HTC Desire HD Getting Android 2.3.5 and HTC Sense 3.0

The HTC Desire HD may no longer be the most powerful smartphone in HTC’s stable of Androids but it’s still quite capable. It has gotten an upgrade to Android 2.3.5 and a more recent version of Sense, 3.0 (the most recent is 3.5). Users around the world with unbranded handsets are receiving the upgrade and we can’t imagine carrier-branded handsets will be too far off. If you have an unbranded handset be sure to check for it at your earliest convenience. [via EuroDroid]

HTC Sensation 4G update rolling out

Great news for HTC Sensation 4G owners. If you're plagued by bugs and performance issues, you'll be glad to know that T-Mobile started pushing out a software update for the Android device. The update will bring the HTC Sensation 4G up to version 1.50.531.1, and is touted to fix what was wrong with the phone.

According to T-Mobile, the Sensation 4G update will address software stability, improve the phone's battery life, improve the Trace dictionary; resolve screen unresponsiveness, screen shot features, lock screen, and icon pixilation; improve its WiFi connectivity and fix the green line on photo issue. The update should already be rolling out to Sensation 4G users by now, but in the event you haven't received your update yet, you can manually check for it by going to Menu > About Phone > HTC Software updates > Check.

As usual, backup your device before attempting any updates and let us know how it goes for you.

Motorola DROID Xyboard Arriving in Verizon Stores

Like the Galaxy Nexus the Motorola DROID Xyboard hasn’t gotten an official launch date. And also like the Galaxy Nexus, the Motorola DROID Xyboard tablets (10.1 and 8.2 inch variants, 1GB of RAM, dual-core processors, etc.) are starting to arrive in stores.

Verizon pegged them for a December release in their original press release but didn’t give a solid time frame or date beyond that. Early rumors have shown 12x12 as the date but, like the Galaxy Nexus, we won’t make any assumptions that the date will hold up. [via Droid-Life]

Samsung Galaxy S II LTE gets a white paint job too

Samsung seems to have fallen in love (again) with white recently. After launching a white version of AT&T's Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket, the phone maker decided to bring the color to the original – the Samsung Galaxy S II LTE. We say ‘the original' since the Skyrocket is basically just AT&T's version of the Galaxy S II LTE which was unveiled back in August.

As you'd expect, there are no other differences between the white Galaxy S II LTE and its black incarnation. It's just the color. Thankfully though, the entire device is clad in white, this isn't a case of just the back side getting a new paint job, as you can see.

Samsung says that it expects the white version to be more appealing than the black one to women and youngsters. We don't know if the company is right or not, but more color options for smartphones are always something we like seeing. Especially because black seems to have completely taken over in recent years. But perhaps that trend is bound to change in the future. We'll see.

Meizu MX Smartphone

The Meizu MX Android smartphone has a powerful specification such as a 1.4GHz dual-core processor with a 1GB of RAM, a 16GB of internal storage, a 4-inch (960 x 640) ASV display, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD recording, a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls and HSPA+ support. The smartphone is equipped with the Flyme OS, which is Meizu's heavily customized Android 2.3.5. The Meizu MX smartphone will be released in China on January 1st, 2012 for 2,999 Yuan ($470). [Meizu]

Android 3.1 Honeycomb update for Logitech Revue

Great news for all you Logitech Revue owners out there. The Android 3.1 Honeycomb update for the set top box has finally begun rolling out and is trickling down to users everywhere. Also known as “Google TV 2.0,” the update brings a refreshed new UI and the addition of the Android Market. The Logitech Revue finally feels like a true Android device. Whether you recently picked up the Revue at the discounted $100 price or have been a long time user/early adopter, this update comes as a very welcomed upgrade. I’m going to power up mine and see if I’m one of the lucky ones.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc HD live shots leak again

Sony Ericsson is really having a hard time keeping their Xperia Arc HD smartphone under wraps. Their upcoming flagship droid broke loose again and appeared on a couple of live shots, confirming some of its specs in the process.

The smartphone codenamed Nozomi, will sport a dual-core CPU, clocked at 1.5 GHz, a 12 megapixel camera and a 4.3x720p screen. It will offer 1GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, but there will be no microSD card slot, so you won't be able to expand that. A nicely sounding 1750 mAh battery will power the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc HD.

According to the source of one of the two leaked images, the Arc HD should make its official debut at CES 2012, which takes place from January 10 to January 13 next year.

With such a sleek design and a specs sheet like that, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc HD will certainly be one of the hottest devices of 2012. The only problem might be that the flagship will bring a dual-core CPU to a quad-core party, but we are yet to see about that.

Special thanks to Alfred Sung and Alex Thrystan for sending the links in.

Source 1 | Source 2

Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket goes up in smoke

Talk about living up to its namesake: one Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, which is yet another variant of the hugely successful Samsung Galaxy S2 range, recently combusted in the confines of the owner's pocket. Good thing there was no serious injury reported, and the family jewels of the owner remained intact so that he can continue to have progeny of his own down the road. Someone over at the XDA Developers forum put up a series of images of the exploded Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, where "he said he heard a sound, [felt] a burning sensation on his leg and as he pulled the smartphone out of his pocket, he smelled burning. There was smoke coming out of his pocket and out of the phone." Well, I guess if there is a positive from all of this, you can say that the Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket is one smokin' hot smartphone!

White Motorola DROID RAZR hits Verizon this month, same price

Verizon has officially announced that a white version of the Motorola DROID RAZR will hit shelves in time for the holiday season.

Besides the color of the frame, nothing has really changed in the smartphone hardware. It features the same 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced screen, a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor and 1GB of RAM as its black sibling.

Verzion remains mum about the exact release date of the white RAZR, but the carrier said that users should expect it by the end of the month. The smartphone will cost you $299.99 with a new two-year contract.

ZTE Blade V881 sequel sees marginally better specs

Just like any good movie, phones too, have sequels as well as the third iteration. Take a look at the iPad followed by the iPad 2 (OK, so that is a tablet, but it goes to show just how popular such a naming convention can get), and if you need a smartphone example, you can't go wrong with the iPhone range, as well as the Samsung Galaxy handsets. Well, the ZTE Blade V881 might not take on the role of a true blue sequel in terms of its numbering, but it is still the successor to the ZTE Blade V880 which was officially released in February this year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Wow, just barely 10 months down the road, and a sequel is already announced?

The ZTE Blade V881 will come with a 3.8″ touchscreen display at WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) resolution, not to mention running on a Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU that has been clocked at 1GHz, carrying around 512MB RAM and a 5-megapixel camera that is located at the back. There is still no word on pricing or availability, so stay tuned!