A Samsung handset, SGH-I777, visited recently with the FCC and indications are that this is the version of the Samsung Galaxy S II headed for AT&T, the Samsung Attain. Recently, we reported that the Sprint version of the phone, the Samsung Within, had received the green light from the Feds. With AT&T usually giving Samsung handsets the “SGH” prefix (the keyboard equipped mystery model that we showed you the other day, rumored to be a Galaxy S II variant for AT&T, had an alleged model number of SGH-i927) and with the device featuring the 850/1900 MHz GSM and WCDMA bands that AT&T uses for 3G/HSPA connectivity, this new model appears AT&T bound.

But is it the eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy S II? We can’t say for sure until Samsung and AT&T introduce the phone. What is interesting is that a runner who goes by the name emagrad has been taking the unit with him/her on runs from July 13th to July 27th. The owner of the device, doing the running in the state of Massachusetts, uses the AllSport GPS app on the phone and says that the device he/her is carrying is the SGH-I777. This could be a test unit.

source: DroidMatters via Phandroid

The Samsung model that visited the FCC had on board AT&T's 3G and HSPA frequencies

Acer seems to be relatively quiet on the mobile front recently, but that silence might be of the eery type just before a storm – the company has sacked its chief executive officer in March and since then has been stepping up its R&D and smartphone and tablet effort. Just a couple of days ago, Acer set up a new global research and development center in Chongqing, China, pouring some $4 million into future software and services. In addition, the Taiwanese manufacturer is rumored to be looking to acquire California-based cloud-service provider iGware for $320 million. The deal envisages a new cloud service integrated into the company’s software. Acer Cloud, as it could be called, is expected to launch next year.

And now rumor spread by Digitimes and originating from “PC players” claims that the company has been on a headhunt for talent, handpicking industry professionals from HTC, Asus and Pegatron. Earlier, in 2009, Acer has managed to successfully woo an R&D team of 30 HTC engineers trying to rejuvenate its smartphone department and enter the tablets market.

Acer is offering attractive packages for software gurus and has reportedly already gotten their attention. The company missed last three quarterly forecasts and has halved its initial tablet shipment estimate for the year, so it’s in dare need of fresh blood. Acer is focusing on Android-based smartphones and tablets, but it is also expected to release handsets running Windows Phone Mango.

source: DigiTimes

Remember when we reported that more than 6 million units of the Samsung Galaxy S II could have been shipped over the past three months or so? Well, it turns out that the estimate was a bit exaggerated, yet that milestone is not that far from being reached. It was officially announced by Samsung just recently that sales of the Galaxy S II have already surpassed the 5 million mark.

Sales of the Samsung Galaxy S II compared to its predecessor - the Galaxy S

Bear in mind that this number reflects only the amount of Galaxy S II smartphones shipped to retailers and carriers, or in other words, units that have probably not all made their way to the pockets of end customers. Nevertheless, it is quite impressive that Samsung’s flagship is actually selling faster than its predecessor – the Galaxy S, which had sold “only” 3 million units over the same amount of time after its debut.

If the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S II keep on accelerating at today’s pace, and they most probably would as the smartphone is expected to launch in the US pretty soon, the ten millionth unit should fly off the shelf by the end of September. Should the latest rumors turn out to be correct, Verizon could be the first carrier to bring the smartphone to American soil, yet AT&T and Sprint will get their own versions soon after.

Thanks, Ron!

source: Samsung Tomorrow (translated) via OLED Info

Nearly 8 years have passed since the inception of the Android idea, 6 since Google took over it and less than four since the first beta SDK was published, and now we’re looking at a huge platform with galloping growth of more than 550,000 devices activated each day and over 250,000 apps on the Android Market.

But it has passed through numerous stages, starting with the T-Mobile G1, also known as the HTC Dream, a device we probably all remember with its slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Android was at version 1.0, but it already had been integrated with Google Services and featured multitasking, something that even contemporary platforms like Windows Phone don’t yet have.

Then the Linux-based platform got sweeter with 1.5 Cupcake enhancing some camera features among others, 1.6 Donut bringing CDMA support and 2.0 Eclair with improved mail support and browser UI. It’s all part of the history, but also – part of a creative infographic which you can later use to tell the Android Story to your grandchildren. No excuse to skip that, right?

source: xCubelabs via Mashable

It seems that without much fanfare, like the joint announcement last year when the Samsung Galaxy S was ready for US carriers, its successor, the Galaxy S II, is slowly approaching US release too.

We had an analyst the other day muse over the possibility that Verizon’s version will hit the market first, then we got the leaks about a keyboarded and standard version of the Samsung Galaxy S II for AT&T, and now the Sprint version, codenamed Samsung Within, has seemingly passed the testing claws of the FCC.

The SPH-D710 code reveals a device that looks like the Infuse 4G on the back, and has WiMAX connectivity onboard. Moreover, a Galaxy S II page link appeared on the Samsung USA website, further proof that the carriers have finally worked it out with Samsung regarding the release of one of the best Android handsets out there on US soil.

source: FCC via Phandroid

A lot of information about the U.S. iteration of the Samsung Galaxy S II has been released over the last few days. We have passed along what apparently are pictures of the AT&T version of the phone, the Samsung Galaxy Attain, complete with a side sliding QWERTY. We also showed you a prototype of the same model sans the QWERTY, and another picture of what could be the version of the phone for Sprint.

Another sign that we are getting close to the U.S. launch of the hottest smartphone on the planet is Samsung’s U.S. web site. Search for the Galaxy S II on the Korean manufacturer’s web site, and instead of being told that no such phone exists, you are sent to a placekeeper page for the Galaxy S II sign-up site. Unfortunately, the sign-up page is not yet live.  But soon, you will be able to register your email address with Samsung and get the word when the handset becomes available for your carrier (assuming you are not a T-Mobile customer). Note that the placeholder page has the first image of the Galaxy II on the Korean manufacturer’s U.S. site. Does that picture of the Samsung Galaxy S II look like the AT&T or Sprint models to you?

source: Samsung via droidmatters

The Motorola DROID X2 has received its Gingerbread update

Many an eyebrow was raised when Verizon launched the Motorola DROID X2 with Android 2.2. After all, considering that the first-generation of the phone had a nice run as Verizon’s flagship handset, you would expect the sequel to come out dressed in its Sunday best. But as it turned out, DROID X2 owners didn’t have to wait terribly long as on Tuesday, the Gingerbread update was rolled out to the handset.

Besides Android 2.3, the update brings some enhancements to the phone such as a Download Manager app, a new app that manages the downloads on your phone from web browsing, email attachments and from other apps. When inputting numerals from the keyboard, shortcuts can be used instead of having to change to the numeric function mode. Word selection and copy/paste are both improved. Press-hold on the screen will now help you select a word. Press twice and the word can be copied. Although the device is too new to be boring for its owners, the update brings a revised UI and a new color scheme as well as new widgets and icons.

Some new features are now available to the Motorola DROID X2 calendar. When traveling, you can view events in your home time zone. Other changes allow you to dial one number to set up a conference call, Google Books is now pre-installed and lastly, any images captured with your camera app can be geo-tagged. Check the sourcelink for a complete list of changes that the download brings. And DROID X2 owners, please let us know what you think of Gingerbread on your device by leaving some comments below.

source: Verizon via AndroidCentral

It’s quite apparent, but not everyone is a fan of QWERTY devices, but in the case of the upcoming version of the Samsung Galaxy II coming to AT&T in the near future, it loses some of its svelte appearance due to the addition of a physical keyboard.

Needless to say, there are some people bummed out by the news this morning that we reported, but we might still see a QWERTY-less version of the handset. Apparently there is a prototype currently in testing which appears to be a version of the same handset, but without a keyboard packed on of course. So far, the only thing mentioned about the handset is that it’s running Android 2.3.4, employs a WVGA display, and is detailed as being “really sexy” according to the Android Central tipster.

As much as some people might be excited by this new revelation, it’s still rather difficult to say if this one will actually make it to market – though, it doesn’t hurt to hope, right?

source: Android Central

The ever elusive Motorola Droid Bionic. We first saw you in Etna form at CES earlier this year, but you were scrapped months later and replaced by the new Targa version.

Up until now, there has been little solid info regarding the release date, though there was some rumors and an earlier screen-shot pointing to August 4th. Now it appears that Verizon stores have received official notification informing them that they will receive the Droid Bionic later this month and to have it on public display starting July 29th, and will most likely be placed here. The email also points to August 4th as the release date. It does not give a price, though most believe it will be around $299 with contract.

Hopefully this will all happen, and the Droid Bionic will hit on August 4th, as the it will be the first dual-core smartphone to run on Verizon’s 4G LTE network.

source: Droid-Life and Android Forums

Introduction:

Although he isn’t the most well known, popular, or even iconic of Marvel Comics’ characters, Captain America is really the heart of the company. He is equal parts Superman (personality) and Batman (no true super-powers), and best of all, he once punched Hitler in the jaw. Now, Cap has his own movie, and of course with a movie comes games. Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty is the first mobile game from Marvel Entertainment, and is made by SEGA.

Story & Presentation:

The game is a side-scrolling action platformer where you play as Captain America (of course) and attempt to take down HYDRA, a group led by the Red Skull, which is making weapons that could turn the tide of World War II. The story was written by Marvel’s Chris Gage, and is told through cut-scene cinematics that bookend each stage which feature art by Ron Lim and Christopher Sotomayor, and text blurbs at the beginning of each level within a stage. Unfortunately, the story just isn’t very compelling, and it’s easy to miss any subtlety that may be there…

Read the whole article at PhoneArena.com