Google is finally rolling out a long-awaited feature that will make developers grin with delight – the ability to access paid apps from Android Market in 99 additional countries now. We only had 14 countries with paid apps so far, so with 113 in total Google will have covered almost any place where debit or credit cards are issued, because, well, that’s how you pay for apps.

A number of people are reporting that paid apps are appearing in Android Market on their phones, priced in local currency, and they bought them using local debit or credit cards, despite that the feature is not supposed to be completely rolled until next week. Before that Android users in these countries were forced to download the goods as .apk files from dark and shady places, if they wanted to have this or that one on their phones.

Furthermore, Android Market is now addressing its app curation issues, by listing Top Paid, Top Free, Editor’s picks, Top Grossing apps and so on. With more than 250 000 applications, it had become an issue finding what’s relevant for you on Android Market, and we are glad to see that Google is charging hard to resolving these problems.

source: Google

While we’re looking forward to the LG Optimus 3D, Japan’s NTT DoCoMo is getting their own device capable of shooting 3D HD video. The Sharp Aquos Phone SH-12C will prove a close rival to LG’s much-anticipated device.

The SH-12C features two 8-megapixel cameras, capable of shooting 720p 3D video. The earlier versions of the Sharp Aquos Phone could take only still images in 3D.

It features a 4.2-inch display with 2D resolution of 540×960, and a glasses-free 3D display. The SH-12C runs on the Android 2.3 OS, and is powered by a 1.4GHz Qualcomm processor. If all that weren’t enough, it also has an NFC chip, a digital TV tuner, and infrared communication.

The Sharp Aquos Phone SH-12C is up for pre-order on May 14th for release on May 20th, with pricing still unannounced. And if Sharp is listening, this is all we have to say: Why do you tease us like this?

source: TechOn via CNET

While it would appear that the rumored May 12th launch date for the Motorola DROID X2 will come and go without the device being released, there are signs that the sequel to Verizon’s one-time flagship phone will soon be made available. That clue comes in the form of the dummy units that have appeared at Costco.

Verizon’s first dual-core handset is not LTE enabled which might be disappointing to those with an update burning a hole in their pocket. But there is still plenty to like about the phone including the 4.3 inch display which has been upgraded to qHD resolution. Under the hood is a 1GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM and an 8MP camera around back.

Don’t start adjusting your screen or your glasses if the picture seems blurry to you-the person taking the photo was so much in awe of being that close to the DROID X2 that he started shaking uncontrollably. With any luck, you will get to experience that for yourself shortly.

source: AndroidCentral

The dummy units of the Motorola DROID X2 (L) have arrived at Costco signaling that the launch should be soon

The Motorola DROID X2 is on left with the first-gen version on the right

Last week, as we reported, Best Buy Canada offered the BlackBerry Torch 9800 for free with a signed three year contract. It was the return of the big box retailers Free Phone Friday which continues this Friday with six Android models available at no cost with a signed contract.

The Motorola ATRIX 4G (Bell), the HTC Desire HD (Telus), the Nexus S (Rogers/Fido), LG Optimus One (Koodo), HTC Incredible S (Virgin), and the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant (Sasktel) will all be free this Friday from Best Buy Canada as long as you sign a new three year contract, which is the standard length of a carrier’s contract up north.

If you had been planning to purchase one of these Android models soon, why not take advantage of this deal? You’re not going to find the “world’s most powerful smartphone” as the Motorola ATRIX 4G is billed, for the low, low price of free, in most retail locations. Each Friday in May is Free Phone Friday for Best Buy Canada which means there are two Fridays remaining. Are you holding out for a particular model?

source: MobileSyrup

Best Buy Canada is offering 6 Android models for free on Friday, with a signed 3 year contract; one of the models is the dual-core powered Motorola ATRIX 4G

More than likely forgotten amidst the horde of high powered Android smartphones being launched since its release overseas, the Motorola MILESTONE 2 is still lucky enough at its age to see a software update come around its way.

Luckily, a software update for the handset brings its software version to 2.4.24, and much like most things, it carries along some of the usual set of enhancements and improvements. Specifically, it’s said to improve security, provide better phone call stability & performance, and it includes the latest versions of Google’s set of core apps – like Google Maps and Gmail.

If you happen to be a German O2 or Vodafone customer, then you’ll be glad to know that the update is provided via an over-the-air process. Conversely, owners in other countries like Austria, France, Switzerland, and the UK will be required to download it through Motorola’s Software Update service.

source: Motorola Support Forums via Mobileburn

Just about every other week, we’re constantly seeing a variety of online retailers giving us some alluring pricing with the HTC ThunderBolt, and we bet that its price will continue to plummet when summer begins to heat up.

Previously, we’ve seen it go as low as $100 in the state of Michigan, while others like Wirefly have sold it for as little as $150, but Amazon has one enticing offer right now that could evoke a cursory response. The online retailer is actually selling the 4G LTE enabled Android smartphone for a whopping $129.99 with a 2-year agreement. Naturally, it’s extremely a lot more appealing than the $249.99 that Verizon is asking for, but it’s hard to say how long this deal will last – in fact, it’s mentioned to be “for a limited time only.”

Obviously, you don’t want to hesitate that much, especially when pricing like this is hard to come by, so you’d better think fast on your feet whether or not you want to pick one up before it’s too late.

source: Amazon via Unwired View

Those with the Verizon 3G version of the Motorola XOOM are going to be the first to receive the Android 3.1 update on their tablet. The new build will allow the XOOM to receive movie rentals from the Android Market, re-size homescreen widgets, adds more features for bluetooth, and supports Adobe Flash Player 10.2.Other additions include a faster web browser, a new books app and a new video editing app called Movie Studio.

Even though Motorola’s announcement said that variants of the Honeycomb flavored tablet besides the 3G Verizon model would get the Android 3.1 update in the coming weeks, some members of Motorola’s Support Forum have written to say that their Wi-Fi only XOOM have received the upgrade.

source: AndroidDevelopers via electronista

According to LG’s UK blog, Angry Birds developer Rovio and LG have reached an agreement on a deal that allows the Korean cell phone manufacturer to preload the Rio version of the popular game on the LG Optimus series. The game includes characters from the 20th Centrury Fox film Rio.

You will find Angry Birds Rio preloaded on the phones starting sometime this quarter. In Angry Birds Rio, the original feathered stars are birdnapped and taken to the city of Rio from where they escape.

Once free, the Angry Birds set off to find thier pals, Jewel and Blu. The latter two are rare Macaws and are the stars of the movie Rio, still at a theater near you. The Angry Birds? They will soon be getting flinged into the air on a LG Optimus smartphone near you.

source: LG

Although some would tend to argue whether or not it’s past its time under the spotlight, one thing is certain for sure, the Google Nexus One is just one of those devices that will always have a cult following with it – especially when it’s flaunting the pure Google branding.

Time is always one of those things that lessen the popularity of a certain handset, but for the mighty Google Nexus One, it has managed to stem the onslaught since it constantly receives all the latest Android updates. Actually, now is probably the perfect time to pick one up – even more when it’s priced at $269.99! Almost more than half-off from its original starting price of $529.99, it’s definitely something that might attract some people, especially when it’s an unlocked model and doesn’t require any contracts.

Right now, you can pick up the handset online through DailySteals.com, where it’s going for sale for today only. Additionally, there is a $4.99 shipping charge associated with the purchase – thus bringing its total to $274.98.

Thanks Justin!

source: DailySteals

The first day of the Google I/O event gave us and the fans a thorough update of what was being baked in Google’s busy kitchen, but as for the attendees – all 5000 of them had the privilege of walking away with a brand new, limited edition Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 dressed up in an eye-catching white outfit. Feeling like you want to grab yourself one as well even though the device has not been launched yet? If money is not an issue for you, eBay currently has at least a couple of these special edition Honeycomb tablets for sale with a four-digit price tag.

With a little over six days until the auction is over, the special edition Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1’s current bid stands at $1001 without the shipping costs – twice as much as its starting price was when the item got listed a day ago. If you do not like to wait, there is another unit available from a different seller with a Buy It Now price of $1399 and free worldwide shipping included. The slimmer GALAXY Tab 10.1 model is expected to launch in a little less than a month after Samsung decided to redesign it and make it about as slim as an iPad 2. However, a white version of the tablet has not been officially announced yet, and its release along with the black model is only a matter of speculation for now.

source: eBay Canada and eBay via MobileSyrup