Android Central

Palm CEO: Pre better, could have been bigger, than the Droid

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:03:38 +0000

Any Motorola Droid owners out there looking for a direction to which some frustration needs to be channeled? We present comments today from Palm CEO Jon Rubenstein, who had some things to say about Verizon and the Droid during Palm's third-quarter earnings call this afternoon. Mainly, he says that the Pre's a better product and that it could/should have been bigger than the Droid, it's just that bad timing got in the way.

"We had an arrangement with Sprint that when we launched with Sprint that they would invest in marketing and carry the product and for that they would get an exclusive for a period of time. That really determined when we could do our launch at Verizon. I agree with your premise that if we could have launched at Verizon earlier, prior to Droid, that we would have gotten the attention that the Droid got and since I believe that we have a better product, I think we would have even done better."

We agree that being stuck on Sprint (a fine carrier in and of itself, but a limiting factor nonetheless) kept Palm's products from gaining better market share. But the Pre's better than the Droid? Them's fighting words. And, so, let's get it on! [via PreCentral]

Your favorite Android music applications [AC Asks]

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:30:39 +0000

Whether it's streaming Internet radio or keeping as much of your music collection as you can on a microSD card, you gotta admit there are some great ways to keep the tunes flowing on your Android phone.

Yeah, we probably could have split these into two categories - streaming and non. But no matter, you guys had some great picks. After the break, we take a look at your favorite options.

Sling Player coming to Android this summer

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:00:53 +0000

The guys at Android and Me caught up with Sling at the GDGT Live event at SXSW in Austin, Texas, recently and managed to pin down what may well prove to be one of the most anticipated apps on the Android platform.

Yes, folks, Sling is coming. When? "This summer," Sling said. We see it running on the Motorola Droid and Google Nexus One, two platforms with large screens, perfect for movies and TV. (And there's the Samsung Galaxy Spica, too -- not as large a screen, but still nice.)

Check out video of it in action after the break. [Android and Me via AndroidCommunity]

Google releases Buzz widget

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:01:38 +0000

Android 1.6+ If you're into Google Buzz but have wanted to be able to post text and photos from your Android home screen, you're now in luck. Google's made a Buzz widget available in the Android Market that does exactly that. It's English-only for now, but it makes Google's new social networking feature that much easier to use. Get in now in the Android Market. [Google]

Vlingo opens a limited Android beta

Jared DiPane — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:17:10 +0000

Vlingo, a very common and powerful speech-to-text tool for smartphone users, has announced a limited beta for the Android platform. Vlingo allows you to speak your emails, text messages, calls and searches and watch the text appear on the screen right before your eyes. For users one the go, this application makes long winded emails, or on the go text messages a breeze. For your chance to get in on this limited beta, point your mouse here. [via Vlingo Blog]

Droid OTA update now 'to be determined'

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:10:01 +0000

It's officially bad news for that Motorola Droid Android 2.1 update, folks. BGR snagged a shot that looks like the same internals that we've been seeing. And this one's not welcome.

"The OTA software update for the DROID by Motorola is TBD. A new date will be communicated as soon as possible."

and

"The 3/18 OTA software update will not happen as planned. A new data will be communicated as soon as possible."

Can't spell it out any worse than that. Sorry, folks. Feel free to vent your conspiracy theory in the comments. [via BGR]

Update: And this was just posted to Motorola's Facebook page. No, it doesn't help.

"Thanks for your continued patience. We aim to answer each and every question; if your post isn't answered immediately, please know that we're looking into your question so that we can provide the most up-to-date information as possible."

In other news, Android and Me says the delay has been attributed to the company that actually handles the over-the-air distribution. That sounds right to us, because Verizon has already pushed out the update to some of its employees, and they're reporting no problems with the ROM. Stay tuned.

HTC Incredible said to be coming to Verizon 'in two weeks'

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:04:49 +0000

Call it incredible, but the HTC Incredible, which we've already seen in Verizon's inventory system as well as in four different shades of leakage, is now said to be ready for launch in just two short weeks. That's coming from an unnamed source talking to Daily Tech, so take that how you will. However, with Sprint expected to announce the WiMax-powered HTC Supersonic next week at CTIA, we wouldn't put it past Verizon to have something up its sleeve, too. [Daily Tech via Engadget]

Motorola Droid Android 2.1 updating rolling out today; who's got it?

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:00:42 +0000

The Motorola Droid's Android 2.1 update should be pushed out to the first 1,000 ~~guinea pigs~~ lucky users anytime now. Sing out if you've got it (we'll know if you're lying!) and be sure to post your thoughts in our Official 2.1 Findings thread.

Update: Not to panic anyone, but we're getting whispers of server problems or some other sort of delay, or may it's just the smartphone gods toying with us yet again. Stay tuned.

Google slowly taking over the world ... and now one TV at a time?

Jared DiPane — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:56:14 +0000

As though Google hasn't already covered just about every aspect of digital life from the search engine to the RSS reader to a phone number that you can use across the board, now they want to come to your television? In efforts of trying to bring their relationship with Intel even closer, Google has decided they need to expand in the area of computing to television which is an area they hold very little grounds in currently. Google and Intel have decided to seek the help of Sony in creating a platform that will be used to bring the web to your television through a set-top box.

While there are currently a few places that are bringing web browsing to your set-top box, none are doing it on the scale that Google has planned. In addition to Sony and Intel, Google plans to have Logitech involved in the project for the creation of this multimedia style remote control. While none of these companies currently will comment on this project, Android design related jobs have appeared within these companies, so one would believe there is truth behind all of this. Many believe Google will one day take over the world, and here is just yet another great example of how Google will become an even bigger part of your daily life. [via NYTimes]

Fring updates with new look, features

Phil Nickinson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:19:24 +0000

Fring (Market link), the popular all-encompassing VOIP/chat/Skype/all-things-communications app, just updated its Android application, bringing a new look and new features.

High up on everybody's wish list was an honest-to-goodness dialer, and it's there now.
The buddy list has been updated and now shows your friends' pictures and mood line (from either Skype or Fring).
You can now personalize your profile with a picture, and edit your mood, e-mail address and phone number.
There also are a number of voice improvements, links now work and the chat screen, plus other bugfixes.

Fring is free. Update your current version now, or you can download from the Android Market. [Fring]