By Lamar Karen

Google is reportedly in process of launching another smartphone for the shopping season of 2010. The report which came from United Kingdom indicated that new Google phone will be powered by Android 3.0 Gingerbread.  Unlike Google Nexus One, the next Google Phone will not be only sold by Google’s online store. The Search Giant reportedly have a deal with largest Mobile Retailer of United Kingdom,  the Carphone Warehouse, to sell the phone in UK. It is expected that Google will have similar deal with one of wireless carriers in U.S.

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By Lamar Karen

California-based Apple Inc. is reportedly in process of acquiring yet another company now. The AOL owned TechCrunch reported with the reference of Anonymous tipster that Apple is negotiating to acquire the London based Spotify. Spotify is music streaming service. Other reports indicated that Apple and Spotify are in very early stage of negotiation. The reports claimed that companies have not even talked about price and terms of agreement.

Google was attempting to acquire same company last year for $1 billion. However two companies didn’t agree on deal because of Google’s demands with regards to label deals.

According to Wikipedia, Spotify offers unlimited streaming of selected music from major labels and individuals with virtually no buffing delay.

By Jing li

Google users are able to see new option on Google Website if they access the website through their Android powered device. Yes, Google had added “Android Apps” Search featured on its website. The feature is visible only to those who go to Search Giant’s website though the Android phone.  The “Android Apps” tab is dubbed alongside other Google options including “Web”, “Images” and “News”.

Users can search the Android Apps and check rating of the Apps.  They can also see the number of reviews and the price of the App for Android OS. Clicking on the App in the Serach Result takes the users to Android Market of the phone.

By Susan Angel

Powermat has lanched the second-generation of its popular charging device. Unlike the first-generation, powermat charging solution now supports many latest smartphones including iPhone 4, HTC EVO 4G, HTC HD2, Motorola DROID X,  BlackBerry Curve, Nokia N97 and others. Apart from the support of major smartphones, new powermat is not thicker than the previous version. According to reports 2nd-generation powermat is only 1.6mm think.

The company has also come up with Powermat Portable 2X Rechargable Mat. The 2X version can charge two different devices at the same time. The solution is good if there are multiple powermat supported devices including Droid X, HTC EVO 4G or iPhone 4 in the household.

The device is available at many retailers including in U.S. including Best Buy. Best Buy charges $79.99 for 2x Powermat with Powercube.

By Angie Onkst

Verizon and Motorola recently unveiled the latest Droid branded phone called Droid Pro. Motorola Droid Pro is little different from other Droid phones including Droid X, Droid 2 and Droid Incredible. Even though Droid Pro is powered by Android 2.2 but  it has vertical physical keyboard which is common in Blackberry devices but rare in Android phones. Like iPhone 4 and other Droid phones, Droid Pro also has touchscreen keyboard. According to reports, Motorola Droid Pro will be available for $299. Verizon will reportedly release the device on November 11.

Verizon is launching Android phones one after another which raises the question about the carriers’ plans about Verizon iPhone release. According to reports, CDMA iPhone 4 for Verizon Wireless will hit the U.S. market in the first quarter of 2011. The reports also indicate that Verizon iPhone 4 is in the field testing phase which is considered as one of the last steps of any product development.

It is commonly believed that Verizon Wireless won’t want to miss the shopping season of 2010. Therefore, it is expected that the network will  start the pre-order of Verizon iPhone 4  before new year eve.

By Angie Onkst

Amazon has added more new features for its Kindle. The company announced last week that  Kindle compatible newspaper and magazine will be made available in Kindle Apps in iOS powered devices including iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.  The announcement further said that same feature will be added in other Kindle Applications that run on Android, Blackberry, PC and Mac.

Amazon has also added the popular landing feature of Barnes & Noble Nook. Amazon Kindle users will now be able to lend their eBook for two weeks. During the lending period, the actual owner of the eBook will not be able to read the book. After 14 days, book will automatically be returned to the original owner.

Amazon has said that all Kindle eBook are not lendable. It is up to the publisher to enable to lending feature.

Apple has indirectly acknoledged that it has killed the white version of iPhone 4. However, at the same time, company indirectly confirmed that it will bring White iPhone 5. Apple said the in the statement yesterday that it will not launch new White iPhone until Sprint 2011. “We’re sorry to disappoint customers waiting for the white iPhone again,” Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The short statement raise many questions. One question is related to the carrier of the phone. There are rumors that Verizon will be first carrier to have White iPhone 4. Or in simple words, Verizon iPhone is actually the White Model of iPhone 4.

One can only confirm the Verizon iPhone (or iPhone CDMA) rumors from Apple  or Verizon Wireless.  However, Verizon should consider itself lucky if it gets White Verizon iPhone 4. Many AT&T customers have not renewed their contract just because of White iPhone and it is likely that good percentage of these customers may switch to Verizon.

By Angie Onkst

Microsoft has announced its brand-new webstore for PC Games as part of Windows Marketplace.  The company said that service will be launched in the mid of next month.  “Microsoft Corp. today announced the Games for Windows Marketplace, a new online PC games store that combines the convenience of the Web with the power of Games on Demand online distribution.” the press release says.

According to reports, the Webstore will have  great number of PC Games including “Flight Simulator, Grand Theft Auto III, Lego Universe, Max Payne, and others.  “Games for Windows Marketplace will launch with a managed portfolio of 100 top-quality titles “, said Microsoft in the PR.

User will need Windows Live ID to access that new service by Microsoft. Windows Live ID is the same account which is used by Microsoft’s users to access Hotmail and other Live services.

By Angie Onkst

The first ever 4G network, Sprint, has started to push over-the-air update to Samsung Moment smartphones. The update fixed few reported issues in the devices. One of two issues was very serious as the Samsung Moment was failing to make a call to 911 in certain situation. It is believed that Sprint and Samsung resolved the flaw as one of the highest priority.

Sprint is pushing the update step-by-step manner and has informed the user that manual update will be enabled after November 03. However, only those who received the update notification in the notification bar can get the new and fixed software.

Please let us know if OS update resolved the reported issues if you own Sprint Moment and have received the update.

By Angie Onkst

Some may be thinking that comparing HP Slate 500 with Apple MacBook Air is just like comparing Apples and Oranges. However, there are many similarities in two different computers. First of all, both HP Slate 500 and Apple MacBook Air are designed to attract business users therefore both devices are competing with each other.

Another common thing in two devices is that both are powered by Desktop Operating System. Even though HP Slates 500 comes in the category of tablet computer but it is powered by Windows 7 with desktop OS. Similarly MacBook Air is powered by Mac OS X which also the desktop operating system.

Last but now least, both HP Slate 500 and MacBook Air are designed to be considered as the replacement of Netbook computer. The category of Netbook computers was one of most lucrative in the shopping season of 2009.