Nexus T Toshiba Tablet Next Official Google Release?

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Let’s talk about this situation and see if we can’t piece together a few factoids. First, waaay back at the beginning of this year, a mystery tablet started showing up – one made by Toshiba, having a 10.1-inch screen, and sporting what would become Android 3.0 Honeycomb (testers floating around had Froyo, of course.) Have a look at our big reveal post and continue on – does that look like a tablet that Google would officially endorse as the next step in their flagship series? That very much appears to be what may be happening now!

Our good pals at Metalev have a few clues gathered up that point directly at this device being the next in the Nexus series – Nexus T they’re calling it, and with it’s NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, prismatic lithium-ion battery, and 1280 x 800 resolution 16:10 aspect ratio adaptive display, its definitely not out of the question.
What’s a prismatic battery? It’s a big fat battery that has 3 times the life of a standard lithium ion batter in essentially the same package. Besides sounding fantastic, why is this relevant now? Because @googlenexus has a challenge going on with their Twitter followers and the answer to the puzzle on the 2nd of May was PRISMATIC. – this puzzle put together by metalev’s Luke Hutchinson
@googlenexus’ challenge ends right before Google I/O – perhaps some free tablets are in the works for the masses of developers attending?
This tablet has been up for preview at Best Buy for some time now, but without a name and without much branding to go with it. Have a look at the video here and see if you think it’s possible that this is the next in line for Google’s infamous pack of powerful bigtime blasters:

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New in the Market: Snap, Style, and Share with Snapbucket by Photobucket

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Photo editing apps are starting to get a little crowded, but Photobucket thinks they have something unique with the new Snapbucket app that just became available in the Android Market. Snapbucket is a separate app and complements the currently offered Photobucket app.
With Snapbucket, users can snap a photo and apply various filters, vignettes, and frames to it. You can immediately share your edited photos on Facebook, Twitter, or your Photobucket albums. You can even create your own filter sets.

Some of the cool features you get with Snapbucket are:
* “Retro,” “Lomo,” “Sunrise,” and “’70s” – just a few of the awesome sets you can use to style your photos.
* Over 9500 combinations of sets are available, many more than Instagram, Hipstamatic, Vignette or PicPlz!
* Choose from individual filters, effects, vignettes, and frames to style your photos your way.
* Create YOUR OWN unique filter sets and brag about them to friends.
* Show off your stylin’ skills by sharing with friends to Photobucket, Facebook, or Twitter.
* Unlock new effects the more you use Snapbucket, and get filters that’ll make your friends green with envy!
* We’ll always keep your original photo safe on Photobucket, so don’t worry – go crazy with styling!
Your original and edited photos will be stored in your Photobucket account. Photobucket is hoping that unlimited storage on the go will sway customers from competing apps to Snapbucket, not to mention there is already about 100 million Photobucket users.

Snapbucket is available now in the Android Market and is free. For the QR code please see our apps database or to go directly to the market, please hit the source link.

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ViewSonic ViewPad 10 Finally Gets 2.2, Making Dual-Boot Worthwhile

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On paper, the ViewPad 10 was a really cool device, bringing dual-booting to those people that needed (or just wanted) both some Android and some Windows 7 features. It was like a software peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In practice, the problem came with the fact that the tablet came with Android 1.6, an outdated version of the software that was lacking some pretty big features. Well, anyone toting the ViewPad will be happy to know that the tablet will be receiving an update to 2.2, making that Android boot a lot more useful. The downside here is that in order to install the update, you need to upload it to a thumb drive and then plug in that thumb drive and a USB keyboard into the tablet. But that’s a small challenge for a big upgrade, right? Full press release after the break.

ViewSonic Updates Android OS for ViewPad® 10 Tablet
The Best of Both Worlds Just Got Better With Windows® 7 and Google AndroidTM 2.2
WALNUT, CA–(Marketwire – May 3, 2011) – Following its recent North American availability announcement for the ViewPad 10, ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today released details on how ViewPad 10 users can update their system to Android 2.2.
The 10.1″ ViewPad 10 gives users a choice between Windows 7 and Google Android within the same device, making this tablet ideal for business users looking to maximize productivity while simultaneously enjoying the device for entertainment purposes.
“The ViewPad 10 allows business users to take their desktops with them, running the same Windows-based apps they are used to on a tablet form factor,” said Adam Hanin, vice president of marketing for ViewSonic Americas. “We responded to customer feedback and made available a free and easy-to-install Android 2.2 update. As additional supported code is available, we will share further updates to continue delivering on our promise of offering the best of both worlds.”
Packed with a high speed Intel® Atom™ 1.66GHz processor and integrated 2GB of memory, the ViewPad 10 is a mobile computing powerhouse. Designed for today’s business applications, the ViewPad 10 enables users to take Windows on the road, allowing access to Flash-based content and programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat. With the Android 2.2 platform just a switch away, the ViewPad 10 is the perfect companion for those looking to work, play and share on the go. Paired with convenient features such as expandable memory, built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and 1.3 megapixel built-in front camera, this dual-OS device is sure to grow with each user’s professional and personal needs.
The dual-OS ViewPad 10 now ships with Android 2.2 and either Windows 7 Home Premium (with a 16GB SSD hard drive) or Windows 7 Professional (with a 32GB SSD hard drive) for respective ESPs of $599 and $679. For full instructions on updating your ViewPad 10, visit http://www.viewsonic.com/assets/113/21936.pdf or call 800-888-8583.
For more information on ViewSonic’s products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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Sprint launching updated tiered pricing for embedded devices on May 8th

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It looks like May 8th will bring a change in data plans for Sprint mobile broadband and embedded devices like tablets. The new packages will be 3GB for $34,99, 5GB for $49.99, and 10GB for $79.99.
Sprint currently offers 5GB for $59.99 per month and a 2GB tablet-only plan for $29.99 per month.
These plans should be good for the Motorola XOOM, BlackBerry Playbook, and the new Samsung Galaxy Tabs.

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Asus Gearing Up To Produce World’s First Quad-Core Tegra 3 Tablet

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Nvidia is gearing up to show the world it means business with its up and coming ground breaking new industry technology, yet again.  It looks like the company, the first to bring us dual-core in a smartphone with the LG Optimus 2X overseas, then making its way to the US as the T-Mobile G2X, is at it again.  DigiTimes reported that Asus, makers of the Eee Pad Transformer have announced the production of the new Tegra 3 based tablet.  One would imagine programs and navigation on a device like this would move at the speed of thought.
The device will be built around the new Kal-El quad-core specifications and could arrive sometime in August of this year.  When this Superman chip enabled device comes to light, users may just be laughing at what is now referred to as “1080p”.  We’d imagine the device will put out a few more pixels than the average screen res.  There’s no word as of yet on a release date for this monster but Nvidia does have a road map available regarding their chip set release, revealing quad-core for some time in August.  Let us know what you think about having such a powerful CPU in a tablet. Or, are you sick and tired of the “Core Wars”?

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Android 2.3 OTA update for the Desire HD and Incredible S rolling out now

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Your phone will receive a notification of FOTA update when it is made available. Simply press OK to accept the update via a data connection such as Wi-Fi or GPRS/3G. After installing the update, you can confirm a successful update by confirming the Build number (From the Home Screen go to MENU> Settings> About Phone> Software Information> Software number). The new Build number after the update will be 2.36.405.5. Update: Android 2.3 upgrade. Note：Please back up your data first before upgrading your phone. We recommend using a free Wi-Fi hotspot or an unlimited data plan to apply this update. If not, standard data connection charges may apply. For any questions, please contact us at http://www.htc.com/www/CA_Hotline.aspx
 

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T-Mobile grows 21Mbps HSPA+ by 3 markets

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T-Mobile announced, via Twitter, that Fort Myers, Florida; Pueblo, Colorado; and Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pennsylvania have been added to the list of markets that have 21Mbps HSPA+. This adds about 210,000 subscribers that now have access to their 4G network.
T-Mobile plans on doubling the bandwidth for their HSPA+ to 42Mbps later this year. They are the fourth-largest mobile operator and plan on delivering 25 4G-capable devices this year.
 

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AT&T Prepaid Fight vs. Verizon Wireless Unleashed Plan

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When it comes to prepaid plans two big names such as AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless always rival each other, this is good and healthy competition that always keeps the pricing down. So who will win the fight for glory?
RCR Wireless have hit on this subject and it is somewhat very interesting indeed, Verizon Wireless have a plan called “Unleashed” and this offers customers unlimited mobile Web services, unlimited messaging and unlimited calling over its network for $50 per month, the only downside to this is that they only have three phones that use this plan. There are a few limitations such as lack of phones and its mobile Web experience is limited to the Web browser that is included on the three handsets and this does not give you the full web browsing experience.
The Unleashed plan according to the source above undercuts available prepaid plans, the ones that offer SMS messages at 2 cents per text, unlimited calling for $2 per day or unlimited bundles costing $10 or $20 per month.
Over Tracfone Wireless Inc.’s Straight Talk the Unleashed plan is $5 per month that included unlimited calling, messaging and data using the Verizon Wireless network and feature phones.
Now looking at AT&T Mobility’s GoPhone unlimited plans with prices at $60 per month for unlimited text messages and voice calls and its $75 per month for extra 200 megabytes of data transmission what would you choose? If you choose the AT&T Mobility GoPhone you can pay $2 per day for unlimited calls and text messages and data packages ranging up to $25 per month for 500 MB.
Who wins the pre-paid market then?

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Give Your Smartphone An Exotic Look With aniPet Aquarium LiveWallpaper (Video)

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If you’re an exotic fish lover and you adore Android, boy do we have a treat for you.  aniPet Aquarium LiveWallpaper gives you the next best thing to having the real deal.  This live wallpaper allows you to create your very own aquarium with the ability to choose from 114 different kinds of species of fish. While the developer promises more species will follow, they’ve allowed for up to 15 of your chosen favorites to be displayed at any given time.  The application is extremely interactive and is sure to keep your little ones busy in the back seat for those long trips.

The app sort of reminds me of those Digi Pets, thanks to the added feature that allows you to feed your fish and watch them grow.  You’re fully responsible for the well being of your beloved exotic species.  Are you ready for that kind of responsibility?  Heck, if your fish survives it to maturity, it can even produce offspring!  As you can see, there are a ton of extras with this wallpaper.  It’s one of the most interactive and detailed live wallpapers I’ve seen so far.  Other features include the ability to change the speed of the fish, how fast they grow, what kind of food you can feed them and even sports the ability to tinker with light animations.  Definitely check this one out if you’re a live wallpaper fan.  Head on over to our popular apps database for more info and to snag the QR code directly from your smartphone.  Don’t forget to let us know what you think of the app in the comments below.  Hit the break for a quick video demo and to view more screenshots. 

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