Google Buys Motorola for $12.5 Billion

Google announced Monday morning that it will buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. This coming as a shocker as Google becomes the owner of one of the 39 different manufacturers of its Android platform. A statement from Google says that "it will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem." Many don't know what to expect, but this will put a few extra patents under Google's wings, making it a stronger competitor in future patent wars. Many expect that new Android phone will be funneled through Motorola, with Vanilla software instead of MotoBlur, which many hated. Android will not be affected by this and remain open sourced, and Motorola will continue to run as a separate business, just with a parent overseeing everything this time.

HP Says Goodbye to Web OS, TouchPad for $99

The end of Web OS has finally arrived. Hp has finally announced that the struggling Web OS platform has quit the race for mobile dominance. The road has been a steady decline, as iOS, Android, and Blackberry OS took over as the big dogs in town (RIM be prepared). After what some can say dismal sales of the HP TouchPad, HP has officially given up. To give you guys a clue at how bad sales were, only 10% of stock was sold at Best Buy. The reviews of the TouchPad weren't well either, with multiple critics siting what could only be called a device that is generally lagging. HP did offer some good news about the device. The price of the Tablet has now become $99 dollars at Best Buy. A lot cheaper than the previous $499 price tag. Online stores have already been cleaned out, which means old fashion driving to the store might be your only option, however, we can't say there will be any left in stock either.

Jaibreaking, Rooting, and what it means to you

When most people buy a smartphone these days, no longer are they wondering what features come with their phone, but what features their phone, although also applied t tablets, can do. This article is designed to inform you about the key to unlocking your phones potential, and the potential dangers associated with freeing your device.

How did this device movement start? A process that would forever alter the way superdevices are perceived and how these tools of the elite hackers made its way into every wannabee hackers HDD. What started out as a complex process that involved tons of code has evolved with the device, at that time, the iPhone, a device worthy of such a challenge. With some knowledge and luck, everyday people were able to free their phone, and start the illegal uproar that plagues controls devices today. Who knew that this would dictate how devices would develop in the future today. It is 100% plausible to say that jailbreaking the iPhone was one of the iPhone's greatest advantages of its time, for it appealed to the customer to do things that would make themselves proud to own such a device. Free apps would scratch the surface, for people wanted something more, personalization, a motto Google had for its upcoming mega mobile OS. More on that later. Customized icons, wallpapers, although allowed by Apple with iOS4, and others, which attracted many.

Now shifting to Android, the root of all, well roots. This mobile OS was welcoming hacker communities the way a light attracted a mosquito. Open source was Google's policy, which would not stick well with the plethora of manufacturers lined up. But back to the root. Sometimes more complicated, this allowed hackers to do what they dreamed, complete personalization. Besides the point of doing things like free tethering, something Google would put into its OS in the Froyo update,  users could literally customize their devices based on the actual OS, and soon, ports would come along, shooting once ancient phones into the 21.01st century. Using rooting tools like SuperOneClick, you would get control of your phone, back it up using TitaniumBackup, and install a new ROM via ClockWorkRecovery, apps every rooted owner has. This almost always led to a massive improvement in performance, putting the process of rooting one Android device as common as a practice of going to bed or waking up.

Fast foward to today, and you now realize how hacking your device is now a common practice, a custom, in todays world. Even Windows Phone 7 devices are starting to get bigger with unlocking your phone, just on a much smaller scale compared to Apple and Google. What does this mean for the future? Will companies stop giving in and embrace its darkside, or will the battle continue as both sides continue benefiting each other.

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet Barely makes Summer Release

Lenovo almost broke its promise of the ThinkPad Summer release by constantly pushing back the due date for this much anticipated device. It is now confirmed via the company website that the Honeycomb tablet will be on the shelves on August 23rd, just in time to call it a Summer release, but hey, at least there's a confirmed date for the Summer.

Entire Android Lineup of 2011 is Getting Gingerbread

When the HTC Status was released for its small time, it was the only Android device with Gingerbread on AT&T, but that is coming to an end. The carrier has confirmed that Android 2.3 will be released to the entire 2011 Android lineup, starting with the OTA of the Atrix 4G today and HTC Inspire 4G in the coming weeks. Samsung Captivate users will rejoice because they will be able to enjoy this massive upgrade as well. There are no details on the timing for everyone, but if you are using a 2011 model, relax, your time will come.

Google Nexus S for AT&T on Sale Today

The AT&T version of the popular Gingerbread device is now on sale today exclusively at Best Buy, exclusively in black. The once unlocked $600 dollar superphone is now $99 with a two-year contract. Is the AT&T locked, black only phone worth the savings? Post a comment in the article.

Samsung SPH-M930 Going to Boost Mobile, Gives Charge with Keyboard

Everyone who likes Android, QWERTY keyboards, and paying as you go should listen up. The Samsung SPH-M930, which looks a whole like the charge, except with a QWERTY keyboard, is reportedly heading to Boost Mobile. This Gingerbread device is said to have a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and waiting a FCC approval.

MSI Tablet Passes Through FCC

What we have in this picture is a low-end tablet straight from MSI passing through the FCC with a 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU and 512MB of RAM. The inside revealed Bluetooth and WiFi antennas, as well as room for a full sized SD card, however the manual says this model can only handle 8GB. On the front, there is a front facing camera for video chatting, the usual buttons for navigating a customized version of Gingerbread, and a 10-inch screen sporting a rather disappointing 800X480 resolution. There is a second camera on the back along with the FCC tag.

Source FCC

Atrix Gets Gingerbread Update (OTA Starts Today)

There's a new phone that's getting some cookie love today, with the Atrix 4G getting it's release through a manual install via the Motorola website. This wonderphone is bringing all the flavors that makes Gingerbread, well, Gingerbread, with the ability to sideload apps, finally. The update itself is 161MB, with the source link at the bottom, but what are you waiting for? Post comments about how Gingerbread tastes on the Atrix.

UPDATE: AT&T has confirmed that the Atrix 4G will be receive the update OTA also, however, you can still do it manually if you cant't wait for your Gingerbread cookie.

Via TIMN
Source Motorola

LG Thrill 4G Pre-order Starts at Radio Shack(UPDATE: $99)

Announced 4 months ago, the LG Thrill 4G was poised for an August 7th launch. This launch date is approaching, and now 2 email were sent from Radio Shack insiders to Engadget with a few details of the device. Visitors heading to the Shack can supposedly reserve the Thrill, starting today with a purchase of a $50 gift card. The Thrill is going to be at $80 with a two-year contract, ready to be picked up with a hopeful August 7th date, seeing as dates aren't always specific. Post a comment and tell if you are thrilled for the latest super phone hitting the mobile market

UPDATE: AT&T has confirmed the release of the LG Thrill 4G in the coming weeks (maybe not August 7th), however there has been a price change. The device is at a healthy $99, still a great price for such a monstrous device.

HTC Widfire S Officially Lands on T-Mobile for $80

The rumors of the HTC Wildfire S heading to T-Mobile became a reality when the Big T anounced an August 3rd release. The code named Marvel device has a price tag of $80 dollars on a 2 year contract after a $50 dollar mail in rebate. With Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 3.2 HVGA display, 512MB of RAM, a 600MHz Qualcomm CPU, and 5 megapixel camera, this phone is poised to be a hit. This successor to the previous Wildfire is the addition of Swype keyboard and AWS bands. Any person with a thin wallet who is looking to get  a smartphone would be pleased with this new addition ready for its debut in the upcoming weeks.

Netflix on Android Compatibility More than Doubles! (Update: APK Download!)

Well, Netflix on android just got a whole lot better. The latest build has brought a new compatibility list spotting 24 super phones and tablets (epic win), more than doubling the previous 9. Hulu Plus isn't looking as great as it used to be (for now). A list of the compatible devices will be displayed at the bottom of this article. One thing to mention is that Netflix is confirmed to be working on the galaxy tab 10.1 and Motorola Xoom by side loading the app.

UPDATE:

Here is the APK download for Netflix:

http://www.multiupload.com/XTEWL8CLCZ

Compatible DevicesCasio G'zOne Commando C771 with Android 2.2
• HTC Droid Incredible
• HTC Droid Incredible 2
• HTC EVO
• HTC EVO 3D
• HTC G2
• HTC Thunderbolt
• Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet
• LG Revolution
• Motorola Atrix
• Motorola Droid
• Motorola Droid X
• Motorola Droid X2
• Motorola Droid 2
• Motorola Droid 3
• Samsung Droid Charge
• Samsung Epic 4G
• Samsung Galaxy S
• Samsung Galaxy S 4G
• Samsung Fascinate
• Samsung Nexus S
• Samsung Nexus S 4G
  Casio G'zOne Commando C771 with Android 2.2