PAC-MAN CHASES PESKY GHOSTS ONTO FIRST ANDROID-POWERED DEVICE

Namco offers PAC-MAN application at no charge in support of first Android-powered device!




Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile games
and entertainment for mass-market casual gamers, today announced the
availability of the arcade classic PAC-MAN® on the first
Android™-powered device, announced today by T-Mobile. When the phone
launches, PAC-MAN will be available to consumers in the Android Market™
at no charge, giving owners of the new T-Mobile G1 handset full access
to the game which usually retails for $9.99.

"We are thrilled to launch PAC-MAN on the flagship Android-powered
device," said Scott Rubin, senior vice president of sales and marketing
for Namco Networks. "To encourage consumers to checkout PAC-MAN on the
G1, we are picking up the tab for the game. We want consumers to see
how great PAC-MAN looks on this device and how well it plays on the
Android platform."

Who can forget the countless hours and quarters spent avoiding the
pesky ghosts while chompin' on the dots? In addition to the classic and
addictive game play, PAC-MAN, the most popular video game in American
arcade history, has been upgraded to fully utilize the T-Mobile G1's
features. Taking advantage of the device's large screen, PAC-MAN on the
T-Mobile G1 includes three unique control schemes:

• Swipe Mode allows players to direct PAC-MAN's path by simply swiping in the direction you want to travel.
• Track Mode lets players zip through mazes using the phone's trackball
• Accelerometer Mode allows players to control PAC-MAN by tilting the phone in the direction they want to move.

For more information on PAC-MAN for the G1 or other mobile games by Namco, please visit www.namcogames.com.

Visa to develop apps on Android, Nokia phones

Visa has announced plans to make mobile payment-related services broadly available to United States consumers by the end of the year. Central to this effort is Visa’s delivery of mobile applications for the Android platform, which will be available for download on Android-powered handsets and initially available to Chase Visa cardholders.


The first set of services that Visa is planning to develop for Android
will allow Chase Visa cardholders to receive notifications to their
mobile devices about transaction activity on their accounts; obtain
offers from a wide array of merchants; and use the built-in
location-based technology developed by Google to quickly map nearby
merchants where they can redeem Visa offers and locate ATMs that accept
Visa.

Visa mobile services that will be
developed for the Android platform will first be offered to Chase Visa
account holders. Following this initial launch phase, Visa plans to work
with additional card-issuing financial institutions to extend
availability of its mobile services for Android to their Visa account
holders. Visa is also developing a payment application that will enable
consumers with Visa accounts to make mobile payments in retail locations
nationwide, or while on the go, over wireless networks.

”By developing these mobile services for the
Android platform, Visa has taken a major step toward achieving our goal
of combining two of the world’s most powerful
and ubiquitous consumer innovations, electronic payments and mobile
technology,” said Elizabeth Buse, Global Head
of Product at Visa Inc. “Through this effort,
U.S. consumers will, for the first time, be able to download Visa mobile
service applications directly to their handsets. Visa cardholders have
come to expect more from their Visa account than just convenience and
security of payment, and wireless customers expect their mobile devices
to carry a multitude of applications. Extending Visa payments and
services to the mobile device is a natural extension, and makes the
consumer payment experience more convenient, more secure and more
rewarding.”

Visa mobile services developed for the Android platform include:

• 
  Alerts: Consumers will receive near real-time notification of
  purchase activity based on customized cardholder preferences. The
  consumer will be able to personalize the types of alerts delivered to
  their mobile device according to pre-selected parameters, such as the
  size of the transaction, or whether the transaction is in foreign
  currency. Because these alerts are triggered by the transaction as it
  passes through the Visa network, consumers will receive notifications
  almost immediately, typically before they even leave the store. This
  adds a new layer of peace of mind when using Visa, and a new way to
  combat fraud.
  
• 
  Offers: Consumers will receive targeted offers from merchants
  directly to their phone. These offers –
  ranging from discounts to loyalty offers –
  could be based on a consumer’s previous
  purchase activity. For consumers and merchants alike, this service
  will ensure the most relevant offers are sent in a timely manner,
  helping increase merchant traffic, loyalty and customer satisfaction.
  
• 
  Locator: The Locator service is expected to integrate with
  technology developed by Google, such as Google Maps and Google
  location-based services, to show consumers nearby locations of
  merchants sending them offers, or of an ATM that accepts Visa. The
  location would be called out on a map displayed on the mobile device
  screen.
  

“We’re pleased to
extend the value of Visa to the mobile channel,”
said Buse. “With more than 3 billion mobile
devices already in market today, we have an opportunity deliver the
convenience and security of Visa to consumers around the globe.”

[Yahoo! Finance]

T-Mobile G1 Features List

I know I have a few posts with some of the features of the new T-Mobile G1 but I thought I would add everything into one post to make it easier to find the information.

Here are the Main features of the G1:

Touch screen

Instant access to key information with the touch of a finger

Just tap the screen and go

Real Web browsing capabilities

Quick and easy access to the Internet one click away

View more pages and rich Web content on your phone

3MP camera

Capture key moments in high-quality fashion wherever you are

Never worry about blurry photos with auto focus built right in

Customizable home screen

Just
drag and drop any of your favorite applications, photos, or folders
onto your home screen for quick access to what you use all the time

QWERTY keyboard

The built-in familiar layout lets you type messages easily without scrolling for the letter you want

Hinged screen slides open to reveal keypad and closes to prevent accidental dialing

Easy access to Google applications

One-touch access to Google applications:

• Maps (including satellite, traffic, and street views)
• Gmail
• YouTube
• Calendar
• Google Talk

IM/text/e-mail

All the ways you need to connect while you're on the go

Music player

With the 1GB memory card, you'll never be without your favorite tunes

One-click Google Search

Quick and easy access to the Internet in one click

Video playback

Watch your favorite videos, even YouTube, anywhere

3G network and Wi-Fi access

High-speed 3G network connection for surfing the Web or downloading information quickly and effortlessly

Seamlessly transition to open Wi-Fi networks to surf the Web or download information quickly

Android Market

One-touch access to Android Market

Customize
and personalize your device to fit your life with a variety of software
applications like games, social networking, and on-the-go shopping

Download the applications wirelessly with just a couple short clicks

There are some pretty great features to the G1/Android Platform and I'm sure we will learn much more once the Phone is officially released including access to the Android Market.

T-Mobile removes the 1GB data cap, takes a different approach

Engadget is reporting that T-Mobile has changed their decision to include a 1GB Data Cap on G1 users. Instead of a 1GB data cap for everyone they will now only cap users who abuse the network.

Here is what T-Mobile had to say about the issue:

"Our goal, when the T-Mobile G1 becomes available in October, is to
provide affordable, high-speed data service allowing customers to
experience the full data capabilities of the device and our 3G network.
At the same time, we have a responsibility to provide the best network
experience for all of our customers so we reserve the right to
temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of our
customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage that interferes
with our network performance or our ability to provide quality service
to all of our customers.

We removed the 1GB soft limit from our
policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will
enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network. The specific
terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are
final we will be certain to share this broadly with current customers
and potential new customers."

[Engadget.com]


Sounds like good news for G1 users, I'm glad they responded to this issue.

Installing Google Android SDK 1.0 On Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop

Falko Timme put together a nice guide together. The guide explains how you can install the Google Android SDK 1.0
on an Ubuntu 8.04 desktop. With this stable release of the Android SDK,
you can now develop applications for Android smartphones (like
T-Mobile's G1) and offer them on the Android Market.

Take a look at the guide if you are interested in developing apps for android on Ubuntu.

Android Phone VS iPhone Cartoon

Pretty funny cartoon from Joyoftech.com

Click the image to see full size.



Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

T-Mobile 3G Data Usage Restricted to 1GB a Month

Here is a copy of the fine print at the T-Mobile G1 Website:

3G coverage is available only in certain markets. See coverage map.
If your total data usage in any billing cycle is more than 1GB, your data throughput for the remainder of
that cycle may be reduced to 50 kbps or less. Your data session, plan, or service may be
suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service
in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other
users. Some devices require specific data plans; if you do not have the right plan for
your device, you may not be able to use data services. Some downloads, such as movies,
music, and games, not included. Domestic use only.


So if you plan on downloading songs off of the new Amazon MP3 store make sure you do not go over your 1GB limit or your speed will be reduced to below EDGE Network speeds.

1GB appears to be really low considering the way they are marketing this phone.

Android Developers Videos

Android Peeks - browser tricks

One thing I like about Android... browser tricks.
Watch Android team members talk about their favorite features.

Android Peeks - copy & paste

Steve what are you waiting for?

Android Peeks - reader and photos

Android Peeks - media in the browser

T-Mobile G1 has no 3.5mm headphone jack? WTF!

So you are thinking about how cool it will be to Download DRM free tracks from Amazon right to your new HTC G1 Phone? Cool now just plug in your headphones that you already own.....wait....WTF...there is no Headphone jack on the HTC G1!

Engadget has the photos to prove it on their website.

Instead of a 3.5mm Headphone jack the G1 uses a proprietary ExtUSB connector. Okay fine a few extra bucks and were all set, there is just one more little problem.

The adaptor will not be available when the G1 Launches on October 22nd!!!!!

Have fun with this one.

On a side not I just found this link:

3.5mm Audio Multi-Adapter

No word on if it will be compatiable with the HTC G1..most likely not.

T-Mobile G1 FAQ's

Where can I buy the T-Mobile G1™?
The T-Mobile G1 will be available for purchase on www.T-Mobile.com, in select T-Mobile retail stores, and in authorized retailer locations across the United States beginning October 22nd.


What types of plans are available for the T-Mobile G1?
Once you’ve selected a specific T-Mobile voice plan, you must also choose a data plan in order for your G1™ to work. You can choose from a data plan that offers 400 messages and unlimited data access for $25 a month—or add unlimited messaging for just $10 more a month.


What Google services come pre-installed on the T-Mobile G1?
# This device takes many of the popular Google services we’ve come to love on our desktop computers and optimizes them for use on a phone. These services include: Google Search
# Google Maps
# Gmail
# Google Calendar
# Google Talk
# YouTube


What is Android?
Android is the mobile operating system on the T-Mobile G1. It allows developers from around the world to create new and exciting applications that can easily be loaded onto the phone from the Android Market.


What is the Android Market?
The Android Market is an application storefront, developed by Google, where you will find unique applications as well as mash ups of existing and new services from developers around the world. With just a few short clicks, you can download a wide range of innovative software applications—from games and social networking, to on-the-go shopping. You’ll even be able see which applications are the newest or most popular with a star rating system (similar to YouTube).


Can I use my T-Mobile G1 while traveling internationally?
Yes. All voice and data usage outside of the United States will be subject to international rates.


Can I activate my T-Mobile G1 with Prepaid service?
No. Prepaid service for the G1 is not available at this time.


Have questions about the G1 that you ordered early?
Just login to My.T-Mobile to get the FAQ’s

HTC G1, Google Phone Video

Here is a Video showing some of the things the new T-Mobile G1 can do.

Panoramio Application for Android, T-Mobile G1

The application starts by showing your current location in a custom MapView. You can pan and zoom this map to choose the area you want to search.




Once you have selected a search area, the application downloads thumbnails of the most popular photos taken within that area.



You can tap on an item to see more details.



You can use the menu to find more pictures by the same
photographer or to see the original photo on the Panoramio site. You can find the location of the photo in
the real world. You can show the location on the map along with your
current location.



Or, you can bring up a radar view that uses the compass and GPS to show
you the location of the photo in relation to your own location.

T-Mobile G1 Press Confrence, Google, HTC, T-Mobile Live Blogging

T-Mobile G1 Worlds first Android Phone from Google, launched on both sides of the Atlantic at the same time. On the market by the end of this year.

Creating an open mobile internet and platform. Mobile internet will be dominant in the future, Mobile Traffic has grown 250%.

Committed to open mobile platforms. G1 brings open mobile platform to market for the first time.

Develop Applications and also make Android better, Android is future proof.

HTC, Google, T-Mobile shares same vision making mobile internet open and fun. Want to make internet experience more enjoyable.

Iconic Design (G1) maximize mobile experience, touch screen, keyboard appeals to many people, nothing like it on the market. Flexible and very powerful.

Mobile Internet lags in the USA by 16%, T-Mobile and Android want to change that.


http://announcement.t-mobileg1.com/#

Showing Phone now with teaser reel, looks like pictures. Taking Photos and getting ready to do live demonstrations.

Touch Screen, swipe across to see, long press for more features. Frame pictures to add on home screen. Drag and Drop on Home Screen.

Amazon.com one click MP3 ordering. Long press for more song options.

Multitasking, full slide out keyboard. Contacts, click to go to address with map. Directions, Traffic View, Street View (Google).

Compass moves as you move the phone.

Web Browser (Full Featured) zoom, multiple tabs, dedicated search button, search from anywhere on device (Contacts, Web) Send links by email right from browser (Gmail).

Applications:

Android Market on Phone, with user ratings. Programs, Apps, Games and more. (They Showed Pac-Man)

Open Marketplace, Great Third Party Applications to market.

Open Source, Freedom to develop any application to hoops, free to develop and Google will not stop your application from being distributed.

Track your Carbon footprint with the EcoRio Application.

Shop Savvy application lets you use as a Bar Code scanner to compare prices on the internet right in the store.

Question and Answer session.

Pricing is $179.00 (Beats the iPhone) existing customers can order today. October 22nd official launch day. 2 plan options for Data $25 Unlimited (Data) $35 Unlimited Web and Messaging/Data.

3G Network.

Europe Availability UK early November rest of Europe early 2009 First Q.

Tethering? Pricing with just data?

No tethering, data plan requires voice plan.

Support for MS Office Files? Can read Word, PDF, can develop by third party.

T-Mobile only? Yes Sim Locked to T-Mobile

Push email? Yes, Push, IMAP Pull

Desktop Application to Sync? No not yet, syncs with network.

Outside of 3G Markets? Yes but best experience in 3G. Also has Wireless.

How locked is this Phone? Issues like the iPhone?

Deflects Question.

Marketing? Google Marketing?

Yes, T.V. Ad's Marketing starts in October largest Advertising Campaign ever.

Server Sync? Bluetooth?
Sync with Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and more. Supports wireless headsets.

Chrome Browser?

No, but works on Web Kit. Chrome like but not Chrome.

Device Aimed at? Consumer, Business....?

Mass appeal for everyone. Young, Family, more consumer but thing enterprise will enjoy.

Gmail Functions?

Robust experience, same as desktop experience. Integrated in front end. Online Google Talk presence inside contact list.

iTunes, Skype, International?

works with any AAC, WMA, MP3, would need to be DRM unlocked for iTunes, up to consumer. No Skype support.

Dual band and Quad Band works on any band in the world.

Special Guests, Google Founders take stage.

Awkward moment......

They have been using the Phone for a while now. Throws phone in Air uses accelerometer to demonstrate app he created to measure time in the Air.

They enjoy the phone. 

Describes Phone as a computer.

Asks crowd to do a web search on their phone to demonstrate how easy it will be to do on the G1.

Computer like functionality on Phone.

Location based services.

Taking Photos. Everyone has their G1 Phones out.


Press Conference ends, press making way downstairs to see live phone demos.


 

Leaked T-Mobile G1 Specs

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2008!!


What’s known so far:

* In-store, immediate sales only available in stores within 5 miles of a 3G covered area. If a store is beyond that range, representatives will walk customers through a T-mobile.com purchase
* One touch access to: Search, Maps, Gmail, Youtube, Calendar, and Google Talk
* Gmail account and data plan required
* GPS
* 3.1 mp camera, no video recording
* No stereo bluetooth (A2DP)
* Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.16 x 0.63 in
* Weighs 5.6 ounces
* 480×320 65K color screen
* 5 hour talk time, 130 hour standby time
* Expandable up to 8GB

T-Mobile G1 with Google Press Conference in New York

The T-Mobile G1 Google Press Conference site is up and ready for today's conference, as information becomes available we will have the latest updates.

You can see the website HERE.

All site content and information about the T-Mobile G1™ with Google™
will be available shortly after the press conference is complete.

T-Mobile G1 Android Phone

The G1 is 4.6 x 2.16 x 0.63 inches, weighs 5.6 ounces, features a
480 x 320 HVGA display, 3G, GPS, 3.1-megapixel
camera, up to 8GB of memory (no format is mentioned),
5 hours of talk time with 130 hours of standby. No Video?, No
Bluetooth?, will require a Gmail account, and won't be sold at stores
outside of a 2-5 mile radius of T-Mobile's 3G coverage areas.

Read more at Tmonews.com

Android: Google's Dream, Apple's Nightmare?

A new smartphone is debuting on Sept. 23, and, no, it's not just another iPhone clone. The HTC Dream from T-Mobile will be the first handset to run Google's new mobile operating system, Android. And while it won't look as sleek as the iPhone, it promises to give mobile-phone users a lot more freedom and flexibility.
More Related

* iPhone Apps: To Pay or Not to Pay?
* The Cheaper, Faster iPhone
* "I Take the iPhone Home"

Many of the Dream's features are under wraps until launch, but based on leaked photos and videos along with screenshots released by Google, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect. The biggest departure from the iPhone design is the inclusion of a physical keyboard, which apparently slides out from underneath the Dream's touchscreen. The Dream will also allow users to run multiple applications at once and more easily share contacts and data between them. And if reports from developers TIME interviewed prove true, mobile-phone users will finally be able to cut and paste text in emails — a function that's frustratingly absent on the iPhone. The Dream, which is expected to go on sale in late October, will also reportedly cost the same as the 3G: $199.

The sweetest part of the Dream is the add-on applications available from the Android Market — Google's answer to the Apple App Store. Whereas many Apple apps cost money (typically anywhere from $.99 to $9.99), at launch all Android Market apps will be free. That includes BreadCrumbz, a picture-based navigation program that doesn't just give you a drawing of your route, but also includes real-world photos to keep you on track. Another interesting app, TuneWiki, is a tricked-out music player that encourages mobile karaoke, by synchronizing written lyrics onscreen to the song's YouTube video. It also shows you what songs other TuneWiki users near you are listening to in real time. Since Android is better than the iPhone at running multiple programs at once, you won't have to choose between apps: As Breadcrumbz helps you find your way to a party, TuneWiki can play your favorite Rihanna video and get you in a groovy mood. When it's time to make a right turn, Breadcrumbz will cut in and alert you.

Android has several other key advantages over Apple. While Apple takes a top-down approach to app development — the company must approve every app that makes it into its App Store — Google will allow creators to upload any application to the Android Market without its review. Sure that means some duds will make it in, but it will also allow for a much more open and democratic way for favorites to evolve. Perhaps more significantly, users will not be limited to a single phone or carrier for long. While T-Mobile's HTC Dream will be the first phone to run Android, Google is inviting all carriers to develop handsets for the platform. Expect to see other compatible devices early next year.

Most of the Dream's other features are expected to go toe-to-toe with the iPhone, including built-in GPS, a tilt sensor for gaming, and a camera. What's more, T-Mobile recently expanded coverage for its 3G data network to 27 major cities. The faster bandwidth promises to make watching videos and downloading websites go smoothly, but if the spotty 3G coverage offered by AT&T for the iPhone is any indication, buyers should treat this promise with deep skepticism.

On the downside, don't expect the Dream to be anywhere near as slick and shiny as the iPhone. T-Mobile may be much loved among teens for its colorful, flip-screen Sidekick, but the HTC Dream will likely have a more staid look that lacks the iPhone's panache. Plus, no one can turn on the hype machine quite as well as Steve Jobs. But whatever the Dream may lack in flair, it's no less of a breakthrough when it comes to giving mobile-phone buyers more ways to connect on the go.

HTC Dream (gPhone) In The Wild

Click Image for better picture.

Here is Video of the Interface

Google’s $199 phone to compete with the iPhone

The Google-powered cell phone is coming soon, and it will retail for $199, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The price of the new Google (GOOG) smart phone would put the device head-to-head with Apple’s $199 iPhone (AAPL). The Google phone, which features a touchscreen and is made by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, faces some stiff competition. The iPhone 3G has generated significant interest among consumers for redefining touch-screen technology, popularizing mobile applications and significantly improving Web navigation on cell phones.

T-Mobile (DT), the first carrier that will run Google’s Android mobile software, will show off the new phone to analysts and reporters on Tuesday in Manhattan. It is expected to hit stores later this fall.

Representatives from Google, HTC and T-Mobile would not comment on the Journal’s report.

Google unveiled features of the Android operating system on an unidentified black HTC handset at a developers conference in London on Wednesday.

The HTC phone is just the first of many Google-powered phones, according to the search giant. For Google to reach its ultimate goal - driving mobile Internet use and, in turn, ads - it will need to get multiple devices in the hands of mainstream consumers. The price will also need to be right, given that companies like Palm and Samsung already offer entry-level smartphones for $100.

Google's Android To Launch Sept. 23

T-Mobile just sent out some invitations for a press conference to be held next week.

You are invited to attend a press conference to witness the official unveiling of the first Android-powered phone from T-Mobile. The event will include presentations from T-Mobile,Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and other company executives and an opportunity for you to get hands-on with the phone during a live product demonstration following the speaking portion of the event.

And here is an interesting video from Google Android demo at Google Developers Day, 16th September 2008

Google Android demo

Android Photostream

Photostream is a simple photos browser and viewer for Flickr. All you need to use it is a Flickr screen name or user name.

This application serves as an illustrative example of several Android features and APIs:

• Activity aliases
• Adding custom shortcuts to Home
• Adding a new wallpaper chooser to the system
• Custom layouts
• Custom XML attributes
• Use of themes
• Use of styles
• Use of text colors
• Use of <include>
• Use of bitmap and layer drawables from XML
• Use of HttpClient
• Proper interaction between background threads and the UI thread
• Efficient display rotation (using the new onRetainNonConfigurationInstance() API)
• Animations and layout animations
• Cropping an image
• Image manipulation

Type in Home, to create a shortcut to any Flickr account. The shortcut
shows a custom icon, downloaded from the Flickr user profile:




If you plan on reusing the source code to access Flickr in your own application, you should modify the Flickr.java file to replace the existing API key with your own. The application source code also contains a very handy class called UserTask.java. This class is designed to help you easily write background operations that interact with the UI thread.

http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2008/09/android-photostream.html