Okay, it's official. The next couple weeks are going to be HUGE for Android. Sony Ericsson just scheduled an event for November 3rd that promises to be "extraordinary and magical". What could this be about? Well, poke around the site's source code and you can find 'Rachael' mentioned by name so yeah, this is the announcement for our most anticipated Android device--the Sony Ericsson 'Rachael' XPERIA X3 (or at least, that's what we've known it as).

Though we won't commit to the official name of the device (some outlets are reporting it's the X10 or the Inifnity), it really doesn't matter. The specs are going to be gorgeous, the already leaked UI is amazing, and to have it announced so soon? Perfect. We're not sure what carrier the 'Rachael' is going to land on--we're leaning towards T-Mobile since AT&T hasn't acknowledged Android--but we'll soon find out on November 3rd!

To refresh you on makes the 'Rachael' so special: a 4-inch 800x480 touchscreen, 1GHz processor, 8.1 megapixel camera with flash and video recording, 3.5mm headphone jack, your usual slew of connectivity options, and its own custom UI.

[sonyericsson via engadget]

Don't get jealous. HTC has made the HTC Sense UI available to the HTC Magic...in Taiwan. The custom Sense UI which makes the HTC Hero the best Android phone currently on the market is now available to Chunghwa Telecom customers with an HTC Magic. There's really no telling when (if, ever) HTC Sense will roll out to Magics around the world but if it does happen, the lifespan of the Magic will be dramatically extended.

Signs have been pointing to T-Mobile myTouch 3G users being left in the dark when it comes to HTC Sense because of the slightly different hardware between the myTouch and the Magic but one can still hope for access to one of the most beautiful UI's around. HTC Magics have a better chance of receiving Sense but HTC has yet to give official word. Stay hopeful.

[via engadget]

If you're interested in seeing how the T-Mobile Motorola CLIQ and MOTOBLUR works, take a look at the video released by T-Mobile above! The Motorola CLIQ should already be on their way (or maybe even in your hands) for T-Mobile customers who've pre-ordered and will be available to the general public on November 2nd. Social Networking is all the rage and the CLIQ stylishly combines them all in one device.

Who's buying (or bought) a CLIQ ?

[via tmonews]

It looks like the mystery of the HTC Android device above is about to get solved. When we first spotted the device, it was rocking the 1GHz Snapdragon processor (that's about to re-define speed on a mobile device) and was called the HTC Dragon. Now, as more information comes about, it looks like the device above is the HTC Dragon but in CDMA form, re-named the HTC Passion. It looks like the HTC Passion is headed to Verizon to join the Droid and Droid Eris to make one heck of an Android lineup on Big Red.

Basically, the HTC Passion will become the Android equivalent to the WinMob HTC HD2 and will arrive sometime in Q4 2009 running Android 2.0. We're not sure it will come with HTC Sense but if this is all true, Verizon is about to take over the Android market with some of the most dynamic Android phones to date. Hopefully, we'll hear more about Verizon's Android plans at their October 28th event!

[theunlockr]

You didn't think Motorola and Verizon would be alone with Android 2.0 handsets, did you? HTC just confirmed that their upcoming Android phones will also be equipped with Android 2.0 'Eclair'. In fact, HTC said that they've had Android 2.0 in-house for a while now so they've definitely been able to develop phones for the much anticipated Android build.

We've seen Android 2.0 in screenshots already and it definitely builds on the Android platform and improves the overall experience. We're very excited to see how 2.0 runs on the Droid and can only imagine that HTC will continue its Android excellence once 'Eclair' is released on their handsets. What's odd is that Google has yet to release a SDK for Android 2.0 (we're still on Android 1.6) and Sprint Android phones are stuck on 1.5. We're hoping the situation will become more clear and all of us Android users will enjoy the benefits of 2.0 at the same time.

[gearlog]

Ask anyone who or what HTC was just a few years ago and no one would know. But now they're one of the biggest smartphone makers in the world and certainly the biggest and longest supporter of Android around. And as far as HTC smartphones can reach with their countless form factors on different platforms, they still manage to spur innovation with both their designs and software and offer high-end build quality in their devices. We're happy that HTC has been a staunch supporter of Android and hopeful to see more devices come from their way.

We're even happier now that HTC has decided to step into the spotlight after so many years behind the scenes. The 'You' ad campaign is what we believe to be their first foray into mainstream consumer marketing and it works wonderfully well. Just take a look at the commercial above. To quote, 'You don't need to get a phone. You need a phone that gets you'.

And if you like what you saw, there's another commercial after the jump!

Just to get everybody up to speed with the latest Verizon Droid happenings (and there's a lot):

• A print Droid advertisement (in the San Diego Union Tribune) shows the date 11.06.09 along with the usual slew of "iDon't/Droid Does"-isms. We're going to assume that's the release date which makes a lot of sense considering the Verizon Droid Event is scheduled for October 28th and that'll leave Big Red ample time to prepare for the launch of the Droid. The November 6th date also falls in line with previous reports. [phandroid]
• The Motorola Droid has popped up on eBay (looks like there is 3 available) for anyone willing to spend thousands of dollars on what might possibly be the best Android phone available. Would we recommend buying them? No, especially if the Droid is launching in early November and also no because we don't want you guys to drive up the price for us! We kid. kind of.
• A GSM/HSPA version of the Droid (with AT&T 3G-friendly bands) has cleared the FCC and that has a lot of people whispering it could see light as the first Android device on the Death Star network. We're thinking this is too good to be true considering Verizon has created a whole ad campaign for the Droid and to see it on a competing carrier would be disastrous--put it this way, could you ever see Verizon paying for the marketing of a phone on AT&T? Plus, AT&T has yet to officially acknowledge Android's existence. We're thinking the Droid is heading to Rogers in Canada (same 3G-bands as AT&T) and will remain exclusive to Verizon in the US. [mobilecrunch]
• BGR says that the DroidDoes.com website shown in all the Droid advertisements hit 2.5 million pageviews and 170,000 opt-in e-mail addresses in about three days. Yeah, we think this Droid is going to be a success.

That's all the Droid news over the weekend, we hope you're all caught up! Still, we're sure there will be more details coming out before the official Verizon Droid Event on October 28th starts so stay tuned!

We've made it abundantly clear that we're in love with the Sony Ericsson 'Rachael' Android XPERIA Phone also known as the XPERIA X3. Just check out our previous posts on this incredibly designed, beautiful inside and out Sony Ericsson Android device. Yeah, we want this.

The specs aren't officially official but from what we've heard, it rocks a 4-inch 800x480 touchscreen, 1GHz processor, 8.1 megapixel camera with flash and video recording, 3.5mm headphone jack, and your usual slew of connectivity options. Not to mention, the custom UI that Sony Ericsson built gets more beautiful every time we watch it. It's expected to release early Q1 2010.

Hit the jump for more pictures of the Sony Ericsson 'Rachael' XPERIA X3!

[mobilecrunch]

T-Mobile just officially introduced their 'Project Dark' rate plans, Even More and Even More Plus. The new rate plans look exactly like what we saw leaked last week and though it falls just a bit short of our sky high expectations, is still a great move by Magenta. On Even More plans, you'll be able to get unlimited voice, text, and data for $99/month on a 2 year contract. On Even More Plus plans, you'll get the same unlimited voice, text, and data for $79/month without any contract.

The catch of being on the no-contract Even More Plus plans is that your future phone won't be subsidized by T-Mobile (which means the G1 will cost you $399.99 on Even More Plus as opposed to $129.99 on Even More). But even if there is a premium attached to no-contract living, the ability to get out anytime seems like a great perk and plus, it looks like you'll still be able to purchase phones over a period of time with no interest.

The Even More unlimited plan is similar to what Sprint is offering and according to T-Mobile is half the price of comparable AT&T and Verizon plans. The Even More Plus is what excites us, if T-Mobile can have the entire industry headed to no-contract wireless service, we're in.

What do you guys think of T-Mobile's Even More and Even More Plus plans?

[t-mobile]

thanks Skott for the tip!