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The Android Source Code Is Released

Google have today released the Android source code to the open source community.

Today is a big day for Android, the Open Handset Alliance, and the open-source community. All of the work that we've poured into the mobile platform is now officially available, for free, as the Android Open Source Project.

The Android Open Source Project gives developers access to the entire Android codebase which includes the Linux kernal, app platform, system/graphics/speech recognition libraries, media codex and more.

This video introduction details what the Android Open Source Project entails and what is included in the source code.

So, What will you do with Android? Let us know in the Forums!

You can download the Android source code HERE, and the official website: http://source.android.com/

[via Android Dev blog]

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UK T-Mobile G1 Release October 30th

T-Mobile UK today issued a press release confirming the T-Mobile G1 will be on sale across the United Kingdom on October 30th.

The press release also notes that the G1 will only be available in Black and White.

Here's the full press release:

T-Mobile G1 with Google to Hit the UK on 30 October

First phone to run on Android available from T-Mobile on 30 October

London, 15 October: T-Mobile today announces the hotly anticipated T-Mobile G1 – the phone built for the internet and the first to run on the innovative Android open source mobile software platform – will be available in the UK from 30 October.

Exclusive to T-Mobile, the G1 offers a completely new mobile internet experience with full touch screen functionality plus a QWERTY keyboard for easy online communication, high speed internet with popular Google services already on board, and access to innovative application downloads from the new Android Market.

Since unveiling the device in New York in September, over 25,000 UK consumers pre-registered their interest in the device. The wait will be over on 30 October as the T-Mobile G1 hits the shelves at T-Mobile stores just five weeks after its official unveiling.

The G1 is available for free on T-Mobile Combi and Flext price plans from £40 a month, including unlimited fast mobile internet browsing powered by T-Mobile’s award-winning network. Combi 35 offers 800 minutes and unlimited texts while Flext 40 gives up to 1,250 minutes or up to 2,500 texts or any mix of the two.

Jim Hyde, Managing Director T-Mobile UK said: “With so much excitement generated by the announcement last month, we’re thrilled to bring the T-Mobile G1 to the UK in time for Christmas. It’s set to revolutionise the way we use the internet on our mobiles: it’s uniquely built for effortless online communication – whether you want to email, text or blog – and with access to some groundbreaking applications on Android market, the possibilities really are endless.”

The T-Mobile G1 will feature a range of exciting applications pre-loaded at launch and with a couple of short clicks to Android Market, customers can find and download innovative applications from games and navigation tools to on-the-go shopping comparisons.

The G1’s full QWERTY keyboard makes it simple to write exactly what you want to say and navigating is even easier using the touch screen and trackball. There’s also one touch access to all your favourite Google applications including web search, Google Maps, Google Talk and Google Mail. So whether it’s email, instant messaging, social network updates or even calling and texting, the T-Mobile G1 is perfect for whatever form of communication you prefer.

With Google Maps, T-Mobile G1 users can instantly view maps, satellite imagery, find local business and get driving directions. And Google Maps synchs with the built-in compass – an industry first – to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand.

Vital statistics: The T-Mobile G1

• Available in two colours – black and white
• GPS and compass
• Rich HTML email client which seamlessly synchs email with POP3 or IMAP services
• 3.5G (HSDPA/HSUPA) and Wi-Fi connectivity
• 3 Mega pixel camera
• MP3 music player
• Pre-installed 2 GB Micro SD memory card (device supports up to an 8 GB card)
• Bluetooth-enabled
• Up to 130 hours standby and up to 5 hours talk time
• Dimensions: 117.7 x 55.7 x 26.5 mm
• Weight: 158g

[via T-Mobile UK]

Buy the T-Mobile G1 online From T-Mobile UK!

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Microsoft Considering Silverlight For The Android Platform

Given Apple's lack on enthusiasm for installing either Silverlight or Adobe Flash on its iPhones, Microsoft have started to take a closer interest in the open source Android platform.

“Basically where we’re at right now is we have talked with Apple,” Microsoft Vice President Scott Guthrie admitted. “We are very interested in being able to run [Silverlight] on the iPhone. At the end of the day, Apple ultimately controls what software runs on the iPhone. To date, what they’ve said is that at this time, they’re not looking to enable browser plug-ins like Silverlight or Flash to run on top of it.”

This is a stark contract to Android's open source license which welcomes the development of third-party applications, which even gives developers the oppurtunity to contribute to the underlying OS itself.

“[The] Google phone is slightly different.” Guthrie said. “It’s more of an open platform, that is something we’re going to continue to look at. Certainly as it’s gotten deployed and if sales are good we’ll definitely keep our eyes out and look at that in the future.”

[via WebMonkey]

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Vodacom Bringing The G1 To South Africa

According to the ZATechshow’s Simon Dingle, HTC has confirmed that Google’s upcoming G1 Android phone will be launched in South Africa next year.

It has also been confirmed that Vodacom will be the network partner for the G1 device, although It is currently unknown whether this will be an exclusive partnership.

Vodacom have since confirmed the report, stating that they are currently finalising negotiations for the HTC G1 in South Africa.

[via mybroadband.co.za]

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Dopod To Bring The G1 To China In 2009

Dopod China is planning to introduce a Chinese version of the G1 in the region for the first quarter of 2009.

"We intend to introduce the G1 to China, possibly in the first quarter of 2009, through a deal with High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC). It will be branded as a Dopod. We are now discussing a partnership with China Mobile," a source from Dopod China told Interfax.

The Chinese G1 will be adapted to suit China's network although Dopod have not currently decided whether the device will be EDGE or TD-SCDMA. With TD-SCDMA being the only 3G standard technology currently in use in China.

As a partner of HTC, Dopod China sells selected models of HTC phones in China under the "Dopod" brand.

[via InterFax]

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TechFaith Launching Android Powered Handset In Early 2009

China's TechFaith Wireless Communication Technology Ltd have today revealed their plans to launch an Android powered handset at the start of 2009.

TechFaith provides mobile phone design solutions to handset manufacturers that have their own brands, such as Motorola, LG, Amoi, Bird and CECT, as well as telecom operators including France Telecom, Sprint and SK Telecom.

"The development of a prototype Android phone has basically been completed. However, the launch of commercial products is unlikely to happen before the end of this year," Ji Changxi, a senior vice president of TechFaith, told Interfax.

Aimed at the mainland China market, TechFaith are expected to announce the name of the manufacturer at the end of November.

"We are still in talks with several interested customers," he said.

[via Interfaxchina.com (subscription)]

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T-Mobile Triples G1 Launch Stock, Still Accepting Pre-Orders For November

In a statement issued on friday, T-Mobile USA commented on the huge pre-order demand for the Android G1 and the measures they have taken to try and meet it.

Although the G1 has currently out sold it's pre-order allocation, customers can still order the handset through October 21for an expected November delivery date.

"Given the great anticipation and the heavy pre-sale demand for the T-Mobile G1 with Google, we nearly tripled the number of phones initially available for delivery on our October 22 launch date, and have sold through them all. However, to accommodate additional T-Mobile customers who want to pre-order a device, they now have the opportunity to place a pre-order through October 21, for delivery at a later date. Also, people can still pre-register on the T-Mobile G1 Web site to be notified prior to launch where they can purchase the device beginning October 22. Details are available on the T-Mobile G1 Web site, www.T-MobileG1.com."

This recent statement follows reports last week that the operator intends to sell up to 500,000 G1s by Christmas 2008.

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DoCoMo Bringing Android To Japan In 2009

At a recent press briefing in Tokyo, DoCoMo president Ryuji Yamada revealed the companies plans to launch an Android powered device in the first quarter of 2009.

The Android handset is widely believed to be based on the current HTC G1 model. Alongside Android, the company also plan to launch an additional 10 more smartphones during the course of 2009.

NTT DoCoMo Inc is Japan's largest cellphone operator and is a member of Open Handset Alliance (OHA).

[via Taipei Times]

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HTC Aiming To Sell 2 Million Android Phones By End Of 2009

The Taiwan Economic News is reporting that HTC is expecting to sell between 1.5 and 2 million Android based phones across the US by the end of 2009.

With sale forcasts of some 500,000 units before the end of 2008, sources say that the new handset should boost HTC revenues by $560 million next year.

Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, commented that their G1 smartphone and Android platform will give strong pushes to development and applications of the network for handsets in the future.

Research from Strategy Analytics recently reported that the Android operating system will account for some 4 percent of all smartphones sold in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2008.

Neil Mawston, Director, Wireless Device Strategies at Strategy Analytics, said, “We forecast 10.5 million smartphones to be sold in the United States during Q4 2008. We estimate smartphones with Google’s Android operating system, led by HTC of Taiwan, will reach 0.4 million units in the quarter, for a 4 percent marketshare. Android is a relatively late entrant and it will join an increasingly crowded market alongside Blackberry, Microsoft, Apple, Palm, Symbian and LiMo.”

[via Taiwan Economic News]

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Steve Ballmer: “You’ve got to remember Android is version one….and it looks like version one”

In a recent interview with the BBC, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer spoke at length about the search industry and how the current ecomonic downtime could have an impact on technology.

As the interview progressed to mobile search, Ballmer was asked about his thoughts on Android and what effect it will have on the Windows Mobile platform:

"You've got to remember Android is version one....and it looks like version one," he said.

"They've got one handset maker, we've got 55. They're available through one operator, we've got 175."

Ballmer also noted that an open-source solution would not be attractive to phone manufacturers predicting that Windows Mobile would stay ahead of the likes of Blackberry, Apple's iPhone and Google Android for some time to come.

[via BBC.co.uk]

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