Sony Ericsson X1, a Windows Mobile-based smart phone has been modified to run a version of Android OS. If you’re a big fan of the Android OS, you’d love how it can be done. But it seems not to run as speedy as other Android devices.

The modified SE X1 presents slow flicks and gesture responses with the Android OS running on it. Transitioning between different menus and functions aren’t smooth either on this SE smart phone. There should be some work ahead which the developers have to get ironed out with their modifications.

Archos has finally unveiled Archos 7’s specifications. This Android-powered internet tablet features a 7-inch LCD display and an 8GB of storage capacity. The gadget also supports MP4, WMV, AVI, FLAC and FLV. The Archos 7 will be launched in March 2010 for £150 or around $242. [ElectricPig]

Gigabyte is by far not the most recognized brand when it comes to cellphones, in fact, it only makes a few smartphones for Asian countries only, all of which so far have been using Windows Mobile. Now, Gigabyte has introduced a version of its GSmart smartphone which runs on Android, a first for the company. The rest of the specs aren’t that interesting, a smallish 2.8″ screen and no 3G, but at least it only costs around $300 where it’s sold.

After the success with the Droid, Motorola has announced that the phone maker plans to release between 20 and 30 phones powered by the Android operating system. However, this number includes almost identical phones which will be released in different markets, so don’t expect any more than 10 phones to be released in North America, 10 in Europe and 10 in Asia. But still, it’s a lot of phones.

Navigon has announced that their popular application also known as MobileNavigator will soon become available for Android systems located in the USA. In case you don’t know, their system uses preloaded maps which means you don’t have to worry about network coverage when using it.

The Navigon MobileNavigator for Android phones will come with a few interesting features:
- Reality View Pro;
- Lane Assistant Pro;
- Speed assistance with audio-visual warning;
- day and night mode;
- automatic switch between portrait and landscape format;
- text-to-speech;
- and more…

At this moment there isn’t exact information about the price or release date of the application.

Motorola Europe has revealed plans of updating the Android OS to version 2.1 on the very popular Milestone, but first, the device will receive a 2.01 update of the OS, which would hit in a few weeks, while the 2.1 update is two months away, according to Motorola.

Dell has unveiled a 5-inch Android-powered tablet PC at CES, which is called Slate for now. The device comes with a SIM slot so you can hook up to 3G service for Internet connectivity. And it has a 5-megapixel camera. It’s believed that Dell is prepping similar devices with different screen sizes and form factors.

More of this gadget »

NDrive GPS navigation app – which has been available on the iPhone is now available for Android users. What’s difference between Google Maps Navigation and NDrive? and why should you pay for NDrive when Google Maps Navigation is free? Well first off Google Maps Navigation needs a high speed data service for the app to be useful, and secondly not everybody lives in the U.S. where Google Maps Navigation works. So NDrive uses complete maps installed on your phone and does not require 3G data service which maybe costly for some people.

NDrive offers turn-by-turn voice instructions, itineraries, searching by many different categories, three distinct modes of routing, favorites, points of interest and radar databases. Some other features include advanced itineraries with multiple waypoints for trip planning, some 3D objects for buildings and landmarks, availability of both ABC or QWERTY keyboard modes, and automatic Day/Night mode switching.

NDrive will work on Android versions 1.5, 1.6, and 2.0 which include devices such as Motorola Droid, T-Mobile’s G1, HTC’s Magic, Hero, and Dream, and the Samsung i7500.

More Android devices are coming our way, we should see more of them next year. Notion Ink is working on an Android-powered tablet, which is slated to see us in 2010. The Notion Ink’s device will come with a Pixel Qi display, the kind that is very same to what was rumored to be used on Apple tablet. More of this gadget »

More and more Android phones coming from China. OPPO, more known as a PMP manufacturer in China, has entered into the smart phone market by having planned an Android-powered smart phone.

The OPPO Android smart phone is set for 2010. There is not much known for the phone currently. The only known information about the OPPO smart phone is it’ll come with a 3.5-inch WVGA capacitive multi-touch screen, side slide QWERTY, and WiFi connectivity.

via wirelessgoodness