We’ve been following the Dell Lightning Windows Phone for months; but today the Lightning is no more.

The Windows Phone 7 device from Dell, code-named Lightning, will be sold as the Dell Venue Pro.  We’re not sure who’s doing the naming at Dell these days, but they might want to go back to their previous work naming television models.

Not much is changed other than the name.  Many details are still missing.  But we do know that the 4.1-inch QWERTY slider will be available with T-Mobile first, with AT&T nowhere in sight (at least in the immediate future).  The Venue Pro also won’t be sold, according to Engadget, in T-Mobile stores; you’ll have to order it from Dell or one if its “handpicked retailers.”

Learn more about the Dell Venue Pro Windows Phone 7…

We’ve known it was coming, and today at I/O it did: Google made the next version of Android, v2.2, official. 

Most of what we told you a week ago is included: Wi-Fi tethering (mobile hotspot), Flash support, better Exchange support, and a 2-5x speed bump over Android 2.1. 

But there are some new over-the-air (OTA) goodies as well.  A new OTA app installation service will allow you to find software on your computer and have the app installed on your Android phone wirelessly over its data connection (yea!).  A new Windows (and Mac?) utility will also make it possible to stream all of your iTunes music OTA to your Android phone.  And a Chrome browser plug-in for the PC will allow you to send things like maps and directions to your phone wirelessly.  Pretty cool stuff.

Some existing Android devices will get the 2.2 upgrade “in the coming weeks.”  You can read all about Android 2.2 here or check out the video below.

We’re already downloading the SDK.  You?

The third-party retailer price for the Verizon Wireless Motorola Droid Android Smartphone continues to drop.  Two online retailers, Amazon.com and LetsTalk.com, are each offering the DROID for $49 at checkout with a new two-year service agreement.

The retail Verizon price for this smartphone remains $199.

Browse Motorola Droid Accessories