When it comes to software and hardware, I've always been under the firm belief that if it can be built -- it can also be torn down and that's exactly what has happened to the Acer Iconia A500 tablet.

Out of the box, the bootloader for the Acer Iconia was pretty secure. But thanks to individuals much smarter then myself we now have a ported ClockworkMod, recovery images and even the first custom ROM based off the ASUS EeePad Transformer.

In other words, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is now wide open to all customization options so if you're the proud owner of one (we know there is a lot of you out there) you'll want to hit up the source links below if you're looking to unleash the full potential of your tablet.

Source: XDA (1), (2) Thanks, Fumetsu, for sending this in!

Good morning Android Central readers! Today, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is available.  The Tab had a special launch event in NYC last week, but it's finally available online and at Best Buy and other retailers nationwide.  If you're picking up Tab today, be sure to post in the forums and let us know what you think of it.

We'd been hearing some reports of Motorola Xoom wifi only tablet owners seeing the Google Videos app in the Android Market, but now we're also hearing that the actual market tab for movie rentals has been enabled after an Android Market update.  We're not sure just why the service wasn't made available for the wifi only model along with the 3.1 update, but we have to assume it was licensing and DRM issues at play once again.

Anyhoo, it seems like that's all sorted out and if you haven't already got the app and the Market update, you should soon.  We can't rush the latter, but we can give an easy download link for the app -- find it after the break.

Thanks everyone who sent this in!

Youtube link for mobile viewing

Samsung released their official promotional video for the Galaxy 10.1 today with several Touchwiz elements in tow, notably several widgets and icon skins.  But this is what we expected would happen.

Remember, even though the Tab shipping now is stock honeycomb, Samsung plans on shipping future devices with their Touchwiz UI, as well as offering it to existing customers via an optional over the air download at a future date. Since this is a promotional video for the "final" product, featuring Touchwiz made the most sense because it meant they only had to make one film instead of two.  In fact, the description from the video's YouTube page says as much:

The official info clip for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi. The tab used in this video is 3G version and may differ from the Galaxy Tab 10.1 sold in the U.S., and some of the features and services highlighted in the video will be available through software upgrade in the U.S.

We've received no word from Samsung that Touchwiz was being pushed out to tablets yet, and devices purchased in NYC last week are still running the stock honeycomb they were shipped with.

Be sure to keep an eye on our forums as Android Central readers nationwide pick up their pre-orders and start posting feedback.  In the meantime, crank your speakers to 11 and enjoy the video.

Source: Youtube Thanks Stefan!

The HTC EVO View 4G, Sprint's branded version of the HTC Flyer (check our review), will include the HTC Scribe stylus, according to this leaked screen from Sprint's Playbook.  Like many of you guys, I was a bit put off about the Wifi version not including the pen here in the US (Phil had to talk me down more than once), because it's probably the best feature of the Flyer/View -- at least for me.  Apparently someone at Sprint agrees that the pen is a very important piece of the EVO View experience, and they're tossing it in.  Good for you, Sprint.  

Submitted via the Android Central app

Panasonic recently announced what it is calling the first "Enterprise Ready" tablet geared towards commercial and government users looking to take their tablet with them into the field. This will be the first Android device offered by the company bearing the Toughbook name, a brand known for its durability and business focused features:

• A 10.1" 1024x786 matte-finish display that is "daylight viewable"
• An (included) "Active Stylus" for capturing signatures
• Security embedded at the "hardware level"
• "Full shift" battery life
• GPS capability
• Wifi with optional embedded 3G/4G connectivity
• Durable construction consistent with other Toughbook-brand device

One of the press shots shows the tablet running a version of Android 2.x, but no operating system was officially announced. Processor, RAM, and storage aren't known yet, but as this is an enterprise-class device and not a consumer model, don't expect this thing to set any benchmark records.  Panasonic's Toughbook line is known for their durability and business-friendly features, not bleeding edge tech.  Still, it's exciting to see Android move into the business sector, and it's a good sign that our little green robot is starting to grow up.  Pricing and Availability are not yet available.

The press picture showing this running Android 2.x is located after the break.

Source: BusinessWire; via Crunchgear

Update 2: It's back, folks! Get to downloading.

Swype has announced the latest beta (version 3.0 for those keeping score at home) and one of the big changes that come along with it is a special WXGA version designed for Honeycomb tablets, which features a movable and resizeable keyboard layout. 

Other changes include the way word correction is handled when you stop swyping and revert to tapping out the letters -- you can now mix and match and still keep word autocorrect and prediction intact.  The pop-up for word choice when multiple guesses are presented gets an improvement, too, now an easier to read horizontal bar is presented versus that annoying dialog that used to jump up.  To top it all off, it looks like the predictive text engine itself has seen a big overhaul, and should work much better.

We know that Swype isn't for everyone, especially when it comes to using it on a tablet.  That's fine -- different choices are one of the main strengths of the Android platform, and Swype certainly is a different choice.  For the huge numbers of you who love Swype, keep an eye on the source link (currently down for maintenance) and give it a whirl.  Also, check out a short demo video showing it in action, after the break.

Update:  If you've been refreshing the beta download page at Swype, you've probably seen the latest update on the status of this.  If not, here's the latest from Swype:

BETA DELAYED BECAUSE:

a) We forgot to buy vowels

b) Our beta build server crashed

c) Upper management kept accelerating the beta schedule

d) All of above !#@$!&

No word on when to expect it, we'll tell you as soon as we hear something.

Source: Swype via MobileCrunch

The latest Honeycomb powered tablet to be announced, the Toshiba Thrive, is now up for pre-order at Office Depot.  While the date is listed only as "coming soon" (we were told mid July), the price is just as Toshiba announced it would be -- $479.99 for the 16GB version, and $579.99 for the 32GB version.  Noticeably absent is the $429.99 8GB option that was also announced, which may well disappoint some looking for the more frugal option. 

Office Depot has also posted a short video showing off the full size ports, removable battery, and color choices for the back. You'll find the link below to the Windows Media file, which probably won't play on your smartphone.  Bookmark this one for when you get home.

Toshiba proper's also got preorders, for the same prices.

Sources: Toshiba; Office Depot;  More: Features video (wmv).  Thanks, Lester!

Asus is following up its popular EeePad Transformer tablet with the EeePad Slider and EeePad Transformer 3G, which will both launch in the UK this August, according to a post on the manufacturer's official Facebook page. Asus is promising to announce a more precise release date over the next couple of months, so we'll just have to sit tight for now.

The Transformer, with its distinctive form factor, has become one of the more popular Honeycomb tablets since its release a couple of months ago, and it's looking like Asus is continuing to heap on the innovation with the EeePad Slider, which features unique slide-out QWERTY keyboard. We're sure a lot of folks will appreciate the added 3G capability on the Transformer, too.  Be sure to check out our EeePad Transformer review for more on the Wifi-only version of the tablet.

Source: Facebook; via: Eurodroid