Phandroid Newsletter

Get weekly news recaps, access to exclusive contests and giveaways, invites to beta applications, promotions/coupons and more!

We respect your privacy. We'll never share your Email address and you can always unsubscribe.


December, 2009 Articles

Upcoming HTC Espresso: Hero With Slider

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 5th, 2009

It looks like HTC is working on a second version of the Hero – one with a slider qwerty. The leaked specifications match that of the Hero, the rest are unknown at this point. We’ll keep an eye on this and update as we can. Looks like we should be able to knock this one [...]

Rumor Mill: T-Mobile To Get Passion?

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 5th, 2009

“Let me just preface this post with a total rumor disclaimer, to be read only with serious grains of salt. That being said, information has been passed along to me in a very James Bond type way from a trusty ninja who has yet to lead me astray. The information contains detail regarding the so [...]

Google Visual Search Coming To Android

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 5th, 2009

“Google is working on Google Visual Search, a mobile application that lets users take a picture of a location from their Android-powered smartphone and trigger a Google search that pulls up information associated with the image. The search engine revealed its plans on CNBC’s “Inside the Mind of Google,” segment Dec. 3. Pairing digital ads, [...]

Galaxy i7500 Hitting Jingle Bell?

by Robfactory on December 4th, 2009

According to MobileSyrup.com, Canadian mobile carrier Bell is scheduled to release the Samsung Galaxy i7500 on December 10th. This will be Bell’s first Android device so that in of itself is a bit of a big deal! Samsung Specs and information: Chipset Qualcomm: 7200A, ARM11 528MHz + DSP 256MHz Camera: 5MP AF + Power LED [...]

Android Flip/Dumb Phones – Not Too Far Off?

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 4th, 2009

The guys over at AndroidandMe have published an article that has piqued my interest. They did a rather stellar job of putting together a few possible puzzle pieces and coming up with what could be coming in the future.  Or what coulda’ been coming and won’t. Or what won’t come. My point is – this [...]

(Updated) Droid Eris Getting OS Upgrade In Coming Months

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 4th, 2009

BGR is reporting the Eris is set to get an OS upgrade in Q1 of 2010. Unsure of many details however. They say, and I quote: “We’ve received word that the HTC DROID Eris on Verizon Wireless will definitely be getting an OS upgrade sometime in Q1. We haven’t been told exactly what OS version [...]

Crocodile Keyboard Coming December 7th

by Rob Jackson on December 3rd, 2009

One pivotal point of any smartphone’s success or failure is in the keyboard. How does it feel? How accurate is your typing? How quickly can you type? How good is the layout of the keys? How many rows does it have? And the questions go on and on. Since the purpose of a smartphone is [...]

Verizon’s Data Package Needs A Family Plan

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 3rd, 2009

So this has been bugging me since the release of the Droid(s).  Am I the only one irked by Verizon’s $29.99 per device unlimited data plan? (It’s okay if I am – you can post a comment telling me I’m being a baby, that’s fine.. my feelings won’t be hurt I promise.) My lonely Droid [...]

Android SDK Updates

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 3rd, 2009

“Today we are releasing updates to multiple components of the Android SDK: Android 2.0.1 revision 1, Android 1.6 revision 2 and SDK Tools, revision 4. Android 2.0.1 is a minor update to Android 2.0. This update includes several bug fixes and behavior changes, such as application resource selection based on API level and changes to [...]

HTC Hero Clone Passes FCC

by Rob Jackson on December 3rd, 2009

I guess passing the FCC and getting a design patent are two totally different things but a device that looks startlingly like the European HTC Hero has just passed through the FCC: Many people across the interwebz are already assuming that this is an AT&T HTC Hero which will be the companies first Android Phone. [...]

Touchy Subject: Motorola Invests In Sensitive Object

by Rob Jackson on December 3rd, 2009

Motorola just issued a press release announcing their investment in a company called Sensitive Object who focus on multi-touch platforms with a bit of a twist: The company was created in October 2003 with an innovative and patent-protected technology capable of "tactilizing" any surface. This unique software technology leverages acoustics to analyze sound waves departing [...]

(Updated) Verizon Buy One Get One for the Droid (Eris) Confirmed

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 3rd, 2009

Remember that little post I made yesterday around noon.. you know, the little buy one get one deal on the Androids?  Well since that posting I’ve been in contact with the store a few times looking for something more solid than just their words as confirmation. To hold me over they updated their Facebook page [...]

Code Leak: Rumored/Upcoming HTC Android Phone Names

by Rob Jackson on December 3rd, 2009

Here… munch on this salty salt-kabob while we throw you a list of rumored, upcoming and existing HTC Android Phone codenames that were found on AndroidSpin:

Another Motorola Device Spotted

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 3rd, 2009

What might this be? I sure know what it looks like to me. A rounded possibly keyboardless Droid.  You know… slightly closer iPhone feel about it. /shifty eyes Just sayin’… Yard over at BGR tipped this one off. What do they have to say about it? “…apparently a full touchscreen device that features an 8 [...]

Layar 3.0 Now Available, Pretty Darn Cool

by Rob Jackson on December 3rd, 2009

A few weeks ago we told you that Layar was working on a 3D update that they hoped would take their Augmented Reality experience to new heights. Well… Layar 3.0 has launched on Android Market and as far as I can tell it is very cool but not yet all that practical/useful. The company wrote [...]

LG GW620 Preview

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 3rd, 2009

PhoneArena posted a rather lengthy and in-depth preview of the LG GW620 this morning based on a prototype unit it appears they got their hands on. They’ve got plenty of hardware shots (including 360 degree) and a number of screenshots of the software too.  I’ll give you a little taste of it here but will [...]

GeeksPhone One Box Revealed

by Rob Jackson on December 2nd, 2009

Are there any geeks out there waiting eagerly for the GeeksPhone One Android Phone that has been doubted, expected and delayed but is now teetering on the border of availability? The company just unveiled the GeeksPhone One box on their blog: As a commenter points out, this is targeted to Geeks so few likely care [...]

LG And T-Mobile Teaming Up For An Android?

by Rob Jackson on December 2nd, 2009

If you’re looking for an LG phone available on T-Mobile in the United States you should stop looking – it doesn’t exist. And surprisingly Verizon, who has been a long history of promoting LG phones, failed to include a single LG device in their holiday push. This has resulted in falling market share and the [...]

The Droid Is Not A Princess

by Rob Jackson on December 2nd, 2009

It is pretty clear that Verizon is targeting males with the Motorola Droid. Not only does the phone LOOK masculine but the commercials have all been guy friendly. The robotic voice, the stealth bombers, the dark red terminator-like orb/eye… but they’ve never straight up said it. Until now: “It’s not a princess… it’s a robot.” [...]

(Updated) Verizon Offers Buy One Get One for Droid and Eris

by Talton "Phases" Pettigrew on December 2nd, 2009

I just now got a call from my local Verizon branch.  They were letting me know that Verizon (Corporate) Stores are offering a buy-one-get-one deal for Android phones Friday through Monday! The deal will also be available online. Before you ask – YES, if you already bought one, guess what – you qualify (within’ 30 [...]