PinStack.com - Android News

Rumored 'Google Phone' said to be coming in 2010

srl7741 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:06:07 GMT

Google is rumored to release its own custom-built Android phone in early 2010, allowing the company to control all of the facets of the software and hardware, much like with Apple and the iPhone. The part I like the most about this rumor is listed below. This could turn out to be a true full featured phone.

"There won�t be any negotiation or compromise over the phone�s design of features -- Google is dictating every last piece of it," Arrington said. "No splintering of the Android OS that makes some applications unusable. Like the iPhone for Apple, this phone will be Google�s pure vision of what a phone should be."

Hop over to AppleInsider or TechCrunch for the full article.

Update: Seems there has been more information come out about this Google Phone idea. TechCrunch is posting The Google Phone may be a data only, VoIP driven device.

Users could still make calls just like a normal phone, of course. The calls would just be over the data service instead.

Read more about the possibilities to including AT&T's possible role.

Dell Confirms Android Smartphone

hayden — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:07:16 GMT

After years of speculation and "proof of concept" devices, Dell has officially announced its first entry into the smartphone market with an Android-powered device set to launch in China and Brazil, two thriving economies.

The Mini 3 smartphone is similar to Apple's iPhone with a full touchscreen interface, however Dell did not release full specifications for the device. The company did say the handset will be powered by the Google-backed Android operating system, and it will be coming to the carriers China Mobile and Claro.

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Does the Android Market Need A Desktop Presence?

srl7741 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:48:51 GMT

I think it's a valid question to ask Stackers? Does the Android Market need a Desktop presence?
What do all of you using the Android think? Would it help you locate and install Apps or would it simply cause you to surf the Market more leaving you more likely to download and install more Apps you may have missed?

I've often posted it's not just about the device anymore. There are 3 key components to success in the Smartphone market.
1. The Device (of course)
2. Sync/Backup options
3. Apps and delivery/management options

Hop over the TechCruch and see how Jason feels about it.

Currently, all Android Market browsing and transactions are done through an application that comes with the phone. This mobile application used to be pretty bad (it didn�t even offer screenshots of the apps), but was finally overhauled in September to be more competitive with the iPhone�s mobile version of the App Store. The new version is a big improvement, but browsing the store from the phone isn�t exactly a good time � you can only see a few apps at once, so scrolling through various lists gets tedious.

Full Article

Sony Ericsson Debuts Xperia X10

MStrawder — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:23:41 GMT

Many Android fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the Xperia X3 from Sony Ericsson, featuring the Snapdragon process and a host of goodies. Well, they're going to do you one better. Sony Ericsson has officially announced the Xperia X10 (formerly the X3/Rachel) and has said it will be the first in a long line of Android based devices.

In the press release, Sony Ericsson says, "Building on Sony Ericsson’s entertainment heritage and combining rich graphics with intelligence capabilities, the XPERIA™ X10 introduces a new UX platform that will evolve across the product portfolio and expand over time continuously introducing new features and capabilities.

The UX platform builds on top of the Open OS and creates a unique Sony Ericsson user experience by combining best-in-class entertainment features with signature applications, unrivalled integration of social media services and a rich graphical user interface. The XPERIA™ X10 is the first mobile phone to truly humanise the way people interact with their phones."

To give them credit, the display does look absolutely gorgeous and utilizing the Android OS should deliver a great user experience. The device will feature:

1ghz Snapdragon Processor
4 inch 480 x 854 pixels (WVGA) Touchscreen
1gb of Internal Memory
8.1 Megapixel Camera
MicroSD Card Support
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
3.5mm Headset Jack
Micro-USB Connector
A-GPS

The device will be available in select markets in Q1 of 2010 and supports the following bands:

UMTS HSPA 900/1700/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS HSPA 800/1900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

So CDMA users are a bit out of luck at the moment. No price has been set yet, or carrier confirmed, but this will make SE the third major handset maker to adopt the new OS from Google. A promo video from SE is featured below.

Check out the press release here.

Motorola Promises 20 Smartphones in 2010

hayden — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:41:40 GMT

TechTree: In one of its most important releases in recent times, the Motorola Droid, was formally introduced by the company CEO Sanjay Jha at a press meet on Thursday. The occasion was also apt for describing Motorola's plans to regain its lost glory.

The once dominant cellphone manufacturer plans to release as many as 20 new smartphones in 2010! This of course is apart from the normal feature phones we can expect. While Motorola might have taken a while to get its act together, it finally seems to be on the right track now. Jha confirmed that number of new smartphones would be in "multiple tens", before going on to reveal that 20 smartphones would see the light of the day next year.

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Best Buy Mobile To Pre-sell Verizon Motorola DROID Smartphone Oct 29th

hayden — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:46:42 GMT

Via rttnews.com: Best Buy Mobile, the mobile retail unit of Best Buy Co., Inc. announced that it has planned to pre-sell Verizon Motorola DROID smartphone beginning October 29. The company said that the phone will land in stores on November 6. The company specified that the phone will retail for $199.99 with two-year activation.

The company said that the new Motorola DROID expands its already unmatched assortment of smartphones allowing customers to compare high-end devices like the iPhone 3GS, HTC Hero and DROID all under one roof.

The company stated that the Best Buy Mobile will apply rebate savings for the new smartphone at the point of purchase to help customers avoid the hassles of mail-in rebates.

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Google Introduces Free GPS Navigation for Android 2.0

srl7741 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:20:08 GMT

The first device to carry Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 will be the Motorola Droid. The initial device will launch on November 6th. What i find most interesting is Google will also be releasing Google Maps Navigation for the iPhone also (FREE).
How do you think all those offering Pay services will feel? Read more from CNet

Google opens up Android 2.0 SDK to all developers

srl7741 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:53:47 GMT

Beginning immediately, Android 2.0 support is available in the Android SDK.

Unified e-mail
Quick Contacts
Exchange support
Search functionality now digs through SMS/MMS
Photo Enhancements
Improved keyboard
Overhauled browser with improved HTML5 support
Bluetooth 2.1, plus Object-push profiles

Full List and more details

Verizon Adds Droid Smartphone Online Sign up page for notifications

hayden — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:34 GMT

Update: Verizon Droid Slated For A November 6 Release, the previous date was 28th October.

I just noticed today that Verizon now has a Droid landing page for all of us interested in the Motorola Droid. Here are some of the "DROIDDOES" highlights:

Android 2.0
Speech Recognition
Notification Panel
10,000+ Apps
Multitasking
5 MegaPixel Camera
Video Recording
Built-in GPS Navigation
High Spped 3G Network

Full Specs:

Video capture/playback capability: DVD quality up to 24 fps; D1 (720�480) resolution.
Music player.
Google services: Android Market, Gmail, Calendar, Contact, Maps + Street View, Search, Voice Search, Talk, Turn-by-turn directions, YouTube
QuickOffice Document Viewer
Amazon MP3 Store, Facebook app.
Backlit TFT 3.7-inch WVGA (480�854) 16:9 widescreen display (267 PPI)
Virtual keyboard
Weight: 6.0 oz.
2.4 in. wide by 4.6 in. tall by 0.5 in. thick
Accelerometer
550MHz processor
16GB microSD removable storage pre-installed; up to 32GB
Battery life: up to 385 minutes continuous usage. 1400 mAh Li-ion; up to 270 hours standby
MMS, SMS, IM incl. Google Talk
microUSB connector (USB 2.0)
Webkit HTML5 web browser; Flash 10 available 2010
3.5mm headset jack.

What's your take on the hype?

Android Powered Motorola Zeppelin Spotted

MStrawder — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:29:58 GMT

via AndroidOS.In: "As we await the launch of Verizon Moto Droid on Oct 28, we have yet another Motorola Android phone, which needs considerable attention.

It was spotted by Digi.QQ.com, a chinese tech website. According to the website, it is world's first Android powered dual network (GSM/CDMA) phone.

Known specs:

Support for HSPA (HSDPA / HSUPA)
Wi-Fi 802.11b / g
FM-radio
GPS
Bluetooth
5 MP cam
Full Touch Screen
3.1 inches HVGA with 320�480 Pixel resolution
HDMI output"

Full article here.
Note that the above link for QQ is through Google Translator.

Lenovo O1 Android Smartphone Launches with China Mobile

hayden — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:14:48 GMT

The Lenovo O1 OPhone is powered by a 624MHz processor and 8GB or 16GB options available. It features a 5 megapixel camera, a 3.5-inch 480x320 touchscreen display, GPS and WiFi connectivity. Lenovo's O1 supports CMMD and MBBMS digital TV. As for the OS, it runs Lenovo�s own OMS (Open Mobile System) which is Android based but also adds some Lenovo features and visual effects. Ok with all that said, I want one, in English.

Via nugossips.com | Also read here

Verizon's Droid is a series, not just a phone; Droid Eris coming from HTC

cherrichiodo — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:07:55 GMT

engadget: We just got some wild information from a trusted source about Verizon's Android strategy, and let's just say this shakes things up a little bit. Here are the big takeaways:

Droid is the brand name being applied to Verizon's Android devices. It isn't a single phone.
The Sholes -- the phone we've been calling the Droid so far -- may simply be known as the Droid.
HTC's Desire will be coming to market as the "Droid Eris." (Allow us to save you the Wikipedia lookup -- Eris is the Greek goddess of strife.) Interestingly, it's already up on gdgt as such.

Motorola Leaks the Droid's Specifications on their website.

hayden — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:36:49 GMT

Now the page in question states: "The page you are trying to reach is no longer at this location or the system is temporarily inaccessible. Please try again later or use our site navigation or search engine above to locate your desired page. Still can't find what you are looking for? Then please Contact Us."

Keep an eye on this link:
( motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/Motorola-DROID-US-EN)

See the attached PDF for specs...

Via: Brighthand

Attached Files

11404.pdf (148.2 KB)

Reports: Google to launch music service, phone

hayden — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:01:58 GMT

Via Computerworld.com: The search company is reportedly set to unveil its own music service and is also working with a smartphone manufacturer on an own-brand Android phone.

Two separate reports from TechCrunch and The Street say that the search company is developing a music service, dubbed Google Audio, and a smartphone that will not be sold through traditional wireless carriers.

Michael Arrington of TechCrunch quotes multiple sources, saying that Google has "spent the last several weeks securing content for the launch of the [music] service from the major music labels."

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The Verizon Droid Might Be Landing Sooner Than We Thought

srl7741 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:07:50 GMT

TechCrunch: Over the weekend Verizon unleashed its marketing campaign for its upcoming Motorola Droid smartphone, pointing out some of the iPhone’s biggest flaws on prime time television as well as on the website DroidDoes.com. The phone, which will be the first to run Android 2.0 and is sporting some heavy duty specs, may be the first viable challenger to Apple’s iPhone dominance. Thing is, the Droid still isn’t officially announced yet, and we still don’t have a release date.

But we do have some hints: DroidDoes.com features a mysterious countdown timer that consists of a bunch of nonsensical symbols swirling by. Though some trickery (namely changing your computer clock or looking at the site’s config.xml file), it’s pretty easy to see what it’s counting down to. When the site launched on Saturday the countdown was going to October 30, 12:00 AM CST. Sometime today, that changed: the clock is now counting down to October 28, at 12:00 AM CST. Or 48 hours earlier than it used to be.

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