Right. This is it. This has to be the most NICHE Android app of all. It’s called I Love You Jennifer and yes, it’s been made by one man for the benefit of one person. Jennifer.

Here’s the maker’s description:

“This is a personal application. You probably don’t want to install it.

“It is dedicated to my wonderful girlfriend, and a way for me to practice android programming.”

Here’s a look at it. One screencapture is all that’s required:

There are no options. Pressing Menu doesn’t make anything happen. Lucky you, Jennifer.

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HTC’s just issued the following official statement about the status of the “FroYo” Android 2.2 update for the HTC Desire. It’s starting to roll out across Europe this weekend. That man was not far out.

The update will add 720p video capture, iTunes support through HTC Sync (!) and several other HTC Sense enhancements. Here’s the full announcement:

The Android 2.2 (FroYo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend. As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own through the latest iteration of HTC Sense. The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC’s App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, though the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes.

HTC Desire users will be notified that the over-the-air update is available to download when their phone automatically checks for software updates. The update won’t delete any of the phone’s content. However, due to the size of the update, we would advise using a WiFi connection to download it wherever possible to avoid additional data charges.

This update will initially roll out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. Operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks’ time

Great news. The Desire retakes the #1 spot. Time for the celebratory stock image:

If your local mobile network seems a little unresponsive this weekend, this will be the reason why.

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1. Report: European HTC Desire getting “FroYo” Android 2.2 update tomorrow
2. VIDEO: Official HTC Android 2.2 “Froyo” update running on HTC Desire
3. “FroYo” Android 2.2. update also coming to HTC Wildfire

The astonishingly nice and chunky little X10 Mini Pro is now available on direct O2 contracts, with the network offering it on bundles starting at £25 per month. Which isn’t great, to be honest – the Mini Pro can be had for £20 with ease on other networks if you do a bit of internet shopping around.

Rather cheekily, O2 is promoting the phone in the press with the claim of “free sat nav” courtesy of Google Maps. This and every other phone, O2…

We’ve spent a fair bit of time with the Mini Pro, recently. It’s a sweet little phone. Much more powerful and feature-packed than it ought to be in this price range. If you can get one for £20 a month it’d definitely do you, especially if you’re a QWERTY fan.

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1. Three also prices up the X10 Mini Pro – yours from £20 per month
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Samsung’s UK Twitter channel has today told its fan base that the Galaxy S will be upgraded to the very latest 2.2 version of Android in a couple of months. The update is scheduled to arrive on “all networks” at the end of September, which is a pretty prompt turnaround, given that the Galaxy S has only been on sale for a few weeks.

Here’s the incriminating message:

They make no mention of phone model in that particular tweet, but rest assured it’s definitely the Galaxy S they’re talking about. The Galaxy S is all they talk about.

Related posts:

1. Samsung: Galaxy S will get “FroYo” Android 2.2 update
2. Google I/O 2010: Android app “update all” button coming to FroYo
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The bizarre new trend that sees even mobile phone manuals leaking all over the internet before the phone is even officially confirmed continues, with the entire user manual for the Motorola Droid 2 now online for your bedtime reading.

It’s funny, we’d never consider reading a manual when it arrives alongside a phone, but when it’s a manual you’re NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE it suddenly becomes the mist interesting piece of literature known to man.

The entire PDF document is being hosted over at Droid-Life, if you fancy having a read. Highlights are the apparent inclusion of “FroYo” from launch on the Droid 2 and Swype as its default keyboard. Link via MobileCrunch.

No related posts.

We’re not entirely sure DroidAlone is a completely new idea, but it’s certainly a good one – it generates a log of missed calls, then automatically sends an email to a registered account. So if your phone’s somewhere else, DroidAlone will tell you if the debt collectors have been ringing all day again.

Here’s the description from the maker:

“DroidAlone notifies missed calls and sms by reporting caller’s name and number by email to an email address or by sms to a phone number. There are also a configurable “I’m away reply”, and a remote contact number picking function through sms. Every functionality can be enabled remotely by sending sms containing commands”

And a couple of screenshots:

The bad news is DroidAlone’s a paid-for app, so you’ll have to part with €1.50 for it if you like the sound of the thing. A search for “DroidAlone” on the Android Market will bring it up for you.

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There was a minor bit of FUSS yesterday, thanks to a popular Samsung firmware team announcing it had got its hands on a test build of Android 2.2 for the Samsung Galaxy S. Well they certainly did, and it’s now been released into the wild.

And these people have got it up and running – and filmed themselves at it.

There’s no more exciting a scene than Android 2.2 running on a Galaxy S. It’s the dream team of the moment. Link via Samsung Hub.

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We’ve not heard a great deal about the angular new LG Optimus Z Android phone on this side of the planet, which is a shame as its a rather fancy-looking 1GHz monster with a 3.5″ 800×480 screen.

On paper it certainly blows away the much more humble regular LG Optimus that’s currently hanging around European shelving, that’s for sure. Here’s a photo of some very happy Korean early-adopters:

And here’s the press release about the Optimus Z, which goes into quite a lot of detail about the phone – and is in the Queen’s English for once. Looks like LG is trying to generate some international buzz about this one, which would suggest a worldwide launch could be on the cards. Via Gizmodo .

LG BOLSTERS SMARTPHONE PRESENCE IN KOREAN SMARPTHONE MARKET WITH OPTIMUS Z

Third Smartphone in Optimus Series of Smart Devices

SEOUL, July 29, 2010 – LG Electronics (LG) today announced the Korean launch of its latest smartphone, LG Optimus Z (LG-SU950/KU9500). Offered through local telecoms providers SK Telecom and KT, Part of LG’s Optimus Series, Optimus Z boasts a singular, stylish design and latest version of Google’s Android OS.

With the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon at its core, Optimus Z is being launched with Android OS 2.1 with the option to upgrade to Version 2.2 before the end of the year. Advanced multimedia options include 3.5 inch WVGA “Hyper” HD LCD (800 x 480 pixels), Korea-specific T-DMB mobile TV, 5 MP camera, Dolby Mobile and DivX compatibility. Optimus Z comes with two 1,350mAh batteries, good for hours and hours of talking or entertainment. And at only 11.05 mm thin, Optimus Z and its unique “Zstyle” design is more angular than previous LG smartphones and its matte-finish metal gives the Optimus Z a solid, durable feel.

In a first for Korean smartphones, the LG Optimus Z offers On Screen Phone function that lets user display their phone interface on the screen of their PC. Using Bluetooth or a data cable, the interface will appear onscreen, letting users manage the phone’s various functions – including applications and e-mail – on the computer. In addition, any documents, images or music files stored on the PC can be easily transferred to Optimus Z using this interface. Furthermore, Drag & Shake allows LG Optimus Z users to share files between smartphones with a simple shake of the handset, while LG Air Sync lets them constantly sync the phone with their PCs or other mobile digital devices.

The LG Optimus Z comes pre-equipped with more than 100 of the most popular applications in Korea, along with 70 more that are not available in the Android Market. . LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner of Formula 1™ and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

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1. LG expands its Optimus range – Optimus One, Optimus Chic and Optimus Z revealed
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Contributor Tim is not happy with the BBC…

Fair warning! This is op-ed stuff. I’m rather cross.

Dave Johnston, author of the much missed app beebPlayer, has posted some more information regarding it’s removal and official replacement on his blog. He quotes David Madden, the chap in charge of BBC iPlayer Mobile:

The BBC’s syndication policy, which governs how the BBC makes its services available through other parties, clearly outlines the criteria for using BBC content. BeebPlayer was not a licensed distributor of BBC content online or on mobile. The BBC routinely looks for unauthorised usage of our brand and our content across all platforms and when we encounter it we work to resolve the issue. If on investigation we find that a company’s service proposition does not adhere to our standard licence terms and conditions, we will take steps to remedy the issue.

This does not seem to bode well for myPlayer. Mr Madden has received quite a lot of flack for booting beebPlayer off the market, but justifies this by explaining what’s so good about the BBC’s new offering:

Using Adobe Flash 10.1 streaming on mobile delivers significant infrastructure efficiencies for the BBC, as we use our existing video and audio encoding plant to create the streams. We don’t need to install any new kit or set up any new servers. We just use what we already have to offer a higher quality BBC iPlayer on mobile experience.

Hmm. I’m pretty sure beebPlayer didn’t request any new kit to be installed at iPlayer HQ, and that worked pretty well already. He continues:

Enabling Flash on Android 2.2 devices also means that all current and new devices that support Android 2.2 can get BBC iPlayer. These devices all use the same standard Flash player which means we can offer a consistently high quality playback across all of them. Previously we had to review and test BBC iPlayer on a device-by-device basis to ensure the right high quality experience. Now we can offer BBC iPlayer on mobile to a whole group of devices at once, which is clearly much more efficient.

Yes, a whole group of Nexus One owners, currently the only UK Android users who’ll be using FroYo (Android 2.2). Soon owners of HTC’s latest batch (Desire, Legend and Wildfire), possibly a couple of Samsung owners and the one person who bought a Dell Streak will join this group. But this still seems to be leaving out the vast majority of Android users, stuck on 2.1 or (gasp!) something older. Certainly the flood of new, cheap, but perfectly competent budget Android phones will probably never get a look in.

So you’ve not convinced me BBC. The popularity of Android is exploding in the UK but it seems all but the most high end users will be left out in the cold. Now that the BBC is allowed to develop apps for mobile devices, it would surely take less than a day’s worth of programming (in Dave Johnston’s own words) to come up with a solid, official app that would allow iPlayer to be accessed with the quality control the BBC requires, on the broadest range of Android devices.

In the meantime, resources are found to develop a version for “these selfish elites“… discuss!

Related posts:

1. BBC iPlayer coming to Android – but only for 2.2 devices with Flash 10.1
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Rumours and speculation abound! In a telephone conversation today, an unofficial T-Mobile source has claimed that the HTC Wildfire is not currently being sold due to a firmware problem with the handset.

This action was apparently taken after too many complaints were received that the handset was crashing intermittently.

It seems the ball is in HTC’s court to fix the problem before T-Mobile will offer them again. This may be limited to the T-Mobile version of the firmware (if it is a firmware problem) as the phone still seems to be available from other retailers, such as Vodafone.

The Wildfire is currently showing as “Out of stock” on T-Mobile’s web store.

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