Posts tagged with google
G1 In Top 5 Smartphone List
Posted on: Posted on May 7, 2009 1:31 PM
T-Mobile’s Android-powered G1 has been around for a while now, and it’s certainly been given enough time to gather some momentum. Fortunately for it, the results speak for itself, and it doesn’t disappoint. In a recent market research, the G1 managed to break into the top 5 in terms of smartphone rankings, which are topped by RIM’s BlackBerry Curve and Apple’s iPhone 3G. Beating Windows Mobile and Palm’s devices is certainly a good achievement in its first foray into the smartphone market.
Android Market Gets An Update
Posted on: Posted on May 6, 2009 11:28 AM
An email from Eric Chu of the Android Market Support Team notifies developers of a few updates for the Android Market. One of the new features allows developers to target new countries for free apps, and local language support has also been added for more countries. Finally, all apps published in the market will need to indicate a minimum SDK version in the manifest file. It’s certainly good to see that Google’s Android Market is progressing nicely.
Google Push Services To BlackBerry
Posted on: Posted on May 5, 2009 6:17 PM
Google has rolled out a new service for folks who own BlackBerry phones. Gmail and calendar items will be able to be pushed to the native client software on RIM’s devices, thus helping Google make more headway into the enterprise market. This service will be part of the Premier and Education editions of Google Apps, giving users no more excuses not to reply to their Gmail messages. Google even has plans to update the service over time, and it’s certainly exiting to imagine the kind of things that Google might offer in the future.
Tags: blackberry, google,
Google Sued Over Android Name
Posted on: Posted on May 4, 2009 11:58 AM
Lawsuits are never a fun thing, and Google is in the midst of another one. It seems that Erich Specht, who owns the trademark for Android Data Corporation, is suing Google (and anybody else who uses the Android name, including T-Mobile, Vodafone, Intel, Motorola and the rest) for using the name “Android”, as he had been granted the trademark for it back in October of 2002. To make matters worse, it seems that Google had filed a trademark application for Android in 2007, but the application was denied due to confusion with Mr. Specht’s. The fact that Google failed to get the trademark that it applied for and still went ahead of it certain doesn’t help Google’s cause. It certainly looks like there isn’t going to be an easy solution to this, so sit back and let’s see how things work out.
T-Mobile Bigfoot Coming This Fall?
Posted on: Posted on May 4, 2009 11:37 AM
A leaked document from T-Mobile shows that a sequel to the T-Mobile G1 will be arriving this fall, dubbed Bigfoot. We’re not entirely sure whether the picture on the document is accurate or not, but with a name like Bigfoot, it certainly isn’t too hard to imagine the device as one that is rather chunky and has a sideways sliding QWERTY keyboard.
Tags: bigfoot, google, htc, tmobile,
Gmail Mobile Gets Mute Feature
Posted on: Posted on April 30, 2009 10:11 AM
Gmail addicts who are using Apple’s iPhone or Google’s Android will most likely welcome the addition of the “mute” feature to Gmail mobile. The feature, which allows you to mute a conversation and keep the additional follow up emails for that conversation out of the inbox, is already available on the full (web) version of Gmail, and the addition of it in Gmail mobile is certainly a step forward in the right direction.
Tags: android, gmail, google, iphone,
Android 1.5 Update Arrives
Posted on: Posted on April 30, 2009 9:23 AM
T-Mobile G1 users are busy reporting that the Android Cupcake 1.5 update has been pushed out by T-Mobile, so by now most G1 users are busy playing with the new virtual keyboard, along with other updates that are included. The bad news is that customized ROMs can hinder the G1’s ability to receive this update, so if you’re on a non-official ROM, then you’ll need to put it back to the original ROM (which shouldn’t be too hard), and you’re well on your way to getting the latest 1.5 update.
Tags: google, google android,
Vodafone Future Android Phones
Posted on: Posted on April 29, 2009 7:54 PM
We’re all fairly used to the idea of having Android-powered devices from Vodafone, but there is a serious possibility of future Android-powered devices to have a little less Google influence on it, and more Vodafone. It seems that is what the carrier is looking to, as it is looking to ditch some of the more familiar Google services in favor of a more basic package, with Vodafone having its own client software instead.
Tags: android, google, vodafone,
Verizon Motorola Calgary Sports Android
Posted on: Posted on April 29, 2009 10:06 AM
Did you ever stop to wonder which manufacturer would be the first to have an Android-powered device on Verizon Wireless? It might be a little surprising, but Motorola might just be the first, with its Android-powered Motorola Calgary phone. The device supposedly will sport a QWERTY keyboard and will have a focus on social networking. Motorola was rumored to be bringing its first Android-powered device to the market by the end of Q2 2009, but there isn’t any confirmation whether the Calgary will fall within that timescale.
Tags: android, google, motorola, motorola calgary, verizon,
Android 1.5 Cupcake SDK Available
Posted on: Posted on April 28, 2009 10:18 AM
Developers can start (virtual) queuing now, as the long-awaited Android 1.5 SDK has been officially released. You’ll be able to download it online if you’re looking to getting your software developed to support the latest version. It will certainly be interesting to see whether the Android 1.5 Cupcake update, or Apple’s iPhone 3.0 update will be more popular.
Tags: android, cupcake, google,
Android Netbook For $250
Posted on: Posted on April 27, 2009 11:01 AM
It’s still not officially confirmed yet, but more pricing speculation regarding the Android-powered Alpha 680 that was reported on earlier has surfaced. While it was previously speculated that the device might even retail for $99, now word is out that it might actually cost $250. It’s not too expensive, but still enough money to make it compete in the same price bracket as some other netbooks, and already some netizens are already drawing comparisons to other netbooks, especially those that come with full blown Windows operating systems.
Android Cupcake Update May Break Apps
Posted on: Posted on April 24, 2009 5:34 PM
It looks like the highly-anticipated Android 1.5 Cupcake update might cause a problem or two for certain existing Apps. Google has tested a number of popular Android apps that are available on the Android Market, and discovered that a large number of them were broken due to “bad techniques” whilst in development. Google has since created a list of 5 things to avoid when building an Android app, which are:
- Using Internal APIs
- Directly Manipulating Settings
- Going Overboard with Layouts
- Bad Hardware Assumptions
- Incautious Rotations
Tags: android, cupcake, google,
Skytone Netbooks Powered By Android
Posted on: Posted on April 21, 2009 5:08 PM
It looks like Google’s Android isn’t going to be content to be available just on mobile phones, as it’s moving to netbooks as well. A Chinese company is looking to bring technology to children in developing countries with its Skytone line of products. The rumored price for its netbooks is $99, which is certainly interesting. Windows and Linux might just have a rather strong contender muscling its way into the netbook market, which can only be good for consumers.
Tags: android, google, skytone,
Google AppWidget For Android
Posted on: Posted on April 21, 2009 10:38 AM
Google seems pretty proud of its AppWidget framework for the Android platform. Such an improvement would allow developers to come up with widgets that users can interact with via the Android mobile home screen. One of the newer features of the Android 1.5 SDK is the ability for users to use widgets to pause and switch music tracks, display live snippets of information and even link to full-featured apps directly on the home screen. It sure looks like Google is intent on giving the iPhone a run for its money.
Sony Ericsson Android Phone Takes Time
Posted on: Posted on April 17, 2009 11:32 AM
Sony Ericsson’s chief executive has said that the company will take some time to develop a phone using Google’s Android. He does accept that it will require lots of evaluation, testing and acceptance from the consumer. Will Sony Ericsson come out with a cool android phone? Or will they settle for something less flashy?
Tags: android, google, sony ericsson,
Google Android Gets Instant Voicemail
Posted on: Posted on April 16, 2009 7:56 AM
Want something a little more sophisticated than the traditional voicemail system? Well, Common Voices, a leader in IP voicemail systems has announced the immediate availability of enhanced voicemail for the Android G1 phones that are on T-Mobile’s network. The service, NowMessage.com, is free, and can help the user break free from the restrictions of a traditional network-based voicemail system. NowMessage sends your voicemail directly to the G1 handset, via your Gmail account, therefore it also saves space on your voice mailbox, and the messages are safely stored in your email. T-Mobile G1 users who are looking to try out the service can sign up via www.nowmessage.com.
Android Market Blocks Cupcake Users?
Posted on: Posted on April 15, 2009 3:35 PM
Some of you might have already installed the Cupcake update for your G1, and as far as feedback goes, the update is certainly worth the trouble of getting it ported and installed on your device. It does seem that there is a little bit of bad news though. Folks with certain Cupcake builds are finding themselves locked out of the Android Market, which is certainly a deal breaker for many. There isn’t any official word on this just yet, but hopefully Google will relent and allow users who are running Cupcake back on the Android Market. The good news is that this ban only seems to be affecting one of two haykuro cupcake builds, as it is stated:
I want to clarify that this is currently only affecting one of the two haykuro cupcake builds. The “G” aka “google-sourced” line. There is a second “H” aka “HTC-sourced” line that is currently unaffected by this Market change. So if you get the “H” build, you’ll still have market access. For Now.
Tags: android, android market, cupcake, google,
Install Cupcake On Your G1 Now
Posted on: Posted on April 15, 2009 3:31 PM
Google certainly looks like it has been sitting on the Cupcake update for quite a while now, and we know that most of us are an impatient lot. The good news is a blogger called haykuro has successfully ported the software from the upcoming HTC Magic (G2) over to the current G1. It might be a little trickier than clicking a button or two, but if you’ve fiddled with firmware updates before, it shouldn’t be too hard. The additional bonus for all your hard work is that the APNs for T-Mobile USA and AT&T already come pre-loaded in the software. Once you’ve got this Cupcake update installed, you’ll probably care a lot less about when Google decides to release the Cupcake update.
Tags: android, cupcake, google,
Google Maps Latitude Finally Works
Posted on: Posted on April 13, 2009 4:38 PM
An update for Google maps has been released, and one of the main improvements is that Google Latitude finally works properly. In case you haven’t been in touch with Google Latitude, it’s a feature that keeps track of your current location and allows it to be shared with your social network, and now it can work in the background.
- Background location updates: Google Latitude background location updating has been fixed and allows you to continue updating your location automatically in the background even when Maps for mobile is closed.
- Auto-restart location updates: If you turn off your phone or it ran out of battery with automatic Latitude location updates enabled either in the background (see above) or with Maps left open, Latitude will respect this choice and automatically restart location updates in background mode when you next turn on your phone.
- Force location updates: Manually refreshing your Latitude friends list also forces the update of your own location if automatic detection is enabled.
- Login errors: Several fixes completed to address multiple causes of login errors for Latitude, such as invalid certificates.
- Backlight behavior: Your device backlight should turn off according to your system settings when Maps or Latitude is left open in the background. Previously, Latitude may have kept your backlight on when in the background.
- Internal error: Selecting a friend in Latitude to see more info and options will no longer cause internal errors on some devices.
Tags: google, google maps,
Google Calendar Updates
Posted on: Posted on April 7, 2009 4:57 PM
Google Calendar is certainly a very useful tool, and it’s of course even more useful when you’re able to access it directly from your iPhone. Now it looks like the folks over at Google have come up with a way to improve it. As usual you’re able to check the week’s schedule, but while previously you would be unable to respond to invitations and change attendance status on the go, you now can! You can go to google.com/calendar/gp from your mobile’s browser to see your schedule, select an even to change attendance status, edit details and add or remove guests. Handy isn’t it?
Tags: google, google calendar, iphone,