Great news for all Android modders around the world comes from no other than cellphone manufacturer Sony Ericsson itself. Effective yesterday, some Android-powered Sony Ericsson smartphones can now have their boot loader unlocked via a software tool. Even though this does not mean anything to the Average Joe, such an unlock will now enable software developers to easily try out their homebrew ROMs and custom OS tweaks without the need for any elaborate hacking procedures.

Only certain releases of four Sony Ericsson devices are eligible for a boot loader unlock right now, namely the Xperia PLAY, arc, pro, and the neo. However, it is quite possible for upcoming smartphones to join the list of modder-friendly handsets. In a nutshell, the unlocking procedure goes like this: you provide SE with your name, email address, and the smartphone’s IMEI number, after which you will be able to download all the software needed for the boot loader unlock to be performed.

Of course, Sony Ericsson does not forget to warn you that a ton of things can go wrong. Unlocking the boot loader may have unwanted side effects like ending up with a bricked device or voiding its warranty. If you choose to proceed anyway, we urge you to be very careful, and do not forget to share your modding endeavors with us by leaving a comment below.

source: Sony Ericsson via Electricpig

Online retailer Wirefly is at it again. This time, they have just listed the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G and the T-Mobile G2x for pre-order six days prior to their official release. Priced at $80 for the former and $150 for the latter, the two offers are a bargain, which both new and existing T-Mobile subscribers can take advantage of.

If you have your mind set on the Sidekick 4G or the G2x, Wirefly’s deal seems to be the best one online right now. Since both smartphones are scheduled to launch on April 20, we do not expect them to ship much later after that should you decide to pre-order them online. However, if you have the patience, we would recommend you to hold on until Amazon steps in and lists the handsets as well.

source: Wirefly (T-Mobile G2x, Sidekick 4G) via TmoNews

The lads at Clove have officially confirmed that the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S II is to be offered with Samsung’s own Exynos processor rather than NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 in the UK.

The handset is to launch on May 1 in Britain, and this Samsung flagship model will offer a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen with 480 x 800 resolution, Gingerbread, 1024MB of RAM and two cameras. It’s also noted that the British version will be a quad-band GSM phone. But because these cold stats can’t quite express the beauty of this handset, go this way for our Samsung Galaxy S II Hands-on.

It’s still uncertain whether it will be powered by Sammy’s own Exynos processor or NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 in the US. Worse still, it’s unknown when this handset will be released on this side of the Atlantic.

source: Clove UK

We love the fact the tablet battle is heating up – it means better tabs for less money by more competitors. The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is a perfect example of this trend, and now a rumor claims that we will see this high-specced device for $399 in the US.

This is in accordance with a previous information we reported – that Best Buy and Newegg briefly listed the Asus tab for the same price, only to remove it from their sites a few hours later. Now, citing an Asus contact, tech-blogger Joanna Stern says the 16GB Wi-Fi version of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer is to be available stateside by the end of April.

This is great news as there is not much difference spec-wise (and these are some really, really good specs) between this tab, the Acer ICONIA TAB A500 and the Motorola XOOM, as they all pack a 10.1-inch screen with 800 x 1280 resolution, 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, 1024MB of RAM, two cameras and the tablet-optimized Android 3.0. There is a difference in the price of these devices though, as the Acer ICONIA TAB A500 costs $500 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version, while the better known Motorola XOOM is priced at $599 for the 32GB Wi-Fi version.

The amount of money it costs aside, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer has one (potential) advantage over its rivals – you can buy a $149 keyboard dock designed for the tab, which not only turns your Asus Eee Pad Transformer into something that closely resembles a laptop, but also extends its battery life to the impressive 16 hours. Sweet.

source: Joanna Stern’s Blog via Electronista

Apple’s iOS has proven to be one of the best platforms when it comes mobile advertising, but the rise of Android has left it on the second place in Millenial Media’s ad network, according to newly released data for March.

The launch of a Verizon-branded iPhone, however, boosted Apple’s position and contributed largely to the 11% month-on-month growth of iOS. Cupertino’s platform accounted for 31% of the ad impressions on the network, while Android held 48%.

RIM was the other company on the rise with 29% increase to finish with 18% of all ad impressions. Nokia’s Symbian and Microsoft’s Windows Phone stayed flat each with a 1% share.

In terms of devices, Apple held the lead with 32% of all ad impressions, a share courtesy not only of the iPhone, but also of the iPad and iPod touch. Samsung remained second with 15.2% share, while HTC trailed third enjoying 10.69% and an overwhelming six handsets in the top 20 ranking. Smartphones reigned supreme in Millenia Media’s network stats with 64% of ad impressions, feature phones had a 19% share and other connected devices like the iPad score at 17%.

source: Electronista

Yesterday we told you that a rumour claims the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and Xperia arc are set to be available for Rogers subscribers starting on April 28, and now that is already official as the Canadian carrier broke the news during a party dedicated to the event.

The beautiful Xperia arc and the Xperia PLAY, which is said to have (creepy ads alert: the links to the Xperia PLAY promos are here and here) everything you need and the one thing you want, are to be launched with a contract price of $99.

As you surely know, the regular contract in Canada is three year long, so it’s only right to tell you that the contractless price for these phones is expected to be $549, although that’s not officially confirmed.

You can pre-order the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc from the source link, while you can also take a look at the launch party of these handsets thanks to the videos below.

source: Rogers via mobilesyrup

You saw it and chances are you loved it. The new HTC Sense UI 3.0 delivers the graphical punch weather widget addicts have dreamed of, but hold off the celebration if you’re one of them – the new skin will only be available on newer HTC devices starting with the HTC Sensation, the HTC Evo 3D and the HTC Flyer. Desire/Incredible/early-HTC loyalists will be left out due to the increased hardware requirements incompatible with their devices.

Well, this proves our point about the gorgeous, but resource hungry HTC Sense, doesn’t it? Now, we hear your cries of frustration, but it shouldn’t be long until the crafty folks from XDA come up with a solution, so cheer up – we’ll keep you updated.

source: @HTC via UnwiredView and XDA Developers

With the HTC ThunderBolt being out for a few weeks now, it seems that it will be getting some company soon from the Samsung Droid Charge, HTC Droid Incredible 2, LG Revolution, and Motorola DROID X 2.

The Samsung Droid Charge (SCH-i510) is the official name of the “un-named Samsung 4G smartphone” we first saw at CES earlier this year. The device is expected to carry a minimum advertised price of $299.99 (making it $50 more than the HTC ThunderBolt), and will feature a 4.3″ Super AMOLED Plus display, 1GHz Hummingbird single-core processor, an 8MP autofocus rear camera with 1080p video recording and a 1.3MP front camera for video chat, HDMI output, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v3.0, 828MB of internal storage, 1600mAh battery, and microSDHC memory card slot. The Samsung Droid Charge will run Android 2.2 Froyo and have a new version of Samsung’s TouchWiz interface.

The HTC Droid Incredible 2 (ADR6350) is a going to be a world phone with CDMA & GSM global roaming capabilities, but will lack 4G LTE. Pricing is shown at $199.99 and the phone will come with Android 2.2 Froyo, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 4″ WVGA TFT display, an 8MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front camera, 720p video recording, DLNA connectivity, and will come with a 16GB microSDHC memory card pre-installed.

For $249.99 you can get the LG Revolution (VS910), which will also be a 4G LTE smartphone. We enjoyed using the device at CES in January, and even more a few months later at CTIA, as it will be one of the first Android smartphones on Verizon to support Netflix streaming. Features included Android 2.2 Froyo with LG’s Optimus 2.0 user interface, 4.3″ WVGA TFT display, 1GHz processor, 5MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front camera, HDMI port, DLNA streaming, Bluetooth 3.0, and microSD memory card slot.

Lastly, the Motorola DROID X 2 (MB870) will be priced at $199.99, and will take the place of the current DROID X on Verizon’s lineup. Even though the DROID X 2 will not have 4G LTE capabilities, it will come with a higher resolution 4.3″ qHD display (540×960) and next generation processor, which some say will be dual-core 1GHz, while others say it is single-core 1.2GHz. It is also expected to come with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. But the camera will remain unchanged at 8MP.

Keep in mind that the dates listed in the MAP are not the release dates, just the dates that the prices are in effect.

Thanks to a friend for the info!

A Motorola Mobility device with the model number XT852 has just received Bluetooth certification. The device has a code-name of Solana, but just one look at the device screams, “DROID 3″.

If this is the Motorola DROID 3, the QWERTY keyboard looks revamped from the DROID 2 with 5 rows including one dedicated for numbers. The keys themselves might have a little more of a rise to them. As has become a tradition of the series, the Motorola DROID 3 looks to be well constructed with a metallic look and feel, and the screen is expected to be upgraded to a qHD resolution. As we reported, the Motorola DROID 3 is not expected to support 4G connectivity.

source: Droid-Life

Getting Bluetooth certification is a device that appears to be the Motorola DROID 3

Back in August 2009, before the Motorola DROID landed at JFK airport with its Mop Top haircut blowing in the breeze was launched to start Androidmania, we reported that the Virtual Zippo app on the App Store had surpassed 5 million downloads. The idea, of course, was to allow concert-goers to signal their desire for an encore by waving their iPhones and iPods with both displays showing the flame from a Zippo lighter. Rather a clever idea and back in 2009, it was claimed by Zippo to be the most downloaded free app on the App Store.

Almost two years have gone by since that story and an additional 9 million downloads of the Virtual Zippo lighter have brought the total number installed on an iOS device to an amazing 14 million. And of course, with the amazing growth of the Android OS and the Android Market, Zippo has launched a version of the virtual lighter for Google’s open source OS.

The Zippo virtual lighter app for Android costs 99 cents and comes with 28 free designs and 250 that will cost you some money. A simple flick of the wrist opens the lighter  while a turn of the flint wheel gets the flame going. The virtual lighter from Zippo is available for Android models running 2.1 or higher.

source: AndroidGuys

Now available for 99 cents from the Android Market, the virtual Zippo lighter which has been downloaded more than 14 million times from the App Store