We have already reported that, supposedly, the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700 will get its update to Android version 2.1 in Q2, 2010. Impatient owners of the device, however, can get the software right away, since an unofficial ROM has just been leaked on the Internet. According to Greaky.com (the website that released the ROM), this particular edition is meant for the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700 exclusively and brings several personalization novelties. The pictures reveal the camera sports Samsung´s interface now, plus it seems the update adds DivX support as well. It ´s mentioned that Google Maps 4.0.0 is not particularly stable and the handset tends to freeze, so install the release on your own responsibility.

We don´t really know why the software updates to Android version 2.1 for quite a few devices appear to be severely delayed, we just hope that the manufacturers are working on the issue and their handsets will get the new OS edition soon.
source: Greaky via AndroidandMe

The Motorola DEVOUR A555 (formally known as the Calgary) is expected to be released by Verizon Wireless any day now as it will follow on the heels of the popular Motorola DROID and HTC DROID ERIS. The Motorola DEVOUR and DROID are both about the same physical size overall, though the first thing we noticed is that the display on the DEVOUR was smaller (3.1″ compared to 3.7″) and has a lower resolution (320×480 opposed to 480×854), which makes it similar to the display on the HTC DROID ERIS. However, images on the screen looked good and text was clear enough to read. The silver and black body with blue accents has a more distinctive look to it than the all-black DROID, but the construction is plastic instead of metal. The internal QWERTY keyboard has individual buttons this time around and the number keys have their own row. This, combined with the space between the keys, makes typing on the DEVOUR a bit more user-friendly than the one-piece keyboard on the DROID. Though the optical d-pad on the DEVOUR can take some practice, as its tracking of movement is a bit finicky.

The DEVOUR runs on Android 1.6, so it’s a bit behind the DROID in that aspect, but it is the first smartphone on Verizon to come with the MOTOBLUR user interface, which we’ve seen before on the Motorola CLIQ. It combines all of your social networking (such as Facebook, Google, MySpace, and Twitter) with your Email, Messaging, and Calendar and shows them on any the 5 homescreens via widgets. It is a nice feature and is simple to use, though not as polished as the Sense UI on the HTC DROID ERIS, as there are some differences in functionality between them.

So far in the short time that we’ve used the Motorola DEVOUR, it seems like a nice device, but be sure to check back for our upcoming in-depth review as we put the DEVOUR through its paces.

App developer The Astonishing Tribe is currently developing an intriguing app called Recognizr, an augmented reality app that utilizes your phone’s camera to identify your friends via facial recognition and then display both their contact information and a variety of social networking services they are connected to. The head of user experience research at The Astonishing Tribe, Dan Gärdenfors, demonstrated Recognizr at the Mobile World Congress and indicated that the app would make its way to the Android Market within the next few months.

In addition to recognizing your friends and displaying their contact information and social networking habits, you can use Recognizr to upload their picture to Facebook and it can automatically tag everyone in the photo based on Recognizr profiles. This app seems like it will be a lot of fun and could prove to be very useful, although some may see it as a potential invasion of privacy. What do you think?

source: phandroid

If you want to get a peek at Motorola’s Connected Media Player, then take a look at the video below for a 9-minute demo. Motorola will be including the Connected Media Player on the new CLIQ XT smartphone — also known as the QUENCH. The player is packed with features like retrieving album art and lyrics from the internet, searching YouTube and other services for related content, playing Shoutcast internet radio stations, and posting song-related messages on Twitter and Facebook. Take a look and let us know what you think.

source: Android Authority

The HTC Legend is made of aluminum and the casing is supposed to make the handset virtually indestructible. It also allows the handset to stand out from the crowd of other phones with their sturdy plastic bodies and chrome highlights. Another thing that makes the Legend a, well, legend, is a different battery compartment that houses the power cell, SIM card and microSD card. HTC wanted to design the housing so that one of the three can be removed without disturbing the other two. The bottom of the back cover is made from plastic and can be removed to reveal plastic covers protecting the SIM card and microSD card. The battery then slides out vertically above the plastic covers. It is a different and very functional way to allow for changing any one of the three items without having to deal with the other two. Kudos to HTC for coming up with such a clever idea.
source: NewMobile via htcpedia

As we reported the other day, Best Buy has dropped the price of the upcoming Motorola DEVOUR to $99.99 with a 2 year contract on Verizon. This is Big Red’s first handset equipped with the social integration MOTOBLUR UI and should get some play from the Facebook/Twitter crowd. But what would happen if, at the same time, the retailer cut the price on the Motorla DROID to the same price? Starting February 25th, we are going to find out. Listed on its Facebook page is the news that Best Buy is cutting the DROID to $99.99 with a 2 year contract. On paper, the latter device would seem to have the advantage with its geeky cool industrial design and square corners, a 3.7 inch display with 480 x 854 resolution and Android 2.0.1 (soon to be Android 2.1, right Motorola/Verizon? Can you hear me? How about now?). The DEVOUR, as seen on that Super Bowl commercial with Meagan Fox, is no slouch either. Running on Android 1.6, it features a tough aluminum casing and a physical QWERTY that some have said is better than the one on the DROID. Of course, you get MOTOBLUR which is not on the other device, and the DEVOUR has some flash support and features the Qualcomm MSM 7627 under the hood. That is the same processor that runs the Palm Pixi. In defense, the DROID is powered by the faster TI OMAP 3430 and is expected to get Flash 10.1 later in the first half of the year.

So you Androidmaniacs, what will it be? $99 with a 2 year Verizon contract starting Thursday at Best Buy for either the DROID or the DEVOUR. Which one would you choose?
source: Facebook

First the DROID never got the Android 2.1 update users were promised. Then, CLIQ owners failed to get the minor upgrade they were expecting. Today, Motorola got it right and the CLIQ was sent out the new 1.3.18 build. No, it is not Android 2.1, and yeah, it takes care of a few minor buggy issues like improving battery life, accelerometer issues, problems with the touchscreen and GPS improvement, but it is better than nothing, right? The update is being done on a rolling basis so if you didn’t get your notice yet, don’t worry-you will. Just keep checking every few minutes and do us a favor-let us know if you notice any changes once you’ve downloaded it. For a complete list of fixes, check the source link.
source: Motorola via EngadgetMobile

*UPDATE*
According to the forums on the Motorola owner’s site (the source link above), word starting spreading that not everyone had been able to complete loading the upgrade on their CLIQ. So of course, talk started that Motorola had recalled the upgrade. According to the forum manager, Motorola had simply taken the upgrade out for a test drive and if everything works fine, the full upgrade will be sent out. So if you did not receive the upgrade today, or it failed, be patient. Motorola will get the upgrade out. Now, about the DROID…

According to BGR, sources close to HTC have revealed that the HTC Desire is headed to AT&T sometime in May or June and will offer up some HTC Sense UI goodness for its owners. The model that will hit the shelves is likely to look slightly different than the one pictured, with some minor cosmetic changes.

Rumor has it that Sprint will get a new Android handset of their own from HTC – the Hero2. The Hero2 is actually the new HTC Legend but will also undergo some cosmetic changes as it makes its way to Sprint. There is no timeframe at present for Hero2 availability on Sprint, but as we learn more details and as rumor becomes reality, we will post it here.

source: BGR

The HTC Legend has made its way through FCC clearance and has added GSM support to a package that currently offers a 600MHz processor, a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen, a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, and Android 2.1. FCC approval is usually a good indicator of an imminent release, so if you’re waiting for the HTC Legend, you may not have to wait long.

There are no release details yet available for the Legend, but with GSM support, both a European and U.S. release is possible. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

source: Android Community

Dutch analytics firm, Distimo does nothing but study apps. At the recently concluded MWC, they gave a presentation on the 6 largest stores. Below, you will find a slideshow that details some of their findings. No surprise that the App Store is the largest with over 150,000 choices while the Android Market comes in second with 20,000 apps. The latter has increased the number of downloads every month since opening. From a smaller base than the Apple store, Android is actually growing faster on a percentage basis. ReadWriteWeb points out that Android Market is the fastest growing of all app stores. The Android Market also has the largest percentage of free apps (57%) quite possibly due to the open source nature of the Android OS.
source: Distimo via ReadWriteWeb, AndroidandMe