HTC Desire HD, Desire Z, Desire and Incredible S Gingerbread update in Q2

HTC has confirmed its next batch of Android updates, with Android Honeycomb coming through the pipe for some of the most popular devices of the past few months. An HTC spokesperson told SlashGear that “We are excited to announce that the Desire HD, Desire Z, Desire and Incredible S will receive the Gingerbread update in Q2.”

The news will come as a relief to HTC Desire owners, who have already seen their handsets updated once before – from the Android 2.1 the smartphone launched with, to Android 2.2 Froyo – and faced the prospect of the phone being left behind after the Desire S announced at MWC 2011 last week. The Desire HD is several months old (as is the Desire Z), and is expected to be replaced later in 2011 with the dual-core smartphone believed to be codenamed the HTC Pyramid.

Finally, the HTC Incredible S was only announced last week, and the only device of HTC’s MWC launch that came with Froyo pre-installed rather than Gingerbread. The HTC-made Google Nexus One is currently being updated to Gingerbread as well.

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Verizon CEO claims Apple LTE products are coming, doesn't specify when

Dan Mead, Lowell McAdam's successor at the helm of Verizon Wireless, has told the Wall Street Journalthat we'll "see more coming from Apple on LTE. They understand the value proposition of LTE and I feel very confident that they are going to be a part of it." No further details were forthcoming from the chief exec, such as timing and the particular shape of Apple's participation in Verizon's LTE plans, but at least we now have an indication that Cupertino is actively working toward 4G connectivity. Mead's comments came as part of an interview discussing the iPhone 4's launch on his network, which has already seen the device bust through Verizon's opening sales record. Notably, at the actual launch of that phone, Tim Cook said an LTE version of the iPhone would have required too many compromises, so we suspect those compromises are exactly what Apple's working on right now.


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HTC Merge Hands On!

Engadget just had the pleasure to have HTC in their meet up and look what they brought:

The new HTC MERGE!

Check it out @ Engadget

HTC Droid Incredible 2 shows up in Verizon's system

Well, look what we've got here! Seeing that HTC just introduced the Incredible S -- a world phone only available in the UK -- it was only a matter of time before the phone hit the stateside. A trusted tipster just hit us with screen shots of Verizon's internals containing a device dubbed HTC ADR6350. The other screenshot below has a listing for the HTC63503 with a description of "INCRD2." Putting two and two together, we'd say with great confidence that the Incredible 2 is coming to Verizon in the near future -- and we certainly wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with that "buttonless" shot we saw a while back. Stay tuned as we try and dig up more details... and in the meantime, peep the second screenshot after the break!

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Verizon start to LTE upgrade on Motorola Xoom. How to get it on your Xoom?

Have you got your Motorola Xoom Android Honeycomb Tablet and wondering how to get LTE upgrade on it? Since the announcement of Xoom we have known that Motorola going to take the Xoom unit somewhere to do the LTE upgrade. Yes, you have to send your new Honeycomb tablet back to the mother ship for some LTE re-educationWell, And a week or so later, you’ll get it back, LTE-enabled. Verizon just comes up with the instruction on everything you should do getting ready for your Motorola Xoom LTE upgrade. There is a three easy steps described over Verizon website.

Step 1. Transfer all of your content

We strongly recommend that you back up and remove any confidential, proprietary or personal information on your Motorola Xoom before sending it to Motorola for the 4G LTE upgrade. The 4G LTE upgrade process should not delete content previously stored on your Xoom. However, if the device is lost or damaged during upgrade, you will lose all data not transferred.

You can connect your Xoom to a computer with a USB cable to back up your pictures, videos, applications, programs, music, documents and more.

Note: The first time you use a USB connection, your computer may indicate that drivers are being installed. Follow any prompts you see to complete the installation. This may take a few minutes. Details guide for Transferring data can be found here in Verizon Website.

Step 2 (optional): Encrypt and reset your Xoom

Encrypting your Xoom password-protects your device. Performing a factory reset clears the personal content from your device and protects your content from loss or misuse. Before resetting the device, ensure you have completed Step 1 to back up your content.

Encrypt your Xoom 
You can encrypt your Xoom, protecting your accounts, settings, downloaded applications and their data, media, and other files. Once you encrypt your tablet, you must enter a numeric PIN or password to decrypt it each time you power it on. To unencrypted your tablet, you must perform a factory data reset, which erases all your data.

Note: Encryption takes an hour or more. You must start with a charged battery and keep your tablet plugged in until encryption is complete. If you interrupt the encryption process, you will lose some or all of your data.

1. Tap “Settings” “Location and Security” “Encrypt tablet.”
2. Tap “Encrypt tablet.”

Reset your Xoom to factory settings
To reset your Xoom to factory settings and erase all the data, follow the steps below:

Warning: Resetting to factory settings will delete all data on your Xoom.

1. From the Home screen, tap “Apps” in the upper-right corner.
2. Tap “Settings.”
3. Tap the “Privacy” menu option, and select “Factory data reset.”
4. Read the warning and ensure you have backed up your content.
5. Tap the “Reset Tablet” button.
6. Read the final confirmation warning, and then tap “Erase Everything.” Your Xoom will power off and on.

Step 3. Pack and ship your Xoom to Motorola

1. Place the device securely in the supplied protective cover and box tray. Do not include any accessories (chargers, memory cards, cases, etc.) with the device.
   
2. Place a copy of the packing list that was emailed to you or you printed online at the time of your submission in the box and close the box.
3. Pack the box in the prepaid FedEx® envelope.
   1. Place the closed box in the supplied, padded Fed-Ex envelope.
      
   2. Seal the padded envelope by removing the tape and closing.
      
4. Deliver the package to any FedEx drop-off location for shipping.
1. You may drop off your package at any FedEx Office location or FedEx Drop Box. To locate the drop-off location nearest you, visit the FedEx website.
   When the package has been received, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to track the status of your return shipment.

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HTC Incredible S shipping this week in UK, will come with Froyo to start

Though it'd originally been pegged for the second quarter, it seems HTC's bumping that up a smidge with the launch of its new flagship -- the Incredible S -- in the UK this week. Pre-orders are going on as we speak with shipments promised for tomorrow, but there's a catch: rather than shipping with Gingerbread, the phones will come with Froyo to start with an upgrade to Gingerbread promised for the near future. Buyers, we've got a little homework for you: if you're feeling adventurous and in a warranty-voiding mood, try to figure out what's going on with those auto-rotating capacitive buttons, alright?