Category: Mobile Tech

Android 2.2 (FroYo) on HTC Evo 4G: Impressions and Benchmarks

I’ve been playing around with Android 2.2 on my HTC Evo 4G (Sprint) since last night. It’s pretty impressive so far — everything is snappier, the web browser is faster and has Flash, and there are some nice UI changes (love the ones in Gmail!).

To measure the performance gain, I used GreeneComputing’s Linpack for Android. I tested the Evo 4G before and after the installation of Android 2.2. For comparisons sake, I included the results of a Motorola Droid X running Android 2.1. The results (higher is better) were pretty nuts:

  • Evo 4G (Android 2.1): 4.355 MFLOPs
  • Droid X (Android 2.1): 8.239 MFLOPs
  • Evo 4G (Android 2.2): 37.593

As you can see, FroYo adds a pretty significant boost to performance. While real-world results will not be nine times faster, the speed boost is obvious. I’m going to write more detailed impressions of FroYo on the HTC Evo 4G later this week. Of course I might just sell the phone because the CSRs at Sprint are incompetent…but that’s another story.

RIM Security Too Good, BlackBerry Banned in United Arab Emirates

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the United Arab Emirates has issued a ban on RIM BlackBerry phones and service starting October 11, 2010. Here’s the skinny:

The TRA confirmed today that Blackberry Messenger, Blackberry E-mail and Blackberry Web-browsing services in the UAE will be suspended as of October 11th 2010. The suspension is a result of the failure of ongoing attempts, dating back to 2007, to bring Blackberry services in the UAE in line with UAE telecommunications regulations.

From what I understand, RIM is being penalized because its security is too advanced for the TRA. The agency likes to keep close tabs on UAE citizens and appears unable to hack RIM’s BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES) and BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). I find the whole matter hilarious (you know, in that nerd way). RIM is going to miss out on one of the world’s burgeoning economies because it’s too good. Mobile handset makers that are less capable and/or secure have a huge opportunity in the UAE because of RIM’s competence.

Perhaps the TRA should recommend iPhone 4’s to everyone and get AT&T to provide service. If things get out of hand, blocking frisky communications is only a “death grip” away. I kid, I kid. You know I love the iPhone 4.

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Unlocked iPhone 4 Available in Canada and Mexico…FML

In a move that’s fantastic for our neighbors to the north and south (and sucks for me!), Apple is selling the iPhone 4 unlocked in Canada and Mexico. The unlocked Canadian version has common knowledge for weeks, but the Mexican version is new news. Not only does Mexico have the better version of Coke, it also has the superior version of the iPhone 4.

Yay for Canada and Mexico…. Yes, I’m in the bitter barn right now. Visiting my Zoe in Vancouver or taking a long weekend in Cabo would be fun…but I should save the money for a new computer. (Jokingly) FML.

Sprint Announces Android 2.2 (FroYo) for the HTC Evo 4G

Sprint has announced that its HTC Evo 4G will be getting upgraded to Google Android 2.2 (codename FroYo) starting August 3, 2010. Through its Twitter account, the company pointed out that it “is the first wireless carrier to bring Android 2.2 to customers”. FroYo adds some fantastic performance improvements and interesting features, which I covered in my Google I/O keynote live blog. Here are the features Sprint is highlighting:

  • Voice Dialing Over Bluetooth.
  • Application Storage on External Memory, giving users more storage room for all their apps.
  • Camera 4-way rotation allows the camera icons to rotate with the camera.
  • Improved Browser Performance including a faster JavaScript engine and Flash 10x Support improving the user’s ability to view videos and available content associated with web pages.

Sprint is having a very interesting year. It was the first American carrier to launch a 4G phone. During its quarterly earnings announcement, it gained subscribers for the first time in three years. Leading the way with FroYo is another sign that the company is, perhaps, transforming from the loser I left in 2009 to a progressive and aggressive carrier.

I’ll download FroYo on my Evo as soon as possible and give you guys the skinny. Stay tuned!

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Amazon Kindle Gets Better and Cheaper

Amazon has announced an updated version of its popular Kindle e-reader. While the performance gains are certainly noteworthy, what’s really interesting is the price of the WiFi-only version: $139. Before I get to the ramifications of that price point, let me hit you up with some bullet points on the new Kindle:

  • 21 percent smaller
  • 15 percent lighter design
  • 50 percent better contrast
  • 20 percent faster page turns
  • Up to one month of battery life
  • Double the storage

I’m a big fan of the Kindle and think it’s a fantastic line of products. That said, I readily admit that it’s facing stiff competition from other e-readers (like the Nook) and tablet computers (like the iPad). The e-reader market is crowded and the tablet market will be full by this time next year. One of the ways the Kindle can beat out the competition is by being the first to achieve the magical $99 price point. The $139 WiFi-only model is practically there.

Are any of you interested in the new Kindle? Are you tempted by the $139 price point?

HTC Evo 4G Spotted Running Android 2.2 with Sense

One of my sources got to see an HTC Evo 4G running Android 2.2 (FroYo) with Sense. This particular Evo was a pre-production model being used by a Clearwire (you know, those WiMax people) employee. My source said that the phone was running wicked fast and responsive (yes, I’m imposing the New England slang to protect my informant).

Now that FroYo with Sense is in the wild, hopefully it won’t be too long before Android 2.2 is available for everyone. My Evo 4G has been neglected in favor of the Motorola Droid X. I’m pretty sure it’s just a temporary dalliance, but getting FroYo would help me dive back into the arms of my Evo 4G.

Update: A friend pointed out that Evo 4G users that have rooted their phones and loaded stock Android 2.2 are unable to get 4G (WiMax) to work. With that in mind, a Clearwire employee field testing 2.2 on the phone makes sense.

Coffee Talk #188: Has Technology Ever Gotten You Out of a Jam?

Last night I was at Ralph’s buying some groceries and the Motorola Droid X helped me save $5. You see, I love taking advantage of promotions. Ralph’s currently has this deal that lets you save $5 for buying 10 participating items. I diligently found sale items that were eligible for the promotion. Getting an additional $5 off items that are already on sale is awesome. As I was walking out the grocery, I noticed that two of the items didn’t register for the promotion and I didn’t get my $5 savings.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, if the media is out to get Dez Bryant, spicy BBQ sauce recommendations, or the desktop vs. laptop argument, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Last night I was at Ralph’s buying some groceries and the Motorola Droid X helped me save $5. You see, I love taking advantage of promotions. Ralph’s currently has this deal that lets you save $5 for buying 10 participating items. I diligently found sale items that were eligible for the promotion. Getting an additional $5 off items that are already on sale is awesome. As I was walking out the grocery, I noticed that two of the items didn’t register for the promotion and I didn’t get my $5 savings.

Naturally I turned around and went to the service desk. Next I was directed to a manager. As she was checking out customers, I explained my situation and showed her my receipt. She insisted that the two tubes of toothpaste I selected were not part of the promotion and that I needed to buy two more items. Annoyed, I went back to the toothpaste aisle, snapped a picture of the toothpaste that showed it was part of the promotion and returned to the manager. For some reason, this wasn’t enough proof for her and she went to check it out for herself (as if I could doctor photos on a phone in two minutes). After seeing she was wrong (and stupid), she gave my my $5.

So yay for the Droid X for saving me $5!!! Too bad it couldn’t get back the 15 minutes I wasted on the situation. I missed a train home and my ice cream got a little melty. Ha! Today I’d like to know if you have any stories of technology getting you out of a jam. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. I’m just curious to see if gadgets or tech have helped you catch a break or get out of a silly situation.

T-Mobile USA Teases its First HSPA+ Phone

T-Mobile USA has launched a teaser site for its first HSPA+ mobile phone. While the company has been very aggressive at deploying its “3.5G” HSPA+ network, it only has USB data modems that take advantage of the speeds, which have a theoretical max of 21Mbps down. Some T-Mobile phones get higher speeds with HSPA+, but a specific chipset is needed to reach the 14.4Mbps promised on the teaser site.

As I mentioned earlier in the month, rumors pointed to an HSPA+ phone launching in September. The word on the street is that the September device will be comparable the current crop of high-end Google Android phones. Where it gets really juicy is in November, when the rumored “Project Emerald” is set to hit T-Mobile. The buzz on this phone, allegedly running Android 3.0, is that it will be the first handset in North America to feature a dual-core Snapdragon processor.

I’m extremely interested in T-Mobile’s HSPA+ phones. While I’m a big fan of the Evo 4G, its WiMax performance isn’t the best in buildings due to its frequency. HSPA+ should offer comparable speeds with better building penetration. The thought of a phone with a dual-core processor is also cool…in a that ultra-nerd way.

Jailbreaking iPhones is Now Legal! (Uh…Was it Ever Illegal?)

Great news to all you rogues, villains, and malefactors that enjoying jailbreaking iPhones and using apps that aren’t approved by Apple — you’re all legit now! According to the Associated Press:

Owners of the iPhone will be able to legally break electronic locks on their devices in order to download software applications that haven’t been approved by Apple Inc., according to new government rules announced Monday.

Perhaps I’m missing something here, but was it ever illegal to jailbreak your iPhone and use unapproved apps? Are there prisons full of people that used QuickPWN and Redsn0w just so that they could get Google Voice on their iPhone 3GS handsets? The wording seems funny to me. In related news, the government rules also cover the following:

  • Allow owners of used cell phones to break access controls on their phones in order to switch wireless carriers.
  • Allow people to break technical protections on video games to investigate or correct security flaws.
  • Allow college professors, film students and documentary filmmakers to break copy-protection measures on DVDs so they can embed clips for educational purposes, criticism, commentary and noncommercial videos.
  • Allow computer owners to bypass the need for external security devices called dongles if the dongle no longer works and cannot be replaced.

Seriously, are any of you iPhone felons? Am I going to serve time for aiding and abetting?

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White iPhone 4 Delayed…Again…Until “Later This Year”

Originally delayed until the end of July, the white iPhone 4 has been delayed again — this time until the ultra-specific date of “later this year”. In a statement that’s pretty much the same as the last one, Apple addressed the white iPhone delay:

White models of Apple’s new iPhone 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.

Like an idiot, I want the white one even more now. It’s rare…and precious…my precioussssss!!! I’m sure the delay is a manufacturing deal, but that hasn’t stopped some people from speculating that the white iPhone 4 will arrive later this year — on another carrier. You think there’s any chance of that happening? When do you think the white iPhone 4 will finally arrive?

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