ie8 fix

2.21

Sprint's Hero getting Android 2.1 in early May

If a pair of recently leaked photos are correct, Sprint's HTC Hero may only be a few short weeks away from getting the Android 2.1 update. The images show screens from an internal Sprint system that indicate that "the much-anticipated Android 2.1 software is coming in early May."

Indeed, it's been a long wait for many Hero users. We can trace the start of the rumors as far back as December when Sprint said they'd have an upgrade in the first half 2010.

Sprint remained largely mum on the rumors until earlier this … Read more

Motorola outlines Android 2.1 plans for product line

Motorola has shed some much-needed light on the timing for Android 2.1 updates to its product line. The Droid recently got its 2.1 update, but T-Mobile's Cliq has picked up only a minor maintenance release in recent weeks. As such, owners of MotoBlur-equipped devices are wondering when they'll get their turn. The simple answer is they will--at some point.

Looking through the chart, I find it interesting that AT&T's Moto Backflip isn't slated for 2.1 until the third quarter of this year, yet T-Mobile's Cliq XT, which was released a … Read more

T-Mobile MyTouch Slide details and pictures emerging

As we mentioned last weekend, the T-Mobile MyTouch Slide appears to be on the fast-track for a mid-May release. A handful of leaked photos have appeared recently online, indicating production-ready phones are being used and tested.

The latest batch of pictures coming out of TmoNews shows a handset running Android 2.1 with the Espresso build of the HTC Sense user interface. This would be T-Mobile's first Android handset with 2.1 at launch.

While it may not be on the same level of sexiness as other HTC offerings like the Legend and Desire, the MyTouch Slide should have … Read more

Motorola Twist with Android 2.1 due in June

A new Motorola handset made its Internet debut late last week, thanks to a leaked photo. The image, first appearing online at DroidDog on Friday, has since been pulled down, but it's impossible to unring the bell once it hits Android blogs.

As you can see from the picture, the device has a small, square design and it appears to run a version of MotoBlur with some new widgets. Thanks to Android-france, we already have some preliminary specifications.

According to documents obtained by the French blog, the phone goes by the codename Motorola Twist and is slated to arrive … Read more

Android 2.1 officially rolling out to Droid owners

After a very limited release, all Motorola Droid users are finally getting their Android 2.1 updates. Moto said the official rollout to Verizon customers began on Friday and will continue over the next few weeks in batches. Droid owners will receive a notification on their phones when Android 2.1 is ready for download.

You can find the official release notes here (PDF). Let us know how it goes for you.

Droid owners to get Android 2.1?

After what must seem like an eternity to Motorola Droid owners, Android 2.1 could start rolling out to handsets this afternoon. That is, of course, provided you believe the Engadget report from today.

The site got its hands on an internal Verizon e-mail that was sent out early this morning, and, from what we can tell, all signs point to it being legitimate. We've asked Verizon for confirmation and will let you know when we have a reply.

According to Engadget, 1,000 people will receive notification today that an update is available for their phones. Another 9,… Read more

3D TV vs. 3D sound

Those awful glasses may doom 3D TV.

What with all the advances in technology they still haven't eliminated the glasses people have been using to watch 3D movies since the 1920s. "Avatar" and "Alice in Wonderland" may use vastly more refined 3D techniques, but the glasses remain. Some people get headaches, dizzy, or even nauseated watching 3D. There are exceptions, but most 3D films haven't matured past the gimmick stage.

No matter how you look at it, 3D TV is an expensive proposition. You'll need to buy a new Blu-ray player, new TV, and possibly a new receiver. Oh, and don't forget to factor in the cost for extra 3D glasses for family and friends.

Worse yet, after you've made the substantial investment in new hardware there's not a lot of 3D content to buy or see. Put those bucks in better-sounding speakers, and you'll have a vast assortment of choices to dazzle your ears right away. Surround sound may be imperfect, but you can hear it with just your own two ears; no special "ear goggles" are required.

So instead of investing in 3D TV, take those dollars and buy better speakers or a new receiver. That's an improvement you hear with every movie you watch and music you listen to. It's simply a smarter way to spend your money.

What is 3D sound? True 3D sound would involve height, width, and depth speakers. Stereo sound produces width, and surround speakers produce depth. What about height? My experiences with the only available height systems--Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX--didn't do much for me, but I'm not giving up on the height dimension entirely. Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX were designed to work with any surround movie. Maybe we'll have to wait for movies mixed to provide genuine height information to get three-dimensional sound.… Read more

Galaxy Spica being updated to Android 2.1

Samsung has started rolling out the upgrade to Android 2.1 for the i5700 Galaxy Spica handset. Starting in Germany, this will be a phased release across various regions. As you may already know, Rogers Wireless recently started offering the handset for Canadian customers

This won't be your traditional OTA update. Rather, Samsung is making it available through its PC Studio 7 software that can be downloaded at the Samsung's mobile Web site. Once loaded, the Spica will have nine side-scrolling home screens for users to place Samsung widgets, visual bookmarks, and shortcuts. Furthermore, the handset will also … Read more

Verizon posts Android 2.1 details for Motorola Droid

This post was last updated on March 18 at 3:44 p.m. PT with a statement from Verizon Wireless.

Hang tight, Motorola Droid owners; it looks like you're one step closer to getting that Android 2.1 update.

On Wednesday, Verizon Wireless posted details (PDF) about the software upgrade and its lists of enhancements and improvements, which include:

Pinch-to-zoom support in the browser, gallery, and Google Maps.

New weather and news apps and widgets.

Support for voice-to-text entry.

Live wallpapers (a la Nexus One)

Support for free Yahoo mail accounts, and e-mail accounts will no longer need to … Read more

Affordable price, big sound: Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra PC speakers

Altec Lansing's Expressionist Ultra MX6021 currently sits at the top of the company's line of stylish "expressionist" PC speaker systems, which also includes the Expressionist Classic, Expressionist Bass, and Expressionist Plus. Of the four models, the Ultra is the only one of the bunch that Altec truly designates as a "gaming" PC speaker on its Web site. The Ultra earns that designation for being a brawny 2.1 system that features a 6.5-inch, front-firing subwoofer and 200 watts of sound.

In keeping with the Expressionist design, the Ultra has a modern look: the … Read more