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How-to: push Chrome / Firefox links to your Android 2.2 Froyo device (video)
While we absolutely adore our Nexus One -- now that it's got a bellyful of that fabulous frozen yogurt -- one of the most exciting Android additions shown off at Google I/O isn't actually slated for Froyo: the ability to push apps and music over the air from computer to phone. The underlying framework apparently is, though, and thus a bite-sized version of the functionality is already available at Google Code. If you're one of the lucky few running Android 2.2, you can get an extension for Chrome and Firefox web browsers that will let you push URLs, Maps and YouTube video links direct to your device using a Google Account. You can think of it as an early foray into a Continuous Client, perhaps, sharing with yourself before you head to a business meeting. Better yet, share an account with a group of friends and push interesting items to everyone on the go. See how (and see it in action) right after the break.
HTC EVO 4G gets hacked Froyo port, Sense UI be damned
You know what happens when you give EVO 4Gs to a room full of some of the brightest developers the world has to offer? Well, [expletive] is going to go down, that's what -- so it comes as little surprise that the phone's already been blessed with a seemingly functional Froyo port, even though neither the phone nor the operation system have even seen a public release yet. The largest distribution of the EVO so far has come at the hands of Google itself, which provided the Android 2.1- and Sense-equipped handsets to attendees of its recent IO conference; a timely upgrade to Android 2.2 has unquestionably been a big sticking point for would-be buyers, though, so it's good to see that early owners are already hard at work making this happen. Root is naturally required for the 2.2 port to work -- and there will undoubtedly be some hurdles to overcome to make this totally usable -- but we have full faith in these lovely wunderkinds. Follow the break for video evidence of a Froyo'd EVO in the wild.
Android 2.2 wastes no time getting hacked onto HTC Dream and Magic
Though we're not even a wee bit shocked to see a "usable" version of Froyo already available to owners of the G1 / Dream and Magic, we're definitely heartened to see that phones running 2008 specs can handily run a mid-2010 version of the platform. There's plenty of stuff that doesn't work yet -- WiFi and GPS, just to name a couple of biggies -- but we suspect that this is one dev community that won't give up until everything is working to their satisfaction. Motivation to hang on to otherwise outdated hardware for a few more months, perhaps?
Counterpoint: fragmentation won't destroy Android after all
The common belief -- and a belief we've generally shared here at Engadget -- is that Google's breakneck pace of development and lackadaisical stance toward heavily-customized versions of Android is slowly undermining the platform from the inside out. Handset manufacturers simply aren't used to the concept of two or more major revisions of an operating system in the span of 12 months, and it's got the potential to wreak havoc; there's probably no better example of this than HTC's Sense, where many of the world's Hero owners continue to plod along on Android 1.5 to this very day. Ultimately, this means that different Android users have access to different subsets of features and applications -- and looking at the big picture, it could mean that potential buyers are going to be subject to more paralysis at the sales counter than they'd be knowing that they've got a more futureproof device in their hands. Theoretically, anyway. Thing is, even as Android becomes more fragmented, it's also becoming more of a consumer product. Gone are the days when the ultra-geeky G1 was your only ticket to ride; now you've got dozens of choices, including high-end, heavily-marketed phones on American carriers like the Droid Incredible, Backflip, myTouch 3G Slide, and EVO 4G. What that means is that carriers and manufacturers are both successfully turning the conversation away from the platform, the technology, and the politics of Android -- subjects that your average phone buyer couldn't possibly care less about -- and turning it toward things that actually sell devices in volume: sex appeal, speed, and easy access to services like Facebook and Twitter. This phenomenon was demonstrated for us this week on the Engadget Mobile podcast, where our special guest (and podcast producer) Trent Wolbe -- a guy who isn't the unabashed phone nerd that I am -- told us on no uncertain terms that the lack of Froyo on the EVO 4G at launch is a complete non-issue for him. It makes sense: if a phone does everything you need it to do, and it does those things extraordinarily well, who really cares? Well, as technology writers, it's easy for us to care (in fact, it's our job to care) and to get swept up in the notion that having the latest and greatest is absolutely critical to our enjoyment of a product, but in reality, your average EVO 4G buyer might not even know what Android 2.2 is, much less understand why he or she should want it. We're not advocating that HTC and others slack off on keeping up with Google, of course -- or that Google shouldn't consider slowing down a smidge as Android's core matures -- but there's definitely an argument to be made that we're all going to enjoy the cream of this year's Android crop, Froyo / Gingerbread or otherwise.
Samsung Galaxy S will hit Asia in June, get Froyo later
Samsung has just let the cat out of the bag regarding its top of the line Galaxy S, which is set to make its global debut in Asian markets this June. Unsubsidized, this 4-inch beastie will cost you S$1,098 (or around $775), which might be a little on the steep side, but then this is one of only a pair of Super AMOLED handsets on the market and Samsung makes the other one. And in case you want an alternative closer to home, Amazon's German portal is now listing the Galaxy S for pre-order at €649, which works out to about the same price. The best news from today, however, is probably Samsung's official confirmation that the phone will be getting an Android 2.2 upgrade at some point in its future. No specifics are given as yet, but we'll take our Froyo whenever and wherever we can get it. [Thanks, Rob]
How to get Hulu running on Android 2.2, for now
Android 2.2 and Flash 10.1. A perfect combination for combination for a little Hulu on the go, right? Not quite, as Hulu has decided to block videos (for legal reasons) when it detects a mobile device, but it turns out there is a surprisingly simple workaround. As Absolutely Android explains, all you have to do is make Hulu think you're using a desktop browser, which can be done simply by entering "about:debug" in the address bar and switching the UAString setting from Android to desktop. The only downside to the trick is that you'll now also get the full desktop version of the Hulu site (and any other site, until you switch it back), and there's a better than decent chance that Hulu will close this loophole before you can finish your first episode of Kojak.
Motorola expects Android 2.2 update to hit Droid 'in the near future'
Hearing Google say that Android 2.2 would be filtering out to the Nexus One in short order was no huge shock -- after all, it's Google's first smartphone. But for those who purchased Motorola's first heavy-hitter since the RAZR, it looks as if they'll be close behind in enjoying the spoils. According to a Motorola spokesperson quoted at Slashgear (full statement is past the break), the company is expecting the original Droid to get Android 2.2 "in the near future," though he / she wouldn't go so far as to provide specifics beyond that. Better still, the same person stated that Motorola is excited about Froyo in general, and it's "looking forward to integrating it on [the firm's] Android-based devices as [the software] is made available." We hate to read too deeply into anything, but "devices" sure gets our digits tingling. [Thanks, Alex]
Flash 10.1 on Froyo goes tete-a-tete with Flash Lite 4 on Eclair: butter vs. stutter (video)
Believe it or not, your newly-upgraded Nexus One isn't the first Android smartphone to have Adobe Flash video capability, nor even the first to play said content on a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU -- Europe's been rocking the HTC Desire since April, which sports a little something called Flash Lite even on the older Android 2.1 OS. Will frozen yogurt outperform puff pastry on its home turf? Find out in a blind taste test video showdown after the break.
Android 2.2 Froyo manual update found, now available for select Nexus One devices
It was only a matter of time. The direct link to download the Android 2.2 "Froyo" update from Google's servers has been found. According to XDA-Developers, it only works if you have a "non-rooted stock ERE27 system" Nexus One. Meet the requirements? Can't wait any longer? Download link below. Update: Want no pre-conditions? Here's another link, albeit less official so proceed at your own risk. [Thanks, Justin!] [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Engadget Podcast 197 - 05.22.2010
Google may not rule the universe quite yet, but it certainly rules the hearts and minds of the Engadget Podcasteers this week, in one way or another. Featuring the world debut of the dramatic musical theater segment Nilay's Niggles.Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul MillerSpecial guests: Chris Ziegler, Ben DrawbaughProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Valpo Usta - BabyHear the podcast00:02:35 - HTC EVO 4G review00:18:46 - Android 2.2 Froyo: everything you ever wanted to know00:19:22 - Google I/O recap: more web than you can shake a frozen dessert at00:20:30 - Live from the Google I/O 2010 day 2 keynote!00:20:40 - Google adding over-the-air app installation and iTunes streaming to Android00:21:08 - Google claims Froyo has the world's fastest mobile browser00:23:10 - Flash 10.1 for Android beta unveiled: Hulu a no-show, Froyo now a minimum requirement00:38:38 - Google TV: everything you ever wanted to know00:39:30 - Google TV turns on at I/O: runs Android and Flash, partnered with Sony, Logitech, and Intel00:40:09 - Logitech's Google TV companion box includes smartphone apps, we go eyes-on (updated: video!)00:40:30 - Sony Internet TV, DISH first with Google TV this fall; Adobe, Logitech and others along for the ride01:00:45 - Sad Violin01:16:08 - The Engadget Show returns, this Saturday, May 22nd with Sprint's Evo 4G, Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch, and an Engadget editors Q&A!Subscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)Contact the podcast1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget
Seven ways PC World is wrong about the iPhone-Android matchup
Android's new features in the upcoming version 2.2 (aka "Froyo," announced this week at Google I/O) are certainly intriguing, but some sections of the press have gone off the deep end in their analysis of what this means for the iPhone and the smartphone market in general. PC World's piece, "7 Ways Android 2.2 Froyo Tops Apple's iPhone," is a perfect example of this phenomenon, and it reads like it was written by someone who's never even held an iPhone. All seven of their points are easily debunked, even leaving aside the fact that they're comparing today's iPhone with the as-yet-unbuyable Froyo phones of tomorrow. Read on to find out why -- and bring marshmallows.
Android 2.2's Froyo goodness hitting the Nexus One already? (update: just press so far)
Sometimes it's good to be the chosen child, the special one, and in the eyes of Google the Nexus One is that special phone -- at least for the moment. As such it seems to have been given a special treat: access to Froyo, earlier than expected. TechCrunch's MG Siegler is reporting that his handset received Android 2.2 overnight. So far we're not hearing too many other reports of folks seeing this update, but that could be thanks to everyone sleeping off a week of exciting announcements. Sound off in comments if you're waking up to this frosty, low-calorie snack. Update: We're not sure how this is being rolled out, as hardly anyone is seeing updates, but via Droidnytt we found a number of reports on Twitter that people are indeed seeing the update. Update 2: Count us among the lucky few who just received the OTA Froyo update, to our original T-Mobile-based device. Update 3: We've done some additional investigation, and as far as we can tell, Google is only updating review Nexus Ones that had been provided to the press -- not off-the-shelf phones. We'll stay on this and let you know more as soon as we do. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Android 2.2 coming to Nexus One, open source community 'in the coming weeks'
Why, thanks Google! Just a day after wrapping up a rather monumental Google I/O event in Northern California, the company's official show Twitter account has belted out a tidbit that just about every attendee was wondering about. According to the outfit, Android 2.2 (yeah, that's Froyo for the inexperienced) will be "made available to OEMs and the open source community in the coming weeks," and it'll be hitting up the HTC-built Nexus One in the "next few weeks." That's music to our ears, and if you're unsure what kind of impact this will have on your own life, feel free to take a deep dive into this right here. [Thanks, Alex]
Android 2.2 Froyo: everything you ever wanted to know
Since its initial launch on the T-Mobile G1 in October of 2008, Google's Android operating system has evolved rapidly -- perhaps more rapidly than any other operating system in recent memory -- to become one of the most important and prolific smartphone platforms in the market today. Its latest incarnation, announced at Google's I/O conference in San Francisco this week, began life as codename "Froyo" (continuing its tradition of naming new versions as desserts in alphabetical order, starting with Cupcake) to officially become Android 2.2. Don't be fooled by the mere 0.1 boost in the version number over 2.1 Eclair, though -- this is a huge upgrade that represents the most user-friendly, compelling, and feature-complete version of the little green guy to date. Read on for our full look!%Gallery-93349% %Gallery-93350%
Google I/O recap: more web than you can shake a frozen dessert at
Whew, Google really knows how to pack it in. Two days of Google I/O and we've got enough info on the future of the web, phone, and television to write a couple sci-fi novels and retire. Of course, we aren't just bystanders here: we've also gotten our hands on the latest version of Android (2.2, codenamed Froyo) and put its through its speedy paces. You can catch up on all the action below. Liveblog Live from the Google I/O 2010 day 2 keynote! Google TV Clicker.tv brings streaming internet video to your TV's browser; it has a web browser right? Google TV turns on at I/O: runs Android and Flash, partnered with Sony, Logitech, and Intel Sony Internet TV, DISH first with Google TV this fall; Adobe, Logitech and others along for the ride CE-Oh no he didn't!: Sony's Sir Howard says 'when you beat Apple, you're dominating' Logitech's Google TV companion box includes smartphone apps, we go eyes-on (updated: video!) Android Froyo Foxconn's Tegra 2-powered Android tablet hands-on (video) Google's Larry Page says there's 'something wrong' if your Android phone's battery doesn't last all day Android Gingerbread is 'planned for Q4 2010' Android 2.2 Froyo officially announced Google claims Froyo has the world's fastest mobile browser Android 2.2 'Froyo' beta hands-on: Flash 10.1, WiFi hotspots, and some killer benchmark scores Flash 10.1 for Android beta unveiled: Hulu a no-show, Froyo now a minimum requirement Google adding over-the-air app installation and iTunes streaming to Android Android 2.2 SDK goes live, developers likely unable to crash Google's download server Web tech Google Wave opens doors to public, asks old friends for new chance Google launches open WebM web video format based on VP8 (update: hardware partners and Microsoft statement) Google partnership has GM OnStar exploring Maps, open APIs and more Google unveils Chrome web store, Sports Illustrated app impresses OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google mSpot stores your music* in the cloud, makes it available anywhere**
HTC: 'most phones' launched in 2010 will get Android 2.2
Now that Froyo has gone official, HTC has hurried to reassure customers that most of its 2010 phone catalog will indeed be riding Android 2.2 before the year is through. Prodded on the subject by Pocket-lint, the company has replied that it's starting out with the Desire and Incredible and working through other "hotly anticipated new phones," which should sound a reassuring note for prospective Evo 4G owners. A full list will be provided as we get closer to release, but don't wait with bated breath just yet, current indications are that the software upgrade will be coming in the second half of the year. By which time we'll all probably have a taste for Gingerbread.
Android 2.2 ROM inevitably falls victim to device ports
Well, who saw this coming? Froyo -- yes, the one and only Android 2.2 that got released via SDK today -- has already begun its grand voyage into hacky, totally unofficial device ROMs that are available to unhealthily brave users. The two we've got for your perusal here are for the Nexus One (of course) and Verizon's Droid Eris, of all things; our understanding is that both of them are ridiculously unstable and unpractical for actual use at this point, but it's patently obvious that these guys aren't going to sleep until there are some solid firmware binaries on the interwebs. Mountain Dew Code Red and bottles of No-Doz, fellas. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Android 2.2 SDK goes live, developers likely unable to crash Google's download server
Giving devs access to freshly-announced versions of mobile operating systems on the very same day that they're announced is pretty much the way things work nowadays -- the first version of Windows Phone 7 understandably excepted -- so we're pleased to see that Google's kit for Android 2.2 Froyo is now up and running. You start out by downloading a modest 18-odd megabyte package that just contains tools with no target platforms, then you open a separate app to pull and install only the platforms you want (you can go all the way back to version 1.5, if you're so inclined). So kick off that download now while you grab lunch -- we hear the lobster bisque they're serving in the cafeteria today is pretty good. [Thanks, Justin B.]
Google adding over-the-air app installation and iTunes streaming to Android
Sure sure, Froyo is great and all, but Google just blew our minds with two previews of upcoming Android features at I/O: OTA application installation and remote music streaming. OTA installation is just as simple as you'd expect -- after browsing to an app on your desktop, you can push it to your phone and install it with just a single click, all done over the air. Interestingly, Google also showed music being purchased and transferred from Android Marketplace in the same way, which could indicate a deeper push towards music integration, or just be a nice demo. Either way, it's pretty slick stuff -- the fewer wires we have to carry, the better. The remote music streaming is a little crazier: Google bought a company called Simplify Media, which makes a bit of desktop software that can stream all your music directly from iTunes to your phone. The demo was quite slick -- you just open the app and push "all," and all your music is instantly available. Whether or not this'll work over 3G or be limited to the local network is still up in the air, but we're dying to try it out.
Android 2.2 'Froyo' beta hands-on: Flash 10.1, WiFi hotspots, and some killer benchmark scores
Much to our surprise at the time, when Adobe sent us a Flash 10.1-enabled Nexus One for testing, the phone came preloaded with a preview build of Android 2.2 -- a.k.a. "Froyo" -- the apparent turning point for curbing Android fragmentation due for a very public unveiling today at Google I/O. We've had a day or two to dig into it, and while we're surely missing some improvements here or there (Google was unable to provide us a changelog as of this writing), we've spent pretty much all our waking moments combing through every virtual nook and cranny. So what can Eclair alumni expect from the revised platform? Read on for more! %Gallery-93349% %Gallery-93350%
