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Refresh Roundup: week of September 17th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. 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 we could find during 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!
T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q review: two budget-friendly phones, one aging OS
More Info Leaked T-Mobile roadmap outlines Ice Cream Sandwich updates, new myTouch devices T-Mobile's next myTouch to come from Huawei? T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q coming August 8th for $50, we go hands-on Gone are the days when $50 got you a flip phone that could make calls, send texts and shoot super-low-quality thumbnails. T-Mobile's myTouch offerings aim to provide all the functionality of a top-tier smartphone, coupled with the kind of hardware and software top-tier handsets were offering a year or two ago. After letting HTC and LG have a go at the myTouch series, T-Mobile tapped Huawei to design its latest devices, the myTouch and myTouch Q, a garden-variety slab and a full QWERTY slider, respectively. This time around, the carrier chose phones with more expansive 4-inch, 800 x 480 displays, among other improvements to the design and internals. Unfortunately, software wasn't considered in the upgrade: both of these run the aging Android 2.3 OS. Suffice to say, skinned Gingerbread is likely to turn off some shoppers, but it's still worth asking if people on a budget might appreciate these devices when they go on sale Wednesday for $50, post-rebate. So are there any redeeming qualities to speak of, if not the software experience? Read on to find out.%Gallery-161778%
T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q coming August 8th for $50, we go hands-on
T-Mobile's myTouch series is back with a new pair of devices -- a slate and a slideout QWERTY, to be precise -- and the lucky manufacturer this time around is Huawei, following in the footsteps made by HTC and LG in years past. Of course, we can't say that this is much of a shocker, considering we've seen these midrange handsets go through endless rounds of rumors, FCC certification and even our very own hands-ons when visiting Huawei HQ (where the devices are known more officially as the Ascend G312 and G312 QWERTY). But they're finally ready for the final production line and will be available August 8th for $50 after a $50 mail-in rebate. The myTouch will come in black and dark red, while the myTouch Q will be offered in black and white. So what kind of specs can we expect to enjoy (or strongly dislike, depending on your personal preference) on the myTouch and myTouch Q? It's running Android 2.3 on a special customized UI, for starters, which will be a huge disappointment to many potential buyers. Additionally, both devices will offer a 4-inch WVGA screen, 1,500mAh battery, 4GB of internal storage, microSD expansion, 5MP rear camera capable of taking 720p video, 0.3MP front-facing cam, HSPA+ connectivity and an unspecified 1.4GHz CPU (though we reported earlier that it should be a single-core MSM8255T accompanied by 1GB of RAM). Head below to check out our gallery and hands-on video, and then continue reading after the break to hear our first impressions.
T-Mobile myTouch Q makes its mark on the FCC
Talk about being tardy to the party: a month after its keyboard-less twin, the Huawei Ascend G312 QWERTY has finally received approval from the FCC. While this particular name may not sound very appealing to the average US customer, perhaps its other designation -- the T-Mobile myTouch Q -- will. Indeed, this is the 2012 iteration (the slide-out keyboard version, at least) of the carrier's annual series, and it sports quadband GSM / EDGE and 850 / AWS / 1900 / 2100 HSPA+. Most of the specs are already known: you can expect to find a 4-inch WVGA display, 1.4GHz MSM8255T chip with 1GB RAM and 4GB of onboard storage and room for microSD expansion. If you're a fan of the myTouch series -- or even hardware keyboards in general -- you likely won't have to wait too much longer.
Huawei Ascend G312 (U8680) lands at FCC, unsurprisingly sports T-Mobile myTouch moniker
It's far from a secret that T-Mobile has been cooking up its next myTouch handset with Huawei (also known as the Ascend G312), and now a phone bearing the same moniker has landed at the door of the FCC. According to the label location diagrams, it plays nice with HSPA, UMTS, GPRS, GSM and Edge, but there's no indication of whether this Huawei U8680 is the QWERTY variant we spotted at the company's headquarters. If you'll recall, Huawei has this 4-inch (WVGA) device pegged to ship with Android Ice Cream Sandwich, running atop a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255T SoC with 1GB of RAM that's supplemented by 4GB of on-board storage. Of course, this doesn't leave us with any more information about when T-Mobile will officially debut this next-gen myTouch, but for now, you can can view the currently available FCC documents at the source link below.
Huawei MyTouch for T-Mobile, meet Mr. Blurrycam
So the rumors about Huawei pushing out a duo of T-Mobile MyTouch devices just got a little beefier, now that the real deal has actually been given the Mr. Blurrycam treatment. Above and below are images grabbed by TmoNews that show off the non-QWERTY model, which are expected to come running on Android 2.3.6 and taking advantage of a WVGA display. While the two mid-range devices will be the next in line to bear the MyTouch name, they'll also be known as the U8680 and U8730 elsewhere. If you enjoyed these pics, don't wait to click on the source link for more.
T-Mobile's next myTouch to come from Huawei?
The Magenta carrier's pumped out its fair share of myTouch handsets in the past months, and we can't blame you if you're confused by the fact that different OEMs have had their turn making the devices. Now, if a report by PocketNow is to be believed, the next phone maker in line is the same one that brought you that T-Mobile Springboard. And, if we take into consideration Huawei's recent push towards the US market, it wouldn't surprise us to see T-Mo's future myTouch lineup coming from the Chinese outfit. Allegedly, the device(s) will come in two Gingerbread-packing flavors, one of which is said to be sporting physical QWERTY keys -- à la the 4G Slide. While we know some of you are ready to part ways with the ol' timer 3G variant, it may be a while before the purported U8680 and U8730 are the real deal. Good news is MWC isn't exactly giving you a shortage of options.
LG myTouch, myTouch Q available on T-Mobile November 2nd for $79
Magenta's taken to its Facebook wall to announce the availability of its latest LG-made, Android 2.3.4 phones: the 3.8-inch myTouch and 3.5-inch myTouch Q. Word of these handsets' existence leaked out via YouTube a few months back, but the carrier's since made both official. The duo will hit T-Mobile's site on November 2nd, each at a budget-pleasing $79.99 -- that's after a mail-in rebate on a two-year contract. But if you're the sort to pick up your wares in-store, then expect to see this pair on offer come November 9th. What'll you get for that sub-$100 price? Well, the devices run along the operator's 4G HSPA+ network and pack a single-core 1GHz Qualcomm processor, as well as front-facing / 5 megapixel rear cameras. The only thing setting these two apart is your predilection for a landscape QWERTY slider, in which case you'll want to snag the Q. So, if you've been waiting on T-Mo to roll this twosome out of the gate, consider tomorrow your lucky day.
LG myTouch phones listed as 'coming soon' to T-Mobile with suspect specs
Remember that pair of myTouch-branded LG phones that made a brief appearance on YouTube back in September? Well they're up on T-Mobile's site and listed as "coming soon." The myTouch and myTouch Q, in black and gray respectively, are sitting pretty with a pair of galleries showing of their sizable bezels and inoffensive (if bulky) curves. There are also some specs listed, but they're a tad suspect and may simply be a placeholder. In particular the Q being listed as having a QWERTY pad that is 92-percent the size of a laptop keyboard had us raising an eyebrow. Both are also listed as sporting 42Mbps 4G connections, which contradicts earlier leaks that pegged these handsets as mid-range 3G devices. For now, we'll just have to wait and see, but you can hit up the source links to take a gander for yourself.
LG myTouch phones make brief YouTube appearance?
T-Mobile's myTouch smartphones have -- until now -- been an exclusively HTC affair, but both of the phones captured here appear to be LG-made. Phandroid is reporting that a video posted briefly on T-Mo's official YouTube channel labelled this duo as the myTouch and myTouch Q by LG. We got wind of two new LG handsets headed to T-Mobile back in May, called the Maxx and Maxx Q, but there's no clear indication just yet that these are one and the same. The videos soon vanished from view, but the screen grab -- with a heavy sprinkling of render magic -- shows two phones that share a few similarities with the Optimus Sol, like a substantial chunk of bezel between the screen and the threesome of Android buttons. We're hoping both will share that eye-blistering AMOLED screen found on the Sol, but we're still waiting on more details to clarify exactly what LG's got cooking.
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide glides into pre-sale for $200
Blessed be the patient ones, for thy reward will be a myTouch 4G Slide. After what seems like an eternity of Mr. Blurrycam shots, press renderings, and an official announcement, it's time to get one ordered. Both black and khaki varieties are available on T-Mobile's website for $200, in advance of the handset reaching store shelves on July 27th. If you're eager to check out "the most advanced camera of any smartphone," with its f2.2 wide-aperture lens, now's your chance -- throw Gingerbread and HTC Sense 3.0 into the mix, and you certainly have a tantalizing phone to consider. You've waited long enough for this time to come, so head to the source link to get your just deserts.
T-Mobile myTouch 4G ROM leak includes teaser video, speed-enhanced moniker
We always thought it was peculiar that T-Mobile's third myTouch phone would be simply called "myTouch," especially when earlier leaks tacked on "HD" for good measure. Aspects of the device's ROM leak suggests that isn't necessarily the case -- or, at least, it wasn't always. A teaser video (presented in a phone-friendly, portrait resolution) was found wading through the lines of code, serving to both highlight key features (genius button, HD camcorder, video chat, screen sharing) and conclude with a differentiating designation: myTouch 4G. That 4G would be in reference to HSPA+, of course, whether or not its competition sees things as such. For all we know, though, this could be an earlier version of the footage and 4G has since been dropped from, rather than added to, its official handle. Then again, what's in a name? That which we call a myTouch by any other name would surely run as swift. Video after the break.
T-Mobile myTouch hands-on (update)
That front-facing camera, optical trackpad and Genius button are all in plain sight, but we're afraid we didn't get to give them a try -- the screen on this T-Mobile myTouch is pitch black because it's just a hardware prototype. That didn't keep us from snapping plenty of pictures when we spotted the Froyo-filled HSPA+ handset at the carrier's booth, though -- including a few of the phone side-by-side with its predecessor, the myTouch Slide. First, you'd probably like to hear about the hardware on display, so here's the executive summary: the device feels fairly solid, it's got a neat two-tone design with a fancy metal battery cover, and there's a nice big shutter button. The myTouch also sports a set of three copper contacts on the side almost certainly destined for a landscape dock, though nearby T-Mobile representatives quickly disavowed knowledge of any such product. They did confirm we'll see the phone by the holidays, though, so we won't have long to wait. Update: As it turns out, this particular myTouch is actually the white one, as the handsets all share the same black and chrome styling up front. Want to see what it looks like with a red back, though? See for yourself at the tail end of our first gallery below. %Gallery-104500% %Gallery-104501%
Cyanogen ports Android 2.1 to G1 and MyTouch 3G (update)
Droid, Milestone, Eris, Moment, Spica, even the Hero, all have had their Eclair, one way or another. G1 and myTouch 3G? Not so much. But don't worry, Android early adopters, because Cyanogen's got your back. Most all the bells, whistles and hardware-accelerated graphics of Android 2.1 are coming to the HTC Dream, Magic and Sapphire in CyanogenMod 5.0.7, and you can see a video of a T-Mobile G1 running the new build after the break. Twitter buzz indicates the ROM will be out any minute now is nearly ready; the dev himself tweeted that it's good to go and just needs G1-friendly bite size packaging. Update: Don't stay up all night waiting -- Cyanogen says he's got "two more bugs to kill" and is "hoping for a test1 public beta tomorrow night." [Thanks, Philosophics]
Android Battle: CLIQ edition
CLIQ Galaxy Tattoo Hero Magic / MT3G Dream / G1 Carrier T-Mobile -- (GSM / HSDPA) -- (GSM / EDGE) Sprint T-Mobile T-Mobile Manuf. Motorola Samsung HTC HTC HTC HTC Price -- -- -- $179.99 $99.99 $149.99 Released -- July 2009 -- Oct 11, 2009 Aug 5, 2009 Oct 22, 2008 Keyboard Slide-out Virtual Virtual Virtual Virtual Slide-out Android MOTOBLUR Standard Sense UI Sense UI Standard Standard Processor 528MHz MSM7201A 528MHz ARM11 528MHz MSM7225 528MHz MSM7201A 528MHz MSM7201A 528MHz MSM7201A Screen 3.1-inch (est.), 320 x 480 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 2.8-inch, 240 x 320 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 3.2-inch, 480 x 320 Headphone 3.5mm 3.5mm 3.5mm 3.5mm ExtUSB ExtUSB Touchscreen Capacitive Capacitive Resistive Capacitive Capacitive Capacitive Still Camera 5MP with AF 5MP with Flash 3.2MP 5MP with AF 3.2MP with AF 3.2MP with AF Bluetooth 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Exchange ActiveSync ActiveSync -- ActiveSync Depends on version Depends on version Storage 256MB, microSD 8GB, microSD 512MB, microSD 512MB, microSD 512MB, microSD 256MB, microSD Battery 1400mAh 1500mAh 1100mAh 1500 mAh 1340 mAh 1150 mAh Weight 163g 114g 113g 135g 116g 158g It's been over 11 months since the Android first hit the scene with HTC's T-Mobile G1, and in that time we've come to the conclusion that, despite having more or less a clean slate on industrial design choices and specs, little progress has been made in the way of variation. Stacked up side-to-side, Motorola CLIQ manages to stand out with a slide-out keyboard and MOTOBLUR skin, but under the hood, it's pretty much as uniform as a netbook. Peruse for yourself in the chart above.Update: We had a typo on the Hero screen size -- it's 3.2-inches, not the other way around! Stupid keyboards.
T-Mobile myTouch 3G gets unboxed, user guide outed
Can't wait until July to check out every nook and cranny of T-Mobile's version of the Ion / Magic? A couple of tipsters, including one anonymously, have lent us a hand in that department with pictures of an apparent myTouch 3G unboxing, as well as an entire user guide dating back to May 19th. We're still rummaging through it ourselves, but so far we're not seeing anything we didn't already know or see for ourselves with the phone's many other releases. Completionists can hit up the 113-page manual in the gallery below.[Thanks, Derek]
HTC Magic / Sapphire gets re-named, booze-colored for T-Mobile launch?
Of all the names being bandied about for the T-Mobile launch of HTC's Sapphire, we have to say that "myTouch" was our least favorite nom de guerre. However, it has apparently won the market-testing deathmatch -- at least that's the case according to the above reasonably official looking image of a T-Mobile inventory screen acquired by TmoNews. Perhaps more interesting is the presence of three colors, the predictable black and white met by a classy-sounding merlot that will surely be the talk of your next soiree at the wine bar. Just try to steer clear of the "touch" puns and jokes, yeah?
