Amazon Appstore for Android - live in the US; UK, not so much

Amazon launched their "Appstore" (Apple suing - no surprises - for similarity to "App Store") today, although you'll only actually have any luck in the US as far as downloading an application - as here in the UK you'll be met wit a lovely pop-up telling you that it "isn't available in your region yet".

HTC Smartphone and Tablet roundup

Co-authoured by Ollie Ford and Patrick Beavis

HTC recently announced a mountain of new devices, including five smartphones that are subject of this article.

They've updated the Desire range with an extra model, refreshed the Wildfire and announced some Facebook dedicated phones - which can only loosely be called "smartphones" - and refreshed the Incredible too.

There's a bunch of fantastic new devices, really exciting stuff, so head past the break for a comprehensive list of the latest devices, pictures, and links to our posts with more information on each individual mobile.

HTC Desire Z (G2) - Review

At last, I have my HTC Desire Z review to post. It's my only phone, I don't switch at all, so I use it 24/7 and it takes a lot of use...


First things first, whoa! Spec wise, it's not the greatest thing going, in the ever growing selection of HTCs, but it's not the worst, by a long shot. It looks the part too, it could be up there in the top ten for smartphone looks.

Hit the read on for the full review:

Motorola Xoom WiFi model up for grabs

The WiFi only Xoom is for sale at last - as part of a questionable strategy, Motorola first launched the 3G + WiFi (4G as a later software update) variant of their Android 3.0  (Honeycomb) tablet.

Just as the 3G version, the newly launched WiFi model packs a 10.1" WXGA (1280x800) display, supporting 1080p playback. The rear-facing camera captures 720p video, to be played back on the devices own screen, or your TV via the HDMI out.

Inside, it's housing a dual core Tegra 2 processor, clocked at 1GHz, along with up to 32GB flash storage.

For more information, find the Amazon store link below:

Android Market packed full with new features

The Android Market now features a web store, where you will be able to freely browse the wondrous collection of free and paid apps.

Should you decide that a particular app is worthy of your hard-earned - go ahead and purchase, and the app will be remotely installed to your phone/tablet over the air (OTA).

Perhaps, however you want to try out the free version first. But "Oh what a pain" you cry, realising you will have to then un-install the free and download the full. No more! Google has freed you of such hindering tasks; the in-app purchases SDK was released today, allowing developers to include support for buying full versions, or add-in packs from within the app itself.

No more themes littered throughout the Market!

Motorola Atrix pictured and videoed

You remember the Motorola Atrix, right? My favourite thing to come out of CES?

Of course you do, well, today Motorola has launched it, in the consumer orientated sense. Nerds are all for CES releases, but the consumer at large tends to be unaware until the more public launches.

However, these consumer launches are good for us too, because we generally get some prettier pictures, and some really feature descriptive videos.

Catch said video after the read more link.

Sony's "Xperia Play" PlayStation Phone - impending launch!

The guys over at Engadget just nabbed themselves an exclusive preview of Sony's much talked about PlayStation Phone.

It's a very nice looking device - with a fantastic rear - and you should definitely check out their full impression.

Bringing a whole new meaning to PSP, (as it is far more likely to be called that than "Xperia Play" by enthusiasts) the PSPhone is packing an upto 1GHz Qualcomm CPU, with an Adreno 205 GPU. 

It runs Android 2.3 and supports emulators for your old PlayStation and GameBoy games. That's pretty sweet backwards compatibility.

More info, including pricing should appear at MWC.

Motorola Atrix - The Beast Phone

I thought the Asus Transformer tablet was my favourite CES announcement. I also thought that I would buy one. All has changed.

Introducing:

The aesthetic of Motorola phones isn't for everyone - and the Atrix certainly isn't one of their best.

However, that should be quickly gotten past, because this phone, really is a beast. There will no doubt be more and more talk as it approaches launch, and when it does, it may well be bigger than the Evo.

And for good reason, this phone is packing so much more in "tech specs" than a mobile device, let alone a phone, has any right to pack.

With functionality rare in desktops, laptops and certainly other mobiles, this phone looks set to bridge the smartphone and secondary device - tablet, netbook, or even laptop replacing.

What makes this phone truly netbook/laptop replacing, is the "Atrix Laptop Dock". A thin and lightweight 'laptop', essentially an aluminium chasis with display and chiclet keyboard, docks the Atrix, which then switches to WebTop - more on that and HD Multimedia Dock, as well as the Vehicle Dock, past the Read More link.

Head past the "Read More" for the full specification break down, along with the accessories which make this new Android smartphone pretty damn innovative.

Asus' all new Eee tablet devices

Picture courtesy of Engadget

As you can see above, Asus are launching not just one, but four all new Eee form factors - and you can bet each one will have a variety of options and price points to suit your specific needs.


Head over the link below to see the full spec of these new products. I'll tell you now, it's pretty impressive stuff!

Review - HTC Desire

So I have had this device for probably a month or so now, it is my first fully fledged Android device, I did a bit of dabbling with a few android ports for a WinMo device, but thats another story that I may treat you to some other time.


Head on past the break for the full review.

Evo 4G hacked to run Android v2.2 "Froyo"

Yes, that is an HTC Evo 4G - all 4.3" of the beaut.


No, it's still not released - and no, neithers Froyo, Android version 2.2.










Yes, this is an unreleased beastphone running an unreleased version of Android. Suck it up, I'm still sour the UK has no 4G network, read: no Evo 4G.

Video after the break...