Once enabled, the AirTwist feature in the DoubleTwist app makes the user’s Android device appear on the game platform’s media menu where it can stream movies, photos and music directly to the TV . The upgrade is free and is compatible with devices running Android 1.6 and above.

[via Phone Scoop]

He then speaks about how you can use the device as a watch very easily, how it attaches to all manner of wristbands, then he gets to the “techie stuff.” Developers, he says, will be able to develop applications to work on the LiveView – the two ways to do this are by using the “Announce Plug-in” for announcements or the “Sandbox Plug-in” which is a 2nd display that utilizes the buttons, vibrate, and LEDs. He then shows 2 maps which display how your application will work through the LiveView [images below.]

Hansson goes on to say that Sony Ericsson will soon be posting an SDK and documentation for developers so that they might make apps asap. He notes that the Announce plug-in is just what it sounds like, sending to your LiveView announcements from FaceBook, Twitter, text messages, etc.. The Sandbox plug-in, on the other hand, allows you to take over the whole screen – you’ll be able to send images, use the vibrator (this way of saying use the vibration function in the device gets sort of lost in translation, lol), and you can control the application on your phone using the buttons on the LiveView.

Hansson directs you to http://sonyericsson.com/developer if you plan on creating for the LiveView and appeals to everyone to ask as many questions as they’d like on the LiveView. Take a look at the full video here, and be sure to look for Hansson’s totally wild skull ring and the awesome “DE VEL OP ER WORLD” brand sound at the beginning of the video. It reminds me of the song “Television Rules the Nation” by Daft Punk. Rockin it!

[Via Sony Ericsson Developers YouTube Channel]

According to Unwiredview, this phone will receive multiple upgrades before it makes it way over to the United Kingdom. For starters it will be upgraded from Android 2.0 to 2.1, and it will be fitted with an HDMI port. It also has a 3.7 inch WVGA touch screen, 8MP camera with Xenon flash on the back and 720p video recording. The ROM and RAM may get bumped up as well as the infamous Snapdragon could get implanted into the device. If this is true, this will be another Android 2.1 MotoBlur device in the works.

[via slashphone]



Navigation was first introduced on the Droid, it was a feature of Android 2.0. After complaints from many non-2.0 users, it was made available to every device that has 1.6(maybe this was already in the works). This free navigation service gives Android a leg up on many other platforms that charge for such services, often they are not as good as Google Maps Navigation. A feature of Maps that most of us may not be aware of, routes are cached after the directions are found so even if you lose your data connection while on the go, you will still have accurate navigation information to rely on.

A Google spokesperson said:

“We did not say we would bring it to iPhone, we said to date we’ve had it on Android and that in the future it may come to other platforms but did not confirm this will be coming to iPhone at all,”

[via pcworld]

The two versions will be the XT800C and XT800W. The XT800C will be a 2G CDMA handset and the XT800W will feature UMTS. SK Telecom will be the new home for these devices. Also, these phones will feature a 480 x 854 pixel touch screen display, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm headset jack along with a 5MP autofocus camera with D1 video recording.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4h8AjuKrAI&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[via smartphonenow.kr,mobileburn]

Market Description:

“CallTrack logs your phone activity to your Google Calendar. You can select the type of calls to log (incoming, outgoing, and missed) and the calendar to log them in. You can also dump your current call log to your calendar.

Currently only Android 2.0.1 and higher.”

From Google:

Do you find it hard to find a contact or locate an application from a list of hundreds of items on an Android phone? Or do you find it stressful to search for an item by typing in its title while on the go?

Gesture Search from Google Labs lets you search your Android-powered device by drawing alphabet gestures on the touch screen. It allows you to quickly find a contact, a bookmark, an application, or a music track from hundreds or thousands of items, all in one place. It is fast and fun to use.

Gesture Search currently supports English and requires Android 2.0 or above.

[via googlelabs]

Here’s what Motorola said via their facebook page:

“To all UK Milestone users, the OTA server is up and you can now install the Android 2.0.1 update on your device – simply go to ‘Settings’ then select ‘System Updates.’ If you’re in France, Germany or Italy and haven’t updated your Milestone yet, you can also install it via OTA…”

Although this isn’t the long awaited 2.1, Motorola did keep their promise of delivering an update even though the phone has no official local network. Hopefully 2.1 is right around the corner. Let the 2.1 begging begin!!!

This phone has many of the HD2′s specs, from the 5 megapixel camera to the 4.3-inch capacitive WVGA display, but adds an “optional” analog TV tuner (which won’t do countries with digital transitions any good) and Android 2.0 atop an ARM9-based PXA935 core. Unfortunately this phone is not available yet. They are aiming for a release towards the end of the year. Who knows, by then the real HD2 may come in an Android 2.1 or higher version.

Head over to Engadget for more pictures of the Touch Stone.

Currently there is only an estimated 28% of Android devices in use that are capable of taking full advantage of these services. This is due to the fact that lower Android versions browser does not support HTML5, although the gears requirement is meet.

The newest version of Google Map’s is only for 1.6 devices and up and this alone rules out a lot of Android’s.  The iPhone on the other hand is compatible with HTML5 and can use Buzz and Google Map’s in the browser. These stats were taken from AndroidAndMe:

Buzz access for different versions of Android:

• Android 1.5: No Google Maps 4.0, no mobile app
• Android 1.6: Google Maps 4.0 only
• Android 2.0+: Google Maps 4.0 and mobile app
• iPhone: Google Maps 4.0 and mobile app

[via androidandme,Google Buzz]

Here’s more great information taken from bignews.biz. These are some really great deals and there is even an option to get it for free.
“This new launch means that there are now more than double the number of pay monthly contract tariffs available for this new Motorola Android phone, this includes deals for the Milestone free on some tariffs including the T-Mobile Combi 25 tariff which for £25 line rental per month allocates 700 minutes of calls to any network at any time (including landline calls) and unlimited inclusive text messaging every month.”

[via bignews.biz]

According to ZDNet UK, IBM announced at its Lotusphere conference in Florida that they will release a secure Lotus Notes client for Android devices. The app will be free to download, but you’ll have to buy the Lotus Domino server software in order for the app to work.

The mail, calendar and contacts app will run on handsets with Android 2.0 and higher (sorry Android 1.6 and 1.5 users), and will be the second major secure email platform outed for Google’s free mobile OS. Back in December 2009, Good Technology launched an email client that isolates and encrypts sensitive data on Android-powered phones.

So far there’s no word from IBM on the specific features of Lotus Notes Traveler for Google’s open-sourced mobile OS or when the Android email app will be made available. Will you get it when it comes out? Let us know in the comments.

Motorola’s first Android 2.0 device for the Korean market shows some basic phone capabilities on the first video. And if you were wondering on how to pronounce the name (MOTOROI) of this handset, well, just pay attention to the clips and you will find out.

On the second clip you will see some of the 8-megapixel camera functions been demonstrated, and the third video shows you how to use the 720p HD video recording capability. As you can see, Motorola’s social networking integration system better known as MOTOBLUR is no where to be found on the new MOTOROI.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QO5UMWd_I&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBitaNAgtMQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFjTsqCC6Cg&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

This Motorola handset is called the “MOTOROI” (yea, it sounds a little funny), and will be the first smartphone for the Korean market to run on Google’s Android 2.0. The MOTOROI will arrive to Korea sporting an 8 megapixel camera with Xenon flash and a 720p HD camcorder.

The Android-powered handset has a 3.7-inch (480X854) WVGA capacitive touchscreen, multitouch gesture support, and up to 32GB of storage with a MicroSD. MOTOROI owners will be able to enjoy Terrestrial DMB1 with up to 24 TV and audio channels for free.

Press Release:

Motorola Introduces MOTOROI™, Korea’s First Smart Phone Powered by Android 2.0
January 17, 2010

SEOUL, Korea. – 17 January 2010 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a global leader in mobile telecommunications, today inaugurated a new era in Korea’s mobile lifestyle with the introduction of MOTOROI™, the first smart phone in Korea to be powered by Android™ version 2.0.

For people who want the ultimate smart phone experience, MOTOROI™ offers the ability to use multiple applications at the same time, effortless pinch-and-zoom browsing, and cinematic navigation through music, videos, and maps of the world.

“We are delighted to announce MOTOROI™, the first Android-based phone, with SK Telecom in Korea, a key partner in one of Motorola’s key markets in the world, ” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices. “MOTOROI™ is a smart phone without compromise, delivering a wiser, richer web and messaging experience with the most delightful touch-interface you have ever experienced, all made possible through the combination of Motorola’s expertise in design, a truly differentiated Android experience, and the power of SK Telecom’s network.”

“Motorola’s smart phones powered by Android are receiving tremendous response around the world, and it is our pleasure to introduce one of them for the first time in Korea,” said Ha Sung-min, MNO president of SK Telecom™. “MOTOROI™ by Motorola will bring a paradigm shift in the domestic mobile market with outstanding Internet, multimedia features and access to the fast-growing Android Market™.”

Thousands of Android-Based Applications

Android is widely recognized as the most exciting mobile platform in part because of its unequalled openness. Anyone can develop Android applications and make them available through Android Market, and you can download them on MOTOROI™.

Designed to take full advantage of the power of Android 2.0, MOTOROI™ gives you a full touch screen with a huge 3.7 inch, high-definition WVGA (480X854) display, making it easier than ever to view full page websites, videos, games, or photos. The display uses a powerful combination of Motorola’s touch user interface (UI) and a capacitive touch sensor for smooth screen flipping and scrolling, and five main displays let you customize your MOTOROI™ with various widgets with more freedom than ever before.

Google Mobile Services in Your Hand

MOTOROI™ delivers fast and powerful mobile versions of Google™’s most popular services. High speed web-browsing1 is possible at home or outdoors with MOTOROI™’s Wi-Fi support and Android Web Kit Browser, supporting up to eight open browser windows1 and giving you the greatest possible freedom in using Google™’s various mobile services1, including:

*

Google Maps™: Search for places near your location, get driving directions, view map with Street View and satellite imagery
*

Gmail™: Integrates and supports multiple accounts
*

YouTube™: Enables one-touch playback from home screen widget or app
*

Google Talk™: Provides messenger service by Google

Imaging Technology for Digital Camera Experience & Premium Multimedia Features

You expect a Motorola device to offer superb imaging, and MOTOROI™ breaks new ground, offering an 8 megapixel camera with Xenon flash and a 720p HD camcorder – the first of its kind in Korea. Your new MOTOROI™ not only lets you capture, view and share2 high quality photos and videos, it helps you make them look better than ever:

*

Smart image capture: Includes easy panorama, face detection, multi-shot (6 shots in a row), face filter, red eye reduction, camera shake prevention and many more elements designed to improve the quality and variety of your photos
*

HDMI™ (High Definition Multimedia Interface): With Korea’s first HDMI™ capable phone, play your HD video from your phone directly to your HDTV.

MOTOROI delivers an upgraded mobile entertainment experience from the company that pioneered mobile entertainment:

*

MP3 player: Enables you to send and listen to MP3 files without the need to convert files
*

Terrestrial DMB1: Enjoy up to 24 TV and audio channels for free
*

3.5mm ear jack: Listen to music through connecting your favorite head phones
*

Storage up to 8GB3 and Micro SD support up to 32GB3
*

Unique docking station: Enjoy movies by setting the phone on the docking station designed exclusively for the MOTOROI™, or use the phone as table clock or digital frame

User-Friendly and Innovative UI

MOTOROI™ adds a host of small touches to your user interface to help make using a powerful smart phone easy and intuitive:

*

Smart widgets let you use your content more conveniently, adjusting the size of the calendar, memo pad, contacts, e-mail and other widgets and shortcut icons on the home screen as you are using them
*

Pinch to zoom in and out lets you enlarge or reduce the size of web pages with ease
*

MOTOROI™ offers five distinct text-input methods, including a 3X4 keypad, full QWERTY, half QWERTY, hand writing and writing pad
*

The screen lock with proximity sensor lets you talk on your phone with ease as the screen automatically locks when the touch screen gets near your face

Advanced Mobile Office for Efficient Working

We all have to work sometime, and MOTOROI™ supports management of multiple accounts and document editing to ensure you work more efficiently with cutting-edge text recognition and true multi-tasking, which lets you run multiple applications at once:

*

Synchronize and manage multiple email accounts simultaneously, letting you separate your work and personal inboxes
*

Gmail Contacts sync: Synchronize contacts from the accounts that are added on the device.
*

Microsoft and PDF document viewer
*

Optical Character Recognition: Optical dictionary that translates immediately through quick scanning, business card reader which recognizes contact information on business cards and automatically stores information to your phonebook; and document reader which easily scrap books or articles to your phone as text files

The MOTOROI™ by Motorola will be available at SK Telecom™ retailers throughout Korea beginning in early February. For more information on MOTOROI™, please visit the Motorola website www.motorola.com/kr/consumer.

So now, as you can see on the images above, we can be almost certain that Hero and Moment users on Sprint, will not get Android 2.1, but instead, Android 2.0. And according to Sprint’s twitter account, the date is “TBD (To Be Determined), but roughly 1H 2010″.

And HTC’s twitter account confirms that the Sprint Hero will get Eclair “early next year”. We’re happy to see that Hero and Moment owners will no longer be stuck with Android 1.5 and that they will soon be getting all the goodies that come with Android Eclair.

With that in mind, we have no doubt the DROID by Motorola is a very popular smartphone in the good ol’ US of A. But many of you might be asking themselves, how is the DROID’s twin brother; the MILESTONE, doing in the UK? Apparently, pretty good.

According to Expansys, it took less than three hours to sell all the MILESTONE by Motorola phones that they had over there. Below is what the CEO of eXpansys; Roger Butterworth had to say about this:

The demand for the Motorola Milestone has been staggering. We received the units at 10am on Thursday, 2.5 hours later we had sold out. A second shipment is already on the way and should be arriving in time for Christmas orders.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Before anything, let’s be clear that, if you decide to go on and root your Android device, you take some risks on doing so. Like always, be very careful and have a back-up plan, just in case. And remember that you do this at your own risk. Below you will find the instructions on how to proceed:

Download the zip file and rename it . Rename it to “update.zip” and copy to your sdcard .
Power off your DROID and then power it back on again, at the same time hold down the X key . When you see the “/!\” symbol, press both vol+ and camera and and a menu will appear allowing you to install the update.zip file . Once installed you will be able to run “su” from your adb shell.

To find the zip file and everything else, including advice, that you’ll need to go ahead with rooting your DROID, you need to click on our androidcommunity forums link here. If you have already done it, give us a shout and let us know how you like it.

[Thanks to simms22]

So now there are actually 2 retailers selling the first Acer Android smartphone in the UK; Expansys and Clove. Expansys is offering it for £339.99 ($554) including taxes, while Clove is selling the same device for a lower price; £328.90 ($536), not much, but is still cheaper, and that’s always good.

Now, the last time we heard from Clove on this Acer phone, they had a Qualcomm 8250 1GHz processor on the features list, but now, they have it with the same Snapdragon processor at only 768Mhz. This might have something to do with the capacity of the battery (1350mAh). And unfortunately, the Acer Liquid A1 will run Android Donut (1.6) instead of the Eclair (2.0).

According to Verizon Wireless, the HTC Droid Eris will be receiving a significant system update at some point in the fist quarter of 2010. This update will boost the version of Android on the HTC Eris, to at least 2.0. But there are even better news; that the update might possibly be Android 2.1.

We know that Android just had some minor updates to the SDK, and now there’s word of Android 2.0 or 2.1 coming to the Eris, so hold on tight, 2010 is just around the corner. Verizon spokesperson Brenda Raney told InformationWeek, “The Droid Eris currently using Android 1.5, can and will be upgraded to newer a Android operating system software in first quarter 2010. The enhancement will allow customers to continue to enjoy the powerful HTC Sense experience while also gaining the additional benefits of Google Maps Navigation.” Raney also said that, based on the timing, the Droid Eris will be updated to either Android 2.0 or 2.1.

When I heard Maria Bartiromo saying “Google is working on Google Visual Search, a mobile application that lets users take a picture of a location from their Android-powered smartphone and trigger a Google search that pulls up information associated with the image.” My mind just went crazy thinking of all the possibilities that this could open up.

As you will see on the video below, the person testing GVS takes a picture of the Santa Monica Pier entrance and voila! The service gives him within seconds, an audio-visual narrative explaining the image. The GVS is not ready for Prime time just yet, according to Google, but it is coming to Android, and have no doubt about it. I didn’t record the show, but I found part of it on youtube, enjoy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6tT3JGV1iY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]