Google Android software and hardware: Post here

[haven]

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is next week. Expect to see lots of new Android products.

Case in point: The Samsung Galaxy Player. It's essentially a Galaxy S phone with the voice and 3G data capability removed. It's like the iPod Touch version of the Galaxy S.

The Galaxy Player will be plenty capable, with 1GHz processor, 4 inch 480x800 screen, and front and rear facing cameras. Connectivity features WiFi and Bluetooth. A GPS chip is built in. And the Galaxy Player will have official access to the Android Market of applications. (Hello Angry Birds!).

The Galaxy Player price will have to be somewhat lower than the iPod Touch (now $229 for a model with 16GB of flash memory) to be successful. I expect the Galaxy Player to include a removable MicroSD card, so the base internal memory could be only 8GB.

Another way the Galaxy Player might be able to reduce the price is to use a less expensive screen. The Galaxy S uses a Super AMOLED screen in most parts of the world, but in Korea it's available with an AMOLED Plus screen. In a Russian phone, Samsung uses Super Clear LCD technology. Either would be less expensive, but still look very good.

The Galaxy S currently ships with Android 2.2. Hackers have figured out how to port Android 2.3 to the Galaxy S, and Samsung has announced that 2.3 will be officially available for the Galaxy S some time in the future. So I expect the Galaxy Player to be available at first with Android 2.2, and updated to 2.3 sometime in the first half of 2011.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Looks like the sat pics have been updated too, as I zoomed up on my location at work and it looks like from around August.
Did not see my rig though, as the sat pics are from a weekend.

I've narrowed the new SAT pics to approx the first or second weekend in Sept.:elkgrin:

Tracking when my wifes uncle built his garage, my dads neighbor put up his boat shelter, and when my F150 was at my dads, it has to be the first week of SEPT.

And, as you pointed out, it was a weekend.

The resolutoin is so clear, I can tell that my RTT is open in the driveway!

Probably airing out from the Labor Day run!:victory:

 

[craig]

Looks like the sat pics have been updated too, as I zoomed up on my location at work and it looks like from around August.
Did not see my rig though, as the sat pics are from a weekend.

The satellite imagery isn't related to the operating system/map software upgrade. The satellite imagery is downloaded from Google's servers which regularly receive upgrades to the imagery as different areas are photographed.

 

[fire931]

Yea my sat images are still the same old ones they've had for awhile now.

 

[Corey]

The satellite imagery isn't related to the operating system/map software upgrade. The satellite imagery is downloaded from Google's servers which regularly receive upgrades to the imagery as different areas are photographed.

I knew that, I was referring to that the images were newer that Google was pushing to us.

I am able to see my FJ Cruiser in my parking spot at home though, pretty cool.

 

[targa88]

The new Google Maps update now has Google navigation ( along with TBT voice directions). Pleasantly surprised how well that works.

 

[haven]

Dell Streak 7

T-Mobile will offer the Dell Streak 7 Android tablet starting Feb 2. The price will be $450 without a contract for data services, and $200 if you sign up for 2 years of service from T-Mobile.

The Streak 7 is an inflated version of the original Streak with 5 inch screen. Both have an 800x480 display and Android 2.2. The Streak 7 adds a faster processor and access to T-Mobile's 4G (HSPA+) data network.

Here's a good summary of reviewers' reactions to the Streak 7.

http://liliputing.com/2011/01/dell-...decent-tablet-hampered-by-subpar-display.html

 

[haven]

Motorola Xoom tablet

The Motorola Xoom 10 inch Android tablet was on most "best of show" lists at the recent CES conference. Best Buy will begin selling the Xoom on Feb 21. The introductory price is $800 without a contract with Verizon for 3G data services. That price is about $70 more than the top of the line iPad. However, Best Buy says that Xoom WiFi activation requires at least a one month 3G contract. What ???

The Xoom will be the first of many new devices running Android 3.0. I expect more companies to release their new products in early March.

The Motorola Xoom specifications are state of the art for large tablets in early 2011. Other vendors may choose to use a 1.2 GHz dual core processor, but it remains to be seen if that 20% speed increase produces any benefit in the real world.

Specifications
1GHz processor, nVidia Tegra dual core
1 GB RAM, 32 GB flash storage
SD card slot, supports up to 32GB
10.1 inch, 1280x800 (16 x 10) color LCD screen
multi-touch interface
5 mp rear camera, also works as HD 720p camcorder
play 720p video on screen, or 1080p via HDMI
front facing camera for web conferencing

ports: Micro USB, 3.5mm headphone, HDMI out. docking connector
connectivity: 802.11n WiFi, 3G on Verizon network, Bluetooth 2.1
"upgradable to 4G" on Verizon LTE network in mid 2011, no price estimate

dimensions 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9 mm, 730 g
dimensions 9.8 x 6.6 x 0.5 in, 26 oz

battery provides 10 hours continuous video playback

no word about GPS, but I would be very surprised if the Xoom didn't have built-in GPS capability for navigation

 

[haven]

To challenge the dominance of Google Maps, Mapquest is offering a free version of its navigation software to Android device owners

https://searchengineland.com/mapquest-takes-on-google-navigation-with-free-android-app-64921

 

[James86004]

ViewRanger just donated their program to the trail leaders on the Arizona Land Rover Rally(4-6 March 2011). For the USA, they use the National Geographic maps, and at the zoomed in 1:24000 level it is the USGS 7.5 minute series. The nice thing is the maps are loaded into your phone's memory so you don't need a wireless connection.

It is surprisingly usable on my Motorola Droid, although it would be useful to have studied the map in a larger format beforehand, or to have the a printed copy of the map with you to cross reference with. Having the same version of the map on the phone makes it very easy to find where you are on the paper map. I used it quite a bit today, and I am looking forward to using it when we prerun our trail in the area south of the Pinal Mountains in the next couple of weeks.

 

[ThomD]

For a couple of weeks I've been rocking the Archos 70 IT. This 7" tablet is very similar in size to the B&N color Nook. In fact, I use a Nook case because there are no bespoke cases for the 70 IT yet.

This is a WiFi/BT only device. No phone connection. No GPS. This works well for me because I have a data plan on my phone and did not want to add another monthly fee. I bought it to listen to Podcasts/watch videos/surf while I ride the train to work every day.

I find the 7" form factor very appealing for a device designed to consume data. It really does fit in my pants pocket. It is easy to hold in one hand. For web surfing there is a bit of the zoom-n-drag to read some pages, but it is great for skimming web sites. For data entry I still prefer a real keyboard.

After living in the Windows Mobile 6 world for years (don't ask), Android is a nice change. The resolution of the tablet is 800x480, so scaling for screen size has not been a problem.

This is going to be the break out year for tablets, so I would not spend a lot on one now. Buying a 3G tablet today with a 2 year commitment is going to really suck next year when 4G is common in many places. This tablet fits my immediate need. I did look at the Samsung tablet, but it is more expensive ($275 vs $400-$600) and requires another data plan. The Samsung is just a bit bigger than the Archos and that is enough to cross the fit-in-pocket threshold.

I'm very happy with this as a "1st" gen tablet. It meets my needs, but I can see where my next in (in a few years) will be even better.

 

[ldivinag]

To challenge the dominance of Google Maps, Mapquest is offering a free version of its navigation software to Android device owners

https://searchengineland.com/mapquest-takes-on-google-navigation-with-free-android-app-64921

they are like 2-3 versions behind the current google maps/navigation app.

one thing is that it is missing the birds eye view that G has.

one thing both apps miss is night time view. i thought it was useful on my tomtom device but dang... on my dell streak 5, the friggin thing is so bright at night. it's like i could manually set the brightness to manual then slide it to MIN, but this should be rather simple for G to do... sigh.

also, my TT has numerous other info on screen, like time, miles, time left, etc. i wish the G app would allow me to plaster the 5" screen with all of the info i could...

btw, best buy has a fire sale on the dell streak 5. last i heard it dropped to $49 since the new OPUS will be out later this year.

 

[haven]

mobile blogging w Galaxy Tab and Nokia N8

Here's an article that describes how one technology blogger posts information while on the go, say, from a trade show. The gear used are the Nokia N8 phone, which has a 12 megapixel camera and good photo performance in macro and low light conditions, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 inch android tablet.

The workflow goes like this:
-- spot a subject your blog readers would be interested in
-- take photo using N8
-- transfer photo to tablet using Bluetooth
-- crop photo if necessary
-- import photo to WordPress blogging application
-- compose blog post
-- send post to the Internet server via 3G data connection
-- review post with web browser and make any connections needed

The sample post was created in less than 5 minutes.

Here's a video that describes the process
http://hiblue.com/2011/02/23/video-rich-photoblogging-with-galaxy-tab-and-nokia-n8/

And here's the blog post that was created in the video
http://hiblue.com/2011/02/23/test-of-photo-blogging-for-video-demo/

To my knowledge, the Nokia N8 is not available in USA from any carrier. You can purchase one that will work on the AT&T or T-Mobile networks direct from Nokia for $449
http://www.nokiausa.com/find-products/phones/nokia-n8-alt

The Galaxy Tab 3G is available from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. Price is $250 - $300 with a two year contract, or $500 without a data contract.

 

[ThomD]

Shoot. There's a WP app for Android? How did I miss that? Must try...

 

[haven]

Would you consider purchasing a tablet with Wi-Fi only, no 3G or 4G data service?

Wi-Fi versions of android tablets are set to appear in April. The products include the Samsung Galaxy Tab (7 inch screen, expected price about $400), the Motorola Xoom (10 inch screen, $600) and the Dell Streak 7 (7 inch 800x480 screen, $380) . These models use the latest dual core processors.

Later this year, Acer, Asus, LG, Toshiba, HTC (the cell phone maker), and others are expected to release Wi-Fi tablets for $400-$500. The $500 price point is in line with the price of the cheapest iPad with WiFi only, no 3G.

A number of Android Wi-Fi tablets are already available. The Viewsonic Viewpad (7 inch 480x800 screen, $430) is probably the best known, but there are several from Chinese sources unfamiliar to consumers in USA.

The new Blackberry Playbook (7 inch screen, $500) also arrives soon. The Playbook doesn't run Android OS. Blackberry uses a version of QNX, an operating system that, until now, was used primarily in embedded systems in the auto industry. Blackberry purchased QNX in 2010.

HP is joining the Wi-Fi tablet party in June with its HP Touchpad (9.7 inch screen, WebOS operating system, $500). WebOS will be part of all HP computers, phones, tablets and (yes) printers by 2012, according to HP's new CEO.

Looks like an interesting Summer, with Android 3.0, WebOS and QNX going head to head with Apple's tablet iOS. Choice is good!