We're pretty big fans of Google's Chrome Web Browser here at Android Central and not only because 'Chrome-lite' is on our Android phones. We love that Chrome is pushing innovative features that can help transfer a lot of desktop tasks to the 'new' web.

So, we're pretty happy to see Chrome get such a nifty looking commercial that fits a lot of advertising requirements. It introduces the masses to a new product which is backed by a strong brand name, it has a rather fun play on removing all the excess in a browser, and well, it's just a cute ad overall.

Take a look at the video above to check out Google's new ad spot for Chrome!

We've forgotten a lot about the rumored Acer Android smartphone largely in part of the barrage of other Android phones receiving official announcements. But no more! Acer wants to be recognized for its smartphone (and potentially Android) interests as well because after word hit that an Acer smartphone wont hit in '09, Acer officials contacted many sources saying:

There still is a potential for an Acer smartphone to make an appearance in the U.S. Specifically, a Q4 2009 launch is still possible.

Hooray? Well, since we don't know if this first Acer phone will be Android-powered we won't celebrate yet. But we're hoping Acer offers a different experience than the much anticipated HTC Magic and Samsung I7500.

Yeah, we're no longer begging for Android smartphones, we're choosing.

[via engadget]

Finished drooling over that last video of the Samsung i7500? Yeah, us, either. But this one's really gonna knock your socks off. We get a hands-on, up-close look at a device that should be able to compete with anything else out there, complete with audio, this time. The specs, in case you forgot:

• 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
• Quad-Band GSM
• Tri-Band 7.2Mbps HSDPA (900/1700/2100MHZ)
• 320x480 pixel 3.2″ AMOLED Screen
• WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth
• 1,500mAh battery
• 8GB Internal Storage (expandable to 32GB via microSD)
• 3.5mm Headset Jack (YES!!!)

The question remains: Is this the Houdini? Or is there more on the horizon? Look out, HTC. Somebody's gunning for you.

Tech65.org [via Engadget]

Each week we bring you the best of SPE. This week, The iPhone Blog brings you a gigantic Birthday Bash Contest with a grand prize of a Factory Unlocked iPhone 3G done up, Colorware-style. Crackberry.com had the WES 2009 Conference covered six ways from Sunday, too. Meanwhile, Nokia Experts stood out as the single best place to find out all there is know about the just-released Nokia E71x. There's much more, so read on!

Looks like BGR is having a banner day what with that Walmart Roadmap.  Next up, seems that the HTC Magic will be coming to T-Mobile for sure possibly with the G2 moniker, but up to now HTC hasn't been fond of people calling the Magic the G2.  Heck, the name "T-Mobile MyTouch" is also on the table here.  We've already seen it clear the FCC so this isn't exactly breaking news, though. 

Names aside, the big news here is that we're looking at slightly different hardware specs: to wit, a five megapixel camera.  Strikes us as very likely -- we know T-Mobile has been pursuing a high-megapixel strategy for the handsets lately.  July release, $179 price tag, white color.  Count us in.

Let's just hope the rumor that it will support UMA pans out too.

Less than a week after we learned of the existence of the G1 v2 "Bigfoot," the just-as-mysterious Boy Genius manages to snag himself a pic of the device. And it's looking like this could be one sexy slider.

It's still pretty much in line with what we originally saw in that leaked HTC roadmap back in January, with the emergence of the "Memphis." We're looking at a possible October launch, at which time the original G1 would reach end-of-life. The updated phone would go for about $150 with a two-year deal with T-Mobile. Why, that's less than an iPhone, just as the initial 2-year contracts are up! (he writes with a wink)

So, all you fence-sitters out there (and we know who you are): Is a more up-to-date slider going to get you to move to Android?

One of the cooler, more 'social' features in the Android 1.5 Cupcake update is the ability to easily share your videos through YouTube. It's really as easy as point, shoot, and upload because you just point your Android phone toward the subject, hit record to record, and then press the share video via YouTube icon to upload.

Voila, you have uploaded a YouTube video on the fly. Pretty sweet huh?

[youtube blog]

PayPal just announced that they've released an official PayPal application to Android Market. The app allows PayPal users (and we know there's a ton of them) easier access to their account and a whole lot of functionality. To quote:

• Direct integration with the contact list.  You won’t need to remember people’s numbers or emails anymore to send them money!  Just select their name from your list of contacts, and we’ll make sure they get paid.
• Recent history. You can use your phone to look at your transactions over the last couple of months.  So if you ever need to check whether or not a payment has come through, it’ll be simple to find out.
• Balance checks.  We show you all your balances in any of the currencies you hold.

It's always great to see big companies release apps for Android because it means that they take the Android platform seriously. And with seriousness brings legitimacy. Slow roastin'.

[thepaypalblog]

If you've been waiting for Android to hit Japan you're in luck. NTT DoCoMo is finally releasing Android to its customers with the HT-03A, which you may already know as the HTC Magic. We've heard rumblings of NTT DoCoMo going Android before and since they are a member of the Open Handset Alliance, this should come as no surprise. However, the name change is odd--HT-03A doesn't really roll off the tongue

What is interesting is that Japan runs a CDMA network and the HTC Magic is GSM phone, we're not sure how that agrees. It'll be interesting to see if there will be any hardware changes to the HTC Magic.

[via androidcommunity]

With so many announcements around the world regarding Android and future Android devices, we totally forgot that Canada has not been able to experience the joy that is Android! Luckily, Rogers has stepped up to the plate to offer BOTH the HTC Dream and HTC Magic for their customers! Both devices should be available by June 2nd 

This will be the first official look that our neighbors to the north will get of Android and it'll surely be a great one packed with Cupcake goodies and Android open-ness. Any Canadians excited about Android reaching your airwaves?

full press release after the jump