Motorola and Verizon have just announced the Droid X2, a 4.3″ smartphone sporting Android 2.2 Froyo, a qHD screen, and the NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset powering this device. On the backside of the device, there’s a solid 8MP camera capable of recording HD video along with the same nice, smooth back cover you’ve come to expect from the original Droid X. The X2 will cost $200 with Verizon’s 2 year contract and is being released tomorrow online and in select stores (at least according to Android Central). General store availability is expected by May 26, if you’re reluctant to purchase the phone online.

Also, as Engadget points out, the USB and HDMI ports of the phone seem to be in a similar position as the Atrix 4G, which sports a laptop dock. With Motorola saying there’s more laptop docking phones coming our way, maybe the Droid X2 could also be one of them. (Maybe the feature is to be enabled in a future software update?)

Update: The Droid X2 launches today, and a trip to my local Verizon store leaves me in doubt of the May 19 store release date. No phones are in stock.

[Source: PR. Read the release statement after the break.]

DROID X2 BY MOTOROLA COMING TO VERIZON WIRELESS WITH DOUBLE THE POWER, DOUBLE THE DOES

Fast and Powerful DROID X2 by Motorola With Broad Range Of New Features To Be Available Online Beginning May 19

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Verizon Wireless and Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI), today announced the second-generation DROID X2 by Motorola, designed for the consumer who does everything on their smartphone.

Fly through the Web with the DROID X2, which boasts Verizon Wireless’ first dual-core 1 GHz processor for fast webpage loading and Adobe® Flash® Player, allowing Verizon Wireless customers to experience rich content online. The 4.3-inch scratch-resistant and anti-reflective qHD display delivers a sharp, clear view ideal for watching movies, typing emails and playing your favorite games. Never miss a moment using the 8-megapixel camera with continuous autofocus and stunning HD video capture. Use the new Gallery app to view, tag and post photos on sites like Flickr® and Facebook®, all from one place.

Additional features:

· Powered by Android 2.2, to be updated to Android 2.3

· Mirror Mode allows you to view and share your photos, videos and downloaded movies on a larger TV via HDMI output

· Enterprise-ready with security and IT-grade policies, allowing you to use your DROID X2 for work and play

· Support for Google™ Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™, Google Search™ and Google Maps™, as well as access to more than 200,000 apps available to download from Android Market™

· Mobile Hotspot capability, allowing you to share your 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices

· Virtual QWERTY keyboard featuring SWYPE technology for quick and easy typing of messages and emails

Pricing and availability:

· The DROID X2 will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com on May 19 and in Verizon Wireless Communication Stores on May 26 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

· DROID X2 customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access and an unlimited smartphone data plan is $29.99 for monthly access.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of DROID X2 in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)

Today we’re starting to roll out a fix which addresses a potential security flaw that could, under certain circumstances, allow a third party access to data available in calendar and contacts. This fix requires no action from users and will roll out globally over the next few days.

However, the problem isn’t over yet. Although Google has patched and moved both Contacts and Calendar to encrypted connections, the situation involving Picasa – Google’s photo sharing/hosting service – remains in the dark. Hackers can still exploit Picasa using the same method with no problem if they’re on the same open WiFi network you’re on. While there isn’t much you can do about this, you can take a few precautions. Not connecting your Android phone to an open WiFi network, using 3G instead of WiFi, or simply moving your photos out of Picasa can all help remedy the problem on your end. If you have any protective tips/security measures you’d like to let us know of, leave ‘em below in the comments.

[Source: ComputerWorld]

Android’s leap forward wasn’t the only thing mentioned in the report. The results showed that AT&T barely beat Verizon, 32% to 30%, for the largest American cellular network and T-Mobile edging out Sprint for the number three spot at 17% and 15% respectively.

Source: NPD

After much rumor and speculation that Google would bring its popular (and free) turn-by-turn GPS to the iPhone, Google shot down the rumor today by saying that they have no current plans to bring the application to the iPhone – at least for now. Google, however, did say that they would bring the app to other platforms. Click the jump for the full statement by a Google spokeperson to PCWorld.

We did not say we would bring it to iPhone, we said to date we’ve had it on Android and that in the future it may come to other platforms but did not confirm this will be coming to iPhone at all.

Free GPS navigation is getting very popular among mobile users. Nokia’s own GPS navigation app was downloaded over 10 million times, while Maps Navigation is included on almost all Android phones.

Source: PCWorld

There’s no denying that the number of complaints about the Nexus One’s 3G have been numerous. Now, after several updates, Google says “we are no longer investigating further engineering improvements”. Google feels that the patch they supplied took care of most of the problems, and you’re stuck with whatever bug you have now. In short: Google isn’t fixing your Nexus One connectivity problems anymore.

Ry Guy, a Google employee, posted on the support forms:

Hey guys,

I’ve seen some recent speculation on this thread about an OTA to improve 3G connectivity and I want to give you an update on the situation. While we are continuing to monitor user feedback regarding the 3G performance on the Nexus One, we are no longer investigating further engineering improvements at this time. If you are still experiencing 3G issues, we recommend that you try changing your location or even the orientation of your phone, as this may help in areas with weaker coverage.

-Ry Guy