We’re excited about the innovation possibilities on Android, and [we] look forward to delivering great products in partnership with Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA).

They won’t confirm the increase in the development team from 50 to 350, but given their situation, it seems logical to think that the company is trying to get into the Google train as soon as possible. [Beta News via Talk Android]

Let’s hope his leak at Apple has an alibi when his Steveness comes knocking. Here was Kevin’s prognosticating:

- Revamp of entire iPod line.
– Small cosmetic changes to Touch, Nano to see significant redesign (see pic).
– iPods to see fairly large price drops to distance itself from the $199 iPhone.
– iPod touch 2.1 software, iPhone to get update very soon after.
– iTunes 8.0 (”it’s a big update w/new features”).

And on iTunes 8:

iTunes 8 includes Genius, which makes playlists from songs in your library that go great together. Genius also includes Genius sidebar, which recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don’t already have.

With iTunes 8, browse your artists and albums visually with the new Grid view; download your favourite TV shows in HD quality from the iTunes Store; sync your media with iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (2nd generation), and iPod touch (2nd generation); and enjoy a stunning new music visualizer.

Even the layout mockup, which was coyly what it would look like “if I had to guess”–100% correct:

And of course, the Nano photo above. Not a rendering, an actual product shot of the silver Nano. So besides skipping the ancillary announcements like Nike+ and the new headphones, Rose nailed it.

One other side point: this also shows that Apple has smartly reconsidered the same strategy that issued a spew of take-down notices with every leak that hit the web and eventually forced blogs like Think Secret to shut down. It’s all or nothing with that strategy–as only targeting the information that’s correct is the deadest giveaway possible–and once something hits the web, there’s very little one company can do to stop it. As we’ve seen a bajillion times.

So congrats Kevin–this time (we all know you’ve had your misses, too). Make sure you take your new buddy in Cupertino out for a nice, juicy steak (in Sacramento, with fake mustaches) while the axe hangs. [Kevin Rose]

Full press release is below.

UPDATE: One of our tipsters has sent through this image of an upcoming catalogue proving the Samsung giveaway is legit. Of course, what’s interesting to note (that wasn’t mentioned in either the Australian or CNet articles, is that customers have a choice between the Foxtel iQ2 box or a new Samsung BDP-1500 Blu-ray player. This would make sense – not everyone can get Foxtel, and not everyone would want to subscribe to the Foxtel service either.

We’ll obviously keep you posted on any official announcement from Samsung, but seeing as how this catalogue is due to go out this week (and the promotion due to start on July 1, we expect to have official word for you very soon.

Since the advent of plasma TVs and their subsequent rise to power (alongside LCDs, of course); TV manufacturers have seen huge sales boosts just before major sporting events. And seeing as how this year is an Olympic year, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing some really awesome promotions come out of the woodwork in the lead up to Beijing.

Earlier this week we told you about the Sony Bravia promotion, which will see 35,000 Bravia customers receive a free PS3, but now the Australian (and CNet AU) are reporting that next week we’ll be hearing about a Samsung promotion which includes a Foxtel iQ2 box for HD entertainment.

The rumours state that Samsung will be forking over the $200 upgrade fee that Foxtel is charging subscribers to install the iQ2 when they buy a new Samsung TV. There hasn’t been any official confirmation from either Samsung or Foxtel yet, so we don’t know which TVs will include the Foxtel box in the price, but it will obviously cater to their premium lineup of HD displays.

So it looks like July is going to be the month that many of us buy TVs. But which promotion is more appealing?