Google Maps Navigation Extends to Android 1.6
By Jason Ankeny
A few weeks after introducing its Google Maps Navigation application for devices running the Android 2.0 operating system, Google announced it will expand the free turn-by-turn service to devices powered by Android 1.6 and higher, including T-Mobile USA's myTouch 3G and G1.
Google Maps Navigation boasts all the familiar bells and whistles of GPS-based navigation systems, like 3D views, voice guidance and automatic re-routing, but was built to take advantage of smartphones' constant connection to the web, enabling features like real-time traffic views, street and satellite views, updated map and business data, and searching by voice, plain English or route.
According to Google, Android 1.6 users can now download an updated version of the app, although some features available to 2.0 devices are not operational, among them the ability to use the "navigate to" voice command.
In other Google news, the web services giant announced the addition of mobile coupons to its Google Local Search service. "If a business adds a mobile coupon to its Google Local Business Center listing, you'll be able to access it from your mobile device," writes product manager Alex Gawley on the Official Google Mobile Blog. "Just go to google.com on your phone and search for a local business. When you land on its Place Page. you'll see any coupons or discounts that might be available. Then simply show the participating business the coupon, right from your phone, to redeem the offer." [FierceMobileContent]
Google: Apple Rejected Google Voice App
By Phil Goldstein
Google said that Apple rejected its Google Voice application for the iPhone, contrary to Apple's statements last month to the FCC that it was still reviewing the offering. Google's assertion that Apple rejected the app is contained in the company's own letter to the FCC, also filed last month but made public by Google and the FCC today.
When Apple released its letter on Aug. 21, it said that the application had not been rejected outright. "Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it," Apple said. "The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail."
Google said in its letter, also dated Aug. 21, that Apple representatives told Google that the application had been rejected because "Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone. The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want applications that could potentially replace such functionality."
In its letter, Google said that it had no contact with AT&T Mobility on the topic. Google did say, however, that it had a series of meetings, phone calls and emails with Apple between July 5 and July 28, 2009, to discuss the application, which was submitted to Apple's App Store for approval on June 2. Google said its primary points of contact between the two companies were Alan Eustace, Google's senior vice president of engineering and research, and Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing. In a phone call that took place on July 7, Schiller told Eustace that Apple was rejecting the application, according to Google's letter.
Apple also rejected Google's Latitude application. The company said it did not currently have any other applications pending approval with Apple.
When Google initially filed its letter with the FCC last month, it asked the FCC to redact certain portions that involved "sensitive commercial conversations between two companies," according to Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel. In a post on the company's public policy blog, Whitt said Google decided to release the full contents of the letter.
"Several individuals and organizations submitted Freedom of Information Act requests with the FCC seeking access to this information," wrote Whitt. "While we could have asked the FCC to oppose those requests, in light of Apple's decision to make its own letter fully public and in the interest of transparency, we decided to drop our request for confidentiality. Today the FCC posted the full content of our letter to their website."
Added Whitt: "We continue to work with Apple and others to bring users the best mobile Google experience possible. "
"We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter," an Apple spokeswoman told FierceWireless. "Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google." [FierceWireless]
Google Debuts Another OS, This Time for Netbooks
By Mike Dano
Just when you thought the mobile computing market couldn't get any more complicated, Internet search giant Google announced it will build an open-source operating system--Chrome OS--initially targeted at the burgeoning netbook space. The news comes less than two years after Google unveiled its Android operating system for cell phones.
"Netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010," wrote Sundar Pichai, a Google VP and engineering director, in a post on the company's site announcing the news. "Because we're already talking to partners about the project, and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve."
Although Google's move is clearly a direct stab at Windows vendor Microsoft, it also could have significant ramifications for the wireless industry. That Google is initially targeting netbooks means the OS could sit inside wireless carrier stores and run on chips from the likes of Qualcomm. Already Sprint Nextel has subsidized the full price of a Compaq netbook, Verizon Wireless has begun selling an HP netbook in its own retail stores, and Qualcomm is working to expand into the mobile computing arena with its Snapdragon chipset. If Google's play gains steam (the company will announce its Chrome OS manufacturing partners tomorrow, according to IDG News Service) wireless players from across the board could be forced to deal with another Google platform.
Which raises the question: What about Android? Google's OS for smartphones has been embraced by the likes of Samsung, LG, Motorola and others, and companies such as Acer have already promised Android-based netbooks. So how will Chrome OS and Android play together? Google's Pichai attempts an explanation: "Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the Web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google."
The introduction of another operating system is certainly nothing new for wireless; there are dozens of platforms, both closed and open, littering the global wireless industry. The fractured situation has even goaded operators like Vodafone and AT&T to call for consolidation in the space.
Indeed, some industry pundits take umbrage at Google's latest effort. As Twitter user "saschasegan" points out, "With Chrome OS, is Google conceding that Android can't/won't provide a desktop-quality browser experience anytime soon?" And, likely summarizing the feelings of many in the wireless industry--including those who have devoted significant resources to Android--saschasegan deadpans: "Chrome OS. Because what Android needed to succeed was more market confusion." [FierceWireless]
Google: More Than a Million Latitude Users in First Week
By Jason Ankeny
More than a million wireless subscribers signed up for Google's new mobile friend finder Latitude in its first week according to Vic Gundotra, the web services giant's vice president of engineering. Speaking during a mobile Internet panel at Mobile World Congress 2009 here in Barcelona, Gundotra pointed to the location-based Latitude effort (launched earlier this month) as a prime example of the kinds of new applications enabled by the emergence of more powerful mobile web browsers and software developed to better exploit the technological capabilities of wireless devices.
"We believe that 2008 was the year mobile Internet took off," Gundotra said, citing flat data plans, full web browsers and an improved user interface as the catalysts behind the takeoff. "The iPhone was the first browser to let you surf the real web. But the browser can do more than just browse content--it's a platform for innovations."
According to Gundotra, the modern, cutting-edge mobile browser must comprise three key elements: The HTML5 core language specification, application caching and geolocation tools. He illustrated his argument by showing for the first time in public a new Gmail concept for smartphones that capitalizes on app caching to enable users to browse and search through messages even when the network connection is disabled. Gundotra also demonstrated a mobile search solution integrated with location, voice recognition and the device accelerometer to query "weather," automatically receiving a local forecast for the Barcelona area as determined via GPS.
During a panel discussion following the Gundotra keynote, moderator Rajeev Chand, managing director and senior equity research analyst at Rutberg & Co., said he was surprised by the relatively low number of devices based on Google's Android mobile operating system that were introduced at Mobile World Congress, and asked whether creating an environment around the OS has proven more difficult than Google anticipated. "It takes time," Gundotra responded. "We're very patient." [FierceMobileContent]
Google Emerges as a Mobile Superpower
By Jason Ankeny
It always seemed a foregone conclusion that Google would assume the mantle of mobile search kingpin, but as the sheer scope of its wireless aspirations took shape throughout 2008, it's become increasingly clear just how significantly the web services giant will shape the future of the entire platform.
Google's mobile fortunes hinge on Android, of course--first announced in late 2007, the Linux-based open software platform boasts the stated goal of "fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms," and the autumn release of T-Mobile USA's G1, the first Android-powered device, was unquestionably the most eagerly anticipated handset debut of the year.
In addition, Google unveiled its Android Market application storefront, expanded its partnership with Sprint, introduced a slew of new mobile applications and even threw its considerable weight behind the campaign to secure public access to unlicensed white-space spectrum for broadband wireless services.
But for each and every move that Google made in mobile, it kept its eye on one prize: The potential advertising windfall tied to mobile search results. During an August appearance on CNBC's Mad Money, Google CEO Eric Schmidt even said he believes mobile advertising revenues will eventually outstrip traditional web advertising. "Over time we will make more money from mobile advertising," Schmidt told Mad Money host Jim Cramer. "Not now, but over time."
Speaking on an earnings call after Google reported third quarter revenues of $5.54 billion--a 31 percent year-over-year jump--Schmidt added that the company plans to continue investing in future growth areas such as enterprise, mobile, and display despite the freefalling economy. "We are seeing an explosion in mobile search volumes," he added. "This is being enabled by devices with more powerful browsers. The compound growth rate is one of the fastest growing things at the company."
And while Google failed to lock down a rumored mobile search partnership with Verizon Wireless, it did ink deals with handset titan Nokia and web browsing firm Opera Software, and later promised platform-wide Android search integration. It's no surprise that at mid-year, Google held a 61 percent share of the mobile search market, followed by Yahoo with 18 percent and MSN with 5 percent. [FierceMobileContent]
Google Confirms Android Kill Switch
By Jason Ankeny
With T-Mobile USA scheduled to release the HTC-produced G1--the first commercial handset based on Google's Android mobile OS--on Wednesday, Google has confirmed the existence of a so-called "kill switch" that would enable the web services giant to remotely disable applications from an Android-based device.
Computerworld first reported on the kill switch, noting the terms of service for Google's Android Market read "Google may discover a product that violates the developer distribution agreement ... in such an instance, Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your device at its sole discretion."
Google explains that the kill switch exists to protect users from malicious code, and that if any commercial software is removed from an Android device, the company will refund the consumer as well as seek financial restitution from the developer who created the app.So far, developers are sanguine about the kill switch, telling ChannelWeb they weren't previously aware of the mechanism but expressing little surprise over its discovery.
"We're not making malicious apps. It should be fine and I totally understand why they'd want to do it," said Jeff Kao, co-founder of Ecorio, one of the winners in the recent Android Developer Challenge. "We've done some things ourselves that a user might not like that we've had to tweak. For example, some services might run in the background and drain battery life without the user knowing it."
Apple stirred up its own controversy this summer following an independent engineer's discovery that each iPhone contains code that could theoretically remove software from the device at Apple's discretion. In a subsequent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Steve Jobs argued such a kill switch is necessary in case a malicious program is mistakenly added to the App Store: "Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull."
Digital privacy and security advocates nevertheless questioned Apple's motivations, asking what kinds of safeguards are in place to guarantee the security of the kill switch itself.
cellity Communicator Enhances Google’s New Android-powered G1 Phone
Free software turns Google’s smartphone into a mobile communications center
Google’s G1 Android Phone, for which 1.5 million pre-orders have apparently been made, will go on sale in the US for the first time on October 22. As was the case with the iPhone, mobile Web-based applications are a key feature with the search-engine giant’s first smartphone on the Android platform.
Before sales start for the Android-powered G1, as one of the leading suppliers of mobile communications applications, cellity (http://www.cellity.com/) optimized its cellity Communicator for the Google cellphone and by doing so expanded features available for smartphone mobile communication. In addition to significantly less expensive voicemail, text messaging, and email functions, the address book can be automatically updated and backed up using the cellity Communicator.
cellity will unveil yet another key innovation in the area of contact data management when Google cellphone G1 hits the UK market.
“Because the sources of new contacts is constantly changing, managing contact data is becoming an ever greater challenge not only for smartphone users who use cellphone applications very extensively, but also for other cellphone owners,” explains Benjamin Körber, VP Operations at cellity AG. “With the new addressbook 2.0 G1 owners can automatically synchronize all contact details from Outlook, their cellphone, social networks and many other sources, and in this way have access to constantly updated information about their communications partners at any time, no matter where they are.”
cellity’s award winning cellphone software has already been downloaded more than 5.5 million times.
The cellity Communicator at a glance
- Combined mobile email, freeSMS, SMS, groupCALL, worldCALL, remoteCALL, Twitter and the new addressbook 2.0 (available November 2008) in a fast and graphically appealing solution
- freeSMS: Send and receive text messages free anywhere in the world.
- groupCALL: Easily make conference calls at competitive rates on your cell phone
- worldCALL: Make international calls at low prices from anywhere in the world
- Tweeter: cellity’s twitter software for your cellphone
- Multi-platform enabled: runs on WAP, on the Web, the iPhone and as a mobile application on all Java-capable cellphones and the Android G1 smartphone.
Overview of the new cellity addressbook 2.0 application (available November 2008)
- Automatic synchronization and updating of contact data from a cellphone, Outlook, social networks, and Twitter platforms .
- Automatic sorting of frequent contacts: The most important contacts are always easily accessible
- Backup copy: contact data can be recovered at any time by using this option
- Sending a message using various communication channels
- All important communications channels (SMS, freeSMS, email, phone conferencing, Twitter) can be used directly from addressbook 2.0
- An intelligent search utility
- Users are independent of any particular service provider or network (free transfer of all data is always possible) . PR
Google Developing Mobile Ad Network for iPhone
By Jason Ankeny
Google is developing new mobile advertising initiatives targeted for Apple's iPhone platform, Adweek reports. In meetings with agencies, the web services giant has presented a series of options illustrating different ads in response to iPhone mobile search queries--because the iPhone pulls sites directly from the Internet, users see the same ads available online unless publishers create content optimized for the iPhone platform, meaning Google would implement solutions enabling advertisers to create new ads that fully exploit the possibilities of the Apple device. Google reps would not confirm the iPhone ad service, although one tells Adweek such a proposal had been under consideration. [FierceMobileContent]
Google's Vision For an Open Wireless World
News analysis: Will mobiles be free to roam wi-fi?
By Marguerite Reardon
Google's vision of tomorrow's wireless network is in stark contrast to how wireless operators do business today, setting the two sides on a possible collision course.
Earlier this week, the search giant filed a patent application with the US Patent Office describing its vision of an open wireless network where smart phones aren't tied to any single mobile phone network. In Google's open wireless world, phones and other wireless devices would search for the strongest, fastest connection at the most competitive price. Essentially, wireless operators' networks would be reduced to "dumb pipes".
The idea is that depending on where a wireless user is at any given time, he could be on any number of networks. For example, if coverage is better from Verizon Wireless at home, a subscriber might connect to that network to make phone calls. But he might use AT&T while at work, where the signal is stronger. Price would also be a factor, and operators would constantly be vying in a sort of auction to provide the most competitive pricing for the call.
Meanwhile, users could also access other free or low-cost networks. So if, for example, someone wanted to surf the web from their phone they could connect via a wi-fi or WiMax network. Or people may even be able to connect to a network that uses yet-to-be available "white space" spectrum.
This notion of a device connecting to any network is quite different from how the wireless industry operates today. When people buy mobile phones today, they're essentially locked to one provider. A particular provider may have roaming agreements with other phone operators but customers have a contract and billing relationship with one operator. And if they decide to switch carriers, they usually have to pay a penalty for breaking a contract, and they must purchase a phone that will work on the new network.
Of course, consumers don't have the same issues in the broadband market, where people can connect to any broadband network using any computer, whether it be a wi-fi, cable or DSL connection.
Read more - silicon.com
Google Looking to Free Handsets From Carriers
By Phil Goldstein
Google is interested in producing a technology that will enable users to have an open mobile device that searches for cellular networks in range, much like WiFi devices currently sniff out hotspots, according to a patent the company filed in 2007 that was released this week.
The concept, called "Instant Bid," allows users to effectively end the system in which handsets are tethered to a single wireless network, and may be geared more toward prepaid cell phone users who do not have long-term contracts with carriers.
Google has said that the idea may amount to nothing, but with the Android software and the G1 device promising open application development, as well as Google co-founder Larry Page's push to get white-space freed up for unlicensed wireless applications, the idea of "open" at Google seems to be gaining steam. [FierceWireless]
Google's Chrome Vision of the Mobile Web
By Jason Ankeny
The full scope of Google's mobile ambitions came into focus with last week's debut of the web services giant's new browser, dubbed Chrome. With its streamlined user interface, efficent search tools and multiprocess architecture, the WebKit-based Chrome has received largely positive reviews from pundits and consumers alike, claiming 1 percent of the worldwide browser market in the first four days after its release.
While Chrome is currently optimized solely for the wired web, Google co-founder Sergey Brin anticipates the browser will soon migrate to the fledgling Android mobile OS as well: Speaking last week at the Chrome launch event, Brin said Chrome and Android were developed independently of each other, but with both projects now public, their paths will likely converge. "We have not wanted to bind one's hands to the other's," Brin said. "Probably a subsequent version of Android is going to pick up a lot of the Chrome stack."
A superior browser is essential to Google's ambitions to dominate mobile search and advertising--during a recent appearance on CNBC's Mad Money, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said he believes mobile ad revenues will eventually outstrip traditional web advertising. "Over time we will make more money from mobile advertising," Schmidt told Mad Money host Jim Cramer. "Not now, but over time."
According to Schmidt, Google has no intention of opening up its home page to advertising, instead pinning its revenue hopes on the mobile platform and its ability to personalize ad content. But striking it rich in mobile hinges on the effectiveness of Android as a whole, not just its browser--while the first Android-based device, the HTC Dream, probably won't feature Chrome, the handset will be the first true test of whether Google can be the mobile force it aspires to be.
There are few concerns about Apple's iPhone, however. The iPhone now accounts for one out of every 333 web hits worldwide according to market analysis firm Net Applications, which notes that the device's Internet presence reached new heights in the weeks following the iPhone 3G's July 11 retail release. Net Applications reports that iPhone web browsing leveled off prior to the 3G version's commercial debut, with its international web usage market share passing the 0.2 percent mark in June before dipping over the next month--however, iPhone global web usage increased 58 percent between July and August, peaking at a record-high 0.48 percent on August 23.
As of last month, the iPhone is now the fourth most popular operating system on the web with a 0.30 percent market share, behind Windows (90.69 percent), Mac OS (7.84 percent) and Linux (0.92 percent). The commercial viability of the mobile web is no longer in doubt--the question now is who will dominate it.
Google: No 'comprehensive' Bluetooth API in Android 1.0
By Jason Ankeny
Some developers are scratching their heads in the wake of Google's Android 0.9 SDK beta release--in addition to supplementing the OS with a new home screen, user interface upgrades and other bells and whistles, the web services giant also made the unexpected decision to remove Bluetooth functionality.
"Due to significant API changes in the upstream open-source project and due to the timeline of getting certain Bluetooth profile implementations certified, a comprehensive Bluetooth API will not be possible or present in Android 1.0," reads Google's release notes, and as Computerworld points out, some developers are hung up on the word "comprehensive," which could mean any number of things.
A Google spokesperson promises the firm will elaborate on its Android plans later this week, but in the meantime developers are already expressing their concern and confusion on the Google Android forum. With T-Mobile USA poised to launch the HTC Dream--the first U.S. mobile handset based on the Android OS--one developer writes "HTC would not release a smartphone in this day and age that lacked Bluetooth support."
Other developers suggest the next SDK update--expected sometime in September--could still feature basic Bluetooth support. [FierceDeveloper]
Verizon Wireless Nearing Search Deal With Google
By Jason Ankeny
Verizon Wireless and Google are poised to announce a partnership that would install the web services giant as the default mobile search portal across the operator's device portfolio. According to The Wall Street Journal, Verizon plans to streamline its mobile search user experience by creating a one-stop, Google-branded search platform spanning from local information to mobile content acquisition.
The deal calls for Verizon and Google to share advertising revenues, but the two firms are still negotiating several key points of the partnership, including Google's demands for access to consumer behavioral data. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the WSJ adds that Verizon has mulled other search partners, including Microsoft--Medio Systems, which presently supervises the operator's digital content search service, would remain on board to manage an all-in-one search effort.
A Verizon/Google deal would herald a détente in the companies' often combative relationship. Last autumn, Verizon filed a lawsuit to force the FCC to abandon Google-backed open access regulations that would have required wireless carriers to begin opening their networks to more services and handsets; Google later admitted its sole rationale for entering this spring's 700 MHz spectrum auction was to drive up bidding and guarantee its open access conditions were met.
While Verizon later changed course and announced its Open Development Initiative, promising to introduce open access nationwide by the end of 2008, in May Google petitioned the FCC to obtain a guarantee from Verizon promising the operator will honor its commitment to open access. That same month, Verizon Wireless formally announced its membership in the LiMo Foundation open handset consortium, effectively spurning Google's Android mobile OS in the process. [FierceMobileContent]
Google Demonstrates Android Applications
Google publicly demonstrated its forthcoming Android mobile operating system Wednesday during its annual developer conference in San Francisco, touting the platform's mobile web services, mobile gaming prowess and map features by means of an iPhone-like touchscreen device. Speaking at Google's I/O conference, the firm's vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra said Android heralds its attempt to extend the browser to handheld devices: "We believe over time, the browser on mobile devices will be the entry point for many, many applications," he said.
During the brief demonstration, Google showed the audience Android versions of its Google Maps Street View service (bolstered by the device's internal compass and accelerometer) as well as a snippet of a Pac-Man game--other bells and whistles include mobile website bookmarking and a mobile web content magnifying tool.
Andy Rubin, the Google exec charged with spearheading the Android initiative, said Android-based devices remain on track to hit retail sometime during the second half of 2008. Rubin also hinted strongly that Google is planning to launch an Android application storefront: "It would be a great benefit to the Android community to provide a place where people can go to safely and securely download content and where a billing system would allow developers to get paid for their effort," he said. "We wouldn't have done our job if we didn't provide something that helps developers get distribution." [FierceDeveloper]
Larry Page of Google Pushes White-space Agenda
By Sue Marek
Speaking at a New America Foundation event yesterday in Washington, D.C., Google co-founder Larry Page tried to bolster his firm's case for the FCC to make white spaces--vacant channels of spectrum--available for unlicensed wireless broadband access. Page is hoping to sway the FCC, which is expected to issue a report on its white-space device testing some time this summer. The FCC has been testing several white-space device prototypes and is expected to continue to trial devices.
White spaces are slivers of spectrum in the 700 MHz that were originally designed to prevent interference between TV broadcasts. However as broadcasters transition to digital broadcasting, some industry players (such as Google) believe there is an opportunity to use these white spaces to deliver unlicensed wireless broadband services. The broadcast industry opposes the move, saying that it will threaten the transition to digital TV and cause interference.
The CTIA meanwhile recommends auctioning off the unused broadcast spectrum. During his speech yesterday, Page discounted the broadcasters' view that using white space spectrum would cause interference, saying that there isn't any technical validity to that claim. [FierceWireless]
50 Winners of Google's Android Developer Challenge
By Brian Dolan
Google announced the 50 winning applications for its Android Developer Challenge. The first round ended with 50 applications, earning their developers $25,000 each. Of the 50, only 46 chose to have their names published, while the remaining four plan to toil away in secrecy. Next up: Round 2, which ends in late July. Twenty of these 50 will get more cash prizes: 10 get $150,000 and 10 get $275,000. Without further ado:
- AndroidScan - Jeffrey Sharkey
- Beetaun - Sergey Gritsyuk and Dmitri Shipilov
- BioWallet - Jose Luis Huertas Fernandez
- BreadCrumbz - Amos Yoffe
- CallACab - Konrad Huebner and Henning Boeger
- City Slikkers - PoroCity Media and Virtual Logic Systems
- Commandro - Alex Pisarev, Andrey Tapekha
- Cooking Capsules - Mary Ann Cotter and Muthuselvam Ramadoss
- Diggin - Daniel Johansson, Aramis Waernbaum, Andreas Hedin
- Dyno - Virachat Boondharigaputra
- e-ventr - Michael Zitzelsberger
- Eco2go - Taneem Talukdar, Gary Pong, Jeff Kao and Robert Lam
- Em-Radar - Jack Kwok
- fingerprint - Robert Mickle
- FreeFamilyWatch - Navee Technologies LLC
- goCart - Rylan Barnes
- GolfPlay - Inizziativa Networks
- gWalk - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus ten Hagen, Christian Klinger, Marko Modsching, Rene Scholze
- HandWx - Weathertop Consulting LLC
- IMEasy - Yan Shi
- Jigsaw - Mikhail Ksenzov
- JOYity - Zelfi AG
- LifeAware - Gregory Moore, Aaron L. Obrien, Jawad Akhtar
- Locale - Clare Bayley, Christina Wright, Jasper Lin, Carter Jernigan
- LReady Emergency Manager - Chris Hulls, Dilpreet Singh, Luis Carvalho, Phuong Nguyen
- Marvin - Pontier Laurent
- Mobeedo - Sengaro GmbH
- Multiple Facets Instant Messenger - Virgil Dobjanschi
- MyCloset - Mamoru Tokashiki
- PedNav - RouteMe2 Technologies Inc.
- Phonebook 2.0 - Voxmobili
- PicSay - Eric Wijngaard
- PiggyBack - Christophe Petit and Sebastien Petit
- Pocket Journey - Anthony Stevens and Rosie Pongracz
- Rayfarla - Stephen Oldmeadow
- Safety Net - Michael DeJadon
- SocialMonster - Ben Siu-Lung Hui and Tommy Ng
- SplashPlay
- Sustain- Keeping Your Social Network Alive - Niraj Swami
- SynchroSpot - Shaun Terry
- Talkplay - Sung Suh Park
- Teradesk - José Augusto Athayde Ferrarini
- The Weather Channel for Android - The Weather Channel Interactive Inc.
- TuneWiki - TuneWiki Inc.
- Wikitude-the Mobile Travel Guide - Philipp Breuss
- Writing Pad - ShapeWriter Inc [FierceWireless]
Sprint Expands Partnership With Google
Sprint announced a partnership with Google that promises to more deeply integrate the web services giant's applications into the mobile user experience. Per terms of the agreement, Google becomes Sprint's default mobile search provider--a search box enabling one-click access to Google search will also debut on select new devices shipping later this year.
New Sprint handsets and some existing smartphones will also feature the Google Maps for Mobile application, with location-enabled search and maps also on tap. In addition, Sprint will enable more efficient mobile access to Google-owned user-generated video site YouTube. The two firms said new mobile experiences and applications will follow.
Today's announcement is by no means the only headline pairing Sprint and Google. The operator is teaming with Clearwire on a $12 billion nationwide mobile WiMAX network backed by $3.2 billion in investments from Google as well as Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Intel and Bright House Networks. Beyond giving embattled Sprint a huge boost in its battle with rivals AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the deal promises Google and the two cable operators significant input in determining the direction of mobile web access. [FierceMobileContent]
Google Turns Attention to White Spaces
Now that the 700 MHz spectrum auction is over, Google has turned its attention once again to the "white space" unlicensed spectrum debate: In a letter to the FCC, Google pressed the government to make the spectrum available for Internet services.
"As Google has pointed out previously, the vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized," Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media lawyer, wrote in the letter.
The white spaces reside between channels 2 and 51 on TVs that are not hooked up to cable, satellite or IPTV services. Whitt claimed that opening up the spectrum would "enable much-needed competition to the incumbent broadband service providers."
Whitt said Android-powered phones would be a "very nice match" for the unused spectrum but failed to elaborate. [FierceWireless]
Dell Smartphone Launch Imminent?
Analysts are once again clamoring for Dell to launch a smartphone soon. Strategy Analytics' director of wireless device strategies Neil Mawston told MacWorld the development of smartphones would be a logical step for Dell to expand its presence in the mobile market.
Mawston pointed out that Apple, HP and Toshiba are already in the business of smartphones and PDAs, so the competitive threat and market itself are just too big to ignore. While the rumor that claimed Dell would launch a Google Android-powered smartphone at Mobile World Congress last month never came to fruition, the company could still launch such a device or ink a deal with Microsoft for Windows Mobile. Mawston also noted that Dell needs to replace its Axim PDAs, which it killed off last year.
According to a recent report from ABI Research, one in three phones sold in 2013 will be a smartphone. Smartphones will increase from the 10 percent market share they have now to 31 percent market share in five years, according to the report. - [Brian / FierceDeveloper]
HTC's Android Device Named "Dream"?
HTC is developing a handset called "Dream" that runs Google's Android software, according to a report from InfoWorld. The handset is reportedly 5 inches long and 3 inches wide with a large touchscreen and a full QWERTY keypad that slides out from underneath the screen. It should hit store shelves by the end of this year.
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