Adobe is expected to release an update by the end of the year that will add support for Ice Cream Sandwich to Android’s Flash player. But pay attention at how Adobe worded its statement:

Adobe will release one more version of the Flash Player for mobile browsing, which will provide support for Android 4.0, and one more release of the Flash Linux Porting Kit – both expected to be released before the end of this year.

So, the next major Android version isn’t getting official Flash support. Which coincides with Adobe’s updated strategy for mobile devices that calls for HTML5 to replace Flash.

That doesn’t exclude the possibility of Flash on Android altogether – we’ve seen third party players like HTC’s plugin – but the end is nigh. RIM for one has officially stated that they will continue development of the plug-in for their PlayBook tablet (and presumably phones running the upcoming new OS). Others who have licensed the source code can do the same.

Note that this is only for the Flash plug-in for browsers. Devs will still be able to use Adobe’s technologies to create apps and games for mobile devices through Adobe AIR. That will go on with a focus on console-like gaming (thanks to the recently added 3D support). Flash for the desktop will also see continued development.

The test run of the network will cover Canary Wharf, Soho, Westminster, South Bank and Kings Cross, and 20 additional sites with a total area of 40 square kilometers. O2 has engaged more than a thousand testers to gather performance statistics and feedback.

While this all sounds very encouraging, don’t expect the LTE revolution to begin by the end of the year. If the network tests go well, O2 plans to launch the network some time in 2012, but when exactly is yet to be known.

Another good thing of Nokia 703 is it’s IPS(In Place Switching) touchscreen display for brighter display quality. This phone has 3.7 inch Capacitive Touchscreen ,LED backlit display with IPS display. Actually IPS Technology is the same LCD display screen Technology that is used in the Apple’s iPad.

For efficient performance this phone is powered by 1GHz fast Processor and 512MB RAM.This phone comes with 5.0MP camera with LED flash for capturing images and Video recording. This camera is capable of recording videos at 720p @30fps.It also features high speed Wireless LAN connectivity(Wi-Fi)and GPS navigation for finding locations in unknown places.

Nokia 703 comes with some other fantastic features like Multi format Audio(MP3,WMA,WAV,eAAC+) and Video Player(MP4,H.264,H.263,WMV),JAVA support,Stereo FM Radio, Accelerometer sensor, Proximity sensor,3.5mm Audio jack,USB v2.0 for PC connectivity, Blue-tooth and many more.

This device is said to have a dual core processor, running at either 1.2 or 1.5GHz, an 8MP camera, and should launch with Android 2.3.5. Unfortunately no release time frame as of now, but it is likely that it will be launching in the coming months. Hit the break for a couple more images.

Orange France will be getting the NFC-enabled Galaxy S II first – that would happen some time next month and there’s a chance that the handset will be called I9101 Galaxy S II. After France the NFC Galaxy S II will be hitting other countries, but there’s no official timetable for that.

NFC aside, there will be no changes to the S II specs – that means 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 4.3″ SuperAMOLED Plus screen, 8MP camera and so on.

The NFC-capable Galaxy S II for Orange France will use a special SIM card to enable the Cityzi features and ensure secure transactions.

There’s no pricing info yet, nor an exact launch date, unfortunately.

Sprint would be the only U.S. carrier to offer an iPhone with an unlimited data option for new subscribers, which Bloomberg’s sources say is the reason it plans to offer such a plan. It should provide a good reason for consumers interested in the iPhone 5 to choose Sprint over AT&T or Verizon for their purchase, especially considering that iPhone owners tend to use quite a bit of mobile bandwidth. Despite high usage among iPhone owners, recent studies suggest Android users are actually ahead when it comes to smartphone data, however, so Sprint may not have to account for a very dramatic spike in usage if and when it begins offering the iPhone.

The Bloomberg report also echoes the WSJ‘s report that the iPhone 5 would be available from Sprint beginning next month in October. That’s also in keeping with many other recent reports regarding the next iPhone’s general availability. Neither Sprint nor Apple offered a comment on the report as of publication.

To date, Apple has changed the world only by solving only first-world problems: “My Windows laptop came loaded with crapware and stickers.” “My PC is noisy and ugly.” “I hate audio CDs and CD players.” “My cell phone is counterintuitive.” “I want to surf the web while watching TV, but my netbook sucks.”

These are the kinds of problems Apple has solved for millions of people.

But there are bigger problems out there that Apple is in a unique position to solve.

In fact, a single solution could help solve five real problems, and change the world in five meaningful ways. It could even accelerate Apple’s phenomenal growth.

I challenge incoming CEO Tim Cook to consider the following proposal.

Here it is: Apple should set up a program to transfer used Apple hardware from the wealthy first world to the needy third world.

Here are the key aspects of this program:

• Make devices as long-lasting as possible, and easy to disassemble
• Establish a trade-in program with a big discount on the new if you turn in the old
• Set up facilities in target third-world countries for safe, quality refurbishment
• Sell some of the devices at very low cost to authorized local distributors
• Donate the rest to non-profit organizations that focus on third-world educatio

Developer support for iCloud is very important to Apple, but with the plethora of other options like Dropbox or SugarSync and with extensive baked in app support for DropBox already in existence will Apple see user adoption of iCloud surpass that of Dropbox?  Initially the first wave of iCloud users will be current Mobile Meusers. I’ll be one of those, but I’m not all that excited about iCloud due to the fact that it won’t support all of Mobile Me’s sync features.

Additionally, I don’t think iClouds Music Match feature will be very exciting either. Initial reports say that it is slow to sync, cumbersome and doesn’t stream music. The latter might be a problem for a lot of people.

This is the first round of calls Apple will make to developers to get on the ball and support all the new features that iCloud and iOS 5 will offer. As we get closer to the release of iOS 5 expect another Apple developer call for apps compatible with iOS 5.

The BlackBerry Torch 2 9810 has been spotted in the wild and looks just like the original – but under the hood it’s got a 1.2GHz CPU, 768MB RAM, 3.2″ VGA screen and a 5MP camera that can record 720p. And of course, the spanking new BlackBerry OS 7.

The BlackBerry Touch 9860 (a.k.a. Monza) is no stranger to the rumor mill either – it packs the same specs as the Torch 2, save for the 3.7″ WVGA screen and no hardware keyboard.

Without much fanfare, it has been revealed that the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAYwill not be a Verizon Wireless exclusive for much longer, as the PlayStation-branded phone will be coming to AT&T

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play features a 4 inch multi-touch display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, processing is provided by a 1GHz Qulacomm processor, and there is also 512MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM.

The Xperia Play also comes with a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash and autofocus, and there is also a microSD card slot, which comes with an 8GB card out of the box.