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Ballmer dismisses Google's Android

Paul Mah — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:10:11 -0500

Microsoft's chief executive has dismissed Google's Android operating system as financially unsound. Speaking at a conference in Australia, Steve Ballmer drew parallels to himself going into a meeting with Microsoft shareholders, and announcing a new product that has no revenue model. He noted, "I'm not sure that my investors would take that very well," before claiming that this was precisely what Google is telling their investors when it comes to Android.

In addition, the Microsoft executive also pointed out that since Android was Google's first phone operating system, it is inevitable that they start out way behind. He was probably drawing upon his own experience, with Microsoft's development of its Windows Mobile operating system, when he noted that designing a phone operating system wasn't easy. Ballmer is known for his outspoken nature: Just last month, Ballmer was reported to have made uncomplimentary remarks about its partner Intel.

To read more about this story:
- check out this article from CIO.com

Google releases Gmail for mobile 2.0

Paul Mah — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:44:41 -0400

Google has released version 2.0 of Gmail for mobile devices. Designed for devices with J2ME support and BlackBerry Smartphones, the new version is touted as faster and more reliable. Article

Motorola building up its team to launch into Android

Paul Mah — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:12:25 -0400

Motorola could be readying for a major move into Google's Android platform according to reports from an Android developer approached by a headhunter to join the team. While Motorola already has 50 people on its Android team, it is working to grow that number to 350. This is a huge commitment by any measure, and shows the seriousness with which Motorola is putting on this new mobile platform. As pointed out by The Channel Wire, Motorola never managed to recapture the excitement that devices like RAZR V3 phones caused in 2004. Android, with its open sourced nature and superior web capabilities--other than the iPhone that is--might just be the ticket to really getting things moving for its mobile division again.

To read more about Motorola and Android:
- check out this TechCrunch article

Google's first Android phone debuts

Paul Mah — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:46:56 -0400

The first Android phone was unveiled at its launch in New York on Tuesday, as its specifications, availability and bundled applications were revealed in full for the first time. The G1 comes with a touch screen much like the iPhone's, as well as a full slide-out keyboard. Software-wise, a plethora of Google applications could be found, including Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Flickr and GTalk. As would be expected, the G1 also packs the ability to read Microsoft Word, Excel and PDF documents. A "Chrome-light" browser has been included for surfing. Missing, however, would be the ability to sync with Exchange. Andy Rubin, senior director of mobile platforms at Google noted that "That's a perfect opportunity for a third-party developer."

To read more about the HTC G1 Android phone:
- check out this article from Computerworld

Google drops Bluetooth and GTalkService APIs from Android 1.0

Paul Mah — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:57:57 -0400

According to the Android Developers Blog, Google has dropped the Bluetooth and GTalkService instant messaging Application Programming Interface (APIs) from the first version of the Android phone operating system. What this means is that developers will be unable to build third-party applications that interface with or utilize Bluetooth on an Android phone. Handsets based on the Android OS will still be able to work with other Bluetooth devices, with the programmatic interface the only aspect affected. While the Bluetooth API was "pretty far along," some clean up was still necessary. Unfortunately, the team "plain ran out of time" noted Android engineer Nick Pelly. In addition, GTalkService in its current iteration might have resulted in privacy breech, or even a device hijack, and was also pulled as a result.

For more on the story:
- check out this article at the Android Developers Blog

Symbian open to further ties with Google

Paul Mah — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:35:54 -0400

Smartphone software maker Symbian hinted that it could expand its collaboration with Google all the way to the operating system level. Nigel Clifford, Symbian chief executive, told reporters that Symbian "will be happy" to collaborate with Google whenever the opportunity presents itself. He added, "And that could be on the application level or that could be on the more fundamental operating system level." Google applications such as its maps and search engines are currently used by Symbian, of which 47.9 percent is owned by mobile phone giant Nokia. Over 200 million phones run on the Symbian operating system at the moment and Nokia wants to increase that with a bold $410 million plan to buy out the other shareholders of Symbian before making it available, royalty free, to other phone makers.

For more on mobile mail:
- check out this Washington Post article

Developers growing impatient over lack of Android updates

Paul Mah — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:31:02 -0400

It appears that third-party software developers are becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of information pertaining to the status of the platform. Nicolas Gramlich, who runs the independent Android Development Community message boards, lamented about the unresolved bugs in the existing SDK, as well as the lack of information on future developments. For some unfathomable reason, it appears that a new and improved SDK is being shared only with the 50 finalists in the Android Developer Challenge instead of being publicly released. To rub salt on the wound, an email congratulating the 50 finalists on their access to the private download site was accidentally sent to everyone who have entered the contest. Whatever it is, Google surely doesn't expect to capture the extremely competitive smartphone segment with the same take-it-slow approach as with Gmail, does it?

For more on Google's Android:
- check out the Ars Technica article

Android phones faces delay

Paul Mah — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:35:07 -0400

Smartphones designed to run Google's new Android operating system are facing potential delays that could push arrival dates to late 2008. To be fair, there is technically no slippage yet, though it is certainly unusual for products to be shipped at the tail end of any furnished timeframe. Google initially set the arrival date at the second half of 2008.

Strategically, the implications here would be that any splash made by the entrance of the new mobile operating system will not be noticed until 2009 or later. More urgently, however, is the impending release of the 3G iPhone as well as new 3G versions of RIM's BlackBerry. These events are certain to shift the competitive landscape against Android somewhat.

For more about the Android delay:
- check out this InformationWeek blog

Google extending dominance to mobile search market

Paul Mah — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:21:52 -0400

Research data from Nielsen Mobile shows that search giant Google managed to capture a staggering 61 percent of the mobile search market. Yahoo and MSN were ranked and third in that category with 18 and 5 percent of the mobile search market.

Amazingly, part of the reason behind Google's stellar showing might actually be related to the fact that mobile searches from iPhones are 50 times higher compared to other handset. Google is set as the default search engine on the iPhone. But how does that square with MSN's poor showing, given the sheer number of Windows Mobile devices out there. The answer could be that other browsers, such as the popular Opera Mini--which has Yahoo set as the default destination--are easily installed on a Windows Mobile device.

For more on the mobile search market:
- check out this Ars Technica article

HTC will unveil Android device in Q4

Paul Mah — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:20:02 -0400

HTC confirmed that a phone that runs Google's Android operating system will be unveiled by Q4 this year. This transpired in a conversation that general manager of HTC for MEA and CIS Kevin Chen had with blogger Meraj Chhaya at the launch of the South African HTC Touch Diamond. When quizzed whether it will be possible for the one company to make smartphones that can run on competing operating system, the response was that "they (HTC) are not going to dump anyone." So there you go. HTC will continue making Windows Mobile-based devices, and you will, in all likelihood, be able to buy the first Android-based smartphone before the year is out.

For more on Google Android on a HTC device:
- check out this PhoneReport v2.0 blog