Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Will Bring Smoother UI Experience – GPU Accleration Turned On By Default

A couple of Android engineers, the Romain Guy and Chet Haase made an interesting post today on Android Developers. As if I needed another reason to drool over Android 4.0, turns out that for the first time ever — Ice Cream Sandwich will turn on hardware acceleration by default. This is the same hardware acceleration found in Android 3.2 for tablets but in that version, it required a developer had to enable GPU acceleration with a simple line of code.

So, what does this mean for the regular ‘ol end-user like you and me? Well, this will translate into an all around smoother and faster UI. Things like menu’s, scrolling and various animations should be more fluid and responsive in all apps regardless of whether a developer enables GPU acceleration or not. It’s one small step for man but a huge leap for Android.

If there’s one thing that’s always irked me about the Android UI, it’s the fact that in most cases, it’s choppy. Having a smooth and responsive UI is actually one of the (very) few things I envy about iOS or WP7. Just add this to the ever growing list of reasons why I absolutely cannot wait for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Hardware acceleration? Check! V’room v’room!

Motorola Droid RAZR (MT917) For China

The new version of Motorola Droid RAZR has been unveiled in China. Dubbed as the Motorola MT917, the smartphone comes jam packed with a qHD (960 x 540) display, the Google Android Gingerbread OS, an 8MP rear-facing camera, a built-in TD-SCDMA radio and a Kevlar fiber back case. China Mobile will release the Motorola MT917 later this month.

LG DoublePlay Should Be Available in T-Mobile Stores Today`

If you were waiting to see an in-store demo of this phone yourself, the LG DoublePlay is expected to land in T-Mobile’s magenta-laced stores today. It’s a dual display device which sees its secondary display sitting between keys on the slideout QWERTY keyboard.

The display is advertised to be used for keeping in touch with your social life while being able to do other things on the main display. We also imagine you will be able to launch applications from the display. If you prefer to get it online, it has been available for $100 at T-Mobile.com.

Android Browser leapfrogs Opera Mini, but Safari increases its lead

Web browser warriors have some more statistical firepower to play with, now that Net Applications has released the latest usage figures for mobile browsers. Google's vaguely titled Browser has inched up from a 16.3 percent share last month to 18.7 percent, counterbalanced by Opera Mini, which declined from just under 19 percent to 13.1 percent. Similarly, both Symbian and BlackBerry's mobile browsers dropped a few percentage points, down to 2.6 and 2.4 percent respectively. While rumors of a mobile-friendly version of Chrome continue to bounce around, there remains a substantial gap between second-place Android and the current mobile browser boss, Apple's Safari, which has now extended its dominance from 55.6 percent to 62.2 percent. The battle of the browsers wages on.

HTC Sensation XL launched by Vodafone UK

Only one day after it was introduced by Three in the UK, the HTC Sensation XL is now available at Vodafone, too.

Vodafone is offering the Sensation XL for free on contract with plans starting at £41 per month (that's an offer not as generous as Three's, which lets you get the handset for free for just £34 per month).

Anyway, Vodafone lets customers choose between five different plans – they can be checked out here at the network's official website.

Telus HTC Amaze 4G to be launched on November 4, priced from $99.99

The HTC Amaze 4G has been leaked many times on its way to T-Mobile in the USA, and in September we've first heard that it was also headed to Telus in Canada. And last month the carrier even confirmed that it would be selling this superphone at some point.

Speaking of which, we may now know when that will happen. According to a leaked shot of an internal Telus system obtained by MobileSyrup (and which you can see below), the HTC Amaze 4G will be released on November 4. Yes, that's in just a couple of days.

So if you're wondering if you'll be able to afford it, here's the full pricing information. The Amaze 4G will cost $99.99 with a three-year contract, $499.99 on two-year, $549.99 with a one-year service agreement, and $599.99 without any contract whatsoever.

Vodafone UK Releases HTC Sensation XL

HTC's latest Android smartphone ‘Sensation XL' is now available for purchase in the UK via Vodafone. The handset can be yours for free on contract with plans starting at 41 GBP (about $65) per month. To refresh your memory, the Sensation XL packs a 4.7-inch 480 x 800 Super LCD touchscreen display, a 1.5GHz single-core processor, a 768MB RAM, a 16GB of storage, a 1.3MP front-facing camera, an 8.0MP rear-facing camera with 720p HD video recording, GPS, HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 1600mAh battery and runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. [Product Page]

HTC Radar on sale for $49.99 at Wirefly

The HTC Radar hast actually been available since Monday on T-Mobile's website for $99 on a new two year contract., but today was the day that the device became available in retails stores nationwide. If you are looking for a better deal, Wirefly is offering the device for $49.99.

Specs wise, the HTC Radar spots a 3.8-inch Super LCD touchscreen with 480 x 800 resolution, Windows Phone Mango, a 5 megapixel camera, a .3 megapixel front-facing camera, 512 MB of RAM, and a 1 GHz single core processor.

You wil also be getting free Standard shipping via FedEx as well as 2GB of Wirefly's Mobile Backup Service for free when you purchase the device. If you are interested in the Radar with no contract commitment, it will cost you $439.99. If you happen to be looking for a good deal on a new Mango phone, go ahead and take advantage of Wirefly's deal.

LG Optimus 3D Gingerbread Update Brings Improved Data Speeds and Video Recording

The LG Optimus 3D is all set to receive it’s Gingerbread update with open arms but rather than wait, some ballsy XDA users have begun flashing a leaked official build for the device. While not quite ready for primetime, the leaked 2.3.5 build does clue us in on what we can expect once the official OTA begins rolling out for the Optimus 3D.

According to the leak, the update will bring improved HSPA+ speeds bumping up download speeds to 21Mbps down. Also improved are video recording adding video stabilization and better video quality. The gallery app has also been improved with faster loading and a new video editor has also made it into the update as well.

All in all, I’d say Optimus 3D users have a lot to look forward to once the official update begins making the rounds come November 21st. So, LG… where’s that Thrill update?

More Samsung Galaxy Nexus Accessories Make Their Way Online – Retailer Now Taking Pre-Orders

Have you come down with the Galaxy Nexus fever? If waiting for the device has you antsy, you may want to take a more proactive approach and begin pre-ordering the device’s many accessories. We’ve already seen Samsung’s plans for dock in their announcement video but apparently they have quite a few more “Genuine Samsung Accessories” planned for the device.

If this online retailer is to be trusted — and I’m not saying they aren’t — all the official OEM accessories can be pre-ordered ahead of the SGN launch. No pics are available just yet but you can follow each of the links to the appropriate accessory down below.

Vehicle Mount ECS-K1F8BEG: Retail: $40, Discounted price: $35

Multimedia Dock Samsung EDD-H1F8BEG: Retail: $70, Discounted price: $50

Battery Charging Stand w/1750 mAh Battery and Travel Charger: Retail $40, Discounted price: $33.96

Standard Li-Ion Battery, 1750 mAh EB-L1F2HBYB: Retail $40, Discounted price: $25.20

Case Mate ‘Barely There’ Case, Glossy White CM017192: Retail $25, Discounted price: $15.09

Two Piece Soft Touch Snap-On Case, Electric Blue 378846: Retail $20, Discounted price: $8.16

These accessories are all listed as being compatible with the Verizon version of the device (i515) and most are scheduled to ship on November 21st (almost a week after the UK release of the device). If you’re feeling wary, feel free to bookmark this page and come back a little later once things become a bit more “official.” Anyone going to jump on these?