Tonight T-Mobile announced the release date and pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G that was previously unveiled at CES last month. Starting in late March, The Galaxy S Blaze 4G will retail for $149.99 with a 2-year contract, after a $50 mail in rebate (yuck).

“The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is loaded with rich features and services to keep consumers entertained and connected virtually anywhere they want to go,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “Paired with T-Mobile’s fast 4G network and our unlimited data plans, we’re making it easy for consumers to enjoy the benefits of 4G experiences at a price they can afford.”

We thought this phone might be the successor to T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II variant, but after reviewing the specs it appears more like a Galaxy S II-lite.

Highlights of the Galaxy S Blaze 4G include:

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 3.97-inch Super AMOLED display
• 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor
• 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recorder
• 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera
• Support for 4G HSPA+ 42 Mbps

It’s nice to see T-Mobile offer a lower priced Galaxy S II, but we don’t think they went low enough. With an in-store price of $199, most customers will just opt for the Galaxy S II at $229. It would have been nice if T-Mobile could have sold this at $149 (without the rebate) or even better at $99.

We will wait to reserve judgement until we handle this phone, but I don’t think it’s going to make an appearance on our T-Mobiel buyer’s guide unless they lower the price.

When most think of a mainstream or entry-level smartphone, we picture some cheap junk with a small low-res screen, crappy camera, and an outdated version of Android.

Now imagine a smartphone running Android 4.0 with a 4.3 inch qHD display, 5 MP rear camera + VGA front camera, and a dual-core Tegra 2 processor. Obviously the specs don’t match up with the upcoming high-end devices, but what if I told you such a phone could be purchased for around $150, without a contract.

Today Chinese handset manufacturer ZTE announced the Mimosa X. It features all the specs mentioned above along with NVIDIA’s Icera 450 HSPA+ modem. NVIDIA just acquired Icera last year and this is the first Android device to feature their technology.

“The ZTE Mimosa X is exciting for a few reasons,” said Michael Rayfield, General Manager of the Mobile business at NVIDIA. “The Mimosa X marks the first time NVIDIA technology powers all the major processors in a single smartphone, and also the first time a premium mobile computing experience is coming to the mainstream smartphone market.”

ZTE said the Mimosa X will launch around Q2, but no carrier partners were announced. The final price still remains a mystery, but NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang hinted at it during a recent earnings call. When asked about growth opportunities for 2012, Jen-Hsun mentioned that Tegra 2 was a good fit for mainstream phones.

Jen-Husn said, “The third growth opportunity is the 999 or what some people call 1000RMB phone. And this is an affordable, very affordable smartphone with dual-core capability and the way that they describe it, the way the marketplace internalized it is it’s a phone that has the capability of an iPhone 4 but is extremely affordable.”

The “1000RMB” term stands for 1000 Chinese Yuan, which is around $159 with the current conversion rates.

In today’s pre-paid market it is possible to find Android phones priced below $199, but I wouldn’t recommend them to any of my friends. If ZTE can deliver the Mimosa X at that sub-$199 price range off contract, then I think we will see them move a lot of units. Heck at that price, we could see it on one of the big carriers for free on contract.

Overall, the Mimosa X looks like a solid effort from ZTE. Hopefully more details will be revealed next week at Mobile World Congress. ZTE just showed off a Tegra 3 tablet at CES, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they also unveil a Tegra 3 smartphone.

Getting the latest version of Android is a constant concern for the enthusiasts out there, and Android 4.0 is one of the more significant shifts we’ve seen. So it’s understandable that people are clamoring to know when they’ll be getting it. Samsung’s dramatic rise to popularity amongst Android users in general and our readership specifically, coupled with the fact that they have been responsible for the last two Nexus devices, means that they perhaps have the largest target on their back.

Our list of Samsung devices that will and won’t be receiving Android 4.0 can be found at the bottom of this post and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Will my device be updated?

As you are no doubt aware, Samsung was first out of the gate with Android 4.0 on first the Galaxy Nexus and then the Nexus S, but those are Nexus devices and that was to be expected. They have, in my opinion, been slightly less forthcoming than some of the other major manufacturers about their plans for the rest of their lineup.

The sheer number of devices they have released is no doubt at least partially to blame and despite often releasing the same line of phones (e.g., Galaxy S II) across many carriers, there are minor hardware variations in each that render the shared name less meaningful.

While Samsung hasn’t given a comprehensive upgrade list yet, it is worth nothing that thus far Samsung has not committed to upgrading any of their single core devices. So for the time being, that’s probably the best indicator of whether your Samsung device will be updated to Android 4.0. But don’t conclude that if you do have a dual-core device then the update is guaranteed.

Latest Android 4.0 update news from Samsung

• 1/3/12 - Samsung Galaxy S won’t be updated to Android 4.0 – “value pack” or otherwise
  After a brief rumor surfaced that the Samsung Galaxy S variants might see an update to Android 4.0 that stripped out TouchWiz to make room (basically the dream scenario), the hopes of millions of Galaxy S owners were extinguished like so many Alderaanians. (Too soon?). It wasn’t a terribly surprising decision, but considering this was the device that put Samsung on the map for Android users it would have been nice if they could have pulled it off.
• 12/20/11 – Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II to lead Samsung’s Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades in Q1 2012
  This was Samsung’s biggest release of information regarding their Android 4.0 plans, but only positively identified a timeline for the Note and Galaxy S II.

Samsung devices that have Android 4.0

Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Global Version)
Samsung Galaxy Nexus LTE
Samsung Nexus S (rolling update should be completed in Q1)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (unreleased)

Samsung devices that will  receive Android 4.0 update in Q1

Samsung Galaxy Note (Global version)
Samsung Galaxy S II (Global version)

Samsung devices that will receive Android 4.0; timeline unknown

Samsung Nexus S 4G (likely Q1)
Samsung Galaxy Note (AT&T)
Samsung Galaxy S II (T-Mobile)
Samsung Galaxy S II, Epic 4G Touch
Samsung Galaxy S II (AT&T)
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket HD
Samsung Galaxy R
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

Samsung devices that will not be updated to Android 4.0

Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung Galaxy S Captivate
Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate
Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7

Devices not listed here have not currently been commented on by Samsung

Android has long been the target of many lawsuits from large patent holding companies, especially Apple. As a Google owned patent for the notification bar as we know it, filed for in 2009, nears a possible approval, the tables may finally be turned.

When it comes to features, Google’s Android is ahead of, or on par with, every mobile operating system available today. But there’s one area where Android’s severely lacking: patents. Google released an operating system without owning any patents on a lot of the key technologies used to make it function. If Android would have never taken off, this probably wouldn’t be a problem. Instead, as Android has become a success, it’s become the target for what is arguably the most powerful company in the technology industry, Apple.

Lawsuit after lawsuit from Apple has left Android and the manufacturers using the platform trying their best to fight back. If a patent on Android’s notification bar is approved any time soon, Apple may be the one fighting back next.

In 2009, Google filed a patent for Android’s notification bar. If you’ve used iOS 5 or know anything about Apple’s “Notification Center,” you know that it’s a direct, blatant rip off of Android’s notification bar. According to the filing, Google would own the patent for “a computer-implemented user notification method includes displaying, in a status area near a perimeter of a graphical interface, a notification of a recent alert event for a mobile device, receiving a user selection in the status area, and in response to the receipt of the user selection, displaying, in a central zone of the graphical interface, detail regarding a plurality of recent messaging events for the mobile device.”

Since Google doesn’t own the patent to the notification bar yet, they can’t do anything but sit back and watch Apple use it in all of their most popular devices. Even the latest version of the Mac’s operating system, OS X 10.8, uses Notification Center. If Google’s patent application for Android’s notification bar is approved, there’s little to reason to believe it wouldn’t be an easy victory for Google, should they decide to take Apple to court over it.

It will be interesting to see what Google does with the patent should they manage to secure it. Will they immediately take Apple to court, or would using it as leverage in other patent negotiations make more sense? This will definitely be worth keeping an eye on.

The render you see above is the only known image of the HTC Edge, which we now believe will launch as the HTC One X. Most of the specs have already been confirmed from a leaked ROM update utility file, but new details are still coming out every other day.

Tonight Paul O’Brien of MoDaCo provided some additional details of the HTC One X, which is quickly shaping up as one of the most anticipated Android smartphones this year.

New rumored details of the HTC One X include:

• On-screen software buttons, just like the Galaxy Nexus
• Green / amber notification LED only
• 5-pogo-pin setup for a speaker dock, likely for the rumored Beats audio dock
• No microSD slot
• MicroSIM slot
• 1800 mAh battery
• Super LCD display type
• FM radio
• Sterio microphones for noise reduction
• Current test units run Android 4.0.3, should be upgrade to 4.0.5 by launch

Previous rumored specs of the HTC One X include:

• Quad-core 1.5 GHz Tegra 3 processor
• Android 4.0 with Sense UI 4.0
• 4.7-inch display with 720p resolution
• 1 GB RAM
• 32 GB internal storage
• Backlit 8 MP rear camera with 28-millimeter, f/2.2 lens
• 1.3 MP front-camera
• Beats Audio
• HSPA+ 21 Mbps support (bands 850, 900,1800,1900,)
• WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
• Slightly over 10 mm thick

Overall, it looks like HTC has packed in most of the high-end features that any Android fan would want. Some may complain about the lack of microSD slot, but at least this device has 32 GB of internal storage and we have Google Drive launching any week now.

It will be interesting to see how the final design differs from the rendered image above. Our sources tell us it looks like the HTC Amaze 4G, but thinner. I’m hoping that HTC went with their aluminum unibody design that appeared in some of their other devices last year.

Obviously, no launch parters have been announced but the HTC One X is rumored to be on order from over 20 carriers. The HSPA+ modem would be a nice fit for AT&T and T-Mobile in the states, but it’s possible we could see a slightly different model with LTE included for other carriers.

It’s going to be really tough to give up my beloved Samsung Galaxy Nexus, but I want this phone. Do you?

Hewlett Packard’s new CEO, Meg Whitman, made an appearance today in a conference directed at the company’s channel partners in Las Vegas. The company expressed many of its plans for the future, but there was a significant statement that caught our attention. Whitman spoke briefly about the idea of open-sourcing WebOS and managed to take a slight punch at Google.

For those who may have forgotten, HP quit the hardware manufacturing business last year. The company decided to redirect its focus to software in an effort to improve their situation. You probably remember seeing the HP Touchpad on sale for a mere $99 right after HP announced this. But let’s move on.

The open-source topic was very briefly covered. Whitman mentioned that it would take 2-5 years to get WebOS open-sourced, and that she believes another mobile OS is necessary for the industry. Her claim was that Apple is great close-sourced, and Google might be following the same steps (due to Motorola’s acquisition). Oh, and she also mentions that it is fragmented.

It’s hard to take such words seriously, reminiscent of the likes of RIM. It seems both CEOs really need to consider what Android is all about. HP and WebOS haven’t been very successful in the mobile industry, and open-sourcing WebOS might be the best move to make. And it should be done sooner.

There are many reasons why Android is such an attractive OS, but much of it revolves around its open nature. Manufacturers and developers can do wonders with the OS and modify it (for better or worse) to their liking. This is the main reason why Android has reached the top of the smartphone food chain.

Our little green robot is now everywhere. You can choose from a plethora of devices, UI overlays and features. A great part of Google’s success in the mobile industry is due to this very fact, and Google would take a big risk close-sourcing our favorite mobile operating system.

When the acquisition of Motorola was first announced, we were all worried. Many questions arose, mainly revolving about the future of Android and if Motorola would get any sort of preference or exclusivity. The Search Giant has made it very clear that Android will not be affected by this acquisition. This deal was meant to provide Google with a patent portfolio that would better protect them in legal disputes.

We are still a bit suspicious about such claims. Google might very well throw a curve ball at us. And Google has also mentioned that “they are not in just for the patents.” But it seems very unlikely that Google would risk its success to the extent of closing the whole OS.

Meg Whitman’s statement may very well have been meant to make HP’s partners feel more secure (which is something commonly done). We’ll just have to wait a few years and see how HP plays its game. By then, Android should be much, much bigger, so we suggest HP does things a bit quicker than expected.

When Amazon released UI updates to the Amazon Appstore and Kindle applications several months ago, the Amazon MP3 app was left out in the ugly cold. Though I personally have all of my music uploaded to Amazon’s cloud, I chose to take advantage of Google’s Music service because the application on my smartphone and tablet was measurably better than Amazon’s offering.

That all changes today, sort of. While I’d argue that the Google Music still looks a little bit better than Amazon MP3, the Amazon MP3 player has been updated to match the UI provided by Amazon’s other application, part of Amazon’s retooling effort to make things pretty for newly-minted Kindle Fire owners.

Amazon MP3 has been given the “white text on gray backdrop with orange highlights” treatment that has made its Kindle and Appstore applications easy on the eyes, and for the first time ever I truly enjoy using the Amazon MP3 service. The MP3 store on Android has also gotten an overhaul, and looks just as gorgeous as the MP3 player.

If you use Amazon MP3, be sure to head over to the market and update your application to the latest and greatest version. And if you haven’t yet checked out Amazon’s offering, I can finally recommend you give it a try for yourself.

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Chinese manufacturer Huawei is mostly known for their low-end smartphones in the U.S., but the company has been revealing some pretty impressive high-end devices at recent trade shows. At CES they showed off the Ascend P1 S, which was billed as the thinnest smartphone at 6.68 mm thick and also one of the first new phones to ship with Android 4.0.

Our very own Nick was so impressed with the Ascend P1 LTE that he said it was one of his favorite Android phones of CES.

Now new information has leaked out about Huawei’s upcoming Diamond series, which is said to offer the “smartest, fastest and most high-performing smartphones.” Japanese site Blog of Mobile is reporting that Huawei will unveil two devices at Mobile World Congress this month, called the Ascend D1 Q and MediaPad 10.

A lot of this is speculation, but some taking the name Ascend D1 Q and interpreting “D1″ as Diamond series and “Q” as quad-core. Huawei has partnered with NVIDIA and used their Tegra 2 processor in previous tablets, so it’s not that surprising to hear that they could also be using the quad-core Tegra 3 in some new devices.

We have already billed Mobile World Congress 2012 as the quad-core phone show, where we expect at least a half-dozen devices to be unveiled. It will be tough to stand out from the crowd of quad-core devices, but Huawei sounds pretty confident about their Diamond series.

Mobile World Congress is only two weeks away and I will be on site to report on the hottest devices, so check back soon to see if Huawei can live up to the pre-show hype.