Thanks to motofan.ru, we have some handset renders that imply a Motorola Android-powered phone headed for Verizon. Code-named “Sholes”, the site alleges that it will arrive in the U.S. on Verizon’s network in October and have the following:

• 480 x 854 3.7-inch display
• 512MB storage, 256MB RAM
• microSD/microSDHC support up to 16GB (8GB ships with phone!)
• 5-megapixel camera with autofocus
• GPS
• USB, Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi

It’s also possible that this device will be friendly to both CDMA and EVDO Rev A. From the rendering, this device looks to appeal to both the consumer and the business professional. We hope that the Sholes comes to fruition.

Source: engadget

Ah, Facebook – the phenomenon of social sites that has brought family members, old friends, and co-workers together from all over the globe. Finally, Facebook is about to launch their official app for the Android platform, and although more limited than the iPhone version, it is a welcome addition to the Android Market. It will utilize their new Stream API, providing both stream and status updates. Given the intense rivalry between Facebook and Google, it’s great to see that the rivalry did not preclude a little bit of working together to make Facebook on Android a reality. With so many Android handsets about to roll out, it’s a good move by the folks at Facebook to develop for this up-and-coming platform and hopefully more functionality will come in the future. Allegedly the app will be available as soon as the end of this week.

Source: TechCrunch

Thanks to Cloned in China, we have what appears to be the first leaked image of Philips’ first Android handset, the V808. Very little is known about the device, but it’s alleged to have a 3.2-inch HVGA display and 3.2 megapixel camera with video recording capability. Unfortunately, that’s about all we have so far as specs go, but at least there are a few pictures to get a better idea about this device. Should this device come to fruition, it has a minimalist design. Hopefully there are some surprises under the hood or some way the V808 will distinguish itself, otherwise it’s likely to be just another “me too” Android offering.

Source: engadget

It’s small, it’s cute, and it’s powerful – all of which can describe both the mintpad multimedia device and our favorite little green ‘droid, the Android OS. The next gen mintpad from mintpass may depart from Windows CE and adopt the Android operating system. According to a mintpass account executive interviewed by Pocketables, the next mintpad will see some improved specs (larger screen, metal body, WiBro and GPS) and possibly Android, but at this time it is being considered but has yet to be chosen. Hopefully we shall see more mintpads in the U.S. and at a price point that will give Apple’s iPod Touch some real competition.

Source: electronista

For a while it was a little touch-and-go (pardon the pun) as to whether or not the G2 Touch on T-Mobile UK would be released in July. Some reports indicated August, but according to new information from T-Mobile UK, the G2 Touch will be available online tomorrow and should hit the store shelves within just a few days. If you plan on grabbing a G2 Touch when it’s available, let us know what you think of the device.

Source: Talk Android via T-Mobile UK

Android Donut has just been release to developers, and Google has packed it with some really good stuff. Along with CDMA compatibility for possible future Android handsets on Sprint and Verizon in the U.S., the rest of the update is reported to have the following:

• Improved universal search
• Text-to-speech support
• Automated backups
• Changed connectivity bar allowing one-touch home screen control of WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.
• WPA Enterprise encryption support
• VPN functionality
• Other performance improvements

Several screenshots are available over at Android Community and as more information becomes available, we’ll post it here.

Source: Android Community

If you aren’t familiar with the wizards over at XDA Developers, then this is a good opportunity to get acquainted with them as they walk you through the step-by-step of installing the HTC Hero’s fabulous Sense UI onto your T-Mobile G1. It is not for the faint of heart and is an involved process, but it’s something you can do with their help. Of course, we here at AndroidArena assume no responsibility whatsoever for any mishaps you encounter along the way, so this is certainly a caveat emptor kind of situation. Watch the video and give it a go if you want the Sense interface on your G1.

Source: gizmodo

HTC was the first to bring us an Android handset with the T-Mobile G1, and it appears that their commitment to the platform will only grow as they release more handsets this year and in 2010. In fact, HTC is setting an astonishing pace for Android handsets, planning on churning out enough new models to comprise 50% of their offering. Is this a good indication of HTC’s love of the Android platform? We should say so. The future continues to look bright for Android, and HTC is not shying away from committing half of their handsets to that future.

Source: phandroid

The folks over at The Boy Genius Report (BGR) posted up a couple pictures of the as-yet-unreleased HTC Click, a much more modest Android handset that may be targeted to a younger, less affluent demographic. No specs are yet available and the phone has a vanilla look to it, but if it should come in at $100 or even free (after carrier subsidies), then it’s a great way to bring that little green ‘droid we know and love to the masses.

Pricing and performance is, of course, pure speculation at this point, but the HTC Click is expected to be an inexpensive entry-to-mid-level Android handset that may give Google a nice market share boost. When we get more information we will post it up pronto. In the meantime, what are you looking for in a low-priced Android phone? Is the Click the answer to reaching a broader demographic?

Source:  BGR

Courtesy of the leaking nature of online-retailer Expansys, pull up a chair and take a good look at the sexiness that is Sony Ericsson’s Android phone, the Xperia X3 (”Rachael”). Not only is it beauty on the outside, but it packs a wallop on the inside as well. The specs are revealed as follows:

• Display: 4-inch 800 x 400 pixels, touch
• Network: 2G 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-band), 3G 900/2100 (Dual-band), HSDPA (10Mbps), HSUPA (2Mbps)
• Camera: 8.1 megapixels (auto-focus), 8 x digital zoom, LED flash, image stabilization, smile shutter, face detection
• Video: VGA video recording
• Music: supported formats include MP3, AAC, eAAC+
• Ringtones: Monophonic, Polyphonic (64), MP3, AAC
• Messaging: SMS, MMS (with video), E-mail (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4, MS Exchange)
• Memory: phone book, dialed calls, missed calls, received calls, microSDHC (external)
• Call Features: hands free, caller ID, voice dialing
• Connectivity: miniUSB, 3.5mm AV connector, Bluetooth (2.1), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g)
• Navigation: AGPS

If the Android OS wasn’t doing well already, this device would certainly propel it onward and upward and makes a serious argument for Android in the workplace. The Xperia X3 looks very business and executive to appeal to the working professionals out there, but should be hard to pass up for those tech-savvy consumers out there. Those of us in the U.S. are hoping for a 3G version here in the States, so let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Source:  BGR via All About Phones