Posts Tagged ‘Google Android’
Google’s Nexus 1 Superphone Launched
Google has unveiled its first phone the Nexus 1, which combines the latest in hardware from HTC Corporation with the newest Android software.
The goal of Google’s new consumer channel is to provide an efficient way to connect Google’s online users with selected Android phones.
Through the web store found at www.google.com/phone, consumers can buy the Nexus 1 without service (meaning any GSM network SIM card can be inserted into the device), or purchase the phone with service from one of Google’s operator partners. As new phones come to market through this channel, consumers will benefit from the ability to match a phone of their choice with the service plan that best meets their needs. Operator prices and plan details will be featured on the site.
“The Nexus 1 belongs in the emerging class of devices which we call ‘superphones,’ with the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset making it as powerful as your laptop computer of three to four years ago. It’s our way to raise the bar on what’s possible when it comes to creating the best mobile experience for consumers,” said Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering. “We look forward to working with handset manufacturers and operators to bring more phones to market through this channel worldwide.”
Nexus 1 Hardware features include:
•Display: 3.7″ AMOLED 480×800 WVGA display
•Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
•Processor/Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 3G QSD8250 chipset, delivering speeds up to 1GHz
•Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus with flash and geo tagging
•Onboard memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
•Expandable memory: 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
•Noise Suppression: Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
•Ports: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
•Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
•Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
•Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive
“The Nexus 1 represents the unique combination of design and innovation two companies like Google and HTC can have when they collaborate,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “The Nexus 1 continues HTC’s strategy of offering people a portfolio of phones that meet their diverse needs.”
The Nexus 1 runs on Android 2.1, a version of the platform’s Eclair software, which offers advanced applications and features including:
•Google Maps Navigation: offering turn-by-turn driving directions with voice output.
•Email: multiple Gmail accounts; universal inbox and Exchange support.
•Phone book: aggregate contacts from multiple sources, including Facebook.
•Quick Contacts: easily switch between communication and social applications.
•Android Market: access to more than 18,000 applications.
In addition, the Nexus 1 introduces new functionality and software enhancements:
•Enter text without typing.
•Use a voice-enabled keyboard for all text fields: speak a text message, instant message, tweet, Facebook update, or complete an email.
•Tell your phone what you want it to do.
•Search Google, call contacts, or get driving directions by just speaking into your phone.
•Take personalization to the next level.
•Dynamic, interactive, live wallpapers react to the touch of a finger.
•More widgets and five home screen panels allow for further device customization.
•Capture camera-quality pictures and video with your device.
•5 megapixel camera includes LED flash, auto focus, zoom, white balance and color effects.
•View pictures and Picasa Web Albums in the new 3D Gallery.
•Record Hi-Res MPEG4 video, and then upload to YouTube with one click.
•Read your voicemail messages.
•Get transcribed voicemail with Google Voice integration, without changing your number.
Nexus 1 is initially available from the Google web store in the US without service for $529 or starting at $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile USA. In the near future, Verizon Wireless in the US and Vodafone in Europe plan to offer services to customers in their respective geographies. Today, consumers can go to www.google.com/phone to learn about the Nexus 1 and place an order. Google will initially take orders from consumers in the US and three other markets – the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
In the coming months Google plans on partnering with additional operators, offering consumers access to a broad set of service plans.
Google Maps Navigation Will Come With Voice Guidance
Google Maps is one of the most popular if not THE most popular freeware apps/preloaded GPS apps for any handset. It works great on almost all handsets including some of the lower end models and is extremely easy to use. Although it provides you with directions on getting from point A to point B, it’s easily usable if you don’t have drive since voice guidance has been part of the deal.
That’s about to change, at least for Android handset users. Google Maps Navigation (Beta) has been designed for Android 2.0 devices and is expected to have frequent GPS users in a tizzy. The features would include 3D views and even turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. The new mapping system is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance. It uses the handset’s net connection to update the system on the latest maps and business data.
These are the list of features that the new Maps with Navigation offer -
Search in plain English
Search by voice
Traffic view
Search along route
Satellite view
Street View
Car dock mode
Google’s Chrome Tablet Concept Revealed
After last week’s iPad announcement by Apple, Google has been playing around with a similar web-tablet concept for Chrome OS. It went up on Google’s development site Chromium last Monday, two days before Apple unveiled iPad. Google’s User interface designer for Chrome OS, Glen Murphy, blogged about the tablet concept on his personal blog yesterday.
So far, this is just a concept of Chrome OS’s touch interface, but Telegraph claims that Google is already in talks with HTC, the handset manufacturer behind Google branded Nexus One and countless other Android powered handsets.
“Although Chromium is not an official Google website, the concept video has been put together by Glen Murphy, one of Google’s Chrome OS designers. Google is also reportedly in discussions with Taiwanese consumer electronics giant HTC about making a touch-screen tablet computer. HTC already makes many of the mobile phones that run Google’s Android operating system, and designed and built Google’s own-brand handset, the Nexus One.”
Chrome OS was initially meant for the netbooks and this concept could very well mean they could be considering the possibility of scaling their new operating system to touch input based tablet computers as well. Meanwhile, companies like HP are already working on their own tablet computers.
Chrome OS tablet actually sounds like a neat idea, if at all it ever sees the light of the day. Since hardware manufacturers like Dell and HP would very soon be rolling out their own iPad killers, it makes sense for Google to support touch input devices for Chrome OS.