Xperia Play and arc getting updated to Android 2.3.3

 Software updates have is a hot topic for carriers and manufacturers, but the Sony Ericsson is not taking any risks about getting updated and is starting to roll out updates to Android 2.3.3 for its gaming-centred Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and design-conscious Xperia arc. The updates are to first launch in the UK next week, but we expect to see other markets getting them not long after. 

 Also in tow for a deeper Facebook integration, or “Facebook inside in Xperia” in SE’s terms, a feature announced with the launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro. This will bring the possibility to link music playing on your handset directly to your Facebook feed. Finally, Facebook contacts information will also get intertwined with your phone contacts and you’ll be able to keep track of all their recent status updates, interests and so on.

 Android 2.3.3 does not bring any revolutionary features, but rather mildly improves on the Gingerbread experience and fixes some security holes. The new features are also expected to land later on the rest of SE’s lineup including the Xperia neo, Mini and Mini Pro.

HTC EVO 3D Releasing on June 4th:

 The HTC EVO 3D releasing date is still secret well, but the long awaited successor to the original HTC EVO 4G. Obviously, the Sprint-bound device is hot not only for the customer, but for your retail sales folk as well. Employees are urged to “talk it up with every customer” as “this can make or break a quarter.”

 The June 4th launch date, which falls on Day Saturday, is “rough,” so it could be pushed a couple of days, but when a pre-order is made, it “guarantees” a phone to the customer. Unfortunately, there’s still no word on pricing on this 3D heavyweight, but the Shack expects to offer the best deal out there. A smart team is to also call back “every wireless contact,” so you could expect a surprise phone call detailing you the wonders of the handset.

 But even now we can tell you all about the HTC EVO 3D, which was launched back at CTIA 2011: a 4.3” display with qHD resolution and a parallax barrier for the 3D effect are part of the show, but a dual-core 1.2GHz 3rd-gen Snapdragon chip and a dual 5 megapixel camera setup also contribute to the appealing package. Are you planning on getting the EVO 3D? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Windows 7 Phone Sales Estimated 1.6 million in Firts QTR:

  Windows 7 Mobile Phone sale have been as exlusive as a shadow, but now finally statistics firm Gartner took on the task of estimating how many handset running Microsoft’s new operating systems were actually sold. 

 The end result shows that - in line with earlier rumors - sales haven’t exactly flourished at 1.6 million total for the first quarter of the year. Consumers preferred Android, Gartner notes, but at the same time the huge deal between Microsoft and Nokia is to boost Redmond’s platform momentum in the long term perspective.

  To put the 1.6 million number in context, Gartner gave a total of 3.658 million handsets sold under the Windows platform, meaning that older Windows Mobile outsold WP7 by some 400,000. A couple of weeks ago Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin theorized that sales of WP7 were catastrophic at nearly half that number, or 674,000 handsets. 

  But even twice as much is very far from optimistic given the overall growth of the market and Android’s 400,000 daily activations.

LG Optimus 3D ocming on eBay :

 Even though the LG Optimus 3D is still waiting to be officially released, but it has already made its way to eBay. About four sellers are currently offering LG's upcoming 3D-enabled smartphone and for those who are interested, bids are hovering between $530 and $830. However, if you want to have it now ahead of anyone else, prepare to drop a whopping $1400. In comparison, an online retailer in the UK that has the smartphone up for pre-order is asking around $830 for the Optimus 3D, but shipping is expected to start on June 6 the earliest.

 So how did these sellers get their hands on the Optimus 3D in advance you may ask. Well, those white Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets were not the only gadgets that were given away on Google's I/O event. Selected developers were also treated to a unit of LG's 3D smartphone, but apparently, not all of them thought that the device would be of much use to them. The US release date of the LG Optimus 3D is still to be announced, but until then, feel free to check out our hands-on and see if the smartphone suits you.

 

HP TouchPad is being teased as "coming soon" on Best Buy's web site

 We Have seen the HP TouchPad over at the FCC most recently, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to expect to see this one become a reality in the very near future, but when it’s being teased by the nation’s number one consumer electronics retailer, you know that something is surely brewing. Big box retailer Best Buy now has a teaser site live on its web site explaining pretty much all the features and specifications of the upcoming webOS powered tablet.

  However, there are two of the most important items regarding the tablet are still unknown – specially, its pricing and release date. Interestingly enough though, it’s slapped as “coming soon” on their site, which could potentially mean that we could very well be near its launch date. Nonetheless, we can all drool and dream about the HP TouchPad, but of course, you can keep on checking Best Buy’s site to see if any changes or new information pop up regarding its release and pricing.