Sprint today announced it will begin pushing out an update to Android 2.2 (codename Froyo) to the HTC EVO 4G starting next week.

"Sprint is thrilled with our customers' response to HTC EVO 4G and the innovative and exciting experience it offers," said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development for Sprint. "It is exciting for us to lead the industry in bringing the Android 2.2 update to these customers and improve on the amazing experience they receive with America's first 4G capable phone."

Among the included features are:

• Voice Dialing Over Bluetooth
• Application Storage on External Memory, giving users more storage room for all their apps
• Camera 4-way rotation allows the camera icons to rotate with the camera
• Improved Browser Performance including a faster JavaScript engine and Flash 10x Support improving the user’s ability to view videos and available content associated with web pages

Sprint will push out the update in waves starting on August 3^rd. By the middle of August, the update will be available to all EVO 4G users. Customers will receive a notification to let them know that the update is available to them.

Alternatively, customers can trigger the update manually by going into their Settings menu and selecting System Updates > HTC Software Update.

Bell Mobility has announced its Apple iPhone 4 pricing on the heels of the Rogers announcement. The 16GB model will sell for CA$159.95 and the 32GB one for CA$269.95, both with three-year contracts.

Bell will also offer a 6GB data plan for CA$30 per month from July 30^th to September 30^th. The plan also comes with unlimited Wi-Fi in over 750 locations (including Canadian Starbucks locations) and Free Mobile TV until September 30^th. Data sharing with an iPad will cost an additional CA$10 per month.

Unlike Rogers, Bell is taking online orders but is already warning that shipments will take up to 14 days and that quantities are limited.

While Verizon and Motorola have yet to officially announce the upcoming DROID 2, there have been enough leaks about the device to leave little to announce. If anything had been missed, the user guide obtained by Droid-Life.com should help answer those last few questions.

While there is no guarantee that this is the final version and that nothing will change, it's likely that the DROID 2 will come with Android 2.2 and the same Blur skin as on the DROID X. The user guide also confirms that Swype will come pre-installed. Users will be able to choose between it and the multitouch keyboard first seen on the DROID X.

The DROID 2 could launch as early as August 12^th and sell for US$199 with a two-year contract.

While you wait for the official announcement, feel free to download the PDF user guide and peruse at your leisure.

Mobilicity has confirmed to MobileSyrup.com that it is looking at taking legal action against Rogers Communications over the launch of chatr wireless, its new flanker brand. Mobilicity sees chatr as a short-term play by Rogers to eliminate new competitors. According to Stewart Lyons, COO of Mobilicity:

"Things like Chatr only started launching when the new entrants came on the scene. Without long term sustained competition for the big 3, I dare say that I don't believe affordability and value will remain in Canada's wireless sector for the consumer. If we’re not around the consumer won’t win in the long term..."

Mobilicity views the launch of chatr wireless as a contravention of the Competition Act which prevents the "use of fighting brands selectively on a temporary basis to discipline or eliminate a competitor."

Among the options that Mobilicity is considering are civil litigation, a complaint to the competition tribunal, and a complaint to regulatory authorities.

The day before the Apple iPhone 4 hits Canada, Rogers Wireless has announced pricing and plan details. It is also promising to allocate the majority of its inventory to existing customers looking to upgrade to Apple's latest smartphone.

Rogers is offering existing iPhone customers an upgrade offer based on activation date. From the Rogers RedBoard:

Did you activate or upgrade your Rogers iPhone on a term contract between January 1, 2009 and June 7, 2010?
Then you're eligible for at least $250 off the no-term device price. That’s an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $399/$499 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

Did you activate or upgrade your Rogers iPhone on a term contract on or before December 31, 2008?
Thank you for your business. You're eligible for at least $480 off the no-term device price. You can pick up an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $159/$269 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

Did you activate or upgrade the original iPhone 3G in 2008 and then upgrade again between June 19 and September 15, 2009?
You're also eligible for at least $480 off the no-term device price. You can pick up an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $159/$269 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

New customers will also be able to pick up the Apple iPhone 4 for CA$159 for the 16GB model and CA$269 for the 32GB version with a new three-year voice and data contract.

Rogers is also again offering its 6GB data plan for CA$30 per month. It will be available from July 30^th to September 30^th. Customers will also have to share their 6GB plan with their iPad for an extra CA$20 (plus Government Regulatory Recovery Fee). it will also be possible to add additional voice and data lines for just CA$25 per month.

Rogers is warning that iPhone 4 demand has been high and that quantities will be limited. At launch, the iPhone 4 will only be available at Rogers stores and authorized retailers.

A couple of tweets from Mark Moon, Regional President for HTC Benelux, indicate that HTC is set to update the HTC Desire to Android 2.2 (codename Froyo). The first tweet indicates that HTC will begin pushing out the update starting today for the HTC Desire with other devices to follow later. The second tweet adds that the update will include two additional features, one of which is expected and one which isn't.

What is not so clear is whether the update will be worldwide or focused on the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) only. Could the forthcoming TELUS HTC Desire come with Android 2.2? Unlikely but one can hope.

HTC promised earlier this year that devices released in 2010 would all be updated to Android 2.2 by the end of the year.

Source: Electronista

LG was among the first to promise Windows Phone 7 devices this year. It did so again in early July. Now it has revealed that its first Windows Phone 7 smartphone is expected to launch by the end of September.

It has also confirmed that this will be but the first of several such devices to be released this year.

"We have a deep relationship with Microsoft so expect to have a couple by the end of this year," said Ken Hong, an LG representative in Seoul.

LG has also confirmed plans to launch an Android-powered tablet in the fourth quarter. It will be part of its Optimus Series of smartphones and tablet devices. No specification details were provided.

RIM recently took over the domain Blackpad.com, giving credence to earlier reports that its rumoured tablet would be called the BlackPad. Then again, it could just be a defensive move in case it BlackPad is no more than a development codename.

Whether the BlackPad will be a tablet with full BlackBerry OS compatibility and functionality or more of a companion device to existing BlackBerry devices remains to be seen.

RIM is apparently looking to release their tablet before the end of the year. It could come with a 7-inch display, a 1GHz Marvell processor, and dual-cameras, and full support for Flash with a hardware-based Flash accelerator.

Amazon unveils two new Kindles

It did not take long for Amazon to reveal why the Kindle was out of stock since yesterday. It just announced its next Kindle generation consisting of two models.

The new Kindles have been redesigned and have a body 21 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter than the previous model but still offering a 6-inch display. They also come with a new electronic-ink screen that Amazon claims has 50 percent better contrast than any other e-reader, improved page turning performance, battery life lasting up to a month and twice as much storage (up to 4GB). One model comes with both 3G and Wi-Fi while the second comes with Wi-Fi only (exactly as rumours had suggested).

"Kindle is the best-selling product on Amazon for two years running. We lowered the price to $189 and sales growth tripled. Now, we are excited to introduce a new generation Kindle that is smaller, lighter, and faster, with 50 percent better contrast. Readers are going to do a double take when they see Kindle's bright new screen and feel how remarkably light the smaller 8.7 ounce design feels in one hand," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder & CEO. "If you don't need the convenience of 3G wireless, we have an incredible new price point--$139 for Kindle Wi-Fi. Kindle Wi-Fi has all the same features, same bookstore, same high-contrast electronic paper display, and it's even a tiny bit lighter at 8.5 ounces. At this price point, many people are going to buy multiple units for the home and family."

The Kindle 3G (available in white or graphite) will sell for US$189 and the Kindle Wi-Fi (available in graphite only) for US$139. Both models will start shipping on August 27^th.

Share

Read more about this story

top