Taking a look at all of the neat upcoming Android smartphones that are expected to grace Verizon’s lineup in the very close future, we’re still clueless as to when they’ll actually launch.

Case in point the Samsung Droid Charge, which has been in cell phone limbo for a little bit, but its recent sighting on Walmart’s web site does open an eye or two. Briefly, the handset made an appearance on the retailer’s web site showing off its charmingly good looks, but has been quickly removed and is nowhere in sight anymore. Still, it hints to the notion that we should be expecting an official launch some time very soon. But then again, we’ve heard plenty of rumored launch dates that haven’t panned out.

Regardless, the other piece that most people want to know is pricing, and based on what we’ve seen happen with the HTC Thunderbolt, it will more than likely flaunt something around the $249 and up category.

source: Pocket Now via Unwired View

These days, parents have a multitude of options when it comes to keeping track of their kids. They can call, text, or even use child locator services. But kids don’t like having to call mommy while they’re hanging with their friends, and they most certainly resent being tracked by a mysterious Big Brother service.

Nearparent is a beta app for Android that might achieve the delicate balance between mutual respect and parental concern. Kids can use the app to check in occasionally, letting parents know that they are okay. But there are also check-ins to indicate a need. A yellow check-in lets the parents know that they need basic assistance, and a red check-in signifies urgent need.

In order to provide a constant support net for the child’s potential needs, the parent can assign a trusted network of adults that can be notified if the parent is unavailable. That way, you don’t have to be scared of being too far away from your child, or have a panic attack if your battery dies.

Nearparent, which is compatible with Android 2.1+, is currently available for free from the Android Market. Run it past your kids and let us know what they think: Is it any less invasive than a simple child locator service?

source: Android Market via AndroidGuys

You know something is brewing when the HTC Droid Incredible is placed on Verizon’s “end of life” list – which might happen to be a good indicator of a potential successor on the way.

Adding more to the reality of the HTC Droid Incredible 2 is the fact that some indirect stores have begun receiving marketing materials relating to the upcoming handset. Obviously, you know that it’s coming soon when you see the word “launch” next to HTC Droid Incredible 2 within the documentation. Moreover, another quick snapshot quickly sheds some truth to the handset’s global functionality – which didn’t come light until only a couple days ago.

Nonetheless, there is no denying that we’re nearing an eventual launch, but the only thing now left to complete everything is an official confirmation from Big Red. However, considering that the HTC Thunderbolt is dominating the scene right now, would you even consider checking out the HTC Droid Incredible 2 when it lands?

source: Android Central

We’d have to travel back to May 2009 to remember the last time we managed to get comfy with a Sidekick handset, but after hearing reports about the popular line being possibly discontinued, we were utterly taken by surprise by the announcement that it was basically going to be reincarnated into a smartphone.

After getting the chance of checking out the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G at CTIA 2011, we’re finally once again going to be able to relive all of the messaging focused aspects of the popular line. Taking a quick peek into its packaging, we find the initials “SK” squarely on the top, with some colorful markings outlining the sides. Inside, we find the microUSB cable, wall charger, usual set of documentation, and a microSD card adapter – the latter of which is rarely found packaged along with most phones; so it’s nice seeing it included.

The handset itself pretty much sticks true to the Sidekick form factor, but instead of employing that usual swiveling mechanism with its display, the Sidekick 4G opts to use a “pop-tilt” mechanism. Considering its $99.99 on-contract cost, it’s pretty amazing to see it competitively priced knowing that it features a 3.5” WVGA touchscreen, 3-megapixel rear camera, 0.3-megapixel front facing camera, 1GHz Hummingbird processor, HSPA+ support, 5-row QWERTY keyboard, and Android 2.2 Froyo.

Besides the specs, the handset relies on using a customized experience to better channel its messaging attributes in order to provide things like advanced texting services with Group Text and Cloud Text. Furthermore, you know that social networking and multimedia are going to come into play with this one to concretely cement its well-rounded capacity. In any case, we’ll surely test this one out over the course of the next few days to better grasp this modernized Sidekick device.

Granted that it’s still slim pickings over on Sprint’s lineup when it comes down to devices offering WiMAX support, it’s nice to know that the Google Nexus S 4G will make a nice candidate once it arrives.

In the meantime though, you can place a pre-order for the highly anticipated device through Best Buy’s web site so that you can be ahead of the game when it arrives. Sure there are few difference between it and the version that T-Mobile holds, like 4G WiMAX support, but it’s still going to be one respectable device on Sprint’s lineup that should tide over some people who are eagerly waiting for the HTC EVO 3D this summer.

As it stands right now, you’ll need to cash out $199.99 with your signature on a 2-year agreement to pick this one up as a pre-order, however, it’s estimated to be mailed some time around April 18th and 21st – albeit, there is still no official confirmation regarding its actual launch date.

source: Best Buy via IntoMobile

Some people would rather deal with one direct party rather than an indirect one when it comes down to buying things, but lucky for Sprint customers, they’ll soon be able to simply charge their accounts for any Android Market purchases.

Following after T-Mobile and AT&T respectively, Sprint is now the next in line to make available to its customers the ability to charge purchases made through the Android Market, directly to their Sprint account. Although it has been rolled out in various stages since April 7th, it should eventually become an option to everyone by tomorrow, April 14th. Interestingly, Corporate Liable customers are automatically opted out from taking part in this new offering, but they can simply reverse it by calling up Sprint customer care or by opting in through their web site.

Naturally, it makes the app purchasing experience a little bit more streamlined – especially when you only have to deal with Sprint. However, you’ll still need to contact either Google, or the 3rd party provider associated with your purchase, for all refunds.

via Mobileburn

With 24 million members, ooVoo is second behind the 660 million members that belong to Skype. But in an effort to pick up some new accounts, the former is now offering a free video chat app (in Beta, we might add) on the Android Market that will produce 3-way video calls on certain Android phones running Froyo or higher. Unlike Skype, which charges $8.99 monthly, ooVoo’s service is loaded with banner ads which helps keep the price at zero.

For those who don’t mind shelling out some money, ooVoo does over a 5 way plan called ooVoo Plus for $9.95 monthly and a 6 way plan called ooVoo Pro for $29.95 per month. Both paid plans do not show advertisements. All of the video calls can be made over 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi.

According to Philippe Schwartz, CEO of ooVoo, “We listened closely to ooVoo users who have been asking for free expanded multi-point capability. ooVoo continues to raise the bar in the fast-growing video chat category as we create competitive advantages over Skype that will bring more satisfied users to video calling powered by ooVoo.”

Back in February, Nielsen had ooVoo listed as the fastest growing app in the communications industry and the service is adding memberships at the rate of 50,000 daily during Q1 of 2011.Right now, the Video Chat app is supported on the HTC EVO 3G &4G, Samsung Epic, Samsung Galaxy S GT-i9000, Samsunbg Galaxy Tab 3.0 and T-Mobile MyTouch 4G. Coming soon will be support for the HTC ThunderBolt and the Samsung Galaxy S 4G.

source: ooVoo via AndroidGuys

Not the kind of manufacturer that would come to mind when talking about Android tablets, but some people are already familiar with Hannspree because of their recognition in the computing space. Well, they’re going to be a name you’ll undoubtedly remember because they’re making a push in the lucrative Android tablet space with three beauties that are lined up to be released in each of the quarters this year.

Even though it’s hard to say what kind of calendar schedule they’re following in regards to quarters, but their first Android tablet is expected to land in Q1. Furthermore, the other two 10.1” tablets are going to be released in Q2 and Q3 respectively. And from the looks of it right now, they’re seemingly being referred to as the SN10T1, SN10T2, and SN10T3.

As a whole, they all share the same 10.1” screen size, but the Q1 available SN10T1 will have a resolution of 1024 x 600, running Android 2.2 Froyo, running a Tegra II chipset, boasting 16GB of internal storage, and will be priced at €349 ($505). Secondly, the Q2 available SN10T2 will sport the same screen resolution of 1024 x 600, running a T1 chipset, 8GB of storage, Android 2.2 Froyo, camera, and will sell for €299 ($433). Lastly, the Q3 bound SN10T3 features the highest screen resolution of the three at 1280 x 700, Tegra II processor, 16GB of memory, camera, Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and will sport a €449 ($650) price tag.

From the leaked screen shot, we’re mildly presented with associating images of the three tablets – but they don’t justice in giving us a good idea of what to expect. However, we get a better look at the SN10T3 model in one of the images, but it seems to be an older pre-production model. Moreover, the video demonstration shows off an updated version of the pre-production unit which happens to be slimmer. Are you excited about any of these?

via SlashGear

Leaked screen shot showing off the specs of Hannspree's tablets

Hanspree SN10T3

We bet the mobile lovers in the UK are a happy bunch, as it’s strongly rumored that no less than four UK carriers will offer the newly-announced HTC Sensation.

It’s reported that Vodafone will enjoy a month-long exclusive period from May to June, as the lads at Pocket-lint were informed that Orange and the British T-Mo will join Voda in offering this quite sensational handset from June onwards. Even better, Three’s subscribers don’t have to feel left out from the party, as it’s officially announced that the carrier is to offer the HTC Sensation in the summer months, though an exact date is not available at the moment.

Yesterday was an exciting day for pretty much everyone who has a soft spot for monstrous phones and beautiful UIs, so if you want to relive the memories from this event, you may want to go this way for the announcement of the handset and also check our HTC Sensation Hands-on.

As of now, T-Mobile is set to be the only US carrier to offer this handset, which will be renamed the HTC Sensation 4G in the States. It’s confirmed this phone will hit the shelves in the US during the summer.

source: Pocket-lint

The HTC ThunderBolt, Verizon’s 4G LTE flagship, just got cheaper than ever. Until Monday of next week,  the online retailer Wirefly will be asking only $149 for the ThunderBolt – a good $100 less than what Big Red is currently selling it for. Signing up for a 2-year contract is still required, of course.

Wirefly’s deal beats even Amazon’s $179 offer and has to be the cheapest we’ve ever seen the ThunderBolt being sold for. The bargain works after adding the smartphone to your cart, picking the service plan that suits you most, and entering the promotional code THUNDER0418 at the checkout page. So, if you have been waiting for the right moment to get yourself a shiny new HTC ThunderBolt, this should be the best time to do it.

source: Wirefly via DroidMatters