Opera has announced that Apple has in fact approved Opera Mini for the iPhone, with the app now available in the App Store.

This follows Opera’s novel PR campaign to predict how long it would take Apple to approve or reject the browser, since Apple has previously rejected browser apps on the basis that they emulate functionality already found in its Mobile Safari browser.

This is especially good news for first generation iPhone owners, as they will be able to use an alternative browser better suited to EDGE data access, since Opera Mini uses server side compression to deliver web pages, considerably speeding up page delivery by removing unecessary elements that slow down page rendering on the device.

Google held their long-awaited Android Press Event at their campus in Mountain View earlier this morning, here are the important details regarding the announcement:

• Google confirms previously leaked hardware specifications with the caveat that applications can only be installed on flash memory for the time being.
• Custom engraving is available as an option on the lower rear bezel
• The device is running Android 2.1 which features support for active wallpapers and a new 3D framework along with applications currently only found on the Motorola Droid (Maps with Navigation, Search by Voice, Voice Command)
• The new application launcher now consists of icons in a virtual scrollwheel instead of pull down menus
• A new Gallery application which sets photos on a 3D plane and supports the accelerometer for tilting photos to simulate depth as well as automatic sync to Picasa
• Google Earth for Android will debut on the Nexus One with full 3D support
• Google has classed the Nexus One into its own self appointed category which it calls “superphones”
• Google debuts web store with service available from T-Mobile beginning today. Verizon Wireless will provide support for a CDMA version later this Spring.
• Google will officially test market sales to the UK and Singapore through the US webstore with the goal to expand to more carriers and countries
• Google confirms release of Android 2.1 to developers in two days time
• Google confirms Wi-Fi tethering will not be disabled
• Google also confirms Droid Eris is multitouch capable and considering an update to enable it

Following up, Sony Ericsson has announced the forthcoming US launch of the Aino multimedia handset.

The Aino features quadband GSM/EDGE, triband 850/1900/2100 HSPA support, Remote Play, Media Home, and Media Go support for streaming media from the Playstation 3 console or over a network via DLNA, Wi-Fi radio, 3 inch 432×240 resolution widescreen touch display, 8.1 megapixel camera with Auto/touch Focus, photo flash, image stabilization, 16x digital zoom, face detection and BestPic technologies as well as auto-rotation of images along with the Geo-Tag app for geotagging photos and video.

The Aino also includes Stereo Bluetooth headphones, charging dock, an 8GB microSDHC memory card and a USB connector cable in the box. The phone is available directly from SonyStyle for pre-order for $599.99 with no word on launch date at this time.

Image courtesy of PhoneArena

The first images and information have surfaced regarding the Verizon Wireless UMW190 USB modem expected to be released later this quarter. The modem features dual-band EVDO Rev. A for domestic use and quadband GSM/EDGE/triband HSPA access on Vodafone partner networks for international roaming with the included SIM card along with an external antenna port.

No pricing details are known at this time.

LG is slowly revealing more information on the mysterious BL40 New Chocolate device, with the latest information being presented in press images that demonstate the phone.

What is currently known about the device is that it features a 21:9 aspect ratio with an 800×345 resolution reinforced glass capacitive touch display at 4 inches in diagonal length, Flash-based user interface with WebKit based browser, 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus and xenon flash, HSPA data access with Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 3.5mm headphone jack and A-GPS.

More concrete information is expected next month

The FCC has approved an as yet unannounced Motorola phone for T-Mobile expected to be released later this summer.

Speculation is rampant that the above document refers to the Motorola Morrison Android device destined for T-Mobile later this summer following leaked live shots showing it being powered by Android and featuring T-Mobile branding as well as the above UMTS bands reflecting the 1700MHz band used exclusively by T-Mobile.

Sony Ericsson has announced the forthcoming release of the T715a slim 3G slider.

The T715a features a 2.2 inch QVGA display, quadband GSM/EDGE and triband US 3G HSPA access, microSDHC expansion slot, speakerphone, 3.2 megapixel CMOS camera with autofocus, flash, video recorder, front-facing video camera for video calls where supported along with geotagging support for photos.

The rest of the featureset comprises a media player, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, TrackID, FM radio with RDS support and Mega Bass spatializer settings. The T715a will also feature Microsoft Exchange email server support along with ActiveSync support for information and media sync.

The phone is expected to be released in the third quarter of this year.

Encyclopedia: Sony Ericsson T715a

Following up on a previous report, Verizon and HTC have officially announced the HTC Ozone/XV6175.

The HTC Ozone is a variant of the reference HTC Snap which features a dual-mode CDMA EVDO Rev. A / quadband GSM/EDGE radio, QVGA landscape display, Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, A-GPS support, Wi-Fi radio and Bluetooth with stereo audio support, speakerphone, microSDHC expansion slot and 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, auto focus and flash.

As expected, the device will be available on June 29th online and through Telesales, with wider retail availability set for July 13th. Pricing is set at $429.99 Month-to-Month, $189.99 on a new 1 year agreement and $119.99 on a 2 year agreement before an additional $70 mail-in rebate, bringing the totals to $119.99 and $49.99 respectively.

Encyclopedia: HTC Ozone/XV6175

HTC has officially announced its newest flagship Android device in the Hero during a press event in London this morning.

The Hero features a Qualcomm MSM7200A chipset running Android 1.5 at 528MHz with 512MB ROM/288MB RAM, 3.2-inch capacitive LCD touch display at 320 x 480 resolution, 900/2100MHz HSPA, quadband GSM, trackball, GPS, WiFi radio, 3.5mm headphone jack, accelerometer, compass, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 5.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with video recorder, microSDHC expansion slot, and speakerphone.

In a first for HTC devices, the Hero features a dedicated search button that searches the phone as well as social media sites for relevant contact information with near-real time sync similar to the Palm Pre. The White version of the Hero will also feature a first of its kind Teflon coating to address a longstanding issue with glossy devices being more prone to attracting fingerprints and grime.

The Hero is also notable for featuring a browser capable of rendering desktop-class Flash pages, and a new profile system it calls Scenes which manages information based on context in a similar manner to Nokia’s E-Series Work/Life toggle where profiles are maintained based on information type and activity until needed without information blending.

The HTC Hero will launch first in Europe next month, Asia later this Summer and North America in the fourth quarter of this year with no pricing details immediately available at this time.

Encyclopedia: HTC Hero

T-Mobile has officially announced the next Android device in its stable after the now venerable G1 in the MyTouch 3G with Google, reflecting the Android variant that complies the closest to Google’s preferred requirements.

The myTouch 3G will feature a 3.2 inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen display, quadband GSM/EDGE, quadband HSPA, Android version 1.5 which features an on-screen keyboard, video recording, media player, and improved email client with support for Exchange mail servers.

The rest of the featureset consists of Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, microSDHC expansion slot, A-GPS support with compass, accelerometer, voice control and speakerphone along with a 3.2 megapixel camera.  The device will be available for pre-order on July 8th and ships on July 29th for current customers who upgrade, with retail availability slated for early August at a cost of $199.99 after new 2 year agreement and rebates.