The wait is over: Galaxy Nexus is here

The wait is over. The Galaxy Nexus finally arrives. The specs of the phone were leaked like crazy, so there really isn't that much of surprise here. However, the simple fact that it's here is enough to bring a new round of excitement to Android fans.

As noted by many people, Verizon is nowhere to be found in the release party. On one hand, I think it is because both Google and Samsung want to make this a global launch (Japan's NTT DoCoMo is the only mentioned carrier in the presentation.) On the other hand, I think the release of the Droid RAZR earlier today is another factor. I mean, the RAZR is basically DOA. Priced at $299, it's on the high-end of the Android family, but after seeing the Galaxy Nexus, I am really doubtful that any serious Android user would choose the Nexus over the RAZR. May be a law enforcement office should get the Kelvar coated RAZR :-)?

(UPDATED) Sony Ericsson announces new generation of Xperia Mini and Mini Pro smartphones -- Engadget

With all the bad press going around Sony's PlayStation Network security problems, I think we should re-direct our attention to one rare bright spot among Sony's products/services -- its 2011 Android smartphones. It's the only major Android smartphone maker that is capable of launching all its new headset in Android 2.3. Given how bad their first Android attempt was, I think Sony Ericsson deserves a lot of credits for their improvement. HTC, Samsung and Motorola, LISTEN, you guys were the market leader when it comes to Android smartphone, but it's unforgivable for you all to launch any Froyo phones today, almost 6 months after Gingerbread was released. The Thunderbolt, the Droid Incredible 2, and the Droid Charge should all be a Gingerbread phone when they are launched. Well, at least Motorola seems to be listening and hopefully, when the Bionic comes out, it's running Gingerbread. UPDATE: Yes, I didn't mention any examples from Motorola. That's not because they don't have any new non-Gingerbread phone launch. Quite the contrary, they dare to release a Eclair (Android 2.1) phone TODAY. I am not even going to name it here -- that would be free promotion for them. It's the new Sprint iDEN phone running Eclair, if you are curious. Sony Ericsson announces new generation of Xperia Mini and Mini Pro smartphones -- Engadget: "

Droid Samurai and the Android Army conquered the world in this Samsung Galaxy Player 70 promotional video

Absolutely love this promotional video from Samsung for their Galaxy Player 70. Why? Because I am in the video :-D

You will find our beloved little green robot apparently conquered the whole world in this video! As I always say, watch out, evil Apple fanboys.



YouTube - Droid Samurai appears in Samsung Galaxy Player 70 Promotional Video!: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Motorola Considering its Own Smartphone OS, Android “Shooting itself in the foot”? - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

Motorola is considering its own smartphone OS? While I am shocked to hear this, I am actually not that surprised they are that dumb. It really could happen. Look, they created the Droid, which is stock Android w/o a locked bootloader and this one small device literally brought Moto back to life single-handedly. A sane person would just keep what made the Droid so successful and added new things to it. Instead, they took away the stock OS, locked the bootloader -- they really DO think that the Droid's success is because of THEMSELVES, not Google, not Android.

Motorola Considering its Own Smartphone OS, Android “Shooting itself in the foot”? - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

[UPDATE] Nook Color (Honeycomb) as a GPS Navigation Device - HD

How to turn your Nook Color into a GPS

What do you need:

1. An Android phone that's capable of Wifi tethering
2. A rooted Nook Color that can make use of your wifi-tethering phone's network. The easiest way to achieve this is to get a custom ROM. CM7, Honeycomb, etc. I am using the Honeycomb Preview.
3. An app called TetherGPS
   

Prepare your Android phone

1. You must have an Android phone. An iPhone, or any other smartphone won't work. 3G modems won't work neither.
2. You *must* have a rooted phone (preferrably w/ a custom ROM. I use CyanogenMod 7 on my Droid Original.)
3. Install Wireless Tether for Root Users (FREE) to your phone.
4. Install TetherGPS to your phone.
   It's not free. However, there's a free version that will work for 5 minutes. You can re-use it by turning it off and on again.
5. Add the TetherGPS Server widget to your home screen

Prepare your Nook Color

1. You *must* have a rooted Nook Color (preferrably w/ a custom ROM. I use the Honeycomb preview.)
2. Install Adhoc Wifi Support to your Nook Color.
3. Install TetherGPS on your Nook Color
4. Add the TetherGPS Client widget to your home screen

Tethering

1. Launch the Wireless Tether app on your phone. Then click the big icon to activate tethering
2. From your Nook Color's wireless setting, connect to the wireless network created by your phone
3. Turn on your Nook Color's TetherGPS Client widget
4. Turn on your phone's TetherGPS Server widget

NOTES

1. If the TetherGPS Server is serving location data, in the notification of your phone, you will see a status stating the data is being served on an IP address. If it's not serving location data, the status will be blank.
2. If the TetherGPS Client is receiving location data, you will find a notification stating so. Otherwise, it will say no location data is received.
3. You might want to wait until your phone receive a GPS signal before turning on the TetherGPS Server.

Motorola Droid 3 to feature OMAP4, Motorola Targa to be first phone with quad-core NVIDIA Kal-El? – Android and Me

Oh, Moto, how much I hate you? Just when I am above to give up on you, and consider moving to HTC later this year, you make another attempt to lure me back.

The Droid 3

The Droid Targa

Now, I have no interest at the X2, but the Droid 3 and Droid Targa? The Targa is my favorite among the 3 phones (my contract is up for renewal mid-Nov, so it's perfect timing for me.) However, I need to wait and see if the bootloader is locked and/or encrypted.

Motorola Droid 3 to feature OMAP4, Motorola Targa to be first phone with quad-core NVIDIA Kal-El? – Android and Me: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"