A new device has passed through the FCC as of July 20, one with CDMA, EVDO, and WiMax radios.  Most of the details (and all the images) are withheld under the standard confidentiality agreement, but we do have a portion of the ID label that shows the model number as SPH-D700 -- the Sprint Epic 4G.  Of course this doesn't mean the release is right around the corner, but it's now legal for Sprint and its partners to sell the hot new slider in the U.S.  The more the merrier I say! [FCC] Thanks Wes and Keith!

The Samsung Galaxy Beam, which boasts a built in projector, was officially released in Singapore this weekend. 

The Beam joins Samsung's Galaxy S line, which has been releasing worldwide over the past few weeks. The T-Mobile Vibrant and AT&T Captivate were the first to arrive in the US. 

The phone lists impressive specs that display Samsung's desire to gain market share in the high-end smartphone market:

• 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen
• 720MHz TI OMAP 3440
• Built-in projector
• 8 mp camera
• Android 2.1
• 16GB internal storage, supports 32GB microSD

We knew the Beam was going to be released overseas first, and now Android fans in Singapore can get their hands on one. No word yet on when we may see it in the U.S. (we're not betting on it). [Samsung Hub]

See that new Droid X in your hand? (No, in your hand. That's Phil's hand up there.) It's sucking down five times more data than its cousins, Verizon business development executive director Jennifer Byrne said at paidContent Mobile's conference today. 

While on the panel with executives from the BBC, NBA Digital and Zagat, the conversation centered around the increased data usages on mobile devices in the past few years and what they see that leading towards in the future. Makes a good case for that MyVerizon app, eh?

Despite its release only last week, Byrne said that Droid X owners are using five times more data than other Verizon phones. Byrne also addressed Verizon's commitment to Android: 

“While we may have had the first app store, GetItNow, we’ve learned a lot, with the watershed being the iPhone. It’s a drastic change from the walled garden stage to the open approach. It’s been a very big shift.” Verizon has “embraced” it, Byrne said. “We’ve seen a tremendous response - so its validated the decision.”

 We should say so. [paidContent]

This isn't going to do much for those of you with brand-new Samsung Captivates or Vibrants, but a Samsung France spokesman says the international version of the Galaxy S will be getting Android 2.2 in September. That may bode well for its U.S. counterparts getting it sometime thereafter, though remember we have to take our carriers into consideration when it comes to getting updates. [Les Mobiles via Unwired View]

Because we haven't had a Motorola Droid 2 rumor in the past, oh, six or seven minutes, here comes another: Engadget says it has on good authority that the Droid 2 (which reportedly has been sidelined while the Droid X gets its time in the sun) will see a soft-launch on Aug. 13. It'll then get the full force of Verizon's marketing department starting Aug. 23. That not enough craziness? How about a version with a white R2-D2 on its rear end. Regardless, Verizon's certainly built up enough steam between the Droid X and its all-but-official cousin to keep its mindshare high for some months to go. [Engadget]

Update: Hey, look, more proof that it's launching with Android 2.2. We get it. We get it. [via Phandroid]

When it comes to installing Android applications, there are two ways of going about it. The most popular, of course, is directly through the Android Market. And that's how most of us do it. But from time to time we need to be able to sideload apps. Maybe you purchased it directly from a developer or some other perfectly legitimate method.

Or maybe *ahem* your phone doesn't allow you to directly sideload apps, for whatever reason. And that's where the Android Central Sideload Wonder Machine comes in. We've rigged up a simple Windows program that allows you to install any .apk file (that's the extension for an Android app) via your computer. It's completely legit -- nobody's going to track you down and take away your phone -- it's completely free (and open source!)  and now you're back on the same playing field as everybody else, no rooting necessary.

Want to see it in action first? No problem. Video and download instructions are after the break.

We are always on the lookout for cool to apps to share with everyone, and this nifty Android live wallpaper caught our eye. It's called aSpiritBomb, and more than lives up to its name. By tapping anywhere on the screen, you create little orbes that swirl into the glowing center, which resembles a sun. The sun then grows and pulses as you continue to add more and more orbes to it. Dropping an application or widget cause numerous orbes to be launched from it, which is a really great effect.

Once the sun has grown large, you can tap on it and shoot out tiny specs of light. Double tapping will cause the sun to actually explode, shooting out orbes of every color in all directions. For any of you that have played Geometry Wars, it resembles a wormhole when they explode, which is fine by me.

The app was a blast to play with, and is available now on the Android Market for a little more than $1. Be sure to check out video and the download links after the break.

It's been another good couple of days for Droid 2 news and leaks, and we love those kinds of days.  To start with, the above shot is a nice semi-non-blurrycam shot of the Droid 2 in all it's qwerty beauty.  This keyboard looks a lot better than the one on it's older brother the OG Droid, let's hope it works and feels as good as it looks.  Add this to the official pics grabbed off the Droid Does site earlier, and we have a pretty good idea exactly what it's going to look like.

Word is that the newest member of Verizon's Droid lineup will ship in August, include an 8GB microSD card, and run $199 with contract and after rebate, or $599 outright.  As with all leaked news and rumors, that very well could change so don't hold us to it.

The news doesn't stop there though.  It seems a worker at a facility creating the phone's packaging is an Android news fan as well.  There's a cool snap of the Droid 2's boxes still on the assembly line, as well as one more full frontal shot after the break.

Need more? How about a shot of the Droid 2 reportedly running Android 2.2. Yes, it takes about 60 seconds to fake a build.prop file, but there's no reason not to think that it will launch with Android 2.2. Check out all the pics after the break.  [Engadget, Droid Life]

Sprint made an important announcement this morning, with the news that they are giving their customers a free app called The Sprint Zone.

The Sprint Zone is aimed at making life easier for Sprint users. This app includes:

• My Sprint - tools and information for customers to manage their accounts, pay bills, view voice, text and data usage
• My Sprint News - keeps customers informed and engaged with up-to-date news and information to enhance their wireless experience
• Suggested Apps - highlights useful applications in a variety of categories
• Phone Tips and Tricks - videos and information about how to use their device

The Suggested Apps portion is especially important to Sprint and they are calling for developers to submit their apps for consideration. They are looking for all kinds of apps, but especially those that "make connection, productivity, and entertainment real for millions of mobile phone users."

They are also looking for innovative apps that make use of the 4G speeds with the Evo and soon the Epic. Featured apps always attract a large audience, so if you're a developer looking for a great opportunity to reach a wide audience, check out the announcement and submit your app. [Sprint]

That rumored July 19 date for the Dell Streak has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the 5-inch tablet-MID mashup isn't imminent. On the contrary, Dell says it's due in "late July," and it's opening a 24-hour presale launch window with free second-day shipping and a Bluetooth headset for 99 cents to sweeten the deal. You'll need to sign up to be notified. [Dell]