Remember all that hype about Android being this incredible open-source platform that everybody forgot about once it was revealed that meant “only kinda open, and definitely not to the idiots we sell products to?”

Turns out Sony missed that memo: in fact, they’ve put up very clear and concise instructions on how to unlock the bootloader on select Sony phones and start modifying it to your exact specifications. They just disclaim any of the mortal harm that will almost certainly befall you if you do so.

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The PlayStation holds a warm, fuzzy place in the hearts of many people, nerds and normal human beings alike. It was the source of many classic games and the beginning of a revolution. On the other hand, it’s also outdated and hauling it out of the closet just to play a game is annoying. Wouldn’t it be nicer to play on some sort of advanced technology like, say, your phone?

That’s what PSX4Droid is all about…but it’s created a sticky situation.

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Yesterday’s Super Bowl allowed advertisers to reach a record number of viewers (111 million). So perhaps it should be no surprise that Sony eschewed the convention of an event-based launch for its long-rumored, highly anticipated PlayStation phone in favor of a Super Bowl ad spot. While Sony didn’t get into the meat of the gaming phone, it did indicate that it’s on the way and that it will be called the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play.

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Google has released an Android version of its popular Blogger platform. You can now write posts and post pictures from anywhere you happen to be. The native app is designed to make using Blogger via mobile phone easier than ever. Once finished, you can save the post as a draft or publish it straight from your phone. Just one more way to keep the world up on the real-time minutia of your life.

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Want to browse and demo Android apps on a bigger, more powerful device? Wish granted. Google announced today that it is launching a Web-based Android Market. The website is market.android.com.

Previously, Android owners could only browse and buy apps through their mobile device, so the Web market will provide one more way of getting apps. And to avoid any headaches brought on by buying apps and then having to physically download them, the new Android market will include wireless functionality for sending apps directly to phones without any hard connection required.

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If you think about nearly any small, consumer item that you’d ever want to buy, chances are that you could (or will) buy it through Amazon. Or at least check Amazon for prices. Apps have long been one of the few items that people buy on a regular basis for which they didn’t need to bother checking Amazon. Soon, however, that will all change.

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Are you getting the idea that Google is like a hyperactive child with ADD? Sure, they’re good at search, but that doesn’t mean they do everything well. Take Buzz. Or Wave. Or the Nexus One. Or Google TV. Slow your role, Google!

But like any hyperactive child, Google won’t sit still long enough for anyone to discipline it. So it’s on to yet another venture.

According to BusinessWeek, Google is considering getting into the finance business with a new payment service. Like other similar offerings, Google’s system would let your phone tap into the payment infrastructure with near-field communications (NFC). Drop the credit card and swipe your phone.

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According to newly released data from Nielsen, the smartphone race is tighter than ever with Apple enjoying a slight market share lead over competitors like Android and RIM (Blackberry). In fact, the competition is so tight, that Nielsen says it might be “too close to call.” And with 45 percent of recent buyers choosing a smartphone over a feature phone, smartphones in general are enjoying the race.

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The next HTC powerhouse that will be hitting the scene is the phone called Thunderbolt. Based on ‘net rumoring, the T-bolt will be HTC’s first dual-core phone, carrying a 1.2-gig, dual-core MSM8960 processor. It’s expected to complement that powerful heart with a bevy of other impressive specs like a 4.3-inch screen, 1080p video recording and playback, 8 MP camera in back and 5 MP camera up front. It also has a kickstand and speaker for audio playback.

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