Acer's Liquid Metal spotted in the wild
The last we heard about Acer’s Liquid Metal smartphone, an Android 2.2 unit with a 3.6-inch display and a lovely aluminum exterior, it was getting ready for a UK launch at the end of October. There’s just a little over a week left to meet that date, and all we have to show are some decidedly unofficial photos from Droid Sans. The first pic, above, shows off a very smudged up looking Liquid Metal (or what is said to be a Liquid Metal at least), but after that are photos of two mystery devices. The first of those (pictured below) has the same… distinctively lengthy form factor of the GW990, while the other device is a tablet that we’ve not laid eyes on before. It looks to be running Android 2.2 (or later) and is said to be “big enough to shift the iPad.” We’re not sure exactly how to parse that bit of auto-translation, but maybe it’s a coded reference to JT Wang’s prediction of doom for the iPad’s market share.
Android 2.2 Froyo upgrade for Samsung Galaxy S delayed until November
Previously thought to be coming in October, Samsung has admitted that the planned Android 2.2 upgrade for its Galaxy S smartphones will be rolled-out in November instead.
Currently, the new OS is being tested by all of the UK operators that carry the handset, and they will begin to allow their customers to download and install the system from the early part of the month. All operators are expected to have completed their appraisal processes by the end of November.
When available, Froyo will be available to download via Samsung’s Kies, the company’s in-house software upgrade programme, which itself has been updated. Owners will need to download the latest version of Kies from samsungmobile.co.uk before upgrading. The site will also host step-by-step video tutorials on how to install the OS.
The long awaited update includes several new features, including improved browser performance, Google Maps with navigation, the latest version of Flash, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, and the ability to save applications to memory card.
Speaking about the process, Simon Stanford, managing director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “We want the upgrade process to be simple and hassle-free for customers, hence the new version of our Kies software and the step-by-step video guides”.
HTC Android tablets delayed as Google puts support behind LG and Motorola
LG announced not too long ago that it would be delaying its tablets running Android in order to wait for a more tablet friendly version of the OS to run the tablets. Google says that current Android versions are not tablet friendly, despite other makers using the OS in tablets expected soon. A report from DigiTimes has surfaced that claims HTC’s Android tablets are delayed significantly.
According to the source, an analyst from JPMorgan, the delay in the HTC tablets will see them slip from the expected Q4 2010 time frame to Q2 2011. That means that the tablets will miss the important holiday shopping season. The change in launch of the tablets comes amid reports that Google is throwing it support for tablets on Android 3.0 behind Motorola.
After Android 3.0, LG will get Google’s attention for tablets on Android 3.5. Presumably, after that release HTC will get its turn for tablet love. There is no word on why HTC was shunned in favor of the other two firms for tablets running Android.
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Video
When T-Mobile officially announced the existence of the next-gen myTouch handset, it simply referred to it as the new myTouch.
Not the myTouch 4G due to its HSPA+ powered networking, or the myTouch HD because of the 720p shooting. Nope, simply the new myTouch.
However, the tech industry seems to be calling this device the myTouch 4G so we’ll go with that. You can’t keep calling something new you see, because eventually, well, it gets old.
So, enjoy this video of the T-Mobile myTouch 4G that reveals pre-Gingerbread video calling, some HD shooting and a nice AV streaming service.
The phone should be out, in the US, “in time for the holidays”. UK myTouch fans are unlikely to see an official launch – so it could be a case of scouring eBay if you’re desperate for one.
Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) features leaked
And the big news is that the rumours about video calling coming to the Google-backed open source OS look likely to come true, with Phandroid’s source confirming that it won’t just be fanboys having all the video calling fun.
The other notable features all centre around the tweaking and improving of Android’s UI, which will certainly be welcomed by critics of Android’s, shall we say, mismatched look.
Most of the graphics-related changes mentioned by the source are relatively minor, but Android fans will be pleased to know that the notification bar has been reworked, icons will appear more uniform, scroll effects (similar to iOS’ bounce) have been added, and there’s gonna be more green – a whole lot more green.
A final noteworthy addition is the addition of VoIP features to the Google Voice app. The report suggests that this may not work straight out of the box – but via an early update – but does state that it will be a Gingerbread exclusive. So bad news, Froyo-fans.
An announcement of Gingerbread’s arrival was due before the end of the year, but this could now come in early 2011.
Japan gets 3 new Android phones on KDDI
Japan is used to having some of the coolest phones, and to make sure they stay that way is KDDI with a trio of new handsets to offer its customers. Without further ado, I introduce the Toshiba REGZA Phone IS04, the Sharp IS05 and the Pantech SIRIUSα IS06. They all are running Android 2.x and are scheduled to hit Japan around December or January. One of these new contenders is even housed in waterproof casing! Hit the jump to see more pics and specs.
Toshiba REGZA IS04:
- 854×480 resolution 4″ screen
- 1GHz Snapdragon CPU
- 1Seg TV Tuner
- microSDHC slot
- 12.19Mpix Camera
- Wifi
- Bluetooth
- Waterproof Casing
- KDDI’s new WIN HIGH SPEED data connection (9.2Mbps down, 5.5Mbps up)
- Android 2.1 Read more
HTC Gratia is an Aria by another name, coming to Europe in November
It seems like launching a battalion of new handsets over the past month wasn’t enough for HTC, so today the company’s rolling out yet another option for European mobile phone buyers. Americans will already be familiar with the Gratia from their experience with AT&T’s Aria, which looks to have made a more or less straight transition to the Old World markets. It now comes with Android 2.2 as its OS, while retaining its HTC Sense top-level skin (notably without the new “new” Sense additions present in the Desire HD and Desire Z), and is available in a pair of fresh new hues that include the deep green above and a lustrous white number after the break. Black is also an option for the more conservative among you. Look out for the Gratia on your local Euro retailer’s cheap and cheerful shelves from next month.
KDDI Japan Announces 7-Inch Android 2.2 Wi-Fi Tablet
KDDI Japan has announced a new 7-inch Android tablet made by Samsung called the SMT-i9100. Gotta love hard to remember names. Unlike the ViewSonic ViewPad 7 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab (outside of the US) this tablet lacks 3G and only comes with Wi-Fi, so it’s guaranteed to lack the Android marketplace. There’s the same custom UI on top of Android as seen on their IS phone series. Most confusing is the specs listing a 2 hour battery.
The SMT-i9100 features a 7-inch 1024 x 600 capacitive multi-touch display, b/g/n Wi-Fi, 512MB RAM, 4GB flash storage, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 2MP webcam, stereo speakers, mini USB and micro SDHC card slots. It’s got a 2 hour battery (you’re kidding right?), 12 hours in standby time, 6 hours to recharge. It’s 13.9mm thick and weighs 450 g. It’s expected out around the end of February next year. No word on price right now.
Android 4.0 to be called Ice Cream
Google is well known for playfully naming new Android OS’s after various sweets. This tradition began in May 2009 with the development of Android 1.5, which Google dubbed Cupcake. Donut (Android 1.6) was released in Sept. 2009 and Éclair (Android 2.0) followed in Oct. 2009. The current version of Android (Android 2.2) is called Froyo, short for frozen yogurt. Going in alphabetical order, Google has confirmed that Android 3.0 will be called Gingerbread and Android 3.5 will be called Honeycomb. But the “I” representing Android 4.0 has been kept secret for some time. Until now. ARM President Tudor Brown has said that Android 4.0 will be dubbed Ice Cream. All other details about Android 4.0 are being kept secret, however. Ice Cream most likely won’t make its debut until mid-2011. Gingerbread is expected to be released before the end of the year and Honeycomb in early 2011.
Galaxy S Android 2.2 Froyo update begins to trickle out (update: official)
Based on breathless reports we’re seeing on Twitter and in the XDA-Developers’ forums, it would appear that Samsung has just pushed out the official Android 2.2 Froyo update for its Galaxy S as promised. Our Nordic friends are the first to report seeing the build I9000 JPM update in the latest version of Samsung’s Kies PC software. It’s early days though, so do let your fellow i9000 owners know how it goes in the comments below. List of changes (including GPS fix) listed after the break.
Update: We’ve just been handed the official press release for the Andoid 2.2 Galaxy S update. Indeed, Nordic countries get it first (starting mid-October, aka, “now”) before it’s “gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, North America, Africa and rest of the world.” Hey, it takes time to update 5 million handsets. Read more
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