Back in January, Sprint had said the in the 1st quarter, they would release the 6.5 update for HTC Touch Pro2 users. It might not be as exciting being that we already know a lot about the Windows Phone 7 series, of course but it’s a good step up considering its a great device for the states and unlike the Tilt2, it came with the not-so-liked WM 6.1, it comes with “Sense” enhancements and some bug fixes. So if you own this badboy, it looks to be a must grab!

Many Droid owners were looking forward to the highly anticipated Android 2.1 update. However, that might not happen today and we aren’t sure when. According to Verizon, it’s delayed, but they’ve given no sign of when it might rollout. Check out some of the info below!

-FlexDroid

“The OTA software update for the Droid by Motorola is TBD. A new date will be communicated as soon as possible.

“The 3/18 OTA software update will not happen as planned. A new date will be communicated as soon as possible.”

When Opera Mini Beta 5 first came out, I immediately hopped on with my Razr2 V8 back then, and it was amazing! The features it carried took my phone way beyond what Motorola had planned for it from the start. Now, my new Android MyTouch 3G has gotten a similar chance to receive Opera Mini Beta 5, and of course I instantly installed it on my phone. Even though its quite an amazing step forward for Opera and even Android, I think I’ll stick with my default Android browser for now and here’s why.

The Interface:

The factor that pushes any user to jump onto a new browser for Android is the interface, which is awful on the default Android browser. Now Opera is a breath of fresh air with its sleek UI that blends into any phone I’ve experienced it on, which is no different for Android. The slidable lower display of tabs is much more comfortable than the window transitions on the default browser, and even the buttons are more touch friendly it seems.

It’s also very easy to use and definitely more user orientated than Android’s default.

The Speed:

Now what really turned me on when using Opera Mini was the speed with which it loaded the web pages. I immediately noticed a significant increase in page loading from my default Android browser whether I was on 3G, Edge, or Wifi. The internet has never been this fast on Android.

The Features:

Opera Mini comes with all the great features its been known and revered for. Bookmark sync lets you and your computer’s Opera Browser always stay connected to the latest bookmarked pages. You can even save any page for future viewing, which is perfect for those interesting articles that you lose access to in Airplane Mode on those long plane flights. Downloads have a separate integration than the default Android Browser yet you can manage them all directly from the Opera Browser which it makes it just as convenient. History allows you to view all the pages you visited last in nice and friendly interface. Google search is integrated the same way except your default Homescreen search tool will go through the command with the default browser, not Opera.

What It Lacks:

Out of the box this Browser is still in Beta and deserves some serious credit for that. However, I did find some really important features missing.

First of all everyone wants to make the greatest browser their default, yet Opera doesn’t let you set it as the default unlike the Dolphin Browser which requests this permission right when you first open it.

Secondly, if you’ve had your Android Default Browser for quite some time, you won’t be able to transfer any of its bookmarks to Opera, which is something all the other third-party browsers for Android are missing as well.

Lastly, there are no options for sharing any pages or links directly from it through other Android apps on your phone which is indeed why i’ll stick with my default Android Browser for now.

Free But Not Totally:

While Opera is completely free to download and use, you won’t be able to contact the developers since that requires a payed customer service subscription. So even though I wrote a very nice email of the factors that would allow Opera to become the greatest browser for Android, they won’t be hearing anything from me since I don’t plan on shelling out any money just to let them improve their own product.

Intro To Phone:

Introduction to Opera Mini on Android

For more info on the new Opera Mini Beta 5 Browser for Android, click here.

Overall, Opera’s amazing user interface and crazy speed make up for any small features that its missing. If you’re in desparate need of sharing directly from the browser, you should probably still stick to Android’s default or get Dolphin.

Download it from here, it’s free after all.

View the original article on iTechjoy

Looks like Google wants to go all out on their device! Just about 24 hours ago we saw the ATT Nexus revealed and next day a Sprint version is revealed! Today is a first for Google to get their device on all four major U.S. carriers! Tmobile got it first then Verizon, yesterday ATT, and today Sprint! We aren’t sure when the “Spring Release” happen, maybe Saturday? Also, they don’t want us to know the pricing but at least we know that it’s going to come someday!

Motorola posted offical specs about the Droid 2.1 update today.. Here is the PDF file link: here.

Here are the official upgrades from the Verizon site:

Enhancements:

- Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and

Google Maps.™

- New Weather and News application plus widget.

- The Weather and News app pulls the information you want from the

Web and brings it to your fingertips. You get weekly and hourly

weather forecasts based on your location, and news headlines.

- New support for voice-to-text entry.

- Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone

icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.

- New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken

with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.

- Live Wallpapers offer richer animated, interactive backgrounds on the

home screen. Access them with a long press anywhere on the home

screen. Tap Wallpapers, then Live Wallpapers.

Improvements:

- Free Yahoo!® Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo!

email address and password.1

- Google Maps update.2

- Personalized suggestions and synchronized starring with

desktop maps.google.com.

- Starred items are stored and synced automatically between Google

Maps on your device and maps.google.com on your computer,

making it easy to search for places you’ve searched

for before.

- New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes

the screen at night for easier viewing.

- Improved pattern-lock functionality.

- Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.

- Email accounts no longer need to be re-entered after an over the air update.

I know that most Droid owners are really excited about the update, and for most the update still feels overdue. More details to come when I actually get the over-the-air update…

Looks like the Nexus One has totally changed the game! It’s been released online unlocked for $529. The best part of it is that it’s available now! It comes equipped with the necessary bands to make it work on 3G! Check out the press release below!

-FlexDroid

Nexus One now compatible with the AT&T 3G network and shipping to Canada

In early January, we announced the Nexus One, the first device sold through Google’s web store. The Nexus One is unlocked, which means you can use it with a SIM card from most GSM operators worldwide. Currently the device is compatible with most 3G networks, including T-Mobile in the US. However, there are some carriers that have different 3G frequencies, such as AT&T in the US and Rogers Wireless in Canada, so users with these SIM cards can only access 2G or EDGE networks on their Nexus One.

Starting today, an additional version of the Nexus One is available from the Google web store that is compatible with AT&T’s 3G network. This new model can be purchased as an unlocked device without a service plan. In addition to AT&T’s 3G network, this device will also run on Rogers Wireless in Canada. And like the first version of the Nexus One, it can be used with most GSM operators globally.

Additionally, Nexus One devices can now be shipped to Canada from Google’s web store, and will work with a SIM from Rogers Wireless. To find out which version you should purchase, based on your mobile service provider, please visit our Help Center.

As you all know, South by Southwest (SXSW) is currently going on in Austin, TX. During that, a few location-based apps have been updated or launched specifically for the event. Of course there are a few other apps that have been out for a while offering similar features and I thought it was about time to write down the handful of location apps of the moment (iPhone).

If you don’t already know, location sharing has become extremely popular over the last few months. With these apps, you can quickly keep in touch with friends near-by and also participate in a fun location game. Of course there’s dangers with location-sharing; robbery, etc., but some apps are already working to prevent the data from reaching the hands of burglars – such as Whrrl.

NOTE: I wouldn’t suggest linking your Twitter to any location apps, it’s almost a red banner screaming rob me. Same goes with Facebook, unless you really know and trust your Facebook friends.

Foursquare: One of the most popular at the moment, Foursquare allows users to easily “check-in” to venues and get rewards for their work. StarBucks recently announced that after a certain amount of check-ins you’ll get an in-store reward. Compared to it’s competitors, Foursquare is still behind, feature-wise. It does not currently include image/video uploading to your check-ins, but with the mass amount of users does it matter? 8/10

Gowalla: Next up is Gowalla. Gowalla, although not on top of number of check-ins, it does host one of the larger amount of users. It has a fantastic UI, along with some great awards. 7/10

Loopt: This service has been out for a while, and is still a nice way to keep track of your friends. Unlike many of it’s competitors though, it does support location-updating just by opening the app. You can also sign-up to be part of the Loopt Mix community, which is built by local users. Unfortunately, not many people use Loopt, although you can get it on most phones. 5/10

Whrrl: My favorite at the moment, Whrrl has some nice features that others don’t; add pictures to check-ins and also notes. Besides the fact that it’s UI is very fun, it’s relatively fast and simple to use. You may also connect this to both Facebook and Twitter and have complete customization of who sees what (on each post). 9/10

Brightkite: Brightkite definitely is not the best app, as far as check-ins go, but if you already have an account on the website, which is a big social network, it’s nice to have. Brightkite can automatically check you in, which is definitely a step in the right direction, but I don’t think it’s there yet. 5/10

DoubleDutch: Recently released, DoubleDutch is yet another app for check-ins. Since it’s still new, it doesn’t have a large userbase, so don’t join if you expect all of your friends to be using it. It has a reasonably good uniqueness to it, but the UI itself is pretty bad, but hey, so was Foursquare when it started.

Other check-in based apps:

CauseWorld: Unlike the other apps, CauseWorld is aimed to actually do something good with your check-ins. When you check-in, you get “karma points”, which can then be donated to real charities. Citi bank and Kraft foods have sponsored the app, which allows CauseWorld to donate real money from your karma points. Read more about it here.

MyTown: MyTown is a different approach for check-ins. When you check-in, you earn virtual money, which you can buy your “town” and upgrades with. The objective is to create huge towns by purchasing venues and running a virtual city.

To sum it up, it seems like we’re all getting sucked into a whole new way to communicate with friends. Sooner or later, I think we’ll all grow to like and use these applications, but until they can show real rewards, like StarBucks, I don’t think they’ll really catch.

What are your thoughts on the whole location-sharing game? Which of the above is your favorite? Did I forget one? Please respond in the comments below!

Bad news for any HD2 owners that the device won’t be upgradable to Windows Phone 7 confirmed by Microsoft. Joe Belfiore tells that the HD2 is “not compliant with the Windows Phone 7 Series hardware specifications,” which basically means that it not happening. This is isn’t the best news for the upcoming HD2 on Tmobile soon. But with its unique qualities such as the big screen, the device is still a great buy! And who knows, maybe someone will port it over!

-FlexDroid

There seems to be a screen shot from Verizon system that indicated that the upcoming CDMA version of the Nexus One will be “available only through www.Google.com/Phone.” This is similar to what Tmobile did with the Nexus and now Verizon is doing it so don’t line up at the store only to find out that could’ve ordered it from your bed. So those who are planning to buy this device, please don’t make the mistake of confusing for the HTC Incredible either cause this bad boy isn’t running Sense Ui.

-FlexDroid

It looks like we can expect a half gig of RAM with about 320MB available and an 8 megapixel camera in this new device that seems to have creeped up. However, the phone’s Snapdragon core is apparently underclocked to 768MHz, almost certainly a battery-saving measure on HTC’s part; fortunately, the Sense-powered Android 2.1 firmware is still said to be “blazing fast.” It measures 117.5 x 58.5 x 11.9m, just a little bit narrower, shorter, and thicker than its Nexus One. As shots go, we’re seeing now that HTC has moved from the brightly-colored glossy shell to a soft-touch black one while keeping the strange contours; we think there’s at least a chance that this is final ID, too, since the Verizon logo is silkscreened at the bottom. Inside, the entire thing (including the battery itself) is a shockingly loud shade of red, mirroring an odd design trend first seen on the HD mini. At this rate, the Incredible’s on track for a launch in April or May.

-FlexDroid