It wasn't too long ago that Google announced their OHA (Open Handset Alliance) and the Linux-based Android platform. Once Android demonstrations started popping up all over the blogosphere, we couldn't wait to get our hands on an Android-powered device. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait longer still. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google's [...]

If you're feeling a tinge of deja vu all over again, it's because this has all happened before. HTC, long known to be developing a handset running the Android open-source OS, has finally come out in the open and announced that their Android handset will be called the "Dream." Back in the early days of the [...]

Ever since Google blitzed the blogosphere with their Android and OHA announcements, we’ve been waiting on news of manufacturers tooling up their Android-based wares. It looks like Willcom, our favorite wacky-mobile-phone manufacturer in Japan have an Android-based reference board up and running. The image you see above is the Willcom reference board running Android on a FreeScale CPU. What’s interesting is that the image shows an incoming call while running Google Maps. Multitasking may not be as spectacular as we’ve come to expect from other OS’s but at least we have some pretty good evidence that Android will be able to do some multitasking. [Via: Digital World Tokyo ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:HTC could ship 1 million Android handsets in 2008Synaptics jumps into Android party; To provide its touch interface driverPalm says "NO" to AndroidGooge cultivating Android development community with $10 million petri-dishSymbian answers to Android threat: We've heard it all before!

Google’s announcement of Android was big, there’s no doubt about that. But, the OHA and Android aren’t the only group to push for an open-source mobile phone movement based on Linux. The LiPS (Linux Phone Standards Forum) Forum has been championing the Linux cause for handsets on the open-source tip. With the might of Google behind it, Android and the OHA stole the show - almost banishing the LiPS Forum to obscurity - until today. The other Linux movement has finalized the specifications on their Release 1.0. LiPS aims to “enable mobile industry players to achieve basic interoperability for applications and services deployed on Linux-based phones,” in order to foster the development of services and compatible devices. And, with LiPS good to go, the open-source handset market can look forward to “interoperability through real open standards and specifications, not de facto acceptance of single platform implementation.” So, just what is the difference between an open-source model and the more traditional (ad-hoc) model? These charts should give you a good idea: Traditional (ad-hoc) model Open-source model We’ve heard it all before. But more competition hopefully means better innovation and hardware offerings. Next step? Get some hardware manufacturers and developers to back LiPS’s wares. [Via: Linux Devices ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Android is out and I feel let down, almost embarrassed I hyped it so muchPalm says "NO" to AndroidGooge cultivating Android development community with $10 million petri-dishHTC plans to release 2 to 3 Android based devices in 2008Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer on Android: It's just a press release

In the wireless industry, the best weapon any one carrier has against their rivals is the mighty pen. Well, it’s more like the “mighty keyboard,” but you get the point. Not to be outdone by the other big-dog in the play-pen, AT&T has announced that they’ll be opening up their network to “wireless phone, device and software application from any maker.” Beating rival Verizon to the punch , AT&T’s network will be open to all GSM devices and applications “starting immediately.” “You can use any handset on our network you want,” says Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T’s wireless business. “We don’t prohibit it, or even police it.” AT&T customers can choose from a world of feature-phone and smartphone options, and they don’t even have to sign a contract to get on AT&T’s network. And, to rub it in the face of Google’s OHA , AT&T boasted that they are doing today what the OHA has planned for a year from now. Ralph de la Vega added that “We are the most open wireless company in the industry.” So, it looks like Google and the OHA successfully revolutionized the wireless market - just as we expected . Or did it? While Google’s move to create an open-platform for mobile phones and wireless networks has prompted an all-out PR-war between the largest network operators, did it really prompt AT&T to open up their network any more than the rest of the GSM-world? Not really. AT&T’s announcement of an open network is basically a reiteration of the way a GSM network works. You can take any unlocked GSM phone, pop in an AT&T SIM card, and start using that device with any software you see fit - it’s always been that way and always will. So, just what did AT&T accomplish with this announcement? Aside from one-upping their competitors in the PR deathmatch that is the wireless-game…nothing. [Via: USAToday ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon set to open its network to 'any app, any device' in 2008When did Verizon Wireless join the Open Handset Alliance?Verizon confirms LTE 4G network trials with Vodafone; to share with AT&TQualcomm unveils new 3G chip with 700Mhz frequency support - works on all networksAT&T backs FCC Chairman Martin's open access position [...]

Did Verizon Wireless jump on the Android-fueled bandwagon that is the Open Handset Alliance ( OHA ) while we weren’t looking? Well, we can’t find any official sources that would confirm Verizon’s membership as part of the OHA - but Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst recently released a note to clients that mentioned Verizon as being a member of the OHA. Now, we’re not sure if Mr. Munster was just a bit confused - which isn’t all that unlikely, seeing as how Verizon’s recently announced plan to open their network to “ any app, any device ” in 2008 vibes pretty closely with the Android-supporting OHA’s open-platform mantra. On the other hand, Munster could be privy to insider information about Verizon’s intention to join the OHA. It would make sense for Verizon to join the OHA - as we speculated might happen - seeing as how their new network policy isn’t more than a philosophical stone’s throw from the OHA’s own guidelines. And, the move would make even more sense with Sprint and T-Mobile’s membership and AT&T consideration in joining the alliance. We can’t imagine that Verizon would remain an OHA outlier if AT&T decides to make the jump and hop on-board the alliance - conversely, if Verizon decides to join the OHA, it’s more than likely that Verizon would follow suit. Can any US carrier expect to stay competitive as the singular non-OHA compliant wireless operator? Highly doubtful. Come and join the party, guys, everyone’s doing it . [Via: Apple Insider ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:AT&T considering joining the Google Open Handset AllianceVerizon set to open its network to 'any app, any device' in 2008Verizon XV6800 available for online/phone ordersVerizon Wireless Coupe - an entry level handsetGoogle announces open mobile OS Android and Open Handset Alliance

Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android, as well as the OHA , will and has already profoundly changed the wireless landscape in the US. We’re getting a glimpse of just how radical the change is going to be. Verizon has just announced that it will be opening up its CDMA network to allow any phone and any application to access Verizon’s airwaves in 2008. The announcement marks a radical change in policy from the stodgy CDMA carrier. Verizon customers will be able to use any wireless device and any application on their network - products not sold by Verizon. The move echoes the OHA ’s “any app, any device” mantra that has garnered a healthy following and support. With Sprint and T-Mobile already on-board the OHA’s bandwagon, and AT&T considering the jump as well, it makes sense for Verizon to revise its stance on network lock-down and allow non-Verizon branded handsets onto its network. According to the press release, “In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with the Verizon Wireless network. Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network.” Verizon is calling their locked-down network a “full-service” offering, whereby the carrier can control all aspects of the mobile experience and offer “full service” to all its customers - we’re going to read “full-service” as “controlled service.” The company claims that most people prefer the “full-service” experience, but will be accommodating the “small but growing number of customers who want another choice without full service.” Right. Only a small group want more choice at the expense of less control. Still, come next year, fans of Verizon’s network should be seeing a whole new world of handsets and applications open up before them. Now, that doesn’t mean the iPhone is coming to Verizon - the iPhone is an AT&T exclusive that Verizon already missed out on. But, the door’s still open for Verizon pick up any future Apple wireless products. We’re eager to see how this shapes up. Press release ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon buys Ramcell network in Oregon and Kentucky - expands rural network coverageVerizon Bets $6bn On VOIP And Video CallingVerizon upgrades entire network to EV-DO Rev. AVerizon Is Industry Leader For Wireless Subscribers; Sprint Nextel Leader In Data UsageFCC approves open-access rules for upcoming 700Mhz wireless spectrum auction

The hype and hoopla surrounding Google’s entry into the mobile space has fizzled out somewhat. Google’s Open Handset Alliance (OHA) announcement was huge, there’s no doubt about that - but as far as staying power, that announcement has already hit the back-burner. AT&T is looking to fire up the hype-machine again with AT&T wireless chief Ralph de la Vega’s announcement that Big Blue is considering joining the Android-supporting OHA. AT&T’s entry into the OHA would mark the carrier’s intention to sell handsets with the Linux-based Android mobile OS. If AT&T were to join the OHA, smaller carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile USA could get shafted out of their open-handset advantage. Larger carriers like Verizon and AT&T are notorious for locking down their handsets to only run code sanctioned by the carrier - Sprint and T-Mobile’s participation in the OHA would have given them an edge against the larger incumbents by offering innovative handsets to their subscriber-base. But, if AT&T ships Android-based handsets, we could see an even larger gap between the top US carriers and smaller (relatively) outfits like Sprint, and T-Mobile. [Via: Electronista] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Brief: Confirmed: Nokia in discussions with Google about Android, no decision has been made yetGoogle announces open mobile OS Android and Open Handset AllianceDetails on Google "Dream" Phone - could it be the HTC Omni?Nokia open to joining the Open Handset Alliance if it proves beneficialSymbian answers to Android threat: We've heard [...]

Ahh, the Google Phone (GPhone, if you will). It’s been the stuff of our dreams for quite some time, and with Google’s recent announcement that their entry into the mobile space is a mobile platform, dubbed Android , it looks like the GPhone is going to stay in our dreams. But wait, according to Forbes , Google had five prototype Google “Dream” Phones built to show-off the Android platform to potential Open Handset Alliance members. The Google “Dream” was apparently built by HTC and is described as “thin, about 3 inches wide and 5 inches long, and features a touch-sensitive, rectangular screen. Unlike the iPhone, the screen is also time-sensitive: Hold down your finger longer, and the area you’re controlling expands. The bottom end of the handset, near the navigational controls, is slightly beveled so it nestles in the palm. The screen also swivels to one side, revealing a full keyboard beneath.” And, HTC’s Chief Executive Peter Chou says a commercial version of the “Dream” prototype could be available as early as 2H 2008. All these clues about the Google “Dream” Phone seem to indicate that the Dream could be the HTC Omni that we’ve been keeping our eye on . The specs seem to match quite nicely with the HTC Omni - the 3″ by 5″ size and the mention of a swivel-screen with a full keyboard underneath are a spot-on match for the HTC Omni. And the 2H 2008 availability is another juicy piece of the puzzle that we can’t wait to fit into the bigger picture. Google Dream, HTC Omni, Google Omni, HTC Dream. Whatever this thing might be called in the future, we’re going to cross our fingers for a sooner-than-later release. Forbes - Google Dream Phone Unwired View - HTC Omni as Google Dream ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Look out Nokia E90 and Ultimate 7150 - here comes the HTC Omni Communicator!More HTC Omni specificationsMore details on HTC Kii, HTC lineup to come soon?Google Phone To Be Manufactured By HTC - Will Ship By Year's EndOmni Mobile Version 2.2 with S60 support released

We expected Google to break the seal on their mobile OS plans today, and they didn’t disappoint. The search giant has formally announced their plans for the mobile space (in part, at least) with their new open mobile operating system, Android . Google has also announced the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) - a group of 33 (so far) tech and wireless companies devoted to developing the for the Android platform. The OHA aims to improve the user experience for mobile users by supporting the open-source Android mobile OS - which is basically a Linux-based mobile platform (OS, software, user interface). Android will give developers and users free reign over any supported device’s functions - any application will be able to use any function on the phone, and users will be able to fully customize their phone’s interface on a whim. “Today’s announcement is more ambitious than any single ‘Google Phone’ that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks,” said Google chief executive Eric Schmidt. “Our vision is that the powerful platform we’re unveiling will power thousands of different phone models.” Developers will be able to sink their teeth into the Android SDK when it’s released on November 12, but consumers will have to wait until at least halfway through 2008 to see the first Android-based handset hit the market. Forget the GPhone, Google is set to shake up the mobile industry with an entirely fresh approach to the user experience - which is to say, a user experience that can be fundamentally customized to carrier/manufacturer/user needs.  Android-based handsets will be more like a toolbox filled with features that the user/carrier/manufacturer can leverage with their own, custom solutions. Want to take a picture? Customize your Android phone with your favorite camera application. Need your contact viewer to integrate with the GPS module? Whip up your own application to do just that. The possibilities are endless - and incredibly enticing. Bring on Android! OHA Android ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Palm says "NO" to AndroidOn Monday Google will announce Android, their mobile phone platform *UPDATE*Shut Up: You are not allowed to praise or slam Android until the SDK comes outFirmware Update Management Object (FUMO) publishedGoogle may bid for upcoming 700Mhz frequency auction - if FCC agrees to "open access" terms