The folks at XDA-Developers are at it again, doing what they do best – rooting, hacking and developing. And the latest gadget to receive their treatment is none other than the first Android tablet – the Samsung Galaxy Tab – which is already running Android 2.3 thanks to CyanogenMod 7.

It’s worth noting this release is only a public beta, and some features like Bluetooth, its camera and sensors may not be working properly. However, it’s only a matter of time before these issues are sorted out, and a few functions – like voice calls, 3G data and Wi-Fi are already working just fine.

Take into account this treat is working only with the GSM version of the Galaxy Tab. It’s yet unknown when a stable build will be available, but it’s surely coming sooner rather than later.

source: XDA-Developers via Android Authority

A Sony Ericsson Facebook teaser (pic below) and a Super Bowl commercial (video below) say that the Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play, also known as the PlayStation Phone, is to make its first official appearance on February 13, a day before the official start of MWC in Barcelona.

As you most probably know, it already scored a few video previews and demonstrations (here and here), but now that the handset is to be officially introduced, we’re going to see it in all its beauty on February 13 at 6PM GMT time.

This phone is set to offer a 4.0-inch screen with a resolution of 480 x 854, 1GHz Snapdragon processor (not a dual-core one) and a 5MP camera. Gingerbread will be powering the Android PlayStation experience, which will be further helped by the arrival of PlayStation Suite, scheduled to appear by year-end.

MWC is only a week away, so stay tuned for our full coverage directly from Barca.

souce: Facebook via Neowin

OK, folks, imagine the Samsung Infuse 4G (our hands-on here)? What do we have? A 4.5″ Super AMOLED Plus in a very thin package, which still manages to cram an LED flash for the 8MP camera, and a 1.2GHz processor, capable of Full HD 1080p video recording and playback.

Now what does it have in common with the second generation of the acclaimed Samsung Galaxy S? Just that they might be very, very similar. According to a Samfirmware tipster, Sammy has been testing two variances of the Samsung Galaxy S 2 – one with a 4.3″, and one with a 4.5″ Super AMOLED screens.

It makes sense to stand out with a 4.5-incher, when everyone maxes out at 4.3, and, as attested by our preview of the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc, the big screen is not unwieldy when the handset is thin enough, and the Galaxy S 2 is rumored to be very, very thin.

The other interesting part is that now a dual-core Orion chipset is all but confirmed, whereas there were doubts what might end up inside, with Samsung buying Tegra 2 chipsets and all. Sammy has developed two clock versions – 1GHz and 1.2 GHz. We guess if they end up with the 4.5-incher version on a 1.2GHz Orion chipset, it might look a lot like the Infuse 4G, just more powerful.

It seems that this shady leak in November that was chewing over both a 4.3″ and 4.5″ screens, might have been right on the spot, down to the 1.2GHz chipset, but it also listed 16GB of memory. The first report for a Galaxy S sequel way back last July also mentioned aluminum casing and an $800 unsubsidized price, so what we have on this render below – metallic looking sides and camera area, might turn out aluminum. Hopefully the price has gone south since, though.

As for the software part, we can expect Samsung’s “Personal Cloud Computing”, which probably is akin to what HTCSense.com provides for remote control and management of your phone. Google’s C2DM for push notifications and messages within applications will also be implemented in some way, according to leaks prior, as well as we should have Readers Hub, an e-book app, as standard on the Samsung Galaxy S 2.

The rest of the specs are what we’ve heard so far – Android 2.3 Gingerbread, front-facing camera, and NFC chip on board. What says you, excited about the possibility of a dual-core Orion chipset in a super thin 4.5″ phone with Super AMOLED Plus screen?

The exact specs Samsung decided on will probably be known as soon as this Sunday, and we will have people at the MWC to corral all the info they can find about it.

source: Samfirmware via PPCGeeks

Green Bay Packers fans got to see their team win another title. Pittsburgh Steeler fans saw their team almost pull off a nice comeback. And fans of mobile gadgets were able to see the full commercial for the Motorola XOOM, as we reported. Now, a leaked Best Buy circular shows that the highly anticipated Android tablet will be launched on February 24th at the retailer, for a price of $799.99. Just as they did with those who purchased the Samsung Galaxy Tab, XOOM buyers at Best Buy will need to purchase at least 1 month of Verizon data through the retailer.

And according to the mailer, the monthly plans will cost $20 for 1GB, $35 for 3GB and 5GB will cost $50. Need more monthly data? 10GB will go for $80. Of course, these are the 3G prices and when the tablet becomes upgradable to LTE, you can expect a different set of plans for those who want more speed when it becomes available.

You can check out Motorola’s site for the tablet, which is now live, by clicking on the source link.

source: Motorola via AndroidandMe

According to this circular, the Motorola XOOM will be available at Best Buy, starting February 24th, for $799.99

As you may recall, we’ve seen a few advertisement teases featuring the Motorola XOOM of the past few weeks, with the last one saying 2011 looks a lot like 1984. If you happened to watch the Super Bowl tonight (or even if you didn’t) there was the newest Motorola XOOM commercial that aired. It starts off by showing a guy in a dress shirt, tie and sweater waiting for a train, but everyone else around him is wearing the same white clothes and have the white (Apple) earbuds in their ears. He uses the XOOM to flip through something that looks like an eBook with 1984 in the title, then later uses the (unnamed) GPS program to find the local florist.  After acquiring the flowers, he sits at his work desk and takes a picture of them with the XOOM and uses a program on it to create a little animation. The girl he likes from the office sees it and pulls the white earbuds out of her ears. As they smile at each other, the XOOM shows “The tablet to create a better world.”

So is the XOOM the tablet to create a better world? Motorola hopes so, as they have a lot riding on it, with competition from the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Apple iPad.

source: YouTube

It sure had its time, but when there are so many new handsets bracing for their eventual release, the HTC Desire is swiftly beginning to show its age. However, we’ve already been greeted with a leaked rendered shot of what’s believed to be nothing more than its successor – the HTC Desire 2.

Now, an actual photo of the Android powered handset was snapped recently and quickly resembles the one found with the rendered shot. Meanwhile, we’re beginning to hear the subtle rumblings about its high flying specs – which include things like a Super AMOLED display and running Android 2.3.1 Gingerbread. And as you can visually see from the photo, we’re greeted to a front facing camera and capacitive buttons; as opposed to the physical ones with the original.

Furthermore, the handset has already made its way apparently into the inventory system over at Vodafone Germany – which could indicate a potential release in the not too distant future. With MWC right around the corner, it’d be the perfect opportunity to see this one make its presence known.

source: Android Forums & HTC Inside via Engadget

Alright, so we’ve got quite a few big time handsets quickly fast approaching their inevitable launches, but it looks like Best Buy has started accepting pre-orders for the HTC Thunderbolt.

Although we’ve seen it already featured in a circular already, we’ve pointed out that the consumer electronics retailer would eventually start offering pre-orders. Well, starting today, you can head into any of their brick and mortar stores to fetch yourself a snazzy pre-order to beat out those unexpected lines on launch day. Basically, you shell out $50 out of your pockets, which is then placed onto a gift card and later applied to your purchase when you pick up the device.

More interesting than anything else is that its potential launch day is penned for February 14th – which is just in time for Valentine’s Day. Even though it’s not yet officially confirmed, it wouldn’t surprise anyone since it’ll be in direct competition with AT&T’s offering with the HTC Inspire 4G. However, it’s also rumored that Best Buy will be carrying a $249.99 on-contract pricing for the HTC Thunderbolt. If that’s true, are you still going to go after one?

via Engadget

Hearing more and more about the Samsung SCH-R910 of late, it wouldn’t surprise anyone knowing that an impending launch is not too far ahead.

Although it looks like the Samsung SCH-R910 is indeed the Samsung Forte, which features a landscape style keyboard, its recent arrival at the FCC just prompts a likely launch in the near future. MetroPCS is surely going to add yet another beauty to their lineup with this one since it’s going to be the first smartphone on their lineup to support their LTE network – with the Samsung Craft being the first device to offer LTE speeds. As it stands so far, the Samsung SCH-R910 will feature some impressive specs under the hood – such as a 1GHz processor, WVGA display, 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and support for LTE connectivity.

Granted that it finally has arrived over at the FCC, there is still no concrete date associated with its release – but speculation points to a February 11th launch. So if you’re in a MetroPCS LTE market and tire with having to use the Samsung Craft, this might be the solution that you’ve been waiting for.

source: FCC via Unwired View

Super Bowl Sunday! You know what else Sundays are known for? Well, it’s quite customary for retailers to throw out sales from last week and replace them with some new ones. And that’s exactly what we’re finding with AT&T today as they’ve dropped pricing for both the LG Quantum and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.

Currently, you’ve probably been seeing some television spots regarding the $99.99 on-contract pricing for the highly regard Samsung Focus, but now it looks like the LG Quantum is going to be getting its fair share of the spotlight. Today, you can pick up the sole Windows Phone 7 device in the US market to pack a landscape style keyboard for a shiny new penny. Priced at $0.01 with your signature on a contract, it’s not going to take much out of your pockets to get situated with this one, but it’s even better when the activation fee is waived and free shipping is thrown in.

Furthermore, some of us forget that the Samsung Captivate isn’t the only high powered Android smartphone on AT&T’s lineup. And when we see that the upcoming HTC Inspire 4G is set to debut very shortly at the impressive price of $99.99, you know that the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10’s drop in price to $19.99 makes for an equally alluring proposition. For $20, you’ll be getting yourself a reasonably respectable Android smartphone that can still contend in the high-end space.

Interestingly enough, it seems that AT&T is waiving the activation fee for most of its phone, plus they’re offering free shipping as well.

source: AT&T (1 & 2)

LG Quantum for $0.01.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 for $19.99.

Just the mere listing of the possible high-end specs for the HTC Pyramid was enough to get the handset a nice buzz and a following from T-Mobile customers and others, excited at the prospect of this Superphone resting in one’s palm. As we reported, the device is expected to be loaded with nothing but the latest technology.

Now, as if to assure everyone that the HTC Pyramid is more than just a mirage in the desert, a screenshot that has been taken allegedly from Vodafone’s inventory system lists the phone. While this doesn’t prove definitively that such a model is on the way, it is another clue that you would expect to find if there really is an HTC Pyramid.

This could end up as great news for T-Mobile customers and cellphone fanatics in general and shows how far the industry has come in the space of one year. And with MWC right around the corner, we could see HTC taking the wraps off this device very soon.

Speaking of MWC, we will be there to bring you hands-on reports for all of those smartphones and tablets that you have been waiting to hear about. Hopefully, that includes the HTC Pyramid.

source: TMONews