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Android Security Team Reach Out To Bug Hunters

The Android security team have appealed to security researchers for help in both finding and disclosing any vulnerabilities present in the Android OS.

In an email to Full Disclosure, the Android team wrote:

“As you may expect, building and maintaining a secure mobile platform is a difficult task,” while we have found and fixed many of our own bugs as well as flaws in other open-source projects, we realize that the discovery of additional security issues in a system this large and complex is inevitable.”

“We do appreciate and encourage responsible disclosure, especially since Android will be deployed on many different devices that will require a large amount of coordination to patch.”

“Help from security researchers in the form of usable bug reports and responsible timelines will greatly assist us in securing the ecosystem of Android devices as quickly as possible.”

The latest Android SDK, version 0.9 was made available to developers on Monday.

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Google Publish Android Developer Roadmap

Following yesterday’s announcement of the release of the Android SDK 0.9, Google have also updated the official website to include a timeline for further Android updats and releases.

This new Android roadmap will outline Google’s plans for the coming months, and keep us informed on what we can expect from Android in the future.

Google are still positive that we will indeed see an Android powered device by the end of the next quarter, following the release of the Android SDK 1.0.

• 18 August, 2008 - Android 0.9 SDK beta released
• September 2008 - additional Android 1.0 (pre) SDK releases made available, as necessary
• Q3 - Q4 2008 - Android 1.0 SDK release 1 available (first actual 1.0-compatible SDK)
• Q4 2008 - Android 1.0 devices available at retail
• Q4 2008 - Source code released
• Q4 2008 - Key Announcement on Android Developer Challenge II

[via Google Roadmap]

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Google Announce New Android SDK

Google have today announced announced the release of the latest Android SDK.

The beta SDK that we’re releasing today is the first big step on the SDK’s road to compatibility with 1.0. Since this is a beta release, applications developed with it may not quite be compatible with devices running the final Android 1.0. However, the APIs are now pretty stable and we don’t expect any major changes. If you’re one of the many developers who were waiting for something a bit more mature, this might be a good time to take another look.

Here’s a rundown of what’s new in the latest SDK:

• First and most obviously, the new Home screen is included, along with a ton of UI changes for 1.0.
  Some new applications are included: an Alarm Clock, Calculator, Camera, Music player, Picture viewer, and Messaging (for SMS/MMS conversations.)
• Several new development tools were added, such as a graphical preview for XML layouts for users of Eclipse, and a tool for constructing 9-patch images.
• Since we’ve got a new Home screen application now, we thought the now-obsolete version from the M5 early-look SDK might be helpful to developers, so its source is included as a sample.
• A number of new APIs are fleshed out and improved, and others are now close to their final forms for 1.0.
• Tons of bugs were fixed, of course. (If you had problems with the MediaPlayer, try it now!)

Here’s a video of the new Android SDK in action.

The new SDK can be downloaded HERE

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T-Mobile To Offer Android Powered Handsets As Early As October

T-Mobile are set to become the first mobile phone carrier to offer devices powered by the Google Android operating system.

The NYTimes are reporting that the device will be manufactured by HTC and is widely believed to be the HTC Dream - the same HTC device that has been the source of much Android speculation to date.

The HTC ‘Dream’ will feature a full five-row slid-out keyboard along with a similar touch screen interface to the Apple iPhone’s.

A definitive release date is not yet known although it is reported that the phone will be officially announced in September to gear the device up for the holiday season sales, with a possible October release date in mind.

[via NYTimes.com]

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Install Android On Your HTC Titan

Not content with the recent port of Android to the Nokia N810, members of the pocked pc forum ppcgeeks.com have successfully managed to port Android over to the HTC Titan handset.

Like previous incarnations of the Android OS, the port still relies on the Windows Mobile OS underneath it, but after successfully loading the software into RAM, the Android OS can take over the the GUI and give users an early demo of things to come.

Users who have successfully ported the Android OS to their HTC devices report a working touch screen along with the ability to make calls and browse the internet.

Install Guide - http://it029000.massey.ac.nz/vogue/

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Developers Frustrated Over Lack Of Android Updates

A growing number of Android developers are becoming increasingly upset regarding the lack of new Android updates and the overall secrecy of the Android platform.

Over on the official Android discussion group, independent Android developer Nicholas Gramlich has expressed his concern in an open letter to the company. Gramlich goes on to detial his dismay at the way Google is keeping the Android development updates to itself.

Gramlich notes it has been some five months since a major update has been made available, “In order not to lose many highly encouraged developers, I think its [sic] time to release some news about the development process of the SDK. Maybe let us know why we have to live with these long cycles.”

Following Gramlich’s message, many other members of the Android discussion group chimed in with their own frustrations regarding the lack of new updates.

“I’m afraid (at the same time excited) that by the time the next Android SDK
is released (close to EOY 2008 I guess), many developers here have already
released software on the iPhone platform, a platform with 20+ million users
versus ZERO user install base for Android.”

“It’s not a hard decision to make after all. Hopefully someone wakes up sooner than later.”

As reported back in May, new Android SDK builds were to be only made available to winners of the Android Developer Challenge, but whether this latest backlash from the very core of Android developers changes Google’s mind remains to be seen.

[via Arstechnica]

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Install Android On Your Nokia N810

Some clever coders over on internettablettalk.com have managed to successfully port the Android OS onto the Nokia N810, and have even made it as simple as installing an application.

The successful Android port also includes a working TouchScreen interface, a fully functional browser and Maps integration.

Installation Instructions

No partitioning needed (135MB free space needed)
———————————————–
Step #1
Put android.img.bz2 on your memory card

After putting the file on the memory card (either one) there must be 110MB free space on whichever card is holding the android.img.bz2 image.

You can get the file here (See md5sum information below)

http://tablethacker.com/software/android.img.bz2
http://penguinbait.com/android.img.bz2

Step #2
Then install the deb, this will flash your kernel and give you an icon in extras menu to start Android.

http://tablethacker.com/software/android-installer.deb
http://penguinbait.com/adroid-installer.deb

Once complete you just reboot

For more information and guidance installing Android yourself, head on over to the forum thread here:

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=198240

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Interview With ADC Finalists CallACab

We recently caught up with the creators of the ADC winning application, CallACab. The team discussed the challenges and advantages of developing application for the Android platform along with their thoughts on the Android Developer Challenge and the future of the mobile OS.

Click here to read the full interview with the team behind CallACab!

Previous interviews include: Commandro, Eco2go, BreadCrumbz.

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Android And Symbian Force LiMo And LiPS Merger

In an effort to stem growing competition from the likes of Android and Symbian, the LiMo Foundation and LiPS Forum members have joined forces in their battle for marketshare.

The LiMo Foundation announced on Thursday that they will be merging with LiPS (Linux Phone Standards) in July, it is hoped by both that this merger will help to create a stronger entity for pushing mobile Linux.

LiPS Forum president Haila Wang had this to say:

“LiPS Forum is proud of our standardization efforts, development activities and other achievements of the last three years.” Wang then added “Our membership agrees that LiPS’s greatest impact can be realized by adding our members’ expertise and resources to LiMo Foundation. Together, the member companies can better strive for a unified and ubiquitous Linux-based mobile platform.”

The LiMo Foundation are expected to beat Android in getting their handsets to market, with the first wave expected within a few months.

[via InformationWeek]

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HTC Still On Track For Pre-Christmas Android Launch

Despite recent reports of delays for the Android platform, Taiwanese manufacturer HTC are convinced that they will have their first Android powered handsets ready for release before the end of this year.

Speaking in Sydney this week, HTC’s Chief executive officer Peter Chou admitted that there have been certain challenges getting the Android OS to the point where it is can run in a consumer device.

“But we are still shooting for the end of this year, for release to the market.”

Google Android is an important factor in HTC’s long-term strategy, noted Chou. A strategy that hopefully will enable the company to grow it’s share of the highly competitive mobile handset market.

[via APCMag]

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