What you see above is a document leaked to Engadget, showing that Android 2.2 (Froyo) is about to roll out for the HTC Evo 4G as early as this weekend.  Supposedly an announcement will be made tomorrow, and the software will be made available for users to download and manually install as a sort of test bed.  Along with the update comes all sorts of new widgets and features -- flashlights, upgraded video recording quality (720p!), LED flash during video capture, and more.  Looks like I'll be getting up early tomorrow to hopefully hear an announcement and download some Froyo for my Evo.  Engadget has a gallery of the rest of the document right HERE, it's chock full o' changes.  Now let's hope this pans out and we're not just getting set up for another disappointment.  [Engadget]

Posted originally at Android Central

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A while back, the Droid Incredible was torn apart and revealed some things we never knew it was capable of. Like an FM transmitter tuner, and full 720p video recording. Recently, however, another dissection done by iSuppli Corp’s reveals that the Incredible has a $163.35 Bill of Materials (BOM) price tag. Although the Nexus One’s BOM is slightly higher – $174.15 – the materials used are almost identical except, of course, support for Verizon’s CDMA network. What adds to the price tag? That bright AMOLED screen and DDR RAM for starters, and apparently that Snapdragon CPU isn’t in the bargain bin, either. Those three components cost about $90 total, and when you add in some of the other features such as the camera, Bluetooth, and all the mechanical and electro-mechanical gizmos, it adds up pretty quickly. This goes to show that building a quality smartphone costs more than nickels and dimes to the manufacturer, but the end result is definitely worth it. [iSuppli]

Posted originally at Android Central

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Back at Google IO in May, our benevolent overlords detailed their intentions to make mobile advertising more immersive, akin to Apple's iAds. Today, we're starting to see some of the fruits of that labor with AdWords location extensions. Businesses can show their location (via an embedded Google Map, natch) and clickable phone number all in an expanding and contracting ad, right inside an app. Says Google:

This new ad format is available on mobile devices with full Internet browsers and allows you to expand your advertising campaigns to reach highly engaged mobile users with relevant local information as they use their favorite apps or websites to check the weather, read the news, play games or pursue other mobile interests.

Ads that truly are useful? Crazy talk! [Google Mobile Ads blog]

Posted originally at Android Central

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According to Samsung's official UK Twitter account, the Galaxy S (the non-U.S. version, anyway) will receive Froyo (2.2) near the end of September; it is currently in development, according to the spokesperson. 

There has been a Froyo ROM leaked for the international version of the Galaxy S, so if you can't wait, try that. But it's nice to know that Samsung appears dedicated to its Galaxy S phones and is looking to update them as quickly as possible. (Via @SamsungUKMobile)

Posted originally at Android Central

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One of the shining features of Android is its ability to understand what you want. Case in point: the voice-to-text feature. You speak, it listens. Here's a quick tip for an easy Google search. Hold down the search button on your phone. A window will pop up telling you to "Speak now." Do so, and Google will automagically search for whatever you said. Go ahead. Try it.

Posted originally at Android Central

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Seriously, the Droid 2 might just be the worst-kept secret in the mobile industry at this point. Add this onto the pile of leaks we have already seen, but now Droid-Life seems to have gotten their hands on a full copy of the phone's user guide. They have gone ahead and posted the entire thing for your viewing pleasure as a PDF.

Some notable finds:

• Will launch with Froyo (which of course everybody's known for a while).
• Is running the same its-not-blur-but-kinda-is skin that is on the Droid X (PhilBlur!)
• Comes with Swype pre-loaded.

Click on the link to get the full scoop and lots of pretty pictures. [Droid-Life]

Posted originally at Android Central

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Update 2: We've heard back from the developer of these apps, who tells us the following:

"What the ceo [sic] of Lookout said  makes no sense. I will email you with details later."

We await the details. In the meantime, be aware that the developer listed on the suspect wallpaper apps has been changed to callmejack. We're still diving into this one. But for the time being, we recommend not installing these apps.

Original: Before we start, grab your phone and your computer and hit this link: Android apps by jakeey, wallpaper.  If you have any of these applications on your Android phone, uninstall them.

We'll wait.

Now you ask why did we recommend (nay, demand!) you uninstall any of those apps?  Lookout says that one or more of these apps are stealing your data and sending it to an unknown person or persons in China.  Yup, innocent looking wallpaper apps.  According to Lookout, the app(s) in question are collecting:

• browsing history
• text messages
• your SIM card data
• subscriber ID
• voicemail password (if it's set to be entered automatically)

Look for Google to pull these soon, as they potentially affect at least 1.1 million users, but for now remember to read what an app can do when you install it. That's that screen you ignore every time you install an app. The one that tells you what system permissions the app has access to. If, say, a calculator wants to see your contacts list, think twice.

It's worth reminding that Android is the only OS that gives you these sort of warnings. And before any Apple fanatics get too cocky, at least these apps aren't stealing money from your Google checkout account.  We're keeping a close eye on this one, you'll hear more as it unfolds.  [Mobile Beat via 9 to 5 Mac]

Update: Lookout got back to us during the overnight to clarify a few things as reported in the Mobile Beat story. They're not going quite so far as to call the app "malicious," but questions remain. Read Lookout's e-mail to us after the break. We've e-mailed the apps' developer for further explanation.

Posted originally at Android Central

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We've already seen the mysterious (and as-yet unannounced) myTouch 3G HD, which is rumored to be T-Mobile's first HSPA+ phone, from the front. Looks like the same tipster fed TmoNews the back of the device. 

No word yet on if these pictures are real or if this is in fact T-Mobile's first HSPA+ phone. T-Mobile is keeping their lips sealed on this one, so it's likely we won't know for a while. But we're likely to see more of this before release, we reckon. Does the back of the phone change any opinions you had about the device prior? [TmoNews]

Posted originally at Android Central

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Thursday already? Yep, and that means it's time for the world's largest, loudest and craziest Android podcast. On tap tonight: More Android phones than you can shake a stick at, including the Galaxy S, Droid X updates, and the all new (and mythical) myTouch 3G HD. Plus, a bunch of apps, and your voicemails and e-mails.

So Join Phil, Jerry and Mickey tonight at 9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT. Oh, and for sure we'll be giving away some more swag, so be sure to be there for the live show.

Not at a computer? Pick up the free UStream Viewer from the Android Market [link] and search for Android Central a little before the show (it won't appear until we go live). We'll see you there! AndroidCentral.com/live

Posted originally at Android Central

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LG Electronics has announced another heavy hitter into its home Korean Android market, the LG Optimus Z. This device has a 3.5-inch WVGA "Hyper" HD LCD powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and runs Android 2.1 currently, but they have stated by the end of the year the device will receive a 2.2 update. Equipped with two batteries this device is ready to power the 170 pre-equipped applications along with the T-DMB mobile TV that is preinstalled. The Optimus Z offers users some great features, and has brought a couple of amazing new features to the table with this device.

In a first for Korean smartphones, the LG Optimus Z offers On Screen Phone function that lets user display their phone interface on the screen of their PC. Using Bluetooth or a data cable, the interface will appear onscreen, letting users manage the phone’s various functions – including applications and e-mail – on the computer. In addition, any documents, images or music files stored on the PC can be easily transferred to Optimus Z using this interface. Furthermore, Drag & Shake allows LG Optimus Z users to share files between smartphones with a simple shake of the handset, while LG Air Sync lets them constantly sync the phone with their PCs or other mobile digital devices.

While the device is only available in the Korean market, this brings a glimmer of hope that we can see some of these new features on some U.S.-based devices in the future. Full presser after the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

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