G1 News

From being the unsung phone maker working behind the scenes (see all the early Orange smartphones, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1) to taking centre stage, HTC is the manufacturer that we have the most respect for.

From taming Windows Mobile with TouchFLO to embracing a new operating system in Android (T-Mobile G1, baby!), the Taiwanese phone maker hasn’t put a foot wrong in courting public affections and tackling new and challenging smart phone ideas with aplomb.

In an attempt to put themselves into the forfront even further, they have begun a serious push with a marketing blitz usually reserved for Nokia phones and the like. Using the strapline ‘Quietly Brilliant’ (how fitting!), both HTC and their leading handsets get a chance to show the close, symbiotic relationship we have with our mobiles, and cleverly shows just how important to our lives they are.

Android phones feature heavily including the slightly curvier US-model HTC Hero, as does UK pop spank warblers McFly. Oh well, the lord giveth…

Like your Android phones a little bit cool and a lot cheap? The HTC Tattoo is the perfect handset for you. Already on our radar as a hot handset to watch, the Tattoo is set for an October release on Vodafone.

With a 2.8″ resistive screen, the Sense UI that made people go weak at the knees for the HTC Hero and a 3.2 megapixel camera, the Tattoo also manages to exude a sense of style thanks to replaceable covers and a 3.5mm headphone jack for the music lovers out there.

Even more exciting, the Tattoo is aiming for that lucrative lower-end of the market by targeting the youths with an impressive, and affordable, Android device.

We wait with baited breath to see if the Tattoo materialises on prepay shedules…it has the potential to be a far less regrettable purchasing decision than indelible graffiti on your skin!

Truly, the only thing stopping me and many others from getting an HTC Hero the moment it was released was that they sexy ‘Sense’ interface was said to be more than a little laggy. Thankfully, HTC have sewn up the sole Achilles Heel of their top flight Android phone, as this video demo…well, demonstrates.

The update takes Rosie to the next level, making the phone a no-brainer for those looking for the slickest phone experience that isn’t Apple flavoured.

It seems like an imminent US release will be met with a nice shiny software update. Nice to see that the Brits only ever get things first when acting as guinea pigs…

Source: MoDaCo via Gizmodo

As fun as it has been updating the T-Mobile G1’s internal software above its station, it looks like we might not be seeing it ever occur officially, due to a simple lack of space on the device.

The G1, famed for getting much needed functionality upgrades with the ‘Cupcake’ update, seems to have run out of internal flash RAM to the point where future upgrades will not be able to fit.

With word that the slick ‘Sense’ user experience popularised by the HTC Hero will be coming to other Google-phones in certain parts of the world got Android fans all excited, but this may not be the case for everyone, and definitely not for ‘with Google’ devices including the G1 and myTouch 3G.

On Twitter, Android developer Jean-Baptiste Queru was not optimistic that the G1 would be getting upgrades:

“As much as I’m hoping that it’ll be possible to somehow continue updating the G1, I can’t promise anything. We knew that internal flash space was going to be very tight on the G1 and we kept the system partition tight on purpose.”

However, T-Mobile was quick to stop owners throwing their G1s from the nearest overpass with a swift and yet entirely vague rebuttal: “We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate,” they said to Engadget in a statement.

Upgrades to the G1 are not unwelcome, but what people want is true changes, not cosmetic and incremental upgrades whilst the rest of the world live in an HTC Sense wonderland!

Still, with a little tech savvy, it seems that the most ardent G1 fans will be able to make a little room for some open source dessert for their pioneering handset.

Hey! We’re glad to offer a range of new mobile phone deals, thanks to comparison site Omio!

Looking at the top tabs on the site, you’ll now see links to pages where you can grab the HTC Magic as well as the new HTC Hero and even newer T-Mobile G2 Touch!

The deal comparison engine sliders allow you to set the ideal number of minutes and texts, and the amount you are willing to spend each month. Then it does the rest, and brings up the best offers instantly!

So if you are lucky enough to reside in the UK and are looking for an Android fix, you’ve found it!

UPDATE: T-Mobile G2 Touch deals all fixed and added now!

The HTC Hero is now out on Orange, offering the next gen of Android with a slick new interface and a great form factor. Available online and in stores (although not my local in Camden, where the guy had NO idea what I was on about), the handset is available for free on deals from £29.36 per month.

The HTC Hero packs a 5-megapixel camera, 3.2″ touchscreen and GPS in a gunmetal finish, and is an Orange exclusive.

T-Mobile, however, has a very similar handset coming soon called the G2 Touch, and will still have the Sense UI and slick form factor.

With Android handsets coming from the major manufacturers in the next few months, this could be the watershed moment for Google’s new platform!

HTC Hero deals are available from Omio.com now!

Lucky, lucky Android Community.

Whilst not due for release until the end of the month, they have recently come into possession of the brand spanking new HTC Hero, and are doing the decent thing and poring over every facet for our amusement.

The form factor comes under thorough scrutiny, as does the new Sense User Interface, HTC Footprints and the profile-based customisable homescreens.

Sit back and watch the future of Android! Well, the soon-to-be present for the UK and Europe (and past for savvy Rosie firmware/T-Mobile G1 hackers), but you get what I mean!

Seems like the G1 has managed to steal a march on the iPhone in an important category – turn-by-turn satellite navigation.

Co-Pilot Live app has recently rolled out on the Android Marketplace, offering GPS guidance, lane indicators, speed camera locations and voice directions on your mobile for the princely sum of £25.99 for UK/Ireland maps and £59.99 for all of Europe.

Supported by the holy trinity of Android phones, the T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic and HTC Hero/T-Mobile G1 Touch will even allow you to divulge and share your location to your mates, Google Latitude-style.

With no monthly charge or extra costs outside of your 3G usage for services like live traffic, fuel prices or weather updates, Co-Pilot Live seems like a great, cost-effective way to get you going in the right direction!

Source: Electric Pig

I know most of you already have your Cupcake updates working nice and smooth, how’s about having another detailed look at the slick and sexy interface of HTC Rosie, running on a T-Mobile G1!

Said to come with the new HTC Hero, these videos from Androidpit.de show off everything! The slick bookmarks, the new side-scrolling, the music player, all of it is gone over in massive detail!

The interface is set to German, but you’ll still get a great idea of what’s going on when you have a look!

In a final act of defiance against the evil leakers of his HTC Hero firmware, G1 developer Haykuro has released his own version for download!

Installing this isn’t for the faint of heart, but seeing as we T-Mobile G1 owners might never get this officially, enjoying the awesome new menus and interface of Android via this new firmware is an opportunity too good to pass up!

It’s not perfect with some features such as Bluetooth not working as yet, but as he says he has homework to finish, I’m going to cut him a bit of slack…because Rosie is amazing!

Okay, it’s up on XDADevelopers now for download, as are the instructions. I’m about to try and do it, will let y’all know how it goes, maybe even a video demo how-to!

Installation is as follows:

Installation:
1. Download http://www.droiddeveloper.com/hrbuilds/app_s.zip
2. extract “app_s” into your sdcard’s ext2 partition.
3. Download http://www.droiddeveloper.com/hrbuilds/hero-signed.zip
4. Place on regular sd card.
5. Reboot into recovery, wipe and flash.
6. Enjoy.

Farewell Cupcake, I hardly knew ye…

UPDATE: Check the comments for some detailed instructions, courtesy of AB. Cheers, but use them at your own risk!

Source: Android Central