Google Earth for Android has been updated to version 1.1, which allows users to explore the oceans in great detail. Now, you are able to zoom in underneath the surface and explore the terrain that makes up nearly 70 percent of our Earth. 

Included in the 1.1 update:

• A layer called "Explore the Oceans," which features hundreds of photos and videos submitted by users 
• The gold highlighted icons represent those submitted by the Mission Blue Hope Spot Initiative

There are also features only for those with 2.2 (Froyo):

• Supports Flash in balloons, which means that you can watch videos directly in the balloons
• Also, the application was made easier to navigate, with Google allowing users to roam around with two fingers rather than the on-screen controls

This update will work with most devices with 2.1 (Eclair) or higher. If you want to download it, links are after the break. [Google Mobile Blog Spot]

Mellisa Thompson, of Salford, England, has broken the Guinness World Record for the fastest texter, using Swype on a Samsung Galaxy S with a time of 25.94 seconds.  The previous record of 35.54 seconds, held by Franklin Page of the U.S. was also set using a Samsung phone (the Omnia II) using Swype.  We're glad to see this one come to Android :)

For all the aspiring record breakers out there, the "official" text used is:

"The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human."

Punctuation and capitalization counts, so none of that ez txt spk.  Unfortunately, Swype is still in closed beta, so we can't help you there.  If you have what it takes, fire up the camera and send in a video -- we'll see that it gets to the right place if you can beat the record!  [Google News]

Aaron La, the developer behind Advanced Task Manager, has opened his books and gives us some interesting insight into the Android Market, profitability and his own opinions of the market.We'll let Aaron break down the numbers for you, but some interesting points:

• The free version of ATM can bring in as much or more advertising revenue monthly than straight sales of its 99-cent counterpart.
• Aaron hasn't quit his day job, but an average of $10,000 a month is quite a lot of pocket change.
• Google Checkout and the Market app themselves are a couple of big anchors holding back Android. (And that's a sentiment certainly echoed by a whole lot of people).
• The 24-hour return policy isn't evil.

Give the entire blog post a read. It's a good one. [Aaronla.com via @romainguy]

Who has two thumbs, seven Android phones and has a hankering for some multi-client instant messaging on Android? This guy. The popular desktop IM client Trillian is now in open beta for Android for a limited time. With it, you can keep up with your pals on AIM, Gtalk, IRC, Mobile Me, Facebook, MySpaceIM, Yahoo and a handful of other protocols, all from a single app on your phone.

Along with the usual Trillian support, you get tabbed chats, landscape mode, and can sent emoticons, photos and send pings (oh boy) to your friends "to demand attention."

The beta period won't last forever, and the app will expire at the end of the beta (at which time we'll likely have to pay for it. So snag it now and give it a shot. [Trillian]

Whether you're getting tired of the vanilla look, or feeling like PhilBlur just isn't for you, or just ready to try something new, the good people at Mappn have delivered. We looked at aHome 4 a few weeks back when we got hold of some leaked screen shots, and now you can, too.  The developers are actively seeking feedback, and looking for some artistic types to work up some more themes as well.  Give it a look! [Android Central forums]

Android hacker Koush has done it again, this time by creating a method to (almost) have his famous Clockwork recovery on the Motorola Droid X.  He does state that this isn't a "real" recovery, and there's a big list of caveats and issues attached. Frankly, unless you understand the cautions and warnings pointed out, wait another week before giving it a whirl.  I don't think this can brick your X, but it could leave you scratching your head and feeling helpless while it refuses to boot up.

The good news -- this is Koush we're talking about.  If anyone can work magic on a Moto, he can.  He already has plans to get this in Rom Manager, which will make things easier, and while the locked and encrypted bootloader may keep a full custom recovery from ever happening, you can bet this working method will be refined and made more usable in the near future. 

Moto, we love you.  We love your Android phones.  Do you see now that it isn't worth it?  As long as you make handsets we want to buy, we will find a way to open them up.  Save yourself the headache, and the money and stop locking down your phones, please.

We're not going to give any download links for this one, because each and every person who plans to use it needs to read the warnings from the developer himself.  You can find those, as well as download information in the source link.  [MyBrainHurts -- Koushik Dutta's blog]

Symantec has found more malware in the Android Market¹, even going so far as to give the app it's own 'viral' name AndroidOS.Tapsnake.  Symantec states that Tapsnake sends your GPS data, and users with another application can read your location.  And they're right -- but read further and you'll see that calling this any type of threat is as silly as developing it in the first place.

In Symantec's own words:

"For the application to really be used maliciously, an attacker would need to have access to the phone to install the program. For it to work, an email address and “key” must be typed into the phone running AndroidOS.Tapsnake. This same registration information must later be typed into the phone running GPS Spy." 

In other words, you not only have to download a Snake game that tells you it's going to use your GPS data, you also have to enter a keyword, and the e-mail address of the person who will be doing the spying.

There are real threats out there, but this isn't one I'm going to worry about.  Watch what you download and use the tiniest bit of common sense and you'll be just fine.  [Symantec]

1. author's note: I tried seven different Android phones, and couldn't find Tap Snake on the Android Market.  Symantec says it is available, so your mileage may vary.