LTE version of Motorola XOOM and Motorola DROID 3 each make Verizon's MAP list

It looks like both the LTE version of the Motorola XOOM and the Motorola DROID 3 are about to be launched by Verizon. Big Red has added both devices to its MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) list. As Verizon noted in its memo, the MAP price relates only to prices shown on an advertisement. Actual selling prices can be lower.

Remember that mystery Honeycomb tablet from the Verizon ad we showed you that was first pulled by the carrier and then released again? There is some speculation that perhaps that tablet is the Motorola XOOM LTE, but that is considered a longshot. Much more likely is the idea that the Motorola XOOM 4G will look exactly like the Wi-Fi version of the tablet, except with the LTE radio inside. With the Motorola XOOM LTE soon to launch, those who have already purchased the device with 3G connectivity aboard should soon be getting the official letter from Motorola about sending their tablet in for the LTE upgrade. Earlier this month, Motorola admitted that some XOOM owners were mistakenly emailed about returning their device.

As far as the Motorola DROID 3 is concerned, we recently reported that Big Red plans on a July 7th release of the handset. We just informed you the other day that the Motorola Milestone 3 was officially announced in China and since that is basically the GSM version of the DROID 3, the latter device should soon be introduced to a waiting U.S. audience looking to continue enjoying the DROID experience but with new features like a dual-core processor, a larger 4 inch screen and the sharp qHD resolution on the display. Also improved is the 8MP camera on back and the front-facing shooter. One of the Motorola DROID's most criticized features, its physical QWERTY keyboard, has also been improved with an added 5th row of numbers.

source: Droid-Life

The Motorola XOOM LTE and the Motorola DROID 3 have been added to Verizon's MAP list

HP TouchPad to launch without document editing, white version coming?

The new trend in tablets appears to be to launch them with incomplete features that will be added in the future. It started with the 4G version of the Motorola XOOM which launched with 3G and is being updated at the factory to 4G connectivity. The BlackBerry PlayBook came to market without a native email client and more. Now, a tip received by the guys at PreCentral reveals that an internal HP presentation, meant for HP's corporate partners, said that at launch, documents will not be allowed to be edited on the TouchPad. That means users of the webOS flavored tablet, expected to launch July 1st, will only be able to view Excel, PowerPoint, and Word documents. According to the internal presentation, an update for at least PowerPoint editing will be sent out this summer that will allow the documents to be edited.

HP has been pushing hard to get the tablet out so that it could start competing in the suddenly overcrowded tablet market, but had to wait for developers to work on some apps for webOS 3. It came down to HP deciding to launch the device without QuickOffice editing in order to have the product available now instead of waiting more weeks or months before the TouchPad could be found in stores.

The 9.7 inch screen on the TouchPad will have a UI optimized to fit the bigger screen and will also be the first webOS powered device with a front-facing camera. The tablet will also have a 1.2GHz dual-core processor  and as we earlier reported, can be reserved starting today at a price of $499.99 and $599.99 for a 16GB and 32GB model respectively. Just remember that until the update is received, when it comes to documents on the HP TouchPad, what you see is what you get.

But there is some good news. One of the slides shown by HP at the internal presentation hinted at a white version of the tablet. With a picture of the HP TouchPad on the screen, the slide said, "Available in gloss black (shown) or HP dove white finish (not shown)".

source: PreCentral (1), (2)

T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide shows up nice and clear in new photos

The last time we got a peek at the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide in the beginning of this month, the pictures were about as sharp as a dull pencil. Today, we have a nice clear look at the device and we have to say that we like what we see. The 4 row landscape sliding QWERTY is well spaced and brings to mind the QWERTY on the HTC TouchPro2, still considered one of the best physical keyboards ever attached to a smartphone. When it comes to a physical QWERTY, HTC thinks of everything; the keyboard on the myTouch 4G Slide includes a dedicated '.com' button that, with the press of the alt key, becomes a dedicated 'www.' button.

An 8MP camera is on the back and there are no extra points awarded for guessing where the front-facing camera is. A 1.2GHz processor is under the hood. Besides the hardware, the T-Mobile my Touch4G Slide carries some potent software including Android 2.3.4 which means that gTalk is supported on the handset. Sense UI 3.0 is on top of Gingerbread.

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide is expected to be launched July 6th and might put some pressure on Verizon to push out the next generation Motorola DROID 3.

source: AndroidCentral

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide is expected to launch on July 6th

How to guarantee your phone won't get stolen (Warning: Adult Language)

Why is it that whenever we hear about a cellphone being taken in a mugging, it is usually an Apple iPhone or a high-end Android model? You never read about a low-end phone being snatched. And you also don't hear about an older model being grabbed at gunpoint. That brings us to the subject of this funny video from the BBC.

The bottom line is that even muggers have standards and just like anyone else, they would rather be lifting a Samsung Galaxy S II off of a victim instead of an ancient Nokia model in lime green. Just one note of caution-there is 'Adult Language' in the video so if you are offended by certain words, viewer discretion is suggested.

source: YouTube via Gizmodo

FTC gives green light to Microsoft-Skype deal

Microsoft is slowly making progress in its attempt to close its largest deal ever, the $8.5 billion purchase of internet chat and telephony company Skype. The Federal Trade Commission has signed off on the acquisition and next up is the Department of Justice. On deals valued at $65.2 million or more, both agencies must approve the transaction before it closes.

Microsoft has amassed a fabled mountain of cash and is paying three times the valuation of Skype a mere 18 months ago when private equity investment firm Silver Lake bought a 67% stake in the company from eBay. Although Redmond based Microsoft already offers a similar service called Windows Live, Skype lets users connect using different mobile platforms on their phones. Purchasing Skype could allow Microsoft to offer business users more types of  business conferencing tools and sell more digital advertising.

source: Yahoo

HP TouchPad up for pre-order right on time

As we reported, you could reserve your HP TouchPad starting on June 19th. Guess what? It's June 19th and the webOS tablet can now be pre-ordered from HP and some of the retailers-like Best Buy-that will offer the tablet when it launches on July 1st. Those stores include Walmart, Staples, Sam's Club, Office Depot and Amazon.com.

The price for the 16GB version of the HP TouchPad is $499.99 while the 32GB model is $599.99. In Canada, as you can see from the screenshot to the right, the prices are $519.99 CD and $619.99 CD respectively. The TouchPad gets released July 15th for our neighbors up north. Some stores will be offering accessories like a wireless keyboard, a charging dock, a cover and a power adapter.

Before the Canadians get to own the HP TouchPad with its 9.7 inch XGA display and 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the tablet will head over to the U.K., Ireland, France and Germany. Before the year is out, the device will be seen in Italy, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore.

source: MobileSyrup

The HP TouchPad can now be pre-ordered in the U.S. and Canada

New York Post blocks Apple iPad users from reading its web site without paying for a subscription

Apple iPad 2 users are being held hostage by Rupert Murdoch in an attempt to get them to subscribe to the New York Post's mobile app. Other mobile platforms, like Android and BlackBerry, and desktop users do not face the firewall which re-directs users to a page that says that the New York Post in now available to Apple iPad users only though the newspaper's app available at the App Store. The New York Post app costs $7 per month or $75 for a full year.

Murdoch's company happens to own the pay-for-news publication The Daily that is available via subscription for the Apple iPad and this could be an effort by the News Corp. CEO to make sure that one way or another, News Corp. does not provide free news on the tablet. Another News Corp. paper, The Times of London, has also been put behind a firewall but that applies to all tablet platforms, not just iOS as with the NewYork Post. Murdoch is known to be against ad-supported, free news delivery to mobile internet users.

Interestingly, Android owners using the browser on their device to head to www.nypost.com are directed to the mobile version of the site while those clicking on www.newyorkpost.com are directed to the much more complex desktop version of the site. For its part, Apple had no comment on the NewYork Post's firewall blocking Apple iPad users.

source: DavidWiner via electronista