Motorola's EX130 is another dual-screen Android device

Some of the greatest leaks come from the most unlikely sources. The FCC is usually the go-to repository for unannounced devices in the pipeline, but the Bluetooth Special Interest Group site is responsible for this one. They revealed the Motorola EX130, which is a dual-screen Android device, like the Samsung Continuum.

Like the Samsung Continuum, the EX130's secondary display is a basic ticker, with 96x16 resolution and a monochromatic display. The primary screen is a 2.8-inch QVGA display. Other stats include 128MB of internal memory and 64MB of RAM.

Given the pretty basic specs, the EX130 looks like a budget-friendly device. But it's unique styling and novel ticker display might set it apart from other budget Android devices. According to the Bluetooth S.I.G. page, the EX130 is bound for Europe, Asia, and South

Adobe Flash Player 10.2 will support 'hardware accelerated video' in Android 3.1

An update for Adobe Flash Player 10.2 in the Android Market gives Android tablet users something to look forward to in the future. According to the small changelog for the update, the software upgrade included 'hardware accelerated video' presentation for devices running the so far unannounced Android 3.1.

The download will not yet work on any current Android tablet. For example, the Motorola XOOM currently runs Android 3.0.1 and Adobe made it clear in their blog that this accelerated video enhancement will only work once the newer 3.1 build of Google's open source OS is installed.

The enhancement is expected to improve 720p HD video playback on Honeycomb flavored tablets that are eventually upgraded to Android 3.1. We should hear about that Android OS build sometime during the Google I/O conference being held in San Francisco May 10th and 11th.

Is Android 3.1 the next version of Honeycomb?

We tend to not look too deeply into this sort of thing, because it's just far too easy to edit a build.prop file to show whatever Android version you want. But between our own Google Analytics, plus the help of a little bird or two, it's starting to look like there's an Android 3.1 version of Honeycomb undergoing testing.

We're not expecting this to be the convergence of Honeycomb and Gingerbread back into some uber-phone/tablet Android OS -- that's most likely going to be in the "I" version of Android. Hopefully we'll get a peek at that at Google IO here in a few short weeks. But in the meantime, we certainly wouldn't look down on an improved version of Honeycomb.

HTC Flyer Wi-Fi-only model passes the FCC test

Here comes a good news for those of you who are planning to purchase the HTC Flyer - the feds have given their approval for the Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet, which brings us one step closer to its actual release.

As we told you, the HTC Flyer was available for pre-order on Best Buy, which priced the 16GB Wi-Fi version at $499. Its launch date is stated as the vague "this spring" on Best Buy's site, but its visit at the FCC only confirms it won't be long before we get the chance to grab this device from the shelves.

The HTC Flyer is set to arrive in Europe on May 9, while some reports claim T-Mobile is to launch this device at some point in the future. Sprint's WiMAX-enabled version of the tablet, named the HTC EVO View 4G, will be available in Q2 of this year.

Nokia and Microsoft sign definitive agreement ahead of schedule

Espoo, Finland and Redmond, Wash. -- Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement on a partnership that will result in a new global mobile ecosystem, utilizing the very complementary assets of both companies. Completed ahead of schedule, the definitive agreement is consistent with the joint announcement made on February 11.

In addition to agreeing to the terms of their partnership, including joint contributions to the development of the new ecosystem, Nokia and Microsoft also announced significant progress on the development of the first Nokia products incorporating Windows Phone. With hundreds of personnel already engaged on joint engineering efforts, the companies are collaborating on a portfolio of new Nokia devices. Nokia has also started porting key applications and services to operate on Windows Phone and joint outreach has begun to third party application developers.

"At the highest level, we have entered into a win-win partnership," said Stephen Elop, President and CEO of Nokia Corporation. "It is the complementary nature of our assets, and the overall competitiveness of that combined offering, that is the foundation of our relationship."

"Our agreement is good for the industry," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. "Together, Nokia and Microsoft will innovate with greater speed, and provide enhanced opportunities for consumers and our partners to share in the success of our ecosystem."

The relationship is structured around four broad areas:

1. A combination of complementary assets, which make the partnership truly unique, including:

- Nokia to deliver mapping, navigation, and certain location-based services to the Windows Phone ecosystem. Nokia will build innovation on top of the Windows Phone platform in areas such as imaging, while contributing expertise on hardware design and language support, and helping to drive the development of the Windows Phone platform. Microsoft will provide Bing search services across the Nokia device portfolio as well as contributing strength in productivity, advertising, gaming, social media and a variety of other services. The combination of navigation with advertising and search will enable better monetization of Nokia's navigation assets and completely new forms of advertising revenue.

- Joint developer outreach and application sourcing, to support the creation of new local and global applications, including making Windows Phone developer registration free for all Nokia developers.

- Opening a new Nokia-branded global application store that leverages the Windows Marketplace infrastructure. Developers will be able to publish and distribute applications through a single developer portal to hundreds of millions of consumers that use Windows Phone, Symbian and Series 40 devices.

- Contribution of Nokia's expertise in operator billing to ensure participants in the Windows Phone ecosystem can take advantage of Nokia's billing agreements with 112 operators in 36 markets.

2. Microsoft will receive a running royalty from Nokia for the Windows Phone platform, starting when the first Nokia products incorporating Windows Phone ship. The royalty payments are competitive and reflect the large volumes that Nokia expects to ship, as well as a variety of other considerations related to engineering work to which both companies are committed. Microsoft delivering the Windows Phone platform to Nokia will enable Nokia to significantly reduce operating expenses.

3. In recognition of the unique nature of Nokia's agreement with Microsoft and the contributions that Nokia is providing, Nokia will receive payments measured in the billions of dollars.

4. An agreement that recognizes the value of intellectual property and puts in place mechanisms for exchanging rights to intellectual property. Nokia will receive substantial payments under the agreement.

With the definitive agreement now signed, both companies will begin engaging with operators, developers and other partners to help the industry understand the benefits of joining the new ecosystem. At the same time, work will continue on developing Nokia products on the Windows Phone platform, with the aim of securing volume device shipments in 2012. The scale of both companies' mutual commitment is significant and is in keeping with the intention to build a new ecosystem based on this long-term, strategic partnership.

Motorola Droid Pro Update Now Rolling Out to All

Last week it was discovered that the Motorola DROID PRO was due for an update, one that would bring the phone up to Blur version 3.8.7 and provide a bevy of fixes and tweaks int he process. Much of the update has to do with correcting certain ActiveSync problems, but it also includes the VCAST Appstore. Reports had us thinking it had started already rolling out, but the update seems to have been hitting handsets sparingly. Today, Motorola announced the larger push of the update should start hitting handsets in waves. If you haven’t received yours yet, hang tight. More info in the update can be found at Motorola’s support page.

Android 2.2 Froyo update hits the T-Mobile Motorola Defy

For some owners of Motorola's resilient smartphone the Defy, the wait is finally over. Those on T-Mobile in US are finally getting the Froyo 2.2 update that some Android users have been enjoying since as far back as summer last year.
The Defy shipped with Eclair 2.1 and, at the time, offered plenty of bang for your buck. However as time passed and competition improved the smartphone started slipping down the ranks. Fortunately now Motorola are bringing the Defy's first update, which will help it regain some ground.
The Android 2.2 Froyo update is available over the air. You can get it by going to "About Phone" in the device's Settings menu and hitting "System Software Updates". The download itself is around 112MB so it's advised to get it onto your handset whilst connected over Wi-Fi or using an appropriate data plan.
The Defy's Android Froyo 2.2 update brings benefits such as Wi-Fi Hotspot functionality (up to 5 devices), Flash support and allows you to install apps to the SD card as well. On top of these blanket improvements, Motorola have also been tinkering and tweaking the Defy's performance and have added new profiles, each with three customisable home screens, contacts search from your dialler, LinkedIn account integration to your contacts, social networking and messaging updates and revamped gallery UI.

LG Optimus 2x Official At RM1899, LG Optimus Black To Come In May

8 April 2011- LG today announced two new Android smartphones into the Optimus line - the Optimus 2x and the LG Optimus Black. Both are Android 2.2 (Froyo) powered phones, and the Optimus 2x comes with a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, which promises high-performance web browsing and seamless multitasking.

The Tegra 2 processor runs at a clock speed of 1GHz and LG claims that it efficient enough not to drain the Optimus 2x's battery. The 4-inch touchscreen smartphone displays 480x800 pixels and is equipped with an 8-megapixel camera and a 1.3-megapixel camera. Other smartphones staples include HSDPA 10.2Mbps, WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1. It comes with 8GB internal memory and is expandable up to 32GB.
Another addition to the Optimus line-up is the LG Optimus Black, featuring a 4-inch Nova touchscreen. The Nova is capable of 700 Nits which LG claims is the brightest screen in the market, making it a more natural experience when reading on the screen. It is also designed to maintain visibility whether indoors or outdoors.

As for the Nova screen draining the Optimus Black's battery life? The Nova display reportedly reduces power consumption during indoor use compared to a conventional LCD. The smartphone also comes with WiFi Direct which uses the turns other gadgets around the Optimus Black into mini access points.

LG's custom Optimus 2.0 UI is skinned on top of the Android 2.2 OS, letting you directly access messages, emails and missed calls from the locked screen.


LG Optimus Black

The smartphone comes is equipped with a 5-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel front facing camera. Connectivity-wise, there is HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1. The phone is set to be available in May, and LG will announce the pricing then.

According to LG, the Android 2.2 (Froyo) platforms will be updated to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) by June 2011 either through PC or over-the-air.