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Motorola Droid Android 2.2 Froyo OTA updates are go
Judging by the deluge of tips that just hit our inbox, it looks like Verizon just pulled the trigger and released the Android 2.2 Froyo over-the-air update for its venerable Droid handset. At least it has for some lucky owners. So tell us, did you get yours? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
EVO 4G starts getting Android 2.2 update over the air
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/EVO_4G_starts_getting_Android_2_2_update_over_the_air'; We've just gotten a deluge of tips that EVO 4Gs are starting to get blessed with the official update to Froyo -- a few hours prior to the promised August 3 rollout -- so if you've got one handy, you're going to want to start checking it right this second. Seriously, now that it's got a trick flashlight app included in ROM, what could you possibly be waiting for? On a related note, if you happened to apply that early update that HTC posted and pulled late last week, the company's working on a fix so that you aren't out of the over-the-air update loop and promises to "get back" in "the coming days." [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Droid Incredible now getting big OTA update with 720p recording?
That rumored software update for HTC's Droid Incredible is apparently now hitting some devices, and it's a doozy -- it's impressive enough, in fact, that it darn near gives you a new phone (short of Froyo, anyway). The headline features are the addition of Verizon's mobile hotspot app (for which you'll pay $20 a month for 2GB in order to use) and 720p video recording, a feature that's becoming virtually standard on top-tier smartphones this year -- including Sprint's EVO 4G, which essentially shares the Droid Incredible's camera hardware. You'll also get the Skype app integrated and some other Verizon-related software goodies plus a sweet new boot animation, so overall, you're definitely going to want to accept this update once you're phone notifies you that it's available. Don't be afraid -- remember, it's the evil Droid eye that you really need to fear.
Sprint's HTC Hero rooted, promptly patched over-the-air
Great news: the original Android 2.1 firmware for Sprint's HTC Hero was recently rooted. Bad news: Sprint and HTC were entirely too quick about fixing it, pushing out an over-the-air update this weekend that patches up the so-called "security vulnerability" without a new root yet in sight. Owners of rooted devices are naturally being advised not to pull the trigger on the new build at this time; too bad HTC couldn't have shown this kind of hustle with the 2.1 upgrade in the first place, isn't it? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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.
Droid Incredible's mysterious OTA update actually fixes Exchange bug
Saturday afternoon, reports came in that Verizon's new Droid Incredible had already received its first OTA update. Nobody knew quite what it did and few even received it, but some figured it probably fixed the smattering of random reboots and radio bugs experienced by some early adopters. We reached out to Verizon on the matter, and we're afraid to say that's not the case -- the new 1.22.605.2 CL161494 software build merely fixes a bug in Microsoft Exchange support. As such, you'll only see the update if you've got a corporate handset, and those who do can expect their carbon-copy email fields (which would apparently fill with unintended addresses beforehand) to be fixed sometime around May 6th. On the off-chance that fix magically transforms your mobile world, feel free to let us know in comments. Full statement after the break.
HTC Legend gets firmware update in Europe, reunites with missing apps in Android Market
Attention, possessors of the European HTC Legend! Have you noticed a handful of missing apps in the Android Market, namely Twidroid, Layar, MySpace Mobile, Barcode Scanner, Google Goggles, FxCamera, and so forth? Today, the brilliantly quiet HTC has finally come to light with the bizarre offending bug -- camera incompatibility. Oopsie! Any moment now your metallic slab should receive the OTA update to patch things up, and hopefully the Droid Incredible will get the same fix even sooner. Crisis averted.
Charlie Kindel on Windows Phone 7: some things will be missing at launch
In the weeks since Microsoft's MIX conference, the company has obviously done a little introspection and refined its message around Windows Phone 7 -- there's no greater example of that than the fact that they simplified the name at the public's urging. Microsoft's Charlie Kindel, who's been leading up developer evangelism for the platform, has gone on record a few times recently with some interesting tidbits around their post-launch strategy, including the very good news that they want to "do the right thing" with copy / paste -- not a meaty answer to the problem, obviously, but a heartening sign that they'll end up adding a clipboard into the mix at one point or another. Managed multitasking -- something similar to what Apple has announced in iPhone OS 4.0 -- also appears to be on the docket, though it's not something we can expect in the first volley later this year. Speaking in more generic terms, Kindel says that the company is well aware that "some things are missing at the launch," choosing to concentrate instead on getting a limited set of functionality perfectly polished for version 1.0 -- a distinctly different philosophy than in versions past. Fortunately, both OTA and tethered updates will be possible, though it sounds like Microsoft will be using a mix of the two depending on the size and complexity of the update -- you can't pick your own poison, the way you can with BlackBerrys and Android devices today. On a related note, we wanted to take this opportunity to spruce up our complete guide to Windows Phone 7, which you'll be able to use over the course of the year to stay abreast of the latest and greatest information we have about the platform as we get close to launch. Check it out here!
Over the air reliance on the rise in Southern California
Now this is more like we expected, in fact when Nielsen first reported that the digital transition actually reduced the number of people who rely on over the air TV, we were shocked. We just couldn't believe that 18 percent of those affected would rather switch to pay TV than to get a converter box or new TV. Well apparently the citizens of Los Angeles are smarter than the rest of the country because while the national average of those who rely on an antenna for TV is down to 10 percent, in LA it's up to about 25 percent. We'd be willing to bet that over the air TV works pretty good in the area, so when combined with the 70 some channels available, it is a pretty compelling option -- no wonder Sezmi's pilot market is LA.
Kindle 2.3 software update available, generation 1 owners need not apply
We gadget nerds have to endure unspeakable atrocities in order to slake that early adoption jones: first-run gear shipped DOA, buggy pre-release software, and months of waiting after a product leaks only to be greeted by a jacked-up price premium at launch. So we feel your pain, original Kindle owners, after Amazon announced a major firmware update that brings native PDF support to the 6-inch Kindle 2 and DX readers with the promise of a staggering 85% increase in battery life to all Kindle 2 devices -- if you haven't already received it OTA, the 2.3 software update is now available for download and installation via USB tethering. At least owners of "some earlier versions of Kindle" (quote from the press release) will receive native PDF support whenever the 1st generation firmware update (currently at version 1.2) is released. It's worth noting that Amazon's PDF reader lacks a zoom function which makes many PDFs entirely unreadable on the device. Good thing Amazon's store is chock full of easily zoomable books in a proprietary format then, huh?
Palm's webOS over-the-air firmware update process explained
For most Pre owners, updates to the operating system happen silently and with little drama -- just the way Palm and the average user likes it. For the more inquisitive of us, though, Palm is offering a detailed breakdown of how the updates get pushed down to the phone and under what circumstances. For starters, you've got to be on EV-DO or WiFi, because 1xRTT (in addition to being ridiculously slow) would block incoming calls when active. Furthermore, you've got to be rocking at least 30 percent of your battery juice. Unless you update manually, the phone will check all by itself every 7 days, and if it finds something, it'll grab it within 2 days during periods when you're not using your data connection (wouldn't want it ruining the user experience, after all). The download typically gets dropped into non-user accessible storage, but apparently, Palm has a contingency plan in place if an update is truly massive -- if that happens, it can steal some user storage with your permission. As we've mentioned, once you have the download, the phone requires that you install it within 7 days; if you don't, it'll auto-install the next chance it gets. Quite a process, isn't it?[Via Palm Infocenter]
Amazon to charge per megabyte to send personal documents OTA to your Kindle
So far, sending files to your Kindle cost a flat fee -- one dime per document for conversion and download over Whispernet. Looks like that honeymoon is over, as Amazon's announced that as of May 4th, the Personal Document Service will be a variable fee of $0.15 per megabyte, rounding up. It's still free of charge if you transfer the documents over via USB, and sending them to "name"@free.kindle.com will return converted files to your email address gratis. If you're trying to be frugal, we might suggest combining all those pending transfers into one fat PDF and sending it off sometime this weekend. [Via GearDiary]
Apple adds OTA podcast downloads to iPhone firmware 2.2, continues to burn developers
Oh Apple. Is it that you can't see the things you're doing, or that you simply don't care how they look? If you'll recall, few months ago Jobs and co. kicked up quite a dust storm over a seemingly innocuous application called Podcaster, which allowed you to receive over-the-air updates of new podcasts when they were released. The company rejected the app based on the grounds that it "duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes," a claim that seemed unreasonable at the time, and should now feel downright criminal. According to a German blog which has posted pictures of the latest beta build of firmware 2.2, Apple has included functionality which allows you to download podcasts over-the-air. The new addition works with both video and audio, and over 3G / EDGE and WiFi, though the size of podcasts is limited to 10MB when using the cell network. Now we don't pretend to assume that Apple just got this idea after seeing Podcaster in action -- and it's clear that Apple is killing projects which are similar to its own -- but it's still hard to stomach the concept of the company outright refusing an application with nearly the exact same functionality, only to turn around and add it to their installed software. This kind of veiled violence against developers only serves to chip away at the support Apple has engendered in its community, and drive those hands and eyes to other platforms. C'mon Steve -- we know you can do better than this.[Via Mac Rumors]
iPhone 3G details: firmware 2.0 on June 27th, no OTA music downloads, AT&T to fine non-activators, new spy-shots
As the dust settles on the iPhone 3G / WWDC blowout, we've sifted through the debris and discovered a few eyebrow-raising tidbits you might be interested to know. The first of which is news that the next firmware update (2.0) could be headed to devices as early as June 27th, at least according to Apple's Australian iPod touch features page, which touts the arrival of the app store later this month. Meanwhile, Apple's cash cow won't get those OTA iTunes music downloads that were being heavily speculated on in May. Word on the street is that record labels are -- wait for it -- still holding out for those upped premiums, or that AT&T wants a cut of the action, which Apple is reluctant to hand over. Of course, AT&T wanting their share of that revenue makes good sense when you realize that the telco is taking a major hit on the sale of these devices -- a hit which will stall profits until 2010. Perhaps that explains the new rules about activation; according to a report from Reuters, the company will penalize customers who buy a phone but don't activate within 30 days, which falls in line with their aggressive new push to lock users into a contract... which looks exactly like the old cellphone business model. On a lighter note, iLounge has some real-world spy shots of the device's shell, which they claim smudges like it's going out of style, though it may be joined by a Product (RED) variation later this year. Enjoy!Update: Apparently Apple reps have confirmed that there won't be any early firmware updates for the masses, and that they're still on schedule for July 11th. The Australian site has since updated its info -- so put the champagne back on ice.[Thanks, Dan and Danny]Read - Australian iPod touch features pageRead - No Over-The-Air 3G Music Downloads For New iPhone; Labels Holding Out For Higher Price Per Track?Read - iPhone to cut into AT&T earnings until 2010Read - Real World Photos: Inside + Outside iPhone 3G's New Shell
MobileMe gets a video tour, and John the Apple guy is your guide
By now you've probably heard about .Mac's replacement, MobileMe. It's like Yahoo! Mail, Google Docs, and every other Ajaxy web app you've ever used... just way more Apple-ish. If you're feeling confused by all the synchronized over-the-air options it presents, your good friend John (aka Classy Apple Dude) is here to explain things in a simple, easy-to-understand tour. Just watching this makes us feel safe, secure... and frankly, a little sleepy.
Apple looks to OTA downloads for 3G iPhone, record labels look for cash
According to a churning rumor-mill, Apple desperately wants to make over-the-air downloads of iTunes content a reality on the 3G iPhone. Apparently, a record label executive "familiar with the discussions" states that the Cupertino gang is hoping for a "big launch in June" which includes OTA music downloads, ringtone sales, and ringback tones (the substitute music you hear instead of a ring when calling someone). There's only one problem: the labels want a higher premium for those services than a typical MP3 download. Of course, Apple's iTunes pricing has been a point of contention for some time, though its recent rule-bending for HBO could lead to upped charges for the new services. Something tells us Apple has the tenacity and bullheadedness to make this work -- let's just hope they can temper the labels' greed with the end user's economic realities.[Via AppleInsider]
Rumor: .Mac relaunch to coincide with iPhone 2.0?
A little birdy told us about some unusual happenings at Apple. According to our anonymous tipster, .Mac will undergo a complete revamp that will coincide with the iPhone 2.0 launch (which everyone expects to occur at WWDC 08). We posted about the .Mac push e-mail coming to iPhone 2.0 last night, but according to our tip, that's not all .Mac users are going to get. According to our little birdy, .Mac could undergo the following changes as soon as next month: Full over-the-air syncing including calendars, contacts, and email (similar to Exchange) .Mac syncing on Windows This makes sense, since why would Apple make using an iPhone with Exchange a better experience than when it is paired with .Mac? If these rumors turn out to be true, then the $99 price tag on .Mac could seem a whole lot more worthwhile in the coming months.
Music on the phone: not many do it
Even with all the music download services floating between Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel and others, wireless subs just aren't downloading music very much. Only about two percent of US customers download music to their handsets over the air according to Jupiter Research. Not an OTA fan? Chew on this: only five percent of music-capable handsets get music sideloaded from nearby PCs as well. 28 million US customers will have music-capable handsets at the end of this year, while a minimal percentage will actually use that capability. Will it get better with the iPhone being sold in volume this year? We'll see.[Via mocoNews]
Enjoying OTA HDTV broadcasts? Not if you live by an airport
In a report that may get more frequent as we move towards all-digital broadcasting, Nashua Telegraph writer Joe Konopka complains about aircraft knocking out his HDTV signal momentarily every night. Sure it was annoying after the nearby airport was built and sound pollution and radio interference affected his ability to get a good night's sleep or listen to the radio. But now that he's purchased a high definition television with a built in OTA tuner, losing picture during a tense moment of 24 is the simply unacceptable. Unfortunately, now that the airport is built he doesn't have much ability to change things and laments not joining forces with an environmentalist friend to get plans changed while the airport was still being built.Ouch. Any HD Beat readers dealt with a similar issue and have suggestions? (Other than switching to cable or satellite.)
The Key to High Definition Domination
High definition has been struggling to gain a solid foothold for a few years now. Most large TVs that are sold are HD but, in my experience as a retail TV salesman, the average consumer does not have them hooked up to high-def just yet. A person could blame this on a few things like lack of programming or just plain ignorance. However, I think that it boils down to the universal language of money.
