Ice Cream Sandwich arrives on the DROID 4, enables global roaming

Verizon Wireless (VZ) and Motorola on Monday announced the long-awaited arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich on the DROID 4. The over-the-air update includes the standard improvements and features found in Android 4.0 such as Face Unlock, swipeable notifications, data monitoring and improved multitasking, but it will also enable the smartphone’s global roaming capabilities and include Motorola’s Direct Access Lock Screen. The update carries the build number 6.16.217 and Android version of 4.0.4. Verizon notes that the update is being pushed to customers in phases starting on August 13th.

iPad mini details all but confirmed as launch nears

9to5Mac today got hold of some major details of Apple’s (AAPL) long-rumored iPad mini on Tuesday. The website published that the device will “‘look like a big iPod touch’ with smaller bezels along the sides” and “separate volume buttons rather than a ‘rocker’ and a mic on the back.” 9to5Mac said that its report is backed up by Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, who received similar details about the iPad mini, though hasn’t published about it yet.

9to5Mac writes that the iPad mini’s design gives it “a similar ‘purse-able,’ ‘big pocket-able’ form factor except with a much larger 4:3 display.” The website also says that the “lack of a bezel on the sides will make it easier to hold.”

iOS and Android are stomping on Sony and Nintendo’s portable game businesses

Why spend money on a mobile gaming platform when you can play lots of high-quality games on your tablet? That’s the reality that portable game console manufacturers Sony (SNE) and Nintendo (NTDOY) have to deal with as Android and iOS tablets have become powerful enough to host some high-quality games such as “Infinity Blade.”

As Fortune reports, the latest research from Flurry Analytics shows that Android and iOS devices last year accounted for 58% of all mobile gaming revenues in the United States while the Sony PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo 3DS accounted for just 36% of mobile gaming revenue in the U.S. For some perspective, consider that back in 2009 Nintendo alone accounted for 70% of all mobile U.S. gaming revenue.

Fortune also quotes Cowen analyst Doug Creutz, who says that smartphones and tablets have been instrumental in leading to growth of the mobile gaming industry.

Robert Vadra hints at joining politics

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law, Robert Vadra, on Monday hinted at joining politics. 

Robert Vadra, a businessman by profession and husband of Priyanka Gandhi, said that at present it’s Rahul Gandhi’s turn to be in politics, but will actively enter the political field if people want me to. 

Bhupathi blessed with a baby girl!

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: It was a good day on and off the court for Mahesh Bhupathi on Friday.

Bhupathi, along with partner Sania Mirza, has defeated South Africa`s Natalie Grandin and Jean-Julien Rojer of Netherlands Antilles in the opening round of the Australian Open mixed doubles.

Off it, Bhupati and Bollywood actor Lara Dutta have been blessed with a baby girl. "ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @DuttaLara. I Love u...," Bhupathi wrote on twitter

Team India shamed at WACA

Vineet Ramakrishnan

The name of the game is turn around – after the loss at Hobart, Michael Clarke and Co. had a lot to prove and a 4-0 score-line against India will definitely do a world of good for Clarke. India, after the England debacle, were also in a similar position. But were they expected to prove anything? Well, not all. The turnaround had happened before this Australian tour itself!!! During their home series against West Indies, India supposedly were at their dominant best, the same way they were once the No.1 ranked Test team (apparently). But the England episode was just an aberration as many were pointing out and will BCCI and Dhoni consider this ‘Blunder Down Under’ to be an aberration second time in a row? 

Stoner criticises `late` MotoGP weight rule change

Madrid: Casey Stoner has hit out at a change to MotoGP regulations that forced his Repsol Honda team to add 4 kilogrammes (8.8 pounds) in weight to their new 1,000cc bikes for the 2012 season, saying its "late" introduction has caused problems in cornering.

The world champion, who was half a second clear of his rivals in testing of the new machines at Sepang this week, said the team`s bikes had been "developed with a specific weight in mind" and that the situation was "rather frustrating".