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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]
Andy Lees says no to Mango on Windows tablets
Microsoft's Andy Lees quashed dreams of Windows tablets running a Mango-style OS during a talk at the company's Worldwide Partners Conference today, saying the mobile operating system would conflict with the outfit's ideas of what makes a slate. According to Electronista, Lees said the computing giant sees tablets as PCs, making the mobile OS incompatible with its vision. He went on to say that Windows 8's networking and printing functions make it more suited to the needs of tablet users. So, if you're looking for the sweet style of Mango, it looks like you'll have get your hands on one of these bad boys.
Windows tablet OS preview coming next week?
We've heard an awful lot about a Windows tablet OS this past year, with stirrings of a 2012 launch -- heck, even Steve Ballmer's fanned the flames of speculation -- and now the rumor mill's been set in motion with word of an impending preview expected next week. According to Bloomberg, three sources have confirmed Microsoft's plan to flaunt the much-anticipated UI, possibly at upcoming appearances at AllThingsD and Computex. The showcase is supposedly set to run the touchscreen-enabled software on a Tegra-equipped machine. We'd previously reported on stirrings of a June demo. Considering all the evidence that's stacked up over the past few months, we'd say 2012 is looking like a rather practical target.
Microsoft's Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right
In an interview with Pocket-lint, Microsoft UK's Ashley Highfield said the company won't be delivering a dedicated OS for tablets anytime soon. "We won't do anything in the tablet market unless we can be distinctive," he said. Given, we've already seen a number of slates rocking Windows 7, but Highfield was apparently tight-lipped about any solid plans to move into the tablet market in any substantial way, saying Microsoft sees itself as an underdog in certain areas. As far as we know, Highfield made no mention of how this relates to Windows Compact 7, which we've seen in prototype form in the past. Of course, all of this is coming from the guy who warned of the impending death of television as we know it, but we're inclined to believe him on this one. On another note, Microsoft's UK managing director said he gets his tablet fix on a Dell Inspiron Duo -- we suppose it's a good sign he's not rocking an Android or iOS tab.
Microsoft tablet OS not coming until fall 2012?
We've caught wind of many whispers about a Windows designed specifically for tablets, but the latest scuttlebutt states we won't get to add them to our mobile arsenal anytime soon -- Bloomberg's anonymous sources report that Microsoft won't release a tablet operating system until the 2012 back-to-school season, and will only begin to publically test the OS at the end of this year. That suggests not only a timeframe, but also a likely plan -- it's not hard to imagine Microsoft would enjoy a slice of the educational market before iPads replace textbooks entirely at schools with cash to burn. Of course, Dell seems to think there'll be a Windows 8 slate in January of next year.
Motorola's 'Tablet Evolution' video teases some Honeycomb at CES
It's on, suckers. Motorola just sent us this "Tablet Evolution" teaser video for their CES 2011 announcements, and it doesn't mince any words -- it calls the iPad a "giant iPhone" and says the Samsung Galaxy Tab is running Android "for a phone" before closing out with a buzzing bee over that new red Motorola logo. That certainly suggests some Honeycomb action to us -- and it fits perfectly with Andy Rubin demonstrating the next-gen version of Android on a Motorola tablet back at D: Dive Into Mobile. You know, the tablet that's since leaked out with a Verizon logo on it. Yeah, we're ready for this to go down -- and you know we'll be there live as it happens.
RIM announces PlayBook simulator and SDK for BlackBerry Tablet OS
We know you're all partyin' up a storm at the Adobe MAX conference, but just in case one of you missed it, RIM's announced the availability of the Adobe AIR SDK for BlackBerry Tablet OS -- not to mention a little something called the BlackBerry PlayBook Simulator. Needless to say (but we'll say it anyways), we're more than anxious to get our hands on the latter. Unfortunately, it requires Adobe AIR 2.5 to run, while the latest release RIM's site is offering is 2.0.2. Buzzkill, right? That said, we suggest you keep an eye on the source link if you're looking to get in on the action yourself. Otherwise, if you're not willing to go all the way, we have some fine PR explaining matters after the break. Update: The source link has an active AIR 2.5 toolkit link. Huzzah!
BlackBerry PlayBook vs. iPad vs. Galaxy Tab vs. Streak: the tale of the tape
What a day -- yesterday, that is. Research in Motion finally announced its long-awaited BlackBerry tablet, the 7-inch PlayBook (thankfully not named the BlackPad). While there's still quite a few missing details, and nary an unit in site for us to try first-hand, we've still got a sampling of specs for this little guy to go tête-à-tête on the quantitative field of proverbial battle, at least as it can be seen so far (that early 2011 release date is still a ways off). Looks very promising so far, lined up against Apple's iPad, Samsung's Galaxy Tab, and the Dell Streak, but our known unknowns -- i.e. price, app support, and overall feel of using the QNX-built operating system -- are what will really make or break the slate. Until that time, enjoy our number-crunching below: BlackBerry PlayBook Apple iPad Samsung Galaxy Tab Dell Streak Screen size 7 inches 9.7 inches 7 inches 5 inches Resolution 1024 x 600 1024 x 768 1024 x 600 800 x 480 Pixel density (approx.) 170 133 170 187 Platform BB Tablet OS iOS 3.2.2 (4.2 in November) Android 2.2 Android 1.6 (2.1 / 2.2 in future) Adobe Flash support 10.1 Not Supported 10.1 Not supported Processor 1GHz dual-core Cortex A9 1GHz Apple A4 (ARMv7) 1GHz Cortex A8 1GHz Snapdragon Graphics Unknown PowerVR SGX 535 PowerVR SGX 540 Adreno 200 RAM 1GB 256MB 512MB 512MB Internal Storage 16GB / 32GB (unconfirmed) 16GB / 32GB / 64GB 16GB / 32GB 2GB Expansion Unknown None microSD microSD Connectivity 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Cellular data 3G and 4G promised for future 3G optional (GSM) 3G (all carriers) 3G (sold via AT&T) GPS None 3G models only Yes Yes Camera 3MP front, 5MP rear None 1.3MP front, 3MP rear VGA front, 5MP rear Weight 0.9 lbs 1.5 - 1.6 lbs 0.84 lbs 0.49 lbs
Microsoft's Guggenheimer dismisses Android on tablets as 'an experiment'
Steve Guggenheimer, Microsoft's OEM vice pres, has pulled no punches in responding to a query about the threat posed by Android OS in the burgeoning tablet sector. Describing the early enthusiasm for Android from big hitters like Acer and Dell as a stage of experimentation, the Redmond man tells us he expects "Microsoft's support for Windows 7 will be seen as more valuable over time." In aid of this assertion, he cites the netbook market's development, which started off almost exclusively with Linux installations, yet "three years later it is 95% on Windows." That's quite an incontrovertible track record, but we can't help feeling the Guggenmeister is somewhat underestimating his competition here. He argues the continuous support of Windows 7 will keep OEMs in line, but we've seen Android iterating at a breakneck pace almost since its inception, and it'll be interesting to see if manufacturers opt for new features with Google's wares or cozy security with Microsoft. Either way, as the desktop OS leader, Microsoft is entitled to use such strong words -- we just hope Steve won't have to eat them.
New Maemo 5 screen shows fascinating, unique array of settings
Nokia may have shot down rumors that it was planning to completely replace its Symbian OS with Maemo, but that hasn't taken all the shine off the mobile OS, and a new, lone screenshot has now surfaced to further stoke those flames of anticipation (it's okay, you can admit it). As you can see above, however, it's not exactly the most exciting of screens to capture, but is supposedly the real deal and not just another SDK sourced image.[Thanks, Eric]
Panasonic's Let's Note T4 goes Tablet
We're all pretty well familiar with Panasonic's infamous Let's Note laptop lineup (known affectionately in the States as the Toughbook series), and their adorable little T4 is among the smallest and lightest. Well, looks like they wanted to teach an old dog a new trick for their ten year anniversary (or so says Akihabara News), by feeding the T4 some growth formula and demanding it sprout Tablet PC features -- which it did. Say hello to the Tablet T4, with XP Tablet and a touch panel (with digitizer, we presume). Sorry, no converting here to a proper tablet form factor (yet), but now that Panny's dipped their toes in the water, we wouldn't be surprised if they come back with something along those lines in the future.
How many flavors of Windows can Boot Camp boot?
We all know that Boot Camp only officially supports Windows XP, but there is a whole host of Windows flavors that one might want to load up on your Mac. Why limit us to Windows XP (other than it makes it easier to support, which Apple isn't doing anyway)?I imagine it has something to do with the fact that Windows XP is the most boring OS that Microsoft is currently shipping. It has been around forever, and it just isn't sexy.Lucky some folks have gotten other versions of Windows running on their Intel Macs. The list includes Vista (natch), Windows 2003 (my personal favorite Windows variant), Windows Media Center Edition, and Windows Tablet Edition.So, when is someone going to get Microsoft Bob working on a MacBook Pro? The first person to do it will get a $20 iTunes gift card from yours truly (of course I don't even know if this is possible, but that's why it is fun!).
