Above all, Google is about search--it's embedded in nearly all of their products. Even in 2010, Google continues to push search and constantly re-invents the way we find things. Their newest feature? Search optimized by our location. This allows Google to bring more relevant suggestions to the users and in the end, better results for us.

Searching through Google on your Android phone (or iPhone) will allow you to access this feature. Google uses your current or last location to determine more pertinent results.

For example, when users in the Boston metro area begin typing "Muse", suggestions such as "museum of science boston" and "museum of fine arts boston" are provided because people near Boston frequently look for these very popular museums. On the other hand, users in San Francisco who begin their query with "Muse" will see suggestions for museums in the San Francisco area.

We think it's a great addition to Google. What about you?

[via google mobile blog]

The saga of the Nexus One continues. As we reported earlier tonight, new pricing is here. T-MoNews has learned that T-Mobile customers who are eligible to upgrade to the Nexus One can do so for $279, and that anyone who bought one at the $379 price will be refunded $100 (and will receive it within 14 business days). The same upgrade rules apply, and the refund's coming from Google. And, so, here's the new breakdown, straight from the horse's mouth:

• Nexus One without service: $529
• Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for new customers: $179
• Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for qualifying existing T-Mobile customers: $279

You can't take back all of the administrative problems we've seen with the launch of the Nexus One, but this should help ease the pain a little bit. Now if we could just get those 3G problems taken care of ...

(Thanks, David and Don!)

We've been waiting for Rhapsody to come to Android for what seems like months and months because, well, it has been. The wait is all but over, folks. A beta app is now available directly from Rhapsody -- no official app in the Android Market yet -- at www.rhapsody.com/android/download. Head on over in your phone's browser (though check the instructions first; you'll need to accept apps from "unknown sources" first), get your download on, and let us know how it goes. [via Mobilecrunch]

Oh, hi, HTC Bravo. We didn't expect to see more of you for a couple of months, like, April. But the 3 Sweden carrier in, well, Sweden says on its Facebook page that you might make an appearance in March, which is right spiffy if you're living in Sweden.

Now that the Nexus One is officially official, the Bravo, with its nearly identical specs (3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, Snapdragon processor, 5MP camera and Android 2.1) likely points to a brother of another mother, something we're used to when it comes to HTC phones, especially on the WinMo side [Facebook via Engadget Mobile]

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• The hottest topic within our forums is the fact that the Moto Droid will be receiving Android 2.1 and Flash support. It's your job to speculate the timeframe this will all happen, get to it!
• The Moto Droid D-Pad, do any of you use it? Sound off in this poll thread and make your vote count.
• Hopefully you don't have any hardware issues with your Nexus One but if you do, please participate in this thread and let us know what types of issues you do have. Dead pixels, dust under the screen, etc...
• Android messaging clients, which one is your favorite and why?

See you on the forums!

There's been more than a bit of consternation among current T-Mobile customers when it comes to buying a subsidized Nexus One. At first everybody though they were out of luck, or that they were eligible for the full discount. Then we learned otherwise. But today, a post on Google's support forums may point to some relief. (Emphasis ours.)

Also, as you've probably seen elsewhere, we've listened to everyone's feedback and concerns and are working to expand the group of customers that qualify for upgrade pricing on the Nexus One. Please stay tuned for more information.

Thanks!
Ethan
Google Guide

Exactly what that means, well, we'll just have to stay tuned, like the man says.

Thanks, Don!

It'd been rumored that T-Mobile's myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition would be coming Jan. 20, and now that date's official. In addition, one of the biggest, baddest Fender players around -- Sir Eric Clapton -- is hitting the first chords on the device. The phone will come with such classics as "Wonderful Tonight," "Laya," "My Father's Eyes" and "Rock 'n' Roll Heart" already on board. Check out the ad with ol' Slowhand himself at Fender.com.

That not enough? There's also songs from Wyclef Jean, Avril Lavigne and Brad Paisley, as well as the Guitar Solo and Musical Light apps. Need accessories? How about extra Fender shells for the phone, and Fender case, screen protector and Rock Dock, which sports speakers. And sync solution doubleTwist is included, as well.

The myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition will cost $179.99 after the usual two-year deal.

Update: Peep the Clapton video after the break.

Dunno about you, but that story the other day about a man's Motorola Droid being stolen out of his house (while he was in it, no less) left me more than a little paranoid. How would I wipe my phone should it be stolen?

Then came word from Lifehacker today that WaveSecure Beta (one of the Android Developer Challenge 2 winners) is offering free lifetime registration through January, so I've given it a spin. In addition to backing up and restoring your contacts, texts, photos and call logs, you can remotely wipe your phone, lock it down or (from a Web interface), track where the stolen phone has been taken. (You'll have to take my word for it on that one -- not going to show you the map, lol.)

You can get in on the free registration in the Android Market, or at WaveSecure.com.

So, that's one option. Undoubtedly there are more. Tell us your favorite backup and security program, and we'll give the top ones a spin.

Speaking of the Motorola Backflip, it's now doing its whole contortion thing in an official video promo. Check it out after the break. (Warning: If you're the sort of person who has trouble thinking in three dimensions, gets sick in the backseat of a car or freaked out at the 3D showing of "Avatar," well, take it easy.) [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Not that there's really any doubt that a car dock (and desktop dock) is on the way for the Google Nexus One -- after all, we've see it at the FCC -- but it has its on support page. We're still waiting to see exactly what the dock will look like, and exactly what functions it will have. But the Google support page for the dock offers a little hint:

"The first time you insert the phone in a car dock, a dialog asks whether you want to use the dock as a speakerphone and whether you want to play music and other audio on the dock's speaker. Your setting applies only to the dock you are using-you can have different settings for different docks. You can also change your dock audio setting any time the phone is inserted in that dock, as described in Sound & display settings."

That's it. Still no word on when it will be available, or for how much. [via Slashgear]