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HTC and AT&T are rolling out an over-the-air update for the HTC inspire 4G to update it to Android 2.3 Gingerbread and HTC Sense features.  HTC Inspire owners will get an notification on their smartphones. 

The HTC Inspire update includes:

• Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
• New HTC Sense features including udated Application Tray,  FriendStream and added Quick Settings in the Notifications window.
• Improved Power Management functions.
• Improved media experience.
• Various minor bug fixes.

The list of features in the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update are impressive,
with the addition of download manager, active app management,
shortcuts, one-touch copy/paste, widgets, icons, app groups, updated
calendar options, camera geotagging, improved email synching, and camera
auto-focus improvements.

Users can  check for this update by going to
Home>Menu>Settings> AT&T Software Update > HTC Wi-Fi
software update > Check now. The system update can also be
downloaded  and manually applied.  Performing the system update manually will delete all information
from the device.  Ensure all information is backed up before
proceeding.  Information saved on the microSD card will not be affected.

Read HTC Sense Tips.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

A research paper (PDF) out of the North Carolina State University has outlined how Android vendors, including Motorola, Samsung and HTC, are not enforcing the standard Android permissions guidelines with pre-installed apps. As a result of this, applications that don’t explicitly ask for access to send SMS messages, read address books or even wipe the phone’s data are able to do just that.

While the vulnerabilities are less present on Google’s own phones, including the Nexus One and Nexus S, certain intrinsic weaknesses within Android were also uncovered, leading to potential permissions-based exploits. Google and its now-subsidiary Motorla have acknowledged the potential exploits, but the researchers cite having “experienced major difficulties” in reporting these issues to Samsung and HTC.

At this point it’s unlikely anyone has taken advantage of these exploits, as they would have to explicitly sideload an app onto the phone to interact with the pre-installed apps’ permissions weaknesses. Nevertheless the potential for trouble is there, and as always, we caution you on downloading any app from the Android Marketplace that does not appear from a legitimate, trustworthy seller. Be careful out there, folks.

Source: Ars Technica
Via: Engadget

Related posts:

1. Microsoft paying Nokia billion over 5 years to “promote and develop Windows-based handsets”
2. Public Mobile prices Android handsets below 0 outright
3. RIM’s QNX-based smartphones “will be Android-compatible”, Bloomberg says

MobileSyrup.com

If you’re driving faster than 10 mph, you’ll have a hard time using your Android smartphone if Sprint Drive First is installed on the device. The new Android app from Sprint Nextel Corp. automatically locks a mobile phone when a car is moving more than 10 mph. … Read More
RCR Wireless News

Terry Fox is deep into the hearts of Canadians and the annual Terry Fox Run is back on this year for the 31st time. Like always the goal is to generation donation to help fight Cancer but this time they are embracing mobile. The app is currently only available on iPhone and Android devices and there’s no word on a BlackBerry or Windows Phone 7 app in the future. Features include the ability to make mobile donations via PayPal, see your donation progress and share via Twitter and Facebook. The Terry Fox run is happening on September 18th.

Get the iPhone App here
Get the Android App here

Related posts:

1. PC Mobile releases the Android Samsung Galaxy 550, fruit not included
2. Canada Post releases BlackBerry app… Android app coming within a couple months
3. TELUS releases the Android 2.2 LG Optimus 3G

MobileSyrup.com

TS2R Wireless News from Wireless and Mobile News

Full news stories today include a comparison of T-Mobile vs Virgin Mobile deals, BlackBerry Messenger use by London rioters, the European ban of the Samsung  Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet, HTC Status deals and new leaked  BlackBerry Bold/Torch release dates.

Here’s the news that’s too short to report:

• MetroPS Helps Military Families -  Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift and other stars   autographed personal
  messages to U.S. military families with loved ones oversees. Along with
  the messages, MetroPCS Communications, Inc. donated ,000
  worth of international long distance calling cards to the USO’s
  Military Family Care Package program, helping to connect families who
  are separated by deployments.
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Octobered - An unnamed source reported that Android 4.0 Ice Cream sandwich smartphones and tablets may be released as early as October of this year.
• HTC Bliss with New HTC Sense - The HTC Bliss is now rumored to ship with a new version of HTC Sense – Sense 3.5.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

TracFone’s flat-rate Straight Talk service will launch its first smartphone running Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android platform in September, according to BTIG Research analyst Walter Piecyk.

Samsung Galaxy Precedent

According to Piecyk, the carrier will launch the Straight Talk Galaxy Precedent, made by Samsung, which is expected to be priced at 0. The analyst noted that the smartphone is strikingly similar to the Samsung Prevail, which Sprint Nextel’s (NYSE:S) prepaid brand Boost Mobile sells for 0. The Prevail runs Android 2.2, has a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, and a 2-megapixel camera. Representatives from TracFone, Sprint and Samsung did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A blog post on Straight Talk’s website promises the Android-powered Galaxy Precedent is “coming soon,” but the post does not provide details, including a launch date and a price.

The device could represent a threat to flat-rate players MetroPCS (NASDAQ:PCS) and Leap Wireless’ (NASDAQ:LEAP) Cricket, which have bet heavily on Android and are trying to attract new smartphone customers. Thus far, Straight Talk’s smartphone offerings have been confined to the likes of the Nokia (NYSE:NOK) 6970 and E71.

“We believe Straight Talk, which is owned by América Móvil, has negotiated a new data wholesale agreement with a major wireless carrier in order to offer these data hungry products,” Piecyk wrote in a blog post. TracFone currently operates as an MVNO using Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ), AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T), and T-Mobile USA’s networks. TracFone’s Straight Talk brand is primarily sold through Walmart.

Piecyk wrote that Straight Talk’s unlimited plan for voice, texting and Web access compares favorably with more expensive plans from Boost, Leap and MetroPCS, which he said, along with T-Mobile, could all feel more pressure. 

“When Straight Talk first entered the unlimited prepaid market, they had a pretty quick impact on the market even though it took time to roll out distribution,” he wrote. “This time around the distribution is already in place and the brand is well known. It could be a tough Q4 for their competitors.”

América Móvil’s U.S. TracFone unit added close to 236,000 net subscribers in the second quarter, significantly lower than the first quarter and the year-ago period. The company blamed the slowdown in subscriber adds on higher churn.

For more:
- see this BTIG blog post (reg. req.)
- see this Straight Talk post

Special Report: Tier 2 wireless carriers clamoring for more smartphones

Related Articles:
Straight Talk drives TracFone’s 236K Q2 net adds
TracFone’s Straight Talk pulls back on Nokia smartphones
TracFone: No plans for postpaid offering
TracFone’s Straight Talk launches Nokia 6790, E71 smartphones
TracFone finishes Q1 with 18.5 million subs

FierceWireless

TS2R Wireless News from Wireless and Mobile News

Full news stories today included wireless and app-propriate gifts for Mother’s Day, Motorola XPRT, HTC Bliss and Sony Xperia Play security.

Here’s the news that is too short to report:

Motorola Headquarters in Libertyville in Pursuit of Investments - Motorola Mobility, Inc. (MMI) corporate headquarters will remain located in Libertyville, Illinois.  The state is providing a business investment package to leverage private investment and to help keep approximately 3,000 jobs in Illinois.

Meffy Deadline Extended to Tuesday, May 10 - There is very little time left to submit your entries for the eighth annual Meffys Awards.  Judged by leading journalists, analysts and VCs, the Meffys span the entire mobile content & commerce spectrum, from games and apps to technology innovation and ad campaigns.

Windows Phone Market Reopens for Business – Windows Phone Marketplace was closed for technical problems on Thursday and is now reopened for downloading.

Samsung Infuse Doesn’t Lock Out Non-Market Apps – Samsung announced yesterday that the Galaxy S: Samsung Infuse 4G will have a May 15 release date, has a new feature not seen previously on AT&T Android smartphones, and you can load non-Android Market apps.

Spring 2011 Tablet Season In Japan – Wireless Watch Japan reported that spring is busting out all over with tablets from Apple, Motorola, Sony and Toshiba in Japan.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Verizon Wireless has a new exclusive for its Android-device toting customers. Coinciding with the upcoming theatrical debut of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the carrier is now offering The Pirate Discovery App, the official mobile app for the film. … Read More »

RCR Wireless News

TS2R Wireless News from Wireless and Mobile News


AT&T Slashes Prices - AT&T has slashed the prices on some of its most popular smartphones with a two-year contract.  The Samsung Captivate now costs .99.  The BlackBerry Torch, Samsung Focus, and LG Quantum are all .99, while the BlackBerry Curve 3G has been reduced to .99.

Sony Ericsson No Japan Disaster Impact – Sony Ericsson does not expect any significant impart on its business operation due to the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Google Paves the Way for Payments with MasterCard and Citi - Google is working with MasterCard and Citigroup to embed NFC payments.  Google will give retailers data about the payers.

RIM’s PlayBook Makes Play to Play Android Apps – RIM has added Android support for its PlayBook tablet.  The apps will work via app players for both BlackBerry Java apps, and Android (2.3) apps.  These new app players will allow users to download Java and Android apps from BlackBerry App World and run them on the PlayBook alongside native apps.

AT&T Coupon-Link  Off AT&T Wireless with Plan
for new customers with a contract.  See details at deals page.

Full news articles today include a new HTC Windows Phone app, HTC Compass, Motorola Atrix update, and a mobile email filtering miracle.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

The prices keep falling over at Mobilicity. They have dropped their price plans in several cities and today announced a new /month couples promo that gives Unlimited talk, text and data for two. The plans have been dropped and now handset prices have been cut. Specifically all of their Android devices. The Nexus One goes [...]

Related posts:

1. Rogers lowers the 3-year prices of various Android devices… and the Samsung Wave
2. Mobilicity Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 now available!
3. Virgin joins the gang… drops prices

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