Rumors

For all you Android fans out there who wouldn't be caught dead with an Apple product, the folks at Samsung seem to be working on an iPod Touch alternative based around Android. The YP-MB2 shown above bears the markings of Samsung's longstanding line of YEPP portable media players, with a dash of touch-screen UI goodness from the company's Samsung Galaxy S Android smartphones.

Currently listed for sale from South Korea's Daum store (shipping there August 11), the YP-MB2 is spec'd to include a 1GHz processor, Wi-Fi, FM radio, DMB TV, GPS, and a 4-inch Super … Read more

The final pieces of the Droid 2 puzzle are falling into place, confirming early rumors of Android 2.2 and an August release. The last few days have seen a mix of official documents and internal resources leaked, all which point to a Froyo-powered superphone expected in the coming weeks.

To kick things off Thursday, Droid Life posted pages from the official Droid 2 user manual uncovered. Though there's no direct mention of Android 2.2 in the guide, some pages show various screens of the device. Astute readers will notice that the Google search widget on Page 10 … Read more

A wallpaper app that steals your personal info, piracy controls coming to the Android Marketplace, and a look into the world of Android gaming. Plus, Jeff Bakalar shares an awesome tip on creating itineraries for Google Maps Navigation, and Jessica Dolcourt helps us pronounce the death of the Android phone that started it all.

Updated: The wallpaper app discussed in this episode has since been cleared of any wrong-doing by Google itself. More details on that here.

The first glimpse of another T-Mobile-branded handset has been unearthed, thanks to an Android Central tipster.

It's rumored to be called the MyTouch 3G HD, and it looks remarkably similar to the MyTouch 3G Slide, which launched just a few short weeks ago. The design is nearly identical to the Slide and even includes the carrier's Genius Button.

However, there are a few noticeable differences, one being a larger screen, which appears to be around 3.7 inches or larger. At that size, I would expect to see an 800x480-pixel screen resolution and possibly a camera that records … Read more

A hot rumor this week predicts that Verizon is rolling out Android 2.2 to the Droid, Droid Incredible, and the Droid X next week.

An AndroidSPIN source, who claims to be a Verizon employee, said the update is slated to begin August 6 and run through August 15. If true, this coordinated software update between HTC, Motorola, and Verizon would be the first of its kind. Typically, Android upgrades trickle out in a seemingly random order, often preceded by some form of announcement.

It's also interesting in light of the user interface differences on the handsets. The Droid … Read more

The 27-inch iMac is playing hard to get for some customers, which could mean that an updated version of the desktop Mac is on its way.

MacRumors reports that at several Apple stores, some models of iMacs are no longer available for in-store reservation and pick-up, suggesting that Apple has let the supply run out. It follows a rumor last week that Apple is gearing up to introduce a fresh update to the all-in-one desktop. Apple hasn't released a new iMac since October 2009.

Apple could be unveiling a new wide-screen (16:9) Cinema Display soon as well, according … Read more

When you look at the high-end Android phones available today, you might notice that there are relatively few devices with sliding QWERTY keyboards.

Aside from the forthcoming Droid 2 and Samsung Epic 4G, there are no other devices with a 1GHz processor and a physical keyboard. However, there are rumors that HTC and T-Mobile will also have a device to add to the bunch.

The phone, according to rumors, is expected to arrive with a 1GHz processor, a 3.7-inch WVGA screen, and HTC Sense user interface. According to the rumors, it will also be HSPA+ capable, which means it … Read more

We still don't know when AT&T's exclusive contract with Apple will expire, but that doesn't stop the continued rumors of the iPhone expanding to new carriers in the United States.

Usually it's Verizon Wireless that we hear is close to signing up to service the iPhone, but a report in Cult of Mac on Wednesday says it's actually T-Mobile that "is very close to getting the iPhone in the fall."

The report quotes an anonymous "highly placed" source at T-Mobile, who says the negotiations between Apple and the carrier are in an "advanced stage" and that it's "80 percent likely" the phone will arrive on T-Mobile's network in the third quarter.

It's unclear from where the 80 percent figure is derived. We do know that at one point, Apple and AT&T had a five-year exclusive service agreement. USA Today originally reported the contract length in 2007, which would keep the iPhone away from other U.S. carriers until 2012 at the earliest. Whether that has changed is not clear, but "this fall" or "third quarter" seems a little early. AT&T did, however, suddenly allow current customers whose contracts expire anytime this year to get an early upgrade for the iPhone 4, which could be a sign that AT&T is anticipating the end of its exclusive contract.

It's pretty clear that Apple is interested in expanding its device to other carriers--it's already done so in several countries and has seen an uptick in new subscribers, according to Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook. If Apple were to pursue that strategy in the States, T-Mobile is a much more natural fit for the iPhone than Verizon, when put in proper perspective. … Read more

The team over at Droid Life got their hands on a photo of what appears to be a pre-release version of the Droid 2 running Android 2.2 (Froyo). If the the device arrives on schedule next month with Froyo, it would be the first Android handset to launch with the latest version of the platform.

The Droid 2 has seen its fair share of leaks lately, most recently in Verizon's summer device catalog. Though neither Motorola nor the carrier have announced the phone, pretty much everything you need to know has found its way online.

Look for it … Read more