ChazClout

This picture says it all:

Source: Vodafone UK

Yesterday it was announced that HTC and Microsoft had struck a deal to licence patents concerning Google’s Android operating system. Some saw this as HTC backing down to Microsoft and others saw it as Microsoft siding with HTC in its recent patent dispute with Apple.

It seems that it may not be the case of Microsoft siding with HTC as Microsoft’s Horacio Gutierrez has issued the following statement:

Microsoft has a decades-long record of investment in software platforms. As a result, we have built a significant patent portfolio in this field, and we have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and shareholders to ensure that competitors do not free ride on our innovations. We have also consistently taken a proactive approach to licensing to resolve IP infringement by other companies, and have been talking with several device manufacturers to address our concerns relative to the Android mobile platform.

It’s currently unknown which manufacturers Microsoft have been talking to. It’ll be interesting to see if Google have anything to say about any future disputes.

Source: Engadget

Nokia today officially announced the Nokia N8 Symbian^3 powered smartphone.

The Nokia N8

Sepcifications for the handset include:

• 12 Megapixel Camera with Xenon flash.
• High definition video recording.
• 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen.
• HDMI connector for viewing content on a HDTV.
• 16GB of buit in storage expandable to 48GB with the SD card slot and a 32GB Micro SD card.
• Multitouch gestures.
• Ovi Store and Nokia Maps turn by turn GPS

The handset is going to be made available in 5 different colours at a cost of €370.

For more info and some pictures taken with the 12 Megapixel camera hit the source links below. I like it!

Source: Nokia Blog, Nokia Blog sample shots, YouTube

Vodafone today started taking pre orders of the HTC & Google engineered Nexus One.

Vodafone Nexus One

You can pre-order now foe an expected 5th of May delivery. With a strong contender already out there in the HTC Desire, it will be interesting to see which one does better in the UK.

Source: Vodafone

Here is a quick post for an app availble on the Android Market that was recommended by androidforums.com user Talderon.

You can customise your homescreen in many ways with features as follows:

• Based on Launcher2 from Cyan’s git
• iPhone/Hero-like Scrolling
• Fully fixed auto rotation
• App Menu Button Long Press -> Quick Switcher
• Up to 7 screens! NEW!
• Long-press at desktop as an option
• Drag & Drop bottom shortcuts NEW!

Homescreen Vertical

Homescreen landscape.

It works on both rooted and non-rooted phones. Definately worth a try!

Sources: Android Forums, XDA Developers

In a shocking turn of events, some clever iPhone modder has installed a pretty much 100% working Android build to the iPhone.

For more info on the Android installation, click the source link below.

Source: linuxoniPhone

Well it’s happened again, another delay to the oft delayed Android 2.1 Hero update.

Please sir, can I have some Eclair?

Techradar have reported on a statement made by HTC stating that the update won’t be rolled out until Early June.

HTC will be providing a free update to Éclair for European HTC Hero variants. Starting in June,

Whilst Legend and Desire owners play with their Android 2.1 touting phones, Hero owners are stuck with Android 1.5 which in turn means no access to  apps like Google Navigation and Google Goggles. I think HTC should try to muster up a Sense UI free rom for people desperate to get onto the Android 2.1 bandwagon.

For more info, hit the source link below.

Source: Techradar

Google have today enabled navigation in its Maps application on Android devices. I’ve just tested this on my Nexus One and it worked flawlessly.

Available in the latest version of Google Maps for Android 1.6 and above.

Source: Google

Engadget have a very interesting scoop. They have acquired some supposed shots and what seems to be hands on time with the potential next Gen iPhone.

The worst thing is that the device doesn’t power on so there is a chance that this isn’t the real thing but in my opinion if it is real. it does look similar to the HTC HD2 or the Evolution.

Fore more pics and info, be sure to read the source link.
Source: Engadget

Apple have had to postpone the iPad’s worldwide launch due to high demand.

Apple iPad

Although we have delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week, demand is far higher than we predicted and will likely continue to exceed our supply over the next several weeks as more people see and touch an iPad™. We have also taken a large number of pre-orders for iPad 3G models for delivery by the end of April.

The iPad will now launch worldwide at the end of May with preorders starting on Monday May 10th. iPad fans are sadly going to have to wait a few more weeks unless happy eBay scalpers get your cash.

Source: Apple