Android | Gadgets & Technology

Giveaway: Motorola Atrix 4G (AT&T)

I confess, I’m been a little wary of the android world.

atrixatt Giveaway: Motorola Atrix 4G (AT&T) Then again, I too am afraid of the iPhone — so there’s good company in that club.

However, over the last few weeks, I’ve been sent a few androids to review, and I’ve surprised myself – there’s some awesomeness in the lot. I’ll share findings, independently, for each of the phones I’ve been playing with over the last few weeks, but tonight, I want to share a really special one — and a great dad/grad gift time find.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Motorola’s Atrix 4G — it’s pretty awesome — a true superphone that can transform itself into a PC. It’s like the power rangers of technology, and as PC Magazine pointed out in their review, shows how we’ll likely be using our mobile devices in the year 2020.

I first saw the Atrix at CES in Vegas earlier this year — it had all sorts of rad tech specs, but I was super-drawn — like a moth to a flame!) – to the desktop-like computing experience when it is docked.

The handset uses NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra 2 chipset, has 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 5MP rear camera with LED flash, a front-facing VGA camera, a fingerprint reader for secure unlocking, and a 4-inch display with a resolution of 960×540.

Anyway, this was all the buzz at CES – everyone was in love with it — fast forward a few months, and you can get it at AT&T for $199 with 2-year contract, $599 without.

The brawn of this baby is the Laptop Dock that uses the Atrix for its brains and storage, plus a standard dock to use the phone as a television set-top box or as a standalone computing device when connected to a monitor. It also has a 5-megapixel camera is fantastic and as good as I’ve seen on just about any phone.

I’d put this in the top 3 android smartphones I’ve seen this year. What are the other two? You’ll see in a few days

Like it? I have ONE to give away!

To have your chance to win, you MUST be following me on Twitter at @alywalansky AND RT this giveaway. To enter, tweet at @alywalansky and @ATT and tell them why you need something so smart to help organize YOUR life. (Trust me, you won’t be sorry!) – Deadline to enter is May 25!

Droid X Users: So How Does Froyo Taste?

kims kone 296x300 Droid X Users: So How Does Froyo Taste? Yesterday was a big day for Droid X users – Verizon finally released the anxiously awaited Android 2.2 Froyo update! But now that users have had a taste of Froyo’s new enhancements including improved Web browsing capabilities and the much-hyped Adobe’s Flash support, the rest of us want to know: Was it worth the wait?

Depends who you ask… Two commentors reported that their devices crashed to the point where Verizon is sending replacements but for the most part, the Froyo updates went relatively smoothly. Some users experienced a slowdown in the system, either during the download or as the phone rebooted, but the lag was only temporary.

It’s still too early for a final verdict but GLOSS’ own Lolita Carrico says she’s thrilled with the Android 2.2. update thus far. While Froyo has improved her phone’s efficiency and overall performance, the battery life has been worse since the update. “But,” she says, ”I’m willing to sacrifice battery life for speed and function.”

Experiencing an error during your update? According to Verizon, just remove and re-insert the battery and power the device back on. The device will power back on with original software and will prompt you again to install the system update.

Commentors Mitch and Daniel P. had their phones freeze or go black but after a battery pull (or four), their Droids were up and running again – and faster than before. But if you’re still having problems, you can contact Verizon support at 1-800-922-0204.

Motorola’s Droid X isn’t the first smartphone on the market that runs Android 2.2. With the update, Droid X is finally on par with the bestselling Droid 2, which was shipped with version 2.2. Froyo comes with a slew of features and enhancements but here are a few highlights:

Adobe Flash Player - The iPhone’s loss was the Android’s gain. With Flash 10.1, you can watch videos, play games and view multimedia Websites just as you would on a computer.

Automatic App Updates While my BlackBerry treats me to a “updated version now available!” message every time I open Twitter, Droid X users won’t miss a beat thanks to automatic app updates through the Android Market.

App Storage on Memory Cards A common (albeit minor) complaint I’ve heard about Droids is that users are required to store apps on the phone’s memory, which can slow its performance down. But with Froyo, you’ll have the option to store them on a memory card instead.

Droid X users, we’d love to hear you weigh in on! What are your thoughts so far about Froyo?

Froyo, Finally: Download Android 2.2 For The Droid X Today!

droid x froyo 2.3.15 Froyo, Finally: Download Android 2.2 For The Droid X Today! You would almost think it was Christmas morning for Droid X owners, considering all the excitement surrounding the latest Android update but the wait is finally over — the Android 2.2 Froyo update is officially available today!

MORE on GLOSS: Move Over iPhone 4 – Meet the Droid X

Packed with a ton of cool features like Flash 10.1, the highly anticipated Android 2.2 update has me suffering from a major case of Droid envy. Other enhancements include:

- Improved web browsing, thanks to pre-installed Adobe Flash 10.1 and faster JavaScript engine

- 720p video recording

- Easy switch between the eight most recently used applications

- Automatic application updates through the Android Market

- New and improved Google Maps

- Improved connectivity to Exchange server and Exchange ActivSync e-mail notifications

- Transition from 3G to WiFi without losing data connection

- Option to install apps on the SD card

- Improved 3G Mobile hotspot support, allowing users to connect laptops or any other Wi-Fi enabled devices.

- Visual Voicemail updates, including simple set-up, improved notifications, and updated display features

- Not part of the update itself, Droid X users running Froyo can download the new Gmail app from the Android Market. Unveiled on Tuesday, the standalone version of Google’s Gmail app is not tied to the Android OS and includes a limited version of its new Priority Inbox feature.

TO DOWNLOAD: The Froyo update will be pushed out over the air but users can also download it manually by going to Menu > Settings > About > System Updates.

This update finally brings the Droid X up to par with the Droid 2, which arrived a few weeks ago pre-loaded with Froyo, making it the only phone on the market (at the time) with usable Flash available. Both the Droid X and Droid 1 follow-up, Droid 2, caused a frenzy when they were launched earlier this summer, selling out almost instantly and quickly becoming Verizon’s two bestsellers. The next hotly anticipated Droid is the limited edition R2-D2 Droid, scheduled to go on sale September 30.

It’s only been an hour or so since the update was made available so it’s too soon to say whether or not there are any major issues. Are you a Droid X user? Have you downloaded Froyo yet? Let us know in the comments!

Jennifer Latkiewicz has been online sharing geeky insight for over fifteen years. As Technology Editor, she strives to show women that the world of tech can be uncomplicated, fun, exciting and definitely not dude-exclusive.

A lifelong geek and technology enthusiast, Jennifer remains a reluctant but thus far unrepentant überfan of Apple and Rickrolling. E-mail her at geekgloss@gmail.com.

Rest In Peace: Microsoft’s Mock Funeral For iPhone, BlackBerry

Microsoft holds a mock funeral for the iPhone and BlackBerry 300x183 Rest In Peace: Microsofts Mock Funeral For iPhone, BlackBerry Has Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7 managed to bury the competition already?

With the help of a motorcycle-riding Darth Vader and some “Thriller” zombies, a group of Microsoft employees gave the big kiss-off to the iPhone and BlackBerry on Friday as part of a mock funeral – complete with pallbearers, hearse and bagpiper – planned in anticipation of Microsoft’s forthcoming Windows Phone 7.

Other than inspiring employee optimism and theatricality, the mobile reboot and newly improved OS will hopefully help Microsoft catch up with the more advanced Android and iPhone platforms its been lagging behind. Microsoft will reportedly have a formal unveiling as well as showcase a number of other Windows 7-ready smartphones at a New York press event scheduled for October 11.

While reviews so far have been positive, some argue that the WP7′s success may still be an uphill battle. Despite a more simplistic easy-to-use design and wide array of features including a virtual keyboard, connections to XBox Live and a built-in Zune player, an early CNET review notes that a few essential features such as a copy-and-paste function and decent battery life, are missing.

An exact release date has yet to be announced but if the rumors are true, we’ll have to wait another month to see if Microsoft’s new phone really has what it takes to send the Android and iPhone to an early grave.

via DVICE

Motorola Droid: Ads Poke Fun At Apple, R2D2 Edition Coming 9/30

Motorola Droid: Ads Poke Fun At Apple, R2D2 Edition Coming 9/30 The iPhone 4 wasn’t the only new smartphone making headlines this summer – Verizon Wireless released two: the Droid X in July and the widely anticipated Droid 1 follow-up, Droid 2 last month.

Android phones have been making news lately as they continue to gain ground on iPhones in the mobile market. According to Google, an estimated 200,000 Android phones are being sold each day, for a 25% of the U.S. mobile Web-browsing market. Apple’s iOS technology still accounts for 56%, reports Daily Finance, dropping 2% despite strong sales for the iPad and iPhone 4.

Over the weekend, Motorola took out entire page ads for the Droid 2 in newspapers like the Wall Street Journal to poke fun at Apple’s lack of Flash support with this jab: ”Flash sites require Flash capabilities. Seemed pretty simple to us.”

With the latest Flash 10.1 update for Android 2.2 (“Froyo”), the Motorola Droid 2 is currently the only smartphone on the market with usable Flash available.

Android’s popularity will continue to grow: the limited-edition Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition is generating tons of buzz, and according to reports at BGR, the Droid 2 has Verizon’s lowest smartphone return rate, as well as one of the lowest dropped call rates on the carrier. Additionally, Verizon Wireless’ Droid X and Droid 2 rated as #1 and #3 respectively in a battery-life test for Android-running handsets conducted by Laptop Magazine. The Motorola Droid X was the top performer though, outlasting the other seven Android phones for a time of 7 hours and 42 minutes, according to test results.

MORE on GLOSS: Move over, iPhone – Meet the Motorola Droid X

Last Thursday, Verizon announced new prepaid data plans for smartphones and feature phones. The 3G Prepaid data package offers $30-a-month unlimited plans for smartphone users, and $10 a month for 25MB of data for feature phone users–you’ll have to pay 20 cents per megabyte of overage if you go over that limit. Users will have to pay for the full cost of each phone with the reasoning that the data plan will save money. These new prepaid data plans will be available September 28.

MORE on GLOSS: iPhone vs. Droid X – A Side-by-Side Comparison

The Droid 2 R2-D2 “Star Wars” limited edition smartphone goes on sale September 30. Its technical specifications will be very similar to its predecessor and will arrive pre-loaded with “Star Wars”-themed content. Oddly enough, Droid is actually a trademark of LucasFilm, that is licensed to Verizon for use in the U.S. For more information, visit droiddoes.com.

Support for Flash, a long-lasting battery life, options for unlimited data and great carrier service on a phone that people seem to enjoy using? What’s not to like? Droid 2 owners – feel free to chime in!

Google Music Service To Take On Apple iTunes This Christmas?

Google Music Service To Take On Apple iTunes This Christmas? A Google service to challenge iTunes? That’s probably not music to Apple’s ears.

If the rumors are true, things could get very intense between the two tech giants this holiday season. Reuters reports that Google is planning to launch both a music download store to rival Apple’s iTunes and a digital song locker for users who want to play their songs wherever they ago. According to sources close to the matter, Google has already been meeting with major music labels to discuss the new service and would want it up and running by just in time for Christmas.

Apple’s iTunes was the kick-start to sales of digital music, dominating the market every year since it’s launch in 2003, and currently accounts for 70 percent of all sales in the U.S. However, “Google Music” is just the latest battle in this clash of the tech titans as the two rivals are likely to go head-to-head in a number of areas including mobile phones, online TV and movies, tablet computers, software and advertising.

But according to industry watchers, the next battlefield for music will be in the clouds, as consumers desire greater access to their music libraries wherever they go. Last December, Apple acquired cloud-based music company LaLa Media, leading industry observers to expect a launch of a similar service at Apple’s September 1 Keynote. As it turns out, Apple instead unveiled an updated version of iTunes and an underwhelming social music network called Ping. (Actually, I may have used the word “suckfest” to describe it.)

Google has yet to sign any deals, or even officially confirm meetings are happening in the first place, but music labels are already looking forward to the prospect of an alternative to Apple — especially one who may not have the same “my way or the highway” attitude.

While Google’s position in the digital music market is still unknown, one sector where the company is currently gaining ground in: mobile phones. In recent months, phones with Google’s Android mobile operating system have seen a surge in popularity, with an estimated 200,000 sold every day, the company reports. With Android matching iPhones and iPods (which use Apple’s iOS technology), Google could soon be challenging Apple in the mobile market as well.

Google’s first step into iTunes territory began last year with their launch of a Google music search feature that includes streaming audio previews and music videos among the results. The company has not made any announcements regarding cloud-based services, however, as Reuters points out, Google’s recent purchase of a remote media company called Simplify Media is most likely not a coincidence.

Do you think Apple should be concerned or not? What do you think about a Google music service? Leave a comment to tell us what you think!

Tech how-to questions, comments, suggestions? E-mail Jennifer at geekgloss@mygloss.com and follow GLOSS on Twitter at @gloss!

Book And Pay For Cab Rides From Your Phone With ‘Taxi Magic’

taxi magic find cab 300x216 Book And Pay For Cab Rides From Your Phone With Taxi Magic Beauty secrets, “Sex and the City” and the appeal of Del Taco weren’t the only topics of conversation during dinner Saturday night with GLOSS’ Lolita Carrico and chicGLOSS editor Aly Walansky. Lolita, the very plugged-in Founder and CEO, also tipped us off to “Taxi Magic,” a must-have app that lets you book a taxi, track its status, and charge the ride to your credit card from your phone.

Long waits and drivers who claim they don’t accept credit card payments can make using a taxi service a frustrating experience. But with the free Taxi Magic app available on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Palm devices, ‘hailing’ a cab is ridiculously convenient and done with just the push of a button.

Using GPS to determine your general location, Taxi Magic pulls up a list of taxi companies in the area for you to choose from. Once you enter the pick-up address, your request is sent to directly to the company’s routing system, booking a taxi without the need to speak to an operator or wait on hold. Once your ride is dispatched, you’ll receive a message with the driver’s name and how far away he or she is. A map tracks the taxi en route, alerting you when its nearby as well as upon its arrival. Taxi Magic also allows mobile payment using stored credit card info so you never have to pull out cash or actual plastic, and emails the receipt for added convenience.

Non-smartphone users can also book a taxi on the Taxi Magic website or by texting TMAGIC (862442) with the pick-up address (ex: “1658 W. Barry 60657″ or “Bowling Alley Cupertino CA”).

Taxi Magic’s on-demand service is currently available in 45 cities nationwide, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, with plans to expand soon. In New York, local cabs that do not accept electronic reservations due to regulations so Taxi Magic offers competitively priced private car companies as alternatives. RideChange, the company behind the app, also hopes to add more frequent GPS updates for more accurate tracking and features like a user rating system for drivers. Even if the on-demand service isn’t yet available in their city, riders can still use Taxi Magic to find the names and numbers of local cab companies, which can be especially useful for out-of-towners.

The Taxi Magic application is free and available to download on taximagic.com.

Bank of America, Visa to Test Smartphone Payments in NY

Bank of America, Visa to Test Smartphone Payments in NY Remember how we told you about the move by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless to displace credit cards with smartphones? Now Bank of America and Visa are working to ditch the plastic, too, with mobile payment test programs scheduled to roll-out as early as next month.

New Yorkers will soon get to make payments to merchants with just a wave of a smartphone – Bank of America’s test run program will start September and run through the end of the year.

Visa is planning to roll out a similar test run with US Bancorp in October.

While the pilot program will use microSD cards, Back of America’s trial run will use small chips that testers will insert in their smartphones. The chips communicate directly with point-of-sale devices to process purchases with the user’s bank account data. Customers will make payments just by waving their smartphones near the cash register — no plastic necessary!

According to Bloomberg News, New York City taxis, Walgreens and CVS drugstores, Burger King and McDonald’s restaurants, and Home Depot are all equipped to accept mobile payments.

Mobile payments have been in use in the U.K., Japan, Turkey and South Korea for the past decade, but have yet to take off in the States. But as the number of Americans using smartphones continues to climb, a digital wallet seems to make sense.

Any New Yorkers out there who plan to take part of the trial? If so, we’d love to hear what you think about mobile payments!