Android

Verizon to update HTC Thunderbolt

Verizon Wireless's first 4G LTE handset, the HTC Thunderbolt, is set to receive its first software update. And while it's not a major update such as Gingerbread, it should be enough to satisfy most users.

Once installed, this 1.13.605.7 build will provide "enhanced data connectivity when accessing the Verizon 3G network." In other words, there should now be a hand-off between the carrier's 4G LTE and 3G networks. As early adopters recently learned the hard way, the Thunderbolt does not let its users toggle between the two networks.

Other details in the … Read more

Android battery life: Terrible, or just plain bad? (Poll)

Do you own an Android-powered smartphone or tablet? If so, how's your battery life?

I ask because based on what I've heard from others and experienced myself, it's atrocious. And I'm wondering if it's symptomatic of the Android platform as a whole, or just the nature of modern-day mobile gear. Cast your vote in our poll, then meet me below for more discussion.

As I noted in a recent BNET post, "The dirty Android secret no one's talking about," I first encountered battery issues with the Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept. Out of the box, it couldn't last 24 hours--even with e-mail sync and other battery-consuming tasks disabled.

Rather, I'd start the day with it fully charged, and by late afternoon it would be dead. Thankfully, freeware app JuiceDefender made a huge difference, allowing me to go a full two days without AC assistance.

Then I updated the OS from 2.1 to 2.2 (Froyo), which I'd heard was much better at power management--and battery life actually got worse. Now, once again, I'm lucky to get 24 hours.

Last week I had the opportunity to review Samsung's Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi, which I found to be excellent overall--until the next morning, when I woke up to--wait for it--a dead tablet. The aforementioned JuiceDefender helps a little, but ultimately the Tab is seriously hobbled by its battery. And I am seriously disappointed.… Read more

Samsung, AT&T holding event on May 5

It's shaping up to be an action-packed week in the mobile world with today's BlackBerry World announcements, and now a press conference on May 5, co-hosted by AT&T and Samsung.

The two companies just sent out invites to the event, which will take place in New York starting at 1 p.m. PT, but they revealed few details about what they will discuss. The invite does indicate that there will be product demos, so it's pretty safe to assume that we'll see a new phone or perhaps a tablet?

There are a couple of … Read more

AT&T rolling out HSUPA update to HTC Inspire 4G, Moto Atrix 4G

HTC Inspire 4G and Motorola Atrix 4G owners, your slow-upload woes are almost over.

AT&T just sent CNET a note letting us know that it has started rolling out an update for the Inspire 4G that will enable the HSUPA radio on the smartphone, along with a number of other bug fixes and performance improvements. The carrier has completed testing on the update for the Atrix 4G as well and will begin deploying the software soon.

The updates will roll out in batches over the coming weeks, and users will receive a message on their phones when it'… Read more

Friday Poll: What's your favorite app store?

Google's Android Market is rapidly approaching what once might have been unthinkable. According to a new report by market research firm Distimo, the Android Market is poised to surpass Apple's App Store in the number of overall available apps within a few months.

Friends and foes of each operating system have filled countless comment threads and forums with arguments over which company has the better apps, supporting devices, and overall experience. Regardless, should Google eventually boast the biggest mobile app store, Apple will no longer be able to brag that it has the largest kingdom.

Then you have other avenues for acquiring apps, such as the Novia Ovi Store, BlackBerry Appworld, and Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, all of which have grown progressively but not explosively. They all face increased pressure to succeed as Apple and Google continue to dominate the app world.

Is the matter simply quality vs. quantity, or just a numbers war? It's fair to say most people probably only use a dozen apps on a smartphone consistently, anyway.

So what's your favorite app store? Elaborate in the comments.… Read more

Motorola Xoom should see second software update soon

Verizon Wireless and Motorola were poised to issue another software update to the Xoom tablet earlier today, but apparently have pulled back at the last minute.

On Thursday, Droid-Life was first to report that an HMJ078 update was expected to start hitting the Android 3.0 tablet today. The site even grabbed a screen capture of the enhancements and new features.

Among the list of coming changes were improvements to Web and data access, easy viewing and transfer of photos from digital cameras, and support for Bluetooth mice. Noticeably absent from the list, however, is the ability to use the … Read more

The 404 810: Where our tablet could eat your tablet (podcast)

Stupid Andy returns to the show and delivers an impressive cover of Christina Aguilera's "Genie in a Bottle" using just an iPad and the Classic Guitar app! Andy also shows off his new non-Apple tablet, so be sure to check out Wilson throwing a schoolboy fit in the studio in protest. Plus, be sure to listen to hear how you can enter to win a pair of Gunnar indoor eyewear!

The 404 Digest for Episode 810

Google Doodles and Maps pay tribute to the royal wedding. Stupid Andy's new toy runs Windows 7 and has a Core i5 processor, but no kickstand. This November, San Francisco will vote to ban circumcision. Jenny Lawrence leaves us a video voice-mail, and here's the video she's referencing: Analog Pants: Rick Roll by the Red Balls.

We also have two pairs of Gunnar Optiks indoor eyewear to giveaway, but you only have this weekend to enter! Just follow us on Twitter and shoot us a tweet mentioning #Gunnar404 and why you deserve a pair of performance glasses optimized for the digital screen. We'll announce the winners on Monday, so good luck!

Episode 810 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi review: Not bad, not Honeycomb

If you want a sense of how fast the tablet market is moving, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Our review of the first Galaxy Tab went up at the end of October 2010, and we hailed it as the best iPad alternative money could buy. In the six months that followed, Google announced Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), the iPad got superskinny, four Honeycomb tablets have hit the streets, RIM pushed out its BlackBerry PlayBook, and the Nook Color became the hottest, cheapest Android 2.2 tablet around.

So when the Wi-Fi-only version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab … Read more

Google announces video chat for Nexus S

After teasing Twitter followers earlier today, Google's Nexus account has announced that the Nexus S will be receiving a software update over the next few weeks.

The notable, and likely only, feature in this update is the integration of video chat over Google Talk. Once Nexus S phones are loaded with this latest release, they will be able to video chat with other Google Talk users whether on a desktop or Honeycomb (Android 3.0) tablet.

Calls can be made using Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G networks, taking advantage of the front-facing cameras found on many Android phones. According to the Google Mobile blog, this will be preloaded into all future 2.3 devices. … Read more