At Mobile World Congress Ubuntu has announced that it will bring its OS to Android devices. The full Ubuntu desktop OS will be available for Android 2.3 Gingerbread devices that are multi-core and docked. While you may think why would Motorola and others that already have a dockable desktop experience use the Ubuntu version instead. Well Ubuntu offers a full desktop experience and will allow manufacturers to include the OS.

Hardware Requirements for Ubuntu on Android:

• Dual-core 1GHz CPU
• Video Acceleration
• Shared kernel driver with associated X driver
• Open GL
• ES/EGL
• 2GB for OS Image
• HDMI Video out
• USB Host Mode
• 512MB RAM

Most current Android devices that are running Android 2.3 Gingerbread with dual-core processors support the rest of these requirements. The OS will have the default applications that follow; Chromium, Rhunderbird, VLC Player and a few more. We look forward to seeing the speed and freedom this will bring to dockable Android devices. Press Release below:

London, 22nd February, 2012: Canonical today unveiled Ubuntu for Android, bringing the world’s favourite free desktop experience to multi-core Android smartphones docked with a keyboard and monitor. Use Android on the phone and Ubuntu as your desktop, both running simultaneously on the same device, with seamless sharing of contacts, messages and other common services.

The phone experience is pure Android – it’s a normal Android phone. When the device is connected to a computer screen, however, it launches a full Ubuntu desktop on the computer display. It’s exactly the same desktop used by millions of enterprise and home users on their Ubuntu PCs, and includes hundreds of certified applications, from office productivity to photography, video and music.

All data and services are shared between the Ubuntu and Android environments, which run simultaneously on the device. So Android applications such as contacts, telephony and SMS/MMS messaging are accessible from the Ubuntu interface. Indeed, all data on the smartphone can be accessed at any time, docked or not.

Ubuntu for Android gives mobile workers a company phone that is also their enterprise desktop. Government and private institutions have embraced Ubuntu on the desktop because of its ease of use, security, manageability, superb range of native applications and excellent support for web browsers like Chrome and Firefox. The desktop can also include Windows applications, using thin client and desktop virtualisation tools. Today’s IT departments commonly support a PC and at least one desktop phone for every employee. Many also provide and manage mobile phones. Ubuntu for Android presents a compelling solution to IT complexity by reducing that burden to a single device.

The first PC for the next billion knowledge workers could be a phone – but they won’t just want to use it as a handset. They will want all the flexibility and productivity of a full desktop, as well as the convenience of a smartphone on the move. Ubuntu for Android represents the first opportunity for handset makers and network operators to address this growth opportunity in emerging markets.

“The desktop is the killer-app for quad-core phones in 2012″ says Mark Shuttleworth. “Ubuntu for Android transforms your high-end phone into your productive desktop, whenever you need it”

The Casio G’Zone Commando is Verizon’s rugged phone that will be getting the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update shortly. The G’Zone Commando was released back in April with Android 2.2 Froyo and no special specifications that we have found.

Verizon released a support document stating that the G’Zone will be receiving the Gingerbread update along with some other bug fixes and improvements to email and calling. This update will bring the software version to C771M070.

Casio G’Zone Commando Improvements with Update:

• Call Features – Screen will brighten upon touch when phone is docked during a voice call. The Proximity sensor will accurately sense presence during a voice call.
• Email and Messaging – Auto signature can be enabled within SMS/MMS messages. Device will no longer generate a draft message when opening a message.
• Additional features – Privacy caution screen will now appear during SetupWizard. V CAST Media Manager now comes preloaded. Lag has been reduced on the device.

The update to the G’Zone Commando hasn’t gone live yet but should be in the next week or so. Once you receive this update let us know how its working out for you.

Intel has fallen so far behind in the mobile market that it doesn’t seem they will ever catch up. One way they will try is to bring Android Gingerbread support to the Intel Atom E series processors. They have fallen so far behind because their chipsets are in no way efficient enough to support mobile devices due to power restraints. This custom version of the Atom E will get Gingerbread next year but in my opinion supporting Gingerbread is just staying a little less behind than they were previously since there is already Ice Cream Sandwich and Honeycomb with Jellybean close at hand.

Carrypad has reported that Intel is looking at an open source version of Android 2.3 Gingerbread to support manufacturers interested in using the Atom E series chipsets in tablets and other mobile devices. This means that the processors would require this customized version of Android to support their chipsets and that it will be optimized for battery life.

For those Android fans out there who just don’t want to pay the big bucks for a high end Android tablet the Herotab M6 is for you. The price point on this 7 inch Gingerbread tablet is only $159. On top of the price it comes with a free screen protector and shipping.

Its a low end tablet so don’t expect it to compare to the Galaxy Tab by any means but it does come with some pretty good specs for its price.

Herotab M6 Features:

• 7 inch capacitive touch display
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 1 GHz processor
• 8 GB internal storage
• micro SD support
• full sized USB port

The Herotab M6 is not your standard Android tablet as it doesn’t have the standard home, menu, search, back buttons. It just has 1 button like the iPad. Even though it may not be the fastest, lightest, or thinnest it is a great tablet for the price.

Lenovo IdeaPad A1 Gingerbread Tablet

We have seen a few leaked documents on the Lenovo IdeaPad 7 inch Tablet that will be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. We then saw this tablet make it through the FCC, now it has officially been announced by Lenovo at the IFA convention. If you are looking for an inexpensive tablet that packs the power that you need this is the device for you. The Lenovo IdeaPad A1 will be made available for $199 for an 8GB model.

Features of the Lenovo IdeaPad 7″ Gingerbread Tablet:

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 7 inch 1024×600 display
• Single-core Cortex A8 processor
• 3MP rear camera, front camera
• Micro SD slot, Wi-Fi and GPS

From what we have seen at this point it looks like there is no intension of having a Honeycomb upgrade and the 8GB version might not be available in the US. Instead the US will be getting a 16GB version for $249 and a 32GB version for $299.

While we don’t know much about Pantech as a company or the Breakout 4G we do know that Verizon will get the device. We also aren’t sure if the phone named the Apache that recently cleared the FCC is a different device or just a different name for it.

Pantech Breakout 4G Features that we know of:

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• On Verizon’s 4G LTE Network
• 4 inch 800×480 display
• 1 GHz processor
• 512MB RAM
• 8GB Micro SD (32GB Max)
• Front 1.3MP Front Camera
• Rear 5MP Rear Camera

It also looks like Pantech will have its own UI on the device that will likely be close to Moto Blur or Touch Wiz. As we get more information on the device we will be sure to let you all know.

While we were told that the HTC Incredible Gingerbread update would be pushed again and again the Official 2.3 Gingerbread update was leaked. We have this leaked version of Gingerbread for the HTC Incredible available now.

The version we have looks to be the final Official build from HTC. This is the version 4.06.605.2 build that Verizon states as the update version. This version also is baseband version 2.15.10.07.07. Please take note that this will wipe all user data.

NOTE: Your Incredible must be rooted to flash a custom ROM. For more information and instructions on rooting your phone use the following article:
http://www.android-advice.com/2011/root-the-droid-incredible-with-unrevoked/

Gingerbread Update Installation Instructions:

1. Download the Gingerbread image (Download Link)
2. Place it on the root of your SDcard
3. Install “ROM Manager” from the Android Market
4. Open ROM Manager and select Flash ROM
5. Follow instructions until your phone automatically reboots
6. Your phone will go into recovery mode as it installs, be patient
7. Congrats you are now running Gingerbread on your HTC Incredible!

What we have previously called the HTC Ruby seems to be what HTC will be name=ing the HTC Amaze 4G when it hits T-Mobile. This is another in a long line of high end phones that HTC has been pushing out this year.

HTC Amaze Phone Features:

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• Dual-core 1.5 GHz Processor
• 4.3 inch qHD display
• 1GB of RAM
• 8 megapixel rear camera
• front camera

We look forward to playing with this new HTC Amaze 4G and hope that its everything that it seems to be.

HTC Inspire 4G users have been patiently waiting for their Android 2.3 Gingerbread update and the time has finally came. You can check for system updates on your phone now or go to the HTC Support site and download the update.

HTC Inspire™ 4G for AT&T Gingerbread ROM Update | 08.08.2011

Starting August 4th 2011, HTC will be rolling out a system update for the HTC Inspire 4G.

This update will only be available for AT&T HTC Inspire 4G Customers and will be sent to the device over the air. Once the release is ready, HTC Inspire 4G users will receive a notification on their device advising them of this update and provide instructions to receive and install it. Users can proactively check for this update by going to Home>Menu>Settings> AT&T Software Update > HTC Wi-Fi software update > Check now. The system update can also be downloaded below and manually applied to the device.

Be sure that before you run this update (download or OTA) that you have everything backed up. Any phone contacts not stored remotely will be lost as Gingerbread does not store local contacts.

Motorola Droid 3

Manufacturer
Motorola

Carriers
Verizon Wireless

Compatible Networks
CDMA2000800/1900, EV-DO Rev. A
GSM 850/900/1800/1900UMTS
WCDMA 850/1900/2100

First Release
July 14, 2011

Predecessor
Motorola Droid 2

Dimensions
4.9″ H x 2.5″ W x .5″ D

Operating System
Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread

CPU
1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 SoC processor
TIOMAP4430

Memory
16 GB flash ROM
512 MB RAM

Storage
16 GB onboard phone

Removable Storage
Max 32 GB

Battery
1540 mAh internal rechargeable removable lithium-ion polymer battery

Display
960 × 540 px TFT LCD
4 in (100 mm), 16:9 aspect ratio
qHD

Rear Camera
8.0 megapixel
autofocus
LED flash
digital zoom
geo tagging
1080p Video recording

Front Camera
VGA (0.3 megapixel) fixed focus color camera

Connectivity
3.5 mm TRRS
Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
Micro USB 2.0
Micro HDMI
DLNA
WLAN
web browser
synchronization