Thanks to some tipsters we have had a look at the HTC EVO 4G development guide, and it's chock full of goodies. It covers all the things that are going to make the EVO great. As you can see in the pic above, a good portion of the guide covers HDMI out functions, which is enough to want the EVO on it's own. Some of the other things covered:

• API's for a new location service
• controling the front facing camera
• detection and playback of online media ( both Adobe flash and HTML5 )
• tools and code to handle network transitions between 3G, 4G, and WiFi

While the document itself doesn't mean much to most of us, once the talented developers out there get into it we can expect some really innovative applications to show up on the Market just about the time the EVO hits the shelves. My hat's off to Sprint for getting this out the door and into the hands of the folks that want it and can use it this far in advance of the release of the phone. Makes my personal decision between the EVO and the Sprint Nexus One that much more difficult.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

It's Android-on-Android action today in LaptopMag's March Smartphone Madness tournament, with the HTC Hero taking on the Motorola Droid (all full of itself now that the Android 2.1 update is finally rolling out).

Which one's going to move on to face the Verizon BlackBerry Tour? Well, that's up to you, now isn't it. Thanks to the 83 people who sent this in.

Here we go again, folks. After a number of false starts, we started getting word this morning that the Android 2.1 update was making its way to Motorola Droid users. Engadget snagged the following from an internal Verizon e-mail:

Starting 03/30/2010, Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for the DROID by Motorola. Users will be able to upgrade their software to version AP: ESE81/BP: C_01.3E.03P to receive new improvements and enhancements.

The SOP of 1,000 people in the first batch applies, followed by 9,000 more at midnight tonight, and 200,000 on Thursday. So stand by for an OTA update, and stand by for the manual download link. Or stand by for more disappointment. One of those things is bound to happen. Sing out in the forums if you get some Android 2.1 love.

Update: Actual shot of said internal e-mail is above.

The beautiful T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Edition is coming back! T-Mobile retail stores will reportedly be receiving one additional shipment of the limited edition, guitar-inspired Android device on March 31st (which is this Wednesday!). As it quickly sold out its first go around, we expect more of the same this time, so be quick if you want in! When we had our hands-on with the myTouch 3G Fender Edition, we were very impressed with the build and finish. We think you'd think the same.

Anyone interested in getting the myTouch 3G Fender Edition this time around? [via tmonews]

Yesterday we heard from HTC, manufacturer of the Evo 4G, about the Android phone's capability to do voice calls at the same time as data. And as a quick follow-up, Sprint just pinged us on Twitter to clarify things on its end. The Evo 4G will do voice calls at the same time as you're connected over WiFi and not when you're connected over EV-DO (3G).

That's par for the course these days on any CDMA carrier. WiMax is a brand-new ballgame, however, and Sprint says they're still testing things, and that simultaneous voice calls while using data over WiMax is to be determined. That lines up with what HTC told us. It's not a hardware issue, it's just a matter of getting it to work, and getting it to work properly. So godspeed, Sprint. We've got faith in ya.

Cellular technology can be broken down into two basic categories – GSM and CDMA. Both work well and provide the same function, but are different enough that they aren’t interchangeable. Lets have a look at each and try to clear everything up.

We're all familiar with the saga of the Xperia X10, how we were once so very excited for the phone to release and to, well, have it never release and have it just disappoint us at every corner instead. So it comes to no surprise that the Xperia X10 is disappointing us once again. (Put it this way: We've got it in hand, and we're trying to figure out what to do with it.) Though laggy software reportedly will be improved via update, it looks like the Xperia X10 will never have multitouch because the hardware is simply not capable of it. According to Sony Ericsson product manager Rikard Skogberg:

"There’s no multitouch in X10 – and I also can confirm that it’s not only related to [software] but also to [hardware]."

In a vacuum, not having multitouch is a downer but not a definite dealbreaker--but considering how reliably unreliable the Xperia X10 has been, those still looking at the X10 as their next Android device should probably look elsewhere. Wait, was there even anyone who still wanted the Xperia X10? [via slashgear]

For our readers down in Australia, The HTC Desire will be available on April 27 on Telstra's Next G Network.

“HTC Desire gives customers unprecedented ability to personalise their mobile,” said Ross Fielding, Executive Director, Mobility Products, Telstra. “Not only can customers select from a massive ecosystem of free and paid-for applications from the Android Market – as well as Telstra apps like Mobile FOXTEL– but they can completely re-configure how shortcuts and applications appear on their phone. Add to this a fast 1GHz Snapdragon processor, the Next G network’s unsurpassed coverage and speed, and Google’s latest Android operating system for mobiles and you have one of the most responsive, intuitive and exciting smartphones to launch in 2010.”

Some additional key features is that the Desire is running on Android 2.1, it has the latest HTC Sense user expirence, 3.5mm stereo audio jack, automatically lowers the ringer volume when the phone is picked up, mutes the ringer when the phone is flipped down and automatically backs up certain data to the MircoSD such as SMS/MMS.

Pricing will be for $0 on Telstra's $60 consumer Phone Plan for 24 months, or can be purchased outright for a RRP of $779. The HTC Desire will be available in Telstra stores and dealers on April 27th. [HTC]

Get ready Luke Wilson and company, you have a new (well, old) target to go after. HTC has confirmed to us that the Sprint EVO 4G, which it manufactures, will not be able to use voice and 4G services at the same time at release. The full quote from HTC:

"If you're using 4G for data, you can't use CDMA for voice. Currently the only way to do simultaneous voice and data would be through a third-party VOIP solution. However, this is not do to strict hardware limitations, so it's possible this could change with future updates."

We touched on this in our EVO 4G Q&A, but this certainly needs it's own entry. HTC says that it's not due to hardware limitations, so that leaves only one culprit -- Sprint. We're used to this with CDMA phones, and maybe it's still something that's "in the works," but the question remains -- why would Sprint cripple (sorry, Phil, just couldn't resist  ) what's arguably the best upcoming phone on the market? At this point all I can think is "Why, Sprint, why?"

OK, you hungry Motorola Cliq users who are dying for another update: One's coming your way tonight, at least for 1,000 lucky users. But before you call a baby sitter and abandon the family, know this: It doesn't appear to be a full-on Android version update, though it will bring:

• Improved battery life
• Improved software performance and stability
• Improved home screen
• Improved widget response
• Decrease in ‘Force Close’ error messages
• New Manage SIM card application
• Added support of .WMA and .WAV media files
• Removes the imeem mobile application

To get in on it tonight (for everybody else, this maintenance release is coming later this week), you'll need to manually check for an update starting at 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT), and follow this thread in T-Mobile's forums. Good luck! [via TMoNews]