We cheated a little, but we couldn't wait until Google flipped the switch to deliver this week's software update to our Nexus One. We just had to have that mutlitouch, so we grabbed the update online and loaded it on our phone. It involves a few steps (Android Forums has an easy guide), but we were all set after about five minutes.

Indeed, the addition of multitouch fixes one of the Nexus One's biggest flaws. We gave it a spin and were impressed by just how well it worked. Like on the iPhone and the Droid Eris, we could zoom in on a Web page or Google map by spreading our fingers or by double tapping. And to zoom out, we pinched our fingers together. The motion was smooth and we experienced no lag time or jerky effects. Now we just need that feature on all Google Android phones.

Beyond multitouch the update added the Google Goggles feature, which suggests Web pages based on photographs you take of an object or text with the Nexus One's camera. It is relatively effective, though it is not without its limitations. After photographing a National Geographic cover, we got a number of relevant suggestions, though most were in Japanese. Also, when we took a photo of the Australian flag, it suggested only links for the United Kingdom flag. That's close enough, we guess.

Google also promised that the update will fix the widespread 3G issues with the Nexus One. We haven't had any problems on that front, so we're not noticing an improvement so far. In the Google Maps feature, you'll also get a night mode, search suggestions, and syncing of your favorite places between your phone and your computer.

And while you're reading about the Nexus One, why not check out our Prizefight between it and the iPhone 3GS?

Motorola Devour

(Credit: Verizon Wireless)

Though we always want to be amazed with new phone releases, occasionally a cell phone manufacturer will unveil a device that feels lackluster. At first glance, the new Motorola Devour appears to be that type of phone, but upon closer inspection, it promises to hold its own in Verizon Wireless' lineup. Rather than releasing a successor to the popular Droid, the Devour aims lower as an entry-level device.

A few things about the Devour distinguish it from other Google Android handsets. Though it's Verizon's third Android device, it's the carrier's first handset to feature MotoBlur, which currently is available on T-Mobile's Moto Cliq. The Droid runs the stock Android 2.0 interface, while the Droid Eris has HTC's Sense.

The Droid and Devour have similar design elements--both are rectangular with slide up QWERTY keyboards--but there are subtle differences between the two. For example, the Droid's camera is 5-megapixel and has autofocus and a flash. The Devours camera, by comparison, is 3-megapixel; however, it does not have a flash and it has a fixed focus lens. Both phones offer video capture; however, the Droid records at the considerably better 720x480-pixel resolution.

For memory, the Devour comes with an 8GB microSD card while the Droid offers a 16GB card. For navigation, the Devour has a touch-sensitive navigation pad below the display, but the directional key on the Droid is tucked away with the keyboard.

For reasons unknown, this Devour is not being marketed under the Droid series for Verizon. Yet, CNET's Buzz Out Loud podcast suggested Wednesday that dropping the Droid moniker might be due to licensing fees associated with the trademark. It also could be to avoid potential confusion between the two handsets. According to Business Insider, Verizon is "fine tuning" their long-term strategy for the Droid line.

Though the Devour is less powerful than the Droid, I believe it will still find an audience. For people graduating from basic handsets to smartphones, it will make a great transition device. MotoBlur's universal in-box, the Happenings widget, and social network integration will give users more connection than they are used to having. With more than 20,000 applications available for download, the phone is fun, practical, and unique.

Currently, the Devour is loaded with Android 1.6. Yet, I expect to see it pick up the same update headed to T-Mobile's Cliq before long. Although Verizon has not announced a price, a rumored $99 to $149 price point coupled with Verizon's customer base, could do well to keep Android's market share moving in the right direction.

App Genie can literally take the place of 27 standalone apps.

In the grand tradition of the Ginsu Knife, App Genie is 27, 27, 27 apps in one! Even if you find only a handful of them useful, you're definitely getting your 99 cents' worth.

App Genie's one-screen interface displays 20 attractive icons, which unfortunately are arranged randomly rather than alphabetically. Thus, finding what you're after (like, say, the tip calculator) is more difficult than it should be.

A few of these apps (like Tool Case) have various sub-apps, bringing the total number of tools to 26. After running App Genie a couple times, you'll see a notification asking you to e-mail a recommendation to a friend. Doing so unlocks a 27th tool (a flashlight, which gets added to the aforementioned Tool Case).

App Genie's other assets include currency and unit converters, a GPS-powered Where Am I? app, a price-comparing bar-code scanner, and an "amazing facts" reader.

Device Stats shows graphs of your device's memory usage, while Battery Level reveals how much standby, talk, Internet, and other time is available based on the remaining battery power.

App Genie can also translate typed words and phrases between dozens of languages, turn typed words and phrases into speech, reveal encyclopedic facts about the countries of the world, and store a simple checklist.

And so on and so on. Not all the apps are gems (what exactly is the point of a camera tool that snaps a photo when you shake your iPhone?), but there's more than enough good stuff here to justify 99 cents.

What's more, App Genie can take the place of many standalone apps, thus reducing some icon clutter on your home screens. If only the developers would let me reorganize (or at least alphabetize) the tools, I'd have no more wishes for this Genie.

Samsung Mayon

(Credit: Samsung)

The Samsung T139 Mayon was revealed Wednesday on Samsung's Web site, but we have not yet heard of a formal announcement. The entry-level clamshell phone will have a VGA camera, space for 300 phone book entries, Bluetooth, A-GPS, a speakerphone, and surprisingly, an HTML browser. No word on pricing or availability, but this information will be coming to T-Mobile sometime soon.

(Via Phone Scoop)