Mobiles reviews - gphone

Android delayed to Q4 2008 and later

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:35:33 +0000

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 [...]

A few HTC Dream specifications revealed

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:05:44 +0000

Just as we're getting used to the fact that the HTC Dream, is, well, a smartphone-dream come true, we're getting more details on the upcoming Android-powered handset's spec-sheet. As if that glorious Google Maps demonstration and huge touchscreen functionality weren't enough, the HTC Dream will apparently be rocking 3.6Mbps HSDPA, 128MB RAM / 256MB ROM, and [...]

Video: HTC Dream live and in the flesh at Google conference

Wed, 28 May 2008 20:12:55 +0000

The near-mythical HTC Dream handset has been rumored for longer than we can remember, and we can't wait to get our hands on the device that was once thought to be the Google Phone (gPhone). Alas, we'll have to wait until Google and HTC can work out the niggling details on the Android OS that [...]

Qualcomm throwing down with no less than 5 Android handsets this year

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:16:48 +0000

Handset manufacturers are scrambling to get their wares mated to Google's Linux-based Android OS, and it looks like Qualcomm's lending a helping hand. The chip-making giant has announced that it's hooked up with several OEMs looking to launch an Android-powered handset this year. It makes sense for Qualcomm to help these handset manufacturers develop their [...]

HTC Dream, T-Mobile MDA Compact IV spotted?

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:26:44 +0000

Remember those mysterious HTC smartphones that made an appearance in the picture that Stefan found? Right, well it seems that those two HTC Kaisers (HTC TyTn II's), HTC Touch, HTC Touch Cruise, and HTC P3470 were joined by what could be the HTC Dream. Take a look at the picture again. You see that QWERTY-sliding [...]

HTC getting set to unveil Android-based 'Dream' handset on May 6?

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:34:30 +0000

We can't wait to get some serious Android-kit into our sweaty, grubby hands. The launch of the Android-powered HTC Dream is at the very top of our gotta-see list. And, HTC could be setting the stage to unveil the HTC Dream for Android-duty in the near future. HTC sent out invitations for some sort of press [...]

HTC's Android handset to be called the "Dream" - you don't say

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:05:48 +0000

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 [...]

Run a web-server on your Android mobile phone with iJetty

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:58:53 +0000

No, Android isn't yet commercially available. But, if it were, you could be running your web-server straight from your Android handset with an Android port of the Jetty open-source web-server. Called iJetty, the Android version of Jetty allows any Android handset to use the Java app to run their very own mobile web-server. Webtide's developers crunched [...]

Google reserves two stands at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona? Ready to showcase the first Android devices?

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:00:28 +0000

File this under “we’re so not sure about it,” but the word on the street is that the search giant has reserved two stands at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It’s important to understand the Mobile World Congress is the place to be for all major mobile industry players and Google may only the floor space to showcase its mobile applications and services (GMail, Maps, mobile search). We’ll certainly drop by their booth and hopefully catch a glimpse of the upcoming Android device. Yeah, I’m speculating, or maybe even hoping… We’ll see… [Via: uberphones ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:3GSM World Congress live on mobile TVWillcom shows off Android prototype - multi-tasking on Android is a goAndroid SDK full of bugs, lacks support - developers frustratedGoogle Checkout goes mobileHTC could ship 1 million Android handsets in 2008

Android SDK full of bugs, lacks support - developers frustrated

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:12:38 +0000

Google is the last company we would have expected to botch a platform launch . But, in hindsight, they may have rushed things a bit more than would have been prudent. After all, there’s a fair amount of heat coming from Cupertino, and we’re sure Google didn’t want to get burned by holding off on Android any longer than they did. There’s a problem. Developers are getting frustrated trying to deal with the Android SDK ’s bugs and lack of documentation. Furthermore, Google’s ommission of a tracking system for reported issues is hindering the Android development push. The general feeling in the land of Android-development is that the platform just isn’t ready to the big-time. Bugs have to be ironed out, documentation needs to be published, and an issue-tracking system needs to be developed. Still, Ars Technica’s Ryan Paul took a whack at the Android SDK and found that “Despite some of the bugs and limitations in the API, it is definitely a viable and effective platform for application development.” He goes on to say that the API is “conducive to rapid application development, but there are still some gaps… it doesn’t make it easy to create applications that have a really polished look and feel.” Hey Google, get that documentation out quick. Apple’s iPhone SDK is looming and you just don’t have the time to fiddle with whatever pet-projects are responsible for this Android-oversight. We can’t wait for those first Android devices next year, they better not be filled with bugs (or look huge/ugly , for that matter)! [Via: Ars Technica ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Apple starts seeding official iPhone SDK to a select few developersShut Up: You are not allowed to praise or slam Android until the SDK comes outGooge cultivating Android development community with $10 million petri-dishHTC plans to release 2 to 3 Android based devices in 2008Google will be presenting Android and running thru [...]

Willcom shows off Android prototype - multi-tasking on Android is a go

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:44:36 +0000

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!

Is Google seriously serious about bidding on the 700Mhz spectrum auction?

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:13:03 +0000

We know, we’ve been talking about Google’s intention to bid on the upcoming FCC 700Mhz spectrum auction, and Google CEO Schmidt even confirmed his company’s intent to do so. But, according Bloomberg, some analyst think that Google isn’t planning on submitting a bid beyond the initial $4.6 billion minimum opening-bid. Is Google’s bid for the 700Mhz auction just for show? These analysts are saying that Google could have simply talked a big game and feigned interest in snatching up the 700Mhz spectrum in order to affect policy changes like the controversial open-access regulations that were placed on the spectrum by the FCC. Google’s commitment to bidding on the spectrum could end at the opening bid - after which Google will simply let the industry big-dogs duke it out for the winning bid. Afterall, Google will still have an open network to provide its services regardless of who wins the auction. And, with Verizon Wireless’s recent announcement that they’ll be opening up their network to “any app, any device” in 2008, Google could see little benefit to actually owning the 700Mhz airwaves. “They’re going to get what they want without having to put up billions of dollars,” said Todd Dagres, general partner at Spark Capital, adding that “the ideal scenario is to get the openness so [Google] can offer their services. I’m not sure they want to be a wireless carrier.” We’re cautious to put our faith in this kind of speculation - everything we’ve heard about Google’s plans seems to indicate that they’re serious about winning the spectrum. But, it makes a lot of sense for Google to “put [their] money where [their] principles are” in an opening bid, and then sit on the sidelines as they wait for their open-network to go live. [Via: Bloomberg ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auctionGoogle getting serious about 700Mhz wireless network plans700Mhz FCC auction delayed, new auction rules publishedFCC releases details, rules for upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction - $10 billion reserve price700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadband

AT&T considering joining the Google Open Handset Alliance

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:02:15 +0000

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 [...]

Googe cultivating Android development community with $10 million petri-dish

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:14:27 +0000

Petri-dishes are great for cultivating bacterial communities- they provide all nutrients that appeal to growing colonies of (usually) bacteria. And, now Google’s using their own petri-dish of sorts to cultivate the Android development community - except Google’s petri-dish is filled with $10 million of cold, hard, cash. Google’s calling this petri-dish the “Android Developer Challenge.” Google is putting up $10 million to encourage developers to embrace Android and submit their own Android-software to the newly minted dev community. Anyone is eligible to take a piece of Google’s $10 million pie (or petri-dish, to continue with our analogy), so amateur and professional coders alike are welcome to mess around with the fresh Android SDK . Here’s how the $10 million prize pool will be divvied up:

Cash prizes range from $25,000 to $275,000
$10 million will be split up between two competitions - Challenge I and II
Challenge I will be open from Jan. 2 through March 3, 2008
50 Challenge I winners will be picked at the end of March and will receive $25,000
The 50 winners will compete for 10 prizes worth $100,000 each and 10 prizes worth $275,000 each
Challenge II will launch after the first batch of Android handsets launches in mid-2008

So, if you’ve been thinking of tinkering with Android (for profit or fun), here’s even more incentive to see what you can do with the Linux-based platform. Questions? Drop us a line. Source ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:HTC could ship 1 million Android handsets in 2008Palm says "NO" to AndroidSymbian answers to Android threat: We've heard it all before!Android is out and I feel let down, almost embarrassed I hyped it so muchShut Up: You are not allowed to praise or slam Android until the SDK comes out

Details on Google "Dream" Phone - could it be the HTC Omni?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:06:09 +0000

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