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Motorola Updates Official ICS Timetable – Not Looking So Good For US Droid Razrs, Bionics and Droid 4′s Posted: 12 Mar 2012 06:25 PM PDT Motorola has recently updated their Android 4.0 upgrade schedule for a handful of their devices and while some look to be right on track for that Q2 Ice Cream Sandwich update, others — like the US Motorola Droid Razr — have completely fallen off the map. You can see in the image above, the Asian version of many of their devices are currently in the “development phase” and will be receiving their ICS fix beginning in the second quarter of this year, just a few short months away. Unfortunately, for many US Motorola customers, ICS is still in the “evaluation and planning” stages with an estimated time of arrival to be announced sometime later. I know that doesn’t sound too optimistic at the moment and while I’m sure many Moto users out there are already making “loud noises,” keep in mind nowhere does the table say Android 4.0 wont hit these devices in Q2. So, there’s still a chance. Right? For more info and device listings, hit up the Motorola Forums link below [Motorola Forums] Via AndroidCentral

Deal Alert: Galaxy Nexus 3,800mAh Extended Battery For $8 (Free Shipping) Posted: 12 Mar 2012 04:58 PM PDT One of the things I love most about owning an Android device is — despite their sometimes horrendous battery life — most Android phones will allow you to swap out the battery like a magazine clip, for popping in another when you need extra juice on-the-go. I’ve also been known for buying some of the cheapest batteries, from the darkest parts of the web I can find simply for the sake of saving a few bucks. If you’re thrifty shopper like I am, you may want to check out this deal from CellularFactory. They are currently offering a 3,800mAh extended battery with the cover for the Galaxy Nexus, all for the low-low price of just $8 (use code: 1H7RFK for free shipping). No, you wont get NFC capabilities. No, you most likely wont get the same life out of similarly equipped higher-quality 3,800 batteries, but you’ll also be able to take the Mrs. out for a nice night on the town. Thank me later. [CellularFactory | Via Fatwallet and Droid-Life]

VIZIO VTAB1008 Gets Android 3.2 Posted: 12 Mar 2012 03:11 PM PDT While most tablet vendors are worried about upgrading their users from Android 3.2 to Android 4.0, Vizio tablet owners have been stuck on Gingerbread for a while. It seems that they are finally getting a more modern version of Android, however, as reports of an OTA to Android 3.2 have flown in. It’s no Ice Cream Sandwich but it’s still a great tablet experience and is still compatible with all of the tablet-specific apps in the Android market. Users are reporting that their physical buttons for home, menu and back have been disabled and are now replaced by the on-screen buttons. It probably isn’t great for screen real estate but the tablet would still need the bottom strip for the notifications area. Check your device for an upgrade. You’re looking for software version V.I.A. Plus 2.0. [Cheers Lee!]

Motorola DROID X2 Soak Test to Begin Soon Posted: 12 Mar 2012 02:47 PM PDT The Motorola Droid X2 is the latest device in a round of soak tests ad OTAs going out for Motorola phones on Verizon. Of course, we never know what these soak tests may bring before official information is released but we can probably rule Ice Cream Sandwich out. If history is anything to go by, we should know what we’re dealing with before two weeks’ time. Be sure to start backing up your stuff just in case. [via Droid-Life]

Facebook for Android Update Lands in Play Store Posted: 12 Mar 2012 02:11 PM PDT Facebook for Android has gotten a new update today. No changelog accompanied the upload unfortunately, but we can assume that the changes don’t extend far beyond the usual round of bug fixes. Nothing seems to be broken with the update, either. Oh, and none of the fixes are noticeable to us just yet. Head to the Google Play Store for the upgrade if you dare.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to Sell for €729? Posted: 12 Mar 2012 01:37 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has thus far eluded pricing rumors, but AndroidPit seems to believe that it will sell for €729. We’re not sure what their source is but the price seems about right for a tablet these days. The Note 10.1 was introduced at Mobile World Congress last month. (See our hands-on.) It’s not a huge jump up from Samsung’s existing 10.1 inch tablets but it does include support for the S Pen which allows you to write and draw to your heart’s content. It’s said to be out sometime in the second quarter of this year so we still have bit of time to go before even being able to pre-order one. [Thanks, tipster!]

ZTE Venture Presale Now Available Through Virgin Mobile USA Posted: 12 Mar 2012 12:44 PM PDT Virgin Mobile customers in the United States will soon have another Android-based QWERTY device to choose from. This one is a portrait exposed QWERTY, not unlike Blackberry devices. It’s a 2.8 inch device with a 600MHz processor, a 2 megapixel camera and a microSD card slot which comes with a 2GB card pre-installed. March 15th is the day it’s said to drop. If you’re interested, pre-order yours here for $99. [via Android Central]

Readability for Android Now Available Posted: 12 Mar 2012 11:46 AM PDT   For those looking for a good web-page reader, consider an application which just launched exclusively (in the US, anyway) on the Amazon Appstore. The device turns web pages into easy-to-read formats so you can get past all the stuff you don’t care about. It saves you time, data (and, through extension, money), and more importantly, headaches. It’s free to download but you’ll have to load the Amazon Appstore on your phone. Those outside of the US can head to the Google Play Store for their download as Amazon Appstore is not currently available for you. [Amazon Appstore Link]

HTC One X Deluxe Unveiled, Awards Buyers With Beats Solo Headphones Posted: 12 Mar 2012 10:36 AM PDT While the HTC One X hasn’t launched yet, the Taiwanese company is already looking to bring a limited edition version. The HTC One X Deluxe has been unveiled for those who want a little something extra with their purchase. The device is the same as the one we saw at Mobile World Congress, but it comes in white, has white packaging, and, best of all, comes with a pair of Beats Solo (valued at about $180). It’ll run you about $840 if you want to get in on the fun. It’s up to you, then, to decide if you want a pair of the headphones offered. If you do, this bundle might save you on the cost of buying both the phone and the headphones separately (assuming they aren’t available subsidized, of course). The HTC One X is a quad-core device which has NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 processor, Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 4.0, and a great 8 megapixel fast-shutter camera sensor. Find our hands on from late last month here. If you’re in Taiwan and want to get your hands on it, head to Taiwanese retailer ePrice now. [Thanks Han!]

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G launching March 21 at T-Mobile Posted: 12 Mar 2012 09:32 AM PDT T-Mobile and Samsung will be bringing another member of the Galaxy S family into the fold later this month. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G was announced last month for a late March delivery. Now we can mark a more precise date on the calendar. The Blaze will be available in select stores starting March 21st before launching nationwide and online March 28th. The price is set at $149.99 after a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate. If you missed amidst our Mobile World Congress coverage, check out our hands-on with the Blaze 4G from the show.

T-Mobile discontinues Android-powered Sidekick 4G Posted: 12 Mar 2012 09:00 AM PDT Barring the announcement of a new device, it looks like T-Mobile’s Sidekick brand will again be going on hiatus. As of last week, the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G has been discontinued. The phone, which was released last year, revived the line of proto-smartphones with a fresh Android operating system and increased functionality. Still intact was the slide-out QWERTY keyboard that put Sidekick hardware on the map. The result was a surprisingly nice mid-range handset that lived up to its pedigree. We haven’t heard much to suggest an updated Sidekick is headed our way in 2012, but given the line’s history we wouldn’t rule it out. [via TMoNews]

Sony Xperia MT27i ‘Pepper’ makes brief official appearance Posted: 12 Mar 2012 08:48 AM PDT Sony hasn’t made the new device officially official, but their China branch outed an image of the MT27i Pepper only to pull it from their site after a brief moment. The handset, which should get an Xperia tag when it launches, was still going by its model number and code name here. Speaking of tags, though, the image confirms that the mid-range handset will feature the same NFC support found in the likes of the Sony Xperia S and Xperia P. Other rumored specs include a dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz, a 3.7-inch display, and 512MB of RAM. The MT27i was expected to be among the devices announced during the early portion of the year at either CES or MWC but seems to have missed the cut. When Sony does get around to launching the new handset it should compliment their current lineup well. [via AndroidCentral]

All Sprint 4G phones just a penny at AmazonWireless through March Posted: 12 Mar 2012 08:24 AM PDT If you want a great deal on a 4G phone from Sprint then you will want to head over to AmazonWireless between now and March 26th. They are hosting a “March Madness” sale that features all current 4G devices from the carrier for just a penny. You will need to be activating a new contract to take advantage of the deal and also sign up for a data plan that includes Sprint’s $10/month 4G surcharge, but you will score a pretty sweet new phone in the process. Some of the handsets up for grabs include the HTC EVO 3D, Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, and the Nexus S. Pick one up by March 19th and the activation fee will be waived. Is this a WiMAX fire sale? Possibly. Sprint is set to roll out its LTE network in the coming months but this is still a great opportunity to get a quality Android handset in your pocket at an extreme discount. And there ain’t nothing wrong with those WiMAX data speeds, either. [AmazonWireless via Gizmodo]

Samsung Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich update rolling out tomorrow for SK Telecom Posted: 12 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT If a since-deleted tweet is any indication, Korea’s SK Telecom will be pushing Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to the Samsung Galaxy S II starting tomorrow, March 13th. The carrier went so far as to name the specific time the update will go live (10AM local time). All indications are that the rollout is still on for the date and time announced despite the removal of the original tweet. The Verge speculates that perhaps Samsung didn’t want SK Telecom stealing their thunder with the announcement. More pessimistic folk might say that a last minute bug has pushed back the release of the long awaited update. When the update might reach other countries and carriers is still up in the air, but Galaxy S II owners will want to pay attention to SK Telecom and Samsung Mobile. Once ICS gets rolling it’s only a matter of time before it reaches owners everywhere. [via The Verge]

Official NCAA March Madness app comes to Android Posted: 12 Mar 2012 06:52 AM PDT It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air and some of the best college athletes the in the country are on the courts as the nation prepares to go mad for March Madness. The yearly NCAA basketball tournament tips off this week and runs for the rest of the month, and Android owners can catch every minute of it right on their smartphones. The official app of the tourney, NCAA March Madness Live, is now available, bringing live radio coverage of all 67 games to be played, game alerts, and social interactions. Useers can even fill out your own bracket and predict the big winner. The free version of the app provides schedules for catching all the games on TV, but for a $3.99 in-app fee the college showdowns can be streamed directly to your handset as well as game highlights and live-streamed team practices leading up to the Final Four. One drawback is that these video features are only available on Froyo and Gingerbread devices at this time. The app also is not compatible with tablets, so it’s the small screen or bust. Head over to Google Play to grab the download now. Google Play Link: NCAA March Madness Live [via AndroidPolice]