Wireless networks are expanding nearly every day, and the mobile phone as we knew it half-decade ago is dead and gone.  Today, a substantial percentage of consumers carry an always-on internet device that's used for e-mail, web browsing, social networking, and more.

I'm away from my computer for most of the day, so I rely on my Evo to keep me connected to the web, family, and friends.  My phone (like yours I'm betting) is loaded with personal e-mails, sensitive online banking information, and saved passwords.  Malicious apps or a lost/stolen phone could lead to disastrous consequences -- so for these reasons alone, some may find it necessary to invest in some extra security.

Enter BullGuard Mobile Security 10 -- a new name in Android security.  Find out more after the break.

You read that right, folks. For those of you waiting to officially get in on the Swype keyboard, you'll wait no longer. The beta program has opened up to anyone able to type in a little user information. That means you can be up and running the official version of Swype in just a couple of minutes -- including the new and improved "micro" version -- without worry of being hassled by the man. Hit up the source link to get your Swype on. [Swype] Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

It's been 10 long months since we saw SPB Mobile Shell for Android. That's right, the same SPB who used to make Windows Mobile usable. And long after we got a look at it at Mobile World Congress it's ... still not available. But you can now sign up for a private beta, and possible get a look at a whole 'nother UI for Android. Be sure to check out our hands-on from February, and there's all new video after the break. [SPB Mobile Shell for Android]

But is this yet another case of Chicken Little crying
that the sky is falling?

The Wall Street Journal has come forward with a lengthy article about Android and iOS applications, and how they transmit your data to advertisement companies. They assembled a selection of 101 smartphone apps (50 Android apps, 50 iOS apps, and the WSJ's iPhone app -- they haven't seen fit to release an Android version just yet) and found that 56 of them transmit unique identifying data from your smartphone.  More specifically -- apps are transmitting the unique device ID, age, location, gender, time spent using the app and other possibly personal identifying data.  Yes, it's wallpaper-gate all over again.  Let's dissect this a bit, after the break. [WSJ.com]

We know how sensitive some of you are regarding app size. It's OK. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and you're not alone. And the fine folks at Swype fully sympathize and are now offering a "micro" version of the Swype keyboard. It's fully functional, just with fewer languages supported, so you get a 2.5MB install instead of a 10MB install. To get the micro version, just open the Swype Installer on your phone and accept the update.

Also, Swype has (finally) offered some help to you Evo 4G users who had problems this week. See, the 3.70.651.1 OS update that dropped this week included the Swype keyboard. So if you already were running the beta, things quickly stopped working. As many of you figured out, you need to uninstall the beta, then reboot, and all should be well. [Swype forums]

E*TRADE has finally released its Android application to the masses. Having only previously been available on other platforms such as iOS and BlackBerry, E*TRADE mobile Pro now has a home in the Android Market. Although I'm not much of a stock trader myself I certainly could be given how easy the app is to use. Not so sure I'd be successful at it so it's best I just let you all know the features rather than test them out myself.  Features included in the app:

• Get free real-time quotes, news & charts.
• Check the market and your device watch list.
• Securely buy, sell, and place orders with just a few taps.    
• Check your holdings, balances, and buying power in real time.

If you have an E*TRADE account and have been waiting for this app, you'll find the download link after the break. PS: If you make some money using the app, I expect my cut. Thanks Steve!

Whenever a new version of Android is released, one thing you can always count on is the developer community hacking it onto as many devices as they can.  Using the kernel and system image from the Nexus S, developer supercurio of XDA Developers was able to get a (mildly) working build of Gingerbread up and running on his Samsung Galaxy S. 

Although it's a rather crippled build -- and it'll cost you GPS, Wi-Fi, voice, and camera functionality -- it's definitely a step in the right direction.  Every good custom ROM starts with a buggy, near useless build -- these things don't happen overnight.

Check out a video of the Galaxy S running Gingerbread after the break.

For anyone who has tried the new Android Market client on their Nexus S and was disappointed at the odd visual glitches -- that and the fact that it reverted itself to the old market in just a few hours -- here's at least a partial fix.  Jury is still out on whether this one will be a bit more permanent or not, but it looks (and more importantly works) great.  None of that overlapping text and half images we were seeing with the last "new" Market version.

Hit the Nexus S forums and you can grab the apk file, just install it like any other application.  [XDA-Developers]