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Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom 'S Pen' apps
Until a few days ago we'd heard surprisingly little about the Galaxy Note, a handset rumored to be launching alongside the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Wave 3 at IFA. It's ironic, really, because of all the phones to have kept a low profile, this is a memorable one. Behold, a 5.3-inch handset with a stowaway pen for note-taking, drawing and grabbing screen captures. In other words, a Dell Streak-esque hunk of a device that blurs the lines between phone and tablet. You're looking at a Gingerbread-running LTE and HSPA+ handset with a 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED display, dual 8MP and 2MP cameras, a removable 2,500mAh battery and the same Samsung-made dual-core 1.4GHz processor you'll find in the just-announced Galaxy Tab 7.7. For a phone this gargantuan, it's actually quite thin at light, at 9.65mm (0.38 inches) thick and a reasonable 178 grams (6.3 ounces). We had a few minutes to handle the phone in advance of today's press conference, and found it surprisingly easy to grip, even in our small hands. As with the Infuse 4G --whose own 4.5-inch screen once seemed impossibly sprawling -- the thin shape makes it tenable, as does the lightweight, textured plastic lining the back. As you'd expect, Android 2.3 comes layered with TouchWiz on top and, in this case, seven home screens and a touch-optimized interface dubbed "S Pen" designed to take advantage of that pen. These include S Planner, a native calendar and to-do list app, from which you can drag and drop appointments, changing time slots without having to open an entry. S Memo for note-taking, meanwhile, accepts voice, photo, text and handwritten input. We also got a quick glimpse of Virtual Whiteboard, a more collaborative form of note-taking. On top of that, Samsung says it's releasing the S Pen SDK to third-party developers, and the company's banking on more apps for organizing photos and drawing, among other things. For now, this is merely a global launch: Samsung says it's still in discussions with carriers worldwide, so depending on your neck of the woods it might be awhile before you hear anything definitive about pricing or availability. Find the some fancy press shots (and a promo vid) after the break, and stay tuned for our hands-on. %Gallery-132247%
Samsung Conquer 4G review
Apple's request to block Samsung Galaxy tablet, HTC Amaze 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II sign-up pages go live on T-Mobile Lenovo LePhone S760 shows up with Android 2.3.5 and 3.7-inch AMOLED display It's peculiar how a simple number and letter can cause the price to skyrocket when added to the end of a phone's name. But that's exactly what the term "4G" does -- ultimately, making a phone or tablet compatible with a carrier's next-generation network seems to add value (and cost) in unthinkable ways. There's a growing concern in the mobile industry; Sprint's WiMAX 4G coverage, once a novelty in the United States, is now just one of the boys. It faces direct competition against its two (much larger) LTE brethren in Verizon and AT&T, and the Now Network is searching for other methods of utilizing its high-speed offerings. In doing so, the carrier wants to keep the value high without escalating the expense. Enter the Samsung Conquer 4G, the latest addition to Sprint's blazing-fast lineup. Rather than going head-to-head with giants like the Photon 4G and EVO 3D, the company's strategy is to offer a WiMAX-enabled handset that's light on the wallet. It's not the least expensive of the bunch these days -- the Samsung Nexus S 4G takes the cake there -- but it's another option to toss into the network's growing lineup. So does this mid-range handset have a shot at living up to its namesake? Keep on reading to find out. %Gallery-131721%
Refresh Roundup: week of August 22, 2011
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 Motorola's Photon 4G was the recipient of a minor over-the-air firmware revamp that offers improvements to responsiveness and voice calls, and offers more bug fixes and other enhancements. [via PhoneArena] Want another bug fix update? The HTC EVO 3D is the next contestant, rolling out its second OTA refresh in as many weeks. This time it appears that a new "Corporate 4G" widget and a new radio have been added. [via AndroidCentral] Gingerbread 2.3.4 is now rolling out to Bell's Motorola Atrix 4G OTA. [via MobileSyrup] Now that its official Gingerbread support page has gone live, Verizon's Motorola Droid 2 will likely be receiving Android 2.3 in the very near future. [via AndroidCentral] Sasktel's HTC Incredible S is now the beneficiary of Android 2.3.3 in an OTA install. [via MobileSyrup] Unofficial Android updates / custom ROMs / misc hackery Remember that Gingerbread update the HTC Droid Incredible was supposed to get? The official version's been leaked out and is awaiting your download. Just remember the follow the directions and back up your device before proceeding. [via AndroidPolice] Speaking of leaked versions of Gingerbread, the Droid 2 Global has one now. More info can be found here. [via Droid-Life] The Motorola Droid 3's been successfully rooted. As it turns out, there may be a couple different methods to do so, so check out the link to learn how to do it. [via XDA and AndroidCentral] An official build of Android 2.3.4 for the Samsung Captivate has been leaked to XDA. [via Phandroid] Other platforms The Nokia N8 was recently blessed with Symbian Anna, but a few camera-related upgrades were left out. No need to fear, as an "experimental" update is now being offered, which adds continuous auto-focus and tweaks the UI to allow for faster access to the camera -- among other improvements, such as a boost to 30fps. Check out the change log here. [via ZOMGitsCJ] Given last week's news about webOS, we were concerned the newly-launched Pre3 would be DOA, with no promise of future updates. HP's proving this isn't the case, however, as the device got a minor update that brought the phone's help center live and fixed a few bugs along the way. [via PreCentral and PhoneArena] Research in Motion released an upgrade to its Tablet OS for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Unfortunately, it's not the 2.0 version we saw leaked screenshots of earlier this week, but it still brings a nice feature to the tablet: differential updates. This means that in future OS refreshes, only the affected sections will be changed. In addition, the new version, dubbed 1.0.7.2942, will improve WiFi connectivity via WEP and enhancements to BlackBerry Bridge. [via RIM] WP7Mod showed a video of the HTC HD2 booting up with Windows Phone Mango's RTM build installed. We've been told that it's almost ready for any daring souls interested in a new challenge for their Windows Mobile device. [via WMPowerUser]
Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray shows up on Vodafone UK, inches towards launch
If you've been counting down the days leading up to the Xperia Ray's release, get set to add a few more X's to that calendar. A recent product page over on Vodafone UK teases an imminent launch for the svelte, Sony Ericsson handset, and slims down that multi-hued selection to one gold-backed option. The 3.3-incher had previously been up for pre-order on Play.com with a purported mid-August release, only to see that date slip back into the folds of September. Whenever the phone does finally make it to market, expect to see this quadband HSPA-capable device sporting an 854 x 480 Reality display, 1GHz processor, 8.1 megapixel rear-facing camera and Android 2.3. Import-minded types can look forward to running an unlocked version on AT&T, or just wait around for a potential stateside release. Eager for more info? Then head to the source below where you can sign-up for the deets.
LG sheds light on the Optimus Sol, available mid-September in Europe
The LG Optimus Sol (aka the E730) received the full hands-on treatment a few days ago, and it didn't take long for the mystery device to be officially recognized by LG. Named after the Spanish word for "sun," the phone gained the title for a distinct reason: it's using a 3.8-inch WVGA "Ultra AMOLED" display, which is supposed to make the screen easier to read in direct sunlight and also offers less image quality degradation. It's powered by a 1GHz CPU, runs on Gingerbread, features a 5MP camera, and measures out at a thickness of 9.8mm. LG also uses the Sol to introduce a new power management technique it's referring to as "Dark UI" -- by utilizing less white light as the phone is idle, the company hopes to extend battery life by 20 to 30 percent. If you're interested in picking up what LG is putting down here, you'll be able to do so in parts of Europe around mid-September, followed by a release to Central and South America afterward. It'll also be available in black, titan and white color options. Want to know more? Take a look at the full press release after the break.
Archos A80S shows up at the FCC, keeps its specs hidden
Because good things come in pairs, yet another Archos tablet has popped up over at the FCC shrouded in mystère. Aside from the tab's name, the A80S, and its de rigeur WiFi b / g / n capabilities, not much else can be glimpsed from the product's filings. If the French company's recently unveiled 80 G9 and 101 G9 offerings are any indication, we could be looking at a dual-core processor setup and some version of Android -- potentially even Ice Cream Sandwich. We'll keep an eye out for any further spec-related developments, but until then, you can satisfy your Archos sweet tooth with this Gingerbread duo.
ViewSonic ViewPad 10pro: a Windows 7 tablet that also runs Android -- sort of
Life would be so much easier if you could just switch operating systems depending on what you need, wouldn't it? That's the thinking behind ViewSonic's ViewPad 10pro, a "dual OS" tablet that runs Windows 7 and Android 2.3. The Wi-Fi enabled device comes with Intel's new 1.5 GHz Atom Z670 CPU, a 1024 x 600 display, 2GB of memory, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, HDMI capabilities and a microSD slot. We had a hands-on in May and found out that the 10.1-inch device runs Android with Bluestacks' virtualization layer for Windows, though we noticed that performance left a little to be desired. The base model comes with Windows 7 Home Premium and a 16GB SSD for $599, while an extra Benjamin gets you Windows 7 Professional and a 32GB SSD. If you want one soon, best get a move on, as "limited numbers" are currently available. For more information you can sonically view ViewSonic's press release, after the break.
Samsung Galaxy XCover gets uncovered in Germany, dares us to drop it in mud (update)
The Samsung Galaxy lineup has become so diverse that nearly every demographic has at least one selection to choose from, with one clear exception: we haven't seen a rugged version. Samsung's hoping to fill that gaping hole by announcing the Galaxy Xcover, the world's first Android device with IP67 certification -- which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep and can hold its own against a continual onslaught of dirt and dust. The Xcover will offer Gingerbread out-of-box, and features a 3.6-inch scratch-resistant display, a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, and 7.2Mbps HSDPA. The company's still vague on the other details, such as pricing and availability; the only country announced so far is Germany, which should see the device sometime in October. We hope the device will have a wider distribution; we know for a fact Germans aren't the only folks on this Earth that are hard on their phones. Translated press release after the break. Update: The Galaxy Xcover isn't actually the world's first Android device with IP67 certification; we've been told by Motorola that this honor belongs to the Motorola Defy instead.
Elektrobit's Specialized Device Platform tailors Android devices for security-minded markets, won't hem pants
The defense industry may already have its share of deadly high-tech toys, but when it comes to the latest in mobile, it's often left to watch from the highly-secured sidelines. Enter Elektrobit Corporation with a just announced Specialized Device Platform that crafts made-to-order, Android-based devices for the public safety, security and aforementioned defense markets. Citing its lower cost, faster development approach, EB's service marries the "best of the traditional mobile world... with product-and industry-specific features" so clients won't have to deal with last year's Android OS. Oh wait, actually they will. The currently on offer Froyo-flavored, 1GHz single-core OMAP3 model packs a WVGA capacitive touchscreen (either 4-, or 4.3-inch), 5 megapixel camera, VGA front-facing camera, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS with quad-band GSM, tri-band UMTS / HSDPA and CDMA2K / EVDO support. Clients interested in a 700MHz LTE, Gingerbread option -- that's right, no Ice Cream Sandwich -- will have to hold off until the first half of 2012, when the company's 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP4 models will be available for production. Alright, so these specs aren't exactly bleeding edge tech, but hey -- who needs a quad-core phone when you've got this.
T-Mobile G2 gets its turn for Gingerbread, OTA rolling out now
The T-Mobile G2x was the attention-hoarder this week by getting Gingerbread, but where's the love for its older brother? After all, the G2 seemed to be left for dead as HTC's promise of a Q2 refresh was broken with nary a peep from the manufacturer. No need to feel nervous any longer, folks, as Android 2.3 is now rolling out as an OTA download. In addition to Gingerbread, the listed update will include WiFi improvements, SMS and email notification enhancements, Google Books, and a few cosmetic UI changes. The rollout process will run its course over the coming weeks, so you'll need to exercise just a wee bit more patience here. At least the G2 isn't falling into the depths of obsolescence yet; but for future reference, T-Mobile, please text us when you're running a bit late.
Motorola Photon 4G ready for order on Sprint's site
Between the quarterly earnings and the LightSquared agreement, it's been an roller coaster day for Sprint and high noon is still nigh. Adding to the craziness, the Motorola Photon 4G -- officially in stores on July 31st -- is now available for order on Sprint's online store. Early adopters from coast to coast can get their grubby hands on the device for $200, which will give you a 4.3-inch qHD display, 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 CPU, 1GB of RAM, Android 2.3 pre-installed, and 4G connectivity (among plenty of other goodies). 'Course, the Now Network's evident 4G switchover may dissuade a few of us from committing to WiMAX for a full two years, but we digress. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile G2x sheds 'out of stock' badge, immediately goes on sale
All of your G2x-toting friends are gleefully downloading the long-awaited Gingerbread update, while you sulk in the corner because they've been out of stock for over two months. Time to don that party hat, Sir Frowny, because it's now your turn to share in the joy and have the last laugh. T-Mobile's online store not only has the G2x in stock, they're free -- at least until Thursday, that is. The price tag seems to be a generous olive branch extended by the carrier for those who've been immeasurably patient in buying the fanciful device. Sure, you may be a tad late to the celebration, but think of it instead as making a grand entrance.
Gingerbread comes to T-Mobile G2x, users feel loved again
Dost our eyes deceive us, or are genuine, bona fide Gingerbread updates for the T-Mobile G2x taking to the airwaves? We're inclined to believe the latter, since the T-Mobile support site announced that the OTA download is now underway. The rollout begins less than a day after the refresh became available as a manual install via the LG Updater Tool. As if this isn't enough proof already, our inboxes have been flooded by G2x users who've personally witnessed Hades freeze over on their handset. Haven't seen it show up on yours yet? Fret not, getting these updates out to everyone takes time. But if you were an eager beaver who managed to beef your phone up with Android 2.3.3 manually, go ahead and relax; grab a lemonade, dust off the ol' hammock, and enjoy the rest of the summer afternoon free of (virtual) bugs. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 18, 2011
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of July 18, 2011: Images of the Samsung Admire for MetroPCS leaked. Also known as the SCH-R720, it may be the first device with Gingerbread on the prepaid carrier. It features a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3G, 800MHz CPU, and 3.2 megapixel camera. [via UnwiredView] Rogers introduced the HTC EVO 3D and LG Optimus 3D to its lineup, to be available sometime this summer. (thx Luke) Speaking of Rogers, the Samsung Galaxy S Infuse 4G should be available on the Canadian carrier within the next few days, and will reportedly be yours for $150 with a three-year commitment. [via UnwiredView] Spy shots of an unannounced Samsung Android device with Verizon branding, and full QWERTY keyboard were dug up (see the above image). Specs include Android 2.3.4 onboard and built-in 4G LTE connectivity. (thx Fayez) [via AndroidCentral] The Nokia N900 was hacked, allowing you to boot up your choice of four operating systems: Maemo, Meego, NITDroid, and Kubuntu Mobile. [via LoveMyNokia] The LG Optimus 3D appears to be popping up everywhere; it's currently available on Three UK. [via AndroidCentral] A mystery device known as the HTC Hero 4G passed DLNA certification this week, causing speculation that this is the long-evasive and much-awaited HTC Kingdom. The phone's already passed through the FCC, which means we could see it show up on Sprint at any time. [via PhoneArena and PocketNow] The Motorola Defy+ is rumored to be a mild refresh of the Defy, a popular Android device that came out last year. The new version would get a few minor boosts in specs and come in HSPA bands compatible with AT&T. [via TIMN]
T-Mobile makes HTC Wildfire S official, available August 3rd for $80
True to earlier reports, the HTC Wildfire S finally has a home at T-Mobile. The carrier-phone relationship was formalized today as the magenta-colored mobile provider announced its availability on August 3rd. The device -- code-named Marvel -- will be $80 with two-year commitment and after $50 mail-in rebate. It has all the amenities we expected, including Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), a 3.2-inch HVGA display, 512MB RAM, a Qualcomm MSM7227 600MHz CPU, and a 5 megapixel shooter. You'll be able to get the phone in white or black; the only other differences in the new version appear to be the Swype keyboard and the inclusion of AWS bands. If you desire a handset that'll ease the pain on the thin wallet in your pocket, you have only a week to wait.
Motorola Droid 3 review
The third installment of a trilogy is typically the most satisfying. The Empire Falls, Frodo destroys the ring, Cinderella goes back in time. (Okay, that's a stretch.) Our protagonist in this tale is the Droid 3, which bears an uncanny resemblance to its dad and granddad-- but Motorola's added a few new components and made some minor design tweaks in attempt to improve the overall experience. Are these adjustments enough to save the series? The original Droid launched with much fanfare, a device that steered Motorola back onto the path of success from its post-RAZR Hades. It had a refreshing gold-laden design that oozed elegance, top-of-the-line specs for its time, and was the pioneer that helped usher Google's mobile OS into a new era. Each new iteration has received less attention than the one before, however, and the Droid 3 experienced such a quiet launch that we blinked and almost missed it. No matter, though -- as long as the phone can speak for itself, it doesn't need the confetti to accompany it. But is the third time another charm for the Droid? Or will it be buried by other heavyweights like the Droid Bionic or Samsung Galaxy S II Function? Join us after the break to find out. %Gallery-128661%
Refresh Roundup: week of July 11, 2011
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 [dot] com and let us know. Enjoy! HTC alerted users of the Desire Z that the handset's Gingerbread update is due in "the coming weeks." The update will likely be sent out in phases, but everyone should have it by the end of the month. [via AndroidCentral] A leaked screenshot indicates Bell may issue Gingerbread updates to several phones in its lineup this summer: Samsung Galaxy Tab and Vibrant, HTC Incredible 2 and Desire Z, and Motorola Atrix 4G. [via AndroidCommunity] A custom ROM update has become available for the original Motorola Droid, allowing users to enjoy Gingerbread. However, as this is an unofficial ROM, install at your own risk and be sure to follow all of the directions precisely. [via AndroidCommunity] File this one under unconfirmed, but the next version of CyanogenMod is rumored to offer a dual-boot setup. This would give you the option of two different operating systems when you boot up your device. [via Ultralinx] The Motorola Atrix 4G is about to undergo soak testing for its Gingerbread update, which likely means the full release is just around the corner. [via DroidMatters] Developer Coolbho3k has overclocked the HTC EVO 3D and Sensation 4G to 1.7GHz stable, without a kernel source or S-Off. [via Phandroid]
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 11, 2011
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of July 11, 2011: Samsung launched an ad campaign for the Infuse 4G which claims its colors are "so good, they fool Mother Nature." Each ad features a different animal that mistakes the Infuse's Super AMOLED Plus screen for real nature. [via Gottabemobile] T-Mobile's MyTouch 4G is now available on Cincinnati Bell as the HTC Panache 4G for $200 with two-year agreement. [via MobileBurn] We got a sneak peek at some of Symbian Belle's UI changes, thanks to the refreshed Design Guideline docs on Nokia's developer website. [via All About Symbian] Inductive charging battery covers are now available for the HTC Thunderbolt and Incredible 2, Motorola Droid 3, and the LG Revolution. [via Droid-Life] Motorola officially announced the Fire, aka XT316. It's a portrait QWERTY handset with Gingerbread and is currently available in China. In the coming months it should work its way to Taiwan, Latin America, and Europe. The XT316 is going for $230. [via Unwired View] The popular GroupMe messaging app is now available for Windows Phone and can be downloaded for free in the Marketplace. [via MobileBurn and Gizmodo] Romanian carrier Cosmote has launched a 21.6 Mbps HSPA+ broadband service. (thx lonel) [via ZF Business Hi-Tech]
HTC Status now available on AT&T: 'update' your phone for $50
You've seen the images and the hands-on, and now it's sitting on shelves, tempting you with that blue button with the mysterious glow. We're referring to the HTC ChaCha -- er, the Status, as it's known when Rethinking Possible -- which is now available for purchase on AT&T for $50 on contract. This "Facebook phone that's not a Facebook Phone" is the very first Gingerbread-packing handset on the carrier's lineup. So don't be shy, socialites -- if this is the phone you're destined to be in a relationship with, now's the time to make the move.
Samsung Galaxy S II said to be Verizon-bound in July (update: just a miscommunication)
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S II, our tiny American hearts are getting rather sick of all the love we've been experiencing lately. Computerworld's latest rumor may be just what we need to stay sane for another month, though; it cites an unnamed Verizon spokesperson who mentioned this Fascinate follow-up, which will likely be known as the Function, will be coming in for a soft landing sometime in July, though no specifics were offered. The Galaxy S II is already being sold in Europe and Asia and blends a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, Gingerbread, dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, and many more top-of-the-line specs into one sleek and gorgeous package. If the July window is accurate, it means Verizon could be one of the first US carriers out of the gate with the phone. This is great news for the carrier that was, of the four national powers, dead last in getting its model of the Galaxy S to market. We're anxiously awaiting word from a Verizon spokesperson for additional comment and will keep you posted -- if our heart hasn't popped out of our chest by then. Update: We just received word from a Verizon spokesperson that the reference to a July release was just a miscommunication and was actually in reference to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Yeah, we're bummed out, too.
