As we all settle in to bring you the best in Android news for the week, we’d first like to say that we hope you all had a great long weekend and took some time out for the Memorial Day celebrations. We’re already off to a great start this week for news and there is plenty more where that came from so jump on into the forums and see what you may have missed over the weekend.

If the US Cellular HTC Merge and LG Genesis sound familiar, well, they should. We first broke the news some weeks ago that the HTC Merge would be available on the regional carrier, and that day has come. You can pick one up for $149.99 on contract (and after a $100 mail-in rebate). That’s the same HTC Merge that at one time was destined for Verizon, but it unceremoniously faded away.

New display technology in a ultra-slim form factor, the LG Optimus Black brings a high level of style to Android.  But is it the phone for you?

The LG Optimus Black is the latest offering from LG Electronics, bringing a stylish form factor, the new “Nova” display technology, and some unique features on top of Android 2.2.  If you’re looking for the latest dual-core megabyte of RAM monster phone, you’re looking in the wrong place, but not all of us are looking for that.  One quick inspection of the phone will tell you — LG wasn’t trying to win a specifications race here, they have other models to fill that hole.  Instead, it feels as is they were focused on design, and try to bring a new level of elegance to the Android platform. 

Extended batteries and Android go together like peanut butter and jelly.  The phones are powerful and connected, and need the juice.  The Seidio Innocell 3200mAh battery for the Nexus S takes the simple idea of a larger battery to the extreme.  Checking in at more than double the standard 1440mAh battery for the Nexus S, it delivers when it comes to keeping you up and running longer.  If you’re one who still talks a lot on the phone (yes, they really are phones!) you’ll love it. 

The rumors are true, folks. While your phone likely is still languishing with Froyo (hey, could be worse), the Motorola Droid Pro (read our full review) is getting its Gingerbread update. And why shouldn’t it? We found the Droid Pro to be a more-than capable (if a little small) 3.1-inch Android smartphone, with the front-facing QWERTY keyboard that so many of us had been wanting.

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At long last — it’s time for Plants vs. Zombies on Android. And it’s instantly addicting. Turns you into a Plants vs. Zombies zombie, even.

Gamplay is simple. You’ve got a house. Zombies are attacking your house. And the only thing standing between you and the zombies are your plants. You start out with just a few basic resources. Your single-shot plants, the sun to provide some, well, sun for the plants, and sunflowers for extra sun. You collect suns to purchase more plants. The more plants you have, the more zombies you can kill.

Following almost two months of delays caused by software issues, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play has finally launched on British network O2. The phone is available now in O2-exclusive white and the original black, for £429.99 off-contract, or for free on contracts of £37 or more per month. A fairly hefty sum, but O2′s sweetening the deal by including 10 free games and a multimedia dock with online purchases.