Variety is definitely a good thing for consumers especially when they want to purchase a handset that’s personalized to them, but thankfully Sony Ericsson is doing their part in offering a myriad of color options with their handsets. They’ve now added a gold version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini which is actually the seventh color scheme they came out with, plus a pink version of the Xperia X10 mini pro. The gold paint job on the Xperia X10 mini will definitely add some bling to your handset and would probably make some heads turn after once seeing the handset from afar. On the other hand, the pink X10 mini pro may be rather daring especially when you factor in the handset’s overall professional persona, but siding with it will most say that you’ve got a telling statement you’re not afraid to show off. Even though Sony Ericsson is pushing out various paint jobs for both handsets, we’d imagine that current owners are still waiting for an Android 2.1 update – which is slated for release some time this quarter. As for these striking new color options, they should become readily available soon – and maybe just in time for an Eclair dessert!
via SEMC Blog

Last week, after reporting second quarter results, Motorola Co-CEO Dr. Sanjay Jha said that his company will focus more on products than on the MOTOBLUR brand name. This seemingly has already started as a more subtle, “lite” version of the UI has appeared on the Motorola DROID X and will appear on the upcoming DROID 2 according to speculation. The reason behind this is rather simple. Google’s next Android build, 3.0 (aka Gingerbread) is supposed to eliminate the need for other software on top of it like HTC’s Sense or Motorola’s MOTOBLUR.

Dr. Jha’s comments about MOTOBLUR came in response to a question from an analyst who noted that the company was not pushing the UI in advertisements, and wanted to know what the future was for it. The executive responded by saying, “With MOTOBLUR, we have found that being able to convey the value proposition around MOTOBLUR is not an easy thing to do in a 30-second ad spot. We have decided that we will focus on the value proposition of products and not MOTOBLUR as a brand name in its own right. MOTOBLUR continues to be important and I think you will see increased functionality in MOTOBLUR. This notion of push-Internet is going to be very important to us, but as a brand name, which we make matter in front of consumers as a brand name, I don’t think that’s going to be our focus going forward, but we see the experiences that we deliver is being relevant and differentiating us.” Earlier this year, Motorola pushed MOTOBLUR in its 30 second Super Bowl spot for the Motorola DEVOUR.
source: AndroidandMe

Best Buy isn’t a stranger when it comes down to producing, marketing, and selling their own consumer electronics devices under various brand names – such as Geek Squad, Insignia, Dynex, and Rocketfish. The latter of which is being looked at more intently after Geek Squad’s founder and head honcho, Robert Stephens, posted a couple of photos on his Twitter account regarding a prototype tablet. Although it’s not powered on in the photos, it’s believed to be only a shell right now, but it is speculated to be launched with the Rocketfish branding – which will bring the consumer electronics giant into the tablet market. So far, the device in question looks eerily similar to the now defunct HP Slate which was going to be a Windows 7 tablet, but this Rocketfish branded one could sport the Android flare with a front-facing camera – something Stephens hinted on previous Twitter posts. If there is any indication, pricing for this device should prove to be quite competitive since Best Buy will be charge of every aspect of this device. We’ll have to hold our breath and wait to see if this indeed does come to fruition. Most recently, we’ve seen Best Buy encroach in some businesses that some traditionally wouldn’t consider them to be in – such as their own branded mobile broadband service via Best Buy Connect.
via The NY Times

A few days ago, we reported that Vodafone Germany’s computer system was showing that the carrier had inventory of both the HTC Desire Z and the Desire HD. The “Z” appears to be similar to the Desire, but with a side sliding physical QWERTY keyboard. The HD, also known as the HTC Ace, appears to be the more interesting handset of the two with a one-piece, all aluminum casing, a 4.3 inch screen and an 8MP camera. The Desire HD is expected to launch with Android 2.2 on board and a 1GHz Snapdragon processor under the hood. Other features include 720p video recording, an e-book reader and 4GB of memory. The picture of the device (an engineering prototype of the Hong Kong edition) reveals a fairly thin and sleek black slab, that when combined with the high-end specs, produces a rather highly desirable device that is expected to launch this October in Europe.
source: UWants (translated) via Android-HK (translated), AndroidCentral

Android’s explosion in gaining market share in such a short period of time is doing a lot of good for the open platform – especially when you look at app development. Easily one of the most sought out apps for Android has to be something like the iPad’s Netflix app which enables users to stream titles directly to their device. Early in the week we were presented with some good news regarding the possibility of an Android app coming to fruition, but now we’re getting a little bit more confirmation regarding the matter. There was a Netflix employee who confirmed that the company is in the process of hiring Android developers which will enable users to stream Watch Instantly content on Android smartphones. The employee said, “With the way Android is blowing up it would be stupid of us to ignore that.” Quite a telling and truthful statement to say the least, but it really does justify the rapid development – so hopefully we see something happen sooner rather than later.
via Electronista

Without letting too much time pass by, Facebook was quick to act when reports started coming in from Android users stating that they were experiencing severe battery drain on their handsets since installing the newest version of the app. Version 1.3 of the Facebook app for Android was released earlier in the week, but Facebook managed to release an update to version 1.3.1 swiftly. Even though users were thrilled to see the app receive a major overhaul to deepen its experience, there was an apparent nasty bug that prevented handsets from going into sleep mode – thanks partly to the app’s background updates. Thankfully, Facebook was quick in getting this pushed out to the Android Market so that users can download is as soon as possible and get back to using the app – without the worry of finding a completely drained handset upon turning it on after a couple of hours.
via Androinica

Outside of the US, Motorola is also considerably quite active in branching out to as many people as possible – and the Korean market is one area they’re focusing on with their next Android powered handset. The Motorola GLAM XT800 is looking to be the next device to set its foot in the country where it hopes to bring something substantial to the table with some decent hardware on board. The handset definitely has a clean look to it with the chrome like border accentuating its appearance just a little to give it a glam look. The Glam features a FWVGA (480 x 854) display, 5-megapixel auto-focus camera, 720 x 480 video recording, 256MB RAM, 512MB ROM, 550MHz TI OMAP processor, GPS, HDMI-out, 3.5mm headset jack, and DLNA. One would’ve imagined for this to carry Android 2.2 Froyo from the beginning, but it’s sadly not present from the onset. Regardless of that, it still does look to be a compelling handset offering from Motorola.
source: Korea Newswire (translated) via AndroidGuys

Apple iPhone owners aren’t the only ones who can simply bump with another device to quickly transfer cash through PayPal. Android users are now enabled to start using the bump feature thanks to the latest version of the app that’s available to download right now. So if you want to look good when it comes down to sending money to someone on PayPal, you can basically “bump”, or a slight nudge that some prefer, your handset with another to instantly send money. Additionally, the update also offers the “split the check” feature which will take the hassle of gathering money from different parties when you’re out having a nice dinner. It’ll essentially lessen the burden on you when your friends ask to borrow money from you – so it’ll calculate the total bill and remind you to collect the specific amount from each person. All in all, we’d imagine these features will come in handy for those individuals who readily depend on PayPal a lot.
source: PayPal Blog

The notorious Windows and Android developers over at XDA-Developers have taken the newest Cyanogen Mod and ported it to an old but still very capable phone from HTC. The Touch Pro 1.

For those who don’t know, Cyanogen is the source of the most complete and formidable builds of the Android OS not coming straight from Google. Previous builds have also been ported to newer devices such as the powerful Windows Mobile 6.5-based HTC HD2.

The Cyanogen builds usually come fully loaded, just as a fresh Android built phone would. This particular one carries with it Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, standard phone and messaging functionality, data capabilities, etc.

The feat of porting CyanogenMod-6 to the HTC Touch Pro 1 was accomplished by an XDA member who goes by the name vatoloco. We suggest all of you Touch Pro 1 users send him a nice thank you for freeing your phones from their Windows constraints. Of course, you could also join him as the word is he is still looking for new team members (if you’ve got the skills, that is, we doubt he needs someone to make him a coffee).

More info is available at the XDA site, where you’ll also find step-by-step directions on how to pull off the installation. If followed correctly, your HTC Touch Pro 1 will run Android quite beautifully and give you an idea of what a little green Droid can do for you.
source: XDA-Devs via WMPoweruser

How would you like to watch streaming satellite television from your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android handset? According to the AP, you soon will have this option. BlackBerry and iPhone (iPod Touch and iPad owners too) users will be have this function starting next month while in October, Android phones will have this capability. Besides having to download a free new app from Dish, special hardware will be required like a Sling Box which costs in the range of $200 to $300. Or, Dish subscribers can pay $200 to $400 to upgrade their DVR to one with Sling Box features. You will have to pay $10 a month for multiple DVR service, but you will get to record with it. A little note here-Sling Box is owned by EchoStar whose Chairman is Charles Ergen, the CEO of Dish Network.

With the new Dish app needed for viewing the programs, you will get to change channels remotely-unless someone is watching a different channel back home. And while the SlingBox can access programs that you  have recorded on your DVR, you can’t record on it. The current app for Dish subscribers is available for the iPhone (iPad and iPod Touch) but is limited to programming your DVR, browse TV shows and for using your phone as a remote control. The app will be upgraded to allow for streaming of programs on to the phone. Both the BlackBerry and Android apps will include the functions on them when they are launched. Dish and Echo Star are a perfect combination to provide streaming satellite television. Back in 2007, EchoStar bought Sling and later spun off Dish Network.
source: AP