Google is looking to get involved with music services and it's going to use the help of current web services like iLike and LaLa to do so. From what we gathered, Google Audio will allow people to search for artists, songs, etc and it'll display results in either snippets of the song or full-length versions and point users to where they can easily purchase those songs. And though that's an amazing and exciting proposition, being able to simply use the power of Google to get easy-access to purchasing songs, it's not exactly going head to head with the moneymaking heavyweight that is iTunes.
But still, a lot is unknown at this point and certain final UI details and design may change and clearer details may eventually come about. But what is sure is that Google is planning to announce this new service on October 28th (interestingly, the same day as the Droid event!) so we'll find out soon. Could Google eventually use their new service to replace the Amazon MP3 Store on Android?
What do you guys think about Google's new music service?
T-Mobile's 'Project Dark' is especially of interest to us because of T-Mobile's faith in Android. Because of their support (and the great customer service), we have a soft spot for the fourth-place, magenta loving carrier and hope that 'Project Dark' can be all its prepped up to be and catapult T-Mobile into the big boys table. And if it follows the lead of these screenshots, we think 'Project Dark' will become an out and out success.
Tmonews got their hands on these leaked images that show new pricing structures and rate plans for T-Mobile. According to this report, T-Mobile will offer two new options, Even More and Even More Plus. The details are as follows:
Even More Plan:
$100 for unlimited voice/SMS/data
$70 for unlimited voice and SMS
$60 for unlimited voice
Requires two year contract
Even More Plus Plan:
$80 for unlimited voice/SMS/data
$60 for unlimited voice and SMS
$50 for unlimited voice
Pre-paid, no contract
What's really amazing is that the 'Even More Plus' plans are not locked in a 2 year contract and yet are cheaper! There's also word that you'll be able to purchase phones over four different installments. We're hoping that the no-contract plans of 'Even More Plus' can still lead to carrier subsidies for phones and that the 2-year contract plans of 'Even More' can offer ridiculously cheap options. Yeah, we want to eat our cake too. Don't you?
How do you feel about these details of T-Mobile's 'Project Dark'?
We know you guys are excited about the Sprint Samsung Moment, it offers Android in a QWERTY-slider form factor with a 800MHz processor, 3.2-inch AMOLED screen, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, and an optical joystick. With the added hardware keyboard it offers a completely different experience than the HTC Hero, so Sprint users will have the benefit of choice.
Engadget got their hands on the Samsung Moment and were kind enough to put it through the rite of the unboxing. Feel free to head over there to check out more pics!
According to HTC VP of Asia Pacific, Jack Tong, the HTC Hero is enjoying high demand and great sales in the European and Asian markets. Because of such hot demand, it looks like the Hero is in tight supply for the next month or so. According to Tong:
The tight production will not be eased until November and the sales momentum of HTC Hero is expected to continue in the first quarter of 2010.
We're excited to see an Android device take off and hold such a strong demand. It's clear that the European GSM HTC Hero is a success and that the European and Asian markets love Android. But it definitely leaves us to wonder how the Sprint HTC Hero is performing (we think very well). Either way, we can't wait to see more Android devices made by HTC!
It looks like that countdown clock on the Droid website was ticking down to the official announcement of the Verizon Droid. Verizon just sent out invitations to the media that confirms what we already know--the Droid is made by Motorola headed to Verizon and going to be one of 'must-have devices of the year'. So come October 28th, be ready for the onslaught of Droid.
In a separate promotional mailer from Verizon PR, 11.09 is listed on the backside. And since November 9th comes after October 28th, we're deducing that the later date could be the actual release date of the Droid. We make pretty good detectives, don't we?
And lastly, to show how serious Verizon is about the Droid, check out the video of the package they mailed to MobileCrunch after the break! What can say 'Droid' more than that?
Meet the Dell 'Streak', a 5-inch Android-powered MID that packs a 800x480 capacitive touchscreen (with multitouch!), 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, and runs Android 2.0 'Eclair'. There are also 3 touch sensitive buttons on the right side and what appears to be a front-facing camera for video conferencing. This isn't a complete surprise since we've heard of Dell's interest in creating an Android-powered, iPod Touch competitor before, but it's certainly an exciting proposition.
Now that's how you design a dual-screen E-book reader! Barnes & Noble just announced their own E-Book Reader called 'Nook' and its fresh design offers both a 6-inch E-ink display with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen for navigation and controls. Unlike the E-book reader we reported yesterday, the Nook looks amazing and blends the two screens amazingly well.
We're very impressed with the Nook and hopeful that with Android in its corner, it can knock the Kindle and Sony E-readers off their perch. Like most E-book readers these days, the Nook packs 3G and Wi-Fi for wireless downloading but unlike most, the Nook offers LendMe technology that allows you to lend books to friends for 14 days. Other features include a microSD slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack and mp3 player, PDF support, and 1 million books available for purchase.
The Nook will be available for $259 at the end of November. We're hoping that since Android powers the Nook, we'll see some applications designed to extend the scope of E-book readers.
Verizon isn't kidding about the Droid. After launching commercials in primetime over the weekend, it looks like they'll follow up with promotional mailers that give a clear look at the Droid and lists what the Droid does. It's interesting to note that other than the Verizon logo on the phone, we can't find another logo on the leaked mailers. We guess we're just supposed to know when the color red is used, it's Verizon. And as successful as we believe the Droid will be, does anyone else think they're going a bit overboard with the terminator-esque theme?
Also, thanks to code-cracking geniuses, it looks like the listed date on the Droid website has moved up. Previously, the countdown was ticking down for October 30th but has now moved up to October 28th. We're expecting that date to be an official announcement rather than a official launch but we'll keep our ears out.
More pictures of the Droid promotional mailer after the jump!
The video goes through the basics, it gives you the tour of the Sense UI and also shows off some of the hardware. For a low-end Android phone, the HTC Tattoo seems to be a decent offering. Has anyone got their hands on this?
The HTC Hero came to the US with a brand new hardware design and a CDMA carrier. Many were disappointed in the design change considering how daring and cutting edge the European GSM HTC Hero was. But could there be a chance that we'll see the original version of the Hero in the US?
Phonearena thinks so. According to their tipsters, the HTC Hero is headed to AT&T in early 2010. Considering that AT&T is a GSM network, maybe we'll see that sweet chin around after all. It's much too early to get excited over this, especially since AT&T has not even officially acknowledged Android and reportedly canceled one of their Android phones, but we're going to keep an eye on this.
How would you feel about the GSM HTC Hero on AT&T?
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