The minute we start to think we may have a slow week of news, we get inundated with exciting happenings, rumors, leaks, phones and apps to review and all sorts of other crazy stuff.  This week the Acer Liquid Stream became just plain Acer Stream and became official, the HTC Wildfire got a hint of pricing and availability, the Motorola Shadow was spotted in the wild, and the BlackBerry Pearl 3G obtained its FCC wings bearing T-Mobile 3G frequencies.  As you know a ton of other stuff happened as well, and while we do our best to cover the things we think matter to you most, we are not always able to get to some of the things that require less coverage.  At the end of the week, however, we take some time to say thank you to our readers by providing you with a few of the things we missed.  Here are some of the things that slipped through the cracks this week.  Enjoy!

Sprint preferred retailers opening early on EVO 4G launch day, wireless hotspot initially free

Here's some pretty exciting news for those of you that plan to purchase (or have already pre-ordered) an HTC EVO 4G from Sprint.  The nation's number three carrier has sent around some guidance to its preferred retailers suggesting they open early in preparation for the onslaught of customers they expect to come knocking down the door Star Wars camp-out-in-the-parking-lot style.  In addition to the early hours, Sprint wants you to know that for the first month - provided you live in the 4G portion of the Now Network - you'll have the ability to use your EVO as a wireless hotspot sans the $30 monthly charge.  But be warned, apparently it won't work as a hotspot at all in 3G areas until July when they plan on having a resolution to the issue.  I've already purchased my EVO and you can be sure I'll be putting the hotspot to test!

Via Engadget

Select 'The Shack' retail stores to get WiMax hotspots

According to an Engadget tipster, The Shack will be installing 4G repeaters from Clearwire in some of their stores, presumably to help show prospective customers the full power of the highly-anticipated HTC EVO 4G.  No one seems to know how far these things will be able to broadcast signal or how many stores will be getting the units, but the assumption is just having them will help get phones out the door, and maybe even put a damper on the concern about the $10-per-month fee for the phone.  If you plan on picking up Sprint's newest flagship device and notice the 4G signal at The Shack is especially strong, make sure to let us know!  

Via Engadget

Andy Rubin: "Android will blow your mind" 6 months at a time

Looks like the fine folks over at Gizmodo scored an interview with Andy Rubin, you know, the guy that gets all the credit (deservedly) for Android.  One of the major concerns analysts have had with Android is the fact that there are so many different versions currently on the market, making it somewhat difficult for carriers and manufacturers (such as HTC, Motorola, etc.) to keep up.  Rubin, however, would have you believe that the Android team has actually got the process down to a science that allows them to set the pace of innovation (as opposed to fragmentation) in six month blocks, whereas before they were moving forward in 18 month blocks.  That's pretty quick if you ask me.  This also lines up with the rumor that we'll be seeing Gingerbread (the next iteration of Android) sometime in Q4 of this year.

Via Phandroid

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Turning off Sense UI on your HTC EVO 4G

Now, I must start by saying I'm not sure why you'd want to do this considering how sexy Sense UI is on HTC Android (among other) devices, but apparently there are those that believe turning off Sense on your EVO 4G will speed it up.  If you really want to do this, feel free to take a look at the video above where Phil Nickinson of AndroidCentral shows you how to do so.  In the video he also does a few tests to show you that the difference between Sense being on and off is not very remarkable.  But of course, Android is all about customization, so feel free to do with it what you will.  Enjoy!

Via AndroidCentral

Telus to launch re-branded HTC Desire as HTC Triumph?

It looks like Canadian carrier Telus is trying to create some hype behind the impending launch of a device they've elected not to mention by name.  From the image above you can see there's a countdown clock along with the simple message that something is "Unleashing on June 8."  According to Engadget, word on the street is that the HTC Desire will be re-branded by Telus as the HTC Triumph, and is most likely the device they are speaking of.  The Triumph will likely be a welcome addition the the family and will help to promote Telus' new HSPA network.

Via EngadgetMobile

That's all we've got for now, but stay tuned to PhoneDog for all the latest articles, videos, news, phone reviews, discussions and more!  Stay safe and have a great Memorial Day weekend!