The official Android Developer blog has today announced that the second Android Developer Challenge is now open for submissions.

App developers are required to submit their applications to one of ten categories which include:

• Education/Reference
• Games: Casual/Puzzle
• Games: Arcade/Action
• Social Networking
• Lifestyle
• Productivity/Tools
• Media
• Entertainment
• Travel
• Misc

For each of the ten categories, the following prizes will be awarded:

• 1st prize: $100,000
• 2nd prize: $50,000
• 3rd prize: $25,000

With overall prizes available across all categories:

• 1st prize: $150,000 (meaning the overall winner will receive $250,000)
• 2nd prize: $50,000 (meaning the 2nd prize winner will receive up to $150,000)
• 3rd prize: $25,000 (meaning the 3rd prize winner will receive up to $125,000)

Entrants are reminded that all submissions must be entered before 11:59:59pm Pacific Time in the United States on August 31, 2009.

The Developer blog also stresses the importance of using only published APIs for the submitted applications, as some judges may be testing the apps on new or untested Android handsets.

Plan on entering the challenge? Let us know in the comments!

android-developers.blogspot.com + code.google.com/android/adc/

[via Talk Android]

ARCHOS is taking on quite the challenge. The company has sent out an invitation to a September 15th event where it is largely believed they’ll unveil an Android Internet Tablet. Keep in mind this is just where the challenge BEGINS:

Rumored specs include:

• 5-inch WVGA touchscreen
• HDMI Output
• 720p video
• OpenGL library support
• Flash support
• 500GB Storage
• 7-hour video battery life
• Cortex CPU
• 3.5G Connectivity

It has all the makings of a successful piece of hardware… but where ARCHOS’ real challenge lays is software: the company has launched their own version of Android Market targeted at super high-end non-smartphone devices. The market is called AppsLib and their objectives are quite clearly stated:

By High-End devices, we mean devices that are not only smartphones, but all kind of tablets, PDA, PNDs or picture-frames. Devices that will tomorrow provide the same kind of experience than a PC, mobility added.

AppsLib is a co-venture with ARCHOS. Our target is to be available on a large variety of device, from a lot of manufacturer. But we believe ARCHOS has got what it takes to become the future of Android devices. If you want to develop on a new generation of product, you should consider the following suggestions.

An alternative “Market” to serve alternative hardware? The fragmentation has begun! With such an open platform, Google would have an impossible time avoiding fragmentation and as long as they keep their own Market nicely situated they can do little to prevent 3rd parties from creating alternative arenas for application distribution platforms.

ARCHOS will definitely need to convince developers that submitting to such a market is worthwhile. Like Android, developers will be wooed much more easily once more of these types of devices are launched. But will other manufacturer’s submit to ARCHOS own application distribution attempt? I suppose it depends on the circumstances and legal arrangements.

The idea isn’t a bad one. Browsing Android Market for applications and downloading a result built specifically for a Netbook or Digital Picture Frame could be an increasing irritation and this is an issue Google will have to address at some point. In the meantime, ARCHOS could effectively fill that gap with AppsLib. I don’t like the name much by the way. AppsLibrary would have been much better.

Huge opportunity. Huge potential. But also huge challenges. Whether or not the ARCHOS Android Internet Tablet is successful and whether AppsLib is successful are two incredibly different questions with completely different implications. Each will be interesting to watch develop and I can tell you I’m eager for September 15th on both accounts – hardware and software.

[Via Pocketables]

It makes sense with a smartphone to listen to lots of audio content. Audio content for many users isn’t limited to music though. Podcasts are a big thing for many smartphone users and Google has unveiled a way to find even more podcasts to enjoy from your Android device.

Google has announced Google Listen, described as an audio search engine and it acts as a podcast manager. Using the app, you can subscribe to audio feeds and download new content over the air. The app has its own search bar where you can enter a term for a type of podcast you are looking for.

Once the term is entered, the app will find podcasts that relate to the search term and rank them in order of relevance. Once you find the podcast you are looking for, it can be streamed immediately and you can play multiple podcasts from a queue to create a digital magazine. The app can be downloaded now at the link below.

[via Google Labs]

I just installed and was experimenting with the new Mobile Defense application by Neevo, and this thing is like Lo Jack for your Phone!  Once installed you can track your phone to within feet of its location and then set off an alarm on the phone which is basically a siren at the phones max volume. You can also lock the phone from the website. According to their website you can also backup and restore your phone but you can find in the FAQ section that they are re-engineering these things and hope to have them back online soon. The only draw back that I saw is that they like the other apps in this category all send an SMS message to the phone in order to connect to it each time. This would be alright if you were just trying to locate your phone, like if you left it in a taxi or something. But if someone stole your phone this would tip them off as the message comes from noreply at mobiledefense.com. The thief could at this point just wipe your phone back to factory default and you will never see it again.

To try this app out you need to download it from the Android Market and then signup from within the application. You can then go to the website and connect your phone.

“Mobile Defense was developed in response to the ever-growing need for security and privacy protection on mobile devices. As an industry leader in both personal and enterprise mobile security, we have developed the world’s most advanced solution to safeguard your phone. Once installed Mobile Defense allows you to remotely locate, lock, backup, wipe, and more!”

Here’s a video I found on YouTube

embedded by Embedded Video

Article Source: Google Android Blog

By: Daryll Bennett

Android Forums members have been wondering about TomTom for Android since November 2008. It’s time for that discussion to continue as TomTom execs have clearly implied the company is working on a TomTom Android application:

“We cannot ignore such a successful platform as Android. HTC is an important partner of ours and Android is becoming increasingly important too.”

Windows Mobile has had TomTom capabilities for some time now and the Apple iPhone TomTom app is the most recent addition to the stable. Symbian and BlackBerry users will have to wait a little longer, if not forever:

“We spent so much time producing the iPhone software and we were later on the scene than we wanted but the standard of the service and the quality of the satnav is what was most important to us.”

“I do not question the opportunity that RIM might offer but we know that a satnav device needs to have a large touchscreen and voice commands to be able to work for turn-by-turn navigation. We come from a PDA background and we know what will work.”

This will be a GREAT story to follow – I know for a FACT that there are a LOT of Android owners out there craving TomTom integration. Right now Telenav leads the way in on-Android GPS navigation, but the introduction of TomTom for Android will be a welcomed alternative.

For a point of reference, here is a quick initial review of TomTom on the iPhone:

The TomTom iPhone App costs $100 and I would expect the Android price to be comparable. Clearly one of the more pricey apps on the Android Market, would that be worth it to you?

[via Phandroid]

AT&T admits to deal with Apple over VoIP services

by Chloe Albanesius

Apple has not rejected the Google Voice iPhone app, but it does have serious concerns about its ability to usurp existing iPhone capabilities, Apple said in a Friday filing.

AT&T, meanwhile, denied any involvement in Apple’s decision regarding the Google Voice app, but it did admit that AT&T and Apple have an agreement whereby Apple will not take steps to enable an iPhone to make VoIP calls without AT&T’s consent.

“Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it,” Apple wrote in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own interface for telephone calls, text messaging, and voicemail.”

Apple’s comments come after the FCC asked Apple, AT&T, and Google to answer specific questions regarding Google Voice. The agency’s probe was prompted by reports that popular third-party Google Voice apps for the iPhone were removed from the iPhone App Store, including GV Mobile and VoiceCentral.

In its filing, Apple confirmed that GV Mobile, VoiceCentral, and GV Dialer were removed because they fall into the same category as the pending Google Voice app.

Specifically, the Google Voice iPhone app would replace the iPhone’s “Phone” icon on the bottom of the home screen, which prevents voicemails from being stored on the iPhone and disables Apple’s Visual Voicemail, the company said. The SMS function of the Google Voice app does the same thing.

The app also transfers a user’s contacts database to Google servers, and Apple said it has “yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways.”

As a result, Apple is still “pondering” Google’s application.

[via PCMAG]

You’ve probably heard about the iPhone & Google Voice fiasco, but if you haven’t let us fill you in. Google has an AMAZING service called Google Voice (formerly Grand Central) which had been available via the web. Recently Google took the “beta” label off Google Voice and published mobile applications for both Android Market and the iPhone App Store that would allow users of each platform to enjoy the best possible mobile experience/integration.

Only iPhone users couldn’t enjoy anything because the Google Voice Application was rejected from the iPhone App Store. The FCC responded almost instantaneously, launching a full investigation into the actions of both AT&T and Apple in their move to block the application. The FCC asked each company to file a report outlining their involvement in the rejection, and those reports were completed and submitted today.

[Read the response from each company: Google, Apple, AT&T]

Right now it seems Apple will bare the brunt of criticism after AT&T flat out denied any involvement in the decision, effectively leaving Apple to get crushed by the FCC bus.

“Let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store,” said Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs.

“AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did it offer any view one way or the other,”

We have yet to hear from Apple. Meanwhile, USA Today cried foul, pointing a finger at Google and essentially calling the company a bunch of hypocrites. Afterall, Google only allowed a half-baked version of Skype (Skype Lite) on the Android Market and rejected a full version of the VoIP app to protect their own interests, and that is exactly what Apple is doing here. Right?

Wrong. Plain and simple wrong and Andry Rubin took to the Google Public Policy Blog to make sure the entire world would know about it:

Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services.

….

As we told USA Today earlier in the week Google did not reject an application from Skype or from any other company that provides VoIP services. To suggest otherwise is false. At this point no software developer — including Skype — has implemented a complete VoIP application for Android. But we’re excited to see — and use — these applications when they’re submitted, because they often provide more choice and options for users. We also look forward to the day when consumers can access any application, including VoIP apps, from any device, on any network.

BURN! What I find ridiculous is that Google already told USA Today earlier in the week that this is NOT how the Skype situation with Android went down. Clearly USA today is sailing a ship of iFanboys into the side of FCC mountain.

Unfortunately I don’t think FCC involvement is necessary. Furthermore I wish the FCC wouldn’t get involved. Apple owns the iPhone platform and they should have the right to accept/deny applications based on their own principles. The rejection of the Google Voice Application has only proved the company is incapable of fairly monitoring their App Store in favor of their own customers interests. And their customers – including prominent Apple fans with HUGE persuasion power – are angrily peacing out and suggesting everyone they know do the same.

Its clear (at least in my mind) that Google’s open nature and attitude will win out in the long-run, and if Apple doesn’t change up their attitude, they’re going to get pummeled. Apple as a “cool” brand is starting to decline as they piss people off with the same proprietary bull crap from which Android’s purpose was born. And Jason Kincaid from TechCrunch makes a great point – even if Google DID reject the Skype application for Android, the company could distribute it places besides the Android Market since users can freely download and install APKs from 3rd parties.

Google isn’t perfect by any means. Google makes mistakes. Google is a publicly traded company and they have to look out for stock holder interests, too. But I think the management at Google has their heart in the right place – with the customers. And they realize that in the new age of business, maximum long-term profitability is achieved by first and foremost satisfying the needs and wants of the customers and figuring out how to best monetize the awesome solutions you’ve provided them.

Apple hasn’t dug a grave with this latest fiasco, but they’re helping Google illustrate the benefits of Android and watching prominent Apple fans switch sides because of their irresponsibility in serving their faithful customers. And that’s why I love Android… good lookin’ out as always, Big G.

[via Phandroid]

A few days ago we reported that while the G1 will likely continue to get minor updates and bug fixes, the evolutionary updates (Cupcake => Donut => Eclair) might be over. Noting a tweet from a Google Engineer himself, things certainly didn’t look good. The cause for worrying has been blown out of proportion and greatly exaggerated according to a tweet from a different Android engineer, Dan Morrill.

Great news! Although the word “demise” could be analyzed many different ways. Demise would mean the phone is dead in the water and ceases to do what it should. Obviously that ain’t happenin, especially since Android Market inherently means the phone’s capabilities continue to grow.

Here is what I think: regardless of whether or not future versions of the Android Development branch are added to the G1 and downloaded via OTA updates, Google will continue to maintain development branches BEYOND the most current device. They could be patches and bug fixes or maybe even new features and inclusions.

We all obsess over what phone is BEST packing the HIGHEST specs at a price that is obtainable if not affordable. But Android wasn’t only meant for the ultra-high-end handset that all of us crave. It was also meant to take consumers from the low to mid-range handset and give them smartphone features. So, I think that the idea here is that whether or not future phones have higher powered builds of Android is beyond the point – the G1 will continue to be maintained and groomed as OTHER Android devices, perhaps with even lowlier specs, will be launched in the future.

You’re probably reading this thinking, “Yeah, but I have a G1 and I want Donut.” Morrill’s tweet does little to reassure us that the G1 will get Donut, but G1 owners might not be out of luck just yet. The main cause of concern is that with the Cupcake update, the G1’s internal memory is filled to the brim, leaving little room for OS upgrades that would pack on any measurable features. Cyanogen, Android hacker extraordinaire, believes that barrier can be easily knocked down:

I recently spoke with Steve Kondik (aka Cyanogen) who has released his own customized builds of Android. He told me that Donut builds were a few megabytes larger when compared with Cupcake, but new compression methods were able to shrink the total install up to 10 percent. “I don’t think that Donut is going to have any problems fitting on the G,” he said “To make it smaller, I use a tool called optipng which analyzes PNG images and finds the optimal compression for them. Apps can be significantly reduced in size by using this tool and applying better compression to the package itself.”

The “I” in the above quote is from Taylor Wimberly who posted his findings in a CNET article. In addition to this hopeful account, it seems that “Donut” might officially be Android 1.6 when all is said and done. That is, if Wimberly’s analysis about the appearance of the OS in mobile analytics is accurate:

So there you have it:

• The G1 isn’t dead
• The G1 will continue to get necessary updates at worst, and could likely get larger scale feature updates as well
• Donut could still come to the G1
• Donut might = 1.6 (Not 2.0, we love you Tyler)

Alright G1 owners… sound off!

[via Phandroid]

We’ve seen the consumer targeted Android Hub concept and although it hasn’t yet come to fruition, we’re sure it will. Take that same “next generation deskphone” idea to the business world and you have what Cloud Telecomputers is calling their Android-based Glass platform.

If you can’t read the fine print, the prototype model has an 8″ touchscreen, tap to dial, Email via Outlook integration, Bluetooth, Voice dialing, Voice notes, HD Speakerphone and runs on Android. A company representative touched base with a truck load of information, including this product proposition statement from the company’s CEO David McMorrow:

“Glass makes the desk phone relevant again.  It thoughtfully integrates business applications with IP telephony to bring the office phone into the 21st century. It’s a technological leap forward in terms of applications and usability, helping professionals to be more productive and informed in their everyday communications.”

I spoke with Mr. McMorrow earlier this morning and I have to agree… at the most basic level, Glass has an absolutely huge opportunity. Ever worked for a company where finding various codes and conferencing methods and voicemail options and extension lookups were such a complete pain in the butt that half your day was comprised of unproductive phone work?

Imagine a business deskphone that made things simple, clean and easy… clearly spelling out all your options:

But with Android, this new age business deskphone can rise to a completely different plateau. Because of its open nature, third parties can write applications for the Glass Platform designed specifically for different types of business settings. Take for example a legal office.

In addition to standard features like conferencing and calendars, lawyers might want to record calls so they can bill clients appropriately and fact check information. They may want client records at their fingertips so they can dive into case details or pull up payment history – no problem:

Android has been used solely on Smartphones thus far and the hardware extension discussion has been limited to consumer products like netbooks and MIDs… And still nothing. Not only does Cloud’s Glass Platform offer a new idea, but it gives that new idea an even newer twist and packages it nicely with Android – what else could businesses ask for?

Mr. McMorrow explained the company began diving into the idea with the advent of the iPhone and they began planning and developing with a platform other than Android. But as Google’s mobile OS gained momentum, they realized what a huge opportunity was in front of them. They forked their existing work onto an Android implementation and haven’t looked back since.

Glass will allow Cloud Telecomputers  to develop vertical applications for use on the device for various industries, but the Open Source nature of Android ensures that their distribution partners and end users alike will have the opportunity to write custom applications designed to improve their own business operations. Cloud will also be working to take traditional applications found on your desktop computer and making them readily available on your Glass, like Microsoft Exchange and Salesforce.com for instance.

Consider the following scenarios/industries where Glass would work so well:

• Law Offices
• Doctors Offices
• Hospitals
• Hotels and Hospitality
• Government Offices
• Realtors
• Telemarketing (I know you don’t want them to be more efficient, but live with it)

I’m sure folks entrenched in their own line of work could think of the reasons a desk phone with a large screen, Android capabilities and custom applications written for their industry would be awesome for productivity. If you’ve got ideas… drop them below!

Although McMorrow couldn’t give me the names of any distribution partners (stinkin’ NDAs!), he assured me they’re talking to several possible partners and are closing to working out a deal. Of course it will take time for the parties to work together to create a seamless device/offering and the company has Q1 2010 in their crosshairs for a launch date.

I’m excited for McMorrow, his Cloud Telecomputers team and the Glass Platform and you should be too. Not only because its a great idea with a new concept and customer in mind. But also because this is why Android rocks. Cloud Telecomputers is a small company with less than 10 employees… but they’ve got a great idea and the Google Android OS has helped level a playing field otherwise riddled with humongous barriers and high entry costs. If they had to write an entire mobile operating system from the ground up? Fughedaboudit.

While McMorrow isn’t in the trenches as far as coding and engineering, I asked him about the ease or difficulty in developing an Android device. I’ m still miffed as to how a small and innovative company like Cloud can already be announcing a device like Glass while the huge companies like Motorola and Sony Ericsson have hundreds dedicated to Android alone yet nothing is on the market.

I’m rooting for innovation. You’ll notice in the full press release (posted below) that Ed Zander, former Motorola CEO (2004 to 2008) is quoted. Zander is also a large investor in the project. While Motorola was criticized for lack of innovation during that time period, its nice to see Zander digging into a small tech company that seems innovative before all else:

Cloud Telecomputers Introduces Glass: The Android-based Platform Enabling Desktop Smartphones for Business

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (August 19, 2009) – Cloud Telecomputers, a software innovator in business communication applications and IP telephony, today introduced Glass, its unique Android-based platform for desktop business smartphones. This SIP compatible platform delivers a highly attractive and intuitive user interface on an eight-inch color touchscreen, plus Outlook integration for tap-to-dial, Bluetooth for answering cell calls on your desk phone, voice dialing, HD speakerphone, and interfaces to popular CRM programs such as Salesforce.com. IT managers and partners can add additional features via Glass’s open API.

“Glass makes the desk phone relevant again,” said David McMorrow, Cloud Telecomputers CEO. “It thoughtfully integrates business applications with IP telephony to bring the office phone into the 21st century. It’s a technological leap forward in terms of applications and usability, helping professionals to be more productive and informed in their everyday communications.”

“I love this phone. It’s like having a smartphone on my desk.” – Ed Zander, former CEO of Motorola

Partner-friendly licensing and smart technology

Cloud Telecomputers developed Glass to enable its partners to deliver a unique business user experience. Glass’s open API and Android development environment enable SIP phone and IP PBX manufacturers, service providers, and third parties to add applications and create their own unique presence in the market.

“Our approach allows us to focus on innovation, continually increasing the functionality of the Glass platform, while our partners concentrate their resources on branding, selling and tailoring applications for vertical markets. Our concept of centralized R&D, spread across multiple partners worldwide, allows us to deliver much more capability for less cost to our partners,” said Ravin Suri, Cloud Telecomputers CTO.

The Glass platform also integrates proven and popular technologies such as Bluetooth, HD audio, and AudioCodes SIP technology, to ensure that Glass delivers the high degree of quality and usability expected by businesses.

Cloud Telecomputers is completing certification of its Glass platform to be compatible with telecom’s leading phone IP PBX systems such as Asterisk & Trixbox, and Hosted VoIP systems from BroadSoft and MetaSwitch.

Available Q1 2010
Partners can begin developing applications and tailoring Glass to the needs of their specific target markets now. The company anticipates Glass-enabled phones being available in first quarter 2010, with suggested retail prices ranging from $599 to $699, depending on features and configuration.

###

About Cloud Telecomputers
Cloud Telecomputers, a software innovator in business applications and IP telephony, enables powerful business communication products under the brands of its partners. The company is angel-funded by such telecom notables as Ken Oshman, founder of Rolm Corp., inventor of the first digital PBX; Ed Zander, ex-CEO of Motorola; and Bob Hawk, ex-group president of Qwest. Cloud Telecomputers is located at 3053 Fillmore St. Suite 248 San Francisco, CA 94123. Telephone: +1 415-814-1550. For more information, visit the company website at www.cloudtc.com or email info@cloudtc.com.

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We’ll make sure to keep you up to date with any news and information we get from the folks at Cloud Telecomputers. Start reserving money in your company budget (or your boss’ budget) for a new telephony system in 2010, cause you’re probably going to want a piece of Glass. Everything else is just a pain in the Glass.

UPDATE: Check out 3 video demos!

[via Phandroid]

According to DigiTimes sources – which can’t always be trusted might we add – Microsoft is adopting a dual strategy pitting two different offerings to challenge Android and the iPhone. Windows Mobile 6.5 will compete against Android while Windows Mobile 7 (when it launches in Q4 2009) will attempt to slay the iPhone.

Microsoft plans to adopt a dual platform strategy to promote its Windows Mobile OS (operating system) so as to take aims at both Android- and iPhone-based platforms, according to sources at Taiwan handset makers.

Microsoft is expected to officially launch Windows Mobile 6.5 on October 1, 2009 and add an upgrade version with a touch interface in February 2010, the sources indicated citing Microsoft roadmap.

Microsoft will not phase out Windows Mobile 6.5 from the market but will lower the OS price, when it launches Windows Mobile 7 scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2010, the sources added.

The dual-platform strategy will allow Microsoft to compete with Android-based platform using Windows Mobile 6.5 and also compete with iPhones leveraging Windows Mobile 7, the sources asserted.

What a slap in the face. Like really… are you kidding me? Do you not understand how awesome Android is going to be come the holiday season? How much more awesome will it be by the time Windows Toilet 7 launches during holidays 2010?

This is only a rumor – supposedly from handset makers – but I can see it being true. Microsoft has such a warped sense of reality in terms of their power and the success of Google that they’re simply in denial. They had better wake up. When is the last time anybody said anything good about Windows Mobile? How about Android?

Whenever you hear of an awesome new phone with Windows Mobile the general reply by general tech loving public is, “Unfortunately it runs Windows Mobile and not Android.” Yeah Microsoft… smart thinking… Apple is the one you really need to worry about since Apple is trying so hard to get their OS on HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and other devices instead of Windows Mobile.

Now all we need is a Microsoft Windows Mobile blue screen of death. Total fail.

[via Phandroid]