OS updates

Nielsen thinks that Android phones are finally more desirable than iPhones, but Antuan could have told you that based on less than scientific observations. Justin shows us a phone that he does not desire, the HTC Droid Incredible 2. The unlikely Barnes & Noble Nook Color is rapidly becoming the most desirable Android tablet thanks to a new firmware update. Meanwhile, Motorola plans to give hardcore users what they truly desire, quad-core processors and more hacker friendly Android phones. All of that plus more news and the answers to your emailed questions on this week's episode of Android Atlas … Read more

After teasing Twitter followers earlier today, Google's Nexus account has announced that the Nexus S will be receiving a software update over the next few weeks.

The notable, and likely only, feature in this update is the integration of video chat over Google Talk. Once Nexus S phones are loaded with this latest release, they will be able to video chat with other Google Talk users whether on a desktop or Honeycomb (Android 3.0) tablet.

Calls can be made using Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G networks, taking advantage of the front-facing cameras found on many Android phones. According to the Google Mobile blog, this will be preloaded into all future 2.3 devices. … Read more

Android 3.0 Honeycomb is here, and its icon has arrived on the Google lawn, as witnessed in this image posted on Twitter by Google's Justin Mattson.

When Google releases a new version of its Android software, it places a large statue based on the version's code name on its lawn for geeks to worship. You may also leave offerings of food, iPhones, and code branches near the statues in a bid for more stable bug fixes from the Google gods.

Honeycomb is the tablet version of Android, and the Motorola Xoom will be the first gadget in stores to have it.

Read more of "Look on Google's Android Honeycomb statue, ye mighty, and despair!" at Crave UK. … Read more

Another Mobile World Congress is in the bag, and as the CNET crew leaves Barcelona we can take stock of the mobile madness that was. It was my fourth year attending the show, and I can report that 2011 was one the busiest I've seen, with a ton of new smartphones and tablets. It was a lot to handle, but Bonnie Cha of CNET Reviews; Ariel Nunez of CNET TV; and Maggie Reardon, Stephen Shankland, and Elinor Mills of CNET News were along for the ride.

As with any trade show, Mobile World Congress offered a series of satisfying devices and a couple of instances where companies fell short. Here's the report from Barcelona as we saw it. And don't forget to check out Maggie's insights in her Ask Maggie column. … Read more

We already knew about Android 3.0's (Honeycomb) 3D capability and its new look with larger, revamped icons and the like. But now Google has revealed the details on many more feature updates and additions in its Android operating system for tablets.

The Goog's theme for tablets is bigger, better, and more. Tablets' larger screen size encourages a proportionately larger design and gives developers more room to play around with 3D graphics, live streaming, and deeper connections with Bluetooth devices.

It's clear that with Honeycomb, Google is urging Android 3.0 tablet makers to market tablets as … Read more

Samsung Vibrant owners may be getting sweeter later this month. T-Mobile will begin updating the Samsung smartphone from Android 2.1 to Android 2.2. Subscribers will begin seeing the long-awaited changes as soon as January 21, though the rollout will come in waves--not everyone will receive a call to update on the same day.

In addition to serving Vibrant owners some good new about the Froyo build, T-Mobile also put to rest a nasty rumor that Samsung has been purposely thwarting the Android 2.2 update.

Samsung's custom skin and T-Mobile's add-on apps are two complications behind … Read more

If you're a Samsung Intercept owner who has had problems with the Android 2.2 software update, you're not alone. Sprint has announced in its forums that some users have reported the Intercept to be unresponsive after the upgrade. The company is working on a solution, so hopefully we'll get it all sorted out soon.

If you own a Samsung Intercept and have experienced these issues, let us know in the comments.

Smartphone interface is very often the cover by which we begin to judge the book. The layout, designs, and color scheme play a heavy role in how easy it is to navigate and customize the phone; but we also can't underestimate the UI's emotional connection.

So let's not. Instead, let's have an interface-off that lines up ten smartphone interfaces for scrutiny. Six platforms are represented--iPhone, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry OS 6, WebOS, Android, and Symbian 3 (we rate four different Android "skins,") and we'll spill our guts on exactly what we think of … Read more

We can't blame you for getting excited about Google's official Gingerbread announcement--also known as Android 2.3--and all it contains. That said, we wouldn't hold our breath over seeing an Android 2.3 update immediately pop up.

Yes, purchasers of the Google Nexus S will be the first to use the Gingerbread OS update--it'll be available at Best Buy stores in the U.S. starting December 16 and from Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. on December 20. (The Samsung-made Nexus S will cost $529 or with a two-year contract with T-Mobile for $199.)

Everyone … Read more