Dell Streak 5 receives official Android 2.3 Gingerbread ROM

Dell might have stopped selling the Dell Streak 5 in the US, never mind the fact that this little puppy has been cleared for use at the Pentagon, but that does not mean the Texas-based computer manufacturer has stopped all forms of support for the Streak 5. In fact, Dell has just rolled out the official Android 2.3 Gingerbread ROM for said device. If you are one of the few folks out there who own a Dell Streak 5, just head on to the link here and begin the 155MB .pkg file download. Having said that, I would recommend your device is plugged in to a power source, or has full battery capacity, while you perform the download over a Wi-Fi connection.
Also, do remember to make a backup of your device and all the information inside as you can never tell just when something might go wrong. Installation should be a fast and painless effort, assuming you have the right stock recovery version installed (version 350). Those who have already made the update, how do you find your Gingerbread experience compared to Froyo?

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Kyobo eReader launches in South Korea with mirasol and Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Image by juhansonin via Flickr

Kyobo Book Centre has unveiled the world’s first eReader based on the new mirasol display technology by Qualcomm. This color e-paper display technology will allow for an enhanced reading experience as well as offer bright colors for pictures and video and exceptional battery life. The Kyobo eReader with mirasol is on sale starting today in South Korea and will initially be targeted at education customers.


We’ve mentioned the mirasol display before, Qualcomm’s new technology that aims to change the display markets while offering a technology that promises exceptional color, video-capable e-paper eReaders with amazing battery life. For more information head to mirasoldisplays.com or watch their innovation video here. Essentially using mirrors to reflect light back and control the color at the same time it offers an extremely efficient technology that will work great indoors, and look even better in direct sunlight. Basically a front lit technology rather than conventional backlight displays that are power hungry and become washed out with brightness from the sun or other sources while being used.
The Kyobo eReader will be using the newest mirasol 5.7″ panel with a 1024 x 768 resolution, a 1.0 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and running atop Android 2.3 Gingerbread with what we are hearing will be a locked down and custom UI — although I’m sure the Android hacking world will get on that right away.
Kyobo, Korea’s largest bookseller — will offer 90,000 ebooks for the mirasol eReader, as well as video education content and many other educational options, integration with social networking services and English text-to-speech support. With magazines for the down-time between study classes and possibly 3 weeks of battery life this will be one interesting eReader. The Kyobo eReader is available today starting at $310 USD in South Korea but we have no details on when or if it will see any other markets. Most likely we’ll be seeing more from Qualcomm and their mirasol technology at CES 2012.

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LG Announces Optimus 3D Enhanced Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update

We just received an email from LG confirming the previously leaked Android 2.3 Gingerbread update will officially be arriving on the glasses-free Optimus 3D during the week of November 21st. Rollout will start in Europe and then followed by the rest of the world up until the end of the year.

This isn’t your normal Android update either. LG is calling it an “enhanced” update, adding more than just a bigger firmware number and/or bugfixes. You can look forward to faster 21Mbps HSDPA+ data speeds, new 3D video editor app, improved 2D video stabilization and video recording, plus an updated user interface. You can read the full press release below.

LG ADDS ADVANCED FEATURES TO OPTIMUS 3D
WITH ENHANCED GINGERBREAD UPGRADE
Latest Upgrade Empowers Users with Powerful 3D and Multimedia Options

SEOUL, Nov. 15, 2011 - The enhanced Android 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade developed for LG Optimus 3D will include new and improved features such as enhanced network speed, better 3D experience and improved multimedia functions.

LG’s customized Gingerbread upgrade for Optimus 3D will not only include improvements from Google such as enhanced power management, advanced copy/paste and user interface (UI) improvements, but also enhancements from LG, such as:

Enhanced HSPA+ Speed via Faster Packet Data Services – Internet browsing and real-time streaming have become smoother and more seamless with up to 21Mbps HSDPA;

Enriched 3D Experience with 3D Video Editor and Full-screen UI Preview – With 3D Video Editor, users will be able to easily create and edit 2D as well as 3D movies on their Optimus 3D. The preview screen has become wider with a transparent UI, enabling users to capture better quality 3D content;

Improved Multimedia with 2D Video Stabilization and Faster Gallery Activation – Optimus 3D owners will now be able to record high quality video in 2D mode with the video stabilization feature, previously only available in 3D mode. Gallery loading time has also been reduced.

"These enhanced features included in our customized Android 2.3 upgrade will allow users to further integrate 3D into their everyday lives, as we make the technology more accessible and enjoyable on smartphones," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "We believe that 3D is here to stay and glasses-free 3D on portable devices is to experience the future."

The upgrade will also include additional features such as improved video recording and longer MP3 playback time. The upgrade will be available starting in Europe from the Open model in the week of November 21, followed by other markets until the end of the year.

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Sprint Express Coming Nov. 18, Android 2.3 Smartphone for $19.99

The BlackBerry-style portrait QWERTY design has become a popular option for mid to high-end Android handsets aimed at the business user, but Sprint is set to bring the form factor in at a much more affordable level. Unlike their more refined Motorola XPRT the Sprint Express will be a low-end Android 2.3 device featuring a 2.6-inch display, 600MHz CPU, and 3.2MP camera. The specs are a far cry from the dual-core beasties we have come to crave, but it creates an affordable option at only $19.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
[via AndroidCentral]

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Motorola phones running Android 2.3 experiencing battery life issues after DST

There’s a minor issue with some Motorola phones running Android 2.3 that is causing the phone to lose battery life rather quickly. Motorola made the announcement via their Twitter page earlier today. The issue is caused by Daylight Saving Time and the hour we subtracted from our clocks. Don’t fear, your phone won’t explode or anything like that. According to Motorola, a simple reboot of the phone should take care of the problem. So go ahead and reboot your phone if you’ve experienced some battery weirdness since “fall back”.
If you’re running on any other version of Android, you should be fine. A reboot for you wouldn’t hurt either, though.
via @Motorola

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LG Optimus series Android 2.3 updates rolling out now

If you are a user of the LG Optimus series of smartphones the Android Gingerbread 2.3 update is ready to head your way right now in Europe. There are several models in the Optimus range and the models will get the update in a staggered launch. According to the LG Facebook page, the first to get the update will be the Optimus 2X.

The 2X should be getting the update as of November 1, which is today. The Optimus 3D will get the update starting on November 21. After that update, the Optimus Black will get the nod starting on November 28. After the rollouts are made in Europe, Android 2.3 will come to the device globally according to LG. LG notes that the exact timing of the launch globally will vary with each market.
There are some commenting on the Facebook post saying that the update for the 2X isn’t available OTA or via the updater right now. I can only image the riot that Optimus owners will start if the 2.3 update turns out to be flawed and slow after waiting this long to get Gingerbread. LG recently announced that the 2X would not get an upgrade to Android 4.0 so this Gingerbread update may be the last some LG owners see.
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