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When you’re a phone nerd, like I assume most of our readers are, you know there is always one sure fire sign that summer is getting nearer. The length between device leaks becomes shorter and shorter. So much has gone down this past week, it’s hard to take it all in. Just about every manufacturer making handsets in the US has a hat in the ring. Motorola, Samsung, HTC, Apple, RIM… the competition is getting fierce, and as consumers, we reap all the rewards. Just what exactly are those rewards I’m talking about? Let’s get right into this:

Still no cure for EVO fever

(don’t worry, I’ll keep this short) The EVO 4G was still making major news this past week, but it wasn’t all good. Problems have been plaguing EVO owners to the tune of non-responsive screens that seem to be magically levitating. Fear not though, HTC does have a fix in the works. The good EVO news this week more than makes up for the bad news. You can now pre-order the HTC EVO in white from Best Buy, and… you know… hack it to work with a Touchstone charger. Awesome.

Upcoming devices

Where to start, where to start. Should I organize the upcoming device news by manufacturer again? I think I will, starting with Motorola. Motorola’s two new handsets (the DROID X and 2) have been EVERYWHERE lately. Even NASA… That’s right. While the DROID 2 may have not made many appearances this past week, where it did show up realllly counts. Where the DROID X showed up was even better though… an official coming soon site! According to Droid Life, you’ve got exactly one month to mill over whether or not the X is the device for you. Honestly, shouldn’t be too hard.

Samsung was ultra busy this week putting Android on phones and tablets. The new 7″ tablet Samsung has been working has been named the Tab. Could be better, but meh. Another Samsung device that is very un-meh, the Galaxy S, has *ahem* “gone hard” making the rounds this week. In one week, the Galaxy S has passed through the FCC, been torn down/rebuilt, showed off in some much needed sample videos, and took on an alias (the Samsung Captivate) to head out on AT&T. Just in case the Galaxy S wasn’t enough.. how about the GS Pro? The Galaxy S Pro for Sprint was spotted with the exact same specs as it’s non-Pro brother, but with 4G and a keyboard. But wait, there’s more! Just when you thought you couldn’t get any more Galaxy, Samsung teases us with the Galaxy Beam, and Galaxy Q. Oi. Hopefully some of this gets sorted out on the 29th.

When HTC wasn’t enjoying putting the Legend on Bell or announcing how they will be putting the Desire on US Cellular, they were busy announcing how the HTC Aria would be coming to AT&T. The Aria looks great, and according to benchmark tests, preforms great too. Too bad though… It’s just so terrible how AT&T treats their Androids.

Last but not least in upcoming device new this week, we have three more devices worth checking out. Sony Ericsson and the X8, a 14MP camera with phone capabilities from Altek (whoa), and a BlackBerry-esque Android from Acer.

Apps

Usually, I like to lump app news, and update news into the same category. This week held so much update news, it really needed to be broken up into two. Anyway… App news this week was pretty interesting. More and more carriers want a say in how their Android devices preform. Generally, that has been limited to a recommend app area, or some account management tools. Well not only is Vodafone now getting into app development, T-Mobile US has actually done it. They have released a phone resource manager titled Device Tune-up that is now live in beta form. Exciting, no? Of course, there was other more traditional app news too. Swype has entered another open beta for a limited time, Kobo has released an e-reader app, SoundHound is available now to tell you which Mr. Bungle song you are listening too, and Vlingo voice control is free for a limited time to myTouch Slide users. Nice. One last thing, if you are looking for a good read about Android apps, check out The Guide For Discriminating Downloaders. I know I will.

Updates

So I heard you wanted some update news… well we got some update news. How about updates to 2.1 (which about half of all Android devices are using)? Motorola updated a list of devices that will, might, or won’t see 2.1 this year. Thanks to the Android community, at least one device won’t have to wait. 2.1 has been ported to the Moto Cliq with no BLUR in sight. That’s what ya get for rooting. Speaking of rooting… the myTouch Slide was finally rooted and received it’s first ROM. More should be coming anytime now. In more legit 2.1 news, Sony Ericsson has moved the 2.1 update for the X10 line from Q4 to late Q3. Isn’t that nice. Of course, it would be nice to hear about 2.2 (like the firmware from those Nexus One’s being shipped in Korea that can be downloaded now at Android community), but 2.1 is better than nothing. If you’re hankering for more 2.2 news like how the DROID Incredible is gearing up for Froyo with WiFi n support, PC World has a list of 2.2 recipients that seems to be pretty accurate. Looking even further into the future, I’d also check out a wonderful read on the UI changes coming to Gingerbread. Very exciting stuff.

Videos and reviews

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John got his hands on the same T-Mobile Garminfone Noah from over at PhoneDog reviewed for Fox Business this past week, and you know what the means. Tons of Graminfone coverage! You can check out the unboxing vid above, or check out some photo and video samples along with a navigation demo video. Don’t forget, if you have any questions you can do so on John’s twitter (using the #Garminfone hashtag) or through a text to 502-MOB-BARK (TEXT ONLY. Don’t forget to mention Garminfone). What else has John been up to? He also has a myTouch 3G Slide that he used to make part 1 or your questions and requests video, with part 2 coming soon. Stay tuned for that.

Carlos put up some excellent review videos this week on Sedio’s Innocell extended battery, and Rom Manager for rooted users. They don’t call him Hacks and Mods Editor for nothing!

Our final review this week comes from Nicole who did a piece on the Otterbox Commuter case. After reading I must say, I’m convinced to at least give it a try.

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Alright guys, that’s it for this week. My last reading suggestions for the end of the week definitely aren’t about an Android running iPad knock-off, but is about Google TV. To see what Google TV is all about, check out this out, and while you’re at it… check out what Logitech has in store for us. Cool? Oh geeze, one more thing, don’t forget to vote in our “Which phone are you dying to have?” poll. Last time I checked, the Galaxy S (which I intend to own) was winning. You OK with that?

@dustinearley