DATE

COMPANY

CARRIER

NEWS EVENT

2010-06-11

Soccer fans using Sprint can watch most of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer matches Live with ESPN Mobile TV on Android’s HTC EVO 4G.

Verizon customers’ will get to watch all 64 matches via live streams from Univision (a Spanish-language broadcasts) of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer matches via Verizon’s Mobile TV, V-CAST.

2010-06-04

The much anticipated world’s first 4G (Wi-Max) capable Smartphone, the HTC EVO 4G with 4.3” screen released by Sprint. See link above for specification, pictures, and video.

2010-04-29

HTC Incredible released by Verizon. This is similar to the Nexus One but newer, better, and with more features. Verizon decide to cancel the Nexus One (which is also a phone made by HTC) and introduced this phone instead.

See what other networks are carrying.

2010-04-27

ARM

(Video)

Interesting video showing an Android powered robot solved Rubik’s cube puzzle in record time.

2010-04-19

Check this new page:

List of Android Super Smartphones.

2010-04-15

GPNC (Korea)

(Announced)

Second Android TV announced. This one is from Korea and was announced just 10 days after the first one came out (see picture).

2010-04-05

‘People of Lava’ (Sweden)

(Announced)

World’s First Android TV.

A company in Sweden called “People of Lava” announced the World’s First HDTV that runs on the Android operation system. The first model introduced is a 42-inch to be followed by 47 and 55-inch models. Initial release to the European market by September 2010.

Click here for picture and article.

2010-04-02

Compared to any other Smartphone platform, Android’s web traffic data has increased dramatically. See graph here.

2010-03-18

SAIC (China)

(Announced)

World’s First Android Car.

SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) announced the first car to be equipped with Google’s Android operating system. Now in production and will be hitting the streets by April 23, 2010. Picture and article.

2010-03-16

Black Duck Software

Open Source Developers pick Android over the iPhone. According to the Black Duck Software analysis, Android open source developers are now 3 times more than the iPhone despite iPhone early lead.

2010-03-16

Google release the AT&T’s version of HTC “Nexus One Google phone”. This version supports the 3G/UMTS bands (850/1900/2100 MHz) for AT&T (U.S.) and Rogers Wireless (Canada). The T-Mobile version was released on 2010-01-05.

See what other networks are carrying.

2010-03-15

Tim Bray, a prominent developer, and a co-inventor of the XML web standard, joins Google. In a blog post, he explains that he is drawn to Google in part because he hates the closed and controlling environment of the iPhone.

2010-03-12

(Cellphone inventor)

Martin Cooper, the inventor of the first handheld cellular phone (1973) ditched the iPhone for an Android cellphone.

He admitted this on C-SPAN cable TV network saying that he loves the idea of an open, and free OS. He ditched the iPhone in favor of the Verizon’s Motorola DROID. He said that so far he has some favorable results. Here is the 32 minute video from C-SPAN with Martin Cooper as their guest.

2010-03-08

Swype

Swype - official beta release for Android.

Swype has just announced their first official Beta release for Android. Swype is an alternative keyboard that allows you to swipe through the letters of a word rather than typing them one-by-one. This is a much more efficient way to use the virtual on-screen keyboard. See video here.

2010-03-08

Intel, Sony, Logitech, and Dish Network.

Google has teamed up Intel, Sony, and Logitech to create an open standard for the cable and satellite TV set-top boxes to run Android. It is reported that testing is already underway in conjunction with the Dish Network. See article.

2010-03-08

Android Native Developer Kit (NDK) revision 3 released. Revision 3 allows support for a standard graphics interface called OpenGL ES 2.0 with a minimal set of headers for C++ support. This allow for graphic intensive software development such as gaming.

Most Android application run in a variation of the Java programming environment. This aid apps to move more easily from one hardware device to another without any compatibility issues. Google also lets those apps bypass the Java layer for some direct communications with the hardware through its NDK interfaces.

2010-03-07

Motorola Backflip, AT&T’s first Android phone released. Will also appear in Europe and Asia sometime in 2010. Featured a physical keyboard that can be folded back behind the screen allowing for a larger keyboard. Backflip automatically enters alarm clock mode when in the tabletop stand configuration.

Link to picture and specification. Phone cost one cent (free) through Amazon with AT&T service contract.

2010-03-03

DARPA

(Announced)

DARPA picks Android over iPhone or Windows Mobile.

The U.S. Department of Defense's DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) unveiled a proposal seeking new apps for small device useful for military usage. DARPA required that "all apps should target the Android platforms".

2010-03-03

(New app)

Gesture Search. Google's just announced a brand new app that lets you search your phone by drawing letters. It works by identifying your on-screen gestures and using them to dig through your contacts, apps, bookmarks, and music. Available on devices running Android 2.0 and above.

2010-03-02

(Lawsuit)

Apple announced a bizarre lawsuit against HTC on patent infringement of the iPhone. HTC is the Taiwan cellphone manufacturer which makes the first Android G1 phone and also Google's 'Nexus One'. Many view this as a desperate proxy suit against Google.

In a complaint filed in the Delaware court, Apple cried "Apple has suffered irreparable injury for which there is no adequate remedy at law and will continue to suffer such irreparable injury".

One of the patent infringement include such basic technology like supply less voltage to conserve power, the same technology found on many of today's laptop computers. Others include object oriented graphics on a cell phone, touch screen unlocking, and multi-touch gesture control.  More on this from the dailytech.com.

2010-02-22

Myriad (Switzerland)

Android Software Accelerator launched.

Dalvik Turbo Virtual Machine release by Myriad (Zurich-based mobile technology firm). Myriad's Dalvik Turbo basically replaces the existing Dalvik engine with a more powerful version, speeds up application execution by up to 3 times, preserves battery life, and allows for more powerful apps - like games. This is designed for phone manufacturers and OEM. It is not something you can install on your phone yourself. It currently runs on Android 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, and 2.1. That pretty much cover almost all Android devices to-date.

A side-by-side video comparison of a benchmark test showing Dalvik Turbo is 3 times faster than standard Android.

A side-by-side video comparison of Dalvik Turbo on a 3D graphic benchmark.

2010-02-22

(New App)

Google Earth release for Android 2.1

2010-02-16 (MWG)

(Announced)

During a Webcast presentation at the Mobile World Congress (MWG) in Barcelona, Spain, Google CEO Eric Schmidt stated that 60,000 Android cellphones now ship every single day. He added that the company now boasts 26 different models of Android handsets supported by 60 carriers currently on the market in 49 countries. This works out to about 5.4 million cellphones per quarter, or 21.9 million per year.

2010-02-04

(Rejection)

Apple banned the word “Android” from Apple’s App Store. Apple’s fear for Android is somewhat obvious but to go to this extreme? Did this get started because Google enabled the multitouch feature two days ago (see below)?

Link to PCWorld Magazine article.

2010-02-02

Google enabled multi-touch feature on Android 2.1 Update-1. Multitouch feature is native to Android but was disabled for the U.S. market. This has been somewhat political. Note that this happened just two days after Steve Jobs angry “Make no mistake” statement.

More info on this here.

2010-02-03

The Weather Channel offers an innovative way for Google Android phone users to download their app directly from a TV.

Watch this 48-second video.

2010-01-31

(Angry)

"Make no mistake they want to kill the iPhone" says angry Steve Jobs, CEO and Founder of Apple. He also add that "we did not enter the search business, they entered the phone business”, insinuating that Apple did not compete with Google by starting a search engine business so Google has no right to enter the cellphone business, however forgetting that Apple itself was never a telecommunication company to begin with. Coincidence that this outburst happens just six days after the IDC forecast (see below)?

Link to 1st news article.  Link to 2nd article.

2010-01-25

IDC (Industry Analyst)

Premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services for IT, telecom., and consumer technology.

(Announced)

IDC forecast that Android will experience the fastest growth of any mobile operating system.

Starting with only 690 thousand in 2008, IDC predicts that the total Android-powered shipment will reach 68 million units by 2013.

Globally, this will make Android ahead of iPhone (from Apple), BlackBerry (from Research In Motion), and Windows Mobile (from Microsoft).

The IDC projection nearly mirrors the recent findings (4 months ago) by Gartner Inc. See 2009-10-06.

2010-01-20

(Announced)

Motorola's VP for Asia Pacific, Spiros Nikolakopoulos, told Cnet Asia that Motorola plans to launch 20 to 30 Android-based smartphones in 2010.

2010-01-20

T-Mobile released a special new Limited Edition of the myTouch (simply a HTC Magic) called “myTouch 3G Fender”. This phone is targeted to guitar fans specifically Eric Clapton. The Limited Edition Fender phone is meant to evoke the sunburst finish of a classic Fender guitar.

Link to picture and specification.

2010-01-18

Rumor about a WiMAX (4G) cellphone from HTC called “Supersonic” with a 4.3” screen, 11 mm thick, running Android 2.1 (Flan). Mobile WiMAX is a 4th generation cellular standard (4G), allowing for a theoretical downlink data rate of 128 Mbps (broadband speed). In practice the Sprint’s 4G speed is in the range of 3 to 6 Mbps with a peak of 10 Mbps.

2010-01-17

Akazawa (Japan)

Akazawa of Japan demonstrate an Android cellphone controlling a robot.

Link to a video demo.

2010-01-14

(China)

Outside U.S. (China)

ZTE of China announced that it has joined the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) and confirmed plans to launch Android-powered smartphones in the first quarter of 2010. This will be the 2nd major company from China (after Huawei) to be designing and manufacturing Android phones.

2010-01-12

Android 2.1 SDK “Flan” released.

2010-01-07 (CES)

Touch Revolution

Touch Revolution is a company that offers a touch-screen technology that uses Android on kitchen appliance such as Microwave Oven, and Washing Machine. Link to pictures.

2010-01-06 (CES)

(Announced)

CEO Ralph de la Vega of AT&T Mobility division, announced their first 3 Android smartphones for the AT&T network. The phones will be from Motorola, Dell Mini 3, and HTC. "All of these phones will go on sale in the first half of this year (2010)".

2010-01-06 (CES)

According to President and CEO, Dr. Scott Ahn of LG Electronics Inc. (Korea) is planning to release more than 10 Android based smartphones in 2010.

2010-01-06 (CES)

Dell Mini 3 was first announced on Nov 13, 2009 for China and Brazil’s market. Today Dell announced that the market will be expanded this year (2010) to the U.S. (AT&T), Malaysia (Celcom), Singapore (M1 & Starhub), Europe (Vodafone), Brazil (Claro), Australia, and New Zealand.

2010-01-06 (CES)

GT540:

(Europe - February 2010)

(Globally - April 2010).

LG’s announcements and press releases have been somewhat confusing and difficult to follow.

LG GW620 "Etna" (formerly "Eve/Slider") was first announced on 9/14/2009 as the first Android phone from LG. It has a slideout physical keyboard, 3” screen, 5 Megapixel camera, and Android 1.5 (Cupcake).

LG GW880 “Amundsen” was announced on 11/25/2009 as the 2nd Android phone from LG. Touchscreen keyboard only, 3.5” (800 x 480 pixels), 5 Megapixel camera,  and built-in CMMB (China Multi Media Broadcasting) TV tuner.

LG GT540 “Swift” is supposed to be their 3rd Android phone but LG is calling this their 2nd phone, somehow ignoring their GW880, perhaps because the GW880 is being marketed exclusively to China. The GT540 is a mid-end Android phone with only 400 x 240 pixel 3” screen, but its 3 Megapixel camera comes with face tracking feature, and no physical keyboard.

2010-01-05 (CES)

or unlocked.

Google announced ‘Nexus One’, a Google branded Android phone manufactured by HTC, a Taiwan company. $180 through T-Mobile (T-Mobile’s 5th Android phone) or $530 unlocked.  Vodafone in Europe later this year (2010).

This phone was also planned for the Verizon network but was replaced with a better phone called the HTC Incredible on April 29, 2010. It was also released for AT&T on March 16, 2010.

Link to picture, specification, and video.

Timeline from Android beginning to 2009

More info:

Click here for Android’s Timeline from the Beginning to 2009.