Smartphones

How to install new software keyboards on Android smartphones

Some Android phones use the default onscreen keyboard built into the OS, while others have preinstalled keyboards that are meant to enhance the user experience. However, not everyone is content with either keyboard, so that's why the Android Market is full of alternative choices. Below are a few easy steps for changing your Android's software keyboard to one that is better aligned with your needs.

Search the Android market for "keyboard." Many keyboards cost a few dollars, but also offer trial versions before purchase. Ultra Keyboard Trial is a great example free-to-try app.

After installing, open … Read more

Report: Sharp to construct iPhone 6 screen

With an iPhone 5 announcement yet to be made and many analysts thinking we may not see the next-generation iPhone until this fall, some attention is being turned to the iPhone 6, as a Japanese newspaper is reporting that Apple has contracted Sharp to create screens for the sixth iPhone iteration.

Sharp is, according to an article (translated by Google Translate) in Nikkan, already preparing one of its LCD TV factories, Kameyama Plant No. 1, for the production of low-temperature, poly-silicon LCD screens for iPhones. This screen technology could also be used for future iterations of iPads and iPod Touches, … Read more

Casio G'zOne Commando heads to Verizon

Casio has typically made rugged feature phones for Verizon Wireless (the G'zOne Brigade, the G'zOne Ravine, etc.), so it was a welcome surprise to see the company finally branch out to Android smartphones with the Casio G'zOne Commando.

Like its brethren, the Commando is designed to withstand a variety of environmental hazards with its tough and durable construction that should protect it against immersion, rain, shock, dust, vibration, humidity, and more. It even comes with the G'zGear software that includes outdoor-friendly tools like a compass, a walking counter, a tidal graph, a thermometer, and a tool for tracking the phases of the moon.

More than that, it ships with Android 2.2 and boasts robust security features to support corporate e-mail. Other features include Wi-Fi, a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, an LED light, stereo Bluetooth, GPS, and the ability to act as a mobile hot spot with up to five devices. If you want 4G/LTE, however, keep looking, as the Commando has 3G/EV-DO instead. The interface also features XT9 and T9 trace input for typing and a menu that snaps out for frequently used apps.

The Casio G'zOne Commando will be available starting April 28 for $199.99 with a new two-year agreement.… Read more

The 404 807: Where we don't want your Wii (podcast)

It's not uncommon for the average dweller to have thousands of dollars worth of technology in his or her home, so we spend the first part of today's episode talking about what you can do to ensure the safety of your gaming consoles, HDTVs, computers, and other gear. On a related note, there's a lot of video game news to get to, including the indefinite closure of Sony's PlayStation Network, the new Mortal Kombat, and speculation about the next Nintendo Wii.

The 404 Digest for Episode 807

Burglars leave a home empty... except for the Nintendo Wii. Take extra steps like this to protect your iMac. The Sony PlayStation network shuts down indefinitely; Anonymous claims innocence. PlayStation 3: it only does offline. Mortal Kombat is dying for a reboot. This is why the print industry is losing to online publications. Support the work of unofficial 404 graphic designer Blake Stevenson of Jetpacks and Rollerskates.

Episode 807 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Nielsen: Desire for iPhone slips as Android gains

Last year, the iPhone was easily the most desired smartphone on the market. But during the first quarter of 2011, that wasn't necessarily the case, a new study from Nielsen has found.

According to the research firm, 31 percent of U.S. mobile consumers plan on buying an Android-based smartphone in the next year. Nielsen found that 30 percent of respondents plan to get their hands on an iPhone in the next 12 months. RIM's BlackBerry smartphones and Windows Phone 7-based devices were desired by 11 percent and 6 percent of the respondents, respectively. Surprisingly, 20 percent of … Read more

Sprint announces Nexus S 4G for May 8

Sprint today announced that the Samsung Nexus S will arrive May 8 with a $199 price tag. The handset, officially known as the Nexus S 4G, features everything we've seen on the T-Mobile-supported device, including the stock Android interface.

Features include Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 1GHz processor, a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, a 5-megapixel camera, 16GB internal memory, a front-facing VGA camera, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth, GPS, and support for NFC. The Nexus S 4G is the fourth 4G Android smartphone from Sprint, following the Evo 4G, Epic 4G, and most recently, the Evo Shift 4G. … Read more

HTC Droid Incredible 2 to launch Thursday

The HTC Droid Incredible 2 is coming Thursday to Verizon Wireless.

The Android 2.2 Froyo-based Droid Incredible 2 boasts a 4-inch LCD display and the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. In addition, it supports 3G Mobile Hotspot, allowing people to connect five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Web through the smartphone's 3G connection. The device has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It also supports Flash.

Details on the HTC Droid Incredible 2 have been leaking for the past couple weeks. Earlier this month, Android Central obtained documents with information on the device's key features. … Read more

Moto updates Droid Pro with improved audio quality and more

Motorola Droid Pro owners should get a small present this week with a software update. It's not the blessings of Gingerbread, unfortunately, but it does bring a number of enhancements. Here's the full list as supplied by Motorola's user forums.

Enhancements

Improved audio on voice calls Improved stability and performance User interface display now refreshes when user switches from GSM/UMTS communication to global mode Device now prepends "011" to country code when sending international text messages Global Mode no longer resets when connecting to a USB charger Visual Voice Mail now detects airplane mode … Read more

Rumor: Motorola prepping a pair of quad-core smartphones for early 2012

We may still be in the first half of 2011, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about devices rumored for next year. Droid-Life is reporting that it has received preliminary specs for a pair of Motorola handsets that likely won't arrive until 2012. And, as one might expect, the hardware is leaps above the stuff hitting shelves today.

Both smartphones, the Bullet and Jet, should be 4G LTE capable for Verizon's network. What's more, the handsets will be among the first to offer Nvidia's new quad-core "Kal-El" Tegra 3 chipset. … Read more

Report: iPhone collects location data, even with Location Services turned off

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that despite Apple's Location Services being in the off position, iPhones are still collecting your general location data. National media outlets have been analyzing recent reports that Apple's iPhones and iPads with 3G are tracking location data and storing it in an unsecured location on the iPhone.

According to tests performed by The Wall Street journal, those location data collection practices are not disabled even if all the Location Services (which are turned on by default) are completely turned off.