In a bit of an Android browser shake-up, Skyfire -- best known for its Windows Mobile browser -- has purchased kolbysoft, which produces the popular Webkit-based Steel browser. For the time being, Steel will remain in production until Skyfire tools up its own Android product. The main difference in the current Skyfire browser is that all of the heavy lifting -- as in the actual...
Sure, everybody and their mother is getting pinch-to-zoom these days. But here's one you probably haven't seen yet: It's Android 2.1 and HTC's Sense interface on a Hero, and you can pinch-to-zoom within Sense itself. That lets you see all of your home panels at the same time, and it's pretty darn cool, if you ask us. Check out the video after the break, and skip to about 6 minutes in,...
We kind of knew this day would come. Google has just announced that it's building and testing a 1-gigabit-per-second network in "a small number of locations across the United States." They're talking straight fiber to the home (hello, FiOS) for at least 50,000 people up front, and building up to as many as 500,000. We'll let Google tell its story: We're planning to build and test ultra...
We mentioned it in the Google Buzz launch post, but it bears repeating: Google Maps has been updated to Version 4.0. With it you get support for the Buzz layers, along with the previously mentioned night mode and synchronized starred items. Update Google Maps here. More pics after the break.
For Motorola Droid and Nexus One: If you're looking for a quick way to figure out what's for dinner, there's Urbanspoon. Now in Version 1.0 (and free!) for Android, it's a simple dial-a-meal that lets you choose location, ethnicity and price. Or you can choose "shake" for a random selection. Vote on your favorites, read and write reviews, find addresses and telephone numbers, all in one...
It seems like it's a bit early to start hearing rumblings of the "H" nickname for Android. After all, it was just a few short weeks ago that we learned "F" was for Froyo -- frozen yougurt -- which follows Eclair, Donut and Cupcake.But that didn't stop Google's Brian Swetland, who works on the Linux kernel for the Big G, from just dropping the following on the LWN.net boards:We maintain...
We learned this morning what we'll likely see once the Motorola Droid gets the update to Android 2.1. Now we have have a time frame. Motorola, on its official Facebook page, dropped the following (emphasis ours):Hi all-- we know you are frustrated with the lack of details regarding Android software upgrades and we sincerely apologize for not being able to share info sooner. We're happy...
Here's a little bit of "good" news for anybody who bought a Nexus One on contract with T-Mobile and is thinking of getting out early. Remember how Google was charging a $350 "Equipment recovery fee" in addition to T-Mobile's $200 early termination fee? The Big G's just lowered that to $150 if you cancel in the first 120 days.According to the Wall Street Journal:A Google representative...
The fifth part in Google's YouTube series chronicling the birth (and now life) of the Nexus One is now available. In it we get a look at the Nexus One being used throughout the day (and a guy whose apartment is badly in need of a non-Google decorator). But we also get another brief look at the car dock. At about 1:08 in we see our hero place his Nexus One in the car dock, which has...
The guys and gals at Engadget apparently have gotten word of what we can expect when the Motorola Droid gets its next update. Here's the scoop:Looks like it'll be based off the Android2.1-update1 build that Google put out last week on the Nexus One.And that means expect multitouch in the browser, to go along with the pinch-to-zoom that was enabled on the Droid for Google Maps just last...
The folks at Pocketnow just got slipped a few shots of the HTC Incredible, a device long rumored to make an appearance on Verizon at some point. Android 2.1 is definitely on board, as is HTC's Sense UI. The tipster also says there's 256MB of RAM -- half that of the Droid Nexus One -- the WGVA screen is 3.5 inches to 3.7 inches in diagonal and is "very vibrant," but it's not sure if it's...
We just got slipped a roadmap for Dopod, and with it we get some Chinese Android fare.First off there's the long-rumored HTC Dragon, noted as a 3.6-inch WVGA China-only Android phone. Then there's what's listed only as the A6388, a 3.4-inch HVGA device. (Screen shot courtesy of 3Gin.net after the break.) And there's also the Huashan, a monstrous 4.3-inch WVGA device (the Windows Mobile...
If you don't know the name Linus Torvalds, well, let's just say he's the reason you're holding that Android phone in your hand. He created the Linux kernel, which is what Android is built on. Anyway, he's never been a fan of any kind of cell phone. Until now. From his personal blog:But I have to admit, the Nexus One is a winner. I wasn't enthusiastic about buying a phone on the internet...
For as easy as Android can make your life, the simple task of getting photos, video and music from your computer to your phone isn't quite as straightforward as it should be. We're going to put an end to that right now. After the break: How to get your storage card to show up on your computer. No rooting. No extra programs. Just a few simple steps. Let's get right to it. Using the...
Looks like the Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader's getting an update right ... about ... now! Gizmodo got slipped an internal memo that details the Version 1.2 upgrade:Improved in-store WiFi and "seamless connectivity" to in-store content and promotions. (In other words, walk into the store and you'll see B&N fare on your Nook.)Improved opening of books and periodicals. (No, we're...
There's no denying that the Nexus One is a sexy piece of hardware (check out our review) that both Google and manufacturer HTC are proud of. (You should see them talk about it in person. It's evident in their eyes.) Now Google's showing off the backstory of the Nexus One in a series of videos hosted on the GoogleNexusOne YouTube channel.The first episode tackles the concept and design...
Looks like Google Maps might be getting ready to move its Street View feature indoors. Search Engine Land was told by NYC store Oh Nuts that it was visited by a Google rep who took picture inside every six feet in all directions. Products also were snapped. It'll be interesting to see exactly which (and what kind) of businesses are featured in Store View, if and when it's released. On...
Hey, all you developers out there: Interpret's looking to get to know you better, and they have a short survey they'd like you to take. Take it, enter your information at the end, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a free Nexus One. Go let 'em know a thing or three about how you feel about mobile applications.Click here to take the survey and enter for your chance to win.(Bear...
One of the biggest (and best) questions you all asked after Google brought multitouch to the Nexus One this week was "What about the Motorola Droid? Will it get multitouch, too? Of course, the Droid has multitouch outside the U.S., and you can hack it on to your phone if you have the American version. But we're talking about an official, sanctioned update here. Following are the...
Well will you look at that. We unveil the specs on the Verizon's Motorola Devour, and then Verizon decides to go ahead and announce the thing. And things are pretty much as we've already told you. 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen at 320x480, optical trackpad, Android 1.6 with MotoBLUR, 1400 mAh battery, an 8GB microSD card already installed.Weight is now listed at 5.89 ounces, so that...