All you need to do to get started is have a root ed Droid, then head over to ALLDROID for instructions on how to get your phone overclocked. Be warned that pushing the phone over its recommend limit will shorten the life span of your phone and it could break it as soon as you do it so proceed at your own risk.

[via alldroid]

Picture is from http://www.wayoflife.org/database/youlegalist.html

Google may be on to something. If you take into account that T-Mobile is fairly new to the 3G arena and they do have the smallest 3G coverage out of the big 4 carriers. But this by no means explains how a G1 can be right next to a Nexus One and the G1 has 3G while the Nexus doesn’t. I personally think it’s a software issue but you be the judge. I wonder how T-Mobile feels about being blamed by their partner. Especially since T-Mobile was willing to step in and provide so support for a device that doesn’t have their branding and is not even in their stores.

[via Google Nexus One Support Forum]

Rumors that Wal-Mart would soon carry the G1 in their stores spread like wildfire this week. Despite Wal-Mart claiming that they were only rumors, the story turned out to be true. In no time at all people spotted the G1 in Wal-Mart store displays. Motorola’s Co-CEO Sajay Jha stated on a Q3 earnings conference call that there will be no Android-powered handset released by them until the Christmas season. On October 30th residents of the United Kingdom were finally able to get their hands on the T-Mobile G1. The UK, however, got a few changes that the US did not receive; the G1 in the UK comes in either Black or White while the US only got the Black and Bronze version of the G1. Other differences in the UK release is the price, you can get the device overseas for free but you must commit to a 2 year agreement, also the G1 comes with a 2GB MicroSD card as opposed to the 1Gb that we received in the US.

A week ago Google sent out the RC28 update only to quickly recall it because of security flaws. A few days later Google sent out a new update (RC29) with an added security patch that supposedly fixes the browser security issues that were present. It appears that more and more of our users receive this update every day but the bulk of them have yet to receive it. The update process is very easy, all you must do is accept the update and let the phone do its thing. For those who are too impatient to wait, there is a way to update your G1 with a MicroSD card. However, this may cause you to lose your data and is not recommended. TechOn was brave enough to dissect the G1 the other day and reported that the roll ball is the same as the one in RIM’s Blackberry handsets. Aside from that, the inside of the G1 is white. We had no idea that the G1 is painted.

Android Market received several new applications this week, including the very first emulator to run on Android, Androidboy. This emulator comes with 10 games pre-loaded for your enjoyment. In other firsts for the Android Market we saw the first of what will be many Twitter applications. Twidroid is a simple Twitter client that allows you to post “twits” and photos to Twitter.com. China is getting so desperate to get their hands on the G1 that they are illegally importing them and paying unreasonably high prices to get the devices. Learning guitar comes to Android with the addition of Splashplay. This application brings learning how to play instruments to the mobile phone. In the future, Splashplay will include light panel releases for the keyboard/piano, drums, violin and many other instruments.

PocketFinder is a popular way to track your family or pets location using GPS. This can be especially useful for parents who often worry too much. China Mobile has reportedly started working with Lenovo on what will be their first Android-Powered handset that will be released between February and March of 2009. A revolutionary application called WhitePages released this week bringing real caller ID to Android. No more wondering who is calling when you do not have the number saved to your contacts. JOYity brings social multiplayer online mobile gaming to the real world. Users can play in one of 3 games that require you to interact with other players in real life.

China Mobile has turned to Lenovo to help deliver the first Android-powered handset to China. Looking at the Lenovo site is a bit of a disappointment for many with the phone that they currently offer, this Android will almost certainly be anything but special. The site lacks the “flashy eye candy” of other major mobile phone manufactures such as Motorola, Nokia and HTC.

We can’t help but question the motive behind the decision to use this company over all the other available companies. We certainly expected the first China Mobile phone to run Android to come from a company that is a member of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). Do you think that this phone will fail given the reputation of both China Mobile and Lenovo?

Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan.

[Via Shanghaiist]

Reports come in stating that Kyocera has hopped on the Android train. Kyocera Wireless is the latest to announce that they have begun developing a new product platform incorporating Android. Kyocera is working with device optimization software specialist Wind River.

“Our goal is to make Kyocera the leader in Android integration among CDMA device manufacturers in the markets we serve,” said Dave Carey, vice president and general manager of the Consumer Products Group at Kyocera in a statement.

It appears every day Microsoft has more and more to worry about coming from Google. Android will, without a doubt be hitting hard in the mobile market as a competitor to Windows Mobile. A lot of phone manufacturers that one turned to Windows Mobile for their smartphones now have more of an option. What methods other than the future application market will Microsoft implement in order to maintain their lead over Android in the mobile market?

Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan.

[Via Wired]

Motorola has confirmed rumors that they are expanding their Android team by as many as 300 members. In other rumors, Nokia and Verizon were reportedly spotted at a recent Android developer conference put on by Google. We also heard that China Mobile may be working on a TD-SCDMA 3G Android Phone. Android Community also managed to get an exclusive hands on with the G1 and award winning Android application ShopSavvy, formerly known as GoCart. The app you to scan a barcode at the store, and immediately get local store prices as well as online prices for that particular item.

Android Community has also undergone several new changes and upgrades. Our new layout is now much better organized and hopefully easier to navigate. We are happy to announce the addition of our Knowledge Base (KB), which includes General Guides and Tips & Tricks. We have also added a user blog where you can blog about anything you wish: happy about getting your G1, just blog about it! Now users can upload personal pictures to our Member Photo Album or submit Android related photos to your flikr page. Special thanks to Ewdi for putting in the time and effort to make this site what it is.

Many of us are very excited to hear that the G1 will be ready for 16 Gig microSD cards right out of the box. More astonishing news was heard with the explanation of Applications Without Boarders. The simple concept of applications being able to share data and work off of each other. Several different applications may now use the same database library created by another. Screen shots of BestBuy’s inventory hint that they will be receiving the G1 in November. While no one can confirm this as of yet, it looks highly possible with the time frame in which BestBuy received the iPhone 3G.

Andy Ruben spoke about the differences between Android Market and Apple’s App Store, and has revealed there will be no bandwith limitations for Android applications, T-Mobile has asked that developers with free apps, that take more than 15 Megabytes a month for a single user, pay a $2 monthly fee. With the recent demand of the G1 T-Mobile has tripled the production of G1 handsets available for pre-order before October 22nd and managed to sell through them all already. Android software engine Andy Stadler spoke about how Android is fully embedded with search. T-Mobile has officially released the G1 emulator with 360 view. This emulator allows you to go thought the phone almost as if you had it in front of you.

Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan.

“We’re excited about the innovation possibilities on Android, and [we] look forward to delivering great products in partnership with Google and the Open Handset Alliance (OHA),” a Motorola spokesperson said, in a statement to BetaNews.

Motorola refuses to comment on any specific projects they are working on. Android is the perfect opportunity for Motorola to bounce back, still not having a successor to the infamous RAZR. Since then, Motorola continues to sell phones like the Motorola Q that run Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, but now are venturing into the Linux phone market with the announcement of the U9, a phone supporting the Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMo) platform.

“Motorola has long been an advocate of open software for mobile platforms. Today, we’re excited to continue this support by joining Google and others in the announcement of the Open Handset Alliance and Android platform. Motorola plans to leverage the Android platform to enable seamless, connected services and rich consumer experiences in future Motorola products,” according to Zander.

Photo created by Android Community member heyitsnan

[Via BetaNews]

With Lg producing Android-powered devices that puts Verizon in a really good place to have one of their own. Lg being a major manufacturer for them would make it a lot easier for them to agree on terms for the first Android-powered handset on there network. Sources say that the delay is because of “negative responses” from mobile operators as well advertising sponsors being skeptical about Google’s profit model for phones.

While neither Samsung or LG have said anything about releasing an Android-powered handset it looks very likely with both being members of the Open Handset Alliance. I would love to see phones comparable to the Samsung Omnia or the LG Dare coming to market running the Android Os. At this point only time will tell.

Picture provided by forum member missxoash.

[Via Unwiredview]

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]

Many are thrilled to hear about such a large player in the cell phone industry making such a huge commitment to developing Android on there handsets. The same source has reported Nokia and Verizon at a recent Android developer conference put on by Google last week for developers who had not yet seen the G1 to help prepare them for its launch.

Recently Nokia recently acquired the rest of Symbian it didn’t already own, hinting that they intend to go in another direction. Chances are Nokia has an Android team sniffing around if for nothing more than to gain competitive intelligence. It will be hard for Nokia to compete with the several Android powered handsets set to hit the market this coming year. Android remains a good option for cell phone companies because it is an open-source OS, manufacturers don’t have to pay a licensing fee to the company that controls the Orating System.

[Via Android Community]

The new areas include Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle. Their UMTS/HSDPA network is capable of download speeds up to 1Mbps.

By the end of 2008, T-Mobile aims to have 27 US areas (including Birmingham, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis and Tampa) with 3G service in operation, offering high-speed coverage to more than two-thirds of their existing data customers. The carrier has previously suggested that, in addition to the standard cellphones it offers, it will introduce “new and compelling data-centric, all-in-one devices”. This could possibly be a reference to the T-Mobile G1, HTC’s Dream for the T-Mobile USA network.

[via SlashGear]

The Introduction to Android platform session lasted around 90-minutes.  Jason announced that the source code to Android is currently available to Google’s Open Handset Alliance (OHA) partners.  The general public will get access to the source code when the first handset (that being the Android HTC Dream phone) ships.  At such time, Android will be called “Android Version 1.0.”  Android version 1.0 will be available to everyone and anyone who wants to download and port Android to any phone or any other devices they so desire.  Once Android version 1.0 hits the street, you do not have to be an OHA member and you don’t need to sign anything or ask for anyone’s permission to install Android on any device.  The audience wanted to know when will Android version 1.0 be available.  Unfortunately, Google would not provide any specific dates other than “the second half of 2008.”  When pressed, a Google source stated that it wasn’t really their call alone to make.  The release date is largely up to OHA members, especially manufacturers making the phones and the carriers who will sell and distribute the Android phones.  Lets hope all 31+ OHA members don’t take too long to decide when’s the best time to release Android version 1.0.

After his presentation, Jason opened up the floor for questions…

Q. What if somebody wants to build an application that is similar to a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that can run other programs. What security implications are there for these kinds of applications?
A. It’s possible to do but we haven’t thought about it. There is a large security team working on Android. There are languages that are working to port their bytecode to the Dalvik VM, so it won’t just be for the Java language.

Q. Traditionally carriers rip out things. What steps do you take to prevent somebody like Cingular from making an “almost-Android” phone?
A. They could do that if they wanted because it’s open source. But Android is a complete stack of software so why would you want to break it? There’s value in a full stack and in a lot of applications. There’s no incentive to alter it in ways that wouldn’t be compatible. We want manufacturers and operators to customize in ways they can differentiate. They don’t all have to have the same home screen, the same look and feel, and so forth but they should be able to run any Android apps.

Q. When do developers get hardware?
A. When everybody else does (when retail phones are for sale).

Q. Does Android platform development follow the JSR (Java Specification Request) model?
A. Android is not Java technology. It uses the Java programming language but Dalvik is not a JVM. It’s not claiming to be Java tech.

Q. Is support for Flash lite planned?
A. Not at the moment.

Q. Will there be an SDK for PPC Macs?
A. Don’t think so. Just Intel.

Q. Will you have aesthetic standards like the iPhone?
A. We’re working with UI designers to put out a user interface guideline. Also android provides standard UI widgets.

About Jason Chen

Jason is currently a developer advocate at Google where he works on ensuring that developers for the Android platform are successful. He previously led the developer support team for Google Checkout. Prior to joining Google, Jason worked at IBM and Urchin Software.

Android Developer Challenge Top 50 Winner – HandWx

The award-winning mobile weather program was developed using WDT’s advanced real-time Doppler Radar data, overlaid onto Google Maps. This allows users to view precise weather radar and forecasts with easy search and “zoom in/out” functions, using gestures familiar to all Google Maps aficionados. HandWx allows weather trackers to view weather information within storm patterns, right down to the street and house level. The application provides unique, location-based weather feeds and forecasts sent directly to Android-based handsets, based on precise location coordinates.

“Unlike Internet-based weather applications, HandWx knows where you are, even when you don’t,” said Roland Schweitzer of Weathertop Consulting. “Imagine you’re on a trip driving across the country and you want to know if it’s going to be warm enough to camp outdoors in your lightweight sleeping bag,” said Schweitzer. “You don’t know a zip code and there’s no discernible town nearby to get a quick bearing on a forecast. Flip on your Android phone and load up HandWx and you’ll soon have a forecast for up to seven days for your current location. You can track radar and storm data, wherever you are, and if the forecast calls for a cold or stormy night, that old motel you just passed won’t look so bad.”

Users can get a forecast for any location in the United States by typing in a zip code, latitude/longitude coordinates, a city and state, or the address of a local milestone. The Android geo-coding automatically locates the latitude and longitude for the information you entered, allowing HandWx to deliver the latest forecast for that location. Alternatively, triangulation with cellular tower signals helps locate your precise location which can be used for getting a forecast or accessing tiled weather radar data whenever you are in “follow-me” mode.

State-of-the-Science Radar and Forecasts

WDT produces radar imagery with the highest spatial resolution available, at 1 kilometer. It also provides the highest temporal resolution, with updates every 2 minutes. WDT serves up the national United States radar mosaic in real-time and on-demand, using a proprietary “weather tile server”. WDT accesses the low-latency streaming data feeds of all 136 Level II NEXRAD National Weather Service radars to produce these radar images. “WDT uses cutting edge quality control and merging techniques to create an extremely accurate and timely picture of the current radar, and delivers it as Google Maps-compatible tiles,” said Michael Eilts, President and CEO of WDT. “We update the tiles every 5 minutes, for the entire country, and with street level zoom and transparency capabilities, it’s easy to get a view of information that is usually totally obscured by radar echo. With the transparency function, you can view precise locations within the storm’s path, and then predict with certainty whether you need to take action,” said Eilts.

HandWx serves up these precise and uncluttered radar images for countrywide/regional/state or citywide areas. All data forecasts are provided by the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Weather Service via the National Digital Forecast Database, which is updated hourly.

Rapid animation and “follow me” updates

The HandWx high quality radar tiles are sophisticated overlays to the Android map interface, which allow you to animate storm paths and view the radar by roaming and zooming at will over the entire United States. Weather trackers can ask the application to follow their current location and update the radar tiles every 5 minutes as they move. Future HandWx applications will include nearby lightning strikes, hurricane forecast tracks, and National Weather Service watches and warnings for your current location or any location that mobile users choose.

Submissions to the Android Developer Challenge I took place from January 2 through April 14, 2008. The 50 applications selected for the first award will then be eligible for even greater recognition, via ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards, for a total of $10 million in awards.

About the Open Handset Alliance
The Open Handset Alliance^TM is a group of more than 30 technology and mobile companies who have come together to accelerate innovation in mobile and offer consumers a richer, less expensive, and better mobile experience. Together we have developed Android^TM, the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. For more information: http://www.openhandsetalliance.com

About Weather Decision Technologies
Founded in 1999, Weather Decision Technologies has become a global leader in providing state-of-the-science weather detection, nowcasting, and forecasting systems and services to our partners and customers. WDT is headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma and maintains an international marketing office in Arlington, Virginia. For more information: www.wdtinc.com.

About Weathertop Consulting, LLC
Weathertop Consulting is a computer services and software development consulting company located in College Station, Texas. We are experts in software development for Web-based display and analysis of earth science data. The company specializes in all aspects of scientific data management, including standards-based data storage and OPeNDAP servers. For more information: http://www.weathertopconsulting.com.

[Via PHONE Magzine]

“What I’m saying is I like it a lot more than before … We’re now looking to see when it’s ready to be developed. Now I’m in the camp where I’m positive that it’s something I’d want in our portfolio” Ralph de la Vega today, president and CEO, AT&T

According to de la Vega, one of the key positive points of Android is the flexibility handset manufacturers and carriers have in customizing the OS, leading to the possibility of an AT&T branded cellphone that runs the Google platform but is unique in its appearance. Google has always maintained that it will not limit Android handset to its own suite of mobile apps, but allow developers to add to, edit or replace them with their own preference.

Current partners to the Open Handset Alliance have verbally agreed not to modify the OS to the point that applications coded for it will not run on other Android-based devices; it is unclear what affect, if any, AT&T’s intentions will have on this.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdTzQ4cqq0c[/youtube]

[Via AT&T in talks with Google for upcoming Android handsets - PHONE Magazine]