Gingerbread

LG is offering up a double dose of good news today, both relating to the Optimus One line of handsets.

After shaking up the Android community earlier this week with whispers of not supporting Android 2.3 for its Optimus line, LG issued a statement to CNET yesterday that confirmed that a Gingerbread upgrade is in the works.

"LG will upgrade all Optimus One smartphones currently using the Froyo OS to the next version of the Android OS, Gingerbread," the statement said. "Details of the upgrade schedule will be announced locally in due course. We sincerely apologize … Read more

We try to answer the question, should you buy the Nexus S, take a detailed look at Gingerbread, and the best Android Tablet yet. All that and more on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly for Thursday, December 9th, 2010. Join Justin Eckhouse along side guest host, CNET Associate Editor, Antuan Goodwin.

News Stories

Nexus S first impressions http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20025101-251.html Six things not to love about the Nexus S http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20024930-251.html… Read more

Since its debut earlier this week, Gingerbread has become a hot topic among current Android owners. Everyone wants to know whether they can get Android 2.3 and, if so, when they can expect it.

So far, HTC is the only handset manufacturer to indicate the latest release is coming to a handful of their products. LG, however, put a scare into their users yesterday when it stated via Facebook, that its Optimus line of phones would not see Gingerbread.

Though the new Optimus handsets run Android 2.2 "Froyo," the Optimus line allegedly won't see the … Read more

As promising as the new Samsung Nexus S sounds, there are a few notable issues that might give some potential buyers pause for concern. Yes, the Nexus S could rank as a premier smartphone when it arrives given its new NFC chip, contour display, and Gingerbread, but the advantages over its Nexus One predecessor aren't many.

I think it's only fair to point out some of the items that aren't quite what I expected out of Google. I've spent considerable time playing with various iterations of the Galaxy S line of phones and have found them to be some of the best devices Android has to offer. If you ask me, any one of them would be worth your money, and I hoped that the Nexus S will be on par with its Samsung siblings. But after I compiled the below list, I'm not so sure.

Here six reasons why I'm disappointed with the unveiling of the Nexus S. While none of these are deal breakers for me personally, they might be for someone else. … Read more

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Google announces the Nexus S phone

Google opens the Google eBookstore

Amazon wants to compete with Netflix and launch a streaming-only monthly subscription service

Verizon is testing a service that lets you use your cell phone minutes on your home phone line

A new Lara Croft game called Tomb Raider is on its way

We can't blame you for getting excited about Google's official Gingerbread announcement--also known as Android 2.3--and all it contains. That said, we wouldn't hold our breath over seeing an Android 2.3 update immediately pop up.

Yes, purchasers of the Google Nexus S will be the first to use the Gingerbread OS update--it'll be available at Best Buy stores in the U.S. starting December 16 and from Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. on December 20. (The Samsung-made Nexus S will cost $529 or with a two-year contract with T-Mobile for $199.)

Everyone … Read more

We've been talking about Android 2.3--code-name Gingerbread--for so long, this morning's Google's co-announcement with Samsung of the Gingerbread-powered Nexus S was frankly anticlimactic.

Nevertheless, version 2.3 of the operating system that's taking the mobile world by storm is a significant next step in Android's evolution.

While there are plenty of user interface changes (we'll get to those), some of the more esoteric back-end changes are also the most impactful to the Gingerbread recipe, especially those that will boost mobile gaming and make two-way video chatting open to all.

On the gaming … Read more

After months of leaks and even a brief public appearance, Google and Samsung made it official and announced the Nexus S on Monday, the first smartphone to run Android 2.3.

The Nexus S will be sold from Best Buy, both online and in stores, and will be available for purchase on December 16. You can buy it unlocked for $529 or with a two-year contract with T-Mobile for $199. If you happen to live in the U.K., the phone will be available from Carphone Warehouse after December 20.

Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, brings such new enhancements as … Read more

As we draw closer to the release of Gingerbread and the rumored enhancements, Google is currently working to make adjustments to the Android Market.

Improvements started last week with the addition of a "Recent changes" feature for applications. Essentially a dedicated change log for apps and games, it provides users with the details that go into each release of an application. With 325 characters of space to work with, this is the spot where developers can mention bug fixes, support for additional languages, new options, and more.

In addition, Android developers logging in to the dashboard console this week are being greeted with a trio of new options for their applications.… Read more