HTC Incredible To Be Officially Announced Monday!

Guess who’s bizzack? Anonimac! After leaking the Incredible User Guide and the Incredible Equipment Guide he made it trifecta by hooking up our readers and members with an internal email showing the Incredible will probably be officially announced on Monday!



Perfect timing by Verizon, if you ask me, that is if they do indeed announce the Incredible on Monday. People were incredibly interested and just as the buzz started to wane, a flurry of leaks came out. Now pretty much nothing is left uncovered, so the fact that the announcement won’t be prolonged a few weeks will definitely keep the Android/Verizon-faithful happy.

We don’t USUALLY want the weekend to be over… but for those waiting oh so desperately for the HTC Incredible to arrive, I don’t think they’ll be too depressed when Monday arrives.
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For Those Still Waiting, Droid 2.1 Completes Roll Out Tomorrow

Many Droid users have already received their OTA update to Android 2.1. Others opted to go the way of a manual update. For those of you left in the remaining category of still waiting for the update, fret no more, for your phone will be kicking it with 2.1 by tomorrow.



Verizon informed Gizmodo that the roll out to 2.1 will be completed by the end of the week, so when you see that alert on your screen, follow the prompts to get upgraded to the latest version of Android OS.

Now there are some who say the OTA update has caused a noticeable slow down in performance, but I have had no issues personally. The 2.1 update didn’t live up to everything I thought it would be, but a few nice additions and tweaks make it well worth the wait.

[via Gizmodo]

Android Aims To Knock Apple From The Top Spot In U.S. Based Mobile Web Traffic… The BlackBerry’s Decline Is Telling

When it comes to U.S. based mobile web traffic there are really only two players in the game. The iPhone sits atop the hill with over 40% total share and Adroid is right on the iPhone’s heels just a few percentage points behind. The other dogs in the race, Palm and Microsoft, simply don’t hunt and what’s really telling is that the BlackBerry, even though it’s the number one smartphone in America, has seen a ridiculous decline since October, 2008 when it was just a few points behind the iPhone.

Web browsing on the BlackBerry is an embarrassment!

I am not sure which is the worst embarrassment… How bad web browsing on the BlackBerry is compared to pretty much everything else, or, how long it is taking RIM to do something about it. I know that RIM will soon release the new and improved WebKit based BlackBerry Browser, but, RIM, quite honestly, should have released a BlackBerry Browser with legs when the original BlackBerry Storm came out. Most definitely by the time that the Storm2 came out.

What will RIM do?

I love the BlackBerry, but, I think that RIM is running out of time. There is just too much cool stuff that you can do on these other devices that you can’t even think about doing on a BlackBerry. There is a new iPhone coming out this summer. Windows Mobile 7 is coming this fall. Android keeps getting updates regularly and someone is going to eventually buy Palm, if for nothing more than the intellectual property. (webOS is strong) I think that we have a good idea of what everyone else is doing. The big question for me is what will RIM do?
Android Aims To Knock Apple From The Top Spot In U.S. Based Mobile Web Traffic… The BlackBerry’s Decline Is Telling is a post from: RIMarkable
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T-Mobile USA Where You Going? NOWHERE!

T-Mobile USA helped pioneer Android in the arms of mobile fans the world over – starting with the United States of course. But despite Android’s overwhelming success and T-Mobile USA’s headstart on adoption, the carrier still hasn’t thrived the way some had thought/hoped. As a result, rumors of a sale or spinoff have persisted.

Rene Obermann, Chief Executive of parent company Deutsche Telekom AG, put those rumors to rest several days ago by saying his company was committed to the continued success of T-Mobile USA. He also deflected the idea that a merger with another carrier such as Sprint was a possibility.

If you ask me, this is great news. Competition is healthy and right now we’ve only got 4 “major” options in the United States. A merger with Sprint would be awkward since the technology bases seem to clash (GSM/CDMA). A purchase by Verizon or AT&T would create an entity that overwhelmingly dominates the rest in carriers and again, Verizon has that technology clash issue.

Would another 3rd party NOT currently in the USA accept T-Mobile USA’s current position and take it off Deutsche Telecom’s hands? How about a cable operator? Doubtful.

I don’t see T-Mobile USA going anywhere in the near future and I think the statements made to the WSJ were more than just PR yammering. Just in case you didn’t get the reference… T-Mobile USA where you going? NOWHERE (nsfw)!

Hands-on with the Motorola i1 iDEN Android phone on Sprint

The good news is that those of you who have to have Nextel's push-to-talk service and have been dying for an Android phone can now have it in the Motorola i1. Otherwise, there's not a whole lot to get excited about here.
It's a pretty basic candybar-style phone, running Android 1.5. It feels just fine in the had, through the software runs a little slow (that could just be a demo thing) and feels a little underpowered. But, again, it's the first iDEN Android phone (or the "World's only," depending on who you ask), and that's no small thing. But unless you absolutely have to have push-to-talk, you'll likely be looking elsewhere.
Hands-on video and pics after the break.

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Google Voice for Android Gets Near-Instant Notifications

I’ve been using the Verizon Droid now for about two months and have come to rely heavily on it because of the near perfect Google integration. Our friend Obi [Oh-bahy] tipped us off to this announcement from the Google Voice Blog and today Android takes another step towards perfection. The Google Voice Blog announced earlier that Google Voice for Android just got a whole lot faster with Inbox Synchronization. Until now the Google Voice app updated about evrey 15 minutes which meant that I usually would get the email notification of a message before the Google Voice Notification or I would get the forwarded SMS on the phone. This annoyance has also been resolved by Google Voice automatically disabling SMS forwarding to the mobile phone that the app is installed on. Now with Inbox Synchronization that update time is down to mere seconds.They have also integrated the app into the Contacts application so that you can click the contact photo and respond to voice-mail instantly. Now if they would only integrate these features in the Google Voice for BlackBerry app, my life would be complete….almost. Click through for more info.

To activate Inbox synchronization, open the Google Voice settings on your phone and touch Refresh and notification. Once you have selected the Synchronize Inbox option, you will start receiving faster notifications. Plus, Google Voice will automatically disable SMS forwarding to your mobile phone, so you won’t receive duplicate notifications.

Finally, we have made it much faster to interact with your contacts from the Google Voice app. Now you can click on any contact photo and get the option to quickly respond to voicemail by email or IM.

The updated app is available for download from Android Market today. You will need a valid Google Voice account to use the app, and at this time, Google Voice is available in the US only.





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Sprint And Motorola Announce The i1-First Nextel Direct Connect Android Smartphone

CTIA is getting off to a fast start this year, and Sprint is not wasting any time. They have just announced, along with Motorola, the Motorola i1. This is the first Android powered handset to have the Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk feature incorporated into it. Some of the key features of the i9 include:

• Popular business tools such as Microsoft Document Viewer and corporate sync ensure Word or PowerPoint files can be accessed on the go.
• Message entry is a breeze with both Android standard virtual keyboard and Swype™ virtual keyboards being offered.
• 5.0 megapixel camera with flash, geo-tagging and panoramic capabilities provides crisp photos and clearly displays them on the vibrant 3.1-inch HVGA screen. Video can also be recorded and stored on a provided microSD for sharing or future viewing straight from the device.
• The latest Opera Mini 5 browser enables quick browsing over the Nextel National Network and Wi-Fi. The Android browser allows you see Web pages and Flash 8-enabled sites in full view using Wi-Fi.
• Motorola i1 can be continuously customized with thousands of applications from Android Market™.
• Solid body construction that meets Military Specifications for protection against dust, shock, vibration and blowing rain.

The i9 will be available this summer, customers can pre-register at www.sprint.com/motoi1

Nexus One and iPhone on AT&T, Texting, Android Apps, Moto Droid keyboard

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• In the past few days a common question has been asked, what do I have to do to use my iPhone SIM card in my new Nexus One? For the answer to that and other AT&T SIM card questions visit this thread right here.
• Since the Nexus One is the hot topic as of late people are wondering, how is the device for texting?
• For those of you who may be new to Android and are looking for app information, you need to check out the following forum: Android Apps.
• The Moto Droid came out last November and the build quality has been pretty solid but some are having issues - Droid keyboard membrane coming off. Any of you having the same issue?

Roewe 350: The Android Car

April Fools Day is coming up, and last year I wrote a fake article claiming that Ford and GM announced an Android Car. Kind of funny, but we actually thought the idea was good. So did a bunch of other people but Chinese Auto-Makers SAIC, makers of luxury cars, is launching an “Android Car” of sorts called the Roewe 350.





Running Android 2.1, the Roewe 350 will have more than just Google Maps and Google Nav, with integrated chatting, web surfing and more. Whether or not you’ll have access to Android Market or if they’ll have their own auto-mart of sorts is unknown, but I’m hoping for the latter. It would be nice to see Android in THIS case be regulated to ensure that the apps available are safe for your car.

The Roewe 350 will supposedly cost about 70,000 to 130,000 yuan, or about $10,250 – $19,000.

[Via Mashable]
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The Sprint Hero and Moment to get Android 2.1 on March 26?

So after some documents arose yesterday about the upcoming release of Android 2.1 for the Sprint HTC Hero and Samsung Moment, it appears as though some have gone ahead and used some internal Sprint connections to dig up a little more dirt. Several people have heard from Sprint that the release of this update is supposed to be March 26, which is slightly contrary to the April time frame previously given. Maybe Sprint is just trying to surprise everyone and release it a few days early, or maybe they just want to ensure it is rolled out before the release of the Sprint Nexus One or any of their other Android devices. Sprint users, cross your fingers, at this rate you will probably see the Android 2.1 update before the Droid does on Verizon. [via Engadget]

Droid 2.1 a Reality for Few, Still a Dream for Everyone Else.

Ah 2.1, the gift Droid owners have been anxiously waiting for, only to disapear with a card saying better luck next time in it’s stead. The soul crushing disappointment you must be feeling. So why the delays? It’s not entirely clear yet, though some are speculating Motorola is still trying to figure out how to do updates. Another possible scenario is that a bug is causing the delay issue, which could very well be the case given Droid’s sibling Cliq had a tendency to brick with it’s first update.

Still, Verizon seems happy with how the update, or lack thereof, went according to spokesperson Thomas Pica:

The Android 2.1 upgrade for the Droid by Motorola was deployed to a small number of Verizon Wireless test users as scheduled. It is expected the broader phased rollout to all Droid by Motorola users will take place, but not just yet. No date scheduled yet.

So it’s a waiting game. At least you’re waiting with 2.0, unlike the majority of us.

[Source Android Headlines, SlashPhone, PhoneScoop]