News · Roundups

This Week On LaptopMemo: All FroYo And Pac-Man Land Edition

  • May 23, 2010

This week on LaptopMemo.com features FroYo, detailed, in envy of, the SDK, and its coming to the Nexus One. There was also a hint of Pac-Man, again provided by Google, among other crazy jazz that you can find in the archives…

Google · Internet · Web 2.0

Google Adds Encrypted Search With SSL. Not Bad.

  • May 22, 2010

Do you feel you’re being monitored while performing Google searches? Do you feel the almost stupid need to have it in SSL format? Google’s got you covered: a secured version of their web search using SSL. While this locked-up version of the world’s favorite search engine doesn’t seem as nifty as its open cousin, there’s no doubt a lot of Googlers will be Googling without getting their searches Goggled on by third-parties. Here’s what they had to say about the latest Google beta feature:

This secured channel helps protect your search terms and your search results pages from being intercepted by a third party on your network [...] Google will still maintain search data to improve your search quality and to provide better service. Searching over SSL doesn’t reduce the data sent to Google — it only hides that data from third parties who seek it.

You can try it out at https://www.google.com/.

Android · Mobile · Motorola · Rumors · Verizon

Hey, This Looks Like The Verizon Motorola Droid Shadow (for crying out loud)

  • May 22, 2010

Hey there, kind reader. See that up there? That’s the Motorola Shadow. Or in other words, the Motorola Droid Shadow. With an appearance of a regular Moto Droid but with a 4.3-inch touchscreen and an updated MOTOBLUR UI, there are the familiar four buttons that Android uses on its high-end phones, though one of them seen above is only present on MOTOBLUR-skinned phones, further confirming that this is a new MOTOBLUR that is upon us. Other than that, the filename is “Shadow” and you see the “DROID” branding above. Otherwise, “wnrussell” at HowardForums has done good work.

Source: HowardForums

Android · Apps · Breaking · Google · Mobile

Android 2.2 manual update file found, works on a non-rooted Nexus One

  • May 22, 2010

Desperate? If you have a Nexus One that is not-rooted (at all!) and has the “ERE27 system”, then you’re as good at FroYo. Manual updates are quite easy, and you can download the update through the most trusted source: Google’s direct servers. Check out the source links for the download and instructions.

Source: XDA-Developers, Android 2.2 Update Download From Google

Android · Mobile · Motorola · News

Motorola: Droid Updating To Android 2.2 “In The Near Future”. That’s Nice

  • May 22, 2010

Motorola is already known for spitting out Android phones with old OSes, and the Droid at one point was crawling along in Android 2.0.1 for ages, until Verizon finally decided to do something about it. Interestingly, my friends at SlashGear have pinged Motorola, and got the oh-so-usual-PR-person-like-response in brief:

“We’re excited to see Google’s news of the next version of the Android operating system and look forward to integrating it on our Android-based devices as it’s made available to the open source community.”

While I can’t comment on specifics, we do expect DROID by Motorola users will receive Android 2.2 as a software upgrade in the near future.”

Well, well, well! ‘Tis wonderful good news I suppose!

Android · LG · Mobile · Verizon · WTF

Verizon LG Ally Delayed By A Week For Reasons Unknown

  • May 22, 2010

The Verizon LG Ally is nothing special, but it’s a so-so okay Android 2.1 slider with a 3.2-inch multitouch screen, but for a very special price of $99. Availability was labeled as May 20th by Verizon and LG, but guess what? It’s been delayed. By a week, as seen in the LG Ally Forums:

Dear Valued Customer,

This notification is to inform you that Verizon Wireless has received your pre-order of the LG Ally. We have extended the pre-order period for the LG Ally until May 26th.

Since you have pre-ordered, you will be the first to receive the phone upon initial availability on or after May 27th.

We appreciate your business, and we will send you another confirmation email as soon as your LG Ally ships.

Sincerely,

Verizon Wireless

Like I said, the LG Ally isn’t a major Android phone, but it’s been delayed, which is still annoying. Darn you Iron Man 2!

Android · Apps · Google · HTC · Mobile

Late Night FroYo For You: Android 2.2 Getting Pushed To Nexus One?

  • May 22, 2010

These are the advantages to being Google’s favorite. That is, owning the official Google Phone: the 1Ghz Snapdragon, 3.7-inch WVGA multitouch screen, 5 megapixel camera, 512 MB RAM toting Nexus One. According to TechCrunch’s MG Siegler, late last night the update was presented to him while charging his handset; he updated it and is now enjoying Android 2.2 “FroYo” while laughing at everyone else, including me. Anyone else having the same miracle as the good ‘ol Paris Lemon?

Source: TechCrunch

AT&T · Breaking · Mobile

AT&T Early Termination Fees On Smartphones Get Pumped Up — to $325

  • May 21, 2010

Remember the good old days when you could get an iPhone, SIM unlock it, ditch AT&T and pay $175 for an early termiination fee? Yeah. About that…

You see, AT&T has doubled the pricing from $175 to $325 ETF on smartphones, while feature phones will be $160 to $150 (drops $4 each month). The new policy starts June 1st; here’s AT&T’s lousy explanation:

The idea is, and we think that it’s fair approach, that if you spend less on a device, your early termination fee should be less. If you spend more, your early termination fee should be more.

‘Tis wonderful!

Source: Wall Street Journal

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