As promised, today is the first day that Verizon will begin taking orders for the Motorola Droid 2 – the follow-up the well-received original Motorola Droid. You can log onto the Verizon web-store to put in your pre-order for the new Droid 2, which will run you $199.99 when purchased with a 2-year service contract from Big Red. A quick check of the website shows that the on-contract price of the Droid 2 is a hefty $299.99, but is being offered with a $100 online discount, making your checkout price about two C-notes.

If you’re not yet familiar with the Droid 2, you should know that it’s the second-generation version of the Droid, and it’s made by Motorola. The D2, as we like to call it, features the same 3.7-inch touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera (with auto-focus and dual-LED flash) and side-sliding QWERTY keyboard form-factor as the original D1, but it ups the ante with improvements in some key areas.

The slide-out keyboard has been updated with a new layout that does away with a space-hogging D-pad in favor of arrow keys. The somewhat flat keys from the original Droid keyboard has been updated on the D2 to be more contoured and offers “better tactile differentiation” – in other words, it just feels better and lends to a faster typing experience.

Perhaps the best feature of the D2 is that it ships with Android 2.2 Froyo OS. That means you’ll see overall faster system performance, support for Adobe Flash 10.1 Player, faster JavaScript performance, and the ability to save Android apps to the microSD card. The D2 also features the Verizon Mobile HotSpot feature that allows you to use the handset as a portable WiFi router – giving your WiFi devices access to the internet via Verizon’s 3G data network. You also get the Swype on-screen keyboard preloaded on the Droid 2, which makes typing no harder than dragging your finger across the virtual keyboard to trace out words.

Verizon has also posted a video tour of the Droid 2, featuring “Derek.” Take a look at the D2 tour below! Oh, and don’t forget that Verizon will be pushing out an R2D2 version of the handset in the near future, for all you Star Wars fans out there.

[Via: Verizon]

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This falls right in line with the report back in May of this year, that Apple TV would be getting a big boost in a lot of key areas. For example, it would be getting a smaller set-top box, which would only cost $99, and feature things like Apple’s A4 CPU. However, with all of the great new features, there’s also a few things getting tossed to the side. According to Engadget, it looks like the new Apple TV won’t be able to support either 1080i or 1080p HD playback. This is apparently due in part to the A4 CPU, and it’s inability to pump out higher resolution.

What’s more, though, is that the new Apple TV will also be getting its own section of the App Store, and it will indeed be able to utilize applications. However, there’s no word on whether or not you will be able to play iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch games/applications from Apple TV, or vice versa. That’s still unclear at this point in time.

The one big thing to take away from all this, though, is that Apple TV is getting a name change. It’s probably not all that surprising, though: iTV. It may not be the most ingenious or revolutionary product tiel out there, but it’s obviously an iDevice, and that right there will mean people will know exactly what you’re talking about. And, while this report is just the tip of the iceberg, apparently a lot more is going to get revealed some time in the Fall of this year. Which, for the record, is basically right around the corner.

[via Engadget]

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So many Android devices from Sprint, so little time, right? But if you’re going to grab a Google powered handset from the carrier, you might as well grab one with 4G or WiMax capabilities. That leaves you with two options: Samsung’s Epic 4G, which is a variant of the Galaxy S devices, or the HTC EVO 4G, which has seems to have been sold out everywhere since launch. Both share a few features, such as Android and support for Sprint’s WiMax network, but they also have different things to offer, too.

Let’s take a quick look at some of these differences, shall we?

• Epic 4G has a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, the EVO has a 4.3-inch WVGA display
• Epic 4G uses DLNA for media sync/out, the EVO uses HDMI out
• Epic 4G has a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard, the EVO has an on-screen keyboard only
• The Epic 4G will feature Samsung’s Media Hub after launch for users to purchase or rent movies
• Epic 4G has TouchWiz vs. the EVO’s Sense UI–both interfaces are good, but matters of preference

While there are plenty of differences, there are also common features. Both phones feature Google’s Android platform, though the EVO 4G has the latest Android 2.2 Froyo build where the Epic 4G will ship with the slightly older Android 2.1. Each handset also features a front-facing camera for video chatting. If you’re always on the road and need a mobile hotspot, both the Epic 4G and EVO allow you to tether your laptop or tablet computer to Sprint’s 3G or 4G network.

Want to know more about these two? Watch Sprint explain the similarities and differences in the video below!

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For those of you who think that the Samsung Galaxy S line’s 1GHz processor speed isn’t enough for you, you’ll be glad to know that the original Galaxy S and Captivate have been successfully overclocked to 1.2 GHz. But what’s more interesting is that the Hummingbird processor can apparently be overclocked to a battery-draining 1.6GHz!

The possibility of getting the Galaxy S running at 1.6 GHz is, for now, just a theory. The Hummingbird processor found on all of the Galaxy S variants should be able to support it, but it just hasn’t reached its full potential at this point. Still, screaming processor speed aside, it’s not clear what effect this level of overclocking will have on the device’s battery life, or overall stability is up for question. And, it’s important to note that overclocking can be dangerous to your device’s health.

Sure, it’s hard not to see the appeal of having your smartphone run at the speed of most netbooks today. It definitely sounds appealing, but I’m not sure how appealing it is to possibly have  your once shiny Galaxy S turn into a lifeless paperweight.

For now, if you’re looking to overclock your Galaxy S (i9000) or Samsung Captivate, you can use the existing method that will get you up to 1.2 GHz. How much would .2 GHz boost performance? Just take a look at the picture above. The Captivate hit a 2547 benchmark in Quadrant while using the 1.2 GHz overclock hack, and we couldn’t even begin to think of what the score might look like if the bad boy was running at 1.6 GHz.

Let’s hope one of the crazy smart devs over at XDA can cook something up for the tinkerers out there. Even if this does become possible, it will likely take a while before the hack is actually useful. The hack needs to be stable (enough), and battery issues will need to be addressed, if they can keep the thing from dying within an hour of use to begin with. If overclocking isn’t your style, we might suggest you to wait out for the HTC Ace, as it’s rumored to come with a 1.3 GHz CPU from the factory.

[Via: Phandroid]

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The update itself will remove your jailbreak, if you are currently jailbroken. And, if you used the site jailbreakme.com, you should expect that not to work anymore, either. We know that Apple’s removal of jailbroken software from their iPhones/iPods/iPads isn’t new, especially with software updates, and we should all expect the jailbreakers out there to take care of the situation on their side in no time. So, if you want to keep your jailbroken iDevice the way it is, go right ahead and don’t download this. But, if you want to patch up that huge security hole, and can wait to get jailbroken again, then you probably want to get to downloading.

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Kobo, which manufactures the Kobo eReader, has declared that they are working with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to bring their digital reader to President’s Club guests. So, it’s not meant for everyone. And, at the time of the announcement, it looks like only 10 branches are getting the ability to hand out the eReader at this time, but we’re sure that will change in due time.

Random House has also agreed to take part in the deal, making it so that a few thousand of their titles are made available to guests, out of the two million books the publisher has at the ready. Those books are free to download, too, so that should help the pocketbook at least a little bit. But, if you need a book and want to buy it, you can also opt to set up a Kobo account and start downloading books that way, for a price. Check below for the full list of the branches handing out the eReader.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim
The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
The Fairmont Royal York
Fairmont Turnberry Isle
The Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
The Plaza, a Fairmont Managed Hotel
Fairmont Château Laurie

[via Macworld]

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We HTC EVO 4G owners became a little excited when we found that the Android 2.2 update for the handset, compatible with all that Sense UI goodness straight from HTC, and went straight to download and install it. The Taiwanese smartphone maker then took to Twitter and announced that the build wasn’t final and might have been unstable. So while everyone else got their official updates from Sprint just three days later, we were stuck with a working, bug-free and stable version. Wait, what?

While we’ve gone from version 3.26.651.3 to software version 3.26.651.6, most of us won’t see much of a difference, if any difference at all. But psychologically, we’re all wanting to be on the latest and greatest, so it might seem faster or more stable. HTC tells us that the functionality between the two software versions is identical, and that the only difference between the two may be the way in which the radios handle 4G or WiMax.

Personally, I see no difference between the two software versions at all. The update was pushed to my handset last night and it took about 5 seconds to download (over WiMax) and another three minutes to completely install. Like the .3 version, all my apps and info remained intact.

If the update was not pushed to your device, you can simply go into Settings>System Updates>HTC software update and manually check for the update. From there, you’ll be prompted to download and install the update and there will be a friendly reminder that your phone will be unusable during the process. Make sure you don’t need to make phone calls or take e-mails during the update process.

And that’s it! Let us know if you run into any issues, but it should be smooth sailing from here.

Are you thinking about grabbing an HTC EVO 4G for Sprint? Unsure about the device or whether it’s right for you? Check out our hands-on review here, and our review and impressions of Android 2.2 on the device here. If you’re new to Android, be sure to check out IntoMobile’s dedicated Android section here.

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RIM’s mythical sliding device finally got official after years and years of rumors. It’s being released tomorrow exclusively on AT&T and features the all new BlackBerry 6 operating system. We’re talking multitouch, gestures, redone multimedia applications, and a whole lot more. It packs the best camera of any BlackBerry, a touch screen, full keyboard, and even an optical trackpad to help with navigation. Not to mention it has a web browser that is actually usable, and everything is packed in a pretty tight package. We have been using a BlackBerry Torch 9800 for over 5 days, and we’re excited to share our thoughts on it with you.

Hardware

Solid. That’s the first word that comes to mind. The second? Heavy and bulky. I love using this line more than RIM executives have played it out: RIM plans three years out. Unfortunately, they must still be planning for 2007, because the device is pretty thick compared to modern and current smartphones. It’s very well manufactured and doesn’t appear to be cheap, yet… it feels pretty cheap. The casing is a glossy budget-conscious plastic, and the four BlackBerry buttons are glorified piano black plastic. I can’t imagine how stunning a partly brushed gun metal / dark grey stainless steel BlackBerry would be. Cut off the sliding mechanism from the Torch and make the device that thin, and you’d have me seriously interested. Well, you’d have to throw a decent OS on that bad boy of course.

RIM’s optical trackpad makes an appearance here, as it should, and it works great. It’s very clickable, and doesn’t change the course of history — same trackpad you know and love. The four black piano keys are a little tougher to describe. Since each key is attached to its significant other, it is at times a tad bit difficult to accurately press either the send or end key (both on the sides of the device). They’re much smaller than their respective keys on the Bold 9000 or Bold 9700 and give less — they are almost flush with the device — but after some daily usage, it isn’t the end of the world.

It pains me to say this, but RIM has once again changed the location of the microUSB charging/data port. It is now located on the lower left side (at the expense of the left side convenience key). It is pretty ridiculous, but it’s also par for the course when you’re dealing with a manufacturer that can’t even get buddy icons to show up in their AOL Instant messaging application after three years. The 3.5mm headset jack that’s usually present on the upper left side has been shipped halfway around the world to the upper right side, followed by its partners in crime, the up and down volume keys. Below those sit the dedicated camera shutter button — half press to autofocus, full press to snap, snap, snap.

We’ve been using the device for over 5 days, yet we didn’t need more than a couple minutes to determine that the lock and mute keys on top of the device are extremely gentle. Since RIM AT&T doesn’t ship their flagship product with a holster (first time ever, I believe), we can’t tell you how many times the device got unlocked by mistake in our pockets. End of the world? No, but it’s not the best design that’s existed. While we’re talking about design, we’d have loved it if RIM would have pushed their device design identity forward a bit. Unfortunately the Torch looks pretty dated from a design perspective.

As far as internals go, the BlackBerry Torch is meticulously planned out. It uses an Marvell 624MHz CPU, 512MB of RAM (also for application storage), 4GB of internal storage, packs a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 3.6Mbps, aGPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. For a flagship product, we’d expect nothing less than a 1GHz CPU, though the BlackBerry Torch seems to perform decently with light usage.

Display

Sad. It literally makes me sad — and I’m not phased that easily. It really hits you how bad the screen is when you compare it to a BlackBerry 9700 because of how much larger the 9800 screen is. Text is pixelated, normally crisp images look low quality by comparison, and web browsing is unusable without zooming in constantly. It takes away from the experience, and if there is something RIM doesn’t understand, it’s presentation. With a high quality, beautiful, large screen, you can at least show that you’re playing game to the average user. Unfortunately for RIM, this would mean even more fragmentation with their devices and a higher resolution screen would also highlight their general lack of focus on UI even more. For instance, when holding the BlackBerry button to bring up the transparent multitasking popover (by the way, do you know which BlackBerry application was the first to do a transparent popover?), RIM forgot to make the effect stretch to the edge of the display, so you actually see through the effect on the right side. Huge deal? Not at all, just representative of how Research In Motion overall could care less about the small things that can up and actually make a product.

We also have to say we noticed some wonkiness with the touchscreen side of the display at times. Mostly erroneous touch events when on a phone call (touching the top part of the display set off the lower touch buttons), though we’re not sure if this is a software or hardware issue.

Keyboard

Look, here’s the thing: all of you moaning about having to have a physical keyboard need to suck it up and get used to typing on a capactive screen. It’s what most phones will be in the near future and all in all, it’s superior to physical keys when you look at the big picture. Customizable keyboards and layouts, thinner, more solid, less clunky handsets — everything is moving over to touch and it’s for the better. If you’re an iPhone user and you pick up a BlackBerry (especially the Torch) you literally think to yourself, “What in the hell am I holding in my hands?” It’s that bad.

I have never in my life seen a worse onscreen keybaord than the one RIM included. The fact the phone has a physical keyboard is no excuse, this is an insight into what RIM is thinking, and it’s completely disappointing. The virtual keyboard looks like a Swype Android keyboard without the sexiness. Keys are tough to hit, the symbol shift key is awkwardly placed, and above all, you can’t see what key you’re hitting since the popups that display when you touch a key are practically useless. It’s almost insulting that there’s even a virtual keyboard at all.

Switching gears to the physical slide-out chiclet keyboard: it’s good, very good. RIM usually knocks these out of the park and the Torch’s keyboard is no exception, for the most part. Keys are graciously sized, pretty contoured, infinitely and deliciously clickable (the Torch totally doesn’t pass the typing-in-bed-while-someone-is-sleeping-next-to-you test). The keyboard is modeled after the devices in the BlackBerry Bold lineup, and even carries over some nice design elements; one of them being the chrome struts that serve as keyboard row dividers. If we had to complain about the keyboard, it would be that the keys seem to be pretty hollow and, well, cheap. It kind of sounds like bubble wrap if you run your fingers over them, and they aren’t as luxurious as the original Bold’s keyboard (obviously from a size perspective) in feel. We believe the keys are slightly less raised than a traditional form-factor BlackBerry device, and that’s quite an accomplishment — have you ever used a Palm Pre — but a small part of us yearns for that perfect, perfect keyboard.

Phone

Ah, making phone calls on a BlackBerry. It’s actually pretty enjoyable. Dialing phone numbers on the keypad is effortless (and extremely quick, too), checking your recent calls is straight forward, and calls were generally pleasurable-sounding, crisp, and volume-packed. One exception would be the fact that sometimes calls can sound a tiny bit distorted (mostly the top end) if the volume is up all the way on the ear speaker.

Something that annoyed the heck out of us was RIM’s proximity sensor. It literally is a pulsing/blinking red LED light that is visible to the human eye. Do you see this when you’re on the phone? Not at all, but now that we have seen it, we can’t not notice it when we dial a phone number and bring the phone up to our face. It’s ridiculously amateur-ish and we don’t remember the BlackBerry Storm2 (also a device with a proximity sensor) doing this.

Speakerphone unfortunately isn’t as successful as traditional phone calling on the BlackBerry Torch. It’s volume output was low to acceptable, but callers had trouble hearing us properly most of the time.

OS

BlackBerry operating system 6 isn’t an overhaul of the BlackBerry OS, and while it brings a couple API-level changes, it’s mostly top layer UI modifications. For starters, BlackBerry 6 brings modal popups, press-and-hold gestures, multitouch gestures like pinch to zoom and two finger select, and drum roll please… a WebKit-based web browser with tabs.

In addition to the above, there are a bunch more enhancements: universal search, multiple contact lists (sadly you can’t link duplicate contact entries), a social networking application that can aggregate all your social networks/accounts in addition to posting simultaneously to them, redone multimedia applications, a new camera interface, kinetic scrolling (though we would have liked to see even more of this), a notifications drop down menu, and much more.

In general, BlackBerry 6 seems a bit more cohesive in some ways, yet it seems to be pulled in different directions at times. For instance, the homescreen now combines the entire application icon view with a drop down notification view and a wireless networking view. Think about this, you are pulled in literally different directions by flipping through the aforementioned menus, and for basically no reason. If you want to get crazy, you can actually drop the application drawer up on the homescreen to reveal more than the default 4 icons. You can increase the view to 8 icons, 12 icons, or even slide the drawer all the way to the top if you wish.

Something we’re pleased as punch to see in BlackBerry 6 is faster application downloading/installation. Previously it would take forever to download apps (or anything for that matter), but in BlackBerry 6 the progress bar zips along just fine most of the time, and this is a welcome improvement. The phone also boots much, much quicker (everything is relative, it’s still a good minute or two)

We’re not in love with the multiple categories on the homescreen, though. It seems to add unnecessary complexity to an already complex UI. Now, in addition to the wireless connection menu sliding down, the app drawer sliding up, and the notification drawer sliding down, you can also slide left to right and right to left to flip different categories of application?

Unfortunately for BlackBerry 6, and the BlackBerry Torch, we experienced lag, slowdowns, and the dreaded black BlackBerry clock on multiple occasions, even when we weren’t pushing the phone hard. Simple tasks like marking more than one message as read, or exiting the web browser, or updating the social feeds application, set off that clock of death. Once we had to even pull the battery out due to the phone becoming unresponsive from a simple non-taxing task.

Browser

RIM’s new browser couldn’t have come soon enough. Rumored since the first Bold (we heard they were testing a Webkit browser when they were working on the 9000), RIM’s first real web browser is the best it’s ever delivered. In terms of rendering, web pages actually display as if they should on a desktop — correctly and formatted properly most of the time. Pinch to zoom is a go, and while it’s not as fluid as some other platforms out there, it does get the job done. We can’t say we love how the browser reformats text (RIM says it pioneered word wrap, though we have to say Opera Mobile does a pretty good job of this), but for the most part, tabbed browsing and even thumbnails in browser history are nice touches. We like the fact that when using the optical joystick to navigate you actual see an on-screen mouse cursor, though some of the hiccups with RIM’s browser start to overshadow much of their progress.

Since the BlackBerry Torch isn’t packing a bleeding-edge CPU, and since the core OS is pretty outdated, we experienced many slowdowns in panning and zooming, and even standard web page loading. We actually crashed the browser a couple times loading up our favorite non-mobile-optimized sites. This isn’t even with any sort of Flash 10.1 support whatsoever. We’re not sure how RIM will be able to pull that off at all. Unfortunately, as we said before, RIM doesn’t seem to understand presentation, and the web browsing experience on the BlackBerry Torch is neither completely fluid nor competitive to other leading mobile smartphones for the most part.

Camera

RIM’s 5 megapixel camera is certainly a great improvement over their 3.2 megapixel offering. It takes pretty decent photos, and RIM has completely redone their photo-taking UI. Geotagging photos now has a prominent presence, RIM added scene modes (even face detection, portrait, sports, landscape, party, close-up, snow, beach, night and text modes) even though people most likely won’t use them, and there’s a new photo review mode to check out your latest shot and decide whether to keep it or not.

Unfortunately in a time when manufacturers are competing to see who can capture the highest quality, faster frame rate HD video, RIM fails to join the pack with 640×480 resolution video capture. Video taken on an iPhone 4 or Motorola DROID X could sometimes pass as being shot on a real video device and not a cell phone, but video from the BlackBerry Torch unfortunately can’t.

Battery:

We’ve been pleased by how much battery we can squeeze out of the Torch. Like all BlackBerry devices, RIM knows how to optimize, optimize, and optimize how much power their smartphones utilize, and the Torch is no exception in that regard. We’re not sure if we’d rate the BlackBerry Torch as having better battery life than it’s cousin, the Bold 9700, but we’d say it’s pretty close. It no question can power a moderately-heavy user through a pretty long day, and for a casual user, expect the phone to last more than a day without a recharge.

Conclusion:

We actually liked the BlackBerry Torch more towards the end of our use than we did at first. Once you get into using the device, you slightly warm up to it. With that said, I can’t help but think that the Torch goes against everything that a BlackBerry stands for. Or used to stand for. Simple, pick up and go, and focused. With BlackBerry 6, a touch screen, and a sliding form-factor, the Torch is not simple, it’s not a pick up and go device, and it’s not focused. Just the process of sliding the display up and away from the keyboard and dealing with a touch screen seems extraneous. There is much more work involved to use the BlackBerry Torch, definitely not less.

The device is a decent attempt to keep some of RIM’s current user base happy. Unfortunately, as you’ve read above, in our opinion, it’s not enough to stop the exodus of BlackBerry users switching to Android and iPhone devices for the most part, and it’s definitely not good enough to draw in boatloads of new customers. Definitely not when it’s on display next to an iPhone 4 and a Samsung Captivate in the store. RIM has possibly missed the most crucial and best chance to show the market and their loyal customers that they know what they’re doing.

In a world where things are supposed to get simpler and easier to use, the BlackBerry Torch 9800 unfortunately complicates things. Is it the “best BlackBerry yet”? It’s certainly possible. Though it’s most definitely not the easiest to use, and even RIM’s best product at this point in time seems so far off from being competitive in the smartphone market landscape. Our first photo in the review sort of says it all — it’s a nice phone that is easily overshadowed by something newer, leaner, and much sexier. We’re not sure we’d recommend the 9800 to any new cell phone buyer unless they had a specific need for a BlackBerry. Even then, there’s a good chance we’d recommend the Bold 9700 (or Bold 9700 refresh device) with OS 6 on it. While the BlackBerry Torch isn’t a complete screw-up, it’s far from the Apple-killing, Android-slaying device RIM thought it would be. Unfortunately RIM’s next product has to be a home run for them to continue winning the ballgame, or we’ll start to see some strike outs. If they can’t manage to excite consumers with the next go-around, RIM will most likely be relegated to a low-to-mid end market player, something Nokia certainly knows a thing or two about.

Click on over to our BlackBerry Torch 9800 gallery!

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The search giant will be holding a Google Mobile event this Thursday, August 12, and it promised to show off some new features. Let the guessing games begin.

The invitation only says that it will be “unveiling a couple of cool new mobile features.” I’d immediately think this would be for Android, but it could very well be a cross-platform roll out that will work with Webkit-based browsers like on the Apple iPhone and, I suppose, the BlackBerry Torch.

But if I were a betting man, I’d say the event will be focused around Android and potentially it could put a new emphasis on the Google music service we’ve been expecting ever since Google I/O. This will let the search giant sell music through the Android Market and, more importantly, allow users to stream their home music library to their Android handset. Let’s just hope the streaming quality is better than what’s in Froyo.

A Google music service with Android would give the company a fine counterbalance to the iTunes juggernaut for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Granted, the Amazon MP3 store is already on a ton of Android devices but I think the multimedia buying and playback experience need to get a lot better if Google wants Android to outclass the iPhone.

With that said, this is all pretty much speculation now, as the last time we saw an event like this, Google threw a major cool curve ball with the introduction of Google Navigation.

Maybe it has another cool feature to show off that will be exclusive to that little green robot. One thing is for sure, check out IntoMobile for the very latest on the event.

What do you think the search giant is going to show off? What would you like them to show? Is it too early for some Gingerbread action?

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“We recognize the market has dramatically changed, and with the product delays we have experienced, it no longer make sense for us to move forward with our first generation electronic reading product,” said Plastic Logic CEO Richard Archuleta. “This was a hard decision, but is the best one for our company, our investors and our customers.”

It looks like Plastic Logic just accepted the fact that their QUE product wasn’t going to make it out in time to be a competitive product, and in that research, have decided to take the high road. Sure, there will be plenty of folks out there who think that the company should have pushed forward with their current generation of products, but obviously the higher ups in the company feel that taking a step back, and coming back into the market with a better device is the right way to go.

They are going to take the time necessary to make the best ProReader they can, which is the best plan. Time will tell whether or not the next generation of ProReader can compete with the market, whenever it is unveiled, but we’re sure that Plastic Logic has the right methods in hand, and are already hard at work with something that will surprise us all over again. Check out the press release below.

Press Release

Plastic Logic Moves On To Next Generation Product
Revised product strategy to bring industry’s first advanced device using plastic electronics technology to market. | 10 August 2010
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA – August 10, 2010 – Plastic Logic today announced it is revising its product strategy and plans to shift its focus to bring to market a second-generation ProReader plastic electronics-based product. The company said it has cancelled its QUE product, which it debuted at CES in January 2010 and planned to ship earlier this year.

“We recognize the market has dramatically changed, and with the product delays we have experienced, it no longer make sense for us to move forward with our first generation electronic reading product,” said Plastic Logic CEO Richard Archuleta. “This was a hard decision, but is the best one for our company, our investors and our customers.”

Archuleta added: “We plan to take the necessary time needed to re-enter the market as we refocus, redesign and retool for our next generation ProReader product. We continue to perfect our core plastic electronic technology and manufacturing processes that are central to our product’s unique value proposition.

“We remain the industry’s leader in the development of plastic electronics technology for commercial purposes and are continuing to actively advance this technology in our labs and in our manufacturing facility.”

Plastic electronics technology has many economic, manufacturing, form factor and environmental benefits, assuring that it will replace silicon in a variety of devices in the future. The technology makes possible an amazingly thin, lightweight, more robust mobile form factor that the QUE illustrated – and remains unmatched in the marketplace of traditional silicon semiconductor glass-based display products.

“We are fortunate to have investors who are confident and committed to our company’s long-term success in commercializing plastic electronics,” Archuleta noted. “We thank them, along with our partners and suppliers, and most especially our first customers, for their support, dedication and patience — and for standing with us to pioneer the plastic electronics revolution.”

About Plastic Logic
Plastic Logic’s mission is to lead a revolution in the way people acquire, organize and consume information. We are using our proprietary technology leadership in plastic electronics to create a range of innovative products. Founded in 2000 by researchers out of the Cambridge University Cavendish Laboratory, Plastic Logic has research and development in Cambridge, England; high-volume, state-of-the-art manufacturing in Dresden, Germany; and executive management, product engineering, sales and marketing headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information about Plastic Logic, please go to PlasticLogic.com.

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According to the report, it looks like Amazon’s Lab 126, the hardware division that’s responsible for the Kindle, is looking into new hardware. Furthermore, it sounds like the Lab is focusing on something that would simply be a “means to an end,” and allow Amazon customers to buy from the retailer a lot more easily. The same source suggests that Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, always intended to make Lab 126 pump out more than one device, but apparently the success of the eReader kept them on a one-track mind for quite awhile.

With 80 job openings currently filling the “now hiring” list for Amazon’s hardware department, it may seem like a legitimate claim. And considering the success of the Kindle, there’s no reason to think that Amazon wouldn’t take a few breathes and look at introducing new things into the market. Not surprising at all, actually.

[via Bits]

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It’s been a long time coming, but the massive Dell Streak will finally be hitting AT&T August 13 and the 5-inch smartphone/tablet will cost about $300 with a new, two-year contract and $550 without a contract.

The Android Streak has a large 5-inch screen which kind of puts it in between a tablet and a smartphone (smarblet?). Some may be disappointed that it will launch with Android 1.6 but we already know that the company is working on software upgrades. Oddly enough, this is the second Android 1.6 device that AT&T introduced this week, as the Sony Xperia X10 also has an older version of that little, green robot.

The Dell Streak will also have all the communications features you’d expect from a smartphone including WiFi, 3G connectivity, Bluetooth, and GPS. It will pack a 1 GHz Qualcomm processor, 2 GB of internal storage and it will have access to the Android Market in order to add features and apps. Also, it will sport a 5-megapixel camera with a front-facing camera that could be used to make video calls with apps like Fring.

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives,” said Ron Garriques, president, Dell Communication Solutions, in a prepared statement.

Like the Motorola Droid X or Samsung Captivate, Dell will layer on its own custom user interface to make things prettier and add social-networking functionality.

We’re getting a Dell Streak shortly and it will be interesting to see how this thing performs. The WVGA resolution and older version of the Android operating system are already disappointments but there’s something about that big screen which really appeals to me. Look for our full review of the Dell Streak Android smartphone shortly, friends.

[Via AT&T]

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It seems that all the speculation about HP bringing a webOS tablet to market is starting to come to a head, as HP has reportedly told employees that the company will be aiming to launch Palm-pedigree device – codenamed the “Hurricane,” and possibly to be called the PalmPad – in early 2011. Following on HP’s recent Palm acquisition, HP Personal Systems Group vice president Todd Bradley is said to have told employees yesterday that the webOS-powered tablet is being prepped for a Q1 2011 launch, which falls roughly in line with previous speculation that the tablet could debut late this year.

The word on the street has it that “trusted sources” have tipped Engadget on HP’s plans for its rumored tablet. Previous rumors had HP reviving Palm’s mothballed project under the codename “Hurricane,” and this latest rumor suggests that the codename is most definitely legitimate and will eventually birth what may come to be known as the “PalmPad.” HP recently filed for the PalmPad trademark, which sparked massive speculation that a webOS tablet was in the works inside the computer-maker’s R&D labs. Now that the existence of the tablet is all but official, it’s quite possible that the device will be known as the PalmPad.

And, even more exciting is the possibility that, given the launch window that HP has set for itself, the PalmPad could hit market with webOS 2.0 in tow. We’re not yet clear on what new features webOS 2.0 will bring to the table(t), but there’s no doubt that we’ll see some parts of the multi-tasking mobile OS optimized for a larger touchscreen display.

So, with all these new-fangled tablets due to go live later this year and through the next, we have to wonder if the iPad can continue to hold on to its current market advantage. What say you, dear reader? Is a webOS-powered PalmPad on your radar? Or do Android tablets powered by NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra2 processor – Notion Ink Adam – take top-billing?

[Via: Engadget]

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The device still has that 5-inch display, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS connectivity, and the 1GHz processor under the hood. Unfortunately, the press release doesn’t do anything to clarify which version number of Android the Streak will launch with, so our best guess would still have to be Android 1.6. But, that fancy Android 2.1 upgrade is definitely worth the wait.

As for pricing and the date you’ll be able to get your hands on it, that would be $300 on a new, two-year contract with AT&T, and you’ll be able to get your own on August 13th. Or, if you prefer to go sans a contract, then you’ll have to drop $550. August 13th is right around the corner, so who’s going to start the line first?

Press Release

Dell Creates Choice and Freedom to Talk, Watch, Surf, and Connect with New 5-Inch Tablet

ROUND ROCK, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dell (NASDAQ: DELL):

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives.”

NEWS:

* Orders for the Dell Streak Tablet open up for U.S. priority pre-sale registrants at www.dell.com/mobile this Thursday, August 12. General availability follows a day later at www.dell.com/mobile.
* The Dell Streak is available for $299.99 with new two-year AT&T contract†, and $549.99 without. Customers who purchase the Streak, and signed up during the pre-sale program, will receive a free second-day shipping upgrade. Customers who redeem their pre-sale coupon can purchase a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for 99 cents while supplies last.

HITTING A SWEET SPOT

The Dell Streak, a carbon black Android-based tablet with a 5-inch display, is designed to provide an excellent “on-the-go” entertainment, social connection, and navigation experience. The spacious 5-inch screen is ideal for experiencing thousands of Android Market widgets, games and applications, all without squinting or compromising portability. Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth capability and available 3G connectivity brings easy access for downloading and listening to music, updating social networking status in real-time, and staying connected to friends and family through e-mail, text, IM, and voice calls.

On-the-go students, mobile professionals, and active families will find Streak’s web-browsing capabilities as natural as a laptop. The 5-inch screen is large enough to present Web pages in their natural form, create a comfortable viewing experience, and make turn-by-turn navigation simple. The Dell Streak is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor to combine basic functionality and benefits of a laptop in a pocket friendly size.

The Dell Streak was designed with the future in mind to support future software, application and platform upgrades.

QUOTE:

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives.” – Ron Garriques, president, Dell Communication Solutions

DELL STREAK FEATURES:

* Integrated Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views
* A full screen browsing experience with a 5-inch capacitive multi-touch WVGA display
* Easily integrated social media apps: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
* High resolution 5 MP camera, VGA front facing camera, removable battery, built-in Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth connectivity options
* 2GB* of internal storage provides plenty of space to access and download Google Android Market’s many options
* Packaged with cushions made from 100 percent sustainable, compostable bamboo

DELL STREAK SPECIFICATIONS:

* Android platform complete with Android Market and Dell user interface enhancements
* Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon solution with integrated 1GHz processor
* 3G + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
* UMTS / GPRS / EDGE class 12 GSM radio with link speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps*
* 5 MP Autofocus camera with dual LED flash. Easily point, shoot, and upload to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and more
* User accessible Micro SD expandable memory available up to 32GB*. Store up to 42 movies* or 32,000 photos*, or 16,000 songs* with a 32GB* Micro SD upgrade

Follow conversations in the blogosphere: #DellStreak

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It looks like the European Union is joining the Federal Trade Commission in investigating if Apple’s exclusion of Adobe Flash technology on its iOS products unlawfully harms competition.

The governmental agencies are looking into the issue because Adobe complained that the lack of Flash on the devices’ web browsers and Apple banning it as a development tool would hurt Adobe’s business. While Flash is (very) slowly making its way onto every major smartphone platform, the Apple iPhone and iPad users are highly-coveted by advertisers and publishers.

Looking at it from Apple’s perspective, the company still believes that Flash is an outdated technology that draws too many resources to be practical on a mobile device. Additionally, the company is nowhere near a monopoly, so it has every right to dictate how and what can get on its platform – there are plenty of great Apple iPhone alternatives nowadays.

In the end, I don’t think the FTC will do anything about the lack of Flash on the Apple iOS products because there’s no real legal case – in regards to U.S. law – to be made with the plethora of other options out there. The EU is a different beast altogether though, as it has successfully made Microsoft decouple Internet Explorer from Windows, so there’s a chance something may happen.

We’ve already seen the European Commission implement a technology directive which may force Apple to adopt Adobe Flash but I don’t know how well a poorly-supported, forced Flash experience would be.

As I’ve said before, I believe Adobe’s best bet is making Flash a stellar experience on every other single mobile platform in order to condition users and developers to have a full web experience on the go. Once that happens, the Apple iOS devices will look woefully out of date and could be forced to cave on the issue.

[Via The New York Post]

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Another day, another Samsung Epic 4G rumor for Sprint. Initial rumors said that the Galaxy S variant would be launching on August 11, and seeing how it’s a day away and it’s all quiet on Big Yellow’s front, it’s safe to say that ain’t happening. The new rumor says that the Epic 4G will be launching on August 21, and that time frame seems a little more feasible given the very recent FCC filing we saw for the Samsung handset.

User Powrman811 from the Android Central forums says that according to a solid source at Sprint, the handset will indeed be launching closer to the end of August–the 21st, to be exact.

“MY GO TO SPRINT PEOPLE told me that I can order my store inventory on August 16th and sell on the 21st,” he says.

He certainly is ecstatic about his go-to Sprint people, it seems. While there is no solid evidence that it will be launching in just over 10 days, it’s nice to dream a little dream.

If you’d like to see a little more of the Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint, check out our hands-on coverage here while you wait.

[Via: Android Central]

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The report says that the Seoul, South Korea office was raided by police earlier today (a lot earlier). Apparently, the Korean National Police has been investigating Google Korea LLC based on the suspicions of unauthorized collection and storage of data on unspecified Internet users from WiFI networks. Google, in their defense, has been collecting data and images for their Street View Maps feature, since late last year. However, obviously their collections raised plenty of red flags to get their office raided

As of this writing, Google hasn’t commented on anything pertaining to the raid in Seoul, but we’re thinking that will change soon enough. While the FTC and other European governments also partake in their own investigations of Google, we’ll have to wait and see what happens with the data that Google is supposedly collecting.

[via Reuters]

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The strong growth comes as rivals Microsoft and Sony plan to debut their own motion gaming systems, Kinect and Move, in time for the holiday shopping season.  Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto has previously said that he sees the competing systems as a “great honor” to the company, while also saying that the challenge Nintendo face is making the next-gen Wii experience “unique” despite generic hardware.

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Microsoft’s Mediaroom application may be coming to its Windows Phone 7 handsets, according to a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) that appeared on Microsoft’s accessibility website. The document reveals the existence of the aptly named “Microsoft Mediaroom Client for Windows Phone 7 v1.0″. Though the application is not detailed within the document, we need only look at the Windows Mobile version and Microsoft’s website to get a sneak peek at the core features of this upcoming Mediaroom client .

With its emphasis on media, Windows Phone 7 is a perfect fit for Mediaroom, an IPTV platform introduced by Microsoft in 2007. Mediaroom integrates into set-top boxes to deliver live and on-demand media content over a Microsoft IPTV network. This platform has been adopted by 26 providers worldwide as their primary Internet TV solution and includes DVR features like video recording and scheduling, time shifting, and a program guide. A prime example of Mediaroom in action is AT&T’s U-Verse service in the US, which ironically just launched an iPhone version on Monday.

It only makes sense that Microsoft is planning to launch Mediaroom on its make-or-break Windows Phone 7 mobile OS. The first Mediaroom application was rolled out for Windows Mobile and was unveiled during Ballmer’sCES 2010 keynote. This Windows Mobile version of Mediaroom allows users to watch video-on-demand and stream recorded content to their handsets. The Mediaroom website expands on these early features and suggests that future versions will allow users to browse an on-phone program guide as well as schedule and manage recordings.

With AT&T as a launch partner for Windows Phone 7 and the Mediaroom-powered U-Verse as a service offered by the broadband division of this telecommunications giant, we would expect to see this mobile  debut alongside these hot, new handsets. Anyone excited by the prospect of streaming mobile TV on your Windows Phone 7 handset?

[Via Istartedsomething]

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Our smartphones are little computers that fit in our pockets, but we’re still so used to thinking of them as just phones that we sometimes forget that these little things are susceptible to viruses, too. Today, a Trojan virus for Android has been discovered by Kaspersky Lab. The virus is named Trojan-SMS.ANdroidOS.FakePlayer.a and has apparently already infected a few smartphones.

According to Kaspersky Lab, the virus is disguised as a media player app:

The new malicious program penetrates smartphones running Android in the guise of a harmless media player application. Users are prompted to install a file of just over 13 KB with the standard Android extension .APK. Once installed on the phone, the Trojan uses the system to begin sending SMSs to premium rate numbers without the owner’s knowledge or consent, resulting in money passing from a user’s account to that of the cybercriminals.

What does Kaspersky Lab recommend when you’re downloading apps or allowing access to your handset? Be vigilant and pay attention to just what you’re allowing access to. It goes without saying, of course, but the fact that handsets have already been affected by this virus means it can easily slip through our filters.

And here we were already worried about applications that were stealing our data and sending them overseas.

[Kaspersky Lab via Mobile Burn]

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BlackBerry has been making progress in India by offering message metadata, which could be a way for RIM to offer the Saudis some tracking capability without giving up any cryptographic keys. Maybe simply having local servers will enable the CITC to acquire warrants for access, rather than them needing to have continual surveillance on what’s going through them. RIM maintains that BlackBerry security is still bulletproof, and nobody should be worried about foreign snooping, however they’re also intently keen on meeting the standards set by law.

Kuwait has since backed down from a BlackBerry ban, and the local states of Oman and Bahrain have said definitively that they won’t interrupt service. The United Arab Emirates was the first one to recently voice concerns, followed shortly Lebanon, Indonesia, Tunisia, and Algeria. It’ll be interesting to see if they demand a solution similar to Saudi Arabia’s for keeping tabs on BlackBerry communications, but no matter how that problemresolves, it will be especially difficult for local governments to tap into anything sent over a BES.

[via Reuters]

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The successor to the original Motorola Droid goes up for pre-sale tomorrow, August 11, for Verizon Wireless. Get excited! The Droid 2 is faster than the original and comes with Android 2.2 or Froyo, which means you’ll get Adobe Flash 10.1, app storage to SD cards and much more. It has a 3.7-inch display, perfect if you think those 4-inch or 4.3-inch screens are just a shade too big for you, and it’s preloaded with an 8GB memory card.

If the Droid 2 is a little too vanilla for you, there will also be an R2D2 version for all you Star Wars fans out there, too. According to Verizon, “The special version of the phone will feature exclusive Star Wars content and external hardware designed to look like the trusty Droid from the film saga.” It will be available online in September and will be a limited edition item. Pretty nifty!

The handset will be available for pre-sale on August 11 through Verizon’s website, and on August 12 at retail stores for $199 after a $100 mail-in-rebate, and of course two precious years of your life on a smartphone data plan. If you plan on grabbing one before stock runs out, assuming the rage for this is as huge as the Droid X, you’d better get to stores early!

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a pioneer in the mobile industry, today announced that DROID™ 2 by Motorola will be available for pre-sale on August 11. Hitting all the right keys, DROID 2 is a feature-packed device that helps manage work and social life with an enhanced QWERTY keyboard, ultra high-speed Web browsing, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, full push corporate e-mail, intuitive social messaging and Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 for access to the full web – all built on Android 2.2.

“When we announced DROID X last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to continue to bring unique Android experiences to the Verizon Wireless network,” said Jeffrey Dietel, vice president – wireless device, marketing and development for Verizon Wireless. “The DROID by Motorola was our first Android device, so it is important for us to include the successor to that phone in our portfolio. DROID 2 is not only a continuation of our commitment to Android but offers customers the features and form-factor they crave on the Verizon Wireless network.”

“With the new DROID 2, we’ve taken a big leap forward from the original DROID,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer of Motorola Mobile Devices and Home Business. “We listened to consumers and are providing an even more robust experience built on Android 2.2 that includes a new keyboard, increased processing power, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities to send, access and share information even quicker than before.”

DROID 2’s super-slim design helps customers e-mail, text and tweet with ease. DROID 2 offers a redesigned symmetrical keyboard with raised keys for more responsive typing to push out notes and status updates. Speech-to-text input and the virtual multi-touch keyboard allow for quick messaging; or customers can also use Swype for even easier text input. In addition, full push corporate e-mail delivers enhanced features such as remote wipe and password enforcement so that information remains secure.

DROID 2 packs power and speed. Customers can enjoy the freedom of wireless with the 3G Mobile HotSpot and the ability to connect up to five compatible Wi-Fi® devices, and watch content on the full multi-touch 3.7-inch brilliant display, or share content captured on the 5-megapixel camera with enhanced functionality and DVD-quality video capture with DLNA connectivity to share on compatible devices.

Customers can also download favorite apps from Android Market™, which has more than 70,000 applications, and store them on 8 GB of preloaded on-board memory and the 8 GB microSD™ card, which can be upgraded to a 32 GB SD card for a total cargo capacity of 40 GB. Popular apps available on DROID 2 include NFL Mobile (downloadable), Skype mobile(™) and BLOCKBUSTER On Demand® presented by V CAST Video. Customers can even manage their wireless accounts or their contacts from their phones with My Verizon and with Backup Assistant(SM).

“It’s great to see amazing new smartphones like the DROID 2 come pre-installed with Flash Player 10.1,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Creative and Interactive Solution Business Unit at Adobe. “With the completely redesigned and hardware accelerated Flash Player 10.1, DROID 2 users will be able to experience the full Web on the go.”

Adobe Flash Player 10.1 lets mobile users experience millions of websites the way they were meant to be seen – with rich Internet applications (RIAs), content inside the browser, including games, animations, data presentations and visualizations, e-commerce, music, video, audio and more.

R2-D2 DROID 2
In honor of the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, Verizon Wireless will offer a limited-edition R2-D2 version of the DROID 2, available only online in September. The special version of the phone will feature exclusive Star Wars content and external hardware designed to look like the trusty Droid from the film saga. Visitors to the upcoming Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Fla., can see a preview of the limited edition phone and sign up to receive alerts when the phone is ready for sale.

Pricing and Availability
DROID 2 by Motorola will be available at www.verizonwireless.com on August 11, and it will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning August 12 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. In addition to subscribing to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan, customers will also need to subscribe to an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.

Customers can add the optional 3G Mobile HotSpot service to their DROID 2 smartphones for $20 per month. The 3G Mobile HotSpot allows customers to turn their phones into a wireless modem for up to five compatible Wi-Fi® devices. In addition, current Verizon Wireless customers who have contracts ending by December 31, 2010, can upgrade to any smartphone, including DROID 2, without penalty.

For more information on DROID 2 by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com. For information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

[Via: Verizon Wireless]

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In its five-year fiscal report for the top wireless carriers in the US, IE Market Research predicted that AT&T will overtake Verizon Wireless as the nation’s largest wireless carrier. The report cites AT&T’s increasing growth rate and Verizon’s falling growth rate for this leadership change which is expected to occur in 2011. Much of this momentum is attributed to AT&T’s enviable position as the exclusive carrier of the Apple iPhone in the US.

In the next five years, both AT&T and Verizon Wireless are expected to see increases in the numbers of subscribers and market share. In 2014, AT&T is predicted to have 127 million mobile subscribers or 34.8% market share; while Verizon Wireless is predicted to take the runner-up position with 118.7 million mobile subscribers or 32.5% market share. The forecast is not so rosy for Sprint which, despite a strong Q2 2010, is expected to continue to lose subscribers to its larger rivals and will retain only a 13% market share by 2014.

Though interesting, this study fails to take into account the influence of Android on the future of this mobile landscape. Android is exploding and, as the primary carrier for Android handsets in the US, Verizon Wireless is riding this tidal wave of success. The study also presumes AT&T will enjoy the bounty that the iPhone offers over the next five years. Though AT&T is unconcerned, the wireless carrier may lose its competitive edge if Verizon launches an iPhone in 2011 as rumored.

Now that IEMR has had its turn with the crystal ball, it is now your turn to do some predicting. Hit us up in the comments and let us know what you think the wireless carrier landscape will look like in five years from now. Will AT&T be number one or will Verizon retain its lead? What about Sprint and T-Mobile, will they still be in the game or will the two carriers be forced to merge to stay alive?

[Via IEMR and Electronista]

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