HTC Droid Eris for Verizon Receiving OTA Update Out of the Blue
Well this is certainly unexpected. The HTC Droid Eris for Verizon (remember the one that isn’t getting Android 2.2 Froyo and that seemed relegated to its current firmware) is receiving an OTA software update. We shouldn’t have to tell you it isn’t Froyo, but it does boost the software version to 2.41.605.6 and the radio to 2.42.01.04.27. The list of enhancements and tweaks includes:
- Improved Bluetooth connection to Mercedes-Benz E350 automobiles (random much?)
- New Twitter authentication
- Visually improved Received Signal Strength Indicator
- Pre-loaded Visual Voice Mail
- Sync-able Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 calendars
- MMS can now be sent with or without text, and devices on other carriers will now receive multimedia messages
As you can see from the above list, not a whole lot going for this update to get you too excited, but improvements it brings nonetheless. Anyone receive it yet?
[Thanks, Paul!]
Droid Eris gets a little bit of Gingerbread ROM loving
If you have held on strong to your HTC Droid Eris, and not lost hope even with the lack of official updates you will rejoice to know that custom ROM developer punk.kaos has brought a sweet taste of Gingerbread to your device. KaosGingerbread, a Android 2.3 AOSP based ROM has undergone quite a few different versions, and many improvements have been made along the way, each one just continuing to get better and better. While the ROM is still not perfect, anyone who has wanted a taste of Gingerbread on their device, this is a great option for you, and remember as always, flash at your own risk. For more information, and download links be sure to check out this thread on XDA. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Droid Eris gets a little bit of Gingerbread ROM loving posted originally by Android Central
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Photoshop fail: Droid Eris runs Windows Mobile
What is this we have here? Well, thanks to our friends over at Best Buy it, appears we have a Droid Eris running Windows Mobile! Not only is it running Windows Mobile, but it also appears to be sporting some sort of HSPA GSM 3G network based on that nice little "H" up there. Unless we’re missing something (and that’s doubtful), I don’t think Verizon has made any decisions to ditch its CDMA network any time soon. Photoshop fails sure aren’t anything new, but they surely don’t get old, either! Thanks Is377. [Best Buy via the Android Central Forums].
Photoshop fail: Droid Eris runs Windows Mobile posted originally by Android Central
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Gingerbread SDK ROMs everywhere
Gingerbread ROMs are being ported from the 2.3 SDK device emulator left and right. As of this writing, we have the Eris, the Hero, the Wildfire (pictured, and video after the break), and the Evo 4G all booting up Gingerbread, and I’m sure we probably will see more, the OG Droid and Droid Incredible can’t be far behind.
It’s awesome, just because it’s awesome. Booting up Gingerbread and looking through the UI on a device it a load of fun. Don’t expect too much going in, and be sure to have a good backup to return to, then give it a whirl. There’s a video after the break to give you an idea of what to expect for the most part. [Eris; Hero; Wildfire; Evo] Thanks everyone who sent these in!
Gingerbread SDK ROMs everywhere posted originally by Android Central
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Verizon’s tiered data plan details leaked
We all knew it was coming, and now we have a bit of the details — and they aren’t as bad as anyone thought. As you can see above, Verizon will still be offering unlimited data to 3G smartphone customers, and they have added in a very light version that should appeal to the people who aren’t using a ton of data each month — you know, the normal people. What’s not quite as appealing is the 3G Tablet plan breakdown, but with no word from other carriers that could be as good or better than anything the other carriers are offering. The short version for what we’re told will start Oct. 28:
3G smartphone plans
- $15 per month for 150 MB
- $15 for each 150 MB of overage
- $29.99 unlimited data
3G Tablet plans
- $20 for 1 GB (with $20 per GB overage)
- $35 for 3 GB (with $10 per GB overage)
- $50 for 5 GB (with $10 per GB overage)
- $80 for 10 GB (with $10 per GB overage)
What say you? Better or worse than expected? Sound off in our Verizon forum! Thanks, anonymous tipster!
Posted originally at Android Central
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Droid Eris not getting Froyo
Official word has come from Verizon that the Droid Eris will not be receiving an update to Android 2.2 ("Froyo"). Considering the device already hit end-of-life, this shouldn’t really surprise anyone. Luckily for you, the determined Eris user, there are ways to get Froyo onto your phone. Who needs official software these days, anyways? [ComputerWorld via IntoMobile]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Verizon begins push for business users with ‘Good for Enterprise – Android’
Google has been including features for business users for some time now, from Exchange support in Eclair to Google Calendar sync with Exchange, but Verizon is looking to take it even farther. Enter Good, which is a old-school company that offers "mobile security and control" for enterprise customers. The pair have teamed up to bring "Good for Enterprise – Android" to pretty much every Android phone on Verizon (the only phone not mentioned seems to be the Motorola Devour). The suite has two main components:
- Good Mobile Control: Security and device management features like remote wipe and data encryption
- Good Mobile Messaging: e-mail, calendar, and contacts syncing
This is a further sign that businesses are increasingly looking to move away from platforms like BlackBerry as Android becomes more present in the marketplace. We saw the same thing happen a couple years ago when the iPhone became a success, and now it is Android’s turn at bat. Interested business users should check out Verizon’s business page; everyone else can read the full press release after the break.
Posted originally at Android Central
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Unrevoked 3.2 available, now works with Froyo [update: It's been pulled]
The unrevoked team has announced that version 3.2 is now available for download, and support for Froyo has been added. This brings the list of devices supported by the flashing tool to:
- Sprint EVO 4G (HTC Supersonic)
- Droid Incredible (HTC Incredible)
- HTC Desire GSM
- HTC Desire CDMA (HTC BravoC)
- HTC Aria
- Droid Eris (HTC DesireC)
- HTC Wildfire (HTC Buzz)
In addition, users of the Sprint Evo 4G, Droid Incredible, and the CDMA Desire (US Cellular version) can now unlock their NAND and root using the tool. People using other modern HTC devices not listed above are encouraged to contact the unrevoked team. Be sure to read the directions carefully, and happy hacking! [unrevoked] Thanks Mike for the tip!
Update: The unlock tool has been temporarily pulled. Says the Unrevoked team: "We’re seeing some strange problems with Unrevoked 3.2, so we’ve pulled the release for a bit. Please hold on! Don’t worry if you’ve already run 3.2 – you are rooted and everything is OK. It’s just a problem for users while running it."
Posted originally at Android Central
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Android takes the lead from BlackBerry in Q2, analyst firm reports
According to NPD, one of the largest consumer market research companies, Android phones smartphones (or superphones, as Google likes to call it), has out sold the BlackBerry in Q2′s sales. Almost every one in three smartphones that are sold today, has Android installed on the device.
The top 5 Android phones sold in the second quarter were:
- Motorola Droid
- HTC Droid Incredible
- HTC EVO 4G
- HTC Hero
- HTC Droid Eris
It looks like Verizon‘s and Sprint‘s marketing efforts have really paid off. (Not to mention HTC, eh?) It’s no surprise the Motorola Droid is at the top of that list. Especially with all those Droid commercials Verizon kept on pumping out every few weeks. We’re just pretty surprised the HTC Droid Incredible made number 2 on that list. With all those supply shortages with the AMOLED screens and all.
Let’s see if RIM’s new marketing campaign and the launch of BlackBerry 6 will help them with sales in Q3. They need something other than BBM to help them now. Boast about your Android phone and all of its first-placeness in the comments section. [Business Wire]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Apple gives up trying to make other phones look bad, pulls testing page
Maybe Apple finally figured out how to hold a phone, or maybe it just realized it was bad PR move to begin with — either way, all of those "tests" at apple.com/antenna showing other phones losing signal strength when held have disappeared. The videos showing the Droid X and Droid Eris supposedly crapping out remain on YouTube, however (though you do have do dig for them a bit on Apple’s YouTube page), so we can still go to them for a laugh.
Guess that means we can all quit watching our bars with a worried look on our faces, eh? [via TiPB and Slashgear]
Posted originally at Android Central
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