In trying to differentiate itself from the vast existing stable of devices already in Motorola’s lineup, China will soon see an Android powered device that quickly looks as if it combines the design of two existing Motorola handsets. Quickly looking at it, the Motorola MT716 which is headed for China Mobile distinctively employs the design of the DROID with the combination of the CLIQ’s physical keyboard. Sure it’s definitely something different, but customers will very well appreciate this decently stacked smartphone.

The Motorola MT716 features  a 480 x 854 LCD display, 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, 720p video capture, 600MHz TI OMAP3430 processor, Bluetooth 2.1, aGPS, front-facing camera, WAPI connectivity, and a TD-SCDMA radio. Still, we’d imagine that customers would probably side with the design of the DROID over the CLIQ, but when it comes down to keyboards, some might find the CLIQ’s design to be a bit more manageable – hence the MT716
source: Motorola

Continuing their rapid ascent to the top of the ladder, Samsung announced today that they plan on bringing both the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab to the Japanese market.

Naturally, this bodes well for the internationally successful Android powered smartphone since it’s very well on its way to being one of the world’s most popular handset. At the same time, Samsung’s presence in the Japanese market will be strengthened with the addition of these two devices.

NTT DoCoMo is planning to release the Samsung Galaxy S some time towards the end of this month, while the Galaxy Tab will thankfully be ready in time for late November as opposed to the previous rumored time frame of March. However, pricing for either of the two devices have yet to become publicly known.

Japanese consumers will be happy to know that the Galaxy S will be equipped out of the box with Android 2.2 so they can instantly absorb all of the fine offerings it has to offer. Hardware wise, nothing has really changed since they both pack the assortment of internals that we’ve been accustomed to seeing.
via Samsung Hub

Samsung Galaxy Tab	Samsung Galaxy S

Regretfully, all our fears about the Samsung Galaxy Tab might be coming true after O2 Germany recently became one of the first carriers to announce pricing on the highly anticipated Android powered tablet. Previously, we reported on how retail insiders hinted to an exorbitant price for a SIM-free and no-contract required Galaxy Tab, but now the realization that this thing is going to be costly no matter what is starting to hit everyone.

O2 Germany is planning to sell the Tab for €759 ($1,047) and for right now, looks to be fetched through their My Handy payment plan which essentially cuts up the price of the Tab over the course of a 24 month period – and that doesn’t include service. Initially, they require a €99 deposit which would then tie customers into 24 monthly payments of €27.50 each.

It’s almost unfathomable to even think that this thing will be priced higher than the Apple iPad, so it’s hard to say if Samsung has any control at this point with pricing. Now that we’re getting a small taste of what to expect, it’ll be interesting to see if other mobile carriers around the world adopt a similar pricing for their specific version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab. So now that O2 Germany spilled the beans regarding it, does it make you want to buy one still?
source: O2 Germany via SlashGear

Not too long ago, we reported on how the HTC Desire HD was spotted in a Vodafone Catalog, but now it looks as though it’s being officially confirmed by Vodafone UK.

Customers can now get a piece of the upcoming high-end Android powered smartphone thanks to pre-orders that are being made available right now. This Froyo filled device can be purchased for free with a new 2-year agreement and service that run from at least £35 ($55) per month. Getting down and dirty with an actual release date, the mobile operator says to expect it to ship out on October 14th – which is only a week away. That’s not too shabby since European customers have been eying the HTC EVO 4G in the US for quite some time now.

So fittingly, they’ll be able to absorb and experience all of the wonders that the HTC Desire HD will bring to the table when it’s finally out to customers.
source: Vodafone UK via Unwired View

Google CEO Eric Schmidt has made it clear that Android is a strong source of cash flow for the internet giant. According to a statement, Android already generates enough ad revenue to cover all of the costs of the operating system.

Android is a widely used OS nowadays so this really shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. Their market share has sky-rocketed as a result of their popularity. Android offers users a highly customizable experience with thousands of applications available for download. With all of those apps spread out across dozens of phones worldwide, generating a mass amount of revenue from ads should be expected.

This revenue should only go up given that Android is only getting better over time. With more applications come more chances to advertise. Google has a few other things around the corner that is surely to bring some serious cash their way also.

Is this a surprise to any of you that Android generates enough in ad revenue to cover the costs of the platform? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
source: Newsweek via Into Mobile

It’s hard to gauge whether or not the latest round of handset manufacturers diving head first into the tablet market are really looking at the existing landscape when it comes down to pricing. It’s almost hard to fathom that some of these upcoming tablets are literally going to situate themselves in pricing levels that might ultimately put them out of commission in truly being a competitive device.

For the longest of time now, everyone is still curious to see what Samsung will do when it comes down to pricing for their upcoming Galaxy Tab. However, it looks as though that some retail insiders over in Europe might provide us all some additional details surrounding this still mysterious aspect.

The DSG Group, which is the company behind popular UK retailers such as Currys, Dixons, and PC World, offered up the notion that the off-contract price for a SIM-free Samsung Galaxy Tab will be £599.99 ($950). Yeah, you heard that right, it’s suspected to launch at a price that some might consider to be death in a way. Still, we’ll have to wait for the official word before any judgment can be bestowed upon it.

Naturally, carrier subsidies will come into play in greatly reducing the price of the Android powered tablet when it’s released. Everything seems to hinge on the actual price for the device, but as we’re already beginning to see, the tablet market is surely heating up with plenty of suitors looking to make their mark.
source: pocket-lint

Sure there are going to be a couple of new Android offerings being rolled out across Europe in the not too far off distant future, but the notion of Windows Phone 7 being right around the corner might make you want to outweigh all your options. But for those who are content with the existing crop of handsets offered from HTC, they’ll be happy to know that two of their popular Android powered smartphones are receiving fresh paint jobs.

We all know that a white version of the HTC Desire is already being made available via pre-orders, but the Taiwan based company officially announced it – along with a phantom black version of the HTC Legend. There’s no arguing that the Legend’s design is intricate enough to make it stand atop of ladder, but the addition of a phantom black color scheme for it just might make people consider gobbling up the popular handset. If that doesn’t scream high-end for you, then the brilliant white HTC Desire might be a bit more fitting since it’ll be some packing some heat under its hood to still compete with the best out there.

As for availability, these two devices should become ready in time some time this month across various markets in Europe.
via Engadget

With it still being fresh in the minds of most European consumers, the HTC Desire HD is looking to be bound with Vodafone UK after the handset was recently spotted in the new Vodafone catalog.

This should bring some delight to customers who are looking to check out the latest offering from HTC’s camp, but there is still no indication on when the carrier plans to officially launch the Android powered smartphone. In fact, Vodafone UK joins T-Mobile UK as the mobile operators in the country that are positioned to sell the device.

When is comes down to pricing, Vodafone is pretty good in the department since a handful of high-end devices are offered for free on select monthly calling plans – so the HTC Desire HD would probably follow suit as well.
via CoolSmartphone

Although some of us will probably be reeling after a night of engorging on candy sweets from Halloween, the onset of November has in store yet another tasty treat for those who wish to experience some Froyo loving goodness.

Samsung has finally announced an official launch date for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, but it appears as though it’ll be making its splash over in the UK first; for now. You may want to circle down November 1st because that’s the date when the 7” Android powered tablet will begin to go on sale through “all major networks” in the UK – so it would be safe to presume that Vodafone, O2, Orange, and T-Mobile would be in with this.

Although it’s looking like a small fraction of our friends over the big pond will have the opportunity to grab a tablet, it’s also speculated that it might be launched in other European markets before November 1st. Still, at least UK consumers have a concrete date, while most of us, especially here in the US, have to wait for the official announcement from each of the separate major carriers about a time frame on availability.
via Phandroid

Anyone with more than just a passing interest in financial markets knows about Bloomberg. The company’s “screens” are a staple of most trading desks, providing inter-dealer quotes and trading news on a number of markets ranging from forex to equities. In addition, the company has a very capable news organization around the globe.

Already available on iOS, BlackBerry and Nokia phones, the Bloomberg app takes the best from the company’s web site and brings it to smartphone users in an easy to use fashion. On the Android version, two screens on the home page bring updated stock quotes for a user’s portfolio. Business and financial news are both updated during the day, allowing you to successfully trade off the news and make money saving decisions quickly before the rest of the world finds out about a story.

Bloomberg calls the software the first, “fully featured business and finance app for Android. This allows us to deliver the news faster and gives users the ability to read stories while off-line.”

The Bloomberg app is now available for free from the Android Market and the company says to watch for some mobile innovations to take place soon.
source: Bloomberg