It looks like some HTC G1 users just couldn’t wait to get their hands on the ported version of Cupcake, aka Android 1.5.  Well, because of this, Google has locked out anyone running this version of Android from the Android Market!  If you jumped ahead of the line and installed a hacked Cupcake app, you no longer can download or purchase apps from the market.  One theory is that Android 1.5 shows up on Google’s radar as coming from an HTC Magic handset, and when they started seeing Magic users in places Magic users should not be, they cut them off from the market.  It turns out there are actually two versions of the haykuro Cupcake (as the hacked app is called).  One, the H version, can still access the Android Market.

Comment (0)

HTC G1 users may find the Android Marketplace flooded with new Android 1.5 apps very soon.  Google has recent made an Android 1.5 software developer kit available to programmers.  This kit gives them access to everything included in Android 1.5, including the faster browser and the new video support options.  Of course, this kit comes with a caveat: Google has stressed that some of these new features aren’t finalized yet and that the final developer kit won’t be released until the end of the month.  Basically, this early version of the kit is to give app developers some ideas as to what will be possible, but all apps should be developed using the final kit, not this one.

Comment (0)

Emirates Business has recently announced that the United Arab Emirates will be getting their first HTC smartphone within the next few months.  HTC’s General Manager for the area has reported that they are in the final stages of launching the HTC Magic, the second Android-based phone, in the UAE.  Unlike other versions of the Magic, the version released in the Middle East will be exclusively branded to HTC and will not be connected to any specific service provider.  This is a new tactic HTC has not really used before, and it will be interesting to see if it is successful or not.

Comment (0)

Well, it may not be everything promised in Cupcake, but Google has recently released Android 1.5 for the HTC G1 (and, presumably, for the HTC Magic and all future Android handsets).  Android 1.5 includes a number of things originally slated for Cupcake, including the highly awaited virtual keyboard!  It also includes an accelerometer to rotate the display from vertical to horizontal to make it easier to use the full-sized virtual QWERTY keyboard.  

In addition to the keyboard, the update includes new video recording options, faster web browsing, copy and paste support, stereo audio for Bluetooth users, and many other minor updates and changes.  No word yet on when this version of Android will be standard on shipped devices, but some of the features are listed as being essential to the HTC Magic.

Comment (0) Read More...

If you’re a Touch Diamond user on the Sprint network, there’s a new ROM update out for you that will upgrade your device to version 2.00.651.7.  This update, termed a maintenance release by the company, will fix a few issues and update some other things.  The update fixes issues where the internal storage drive isn’t recognized and fixes a problem with the clock not updating after daylight savings time.  It also enhances the HTC dialer app, Opera, and Spring TV in addition to fixing a number of small bugs.  It’s not a huge update, but if you’ve been dealing with any of these issues, it’s nice to have them fixed.

Comment (0) Read More...

According to VentureBeat and Softpedia, three different HTC Sapphire handsets exist.  From what they report, Sapphire 1.0 really isn’t that interesting—in fact, it probably won’t see a U.S. release, although it may hit Europe and other countries.  What they’re calling the Sapphire 1.5, however, is an Android device that is going to end up being the G3 and Vodafone’s HTC Magic.  So what’s the Sapphire 2.0?  Well, that may end up being the G4, and it may end up being offered by NTT DoCoMo.    All of these different names and version numbers are quite confusing, and none of this information has been collaborated yet.  However, it’s interesting to see rumors about a G4 already.  Too early?  Perhaps, or maybe HTC is planning its devices years ahead.

Comment (0) Read More...

According to information from the Bluetooth SIG group, the next Android phone may very well be called the HTC Fiesta.  However, when we reported on the leaked list of 2009 HTC devices, there was nothing about a handset named the Fiesta on it.  What could this mean?  Well, not a lot.  All we know right now is that the Fiesta will be Bluetooth compatible, will run Android, and will be available in North America, Europe, and Asia.  One possibility is that one of the devices on the list has had a name change.  Another is that the Fiesta is a 2010 device.  We’ll keep looking for more information on this new device.

Comment (0) Read More...

While the HTC Touch Pro 2 was announced in February, no release information has been available until now.  According to Expansys, which has the Touch Pro 2 up for pre-order now, the device will be available on June 5 and will run Windows Mobile 6.1, not the rumored 6.5.  Of course, it will be available to upgrade at a later date.  Expansys has the device listed at £452.17 or $661.  This price is not set in stone, of course, and it doesn’t include any contact discount.  No release date or official carrier has been announced for a U.S. release, although HTC has said the device will be available worldwide.

Comment (0) Read More...