Updated: HTC Tablet rumours: what you need to know

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/HTC/HTC-Desire2-200-200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Once upon a time, Apple made a phone. Rivals tried to copy it, but the iPhone was too good and their efforts too bad. </P><br /><P><br /><P>And then HTC appeared. "Look!" it said. "A smartphone!" And the HTC phones were good, and lots of people bought them. </P><br /><P>Now, though, Apple has seen similar success with its iPad – so does HTC have a tablet of its own to take on the iPad? If anyone can make a real iPad rival it's HTC, and while the HTC Tablet and specs haven't been acknowledged by HTC, the rumour mill says it's real.</P><br /><P>Here's what we know and what we'd like to see in the HTC Tablet.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE: </STRONG>On 17 December we reported on an <a href="">interview with HTC CEO Peter Chou</A>, which some news outlets took to be confirmation of an incoming HTC Tablet.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet: Chrome OS no more?</STRONG></P><br /><P>We <a href="">expected the first Chrome-powered tablet to come from HTC last month</A>, but it didn't turn up. That's apparently because HTC has shifted its efforts to Android; the change of tack has put the HTC Tablet release date back, too.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet: Android 3.0</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/35626/htc-android-3-tablet-2011">Pocket Lint says</A> Taiwanese component manufacturers are gossiping like fishwives, claiming that the HTC Tablet OS will be Android 3.0. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet features look pretty nifty</STRONG></P><br /><P>If <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100920PD218.html">DigiTimes' sources</A> are correct, the HTC Tablet and specs are in the capable hands of Taiwanese notebook maker Pegatron, whose name sounds fantastic if you shout it in your best Movie Trailer Man voice. Pegatron - PEGATRON! - has declined to comment, but DigiTimes says the tablet it's building runs a Tegra 2 processor, has a 1280 x 720 multi-touch panel, a 32GB solid state drive, 2GB of RAM and the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. </P><br /><P>The HTC Tablet features include "multimedia performance… stronger than that of iPad", Chrome Web Apps and the Android Market. Imagine an HTC Desire HD scaled up a bit and you get <a href="http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20101128-305881/HTC-unveils-heavyweight-Androids">the idea</A>. Sounds good to us.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet release date could be in early 2011</STRONG></P><br /><P>Taiwanese gossips predict a Q1 2011 release, says Pocket Lint.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet release date might be in Q2, not Q1</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101019PB201.html">According to DigiTimes</A>, Apple Daily says that a JP Morgan analyst says that Google is messing around with its Android support. Motorola is Google's priority for 3.0, LG will be priority for 3.5 and HTC follows on, which means the HTC Tablet won't ship before the second quarter of 2011.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> ON 2 December 2010, <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101202PD204.html">DigiTimes reported</A> vice president for HTC Asia Jack Tong as saying that HTC was currently evaluating the tablet market and had yet to make a decision as to whether it would launch a tablet. We're not sure we're convinced by that statement...</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet features include something "really compelling", like a free horse or a time machine</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/35626/htc-android-3-tablet-2011">Speaking to Pocket Lint</A>, HTC's global PR boss Eric Lin said the firm wasn't interested in me-too devices. "If we just release an Android tablet we're one of 81… whereas if we have a compelling feature, a really compelling use, anything like that, then it'll help us to stand out. It's going to take a lot of work searching for that." </P><br /><P>What could it be? A free horse? A time machine? We'll be gutted if it's just a slightly tweaked Sense UI. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet may be called the HTC Evo Shift 4G</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="">Engadget spotted</A> some trademark filings where HTC was attempting to trademark the term HTC Evo Shift 4G. </P><br /><P>Another smartphone, or something even bigger? <a href="http://www.slashgear.com/htc-evo-shift-4g-trademark-filing-tips-upcoming-android-tablet-15114076">Slashgear hopes</A> it's "a 7-inch HTC tablet with integrated 4G to take on Samsung's Galaxy Tab". Any evidence for that? Of course not. This is the internet!</P><STRONG>UPDATE: The HTC Tablet may be called the HTC Scribe</STRONG><br /><P>On 4 January 2011, we reported that HTC filed a patent on 26 December 2010 for a "handheld wireless device, namely a tablet computer". The name that has been patented is the <a href="">HTC Scribe</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet price may be $790</STRONG></P><br /><P>The DigiTimes report we mentioned earlier took a stab at the HTC Tablet price, and it predicts that without subsidy it'll be $789.75.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet price might be zero</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/08/18/google-verizon-chrome-os-tablet-on-sale-november-26-2010">Download Squad says</A> the HTC Tablet will launch on Verizon in the US with a price tag of zero depending on the tariff you choose. Similar deals are likely here: we've already seen Three, T-Mobile and Orange offer <a href="">subsidised iPads</A>.</P>

Updated: HTC Tablet rumours: what you need to know

Once upon a time, Apple made a phone. Rivals tried to copy it, but the iPhone was too good and their efforts too bad. And then HTC appeared....

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Updated: HTC Tablet rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/HTC/HTC-Desire2-200-200.jpg"> <br /><P>Once upon a time, Apple made a phone. Rivals tried to copy it, but the iPhone was too good and their efforts too bad. </P><br /><P><br /><P>And then HTC appeared. "Look!" it said. "A smartphone!" And the HTC phones were good, and lots of people bought them. </P><br /><P>Now, though, Apple has seen similar success with its iPad – so does HTC have a tablet of its own to take on the iPad? If anyone can make a real iPad rival it's HTC, and while the HTC Tablet and specs haven't been acknowledged by HTC, the rumour mill says it's real.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 17 December we reported on an interview with HTC CEO Peter Chou, which some news outlets took to be confirmation of an incoming HTC Tablet.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet:</STRONG> Chrome OS no more?</P><br /><P>We expected the first Chrome-powered tablet to come from HTC last month, but it didn't turn up. That's apparently because HTC has shifted its efforts to Android; the change of tack has put the HTC Tablet release date back, too.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet: Android 3.0</STRONG></P><br /><P>Pocket Lint says Taiwanese component manufacturers are gossiping like fishwives, claiming that the HTC Tablet OS will be Android 3.0. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet features look pretty nifty</STRONG></P><br /><P>If DigiTimes' sources are correct, the HTC Tablet and specs are in the capable hands of Taiwanese notebook maker Pegatron, whose name sounds fantastic if you shout it in your best Movie Trailer Man voice. Pegatron - PEGATRON! - has declined to comment, but DigiTimes says the tablet it's building runs a Tegra 2 processor, has a 1280 x 720 multi-touch panel, a 32GB solid state drive, 2GB of RAM and the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. </P><br /><P>The HTC Tablet features include "multimedia performance… stronger than that of iPad", Chrome Web Apps and the Android Market. Imagine an HTC Desire HD scaled up a bit and you get the idea. Sounds good to us.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet release date could be in early 2011</STRONG></P><br /><P>Taiwanese gossips predict a Q1 2011 release, says Pocket Lint.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet release date might be in Q2, not Q1</STRONG></P><br /><P>According to DigiTimes, Apple Daily says that a JP Morgan analyst says that Google is messing around with its Android support. Motorola is Google's priority for 3.0, LG will be priority for 3.5 and HTC follows on, which means the HTC Tablet won't ship before the second quarter of 2011.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> ON 2 December 2010, DigiTimes reported vice president for HTC Asia Jack Tong as saying that HTC was currently evaluating the tablet market and had yet to make a decision as to whether it would launch a tablet. We're not sure we're convinced by that statement...</P><br /><P>HTC Tablet features include something "really compelling", like a free horse or a time machine</P><br /><P>Speaking to Pocket Lint, HTC's global PR boss Eric Lin said the firm wasn't interested in me-too devices. "If we just release an Android tablet we're one of 81… whereas if we have a compelling feature, a really compelling use, anything like that, then it'll help us to stand out. It's going to take a lot of work searching for that." </P><br /><P>What could it be? A free horse? A time machine? We'll be gutted if it's just a slightly tweaked Sense UI. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet may be called the HTC Evo Shift 4G</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget spotted some trademark filings where HTC was attempting to trademark the term HTC Evo Shift 4G. </P><br /><P>Another smartphone, or something even bigger? Slashgear hopes it's "a 7-inch HTC tablet with integrated 4G to take on Samsung's Galaxy Tab". Any evidence for that? Of course not. This is the internet!</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet price may be $790</STRONG></P><br /><P>The DigiTimes report we mentioned earlier took a stab at the HTC Tablet price, and it predicts that without subsidy it'll be $789.75.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet price might be zero</STRONG></P><br /><P>Download Squad says the HTC Tablet will launch on Verizon in the US with a price tag of zero depending on the tariff you choose. Similar deals are likely here: we've already seen Three, T-Mobile and Orange offer subsidised iPads.</P>

Updated: HTC Tablet rumours: what you need to know

Once upon a time, Apple made a phone. Rivals tried to copy it, but the iPhone was too good and their efforts too bad. And then HTC appeared...

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Updated: Android 3.0 rumours and latest updates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"> </div><br> <br> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=latesttecompu-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003WR0AUI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Now that <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3630952467398438450&postID=7321202450203329153">Android 2.3 features</a> are official, information about its successor, Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – is starting to emerge.<br> Here's what we know about Android 3.0 so far. <br> On 20 October, we reported that Android 3.0 tablets are rumoured to be <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3630952467398438450&postID=7321202450203329153">heading out to engineers in time for Christmas</a>. If true, this means that we'll see a whole bunch of tablets running Android 3.0 at <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3630952467398438450&postID=7321202450203329153">CES 2011</a>. It's possible, though, that these tablets could instead be running the recently announced Android 2.3.<br> <br>

Updated: Android 3.0 rumours and latest updates

Now that Android 2.3 features are official, information about its successor, Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – is starting to emerge. H...

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Updated: PSP Phone rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/ps%20phone%20prototype-200-200.jpg"> <br /><P>It's been <a href="">rumoured for some time</A> - Sony was blabbing on about a "seductive" PSP/Phone hybrid <a href="">back in 2007</A> - but it's no longer a rumour: Sony has indeed locked a PSP Go and a smartphone in a dark room full of aphrodisiacs and Barry White CDs.</P><br /><P><br /><P>The result is the Sony PlayStation Phone, or PSP Phone, an Android-powered device that's half PlayStation and half phone. </P><br /><P>Indeed, the CEO of Sony Ericsson mobile phones has responded to the PlayStation Phone rumours by <a href="">saying</A> that there is "no smoke without fire." </P><br /><P>So what do we know about it?</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone might actually be called the Sony Ericsson Z1</STRONG></P><br /><P>On 1 December 2010, Techblog.gr showed off a <a href="">spy video of the PSP Phone</A> in action and is claiming that it will actually be called the Sony Ericsson Z1.</P><br /><P>And on 6 December 2010, the PSP phone / Sony Ericsson Z1 was <a href="">shown off again in another video</A>. This time, the extending game pad was detailed.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone runs Android</STRONG></P><br /><P>The Sony PlayStation Phone OS will be Android, <a href="">most likely the Android 3.0 release</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone specifications are pretty impressive</STRONG></P><br /><P>According to <a href="">Engadget</A>, the PlayStation phone specifications include a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU, a 5 megapixel camera, 512MB of RAM and a 3.7" or 4.1" display with WVGA resolution or better.</P><br /><P>Rather than a QWERTY keyboard the PSP Phone slider reveals the familiar D-pad and buttons from the PSP Go together with a wide touch pad in the middle that supports multi-touch gestures. Unusually for a Sony device it's expandable via MicroSD cards rather than Sony's own Memory Sticks.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone images may be fake</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget is confident that the images it's published are the real thing - albeit images of a pre-production prototype - but <a href="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sony Europe is calling shenanigans</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone interface hasn't been leaked yet</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget's prototype is "still in prototyping mode", which means Sony hasn't yet applied its own skin to the Android operating system. It "is said to be rather buggy" too.</P><br /><P><STRONG>PSP Phone release date<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>A 2010 release date has been rumoured since we first heard that Sony might make a PlayStation phone, but given that we're already in November - and that Android 3.0 hasn't shipped yet - that's looking pretty unlikely. A 2011 release date is much more realistic. We'd have had it earlier if it weren't for <a href="http://www.techradar.com/blogs/article/politics-not-technology-did-for-the-psp-phone-501955">a bad case of office politics</A>, it seems.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> It's looking likely that the PSP Phone might <a href="">make an appearance</A> at Mobile World Congress in February 2011.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE 2:</STRONG></P><br /><P><DEL>An invitation to a launch event in France has leaked on to the web, which points to a 9 December release date for the PSP Phone.</DEL></P><br /><P><DEL>How do we know it is the PSP Phone? Well, </DEL><a href="http://www.nowhereelse.fr/psp-phone-playstation-9-decembre-38045/">the invite</A><DEL> is adorned with PlayStation button icons and another icon with a phone inside. </DEL></P><br /><P>Well, 9 December has been and gone, and the above event didn't happen. Mobile World Congress is again looking like a likely place for the PSP Phone to appear.</P><br /><P><STRONG>PSP Phone games might be cheaper</STRONG></P><br /><P>The rise of the iPhone and Android app stores mean phone users are used to paying pennies for games. Will Sony slash the price of its portable games, or will it try and persude punters to keep paying thirty quid for blockbuster titles? As <a href="">Screen Digest's Ed Barton told us</A> in August, "the average sales price of iPhone and other mobile games is much lower… does Sony want [the PlayStation brand] to rush headlong into a development environment where the consumer expects games priced at 59p to £5.99?"</P><br /><P><STRONG>PSP Phone games will look like PSP and PSX games</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget reports that Sony PlayStation phone "games will be graphically in the range of PSX or PSP games, meaning true 3D gaming is heading to Android." Such games will be in a PSP Phone-specific bit of the Android Market, although it's possible that the.</P>

Updated: PSP Phone rumours: what you need to know

It's been rumoured for some time - Sony was blabbing on about a "seductive" PSP/Phone hybrid back in 2007 - but it's no...

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Updated: iPad 2 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mobile-computing/Tablets%20and%20touchscreens/ipad/apple-ipad-wifi-3g-200-200.jpg"> <br /><P>The internet loves Apple and it loves ill-founded speculation, so it's hardly surprising that iPad 2 rumours were flying <a href="">before the first iPad even reached the UK</A>. </P><br /><P><br /><P>With only weeks to go before its expected unveiling the iPad 2 release date, specs and price are still closely guarded secrets, but that doesn't mean there aren't some juicy rumours, inspired guesses and possibly even Apple leaks to consider. </P><br /><P>Here's our pick of the latest iPad 2G rumours.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: cameras and a gyroscope</STRONG></P><br /><P>Gizmodo <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5557544/what-the-iphone-4-tells-us-about-the-ipad-2">reckons</A> that FaceTime support's a given, and that means a front-facing camera like the iPhone 4. <a href="http://www.buzzbiznews.com/033992/new-apple-ipad-2-to-challenge-blackberry-playbook-with-same-release-date">BuzzBizzNews</A> echoes the camera story, suggesting twin cameras. It also suggests that there'll be a three-axis gyroscope like there is in the iPhone 4. <a href="http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4206057/Apple-iPad-STMicro-gyro">EETimes says</A> Apple has been testing gyroscopes but decided not to put one in the original iPad. </P><br /><P>On 10 December 2010, images of a <a href="">new iPad case</A> appeared online, suggesting that the iPad 2 will feature a rear-facing camera.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: a USB port and SD card slot<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>Rumours suggest that the iPad 2 will have a USB port, which BuzzBizzNews says will enable users to "upload movies, documents and photos". We're not convinced it's for that, because Apple is moving increasingly to wireless. The iPad prints wirelessly. The iPad streams media wirelessly. Why add USB? More likely, we think, is a MicroUSB port or adapter so the iPad meets new EU regulations on mobile device chargers. </P><br /><P>Images of a new iPad case have appeared online that seem to <a href="">show space for an SD card slot</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: GSM and CDMA</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20101119/apple-developing-cdma-gsm-world-ipad/">AllThingsDigital quotes</A> analyst Brian Blair, who says that Apple may be readying a "world iPad" that uses both GSM and CDMA networks, enabling it to get online anywhere in the world. CDMA, incidentally, is the technology used by Verizon in the US.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 case: thinner and more like a MacBook </STRONG></P><br /><P>Brian Blair also says: "the new iPad is thinner than the existing model and is essentially made from one piece of metal with no pins needed. We understand it requires a new type of manufacturing process as a result, similar to the company's unibody approach seen in MacBooks."</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: retina display</STRONG></P><br /><P>Will the gorgeous screen from the iPhone 4 make its way to the iPad? The <a href="http://theappleblog.com/2010/08/18/why-ipad-2-is-coming-and-what-to-expect">Apple Blog thinks so</A>: "You can be sure that Apple's Retina Display, or something very close, will make its way to iPad". </P><br /><P>Then again, such a screen would massively increase the number of pixels, increasing the demands on both the iPad's processor and its battery, so a nine-inch Retina Display is a challenge. If Apple's solved it we'll see you down the Apple Store the second it goes on sale.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: a seven-inch screen?</STRONG></P><br /><P>All of Apple's rivals have plumped for 7-inch displays, which means their tablets are lighter than the iPad. Will Apple follow them into seven-inch territory? </P><br /><P><a href="http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/leaked-details-on-2010-2011-ipods-iphone-5-bumper-2-ipad-mini">iLounge says</A> prototypes exist, while earlier this year <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100713PD207.html">DigiTimes predicted</A> not just a seven-inch iPad 2, but a 5.6-inch iPad 2. Apparently the smaller iPads would target ebooks while the current iPad would target multimedia entertainment, "sources stated". We're doubtful. Apple already does a mini-iPad with a retina display. It's the iPod touch. </P><br /><P>The idea of a smaller iPad 2 took another knock in November, when <a href="http://www.9to5mac.com/34272/ipad-2-ads-filmed-by-david-sims-in-new-york-last-month">9to5Mac reported</A> that the iPad 2 adverts have already been shot - with current-generation iPads playing the role of iPad 2s. The iPad 2s will be digitally added nearer the time, and of course that's much harder to do if the iPad 2 is smaller than the iPads the actors are actually holding.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: a faster processor</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.kitguru.net/apple/ipad-apple/yong-lei/ipad-2-rumours-grow-in-strength-hd-cameras">KitGuru</A> "has been hearing rumours from the Far East" that the iPad 2 will be a seven-inch job with a 2GHz processor and an HD video camera. It reckons the processor will be based on ARM's Cortex A9, the 1GHz dual-core processor that you'll find in the BlackBerry PlayBook.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: more memory</STRONG></P><br /><P>This is a no-brainer: the iPhone 4 has twice the memory of the iPad (512MB compared to 256MB), largely because the iPhone does multitasking. Since the iOS 4.2 release, iPads do multitasking too. 256MB already seems a little bit stingy.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The iPad 2 release date is probably in the Spring</STRONG></P><br /><P>Rumours suggested that the iPad 2 would be rushed out in time for Christmas, but if that's Apple's plan they're being awfully last-minute about it. <a href="">Early 2011</A> seems like a much better bet, and it fits with Apple's annual product cycle: the first iPad was announced in January and shipped in the spring. </P><br /><P>On 7 December we <a href="">reported</A> on rumours that Apple would be shipping iPad 2 units out to warehouses in February 2011. If that date is correct, it suggests an iPad 2 release date of some time around April.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The iPad 2 price won't change much</STRONG></P><br /><P>Unless there's a new seven-inch model we'll be amazed if the iPad 2 price is dramatically lower than the model it replaces: Apple isn't struggling to shift units and rivals are charging similar prices. Cheapo tablets do exist, <a href="">but they're rubbish</A>. </P>

Updated: iPad 2 rumours: what you need to know

The internet loves Apple and it loves ill-founded speculation, so it's hardly surprising that iPad 2 rumours were flying before the fir...

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Updated: Android 3.0 rumours and latest updates

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"> <br /><P>Now that <a href="">Android 2.3 features</A> are official, information about its successor, Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – is starting to emerge.</P><br /><P>Here's what we know about Android 3.0 so far. </P><br /><P>On 20 October, we reported that Android 3.0 tablets are rumoured to be <a href="">heading out to engineers in time for Christmas</A>. If true, this means that we'll see a whole bunch of tablets running Android 3.0 at <a href="">CES 2011</A>. It's possible, though, that these tablets could instead be running the recently announced Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P>Android 3.0 release date is <a href="">looking like early 2011</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE: </STRONG>In a video on All Things Digital posted on 7 December Google's Andy Rubin showed off a prototype <a href="">Motorola Android 3.0 tablet</A> and confirmed that the Android 3.0 release date will be "some time next year".</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 features and specifications<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>As we <a href="">reported earlier in July</A>, a Russian podcast details how Android 3.0 will be restricted to high-end handsets (and tablets). The podcast explained that Android 3.0 phones will require at least a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 3.5-inch or larger displays.</P><br /><P>The feature list for Honeycomb is currently scant, but will include elements that didn't make it into Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>One of the first Android 3.0 phones could be the Samsung Galaxy S2 if <a href="">another rumour is to be believed</A>. The leaked details of the Galaxy S I9200 claim a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720.</P><br /><P>On 27 October 2010, <a href="">reports appeared</A> that Google was planning to release an Android 3.0 powered Nexus Two with Carphone Warehouse, although we now know that the next Nexus - called the <a href="">Nexus S</A> and available through Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy - is running Android 2.3.</P><br /><P>It's also possible that the <a href="">PSP Phone</A> will be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 tablets</STRONG></P><br /><P>Acer has <a href="">announced</A> 7- and 10-inch Android tablets which are slated for release in April 2011. This means they'll almost certainly be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>The prototype Android 3.0 Motorola tablet that Andy Rubin showed off is running on what Rubin described as Nvidia's "dual core 3D processor" - presumably this is a Tegra chip.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more Android 3.0 details as they emerge.</P>

Updated: Android 3.0 rumours and latest updates

Now that Android 2.3 features are official, information about its successor, Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – is starting to emerge. Here...

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Updated: Android 2.3 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Google/Google-gingerbread-image-200-200.jpg"> <br /><P>While <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-706243">earlier rumours</A> were suggesting that Gingerbread was the code name for Android 3.0, we now know that Gingerbread is Android 2.3, which makes Honeycomb Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>Android 4.0 is rumoured to be code named <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/android-4-0-to-be-called-ice-cream-planned-for-2011-902157">Ice Cream</A>.</P><br /><P>Google CEO Eric Schmidt <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-boss-teases-nexus-s-handset-confirms-android-2-3-908454">showed off</A> a phone running Android 2.3 at the Web 2.0 summit on 15 November.</P><br /><P>Google had earlier hinted on 12 November that the Android 2.3 release date is close, <a href="http://twitter.com/GoogleMobile/status/3174327650361344">tweeting</A> a photo of a pile of Android gingerbread men, with the message "Our cafes are baking something sweet". </P><br /><P>Here's what we know so far about Android 2.3:</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P>Schmidt confirmed that the Android 2.3 release date is a few weeks away, so we can expect it before the end of 2010.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 specifications and features<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>Confirmed Android 2.3 features include <a href="http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3190#c81">improved copy and paste</A> and support for WebM video playback. The WebM Project <a href="http://www.webmproject.org/about/faq/#webm_video_file_format">confirmed</A> that "WebM support in Android is expected in the Gingerbread release". WebM files are compressed with the VP8 video codec, which Google <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-on-vp8-we-hope-to-start-an-arms-race--691206">purchased and open-sourced earlier this year</A>.</P><br /><P>Android 2.3 will also feature a new user interface. TechCrunch <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/16/android-team-laser-focused-on-the-user-experience-for-next-release/">reported</A> that "Google is focusing the bulk of its efforts on the user experience for the upcoming Gingerbread release."</P><br /><P><a href="http://phandroid.com/2010/10/18/exclusive-first-android-gingerbread-details/">Phandroid</A> went into more detail on the interface changes, noting cleaner, redesigned icons, more prominent carrier branding, and an increase in the use of the colour green.</P><br /><P>In the same post about the interface changes, Phandroid also mentions that Android 2.3 will support video chat.</P><br /><P>It has also been rumoured that Gingerbread will feature a <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/google-to-launch-download-music-service-for-android--698248">music store in the Android Market</A> and support for Google TV.</P><br /><P>Android 2.3 also features a new 'screen off' animation as you can see below.</P><br /><P></PARAM><PARAM value="true" name="allowFullScreen"></PARAM><PARAM value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"></PARAM><EMBED src=http://www.youtube.com/v/k2ivG0IvckM&hl=en&fs=1 width=420 height=315 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> </EMBED></OBJECT><br /><P>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE: </STRONG>On 3 December 2010, we <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-2-3-gingerbread-official-google-video-appears-913023">reported</A> that an official Android 2.3 video had been shown by Google Hong Kong. The video teases with a few more close-ups of Gingerbread in action, showing the new green colour scheme.</P><br /><P></PARAM><PARAM value="true" name="allowFullScreen"></PARAM><PARAM value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"></PARAM><EMBED src=http://www.youtube.com/v/kxToOTjmviw&hl=en&fs=1 width=420 height=315 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> </EMBED></OBJECT><br /><P>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>The first Android 2.3 phone is looking to be the Nexus One. In a recent tweet Alvaro Vasquez of the Open Handset Alliance <a href="http://twitter.com/kron0x/status/1308328261066752">said</A>: "Prepare your Nexus One (Developer version) for Android OTA update 2.3 (Gingerbread) for the next few days:-D". [Translated from original language]</P><br /><P>The Android 2.3 phone that Schmidt showed off at the Web 2.0 summit is the successor to the Nexus One, rumoured to be called the Nexus S. It features an AMOLED screen and will support NFC tech which lets you pay for goods buy pressing your phone against a reader.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 25 November 2010 the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-s-nexus-s-and-gingerbread-shown-off-again-910879">Nexus S surfaced again</A>. Spec-wise, it looks to be rocking a WVGA four inch screen, 720p video recording, and a (possibly dual-core) ArmV7 CPU.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more on Android 2.3 as we get it.</P>

Updated: Android 2.3 rumours: what you need to know

While earlier rumours were suggesting that Gingerbread was the code name for Android 3.0, we now know that Gingerbread is Android 2.3, whi...

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In Depth: HTC Tablet rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/HTC/HTC-Desire2-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Once upon a time, Apple made a phone. Rivals tried to copy it, but the iPhone was too good and their efforts too bad. </P><br /><P><br /><P>And then HTC appeared. "Look!" it said. "A smartphone!" And the HTC phones were good, and lots of people bought them. </P><br /><P>Now, though, Apple has seen similar success with its iPad – so does HTC have a tablet of its own to take on the iPad? If anyone can make a real iPad rival it's HTC, and while the HTC Tablet and specs haven't been acknowledged by HTC, the rumour mill says it's real.</P><br /><P>Here's what we know and what we'd like to see in the HTC Tablet.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet: Chrome OS no more?</STRONG></P><br /><P>We <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-chrome-tablet-set-for-november-uk-release--711078">expected the first Chrome-powered tablet to come from HTC last month</A>, but it didn't turn up. That's apparently because HTC has shifted its efforts to Android; the change of tack has put the HTC Tablet release date back, too.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet: Android 3.0</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/35626/htc-android-3-tablet-2011">Pocket Lint says</A> Taiwanese component manufacturers are gossiping like fishwives, claiming that the HTC Tablet OS will be Android 3.0. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet features look pretty nifty</STRONG></P><br /><P>If <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100920PD218.html">DigiTimes' sources</A> are correct, the HTC Tablet and specs are in the capable hands of Taiwanese notebook maker Pegatron, whose name sounds fantastic if you shout it in your best Movie Trailer Man voice. Pegatron - PEGATRON! - has declined to comment, but DigiTimes says the tablet it's building runs a Tegra 2 processor, has a 1280 x 720 multi-touch panel, a 32GB solid state drive, 2GB of RAM and the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. </P><br /><P>The HTC Tablet features include "multimedia performance… stronger than that of iPad", Chrome Web Apps and the Android Market. Imagine an HTC Desire HD scaled up a bit and you get <a href="http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20101128-305881/HTC-unveils-heavyweight-Androids">the idea</A>. Sounds good to us.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet release date could be in early 2011</STRONG></P><br /><P>Taiwanese gossips predict a Q1 2011 release, says Pocket Lint.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet release date might be in Q2, not Q1</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101019PB201.html">According to DigiTimes</A>, Apple Daily says that a JP Morgan analyst says that Google is messing around with its Android support. Motorola is Google's priority for 3.0, LG will be priority for 3.5 and HTC follows on, which means the HTC Tablet won't ship before the second quarter of 2011.</P><br /><P><STRONG>HTC Tablet features include something "really compelling", like a free horse or a time machine</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/35626/htc-android-3-tablet-2011">Speaking to Pocket Lint</A>, HTC's global PR boss Eric Lin said the firm wasn't interested in me-too devices. "If we just release an Android tablet we're one of 81… whereas if we have a compelling feature, a really compelling use, anything like that, then it'll help us to stand out. It's going to take a lot of work searching for that." </P><br /><P>What could it be? A free horse? A time machine? We'll be gutted if it's just a slightly tweaked Sense UI. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet may be called the HTC Evo Shift 4G</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/htc-attempts-to-trademark-htc-evo-shift-4g">Engadget spotted</A> some trademark filings where HTC was attempting to trademark the term HTC Evo Shift 4G. </P><br /><P>Another smartphone, or something even bigger? <a href="http://www.slashgear.com/htc-evo-shift-4g-trademark-filing-tips-upcoming-android-tablet-15114076">Slashgear hopes</A> it's "a 7-inch HTC tablet with integrated 4G to take on Samsung's Galaxy Tab". Any evidence for that? Of course not. This is the internet!</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet price may be $790</STRONG></P><br /><P>The DigiTimes report we mentioned earlier took a stab at the HTC Tablet price, and it predicts that without subsidy it'll be $789.75.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The HTC Tablet price might be zero</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/08/18/google-verizon-chrome-os-tablet-on-sale-november-26-2010">Download Squad says</A> the HTC Tablet will launch on Verizon in the US with a price tag of zero depending on the tariff you choose. Similar deals are likely here: we've already seen Three, T-Mobile and Orange offer.

In Depth: HTC Tablet rumours: what you need to know

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Updated: iPad 2 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mobile-computing/Tablets%20and%20touchscreens/ipad/apple-ipad-wifi-3g-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>The internet loves Apple and it loves ill-founded speculation, so it's hardly surprising that iPad 2 rumours were flying <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/ipad-2-rumoured-to-be-getting-oled-screen-684398">before the first iPad even reached the UK</A>. </P><br /><P><br /><P>With only weeks to go before its expected unveiling the iPad 2 release date, specs and price are still closely guarded secrets, but that doesn't mean there aren't some juicy rumours, inspired guesses and possibly even Apple leaks to consider. </P><br /><P>Here's our pick of the latest iPad 2G rumours.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: cameras and a gyroscope</STRONG></P><br /><P>Gizmodo <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5557544/what-the-iphone-4-tells-us-about-the-ipad-2">reckons</A> that FaceTime support's a given, and that means a front-facing camera like the iPhone 4. <a href="http://www.buzzbiznews.com/033992/new-apple-ipad-2-to-challenge-blackberry-playbook-with-same-release-date">BuzzBizzNews</A> echoes the camera story, suggesting twin cameras. It also suggests that there'll be a three-axis gyroscope like there is in the iPhone 4. <a href="http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4206057/Apple-iPad-STMicro-gyro">EETimes says</A> Apple has been testing gyroscopes but decided not to put one in the original iPad. </P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: a USB port</STRONG></P><br /><P>Rumours suggest that the iPad 2 will have a USB port, which BuzzBizzNews says will enable users to "upload movies, documents and photos". We're not convinced it's for that, because Apple is moving increasingly to wireless. The iPad prints wirelessly. The iPad streams media wirelessly. Why add USB? More likely, we think, is a MicroUSB port or adapter so the iPad meets new EU regulations on mobile device chargers. </P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: GSM and CDMA</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20101119/apple-developing-cdma-gsm-world-ipad/">AllThingsDigital quotes</A> analyst Brian Blair, who says that Apple may be readying a "world iPad" that uses both GSM and CDMA networks, enabling it to get online anywhere in the world. CDMA, incidentally, is the technology used by Verizon in the US.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 case: thinner and more like a MacBook </STRONG></P><br /><P>Brian Blair also says: "the new iPad is thinner than the existing model and is essentially made from one piece of metal with no pins needed. We understand it requires a new type of manufacturing process as a result, similar to the company's unibody approach seen in MacBooks."</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: retina display</STRONG></P><br /><P>Will the gorgeous screen from the iPhone 4 make its way to the iPad? The <a href="http://theappleblog.com/2010/08/18/why-ipad-2-is-coming-and-what-to-expect">Apple Blog thinks so</A>: "You can be sure that Apple's Retina Display, or something very close, will make its way to iPad". </P><br /><P>Then again, such a screen would massively increase the number of pixels, increasing the demands on both the iPad's processor and its battery, so a nine-inch Retina Display is a challenge. If Apple's solved it we'll see you down the Apple Store the second it goes on sale.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: a seven-inch screen?</STRONG></P><br /><P>All of Apple's rivals have plumped for 7-inch displays, which means their tablets are lighter than the iPad. Will Apple follow them into seven-inch territory? </P><br /><P><a href="http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/leaked-details-on-2010-2011-ipods-iphone-5-bumper-2-ipad-mini">iLounge says</A> prototypes exist, while earlier this year <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100713PD207.html">DigiTimes predicted</A> not just a seven-inch iPad 2, but a 5.6-inch iPad 2. Apparently the smaller iPads would target ebooks while the current iPad would target multimedia entertainment, "sources stated". We're doubtful. Apple already does a mini-iPad with a retina display. It's the iPod touch. </P><br /><P>The idea of a smaller iPad 2 took another knock in November, when <a href="http://www.9to5mac.com/34272/ipad-2-ads-filmed-by-david-sims-in-new-york-last-month">9to5Mac reported</A> that the iPad 2 adverts have already been shot - with current-generation iPads playing the role of iPad 2s. The iPad 2s will be digitally added nearer the time, and of course that's much harder to do if the iPad 2 is smaller than the iPads the actors are actually holding.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: a faster processor</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.kitguru.net/apple/ipad-apple/yong-lei/ipad-2-rumours-grow-in-strength-hd-cameras">KitGuru</A> "has been hearing rumours from the Far East" that the iPad 2 will be a seven-inch job with a 2GHz processor and an HD video camera. It reckons the processor will be based on ARM's Cortex A9, the 1GHz dual-core processor that you'll find in the BlackBerry PlayBook.</P><br /><P><STRONG>iPad 2 specs: more memory</STRONG></P><br /><P>This is a no-brainer: the iPhone 4 has twice the memory of the iPad (512MB compared to 256MB), largely because the iPhone does multitasking. Since the iOS 4.2 release, iPads do multitasking too. 256MB already seems a little bit stingy.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The iPad 2 release date is probably in the Spring</STRONG></P><br /><P>Rumours suggested that the iPad 2 would be rushed out in time for Christmas, but if that's Apple's plan they're being awfully last-minute about it. <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/report-ipad-with-facetime-due-early-2011-717963">Early 2011</A> seems like a much better bet, and it fits with Apple's annual product cycle: the first iPad was announced in January and shipped in the spring. </P><br /><P><STRONG>The iPad 2 price won't change much</STRONG></P><br /><P>Unless there's a new seven-inch model we'll be amazed if the iPad 2 price is dramatically lower than the model it replaces: Apple isn't struggling to shift units and rivals are charging similar prices. Cheapo tablets do exist, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/why-can-no-one-make-an-ipad-killer--910579">but they're rubbish</A>. </P>

Updated: iPad 2 rumours: what you need to know

The internet loves Apple and it loves ill-founded speculation, so it's hardly surprising that iPad 2 rumours were flying before the firs...

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Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Hands%20on%20pictures/iPhone/iPhone%204%20hands%20on/iPhone_4_29-200-200.jpg" /><br /> iPhone 5 (or the iPhone 5G, as some are calling it) rumours are flying thick and fast already. <br /> <br /> <br /> Will there be a rush release to erase memories of the iPhone 4's antenna problems? <br /> Will the 5th generation iPhone deliver ultra-fast mobile internet? Will it ever end up on Verizon in the US? <br /> Let's raid the iPhone 5 rumour fridge to find the tomatoes of truth amid the stinky stilton of baseless speculation.<br /> <b>The iPhone 5 isn't the Verizon iPhone, and vice versa</b><br /> The Verizon iPhone rumour has been around forever, and one day it'll come true - but it won't be the iPhone 5. The <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703735804575536191649347572.html">Wall Street Journal said</a> a Verizon iPhone was nearly ready back in October, and we'd take that one seriously: the WSJ is the paper Apple tends to share its secrets with. <br /> It says that "the [Verizon] phone would resemble the iPhone 4 currently sold by AT&T, but would be based on an alternative wireless technology used by Verizon, these people said." Which people? "People familiar with the matter".<br /> <b>The iPhone 5 will have a different form factor to the iPhone 4</b><br /> WSJ: "Separately, Apple is also developing a new iPhone model, said people briefed on the phone. One person familiar said the fifth-generation iPhone would be a different form factor than those that are currently available… it was unclear how soon that version would be available to Verizon or other carriers."<br /> <b>The iPhone 5 specs will be evolutionary, not revolutionary</b><br /> According to the Chinese Economic Daily News (<a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/09/29/apple_will_use_baseband_from_cdma_giant_for_iphone_5_and_ipad_2_report.html">via AppleInsider</a>), with the exception of Qualcomm chipsets - which would replace the current Infineon chipsets in the iPhone 4 - Apple's sticking with the same suppliers for the 2011 iPhone 5G components. <br /> We'd expect the basics of the iPhone 5 specs to <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-10-things-apple-should-fix-703000">get a bump</a> - more memory, faster processor, more storage - but <a href="http://dvice.com/archives/2010/08/inside-source-c.php">DVICE quotes</a> a single insider who claims to have handled Verizon prototypes. <br /> The specs? A new antenna, 1.2GHz processor and a larger screen: 3.7" instead of 3.5". The iPhone 5 may also be made from a new kind of alloy, or maybe meat.<br /> <b>The iPhone 5 specs may include a digital wallet</b><br /> There's been some speculation that Apple <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-planning-cool-new-tech-for-iphone-5--710269">might include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology</a> in the iPhone 5G, turning it into a kind of credit/debit card. However, as <a href="http://www.techeye.net/mobile/rumour-apples-already-working-on-the-iphone-5">Techeye.net notes</a>, "Apple has looked into NFC before" so this might not be imminent.<br /> <img alt="Near field communication" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/world%20of%20tech/images/applenfc-420-90.jpg" width="420" /><br /> <b>PAY PHONE: </b><i>Apple patents show how a near field communication-equipped iPhone 5 could act as a kind of credit card</i><br /> <b>The iPhone 5 release date will be in the summer…</b><br /> Apple's established a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone#History_and_availability">rhythm</a> with iPhone releases, with new models appearing in late June or early July each year. It's a safe bet that the iPhone 5 release date will also be late June or early July. <br /> As <a href="http://www.beatweek.com/news/7652-internally-ipad-2-and-iphone-5-competing-for-apples-a-team">Beatweek magazine points out</a>, Apple's A-Team can't be everywhere at once; by staggering the releases of the iPad 2 and the iPhone 5, they get to work their magic on both devices.<br /> <b>…or maybe the iPhone 5 release date will be earlier</b><br /> <a href="http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/leaked-details-on-2010-2011-ipods-iphone-5-bumper-2-ipad-mini">iLounge said</a> its source reckoned Apple would push the iPhone 5 release date forwards - possibly to January 2011 - because of the iPhone 4 antenna problems, although iLounge itself said the claim was "hard to believe". The source could be confusing the Verizon iPhone and the iPhone 5.<br /> <b>The iPhone 5 specs may include LTE support</b><br /> At least <a href="http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2010/09/21/latest-apple-rumors-iphone-5-lte.htm">one analyst thinks</a> the iPhone 5 will support LTE, super-fast mobile broadband, in the US. That would make the iPhone 5G a 4G phone, which won't be confusing at all. LTE is certainly coming - AT&T plans to roll out its LTE service in 2011 - but an LTE iPhone has been rumoured for a while. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2009-04-26-apple-verizon-iphone_N.htm?csp=34">USA Today floated the idea</a> of an LTE iPhone on Verizon last year.<br /> <b>The iPhone 5 price won't change</b><br /> If the iPhone 5 is an evolutionary step like the move from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS then we'd expect the price to stay more or less the same, although in the UK higher VAT rates may well mean a higher price tag.

Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know

iPhone 5 (or the iPhone 5G, as some are calling it) rumours are flying thick and fast already. Will there be a rush release to erase mem...

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Updated: Android 2.3 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Google/Google-gingerbread-image-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>While <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-706243">earlier rumours</A> were suggesting that Gingerbread was the code name for Android 3.0, we now know that Gingerbread is Android 2.3, which makes Honeycomb Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>Android 4.0 is rumoured to be code named <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/android-4-0-to-be-called-ice-cream-planned-for-2011-902157">Ice Cream</A>.</P><br /><P>Google CEO Eric Schmidt <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-boss-teases-nexus-s-handset-confirms-android-2-3-908454">showed off</A> a phone running Android 2.3 at the Web 2.0 summit on 15 November.</P><br /><P>Google had earlier hinted on 12 November that the Android 2.3 release date is close, <a href="http://twitter.com/GoogleMobile/status/3174327650361344">tweeting</A> a photo of a pile of Android gingerbread men, with the message "Our cafes are baking something sweet". </P><br /><P>Here's what we know so far about Android 2.3:</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P>Schmidt confirmed that the Android 2.3 release date is a few weeks away, so we can expect it before the end of 2010.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 specifications and features<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>Confirmed Android 2.3 features include <a href="http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3190#c81">improved copy and paste</A> and support for WebM video playback. The WebM Project <a href="http://www.webmproject.org/about/faq/#webm_video_file_format">confirmed</A> that "WebM support in Android is expected in the Gingerbread release". WebM files are compressed with the VP8 video codec, which Google <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-on-vp8-we-hope-to-start-an-arms-race--691206">purchased and open-sourced earlier this year</A>.</P><br /><P>Android 2.3 will also feature a new user interface. TechCrunch <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/16/android-team-laser-focused-on-the-user-experience-for-next-release/">reported</A> that "Google is focusing the bulk of its efforts on the user experience for the upcoming Gingerbread release."</P><br /><P><a href="http://phandroid.com/2010/10/18/exclusive-first-android-gingerbread-details/">Phandroid</A> went into more detail on the interface changes, noting cleaner, redesigned icons, more prominent carrier branding, and an increase in the use of the colour green.</P><br /><P>In the same post about the interface changes, Phandroid also mentions that Android 2.3 will support video chat.</P><br /><P>It has also been rumoured that Gingerbread will feature a <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/google-to-launch-download-music-service-for-android--698248">music store in the Android Market</A> and support for Google TV.</P><br /><P>Android 2.3 also features a new 'screen off' animation as you can see below.</P><br /><P></PARAM><PARAM value="true" name="allowFullScreen"></PARAM><PARAM value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"></PARAM><EMBED src=http://www.youtube.com/v/k2ivG0IvckM&hl=en&fs=1 width=420 height=315 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"> </EMBED></OBJECT><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>The first Android 2.3 phone is looking to be the Nexus One. In a recent tweet Alvaro Vasquez of the Open Handset Alliance <a href="http://twitter.com/kron0x/status/1308328261066752">said</A>: "Prepare your Nexus One (Developer version) for Android OTA update 2.3 (Gingerbread) for the next few days:-D". [Translated from original language]</P><br /><P>The Android 2.3 phone that Schmidt showed off at the Web 2.0 summit is the successor to the Nexus One, rumoured to be called the Nexus S. It features an AMOLED screen and will support NFC tech which lets you pay for goods buy pressing your phone against a reader.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 25 November 2010 the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-s-nexus-s-and-gingerbread-shown-off-again-910879">Nexus S surfaced again</A>. Spec-wise, it looks to be rocking a WVGA four inch screen, 720p video recording, and a (possibly dual-core) ArmV7 CPU.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more on Android 2.3 as we get it.</P><br /><P>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</P><br /><P><STRONG>Sponsored: </STRONG><a href="http://uk.sitestat.com/future/email-marketing/s?techradar.silverlight-advertorial.sl3-wp7appsinarticle.link&ns_type=clickout&ns_url=http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/why-windows-phone-7-apps-will-blow-your-mind-905278" rel="nofollow">Why Windows Phone 7 apps will blow your mind</A><BR>The tech making Windows Phone 7 as smart as it looks</P>

Updated: Android 2.3 rumours: what you need to know

While earlier rumours were suggesting that Gingerbread was the code name for Android 3.0, we now know that Gingerbread is Android 2.3, whic...

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Updated: Android 3.0 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>While <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-2-3-what-you-need-to-know-908255">Android 2.3 rumours</A> are starting to pile in, details about its successor Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – are also starting to emerge.</P><br /><P>Because it was previously expected that the next Android release would be Android 3.0, it's still unclear which features will make it into Gingerbread and which will be pushed back to Honeycomb.</P><br /><P>Here's what we know about Android 3.0 so far. </P><br /><P>On 20 October, we reported that Android 3.0 tablets are rumoured to be <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/android-3-0-pc-tablets-to-be-with-engineers-by-christmas-902129">heading out to engineers in time for Christmas</A>. If true, this means that we'll see a whole bunch of tablets running Android 3.0 at <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/ces-2011-tablets-oled-and-yet-more-3d-709835">CES 2011</A>. Of course, these tablets could now be running Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P>Android 3.0 release date is <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-more-gingerbread-details-emerge-901904">looking like early 2011</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 features and specifications<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>As we <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-gingerbread-details-surface-already--700619">reported earlier in July</A>, a Russian podcast details how Android 3.0 will be restricted to high-end handsets (and tablets). The podcast explained that Android 3.0 phones will require at least a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 3.5-inch or larger displays.</P><br /><P>The feature list for Honeycomb is currently scant, but will include elements that don't make it into Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>One of the first Android 3.0 phones could be the Samsung Galaxy S2 if <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-coming-with-android-3-0--701338">another rumour is to be believed</A>. The leaked details of the Galaxy S I9200 claim a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720.</P><br /><P>On 27 October 2010, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-to-release-nexus-two-with-carphone-warehouse--903667">reports appeared</A> that Google is to release an Android 3.0 powered Nexus Two with Carphone Warehouse, although it now looks as though the next Nexus - code named the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-boss-teases-nexus-s-handset-confirms-android-2-3-908454">Nexus S</A> - will be running Android 2.3.</P><br /><P>It's also possible that the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/psp-phone-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-903712">PSP Phone</A> will be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 tablets</STRONG></P><br /><P>Acer has <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/acer-announces-7-and-10-inch-android-tablets-910429">announced</A> 7- and 10-inch Android tablets which are slated for release in April 2011. This means they'll almost certainly be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more Android 3.0 details as they emerge.</P>

Updated: Android 3.0 rumours: what you need to know

While Android 2.3 rumours are starting to pile in, details about its successor Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – are also starting to emerg...

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Twitter dampens news service rumours

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/images/twitter%20logo-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Biz Stone, the co-founder of Google, has been thinking aloud about ways to expand Twitter and inadvertently started a rumour that a Twitter news site is imminent.</P><br /><P>Talking to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AL57Z20101122">Reuters television</A>, Stone said that he always envisaged Twitter as a news outlet, explaining: "From the very beginning this has seemed almost as if it's a news wire coming from everywhere around the world.</P><br /><P>"I think a Twitter News Service would be something that would be very open and shared with many different news organisations around the world."</P><br /><P><STRONG>Real speculation</STRONG></P><br /><P>This Twitter news service is merely theoretical, but it did fuel speculation that one is in the works.</P><br /><P>Sean Garrett, who deals with communications at Twitter did quash the idea, though, on – you've guessed it – Twitter.</P><br /><P>He <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/SG">tweeted</A> about Stone's remarks: "No plans for 'Twitter news network" and "@Stone pondered how news orgs could do this on their own (or together). Perhaps w/ direct access to Twitter data all hypothetical."</P><br /><P>So, no news about a Twitter news service – looks like we'll just have to keep using the site's 140 characters for telling everyone what we have had for breakfast.</P>

Twitter dampens news service rumours

Biz Stone, the co-founder of Google, has been thinking aloud about ways to expand Twitter and inadvertently started a rumour that a Twitter ...

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Updated: PSP Phone rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/ps%20phone%20prototype-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>It's been <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/handhelds/solid-sources-resurrect-psp-phone-rumour-611712">rumoured for some time</A> - Sony was blabbing on about a "seductive" PSP/Phone hybrid <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-executive-talks-of-seductive-psp-phone-155607">back in 2007</A> - but it's no longer a rumour: Sony has indeed locked a PSP Go and a smartphone in a dark room full of aphrodisiacs and Barry White CDs.</P><br /><P>The result is the Sony PlayStation Phone, or PSP Phone, an Android-powered device that's half PlayStation and half phone. </P><br /><P>Indeed, the CEO of Sony Ericsson mobile phones has responded to the PlayStation Phone rumours by <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/sony-ericsson-boss-comments-on-playstation-phone-plans-909966">saying</A> that there is "no smoke without fire." </P><br /><P>So what do we know about it?</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone runs Android</STRONG></P><br /><P>The Sony PlayStation Phone OS will be Android, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/sony-working-on-playstation-branded-android-phone--709436">most likely the Android 3.0 release</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone specifications are pretty impressive</STRONG></P><br /><P>According to <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/the-playstation-phone/">Engadget</A>, the PlayStation phone specifications include a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU, a 5 megapixel camera, 512MB of RAM and a 3.7" or 4.1" display with WVGA resolution or better.</P><br /><P>Rather than a QWERTY keyboard the PSP Phone slider reveals the familiar D-pad and buttons from the PSP Go together with a wide touch pad in the middle that supports multi-touch gestures. Unusually for a Sony device it's expandable via MicroSD cards rather than Sony's own Memory Sticks.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone images may be fake</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget is confident that the images it's published are the real thing - albeit images of a pre-production prototype - but<a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/first-pictures-of-sony-playstation-phone-emerge-903607"> Sony Europe is calling shenanigans.</A></P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone interface hasn't been leaked yet</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget's prototype is "still in prototyping mode", which means Sony hasn't yet applied its own skin to the Android operating system. It "is said to be rather buggy" too.</P><br /><P><STRONG>The PSP Phone release date probably won't be in 2010</STRONG></P><br /><P>A 2010 release date has been rumoured since we first heard that Sony might make a PlayStation phone, but given that we're already in October - and that Android 3.0 hasn't shipped yet - that's looking pretty unlikely. A 2011 release date is much more realistic. We'd have had it earlier if it weren't for <a href="http://www.techradar.com/blogs/article/politics-not-technology-did-for-the-psp-phone-501955">a bad case of office politics</A>, it seems.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> It's looking likely that the PSP Phone might <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/sony-ericsson-boss-comments-on-playstation-phone-plans-909966">make an appearance</A> at Mobile World Congress in February 2011.</P><br /><P><STRONG>PSP Phone games might be cheaper</STRONG></P><br /><P>The rise of the iPhone and Android app stores mean phone users are used to paying pennies for games. Will Sony slash the price of its portable games, or will it try and persude punters to keep paying thirty quid for blockbuster titles? As <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/psp-phone-the-games-industry-responds-709542">Screen Digest's Ed Barton told us</A> in August, "the average sales price of iPhone and other mobile games is much lower… does Sony want [the PlayStation brand] to rush headlong into a development environment where the consumer expects games priced at 59p to £5.99?"</P><br /><P><STRONG>PSP Phone games will look like PSP and PSX games</STRONG></P><br /><P>Engadget reports that Sony PlayStation phone "games will be graphically in the range of PSX or PSP games, meaning true 3D gaming is heading to Android." Such games will be in a PSP Phone-specific bit of the Android Market, although it's possible that the games might be made available for other Android devices in the future.</P>

Updated: PSP Phone rumours: what you need to know

It's been rumoured for some time - Sony was blabbing on about a "seductive" PSP/Phone hybrid back in 2007 - but it's no ...

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Updated: Android 3.0 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>While <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-2-3-what-you-need-to-know-908255">Android 2.3 rumours</A> are starting to pile in, details about its successor Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – are also starting to emerge.</P><br /><P>Because it was previously expected that the next Android release would be Android 3.0, it's still unclear which features will make it into Gingerbread and which will be pushed back to Honeycomb.</P><br /><P>Here's what we know about Android 3.0 so far. </P><br /><P>On 20 October, we reported that Android 3.0 tablets are rumoured to be <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/android-3-0-pc-tablets-to-be-with-engineers-by-christmas-902129">heading out to engineers in time for Christmas</A>. If true, this means that we'll see a whole bunch of tablets running Android 3.0 at <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/ces-2011-tablets-oled-and-yet-more-3d-709835">CES 2011</A>. Of course, these tablets could now be running Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P>Android 3.0 release date is <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-more-gingerbread-details-emerge-901904">looking like early 2011</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 features and specifications<BR></STRONG></P><br /><P>As we <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-gingerbread-details-surface-already--700619">reported earlier in July</A>, a Russian podcast details how Android 3.0 will be restricted to high-end handsets (and tablets). The podcast explained that Android 3.0 phones will require at least a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 3.5-inch or larger displays.</P><br /><P>The feature list for Honeycomb is currently scant, but will include elements that don't make it into Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>One of the first Android 3.0 phones could be the Samsung Galaxy S2 if <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-coming-with-android-3-0--701338">another rumour is to be believed</A>. The leaked details of the Galaxy S I9200 claim a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720.</P><br /><P>On 27 October 2010, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-to-release-nexus-two-with-carphone-warehouse--903667">reports appeared</A> that Google is to release an Android 3.0 powered Nexus Two with Carphone Warehouse, although it now looks as though the next Nexus - code named the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-boss-teases-nexus-s-handset-confirms-android-2-3-908454">Nexus S</A> - will be running Android 2.3.</P><br /><P>It's also possible that the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/psp-phone-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-903712">PSP Phone</A> will be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more Android 3.0 details as they emerge.</P>

Updated: Android 3.0 rumours: what you need to know

While Android 2.3 rumours are starting to pile in, details about its successor Android 3.0 – Android Honeycomb – are also starting to emerg...

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Updated: Android 3.0 and Android 2.3 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Details about the next version of Android – Android Gingerbread – are starting to emerge.</P><br /><P><STRONG>15 NOV UPDATE: </STRONG>There's been some confusion over whether the next Android release will be Android 2.3 or Android 3.0, but current rumours suggest that Gingerbread will be Android 2.3, and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/revealed-android-honeycomb-next-up-from-google-711132">Honeycomb</A> is the codename for Android 3.0.</P><br /><P><STRONG>15 NOV UPDATE 2:</STRONG> Google has <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-uses-twitter-to-tease-about-android-2-3-gingerbread-908229">hinted</A> that the Android 2.3 release date is drawing near, tweeting an image of a pile of gingerbread men, with the message "Our cafes are baking something sweet". It's possible that Android 2.3 will be shown at the Web 2.0 Summit this week.</P><br /><P><STRONG>05 NOV UPDATE: </STRONG>Gingerbread might actually be Android 2.3 rather than 3.0. If this is the case, we can expect it to be a much smaller update. If Gingerbread is Android 2.3, then Honeycomb will be Android 3.0.</P><br /><P><STRONG>05 NOV UPDATE 2:</STRONG> Rumours have surfaced that Android Gingerbread – the eagerly awaited next generation of the popular mobile OS – could be with us in a matter of days. </P><br /><P>The rumour has surfaced from a 'trusted source' which of course means very little, but it does appear to be backed up by less subtle hints from Google – including a giant Gingerbread man on the company's lawn. </P><br /><P>There are also some tweaks in the latest Google Maps release that suggest that Gingerbread is coming soon. </P><br /><P>Until we have firm confirmation from Google on whether it's Android 2.3 or Android 3.0 that we're now waiting on, we've left the original text from the article unchanged below. So while reading you may want to mentally substitute mentions of Android 3.0 for Android 2.3.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 20 October, we reported that Android 3.0 tablets are rumoured to be <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/android-3-0-pc-tablets-to-be-with-engineers-by-christmas-902129">heading out to engineers in time for Christmas</A>. If true, this means that we'll see a whole bunch of tablets running Android 3.0 at <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/ces-2011-tablets-oled-and-yet-more-3d-709835">CES 2011</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 19 October, Android site Phandroid bagged <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-more-gingerbread-details-emerge-901904">new details on Android 3.0</A>, saying that Android had gone through a graphical change and that carrier branding was "more prominent". </P><br /><P>Phandroid also found Android 3.0 to have new icon animations, a YouTube makeover, and better Google Voice and Google Talk integration.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P><DEL>Android 3.0 release date is looking like Q4 of this year, possibly around October. </DEL></P><br /><P>Android 3.0 release date is <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-more-gingerbread-details-emerge-901904">looking like early 2011</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 2.3 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P>Assuming the Android 3.0 release date rumour is correct, then the Android 2.3 release date is likely to be before the end of 2010, possibly before the end of November.</P><br /><P>Gingerbread is already in some testers' hands - Phandroid has <a href="http://phandroid.com/2010/07/26/android-3-0-test-build-already-running-in-the-wild">shown an unverified photo</A> of a test build of Android 3.0 running in the wild, while the TweetDeck blog <a href="http://blog.tweetdeck.com/android-ecosystem">shows</A> Android 3.0 as one of the versions of Android using Android TweetDeck Beta.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 features</STRONG></P><br /><P>As we <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-gingerbread-details-surface-already--700619">reported earlier in July</A>, a Russian podcast details how Android 3.0 will be restricted to high-end handsets (and tablets). The podcast explained that Android 3.0 phones will require at least a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 3.5-inch or larger displays.</P><br /><P>Confirmed Android 3.0 features include <a href="http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3190#c81">improved copy and paste</A> and support for WebM video playback. The WebM Project <a href="http://www.webmproject.org/about/faq/#webm_video_file_format">confirmed</A> that "WebM support in Android is expected in the Gingerbread release". WebM files are compressed with the VP8 video codec, which Google <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-on-vp8-we-hope-to-start-an-arms-race--691206">purchased and open-sourced earlier this year</A>.</P><br /><P>It's also rumoured that Android 3.0 will feature a new user interface. TechCrunch <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/16/android-team-laser-focused-on-the-user-experience-for-next-release/">reported</A> that "Google is focusing the bulk of its efforts on the user experience for the upcoming Gingerbread release."</P><br /><P>This, Google apparently hopes, will deter handset manufacturers from adding in their own Android 3.0 customizations (such as HTC's Sense).</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>One of the first Android 3.0 phones could be the Samsung Galaxy S2 if <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-coming-with-android-3-0--701338">another rumour is to be believed</A>. The leaked details of the Galaxy S I9200 claim a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720.</P><br /><P>On 27 October 2010, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-to-release-nexus-two-with-carphone-warehouse--903667">reports appeared</A> that Google is to release an Android 3.0 powered Nexus Two with Carphone Warehouse, although we think it's unlikely that Google will bring out another handset now that so many manufacturers are producing them.</P><br /><P>It's also likely that the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/psp-phone-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-903712">PSP Phone</A> will be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more Android 3.0 details as they emerge.</P>

Updated: Android 3.0 and Android 2.3 rumours: what you need to know

Details about the next version of Android – Android Gingerbread – are starting to emerge. 15 NOV UPDATE: There's been some confusion ove...

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Updated: Android 3.0 rumours: what you need to know

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Details about the next version of Android – Android 3.0, or Gingerbread – are starting to emerge.</P><br /><P><STRONG>05 NOV UPDATE: </STRONG>Gingerbread might actually be Android 2.3 rather than 3.0. If this is the case, we can expect it to be a much smaller update. If Gingerbread is Android 2.3, then Honeycomb will be Android 3.0.</P><br /><P><STRONG>05 NOV UPDATE 2:</STRONG> Rumours have surfaced that Android Gingerbread – the eagerly awaited next generation of the popular mobile OS – could be with us in a matter of days. </P><br /><P>The rumour has surfaced from a 'trusted source' which of course means very little, but it does appear to be backed up by less subtle hints from Google – including a giant Gingerbread man on the company's lawn. </P><br /><P>There are also some tweaks in the latest Google Maps release that suggest that Gingerbread is coming soon. </P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 20 October, we reported that Android 3.0 tablets are rumoured to be <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/android-3-0-pc-tablets-to-be-with-engineers-by-christmas-902129">heading out to engineers in time for Christmas</A>. If true, this means that we'll see a whole bunch of tablets running Android 3.0 at <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/ces-2011-tablets-oled-and-yet-more-3d-709835">CES 2011</A>.</P><br /><P><STRONG>UPDATE:</STRONG> On 19 October, Android site Phandroid bagged <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-more-gingerbread-details-emerge-901904">new details on Android 3.0</A>, saying that Android had gone through a graphical change and that carrier branding was "more prominent". </P><br /><P>Phandroid also found Android 3.0 to have new icon animations, a YouTube makeover, and better Google Voice and Google Talk integration.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 release date</STRONG></P><br /><P><DEL>Android 3.0 release date is looking like Q4 of this year, possibly around October. </DEL></P><br /><P>Android 3.0 release date is <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-more-gingerbread-details-emerge-901904">looking like early 2011</A>.</P><br /><P>Gingerbread is already in some testers' hands - Phandroid has <a href="http://phandroid.com/2010/07/26/android-3-0-test-build-already-running-in-the-wild">shown an unverified photo</A> of a test build of Android 3.0 running in the wild, while the TweetDeck blog <a href="http://blog.tweetdeck.com/android-ecosystem">shows</A> Android 3.0 as one of the versions of Android using Android TweetDeck Beta.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 features</STRONG></P><br /><P>As we <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-3-0-gingerbread-details-surface-already--700619">reported earlier in July</A>, a Russian podcast details how Android 3.0 will be restricted to high-end handsets (and tablets). The podcast explained that Android 3.0 phones will require at least a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 3.5-inch or larger displays.</P><br /><P>Confirmed Android 3.0 features include <a href="http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3190#c81">improved copy and paste</A> and support for WebM video playback. The WebM Project <a href="http://www.webmproject.org/about/faq/#webm_video_file_format">confirmed</A> that "WebM support in Android is expected in the Gingerbread release". WebM files are compressed with the VP8 video codec, which Google <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-on-vp8-we-hope-to-start-an-arms-race--691206">purchased and open-sourced earlier this year</A>.</P><br /><P>It's also rumoured that Android 3.0 will feature a new user interface. TechCrunch <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/16/android-team-laser-focused-on-the-user-experience-for-next-release/">reported</A> that "Google is focusing the bulk of its efforts on the user experience for the upcoming Gingerbread release."</P><br /><P>This, Google apparently hopes, will deter handset manufacturers from adding in their own Android 3.0 customizations (such as HTC's Sense).</P><br /><P><STRONG>Android 3.0 phones</STRONG></P><br /><P>One of the first Android 3.0 phones could be the Samsung Galaxy S2 if <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-coming-with-android-3-0--701338">another rumour is to be believed</A>. The leaked details of the Galaxy S I9200 claim a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720.</P><br /><P>On 27 October 2010, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-to-release-nexus-two-with-carphone-warehouse--903667">reports appeared</A> that Google is to release an Android 3.0 powered Nexus Two with Carphone Warehouse, although we think it's unlikely that Google will bring out another handset now that so many manufacturers are producing them.</P><br /><P>It's also likely that the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/psp-phone-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-903712">PSP Phone</A> will be running Android 3.0.</P><br /><P>We'll bring you more Android 3.0 details as they emerge.</P>

Updated: Android 3.0 rumours: what you need to know

Details about the next version of Android – Android 3.0, or Gingerbread – are starting to emerge. 05 NOV UPDATE: Gingerbread might actually ...

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