Either 2.0 or 2.0.1 are being polished at the moment, it seems

Early adopters of Google’s Android operating system, namely the owners of a T-mobile G1 handset, might have a new reason to rejoice, it seems. According to the latest news around the Internet, there are great chances that the Android 2.0 operating system will make an appearance on their mobile phones, and there are also great chances that they will receive the Android 2.0.1 flavor of the platform.

This is a rumor that might stand up in the end. As many of you might already know, the G1 was said at a certain point in the past to be only eligible for an update to the Android 1.5 (Cupcake) iteration, while the Android 1.6 (Donut) flavor was said to be too big to fit on G1’s internal memory. However, Android 1.6 went just fine with G1, and there are great chances that 2.0 (Eclair) will also fit the handset’s flash memory.

According to the guys over at AndroidSPIN, there is no doubt that the T-Mobile G1 will enjoy an update to Android 2.0 or 2.0.1in the near future. There are no details available on the source of the rumor, yet they say that an OTA update is currently being polished for the device (for what it’s worth T-Mobile has been rumored before to be working on 2.0 updates for its Android devices).

“It has been confirmed that T-Mobile is releasing an Eclair update for the T-Mobile G1. The update will be at least Android 2.0 but more likely Android 2.0.1 as both versions have already been prepared as OTA updates. An anonymous source of ours has confirmed that both the Android 2.0 and the Android 2.0.1 are in the hands of some very fortunate people. Nothing can be released just yet due to Non Disclosure reasons,” AndroidSPIN notes.

The T-Mobile G1 was the first Android device on the market, and a wide range of updates were delivered to it, bringing forth numerous enhancements, but it is rather uncertain whether its owners will be receiving other updates too in the future. In case Android 2.0 is indeed on its way to the G1, it will receive a warm welcome from the handset’s users, that’s for sure.

[via Softpedia]

The HTC Hero will be getting Android 2.0.
Google

Now that the Motorola Droid is set to debut on November 6th for $199 that is set in stone after today let’s take another look at that rumor that had HTC phones also getting Google’s new mobile operating system, Android 2.0.

So that means you may want to hold off on getting the Droid, because HTC’s Hero is supposed to be getting the new Android as well.

Engadget has HTC saying this:

Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero.

So it is only a matter of time before the update comes out, they just need to port their Sense UI and work out the kinks. It’s as simple as pie.

Will this stop people from getting the Droid?

Probably not, but hey, it could prevent people from immediately making a switch. Or you could pick up a BlackBerry Storm 2 instead.

That’s a thought.

[via examiner.com]

Since 2005, millions of people have relied on Google Maps for mobile to get directions on the go. However, there’s always been one problem: Once you’re behind the wheel, a list of driving directions just isn’t that easy to use. It doesn’t tell you when your turn is coming up. And if you miss a turn? Forget it, you’re on your own.

Today we’re excited to announce the next step for Google Maps for mobile: Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for Android 2.0 devices.

This new feature comes with everything you’d expect to find in a GPS navigation system, like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone’s Internet connection.

Here are seven features that are possible because Google Maps Navigation is connected to the Internet:

The most recent map and business data
When you use Google Maps Navigation, your phone automatically gets the most up-to-date maps and business listings from Google Maps — you never need to buy map upgrades or update your device. And this data is continuously improving, thanks to users who report maps issues and businesses who activate their listings with Google Local Business Center.

Search in plain English
Google Maps Navigation brings the speed, power and simplicity of Google search to your car. If you don’t know the address you’re looking for, don’t worry. Simply enter the name of a business, a landmark or just about anything into the search box, and Google will find it for you. Then press “Navigate”, and you’re on your way.

Search by voice
Typing on a phone can be difficult, especially in the car, so with Google Maps Navigation, you can say your destination instead. Hold down the search button to activate voice search, then tell your phone what you want to do (like “Navigate to Pike Place in Seattle”), and navigation will start automatically.

Traffic view
Google Maps Navigation gets live traffic data over the Internet. A traffic indicator light in the corner of the screen glows green, yellow or red, depending on the current traffic conditions along your route. If there’s a jam ahead of you, you’ll know. To get more details, tap the light to zoom out to an aerial view showing traffic speeds and incidents ahead. And if the traffic doesn’t look good, you can choose an alternate route.

Search along route
For those times when you’re already on the road and need to find a business, Google Maps Navigation searches along your route to give you results that won’t take you far from your path. You can search for a specific business by name or by type, or you can turn on popular layers, such as gas stations, restaurants or parking.

Satellite view
Google Maps Navigation uses the same satellite imagery as Google Maps on the desktop to help you get to your destination. Turn on the satellite layer for a high-resolution, 3D view of your upcoming route. Besides looking cool, satellite view can help you make sense of complicated maneuvers.

Street View
If you want to know what your next turn looks like, double-tap the map to zoom into Street View, which shows the turn as you’ll see it, with your route overlaid. And since locating an address can sometimes be tricky, we’ll show you a picture of your destination as you approach the end of your route, so you’ll know exactly what to look for.

Since there’s nothing quite like seeing the product in action, we made this video to demonstrate a real-life example:

The first phone to have Google Maps Navigation and Android 2.0 is the Droid from Verizon. Google Maps Navigation is initially available in the United States. And like other Google Maps features, Navigation is free.

Check out the Google Maps Navigation page to learn more and browse a gallery of product screenshots. Take Google Maps Navigation for a spin, and bring Internet-connected GPS navigation with you in your car.

Posted by Keith Ito, Software Engineer

[via GoogleBlog]

Verizon Wireless and Motorola have now made the Motorola Droid official, revealing that the phone will offer Android 2.0 and more.

Verizon Wireless recently announced that the carrier would soon offer Android phones, and leaks have suggested that the first phone will be the Motorola Droid. Through a marketing campaign, Verizon Wireless now reveals (and confirms) a range of key features of the Motorola Droid here.

First of all, the Motorola Droid will offer a slide-out QWERTY thumbboard, similar to the recently reviewed Motorola CLIQ. However, while the Motorola CLIQ is powered by Android 1.5, the Motorola Droid will be the first phone to be powered by Android 2.0.

Some of the new features that Android 2.0 seems to bring to the Motorola Droid includes native sync support for Exchange and Facebook, a new Maps application, a new UI makeover and much more. Boy Genius Report has a nice walkthrough with screenshots of what could be a relatively fresh build of Android 2.0 here.

Verizon Wireless says that the Motorola Droid will sport a 5-megapixel camera with night shot capabilities, as well as a high-res screen that is rumored to be a 3.7-inch screen with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The Motorola Droid will sport a 600 MHz TI OMAP 3430 processor, which is also found in the iPhone 3GS.

According to Boy Genius Report, the Motorola Droid for Verizon Wireless will hit store shelves on October 30. The price has yet to be announced, but the carrier tends to price its new smartphones at $200 with a two-year contract and a qualifying plan nowadays – perhaps best known and first introduced as the iPhone 3GS price level after subsidies.

[via infoSync]