29
Sep
Android-Money

Editorial: Is Samsung's Patent Licensing Deal With Microsoft The End Of Royalty-Free Android?

Posted by in Android OS, Editorials, HTC, LG, Motorola, News, Samsung

It certainly seems like it. Yesterday, Microsoft announced via blog that it had concluded negotiations with Samsung and reached a licensing deal for the same seven patents it previously licensed to HTC for Android (along with other, smaller Android manufacturers). There were rumblings about just what royalty rate Samsung is paying, but the guess is anywhere from $5 to $15 per handset (it's likely on a percentage-of-MSRP basis - so think about 1-3% per $500 MSRP phone).

When it comes to royalty agreements, rates are usually internally fixed regarding certain categories of IP to avoid confusion about damages in lawsuits, but when there are allegations of continued infringement, the game changes.

29
Sep
image

Skype For Android Updated To v2.5 With Whitelist For 13 More Devices, Landscape Support, More. Oh Yeah, And Ads

Posted by in Applications, Atrix 4G (Olympus), Bionic, Droid 3, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Iconia Tab A500, News, Optimus 2X (Star, p990), Optimus 3D (p920) / Thrill 4G (p925), Optimus Black (p970), Photon 4G, XOOM

Skype for Android, an app that gets almost as much love as it does hate, was updated to version 2.5 a few minutes ago. Because the last update unofficially opened up Skype to all 2.2+ devices, this time around Skype simply listed 13 more devices as whitelisted and approved for video chat capabilities:

  1. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (T-Mobile)
  2. HTC SHOOTER (KDDI)
  3. Sony Ericsson Xperia Live with Walkman
  4. Sony Ericsson Xperia neo V
  5. Acer Iconia Tablet (A500)
  6. LG Optimus Black LANDSCAPE ONLY
  7. LG Optimus 3D LANDSCAPE ONLY
  8. LG Optimus 2x LANDSCAPE ONLY
  9. Motorola Photon
  10. Motorola Droid3 LANDSCAPE ONLY
  11. Motorola Bionic LANDSCAPE ONLY
  12. Motorola Xoom
  13. Motorola Atrix

Notice how the list contains 13 devices, even though the changelog says 14.

28
Sep
169676-lgesteem

LG Esteem 4G Landing On MetroPCS' LTE Network - 1GHz Processor And Gingerbread For $250

Posted by in LG, News

While the entire tech world is abuzz with news of the just-announced Kindle Fire, MetroPCS unveiled the latest smartphone to land on its 4G LTE network: the LG Esteem 4G.

MS910_AccAngle_L_hr_610x522

The Esteem is sporting some nice mid-range specs, and looks to be the clear winner if you're considering MetroPCS as your carrier-of-choice:

  • 4.3-inch 480x800 display
  • 1GHz Snapdragon processor
  • 5MP rear shooter, 1.3MP ffc
  • 4G LTE connectivity
  • Android 2.3

While it's not the most powerful device on the planet, the pricepoint of this device almost makes up for it: $250. No contract. That's the price after a $100 mail-in-rebate, but compared to off-contract pricing of equivalent hardware from a post-paid carrier, that's a steal.

25
Sep
optimus_s

Updated: Experiencing Issues After Updating Your Sprint LG Optimus S To Gingerbread? Here Are Some Potential Workarounds

Posted by in LG, News, Optimus S, Sprint, Tips & Tutorials
Last Updated: September 28th, 2011

On September 14, Sprint revealed that an update to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) was rolling out for the LG Optimus S. Seems like a good thing, right? Not so fast, actually - it turns out there are some fairly substantial bugs that weren't worked out before rolling out the update. Sprint is aware of the keyboard issue but has yet to acknowledge the other problems users seem to be experiencing, such as issues charging and using USB storage.

Update: Sprint pulled the Gingerbread update for the time being.

optimus_s_knownissues

We've already had over 150 comments relating to the update, issues, and potential fixes, so I thought it would be a good idea to compile some of the suggestions into a post.

22
Sep
Evil

Dear Verizon: Your 4G Phones Have Data Connectivity Problems, And It’s Really Pissing Everyone Off

Posted by in 4G, Bionic, Charge (i510), Editorials, HTC, LG, Motorola, News, Revolution, Samsung, Thunderbolt (Mecha), Verizon Wireless

When I switched from AT&T from Verizon and swapped my aging, battered, and bruised Nexus One for a DROID BIONIC, the possibility of buyer’s remorse was not on my mind. I was coming from AT&T - America’s single least reliable network in terms of dropped calls. So, I thought the last thing I’d end up doing was wishing I was back there. And now, at least part of me does.

If you own a Verizon 4G LTE handset, you’ve probably experienced an issue exactly or approximately like this one: You put your phone in your pocket or let it sit overnight, take it out some time later or the next morning, and there’s no data connection.

21
Sep
Sprint

Sprint's Epic 4G Touch Experiencing A Few Minor Bugs, Samsung Is Currently Working On A Fix

Posted by in Epic 4G Touch, News, Optimus S, Sprint

Looks like the just-released Samsung Epic 4G Touch is dealing with a few new-device hiccups. Both issues are relatively minor, but are noticeable (and annoying) nonetheless.

For starters, the calendar app may (or may not) force close when multiple events are dismissed at the same time. Secondly, if you're using 4G hotspot and take a phone call, it will kill the 4G connection. Of course, you can easily just re-enable the service at the end of the phone conversation, so it's only a minor inconvenience.

Sammy is aware of both issues and is currently working on a fix.

wm_untitled

Similarly, owners of the LG Optimus S on Sprint who accepted the recent LS670VH update were also in for a bit of a surprise: it broke predictive text when using the Android keyboard.

21
Sep
214295

Verizon Announces The Low-End LG Enlighten: 800MHz Processor And QWERTY For $80 On September 22

Posted by in LG, News, Verizon Wireless

While the lot of us are looking for the most modern, intense hardware we can get our hands on, there are still those who don't need all of the bells and whistles of powerhouse smartphones like the Droid Bionic or Galaxy S II. For the mid-range crowd, Verizon has just announced the LG Enlighten, a Gingerbread handset with a slide-out QWERTY.

214295 VS700-Closed_h4web

The full specs are far from impressive, but it could be perfect for the tweener of the family, someone new to smartphones, or anyone who wants some Android goodness on a budget:

  • 3.2-inch 320x480 display
  • 800MHz processor
  • 3.2MP rear shooter
  • Slide-out QWERTY
  • Android 2.3

The Enlighten will be available online beginning September 22 and in stores on September 29 for $80 with a two-year agreement after a $50 mail-in-rebate.

19
Sep
super-street-fighter-iv-3ds

LG Nabs Exclusive Rights To Street Fighter IV For Android For Its 'Upcoming HD Smartphone'

Posted by in LG, News

Interested to know what happens when LG and Capcom get behind closed doors? An exclusive deal regarding the Android version of Street Fighter IV seems to be the end result, judging by the announcement made by LG this morning.

lg-capcom-street-fighter-iv

Street Fighter IV will be available exclusively for three months on LG's 'upcoming HD smartphone', which is rumored to be sporting a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, Android 2.3, and a 4.5-inch AH-IPS display running at 720p. Naturally, LG refrained from blurting out the actual specs of this monster device in its Street Fighter IV announcement, so we'll just have to trust that the rumors are true.

14
Sep
optimus_s

Sprint's LG Optimus S Gingerbread Update Rolling Out Now

Posted by in LG, News, Optimus S, Sprint
Last Updated: September 25th, 2011

Update: It looks like many users are having issues with the update, so we have written a new post specifically to address and discuss them.

Sprint's LG Optimus S may be a budget Android device, but apparently that isn't going to stop Sprint and LG from providing Android updates going forward. Today, Sprint announced via its Community Forums that an update to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) is rolling out to some devices beginning today, with all devices being updated within 10 days.

The official enhancements/fixes list:

LG Optimus S Software Update - Android 2.3 (LS670ZVH)

Enhancements/Fixes:

- Volume adjustment from handset when backlight is off and in a Bluetooth call

- Initiation of a 3-way call in certain markets

- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

  - Updated color scheme (includesdarker notification bar and black-based menus)  

  - New on-screen keyboard (supports multi-touch input and a  smart auto-correction function)

  - Improved cut-paste functionality

  - New integrated download application for ease in accessing downloaded files

  - Updated camera application

  - Power management and task killer applications

Important Notes:

- The new software version is: LS670ZVH

- Released in stages with 100% of devices having received the update within 10 days

- Refer to the LG Optimus S Software Update blog for install instructions

All in all, not a bad update, and one that should help the low-end device run just a little smoother and faster.

14
Sep
LG Marquee LS855_DVL

Sprint Announces The LG Marquee, Available Online Starting September 20 For $99

Posted by in Marquee, News, Sprint

Sprint announced its version of the LG Optimus Black earlier today, which will be known as the LG Marquee. It's a solid mid-range phone, with an appropriate pricetag:

  • 4-inch 480x800 NOVA display
  • 1GHz single-core processor
  • 512MB RAM
  • 2GB built-in storage
  • 5MP and 2MP cameras
  • Android 2.3
  • $99 with a two-year agreement

LG Marquee LS855_DHS

This definitely seems like a worthy contender if you're looking for a solid smartphone on Sprint but don't need the power (or pricetag) of the Photon, EVO 3D, or Epic 4G Touch.

The Marquee will debut at Fashion Week in NYC and be available for purchase online starting September 20th with in-store availability on October 2nd.

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