Cupcake
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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]
Video: MakerBot's build-it-yourself 3D printer in action, replicator in the works
We just bumped into the MakerBot industries folks and got a quick look at the CupCake CNC rapid prototyping machine (3D printer, for us luddites). The thing extrudes Lego-type plastic into fairly detailed shapes, and MakerBot sells it as a kit for $750, or fully assembled for $2,500. What's most exciting is that the MakerBot folks are now working on a 3D scanner kit, which once combined with the CupCake CNC will make a full-on homegrown replicator. Diamond Age, here we come! A quick demo of the CupCake is after the break.
HTC Hero build of Android ported to G1
The process isn't for the faint of heart, but considering the reward here, the trials and tribulations of hacking the hell out of your G1 might just be worth it. As usual, the bright chaps over at xda-developers have managed to obtain the HTC Hero's heavily-skinned Android ROM and port it to the G1, offering a totally unique look and feel with all manner of enhancements and customizations not found on a stock Android 1.5 build. Getting it all going involves flashing your device, connecting to it with the Android debugger while it's stuck in an endless boot loop, and messing around with some other stuff, so yeah -- if you're a greenhorn you might want to get a pro to take care of this for you and make sure that you're comfortable with the very real possibility of bricking your baby. Hey, it's just a phone, right? What's the worst that can happen?[Thanks, Ash]
Koolu getting close to shipping FreeRunner with Android 1.5
Koolu was showing a very, very early build of Cupcake running on OpenMoko's FreeRunner way back at CES, and it seems that the Canadian company is now just a stone's throw away from shipping. Beta versions of the EDGE- and WiFi-equipped handset are said to be just a few days' away from being sent out to buyers, with a "full consumer" version being readied for later in the summer. How OpenMoko's slowdown factors into this is unclear, but seeing how the FreeRunner's design and components have been open sourced, we imagine there's nothing stopping from Koolu (or anyone else) from firing up their own production run should the need arise.[Via CNET, thanks Shawn]
Android 1.5 update for T-Mobile G1 now rolling out, for real this time
There have been a whole bunch of false starts on this, but honestly, folks -- for real, we're not messing around -- T-Mobile has finally started distributing Android 1.5 over-the-air to American G1 owners. This means that anyone who hasn't taken the time to install the update of their own accord is just about to get hooked up without any intervention whatsoever, bringing third-party widget support, a virtual keyboard, email and messaging improvements, a revised UI, and of course, an endless font of delicious pastries that will make you morbidly obese if you eat enough of them over time. Honestly, while you're waiting for the update to arrive, hop on the Bowflex for a few minutes. It's not going to kill you.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Google Ion hands-on and unboxing
Looks like Chris' hatred wasn't totally unfounded. We just got our hands on a Google Ion -- which as you can tell is a spitting image of the HTC Magic -- complete with 30 days' worth of T-Mobile service on an included SIM card. It's not a public release model, but seems fully capable. Yes, it's got Cupcake, and while the portrait keyboard seems more cramped than the iPhone's, we found it very comfortable to type in landscape mode. Form factor wise, this thing is as sexy as hardware gets -- light, sleek, and thin. The only thing that exceeds our love for it right now is its own love for fingerprints -- seriously, the entire body and screen attract them like flies to honey. Colorful similes aside, hit up the gallery below for all the pics you could ask for.
Rootless Android 1.5 available for G1 now, with or without T-Mobile USA's help
After delays, multiple false alarms, and staggered launches, we'll admit: our patience is being tested with this whole Android 1.5 situation on T-Mobile USA's G1, and we imagine there are plenty of users who feel the same way. Previously, it took root access -- a process many lay users would rather not undertake -- to shoehorn 1.5 onto an official carrier-branded unit, but we now finally have a legit, signed build that'll install without any hackery whatsoever. This release will give you all the splendors 1.5 has to offer, preserve myFaves access, and requires little more than a file copy to your microSD card plus a couple key combinations to install, so it's pretty much a must-have if you're tired of waiting for T-Mob to do its thing. Now on to Donut, eh? [Via Phandroid]
Trimble Nomad handheld gets Android 1.5 upgrade
It's not exactly one of the first places you'd expect to see Cupcake popping up, but SDG Systems has announced that the Android update (or a developer build of it, specifically) is now available on its Trimble Nomad rugged handheld. That device, in case you missed it, has primarily relied on Windows Mobile for an OS to date, and packs an 806 MHz Marvell PXA320 XScale processor, 128MB of RAM, up to 2GB of storage, CompactFlash and SD card slots for expansion, built-in GPS, and a hot swappable lithium-ion battery that supposedly lasts a whole day on a charge. Anyone looking for an alternative to the G1 will likely want to look elsewhere though, as the Nomad isn't actually a phone, and this particular $1,200+ Android-equipped device is apparently intended specifically for developers looking to test out Android apps on a rugged device.
Rogers Wireless' "relolution" coming tomorrow?
We just had this just drop in the mansion's mailbox courtesy of Rogers Wireless. Apparently, the "relolution" is coming, and coming tomorrow. So like the dutiful souls we are, we've cancelled our appointments chez the coiffeur and are gonna just chill and wait. We're not exactly sure -- but we can certainly guess -- what may be arriving: one of two Android-powered sets set to bow on Rogers shortly, that's what (and given a choice, we'd happily take both). Now, will this come pre-packaged with some Cupcake Android 1.5 love, or are we gonna have to wait for the same slow rollout many of you are still dreaming about? More tomorrow, you can count on it. Oh, and Rogers? Please remember, before every "relolution" comes a spellcheck.
T-Mobile USA starts pushing Android 1.5 to G1 owners (update: not yet)
That delay wasn't too painful, we suppose. After slipping the US release of the Cupcake-rich Android 1.5 by just a handful of days, T-Mobile USA is starting to push it out to G1 users in the field. The company estimates everyone will have it by early June, so if you haven't gotten the notification yet, hang tight, shake your fist at the sky, and scream a few choice obscenities for us. One more screencap is after the break, and it's a real treat for the anti-Apple crowd.[Thanks, Raymond and Jamie]Update: We're aware that the screen shot here shows a UK build -- we're currently awaiting official comment from T-Mobile USA on how the rollout is progressing over here. Stay tuned! Update 2: So far, it seems like the only folks getting updates are those who'd previously installed a UK build on their US-spec G1, which means the good people playing by the rules and avoiding any firmware tomfoolery are still update-less. We're still waiting on official comment from T-Mobile, but it's not looking good.Update 3: Indeed, the push hasn't started. T-Mobile tells us that "nothing has changed... plans are still to roll it out this week" -- so if you're crazy anxious to get this installed, your best bet is probably still to install the ADP or UK build.
Dell's Mini 10v shown running a plethora of operating systems, Android Cupcake among them
Need some further proof that Dell is working on an Android-powered netbook? How about a video featuring Doug Anson, Dell's Technology Strategist, sitting next to a Mini 10v that's running Android? And it's not just any flavor of Google's OS -- oh no, this is the frosting-covered goodness of Cupcake. Sadly the demonstration is nothing more than showing the desktop with that big, iconic clock, but it's proof enough that Round Rock's finest are working on something special. Also shown are 10v's running standard Ubuntu and the Netbook Remix, but they don't taste nearly as good. Video after the break.[Via Pocket-lint]
T-Mobile USA delays Android 1.5 rollout by a few days
We knew it was too good to be true, eternal curmudgeonly pessimists that we are -- and sure enough, T-Mobile USA has put the kibosh on the start of its Android 1.5 rollout to G1 users. It seems that the build is still being "optimized" to "ensure optimal functionality and smooth delivery," which doesn't necessarily explain why T-Mobile UK users are already enjoying this stuff -- but then again, we're not the engineers and tech support folks that have to put up with the fallout from a failed launch. The carrier thinks everything will be delayed by about a week, which means that we're now looking at early June before everyone gets it.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Android build for upcoming HTC Hero has revamped interface, social networking?
This one's a bit of a mystery, but it's certainly a tantalizing one: Haykuro of xdadevelopers fame has posted video of what purports to be the Android build off of HTC's upcoming Hero device. What's special about it is a reworked interface, which shows a lot of polish from icons to built-in apps to general interface elements... and maybe just a bit of TouchFLO flair. There are also new features like a login / logout menu for "social networks" in the settings menu. While the device lists the firmware as 1.5, there's a small possibility that some of this new look and feel could be headed for Android 2.0 "Donut," or perhaps HTC just feels like it needs to diverge from the pack a bit now that other manufacturers are starting to drop their own Android handsets. Check out the incredibly epic video after the break.[Via Android Central]
Android 1.5 coming to T-Mobile UK now, USA next week
And so it's finally confirmed: no consumers on un-hacked T-Mobile G1s in the US have this yet, but Android 1.5 and all its gooey, chocolatey Cupcake goodness will finally be hitting American units come late next week. Of course, you know how Android updates go -- they "roll" -- and not everyone is expected to get hooked up until the end of the month. Meanwhile, British G1 owners are getting updated as we speak -- so you might say they're getting back their American counterparts for launching the hardware afterwards. You know, what goes around, comes around. [Thanks, Shawn and David] Update: The 1.5 update includes Picasa and YouTube uploads (you didn't forget about video capability, did you?) straight from your device, which is pretty cool. Read - T-Mobile USA announcement Read - Android 1.5 now available in UK
Android 1.5 already hitting T-Mobile G1s?
We'd kinda gotten used to the cold, hard reality of being teased with the promise of a Cupcake build on our retail G1s out in some distant, nondeterministic future that we may or may not be a part of -- but all of a sudden, it looks like we might've vaulted right past Cupcake. We've now received multiple tips this evening suggesting that T-Mobile may have started distributing Android 1.5 as an over-the-air update to G1 owners, which would bring customizable widgets, messaging enhancements, virtual keyboards, and UI tweaks (among many other goodies) to an eager public. Anyone out there seeing this? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] P.S. - No, your eyes aren't deceiving you: these are little green pastries baked by T-Mobile. "We heard people wanted cupcakes," one representative told us.
Video: Android 1.5 'Cupcake' on-screen keyboard and camcorder action
Released into the developer wilds yesterday, Cupcake (Android 1.5) is already making its video debut on an Android Dev Phone. Arsen goes through some of the main new features including the camcorder (with YouTube sharing feature), new on-screen keyboard required for Android devices like the HTC Magic and Samsung I7500, and enhanced Web browser. 3GP videos captured by the G1 were a bit choppy with dropped frames and weak audio but on par with what we'd expect. The on-screen keyboard and enhanced browser fared far better with Google providing real-time suggestions during URL lookups and the browser itself feeling a bit snappier when zooming and scrolling. All-in-all the latest build seems more stable than previous iterations and leaves us itching for the May release. See for yourself after the break.
Android Dev Phones get early shot at Cupcake
While mere mortals will most likely have to wait until May to get at Cupcake (probably even stooping so low as to refer to it as Android 1.5, those commoners), the proud, good-looking possessors of Android Dev Phones can get at the update right this instant from HTC's website. Naturally, we'd assume somebody's going to figure out how to get these images onto rooted G1s before long, but we wouldn't want to over estimate the intelligence or temerity of the proletariat.[Via Talk Android]
T-Mobile Germany website indicates May launch for Cupcake
It's not exactly a huge surprise considering that the Cupcake-powered HTC Magic is confirmed to be coming out May 5th, but T-Mobile Germany's website now looks to have also confirmed that the Cupcake update itself will also be rolling out to G1 users sometime the same month -- in Germany, at least. That'll of course bring with it the much-desired on-screen keyboard, along with video recording, stereo Bluetooth support, and some new integration with Picasa and YouTube, among other fixes and additions. As you can see above, the update will "skillfully" install itself on your G1 as soon as it's available, so you needn't do anything except go on about your daily business in the meantime, or check the interwebs furiously for a means of jumping the cue.[Via Talk Android]
HTC Magic up for pre-order from Vodafone: due out May 5th, free with monthly plan
While the jury's still out on its US name or release date, the HTC Magic is gearing up for its European debut by way of Vodafone. The pre-order page is now live with an irresistible price of zilch, provided you agree to a monthly plan of £30 or more. The company says it plans to ship out the Cupcake-powered phone by May 5th. [Via Phandroid; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
GiiNii's Movit Mini Android tablet coming in October, Movit Maxx in January
We were pretty stoked by GiiNii's Movit Mini when we got some hands-on time with it at CES this year, and while the 4.3-inch, Android-powered tablet was originally due out in the middle of this year, the company's now targeting an October 1st ship date for the Mini and January 1st, 2010 for the 7-inch Max. Specs look to be the same as before, although given the new date we'd say Cupcake is now all but guaranteed. Mum's still the official word on pricing, but last we heard the Mini was expected to cost "less than the iPod touch" -- here's hoping the company manages to keep that goal.
