Google has now unveiled Android 3.1 at Google I/O 2011. This update offers more advanced multitasking that shows all recent tasks, even if they have been shut down to save memory and the USB host device is also new, so Android devices can now import photos from a camera, use a gamepad, etc.

Some other new features include: Widgets that are resizable and can use XML code as well as finger dragging to expand windows. So with Gmail you can check more e-mail even from the home screen now.

We all know that Android is super popular right now, but it looks like the best is yet to come for the platform. According to Digitimes, low-end Android phones are about to take the already-popular OS to new heights. Maybe even world domination. The reason is simple. Some handset vendors are rushing to launch low-priced (under $150) Android devices.

Digitimes thinks that 20-25 million of these devices will be sold this year alone. Those are huge numbers. We are talking a tenfold increase from last year’s 2.5-3 million phones sold. The low end Android market is wide open right now.

We’ve seen our share of gadget teardowns. They’re fun. It’s neat to see how things work. But this may be the first time we’ve seen an OS Mascot get a teardown of his own. Wanna know how the Android robot works? Well, this infographic explains all of his inner workings.

Its was created by woofdude on the furaffinity website and it shows everything you ever wanted to know about the robot. He even has a secret donut stash.

Looks like Intel will be re-entering the tablet market this year with Google’s operating system, Android. Some reports indicate that Intel will announce the release of Intel Android tablets later this year. Their plan is called PRC Plus, and will have Intel introducing Android 3.0 on tablets powered by their processors.

According to sources, Acer, Asus and Lenovo have agreed to start the plans for new products according to the Intel PRC Plus plan in the second half of this year and Cisco also plans to introduce products with Intel Oak Trail chips and Android 3.0.

Conspin has combined an Android tablet with a universal remote to create a smarter and better universal remote. It’s called the Andi-One and it supports 3 different interfaces like RF (RF4CE), IR, and WiFi.

The device is capable of controlling up to 50 different compatible devices. Over 10,000 devices are supported so you should be good to go. The Conspin Andi-One URC is available right now and will cost you $349.99. What do you think? You ready for this remote?

The already controversial GrooveShark music streaming service is not finding it easy with mobile platform vendors. GrooveShark’s mobile music streaming application was already booted out of Apple’s App Store last year, and now they have been booted from Google.

GrooveShark for Android was removed from the Android Market this week. But don’t worry, the GrooveShark for Android application is still available from the company’s website and can be installed on any Android device that allows sideloading. The iPhone version is also available, though only installable on jailbroken devices. It ain’t easy getting your mobile Grooveshark on. It seems there are too many sharks in the water and not enough chum.

Mozilla has announced they have released Firefox 4 for Android. It’s also available to download for Maemo devices. Mozilla says that Firefox 4 is up to three times faster than the stock browser in Android, so that is definitely good news.

There are also major enhancements to the JavaScript engine, which is designed to make sites load faster. The mobile version is built using the same technology as the desktop version, and offers tabs, one touch bookmarking, and a whole bunch of browser controls. Sounds awesome. We can’t wait to try it.

If you are an Android user, we have some good news. Google has announced that testing of Android’s in-app purchasing system has officially begun. A full roll out is planned for next week. Android devs can now add in-app products to their software that is currently available, set prices, and set up a test account to make sure that the entire process works smoothly for users next week.

Google had said that in-app purchases were coming last month, so devs have been waiting patiently. Are you going to take advantage of in-app purchases when it goes live? It should be a better way to upgrade apps.

AVG has launched AntivirusFree for Android tablets, called AVG Mobilation for Android. It uses a cloud based security platform and AVG says that the app will not kill your battery life, which is good news. It will have the ability to scan other apps, settings, data and media files for viruses. Basically it does what it does for your PC or laptop.

There is also a remote wiping facility in case you lose your tablet and an option to back up to an SD card. The AntiVirusFree app is available to download from DroidSecurity.com for free, while AntiVirusPro costs $9.99. It’s worth the investment since we have so much of our lives on tablets today.

Good news for Motorola Milestone owners in the UK. You have been waiting and Motorola has finally released the Android 2.2 Froyo update for the Milestone. This update comes almost a year after the Milestone received Android 2.1, which was available in May of 2010. Android 2.2 brings a bunch of new features, like support for Adobe’s flash 10.1, plus 3G mobile hotspot connectivity.

If you own a Motorola Milestone in the UK and want the update, (Of course you do) just hit the Motorola Update page, and make sure your milestone is connected to your computer via cable to perform the update. It took awhile, but it is better late than never.

Google on Saturday said that it was taking extra action to patch up a large-scale Android malware infection that highlighted the risks of the platform. They have pulled the apps and are now pushing an automatic update to compromised phones that will remove the privacy hacks.

If you are affected, you will get an e-mail first to let you know of the problem and a second after it gets patched, according to security head Rich Cannings. The company is also adding a “number of measures” in the Market to prevent more hostile apps like those in question and is working with phone makers and other partners to cure the root causes.

Sony has posted a teaser ad stating that “A smarter Walkman phone is coming soon”
which hints at a possible Android Walkman phone. We heard rumors about this awhile back and back then it was to be an average Android 1.6 phone, with a 2.6″ display, and a 5 megapixel camera.

The rumor fizzled out and things got quiet, but this new teaser has those rumors going again. We don’t have any other images or details yet, so feel free to speculate until we have something more concrete.

Gmail users with Android phones have some good news today. Google has updated their Gmail app for the Android operating system. The update brings some new features and also fixes some bugs on the app.

Gingerbread devices will now be able to copy text with a long press, and all users will be able to sync custom label colors. While there isn’t anything earth shattering here, the ability to copy text with a long press is something that was very needed. Get thee to the Android Market to download it for yourself.

You’ve probably been jealous of all of those iPad users reading The Daily on their iPads, right? Well, you won’t have to be jealous for long since it looks like News Corp’s tablet-only magazine could be heading to Android, maybe as soon as this spring.

The team has gotten a lot of help from Apple on the development side and as you know they were the first to use Apple’s new subscription service, so why wouldn’t they be ready for some Android? Hopefully this rumor has some truth to it.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb is the tablet-optimized version of Google’s mobile operating system. Check it out here, outside of the tablet environment. Specifically on an HTC Desire HD phone. Most phones have too small of a screen to make Honeycomb usable, but that might not be the case with the Desire HD, which has a 4.3″ display.

Performance is fine. Could be better, but with the larger display, using Honeycomb on a phone becomes a lot more manageable. Performance won’t be the best of course, but at least they proved a point.