GLOBAL – Users with international models of the Samsung Galaxy S are set to be able to upgrade their handsets to Google Android 2.2 Froyo, the latest version of the open source smartphone software.

The test version of the operating system has leaked at a third-party website, although the ROM is said to have certain bugs, as it is not the finalised version.

The website itself confirms that the internet “stops sometimes”, possibly referring to the browser crashing or connection cutting; the lock screen does not work often; there is no flash, and no wireless location.

The guide is quite explicit and easy to follow, with Windows XP or 7 at 32bit being the recommended installation computers, but Galaxy S users should rather wait for a complete, fully-functional update from Samsung instead.

Being targetted at international users, the Android 2.2 ROM features 25 languages, mostly European, and weighs 252MB.

The firmware is not yet available for US versions of the handset, the AT&T Samsung Captivate, and T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant.

Excerpted from:
International Samsung Galaxy S Gets Google Android 2.2 Froyo

SEOUL, South Korea – LG announced that it has plans to bring ten new Google Android smartphones to the market, as well as a tablet.

Launching a new branding scheme dubbed Optimus, the new smartphones will be accompanied by the Android tablet.

The first device to come to the market under this new branding will be the Optimus One, running on Android 2.2, better known as Froyo. Powered by an OMAP 3630  processor,  it will also come with an HD-recording damera and support output via HDMI and DLNA, or with its 3.8″ touchscreen display.

The next device in the line, the Optimus Chic, will be an entry level smartphone. Also powered by Android 2.2, the Chic will have a special focus on looks and incorporate sleek lines and curves into the industrial design.

One of the most interesting products revealed in the announcement would be the Android tablet. Powered by the same version of the open source software, it is believed to perform better than any other similar product currently on the market.

LG hopes to bring out these products in the second half of the year.

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LG Launches Google Android-based Optimus Smartphones, Tablet

KIRKLAND, USA – The Bluetooth Special Interest Group, also known as Bluetooth SIG, has unveiled the specifications for Bluetooth 4.0.

The promise this time is to reduce the power requirements of Bluetooth devices drastically. The Bluetooth 4.0 specification has been designed in such a way that it will consume less than 10% of the power that is required by present Bluetooth chipsets.

The specification has been designed to allow miniature devices to run for several years continuously using just tiny batteries. In ultra-low power mode, Bluetooth 4.0 devices will be able to transfer at 1mbps while the transfer rates will be much higher on full-power mode.

Like Bluetooth 3.0, present on smartphones such as the Samsung Wave, the new specification allows the device to latch onto existing Wi-Fi networks to provide a welcome speed boost.

Bluetooth 4.0 takes this up a notch as it will allow speeds upto 25mbps when connected to 802.11 networks, and extends the maximum theoretical connection distance to almost a 100 metres. Devices based on this technology are currently being tested and will make it to the market in the second half of 2011.

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Bluetooth 4.0 Gets The Go-Ahead

MONTREAL, Canada – Low-cost Google Android smartphone HTC Wildfire may be headed to Canada.

In an accidental leak, it has been revealed that the handset will be retailed by Bell Canada. The device was leaked in a photo of a Bell-operated rewards site which gives sales representatives goodies on the basis of number of devices sold. At this point there has been no announcement from any Canadian carrier regarding this Android phone.

The HTC Wildfire is a rather compact smartphone with a 3.2″ screen with QVGA resolution. It runs on Android 2.1 with the HTC branded Sense UI on top.

The device has 384MB RAM and 512MB ROM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and 3G. The HTC Wildfire also includes A-GPS support which allows it to geo-tag images. The camera on the Wildfire is a 5 megapixel unit which includes support for smile detection.

Unlike newer Google Android smartphones, the Wildfire does not capture HD video.

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HTC Wildfire Headed To Bell Canada

WATERLOO, Canada – Engadget has obtained a training slide for the BlackBerry Storm 3, which is rumored to be released later this year.

The big news is that the device will be utilizing OS 6.0, which is great. The lesser news is that it is basically the same hardware, with an increase in RAM to 512MB, support for 32GB microSD memory cards, a 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi 802.11n, and 3G Mobile Hotspot compatibility. The new WebKit Browser will be available in the device as well, purported to be much faster than current versions.

The Storm3 is a refresh of the Storm2, not much earth shattering new or improved outside of the OS 6.0 embedded in it. Amazing that with all the effort required to put a new device on the market, that more of the improvements available aren’t being applied, faster processors for instance, to really shake up the device marketplace.

Will this device be able to challenge Google Android 2.2 Froyo or the iPhone 4? Not likely. Will it appeal to Storm1 users that have waited to upgrade? Absolutely.

The slide shows a release date with a month ending in “mber”, conveniently blocked by someone’s head.

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BlackBerry Storm3 Details Appear