It will probably be a couple months before your favorite Android 2.x device gets Adobe’s Flash 10.1 update, but they continue to convince us that we should want it now. Check out this video of the Nexus One with Flash 10.1 tuning into the CBS Sports website where you can watch all the games.

Live. Streaming. Flash. Awesome. Like we needed any more convincing, right?

[Via NewTeeVee]

Two weeks in a row, baby! Phancast, baby!

All of those “babies” are courtesy of the NCAA Basketball Tournament a la Dickie V. We’ll chat for a second about basketball but Phancast 16 will cover the Verizon/Moto 2.1 debacle, the Incredible, SuperSonic, Sprint/AT&T Nexus One, Buzz, Google rumors, and we’ll get together with Mike Novak from Medialets to talk Android Analytics and more!

You can listen LIVE at 12 noon (EST) right here:

Or head over to blogtalk radio to jump in the chat room too!

Update: Recording is done but you can still listen to the podcast by using this player. Personal note from Talton: On behalf of myself and Dave – Sorry about those slip ups with language everyone.

As some carriers make their move towards 4G, T-Mobile USA is losing some customers for their inability to even provide 3G access, something the carrier is looking to fix for their next generation network.  Rumor has it that T-Mobile is working on a join venture opportunity with Clearwire to support their 4G data network.

Two pretty interesting facts:

• T-Mobile USA and Clearwire have headquarters right next to eachother
• Clearwire is majority owned by Sprint

The United States mobile market is fierce right now, with Verizon and AT&T leading the way and both Sprint and T-Mobile struggling a little bit. T-Mobile essentially “purchasing” 4G data from Sprint would give their competitors a nice insurance policy.

There have also been reports of T-Mobile’s parent company buying Sprint or even spinning of T-Mobile USA or selling it. Doesn’t seem likely according to TMO CEO:

“What you never want to do is take one company that is going through challenges and take another company going through challenges.”

I guess somebody learned something from Sprint Nextel.

[Via RWW]

Former Apple employee Phil Kearney – who worked on the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express and Time Capsule at Google – just wrote an article on Gizmodo about the potential of Google buying Palm. The underlying motive? Acquisition of patents:

So what could motivate Apple to want to sue HTC? I’m in agreement with those who theorize that Apple’s HTC suit is to warn hardware manufacturers against using Android in their new product offerings. But in thinking about this issue, the one way I see that Google might be able to combat such a move would be to acquire some good patents of their own. In perusing some of the articles on the web about the Apple/HTC battle, a couple of them referred to older articles that talk about Palm and the possible patent battles between Palm and Apple. It is interesting that an Apple/Palm patent battle has not materialized thus far and, combined with Palm’s recent announcement about cutting guidance, it got me thinking: Why doesn’t Google just buy Palm, it’s a no-brainer?

Do you think Google might try to buy Palm? Will another company like Motorola, Nokia or Dell beat them to it? It’s all just speculation but interesting nonetheless. When the Palm Pre was announced it seemed Palm had immediately turned the company around… now its feeling like they’re right back where they started.

By the way… this is NOT just an out of the blue speculation. In April 2009 Google was rumored to be acquiring Palm and even hired someone to supposedly “oversee” the purchase. Rumors: will they become something more solid?

^ Early April 1st self-pwn

The Indian market is about to swallow up some Android opportunity, with the Motorola Milestone coming March 22nd and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 launching in the next week as well. And it won’t stop there – the Motorola Backflip and Motorola Dext are both expected to reach India by June.

Both the Milestone and X10 should be around or above $660 straight up on launch.

Developing countries represent a HUGE opportunity for mobile companies and Google stands to gain a lot by having Android in one of the world’s most populated countries. Good thing the Indian government is a little more stable than China… because Google has proven they value certain things more than “opportunity” – just ask China.

[Via Cell Passion]

Google Buzz hasn’t been buzzing much lately, but that might change as an Official Google Buzz Widget has just landed on the Android Market. Oddly enough, it was only visible to certain people – Talton and I both have Motorola Droids on Verizon Wireless but only he could see it on the market. Not sure exactly why that is but here is the info on the app directly from the market:

Google Buzz widget allows you to easily post buzz from your home screen!

Features:
* Quickly post buzz publicly or privately
* Add photos to your post from the camera or gallery
* Share your location or place
* Quickly access buzz.google.com

Install and add to your homescreen by selecting Menu>Add>Widgets>Google Buzz .

I’m guessing its just a matter of Android Market running on TONS of different servers and not perfectly aligned in terms of what is cached and updated. Some people who didn’t initially see it are now reporting it is popping up.

Download it, test it out and tell us how you like it.

Until now, HTC has been mum about the whole Apple patent lawsuit. First Google had their back, then the Apple vs. Google thing heated up, but now we finally hear what HTC has to say and its a beautiful thing. They basically look the world in the eye and say, “Listen, we are innovators. We have been the first on many innovations in the past, we’ll continue to be first on many innovations in the future, and you bozos aren’t going to use scare tactics and legal shenanigans to prevent our innovations from reaching the masses.”

Of course that quote comes from me, but that’s my opinion of the press release’s stance. You can read the full press release below and provide your own opinion:

HTC DISAGREES WITH APPLE’s Actions

Seattle – March 17, 2010 – HTC Corporation today outlined its disagreement with Apple’s legal actions and reiterated its commitment to creating a portfolio of innovative smartphones that gives consumers a variety of choices. Founded in 1997 with a passion for innovation and a vision for how smartphones would change people’s lives, HTC has continually driven this vision by consistently introducing award-winning smartphones with U.S. mobile operators.

“HTC disagrees with Apple’s actions and will fully defend itself. HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation. “From day one, HTC has focused on creating cutting-edge innovations that deliver unique value for people looking for a smartphone. In 1999 we started designing the XDA[i] and T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition[ii], our first touch-screen smartphones, and they both shipped in 2002 with more than 50 additional HTC smartphone models shipping since then.”

The industry has recognized HTC’s contributions through a variety of awards including Fast Company’s 2010 Top 50 Most Innovative Companies and MIT Technology Review’s 2010 50 Most Innovative Companies. The GSMA also recently awarded the HTC Hero as the “Best Phone of 2009.” Some of HTC’s technology firsts include:

* First Windows PDA (1998)
* First Windows Phone (June 2002)
* First 3G CDMA EVDO smartphone (October 2005)
* First gesture-based smartphone (June 2007)
* First Google Android smartphone (October 2008)
* First 4G WIMAX smartphone (November 2008)

The T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition by HTC was the first 3.5-inch color touch screen smartphone in the United States in 2002

In 2009, HTC launched its branded user experience, HTC Sense. HTC Sense is focused on putting people at the center by making phones work in a more simple and natural way. This experience was fundamentally based on listening and observing how people live and communicate.

“HTC has always taken a partnership-oriented, collaborative approach to business. This has led to long-standing strategic partnerships with the top software, Internet and wireless technology companies in the industry as well as the top U.S., European and Asian mobile operators,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. “It is through these relationships that we have been able to deliver the world’s most diverse series of smartphones to an even more diverse group of people around the world, recognizing that customers have very different needs.”

For more information on HTC’s history of innovation, please visit: www.htc.com/history.

I like that response… classy. Or should I say, “Quietly Brilliant”? Kind of ironic since their former tagline was “Innovation” and now they’re being sued for allegedly borrowing technology instead of innovating themselves, so they issue a press release reminding everyone how innovative they are. I don’t know – kind of funny if you ask me.

Motorola Droid owners were already promised and refused Android 2.1 once before and now it has happened again. Yesterday we saw Verizon announce Droid 2.1 update information and heard Motorola say that at 12 noon a limited number of people would get the update before rolling it out to the masses shortly after. Well, noon has passed and zero people have gotten the update with an expected zero people to have gotten it by the end of the day.

This internal screenshot leaked at Engadget explains it all:

To summarize in Shakespearean form:

Verizon/Moto: Art thou hungry?
Droid Owners: Starving!
Verizon/Moto: We hath brought edible delights to quench thy deepest hungers!
Droid Owners: Thank you!
Verizon/Moto: Just kidding
Droid Owners: ?
Verizon/Moto: Go away

Excuse me but I’m trying to distract myself from depressing reality of the situation.

Google pretty much owns your interwebz, they’re taking over phones of the world one-by-one, and now they want to be jammed inside of your television. As soon as THIS SUMMER, Google – in partnership with Intel and Sony – could be bringing Google TV to your living/family room television.

What is Google TV? A better question would be what ISN’T Google TV. Considering the Google TV platform is based on Android and will be open to 3rd party developers, it seems that once again Google is opening up another device to the imagination of the masses. If you can dream it up, someone can probably make it happen.

Initially I assume Google TV will cover the basics – web browsing, notifications, Twitter, YouTube – simply personalized web content available on your TV through a new age remote. Hint hint – that remote could probably be your Android phone if you have one, but it seems Google/Sony/Intel have already tapped Logitech to make peripherals like speakers, remotes and keyboards. But thinking about these simple integrations isn’t any fun. In my opinion the REAL fun is in dreaming up the truly innovative features that Google TV could make possible.

Here are a couple:

• Real-Time subtitles and closed captioning based on Google Translate
• Ability to see what your Facebook/Twitter/Etc… friends are watching on their TVs and jump over to watch with them
• Live audio/texting chat rooms based on all other people watching the same program, or limited to your friends watching the program
• Real-time voting with real-time stat tracking for programs like American Idol
• Audience participation in shows in creative new ways

What are YOUR ideas for Google TV?

[Via NYTimes]

All this great news about 2.1 floating around, here’s another to add to the collection! A recent  press release from Samsung just announced their i5700 Spica AKA Samsung Portal (in the UK) will be receiving the éclair update – a very tempting jump from Android 1.5 & they have chucked in some of their own goodies too!

For now the update is only available in Germany hopefully being available later this month but Samsung has said the update will be “gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world.” so hopefully that’s soon – not so “gradual” that it feels light-years away!

People who do want the update – and who wouldn’t? will however have to hook up there phone to a PC and use Samsung’s PC Studio 7 software which you can get here.

Some of the Samsung goodies I mentioned include 9 home screens, pre-loaded augmented reality app “layer 3.0″ , Samsung widgets, visual bookmarks, PC sync among other treats.

Have a peek at the Press Release -  Good ol’ copy & Paste!

Samsung Delivers World of New Experiences With Upgraded Galaxy Spica

Android 2.1 gives Galaxy Spica new functionality and unrivalled user experience

SEOUL, Korea – March 17, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced it has upgraded its powerful Galaxy Spica (I5700) smartphone to harness the power of the latest version of AndroidTM, Android 2.1. The smartphone now offers users a galaxy of new features and an unrivalled mobile experience.

The Galaxy Spica retains all the features inherent in the successful Galaxy Spica (I5700), such as seamless connectivity and access to GoogleTM mobile services, multimedia functionality and speedy processor performance

“Lovers of the Galaxy Spica appreciated the ease with which they could access their contacts and personalise their experience – our upgraded handset offers all this and much more; a rich and rewarding and powerful mobile experience,” said JK Shin, President and Head of the Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.

The upgrade will be available via PC Studio 7, Samsung’s unique in-house software upgrade program. PC Studio 7 was included in the package of Galaxy Spica or can be downloaded at the Samsung mobile website (http://www.samsungmobile.com).

Enhanced User Experienced
The Galaxy Spica becomes a highly intuitive communications device offering users the option to personalise no less than nine side-scrolling screens. Users can really let their imaginations run wild, creating different home screens according to different personal interests or requirements.

The handset now features augmented reality technology that displays real-time digital information of your surroundings over the view-finder of the Galaxy Spica’s 3 megapixel camera. The Galaxy Spica also features Samsung widgets, Visual bookmark and PC Sync support to enable users to synchronise their devices quickly.

Enhanced Multimedia and Messaging Functionality
The handset now comes with a number of enhanced multimedia features which transform the Galaxy Spica into a personal entertainment device. Media browser allows you to browse through your media collection with ease. The camera has been upgraded to offer enhanced picture options and viewing functionality.

Improved messaging functionality means that it is much easier to attach files to MMS and email that users can easily add contacts to messages direct from the phonebook. Improved contact management enables users to find a necessary contact very easily through the alphabetical index.

The upgrade will be available from March 2010 in Germany and gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world.

Samsung I5700 Product Specifications
Network HSDPA 3.6Mbps (900/2100)
EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900)
OS Android (ver. Android 2.1)
Display 3.2″ HVGA(320×480) TFT
Camera 3MP Camera (Auto Focus)
Video / Audio Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV,DivX
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA
Value Added
Features ** Google mobile services (Google SearchTM including search by voice, GmailTM, Contacts, Google TalkTM, Google MapsTM, YouTubeTM, Android MarketTM)
Full Web Browser, 3.5mm Ear jack, GPS
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.1, USB 2.0, MicroUSB, WiFi
Memory Internal memory: 180MB
External memory: Micro SD (Up to 32GB)
Battery 1500 mAh
Size 115 x 57 x 13.2mm

* Android, Google, Android Market, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk are trademarks of Google Inc.

** The launch of Google Mobile Service can differ by region.

This news goes should go down well with Rogers customers who may have just purchased a Spica! Go ahead – share your excitement on our Samsung Galaxy Spica forums!

[Via Engadget]