To mark the launch of its Android-based VX-100 EPOS system, Casio is inviting developers to find out more about the device in exchange for prizes and the chance of having their app feature on the device.

The VX-100 is a compact EPOS terminal equipped with a colour main display with full-touch screen operation, a sub-display that is great for showing information to customers, and a built-in thermal printer to generate receipts. The VX-100 is designed for use in SME retail stores, and works as both a standalone system or as part of a networked system. Casio has provided a software development kit that supports the VX-100 hardware.

Christmas - and a huge tasty treat for Android fans - is about to come early. As its followers are well aware, the tradition is to quiety (ha!) erect a statue on a lawn outside the Google HQ in the style of the Android sweet-flavoured codename given to an imminent new release. It's no secret this next one is Ice Cream Sandwich, and so here he is - joining his Froyo, Gingerbread etc buddies right on cue. It's expected this is the Android 4.0 release, since this is the one which unifies the smartphone and tablet lines, although that's not certain, nor is the actual date of the Google announcement. Samsung are also to announce a handset running it - this is the one delayed by the death of Steve Jobs - and the vibe for the most likely date is now Oct 19th in Hong Kong.

This years hottest Android event in the UK takes place in London on October 6 & 7 - Droidcon UK, and we've teamed up to give attendees a special discount offer of 25% off the regular attendance fee by using the code OTAMATE-DROID-150 when registering here. Droidcon is Europe's largest conference that exclusively covers Android development and applications. This year, over 500 Android enthusiasts will rub shoulders with many of the world's foremost Android experts to dig into every aspect of Android and its ever-growing ecosystem. The themes this time around are Android for Developers, in the Enterprise, Gaming, and Design. 

Jelly Bean - yeah, sort of rolls off the tongue doesn't it? Continuing the sweet/dessert themed alphabetic sequence for Android the boffins have though long and hard about one which began with "J", following the "I" of Ice Cream Sandwich and, as is reported to have been leaked by a trusted source, it's to be called Jelly Bean. Also, some of the "game changing stuff" originally planned for Ice Cream Sandwich has been moved back into this version, although as intriguing as this sounds there's absolutely no information on what that could be. It's not official yet - we need to see a giant one on Googles lawn first - but it seems a great fit. Time to think about "k"?