Another weekend is here and it's time for more Android rumors! This is where we briefly recap the best Android related rumors of the past week, along with our commentary. To follow Android news and rumors in a more timely manor, we recommend any of the fine Android blogs listed on the right side of this site. Now, on to the rumors!
There were lots of rumors this week about new versions of the Samsung Galaxy S phone series and Galaxy Tab tablet. One rumor suggested that the new devices, including the tablet, would feature Samsung's new high-res screen tech. Another rumor shows off what appears to be the the Galaxy S2. A third notes that a new Samsung phone, apparently running Android 2.4, just passed through the FCC.
Ryan says: Samsung is definitely on a roll with their Android lineup, but the recent firestorm surrounding the lack of a Froyo update for any of the US Galaxy S phones, I can safely say that I will never buy one of their products. Unless they radically change their policies, I don't really want anything to do with them.
Shelsy says: I have to agree with Ryan. They're clearly more interested in producing a ton of new phones and leaving their customers stuck with the "older" phones back in the dust. That's not good customer service in any business model (I have no idea why so many cell carriers can get away with it, though).
In a related rumor, Tmonews got some exclusive information about an upcoming Samsung phone for T-Mobile called the Vibrant 4G. It is apparently identical to the original Vibrant, except it features 4G speeds, Android 2.2, and a front facing camera, none of which are on the original. Many people consider this phone to be what the original Vibrant should have been and wonder if the release of this one will eliminate the possibility of updates for the original.
Ryan says: This sounds like a nice phone, but it also sounds like typical Samsung marketing. Rather than update an existing device, they simply create a new one that users have to buy. If the original Vibrant goes without an update while this device is released? I foresee mass anger from existing Vibrant owners.
Shelsy says: Um, yep, see my above comment.
Continuing in Samsung news, word broke this week of a 4G LTE phone by Samsung headed to MetroPCS. The device is codenamed the Forte and will run on MetroPCS's newly deployed LTE network. It is also rumored to have a full QWERTY keyboard and run Android 2.2.
Ryan says: It looks nice, though not all that striking. It's nice to see more powerful Android devices hit the cheaper carriers like MetroPCS, especially a 4G one. I'm sure this will be a big seller for MetroPCS. But it's another Samsung, so definitely not for me, regardless of carrier.
Shelsy says: Well, I'm now officially sick of Samsung news... But I agree that it is nice to see phones like this available on other carriers.
More news came to light this week regarding the next version of Android, which seems to be version number 2.4. A rumor from Pocket-lint suggests that it will be launching this summer, Ice Cream 2.4 coming this summer, while a rumor from TechCrunch says that it won't be called Ice Cream, as previously thought, but rather Ice Cream Sandwich.
Ryan says: Summer sounds fairly likely to me, though the version numbering is a bit confusing. Is version 2.x just for phones while the recently announced 3.x is for tablets? Also, Ice Cream Sandwich is a terrible name, and way too long. I sincerely hope that part is wrong.
Shelsy says: They definitely have a way of releasing seasonally appropriate versions (Gingerbread for Christmas, Ice Cream/Sandwich for summer) which is cute. And it doesn't matter if they call it Ice Cream Sandwich, because it'll just get shortened anyway. All of us lazy people who are going to be talking about will probably just call it ICS or something. :-)
And finally, we have a rumor from Pocketnow that the Acer Liquid Mini will be landing on AT&T soon. The Liquid Mini is rumored to have a small, 3.2" screen, 600MHz processor, 5MP camera, and Android 2.2. No other details regarding release date are known.
Ryan says: This is a stylish little device and will provide a good low-end option to balance out AT&T's new high-powered Android linup. Not for me, of course, but it's nice to have choice.
Shelsy says: Uh...yeah, it looks like a decent little phone, I guess. Nothing really noteworthy, though.
And there you have it. Be sure to check back next weekend for another batch of rumors!
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