Media tablets powered by Google’s Android operating system have for the most part been unable to capture consumers’ interest. With just a few exceptions, sales of individual Android tablet models have been extremely low by all accounts. Amazon’s new Kindle Fire is one such exception thanks to an attractive price point and tight integration with Amazon services. Google has seemingly taken note of Amazon’s success, and a new report suggests the company is working on a budget-priced slate...

Google may be preparing to take its mobile efforts to the next level as it tests a Google-branded MVNO in Spain. Unconfirmed reports accompanied by photos of a Google SIM card and a Nexus S running on a “Google_Es” network suggest that Google is toying with the idea of becoming a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or a company that provides cellular service by leasing capacity from existing wireless carriers and piggybacking on their networks. The photos suggest that testing is in the late stages as...

On August 15th, Google announced its intentions to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion and Motorola’s competitors all voiced support for the deal, suggesting the acquisition would help each company fight in patent battles against Apple and Microsoft. FossPatents, however, recently revealed a document that suggests Motorola Mobility could soon have the upper hand when it comes to new Android builds. An internal document that was released by a judge in the Oracle vs. Google case says Google should...

Swype released the latest version of its popular software keyboard exclusively for Sprint Nexus S 4G users on Tuesday. Swype now supports new app gesture features, shortcuts, dictionary management, automatic noun capitalization and more. Users, for example, can now move from the Swype Key to “t” and then “w” to automatically launch Twitter. The shortcuts feature allows you to select all by moving from the Swype Key to “a,” and cut, copy or paste using similar gestures. We t...

We’ve received some information from a source with knowledge of Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich plans, and it’s looking like the first Ice Cream Sandwich devices could start hitting the ground in as early as October. We have been told that Google is looking to push up the release of Ice Cream Sandwich devices as Apple’s iPhone 5 is expected in September or October, and the Mountain View-based company doesn’t want potential customers coming out of contracts (especially original DROI...

Samsung Romania appears to have accidentally verified BGR’s exclusive report covering the Nexus Prime along with various specs. Romanian paper Ziarul Financiar recently mirrored parts of our report, stating that the Nexus Prime will sport a Super AMOLED Plus HD screen and will run Google’s new Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system. Samsung Romania’s PR teem tweeted the story, which is a practice that is uncommon for official company Twitter accounts as such tweets are construed ...

Skype announced on Wednesday that its Android application now supports video calling on select devices. The application is particularly attractive because it allows mobile users to connect with other users on Mac, Windows, TV, iOS, or other Android devices. Skype says the app was built with a complete new redesign, too, which includes a new main menu, easier contact navigation, quick access to your profile, and more. There’s even a new “mood” message box that allows you to show what you̵...

We exclusively reported details of Google’s first Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone — either a Nexus device, or a “pure Google” flagship handset from one of Google’s key partners — and we now have more information surrounding the world’s most anticipated Android phone. We reported that the handset would nix physical menu keys going forward, and would feature a monster 720p -resolution display, and we have now confirmed with our source that the screen itself is branded as a R...

Did you really think the kiddies over at XDA were going to wait “a few weeks” to get their mitts on Android 2.3.4? Of course not. A sleuthy forum member has uncovered the manual download link for Google’s latest iteration of Gingerbread. The file will update a stock Nexus S, running Android 2.3.3, to the most recent code — for those of you fluent in Android flashing, the package will update devices running build number GRI40 to GRJ22. Sorry Nexus One faithful, nothing for you… yet. ...

According to intel acquired by blog Mobile Review, LG has been tasked with producing a pure-Google, Nexus tablet for the Mountain View-based Android maker. Details are scarce (and unconfirmed), but the site states that the device will be used as Google’s base for development, run the latest tablet-optimized operating system — Honeycomb (Android 3.0) — and should be ready in “mid-summer or early autumn.” It is important to keep in mind that this device could be an engineering prototype...

A Nexus S for Sprint has been heavily rumored in the past, and now it’s official — Google is launching a new version of its latest self-branded smartphone for Sprint. Google tells us that the Nexus S 4G for Sprint is practically identical to the original Nexus S, save for being a tiny bit thicker and heavier since it packs a new radio for CDMA and 4G WiMAX compatibility. The OS is also identical besides the addition of a 4G on / off check box in the settings app. Pricing and availability have not yet...

We’ve received a handful of tips from frustrated Nexus S owners claiming that the recently released Android 2.3.3 update has an unwelcome side effect, screen discoloration. Reports indicate that after the Gingerbread update, the Super AMOLED screen on the Nexus S becomes yellowish and washed out. We’re not sure if Google messed with Android’s color settings, but the difference — as you can see from the picture above — is quite noticeable. Any Nexus S owners out there seein...

This is definitely the advantage to owning Google’s anointed developer phone. Via a tweet, the Android maker announced that it has begun pushing out Gingerbread — Android 2.3.3 — to Nexus S and Nexus One handsets via an over-the-air update. The Big G does caution that the rollout may take a “few weeks,” but knowing the Android community, a link for a manual download will surface in the next 24 to 48 hours. Go ahead, hit that “Check for Updates” button a few times...

We just got a report that Best Buy’s new line activation system for T-Mobile is down, and apparently has been for almost a week. One of our readers wrote in to let us know he has been trying to purchase a Google Nexus S with a new T-Mobile line of service, but has been unable to due to Best Buy’s activation issue. After repeated calls to store representatives, one admitted that they are not able to activate his Nexus S with a contract, and that he’d have to pay full retail for the device. We...