Images and details on the HTC Incredible have emerged from the depths of Android Forums today. Most notable is the loss of the bright orange backing which has been replaced with a matte black covering emblazoned with a Verizon Wireless logo. Internally, the Incredible is rumored to have 500 MB of RAM (320 available), an 8 megapixel camera, measurements of 117.5 x 58.5 x 11.9mm, and a blinding red interior with a matching red battery. Though it packs a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, the Incredible, just like the Acer Liquid A1, has been underclocked to 768 MHz, a battery savings measure which hopefully can be reversed once the handset has been rooted. Thankfully, the slowed down processor seems to have little effect on perceived performance as the Android 2.1 handset is reportedly “blazing fast”. If all these circulating rumors pan out, look for this handset to touchdown as soon as April or as late as May with Verizon Wireless. Hit the jump for a few more spy shots.

[Via Engadget]

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Rumour has it on the interwebz that Vodafone are creating their very own budget phone for around €150 (approx. £130) and it should be released before the summer in May.

The rumour seems to have started from Dutch website Allaboutphones.nl where they say the phone will pack the latest Android OS 2.1 (can I call it the latest?), a resistive 2.8″ QVGA screen, a 3.2 mega pixel camera and of course Wi-Fi, bluetooth, 3G, aGPS & an accelerometer as standard.

If this is true it seems to follow in the foot steps of T-mobile with their budget phones – the T-mobile Pulse and the Pulse Mini. Being this cheap maybe we’ll see this available on pay-as-you-go?  If correct, it  would also go with Vodafone’s current commitment to stocking the latest Android handsets and publishing apps on the Market to go with their new 360 service which integrates social networking and contacts.

In fact, the other week there was an app published by Vodafone which said “this is a test, do not download”…… so what do you? Egging me On? Psshhh – I downloaded it! It seems to have been some sort of Vodafone maps/navigator. Maybe this will come pre-loaded too – who knows?

Vodafone is yet to make a solid announcement though it seems to be referred to as the “Vodafone 845″, the name could change around launch though.

Looks like we’ll have to wait and see!

[Via Allaboutphones.nl]

Are you a mysophobiac? Oh, you don’t know what a mysophobiac is? It’s a fancy way of saying “germaphobe”, which, according to scientists or linguists or some group of academics, isn’t actually a word.

Now, I ask again: Are you a mysophobiac? No? Well, you might become one after reading this. Because it’s naaasty.

CareerBuilders did a survey of 5,200 mobile workers (that is, people who primarily work on the road), and found that their cell phone habits are generally dangerous, a bit rude, and pretty friggin’ gross.

Some of the more notable stats revealed:

• 62% check their phones while eating – Eh, whatever. I get bored while I’m eating, too.
• 60% check while on vacation – Again, whatever. I love sand and sun as much as the next guy, but I need my daily dose of Vitamin SocialNetworking.
• 50% check in bed – Headaches happen.
• 57% check in the bathroom – You see, this is just friggin’ gross. Do I do it? Sure! But I don’t like to think that other people do.
• 50% check while driving – Inexcusable. To those of you thinking you have a special technique that lets you text while driving or that you’re a good enough driver to do this, you’re not. Everyone else thinks they’re wonderful drivers too, until they smash into a pole because they just HAD to forward that MMS of the baby chick riding the cat.

You can check out a few more stats over at InformationWeek. In the mean time: What’s the weirdest, nastiest, or most ridiculous place you’ve ever messed with your phone? Let us know in the comments below. We won’t tell anyone.

If you’re a control freak in constant need of knowing how many unique visitors your site had today, you’ll surely appreciate the Google Analytics Mobile software solution. This Windows Mobile app connects you with the Google Analytics data, showing stunning data charts.

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Tags: analytics data charts, Google Analytics data, Google Analytics for Windows Mobile, Google Analytics mobile

Microsoft has got a pair of 3D games running on its fresh Windows Phone 7 platform and they’re not afraid to demo them on the same ASUS prototype phone we’ve been seeing a lot of lately. The titles were built with XNA Game Studio 4.0 and the games we’re re talking about are The Harvest, pictured below and Battle Punks.

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Tags: Battle Punks, mobile 3D games, The Harvest, Windows Phone 7 games, XNA Game Studio 4.0

It’s been a while since we heard a rumour saying that the employees of a certain carrier are getting ready for a handset’s launch. HTC Desire is the perfect reason for T-Mobile USA employees to do so, at least that’s what a mysterious manager of a T-Mobile store claims. Apparently, the employees are gearing up for Desire right now.

HTC Desire is only one of the many new devices coming to T-Mobile, but probably the most impressive specs-wise. The info that was leaked on the web is also backed up by some inside sources, so it’s pretty much real. However, some folks speculated that this new mystery device that’s been tested is in fact HTC HD2 or CLIQ XT.

I guess time will tell…

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Tags: HTC Desire, HTC Desire launch in USA, T-Mobile USA, T-Mobile USA rumour

Apple has set the standard that once every year they will release a new version of the iPhone. It stands to reason that this year will be no different, with a new model likely coming sometime this summer. But arguably just as important as Apple’s hardware refresh is the accompanying software refresh that comes with it as well. And that’s why it shouldn’t be surprising at all that whispers of iPhone OS 4.0 are starting to grow. But this year, the timeline appears a bit off.

As AppleInsider reported today, iPhone OS 4.0 is likely to deliver multitasking support. If true, that will make it perhaps the most important OS upgrade for the platform yet. However, in reporting the news, AppleInsider also notes that the software, “remains under development and reportedly has a quite ‘way to go’ before it’s ready for prime time.” Looking back at the iPhone OS SDK history you’ll notice a constant: Apple has released the beta builds in March the past two years. We’re already well into March this year, and so far, no word about Apple being close to doing the same.

Read the rest at TechCrunch >>

It’s inevitable, tiered data plans for mobile devices are coming.  It’s a reality that wireless providers and consumers are soon going to have to deal with. As phones add more features and become more data-centric, they tax wireless networks, and ultimately, the network provider’s bottom line. Verizon’s CTO, Tony Melone, had this to say when he was asked about unlimited data plans by the Wall Street Journal:  “As much data as you can consume is the big issue that has to change… It’s one thing to say all you can eat is gone, it’s another to have consumers worrying, ‘Can I stream this radio?’ That’s what we don’t want.” It is mildly comforting to know that Verizon’s CTO understands — you can get rid of unlimited data… as long as we can have unlimited data. One thing we’re sure of: when the first major U.S. carrier institutes a tiered data pricing policy, the others are sure to follow suit. You can look for this to roll out prior to Verizon’s first 4G handset dropping circa summer 2011. 

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HTC Incredible shown above with battery cover removed.

Verizon’s not going to be too happy about this one. From everyone we’ve spoken to, they really wanted to keep details surrounding the Android-powered HTC Incredible underwraps for a while longer. That’s understandable, given that the Incredible blows their current flagship Android device, the Motorola Droid, to smithereens on just about every count.

Alas, all it takes is one device to slip into the wrong hands — and fortunately for us, it has! A bunch of new shots of the HTC Incredible (with brand new, Verizon-brand-friendly colors) have just leaked out, and a gaggle of spec details came with it.

All of these shots and details come by way of Androidforum user/super spy NKT.

The specs confirmed so far:

• 8 megapixel camera with autofocus
• Memory: 512 MB ROM, 512 MB RAM (320 free to the user)
• Android 2.1 with HTC’s Sense UI
• Optical Trackpad
• 3.7″ WVGA (800×480) AMOLED Screen
• 1300mAH battery
• FM Tuner
• 802.11b/g WiFi
• 117.5 mm (L) x 58.5 mm (w) x 11.9 mm (T)
• 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, underclocked to 768Mhz.

Go ahead – camp out on the edge of your seat for this one. It’s easily one of the most powerful Android handsets coming to the market; it’s a wee bit less powerful than the Nexus One, but packs a beefier camera as a trade off.

What do you think? Is this the Android handset that will rule 2010?

[Via EngadgetMobile]

After the folks of Engadget pulled out the first review of the HTC Hero follow-up Legend, we’ve found out that the device has started being delivered today, much earlier than estimated. Last we heard, it was supposed to arrive in Q2, so it’s 3 weeks early.

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Tags: aluminum chassis, HTC Hero follow-up, HTC Legend, HTC Legend shipment

Looking for an Android 2.1 handset with a cheap price tag? Vodafone 845 might be an alternative, with the appeal of the Vodafone 360 also on its pros list. Available for 150 EUR, this handset comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera and a 2.8 inch QVGA display.

Vodafone 845 will be launched in May and it will also sport 512MB internal memory, support for UMTS/HSDPA, WiFi, aGPS and Bluetooth 2.1. An accelerometer is also on board, as well as a 1200 mAh battery. The handset will be bundled with 1GB of free data traffic for the Vodafone 360 service.

[via allaboutphones.nl]

What’s the world coming to? In a move that would seem fit for April’s Fools, Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer recently complimented Apple on the way “they allow people to monetize and commercialize their intellectual property”. Is this a sign of the presumed partnership between Microsoft and Apple, in order to defeat Google?

Ballmer is known for his criticism against Apple and for laughing at the iPhone, but Microsoft must have felt the breath of Android in its back and closing in. The new approach goes perfectly with the rumours claiming the iPhone will give up Google as its default search engine, replacing it with Bing.

The Seattle Times questioned Ballmer regarding his praise towards Apple, but the CEO refused to comment on that. As the tension between Google and Apple increases, an alliance of the latter with Microsoft seems plausible, but in what way, we wonder…

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Tags: Apple Microsoft partnership, Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, Steve Ballmer praises Apple

Comscore recently published a smartphone report, showing statistics from October 2009 to January 2010 and revealing the incredible growth of the Android platform. The chart below is pretty clear on that matter, showing Android’s over 4% jump in share of smartphone subscribers.

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Tags: Android growth, Android market share, Comscore smartphone report, mobile OS market share, smartphone market share

Qik has a couple of improvements to announce these days, ranging from the release of Qik Premium via Nokia’s Ovi Store, to the redesign of the Qik.com site. Fans of the video streaming service will be able to download the software from Ovi Store, for a promotional price of $4.99 per year.

For this price you get video downloads, DVD burning, high quality video playback and faster playback on slow connections, all thanks to Qik Premium, that will also get more features during the year. Qik announced a partnership with Vodafone UK as well, allowing the users to starting Qikking by simply sending a free text with the word “Qik” to 97886.

Motorola Milestone and Nexus One now have Qik support, with DVD quality recording for the Google Phone and Moto Droid also included on the supported phones list. Portrait recording is also available and sharing is done with a single click. Last, we’ve found out that Qik.com got a makeover, thanks to the feedback and suggestions coming from the users.

The important new thing is the “Recent Activity” section, that becomes your new home page after you log in.

The very first TV ad for the Apple iPad went live during the Academy Awards 2010 on Sunday, but what’s more interesting is that Steve Jobs was also present at the Oscars. He might have been on the red carpet to promote the new product, but maybe he’s a movie freak as most of us are.

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Tags: Academy Awards 2010, Apple iPad commercial, Apple iPad parody ad, Oscars 2010, Steve Jobs