Flawed Facts?

Alright, so maybe we weren't gonna get out of the year without another actual post. Today we're hearing that HTC is unhappy with Android. Well, at least according to Stefania Viscusi over at TMCnet. Stefania claims, without substantiation, that HTC is troubled by the underdevelopment of Google's Android platform to a large extent. We're not buying it tough. In the same paragraph, Viscusi says "...Google's Android platform, which was scheduled to be released in the first half of 2008 by HTC."

Anybody paying half attention will tell you it's the second half of '08, but that's not the point here. We need to see more from the HTC camp to convince us that they are not happy. Peter Chou was just singing Android's praises less than a month ago. Something doesn't add up.

So far, we've not heard a whiff of HTC unhappiness. Any readers out there care to shed some light? Full Post

Looking Back, Looking Forward ( Part 2 of 3)

Last week I started this mini-series as my way of looking back over 2007 without making one of those cliched top 10 lists that seem to be so popular the last weeks of December. This way I'm not confined to the past and I have a chance to look down the road a little bit and talk about what we might expect in 2008 from Google and the Open Handset Alliance.

While it was rumored for months, the gPhone never showed up. Instead, his bigger, badder brother, Android, did. Android was the open source operating system that was going to run thousands, if not millions, of ‘gPhones’. Designed as an initiative of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), Android was announced as the platform that would be showing up on handsets made by LG, Motorola, Samsung, and HTC. The OHA is comprised of mobile operators, software companies, commercialization companies, semiconductor companies, and handset manufacturers. Notable names were Intel, Texas Instruments, nVidia, eBay, Synaptics, T-Mobile, Sprint, and of course Google.

Even with all of the great companies involved, Android was not met without criticism. Right away people were taking shots at Andy Rubin, the Director of Mobile Platforms for Google as well as the CEO of Android. They were quick to point out past ventures and projects that are not around any longer. Two of the biggest names to throw rocks at Android were John Dvorak and Robert Scoble. Both had different reasons for trying to knock it down a notch or two. To me, Dvorak's comments were far more off the mark. In fact, I recently sat down with two other AndroidGuys to go over his piece from November 6th. We spent about 20 minutes picking it apart and are planning to release the podcast of it later this week.

Android itself also saw its share of negative press a few weeks back when a small segment of developers voiced concerns over the first release of the Software Developers Kit. Terms like buggy, incomplete, and frustrating were thrown around while Google was called unresponsive to developer complaints. While it was a hot topic for around 2-3 days, the subject cooled once people realized that we’re dealing with a pre-release version months before hitting the market. In the end, it seemed like a select group of developers getting a lot of press. Much ado about nothing.

We’re still a good six months away from Android hitting the streets on phones, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait that long to see it in action. Over the last few months, we saw pictures of it running on a reference board as well as a black version of that ugly white handset from the announcement video. Even more promising is the recent rumor of Google’s two-table setup at the Mobile World Congress expo. February is right around the corner, so we’ll see what goes down in Barcelona. Hopefully, we're only a few short weeks away from the next level in mobile technology.

Check back soon for part three of this series! A few of the topics I’ll be covering include other Google initiatives, changes made by network providers, and of course, the 700MHz spectrum auction.

If you didn't get a chance to read part one, click here. Full Post

Happy New Year!

We're going out on a limb here today and guessing that there will not be a whole lot of news centered around Google, Android, or the Open Handset Alliance. Call it a hunch. We'd like to take this time to thank everyone out there who has visited, commented, listened, and suggested on AndroidGuys over the last two months. We're excited about 2008 and can't wait to see what's in store for mobile devices! Have a safe and happy new year!

In the meanwhile, please check out the Glossary, FAQ's, and Contact Us segments. We've been adding to them slowly in the background. Drop us a line at androidguys@gmail.com and tell us what you think! Full Post

AG5 - December 29th Edition

It's been seven days already believe it or not. Time for the latest installment of the AndroidGuys AG5! With the year winding down, most tech sites started turning to their year end reviews and wrap ups. There was not a whole lot of new Android or Open Handset Alliance news, but that's okay. We're sure we can squeeze out five things worth another look. Read the full post if you wanna see what went down!

#1 - Speculation calls for Android based phones at the Mobile World
This article picked up steam as the week went on. This Barcelona based conference is where all the big boys go each year, save for Apple. They do their own thing with Mac World. Google has two tables lined up so anticipation is running high.

#2 - Android was met with pretty good reviews in the year end lists.
Top 5's, Top 10's, or whatever you call it. Google showed up on quite a few lists and impressed a lot of people. Their name was talked about just as much as Apple and the iPhone.

#3 - People are expecting Android to make major changes next year.
The more Android gets talked about, the more people are becoming convinced that Google is changing the game forever. Of course, if you've been following us for any length of time, you already know that.

#4 - Wind River's CMO dreams of zero dollar phone bills.
This is what we've been talking about on previous podcasts and posts. We could conceivably be looking at free cell phone services paid for by location based advertising! The best part is that it could happen as soon this coming year.

#5 - AndroidGuys continued to change things up.
We went to a two column layout with an easier navigation setup. Also added some easy to find buttons at the top for subscribing to our standard feed as well as our podcast feed. Also saw some additional sponsors added to the page. On Friday, we updated the glossary a bit for those who might need some help understanding some of the language used here.

Full Post

Minor Glossary Additions

Another slow news day allows for us to add a few more items to the AndroidGuys Glossary. If you've never seen it, please stop by.

Care to suggest an item? Leave it in the comments. We check them all the time. Today sees us adding words like 2G, 3G, 4G, GSM, GPS, and GPRS to the mix. Full Post

Another Bold Prediction for Android in '08

Here's one we haven't reported on yet. Although we've seen it pop up in one or two other places, this is the first time we've seen someone so sure about it. Google and Apple are getting in bed together. We told you it was bold! Just thinking about it gets us all tingly inside though.

But alas, the future of the cell phone industry revolves around a partnership with Google and Apple that will probably be formed in 2008, but announced years later...

Read the other 4 predictions from Don Reisinger including the one where he says the Wii will fall flat on its face! Full Post

OHA News (December 28 Edition)

Japan's KDDI won a new WiMAX license
InfoSync is excited to see LG's 2008 line, especially Android based.
DoCoMo got into bed with Google. Again
HTC has some not-so-good news
Okay, so maybe they don't after all!
NTT DoCoMo tore down a cell tower that was 'sickening people'
T-Mobile is ending the year giving free activations
Samsung teased us with things to come Full Post

John Bruggeman Talks $0 Phone Bills

Swing by TechNewsWorld when you're done reading AndroidGuys this morning. There's a 33 minute podcast with John Bruggeman, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Wind River. In the event you don't already know, Wind River is one of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance. John talks about Android being the game changer for the mobile industry. We've mentioned here before that he feels the potential for MID's is vast, but this podcast adds more to his argument.

I don't think that the extreme is that improbable, that the actual connection price would go down to zero. I could have a mobile phone and pay a $0 monthly fee. The ad revenue is where the real dollars are here, as well as all the location-based value that you can do.

If you are new to AndroidGuys, please be sure to check out some of our own podcasts and previous articles as we tackle the subject of free phone service and ad revenue. Very exciting stuff as John reminds us that we're not years away from this potential, it's next year. Full Post

Just an Idea I Had

I wanna share an idea with anyone out there looking for a program to write for Android. Well, not just developers. I had an idea today standing at Starbucks this morning and felt like sharing it with our readers. Imagine this scenario...

For the purpose of this post, I will use Starbucks as the example company. Whenever you (and your Android phone) are within range of Starbucks, your phone vibrates and alerts you that "You may place your order with us now and avoid the line." An applet or API runs on your phone and communicates through the WiFi connection with full drink menus. Tap the button next to "White Chocolate Mocha" while sitting in that comfy leather chair you had to race towards. The barista calls out your name when it's ready. Your profile already has your name in it because you set it up on Starbucks' website. This is where you downloaded the program to begin with. And since your phone has oodles of hard drive space, you can set this up over and over again with different restaurants. Heck, why stop there? Bring up the room service menu from the Hilton or ask for another round of drinks at the bowling alley.

Anybody working on this already?

UPDATE: It appears that Apple is working on something very similar to this right now. Specifically, they are applying for a patent for iPhone users. To be more clear on my post, I did not mean for the mobile devices users to get serviced over those standing in line. More of a convenience thing. Might work better for users in places like hotels, country clubs, or bars. With the ever-delayed Microsoft Surface not seeing the light of day anytime soon, this could bridge the gap. Pull up a menu, place orders, and pay from your seat or room. Think of it as a HotSpot Plus feature that could be adopted by many companies. I hope it does not end up as something patented or locking down to one phone on one service provider.

Respect knuckles to Eric for the comment and heads up!

Also worth a look - GoMobo Full Post

You're Kidding... Right?

A piece written up this week in the New York Times tackles the subject of using a mobile phone for web browsing. There is an alarming statistic in it that says only 13% of Americans are using their phones for surfing the web more than once a month. Our first reaction to this was to lay into Yankee Group for not getting the survey right. Were they asking the questions wrong or were they skewing answers to meet some agenda? How could this figure be so low? Shouldn't that number be closer to 50% or so? Then we asked ourselves, realistically, how many cell phone owners do we personally know who use their device for web browsing?

Truth be told, that stat is probably dead on. Outside of the few of us AndroidGuys running around using our phones for anything and everything, our family members and extended friends aren't tech savvy enough to want or use internet on their phone. Some of them don't even own PC's still. What reasons are there for this? Horrible configuration? Tiny screens? Cost?

Let us know why you are apparently not using your phone for web browsing in the comments below.
Full Post

Looking Back, Looking Forward (Part 1 of 3)

2007 will go down as a monumental year for cell phones and mobile devices. Whether you own a smart phone or not, you at least became more aware of them and their capabilities. Further, people were generally more informed and cognizant of the industry in general. Think about it. Did your local newspaper ever have pictures of people lining up for a 'phone' before? Let's take a look back at some of the bigger topics in the mobile industry from this year. After that, we'll use our magic powers to help predict how 2008 will go down. This is the first of a three part series to wrap up 2007.

The biggest headlines of the year belonged to Apple. Hands down. We saw the iPhone revolutionize the way hardware manufacturers and network providers did business together. Never before was a carrier told how they were going to sell their own products and services. Never before was a company on board with something so quickly without even seeing a working prototype. When it came out, it was lusted after like no phone before it. Prior to the launch, analysts were speculating that it would galvanize the market and force manufacturers to produce revolutionary devices in order to keep pace with the iPhone.

It was not all peaches and cream for AT&T and Apple though as they were criticized for locking everyone down with only one place to go. In order for you to get an iPhone, you had to leave your current provider and risk upwards of $200 worth of early termination fees. You couldn't even buy an unlocked version because of the overall stranglehold the carriers had on consumers. It took some tweaking and 'jailbreaking' before you were able to get it to work on another provider. Even then, in the US, your only choice was T-Mobile. As time went on, other countries began to roll the iPhone out with just as much fanfare and controversy. Litigations and injunctions are apparently not just for Americans.

The best thing this little phone did was show just how flawed the system is when it comes to consumers and their choices. It opened up the door wide enough for people to peek in and see what is on the other side. Even though the door remains shut today, Google is standing there ready to bust it open like a SWAT team with a battering ram. Enter Android.

Be sure to check back for part 2 of this series! Full Post

Android Among '80 Things to Watch in 2008'

JWT released its list of 80 things to watch in 2008. For those uninitiated, JWT is the largest advertising agency in the U.S. as well as the fourth-largest full-service network in the world. Also on the list 'mobile technology explosion', 'SNS (social network service) brand communities', 'Third screen (the mobile screen) rivaling the first screen (TV)', and 'Gphone.' Do these guys know something we don't? Or do we all know something that they don't? Full Post

Rumor Fueling Headline of the Day

Google-powered mobile phones to make a February debut?

Take it easy fanboy. That's a question up there, not a statement. Notice that funny looking thing at the end of the sentence? It seems like all you have to do is slap a questions mark at the end of a headline to keep yourself safe from scrutiny should your title prove to be wrong. On the other hand, if it pans out in your favor, then you can also say "We were the first to tell you..." So, take this article with a grain of salt.

The Mobile World Congress expo starts February 11th in Barcelona and everyone expects Google to be there with some Android goodness as it's already confirmed that they have two stands booked on the floor. The good folks over at APC Magazine are conjecturing that Big G will show off some shiny cool device running Android to get people in a buzz.

It doesn't take someone inside the Googleplex to be privy to information and speculation like this. Anybody who is anybody will be at this expo. All the carriers, developers, vendors, and PR people you could care to see. It's like going to an auto show. So much though, that a lot of times, prototypes and things 'under development' might not see the light of day for years, if at all. Ahem. Duke Nukem Forever.

Other than a catchy tile, the article does show off a few pictures of Android that you might not have seen yet, along with some technical specs.

UPDATE: Corrected date and linked to expo site.
Full Post

I Won an 8GB iPod Touch!

Well, not yet. I sure hope so though. See, The Big Bald Blog is giving away all kinds of neat stuff right now including EntreCard credits, some schwag, and a blog review. Truth be told, We'd love the 8GB Touch, but the blog review would work wonders for us too. If you've been paying attention to our site for very long, you'll see we've experimented with a couple of layouts, designs, ads, etc. Right now, we've got a few sponsors listed over on the right, so to grease some palms, I'm gonna throw The Big Bald Blog up for a while. Stop by and tell him how much you'd really like to see Scott from AndroidGuys win.

Here's the site! The Big Bald Blog Contest Full Post

20/20 Podcast #5B

The second podcast from Wednesday was Jamie, Scott and Lukai covering topics ranging from the Gizmodo photo of Android in the wild, to applications for Android. As always, the 20/20 is broken down into a pair of 20 minute segments covering an array of subjects.

Android in the Wild
Lukai finds the image to be faked.

CallFreq program from Sadko Mobil.
Potential for program as it is and how to integrate into other avenues such as social networking.
How much would we pay for it as it stands?

Hypothetical Android Applications
Location based programs and speech to text.

Digital camera technology in phones.
Where they are now and where they should be.
Jamie brags his Nokia n95 up. Again.

Listen here! Don't forget to subscribe to our standard feed as well as the podcast only version.. Full Post

20/20 Podcast #5A

The first podcast from Wednesday was Jamie and Scott discussing a handful of topics ranging from FCC Bidder List to Google & Motorola to Android SDK Issues. As always, the 20/20 is broken down into a pair of 20 minute segments covering an array of subjects.

700MHz Spectrum Bidders List Announcement
Chevron, Paul Allen, Google

Potential of Google Buying Motorola
Delivering Handsets with Anroid
How would it affect other OHA partners?
Article mentioned in podcast - This Christmas...

Developers not Excited over Android Thus Far?

AndroidGuys Site Announcements

Listen here! Don't forget to subscribe to our standard feed as well as the podcast only version.
Full Post

AG5 - December 22nd Edition

Another week has gone by so it's time for the AndroidGuys AG5! It was a pretty momentous couple of days for Google and the Open Handset Alliance. While mostly positive stuff, they did see a little negative press. To find out what went down, read the full post!

#1 - The SDK was dragged through the mud a little bit
A handful of sites picked up on the same article and each spun it slightly different. The bottom line was this; There are some developers out there complaining about the Android kit and Google's lack of willingness to help. AndroidGuys say relax though.

Further Reading
When it Rains, it Pours
Developers find Android SDK frustrating

Respect knuckles go to the Wall Street Journal for picking up on our story and linking it on Wednesday!

#2 - The FCC told us who was going to bid on the 700MHz spectrum.
Although we're not surprised by most of the list, there were a few names on there which had us cock our heads a bit. Names like Paul Allen, Chevron, and the world's richest man, Carlos Slim Helu were among the left-field entrants.

Further Reading
Paul Allen, Google To Bid in FCC Spectrum Auction

#3 - A Gizmodo reader put thousands of nerds in a tizzy with just one picture.
After seeing pictures of Android on a reference board a few weeks back, tech fans were delighted to see a snapshot of Google's OS on a device in the wild. 4 out of 5 AndroidGuys agree: Very cool! As for the 5th, well, he wasn't entirely sold on the picture being authentic.

Further Reading
The original Gizmodo article can be found here.
Android on RIM?

#4 - Two new programs emerged for Android, whetting appetites everywhere.
One program is designed for maintainingg your frequent contacts while the other is designed for the black-ops spy in all of us. Whether worthy or not, so far they'd be taking home $5M each. That is of course, providing nobody else writes a single program for Android

Further Reading
Android Based Game: WiFi Army

#5 - AndroidGuys shook things up a little bit.
We saw our site getting linked in more places this week than normal and as a result our traffic has increased tremendously. We also stepped our podcast game up a bit and you guys seemed to like it. Finally, we launched a few new series to look for.

Further Reading
And in Open Handset Alliance News This Week
Developer Spotlight Series
Podcasts 4A, 4B, and 4C

Be sure to subscribe to our standard feed as well as our podcast only feed!

Full Post

The 6th Percentile

Are you running Google Docs? Oh you are huh? Liar.

Download Squad has an eye opening piece up today about this application suite. Apparently, 73% of Americans have never even heard of Google Docs with only 6% of Yanks actually using it! Why is this the case? After all, the programs are free pretty much like everything else Google offers. I've got one reason in particular that I think makes all the difference. People are not in the mindset of being able to use applications such as a word processor, or spreadsheet without clicking on that desktop icon. Without any actual CD to install a program, many people just aren't aware that they could handle many of their business needs. Besides that, a lot of computers are coming preloaded with office programs from guys like Microsoft.

With Google trying to help speed the transition from desktop to mobile device, they are going to want to get this unknown software bundle in front of more users. It is expected that Android based phones will integrate many of their programs including, GMail, Docs, Google Maps and Google Calendar. When the time comes to buy one of these phones, will you be learning a brand new system or are you going to be pretty versed by then? Even if you don't anticipate getting a 'gPhone', you should at least do yourself a favor and sign up for the programs if only for GMail. At the time I wrote this piece, Google offers 5.918945 GB of space per account. While it might not be quite as much server space as other providers right now, it certainly meshes better with more services out there. And let's be real here. Are you really gonna need 6GB of storage for email? By the time you get close to filling it, you'll probably have in excess of 10GB or more available to you. In just over a year, I have seen my storage capacity triple.

So what do you do with that kind of space when emails are in the kilobytes as opposed to megabytes? How about saving a word document online rather than on a desktop? Start saving or backing up all of your daily documents online so that you can pull them up from wherever you are. Today, you can log on to any PC with an internet connection and access your files. Tomorrow, you'll be able to do this with your phone, and Android will make it easier than ever. As data connections get faster and more wireless networks pop up, you'll be that much closer to your work. No messy remote software to install so you can pull up a spreadsheet or .PDF when you are at the office and want to pull up something you started at home. With people becoming more proficient and tech savvy, they're reaching for that all-in-one device that keeps them in touch with the world.

So here's what you do, class. Get Google Apps. It includes Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, and of course, Google Docs. It's free, fun, and easy to use. Next time I ask, you'd better be using it. Once you sign on, you can look me up on Google Talk under chewie77. Shoot me a message or record a voice mail so that I know you listened to me.

Full Post

OHA News (December 21 Edition)

• Intel Readies Solid-State Storage for Ultramobiles
• Qualcomm Acquired SoftMax
• Samsung got an A+ from Gizmodo for Mobile Phones & Devices
• NTT DoCoMo spoke with Mr. Jobs about carrying his little phone
• T-Mobile took a giant step towards acquiring SunCom (PDF)
• Sprint Nextel found their new President and CEO

Full Post

Housekeeping Notice

If you've been here before, you'll notice that our logo has changed slightly. Where it used to fit across the top of the page, now it only covers like 70% of it. It is not because AndroidGuys doesn't know what they are doing. You can blame this one on Blogger. Yep, that's right... Google did it.

It started out like this. Scott went to upload the new, darker logo to the site, only to find it kept resizing it. After over 1 hour of pulling hair and blaming himself, he checked the Blogger help group only to find this message.

To set the record straight,we changed the header image page element to automatically resize uploaded images. Now, the images fit the header dimensions. Have you ever tried to upload an image to your blog, but the image was just too big and took up the entire front page of your blog? Well now with the auto resizing, you no longer have to worry about this problem.

Well, that was never really a problem for us to begin with. Reading further down, Blogger responded to a couple dozen irate posts with this...

OK, we hear you loud and clear! We're working on a fix to change header images that should appease those of you who want larger header images. We're sorry for any frustration and inconvenience the original change might have caused. But, we've listened to your feedback and are quickly acting to address the situation. Thanks!

So whenever that gets fixed, our site will stop looking the way it does. Next time, I won't bother with changing stuff until I do some extensive research. Should have left 'well enough' alone! Full Post

Google Using the iPhone as Testing Bed for Android?

Steven Wellman at the Information Week blog perked our ears up a little bit this afternoon with his latest post 'Are Google iPhone Apps Also Beta Apps For Android?' Citing blogger Jon Bradford's argument, Wellman reminds us that WebKit is the basis for both Apple's Safari browser and Google's Andrid SDK.

This kind of changes things a bit for all of those who have been so worried about the alleged bug and flaws in the early release of the SDK. By letting those early adopting Apple geeks be the guinea pigs, Google can iron out and tweak applications. All the while, enhancing their own kit based on their findings.

We at AndroidGuys think this is a very plausible situation. Why not test your stuff on products already on the market? If not for stability and ease of use, then for what kind of adoption rate and interest there is.
Full Post

Android Based Game: WiFi Army

Imagine walking through the mall and your phone vibrates indicating you have a new message. Looking at the screen, it says something along the lines of "Here is your target, take him out." You have come within 300 feet of your opponent. Should you find your target, you will then engage them in a game of 'war.' This is exactly the scenario you are likely to find with WiFi Army. Props to Ubergizmo today for making us aware that such a game has come to fruition for Android. This could be a cool GPS-based game.

Think of the possibilities! A central server with 'agent profiles' stored. You can also be alerted if you are compromised and in the vicinity of another agent. Assign each guy a code number that you can either SMS or email to let your enemy know you've spotted him. Upload a photo of the guy before he gets you. Do citywide and nationwide rankings. Perfect for all the guys who still want to play 'spy.'

Currently, each city is listed with a maximum of 500 participants. The best part? It's 100% FREE.
Full Post

Microsoft Gets In On The Action

Microsoft wants a slice of that mobile ad pie too! The "big M" recently began banner and text ads on its MSN mobile portal in the United States. This one was kind of a no brainer. I'm only surprised it took them so long to do it. You can read the full article here on eWeek. Full Post

Yahoo's Approach To Spreading One Search

Yahoo is taking a different approach to the mobile phone search market. Rather than reinvent the wheel like Google's Android is attempting to do, Yahoo is striking deals with carriers that will make their oneSearch engine a part of their portal. In other words when you log on to search the web on your phone this browser will be the default search engine. According to an article on SearchEngineLand they have already inked deals in Asia, Europe and most recently Latin America. You can read the complete article here.

Yahoo Go is already available on several platforms in the world, including Symbian, Windows Mobile, and RIM. I personally use it myself and I swear by it. While it does run better on handsets that feature decent processor speeds and memory it has become my ultimate all in one solution for checking email, getting directions, and finding restaurants. I fully expect Android based handsets to have Google's own version of Yahoo Go pre-installed. Google are you listening?
Full Post

Google Closer to Acquiring Double Click

According to Google's Developers Journal the FTC has ok'd Googles acquisition of DoubleClick.

"The FTC's strong support sends a clear message: this acquisition poses no risk to competition and will benefit consumers," said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google.

Google is still awaiting a decision from the European Commission before the deal can be finalized. You can read the complete article here. Full Post

Bold Moves In Google's Future?

Computer World asked several analysts to predict some of Google's moves for the future. What's interesting is that Androidguys.com discussed some of these moves in our earlier podcasts. "They'll move into radio and television at some point," says Rob Enderle, principle analyst at Enderle Group in San Jose." You can read the full article here, but I have listed their predictions below.

1. You're Watching ABC Google
2. Get Your Free Google PC
3. Come See The Softer Side of Google
4. Google Buys An Ad Agency
5. Google Applications Finally Take Off
6. Google Offers Local Reviews
7. Google Takes Another Stab At Social Networking
8. Get Ready For The Google Operating System

Full Post

Google's Android The One To Watch in 08'?

DialAPhone lists their phones to watch in 2008 and Google's Android tops the list. "While many were disappointed not to see a shiny new piece of hardware to go face to face with the iPhone, for true mobile lovers Android represents something just as exciting. Seamless integration with Google’s maps, email, search and countless other applications, and an open source platform for developers to create their own mobile software." Expect Android based handsets to top many more lists such as this in the future. Rounding out the top 5 is a 3G Apple iPhone, the Nokia 8800 Arte Series, the Samsung Armani series, and the Nokia 3110 Evolve. You can check out the full article here. Full Post

20/20 Podcast (Secret Bonus Level Edition!)

Thanks to everyone for being patient as we were getting our podcasts in place the way we wanted them to be. More importantly, they are the way they should have been set up all along. As a gift, we are throwing the standard 20/20 podcasts up with an an extra 20 minute segment.

Sit tight for another day or so and you'll get three more by the end of the week as most of the AndroidGuys were able to get together last night and tackle a variety of subjects. Now that the podcasts/feed are working properly, you'll see the content more regularly.You can expect at least two podcasts a week, maybe more. Thanks to anyone and everyone for their help and patience!

20/20 Podcast #4A - MP3
20/20 Podcast #4B - MP3
20/20 Podcast #4C - MP3

Be sure to subscribe to both the standard AndroidGuys feed as well as the podcast only version!

About the AndroidGuys 20/20: We feel that 20 minutes is a sufficient amount of time to cover one subject in depth, without beating a dead horse. At the same time, it also allows for multiple topics to be covered in short segments. It also helps to keep the file sizes down for those with slower connections. Plus, it's a play on words, as we generally cover things in the past week.
Full Post

Android On RIM???

Is this the Android OS running on a BlackBerry?!

Settle down. The answer is a resounding "NO." To put it bluntly, Lukai, one of the AndroidGuys doesn't believe the photo on Gizmodo is legit enough to warrant all the recent hype. He is calling that image a HOAX. In fact, he said it would be easy to replicate that on any type of phone so he spent about 10 minutes in PhotoShop last night making it appear to run on his BlackBerry 8230.

We want to see video of Android in the wild and not the same wallpaper/menu that has been showing up in pictures online over the last few weeks. So consider this a call to action. We want a video of someone running Android in whatever capacity. On top of that, we want to know how you got it and what you are running it on.

What say you? Did Lukai shoot holes in the Gizmodo article or is he just being a Debbie Downer? Full Post

Sadko Mobile Says 'Get Your Freq On'

Another new Android application has found its way onto the internet. CallFreq, is a new generation of a phone dialer that filters for user the most relevant contacts. At present CallFreq retrieves contacts based on frequency of incoming and outgoing calls over a period from one hour to one month. At least according to their site. It's a pretty cool concept when you think about it. Why scroll through all of your contacts when you only need around 5-10 of them on a daily basis?

There is a flash demo that you can play with on their website. You'll also find a note stating "Unfortunately, we cannot actually dial the numbers yet - so the call will most likely not get through. If the call is dropped, you will see a prompt, and then you will return back to the dialer. However, keep trying and you will be rewarded!"

Someone out there with plenty of free time on their hands? Full Post

FCC Announces Full Bidder List... Chevron?

Yup, Chevron has an intent to bid on the 700MHz spectrum come the end of January. Guess who else wants to own some airwaves? Paul Allen. If you're not familiar, he co-founded a little company called Microsoft. To be accurate, he is not bidding alone, but rather with an entity known as Vulcan Spectrum, LLC. Currently, Allen heads an investment company called Vulcan Capital. He's also a majority shareholder in U.S. cable operator Charter Communications.

The FCC has accepted 96 applications and reported 170 as incomplete. The latter needs to be completed by Jan. 4. A mock auction is slated for January 22nd, with the actual one starting on January 24th and likely to take weeks to complete.

Among the list of incomplete applications were smaller mobile operators Alltel and MetroPCS Wireless Inc. Cox Communications Inc., an archrival of the telecommunications companies, is also preparing an application as is cellular technology vendor Qualcomm Inc. who is already building a mobile entertainment network on vacated TV channels. So what the heck would Chevron want with the spectrum?

Chevron, like Google, is unlikely to build a network, Gold said. "I can see them potentially winning but then becoming landlords, renting it out," he said. For both companies, that decision wouldn't be based on the cost of building a network but on the experience required: Neither company has any history of constructing and operating a wireless network, a complicated undertaking.

FCC Auctions Page
Reuters Article
Full Post

When it Rains, it Pours

Looks like the only news about Android over the last day and a half is only negative. It seems as if everyone wants to rip into Google for how bad their SDK allegdely is. We've seen more than a few sites this morning tell us how buggy and unrefined the kit is and how Google is not helping developers.

Has Google stretched themselves too thin? AndroidGuys doesn't think so. Look, we need to remember that we're only one month in here. Props to Google for not slapping 'beta' on the end of the SDK version to get a free pass. We feel very comfortable with the direction Android is going and look forward to newer versions. Look at it this way, we're getting ready to see Windows Mobile 6.1 and yet people still complain about it. You know the adage; You can please some of the people...

Nobody complains (as much) when a game comes out. People are eager to try it out regardless of glitches. You're five levels into a game and it locks up? "Oh well, I expected that. After all, it just came out a few weeks ago. I'm sure they'll fix this over the next few months." Let's not be too quick to attack anybody here. By the time a lot of these news articles were put together, the newest SDK conceivably could have already addressed some of the concerns these developers were ranting about. As far as being stretched too thin? We doubt it. Google takes calculated risks, not blind ones.
Harsh feedback on Google's Android phone developer kit
Developers: Android Doesn't Work
Developing apps for Google Android: it's a mixed bag

And here's one that says "File this under non-news"
Google's Android Beta Buggy. So What?
Full Post

5 Megapixel Cameras Standard in Mobile Phones?

We came across a couple of posts on some other sites this morning that mention Motorola's new line of phones for 2008 possibly having a 5MP camera. We also found an article mentioning phones in the near future with 3X optical zoom and we're all for that. Currently, most people are stuck with these 1.2 and 2.1 cameras that just don't seem nearly as nice as those 5MP+ cameras you can get for under $100 right now.

This seems like a logical step to make as far as hardware is concerned. We're being told from all sorts of people that 2008 will be the year that people stop using 'phones' and start using 'mobile devices.' Shouldn't these people get something a little more comparable to a stand alone camera? Ever try to record a video of a child blowing out candles at a birthday party? With the lights out?

For a brief period, the cameras in a smart phone were more than adequate as they weren't really being used by consumers so much as realtors taking pictures of that home they were trying to sell. Next year, it's expected that more consumers are going to be using smart phones than ever. It's time for the camera/video camera to get to where it needs to be. Processors, memory, and graphics cards will be no excuse. Android phones should see the benefit of having companies like NVIDIA and Intel in the Open Handset Alliance. Full Post

Not Ready for Prime Time?

According to developer Adam MacBeth, Android has so far brought nothing but headaches and frustration. He goes on to say that "functionality is not there, is poorly documented or just doesn't work." He's not the only one complaining either. Tim Wisniewski is one of the more outspoken coders and he finds it "shocking" that some of the "basic" platform architecture don't yet work. Is this the case for all developers? Hardly.

Rick Genter, a professional software engineer who is writing an Android application in his free time, said that while Google's mobile software is buggy, it is not necessarily any worse than any other software at such an early stage. He said there should be plenty of time for Google to tidy things up before Android handsets hit the market next year.

It's not uncommon to see the unhappy people being the loudest in the room. As with anything new, there are going to be plenty of people taking shots at the next big thing. Expectations are running especially high for Android, so we're not surprised by comments like Adam's. Let's not discount the fact that Google released an update to the SDK just last Friday. Perhaps some of the concerns have already been addressed.

We're noticing a lot of small and mid-size developers working on their individual projects and team collaborations. The 'wait and see' approach is most likely what your big time software houses are going to do for the next few weeks and months. The single developers and small teams don't seem to be complaining a whole lot from what we gather. Could be a case of someone with a really big soap box.

So for the developers reading this, are you happy or unhappy with the SDK so far?

UPDATE: You might also be interested in reading our follow-up piece, "When it Rains, it Pours'

Big respect knuckles to the WSJ for linking this article in a piece dated December 19th. Full Post

Welcome New Readers!

We're seeing a steady increase in traffic this week so we wanted to welcome our newest readers. Thanks for stopping by AndroidGuys! If you're looking for a few places to start, may we suggest here, here, and here? You might also want to read through our growing resources like the FAQ, and Glossary.

We've recently launched a few new things here so bookmark us or subscribe to our feed!
Full Post

Slow News Day

Not a lot of Android stuff to talk about today. The biggest headline likely to get us nerds and geeks all excited has to be that Peter Jackson has signed on officially as producer for The Hobbit and its sequel.

Yesterday saw the first picture of an actual Android phone in use, so it's okay with us that there is not a great deal to report on. If you have followed our posts on the Bug Labs device, you might be interested in knowing that they've announced a WIKI project for the recently released SDK. Maybe someone will create some good hardware and/or software to convince fellow AndroidGuy Lukai that it might be worthwhile.

For anyone out there looking to help AndroidGuys gain a little exposure, click here.

It's a 1-step process. Thanks! Full Post

20/20 Podcast #3B

This is the second half of last week's 20/20 podcast where we discussed the comments made by Ralph de la Vega from AT&T and how they claim that they are the most open network in the wireless industry. Also covered, customer satisfaction, expectations for users, and of course the 700MHz spectrum auction. To save a copy of this podcast, right-click here or click the title of this post.

Again, this is a slightly different format for the podcast as we hope it resolves any issues out there for people looking for the mp3's in a 'non-iTunes' capacity. Please tell us if you run into any snags.

UPDATE: To subscribe to our podcast only feed, please click here. Full Post

20/20 Podcast #3A

Part 1 of 2 for the date of December 8th. This is the first of the new format since we ditched our original Week in Review and debuted the AG5. In this edition, we talked about our site, where we came from, and where we are going. We've been up slightly over a month now and we felt like doing a little progress report. To save the podcast, you can right-click and save here.

This is a slightly different format for the podcast as we hope it resolves any issues out there for people looking for the mp3's in a 'non-iTunes' capacity. Please tell us if this works as we are still a little green in the podcast design game.

UPDATE: To subscribe to our podcast only feed, please click here. Full Post

Android Spotted in the Wild

While it's certainly not the prettiest phone we've ever seen, a Gizmodo reader sent in a picture of his phone running Android. According to their guy, "even in early form, it's light and fast, much faster than the desktop emulator at times. And as a long time programmer, he think it's a lot more put together than Window Mobile 5 on the back side of things. Huzzah!

Upon close inspection, the phone looks like it has been taken apart and reassembled a time or two. We'd expect such a thing for a prototype phone or something testing an SDK. Good to see it already out there. It's definitely a step in the right direction Can't wait to see it running something other than that main background and menu screen though. Note to developers: Give us a new wallpaper to look at. Pronto! Full Post

Ribbit Hopping Into The Wireless Service Arena

Move over AT&T and Sprint, there's a new player in town. Well, sort of. Ribbit, a silicon valley upstart has tossed their hat into the wireless provider ring, offering telephony service to compete with the likes of current providers such as Verizon, T-Mobile & Sprint. However, unlike the big boys Ribbit will use the web as it's backbone. You can read the complete article here at ITPro.co.uk. . While they will have switches to route phone calls like other carries, they plan to imbed their services into other applications such as Facebook and business apps.


Full Post

Android SDK Enhancements

December 14th saw a few updates to the SDK for Android. According the official blog, there are additions, tweaks, and bug fixes to the original release. If you're one of those "Release Notes" type person, here you go!

If you've been hiding in a cave for the last 6 weeks, there is a developers challenge with $10M in booty. Download your SDK and get started. Then, tell us what you are working on so we can add you to our Developers Spotlight Series! Full Post

M/C Ventures Has a Crystal Ball

M/C Ventures predicts that globally, 2008 will see more people accessing the Internet via their mobile phones than through desktops or laptops. PCs will still be the primary way to access in developed countries. However, in developing regions, most Internet use will come from mobile phones, helping to bridge the digital divide.

“Mobile broadband is becoming the medium to bridge the digital divide worldwide. Many people in the world, even developed economies, don't have regular, affordable access to the Internet for a variety of reasons, but mobile phones and the business models around them are profitably penetrating even the low income sectors of the economy. Now more than ever, people of many means can use mobile phones to enable their lives. Quite simply, mobile broadband will democratize communications.” - James Wade, managing general partner, M/C Venture Partners.

He also predicts that 2008 will see mobile devices ushering in the second wave of broadband. We consider those bold statements and projections to make. Of course all means of accessing the internet will increase in 2008. As more countries develop and technologies are improved upon, naturally the trend would be to see more adoption. However, we can’t figure how the developing countries will turn to mobile devices for high speed internet when countries like the United States don’t even have a great high speed network in place yet. As far as the second wave of broadband is concerned, there will be a huge jump in users accessing broadband connections, be it via Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or whatever “Wi” you end up with. We do not look for leaps in speeds for PC’s and laptops so much as what is available to wireless users. To us, a second wave of broadband really would faster all around speeds, regardless of device. We’re talking double what is available at a minimum. Full Post

Who is Sirf Technology Holdings?

If you looked at the names of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance, the casual tech fan would probably recognize a little over half of the names. Well about those other companies? What do they bring to the table? Why would they benefit the OHA? AndroidGuys is here to help break down a few of the names of the partners and tell you what you might expect from them. First up is SiRF Technology.

According to Wikipedia, SiRF manufactures a range of patented GPS chipsets and software for consumer navigation devices and systems. What does this mean? It means that the stuff they make for phones will help with location awareness in programs like Google Earth and Google Search. It could also come into play down the road in social networking applications. Consumers would very much like to see location used to enhance their lives by further developing the things they already do with their mobile devices. More and more, users are looking for a that easy-to-use location experience, whether it be for navigation, geo-searching, geo-tagging, or accessing a wide range of location-aware applications and content. Using location as a native feature in the Android, handset manufacturers and network providers can give consumers the out-of-the-box “locative experience” where location permeates everything they do with their mobile devices.

From SiRF's website: SiRF’s extensive patent and intellectual property portfolio improves on conventional GPS by providing location awareness where other approaches cannot, including under dense foliage, in steep ravines, in “urban canyons” and even in some indoor environments. In the constant tension between lost and found, SiRF’s GPS solutions tip the odds in favor of being found.

So rest easy if you plan on spending a lot of time in urban canyons and steep ravines! On a more serious note, this does bode well for those who are concerned with situations where they might end up stranded or missing. Full Post

AndroidGuys: Developer Spotlight Series

Up until now, Androidguys was your premier site for the latest news and opinion about Android and the Open Handset Alliance. As of today, we are going to delve a little deeper and start giving you a little bit of insight into what developers working on Android are running into. The kind of software being worked on, how it will benefit the end user, and what expectations to have are all things that interest us. We're here to pull back the curtain and let you take a peek as to what is going on behind the scenes. Down the road, we will do what we can to get the word out about these developers and their software. We'll even host the software if you'd like.

Our first spotlight will be on one David M. who reached out to us from a post we had on a Google Group. We sent him a handful of questions and asked him to be as vague or as specific as he felt comfortable. Here are his answers.

What type of program are you writing for Android?
We are working on a social networking type of application.

Have you written for any other mobile OS?
No

Is Android easier or harder to write for than you expected?
Even though I have never done anything other than "Hello World" type things in java, I am finding it very easy.

Are you working alone or on a team?
A team

Do you have an idea as to when your program will be available?
I am hoping to have a proof of concept in time for the challenge.
How do you feel Android will impact the overall mobile market?
I personally feel that there is a real potential for it to have a major impact.

Is your program aimed at consumers or enterprise?
Consumers

Do you plan to write more applications for Android?
Definitely

What excites you most about Android?
The fact that the SDK is easy to use; and it's new.

Were you motivated by the Developers Challenge to start writing software?
I was motivated before I learned about the challenge, but the challenge did heat up the fire under my butt to do something.

Thanks David! We appreciate you taking the time answer a few questions.

If you are a developer working alone, or on a team, we want to hear from you! Email us at androidguys@gmail.com and let us know. We'll be happy to spotlight any developer out there, regardless of size or programming skill. Full Post

AG5 - December 15 Edition

#1 - Nokia claiming that Google's Android will offer nothing revolutionary.
A full month after the cellular industry was all abuzz about open networks and service capabilities, Nokia comes out and says that they would have been able to make the same type of announcement a year ago. On top of that, they are slowly building their own alliance of sort.

Further Reading
Nokia Looking to Emulate Apple
Nokia Prepares for Battle


#2 - Endgadget spent some time with HTC's CEO, Peter Chou.
We learned that HTC has been playing around with Android for about two years already! Chou informed us that Android will most likely impact the consumer market for now and then maybe down the road, enterprise users.

Further Reading
HTC Gets More Props


#3 - Android was spotted running on a device this week.
Although it was not a phone, we got to see pictures of Android in action as it was running on a reference board. A few screen shots showed us the main menu, Google maps, and an incoming call. While it may not seem all that exciting at first, it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Further Reading
To Be Clear


#4 - The 700MHz auction got a little bit more interesting this week.
The rumor mill started churning again as we heard that a couple Asian outfits might in the running come January. Some of the names mentioned have ties to the Open Handset Alliance, making potential scenarios fun to think about.

Further Reading
700MHz Auction - What You Need to Know So Far
Google Not in it to Win it?


#5 - Big, bulky PC's and laptops are going the way of dinosaurs.
With the ever growing number of smart phones hitting the market, MID's will find a nice fit with the consumer base as they become more popular. As technology gets faster and more robust, it also gets smaller and less expensive.

Further Reading
It's Time to Start Using That Sweet Little Phone
John Bruggeman of Wind River Touts MID's as Next Best Thing Full Post

Google Really Wants to Win Spectrum?

For those keeping score at home, we've talked about Google wanting to bid on the upcoming "C" block of the 700MHz spectrum in January. Days after the announcement, we started to hear that they might not be in it to win it, but rather, just fulfilling obligations. Well, today we're hearing that now they might be interested in doing everything they can to win after all.

According to a senior vice president of a nonprofit public interest telecom law firm, Google will aggressively bid to win the spectrum, even if they don't plan to directly operate a network on it. He makes a valid point too.

Google is not looking at becoming a direct competitor with the major telcos. Rather, I think they want to use the spectrum to entice people who are network operators to build out the kind of open-access network that Google wants. If Verizon or AT&T buys that spectrum, then Google will have to live with whatever kind of open-access network that the carriers want to build.

Great point, but how much money would it take to do this? The article also goes on to tell us that the impact might not be felt for years too with the high costs and time involved in developing applications and services. Full Post

And in Open Handset Alliance News This Week...

• Sprint Revises Regulatory Fees
• NTT DoCoMo Unveils Child Friendly Handset/Device
• Motorola Up For Sale?
• Intel Creating WiFi, WiMAX, and DVB-H All-in-One Chip
• T-Mobile Sidekick Having AIM Issues
• Yet another 3G phone surfaces for 3g-less T-Mobile
• LG Predicts Steady Profit Margin for Handset Business
• T-Mobile makes Samsung Katalyst official

Full Post

Introducing the AG5

So, what is the AG5? Simply put, it is our revamped 'Week in Review'. We'll be highlighting the 5 biggest things talked about on AndroidGuys from the previous week. Whether it's about hardware, software, or carriers, we'll give you the previous week's wrap up. It'll be a perfect place to stop should this be your first visit to our site as well as a good refresher for those of you who might have missed a day or two. You'll see the link back to our original article, some new commentary, and any other relevant links from around the internet.

You can expect to see AG5's on Saturdays so look for the first one tomorrow!

We talked briefly about doing away with the Week in Review podcast a week or so back. Jamie and Scott were finding it increasingly difficult to schedule time to sit down once a week and essentially rehash articles from the previous week. Both guys work full time and have families outside of work. At the risk of coming across as a 'blog', we'd prefer to set some expectations early on that we all feel we can meet. The last thing we want you to read is one of those posts that start out like, "Hey guys, I know it's been a while, but I assure you, there will be new stuff soon." Although we scrapped the podcast version of the Week in Review, we'll be bringing you twice the 20/20's as before.
Full Post

Google Dropping 'Knol'-edge on Us

It was bound to happen. Never one to just rest, Google has thrown their hat in the ring of community writing and social encyclopedia websites. Judging by the descriptions we're given, it looks like it could be very useful tool for information, much like Wikipedia is today. We know Wikipedia gets a bad rap every so often when someone changes a major subject or erroneously reports something as fact. That probably won't change much as the design itself is what allows for that. Knol looks to take things a step further.

The goal is for knols to cover all topics, from scientific concepts, to medical information, from geographical and historical, to entertainment, from product information, to how-to-fix-it instructions.

Google aims to give authors more of a spotlight than they currently get. Much like how you can read 'about the author' when looking at a book, this will be the goal for Knol. They have a picture up right now for an article on insomnia and it reads like a hybrid of Wikipedia and WebMD. Done right, this would be the first place I go to read about a subject. And you just know that this would be search result #1 when doing a Google search. Head over to the Official Google Blog and read up. We can't wait to see this unfold. Full Post

Year of the Cell Phone

A NY Times piece today talks about how even though cell phones and technology were the big focal points in 2007, next year will be even bigger. The top two items listed for 2007 were 'openness' and 'Google'. You know the AndroidGuys are all about both of these things, so that's why we're linking it.

In particular, 2007 was the year of the cellphone’s marriage to the Internet. All kinds of interesting phones and services were made interesting because they married Internet data with the phones in our pocket: iPhone, GrandCentral, Teleflip, Google Mobile, Pinger, SimulScribe, SpinVox, and so on.

Full Post

Intel Creating WiMAX, WiFi, DVB-H All-in-One Chip

Intel, one of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance, has developed a test chip that ties in three very cool technologies into one. Imagine being able to use WiFi at home and having your phone automatically switch over to WiMAX for you when you leave the house or office. On top of that, you're able to watch digital video broadcasts all the while. Pretty swift stuff!

"There is a shift from people wanting their content any time, anywhere to any device, any network, and the problem is there are too many radios,” said Jeff Hoffman, system architect for the wireless communications lab.

Head over to Slashdot if you care to read some more in-depth 'mumbo jumbo' about its size and what not. Full Post

UK: Google Can Bid Here Too

There's an impending analog switch-off in England just as in the US and there will be enough available spectrum opening up to create a nationwide mobile network.

In the UK the auction of the so-called "digital dividend", which is set to overseen by Ofcom in 2009, will give companies the opportunity to acquire spectrum and launch any number of products including mobile and internet services after digital TV switchover is completed in 2012.

An article at Guardian Unlimited does go on to say that even though they might show an interest in US spectrum, there is no indicator that they would even care to get involved overseas.

"Google could bid in the UK but for me the US is where Google is strongest, and it has a certain amount of infrastructure - a network backbone - that it doesn't have in the UK as far as I know," said David MacQueen, the senior analyst for mobile media at Screen Digest.

Full Post

Mobile Advertising Not Meeting Expectations?

There are several reasons why advertising on your mobile device has not yet taken off, and this article from Business Week Online posted on KTUV.com outlines some of them. "Wireless carriers, meanwhile, have been slow to embrace ads, fearful their customers will be driven away [BusinessWeek, 11/26/07] by floods of text-message spam or banners and pop-ups crowding such a tiny screen". I know the technology exists for text message based advertising because I receive them regularly from a retailer.

I should point out that I had to "opt in" for the ads. How tolerant would wireless customers be of text based messaging pushed to their phone when they didn't opt in remains to be seen. I strongly expect Android based handsets to have the technology to display visual ads on the same during normal use, such as making calls, text messaging or even listening to mp3's. However, with that much data being constantly pushed to your device wireless carriers will be forced to offer unlimited data plans at an affordable price. Full Post

Desktops & Laptops Soon to Be Obsolete?

Paul Higgins of Business Day writing for theage.com.au offers his opinion of where mobile computing is heading, and we think he's right on the money. There's been a lot of discussions surrounding MID's or mobile Internet devices, and Higgins seems to think they will be even smaller than what we might have thought in the past. "A recent story in Wired describes how researchers at Arizona State University are producing computing memory that is one-tenth the cost of flash memory (the predominant memory system in current mobile devices) and 1000 times as energy efficient. A thumb drive using the technology could store a terabyte". You can read the full article here. While it may be difficult for some to imagine a landscape without clunky desktop and laptop computers, with memory and cpu chip set technology continuing to shrink in size, it's inevitable. Obviously it will have to be affordable enough for the masses, but that to is guaranteed to happen. 10 years ago I paid $1000 for a 2 mega pixel Kodak digital camera. Today I can get a 7.2 mega pixel camera for under $100. The times are a changin'.
Full Post

Fear Mongering, Playa Hatin' or Legit Concerns?

When you're done visiting AndroidGuys today, head over to SeachEngineWatch and read what Adam Saroca, GM of Jumptap has to say about Google's offering to the mobile industry. Don't get us wrong, we're all for privacy here. Heck, we love what Ask.com just recently announced and wish Google would adopt a similar plan, but we're not gonna freak out and get all Big Brother on you if they don't. Check out a couple of quotes from Adam and tell us if you think they hold water.

Look at what Google can do with mobile phones: see every contact people dial, track and serve what ads they see. It's clear their intent is to have all search and advertising run through their toolset...

Android is more than just a Trojan horse. Android can take away all search and advertising revenue streams from mobile operators... So tell us, do you think Google is watching every number you dial on your Android phones?

Do you think they keep a database of which cell phones call GOOG-411 and for for what listings? Do you worry about things like this on a daily basis?

Two more things to add, Saroca used to work for Lycos, the Google competitor. And Jumptap? Their website tells us that they "are mobile advertising experts, but search is at the heart of our solutions. We use behavioral targeting to make the ads we display more relevant. More relevance equals higher click-thru, higher conversions and a more positive user experience." Hmmm. Sounds like they offer something very similar to a company that rhymes with "schnoogle." Full Post

Random Facts and Statistics About Cell Users

The following statistics were taken from an RCR News article from yesterday. Some of these may surprise you, some might underwhelm you.

• 13.6% of American homes have only cellphones
• More than 28% of renters were wireless only.
• Nearly 31% of adults ages 25 to 29 lived in households that used only cellphones.
• Men were slightly more likely than women to live in a household that had cut the cord.

The most useless statistic we found? According to the survey, wireless-only adults were twice as likely to be binge drinkers, were more likely to be current smokers and were twice as likely to report not having health insurance as people living in homes with landlines. The entire survey can be found here.

Full Post

It's Time to Start Using That Sweet Little Phone

"Google is no longer someone to watch to see what they do next, they're now someone you watch over your shoulder if you're another company," Forrester Research Inc. senior analyst Charles Golvin says.

That's a heck of a statement, isn't it? Globe and Mail has a write up today that essentially tells us that the time for using smart phones is at hand. Golvin says to keep an eye on Google, Nokia, and Research in Motion as they all will push harder to gain footing in the consumer market. Globe and Mail expects 2008 to be the year of the data plan as surfing the web using a mobile device will become faster and cheaper. They also reference the fact that Nokia has been making Google-like moves by buying up smaller companies along the way. And here we thought it was going to be year of the rat. Full Post

More 700MHz Auction Speculation

We've mentioned here before that the potential bidders in the upcoming spectrum auction do not have to publicly disclose their intent. We've talked about companies here in the US who we know are in and who we think are out. Well, it's time to look abroad now as we learn Asian outfits to enter scrap for 700MHz spectrum.

Business Week tells us that DoCoMo, KDDI, SK Telecom and the Blackstone Group are looking to possibly cough up a few billion to help out Google and Co. in the 700MHz C Block auction. A quick note; The Blackstone Group is a private equity firm that has invested in wireless businesses including Global Tower Partners and Deutsche Telecom (DT), who is the parent company of T-Mobile USA. Although they may not be forming some Justice League type conglomerate, they are at least considering getting their feet wet come January.

So why would foreign companies want to come stateside and play with the other kids? We’re told that the average data bill for someone here in North America is only around $10 a month with forecasts calling for upwards of $40/month in the next five years. Wouldn’t you want a piece of that too?

Oh yeah, one more thing. KDDI, DoCoMo, Google, and T-Mobile are all partners in the Open Handset Alliance.

Full Post

John Bruggeman of Wind River Touts MID's As Next Big Thing

In a podcast interview with Dana Gardner's Briefings Direct, John Bruggeman of Wind River seemed pretty certain that the success of Google's Android rests on the success of MID's or Mobile Internet Devices. "Android will lead, he says, to a new class of potentially free mobile internet devices that do everything a PC does, only smaller, cheaper and in tune with global mobile markets that favor phones over PCs for web connectivity".

He also suggests that Google's business model for Android is going to change the way carriers solicit revenue from its customers. "What’s new [in Android] is the business models that open up, and the new opportunities. That’s going to fundamentally change the underlying fabric of the mobile phone space and it’s going to challenge the traditional operators’ or carriers’ positions in the market. It’s going to force them, as the supply chain, to address this. … Carriers potentially are going to have to embrace completely new revenue and service models in order to survive or prosper." You can read the complete transcript here. In a few of our podcasts we discussed the idea of carriers offering free services and devices, instead gaining revenue from advertisements, so it's good to hear someone in the industry give credence to this concept. We are only 6 to 7 months away from the launch of the first Android based devices, and while the the handsets excite me, I am even more curious to see how the carriers offer them to their customers. Full Post

Guest Blogging Again

Scott's article on what you need to know about the 700MHz spectrum so far was picked up by the guys over at AskTheAdmin. Head over there to read all kinds of good tech stuff that you might not find anywhere else. Thanks again to Karl and the other admins over there for showing some love to the AndroidGuys! Full Post

Nokia Prepares for Battle

Still smarting from being snubbed by Google to join the OHA (Open Handset Alliance)Nokia is hard at work fighting back. Unlike Google they are taking a different approach by purchasing other companies and dumping money into developing them, rather than hoping developers write software for their OS. You can read the complete article here on Today@PC World. Does this mean Nokia will never become a member of the OHA? My guess is not any time soon. A shame really, but never say never. My guess is that Google and Nokia will eventually find a reason to make nice. Nokia is the largest handset manufacturer in the world, owning some 39% market share, and that could translate into a lot more handsets running Google's Android. Full Post

Nokia Looking to Emulate Apple?

In a move that can only be seen as flattering to the Apple iPhone business model, Nokia is looking to copy their approach to mobile operators by sharing revenue. Nokia states it has no desire to charge a "kick back" to mobile operators for handsets, but instead will attempt to use this same model from the service side, such as music or navigation services. Now I love Nokia's handsets, particularly their Nseries, but here in the states you will be hard pressed to find a service they offer on US networks. I can see this model working overseas, but even that isn't a guarantee. Mobile operators generally like to sell their own services, and now you're going to make them share the revenue they make by selling yours?. You can read the complete article here at Pocket Lint. I am sure there are folks smarter than myself running Nokia, but this one seems way out there. Now if Nokia offered a product or service that none else did, such as the iPhone I would give it a greater chance of working. I think this model works far better with hardware than it will with software and services. Good luck Big N. Full Post

Android in Action

The image you are looking at is of a core module/reference board running Google's new OS Looking closer, you'll notice a phone call coming in while using Google Maps. One can imagine a group of nerd-types standing around like Alexander Graham Bell when they fired this up. The march is on and it will be sooner rather than later, that we'll see more pictures and videos hitting the internet.

Respect knuckles go to Digital World Tokyo for the heads up. And have fun over at Keitai Watch trying to make sense of the article. There are a few pictures worth perusing though. Full Post

HTC Gets More Props

You may have gleaned from our pod casts that we are huge HTC fans, and it's always good to hear other people singing their praises as well. HTC saw revenue increases in November 07', as well as 2007 overall. You can check out the full article here at InformationWeek It may very well turn out that HTC will be Google's most significant handset manufacture in the OHA. GO HTC! Full Post

LiPS Forum completes mobile Linux spec

Competition is healthy, and Google's Android is going to see it's fair share before it's all said and done. In an article found on The Register, LiPS (Linux Phone Standard) announced completion of the LiPS Release 1.0 specifications on Monday. They claim their platform will truly offer interoperability unlike Google's Android. Looks like the wars are beginning to heat up, and we as consumers will be the beneficiaries. Game on! You can read the complete article here.
Full Post

Motorola up for Sale?

Dell, HP, RIM are names being thrown around today as potential buyers for Motorola should they be acquired by a competitor. Now, a Motorola sale is not something new as this has been brought up before. What gives this more leverage now? Could it be the CEO change? Stock is down and they seem to be struggling to stay afloat with other companies like Samsung and Nokia cleaning up. How will this bode for the Open Handset Alliance should something develop? Would the new company be grandfathered in or could they decide to pack their bags and leave? Rest assured that AndroidGuys will have more on this as it develops.

CNBC: Motorola For Sale?


Full Post

iPhone,Android Take Different Approaches to Security

On application security architecture, Android gets an “A-minus,” while the iPhone gets an “F.” The next category is “openness,” which refers to the ability of outsiders to see into and contribute to security of the device. In this category, open source Android (graded “B”) tops the proprietary iPhone (”D”).

Read the rest of this article at IT Business Edge. Full Post

Hop On To Develop Dual Service Handset for Verizon & AT&T

We've been waiting for a handset manufacturer to develop a handset that utilized GSM and CDMA technology capable of “on the fly” switching. Who would have guessed that Hop-On would be the company to deliver it? The US based company is said to be working on a handset that will be delivered to Verizon and AT&T, and since it’s GSM there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work on T-Mobile’s network too. This is a huge step in opening up the US wireless market. It may also start more take over & buyout rumors…..stay tuned. You can read the full article by clicking here. Full Post

HTC's CEO Talks Android

Engadget Mobile was able to sit down and spend some time with Peter Chou, the CEO of HTC. If you are not familiar with HTC, they are the first name mentioned when it comes to Windows Mobile phones as they pretty much design everything out there running the OS. Hopefully, they'll be synonymous with Android phones a year from now. Being part of the Open Handset Alliance, we are happy to share some of the items we pulled from their interview.

The first thing that grabbed our attention was how long they've been working with Google and the OHA on Android.

Two years. More than two years.

He also mentions that initially, Android phones will be more consumer based whereas WM phones will be enterprise. He's also asked about their relationship possibly changing with Microsoft now that they are signed up with the other OHA partners. All in all, there are plenty of things to pick up on as it's a pretty decent length.

To read the full interview, head over to Engadget Mobile. Full Post

NTT DoCoMo Unveils Child Friendly Handset/Device

In an emergency, the child can quickly switch on the phone's 100-decibel alarm, which produces two types of noise alternately. When the alarm is activated, the phone also emits a bright light (high-intensity LED) that is easily visible to people in the surrounding area.

The phone can be set to automatically notify loved ones when the alarm is activated, and provide the handset's current location as well. Computer-generated phone calls can be placed to up to three registered numbers and messages can be sent to registered individuals who subscribe to the i-mode™ location service called imadoco search™. In addition, the child can discreetly message their location to a registered imadoco search user by simply pushing a button on the side of the phone.

Read the press release here Full Post

To Be Clear

AndroidGuys would like to spend a few minutes and shed some light on that Bug device we talked about last month. Our post was not entirely correct in its title of First Android Capable Phone Goes on Sale in December. If you spend a few minutes on the Bug Labs website, you’ll definitely get the sense that they are not trying to pitch a ‘phone’ to you. Instead, they talk about this ‘device’ and all of its great features. This is among the first to really transition away from the idea of something that makes and receives phone calls as well as having all the cool features that smart phones are incorporating. We'll end up seeing more and more people referring to their 'mobile device' that just happens to act as a phone. This will happen slowly over the next couple of years. Taken from their website we learn the following about what will come standard with the base.

BUGbase is the foundation of your BUG device. It's a fully programmable and "hackable" Linux computer, equipped with a fast CPU, 128MB RAM, built-in WiFi, rechargeable battery, USB, Ethernet, and a small LCD with button controls. It also has a tripod mount because, well, why not? Each BUGbase houses four connectors for users to combine any assortment of BUGmodules to create their ultimate gadget.

In this quarter, we can expect to see a few modules launched with the device such as GPS, Digital Camera, Touch-sensitive, Color LCD Screen, and Accelerometer, Motion Sensor.

First quarter of 2008 should see a few more. Look for Touch-sensitive, Color LCD - 2X, Mini-QWERTY Keyboard, Teleporter, and Audio Speaker, Input/Output Mini Jacks.

To be clear, the Bug is not really going to be the first Android capable phone so much as the one of the first Android capable devices. This fits in with our idea that we could see devices like digital cameras, DVR’s, and ebooks running on Android.

Now, the Bug doesn’t seem quite as bulky when you think about what you’d be carrying around. And just what is a 'teleporter?"
Full Post

Nokia Claims Google Offers Nothing New

Nokia says it was far ahead of Google on new cellphone technology

We've seen an announcement," Nokia's chief executive, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, said with a spoonful of sarcasm. Conceptually, we could have made that announcement a long time ago.

There are some very interesting things to glean from an article over at International Herald Tribune today. For instance, apparently Google was inviting select companies to join the OHA and did not extend and offer to Nokia. Also, the Nokia n95 has sold twice as much as the iPhone so far. Give it another 6 months, and that may all change. As far as their claims that the OHA really won't offer much in the way of new technologies, AndroidGuys thinks there is more up Google's sleeve than they are letting on. If Google did not 'invite' Nokia, then one has to ask, why would they not want to partner up with the world's largest phone company at least in some capacity? How much truth to those comments? Sour grapes?

We're curious now. Who else did not get invited? Full Post

Nominate AndroidGuys!

Together GigaOm, Read/WriteWeb, VentureBeat and TechCrunch are pleased to announce that nominations for the inaugural 2007 Crunchies Awards are now open.

We created twenty award categories to recognize the year’s most innovative technical, creative and business accomplishments of key companies, products and people. We hope you’ll agree that the award categories are good reasons for celebration and fit for a proper ceremony.

For what it's worth, we're gonna throw our name in the hat and see what happens. We don't expect to pick up any votes. In fact, we have no idea how big The Crunchies really are. If you guys like our site and want to help us garner a little bit of attention, please click the big blue badge to the right and vote AndroidGuys as Best New Startup of 2007. Voting ends December 12th!. Full Post

Odiogo Podcasts

Take a look to the right of the page and you'll see a little button to subscribe to our feeds with Odiogo. We're gonna try it out and see if you guys like it. For those of you 'on the go' who'd like an audio version of our posts, this will be a Band-Aid until we find our long term solution. You can also click on the 'listen now' at the top of each post if you'd like to just listen to one post.

From Odiogo's website:

Odiogo converts dynamic web pages into high-quality audio files.
Odiogo uses sophisticated algorithms to filter-out the non-content item (links, legends, ads, etc.) of your web pages. This "cleaned" content is then processed by advanced text-to-speech technology to produce nearly human quality audio output. The files Odiogo produces can be easily uploaded into an iPod/MP3 player, listened to on a mobile phone or played on a PC or Mac.

Let us know if you guys know of a better solution! We're all for it.
Full Post

700MHz Auction - What You Need to Know (So Far)

Could you carry on a conversation about the impending spectrum auction if someone were to strike one up with you? Don't worry about it, most of us can't. Not to worry though, AndroidGuys is here to help explain a little bit more about this 700MHz spectrum that seems to be a big buzz term in the tech community lately. You’ve probably seen quite a bit written up recently about who may or may not be bidding in the auction come January, especially last week once Google made the announcement signaling their intent to participate. Today, we want to tell you a little bit more about what the 700MHz is used for, what it could potentially be used for, and why it has been making headlines. This way you gain an understanding as to why companies are ready to plunk down over $4.6B next spring.

Currently, the spectrum is being used for analog television broadcasts. As we all know, in February 2009 we will no longer be seeing that as we are transitioning to digital television. This spectrum would work well as an alternative to DSL or cable internet providers as it travels easily and penetrates walls. It would be very enticing to businesses already in the wireless game, as it could be how they’d end up providing high speed internet to their consumers. It could also be a great way for companies to get their feet wet offering their own services.

So now we come to Google’s involvement and why it was a big deal that they announced their intention to bid. Back in the summer, Google petitioned the FCC to enforce rules on the companies who intended to bid on the spectrum should they end up winning. The biggest provision made was that it would require the winner to support any wireless device or any software application. Verizon fought these requirements for a while and at one point tried to sue the FCC. Ultimately decided to drop their argument and make nice. In a change of heart, they even announced their “Any App, Any Phone’ initiative last week.

With Google recently making headlines with their ‘intention to bid’, many are asking how serious this bid really is and whether or not Google plans on seeing the auction through to the end. A lot of people have speculated that Google will make the introductory offer of $4.6B and bow out. It’s been said that they only intend to bid because they were the company that had the FCC make provisions to the rules.

The auction does not begin until January 24th but that doesn’t mean we don’t know who is going to participate. So far, we do know that besides Google, we’ll also get bids from Verizon, AT&T, Cox Cable, Echostar, Leap Wireless and Frontline Wireless. The actual list might be slightly larger because companies only had to notify the FCC of their intent secretly and not publicly. Names that are noticeably absent from the list are Time Warner, AOL, Comcast, Sprint, and Clearwire. These are names that have been essentially confirmed as not partaking in the event. The auction is likely to last several weeks or months, but one thing is certain; Come February 2009, someone else will be broadcasting on 700MHz. Smart money says Google have their search engine, applications, and ads in place regardless of who wins.
Full Post

All Your Files Are Belong to Hackers

A couple weeks back, we had an article telling you about SMobile’s plans to release software for Android called SecurityShield. Well, they’re back in the news today and they’re bringing a little bit more doom and gloom. According to them, those of you who plan to use Android based phones should be conscious of the phishers and spammers out there looking to take advantage of your device.

Its Linux-based operating system will quickly enable hackers to explore and eventually exploit any security holes in the core Google software as well as third party software…

We’ve seen what can happen with the iPhone and it truly is a scary thought. For those of you out there who simply say “I just don’t put anything on my phone I care about if I lose it,” you should still be concerned. Software can be installed on phones to do simple things like make random phone calls, access virulent websites, and delete data.

With more ways to communicate from device to device popping up all the time, you have to take extra steps to make sure you’re not leaving anything to chance. Turn your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off when you don’t need them. And for crying out loud, do not visit websites that show up in unsolicited emails.

SMobile has monitored an explosion in mobile viruses around the world; there are now more than 400 identified mobile viruses.

SMobile Predicts Spike in Mobile Viruses Once Google Phone Hits the Market
Full Post

AT&T: 'We're more open than you are!"

Sprint and T-Mobile have already committed opening up their network in at least a software capacity by joining the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) and pledging to adopt Android in some of their handsets. This could hardly be called 'news' as it was announced a month ago. However, as the OHA works to put together the handsets set to roll out in 2008, the eyes of the tech community start to pan back and forth at the current offerings from the other major players. Customers are asking their current providers what their plans are for next year and whether or not they will either A) join the OHA or B) open their network in some form as well.

Last week saw the announcement(s) from Verizon that they may or may not adopt Android, as they plan to open their network up with 'Any App, Any Phone.' Not to be outdone, AT&T has come out and claimed that they are "the most open wireless company in the industry" and that AT&T already offers all the things Google promises to bring with Android. Sure, you can take any phone that takes a SIM card, unlock it, and use any other providers' card. You can also put an AT&T SIM card in any unlocked GSM phone in the world. Do these things make it an 'open network' though?

While headlines like "AT&T flings cellphone network wide open" and "Verizon Wireless Announces an Open Cellular Network" certainly garner attention for a week or two, they don't amount to much more than acts of bravado by the two biggest carriers in the US. A lot of what we are seeing right now is reactionary. Google comes along and shakes things up in the cellular industry. Two weeks later, #2 says "Hey, we're down with open network stuff too." Now you've got everyone looking at the biggest player in the game, wondering what they are going to do. They come out with a statement that doesn't amount to anything new, but it grabs the spotlight for a few days. "Man, we've been open all along!"

This goes back to our point we made early on when Android was announced. The first phones and software applications haven't even rolled out and Google has already made things better for us here in the US.

Ok, readers, let's hear it. Is AT&T already 'open' in the same sense as what we'll see with Android? Full Post

Week in Review (12-01-07)

At the risk of coming across as a "blog" run by a couple of guys, we present to you what will most likely be the last Week in Review podcast. We're not doing away with the WiR itself, just the podcast version. The AndrdoidGuys staff has come to the decision to start offering our 20/20 roundtable discussions on a more regular basis. Rather than twice a month, we expect to be able to bring you 2-3 of our 20/20's a week. These will be comprised of any 2-5 of our staff sitting down to discuss recent events and activity in the Google/Android/OHA/Anything relevant industries. It will provide you a chance to get to know our staff on a more personal level. Hopefully, you'll find a personality or two that you can associate with.

We were finding that it had become increasingly difficult to schedule time for Jamie and Scott to sit down on a weekly basis to discuss the last 7 days worth of events. We'd like to avoid the feeling of 'a few guys running a site' and bring you the most consistent content possible. Watch for a more in-depth review on Saturdays. This will be a great way to circle back and get any late additions to news we've already reported on.

Verizon: Using Android or Not?
Sprint Rejects Investors and SK Telecom
Motorola Announces CEO Change
Google Bidding on 700Mhz Spectrum

Full Post

Thrifty Thursdays!

We've created a special store on Amazon.com specifically aimed at cellular phones, smart phones, and accessories. If you are looking to order a gift for that gadget lover in your life, please click through our link here and shop the AndroidGuys store. We'll try to bring you special finds each week as we encounter them. With the holidays fast approaching, now is the perfect time to order that gift for your favorite techie.

This Week's Special Deals

• SanDisk 2GB Memory Stick Micro w/ Adapter - $31.50
• Standard Travel Charger for Blackberry 6210, 6230, 6510, 7510, 7280, 7230 - $14.99
• BlackBerry 8100 Pearl myFaves Phone (T-Mobile) $0.01
• Firefly "Cingular Branded" Phone (AT&T) - $.01
  

Full Post

Verizon Not Adopting Android After All?

Looks like a literal case of 'he said, she said' when it comes to Verizon and whether or not they plan on using Android as part of their product line. Did McAdam jump the gun and release information that he wasn't supposed to or was he simply not informed well enough? What about what we're hearing today from Nancy Stark? Who has more of an inside edge? Your guess is as good as ours is.

We're planning on using Android. Android is an enabler of what we do. Chief Executive Officer Lowell McAdam speaking with BusinessWeek.

Verizon has not yet decided whether we will use Android in any of the devices we ourselves offer," said Nancy Stark, a Verizon spokeswoman.

Ok readers, who do you think is right here? Full Post

Glossary Update: Mobile Operators/Network Providers

If you haven't had a chance to check out the glossary, now is the perfect time. Bring yourself up to speed on pretty much anything you need to know regarding Android and the Open Handset Alliance. For those of you already familiar with the glossary, today finds us bringing you the addition of the mobile operators/ network providers involved in the Open Handset Alliance. Stop by for a primer on China Mobile, KDDI Corporation, NTT DoCoMo, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Telecom Italia, and Telefónica. Full Post

Google Unveils iPhone Application

Google, seeking to replicate the success they have had so far on desktops, has launched a new application making it easier to find, use and switch between their services on the Apple iPhone. If you point your browser to Google.com on your iPhone, you'll end up with a screen that looks much like the image to the left of this article.

The Reuters article goes on to say the company is also developing new mobile technologies that are faster, easier to use, and available on more devices. Essentially, things most of the world already knew.

Reuters Article Full Post

New Poll

UPDATE: POLL TAKEN DOWN

On the right side, you'll notice a poll regarding our podcasts. We are wanting feedback on whether or not you listen to them, and if so, which one you prefer. Currently, we are considering switching our Week in Review to a text/link based post without a podcast and switching our 20/20 roundtable discussions to weekly. Let us know what you think of the 'casts either here in the comments or in the poll. Full Post

Topic for Discussion

Do you plan on changing service providers based on who will be carrying Android capable phones? Why or why not? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Full Post

AT&T Next to Open Up?

Now that Verizon has hinted at the possibility of adopting Google's Android, and even opened up their own network albeit half-heartedly, how soon before Cing.....er... AT&T follows suit?. I know in the past AT&T said they weren't ruling anything out in regards to Android and the OHA, but the wireless industry is very competitive and I guarantee AT&T is asking themselves how they too can best announce their plans to open up their network. Even though AT&T leads Verizon in subscribers, the difference isn't great enough for AT&T to rest on its laurels. I would expect some kind of announcement by AT&T in the next 30 days, if for no other reason than to put some of their own subscribers interested in Android at ease, and to steal some of the thunder Verizon may have earned. I think we can safely assume that if one joins the OHA, the other will not be far behind, and that's good for all interested parties, especially Google. Stay tuned for more news on this one. This one is only beginning to heat up.
Full Post

Verizon Adopting Android?

As reported last week, Verizon has decided to open their network up with 'Any App, Any Phone'. The first question asked by tech insiders was whether or not this meant they were part of the OHA or just reacting to it. News coming out of Silicon Valley today indicates a desire on Verizon's part to adopt Android into their product line.

Chief Executive Officer Lowell McAdam says it now makes sense to get behind Android. We're planning on using Android," McAdam tells BusinessWeek. "Android is an enabler of what we do.

This is great news should it pan out the way we anticipate. Even if they do not officially integrate Android somehow, and instead open their network up in their own way, it just goes to show how far reaching Google's foray into the cellular market could be. As mentioned here before, Google might not sent the world on fire with Android, but they may end up lighting a fire or two under some butts.

BusinessWeek has more. Full Post

Link Roundup

Google's Android vs. Apple's iPhone: Which is More Secure? - IT Management
Are Mobile Torrents the First Big Trend of 2008? - ZD Net Full Post

Qualcomm hard at Work on 700Mhz Chipset

Monday found Qualcomm announcing the RTR6570, the first chipset designed with 700Mhz in mind. This chip could connect both to a CDMA network as well as an HSPA or UMTS networks, meaning both T-Mobile and Sprint could take advantage of this technology. With Qualcomm being one of the founding partners in the OHA, it will be interesting to see just who gets this design first.

Read more here.
Full Post

Mysterious HTC Device Outed by FCC

The HTC Dream. The Omni. Now, the Clio. So far, we have three names for what seems like the same device. Whatever the name, the FCC has just approved a mysterious new mobile device from HTC. What is known from the filing is that this product supports GSM, EDGE and HSDPA, connectivity includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0, and the two cameras implies 3G videocalling abilities. Sounds like this could be the first T-Mobile handset featuring Android Full Post

Things that Google Will Help Revolutionize

Scott here with a list of things I fully expect to be affected by both Google's Android platform as well as the 700Mhz spectrum opening up in 2009. Whether Google wins the auction or not, I still see these as being viable.
Digital cameras and printers will be the first things that see drastic changes made to the hardware. We're already seeing major developments with the Eye-Fi card out now for digital cameras and some manufacturers making wireless printers for consumers. Being able to take a picture and uploading to a Flickr account is great when you are in range of Wi-Fi. Imagine how much better it will be when you can upload to your account when you're at the park or the beach. Just yesterday I was at a Christmas parade and my brother-in-law had to start deleting pictures because his card was full. Why sacrifice quality for quantity? We knew there was at least another 20 minutes worth of stuff to shoot and here we were, trying to figure out which pictures we could most afford to live without. Look for the capability to upload to pretty much any website, blog, or photo hosting site directly from your camera in the next 12-18 months. Same goes for wireless printers.

Expect to be able to print from your camera, phone, or laptop whether or not you have a wireless router in your house or not. Think bigger. Taking pictures at a birthday party and printing them out on the way home. This brings me to the next point. Remember the early digital picture frames costing $200 and only displaying one picture at a time? How about today's frames for under $50 with rotating images? Gone. You will see picture frames with the capability of sending pictures directly from a camera and other mobile devices. "Hey grandma, check out the video of Sandy blowing out her candles! I'm sending it to your frame right now!"

Remote operation of computers and laptops will change too. No more configuring and tedious setups. Link the devices up one time and then be able to send and receive data between the two from pretty much anywhere. Get your pictures and music from wherever you are and use pretty much whatever device you want. Access your entire MP3 library from your player while on the road. Use your car to stream your collection on that long trip.

Forget that 8GB MP3 player hanging around your neck. I'm talking central servers holding everything you have. Google gives you 5 GB of space with gmail already. They just announced last week that the gDrive is on its way. There are sites offering 25-50GB of free storage already. A year from now, you will have hundreds of gigs of space with everything you have stored. Accessible from anywhere. A virtual ATM machine where you can deposit and withdraw your files.
Full Post

Developers: Android a Breath of Fresh Air so Far

A few weeks have gone by since software developers were able to get their hands on the development kit released by Google. The early reviews are coming back and thus far they seem to be pretty favorable.

It seems that what we're seeing with Android is a ground-up approach to application development... It's a pretty decent first effort. I'm going to guess that we'll see a lot more refinement, but it's a good start.

Application designer Sean Moshir gives Google high marks for enabling peer-to-peer communication, allowing phone devices to send/receive data with other devices. This intrigues us here at AndroidGuys as we say this is one major avenue to watch. 2008 will be a pivotal year for torrent applications, especially with the emergence of mobile torrent programs. Read the full article here.
Full Post

Google Not In it to Win it?

By now, you've undoubtedly heard Google will be bidding on the 'C' block of the 700MHz spectrum come January 24th, 2008. It's only the biggest tech headlines these last few days. Many out there are hypothesizing as to what will happen should Google win the auction. Om Malik of GigaOM thinks that Google's bid will not amount to much more than an early amount set in place to disrupt the auction and drive the price up on bidders like AT&T. He likens it to the opening move in a high stakes poker game, using Eric Schmidt's own words to back his point.

No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.

So readers, what do you think? Is it a game of bluff? Is it Google's way of 'sticking it to the man'. Or could it just be one more point of view?
Full Post