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As you’d expect, today’s Apple WWDC keynote drew big crowds of Apple fans eager for hardware and software news. Yet, you might be surprised that even the most devout Android enthusiasts were watching along to see what the “competition” was doing.

After two hours crammed full of products and services, we came away with some wonderful stuff. What we didn’t get, though, is a new iPhone or any promise of when one might come. And while that’s surely disappointing for some, it opens the way for a sunny Android summer, dominated largely by Samsung.

Outside of Apple, there are few handset manufacturers able to garner such stratospheric buzz for the release of a new smartphone. Part of it has to do with Android’s sheer volume of handsets (there’s almost a new one every week), but also no other company has mastered Apple’s art of building hype. Samsung, however, is on to something. While nearly every other Android device generated just a bit of Internet buzz, Samsung’s Galaxy S III stands to generate iPhone levels of excitement.

Indeed, no other Android phones thus far has produced months of speculation and rumors or this level of enthusiasm. Sure, they were popular, but the Motorola Droid, the HTC Evo, and not the first Android ever, the T-Mobile G1, didn’t exactly send people into a frenzy or the rumor mill into overtime.

Thanks to a unified brand and singular form factor across five major carriers, however, things look pretty rosy for the Galaxy S III. The handset, which features cutting edge smartphone technology and a sprinkling of Samsung’s own innovation, will have people talking this summer just as they’ve been talking about it already for several months. And with the next iPhone not expected until fall, Samsung could steal away a number of iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 owners who are off their contract and waiting to upgrade.

What’s more, as one of the biggest sponsors for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Samsung will be investing millions of dollars to show off their new baby. For consumers living in the United States, the timing of the event falls within days (or weeks) of the phone hitting various carriers. If done right, Samsung will have users flocking to their respective wireless provider, asking for “the one on TV”.

Consider also the silence from Samsung’s competitors. Of its two main competitors in the Android wars, Motorola has been nearly silent since the Droid Razr Maxx hit, and HTC hasn’t broken the bank rolling out the One X. Depending on what you believe, the One X might be the only handset worthy of knocking the crown from the Galaxy S III, but it’s only available with AT&T and Samsung is playing a better marketing game.

To really see Android’s response to Apple, we’ll have to wait for Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, which kicks off in two weeks. With Jelly Bean and a Nexus 7 tablet rumored for the three day event, Google is poised to build on Android’s momentum. At the moment, however, nothing has as much momentum right now as the Galaxy S III. And until the next iPhone is a reality, I don’t see anything coming over the horizon that looks to get in Samsung’s way right now, including offerings from other Android handset makers.

If someone works hard to earn a scholarship, should it matter how much their family is worth?  When Justin Combs turned 16, his father, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, gave him a $360,000 silver Maybach.  When Justin Combs decided to play football in college, UCLA gave him a $54,000 scholarship.

As UCLA confirmed this week that the recent graduate of New York’s New Rochelle Iona Prep would enroll on a full athletic scholarship, some questioned if the cash-strapped school should pay for the education of the son of a man worth an estimated $475 million… or  whether the 18-year-old should have accepted the offer.  (I for one think he had every right to accept the scholarship without thinking twice).

Justin Combs took to Twitter to defend his scholarship:  “Regardless what the circumstances are, I put that work in!!!!” he tweeted on Wednesday. “PERIOD.”

“Regardless of what you do in life every1 is gonna have their own opinion,” he tweeted.  “Stay focused, keep that tunnel vision & never 4get why u started.”

It’s not the first time the child of a wealthy celebrity has received a full ride, and many students said they weren’t that concerned since it wasn’t affecting need-based aid.

Combs — a 5-foot-9, 170-pound defensive back who reportedly graduated with a 3.75 GPA, announced in November he would attend UCLA, turning down scholarship offers from Illinois, Virginia and Wyoming.

UCLA was quick to defend its decision, saying the money used for Combs’ merit-based athletic scholarship wouldn’t affect need-based scholarships awarded to other students.  University spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said athletic scholarships were “entirely funded by Athletic Department ticket sales, corporate partnerships, media contracts and private donations” and “do not rely on state funds.”  “There is a big separation between financial aid based on need and how that’s funded and how athletic scholarships are funded and awarded to students,” he said.

The Times reported in October that the university had used more than $2 million from student fees to cover an athletic department funding gap the year before.  That money, Vazquez said, did not go to the roughly 285 athletic scholarships UCLA hands out each year.

Emily Resnick, the outgoing president of UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Assn., said she sees no problem with Combs’ scholarship if needy students are unaffected.  “If his athletic abilities deserve it, then more power to him,” the graduating senior said.

Joelle Gamble, who will graduate from UCLA in a couple of weeks, said the university would likely benefit from the buzz generated by having a celebrity’s son on the team.
“UCLA is a business — to them, giving him a scholarship is some sort of investment,” she said.  “It’s how college athletics works.  This is how we’re going to get money.”  Essentially, the more buss the school creates, the more attention it gets, and in theory, will earn them more money in ticket sales, admissions, and donations.

But UCLA coaches have insisted that Combs is more than just a music man’s son.  “Football is very important to him and that’s one thing I love about him,” defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin told the Daily Bruin in February.  “He’s not just the son of a star … he really likes football.”

Donna Summer was convinced that inhaling toxic air after 9/11 gave her the lung cancer that eventually killed her, as reported by TMZ.  Sources close to the singer told TMZ that Donna was in New York City during 9/11, living at an apartment near Ground Zero.  Eventually, Donna became almost paranoid about breathing the air, which was heavy with a rancid odor.  In the months and years following 9/11, Donna’s feelings intensified.  One source told reporters that when he was around Donna, she would constantly spray some sort of disinfectant in the air.  Deney Terrio, the host of “Dance Fever,” told TMZ that when he was around Donna post 9/11, she would hang silk sheets in her dressing room to prevent dust from coming in.

Another source said that Donna, who was a fervent practicing Christian, believed 9/11 was an attack on Christianity and in some metaphysical way Christians like her were targets.  She somehow felt that her illness was a byproduct of the attack.

And, we’re told, after Donna was diagnosed with lung cancer, several people told her that cigarette smoke may have been the culprit… she was a smoker, and she also frequented clubs where people smoked.  But Donna simply didn’t buy it.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife Mary Richardson Kennedy, was found dead in her New York home on Wednesday.  It has been reported that she was “depressed and despondent” shortly before she committed suicide, a source close to the former architect tells RadarOnline.com exclusively.

The long time friend, who spoke to Mary on Monday, said they were sadly not surprised by reports that the 52-year-old had taken her own life, as she was facing mounting financial woes and the end of her marriage.

As RadarOnline.com was first to report, Mary was discovered dead at her Mount Kisco, New York home Wednesday.  A source told RadarOnline.com that she had committed suicide, we have since confirmed that she hanged herself in a barn.

“I spoke to Mary on Monday and she sounded extremely down,” the source tells RadarOnline.com.  “She was very depressed and despondent and worried about the future.  “Mary said she was facing financial ruin, with American Express coming after her hard for an outstanding debt, along with several other creditors.  In addition, she was concerned that Robert was about to substantially reduce the amount of financial support he gave her and she was terrified she would have to file for bankruptcy and lose her home.”

Mary was married to the famed Kennedy for 16 years, before he filed for divorce in May 2010.  The couple had four children together.  Mary lived at the family home in Mount Kisco, while Robert spent the majority of his time in Los Angeles.

“Robert still supported Mary and was there for her whenever he could be, but he had pretty much moved on,” a source close to the radio host previously told RadarOnline.com.  “He has been dating Cheryl Hines for a while now and they are very happy together.”

The initial source tells RadarOnline.com that Mary was struggling to come to terms with the end of their marriage, despite Robert having filed for divorce two years previously, and that the couple was heading to trial.  “It was very tough for Mary to deal with Robert dating someone else,” the source says.  “And it really didn’t help that the new woman is a celebrity.  She would see photos of the two of them together and it would drive her nuts.  I think, deep down, she had still harbored a belief they would get back together but it had recently become blindingly clear that wasn’t to be.”

“Mary was in a very dark place recently,” the second source told RadarOnline.com previously.  “Robert tried to help her all he could but it was difficult for him to be around her.  Robert is committed to his sobriety but Mary had chosen a whole different path to take.”

Mary was charged with driving under the influence in May 2010 by the Bedford, New York police after she failed a number of sobriety tests and her blood alcohol level registered at 0.11.  The incident occurred just three days after Robert filed for divorce.

“Mary has struggled with alcoholism throughout her life,” her friend tells RadarOnline.com.  “She had been hitting the bottle again pretty heavily recently.”

“When I heard the news that she may have taken her own life I was devastated, but not that surprised.  It was in the back of my mind that she may do something like this, and that was compounded by the conversation I had with her Monday.”

“However she died though, this is an absolute tragedy.  Mary was an amazing and beautiful person and she absolutely adored her children.  It is a devastating loss to all that knew her.”

“We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her,” a Kennedy family representative told RadarOnline.com.  “Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation.  We have no further comment at this time.”

Don Cornelius, the creator of  ‘Soul Train’, was found dead in his home this morning.  Officers responding to a report of a shooting found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 am, police said.  He was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 4:56 am at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,” said Quincy Jones.  “Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business.  Before MTV there was ‘Soul Train,’ that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius.  His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched.  My heart goes out to Don’s family and loved ones.”

With the creation of  ‘Soul Train’, Cornelius helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of black culture with funky music, groovy dance steps and cutting edge style.  It introduced television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Barry White.  It brought the best R&B, soul, and later hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to them.  It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed.  Cornelius was the first host and executive producer.

10 yrs. ago, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart left Americans glued to their televisions and completely engrossed in the story.  Now, Elizabeth is 24, and has just announced her engagement.  I’m sure, as I was, most people were a little shocked, then excited that she had found someone and wasn’t nearly as damaged as one would have thought, and then wanted to know, who is this guy?  The Smart family tried to keep him a secret… but that, obviously, did not work.  He has been identified as Matthew Gilmour, a 21-year old from Scotland.

The couple met in France, while Elizabeth was there serving a mission for the LDS church.  Gilmour shares her Mormon faith and connection to music.  He is the son of 2 music teachers and his late father once played in a brass band.  Smart is a harp major at BYU.

The couple plans to wed in July, according to Smart’s hometown paper, The Salt Lake Tribune.  They described both Smart and her parents as very excited about the impending marriage.  The family plans to keep details of the big day private.

Joe Paterno’s family announced Monday that  the legendary football coach will get a two-day viewing and a public memorial this week on the Penn State campus, two months after the university fired him over the phone.  The legendary coach had been linked to the Jerry Sandusky scandal and had allegedly not taken all the proper steps to put a stop to the reported behavior.

Bitterness over Paterno’s removal has turned up in many forms, from online postings to a note placed next to Paterno’s statue at the football stadium blaming the trustees for his death.  A newspaper headline that read “FIRED” was crossed out and made to read, “Killed by Trustees.”  Lanny Davis, lawyer for the board, said threats have been made against the trustees.

The family gave no details as to who might be invited or asked to speak at the memorial Thursday at the basketball arena, which can hold 16,000 people.  Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said the specifics were still being worked out with the Paternos.  But many alumni and students say Paterno was treated shabbily by the Board of Trustees in November, and trustees and other members of the administration might not be made to feel welcome at the memorial for the 85-year-old coach, who died Sunday of lung cancer.  At this point, it seems the Board of Trustees has completely alienated itself from State College and the Penn State community.

“I don’t think it’s going to be heavily laden with administration and trustees,” said trustee Linda Strumpf, who lives in New York and will not attend.  “This is something the family is putting together and not the university.  I don’t think the university wants to be in a position to tell them what a memorial service looks like.”  Sounds rather cold-hearted considering all that Paterno did for the university.

But trustee Al Clemens said he will be there to honor a man he described as a good friend.  “This is really a family thing, and so we’re just going to go as individuals,” Clemens said.  “Joe’s a great guy.  No matter what the situation was in the last two months, it doesn’t take away from what he’s done through history for so many people.  He’s just been tremendous.”

The viewing will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at a campus spiritual center, followed by a private funeral Wednesday afternoon.  The public memorial will be at the Jordan Center and is expected to draw thousands.

Janice Hume, a journalism professor at the University of Georgia, said that staging an appropriate memorial creates a dilemma similar to the one faced by Paterno’s obituary writers: how to address the scandal without letting it negate his entire career.  “I think it’s probably very difficult to strike the right balance,” she said.

Clemens said the board will later consider more lasting tributes to Paterno, including scholarships in his name.  Because of his generosity to the school, his family name is already on the library and a spiritual center.

There has also been a movement over the past few years to change the name of Beaver Stadium, the football team’s home field, to Joe Paterno Field at Beaver Stadium, and on Monday the man behind it, Warren W. Armstrong, a 1960 graduate and retired Allentown advertising executive, said he would renew his efforts.  Some are suggesting renaming the street leading to the stadium Paterno Way.

A family spokesman said the Paternos’ focus this week is on the viewing and funeral plans and they do want to weigh in on any ideas for a permanent memorial right now.  But “I would say the family would welcome a conversation on that,” Dan McGinn said.

RIP JoePa.

The manager of a Sears store in downtown Seattle says an elderly man has repaid, with interest, cash the man says he stole in the late 1940s.  KING-TV reported that the man hand-delivered an envelope Monday addressed to the “Sears manager.”  Inside was a note and a $100 bill.  The note said the man stole $20 to $30 from a cash register decades ago and wanted to pay back $100.  Manager Gary Lorentson says he thinks the man’s conscience “has been bothering him for the past 60 years.”  Store security cameras recorded the man, but Sears officials said they don’t know who he is and they won’t release the video.  The store plans to put the money toward helping needy families in the holiday season.