HTC Incredible S now available at Infibeam

The new HTC Incredible S android smart phone features a 4 inch display touch screen with 480 x 800 pixel resolution. The connectivity features included in this HTC Incredible S smart phone are Bluetooth, 3G, GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi. HTC Incredible S android smart phone holds 8 mega pixel color camera with auto focus and dual LED flash for clicking mind blowing pictures to cherish life long.


HTC Incredible S smart phone features internal GPS antenna and 3.5 mm stereo audio jack. The multimedia features are also amazing in HTC Incredible S like FM radio, music player, video player etc. the voice feature include speaker. HTC Incredible S also facilitates users with superb talk time WCDMA Up to 380 minutes, GSM Up to 580 minutes and stand by on WCDMA Up to 370 hours, GSM: Up to 290 hours.

HTC Incredible S weighs 135.5 grams with battery. HTC Incredible S internal memory is 1.1 GB, RAM 768 MB and can be extended up to 32 GB through micro SD, micro SDHC. Now HTC Incredible S is available at Infibeam and the price for this smart phone is Rs. 26,999 only. The sales package includes Handset, Battery, Adapter, USB Cable, Headset, Warranty Guide, Software CD and Warranty Card.
The new HTC Incredible S android smart phone features a 4 inch display touch screen with 480 x 800 pixel resolution. The connectivity features included in this HTC Incredible S smart phone are Bluetooth, 3G, GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi. HTC Incredible S android smart phone holds 8 mega pixel color camera with auto focus and dual LED flash for clicking mind blowing pictures to cherish life long.

HTC Incredible S smart phone features internal GPS antenna and 3.5 mm stereo audio jack. The multimedia features are also amazing in HTC Incredible S like FM radio, music player, video player etc. the voice feature include speaker. HTC Incredible S also facilitates users with superb talk time WCDMA Up to 380 minutes, GSM Up to 580 minutes and stand by on WCDMA Up to 370 hours, GSM: Up to 290 hours.

HTC Incredible S weighs 135.5 grams with battery. HTC Incredible S internal memory is 1.1 GB, RAM 768 MB and can be extended up to 32 GB through micro SD, micro SDHC. Now HTC Incredible S is available at Infibeam and the price for this smart phone is Rs. 26,905 only. The sales package includes Handset, Battery, Adapter, USB Cable, Headset, Warranty Guide, Software CD and Warranty Card.

Source

Android Claims 38,000 Apps But What of Quality?

Google's Android Market is getting crowded, with 38,000 apps in total according to the company's latest earnings call

Considering that Android gained roughly 8000 apps since last month, the mobile OS is on pace to top 100,000 apps by the end of the year. But like any app store, the Android Market has a quantity vs. quality issue, and it's getting harder to ignore as Google beats its chest over app counts.

Wallpapers, ringtones, and glorified RSS feeds all boost the Android Market's numbers, but offer little value compared to, say, a great utility app such as Locale. As with the iPhone, which hit the 100,000 app mark last November, it's worth questioning how many Android apps are actually useful.

Android's situation differs from the iPhone because Apple restricts developers, but Google does not. So while Apple cuts down on apps built from templates that merely pull content from the Web and purges "overtly sexual apps," the Android Market can grow in any way it pleases, for better or worse. That's not to say the iPhone doesn't have its share of junk, and with OS 4 adding wallpaper support this summer, you're bound to see worthless wallpaper apps spring up in droves, as they have for the iPad.

Read

Motorola Leaks: Opus, XT701, and XT800

With Motorola smelling like roses after the Droid, they know they got something and they are rolling more Android powered phones and devices coming next year.

Motorola Opus Revealed!

Some pictures and details on Motorola's new Android phone, the Opus, has been leaked into the internet. Thanks to Boy Genius, everyone knows that the next Motorola Android phone will be a step back in version: From Droid's Android 2.0 to Opus's 1.5. Looks more like it's going to be an Android starter phones for those who just want to try it out, but I thought that was what the Cliq was for? Here's the leaked specs of the Motorola Opus:

• 3.1″ hVGA 320×480 capacitative touchscreen display
• 3 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash
• Accelerometer
• Proximity sensor
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth
• microSD card slot
• 2.5mm headset jack
• Home, Menu, Back, Speaker buttons are capacitive buttons with haptic feedback
• iDEN PTT & PTX
• Android LBS which is integrated into the iDEN GPS engine
• “Enterprise email”
• Plastic-molded housing with some rubberized texture finishes
• 58mm in width, 118mm in length
• 100g weight
• 512MB Flash / 256MB of RAM
• 64k and 128k iDEN SIM card support
• A-GPS
• Motorola dual-mic technology noise-canceling for noisy enviroments
• Flash Lite v3.1.x
• Some of the preloaded apps include: corporate email client with ActiveSync support, MOTONAV navigation app, barcode scanner, and document viewer.

Motorola XT701 and XT800 Leaked!

Motorola's got a duo of new Android powered phones with leaked picture and specs got into the net, and as usual, the guys at Boy Genius are on it. The handset is called the Motorola XT701 Sholes Tablet and the XT800 Zeppelin.

XT701 Specs:

• Android 2.0 with full suite of Google applications
• Cortex A8 quad-core processor
• WLAN (WAPI / WIFI) 802.11 b / g
• Support for 3G (WCDMA / HSDPA 10.2M / HSUPA 5.76M)
• 3.7-inch-wide touch-screen super FWVGA capacitance, 854X480 resolution, high-definition display
• 5 million pixel auto-focus camera, Xenon flash
• Built-in gravity sensor, infrared proximity sensors, ambient light sensor model
• Android Market support (pending)
• aGPS
• 32GB Micro-SD(HC)
• FM Stereo FM radio
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Fashion Touch Interface
• 3.5 mm headphone jack

XT800 Specs:

• Android 2.0 with full suite of Google applications
• CDMA EVDO / GSM dual-network
• 3G network support, WIFI / WAPI free switching
• 3.7-inch high-definition resolution of 854×480
• HDMI high-definition (720p) output
• 5 million pixel digital camera, auto focus, dual LED flash
• Cortex TM – A8 multi-core processor
• MOTO-specific Nicam -professional intelligent noise reduction
• GPS
• 32GB Micro-SD
• Electronic Compass & Support for gravity sensing
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• FM Stereo FM radio
• Standard 3.5 mm headphone jack

With all these leaks going around, it's a wonder whether Motorola's marketing team ever gets fired--well it does give people something to look forward to next year...

Source for Opus
Source for XT701 and XT800

The Google Phone is Out There!

Image via CrunchBase

Is it good for service providers to go into the hardware side of the business? We all know that Google's Android has been slaughtering the competition (except for the iPhone that is) and now Google seems to be branching into the smartphone market with the ominously titled, "Google Phone".

Yep, it's been confirmed and Google employees are getting it--unlocked--as the tweets from the following Google employees show:

We noticed a Twitter message from a Google Program Manager, who writes “Stuck in mass of traffic leaving work post last all hands of 2009. ZOMG we had fireworks and we all got the new Google phone. It’s beautiful.”

Another guy, Jason Howell, says he had his hands on the device, which he says is made by HTC and is running Android 2.1: “The new Google Phone runs on HTC hardware. I saw it w/ Android 2.1. Homescreen has new visual enhancements like animated desktop wallpaper.”

“Supposedly, Google employees were given tons of these phones today. unlocked,” he adds.

What does this mean for current hardware manufacturers and developers like Motorola, etc. and the Android carrying lot? Does this mean that Google will focus more on making their Operating System work better on their phones over the others or will they still support their comrade at arms in the smartphone business? Nevertheless what Google decides, I know it's going to be a game changer in the smartphone industry as the Google brand alone will attract a lot of geeks out there to at least try out.

Source

Droid: Jailbroken and Beats iPhone in Time Mag List!

It's been a long time since I wrote about the Motorola Droid. The last time I did was when it launched, after that there was nothing. A lot of people praised the Motorola Droid as the one to beat Apple's iPhone 3GS and if Time's correct, it already did. However, with such a high profile phone, there's bound to be people who want to break it like they did the iPhone, and they just did.

Droid is Jailbroken!

There have been reports going around that the Motorola Droid has been finally "rooted" or for those not technically inclined--the Operating System has been opened up and anyone can muck around with it. The one who announced it was Cyanogen who tweeted it. However the one who hacked it was a person named Zinx Verituse.

So what does this mean for current Droid owners who wants to root their phone?

A rooted Droid means the user will have administrative rights and the ability to control every aspect of the phone, not just those that Motorola or Verizon have provided access to. A person will be able to download widgets that allow them to overclock their processor or install themes that dramatically change the appearance of their phone. Cyanogen offers custom builds that truly customize a device and provides easy access to hidden features.

Just remember that rooting your phone has also a great chance of totally bricking it.

Droid Beats iPhone in Time List!

According to Time Magazine, the Motorola Droid is the number one gadget of 2009, beating the iPhone (who sits at a lowly four).

"The Droid is a hefty beast, a metal behemoth without the gloss and finish of the iPhone, but you don’t miss it. The Droid’s touchscreen is phenomenally sharp and vivid, it has an actual physical (not great, but good enough) keyboard, and best of all, the Droid is on Verizon’s best-of-breed 3G network. It’s Android’s first credible challenge to the iPhone."

Congrats to Motorola for beating the iPhone on this list!

Jailbreaken Droid Source
Time Magazine Top 10 Gadgets of 2009

Dell to Dive Into Smartphone Market

Being successful in business means going out on a limb a lot to ensure that your company will be able to develop new products and services for the current and potential customers. This is what Dell's going to do with their intent on making it on the mobile phone market.

Dell, one of the best desktop computer makers out there, has decided to try their hand on the booming smartphone market. They've created a mobile division with the reorganization of the company. Although they failed before with the Axim, they're going to try again with the Mini 3i.

Dell’s new mobile phone division will be run by one Ron Garriques, a former Motorola boss who was leading Dell’s consumer computer division. When Garriques was brought to Dell (reportedly personally by Michael Dell) in 2007, it spurred rumors that Dell would reattempt something in the mobile product line.

Dell’s PDA line, Axim, was produced from 2002 to 2007, but sold poorly in the ‘BlackBerry era’ of smartphones with well designed e-mail and other business features. Dell’s Mini 3i is their first phone attempt, although it is only going to be sold (at first) in China and Brazil. Dell said that in addition to phones, Dell will also produce MIDs (mobile internet devices) and possibly a tablet.

Good luck to them as the market for smartphones is really getting rough and tough with all the hoopla with Apple's iPhone 3GS and the various Android phones (most prominent as of the moment: Motorola's Droid).

Source

Symbian OS Dropped? Casio Cam Roughed Up?

It's just the way of the world I guess: out with the old and in with the new. It's inevitable but the "old" should always be recognized for being a pioneer or trailblazer in its time. This is the case with Symbian and Casio now. Both old brands but which will survive?

Nokia: Goodbye Symbian, Hello Maemo?

With the smartphone market about to explode with the Android and iPhone, one of the first smartphone OS: Symbian, is about to be dropped by Nokia. According to some officials at the N900 meeting, Maemo: a Linux-Debian powered OS, will be eventually released into the market by 2012.

The transition will be a gradual one with further Symbian-based N-Series handsets already in development. Whilst the N900 was acknowledged to be a ‘bridge’ device firmly aimed at the developer and enthusiast community, subsequent devices will target the mass-market and Maemo-based devices will grow to fill all of Nokia’s flagship range by 2012.

Although this just may be a possibility for now, but with Symbian losing its popularity to the Android OS it's not really that much of a surprise. Is it a marketing issue? As far as I've read there's not much problems with Symbian except that it seems to have dropped off the radar and applications development seems to have dramatically decreased. Maybe the Android is the OS of the future with Symbian as the pioneer. Whatever happens the consumer will win in the end.

Casio Does a Rugged Thin Cam: EX-G1

I've always known Casio for their great digital watches and calculators, but they seem to be a good camera company as well! They have created the slimmest camera on the planet: EX-G1.

At just 0.78-inches thick, Casio claims the 12.1-megapixel EX-G1 is the world's slimmest, ruggedized camera. The first in a new Exilim G line, it has a reinforced 2.5-inch rear LCD, non-extending 3x optical zoom lens, microSDHC expansion, and intelligent autofocus.

Not only that but it also seems to be a rugged thin camera as well! It can work underwater for an hour ad be dropped from seven feet and it still works! You can get this come December with a $300 tag.

Symbian Dropped Source
Casio EX-G1 Source

Galaxy Spica and Modern Warfare 2 Communicator

I got androids from a different galaxy and pixelized army men in the tech news today for you!

Samsung's Android: Galaxy Spica

I say it once and I'll say it again: Android will rule the mobile world; whether it be through smartphones, eBook Readers, or anything else. It's no surprise that Samsung is presenting its newest Android powered mobile phone called the Galaxy Spica.

Samsung Galaxy Spica provides an exceptional multimedia experience by supporting DivX for the first time on Android-powered phones to eliminate the hassle of file format conversions. Equipped with DNSe 2.0 for better sound quality and 3.5 mm ear jack, the Galaxy Spica offers the fully comprehensive multimedia feature set. Moreover, a long enough battery life (1500mAh) allows its users to enjoy all the applications and multimedia content. The phone also boasts its slim and compact design with mere 13.2 mm thickness.

Yes folks, you read it right: there is DivX support in this one. I'm expecting good quality videos once this little baby rolls out.

Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator

I know that a majority of you techies are gamers too and with that knowledge, I know that you have Modern Warfare 2 set up. Since this is priomarily a tech blog, we'll discuss some gadgets that can be associated with the game. Here's one that we were able to check out on: The XBox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator.

It may look uncomfortable, but according to reviewers at Amazon, it works great!

1) The neckpiece fits nice and snug. It is not adjustable as it's suppose to be in good contact right by your throat. I'm of average build and it fit perfectly. Even if you're a bit skinnier or heavier I'm sure it will fit comfortably still.
2) The earpiece also fit nicely. Unlike most earbud headphones, these do no have different sized ear pieces to make it fit any better in your ear. The size you see on the box is the only size you get.
3) The earbud goes to your left ear which felt weird at first being that I was used to an OEM headset for the last 4 years.

Samsung Galaxy Spica Press Release
Xbox 360 MW2 Communicator

Rumors: iPhone 3GS 8GB by Xmas and XBox 360 New Adapter

Welcome to the part of the tech blogging life where we take a look at leaks and rumors. We've got two excellent of each with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter and the Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB.

AT&T releasing an iPhone 3GS 8GB before Christmas?

It seems that Verizon's Motorola Droid special have a lot of people in AT & T quaking in their digital boots. Although I never thought that Motorola's Droid would make such an effect on the mobile phone landscape, but I'm willing to bet it's no the hardware rather it's the Android 2.0 that's really moving and grooving the hype on this phone.

This has obviously gotten attention from AT& T, the official carrier for Apple's iPhone 3GS and as early as now, they're already making moves to make sure that people go for their phone over Verizon's. The move? As reported by BGR:

"Definitely not confirmed, but rather interesting nonetheless. We’ve heard now from two sources that AT&T, and we guess Apple, are contemplating launching an 8GB iPhone 3GS at the $99 price point before Christmas. One source said this was AT&T’s way of combating the DROID madness."

If this is true, they'll likely get a lot of people go for their phone over Verizon's. That is, until Verizon matches their pricing and service; then it would be a very interesting Christmas indeed.

Peek a boo, I see an Xbox 360 802.11n adapter!

We're not really sure if this one is a leak, a misprint, or the real deal but it sure is interesting: an Xbox360 802.11n was put up at Costco's site for a few minutes then eventually pulled down. Reason? No one's sure.

"After discretely showing up on US retail sites and subsequently managing to drop off into internet obscurity, the 802.11n-compliant peripheral has returned to the scene via Costco's site, this time with a November 10th shipping date and a more attractive than before $88 price tag."

We'll see on November 10 what this whole thing is really about.

iPhone 3GS 8GB Source
XBox 360 Adapter source

Nook copied Alex? Xperia X10 Announced!

Barnes & Noble sued by Spring Design

Image via Wikipedia

Did Barnes & Nobles steal Spring Design's idea? Was the Nook a copy of the Alex? According to Spring Design, it's all true.

"Since the beginning of 2009 Spring and Barnes & Noble worked within a non-disclosure agreement, including many meetings, emails and conference calls with executives ranging up to the president of BarnesandNoble.com, discussing confidential information regarding the features, functionality and capabilities of Alex," Spring Design said in a statement. "Throughout, Barnes & Noble's marketing and technical executives extolled Alex's 'innovative' features, never mentioning their use of those features until the public disclosure of the Nook."

According to the article, Barnes & Noble have yet to reply to these charges. Nevertheless, it's expected that they will deny any copying or stealing ideas and rather resort to saying that it was just a coincidence that they were creating an eBook Reader at the time that Spring Design contacted them.

Sony Ericsson's first Android announced!

Image via Wikipedia

Sony Ericsson has finally announced that the previously leaked, Android powered Xperia X10 (previously known as the Xperia X3) with its Rachael Interface.

With all it's leaked specs and features, would you still want to buy it? What does this particular phone over its other Android sisters and brothers? Just as we mentioned it's interface sure is a lot of eyecandy. It also has some cool Facebook and Twitter integration that has just started to creep up on mobile phones.

"The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is certainly feature packed, and all the leaked rumours over the phone's overlay turn out to have given good reason for excitement, as the UX platform (which is a name that thankfully isn't sticking around) offers something totally different for Android."

We'll see this phone become a reality on 2010.

BN vs. SD source
Sony Ericsson's Xperia 10 source

Motorola Droid: Out in the Open

Besides being named from some Star War characters (remember C3PO and R2D2?), Motorola's Droid has finally been unveiled unto the world. We're not sure if the accidental posting of the specs to the previously brought down page (meaning: it's up now) will make any impact on it's sales coming this Holiday.

Here's what it has to offer:

The web is richer. Photos are sharper. Videos pop. It has the most advanced Google browser and Android 2.0 software with a blazing-fast processor and 3G speed for faster search. It has the world's thinnest QWERTY slider at 13.7mm. It can help you navigate turn-by-turn. It has a 5MP camera with a flash, plus loads of great camera features and a DVD-quality recorder to capture all the richer, bigger, wider experiences you're going to have. It's the phone with the "Hi" IQ.

Features seem to be above average compared to its other Android sisters. The one thing that most techies will be looking at will be the "DVD quality" video as most mobile phones have been known to have high megapixels for shooting pictures but have crappy video quality. Supposedly it'll provide you with flash 10 on your mobile phone, possibly allowing you to do things with your phone that you only thought was possible on a desktop, laptop, or notebook.

The next question is: will this be the one o put the iPhone down for the count? The iPhone design, quality, and craftsmanship is still heads above anything right now. However this may have a bit of an edge over its Android apps as it is open sourced, while Apple's is pretty much a tough nut to crack.

Available for pre-orders, priced at $ 199, two year lock (Verizon), and to be shipped out November 6.

Source

Leaked! Motorola Droid and HTC Desire

Leakages and accidental releases seems to be the main marketing weapon nowadays as it's been extremely rampant going into the Holidays. It's not that we don't appreciate them, it's just that it's just so obvious. Nevertheless, they create a lot of news about the product and provides it with hype before the actual announcement. Here are a couple of mobile phones that were "accidental" in its marketing.

Motorola Droid specs accidentally posted online!

Motorola's pretty keen on accidentally showing their moblie phone's specs then suddenly pulling it back. It's no surprise that another soon to be released Motorola mobile phone, tentatively called Droid, has been "carelessly" uploaded to Motorola's US site. It's got the complete specs as well...

"Uh… so much for an announcement event? Or Motorola just doesn’t know what the hell is going on (most likely the reason), because the Motorola Droid makes an official appearance on Moto’s U.S. site. It just might be that we were sent this direct link which isn’t mean to be public, but… you know how that’s going to work out."

The site has since been pulled down. No word on the pricing and release date yet.

HTC Desire caught on camera!

HTC's Android phones have been such a hit that they've decided to create another one. A leaked picture of the HTC Desire has been seen in the wild and it looks pretty.

Too bad it didn't have any news on the specs, release dates, and pricing. We're keeping our fingers crossed that it'll be out before the Holidays.

Motorola Droid Source
HTC Desire Source

Nook's a Success and Alex is a Tease

eBook Readers are the it tech gadgets of this season as almost every big time tech company is dipping its hands into this niche market. We've got an update from the two that are making news right now.

Barnes & Noble's Nook is a critical success!

Barnes & Noble's eBook Reader, called the Nook, is out and it is making a splash--no, a tsunami--of an effect on the eBook Reader market. It's even being touted by Gizmodo as the one to beat Amazon's Kindle 2 with a post like 8 reasons why you can finally love eBook Readers.

"...the Nook makes even the relatively benign-looking Kindle 2 seem like it was beaten with an ugly stick."

As for the official specs, it was in the hastily pulled down Nook site. Good thing that Gizmodo was able to get a screenshot of it before it disappeared. As a bonus, it's also got a feature by feature comparison with the Kindle 2.

The success of a particular product doesn't depend on the features but on the sales that it generates. We've heard of so many critically acclaimed gadgets that failed to make a profit, hopefully that doesn't happen here. Only time (and sales) will tell...

Spring Design's Alex has a video!

With eBook Readers coming out of the woodwork and it's no surprise that the eBook Reader we mentioned last time, Spring Design's Alex, has a video of an actual working product!

Everything seems to be in good order: Android OS, the second screen, music speakers, etc. Looks swell!  My only complaint is that they could've used a better video camera and have a healthy presenter--he sounds like he had a really bad cold!

Still no news on when it'll be coming out.

Nook Source
Alex Source

eReaders coming: Nook and Alex

eBook Readers seem to be making a mark on its own as Amazon's Kindle is in danger of losing its stamp on being the top eReader on the block. Here are just a couple of them.

Barnes & Noble eReader

They may deny that they're developing an eBook Reader, called the Nook, but all signs (and advertisements) point to Barnes & Noble developing one.

According to the WSJ, the Barnes & Noble reader will be announced tomorrow at $259. The descriptions match our exclusive photos exactly. They found the device through a premature ad shown on the NYTimes website!

Accidental or a marketing strategy to whet the appetites of eBook lovers everywhere? The next question is whether it will have enough features and pricing that can go up against Sony's and Amazon's eReaders? So far it's supposed to have colored screens and on screen keyboards. Unfortunately, it will be priced at $259. Not enough to really rock the eBook market, but is possible to get enough attention from possible buyers.

SUPPOSEDLY, it will be available on Tuesday (which is a few hours from now), so it's just a waiting game then...

Spring Design's Alex

Another eBook Reader, called Alex from Spring Design, is coming to the scene shows a feature that the current eReaders don't have: dual screen.

Spring Design’s new design brings two screen to an ebook reader and not in the notebook fashion like Asus’ design.  The Spring Design device, Alex, will feature a 6” e-ink display for reading large blocks of text.  It will also feature a 3.5” LCD touchscreen below that screen that will be used for functions such as web browsing.  The bottom screen will be powered by Android.  The device will have Wi-Fi as well as a 3G data connection, though no carrier is named yet.  All we know so far is the name of the device, its features and design.

Is this eReader blurring the lines between laptops, netbooks, and eReaders with this extra screen? We'll see soon as new info on this device rolls in.

Barnes & Noble eReader Source
Dual-screen eReader Source

Barnes & Noble E-book Reader in the Works?

Image via CrunchBase

Rumors are circulating that Barnes & Noble, known as the Internet's largest bookstore, is developing an E-book reader.

With Sony, iRiver, and the still gigantic Kindle in the e-reader market do we really need another one? What's special about this one (supposedly)? The even bigger news regarding this particular rumored e-reader is that it will be powered by Android! Yes, the same OS that's been turning heads in the mobile phone industry today!

However, according to CNet Barnes & Noble is denying that they have one via a representative

"We have made no announcement of an e-book reader device," said Mary Ellen Keating, senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs, pointing out that the company was already supporting a variety of e-book reader devices. However, she declined to comment specifically on whether Barnes & Noble was developing its own device.

Hmmm, are they or aren't they? According to the Wallstreet Journal and Engadget, they will be pushing this out by the Holidays. They even got a few details from their sources:

The device is expected to feature a six-inch screen from digital-paper maker E-Ink Corp. with touch input and a virtual keyboard, like the one used on Apple Inc.'s iPhone. The Barnes & Noble device is expected to also use a wireless connection to download books from the online e-book store that the books retailer unveiled in July, those people said.

If this is true then the Barnes & Noble e-reader should even be priced lower than it's competitors just because it's being powered by Android. Definitely something to watch out for this coming Holiday season.

Source

SE Xperia X3: Out by January 2010?

Android OS powered mobile phones are slowly crawling out of the woodwork and it seems everyone from HTC, Motorola to LG are getting in on the fun; you might as well possibly include Sony Ericsson to the mix thanks to rumors of the existence of the Xperia X3.  We said "possibly" because even premier tech blog Mobile Crunch is unsure:

HTC Hero Upgrade Wipes All Previous Data

Image by louisvolant via Flickr

We last reported on the HTC Hero firmware upgrades a few weeks ago, and were quite excited with what they added albeit they may be few. To download the ROM upgrade you need to input your serial number on this site. Then follow the instructions below:

Installation Instructions
Before you proceed the ROM Update Utility (RUU), please confirm the following items:
(1) This software upgrade is a newer version than what is currently installed on your phone. If it is the same version and your phone is operating normally, there is no need to reinstall the software.
To check what version is installed on your phone, press Home > Menu > Settings > About phone > Build number, and note the Build number.
(2) HTC Sync has been installed on your PC. HTC Sync can be found on the MicroSD card that was shipped with your phone. You can also download and install HTC Sync at www.htc.com/www/support/
(3) Your phone is connected to your PC using a USB cable. The PC must recognize your phone.You will see a sync icon HTC Sync Icon.bmp in the taskbar once the phone has been connected.
(4) Standby and hibernation mode on your PC has been disabled.
(5) Close all running applications on the PC.
(6) The Screen unlock pattern has been disabled, press Home > Menu > Settings > Security and uncheck Require pattern
(7) Make sure that the battery level of the phone is at least 30% (at least 3 green blocks). To check the battery level, tap Home > Menu > Settings > About phone > Status > Battery level.
(8) Once the RUU is downloaded, launch the application on your PC and follow the instructions on screen.

Seems easy, but you need to know that your phone will be totally wiped clean of previous data including software and settings coming from your mobile company. If you want to keep them though you better call your mobile phone customer service before doing the upgrades.

Source

GW620: LG's First Android

It seems that the Android OS is slowly taking over the mobile phone industry. There's the recently released Motorola Cliq, and the HTC Tattoo just to name a few that's got Android circuitry running through its boards. Now LG's getting in on the action by announcing the GW620. Their target market aren't the tech and gadget savvy crowd but rather the newbies.

“The LG-GW620 will appeal to first-time smartphone customers by offering a new and different kind of user experience,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Our objective is to provide a wide selection of smartphones to satisfy the diverse preferences of today’s consumers. This Android phone is just one of many smartphone models we plan to introduce worldwide in the years ahead.”

Besides a 3 inch full touchscreen and QWERTY slider pad, what else does it got to prove itself worthy of being called a smartphone for the first-time users?

In anticipation of strong demand for smartphones that support social networking functions right out-of-the-box, the LG-GW620 also lives up to LG’s consumer-friendly design philosophy by making the smartphone experience more accessible for typical users. At the same time, LG’s messaging phones have traditionally been very popular with young professionals who demand a full QWERTY keypad for a fast mobile computing experience. The LG-GW620 manages to meet the needs of both types of users simultaneously.

With so many mobile phones on the Android OS platform, how will it differentiate itself from the others? Did LG come to the party late and is left to clean up after?

Press Release

The Cliq: Motorola's First Android

With all the name changing around here, I wasn't surprised at all that the Motorola Morrison has turned up to be the Motorola Cliq. Touted as one of the more affordable Android OS powered mobile phone out there, the Cliq sure has a tough act to follow with the HTC Tattoo (curiously used to be known as the HTC Click) also known for it's Android OS and wallet saving properties.

We presented you with the leaked specs last time and it seems to be the same, but the really weird news here is the mobile phone's name! At first, we all thought it was going to be the Motorola Morrison, then it became the Motorola Blur (as mentioned in the hastily made keynote), then it became the Cliq. Were they worried that having a phone named Blur would be a bad thing? It was so bad it got a lot of flack from both Gizmodo and PC Mag

Considered as "The first phone with social skills", it does really seem to focus more on how you connect to social network services like Twitter, Facebook, etc.

The social networking is very deeply integrated into the phone. For example, if you click on a contact anywhere under any social network, it'll give you the full contact information for every social network that guy belongs to. From there, you communicate with him through any network.

So here's to Motorola's first Android phone, the Morrison, er..the Blur...ok the Cliq.

Source for quote
Source of Motorola Cliq image

HTC Tattoo: Affordable Android

HTC's low-end Android phone, formerly known as the HTC Click, has been released today as the HTC Tattoo. We don't know why there's been a change in the name, but nonetheless, it's still the same product only with a more "grittier" name.

According to the Press Release, it's "an Android-based phone that brings broad personalization to the masses." and it couldn't be any more straight to the point, however there's no news on how low it will be compared to it's higher priced Android siblings.

Here's a snippet of the specs:

HTC Tattoo integrates Google’s innovative mobile services including: Google Maps, search, Google Mail, and Android market where users can download thousands of popular applications and games. It also comes complete with a broad variety of hardware features including a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, 3.5mm stereo headset jack and expandable microSD memory.

A bit more detailed here:

• 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor,
• 512MB/256MB ROM/RAM,
• 106 x 55.2 x 14-mm / 113 grams,
• 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD pushing 240x320 QVGA pixels,
• 900/2100MHz HSPA/UMTS and quad-band GSM/EDGE,
• internal GPS, 802.11b/g WiFi, digital compass, accelerometer, and Bluetooth 2.0.

For the meantime, this wallet loving phone will be making the rounds around Europe starting on October and will eventually branch out to the entire world.

Obviously it's not as powerful as the iPhone 3GS nor the Palm Pre, but what HTC's targeting with this phone are those who want a full-fledged Android smartphone on a budget. And with the recession making people think of buying an affordable phone,the HTC Tattoo seems to fit the bill.

Press

Source of HTC Tattoo Specs