It's Monday and you know what that means...don't you? Well, besides the fact that it's the post Superbowl Monday, it means half the US is hungover and sleepy. The other half (us phone geeks that don't really care about football-unless you had that almighty square) are wide awake ready for some Android news. So let's do this!
I just got word that the next news item in grey text about the Droid 2.1 update was announced prematurely. It is still apparently in testing.
The next update to be released for the Motorola Droid will in fact be 2.1. This just in: The update will roll out this week. Here's what else we know, and these are in comparison to the Nexus One features.
- 2.1 version 1, The Nexus One just had this update.
- Google Goggles is now pre-installed
- Interestingly, the home screen's still got the same look as 2.0.1, however, no rotating 3D grid of app icons, still simply the pull-up shade at the bottom.
- No active wallpapers.
- The news and weather widgets introduced on the Nexus One are included.
- The browser is now multitouch enabled, just like Google Maps 3.4. I just updated this and I can't wait to put it in a video.
New Features in Gooogle Maps
- Starred items synced with maps Google.com VERY COOL! I will make a video on this because it is a really great feature.
- Search Suggestions from maps google.com search history
87 people already weighed in with comments today as of 11:50 EST! Most people commented that its the best app ever, a few said it was slow, one said it disabled his bus routes. One person said they loved the pinch zooming, and the night mode navigation.
Next, there has been some talk, some questions this morning about the Casio Brigade. The release date has been pushed back a few times. I looked back in the blog and I actually had November as the release date when I first heard about the device. Many questions revolve around whether or not it will require data.
Here's what I posted to the Verizon Wireless forum.
| rugged CDMA clamshell for Verizon Wireless
full 4-rowQWERTY keyboard,
3.2MP AF camera with flash,
MIL Specs 810F,
2.9" 400x240 pixel internal display,
1.9" Circular AMOLED external display,
EVDO Rev A,
supports microSDHC cards up to 16GB
MediaFLO,
Bluetooth
MP3 player
Push-to-Talk Capabilities
complete list of V CAST apps
document viewer for opening Microsoft Office files and PDF |
Pricing is tenatively $149 with 2-year, $249 with 1-year, and $299 full retail.
The only release info I have is February,
It will require a data plan.
Is any of this law? No, but all of my sources are pretty reputable but as always release dates change, rumors abound and I am only as good as the information I get. That's the way it goes!
The
Motorola Devour a855 may be launching soon. I just found out is will only be running on Android 1.6. Eventually it will, like everything else, get updated. Rumor has it its just not really for the update yet.
Lastly, what would be better than not having to clip valuable coupons every week (besides beiing rich enough not to HAVE to clip them!? Answer:Get them directly on your cell phone.
Verizon said today that it is offering a free digital coupon service for its wireless and FiOS TV customers that can help them save money on their next trip to the grocery store. Verizon’s Spend SmartSM coupons, powered by Cellfire, eliminate the hassle of clipping and collecting paper coupons by giving users instant access to coupons via their wireless phones, TVs or computers.
Verizon’s Spend Smart coupons cover a wide range of products on customers’ shopping lists and can be used at more than 4,000 locations of more than 20 grocery chains nationwide, including ShopRite, Safeway and Kroger. Coupon brands and products rotate every two weeks, with more than $25 in monthly grocery discounts available at any given time.
Register and Use Spend Smart Coupons
It’s simple for customers to sign up for Spend Smart coupons on Verizon’s three screens: Verizon Wireless Mobile Web under the Shopping channel, Verizon FiOS Internet in the Entertainment and Apps channel, and through FiOS TV’s Widget Bazaar Applications Marketplace. Customers can also access Spend Smart coupons at www.vzspendsmart.com. When customers sign up on one of these services, the information is automatically synched to the other two, allowing them to view and use coupons on each platform.
To register, customers need to provide their shoppers club or loyalty club numbers from participating grocery stores, then will be able to view, save and use the coupons that are currently available for that retailer. There’s no more fumbling for paper coupons, as Spend Smart users simply present their loyalty cards at the register. If they have an item with an associated coupon in their cart, the discount is automatically applied to their bill.
“Participating with Spend Smart gives us another way to provide our customers with the value and service ShopRite is known for,” said Joe Sheridan, executive vice president, Wakefern Food Corp. “The convenience of receiving coupons on a mobile device and linking them directly to our ShopRite Price Plus™ Club Card is a win-win for all of us.”
“General Mills sees the Spend Smart service as a way to extend our brand with consumers nationwide, especially to those accessing information and making buying decisions using digital tools and information,” said Joe Trimble, manager of Mobile Couponing at General Mills.
Spend Smart can be found on wireless phones featuring Mobile Web. There is no cost to register or use the service, but data or megabyte charges may apply when accessing Mobile Web. For more information on Spend Smart coupons, visit www.vzspendsmart.com.
About Cellfire
Cellfire is the leading provider of electronic and mobile coupon solutions in the U.S. Cellfire offers consumers convenient savings from national retailers, local merchants and top-brands at grocery stores – anytime, anywhere with the device of choice. Founded in 2005, the company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information on Cellfire, visit www.cellfire.com .
That's it for this week. Check in Wednesday for a complete Wake Up Wednesday column on all the new phones coming out.
Chloe has left the building.