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Google's Android phone to go on sale in September?
On Tuesday, T-Mobile and Google announced the first-ever handset with Google's new Android operating system.
Called the T-Mobile G1, it has both full touch-screen functionality, a QWERThe Google Android phonTY keyboard, a trackball for one-handed navigation, plus access to mobile Web applications like Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube, and more. On Tuesday, T-Mobile and Google announced the first-ever handset with Google's new Android operating system. ... more -
T-Mobile's G1 vs. The iPhone: Game On! A Comparison
Since the iPhone was launched 15 months ago it has defined, for many, what a smartphone experience should be. But today T-Mobile gives the iPhone a run for its money with the launch of the G1 smartphone. From the details that have emerged today regarding the G1, Apple now has a reason to be looking over its' shoulder.
Here is a look at how G1 and the iPhone compare to one another.
Platform and Device
In contrast to Apple that built its own phone, operating system, and content ecosystem, the G1 is based on an open platform. That means any software publisher can design programs that run on the G1 and its Android operating system. The potential universe of T-Mobile G1 applications is huge. Yet, it's too early to know whether mobile application developers will flock to the Android platform.
At least for now Apple has the upper hand when it comes to the device. The number of iPhone mobile applications (accessible via Apple's App Store) is growing every day. However, Apple's total control over the iPhone can also be bad because Apple can choose to exert too much control over what applications run on the iPhone and bar those that it doesn't like, upsetting users.
Hardware Specs G1 vs iPhone:
Weight: G1 = 158g vs iPhone = 133g
Battery Life: G1 = 5 hours talk time, 130 hours standby vs iPhone = 5 hours talk time, 300 hours standby
Screen Size: G1 = 3.2inches vs iPhone = 3.5in
Camera: G1 = 3MP vs iPhone = 2MP
Storage: G1 = 2GB (expandable to 8GB) vs iPhone = 8GB or 16GB
Mobile Apps
The big difference between G1 and iPhone is how you put music, videos, games, and productivity applications on your phone. The iPhone has iTunes, mobile iTunes (for iPod Touch and iPhone) and the App Store.
Things work differently with T-Mobile's G1. The G1 doesn't require a desktop software porgram similar to iTunes to add content to your phone. Content can be added via a removeable storage card, but most content T-Mobile says will be downloaded using Wi-Fi connection.
Many Google applications will come pre-loaded onto the G1, for example push Gmail service, Google Maps functionality, Google Calendar, and YouTube. T-Mobile is only talking about a handful of third-party applications right now. There are likely loads more to be announced leading up the G1's October 22 debut. Some include a ShopSavvy, a program that turns your phone into a barcode scanner able to read UPC codes and deliver instant price comparisons and PedNav, and location-aware application that helps you find nearby public transit options and walking routes.
These mobile applications will be available through Android Market - a competitor to Apple's App Store.
Music: Amazon MP3 vs. iTunes
The iPhone has iTunes and the G1 has an application preinstalled called Amazon MP3, Amazon.com's digital music download store.
Amazon many not have as big of a library of content to choose from compared to iTunes, yet. But the chief advantage Amazon has over iTunes is music is a bit less expensive and music tracks don't have digital rights management (DRM) on them. That means anything you download to you G1 you can play on your iPod, Zune, or transfer to your PC - no hassles.
There was no mention of it today, but one can only assume that video content, as with music content, will be also be accessible through Amazon's Web-based download service. Since the iPhone was launched 15 months ago it has defined, for many, what a smartphone experience should be. But today T-Mobile gives... more -
A ‘Dream’ Come True: U.S. Approves The First Google Phone
Last week, we told you that Taiwan-based HTC, one of the largest mobile device makers in the world, was readying the first smart phone to use Google’s Android operating system.
Well, on Monday the Federal Communications Commission approved the device for use in the United States.
The F.C.C. posted certification documentation on its Web site. The documents confirm is the name of the new phone: Dream. Most important, though: with the smartphone’s certification behind it, it is possible for T-Mobile, the nation’s No. 4 wireless carrier, to go ahead with plans to debut the phone next month and begin selling it ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
The new phone is an important step in Google’s plans to expand the company’s presence beyond the personal computer and into the mobile universe. Google executives have been vocal about how the mobile Web is key to the company’s plans for growth, as well as expanding the market for its products to a global audience.
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If you haven't heard of the revolutionary Google phone's Android concept, here is an excellent article that explains it all. It's really effin' long, but well worth it.
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/16-07/ff_an... Last week, we told you that Taiwan-based HTC, one of the largest mobile device makers in the world, was readying the first smart phone... more -
Google's mobile phone plans hit delays
New mobile phones being developed by Google and more than 30 partners based on software called Android will arrive in the fourth quarter, a schedule that some cellular carriers and program makers are struggling to meet.
Google had said in November that the phones would come out by the second half of 2008. Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA expects to deliver an Android-powered phone in the fourth period, but Sprint Nextel will not be able to.
China Mobile, the world's largest wireless carrier with nearly 400 million subscriber accounts, likely will have its launch delayed until late this year or early 2009.
Android also has not won broad support from large mobile-software developers, and some said it is hard to develop programs while Google makes changes as it finishes its own software. New mobile phones being developed by Google and more than 30 partners based on software called Android will arrive in the fourth quart... more -
Cell Software
Jackie,
I saw this today and thought of your page you told me to write on...
The idea behind the google phone is that through the developer's alliance, handset makers and cell phone operators will be able to develop more user-friendly services and devices that help bring more of the Internet's functionality onto mobile devices. And because of this open model, the companies involved also hope that by scaling the development, advanced functionality will be able to hit the market for less expensive mobile devices that will have more compelling and rich Internet services with more user-friendly interfaces. Jackie, I saw this today and thought of your page you told me to write on... ... more -
Google Shows Prototype!!
Google Inc. has developed a prototype cell phone that could reach markets within a year, and plans to offer consumers free subscriptions by bundling advertisements with its search engine, e-mail and Web browser software applications, according to a story published Thursday in The Wall Street Journal.
Google is showing the prototype to cell phone manufacturers and network operators as it continues to hone the technical specifications that will allow the phone to offer a better mobile Web browsing experience than current products, the Journal said. Google Inc. has developed a prototype cell phone that could reach markets within a year, and plans to offer consumers free subscriptio... more -
Google Phone Platform and Features!
There's a lot of talk about this Google Phone platform and their new android system... but what is Android?
Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. This early look at the Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.
Features of the Android and Google Phone
-Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components
-Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices
-Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine
-Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)
-SQLite for structured data storage
-Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF)
-GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)
-Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent)
-Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent)
Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE There's a lot of talk about this Google Phone platform and their new android system... but what is Android? ... more -
Problems with Google Phone Security?
Google's plans in new mobile phone platforms may not be much further advanced than slideware, but security experts are already picking apart the initiative to look for potential holes. Some mobile security specialists are comparing the track Google has taken with its Android platform for mobile computing with the locked-down approach adopted by Apple. Android is still in the preliminary stages of development but Google's announcement of the platform, while thin on details, gives a basic idea of how it might shape up. Android consists of a software stack for mobile featuring an operating system (based on Linux), middleware, and some default applications like a browser. The search engine giant is promoting the platform through the Open Handset Alliance. But, the security debate has focused around the open design philosophy behind Android. Google's plans in new mobile phone platforms may not be much further advanced than slideware, but security experts are already pi... more
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Google Get Mobile
Google has announced that it will partner with cellphone carriers, makers and software developers to create a new system for mobile phones. Google has announced that it will partner with cellphone carriers, makers and software developers to create a new system for mobile ph... more
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Forget the iPhone there's a new Google Phone in town
After the iPhone was released with ATT the world has been waiting for another company to take on Apple. Google has the brand name and the money to do so! After the iPhone was released with ATT the world has been waiting for another company to take on Apple. Google has the brand name and ... more
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Google Phone Facts
Learn more about the new Google Phone.
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Google Announces Android and Open Handset Alliance
Reports started trickling out last week that Google is ready to announce its Gphone, or rather Gphones. It is more a reference design, than a single phone. Android-based phones will start to come out on the market in the latter half of 2008 (from HTC at minimum). One mobile startup CEO I know says he was contacted on Friday by Google and given the final go-ahead to port his app onto Android, which his company has not even started to work on yet. The software development kit will be available on November 12. Todays announcement is just that. There is nothing concrete here in terms of products or services, but going mobile represents a major growth opportunity for Google, which wants to bring the Internet (along with search and contextual ads) to your phone. Reports started trickling out last week that Google is ready to announce its Gphone, or rather Gphones. It is more a reference design,... more
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The Google Phone is Here!
But it's not what you think... It's an operating system, not a new phone.
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Its a bird, Its a phone... ITS A PLATFORM! Gphone...
Some announcement overviews on Gizmodo. I want to know more... now...
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GOOGLE PHONE - look out they are taking over!!
Google can and will do anything. Its amazing how too guys are changing out world so fast. It's hard to see it right now but could the starters of Google be the catalyst for the biggest changes in our history? Where doesn't there reach fall?
It's just talks about the phone but what do you think about Google.
PS. I love it. Why not? Google can and will do anything. Its amazing how too guys are changing out world so fast. It's hard to see it right now but cou... more
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