T-Mobile offered 1,000 users of the Motorola CLIQ a chance to upgrade the firmware on their device tonight, although the software willl still be running Android 1.5.. The “trial” for the upgrade started at 9pm Eastern Time and the 1,000 users who got to test the new software will be asked to provide feedback on how it is working. Among the things that the upgrade will fix is battery life which is expected to be improved following the download. Support will be added for WMA and WAV video files and the software will be more stable with fewer “force close” error messages. Those who missed the opportunity tonight should have another opportunity later this week with an official OTA upgrade. It probably is a long shot, but to see if you can still grab the upgrade,checkout the source link for instructions on how to download the trial upgrade.
source: T-Mobileforum via TmoNews

Everyone’s favorite loving Android powered Truckbot was first on the scene sporting a rather tacky and humble exterior that made you feel somewhat badly for it. After a bit of work and dedication, Truckbot is back with a new look that truly showcases its slow evolution to a usable and decent looking device that’ll accomplish some basic tasks on its own. The new acrylic body that houses all of the electrical components and T-Mobile G1 looks a bit more polished and finished compared to what we saw when it first came out. Now it looks like the Truckbot can move in specific directions through the use of voice activated directions – the next thing you know, it could be programmed for mankind’s destruction with one clear voice guided command. There’s no doubt that the Truckbot will continue to be fined tuned by its programmers and creators to show everyone what kind of neat tricks that’s in store for this Android powered little Truckbot.
via Ubergizmo

With March winding down and April upon us, it’s hopeful that Verizon’s version of the HTC Nexus One will finally poke its head some time soon – it actually falls in line with the official “spring 2010” expected launch date. Although there was a typo that indicated that Verizon’s version was going to come along with the Sense UI, hopes were quickly dashed as it was quickly retracted. Based on “multiple sources”, there might be a surprise awaiting Verizon’s version that’ll make it different from all the other ones being offered. Naturally one would assume that it could follow Palm’s “Plus” devices on the carrier which included better specs than the originals, but it could also be considered something like new colors being made available. Whatever it is, let’s hope that it’s something substantial to make it compelling – but then again, it’ll place some sour feelings to the other carrier versions. It could always include some new accessories as well or even point to a new price point – time will tell as we inch closer to its release.
via Unwired View

There’s no denying that Best Buy might already have their eyes set on the HTC EVO 4G, but rumors are hinting that the big box retailer is expected to offer pre-orders some time in May. In the past, Best Buy has been seen as a huge launch partner for a myriad of highly touted smartphones such as the Palm Pre, iPhone 3GS, and Motorola DROID. This time around all the talk is focused on the recently announced HTC EVO 4G for Sprint which a tipster for Android Central believes that Best Buy Mobile will be rolling out their traditional pre-order process for the device. Future owners would simply get the pre-order by dishing out $50, which is then placed on a gift card, then finally return back to the store and redeem it when the device is made available for purchase. With yet no official confirmation about any indirect launch partners for the HTC EVO 4G, it would clearly make sense to go with Best Buy seeing they have an established relationship with Sprint and could easily take precedence with the sheer amount of stores they operate.
source: Android Central via phandroid

Android is about to see a ton of more Java-Based apps and games with Myriad’s recently launched tool called J2Android. Basically it converts over thousands of MIDlet applications that are available on the market and allows Dalvik, the virtual machine used on Android, to run them. Aside from converting those applications for use on Android, it will also rescale it so that its fits perfectly to the size of the display being used. Additionally, it’ll offer support for soft keys seeing that the original application was created to be used with a numerical keypad. Malcolm Dawe, Chief product officer of Myriad said, “As Android devices appear in greater volumes, the challenge has been how quickly the industry can make apps and content available to cope with user demand. One obvious source is the catalogue of quality titles already available but locked away in Java format.”
via Android Community

If you haven’t gotten your fill of the three latest Android powered devices headed to Sprint, you can get some more up close and personal time with the HTC EVO 4G, Motorola i1, and HTC Nexus One on Sprint’s developer site. Not only can you learn more about the handsets that some have been drooling over since their arrival on the scene during CTIA, you can even check out some videos and specs about the smartphones as well. There’s no denying now that the luster of the Sprint version of the HTC Nexus One’s might be not be where it should be due to the announcement of the HTC EVO 4G, but it still confirms Sprint’s stance on the handset after they were quick to make their announcement after AT&T let the world know they were getting their own version. With so many Android devices to look forward to coming out on Sprint, we’re sure that there is a solution that can satisfy the needs of any individual.
source: Sprint via Android Central

April 16th is usually a day for Americans to feel a bit of relief. It is the day after tax papers must be postmarked and once put in the mail, the pressure is off until next year. This year, it looks like Americans have another reason to look forward to the 16th of next month. According to Sprint’s Facebook page, the WiMax enabled HTC EVO 4G is expected to be launched on that date, bringing 4G speed to a cellphone in the U.S. which has similar specs to those seen on the HTC HD2. The handset will roll with Android 2.1 under the hood and a 1GHz Snapdragon chip creates a model  able to run apps, open and close programs quickly. The 4G connection is supposed to provide data to hit the 4.3 inch capacitive touch screen at a speed up to 10 times that of 3G. April 16th could be the start of the nation’s move to supersonic speeds on cellphones. And if it does get launched that day, the actual release of the EVO 4G also will have occurred rather quickly considering that the original plan called for a summer release of the device. Either Sprint feels the pressure to release this after the Palm Pre and Pixi debacle, or the carrier just wants to get a leg up on offering a 4G phone to American cellphone users. And while the end result is the same regardless of the reason, one sounds like desperation while the other is just a clever business idea.
source: Sprint

There’s no denying that President Obama is quite in-tune with technology and how he literally adores BlackBerry smartphones, but now just about anyone can keep up with all the news surrounding the President. Well if you happen to own an Android smartphone, you can simply download the “Obama for Android” app that will present you all the President Obama news in one place so you’ll always be up to speed with everything surrounding Obama. If your insatiable appetite isn’t pleased by just news, you’ll be glad to know that it’ll get live updates through Twitter, have access to the President’s photostream on Flickr, read blogs, and watch videos. Instead of having to go on your favorite web sites to get all your daily information about what’s happening with the President, you can just check out the Android app to get your fill of everything Obama – plus the app won’t cost you a thing to download; so it’s more of a reason to get it.
via IntoMobile

As we’ve seen iPhone users get treated to the new “bump” feature on PayPal to instantly send or transfer money, it looks as though Android and BlackBerry owners will also soon get into the new routine of bumping on PayPal as well. Essentially PayPal users can perform money transfers in a convenient way to another user by simply bumping, or tapping ever so slightly against one another, to another device so that a transaction can be completed – and as we said, it’s actually available now to iPhone users. Even though the new feature is on its way to BlackBerry and Android, it’ll take approximately two to three months for the update to become a reality – until that day arrives, you’ll have to settle on doing it the old fashion way. PayPal’s mobile manager, Eric Duprat, also mentioned some new implementations for the service during CTIA as it could potentially include paying bills from Internet-connected televisions and gaming devices.
source: CNET

ThickButtons in an alternative keyboard typing system for Android powered handsets and is available for free from the Android Market. The basic idea is brilliant. Using predictive technology, the app figures out what letters you will probably hit next and increases the size of those keys while shrinking the size of others. We tested this on a DROID and found that the system might actually slow down the power typist. This is because when the buttons change size, those who type without looking at the actual QWERTY and have trained their fingers to know where a certain letter is, might think they are pressing an “H” but might be hitting a”G” instead. That could easily happen if based on the letters typed, the odds favor a “G” being the next letter with little chance of an”H” being pressed. The former letter’s key would increase in size, the latter’s would shrink and the “G” would take up more real estate on the keyboard which could mess up the touch typist. Still, for a unique way of entering text, you can check out ThickButtons at the Android Market or head to the source link and use the QR code. For our money, Swype still is the faster way to enter text and data on the Android handsets. A version for Windows Mobile is expected in the future.
source: ThickButtons