Jerry Hildenbrand's blog

The wait is over -- the fellows behind Unrevoked have released their "forever" tool.  While we're not going to get into specifics (you can read those, and you had better, at the source link) what this tool does is unlock your Evo or Incredible's firmware -- forever.  As in even if you accept an OTA update, it stays unlocked.  According the the Unrevoked team, this is a permanent patch.

Be aware, there is always the potential for problems, even big ones.  Be sure to read everything and understand before you download and install this.  Having said that, I've done it and had no issues, and so have a few others.  No go have a read and see if this one is for you, and check out the screenies after the jump. [Unrevoked] Thanks Bret for the screenshots!

Evernote has updated their excellent Android application to include a widget (pictured), the 'send to Evernote function' (also pictured), pinch zooming within a note, note caching, and a slew of performance tweaks and bug fixes.  For those who don't know, Evernote is a cross platform note application with great clients on both mobile and desktop operating systems.  We've talked about Evernote a bit before, and you Android Central Podcast listeners know how much Mickey and I enjoy it.  This update makes an already great Android application even better.  Evernote users, check for the update in the Market, and those who want to check it out for the first time can get the download details after the break.  [Evernote Blog via @Sethjk on Twitter]

HTC and Sports Illustrated are looking for someone to be the official HTC correspondent to cover the 2011 swimsuit edition photo shoots.  HTC and SI will provide a new HTC smartphone, and the contest winner will be required to shoot pictures and video of the event  for the Sports Illustrated Behind the Tanlines page.  I doubt much arm-twisting will be needed. 

While I would prefer that nobody else enters, ensuring my victory and swimsuit model vacation, I'll tell you guys (and gals) how to enter -- Just upload a photo or video (3 minutes or less) at the Behind the Tanlines contest page, and fill out the form to give them a tweet.  Rules and details are available at the source link.  Good luck, and if you'll excuse me I have some video to shoot.  [Behind the Tanlines via HTC Source]

If you were lucky enough to get a Droid X before they went on backorder, keep a close eye on your mailbox (not the Gmail one, silly).  Users in the forums are reporting that they have been receiving a Droid box, and inside is a T-shirt (pictured, and size XXL -- sorry Cory), a sticker, and a 25 percent off coupon for accessories.  Yay swag!  [Android Central forums] Special thanks to twindragons187 for the pics!

Late last night HTC released a torrent of code -- kernel sources for the Aria, the Evo 4G update, the Incredible update, and the Wildfire; plus the FRF91 system image for the Nexus One (Happy dance).  Even though they are obliged to release the kernel source code by the GPL, I don't think anyone expected them this early.  Developers should start cranking things into gear shortly, and have something tasty cooked up for us soon.  [HTC Developer Center]

Recipe for win -- 1 part newest Android phone, the Droid 2, and 1 part Star Wars' most memorable character, R2-D2.  Mix well, prepare for the onslaught of people like me who will do just about anything to throw our money at you so we can have one.  And to tease us until we explode, Verizon has gone live with the R2-Droid2 teaser page.

Taking a cue from the X, it looks like this page has some locked content as well.  The site says to follow R2 on Twitter to unlock details, @droidlanding.  Why would anyone want to worry about unlocking content on a phone's launch page?  Two words -- Jedi Training.  We're following, you guys follow too, and whoever gets portions unlocked first has to tell the rest of us -- deal? [Verizon] Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Welcome to the big time, Android users -- the first Android-specific trojan has been announced by Kaspersky Lab.  Don't sound the alarms and clang the bells just yet, as even with 200,000 activations a day this thing (so far) is as rare as an honest politician.  If you are unlucky enough to install it, the trojan will send premium SMS messages (as in the kind that add money to your monthly carrier bill) behind the scenes and without your knowledge or permission.  Like its Windows and iPhone counterparts, you won't find it in any reputable place like the Android Market, and will have to peruse the seedy side of the interwebz to run into it.  Yes, I'm talking about those so-called .apk black markets.  But since there's also a chance an innocent party could come across this one, rather than point and laugh, let's talk about how to prevent it.

Which brings us to side-loading and application permissions.  If you don't go for the conspiracy theories, AT&T is protecting you from this sort of thing by disabling sideloading.  Once you get a bit more comfortable with Android, we've re-enabled that for you, so even you AT&T subscribers need to pay attention to application permissions.  If you download a supposed video player (A 13kb video player?  That's a hint in itself) that needs access to your messaging program, and install it anyway you're just asking for trouble.

Of course you could download and install one of the Android anti-virus apps, that's your call.  In any case, be careful what you download, where you download it from, and for goodness sakes read the application permissions before you click away! [Kaspersky Lab]

Google has verified that it is working to make changes so streaming audio services like Pandora and TuneWiki will no longer have poor quality while streaming over 3G.  You geeky and curious types can check out the code changes for the framework at Android's git repository.  No word on when to expect these changes, but Google has committed them into the Android source, so it shouldn't be too far off.  Of course, this is going to depend on everyone from the manufacturer, the carrier, and maybe even the night janitor at the Pentagon to approve and build the changes, and then to distribute them.

When the tip about this came in, I jumped over to Google's Android bug tracker page and started reading.  I was very curious, because I have no issues playing my music, either streaming or from my SD card.  What I found upsets me slightly, and I'm going to rant a bit after the break.  (Yes, I'm allowed to complain, too.) [Google Code via Android Central Forums]

The HTC Glacier shows it's face at GLBenchmark.com again, this time showing off its GPU scores.  Last week we saw a bunch of CPU scores from the Glacier, along with loads of fun speculation about the chipset -- even some Project Emerald got thrown in the mix.  Prepare yourself for some more :)

It seems that when you sit down and do some math, you end up with figures that fit the Qualcomm QSD8672 Snapdragon chip.  It's a third-generation Snapdragon, with a feature list that will knock your socks off:

• Dual CPU up to 1.5 GHZ
• 45 nm tech for low power draw and better performance
• WSXGA (1440x900) screen support
• 1080p recording and playback
• HSPA+ (that's the 28Mbps kind) and CDMA Rev 0/A/B support
• 80 million-triangles-per-second 3D graphics

Works for me, and I'll go on record saying that I do think we're looking at Project Emerald.  I'll leave the geniuses over at AlienBabelTech explain it fully, you can check it out at the source link.  I just want to say "do want" to whomever might be listening. [AlienBabelTech]

In case we needed a visual demonstration of irony, HP's new eReader (dubbed the Zeen) will be running the Android OS.  While most details are unknown until the December 31 lifting of the FCC confidentiality agreement, we do know that the device will be running Android 2.1 with some sort of HP overlay, have a capacitive screen, SD card support, and have a "significant integration with the Barnes & Noble Nook bookstore and ecosystem."  Bundled with a "Zeus" printer (WebOS printer perhaps?) it will sell for $399.99.

Personally, I think Android is a better choice for an eReader, as it's easier to hide than WebOS.  But like everyone else who loves mobile computing tech, I'm still looking forward to a WebOS tablet.  Maybe next year. [Pre Central]