Droid 101

Droid101’s AUGEN Gentouch7 Tablet Unboxing video. Enjoy!

Hey guys, today the Droid 101 crew was able to track down this most elusive new Android Tablet. However, it took a trip to the Kmart in Hixson, TN to put our hands on it. Stay tuned for more info.

Google released to the world the Nexus One Smart phone a little more than 6 months ago. The Nexus One is Google’s answer to what a real smart phone should be, and to all accounts they achieved their goal. In this gadget for every occasion world we live, the Nexus One stood as a testament that some things can actually be one size fits all. Power, speed, customization, and the ability to upgrade the system’s Android OS all while housed in a very sleek and dare I say sexy shell, not to mention having a Touchscreen that was vibrant and beautiful.
Google wanted to change the way phones where sold and marketed, which by all means was a noble idea, however they have partners to keep happy as well as not being able to advertise in a conventional sort of way made getting the Nexus One out to the masses difficult to say the least. In this short period of time the Nexus One has developed quite the following from modders to everyday users alike.
What Is the future of the Nexus brand? Will there be a Nexus Two? As of right now, Google says that there are presently no future plans to replace the Nexus One, and to which I say that SUCKS! Many Android users just want a light striped down version of Android from Google running their devices. So Google don’t let the Nexus brand die, give the Android community a worthy successor to the Nexus One.  I hope you hear us, in fact I know you do.

Nexus One, we here at Droid 101 salute you. It’s been a fun ride!

-D.Nix

This is a tutorial on adjusting the ringer volume on a T-Mobile G1.

If you have been eagerly waiting for the 2.1 update for your Moto Droid, today is your lucky day. Our friends over at MobileCrunch has laid out the step by step instructions on how to manually install the new update on your phone. So all you Droid users get to it, and if not you could just wait another week until Verizon rolls it out.

Here’s how you do it:

“*Download the update package from here. Don’t unzip it! If your browser         automatically unzips things (like Safari on Mac, for example), use a different browser. It MUST stay zipped.
*Rename the file from signed-voles-ESE81-from-ESD56.fa406da6.zip to update.zip. If you’re using an OS that doesn’t show the .zip extension, just rename it “update” — otherwise it’ll be called “update.zip.zip” and won’t work.
*Take the microSD card from your phone, plug it into a microSD card reader.
*Drag and drop the “update.zip” file into the main folder (otherwise known as the root folder) of your microSD card. Don’t go looking for a folder called “main” or “root” – we’re referring to the folder on your microSD card that   holds all the other folders.
*Turn your Droid off, and put the microSD card back in.
*Hold down the letter “X” on the keyboard. While still holding it, turn your   Droid back on. You should see an exclamation point icon appear on your     screen.
*Push the volume up button and the camera button at the exact same time. If nothing happens, do it again. When you get to the bootloader screen, you      know it worked. (Some folks are reporting that you need to hold the volume      up button and then tap the camera button right after. It’s a bit tricky, but     it’ll work eventually.)

*Use the d-pad to navigate to the “apply: update.zip” option, and choose the   file you just dragged onto your microSD card.”

Ok, simple enough right? What are you waiting on?

After reading a wonderful article at VideoNuze, I decide that the Droid crew should put our 2 cents into the mix.

—–

Dear Sir,
This is my first visit to your site and I found your perspective insightful. However, I think that you are missing Google real intent as it relates to  GoogeTV. Google is playing nice with the MVPDs as a tip of the hat. They want the TV manufactures as their partner. Forget the MVPDs, they are a waste of time – Sheep waiting to be slaughtered! Intel wants to sell a board for each of the 1 billion+ TVs that will be manufactured in the coming year. Sony is only a member of this “gang” because they are so far behind in the internet/TV space and Vizio is eating their lunch. Google simply wants it all.

My prediction is that you will see Google leverage Sony’s PR machine, more than Intel’s, to create massive hype around the new device and UI. I would even think that Sony would enhance the their version of the Android based OS to include some their own IP, like the Xbar interface that runs their PS3, PSP, etc. Eveyone wins.

The next step for Google is to open source the platform, for Intel to sell a ton of mini-itx Atom based motherboard to all the DIYers, and for every TV manufacture to line up at the front door of Google HQ (like bums in a soup line) hoping that they can integrate the platform into their products before the holiday sales rush and CES.

This is not a new game plan for Google. Look at the phone manufactures. This same model has worked for Google over the last two years and they have all but killed off Windows mobile, Nokia and Palm. You have to remember that the MVPDs have little to no power of the TV manufactures. None. The TV manufactures have end customer relationships and loyalty – I happen to be a Sony man myself.

My bet is that MVPDs are toast by 2013! CES 2011 will prove my point true; As Google becomes the arms dealer of the “TV Brand Wars” – Android being the weapon of choice…

All the best,
James

The New York times is reporting that Google is getting into the Web TV game with a partnership with Intel, Logitech, and Sony. Google is planning on using the Android OS to power a new TV Set-Top box that will seamlessly integrate web content onto TVs, bringing services like Twitter and sites like YouTube, as well as games and webapps. And what would Google TV be with out Google search engine by way of a Google’s Chrome browser.
The Times also reports that the Set-Top boxes will use Intel Atom chips but eventually will be integrated in to Blu-ray players and TV’s from Sony. Logitech is working with Google to build the keyboard-equipped remote control for use with the Set-Top box.

For all those who are looking to pick up the new Devour here is some news from Best Buy’s Facebook page: The Devour will retail for $99 starting on February 25th, but the Droid will also be dropped to $99, and the Droid Eris is going to be free from Best Buy. Meanwhile, Verizon is sticking to its $149 pricetag at its own stores, which involves a $100 rebate. Well, I know where I would be heading to If were in the market for a Moto Devour. I’m just saying….

Motorola as it seems has been quite busy as of late with the success of the Droid and Cliq handsets. Well, I’m sure their saying  hey why stop here this is the most action when have had in years right!? Motorola’s latest Android device is called the Devour and should be headed to Verizon next month.
Stand out specs of the device include 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen, a touch-sensitive navigation pad, a pre-installed 8GB microSD card and Bluetooth support. One Interesting note; the Devour will be running Android version 1.6. Why not any two point O Goodness? hmmmm. But last but not least the device will have Flash lite which is really nice when you want to surf the web looking for all those Flash loving websites.

A few months ago before the release of the Motorola Droid, there was a lot rumors floating around the internet about a phone called the Motorola Sholes. Motorola had not one but two great Android devices, so which would it be the Sholes or the Droid? Well turns out the Droid phone was the one that was released and the Motorola Sholes rumors vanished. Well, its a new year and once again the rumors of the Moto Sholes have returned, but this time with more info. Our friends over at Android and Me have sourced some specs for this  Android device. Also the phone is said to use T-Mobile’s frequency band. If so this will be great new for T-Mobile’s customers.

Display: 3.7 inch capacitive touch FWVGA (480×854)
Dimensions: 60.9 mm x 115.95 mm x 10.9 mm, Weight: 140 g
Processor: TI OMAP3430 (550 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 + PowerVR SGX 530 GPU)
Memory: 512 MB Flash ROM, 256 MB RAM
Camera: 8 megapixel autofocus with xenon flash. 720p HD video recording.
3G Network support: HSDPA 10.2 Mbps, HSUPA 5.6 Mbps
Wireless: WiFi 802.11 b/g with DLNA support
Operating System: Andorid 2.1 with Motorblur
Other: 720P HD video out via HDMI port