The Motorola Milestone looks great all dolled up in red with the Ferrari logo on the back. But before you start inquiring about where you can buy this beauty, it is a limited edition produced for the automobile company to give out to its board members, high level executives and good customers.

Ironic isn’t it, that those who are receiving a free high end smartphone, are the people who can most afford to buy one. The GSM variant of the Motoorola DROID looks like it could go from 0 to 60 in seconds.

Adding another weapon to the arsenal that Android users will probably see in the not too distant future, Google has acquired BlindType. The company makes a predictive soft keyboard that can be called incredible. Not only does the software correctly replace the jibberish you just typed with the word you were trying to spell, it also allows you to type successfully on a blank slate. Even the size and orientation of the keyboard will automatically adjust with your typing. The company merely says that the keyboard is “extremely resilient to inaccurate input”.

Back this Summer, the company said it was planning on submitting an app to the App Store even though the software would not meet Apple’s regulations as it would require replacing Apple’s default button slate. Now with the acquisition by Google, the technology could end up as an Android exclusive and anyone who doesn’t think that BlindType could lead cell phone buyers to purchase an Android phone just hasn’t watched the video yet.

The acquisition was announced in a terse statement from BlindType and the terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
source: BlindType

Star Wars fans all around should rejoice now that the Force has brought on a systematic smartphone that exudes all of the intricacies that one of our most beloved DROIDs is able to embody. Only fittingly, the Motorola DROID R2-D2 Limited Edition is able to conjure up some excitement for fans of the Star Wars universe, as there are some notable goodies packed along with it to make its purchase utterly satisfying. For starters, the $249.99 on-contract price of the handset is not only justified by its stark resemblance to R2-D2, but there are some included content and accessories packaged as well. Sure you get a charger for the Android powered smartphone, but it also comes along with a matching multimedia docking station to sit your handset in style while charging.

In terms of design, we already mentioned that it follows closely to the style in use with the current Motorola DROID 2 handset, but its paint job is noticeably different with its attention to R2-D2. There are even some subtle details, like the blue accented buttons and markings on the display, that makes this one a looker from a far glance. However, we were thoroughly surprised with the flush nature of the physical keyboard – which in fact reminded us of the original Motorola DROID. Instead of finding the prominently bubbled buttons with the DROID 2’s keyboard, our fingers are left having to feel the faint pronounced areas of each key, but thankfully, they still offer a solid click when pressed. Although it’s rather difficult in feeling out each individual button, we found ourselves typing casually after a short while of using it.

Software-wise, you’ve got Android 2.2 running that customized version of MOTOBLUR which some can appreciate as it’s not as obtrusive as others. Seeing that this is the R2-D2 Limited Edition handset, there are some notable Star Wars themed goodies that are in for the ride – such as wallpapers, ringtones, notification sounds, a widget, and a couple of apps. The only sole Star Wars widget that’s found is the R2-D2 clock widget which unfortunately, is a bit on the smaller and less prominent side, but will still add that cool factor since it’s R2-D2 emitting a beam to display the time. However, we do adore the multitude of static and live wallpapers found on the handset. By far, we like the live wallpapers that require you to shake the handset to activate them – such as the lightspeed one which essentially will put you in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon as it shifts to lightspeed. Not only are we greeted to the nifty animation, but it’s accompanied by some classic Star Wars sound. Finally, there are two apps loaded on the handset, but one of them is nothing more than a short video. You’ve got the Star Wars ESB Binoculars app which places you in a first person view which will then allow you to pan and zoom the battlefield. Actually, it didn’t scream anything too enticing since you don’t necessarily interact with anything aside from the binoculars view you’re situated in. Secondly, there is “The Best of R2D2” clip which compiles a variety of scenes throughout all of the movies that consist of our adorable DROID.

So that’s pretty much sums up the Motorola DROID R2-D2 Limited Edition handset which will undoubtedly be appreciated by any fan of the Star Wars universe. And if you really consider yourself a die-hard fan, you might want to scope this one out since it’ll most likely become a collector’s item some day.

When it comes down to iDEN based Android handsets, there are very few available to choose from, but the Motorola i1 seems to be the sole offering for now – but as always, it would only be a matter of time before we begin to see more.

The case is looking pretty good as the FCC recently approved the iDEN based Motorola i886 which is one interesting Android powered device from a quick visual inspection. Not only does it stand out for being just an iDEN Android phone, but its choice of employing a traditional keypad and landscape sliding QWERTY are also eye catching. It’s definitely a form factor that we haven’t seen with any iDEN device running Android, but the Motorola i886 is packing some entry-level specs under its hood. It features a 2-megapixel camera, GPS, accelerometer, PTT, Bluetooth, and a microSD card slot.

Although it has been approved by the FCC, it’s not yet clear as to who will be offering this handset – but there’s a good possibility it’ll make its way to either Sprint or Boost Mobile.
source: FCC via Unwired View

The word from Tatooine Verizon is that the Motorola DROID 2 R2-D2 Star Wars Special Edition will be launched September 30th, as expected. What we didn’t know, until now, was the limited edition handset will cost $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a signed 2 year contract. A subscription to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk and Text plan, starting at $39.99 per month, is required as is a Email and Web for Smartphone plan which provides unlimited service from $29.99 monthly.

The DROID 2 R2-D2 handset will include R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones, 4 special live wallpapers, R2-D2 clock widget, “The best of R2-D2″ video with the original Cantina music and an exclusive binoculars app. The handset itself has been designed to resemble R2-D2, as we have seen from pictures, and the box has been made to look like Carbonite (the material that Hans Solo was frozen in). Along with the phone, the purchaser will get a Star Wars media dock and a wired stereo headset.

To celebrate the 30 years since the theatrical release of the movie, Android users ruinning 2.1 or higher will be able to download a special app for the Empire Strikes Back from the Android Market.. Exclusive to Verizon customers, the app will allow the user to browse and view content related to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Premium Star Wars content can be accessed for a one-time charge of $2.99.

It’s somehow fitting to end a story about Star Wars by shooting down something, but in this case we are shooting down what would have been good news. According to the DROIDDOES web site, the DROID 2 R2-D2 version will launch with a 1GHz processor, not the 1.2GHz chip that was discussed earlier.
source: Verizon via BGR

Just a few days ago, we reported that the DROID 2 World Edition would be equipped with a 1.2GHz processor instead of the 1GHz chip on the DROID 2.. So perhaps it shouldn’t be too shocking that speculation is growing that the limited R2-D2 edition of the Motorola DROID 2 to launch at the end of this month, will also sport a 1.2GHz chip. How ironic it is that in just a few days, the Star Wars Special Edition of the DROID 2 will escalate the speed race in the cell phone industry.

We also can now clear up a mystery. When the DROID 2 R2-D2 Special Edition was first announced, it was to be sold only online. Now, the word is that each participating store will have 200 handsets in stock and once they are all sold, that will be it for that location. If it is true that the limited edition will have a 1.2GHz processor, demand is going to be high, so if you want this device, your best bet might be to order from Verizon’s web site as soon as the clock strikes 12 on September 30th.
source: BGR

Some leaked photos and specs of the Motorola DROID 2 World Edition have been released and they are certainly interesting at the least. Want to start with the ARM V7 processor with the dial turned all the way to 1.2GHz? Many of the other specs are familiar to those with the DROID X or DROID 2, such as the 3.7 inch screen with a resolution  of 480 x 854, a 5MP camera, the version of Blur that is on the DROID X and 2, and the same physical QWERTY from the DROID 2. We would expect the device to be launched with Android 2.2, which of course means Flash Player 10.1 would come pre-installed on the phone.

The new processor certainly helps with benchmark scoring as the Quadrant test came in at 1566 and 1709 during an encore. The DROID X with Froyo scored 1431 which shows you the nature of the Beast named Droid 2 World Edition. The Linpack score was 16.499. If you have a need for speed, you might want to seriously consider this your next handset. Unfortunately, no information on launch date and price have been discovered.
source: DroidLife

Need a good laugh? Check out this series of videos made by Sony Ericsson. The idea is that the Xperia X10 is going through some testing from some focus groups at the Product Testing Institute. You will easily recognize the competition models like the iPhone 4 and the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to name a couple. And if you know anyone else who needs their day lightened up a bit, don’t hesitate to send him this way.

source: MobileSyrup

The German branch of Amazon has already listed the newly-unveiled HTC Desire Z for €549 ($713) without a contract. That is a bit on the steep side, but not out of whack with what a high-end smartphone usually costs shortly after its premiere.

Considering the peppy Snapdragon chipset running Froyo, and the slick QWERTY keyboard in the aluminum Desire Z, is this a price you can swallow easily? Or would it be better for a carrier to take most of the hit, in exchange for your mobile soul on a two-year contract?
source: Amazon.de

At the end of the month, Verizon will be releasing the R2-D2 limited edition of the Motorola DROID 2. A video that appears to be the official boot-up animation for the phone has been found. The device will be available through online sales only, starting September 30th, and has all of the features that the Motorola DROID 2 has, including the installation of Android 2.2 out of the box.

If you are feeling ambitious, or if you are a die hard Star Wars fan and would cross over to the dark side just to have this boot-up animation on your DROID, DROID X or DROID 2, you can call on the Force and use a Jedi mind trick to install it on your phone. If that doesn’t work (for some reason), check out the sourcelink for directions.
source: DroidLife