This week, Verizon put out a comparison chart that outlined all the features that they offer that the T-Mobile G1 does not. The comparison was basically unfair because they are comparing the G1 to an entire service provider with many phones and many features.  A young Australian consumer electronics maker started telling people that he will be launching his own Android-powered handset sometime in the near future. He believes that it will sell very well as the first Android sold in Australia.

Hop-on commented on the dismissal of Android by Sprint’s CEO, Dan Hasse. Hop-on believes that Sprint is not dismissing Android because it is not good enough, but because Sprint would loose a market share. We all know that as time goes on Sprint gets worse off, wouldn’t releasing an Android help sales significantly? The G1 stands up to over 95 percent of the phones they currently offer.  Hop-on also talked a little bit about their own Android development. From what we read they will be releasing two different Android-powered handsets at about the same time.

A way to share your G1’s Internet connection has been discovered, it is not technically a tethering application, but it will serve the purpose for the time being. Taiwan is the latest country rumored to be getting the Android in the first half of 2009. Not long after the release of the T-Mobile G1, members of the XDA developers forum have found a way to gain root access in Android. This opened up a large window of opportunity, Jay Freeman took the opportunity and ran with it, successfully porting Debian over on the G1. Jay Freeman (saurik) is the man who created the Cydia distribution system, Winterbaord and many more applications for the iPhone. Google got wind of the developments and have already pushed out an update RC30 that prevents us from gaining root access.

It has been confirmed that Android is being developed for OpenMoko open source handsets. There is also word that there will be a free beta port for existing FreeRunner customers.  With all smartphones there is the opportunity for attackers to gain access to your personal information or even get a virus. SMobile has seen the possibility and is now advertising a mobile antivirus program for Android. Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer had a moment to speak about how he feels Android is not profitable. He speaks as if Android is somehow inferior because it doesn’t bring in money in the same ways that Windows Mobile does.

AT&T Mobility has stated that they are only waiting for Google to open up to more non-Google applications before they release an Android of their own. They say that when customers want Android, they will give it to them. In a recent discussion on Orb forums, one of the developers has stated that there will be an Orb application for android very soon.  Orb allows you to stream content or view files on your computer from anywhere that has an Internet connection. In other application news, Meebo has stolen this week’s spotlight with the launch of their incredibly simple yet effective instant messaging client.  Meebo is another web app that has decided to make an application for Android. With Meebo you can sign in with many different types of services including AIM, MSN and Yahoo.  Yet another Chinese company, Huawei, has announced that they will be releasing an Android-powered handset in the first half of 2009.