If you like tablets with Google's free mobile OS, here's more on one of those, the ICD Ultra that will be arriving to Verizon, most likely, by the end of the year. SlashGear had a hands-on with the 7-inch LTE Ultra, to give us a better perspective on this upcoming Android device. The ICD Ultra Android slate uses NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset and a Motorola LTE radio to bring you the web faster then ever. It is capable of outputting 1080p Full HD video via a mini HDMI port. According to Vincent, Verizon's demo had crisp and smooth video playing Avatar on a HDTV. Playback on the Ultra's 7-inch screen was also very good. The resistive touchscreen works good, although it lacks some finesse in comparison to other capacitive displays. The regular Android onscreen QWERTY keyboard on this device proved to work well too. Android 2.0 on the ICD Ultra is fully functional, unlike the build on the more family-friendly Vega. Verizon had a test LTE network up and running so, as you’d expect, streaming performance was impressive. Expect to see this tablet until Verizon gets their LTE network up and running by the end of 2010. No word on price or date of arrival just yet, but they said that it would “be brought to market by Motorola”, so maybe it will carry the Motorola brand name instead of ICD's. Enjoy the video below, and if you like to see more pictures, check SlahsGear.com here. [vms 1a4be65601cc6ddc1520]

Apparently T-Mobile UK doesn't want Verizon to have all the fun with the announcement of the ICD Ultra with 4G service. T-Mobile UK, together with tablet manufacturer ICD, have announced the carrier’s “portable family hub tablet”, which is the new ICD Vega. This new Vega slate from ICD uses NVIDIA’s Tegra 250 chipset with a customized build of Android 2.0 focused on family use. That way it will be able to share calendars, internet access and SMS/MMS messaging support, with a T-Mobile SIM preinstalled for wireless connectivity. The ICD Vega comes with on-demand TV and Full 1080p HD video playback support (don't ask me how, since the Vega’s 15-inch display runs at 1366 x 768, not 1080p resolution, but we'll keep looking on this), and a FM radio. It also has WiFi support and a browser for you to access some of the social networking sites like Facebook. Availability and Price will be announced when the retail launch is closer. Press Release:

T-Mobile and ICD Reveal First Mobile Connected Tablet Made for Busy Families Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Las Vegas, January 7, 2010 – Innovative Converged Devices (ICD) and T-Mobile UK today unveiled a new portable family hub tablet which will be available in the UK later this year. Visitors to CES were given a sneak preview of the first Android-based tablet with multiple mobile connections which will be featured in a new T-Mobile family offering. Exclusive to T-Mobile in the UK, the centrepiece of the family hub is ICD’s new Vega, a 15” touchscreen device designed primarily to sit in the kitchen. The tablet offers one-touch access to a household calendar so families can organise their busy schedules in one place that everyone can always reach. It can be accessed by the whole family, wherever they are, via the web on a mobile, work computer, home PC or other devices with an Internet connection. The calendar automatically sends SMS text reminders to the family’s mobiles, putting an end to scraps of paper and nagging phone calls. And because it comes with a T-Mobile SIM on-board, it’s easy to make a quick hands-free call at the touch of a button. The family hub is a full-featured wireless tablet with Wi-Fi web browsing, on-demand TV, access to social networks, video chat and games, as well as an FM radio for the complete kitchen set-up. The concept is in the final stages of development by T-Mobile UK and ICD and was created following extensive customer research and close collaboration over the past 18 months. The team wanted the most responsive experience available so the ICD Vega tablet is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 250 mobile web processor to provide uncompromised Internet browsing and full HD 1080p video playback even while the tablet is undocked from its base. Richard Warmsley, Head of New Proposition Development, T-Mobile said: “We spoke to over 1,000 families who told us they often found it a hassle to organise a busy family life without nagging or forgotten appointments. They said that something simple and affordable to help with this would be invaluable. We took this as a challenge to do something new with technology that would be relevant to a wide range of customers, not just gadget lovers. We’re developing a fantastic package to meet exactly these needs – by creating a family communication network – using ICD’s exciting new Internet and entertainment tablet, with T-Mobile’s award-winning network at its heart. We look forward to bringing it to market later this year.” “Bringing a high-end, well designed and engineered device to shelves at a mass market price has always been a Holy Grail for the consumer tech industry,” said David Hayes, CEO of ICD. “The close collaboration between T-Mobile UK, ICD and NVIDIA has allowed us to work quickly to integrate insights from consumer research directly into a compelling product with supporting services, solutions and content.”

[Via SlashGear]

Remember the 7-inch touchscreen ICD Ultra tablet running on NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset from Innovative Converged Devices? We have more news about it, Verizon has announced their plans to offer the Android-based tablet here in the US. We know Big Red doesn't have a full scale LTE network at this moment, but their plans to offer the ICD Ultra with LTE service is a go. The Android slate will have a Motorola 4G modem for high-speed LTE connectivity on Verizon's network. The carrier expects to have 4G available in 25 to 30 markets by the end of this year. The ICD Ultra, if you remember, is capable of 1080p HD video playback thanks to NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset. It also packs both WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.1, that way you are covered if you happen to be out of an LTE area. The Ultra was supposed to give 4hrs of use out of a single charge; but a Verizon PR only mentioned "hours of YouTube HD streaming before the battery expires." Press Release:

NVIDIA, Verizon Wireless Demonstrate Full HD Internet Tablet for 4G Wireless Network New Tablet Powered by NVIDIA Tegra Puts 1080p Web Experience Just One Touch Away LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – January 7, 2010) – 2010 INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (South Hall 4 – Booth #35912) — NVIDIA and the Verizon Wireless LTE Innovation Center said today they are demonstrating a full 1080p HD Internet experience on touchscreen tablets. The demonstration — on an NVIDIA Tegra-powered Ultra tablet, designed by Innovative Converged Devices (ICD) utilizing the ultra-broad bandwidth of a Motorola 4G wireless modem, operating over a pre-commercial Verizon Wireless LTE network — brings to life the vision of high-speed Internet everywhere. The collaboration was fostered at Verizon Wireless’ LTE Innovation Center, which provides an environment for diverse companies to work together in developing innovative products that leverage 4G LTE technology. Highlights / Key Facts: * NVIDIA® Tegra™ mobile processors enable an uncompromised full HD web experience, such as streaming YouTube HD, for hours on a single charge. * Verizon Wireless has announced plans to build a 4G LTE network in the United States, with 25 to 30 markets rolling out in 2010. The LTE network will be able to support high-quality, high definition web experiences. * Motorola provides the 4G wireless modem and data card to deliver visually rich HD content that consumers expect, away from home and hot-spots. * ICD, a Seattle-based engineering and design firm, built the Ultra tablet, working in conjunction with NVIDIA, Verizon and Motorola. Quotes: * “We know consumers want full internet access and we are pleased to be working with NVIDIA in our LTE Innovation Center on a solution that can process full HD content with the battery life of a smartphone.” Brian Higgins, Executive Director, LTE Ecosystem Development at Verizon Wireless * “Verizon Wireless’ planned LTE network will deliver what consumers demand — bandwidth for a full HD web experience. This coupled with our Tegra processor will deliver amazing streaming content, all on the go.” Michael Rayfield, GM of Mobile business, NVIDIA

[Via SlashGear]

So, almost a week after the release of the "superphone" from Google (the Nexus One), the Android 2.1 SDK is also outed. Now that this official release is finally here, there are new API changes as well as bug fixes, together with a few other goodies. According to the release notes; this Android 2.1 SDK is only "a minor platform release deployable to Android-powered handsets starting in January 2010." There are no external libraries on the downloadable platform, which includes a fully compliant Android library and system image. The downloadable platform also includes a set of emulator skins, sample applications, and more. One of the things many of you are waiting on, is support for active dynamic wallpaper development, the wait is over, but unless you are a developer, this is not for you.

Google's superphone has been released, and many happy Nexus One users are playing with their devices, but unfortunately, not all is good. The forums at Google support are flooded with customer complaints about the 3G coverage of their new Android handsets. According to complaints from many Nexus One owners, the handset kept on switching between 3G and EDGE, sometimes staying just on EDGE. However, the worst is Google's response, which has been scant at best, according to many. Aparently Google’s customer support is limited to email, which is answered in a day or two, with out any phone support whatsoever. Apparently, Google and T-Mobile are "investigating" into this issues, but the last update was on January 9th, at 6:25pm PST:

Google and T-Mobile are investigating this issue and hope to have more information for you soon. We understand your concern and appreciate your patience.

There are rumors of Nexus One owners who even got in touch with HTC, only to be given the run around. What about you AndroidCommunity readers, are you having any issues with your brand spanking new Google Nexus One handset?

Notion Ink and their Adam tablet have captured the attention of many at CES 2010, it uses a Pixel Qi display and the new Tegra 2 chipset from NVIDIA. Our good friends over at SlashGear set down with Notion Ink company founder, Rohan Shravan and the Adam prototype at CES. They talked about the company’s plans and expectations, and of course, about their new hardware. Don't get too worked up about the Adam’s casing here, since it is just a prototype that was hand-made especially for showing the Adam tablet at this year's CES. According to company founder Rohan Shravan the final hardware will be either 12mm thick or 14mm, with a minimal bezel. They also have a new UI in the works, the device at CES is using a bare bones Android OS.

Bear in mind that what you see in here are the company’s earlier working concepts, some of which date back to 2007; Notion Ink will be showing off functional versions at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona come February 2010. As well as touch control the tablet will respond to accelerometer movement in all directions, whether that’s for navigating through pages or controlling movement in games. The Adam will work as a window on one huge desktop, a UI which Notion Ink codenamed Enigma (there’s a concept shot of it in the gallery below), with the view moving as you tilt, shake and flip the tablet around. They’ve also developed motion-based gestures for common tasks – often tricky on touchscreens – like selecting, cutting and copying text and images.

As you can see, the Adam is an exciting device, and with the Tegra 2 chipset, it is capable of playing 1080p content on a HDTV or projector with an HDMI port. Check out our exclusive photos and never-before-seen video, but we only have a few pictures, for the whole enchilada...errr, gallery, head on to SlashGear. [vms 3dc27118a0f19a198571] [gallery]

As you know, computer manufacturer has recently unveiled at CES an Android-powered smartphone named Lephone. This new Android handset is heading to China, and comes with its own customized build of the Android OS. Many of you have been following other devices, like the Google Nexus One for example, more then anything else. So Lenovo’s Lephone isn't probably one of the Android handsets on your list, especially when is going to China, and there's no word from Lenovo if this device will make it to other countries. As you can see on the image above, the Snap-on accessory QWERTY keyboard has a centrally-positioned D-pad. Many are wondering if that will make sense (ergonomically), but having many complaints about pads on handsets like the Motorola CLIQ and DROID, this is at least different. [gallery] [Via SlashGear]

As they promised back in November, Inbrics has unveiled their MID M1 running Google's free mobile OS. After the November video, many were in doubt about this device, but apparently, those people were wrong. The Inbrics MID M1 Android-powered smartphone was at CES proving is not a fake. This Android-powered device comes with an AMOLED touchscreen, which slides aside to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. There’s also an ARM Cortex A8 processor, a choice of 3G or WiMAX connectivity, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and 16GB of onboard storage, and for those who need more storage, there's a microSD card slot. Inbrics are also working on a way to integrate their new Android device into our digital media lives, via Convergence One or “3 Screen Plus”. This concept makes the MID M1 to act as a central controller for your media, allowing you to push said media between TVs, cellphones, computers and other devices. Press Release:

INBRICS UNVEILS ANDROID HAND-HELD DEVICE AT INTERNATIONAL CES, 2010 MID M1 Enables Media Convergence And On-the Go Entertainment Access LAS VEGAS, NV – January 7, 2010 –Inbrics, a leader in media convergence solutions, will today unveil the MID M1 for the first time ever at International CES, 2010. The MID M1 is an Android-powered smartphone with Wi-Fi 802.11 and an AMOLED touch screen that slides to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Other features include GPS, Bluetooth, 3G or WiMAX, a 3-megapixel camera on the back, a VGA camera on the front, 16GB of internal memory and a MicroSD card slot. Using human-centric technologies, Inbrics is driving the commercialization of the open-source Android platform within an entire ecosystem of connected software and devices including the MID M1, PC, IPTV, Server, and media network, leveraging IP-based devices such as: DMB, VoIP / SoIP, and WiBro / WiMax. “We believe that the future will dictate seamless single device applications for the consumer, which is why we are committed to the media convergence space,” said Bobby Cha, chief marketing officer at Inbrics. “Our goal was to create a more intuitive experience that every consumer could benefit from.” The Convergence One or “3 Screen Plus” Android platform makes it easy for consumers to access and share their digital photos, music, movies and more from any device in their home and outside wireless networks. Today there is a constant need for data to be pushed to a number of devices at a rapid pace, yet devices cannot talk to each other to streamline the process of sharing and accessing that data. A consumer may have one or more of the following: a TV, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a laptop, a desktop and a DVR. The Inbrics convergence ‘controller’ acts as a conduit so the data can be pushed to any device the consumer chooses. Inbrics currently has partnerships with global carriers and manufacturers including T-Mobile, SK Telecom, Korea Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, Celcom, Samsung, LG, and Kyocera. The company plans to introduce the MID M1 in the U.S. through cable companies and both fixed and wireless carriers. It will be available in the U.S. in 2010 or early 2011. About Inbrics Inbrics is a media convergence solution and device provider facilitating 3 screen services including Convergence Network Solutions, 3-Screen SW Platforms, Multimedia Solutions, Embedded S/W, and IP-based devices, such as DMB, VoIP/SoIP, WiBro/WiMax, and MID devices. Since its inception in 2006, Inbrics has developed partnerships with global carriers and manufacturers helping the company to become a leader in the Korean media convergence marketplace and accelerate international expansion in the Americas, Europe, Asia, etc. Inbrics is a subsidiary of Insprit, a mobile convergence solutions provider, publically traded on the KOSDAQ exchange in Korea. For more information, visit www.inbrics.comor watch our video ad on YouTube.

[Via SlashGear]

A new Android-based smartphone has been announced, this time by computer manufacturer Lenovo. The new Android handset will have Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and apparently will be named the Lenovo Lephone. The Lenovo Lephone has a 3.7-inch 480 x 800 touchscreen and it seems like it'll have a second touch panel underneath, instead of physical controls. The second touch panel has been custom-coded by Lenovo and responds to gestures. One of the accessories for this handset will be a docking station with a hardware QWERTY keyboard. The Android Lephone device comes with twin cameras; a 3-megapixel unit on the back, and a front-facing camera for video calls, a WCDMA radio, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. All these goodies are packed into a device measuring 12mm thick and 60mm wide. The Chinese market should see this handset arrive sometime in the first half of 2010. [Via SlashGear]

It wasn't long after the announcement of the Motorola Backflip that Vincent went to have a play with the new Android-based handset. He likes the way the hinge on the device can help to use it as a desk clock or even a widget station without a the dock like the one the DROID demands. On the other side, the keyboard hardware comes with payoffs that are probably not worth it. Motorola had to make this device more rugged than a normal phone, the main reason is the keyboard, which is exposed even when the Backflip is closed. The large keys on the keyboard are overly firm and tougher than they appear. Motorola’s BACKTRACK is not as expected, but it does the job of scrolling through lists and navigating webpages. When set to roughly 45-degrees, the Backflip automatically kicks into its media station mode, making it easy to navigate the responsive capacitive touchscreen. The build quality of this handset feels high, and if you consider everything the hinge has to do, it's still sturdy enough to keep a good balance between ease of opening and holding the Backflip open when in desk mode. When the review units come out, we’ll put the Motorola Backflip through its paces, until then, enjoy the images and hands-on demo video below. [vms 7ca7459bcf75fbd024e0] [gallery] [Via SlashGear]