It looks like Google has some plans for a major keyboard overhaul for Android with its latest acquisition. Google has just acquired BlindType, the revolutionary virtual keyboard that allows for – as the name suggests – blind typing, has finally gotten some much needed attention. A post on the BlindType blog about the acquisition stated:
We are excited to announce that BlindType has been acquired by Google! We want to thank everyone for their overwhelming support and positive feedback. We know that typing on your mobile device can be a frustrating experience, which is why we’ve worked hard to make touch typing easier and faster than ever – the way it should be. We’re excited to join Google, and look forward to the great opportunities for mobile innovation that lie ahead.
Since the BlindType software has not even been released, it’s too early to predict Google’s next move. I hope we can expect some new keyboard features in the next Android OS release – Honeycomb maybe?
Will BlindType change the frustrating mobile typing experience with its new predictive technology? Google, please release a beta version and let the Android community decide! Enough with the YouTube demos already!
Via Android news
Labels: Acquires, BlindType, Google, Keyboard, Startup, Virtual
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It looks likes Google is throwing some of their core applications into the Android Market which we have already seen them do with their Gmail application and now they have tossed in their Car Home app. The new features of the Car Home application allows the user to customize the shortcuts displayed and also allows you to position them any way you’d like.
I found it in the Android Market last night, but it’s not showing up for me today. Anyone else having any problems locating the application via the Market? Be sure to scan the QR code or if browsing with your phone simply click the QR code for a direct link to the Car Home app. Enjoy!
Source: Android Phone News
Labels: Android, Google, Market, Sends
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Since the Google TV announcement at the Google I/O conference earlier this year, I have been itching to get my hands on a Google TV product. Sony is set to unveil some Google TV products on Tuesday, October 12th. Some invitations have been spotted for the New York event that is set to introduce the world’s first internet television.
Sony’s Google-enabled products will compete with the Logitech’s Revue set-top box, another Google-powered product which is scheduled to be released this fall.
We will update you as more details surface about the event. It’s only a week a way so stay tuned!
Source: CNET
Labels: Announce, Google, Products
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Gmail update
If you are lucky enough to have an Android device with Froyo on it already, then you are in luck. Google have updated Gmail independently from the Android OS to allow Froyo 2.2 based devices to download a new version. Unfortunately, if you are not running Android 2.2 then you will have to wait because this update does not include you. I am currently using a Samsung Galaxy S so I cannot try out this new upgrade. However, Google’s Mobile Blog had this to say on the matter;
We just released a new version of the Gmail app in Android Market, so Gmail updates aren’t tied to Android version releases anymore. Now you can get new Gmail stuff faster without having to wait for system updates. To start you off, we’ve improved message replies, access to quoted text, and more.
Obviously it is worth checking out the entire article and, of course, if you have an Android 2.2 device, downloading the new update. Head on over to the Official Google Mobile Blog here to get cracking. It is worth noting that Google have a “known issue with important actions not sticking to the top of the screen on HTC phones running Anrdoid 2.2, like the EVO 4G and the Droid Incredible”. This news comes on 9/21/10 12:13pm Pacific time and Google promise that they are working to update this.
[Source: Google Mobile Blog]
Labels: Gmail, Google, independently, update
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One of the original software engineers for Google’s Android platform, Steven Horowitz, has reportedly
left the Google team for a position with Coupons Inc. This company designs software for creating, distributing and tracking coupons on the move.
Steven Horowitz was recruited to the Android staff by Andy Rubin back in 2006 where he has helped make Android such an amazing platform. After spending so much time on Android, Horowitz believes that it is a good time for him to move on as right now is the beginning of the transformation of the mobile industry.
Steven Horowitz hints that there are many good things to come and that he is aware that any other companies are porting the Android platform to devices other than mobile phones. We would like to thank Steven Horowitz for his contribution to this platform and we wish him good luck with Coupons Inc.
Labels: Android, Google
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The
Wall Street Journal reports that Google is forced to slow down on Android. The original plan was to have Android phones on the market in the second half of 2008. But in the WSJ several carriers complain that they’re having problems getting Android handsets ready for a roll-out in 2008. These ar logistical issues, but there’s also lack of time to get Android applications ready for the operating system.
A number of application developers have already switched their focus to the iPhone platform, hoping to get a slice of the cake when the iPhone 3G is released in July. Some of them say that the iPhone is easier to develop for. What makes it hard, is that developers have to work for an OS that is still in development. We’ve seen a couple of prototypes, but developers need to check and rewrite their apps with each change of the OS. The Weather Channel admits that they already had to “rewrite a few things”. The iPhone seems a better choice: the SDK is readily available, the device will arrive in just a few weeks and many developers are already familiar with Mac software.
Labels: Google, iPhone
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Google has finally released a new public SDK. This is the first release of the Android SDK that is formally on the path to Android 1.0. The release is considered beta - it may not fully compatible with Android 1.0, when released, meaning that applications you build using this SDK may not run on final Android 1.0 devices. However, the differences between this release and final 1.0-compatible releases are expected to be small. No major API changes are planned.
Previous releases were considered early looks at the SDK, and were not formally on the path toward Android 1.0.
Read more »Labels: Google, Google SDK
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At the Moscone Center in San Francisco Google is hosting a two day developer conference, called Google I/O. Android is just one of the topics at this event, covering a broad range of topics: over 80 technical sessions will cover things like OpenSocial, Google App Engine, Android, Google Maps API, Google Web Toolkit, and more. Developers also have the chance to talk directly with the engineering teams at Fireside Chats.
They can also get hands-on experience in the Code Lap. VP of engineering Vic Gundotra is kicking off with a keynote today, but we definitely expect some news about the Android operating system or the devices. Stay tuned!
More info: Google I/O
Labels: Google
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Last Monday
rumors surfaced that the Android platform and its phones will not be ready for release this year. But Google quickly denied the report, claiming: “We’re still on track to announce Android-powered phones this year. Some of our partners are publicly stating that they plan to ship Android phones in the fourth quarter.”
One of those partners is T-Mobile, who confirmed on Monday that its Android-based phone is still on track to arrive in the fourth quarter. Android leader Andy Rubin last week also confirmed that Android-powered phones will definitely be available in the second half of this year. One possible reason for the confusion is that various partners are writing the Android software. Google-partner Wind River System will debut their devices in the first quarter of 2009, according to Chief Marketing Officer John Bruggeman of Wind River. The company currently supports Linux in embedded computing devices, but will also support Android starting next year.
“When Android is open-sourced, we will support the entire stack,” Bruggeman said. “We’ve ramped up our infrastructure. We are resourced to be able to support Android and not just Linux–the messaging and telephony and e-mail and browsing.”
Labels: Google
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Google’s mobile team won’t be giving Android any special treatment. According to Ann Mei Cheng, head of Google’s mobile engineering team, Android will be treated just like any other mobile operating system. “We will certainly make sure that Google products run as well on Android as anything else.”
Speaking at Google’s London headquarters, Mrs. Chen stated that Android is “just another device”, adding that “the mobile team is separate from the Android team.”
Google is currently trying to convince handset makers to pre-install their mobile search applications on the devices. Many believe that Google’s involvement with Android could harm their relationship with Nokia and other device makers. Nokia however, seems to be genuinely interested in co-operating with Google. “We’ve had a very frank discussion with Nokia,” says Christian Hernandez, involved with European partnerships at Google. “Nokia is morphing from a hardware company to an internet company: it realises that it has to partner with us.” Hernandez even speculates that Nokia may adopt Android on its handsets.
Labels: Google
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