Cell Bytes

US Cellular jumped into the Android party when they came clean and admitted they’d be getting the HTC Desire (which was leaked via a rebate form featuring the Desire as one of the eligible devices). At that time, they announced that they had another Android device in the pipeline, as well, and that they’d let their customers (potential or existing) uncover the device in similar fashion.

Nothing gets past a crazed Android fan, though, which is why they figured out that the Samsung R880 was indeed an Android-based phone (now named the Samsung Acclaim) and is now officially headed to US Cellular. It’ll be a 3.2-inch mid-range device with Android 2.1 and a full qwerty keyboard. According to Android And Me, the Acclaim is very similar to the Samsung Moment in design and hardware (but, to the dismay of many Moment owners at this time,  not software).

We’ll keep you guys posted when US Cellular decides to pull up the curtains on their remaining Android developments throughout 2010.

[US Cellular Facebook]

One step closer. As was expected, the FCC has cleared the HTC EVO 4G in time for training units to be shipped to stores and for warehouses to begin filling up. The filing was caught by Engadget, who noticed a WiMax and CDMA device for Sprint’s data bands.

Model PC36100 (also affectionately known as the HTC EVO 4G in non-FCC fashion) is ready to shed its cocoon for the masses to gobble up its truly deserved definition of being a game changer (at least on our side of the waters). Sprint’s just as ready as they’ll ever be, though, as they’ve begun their standard training regiment for the device to launch this summer.

Through the desirable training materials (which, for the time being, are all digital), we’ve gotten a good share of new details, as well, thanks to AndroidGuys. The device will come with Sprint’s share of apps pre-installed (which includes NASCAR, Sprint Navigation, and more). Additionally, we’ve learned FM Radio is indeed confirmed for the device (although there’s still no word on whether or not the kickstand will act as its antenna) and that there may be some special rate plans just for the EVO.

The plans would mainly be targeted at consumers looking to use the phone’s Mobile Hotspot feature. We’d expect Sprint to ask consumers to pony up for such a luxury, so there’s no real surprise there. Finally – and the hackers will love this – the lack of an optical trackpad, a trackball, or a d-pad doesn’t spell doom for accessing the phone’s recovery features: the volume rocker will act as navigation buttons while inside the menus.

Be sure to head over to AndroidGuys for the full gallery of training screens, as well as Engadget for the boring (yet still very exciting) FCC stuff.

Two weeks ago, we updated you guys on the “state of Android fragmentation” (I had to make it sound important), and now Google has clocked back in with another update. Last time, we saw 2.0+ devices sitting at the bottom of the barrel, while 1.6 sat in the middle watching as 1.5 dominated. Things are a bit different this time, however, with Android 2.1 making a significant leap.

While it’s sad that users are still subject to using Android 1.5 on a number of different devices (including the Samsung Moment, HTC Hero, Motorola’s MOTOBLUR-enabled devices, etc), we’re equally happy to see that Android 2.1 is making a strong push to take over. They make up for 32.4% of all of the devices that accessed the Android market within the two-week time frame, while 1.6 and 1.5 devices accessed the market 31.6% and 38.0% of the time, respectively.

Again, I stress this data doesn’t account for every device, but it’s a pretty accurate representation considering the frequency at which you would expect the average user to access the Market (updates, looking for new apps, support, and so on). As we expect more manufacturers to update their handset’s firmware versions to 2.1 (whenever that will be), we should begin to see Android 1.5 steadily decline over the next few months as 2.1 takes over as the dominant version. It’ll also be fun to see how Froyo/2.2 does after we begin to see handsets shipped with it later in the year.

Something’s wrong when we’re seeing more tablet devices being announced than phones by the day. Not that we’re not happy, though, but Aigo joins the long list of companies ready to jump on the bandwagon with their N700 tablet being unveiled. With a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, a 1ghz Cortex-A9 processor, and a ridiculous battery life of 16 hours (while playing HD video nonstop, mind you), this is definitely one to keep your eye on.

Touch screen multi-touch capacitive 7-inch 16 million colors, 800×480
Platform-T20 Nvidia Tegra2
Processor dual-core Cortex A9 1Ghz (1MB L2 cache)
Size: 208 x 122 x 13.95 mm
Weight: 465g
Memory: 512MB DDR2 667MHz
Audio: 3D sound, 2 speakers, built-in microphone
Storage: 4GB/16GB/32GB
Connectivity: 1xUSB, 1xMicroSD (32GB max), 1xHDMI, 3.5mm jack, SIM card, Docking station
Camera 1.3 megapixel
Battery 2-cell 3120mAh, 11.5W
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3G (WCDMA / EVDO / TD-SCDMA)
Accelerometer, ambient light sensor and compass
On / Off, Standby and Exit Watch
Touch Button: Volume, Home, Menu, Back, Search
Dock / Docking Station: Power, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Audio Jack, 1 x USB.
Operating system Android 2.1
Others: 1080P video playback and output, buzzer

The story original broke from PC Pop, however later it was revealed that the device looks just like the Compal NAZ-10 shown at the previous Mobile World Congress. It’s believed that the Aiga N700 will just be a rebranded version of it. At $300, I’m intrigued. If not for the unprecedented battery life alone, then just because it also happens to look pretty, too. No word on availability yet, but check out the original video of the device at the Mobile World Congress ahead.

[via Engadget]

There had been a bit of speculation that acquisition-hungry Google may consider buying the flailing Palm. That was probably just wishful thinking, similar to the rumors that HTC may have a go at the company but later stated they had little interest in taking over where webOS had left off. Or maybe Palm would switch their hardware over to running Android in an effort to regain it’s position in the market? Outside of Android even more speculation flew around, with some going so far as to say Facebook should and could acquire Palm to create their own brand of social-networking phones. Now all the speculation can be put to rest as it has been announced that HP just finalized a deal to purchase Palm for $1.2 billion dollars.

It looks like little will change as far as the internal operations of Palm goes. Even CEO of Palm John Rubinstein will retain his position with the company. But now Palm will brandish the powerful leverage of HP, a company who has flirted with mobile devices in the past and currently has plans to enter the tablet arena with the Windows-based HP Slate.

So what does this mean for Android? Well the immediate result is you can throw out any idea of Palm switching to Android as its OS. We would imagine instead that HP will use its stock piles of cash to maybe make a new handset or two with an improved webOS. It wouldn’t be too unrealistic to imagine Palm’s OS becoming HP’s go-to tablet operating system (a much more intuitive choice than Windows). And all this equates to just a bit more competition in the mobile space, assuming HP can salvage Palm from its ever decreasing place in the market.

Along with webOS, HP also inherits the various patents that have been developed at Palm, and adds its support to Palm’s ability to enforce them — just a few more toes that the likes of Android will have to worry about stepping on (not that they weren’t already there to begin with).

For now we can only sit back and wait for all to be revealed as far as HP’s exact plans with Palm, but it is an interesting turn of events and could have a huge impact on the smartphone market. But with Android’s ever-growing presence and iPhone’s dominant share it will be a tough climb to the top for the once top-dog Palm.

There had been a bit of speculation that acquisition-hungry Google may consider buying the flailing Palm. That was probably just wishful thinking, similar to the rumors that HTC may have a go at the company but later stated they had little interest in taking over where webOS had left off. Or maybe Palm would switch their hardware over to running Android in an effort to regain it’s position in the market? Outside of Android even more speculation flew around, with some going so far as to say Facebook should and could acquire Palm to create their own brand of social-networking phones. Now all the speculation can be put to rest as it has been announced that HP just finalized a deal to purchase Palm for $1.2 billion dollars.

It looks like little will change as far as the internal operations of Palm goes. Even CEO of Palm John Rubinstein will retain his position with the company. But now Palm will brandish the powerful leverage of HP, a company who has flirted with mobile devices in the past and currently has plans to enter the tablet arena with the Windows-based HP Slate.

So what does this mean for Android? Well the immediate result is you can throw out any idea of Palm switching to Android as its OS. We would imagine instead that HP will use its stock piles of cash to maybe make a new handset or two with an improved webOS. It wouldn’t be too unrealistic to imagine Palm’s OS becoming HP’s go-to tablet operating system (a much more intuitive choice than Windows). And all this equates to just a bit more competition in the mobile space, assuming HP can salvage Palm from its ever decreasing place in the market.

Along with webOS, HP also inherits the various patents that have been developed at Palm, and adds its support to Palm’s ability to enforce them — just a few more toes that the likes of Android will have to worry about stepping on (not that they weren’t already there to begin with).

For now we can only sit back and wait for all to be revealed as far as HP’s exact plans with Palm, but it is an interesting turn of events and could have a huge impact on the smartphone market. But with Android’s ever-growing presence and iPhone’s dominant share it will be a tough climb to the top for the once top-dog Palm.

There had been a bit of speculation that acquisition-hungry Google may consider buying the flailing Palm. That was probably just wishful thinking, similar to the rumors that HTC may have a go at the company but later stated they had little interest in taking over where webOS had left off. Or maybe Palm would switch their hardware over to running Android in an effort to regain it’s position in the market? Outside of Android even more speculation flew around, with some going so far as to say Facebook should and could acquire Palm to create their own brand of social-networking phones. Now all the speculation can be put to rest as it has been announced that HP just finalized a deal to purchase Palm for $1.2 billion dollars.

It looks like little will change as far as the internal operations of Palm goes. Even CEO of Palm John Rubinstein will retain his position with the company. But now Palm will brandish the powerful leverage of HP, a company who has flirted with mobile devices in the past and currently has plans to enter the tablet arena with the Windows-based HP Slate.

So what does this mean for Android? Well the immediate result is you can throw out any idea of Palm switching to Android as its OS. We would imagine instead that HP will use its stock piles of cash to maybe make a new handset or two with an improved webOS. It wouldn’t be too unrealistic to imagine Palm’s OS becoming HP’s go-to tablet operating system (a much more intuitive choice than Windows). And all this equates to just a bit more competition in the mobile space, assuming HP can salvage Palm from its ever decreasing place in the market.

Along with webOS, HP also inherits the various patents that have been developed at Palm, and adds its support to Palm’s ability to enforce them — just a few more toes that the likes of Android will have to worry about stepping on (not that they weren’t already there to begin with).

For now we can only sit back and wait for all to be revealed as far as HP’s exact plans with Palm, but it is an interesting turn of events and could have a huge impact on the smartphone market. But with Android’s ever-growing presence and iPhone’s dominant share it will be a tough climb to the top for the once top-dog Palm.

There had been a bit of speculation that acquisition-hungry Google may consider buying the flailing Palm. That was probably just wishful thinking, similar to the rumors that HTC may have a go at the company but later stated they had little interest in taking over where webOS had left off. Or maybe Palm would switch their hardware over to running Android in an effort to regain it’s position in the market? Outside of Android even more speculation flew around, with some going so far as to say Facebook should and could acquire Palm to create their own brand of social-networking phones. Now all the speculation can be put to rest as it has been announced that HP just finalized a deal to purchase Palm for $1.2 billion dollars.

It looks like little will change as far as the internal operations of Palm goes. Even CEO of Palm John Rubinstein will retain his position with the company. But now Palm will brandish the powerful leverage of HP, a company who has flirted with mobile devices in the past and currently has plans to enter the tablet arena with the Windows-based HP Slate.

So what does this mean for Android? Well the immediate result is you can throw out any idea of Palm switching to Android as its OS. We would imagine instead that HP will use its stock piles of cash to maybe make a new handset or two with an improved webOS. It wouldn’t be too unrealistic to imagine Palm’s OS becoming HP’s go-to tablet operating system (a much more intuitive choice than Windows). And all this equates to just a bit more competition in the mobile space, assuming HP can salvage Palm from its ever decreasing place in the market.

Along with webOS, HP also inherits the various patents that have been developed at Palm, and adds its support to Palm’s ability to enforce them — just a few more toes that the likes of Android will have to worry about stepping on (not that they weren’t already there to begin with).

For now we can only sit back and wait for all to be revealed as far as HP’s exact plans with Palm, but it is an interesting turn of events and could have a huge impact on the smartphone market. But with Android’s ever-growing presence and iPhone’s dominant share it will be a tough climb to the top for the once top-dog Palm.

If you have used Google Maps at all lately you will most likely be familiar with Place Pages, a service Google began offering last fall that combined street view images, contact information and hours, reviews, and other social data all in one place. You’d never have to second guess where to eat again, but now Google is letting you take Place Pages to whatever place you like with the new mobile version of the service for Android and iPhone unveiled today.

All you need to do is navigate over to Google.com on your Android handset and search for whatever location you desire. Click on the place result to get transferred directly to all the info you could ever need in mobile format. Not that there aren’t already plenty of apps for mobile browsing of place information, but integrating a clean mobile format directly into web browsing is a welcome addition.

[Google Mobile Blog via IntoMobile]

Tim Bray just tweeted a link to the 2010 Google I/O schedule for May 19th and 20th. Two of the more interesting Android-related sessions are focused on game development and targeting applications for all Android devices.

For the session focused on getting some quality games onto Android here is the description:

This session is a crash course in Android game development: everything you need to know to get started writing 2D and 3D games, as well as tips, tricks, and benchmarks to help your code reach optimal performance. In addition, we’ll discuss hot topics related to game development, including hardware differences across devices, using C++ to write Android games, and the traits of the most popular games on Market.

And the session that seems to be making an attempt to tackle at least some facets of the fragmentation issue:

One of Android’s strengths is its flexibility to run on a wide variety of devices. In this session, we will explore the facilities the Android resource system provides to developers to make supporting many devices from one application binary easier, as well as common pitfalls. In addition to hardware heterogeneity, more than one version of Android may exist in the wild at any given time. We will go over strategies for providing cross-version compatibility.

An interesting tidbit pointed out by Bray in his tweet are several TBA Android sessions for the end of Thursday May 20th. It could mean they just haven’t sorted out the exact details, but I’m also willing to bet that at least one of these sessions will be aimed at revealing some brand new, top-secret information, such as, I don’t know, maybe Android 2.2.

For the full schedule head on over to the Google I/O page.