Android Community

Samsung Galaxy S II Launching July 21 For Bell in Canada
MetroPCS Lands LG Bryce as Next 4G LTE Phone
Huawei Ascend II Heads to Cricket for only $129 and with Gingerbread
Evernote Updates App, Now Supports Android 3.0 Tablets with New UI
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide Hands-On, Unboxing, and Full Walkthrough [Video]
Droid Incredible 2 Update to Gingerbread Rolling Out Now
Android 3.2 Honeycomb Pushing to Wi-Fi XOOM RIGHT Now
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide Review
Ustream app update launches with Honeycomb support
Philly newspaper to offer discount Android tablets with subscriptions
Sony S1 tablet to hit pre-order status for UK in September
Harman extends support for Android in vehicles
Motorola XT316 aka SPICE Key and FIRE gets official: Cheap Android QWERTY
Google Offers launches in beta form in NYC and Bay Area with Google Shopper 2.0 support
Panasonic UT-PB1 tablet/ereader gets video demo
Motorola Droid Bionic 4G XT875 Updated Specs
Best Buy Takes Tablets Seriously with Massive Floor Setting
Samsung Nexus 3 Coming Late 2011 with Android 4.0 Ice Cream?
Wireless Battery Covers for the Thunderbolt, Droid 3, and Revolution Now Available
[Rumor] HTC Producing the Nexus 3, Might be a Google + Phone Called the Nexus +

Samsung Galaxy S II Launching July 21 For Bell in Canada

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:32 PM PDT

Oh Canada, today I wish you were MY native land! We reported not long ago that the super slick speedy sexy Samsung Galaxy S II would be arriving in the great white north on no less than 3 carriers this month. Those of you using Bell can now circle your calendars for July 21st.

The sheer power and drool worthy stats of the Samsung Galaxy S II are well known at this point. A 1.2 GHz dual core processor, 4.3″ Super AMOLED+ screen, and plenty of other more geeky details make it the top of the line. It has been a bit delayed making it out to all corners of the world though.

Canada is one of the later countries to be getting the beast, with Bell getting it not too far from 3 months after the initial launch. Here in the U.S. it still isn’t official we’ll see the phone. With rumors of carriers losing interest and an ongoing lawsuite from Apple trying to block the sale of several Samsung devices in the U.S. it could be awhile.

For those in Canada enjoy your awesome new phone at the end of this month. I will continue to begrudge you, while I try and move on and look forward to a new Nexus to distract myself.

[via Twitter]

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MetroPCS Lands LG Bryce as Next 4G LTE Phone

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:24 PM PDT

MetroPCS is aiming to expand and capitalize on the ever growing demand for 4G in this mobile revolution of ours. And they appear to be adding to their lineup with what is being called the LG Bryce for now. This phone looks to be basically a spin off of the LG Revolution 4G LTE packing phone currently on Verizon. A few small changes are noticeable but otherwise they look the same.

For more details on the Revolution you can see our review here. The LG Bryce should be very similar with a few changes. It will actually be running Android 2.3.4 over the Revolution’s already dated Android 2.2 but it will be lowered to 4GB internal storage compared to the Revolution’s 16GB. Everything else appears to be the same. Rocking that 4.3″ 480×800 display, front and rear camera as well as the same 1 Ghz Qualcomm processor.

Being already updated to the latest Android 2.3.4 software makes this a pretty great buy, as the Revolution is on Android 2.2 and we haven’t heard much regarding an update to Gingerbread. That along with the fact that MetroPCS offers true unlimited data, it might just be the phone for you. The leak doesn’t provide any sort of pricing, details, or release date so we will report back whenever that news hits the wires.

[via IntoMobile]

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Huawei Ascend II Heads to Cricket for only $129 and with Gingerbread

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Over on Cricket Wireless they have the Huawei Ascend, but today they have announced the Ascend II. The fun part is this phone features Android 2.3 Gingerbread and will only cost you $129 without a contract. Yes let me say this one more time, an Android 2.3 Gingerbread phone with a 3.5″ display and a 5 MP camera all for $129 and you don’t have to sign your arm and legs away to the carrier. Yes Please!

The weakest link here is the phone runs off a 600 Mhz CPU, but recent mid-range phones from Samsung and HTC run with similar spec’d processors and all run fine so we see no reason to feel any different here. Android 2.3 Gingerbread is smooth and stable so this phone should be perfect for those on Cricket. The phone is technically $179.99 but a web-only introductory offer has it for $50 off, making it $129.

Huawei has a good plan in place because they are offering a phone with the latest software for a great price, yes they might not be up to par with build quality of say HTC, but for the price you can’t really complain. Toss that in with Cricket’s $55 unlimited everything Android plan and you have one great setup for a low price. Latest reports suggest the build quality is much improved over recent Huawei handsets, see the picture below of the back and camera of the Ascend II to see what I mean. Press release available via source link.

[via Leap Wireless]

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Evernote Updates App, Now Supports Android 3.0 Tablets with New UI

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 11:39 AM PDT

The ever so popular Evernote was recently updated and it now fully supports Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets. The phone user interface looked and worked great already but a polished and pretty UI just for Honeycomb was needed, and they have now delivered just that.

Notes are now displayed in a collage or scrapbook-like view and make great use of the extra screen real estate that a 10″ tablet offers, along with all the features from the website so the app is better than ever.

That's not all, this update also adds our most requested mobile feature: the ability to create notes containing rich text text, lists and checkboxes. Plus, there's a new widget, major speed improvement and much more. Let's take a look.

The updated widget is a nice touch too

They mention they’ve added many performance enhancements as well as faster speeds for things like sync and scrolling to name a few. The new tablet UI is the direction they plan to take all tablet apps of Evernote. That isn’t all either, Evernote for phones has also been updated, adding new rich text editing features (bold, italics, etc.) and a new widget as well. My favorite feature on my honeycomb tablet is the search feature in the top right, makes finding the exact note or picture quick and easy. The update is avilable now in the Android Market and it is free as always so you might as well head on over and give it a try.

[via Evernote Blog]

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide Hands-On, Unboxing, and Full Walkthrough [Video]

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 11:10 AM PDT

It’s come to our attention that people want MORE than just the average everyday amazing Android Community review for this device, the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide, so what do we do? We do an unboxing video that show you everything you’ll be working with on this device. From the Genius button to the camera interface and back out to the slide-out keyboard. Sound good to you? Let’s have a look!

We’ve already got up a full review of this device, of course, as we’ve gotten a real good look at it before we were technically allowed to show YOU, but now it’s time to get you into the insides as an average everyday Joe would see it. The camera is the king here, followed by that lovely Genius button and the slide-out keyboard of course, all of these items combined with a miraculously nice build quality on the device and you’ve got a full winner!

This device has a dual-core processor, takes 8 megapixel photos, 1080p video, and connects to T-Mobile’s 4G network. AND it’s got a slide-out keyboard that’s top quality. Can you go wrong? Me don’t think so. Head back to our full review of this device to learn all there is to know about it in greater detail.

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Droid Incredible 2 Update to Gingerbread Rolling Out Now

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 11:05 AM PDT

The Droid Incredible 2 has been waiting for the 2.3 Gingerbread upgrade and according to Verizon the update is available now. We told you the update was coming last week and it appears that late last night and this morning users started getting the tasty Gingerbread OTA. You can do it now right on your own device.

Just like other recent updates on Verizon you simple hit menu then head to settings and click software update and the magical check now button. It will pull the update and alert you when it’s ready to be installed. Soon after that you will be running on some tasty 2.3 Gingerbread. The update is 116MB in size so it will take a little while to download, its bigger than your average apps.

Obviously if you are rooted and or running a custom ROM it is highly suggested you do not take the update until your rom developer or the dev community in general takes a look and can get everything squared away. It shouldn’t take long so don’t worry. If you haven’t received the notification already feel free to pull the update yourself with the instructions listed above. Head to the Verizon support page for more details. Enjoy!

[via Droid-Life]

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Android 3.2 Honeycomb Pushing to Wi-Fi XOOM RIGHT Now

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:43 AM PDT

So you’ve got a Wi-Fi only XOOM, yes? You weirdo. You’re in luck! It appears that the shortly-awaited Android version 3.2 Honeycomb (one after the 3.1 that was pushed out right after this year’s Google I/O, that is,) is pushing out to Wi-Fi only XOOM owners now. This build code is HTJ85B, and you’ll have to go through the normal settings check to see if the update is available to you or not right this very moment!

From the emails we’ve received, it appears that the update is sweeping across the nation in no pattern whatsoever, instead hitting basically random ladies and gentlemen in the face with all the newest Android 3.2 features. These features include, as previously stated, the Zoom to fill screen function that we’re sure a lot of Android developers will be taking advantage of soon AND, yes, yes indeed, the longest awaited hardware activation of basically all time: SD card support!

It’s a celebration! Get out and click down into your settings and check for some hardware updates, ladies and gentlemen, because it’s a party over hear and 3.2 takin’ over this XOOM, you know what I’m saying?

For everyone that needs a refresher, head all the way back to our review of the original Android 3.0 Honeycomb, aka the first Android optimized for tablets. Then take a look at what we got to see in Android 3.1 Honeycomb in another full review. This is the sort of stuff you’ll be seeing on all Android tablets (the good ones, at least) until later this year when Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is released, a new Android for all devices, not just handsets and not just tablets. Joy!

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide Review

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 10:19 AM PDT

What we’ve got here is, let me tell you straight out, HTC’s greatest effort to date. This device takes the myTouch 3G Slide aside for a heart-to-heart, telling it that it’s time to leave because the boss has arrived. A slide-out QWERTY keyboard under a 3.7 Super LCD display all around a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and the greatest photo and video setup yet produced on a smartphone. Interested yet? Let’s have a full look at this masterpiece of a device.

Before we go any further, let’s have a hands-on and unboxing session with this little slide monster. This device comes in a box that’s extremely similar to the rest of the super-power handsets coming out on T-Mobile over the past few months, stark white and blasting colors all about it. Inside lies the prize:

Hardware

What we’ve got here is a device you’re going to instantly feel that you’ve made the right choice in purchasing. It’s made mostly of plastic on the outside, but you’d never know it, as HTC continues to bring their perfectly awesome blend of soft yet incredibly tough plastic on the bulk of the back accented by a camera lens aside a capsule of metal. You’ll instantly see how this device relates to the HTC EVO 3D in its form, but you’ll be thinking twice about which carrier you’ve chosen to dedicate your life to when you see how much more potential this lime-green accented device is than that ol’ red.

Grab a full review of the HTC EVO 3D [right here]

You’ll also find that there’s another excellent camera button on this device (the EVO 3D has one too), with patterned metal for your finger to love up on while you’re taking zero shutter lag photos with the back-facing camera. You’ve got that 8-megapixel camera back there that’s also capable of capturing 1080p video, you’ve got AF, a dual-LED flash, and ClearShot HDR. Essentially this is a device that looks like a message machine, but is actually made for taking photos galore.

The build quality is fantastic. I’ve not been this excited about the quality of a device in its build since the Nexus S, and truth be told my favorite build is still in the HTC ThunderBolt, but what this device reminds me most of (besides its closely related myTouch counterparts) is the original T-Mobile G2. This bodes well for this device, as the G2 is one of my all-round favorite Androids ever, the biggest similarity being the awesome keyboard. While keyboards come and go, and certainly they can be done in not so great a manner, this is one that stands up. Brushed metal back, well-spaced keys all around, and lights that appear above ALT and CAPS when they’re activated – see them right there in the upper right-hand corner? Nicely placed!

See our ages-old review of the T-Mobile G2 [right here]

There’s also that ever so awesome Genius button that appears on the keyboard in the lower right and in the lower right of the home-row of Android menu buttons when you’re holding the device in portrait mode. It brings you, as it always has on myTouch devices, to a rather fancy screen that essentially offers you voice commands for calling, sending text and messages, searching the web, and finding local businesses – this last option of course connects to Google Maps instantly. Convenient, yes? Searching also uses Google, and I must say, it works hella good. Searching for the nastiest and most awesome rap song ever made, Eazy-E’s “Switches” first launched a search for “EEE Switches”, then upon trying again with a little more space between saying easy and ee, the search turned true.

WARNING: Switches isn’t a work-safe song, I just like to use this search when testing voice commands because my Minnesota accent usually hacks it up – HTC’s voice recognition here works rather well.

While I’ll never be the biggest fan of the myTouch logo mark (the one you see above the screen here and on all myTouch branded devices), I must admit it looks pretty snappy on this device. The hardware on this device compliments graphics, the screen sits nice between the top speaker and the buttons below, and the joystick sitting between the menu and back buttons works like a charm. Flip around your screen like a pro with the stick and select where you’re going in a way that makes Android a completely different system compared to non-joystick builds.

Software

HTC provides yet ANOTHER new look at Sense, this time still taking on Sense 3.0 status with the ring selector and everything in the lockscreen and a whole slew of amazing widgets sitting on a full carousel of homescreens. Sadly I cannot toss the carousel so fast that I can’t see the screens like I can on the Sensation, but I’ll forgive this in favor of saying it’s controlled and nice.

See our review of the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile [here]

Sense provides us with a feeling of being home since we’ve been using the Sensation and the HTC Flyer quite a bit lately, Sense being one of the only manufacturer-made user interfaces for Android that we can stand. But better than just being able to stand it, we, or at least I, really have no plans of getting rid of it when it comes time to root the devices its on. Sense is sweet!

As for apps – wow, there’s basically no bloatware at all! What I mean is, even though T-Mobile has added a few apps I might never use, they’ve held back A LOT, giving the user an experience that they choose rather than what the carrier thinks they’d be happy with. Well placed and immediately useful are the non-Google-placed apps T-Mobile has chosen to apply, that being Netflix, Bejeweled 2, and KidZone. KidZone, for those of you that do not know, is a perfectly awesome “safe mode” for Android which allows a parent to give a child their device with no fear of them accessing anything they shouldn’t by allowing them to see only a select few apps and a single homescreen. Angry Birds only!

And again, you’ll be rolling out with some sweet voice recognition via your Genius button. The screen that pops up is rather simple, making it plain exactly what you’ve got to say in order to get what you want.

Performance

This device has a dual-core 1.2 Mhz Snapdragon processor in it, so you wont be seeing any slowdown anywhere for essentially anything. You’ll be able to watch Netflix movies till you drop, play the most advanced video games on the market, and roll out with any sort of media you’ve collected with the device’s fantastic camera OR items you’ve put on the device yourself. Wanna play that fantastically gigantic HD video right from your screen here? Let’s do it! This device is ready and willing to take all the rest of the top-tier devices to lunch and not give any money for the tip, believe that.

Camera

The camera is the big money here in the device, the item that’ll make or break how you handle it and will make your day if you use it right. We’ve taken several example shots here to show you what the device is capable of, each of these features instantly available to you in the upper right-hand corner of your camera screen. Generally these sorts of options are low-quality jokes on other similar devices – here they’re pretty darn good.

Sweep Shot

ClearShot HDR (for bright settings)

Burst Shot (taken in quick succession – five total at a time)

Night (keeps shutter open longer)

Action

Macro

Portrait (blurs all that you do not want in focus)

Auto

Video

Battery and Audio

The battery is surprisingly average in its classification at 1520 mAh, but we’ve experience a full day of uptime with medium usage on the regular. On the other hand, if you are using your camera as much as we’ve been using ours, expect to have to charge the device more than just once a day. Cameras are serious business, and when they’re as fun as this one is, you’re gonna pay the price!

The audio in-call, on speakerphone, and through the speakers on the back of the device for playing Pandora or, of course very soon, Spotify, are all extremely nice. You won’t have any complaints about the audio, that is to say, even if it’s the only thing you’ve got for a stereo while you’re painting your new house. Not that I’m in that situation, just saying.

Wrap-Up

This is a top-tier device all the way. Dual-core, working on T-Mobile’s 4G network, an amazingly well put together photo setup in both hardware and software, and the build is the best we’ve seen. This device will immediately oust the rest of the devices I’m using at the moment, barely edging out the Sensation, but yes, edging it out. In short, if you’re with T-Mobile, this is the device for you. Unless you need that lovely curved glass and slightly cooler backing on the Sensation, this is the device for you. It really, really is.

What are the downsides? If you don’t need a slide-out keyboard, you’ll be annoyed by it, if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t take care of their devices and has really dusty pockets, you’ll soon see this device degrade, and if you’re not into the whole photo-taking revolution on these mobile devices as of late, there’s basically just another Sensation sitting here. That said, if you enjoy any or all of the amazing features I’ve just listed (aside from the dust getting in the cracks, noone can avoid that,) the myTouch 4G Slide is the new HTC hero phone, even if they don’t push it as such. It’s the winner.

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Ustream app update launches with Honeycomb support

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 08:25 AM PDT

I bet that the thing that most tablet users with a Honeycomb rig like the least is that there aren’t that many apps made specifically for Honeycomb right now. A new choice in the app realm has landed with a new version of its Android app called Ustream. The new version is Honeycomb native and looks made for the new OS with all the new features.

The app will let users watch live and archive content on their tablet and you can upload live from your tablet too. The app also has social aspects integrated to allow users to comment on real-time streamed content. The same features are also supported on smaller screen smartphones.

It’s cool to see an app that is not just passable when scaled up for Honeycomb users, but meant to be used on Honeycomb and happens to work on other devices too. You can download the app right now on the Android Market.

[via TechCrunch]

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Philly newspaper to offer discount Android tablets with subscriptions

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 08:13 AM PDT

If you like to read the Philadelphia Inquirer and are a fan of Android tablets the newspaper has a deal coming soon that you will like. The paper will be offering discounted Android tablets to people that purchase a subscription to the paper. The tablets would be used to access the digital version of the paper. The deal isn’t finalized at this point and the details are not clear.

The paper doesn’t specifically know what tablet the discounts will be offered on. What the Philadelphia Media Group that owns the paper does know is that the tablets would be offered to subscribers at about half off the normal price. The digital edition of the paper would be about $2.99 weekly and presumably, there would be a contract.

The tablets would come with icons for the paper preloaded as well as apps that were specific to the paper as well. The program also allows the paper to half consumer data to monitor how they consume news. The program will launch in late August with 2,000 tablets and roll out in a larger scale later in the year.

[via PC Mag]

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Sony S1 tablet to hit pre-order status for UK in September

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 07:45 AM PDT

Sony has a couple Android tablets coming to market and so far we have spied them on video already. One of the tablets is the Sony S2 with dual screens that folds and the other is the more normal looking S1 with a 9.7-inch screen. We already know that the screen is a 1280 x 800 resolution unit and Sony took care with the design for comfortable use. Early reports pegged the S2 at 649 euros.

If you like the idea of the S1 and are in Europe word is surfacing that the tablet will hit pre-order in September. That is only about a month and a half away at this point. ThisIsMyNext reports that it has laid eyes on documents that the tablet will pre-order at Sony Center stores on September 1.

Apparently, the Sony stores will be training their staff heavily to be able to answer any question on the tablet and to teach users how to use the S1 as well. The price hasn't been confirmed at this time. The S1 has crossed the FCC for the US as well, but a pre-order or launch date hasn’t been announced.

[via ThisIsMyNext]

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Harman extends support for Android in vehicles

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 06:54 AM PDT

Harman is a big name in the electronics and audio world and has a lot of its hardware and tech inside cars. Harman has announced that it is extending support for the Android platform inside of vehicles by supporting the Android Open Accessory Protocol. This makes Harman the first major automotive tech partner to offer the new connectivity standard.

The support will allow for the automotive gear that Harman offers to control Android smartphone or tablet content like movies, music, or navigation apps using the car dashboard and steering wheel controls. The support is integrated across all levels of the Harman automotive range from entry-level to high-end.

With a vehicle that supports the Android protocols, operating apps on the smartphones while driving will be safer and easier to do than having to look down at the screen while driving. The Android Open Accessory Protocol is integrated into Android 3.1 and higher devices and can be added as an upgrade to Android 2.3.4 and up.

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Motorola XT316 aka SPICE Key and FIRE gets official: Cheap Android QWERTY

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 05:56 AM PDT

Motorola has given the green light to its latest Android smartphone, a QWERTY-blessed candybar with low-cost ambitions. The Motorola XT316 – which will launch as the Motorola SPICE Key in Latin America, and as the Motorola FIRE in Europe – follows in the footsteps of the DROID Pro, offering a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen above a keyboard; on the back there’s a 3-megapixel camera.

There’s also WiFi b/g/n, dual-band HSDPA and quadband GSM/EDGE, along with a microSD card slot, FM radio, GPS/A-GPS and a digital compass. A 3.5mm headphone jack, the usual sensors for ambient light, proximity and orientation, and a 1420 mAh battery good for up to eight hours of talktime or 30 days of 3G standby round out the key specs.

Already on sale in China (as the XT316) running Android 2.2 Froyo with Motorola’s various social networking integrations and Moto Switch UI, the smartphone will arrive in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Latin America sometime this month. It’ll hit the rest of Asia and Europe later in the Summer, with the SPICE Key and FIRE running Gingerbread out of the box; those handsets running Froyo will get a 2.3 update sometime in the fall. No word on pricing, nor on whether the XT316 will make it to North America, though we have seen it cross through the FCC.

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Google Offers launches in beta form in NYC and Bay Area with Google Shopper 2.0 support

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 04:31 AM PDT

Google Offers is the Google service that is trying to combat Groupon. The service offers special deals and offers to users for their local area. Google has announced that Offers is now available in NYC and the Bay Area. The service is launching in these areas with some interesting offers for locals like free samples of cupcakes, discounts on donuts, and lots more.

Google is also talking up the new Google Shopper 2.0 app for Android users that supports the roll out in NYC and the Bay Area. The new app will launch later today and will allow the user to buy, view, and redeem the Google Offer of the Day right on their smartphone. Purchased offers will appear in the My Offers tab in the Shopper 2.0 app and when the user visits the Google Offers website.

The app also allows the user to view nearby offers so they can take advantage of deals when they are traveling as well. Google also says that it will be rolling Offers out to Austin, Boston, Denver, Seattle and Washington, D.C next.

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Panasonic UT-PB1 tablet/ereader gets video demo

Posted: 12 Jul 2011 01:55 AM PDT

Panasonic has outed a new Android-based ereader, using a 7-inch 1024 x 600 LCD display rather than an e-paper panel like the Kindle or NOOK. The Panasonic UT-PB1 slate, which made its debut at the e-Book Expo Tokyo DigInfo reports, runs an unspecified dual-core processor and, rather than taking on the iPad, is expected to target new ebook buyers in their 30s and 40s.

Like most Android tablets we’re seeing, there’s an integrated webcam, WiFi and a microSDHC memory card slot, and there are the usual apps for browsing, email and other functionality. Panasonic has tweaked the UI with a pinch-gesture bookshelf layout, showing which titles are unread and which are partly-read.

Meanwhile there’s also a push-messaging system using the UT-PB1′s WiFi connection and a specially-developed API, that can display new Rakuten information as it’s released. Panasonic expects the UT-PB1 to be primarily a Japanese-market device, where it will come preloaded with 600 ebook titles. No word on pricing or availability.

[via Engadget]

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Motorola Droid Bionic 4G XT875 Updated Specs

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 10:26 PM PDT

Our best late-night tipper buddy Joseph has done some sweet internets digging to bring us a few bonus specs on the upcoming dual-core LTE Android by the name of Droid Bionic. We’ve been waiting for this device since CES those billions of months ago, back when it was an entirely different person – now who is it? Some stranger to us! No worries though, we’re still in love. Let’s talk about the newest information, straight outta China.

The following specs come from a specs-heavy Chinese website by the name of PConline.com.cn and appear very much to be at least mostly legit (if you ask us, that is.) What they’re saying here is the following, all of it appearing to point toward the “new” form factor for the device and running right alongside rumors of specs we’ve seen coming out of other holes in the wall these past few weeks:

System: Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread
Shape: Straight (aka candybar)
Display: 4.5-inches
Resolution: 640 x 960 pixels
CPU: TI OMAP 4430 dual-core 1GHz processor
GPU: SGX540 graphics processor
Mobile Band: CDMA (Telecom) 1X 800MHz , CDMA (Telecom) 1X 800/1900MHz
Phone System: CDMA , CDMA EV-DO
MicroSD: Expandable up to 32GB
Cameras: 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, 8-megapixel back-facing camera with LED flash

AND there’s a photo of the system information screen which oddly enough is black on white and shows the system version to be the following: eng build, 0.0.905.XT875-continuous.Verizon.en.US

If you’ll take a look at that particular processor you’ll see that we’ve indeed come across it in a few other devices before: we saw it inside the carrierless LG Optimus 3D [REVIEW HERE] and THOUGHT we saw inside a version of the Samsung Galaxy S II at one point, and of course you know that the Droid 3 has that same processor as well.

There are a few photos included on the page, those being mostly the same as we saw back on June 6th, 2011 – if you’d like to see a few MORE photos, head back to the Form Factor v2 post.

Finally, you’ll notice a bit of difference in the screen size from what we’ve experience before. Heading back to this benchmark post you’ll see that we were dealing with a 960 x 540 pixel resolution display, now we’re at 640 x 960 pixels. Seem a bit weird to you that only one side jumped in size? Me too.

Point of interest: earlier today we experienced a Motorola Droid 3 System Dump that contained, as per usual, wallpapers included with the device in question. One of these wallpapers is titled “Bionic” and can be seen below and ON what we believe is the Bionic in the gallery above. Fun stuff!

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Best Buy Takes Tablets Seriously with Massive Floor Setting

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 04:49 PM PDT

Starting this week in earnest, Best Buy will be revolutionizing the way you see tablets. That is, they’re dedicating quite a bit of floor space to the cause, and you’re not going to be able to see the laptops and the desktop computers without first having to get through the tablet gallery. In a move that can only point toward one thing, Best Buy’s suddenly shown their understanding of the way the market’s turning, and turning quick. In addition, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, the majority of these tables are Androids, or in the case of the Barnes & Noble tablets, have Android in them, and Best Buy has most of them in stock!

You’ll recognize all your favorites, most of these tablets having been ones we’ve already either simply had hands-on time with or have reviewed in full, tablets from all walks of Android life, in all sizes and shapes! They’ve even got an HTC Flyer – just so long as you’re in the right part of the store, that is. They’ve also got the iPad and the iPad 2 in stock, but they’re set aside, inside the miniature Apple store that I’m sure you’ll find cute and lonely a bit further back in the store, and some HP tablets sitting in the center of it all with a rather nervous looking BlackBerry tablet sitting, again, to the side.

They’ve even got readers, so many readers, readers galore! But beware, the staff doesn’t quite seem entirely prepared as they should be for this new revolution, guessing at specs, having to check the cards, and on the whole thinking that the best choice for a tablet will be the one that you like to hold the best and/or can play your favorite radio station from the browser out of the box – really, there was a man who asked and was henceforth told to get a BlackBerry Playbook because “it has java.” Yes, super awesome!

Beyond the point that this is not the supremely awesome utopia of tablet support we’ve been hoping for, it’s certainly better than anyone else on the market is doing for tabletkind. Have you heard of [our vendetta against Target and their pitiful treatment of the XOOM and the Acer Iconia Tab A500?] We’re sure they’ll be thinking twice about keeping that setup now.

Check above and below at how these tablets are being displayed, all of it in a series of tablets not unlike Apple SORT OF displays their products the same way in-store. Will we experience [a Tabletpalooza] on the market instead of just on the web? We’ll see!

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Samsung Nexus 3 Coming Late 2011 with Android 4.0 Ice Cream?

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 04:10 PM PDT

I know we just posted a story regarding the next possible Nexus, but that was more of a random bit of info than anything and most likely should be taken with a huge grain of salt. This latest news is an entire different story and could very well be some official info.

According to @SamsungMobileRO (Romania) Samsung will in fact be the OEM that will launch the next iteration of the Google Nexus. For now we are still just calling this the Nexus 3 but most likely it will be something else, possibly the Nexus Prime. You might need some translation done but @SamsungMobileRO just outed that they have started production on the Nexus 3 and it will in fact be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and be out late 2011.

Here's the translation of the SamsungMobileRo's tweet:

The production will be started now, most likely [to arrive] in late 2011. It [Nexus 3] will bring Android 4.0 on the market"

We have heard lots of rumors regarding this phone, reports from BGR seem to be pretty accurate so far with them claiming all along Samsung would get the green light and not HTC or LG. If this latest news is correct then they nailed it right on the head. We have heard gibberish of a quad-core Nexus but most likely the impressive spec will be a HD display rocking a 1280×720 resolution and Ice Cream Sandwich. We don’t know if it will be called Android 4.0 or not but it is supposed to bridge Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Android 3.0 Honeycomb into one. So Android 4.0 seems highly possible.

Until we hear and can find out more I’m going to leave this right where its at, still a rumor but that it might have just got a bit clearer. Stay tuned for more information as this all pieces together.

[via @SamsungMobileRO]

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Wireless Battery Covers for the Thunderbolt, Droid 3, and Revolution Now Available

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 03:48 PM PDT

Inductive battery covers will charge your smartphone and do it wireless. With inductive charger battery covers you simply lay the device on the charging pad and zooooom, battery gets full. We have heard and seen these before and the Thunderbolt cover recently hit store shelves. It looks like the inductive covers for the Droid 3, Revolution and the Thunderbolt are all in stock and available from Verizon.

We knew the Droid 3 would be getting the inductive charging based on the leaked accessory list and it appears they are already listed for sale. It isn’t all wireless because you do have to plug in the charging pad, but the important thing is the phone wont have any cables attached.

You can get the charging pad by clicking here then just buy the inductive battery cover for the device you own if supported and you are all set. The charging pad is $69.99 and the covers differ in price between phones so this isn’t a cheap solution but may be useful to some. Would you use a inductive charger and is the price worth it to you? Tell us below in the comments.

[via Droid-Life]

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[Rumor] HTC Producing the Nexus 3, Might be a Google + Phone Called the Nexus +

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 03:36 PM PDT

We have had our share of Google Nexus 3 news over the past few months but this sounds even better. The first big story was complete garbage, then news followed that Samsung would be building the next Nexus and it could be the Nexus Prime, but now we have something that might be on an entirely new level.

The Google Nexus + built by our favorite manufacturer HTC! First HTC made the Nexus One, then we got the Samsung Nexus S that could have just as easily been made by Motorola or Sony Ericsson. Latest reports suggest Samsung, HTC, or LG will release the next Google Nexus device. Now in case you missed it Google just announced Google+ to go head to head with Facebook and it is building traction. Sadly though HTC has just released the HTC Status also known as the Facebook Phone with a hardware button directing you right to your favorite social network, Facebook… errr is it Google+, I’m confused!

Could this seriously be a reality for Google and Android, soon or sometime in the future? What do you guys think? Would Google or HTC think about releasing a phone that will interact closely with Google + or is that still months and months away after + has grown and becomes a bigger social site. For now it is still in limited beta and invites open and close on a daily basis as they slowly let more users in. Google has a long ways to go before Google+ becomes what they plan it to be.

This story should obviously taken with a HUGE grain of salt or hand-full but here is the “source” just for kicks.

We saw the official series of Google phones. First, the HTC Nexus One, then the Samsung Nexus S. The third Nexus – Nexus 3 (name not finalized) will be manufactured by HTC and has the distinction of having a button to share on Google +.

PS: Can not display the official proof yet, but information from a Google employee”

I have to point out that the next version of Android named Ice Cream Sandwich is said to do away with hardware keys or buttons of any kind and will be purely touchscreen controlled. So how can we have a Google+ button on the device unless they plan to integrate it deep into the OS, and that idea is somewhat possible too I think. Either way this is just shenanigans for now but we thought you’d enjoy it. Feel free to check out the super secret source via the link below.

[via FrAndroid]

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