Tag: mobile phone

A glimpse of Android 2.0 aka Donut at the Google I/O

Android 2.0 aka the “Donut” was showcased at the Google I/O today. The audiences eagerly waiting for a glimpse of the yet unreleased version of the Android OS, had a treat when the Donut was demoed.

The Donut includes many new features like the “Search” feature which lets the user search the net as well as on the device itself.

One of the most exciting features for a mobile phone is the text-to-search API that would let Google include Google Voice Search into the Android 2.0.

It also includes handwriting recognizer. Using this feature, the user just needs to “write” whatever needs to be searched. For example, to search the names beginning with “e”, the user just needs to write “e” on the screen, when the contacts is open.

[via talkandroid]

May 28, 2009 | 0 Comments More

Koolu planning to launch Android powered smartphone in mid-july

Koolu, a Toronto based open-source soecialist, reported that it is going to ship the developer versions of Neo FreeRunner mobile phone running Google’s open-source Android 1.5 “Cupcake” operating system in two week’s time. Possibly, the consumer versions will be available in mid-July.

At this week’s Cloud Expo Europe conference in London, Koolu Chief Technology Officer Jon Hall reported to Zdnet UK, “We’re targeting businesses that want functionality in their phone that they can’t get from Apple, RIM, or any of the proprietary companies”. He also said that they are aiming at small and mid size business classes and the developing countries.

For more details from the interview, click here.

May 22, 2009 | 0 Comments More

Android smartphone sale to grow by 900% in 2009

Yes, you read that right. According to a research by the Strategy Analytics, the sale of Android smartphones is expected to grow by 900% in the year 2009.

According to Tom Kang, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, “We forecast global Android smartphone shipments to grow an impressive 900 percent annually during 2009. The Android mobile operating system from Google gained early traction in the United States in the second half of 2008 and it is gradually spreading its presence into Europe and Asia during 2009. Android is expanding from a low base and it is consequently outgrowing the iPhone OS from Apple, which we estimate will grow at a relatively lower 79 percent annually in 2009.”

If this report is to be believed, then the growth of Android Smartphones would lead much ahead of Apple I-Phone and Windows Mobile Smartphones, the other two biggies in the smartphone market. Because, the sale of Apple I-phone is expected to grow at a rate of about 80% (according to a report by Strategy Analytics) and that of Windows Mobile by about 50%(as told to channel web by Eddie Wu, Managing Director of OEM, Microsoft).

This figure does not seem quite difficult to achieve, when compared to the hype and craze surrounding the Android platform. We have got news about almost every major player in the mobile phone arena planning to launch an Android device. Also, we can expect some Android powered notebooks and netbooks very soon, from companies like T-Mobile and HP.

May 12, 2009 | 0 Comments More

Rogers to launch the first Android powered mobile phone in Canada

rogers-android

Are you a Canadian resident and had an eye on the HTC dream or HTC Magic, ever since it was launched in some other parts of the world? If your answer is yes, then its time for you to rejoice!

Because, Rogers Wireless has announced the launch of both the Android powered devices currently in the market, to flock the Canadian market on the 2nd of June.

John Boynton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless said, “Who else but Rogers would be the first carrier to offer Canadians the first chance to join the mobile revolution with a choice of not one, but two, handsets powered by the Android platform? The HTC Magic offers a responsive touch screen and the HTC Dream delivers both a touch screen and a slide out QWERTY keyboard. Both devices offer outstanding wireless internet search capabilities and a full suite of applications that run two times faster on Canada’s fastest mobile network.”

We do not have much details as of now. But, the launch date of HTC Dream will definitely be 2nd June. HTC Magic will either be launched on the same date or some time later in the month of June.

For more information and for any updates, sign up here.

May 8, 2009 | 0 Comments More

Google in trouble : sued over Android Tademark

Erich Specht, who owns a software company called Android Data Corp., has sued Google over the use of the name “Android” for its open-source operating system. He is seeking $94 million from Google and 46 other companies. The other 46 companies include Motorola, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Vodafone, etc. amongst others.

This is what Specht’s attorney, Martin Murphy has to say :

“Basically, it’s a stolen name. It’s our trademark, and Google is using it as if it’s theirs.”

Android Data Corp. is  a software firm that specializes in providing softwares that would help Web sites transfer data securely and efficiently. The developer started the company in the year 1998.

In the year 2000, he filed a request with PTO to trademark the word “Android Data”. His request was granted in the year 2002.

In October 2007, Google had filed a request to trademark “Android”. But the request was rejected, citing similarity to Specht’s trademark. Immediately, Google claimed that the company was voluntarily dissolved in the year 2004. The claim also said that the company was restarted later, but the firm’s website URL was not re-registered. PTO rejected the claim and also suspended Google’s trademark application last November.

Specht says, he did not take action till now, as he thought that “Android” was just a mobile phone. But as soon as he realised that it was an operating system, he filed a suit.

Both the companies have filed for trademark in “International Class 009,”which covers computer software and hardware. This is the main issue behind this tussle.

Specht’s company is registered with the name “Android Data”, and google has used “android”. But according to Specht, the word “Data” is just descriptive.

Now, Specht and his lawyer need to prove that if Google continues to use the name “Android” for its operating system, it could hamper the image of his (Specht) company in the market and also that there is a possibility of people getting confused over the two similar names. And, this could lead to people considering his small company to be a copy-cat of the bigger company “Google”.

Murphy plans to file a temporary restraining order seeking a preliminary injunction as soon as Thursday. If the order is issued, Google will have to pull off its Android products (currently, only the T-mobile G1 and the HTC Magic, which has been launched in Europe) from the market. And, it would be able to resell those products only if the packaging and brand name are revamped.

But, the expected result is a settlement. Probably, Specht’s company would be given some credit for the name “Android”. It could even be a disclaimer, stating “Android is a registered trademark of Erich Specht/Android Data Corp.”

click here for complete details of the suit.

May 1, 2009 | 0 Comments More
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