[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Xeqez7Fq4[/video]
This weeks news brings us a new device, the Google Nexus S, LG’s misinformation about gingerbread, a gmail update, Facebook chat, Trillian for Android, Android market update, HTC Announcing LTE Devices and even more tablet news.
Best Buy Now Offering the Nexus S for $199 w/ Contract
Well it’s finally here, folks. Starting today, the Nexus S has hit
Best Buy Stores and they are available for purchase, right now. To
grab one without being wrapped into a contract it’s going to cost you
$529. Although, if you decide you’d like to sign up with a new
contract, it will only run you $199, or $250 if you’re adding a line.
Now this would make a great holiday gift!
Gmail Update for Froyo Users Hits Android Market
Gmail’s got a new update ready for users running
Android 2.2. This new update brings us features such as Priority Inbox
which you customize how to inform you when you get that important
mail, as well as an Improved Compose feature that lets you specify any
sending address that you’ve previously set up in your Desktop Gmail.
LG Apologizes for Misinformation; Promises Updates for Optimus One
Devices to Android 2.3
So surely you recall LG giving all a stir regarding their Facebook
announcement about devices short of 1GHz not having the capability to
run Gingerbread. Well, it seems as though LG is trying to make amends
with everyone by making an announcement that all of their Optimus One
smartphones with Android 2.2 would definitely get updated to
Gingerbread. Handsets such as the Optimus S, Optimus U, Optimus M,
Vortex, and Optimus T would likely candidates on the Android 2.3 list.
Sprint Announces 4G Tablet Due in 2011; Android or Windows?
Sprint is well aware of the demand for 4G, not only on smartphones but
on tablets as well. We weren’t lucky enough to get to experience the
speeds that 4G brings us with the Sprint Galaxy Tab, but an executive
over at Sprint has told Forbes that a 4G tablet is in the works for a
launch of 2011. The company also noted that they intend to sell
tablets with different operating systems, another than Android, but we
can’t assume that they’d leave a fresh Honeycomb tablet behind say, a
Windows OS tablet. Only time will tell.
Android 2.2 Launch Announced on Virgin Mobile, SaskTel and Bell
Following up on Bell’s announcement that they were rolling out Froyo
updates for the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant, it appears that Virgin
Mobile and SaskTel are jumping on board as well. A recent tweet by
SamsungCA confirms that the two carriers have indeed launched the
Android 2.2 update for the Galaxy S device. The bad news is that
Samsung still thinks it’s a better idea to not let users grab this
update OTA, and rather through the Kies software instead.
T-Mobile Assures 4G Tablets Coming in 2011
“T-Mobile is working closely with the majority of our OEM partners to
deliver 4G products by integrating HSPA+ into roadmaps in 2011 as the
dominant global standard. Consumers will continue to see HSPA+ fuel
future innovation in a variety of mobile consumer electronics from
smartphones and tablets to emerging devices. T-Mobile will continue to
be at the forefront of wireless innovation, delivering an aggressive
4G product lineup in 2011, including 4G tablets.”
Android Market Gets Some Dramatic Changes; Some Not All Good
The Android Market has undergone some serious changes, and for the
most part, we’d say it’s for the better. From adding new categories
for Widgets and Live Wallpapers to increasing the .apk file size cap,
this should be the Market’s more important update so far.
Facebook Update Gives Us Live Chat & Push Notifications
Great news for the social networking world for Androids, the latest
update for the Facebook app has been released supporting 2 huge
features that have been lacking in the Android experience for quite
some time now. With version 1.5, we now have Facebook Chat, which we
know many of you (including myself) have been chomping at the bit for,
as well as Push Notifications. There isn’t much to the update, but for
what it brings us… we’re quite happy to say the least!
Full Version of Trillian Hits Android Market for $4.99
Trillian for Android is available for versions 1.6 and up, so even
those old devices can still kick it with Trillian. Hop on the Android
Market, and for just $4.99 – this app is yours!
HTC Announces LTE Smartphones to Launch Mid-2011
The announcement was make this week from HTC’s CEO Peter Chou that the
company would have a handful of 4G LTE smartphones in mid-2011. The
rumor is that the HTC Incredible HD is most likely to be on the LTE
list, as it’s now in the hands of a new group of testers likely
bringing the official release of the device closer than we originally
assumed. Let’s hope that these rumors are accurate, yes?
