The interface is the same that we get here in America, though the selection will almost certainly differ due to content licensing agreements. While “thousands of movies” are present from big studios like Disney, Sony and Lionsgate, Google says they’ve made an effort to highlight productions specific to Australia as well. The interface works just like it does for the American store, and you can rent movies and watch them on YouTube as well. Unfortunately, Google has kept the most annoying feature of Google Movies: a restriction against rooted devices.

Google has slowly but steadily been working towards a wider audience for its media content. Sony seems to think that Google TV will be coming to Europe in the fall, and Google itself has promised to add more countries for its Play Store satellite services. They’re also adding more content as fast as they can, like hundreds of movies from MGM. Hang in there, international readers – more good stuff is coming soon.

[via Ausdroid]

Australia’s LTE network is still in its infancy, so they’re getting the full Tegra 3 quad-core version of the HTC One X. Other specs like the massive 4.7-inch 720p screen, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and the Ice Cream Sandwich/Sense UI 4.0 combination make it one of the most anticipated phones out there at the moment. The One X will also be headed to Optus, with the One XL (the LTE/Snapdragon S4 version) headed to Telstra, so Australians will have plenty of carrier choices when the phone finally arrives.

That’s 200% more choices than we’ll have here in the States. AT&T is the only carrier confirmed to get the One X so far, and it’ll be the Qualcomm variant (though it isn’t getting the “XL” moniker). While the One S and One V are headed to a handful of other carriers,  the options for the One series as a whole are depressingly narrow. The UK and Europe are set to see all three phones in April, and the US and Australia should follow shortly.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : One X

Manufactuer : HTC

Carrier : NA

Announced Date : February 26, 2012

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 4.7 Inch
• Resolution : 720x1280
• Screen Type : S-LCD

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.29 Inch
• Width : 2.75 Inch
• Depth : 0.35 Inch
• Weight : 130 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1800 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

Android OS:
• 4.0.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MID
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)

Hardware

CPU : Tegra 3

CPU Clock Speed : 1500 Mhz

Core : 4

Ram : 1000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 8 MP

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• GSM

GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

CDMA Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1900
• 2100

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 3.0

Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

NFC :

Being called the HTC Velocity 4G we already know plenty about this smartphone. We recently reviewed its twin brother the HTC Vivid and you can see our review below. It features a 4.5″ qHD 960 x 540 resolution display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor (Vivid was 1.2 GHz) and HTC Sense UI 3.5 all running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It has a unique and personally quite ugly squared pyramid shaped design and is wrapped in a lightweight aluminum. We do get an 8 megapixel camera on the back and dual LED flash so that is a plus.

Early leaks of the HTC Holiday spotted it running on Telstra’s new 4G LTE network long before the phone hit the US, and now it is finally headed their way. HTC’s own website has the smartphone listed as “coming soon” to Telstra so most likely we’ll be hearing something shortly from both parties. Unless someone else beats them to the party the HTC Velocity 4G LTE will be Telstra and Australia’s first LTE smartphone.

[via HTC]

This news was gathered directly from an ASUS (Australia) tweet, so it’s official. We’re not sure the cause of the actual delay in the states to December 19th, but there had been rumors of WiFi issues. To give you a rundown on the tablet’s specifics, it will sport a 10.1-inch SuperIPS display and 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor.

It’s the first quad-core tablet, and has some excellent benchmarks. We actually have a few hands-on videos and an official review if you’ve got the time to check them out. The best feature by far, is the capability of to connect to the lapdock keyboard with the included touchpad. It’s finely tuned, and looks just like a laptop when clamped shut. And with 12 hours of video on a single battery charge, there’s not much this tablet doesn’t offer.

[via AusDroid]

The High Court chastised the original ruling granting a sales ban against the Samsung tablet, calling the judicial decision “replete with error” and saying that Apple won the original suit “by the skin of its teeth”. Android fans would agree, and this certainly puts a cramp on Apple’s worldwide crusade against Android and Samsung. Apple is still continuing its legal battle against the South Korean manufacturer in Germany.

Samsung issued the following statement after the news broke:

As the High Court has today rejected Apple’s leave to appeal, Samsung Electronics Australia is pleased to announce the highly anticipated Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 will be available in stores in time for the Christmas shopping period from a RRP of $579 (16GB WiFi variant) and a RRP of $729 (16GB 3G variant).

Samsung Electronics Australia is pleased with today’s judgment by the High Court of Australia to deny Apple’s request to appeal the decision of the Full Court.

The Full Court of Australia decision on November 30 clearly affirmed our view that Apple’s claims lack merit and that an injunction should not have been imposed on the GALAXY Tab 10.1.

The good news from Down Under follows a US Federal Court decision to reject Apple’s case against Samsung last week. In the United States, Apple failed to achieve a sales injunction, as the district court judge rules that the continued sales of Samsung’s tablets and phones did not damage Apple’s core iPad business. The decision is being appealed by Apple, and Samsung may still be liable for infringement of design patents, but it’s unlikely that a ban will be put into place. A leaked court document laid out some colorful requirements that Apple suggested to Samsung to avoid infringement, including non-symmetrical designs, thicker devices, and tablets that used shapes other than rectangles.

Apple’s fight continues in many territories, and with billions of dollars in reserves, they’re unlikely to be too discouraged. But with two major countries essentially rejecting Cupertino’s patent trolling, sanity seems to be returning to civil courtrooms worldwide.

It’s kind of shocking how much neon green is on display. Tchotchkes and toys are for sale in addition to gadgets – if you’re in Melbourne and want to pick up some of the limited edition Android figures you’ve seen in Android Community reviews, this is probably the place to start. Others can get in on the action as well, with Angry Birds plush toys and various accessories for sale. Check out the video below for a look inside:

Manufacturers on display include Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and LG, though naturally only phones on Telstra’s network are featured. Google partnered with the carrier to create the experience inside Telstra’s primary retail center. Interactive kiosks with HDTVs running Androidify and Google Earth dominate the central display. Naturally you can pick up snacks – Cupcakes, Froyo, and Gingerbread. Ice Cream Sandwiches should be coming in any day now.

[via The Next Web]

It seems as if Apple is just prolonging the ban even though their leave application will be turned down; and if I were in their shoes I suppose I would do the same. Apple has probably thrown a ridiculous about of money towards this case and it would be foolish not to get the most out of it. The extension is most likely to delay Samsung’s tablet sales – and this late into the holiday season that means a lot.

I’m just ready to know the final outcome, and of course here at Android Community we’re rooting for Samsung! So many tablets have similar dimensions to the Apple iPad these days, and if they plan on going after all of them then they’ll just look silly. It’s obvious they picked Samsung to pick on because of their tablet’s success.

[via The Sydney Morning Herald]

Australians rejoice, for you’ll be able to buy as many Samsung products as you want – and just in time for the holidays too. Hopefully, Samsung lawyers can cook up some more magic in the case against blocked tablet sales in Germany. Either way, hard-core Android followers will surely get there hands on one – even if they’re required to hop a train towards nearby France to pick it up.

It’s hard to even think of the iPad and Galaxy Tab lines as similar. With so many divergent characteristics in the actual OS, you would have thought to even consider banning one would require never turning on the device. The iPad has a completely icon-dependant homescreen where the Galaxy Tab 10.1 layout is showered with many different widgets. Both sport completely different lockscreens – the differences are practically endless. It seems Apple wants to make sure its competitors refrain from designing anything that comes close to their tablet’s dimensions – well that’s just not going to happen. I’ve got a nice block of wood about the size of an iPad, maybe they’ll come for me too.

[via Phandroid]

Samsung’s lawyers take issue with the ruling granted by the judge in the original case, calling the decision grossly unjust, and accusing her of overlooking the core facts of Apple’s presented patents and business arguments.

If you have a fast moving product which if taken off the market, destroys the opportunities available to the newcomer and preserves the monopoly of the incumbent then you’d have to have a very close look at the strength of the case.

Another of the three judges took issue with Apple’s claims that a similar product would hurt its bottom line. He skeptically asked one of the lawyers if “the whole of Apple’s going to come tumbling down” because the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was allowed to be sold.

The developments are promising for Samsung, though they probably shouldn’t get too excited just yet – the civil case itself doesn’t begin until next year. Apple is unlikely to accept anything but a total sales ban, since they’ve already rejected Samsung’s settlement offer. If Apple manages to win the case, Samsung may simply release the slightly redesigned Galaxy Tab 10.1N, as they’ve already done in Germany.

[via SlashGear]

The Australian news site was only able to find one website that’s still selling the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 down under, Dmavo.com.au. The sales injunction bans Samsung from selling its tablets to retailers and directly to consumers, but retailers are free to find alternates sources of inventory, in this case, electronics shops in China and Taiwan. The rest of the independent stores that were selling the tablets have all decided to stop, likely to keep from risking a civil suit from Apple’s Australian arm.

Samsung is currently appealing the sales ban, but since the preliminary and primary injunctions made it through, that seems unlikely. Apple previously refused a settlement of undisclosed terms in the case, and after the details of the late Steve Jobs’ vitriolic rants against Android, it’s unlikely that they ever will. Samsung has retaliated by seeking a ban on iPhone 4S sales, and that particular case goes before a judge today.

The conclusion comes from FOSS Patents is that the patents are “broad enough in scope that Google and its OEM partners can’t work around them without rendering their products less appealing, or even entirely unappealing, to consumers.” What’s even more disturbing is the idea that courts in Germany, the United States and elsewhere could take the Australian ruling as the go-ahead for similar cases in other countries, effectively shutting down Android tablets wherever Apple chooses to fight them.

It’s not all bad news. In the Netherlands Samsung has maneuvered around Apple’s last patent when it comes to the Galaxy S II, allowing them to sell the phone freely in the territory. But the Aussie patents cover “multipoint touchscreens” and “graphical user interface for determining commands by applying heuristics”, methods that if successfully blocked make modern tablets almost impossible. Similar patents are under dispute in the American patent case, with none other than Steve Jobs listed as the inventor. In the United States Google, Verizon and T-Mobile have supported both Samsung and HTC in their defense against Apple, but the friend of the court filings may be too little, too late.

The opinions in the FOSS piece are just that, opinions. But it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Apple intends to keep its lead in the tablet market by hammering its competitors with the court systems. After all, they’re losing the market share battle to Android in the smartphone world already – why would they let it happen again for the iPad? Time will tell if the legal technique is a success, but suffice it to say, if you’re thinking about buying a Galaxy Tab 10.1, you might want to do it sooner rather than later.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Tab 10.1

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : NA

Announced Date : March 22, 2011

Release Date : June 08, 2011

Also Known As : Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Google I/O Limited Edition

Display

• Screen Size : 10.1 Inch
• Resolution : 1280x800
• Screen Type : TFT

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 10.09 Inch
• Width : 6.81 Inch
• Depth : 0.34 Inch
• Weight : 595 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 7000 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 120 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 3.1.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MP3

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS
• IM

Hardware

CPU : Tegra 2

CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 3.2 MP

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording
• 720p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• GSM

GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

CDMA Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1900
• 2100

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 2.0

Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

NFC :

[via SlashGear]

The Samsung Galaxy Note was announced at IFA in Berlin. It’s a 2.3 Gingerbread phone that shares a lot of characteristics with the best-selling Galaxy S II – except in a couple of key areas. Those areas are a massive 5.3-inch screen pushing 1280 x 800 pixels out of a Super AMOLED+ panel and a beefed-up 1.4GHz dual-core processor. The Galaxy Note also features a capacitive stylus and custom software to take advantage of the pen-style input. Check out Android Community’s hands-on footage with the Galaxy Note to see why we’re so excited.

Samsung and Apple are still in a bitter patent battle over the former’s tablet designs, culminating in Apple refusing to accept a settlement on Tuesday. This is only the latest in a long line of patent battles spanning the globe, but so far, Apple has shown no intention of blocking sales of the Galaxy Note specifically. UK consumers will get their hands on the Samsung Galaxy note in November, and US residents may not be far behind.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Note

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : NA

Announced Date : September 01, 2011

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 5.30 Inch
• Resolution : 800x1280
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.78 Inch
• Width : 3.27 Inch
• Depth : 0.38 Inch
• Weight : 178 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 2500 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 390 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 2.3.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AMR
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)
• WMV

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU :

CPU Clock Speed : 1400 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1024 MB

Internal Storage : 32.768 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 8 MP

External Storage:
• MicroSD
• MicroSDHC

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• GSM

GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 3.0

Location Features:
• Compass

FM Radio :

NFC :

Even today the Holiday was spotted clearing the FCC on its way to the US on AT&T rocking 4G LTE. In the image shown above it’s still being called the HTC Holiday and we are now hearing that is just the internal codename given by HTC. It will in fact be called the HTC Raider 4G on AT&T, and HTC has confirmed that as well.

I actually liked the name Holiday although it does seem a bit weird for a smartphone name. Raider 4G gives it that tough and powerful sound, right Oakland Raiders fans?

Shown in the image above from the Australian version running on Telstra it seems to be blazing along with those 4G LTE radios. The Holiday will be the first 4G LTE smartphone for Telstra in Australia according to recent leaks and for those waiting for a good phone this will certainly be it. With an aweome 4.5″ qHD display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP camera and more this is a top-end smartphone that is for sure. If you look close you can see Brisbane Australia listed in the speedtest application. We are seeing some mighty impressive speedtest results thus far, hopefully they will be the same when it launches and networks get crowded.

[via CNET Australia]

While the entire lawsuit and situation regarding the European version is a bit different Germany will also start selling the tab shortly too. After Samsung initially said they would delay the launch in Australia they later changed their minds and are going forward. I’m happy to report you guys down under will be able to purchase the tab very soon.

According to the above leaked flyer the Samsung Galaxy Tab will be launching over in Australia starting September 1st, it appears Apple’s attempts have failed so far and hopefully they continue to do so. Hopefully this shows how much confidence Samsung has in the courts over in those parts, or maybe they are just pushing it out anyways. I’d be launching it if I were Samsung, they have nothing to hide right? I mean they don’t even have the same aspect ratio as the iPad, or did Apple lie about that too?

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Tab 10.1

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier : NA

Announced Date : March 22, 2011

Release Date : June 08, 2011

Also Known As : Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Google I/O Limited Edition

Display

• Screen Size : 10.1 Inch
• Resolution : 1280x800
• Screen Type : TFT

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 10.09 Inch
• Width : 6.81 Inch
• Depth : 0.34 Inch
• Weight : 595 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 7000 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 120 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 3.1.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MP3

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS
• IM

Hardware

CPU : Tegra 2

CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution : 3.2 MP

Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording
• 720p Video Recording

Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

Network Technology:
• GSM

GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

CDMA Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1900
• 2100

Device Connectivity

Wi-Fi:
• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 2.0

Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

NFC :

[via Phandroid]

The device will ship with a 3.2 MP camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, 667MHz processor and will sport a 3.2-inhc HVGA capacitive touchscreen. Shipping with Android 2.2 not only will it be a great texting machine it will be a very powerful and fast mid-range handset.

[Via Unwired View]

The X5 has a 3.8-inch touch screen with a 1GHz processor, a 5 megapixel camera, support for Wifi via 802.11b/g/n, and 14.4Mbps HSPA. On the other hand is the larger X6 that’s got a giant 4.1-inch screen, Dolby Mobile surround sound, and HD video recording and playback with a lovely HDMI output.

[Via Android Guys]

For those of you that are looking to grab the Defy, you can get it for free on a two year, $49 per month contract. If you want the device with no contract commitment, you’re going to have to shell out $600. If you’re not on Telstra, you will have to wait until May 30th to get the device on a separate carrier. Telstra has the exclusive until May 30th, so you’ll have to wait till then. Get in touch with your local Telstra for more details on the Motorola Defy. Also check out our full review right here.

Via [AusDroid]

Now I must forewarn you if you’ve been waiting a long time for this 2.1 update, all you X10nsers, and you went with a carrier instead of picking up an unbranded phone, don’t cry now if you see your name on the list – they do say ASAP. The tweet above reads in the following way:

Xperia X10 Unbranded: Android 2.1 is available
Xperia X10 Optus, Telstra & VHA: In testing with the Carrier and available ASAP
X10 Mini Pro Virgin, Optus & Unbranded: Android 2.1 is available
X10 Mini Pro Telstra & VHA: In testing with the Carrier and available ASAP

[Via AusDroid]

If contracts aren’t your thing you can buy it outright for 599 AUD. The Legend has a 3.2 HVGA AMOLED display, Android 2.1, Sense UI, 3.5mm headset jack, a 5-megapixel autofocus camera and this device should be in line for Android 2.2. This device also features a very sleek all aluminum chassis with rubber ascents. The full press release is here.

[via unwiredview]

The first publishers to seize the opportunity include among others:

* Berlitz City Guides: Berlitz helps people experience the city’s highlights: the best attractions, coziest restaurants, most comfortable hotels, coolest places to shop and most fashionable nightlife.
* Mouse Reality for Disney World and Disneyland: Helps find and navigate all attractions, shows, shops, dinning, transportation, and more in Disneyland and Disney World.
* EyeTour: Explore Puerto Rico’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage through exclusive video content of historical sites, museums, restaurants, parks and more.
* UK sold prices: ‘Sold House Price Data 2010′ – Check the latest UK residential Sold Price information as recorded by the Land Registry while on the move.

If you would like to sell things through Layar’s app, head over to their site and sign up. And if you are a user you can now use the Layar browser to find things that interest you and purchase it right from your handset.

[via layar]