BHT is primarily an outlet for my tech-nerdness. It will mostly be tech news regarding cellphones, games, all that kind of stuff. It will also be where I post any and everything else that randomly catches my attention, music, news, fashion, etc. hopefully you'll like it too. Follow me on Twitter @Brownhandstech
Many of us have been waiting for an official Google video chat service and that time is finally (almost for all phones other than the Nexus S) here!!! The Nexus S will be receiving the Android 2.3.4 update which includes full video and voice chat for Gtalk, allowing you to chat with friends using their phones, tablets, or computers. Other devices will eventually get this feature as Gingerbread rolls out to older phones. Hopfully they will skip the Android 2.3.3 updates that most had scheduled and go straight to 2.3.4. Ahhh the advantages of having a pure Android phone like the Nexus S. The service will work on WiFi, 3G, and 4G. Any Nexus S user want to share their initial impressions? Lets hope it doesn't take another 3+ Months to see this get pushed out to older phones.
Update: Don't feel like waiting for the update to be pushed to your phone? Download the manual update below. Make sure that you are running 2.3.3 already and have the i9020T (AWS equipped model) since that is the model the update is intended for unless you know what you're doing and want to be adventurous. If this isn't making sense to you, just keep checking for you update in settings and play it safe, its on the way.
Not too much to say here but the long awaited white iPhone 4 is now available while supplies last. Has this been the flavor iPhone you've been waiting on?
Verizon showed it off, made promises, but did not deliver Skype with video calling upon release of its first LTE 4G phone the HTC Thunderbolt. But the file has been leaked and is waiting for you to download and install! Reports so far state that it runs well on 4G/WiFi and decent on 3G. I just did a test call from my laptop to my friends Thunderbolt and it seemed to work pretty well. I was really impressed with the sound quality. Unfortunately the app only works for the Thunderbolt (tried on my Evo to no avail), but this is still a good thing for all of Android. Just like the original (video call-less) Skype app for Android started as a VZW exclusive and was later released to all Android handsets, the video enabled version will eventually be available to all as well. Hopefully some skilled developers and hackers will make that happen sooner than Skype or more accurately Verizon has planned. Download the app from one of the links below and give it a try!
This is why my Xoom was returned, well not exactly why but a big part of it. More Android 3.0 tablets are on the way and I'm going to wait until more manufacturers have shown their hands. Acer just officially announced their A500 Honeycomb tablet. The A500 have very similar specs to Motorola's Xoom but is $150 cheaper, thinner and has a standard USB port making it compatible with common USB mass storage drives (and in my opinion making it a more capable laptop replacement/sidekick). They also, very wisely, included a reset button; having no way to force reset my Xoom when it froze was very frustrating and I couldn't just pop out the battery like I do on my Evo. The tablet is available exclusively on pre-order from Best Buy for $450.
NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor
Features a 1.0GHz processing speed.
1GB DDR2 memory
For multitasking power.
10.1" WXGA high-definition touch-screen display
With a wide viewing angle, 16:10 aspect ratio and 1280 x 800 resolution to showcase movies and games in stunning clarity.
NVIDIA GeForce graphics
For lush images. Micro-HDMI output for connection to an HDTV.
Built-in 2.0MP webcam
Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends. The rear-facing 5.0MP camera with autofocus and single LED flash allows you to capture and playback video.
Digital media card reader
Supports microSD up to 32GB and Secure Digital High Capacity formats for storing or transferring media.
High-speed USB 2.0 port
For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
Built-in 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN
Connect to the Internet without wires.
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player.
Weighs only 1.7 lbs. and measures just 0.5" thin
For lightweight portability. Sensors include G-sensor, E-compass, L sensor and gyrometer.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system
Provides a stable platform.
So after a long tablet-deprived wait I finally got my hands on a WiFi-Only Motorola Xoom. In exchange for $600 bucks the Wifi Xoom is basically identical to its Verizon 3G/4G enabled counterpart. The Xoom has a 1Ghz dual core Tegra 2 processor, front and back cameras (5MP shooter on back with a front facing cam for video chat), Android 3.0 Honeycomb (Google's newest version of Android optimized for tablets) and a 10.1" Display.
I immediately fell in love with the Xoom, but after a few days that all changed because of glitches and bugs. I really liked having an Android tablet and would strongly recommended checking out the Xoom, but I returned mine. There are just too many other Android Tablets on the horizon. HTC, LG, Samsung, Asus, and Acer all have some pretty competitive tablets coming in the next few months; not to mention tablets from HP (Palm) and Blackberry. The Xoom's quirks and bugs will be resolved in the coming weeks undoubtedly, but the Xoom is only the tip of the Tablet-iceberg. Many more options are coming and I will be holding out to explore them. More competition means more variety in features and hopefully more competitive pricing. So the big question for those looking for and Android tablet is Xoom or Wait?
Check out my video review of the Xoom below. Let me know what you think
Motorola XOOMTablet Specs
OS
Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Differentiation
Larger and higher-resolution display in smaller form-factor, first tablet with Honeycomb software, dual-core 1GHz processor, and a wide range of docking options
Dimensions
249.1mm (h) x 167.8mm (w) x 12.9mm (d)
Display
10.1” 1280x800 resolution
Weight
~25 ounces
Processor
1GHz dual-core processor
Battery
Up to 10 hours video playback
Connectivity
3.5mm, micro USB 2.0 HS, Corporate Sync, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR + HID
