Android 1.5 for ADP

HTC has posted the release version of Android 1.5 for flashing your Android Dev Phone. Users really j0nesing for Android 1.5 could actually re-flash their release T-Mobile G1 devices to make them a Android Developer Phone, but will most likely loose Android Market Support is they do.

The HTC site has great instructions for flashing your device and all of the necessary files.

http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/adp.html

Samsung i7500 on O2, Germany

The rumoured Samsung Android handset is coming to O2 in Germany according to the Unwired. The name has changes from the previously rumoured Samsung S8000, to the Samsung i7500, and includes the new Android 1.5. The new phone is destined to be available on O2 in June.

• CPU: 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7200A
• LCD: 3.2″ HVGA capacitive OLED
• 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
• 3.5 mm stereo headset plug
• quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE 
• dualband UMTS/HSPA
• Bluetooth
• WIFI
• GPS
• 8 GB internal flash memory
• 11,9 mm metal-body 

Original post from Unwired via BGR

That all gets a little clearer today with the official unveiling of Android 1.5 that fully incorporates the Cupcake branch, and — perhaps much more importantly — a home screen framework for developing widgets and populating live folders with whatever content you can dream up. There’s no word on exactly how 1.5 will come to existing Android handsets in the field, but as far as we can tell, there’s nothing listed in the changelog that would prevent current hardware from taking full advantage

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/android-1-5-announced-early-look-sdk-available-today/

Not surprisingly, Peter Chou CEO of HTC says everything is fine in spite of the recent gigantic drop in profits for the first quarter of 2009. Obviously some of the issues that contributed to the recent dismal profits are being caused by the economy, but not all. Slipping release dates for upcoming devices must also be considered a cause; and one without a resolution.

“The market is picking up again, and we think it should perform well,” Mr. Chou said in an interview Tuesday. His comments came a day after the Taiwan smart-phone company posted a 30% drop in its first-quarter net profit from a year earlier amid economic weakness and delayed shipments of some products.

Could a lack of interest in Microsoft’s waning Windows Mobile based devices also be contributing in the lackluster sales?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123915344165999615.html

IBM has withdraw its bid for Sun. It sounds like the withdrawl of the offer was based upon sqabling over simple dimes in the price of Sun’s stock. Sun is teh creator of Java, the technology behind both Google’s Android Operating System and RIM’s BlackBerry OS.

Sun Microsystems Inc’s (JAVA.O) board of directors will meet on Wednesday to review the collapse of talks to sell the hardware maker to IBM (IBM.N) Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/innovationNews/idUSTRE5366D020090407

Acer has a prototype running of a Google Android desktop computer. While some may not view Android as a capable operating system for a desktop class experience, obviously it lacks only a few applications to address any lack of functionality. With the obvious potential of the installed based of underpowered desktop computers and laptops unable to run Windows Vista or Windows 7 adequately, a desktop distribution of Android could find an immediate use.

I personally think this is an awful idea. As our editor-in-chief Lance Ulanoff said onPCMag Radio today, Android totally lacks desktop-class productivity applications – yes, it has basic document editing options, but nothing with the power laptop anddesktop owners would expect. When I floated the idea to Smart Device Central editor Jamie Lendino, he responded tartly, “haven’t we already seen the HTC Advantage?” That’s a reference to a failed, overpriced sort of Windows Mobile netbook that landed with a giant thud in the marketplace in 2007.

I speculate that the desktop version of Android would run on a x86 processor, and work on many of the current desktop and laptop computers. I cant help but wonder where a download of this version of Android might be.

source: http://www.gearlog.com/2009/04/acer_has_android_prototype_des.php

Amico Brava

With 3G, a 3 MP camera and a 3″ screen, Amico’s Brava could be an interesting device. With its inclusion of Googles Android operating system, its obvious the possibilities of the phone. To see more please follow the link.

http://www.intomobile.com/2009/04/05/amico-brava-shows-off-more-android-touchscreen-goodness.html

Compal is said to be developing or has already developed a Google Android based netbook.

According to a Chinese newspaper, Compal is working out a deal with othernotebook distributors to widen their product distribution for this new product line. This should definitely be interesting, especially considering T-Mobile just let slip they will be releasing a tablet PC that also runs on Android sometime next year.

http://www.slashgear.com/odm-compal-making-android-running-netbook-0640224/

T-Mobile announced aditional Google Android based devices targeted to the home market. Both a home phone and tablet (webpad or netpad) are part of the lineup that comes with no release date. 

T-Mobile shares in this grand vision of more sophisticated devices in the home. For instance, its line of Cameo digital picture frames can receive new photos sent via e-mail or from cellphones. T-Mobile would like to link phones, photo frames, digital cameras, security systems, webcams and TVs through its software and networking services.

Is T-Mobile stepintg up to compete with the Verizon Hub and AT&T HomeManager?

Verizon, with its new Hub phone, and AT&T, with its HomeManager, sell similar products that merge the delivery of information and phone calls on a computerlike appliance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/technology/companies/06android.html?_r=1

link: http://androideka.com/