The phenomenal growth rate of Google’s Android continues to increase, according to Android chief Andy Rubin. The Google vice president announced in on Google+ and Twitter this evening that “There are now over 700,000 Android devices activated every day,” clarifying later on Google+ that “for those wondering, we count each device only once (ie, we …

Microsoft and Nokia have been linked to the posting of astroturfing comments on a negative Nokia Lumia review. The review of the Nokia Lumia 800, posted on the Indian Web site Moneylife.in, was based on the technical specifications rather than hands-on experience with the Windows Phone device. The review concluded that “Although Nokia sees its Lumia 800 to be a …

HTC has reportedly already engineered a workaround to sidestep a U.S. agency ruling that HTC infringed on one of Apple’s patents. The move became necessary after the International Trade Commission, a federal agency with the power to enforce bans on products shipping to the U.S., ruled yesterday that HTC infringed on Apple’s patent for data detection. The process allows a …

Amazon released a promised over-the-air update for its Kindle Fire this evening. Amazon says the update “enhances fluidity and performance, improves touch navigation responsiveness, [and] gives you the option to choose which items display on the carousel.” It also includes the option of adding a password lock to Wi-Fi access. The update, which will be delivered automatically to the devices, …

It seems we may finally know the fate of Hewlett-Packard’s WebOS unit. HP has scheduled a companywide meeting for 10:30 a.m. PT tomorrow, during which CEO Meg Whitman is expected to reveal what the company intends to do with the troubled mobile operating system, according to a PreCentral.net report. HP representatives declined to comment. An announcement on the unit’s fate …

Clearwire expects to raise $350 million in its stock offering next week, an increase over its previous plans to raise $300 million. The money-losing mobile broadband provider and wholesaler plans to sell 175 million Class A shares at $2 in an offering expected to close on December 13, the company said in a statement today. Clearwire said it plans to …

After losing an early round in its trademark dispute with a small New Mexico software provider over use of BBX, Research In Motion has opted for new name for its new operating system. U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson in Albuquerque granted a temporary restraining order today requested by Basis International that bars RIM from using the BBX mark at …

Verizon Communications has fired 40 employees involved in this summer’s bitter labor strike for behavior the company said ranged from physical violence to making racial threats. The company informed the employees by mail over the weekend of their terminations for violating the company’s code of conduct while picketing a new contract, according to a Boston Globe report. More than 45,000 …

Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus is expected to launch in the coming weeks without Google Wallet, at the carrier’s request. The phone, which was developed by Samsung in partnership with Google, will debut with the Web giant’s mobile payments system disabled by Verizon’s choice, a Google spokesman told CNET, confirming a story first reported by Computerworld. “Verizon asked us not to include …

When Verizon Wireless’ version of the Galaxy Nexus finally launches, it will cost consumers $299.99 with a two-year contract, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. Verizon is expected to launch Samsung’s new smartphone sometime this month, but the report, from Dow Jones Newswires, doesn’t indicate exactly when that will occur. Verizon Wireless representatives did not immediately respond …