Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Android and Me

Android and Me


Official Motorola Android 4.0 update list – May

Posted: 21 May 2012 05:28 PM PDT

motorola-update-calendar-final

It’s been a few months since we last checked in with the official Android 4.0 update list for Motorola, and in light of recent changes to that list (as well as comments from Motorola on the Android 4.0 update, which we will get to in a moment) it seemed like a good time for a status update.

Will my device be updated?

Motorola has perhaps been the most candid and comprehensive of the major manufacturers when it comes to their Android upgrade process. They outlined their 4-step updating process for everyone back in December and have pretty dutifully maintained the device update page found in their forums.

Unfortunately this has not translated into being the most expedient in actually delivering upgrades to their customers’ devices. To date, the only device that has received its update to Android 4.0 is the WiFi-only XOOM (and only the versions in the US or Canada at that). All other devices remain in either the Development, Evaluation & Planning or Testing phases.

Now, as previously mentioned, there was a blog post from Motorola in the last few days which was designed to make clear why some devices won’t be getting Android 4.0.

You may be wondering why all devices aren't being upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Here's the deal. We work very closely with Google and cell phone carriers for every software update. And, obviously we want the new release to improve our devices. If we determine that can't be done—well then, we're not able to upgrade that particular device.Motorola

I know that statement has some people riled up and it’s always irritating to hear that your device won’t be upgraded, but I think it’s a fairly reasonable position. Now, if they start pulling the update plug on popular devices that have the specs to support the next OS, then I’ll pick up a torch and join the angry villagers.

Latest News from Motorola

Motorola devices that have Android 4.0

  • Motorola XOOM WiFi-Only (USA, Canada)

Motorola devices that will receive Android 4.0 during Q2

  • Motorola XOOM WiFi-Only (Asia Pacific, China, EMEA, Japan & LATAM)
  • Motorola XOOM (Verizon)
  • Motorola RAZR (Asia Pacific, Canada, China, EMEA, Japan, Korea & LATAM)
  • Motorola DROID RAZR (Verizon)
  • Motorola DROID RAZR Maxx (Verizon)
  • Motorola MT917 (China)
  • Motorola XT928 (China)

Motorola devices that will receive Android 4.0 during Q3

  • Motorola Atrix 4G (USA)
  • Motorola Atrix 2 (Asia-Pacific, LATAM, USA, and selected other markets)
  • Motorola XOOM Family Edition (USA)
  • Motorola XOOM 2 (Asia Pacific, EMEA, and LATAM)
  • Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition (Asia Pacific, EMEA, and LATAM)
  • Motorola Xyboard 8.2 (USA)
  • Motorola Xyboard 10.1 (USA)
  • Motorola DROID Bionic (Verizon)
  • Motorola DROID 4 (Verizon)
  • Motorola DROID Xyboard 8.2 (Verizon)
  • Motorola DROID Xyboard 10.1 (Verizon)

Motorola devices that will receive Android 4.0 during Q4

  • Motorola Photon 4G (USA)

Phones under evaluation and planning: Might or might not get update, no estimated dates

  • Motorola Atrix/Atrix 4G (Asia Pacific, EMEA and LATAM)
  • Motorola Electrify (USA)
  • Motorola Photon 4G (Japan)
  • Motorola XOOM WiFi + 3G (Asia Pacific, EMEA and LATAM)

Motorola devices that will NOT get updated to Android 4.0

  • Motorola Admiral
  • Motorola Charm
  • Motorola DROID 3
  • Motorola DROID X2
  • Motorola Flipout
  • Motorola Milestone A854/A953
  • Motorola Milestone XT720/XT701/XT711
  • Motorola XT605
  • Motorola XT615 / XT685 / MOTOLUXE
  • Motorola XT882
  • Motorola MT870
  • Motorola Milestone 3
  • Motorola Milestone X2
  • Motorola Pro+
  • Motorola Devour
  • Motorola Cliq XT
  • Motorola i1
  • Motorola Dext
  • Motorola Quench MB501/XT5 XT502/XT3 XT502
  • Motorola Defy Mini
  • Motorola Defy MB525 (Europe & MEA)


Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G LTE clears U.S. Customs – pre-order deliveries to start on May 24th

Posted: 21 May 2012 05:07 PM PDT

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The delayed launch of the HTC EVO 4G LTE has officially come to an end. Sprint has just released a statement indicating that pre-order customers will receive their HTC EVO 4G LTE “on or around” May 24th — just one day after the May 23rd launch date claimed by Best Buy. This is certainly good news for those who have pre-ordered the phone, but we’d like to point out that the date only applies to those who pre-ordered the phone directly from Sprint’s website. Those who snatched up discounted pre-order deals from Amazon or Best Buy will most likely have to wait a few extra days before their handset is delivered.

Neither HTC nor Sprint have indicated when the handset will be available in retail stores, but we assume HTC EVO 4G LTE handsets shouldn’t have any issues making it through U.S. Customs going forward.

How many of you are excited to get your greasy fingers on your pre-ordered HTC EVO 4G LTE?

Customers who pre-ordered HTC EVO 4G LTE...Your wait is almost over! Sprint expects to begin shipping HTC EVO 4G LTE for arrival on or around Thursday, May 24 to customers who pre-ordered the device online from Sprint. We will provide details on the full national launch as soon as possible. To access the latest news and device information, visit our Sprint Community page where we'll be providing regular updates. To check the status of your pre-order, please visit www.sprint.com/myorder.Sprint


Giveaway: Win Slacker Radio premium for a year

Posted: 21 May 2012 07:50 AM PDT

slacker

Slacker Radio is one of our favorite streaming internet radio services for Android. Slacker Radio is a Pandora-like service that offers streaming of their ever-growing arsenal of songs and albums. Users can create radio stations based on a band, song, or genre, and listen to what they’re currently in the mood for at any given time.

Slacker Radio was kind enough to give us a few subscriptions to pass along to our readers. Up for grabs is one year-long subscription and two three-month subscriptions to Slacker Radio Premium, which provides unlimited song skipping and removes all ads from your stations.

All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post no later than 3:00 PM CST on Tuesday, May 22nd. You will need either an active account or to leave your email in the appropriate field when leaving a comment in order to be considered for the giveaway so we can contact you if you’ve won.

Good luck!


T-Mobile HTC Amaze 4G Android 4.0 update now available

Posted: 21 May 2012 06:46 AM PDT

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Android 4.0 for the T-Mobile HTC Amaze 4G has arrived! To initiate the download, press Menu > Settings > About Phone > HTC Software Updates > Check and follow the instructions to download and install the new build. The HTC Amaze 4G's Android 4.0 update can downloaded over T-Mobile's 3G/HSPA+ network, but we’ll understand if you want to connect your phone over Wi-Fi to download the update just a little faster.

The HTC Amaze 4G’s Android 4.0 update is nearly identical to the HTC Sensation 4G update which T-Mobile started pushing out last week – including improvements to multi-tasking, face unlock, new browser capabilities, and access to Android 4.0 applications like Google's Chrome browser. Full details of the HTC Amaze 4G’s Android 4.0 update can be found on the T-Mobile’s support site.

New Android 4.0 features

  • Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
  • Sense 3.6
  • System bar enhancements to easily view recent apps.
  • Re-sizeable widgets
  • Lock screen actions including pull down notifications and adjust volume while device is locked.
  • Data usage controls.
  • Face Unlock
  • Home screen folders
  • Improved battery life
  • Improved text input and spell checking
  • Improved menu structure

Before you start downloading the Android 4.0 update, make sure your handset has at least a 50% battery charge.  Let us know how the update process goes and how you like all the new features included in the Amaze 4G’s Ice Cream Sandwich update. We're curious to know if the T-Mobile HTC Amaze 4G will benefit from the same performance improvements we've seen on other HTC devices which have been updated to Android 4.0.


Unnamed HTC handsets released by U.S. Customs to carriers

Posted: 21 May 2012 06:21 AM PDT

htc-generic-logo

The U.S. Customs holdup of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE may soon come to an end. In a statement submitted to the Taiwan Stock Exchange, HTC claims some of their handset models have passed the U.S. Customs inspection and are on their way to various carriers. At the time the statement was released, HTC was not given any specifics as to which devices had passed inspection, but we have a feeling the ITCs exclusion order is holding up more devices than we originally thought.

According to T-Mobile, shipments of the HTC Amaze 4G have been delayed due to ”an unforeseen issue with receiving the product from the manufacturer.” There’s no direct evidence that the Amaze 4G delays are connected to the U.S. Customs inspections which are currently holding up the HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE, but the exclusion order issued by the ITC can be applied to all HTC devices which pass through U.S. Customs. We’re sure HTC is trying to keep things as quiet as possible, knowing that widespread delays to all U.S. service providers could result in significant losses for the quarter. There’s no indication as to how long the rest of HTC’s handsets will be kept out of the hands of customers, but we’re hoping for the best.

Show Press Release

An active clarification regarding the US Custom’s inspection status of HTC products

1.Date of occurrence of the event:2012/05/20

2.Company name:HTC Corporation

3.Relationship to the Company (please enter “head office” or “affiliate company”):Head Office

4.Reciprocal shareholding ratios:N/A

5.Cause of occurrence:Each imported HTC model must be reviewed by Customs and will be released once Customs officials have completed the inspection. Some models have gone through inspection and been released to our carriers customers. We don’t have the status of each specific device model at this time, but we are working closely with Customs. We remain confident that this issue will be resolved soon.

6.Countermeasures:N/A

7.Any other matters that need to be specified:N/A


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