Latest Gear Live Videos
T-Mobile G2 Android smartphone first to use HSPA+
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,
Okay, so we know that T-Mobile launched their super-fast HSPA+ network recently, and up to this point, only data-specific devices are able to take advantage of those increased speeds. However, that’s about to change with the impending launch of the T-Mobile G2. Yup, the G1, the first Android phone to hit the market a couple of years ago, is finally getting its successor in the G2, and it’ll be the first phone to support HSPA+ speeds. It will be available next month, and it’ll be built by HTC (which means it should be awesome.) Here’s a statement from T-Mobile on the news:
“T-Mobile is proud to have launched the world’s first Android-powered phone, the T-Mobile G1, which captured the imagination of developers and consumers alike nearly two years ago. Now, we are readying its successor - the T-Mobile G2 with Google. Delivering tight integration with Google services, the G2 will break new ground as the first smartphone specifically designed for our advanced HSPA+ network, which delivers today’s available 4G speeds. In the coming weeks we’ll share more details about the G2, including information on how current T-Mobile customers can get exclusive first access. Visit http://g2.t-mobile.com to register for updates.”
Read More 
| T-Mobile G2
Advertisement
Google Nexus One officially sold out
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,
A few days ago, Google made it known that the Nexus One Android smartphone would be reaching the end of life status in short order, but we didn’t think that meant a day or two later. However, as you can see from the image above, Google’s online store is fresh out of Nexus Ones, and they won’t be restocking any more of them. Many argue that the Nexus One was, and still is, the best Android smartphone on the market. It was available directly from Google as an unlocked device as well, and always had first crack at the newest Android release. Here’s hoping we see a Nexus Two of some sort in the future.
Read More | Google
Google Me set to take on Facebook?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Internet, Rumors,
Is Google getting set to take on Facebook? If Digg founder Kevin Rose is to be believed, he has heard from a “credible source” that Google has a service called Google Me in the works that will aim to go head-to-head with Facebook in the social network space. If anyone can take on Facebook, it would likely be Google. After all, they’ve got the services (Google Talk, Gmail, Docs, Buzz, etc.) and the search power to pull all your information into one account pretty much immediately. Consider us intrigued.
Read More | Kevin Rose
Motorola Droid X: $199 on July 15th for Verizon
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,
A few minutes ago Verizon and Motorola got together to announced the new Droid X Android smartphone, and we’ve got all the details for you. First and foremost, the Droid X will ship with Android 2.1 and a new customized UI. It boasts a 4.3-inch 854x480 display, 1GHz TI OMAP 3640 processor, 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash, 720p video capture, and 8GB internal storage. It’s also got a flash card port that supports up to 32GB of storage, and the phone does ship with a 16GB card. The Droid X can also act as a mobile hotspot, providing WiFi access to up to five other devices, multitouch keyboard (thank you!), DLNA support, and even an HDMI out.
We know you are wondering when Froyo (Android 2.2) will hit the phone, and Verizon says that will happen later this summer, alongside Flash 10.1 support. You’ll be able to pick up the Droid X on July 15th from Verizon Wireless for $199.99 with two-year contract after rebate (rebate? really? still?) and if you wanna add the hotspot feature, that will be an extra $20 per month with a 2GB cap. Similar to how AT&T made all customers with upgrade dates through 2010 eligible for the iPhone 4 right away, Verizon is doing the same for the Droid X.
Logitech Revue with Google TV outed
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Google, Home Entertainment,
When Google TV was announced, one of the more interesting partnerships was between Google and Logitech. Logitech has been working on a set-top box that would become a part of your entertainment system to allow you to access that Google TV goodness, but it went unnamed—until now. Today, Logitech revealed that their Google TV box will be called Logitech Revue. They go on to explain that a “revue” was the term used for old-timey theatrical shows that combined music, dance, and sketches. They aim to do the same, but with modern cable, web, apps, and all the current stuff that we do today for entertainment. They want the Logitech Revue to being all that together. Look for it this fall.
Read More | Logitech
Google doodle celebrates Pac-Man 30th anniversary
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Internet, Video Games,
Google does a great job paying homage to holidays and other special events with their Google doodles, but this one may take the cake. In celebration of the 30th anniversay of Pac-Man, the Google logo has been transformed into a fully-playable game of Pac-Man. Seriously, just hit up the main Google Search page and wait for it to load up!
What is Google TV? Straight from Google
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Google, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Internet,
Earlier this morning at the Google I/O event, a major portion was dedicated to the announcement of Google TV. Google TV is basically a software layer that lets you find content to watch on your television. It’s build on Android, Chrome, and Flash, and lets you control things like live TV, as well as giving you the full power of the Internet. You can throw TV into a picture-in-picture box to fire up a web browser, search YouTube, pull up Hulu, or really just about anything else that you can do in a browser. Google Search sits on top of everything, and can be pulled up at any time. When you do a search, it will pull results from the web, as well as from TV listings, giving you the ability to find whatever you want to watch. If you like a show, channel, or search, you can save that as a bookmark for easy access later.
The interesting thing here is the integration with Android. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are mandatory in the Google TV hardware, which will be built by partners. That means that you can use an Android handheld device, pull up a website, and just beam it right over to Google TV. You can also perform a voice search on the device, and have that search carried out on the TV. Eliminating the frustrating tap-typing that we are all so tired of when it comes to searching on a big screen like a television? That is fairly awesome. Oh, and since Google TV runs Android, that also means that it runs apps as well. You get complete access to the Android market.
Take a look at the video above for a simple explanation of what Google TV is all about. You can expect to see devices shipping, like a Logitech set-top box, that will give you Google TV capabilities, later this year in the fall.
Read More | Google TV
Android 2.2 Froyo update brings USB tethering, Wi-Fi hotspot feature
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,
Okay, so we already know that Android 2.2 is gonna run 450% faster than 2.1, but we’ve just got even more awesome news about the ‘Froyo’ update by way of TechCrunch. It looks like Android 2.2 will also bring with it option for USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot support. In other words, you can use your phone’s 3G (or 4G if you are rocking the Sprint HTC EVO) signal to get your laptop, iPad, or whatever other device online, either by USB or Wi-Fi. Now, we’re guessing that the carriers get the ultimate say over how this will work and what it might cost, but hey, having the options built right in to Android is a major step in the right direction.
Read More | TechCrunch
Google Editions eBookstore to Launch by Summer - Let the ebook wars begin
Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet, Rumors,
According to an article in today’s Wall Street Journal Google Editions—Google’s attempt to elbow its way into the ebook market—will launch sometime this summer. When it does become available, Google Editions will launch with some 400,000 to 600,000 titles available. When you compare this to the 330,000 titles available on Amazon.com for Kindle supporting devices, it is clear that Google means to be a major player in the ebook market right from jumpstreet. With Google Editions, not only will people be able to buy books via multiple devices—including the iPad—using Google’s book search service, but independent shops will also be able to sell Google Editions copies of books via their own personal websites. With the availability of titles coming directly from their search engine, and not from a typical store-based website, Google is betting heavily on its massive web-presence to make Google Editions the standard of the ebook market. Cry ‘havoc’ and let slip the (ebook) dogs of war!
Nexus One not coming to Verizon, Droid Incredible takes its place
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,
If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer that was waiting on the Nexus One‘s arrival before upgrading, looks like you’ll have to make a slight change of plans. Google has just made it known that, despite announcing that the Nexus One would hit Verizon soon, it is now dead. Instead, they recommend that you go with the Droid Incredible instead. At first glance, that may come across as lame, but the fact is that the Droid Incredible is a better phone than the Nexus One, so we have to give kudos to Google for recognizing the work that was put into the phone by HTC. We will have more on the Droid Incredible later today, as we are currently playing around with one in the Gear Live Review Labs.
Read More | Google
