With dual-core devices almost the norm these days, and a slew of quad-core devices just around the corner, Android phones are almost as powerful as many people’s computers, sometimes more powerful. And Canonical reckons that folks shouldn’t need two devices, just plug your phone into a dock with a keyboard and monitor, then use full desktop grade Linux on your desktop.

Since Android is already Linux-based, it’s fairly easy to make it play nice with Ubuntu on the desktop. And we love the idea of seamless integration between mobile and desktop. And the best part is that it will work with a lot of current of Android phones, the minimum requirements being a 1Ghz dual-core CPU with 512MB of RAM, HDMI and USB ports, and 2GB of space on your phone.

Full Press Release:

Ubuntu for Android at MWC – world’s first full-featured desktop on a docked smartphone

Carry less, do a lot more. All the productivity and apps of the full Ubuntu desktop, built into your Android phone.

London, 22nd February, 2012: Canonical today unveiled Ubuntu for Android, bringing the world’s favourite free desktop experience to multi-core Android smartphones docked with a keyboard and monitor. Use Android on the phone and Ubuntu as your desktop, both running simultaneously on the same device, with seamless sharing of contacts, messages and other common services.

The phone experience is pure Android – it’s a normal Android phone. When the device is connected to a computer screen, however, it launches a full Ubuntu desktop on the computer display. It’s exactly the same desktop used by millions of enterprise and home users on their Ubuntu PCs, and includes hundreds of certified applications, from office productivity to photography, video and music.

All data and services are shared between the Ubuntu and Android environments, which run simultaneously on the device. So Android applications such as contacts, telephony and SMS/MMS messaging are accessible from the Ubuntu interface. Indeed, all data on the smartphone can be accessed at any time, docked or not.

Ubuntu for Android gives mobile workers a company phone that is also their enterprise desktop. Government and private institutions have embraced Ubuntu on the desktop because of its ease of use, security, manageability, superb range of native applications and excellent support for web browsers like Chrome and Firefox. The desktop can also include Windows applications, using thin client and desktop virtualisation tools. Today’s IT departments commonly support a PC and at least one desktop phone for every employee. Many also provide and manage mobile phones. Ubuntu for Android presents a compelling solution to IT complexity by reducing that burden to a single device.

The first PC for the next billion knowledge workers could be a phone – but they won’t just want to use it as a handset. They will want all the flexibility and productivity of a full desktop, as well as the convenience of a smartphone on the move. Ubuntu for Android represents the first opportunity for handset makers and network operators to address this growth opportunity in emerging markets.

“The desktop is the killer-app for quad-core phones in 2012″ says Mark Shuttleworth. “Ubuntu for Android transforms your high-end phone into your productive desktop, whenever you need it”

Manufacturers targeting the corporate phone, as well as the next-generation enterprise desktop and thin clients can easily add Ubuntu for Android to their smartphones. The customized version of Ubuntu drops in cleanly alongside the rest of Android, and the necessary Android modifications are designed for easy integration. Hardware requirements include support for HDMI and USB, standard features in high-end handsets planned for late 2012.

Ubuntu for Android justifies the cost to enterprise customers of upgrading to higher bandwidth 4G connections and contracts. Cloud apps like Google Docs work best with a full desktop, and shine with the lower latency of LTE. Network operators can deliver their own branded applications and services as part of the Ubuntu desktop, in partnership with Canonical.

Canonical leads the traditional Linux ecosystem in support for the ARM architecture, having co-founded Linaro (linaro.org), the consortium dedicated to the unification of Linux on ARM and the simplification of Android integration and delivery. That industrial experience, combined with Canonical’s long-standing leadership in desktop Linux and deep relationships with global PC brands enables Canonical to deliver an ARM-optimised desktop tightly integrated with Android, on silicon from a range of ARM vendors.

Useful Links and Contacts
Product information and specifications at www.ubuntu.com/devices/android
Contact us to bring Ubuntu for Android to market: www.ubuntu.com/devices/android/contact-us

The wait is over, as of today the Samsung Galaxy Note is now available for purchase in AT&T stores and on their website. Available in Carbon Blue or Ceramic White, the LTE-enabled Note will run you $299 with a two year contract, or $649 full retail. For more info and full specs, check out the Galaxy Note announcement or our review round-up.

If you’re looking to save yourself $50, the Galaxy Note is also available from Amazon in both colors for only $249 with a new contract or upgrade.

[AT&T]

A couple weeks ago was the last time we saw an Ice Cream Sandwich build for the international Galaxy S II leak out. And now there’s a new one, build number I9100XXLPH. It’s still Android 4.0.3 based with TouchWiz on top, and the build date was Feb 9th. Early reports are indicating that it’s a bit snappier with better battery life than the previous leaked version. SamMobile was kind enough to give a side-by-side comparison to the previous build:

• Interface: Kind of 3D effect when scrolling.
• Battery: Lot better than early ones.
• Faster: Feels the same as LPB
• Touch: Not so good as LPB.
• Overall: Better score in our eyes than LPB .
• Facelock: Same as LPB working fine.
• Task: Same as version LPB.

We’re drawing ever closer to an actual official public release of Android 4.0 for the Galaxy S II, most likely in the next couple weeks. But for those of you that aren’t patient enough to wait can flash this on your I9100 and play around with it early. Head over to the source link for downloads and instructions. And if you happen to try this out, drop us a line in the comments and let us know how it’s working for you.

[SamMobile]

Verizon has just posted a change log for the Froyo update for the Continuum, a device once thought cutting-edge with it’s secondary “ticker” display. Aside from the update to Android 2.2, the four Continuum owners out there will also see the usual array of Verizon’s changes such as improved messaging, stability fixes and updated Verizon apps.

There’s no specific date for the update roll out, but it’s listed as coming soon. Hit up the Verizon Support site for more info and updating instructions.

[via Droid Life]

HTC’s last update about Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades pertained more to global devices and not so much the ones specific to the US. And that left a lot of us wondering if the Thunderbolt and other phones would ever get Android 4.0. Today, HTC has laid to rest those worries and given us Ice Cream Sandwich updates, the North American edition. The HTC Thunderbolt, Rhyme and Droid Incredible 2 are all promised Android 4.0 upgrades sometime in the future, as well as the Rezound which was already announced.. As always, HTC has been shy about a specific time frame. Additionally, the HTC Raider on Rogers and Bell in Canada will also get some ICS love.

[HTC Facebook via Droid Life]

• Engadget has a very in-depth review as you would expect. The loved the screen, battery life and AT&T’s LTE network. They did note a few drawbacks of the S-Pen, but did say it makes games like Fruit Ninja more fun. I think their bottom line sums it up best: “AT&T’s version of the Samsung Galaxy Note isn’t the best in the world, but it’s still very, very good.”
• The Verge has updated their original review of the international Galaxy Note to reflect changes in the AT&T version. They have an interesting view, saying the Galaxy Note is a bad idea, done extremely well, yet still rated it an 8 out of 10, a very good score.
• Mashable’s review of the Galaxy Note left me wanting more, as they didn’t go as in-depth as Engadget.
• The Tech Block doesn’t really review the Galaxy Note, but instead offers us some humorous alternative uses for the Galaxy Note, it’s worth a look.
• Instead of actually doing an honest review of the Note, known iPhone apologist Johnathan Gellar has taken the time to tell the world why the Galaxy Note sucks. Here’s a few choice snippets from the article: “this is a device fit for use only by such a small subset of the human population that I can’t fathom how AT&T and Samsung are putting so much marketing resources behind it” … “You will look stupid talking on it, people will laugh at you, and you’ll be unhappy if you buy it.”
• TechCrunch decided to take a different route with their review and compares the Galaxy Note to the next closest thing in size, the Dell Streak 5, as well as Google’s flagship device, the Galaxy Nexus.

The real takeaway from all these reviews is that if you can get over the size, the Samsung Galaxy Note is a very good phone. And believe me, after you spend some time with the Note, even a 4.3 inch device is going to feel downright cramped.

According to Atrixforums.com, the OTA should be available sometime this evening, so feel free to go to Settings > About Phone > System Updates and start checking to see if it’s ready for you.

[Motorola Global Portal via Atrix Forums]

Google Maps for Android has recently been updated bringing with it some minor changes, but significant nonetheless. Version 6.3 of Maps now promises battery life improvements for Latitude users and location services. So pretty much if you use Maps, your battery life will get a little better. There certainly won’t be anyone complaining about that. There’s also some minor bug fixes in tow, probably to insignificant for Google to detail for us. If you haven’t already updated, the latest version is now available in the Android Market.

[Android Market]

Motorola XOOM owners of the wifi variety are already enjoying their Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, but those with Verizon’s LTE-enabled version are still waiting. Verizon is however pushing out a minor update for the still-Honeycomb tablet with a couple of fixes. The new software version HLK75H now supports dual International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSI) as well as fixing a bug that prevented proper data connectivity from restoring when returning from airplane mode. With those two issues squashed, there should be not much stopping them from getting Android 4.0 out soon. Verizon and Motorola have yet to comment on a specific time frame though.

AT&T is looking to make a bit more money. And one of the ways they can do this is by extracting a couple more dollars from you when you upgrade your device. In the first time in ten years, they’re raising the upgrade fee from $18 to $36, effectively doubling your cost. AT&T explains the increase as the cost associated with selecting and activating new equipment stating:

Wireless devices today are more sophisticated than ever before. And because of that, the costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased and is reflected in our new upgrade fee. This fee isn’t unique to AT&T and this is the first time we’re changing it in nearly 10 years.

It’s not like it really costs AT&T that much to punch some numbers into your account. You’re the one switching your SIM card to your new device. Although some of this new fee may reflect on AT&T needing new SIM cards for their current and upcoming LTE devices.

The new policy goes into effect on Sunday, Feb 12th, which is tomorrow. So if you’re on the verge of upgrading, you might want to get it done today to save yourself a couple bucks.