Android Atlas

R2-D2 Droid 2 Dock

(Credit: Verizon)

Verizon's DroidLanding Twitter account started back up earlier this week, dropping vague clues and toying with the Star Wars faithful.

Once used to help promote the Droid X ahead of its launch, the DroidLanding account is now a source to leak R2-D2 Droid 2 details. As some of you may know, the special edition of the Droid 2 goes on sale September 30.

So far, two of the eight categories have been unlocked. Thanks to a couple of seriously devoted members of the Rebel Alliance, we can see the new widgets designed for the Droid 2, as well as a new gallery of the phone. If you were worried that the smartphone was just a standard issue Droid 2 with a new battery cover, you should check out the images.

With the subtle blue buttons and front patterns, the phone feels much more inspired by our beloved astromech than I initially thought. I would be lying if I didn't say that the design is starting to grow on me just a bit. It's also in this gallery that we get our first glimpse of the docking station created for the R2-D2 handset. Maybe it's the geek in me, but I think the white dock looks better than the traditional color.

Among the six categories left to unlock are wallpaper, exclusive video, and the boot-up sequence. Something tells me we're going to see a lot more customization on this Droid.

Are any of you considering the R2-D2 edition of the phone? Have these new images and details swayed you either way?

(Credit: Crave UK)

Editors' note: When we tested Angry Birds with the HTC Evo running Android version 2.2, the game continually crashed at the title screen. After asking around CNET's New York office, we found that every Evo owner experienced the same bug. Early reports online also confirm the issue.

Stand by Android owners, as you'll be able to get your fix of evil pig-killing suicidal flying birds starting today.

In a blog post, Angry Birds developer Rovio revealed that Angry Birds Lite Beta would be available for anybody to download today. The creators were originally planning to run a closed beta test, but there was a "massive response and demand from the Android community" to make it available.

Read more of "Angry Birds for Android available today" at Crave UK.

BERLIN--After more than an hour putting the Samsung Galaxy Tab through its paces, I have to say I'm impressed.

It's no iPad-slayer, but it's an elegant tablet with conveniently compact dimensions, good performance, and a bright, responsive multitouch screen.

Samsung debuted the Galaxy Tab Thursday at the IFA electronics show here with strong words showing it plans to compete directly with Apple's iPad. Just how well it'll succeed depends in large measure on how well developers embrace large-screen Android devices: the Tab's most awkward moments came with applications designed for a smaller screen, and there will have to be a lot more games before Android tablets can take on the iPad.

First, some Samsung Galaxy Tab details. Front and center is its 7-inch, 1,024x600 touch screen. For a tablet to be competitive, it's got to respond quickly to touch, and the Galaxy Tab does--most of the time. The screen is bright and text is easy to read. It's not as spacious the iPad's, but it's a big step up from mobile phones.

The brains of the operation are a 1.0GHz Cortex A8 ARM-based processor paired with a PowerVR SGX540 graphics processor. Game developers take note: The two made the Tab the fastest and most responsive of Android devices I've used. Applications loaded fast and responded to input moderately fast. Internal memory of 16GB or 32GB is supplemented by a microSD port that can accommodate flash cards with up to 32GB more.

Speaking of mobile phones, note that the Tab is available only through carriers that provide mobile phone service. There's no Wi-Fi-only option, though the Tab does support 802.11 a, b, g, and n. For cell networks, it can use 2.5G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and 3G (HSUPA at 5.76Mbps, and HSDPA 7.2Mbps). I found Wi-Fi and 3G both worked well at Samsung's booth.

This week we get Android math lesson from Google, Apple and Microsoft, check out four tablets vying to be the iPad killer and get giddy for Angry Birds on Android. Join Justin Eckhouse and guest host Jasmine France for this week's Android Atlas Weekly.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

News Stories
Google responds to Steve Jobs' comments on activation numbers
http://www.androidcentral.com/google-responds-steve-jobs-comments-activation-numbers

Microsoft claims that Google's Android is not free
http://www.businessinsider.com/android-costs

First official look at T-Mobile's G2
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015229-251.html
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015422-251.html

Samsung Epic 4G now available from Sprint
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015161-251.html

Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet goes official
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015395-1.html
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-hands-video

Samsung Galaxy Tab specs versus the Apple iPad
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-vs-apple-ipad

Toshiba Folio 100 goes official, lands in Q4
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/toshiba-folio-100-goes-official-lands-in-q4/

Archos reveals five new Android tablets for fall
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015224-1.html

ViewSonic outs Android ViewPad 7
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20014969-1.html

Angry Birds beta flying to Android Market this Friday
http://www.androidcentral.com/angry-birds-beta-flying-android-market-friday

App of the week
Check your pulse with Instant Heart Rate
http://androidandme.com/2010/08/applications/check-your-pulse-with-instant-heart-rate/

Notable App releases

Microsoft launches Bing search app for Android
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015066-251.html

Firefox Mobile comes to Android in 'Fennec'
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20014919-251.html

PapayaMobile launches Android App of the Day
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015091-251.html

Tip of the week
Its not so much a tip as something i just thought was cool. On the droid, 2.2 has added two new ways to navigate between screens in addition to swiping. The fist is by simply tapping the lower left or right corner of the screen. The second and i think cooler way is to 'long press' on the grid at the bottom of the screen, this will open up a row of icons representing each of your home screen (app icons and all), to navigate to a given home screen just tap it's icon. This is more useful when navigating between two screens that aren't adjacent.
mike

E-mail
(androidatlas@cnet.com)

"Hey guys,
I haven't heard you mention the App Inventor for a few episodes, and I thought that I'd let you know that I got the e-mail a week or so ago informing me that I could now access the App Inventor. I am a software developer, but I wanted to see this building block thing and play around with it a bit. It is a neat concept and depending on what you want to do, the blocks system seems to be fairly robust. I haven't had time to mess with it a lot, but if there's anything you want me to check or see if it grants access to certain capabilities, just let me know and I'll get you some screenshots / info. Thanks for the great show!
~ Robert Woodward
--------
"Great show Jason and the rest of the android atlas gang. But i was wondering if you could help me out. I want to be able to watch your video podcast like i did in my ipod touch. I loved how i could download the podcast straight to the device and when i was watching it and needed to pause it, it would save the place i was at the next time i accessed it. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Hector

As expected, Huawei unveiled an Android 2.2 smartphone Thursday at the IFA trade show in Berlin.

Dubbed the IDEOS (Industrial Design Evolution Operating System), we're looking at an entry-level device with a 2.8-inch (240x320) touch display and 528MHz processor. There's also a 3.2-megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an microSD slot.

Huawei IDEOS

(Credit: Huawei)

Though this certainly isn't the most powerful stuff on the market, Huawei could be forgiven, thanks to the handset's expected $150 to $200 price tag (that's unlocked and in U.S. dollars).

Making high-end Android phones that compete with the likes of the Droid X doesn't seem to be Huawei's game plan. The Chinese handset maker cares more about lowering the price point for smartphones, in turn making its own products more accessible to people.

Still, this isn't to say the IDEOS doesn't have some great features. Like many of today's Android phones, the IDEOS packs support for HSDPA, Wi-Fi (802.11n), GPS, and Bluetooth. One standout feature of the IDEOS is its ability to act as a 3G Mobile Hotspot with support for up to eight devices.

It should be noted that this is a "with Google" experience, meaning the phone comes with a stock Android installation. I would expect to see future updates rolled out quickly, much as I do with the forthcoming G2 from T-Mobile. Look for the IDEOS to roll out over the next few weeks in European, Asia-Pacific, North American, and Latin American markets.

(Credit: T-Mobile)

Earlier this week, we got our first official glimpse at the T-Mobile G2 and now we've got even more information about T-Mobile's first HSPA+ smartphone.

The carrier posted additional specs on its T-Mobile Scoop Web site that indicates the smartphone will ship running Android 2.2 with Adobe Flash Player 10.1, and it looks like you'll get the stock Android skin, even though the device is made by HTC. The handset will also offer a set of one-touch quick keys for easy access to Google shortcuts and apps.

However, contrary to early reports, the G2 will actually be powered by an 800MHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor instead of a 1GHz processor.

T-Mobile has yet to release details about pricing and availability date, though the latest rumor is that the G2 will go for $199.99 with a contract ($499.99 off contract).

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet makes its debut at IFA 2010.

(Credit: Samsung)

Samsung's plans to create the Galaxy Tab Android tablet can't come as much of a surprise at this point, but today's announcement at IFA 2010 marks the first time we're seeing official specs from the company.

Official pricing is still unknown, but we now know that the device is due to hit European markets in mid-September, and the U.S. and Asia by year's end. The Galaxy Tab's size and specs put it somewhere between the phone-like Dell Streak and the magazine-size Apple iPad. The Tab uses a 7-inch capacitive touch screen with a 1,024x600 Wide Super VGA (WSVGA) resolution. It ships with Android 2.2 (Froyo), the complete Google apps Market, Flash 10.1, 16GB or 32GB of memory, GPS, and integrated sensors, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, light sensor, and geomagnetic sensor.

Samsung Galaxy Tab (photos)

The whole thing runs on an ARM Cortex A8 1GHz applications processor, tied to a PowerVR SGX540 graphics processor. If you're feeling photogenic, a 3.2 megapixel camera on the back includes auto-focus and an LED flash and records video up to 720x480. A video chat-compatible camera on the front of the Tab uses a 1.3 megapixel VGA resolution to beam your pretty mug to your friends and family.

Battery life is rated at an impressive 7 hours of continuous video playback.

As far as connectivity goes, the Tab promises Wi-Fi compatibility up to 802.11n, as well as cellular 2.5G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and 3G (HSUPA 5.76Mbps, HSDPA 7.2Mbps). Specific carrier agreements have not been announced.

Are we excited to get our hands on one? You bet your sweet bippy. But without concrete pricing or a U.S. launch date, we're just going to try and play it cool for now.

Milestone 2

(Credit: Motorola)

Motorola is having a rather productive week with Android. After releasing new Ming handsets on Monday, the company chose Wednesday to debut two more devices: the ruggedized Defy and the Milestone 2.

Save for the exclusion of push-to-talk, the Defy has the look and feel of an updated i1. On the outside it features a 3.7-inch Gorilla Glass display that can withstand dust and water, while inside it has a 5-megapixel camera and 1.25GB of onboard memory. The touch-only Defy runs Android 2.1 with the updated version of MotoBlur (Android 1.5) and includes support for Adobe Flash Lite. Assuming this device sees Froyo, it will then have the full Flash experience. Look for the Defy to hit Europe later this year in the fourth quarter.

Like Verizon's Droid 2, the Milestone 2 follows its predecessor with a beefed up slider design and QWERTY keyboard. Though it's powered by Froyo, Motorola has opted to add the MotoBlur experience.

Its features include a 1GHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera capable of 720p HD video recording, and 3.7-inch display. You'll also find 8GB internal memory and a microSD card slot (an 8GB card should come with the phone). And of course, there's the requisite GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi support.

Since we're dealing with Android 2.2, the Milestone 2 can act as a 3G mobile hot spot for up to five devices. I find it somewhat strange that Motorola decided to add this version of Motolur and not the less-invasive flavor that is on the Droid 2 or Droid X. After the recent news that the handset maker was planning to focus less on the custom interface. The Milestone 2 will arrive in U.K., Germany, and France when it debuts the fourth quarter.

T-Mobile G2

(Credit: T-Mobile)

It appears that the first official images of the forthcoming T-Mobile G2 have found their way online. And I like what I see so far. Besides looking very polished in its T-Mobile branding, the phone features a spacious four-row slideout QWERTY keyboard and an optical trackpad, in addition to the four soft buttons across the bottom.

Given the rumored 1GHz processor, 3.7-inch display, and 5-megapixel camera, the G2 will have hardware that puts it in the same pack as the Motorola Droid 2 and Samsung Epic 4G. Toss in a stock Android 2.2 experience and support for T-Mobile's ever-expanding HSPA+ network and the carrier has its strongest smartphone to date.

Interestingly, this will mark the first phone since the Nexus One to run a stock Android experience. Many heavy users and early adopters typically eschew the custom UI's that come with phones, opting to root their handsets and load a different experience. One might safely assume that the standard flavor of Android will lead to a fast rollout of future builds, such as Gingerbread and Honeycomb.

Recent chatter puts the G2 on track for a September 29 launch. Incidentally, this comes a month short of the two-year anniversary of the G1. What better time to drop its successor on folks looking to extend their contracts? With no official word on pricing, my gut tells me that this phone will arrive with a $200 price tag when it debuts.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this phone. Do you think T-Mobile has a winner on its hands with the G2?