We know that the Motorola DROID is fully capable of multitouch gestures but because of reasons beyond our control, it's no where to be found in the apps. Luckily, if you're thirsting to multitouch your DROID, you can hit Android Market and download the Dolphin Browser which has been recently updated to support multitouch gestures.
We used the Dolphin Browser for a moment and found that it doesn't really do itself any justice on the DROID's high resolution screen (it looks fuzzy) and has a icon similar to Firefox. Other than those quips though, the multitouch implementation is promising and the power beneath the browser looks to be great. There's cool features that allow users to easily share links to social networks, follow daily trends, subscribe the page to Google Reader, save a link to read later, and much, much more.
We suggest you download the Dolphin Browser on Android Market to see if it can replace the regular Android Browser in your daily use.
The Archos 5 Android Tablet is powered by Android but lacks the Google Apps that 'with Google' devices come with. You know, the apps that make Android even better. Luckily, the hacking community has found a way to make those apps--Android Market, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Talk, and all the other Google Apps on Android--available for download. Given the larger screen size of the Archos 5, you may run into some wonkiness but it looks to have everything in working order.
If you're interested in downloading the Android Market and the Google Apps onto your own Archos 5 Android Tablet feel free to head here for the instructions.
After Thanksgiving comes Black Friday and after Black Friday comes, Cyber Monday! Celebrate Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year, with us at the Android Central Store and we'll give you a 10% off coupon code off everything in the store.
Yes, we're talking about 10% off bluetooth headsets, cases, batteries, screen protectors, docks, chargers, cradles, memory cards and more. If it's Android-related, we got it. Just head over to the Android Central Store and type in the coupon code MONDAYAC at checkout. The 10% discount ends Midnight PST.
If you've got a Motorola DROID, you can't go wrong with the Multimedia Dock to extend the DROID's functionality or a Car Cradle to take advantage of Google Maps Navigation. The Android Central Store has accessories for every Android device so don't be afraid to poke around!
Hey HTC Hero users, maybe you won't be left in the dust after all. A HTC Hero has been caught in the wild running Android 2.1--yeah, you read that right, not Android 1.6, not Android 2.0--but Android 2.1!
Android 2.1 is expected to be a minor update to the major update which was Android 2.0 'Eclair'. Android 2.0 is currently only available on the Motorola DROID--their are still devices stuck on either Android 1.5 or 1.6. It definitely makes more sense for HTC to tweak HTC Sense and the like for the most recent Android version and that looks to be Android 2.1.
If Android 2.1 can run on the HTC Hero, it should theoretically be able to run on other first generation Android devices like the T-Mobile G1 and myTouch 3G. So stay hopeful, it looks like Android 2.1 will come to you eventually. There's no details on a rollout but if you're interested in looking at some screenshots, hit the jump!
Acer, which already makes the upcoming Acer Liquid (which looks great), is planning to build more Android-powered handsets in 2010. After using Windows Mobile for nearly all of their previous handsets, Acer's 2010 lineup will look to be "more balanced". According to Acer:
“There is definitely momentum behind Android. The pace is faster than most would have anticipated one year ago,”
Acer has plans to launch 8-10 handsets in 2010, so given the 'balance' that Acer aspires, we can kind of, sort of assume that half the devices will run Android. At the very least we can assume three Android devices. However, judging by the great looks and specs of the Acer Liquid, we're hoping that Acer surprises us with a ton of quality Android handsets. If Acer is looking to get serious in the smartphone space, it'll know that Android is where it's headed.
It sure looks like the next big thing for Android will be MIDs. Inbrics just announced that they'll be showing one off at CES in January and hope to deliver it to the US in 2010. The video above showcases the Inbrics Android MID (but we're not sure if it's actually the real, working device) and it pretty much promises you the moon. Obviously, that won't happen but the device looks to be a great start.
The Inbrics Android MID will have a full sliding QWERTY keyboard, AMOLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a digital compass, all powered by an ARM Cortex A8 800MHz processor. The price and release date is unknown but if it does come to the US like promised, we'll surely hear more about this device.
Camangi, a company focusing on Internet Communication, just announced their plans to launch the WebStation, which is basically an Android-powered MID. The WebStation will pack a 7-inch glass touchscreen (WVGA 800x480 resolution), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, and USB port. The WebStation also has a front-facing camera and back-facing camera. The Android-powered MID will run Android 1.5 on a Marvell 624MHz PXA303 processor.
The WebStation looks to be smartly styled and could be successful given the burgeoning market for Android MIDs. Camangi has also launched Camangi Market which will be a place to find apps designed for larger-than-usual Android devices (such as MIDs).
We're definitely excited to see more of the Camangi WebStation. No pricing has been announced but it'll be available sometime in December.
After disregarding Android and claiming no one is making money on Android, Gameloft has completely reversed its position and will continue to develop for Android phones, specifically the "Second Generation of Android Phones" such as the Motorola DROID and the forthcoming Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. Here's Gameloft:
Paris – Gameloft®, a world leader in the publishing and development of downloadable video games, plans to launch High Definition games on next generation Android phones like the Motorola Droid and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.
“The arrival of this new generation of phones will allow the development of High Definition games that make the most of the technological capacity and the speed of execution offered by the new Android phones. Consumers will benefit from a top quality gaming experience,” says Gonzague de Vallois, vice-president of Publishing at Gameloft.
Gameloft also continues to support the current generation of Android phones and announces the imminent arrival of titles such as Assassin’s Creed. These titles will be accessible on the Android Marketplace and Gameloft internet sites and will further strengthen our catalogue of Android games already available.
Though the reversal is stunning considering Gameloft had just stated that they make 400x more money on the iPhone platform, we think it's a great decision on Gameloft's part. Android now has stellar devices (and will have even more in the future) that will be more than capable in running impressive games. To cut investment in Android at this juncture would just be irresponsible.
However, the problem remains that in-depth, powerful games take up a lot of megabytes (and sometimes even gigabytes) and Android can't currently install applications on the SD card, which leaves a paltry amount of space for apps. Heck, if Gameloft can solve that issue with Android, we'll completely forgive them.
Welcome to the Best of Smartphone Experts, catch-up edition. We've recovered from our tryptophan stupor (yeah, we know it's a myth) and are back with our favorite stories from the network.
Be sure you pay attention tomorrow morning - it's Cyber Monday and there's a 10% off coupon in the offing. Stay Tuned. :)
If you're interested in buying an Android phone anytime soon, this Black Friday is the time to do it and from the looks of it, Best Buy has some of the best deals to do so. On Black Friday, they'll be offering 5 different Android phones for $99 each. In some cases it's nearly 50% off the retail price you'd find in the carrier stores. The Android phones available for $99 are:
Sprint HTC Hero
Samsung Moment (Sprint)
T-Mobile myTouch 3G
Motorola CLIQ (T-Mobile)
DROID Eris (Verizon)
The DROID Eris is already available regularly for $99 so it may be better to grab the phone at Wal-Mart for just $30 (or at Android Central's Phone Store for $49.99). The other phones are offered at a great price and considering the discount is offered through instant rebates, it's really a great deal.
Will you guys be buying Android phones on Black Friday? And if so, which one?
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