We have been told by one of our tipsters that he has a friend building firmware for AT&T. He says that he was told that his friend is building one for the HTC Hero which should be released early in 2010. The Hero is HTC’s first Android device that runs the Sense UI, which also makes it the first Android phone that has a browser that supports flash. The model offers a 3.2 inch screen with resolution of 320 X 480 pixels, a 5MP camera, Wi-Fi and a 3.5mm audio jack. As far as CDMA versions are concerned, Sprint has already released its’ version of the Hero and there is talk that Verizon will offer a model that will not include the Sense UI. As we get more info on the AT&T variant, we will pass on the word to you.
Thanks, anonymous tipster!

Not too long ago, we told you that Samsung had officially confirmed that the i7500 will be the Korean manufacturer’s first Android device. The handset has just made it through the nourishing hands of the FCC and after being probed, shocked, dropped and whatever fun things the test labs do, the Feds gave the thumbs up sign. The filing for the phone mentioned AWS 3G along with the 850 and 1900 MHz EDGE bands which gives us a sign that the i7500 could be T-Mobile bound with its 3.2 inch AMOLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi and a 5MP camera.

source: FCC via EngadgetMobile

In the last few days, we have seen some interesting news about the Android OS. We have seen Vodafone launch the HTC Magic in Spain and two days later announce that Germany is the next place where the Magic will be sold. As we reported, Samsung has introduced their first device to run Google’s open source OS, the I7500.

And now, according to a BGR tipster inside the company, here comes Moto throwing their hat into the Android sweepstakes with the introduction of the Calgary. While every Android device we see is introduced with the same wallpaper featuring the giant analog clock hanging on the sky, surrounded by clouds, this device is pictured with a different photo that shows the earth from what could be an orbiting satellite and while not a big deal, the change is refreshing. The interface also looks personalized. The sliding QWERTY keyboard looks unique and interesting and in no way does it resemble the one found on the G1. Back when the year was fresh, the Schaumburg, Illinois based manufacturer said that they would be focusing on Android powered devices while also concentrating on quick and easy links to social network sites. This handset is expected to feature fast access to the latter. Availability date and pricing were not mentioned although a second quarter launch has been considered likely by the tipster.

Another Moto said to run on Android is the Motorola IRONMAN (this seems to be a codename) which is a slider with a full keyboard and nice features, according to BGR. The funny thing is that the sketch shows it with a Windows Mobile interface, instead of Android, so we are not sure if it is real and what OS it will run on.

In other Motorola news, the company has scrapped two handsets; the sleek looking Flash and the Inferno flip phone will not go into production. On the other hand, the company is supposed to be working on a high-end model called Rolex (its display is pictured below) with the same form factor as the Aura and made entirely from hardened glass. No word on whether this will have a limited run like the Aura or if the Rolex will be for mass consumption.

source: BGR, more

We are not complaining of too much work, as long as we get to write about Android. The latest news here comes from the Times, which informs that T-Mobile is to continue its devotion to Google’s open-source operating system. Following the Verizon Hub’s launch, an Android home phone solution by T-Mobile is said to be in the works, and since it would be incorporating an operating system, we assume that it should offer a better functionality than Verizon’s product.  Anyway, there is more to the Google mania that has possessed the carrier. According to the source, a notebook-sized Android tablet phone is also on its way. What we know for now is that it will lack a hardware keyboard. Its giant touch-sensitive screen seems to measure at 7 inches, and its functionality should cover the basic things your computer does.

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It has long been thought that PC maker Dell would start producing a line of smartphones. According to stock market analyst Shaw Wu, who practices his craft at Kaufman Brothers, it is back to the drawing board for Dell after prototypes of the company’s smartphones were rejected by the cellular carriers. According to a story on Barron’s web site, Dell had produced prototypes of handsets running Windows Mobile and others running the Android OS. The carriers were not impressed, according to Wu, and they felt that there was not enough “differentiation” between Dell’s mock-ups and smartphones scheduled to be released by manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Nokia and Motorola among others. Wu’s sources tell him that the PC maker is not giving up and that the company is aware of the numbers that show that the smartphone niche of the cellphone business is expected to grow in the next two years despite the weak world-wide economy. With the increasing data gathering and crunching these phones can do, this sector of the industry is also taking business away from Dell’s computer sales. Now that other PC makers like Acer are pushing a strong line of smartphones, Wu says that Dell is working on designing a phone with enough differences to catch the attention of the cellular networkers. Another option for the company would be an acquisition of a cellphone manufacturer.  Considering how low stock market prices are, there could be plenty of opportunities for Dell to buy their way into the industry.

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