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android 2.2

Nook Color getting Android 2.2 next month?

Engadget posted a story today about the Nook Color titled, "Nook Color getting Android 2.2 and Market in January, current hacks could make it blow up." The title is certainly catchy (whenever you write about mobile products blowing up, the traffic tends to go through the roof), but we were a little concerned with some info in the post.

After talking about the potential hazards of hacking the Nook Color to run Android 2.2 and linking to PC World and nookdevs articles, the writer went on to say, "Thankfully, there is a much easier way … 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

The hardware guts of your Android phone

When Microsoft prepped cell phone manufacturers about Windows Phone 7, they were crystal clear in defining the minimum hardware specifications each phone would have to support the mobile software--a touch screen, 1GHz processor, and 5-megapixel camera, for instance. Android's rapid development, on the other hand, makes minimum hardware specs murkier. They're documented but less understood than the distinctions between the software versions themselves.

As a result, we've combed through page upon thrilling page of compatibility documents to bring you the minimum hardware requirements of your Android phone and breaking down what that means.

Before we begin, note that Google has not posted documentation for Android 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.0.1; the company cites technical reasons. Also note that we omit comparing Apple's iPhone, BlackBerry smartphones, and Palm phones because they're closed manufacturing systems.

Android 1.6, 2.1, 2.2 (* not required for v. 1.6) Windows Phone 7 QVGA (240x320 pixels) touch screen Capacitive WVGA resolution (800x480 pixels) touch-screen display (eventually opening up to HVGA) (480x320 pixels)) Virtual keyboard support Virtual keyboard support n/a 1GHz processor Must have a USB connection that connects to a standard USB-A port No manufacturer skins like HTC Sense or Samsung TouchWhiz 92MB RAM; 150MB user storage 256MB RAM; 8GB flash storage 2-megapixel camera 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, hardware shutter button Home, Menu, and Back functions available at all times Start, Search, Back hardware buttons Wireless high-speed data standard capable of supporting 200Kbps; like EDGE, EV-DO, HSPA, 802.11g (Android 1.6 requires Wi-Fi) DirectX GPU support Accelerometer* Accelerometer Compass* Compass GPS receiver* GPS receiver Bluetooth transceiver* Bluetooth transceiver n/a Ambient light sensor n/a Proximity sensor n/a FM radio

'Must' versus 'should' While this list reflects the minimum requirements that Google imposes on manufacturers, it isn't the full story. The Android team makes many hearty recommendations in legalese that "may" or "should" be used when building Android-compatible phones. For instance, a Micro-USB port isn't mandatory, but it is encouraged, as are hardware buttons and a dedicated search key. The base storage requirements also appear low, but Google recommends 128MB RAM and at least 1GB of on-device user storage for things like the address book and photos.… Read more

Droid X getting Android 2.2 update September 22

Verizon just sent us a quick note to announce that it will begin rolling out Android 2.2 to the Motorola Droid X starting tomorrow. The Froyo update will be pushed out over the air, but users can also download it manually by going to Menu > Settings > About Phone > System Updates.

With the update, you'll get such new features as Flash Player 10.1, automatic app updates, as well as improvements to the 3G Mobile Hotspot application and Google Maps, among other things.

A full list of enhancements and step-by-step download instructions are available from Verizon's support site. … Read more

HTC Desire Android 2.2 update due 'this month'

HTC Desire owners on T-Mobile will have been champing at the bit for an upgrade to Android 2.2, and the network has finally said it should be coming out within the next couple of weeks.

In responses to Twitter queries about a potential update, T-Mobile UK Support said we should be getting the Froyo update in September.

Android 2.2 is a significant update to version 2.1, with support for Flash 10.1 as well as a number of new features. These include dedicated shortcuts for the phone dialer, applications menu and Web browser on the home screen, … Read more

Froyo update hits Motorola Droid

As expected, Verizon's Motorola Droid is finally receiving its Android 2.2 "Froyo" update. Though the smartphone is approaching its year anniversary, it's still a very capable phone that deserves to be placed on the short, privileged list of devices. According to Droid Life, the update will run from now until August 18, adding speed and stability improvements as well as new enhancements and "tons of shortcuts" to the phone.

One thing this update will not be providing is the tethering and Wi-Fi hot spot option. According to a Verizon representative, the phone does … Read more

On Call: All about Froyo

On Call runs every two weeks, alternating between answering reader questions and discussing hot topics in the cell phone world.

After last week's brief review of the Froyo experience on the HTC Evo 4G, CNET readers responded in force. Many were ecstatic about Froyo's new features, others were frustrated that the download still had not yet hit their phone, and others were troubled at some of the update's "hidden" changes. That's why I'm dedicating this edition of On Call to your questions about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Froyo.

Q: I noticed that since I updated to 2.2, there are so many open apps. Before Froyo, I only had a few apps running when I turned on my phone, but now it's like 14 to 19. I kill them using the Android Advanced Task Killer, but less than five minutes later they're running again. It's kind of annoying, even if I love the Evo. - Silva

A: I've heard about this problem from quite a few people. And when I tried to replicate the issue on CNET's Evo, I noticed that I also had 19 apps running after turning on the handset. What's more, I hadn't used some of the running titles in weeks. Like Silva, I tried killing the extra apps, but they were back a few minutes later.

Though Android fans will argue that you shouldn't even use a task killer, I'm not inclined to agree. The Froyo issue is very real and most of the Android-focused blogs are reporting that the update has affected most task-killer apps.

When I checked with Sprint, a spokeswoman confirmed that news. The carrier's engineers currently are testing the Froyo compatibility of Android Advanced Task Killer, and when they get back to me I'll let you know. I'm also checking with the App's developer, but the company hasn't responded yet. I'll report back when it does. In the meantime, you can kill apps in the Settings menu (go to "Applications" and choose "Manage Applications), but that's a pretty clunky experience.

Another point to consider is that apps like Sprint Football Live, Sprint Navigation, Sprint Zone, Nascar, Footprints, Amazon MP3, and Stocks are preloaded into the Evo's ROM. That means they'll be there each time you turn on your device. … Read more

When will you get Froyo?

With the Froyo rollout hitting the HTC Evo 4G and Droid this week, many Android users are beginning to wonder if and when their respective handset will receive the update. A quick check of the top manufacturers in the U.S. market tells us that there are nearly two dozen Android devices available to consumers. Though a majority of these are already running Android 2.1, some are lagging behind, and a select few will never see Froyo. Below I've listed the Android handsets that are currently sold by U.S. carriers and speculated when they'll get the … Read more