Cool Android Stuff
Tranzda has given us a look at four new Linux based smartphones plus a fifth, the T818, that it’s being a little more secretive about. The TGP-369, TFX-326, TGP-802, and TFX-320 cover both the CDMA and GSM bases, and include some notable features like a fingerprint scanner on the 802, GPS, and RFID capability on certain models. The phones are relatively good looking and we’ll see how the UI holds up against the other reigning smartphones.
[Via LinuxDevices]
After former MSNBC tech correspondent Gary Krakow predicted delays, Google jumped on the rumor, and published a statement. A Google spokesperson has confirmed that they are “still on track to announce Android-powered phones this year.” The spokesperson also added that “some of [its] partners were publicly stating that they plan to ship Android phones in the fourth quarter,”
Now, this does tell us that an Android powered phone is shipping but does it mean that we’ll be getting the Gphone as predicted in all its Google glory. Not sure.
[Via Engadget Mobile]
Former MSNBC tech correspondent Gary Krakow, is claiming that the GPhone, the Google branded phone, will be delayed until 2009. Although the phone hasn’t even been announced, Krakow is claiming that it will be delayed, sparking rumors that he’s actually referencing an Android delay.
[Via Gizmodo]
As we reported before, Verizon intends LiMo to supply the operating system for its entire product range, starting with lower-end phones and moving into smartphones. Verizon has, on the other hand, said that it has not completely ruled out Google’s Android as being an acceptable operating system for their handset line. In short, they will not take measures to actively block Google’s Android from appearing on their handset line should consumers wish it. Also, if the demand is there, they will surely consider implementing it on future devices. The customer truly is king in this sense.
[Via Engadget Mobile]
Verizon has chosen the LiMo Foundation instead of Google Android which is all well and good but they had to go out of their way to take a cheap shot at Google.
“We chose LiMo because it’s a collaborative effort. It’s not just one company runs the place. We like that. We like a collegial and collaborative effort, where there is no barrier to entry on the part of developers and, at the end of the day, there is no one entity that can say ‘OK, here’s how we were playing now. The rules are changed.”
It’s hard to make the argument that Google isn’t a company trying to pioneer the “open airwaves” movement and to peg them as some sort of monopolistic empire is a little rich. Thems is fightin words.
Verizon is going to introduce a line of handsets based on the LiMo Foundation’s mobile Linux OS. The LiMo foundation is best known for promoting Any Apps, Any Device, an open access initiative. Expect these devices in the next week because word is that CTO Tony Melone has promised the devices mid-May.
Although Android is also Linux-based, the LiMo Foundation has beat Google to the punch by unveiling its first devices at the Mobile World Congress 2008 event in Barcelona in February. LiMo’s Linux based devices include Motorola’s Moto U9, Moto Z6w, Motorokr Z6 and Razr2 V8, NEC’s FOMA N905i and FOMA N705i, Panasonic’s FOMA P905iTV and FOMA N7051, and Samsung’s SGH-i800.
Clearwire, the wireless highspeed provider that has recently been given a huge amount of money from Google, has posted a Q1 loss of $176.4 million. On the other hand, Clearwire added 48,000 net new subscribers during the quarter. The carrier ended the quarter with about 443,000 total subscribers. If this trend continues, Clearwire may be a solid base from which Google can start its plans for world domination.
Google is making really aggressive moves to take over the mobile space. In recent news, Google has partnered with Sprint to completely revamp Sprint’s content deck to be Googleable (yes, that should be a verb). Sprint will also be offering a home screen search on it’s Windows Mobile devices. Look forward to devices being launched with Google Maps and YouTube apps.
This is exciting news considering searching for content through the carrier’s deck has always been a pain. Especially with respect to games, content searching has always just been about looking at the top downloads and getting a title you recognize. Google will hopefully be changing all of this.
After Google’s partnership with Clearwire back in January when it bought a $500 million stake in the company, Google and other major investors have made a huge move to gain Android support. Google, along with Intel, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, is investing $3.2 billion for the union of Sprint Nextel’s and Clearwire’s wireless broadband businesses into a new wireless communications company. Continue reading ‘Google dishes out cash for Android support’
Venture Beat recently did a review for a karaoke application for the iPhone called Tune Wiki. The girl reviewing it is really cute but I’m not sure what her point was about her deaf parents. Something about how her parents don’t know what she’s listening to and the Tune Wiki lyrics as well as the phone’s vibration feature helps them. The application was demo’ed on Google’s Android and it looks like a lot of fun. All you would have to do is make sure to plug your phone into a TV so the lyrics can be read by all and have the sound playing out of a decent system. Karaoke is best shared with friends!