When Google launched the Nexus One, they listed it at the easy-to-remember URL of google.com/phone. But then they stopped selling the Nexus One directly to consumers (though it's still available as the developer-phone). Nobody knew what Google's long-term plans for that URL were, but today we got an answer.
The company has just announced their new Phone Gallery page, where users can view and compare various Android phones from multiple carriers in 16 countries. The site only lists currently available phones, so even phones that are officially announced but not yet for sale are not listed.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Dell is preparing to launch a 7-inch Android tablet very soon. The tablet is rumored to be called (or maybe just codenamed) Looking Glass, and has some impressive specs. It's running a Tegra 2 processor (very fast), and sports a 800x480 screen, front facing camera, and even an optional TV tuner.
With the Galaxy Tab coming to all major US carriers by the holidays, and the recently announced BlackBerry tablet coming "soon," it safe to say that the tablet wars are in full swing.
This rumor just hit the wire. TechCrunch is reporting that Amazon is preparing to launch their own Android app store, possibly tied into the Kindle app. So users will be able to buy apps alongside books. According to the story, app developers will be able to offer both free and paid apps in the store, Amazon will take care of payments and DRM, and Amazon will have decision-making power over what apps are approved. Be sure to read the TechCrunch story for all the details.
Welcome to another edition of the Android weekend rumor recap! This is where we quickly recap the rumors of the past week. If you would prefer to read the rumors as they come in, we recommend all of the Android sites listed on the right side of our site. Now, on to the rumors!
Google TV, announced back in May, will soon be getting a lot more attention. Sony is holding a special event on October 12 to show off Google TV products. They are expected to announce new Bravia TVs with Google TV built in, as well as some Blu-ray players with Google TV.
To recap, Google TV is a system that can either be built into a TV, Blu-ray player, etc. or purchased as a stand-alone box, like Logitech is doing. The system promises to unite all of your various TV viewing sources, including cable/satellite, Hulu, Amazon, Youtube, etc. into one easily searchable interface. Check out this video showing how the system works:
The coolest, and potentially game-changing part is that Google TV is powered by Android. You may have noticed that searches in the video above were not only showing results from the web, but were also showing apps. Google TV devices will be able to use almost all of the 80,000+ Android apps currently available. As long as the app doesn't require phone-specific hardware (like GPS, camera, etc), it will work with Google TV.
This is very different from the way the Apple TV works, which is a very closed system that only allows watching via purchased content, and doesn't support apps. [via Engadget]
It remains to be seen how the public will take to Google TV. Products like the Logitech Revue are likely going to be too expensive for the average consumer, but if Google TV comes pre-loaded on Blu-ray playeres and new TVs, then it could definitely catch on. Netflix has done an amazing job integrating itself into almost every TV-connected device out there, and they've gained millions of new customers as a result. If Google can do the same thing, then it will really take off.
I honestly don't know how much I would use something like this. If I bought a TV that included it, I might use it occasionally, but I really doubt I would go out and buy a separate box for this. This could be useful if you already do a lot of TV watching online. I think this would be amazing if it combined all of these search functions with actual media center/DVR capabilities.
As any smartphone guru will tell you, Google Maps is one of Android's greatest features. There are Google Maps applications for other platforms, of course, but Android's version has some major exclusives that make it stand out. I've spoken to several iPhone users who say that Maps is one of the features they're most jealous of.
With all the features it has, though, it's easy for the app to seem overwhelming and some of the coolest features to go unnoticed. So let's take a look at some of the useful stuff hiding under the surface and how to get the most out of Maps on Android.
The ever-watchful folks at Tmonews.com just put up some information regarding the T-Mobile G2. According to the screenshot they received, the G2 pre-order begins tomorrow and runs through October 4, with the phone actually being available on October 6.
There's still no word on exactly what the price will be for the pre-order, though we do know that the retail price will be $199 after rebate. We also don't know what the other pre-order details are yet, but all will become clear tomorrow.
It's worth noting that Best Buy is already running a pre-order for $199 with no rebate, and Radio Shack has said a pre-order is coming for only $149. It's unknown what the price will be from Walmart, Amazon Wireless or Wirefly, though all three will be carrying the phone.
It's very exciting to finally get some details about the pre-order and I'm curious to see what the details will be tomorrow. But if it really costs $249 up front, and then a rebate...I may wait. To save a hundred bucks from Radio Shack, or even more from Amazon or Wirefly...it might be worth waiting a week or two to save that much cash. But regardless, this is definitely my next phone and I'm very excited to finally get it!
Woo hoo! This phone is taking forever. I'm disappointed, though not surprised, at the pricing, but I'm still hoping for a good deal somewhere. I'm also hoping, but not holding my breath, that we'll find a good deal before the phone becomes available, so we don't have to wait a few weeks for someone to run a promotion on them.
HP's long rumored tablet/printer duo device is finally official and available for sale. It's called the Photosmart eStation and is an interesting device to say the least. Essentially, it's a high-end inkjet printer with a 7-inch, wireless Android tablet attached for good measure. The tablet can be removed and carried around, allowing instant printing from apps and the web. One example was for people browsing recipe websites on the couch and can immediately send it straight to the printer.
The tablet is running a highly customized version of Android 2.1, Eclair. It doesn't contain any of the usual Google apps (Market, Gmail, Maps), but it does contain a rather attractive set of Yahoo widgets and apps for browsing weather, stocks, etc. In addition, it comes pre-loaded with the Barnes & Noble Nook app for reading (and, of course, printing) ebooks.
Just today, Google announced on their mobile blog that an updated version of Gmail is now available in the Market for all phones running Android 2.2, Froyo. The update brings a number of new features, including a completely redesigned message header. The header now stays docked at the top as you scroll down, making replying, starring, and other options very easy to access.
The Star and Reply buttons are at the top right, and the sender is at the top left. By tapping the right-most arrow button, you can expand a set of options that include Reply, Reply All, and Forward.
In a blog post today, Google very quickly announced something that Android users have been waiting for for a very long time: Google Docs editing. Believe it or not, there is no official Google Docs app for Android, and the mobile website leaves a lot to be desired.
Given that Docs has been around since before Android hit the scene, it's pretty surprising that no official Docs app has been released yet. The announcement today was part of a list of features announced for Google business users and among them was this unassuming sentence: "and soon, mobile editing in Google Docs on Android and the iPad."
Another weekend is here, which means it's time for another weekend rumor recap post! This is where we quickly recap the best rumors and leaks from the past week, instead of covering them all as they happen (since they are just rumors, after all). If you would prefer to follow the rumors as they hit the wire, I highly recommend all the Android blogs listed on the side of this site.
A Verizon spokesperson recently confirmed to ComputerWorld that the Droid Eris will not be receiving any further Android updates and will not be updated to Android 2.2, Froyo. The Eris is nearly identical to the Sprint Hero, which also will not be updated past 2.1, Eclair.
The news that the Eris (and Hero) won't be receiving Froyo updates is disappointing, but sadly, not surprising. Froyo runs just fine on old hardware, as root users will tell you. Even the G1 and original MyTouch are perfectly capable of running Froyo, so it's sad that Eris and Hero users won't get official updates.
At their official press event this evening, Samsung announced that their previously rumored (then official) Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab, will soon be available from Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the US.
It will reportedly be available "before the holidays" for all carriers, but exact availability and pricing will, of course, be up to the carriers. Carriers will also be the ones to decide contract terms, and will be able to pre-install any apps they choose, similar to the way it's done with the Galaxy S line of phones.
Research firm comScore just released their most recent numbers on smartphone use in the US, and Android is clearly gaining at the expense of other platforms. As you can see from the chart, Android experienced a solid 5 percent growth during the months between April and July, while all the other platforms declined or remained the same. Windows Mobile saw the steepest drop, at 2.2 percent.
Android is now sitting at 17% of total smartphone subscribers, just slightly behind Apple at 23.8 percent, and a distant 3rd to Apple's 39.3 percent. These numbers go hand in hand with the report from earlier in the month that Android is predicted to have the #2 spot by the end of the year.
Today, at a special event in London, HTC finally took the wraps off their two newest (and long rumored) Android devices. The Desire Z and Desire HD, both destined for Europe and Asia. Both phones should look familiar to American readers, as both have counterparts here already (or coming soon). The Desire HD is nearly identical to the Evo 4G on Sprint, and the Desire Z is, of course, nearly identical to the G2, launching soon.
For full specs, be sure to check out the links below, but here's a quick overview. The Desire HD has a 4.3" screen, 8MP camera, 1GHz processor, and runs Android 2.2 with HTC Sense. The Desire Z has a 3.7" screen, 5MP camera, 800MHz processor, QWERTY keyboard with Z-Hinge design, and rund Android 2.2 with HTC Sense.
This story is part rumor and part fact. First, some background: Verizon already has their own app store on BlackBerry devices, even though BlackBerrys have their own app store provided by RIM. And on September 1, they began accepting submissions for Android apps.
There are lots of details over at Android and Me, but suffice it to say that Verizon is expected to launch their own app market for Android at their developer conference later this month. As with most of Verizon's custom services, many people expect this new V Cast Market to be more prominently placed on new phones than the official Android Market.
Motorola just surprised everyone by announcing that the Defy will be available for T-Mobile USA in time for the holidays. The Defy, which was made official earlier this month, is a dust-proof, water resistant, scratch resistant device that promises to "withstand all that life throws your way."
Previous rumors that suggested a truly waterproof device seem unfounded now, as this is only "water resistant." Motorola and T-Mobile didn't give any information about specs other than that it has a 3.7" screen and runs Moto Blur. That alone might turn away some people, given Motorola's poor history of providing timely updates to devices running Blur.
It's time once again for the Weekend Rumor Recap. This is where we sum up all the various Android related rumors and leaks of the past week. If you're more interested in reading about all of these rumors as they happen, please check out any of the blogs listed on the side of this site, as they all do an excellent job of covering rumors.
Google updated their Android Platform Versions page yesterday, which shows how the various versions of Android are distributed across devices. Android 2.2, Froyo, made huge advances this month, going from only 4.5 percent last month, to now running on 28.7 percent of all devices out there. Android 2.1, Eclair, makes up the majority of the pie, running on 41.7 percent of devices. Together, this means that Android 2.x is running on over 70 percent of devices. That's the good news.
Analyst firm Gartner has just updated their predictions for the coming years and Android is gaining strength extremely fast. Gartner now predicts that by the end of this year, Android will hold the #2 market share world-wide, second only to Symbian. The numbers predict Android holding 17.7 percent while Symbian reigns supreme with 40.1. Apple and RIM are predicted to be 15.4 and 17.5 respectively.
A new version of Google Maps is available to Android users today. The update includes several new features and some visual enhancements. The new features include walking directions, enhanced streetview, and a new search bar.
The new walking directions will focus on pedestrian walking directions, making use of trails, pathways, etc. that wouldn't show up for standard driving directions. This is a feature that has been requested by many and will be a great addition for exploring unfamiliar areas on foot. Users can even get turn-by-turn walking directions making use of Street View imagery to show you where to turn.
Early this morning, T-Mobile announced a bunch of new details about the upcoming G2. For the most part, it's all information that had been rumored already, but having official confirmation is always good. Be sure to check out the official G2 product page for all the details, but here are the highlights:
UPDATE:Engadget is now reporting that they're been in contact with both Verizon and Microsoft and have confirmed that this is a false rumor. They say that Bing will be pre-loaded on Verizon's "multi-media phones," likely meaning cheaper, non-Droid line), but not on all future Android devices. They also say that once the Fascinate is updated to 2.2, that installation of the new Google Voice Search app will be allowed.
This rumor just hit the wire, straight from The Droid Guy. Apparently, two of their tipsters both corroborate a story that the Fascinate is just the beginning. According to the report, Verizon is set to drop Google Search entirely on future Android phones, to be replaced by Bing.
On the newly launched Samsung Fascinate, this is already the case. The Fascinate has Bing set as the default search engine in the browser, and has a Bing search widget. That can't be changed as Fascinate owners can't even install the Google Search app from the Market.
Recent reviews of the Samsung Fascinate paint a grim picture of what using the phone might be like. The Fascinate is the fourth of Samsung's Galaxy S series to launch in the US, following the Vibrant on T-Mobile, Captivate on AT&T, and Epic on Sprint.
To recap, the Fascinate runs Android 2.1 with Samsung's custom skin, TouchWiz, and has impressive hardware specs. It packs a 1GHz hummingbird processor, 5MP camera, 4" Super AMOLED screen, and is super thin. It's been a best-seller on other carriers, and lots of people have been anxiously waiting for Verizon's version.
In what I believe to be our second exclusive G2 story, we have discovered two closeup pictures of the upcoming T-Mobile G2's physical keyboard. These were not taken by us, and we do not have a G2 on hand, unfortunately. There's nothing revolutionary to be seen in these pictures, but close-up pictures are always great, right? Enjoy!
UPDATE: It has come to our attention that these pictures were first posted by zdogbone (here and here) back on September 3. It was never our intent to post pictures without crediting the original source and we sincerely apologize.
In all the news surrounding the recently announced Samsung Galaxy Tab, the one missing piece of information was price. Some early rumors suggested it would cost upwards of $1200, but a new report by the Wall Street Journal says the US price will be between $200 and $300. The report goes on to say that the price will vary based on carrier subsidy.
It remains to be seen whether that price range is before or after subsidy. Will it cost $300 off contract, and maybe $199 on contract? Or will the $300 price be with a contract, and the contract free price be much higher? Samsung is reportedly in talks with "multiple US carriers," so we will likely see more than one version of the Tab launch in the US very soon.
Welcome to issue #3 of the Weekend Rumor Recap. This is something we do every weekend as a way of quickly recapping the various Android rumors that happened this past week. We don't want to cover every Android rumor here, but we want to share our thoughts on them, and that's what this post is for. For a great list of other Android blogs that do an excellent job covering each rumor in detail, check out the sidebar of HisAndHersAndroid.com. Now...on to the rumors:
Yesterday afternoon, Target quietly released their own app into the Android Market. It's not uncommon for companies to create their own branded apps, but the Target app is more powerful than it looks. It's available now and should work on most Android phones, even older ones.
The app isn't for mobile shopping, but rather promises to help you plan and manage your trip to physical Target locations. It offers the ability to search for items and then tells you which stores have the item in stock and even tells you what aisle it's in once you get there. It also includes standard things like store hours, directions, phone numbers, etc.
Chinese manufacturer Huawei, which is known for making telecommunications equipment for large scale operations, recently announced a new, budget friendly smartphone called the Ideos. According to a new rumor from the Wall Street Journal, these little phones may be coming to T-Mobile USA, possibly as soon as the holiday shopping season.
Angry Birds is an extremely popular game for the iPhone and WebOS. The developers, Rovio, has said that an Android version is coming, and they recently put up information about signing up for a beta. The beta would be limited to people who signed up, and a real version would come later.
That's now changed for the better. The company stated in a blog post that response to the beta sign up was so overwhelming that they decided to make the beta available to everyone directly through the Android Market. The post says that the game will run on "second generation Android devices and upward," so it's not clear exactly what the hardware requirements will be.
Motorola just announced their newest rugged handset, the Defy. The phone features Android 2.1, a 3.7" screen, 5MP camera with flash, and the usual GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. But the Defy is special because it's IP67 certified, meaning it's completely dustproof, as well as waterproof up to 3 feet. It's powered by an 800MHz processor and has a Gorilla Glass screen, making it nearly indestructible, or as Motorola says, "virtually lifeproof."
