A few weeks back RIM had announced that they would be giving free BlackBerry PlayBook tablets to Android developers that submitted Android apps for entry into the BlackBerry App World. And well, while that promotion was set to come to an end, it now looks like it will remain open and in effect until March 2nd. According to the details coming from RIM, they have seen more than 1,500 app submissions as of last Friday and perhaps more interesting, they have had more than 6,600 new developers registered in the BlackBerry App World storefront. That all being said, according to RIM;

“All vendors (new and existing) now have until 11:59 PM EST on March 2, 2012 to submit your application to BlackBerry App World.”

Via [RIM]

One of the most popular alternative mobile web browser for tablets, Dolphin Browser HD just became available for the Barnes & Noble Nook tablet. Nook users should be glad to know that all the major features of the said mobile web browser has been brought to their Nook tablet including Gesture, Webzine and Add-on. If you own a Nook tablet, you should be dowloading this app as it will make you do more web browsing on your tablet. In case this is your first time to hear about Dolphin Browser, let us tell you that using this app on your Nook will let you create personal gesture or symbol to access mobile and desktop websites that you often visit. It also allows you curate your favorite blogs or websites into a simplified format called webzine. Other features that you’ll appreciate about Dolphin browser include speed dial which lets you visit your favorite mobile and desktop websites on the go with one touch, tabbed browsing and sidebars. You can download Dolphin Browser for your Nook by simply hitting the via link below.

Via [Dolphin Browser], [Dolphin Browser Blog]

And just like that, the iPad 3 rumors have begun to heat up on another level. Of course we have been seeing those recent rumors dealing with the higher-resolution display, however The Wall Street Journal is now stating that the iPad 3 will come with 4G LTE connectivity and be available with both Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Granted, the current iPad is already available with both of those carriers, but the real bump will be going from 3G to 4G. The details are coming by way of the always knowledgeable “people familiar with the matter” who had this to say;

“Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. will sell a version of the coming iPad that runs on their newest fourth-generation wireless networks,”

Otherwise, the iPad 3 announcement is expected to take place during the first week of March. And lastly, for those who like and hope to have 4G but live and/or play in a location that does not yet have access — rest assured in knowing that “when LTE isn’t available, the new iPad will default to a slower network technology.”

Via [WSJ]

Samsung has just officially put the wraps off its first tablet official tablet offering for 2012 – and it’s called the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0. As expected this follow-up to the highly successful Galaxy Tab runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is loaded with 1Ghz dual-core processor. To be available initially in the UK, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) will be released in both 3G and WiFi versions, just like the original Galaxy Tab. According to Samsung, global launch will happen sometime in March.  Connectivity-wise, this tablet of course supports HSPA+ 21Mbps. Of course, Samsung’s own TouchWiz complements ICS on this tablet. In fact, Samsung says that it will run the upgraded version of the UI which now includes the Hub widgets. Plus, the tablet will also come with the S Suggest service which is Samsung’s way of suggesting apps suited to your needs. Other features of the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) include – 7-inch WSVGA (1024×600) PLS TFT, 3MP fixed focus camera, VGA front-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, Accelerometer, aGPS, Bluetooth and microSD card support. Honestly, the only feature that will probably make you purchase this tablet is the fact that you’ll enjoy Android 4.0 on a 7-inch device. So, who’s lining up for this one?

Read [Samsung]

If you happen to have purchased an Acer Iconia Tab A200 tablet then you may want to check for an update as it looks like Ice Cream Sandwich will be ready and waiting. The Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, more specifically, the Android 4.0.3 (build number) Acer_AV041_A200_1.037.00_PA_CUS1 update has come available and those with an A200 tablet in hand can get it by navigating to Menu -> Settings -> About tablet -> System update -> Check now. Sounds like a good way to wake up on a Monday morning.

Via [Phandroid]

While we suspect most of the Xoom 4G LTE users are waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich to arrive, we have word of a new update. Though, just to clarify and possibly probably disappoint up front — the Xoom 4G LTE tablet does indeed have an update coming out however this particular update is not going to give you Android 4.0. Instead this one is much smaller and quite honestly, it probably is an update that many users can simply skip. But that being said, we will leave you to be the judge of whether you should update or not. Anyway, this latest update has recently been detailed by Verizon Wireless and will roll-out as software update HLK75H. The update measures in at 11.6MB in size and according to Verizon, it should take about 5 to 10 minutes to download and install. Without further adieu, here is the change log for update HLK75H.

Improvements and Fixes

• Data connectivity will properly restore after disabling Airplane Mode

Via [Verizon Wireless]

Asus has announced and began rolling out the latest software update for the Transformer Prime tablet. And yes, this is one that many users will be happy to see. The update arrives as version 9.4.2.13 and it should take care of one important issue — it fixes the random rebooting. That being said, those with a Transformer Prime tablet should keep an eye out for the update notification to arrive.

“Random reboot issue fixed. @ASUS #TransformerPrime update v9.4.2.13 hits this week.”

Via [Twitter @Asus]

PopCap continues to make sure its games are available on every platform available, as Plants vs Zombies is now available on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The popular tower defense game where your walls of plants protect a house from an army of zombies should be in the App World right now, though these is no available direct link. Like all other versions, the PlayBook game has 50 levels where you can defeat zombies on the front yard, the back yard with a pool, and the roof, during the day or at night. It’s a fun game, and one that you should probably have no excuse for not playing, unless you exclusively use Linux on your PCs and BlackBerry mobile devices.

Expect the game to be somewhere between $5 and $10 as it is on other platforms. It’s well worth the money, especially if you haven’t played it on another platform before. It might just be the only game you’ll ever need on the PlayBook, which is good because there aren’t too many other great games for the device.

Read [CrackBerry]

WordPress for Android has recently been updated and it looks like a fairly big release. Not only did WordPress make the jump up to version 2.0, but the app has left the confines of the Android Market and is now available for the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet by way of their respective app stores. In terms of this new release, it arrives with an “all new Dashboard UI with Quick Action bar and a powerful new editor.” That being said, WordPress for Android is both free to download and free to use and is compatible with self-hosted WordPress blogs as well as WordPress.com blogs. Additionally, this latest release also had some improvements on the post editor and geotagging as well as the always welcomed — bug fixes.

Via [WordPress]

For the past two years Apple has announced the new iPad in February, but this year that’s changing. Apple doesn’t have an event this month, but it will have one in March.

According to a source talking to All Things D, Apple is planning on a launch for the next iPad in the first week of March. The event will be held in San Francisco, most likely the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where Apple typically makes announcements such as this one.

According to current rumors, the iPad 3 will have a Retina Display with a 2048×1536 resolution, and will have a faster CPU. It’s said to have a form factor that’s similar to the iPad 2, perhaps even a bit thicker. There’s also rumors that an iPad 3 will push the price down of the iPad 2 to $300, which Apple will continue to sell. That will help Apple in the fight against Amazon, and just make it easier for more people to afford an iPad.

Given the release schedules of the previous two iPads, it would make sense for the iPad 3 to be available very soon after the announcement, perhaps just a week after.

Read [All Things D]