Did someone tell AT&T to get the lead out? A leaked system dump revealed the information that AT&T is expected to offer the HTC Lead, a new Android handset that appears to be loaded with Android 2.3.4, and equipped with a 4.3 inch WVGA display.

Based on the information gleaned from the leaked ROM, under the hood you will find a Qualcomm MSM8660 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with 768MB of RAM aboard. A 5MP camera is on the back of the phone and there is no front-facing shooter.

There was no information found relating to a possible launch date or how AT&T intends to price the device. Based on the specs, which are not as high-end as those found on the HTC Sensation or the HTC EVO 3D, we would consider this to fall into the mid-range category and should be priced accordingly.

source: 911Sniper, Pocketnow via  AndroidandMe

A leaked ROM reveals that the HTC Lead in all of its dual-core glory, is heading to AT&T

T-Mobile customers are probably ecstatic to know that the HTC Sensation 4G is looking to land on the carrier’s lineup starting on June 8th, but now that we have word about the Samsung Gravity Touch 2 also launching on the same day, it utterly screams like it’s going to be an all-around great day for the Big Magenta. However, the fun isn’t ending there with those two devices – definitely not! Yet again, we’re seeing another leaked internal screenshot indicating that one more device is going to complete the trifecta for T-Mobile on that day.

Previously, we’ve been taunted with images of the Samsung Exhibit 4G, which was hinted to be packing a 1.4GHz ARM 11 processor. However, it appears that it will be sporting nothing more than the usual 1GHz Hummingbird processor that’ been in use with a variety of Galaxy S smarthpones. Still, the handset should perfectly align itself with the other two devices, the HTC Sensation 4G and Samsung Gravity Touch 2, since it’s launching on the same day – June 8th.

Moreover, the handset is going to be T-Mobile’s third 21Mbps capable HSPA+ device, and features other things like a 3-megapixel camera with flash, front-facing camera, and will be preloaded with a variety of premium games. Lastly, there is still no word regarding actual pricing, but it wouldn’t surprise many to see it around the $150 on-contract mark.

source: TmoNews

June 8th is no doubt shaping to become one memorable day for T-Mobile customers all around, especially when it’s looking like the anticipated release date for the HTC Sensation 4G, but let’s not forget about the others out there.

In fact, it appears as though that T-Mobile will also have an additional handset up its sleeve to appease customers who don’t necessarily want to side with something so grand – meaning, those who prefer something more in the mid-range group. Based on a leaked internal screen shot, it looks like the Samsung Gravity Touch 2, or GT2 more aptly, is going to go on sale the same day as the HTC Sensation 4G. Rather than targeting power user, this mid-range smartphone described as the “first Android device for the Gravity brand that is optimized for texting.”

Specifically, it’ll feature things like a 3.2” touchscreen, slide-out physical keyboard, 3-megapixel camera, 800MHz processor, and will be powered by Android 2.2 Froyo. Although it doesn’t mention whether we’ll be seeing any customized Android experience, like TouchWiz, it wouldn’t surprise us to see it flaunting something along the lines of being more focused with messaging features in general.

So if the Sensation 4G is just too much phone for your taste, then maybe the Samsung Gravity Touch 2 might be something that you’ll settle with?

source: TmoNews

With the launch of the Samsung Infuse 4G, AT&T ended its ban on allowing its Android handsets to sideload apps. Right out of the box, the device will accept apps from places other than the Android Market. Of course, that might not seem fair to those with older Android models like the Samsung Captivate, HTC Aria or the HTC Inspire 4G.

Apparently the carrier is sensitive to this issue. As early as today, owners of any one of the three models should see an OTA update on their device that will allow third party apps to be installed legitimately on their phone. Kudos to AT&T for not only changing their stance on sideloading apps, but also for making sure that owners of some of the carrier’s older Android models get the opportunity to install third party apps as well.

source: AndroidCentral

AT&T is sending out an OTA upgrade to some of its older Android models which will allow them to accept third party apps

Not everyone necessarily requires the plethora of features offered by some of today’s modern high-end smartphones, but for those who prefer something much simpler, then the Vodafone Smart might be something right up your alley.

Essentially a rebranded Huawei U8160 for Vodafone, this budget-friendly Android 2.2 Froyo powered smartphone should suffice most people who want to get their feet wet with the open platform.

Some of its features include a 2.8” QVGA touchscreen, 2-megapixel camera, microSD card slot, 3G, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm headset jack, aGPS, and an accelerometer. Available in either black and white, the handset also offers additional personalization since “customers will be able to personalize their phone, creating their own one-off covers on the web.”

Luckily, the handset is priced at €90 ($128) as a pay-as-you-go model through some of Vodafone’s markets – such as Germany, Italy, UK, and others.

source: Vodafone via Unwired View

Slowly but surely, we’re hopeful about seeing the LG Revolution in the very near future since it’s making the rounds yet again over at the FCC.

This time however, FCC documents show that the handset is seriously taking into account power consumption a bit more seriously, especially when the other two 4G LTE smartphones before it are known to be battery guzzlers.  Specifically, we find changes that are related to the Mobile Hotspot and power reduction modes of the handset, which ultimately should contribute to better battery life in general. Still, its appearance over at the FCC indeed gives some hope about an imminent launch, but then again, we’ve experienced prior 4G LTE smartphones being delayed slighty.

Nonetheless, it’s nice to know that power consumption is seriously something taking precedence with the LG Revolution. Let’s hope it we’ll know more about its release very soon.

source: FCC via Engadget

At this point, there’s no denying that Verizon owners of the Motorola XOOM are indeed getting the best tasting from Google – especially when they’re the first to sample Android 3.1 Honeycomb and its new set of features. One of them specifically is the ability to rent videos through the new “Movies” hub within the Android Market, but for XOOM Wi-Fi only models, it has been deliberately omitted from the tablet’s new update.

Naturally, the roll out of the Motorola XOOM’s Android 3.1 Honeycomb update is proceeding normally, but for some strange and unknown reason, the Wi-Fi  only version of the XOOM is locked out from experiencing movie rentals. Sadly, there is no concrete reason as to why this is happening, but rather, it’s simply confirmed and made known though Motorola’s Support Forums. However, there is still some light at the end of the tunnel since it appears that it’ll be available in the near future.

From the sound of it all, we’ll have to wait several weeks before the feature in enabled.  The statement on the support forums says, “The new Movies tab in the Android Market will not appear on updated Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xooms immediately after the update. Google will make that available in the near future. Motorola Xooms from Verizon will be able to use the Movies service after the 3.1 update.”

source: Motorola Support Forums via Electronista

Ah, the Samsung Galaxy S II… We know that this great smartphone has been on top of Mount Everest, we know that it has the power to score more than 4000 points on Quadrant, and now we even have a reason to believe that we know how it will be called when it finally lands in the US. We are sure that many of you will be interested in the Samsung Galaxy S II once it launches nationwide, so here is what you may find it listed as.

The hint emerged from the website of the online retailer Wireless Xcessories Group (yes, they sell smartphone accessories). According to the information posted under a listing for a silicon back cover for the Samsung Galaxy S II, Samsung’s flagship will be known as the Attain on AT&T, the Function on Verizon, and the Within on Sprint. Those of you who are having a deja vu after reading this, do not be surprised. Its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S, arrived in the US bearing four different names for the nation’s four biggest carriers. However, note that this time there is no word of T-Mobile anywhere in sight meaning that Big Magenta might not be getting the Galaxy S II after all. Or could the T-Mobile version of the smartphone be getting a facelift that might make the accessory not fit properly?

Sure enough, we will probably find out what the case is pretty soon. Until then, feel free to check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy S II and see if this won’t become your next favorite smartphone.

source: Wireless Xcessories Group via Android Community

Here comes a good news (at last) for the owners of the original Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Samsung Galaxy S – these devices will be finally treated to the Gingerbread update.

They will be joined by the Samsung GALAXY Ace, Gio, Fit and mini, which will also receive their Android 2.3 dose.

The news is as official as it could be, as it’s Samsung that is disseminating it – the Korean manufacturer issued a press release that states the Samsung Galaxy S users in the Nordic countries and the UK will be the first to taste Android 2.3. That will happen in mid-May, while from then on owners of the other above-mentioned Samsung devices in other parts of the world – namely other European markets, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, Africa and rest of the world – will get Gingerbread “according to the regional plan”.

As there is no information about the North America regional plan, we can only guess when exactly we will see Android 2.3 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Samsung Galaxy S, but at least it’s now certain that Gingie is coming to these devices.

source: Samsung

That free-range HTC Holiday is supposed to roam the wide networks of AT&T, and, rumor has it, even make a cameo on the carrier’s upcoming LTE network. It was leaked a while ago, together with an upcoming HTC Puccini tablet, but no specs info was available then, except that the tablet might be with a 10″ display.

Now we have more details on the hardware, thanks to a leaked system test, and they might make you smile with happiness, depending on whether you like large screens or not. Not to be outdone by Samsung, which has its 4.5″ display size slapped on the Infuse 4G, HTC might be placing a 4.5-incher of its own on the phone with the internal name HTC Holiday, and with 540×960 pixels of qHD resolution to boot.

And this is not all – judging from the leak, the manufacturer has arguably placed a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU while at it, and added 1GB of RAM. 8MP camera on the back, and 1.3MP front-facing cam round out the HTC Holiday. The handset is supposed to run Andorid 2.3.4, if the system image dump is to be believed.

We can only imagine the battery capacity this Hulk of a phone must have to eventually power both an LTE connection, and a huge 4.5″ display. If it gets built in the usual for HTC aluminum unibody stylee, we won’t even try to imagine how solid it will feel either.

Thanks, Philip!

source: 911HTC