Dell offers Android users app for shopping and support

Dell has announced a new app for Android users that will let Android fans access a bunch of features for support and to buy new products. The app is an extension of the Dell.com website and it is called the Dell Mobile App for Android. The app is on the Android Market right now for download. You can also download it directly from the Dell website at this link.

Using the app Android owners can shop from anywhere and at anytime and offers many of the features from the main site. With the app users can browse products and compare different products from Dell as well as read reviews. Once the product is chose the user can buy what they are looking at securely directly from the mobile device.
All the same products and options are available on the app as the main Dell website. This might be a cool app for the corporate IT person that has to order products for multiple people within the company. Dell is also pushing the app to be a shopping hub for the holiday season. Dell and Baidu have been in the news lately. Dell and Baidu recently joined up to build an Android-based OS for mobile devices in China.
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HTC Rhyme sign up page now live

The HTC announcement starts in about an hour – but it looks like there’s already one device that we can confirm to be showing up at the event. The sign-up page for the HTC Rhyme (formerly known as HTC Bliss) has gone live on Verizon’s website, giving users to opportunity to show their interest in the phone by entering their email address. It is said to go on sale this Thursday, September 22^nd, with pre-orders for the phone starting tomorrow.
The HTC Rhyme will be an Android phone that’s targeted at female users, featuring mid-range specs: a 3.7″ WVGA display, an 800MHz processor, 5-megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, Android 2.3.4, HTC Sense 3.5, and will be bundled with: a light-up charm that lets people know when they’ve got messages or incoming calls, a docking station, and a set of tangle-free headphones. Head over to the Verizon website if you’re keen on finding more about the phone.

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AT&T Offers to Sell T-Mobile Assets to Sprint, Others

Bloomberg has reported that AT&T’s contracted Sprint, MetroPCS, Leap Wireless, CenturyLink and Dish Network in order to negotiate the sale of T-Mobile assets in order to gain approval for their proposed merger. This is likely in response to early reports that suggested AT&T would most likely need to go this route in order to persuade anti-trust regulators and the FCC that their moves aren’t to stifle competition.

Talks are supposedly preliminary for the time being with no carrier or firm coming to concrete terms with AT&T on this possible sale. Bloomberg reports that the department of justice may not even consider the sale of assets a huge band-aid for AT&T’s case. That ruling could come to if AT&T offers assets of low value to their competitors. We’d think spectrum would be the most valuable but AT&T’s acquisition is all about that, according to them. It will be an interesting few months, for sure. [Bloomberg]

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo Receives Android 2.3.4

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo has received its Android 2.3.4 update. It brings with it the new version of Google Talk with video chat support, but Sony Ericsson has also sprinkled more desirable goods into the folks. We get a Swype-like keyboard, a panoramic photo option in camera, screen capture and enhancements to their Facebook integration. This one’s going out in Nordic countries right now but we can’t imagine it will take long to make its way to other regions. Sony Ericsson is expected to complete rollout to all regions in October. [Xperia Blog]

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Google Wallet: the app that makes your phone your wallet

Google’s Osama Bedier, Vice President of Payments, has dished the dirt on the brand new Google Wallet app, with a post on the Official Google Blog.
Google Wallet essentially allows NFC-enabled smartphones to make payments for stuff with a tap, thus negating the need to carry a separate wallet. Because that’s such a great hardship.

“In May we announced Google Wallet—an app that makes your phone your wallet—with Citi, MasterCard, Sprint and First Data,” begins the post. “With Google Wallet, you can tap, pay and save using your phone and near field communication (NFC).”
Google began rolling out the service yesterday, to Sprint customers in the States. Sprint Nexus S 4G users received the app via an OTA update.
The service has certainly garnered the attention of some pretty big names. “We appreciate Citi and MasterCard for being our launch partners. And today, Visa, Discover and American Express have made available their NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.”
Interestingly, one of the examples Google uses in this accompanying YouTube video is paying for a taxi. But wouldn’t the driver be expecting a tip? I’m just saying.

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HTC DROID Incredible 2 receives update, nothing major

Hey Droid Incredible 2 owners, you may want to check your devices for a new update that will bump the phone’s build number to 4.08.605.3, which will also upgrade your current operating system to Android 2.3.4. Unfortunately, it will not add Google Talk with Video to the Dinc 2 but will bring minor bug fixes and email synchronization enhancements.
There is still no word about when the HTC Thunderbolt will receive a Gingerbread update. Hang in there, guys!

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LG Optimus Q2 vs HTC Sensation XE

We compare HTC's upgraded Sensation XE and LG's keyboard-toting Optimus Q2 to see which device offers users the most complete Android package

LG's Optimus Q2 is a device aimed squarely at the more discerning Android user and with its sliding full Qwerty, slim form factor and powerful processor the device looks set to turn a few heads, but how does this promising pro-Android compare to HTC's new beast, the HTC Sensation XE? Let's find out.

Display
LG's Optimus Q2 features a 4-inch IPS LCD touchscreen that operates at a resolution of 480 x 800 and a pixel density of 223ppi, making it pretty standard Android fare.
HTC's Sensation XE comes in with a 4.3-inch S-LCD qHD display which operates at a resolution of 540 x 960, giving it a subtle edge over the LG, and it beats the Q2 in pixel density too, with 256ppi, which is good but no iPhone 4.
Both devices will do justice to an assortment of media though, and you'll likely find them more than a match for any HD videos and games you might want to run on your device.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE

Form & Build
LG Optimus Q2 - 123x65x12.3mm, 147g
HTC Sensation XE - 126.1x65.4 x11.3mm, 151g
Despite offering a nice, full Qwerty keyboard the Optimus Q2 is still only 12.3mm thick, giving it a real edge over other full keyboard toting Android devices.
You can expect the build to live-up to LG's recent track record, which is to say solid and durable with a pleasant premium feel, and at only 147g you won't feel like you're carrying a lead weight around with you.
The HTC Sensation XE is only 1mm thinner than the Optimus Q2, even without a keyboard, and this doesn't work to the device's favour in this round. The extra input options that a full QWERTY brings are well worth that tiny bit of extra paunch.
Other than that the Sensation XE is good, but unremarkable. It feels a nice weight and the balance is on par with what we've come to expect of a manufacturer with HTC's cachet.
Winner - LG Optimus Q2

Camera
The HTC Sensation XE features the same 8-megapixel camera as the original Sensation and the performance is equally as idiosyncratic.
You get the usual add-ons with the Sensation XE too, such as dual-LED flash, face detection, touch-focus, geo-tagging and instant capture as well as 1080P video capture and a front facing VGA offering, giving the device a nice spec-sheet, but don't expect it to replace your compact.
The LG Optimus Q2 features a standard 5-megapixel snapper with autofocus, LED flash and geo-tagging, as well as a front facing VGA camera for video-calling.
We can't comment on the performance, but we wouldn't expect it to be anything better than what's already on the market.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE

Software
Both of our contenders run on version 2.3.4 of Google's Android platform and more than do the operating system justice.
The Optimus Q2 features LG's custom overlay, which brings some new widgets, apps and other functionality to bear on the already well-stocked OS, though it mightn't be to everyone's liking.
The Sensation XE features HTC's sterling Sense UI overlay, which really gives the Taiwanese manufacturer's devices the edge over virtually every other Android on the market.
Sense brings social networking integration, widgets, apps and eye candy to the device and makes it a breeze to use and a pleasure to look at.
On top of Sense you also get the benefit of the vaunted 'Beats' software (and headphones too!) which offers custom sound profiles and tweaking, and gives the XE exemplary sound quality, so pick yourself one up if you're a muso in training.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE

Power
The Optimus Q2 runs on a dual-core 1.2GHz Tegra 2 CPU, so you can expect the device to run at a fair trot and cope with all the latest apps and games without a hiccup, and while there are faster devices out there you won't find the Q2 wanting.
HTC's Sensation XE is driven by a new 1.5GHz dual-core CPU that makes the device fly. The extra oomph is really noticeable and the inclusion of a larger, 1730mAh battery will keep the slick package running for longer too. This we like.
HTC didn't deem a RAM upgrade necessary though, meaning the device comes with 726MB installed, the same as its forebear. This we don't like.
That aside the Sensation XE is still a blisteringly fast smartphone which performs brilliantly in almost every regard.
Winner - HTC Sensation XE
HTC's Sensation XE takes the tape first in this comparison, and with effort to spare.
Sure, the Optimus Q2 is a contender, and its hardware QWERTY and slim figure will appeal to those message heavy users, but it just isn't as much fun as the obscenely powerful and pretty Sensation XE.
Is the XE worth the upgrade if you already own the original? Well, no, unless you're keen to hammer your credit card or music's more important to you than money, but for those that are looking for a rewarding and powerful Android experience it's the flavour of the week.

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LG Optimus LTE Emerges

Formerly codenamed the LG LU6200, the LG Optimus LTE finally has some sneakshots. This will be the first dual-core LG device to hit the LTE airwaves – the carrier is still a mystery. Previous LG devices can’t compare to the specs of this new superphone; with the 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660 Snapdragon processor lag/hangups should be a thing of the past.

Similar to the US Galaxy S II, the battery has been amped up to 1830mAh to help your device last the entire day. The Optimus LTE will sport the world’s first AH-IPS LCD display at 4.5″ with a 1280×720 resolution. There hasn’t been enough solid competition against Samsung’s Super AMOLED Plus displays to date, but the AH-IPS LCD is sure to be a contender.

Most unique to the Optimus LTE is the exterior-rear casing. It looks to be a diamond-backed pattern that’s smooth to the touch. Whether or not this will be the same to ship out to the US is still unclear. As for software goes, Street Fighter IV will be available exclusively for the Optimus LTE for 3 months.
[via daum (Korea)]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 4G LTE Update rolling out now

Verizon Wireless announced early last week that they were getting ready to push an OTA update for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Verizon 4G LTE. I’m happy to report that users should be seeing this update hitting their Galaxy Tab devices starting today. A few users have already reported the update hitting their tab and we’ve got some screenshots and details after the break.

Sadly this update is only 11.4 MB in size and mainly looks to fix a few bugs as well as some issues with Verizon Wireless connectivity. When Verizon released the update information shown below early last week they were clear in pointing out this is mainly for 3G/4G connection issues and a few other minor bugs. For all the details here is the official update document from Verizon.

Along with data connectivity fixes, email and browser enhancements, Verizon also has made the Tab 10.1 LTE able to be detected on the Mac OS such as Lion and OSX. They’ve also now added SIM and IMEI information to the “about tablet” screen although both of those are very minor issues. For those hoping for an update to the Touch Wiz UX for tablets or even Android 3.2 Honeycomb you’ll sadly have to wait for that another day. The update is extremely small, quick and shouldn’t take but a few minutes.
As always this should come OTA but users can also go to settings> about tablet> check for updates if they’d like to manually pull the OTA update themselves and not wait. Give the update a try and let us know if you experience “enhanced data connectivity” after the update.

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