Droid X gets Android 2.3 early

One Motorola Droid X test phone owner has reportedly already received the Android 2.3 update, Droid-Life said Monday. The system update, version 4.5.596, is also dated for May 26, so that's likely when it will launch. About a month ago, Droid X owners had the option of manually downloading the Android 2.3 update but it was quickly pulled.

The May 26 date revealed by the update build number is very close to the May 25 date showed in earlier build numbers from leaks. The Droid X 2 is also expected to launch on May 26, so there is a possibility the same software will come preloaded on that handset as well.

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Motorola posts Droid X 2 user guide early

Motorola has posted the user guide (PDF) for the Droid X 2 ahead of its rumored May 26 launch. With Direct Fulfillment orders starting as soon as May 19, the user guide confirms that the device features a dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz and its rumored qHD high-resolution display.

The X2’s NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor is matched with 768MB of RAM, while the device will also shoot 720p video with its 8-megapixel camera. Videos can also be output over HDMI from the device’s built-in HDMI port. While pre-production versions have been shown running Android 2.2 (Froyo), it is expected to ship with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).

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Dell intros XPS 15z early, makes doubtful 'thinnest' claim

Dell skipped formal announcements and gave Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan sales of the XPS 15z. The design is supposedly the thinnest 15-inch notebook in the world at 0.97 inches and is also light, at 5.5 pounds. Its design is less conspicuously based on the MacBook Pro with a black palmrest but still has numerous similarities, down to the five-dot battery life indicator, grilles, and backlit keyboard.

The 15z makes tradeoffs in performance for extras. Processor choices are limited to dual Core i5 and i7 processors instead of the quad i7s of the inspiration. Every model makes up for it with a 1080p, 300-nit screen as well as a 750GB, 7,200RPM hard drive and 2GB GeForce GT 525M video.

Because of the slower processors, prices in Australia start at $1,399 AUD ($1,470 US) for a 2.3GHz Core i5 and 6GB of RAM. A second $1,699 AUD ($1,786 US) mode upgrades to a 2.7GHz Core i7 and 8GB of RAM. European and North American releases are expected as each country crosses over into the morning for their respective time zones.

The claim to having the thinnest 15-inch notebook, while not a major factor, is unusual in that it has already been discredited by Apple, the XPS 15z's main goal. All unibody MacBook Pros from October 2008 onward measure about 0.95 inches thick and, if using the same measurement, would have beaten the new XPS design two and a half years ago.

Update: As expected, American pricing starts at $999 for the same hardware.

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Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi starts getting Android 3.1 early

Google's warning that Xoom Wi-Fi Android 3.1 updates might be delayed for weeks were proven cautious on Thursday as numerous owners have reported getting the upgrade early. The build is virtually identical to the one reaching 3G Xooms on Verizon and brings movie rentals, USB peripheral support, resizable widgets and a deeper multitasking interface. Early adopters have also found it noticeably faster.

The update is still due to be pushed out gradually for those waiting for an automatic delivery. A chance exists that a manual check will speed up the upgrade process, but no Xoom Wi-Fi owners are known to have reported it working so far.

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T-Mobile G2X Android 2.3 upgrade gets early preview

T-Mobile's promised Android 2.3 upgrade for the G2Xwas given an unofficial preview on Sunday showing what to expect. Along with the expected new keyboard, copy-paste text, and other 2.3.3 features, the dual-core phone gets visibly improved scrolling and touch responsiveness. This is my next also spotted working Wi-Fi calling and all the other preloaded T-Mobile apps carrying over, such as the Tegra Zone game browser.

Some features are missing, including those that weren't expected to go. NFC hasn't reached the G2X since the hardware itself is missing. Android 2.3 sounds from the Nexus S also appeared to be missing, and the camera app was the stock Google version rather than LG's custom treatment.

With unofficial Cyanogen builds having just rolled out on the weekend, T-Mobile's own promises of a quick official rollout were likely to come true. The carrier hasn't given out a timetable of its own and could still wait weeks before it pushes out to users.