Miscellaneous

If you’re wondering about Android Upgrades, I can tell you who will be getting the 2.2 Update first off, out of all devices out there. First off in line we have the Google Nexus One, which, in despite of it’s shuttering online store, will be one of the first phones to receive the update. Next will likely be the Motorola Droid, the HTC Droid Incredible, The HTC EVO 4G, the T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch 3G Slide, and the HTC Desire. We can expect that these devices will likely be getting the 2.2 Update within the next 6 months.

Although it’s undecided whether or not the Motorola Devour, HTC Droid Eris, HTC Hero, or Motorola Backflip will be receiving the update, it’s fairly solid that some devices which won’t be receiving the update include the T-Mobile G1, as well as the Samsung Behold II, and those will specifications that fall below these devices. We’ll keep you updated here at AndroidTrek.com. [pcworld]

Today in Android Cell Phone News, Amazon UK is currently offering a pre-order of an unlocked HTC Hero for £429.99. This is roughly equivalent to about $710 here in the good ol’ U S of A. Seems a bit pricey considering the large lineup of Android Phones that are due to be released within the next year. The question is, will the HTC Hero be the ultimate Android Phone, and really worth dropping 7 bills for? It’s not exactly what I would consider to be a deal, although if you desire to purchase an unlocked phone without a contract, it’s not quite as bad. Amazon UK has the release date for the phone to be July 15th, 2009, so who’s ready to pre-order the $710 dollar phone?! Anyone excited? Anyone?… [AndroidCentral]

In Android Cell Phone News today - T-Mobile’s second device is officially announced to be the T0Monile myTouch, with pre-orders starting on the 8th of July with an expected release date of sometime in the month of August. The myTouch features a 3.2″ HVGA touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera, T-Mobile 3G, quadband Edge, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and to top it all off - Android 1.5 Cupcake and the everyday lineup of Google Applications for the Android Suite.The device is custom built by HTC for the T-Mobile network, and is made to run on the Android OS. myTouch will come in three different color options: White, Black, and Merlot (deep red). We’ll bring you more information as it develops only at AndroidTrek.com. [AndroidCentral]

In Android Cell Phone News today, we’ve heard about Android and LG Teaming up to create some great phones already, but an interview with DOW Jones Newswires, Chang Ma, the Vice President of marketing Strategy for mobile communications, has stated that LG is now planning to release up to three (3) Android-Based Phones later this year. At this point, we’re basically halfway through 2009, so hopefully LG’s Android product line should be announced fairly soon. Details are vague, and we’ll bring you the latest in Android Cell Phone news as it develops on AndroidTrek.com. [AndroidTrek]

The official Google Mobile Blog has just announced a few very great new features to the Gmail Web App for Android. We’re going to be getting faster auto-completion for for e-mail addressed which definitely adds a bit of convenience, and also support for keyboard shortcuts which really is just awesome. Personally, I’d still use the default Gmail application for Android on any day, but it’s a nice and comforting fact to know that there is a solid alternative in case we all change our minds. Just access gmail.com in the Android Browser and marvel in the changed goodness. [AndroidCentral]

We have news of reports developing that Google is now beginning  to develop an ‘eyes free’ interface for the Android Platform which will allow the visually impaired to efficiently use the Android Operating System on their Smartphone. Not only would the new technology enable the visually impaired to use an Android phone, but imagine being able to use your phone without even looking at it? According to T.V. Ramen, a Google researcher:

“We are building a user interface that goes over and beyond the screen,” says Raman. Often, eyes-free interfaces are employed for blind users, but Raman, who himself is blind, assures that these interfaces have much broader implications. “This is not just about the blind user,” he says. “This is about how to use these devices if you’re not in a position to look at the machine.”

We’ll bring you more information as it develops, only at AndroidTrek.com. [AndroidCentral]

We stumbled across the above video on AndroidCommunity of a Nokia n810 tablet booting the Android OS. As you can see there isn’t too much to the video just shows it booting and functionality of the slide out menu.
Don’t get your hopes up as far as Nokia coming out with an Android handset anytime soon. Today Rueters reported that Nokia vice president of markets unit Ukko Lappalainen has made it clear that “In the longer perspective, Linux will become a serious alternative for our high-end phones,” Nokia now uses Linux Maemo in its tablet hardware and Symbian in cell phones. Lappalainen has also further states that they will likely stick to their own Linux development. And the final nail in the Android Coffin is another quote by Mr. Lappalainen, “I don’t see anything in Android which would make it better than Linux Maemo,” Well it is cool to see that there is potential for the Android Platform but we have seen that since inception, not everyone is going embrace Google’s OS.
[Rueters AndroidCommunity]

Although the G1 has accelerometers changing the display from portrait to landscape, you need to slide the keyboard our or got to compass mode in street view to enable it. Thanks to the open source nature of the Android platform, it is only a matter of time until a dev comes up with a hack that will rotate automatically when turned on the side.
Below is a video posted by nuuneoi demonstrating a working G1 utilizing the accelerometer to auto-rotate when the handset is turned. It is argued that this feature is a part of the original SDK and developers need only to unlock ability but if this is the case why didn’t they make this a built in feature?
[nuunneoi]

It seems that the recession is affecting everyone, not just us little guys.  Google, the search engine giant has been quietly lying off employees since last summer.  Although the SEC mandates companies to disclose information in relation to layoffs, Google bypassed this rule by claiming in Q3 to have cut “Operational Expenses”.   How do they do that?  Well, Google has 20,123 certified employees and an additional 10,000 that are labeled as “Temporary Operational Expenses”.  Wow, how is that for a job title.  Those Temporary Operational Expenses are going to be out of a job this holiday season.  Many of these employees have been with Google for a number of years but have moved within the infrastructure enabling them to retain the temporary employee label while sliding under the SEC radar. 

Colorware has come out with some fancy colorization for the HTC G1. Those who feel the need to customize their handset have no longer to wait. This personalization is going to put a dent in your pocket with prices up a $220.00. That is more than the cost for the original phone. A cheaper version will color your keyboard for only $15.00. If you want a new G1 already dressed with your fave colors it will cost you $770.00 without a contract. This can be pricey for some but just the answer for that hardcore football fan that has to have their phone match their favorite team.
[androidcommunity]