Android 2.2 coming to Motorola Droid, HTC myTouch 3G
By Jason Ankeny
Version 2.2 of Google's Android mobile operating system is poised to arrive on both Motorola's Droid and HTC's myTouch 3G in the weeks ahead. Slashgear reports a Motorola representative confirmed Android 2.2's imminent touchdown on the Droid (available in the U.S. from Verizon Wireless), noting "While I can't comment on specifics, we do expect Droid by Motorola users will receive Android 2.2 as a software upgrade in the near future." As for the myTouch 3G, a recent memo issued by T-Mobile USA confirms its plans, stating "Coming soon, we plan to update existing myTouch 3G phones--not just our new Slide--to the latest software version, Android 2.2."
Google introduced Android 2.2 last month during its annual I/O developer conference. Codenamed "Froyo," the update boasts an increase in processing speed, an improved browser, support for Adobe's Flash technology and a raft of other upgrades.[FierceMobileConten]
LG will Unleash 20 Android Phones by Year-end
By Phil Goldstein
LG is going to release 20 smartphones running on Google's Android platform by year-end as part of a wider effort to increase its smartphone presence.
Though LG is still the world's No. 3 handset maker by market share, it has struggled to gain a foothold in the fast-growing smartphone market. Like its larger South Korean rival Samsung, LG has been eclipsed in smartphones by the likes of Apple and HTC.
The Android push is significant because LG had previously committed significant resources and attention to building smartphones running on Microsoft's Windows platform. LG has said previously that it plans to have around half of its smartphones running on Android this year, though the company is also expected to be a strong supporter of Windows Phone 7 when the platform launches later this year. The figure of 20 Android phones is also significant from a competitive perspective--that is the number of smartphones Motorola is expected to release this year, most of which are expected to be running Android.
According to unnamed sources cited by the Korea Times, LG's handset division is going to have a "disappointing" second quarter. An LG spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. LG had a less-than-stellar first quarter, with sluggish sales and margins. LG CFO David Jung said in April that improving the company's mobile business was a "top priority." He said the company plans to introduce more competitive handsets, though LG will take "a bit more time" to improve profitability. [FierceWireless]
Ebooks, Media Apps Top iPad Developer Efforts
By Jason Ankeny
With Apple poised to release its iPad tablet device on April 3, developer interest remains strong, with 80 percent of developers telling open-source platform provider Appcelerator they plan to build iPad applications within the next year. Among more than 1,000 developers surveyed by Appcelerator, 53 percent said their overall interest in iPad as a development platform is "very strong," behind only iPhone and Android--by comparison, just 12 percent expressed similar interest in the rival Amazon Kindle ebook platform. Ebooks, entertainment and media applications, business apps, healthcare apps and education apps lead as likely candidates for forthcoming iPad software projects.
Appcelerator notes that interest in Android is also surging--in January, 68 percent of developers expressed interest in writing Android apps, compared to 86 percent proclaiming similar desire to build for iPhone, but Android interest has since jumped to 81 percent, with iPhone edging up to 87 percent. In addition, developer support for BlackBerry increased from 21 percent in January to 43 percent in March, while interest in Microsoft's Windows Phone leaped from 13 percent to 34 during the same timeframe--Appcelerator credits the renewed interest to recent improvements to both platforms.
Interest in rival operating systems is waning, however. In January, 17 percent of developers expressed support for Palm's webOS, but that number has now slipped to 14 percent, due in large part to Palm's recent financial woes. Sixteen percent of developers remain interested in Symbian, trailed by Meego at 12 percent.[FierceMobileContent]
Sling Media targets iPad with HD mobile video app
By Jason Ankeny
Placeshifting technology developer Sling Media confirmed it is working on a new HD version of its SlingPlayer Mobile video application for Apple's forthcoming iPad tablet device, promising an improved viewing experience optimized for larger screens. "When it makes a noticeable difference in quality, we will definitely provide higher resolution streaming," Sling Media mobile product marketing manager Dave Eyler tells Zatz Not Funny.
"The iPad is a good example of a device where we are hard at work on this, but unfortunately it won't be there at the April launch." Eyler adds that Sling is "actively moving" towards the H.264 video compression standard for its upcoming Android OS application, while its planned Windows Phone 7 app will run on Microsoft's Silverlight framework.
SlingPlayer Mobile enables users to stream live and recorded television content from their home entertainment system to their smartphone. Sling Media first issued SlingPlayer Mobile for Apple's iPhone in May 2009, but the $29.99 app was the subject of considerable debate because it did not include 3G support--although Apple operator partner AT&T took the fall for the controversy that followed, contending 3G streaming would consume too much network capacity, Sling said the service was WiFi-only at Apple's request. In early February 2010, AT&T announced it would support SlingPlayer Mobile across its 3G network following a series of tests, and Apple approved the application for sale in its App Store days later. [FierceMobileContent]
Google’s Android OS to Continue Growth
report, Smartphone market forecast 2009-2015, outlines a number of reasons for the continued adoption of the Android OS. As manufacturers try to push the costs of smartphones down, the continued commoditization of mobile software platforms through large open source projects such as Android help to make this feasible. A large number of ODM and OEMs are using Android as a basis for their low-cost devices.
In 2009, Symbian Foundation’s Symbian OS recorded a market share of 48% of the smartphone market. This is down from 58% in 2008. Though Ovum expect Symbian to reach 168M units in 2015, it’s market share will continue to drop to 30% due to growing shipments from all vendors and particularly rapid adoption of the Google Android OS.
All but one of the top five handset vendors is using Google’s Android OS. This usage has grown from a standing start in 2008 and looks to continue. Ovum expects Android shipments to reach 110.8M units by 2015 and expects Android will overtake shipments of Windows Mobile by 2014.[PR/OVUM]
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]
Dell Confirms Android Phone for Next Year
By Phil Goldstein
The long, slow saga of Dell's march into the smartphone arena has come to an end. Or has it?
Dell CEO Michael Dell confirmed that the company would be releasing smartphones next year in the United States based on Google's Android platform.
"You'll probably see some products next year in the United States that are family members with some of the things we started in China," he said at the FiReGlobal conference in Seattle. When pressed about what platform the phones would run on, he said, "They'd be Android."
However, Dell also said that the company, which has been dancing around confirmation of its entry into the mobile phone space for months, might look to other platforms. "There are some other open platforms that are emerging that are similar to other businesses we participate in," he said.
Dell did not specify what, if any, carrier the company would partner with. Last week, citing unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T Mobility might launch a Dell Android phone next year.
In August, the computer maker was part of an event in China to support China Mobile's application platform efforts. A Dell phone, called the Mini 3i, was shown at the event, although Dell said that it was only a "proof of concept" device. [FierceWireless]
Sony Ericsson: Android Phones May Take Longer Than Expected
By Phil Goldstein
Sony Ericsson's CEO hinted that the company's plans to develop a handset based on Google's Android platform may be slowed, though he said this was due more to questions surrounding Android than the troubled handset maker's own position.
Lost in the headlines of Sony Ericsson's first quarter net loss of $386 million--and 2,000 job cuts--last week were Hideki Komiyama's comments about Sony Ericsson's future regarding Android. "It does require a lot of evaluation, as well as a lot of testing, a lot of acceptance from a consumer viewpoint, and there is still some time to go," Komiyama told Reuters.
Komiyama's comments throw into doubt whether the company will produce an Android handset by the end of this year, as previously expected. Sony Ericsson recently said that it was going to focus on its core competencies, and would leverage the Sony brand and its camera technology for its phones. LG, Motorola and Samsung have all pledged that they will release Android-based phones by the end of the year.
Sony Ericsson joined the Open Handset Alliance, the Google-led consortium of companies committed to Android, in December. Sony Ericsson also partnered with Nokia, Motorola and NTT DoCoMo to found the Symbian Foundation. The company shipped 14.5 million units in the first quarter, down 35 percent from the first quarter of 2008. [FierceWireless]
Google Upgrades Gmail for iPhone and Android
By Jason Ankeny
Google announced a series of improvements for Gmail messaging services running on iPhone and Android devices. Writing on the Official Google Mobile Blog, engineer Joanne McKinley writes that the upgrade accelerates actions like opening an email, navigating and searching; in addition, new browser technologies like HTML5 and Gears enable users to read and compose messages over poor or non-existent network connections (an update informally announced by Google vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra during a keynote appearance at Mobile World Congress 2009 in February). "The full impact of this new architecture isn't visible yet, but it will enable us to significantly improve performance and quickly roll out new features in the near future," McKinley writes.
Google says the new Gmail for mobile will also introduce a "floaty bar" that appears at the top of the screen when the user selects a message. The bar offers options to archive, delete and more, and continues floating as the user scrolls through the inbox. In addition, Google tweaked the look and feel of messages, promising an easier-to-read interface more closely aligned with the desktop Gmail experience, and relocated the search menu into the top header. Google notes that the new Gmail for mobile supports iPhone and iPod touch devices running on OS 2.2.1 or above; all Android-powered phones are supported.
Australian Company Debuts World's Second Android Phone
By Phil Goldstein
An Australian company, Korgan, has launched the world's second phone based on Google's Android platform, debuting two versions of the phone.
The company, which has electronics custom manufactured in China and sells directly to Australians, launched the phone, which it calls Agora, for $194. The other version of the phone, the Agora Pro, goes for $258. Both versions of the phone are unlocked and not tied to any network. The phones are on sale at Korgan's website today, with delivery starting Jan. 29, 2009.
The phone, which looks very similar to the Samsung Blackjack II, features a back-lit QWERTY keyboard, a 2.5-inch touchscreen, microSD slot and 3G connectivity. The Pro version of the phone features a 2-megapixel camera and WiFi and GPS capabilities. The company's founder, Ruslan Korgan, said the phone is the best phone on the Australian market, and was made after soliciting customer feedback regarding the design and capabilities."We worked closely with manufacturers and vendors to develop drivers, software, and tweaks to make the Agora an intuitive and exciting experience for everyone," he said.
"The design and features of the Kogan Agora makes the phone appeal to both consumers and business users. The Android operating system means the handset can capture and play music, photos and video, surf the web, play games, navigate and organize your life with extremely powerful applications." [FierceWireless]
Motorola's First Android Phone to Hit U.S. in Mid-2009
By Jason Ankeny
New details continue to emerge on Motorola's forthcoming social networking device powered by Google's Android mobile operating system. BusinessWeek.com reports the Motorola device will boast an iPhone-like touch screen, a slide-out Qwerty keyboard and a variety of social networking-themed features promising users more direct and efficient access to services like Facebook and MySpace.
Citing sources familiar with Motorola's plans, the report notes that the device maker is already showing spec sheets and images of the handset to its worldwide operator partners, but likely won't introduce the Android phone in the U.S. until the second quarter of 2009.
BusinessWeek.com adds the Motorola device resembles T-Mobile USA's forthcoming G1, the HTC-produced, Android-based handset scheduled to hit retail later this week--however, Motorola's phone will sell for about $150 with a two-year contract, a price comparable to its new Krave. Motorola declined to elaborate on its efforts, releasing a statement noting "We're excited about the innovation possibilities on Android and look forward to delivering great products in partnership with Google."
Motorola is a founding member of the Google-backed Open Handset Alliance, and in late September reports surfaced the firm is seeking to expand its Android development team from 50 members to 350. Citing an Android developer approached by a headhunter to join the Motorola team, TechCrunch reported Motorola is making a significant financial bet on Android in an effort to reverse its sagging fortunes in the handset market; critics have long singled out software as the culprit behind the company's economic woes. [FierceMobileContent]
Visa Expands m-payment Services via Android, Nokia
By Jason Ankeny
Electronic payment services giant Visa said it plans to make mobile payment services broadly available to U.S. consumers by year's end, announcing a series of new initiatives including efforts to develop mobile applications for Google's fledgling Android mobile platform in addition to a similar agreement with handset maker Nokia.
According to Visa, the Android apps will enable Chase Visa cardholders to receive mobile notifications following transaction activity on their accounts, obtain offers from merchants and employ Android's built-in LBS technology to pinpoint nearby merchants where they may redeem Visa offers and locate ATMs that accept Visa. The company will also develop a payment application to enable cardholders to make mobile payments in retail locations nationwide or on the go.
Visa also said it will deliver services including contactless payments, remote payments, money transfer, alerts and notifications for Nokia handsets, beginning with the Nokia 6212 Classic. During the scheduled trial, consumers with Nokia 6212 classic and a relationship with a participating Visa issuing bank may use their phone to pay for goods and services, initiate mobile money transfers to fellow Visa account holders, receive near real-time alerts of account activity and opt in to receive merchant offers and discounts.
In addition, Visa will partner with U.S. Bank to introduce a mobile money transfer pilot program allowing cardholders in the U.S. to send funds directly to another registered Visa customer account. The pilot, which is intended to begin by the end of 2008, represents the first U.S.-based trial testing mobile money transfers between Visa accounts. [FierceMobileContent]
Google, T-Mobile USA Launch The G1 Android Phone
By Phil Goldstein
The G1 has landed.
At a slick press unveiling in New York this morning, Google and T-Mobile USA launched the G1, the HTC-made device that is the first mobile phone to be powered by Google's Android mobile operating system.
Rumors had been swirling for months about when the launch would be, what the pricing would be, and, above all, what the phone's features would actually look like. Those questions have been answered.
The phone will retail for $179, exclusively with a T-Mobile voice contract, and data plans will be priced at $25 per month for unlimited web and email access but with limited messaging and $35 per month for unlimited web and messaging. The price puts it below the $199 pricetag of the 8GB iPhone 3G offered from Apple and AT&T.
The stage has clearly been set for a showdown between the two smartphones as the holiday season approaches, with the U.S. launch of the G1 set for Oct. 22. The phone will work internationally, and is a dual-band phone for UMTS networks and quad-band phone for GSM networks. It will also have WiFi access built in. It works on GSM, GPRS and EDGE, and is UMTS and HSDPA-capable. It is also able to work in 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum ranges.
One of the key elements of the launch that was stressed by many of the speakers was the idea of openness, in terms of applications and a mobile Internet experience. Third party developers will have the ability to add any application they can design to the Android application marketplace.
Analysts had mixed views of the launch. Ross Rubin, the director of industry analysis in consumer technology for the NPD Group, said the G1 has a lot of capabilities that will appeal to T-Mobile's market base. "Android has the benefit of taking advantage of touch screens, large screens, GPS mapping capabilities, better 3D graphics," he said. "Certainly gives it a bit of a leg up in the competitive landscape. Clearly, a very consumer-focused device, which should be very appealing to T-Mobile's consumer-leaning customer base."
He said there was a window of opportunity for the device to be an IPK--an i-Phone Killer--but that he could not speculate on how well the device would do in the long-term. "They have an opportunity to grab some share, because they are licensing broadly," he said. "T-Mobile is going to have, I presume, an exclusive for some amount time with this device, but of course it's the goal of the Open Handset Alliance to ensure that phones are available from a wide range of manufacturers and from a wide range of carriers."
Avi Greengart, the research director for mobile devices for Current Analysis, was slightly less impressed. "What they showed today was a web-browsing, POP3 email, touch-screen device at a good price with well-priced data for T-Mobile. All of those things are great," he said. "But it's not revolutionary. To try to bring the revolutionary aspect to it, the spokespeople said the words 'open' and 'platform' at least 3 dozen times. I stopped counting after a while." [FierceWireless]
First Android Phone to Showcase Google Brand
By Jason Ankeny
With T-Mobile USA poised to officially unveil the HTC Dream--the first handset based on Google's Android operating system--on Sept. 23, The Wall Street Journal reports the phone will heavily emphasize the Google name in its branding and marketing. While most devices note only the manufacturer and mobile operator in question, the Dream (and, presumably, subsequent Android phones) is expected to feature the Google logo, indicating the depth of the handset's integration with the company's web and search services.
The WSJ indicates T-Mobile USA will also introduce new, "aggressively priced" data plans in conjunction with the Dream, citing sources familiar with the matter.According to The Wall Street Journal, the HTC Dream is expected to sell for $199--while T-Mobile USA is targeting the mass consumer market by keeping the phone under the $200 smartphone benchmark established by Apple's iPhone, Google also wants to keep the handset price low to encourage widespread adoption and in turn persuade other operators and handset makers to adopt the Android platform. [FierceMobileContent]
HTC: Report of Android Delay is not True
By Sue Marek
HTC is denying last week's report from Tech Trader Daily that quoted Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research saying that the computer maker was having problems incorporating Google's Android feature set and that the first Android phone would not make its debut until the first of next year. HTC says that an Android-based phone will be available in fourth quarter as previously announced.
Chowdhry isn't the first to question the deliverable date for the first Android phone. In June, the WSJ said Google's Android software suite would likely not show up on handsets until late 2008, as opposed to its original plans to debut Android in the second half of the year. Insiders said carriers are having trouble customizing Android so it promotes their own Internet offerings. Meanwhile handset makers are having problems testing and building custom user interfaces to meet carrier specifications. [FierceWireless]
Report: First Android Phone May Be Delayed
By Sue Marek
More rumors are circulating about when the actual debut of the first Google Android-based handset will occur. The latest report comes from Tech Trader Daily, which says that Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research is reporting handset maker High Tech Computer, which is supposed to have the first Android-based handset on the market, is having problems incorporating Google's feature set. Plus, he says HTC is demanding a guaranteed minimum revenue from Google for using the operating system, which he implies means HTC doesn't think there will be significant demand for the Android-based handset.
In June, the WSJ said Google's Android software suite would likely not show up on handsets until late 2008, as opposed to its original plans to debut Android in the second half of the year. Insiders said carriers are having trouble customizing Android so it promotes their own Internet offerings. Meanwhile, handset makers are having problems testing and building custom user interfaces to meet carrier specifications. [FierceWireless]
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