There are a lot of people out there -- a couple of past and present Engadget editors included -- who would love a souped-up BlackBerry Torch running Android 2.3 with a BBM icon emblazoned on its high-resolution homescreen.

ENGADGET: Editorial: Dear RIM, I'm your customer and I don't wear a suit

Whether you're flying to visit your family, catching a train to meet up with a long-distance love or celebrating New Year's Eve on a warm-weather cruise with friends, ever present travel disruptions over the holiday season may leave you needing a place to stay at the last-minute.

BBC: A boom in same-day hotel booking apps