The Nexus One sold through Google’s website is a Google Experience phone. That is – it runs a stock version of Android with no customizations out of the box. That makes perfect sense since it isn’t branded as an HTC device. But something else makes sense in a different way: Verizon’s Nexus One, still sold through the Google website, might come pre-packaged with HTC Sense.

The above screenshot is supposedly a leaked screenshot of Verizon’s Equipment Guide. You can clearly see:

• Top line indicates ONLY sold at google.com/phones (should be “phone” singular)
• 4 bullets from the bottom left it says “Sense UI (User Interface)”

Whether this is legit, typ0-free document we don’t know, but hopefully we’ll find out soon. I’m guessing a LOT of people have been waiting for the Nexus One to hit VZW and Voda since they were announced as eventual partners the first day.

[Via AndroidCentral]

The code monkeys at Vodafone look like they’ve been rather busy today! The usually rather vacant ‘coming soon’ section of Vodafone’s UK website has just today added 3 of the latest handsets including the HTC Legend and HTC Desire clearly pointing out they’re coming in “April” with the Nexus one still “coming soon” – however we do expect the Nexus One to also be available in April. Why not have some screen-shots to gaze over:

Vodafone sure are jumping on the Android bandwagon! Offering the Legend, Desire, X10, Nexus one and possibly even making there own Android based device.

Their ‘coming soon‘ section has never looked so nice – oozing with Android offerings!

We told you to keep an eye out on androidforums ‘Official HTC Incredible thread’ now more pics have surfaced of the snapdragon powered incredible thanks to AF member NKT!

With the pictures come interesting specs. Reportedly, the Incredible measures 17.5 x 58.5 x 11.9 mm – almost the same as the Nexus one, comes with an 8MP camera with auto focus and 512mb of RAM & ROM. Interestingly it seems the 1 Ghz Snapdragon processor has been under-clocked to run at 768MHz – presumably to save battery but without effecting the performance.

Don’t forget this incredible phone should come loaded with Android 2.1,  HTC’s Sense UI, a 3.7″ AMOLED screen, an optical trackpad, an FM receiver and Wi-fi, bluetooth and GPS.

I’m really digging the look of the handset but I do think this could potentially be a final design as it has altered from that bright, red glossy cover to a soft feel black one while keeping the unique shape design & ofcourse this one brandishes Verizons logo. Though I really like the red thing going on theres no info it will still be this color at release. What do you think of the bold red design?

The Incredible has already appeared on Verizons inventory so lets hope for an official announcement real soon!

[Via Androidforums]

(Thanks to NKT & everyone that sent this in/tipped this!)

For now, we’re planting this one firmly in the “rumor mill” category, and we don’t think we’ll be letting it out any time soon. However, if it’s true, then the folks living in what cell phone industries consider “emerging markets” are reading the best story they’ve read in weeks. Apparently, the folks over at Google think those aforementioned markets deserve their mighty Nexus One device, so they’re going to make that happen. However, it seems that the phone may be losing a few features along the way (unlike the Verizon Wireless model).

As the rumor goes, it seems that HTC (the phone’s manufacturer) has figured out a way to make the Nexus One thinner (consider our eyebrows raised), and apparently the device itself would be considered “downgraded” from the original model announced back in January. From our point of view, that could mean all sorts of things. The phone has a few stand-out features, like it’s 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, or its 1GHz Snapdragon processor, or even Android 2.1. So the fact that the emerging market version would be a downgraded model has us scratching our head in wonderment.

Again, this is just a rumor, but stranger things have happened. Getting the Nexus One name out there is a good plan for Google, especially considering they plan to make the Nexus name pretty synonymous with their efforts. Will we see a stripped down, “lesser” version of the Nexus One any time soon? That’s anyone’s guess. Only time will tell, and we have plenty of that, don’t we?

[via Android and Me]

HTC Incredible is back to show us its face, this time in pretty interesting color pattern, specially on the inside (red-ish). If you’re into Android devices or you’re a Verizon fan, you might find this smartphone interesting, specially since we’ve found out a bunch of its specs.

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Tags: HTC Incredible, HTC Incredible launch date, HTC Incredible leak, HTC Incredible specs, Snapdragon CPU underclocked

Bad news today for Google and the Nexus One as investment firm Goldman Sachs has slashed its estimate for Nexus One sales by a third. Predicting a bright and rosy future for the Nexus One, Goldman Sachs originally estimated that Google will sell 3.5 million Nexus Ones in FY2010. After a disappointing first month in which Google only sold a rumored 80,000 handsets, Goldman Sachs has lowered its 2010 estimate to a mere one million handsets which will be sold across multiple carriers including T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Vodafone. Google’s FY2011 outlook will improve to two million handsets if, according to Goldman Sachs, Google rolls out second generation handset, markets it aggressively, and drops it online-only sales model. That last criteria is condemning and suggests that Google’s online-only model needs to be supplemented, if not supplanted, by brick and mortar retail sales. So peer into those magic eight balls that predict the future and let us know — is Google’s online-only sales model fatally flawed or does it just need some time to mature?

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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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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…

[via Permalink | Comments | Author )
Tags: HTC Desire, HTC Desire launch in USA, T-Mobile USA, T-Mobile USA rumour

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

This should be a relief to not only HTC Tattoo users but also the general lower-end Android handset owners: the HTC Tattoo is getting an upgrade to Android 2.1. According to French Android website Frandroid, HTC has confirmed the upgrade:

Kindly note we understand that now that a phone running Android OS 2.1 is available that you are excited to get an update for your Tattoo. We are still working hard to building Sense for this new version but we expect to have the upgrade finished and ready to go soon. Please understand that it takes time to customize any Android version to ensure you have the intuitive experience Sense provides, and we hope you can be patient for just a little while longer.

The HTC Tattoo is one of the lower powered Android Phones, bringing a 2.8-inch screen, QVGA resolution and 528 MHz processor. The concern for handsets like the G1/Dream and other budget Androids is that their processors and specs aren’t strong enough to power the bulk/heft of Android 2.1’s robust features. If this development is indeed true, it should bring hope to owners of other devices as well.

Unfortunate news for some in the UK: Vodafone has decided to drop the HTC Magic from it’s range of Android devices, leaving only the HTC Tattoo for now.

A moderator from the Vodafone eForum said:

I just wanted to pop on and say the Magic hasn’t officially been discontinued yet, but is coming towards the end of its life with us.

To be completely honest, I don’t remember a single phone in the last few years that’s been sold for more than 12 months. Mobile technology changes so rapidly that we’re constantly releasing new devices, and realistically older ones sell less well when the newer ones come out. The HTC Magic is one of the longest running devices in our entire range, in fact I think only the Nokia 5800 has been on sale longer.

Though Voda will no longer sell the handset they have an awesome range of Android handsets due to be added to the Android Line-up including the Sony Ericsson X10, the Nexus One and the HTC Legend!

[Via Vodafone eForum]

HTC Desire, the Nexus One twin is about to get even sexier, through a couple of feats added by an upcoming software update. In case you don’t remember, this device uses the HTC Sense UI, its major difference from the Nexus One. What’s coming in the next update? DivX support and 720P video encoding.

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Tags: 720p encoding, HD ready, HTC Bravo, HTC Desire, HTC Desire software update

A few lucky lads in the Netherlands are already reporting that their HTC Legend’s are arriving, so say members of the Dutch site Tweakers.net. And just in time for the rest of Europeans awaiting the device, reviews are starting to pop up that fulfill all your need-to-know-abouts for the phone.

The must thorough review I’ve seen thus far from Tracey&Matt who first provided a short demo of the device:

And then do a HUGE review covering nearly aspect of the hardware and software. They conclude:

Overall the HTC Legend is as good as I thought it would be. It may not suit everyone due to its size but for those of you that have big hands then the HTC Desire will be with us soon. It seems to do everything very well and with great ease. I love the new features in Sense UI and I’m sure these will get even better in time. With Windows Phone 7 Series being launched later in the year and manufactures not being allowed to customise the user interface HTC can concentrate on their Android devices. What ever happens, if I had to use the Legend for the next year I would be more than happy to. Another Stirling job HTC. Good on ya!

The always dependable Engadget also performed a lengthy review and seemed to agree that the Legend is more than capable:

It’s safe to say that HTC’s broken yet another mold with the Legend, stunning the world with both its hardware and software design. There’s no question about the unibody’s toughness, and many other features we’ve seen here are of significant improvements over the Hero, namely the AMOLED screen (in general), FM radio, optical trackpad (debatable), still camera and the new goodies plus performance boost in Sense UI. Sure, there are major flaws in the battery life and video recording performance, but the positive mind in us are hoping that these can be fixed via a software upgrade, if they weren’t of hardware glitches.

Now that those who pre-ordered the Legend are having it arrive on their doorstep, I’m sure it isn’t long before a whole heap of HTC Legend reviews hit the net. But with these two whoppers of reviews, I’m not sure you’ll need any others.

Assuming that you have a fetish of buying handsets with malware, we’ve got the deal of the month for you: buy a HTC Magic from Vodafone Spain and you’ll get the Android phone with the Mariposa botnet malware. The bots were implemented by a hacker known as “tnls”.

Vodafone claims that this is an isolated incident and that it’s taking measures to solve the problem. This is a common issue of the modern tech world: handsets are advancing technologically and become more exposed to all sorts of malware, iPhone included.

[via mobileburn]

Let’s just say I would be incredibly surprised if this actually happened and the fact that the source of this rumor is BerryScoop – a non-Android site with little proven history – I can’t say I’m very confident in the potential they nailed this rumor. They claim that when the HTC Incredible lands on Verizon before the end of March around April 1st, they’ll be viewing it as their version of the Nexus One, and the HTC Droid Eris will be replaced and unavailable by April 1st face an “End Of Life” situation – meaning they’ll halt new orders on the device and let existing inventory diminish.

Here is a supposed screenshot of the HTC Incredible in their inventory system:

This doesn’t make sense to me. The Incredible and Droid Eris are two very different phones with different form factors for different people. I criticized the release of the Devour because it didn’t differentiate itself from the Droid enough and offer customers something different. Removing the Droid Eris from Verizon’s Android lineup would even further homogenize their offering with large touchscreen devices – that isn’t something everyone wants.

UPDATE: The guys at BerryScoop got a bit offended by this article and I’ve updated it to clarify some points they made. My point is that VZW just started offering the device in November and I couldn’t see them “giving up” on it after only a few months – especially when it differentiates their lineup. For that reason I’m not confident in the rumor itself being accurate but I could be wrong. Just providing my personal and immediate thoughts.