Motorola Droid Shadow found in gym

If you work for a big mobile phone manufacturer and are given a prototype to field test, it's vitally important not to leave it in a bar .. or in this case, the gym.

Yes, some poor soul left a prototype of what appears to be the Motorola Droid Shadow, a Motorola Sholes-based handset (like the orignal Droid and Milestone) with a large 4.3" display, 8 megapixel camera and built in Android 2.2.

This particular handset is going to Verizon in the US, but if the pattern with the Droid and Milestone is repeated then hopefully there will be a GSM version pretty soon too.

The rumour is that the Droid Shadow uses Motoblur, something that hasn't been available on Sholes devices before, which should be pretty cool.

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Video: Dell Streak

A video tour of some of the main points of the upcoming Dell Streak tablet from Mobile Gazette.

Dell Streak - an Android iPad alternative

Smaller than an iPad, but bigger than a smartphone the upcoming Dell Streak packs a 5" touchscreen display, 5 megapixel camera, 3G, WiFi support and Bluetooth plus a 1GHz snapdragon processor inside. It can apparently make phone calls as well as data calls, although we think that it will be a little on the large side.

Reports say that the Streak will ship with Android 2.1 with an upgrade to 2.2 available later this year.

Luckily for UK customers, the Streak will launch there first on the O2 network and directly from Dell, with a US launch to follow in the summer.

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Android 2.2 "Froyo" SDK out now

The Android 2.2 SDK is out now, an essential step to getting the new OS actually on real devices. 2.2 promises improved speed, improved support for MS Exchange, improved video recording and tethering.

We don't know what devices will be able to run 2.2 (codename "Froyo") for sure - some early Android handsets don't have enough space on the ROM, and for a manufacturer-supported release there has to be a lot of testing to ensure stability. There are reports that most recent HTC devices will be able to run Froyo.

Rumours are that the first 2.2-enabled device is likely to be the Google Nexus One.

Android to power Chevrolet Volt

The WSJ reports that the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid will integrate Android with the on-board OnStar computer system for vehicle tracking and integration with Google Maps, plus an anticipated feature to monitor the Volt's charging status.

In Europe the Volt will be sold as the Opel or Vauxhall Ampera, probably due to be generally available sometime during 2011.

Kindle for Android coming soon

Amazon have announced the upcoming availability of Kindle for Android, meaning that you'll be able to read eBooks on your Android phone.. if you want to.

For some reason that we can't quite figure out, Amazon's Kindle reader has been a huge success, and if you have an Android phone then it's probably more convenient than dragging around a separate device.

I'm not a particular fan of eBooks.. give me a proper book any time, the batteries never run out and if you drop it in the bath then you only lose the value of the book and not a €400 smartphone. On the other hand, they're not particularly easy to store.. well, there's always the floor.

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Video: HTC Wildfire

More information on the new Wildfire in this overview from Mobile Gazette:

The Register: "Ten Essential Android Games"

Well, we're not sure that we'd agree to any list of ten essential games that didn't have Raging Thunder included, but this is El Reg's list of what it thinks is best in Android gaming.

Zombie, Run! looks like something that could liven up the drive into work though...

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HTC Wildfire

The HTC Wildfire is the cheaper companion to the HTC Desire.. packing all of the desirable software features like HTC Sense and Friend Stream into a more affordable package.

No exact specs at present, the main headlines are a 3.2" display, 5 megapixel camera.

It looks nice, but doesn't the HTC Legend also have a similar specification? We'll wait for the full details from HTC, in the meantime Tracy and Matt have some more information here.

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Nexus One web store to close

An official statement by Google this week announced the closure of the Nexus One web store, saying that in future it will only be available through retail partners.

The reason given is basically a lack of sales success through this channel, only a small number of customers were interested enough in the Nexus One to buy it directly, and most of those would have had to pay the full price rather than receive a carrier subsidy.

In our view, the Nexus One was always doomed when the HTC Desire hit the streets.. the Desire is a better handset in our view, and most major carriers offer a subsidy for contract customers. 

Google says 65k Android phones shipping each day

The AFP Reports that Google CEO Eric Schmidt claims that 65,000 Android phones are shipping each day on 34 different handsets in 49 countries.. at that rate about 6 million Android handsets should ship this quarter, a little behind the iPhone's sales of about 9 million.

Of course, the iPhone is less commonly available being tied in some major markets to just a single carrier, and the rumoured next-generation iPhone 4 may only be months away.. but Android fans will be please to see that the platform is making real progress and is highly competitive with Apple's offering.

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Video: Garmin Asus Garminfone

Android plus Garmin's expertise in SatNav software mean that the Garmin Asus Garminfone could be a winner.

Report: Android 2.2 is 450% faster than 2.1

AndroidPolice report that the next version of Android (2.2 aka Froyo) is a staggering 450% faster than 2.1 with tests on a Nexus One phone.

There are some caveats here.. the phone was only that fast in a specific performance test, but any speed boost will be a welcome thing for Android owners!

Pretty darned cool I guess, but given the length of time that some handset owners have waited for 2.1 upgrades, version 2.2 could be a long time coming.. even if it runs on your Android device.

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HTC seeks iPhone ban

HTC has weighed into an increasingly complex series of lawsuits surrounding Apple, according to the BBC with a request filed in the US that Apple touchscreen products be banned.

HTC are arguing that Apple infringes 5 of its patents, and it's worth remembering that HTC have been in the smartphone business for a very long time. Apple also have a counterclaim that HTC has infringed on its patents as well.

Nokia are also involved in lawsuits with Apple, but then Apple is certainly no stranger to lawsuits.

Incidentally, HTC have a pretty cool video reminding people of their history in this market.

Video: Vodafone 845

A look at Vodafone's own-brand Android phone, looks to be great value for money.