Boy Genius Report

Sony Ericsson X10 Mini and Mini Pro rooted

by Kelly Hodgkins on July 31st, 2010 at 6:51pm
Filed under: Android, Hacks, Sony Ericsson 6 Comments

Owners of a Sony Ericsson X10 Mini or a Mini Pro will be happy to know that the folks at xda-developers have been able to achieve root on these two Android devices. The root requires some familiarity with adb and terminal commands and apparently takes advantage of the same exploit used to root the DROID X, Devour, and other Android handsets. Hit the read link for the detailed instructions and head over toe xda-devs to link up with other SE owners. Happy Rooting!

[Via xda-developers]

Dropbox launches a limited beta version for the BlackBerry

by Kelly Hodgkins on July 31st, 2010 at 2:45pm
Filed under: BlackBerry OS 12 Comments

Popular online storage solution Dropbox has just launched its BlackBerry client as a limted beta. The app, compatible with OS 5.0 devices, already was gobbled up by the 500 user slots for testing. Those that snagged a copy are reporting that the application is similar to the Android and iPhone client, but is still missing some key features like the ability to upload non-picture files, the ability to delete/move files, and the ability to manage folders. BlackBerry owners that are interested in the beta should keep checking the beta site as additional slots are apparently being added to meet this initial demand. If you manage to get in on the beta, hit us up in the comments with your first impressions.

[Via CrackBerry]

Google now serves up mobile ads based upon your location

by Kelly Hodgkins on July 31st, 2010 at 9:57am
Filed under: Android, Google, Mobile, iOS, iPhone OS / iPod OS 16 Comments

Google has introduced new location-aware advertising for iPhone and Android handsets. Advertisers will now have the ability to select a “location extension for display” option that will serve up their ads based upon a user’s GPS coordinates. Ads will appear within mobile applications and mobile browsers and will allow users to get mapping and contact information for businesses that are within the immediate area. This feature is pretty cool once you get over the creepiness of Google sending ads to you based upon your device, the context of your mobile usage, and now your location.

[Via Tech Crunch]

Bloomberg: Facebook to postpone IPO until 2012

by Andrew Munchbach on July 31st, 2010 at 5:49am
Filed under: Social Network 34 Comments

Bloomberg is reporting that social network Facebook will postpone an IPO until 2012. Investors have been speculating that the world’s largest social network — valued at $24.9 billion — would go public sometime in 2011. Bloomberg writes, “Waiting lets Zuckerberg, 26, hone the skills needed to steer a company that issues quarterly results while facing criticism on such matters as user privacy.” Facebook declined to comment, and Zuckerberg himself said his company would offer an IPO, “when it makes sense.” People familiar with the company estimate that the social network would bring in as much as $1.4 billion in sales in 2010 alone. Would any of you jump on the Facebook IPO if given the opportunity?

Motorola DROID X source code released

by Andrew Munchbach on July 30th, 2010 at 11:19pm
Filed under: Mobile, Motorola 18 Comments

Yay, open source! Anyone interested in the DROID X source code? If you are, the files are posted on Motorola’s developer site. The code weighs in at a hefty 280 MB and was actually released several days ago on July 28th. If you’re ready to get down and dirty with lines and lines of code, let the custom ROM creation begin!

[Via Droid-Life]

Simple fix for iOS 4 sluggish performance?

by Kelly Hodgkins on July 30th, 2010 at 9:05pm
Filed under: Apple, Rumors, iOS 61 Comments

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was investigating the sluggish performance of iOS 4 on the iPhone 3G. While Apple is beginning an investigation, a reader over at Neowin was hands on with an iPhone and may have stumbled upon a quick fix. The problem is apparently remedied by turning off all the spotlight search options within Settings->General->Home Button->Spotlight Search. Though this may be a temporary band-aid, it may be enough to hold you over until Apple determines a root cause and issues a fix. If anyone gives it a try, let us know your results in the comments.

Verizon Wireless starting Motorola DROID 2 training

by Boy Genius on July 30th, 2010 at 6:58pm
Filed under: Android, CDMA, Exclusives, Featured, Handsets, Motorola 44 Comments

Verizon Wireless usually starts training employees on devices around 2-3 weeks out from a launch date, and we have received an image showing us just that. The Motorola DROID 2 is now being seen by Verizon’s oh-so-helpful reps, albeit in 2D form on a computer screen. This means that the device should launch in August as rumored. Though we have to say, with the Motorola DROID X and the HTC Incredible out there, what’s the story morning glory?

Part II: Apple iPhone 4 giveaway winner!

by Boy Genius on July 30th, 2010 at 5:01pm
Filed under: Apple, Handsets, iOS 53 Comments

We did a second Apple iPhone 4 giveaway contest, and we have chosen a winner. Stanley is the lucky guy who just won a brand new iPhone 4, hopefully he’ll enjoy it a little more than his Siemens SK65 he’s using. Thanks to everyone that entered, and as usual, we’ll have some great stuff in the future!

MythBusters renew contract, no myth safe for next seven years

by Andrew Munchbach on July 30th, 2010 at 3:34pm
Filed under: TV 50 Comments

Myths be warned! At Comic Con last Saturday, MythBusters stars Jamie Hyneman, Adam Savage, Grant Imahara, Tory Bellici and Kari Byron took the stage to promote their show’s upcoming season. The gang also announced that they have renewed their contract for a full seven years with the Discovery Network. Appeasing the Comic Con crowd, Adam Savage clamored that they were willing to take on more superhero myths. Anyone out there a fan of the ‘Busters? Any favorite myths?

[Via Reddit]

Mexico getting unlocked iPhone 4 too

by Andrew Munchbach on July 30th, 2010 at 2:25pm
Filed under: Apple, Carriers - International, Handsets, Mobile 52 Comments

If you live in the States and are dying to get an unlocked iPhone 4, prepare to be taunted by two bordering nations. It looks as though Apple will offer the iPhone 4, carrier unlocked, to Mexico via the Online Apple Store; Canada already has this option. The pricing on the unit has not yet been announced, but if history repeats itself it should be about $1,500 pesos above the price of the iPhone 3GS for an unlocked 16 GB iPhone 4. Currently the iPhone 3GS is on the Mexican Apple Online Store for $9,510.84 pesos (about $730 US). Anyone want to head to Tijuana and pick one of these bad boys up?

Thanks, JLR!

Samsung to introduce its Android tablet in Q3 2010

by Kelly Hodgkins on July 30th, 2010 at 1:16pm
Filed under: Android, Samsung 33 Comments

Add Samsung to the long list of hardware manufacturers that are confirmed to be jumping on the Android tablet bandwagon in 2010. Samsung was not forthcoming with details but did confirm on Friday that its upcoming Android-powered tablet will sport a 7-inch display, placing it squarely in the middle of the 5-inch Dell Streak and the almost 10-inch Apple iPad. Looking to snag early adopters, Samsung is getting into the game slightly ahead of its local rival LG by launching its tablet in the third quarter of 2010. Anyone interested in a super-sized Galaxy S?

BlackBerry Bold 9780 appears on video again

by Andrew Munchbach on July 30th, 2010 at 12:14pm
Filed under: BlackBerry, BlackBerry 6, Mobile, RIM 54 Comments

Thank you may I have another? Today, Salomondrin has decided to jump in on the BlackBerry Bold 9780 video fun. The blogger has posted up a seven minute video showing off the hardware and software of the not-so-secret 9780. Hit the jump and check out the video if you’re interested. Enjoy!

[Via Crackberry]

FCC approves first LTE phone, Samsung SCH-R900

by Andrew Munchbach on July 30th, 2010 at 10:59am
Filed under: 4G, CDMA, MetroPCS, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon 21 Comments

The FCC has green-lighted the Samsung SCH-R900, what appears to be the U.S.’s first CDMA/LTE handset. The R900 was announced back in March at CTIA by pre-paid carrier MetroPCS, and the cost-conscious carrier stated it would have the device out before the end of the year. The Samsung device will contain a 1700/1900 MHz LTE radio (MetroPCS is licensed to operate LTE on this spectrum) Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. There has been no indication of what operating system the device will run, although Android is a pretty solid bet.

Currently, LTE trials are underway in Boston and Seattle by larger CDMA carrier Verizon Wireless; Big Red is promising to have their 4G network up and running in 25 to 30 markets by the end of 2010.

Who’s excited for this portly looking LTE phone?

[Via PhoneScoop]