HTC Vigor to have Beats audio and LTE onboard

Shortly following the recent leaks of various software aspects of the HTC Vigor, those who did some digging in the files leaked have found some interesting pieces of information that bring some device information to light. Though the leak seemed to be of relatively insignificant wallpapers and screenshots, new information was gleaned from the files, and the lack of some elements bring questions to the table.

As already anticipated, the wallpaper images released are sized at a resolution of 1440×1280 which definitely exceeds the minimum 1280×720 resolution necessary for a 720p HD display. So long as the device avoids an IPS display, we expect the resolution to look beautiful on the 4.2” screen. Another piece of information gleaned from the leaks reveal that the device will feature onboard Beats Audio, as initially rumored.
What wasn’t seen on the device however was the typical DROID eye seen in the boot animation files. The DROID eye is used by Verizon as a designation of the device to their DROID line. Perhaps the HTC Vigor might remain named the HTC Vigor? Or maybe Verizon simply hadn’t added the images to the animation prior to the media leak.
Let the leaks keep coming.
[via SlashGear]

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Samsung Galaxy S 4G and Infuse 4G Gingerbread Leak Available

For those lucky among you who own a Galaxy S 4G or an Infuse 4G, a Gingerbread, 2.3.5 ROM has been released for your downloading pleasure. While this isn’t necessarily an official update by any means, it does suggest that an official update may come in the near future. But for those of you with one of these rooted beauties, the wait is no longer over.

Of course, for those of you who don’t have rooted devices, this may not be the update you were looking for. The instructions for installing the leaked ROM files are quite simple however, assuming that you already have Odin installed on your computer. And as per usual, Mac users have been left in the dark as Odin is solely windows-only.
You can find both ROM files over at Samfiremare. From there, the instructions are relatively simple. Simply extract the .tar files with the password samfirmware.com and click “PDA” from within Odin and select the new md5 that you extracted. Then, from there, it’s as simple as plugging in your device in download mode by holding both volume buttons with the device off, and plugging it into your computer. Odin should be able to handle everything else from there.

[via Everything Android]

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HTC Vigor leaks… in pieces

The rumored HTC Vigor, named to be successor to the Droid Incredible 2, has leaked its boot animation sequence, defaulted wallpapers, including its live wallpaper, in addition to the notifications and default ringtones on the device. The boot sequence also confirms some expected features of the phone.

As reported previously, reports have placed the Vigor potentially releasing by October 13th. Specifications for the phone include a dual-core 1.5 GHZ processor, a 4.3″ HD screen (720p), and Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread. The device has also been cleared through the FCC as an LTE device, bringing another 4G option for Verizon.
While the leak only provides image files the live wallpaper can be installed to your device if you so desire.  It’s good to see that Verizon is providing other alternatives to the Droid Bionic for those seeking an LTE device.
[via Android Police]

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Motorola XOOM 2 Revealed in leaked photos

It appears that the XOOM will truly have a followup in the future, the very near future it seems if these photos are to be taken as images of a real live test unit of the upcoming tablet from Motorola. This device is said by our source here to be tagged with the product number MZ617 and indeed called XOOM 2 (at least for the time being, that is.) The source of the photo also mentions that there’s an HDMI and microUSB port (or two ports, one single port would mean MHL), some “big” physical flush buttons on the back, a SIM card slot, and “no SD slot at first glance.” Sound alright so far?

Other than what’s written in the paragraph above, there’s no real solid information on this device other than the gigantic leak from a few months ago which also saw names like Slimline, Targa, Zaha, and Tracy XL as additional product names. There are some obvious points that we can glean from just looking at the device, this starting with the fact that this tablet has a couple of speaker grilles up near the top of the back of the device. In the center of the top of the back of the device is an “HD” camera with the protective plastic still stuck on it (that’s why it’s bluish. You can see that this is obviously not a full production-ready unit by the message right up back and center which reads:

CONFIDENTIAL MOTOROLA RESTRICTED PROPERTY NOT FOR SALE

AKA don’t you DARE take a couple of photos of this device and post them on the internet, you fool! We can also see some very indicative design cues, starting with the curves. Recent Motorola products such as the Motorola ELECTRIFY which we just reviewed today, mind you, have the same sort of curve at the edges going on. A sort of quick waning near the corners. The Motorola M is right in the center of the back, and the coloring on the metal appears to be very similar to what we’ve seen with the Motorola XOOM Wi-fi variant There’s a lovely black sort of border around the back, and right at the bottom you can see the cover slightly ajar for the SIM card – and if this version is anything like the original XOOM, there’s space for a microSD card as well.
Look like your kind of tablet? How about if it’s got a quad-core or a penta-core NVIDIA Kal-El processor inside? That’s what I’m talking about, mang.

[via DroidLife]

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LG Optimus EX press image and specs revealed

Well folks, just a few days ago we received our first potential look at the LG Optimus EX rocking a dual-core processor and a decent rap-sheet full of specs. Earlier this week the details were a bit scant but today we’ve found actual press images as well as a detailed breakdown the specs and what will be under the hood here with the EX.

Coming in at under 10 mm thick this should be a very sleek and thin smartphone from LG. Rocking Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread and what has now been confirmed as a 1.2 Ghz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage and more. It will feature a 4.0″ 480×800 NOVA display (no H-IPS or HD here), a 5MP camera around the rear yet sadly it wont have an LED flash. We also see a front facing camera and it will come with a 1500 mAh battery under the back cover.

Apart from the usual other treats like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and sensors it will also be capable of 1080p video capture and more. The original look didn’t reveal much other than the unique design approach LG has taken with this smartphone and the image above shows it clear as day. A bit odd if I don’t say so myself, but nice nonetheless. According to sources this is also headed for now only to Korea and will be offered in two colors — Black and Silver, as well as White and Gold. Hopefully this along with a few other LG phones seen as of late will get a US release date too.
[via Cetizen]

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RadioShack soon selling Barnes and Noble Nook and Nook Color

Just when you thought you couldn’t get a Nook at RadioShack, they come up and surprise you by carrying the Nook. They’ve also got the Nook Color, both of these device available very soon in most if not all of their thousands of locations across the USA and Mexico. What you need to know is that while Barnes & Noble continues to grow their eReader business, their competitors are either dying (Borders, just this past weekend, rest in peace), or re-ramping up so as to avoid the massive Nook pain. Do you own a Nook yet? Do you plan on picking one up in the near future?

What we know is that soon RadioShack will be expanding their collection of mobile devices with their first real big eReader in both the Nook and the Nook Color. While RadioShack certainly has had a wide and strange variety of electronics in the past, and a mobile business now that’s expanding day by day, this is the first time they’ve really, truly hooked up with a book store chain. Does this mean that RadioShack customers will be reading more? Who can say!

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Download: Android 2.3.7 (GWK74) With Google Wallet For The Nexus S 4G

WARNING: This file is only for the Sprint Nexus S 4G. To flash the update, the phone must be stock - that means no custom ROMs. Rooted handsets are OK, though this might reset root permissions (you just need to re-root). We've included a link to a full, flashable ROM which will probably require a wipe, as well.

If you find yourself still without the Android 2.3.7 (GWK74) update for your Sprint Nexus S 4G, have no fear - we're here to help. Thanks to Omar over on Google+, we've got a direct link to the update.zip from Google themselves. To flash the update:

• DOWNLOAD: Android 2.3.7 (GWK74) For Sprint Nexus S 4G (Mirror)
• Rename the file to "update.zip" (please make sure you have file extensions set to show)
• Place it on the root of your SD card (not in a folder)
• Reboot into recovery
• Select "Apply update.zip"

When you reboot, launch Google Wallet - it may crash on your first run, so just run it again if this happens. As a note, If you're on a handset with a custom (or DeOdexed) ROM and want to update using this file, you'll need to flash back to stock GRJ90 to flash this update
If you are running a custom ROM and want to flash to the stock GWK74 update, check out this thread over at XDA. There are links for both de-odexed and odexed versions.
Google+, Thanks Omar!

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AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Unboxing and Hands-on [Video]

In the mail today we’ve received a lovely surprise, no less than the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy S II. What we’ve got for you below is a full hands-on rundown of the features you’ll be working with here on the AT&T iteration of this device specifically along with a brief review of what this device will contain in our full review. Remember that this is not the first time the Galaxy S II has been released here in the states, but it is the closest we’ve gotten to the original version yet – more on that in the deep! AT&T, are you the best carrier of this device yet?

What this AT&T version has that the Epic 4G Touch does not is a whole tiny handful of things, most of them carrier-specific apps. The most obvious point of difference you’ll notice right away though is the size of the display. While the Epic 4G Touch has an enlarged 4.5-inch display, the AT&T Galaxy S II has the same 4.32-inch display that the original (international) version of the device. Of course there are quite a few differences between the original and any of the USA versions of this device, apps and the giant joystick on the original being the most obvious.



The good thing we can rely on here is the original Samsung Exynos dual-core processor clocked in at 1.2 GHz. This is one of the most powerful dual-core processors on the market today and has beaten out several other dual-core processors in benchmark tests here on Android Community in the past. This device might be the last (of two) devices in the USA to carry this exact processor, the first one being the Epic 4G Touch. You can see in the video in this post that the device is made to fit nicely in the hand and hit the sweet spot for optimal everyday use as well as screen brightness and sharpness with its Super AMOLED Plus display.

We’re looking forward very much to taking this device through the obstacle course soon to give you a good idea what you’re looking at for the October release. My own first impression is that I’ll be using this version much more than I’ve used the Epic 4G Touch simply because the WiMAX (and the 3G, for that matter,) have been very unreliable thus far AND because this 4.32-inch display seems like, again, the sweet spot for optimal everyday use.
Check out the video and let us know what you need to know about this device so I can answer all your questions in the full review!
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Huawei Honor (Glory) up for pre-order, confirms specs

We have seen the Huawei Glory before during a full hands-on back in June and it was being dubbed a inexpensive Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone. Appearing as one of the better constructed devices from Hauwei as of late many were interested to hear more. Today the phone is now up for pre-order and we have more details for you after the break.

It was last spotted being called the Honor at the end of August along with some specs to help us get an understanding for the device. Huawei has been known thus far as selling some of the lower to entry level Android smartphones but this and the recently spotted Vision shows they are starting to build some great phones.

The Huaewi Honor is a 4.0″ smartphone with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 1.4 GHz single-core Qualcomm processor, 1GB RAM, 5 MP camera on the rear with LED flash, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the usual internal goods. It also comes with a massive 1930 mAh battery to help last more than all day. When we first learned of this device it was being mentioned as their first well rounded Gingerbread phone and it would be an inexpensive offering coming in around $300 without signing a contract. The pre-order page spotted today shows a much higher price so we are hoping that will drop once this phone hits the streets.
This seems like a great mid-range phone especially for Huawei but I’ll be hoping for a lower price while we wait for more details.
[via Modem3G]

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