theandroidblog

Remember the original “Star Wars,” where the Jawas would roam the deserts of Tatooine in their Sandcrawler, rounding up whatever odd droid models they could find to sell to their human customers? It seems the market for Google Android handsets follows pretty much the same principles.

Google made the Android 2.0 SDK available for download this week, just six months after the release of the Android 1.5 SDK in April and a mere six weeks since it announced the Android 1.6 SDK update in September. That’s a lot of versions for an OS that only hit 1.0 last year.

[ InfoWorld’s Galen Gruman handicaps Android 2.0’s chances against the iPhone and BlackBerry | See the Android 2.0 OS in action in our video preview. ]

Android developers, frustrated with OS bugs and with UI issues with the Android Market store, have been pressuring Google to bring updates to market more quickly. The Android 2.0 SDK release, in particular, is a significant milestone, not least because Android 2.0 will be the OS that powers Verizon’s hotly anticipated Droid handset.

But what about the almost 50 other members of Google’s Open Handset Alliance? Which versions of the OS will their phones support? And more important, where does that leave developers who want to write software for Android handsets, when they’re confronted with as many options as at a Jawa swap meet?

Android’s Fragmented Ecosystem
Android isn’t the only mobile OS that’s a moving target for developers. Research in Motion’s BlackBerry platform, for example, has long confounded app builders by offering multiple SDK versions, most recently adding a Web-based development option.

But Android presents unique challenges. Because it’s open source and backed by a consortium of handset vendors, carriers, and semiconductor companies — rather than a single vendor, like RIM — Android partners have broad leeway to modify the OS to suit their own ends.

Further complicating matters are the “homebrew” versions of the OS now appearing, such as Cyanogen, which add tweaks of their own while cherry-picking features from forthcoming Android versions before they are officially released.

I installed Android 1.6 on a Google Ion developer phone last week and found it to be a minor update on that hardware, from a user’s perspective. But developers will still have to target version 1.6 specifically if they want to support the new features it makes possible on other handset models, such as higher screen resolutions and CDMA support.

Android 2.0, on the other hand, does introduce significant new user features, even on existing phones. More important, it promises to address lingering weaknesses that I hoped would be corrected in Android 1.6, such as the clunky onscreen keyboard.

But the upgrade path for older Android handsets is unclear. Rumor has it that T-Mobile’s G1 hardware, in particular, may already be nearing a dead end, leaving early adopters in a lurch just one year after the carrier began shipping the first Android phones.

How Much Choice Is Too Much?
All of this leaves Android developers in a pretty pickle. On the one hand, they’re working with what is arguably the most open mobile OS around. On the other, that high degree of openness means developers can never be sure which version of the OS to target if they want their apps to reach the broadest possible audience.

As I write this, handset manufacturers are reportedly readying some 18 different Android phones. Each will find a home at a different carrier, and each will try to set itself apart in some way, just as Verizon is trying to do by being first to market with Android 2.0. Proprietary add-ons such as HTC’s Sense UI will mean one Android phone won’t even have the same look and feel as the next.

But more important than how developers will deal with this issue, I suspect, will be how customers react to it. In the mobile world, carriers call the shots. Tech-savvy customers might be able to install Cyanogen, but most consumers will be stuck with the versions of Android that ship with their phones, plus whatever updates their carriers push over the air.

So is this to be the public face of Android? Openness, but lack of choice? An industry-standard OS, but no consistency? A product line in which handsets become obsolete every few months and the next big feature is always right around the corner?

If so, I fear Google’s lauded open source OS could become the market equivalent of that old Jedi mind trick: “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for. Move along.”

Alright, everyone, settle down. I know the Google Maps Navigation stuff is pretty amazing, but let’s not write off the traditional GPS makers just yet. They’re not going anywhere for a while. Your parents and friends will see to that.Hopefully the sudden market loss that companies like Garmin and TomTom saw yesterday will wake the companies up and see that they are doing it wrong. They are in the habit of producing 78 different versions of the same GPS. Each model steps you up $20 and adds another feature. It’s a ridiculous business plan and totally opposite what successful companies are doing.But it’s true. Google dropped a bombshell on GPS makers yesterday with it’s free navigation tool that trumps almost anything currently available. The Android 2.0 app is about as robust as you can get thanks to the always-connected Android OS and almighty Google. You can simply say “Where is the Best Buy in Flint, MI” and it will take you there. All this is free from the “Don’t Be Evil” company, Google.

Motorola’s co-chief executive said Thursday that most of its new devices will run Google’s Android operating system as well as its social-networking-friendly user interface Motoblur.

“The vast majority of our devices will be launched on Android platform,” Sanjay Jha said during the telecom-gear maker’s earnings call. “We are more focused on Android, and I believe that we’re putting more resources on Android than anybody else.”

While the mobile platform to date has been used primarily on high-end smart phones, he said that Motorola expects to “drive Android down to lower price points” around $150 to $250. “It is that kind of a range that we need to deliver to really expand the scope of where Android can play, and that is the scope of our strategy,” he said.

As rival cellphone makers like Samsung, HTC and LG develop their own Android handsets, Motorola will compete by “dramatically improv[ing] our execution,” Mr. Jha said. “We will deliver products. We will leverage our platforms. We will leverage the work that we are doing on one platform to deliver a number of SKUs and address a broader segment of the marketplace.”

Most of Motorola’s new devices will also feature Motoblur, an interface that lets users post their status to multiple sites and look at updates from Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other social-media services. Cliq, which T-Mobile will begin selling in November, has both Android and Blur, but Droid, which also goes on sale via Verizon Wireless next month, will not run Blur as it is what Mr. Jha called “a Google experience device.” Verizon Wireless will begin carrying Blur-capable devices next year, he said.

Cupcakes. Donuts. Eclairs. Flan. After gorging myself on eclairs today (see our PCMag Radio episode for visuals), I found myself wondering about Google’s whole scheme of naming Android OS releases for delicious desserts. Was there anything before Cupcake? And what will follow Flan? Fortunately, Google engineering program manager Ryan Gibson had the answers.

For the uninitiated, Android 1.5 was codenamed “Cupcake.” Version 1.6 was “Donut,” and the new 2.0 will be “Eclair.” The next version will be “Flan.” Each version is heralded by a giant fake pastry appearing on the Google campus lawn.

Q: How did Android versions come to be named after desserts?
A: We wanted an alphabetical naming scheme that would also provide a fun theme for our small release celebrations.  We considered predatory animals, and stomach viruses but they are a lot less fun to have at a party.
Q: What were the “A” and “B” desserts? Apple crumb? Babka?
A: There actually were no “A” and “B” software updates named after a dessert. It just started with Cupcake.

Q: Who determines the dessert names?
A: It’s a collaborative effort from the entire team, company, spouses, Google chefs, random passer-bys and the Android development community all throwing out ideas and recipes.  My office door is festooned with suggestions for the future.  It is very motivational to look up from work and see pictures of tasty treats.
Q: Are the desserts actually served at the Google cafeteria at any point?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Have you determined any desserts past “F”?
A: The discussion is as heated as an oven full of cupcakes  We would like to have a Gingerbread House, but that depends a lot on what happens with the housing market by then.

In an interview given to Forbes, HTC CEO Peter Chou spoke pretty candidly about the widespread desire for an Android version of the HD2, and says the phone won’t be finagled thusly. “Technically, we could make the HD2 an Android phone, but I have to take care of Windows Mobile,” said Chou, after which we imagine popped in a stick of Juicy Fruit and didn’t offer to share any with the rest of the class. Of course, this doesn’t rule out a handset with similar specifications to the HD2, like the Dragon, matching DROID’s push toward Android 2.0 and modern hardware, but it seems to imply that at least it won’t be called “HD2,” and probably won’t look much like it either. Chou did admit that Windows Mobile innovation has been “a little slow” and that interest is declining, and says HTC is “working hard on these kinds of products to get excitement about Windows Mobile back.” He didn’t hold back on Google, however, saying that some of its actions can be “destructive” but that “we’ve worked with Microsoft for 13 years … I also believe we can work with Google for a long time

@ Engadget

// You know what’s magical? Magnets. They’re so magical, in fact, that Motorola decided to use them in its new DROID car and “multimedia station” docks. Based on the positioning of a couple of magnets, the phone auto-loads the pertinent application — the multimedia station at least offers a charging plug, but the car dock is all stand. Lucky for us it’s not hard to figure out where to place a couple of magnets (we used some nerd-approved “Buckyballs“) and spoof the phone into acting like it’s docked. We’re sure with some additional craftmanship we could have a dock that actually holds the DROID upright, but we won’t get ahead of ourselves. For now check out our very own multipurpose homebrew DROID dock after the break.

To stay ahead of AT&T and Apple, Verizon is placing a big bet on Android smartphones and other new gadgets. The question is: can they pull it off?

Can Verizon Wireless keep its spot as the leading wireless company in the U.S. if it doesn’t have the industry’s hottest phone?

Lowell McAdam, the company’s chief executive, is trying to make the case that it can. Two years ago, Verizon Wireless passed on the chance to become the exclusive U.S. distributor of the Apple (AAPL) iPhone and pushed Apple into the arms of rival AT&T (T). Since then the iPhone has become a megahit, helping AT&T close the gap with Verizon. In the most recent quarter, AT&T added 2million wireless subscribers, bringing its total to 81.6million, while Verizon Wireless added 1.2million, for a total of 89million.

Now, McAdam is launching a slew of products designed to keep Verizon ahead. In the fourth quarter the company is rolling out its largest new-product lineup ever: 14 devices, vs. half that number a year ago. Among those will be two netbooks and five smartphones, including the Droid phone from Motorola (MOT), a sleek device with a touchscreen and keyboard that runs on Google’s (GOOG) Android operating system. The new products are backed by an unusually aggressive marketing campaign. In one TV spot, Verizon takes direct aim at Apple with a series of “iDon’t” quips that explain all the things an iPhone can’t do. “The Droid can compete head to head” with the iPhone, says John Stratton, chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless.

Too Many New Offerings?

Verizon’s strategy is bold but risky. With the Droid and another phone from HTC, Verizon is placing a big bet on the unproven Android. The software is popular with techies and has attracted enough support from developers that 10,000 apps are available for download to Android phones, but it hasn’t yet caught on with consumers. In addition, Verizon risks confusing customers with the sheer number of devices it’s introducing. “Greater choice is not a guarantee of a greater quarter,” says Richard Doherty, research director at Envisioneering Group.

McAdam and Stratton are firing up Verizon’s marketing machinery to win over consumers. The Droid will be backed by Verizon’s biggest marketing campaign ever for a single device, and total marketing spending will increase 5% to 10% in the current quarter from last year. Stratton says the anti-Apple vibe will be toned down in favor of ads that underscore the features of its phones and the reliability of its network compared with AT&T’s. Verizon has said it is still interested in selling the iPhone if Apple is amenable.

Verizon is experimenting with new marketing approaches. For several weeks in November, the company has rented time on two huge electronic billboards in New York’s Times Square that will show real-time results of searches people make on their Android phones. Verizon is also planning to transform Droid, the moniker for the Motorola phone, into a brand name for a whole lineup of Android devices.
Google Could Be the Key

Verizon’s success may ultimately depend on how the partnership with Google works out. As cell phones become more sophisticated computing devices, wireless companies need Silicon Valley firepower to compete. Google has helped boost the number of wireless applications available on Android phones, but analysts say it has to step up its marketing of Android to gain ground on Apple. “When the iPhone was associated with Apple iTunes, that really meant a lot to consumers,” says Ken Dulaney, an analyst at researcher Gartner (IT). “You want to know that the [Android] app store is being run by Google.”

Hi Everyone,

We would just like to say that we know some of our stories have had to be condensed to give summaries of the android world and that full in-deptth reviews havent yet been published, but we are working on these issues and will hopefully start seeing resolution through the coming days and the weekend.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday! 🙂

Initial response to the new Motorola Droid smartphone on the Verizon Wireless network have been very good, thanks in large part to the updated Android 2.0 operating system.

The new updated version of the open-source operating system offers new Android phones a series of enhancements as well as improved performance. The updated software is being credited with enabling many of the cool new features, such as the updated version of the Google Maps service, which allows for voice command turn-by-turn directions.

The Motorola Droid for Verizon will be the first device that will use the new software. Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile USA will also be selling Android devices this holiday season, but neither carrier has announced a device that will use the updated version of the operating system.

But that doesn’t mean that the Droid will be the only device running the 2.0 software this year. A Google representative said it’s very likely at least one other phone will be introduced that uses the new version of the open source operating system.

One of the features that the updated software has added allows for the integration of multiple social-networking and e-mail accounts into the phone’s contact list. This means that contact and calendar information can be synced with Microsoft Exchange e-mail services and also other Web e-mail accounts, as well as, social-networking sites like Facebook.

The new version of the software has support for Microsoft Exchange, which is a huge deal because it means that corporate users can sync their work e-mail with their phones. A search function was added to the SMS and MMS messaging feature. The software has also been updated to support a camera that includes a built-in flash, digital zoom, scene mode, white balance, color effect, and macro focus.

The new software has also improved the virtual keyboard layout to make it easier to hit the right keys as well as improved the typing speed. The 2.0 version of software supports an enhanced browser that allows users to directly tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation. It allows bookmarks with Web page thumbnails. It offers double-tap zoom. And there is full HTML5 support, which among other things allows for geolocation applications to be developed to provide location information about the device.

Overall the new improvements to the software should make the Android devices operate much faster than the previous generation of software. A Google representative said the software is backwards compatible with older versions of Google Android hardware. But it is up the carriers whether or not they allow users to upgrade their devices to the new operating system. And the carriers will be controlling the timing of these upgrades.

As for the new Android devices coming from Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile, they won’t likely immediately have the Android 2.0 operating system, but it’s likely these devices, along with new Android phones will come with the new version of the OS.

A Sprint representative said that traditionally the company pushes out or allows users to upgrade software when it’s made available.

T-Mobile, which was the first carrier to offer an Android phone, will have four Google Android phones available for the holidays. Two are available today: the original T-Mobile G1, which launched in October of last year, and the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, which went on sale this summer and is available now for $149.99. T-Mobile is adding two more devices to line-up in time for the holidays: the Motorola Cliq which goes on sale November 2, and the Samsung Behold II, which does not yet have a launch date but will be available before Christmas.

As of November 1, Sprint will have two Android-powered devices as part of its lineup: the HTC Hero and the Samsung Moment, which costs $180 with a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year Sprint contract.