GLOBAL - Users with international models of the Samsung Galaxy S are set to be able to upgrade their handsets to Google Android 2.2 Froyo, the latest version of the open source smartphone software.

The test version of the operating system has leaked at a third-party website, although the ROM is said to have certain bugs, as it is not the finalised version.

The website itself confirms that the internet "stops sometimes", possibly referring to the browser crashing or connection cutting; the lock screen does not work often; there is no flash, and no wireless location.

The guide is quite explicit and easy to follow, with Windows XP or 7 at 32bit being the recommended installation computers, but Galaxy S users should rather wait for a complete, fully-functional update from Samsung instead.

Being targetted at international users, the Android 2.2 ROM features 25 languages, mostly European, and weighs 252MB.

The firmware is not yet available for US versions of the handset, the AT&T Samsung Captivate, and T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant.

SEOUL, South Korea - LG announced that it has plans to bring ten new Google Android smartphones to the market, as well as a tablet.

Launching a new branding scheme dubbed Optimus, the new smartphones will be accompanied by the Android tablet.

The first device to come to the market under this new branding will be the Optimus One, running on Android 2.2, better known as Froyo. Powered by an OMAP 3630  processor,  it will also come with an HD-recording damera and support output via HDMI and DLNA, or with its 3.8" touchscreen display.

The next device in the line, the Optimus Chic, will be an entry level smartphone. Also powered by Android 2.2, the Chic will have a special focus on looks and incorporate sleek lines and curves into the industrial design.

One of the most interesting products revealed in the announcement would be the Android tablet. Powered by the same version of the open source software, it is believed to perform better than any other similar product currently on the market.

LG hopes to bring out these products in the second half of the year.

KIRKLAND, USA - The Bluetooth Special Interest Group, also known as Bluetooth SIG, has unveiled the specifications for Bluetooth 4.0.

The promise this time is to reduce the power requirements of Bluetooth devices drastically. The Bluetooth 4.0 specification has been designed in such a way that it will consume less than 10% of the power that is required by present Bluetooth chipsets.

The specification has been designed to allow miniature devices to run for several years continuously using just tiny batteries. In ultra-low power mode, Bluetooth 4.0 devices will be able to transfer at 1mbps while the transfer rates will be much higher on full-power mode.

Like Bluetooth 3.0, present on smartphones such as the Samsung Wave, the new specification allows the device to latch onto existing Wi-Fi networks to provide a welcome speed boost.

Bluetooth 4.0 takes this up a notch as it will allow speeds upto 25mbps when connected to 802.11 networks, and extends the maximum theoretical connection distance to almost a 100 metres. Devices based on this technology are currently being tested and will make it to the market in the second half of 2011.

MONTREAL, Canada - Low-cost Google Android smartphone HTC Wildfire may be headed to Canada.

In an accidental leak, it has been revealed that the handset will be retailed by Bell Canada. The device was leaked in a photo of a Bell-operated rewards site which gives sales representatives goodies on the basis of number of devices sold. At this point there has been no announcement from any Canadian carrier regarding this Android phone.

The HTC Wildfire is a rather compact smartphone with a 3.2" screen with QVGA resolution. It runs on Android 2.1 with the HTC branded Sense UI on top.

The device has 384MB RAM and 512MB ROM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and 3G. The HTC Wildfire also includes A-GPS support which allows it to geo-tag images. The camera on the Wildfire is a 5 megapixel unit which includes support for smile detection.

Unlike newer Google Android smartphones, the Wildfire does not capture HD video.

WATERLOO, Canada - Engadget has obtained a training slide for the BlackBerry Storm 3, which is rumored to be released later this year.

The big news is that the device will be utilizing OS 6.0, which is great. The lesser news is that it is basically the same hardware, with an increase in RAM to 512MB, support for 32GB microSD memory cards, a 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi 802.11n, and 3G Mobile Hotspot compatibility. The new WebKit Browser will be available in the device as well, purported to be much faster than current versions.

The Storm3 is a refresh of the Storm2, not much earth shattering new or improved outside of the OS 6.0 embedded in it. Amazing that with all the effort required to put a new device on the market, that more of the improvements available aren’t being applied, faster processors for instance, to really shake up the device marketplace.

Will this device be able to challenge Google Android 2.2 Froyo or the iPhone 4? Not likely. Will it appeal to Storm1 users that have waited to upgrade? Absolutely.

The slide shows a release date with a month ending in “mber”, conveniently blocked by someone’s head.

WATERLOO, Canada - The excitement is starting to build in anticipation of the BlackBerry OS6.0 release, RIM announced that the new version of Desktop Manager is in Beta release.

From the screenshots it is clear that RIM has been working hard to improve the interface between the device and the user’s computer.

More graphics and more usable information is available from the menus. The number of clicks to perform a function has been reduced with options visible from the main screen. Device status and software status are clearly visible, including last sync.

Interested parties can go to BlackBerry's beta site to sign up for the beta zone program. The software is released by invitation only.

The desktop program has been reworked inside and out to become an integral part of OS 6.0. It appears to be a quantum leap over the current version 5.0.1.

This is great news and a teaser for those that have been anxiously awaiting the upgrade and improvements expected in OS 6.0. Increased functionality, easier access to menus, and quicker navigation resulting in faster synchronization are what we have been looking for. Is RIM poised to deliver?

GLOBAL - The famous Apple iPad has finally launched in several new countries last Friday.

The tablet has sold more than three million units since it arrived at store shelves early this year, and was only available in the USA and eight more countries.

The list of countries to get the iPad include Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore. Apple has stated that both Wi-Fi-only and 3G models will be available at Apple outlets at launch.

Apple also stated that the device will be available in several more countries later this year. Pricing details regarding the same would be announced later.

In June the iPad was in the centre of controversy for its security issues, when 114 000 iPad 3G units were hacked, and email details stolen - some from US military personnel.

The Apple iPad is a tablet computing device which runs on the same operating system as the iPhone and iPod Touch line of products. It is powered by a custom-developed 1GHz processor chip, sports a 9.7" multi-touch display, and has three variants offering from 16GB of internal memory to 64GB.

BASKING RIDGE, USA - Motorola, the manufacturer of the popular Droid, plans to soon bring out several new Google Android smartphones, including the successor to the original Motorola Droid.

The Droid 2 will come with the same slide-out keyboard hardware configuration, but according to the source, the keyboard has been improved massively. The device will run on the latest version of Android, Froyo. It will be powered by a 750MHz processor and include 8GB of in-built storage.

The latest suggestion comes in the form of the Droid Mini. The portrait QWERTY device, which is supposed to round up the low-end Android device market, should be coming to Verizon, in order to add to the existing line. The device is reminiscent of the Palm Pre, as it shares the design philosophy of the WebOS smartphone. Motorola might make an announcement regarding its new handset as soon as the Droid 2 goes on sale in August.

Motorola recently launched the Droid X, the manufacturer's answer to the the HTC Desire, Sprint Evo 4G and other powerful smartphones. Packing a massive 4.3" screen with WVGA resolution, the device also has an 8 megapixel camera capable of capturing HD video.

GLOBAL - Hackers have successfully penetrated the Verizon's Motorola Droid X's security layers, more commonly known as "rooting" when it comes to Google Android smartphones.

The advantage of rooting Android smartphones is similar to jailbreaking the iPhone: users can install apps on the memory card, apply themes, as well as apps that are not allowed in the Android Marketplace, such as tethering programs; and also, the ability to change the ROM and user interface. Basically, it extends the possibility of customizing the smartphone.

The Verizon Droid X was announced late last month following weeks of numerous leaks and rumours. It is a high-end addition to the Droid line from the US carrier, allowing to it to compete market leaders such as the Samsung Galaxy S and the iPhone 4.

The handset has a 4.3" touchscreen display with 854x480 pixels in resolution, GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, an 8 megapixel camera with HD video recording, 8GB internal memory, an HDMI-out port, and a microSD memory card slot. It is powered by the advanced TI OMAP3630 chip, and runs on Google Android 2.1.

The new Google Android smartphone can be purchased at Verizon Wireless stores and online for US$199 on a two-year contract.

Users will be able to root the Droid X by following the video tutorial below, or by visiting the source of the news.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLT1DX4N96A

OVERLAND PARK, USA - Samsung's second Google Android smartphone to have WiMAX connectivity support, the Epic 4G, will be heading to Sprint in August.

The device is set to join the Samsung Galaxy S in countering the HTC Evo 4G from the same network, but for Sprint customers, this simply means more variety of choice. This will also allow the US carrier to expand its WiMAX network and compete against rivals AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

The Samsung Epic 4G is quite similar to the Galaxy S, almost as a hardware keyboard version of the latter. It features a 4" Super AMOLED touchscreen display, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi connectivity, and is powered by a 1GHz processor from the South Korean manufacturer itself.

As of a review posted in January, the Sprint 4G smarpthone will run on Google Android 2.1, but seeing that Android 2.2 Froyo is close to release, the Epic 4G could bring the new operating system to the market.

According to a leak at Samsung's website, the handset will be releasing on the 20th of August, roughly, in a month's time.

The device was announced officially by Samsung June this year, although a release date was not published.