Droid 101

What an unexpected surprise from Google. Android 1.6 (Donut) users are now able to download the new Google Maps Navigator from the Google Market Place. So this means if you have a MyTouch or a G1 phone you can have the latest mapping app just like the Verizon Droid Phone. (Minus the navigate to voice command.)

From the Official Google Mobile Blog:

If you have a phone running Android 1.6, you can download an updated version of Google Maps from Android Market to use Navigation today. Google Maps Navigation is in beta and is currently available in the United States. Some features of Android 2.0 are not available on Android 1.6, for example, the ability to use the “navigate to” voice command as shown in our demo video. However, you can still create a shortcut that will allow you to launch Navigation and start getting directions to a specific place from your current location with just a single touch from your home screen. For example, you can create a “Home” shortcut to quickly navigate home, no matter where you are. Just use the “Add” menu item from the home screen, then choose “Shortcuts”, then “Directions.”

Camangi is releasing their very own flavor of a tablet called the Webstation. The Webstation will be running Android 1.5. The device features 802.11 b/g WiFI, a GPS module, and a built-in micro SD Card Reader. The Webstation will come with some preloaded apps including a Web browser and Gmail. You can use the device as an e-book reader and a music player as well, there is a stand on its back, so you can stream movies, or use it as a picture frame. The WebStation also has a USB hub and a rechargeable battery. Camangi claims 4 to 5 hour battery life for the device.

The WebStation will be available early next month for $399.

Well looks as if the Motorola Cliq from the T-Mob just found it’s fraternal twin, by way of AT&T. To be honest it’s not much different from the Cliq. The Motus will have a reverse flipping keyboard and a rear directional touchpad. Check out the stats after the break.

Motorola Motus specs:

* 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A
* 512 MB ROM
* 256 MB RAM
* 3.1 inch display 320 x 480 (HVGA)
* 5 megapixel camera with LED flash
* WiFi / Bluetooth 2.0 / GPS
* OS Android 1.5 with Motoblur
* GSM 850/900/1800/1900 W-CDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100
* Reverse flip keyboard
* Rear directional touchpad

Dell is working on a 5inch MID tablet. QISDA is rumored to be handling all of the manufacturing duties. The Streak  will be running Android 2.0  and have a 5 megapixel camera. The screen will be 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, 3G data, and WiFi as well. Rumored carrier AT&T and launch date, sometime in 2010. It will be great to see AT&T getting down with the Droid!

Sony Ericsson’s forthcoming Xperia X- 10 Android phone is really shaping up very nicely. This is truly one of the sexy handsets I have seen in sometime. Xperia X-10 is running the new 2.0 firmware with Sony Ericsson’s new UI to boot. The new Snapdragon processor and 2.0 Firmware is looking to become the fastest Android phone on the market. Not to mention the 8.1 pixel Camera/Video camera is amazing as well. So far it is schedule to be released in the UK first. Well lets hope T-Mobile gets the phone on this side of the pond soon after. Because if they do this just might be my new Android phone! Check out the stats below….

Android 1.6 (Donut)
WVGA screen (480 x 854)
Scratch resistant, 4 inches, capacitive TFT touchsreen
Size: 119 x 63 x 13 mm, 135 grams
1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 processor
Sony Ericsson Timescape™ & Mediascape™ User Interface2
HSPA
8 Megapixel camera with touchfocus, multipoint-focus, automatic scene detection, smile detection
WVGA video recording
Face recognition on pictures
aGPS
Exchange ActiveSync
3.5mm headset jack, miniUSB connector
1500mAh battery.

Well looky here, guess what has shown up on the new Hikari iFrame. Its our favorite mobile OS.  Android!!!  Yet another interesting usage of Android’s limitless capabilities. The Hikari iFrame has a 7-inch touchscreen display, SD memory card slot, and WiFi. Due out in Japan sometime next year. Prices could be anywhere from $220 and $330 dollars. No word on a stateside release date.

As an early adopter (Opening day, G1) I have seen Android grow in to a force to be reckoned with  however, there have been moments of concern and frustration. For starters you never know what Google is up to, will you get a firmware update today, tomorrow or next week? And when this Android gift from the gods does finally arrive, what will it have in store for your beloved handheld?

Lets back track to being an early adopter of the Google’s first phone. With the arrival of the Éclair 2.0 update, how does this amazing new update to the Android universe bid for G1 users. The G1 is known for lack of storage space as well as a processor that has seen it’s better days. Will Éclair be able to run on the G1? Or will we see a striped down version of Éclair? And worse yet will we even see a 2.0 update at all?

Not to bring up Apple and the IPhone but one thing Apple has done or should I say not done is left their early adopters of the IPhone in the cold. Even the first generation IPhone has gotten every firmware update.
I think if Google and T Mobile don’t find away to get 2.0 on the G1 it will be a very harsh blow to the customers and fans of Android and Google.

With the hype surrounding the latest and dare I say the greatest Android device to be unveiled by Sony Ericsson today; we all want to know which carriers will get the phone or will Sony Ericsson sell the Xperia X10 as a unlocked device? Our friends over at Android and Me have blessed us with a chart which shows that the phone supports WCDMA/UMTS 1700/2100, which is T-mobile 3G and also UMTS 850/1900 which is AT&T 3G. So lets hope both carriers here in the states get the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.

That was quick. Mattias over at the new Sony product blog was kind enough to post a tutorial video of Sony’s Timescape and Mediascape Android applications. We appreciate the demo, but none of our friends Facebook photos look nearly that good. Maybe we need to find some better looking friends.

Any thoughts on the Sony apps?

We are huge fans of the recently announced XPERIA™ X10 – we’ve waited weeks for the official launch. But one thing that took us aback was the way this Sony video introduces the X10. We were shocked at way the phone is being positioned. The video screams,”This phone is for the BEAUTIFUL people – the young, hip, and fashionable.”

Now, there is nothing wrong with being young, hip or fashionable. Clearly the dozens of Android phones hitting the market over the next 24 months need to be differentiated some how – think HTC Sense, or MOTOs Blur, etc. And this is not out of character for Sony, the VAIO line has always been aimed at the higher end of the PC and laptop market.

However, as a HUGE Sony product fan, I hope that Sony (who needs any revenue that it can find) opens the X10’s customer base beyond the Euro Chic crowd. This is their chance to claim market and mind share of the I-will-never-buy-an-iPhone smartphone market.

Sony, please be bright enough (aggressive enough) to market your Andriod products to the masses – the industry needs your help, we need your intellectual property. Please don’t pull a Nokia. You did this in the gaming console industry with the Playstation. The Playstation 3 is amazing, the standard for the industry. Let us help you do it again in the Android smartphone space.

What do you think of the way that Sony is positioning the X10?

BTW: Sony, we would love to know more about Timespace and Mediaspace; and if you want to send us an X10 to review feel free…