Droid 101

It looks like the US version of the Moto Sholes will hit Germany as the Milestone. According to Engadget (via Slashgear.) Engadget claims the price, without a contract will be $595. Snap, that’s 100 Wendy’s value meals.

Since Droid101 is about helping out our fellow Android users with usability, I thought it would be a good idea to post some information on whats new with the new Eclair 2.0 Platform. Enjoy!!

New User Features

Contacts and accounts

* Multiple accounts can be added to a device for email and contact synchronization, including Exchange accounts. (Handset manufacturers can choose whether to include Exchange support in their devices.)
* Developers can create sync adapters that provide synchronization with additional data sources.
* Quick Contact for Android provides instant access to a contact’s information and communication modes. For example, a user can tap a contact photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person. Other applications such as Email, Messaging, and Calendar can also reveal the Quick Contact widget when you touch a contact photo or status icon.

Email

* Exchange support.
* Combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page.

Messaging

* Search functionality for all saved SMS and MMS messages.
* Auto delete the oldest messages in a conversation when a defined limit is reached.

Camera

* Built-in flash support
* Digital zoom
* Scene mode
* White balance
* Color effect
* Macro focus

Android virtual keyboard

* An improved keyboard layout to makes it easier to hit the correct characters and improve typing speed.
* The framework’s multi-touch support ensures that key presses aren’t missed while typing rapidly with two fingers.
* A smarter dictionary learns from word usage and automatically includes contact names as suggestions.

Browser

* Refreshed UI with actionable browser URL bar enables users to directly tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation.
* Bookmarks with web page thumbnails.
* Support for double-tap zoom.
* Support for HTML5:
o Database API support, for client-side databases using SQL.

o Application cache support, for offline applications.

o Geolocation API support, to provide location information about the device.

o Calendar

* Agenda view provides infinite scrolling.
* Events indicate the attending status for each invitee.
* Invite new guests to events.

New Platform Technologies
Media Framework

Revamped graphics architecture for improved performance that enables better hardware acceleration.
Bluetooth

* Bluetooth 2.1
* New BT profiles: Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)

What do ya’ll think?

According to Shanzai.com ASUS announced yesterday that they plan to launch Netbook (aka a Smartbook) Winter of 2010 that your run Android (hopefully 2.0) and cost $180, yes that is $180 US dollars. What do you think? One question that we have is what would a non-phone Android 2.0 desktop look like?

Thoughts?

Update: Check the videos below for example of what Android (1.5) would look like on a Netbook. Imagine 2.0?

Just yesterday afternoon, Devyn and I were having a heated conversation with Droid 101 about this very topic. Will our G1s ever be able to run Android 2.0. Well, the answer is yes, and apparently very soon – as in days. Check the video below.

We don’t know Akira Harada, but we have decide to place him (or her) in the running Android Player of 2009 list. More Power to Akira. Thanks to Chris for making this video. How many of you are planning on upgrading you G1 to 2.0?

We knew it was coming. It’s here and we (Devyn, James and Droid 101) are crazy happy. Droid 101 told us this morning that today is like a Southern family reunion – Where’s Bender?

Check the official Verizon video of the new Droid

What do you think? Better than the iPod? The Hero? We would love to hear from you.

The answer is: Simplicity Sells! People love tools, gadgets, remotes, computers, etc. that are SIMPLE and MULTIPURPOSE. This has always been one of the strongest selling features of the iPod and the iPhone; One device, with a simply interface, that plays your music collection, your movies, makes calls, with hundreds of games (you get the point).

Well Verizon, Google and MOTO (VGM) have been working on a similar strategy and their first love child is the Droid (Sholes). Why do people love this device (it more than just a phone of course) so much, even before it has launched?

1) They (VGM) took their time and clearly designed a device that would be more than just a phone, check the video below (provide by BoyGenius)

The point here is not that the device also acts as a night stand alarm clock; but that VGM took the time to think about the true, desired user experience. You have to charge your phone, why not put the thing to good use while it is charging? With Android as the operating system, clearly the device could act as an alarm clock, or a photo frame, or a weather channel, maybe a stock tracker, maybe even a podcast or Pandora player (now I know you get the point).

2) The fact that the charging stand changes the traditional use of a “cell phone”, allows software developers to dream wildly. This is always a WINNER for everyone involved. It means that we will see new “horizontal” apps for the device, which makes Droid owners happy, thus VGM will sell a bunch more phones – nothing beats a bunch of crazed device loving customers running around evangelizing your product.

The same opportunity will happen when Apple introduces its iPad or iTablet (you pick), but it is damn nice to that type of innovation and opportunity on the Android side as well. Maybe we will see similar thinking from the Nook?

3) The “night stand / alarm clock” mode keeps the device top of mind and always within reach of its owner. Does this mean that the Sholes will occupy the same level of importance as your wallet and your keys? Maybe. Most can’t live without the internet or our cell phone, but making the Sholes a 24/7, always ready to go at a moments notice type product was a brilliant move by VGM.

If they (VGM) have put half this much thought into the packing, installed apps, and support for the Sholes then we are in for lots of 30 and 40 somethings running around the house like little school girls on Christmas day, giddy with joy over their new Droid!

Nice work guys (and gals).

So do you remember the post we did on a certain mysterious HTC Android device that we’ve never seen before?

Well after doing some research I’m 90% positive as to what this phone is…

Its the HTC Dragon! Well, sort of. It’s actually the CDMA version of the HTC Dragon that is headed to Verizon and going to be called the HTC Passion.

This would explain the similarities that people noticed about the buttons and the white notification bar from the Motorola Sholes (Droid); Verizon is trying to keep things a little similar on all their Droid devices and it’s not the HTC Desire, which is a Verizon branding of the HTC Hero (a 3.2 inch screen, which this phone definitely does not have).

You might have heard of the HTC Passion a few times so the name might ring a bell. It is the rumored handset that is supposed to be coming to Verizon in Q4 with a snapdragon processor, Android 2.0, and be the Android equivalent to the HTC HD2 (Leo).

If this is true, then you have some nice Droid choices on Verizon; Motorola Sholes (”Droid”) for those who need the keyboard

, HTC Desire for those who can live without the keyboard but like a smaller device, and the HTC Passion for those who want a huge screen and need the faster processor.

Very nice, Verizon. Very nice indeed.

Anyone got more info on HTC Passion, please do tell…

Source: TheUnlockr

Thanks to technobuffalo for sharing the best Sense walk through that we have seen.

Drop by technobuffalo to show him some love.

Like this!

Many thanks to letsfindjesus (their YouTube handle) for making a preview video before Verzion pulled their prematurely launched Droid site. We think the site should launch on or around the 28th of October.

If you haven’t heard, Barnes and Noble has announced the first Android eReader, the Nook. Check to video below.

Here’s another video from AlextheWriter:

So why do we love the Nook.

1) We love Android (you might of guess that one). To date most of the Android love has gone to phones, the Cliq, Droid, etc. But what could you do with a Wifi enabled, Android powered eReader? We think that as B&N ramps up the platform there is a go chance that the will allow the Nook to add apps to the lower, color screen that could make the Nook a wonderful hybrid of a eReader / Chumby. If B&N opens up the Nook to even limited development we would be overjoyed.

2) The dual screens is clever and very useful. The lower color screen allows for a much better user experience over the single screen Kindle. And the idea that the reader might be able to scroll through book, magazine and album (yes the Nook will play your MP3 and podcast as well) is delightful and exactly what the Droid101 ordered.

3) Finally, a Wifi eReader with SD Card storage. This allows the Nook reader to download content at light speed and the SD storage will allow Nook owners to easily move content (lots of it, like gigs at a time) between their PC or Laptop with ease.

Dear Barnes and Noble (we hope that they are reading this) we hope to provide a more detailed review in the coming weeks.