Oh, and don't forget to head after the break to watch the clip.

Continue reading Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video)

Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile tossing Samsung Dart into its lineup on June 15th?

Brad Molen — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:05:00 EST

Just as the name implies, this one almost zoomed right past us. The Samsung Dart is likely to show its face on T-Mobile within the next two days, according to some very official-looking employee docs uncovered by TmoNews. Given that it shares the same launch date as the HTC Sensation 4G, the entry-level Dart -- aka the Samsung t499 -- won't be getting much of the spotlight. Regardless, we still want to give this Android phone some time in the sun, as it still sounds like a decent choice for first-time smartphone buyers: full touchscreen, 3 megapixel camera, Swype, and Flash support. Certainly there's a lot of unknowns about this device, but we're expecting those gaps to fill as Wednesday draws closer.

T-Mobile tossing Samsung Dart into its lineup on June 15th? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung updates Galaxy S II, speeds up Swype and fixes auto-brightness issue

Sean Hollister — Sun, 15 May 2011 05:05:00 EST

Samsung's Galaxy S II superphone didn't have many issues to begin with, and we're hearing there's one fewer annoying quirk today -- Android Community reports that a new firmware update (available via Kies) addresses the overzealous auto-brightness setting that continually irked us during testing. The i9100XWKE2 revision also apparently increases the responsiveness of the Swype software keyboard -- which is always a plus -- so unless this update also fries handsets or something, it sounds like a desirable one.

[Thanks, Fayez]

Samsung updates Galaxy S II, speeds up Swype and fixes auto-brightness issue originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 05:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S II review

Vlad Savov — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:44:00 EST

If you don't already know all about the Samsung Galaxy S II, where have you been the past two months? The successor to one of the most popular Android handsets to date carries a burden of expectation almost as sizable as its 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen. It promises to be thinner, lighter, and faster than the Galaxy S that preceded it, while garnishing Android 2.3.3 with a set of TouchWiz customizations that might actually enhance, rather than hinder, the user experience. As such, the Galaxy S II earns Samsung full marks for ambition, but does this slinky new smartphone live up to its interstellar hype? The answer, as always, can be found after the break.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S II review

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Samsung Galaxy S II review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

Richard Lai — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:17:00 EST

Ah, April 1st. It's that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools' Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new "features." We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break.

Continue reading April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just got an Android phone? The best apps, accessories, and tips

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST

Taking a smartphone out of the box for the first time can elicit a wide spectrum of emotions, starting with unadulterated excitement that can quickly devolve into panic, chaos, and confusion: what do you do now? How do you make it awesome? How do you emanate an air of "cool" on the subway by using apps specifically designed to make you look like a badass? Well, fear not, newly-minted Android smartphone owner: as always, we've got your back. Read on for all the apps, accessories, and tips you should be investigating right this very second.

Continue reading Just got an Android phone? The best apps, accessories, and tips

Just got an Android phone? The best apps, accessories, and tips originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype for Android gets lightweight build with less language support

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:22:00 EST

Don't need Chinese pinyin support? Well, Swype has a little treat for you: a new version available from the company's beta installer on your handset reduces the size of the final installed package by a whopping 75 percent, down from 10MB to 2.5MB, simply by dropping support for languages other than English and Spanish -- and for a platform where the app storage issue still isn't fully resolved, every megabyte counts. On a related note, Swype has posted a note for EVO 4G owners stymied by Sprint's recent inclusion of the keyboard in ROM: if you were already running the beta, you just need to uninstall it, reboot your phone, and let the official version take over.

Swype for Android gets lightweight build with less language support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review

Richard Lai — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST

Dell Streak. Froyo. Need we say more? If you're not already getting giddy, let us remind you that said tabletphone's technically still stuck on the aging Android 1.6 OS, so this is obviously great news for all anticipating (and presumably very patient) users. Well, the handful of us anyway, given the majority's distaste for this five-inch device's abnormal form factor. Here at Engadget, we've been fortunate enough to give this final 2.2 build a thorough test over the weekend, but has it fixed the bugs that plagued the 2.1 release? And will it make the Streak relevant again? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review

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Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumored T-Mobile doc pegs myTouch HD with front-facing camera, screen sharing, and 'dual processor'

Ross Miller — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:53:00 EST

Now that T-Mobile's got its G2 slider out in the open, the cosmic universe reckons it's time to look towards the next HSPA+ device -- and the next iteration of the Android-laden myTouch series. We've seen alleged pics of the myTouch HD before, and now TmoNews has what it claims is an internal document from the carrier boasting some of the key features of the device. Sure, it could be all for naught, but let's hear this one out. According to the alleged paper, the myTouch HD runs on "America's largest 4G network" (that's gonna make some eyes roll) and has a 3.8-inch screen, Swype, 4GB internal space, a bundled 8GB SD card, a five megapixel rear camera, and a VGA camera on the front for video chat over Qik or Yahoo Messenger. There's also talk of screen sharing for pictures and video onto a HDTV, but that could be something as simple as HDMI output. Something tells us the 1GHz "dual processor" is more than likely a typo that's meant to say dual-core, à la the Snapdragon chips, but when you're dealing in the world of the unconfirmed, we suppose anything's possible.

Rumored T-Mobile doc pegs myTouch HD with front-facing camera, screen sharing, and 'dual processor' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile G2 comes out from hiding, pre-orders begin later this month

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:50:00 EST

At last, T-Mobile just went official with its G2 QWERTY slider. As expected, this Android 2.2 device ships with Qualcomm's MSM7230 Snapdragon silicon optimized for T-Mobile's HSPA+ network with an 800MHz CPU and second generation application co-processor. Other specs include a 3.7-inch screen, 4GB of internal memory with pre-installed 8GB microSD card (supporting up to 32GB cards), Swype keyboard, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and 720p HD video capabilities. Oh, and web browsing is supported by Adobe's Flash Player. Look for this successor of the T-Mobile G1 to go up for pre-orders sometime later this month.

Update: T-Mobile has exposed a bit more of its G2. So, in addition to learning about a 1300mAh capacity battery and 4.7 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches / 6.5 ounce footprint, we're also seeing a footnote related to price:

"†On approved credit. $125 down payment, plus 3 monthly payments of $125, required. 0% APR. Taxes & fees additional. Available only at T-Mobile-owned retail stores."

Thing is, no pricing was announced so the footnote is premature to say the least. Nevertheless, it adds up to $500 before discounts and rebates. That alligns nicely with the rumored prices pegged at $199 with contract / $499 without.

[Thanks, Ollie]

Continue reading T-Mobile G2 comes out from hiding, pre-orders begin later this month

T-Mobile G2 comes out from hiding, pre-orders begin later this month originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype beta hits S60 5th Edition

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:39:00 EST

Swype is still far more difficult to get than we'd like -- basically, you either need to be in an invite-only beta or own a device where it ships in ROM -- but it's being opened up to a pretty sizable new set of potential customers this month now that it's been ported to S60 5th Edition in an open beta. It's currently tested for use on the 5800, 5230, X6, N97, N97 Mini, and C6 -- and considering that most of those devices use resistive screens, we're really curious to hear how well it works (for what it's worth, Samsung's Omnia II includes Swype in the box and uses a resistive display, so this isn't a first). Installation looks pretty straightforward and you don't need to jump through any hoops or be invited to get the binary, so let us know how it goes for you, alright? Follow the break for the official video demo.

[Thanks, Lloyd N.]

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Swype beta hits S60 5th Edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype spotted swiftly slinging fingers across Windows 7 screens?

Sean Hollister — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:12:00 EST

That's not your grandpappy's touchscreen panel, nor his standard Windows 7 input method of choice, oh no -- unless our eyes deceive us, we're looking at a 3M M2256PW ten-finger multitouch display, and on it, a genuine Swype keyboard. Though we've heard nothing about a partnership between Microsoft and Swype and we see nary a mention on the internet at large, there's no denying the idea -- spotted during last week's Internet Explorer demo at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference -- is an attractive one. The question is when and how Redmond might deliver such functionality to the existing OS... and if we might possibly see the same on the company's upcoming phones as well. See it in action at the source link, and fast forward to 2:58:30 for the goods. Trust us and skip ahead -- we've got a feeling you won't want to hear Microsoft kick this party off.

[Thanks, Abed R.]

Swype spotted swiftly slinging fingers across Windows 7 screens? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype psyched to be on Droid X, fifty total devices by the end of 2010

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:19:00 EST

Love it or lump it, looks like Swype is making inroads into the mobile space. We've seen it on a few handsets already, and we know how eager the company is to get on the iPhone, but still it doesn't look like Apple's ready to bite. In the meantime, it seems that the company is more than happy to make due with the likes of HTC, Samsung, and Motorola -- the latter having gone with Swype for the Droid X. According to CEO Mike McSherry, this is the company's biggest coup yet, though certainly not the last -- he says to look for the app on some fifty phones by late 2010.

Swype psyched to be on Droid X, fifty total devices by the end of 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S preview

Vlad Savov — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:35:00 EST

Just because the US has gone gaming crazy these past couple of days doesn't mean the smartphone world has stopped turning. Samsung trotted out its Galaxy S handset last night in London, and we were naturally there to try and glean a better understanding of where this 4-inch Android 2.1 device fits in our wishlist hierarchy. It's quite the stat sheet stuffer, as we're sure you're aware, and it strikes an alluring figure for those looking to get on the true do-it-all smartphone bandwagon. Check out our latest impressions -- replete with video and a whole gallery dedicated to the Super AMOLED screen's performance in sunlight -- just past the break.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S preview

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Samsung Galaxy S preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S launches in Europe, hitting US 'later this year'

Vlad Savov — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:09:00 EST

So that simultaneous global launch isn't going to materialize quite as we were told, but Samsung is indeed bringing the Galaxy S to the widest possible audience. The Korean giant has made its 2010 flagship official in Europe today, meaning you should be able to sign your life away to your favorite carrier in exchange for it very soon indeed. We're told the 4-incher will be making its American debut later in the year, though a protracted delay appears unlikely. Pricing on the Galaxy S might not turn out to be all that democratic, but its comprehensive choice of more than 100 global carriers sure will be, and might suggest we'll get a choice of networks when the phone finally makes its way Stateside. Hang tight, gringos, not long to go now.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S launches in Europe, hitting US 'later this year'

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung Galaxy S launches in Europe, hitting US 'later this year' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola's i1 hitting SouthernLINC Wireless, Georgians and Alabamians rejoice

Tim Stevens — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:11:00 EST

Moto's i1 went from rumored device to ready for retail over the span of just a few weeks, and now we're finding out just where it'll be available -- though the news isn't exactly good. Motorola is announcing that the iDEN device will be hitting SouthernLINC first, a rural carrier that you may not have heard of if you're outside of Alabama, Georgia, or the western half of the Florida panhandle. That is the extent of this carrier's coverage, and so it's not a huge coming out party for this military spec push-to-talk smartphone, but we're hoping down the road it gets a little more love from carriers with slightly broader coverage maps.

Motorola's i1 hitting SouthernLINC Wireless, Georgians and Alabamians rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola CLIQ XT hands-on

Joanna Stern — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:10:00 EST

We know you've barely recovered from our Devour review, but Moto just threw another Blur-ified phone in our laps this afternoon - the CLIQ XT. We've been playing around with the Android 1.5-based, Flash Lite-supported, multitouch-capable handset for the last couple of hours -- but before we grace you with our first impressions, just a fair warning: we don't yet know the price of the new T-Mobile Android handset, though Motorola did promise us that it will hit shelves this month. With that said, hit the break for a quick rundown of our early thoughts.

Gallery: Motorola CLIQ XT with MotoBlur hands-on

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Motorola CLIQ XT hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype finger-tracing text entry seems fast, hypnotic, and magical

Sean Cooper — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:18:00 EST

OK, well maybe difficult is stretching it somewhat, but it does look like it'll take some getting used to. Swype's creator is none other than one of the people involved in developing T9 -- which we simply couldn't get by without -- and applies the same concept of quicker typing, with less work. Instead of tapping keys, Swype has you simply trace your finger through the letters you want to use to spell the words. The system will apparently enable even a novice to quickly get up to speeds of 40 words a minute. We're itching to check this out and with the glut of touchscreen sets on the market -- iPhone, Touch Diamond, and on, an on -- we can see this really taking off if it works as well as in the demo. Nothing to download just yet, but we've signed up and are waiting for the word.

Filed under: Handsets, Software, Others

Swype finger-tracing text entry seems fast, hypnotic, and magical originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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