It looks like that Google Phone that was real and coming early next year has now become a certainty. According to Gizmodo, a trusted source has tipped them off that is adding even more intrigue to the perpetual Google Phone rumor and of course, brings more questions. The Google Phone will differ from your run-of-the-mill Android Handsets (which even the DROID will be grouped with) because it runs a different version of Android that has yet to be seen on Google-branded hardware.
Prototypes of the Google Phone is expected to hit Google's Headquarters in the next few weeks. The prototypes will run the new version of Android, Flan or maybe even a version beyond that. And the juiciest tidbit of all? That the Android we know and love may not be the 'real' Android. We're assuming that means the 'real' Android will be available on the Google Phone.
If you want to wear your phone allegiance on your sleeve, it looks like you literally can. Verizon is reportedly sending out the shirt above to some customers who have purchased the DROID. We were completely unaware that Verizon was giving out shirts to turn folks into walking advertisements but hey, a $100 million dollar ad campaign is so much more than just commercials and print ads.
If anyone has details on how to get one of these Droid Does T-Shirts, please let us know in the comments. Is it really from Verizon? Or is it some fanatic DROID lover screen printing his affection? In any case, how do we get one?
In the mean time we have to ask, would you wear one?
Google has just announced the winners of the Android Developer Challenge 2 (or ADC2) that'll surely bring a lot of great applications to the limelight. They've announced three winners in each of the ten categories and three overall winners. Cash prizes were given out to the winners and we're hoping that developer challenges like these will continue to spur Android app development.
The three overall winners were SweetDreams, What the Doodle!?, and WaveSecure. SweetDreams is an app that allows you to change phone settings to avoid late night calls. You can also conserve battery by having SweetDreams automatically shut off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. What the Doodle!? is a real time online multiplayer game where one player draws out a given phrase and others try to guess it. And finally, WaveSecure is a security solution that protects your device, data and privacy.
The full list of winners is available after the break and more information on all the winning applications can be found here.
We know that the Motorola DROID is fully capable of multitouch gestures but because of reasons beyond our control, it's no where to be found in the apps. Luckily, if you're thirsting to multitouch your DROID, you can hit Android Market and download the Dolphin Browser which has been recently updated to support multitouch gestures.
We used the Dolphin Browser for a moment and found that it doesn't really do itself any justice on the DROID's high resolution screen (it looks fuzzy) and has a icon similar to Firefox. Other than those quips though, the multitouch implementation is promising and the power beneath the browser looks to be great. There's cool features that allow users to easily share links to social networks, follow daily trends, subscribe the page to Google Reader, save a link to read later, and much, much more.
We suggest you download the Dolphin Browser on Android Market to see if it can replace the regular Android Browser in your daily use.
The Archos 5 Android Tablet is powered by Android but lacks the Google Apps that 'with Google' devices come with. You know, the apps that make Android even better. Luckily, the hacking community has found a way to make those apps--Android Market, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Talk, and all the other Google Apps on Android--available for download. Given the larger screen size of the Archos 5, you may run into some wonkiness but it looks to have everything in working order.
If you're interested in downloading the Android Market and the Google Apps onto your own Archos 5 Android Tablet feel free to head here for the instructions.
After Thanksgiving comes Black Friday and after Black Friday comes, Cyber Monday! Celebrate Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year, with us at the Android Central Store and we'll give you a 10% off coupon code off everything in the store.
Yes, we're talking about 10% off bluetooth headsets, cases, batteries, screen protectors, docks, chargers, cradles, memory cards and more. If it's Android-related, we got it. Just head over to the Android Central Store and type in the coupon code MONDAYAC at checkout. The 10% discount ends Midnight PST.
If you've got a Motorola DROID, you can't go wrong with the Multimedia Dock to extend the DROID's functionality or a Car Cradle to take advantage of Google Maps Navigation. The Android Central Store has accessories for every Android device so don't be afraid to poke around!
Hey HTC Hero users, maybe you won't be left in the dust after all. A HTC Hero has been caught in the wild running Android 2.1--yeah, you read that right, not Android 1.6, not Android 2.0--but Android 2.1!
Android 2.1 is expected to be a minor update to the major update which was Android 2.0 'Eclair'. Android 2.0 is currently only available on the Motorola DROID--their are still devices stuck on either Android 1.5 or 1.6. It definitely makes more sense for HTC to tweak HTC Sense and the like for the most recent Android version and that looks to be Android 2.1.
If Android 2.1 can run on the HTC Hero, it should theoretically be able to run on other first generation Android devices like the T-Mobile G1 and myTouch 3G. So stay hopeful, it looks like Android 2.1 will come to you eventually. There's no details on a rollout but if you're interested in looking at some screenshots, hit the jump!
Acer, which already makes the upcoming Acer Liquid (which looks great), is planning to build more Android-powered handsets in 2010. After using Windows Mobile for nearly all of their previous handsets, Acer's 2010 lineup will look to be "more balanced". According to Acer:
“There is definitely momentum behind Android. The pace is faster than most would have anticipated one year ago,”
Acer has plans to launch 8-10 handsets in 2010, so given the 'balance' that Acer aspires, we can kind of, sort of assume that half the devices will run Android. At the very least we can assume three Android devices. However, judging by the great looks and specs of the Acer Liquid, we're hoping that Acer surprises us with a ton of quality Android handsets. If Acer is looking to get serious in the smartphone space, it'll know that Android is where it's headed.
It sure looks like the next big thing for Android will be MIDs. Inbrics just announced that they'll be showing one off at CES in January and hope to deliver it to the US in 2010. The video above showcases the Inbrics Android MID (but we're not sure if it's actually the real, working device) and it pretty much promises you the moon. Obviously, that won't happen but the device looks to be a great start.
The Inbrics Android MID will have a full sliding QWERTY keyboard, AMOLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a digital compass, all powered by an ARM Cortex A8 800MHz processor. The price and release date is unknown but if it does come to the US like promised, we'll surely hear more about this device.
Camangi, a company focusing on Internet Communication, just announced their plans to launch the WebStation, which is basically an Android-powered MID. The WebStation will pack a 7-inch glass touchscreen (WVGA 800x480 resolution), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, and USB port. The WebStation also has a front-facing camera and back-facing camera. The Android-powered MID will run Android 1.5 on a Marvell 624MHz PXA303 processor.
The WebStation looks to be smartly styled and could be successful given the burgeoning market for Android MIDs. Camangi has also launched Camangi Market which will be a place to find apps designed for larger-than-usual Android devices (such as MIDs).
We're definitely excited to see more of the Camangi WebStation. No pricing has been announced but it'll be available sometime in December.
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