The Mobilize event happened today, with some great conversations taking place amongst innovators in the mobile and tech industry. Most of the beginning spoke about location-based services, and how they can impact the consumer, as well as enterprises all over the world. And while LBS is a huge thing now a days, it was all a footnote to what everyone was really waiting for: Motorola’s announcement, regarding their latest handsets, and what they plan to do with a little Operating System known as Android.

Motorola CLIQ hands-on video:

MOTOBLUR Video demo:

Dr. Sanjay K. Jha took the stage to start, ready to talk about the Innovation of Android. Android is a modern, well created mobile operating system. It has a well developed ecosystem that is growing daily. Motorola is supporting the development of Android. A portfolio of devices, to touch on several fronts for users. Browsing the internet, messaging, as well as other features that need to be utilized on a phone, but that may not appeal to some users.

MotoBlur is a feature that blurs the interconnectedness of social media networks, from Facebook, to contacts, messaging, and YouTube. All meant to connect who you know, and to keep them close. It syncs photos, contacts, messages, from services like Gmail, corporate emails, Facebook, Twitter, and automatically serves them on the home screen without any kinds of widgets needing to be opened independently. These widgets are placed on the homescreen, one of three available, and are updated in real time. MotoBlur will also promote the ability to post on a contact’s Facebook page, simply by going to their contact card on the phone. The devices are also worry free, as MotoBlur has a remote wipe service, but that your information is stored on servers, so that it is always safe. Once the user gets a new phone, or replaces their current MotoBlur device, their information is restored to the phone.

MotoBlur is a global feature, meant to fit on more phones by 2010, which will continue to evolve and build upon the initial release of MotoBlur. The Cliq will also be available around the world, outside of the US, under the name of Dext. Latin America, Spain and the UK will take advantage of the phone’s international releases.

So it looks like the reason T-Mobile didn’t jump on board the HTC Hero is pretty obvious now, as they were siding with the direct competition. Will it be as popular as the SenseUI seemed to be on the Hero? Only time will tell. And thankfully we don’t have any real wait here, as the fourth quarter holiday season is just right around the corner.

Press Release:

T-Mobile USA Unveils the Motorola CLIQ With MOTOBLUR
First Android™-Powered Device from Motorola Puts Social Networking Center Stage

SAN FRANCISCO — Sept. 10, 2009 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming availability of the Motorola CLIQ™ with MOTOBLUR™, the first Android-powered device from Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) and the first device to feature the innovative MOTOBLUR solution. The CLIQ will be available exclusively in the U.S. from T-Mobile later this fall.

Developed by Motorola, MOTOBLUR is an innovative solution that manages and integrates communications – from work e-mail to social networking activity – on your CLIQ. Updates to contacts, posts, messages, photos and more are streamed together and synced from sources including Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace®, Gmail™, and work and personal e-mail. MOTOBLUR automatically delivers these updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams so there is no need to open and close different mobile applications to keep up with the latest content. A 3G-capable smartphone featuring a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a full touch-screen display, the CLIQ is designed to keep the conversation moving, enabling fast messaging on the fly and easy navigation through MOTOBLUR’s streams and widgets.

Cole Brodman, chief technology and innovation officer with T-Mobile USA, jointly unveiled CLIQ with MOTOBLUR today with Sanjay Jha, co-CEO of Motorola and CEO of Motorola Mobile Devices, at GigaOM’s Mobilize 09 conference.

“T-Mobile’s highly social and always-connected customers have a natural affinity for mobile social networking, and we’re excited to feature the Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR prominently in what’s shaping up to be our most innovative holiday product lineup ever,” Brodman said. “The CLIQ lives up to Motorola’s tradition of great design and quality, and to our history of working together to create products that enhance the lives and the relationships of our customers.”

Jha said, “We’re pleased to announce our first Android-powered device in partnership with T-Mobile USA. Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR differentiates the Android experience for consumers by being the only smartphone that automatically syncs conversations, contacts and content, and delivers a solution that’s instinctive, social and smart.”

The CLIQ expands T-Mobile’s compelling lineup of Android devices and underscores T-Mobile’s commitment to the open, highly customizable platform that gives developers and manufacturers the opportunity to create truly unique experiences. This continued first-mover advantage with Android lets T-Mobile customers have access to incredible innovation in the Android Market™.

The CLIQ delivers a reliable mobile Web experience by harnessing the power and speed of T-Mobile’s 3G network and Wi-Fi. Additional CLIQ features include a 3.1-inch HVGA touch-screen display, a 5 megapixel auto focus camera with video capture and playback at 24 frames per second, a 3.5mm headset jack, a music player with pre-loaded Amazon MP3 store application, Shazam, iMeem Mobile, and a pre-installed 2GB microSD memory card with support for up to 32 GB of removable memory.

CLIQ also features multitasking capabilities and one-touch access to the Google™ mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search™ by voice, Google Maps™ with Street View, YouTube™ and Picasa™. Easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts is supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. E-mail and contacts are also supported by Yahoo!, Windows Live Hotmail, and other POP3 and IMAP e-mail services. It also combines instant messaging support for Google Talk™, as well as AOL®, Yahoo! Messenger® and Windows Live Messenger.

T-Mobile’s 3G network is currently available in 200 cities nationwide and covers more than 150 million people. By the end of 2009, T-Mobile USA expects its 3G network to be available to approximately 200 million people across the U.S.

Availability
Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR will be available exclusively to T-Mobile customers later this fall in two colors — Titanium and Winter White. Pricing will be announced at a later date. Customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com/cliq for more information.

[Via egether]

T-Mobile USA is excited to offer its T-Mobile G1 customers new software updates, including Android 1.5.  Starting at the end of next week, T-Mobile USA will begin rolling out Android 1.5 to T-Mobile G1 customers.  The over-the-air update, which all G1 customers should receive by the end of May, will provide customers with many new feature enhancements and updates, such as:

·         An on screen full QWERTY keyboard.
·         Video record and playback capabilities.
·         Easy uploading of photos to Picasa and videos to YouTube.

Additional details on Android 1.5 can be found at the T-Mobile G1 forum at http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/?category.id=Android or via the Android site: http://www.android.com/releases/.

The “T-Mobile Google G1” as they call it wont cost you the $699.99 that is advertised on the CellHut website, but the sale price of $499.99, this may be a lot of money but hey you get free shipping! . At this point we just recommend just getting the unlocked developers version, at least you get the cool design and save $100.

For those who are still a bit new about this type of phone, an unlocked handset is one in which you can use on any GSM/ SIM card enabled network with supported radio bands. For example the T-Mobile G1 is factory locked to only work with T-mobile, if you get an unlocked version you can then use it with AT&T, Cricket and MetroPCS phone plans.

[Via CellHut]

Steven Horowitz was recruited to the Android staff by Andy Rubin back in 2006 where he has helped make Android such an amazing platform. After spending so much time on Android, Horowitz believes that it is a good time for him to move on as right now is the beginning of the transformation of the mobile industry.

Steven Horowitz hints that there are many good things to come and that he is aware that any other companies are porting the Android platform to devices other than mobile phones.  We would like to thank Steven Horowitz for his contribution to this platform and we wish him good luck with Coupons Inc.

[Via WSJ]

Even if already use an Invisible Shield case for your T-Mobile G1, you may also want to try out this nice little sleeve for added protection. Not only does it provide protection against scratching the surface of your device, it also helps soften the blow does to the drops and bumps that your handset may experience, something the Invisible Shield is unable to do.

The Slipcase holds your G1 snugly and will lay flat and roll up nicely when not in use. The best part is this case will cost you less than traditional cases at only $9 a piece. If you would like to add a pocket you will only have to shell out another $4. This looks like a win win situation for scratch protection.

[Via ZDNet]

Hello,

I’m writing to let you know that Android Market will become available to users in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Poland in the coming weeks. You can now target these countries for your application(s) via the publisher website at market.android.com/publish. As we add support for additional countries, we will send out subsequent notifications to you. Note that your apps will not become available in these new countries unless you specifically select them in the publisher website.

Thanks for your support, and we look forward to continue working with you on Android Market.

Eric Chu, Android Market

This means that users in these countries will not be without application services for a single day as the Android Market will become available before the handsets are even available. It is obvious that Europe is soon to get at least one Android-powered handset be it the T-Mobile G1 or not. This may also be an indication that paid apps will be available right off the bat in other countries.

UPDATE:

This press release was just brought to our attention confirming that Europe will be getting the “G1 phone.” The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Austria will be getting this handset on January 30th. Germany will be getting it on the 2nd of February for only 1 euro ($1.33 USD).

HAMBURG, Jan 19 (Reuters) – German Deutsche Telekom’s (DTEGn.DE) wireless unit T-Mobile will begin selling its G1 phone, which has been available in Britain and the United States since October, in several European countries in coming weeks.

The G1 phone, made by Taiwan’s HTC Corp (2498.TW), features a touch-sensitive screen, a computer-like keyboard, and Wi-Fi connections as well as popular Google applications such as search, maps and mail.

It is considered the most likely contender to the iconic status of Apple’s (AAPL.O) iPhone.

“We will introduce the G1 by Jan. 30 in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Austria,” T-Mobile Chief Executive Hamid Akhavan said on Monday.

The Android-based phone will be available in Germany on Feb. 2 and in Poland later that month, Akhavan said.

T-Mobile sells the G1 phone for $179 with a two-year contract in the United States and a T-Mobile USA executive has said an estimate of 400,000 phones sold by the end of 2008 in the United States was “not incredible”.

Akhavan declined to disclose precise numbers but said the G1 was the most successful phone ever sold in the United States.

“We have sold several hundred thousand phones. Sales have clearly exceeded our expectations,” Akhavan said.

In Germany the phone will sell for 1 euro ($1.33) in combination with a two-year contract with T-Mobile.

Mobile operators hope to generate continuous revenue streams from data traffic with the help of smart phones, as prices for mobile voice calls decline.

Google introduced its Android software system for designing mobile-phone devices in November 2007, in a move it promised could help the mobile phone industry make the Internet work as smoothly on phones as on computers.

Both Google and Apple are wooing developers to create applications for their devices, but unlike Apple, which keeps a tight grip on the iPhone’s hardware and operating software, Google’s Android is open to be changed by outside developers. (Reporting by Nicola Leske, editing by Dan Lalor)

(Thanks Miquel!)

This application is only in Beta in the Android Market right now, but allows users to make local rate calls to any of your Skype contacts no matter where they are. In order to use the service all you need in an Internet connection, you don’t even have to have Wi-Fi or a 3G connection. Skype Beta also allows you send instant messages to your friends.

Basically you will be saving tons on international and long distance calls to mobile phones with this application. If you have not already given it a try, we suggest that you do so soon. Let us know what you think. Since it is in Beta, what do you think can be improved upon in a final version?

[dailymotion]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ytba_lite-version-of-skype-for-android_tech[/dailymotion]

HTC’s new 2009 roadmap was leaked including one device dubbed the “Android Hero.”  This mobile phone has the same basic shape as the G1, but is thinner, does not have a keyboard and comes in pink. CES this year had a nice surprise for us Android enthusiasts. The GiiNii Movit Internet tablet was on display running our favorite mobile operating system.

FlyCast has made its way over the Android platform after being on other smartphones such as the iPhone and BlackBerry handsets. Very similar to Pandora, FlyCast offers streaming music with no need to actually download it to your memory card. CompuLap has just introduced their new Exeda Android-powered handset. This device is really very wide and has a full QWERTY keyboard as well as several navigation controls and a landscape oriented screen.

A new rumor is flying around that we would actually like to see come true. We hear that Asus is working on an Eee Phone. With Asus’s recent success in the netbook market we are sure that they can bring the same quality and reliability to the mobile market. At CES we also had the opportunity to play with OpenMoko’s Android-powered version of the Neo FreeRunner. There was nothing particularly new or exciting about this device, as we have already seen the Android platform in action and the hardware has not changed at all. There is however there was a virtual keyboard that looks very nice.

A video popped up demonstrating a device that is branded on the front as “Dream” but under the back covering it reads “Dream G2.” This does not appear to be a quality handset; it could even be a fake with Android running on top of Windows Mobile. This phone is indeed from China where most knockoff phones come from. Dan O’Sullivan has created a G1 hat to better help give technical support to family members. The hat allows him to see what his family needs help with.

The Australian consumer electronic manufacturer who was going to release the Kogan Agora Pro has delayed the production “indefinitely” because the screen resolution may not be compatible with future Android applications. For those of you still experiencing less than desirable battery life you can now order an extended life battery if a thicker device does not bother you. The standard battery is 1150mAh, while the extended life is a monster at 2600mAh. There is also some new information regarding what will and what will not be taken from the cupcake update and released in the next official Google update. This info however must be taken with a grain of salt because nothing is set in stone.

Google does have the INTENTION to release and over the air update (OHA) that includes elements taken from the cupcake update.  A senior G1 PDA Specialist, Dylan, has apparently made a few facts clear, these facts are listed below.

• FACT – There WILL be a G1 update shortly as it was INTENDED to be by mid-January so the next target is now by the end of January.

• FACT – T-Mobile will not just provide Cupcake elements to the G2 and leave the G1 behind.

• FACT – The next update will be called RC31 and include Cupcake elements.

• FACT – The mass of calls lately for Cupcake is registering and causing T-Mobile to double their efforts in getting the update out.

• FACT – NO ONE has received RC31 as of today.

• FACT – When the update is released it will be done in stages “Over The Air” but it will be by region not when you purchased the G1.

• FACT – The memo I was privy to is NOT distributed to Support personnel.

• FACT – T-Mobile Specialists & Support are LAST to know when an update happens and are notified AFTER it is released as was the case with RC29 & RC30.

• FACT – T-Mobile does have a battery improvement program in motion.

• FACT – T-Mobile’s plan for battery improvement will be one of OR a combination of efficiencies in an OTA update and an extended life battery replacement.

[Via GoogleAndBlog]

Power users and those who game on their T-Mobile G1 will need to pick up this extended life battery from Seidio. This battery does make your device a lot thicker than it is normally, but hey its only $55 and your phone wont need a charge as often. The battery is so big that a back cover is needed just to house it.

Take a look at the picture for a moment and try to get a good realization of just how large this makes your handset before ordering, you may be surprised. The standard battery is 1150mAh, but this monster backs 2600mAh! At least now you can bring down even the largest person from across the room with one good throw of your handset.  Do you feel this extra bulk is worth it?

[Via Seidio]

The reason being he would like redesign it “to ensure its compatibility with all future Android applications.” This decision is likely the result of a recent meeting he had with Google at their US headquarters, which Kogan flagged earlier this year. Due to a very strict non-disclosure agreement signed with Google he was not able to comment further on what the meeting what about.

“The Agora reached a very late stage of development, manufacturing had commenced and we were within days of shipping the product to customers. But it now seems certain the current Agora specifications will limit its compatibility or interoperability in the near future,” Kogan, 25, said.

One thing that is a major issue is the screen resolution and size, one day developers may create an application in a higher resolution that the Agora Pro is capable of. From the sounds of it we are only lucky that the handset did not make it to consumers hands, at least as it is now. Originally this handset was planned to launch on December 15th for just $199, but later the date was delayed and the price bumped to $299 for the basic model and $399 for the Pro which includes Wi-Fi, GPS and a camera.

[Via TheAge]

At fist he though that one of those network cameras would work well, but his mother does not have an Internet connection so that went out the door.  The perfect idea came to mind, streaming the video live such as the application Qik does. He decided to program Android to do the job, it was a single day project for ITP’s 4in4.

The code he came up with basically munches together the camera preview example from the Android api. Now all you have to do is create a ridiculous hat to stick on your mother as she runs around the house fixing technical problems. I guess the questions is, would you resort to putting your mother through this in order to make your life easier?

[Via NYU]

The session is basically an introduction to creating Android applications using the SDK and developers tools provided. Software Engineer for Google, Omer Shakij, will be speaking to people and giving a walkthrough of building a non-trivial application and use it as a basis for discussing the carious facets of the Android application framework.

On the agenda they have an Overview of resources available to Android developers, Hello Android, Few API Demos from the SDK, HTC G1 Live Demo and a Q&A Session. If you reside in Pakistan and would like to attend this workshop then head over to the registration page for more details.

The first clue we the inconsistency in the name, the title not being the T-Mobile G2 is a clear indication.  At first glance this handset reminded me of the Velocity 103. Many of the menus and the need for a stylus suggest that it is possible this is running on top of Windows Mobile 6.1.

Go ahead and watch the entire seven minutes and try to think of what the continuous “Connection failed, please press OK to continue” may indicate.  Handwriting recognition is a clear indication that this is a Chinese based phone and what kind of phones usually come out of China? Even the charger was the cheap Android USB one that is selling on the Internet currently. We will let you be the judge, let us know what you think.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOnV5lAvW4Y&feature=channel_page[/youtube]

Of course the Neo FreeRunner was shown running Android. The reason they are showing the phone running a competing operating system is because OpenMoko supports the open source movements by welcoming any development involving their handset.  It comes as no surprise that Android runs quite well on this handset.

While this phone is not designed for mainstream users, OpenMoko confirms that is was indeed designed for developers and hackers. Most mainstream users will be upset to find that despite having usable basic features, the Neo FreeRunner does lack many common features found on today’s pones such as a camera. Many developers have requested that hardware features be added, but OpenMoko has not given us any information as to if these requests will be filled.

[Via SlashGear]

So far Asus has more than proven their worth in the netbook market, but just how well will they do in the mobile phone market against companies such as Motorola and HTC? Asus head Jonney Shih told the New York Times that the forthcoming Eee phone would be integrated to control a home full of Asus products including the Eee Top touchscreen PSs.

There were not too many details about the Android-powered handsets, but the New York Times do not lie or spread rumors. With Asus capable of making los cost products combined with Android’s zero cost licensing fees we suspect a very respectable phone and a great price.

[Via NYTimes]

exeda offers an open source u-boot bootloader, full BSP’s, 10/100Base-T Ethernet port, JTAG interface, RS-232 and an unlocked SIM. It is easy to see what is going on with the 3.5-inch VGA sun-readable touchscreen display. At the bottom there is a five-row full QWERTY keyboard with a unique capacitive touchpad acting as a mouse. Connectivity includes quad band GSM/GPRS, CDMA or 3G UMTS, 802.11g WLAN, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 2 USB ports and a RS-232 port.  CompuLab also provides extensions with a 100Base-T Ethernet through RJ45 connector, SDIO socket and JTAG header.

Other connectivity devices for exeda will be provided by 3rd parties and will include a Marvell PXA270 520MB CPU, 128MB RAM, 2 banks of internal FLASH that are 512MB each, 2-megapixel camera with flash, GPS with built-in and external antennas, microSD socket with SDHC support, built-in microphone and speaker + 3.5mm stereo jack and a high capacity 3000mAh battery. This device will be available running Android, Windows Mobile 6.1, Windows CE 6 and Angstrom Linux. Availability is set for March of 2009 with pricing to come soon.

FlyCast is a bit different than the other applications because it allows users to listen to stations in which only a few allow you to skip songs. They have also partnered up with Facebook, AccuWeather.com and support AAC+ and Windows Media streams. Users can download a desktop player that mirrors exactly the FlyCast mobile application with 1000 traditional stations plus 300 ‘personalized’ stations with unlimited song skipping.

“2009 will be a year of transition for broadcasting, as hundreds of millions of new ’smart devices’ hit the streets, with incredible media consumption capabilities,” noted FlyCast CEO Sam Abadir. “FlyCast continues to lead the way in offering broadcasters and webcasters innovative platform capabilities to take full advantage of these new and compelling distribution opportunities.”

Now between Pandora and FlyCast how many more streaming music applications will be released? Personally I have no need for another streaming application, Pandora and FlyCast have all the areas important to me covered. FlyCast will be available soon, no definite date has been set though.

[Via FlyCast]

The Movit Mini comes with a beautiful 4.3-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. With the aid of a microphone, speaker and webcam you will be able to place Skype calls with the built-in support for Skype. Internally there is 256MB of memory expandable via microSD card slot.

Along the side you will find a 3.5mm headphone jack and there is also interface support for Bluetooth 2.0. It sure seems that smaller companies are looking to Android to help boost them into the more mainstream market. The GiiNii Movit Mini will be released to the public about the middle of 2009 for about $149.