HTC on their Facebook page confirmed the release of Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) for its existing devices. By March-end, devices like HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation 4G, HTC Sensation XE and HTC Sensation XL will be running the latest version of Android OS.

Moreover, HTC also confirmed to roll out ICS for other devices later this year. The second batch of devices include HTC Rezound, HTC Vivid, HTC Amaze 4G, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G, HTC Incredible S, HTC Desire S and HTC Desire HD.

Just as expected, Nokia has released the much awaited Belle OS update for Symbian devices. The update arrives on devices running Symbian Anna OS which includes the Nokia N8, E7, E6, X7, C6-01, C7 and the Nokia Oro.

I just updated the Nokia E6 to the new OS and I must say, the first impressions are pretty good. The phone runs pretty smooth, UI is decent and the new notification bar is darn useful.

Other things Belle brings to the table are six home screens, 30fps support for HD video recording and more.

The update is available only via Nokia Suite.

[Via Nokia Conversations]

Nokia and Samsung today announced to launch their respective flagship devices in white hue. Nokia will start selling the Lumia 800 in white from later this month whereas the first Android 4.0 phone – Galaxy Nexus will be available from February 13 in UK.

Going by both the devices, I think Lumia 800 takes the cake with his one as its completely painted in white as opposed to Galaxy Nexus’ back paint job.

Keeping the OS and hardware features aside, which one would you pick?

Samsung has expanded its dual-SIM lineup with the new Champ Deluxe Duos. It’s an entry-level touchscreen phone that is light on the pocket yet gives functionality comparable to smartphones like surfing the web, quick access to social networks et al.

The phone also comes pre-loaded with Samsung’s own ChatON messaging service which is a cross-platform service like Whatsapp allowing users to have a 1:1 or a group conversation, share images and audio clips without any extra charge.

On the hardware front, Champ Deluxe Duos sports a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen display, 1.3MP camera, music player and FM Radio, microSD card slot up to 16GB, 3.5mm headphone jack and a 1000mAh battery.

Samsung has priced the device at Rs. 4,790 but retailers like Flipkart are selling the device at a discounted price of Rs. 3,925.

Bad news for users waiting for the first glimpse of Samsung’s power packed Galaxy S III device at MWC. The Korean company has confirmed that they won’t announce the Galaxy S III at Mobile World Congress later this month. Instead, the company is planning to host a dedicated event sometime before the first half of this year.

The move isn’t a surprise since Samsung was basically sitting on the fence regarding Galaxy S III’s launch a few days back. Good thing with the late announcement will be that consumers can expect the device to come to market early.

“Samsung is looking forward to introducing and demonstrating exciting new mobile products at Mobile World Congress 2012. The successor to the Galaxy S2 smartphone will be unveiled at a separate Samsung-hosted event in the first half of the year, closer to commercial availability of the product. Samsung stays committed to providing the best possible mobile experiences for customers around the world.”

[Tech Radar via Sammy Hub]

We’ve seen the BlackBerry London before but the avatar which we saw back in November is totally different to the one we’re seeing it right now. The new image acquired by folks over at CrackBerry confirms RIM has shelved the angular edges and will instead adopt a “phonified” version of BlackBerry PlayBook.

It will run BlackBerry 10 OS and will be powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor (could be TI OMAP5 or Qualcomm), 8MP camera and more.

The site claims in addition to London, RIM is also preparing two other devices codenamed Laguna and Lisbon for US market to cater to operators like AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

It’s not the first time we’re hearing about HTC Ville but it is the first time we’re looking at this slim offering from HTC in a video. As you can see from the video, the device is really sleek but packs some decent innards.

Running Android 4.0.1 with HTC Sense 4.0 UI overlay, Ville is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. The device info menu also reveals other hardware features like its display which is a 4.3-inch screen with qHD resolution, an 8MP camera, front-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Wi-Fi.

Expect the phone to get the official treatment at MWC next month.

[Via Slashgear]

AT&T has set the release date of Samsung’s Galaxy Note for American consumers. The smartphone / tablet combo will be available in USA from February 19 in carbon blue or ceramic white.

Priced at $299.99 on contract, Galaxy Note is a different device that takes advantage of the S Pen stylus input. Other than that, the device is packed with features like Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.5GHz dual-core processor, LTE as well as 3G support, huge 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED display (1280×800), 8MP camera with full HD video recording and playback, front-facing camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, microSD card slot.

Samsung will also sell some optional accessories for the device.

AT&T will also begin taking pre-orders for the device from February 5.

Press Release

It was hours before we got the first glimpse of Galaxy S Advance but Samsung has decided to make it official. The Korean mobile manufacturer has officially announced the upgraded version of Galaxy S aka Galaxy S Advance.

Running the latest version of Android Gingerbread OS, Galaxy S Advance is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and 768MB RAM. It features 14.4Mbps HSPA support, 5MP camera with LED flash, 1.3MP front-facing camera, A-GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, Allshare DLNA, 8 / 16GB internal memory, FM Radio, microSD card slot, microSD card slot and 1500mAh battery. On the software front, Galaxy S Advance will be loaded with usual Samsung goodies like TouchWiz UI, Live Panels, different Hubs, ChatON messaging service, Samsung Apps and more.

Samsung has confirmed to release the device first in Russia in February followed by the rest of the world.

It seems Samsung churns out devices faster than any other mobile phone manufacturer in the world. Take a look at the newly leaked Galaxy S Advance (GT-I9070). Its basically an upgrade to the original Galaxy S but has been spec’d lower than Galaxy S’ successor – Galaxy S II.

The phone’s peculiar features are its new slim design, a curved 4-inch Super AMOLED WVGA display and most importantly, 1GHz dual-core processor. As for other features, the phone runs on Android 2.3.6 and comes with 5MP camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recording, microSD card slot and 1500mAh battery.

Samsung is keeping mum at the moment but we reckon the Korean company will have more to say at MWC next month. For now, take a look at the pictures and couple of videos showing its gaming prowess and some features.

[HardwareZone via Sammy Hub]