Google has officially dropped x86 and is planning for the next generation of Google TV hardware to be ARM based. Partnering up with Marvell, Google’s next gen GTV will feature a low cost, energy efficient yet powerful, Marvell ARMADA 1500 HD Media SoC. This really is good news for Google TV and will hopefully bring a breath of fresh air to the otherwise dismal platform.

There’s a rumor going around that HTC will be holding off the unveiling of their quad-core phones in favor of the Mobile World Congress. It wouldn’t be the first time we saw a company favor MWC over CES, but to say I’m not disappointed, would be a lie. While there’s no telling what HTC will unveil at CES, it would be a blow to tech enthusiasts attending and hoping to get their hands on an HTC quad-core device such as the HTC Edge.

Sony Ericsson will have a strong presence this year at CES and they’re already stirring up some excitement. Over on their Facebook page they’ve posted a small collage of shots showing off a mysterious device(s) that will be unveiled at CES. We’re hoping to see the Sony Ericsson Nozomi or Xperia Arc HD revealed at CES, and some astute Xperia fans have pointed out that the camera button in this pic is on par with what could be an Xperia Arc successor (the HD perhaps).

While most companies are going to wait until CES to launch their newest products, AT&T appears to have other plans. BGR has received word that AT&T plans to lanuch the Pantech Element this Sunday, ahead of CES. This 8″ 4G LTE device will features an IP578 waterproof rating (which means splash resistant, not waterproof) along with:

The LG Optimus series made quite the rounds last year, and it seems it will be getting a successor in the year 2012. The LG Optimus 2 has shown up on LG’s official site, and while there aren’t too many specifics, what is does show, is, well — underwhelming. According to what’s currently listed, the LG Optimus 2 is sporting: