Samsung Galaxy S II sign-up page closer to being live for U.S. fans

A lot of information about the U.S. iteration of the Samsung Galaxy S II has been released over the last few days. We have passed along what apparently are pictures of the AT&T version of the phone, the Samsung Galaxy Attain, complete with a side sliding QWERTY. We also showed you a prototype of the same model sans the QWERTY, and another picture of what could be the version of the phone for Sprint.

Another sign that we are getting close to the U.S. launch of the hottest smartphone on the planet is Samsung's U.S. web site. Search for the Galaxy S II on the Korean manufacturer's web site, and instead of being told that no such phone exists, you are sent to a placekeeper page for the Galaxy S II sign-up site. Unfortunately, the sign-up page is not yet live.  But soon, you will be able to register your email address with Samsung and get the word when the handset becomes available for your carrier (assuming you are not a T-Mobile customer). Note that the placeholder page has the first image of the Galaxy II on the Korean manufacturer's U.S. site. Does that picture of the Samsung Galaxy S II look like the AT&T or Sprint models to you?

source: Samsung via droidmatters

Click on the link to the Samsung Galaxy S II's sign up page (L) and the site is not yet up (R)

Motorola DROID X2 now getting its Gingerbread update

The Motorola DROID X2 has received its Gingerbread update

Many an eyebrow was raised when Verizon launched the Motorola DROID X2 with Android 2.2. After all, considering that the first-generation of the phone had a nice run as Verizon's flagship handset, you would expect the sequel to come out dressed in its Sunday best. But as it turned out, DROID X2 owners didn't have to wait terribly long as on Tuesday, the Gingerbread update was rolled out to the handset.

Besides Android 2.3, the update brings some enhancements to the phone such as a Download Manager app, a new app that manages the downloads on your phone from web browsing, email attachments and from other apps. When inputting numerals from the keyboard, shortcuts can be used instead of having to change to the numeric function mode. Word selection and copy/paste are both improved. Press-hold on the screen will now help you select a word. Press twice and the word can be copied. Although the device is too new to be boring for its owners, the update brings a revised UI and a new color scheme as well as new widgets and icons.

Some new features are now available to the Motorola DROID X2 calendar. When traveling, you can view events in your home time zone. Other changes allow you to dial one number to set up a conference call, Google Books is now pre-installed and lastly, any images captured with your camera app can be geo-tagged. Check the sourcelink for a complete list of changes that the download brings. And DROID X2 owners, please let us know what you think of Gingerbread on your device by leaving some comments below.

source: Verizon via AndroidCentral

Alleged schematics of Apple iPhone 5 case shows larger home button, curved back

While the design of the Apple iPhone 4 has received high praise, if some schematic designs for an Apple iPhone 5 case obtained by MobileFun are for real, the next generation model of Apple's touchscreen phone looks to be taking a step back in time. With the back of the device curved like the Apple iPad 2, the rounded back design brings back memories of the iPhone 3GS.

But that doesn't mean that Apple is bringing back an older model. The screen size appears to be increased to a range of 3.7 to 4 inches, up from the current 3.5 inch display size. As expected, the screen will be edge to edge allowing Apple to use every possible inch of real estate to increase the size of the screen while keeping the phone a decent size. Back in May, we reported that a prototype of the phone showed such a screen design.

New video shows off typing using the BlackBerry Torch 9860 virtual keyboard

With the upcoming BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860, you can tell that RIM is really opening up to using the touchscreen much more with its next-generation devices, which they’re hoping to be used more for inputting lengthy text.

Lucky for all of us, a new video shows off the typing experience with the upcoming BlackBerry Torch 9860 using its virtual keyboards. Based on the video, both the layout of the portrait and landscape keyboards appear to be uniform with their square size – and since it’s rumored to be running a 1.2GHz processor, its operation is nearly effortless. Additionally, you’ll know when you hit a specific button because of the superimposed character seen when something is pressed.

Aside from that, we’re presented with some other multimedia centric functionality with the handset – like watching videos. With such a responsive rate in its typing operation, inputting text is undoubtedly looking to be a piece of cake with this one.

via CrackBerry

AT&T might still be getting a QWERTY-less version of the Samsung Galaxy S II

It’s quite apparent, but not everyone is a fan of QWERTY devices, but in the case of the upcoming version of the Samsung Galaxy II coming to AT&T in the near future, it loses some of its svelte appearance due to the addition of a physical keyboard.

Needless to say, there are some people bummed out by the news this morning that we reported, but we might still see a QWERTY-less version of the handset. Apparently there is a prototype currently in testing which appears to be a version of the same handset, but without a keyboard packed on of course. So far, the only thing mentioned about the handset is that it’s running Android 2.3.4, employs a WVGA display, and is detailed as being “really sexy” according to the Android Central tipster.

As much as some people might be excited by this new revelation, it’s still rather difficult to say if this one will actually make it to market – though, it doesn’t hurt to hope, right?

source: Android Central

Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook v2.0 adds on Places & Events features

Fortunately for any BlackBerry PlayBook owners out there, the official Facebook app for the tablet is being updated to version 2.0 and brings forth some exciting new features that further deepen its functionality.

Although it’s still very rare to find official tablet-optimized versions of the app on other platforms, PlayBook owners will now find popular features like Facebook Places and Events that further provide an engaging experience. With Places, users will be able to share locations with friends and even get directions to specific places with Bing Maps integration. Additionally, Facebook Events allows you to view and receive notifications of new invitations and get detailed information as well pertaining to the specific event.

Instead of seeing how many people “like” a certain post, you’ll now be able to actually view the actual names of friends who "like" it. And lastly, more control is given to the user seeing that there is now a new privacy control that allows you to maintain who can see each update users share.

If you haven’t done so already, you can download the update right now through the BlackBerry App World – or if you have a previous version, you’ll more than likely get a notification to update it.

source: RIM

Google Shopper for iPhone gets Offers

Google Offers is Google's answer to Groupon, Facebook Deals, Yelp Deals, and Foursquare Specials, LivingSocial, and any other e-coupon services that you can think of. The trouble is that Google Offers is still in limited release. It began life in Portland, Oregon, then spread out to the San Francisco Bay area, and New York City area, but those are still the only places you can find and use Google Offers. But, regardless of where you live, if you've got the Google Shopper app for iPhone, you now have Offers in your pocket. 

Google Shopper for iOS has been upgraded to version 1.5 which brings Offers. Users can view Offers either in list view, or in map view. And, the app will also keep track of any Offers you're interested in or have purchased. 

The Google blog post says that Shopper 1.5 is available for users in the US and UK with iOS 4.0+. Of course, Offers are only useful for those living in the areas listed above. Although, Offers are scheduled to come to Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Denver, CO, Seattle, WA, and Washington DC soon. 

source: Google Mobile Blog

iTunes install link

Verizon to display the Motorola Droid Bionic on July 29 and selling it on August 4

The ever elusive Motorola Droid Bionic. We first saw you in Etna form at CES earlier this year, but you were scrapped months later and replaced by the new Targa version.

Up until now, there has been little solid info regarding the release date, though there was some rumors and an earlier screen-shot pointing to August 4th. Now it appears that Verizon stores have received official notification informing them that they will receive the Droid Bionic later this month and to have it on public display starting July 29th, and will most likely be placed here. The email also points to August 4th as the release date. It does not give a price, though most believe it will be around $299 with contract.

Hopefully this will all happen, and the Droid Bionic will hit on August 4th, as the it will be the first dual-core smartphone to run on Verizon's 4G LTE network.

source: Droid-Life and Android Forums