Newcomer Philips W920 in the Block

Though it released cellphones every now and then, Philips never really made it big in the cellphone competition. And now that Android smart-phones have invaded the market, Philips once again joins in and reminds the public that it is still making phones. It recently announced its latest Android device, dubbed the W920. Whether or not it will hit the goldmine this time is not entirely doubtful. This one holds some small promises.

The Philips W920 sports a black & gold combination and a style almost similar to that of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. It is obviously not among the slimmest or the lightest, with its design measuring 12 mm thick and weighing 180 grams.

The Philips W920 can not even be among the fastest Android phones. Most phones carry the fastest processors nowadays, while this one is still equipped with the dated 1 GHz QualComm Snapdragon S1 and a 512 MB RAM. Moreover, it comes loaded with Android 2.2 Froyo, which is relatively obsolete considering that Android phones these days come with Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich.

In conclusion, the Philips W920 is almost a latecomer in the Android bandwagon. But if it gets its pricing right for the middle and lower ranges, Philips may make it big this time.

The Iconic Galaxy S2

Among the Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is the most iconic and famous. It seemed like a poster boy (or poster phone, for that matter) of the Galaxy phones, that helped Samsung acquire a lion's share in the Android market. It greatly captured the public's imagination and fascination for smart-phones. But which of its features really set it apart from the rest? The following is a quick overview of the highlights of the iconic Samsung Galaxy S2.

Speaking of design, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is said to be among the slimmest and lightest of Android phones. Of course, even the least demanding of Android users prefer the sleekest phone over bulky ones. It carries a wide 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Advanced touchscreen display, which gives off more vibrant colors and eye-popping visuals. Other lower-end phones just use color touchscreen displays.

When it comes to speed and performance, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is a topnotch. It carries a 1.2 gigahertz dual core Cortex A9 processor and a Mali-400MP GPU. Of course, nobody will want a slow smart-phone.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The good news is that Samsung just revealed its plans to load the new Ice Cream Sandwich OS on the S2 next year. Now that's a delightful upgrade.

HTC infringed Apple patent - ITC

HTC's Android phones, and most likely all Android phones, may become a little bit harder to user. This is because Apple Inc. recently won a patent case against HTC, in regards to the capability of HTC phones to scan for phone numbers and e-mail addresses in a text, and then perform an action when they are tapped by the user. The US International Trade Commission ruled that HTC infringed this specific patent, as Apple alleged.

Because of this decision, the ITC banned HTC from exporting some of its Android 2.2 phones that have the said capability, unless HTC removes it. Affected HTC phones include the Verizon Droid Incredible, the T-Mobile G2, the Sprint Evo 4G and the AT&T Aria. However, HTC said in a statement that it will completely remove the said capability from all its phones soon, and that the patent is just a minor user interface ability. In other words, this is not much of a deal-breaker for HTC.

Moreover, the ITC ruling does not prevent Apple Inc. from going after other Android phone makers. The aim of patent law is to allow companies to innovate their products and ideas without them getting stolen by competitors. And so in the end, Android users will have to bear the brunt.

Android Invasion

And the Android invasion continues. Google's Senior Vice President Andy Rubin just tweeted and announced that Android activations increased to around 700,000 per day. In other words, there are close to a million Android devices that sign up for the first time in the wireless service and Android market. To say that there are many Android users is an understatement.

The announcement is just incredible and overwhelming, considering that a month ago Google also revealed that there are estimated 500,000 Android activations per day and around 200 million activated Android devices in the world. So at the outset, there is a 200,000 increase in Android activations within a one month period.

'Android activation' means a fresh-from-the-store Android device is signed on to a network, for the first time, for wireless service. The statistics did not count resold devices. The number of Android devices worldwide is somewhat half-expected, simply because of the Android's multi-platform compatibility; and is also half-unexpected, also simply because of the sheer quantity. Close to a million Android activations every day is almost incomprehensible.

Assuming that the 700,000 Android activations per day does not increase within the next year, that will be around 5 million units a week and around 20 million units a month. On a yearly basis, it will be an estimated 240 million Androids annually. Now that's what an invasion is.

The Motorola RAZR Comeback

The Motorola RAZR comes back, now as an Android phone. Back then in its early days half a decade ago, the RAZR ever set itself apart from the rest with its sleek and elegant designs combined with cutting edge technology. However, just as non-conformists always end up, the Motorola RAZR was inevitably trumped by the more powerful phones and the then-emerging smart-phones. Now, it resurrects itself as the Motorola Droid RAZR.

The Motorola Droid RAZR speaks of attractive, lightweight and sleek design, of which the RAZR line was famous for. It features a Super AMOLED 4.3-inch Advanced display, that gives off jaw-dropping and eye-popping visuals. It also uses Gorilla Glass, a scratch-resistant glass for mobile devices. This will be a joy especially for eyecandy fanatics.

As for the camera, the Motorola Droid RAZR carries an 8-megapixel shooter with 1080p video capability and an LED flash. Most reviews said that images and videos are of decent quality. Moreover, it has a Webtop functionality and plenty of multimedia features.

To say that the Motorola Droid RAZR performs well is an understatement. It carries a dual core 1.2 GHz and TI OMAP 4430 processor, which should be fast enough even for the most meticulous of smart-phone geeks. It runs on Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 OS.

The Galaxy S2, Evolved

There is a rumor circulating among tech circles that the faster and better version of the Samsung Galaxy S2 will also arrive in the US. Dubbed as the Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE, it was recently released exclusively in South Korea. But until Samsung confirms its release in the US, Galaxy fans in other countries may have to sulk at not being able to get the first hands on it. The following is a quick over view of the Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE is one of the first few smart-phones in the world to have used the HD Super AMOLED display. With thousands of colors, it gives off jaw-dropping and eye-popping visuals. This will be an extreme delight for those with meticulous aesthetic standards. And speaking of design, it is slightly slimmer and thinner than its predecessor, measuring 9.5 mm thick and 4.6 oz light.

As for the cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE features an 8-megapixel at the back and a 2-megapixel on the front.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE carries a monster of a processor – a 1.5 GHz dual-core QualComm processor and an Adreno 220 GPU. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Moreover, it packs a 16 gigabyte internal storage, expandable up to 32 gigabyte, with 1 gigabyte of RAM.

HTC Rezound: Resounding the Beats

Ever since smart-phones captured the public's imagination, stronger, better and faster phones are released every year. For this year, the HTC released its 'most powerful' Android creation – the HTC Rezound. This smart-phone is a force to reckon among Android phones, and unarguably HTC's best so far. The following is a quick review of the HTC Rezound.

The HTC Rezound boasts of being one of the first devices to have integrated the Beats audio technology. It includes a pair of iBeats earphones and a music player. This is surely a treat for music enthusiasts.

The HTC Rezound packs 1 gigabyte of RAM and 16 gigabyte of internal memory, expandable up to 32 gigabyte with a microSD card. With its humongous memory space, the user can fit in his whole music and movie library. For photo and video recording, it comes with two cameras: a 2 megapixel on the front and an 8 megapixel at the back.

Moreover, the HTC Rezound carrries a beast of a processor. It uses an Adreno 220 GPU and a 1.5 GHz dual-core QualComm processor. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

In conclusion, the music fans and enthusiasts will find the HTC Rezound appealing. It is a monster of a music player, with its Beats audio technology integration and the included iBeats earphones.

Delightful Treat from Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus' tasty operating system has just gotten tastier than ever. Samsung already confirmed that they will also release the Android 4.0, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich, on some of the Galaxy devices that are set to roll out this 1st Quarter of 2012. This is an extremely delightful for those who are skipping on the Galaxy Nexus but not on the Ice Cream Sandwich.

This tasty Android 4.0 update is set to come out on Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II LTE and Galaxy R. Moreover, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus are also lined up for the Ice Cream Sandwich OS. That's a bunch of delightful treats. However, the only sad part of the news is that Samsung also emphasized that the Android 4.0 update will be available depending on the carrier and region.

The Android 4.0, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich, is the latest in the line-up of Android operating systems. It was first released on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It features enhanced speed and performance, accelerated user interface, virtual buttons and tab-separated widgets. The user can now also browse the web using tabs. It also touts the Face Unlock, which allows the user to unlock the smart-phone through a facial recognition software.

Smart Android Archos 35 Home Phone Landed In US Market

The Smart Android Archos 35 Home Phone has introduced to the world earlier in this year, and presently at the FCC event, this smart home phone is likely to try landing in the US market.

For the hardware specs, the Archos 35 home phone will packs with touchscreen 3.5-inches display (272 x 480 pixel resolutions), CPU using 1Ghz-TI OMAP 3630, and accompanied by Android 2.2 Froyo OS.

Internal memory storage can save up to 8 Gb data. The Archos 35 also has VGA camera on front facing for video calls feature. No official statement about the release date and the price will be offer to the market. but according to the net, This android home phone will offer for $ 159 in September.

LG Upgrade Schedule: Android 4.0 Update In Q2, 2012

Today, Android ICS OS is already spreading to the world market. Several Tablets and Smartphones has upgrades to the most anticipated Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System. But there also many android users is still waiting to the date when they own gadget get this firmware update.

Finally, the good news come from LG company to all LG handset owners. from the LG official Facebook account, LG will begin release the update of Android 4.0 ICS in Q2, 2011. All we can do know is just waiting this Android updates until the date is coming.

The company is likely want all the majority of the LG devices can get this updates. Here is the following handset models, Prada phone by LG 3.0, LG Optimus LTE, LG Optimus Sol, LG Optimus 2X, LG Eclipse and LG my Touch Q.

Verizon COnfirm Signal Strength Bug On Galaxy Nexus

Last Monday, the Verizon Wireless company confirmed to the press that they still working on the software patch on signal strength bug for the present release phone, Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

The Verizon support department tweet on the company Twitter account said, "The signal strength bug is presently being investigated". "We do not have an ETA, however its software updates is being developed".

This Galaxy Nexus software issues is sometimes the signal strength is lower than other Verizon device in the same room. However, according to the BGR website, the team have no experienced happen on slowed data transfer and any call drops that may occur from bad connection. The Verizon company launch the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on last week and we also wait the new release for worldwide market to the date.

Samsung Galaxy S II And Note: Android 4.0 Update In Q1 2012

Samsung speaks to the public that its popular products, Samsung Galaxy S II And the new Galaxy Note will be on list to receive an official updates, Android 4.0 ICS in Q2 2012. The company clai these both android handsets will get new Ice Cream Sandwich system within next following 3 months.

After these two handsets, it will be following by several other Samsung handsets on list. Here is the next upgradeable Samsung device to Android ICS, Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy S II, Galaxy R, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, and the Galaxy Tab 7.7.

Samsung Company said that they will stay update the information about Android 4.0 ICS update details to the public.

Top 4 Android Applications for 2011

One of the nice things that android devices allow us to do is download different applications. If you are looking for nice applications for you android phone, here are the top 4 android applications for December 2011.

Top 1 Facebook
Still on the top spot is the official Facebook application for android. This application is a total must have for Facebook users. You can access your Facebook account with ease and update your status and post photos as well.

Top 2 Angry Birds Lite
Another famous game that was popularized by iPhone is a game about birds and pigs. In this game, the player should kill the pigs in every level to be able to retrieve the stolen bird’s eggs.

Top 3 Google Shopper
Google shopper allows you to find the best deals and discounts offered in stores near you. This is a really convenient application that lets you save money on shopping.

Top 4 Photo Live Wallpaper
Photo Live Wallpaper is an app which lets you display your photos form Facebook, Picasa, or your phone as live wallpaper. There are also different presentations to choose from so you can display you memories all the time.

These are the top 4 downloaded android application as of December 2011. If you need new stuff for your phone, download and try these apps.