Apple sues Motorola over multitouch on its Android smartphones
Another day, another patent lawsuit. And this time around it’s Apple suing Motorola over multitouch on nearly all its Android phones — basically everything up to and including the Droid X. In addition to the multitouch infringement claims, there’s also:
- Object-Oriented System Locator System
- Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Determining Commands by Applying Neuristics
- Method and Apparatus for Displaying and Accessing Control and Status Information in a Computer System.
- Support for Custom User-Interaction Elements in a Graphical, Event-Driven Computer System.
Needless to say, this will take a while. And, no, if Moto loses it doesn’t mean your phone will be taken away — it just means Moto will have to either change how it’s doing things — and/or pay a bucketload of money to Apple. Get the full breakdown on the suit at the source link. [Patently Apple via 9 to 5 Mac]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Motorola updates its update chart
Motorola has updated its update chart, which updates us as to the status of the latest updates for its Android smartphones. Nothing earth-shaking for those of us in the U.S., though they acknowledge that testing Android 2.1 on the Motorola Cliq is under way. And you Backflip owners — and we know who the six of you are — can still look forward to an Eclair update in the fourth quarter. [Motorola]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Devour won’t be getting Android 2.1; Motorola updates other time lines
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as the Motorola Devour already is listed as end-of-life, but now it officially won’t be getting an upgrade to Android 2.1. In happier news, the Backflip is slated for an update in the third quarter, and the Cliq and Cliq XT should see their updates in late Q3/early Q4.
There are a slew of other changes to Motorola’s roll-out chart, including the Milestone getting Froyo in the fourth quarter, so check it all out at the source link.
And to offer whatever consolation we can to you poor Devour owners, a present, after the break. [Motorola]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Motorola Devour rooted
Not to be outdone by it’s larger cousins, the Motorola Devour has been rooted. Using some bits and pieces from the Droid X root method, some files scoured from the web, and some good old fashioned determination, Android Central forums user bitswitch has a fairly simple method to get your Devour into the hacking game.
To be sure, this voids warranties, takes a bit of technical know-how, and probably makes puppies cry in some Verizon executive’s backyard, but if you’re rocking the Devour, give it a look. [Android Central forums] Thanks bitswitch!
Posted originally at Android Central
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Motorola Devour, original Droid reportedly nearing end-of-life
Perhaps you remember this picture of the Motorola Devour. (Take your time. You’ll find it.) This was just six months ago, when the mid-range Android phone was released on Verizon and even garnered its own Super Bowl ad. Today, it appears that the Devour and the original Droid — which isn’t even a year old — are headed for the big smartphone meetup in the sky, with Verizon listing them as being "End of life."
Now, that doesn’t mean your Droid sucks, or that it won’t be supported. In fact, in the document leaked on DroidForums, it clearly lists the two phones under "Current devices with limited or no remaining shipments from the vendor." In the case of the Droid, that’s hardly surprising, as we’re expecting its sequel anytime now.
And while the Devour hardly was a head-turner (read our full review if you want to know how we really feel about it), it’s a stark reminder of how short a lifespan phones can have. Hell, think about how many phones we’ve seen announced and/or released in the last month. Anyhoo, if you still want a Droid or Devour, better get ‘em while you still can. Or, you know, you can wait a tad and get something newer and better. [DroidForums via DroidLife]
(Oh, and just because we can, check out the Devour ad after the break.)
Posted originally at Android Central
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Motorola adds a bunch of phones to its Android 2.1 update list
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
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Motorola Devour slated for maintenance update next week
Word on the street is that Verizon’s Motorola Devour is in line for a maintenance upgrade on Monday. No, it’s not Android 2.1 or anything as sexy as that (the 2.1 update is still "under evaluation"). But here’s what you are getting:
- Improved response time when menu, home and back keys are pressed.
- Adjustments to improve the accuracy of signal strength indicators on the display.
- Stability improvements made to browser, contacts and VCAST Music apps.
- Improved incoming call performance.
- Volume keys now work when you’re in the mobile IM app.
- Fix for picture orientation on upload.
- Fix to make it easier to delete POP3 e-mail accounts.
- Changed display on the e-mail account setup.
- Change to Exchange calendar agenda view to show meeting titles
- Verizon.net e-mail accounts now auto-configure.
- Improvements to ringer, voice dialing and multimedia audio when using a headset.
- Update Google apps.
So, look for the update — version CALAND_X_01.15.08P, if you’re keeping track — next week. And be sure to let us know if it makes your life any easier. Thanks, anon!
Where Motorola stands on Android 2.1 updates
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.)
NFL now officially available on Verizon Android smartphones
There you go, folks. If you were holding out for Verizon to officially launch its NFL service, it’s now available. All you have to do is text NFL to 8915 or go to VerizonWireless.com/nfl, and you can snag the official app.
Review: Motorola Devour on Verizon
The Motorola Devour (video hands-on) came at a tough point in the smartphone world. It’s the first Android device from Moto and Verizon to come after the wildly popular Droid. And while we pretty much knew from the get-go that we weren’t looking at a Droid 2 — the smaller screen was an early giveaway — that didn’t really seem to lower expectations. In some ways, Moto met them. In others, not so much.
So join us after the break as we take a look at the Motorola Devour and find its place in the Android lineup.