Your Froyo is not official, but don't fret, you'll still get the official one too!

According to a couple of Google employees on the Nexus One forum, the version of 2.2 that floating around is not the official release. But you will still receive the official OTA when it is released and you will not void your warranty by jumping the gun. So if anything was holding you back from checking out so good ole Frozen Yogurt on your Nexus, this should be welcoming news!

Samsung i897 to release on AT&T?

So, you wanna stick with AT&T and you want an Android phone that's more than a "toy" (well that cancels the back flip), but you don't wanna pay $529 for the Nexus One. Well, Samsungs to the rescue. According to AndroidGuys, the 4" AMOLED display, Snapdragon packing, 5 megapixel camera totin', Android 2.1 device will land on ole "Ma'Bell" sometime in the near future. If that doesn't tickle your AT&T fancy, then nothing will.

Motorola's 4.3" Droid Shadow

Is this the Moto Droid Shadow? According to a tipster who sent this photo to Gizmodo, it is. The tipster says he found the phone a Verizon Company Gym and snapped a couple photos before the device was remotely locked & the owner came back to claim it. What do you think? Is the story believable or does it sound like BS? Let me know in the comments.

2.2 Being Pushed to Nexus One Devices?

Over the weekend, there have been several reports that the 2.2 update 'Froyo' is being pushed to Android devices. Various tech site have reported their review units have indeed received the 2.2 OTA update. My personal Nexus One has not yet received the OTA as of yet so it is believed that only the units handed out to the press have received the update. But if you're impatient & the adventurous type, XDA has come up with a solution. You can "jump the line" and do a manual install of the update as a copy of the update file has been found on Google's servers & copied over to the XDA devs forum. So if your feeling antsy & a brave soul. Click the link after the jump for direction & direct access to the update.zip file, but INSTALL AT YOUR RISK! Let me know how it goes for you in the comments section!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=686631

Android 2.2 Overview

In the 18 months since Android's first debut, there are now over 60 Android devices. 21 OEMs, 48 countries, and 59 carriers have helped make Android what it is today. Today, Google is activating 100,000 Android devices. Google is now second only to RIM in U.S. Smartphone sales. In terms of total web and app usage, Android is now first. Google was hoping to have 500 million miles navigated with turn-by-turn by the end of the year. Today they're well over 1 billion. People love applications, and to help serve their needs there are now over 50,000 applications and 180,000 developers helping to keep Android front andcenter in the Smartphone world. And now to the big news... Android 2.2 aka FroYo! Here's what it's all about.

Google has done a lot of work. FroYo's Dalvik virtual machine has a JIT compiler that's good for a speedup anywhere from 2x to 5x.

For corporate users, there are a bunch of new Exchange policies. You know, good stuff like auto-discovery, security policies, global address books, remote wipe, etc.

Elsewhere, there's a cloud-to-device messaging API. Developers can send messages to Google's servers and it will send an Android intent to the device. For example, if you're looking to get to a nice Italian bakery, you can hit up Google maps on your desktop and send the directions to your Android Smartphone. It won't send some crummy text message or email, though. Oh, no. It will open up Google Maps Navigation and send you on your merry way.

Tethering and Hotspots The rumors were indeed true. Android will let you enable tethering at the platform level. Just open up the Wi-Fi settings, create a hotspot and you're good to go.

Browser FroYo brings major enhancements to the browsers. Javascript performs 2x to 3x faster. Google is working closely with standards bodies to make more capable and versatile browsers. Soon (and not necessarily in FroYo), you'll be able to do things like use the camera, magnometer and accelerometer from within the browser thanks to some clever APIs.

Google has upped its game with voice recognitions. In the future, again, not with FroYo, voice recognition will be able to better understand human intention. So if you tell it to look up a picture, it will do that in browser. But if you tell it to call your favorite restaurant, it will do that, too. You'll also be able to use voice commands with the Google Translate website. Just say whatever it is you want translated and Google will do the rest.

Google wants the most comprehensive mobile browser. "It turns out on the internet... people use Flash!" We saw a quick little demo of Flash running on Nickelodeon's site, and truthfully, it looked to run fairly smoothly.

The Quick Search box will allow you to easily search for applications. Developers can also tap into this. Say you bought something and plugged it into the Mint app. You can search for that particular transaction with the Quick Search bar.

You'll be free to shove games and apps to the microSD card and use them as if they were loaded on the devices on-board memory.

There will be an update all button for apps in the Android Market. If that's too much hassle, you can select any number of your apps to auto update. Very nice! Report feedback If an app crashes, you can send feedback directly to the developer and let them know what happened.

Developers can view the entire stack trace and isolate the problem andfix it.

You'll be able to take advantage of a little known as the "internet" and have it push the app directly to your phone. The same can be done for music and videos. *drool* Streaming Music Thanks to Google's acquisition of Simplify Media, you can now stream your non-DRM music collection from your computer straight to your Android Smartphone.

Sprint's HTC Hero Finally gets Android 2.1 Update

That's right folks! Its official. The Hero finally has it 2.1 update. Éclair for the Hero is fully baked & ready to go so all you Hero owners can enjoy more apps (because a lot of apps require OS 1.6 or higher) & The magic of Google Maps Navigation. The update is official but Sprint has not posted a direct link to the update ROM on its website, instead it has posted the directions to update through HTC Hotsync. So if you ready to bring your 2009 phone into the year 2010 head on over to the Sprint website OR click the link after the jump.

http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Find_and_update_the_software_version_on_your_HTC_Hero/case-gb746811-20091009-155624?&INTNAV=SU:DP:HDIA

General Motors & Google team up

Last week GM said it teamed up with a technology company to bolster its OnStar capabilities beyond the car, and as it turns out that partner is none other than Google. General Motors and Google have developed an Smartphone application to run on Android Phones for its up and coming Chevy Volt. The new app will be demonstrated this week at the Google I/O conference. Via the app you will be able to see your vehicles charging status, start & stop charging, locate your vehicle on Google maps, and enter addresses for your OnStar turn by turn navigation. But hey, since your using an Android phone running OS 1.6 or higher, you can always opt to use the built in turn by turn directions on the device. You can expect to see The Chevy Volt App 2.0 in the Android market this fall.

Google to stop Selling Nexus One Strictly Online

Google has decided it will no longer strictly sell The Nexus One handsetthrough its online channel only. Instead it will push the phone though retail stores of its only partner to offer a subsidy on the device, T-mobile. As it turns out, people want to actually see & feel a handset before they buy it, go figure. Non-the-less, this should lead to more N1 sighting in the wild than just on the net. I am a N1 owner & I have personally never met another (or even seen another) person carrying this handset. But as long as Google keeps pushing updates to it themselves, I'll still remain a happy camper!

FINALLY! The Samsung Moment Get Android 2.1

The wait is over! The Android Gods over at Sprint have finally released the 2.1 update for the Samsung Moment. Given that this phone runs stock Android, this update is long overdue, but I know countless Moment owners who will welcome its arrival. So head over to the Sprint site to receive the OTW (over the wire) update. Or click the link after the break.

http://shop.sprint.com/en/software_downloads/pda_smartphone/samsung_mome
nt.shtml?ECID=vanity:momentupdate

Android 2.2 'Froyo' to include USB tethering, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality

Looks like the good folks over at TechCrunch.com have uncovered a bit of Froyo delightfulness. It seems that Android 2.2 aka 'Froyo' will includeUSB tethering and wireless tethering to boot! Now the use of the functionality will depend upon your network provider giving the green light on it but Im sure those of us who bought our Nexus Ones subsidized on good ole Magenta (T-Mobile) will be tether to our hearts content! Froyo FTW!!

HTC EVO 4G available June 4th for $199

That's right, it's the moment you Sprint customers have been waiting for. Sprint & HTC's hottest new Android device will be available June 4th for $199. You must have a Simply Everything plan of $69.99 or higher and if you live in a 4G area you will be required to fork over an extra $10/month for premium data access and if you were planning on using this puppy to wirelessly share that 4G connection with up to 8 other devices, that functionality will cost you an extra $29.99/ month. So all in all that's at least $110 (before taxes & surcharges) to use this thing for all its worth. Nobody ever said having the latest & greatest was gonna be cheap. But with the EVO on Sprints new 4G network you can do simultaneous voice & data and not mention use Sprints video calling network (the countries first). I think all in all, its not to bad, if your not the penny pinching rational thinking in a down economy type.

LG Ally Pre-orders start today, available at Verizon Store on May 20th

On your marks, get set, go! Are you ready to race down to your local Verizon store for LG's newest entry level smart phone? I didn't think so, but just so you know, Big Red is offering this puppy up $99.99, after mail in rebate of course. But hey, with Best Buy's rebate-less policy, you can walk out the store with your pockets only one Benjamin lighter.

T-Mobile myTouch 3G to get 2.1 and Sense UI

That's right. The T-mobile myTouch 3G will get be upgraded to Android 2.1 and also a highly customized version of Sense UI. The same flavor as the my Touch Slide will sport. This may not be welcoming news if your not a Sense UI fan, but if your looking to breath new life into you almost 1 yr old Android device, T-mobile is throwing you a bone.

Flash Player Demoed on Android 2.2 'Froyo' lookin pretty flippin sweet!!

It looks like Adobe is all ready to showcase its Flash 10.1 on the Nexus One at The Google I/O conference on May 19th. Here they have given a little demo of a few flash based sites running on the Android flagship device, The Nexus one. During the demo you will notice some new features that will be incorporated into Android 2.2, such as the new app launcher that include the Phone icon & web icon, a new tutorial, and what appears to be a new universal search box. Although Flash is the star of this show, a Guru like myself, couldn't help but notice the changes in the Android OS its self. As it appears, it looks like 2.2 will be ready to drop with flash around that June time frame Adobe stated earlier this month and all the Guru has to say about that is "Bring it on!". To see flash running as smooth as butter on hot breakfast toast. Click the link after the break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y7XJI4NN7k&feature=youtube_gdata

Sprints says No Thanks to the Nexus One

Looks like Sprint has dealt another blow to Google and its Flagship device, the Nexus One. Sprint has followed Verizon in rejecting the Nexus One from its network in favor of another device, The HTC EVO 4G. Sprint is the second company in weeks to dash the hopes of many customers by saying no to the Nexus One. This means for sure there will be no CDMA version of The Nexus One produced. As it stand T-mobile & AT&T are the only companies to allow the Nexus One to be sold for their respective networks and as it stands T-mobile is the only company to offer a subsidy for the purchase of a Nexus One. I personally own a N1 and I must say its ashamed more people will not get the opportunity to experience a great phone such as the Nexus One. As Im sure this is defiantly a blow to Google's plans for its "super phone" in the long run, Google created to the Nexus one to push the Android platform without having to rely on a carrier and/or manufacture to push the updates. So while my Nexus One enjoys 2.2 and Flash Player 10.1. The Evos & Incrediables of the world will have to sit back and watch.

Android Outsells iPhone?

This should serve as no surprise, but the latest NPD reports show that Android devices are outselling iPhone buy a 6% percent margin. As it stands the Smartphone US market share stands with RIM at 36%, Google Android at 28%, and Apple coming in at 21%. There are currently 20+ models of Android phones spread across every US carrier and with Verizon's heavy marketing and BOGO promotions, it should be no surprise that Android is overtaking the market.

Android on your iPhone 3G, the best of both worlds?

The iPhone 3G is without a doubt, one of the sexiest consumer devices to ever hit the market. Android is arguablely one the best Smartphone OS'smade to date and when you combine the two, you have a match made in heaven. Well, not entirely, but a great match none the less. This is exactly what has been done. Granted not all of the features are 100% operational, like audio, but the major hurdles have been jumped & in a few short days, it should be fully operational & ready for you to breath some new life into you dying iPhone 3G. The Guru will defiantly keep updated of its progress.

Curious about what it looks like?? Check out the video below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJj0kHQgC9w

Google goggles gets a purpose

Ever since Google goggles inception I, like many others have been asking 1 question, what is the purpose of Google goggles? When I installed it on my painfully slow T-Mobile G1, I quickly realized, I could type my search query in the universal search box on my home screen more quickly than I could pull up the app drawer, start the app (on a painfully slow G1) press the camera button, wait for it to auto focus (on a painfully slow G1), take the picture, & let Google goggles do its magic to return me a result (did I mention I was using a painfully slow G1?). So in January when I stepped up to The Nexus One, The worlds first super phone, the first application I chose not to transfer was, Google goggles. But a few weeks later, when my Nexus saw its first update, one of the first things I noticed (besides multi-touch in the browser & maps) was that, they had bundled Google goggles as part of standard Android. Needless to say, it was an icon that didn't get any finger love. Its usefulness was never realized, until now. Google has updated it goggles application to version 1.1 & by doing so, found its usefulness, language translation. By taking a picture of foreign text, using a neat little built in crop tool, Goggles will translate the text in a variety of languages on the fly. If you're a frequent traveler to foreign lands it's a must have. Or if you buy an electronic device from eBay or Amazon & the directions are all in Cantonese, you can now still use them thanks to the help of Google goggles. Now all Google needs to do is find a better implementation for gesture search & all of its icons will receive much more finger love.

Is The HTC EVO 4G Androids knight in shining armor?

The HTC EVO 4G is arguably one of the most anticipated Android devices around. Its 4.3" AMOLED Screen running Sense UI 2.0 on top of Android 2.1, 1 ghz Snapdragon processor, 1 gig of built in memory, HDMI output, 8 mega pixel rear camera, & 1.3 mega pixel front facing camera make it one of the most highly speced Android phone to date. But is it the phone of all phones? We all have learned the hard way, no phone is perfect. They all have their inherent flaws. Some would say the size is a deterrent, others (like yours truly) would say it's the fact that it runs Sense on top of Android. But for others those same features are what draws them to it. HTC and Sprint has set up a Press event for May 12th to announce the release date of their latest & greatest Android device. Will the HTC EVO be as well received as some predict? Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, HTC & Sprint have set the bar for High end Android devices from here on out.

Adobe showcasing prototype Android tablet at Web 2.0 Expo

Zedomax is reporting that Adobe is showcasing a prototype of an Android tablet at the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco. The new Android tablet, seen running Adobe Air and Flash, will apparently have a similar form factor to the iPad: screen of roughly 10-inches on the vertical and a physical keyboard-less, multi-touch display. For the time being, we don't know exactly what the production unit will look like - other than screen size - as the core components were demoed while wrapped in an acrylic case. We've got some additional pictures and a video, courtesy of Zedomax. What are your initial thoughts? Anyone willing to rethink their position on purchasing a tablet/pad now that it doesn't have the letter "i" in front of it?

The LG Ally underwhelms, so far

If you have seen the commercials for the "new' Android smart phone from LG it may have left you wanting to know more about a phone tagged as "more than just a smart phone", but as the specs roll out on LG's newest addition to the Android lineup, it leaves one wondering if the good folks at LG woke up in that "Hot Tub Machine"? Because the specs for this phone, thus far, seem to be clearly out of 2008. The LG Ally boasts a 3.2" capacitive touch screen, 3.2 mega pixel camera (those are not typos), sliding QWERTY keypad, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, & sports Standard Android 2.1. There have been no word on the processor yet but with specs like these Im expecting a MSM528 straight out of a G1. The LG Ally has a release date of May 20th on Verizon. So get you sleeping bags and prepare to camp out in front of your nearest Verizon Wireless store to grab the new LG Ally, but you might wanna take a good book with because it might get lonely out there.