Tag: Android

Google Unveils Nexus One “Super Phone”

Update 3: Google is now advertising the Nexus One on its homepage.

Update 2: They have also posted a video showing Google Maps on the Nexus One:

Update: Google has posted a couple of videos that show how YouTube and Gmail work on the new Nexus One phone. Watch them below.

Original Article: At the Android Press Event today, Google finally unveiled its much-anticipated phone, the Nexus One, which the company says belongs to a new category of phones called "super phones." Details have been leaking about the phone for quite some time now, but Google is now demonstrating what it can do. The Nexus One is of course designed in partnership with HTC.

From the event, Google discussed and demonstrated the following features of the Nexus One:

– 1 Ghz processor
– Android 2.1
– Thin and light
– Compass
– GPS
– accelerometer
– light and proximity sensor.
– 3.7-inch AMOLED display
– multi-color notification LED under the trackball.
– 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
– Stereo bluetooth and 3.5mm headphone jack.
– Active noise suppression (one on bottom, one on the back)
– Google Maps Navigation for turn-by-turn
– Facebook integration
– Quick Contacts
– Customization of software (home screen panels)
– New widgets for news and weather
– live wallpaper
– 3D app launcher
– voice to text for all text fields (email, tweets, etc.)

The full specs page can be found here, and there is a 3-D tour of the phone here.

Customers can buy the phone without service through Google’s own store and insert their own SIM card. It includes a Nexus One phone case, wall charger, and USB cable (as well as free shipping in the continental US). It’s available from T-Mobile with a 2-year contract for eligible customers. It’s coming to Verizon and Vodafone in the Spring.

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January 5, 2010
AdMob Determines Android Is Growing Faster Than Ever

Google took the wraps off its Nexus One phone today, and by all accounts, this device will help spread Android further and faster than ever. But new data from AdMob shows that the mobile operating system was already on quite a roll.

A post on the official AdMob blog began by stating that growth has been occurring at an impressive rate in recent months, noting, "Worldwide requests from Android devices increased 97% from October to December."

Moreover, Android’s success during that period wasn’t just due to one or two popular types of phones (meaning its good fortune shouldn’t come to an end the moment any given model becomes outdated).

The report explained, "In December, 7 devices generated more than 3% of requests each: the Motorola Droid, HTC Dream, HTC Magic, HTC Hero, Motorola CLIQ, HTC Droid Eris, and the Samsung Moment. This is up from only 3 devices in October (HTC Dream, HTC Magic, and HTC Hero)."

The above graph displays about the same information in what may be an easier-to-comprehend format. Just don’t be surprised if a large new section appears for the Nexus One and the slope becomes even more vertical in the months ahead.

Related Articles:

> Google Unveils Nexus One "Super Phone"

> Apple Acquiring AdMob Competitor Quattro Wireless

> Google Provides An Update On The AdMob Acquisition

January 5, 2010
Google Phone Excitement Builds Ahead Of Jan. 5 Event

The cat has at least started to come out of the bag with regards to the long-rumored "Google phone"; details about the Nexus One have been leaking for weeks. It looks like the rest of the figurative feline will soon appear, too, as a T-Mobile announcement and invitation to a Google event were issued today.

Let’s start with the T-Mobile announcement – which, it’s important to note, was an internal one. This morning, TmoNews published a document that in part read, "Google, with support from T-Mobile is scheduled to launch an Android device in early January. . . . T-Mobile will offer service support including billing, coverage, features and rate plans."

Then here’s the clincher: Google’s asking journalists to attend an Android press gathering on January 5th. This won’t be a random meet-and-greet, either. It’ll take place in Mountain View at the Googleplex, and a press conference, presentation, Q&A session, and demo session are supposed to last for a not-inconsiderable three hours.

One more interesting detail: January 5th falls two days before the start of the Consumer Electronics Show, so it looks like Google’s planned its announcement for maximum impact.

Unfortunately, a lot of other details remain unknown. No one seems to have a clear idea of idea how much the Nexus One will cost, for example, or how rate plans will work or when the device will actually be available for purchase.

Still, one week from today, Google’s likely to answer everybody’s questions.

Related Articles:

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January 5, 2010
Will Google Phone Bring Spotify to the US?

Even if you haven’t used Spotify, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of it. The service’s description goes: "A world of music. Millions of songs on your computer, on your mobile and available offline. Brought to you ad free."

People in the US have been unable to use the service so far. There has been talk that this may soon change upon the launch of Google’s Nexus One phone, but this may not happen. There was rumored to be a US Spotify app for Google’s Android ready just in time for the launch of the phone. Michael Arrington reports:

The two companies sketched out a plan where Spotify’s excellent Android application would be build [sic] into the 2.1 version of Android and would launch in the U.S. with the Google Nexus One phone on January 5. The application – which is available in Europe and allows for offline syncing of songs – would give Google a much-needed competitive answer to Apple’s iTunes. The Android could realistically be seen as a media consumption device, like the iPhone, with things like Spotify built into it.

Google wanted Spotify badly enough that they were willing to cover the label costs for every user of $3 – $4 per month. Spotify would add advertising on top of it, as they do with the free version in Europe, to make additional revenue. Without Google paying those label fees there was no way Spotify could handle the costs of the user flow that 2.1 would provide. Currently, European users must pay for Spotify Premium to use the mobile versions of the service.

Those in the US waiting to get their hands on Spotify may have to wait though. Arrington says his sources indicate that the deal has likely "gone cold," but he says there is a chance Spotify could still be part of Google’s Nexus One announcement, slated for Tuesday, January 5.

Such a deal could mean big things for sales of Android devices and really give the iPhone a run for its money. It’s going to be quite interesting to see how the smartphone competition plays out over the course of 2010. This is only the beginning. Even if a deal is not made, Google is clearly interested in the musical side of mobile, and will likely pursue other options.

Related Articles:

> Google Phone Excitement Builds Ahead Of Jan. 5 Event

> Android Crowds iPhone In New comScore Report

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January 4, 2010