16
Jul
deadnexus

We knew Google was planning on closing down the web store, and it looks like they’re pretty close to that point. In a blog post today, they announced that they’ve received their last batch of Nexus Ones. While they may still be available in certain markets – including Vodafone (in Europe) and KT (in Korea), as well as other places “based on local market conditions,” – this by and large marks the end.

deadnexus

Support will still be offered to N1 customers, and developers can still purchase the phone through a partner – accessible via their Market accounts.

[Source: Engadget, Google.

16
Jul
lockeddroidx

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about the bootloader of the Droid X, and more specifically, whether the ‘eFuse’ will render your phone inoperable if you choose to replace the boot loader.

If you’re not up to speed with the story, it all started with this post a few days ago on MyDroidWorld, which claims that the Droid X boot loader is fitted with eFuse technology, which can physically brick the phone if you try to alter the boot loader in any way. Altering the boot loader is needed to install a custom recovery, which is then capable of doing full Nandroid backups and restores, as well as allows for installing custom ROMs.

16
Jul
vodafone

Vodafone Germany has been sending out a few interesting tweets lately, and the official word seems to be that Android 2.2 should be rolling out to Nexus One users sometime in the next few days (presumably, those are business days). Granted, we’re working with Google Translate on this one, but it’s probably safe to assume the translation is solid.

vodafone

I’m a bit surprised there’s even a fuss at all, as the finalized FroYo update has only been rolling out to US N1 users for a short while, and no other phones have yet to receive official FroYo. Still, there you have it – should keep customers happy.

16
Jul
Unrevoked 3

Unrevoked, a tool that brought the ability to run applications that require root and originally developed for the HTC EVO 4G and HTC Hero, was just updated to version 3.

Unrevoked 3

With this new version 3, Unrevoked finally brings a 1-click root solution to the HTC Droid Incredible that also allows you to flash a custom ClockworkMod recovery, custom ROMs, and take backups of your phone with Nandroid Backup.

Compared to version 2, you no longer need a previously rooted phone - Unrevoked 3 roots for you.

The only thing that Unrevoked doesn't do is unlock NAND permanently, meaning you won't be able to write to the system partition after the OS boots and therefore won't be able to uninstall various carrier installed garbage apps.

15
Jul
IMG_4109[7]

Try to say that title 3 times fast, eh? Yesterday I received a text from my fiancee letting me know that FedEx had just dropped off a package for me, and more specifically, Android Police. After the Samsung Captivate arrived the previous day, I wasn’t expecting any additional deliveries, so I had her rip it open, only to reveal that the awesome folks at Samsung sent a shiny new Vibrant our way as well!

IMG_4109

I meant to keep this unboxing and hands-on specific to the Vibrant, but I couldn’t help allowing the Captivate to join in on the fun. I took plenty of side by side shots and video (to be uploaded later) highlighting some of the differences and showing how the Vibrant handles 3D gaming.

15
Jul
htc_desire

Android is getting some love from the great white North: the HTC Desire is coming to Canada on Telus.  The Desire features:

  • Sony SLCD 3.7” HVGA screen at 800x480,
  • 1GHz Snapdragon processor
  • 5 MP camera with flash and video recording
  • 3G (850MHz and 1,900MHz bands)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1
  • MicroSD slot with support for cards up to 16GB

Telus is also throwing in an 8GB microSD card for good measure, and the device will be running Android 2.1 with HTC’s Sense UI. Can you spot the difference between Telus’s Desire and the original? HTC has apparently chosen to start using SLCD screens on the device in place of the AMOLED display the European version possesses, presumably to make sure production capacity is high enough (due to the AMOLED “shortage”).

15
Jul
Dell_Streak2

Engadget has done a little bit of conjecturing and made a pretty convincing argument that the half tablet, half phone Dell Streak  (specs available here) will be hitting US shores in AT&T stores next week. The evidence? An AT&T store has locked down the smartphone section of its sales floor for the erection of a new product display and implemented security measures that make the TSA seem lax.

att-new-kiosks-01-sm

Employees are required to sign non-disclosure agreements, and some are “on the chopping block” for getting a little too curious about the displays. Given the amount of coverage and advertisement the Captivate has gotten, it’s unlikely AT&T would care too much about people seeing the device’s sales display before its unveiling.

15
Jul
hpandroidslate_thumb[1]

All Things Digital is reporting that HP’s planned Android Slate tablet has been delayed, possibly indefinitely. Given HP’s recent acquisition of Palm, it seems likely that HP is choosing to focus on development of their webOS tablet to compete with Apple’s iPad as quickly as possible. From a business standpoint, HP is probably making the right move. For Android and open source fans, though, this is indeed a sad day.

Despite HP’s less-than-perfect reputation for hardware quality, the Slate platform is definitely the slickest-looking tablet this side of the iPad, and Android would have benefited from a wide-release, US market tablet.

15
Jul
image

Wow, we knew Wirefly and Amazon were trying hard to compete and offered excellent prices on both the Verizon's Motorola Droid X and the T-Mobile's Samsung Vibrant that came out today. And kudos to them.

However, this deal that LetsTalk.com, another large A+ BBB rated phone retailer, just posted up beats out all competition hands down.

  • Samsung Vibrant for T-Mobile: $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate shipped free OVERNIGHT, with a free car charger thrown in
  • Motorola Droid X for Verizon: $149.99 after an instant $50 discount, shipped free (though not overnight)

For comparison, both phones are being sold by the respective retailers for $200.

15
Jul
verizonsoupnazi

UPDATE: Per our informer below in the comments, this may be limited to only some Verizon retail locations. But, there is confirmation that several actual Verizon locations would not sell unsubsidized devices in the link we’re sourcing.

Numerous persons are confirming in comments and side-notes on DroidLife that some Verizon stores are refusing to sell unsubsidized (full-price) Droid X’s to customers who are showing up and waiting in line for the device this morning. They are reportedly being directed to place orders online and have the phone shipped. While this is arguably little more than a shrewd business tactic, it certainly doesn’t make Verizon look any better given all the bad press the Droid X has been getting.