Verizon shows off changelist for Motorola DROID 3 update

The Motorola DROID 3 was the last DROID in the series to not have LTE connectivity. The handset is underrated with a physical QWERTY that is among the best ever to find its way on a handset and the unit does have dual-core power under the hood. Still, that doesn't mean that the solidly built device couldn't use an update every now and then and Verizon has posted on its website the changelist for the Motorola DROID 3 update currently being soak tested.

The 5.7.905.XT862 update comes in at 230MB and unlike the update for the Motorola DROID X2, this one has a long changelist. Included in the list is a Google security patch for added level of protection. A bug is fixed that used to turn the device on without user interaction. You can now avoid interruption when trying to access an app before storage media is fully mounted on the phone and improvements in power cycles should prevent the phone from rebooting constantly. Additionally, the DROID 3 will no longer lock up and reboot when connected to Bluetooth and HDMI.

Those with the Motorola DROID 3 know how hard it is to use the camera on the phone. Improvements in AutoFocus will help cut the shutter's response time and enhance the quality of pictures taken. The Wireless Alerting System will be aboard the device after the update. The firmware update also lets you use a wired headset without hearing a high pitched noise. For those who travel often, Plus Code dialing has been improved making it easier to dial international calls. Using Bluetooth, playback media can be heard and using the contact widget a call can be made to the appropriate person. When moving apps to the microSD card, shortcuts to the apps will remain, and after updating the contact database from the Messaging App, the Messaging UI will display the latest contact information.

The update will allow you to post and play videos on Facebook and purchased ringtones can now be downloaded, saved and used where appropriate. Contact photos will display properly in Google Voice and VZ Navigator 3D City is now pre-loaded. Finally, the update will fix a problem that required excessive data usage and continuous downloading for VZ Navigator 3D City downloads.

No, the Motorola DROID 3 will most likely not get Android 4.0, but it remains a solid performer and users are just happy to see the manufacturer continue to support it.

source: Verizon

Motorola CLIQ 2 finally gets gingerbread

While everyone remembers the Motorola DROID as being the handset that kicked off Androidmania, it was not the manufacturer's first Android model. That honor belongs to the Motorola CLIQ which was released almost a full month before the game-changing DROID was. The handset was launched with Android 1.5 while the Motorola DROID was the first to have Android 2.0 installed.

About 15 and a half months after the CLIQ was released, Motorola came back with a sequel having the inspired name of the Motorola CLIQ 2. With a much larger screen size (3.7 inches vs. the original's 3.1 inch display) equipped with higher resolution, the sequel still featured a side sliding QWERTY keyboard. The camera remained at 5MP although the sequel had a dual LED flash. The OG CLIQ featured a Qualcomm MSM7201 A 528MHz processor vs. a single-core 1GHz Snapdragon under the hood of the sequel. But perhaps the biggest change was with the OS. The Motorola CLIQ 2 had Froyo, or Android 2.2 running the show which not only was miles and miles away from Android 1.5, but it also allowed CLIQ 2 users to run Adobe Flash and store apps on a microSD card.

Now, Motorola CLIQ 2 owners are moving up the ladder. Android 4.0? Uh, no. But Android 2.3 is finally coming to the Motorola CLIQ 2 and offers improved cursor controls, better battery performance, number and symbol shortcuts and updated calendar options. You can check out the entire (and rather lengthy) changelist by clicking on the sourcelink.

There is some bad news. This is not an OTA update which means you will need a Windows powered PC, a micro USB cable and the Motorola Software Application. Clicking on the sourcelink will bring you to the instructions for downloading the update. And while it doesn't take owners of the Motorola CLIQ 2 all the way to Android 4.0, it should make it feel like a brand new phone once you've completed the installation.

source: Mototola via Phandroid

Verizon to offer texts to 911 by 2013

There are a number of legitimate reasons why someone in danger might not be able to call 911. The person might be hard of hearing or unable to speak, or perhaps the situation is just too dangerous for speaking to a 911 operator. There will be a solution soon as Verizon announced that it will be working with TeleCommunication Systems to allow its customers to send text messages to 911 centers by 2013. FCC spokesperson Tammy Sun was shining about the plan saying that the agency, "commended the company for offering consumers another way to reach 911 that is consistent with how millions of consumers already use mobile devices in their daily lives."

"Verizon is at the forefront of 911 public safety innovations, and today’s announcement is another step in making SMS-to-911 service available to those who cannot make a voice call to 911. Our company is continuing its long-standing commitment to address the needs of public safety and our customers by offering another way to get help in an emergency by using wireless technology."-Verizon VP Marjorie Hsu

Back in 2010, the FCC itself said that it wanted to bring 911 into the Digital Age by offering SMS service. Outside of asking for ideas and exhorting the carriers on, nothing really has come of the FCC's involvement. For some time, there has been a need to update 911 services to allow those with low battery strength or a poor wireless signal, to summon help. In 2009, two girls stuck in as storm drain updated their Facebook status before seeking emergency help. In another case, a man sent out a tweet to report that a woman was having a seizure because he did not have enough battery life to make a call.

Verizon will be using its current CDMA SMS network to handle the texts to 911 and the service will be available to all Verizon customers sporting a phone that supports text messages and have a service plan that includes text messaging. Ironically, back in January 2011 during a snowstorm in Washington D.C., 8300 calls to 911 on the Verizon network in the area failed which led to an FCC probe.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Demonstrating its continued commitment to advancing public safety, Verizon Wireless is taking steps toward offering many of its customers a new way to communicate with 911 call centers run by public safety officials. The company announced today that it has selected TeleCommunication Systems Inc., of Annapolis, Md., to participate in an initiative that will enable customers to send 911 SMS (Short Message Service) texts to the call centers, which are known as public-service answering points, or PSAPs.


While consumers should always first try to contact a 911 center by making a voice call, this enhanced SMS service, when deployed, will offer an alternative for customers on the Verizonb Wireless network who are deaf or hard of hearing and cannot make voice calls or who could be placed in additional danger by speaking. "Verizon is at the forefront of 911 public-safety innovations, and today's announcement is another step in making SMS-to-911 service available to those who cannot make a voice call to 911," said Marjorie Hsu, Verizon Wireless vice president of technology. "Our company is continuing its long-standing commitment to address the needs of public safety and our customers by offering another way to get help in an emergency by using wireless technology."


The company is working on plans to make the new capabilities available to select PSAPs by early 2013. Verizon plans to use its existing CDMA SMS network for 911 text notifications. The new service will be offered to Verizon Wireless customers who have a text-capable phone and a service plan that includes text messaging.


"TeleCommunication Systems has worked closely with the FCC over the past two years to develop its innovative technology for SMS to 911," said Maurice B. Tose, president and CEO of TCS. "As the preeminent U.S. supplier of SMS and pioneer in wireless E911, TCS is well positioned to enable Verizon in advancing its public safety commitment."


Verizon is working with others in the communications industry, PSAPs, the Federal Communications Commission and other federal and state agencies in the eventual deployment of this new service aimed at giving consumers new ways to communicate with designated public safety agencies.

source: VentureBeat via Engadget

Samsung punished by Judge for failing to turn over source code in Apple patent suit

Apple's request for sanctions against Samsung have been granted by United States District Court Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal. The Judge is presiding over an Apple-Samsung patent infringement battle and received a motion from Apple back in March requesting that the sanctions be placed on the Korean based firm for failing to produce source code and other documents that it had been ordered by the court to turn over. Apple's concern is that the delays caused by Samsung's failure to produce source code and documents make it too time consuming to conduct analysis of Samsung's ever changing Android source code. That, in turn, makes Apple's claim of patent infringement against Samsung a "moving target".

Just two weeks ago, Samsung was fined by the court after the same Judge found Samsung to be in violation of a court order. The company failed to turn over documents it had that mentioned Apple's products. The Cupertino based tech titan was planning on using these documents to show that Samsung had infringed on Apple's designs. Judge Grewal is a bit more upset now after the failure of Samsung to hand over the important source code. The code was supposed to show how Samsung had worked around Apple's patent in designing certain aspects of its products, including the "overscroll bounce" that is protected by U.S. Patent No. 7,469,381. Turning over the code might have helped Samsung with its defense.

Apple's attorneys have told the Judge that it is now too late for them to use the source code and asked the court to ban Samsung from using the source code for its defense. In his sanctions order, the Judge said, "Samsung shall be precluded from offering any evidence of its design-around efforts for the '381, '891 and '163 patents, and shall not argue that the design-arounds are in any way distinct from those versions of code produced in accordance with the court's order. Samsung must instead rely solely on the versions of code that were produced on or before December 31, 2011."

Samsung just might have shot itself in the foot as the older code that it has to rely on now with this case, is more likely to infringe on Apple's patents than the newer code that it failed to produce to the court in a timely fashion.

source: FossPatents via AppleInsider

Nokia 808 PureView meets FCC, still not coming to the States

Being a member of the FCC gives you many privileges that the average U.S. citizen doesn't have. For example, the other day the Nokia 808 PureView stopped in and the Feds got a chance to spend some time with the device and its 41MP camera. Remember, thanks to the allergy that Americans have to Symbian powered handsets, the Nokia 808 PureView will not be sold in the States, at least not for now. So when the FCC committee members came home and told their wives that they took apart the 808 PureView and its 41MP shooter, we're sure that there was pride on their faces. Even the kids were excited, pleading with their Dad to talk to the class on the next career day.

In addition to seeing the Nokia 808 PureView and its 41MP camera in perfect working condition, the FCC also got to rip the phone apart. We're not sure if they were looking for Waldo or Carmen Sandiego, but the pictures reveal a handset that is scheduled to launch some time this quarter globally, if by globally you mean just about everywhere but the States. Don't be surprised about Nokia's decision here. Didn't your Mama warn you what would happen if you stopped playing with Symbian powered phones?

source: FCC via Engadget

Update to Amazon Kindle Fire adds Parental Controls and more

The fact that the Amazon Kindle Fire is a low-priced tablet and the most popular Android flavored one as well might lead to the device ending up in the hands of many youngsters. For many parents, this isn't an issue. For others, it might seem like they have given their sweet little angel Pandora's Box. In order for those parents to feel more comfortable with giving their kids a tablet, the latest firmware update for the Amazon Kindle Fire brings Parental Controls to the unit.

The update to version 6.3.1 should automatically be installed on the device and if it isn't, you can go to the sourcelink for instructions on how to manually download it. After the update, you will find Parental Controls which allows you to password protect certain functions like streaming video and even making purchases at Amazon's Appstore. With password protection enabled, the user will have to enter a previously set password to make a purchase, or stream video. Parents can also completely block functions like Web, Newsstand, Books, Music, Video, Docs and Apps. On the main Kindle Fire screen, any function blocked will be "grayed out" and will be unavailable for use.

If someone tries to access one of the blocked functions, a pop-up appears to say that it has been blocked and asks if the user wants to cancel the request or go to Settings to disable Parental Controls. The easiest way to do this would have been for Amazon to allow a parent to enter the password to temporarily disable the block. Instead, if a parent wants to use an area of the tablet that he previously blocked, it would require a trip to Settings and a removal of Parental Controls. Of course, this means that the parent has to remember to enable the controls again once he is done using the tablet.

There are other new features being added to the tablet with the update, including the ability to share specific parts of a book that you are reading on the tablet, to your social networks. Students will now be able to buy print-replica text books at a savings of as much as 60% over the cost of buying the textbook and the clock for renting a video now starts ticking once you begin to view it instead of when you downloaded the video as in the past. You can view the entire changelist at the sourcelink.

source: Amazon via MobileBurn