Google has released the source code for Android 4.0.3 and that means here come the custom ROMs. The latest of these is the Motorola XOOM. Although the XOOM is expected to receive an official update to Ice Cream Sandwich in the near future, if you just can’t wait, there’s a ROM for you. There’s a version available for both the Wifi-only XOOM and the 3G/4G version. As expected with early ports, some things are not working. Namely the camera, GPS and some video playback on the WiFi model, and 3G/4G, camera, video playback issues on the 3G/4G version. Flash as your own risk.

[3G/4G XOOM]
[WiFi-only XOOM]

Less than a week from the initial Alpha release, the CyanogenMod team has released an update to the custom ROM for the HP Touchpad. The software is still nowhere near final release stages and the installation process is quite in depth for all but the most experienced modders, but it’s still coming along nicely. The latest update hopefully fixes a few of the major bugs from the first release including:

• Plugging headphones in should now shut off speaker volume
• Battery drain issues have been (partially) addressed
• More apps now available in market (thanks to Flemmard)
• Temporarily removed suspect fsck_msdos to fix random folder deletion on media/sdcard.
• At least one type of “sleep of death” (TP won’t wake up) has been fixed
• Wifi should no longer hang in sleep
• Vibrator no longer disappears
• Touchscreen no longer unresponsive after sleep
• cifs support added
• Touchstone should now charge better
• fixed broken links resulting from first version of installer (mount now works)
• pptp vpn now works
• OpenVPN TUN support added
• USB mounting in vold added
• Misc. fixes to ACME Installer (more graceful exits, nonstandard LVM media location handling, etc.)
• fixes to surfaceflinger to improve performance
• upstream cm7 changes added

If you already installed the initial release and want to upgrade, or if you’re brave enough to install the early alpha software for yourself, head over to the thread on RootzWiki for all the necessary files and information.
 
[RootzWiki]

Today Samsung announced a pair of Galaxy S devices to compete directly with Apple’s iPod Touch. Essentially the same as a Galaxy S phone, but without the calling capability, the Galaxy S Wifi 4.0 and Galaxy S Wifi 5.0 will be available in a 4-inch or 5-inch screen, respectively.

Both devices feature a 1Ghz processor, Android 2.2 (upgradeable to Gingerbread 2.3), 3.2 megapixel camera (the 5.0 has an LED flash), WiFi and GPS, Android Market access. Both devices support an array of media formats including MP3, WMA9, Ogg, Flac, AAC, MPEG4, H264, DivX, XviD, and WMV so you should have no problem playing your favorite files. The 5.0 features a generous 2,500mAh battery and a 800 x 480 TFT LCD display. While the 4.0 has a 1200mAh battery and a 800 x 480 Super Clear LCD display.

There’s no word about a US release, but the 4.0 will first be available in Russia, and the 5.0 will be coming to Switzerland first. From there both devices will see a gradual worldwide release. No pricing was currently available, but if priced right, it could be a surefire contender to the iPod Touch. Especially considering how wildly successful the Galaxy S phone was and still is.

Press Release:

SEOUL, May 2, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading provider of Smart Mobile Devices, today launched GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and a fresh addition to its smart player portfolio, the GALAXY S WiFi 5.0.

Each featuring 4” and 5” screen-sizes and delivering the powerful application experiences as the original GALAXY S, the two versions give users an unrivalled entertainment experience through a clear display, a swift 1GHz processor and the Android™ 2.2 “Froyo” platform. The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 will be first available in Russia and will be gradually rolled out in other countries. The GALAXY S WiFi 5.0 will be first available in Switzerland.

“With the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 we’re delivering a rich, immersive experience for multimedia enthusiasts.” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “A large, high-quality screen, a world of fun and useful applications and great communications services make this a powerhouse device at an affordable price.

The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 will deliver all the rich smartphone experiences of the GALAXY S smartphone. With video communications via VoIP services and rich video and music entertainment with multi-codec support, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 will keep you constantly entertained.

Stunning Performance, Powerful Features

Key Features of the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 include:

• Display: The clear display makes web surfing and multimedia viewing a joy. Keep your lifestyle mobile – enjoy movies, your favourite TV shows, photos and web-browsing anywhere. Samsung’s latest mDNIe image engine technology ensures that video and images look stunning.
• Android™ 2.2 “Froyo”: The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 feature the Froyo operating system, with a possibility to upgrade to 2.3 Gingerbread.
• Application Customization: With access to over 150,000 apps available on Android Market™, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 are fully customizable smart devices. Integrated GPS support further expands the capabilities of the device, letting you benefit from Google’s map services and directory applications.
• Google Mobile Services: Enjoy premium Google™ services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™. Utilize voice recognition technology to search with Google faster than ever on the Internet. Stay plugged into the world with premier Google applications.
• Samsung Social Hub: Your entire social life in your hand. Simultaneously post messages and pictures on Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter using Samsung’s Social Hub. The integrated address book provides the ultimate command & control station for the most popular SNS services. Synchronize your personal calendar with friends, family, and the latest events.
• VoIP Voice & Video Calls: The GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 utilize cost-effective video and voice communications services. The Qik application allows video chat which can be shared over social network services.
• HD Video & Images: A camera lets you shoot and share your life, capturing high-quality video or still images. The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 support DivX HD, allowing high-definition video playback; Support for various codec standards including MPEG4, H264, DivX, XviD, WMV codecs ensures you can enjoy huge catalogues of content from all over the web.
• Audio excellence: The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 “Smart Player” put entertainment at its core, designed to deliver the best possible audio and video experience. Samsung SoundAlive™ technology provides unrivalled sound quality, with deeper bass and greater tone articulation.
• Enhanced Memory Capability: Packed with generous 8/16 GB memory, plus mircoSD slot and powered by a powerful 1GHz for an industry leading performance, the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 and 5.0 are equipped to handle any user demand.

 

Do we really need to dispense a warning about knowing what you’re doing before you continue? You don’t really want a $600 paperweight, do you?

Download the Motorola WiFi Xoom Root Zip file and unzip it. (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZJ8HAF79)
You’ll need fastboot – get it here http://developer.htc.com/adp.html
Place the files in the SDK Tools folder.

If rebooting works…
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem unlock
adb reboot bootloader

If stuck at “Dual Core Technology”
Hold VolUp and power to restart Xoom
Hold VolDown will booting unit for fastboot mode

fastboot flash boot boot.img (Tiamat 1.1.6 boot.img - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=978013)
fastboot reboot
adb remount
adb push bcm4329.ko /system/lib/modules/bcm4329.ko #WiFi Kernel
adb push cifs.ko /system/lib/modules/cifs.ko #Windows Sharing
adb push tun.ko /system/lib/modules/tun.ko #VPN Setup
adb push scsi_wait_scan.ko /system/lib/modules/scsi_wait_scan.ko
adb push su /system/bin
adb shell ln -s /system/bin/su /system/xbin/su
adb shell chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
adb push Superuser.apk /system/app
adb push vold.fstab /system/etc/vold.fstab #USB Mounting
adb reboot
adb shell

[via AndroidPolice]

Good news for Cellular South customers, the regional carrier has confirmed they will be carrying the Motorola Xoom. Although not the 3G/4G version that Verizon has, this is the WiFi only model. The Xoom will be available for $599.99, and and apparently come bundled with their Novatel MiFi mobile hotspot, regularly priced at $89.99. Cellular South’s data plan pricing is about on par with Verizon’s:

• $19.99/1GB with $20.00 for each GB thereafter (MiFi only)
• $29.99/3GB with $10.00 for each GB thereafter (Data Card, Netbook and MiFi)
• $49.99/5GB with $10.00 for each GB thereafter (Data Card, Netbook and MiFi)

[Cellular South via Androinica]

[Amazon Product Page - $379]

So maybe you didn’t preorder the Adam tablet, or maybe you just want to try the custom OS out. Or maybe you just happen to have a Viewsonic G-Tablet that you’re bored with. Well, the wizards over at xda-developers have created and Alpha release (read: unstable) of the Notion Ink Eden custom OS for the GTab.

Based of the Adam build NIA20230111, with a couple of notable changes:

• Adds Pershoot’s custom kernel for the GTab (fixes Wifi)
• Gapps added
• Adhoc networking added (needs to be tested)
• Rooted and Titanium Backup friendly Busbybox added, with Superuser.apk.
• Flash player added (might take a few minutes to install, after the first boot)
• Pulled out the Phone apks (for now) to improve battery life
• Youtube and home switcher apks added

Not meant for the general public, but if you’re the sort of risk taker that wants to try a new OS, head over to the thread at xda-developers and get to flashing.

[via UberGizmo]

For those that tinker with Android phones with overlays and add-ons like TouchWiz, Sense and MotoBlur, it seems the holy grail of ROMs to have a plain vanilla Android experience. After all, why not? Plain Android will always run faster and, in my opinion, it’s easier and works better for me.

The Samsung Fascinate is the latest phone to get the AOSP ROM treatment. Currently in Alpha stages of release, it’s still a work in progress, but it’s mostly functional at the moment with the following features working:

• Wifi
• SMS Both Ways
• Calls Outgoing & Incoming (for the most part)
• Data/3G
• Vibrate
• Audio/Music
• WiFi Tether
• GPS
• Camera works (Black and White preview only but works)

It’s based off Android 2.1 at the moment. And of course, it’s not meant to be a daily driver ROM, so it should only be flashed if you’re comfortable with testing early releases on your phone. But for those that don’t fear bugs or bricking their device, it’s a taste of what’s to come. Check out the ROM thread here.

[via xda-developers blog]

[via Electronista]

Samsung and Sprint announced the latest Android offering from both companies, the Samsung Moment. Available November 1st for $179.99 on a two year contract, undercutting Samsung’s latest offering from T-Mobile, the Behold 2, by $20. This is the device previously thought to be called the InstinctQ, but obviously they wanted to differentiate it from the Instinct lineup. Featuring a 3.2-inch AMOLED touch screen, slideout 4-row QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3.5MP camera with a flash, proximity sensor and accelerometer. But one of the most important specs is the 800Mhz processor, which makes this one of the best spec’d Android handsets to date. At least until the rumored 1Ghz HTC Dragon or the Sony Xperia X3 come onto the scene.

Anyone planning on passing on the HTC Hero to get the Samsung Moment?

[Read via BGR]