Windows and Android developers over at XDA-Developers have taken the newest Cyanogen Mod and its still very capable to old phone from HTC like The touch Pro 1. Now All HTC Users can enjoy an Android-like User Interface even on old windows Mobile phones or New too. The Cyanogen builds usually come fully loaded, just as a fresh Android built phone would. This particular one carries with it Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, standard phone, messaging and Much More features.

Here are the screenshots of CM6-RC2 (Froyorider-Port):

The official "Google Phone" the kinda dead Nexus One, is still Google's official "dev phone." The phone, available unlocked for $529, is running the latest Android version and includes the "Google Experience" suite for Android development.

The Nexus One combines an up to the minute platform (Android 2.2), modern hardware, and the pure Google Experience software suite. It's a good choice both for people who want to build Android applications using either the SDK or the NDK, and those who want to experiment with modified versions of the Android platform. Note that the Nexus One still ships with Android 2.1 but will download 2.2 soon after you turn it on; make sure you're near a fast network.

If you're an Android user, I'm pretty sure you've tried to use the official Facebook app. And then given up.

The functionality is lame, the notifications don't work, and — most annoying of all — most of the actions within the app require being bumped out onto the mobile site anyway. In short: it stinks.

But today, all that changes. Today sees version 1.3 hit the Android Market, and with it comes a butt-load of improvements. So many, in fact, that I may start using the app regularly. And that's saying something.

So, what's changed?

First up: don't expect complete liberation from the mobile site. Clicking on a notification still bumps you out to the (touch) Facebook page. This is still a bit of a bummer (as it makes you question why you even opened the app), but most features are now in-app. For instance, messages can be read and responded to from within the app. But wait, there's more…

First and foremost is the timeline of pictures that sits down the bottom of the main screen. This shows the latest images from your News Feed. Handily, this includes the thumbnails for any links posted, so is a good place to see if any of your friends have found a new video of cats chasing laser beams.

Also, the notifications are no longer tucked away under a menu, but rather, appear as a notification “drawer” similar to Android's native notification system (only down the bottom of the screen). This is actually quite nice, as you now know how many notifications you have as soon as you open the app.

Photos are now also handled within the app, and you can comment from within the app, too.

So, to round off, this updated is a must-have for every Android user (assuming you're also a Facebook user, that is), and one that has been much-needed for a long time now. The functionality divide between the iOS Facebook app and the Android app is now finally closing. Let's just hope that Monsieur Zuckerberg's switch to Android keeps this progress rolling. Hands up who wants Facebook chat enabled?

A new mobile phone has been especially designed for people with hearing impairment, and features extra-loud ringtones and loudspeaker. 

The simply designed handset is also ideal for older people and the sight impaired, as it comes with large, clear buttons and a generally uncluttered design that will please all those who eschew overly-sophisticated handsets. 

The screen on the handset also displays text messages in extra large type. For the elderly there is an SOS button at the back to allow the user to call a relative in an emergency. 

Although the extra-loud ringtone is a useful feature for those with poor hearing, its ability to reach 100 decibels (the same volume as a pneumatic drill) could prove to be a nuisance for anyone else in the vicinity. 

In fact, the Amplicon M6000 can reach even higher levels, up to 110dB - the equivalent of a South African vuvuzela horn being blown next to the unfortunate victim's head, according to the Daily Mail. 

Amplicon's product manager David Youngs, who himself has hearing difficulties, said that often people don't like to wear their hearing aids when making calls. The same goes for watching movies and listening to music, so soundbars for hard-of-hearing individuals have been developed by audio companies as well.


Mr Youngs said: "I can make a call and even if I haven't got my hearing aid on, I can just push the volume up and hear the conversation perfectly." 

He added that the ring tone is so loud that users would probably get themselves thrown out of a restaurant! However, he said the simple design would be welcomed by all those who "want simplicity", and for whom "talk of megapixel cameras, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and music files is extremely offputting." 

Analyst firm Canalys has been going over the numbers released by the various players in the smartphone business for Q2 and has some interesting trends to report. Smartphone shipments surged ahead 64% year on year indicating the market segment is still enjoying healthy growth despite weak economic conditions in many parts of the world. There are a few notable mentions in the figures so we'll take a look at each in turn:

Apple saw shipments of iPhones grow a very healthy 61% compared with Q2 of 2009, but crucially slowler than the 64% growth for the smartphone segment overall. However, the increase it did see has put it in third place as the best selling platform, with RIM taking the second spot.

Nokia managed to hold onto their lead of the smartphone market and command a still impressive market share of 38%. Smartphone shipments were up 41%, much lower than Apple, but that figure actually represents a record number for Nokia in that 23.8 million units were shipped during Q2. It's still important to recognise though, that like Apple, they are growing slower than the market is overall.

RIM managed to ship enough units to maintain its place as the second most popular purveyour of smartphones with an 18% share of the market. RIM's growth rate was the same as Nokia's, 41% for Q2, and like Nokia this represents a slower than market growth rate.

Android has emerged as the big winner here in terms of growth with an almost 900% increase in shipments. The overall market growth rate is 64% for Q2 and to say that Android exceeds that figure would be something of an understatement. The actual figure is 886%, but we have to remember the context of this figure, which is that Android is essentially building its base at the moment. Growth rates are always going to be spectacular when you are starting off near the bottom. Having said that if Android can maintain even a fraction of this growth rate they should be propelled straight to the top of the smartphone market in a matter of a few years.