Bought by Google back in 2005, the open-source operating system was brought to life in 2008 on the T-Mobile G1 smartphone. Since then, Google’s platform has been seen on mobile phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, smartwatches, and even household goods such as fridges and washing machines. It has been the most popular mobile OS since May 2012, with over one billion Android devices having been activated by September 2013. Check out this hub for all Android news, reviews and features.
Fans of Nokia's N900 should be pleased to see that an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich is in the unofficial pipeline. This 'pre-pre-alpha' build shows what's possible, if not very smoothly right now -- but it's a work in progress to be proud of. [YouTube via Engadget]
Twitter has acquired a company going under the name of Whisper Systems, which provides a way of encrypting mobile calls. As part of the deal, Whisper has pulled support for its existing products, leaving those who use them rather stuck.
Realising that we'll be perpetually distracted by smartphones, researchers have created an app that uses their built-in camera to automatically check for oncoming traffic, making crossing the road while talking on the phone a less dangerous endeavour.
Got an LG phone? I'm sorry. Anyway, if it's an Optimus 2X; Optimus Black or Optimus 3D, good news! LG has announced Ice Cream Sandwich is a-coming, though the exact dates won't be revealed until December. [Facebook via Pocketnow]
We've been expecting Motorola's Droid 4 for a while, but now official images and specs have leaked into the wild. And it looks a lot like a bigger version of the recent RAZR.
While the tide may be turning for HTC (shares have fallen dramatically; people are turning their backs on Sense), their Chief Financial Officer Winston Yung tld Reuters they're not another Nokia, and that they will be launching "some worldwide flagship products" next year.
Unlocked Motorola Atrix phones have started receiving the Android 2.3 update over-the-air, with Atrix owners still clamped to the teet of Orange or T-Mobile forced to wait a further week. No word on when that milk when turn Ice Cream Sandwich-flavoured, I'm afraid. [Softpedia via TechRadar]
This is why people love Android. You can spend £500 on a Galaxy Nexus, or £99 on a T-Mobile Vivacity. Obviously the Viv isn't as powerful, but Android 2.3 on a 3.5" screen for £100 is "Black Friday" level cheap.
According to the mobile gear-heads over at Recombu, their Android phones have updated with the latest Google Music app on this side of the pond. So far you can't buy music, but does this mean that Google Music is due to roll out soon in the UK?
LG's long-running partnership with fashion people Prada will continue in 2012, with both companies announcing a renewed friendship -- and revealing the above sketch of a future Prada branded smartphone.
There's a reason old hardware doesn't get new software upgrades. Like the iPhone 3G's iOS 4 update, this unofficial Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Android phone that started it all, is, well... crippling.
Looking for an Android Honeycomb clamshell tablet? Thought so. Well you can now pick up Sony's off-the-wall, hinged Tablet P for £499.99 of your hard earned cash. Not exactly a bargain it has to be said, but it is a bit different. [Dixons via Eurodroid via Liliputing]
Android users envious of iOS's AirPlay can get their own wireless HDMI mirroring thanks to a little dongle that plugs into any HDMI-port. It connects to your Android device over Wi-Fi and is fast enough for real-time mirroring.
Reports have claimed HTC is looking at the Chrome OS as a solution for mobile internet access, which it would somehow combine with Android to create what would undoubtedly be a disaster no one would ever want.
Samsung's been slaving to get its Wi-Fi killing Android 3.2 update for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 fixed. The fixed update is now live for both over-the-air updating, and via a desktop app for those whose Wi-Fi has already been crippled. [The Verge]
The infamous volume bug that's breaking the Galaxy Nexus on certain networks could be repairable, with an Android rep saying "We are aware of the volume issue and have developed a fix." We live in hope. [Android Police]
