Archive for March, 2010
Google: Fixing Android Fragmentation
Mar 29th
An article about how Google plans to fix Android version fragmentation via downloable components for apps from the market was posted by Engadget today.
“...We’ve been given reason to believe that the company will start by decoupling many of Android’s standard applications and components from the platform’s core and making them downloadable and updatable through the Market, much the same as they’ve already done with Maps. In all likelihood, this process will take place over two major Android versions, starting with Froyo and continuing through Gingerbread. Notice that we said apps and components, meaning that some core elements of Android — input methods, for instance — should get this treatment. This way, just because Google rolls out an awesome new browser doesn’t mean you need to wait for HTC, Samsung, or whomever made your phone to roll it into a firmware update, and for your carrier to approve it — almost all of the juicy user-facing stuff will happen through the Market….“
Google Nexus One now available in Canada!
Mar 16th
Canadians can now get their hands on the long awaited Rogers 3g version of the Nexus one directly from google! Check it out here.
myAccount app for Rogers/Fido Subscribers
Mar 16th
Anyone who’s running their Android phone on the Rogers or Fido network will probably want to pick up this app that was just recently released by Rogers. The myAccount app will help you keep track of your voice and data usage as per your plan with Rogers/Fido, keeping you informed so you know when your going over your minutes or data package. Pick it up right now in the android market by searching for “Rogers My Account”.
Canada, we have paid Android apps!
Mar 16th
Fellow Canadians, I am pleased to announce that we now have access to the paid applications from the google android market up here in Canada!
…But its not all good news… More >
Motorola Backflip coming to Telus
Mar 5th
Telus announced today that it has gained exclusive rights to sell the Motorola Backflip with Motorola’s MOTOBLUR UI here in Canada.
“Toronto, ON – TELUS today announced that it will be offering the acclaimed Android-powered MOTOROLA BACKFLIP with MOTOBLUR later this year, available in Canada only on the TELUS 3G+ network, Canada’s biggest and fastest.
Awarded 2010 CNET Best of Consumer Electronic Show award in the Cell phones and Smartphones category, the MOTOROLA BACKFLIP is the ultimate smartphone, combining the best in social networking, personalization, and multi-tasking all in one place. The BACKFLIP also has an More >
CyanogenMod v4.2.15 released
Mar 5th
CyanogenMod v4.2.15 has been released for the HTC Dream and Magic. You can get it at the Cyanogenmod website, or though CyanogenMod Updater. Some changed listed in the changelog include:
* Many many many bugs fixed, including GTalk and services problems
* New wallpapers and some graphics from Prash
* 360 degree auto-orientation thanks to Optedoblivion More >
Apple sues HTC; Android named in complaints
Mar 2nd
Apple just released a press release stating that they are suing HTC for multiple patent infringements, and hope to get a permanent injunction against HTC to disallow them to import and sell their devices in the USA (HTC devices would not be barred from Canada). Expect a legal battle that will last years with Apple’s various broad patents that apply to basically every smartphone on the market today, with practically 0% chance of the patents actually holding any ground in court…
“CUPERTINO, California—March 2, 2010—Apple® today filed a lawsuit against HTC for infringing on 20 Apple patents related to More >
Rogers Rebranding HTC Magic as “Magic+”
Mar 1st
After the big 911 bug fiasco last month that left thousands of people without a data connection and some without the ability to place outgoing calls because of Roger’s forced call redirections, Rogers and HTC worked together on a new software update for HTC Magic devices that included HTC’s Sense UI (and the 911 bug fix, of course). Rogers is now calling all the new Sense-equipped Magics the “HTC Magic+”. The Sense UI update defiantly does put a new face on the Magic here in Canada. A 2.1 update for Rogers Magic has been pinned at mid-2010.
Bestbuy adjusts Milestone pricing
Mar 1st
It seems like Bestbuy, which was going to have the Milestone for sale contractless for $549.99, has updated their pricing to match that of Telus’ hardware price of $599.99. The Milestone is going to be available on a 3 year contract through Telus for $199.99 and a minimum of $50 a month plan.
I snapped that picture on the left for you guys at my local Bestbuy. It’s BestBuy’s milestone display for those that haven’t been to BestBuy recently.
Canada to get Paid Market Apps next week
Mar 1st
Wendy Rozeluk, spokesperson for Google Canada, commented in an interview with The Gazette that they hope to announce paid market applications to be available in Canada sometime next week!
“There are many factors that come into play to make sure the selling and purchasing processes run smoothly. It takes time to bring support to more countries, which is something we are working hard to do.”
Lets hope they follow through and open up the whole Android market to Canada, so we can enjoy some of the premium applications that otherwise wouldn’t be available (Unless you rooted your device and used MarketEnabler of course).
