Samsung Nexus Prime/Google Android Ice Cream Sandwich unveiling confirmed for 19th

The Samsung Unpacked event that was supposed to unveil the Nexus Prime and Android Ice Cream Sandwich was supposed to be this week but was pushed back to another date. Earlier this week we reported about a rescheduled date and now, it turns out that Engadget's tipster was on the dot about it. Samsung has started sending out invites to the media for the event, and it's going to happen on October 19th, but it's going to be all the way in Hong Kong this time around.

As usual, there's going to be a live stream for the unveiling so stay tuned for that - it should be October 18th 7.00PM PT for folks on this side of the world. Finally we can put an end to all speculation and talk about what the Nexus Prime is going to be. Anybody planning to catch the live stream? Stay tuned to Ubergizmo and we'll keep you posted on what goes down next week.

Samsung Stratosphere – Verizon's First 4G LTE QWERTY – Now Available From Verizon Wireless for $150

If you need a decent Samsung QWERTY device in your life, Verizon’s got something for you to check out. It’s the Samsung Stratosphere that’s long been talked about (but only because it was first rumored to be a potential Galaxy S II device).

Even though it’s not the monster many of you have probably wanted, it’s worth a look. Its 4 inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front camera makes us see it as another Galaxy S variant.

It’s similar to the Epic 4G in that it has a slide-out QWERTY and 4G LTE, as well, making it their first ever 4G LTE device with a hardware keyboard of any kind. They only want $150 for this thing so if you want a decent phone with 4G and what’s sure to be an above average 5-row keyboard hurry on over to this link.

Motorola Photon 4G gets a new software update, Google Talk video chat included

Introduced by Sprint in July, and already blessed with a software update in August, the Motorola Photon 4G has now received another software upgrade.

The new update brings a series of enhancements, including: support for Google Talk with video chat, improved audio quality with car speakers, improved camera Panorama Mode, "international roaming 3G UMTS hotspot functionality for a single Wi-Fi enabled device", and a bug fix related to forwarded messages.

Photon 4G users can check manually for the update in Settings / About phone / System updates. You can find out more here at Motorola.

The Photon 4G is currently offered by Sprint for $199.99 on contract. The smartphone is also sold by US Cellular under the name of Motorola Electrify.

HTC Hero S From US Cellular Gets a Quiet Launch

The HTC Hero S was announced on September 28th for US Cellular, but at that time they only gave us a date of “available next month”. Well, we're in that next month and one of our readers has noticed that it's now available for purchase for $200 after a new two-year agreement. This is only after a $100 mail-in rebate that's returned to you in the form of a Mastercard so you will be paying $300 for it up front.

For that money we wouldn't blame you for trying out a different phone. They do carry the Motorola Electron, a variant of Motorola high-end phones. It has 1GB of RAM, a 1GHz dual-core processor and a 4.3 inch qHD display. I'm not here to influence your purchase decision, though – go take a look at the Hero S and decide for yourself. [Thanks Adam!]

HTC Rezound (Vigor) shows up in Verizon system, launch is near

The upcoming HTC Vigor for Verizon has so far been leaked so many times that just keeping track of all the different rumored info has become pretty hard. On top of that, we've heard three different brands under which this device is said to launch. Aside from Vigor, it may also be called Incredible HD or Rezound, according to previous rumors.

But of course, Vigor may just be a codename. If so, then what will this phone sell as? Well, if this new leak is to be believed, it's going to be the HTC Rezound after all. Droid Life has received a shot of Verizon's device management system that shows the upcoming Android-powered smartphone named Rezound.

So it seems pretty clear. If it's made it to Verizon's systems as the Rezound, it will probably make it to the market as the Rezound as well.

Samsung C3350 Rugged Phone

Samsung will launch a new rugged phone in the form of the Samsung C3350. The quad-band GSM handset is IP67-certified, which means that it is shocks-, dust- and water-resistant (up to 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes). The Samsung C3350 candybar handset features Samsung's proprietary OS, a 2.2-inch (320x240) display, Bluetooth 3.0, an FM Radio with RDS, a music player, a 2MP camera with video recording support, a flashlight and a microSD card slot. The Samsung C3350 will be launched in Europe for 179 Euros or around US$245. [SammyHub]

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Pops Up In Verizon Device Management

I don’t know where or how rumors began swirling in regards to the possibility of the Samsung Nexus Prime (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) not arriving on Verizon’s network but it’s safe to say this new leak squashes those rumors. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus has popped up in Verizon’s device management which simultaneously confirms not only that the device will be available for Big Red but it will be 4G LTE enabled and that it will be under the name “Galaxy Nexus.” Can’t say I remember where the “Prime” moniker originated from but I always liked the ring of that. Oh well — only a few more weeks, people!

Samsung Nexus Prime pre-order

Are you more pumped up for the Samsung Nexus Prime or the iPhone 4S from Apple? For those who are not part of the iPhone troupe, I guess your allegiance would lie more towards Google's Android mobile operating system instead of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7. If Android is your cup of tea, then you might be pleased to hear that Mobile City Online, a phone importer, is first off the blocks by placing the Samsung Nexus Prime on pre-order, listing it at $750. This is interesting, considering the fact that it is a $200 discount over the supposed $950 listed price. There was no expected shipping date listed for the Nexus Prime though.

Some of the basic features were listed on Mobile City Online, where they include quad-band GSM support, 1700MHz AWS and WCDMA 900 and 2100 bands support, although more essential specifications such as the screen size were not listed – neither do we have any confirmation of the storage size or processor speed. Don't take the Nexus Prime that you see there as the real deal though – it was taken from YouTube as well as the leaked Prime ad, so the final device might still look different.

AT&T HTC HD7S now receiving Mango Update

If you happen to own an AT&T HTC HD7S, you are in luck for Microsoft has just announced that they are now rolling out the Windows Phone 7.5(Mang0) update to the HD7S. It was initially  thought that the Mango update would head to the HD7S on Tuesday, but two days wait is really nothing to worry about.

There are tons of new features to the Mango update, here are a few of them: Visual Voicemail, custom ringtones, new speech commands, messaging threads, contact groups, an improved ME card, multitasking, improved Live Tiles, Local Scout, an improved calendar, a redesigned picture hub, video sharing, and the ability to manage your Windows device by using My Windows Phone.

It's awesome to see Mango finally hitting the HTC HD7S. Now we are waiting for the the Mango update to hit the Samsung Focus, which is rumored to receive the update sometime near the end of the October. It shouldn't take too long considering Microsoft's speedy update process. If you have an HTC HD7S, let us know how the update went and your thoughts on Mango.

Microsoft

Symbian-Powered Nokia 603 Rolls Out

While we wait for the Nokia to unveil its first Windows Phone-based device, the Finland-based company still clings to its Symbian roots by introducing the Nokia 603. The Symbian Belle handset is powered by a 1GHz processor. Specs include a 3.5-inch scratch-resistant capacitive touchscreen with 640 x 360 resolution (which is optimized for use in sunlight), 2GB of internal memory, 32GB microSD card slot, a 5-megapixel camera, NFC capabilities, and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity.

The handset comes preloaded with Maps, as well as social networking games and apps. Users will also be able to capture, edit, and share photos to friends.

Judging from its press release, Nokia 603 is tagetted to loyal Nokies who want a smartphone that offers the latest in technology without feeling left out to the iPhone and BlackBerry users around them. The handset is available in six different back cover colors (black, white, fuchsia, green, yellow, and blue).

Nokia is also taking this opportunity to introduce its Luna Bluetooth Headset, which also supports NFC and works for up to eight hours of extended talk time.

The Nokia 603 will cost 200 euros (about US$275), while the Luna headset will be priced at 70 euros (around $96). Both products are expected to be shipped in fourth quarter of 2011.