Sure, Apple's greatest love is technology, but it's second greatest love is patent filing. And it turns out that Cupertino filed for one way back in June 2008 that describes contact icons on a smartphone home screen. That's something that we've been doing on Android for a while now. But the patent filing goes a bit further. Here's the exact verbage.

An icon can be created for a contact (e.g., an individual(s) or an entity) and presented on a user interface of a mobile device, such as a "home screen." The icon can be used to retrieve and display contact information. The icon can also be used to invoke one or more applications that are personalized to the contact. The icon can be modified to display information related to the contact. In one aspect, an icon associated with an entity can be temporarily displayed on the mobile device based on the proximity of the mobile device to the entity. The icon can be used to retrieve and display information related to the entity. Additionally, the icon can be removed from the display on the mobile device when the mobile device is no longer within a certain proximity of the entity.

Hmmmm. A location-based icon homescreen. Sounds interesting, but do you really want your home screen changing that drastically depending on who's near you? [U.S. Patent Office via Redmond Pie/The iPhone Blog] 

Pardon the name dropping, but the SPE crew shared a limo ride with Android Senior Project Manager Erick Tseng at CES, and he asked us what we thought the "F" version of Android (remember that the nicknames are going alphabetically) would be. Of course, "Flan" had been the front-runner for some time, and we were scratching our heads at what else it could possibly be. Given that C was "Cupcake," D was "Donut" and E was "Eclair," following down the pastry trail seemed like a given.

Turns out, we were all way off. The next version of Android, Tseng told Engadget today, will be known as "Froyo," short for frozen yogurt. That opens up a realm of dessert possibility we hadn't considered before.

Now that that's out of the bag, what do you think G will be?

Forgive us for being more than a little skeptical here ... But really? This render, purported to be of the Motorola Shadow (an obvious Droid follow-up, design-wise) would be the next in Google's Nexus line, following the Nexus One (a blatant HTC design)? Look, a QWERTY-keyboard follow-up to the Nexus One makes sense, especially if you bring in an HTC-caliber keyboard, like that of the WinMo Touch Pro 2, another HTC device.

Switching manufacturers in the middle of a line, well, that's more than a little far-fetched. Or, was Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha joining Google and HTC on stage at the Nexus One launch a bit of foreshadowing? Hmmm? Still, we're betting something's been lost in translation along the way. And don't get us started on the wrist strap.

One more pic after the break. [Alfred's Blog via Engadget]

While at CES we had the privilege to present a number of companies at the Mobile Apps Showdown, a live (and online) competition to find the top apps on any of the major platforms. I was paired with Geodelic (formerly Sherpa), a location-based search program with a little trick up its sleeve. Find out what, after the break.

Now that Expansys' period of exclusivity is over on the Motorola Milestone (aka the non-U.S. version of the Droid), it's time for price wars to begin. And we're already seeing it at £400 or so, and more discounts aren't out of the question. Good news for those of you who were able to hold out for a little while. [via Intomobile]

If you're one of our Canadian readers with an HTC Dream on Rogers with Android 1.5, stop what you're doing and read this, eh?

You should have by now been contacted by text message that there's an issue with completing 911 galls that's related to GPS location, and that a software fix is on the way. Here's the, erm, text of the text:

URGENT 911 calls: Please disable GPS location on your HTC Dream device to ensure all 911 calls complete. HTC is urgently working on a software upgrade and we will provide details shortly so you can re-enable GPS.

Here are the steps to turn off GPS:

1. Hit the Menu button.
2. Choose Settings
3. Choose Location
4. Uncheck Enable GPS Satellite

Rogers apparently has pulled the Dream for the time being, until things are cleared up. Good luck, folks, and let us know when the update fix rolls in. [via MobileSyrup]

Our full, no-holds-barred Nexus One review is coming shortly. In the meantime, here's a video walkthrough to whet your appetite. (And don't forget about our hands-on at CES, and our FAQ). Join us after the break.

If you didn't know, week 4 of the Smartphone Round Robin is in full effect. Amidst all the CES craziness things kind of get lost but fear not, this Round Robin is still going on! Where's Android this week? Over in the good hands of our good friend Dieter Bohn of PreCentral.net. I loved webOS when I reviewed it, I wonder if he'll feel the same about Android? Be sure to check out his Hands-On Video of Android at PreCentral.net!

Dieter has started a thread over in our Android Central Forums asking questions and yep, taking answers. There's some great conversation going on in there so be sure to participate. Plus, every day you make a post in that thread this week you're entered to win a free Android smartphone from Android Central! And that includes the Nexus One all right.

Another Motorola codename is coming down the pike, and this time it's the Ruth, or MB511. CellPhoneSignal got the goods, and it looks like the Ruth will be another MotoBlur device. It's initially running Android 1.5, but a 2.0 or 2.1 upgrade certainly is likely. The screen size shows up as 240x320 (man, that's old-school), along with the familiar Qualcomm MSM7200A processor at 528MHz, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 802.11 b/g and aGPS. Also, it's looking to be a GSM device, so AT&T or T-Mobile may be in the cards should this hit America.

Not to be outdone by Verizon lowering its rates today, AT&T has announced that it's changing up its smartphone plans, too. Here's the skinny:

All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

The new rates take effect Monday. Now we just need AT&T to release a few more Android phones. [AT&T]