Google Phone Week in Review - Week 50 2008
This week was a big one as a video demonstrating the second Android-powered handset surfaced. This video basically does not show too much, just enough to stir up anticipations if nothing more. We also got a glimpse of the back of the device and the new Android logo that it possesses.
Now early adapters of the T-Mobile G1 who wish they had waited for the developers version can stop kicking themselves as the bootloader can be modified to work as the developers edition does. Just a few simple steps and your on you way to hacking the firmware without registering as a developer or forking over the 9 to purchase one. Proceed with caution though as this may brick your G1.
There are also new AdWord options for phones with full HTML browsers including the T-Mobile G1 and - dare I say it - iPhone. Now those of us who are AdWords advertisers to your desktop text and image ads on the T-Mobile G1, or any device that has a full HTML browser. The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) had the opportunity to introduce 14 new members including two well-known laptop manufactures ASUSTek and Toshiba. Two companies we are really excited to see developments from are Sony Ericsson and Garmin. Here is a complete list of those who joined the OHA, AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltd, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba Corporation and Vodafone.
Sony Ericsson is said to be developing their very own line of Android-powered handsets, the first of which is set to be released in the summer of 2009. For months we have been seeing videos of the HTC Touch running Android, all the while wondering just how it was done. Wonder no more there are now instructions on how to run Android on your handset. The best part is this process is reversible; all you must do to get back to Windows Mobile is reset the device.
T-Mobile has made an official statement regarding the international roaming charges made to one users account even though his data was turned off. T-Mobile says that the applications were responsible. The G1 does not use data when it is turned off, the applications however have the ability to access the data network whenever they choose. This brings us back to one of the original issue we have been experiencing with the lack of the ability to end processes – including applications –running in the background.
Data Viz will be bringing office solutions to the Android platform in 2009. They plan to allow users to users to view, edit and create Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents all with the help from their Documents To Go application. Visa has delivered their promised Visa Mobile Application in order to better serve their customers. This application reportedly only works with Chase Visa cards however. This app is currently in the beta stages but offers users alerts, offers and location services to help with your financial management.
Looped has finally brought their social networking application to the Android platform. Now you can see where your friends are and what they are up to just by opening the app. Loopt is available on many different carriers as well as over 100 different handsets including the iPhone and Blackberry line. Users who use Truphone on other handsets now have a similar service they can use on the T-Mobile G1. Reketu now offers many of the same features including international calling without the need to download an application.
Sprint is finally looking to Google’s Android platform to help dig them out of their hole. We find this particularly funny after Sprints CEO Dan Hasse – yes the one from the commercials – said that Android is ”not good enough to put the Sprint brand on it.” It looks like they have finally decided that publically eating your words is price enough to try and save the sinking ship that is Sprint. T-Mobile has just started selling the inline 3.5mm headphone adapters at retail locations for .99. Now early adopters of the T-Mobile G1 can have this godsend. The adapter also includes a microphone and answer/ mute button for use with headphones.
To wrap up the week we got a glimpse of the new “Ophone” being developed by Lenovo, who joined the OHA just recently. Unfortunately this handset will only be available in China. This large touchscreen Android-powered handset has a shape that is very familiar, almost like the new BlackBerry Storm with the curve on the top and bottom. With all these Android-powered handsets coming out of China we may be considering a move.