- Browse Archives -      April 2009

Back at the MWC during February we reported on Google’s demonstration of the up-and-coming Gmail application for mobile devices, specially Android based and the iPhone. Things have finally come to fruition for the search giant, who recently demonstrated a refined version of the software on the HTC Magic running Android at the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco last week and have now posted an official blog entry about the whole thing on the Google Mobile Blog.

This neat little package allows Gmail users to access their email through increasingly streamlined means. As we reported back in February, the technology behind the software steams from HTML 5.0 and Gears. This will, in principle, allow the new Gmail to run on many phones through a web-browser, and not just those powered by Android or the iPhone/iPod Touch software. Expect things like off-line email access and floating tool-bars (housing archive and delete functions) that follow you as you scroll through your emails. This reduces finger swipes, saving your little digits from over exerting themselves.

There are plenty of other improves to boot, including improved labelling and layout. The new Gmail mobile is currently only available for Android based devices and the more up to date Apple devices. However, Google seem to favour a web-based solutions approach as opposed to native applications because it enables them to reach a wide audience more easily as other phones improve their web-browsers.

If you are running Android, give it ago by browsing to gmail.com from your mobile browser.

Labels: Android Application, Android News

Google have clearly been hard at work of late, and this new addition to their software suite is probably the most requested ever. Currently only available for Android users and iPhone users (OS 2.2.1+), the new Mobile Web Calendar does exactly what it says in the title; it provides users the ability to edit Google Calendar on mobile devices, be it on the move or in the comfort of their own home.

Clearly making use of the same technology as the new web based Gmail software for Android, Mobile Web Calendar will work offline or on dodgy connections by starting up and showing you your last viewed events. It allows Android or iPhone users to select an event to change their attendance status, edit the details, and add or remove guests. As a web-based application, this solution will not always be limited to Android, and will be ready and waiting as other mobile phones upgrade their web-browsers to support HTML 5. Give it ago and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Labels: Android Application, Android News

Earlier in the week we reported that Google had cut tethering applications from the application store. Tethering applications allow users to hook their G1 up to another device such as a laptop, and use the data connection provided by the G1 as a modem for the laptop, thus providing it with the Internet. This has a few implications, not least of which is due to the fact that T-Mobile also provide wireless Internet based on a monthly subscription for laptops in markets such as the UK and USA. Allowing G1 owners to use their G1’s ‘unlimited web browsing’ for their laptop as well would effectively destroy a sector of T-Mobile’s business.

This stirred up a whole load of controversy, primarily because many users could potentially be using a G1 on a network that allowed this functionality. Not everyone who owns a G1 is on T-Mobile. Plenty could have purchased a G1 and legally unlocked it for use on another network. Many users found that this was dramatically unfair since there is no reason T-Mobile should have any say over how users of the G1 are affected that are not on the T-Mobile network.

Since then, Google has just announced that it will not be performing a blanket sweep removal of all tethering applications. This is demonstrated by a note to WiFi Tether for Root Users developer, stating “We inadvertently unpublished your application for all mobile providers; if you like, we can restore your app so that all Android Market users outside the T-Mobile US network will have access to your application”. It is worth nothing that this statement implies that T-Mobile UK G1 owners may be able to get hold of tethering apps, but common sense suggests that it will be unlikely.

It is somewhat of a shaky start for Google, as this is the one of the first tests they have had to face in the Application store which effectively calls into question the true ‘open’ nature of the Android OS. They may have succeeded for now, but their foot certainly faltered along the way.

Labels: Android Application, Android News

Huawei have confirmed that they will be supplying T-Mobile with their Android-based smartphone, which will launch in Q3 2009 as the T-Mobile G3. An Huawei spokesperson has told reporters that “I can confirm that Huawei will be releasing the third Google phone on T-Mobile this year”, with the handset in question presumably the full-touchscreen device the manufacturer showed at Mobile World Congress in February 2009.

The handset is expected to have a 5-megapixel camera, headphone jack and integrated WiFi. Huawei’s demo unit was a non-functional model, and the company refused to remove it from the glass casing during the show.

According to the reports, T-Mobile are angling the Huawei device as a low-cost handset, although specific pricing has not been confirmed. It will launch in the UK sometime after July 2009, trailing the HTC Magic which sees its European Vodafone launch in May.

Labels: Android News

Contrary to initial reports (and Vodafone UK’s own website), the HTC Magic is set to launch in the UK on May 1st. The handset, announced back at Mobile World Congress in February, will be the second Android device to go on sale.

According to the report, the HTC Magic will be free providing the buyer signs up to a £25 contract or higher. There’s no detail on specific price-plans, but we’re assuming an unlimited data package will be pushed.

The HTC Magic has the same 3.2-megapixel camera, capacitive touchscreen and HSDPA/GPS as the T-Mobile G1. However it lacks a hardware QWERTY keyboard, instead having a new on-screen keyboard.

Labels: Android News

Taiwanese ODM Compal Communications are preparing to develop Android-based netbooks, according to the latest reports in the Commercial Times. Compal, who were tipped to take over manufacturing of the Acer Aspire One, and are believed to be the ODM for the Dell range of Inspiron Mini netbooks, are supposedly in negotiations with several notebook vendors regarding the project.

Details on the netbooks themselves are slim, with neither DigiTimes nor the Chinese-language paper suggesting what specifications Compal have in mind. One possibility is that the ODM will use the somewhat traditional Intel Atom platform; Android has already been shown to run successfully on the Atom N270-based ASUS Eee PC.

Another possibility is that Compal could turn to ARM’s chipset range, selecting either a more basic processor or something HD-capable such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. Android-based Snapdragon devices are expected to launch this year, complete with 1080p support and high-speed WWAN connectivity.

Labels: Android News

Are you an Android developer looking for your next gig? Well, Aardvark Consulting, a company working on an Exchange client for Android, has a 3 - 6 month contract position (with likely extensions) available in Sweden.

Some prior commercial Android development is required, and the person should be an expert. The company will be doing phone based interviews, and it is looking to fill the position right away.

If you are interested in the job, email Sarah Symonds at the Aardvark Consulting website. Click on the “Send your CV” (resume) link.

Labels: Android News