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Smozzy dodges T-Mobile data plans, delivers mobile web over text
Paying for your mobile internet data can be such a drag on the wallet. Luckily, there are Android apps like Smozzy that'll get you away from the pricey tiers, and onto the information superhighway via text -- no data plan required. You'll have to be a member of the Magenta brigade to use it, and you'll need an unlimited messaging plan, but after that, it should be smooth sailing and a little bit of extra wait time. So far, the well-reviewed app is still wearing its beta tag, and has only been tested on the Nexus S and T-Mobile G2. But don't let a little wireless experimentation stop you from enjoying the loophole-exploiting internet access. Something tells us this workaround might not be available for long. Hit up the source link below to test drive the SMS'd net for yourself.
Refresh Roundup: week of August 29, 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 The biggest update we saw this week was a widespread push of Android 2.3.3 to the Motorola Droid 2. This one is done OTA, so simply go into your settings menu and check for updates to see if it's there. (thanks to everyone who sent this in) While we saw a rollout of Android 2.3 to a select few LG Optimus Ones in June, we're hearing reports that the update's now getting pushed out again to a few more regions. This refresh must be done manually through LG's updater tool, so you'll definitely want to check to see if your phone is one of the lucky recipients. [via PocketNow] US Cellular took to its Facebook Page to let customers know it's working on revamping the Samsung Mesmerize to Gingerbread at some point, though no official date or timeframe was given aside from "as soon as possible." [via AndroidCentral] HTC announced the arrival of Android 2.3 for the Thunderbolt and Droid Incredible this month, via its Facebook page. [via AndroidCommunity] In fact, some users have already reported getting Gingerbread for the Incredible, and we suspect the rollout will be complete no later than the end of the month, to fulfill the company's promise. [via Phandroid] Gingerbread is in the plans for the Motorola Milestone 2, and according to the company the refresh will begin rolling out in early Q4. [via MyDailyGadget] The Samsung LC11 LTE mobile hotspot is getting a new build, EF07, that appears to improve its handling of multiple devices and congested WiFi locations. It also adds security patches and new protocols. [via Verizon] An update for the Droid 3 was apparently available to soak testers and leaked online, but was pulled from Motorola servers shortly thereafter. It appears to add video chat support in GTalk and adds a new radio that's supposed to save battery life. The via link still has the update available for anyone interested. [via Droid-Life] Unofficial Android updates / custom ROMs / misc hackery The root method used on most Motorola Android devices has been employed to root the Droid Bionic before it's even been released. [via Droid-Life] LG has released the kernel source for its Gingerbread build of the Optimus S. [via AndroidCentral] The HTC Dev site expanded its support for the bootloader unlock tool this week, now encompassing all versions of the Sensation -- including T-Mobile's. [via AndroidCentral] Other platforms SPB Shell 3.0 is now available for Symbian^3 devices. It brings a fresh 3D-style UI to the OS, and can be yours for $15. [via IntoMobile] Updates already covered this week HP planning TouchPad OTA update for added functionality HTC Flyer Honeycomb ROM leaks Samsung Nexus S updated to 2.3.6, fixes voice search and breaks tethering
Android 2.3.6 begins rolling out to Samsung Nexus S, fixes voice search concerns (update: breaks tethering, too)
If you've been one of the unlucky folks who've been experiencing issues with the voice search on your Samsung Nexus S, fortune may be coming your way this weekend in the form of an OTA update. Android 2.3.6, which aims to fix the voice search bug (other improvements haven't been detailed yet, aside from "security patches"), has officially begun rolling out to the device. The new firmware hasn't been pushed to our devices yet -- attempting a manual check yielded no results either -- but Google is stating that the refresh will likely take a few days to make the rounds. So unless you've been hit hard by the bugs, we doubt you should panic if it takes extra time to reach your phone. Update: We're getting updates from all over that indicate 2.3.6 is also breaking WiFi and USB tethering across all devices, so this "enhancement" may be something to hold off on for a while until everything gets sorted out -- if it gets sorted out, that is. [Thanks, Neil]
Samsung Galaxy S II logs confirm NFC support for AT&T, none for Sprint
What's the point of investing $100 million in a mobile payment system if you don't have the goods to back it up? AT&T may be adopting this philosophy, beginning with the Galaxy S II. With the aid of eagle-eyed Android dev François Simond, we conducted an extended analysis of Ma Bell's latest gem and discovered it's rife with NFC. In addition to containing kernel drivers and a pre-installed APK, the system files also indicate the device is running in a mode named NDEF -- short for NFC Data Exchange Format. We haven't been able to determine if the handset will be capable of making payments, but the presence of Near-Field Communications in the Galaxy S II is definitely a good sign. T-Mobile is keeping a tight lid on its variant for the moment, preventing us from getting an in-depth look, but FCC filings confirm it will contain NFC as well. As for the third handset announced last night, the Epic 4G Touch contains no mention of NFC. Upon further analysis, we uncovered something else potentially more disturbing: it's using the same WiMAX module (cmc732) as the Samsung Nexus S 4G, a handset that was plagued with performance issues when it was originally released (those concerns were eventually resolved in a later update). In this case, it's hard to tell if that means we'll relive the painful experience once again, or if it will come with improved firmware to ensure it doesn't take the same path as its 4G brother. We're starting to unravel the mysteries, folks, and will continue to fill you in as we learn more. If you're considering one of these three lovely models, will these discoveries sway your decision in a particular direction? [Thanks, François Simond]
Engadget's back to school guide 2011: smartphones
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we're tapping away on our smartphones -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Now more than ever, collegiate studies require a wide variety of devices to help you get that prized "A." The thirst for knowledge you so desperately seek can strike at any time, and you're not always going to have that desktop or laptop nearby to find the answer to a burning question. Perhaps you just need to hurl birds at pigs for a while to blow off your stress. Whatever the case, you'll need something to help you study, store (and edit) all of your important term papers, keep you in touch with classmates or family, and everything in-between. What better way to get all of that than with a smartphone? We've picked nine respectable candidates that can help you through your upcoming semester -- three for each budget level. Oh, and while you're looking, we're giving away $3,000 worth of essential back to school gear to 15 lucky readers, and you can be one of them by simply leaving a comment below! So, which phones are most likely to help you get smart? Head past the break to find out.
Mobiado's Grand Touch phones ditch the Nexus S plastic for a precious metal finish
Nothing quite screams money to burn like last year's tech gilded in pricey, CNC-machined metals. Purveyor of mobile extravagance, Mobiado, has recently rolled out the red carpet for two new additions to its Grand Line -- the Grand Touch and Grand Touch GCB. These high-end exercises in wireless hauteur are merely gussied up versions of Samsung's Nexus S, sporting the same ol' 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 16GB of storage, 512MB RAM, 4-inch Super LCD display and front-facing VGA / 5 megapixel rear camera. Available in either anodized aluminum or solid brass with gold plating (take a guess which is costlier), the sapphire crystal-backed duo comes unlocked with quad-band GSM, and tri-band UMTS / HSDPA radios, so you can stay connected aboard that yacht in St. Tropez.
Android Ice Cream Sandwich pictures leak, leave us slightly cold
Well what do we have here? It looks like Ice Cream Sandwich might have escaped from Google's freezer a little early. Let's be clear here -- we're not 100 percent sure this is the next major version of Android, but the evidence is somewhat convincing. Both Android Police and RootzWiki posted screenshots of a Nexus S running a blue-ish themed skin which appears similar to the Gingerbread UI, but with a revised dock containing four icons instead of the usual three. Most of the changes are mild, but introduce functionality that already exist in Honeycomb. The camera app is said to gain a panorama mode, and the Gmail app is supposed to match the design of the new OS. Follow the links below for more details, and jump past the break for an additional picture.
Samsung Galaxy Gio heads to Canada August 8th, $150 off-contract
Looks like the Samsung Galaxy Gio -- the poor man's Nexus S -- is headed for an August 8th launch in our neighbor to the north's backyard. The budget entry Android phone has seen an OS bump to 2.3 since its debut at Mobile World Congress but, alas, is still riddled with same old, mid-grade 800MHz processor and 3 megapixel camera. Slated to hit Bell Mobility and Virgin Mobile on Monday, expect to snag this Galaxy handset for $150 outright, or free on a three-year contract -- but why do something crazy like that?
Samsung Hercules snapped in the wild, powering its way to Telus soon?
Would demigods feel honored that smartphones are getting named after them? The Samsung Hercules, from what we can tell, seems to fit its given title appropriately; he was, after all, famous for his behemoth strength. Sadly, we've known more about him than his technological counterpart, though that may be soon changing. MobileSyrup found someone clutching onto the still-unannounced device at a VIP event and snapped a quick pic for the world to see. While they didn't get any hands-on time, they indicated that it was running on Telus, it appeared to have a 4.5-inch display (as rumored), and is a design mashup of the Galaxy S II, Nexus S, and the Infuse 4G. This still leaves us with nothing but spec rumors -- which include a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, Super AMOLED Plus display, 16GB of flash storage, 42Mbps HSPA+, and an eight megapixel camera -- but it's nice to have a face to go with the famous name. For somebody who likes to go the distance, its superphone namesake sure seems awfully close.
Best Buy dishing out free Nexus S for one day only, ball and chain included
Have you been looking to get your hands on a nice slice of Gingerbread without totally wrecking your wallet? If so... your time has come. Best Buy has announced that starting tonight (August 2nd) at 11 p.m. CST -- we'll assume they meant CDT, aka midnight Eastern -- it will begin offering the Google Nexus S for free (you read that right). Of course, you'll still have to chain yourself to a two-year agreement with AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile to cash in on this deal, but wait a day later and the price will certainly jump back up to a full Benjamin. So set your clock, and make sure you score one either in-store or online before 11:59 p.m. CST tomorrow. Check out the full details in the PR, just past the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Motorola Atrix sequel gets candid with the camera, heading for AT&T?
With all of the hype building for the Droid Bionic's arrival, we can't say we were expecting to see an unannounced Motorola device receive love from the camera instead. But sure 'nuff, we beheld our gadget-lusting eyes on a handset that's likely AT&T-bound in the near future -- the carrier's logo is flaunted on the front, at least -- and may even be the next-gen Atrix 4G. Sporting a coincidentally similar design to its supposed predecessor, we only know of a few specs so far: the mystery device offers an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, HDMI connectivity, Moto's new Blur UI replacement and a curved display similar to the Nexus S -- though this time there's no fingerprint scanner onboard. It looks and sounds great, but let's just hope that this one really is the "world's most powerful" smartphone. The gallery below shows the device in all its glory. %Gallery-129376%
Engadget Mobile Podcast 096 - 07.23.2011
What other technology podcast hosts would let a bunch of fruity news sink into the background as they trudge deep into the waters of new Android and MeeGo phones? We think you know the answer to that one.Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad MolenProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Daestro - Light Powered (Ghostly International)00:01:22 - Sprint readies Nexus S 4G update with improved WiMAX performance, we go hands-on (video)00:08:32 - T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide00:21:03 - Motorola Droid 3 review00:40:16 - T-Mobile G2x Gingerbread update running through employee trials, "coming soon" just got closer00:44:03 - HTC Status review00:49:42 - Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo review00:53:34 - AT&T Nexus S coming to Best Buy July 24th, available for $100 with contract01:12:28 - Sprint's Fared Adib: we made a conscious decision to scale back bloatware on smartphones01:14:23 - Motorola Triumph01:16:50 - T-Mobile unveils flexible new Value plans: unlimited talk, text, and / or data for any device01:19:45 - Fujitsu to launch first Windows Phone Mango handset in... August?01:21:55 - Nokia 'Sea Ray' WP7 handset revealed on a factory floor? (Video)01:22:25 - Nokia N9 arrives at FCC, opened up to see where all the MeeGo comes from01:24:37 - Apple outpaces Nokia in global smartphone shipments01:26:58 - AT&T 'confident' T-Mobile deal to close in Q1 2012Hear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)Contact the podcastpodcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.Follow us on Twitter@tnkgrl @phonewisdom @engadgetmobile
Google+ sneaks NFC into its Android app, gets caught red-handed
NFC is gradually turning to the social side, thanks to new functionality found within the Google+ app for Android. Software developer Ridzuan Ashim discovered that, when used on an NFC-enabled device, you can read tags and share them through the new social networking service. After scanning, the OS asks you if you want to share the associated text with Google+ or another relevant program. Though the abilities seem somewhat limited for now, we'll likely see more developer support tossed in as the service matures. Using NFC in this way could lead us into a group Huddle, check us in at a restaurant and share it with our Circles, and perhaps even add us into somebody's Circle or Hangout. It's only functional on a limited number of Android devices for now, so if you happen to use a Nexus S and have been invited to the exclusive club better known as Google+, you're a prime candidate for giving it a look-see. If the above criteria doesn't apply, check out the video below to experience all that near-field glory through someone else's phone.
Nexus S mini-game adds whimsy to list of must-have specs
In an effort to help force your ambivalent hand at the checkout, Google's taken a decidedly whimsical approach to Nexus S marketing. The end result: an interactive, YouTube-hosted mini-game that lets you bounce and blow four Google app-labeled balls through a funnel to the Nexus S. Sound fun? It kind of is, but before you wonder where the last half-hour went, keep in mind there's no free handset at the end of this Android rainbow -- just pure fun. It's a cute distraction that probably won't have you forgetting about dual core processors anytime soon, but could still sway your credit card if you're the silly type. Check the source below to get your Google-gaming on.
Skype 2.0 hotfix enables video chat on Sprint's Nexus S 4G
Looks like some of the Skype crew might've had a sleepless night to please owners of the Nexus S 4G. If you'll recall, June 30th saw a major update to its Android app enabling video chat on four devices; although the Nexus S was part of the club, its door was locked for Sprint's 4G variant. That's quickly changed, however, as the team's set loose a hotfix to grant it access -- this despite initially stating we'd have to wait for a "future release." You can grab the app from the Android Market if you haven't yet, and be sure to let us know how it goes in comments. Oh, and for those anxious Thunderbolt owners? We'd recommend not holding your breath until after the 4th of July holiday.
Nexus S hacked and tweaked to slaughter benchmarks, reality be damned
It's always a good idea to take benchmarks with a grain of salt -- their synthetic tests don't always match up with real-world performance. But, we wouldn't blame you if you wrote them off completely after spying these results from Android Community forum member Simms22. Simms took his Nexus S, blessed it with a little Cyanogen Mod 7 pixie dust, overclocked it to 1.544GHz, and made a few other tweaks for good measure. The results? An absolutely unbelievable score of 10,082 in Smartbench2011. To put that in perspective, the 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos powering the Galaxy S II hit only 3,053 -- and remember, the Nexus S is working with a one core handicap. The creator of Smartbench has acknowledged there are bugs to be worked out (did besting the Xoom by 400 percent give it away?) but we're not quite ready to dismiss the numbers game completely -- then what excuse would we have for publishing copious amounts of bar charts? Update: The creator of Smartbench2011 confirms he's working on a new version, 1.2.1, which should fix the bugs.
Engadget Primed: What is NFC, and why do we care?
Primed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day -- we dig deep into each topic's history and how it benefits our lives. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com. The introduction of Google Wallet felt a little too good to be true, didn't it? It's magical, like the tech equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. In reality, the tech behind mobile payments has been around since 2003 on a much smaller scale using near-field communications, more commonly known as NFC. The idea behind Wallet (amongst other services, like ISIS) is contactless pay -- using your phone as a credit card -- and is just one of the many ways NFC can be useful in our everyday lives. In fact, we're only scraping the surface of what's theoretically possible. Google is definitely not the first company to dabble in NFC, but it appears to be poised and ready to push the tech's adoption forward at a rapid pace with the advent of Wallet and Offers. Until now the coals have been hot; but if a fire's going to start, someone monolithic has to throw a few newspapers in as kindling -- and Google volunteered. But what good is NFC if it's just an acronym that causes our eyes to glaze over? Is El Goog the only instigator? After the break we'll focus on what NFC is capable of, and why we want it on our phones as soon as yesterday.
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide gets pictured with Gingerbread, may debut next month
We didn't know it was possible, but Mr. Blurrycam just got out-Blurrycam'd. After getting some quality hands-on time with the FCC this week, the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide had a brief photo shoot showing off a few of its assets. The images, provided by one of BGR's sources, give us a brief look at the device's keyboard and some of its software specs. The myTouch 4G Slide appears to be running Android 2.3.4 -- the same version of Gingerbread found on the Nexus S -- and the latest iteration of HTC Sense UI. This source also confirmed an 8 megapixel camera and teased that the phone runs "as smoothly as the HTC Sensation" and the screen "isn't much to write home about." We hear that the myTouch 4G Slide is penciled in for the first half of July, and looks to be a mighty fine QWERTY-slide option within T-Mobile's Android stable. Or, as good as one can look given the circumstances.
Engadget Investigates: Samsung Nexus S 4G WiMAX performance issues
In Engadget Investigates, we explore major issues, working with tech manufacturers and service providers to improve your experience with the gadgets we've all come to depend on. If you'd like us to look into an issue, please send us a tip, including "Investigate" in the subject line. Samsung's highly-anticipated Nexus S 4G joined the WiMAX family this month, pairing Google's popular Nexus handset with Sprint's 4G network. But with the honeymoon over, customers have noticed that the Gingerbread device isn't living up to Sprint's former flagship mates, such as the Epic 4G, with last year's model besting the new guy on both speed and network reception tests. Customers also noticed issues with battery life, though so far we've found it to be consistent with other WiMAX smartphones. We took both out for a stroll around New York City, and on a quick weekend getaway to Miami Beach, and we're sorry to report that we've confirmed your fears about performance. Sprint and Google have confirmed that they're looking into the performance issues, and we hope they can patch things up with some over-the-air update therapy, but in the meantime, jump past the break to see what we found.
Live from the Google Wallet press event!
Okay, so we're not totally sure Google will be unveiling its Google Wallet contactless payment system, but we're rather certain that whatever the company has to unveil will have something to do with paying for things using a wallet that doesn't contain physical money yet features some sort of Google branding. Would you like to know more? Join us for the full liveblog experience at the times below: 06:00 - Hawaii 09:00 - Pacific 10:00 - Mountain 11:00 - Central 12:00 - Eastern 17:00 - London 18:00 - Paris 20:00 - Moscow 00:00 - Perth 00:00 - Shenzhen 01:00 - Tokyo (May 27th) 02:00 - Sydney (May 27th)