Android News: Flash 10.1, Speech Translation, and Gingerbread

Three bits of news for you Android enthusiasts out there: - Flash Player 10.1 is coming to Android devices. But ONLY to those running OS 2.1 and above. Adobe said their long awaited 10.1 update will hit desktops and smartphones in the "first half" of this year, according to Gizmodo. But Android users are gonna gotta get 2.1 or better to run it because Android 2.0 and lower doesn't provide Adobe the under-the-hood tools they need to make Flash...

PhoneDog Media: What's happening on TiP, BBerryDog, and DroidDog

PhoneDog just can't cram every bit of analysis, in-depth coverage, and tip/trick/how-to goodness onto our home page. So we've built a few more home pages to hold it all.  Whether it's Android, BlackBerry, or iPhone that makes you tick, we've got the goods. Here's what's happening right now on PhoneDog Media's network sites: Today's iPhone, BBerryDog and DroidDogApp Review: Model Me Going PlacesCan your iPhone keep you safe?iPhone 2010...

LG eXpo in-depth review - Aaron's LG eXpo review

Overview What's Good: Nice keyboard; good display; fast thanks to 1 GHz Snapdragon processor.  What's Bad: Touchscreen was challenging to use at times. Introduction When you look at the LG eXpo, the first thought that comes to mind may be "c'mon, it's just another Windows Mobile phone." Yes, the device runs Windows Mobile (6.5, to be exact), but there are some welcome improvements to this device that make it a better unit than past Windows...

Google launches technical support number for Nexus One

After ordering the Nexus One for one of my personal accounts, I can safely say that the disconnect between T-Mobile and Google is astonishing (and when I say "astonishing," it's not a compliment).  If you read my article on how to order the device, you're well-aware of the challenges.  I'm not an analyst by any means, but the issues between existing accounts, family share plans, and the like could be a serious detriment to the sales...

Buzz Buzz: Google launches Buzz for real-time mobile and desktop sharing

Google held a press event this morning to launch Google Buzz, their new system for real-time sharing of everything from Twitter-style conversations to photos and other media. Buzz will exist inside of Google's GMail interface, but the company also introduced three new location-aware mobile products: - Google Buzz via m.Google.com homepage for Android and iPhone - Mobile App: buzz.google.com - Buzz-enabled Google Maps for Symbian, Windows...

Better iPad: Notion Ink Adam Tablet details sound nice

Notion Ink's Adam tablet computer is probably the most interesting product on my "when's it gonna launch?" radar. Though I'm currently more excited about iPad just because it actually has a price and ship date, Adam brings all kinds of specs, tech, and potential to the table with its Android-driven, dual-mode display technology. If you're not yet familiar with Adam, check out my post-CES writeup on it. Notion Ink CEO Rohan Shravan had a chat...

Google reduces Nexus One "equipment recovery fee" to $150

In an effort to quell user complaints about the company's high "equipment recovery fee" (in addition to T-Mobile's early termination fee, nonetheless), Google has dropped the fee from $350 to $150 for those that cancel their contracts in the first 120 days.  That being said, that's still $350 total to pay to Google and T-Mobile ($150 and $200, respectively) - still too high, in my opinion.  The move comes after the FCC sent letters to...

Spy Shot: Is this (part of) the next iPhone?

Get out your salt shakers, it's alleged spy photo time! iPhone repair site iResQ has what they claim are parts from the upcoming fourth-generation Apple iPhone, due to be launched later this year. According to photos on the site, the new iPhone's front panel (right, above) will be approximately 1/4" taller than the current iPhone 3GS (left, above). The photos also show what iResQ is calling a "reflective surface" on the front panel just above...

2.1 on Droid: Multitouch but no 3D effects?

Chris from Engadget says he got word that Verizon is currently testing Android 2.1 "Eclair" on the Motorola Droid. The build mentioned is 2.1 version 1, the same version pushed out to Nexus One owners last week. Nobody's got any word on a release date - or even verification that the update will, in fact, be released at all. But let's be optimistic (and realistic, I think) and say that Droid owners should be getting some multitouch Web love...

Locked Up: iPhone OS 3.1.3 breaks T-Mobile unlocking

According to Adriana, any of you running your iPhones unlocked on T-Mobile should hold off on installing the newest iPhone OS update. Looks like iPhone 3.1.3 breaks TMo connectivity for iPhone 3GS and 3G models - apparently the first-gen iPhones aren't affected. Any of you running iPhone unlocked on Magenta? If so, can you confirm or deny this? Better yet, are you hard at work on a solution?  More over at Today's iPhone. [Via: PhoneArena]

That's Incredible: Verizon-bound HTC Android 2.1 phone leaked

Pocketnow got hold of some leaked photos of a phone marked, "HTC Incredible." Based on the specs accompanying the leak, this device might just live up to its name - if you're looking for a high-end Android handheld to run on Verizon. Incredible is said to feature Android 2.1 and HTC Sense running on a Snapdragon-based platform backed by 256MB of RAM. The device will feature a 3.5" + WVGA touchscreen (AMOLED?), the oft-rumored optical mouse that...

Checking In: Foursquare for BlackBerry reviewed

I don't much care for Foursquare. The social networking site, that is. The schoolyard game with a kickball? AWESOME. The check-in thingy? Don't really like it. But lots of people do, apparently. They enjoy filling their twitter feeds with things like, "I am now the mayor of Taco Bell!"  and, "I'm at Pet Food Plaza at 123 Main Street." Well, okay, good for you, Mayor! So it's good - for them - that there's a Foursquare app for BlackBerry....

Devour Me: Megan Fox plus Masturbation equals Motorola Super Bowl Ad

Is it me or have this year's Super Bowl ads been pretty underwhelming thus far? There's about five and a half minutes to go in the game as I write this, so there's still time for a miracle, but so far? Eh. That much-hyped Google ad? Vaguely clever yet supremely boring (seriously, who wants to read an entire TV ad?). I kind of liked the VW ad, mainly because the Stevie Wonder/Tracy Morgan bit was unexpected and hilarious. Otherwise? A lot...

Video: Dogfight! HTC HD2 vs. Google Nexus One - Part 1

I was convinced going into the that I would spend most of the dogfight talking about how great the Nexus One is. But with Sense, the HD 2 has plenty to offer.

Video: Dogfight! HTC HD2 vs. Google Nexus One - Part 2

I definitely favor Android over Windows Mobile, but when it comes to Sense, no matter what the underlying OS, the surface is lovely.

Google ships 80,000 Nexus One devices in January

While the Motorola DROID and the Apple iPhone celebrated larger first month numbers (525,000 and 600,000, respectively), the announcement of 80,000 Nexus One devices (which translates into a steady 20,000 per week) is still a relatively strong number for Google.  I'm sure Google would have liked to have broken the 100,000 mark, but the fact that they're going strong four weeks later (and their weekly totals haven't dropped) is a positive...

Motorola Milestone coming to Telus on February 18th; will work on AT&T

According to Best Buy Canada, Telus (or at least Best Buy, on behalf of Telus) will be getting the Motorola Milestone.  If you're in the United States, you're probably thinking "great, Aaron, why do I care?"  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Telus customers, but the real win for us in the States lies in the fact that they utilize the 850/1900 MHz bands for 3G.  In other words, their version of the Milestone will work on AT&T...

Smart Shopping: Whose smartphone plans are cheapest?

Prepaid and PostPaid, Voice and Data Boost Mobile's launch of their first-ever smartphone, the BlackBerry Curve 8330, and its $60/month unlimited, prepaid voice & data plan, got me to thinking about the true cost  of owning and maintaining various smartphones on the various US carriers. With the help of Billshrink's handy-dandy charts and infographics, I did a little research and came up with the following. Note that I stuck to national...

Verizon Wireless wins 2010 J.D. Power award

Verizon Wireless has won the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Wireless Customer Care Performance Study, edging out T-Mobile for the first place slot. According to the J.D. Power press release, Verizon Wireless performs best when contacts are resolved through phone calls to customer service and visits to the company's retail stores.  In both situations, Verizon Wireless representatives "perform well with regard to identifying customer...

This Week in DroidDog: 02/04/10

As you probably know, PhoneDog is pretty crazy about giveaways. The main site just sent out it's 67th prize from the One Paw Bandit, and they haven't been pencil erasers, either. DroidDog is getting in on the action and just gave away a rooted G1 as a reward to a reader for shooting off a quick tweet. Not only does the PhoneDog crew love giving out free stuff, we like to make it easy. Congratulations to Leslie W. from Cerritos, Ca, who won the...

Video: Sanyo Incognito (Boost Mobile) - UnPaking

What's an unboxing when the phone comes in a FedEx Pak with no box? An UnPaking! Sanyo Incognito is like LG enV3 for Boost. But shinier!

Samsung announces the SHW-M100S, complete with Android 2.1

Despite the fact that the device has no plans to venture to the United States (just yet, at least), it doesn't mean that the SHW-M100S should go unnoticed.  With a 3.7-inch AMOLED screen, the device packs an 800 MHz processor, 5-megapixel camera with 720p video recording, 3.5mm headphone jack, and DivX support.  The SHW-M100S runs Samsung's TouchWiz user interface on top of Android - a major point of contention for some.  Given...

Former T-Mobile customers: How to order a Nexus One

Yesterday, my interest in the Nexus One piqued to the point that I couldn't contain it any longer.  I had to add it to my arsenal of wireless devices.  Excited, I rushed to Google's ordering page, and that's where the trouble began.  Turns out, the ordering process was a bit more frustrating than I had anticipated.  I review phones for a living, and as such, have had several accounts in the past with numerous wireless...

Android-powered Motorola Zeppelin spotted in Brazil

Apparently, the device was shown to company employees last week, and it has been given the code name of "Zeppelin."  Running Android 1.5 and MOTOBLUR, the size and general feel is said to be similar to the Motorola Backflip and Motorola CLIQ.  Though the device is launching in Brazil next month, no word on whether we'll see this bad boy in the States.  I'd agree with the Gizmodo gang - should we see a US launch, it would fit in...

Verizon makes use of "Big Red" nickname, launches spoof ad

Rarely do I find an advertising campaign that I'm as impressed with as Verizon's "Big Red" commercial.  The play on words that they're using here is all too reminiscent of the Big Red chewing gum commercials, which premiered in the late 80's and early 90's.  It's easy to see that (1) they're finally taking advantage of the "Big Red" nickname that they've had for years and (2) they're marketing to a distinct demographic here. I always...