When it comes to installing Android applications, there are two ways of going about it. The most popular, of course, is directly through the Android Market. And that’s how most of us do it. But from time to time we need to be able to sideload apps. Ma…
AT&T has released a software update for the Motorola Backflip to improve performance and fix bugs, but it’s not an update to Eclair just yet. Instead, you’re getting:Improved Text Messaging: General improvements to text messaging – especially for …
Good news for Cliq, Cliq XT and Backflip users — Motorola has set up mailing lists for you to stay abreast of the news about your Eclair (Android 2.1) update. Again, Moto is using the phrase ‘when the 2.1 arrives’ and not if. You’ll need t…
Motorola just added a slew of new non-U.S. phones to its Android 2.1 update list (see the previous update), including a bunch of Backflips and Quenches. Doesn’t really give us a better idea of when the new software will actually be available, but it’s good to see Moto at least trying to be transparent about it. That said, it’d be great if we’d see some Android 2.2 update schedules popping up, m’kay? [Motorola] Thanks, Jake!
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
The Samsung i897 — better known to you as the Samsung Galaxy S — looks like it’s well on its way to AT&T, thanks to a recent leak. Some of the hardware specs confirmed by the source is that the phone will sport a 5-megapixel camera, a 4-inch AMOLED screen and a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The speed of the processor isn’t yet confirmed, but, with the similarities between this phone and the Samsung Galaxy S, it can be assumed that this phone will also receive a 1GHz processor for the ARM Coretex A8 variety. The phone will ship with Android 2.1. After our hands on with the Galaxy S at CTIA, we can’t wait to give the i897 a test drive. [via Android Guys]
This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store
In a move that probably should have happened a while ago, AT&T just released their myWireless Mobile for Android devices (which is currently only the Motorola Backflip). The AT&T myWireless Mobile app allows users to keep track of their AT&T account by being able to view & pay the bill, view usage for minutes, data, and messaging, and even allows users to add or remove features. It’s pretty much the AT&T website re-packaged in a nice tidy mobile app. You’ll have to sign up for a myWireless account to take advantage of the app but we’d suggest you AT&T Android users do that, there’s nothing better than seeing how many Megabytes of data usage you can squeeze from them. [at&t via phonescoop]
Are you one of the (at least several) Motorola Backflip owners jealous with all of the rooting and ROM’ing posts that fill our forums for many other devices, and not yours? Well, for those that have been patient, and stuck with the Backflip, even after it was stamped as crippled (when it’s really not), your patience has paid off. After tons of hard work, the Motorola Backflip has finally been rooted, but now what will come next? Will we begin to see custom ROMs for this device, or some additional features uncovered? A full explanation of the process required to achieve root abilities on your device and all the files needed can be found here. If you are brave enough to give it a shot, please share your experiences with the rest of our community here in our forums! [Myjanky via AndroidCentral Forums]
If you’re in Canada and have a hankering for some twisted, flippy Android keyboard action, know that the Motorola Backflip is now available on Telus. It runs a very respectable $399 off-contract and goes as low as $249 with the Canadian-standard three-year deal. [Telus] Thanks, Jon!
Loyal reader Tom Cochrane reminded us on Twitter that Motorola has a status board for its Android 2.1 roll-out. And above is where we stand as of today. If you’re rocking the Milestone, updates are either in progress or should be coming in the few months or so. Same goes in the U.S. for the Backflip, Cliq and Cliq XT. Hang in there, folks. [Motorola] (And thanks, Tom.)
Hey, you. Over there banging away on your laptop in outrage. Need to let you in on a little secret. The Dell Aero isn’t crippled. Neither is the Motorola Backflip. And you need to stop saying they are.
No, we don’t agree with AT&T’s decision to not allow unsigned apps on the Backflip and, according to Phone News, the Dell Aero, which isn’t even out yet. We’d much prefer the carriers follow in Android’s spirit of openness. But you know what? It’s AT&T’s decision not to.
So before you start an online petition, before you even think — let alone type — the word class-action lawsuit, and before you hop on Twitter to rail against The Man, answer these questions: Were you being forced to buy either of these phones? Sure, they’re the only Android fare AT&T has to offer, and that sucks. But neither of these phones is crippled. (At least not the Backflip — we haven’t seen the Dell actually turned on yet.) They do e-mail. They have a Web browser. They purchase, download and install apps from the Android Market just fine — just like every other Android phone.
What they don’t do is run apps outside of the Market. That’s AT&T’s decision, and that’s just not that big a deal for the vast population of Android users. So think about this before you declare it DOA, especially before you even get a chance to use it.
/rant