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Tagged: Android Applications

T-Mobile G1 hands-on: Award-Winning Android App feature ShopSavvy

By Staff Editor
on 29 Sep, 2008

We had a little bit of time today to get an exclusive one on one time with the G1 for our Android Community members, at a special developers event held in Dallas. The company behind Google Application Challenge award winning app ShopSavvy, Big In Japan - were there, demonstrating the software in action on a G1.

The G1 phone was quick and responsive as when we played with it at the launch event last week. We were able to get hands on time with the full version of ShopSavvy. We scanned a barcode (for demonstration purposes, a Logitech webcam) and were able to compare prices online as well as at many stores in the area. No word on when the application will be released, or if it will be a free application or one in which you must purchase. We can imagine it would be particularly useful for all the Christmas shopping coming up over the next few months. One particularly useful feature is price alert, allowing you to save products to a wish-list that updates you when the product is discounted into your pre-set price range. Check out the video interview we did with Big In Japan here. [gallery]

China working on TD-SCDMA 3G Android Phone?

By Staff Editor
on 29 Sep, 2008

We have heard very little thus far on Android coming to other countries. The largest operator of mobile communication services in china, China Mobile Communications (China Mobile), may introduce the first Android to China. They plan to include outsourced production by Taiwan-based High Tech Computer (HTC) who made the T-Mobile G1.

China Mobile is the only mobile operator in China to join the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). China Mobile and Google, Marvell, China-based software developer Borqs International formed a technology alliance in September 2007 to promote a Linux-based open mobile system (OMS), integrating mobile applications specifically for the China market, the sources indicated. China Mobile had originally planned to have an Android-powered handset by the end of 2008, with Borqs developing OMS applications. The development of OMS applications has been behind schedule forcing China Mobile to postpone releasing a handset until the second quarter of 2009. Alternatively China Mobile may ask HTC to offer an Android handset by the end of 2008 before creating OMS handsets, these Android devices possibly will support China's TD-SCDMA 3G. HTC plans to set up subsidiary in China to promote cooperation with China Mobile. [Via Digitimes]

Android Community Week in Review – Week 38 2008

By Staff Editor
on 28 Sep, 2008

It has been a very busy week for Google's Android platform with the announcement of the G1. T-Mobile has started taking pre-orders for the G1 with price starting at $179,with a release date of October 22nd. A lot of people however were not happy to hear the data plan being capped at 1Gig. T-Mobile quickly removed the 1Gig soft cap after getting a lot of negative feedback about the decision.

Android comes full of much loved features such as Youtube, and the Android equivalent to iTunes "Amazon MP3". The clean interface on these applications give them the edge over competitors applications of the same nature. Google's new mobile version of Street View is a feature that all people will find useful. Visa has been at work creating an application that will offer account notifications, merchant offers and ATM locations. It appears that the white G1 was held back from pre-orders, rumor is the white paint used to coat the device was chipping. The white version was even scarcely seen at T-Mobile's G1 announcement. The G1 "Getting Started" guide got out a few weeks early revealing a lot more about the device including the box contents. Also released this week was the long awaited official Android SDK 1.0. Not much new to see in this polished version. Photo of the dressed up Android is courtesy of Android Community's member htc_dreamer. [gallery] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kngcp0ooDig[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3omdLHn6YM[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSCOGxh5LEk[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZoxIqZtYJ4[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POI1n0v-GDA[/youtube]

EA Mobile to bring games to Android

By Staff Editor
on 27 Sep, 2008

It appears the demand for top of the line mobile games is going to be huge with Android. From the demand for new cutting edge games, to the desire to have emulators that play retro games. A lot of open source fans are also avid gamers. It comes as no surprise that Glu Mobile and Namco Networks have announced their first Android games already. Due to the fact that Android Market will initially have free applications, Bonsai Blast and Pac-Man will be given away for free. EA has not yet jumped into the Android Market with their larger games because the level of design put into each game make them easy candidates for a higher price. "EA will support the Android platform, as any platform that can deliver a robust game experience is good for introducing new consumers to mobile games," "EA Mobile has elected to wait for the launch of a content billing solution to bring their premier IP to market." It looks like Android owners will have to wait for The Sims, FIFA or Spore Origins until EA can charge for them. However with the phrase 'premier IP' hints that the publisher might release a few free games for G1 owners until Android Market allows for paid content. It is possible to see a light version of Soduku or Solitaire. [Via Pocketgamer]

T-Mobile G1 pre-order has come to an end [Updated]

By Staff Editor
on 27 Sep, 2008

Update: Pre-order is back up. Thanks A-Tron! We heard from our friends at T-Mobile today and here's the official statement:

"The T-Mobile G1 microsite experienced a technical glitch this morning, and is now back up and running. Since Tuesday's announcement, we've experienced heavy demand for the device. A small quantity of T-Mobile G1s are still available at this time for T-Mobile customers. Please visit http://www.T-MobileG1.com for details." -thanks Kristen!

Note that there are only a small quantity of the T-Mobile G1s are available. That means if you want a G1, you better hurry because T-Mobile is running out! With the overwhelming response to the announcement of the T-Mobile has run out of available devices for the G1 pre-order. Hundreds of people immediately jumped on T-Mobile's site to pre-order their device. So many in fact that the site was down for several hours.

Android gets Visa Mobile Payment-Related Services

By Staff Editor
on 26 Sep, 2008

Visa has announced plans to make a mobile payment-related application primarily for use on Android. The service is targeted to be broadly available to the United States by the end of the year, initially available to Chase Visa cardholders. The first set of services for Chase Visa card holders will be to receive notifications on their phone about any account activity they have; get offers from a wide array of merchants; and use GPS to quickly map nearby merchants where they can redeem Visa offers and locate ATMs that accept Visa. Visa is working to eventually bring the payment-related services to all Visa card holders. Visa also plans to eventually create a way for people holding 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."

Customers who sign up to a new card would have the option to choose weather they would like to participate in this service or not. Visa plans to work on three key service points to make the customers life easier: Alerts, Offers and Locator. Alerts will give you real time notifications of any account transactions that go through. You can set parameters, such as the size of the transaction, or whether the transaction is in foreign currency. Offers will range from discounts to loyalty offers that could be based on prior purchases. Location is pretty self explanatory, helping you find ATMs that accept Visa.

"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."

[Via Corperate.Visa.com]

G1 YouTube, AmazonMP3 and Settings video walkthrough

By Staff Editor
on 25 Sep, 2008

YouTube is very clean and easy to navigate. The dark interface gives a really nice touch when reading through descriptions of videos and looking through thumbnails to find what you are looking for. Video loading times seemed to be the only drawback of this application - possibly due to the WiFi and 3G networks in the test area being overworked - but were quickly made up for with video resolution and easy controls. There does not seem to be too much to rave about the settings menu other than the clear settings descriptions helping the user know what each setting category is about. The layout includes a symbol to the right of each option that quickly and easily informs the user as to wither a specific settings is on or not. The “about” page includes a lot of detailed information about your device and usage including Battery Status, Battery Level, Signal Strength, Network and Kernel Version to name just a few. Similar to iTunes for the iPhone, Google is offering a vast library of songs for download while on the go thanks to a collaboration with Amazon. Users who currently use Amazon will find the interface familiar; the layout is very simple in comparison to iTunes. Song descriptions include the artist, album cover art, album, song name rating. Amazon even allows a brief preview of each song before you purchase. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kngcp0ooDig[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSCOGxh5LEk[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3omdLHn6YM[/youtube]

Android SDK v1.0 released early

By Chris Davies
on 23 Sep, 2008

If you were following our Live Blog this morning then you'll know that Google promised to release the final Android SDK simultaneously with the launch of the T-Mobile G1 on October 22nd. If you're a new developer, or are simply bored with v0.9 of the platform, that could seem like a long way off; thankfully, after some sneaky digging, links to v1.0 for Windows and Linux have turned up.

So far the main changes spotted are a new "maximize" button for the browser, but presumably the whole thing will be more stable, too. Google have previous stated that they cannot guarantee anything coded with v0.9 will be fully compatible with v1.0. There's no telling how long the links will stay active - something tells me that Google will yank them as soon as they realise the mistake. However if you're quick you might be able to get them: Windows: http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk-windows-1.0_r1.zip Linux: http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk-linux_x86-1.0_r1.zip [via AndroidGuys]

G1 pre-loaded goodies: Demo Video

By Staff Editor
on 23 Sep, 2008

The G1 comes pre-loaded with many useful applications including Google Search, Maps, YouTube, Gmail, Contacts, Calendar and IM. Sing in just once with you Google account and it will automatically synchronize all of your applications. You can even protect your data with a secure “lock pattern”. A drag down status bar that holds all of your notifications is extremely useful without getting in the way. This bar displays new text messages, email, calendar events, instant messages and more. When a text message comes in, the status bar will give a brief preview of the message. Contacts are easy to search through and locate. A few simple clicks and you can locate a contacts address on a map for directions. You can the location in satellite or street view as well, making it easier to visualize an unfamiliar location. Navigation is made easier with a built in accelerometer, giving a compass option to help - turn the phone, and the mapping automatically turns with you so you always know which way you're facing. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys[/youtube]

Big in Japan wins again: $700k startup funding

By Chris Davies
on 18 Sep, 2008

Big in Japan's bank account will be receiving its second major deposit of the year, as the company secured $700,000 of startup funding from Architel, an IT infrastructure company that also offers investment in early-stage Dallas-based tech firms. The money will be used both to develop ShopSavvy, the app Big in Japan are best known for, and the company itself into an "idea factory".