An “exclusive” article over on TheStreet claims that Google is actually in the hardware business after all. Yep – according to them, Google has plans to develop their own handset and release it to the masses.
Sprint HTC Hero Review: HTC Sense is the Icing On Top of the Android Cake
My Background
Being that this is my first piece for AndroidGuy.com, I want to give you, the readers, some insight into my background so that you may interpret this review accordingly. I’m 23 years old and I’m currently in my second year of law school. I love all kinds of gadgets, and I am, like everyone, biased. I use Apple computers, I think plasma televisions are unquestionably superior to LCDs, I prefer Canon cameras, and I recently have decided that I loathe BlackBerry phones. Oh, and I think that Jay Cutler has been blessed with a golden arm of the Gods. That being said, I am more than willing to admit when a product is, in fact, a good product.
Google’s Schmidt: “Android Adoption is About to Explode”
Yay for headlines like that. Today was Google’s Q3 earnings conference call and one of the hot topics was the growth in their mobile division. As well all know, Android is the key ingredient to the recipe of success.  We’ll spare you the entire call and transcript and give you the stuff that has us most excited.
“Android adoption is about to explode. You have all the necessary conditions.” – Eric Schmidt
Sprint Announces Samsung ‘Moment’ For November 1 Release
Sprint has officially announced their second Android-handset, the Samsung Moment. Previously codenamed the InstinctQ, the Moment boasts an 800MHz processor in addition to some other healthy specifications.
LG Formally Announces LG-GW620 as First Android Handset
Hot on the heels of last week’s leak comes the official announcement of LG’s first Android handset. Called the LG-GW620, it’s a slide out QWERTY with a 3″ touch screen. The press release tells us little about the handset other than it is part of a larger strategy from LG. From the sounds of it, they plan to use Android to appeal to younger users and keep pumping out plenty of WinMo devices for the adult crowd.
Will New Devices Fragment the Android Market?
Will the introduction of new Android devices fragment the Android Market? I suppose it’s possible, but not probable.
As companies like INQ hint at their own take on the experience and Cole Brodman acknowledges the shortcomings of the Android Market if there is fragmentation, it’s likely to be in how it appears on handsets.
So far, one the physical differences between Android handsets is screen and pixel size. With the HTC Tattoo gearing up for release, will developers have to also worry about how their apps work on both capacitive and resistive touch screens? What about other form factors?
The T-Mobile G1 and the Motorola Cliq sport full QWERTY’s and we already know apps play well with track balls, soft keyboards, and touch screens. However, way back in 2007, Android was shown on a device that resembled a 1st generation BlackBerry Curve and other low-to-mid level phones. Now we could be looking at fragmentation – Writing apps to take advantage of specific hardware.
Just how specific are we talking? Will Android Market have device specific apps? For instance, if I went into Market and look for NitroDesk could it be identified by “NitroDesk – Cliq” and/or “NitroDesk – Tattoo”. Nah…that’s way too much confusion for the casual smart phone buyer.
So will new devices fragment Android Market? App differentiation maybe, but fragmentation no.
And Here’s the Motorola Cliq!
So long “Morrison” and hello Cliq! The next exclusive handset headed to T-Mobile will be the Motorola Cliq. All the rumors and speculation proved to be pretty accurate.
Here’s the low down on the hardware for those of you who might be into that sort of thing.
Motorola introduces MOTOBLUR
We’ve waited long enough to see it so let’s cut right to the chase. Here’s what Motorola has done with Android! It’s beautiful and bound to have a mass market appeal.
MOTOBLUR integrates all of your contacts in one place – be it phone numbers, email addresses, MySpace, twitter, or Facebook.
Motorola has created a “Happenings” widget that ties together your friends’ tweets, status updates, photos and more. All on the desktop, with no need to open an app. Check out the latest song your friends listened to using Last.FM! As they put it, this is more about getting the message and not so much how they said it.
Wanna update your status? Type it out and then pick how/where you post it! You can pick which of the big three social networking clients gets your update. Choose any one or all three. Take a picture and upload to those services as well as Picasa and Photobucket.
When you receive an incoming call, you get the name, latest profile pic, status and more!
MOTOBLUR is always updating and backing up your info in the clouds. Anywhere you go with it, you have the same connection. This will be especially interesting as MOTOBLUR moves into other devices down the road. Speaking of which, Sanjay Jha said to expect multiples of tens of devices running it over the coming months.
Android’s Mass Assualt Begins – HTC’s Cost Friendly ‘Tattoo’ Announced
Do you hear that sound? That would be the Android floodgates opening up. Not only have HTC announced yet another Android handset, but this is the budget-friendly model expected to bring it to the masses.
The second phone to carry HTC’s Sense UI, the Tattoo offers specs very similar to the phones we’ve seen so far. That is, with one notable exception – It will be free. It’s not known which carrier will be offering the Tattoo, but according to our email, the “HTC Tattoo will be available in Europe first at the beginning of October, and will roll out in markets around the world in the following months…will be available from free on contract (details according to operator).“
If the name “Tattoo” doesn’t ring any bells, it’s probably because it was known as the Click for most of it’s pre-announcement life. We’re hoping the specs in this cost-friendly handset indicate that HTC is ready to move forward with much more powerful stuff.
Fun stuff : HTC’s website for the Tattoo shows a one getting “inked” on the back for personalization. Looks like another customizable phone a la the myTouch 3G.
Here are the official specs to the HTC Tattoo. Of particular note is the FM radio. This is the first Android handset to sport one of those!
And Now it’s Official: Sprint Announces HTC Hero for October 11th
Alright, finally! Â Sprint has made their official announcement regarding the HTC Hero. Â We now have everything there is to know – the price, the release date, the look.