Motorola’s regular range of consumer handsets come locked-down, a precaution by the company and its carrier partners to avoid modifications and tweaks to the core user-experience. However, Motorola says, the new Developer device “allows us to continue meeting our carrier and regulatory obligations, but also meets the needs being expressed by our developer community.”

There are some compromises involved if you’re interested in the Developer Edition, however. The new RAZR is sold without a warranty, which means if you brick the device during your play you can’t expect much in the way of help from Motorola to get it working again. There are plenty of warnings – along with other information on unlocking and modifying the phone – at Motorola’s developer site.

The European RAZR Developer Edition is up for pre-order now, priced at €499 ($657), though there’s no indication of when it will ship. The US version will go on sale “in the coming months” Motorola claims.

The “theme engine” is the root of that customization support, meaning “every drawable (images, backgrounds, etc), all text views, and each seek bars can be themed.” The native theme resembles Google’s own app.

However, unlike Google’s version, this new app supports play/pause control by flipping the phone face down on the table, as well as shaking it to perform custom actions (such as randomizing playback). Both flipping and shaking are supported while the Music app is running in the background, too. There are new homescreen widgets, fully integrated search, social sharing and more.

The app – which will be renamed before release – is expected to drop in a the next few weeks. It will be included as part of a future CM9 build, but will also be released via the Android Market.

The capacitive buttons are also working, together with the back buttons, and it’s now possible to mount an SD card. Audio is functional – though the HDMI output only delivers video, not sound, at present – and the various sensors (including the digital compass) work.

However a sleep bug remains, preventing the Adam tablet to come out of sleep mode unless a tweak is made to the WiFi settings, and the tablet’s rotating camera is also non-functional. USB isn’t working – either for mass-storage, flash drives or other purposes – and 3G won’t work either. The light sensor remains obstinate, and HQ-quality YouTube videos don’t access hardware acceleration.

Notion Ink has also decided to play a lower profile in the media, perhaps stung by negative feedback to the original Adam after its launch. The company promises a news update on the next-gen hardware next week.

You can download the ICS alpha here.

The exact nature of those bug fixes isn’t explained, however. Our handset automatically downloaded the new firmware OTA and flagged up the update in the notifications bar; if your device hasn’t already spotted v4.0.2, you can prompt a check for new firmware through the settings menu.

Despite the new version, GSM owners of the Galaxy Nexus are just getting up to speed with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus LTE, which is currently running Android 4.0.2 already. We’re hoping this new software addresses some of the minor issues we’ve been having with the GMS Nexus, including the occasional restart and incoming calls going silent within the first minute of answering. Let us know how you get on in the comments.

Android Design is split into three main sections, opening with Google’s “Creative Vision”, “Design Principles” and “UI Overvice” and then launching into detailed tutorials on Style, Patterns and Building Blocks. Some of the more noticeable aspects of ICS are name-checked, such as the emphasis on photos rather than text, the virtual buttons and pared-down contextual menus, and the ease and consistency of finding your way back out through an app.

There’s also a section on how Google’s iconography, controls and UI style in Android differs from that of iOS and Windows Phone, as a caution to those developers hoping to use relatively universal apps across all three platforms.

“Deviate with purpose” Google says, suggesting that developers are free to change things up but only if there’s particularly good reason for it. With the risk of fragmentation a well-worn theme about Android, this could be Google’s opportunity to herd its coders into a more iOS-like equilibrium.

[via SlashGear]

Aesthetically there are a few new changes to the Galaxy S II style, mainly amounting to rounded off corners and some extra swoop up at the top rear panel. Samsung and T-Mobile are being coy with the full specs, however, though we’re guessing on an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, a front facing camera for video calls and the usual mixture of WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS.

Pricing and availability are also unknown, with T-Mobile saying the Galaxy S Blaze 4G will be “coming soon this year.” Our guess is somewhere around the $200 mark with a new, two-year agreement.

[via SlashGear]

Sony Xperia SmartWatch:

Battery life is said to be between a day and a week, depend on how heavy your usage is. Control is via various gestures and swipes, and thanks to the watch being Android-based this time – unlike its LiveView predecessor – there should be more flexibility as to what functionality can be added along the line.

Sony expects the SmartWatch to go on sale near the end of Q1, priced at $149.99. It should work with non-Sony/Sony Ericsson devices too, and comes bundled with a clip and a wrist-strap for a choice of how you wear it.

More details in our Xperia SmartWatch hands-on at SlashGear.

Both have NFC, HDMI outputs capable of 1080p Full HD video, and 12-megapixel main cameras that can record Full HD too. Front-facing 1.3-megapixel cameras are used for video calls and vanity shots, and there’s the usual WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS along with Sony’s Timescape interface.

Sony Xperia ion hands-on:

Sony also revealed some compact NFC tags, which can be used to launch apps or to instantly switch the Xperia handsets into different preset modes; you could have one on your nightstand, for instance, and automatically toggle the smartphone into silent mode before bed. The Xperia ion will arrive on AT&T sometime in Q2, while the Xperia S will arrive in the same quarter on various carriers. No pricing as yet.

More information in our full Xperia ion hands-on and Xperia S hands-on over at SlashGear.

That extra-large power pack should address two of the most common criticisms of the original DROID RAZR: that its battery life is too short, and can’t be extended by swapping in a bigger alternative. It’s still non-removable, but now at least should hold up to some serious LTE hammering. Verizon says buyers of the $299.99 smartphone can expect over 21hrs of talktime on a single charge.

DROID RAZR MAXX hands-on:

As for the DROID 4, that has a 4-inch qHD display, dual-core 1.2GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel camera, along with that all-important physical keyboard for messaging addicts. It will run Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread initially, with an ICS upgrade in the near future according to Motorola, and has LTE and a mystery price tag.

DROID 4 hands-on:

More details over at SlashGear in our DROID 4 hands-on and DROID RAZR MAXX hands-on.

Full details on the Google Maps game haven’t been revealed, but it looks like the floorplan data is used to track users as they move around and collect points. We’ve seen location-based gaming before, but Google’s heft and the huge number of Android devices in the wild could mean it finally takes hold in the mainstream.

As for the current Google Maps app, that also has new battery improvements that reduce power consumption for Latitude users, while the Transit Navigation beta can now use vehicle speed to figure out positioning if the GPS fix is lost. There are also more public transport route options shown by default.

Google Maps is a free download for Android devices.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

The whole slate measures a slender 1/3-inch thick, and tips the scales at 1.1-pounds. Paired with an ASUS-style detachable keyboard dock, you get up to 20hrs battery life – or so Lenovo claims – and there’s access to both the Android Market and Lenovo’s own App Store.

As for the Lenovo S2, that hides Android 2.3 under the Mondrian UI, and has an 8-megapixel camera – with panoramic photo feature – along with a front-facing camera. Lenovo is pushing the smartphone’s security features, however, an encrypted kernel that the company reckons will mean your data and network traffic is more secure from phishing and malware.

Both tablet and smartphone will go on sale in China immediately, though Lenovo warns it may take a little longer to bring them to North America, Europe and elsewhere. No word on pricing at this stage.

Lenovo has reworked the ICS interface, into what the company calls “Sandwich”: the UI has three major sections, for regular TV programs, Video on Demand (VoD) and internet apps. Streaming media will be offered in HD with surround sound and 3D graphics where available, and there’s access to the Android Market and Lenovo’s own download store.

In addition to a regular remote there’s voice control and dictation support, and Lenovo has even used Android 4.0′s face unlock feature with the parental security settings. Those who have the K91 and one of Lenovo’s other recent devices – such as the IdeaTab S2 10 tablet - will be able to stream content between the two, as well as between their PC, smartphone and from cloud storage online.

No word on pricing at this stage, but China will get the Lenovo K91 smart TV first while the company plans to bring it to other territories in due course.

There’s also support for web browsing, photo and video playback and – if you plug your digital camera or a memory stick into the USB port on the back – you can view footage recorded elsewhere too. The camera itself can be used for taking 3-megapixel stills.

Samsung includes a QWERTY remote control for navigating your contacts list, searching for YouTube videos or browsing the web, and there are integrated microphones and speakers. The Samsung inTouch will drop in March, priced at $199.99.

While Google lagged behind Apple when it came to hitting the 200,000 apps point in the Android Market – taking 31 months versus Apple’s 22 – subsequent milestones were racked up more quickly. Android apps reached the 300,000 mark in a further four months, then 400,000 in four after that. In contrast, it took iOS developers eight months to go from 200k to 300k, and seven months beyond that to get to 400k.

Nonetheless, iOS users still have more choice in titles, but if the pace of submissions continues then that may not be the case for much longer. Google also nears the 100,000 active developer milestone, with each submitting 4.1 apps on average.

[via SlashGear]

iPhone apps in the top 200 make almost four times the revenue – looking at both upfront payment and in-app purchases – of Android’s top apps, while iPad apps make more than twice that of Android. Android holds the second spot for gaming options, too, with 46,045 titles in the US in comparison to the iPhone’s 79,077 and iPad’s 28,638.

Angry Birds was the top app of 2011 for downloads, Distimo found, followed by Facebook and Skype. Google’s own Google Maps came in fifth, despite only being offered in the Android Market.

[via SlashGear]

Those with a Galaxy Nexus may have to wait a little before they get their game on, however; Rockstar says the title is “coming soon” to the new handset. We’re guessing that’s an Ice Cream Sandwich compatibility issue. As for existing device support, the list is as follows:

Android Phones: HTC Rezound, LG Optimus 2x, Motorola Atrix 4G, Motorola Droid X2, Motorola Photon 4G, Samsung Galaxy R, T-Mobile G2x
Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Dell Streak 7, LG Optimus Pad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1, Sony Tablet S, Toshiba Thrive

You can download Grand Theft Auto III here; it’s not a small game, though, weighing in at a hefty 18MB. Let us know whether it brings back good memories in the comments!

That makes a big difference in usability, with Ice Cream Sandwich pulling together elements from Gingerbread and Honeycomb to make Android feel more consistent and improve things like multitasking. More details in the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus review over at SlashGear.

Verizon brick & mortar stores will be offering the Galaxy Nexus LTE from this morning, and we know plenty of you are preparing to head down and pick up this third Nexus device. Let us know in the comments if you’re going to grab a new Nexus!

This post has been sponsored by T-Mobile USA

Throughout the line-up there are some key consistencies. All of the devices have access to the Android Market, Google’s rapidly-growing download store of apps for business, social networking, gaming and more. All prize multitasking, allowing you to leap between apps with just a few taps. And all have a core suite of basic functionality, including email, messaging, internet browsing, music and video playback, and comprehensive mapping with straightforward navigation support.

From there it’s a case of picking your phone to suit your lifestyle. Those prizing portability might opt for a more compact display, for a handset that slips unnoticed into a pocket or purse. Those keen on gaming, mobile video or ebook reading might choose one of the super-sized screens on offer, up to 4.52-inches in fact with the Samsung Galaxy S II, and more than an inch more than an iPhone offers. Those keen on photography can find high-resolution cameras with Full HD video recording.

Even Adobe may have sworn off Flash for mobile, but until HTML5 takes over it’s still a mainstay of the web. Android devices are set up to handle both, with Flash and HTML5 support in the browser: that’s more sites, more games, more streaming multimedia you can see on your phone today, rather than waiting for the rest of the tech world to catch up tomorrow. Finally, Office-compatible apps for business mean you can satisfy the work world and sate your gaming and multimedia needs on the same handset.

When you’re balancing performance and your budget, choice is vital. T-Mobile offers multiple combinations of individual and family plans, with a range of minutes, texts and data bundles to pick from depending on how you – and your family -use your phones. Want to make calls in the cheapest way? T-Mobile offers a 500 minute individual talk plan for $34.99 a month, if you already have your own unlocked phone to slot the carrier’s SIM inside; doubling the minutes with two SIMs to share in your family takes that to $49.98 a month. There’s also an “unlimited” plan with two lines at $49.99 per line for unlimited data, talk and text.

Most smartphone users want data, and T-Mobile offers up to 10GB of its 4G access per month. Thanks to the modular talk and data options, those who want to focus on getting online while on the move but don’t make many calls aren’t forced to pay for unlimited talk. Even if you do opt for no limits on talk and texts, T-Mobile’s classic 2GB data plan (with unlimited talk and unlimited texts) is $15 cheaper than an iPhone plan on AT&T and $20 cheaper than Verizon. A two-line family plan with unlimited talk and text, and 2GB of data, is $15 cheaper than AT&T and $10 cheaper than Verizon.

If you don’t already have a phone to use, T-Mobile will happily offer you one from their extensive Android line-up. There are two options: picking a phone and a value plan, or picking a subsidized handset and a regular plan. You can get the Samsung Galaxy S II for $529.99 for instance, with the upfront price meaning you’re not seeing the cost of your phone adding to your monthly value plan spend. If you’d prefer not to pay so much upfront, T-Mobile offers 4G Android phones from free with a new agreement, though the monthly plans are more expensive.

Speed of smartphones, speed of data: Android on T-Mobile just keeps accelerating. Dual-core processors in Android smartphones have already hit 1.5GHz, and higher speeds are in sight. Faster chips mean smoother browsing, more immersive, console-like gaming, and desktop-levels of flexibility. Handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Amaze 4G support MHL-HDMI display output and Bluetooth peripherals like a full-sized keyboard, allowing you to set up an impromptu mobile office with the big-screen TV in your hotel room.

A phone is only as good as the network it’s on, though, and T-Mobile’s 4G network is the largest in the US. Coverage is only half of it, though: it’s also fast. T-Mobile HSPA+ is now capable of up to 42Mbps theoretical speeds, which means real-world 20Mbps downloads and 8Mbps uploads on compatible smartphones. That’s faster than many home and office fixed broadband connections. And, where rival networks have demanded new devices – with a serious thirst for battery life – to suit their attempts at 4G, HSPA+ on T-Mobile has been a more evolutionary roll-out with devices still managing to last all day.

“Congratulations on being one of the world’s first owners of the Galaxy Nexus! You’ll receive your codes and redemption instructions within 14 days of purchase. And as a bonus gift, we’ll be sending you a £100 bonusbond gift voucher, which is redeemable at over 25,000 places in the UK. To receive your bonusbond gift voucher (also within 14 days of purchase), please reply to this email with your full postal address no later than Tuesday 29th November, 2011. Full terms and conditions to follow” Samsung UK email

The manufacturer ran a £250 media giveaway for the first 100 Galaxy Nexus buyers, and followed up today via email. Unfortunately, whoever is manning Samsung’s email made the rookie mistake of using the “CC” rather than “BCC” box, thus sharing all 100 email addresses with the group as a whole.

Of course, we imagine Google is too busy working on a volume bug fix to spend time scolding Samsung, so hopefully the early owners will treat the email blunder as a way to make new friends rather than as a great source of spam targets. As our tipster – who wanted to remain anonymous – said, “it’s a good thing we 100 Nexus buyers are good people…”

Update: Samsung UK has been in touch with the 100 people affected to apologize for the gaffe, Android UK News etc reports.

[Thanks anonymous tipster!]

“We are aware of the volume issue and have developed a fix. We will update devices as soon as possible.” Google

The volume problem was identified shortly after the Galaxy Nexus’ UK launch, predominantly affecting voice calls. Audio would mute or fluctuate outside of the user’s control, though it was only observed happening when the phone was using a 2G connection on a specific carrier band.

Fears had arisen that the problem could be a hardware one, forcing Google to recall the handset, and indeed at least one retailer froze sales of the smartphone pre-emptively. Google hasn’t said exactly when to expect the new firmware, though we’re hearing independently that a new build was already in the pipeline.