After yesterday’s article all but confirming that Sony Mobile dropped the Xperia Play from its Android 4.0 update slate, the company is releasing the following statement to the press on why it came to its decision:

“Ice Cream Sandwich demands more from the phone hardware than Gingerbread. Android 4.0 is a more powerful OS and thus, more resource intensive – applications require more RAM, CPU power, and network bandwidth. From internal testing and feedback from the developer community on the beta ROM software release, we have seen a significant decline in user experience when running high performance games, as they are more demanding on the hardware. As gaming content is so integral to the core Xperia Play proposition, we cannot recommend an upgrade.”

Sony Mobile, previously under Sony Ericsson promised that the Xperia Play would be updated to Android 4.0 along with the rest of its Xperia line, but the heavily customized nature of the Play hardware may have played a part in Sony Mobile ultimately dropping its initial plans, as beta builds provided by the manufacturer to the development community did not solve issues that crept up during extended testing related to the hardware gaming interface and the overall state of Android games also played a part.

As the Xperia Play was intended to usher in the Playstation Certified mobile gaming platform on Android as way to compete with Apple’s dominance with mobile gaming on the iPhone, it was assumed that the Xperia Play would be a harbinger of bigger developments of mobile gaming, especially since the Play had the presumed advantage of hardware controls, controls that were frequently cited as necessary for mobile gaming to flourish outside of dedicated portable consoles and frequently cited as the main weakness in gaming on the iPhone.

Despite Sony Mobile’s best efforts with the help of outside Android developers and the wider community, it could never develop solutions to the hardware controller issues that plagued beta releases, such as games refusing to recognize the game pad, force closing and general instability due to lower performance compared to previous Gingerbread builds, which circles back to why the device is so stable on Gingerbread: Sony Ericsson never intended to upgrade the Play to Android 4.0, until consumer demand forced the team and Sony Mobile to hold to the previous commitment, even if it meant failure trying.

While this is commendable behavior, especially considering the less than stellar track record of other more experienced Android smartphone manufacturers, they still made the pledge and failed to live up to it, despite having a good reason that didn’t involve the typical excuses involving carrier testing or base hardware limitations. In this case, it wasn’t that the Xperia Play couldn’t support ICS because it was underpowered compared to the other phones in the original series, it can’t run ICS because the hardware is customized beyond what ICS  was initially meant to support in terms of integrated hardware control surfaces.

As the Xperia Play runs a heavily customized build of Android Gingerbread developed in cooperation with Google, many custom changes were made to the build in order for the Xperia Play to be released with support for its sliding gamepad, and many of those changes simply didn’t integrate well with the beta builds of ICS provided by Sony Mobile, even after extensive community help and support in the hope that the issues could be fixed.

While our initial article yesterday groused at Sony and HTC for their update developments, I appreciate that Sony Mobile is willing to come clean and at least explain why their flagship gaming smartphone can’t be updated with a very plausible explanation that’s backed up by commentary across the developer community. However, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say the same about HTC and its behavior regarding Android updates for tablets, and that’s a shame.

When HP announced that it would open-source the webOS platform late last year, included in that promise was the confirmation that the Enyo development framework would also be opened up for anyone to use in either webOS or even other projects entirely, as the framework allows for the development of complete user interfaces using nothing more than JavaScript tools and stands in contrast to typical mobile development that was previously reliant on third-party user-interface libraries.

Now, a new report filed by The Verge claims that the team behind the framework will leave HP after being picked up by Google in recent weeks, though nothing is specifically known regarding the team’s immediate plans once the transition is said to be complete.

This puts the continuation of development on the framework in some doubt, as Google has shown a heavy reliance on Java and its derivatives for ChromeOS, the Chrome browser and Android, though recent litigation involving Android and Java may have made the search giant wary of continuing down that path and begin a search for alternatives that were largely unencumbered by patents and trademarks.

As Enyo began life within Palm as the development platform for webOS, primarily as the user interface framework for the operating system, it may be that Google is looking for a more robust user interface platform to integrate into all of its current and future products for better cross-platform support compared to the heavily customized Java-based development stack it currently employs. The most recent release of the Enyo platform occurred in April and involved updates to the core framework as well as companion libraries.

HP has released an indirect statement to Ars Technica regarding the report:

“We’re pleased with the traction Enyo has gained to date and plan to continue its development along with the open source community. The Open webOS project is on schedule and we remain committed to the roadmap announced in January.”

The next major releases of Open webOS components is still expected in July according to the current timeline set by HP earlier this year with the goal of releasing Open webOS completely in September. The report of the team leaving also comes shortly after the conglomerate reported job cuts of 27,000 workers after reporting a better than expected 1st quarter and looks to recover from the near tailspin that began with Mark Hurd and ended with disgraced former CEO Leo Apotheker being forced out of the company last year with a major restructuring currently underway and being spearheaded by former ebay CEO Meg Whitman.

If you want to buy one of the best midrange Android phones currently on the market, third-party online dealer LetsTalk is offering the Virgin Mobile Optimus V at an unheard of $28 outright, the lowest price ever for a prepaid Android smartphone without requiring any sort of rebate or catch. While the phone is backordered for immediate shipping, it can still be ordered for shipping later once more stock is received and orders will be filled accordingly.

While the phone is stuck at Android FroYo due to Virgin Mobile’s unwillingness to update to Gingerbread despite having the update available for deployment and provided by LG, at this price, it makes a much better media player than many dedicated Android PMPs. Also, the phone also avoids the forced plan change to the $35 Beyond Talk plan for those looking to keep the $25 rate plan, as the new $35 rate factors in the additional cost for WiMax access, launching next week.

HTC has posted an revised Android 4.0 update schedule, and the news is certainly not honorable for the struggling handset manufacturer. The phone manufacturer today announced it will not update any of its Android tablets, Flyer, EVO View 4G, or Jetstream to Android 4.0.

This is especially shameful, as representatives for HTC have gone on-record in the past as stating that the Jetstream, a $699 tablet… with contract… would be updated to Android 4.0. Flyer and EVO View 4G have been “under evaluation” for almost five months. Meanwhile, rivals such as Acer delivered ICS for its comparable tablets.

HTC did not even attempt to argue that limitations were the cause here, the cause is clear; low sales, and expensive resource-extraction to support tablets that for the most part wound up on second-hand retailers like eBay. The Flyer and EVO View 4G are more powerful, for example, than other devices that have, or have been promised to get, Android 4.0 upgrades.

The manufacturer also confirmed that, unlike devices that HTC ships with Android 4.0, the devices will not have the latest user interface augmentations. HTC will fall back to a customized Sense 3.6, rather than the Sense 4.0. Sense 3.6 appears to be based on the Sense generation that HTC authored for its Android 3.2, Honeycomb-based tablets.

However, HTC wasn’t alone in the shamefest. Sony, on the heels of its acqusition of joint-venture Sony Ericsson, also yanked commitments to deliver Android 4.0. The Xperia Play family was promised to get ICS, and now will not.

This is especially dishonorable for Sony, as the company continues to sell Xperia Play as a flagship device on both AT&T and Verizon Wireless, as well as in unlocked form. The AT&T version is an HSPA+ “4G” device, where as the Verizon version is a 3G, CDMA variant.

Neither company provided full rationals for their moves, or full technical explanations behind the limitations. Customers angered by the failures to deliver can sound off in our comments below… we’re pulling no punches on this one, both companies should honor commitments and upgrade, at the very least, Jetstream and Xperia Play, to Android 4.0.

Android generational upgrades continue to be a major problem for Google, and the greater Android community. Device manufacturers struggle to offer upgrades in a timely manner, as Google customizes the firmware with a single partner. Android 1.0 was developed with HTC, Android 2.0 and 3.0 with Motorola, and Android 4.0 with Samsung. Other device manufacturers often do not have access to the source code until the public release of source code, as top-choice partners are allowed to build and ship devices prior to source code releases.

Google, to its credit, has asked all partner handset manufacturers to commit to at least two years of firmware upgrades for all devices sold, whenever the devices are capable of being upgraded. Despite tons of lip service, not a single major manufacturer has made good on this commitment to the Android platform.

eBay Daily Deals is offering the Toshiba 10-inch Thrive tablet for $199.99, including shipping. Though refurbished, it’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the Android 3.2 tablet.

Unlike Dell’s dismal choice to abandon its Dell Streak line, and abort Android 4.0 upgrades, Toshiba remains committed to upgrading its first wave of Android tablets to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. The company re-committed to PhoneNews.com at CTIA Wireless 2012, that they will offer an upgrade to Android 4.0, later this year, for both the 7-inch and 10-inch Thrive tablets.

The 10-inch Thrive is a standard Tegra 2 tablet offering, but its biggest claims to fame are low cost, with dedicated, full-size USB host ports. This makes it an effective option for connecting digital cameras, mice, and keyboards quickly without Bluetooth configuration.

While the new line of Excite tablets from Toshiba offer more battery life and/or performance (depending on model), and are thinner, the Thrive’s oversupplies make it one of the best choices in Android tablets today. Those looking for a seven-inch tablet may want to opt for Acer’s similar Iconia Tab A100, which already has been officially upgraded to Android 4.0.

The FCC has revealed a new Android smartphone by Huawei that is destined for T-Mobile in the near future. The new smartphone is the updated version of the T-Mobile myTouch Q that is currently offered with improved hardware and specifications from last year’s version.

The new version features GSM / EDGE 850 / AWS 1700 / 1900 / 2100 HSPA+ support with a 4-inch WVGA display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255T chip with 1GB RAM, 4GB of internal mass storage and a microSD expansion slot. Of note is the addition of a hardware QWERTY keyboard compared to the last version that only featured a touch display. The hardware keyboard is becoming an increasing rarity for Android smartphones, especially at the high-end of the market. Neither T-Mobile nor Huawei have officially announced pricing or availability for the phone.

T-Mobile’s myTouch series of Android smartphones have proven to be consistent sellers for the carrier as they are usually reliable midrange Android smartphones which have served many well without the typical hassles expected of other Android smartphones, owing to T-Mobile’s more direct involvement in the development of the series. With the new version of the myTouch Q, it appears that T-Mobile is looking to offer an updated user experience as the specifications point to the device shipping with Ice Cream Sandwich, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Interestingly, details have yet to surface on the updated version on the second phone in the series, as the Huawei versions are typically developed with two handsets in mind to appeal to different customers. This latest information may also signal a move away from that development model, as T-Mobile is seeking to consolidate its lineup in order to stem the recent subscriber losses.

According to a new report, reps from Microsoft’s PR company Waggener Edstrom are confirming with certainty that Windows Phone 8, otherwise known under the code name Apollo will be made available to current generation Windows Phone 7 devices. This stands in contrast to another previous report by noted pundit Paul Thurrott that stated that Windows Phone 7 devices would not be updated at all and that they would essentially be left behind, with WP8/Apollo requiring new devices.

Of interest in this report is the claim that more detailed leaks will surface in the coming weeks that will corroborate the initial claim and confirm once and for all Microsoft’s position on updating current Windows Phone 7 devices, as the the software giant’s current relative silence on the issue has been the subject of much speculation for and against the updates.

Currently, Microsoft is experiencing a sort of resurgence with Windows Phone 7 in the US thanks to its concerted push to sell the Lumia series with partner Nokia, which culminated in the launch of the Lumia 900 for AT&T last month. Since then, many AT&T and Nokia reps have hailed the success of the Lumia 900 as the beacon for the success of Windows Phone that was sorely lacking before the partnership was formalized last year that led to the development of the Lumia series.

However, the continued silence on the issue of Windows 8 updates for Windows Phone 7 devices will only continue to hamper the momentum being experienced by the platform, as many are putting off purchases until a firm answer is provided one way or the other.The report citing Waggener Edstrom reps as the source for the confirmation is also curious, even though the company has worked with Microsoft for over 25 years, there is currently no evidence to suggest that Microsoft would allow the company to plant leaks on this level, as any previous statements and subsequent corrections outside of those made by pundits and others have come directly from Microsoft themselves and not through their PR firm.

[My Microsoft Life]

AT&T has announced its latest smartphone on the GoPhone service, with Samsung providing its latest Galaxy variant in the Appeal. The phone will be released on June 5th as a timed Walmart exclusive for $149.99.

The Appeal features a full QWERTY keyboard, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 3.2-inch HVGA 480×320 display, a 3-megapixel camera, 512MB RAM, 800MHz ARM Cortex A5 processor, and supports microSD cards up to 32GB. The Galaxy Appeal can be paired with several data plans, starting in reverse order at 1GB for $25 per month, 200MB for $15 per month, or 50MB for $5 per month.

The launch of the Appeal on GoPhone signals an increasing willingness by AT&T to sell smartphones on prepaid, but the data plans also reflect a longstanding fear of constant data use on its network by the carrier, as other less expensive alternatives include a higher amount of data access per month and do not require separate voice and data plans, which is reflected in the popularity of services such as Red Pocket, Net10 and StraightTalk, which also use AT&T’s network.

In fact, the only advantage that signing up with GoPhone with a smartphone confers at this point is unlimited access to AT&T’s own hotspot network with the above data plans, but many still balk at the higher rates of GoPhone compared to other prepaid services, even with the included access. AT&T would be better served by providing improved pricing and options for its own GoPhone offering rather than refusing to compete against the same MVNOs that it leases its own network to, since everyone wins in the end when everyone is willing to compete against each other for customers.

[AT&T]

AT&T is currently offering its best deal ever on the Palm Pixi Plus, one of the last vestiges of the former Palm before it was eventually purchased by HP and folded into irrelevance last year. As one of the few smartphones offered on GoPhone for $20 after instant rebate, the special reflects AT&T’s willingness (or urgency, depending on your point of view) to cut smartphones to the bone on the prepaid offering in order to push their new unlimited monthly plans.

Now that the current GoPhone smartphone data plans include up to 1GB of monthly data access, this makes it the perfect phone to take advantage of it, as the data plan includes access to AT&T’s own hotspot network on top of the monthly data access and features a full HTML browser along with easy access to its developer mode for easy modding and adding more features. To make the deal even better, Two-day shipping is included at no extra charge and no airtime purchase is needed to complete the order.

[AT&T]

After a week which saw HTC’s current US flagship Android phones embargoed by the ITC for inspection as a result of a long-running patent dispute with Apple, Sprint has confirmed that those customers that had the long-awaited device on pre-order will begin receiving their devices this weekend, as Sprint has confirmed that devices will begin shipping out on Thursday, but only for those pre-orders.

A wider retail launch has yet to be rescheduled and the ITC has yet to officially issue statements confirming the end of the embargo on the AT&T HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE. Both phones were subject to the embargo order which went into effect late last month as a result of an ITC ruling handed down last December which was found in favor of Apple regarding the execution of menu commands in a specific manner. As the ITC found in favor of Apple, HTC has modified the Android builds of both devices in order to comply with the ITC’s import ban just enough to avoid a complete ban, which has led to the latest development.

5/21 UPDATE:

Customers who pre-ordered HTC EVO 4G LTE…Your wait is almost over! Sprint expects to begin shipping HTC EVO 4G LTE for arrival on or around Thursday, May 24 to customers who pre-ordered the device online from Sprint. We will provide details on the full national launch as soon as possible. To check the status of your pre-order, please visit www.sprint.com/myorder.

Since shipping is in process, we can no longer accept cancellations.

[Sprint]