Available now on Best Buy’s website is a vertical leather pouch from the brand Affinity made to fit the Android powered HTC Desire Z, even though the phone hasn’t been released yet.

Best Buy has made cases available for other phones prior to their release, so this is nothing new for them. The case is a standard vertical case, but is described as “sleek” and “stylish.” It is currently being sold for $32.99 and is in stock.

So if you plan on getting an HTC Desire Z when it becomes available, here is your chance to have an accessory for it early.
source: mobile syrup

Well, Sony Ericsson, we didn’t expect that from you. The company unveiled at a London event the Sony Ericsson LiveView – a miniature 1.3″ screen (yes, you read that right), which can connect to your Android phone via Bluetooth.

Sony Ericsson LiveView is extremely compact in size, it connects with your phone, and can display updated information from there. The “innovative” accessory will notify you about missed calls, messages, alarms and notifications from Facebook and Twitter; it can also control the music player. The advantages (according to SE), are that you don’t have to constantly remove the phone from a bag or pocket to check the time, or for new updates. The really small size of LiveView permits to put it in convenient places like a watch strap (included), or clip it on a shirt.

The contraption also has a microUSB connector for charging, and OLED display with a resolution of 128×128 pixels. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts 4 days with standard use, which is a very flexible concept in our experience. Compatible with Sony Ericsson phones with Android, and other phones with Android 2.0 or higher versions. The management application Sony Ericsson LiveView can be downloaded from the Android Market, or will be installed on phones that are sold bundled with this accessory.

Well, if for a main phone we use the Dell Streak or a Galaxy Tab, or for women who carry their smartphones buried deep in their bags, we can see Sony Ericsson’s point. Still, to be so lazy that you need to clip on an external screen to check on your text messages, instead of reaching for your pocket – that takes the term coach potato to a whole new level. Sony Ericsson LiveView will be available in stores in the fourth quarter of 2010.

source: Sony Ericsson

Two months ago HTC was all but sold on the idea that it has to bring a tablet, together with all other manufacturers. Its global PR, Eric Lin, stated at the time that they don’t want to use the “me too” approach that is behind most Froyo tablets, rumored or real, these days.

He clarified that in order for HTC to consider building one, it has to offer a truly compelling feature that will distinguish it from the pack, and just good design wasn’t enough. We totally agree with that line of thinking.

Recently, however, sources close to the Taiwanese assemblers are claiming that HTC is working on an Android Gingerbread tablet that is to see the daylight in Q1 of 2011. That source also reported about Acer working on three Gingerbread slates to be out in the same time period.

Obviously a tablet-friendly Android version like Gingerbread was the “compelling feature” that tipped the scale for HTC to consider building a slate. Given its close ties with Google, mobile carriers, and Qualcomm, we could only speculate that it might be one of the first running Gingerbread on a dual-core Snapdragon, and that the slate could have 3G (or maybe even LTE) connectivity. We might know more after today’s HTC press event in London.

A tablet with HTC’s build quality and Gingerbread? Mmm… yummy.
source: DigiTimes via Electronista

LG revealed back in July that it will launch ten smartphones in its newly-minted Optimus line by year-end. For now it looks like a smorgasboard of Android and WP7 devices will be in it, along with some high-powered Tegra 2 smartphones and a tablet. In the initial announcement the Optimus line is starting with the Optimus One (of course), and the Optimus Chic, both of which will be running Android 2.2.

The Chic is supposedly aimed at the fashion-conscious crowd with its sleek design, and it was even spotted by Engadget at IFA 2010 under the LG E720 coding – not looking very smooth, though. Actually, the Optimus line probably started with the Optimus GT540 Android phone, which we reviewed a few months ago.

Now last week we got an invite for an Optimus line press event for the media and tech blogs that will be broadcast online worldwide. LG only mentioned two devices will be examined at the event, one of which we thought will be the rumored Optimus Pad Froyo tablet. Today the company posted some more details that in fact it will be revealing those two same suspects – the Optimus One and Optimus Chic, which made us all teary-eyed.

After all, a very Chic-looking handset turned up at a Polish blog site recently, coded again as the LG E720. The site claimed it runs on the Qualcomm MSM7227 chipset (that’s 600MHz), with a 3.2″ capacitive screen and a 5MP camera. Much less is known about the Optimus One for now, so that will keep us warm until Tuesday.

We were hoping for the tablet, but the two Froyo-running phones might reveal more about the whole idea behind the Optimus line, so we will tune in when time comes and relay all the info to you. It will certainly be interesting, considering that:

“Participants are also going to be treated to opening graphics and video demonstrations of the handset features provided by Garson Yu, Founder and Creative Director of yU+Co, the man responsible for the title sequences of major Hollywood blockbusters including 300, Shrek and Watchmen.”. Wow.
source: LG & Android.com.pl

Sony Ericsson dropped the bomb today as it finally made official its Xperia X8 Android smartphone and Yendo Walkman. It didn’t stop there though, as the company also announced a new GreenHeart family phone – the Sony Ericsson Cedar, as well as a bunch of software updates for the Xperias.

These updates will begin to roll out starting Q3 and will include Android 2.1 updates for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro. Additionally, Q3 will see an update for the Xperia X10, which will bring HD video recording to the smartphone. In Q4, Xperia X10 users will get the ability to wirelessly connect their handset to a television and display content, plus some Timescape and Mediascape enhancements.

So much about the software enhancements. Sony Ericsson announced the fourth Android-based Xperia handset today, in the form of the Xperia X8. Previously known as the Shakira, it proudly takes the place between the X10 mini and X10 by sporting a 3-inch touch-sensitive screen and the X10 mini’s custom UI. It is positioned as an entertaining smartphone and as such will feature a 3.5mm jack and 3.2MP camera. The X8 will be available for purchase in selected markets starting Q3.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8	Sony Ericsson Yendo

The just announced Sony Ericsson Yendo, of which we’ve seen some leaked pics, seems to be not much less entertaining than the X8 with its 2.6-inch touchscreen and the same user interface found on the X8 and X10 mini. However, the interesting part appears to be that under the custom UI, there will not be Android, but Sony Ericsson’s proprietary platform. Anyone excited? Still, the Yendo will bring along all that you love about Sony Ericsson’s Walkman phones, including the Walkman player, TrackID and PlayNow, as well as features like a 2MP camera, 3.5mm jack and 720MHz processor, and will become available in Q3, in a number of colors.

Last but not least, someone’s got to think about the planet, and that’s why the Sony Ericsson Cedar is here. This green handset is expected to come at an affordable price, equipped with goodies like a “human curvature” design, 3.5mm jack, 3G connectivity and a Widget Manager 2.0 app, which would allow users to easily access social networks.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 Specifications
Sony Ericsson Yendo Specifications
Sony Ericsson Cedar Specifications

source: Sony Ericsson

The Motorola MOTOROI, which was introduced to the South Korean market some time ago was surely an attractive Android smartphone. However, the handset’s distribution was limited to that market only, so U.S. and European customers had to go without it. But a few weeks ago a ray of hope cut through the cloudy skies as a rumor hit the streets, going that an improved version of the Motorola MOTOROI will make its way to the UK. And now, here it is – the Motorola MILESTONE XT720 Android 2.1 smartphone, ready to take great images with its 8MP camera with Xenon flash. This really looks to be the most camera-centric Android handset to date, especially when you throw 720p HD video recording into the deal. Other than that, the Motorola MILESTONE XT720 seems to be a very good looking handset with characteristic design, large 3.7-inch, 480×854 resolution capacitive screen, HDMI interface, 3.5mm jack,  and all other kinds of stuff.

Motorola has not announced the availability date and price of the Motorola MILESTONE XT720 yet, but we hope the handset will be out soon, since otherwise the manufacturer might end up offering an already dated smartphone, as it often happens in this highly-competitive market.
source: Motorola

Undeniably, the Google Nexus One is a wonderful smartphone. It packs many great features and a good-looking user interface. It’s great as a whole, but lacks what some consider to be the best thing that has happened to Android so far – the Sense UI. HTC has greatly personalized the operating system, adding a lot of diversity to the interface and neatly integrating it with social services.

Apparently, someone has decided to fill that gap, by porting the HTC Desire’s UI to their Google Nexus One. Unfortunately, the developer has not yet uploaded the Desire ROM, in order to share it with the whole wide world, but has at least posted a list of the working features. These include hardware stuff like the trackball and key on the front, the proximity, light and G sensors, LED and compass. Other features the dev has managed to run fine are the camera, Flash 10.1 support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. What’s still not working however is the microphone – a very important element no doubt. So, we hope the ROM will become available for all who would like to try it, as soon as this issue gets patched up.
source: Android@MoDaCo

HTC Legend

HTC Desire

HTC today announced two new Android smartphones that we’ve seen in the unofficial space for months. As expected, the HTC Desire and HTC Legend are the new Android 2.1 smartphones of the company, featuring the revamped Sense user interface. In short, the new features of the interface include a new special screen that lets you overview all the home screen pages and easily pick one. Another novelty is the Friend Stream app, which aggregates updates of your friends’ social profiles. It kind of looks like MOTOBLUR’s happenings. The browser app is also slightly updated, letting you select certain text and run a quick Google search for it.

Now, the HTC Desire (aka Bravo) is something like HTC’s Sense UI version of the Nexus One. It sports very similar specs, including the beautiful 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor. For a smooth system performance, it has 576MB RAM and 512MB ROM, which sounds like more than enough. So, if you were into the Nexus One’s features, but also wanted HTC’s social-oriented Sense interface, we guess the Desire is what you’ve been dreaming of. It even has full Flash support so watching online video will be a seamless experience (we hope). The HTC Desire is a quad-band GSM and a dual-band 3G smartphone that will be available in Europe and Asia from early Q2. T-Mobile UK just announced it will offer the device starting March 26.

The HTC Legend is something else. It is the successor to the quite popular HTC Hero, sporting a 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 600MHz processor and 384MB RAM / 512MB ROM. Many other great features are also available of course, such as a 5MP shooter. The HTC Legend also runs Android 2.1 (aka Éclair) with the updated Sense UI proudly on top of it. The Legend has been “machined from a single aluminum block into a seamless compact frame”, which according to HTC has allowed them to make the device slightly smaller… um, okay, it’s a good looker that’s for sure. Being a dual-band 3G smartphone, the HTC Legend will be available in Europe (through Vodafone) in April, while other parts of the world will get it in early Q2.

Stay tuned for our hands-on experience with the HTC Desire and Legend live from the MWC!
source: HTC

HTC’s press conference is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30AM CET / 3:30 AM PST, but we already have an idea of what the company may announce. And it would be great to actually see that stuff announced, as MoDaCo has leaked info about the HTC Desire and Legend, two high-end Android 2.1 smartphones.

The first one, the HTC Desire, is something like a Sense UI version of the Nexus One. It sports very similar specs, including the beautiful 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor. For a smooth system performance, it is said to rely on 576MB RAM and 512MB ROM. So, if you were into the Nexus One’s features, but also wanted HTC’s social-oriented Sense interface, we guess the Desire is what you’ve been dreaming of.

The HTC Legend is something else. This one is rumored to be the successor of the quite popular HTC Hero, sporting a 3.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 600MHz processor and 384MB RAM / 512MB ROM. Many other great features are also available of course, such as a 5MP shooter. The HTC Legend should also run Android 2.1 (aka Éclair) with Sense UI proudly on top of it.

Both devices look very promising, so we hope we will see them tomorrow, this time officially.
source: MoDaCo, more

HTC Desire

HTC Legend

As the Mobile World Congress approaches, we notice companies are starting to get more active, unveiling new handsets each day. Today we see Garmin-Asus finally stand up and officially introduce two new smartphones, namely the Android powered nuvifone А50 and the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 based nuvifone M10.

Both will be pretty high-tech, featuring 3.5-inch touchscreens, with the A50 having HVGA resolution and capacitive tech, while the M10 will be sporting WVGA res and unknown technology (we do hope it will be capacitive though, since version 6.5.3 adds that feature).

The Garmin-Asus nuvifone A50 will have the personalized user interface we saw on the nuvifone G60 and will, of course, come preloaded with Garmin navigation and maps on the 4GB internal storage space. Navigation-related functions should be found in many system apps, along with access to Street View in Google Maps and enterprise features like support for Microsoft Exchange. The navigation itself will include features like lane assist with junction view and cityXplorer (provides public transit information) in some cities. The nuvifone A50 should be available in Europe in the first half of the year, with goodies like car mount and power cable in the box.

For Windows Mobile users, the Garmin-Asus nuvifone M10 will not disappoint either. Although it will come with automotive navigation installed only (the A50 will also include pedestrian navigation), it will integrate navigation functions with important apps like the calendar, contacts, internet browser, email and messaging. It will also sport lane assist and junction view, as well as highway mode. The nuvifone M10 will bring you real-time information about weather, safety cameras, traffic, flight status and fuel prices. It should also be packaged with handy accessories like a powered cradle and windshield mount (although this will vary by the market). The M10 is scheduled for H1 2010 availability in Europe and Asia.
source: Garmin-Asus (A50), more (M10)