Android Atlas

HTC Shift Evo 4G clears FCC

It wasn't a huge week at the Federal Communications Commission, but there were two handsets worth mentioning. As Phonescoop reported, the Casio C771 should be an Android phone for Verizon Wireless, and we saw what should be the HTC Evo Shift 4G. Because the FCC has to certify every phone sold in the United States, not to mention test its SAR rating, the agency's online database offers a lot of sneak peeks to those who dig. And to save you the trouble, Crave has combed through the database for you. Here are a selection of filings from the … Read more

Amazon has loads of Android phones for a penny

Well, hello, Amazon. How nice to see you and your selection of Verizon Droid smartphones for just a penny. That's a great price for any cell phone, but it's quite a steal for devices like the HTC Droid Incredible and the Motorola Droid II, Droid X, and Droid Pro. And you'll even give us a credit on the $35 activation fee? Sure, we'd have to sign a service contract and buy by November 29, but that's still a great deal.

Amazon Wireless isn't stopping with Verizon, either. For 1 cent and a contract you … Read more

HTC Merge makes brief cameo on Verizon site

Verizon tipped its hand a bit last night by inadvertently outing its next Android smartphone. A 360-degree view of the HTC Merge landed on the carrier's Web site only to be abruptly pulled.

AndroidCentral was quick enough to see the phone and capture a video of the device. The Merge, which once carried the nickname of Lexikon, should be Verizon's first sliding QWERTY world phone. Specifications include Android 2.2, an 800MHz processor, and a 3.7-inch touch screen.

Incidentally, AndroidCentral was able to get its hands on the Merge and do a full review back in early … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 25: Android fragmentation kills birds (podcast)

Android fragmentation kills birds, dual cores everywhere, and use your phone as a time machine, all that and more on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly. Join Justin Eckhouse along side guest host, Senior Editor Kent German!

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360) EPISODE 25

News Stories Sharp's 3D Android phones are coming to America in 2011 http://androidandme.com/2010/11/phones/sharps-3d-android-phones-are-coming-to-america-in-2011/

First Verizon 4G handset in February, delivering faster data speeds at premium prices http://androidandme.com/2010/11/carriers/first-verizon-4g-handset-in-february-delivering-faster-data-speeds-at-premium-prices/… Read more

Android Market sees changes before Gingerbread release

As we draw closer to the release of Gingerbread and the rumored enhancements, Google is currently working to make adjustments to the Android Market.

Improvements started last week with the addition of a "Recent changes" feature for applications. Essentially a dedicated change log for apps and games, it provides users with the details that go into each release of an application. With 325 characters of space to work with, this is the spot where developers can mention bug fixes, support for additional languages, new options, and more.

In addition, Android developers logging in to the dashboard console this week are being greeted with a trio of new options for their applications.… Read more

Froyo coming to Canadian Galaxy S devices

As word spread that Samsung was beginning to deploy Android 2.2 to its Galaxy S handsets, users began wondering when their particular handsets would see the update. In the United States we've seen only leaked builds for Sprint and T-Mobile's models so far, but Canada is a different story.

Samsung Mobile Canada took to its Facebook page earlier today to inform customers as to when to expect the update for the various models. First out of the gate will be Bell's Vibrant and Rogers' Captivate seeing Android 2.2 around mid-December.

Telus customers will need to … Read more

U.S. Cellular to offer LG Apex, Samsung Galaxy Tab on November 19

U.S. Cellular today announced its fourth Android-based smartphone, the LG Apex, for a November 19 release. After last month's Samsung Mesmerize, the Apex uses Android 2.1 and carries a price tag of $79.99 after an $80 mail-in rebate.

Unlike the Galaxy S Mesmermize, however, the hardware details for the LG Apex indicate an entry-level device with a 3.2-inch touch screen, sliding QWERTY keyboard, and 3-megapixel camera. The smartphone should pair well with the new Primary Plus Plan.

As handset makers continue to push the envelope with cutting-edge technology and high-end hardware, phones like the Apex … Read more

LG Star could be first Android phone with dual-core Tegra 2

Handset manufacturer LG appears on the verge of releasing a super phone of its own in the United States. According to Engadget, the Star is poised to become the first dual-core Android phone to feature Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset.

Other details include the capability to record 1080p high definition with an 8-megapixel camera, a second front-facing camera, and what looks to be a 4-inch display. Rumor has it the phone will run a stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread experience when it's released in early 2011. So when in 2011, you ask? Well, CES is right around the corner, … Read more

Google's Schmidt teases new Android phone

SAN FRANCISCO--Google plans to support Android phones with near-field communications chips in the next version of Android, which CEO Eric Schmidt said today would arrive in the next few weeks.

Schmidt, kicking off the Web 2.0 Summit at the Palace Hotel here in downtown San Francisco, held up an "unannounced product" that appeared to be the Nexus S, which leaked out on Best Buy's Web site last week. The phone--Google unhelpfully covered over the brand label--was running Android 2.3, code-named Gingerbread and used a near-field communications chip that Schmidt thinks could eventually replace credit cards.… Read more