Windows Mobile may not cut it for some owners of the HTC HD2, that’s why there are hackers working away diligently to try and get Android onto the handset. When you look at it closely, the HTC HD2 clearly has a visibly close relationship with its full blown Android brother found in the upcoming HTC EVO 4G. The development process is surely tedious, but fortunately it’s gaining momentum with an eventual reality of seeing the open platform gracing the device. The team over at xda-developers just overcame another hurdle in the process as they finally moved past the video player stage. Eventually there are owners out there just oozing with anticipation to finally see something like Android 2.2 fully ported over to give other Android sets a run for their money. No doubt that there is a lot of work involved in making this become a reality – and that’s why they’re collecting pledges for the effort. Sure it may not have 4G connectivity or a front-facing camera, but it would still be pretty neat to showboat Android running on an HTC HD2.
source: xda-developers via WMPoweruser

Froyo may be a tasty treat for Android users, but it might leave a little bad after-taste right now. According to some reports, phones upgraded to Android 2.2 are not displaying certain applications in the Android Market. It seems that some apps that the developer enabled copy protection on are the ones that are missing while using Froyo. The developer has the option of “Forward Locking” his work to prevent unauthorized copying of the app or the installation on unauthorized phones. Because Android 2.2 has not officially been released, it gives off a signature as through it was coming from an unauthorized phone. Those who installed an app that is not showing up can still run the application, but it will not appear on the Downloads section of the Market. If you had to put your phone through a factory update, you will have to repurchase previously bought apps because there is no proof that you previously paid for them. Some of the apps involved are The New York Times, FlightTrack and Calorie Counter. Once Froyo becomes an official release, or if Google eliminates “Forward Locking” as a developer option, the disappearing apps should reappear.
source: AndroidandMe

Two more pictures of the Motorola DROID SHADOW/XTREME (MB810) have been leaked and not only is the device lookin’ good, but with the high powered specs it is flaunting, the phone is also feelin’ good. The handset will have Android 2.2 (with Flash 10.1) out of the box with not 3, not 5, but 9 home screens. Motoblur will not be on board but there will be a dedicated camera button and HDMI out. The phone is said to be all metal and is similar to the original DROID with its sturdy indestructible casing. Unlike the latter device, the MB810 does not have a physical QWERTY keyboard so it has a thinner silhouette to drool over.
source: DroidLife

Motorola is coming out of the woods with yet another interesting looking handset that clearly differentiates itself from the rest out there – both from a design and user interface level. Looking similar to the Motorola BACKFLIP, the resemblance may be a bit uncanny from a far distance, but one will easily recognize its square nature and affinity for an alternative opening mechanism. Unlike the backflip-like motions required in getting the QWERTY keyboard into its proper position on the Motorola BACKFLIP, the new device instead opts to perform a flip-like move to swivel the display into its upright position so that the QWERTY is exposed. As far as features go on this device, it packs Android 2.1, an enhanced version of MOTOBLUR, 2.8” QVGA touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, 512MB of memory, Wi-Fi, GPS, and 7.2Mbps HSDPA. The videos below go into detail regarding the new enhancements found to the much loved MOTOBLUR interface. Finally, the FLIPOUT is expected to launch in Europe some time this quarter, however, no pricing has been revealed just yet or whether or not it’ll see a North American launch.

source: Motorola via BGR

Android’s fragmentation will surely lessen over the course of the next few months as a handful of handsets are expected to move forward with Android 2.1 Eclair. Currently that specific build of the platform is beginning to build some momentum as the latest figures surrounding the Android platform percentages have been revealed. Android 2.1 is taking a commanding lead at 45.1 percent of all Android phones running the platform for the two weeks ending June 1 – that figure is up from the 32.4 percent from what was seen for the two weeks ending May 17. Both Android 1.5 Cupcake and 1.6 Donut are slowly receding as we’ve seen the HTC Hero and Droid Eris being the biggest contributors to the cause. Now that news about major Android updates are expected to happen on a yearly basis way down the road, we can soon imagine a world where Android’s fragmentation will become nothing but a memory.
source: Android Developer Blog via Android Central

Orange customers are probably surprised to see an update available for the HTC Tattoo when there’s talk about Android 2.1 Eclair and 2.2 Froyo rolling about just everywhere you turn. However, those sporting the HTC Tattoo are still probably bummed out with the knowledge that HTC officially came out to say that the handset would not be seeing an update for Android 2.1. So for those Orange customers filling up with a sense of hope with this announced update, there is little solace with it at the same time as it will erase any data stored on the handset – so that means you’ll have the duty of backing things up beforehand. Not only is the new update nothing related to Android 2.1, but the thought of it erasing all day easily puts a damper on the moods of most owners. Never say never though as we’ve seen hackers do the impossible on other handsets – so there’s always that distinct possibility of something happening down the road.
source: HTC via Mobileburn

A recent benchmark test between the unannounced Motorola DROID SHADOW/XTREME (MB810) and a Froyo packin’ Nexus One has some cellphone fanatics scratching their heads. In the test, conducted by a Howard Forums poster who is allegedly connected to Verizon, the DROID SHADOW/XTREME nearly beat the N-One. What makes this interesting is that the Motorola model is powered by Android 2.1.So how could the MB810 come so close to the Nexus One-especially since, as we reported, Froyo is said by Google to increase the speed of an Android device by 3 to 5 times? The answer might have to do with the manufacturers new NinjaBlur system. The Verizon connected forum poster put up a message that rivals anything ever said by “The Riddler”. He wrote, “I move silent like a “Ninja” and strike in a” Blur” of speed.Ninja Blur is Blur running without the user knowing. For those who don’t like Blur.” It would appear that NinjaBlur is a program like MotoBlur, but runs in the background for those who do not like the UI of the latter. But if that’s the case, why run anything over the stock Android unless it speeds up the phone? An interesting mystery that should get cleared up soon. Not a mystery is the picture below of the battery for the DROID SHADOW/XTREME. As you can see, it is a 1500mAh cell that will power the MB810.
source: AlienBabelTech, HowardForums via Phandroid

Hoping to put an end to the fragmentation that has resulted in a caste system amongst Android phones, Google VP Andy Rubin says that the company will eventually update its open source OS only once per year. It has been a rocket ship ride during the last 7 months for Android with non-stop product launches going from strength to strength, with each launch bringing something new and powerful to both hardware and software. The fun began in November with the launch of Android 2.0 and the Motorola DROID. Before you could say flagship, the Android 2.1 Nexus One was released and while the DROID finally received its 2.1 upgrade, HTC introduced a number of models including the Droid Incredible and the upcoming EVO 4G. This left an angry mob of pitchfork bearing Android 1.6 owners, ready to march on Mountain View to complain about the growing divide between the Android haves and have-nots.

Rubin said that the speed at which Android updated itself these last few months was necessary for the OS to become a legit consumer choice. Now, he says that the need for such speed is no longer required. The executive said, “Our product cycle is now, basically, twice a year, and it will probably end up being once a year when things start settling down, because a platform that’s moving-it’s hard for developers to keep up. I want developers o basically leverage the innovation. I don’t want developers to have to predict the innovation.”
source: MercuryNews

Some may regard the HTC EVO 4G being the Android handset for the moment thanks to its peppy performance, but others argue that Samsung’s offering can virtually out pace HTC’s handset in just about most speed races – aside from 4G of course. Samsung is doing something that’s not particularly normal for them by simultaneously launching the Samsung Galaxy S to 110 countries to give it a presence that could be recognized on a worldwide scale. At this point in the game, we can slowly feel the handset making an impending launch soon, but there is still no official release date given for it. However, it’s expected to touch down in Asia starting in June while European operators such as Orange and Vodafone are lined up to offer the handset as well. We’ve heard plenty of rumors that it would launch here domestically in the US with T-Mobile, but we’re also seeing how a variant is expected to grace AT&T’s lineup. Naturally the Samsung Galaxy S will offer veteran Android users a taste of Samsung’s take on the platform with their premier handset offering.
via Electronista

Most of today’s touchscreeen smartphones look like cellphones with a small lens added to the back of the device. The altek Leo reverses this concept as it looks like it’s 14MP camera has a smartphone added to it. Speculation is that the Leo (not to be confused with the HTC model that eventually became the HD2) will be Android powered considering the home, back and menu buttons. Still, not much is known about the phone’s specs. What is known is that the handset supports HSDPA radio bands and has a 14MP CCD with 3X optical zoom. This could be the one smartphone that a professional photographer would use for his photographic work. The unit also handles HD video capture at 720p. The company plans to introduce Leo at the CommunicAsia show this month in Singapore. Wi-Fi enabled, Leo can upload pictures and video directly to social networking sites. Alex Hsia, president and CEO of altek says both users and carriers win when smartphones can deliver superior images. He said,  “Phones able to capture high definition, high quality images and video are a win‐win for users as well as telecommunication service providers, as the latter can anticipate rising bandwidth usage rates when users share images remotely.”
source: AndroidCentral