The developer with the nickname richardtrip introduced the test version of the firmware as early as on May 28, but it contained many errors, and some functions did not work. With the last version 0.4 of Android 2.2 the device became almost fully functional. Currently the following functions are working: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Data, Microphone, GPS, and Apps2SD (v0.2, install applications on the memory card). In the list of non-performing functions we can name only camera, but it can be enabled with a little creative manipulation: it is enough to establish an endless focus mode.
By the way, the result of the test performance is impressive — Android 2.2 on the HTC Desire surpasses even its “brother” — the Nexus One. A growth rate of operation in comparison with Android 2.1 gets up to three times faster!

As for the other Google-phones, the situation is a bit worse — the list of non-performing functions is still big. Among them are the Wi-Fi, camera, GPS, default wallpapers, sound and Flash support. And thus the devices currently can only fully perform the functions of the phone calls, 3G and sound regularity.

The specialists of the Google and the T-Mobile being informed about the situation, immediately started to look for solutions by asking the owners to give detailed information of the loss of the connectivity with 3G. According to the frustrated users, the signal of the Nexus One in the network of the T-Mobile is weaker, than of the other phones in the same area. As for example, while the HTC Dream has full scale signal in a fixed place, the HTC Nexus One has only the half.

Unlike the situation with the iPhone and AT&T, where the cause of the weak signal is directly connected with the network, the issues concerning the Google Nexus One are connected with the firmware. The coworkers of the HTC who worked for the production of the Nexus One would also anticipate in this issue.

]]> http://www.htcphones.net/htc-nexus-one-problems-with-3g-networks/feed/ 0 http://www.htcphones.net/htc-dream-and-htc-magic-upgrade-to-2-1-os/ http://www.htcphones.net/htc-dream-and-htc-magic-upgrade-to-2-1-os/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:51:15 +0000 L.K. http://www.htcphones.net/?p=3962

There are some rumors that the Canadian carrier Rogers is preparing for the Android handsets update. This time the list is limited to two HTC smartphones: HTC Dream and HTC Magic. The plan is to update the Android handsets to the 2.1 OS.

While the update for the Magic seems to be a rather smooth process then the Dream model causes some problems concerned its limited memory due to which the upgrade to the 2.1 is not possible. So the rumors state that this rather unfair fact disturbs Rogers, so they found a solution for the problem.

No, it’s not in the form of a memory extension but rather with making the opportunity of Dream exchange with the Magic possible.

Well, while making the decision you should take into account that the “Dream taken away” has a physical QWERTY keyboard, while the latest is not equipped with it.

The first Android-smartphone — the HTC Dream – was released back in 2008 and since then the platform has demonstrated a rapid growth by gaining a big share in the market. In 2009 all the major manufacturers released their models running Android.

But so far the top mobile companies did only their first steps; the massive invasion of the devices running the operating system from Google is expected for the next year!

According to CCS Insight, in 2010 about 50 Android devices from different manufacturers will appear in the market. Among them are such companies as  Samsung, LG, Acer and others. But the leaders of the number of models are Motorola and, of course, HTC, which are both expected to introduce a minimum of 10 models each.

But, according to analyst Ben Wood, all devices will be monotonous, and the choice will be crucial to the brand, so it’s going to be a ” brand-war.” In addition, he says a number of medium and low-price smartphones will also grow, so there will be a wide choice among smartphones in the price range of $150.

In this article we will not discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Android platform, or compare it with other platforms. We made a list of the most interesting devices of the year, which includes phones from HTC, Samsung and Motorola, and of course HTC has a leading role here.

1. T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream)
The first phone based on Google Android platform launched back in 2009. By modern standards, its specs appear to be unconvincing. Nevertheless, there are features that will interest a user. These features include a quality 3.2 inch display, full set of communications and wireless interfaces, GPS, a measure of frolicsome hardware platform (based on the processor Qualcomm MSM7201A 528 MHz) and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Of course, the phone is also equipped with Google Apps and QWERTY keyboard.

All this may seem outdated оn the background of the current top models. But the most important thing is the fact that the HTC Dream (HTC Omni) and its operator version of the T-Mobile G1 were the first real and properly working devices on the new platform. It should be noted that T-Mobile G1 is tuned for use in networks of this operator, but the manufacturer has also released a special version — Android Dev Phone: 1.

2. HTC Hero
The HTC Hero can be called a representative of an entirely new generation of devices based on Android 2.

The most interesting feature of the phone is the HTC Sense UI. The experience gained while working with Windows Mobile smartphones has been successfully transferred to a new software environment. The Sense allows you to personalize the device to best suit your needs: This incudes the creation of profiles and a variety of widgets. The HTC Hero will surprise users with a 5 megapixel camera, 3.2 inch screen, all communication and interfaces, ubiquitous GPS, 3,5 mm audio jack. The phone is equipped with not the most productive platform for these days from Qualcomm, along with a small amount of memory, and has lower screen resolution.

3. Samsung i7500 Galaxy
Samsung is also one of those top companies in the mobile market that was eager to test Android. They have already began selling their first Google phone — the Samsung i7500 Galaxy, which turned out to be pretty successful.

Samsung has intorduced a stylish and a gorgeous touchphone with AMOLED display (the screen resolution is 320×480 pixels) and 8 GB of memory on board. Other specs are the same as the ones of HTC Hero — the same hardware platform, a set of communications, 5 megapixel camera and so on. The design of the i7500 is typical for Samsung. Some users will appreciate the standard navigation keys — which are absent in the most products of HTC. But the standard interface of Google Android is disappointing: the Sense of HTC Hero is still beautiful. Actually, these two devices — the Samsung i7500 and the HTC Hero — will compete for the title of best Google phone of the year, and it is difficult to say which one will win.

4. HTC Tattoo
Along with such top models as the HTC Hero and the Samsung i7500, the Android market had room for budget models, such as the HTC Tattoo.
The device is notable not for its outstanding performance, as the parameters of the smartphone are more than average. It has a small 2.8 inch screen with a low resolution of 240×320 pixels and a rather weak 3.2 megapixel camera. However, there was a place for GPS, Wi-Fi, even for the  HTC Sense UI, which has raised the interest of users. Another significant feature of the device is the ability to personalize the look of the smartphone through color replacement panels — “tattoos.”

It would be wrong to assume that only HTC drew attention to the segment of low-cost mass models. Samsung appeared here as well, presenting its vision of the budget Google phone — the Samsung i5700.

5. Motorola DEXT
Other manufacturers also surprised their fans. For example, Motorola is slowly coming back after a protracted crisis. Inexpensive QWERTY device based on Google Android platform, the Motorola DEXT, along with other products is designed to improve the situation.

In terms of hardware capabilities, the phone has nothing extraordinary — a QWERTY keyboard (the device is made in the side-slider form factor), 3 inch screen, 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus, GPS, Wi-Fi, support for all-band GSM, 3, 5 mm audio jack.

An interesting feature of this unit is the add-on interface called MOTOBLUR. The UI designed for users that can enjoy whole list of social networks. It is a launcher, changing the standard interface of Android, with a greater ability to synchronize user data between the various services such as Facebook, Gmail and others.

The HTC Dream (also known as T-Mobile G1), which runs Google Android, occupies the seventh position, and Windows Mobile-based HTC Touch Pro and HTC Touch Diamond are the ninth and tenth respectively.

So here is the list:

1. BlackBerry Curve
2. Apple iPhone 3GS
3. BlackBerry Pearl
4. Apple iPhone 3G
5. BlackBerry Bold
6. BlackBerry Storm
7. HTC Google G1
8. Palm Pre
9. HTC Touch Pro
10. HTC Touch Diamond

The popularity of Google Android seems to be growing with each new Android smartphone model launched. By the end of this year, according to Google, there will be at least two dozens of Google-phone models. Let us remind that now three devices with android platform are produced: the HTC Dream, the HTC Magic and the HTC Hero. We have heard that HTC is planning to release two more devices based on Google — the HTC Fiesta and the HTC Click.

Canadian mobile operator Rogers has reduced the price of the HTC Dream and the HTC Magic.

Now these Google phones will cost you only $79.99. Of course, with a three-year contract.

MusicSkins — a well-known manufacturer of accessories for mobile devices launched a unique tool that gives you the opportunity to easily create a unique skin for your phone. The “Customizer tool” works only on the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1) for now, but other HTC devices are expected to start working with it, too.

How does it work?

It’s easy! Choose a model for uploading images and photos, select background (any color and any shade), place text and other elements. That’s all!

Moreover, on the official site of MusicSkins you can find a large number of original skins. They are all divided into categories, so you can easily find what you need.

The seller rates the smartphone 9.5 out of 10. There are no scratches on the body or on the screen.

The set of the G1 comes with following:

• Box
• Car c/a
• Normal c / a
• Leather case
• Protective film on the screen
• MicroSD-card at 16Gb

The seller is ready to answer any questions that you have, but no ruturn or refund is promised.