HTC Vision high-end QWERTY slider leaks out again, dubbed the ‘G1 Blaze’ for T-Mobile

High-end and QWERTY doesn’t always mix, but now companies like Motorola (with the upcoming 1Ghz and Android 2.2-powered DROID 2) and now HTC with the codenamed handset called ‘Vision’ are getting ready to mix things up a bit. With a 3.7-inch WVGA screen, slide-out QWERTY, supposed 1GHz processor, and T-Mobile branding (hopefully not T-Mobile Europe?), the tipster at Engadget allegedly stated that the Vision might be called the G1 Blaze.

More on this, if it develops before that awesome 5 o’clock summer vacation dinner…

Source: Engadget

Carrier billing headed straightaway to Android Market

Google recently updated the Android Developers blog to broadcast some legal changes to the Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA), which references some sort of carrier billing when buying apps in the app store rather than storing your credit card info on your Google Checkot account. “Authorized carriers” have been added as an indemnified party and devs have been pinged to accept these changes within 30 days.

Long story short, in 30 days carrier billing is coming to the Android Market. Do you prefer your wireless bill to be larger, or to trick yourself by paying directly with plastic?!?

Source: Android Guys

Sense UI IS coming to Windows Phone 7. After All, It’s The Sense UI, Right?

Even if the upcoming Windows Phone 7 devices will be short on app selection, HTC-built handsets will have Sense UI, as HTC’s Drew Bamford told Forbes, and also mentioned that Sense UI should live on in Android 3.0 as well. “Microsoft has taken firmer control of the core experience,” said Bamford but that doesn’t mean that Sense UI will not “augment” the WP7 UI with an-as-yet-undisclosed functionality of their own making.

Just don’t munch all my memory and processor speed, and I’ll be fine with you bringing Sense UI to Windows Phone 7, okay HTC?

Source: Forbes

Samsung’s Galaxy S Epic 4G launching before or on August 20th?

The feature of the Galaxy S line — a line of high-end Android 2.1+ handsets from Samsung that are set to take over all four major U.S carriers — is set to launch on Sprint by or on August 20th, due to Samsung’s Galaxy S On Demand Live Show website debuting on August 20th.

To further solidify this rumor, the Vibrant and Captivate also debuted on or after the superphone’s Galaxy S On Demand episode.

Source: Twitter (@samsungmobileus)

Apple targets the Droid X in the ‘antennagate’ saga

So, what do you do if you’re Apple and are producing a product that’s getting so much gadget blog coverage about how ridiculous the antenna issue is, that you pit competitors’ handsets against yours? Well, the latest entry in this weekly-updated rampage is the darling of Motorola’s Android phone line — the almighty Droid X. Moto must be so pissed right now.

Note: We only feel reason to cover Apple’s demise due to the fact that this hasn’t happened at this level before, and we think in Apple’s case, we should cover it. At this rate, the iPhone 4 is like an Aston Martin One-77 that isn’t fun to look at or drive. That’s a serious defect.

White iPhone 4 delayed, AGAIN. Till Later This Year.

The white iPhone 4 is delayed again “till later this year”, as according to the short statement made by Apple below. I can only think of how Steve Jobs and co. are thinking of this. And of course the craziness of the situation as well,along with the almost confirmed fact that the white iPhone 4 requires more unicorn dust to be manufactured.

“Statement by Apple on White iPhone 4

White models of Apple’s new iPhone® 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.”

Xbox 360 Slim goes Halo Reach in limited edition

Know what’s better than a shiny new matte silver Xbox 360 Slim with two wireless controllers, special Halo sounds, and a copy of Halo: Reach with a price tag of $400 on September 15th? Exactly what I just said, dudes. The “limited edition” is $100 mure than the plain-old-same-old black, glossy 360 Slim, and $200 over the upcoming Arcade model.

Still, even though the limited part means 1 million will be produced (or more?), this does look pretty interesting.

Whoa! Mr. Wallet, go back into my pants! Easy, easy.

Source: Major NelsonXbox Press

NOOK for Android released today as a free app

Barnes & Noble already has BN eReader apps for both the iPad and iphone, which are in essence, NOOK apps. Starting today at the Android Market or http://www.bn.com/nookforandroid, the free NOOK for Android app allows for several type fonts, sizes, the lending feature found on the physical Nook eBook Reader, and you’ll need at least Android 1.6 for it to work, with a B&N account which will allow you to sync all of the books that you’ve been reading, even on the different platforms. PR after the “more” link.

Source: BusinessWire

Who’s Using What In Android? Let’s Find Out!

While 1.5 and 1.6 are still alive, Android 2.1 is still a mostly growing OS version (or at least growing in usage due to OEMs updating their handsets). Android 2.2 on the other hand is practically on nothing except the now-defunct Nexus One, so with that out of the way, and every Android manufacturer proclaiming that their handsets will be Froyo’d by this summer, while HTC is planning to have all 2010 handsets updated to this Winter, the latest.

Source: GigaOM, Android Developers

The Final Nexus One stock is gone. Goodbye, Sexy Nexy

The Sexy Nexy, AKA the Google Nexus One, is officially out of stock, and will no longer be sold by Google directly. The purpose of the Nexus One was to inspire all OEMs to make perfect Android handsets. Now every Android phone is getting more and more advanced than before, because of the Nexus One. It had a great run, and it’ll appear on a future feature /Android 2.2 review. Stay Tuned!

Please T-Mobile, start stocking the Nexus One. If it’s possible, that is. Otherwise, so long Nexus One. Until nex time…

Source: Google