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!
According to Android Police, the Gingerbread software development kit (SDK) will be arriving this coming week. The SDK is the first step in a new Android release, and usually arrives about a month or so before the new OS itself arrives. If true, it means that we'll finally get our first look at Gingerbread, and that the next version of Android isn't far away.
Ryan says: Woohoo! Android updates are always exciting, and I can't wait to find out what Gingerbread includes. Plus, now that I have a new device, I'm even more excited about using it. Though it now means waiting for T-Mobile to give me the update officially...
Shelsy says: Yay! I'm very excited for a new version of Android--lots of good stuff coming, to be sure.
A Russian blog called 911Sniper got their hands on information (more here) saying that the as-yet unnanounced HTC Bee is going to Alltel. This device was rumored before, and appears to be a budget-friendly, keyboardless HTC device. Alltel is run by Verizon in most parts of the country, so it's possible that the Bee (or whatever it ends up being called), will also be available on Verizon.
Ryan says: Hey, budget devices are always good for new smartphone buyers, and HTC makes awesome hardware. Plus, it's good to see other carriers besides the big 4 getting some Android options.
Shelsy says: Yeah, choices and variety are usually good things. All I can really say, though, is that I seriously hope they change the name to something besides Bee....
In a rumor sure to provide a sigh of relief, a leaked user guide for the upcoming Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab indicates that the tablet will include Google Search, instead of Bing. In addition, there are rumors indicating that the Verizon version will also include voice calling, something that won't be available on the Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T versions of the Tab.
Ryan says: Ridiculous. If the Verizon version includes calling and the others don't, I foresee mobs of angry nerds taking to the streets. Or using the Verizon version to hack calling onto the other versions. That's more likely.
Shelsy says: Thank goodness about having Google search. But, yeah, it's totally not cool if only the Verizon version gets voice calling. What's up with that?
After lots and lots of delays, Tmonews has convincing proof that the Motorola Cliq update to Android 2.1, Eclair, will be coming "soon." Cliq users are still stuck on 1.5, if you can believe it, and Motorola has been promising an update for months.
Ryan says: It's about time. I really feel bad for Cliq owners still stuck on an OS that even the G1 had officially moved beyond. Cliq users can't even use Google Maps Navigation, since that requires 1.6. But this update is only for 2.1, which is also already outdated. I personally will never buy a Motorola product after seeing how poorly this situation has been handled.
Shelsy says: This is completely unbelievable, and unacceptable. Motorola should be ashamed of itself, and all Cliq owners should be rioting.
And finally, we have a rumor from Forbes indicating that the next version of Android will be called Ice Cream. Currently, we are on 2.2, which is called Froyo. After that, Google has confirmed that Gingerbread comes next, followed by Honeycomb. Since they go alphabetically, I comes next and Forbes seems confident the codename will be Ice Cream.
Ryan says: I like the name, but man...that's so far out as to be not really worth speculating about. Remember when everyone thought F was going to be Flan? That turned out to not be true, so why are we bothering talking about the what the I dessert will be if we aren't even officially on G yet. :-)
Shelsy says: Well, a quick Google search indicates that the only desserts that start with I are either ice cream, or Irish or Italian something or other. So I'm going to say that ice cream is a pretty good bet.
That wraps it up for this weeks' rumor recap. Android rumors are always coming in, though, so be sure to check back next weekend for all the latest unconfirmed info.
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