AT&T Has Original Motorola Lapdock for Atrix on Sale at $50

Though most agreed that Motorola’s Webtop technology was one of the cooler things to emerge out of last year’s CES, the high price of accessories such as a Lapdock priced close to $500 kept many consumers from buying in. With an expanded lineup of Webtop-enabled phones and a new Lapdock range and adapted pricing on the way from Motorola, the original has seen a steep discount to a reasonable $50 when purchased through AT&T. That is a price more in line with what everyone had expected when the Lapdock concept was first announced. The site lists only the Atrix as compatible with the older model, though it might be worth further investigation to see if the device will also work with other handsets such as the Photon 4G on Sprint.
[AT&T via AndroidForums]

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HTC update for Flyer tablet gets Honeycomb for Christmas

If you own an HTC Flyer tablet there is some good news coming out of France today. Apparently, the French are getting the update for the smartphone starting today. The new update brings the Flyer up to Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Flyer owners have been waiting for this update.

The update brings the software to 3.55.405.1. The update itself is 210MB and is coming OTA. Since the update is larger, do yourself a favor and grab it when available using WiFi. Apparently, this version of the update is for the 32GB version with WiFi and 3G connectivity.
There is no word on version of the update for other tablet models like the 16GB WiFi only version. If you are able to get the update in countries outside of France let us know. Also, let us know if they have the update for the WiFi version of the tablet.
[via HTC-Hub]

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Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Sleeve spied on video

We have spent our share of hands on time with the Transformer Prime and really like the tablet. I am sure we aren’t the only ones looking forward to the tablet hitting the market. A video has surfaced on Facebook that shows off a new accessory for the Transformer Prime that is really interesting. The accessory is the Transformer Prime Sleeve.

The iPad has its smart cover that can turn the iPad 2 on and off when it opens and closes. The new Prime Sleeve for the Asus tablet has an even cooler trick up its sleeve. You can see the sleeve in action on the video below. When the sleeve flap is closed, you can see the lines on the surface where the thing folds.
You can fold it into two shapes with one of the shapes for standing the tablet upright for watching video and such. The other shape props the tablet up at a much lower angle that would be good for typing. It appears that the Sleeve plugs into two of the mount holes for the keyboard add-on. Pricing and availability for the Sleeve is unknown.

[via SlashGear- Thanks dy4me!]

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Dell kills Streak 7 tablet

The Dell Streak line of Android tablets haven’t been hugely popular with most folks choosing offerings from other makers. The sales of the smallest of the Streak offerings the Streak 5 were bad enough that Dell ended the tablet in August. Dell has now ended the larger sibling to the Streak 5, the Streak 7 reports StreakSmart.

We had heard back in September that T-Mobile would not be updating its 4G version of the Streak 7 to Honeycomb. I am sure we weren’t the only ones that thought that move didn’t bode well for the tablet. Dell didn’t issue a press release or any reasoning for ending the Streak 7 tablet’s run. It’s easy to assume that the tablet simply didn’t sell enough to justify making it though.
Dell pulled the listings for the Streak 7 from its website and left a note on the Streak 7 page saying it was no longer available online. That would seemingly hint that you might still be able to get a Streak 7 tablet in T-Mobile locations. The obvious downside to buying one at this point is that you will be stuck with whatever Android version is on the tablet when you get it. Perhaps they will be cheaper though since they are no longer being produced.
[via SlashGear]

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Fingerprint Digital releases 5 mobile apps for kids

 Fingerprint Digital makes a learning and entertainment platform for kids has announced the release of 5 mobile app for kids. The company released the first five apps under the “Fingerprint” brand name and will appeal to kids in the 3-8 year old age group. The mobile apps are being developed to work with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. Fingerprint Digital has a very impressive team setup from companies like LeapFrog, LucasArts and PlayFirst and they plan to launch the first ever “social learning and play network”.

The “Fingerprint” mobile apps are being launched in connected with the testing of “Mom-Comm” which allows parents to be more engaged with their kids during playing and learning activities. The company has also announced the giveaway of the first $1 million worth of apps they have developed. All the Fingerprint apps include specific sets of features that make it easier for parents to communicate and share with their children. Other features include game play snapshots for parents, recommendation engines for new games available and a rewards system that helps the child stay interested in learning and always wanting to learn more.



The mobile apps cost $2.99 and are available for the giveaway free download at the App Store. Updates and more games will become available for the Mom-Comm network in the next coming months. The five mobile apps developed are listed below.

The Big Kid Life Fire Fighter app is for ages 4-7 and allows kids to use a special backpack to put out “fire monsters” while practicing with numbers, shapes and symbols. The Big Kid Life Vet app is for ages 3-6 and teaches a child about letter, numbers and colors all while they try to find out what is wrong with their pet. The Big Kid Life Fairy Princess app is for ages 4-7 and helps kids develop reading skills as they get through 15 adventures, while creating their own story at the same time. Play Maker is an app for ages 4-8 and helps kids learn math and spelling skills. This app also lets kids create their own “Fingerprint” character. The DoReMi 1-2-3 app is for ages 4-8 and kids are interacting with “moo-sicial” cows, boat rowing pandas and twinkling stars all while learning about musical tones and melodies. This app also helps to increase brain development in kids.

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Galaxy Nexus from Verizon shown off at Samsung Experience store in NYC

This weekend it seems a few lucky New Yorkers were able to enjoy some hands-on time with the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus from Verizon Wireless. The Samsung Experience Store in NYC had four of these LTE powered smartphones running Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich on display for fans and buyers alike to experience first hand.

Reports are coming in from all over regarding this extra special experience. We are calling it special because this device has yet to be announced with an official release date, but seeing it in the open like this you can only wonder. This is most likely a solid confirmation that Verizon is all set and should be announcing this device any day now. The Verizon model was recently updated to Android 4.1 fixing a few bugs and getting ready for prime-time although models on display in NYC had not yet received said update.
With all the leaked videos and update information linked to above, as well as a few pictures showing Verizon’s preloaded apps earlier this week this device is just begging to be released into the wild so everyone can enjoy. It should be coming any time now so hold your horses guys. Apparently models on display in NYC while being branded with Verizon “4G LTE” actually had no SIM cards and the back covers glued down so passerby’s were unable to test 4G LTE speeds or truly experience the phones although WiFi was available. We’ve already seen pictures showing Verizon’s model being slightly thicker and darker but these latest images from the booth in NYC truly show how minor the changes actually are.
Since not everyone is lucky enough to live near NYC to enjoy the photos or device I’ll go ahead and link you to our GSM Galaxy Nexus hands-on in case you’ve missed it. The hands-on video is also below for your viewing pleasure while we all sit back and twiddle our thumbs and wait for Verizon to break their Gnex silence. I have a feeling Monday will be a good day for all who’ve been waiting for the Nexus on Verizon.

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LG Nitro HD 4G LTE goes on sale today at AT&T

The LG Nitro HD joins the white Skyrocket SGS 2 as the second LTE-capable phone that releases today on AT&T. The Nitro HD packs quite the punch with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear HD camera, 4G LTE radios, 20GB of internal storage, 4.5-inch HD 1280 x 720 display and a 1830 mAh battery. If you’re not too impressed with the Samsung Galaxy line, you should definitely consider getting this LG phone. Get ready to shed between $149.99 to $249.99, depending on where you live, with a two year contract.
Let us know if you’re planning to grab a Nitro HD.
via AT&T

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New Display Technology Allows User To FEEL Virtual Textures – Coming Soon To Smartphones And Tablets

Good gawd. Now here is a technology I wasn’t aware even existed. A company called Senseg has manufactured a new type of touchscreen that will actually allow you to feel a variety of virtual surfaces on your fingertip. This is a whole lot different from haptic feedback which uses moving parts to vibrate a device — this actually changes surface friction under your finger to correspond with the texture being displayed on screen. Damn near revolutionary.

Immediately I’m thinking of all the ways this could be implemented anywhere from braille for the blind, gaming, to more “adult” apps (you know you were thinking it). You’re looking at true innovation at its finest. The technology could start hitting smartphone and tablets as early as next year and seriously, we all know which OS dominates that market.
Seriously, Google. I’ll make this simple for you. Buy it. Patent it. Deploy it in Jelly Bean. Profit.

[Via Cnet]

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Samsung, Intel and Sprint Announcing New Smartphone At CES 2012?

Some big announcements could be made at CES 2012 in January according to AndroidandMe who has it on good authority that Samsung Mobile will release the first Intel powered Android phone and it could be making its way to Sprint. Let’s try and piece everything together.
It’s been rumored that Samsung could be getting out of the PC business but has reportedly extended their partnership with Intel. Strange, what would a renewed partnership with Intel bring? You guessed it — smartphones.
We told you guys a few weeks back that Intel was waiting on Ice Cream Sandwich before arriving on the scene with an Android smartphone and today, PCWorld is reporting that Intel already has Android 4.0 up and running on a device powered by their Atom processor (also known as Medfield) and is currently working with manufacturers to get everything optimized on those devices.
Intel’s CEO, Paul Otellini, is scheduled to give a keynote at CES 2012 and has been touting to AllThingsD, their Atom processor’s superiority over ARM’s chips in graphics, javascript and browser performance. Not so much in the battery department (no surprise there) where they came in around 3rd and 4th.
Intel wont be the only ones dropping bombs at CES. Sprint too, is gearing up for a big announcement January 10th at CES and what else could it be but another one of their famous “industry first” keynotes announcing an Intel powered smartphone running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich? I know it sounds crazy — crazy like a FOX.
Exciting things in store for next year and you can rest assured knowing the entire Phandroid team will be on hand at CES 2012 bringing you guys all the latest in just a little more than 40 days. I’m ready, packed and moist.
[AndroidandMe | PCWorld | AllThingsD]

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