Android just hit the Asian market (read India) with the launch of HTC Magic, a couple of days back. Now, Google’s Eric Chu sent a note to the application developers, in which he had mentioned that Android will be launched in Japan on July 10. He also mentioned that Android is also supposed to hit Bulgaria and Romania some time in the future.
He mentioned in the note “These markets do not yet have Android devices but we expect them to become available soon. Also, the first Android-powered phone will launch in Japan on July 10th (local time), after which free apps will be visible to users in that market. ”
There was no mention about which Android devices would be available in these countries. Also, we have no clue about the pricing and data plans. But, Android is surely going places. It remains to be seen, how an open-source OS does in the Asian market.
We all have been using Flash in our PCs since a very long time. Now, how about using the same Flash in your mobile phone ? It is possible now, provided you own a Android powered phone or Palm pre or Nokia smartphone.
Adobe is working on reengineering its softwares, so that the Flash games and videos can run on the smartphones without being modified. “Smart phones are where the game is now,” Kevin Lynch, Adobe’s chief technology officer said, “Our chips are on the table. We’ve made our bets.”
Trial version of the software will be available for Android, Nokia and Palm by the year end. But, why has Adobe not considered to release the software for Windows Mobile smartphones and Apple iPhone ?
T-Mobile has finally rolled out the Android 1.5 aka Cupcake for the users in the US. Its been a long wait for the G1 users. Users were able to manually install the Cupcake long back, but there must have been many users who might have chosen not to take the pain of doing so. So, finally the official update has been provided by T-Mobile.
Yes, you read that right. Around 18-20 new Android devices are expected to hit the market by the end of this year. According to Andy Rubin, Google’s senior director for mobile platforms, these devices will be manufactured by 8 or 9 different manufacturers.
Introduction of new phones in the US will be a bit slower than in the other countries. The main reason being tough competition in the US market. And, the carriers need to develop their own interfaces for their devices.
General Mobile is planning to sell its DSTL1, powered by Android 1.5 aka cupcake, in the US and Turkey by the end of June. The DSTL1 is a dual-sim phone which also sports a 624MHz processor, a 5MP camera with flash(made by Sony), FM Radio, bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi. It also comes with a 4GB inbuilt memory. And, an extra battery and a desktop charger is also said to be included in the box.
There is no confirmed news about its price but it is expected to sell for about US$550 to $750.
If this report is to be believed, then the DSTl1 would be the first non-HTC Android device in the market.
Here’s a video showing the DSTL1, running Android.
China has emerged as the world’s largest wireless market. What could be a better opportunity for HTC and Android ? That’s the reason, HTC is planning to launch the latest Android powered device, HTC Magic, but by a different name, the OPhone, in China, as per a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The phone will be provided by the career, China Mobile and will have customized software from the mobile career (read it as Open Mobile System, the name for China Mobile’s customized version of Google’s mobile operating system).
The price of the device has not been confirmed yet. But, the WSJ suggests the price would be somewhere around 5,000 yuan, or about $730. The OPhone will probably be launched in China next month.
This launch will probably pave the way for Android to explore the other Asian markets. HTC is hoping to double its sales in China this year. May be, Android will make HTC’s dreams come true. And, the Asian customers, who have been anxiously waiting to get a hold of the Android devices have some reason to rejoice.
It seems, it has become a norm that there will be some update on the Android 1.5 Cupcake, every other day. Today, the report is that some G1 users are receiving the official Android 1.5 cupcake update.
