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Verizon and AT&T Get Set To Chitter-Chatter
2008-01-24 17:11:00
Verizon and AT&T will both be carrying a version of Hop On's Chitter Chatter handset. The chitter chatter is one of the first devices that operates on both CDMA and GSM networks at the touch of a button. You can read the complete article here on Mac Report.net. Kind of makes you wonder why it took so long for this technology to be developed considering most of the world operates on GSM. No particular model was released for either carrier, but Hop-On's website features the HOP2001 as "Verizon and AT&T ready". A feature the article seemed to focus on was the Chitter Chatter's ability to offer the latest GPS technology at a fraction of the cost of similiar phones. You can visit Hop-On's website here to take a look at their current line up of handsets. Click here to see the HOP2001. Looks like a great handset to run Android on!AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Rumors , Verizon , Discussion , Leaks

Sprint Nextel Cuts Starting Near Top
2008-01-24 16:10:00
You didn't think it was going to be all retail sales reps, did you? So far, the CFO, CMO, and President of Sales and Distribution are officially "stepping down" tomorrow. There's probably a lot of money to be saved in that move. Bringing in a replacement at lower salary would help the financial side of things pretty quickly. No word yet on whether or not the HNIC will be stepping down.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Rumors , Sprint , Carriers , Nextel , Sprint Nextel

It Has Begun!
2008-01-24 15:53:00
Today is the start date for the 700MHz auction. Keep your channels locked to AndroidGuys for all the latest spectrum news! Here's a few quick things to know as it gets underway.The auction is officially called Auction 73The move from analog to digital television is what frees up the bandwidth in the 700MHz range.The auction is 'silent' in that the FCC will disclose to bidders the current asking price for each block without revealing anything about the who the high bidders are.Some big names participating are AT&T, Verizon, Cox Communication, and of course, GoogleThere are 5 "blocks" up for grabs. Block C is by far the most prized of them as it contains the most bandwidth (22MHz, broken into two 11MHz pairs )The winner of Block C has to commit to an open-access network. Essentially, any device capable of supporting the protocols must be allowed.The reserve price for Block C is $4.64 billion.If the reserve price is not met, a new auction will start and 'open-access requireme...
More About: Google News

Sun Microsystems Not Sure What This Android Thing Is All About
2008-01-24 14:29:00
According to Sun's vice president James Gosling, this Google Android thing is "just a bag of code". When asked to comment or take a position on Android in an interview for Computer World UK Gosling went on to say "It's impossible to have a position [on Android], right, because there is no data," he said when interviewed at the event. "Over the last couple of years, Google has been showing their phone at telecom conferences all over the world and with different business models, all of which really scared the carriers and handset makers." We are used to seeing these types of attacks from Sun because they are in direct competition with Android. Check out the complete article here. Because Android is based on Sun's JAVA platform Sun has always had concerns that Android would further split the Java community by offering yet another OS. Our take is that there's always room for another player. This leads to innovation, and that is something this industry desperately needs.Android...
More About: Opinion , Google News , Sun Microsystems , Discussion , Thing

NTT DoCoMo Talks GPhones
2008-01-24 14:15:00
We are starting discussions to offer handsets that will have the Android operating system," said Takeshi Natsuno, managing director of the multimedia services department at NTT DoCoMo. The picture is becoming a little more clear each day as we find out what different members of the Open Handset Alliance are planning to do with Android. We're going to see Google products and apps added DoCoMo's devices. Additions will include a Google search box on the main I-mode menu page and Google Ads appearing alongside search results. They're also planning to add more Google services like Google Maps down the road. (Get it? "Down the road")Natsuno added "When I look at the prototype, the Android-based handset works really well even on some of the cheaper handset designs." Encouraging news for those worried about Android phones being high-end, expensive devices. Read more at TechRadar.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
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AndroidGuys Guests on The Big Bald Blog
2008-01-24 03:06:00
We don't get to blow our own horn very often.Even more rare, we don't get to blow it twice in one day. Well, today's one of those days. Not only were featured on TechWag, but Scott took a little time to spend it guest-blogging over at The Big Bald Blog as well! If you've read our site for a more than a couple weeks, you will recall that the guy who runs it (Big Pappa) recently gave away an iPod Touch. Even though we didn't win it, we were still very happy to step in and do a little self promotion. Head over there to read more about us and our EntreCard contest! Stop by and tell him that AndroidGuys sent ya.Part 1 | Part 2Thanks Big Pappa!AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Links , Guests

TechWag Interviews AndroidGuys
2008-01-24 02:44:00
We recently had a chance to spend some time talking with TechWag, answering some questions about us and Android. We'll save the good stuff for their site, but we'll at least throw you a little quote to whet your whistle. Android is the catalyst the mobile industry needs, especially here in the United States. Our network providers have had too much control over the users for far too long. Consumers are learning the benefits of open source technology more each day. It was only a matter of time before people starting demanding more choices from their carriers.Now get over there and check the rest out! Respect knuckles to RD for taking the time to speak with us.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Interviews , Links

Text Message Rates Rising Faster Than Gas Prices
2008-01-23 22:41:00
In an effort to get people to sign up for text message bundles, network providers are raising prices left and right on individual text messages. At 15¢ a piece, your hand is forced once you open that bill up and see a $1.50 charge for 10 measly texts. What they want you to do is call them up and sign on for that $10.00 unlimited plan they have. Could you imagine paying $5.25 a gallon for gas if you bought it one gallon at a time but getting it for the bargain price of $3.00/g if you agreed to fill up your tank? Preposterous, right? That's essentially the stranglehold that providers have.Hard to believe it, but text rates going from 10¢ to 15¢ in one jump is worse than gas prices. Txtspk Rise GR8 Hope For Carriers (Yahoo!)AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Gas Prices , Message , Text , Discussion , Rates

OhNo Moto
2008-01-23 18:31:00
We've said it here before: Moto rola needs to stop riding the coattails of the RAZR and the Q. The proof this time comes in the form of Motorola's Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Sales and Earnings report. For the full year 2007, sales were $36.6 billion. The net loss was $0.02 per share, which included a net loss of $0.05 per share from continuing operations and earnings of $0.03 per share from discontinued operations. The net loss from continuing operations included net charges of $0.29 per share from items highlighted in the company?s quarterly earnings releases.Sad stuff from what was once a much revered name in the mobile industry. So what's the game plan Motorola? Slashing prices? New business model? Maybe layoffs and letting people go a la Nokia? How about a new line of phones that doesn't resemble anything else you've done since 2005? One thing is for cure, new CEO Greg Brown has his work cut out for him.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
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The Higher Cost of Bringing Your Own Phone
2008-01-23 17:49:00
There's a piece up over at PC World called Will Carriers Deliver on Pledge of Open Access? that we found interesting. Towards the end of the article, it mentions the possibility of carriers discouraging people from bring their own handset(s) to them by charging higher prices. Exactly what would cost more is not defined, but we're guessing it is subsidized handsets. Already locking people in for two years due to losing money on the phone apparently might not be enough for providers. Let's raise them some more and penalize the people who don't already have a phone!It seems counter-intuitive to us. If you raise the price of handsets on average Joe, the first time buyer, you're not going to get him to endear himself to you. Rather, he'd probably look to get either an older, less expensive model or an unlocked phone for roughly the same cost as whatever the carrier is offering. If Joe was educated, he'd buy the unlocked/open phone and ready himself for down the road. With p...
More About: Phone , Opinion , Links , Cost

Google's Android More Viable?
2008-01-22 19:47:00
In an article on MSNBC Olga Kharif does a great job of outlining why she feels Google will be a force to contend with in the future. Read the full article here. She outlines some of the software in development in spite of Android 's less than complete SDK. WiFi Army and Grid Gain were two of the applications mentioned. Kharif was also right to point out the lack of features not available in the initial developer's kits such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and basic phone functions to make or receive calls. It's interesting to note that these developers are banking heavily on the success of Android and Google, as Kharif points out in the article "In the first two months, programmers downloaded the software development kit for Android more than 250,000 times, according to Google." She goes on to say "By contrast developers downloaded the Symbian OS Getting Started guide some 70,000 times in the 12 months ended in September." The willingness of developers to ride the waves of Android's initia...
More About: Google News , Developers , Discussion

Calling All Cars
2008-01-22 19:19:00
Just came across an article on The Boy Genius Report that claims someone broke into a T-Mobile warehouse over the weekend and made off with $8.2M in phones. Mostly Sidekicks, 36,000 handsets disappeared into the wind. BGR's source is an internal email from someone at T-Mobile. With IMEI's (serial numbrs), they ought to be able to trace them once they are used. The scary stuff is not so much the black market and pure profit from dealers. Rather, it's the idea that someone could be selling them for funding a terrorist operation. Just figured we'd throw a little FOX News scare tactic at you guys. Now the question is: If someone approached you in a big white van and wanted to sell you a brand new Sidekick for $50, would you bite?AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Hardware , Cars , Rumors , Calling , Leaks

34 Weeks of OHA: #3
2008-01-22 16:11:00
Open Handset Alliance Member Profiles (Week #3 - Audience ) For 34 weeks, each Tuesday, Jordan from fandroid.net will be joining us to offer a profile of each of the 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance.Company Name: Audience.How the OHA site classifies them: Semiconductor CompanyWhat the OHA site says about them: Audience is a voice processor company that enables clear communications anywhere with noise suppression technology based on the intelligence of the human hearing system.What they do: Apparently something that's cool as hell. Check out that bit from the OHA site "Noise suppression technology based on the intelligence of the human hearing system."The Audience site isn't open yet. Just a big "Starting in 2008, Be Heard", the option to register for info (which I have, I'll let you know if I receive anything), and some cool quotes, including one from Ray Kurzweil talking about "neuromorphic princples". Neuromorphic, according to Wikipedia, describes "... Very Large Scale ...
More About: Weeks

Tira Wireless Is Onboard With Android
2008-01-22 15:35:00
We can add Tira Wireless to the list of companies that have announced their support for Android . Tira Wireless helps software companies get their products to different mobile platforms. Their website lists current customers such as Hudson, Helio, Sega, and Sony. You can read the complete article here courtesy of Sys-Con.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Software

Google Aligns with UIQ and Others
2008-01-22 15:09:00
Another day, another partnership for Google . Looking at the list of names in this UIQ Alliance Partner Program, you can get a sense for where Google wants to take mobile devices in the future.ArcSoft develops multimedia technologies and apps for desktop and embedded platforms. They offer imaging and video solutions to enhance mobile phones, digital cameras, pc's, and other consumer electronics devices. Fring is a service that enables users to make free mobile calls, live chat and interact with other while on the go. ISkoot has their hands in VOIP and push-button internet calls.Mix together ingredients and stir. Add a touch of GrandCentral to taste.Shhh... On a still night, you can hear the network providers scrambling to combat this already.ArcSoft, CleNET Technologies, fring?, Google, i-skoot and Mobica are new partners in the UIQ Alliance Partner Program. The agreements basically mean that UIQ Technology will support the partner companies in their development of mobile appli...
More About: Google News

Android Easter Egg
2008-01-22 04:40:00
With the last few days being slow news days, we thought we'd share a little link love with a fellow Android site. The guys over at PointGPhone recently alerted us to a little hidden gem buried within the Android developer kit. It seems that the team behind the SDK have a little appreciation for The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. If you're not familiar with the story, Deep Thought is a computer that was created by a pan-dimensional, hyper-intelligent race of beings to come up with the ultimate answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. After seven and a half million years of calculation, the answer finally turns out to be 42.How does this come into play in the SDK? Well, according to our French friends, "Pourquoi je parle de ça? Tout simplement parce que les créateurs d?Android ont eux glissé un easter egg dans leur code faisant référence à ce fameux nombre 42.Pour le voir, il suffit de lancer la console adb (Android Debug Bridge) et d?utiliser la commande : ?service call ...
More About: Easter , Links , Developers , Easter Egg

Carriers Slow to Grant Businesses & Orgnanizations Short Codes
2008-01-21 22:36:00
You know that number you have to send a message to when you vote for your favorite American Idol? And the number you have to send a message to in order to get that "free ring tone" you saw on TV? Well, those numbers are called "short codes" and any company that wants one has to apply for it through a wireless carrier. However, it seems that wireless carriers are slow to hand these out, and some speculate that it has to do with competition. In an article on RCR Wireless News.com the FCC launched a rule making to determine whether mobile text messages and short codes are covered by non-discrimination provisions of the telecom act. You can view the complete article here. Even companies like Google, Ebay, and Pay Pal have to apply for these codes.Carriers such as T-Mobile and Verizon claim "anti-competition" has nothing to do with their decision making process when determining which companies are granted codes and which ones aren't, so it would be interesting to learn just what ...
More About: Short , Slow , Grant , Businesses

FCC Set To Enforce Hearing Aid Mandate.....Unless You Are Apple
2008-01-21 22:02:00
February 18th is the date the FCC can begin to enforce its 50% rule when it comes to handset manufactures and hearing aide compatibility, unless of course you're Apple and we're talking about the iPhone. You can read the complete article here on RCRNEWS.com . It seems the FCC has granted Apple and the iPhone immunity under the "de minimis exemption". This exception was intended to protect "small" manufacturers that produced only a handful of handsets. Should the behemoth that is Apple fall under this category? We will let the FCC make that decision, but if you ask us the spirit of this exemption was not to protect the Apple's of the world. The FCC stated they will not actually begin to enforce this law until 2 months after February 18th. AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Carriers , Hearing

Still No Android Code for Developers
2008-01-21 15:18:00
As developers continue to pound away at their Android based applications some have nothing but praise for the open source OS, while others decry it's short comings. In an article released on January 19, (Saturday) Elise Ackerman of the San Jose Mercury News writes "As Google seeks to position itself to be the Microsoft of mobile by offering a free must-have operating system, it is running into Microsoft-style problems that could complicate the Mountain View company's efforts to expand into the mobile advertising market, which is expected to be $11 billion in just three years." Some developers are grumpily awaiting the release of the "code" that was promised by Google. One of the more frequent criticisms Android Guys has heard from developers is the lack of a basic set of phone tools Android is lacking. To be fair to Google they have said all along that the released version was a "work in progress" and that updates would be released to address these issues. As for the source co...
More About: Google News , Code , Developers , Discussion

Bug Labs Goes Live
2008-01-21 15:07:00
The Bug device we've covered here a time or two will be available starting today. More of a device rather than a phone, it's been said that it will be Android capable. The BUGBase Hiro P model goes live today with a couple of modules available as well. Get yours at BugLabs .netAndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Hardware , Live

2 Million HTC Touches Sold
2008-01-21 14:48:00
Released only weeks apart from Apple's iPhone, HTC's Touch has sold 2 million devices since last June. Even though it's half of what Apple has moved, we consider this a minor victory. For starters, it's on a brand that's not known in the US like most others. If you asked a lot of average Americans to name a reputable cell phone manufacturer, odds are names like Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Motorola will be mentioned first. Second, HTC's device wasn't packaged and sold as the sexy new era of phones like AT&T and Apple did. Do you recall ever seeing a commercial for an HTC phone? Bet you can hum that iPhone song though. HTC's revenue grew almost 12% last year and the company already sees good prospects for the first quarter of '08."The first quarter looks good, it will be a lot better than our first quarter last year," said Peter Chou, president and CEO of HTC, at a year-end party Friday evening. Companies in Taiwan and throughout China typically host parties around thi...
More About: Hardware , Million , Sold

Google's Android & IT Users: Not So Fast!
2008-01-21 14:34:00
Everyone is assuming that Android will primarily be a consumer platform, but I don't think Google is that short sighted. I suspect they will want to compete on every level with the likes of Microsoft and RIM, 2 of the larger mobile business platforms in use today. I found a great article on Computer World written by Michael Gartenberg outlining some of the challenges Google faces in this arena. You can read the full article here. He also made an interesting point that while Google is backing Android you may not see their applications on every Android handset. "Google will offer a suite of mobile applications for Android, but it won?t require that the apps be used. In theory, you could see Android handsets with Yahoo Mail and Live Search, but no Google services at all." A risky move indeed, but in order to call Android "open" it would have been unfair to attach mandatory tools to it. Stay tuned to Android Guys for all the latest Android news.AndroidGuys | The most trusted sit...
More About: Opinion , Fast , Discussion , Users

AG5 - January 19th Edition
2008-01-19 19:40:00
The last seven days saw Google, Android, and members of the Open Handset grabbing some decent headlines. Even with Macworld taking up most of the tech world's attention, Google still found a way to get a little focus on them. Having Steve Jobs mention talk about your foray into the mobile world helps a little bit too. Not all the news was great, as you'll see below. So without further ado, the AG5. If this is your first time stopping by, welcome to AndroidGuys! Here's five things to bring you up to speed.#1 - A La Mobile gets Android running on an HTC device.Finally! A device that is not some prototype or reference model running our favorite new OS. Even though it's an older model from HTC, it still makes all warm and fuzzy when we think about how much more real this is all becoming.#2 - Jobs (people) cut and stores closed for a member of the OHA.Sprint Nextel announced that they will be closing 125 of their retail stores and letting go of 4,000 people. Scary stuff for ...
More About: Hardware , People , Rumors , Google News , Carriers

Can Android Save Sprint Nextel?
2008-01-18 18:54:00
Sprint Nextel announced today that they will be closing 8% of their retail stores or roughly 125 of them. On top of that, 4,000 people will be losing their jobs as they indicate that numbers for Q4 '07 will be worse than expected. This brings the total number of jobs lost to 9,000 in last 12 months. OUCH! What kind of effect Android will have on Sprint Nextel remains to be seen. We have yet to definitively hear how they and T-Mobile will come into play as members of the Open Handset Alliance. Will it take more than open source phones and services to save them? Will they even be partners come the second half of this year? Our two cents: Start by getting your customer service game back on point. Good luck to those affected by these coming changes. Both of us AndroidGuys have been affected by retail closing in our past so we can definitely sympathize.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Rumors , Sprint , Carriers , Save

AG5 - January 12th Edition
2008-01-13 00:14:00
Alright so maybe this week didn't turn out to be quite as eventful as we'd hoped for Open Handset Alliance news. CES was somewhat of a letdown in regards to Android information, leaks, and announcements. Regardless, we're true to our word and are here to compile the five articles we feel you need to take a second look at. And if this is your first time stopping by, welcome to AndroidGuys! Here's five things to bring you up to speed.#1 - Yahoo Go to play nice with AndroidRather than trying to compete with Google and all of their services, Yahoo opened up their software so that it will work on not only Android, but the other mobile operating systems as well. Smart move.#2 - Wistron Neweb GW4 will be Android CapableSince none of the four handset makers brought any Android phones to the show, the GE4 got the big news this week. A sleeker looking version of that prototype phone we saw in the video, this phone resembles the T-Mobile Dash. #3 - Penguinistas hacked Android onto d...
More About: Hardware , Software , Rumors , January , Edition

BancoMap Helps Find ATM's
2008-01-11 16:19:00
OpenAndroids alerted us to an application from BancoMap which will help you locate the nearest ATM's using the mapping program and GPS. It's one of those simple ideas that seem like it would become more practical over time, especially for travelers. According to OpenAndroids, only Italian addresses are currently supported. Click here to see a flash demonstration as to how it would work.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Software , Find

OHA News (January 12th Edition)
2008-01-11 15:22:00
This week was slightly busier in regards to Open Handset Alliance news if not only for the fact that the hardware manufacturers were in Las Vegas showing off some of their upcoming devices. Although we didn't get any major Android leaks or announcements, there is still plenty to catch up on. We're expecting to see this list get bigger over the next few months as software becomes available and network providers start unveiling their plans to incorporate Android. Samsung launches F490 (CrunchGear)LG Scoop is Alltel's Rumor (Engadget Mobile)Sprint Nextel tests emergency alerts (RCRNews )Intel's iPhone-like device showed up (IntoMobile)HTC's 2007 numbers look strong (justamp.blogspot.com)LG and Samsung competing in mobile television (PhoneScoop)Sprint inches towards WiMax launch (TechNewsWorld)Intel banking on ultramobiles (TopTechNews)T-Mobile USA Investment Slows Company Profit Margins (Wireless Week)AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Hardware , Software , People , Rumors

AndroidGuys Contest
2008-01-11 06:55:00
It's coming. Check back for the announcement of our 3 prize giveaway!AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
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Android's Challenges
2008-01-10 16:48:00
CEO's and CDO's are talking about Android and some of the things that might stand in the way of Google reaching the next level in search. Take for instance Dan Olschwang, CEO of JumpTap. He says that "they have to seriously overhaul it" to serve a mobile audience. If somebody asks, 'Where is the closest gas station?' they need that information now, and they don't need 20,000 results." Very valid point. Who is going to care to read sponsored ads for starting a gas station or buying one? Don't believe us...? Users are going to want an instant result that says "BP is 2.3 miles with a map to go along with it." Rather than thousands of results, we'll want 5 or so. Olschwang predicts that Google will not "completely fail" in mobile web but he doesn't "think they will be nearly as successful as they are on the (desktop) Web." Dan wouldn't be heartbroken if Google didn't do so good because JumpTap has developed a search engine and search-advertising platform for cellphones...
More About: Rumors , Google News , Leaks , Halle

Another Android Prototype Coming Next Week?
2008-01-10 15:34:00
According a recent USAToday article, San Ramon-based a la Mobile is set to debut a new Android based phone sometime next week. We checked their website for any news around this but were yet to find anything. We did however learn a little bit about what they do. Founded in 2005, a la Mobile believes that Linux is the strategic operating system that the mobile industry is ready to adopt. Designed to be readily adaptable to wireless handsets, this new platform enables handset manufacturers to bring new Linux-based smartphones to market rapidly while drastically reducing development, testing and deployment costs. Convergent Linux is the first viable mobile operating system alternative to proprietary offerings.AndroidGuys | The most trusted site for Android news and opinion.
More About: Hardware , Rumors , Week , Prototype , Leaks