So, you brought home your brand new HTC Sensation and took it out of the box with the intention to spend the rest of the evening playing with it. Gorgeous 4.3-inch qHD display, beautiful aluminum body, raw dual-core horsepower – you simply can’t get enough of it. Then a week later, you get out of bed only to realize that your shiny smartphone is having problems with its touchscreen display.

If your HTC Sensation is acting up as well, then welcome to the club. As a matter of fact, a lot of Sensation owners are reporting issues with their smartphone’s display, which becomes unresponsive after about a week of use and fails to register swipes most of the time. There is a pretty long thread over at XDA Developers (69 pages and counting) where the problem has been described thoroughly, yet a universal solution has yet to be arrived at. Some say that the device’s stock charger is to blame while others think that a build-up of static electricity causes all the troubles, but the thing is that nobody can tell for sure.

When users tried contacting HTC for advice, the company’s support team did not provide any kind of solution beyond performing a factory reset of the device, which doesn’t seem to do the trick. Reportedly, replacing the smartphone with a brand new unit does not help either as those who tried that were facing the same problems in only about a week’s time.

If you are an HTC Sensation owner yourself, drop a comment below and let us know whether your smartphone is affected as well. Spreading awareness of the problem might just be what it takes for HTC to come up with a solution in a timely manner.

Thanks, Mihai!

source: Android Police, XDA-Developers

The Samsung Fascinate has apparently reached End of Life with Verizon, as it has a telling stamp “Retired” on the listing, and has disappeared from the online store.

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S version that was the Fascinate was one of the best Android handsets you can get on Big Red at the time it hit shelves last year. It had a good run, if we don’t count some bugs and the belated Froyo update, plus it is expected to receive Gingerbread as well, but now it has to move over and hail a new king.

Hopefully this Samsung Fascinate retirement only means that the Samsung Galaxy S II version for Verizon is nearing its announcement and launch. We’ve heard rumors about the handset being called both the Function or the Stratosphere.

Whatever the final title is, the Samsung Galaxy S II is poised to make a big splash when it lands in Verizon’s pool.

source: Droid-life

A forgotten name in Sprint’s lineup of 4G handsets is about to get an update to fix an pesky bug. The HTC EVO Shift 4G was launched in January of this year, which seems light years away when it comes to smartphones. A 3.6 inch WVGA screen and a 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7630 processor give away the difference that 7 months can make in the handset industry, although to be fair, this was never meant to be a high-end phone.

One thing that the HTC EVO Shift 4G has that its big brother doesn’t is the side sliding QWERTY keyboard, which helps promote the device as a 4G enabled handset for those who like to text. The problem, though, is that a bug is affecting the ability of MMS/SMS messages to be sent to the recipient. The good news is, next Monday users will be getting an update from Sprint that is like the proverbial can of Raid-it kills bugs dead. Although fairy tale endings don’t normally occur in real life, after the update to v2.76.651.5, HTC EVO Shift 4G users will live happily ever after.

source: Sprint via AndroidCentral

An update to v2.76.651.5 for HTC EVO Shift 4G owners is coming August 8th

Back at CTIA 2011, we managed to get a small sampling of the Samsung TouchWiz UX interface running on prototype units of the original Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, but after some wait, we’re finally able to experience it in all of its glory. Stopping by the Samsung Experience Center in New York City, we managed to get our review unit updated with the actual final build of the new customized Honeycomb experience – and honestly, we’re rather excited to see how Samsung is able to further beautify the already gorgeous platform.

Visually, the TouchWiz UX interface shares many commonalities with its smartphone platform brethren with its adjustable live panels. Though nice, it’s not the most visually alluring interface we’ve seen – mainly because it’s a bit more static with its approach, as opposed to employing a ton of 3D transition effects. Regardless of that, some will appreciate that live panels are customizable in size so that you can lengthen them to your liking. Moreover, things like the weather and clock live panels offer all the usual set of pertinent information. With some others though, like the Gmail and Social Hub ones, there’s a bit of interaction with them. Unfortunately, the TouchWiz UX interface appears to have some noticeable performance issues with the tablet’s responsiveness – and it’s more prominent with live wallpapers active…

Read the full hands-on at PhoneArena.com

A person who claims to be a Verizon employee has leaked a roadmap for the carrier. The information covers 9 devices from September to January and let’s start with the smartphone on the tip of every Verizon customer’s tongue-the Motorola DROID Bionic. Thanks to comments from Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha, we have been looking for a September launch of the much anticipated phone, and according to the roadmap it will be September 8th when the beast is let loose. We reported yesterday on the specs of the device straight from Motorola, so now all that is left to surprise us with is the price.

On the same date, the roadmap tells us to expect the Samsung Stratosphere. This phone is expected to replace Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S variant, the Fascinate. This is expected to be a LTE enabled phone, launching with Gingerbread aboard. September 8th also promises to bring the Motorola XOOM 4G LTE to Big Red. It’s the tablet you all know with 4G connectivity.

Leaked Verizon roadmap shows September 8th launch for Motorola DROID Bionic

The Samsung Illusion is penciled in for a September 29th launch. A low to mid-end device, this should launch with 3G connectivity and Android 2.3. Also on September 29th, the women get their phone as the HTC Bliss is expected to be launch. Designed for the fairer sex, the Bliss will be powered by Android 2.3.

Moving into October, the 6th of the month should see the release of the HTC Vigor. Rumored to have an impressive 720 x 1280 hi-res display, the Vigor is supposed to have a 1.5GHz processor under the hood. The roadmap says that October 20th will be the launch date for the LG Revolution 2 which is the sequel to the, well, you can figure it out. The original is LTE enabled so we wouldn’t expect less for the follow-up.
In November, we are told to expect the Samsung Galaxy Tab P8 which is probably the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. Finally, in January will come the Samsung Plato. This was originally expected to launch before the beginning of the new year, so it is possible that this will have Ice Cream Sandwich running the show.

No Samsung Galaxy S II? That probably means that we will see the August launch of the phone that we have reported. Or perhaps the Samsung Stratosphere, due out the same date as the Motorola DROID Bionic, is the hottest smartphone on earth. What a decision Verizon customers would have to make on September 8th if that is the case!

source: IGN via DroidLife

For those Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 owners unable to make it to New York City to get the TouchWiz UX update for the Honeycomb tablet, you’ll be interested to know that an over-the-air update for it will start rolling out August 5th.

That’s not too shabby seeing that the commute into the city can be costly and cumbersome for some people. Not only will it offer the first customized Android Honeycomb experience, but Samsung throws in quite a few other niceties that will enhance the total experience.

However, if there’s one new thing that most people will appreciate more than others, it has to be the new “Mini Mode Tray” that offers quick access to paneled apps like the Task Manager, Calendar, World Clock, Pen Memo, Calculator, and Music Player.

Getting it doesn’t take a rocket scientist because you’ll only need to navigate to the system updates section under the Android settings menu to get it.

via SlashGear

Once seen as the heavy handed power punch combo for Big Magenta, both the T-Mobile G2 and myTouch 4G are getting just a little bit of spark back into their lives thanks to their upcoming Android 2.3 Gingerbread updates.

For a while now, we’ve been hearing lots of information about it, but we’ve actually started to hear news about their roll out of late – albeit, some are still eagerly awaiting for its arrival. Well, for those who seemingly are unable to get the highly anticipated update to Gingerbread, customers can head into their local T-Mobile store starting on August 6th to get it. However, it’s worth noting that handset owners located in the midwest and west regions will need to wait until August 13th before heading in.

From the sound of it, handsets will be updated by using an SD card provided by the store. Meaning, it’d be a darn good idea to backup your data beforehand just in case something catastrophic occurs. Indeed, these handsets have been flaunting Froyo for some time now, but it’s nevertheless awesome to see them getting a new lease on life with Gingerbread.

source: T-Mobile (1 & 2) via TmoNews

Back last month, we reported that the Samsung Admire would be the device to replace the aging LG Optimus M over on MetroPCS, but it now appears as if it’ll be headed to regional carrier Cellular South as well.

Not only is the handset getting its own landing page right now, but it’s getting the prestigious title of being the carrier’s very first Android 2.3 Gingerbread powered smartphone. However, it specs remain to be similar to the version that MetoPCS will be getting, which is deemed as a mid-range handset. Meaning, it’ll feature a 3.5” touchscreen, 3.2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and a microSD card slot.

Even though it’s being featured on Cellular South’s web site, there still is no word regarding its pricing or availability, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see it follow accordingly to the version that MetroPCS will be getting, which is rumored to launch sometime between now and September.

source: Cellular South via AndroidGuys

Not everyone out there requires the latest and greatest in technology to be content with their smartphone, but for those who still want a decent one with a cute looking form factor, they might gravitate towards the HTC Wildfire S for T-Mobile.

As promised, the handset is now available to be picked up for the 2-year contract price of $79.99 – with a reasonable $279.99 no-contract price. Obviously, the main attraction about the device is its loveable and compact form factor – and to match that, it’s flaunting some entry-level specs. Specifically, it features a 3.2” HVGA touchscreen, 600MHz processor, 5-megapixel camera, 512MB RAM & ROM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, 1,230 mAh battery, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Certainly, it perfectly rounds out HTC’s offerings on T-Mobile’s lineup seeing that it supplements newer devices like the HTC Sensation 4G and T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide. So if you’re not all about killer hardware and want something that’s affordable and works, then you might want to consider choosing the HTC Wildfire S.
source: T-Mobile via Android and Me

Honeycomb’s very own sleeping beauty, the Toshiba Thrive, has been plagued by a mystical bug that somehow caused some units to not wake up once it entered sleep mode. Last week though, Toshiba came out to inform us all that a software update was in the works to address the problem, but more importantly, it was promised to become available this week.

Well, kudos to Toshiba for obviously following through because starting today, a new software update for the Toshiba Thrive is being pushed out as we speak. Rather than following the usual update process we tend to see with Android, owners need to run Toshiba’s very own “Service Station” app in order to download it. In addition, the update enhances the multimedia playback capabilities of the device.

So there you have it folks, there is no more oversleeping problem for this Honeycomb tablet! In the greater scheme of things, it’s nice to see Toshiba working diligently of late to get this update out as soon as possible – and it’s right on cue as promised!

via Android Central