Putting the HTC Tattoo side-by-side with the HTC Nexus One will really make anyone realize at how they target two ends of the extreme spectrum of the market. On one side you’ve got this souped up high-end smartphone that gadget lovers dream about in their sleep, while on the other you see one that’s there for someone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune in moving up to a smartphone. From the looks of it though, the HTC Tattoo with its less than over-imposing specs, is going to see the latest Android 2.1 update down the road. HTC said in a statement, “Kindly note that now we understand that a phone running Android OS 2.1 is available that you are excited to get an update for your Tattoo. We are still working hard to Sense for building this new version but we expect to have the upgrade finished and ready to go soon. Please understand that it takes time to customize any Android release to Ensure You Have The Sense provides intuitive experience, and we hope you can be patient for just a little while longer.” This goes to show how much more time is required if a handset does not offer the stock Google experience out of the box – assuming that it’s the price to pay for owners who prefer a customized experience. Nonetheless, HTC Tattoo owners can really stick it to some of its higher end counterparts when Android 2.1 makes its arrival.
via Android Community

As you probably know, Opera Mini is preferred by many, because it runs fast and allows you to slash on the amount of traffic surfing generates with up to 90% (at least according to the software developer). Version 5 looks better than its predecessor and adds tabs functionality, fail safe storage of passwords, start-up screen with shortcuts to favourite websites and copy/paste option, plus you are permitted to search the Internet for selected words. All these options are active in the recent version for Android as well.

We need to point out Opera Mini 5 beta 2 runs significantly faster than the standard browser that comes with the operating system and the interface of the program is really appealing. Typically of Opera Mini, you are still not allowed to zoom in/out smoothly. There are two operational modes – page overview and close-up mode that can be activated by a double tap. On fully loading pages, Opera Mini shrinks the text so as to fit the display size in close-up mode, but we encountered a glitch here – the text of some pages gets formatted in a rather weird way and becomes virtually impossible to read. All told, web pages do not exactly look the way they do in proper computer browsers, but that´s the trade-off you need to accept to get snappy loading and severely slashed amount of traffic.

Opera Mini 5 beta adds functions like tabs, start-up screen with shortcuts and copy/paste

Still, let´s keep in mind this is a beta version and some of the above-mentioned issues might get fixed by the time the final edition rolls out. Our first impressions of the software are mostly positive and we do recommend the program. Even if you do not intend to use it on regular, get Opera Mini 5 on your Android handset and keep it as an alternative browser. The application may come in quite handy, especially if you want to take a look at a web page, there is no proper 3G coverage and you need to keep the amount of generated traffic down to a minimum. By the way, we need to point out that out test, showed in the short video below was carried out over Wi-Fi.

Opera Mini 5 beta 2 does not offer smooth zooming

Rolling out updates nowadays seems like a time consuming thing when there are certain deadlines to meet so that expectations are met. Fortunately for T-Mobile G1 owners out there who are still breathing high from the out pour of Android handsets of late, T-Mobile came through with their promise of releasing the expected minor G1 update by the original March 15th deadline to everyone. Even though this update only brings forth a radio update that improves call quality, it’s nice to see that this one was able to commence without any delays or problems; unlike the experience Motorola CLIQ owners experienced most recently. The minor G1 update is available as an OTA update so just about everyone should be seeing it on their handsets by now. Looking further ahead, G1 owners are still crossing their fingers hoping that the original pioneer still has a prominent place in Android land.
via Android Central

It was a little over a year ago when Opera released its Mini 4.2 browser for Android-based smartphones, though most users still preferred to use the default WebKit browser as it was a bit more stable and user-friendly. But Opera kept working at it and over the summer had the first beta of the Mini 5, though it was only for Java-based smartphones and Blackberry devices. Now we are happy to report that the new Mini 5 beta 2 browser has been released and is avaliable for Android via the Android Market, or by visiting m.opera.com/next in the phone’s mobile web browser. It comes with tabbed browsing, password management, download manager, and compresses pages down to 90% to increase the speed of them being sent and downloaded to the phone. Unfortunately, multitouch pinch-and-zoom is still missing at this time on Opera Mini, so here’s hoping it will be included on Opera Mobile 10 for Android that is due out at some point later this year.

source: Opera

*UPDATE*
Check out our first-look and video of the Opera Mini 5 beta 2 browser app for Android here.

At long last, the Motorola BACKFLIP has finally been made available to the starved customers on AT&T that have been eager to get their taste in Android’s goodness. We managed to get our hands on the Motorola BACKFLIP and pleased to already find AT&T going through with some of their commitments in being more green friendly as the packaging was extremely compact without all the usual hefty cardboard. Underneath it all was the Motorola BACKFLIP which really has this mystical aura surrounding it – seeing that it has been given the duty to launch Android’s push into the final frontier. You can check out our video below in our unboxing experience and get a first hand glimpse of what to expect with the Motorola BACKFLIP. Check back soon as our full in-depth review will be up shortly!

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Just because the Motorola i1 is an iDEN model doesn’t mean that the Android flavored phone has to scrimp on features. For example, the same tipster that originally told Engadget that the handset would come equipped with a 3MP camera is now recanting that and passing along the word that the phone will have a 5MP shooter on board. Not bad, Motorola, not bad. But wait, there’s more. The device, formerly known as the Opus One, will feature the MOTOBLUR UI which integrates all of your social networks on your desktop and is not a Google-experience phone. As such, Motorola is free to put an Opera Mobile browser under the hood as the default browser. Wow! When you think of all those handsets available for the prepaid networks, the Motorola i1 has the specs to really, really stand out. And with the economy improving slowly at best, offering handsets like this could make it a lot less painful for some to switch to the unlimited non-contract carriers that will offer the model.
source: Engadget

Android’s successful introduction can be attributed to T-Mobile’s almost seemingly gamble on partnering with Google to launch an unknown mobile operating system into the market a while ago. Even though the HTC Desire is still speculated to make its way to AT&T, now T-Mobile’s name is being thrown into the mix as Androincia reports that a T-Mobile store manager was being shuffled away to be trained on several upcoming phones; including the HTC Desire. In trying to find more truth to the speculations, they’ve taken the liberty of contacting T-Mobile employees who state that all of their managers are away for training. With the HTC Nexus One already on board with T-Mobile’s 3G network, the onset of the HTC Desire may open a rift between customers – it’s nice that customers might be offered a choice between two high-end smartphones, but HTC will be competing with itself heavily with T-Mobile’s diverse Android offerings. Although news about T-Mobile getting the HTC Desire might be considered far fetched, previous rumors pointed that other US carriers would receive it as well – so the thought of T-Mobile owning two high-end Android phones aren’t out of the possibility
source: Androincia via Cell Phone Signal

Shortly after the HTC Legend was unveiled during MWC, it was quickly placed for purchase on the web site of the Dutch wireless carrier KPN. During that time, it was slated to be released some time during March – but there was no official word on an exact date. Now it looks like forum members on the Dutch web site Tweakers.net that previously placed their orders for the Android powered smartphone are possibly getting treated to its arrival – it seems as though they’re getting confirmation that it’s scheduled for delivery today. That’s extremely impressive when you consider that it was originally slated for release by the early portion of the second quarter – which obviously starts in April. These lucky individuals will really have something to look forward soon if everything goes accordingly to their advantage – it goes to show that these early adopters that were swift in ordering their phones are lucky to get a special surprise.
source: Tweakers (translated) via Engadget

Raging Thunder is one of the (far too) few games at Android Marketplace that offer more elaborate graphics and complex gameplay. Yes, sad as it is, almost all available games for Android are nothing more than versions of painfully well-known logic puzzles, while at the same time most of the games in the Arcade & Action category are, to put it mildly, of rather poor quality. We hope the recent integration of OpenGL ES 2.0 support into Android is going to change the sad reality and we will get to see an increasing number of more and more spectacular games. We must say we have great expectations relating to the future of Android as a gaming platform.

Now, however, let´s leave the future be and focus on the present instead, the time when Polorbit releases Raging Thunder 2 – a new version of the arcade-style racing game that offers more something of everything. You will be able to relish extremely pleasing graphics and get yourself various and above all, upgradable cars. There are five separate single player modes, but the best thing is the game actually supports multiplayer over local networks and the Internet and it doesn´t even matter whether your opponents use an Android handset or the iPhone/iPod touch (yes, there is a version for Apple-made devices). You navigate your car via the cell phone accelerometer (sadly, there is no on-screen steering wheel) and turn on/off the speed acceleration with screen buttons.

We have to admit we are eager fans of arcade racing – we like Need for Speed and do have a thing for Carmageddon – that´s why we enjoy the fact that in Raging Thunder 2 you are encouraged to hit the cars of other players and get them off balance with any sort of creative road aerobatics you might think of. Varied bonuses are scattered about on the highways and you´ve got boost, cash, flaming tires and car repair kits. Your vehicle gradually gets broken down as you drive, so don´t go over the top smashing it against the cars of your opponents (sad faces over here). The runways we have had the chance to take a look at are nothing to write home about, plus they are too short. Still, it´s a good thing there are occasional shortcuts that allow you to gain the upper hand. Perhaps the best quality of Raging Thunder 2 is it´s really good at conveying a feeling of speed and you will probably have your adrenaline surge (despite the stuttering issues).

The main menu in Raging Thunder 2

Stuttering? Yes, that´s the worst aspect of the game. Raging Thunder 2 has been developed for high-tech cell phones and this is clearly indicated in its description at Android Market. In other words, if you want smooth, playable framerates, you better get yourself something like the HTC Nexus One, Acer Liquid A1 or (perhaps) Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700. We tested the title on our ageing T-Mobile G1 and as you can see in the video, although the game runs acceptably on the overall, the framerate is hardly bearable. The stuttering also prevents you from getting a proper score, since controlling the car gets so much harder.

Raging Thunder 2 is developed for high-tech handsets

Still, we do recommend that you give Raging Thunder 2 a go. The Lite edition is completely free and available for download at Android Market, but if the game runs smoothly on your device and you happen to be an eager gamer, well, we would advise you to get the full version. True, it will set you back with $4.99, but is one of the best games for Android at the time being.

According to AndroidStats, a company that monitors the Android Market, MySpace is the preferred social networking site for Android users. Based on the company’s rankings, MySpace Mobile is the third most downloaded app in the Market. The closest competitor to MySpace is Facebook which is 5th in the standings The Android’s Facebook app trails both the iPhone and BlackBerry version in terms of usability, although it has improved over the last 6 months. MySpace, on the other hand, works very well with Google’s open source OS and can even use a widget within the MySpace app to update your status by voice.

For those interested, the top downloaded app in the Android Market is T-Mobile’s My Account followed by The Weather Channel’s free app. The top installed game is Solitaire, followed by Namco’s Pac-Man and Labryinth Lite.
source: AndroidStats via Mashable