Saturday, September 20, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

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

Monday, September 8, 2008

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







Saturday, August 30, 2008

Skypop on Android



Skypop on Android

Bruce Leak and Timo Bruck from SkyPop demo a couple of their new applications for Android.

Android Market Images and Features



Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

The Android Market is an open content distribution system that will help end users find, purchase, download and install various types of content on their Android-powered devices. The concept is simple: leverage Google's expertise in infrastructure, search and relevance to connect users with content created by developers like you.

Developers will be able to make their content available on an open service hosted by Google that features a feedback and rating system similar to YouTube. Similar to YouTube, content can debut in the marketplace after only
three simple steps: register as a merchant, upload and describe your
content and publish it.

More information Here






Android App: Life360

Created by Chris Hulls, Dilpreet Singh, Luis Carvalho, Phuong Nguyen, Steve Potell

Life360 uses a multi-channel messaging system and neighborhood-centric
social network to keep you up-to-date and in contact with your family
and local community. Fire warning in your area? You’ll hear about it
right away and can instantly let your entire family know you are safe.
Dog ran off and you want to ask your neighbors for help? Post a request
on the map that everyone nearby will see.

Using Android’s always-on networking capabilities, Life360 can ensure
you always stay in contact with your family and know when important
events happen in your area. Unlike most emergency alerts, these are
specifically customized to you.

Track your family on the map, know everyone’s status instantly, and
access their important medical information and emergency profiles. Get
in an accident? Life360 monitors the accelerometer to detect if you are
in a collision and automatically displays your emergency data onscreen
when you need it.


A location-based message board where you can ask for help and assist
others. Unlike other social networks, this one isn’t about interacting
with friends, but helping your neighborhood overcome challenges as a
group. Need help in a hurry? Push panic and we will notify everyone
nearby.