Google Phone

Back in November there was a flurry of interest when Bug Labs unveiled their BUG modular cellphone development platform and confirmed it would be compatible with Android: for the first time, homebrew coders and software specialists could trial their wares on proper reference hardware, previously only available to big developers, rather than relying solely on emulators.  Now pre-order prices and availability dates have been announced, together with a bundle offer, and Bug Labs are tentatively opening their doors to consumers.

Read the rest of this entry »

After a delay while Google’s engineers attempted to fix the submissions system, the Android Developer Challenge has finally opened for entries.  With a total prize-fund of $10m, the competition has both been lauded and criticised as stimulating software coding and simultaneously encouraging developers to jealously guard their skills.  Challenge I, which will be accepting entries until March 3rd, will offer 50-percent of that jackpot, with fifty winning entries getting a guaranteed $25,000 each and the possibility of supplementary awards - ten of $100,000 and ten of $275,000 - for particularly good applications.

Read the rest of this entry »

Analysts see Asia as the potential playground for Android-powered devices, claiming that the Google brand cachet will be enough to leverage the open-source OS into a new range of entry- and mid-level cellphones for the region’s new users.  IDC Asia-Pacific analyst Aloysius Choong, believes that the Google name has such broad appeal as to clinch sales with first-time buyers as well as provide a tempting upgrade option to those looking for a new smartphone.

“Asian users typically have higher demands. As we move toward 3.5G, especially with fixed-rate data service plans, more will get onboard the mobile Internet platform.  The more you use your phone [to access the] Internet, the more you expect in terms of extensibility, power and customizability” Aloysius Choong, IDC Asia-Pacific

Read the rest of this entry »

In typically scathing style, a post-Keynote Steve Jobs has told the New York Times’ John Markoff of his doubts regarding the Android cellphone platform, calling on Apple’s own experience building the iPhone to illustrate the perils involved in formulating a new mobile platform.

“Having created a phone its a lot harder than it looks.  We’ll see how good their software is and we’ll see how consumers like it and how quickly it is adopted” Steve Jobs, Apple CEO

Read the rest of this entry »

All eyes this week may have been on the Macworld 08 Keynote, but that didn’t stop the FCC from releasing the final line-up [pdf] of participants in the fast-approaching 700MHz spectrum auction.  As expected, Google is one of the companies who has made pre-bid qualifying payment and cleared by the government agency to take part; they’ll be competing against Verizon Wireless and AT&T, who obviously managed to get their paperwork completed in time for the auction deadline.

Read the rest of this entry »

For existing Linux cellphone developers faced with Android, the options seem to be deride the newcomer, deny it’s competition or demonstrate that you integrate with it.  A la Mobile, who are behind a stack known as the Convergent Linux Platform (CLP) that is already on the market in the shape of the Gupp Phreedom (right), have chosen the third route, and claim that the kernel, drivers and middleware included in their product can in fact halve the time it takes to bring an Android product to market.

“Despite the open-source nature of the Android framework, developing a complete mobile system solution with customized, differentiated features continues to present major technical challenges requiring considerable time, effort, and resources — a barrier and reach beyond the scope of many handset vendors” Pauline Lo Alker, CEO, A la Mobile

Read the rest of this entry »

Quiet times here at Google-Phone while we peruse the delights on show at CES 2008, but you can rest assured that we’ll be bringing you any developments relating to Android.  Just such a development is WNC’s GW4 open-source cellphone, currently rocking a generic version of mobile Linux 2.6, but with the processing power and corporate intention to run the Android OS.  Several people confirmed to us that the GW4 would be loaded up with Google’s cellphone platform later on in the year, making this one of the first publicly released Android-ready cellphones around.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not just the Android SDK that has come under some fire for being prematurely announced; the much-publicised Developer Fund, which held promises of $10m in funding for coders willing to produce apps for the new mobile platform, has itself been delayed after Google’s engineers discovered bugs in the submissions website.  In fact, at the moment that’s no big deal: the final Terms & Conditions paperwork - which will detail such important elements as who holds the IP of submitted applications - are yet to be ready, leaving developers uncertain and cautious as to their long-term involvement in their own software and in Android itself.

“As you probably know, the Android Developer Challenge submission period for the first round is scheduled to run from today, 2 January, through 3 March. Unfortunately final testing revealed some cross-browser bugs in the application we’ll be using to allow you submit your work. We’re fixing those now, and will have the site up and running as soon as we possibly can. At the same time that the submission application becomes available, we’ll also make the final Terms and Conditions of the competition available” Android Developer Challenge blog

Read the rest of this entry »

While rumors of an Android-powered set-top box have frequently circulated, it’s rival Linux-cellphone maker OpenMoko that have stolen the jump on taking their open-source platform outside of the handset environment.  Parent company FIC have signed a deal with sat-nav manufacturer Dash, to partner in building the Dash Express, an OpenMoko-powered, internet-connected GPS unit that will is available for pre-order now and should ship in February 2008.

Read the rest of this entry »

While the cosy group press releases might indicate otherwise, and Google’s assertions of a verbal compatibility contract attempt to sooth the troubled brows of interoperability advocates, don’t doubt that each member of the Open Handset Alliance is in the Android game for their own progression.  Latest cellular casualty is Qualcomm, who have this week suffered in a business-damaging patent dispute with fellow OHA member Broadcom.  The California ruling - that until January 2009 Qualcomm can continue to sell certain wireless chips that infringe three of its semiconductor rival’s patents, together with an immediate injunction on some WCDMA chips in its range - will see the company pay royalties while similarly hurrying to develop non-contentious products for existing clients.

“While Qualcomm will attempt to obtain further relief and clarity from the court on certain aspects of its order, the inability to obtain such relief will have an immediate short-term impact as handset customers transition to new designs for WCDMA products” Paul Jacobs, Chief Executive, Qualcomm

Read the rest of this entry »