Android OS - 134/165 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jan

Android Gets Tired Of Sending Texts To Random People, Just Deletes Them Instead

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Android OS, News

Last Updated: January 28th, 2011

Though Google may have fixed two infamous SMS issues via the recent Android 2.2.2 and 2.3.2 updates, it appears at least one bug is still unconquered. Namely, some users are reporting that when they tap on the "New Message" alert in the notification bar, all their SMS conversations get deleted.

Our tipster experienced this on his HTC Desire Z, but he tells us that two of his friends - one using a Nexus One and the other on a Galaxy S - have come across the same bug. Additionally, several Google Code users have encountered this issue on their Motorola Droids, Droid Incredibles, EVOs, and other Android devices.

Jan

Froyo Update Now Rolling Out To The LG Ally

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Ally (Aloha), Froyo 2.2, News, Verizon Wireless

A few days ago it was revealed that Verizon would be finally updating the LG Ally to Android 2.2 Froyo. Now, less than a week later, users are reporting that the OTA update for Froyo has been pushed by Verizon.

While it is laudable that Verizon is updating the mid-range LG Ally (unlike certain other manufacturers), Froyo is already an out-dated version of Android thanks to Gingerbread. Nevertheless, this latest update ought to bring some nice improvements to the device, while increasing the number of users running Froyo by just a little bit.

Thanks to Miguel A. for the tip

Jan

Nexus One 2.2.2 And Nexus S 2.3.2 OTAs Rolling Out - Hath The SMS Bug Finally Been Conquered?

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, HTC, News, Nexus One (Passion), Nexus S (Crespo/Soju), Samsung

As disappointing as it may be to see the Nexus One - Google's first officially anointed developer phone - still getting Froyo-based updates, that's exactly what just happened. According to several Android Central forums members, a 558kb update to Android 2.2.2 (or build number FRG83G) is currently rolling out over the air to the N1, bringing "important bug fixes" with it.

In related news, the Samsung-built Nexus S - Google's second developer phone - also received an update today, though this one is Gingerbread-based. Its version number is 2.3.2, and, coincidentally, it is also said to bring "important bug fixes."

So here's the question: Given the fact that the two updates are rolling out at almost exactly the same time with the exact same description, could they both contain a fix to the infamous SMS bug?

Jan

Updated: Froyo Update For The Samsung Vibrant Rolling Out Now, Exclusively Via Kies

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Froyo 2.2, News, Samsung, T-Mobile, Vibrant

It appears that T-Mobile is staying true to its word when it comes the Android 2.2 update for the Samsung Vibrant - the much-anticipated software upgrade is now slowly but surely rolling out.

There's a catch, though: it's only available through Samsung's Kies Mini software (which runs exclusively on Windows - sorry, OS X users). We aren't yet sure if/when an OTA update will accompany this Kies Mini version, but here's what we do know: the update's build number is UVKA6, and it contains T-Mobile TV and WiFi calling in addition to all the usual Froyo goodies.

Update: T-Mobile confirmed that the update rollout has begun and posted upgrade instructions together with a handy FAQ right here.

Jan

Motorola Working On A Developer-Friendly "Bootloader Solution" After YouTube Comment Debacle

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Android OS, Development, Motorola, News

Oh, boy... what a mess this is. Earlier this week, a Motorola employee with access to the company's official YouTube account replied to a (now deleted) comment about their locked bootloaders with "if you want to do custom roms, then buy elsewhere, we’ll continue with our strategy that is working thanks." Issues about eFuse aside, that's a pretty poor thing to say from a customer service perspective. Apparently, Motorola recognized that fact after somebody posted on their Facebook page they'd be taking that advice:

Does this mean they're doing away with eFuse? Maybe... maybe not. But at least we know they're exploring the possibility, and that a more modder-friendly Moto isn't completely out of the question.

Jan

Finally - Android 2.2 "Froyo" Update For T-Mobile's Samsung Vibrant To Start Arriving January 21st

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Froyo 2.2, News, Samsung, T-Mobile, Vibrant

In the past few weeks, we've seen multiple accusations portraying Samsung as the bad guy in the Galaxy S Froyo upgrade drama in the U.S. First, there were many delays, followed by the update finally rolling out pretty much everywhere outside the U.S. Then, all anonymous and unconfirmed, an accusation that T-Mo's new Vibrant 4G was the reason for the, possibly indefinite, delay and a report that Samsung charges U.S. carriers for Android updates, later denied by Samsung.

As it turns out, the truth is much less complicated, although we can't say for sure the recent hubbub that undoubtedly did some damage to Samsung's Android reputation didn't accelerate today's events.

Jan

Eric Schmidt In HBR: "Preparing For The Big Mobile Revolution"

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Android OS, News, Off-Topic

While only tangentially related to Android, a post on the Harvard Business Review by Eric Schmidt (the CEO of Google, in case you weren't aware) provides a glimpse of what he sees coming in the world of mobile technology. His post isn't especially long, and I'm not too keen on plagiarism, so here are Schmidt's three points:

Focus on developing LTE networks
Using mobile phones for commerce (to transfer money)
Smartphone proliferation - put smartphones in the hands of the poor

While short, it's an interesting piece; certainly worth a read.

[Source: Harvard Business Review]

Jan

Android Is Still Sony Ericsson's Smartphone Operating System Of Choice

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Android OS, News, Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson has decided to put its manufacturing muscle behind Android while keeping a "watching brief" on the development of Microsoft's still nascent Windows Phone 7.

Steve Walker, acting head of global marketing at Sony Ericsson, told Pocket-lint that although Sony Ericsson launched a number of phones running on Windows Mobile 6, it will not be launching a Windows Phone 7 device in the near future. Instead, the company will continue to "engage with Microsoft" and "keep an open mind towards Windows Phone 7."

Walker noted that Sony Ericsson wants to focus on Android since the industry as a whole seems to be supporting Google's mobile OS.

Jan

CyanogenMod 7: Return Of The Nightlies (Now With 100% More Gingerbread)

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Android OS, Development, Gingerbread 2.3, News

Boy, do we ever have some fantastic news for the AOSP ROM-loving crowd: CyanogenMod nightlies are finally back, meaning the first official CM7 builds are rolling out as I type this. Sure, they're probably moderately buggy (although generally, CM nightlies are still pretty good), and yeah, they may be missing some features - but let's be frank: it'll still probably be one of the most solid Gingerbread builds around, regardless of what device you're using.