Google Maps for Mobile 5 unveiled, adds dynamic map drawing and offline mode
By Ross Miller posted Dec 6th 2010 10:59PM

Why look at static images when you can get a more 3D view of the urban scene? Google's Maps for Mobile 5 just got previewed on stage by Andy Rubin at D: Dive Into Mobile -- with a prototype Motorola Honeycomb tablet, no less! The biggest visual change is dynamic map drawing: vectors instead of flat images that scale without render hiccups and will show the buildings fleshed out for over 100 cities -- we gotta say, it looks great. Even more fun is that you can now use two fingers to tilt and rotate around the map (in addition to moving and pinch-to-zoom, of course). We've been told the storage for these vectors is much smaller than the current images, which brings us to... offline caching. Maps will keep on file the locations that you go to (and search) most often, and it'll be able to reroute while offline in Navigation. You'll still need a connection for altering the route altogether -- sorry, subway-hoppers -- but once you go, even if you stray, you'll still be rerouted back on track.

Most modern Android phones from the original Droid onward should be able to enjoy most if not all the new features, depending on hardware capabilities (3D rendering) and "distinct multitouch" hardware support -- the Nexus One, interestingly enough, supports vector maps but not the rotate functionality because it lacks the latter multitouch requirements. Google sent us a list of devices that support 100 percent of 5.0's features, which you can find after the break. The update is due out in the "coming days," according to Rubin. Great way to kick off Nexus S' launch, then.

•Galaxy S
•Droid
•Droid X
•Droid 2
•Droid Incredible
•Evo
•Nexus S
•G2

Is the Nexus S Also Coming to Sprint and Verizon?
Posted by: Benjamin Rubenstein
December 7, 2010



Many Android lovers patiently awaited the arrival of the Nexus One on Sprint and Verizon. Unfortunately, it never ended up happening. From what I gather, Google would have liked a CDMA version to have been produced, but with CDMA carriers releasing so many other powerful devices at the time, there was just no room for Google's first developer phone. This begs the question--is the Nexus S scheduled to make a CDMA appearance here in the United States? After all, it's made by Samsung--the same company that made sure to release its Galaxy S line on both GSM and CDMA carriers.


It could be that I'm just reading into things, but after skimming through the Nexus S Challenge contest rules, I noticed something a bit odd. If you were telling someone that a device was only compatible with GSM networks, you'd say that straight out--wouldn't you? However, that's not what Google does when talking about the newly released Nexus S. Here's what the contest rules state under the PRIZES section:

"The currently available Nexus S is a GSM device and is not compatible with CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint."

Again... I could be reading way too much in to this. Perhaps whoever wrote up the rules just chose an interesting way of saying that they don't support Sprint or Verizon. On the other hand, maybe there will be a CDMA version of the Nexus S and Google would, therefore, be lying if they said that the Nexus S is only a GSM device. Anyone care to share their thoughts?

Mobile phones News
HTC confirms Desire HD Android 2.3 update?
In a roundabout way
By Marc Chacksfield3 hours ago | Tell us what you think [ 4 comments ]

HTC Desire HD - Android 2.3 on the way?



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TechRadar contacted HTC earlier today about the recently announced Android 2.3 update and whether or not it will be coming to its flagship phone: the HTC Desire HD.

Although HTC didn't namecheck the phone, it did confirm that a number of its handsets will be given the update.

Be excited

In a statement, a spokesperson for HTC explained: "We are excited about the OS update coming for Android, and while HTC will definitely have some phones running this OS, we do not have a specific timeframe for new phones or updates at this time. Please stay tuned for more details."

While "some phones" is as flimsy an answer you are likely to get, it does confirm that the update will be coming to handsets already in existence.

At the moment, the HTC Desire HD is the flagship phone from the Taiwanese company so we're pinning our bets on this.

However, the Desire Z and Desire will probably get some Android 2.3 loving, too.

Download: Gingerbread Keyboard For Rooted Devices (Updated)
On 12.06.10, In Breaking, News, Root (unlock), by Tim-o-tato
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What a day it has been! We finally have our 2.3 Gingerbread release and everyone is happier than a boy on Christmas morning.
While all this joy is in the air, Droid-Life has been exclusively gifted with a Gingerbread Keyboard Port! Thanks to Peter Alfonso of Bugless Beast, we are sitting on some 2.3 goodness. So after the jump, we will have instructions and the ‘how to’ on getting this on your phone!
In the subject I mentioned this is for rooted devices only. Why? Because stock phones don’t have the rights to install .libs. Sorry non-roots! But hey, time to start looking into the subject of rooting?
Update: Check out our hands-on of the new Gingerbread keyboard!
Instructions:
*MAKE A BACKUP FIRST!
*Should work on ALL rooted 2.2 Android devices.
*Droid X and 2 users, see note after instructions. (Some DX users are seeing miniature versions. Again, MAKE A BACKUP.)
*Won’t work on 2.1. You need the newest Voice Search app from the market.
*Good idea to make a back up of your LatinIME.apk from your /system/app folder in case something goes wrong.

1. Download .zip file HERE (This is the new fixed version.)
2. Place on root of SD Card and boot into Recovery.
3. Install .zip as you would themes etc.
4. Reboot and select “Android Keyboard” under Input Method and you are good to go.

*Note* – DX users, “In Clockwork, go to mounts and storage>mount system and then back to install .zip from sd card”.
I hope you all enjoy everyone! Anyone wanna take a gander at what else is next from 2.3?
-Tim-o-tato
Please show love to Peter by following his work on his Twitter.
And be sure to check out all of his work on his website! We love this guy!