We broke the news yesterday, and today Sprint's confirmed it: Gingerbread is here for the Samsung Epic 4G. Here's the full changelog for software version EI22 (s:D700.0.5.S.EI22):

• Upgrade of the Google OS from Froyo to Gingerbread (Android 2.3)
• Audible Sprint AIRAVE™ notifications when answering call
• SMS messages sent without area code
• PRL and Profile update
• EAS (Exchange Activesync) email displaying HTML
• Bluetooth headset sound improvements
• Fully visible date on device lock screen

Be on the lookout for the update, and we're talking all about it in our Epic 4G forums. Join in!

Source: Sprint, Sprint Epic 4G Software Updates

In a briefing to certain people "close to the matter" Adobe has revealed plans to halt future development of the mobile Flash Player, says ZDNet.  According to the leaked document:

Our future work with Flash on mobile devices will be focused on enabling Flash developers to package native apps with Adobe AIR for all the major app stores. We will no longer adapt Flash Player for mobile devices to new browser, OS version or device configurations. Some of our source code licensees may opt to continue working on and releasing their own implementations. We will continue to support the current Android and PlayBook configurations with critical bug fixes and security updates.

Adobe will continue to support the current versions of mobile Flash Player, but their main focus will now be on HTML5 and embedded Flash or Air applications for mobile devices.  Flash for the desktop will still be actively developed.  The full announcement is expected sometime today.

What does this mean for those of us that already have Flash on our phones?  Not much.  Security patches and bug fixes will still be developed.  The real changes come when you consider new hardware architecture or new builds of Android.  These deceives won't be supported.  It's an interesting move, and we're curious to see how it plays out.

Source: ZDNet

Nvidia has done it again -- they have lifted the curtain and we now know everything there is to know about the Tegra 3 quad-core chip.  We first heard about project Kal-El (Nvidia's code name for the Tegra 3) back in February, and since then we've gotten a good many of the technical specifications and white papers, but now we know what it is, when it's coming, and how much ass it's going to kick.

As we learned back a few months ago, Tegra 3 tablets will be coming very soon -- as in this holiday season -- and phones will follow sometime around Q1 of 2012.  You can learn more about the first one available to us mere mortals -- the Asus Transformer Prime -- right here.  Go ahead, have a look, then come back and read on past the break to see just how much awesome Nvidia has crammed into that little square of silicon, as well as check out some video and pictures, and the full press release.

More: Nvidia

Just a few days ago we saw the HTC Thunderbolt get a semi-functional MIUI port, and today we were graced with the good news that the data and SMS issues have been resolved. Developer DroidVicious tweeted out that another developer who had been helping out, Reid Holland, was able to get data fully functional on the device. This news is huge for HTC Thunderbolt owners who have been wanting some MIUI love on their device. DroidVicious says he is working on something for the Droid Eris and then he will be hopefully releasing it tonight!

Source: Twitter

We just heard from a Sprint ninja that Gingerbread for the Samsung Epic 4G should begin a slow rollout tomorrow (Nov 9).  The initial plan is to get it out to three percent of the users the first day, which should avoid any huge fiasco like we saw with the Froyo update.  The update will continue to slowly roll out over the following eight days, until it gets to 100 percent of the users. 

As we already saw the EI22 kernel source released, it makes sense that its the version we'll be seeing.  Besides all the perks that come with Android 2.3, the change log includes:

• Airrave notification fixes
• SMS area code fix
• PRL and Profile update fix
• EAS HTML Tagging fix
• Bluetooth headset quality fix
• Lock screen date fix

Hit the break for more details, and hit the forums link to discuss.  It's been a long time coming!

Samsung Epic 4G forums

Thanks, friendly Sprint ninja!

Republic Wireless has been making waves the past couple of days with their new spin on the way a carrier works.  The plan is pure genius:

• Buy an LG Optimus One and the first month's service for $199
• Enter all the Wifi AP information for where you live, work, and play
• Get unlimited voice, texts, and data for $19 a month

What's not to love, right?  On paper it seems the perfect solution, and people like myself who whine talk all the time about carrier "reform" here in the states should be in heaven.  And it's Android, so that's double the kickass factor.  But chances are, if you're a member of Android Central, it's not going to work for you.

Republic Wireless uses Wifi for all their services.  If we're to believe that Wifi is everywhere (like carriers who cap their data try to tell us), then it's a perfect situation.  Cheap, unlimited, and Android.  Unfortunately, Wifi isn't everywhere -- no matter what dudes in suits try to say.  So we have to look to the fine print, which reads a bit differently.  While not on Wifi, you're limited to 550 minutes, 150 SMS messages, and 300MB data monthly while on Republic Wireless' 3G network.  Go over those numbers, and you've violated Republic's fair use policy.  When that happens you hear from Republic (in their own words):

First, you’ll be reminded of the guidelines and to what extent you’ve crossed the fair use threshold. We’ll provide you with tips for reducing your cellular footprint and plenty of opportunity to get back on track. When we contact you about your usage, we’ll let you know how much time you have to correct your problem.

OK, so nobody is going to come to your house and break your legs or cut off your wife's pinky finger.  But I'm sure the next step involves you and Republic parting company.  I know I could burn through that SMS and data limit in a busy day out of the office, and I'm sure a lot of you guys can as well. 

It sounds like I'm bashing Republic, but I'm not.  I applaud what they're trying to do here, and I'm all warm and fuzzy inside with feelings that make me want to buy everyone involved a beer or two.  Changing the status quo needs baby steps, and Republic is on the right track.  I just wanted to make sure everyone takes the time to read the fine print and make sure the service is going to work for them.  As for myself, I'll have to wait for version 2.0.

More: Republic Wireless

For those of you who ever doubted just how fast the smartphone industry moves, here's a glimpse at the "next best thing": The HTC Edge appears to be one of the first quad-core smartphones heading to the U.S. The ladies and gentlemen over at pocketnow got their hands on the first render of the device, which shows a 4.7-inch megadisplay with 720p resolution atop four (yes four) 1.5 GHz cores of Tegra 3 goodness and 1GB RAM. You've also got an 8MP camera with HTC's new 28-millimeter, f/2.2 lens technology. Now there are still a lot of holes: Carrier? Release date? LTE? And the four capacitve buttons pictured above hint at Gingerbread, but will that eventually be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich? Sit tight, this one's still a way's away, but it's always good to watch the horizon. 

Source: pocketnow

The Motorola Droid 4 has already been spotted in all its glory but there isn't a whole lot of info out there when it comes to a release date. Its been speculated that it would be a while yet before you can head on down to a retail location and pick one up given the Motorola Droid 3 hasn't been out all that long but we're not so sure about that.

Motorola has been busy as of late pushing devices out left and right and with the Motorola Droid 4 now appearing in some Verizon internal testing systems, we're inclined once again to believe it will arrive sooner rather then later. Either way -- we're positive this is not the last we'll hear of the device.

Source: Droid-Life

Verizon's been teasing a Nov. 11 launch for the Motorola Droid RAZR, and this morning it's made it official. And, lining up with the news we broke last week, stores will open at 11:11 a.m. local time. (It's all to celebrate November being the launch month of the original Motorola Droid, they tell us.)

Oh, but there's more. Verizon's celebrating with some limited-edition data plans to go with it, provided you have a 4G LTE-capable smartphone. Starting Nov. 8, if you opt for the 2GB/$30 plan, Verizon will double your data allowance to 4GB. And this applies to new and existing customers. (The latter will need to change their plans online or with a customer service representative.)

Pretty sweet deal from Verizon, which did not say when the promotion will end.

Read our complete Motorola Droid RAZR review