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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
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.
Mobile Miscellany: week of August 15, 2011
This week was packed with news on the mobile front, so it was easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of August 15, 2011: Vodafone's very own budget-friendly Facebook Phone, the Vodafone 555, is now on sale. £62.50 is all it will take to get the non-touchscreen featurephone in your fingertips. [via SlashGear] A spec sheet and screenshots of the Sony Ericsson Nozumi leaked this week. The handset will likely feature a 1.4GHz single-core Qualcomm S2 CPU, Adreno 205 GPU, and 4.3-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution. Interestingly enough, the phone is rumored to require a micro SIM, much like the iPhone 4. [via XperiaBlog] US Cellular launched two new Android devices for its prepaid lineup, the Samsung Gem and HTC Merge. The Gem offers a 3.2-inch WVGA display, 800MHz CPU, and Android 2.2 for $140, while the Merge is a global-capable QWERTY slider with a 3.8-inch display, Android 2.2, and more for $300. [via US Cellular] Immediately following Google's acquisition of Motorola, discussion centered around the possibility of the latter company becoming the preferred OEM for Android -- a privilege that would, in theory, include designing and producing the next Nexus. Andy Rubin, the head honcho for the open-source OS, put such rumors to bed by offering more insight on the approval process for upcoming Nexus phones, and insisted that HelloMoto will continue to be treated the same as every other OEM; it will have to bid for the job just like every other company does. [via AndroidCentral] The Huawei Blaze, a budget Android handset that runs on Gingerbread, may arrive in the UK as early as September. The Blaze would mark the first time we've seen the company offer a phone under its own branding in the UK. [via CNet] Shocked to hear the Kyocera Echo isn't selling as well as the company had hoped? Yeah, neither are we. Nonetheless, in the hopes of sparking sales, it's started offering twelve premium games for free to the first 10,000 downloads as part of its "summer of free apps" campaign. Good luck with that. [via Electronista] With all of the buzz rightfully centered around Nokia and its quest for Windows Phone dominance, how bright does Vertu's future look? If Eldar Murtazin is to believed, Espoo's luxury phone branch will also be on the receiving end of WP7 devices. The main difference with Vertu's version compared to the rest of Nokia's lineup? It'll most likely be covered with gold and diamonds. [via WMPowerUser] The Samsung Galaxy Q, another name for the Gravity Smart, is now available on Rogers. The device is geared toward the lower end, so it may not be the most lustworthy letter in the Samsung Galaxy alphabet. [via MobileSyrup]
US Cellular announces intent to switch to tiered data, LTE still on track for November
Oh, how the mighty fall one by one. US Cellular, in its Q2 earnings call, stunned the mobile world by announcing that it expects to follow the lead of Verizon and AT&T by moving to a tiered data pricing structure within the next two to three quarters. No details were given on pricing or data limits, though it's quite possible the particulars are getting fleshed out as we speak. The regional carrier also indicated that its 4G rollout is still on track for November, with one LTE-compatible smartphone scheduled to launch at roughly the same time. Is it a coincidence that the new data pricing scheme would become effective within a similar timeframe? Hard to say, but we're continuously reminded on all fronts that the era of all-you-can-eat data is quickly coming to a depressing close; it looks like we won the battle for faster mobile broadband, but it didn't come without a fair amount of bloodshed.
US Cellular Q2 results bring higher revenue, despite small customer loss
With the upcoming introduction of its LTE network and vast fall smartphone lineup, US Cellular's a regional carrier with a lot to look forward to. But its efforts over the second quarter, paired with the hopes of a bright future ahead, weren't enough to keep a few thousand customers from parting ways. While most of the reported figures were quite pleasant year-over-year -- service revenues bumped up three percent to $1 billion, percentage of smartphones sold skyrocketed to nearly 40 percent, ARPU increased to $51.84, and total operating income shot up a whole 61 percent -- the company also experienced a loss of 58,000 customers over the course of three months. The carrier doesn't seem too worried about this particular figure, however, as it stated its excitement about the launch of its 4G service later this year. Will the bleak and cold winter become warm and toasty because of a blazing-hot network? We're eager to find out. Hit the source link for the full quarterly earnings.
HTC Wildfire S swaggers CDMA bands at FCC
True to its namesake, the Wildfire S is preparing to blaze across our native prairies without abandon. After gaining the FCC's nod of acceptance for use on our 1900 / 850MHz HSPA bands -- followed by T-Mobile's official announcement -- the fun-sized candybar has received FCC approval for igniting our CDMA networks. A leaked roadmap suggests the Gingerbread treat is destined for US Cellular in October, but don't be surprised if the little guy appears at Cricket, MetroPCS, Virgin Mobile, and the like. Even Verizon could benefit from the Wildfire S, seeing that the Motorola Citrus is downright sour. Just promise not to name it the Droid Burn, okay?
US Cellular yanks curtains away from HTC 7 Pro, available June 14th for $200
Well, that was quick, wasn't it? After US Cellular recently announced its upcoming smartphone lineup, its very first Windows Phone -- an HTC model -- was ready for a summer launch with or without an official name. We now know the mystery device is the CDMA version of the HTC 7 Pro, a phone that Sprint lovers know better as the Arrive. Available tomorrow for $200 with contract after $100 mail-in rebate, the full tilt-up QWERTY slider with 5 megapixel shooter and 16GB internal storage is a bit on the spendy side. Oh, and it requires a monthly data plan. Did you just hear that noise? That was the sound of your wallet trying to hide from you. Full press release after the break.
US Cellular teases 2H 2011 smartphone lineup, brings WP7 and tablets into fold
It's a treat when we get a sneak peek at upcoming devices, but we consider it a feast when carriers unload their entire roadmap en masse. US Cellular indulged us with its smartphone lineup for the entire second half of the year, and we have to say -- your choices this holiday season are looking mighty fine. It's lengthy, so you'd better grab a cup o' Joe before proceeding. Starting off the laundry list, the carrier announced it's launching its first Windows Phone in an HTC flavor sometime this summer. Of the seven Android handsets coming to market this fall, a whole 100 percent of them will run Gingerbread: one is a Motorola dual-core 1GHz phone with 4.3-inch screen, another is an LG with "ultra-bright LCD display" (Nova?), and Samsung and Huawei will offer entry-level phones. Throw in a couple HTC models and there's just one still unaccounted for -- the company's first LTE-enabled smartphone, slated for release in November. Now top it all off with an HTC 7-inch slate alongside another mystery tablet, and you have a plethora of choices come time for Black Friday. Mind = blown? Scroll past the break for a press release that might put it back together into one piece again.
HTC Merge now shipping from US Cellular, LG Genesis arriving June 9th
We know many US Cellular customers have been waiting for this day, because after missing its rumored launch, the HTC Merge has arrived and is ready to meet your pocket. As expected, it's selling for $250 on contract (before a $100 mail-in rebate) and marks the CDMA provider's first Android world phone. To refresh your memory, this QWERTY slider features a 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen, a 5 megapixel camera and runs Froyo. Alongside this release, the carrier announced it's getting the LG Genesis on June 9th. If you'll remember, this is the refashioned enV Touch that US Cellular picked up after Verizon dropped the ball. It's also going for $250 on contract (before a $100 mail-in rebate) and true to its legacy, the clamshell provides a full keyboard. Priced equally, it appears QWERTY-lovers on US Cellular have quite a decision ahead. What a happy conundrum, indeed. Follow the break for the PR heralding these arrivals.
HTC Merge makes an official landing at US Cellular May 31 for $250
If we could bet on phone launches the same way we put money down on horse races or slot machines, we'd lose our shirts on the HTC Merge. Like a ghost, this elusive Android smartphone has an innate ability to pop up from out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly. Over the last few months we've seen this repeated multiple times on both Verizon's and US Cellular's ends -- until yesterday, that is, when the latter finally ended its part of the charade by announcing a launch date. Taking on Facebook, the regional carrier officially committed the Merge to a May 31st launch, selling for $250 with contract before $100 rebate. Oddly, the date won't matter much since store reps have the go-ahead to sell it as soon as it's in stock (according to the screenshot below), and the Facebook post reveals that shipments should begin arriving as early as today. If you've been wanting a Merge and are up to the task, we invite you -- nay, we challenge you -- to go to your local store this morning and see if your rep got the memo. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Smartphone buyer's guide: the best phones for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and more!
The world of smartphones changes mighty quickly, and if you blink, you're bound to miss the latest and most delectable devices. That's where we come in, to provide timely roundups of everything your friends expect you to know, along with the insight that you crave. To bring you up to speed, in our December buyer's guide, at first blush you might have thought we were doing an overview of the best Android phones on the market. That's because of our 16 highly-esteemed handsets, a whopping 13 of them had Google's operating system at the core. As you'll see, the landscape has changed somewhat, and these new contenders that have come out swinging. We've broken down this buyer's guide by mobile carrier, each including the best handset money can buy, our favorite QWERTY alternative, and the most well-rounded budget phone available (with $79 as the absolute ceiling). For smaller US providers, we're providing a single selection, though we're confident it's a good one. You'll definitely be presented with some difficult choices, but that's merely a testament to the abundance of stellar phones that aggressively compete for your dollar. With that said, let's dive in -- it's roundup time.
US Cellular announces 4G, plans to light up LTE by end of year
Just when we're finally basking in the warmth of spring and picking May flowers, US Cellular finds a reason for us to look forward to the cold and dark winter to come. The carrier announced plans to deploy its own LTE network, intent on blanketing two dozen markets (representing 25 percent of its customer base) with blazing-fast 4G service in time for the holiday season. And the party ain't stopping just because the mistletoe comes down and the decorations are put away; the holiday deployment will only be the first phase, with US Cellular continuing its 4G expansion efforts through 2012. Full PR after the break.
LG Genesis coming to US Cellular, enV Pro rising from Verizon's ashes
Hey enV fans, remember when Verizon scrapped its Android-based enV Pro citing a failure to impress? Fortunately, US Cellular is keeping the QWERTY clamshell's tradition alive with its appropriately named Genesis. Historically a feature phone, this LG is being reborn as a full-fledged smartphone, complete with Android 2.2, dual 800 x 480 touchscreens and a 1GHz Snapdragon processor. You'll find a familiar 3.5-inch display on the front, and a smaller 3.2-inch landscape screen positioned above the keyboard. The Genesis packs a 5 megapixel camera and supports DLNA sharing, though its camcorder only supports VGA resolution -- so you might want to reconsider streaming those videos to the big screen. As an added bonus, the phone serves as a mobile hotspot for up to five devices, though its price may be hard to swallow -- it retails for $249 on contract. Knowing the high cost of nostalgia, who's in on this one?
HTC Merge launching on US Cellular on April 29th? (updated)
While we wait for the HTC Merge to maybe (or quite possibly) launch on Verizon, the phone's rolling out fast and furious on smaller carriers. Alltel's already selling it, Cellular South said it plans to, and now it seems US Cellular is gearing up to launch it on Friday. If you take a gander at that screen grab an anonymous tipster sent in, it's clear the carrier is putting the finishing touches on its plan to unveil the device in its retail stores. Just to refresh your memories, the Merge is a world phone with a slide-out keyboard, 3.8-inch touchscreen, and 5 megapixel autofocus camera running Android 2.2 with HTC's Sense UI layered on top. Still no word on whether US Cellular will match its competitors' sweet $125 price or bundle Amazon's App Store, but we're optimistic on both counts. Update: A US Cellular rep wrote in to clarify that the carrier will launch the Merge "later this spring," not this Friday. So there you have it!
US Cellular introduces Android to its prepaid realm, offers LG's Optimus U and Apex sans-contract
US Cellular's love of all things green and robotic is spreading to its prepaid lineup, with LG's Optimus U and Apex marking Android's entry to the carrier's paygo segment. At $199, the Optimus is a respected entry-level Froyo touchscreen phone, and is our pick of the two. LG's Apex sells for $249, though its full QWERTY keyboard comes at a sacrifice -- the slider is saddled with Eclair. Data plans are required for both devices, though we think you'll smile at their very competitive rates. Full PR after the break.
US Cellular snatches up Samsung's Gem (while it's still mildly warm)
Proving not all gems are destined for swap meets and barter fairs, US Cellular introduced its own semi-precious stone: the Samsung Gem. While previously available on Alltel with Android 2.1, this entry-level candybar has been revitalized (somewhat) by the nation's sixth largest carrier, who's now serving up Froyo and passing it off as new. Up front, we find a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen at 400 x 240 pixels, along with standard accoutrements such as its 3.2 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth and WiFi. Priced at $29.99 (after $80 mail-in rebate), the Gem positions itself alongside USCC's expansive lineup of budget-friendly Android phones, including the Samsung Acclaim, LG Optimus U and HTC Desire. Readers will note Samsung's TouchWiz interface (as seen on Alltel's Gem) is absent here. Instead, users are given a near-vanilla helping of 2.2, with notable customizations including seven home screens, and Swype -- for those who just can't seem to part their fingers from the screen.
US Cellular's Mesmerize gets its heaping helping of Froyo
While US Cellular's promised Froyo update for the Mesmerize might have slipped a few months since its rumored November timeframe, we're certain owners of Samsung's wildly popular set will be a very happy crowd. As you're likely all aware, this update features some fairly useful improvements like better Exchange support, Flash 10.1, and the portable hotspot feature -- which requires a tethering plan. The other boon here is that this update may potentially spell the end to the berating your buddies have been handing you as they enjoy Froyo -- and soon Gingerbread -- on their Galaxy S devices. Enjoy the update, and remember to read the instructions and heed the warnings before you forge ahead.
J.D. Power: Verizon has best call quality nationwide, T-Mobile consistently below average
J.D. Power, that well known arbiter of human opinion in the United States, has just released its latest study on customer satisfaction with wireless carriers. It addresses such things as (the lack of) dropped calls, failures to connect, voice distortion, echoes, static, and late-arriving text messages, and ultimately churns out a rating out of five stars relative to the regional average and other carriers. In testing done between July and December last year, Verizon had the best or tied for the best satisfaction ratings in five of the six studied areas, while AT&T and Sprint traded blows for second and T-Mobile had to admit defeat as the laggard of the top four. US Cellular managed to score highest in the North Central region, but J.D. Power's overall assessment isn't very rosy for any of the carriers -- the stats collector says growing smartphone usage, heavy texting and more indoor calls are collectively causing call quality to stagnate, and even warns that "increased adoption of smartphones and wireless tablets may continue to compromise the quality of network service."
US Cellular's Samsung Acclaim boosted to Android 2.2
It's not often that you see a Samsung device running stock Froyo through official channels, so feast your eyes on the update recently release for the Acclaim on US Cellular that takes your QWERTY slider from Android 2.1 up to 2.2. You can't do this one over-the-air, which is a pretty big pain in the rear -- but considering that you're getting an entirely new version of Android here, we think you'll probably want to cable up for the few minutes it takes to get this bad boy installed. Have fun and be safe! [Thanks, Chris H.]
Galaxy Tab hits new low on US Cellular: $200 with 5GB data agreement
And the drops, they keep on comin'. Just 48 hours after T-Mobile USA reduced the financial barrier surrounding the Galaxy Tab to just $350 on contract, the suddenly boisterous US Cellular is doing 'em one better. The carrier has just lowered the price of a shiny new 7-inch Tab to just $199.99 on a two-year data agreement, with the only major caveat being that consumers will have to opt for the pricier 5GB / month plan. That'll run you $54.99 per month with pay-as-you-go messaging, or $74.99 per month with an all-you-can-message plan. We still aren't totally hip with a tablet on contract (sans voice capabilities), but those who've warmed won't find a better deal east of the Mississippi. Or west of it, frankly. [Thanks, D]
