Android 2.1 “Eclair” for the Motorola DROID was supposed to be on the verge of release a couple of days ago and some were even saying it was supposed to be out today. But, as it turns out, after all that anticipation, the latest leak from Verizon says the OTA firmware update has been delayed. A page from Verizon’s internal systems reads like this : “The OTA software update for the DROID by Motorola is TBD. A new date will be communicated as soon as possible”.
If you posses an Android 1.6 laden device (no 1.5 or 2.1, mind you) and are a regular user of the Google Maps application, you are surely in for a treat as Google has updated the app to version 4.1. The update brings in a plethora of features which are bound to make the Google Maps experience special and right at the outset, version 4.1 enables you to have Google Maps as a live wallpaper.
This means that a user can always have access to the live traffic update on his home screen. The update is not just an eye candy, it offers features that define utility at its best.
To match the might of the Apple Store is a dream and the closest a contender can ever get is what Android has started achieving in these recent months. As per a recent revelation by some Google employee, Google Android market may have somewhere between 30,000 to 35,000 applications. The number takes into account both paid and free applications although the exact division is not available.
Just for comparison sakes, the Apple Store passed a whopping 150,000 apps. last month where 25% of the apps are free while the rest of them are paid.
A late evening report coming from the New York Times states that Google and Intel have partnered with Sony to come up with an Android-based web platform dubbed Google TV, that promises to bring the Web into your living room.
After becoming available on both AT&T and Rogers Wireless as an unlocked device, Google’s Nexus One has been officially confirmed with Sprint, meaning that the Android device is now available with almost all big carriers in North America.
Google’s Nexus One is one of the most thought after mobile phones these days, but while hot among tech-savvy users, we’re not quite sure if regular users think the same. But enough talk guys, as we have some sales figures coming in, saying that Google sold 135,000 Nexus One handsets in 74 days.
Just how good is that compared to 1.05 million units for Motorola DROID and 1 million iPhones for the exact same period?
Spring Design has brought to the market its dual screen multimedia Alex eReader. To be available on www.springdesign.com starting today, the device is the first ever eReader that would offer international versions of the product through its local country partners connecting to local bookstores. If you are someone who can’t resist the lure, please feel free to pre-order your Android-based Alex eReader now.
Google have received a very stern warning from a Chinese government minister. The statement was short but very clear – Google should not remove any filtering from search results provided on their Chinese website.
It was just yesterday that the Windows Mobile laden HTC Touch Pro II (HTC Touch pro successor) was spotted in a video running on the Linux derivative, Ubuntu OS, and a day later, the XDAndroid project brains have unified to run Android on the same smartphone.
You cannot of course get full Android features running on the Touch Pro II despite the hack but whatever Android offers on the Touch Pro II is pleasing. What comes across as a surprise is that the Window Mobile blessed smartphone did not post any problems with the Android installation and it was easily installed on the handset. (video after the cut)
Are you a developer who has a set of apps to sell? If yes, head for the new Google Apps Marketplace. The search major has lined up the online store where the developer in you can churn out stuff and vend them to the cool 25 million users of Google Apps. Significant is the fact that the third-party apps would be integrated with Google’s, so that users can access them just by logging into Google Apps. This means the apps can access data within Google Apps. Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it?
