Rumors about the impending Android 2.2 update for the DROID Incredible.  A new leaked Froyo Rom for the Incredible has been leaked and looks to be very close to what Verizon may officially push out the phone.  Speculation puts the Android 2.2 build to be released within the next week or two, but before you get all excited we’d like to remind you that Android 2.1 ROMs for the DROID Eris were leaked nearly two months before Verizon finally pushed out the OTA update. 

The leaked 2.2 build for the Incredible does include a few other updates as well.  From what we can tell, HTC will be enabling 720p video recording, 802.11n WiFI, along with adding in a few extra widgets for Sense.  Verizon is getting their hands dirty as well by adding HotSpot, Skype, and My Verizon applications to the build. 

Those brave enough to flash this new ROM can find all the instructions on XDA-Developers.  Be sure to follow every setup exactly.  One mistake could turn your DROID Incredible into a very shiny paper weight. 

Source: XDA-Developers

Shortages of Samsung’s AMOLED display have finally forced HTC to change supplier and display technology.  HTC has finally made an official announcement that the HTC Desire and global Nexus One will both be equipped with SONY’s new SLCD screens which feature VSPEC III technology. 

The new screens should offer a better experience for customers since SLCD should reduce power consumption and increase display performance when viewed in direct sunlight.  We expect HTC to make the change in production immediately, though we don’t know how long it will be before the handsets with the SLCD displays will show up in the marketplace. 

Surprisingly, HTC’s press release made no mention of the HTC Incredible, which has been struggling with supply shortages due to the Samsung AMOLED display ever since it went on sale two months ago.  We’re hoping to hear back from HTC shortly so we’ll be sure to keep you posted if we get an update from them. 

UPDATE: We just heard back from HTC in regards to our inquiry on the DROID Incredible.

Because amoled supply is being relieved on other models, we currently feel we can meet demand of droid incredible with amoled screens. Of course we may need to change our minds and add sLCD screen models should demand continue to remain high.

HTC officially moving to SLCD displays for the Nexus One and HTC Desire

HTC Introduces SLCD Display Technology To Its Portfolio

New Displays to be integrated into HTC Desire and Nexus One

Taoyuan, TAIWAN – July 26, 2010 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, today introduced Super LCD display (SLCD) technology into a variety of HTC phones including the HTC Desire and global Nexus One later this summer. The SLCD display offers an exceptional natural balanced colour, clear contrast, broad viewing angles and improved power efficiency.

“HTC is experiencing high-demand for many of our phones, specifically our phones with 3.7 inch displays. The new SLCD display technology enables us to ramp up our production capabilities quickly to meet the high-demand,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “The SLCD displays provide consumers with a comparable visual experience to HTC’s current 3.7 inch displays with some additional benefits including battery performance.”

SLCD is the latest generation of LCD technology that offers improved performance from earlier LCD panels including approximately five times better power management. SLCDs also offer an enhanced viewing experience with wider viewing angles that are enabled by Sony’s new VSPEC III™ technology.

About HTC

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

By now, it’s pretty evident that the shortage of Samsung AMOLED displays is taking a huge hit on HTC’s lineup of Android handsets.  The Verizon DROID Incredible has been sold out ever since its launch nearly two months ago and it looks like the supply shortage may continue for a little longer.

Verizon customers who have ordered the handset and were promised a ship date prior to June 28^th have been receiving a note from Verizon, explaining that their precious new toy could be delayed for another 7 days.  To make up for the inconvenience, Verizon will be sending out a $25 gift card as a “thank you” for waiting patiently.  I’m sure most customers simply want to get their hands on HTC’s Snapdragon powered superphone, but a $25 gift card is better than nothing.  Verizon and HTC have not indicated when they expect regain control of the supply issue for the Incredible, but we know of a few Verizon customers who placed their order for the handset 2-3 weeks back who were given a ship date of mid July. 

If you have ordered the DROID Incredible from Verizon in the past few weeks, feel free to share your expected shipping date.  We have a feeling that the shortage will be lasting at least until the end of July.

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for your recent order of the DROID Incredible by HTC. Due to overwhelming demand for this innovative device, we are currently experiencing inventory delays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are working to resolve this issue.

If your order shipping date was June 28 or prior, you may experience an additional delay of up to 7 business days. We will send an update with tracking information once your device has been shipped. If you have already received your device, please disregard this notice.

Your satisfaction is important to us, so we’re also sending you a $25 Verizon Wireless gift card which may be redeemed online or at any Verizon Wireless retail store as a way of saying “thank you” for your patience in this matter. No additional action on your part is required – we will send the gift card to the address you provided with your order in the next two weeks.

If you have further questions regarding your order, please contact Verizon Wireless customer service by dialing *611 from your mobile or calling 800-922-0204.

Regards,

Looking for something fun to do with your shiny DROID incredible by HTC?  It looks like our good friends over at XDA-Developers have finally been able to crack the Incredible and gain root access.  I know, you’ve been asking for root for a long time now, but the Incredible put up a great fight.  Most other Android phones from HTC give up after a few weeks, but the Incredible stood firm for just over six weeks.  I wouldn’t recommend jumping on the root bandwagon just yet.  The hack is pretty cumbersome at the moment, but there should be a much easier workaround for root on the Incredible in the coming week.  For now, let’s have the ROM cooks get their chef hats on so they can get things all prepped for us and maybe cook up a pre-release Froyo treat.

Source: XDA-Developers

So we all know that the HTC Incredible (or DROID Incredible as Verizon calls it) is the hottest Android phone on the market right now, at least until the EVO 4G launches in a few weeks. However, if you’ve tried to get one on the Verizon website, you’ll have noticed that the phone won’t be shipping until June 16th. This delay has been caused by a shortage of components, specifically the AMOLED screen, which is manufactured by Samsung. It is also noted that Samsung has apparently ramped up production, and that Verizon hopes to meet demand within the next 30-60 days. There is still no indication of when Verizon will have the DROID Incredible in stock at their retail outlets and website, but every day that passes could lead to loss of potential customers for Verizon and HTC.

Source: Fierce Wireless

The DROID Incredible by HTC has landed.  If you’re a Verizon customer or have simply been waiting for the next great HTC handset, the DROID Incredible is sure to impress.  Verizon will be offering up the phone for $199 after $100 MIR.  But if you were looking for a better deal, be sure to check out WireFly’s offer.  They are currently selling the DROID Incredible for $149.99, though we don’t know how long this offer will last. 

Verizon has also put up their new interactive DROID Incredible page.  They have a complete overview of the phone, HTC Sense, 360 degree interactive phone model and more. 

$199 @ Verizon Wireless
$149 @ WireFly

Since the launch of the Nexus One back in early January, Google has been promising Verizon customers that a CDMA variant of the phone would be coming their way this spring.    Well, we have about half way through spring and Google has finally updated the Verizon Nexus One “coming soon” status, but it’s not what you think. 

For Verizon’s network, you can buy the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful Android phone and similarly feature-packed cousin of the Nexus One.

Now, we’re not entirely sure what Google’s plans are for the Verizon Nexus One.  It could be that they simply have not been able to get the think working properly or they are having issues getting things set up with Verizon in order for customers to purchase the handset through Google’s site. 

We’re still expecting a CDMA version of the Nexus One to show up for Sprint customers sometime in the near future.  For now, Verizon customers should really consider getting the DROID Incredible.  The handset has improved hardware capabilities, 8GB of internal storage, better camera, and touch sensors.  It’s disappointing that the Nexus One is still not available, but I’m sure most customers will be more than happy with the HTC Incredible.

With only a few short days till the Verizon DROID Incredible hits store shelves, Verizon has chosen to throw in a small extra incentive for those who plan on snatching up the handset in the first few days (or weeks).  You probably already know that the Incredible has 8GB of internal storage, so it comes as no surprise that Verizon wasn’t planning on including a microSD card with the phone.  Apparently, the boys at big red have had a change of heart and will be including a 2GB microSD cards as a “limited introductory offer” for those who purchase the first batch of the DROID Incredible.  We don’t have any word on how many handsets will actually get paired with the tiny boost of extra memory, but I’m sure most people won’t even care. 

Source: Verizon Wireless

The last 24 hours have been an incredible ride for the new DROID Incredible.  First we see the official splash page go up, and then it’s updated with the new handset name.  After a while the page becomes password protected and then this morning, Verizon puts up the official spec page of the phone.  I’m sure there may have been a few missed steps along the way from the web team over at Verizon, but it’s also conceivable that they have us running in circles, reporting news, all in the hopes of creating some excitement.  After all that, Verizon and HTC have finally made the official announcement!

The two companies unveiled the Verizon DROID Incredible by HTC at the 99% Conference. 

Today at the 99% Conference HTC and Verizon Wireless have announced the Droid Incredible by HTC, a sleek new smartphone  with a revved up engine. An ultra slim design featuring red accents and a topographic back cover houses the powerful Android 2.1 operating system with HTC Sense. Sporting a 3.7 inch AMOLED touchscreen, optical joystick, and dedicated capacitive navigation buttons; navigating through the day’s activities is as easy as a Sunday drive. Plus, additional features such as HTC’s Friend Stream, an 8 megapixel camera, and digital compass all come standard.

As we already announced, the DROID Incredible will be available on April 29^th and will be priced at $199.99 after $100 main-in rebate with a new two year contract.  No new surprises from what we reported earlier this morning, but according to the press release, Android Market now has over 30,000 applications.  After launch, DROID Incredible customers will also be able to download to of Verizon’s exclusive apps (Skype Mobile and NFL Mobile).

If you’re not too familiar with what the Verizon DROID Incredible by HTC (that name is a bit too long for my taste) or simply want to drool a little more, check out the specs and full press release below.  Oh, and we thought we’d also let you know that the Veirzon DROID Incredible splash page is up and running again.

It’s a Droid, It’s Incredible, It’s on the Nation’s LARGEST And Most Reliable 3G Network

DROID Incredible™ by HTC Combines Power of Android™, Usability of HTC Sense™, Exclusively from Verizon Wireless

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK – Verizon Wireless today announced DROID Incredible by HTC, the newest Android device on the nation’s most reliable wireless 3G network, will be available beginning April 29.       

Featuring a “topographic” design that demonstrates the powerful engineering just beneath the surface, DROID Incredible by HTC is designed with craftsmanship and precision while making it easier than ever to stay connected.

DROID Incredible by HTC features the newest version of the HTC Sense experience, a seven-panel home screen with a wide selection of interactive widgets so the most important content is immediately available at a touch.  Customers will enjoy seamless integration with Exchange ActiveSync®, quick and easy access to Flickr for sharing and viewing pictures, video, and Android Market™ with more than 30,000 Google applications.  DROID Incredible by HTC is the first Verizon Wireless phone that takes advantage of Qualcomm’s 1GHz superfast Snapdragon processor, and it’s the first available phone from Verizon Wireless to include an          8 megapixel camera. 

Shortly after the phone becomes available, customers will be able to enjoy two of the latest exclusive apps from Verizon Wireless – NFL Mobile and Skype mobile™.

Additional Key features:       

• Android 2.1 with HTC Sense experience
• 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor for maximum responsiveness
• Friend Stream for unified Flickr, Facebook and Twitter updates
• “Leap” view for quick access to all seven home screen panels
• 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash for crisp, detailed images
• Razor-sharp 3.7 inch WVGA (480×800) AMOLED capacitive touch display
• Optical joystick for smooth navigation
• Dedicated, touch-sensitive Home, Menu, Back and Search keys
• Proximity sensor, light sensor and digital compass
• Integrated GPS
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• 3.5 mm headset jack

Price and availability:

DROID Incredible will be available for pre-order online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning on April 19 and it will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on April 29.  Pricing will be $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

DROID Incredible customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan.  Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access.  Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.