LG Ally about to get Froyo update
Waiting for the LG Ally to get Froyo? Looks like your wait’s about up, as Verizon’s prepping the Android 2.2 update in short order. The update (VS740ZVD) will bring you the various improvements we’ve covered in our Froyo Features series, so check them out for the whole nitty gritty. And try not to look your friends with Fascinates in the eye. They’re a little twitchy right now.
LG Ally about to get Froyo update posted originally by Android Central
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Android once again dominates smartphone ratings by Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports magazine last updated its smartphone ratings in August — and a lot has changed since then. But one thing that definitely hasn’t changed is that Android dominates the ratings. It’s almost embarrassing, actually. Here’s how it breaks down for the four major U.S. carrier, with positions in parenthesis:
- Verizon: Motorola Droid X (1), Motorola Droid 2 (2), HTC Droid Incredible (3), LG Ally (4)
- T-Mobile: Samsung Vibrant (1), HTC myTouch 3G Slide (2)
- Sprint: HTC Evo 4G (1), Samsung Intercept (2), HTC Hero (3)
- AT&T: Samsung Captivate (1), HTC Aria (3)
Astounding, actually. Android has the top two rated phones for three out of the four carriers. The only one it didn’t have No. 2 on was AT&T — and that went to the iPhone 3G, not even the iPhone 4G. In fact, there’s a sidebar in which CR writes that it still doesn’t recommend the iPhone 4 because of that whole reception thing (though it is actually rated higher than the Captivate, even if it isn’t recommended). Be sure the entire breakdown. [Consumer Reports]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Verizon adds Mobile Recovery to Total Equipment Coverage Program
With how much personal data is stored on our Android devices now a days it is only natural to have a fear of misplacing or losing the device and all that information leaking into someone else’s hands, and who know’s where else. Verizon has partnered with device insurance company Asurion to bring users the most protection possible on its smartphones, including its entire Android line. Mobile Recovery allows users to rest their fears of their information being tampered with as they can lock their device remotely as well as wipe it and they can use GPS locating to find out exactly where the device is at any given time. This feature will be included for users who are currently enrolled in Total Equipment Coverage through Asurion and Verizon, unfortunately if you do not meet this you are unable to take advantage of this added protection for your data. For more information, and a complete list of compatible devices head over to MyMobileRecovery.
Posted originally at Android Central
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Slew of Verizon phones may see end of life in March 2011
A handful of Verizon Android smartphones appear to have their end-of-life dates hung over their heads. Phones that already have shuffled off this mortal coil are the HTC Droid Eris (June 16) and original Droid (August 6).
And a handful of phones — the Droid Incredible, LG Ally, Droid 2 and Droid X — apparently are slated for EOL on March 31, 2011. (Edit: Yes, 2011, not 2010.) That’s give the Droid Deuce a mere seven-month lifespan, which isn’t out of the question, given that the original Droid isn’t even a year old yet.
Then there’s the Motorola Devour, whose EOL date is listed as March 1, 2011. Only, we’ve already seen it listed as being under EOL, and we’d be very surprised if that March date is correct. So what does that mean? Who knows. And who knows how firm these March 2011 dates are. And either way, it’s not like your phone will stop working come next spring. [Phonedog]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Droid 2 makes an appearance in a leaked Verizon summer catalog
Verizon’s summer 2010 catalog has been leaked out, and yes, that’s a picture of the upcoming Motorola Droid 2 you see above. Also included are the Droid X, the HTC Droid Incredible, and the LG Ally — phones we’re already familiar with. What’s glaringly absent is the Samsung Fascinate, but don’t read too much into that just yet. Listed specs for the Droid 2 are pretty much what was already speculated — 512MB RAM/8 GB ROM, 1 GHz processor, EVDO rev A, 5 megapixel camera, and an 8GB microSD card included. Listed as ‘coming soon’ there’s no clue about release dates unfortunately. Hit the jump for another pic of interest to us Android fans, and you can find the full catalog at the source link. [BGR]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Hands-on with the LG Ally [#io2010]
That’s right, we’re not nearly done with the Google IO cover. Here we have the LG Ally, a mid-level Android phone that’s going for $99 after rebate with Verizon. In and of itself, it’s not a bad little phone. But when you consider that you can get another horizontal slider on Verizon — what’s it called? Oh, yeah, the Motorola Droid — for next to nothing these days, it’s kind of a tough sell.
The keyboard itself wasn’t bad, but the overall experience (and we take this with a slight grain of salt given that who knows how many people used this thing before us) was a bit sluggish and, again, just not as quick as the Droid.
This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store
LG Ally lands on Verizon May 20th for $99 after contract
Verizon has gone ahead and made the LG Ally official. You can go on and pick up it in stores and online on May 20th, but pre-orders on line start tomorrow, May 13th (both as rumored). The price is a reasonable $99 after 2 year contract and a $100 rebate.
Big V is touting the "tempered glass touch screen," which clocks in with WVGA at 3.2" diagonally, it’s attached to a body with a slide-out keyboard and the standard Android fixins: Android 2.1, microSD slot, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3.2mp camera, 512MB ROM / 256MB RAM and S-GPS.
Annoying friends who tell you what to do with your Ally are not included. Full press release after the break [via phonescoop].
Verizon LG Ally poised for preorder on May 13, full availability on May 20
The good news: LG is finally getting into the Android game, and on Verizon, no less (just like we first told you). The ho-hum news: It’s doing so with the Ally. And as this leaked slide deck shows, the Ally will be available for preorder on Thursday, and fully on sale starting May 20. Pricing still has yet to be announced (or leaked, for that matter).
OK, OK. We shouldn’t be down on a phone that nobody’s actually touched yet. And it does have a decent Qualcomm MSM7627 processor running at 600MHz, 512MB of ROM and 256MB of RAM. And all that’s pushing a 3.2-inch WVGA touchscreen. So we’re talking part for the course these days on a slightly smaller than awesome screen. Sure, Android 2.1 is nice, and a 3.2-megapixel camera is passable. But we’ll have to see about LG’s custom interface atop Eclair, and we can’t help but wonder how long until it might (if ever) get a Froyo update. So until we get our hands on this guy, we’re going to continue to shrug. [via BGR]
LG’s Ally-Iron Man 2 microsite is now live
LG finally has launched its Ally-Iron Man 2 microsite, and we get better look at the upcoming Android phone that may or may not make its way onto Verizon in the coming weeks. We’re dealing with a 3.2-inch touchscreen, Android 2.1 and a four-row horizontal sliding keyboard. The microSD card slot appears to be accessible from the outside of the phone (as in not hidden under a battery cover or anything), and there’s a dedicated camera button.
Onboard apps include Life360, which lets you track your family and send emergency alerts; Wikitude (an augmented-reality Wikipedia portal); Speed View (a GPS app); Hoccer (literally throw your data from your phone); Foursquare (maybe you’ve heard of it); Yelp; Wertago (social network of party-goers — like Tony Stark); ShopSavvy; and Shazam.
We’re still waiting to hear exactly when — and if — the Ally will be available on a carrier, though there’s that May 20 date that was announced today. Stay tuned, and there are a couple more pictures after the break.
LG Ally said to be available May 20, though no carrier officially announced
A cryptic but overly long press release this morning confirmed that the LG Ally is, in fact, a horizontal slider with Android, and is promotionally tied to the "Iron Man 2" movie, two things we knew last week. It did, however, mention that the Ally "will be available May 20." Whether that’s with a carrier remains to be seen — we’ve heard Verizon — and what the exact specs are remain up in the air. Here’s the exact verbage:
LG Ally is the first Android device to boast an Augmented Reality application — currently exclusive to LG. Consumers who purchase LG Ally can download the Augmented Reality app, featuring exclusive Iron Man 2 content, at www.lgim2.com or by texting 95173 from their mobile phone. Present throughout Iron Man 2, LG Ally allows users to explore and experience Augmented Reality through built-in applications and software. A touch screen handset featuring a full slide out QWERTY keyboard, the Ally is the ultimate complement for technology enthusiasts who, like Tony Stark, expect nothing but the best. LG Ally will be available May 20.
It doesn’t say much that the microsite (which we also first told you about last week) LG launched still says to check back April 30. Not an overly good start for LG’s first Android phone. Here’s to hoping things look up by launch time. Full release after the break.