Apple is locked in legal combat with many Android manufacturers, with a range of tactics being used to try to keep iPad and iPhone competitors off store shelves. In Germany, Apple's had some success using tablet design patents against the likes of Samsung, and it's also attempted to use the same tactics against Motorola's 10.-1inch Xoom.

However, today a court in Dusseldorf, Germany ruled that Moto's tablet does not infringe upon the iPad's design patents. Specifically, NASDAQ​ reports that the judges decided that the shape of the Xoom's corners and back were enough for it to be distinguishable from Apple's tablet. It wasn't a complete win for Moto, however, as the court also dismissed a counterclaim from Motorola that Apple's design patents were invalid.

Moto was ordered to pay one third of costs, with Apple being told to pay two thirds.

Source: NASDAQ

Last week some troubling news seemed to be emerging from Canadian carrier TELUS, which put out an update schedule suggesting that the Android 4.0 upgrade for the Desire HD had been canceled. The schedule indicated that the ICS update had been canned due to "poor device performance in testing," which didn't make a whole lot of sense given that we've seen ICS running on even less powerful phones like the Desire C in recent months.

As such, we reached out to HTC for comment, and an the manufacturer has informed us that ICS updates for the Desire HD, and the similarly-spec'd Desire S, are still on.

An HTC spokesperson told Android Central --

"We remain committed to providing customers with the latest software updates when possible. As such, we are pleased to confirm we are still on schedule to deliver an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade for both the HTC Desire HD and Desire S."

So there you go. The Desire HD may be approaching its second birthday, but at least it should see one more OS update before it's put out to pasture.

Announced a couple of months ago, the water-resistant Sony Xperia Go has gone on sale in the UK, and is now available SIM-free, as well as subsidized on-contract through O2 UK. The Go is the follow-up to last year's Xperia Active, which won critical praise for its unique, rugged design (which at one point helped it survive being run over by a Jeep).

The Xperia Go is a little sleeker than last year's ruggedized Xperia, and it should be plenty fast too, with a 1Ghz dual-core ST Ericsson CPU inside. Unfortunately, though, it's yet another Sony phone launching on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and as we look for updates from ICS to Jelly Bean from other manufacturers, that's a big disappointment. Nevertheless, if you're not a power user, and you're after something a decent little water-resistant smartphone, it's worth a look. The Xperia Go is yours for £200 SIM-free at Expansys and Clove, and O2 offers it for free on 24-month contracts starting at £18.50 per month.

Source: Expansys, Clove, O2 UK

Get your first taste of the all new Lloyd Gear from Android Central!

Awww, yeaahhh — Lloyd Gear is here. Our first round of new gear includes a supernaturally good t-shirt, a sweet baseball cap and a secret society pin. If you love Lloyd. If you love Android. If you love to be awesome. Then you can get these. Also some really great bonus offers in here — read on after the break.

An update to the Sonos Controller app is available that expands its list of supported tablets and also adds support for landscape. Late last year, Sonos made the app available for tablets, but the selection was limited. It is now available on all 7-inch and 10-inch devices, which of course includes the recently released Nexus 7 (see our review).

In addition, Sonos has added landscape mode which was one of the most requested features, and also has added larger album artwork for your visual pleasure.

If you're a big Sonos user, this has to excite you. For the update, please find links to the free app after the break.

Source: Sonos

Here's a quick heads up that the Kyocera Hydro, the 3.5-inch, submersible (as in dunk it in water) Android phone that we first showed you back in May will be available on Boost Mobile starting Aug. 3. The phone runs $129 and can be kept below the surface for 30 minutes, which is a good bit longer than you'll last, we imagine. It's more of a protection thing than a usability thing -- you won't be making calls under the sea or anything. 

On the other hand, it's running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, which is more than we can say for a good number of landlubbers out there. We've got the full release after the break.

The Google Nexus 7 is starting to make it its way out to consumers around the world, and if you're among the lucky early adopters picking up the Jelly Bean tablet this week, we've got some required reading for you. As you'll know if you've been watching the site since Google I/O, we've been covering the heck out of the Nexus 7, so we've got all the information you'll need as you're getting to grips with your new tablet.

Let's dive right in --

• Nexus 7 hands-on and initial review
  You should already have a pretty good idea of what's lurking within that Nexus 7 box, but if you want to brush up on the basics before going any further, our complete hands-on report and video walkthrough is where you'll want to start. (And if you're still on the fence, why not check out our full review of the tablet.)
   
• How to unlock the bootloader and root the Nexus 7
  The Nexus 7 isn't just a portal into Google Play, it's also a Nexus device, and that means easy bootloader unlocking, rooting and hacking. If you're new to this side of Android, be sure to check out our guide to unlocking and rooting the Nexus 7, courtesy of AC forum moderator ragnarokx.
   
• Top 5 Games for your new Nexus 7
  With a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU (and 12-core GeForce GPU) inside, the Nexus 7 is a great mobile gaming device. If you're a gamer, why not check out Simon Sage's guide to the top five games to try out on your new Nexus 7 tablet. (You'll find even more suggestions from readers in the comments.)
   
• Check out the official Nexus 7 guide book
  There's no manual inside the Nexus 7 box, but you'll find all the basics in the official Nexus 7 guide book on Google Play Books. You'll find it inside the Google Play Books app when you power on your Nexus 7 for the first time.
   
• Get to grips with new Jelly Bean features
  From the redesigned notification area to the buttery new home screen launcher, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean includes a host of new features. Find out about all the new tricks Android 4.1 has up its sleeve in our Jelly  Bean feature articles, complete with video walkthroughs.

If you're getting your Nexus 7 today or later this week, then shout out in the comments and let us know how you're getting on!

The latest big name title to arrive on Android, is Square Enix's Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. Fans of the Tomb Raider series of games will feel right at home, and while Android is pretty much the last place for this title to show up -- it's even on the BlackBerry PlayBook already -- as always, big titles are welcome. 

The one, big, caveat at the moment though, is that the title is exclusive to Xperia devices for the time being. Playing a title such as this on an Xperia Play is sure to be an enjoyable experience, but for those of us without one of the supported Sony devices, we're just going to have to wait. There's no word at present on how long this exclusivity will last. 

The good news for Xperia owners, is that for now at least, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light can be had for the low low price of £0.99/$1.29. 

Download: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

The Mobile Nations team is celebrating the first birthday of the Monday Brief, and we want to hook a lucky winner up with their dream device. We're not just going to have a regular old "post a comment and win" type giveaway this time. Instead, we're recruiting YOU to help us revamp and refresh the Monday Brief intro. Have you been lusting after the Samsung Galaxy S III? How about the new iPad? Or perhaps you've been anxiously awaiting the next round of Windows Phone 8 devices or are holding out for BlackBerry 10? Well this is your chance to win one of those dream devices!

Over the years we've seen some pretty crazy entries for video contests here at Mobile Nations (Kevin often brings up a certain Pudding Wrestling in Time Square CrackBerry video), but we want to top them all, so we're gonna make this the best video contest Mobile Nations has ever had! Seriously, we want to you see you all get creative, get crazy and show us your passion to help. Let's have a look at what you could win:

• GRAND PRIZE: One (1) phone, tablet, or gadget you've read about on Mobile Nations websites, valued at up to $600 USD
• Runners Up: We'll hook you up with some awesome stuff. Either a coupon to one of the stores, some swag or something else you'll love. Don't worry, if we use your intro on a Monday Brief, we'll give you recognition and a nice little reward.

Once again, this is a video contest -- you'll have to get creative and assemble your most creative, funny, or just plain insane version of Ashley's weekly introduction to the Monday Brief. If you're not sure what part that is, watch the beginning of the show. Jump below to get the full details on how to enter and check out the rules, you'll need to follow them accordingly.