HTC has released a statement to let all those Europeans owning an unlocked HTC Desire know that they will start getting Android 2.2 this weekend. The update will have the latest version of HTC’s Sense UI, improved 720p video capture mode, iTunes integration, and its enhanced Caller ID. For American owners waiting for their cone of Froyo, this is just further proof that HTC has Android 2.2, complete with Sense, ready to rock… it’s only a matter of time now! We’ve got the full statement after the break.

The Android 2.2 (FroYo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend. As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own through the latest iteration of HTC Sense. The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC’s App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, through the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes.

HTC Desire users will be notified that the over-the-air update is available to download when their phone automatically checks for software updates. The update won’t delete any of the phone’s content. However, due to the size of the update, we would advise using a WiFi connection to download it wherever possible to avoid additional data charges.

This update will initially roll out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. Operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks’ time.

Well well, what's this? We just got an invite to a joint RIM / AT&T event next Tuesday, and we'd guess that means we're about to see the official unveiling of the well-leaked BlackBerry 9800 slider with a side dish of BlackBerry OS 6. Either that, or RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis is going to explain how working two-way Gmail sync is a real problem that affects every smartphone and give us a tour of RIM's top-secret email integration labs, but yeah -- we've got our bets on new hardware. We'll obviously be there live covering every detail, so make sure to tune in!

RIM and AT&T event next Tuesday -- BlackBerry slider and OS 6 en route? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This isn’t quite as exciting as yesterday’s BlackBerry 6 OS screen shot gallery, but RIM continues to show that it is dutifully marching forward. RIM has posted images of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager 6 on their Inside BlackBerry blog. Aside from a new, darker look, Desktop Manager 6 will be able to sync media — that’s music, pictures, and video — to and from your BlackBerry in a more seamless and organized manner. The user options are more clearly labeled, and the overall flow of the application looks much better. Hit the read link to have a peak for yourself.

[Via PocketBerry]Read

Good news for Motorola DROID X owners as Verizon Wireless is releasing an update to the newly launched handset. The update, Version 1.13.604.MB810.Verizon.en.US/Baseband: BP_C01.09.04P, includes the following improvements and enhancements:

• Improved battery charging status indicator.
• Smoother transition for camera and camcorder functions.
• Redesign of weather widget icons.
• Faster Exchange ActiveSync® email loading.
• Streamlined organization of newly downloaded applications.
• Organized favorite contacts by call count.
• Updated Bluetooth® connection for enhanced video sharing experience.
• Coordinated date and time across phone displays.
• Cleaner looking status bar for GPS symbol.
• Improved sync capabilities for 3G Mobile Hotspot.
• Faster Visual Voice Mail loading.
• Take advantage of the enhanced, preloaded My Verizon application.
• Preloaded Amazon Kindle® application lets you read Kindle books on your AndroidTM phone, including thousands of free books.

The OTA is slated to roll out starting the 19th and will hit handsets in stages over the following few days.

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The jubilation that ensued when HTC’s sync app for the Aria debuted was apparently premature as the app has been pulled from HTC’s website. The sync utility allowed customers to install non-Android market applications and was thought to be a sign that AT&T was relaxing some of the restrictions it imposes on its Android handsets. Apparently, those assumptions were incorrect- the sync application was a mistake and AT&T is still maintaining tight control over the Aria and its other Android handsets. The fun is over and its back to reality everyone.

[Via Engadget]

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It's been a while since we first heard about Firefox Home, an app which allows you to sync your desktop browsing session to your iPhone, but it's been approved by Apple and is available in the iTunes store now. More »

We'll be honest -- we weren't the biggest fans of SYNC from the onset, but that had more to do with its insistence on playing Run DMC on our request for Naughty By Nature during a cross-town CES run than anything else. Now, Ford remains one of the few automakers that actually bothers to update their navigation systems on a consistent basis, and while SYNC is still far from perfect, it's getting a rather significant update today. The introduction of MyFord Touch brings the amount of commands that SYNC understands up to 10,000 -- that's a pretty big jump from 100, where it began. Following in BMW's footsteps, Ford is also integrating voice control technology from Nuance, which allows drivers to speak "more naturally" to the system rather than having to memorize a few hundreds first-level snippets. Unfortunately, we still think voice control within vehicles is too slow; much like Windows Vista, there are simply too many confirmation prompts, too many forks in the decision tree and not enough of an overall benefit to chose it over handling things with your digits. Feel free to disagree and pick this up on your 2011 Ford Edge, but be sure to view the video past the jump before getting all hot and bothered.

Continue reading Ford's SYNC learns 100x more voice commands, integrates Nuance technology

Ford's SYNC learns 100x more voice commands, integrates Nuance technology originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like more than HTC's description was erroneous yesterday afternoon -- we've just confirmed that the HTC Sync desktop client for the AT&T Aria allows users to install third-party apps on non-rooted devices, just as promised. We ran some quick tests, and while it doesn't actually enable anything on the handset end, it most certainly does allow those of you with Windows PCs (or VMware) to sideload APKs like Swype over USB with a simple drag-and-drop maneuver. Given how quickly the company sought to correct our original post on the subject, we'd expect HTC will be issuing a rather different version of the software soon, so hit up that source link, pound in your serial number, grab the EXE, and get while the getting's good.

[Thanks, Dylan]

Continue reading Confirmed: HTC Sync lets tethered AT&T Aria sideload apps

Confirmed: HTC Sync lets tethered AT&T Aria sideload apps originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texting while driving may not be banned where you are yet, but it probably it will be soon, and Ford is pretty okay with that. As we saw at CES this year, the company is promoting SYNC and MyFord as solutions to distracted driving, enabling the car to read text messages to you so that you can keep your eyes on the road. The blue oval is working to get RIM digging Bluetooth MAP, enabling streaming of text messages to cars, functionality said to be coming in "all new BlackBerry smartphones." Beyond that Ford is touting its new "Do Not Disturb" button to block all incoming calls and text messages while still allowing outgoing calls and use of the phone for providing data to the car. This is in addition to already disabling much of the phone's functionality whilst in motion, keeping you focused on what you should be doing: shaving, reading the newspaper, and eating breakfast.

Continue reading In a world of automotive cellphone hate, Ford promotes SYNC as the solution

In a world of automotive cellphone hate, Ford promotes SYNC as the solution originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The announcement came earlier this month, but today's the first day that GM's OnStar eNav feature is fully operational. If you've got an OnStar-enabled GM vehicle (model year 2006 or more recent), you can search for a destination on Google Maps and have it sent directly to your car. Just like Ford Sync! And hopefully less dangerous than Google walking directions. More »

Google - OnStar - GoogleMap - Search Engines - Searching

One of our reliable Apple sources has just filled us in on some of the company’s iTunes plans, and they’re exciting. We have been told iTunes will be getting a huge cloud capability that many people have been asking for (and logically thought would happen sooner or later). These new capabilities are broken down into three groups:

1. Streaming music and movies from Apple’s servers to your computers, devices, etc.
2. Streaming music and movies from your home computers to your other computers, remote devices, etc.
3. Wireless iTunes syncing with devices

For the first point, we have been told that this will work pretty much like you’d expect it to… pretty much any Apple device with wireless capability will have te ability to stream purchased content directly from Apple’s servers, thus eliminating the need for a lot of local storage. With the second point, Apple will reportedly let you be the content distributor to your own computers and devices, as any purchased content that’s locally on your computer will be able to be streamed using your internet connection out to your devices. Lastly, yes, wireless syncing of iTunes for devices.

For wireless syncing, we are told it will work pretty seamlessly. Any apps you buy for instance on your iPhone will immediately sync to your computer, changes to your calendar, or notes, or contacts will also automatically update on your computer as well. What good would all these new features be without some new devices? Apple’s traditional fall event (or maybe even before it) should bring at least “two new devices with camera/camcorder capabilities.” Well, there you have it!

Thanks, Lindsey S.!

doubleTwist, a company whose vision is “to create a unifying media platform that connects consumers with all their media and all their devices,” has just released a full-featured media player for your Android device. Sporting a very appealing UI, the new media player allows users to sync and update media from the doubleTwist desktop client (available for both Mac and PC) directly to their Android device. A new, and fairly huge, feature that the doubleTwist Android player packs is the ability to recognize metadata from an iTunes library. This gives long time users of iTunes — who don’t fancy the iPhone — a choice of media players and a legitimate exit strategy from iTunes. Users can change media players — while retaining the ability to sync seamlessly with a mobile device — and not give up playlist, song rating, and play count data accumulated over days, months, or years of iTunes. Go ahead and give the new doubleTwist Android media player a shot, and do let us know what you think.

NOTE: you can also checkout Songbird as a cross-platform iTunes alternative.

[Via LifeHacker]

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Amazon is turning up the heat in the e-book market by porting their popular Kindle for iPhone and BlackBerry application to Android. The Android app will resemble its iPhone counterpart with the ability to read, preview, and purchase books from Amazon’s Kindle bookstore, navigate with the flick of a finger, and sync reading progress across all supported platforms. The Android app also looks to be compatible with all the popular Android handsets including the DROID, Nexus One, and the HTC Incredible. It is expected to debut in the Android Market soon and you can sign up at Amazon to be the first to know when it lands.

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Wi-Fi Sync is a clever little app with a self-explanatory name: It allows you to sync your jailbroken iPhone to iTunes over Wi-Fi. While it did not get approved by Apple, it is available in the Cydia store for $10. More »

IPhone - Apple - Smartphones - Handhelds - Wi-fiSync

We already heard that Hitachi, Panasonic and Toshiba would be delivering 60GHz wireless products in the latter half of this year, but it looks like a whole heap of other companies will be as well after this bombshell drops. The Wi-Fi Alliance and WiGig (which just nailed down a final spec in December) have finally got their respective ducks in a row, and thanks to a new partnership announced today, 60GHz WiFi products are now possible. For those unaware, 60GHz airwaves are typically reserved for high-bandwidth applications -- think streaming a Blu-ray flick from a player to an HDTV sans any cabling. The two will be working in unison in order to create a next-generation certification program for products operating in the 60GHz band, and best of all, a "significant portion, if not all, of these devices are expected to also support traditional WiFi networking in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands." There's no mention of when exactly the first 60GHz WiFi wares will begin to ship, but we can certainly say we're eager to update this here tutorial when tri-band becomes reality.

Continue reading Wi-Fi Alliance and WiGig sync up for 60GHz WiFi

Wi-Fi Alliance and WiGig sync up for 60GHz WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's now an iPad app for popular file-syncing service Dropbox. It'll allow you to access, edit, sync, download, upload, and share Dropbox contents on your iPad. The app looks great and, just like the iPhone version, it's free. [iTunes] More »

iPhone - IPad - Handhelds - Smartphones - Dropbox

Cross-platform phone synchronization tool doubleTwist is adding some welcomed functionality to its flagship program by including support for Android’s Market. The new feature will allow users of doubleTwist to browse the latest Android Market offerings from within dT right on their desktop. It does, however, come with a “twist.” See what we did just there? The ability to download an Android app to your desktop and sync to your phone via USB — a la iTunes — is not an option. Instead, doubleTwist will display app QR codes which, when scanned by Android, will link your device directly to the Android Market’s page for the application in question. From there you know what to do: download, rinse, and repeat. doubleTwist is promising to implement over-the-air downloads sometime this summer in order to provide a more seamless experience. The new feature does come with a fairly annoying, albeit minor, limitation: you can’t sort applications by category or genre. The Market browsing feature is set to hit the Mac version of doubleTwist today and its Windows counterpart “soon.” A web directory of the Market has also been launched and can be found here: http://apps.doubletwist.com/. What are your thoughts?

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