We’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is – Android 1.6 firmware is now available, but now for the bad news – you need the patterned, unlocked HTC Dream Developer phone in order to use it. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until Android 1.6 is pushed out to the general public or until someone hacks it (something we don’t recommend, but hey, it’s your phone).
Android 1.6 offers several updates, like CDMA support, new text-to-speech engine, and a real biggie – support for alternative screen sizes. Supporting different screen sizes is critical for Android’s success so that developers may not have to rework their apps to fit the many different Android handsets coming down the pike. Check out the video!
How much is a year worth for having an Android-powered HTC Dream or Magic with Rogers in Canada? Try a cool $300 CAD – that’s the difference between a two or three year contract. On June 2, when these two new handsets are ready to roll out at Best Buy (and other fine retailers), you can allegedly have your Dream or Magic for as low as $149.99 CAD (!) with a whopping 3-year contract and minimum $45 voice and data plan. If you settle for 2 years, the price jumps up to $449.99, 1 year for $499.99, and no contract pricing is available for a mere $599.99 CAD.
If you’re willing to sell your soul (for the 3-year maximum), $149.99 is dirt cheap for getting your little green ‘droid groove going. We hope that the photographic evidence of Best Buy pricing is true, but don’t count on it completely until you are standing in the store and handing over your cash (or plastic). If you live in Canada, will you be venturing to Best Buy to pick up your Dream or Magic? If so, how much lighter will YOUR wallet or purse be?
