Droid 101

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?

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Well looks as if the Motorola Cliq from the T-Mob just found it’s fraternal twin, by way of AT&T. To be honest it’s not much different from the Cliq. The Motus will have a reverse flipping keyboard and a rear directional touchpad. Check out the stats after the break.

Motorola Motus specs:

* 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A
* 512 MB ROM
* 256 MB RAM
* 3.1 inch display 320 x 480 (HVGA)
* 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
* WiFi / Bluetooth 2.0 / GPS
* OS Android 1.5 with Motoblur
* GSM 850/900/1800/1900 W-CDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100
* Reverse flip keyboard
* Rear directional touchpad

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It looks like the US version of the Moto Sholes will hit Germany as the Milestone. According to Engadget (via Slashgear.) Engadget claims the price, without a contract will be $595. Snap, that’s 100 Wendy’s value meals.

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Since Droid101 is about helping out our fellow Android users with usability, I thought it would be a good idea to post some information on whats new with the new Eclair 2.0 Platform. Enjoy!!

New User Features

Contacts and accounts

* Multiple accounts can be added to a device for email and contact synchronization, including Exchange accounts. (Handset manufacturers can choose whether to include Exchange support in their devices.)
* Developers can create sync adapters that provide synchronization with additional data sources.
* Quick Contact for Android provides instant access to a contact’s information and communication modes. For example, a user can tap a contact photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person. Other applications such as Email, Messaging, and Calendar can also reveal the Quick Contact widget when you touch a contact photo or status icon.

Email

* Exchange support.
* Combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page.

Messaging

* Search functionality for all saved SMS and MMS messages.
* Auto delete the oldest messages in a conversation when a defined limit is reached.

Camera

* Built-in flash support
* Digital zoom
* Scene mode
* White balance
* Color effect
* Macro focus

Android virtual keyboard

* An improved keyboard layout to makes it easier to hit the correct characters and improve typing speed.
* The framework’s multi-touch support ensures that key presses aren’t missed while typing rapidly with two fingers.
* A smarter dictionary learns from word usage and automatically includes contact names as suggestions.

Browser

* Refreshed UI with actionable browser URL bar enables users to directly tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation.
* Bookmarks with web page thumbnails.
* Support for double-tap zoom.
* Support for HTML5:
o Database API support, for client-side databases using SQL.

o Application cache support, for offline applications.

o Geolocation API support, to provide location information about the device.

o Calendar

* Agenda view provides infinite scrolling.
* Events indicate the attending status for each invitee.
* Invite new guests to events.

New Platform Technologies
Media Framework

Revamped graphics architecture for improved performance that enables better hardware acceleration.
Bluetooth

* Bluetooth 2.1
* New BT profiles: Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)

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We knew it was coming. It’s here and we (Devyn, James and Droid 101) are crazy happy. Droid 101 told us this morning that today is like a Southern family reunion – Where’s Bender?

Check the official Verizon video of the new Droid

What do you think? Better than the iPod? The Hero? We would love to hear from you.

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The answer is: Simplicity Sells! People love tools, gadgets, remotes, computers, etc. that are SIMPLE and MULTIPURPOSE. This has always been one of the strongest selling features of the iPod and the iPhone; One device, with a simply interface, that plays your music collection, your movies, makes calls, with hundreds of games (you get the point).

Well Verizon, Google and MOTO (VGM) have been working on a similar strategy and their first love child is the Droid (Sholes). Why do people love this device (it more than just a phone of course) so much, even before it has launched?

1) They (VGM) took their time and clearly designed a device that would be more than just a phone, check the video below (provide by BoyGenius)

The point here is not that the device also acts as a night stand alarm clock; but that VGM took the time to think about the true, desired user experience. You have to charge your phone, why not put the thing to good use while it is charging? With Android as the operating system, clearly the device could act as an alarm clock, or a photo frame, or a weather channel, maybe a stock tracker, maybe even a podcast or Pandora player (now I know you get the point).

2) The fact that the charging stand changes the traditional use of a “cell phone”, allows software developers to dream wildly. This is always a WINNER for everyone involved. It means that we will see new “horizontal” apps for the device, which makes Droid owners happy, thus VGM will sell a bunch more phones – nothing beats a bunch of crazed device loving customers running around evangelizing your product.

The same opportunity will happen when Apple introduces its iPad or iTablet (you pick), but it is damn nice to that type of innovation and opportunity on the Android side as well. Maybe we will see similar thinking from the Nook?

3) The “night stand / alarm clock” mode keeps the device top of mind and always within reach of its owner. Does this mean that the Sholes will occupy the same level of importance as your wallet and your keys? Maybe. Most can’t live without the internet or our cell phone, but making the Sholes a 24/7, always ready to go at a moments notice type product was a brilliant move by VGM.

If they (VGM) have put half this much thought into the packing, installed apps, and support for the Sholes then we are in for lots of 30 and 40 somethings running around the house like little school girls on Christmas day, giddy with joy over their new Droid!

Nice work guys (and gals).

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Like this!

Many thanks to letsfindjesus (their YouTube handle) for making a preview video before Verzion pulled their prematurely launched Droid site. We think the site should launch on or around the 28th of October.

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