Samsung Galaxy Tab teaser

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is Samsung's answer to the iPad, sporting a 7" display and Android 2.2. Samsung have released a teaser trailer (see below) to whet our appetites before the launch next week. Looks great, hopefully it will be cheaper than the iPad too. You can see the teaser at the Samsung Galaxy Tab site or click below.

Via [1], [2]

Nokia N9 to compete with high-end Android devices

Outside the Android camp, Nokia is currently preparing its first MeeGo handset - the Nokia N9. Nokia have been sidelined over recent months with the impressive growth of Android devices, but MeeGo is the descendant of Nokia's open source Maemo OS which was a broadly similar attempt to build a powerful mobile operating system.

According to Softpedia, the N9 will pack a 1GHz processor, have a 4" WVGA display, 512MB of RAM and all the other usual high-end features.

What we really like? The keyboard! There's not exactly a wealth of QWERTY equipped Android devices.. and the keyboard on the popular DROID / Milestone is sucky to say the least. The N9 looks very good though, reminding us a bit of the highly usable keyboard on the Nokia 9210.

So yes, this is an Android blog and the N9 isn't an Android phone.. well, not yet. We imagine that it won't be long until some enterprising person hacks the handset to run Android, just as they did with the N900.. see the video below for more.

Via [1], [2], [3]

Xperia X10 Mini is phone of the year.. apparently.

Apparently voted "phone of the year" for 2010-2011 at the European EISA awards is the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini.

No, we're not sure why either. It's alright, but really we think that the screen is too small to be really practical. Oh well.

Via

HTC Desire HD spotted on Amazon

It really can't be long before HTC formally announce the HTC Desire HD when Amazon (accidentally) listed it for £415 in the UK..

Via

"Complete Guide to Maximizing Your Android Phone’s Battery Life"

How-To Geek has a great article on how to maximize the battery life on your Android phone.

If you're struggling with battery time, then you really need to read this to understand exactly what might be sucking the life out of your precious battery.

In particular, the issue of background applications running when you don't want them is a serious issue. Unwanted apps not only drain the battery, but they can also slow your phone down and use memory. Very few applications have a proper "Exit" function, so these can build up over time. It's baffling why Android doesn't come with a decent Task Manager - How-To Geek recommends Advanced Task Cleaner, I personally recommend Task Manager by Rhythm Software although there are a huge number to choose from in the Android Market.

Via

BBC: Vodafone backs down on Desire fiasco

Another good argument for going SIM-free was the decision of Vodafone in the UK to push out an update to customers that - instead of being the expected Froyo update - in fact filled the phone in unremovable Vodafone-branded applications.

User reactions were understandably very negative, after all if the phone didn't come with this crap on when it was bought.. what right does the carrier have to install it later? Now the BBC are reporting that Vodafone have backed down on the update and will offer it as an optional download at a later date.

The whole OS update issue looks like a storm brewing. Customers very much want Android 2.2, but some manufacturers and networks are dragging their feet over the issue. Maybe there was a point to the Google Nexus One after all, as that was the first to get the update.. but will it run Android 3?

Via [1], [2]

BBC: Virus writers hit Google Android phones

You know when a platform is beginning to be successful when the bad guys start writing viruses for it, and the mainstream media take notice.

According to this report, Kaspersky Labs discovered the malware which is said to be the first malicious application for the Android platform (really?). The malicious application spreads via SMS and seems to be hitting Russian Android users in particular.

There are perhaps a couple of good things to do to keep safe - firstly, most Android users should stick the the official Android Market for applications.. but even then you should be careful when installing applications and look at the reviews and see EXACTLY what the application is asking to have access to.

Via