Gingerbread

HTC Rhyme for Verizon takes stage, flaunting accessories

NEW YORK--HTC unveiled its latest smartphone for Verizon today, the HTC Rhyme, an Android Gingerbread device focused on style and user experience.

Known formerly by its code-name HTC Bliss, the Rhyme isn't so much about high-end specs; rather, HTC decided to design the phone on three principles: style, essential, and intuitive. HTC and Verizon were careful not to say that the purple handset was female-focused and said that it was for anyone seeking a fashion-forward device with a solid set of features and a cool bundle of accessories.

HTC created a number of accessories specifically for the Rhyme, including … Read more

Samsung spoiler 'proves' its Illusion real

There were whispers about the upcoming Samsung Illusion for Verizon, but a slip-up last week demonstrates that the phone is most definitely real, according to Electronista.

Apparently, it was an ill-timed Flickr image that cut through Samsung and Verizon's customary smoke and mirrors to reveal an image of an Android handset for Verizon, and confirmation that this is in fact the speculated-about SCH-I110.

The Illusion, also once known as the Viper, is expected to arrive on September 29, running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It's also said to have an HVGA touch screen (320x480-pixel resolution), a 3-megapixel or 5-megapixel camera, processing speeds of up to a 1GHz (but maybe as low as 800MHz,) and 3G data speeds.

Although the original Flickr image in question has since been made private, Electronista grabbed the screenshot pictured here. In addition to that, the photo's URL still names the collection "Samsung tomorrow."

Sorry, Samsung, but it seems that no sleight of hand can shove the rabbit back into the hat.… Read more

HTC Sensation XE debuts with Beats Audio

Well, that didn't take very long. One month after acquiring a majority stake in Beats Electronics, HTC revealed today its first smartphone to integrate Beats audio technology, the HTC Sensation XE.

As first reported by CNET, the Sensation XE is a souped-up version of the HTC Sensation 4G that utilizes Beats Audio to enhance to the sound experience of the handset and also comes with a pair of custom Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Once plugged in, the phone automatically detects the headset and switches to a custom Beats sound profile that should deliver fuller bass, crisper vocals, and … Read more

Motorola Electrify set to sizzle at U.S. Cellular for $199.99

Keeping up with its promise to deliver eight smartphones this year, including one from Motorola, U.S. Cellular unveiled that it will offer the Motorola Electrify later this month for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Similar to the Motorola Photon 4G for Sprint, the Electrify features a 4.3-inch qHD display, a dual-core 1GHz processor, 16GB of internal memory, an 8-megapixel camera, and a front-facing VGA camera. The Android 2.3 Gingerbread phone also has an HDMI port, comes with the Webtop app, and is compatible with such accessories as the HD Station.

U.S. Cellular did not … Read more

Netflix suddenly works on most Android devices

Netflix can now digest FroYo and Gingerbread. Or maybe it's the other way around.... Regardless, the video-streaming service's Android app now works on all devices running version 2.2 or 2.3, which would be the vast majority of Android phones and a number of tablets. Honeycomb users still get no red-envelope love, however.

Version 1.4 of the app dropped into the Android Market yesterday. Up until this version, Netflix had been compatible with a much smaller number of devices, with the development team tackling each device one at a time. In fact, when the app for Android first debuted in May, it was only functional on five devices.

Back then the company said it was having a hard time dealing with the notorious problem of Android fragmentation and had to "qualify phones" one at a time.

With subsequent releases, the number of compatible devices grew to 9 and then 24, and now it's everything except gadgets being used by the poor souls still stuck on Android 2.1, and the majority of Honeycomb tablets. According to Google's statistics, more than 82 percent of Android users are on FroYo or Gingerbread.

The app is free, but naturally you'll have to pony up $7.99 a month for the privilege of streaming "Cars 2" to your Droid 2. Trust me, your 2-year-old will love you for it.… Read more

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G heads to AT&T for $50

Back in July, AT&T revealed that, like Verizon, it, too, would offer the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, and now, the release of the gaming smartphone is near.

The carrier announced this morning that the Xperia Play 4G would be available starting September 18 for $49.99 with a two-year contract, which is both affordable and smart, considering the smartphone's been out for a little while and doesn't quite stack up to today's higher-end devices.

Of course, its main draw is the gaming capabilities. The PlayStation-certified handset offers dedicated gaming controls and comes preloaded with seven … Read more

Ice Cream Sandwich to debut in Oct. or Nov.

Android users waiting for the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the mobile operating system will see the latest flavor pop up sometime in October or November.

Google's own executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, tipped off the time frame for the new version of Android in an interview yesterday with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.

Uncovered by Android and Me and other sources, the videotaped interview shows Schmidt specifically saying that "we have a new operating system, internally known as Ice Cream Sandwich for some reason, which is being released in October/November, which everyone's really excited about."

Cricket's Muve Music service may still be largely unknown, but the release of the Samsung Vitality could help turn the tide in favor of the service, which offers unlimited access to music downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones in addition to Cricket's rate for all-inclusive talk, text, and Web.

The candy apple red Vitality, a repurposed Samsung Admire, runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and has a 3.5-inch touch screen and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Compared with the thick, clumsy, and unremarkable Samsung Suede that headed up Muve Music's launch, the Vitality--which will be available online and in … Read more

Velocity Micro bows a pair of budget-friendly Android tablets

Velocity Micro announced a pair of low-cost Android tablets today, unveiling the 8-inch Cruz T408 and 10-inch Cruz T410. Each tablet features identical hardware specifications and software with 1GHz processors, 4GB of internal storage, 512MB of RAM, front-facing cameras, and Wi-Fi.

As for applications, each comes with Amazon's Kindle app, QuickOffice, Twitter, and access to the Amazon Appstore for another 7,000 titles. What's more, the inclusion of Adobe Flash Payer 10.3 ensure that users receive the full web experience.

Probing deeper into the two screens, the 8-inch model features a 4:3 ratio display with 800x600 … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 64: The Bionic's here! Now can we stop talking about it? (Podcast)

Somewhere in the world, a pig must be flying, because we've got the Motorola Droid Bionic in the studio. We also dig into the latest tablet news and Antuan promises to work on his pronunciation.

News

Motorola Droid Bionic officially hits Verizon Sept. 8 for $300 http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20102230-251/motorola-droid-bionic-officially-hits-verizon-sept-8-for-$300/

Why Amazon’s will be the first successful Android tablet http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20101227-1/why-amazons-will-be-the-first-successful-android-tablet/#ixzz1XHUvTTRs

Quad-Core Android Tablets Expected in Time for Christmas … Read more