Rumors

The Dell Streak only become available this week, but Android geeks are already foaming at the mouth over the next offering from the PC giant. You may recall that we covered a trio of unannounced Dell smartphones back in April known as the Smoke, Flash, and Thunder. Of the three handsets, the Android 2.1-powered Thunder sounded the most impressive with a 4.1-inch OLED touch display, an 8-megapixel camera, and an "integrated Web video Hulu app." It was due for an October release followed by an LTE version due next year.

Thanks to a couple of anonymous … Read more

Apple is reportedly testing a version of the iPhone with CDMA chips.

At least that's what Daring Fireball's John Gruber says. He cites "a few little birdies" when reporting late Wednesday that the prototype in testing is codenamed "N92."

N92 is "certainly not in production," but is currently at the engineering verification test level, or EVT, according to Gruber. That's one level below DVT, or device verification test. And that is itself a level below an actual product currently being manufactured.

Now, as we know, Verizon operates a CDMA network. Does … Read more

Does an Android device with a 3.2-inch screen still qualify as a "tablet"? That was the first question that popped into my head when I saw images of the Archos 32 Android tablet that were published Tuesday by the FCC.

Maybe I'm still feeling the effects of my time with the Dell Streak, but aren't tablets supposed to stretch beyond the confines of the pocket? Maybe not. It seems manufacturers have decided anything with a smartphone OS and a touch screen is a tablet--a tactic that may come back to bite them if Apple starts … Read more

That revamped Apple TV we heard about a few months ago? It might be headed our way shortly.

Apple TV has long been a "hobby" for Apple, a project the company considers a work in progress, not a flagship product like the iPhone or Mac. As such, there have been few changes to the video-streaming set-top box since its introduction in 2008.

In June, Engadget was told by some unnamed sources that a makeover for the device was coming--including a smaller footprint, iOS 4, the A4 chip, 1080p playback, 16GB of storage, and a $99 price tag.

On Wednesday, Engadget released updated expectations, citing the same sources, reporting that the same features are planned, with the exception of 1080p playback. The new Apple TV will not upgrade to 1080p, after all, but will continue to output 720p video, which matches the current capabilities of iTunes video. An iTunes-streaming service is expected to accompany its introduction.

But the report also includes some other interesting tidbits: that the device will have access to apps, like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, something long been rumored and expected.

Perhaps more intriguing: Apple TV is getting a new name, according to the report. Well, an old new name. Apparently, Apple is rechristening the device iTV, which was the original name for Apple TV when it was first introduced.

Apple declined to comment.

While it's safe to say it's unusual for Apple to be so noncommittal on the name of a product that's already been shipped, Apple TV is a special case/"hobby." … Read more

On Monday, I relayed some hot gossip about Verizon's Android device roadmap for the rest of the year. The Boy Genius had originally uncovered the information, and I added new details that I received independently from someone in the know. I apologize, however, for making a mistake when reading my notes on the carrier's upcoming Android-powered tablets. Please find the correct dish below.

The Samsung P1 tablet, which is due in September, will not have the dual tablet/e-book reader design that I mentioned in my first blog. Instead, Verizon should offer the Entourage Edge dual book sometime … Read more

The now-annual Apple September music event is happening, but the exact date is still to be determined, according to a report by AllThingsD.

On Wednesday AllThingsD said it is hearing from several sources that the traditionally iPod-and-iTunes-focused event will take place "closer to mid-September."

Since the first one in 2005, the event has been held around the second week of September, usually the week following Labor Day. A rumor circulated last week that Apple was planning to completely change things up and hold the event next week. That appears even more unlikely now.

Apple declined to comment on … Read more

Rumored for an October release, the HTC Desire HD made an appearance over the weekend. The smartphone, which also carries a code name of "Ace," is expected to run Android 2.2 and feature a 4.3-inch touch screen, a 1GHz processor, and an 8-megapixel camera. Other details include 4GB internal memory, HD video playback, XviD video support, SRS surround sound, and a uni-body aluminum case.

The first glimpse of the phone came in the form of a leaked image (translated), which showed only the front of the device. As expected, it looks very similar to Sprint's … Read more

Boy Genius offered a load of dish Monday on Verizon Wireless' roadmap through 2010 and 2011. Some of the rumored devices we've heard about already, but not everything has been discussed before. According to the tipster, Verizon will have a Motorola Droid Pro global phone by November, two other global handsets from Samsung and HTC, a Moto Android device that will resemble the company's long-departed Q smartphone, and Android-powered tablets from Motorola and Verizon. And on the 4G front, Boy Genius predicts that Verizon will have LTE service across 75 percent of the country by April 2012 and … Read more

Could the iPod Touch be getting the same FaceTime camera as the iPhone 4?

Some new images sent to the blog MacRumors make a case for it at least. On Thursday, MacRumors posted images of what looks like the front assembly, including LCD screen and bezel, of a new version of the iPod Touch sent to it by an iPhone part supplier.

The parts are stamped with markings that lend some authenticity that they are actual Apple parts, though these kinds of images tend to start circulating before any upcoming Apple announcement. Some do end up being accurate, but as … Read more