What do hackers and gadgeteers love? Two things – Ubuntu and mobile devices. Combine them and… a hacked Nook Color running Ubuntu! Over at XDA Developers, a clever user has figured out how to run Ubuntu- our favorite (free!) operating system here at PocketGecko- on the Nook Color. Right now, the ported version of Ubuntu is a little laggy, and has quite a few bugs. Nevertheless, check out the orginal article and the same hack for the Nexus One/Android.

Merry Christmas from the PocketGecko Team! We would just like to say thank you to all our wonderful readers, after all, it’s you that drives us to publish our articles. So have fun unwrapping that new kickass Android phone your grandma just gave you, and keep on reading PocketGecko. (Now, thats a present, we can’t thank you enough for!). Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-PocketGecko Team (Jimmy Liu, Nick Shen, and Ajay Jain).

I know…I know…we’re already at DDR3 when it comes to laptops, desktops, and netbooks, but DDR2 is only still last year in computers. Computers. Now lets change that to smartphones. Wow. Thats going to be one lean mean smartphone in your pocket. The best of all? Thats exactly what the Pantech Vega Xpress promises to deliver, to Korea residents. We’re not sure exactly how much memory Pantech is packing in, but there saying it will deliver twice the speed of fast smartphones today.

Other than the RAM, the phone’s hardware is unimpressive, packing in a 5-megapixel camera, WiFi B/G/N, and a 800×480 display. Oh, and that battery is 1500mAh. Expect this phone sometime soon in Korea.

Thanks to the effort of xda-developers, a Gingerbread ROM for the Droid Incredible is now available to the masses. All major functions of the ROM work, except for video recording, and GPS functions on the to-do list. I am impressed! Anyone, for you folks with Droid Incredible’s, here’s a link to check out, and download the ROM for yourself. (Link) Lets just hope other smart-phones like the Galaxy S, and the HTC Evo, etc. will get themselves a nice crunchy helping of Android Gingerbread. Nom. Nom. Nom.

The Samsung Galaxy tab was just one overpriced tablet, that only sported a 7-inch screen, and can’t make calls. Well, now, T-Mobile lowered the price to $350, it makes sense to pick one up for that special person on your list (mother, girlfriend, wife, etc.)

The Tab is about $150 cheaper than the cheapest iPad without 3G, so maybe it will be a good time to invest in your first tablet. The Galaxy Tab sports a 1GHZ processor, 7-inch screen, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 16GB internal memory, expandable via micro-SD.

Please do note that this is only a T-mobile offer, and Verizon, AT&T, etc. is not dropping the price.  Sigh…

The android market just got a big update which streamlines content, destroys the 24-hour return policy, and gets rid of tabs. Also, it also only shows applications that work for your phone. This new feature will make it a lot easier for you to shop for apps during Christmas. This market updates has brought the Android market a lot closer to the style of Apples. Though it isn’t censored like Apple’s.

Update: New categories being added: widgets and live wallpapers

[Via Engadget]

Some people wanted to advertise there grill. And they came up with a very UNIQUE way of doing so. They used their product the EZGrill and put an iPhone 4, G2, and a HTC Surround to flames. The first one to succumb was the G2 followed by the iPhone 4, followed by the Surround.

All in all, it was entertaining but also heartbreaking to see those fine phones burst into flames At any rate, the money didn’t come out of your wallet, so enjoy!

So lets say you just got that magical iDevice this Black Friday, like me. This is your first device, and you have no idea what kind of apps you want. Thats OK, since this guide will connect you with 12 of the BEST iOS games, ranging from casual to FPS. In case you haven’t seen our guide to 10 of the most epic Android games, hit the link, and check ‘em out! Let the apps flow in!

1. N.O.V.A

$4.99

If you that hard-core FPS gamer, or enjoy shooting stuff up, this game is right for you. N.O.V.A involves shooting up enemy’s with four (4) different weapons, and doing tasks. The cool online feature lets you play a death match game online. If you ever meet “lele0108″, thats me!

2. Flight Control

$0.99

I really love this game, but sometimes, it gets a bit boring. Basically, you act like Air Traffic Control people. and help guide planes to the runway, without crashing. Easy it might seem, but as it progresses, it gets crazy. Crazy as in installing Mac OS X in Windows.

3. Plants vs. Zombies

$2.99

Plants vs. Zombies. How f***king random is that? Plants. Real. Zombies. Fake. WOW!!!! You know what amazes me even more? A ZOMBIE BOBSLED TEAM. Anyway, the game is very fun, as your plants protect you from zombies. Its a family/kiddie game, so don’t expect Left 4 Dead style gaming.

4. Angry Birds

$0.99

If you haven’t heard of this game, either you’re a hobo, or your in a cave. Angry Birds, the #1 game on iTunes for like months, is truly addicting. Can’t solve a puzzle? Just hand it over to your 10-year old, and *poof*, there you go. Poor pigs…

5. Cut the Rope

$0.99

We all like candy. I knew that. What I didn’t know was that cute monsters loved candy too! And when they don’t get it, well, I’ll leave that to you to make up. Cut the Rope is a family-friendly game that lets you feed your own cute monster candy. Simple, but addicting.

6. Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus

$6.99

This app may be a bit pricey, but trust me, its worth every penny. Not only do you get great FPS solo gameplay with awesome weapons, there is a ONLINE multiplayer. Thats right. Its like playing COD, on your iPhone. Made by the same creators of N.O.V.A, this game ought to bring endless hours of joy to your iPhone and you. Have Fun! (On the Retina Display, the game looks AMAZING!)

Don’t you love going to Google’s home page to discover that the company has decided to celebrate some obscure birthday, anniversary, or special event by way of coolio logos? I do. Google has now taken these doodles to the next level: they are now available on your phone. No longer will you need to see that delicious array of Thanksgiving food that you would only dream of cooking on your desktop, you can drool on your mobile phone anytime. Just look both ways before you cross the street. [Via Engadget]

If you’ve just read the title, your probably going like WOOPEE!!! I’m gonna get Doodle Jump for FREE! Well, yeah, in a sense. Gameloft, the creators of N.O.V.A, and other great iOS games, is offering a new free game every day ’till Christmas. Isn’t that just jolly of there Santa Clause CEO? If you read this post just in the nick of time, you could grab todays offer, by clicking this link. The game should be marked free. If it is not, you missed it.

If you want to get the free games, they will ONLY be posting the links on Twitter. You can visit them @gameloft

Please do keep in mind, that each game is only free for 24-hours, so keep those eye’s open! Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to play some “Driver”. Have fun with those free apps!