Aaron Gingrich
Aaron is a geek who has always had a passion for technology. When not working or writing, he can be found spending time with his family, playing a game, or watching a movie.

08
Jun
htc-quietly-brilliant-logo

HTC: Sensation Bootloader Will Be Unlocked, We Just Don't Know How Or When

Posted by in HTC, Sensation / Sensation 4G (Pyramid)

A few weeks ago, the Android community notched another victory: HTC formally announced it would no longer be locking its bootloaders, though they hadn't really worked out all the details yet. Add another device to the "it won't be locked, we just don't know how or when" list: the HTC Sensation.

Bootloader-sensation

Ah, yes, the infamous alot. ಠ_ಠ

The important bit of that wall of text:

We are currently developing new bootloader unlocked software for [the Sensation]. HTC is still committed to allowing our customers to unlock the bootloaders if they wish, however we are still implementing the policy and many updates were already finalized prior to our change in policy.

08
Jun
tab101_1

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Now Up For Pre-Order At Best Buy - $500 For 16GB, $600 For 32GB

Posted by in Galaxy Tab 10.1, News

Android's hottest new tablet - the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 - is now available for pre-order at Best Buy. As we've heard before, New Yorkers have an especially sweet deal: Best Buy will be opening up sales today at noon at their Union Square store, and the first 200 purchasers will also get a free leather pouch. For the rest of us, the Tab is slated to go on sale on June 17.

Pricing is also what we've heard before: $500 for the 16GB model and $600 for 32GB. Both models can be purchased in either white or metallic gray, as well.

04
Jun

[Weekend Poll] Google Doesn't Allow Rooted Devices To Use Android Movies - What Are Your Thoughts?

Posted by in Android OS, Applications, Development, News, Polls
Last Updated: September 3rd, 2011

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week's, see What Manufacturer Will Your Next Device Be From?

Two weeks ago, an Android Central tipster noticed that Google had officially stated that they wouldn't allow rooted devices to use Android Movies.

2011-06-04 13h32_27

AC's Jerry Hildenbrand makes some very valid points about why that just doesn't quite seem right, if a bit (understandably) bitterly. As an Android lover and power user, I'm more than inclined to agree. But at the same time, we're effectively blaming the messenger; Google has little control over the situation. The entertainment industry as a whole is notoriously sluggish and behind the times, long resisting the move to the web and encumbering digital music and movies with unreasonable restrictions.

01
Jun
nielsen_053111

Nielsen: Android Users Are Data Whores, Need More Gee-Bees

Posted by in Android OS, News

Nielson's latest statistics show little change over last month's, with Android, iOS, and BlackBerry holding first, second, and third place, respectively. Admittedly, the numbers for Android and iOS dropped a percent each to 36% and 26% while BlackBerry moved up a percent to 23%, but still - relatively unchanged.

nielsen_053111

However, this month's report included an interesting look at data usage. Perhaps due to the much larger community of power users, Android owners suck down 582 MB of data per month, 90 MB (18%) more than iOS (492 MB). This comes despite the fact that less users on a whole seem to actively engage in heavy data-consumption activities:

  • 74 percent of Android smartphone owners and 79 percent of iPhone owners report having downloaded apps in the past 30 days
  • 43 percent of Android owners and 46 percent of iPhone owners say they streamed online music or mobile radio in the past 30 days
  • 35 percent of Android smartphone consumers and 37 percent of iPhone owners report having watched video or mobile TV in the past 30 days

nielsen_data_053111

[Source: Nielsen]

28
May

Rooted Droid X Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) Update Now Available To Download And Install

Posted by in Development, Droid X (Shadow), Gingerbread 2.3, Verizon Wireless

In typical speedy fashion, the official Gingerbread update for the Motorola Droid X has already been rooted and mirrored for mass consumption. Two versions are available, as is usual for releases of this nature: odexed and deodexed. The instructions aren't exactly simple, and you have to know what ROM and version you're currently running in order to properly update (then again, chances are that if you're rooted and ROMed in the first place, you probably already know those details).

To download, head on over to MyDroidWorld and follow the steps appropriate for you. As always, be careful and make sure you're following the proper instructions before flashing, lest you end up with an expensive paperweight.

28
May
wm_DSC_0286

[Review] Motorola DROID X2: Even Raw Horsepower Can't Save This Phone From Mediocrity

Posted by in Droid X2, Motorola, Phone Reviews, Reviews, Verizon Wireless
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

Update: June 4, 2011 - I've taken an awful lot of flak for this review (and that's fine). I stand by the review because I can't honestly recommend this phone in good conscience. With that in mind, I realize that not everyone may share my opinions, and that's why I suggest potential purchasers go and take a look at it to see if they will notice the screen issues as much as I do.

Further, a lot of you seem to think I was using or inspecting the phone in a critical way; this was not the case. I noticed the screen and performance issues immediately and continuously under normal use conditions.

28
May
andy

[Weekend Poll] What Manufacturer Will Your Next Device Be From?

Posted by in Devices By Manufacturer, Polls
Last Updated: September 3rd, 2011

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week’s, see I/O 2011 Aftermath & Recap: What Has You Most Excited?

In light of this week's bootloader lockdown bonanza, it makes sense to ask something related. We know that as an Android-centric blog, our readers are likely to be a bit more hack-'n-mod oriented, so we're interested to see: who will manufacture your next device?

The "why" isn't crucial, though you're certainly encouraged to share your reasoning via the comments. Really, we're just interested in seeing how much HTC's new open policy has helped it, and how much Motorola's locked-down style is hurting it.

27
May
Evil verizon

[Updated: Yes There Will Be] Verizon: There Won't Be Any Unlocked Devices On Our Network

Posted by in Development, HTC, News, Verizon Wireless

Update: Verizon has reneged on their previous tweet - unlocked HTC devices will be able to be activated on Verizon's network. Huzzah.

 fix

HTC may have switched to the good side, but that doesn't mean the Legion of Doom is finished. Far from it, in fact, as Verizon has taken the wrong a stance on the issue of locked bootloaders.

2011-05-27 12h52_26

Admittedly, this may be a huge misunderstanding; perhaps the Verizon rep hasn't heard the big news about HTC yet, or the carrier simply hasn't had time to properly respond.

But if it is accurate... well, HTC and Verizon have a highly successful partnership with each other - so where does this leave things?

26
May
transformer_meets_transformer

Looking To Pick Up An Asus Transformer? Use NowInStock To Keep Tabs On Retailer's Stock Status

Posted by in News, Transform

Official word from Asus is that they can't make enough Transformers to keep up with demand, something that's perhaps not surprising given that the tablet maintains high-end specs but a low-end price. Luckily for some users, keeping a hawkish eye on (r)etailer's websites has allowed them to snatch one up when the seller was lucky enough to get a few in stock. Now, however, there's an easier way, called NowInStock.

2011-05-26 09h30_42

The service keeps tabs on a whole host of retailers and checks the stock situation every minute so that it's always up to date. Not only that, but as you can see, it shows the specific model and the price - impressive.

25
May
revolution

It's Official: LG Revolution Hits Verizon Stores May 26, Packs LTE, Bing, And Froyo For $250 With Contract

Posted by in 4G, LG, News, Revolution, Verizon Wireless

Official word just came our way from Verizon that the LG Revolution will be available at Verizon beginning tomorrow. Let's be honest: the Revolution is not an exciting device, and as with the Charge, is probably overpriced for what it is. But then again, it's not as though the Revolution is sub-par, either:

  • 1GHz Snapdragon processor
  • Verizon LTE
  • Android 2.2 (ಠ_ಠ)
  • 4.3" 480x800 display
  • Bing (ಠ_ಠ)
  • 5.0MP camera with flash (rear), 1.3MP (front)
  • 720p video recording
  • 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • 16GB microSD card preinstalled

revolution revolution2

Aside from the LTE, some fairly average specs by today's standards. Still, the similarly-equipped Droid Incredible 2 managed to impress me, and David had a chance to play with the Revolution at CTIA and came away with a positive impression.

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