Motorola has announced that the RAZR MAXX XT910 -- that's the international version of the Droid RAZR MAXX -- has gone on sale today across China. As you'll remember from our review, the RAZR MAXX is essentially the same phone as the original RAZR, right down to the software build numbers.

The key difference is it's packing a ginormous 3300mAh battery. And as 4G services haven't yet launched in China, there'll be no LTE radio in this version, meaning battery life should be even better than the Verizon 4G model. (Moto's boasting up to 21 hours of talk time on a single charge.)

China recently overtook the U.S. as the world's largest smartphone market, so the launch of any leading smartphone over there is a big deal. We're still eager to see this model launched in other territories, though. Moto brought the RAZR to the UK and Europe late last year, but it's yet to reveal any European plans for the MAXX.

Chinese buyers can pick up the Motorola RAZR MAXX at "authorized Motorola resellers" from today.

Source: Motorola Media Center

If you're hanging onto a Galaxy S II Skyrocket and wishing it had some Ice Cream Sandwich love on it, you're in luck. A new leak has now appeared and is available for download for those of you out there who are willing to give it a shot. The build date for this one is listed as March 14th, 2012 with the build.pro file confirming some form of officialness to it:

ro.build.description=SGH-I727-user 4.0.3 IML74K 107 release-keys
ro.build.fingerprint=samsung/SGH-I727/SGH-I727:4.0.3/IML74K/107:user/release-keys
ro.build.characteristics=default

Update: False alarm for the T-Mobile SGSII (T989). Look for a working method in short order, but for now fall back.

For the adventurous, it is noted to also work on the T-Mobile Galaxy S II variation as well but like all things, you'll have to use caution when loading this thing up. The potential for things to go wrong is there, so keep that in mind. For the moment, Windows users only can make use of the file but hopefully that'll be sorted for Mac and Linux folks soon. Hit the source link for the download.

Source: RootzWiki

As usual, you guys floored us with all the submissions for last week's photo contest. It's solid proof that Android lovers also enjoy taking pictures and sharing them with the world, so manufacturers and app developers better step it up and give us even more love. All the pictures were awesome, and we wish we could say every single was was the winner, but that's not how contests work. We picked out the top five, and you'll find them after the break.

Didn't win this week? No worries. A new contest starts tomorrow, so keep an eye out for it. For the winners, a big congrats and keep an eye on your inbox for information about your Android Central t-shirts!

We're waiting patiently (mostly because we have no choice) for AT&T to sell us the HTC One X, and now we can drool over and talk to a fellow who's testing one for AT&T in the Android Central forums. Phonegeek (perfect name) has a One X in his hands and has let us in on a little bit of info, and is getting us even more excited for a release.

The AT&T version uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, and has 16GB internal storage. This is different from the international version, but is necessary to include the LTE radio. The S4 is no slouch though. Look in the thread and you'll see it rules the benchmark arena, handily beating out the Galaxy Nexus (and everything else) in both Quadrant and Browser benchmarking tool Vellamo. Benchmarks aside, the new generation of processor from Qualcomm means that this phone will perform like no other. One day, everyone will make chips and radios that work on all networks, but in the meantime HTC (like Samsung) has made sure that as far as performance goes, there is no difference between versions.

It looks as good as it operates, which is just as important. The speaker grill is slightly different, but otherwise it's the same One X we saw in Spain at MWC, and that's a good thing. Phonegeek also compares it to the HTC Inspire 4G, and it checks in a full 1.5 ounces lighter at about the same thickness. We're digging that, as sometimes too thin is just too thin. Also, be sure to check out a great picture taken with the new HTC camera setup and ImageSense software, which looks as good as we expected it to be. It's clear, in 2012 HTC is once again a force to be reckoned with. We wouldn't want it any other way.

Latest word is mid-May for release, and we can't wait. Hit the link below and have a look!

Source: Android Central forums

Remember the Droid R2-D2? Verizon does, and will shortly be issuing a maintenance update for the aging, but still capable R2-Droid2. The software version is getting a bump to 4.5.622.A957, on top of Android 2.3.4, and looks like it's chock full of security fixes and enhancements, bug-fixes, and newer versions of Verizon's installed apps. The full change log:

• Enhanced security with DigiNotar security patch.
• Increased browser cross-application scripting for enhanced multitasking stability.
• Device will no longer automatically power on after it has been powered off.
• Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System.
• Successfully download and save purchased MP3 ringtones.
• Camera settings will be saved, even after the device is powered off.
• Increased device stability when keypad is opened and closed repeatedly.
• Improved 3G data connectivity while using the Mobile Hotspot.
• App shortcuts remain on the home screen after moving them from internal to external memory.
• VZ Navigator is now updated to version 7.2.0.452.
• V CAST Apps is now updated to version 4.4.1.0.
• Successfully play WAV files.
• Contact groups will sort correctly.
• Successfully add application shortcuts or widgets to the home panel without error.
• Fixed issue where duplicate text and multimedia messages were being received.
• Improved ability to access and receive Gmail messages when the Mobile Hotspot is turned on.
• Improved syncing with Yahoo! email.
• Forwarded emails will no longer remain in the outbox when Smart Forwarding is enabled.

While it's not Ice Cream Sandwich, and the R2-Droid2 will never officially see ICS, it appears to be a welcome update -- especially if you were affected by one or more of the listed bugs. No word on exactly when this one will start to roll out, but it should be soon as the support documents are already live on Verizon's support sites. Have a look at them via the links below.

Source: Verizon (1), (2). Thanks everyone who sent this in!

Update: The reference to Rogers on Sony Mobile Canada's Facebook page has been removed, and the network has contacted MobileSyrup​ to clarify its plans for the device. The carrier says that while the Xperia S will run on its HSPA+ network, it won't be offered directly. This most likely means Canadians hoping to pick up an Xperia S will have to buy one outright from Sony.

Original story: Looks like Sony's new Xperia S will be arriving on North American shores in the near future, as Sony Mobile Canada has revealed that its high-end phone for early 2012 will be hitting the Rogers network. No release or pricing info is available just yet -- Sony just says the Rogers Xperia S is "coming soon."

The Xperia S is out now in Europe, and we recently got our hands on the finished article. While we were disappointed to see a flagship smartphone launching in Spring 2012 with Gingerbread, we were impressed with the Xperia S's build quality, HD Reality Display screen and 12MP EXMOR R camera. The phone's due an update to Ice Cream Sandwich during Q2, though, so depending on when Rogers launches it, Canadians may find their version comes pre-loaded with the latest version of Android.

For more on the Xperia S, check out our full review.

Source: Sony Mobile CA; via: MobileSyrup

• 4-inch IPS display with Gorilla Glass (800X480) 262K Color TFT
• Dimensions: 4.69 x 2.45 x 0.45 inches
• Weight: 5.0 oz
• USB 2.0
• 8GB of storage
• 1GB RAM
• 1.2GHz dual-core processor
• Android 2.3 upgradable to Android 4.0
• 4G LTE
• 5-megapixel (rear) camera
• Full 1080p HD video capture
• Front facing camera
• Video producer LG software
• Mobile Hotspot capable
• Bluetooth v3.0
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
• Standard Battery: 1700mAh
• Standby time: Up to 350 hours
• Usage time: Up to 8 hours
• Micro USB Charging port
• Wi-Fi Direct
• S-GPS support for location accuracy
• Share Genie

Earlier this week, Orange UK wasn't too sure when it's be rolling out the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for Samsung Galaxy S II phones on its network, but now it appears the carrier has a release window in mind. Crave​ reports that Orange now intends to release the update sometime in April, putting it on par with O2, which is planning a similar timeframe for its own ICS roll-out.

Some unbranded UK Galaxy S II's started being updated from this Monday, March 19. While Three UK customers are currently being updated through Kies, T-Mobile and Vodafone have yet to commit to any timeframe for their own releases.

Source: Crave; via: Eurodroid