'Optimus 3D MAX' branding rumored for next LG 3D phone

Earlier this week we saw reports that LG is preparing a successor to its Optimus 3D smartphone, to be unveiled at next month's Mobile World Congress. The LG CX2, as it's apparently codenamed, was to ship with a 1.2GHz CPU, 4.3-inch 3D WVGA NOVA display and dual 5MP cameras. Leaked renders also appeared, showing a device much thinner than the veritable brick that was the original Optimus 3D.
Today GSM Israel says it's learned from a "very reliable source" that the CX2's official branding will be "Optimus 3D MAX" (spelled the old-fashioned way, with just one X). If true, the new name would fit a device which appears to be more a refinement of last year's Optimus 3D than anything revolutionary.
It's likely we'll see more of the Optimus 3D MAX, or whatever it's called, in just a few weeks time at Mobile World Congress, so stay tuned.

Source: GSM Israel (translated); via: UnwiredView

Wifi-only Motorola XYBOARDs now shipping

With pre-orders for both the Wifi-only Motorola XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 having started up a while ago, Motorola has no decided its a good a time as any to actually start shipping the device out. An email was sent out, letting folks know the devices are now up for purchase on the Motorola website with free two-day shipping available as well for orders over $75. That's not a problem for those of looking to get a Motorola XYBOARD though considering the prices are as follows:

• XYBOARD 10.1 32GB: $599.99
• XYBOARD 10.1 16GB: $499.99
• XYBOARD 8.2 32GB: $499.99
• XYBOARD 8.2 16GB: $399.99

We've reviewed both the Motorola XYBOARD 10.1 and the XYBOARD 8.2 already, so if you're considering grab one, make sure you check out the reviews. If you've already decided you're going all in -- then you can hit the source links below to place your orders.

Source: Motorola

Official Met Office weather application available now

One thing we aren't short of on Android is weather applications. In the UK, the Met Office are probably the best source of weather forecasts. These now come to Android with the launch of the official Met Office application. 

What you get is some pretty detailed weather maps, with a range of forecasts between three hours and a full five-day forecast. The maps are also interactive, and display national severe weather warnings. It also touts UV forecast maps, for those rare days in the UK when the sun shines. 

There are some known issues already with the application involving the pressure map layer. The developers have pledged that this will be resolved in a future update. In the meantime you'll find download links after the break.

Android Market web link

Sony Xperia Ion unlocked pre-order price emerges

It's been barely a couple of weeks since AT&T and Sony took the wraps off the Xperia Ion at CES, but already the device is starting to show up for pre-order, along with early pricing information. Right now Negri Electronics is listing the (unlocked, SIM-free) Ion with a tentative pre-order price of $569.50. Of course, having an unlocked version of an AT&T phone isn't particularly useful in the US, as you'll be limited to EDGE connectivity if you try to use this thing on T-Mobile.
Negri's spec list also shows that the Ion supports 3G/HSPA on 2100MHz, which means that if you plan on using your Ion in Europe or parts of Asia, you won't be stuck on 2G. For more on the Ion, as well as its international cousin the Xperia S.
Source: Negri Electronics

Photon 4G owners wanted -- Motorola is looking for software testers

Motorola has made an official request for "Pre-release software testers" of an unknown update for the Motorola Photon 4G.  This is standard practice for Motorola, who likes to slowly roll out their final builds to a select few in what they call a "soak test".  This gives Motorola (and the carriers) a bigger set of eyeballs looking for any potential bugs that limited internal testing just didn't find.  

In the past we've seen soak tests for updates both big and small, so there's no knowing exactly what this one is going to be.  We can't see the future, but I don't think this one will be Ice Cream Sandwich.  But any update is good news as long as it makes things better.  Motorola needs a thousand testers, and I think you guys are up to the challenge -- hit the source link and sign up!

Source: Motorola

Sony Ericsson ST25i 'Kumquat' pic leaks, is Mini-Me to Xperia S's Dr. Evil

We saw plenty of the Xperia S before it officially surfaced at CES, and we've already seen leaked photos of the MT27i "Pepper", along with a purported leaked roadmap for other Sony phones. Today, though, XperiaBlog has the first image of at what is reportedly the Sony (Ericsson) ST25i "Kumquat", a mid to high-end Android phone with a 3.5-inch display and a familiar industrial design.
The "Kumquat", which according to the leaked roadmap is due this April at a ~€260 price point, is apparently powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, with a 5MP camera and a qHD (960x540) display. If the rumored specs and price are correct -- and admittedly that's still a pretty big "if" -- this device could be very tempting for those looking for a smaller, more portable smartphone with high-end specs.
Hopefully we'll see more of the "Kumquat" at Sony's Mobile World Congress presentation in just a few weeks, where the manufacturer looks set to reveal more of its 2012 line-up.

Source: XperiaBlog

Android 2.3.5 update now available for TELUS Desire HD

Canadian carrier TELUS is currently rolling out an OTA update for the HTC Desire HD, bringing the device up to Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread. They've posted the details up on their site with a list of changes, which are as follows:
The release of Android® Gingerbread 2.3.5 provides the following benefits and enhancements for your smartphone:

• HTC Sense 3.0 (improved Calendar, Messages, Camera, Gallery, Music, Weather, Lock screen, Reader and more)
• HTC Watch – Rent or buy the latest movies and or shows
• Google Video Chat
• Improved stability

No surprises with the update really but we'll take it. If you've not got the notification to update yet, go ahead and check for system updates through your menu. You may find it there waiting for you but if not -- it should be along shortly.

Source: TELUS; via: Mobile Syrup

Motorola Xoom UK price slashed again, now £249.99

If you've been following recent Motorola Xoom developments, you'll know that the first "Google Experience" tablet has just been updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Alongside the update, Carphone Warehouse, one of the main sellers of Xooms in the UK, has cut the price of the Wifi-only model to £249.99. This is a £50 drop from the earlier RRP of £299.99, and the latest in a long line of Xoom price drops which has seen the tablet gradually fall from the July price of £399.
It might not be as sleek as the Galaxy Tab 10.1, or as fast as the ASUS Transformer Prime, but £250 for a 10-inch, dual-core ICS tablet isn't a bad deal at all if you ask us. UK readers, would you be tempted to drop £250 on a Xoom at this point? Be sure to let us know in the comments.

Source: Carphone Warehouse; via: Eurodroid

Motorola MOTOLUXE and DEFY Mini priced and dated

UK online retailer Clove Technology has just revealed when it expects to ship two new mid-range Motorola phones, along with information on exactly how much each device will set you back.
The Motorola MOTOLUXE, which we saw last week at CES, is due in "late February/early March", for £258 (~$400) including VAT. For your money, you'll get Android 2.3.7 on Motorola's "Moto Switch 2.0" UI, running an 800MHz processor on a 4.0-inch display. The DEFY Mini, which is a more pocketable version of Moto's popular rugged device, is due around the same time as the MOTOLUXE, and can be yours for £175 (~$270).
Hit the source link for pre-order information for both devices, or check out our hands-on with the MOTOLUXE from CES for more on that device.

Source: Clove Technology Blog

JCB and Motorola team up for 'work-proof' DEFY+

Motorola announced today that it has teamed up with construction equipment manufacturer JCB for the “work-proof” DEFY+, now available in the UK for RRP £259.99. The special edition will come with a JCB-patented rugged visco-elastic protective sleeve, along with push-to-talk connectivity and preloaded apps including a spirit level, theodolite, decibel meter and recorder and a unit converter. The DEFY+ JCB edition will retain the original’s 1 GHz processor, Gorilla Glass coating, 5 MP camera, and preloaded Gingerbread. Hit the source link for Moto's official announcement.

Source: Motorola Mobility

Pink Samsung Galaxy S II arriving the UK for Valentine's Day

Stuck on what to get that special someone for Valentines this year? Enter Samsung to lend a helping hand as this pink version of the massively popular Galaxy S II is due to be launched on Feb.13. Make no mistake, this is a regular Galaxy S II, just they painted it pink.

While having been announced in South Korea back in November, all went quiet regarding global availability. Phones 4 U have announced that they will be offering the device from Feb.13 on a two- year contract starting from a very reasonable £21.50 a month. 

Not looking for a contract to go with that shiny new pink phone, then online retailer Very are set to offer the device SIM free for a whopping £499.99. Whichever way you look at it, that's Galaxy Nexus pricing. While listed as in stock, they are in fact awaiting their supply which they claim to be within 7 days. Get them while they're hot ladies--and guys if pinks your thing.

Source: Somobile

White Galaxy Nexus caught out in the wild

We've had the first retailers bring it up, we've had the first real promotional shots, and now we have the first real, actual shots of the white Samsung Galaxy Nexus. 

The folks over at the AndroidHD Blog in Italy have snagged themselves some photos of the as-yet unreleased device. Worth noting is that as in the official renders, it's only the sides and the rear of the device that are white -- the front remains black as on the original "titanium silver" version. 

In the UK at least, we're expecting to see this on sale from the week commencing Mar. 6. If you're a sucker for a white phone, hit the source link below for more pictures. 

Source: AndroidHD Blog

Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX coming to Verizon Jan. 26

We went hands-on with the Droid RAZR MAXX at CES 2012 and well -- it's a Droid RAZR with a 3300 mAh battery taking place of the original 1780 mAh power source and while that's impressive in its own right, the most impressive point is that it doesn't add any extra bulk. That said; If you skipped out on the original Droid RAZR due to battery concerns, come Jan. 26 you can pick up the Droid RAZR MAXX from Verizon Wireless for $299 with a two-year contract.
Source: Motorola.

Asus UK confirming ICS update for original Transformer coming soon

Asus UK have taken to their Facebook page to let us all know the state of their Ice Cream Sandwich update for the original Transformer. To cut a long story short, it's good news. 

They're confirming the update is incoming, although exact date is still TBC. What they have said is that they're working hard on getting the OTA update out as soon as possible after the Jan. 12 launch with the Transformer Prime. 

Source: Asus UK

Samsung Replenish receiving the Gingerbread update starting today

The Samsung Replenish, Sprint's first environmentally friendly smartphone, has begun getting its Gingerbread update. This has to be welcome news for Replenish users who haven't heard about updates for their phone in quite some time.
The update will come as an OTA and will be rolling out gradually to devices, so if yours hasn't gotten it yet, be patient, it's coming.
Sprint has detailed what improvements Android 2.3 will bring to the Replenish:

• Increased OS speed and efficiency
• One-touch word selection and copy/paste
• Improved power management
• Downloads management
• SMS messaging fix

Source: Sprint

Score a GSM unlocked Samsung Galaxy Nexus for $559

Been wanting a Galaxy Nexus for use on T-Mobile or AT&T, but didn't want to shell out a lot of dough?  Daily deals style site dailysteals.com has the unlocked i9250 GSM Galaxy Nexus for just about the same price one would pay had they been sold at Best Buy or the like -- $559.99 plus $4.99 shipping.  CES is right around the corner, and we're sure to see something that tickles everyone's fancy, but for many there's nothing like a Nexus, and the price is right.  No idea how many of these are on hand, so go click if you're interested.

Source : Daily Steals

Motorola RAZR coming to Fido on Jan. 10

When the Motorola RAZR was released in Canada it was only available from Rogers but Fido customers will soon be able to grab the device as well. In the past, we had a look at the CDMA cousin being the Droid RAZR and were pleasantly surprised with the total package, plus -- the Motorola RAZR came up in our 2011 editors picks for smartphone of the year. If you're looking to get a Motorola RAZR for yourself on Fido, you'll be able to pick one up come January 10th for $100 on a new three-year contract.

Source: Motorola

Motorola Droid 4 pops out once again for some pretty pictures

Pictures of the Motorola Droid 4 have been around for as long as late October, so we're really not surprised to see more of them popping up. And now Technobuffalo has quite the new crop -- or, rather, a new crop of pictures of a non-working dummy phone. Not a whole lot there we haven't seen 13 different ways already -- most recently on Best Buy's website. Now all we need is some sort of official announcement, perhaps.

More: Technobuffalo