HTC Thunderbolt pictures leak out

Ordinarily this is the type of story we'd save for our weekly Rumor Recap posts, but this rumor is big enough that we felt it warranted its own post.

Behold: Pictures of the upcoming HTC Thunderbolt. This device will be the first 4G phone on Verizon (even HTC admits it). The pictures were obtaind by Droid-Life and very clearly show that this device is headed straight for Verizon's new 4G network. Verizon's network uses LTE technology, which has extremely high theoretical speed capacities. Look for a future post here about the various 4G technologies and how they work.

Sound Hound offers free unlimited song tagging

Anyone who's been using Android since the early days probably knows about Shazam, the music recognizing app that wowed us with its ability to listen to a song and immediately give you details about the track. It was one of the first big-name apps available for Android, and it was free. A year or so later, they changed their business model to a premium app that cost $5. The free version only allowed you to identify 5 songs per month.

Sound Hound, an app that performs the same task emerged later on for both iOS and Android and was marketed in a similar fashion; free versions with only 5 tags, and unlimited versions for five dollars. The key difference, however, was that Sound Hound also identified songs by humming or singing, not just hearing the official album or radio version.

Android weekend rumor recap

The weekend is here, Christmas is past, and another edition of the Android weekend rumor recap is upon us. This is also the final recap post of 2010, so let's make it a good one! We have quite a few juicy rumors this week, so be sure to continue reading for a quick overview of them, as well as our opinions on each.

Froyo updates all over the place

This week saw several announcements regarding the Android 2.2, Froyo update from various manufacturers and carriers. According to Google's Platform Versions page, Froyo is already running on nearly 50% of all Android phones, with 2.1 running on another 40%. The remaining 10% are still stuck on older versions like 1.6 and even 1.5. On that sad note, we'll start with the bad news.

Motorola's new Tablet Evolution video

Last night, Motorola posted an official teaser video for their upcoming Android tablet. The video doesn't reveal any details at all, but it does show that Motorola is going after the competition in a big way. The video seems to suggest that while the iPad and Galaxy Tab are important milestones in the tablet world, they are mere evolutionary steps for what will come later, which is Motorola's tablet, of course.

Android weekend rumor recap

Welcome to another edition of the weekend rumor recap! This is where we discuss the best Android rumors of the past week, along with our thoughts on them. To follow the rumors in a more real-time fashion, we recommend any of the great Android blogs listed on the side of this site. Keep reading for the rumors!

Dual-core LG Optimus 2X announced

Earlier this week, LG unveiled their long-rumored dual core phone, the Optimus 2X. The device packs a remarkable amount of power into a thin housing. It features a 4" screen, Tegra 2 dual-core processor (read: insanely fast), full 1080p recording and playback via HDMI, 8MP camera, 1.3MP front camera, and a high-res screen. It is running Android 2.2, but LG promises updates "in due course."

Android weekend rumor recap

Another weekend is here, and another Weekend Rumor Recap post comes right along with it. This is our weekly post where we briefly recount the various rumors and leaks of the past week, complete with our commentary on each one. If you prefer reading your Android rumors as they come in, we recommend any of the great Android blogs listed on the side of this site. Keep reading for the rumors!

Updated Market coming soon

The Android Developers Blog shared news yesterday of an update that will be coming soon to the Android Market. The update still doesn't include the promised desktop browser-based installing and searching, but that probably won't be too far behind. This update will be pushed out silently and automatically to all devices running Android 1.6 or higher. There won't be any notification for the new version, you will simply open the market and it will be there.

Google Maps 5.0 coming soon

At the Dive into Mobile conference yesterday, Google's Andy Rubin demonstrated a new version of Google Maps for Android. The new version, 5.0, will be released to existing devices sometime this week, and brings a wealth of new features.

Most notably, the new Maps uses vector graphics, meaning zooming, scrolling, etc will all see a dramatic speed boost, and will require downloading 100 times less data, according to Google. Plus, since map data will take up so much less space, it will be able to do offline caching of the map data you use most often. Even if you are using Navigation and have no data connection, Maps will continue to offer rerouting and guidance.

Google ebooks goes live

Google just released their online ebookstore, complete with desktop, Android, and iPhone versions. The service, called Google ebooks, offers over 3 million books for free and for purchase, including classics and new releases alike. It automatically syncs your books between devices, even remembering what page you were last reading.

Your books can be accessed from the desktop, mobile browser, or mobile apps for Android or iOS. The Android version of the app was released today and offers a very nice, smooth interface for reading books. It does redirect to the browser for purchasing/downloading new books, which is kind of a bummer, but it's safe to assume updates to the app will be coming.

The Nexus S is finally official! UPDATE: $529

After literally months of rumors, Google unveiled the Nexus S today! The device runs Android 2.3, Gingerbread, is made by Samsung, and offers a pure Google experience. It features a 4" curved glass screen, front and rear cameras, 16GB of memory, 1GHz processor, and has NFC technology. It will be available very soon either unlocked or with a T-Mobile contract. It will be sold at Best Buy in the US, and Carphone Warehouse in the UK.

This means that all the rumors about the device pretty much lined up exactly.

Android weekend rumor recap

Welcome to yet another edition of the Android Weekend Rumor Recap! This is where we quickly go over all of the best Android related rumors from the past week, complete with out commentary. If you like reading Android rumors as they hit the wire, we recommend any of the quality Android blogs listed on the side of this site. Now, on to this week's rumors!

Official Google Reader app now available

A few days ago, Google released the long-desired official Google Reader app. The app brings the full power of Reader to Android without needing to navigate the mobile website version.

It supports multiple accounts, sharing, and even subscribing to feeds right from the app. It also offers a few unique features, like the ability to use the volume keys to navigate up and down, and folder management.

Angry Birds Seasons now available

Be sure to check out the wallpaper-sized version of this picture at Rovio.com

The special Christmas edition of Angry Birds is now available in the Android Market. This version has been teased several times over the last few weeks, and is finally here. If you recall, a special Halloween edition was released in October, but it was an iPhone exclusive (much to our dismay).

Thankfully, though, the Christmas version is out now for both iPhone and Android! Not only that, but the Android version also includes all of the Halloween levels from the iPhone version. The special edition, called Angry Birds Seasons, is available as a separate app in the Market, and it's free. 

Content ratings coming soon to the Market

Google put up a post on the Android developer blog yesterday which detailed new content rating requirements that will soon be coming to the Android Market. The ratings will be required for all apps, existing and new, will be based on the content of an app, and will come in four levels: all, pre-teen, teen, and mature.

Acer announces Android tablets

Acer announced this week that they are getting into the tablet game. The company unveiled their plans to offer three different Android tablets, a 4.8" version, a 7" version, and a 10" version, all available in April 2011.

The two larger tablets feature dual core processors, which will make them very fast. All are promised to be running Android 2.2, Froyo...though by the time April rolls around, Froyo may be old news. The two larger tablets both feature front and back cameras, and have high resolution screens. No price information was given.

LG Optimus M available today on MetroPCS

Earlier this week, MetroPCS joined Virgin Mobile in offering an Android smartphone on a no-contract plan. The Optimus M is nearly identical to the Optimus T on T-Mobile and the Optiums S on Sprint. The MetroPCS version has a slightly tweaked outer design featuring more metal colored accents and buttons, but is essentially the same device.

Android weekend rumor recap

After a brief posting hiatus, we are back with this weekend's Android rumor recap. This is where we quickly go over the best Android related rumors and leaks of the past week, complete with our commentary. If you would like to follow these rumors as they appear, we recommend any of the great Android blogs listed on the side of this site. Keep reading for the rumors!

Google Docs editing comes to Android

In a move sure to make long time Android users very happy, Google announced today that the mobile version of the Docs website will now allow document editing. Spreadsheet editing has been available for some time, but it too is getting an improvement in the new version.

The new website allows full editing of documents, complete with real-time edits from others. So any edits a friend makes on a desktop will show up almost immediately on your phone, and vise versa.

Mobile payment finally coming to the US

Cellphone based payment systems have existed in other parts of the world for years. Japan, Europe, and Canada all have some form of swipe-your-phone-to-pay system in place, and yet the service has never made its way to the US.

That's all about to change as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are all rumored to be backing the NFC (Near Field Communication) mobile-payment technology. This works by embedding a chip in the phone itself that acts much the same way those tap-to-pay credit cards work. Except that with a phone, you potentially have the option to bill the purchase to your phone bill, rather than a credit card. So it's easy to see why the mobile carriers are interested in this...they'd get a small cut each time someone swiped their phone.

Android Weekend Rumor Recap

The weekend is here once again, and so is another weekend rumor recap! This is where we quickly recap the best Android related rumors of the week, and give our opinions on them. To be on the cutting edge and follow all the rumors as they hit the wire, we recommend any of the fine Android blogs listed on the side of this site. Keep reading for the rumors!

YouTube Remote app now available

Earlier this week, Google pushed a new app to the Android Market called YouTube Remote.  The app functions remote control for video playback on your computer, all powered by the cloud. The app works with YouTube Leanback, which is a desktop version of YouTube that offers fullscreen, continuous playback with large buttons for viewing from a distance. It's watching where you lean back, get it?

Samsung Continuum now available for $199

Earlier this week, Samsung took the wraps off their latest device, a Galaxy S series device, called the Continuum. It has been rumored several times, and is finally official. The device is very similar to Samsung Android phones, and features a 3.4" Super-AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor, 5MP camera, as well as WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, etc.

What sets it apart is the unique second display at the bottom. This secondary screen can be used for multiple functions, including acting as an icon dock for launching apps, showing new text messages or emails, displaying RSS feeds, and even showing the next turn in VZW Navigator.

Verizon Droid Pro available Nov 18 for $179

The Droid Pro, which Verizon made official in early October, now has an official launch date and price. It is available for pre-order starting tomorrow, and will actually be on sale on Nocember 18. The device will cost $179 on contract after a hefty $100 mail-in rebate.

Android weekend rumor recap

It's time once again for a weekend rumor recap here at His and  Hers Android! This is where we briefly summarize the best Android rumors from the past week. To follow the rumors live as they hit the wire, we recommend any of the fine Android blogs listed on the right side of this site. Now, for the rumors:

Google Instant search comes to Android

Google announced yesterday that their popular Instant search is now available on Android and iPhone. Instant search was introduced several months ago and provided a way for desktop users to see Google search results instantly while typing, without waiting for results after pressing Enter.

During the presentation, Google said that Instant would be coming to mobile browsers soon. And now it finally has. To use it, you need to be running Android 2.2, Froyo. Head over to google.com from your phone's browser and look for the new link to turn Instant search on. Once it's on, simply start typing your search query and watch as results begin to come in as you type. As with the desktop version, Instant results are tailored to your location, search history, etc.

T-Mobile Comet launches tomorrow for $10

The recently-made-official T-Mobile Comet, also known as the Huawei Ideos, officially goes on sale tomorrow...and it's even cheaper than we originally thought. When it was first announced, everyone suspected that it would cost less than $100 on contract, maybe even less than $50. But both numbers were wrong, as the device is going to be sold for a mere 10 bucks.

Android Weekend Rumor Recap

Another edition of the weekend rumor recap is here, and we have some good ones this week. To follow these rumors as they hit the wire, we recommend any of the quality Android blogs listed on the side of this site. Keep reading for the rumors!

T-Mobile MyTouch 4G available Nov 3 for $199

T-Mobile's newest Android phone got an official name, price, and release date yesterday. The device had previously been called the "new MyTouch" but is now officially called the MyTouch 4G. It will be available November 3 for $199 after a $50 rebate with a standard 2-year contract. The 4G refers to the fact that the device uses T-Mobile's new HSPA+ network which is capable of reaching 4G speeds, provided you're in a 4G area. The G2 is also an HSPA+ device.

T-Mobile Galaxy Tab launching Nov. 10 for $399

We already knew that the Galaxy Tab was going to be coming to all four major US carriers, and now we have more details about the T-Mobile version. Sprint and Verizon announced their pricing not too long ago, and T-Mobile's version falls right in line.

The device will launch on November 10, and will cost $399, after a $50 rebate and 2-year contract. It will require a data-only plan (no voice calling) which costs $30 a moth for 5GB of bandwidth. Pricing without a contract was not specified.

Barnes & Noble introduces the Color Nook

Barnes & Noble just concluded their special event where they unveiled the long rumored Color Nook. The device is similar to the existing Nook e-reader (which is powered by Android), but has a large, color touchscreen.

The Color Nook is essentially an Android tablet, but one that runs a heavily customized interface that is geared toward reading. It features a 7" high-resolution display that B&N says is specialized to be as anti-glare as possible while still being a touchscreen. They also say it is fully readable outdoors.

T-Mobile Optiums T launches Nov 3 for $29.99

T-Mobile just announced exact pricing and launch details for the previously announced LG Optiums T smartphone. The Optiums T features a 600MHz second-generation processor, 3.2" screen, 3MP camera, and runs Android 2.2, Froyo. It is a Google Experience device, meaning it will come pre-loaded with all your favorite Google apps like Gmail, Maps, etc.

Galaxy Tab now official on Sprint for $399

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is coming to all four major US carriers this year, and the Verizon version has already been confirmed at $599 with no contract. Just today, Sprint came clean with specific details on its version, which will be available November 14 and cost $399 with a contract. Contracts are standard two-year commitments, and require a data plan (since the Tab doesn't include voice calling).

Android weekend rumor recap

October is almost over, and another weekend is here. And with the weekend comes another weekend rumor recap. This is where we quickly recount the past week's best Android related rumors and leaks all in one post. If you're the type of Android enthusiast who wants to follow these rumors as they show up, we recommend any of the excellent Android blogs listed on the right side of this site.

Now let's check out some rumors:

Huge Gingerbread man arrives at Google!

A video was posted yesterday afternoon that all but proves the next version of Android will be arriving soon. Whenever a new version of Android appears, a giant sculpture of the named dessert is unveiled and placed on the lawn at the Googleplex. And now, a massive gingerbread man is standing proudly next to the frozen yogurt, eclair, donut, and cupcake sculptures.

New YouTube app now available in the Market

 

Google just updated the YouTube app to version 2.0.26 and made it available in the Market. The new version brings a new interface, and several new features, including rotate-for-fullscreen, the ability to browse comments while the video plays, video uploading right from the app, and quick access to videos you've previously uploaded.

New phones all over the place

Three phones became available or were announced around the world today. First up, the previously rumored, then made official, Motorola Flipout is available today on AT&T in the US. It only costs $79 on contract, with no rebates to worry about, or $349 outright.

Android weekend rumor recap

Believe it or not, the weekend is here once again, and so is the weekly Rumor Recap post! This is where we summarize some of the best Android related rumors from the past week. If you would prefer to follow Android rumors as they hit the 'Net, we recommend any of the excellent Android links on the side of this site. Now...let's look at some rumors!

Full version of Angry Birds now available!

After a rather lengthy period in beta, the full version of Angry Birds for Android is now available in the Market. Angry birds is a physics-based puzzle-solving type game, where the object is to destroy all of the evil pigs by shooting various types of birds from a catapult. It's one of the most popular iPhone games, and now it's already overwhelmingly popular on Android.

T-Mobile G2: Shelsy's review

I love my new phone. I love that it's only slightly bigger than the G1, but the screen is huge. I didn't realize the impact the bigger screen would have on how much more I enjoy using it. And it is fast. It's off-the-charts faster than the G1. I find myself skipping past links in emails, thinking it'll be easier to just check it on the computer. Then I remember, "Wait, I can look at that now!" and it doesn't take forever to load. Downloading my apps was incredibly fast, making a tedious job almost fun.

T-Mobile G2: Ryan's review

After lots of anxoius waiting, we finally have our shiny new G2s. Remember, we have both been using G1s that we got on launch day two years ago, so we were definitely due for an upgrade. And man, is the G2 an upgrade. I'm really loving it so far, and have almost no issues with it. It's a seriously solid device, and one I would recommend to anyone. It does have a few minor flaws, but on the whole, it's an excellent phone. Let's take a look at it in a bit more detail.

Huawei Ideos coming to T-Mobile as the Comet

Remember the Huawei Ideos? It is a small, inexpensive Android device that was rumored to hit T-Mobile several weeks ago. Well, Tmonews got confirmation today that the Ideos is, indeed, coming to T-Mobile USA and will be called the T-Mobile Comet.

If you recall, the Ideos (or Comet), has a small, 2.8" screen, 3MP autofocus camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and runs stock Android 2.2, Froyo. The fact that it runs stock Froyo puts it into a more respectable category for many potential buyers.

Original MyTouch3G getting Froyo tomorrow

According to a leaked screenshot obtained by Tmonews, the original T-Mobile MyTouch3G will be receiving an update to Android 2.2, Froyo, starting tomorrow!

The original MyTouch3G was the keyboard-less pseudo-successor to the G1. It was released in July of last year, and currently runs Android 1.6, Donut. It was rumored to be receiving the Froyo update back in June of this year, but nothing further was ever mentioned. The specs on the MyTouch3G were nearly identical to the G1, except that it had more memory, meaning future updates would be much easier.

Android weekend rumor recap

The weeekend is finally here, and that means it's time for another weekend rumor recap. This is where we quickly sum up the best Android related rumors and leaks of the past week. If you are more inclined to read these rumors immediately as they hit the wire, we recommend any of the excellent Android blogs linked on the side of this site.

Now, let's check out some rumors!

New HTCSense.com now online

When HTC announced their two newest Android phones, the Desire HD and Desire Z, one of the features they showed off was an online hub at HTCSense.com. From this site, users have access to lots of phone features right from their desktop. The site's features include:

T-Mobile announces Optimus T

Yesterday, T-Mobile announced a new budget-friendly Android phone, the LG Optimus T. That name should sound familiar, as it's the same as the Optiums S announced yesterday by Sprint. T-Mobile's version is a "with Google" device and will be available in time for the holidays. It features a 600MHz second-generation processor, 3.2" screen, 3MP camera, and runs Android 2.2, Froyo.

Sprint announces 3 new Android phones

Following right behind AT&T's trio-announcement, Sprint has just unveiled their latest Android offerings. Today they announced the LG Optimus S, Samsung Transform, and Sanyo Zio. All three are budget-minded devices that don't include 4G service (and higher prices). All three will go on sale this month and all will be cheap (after a pricey $100 rebate on each).

First up is the LG Optimus S. This little device sports a 3.2" screen, 3MP camera, and runs a very slightly modified version of Android 2.2, Froyo. This makes it the only one of the three that will launch with Froyo. The Optimus S is a "with Google" device and includes all your favorite Google apps. It will cost just $49 on contract.