Cell Bytes

Well if today isn’t “long-awaited OTA update” day. First, the Milestone in Europe is set to enter user testing next week. Now, we’ve learned that the MyTouch 3G – the original one – will finally be seeing its upgrade to Android 2.2. When can you expect it? Tomorrow, according to TmoNews. It’s more accurate to say that you should expect it starting tomorrow as it’ll be a staggered process, as usual. Updates will roll out over the next couple of weeks until we hit October 24th. If you haven’t already dumped your MyTouch 3G for something else, then your patience is finally about to be rewarded. Read below for a full list of what to expect.

Primary Improvements Included with This Update
• New Fully Integrated Exchange Client
◦ Improved security: Numeric pin and alpha-numeric password options have been added to unlock the device. Exchange administrators can enforce password policy across devices.
◦ Remote wipe: In the event a device is lost or stolen, Exchange administrators can remotely reset the device to factory defaults to secure data.
◦ Exchange calendars: Exchange calendars are now supported in the Calendar application.
◦ Auto-discovery: With just a user name and password users can easily set up and/or sync an Exchange account (available for Exchange 2007 and higher).
◦ Global Address Lists look-up: This functionality is now available in the E-mail application, enabling users to auto-complete recipient names from an entire directory.
• Faves ◦ Faves Gallery gives customers quick access to the 20 people who matter most.
◦ Customers can scroll through their Faves Gallery and instantly see the most recent communication from their top 20 Faves – calls, texts, emails, instant messaging, and social networking updates – and respond in a flash.
• New Home Screen Features
◦ Home screen Tips widget provides tips on how to configure the home screen with shortcuts and widgets and how to make use of multiple home screens.
◦ Market widget lets you keep on top what’s hot on Android Market, showing featured apps right on the home screen.
◦ Live wallpapers are available on Android Market, such as Aquarium, Google Maps and many others.
◦ Phone, All Apps and Browser now have dedicated shortcuts on the home screen, making it easy to access them from any of the five home screen
panels.
• Improved Communication Features
◦ Gmail app enhancements:
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Include quoted text from the body of an e-mail message Navigate quickly using on-screen previous/next buttons Identify e-mails using colored labels See inline images in messages
◦ Calendar app now supports multiple Google and Exchange accounts
◦ Google Talk app lets users search for buddies from the Search key
◦ Google Voice app now uses Inbox Synchronization so new messages are received in a matter of seconds
◦ Quickcontact is now available in Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Voice, right from your device. Users tap on a contact image to access various ways to reach that person, such as call, SMS, e-mail, etc.
• Other: Improvements to the camera and camcorder, ability to add multiple languages to the keyboard, enhancements to Google Maps, YouTube app, Facebook app, and Twitter app.

Looks like we’re moving closer and closer toward a release of Android 2.2 for those of you Milestone owners in Europe. It’s been a lengthy, drawn out process, but Motorola’s finally making progress and it seems you guys will be getting a nice gift heading into the holiday seasons.

Hello. From next week we start user trials of the European Milestone upgrade to Froyo. Once these are complete, we will know what further work is required to optimise, before going into final testing and approval stage. As previously we plan to start rolling the update at the end of this year, but wanted to keep you updated. Thanks

This was after Motorola was unsure if they would even issue an upgrade to Android 2.2 for the device. I’m not so sure they would’ve received as much backlash as they did if they hadn’t quickly issued that same upgrade for the American counterpart – the Motorola Droid on Verizon.

Everything’s well for at least one group of you now, though. We’re still awaiting their decision on the Latin American Milestone, and we’re still waiting for users on their 1.5 devices to be stepped up to Android 2.1. Let’s get this ball rolling sooner rather than later, Moto.

[via Motorola Europe Facebook] [Thanks, Richy!]

We’re just hours away from Sony’s big Google TV unveiling where we expect they’ll announce four initial models with the platform embedded (ranging from 24 to 46-inch models.) Sony’s getting a little head start with developer sign-ups, however, as we’ve just learned that they’re accepting registrations for the developer portal now. There’s nothing to actually be had there at the time of this posting, but we suspect that’ll change before the day is over. If you’re a developer, go ahead and sign up now.

If you’re with T-Mobile UK and have been waiting for the HTC Desire HD, you should know that they’ve opened the floodgates for you to order the device. Tariffs include free on  a two-year, 40 pounds per month contract, free on an 18-month, 45 pounds per month contract, and 320 pounds for 10 pounds month-to-month.

The Desire HD is a spectacle of the device in Europe, if we’re going based on how many users requested a “European EVO.” While it doesn’t don all of the features that make the EVO as unique as it is, the 4.3-inch screen, 1GHz processor, 8-megapixel camera with HD video recording Android 2.2, the latest version of HTC Sense, and more should do well to make the cost of admission worth it. For more tariffs and details on them, make no delay in heading over to their website now.

[via EuroDroid]

Did your T-Mobile G2 download an update over-the-air this morning? If so, you may have just gotten the oft-requested features of WiFi calling and internet tethering. You can also update Google Goggles, apparently, which should be considered a fix more than a feature. Reports of this upgrade going out haven’t been widespread so it may just be that T-Mobile’s doing a quick test rollout before getting the goods to everyone. If you’ve gotten anything, don’t be afraid to holler and let us know in the comments below!

[XDA via Android Forums]

French carrier SFR just played it risky by detailing what seems to be the Palm Pre 2, although the image of the device reminds us more of the first Pre. Although Palm and HP said nothing about the new device, we also learn the specs of the handset, courtesy of the same carrier.

Apparently, Palm Pre 2 will come with a 1GHz CPU, a TI OMAP3630 possibly, 512MB of RAM and webOS 2.0. Although speculations claim the same form factor of the original Pre will be kept, we’d surely like a refresh in that area, too. This is only a leak for now, one that chose its time poorly, with all the Windows Phone 7 hype around.

Virgin Mobile in Canada’s just let a huge one leak out. Most of the phones in this particular leak aren’t Android based – and the one that we can see isn’t one of Samsung’s prettier offerings – but it looks like Virgin will be getting the Samsung Galaxy 5. It was originally said that the device would be coming November 12th, and this roadmap keeps it right on track. Remember the specs on this one? If not, listen up: a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen, Android 2.1, TouchWiz, a 600MHz processor, a two-megapixel camera with video recording, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and more.

[via Mobile Syrup]

Even though Cellular South officially announced this device as the Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung’s website says something completely different up against the other five carriers offering the phone: it’ll be called the Samsung Showcase. We still haven’t been able to uncover more details than that, but we’re one step closer to one of the most exciting device launches coming out of Cellular South. If the HTC Desire just isn’t cutting it, then the Samsung Showcase most definitely will.

[Thanks, Colby!]

Sony’s TV line-up with Google TV is being unveiled tomorrow, but a lot of us can’t wait that long. We want details NOW! We may have gotten one big update on their line-up, though, as we’ve learned from SonyInsider that the original MSRP of $1,899 for the 46-inch SKU was a mistake: it’s actually going to be $500 less at $1,399. That’s a significant drop in price and should make these TVs a lot more attractive.

We still have no word on their 24-inch, 32-inch, or 40-inch options, but I think it’s safe to say that those will go even easier on the  pockets. Phandroid will be live at Sony’s event tomorrow where they’ll launch their new products and we’ll be happy to usher along the details when that time comes. Until then, let’s let out some more drool over the Logitech Revue. That should do well to hold us over.

More info from our friends at Android and Me regarding the Tegra 2-enabled handset Motorola’s putting out has just rolled in. According to them, the device – which, for now, is affectionately known as the T2 (or Terminator) – won’t just be for Verizon as all of Motorola’s high-end handset have been here in the states. Latest rumors from his source suggests that the device is going to be treated by Motorola similar to how the Galaxy S was treated by Samsung: try to get this thing into as many hands as possible.

It would be a welcome change of pace from all of the exclusivity Verizon’s been enjoying lately. It’s not that I don’t like that Verizon’s getting all of the goods, it’s just that I’m rooting for Motorola to make an even bigger impact than they already have, and if they have a dual-core Tegra 2 phone coming out, I want a chance to own it on the carrier I prefer as a die-hard Phandroid like myself would jump at an opportunity to own what surely sounds to be the next generation of Android handsets. Now we just have to wait and see if Motorola Mobility (new company, remember?) will be willing to spill out a few tidbits before CES rolls around. Regardless, January’s looking to prove to be a very exciting month.