• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Android Hardware Thread - 2009 Edition

Status
Not open for further replies.
Oh, I'm not too concerned about the multi-touch that really doesn't interest me. I'm more interested in the update of the OS.
 
JoeFu said:
Would trade in my G1 for the Blur in a heart beat, ahhh its soooo nice.


Also any word of if donut is coming to g1 or not? I hope we still get updates, would hate for the phone to be obsolete already :(

It is completely up to T-Mobile whether the G1 gets the update, or for that matter all carriers with Android phones.

I would bet that the G1 will almost definitely get it, the optimizations would be most kind to the G1 out of any other device and by all accounts it seems like they really worked hard on improving the Android kernel. Keep in mind also that most Google engineers seem to use the Dev Phone still, probably to test on the least common denominator so to speak, so they probably would ensure HTC makes the update for the hardware. But again, it's up to T-Mobile whether to send it out or not.

2.0 will be another story though.
 
So cyanongen just got slapped with a cease and desist from Google to stop distributing his rom. :(

http://androidandme.com/2009/09/hacks/cyanogenmod-in-trouble/

This really puzzles me. Are they going to send C&D's to all the other mod developers? Endgadet speculates that this is a creation to the immense popularity of CyanogenMod prompting users to root their phones (G1s and myTouch3gs). I'm inclined to agree, one of the major reasons for me to root was the ability to wifi-tether my laptop (I'm using at right now). Imagine 20,000+ people doing this, T-mobile is probably freaking out.
 
El Papa said:
So cyanongen just got slapped with a cease and desist from Google to stop distributing his rom. :(

http://androidandme.com/2009/09/hacks/cyanogenmod-in-trouble/

This really puzzles me. Are they going to send C&D's to all the other mod developers? Endgadet speculates that this is a creation to the immense popularity of CyanogenMod prompting users to root their phones (G1s and myTouch3gs). I'm inclined to agree, one of the major reasons for me to root was the ability to wifi-tether my laptop (I'm using at right now). Imagine 20,000+ people doing this, T-mobile is probably freaking out.
People have been doing it with Windows mobile for a long time. If a carrier gets too hurt by it they can throw extra charges on. Microsoft did the same thing to some ROM distributors not too long ago, I doubt it's too carrier motivated.
 
http://phandroid.com/2009/09/25/eff-google-screw-android-the-backlash-begins/

eff-android.jpg


JBQ is probably my favorite guy on the Android team, next to maybe Romain. :(

I guess I agree with Google but it doesn't make me happy that Android just started gaining real steam and now it'll face a backlash like this...

Totakeke said:
http://phandroid.com/2009/09/25/google-responds-to-cyanogen-uproar/

Seems like emotions are running high at the moment, but what's the point of an android phone without the google apps? It does seem like a silly move with what they have to lose.

If Google had put all their "bundled" apps in the paid Market section, I don't think there would really be too much of an outcry, especially from Cyanogen, but the fact is the only way to get those apps is in a stock manufacturer ROM. It's a crappy situation to be sure. Ideally Google's own apps would be open-source andy freely distributable, but that's unfortunately not the case.
 
http://www.androidguys.com/2009/09/26/acer-a1-on-pre-order/

7b62a296bfbbdbc44d1dc2ef02141a70.jpg


  • Processor: Qualcomm 8250 768 MHz
  • Operating System: Android 2.0 (Donut)
  • Memory: ROM: 512 MB / RAM: 256 MB
  • Display: 3.5-inch touch-sensitive screen with WVGA resolution
  • Network:
    • HSPA/WCDMA: 850, 1900, 2100 MHz – Up to 2 Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds
    • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
    (Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent)
  • GPS: Internal GPS antenna
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets
  • Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • Camera: 5.0 megapixel color camera with auto focus
  • Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
  • Capacity: 1350 mAh
  • Talk time: Up to 300 minutes
  • Standby time: Up to 400 hours
    (The above are subject to network and phone usage)
  • Expansion Slot: microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
  • Dimensions (LxWxT): 115 x 62.5 x 12.5 mm
  • Weight: 135 grams with battery

AndroidGuys said:
Expansys is generally reliable, they don’t have any dates yet but a price: 389.99 euro, a very good price for a device without a contract. So, we are really going to get all these promised devices.

And it looks suspicially like the Archos Phone Tablet... hrm... Still, pretty great specs.
 
Andrex said:
http://www.androidguys.com/2009/09/26/acer-a1-on-pre-order/

7b62a296bfbbdbc44d1dc2ef02141a70.jpg


  • Processor: Qualcomm 8250 768 MHz
  • Operating System: Android 2.0 (Donut)
  • Memory: ROM: 512 MB / RAM: 256 MB
  • Display: 3.5-inch touch-sensitive screen with WVGA resolution
  • Network:
    • HSPA/WCDMA: 850, 1900, 2100 MHz – Up to 2 Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds
    • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
    (Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent)
  • GPS: Internal GPS antenna
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets
  • Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • Camera: 5.0 megapixel color camera with auto focus
  • Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
  • Capacity: 1350 mAh
  • Talk time: Up to 300 minutes
  • Standby time: Up to 400 hours
    (The above are subject to network and phone usage)
  • Expansion Slot: microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
  • Dimensions (LxWxT): 115 x 62.5 x 12.5 mm
  • Weight: 135 grams with battery



And it looks suspicially like the Archos Phone Tablet... hrm... Still, pretty great specs.

No contract? What (USA) networks will this puppy work on?

Edit:

From comments: "Finally an android phone with AT&T 3G frequencies!"

Fuck that!! I hate the USA Telecom industry!! Mobile Networks need to be fucking standardized already! Sigh...
 
Hawk is waiting to upgrade for a slick-looking Android phone on Verizon. How long will he wait?

That Rachael looks sexy as hell. I wonder if that'll really come out this year.

Also, ZOMG I'm a member.
 
Andrex said:
JBQ is probably my favorite guy on the Android team, next to maybe Romain. :(

i had no idea he was working on android software. just how many old Be employees are there? i know of at least one other.
 
archos 5 early impressions are looking pretty shaky :\ guess i'll just have to pick up sprints coming android phone and deal with the tiny screen.
 
ha1f said:
archos 5 early impressions are looking pretty shaky :\ guess i'll just have to pick up sprints coming android phone and deal with the tiny screen.

Links?

I've heard varying reports myself, my biggest beef with it is they spliced the original Archos 5 OS with Android; instead of layering one on the other, the spliced them horizontally in a Frankenstein-like monster. It gets the job done but it's not very consistent with the rest of the Android UI.

If things had been like I first though, that the only trace of the Archos OS was the "super media widget" on the homescreen (made using the standard Android SDK) and the video player and gallery, layered on top of the additional codecs that Archos baked into the system, then it'd be one hell of a compelling device.

The next revision of the device could be a hell of PMP/tablet if it does that, comes preloaded with the standard Google apps (especially the Market), and has a 3G-enabled version. That would be one sweet device, I tells ya.
 
Even December seems a little too early for it to drop. There was a six-month wait for 1.5, and a six month wait for 1.6. Two to three months for a whole x.0 release seems really early.
 
Just heard a disturbing rumor: Motorola CLIQ won't come with Google applications (no Google Maps, G-Mail, etc.), only G-Talk.

This news comes by way of an anonymous tipster who already has the phone and submitted pictures of the box to Leakdroid.

If true, this makes the phone wholly unappealing to me. Considering the recent Cyanogen drama concerning his use of Google's apps in his mods, I'm inclined to believe that this is probably true.

Still, the official fact sheet for the CLIQ still lists the Google applications. So, we'll see.
 
Vyse The Legend said:
Just heard a disturbing rumor: Motorola CLIQ won't come with Google applications (no Google Maps, G-Mail, etc.), only G-Talk.

This news comes by way of an anonymous tipster who already has the phone and submitted pictures of the box to Leakdroid.

If true, this makes the phone wholly unappealing to me. Considering the recent Cyanogen drama concerning his use of Google's apps in his mods, I'm inclined to believe that this is probably true.

Still, the official fact sheet for the CLIQ still lists the Google applications. So, we'll see.
WTF is all this Cyanogen nonsense. The market is getting spammed by comments pertaining to this mod, and I don't quite understand. PEACE.
 
I hate all of you fuckers in here. I'm pumped to have my MyTouch phone and you make me feel like a piece of obsolete shit.

I WISH ANDROID HAD NEVER BEEN BORN!!#
 
Vyse The Legend said:
Just heard a disturbing rumor: Motorola CLIQ won't come with Google applications (no Google Maps, G-Mail, etc.), only G-Talk.

This news comes by way of an anonymous tipster who already has the phone and submitted pictures of the box to Leakdroid.

If true, this makes the phone wholly unappealing to me. Considering the recent Cyanogen drama concerning his use of Google's apps in his mods, I'm inclined to believe that this is probably true..

Yeah, I noticed that as well. According to the press release I [indirectly] linked to above:

With integrated Google technology, CLIQ brings one-touch access to the popular Google™ mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search™ by voice, Google Maps™ with Street View, YouTube™ and Picasa™. CLIQ also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. E-mail is also supported by Yahoo!, Windows Live Hotmail, and other POP3 and IMAP e-mail service

.. it seems all is well?

SanjuroTsubaki said:
I hate all of you fuckers in here. I'm pumped to have my MyTouch phone and you make me feel like a piece of obsolete shit.

I WISH ANDROID HAD NEVER BEEN BORN!!#
:lol

At the rate these android phones seem to be coming out, we're all gonna feel that way at one point or another.:lol
 
Should my myTouch skip as often as it does playing mp3s? I'm getting a lot of hiccups in the music, and that's strange. I'm not doing anything with it, though I'm sure tasks are still active in the background. Do I need to use a task killer app or something? Thoughts? PEACE.
 
Ephemeris said:

Ahhh I knew it. Still an OK price, I'm happier with it than I was with the MyTouch's original price.

Vyse The Legend said:
Just heard a disturbing rumor: Motorola CLIQ won't come with Google applications (no Google Maps, G-Mail, etc.), only G-Talk.

This news comes by way of an anonymous tipster who already has the phone and submitted pictures of the box to Leakdroid.

If true, this makes the phone wholly unappealing to me. Considering the recent Cyanogen drama concerning his use of Google's apps in his mods, I'm inclined to believe that this is probably true.

Still, the official fact sheet for the CLIQ still lists the Google applications. So, we'll see.

I'll take the official spec list over leaks any day, but if it's true, I really only truly care about the Market. That definitely needs to be standard on all Android devices.

Google either needs to make it open source, or provide an API so others can make open source implementations of it.

Pimpwerx said:
WTF is all this Cyanogen nonsense. The market is getting spammed by comments pertaining to this mod, and I don't quite understand. PEACE.

While the Android source code is obviously open source, the Google apps that come preinstalled on handsets aren't. Cyanogen made ROMs including both and got a cease and desist notice from Google, as Google makes money from licensing its own apps to handset manufacturers. The hacking/rooting community doesn't like this as obviously GMail, Android Market, etc. are very popular apps. Cyanogen's next plan is to ship his ROMs without Google apps, but allow people to back up the Google apps that were already on their handsets, and reinstall them on his ROM.

It's a little bit complicated.
 
Yeah, that rumor is bogus:

T-Mobile Forums said:
What applications will be available to CLIQ customers?

CLIQ customers will have immediate access to myFaves from the home screen. Other T-Mobile features include Visual Voicemail, My Account, and Mobile Backup. CLIQ will also feature Google services such Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Voice Search, Google Talk, and, of course, search.

They probably don't want to emphasize the Google apps on the box because this isn't a With Google phone, and they want to attract attention to Motoblur.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Anybody catch the rumor that Sholes is now Tao?

Dammit, I hope it gets announced soon. Not long before I'm out from under AT&T's heel.

I don't care what it's called, I just want it.
 
Andrex said:
just the impressions i'm getting from the archosfans and archoslounge boards. archoslounge seems to be warming up to it, though. archosfans doesn't have enough people who have actually gotten their devices to get a larger impression.

still waiting for a major tech source to review it, though.
 
Fatalah said:
I keep coming across articles about Android drama. What exactly is going on with the platform?

Andrex said:
While the Android source code is obviously open source, the Google apps that come preinstalled on handsets aren't. Cyanogen made ROMs including both and got a cease and desist notice from Google, as Google makes money from licensing its own apps to handset manufacturers. The hacking/rooting community doesn't like this as obviously GMail, Android Market, etc. are very popular apps. Cyanogen's next plan is to ship his ROMs without Google apps, but allow people to back up the Google apps that were already on their handsets, and reinstall them on his ROM.

It's a little bit complicated.

.

ha1f said:
just the impressions i'm getting from the archosfans and archoslounge boards. archoslounge seems to be warming up to it, though. archosfans doesn't have enough people who have actually gotten their devices to get a larger impression.

still waiting for a major tech source to review it, though.

Me too, it'll be interesting. I don't think anyone was really expecting Archos, who has been having problems with their own OS and hardware/support for years, to pull a win out with its first iteration of an Android device. As I said, it'll be much more interesting to see what they do with the second version.
 
Andrex said:
Introducing Creative’s Zii EGG



zii_egg.jpg


The specs are flat-out amazing for only $400:
  • Capacitive 10-point multi-gesture touch display
  • 3.5” 320×480 true-color display
  • Up to 32GB internal plus full size SDHC slot (supports up to 32GB of external SDHC Card)
  • Supports: MP3, WMA, AAC, WMV, H.264, MPEG-4, AVI, and MOV (Not confirmed)
  • X-Fi audio processing
  • OpenGL ES 3D graphics
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Accelerometer
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
  • GPS receiver
  • Light sensor
  • 32MB NOR (Linux Kernel Boot ROM)
  • 256MB Mobile DDR RAM
  • 720p/1080p HDTV output via cable
  • Headphone socket, built-in speaker and microphone
  • Dual cameras (HD camera on back, VGA camera on front)
  • 1200mAH rechargeable lithium-ion battery
  • 115 x 62 x 12 mm (108grams)

I may get this instead of the MyTouch now. I really do dislike cell phone contracts, almost never text or call anyone, and there is no 3G in my area. Plus as I said, the specs are amazing for $400: HD recording and playback, 32 GB internal memory, 3.5" multitouch display, and headphone jack in addition to what we expect from Android phones like WiFi, GPS, and the accelerometer. Between the ADP1 and this it's clear which is the winner. Hell this even puts the Zune "HD" to shame.

Oh my god. Me want so much. Any word on carriers on this or is it too early?
 
Andrex said:
Carrier agnostic. It's not a phone. :)

Ah. :/ I was a bit confused by seeing Creative in the cellphone market but I don't really keep tabs on their business. Time to go through the stages of grief I guess.

Edit:

OBJECTION!

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10297175-49.html

If this thing ultimately becomes a phone (all the ingredients are there) Creative is likely just being cautious about entering the mobile phone market as a newcomer.

What the fuck is going on here? It could be modified by third parties into a phone or what?
 
Did anyone here actually pick up an Egg? After watching some of the videos on anythingbutipod and hearing that true Android is coming in an upcoming firmware update, I'm leaning towards picking one up so I can start properly testing and tweaking some things.
 
Aselith said:
Ah. :/ I was a bit confused by seeing Creative in the cellphone market but I don't really keep tabs on their business. Time to go through the stages of grief I guess.

Edit:

OBJECTION!

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10297175-49.html



What the fuck is going on here? It could be modified by third parties into a phone or what?


It can be taken and modified by other manufacturers, yes. Is it likely that one will turn it into a phone? No.

ha1f said:
Did anyone here actually pick up an Egg? After watching some of the videos on anythingbutipod and hearing that true Android is coming in an upcoming firmware update, I'm leaning towards picking one up so I can start properly testing and tweaking some things.

I still haven't heard of Creative actually releasing that Android update, they seem to be focusing on their own OS at the moment.
 
Vyse The Legend said:
Just heard a disturbing rumor: Motorola CLIQ won't come with Google applications (no Google Maps, G-Mail, etc.), only G-Talk.

This news comes by way of an anonymous tipster who already has the phone and submitted pictures of the box to Leakdroid.

If true, this makes the phone wholly unappealing to me. Considering the recent Cyanogen drama concerning his use of Google's apps in his mods, I'm inclined to believe that this is probably true.

Still, the official fact sheet for the CLIQ still lists the Google applications. So, we'll see.

I don't really care since Motorola's phones are typically pretty crappy. I'm happy with my G1 and the only thing I'd really upgrade to would be the Acer / Archos phone.
 
Of all the phones I've had, my Motos have been rock solid.

Your bogus rumors about the Cliq above had me incredibly worried since I'm holding out for that one :lol
 
TheMissingLink said:
Of all the phones I've had, my Motos have been rock solid.

Your bogus rumors about the Cliq above had me incredibly worried since I'm holding out for that one :lol

I didn't say they were unreliable phones, they worked well for what they did but in the year prior their UI's and menus became so outdated and unfriendly really quickly.

Back when I had the Moto Razr it was shit but even then the menus were so counter-intuitive in that if I wanted to change certain settings it wasn't labeled plainly and I would have to either guess around or look up a guide.

They basically rode out the wave of success on their Moto Razr design for way too long and I've fallen out of favor with them for too long for me to care about them again since there are plenty of other great phone makers out there
 
Zyzyxxz said:
I didn't say they were unreliable phones, they worked well for what they did but in the year prior their UI's and menus became so outdated and unfriendly really quickly.

Back when I had the Moto Razr it was shit but even then the menus were so counter-intuitive in that if I wanted to change certain settings it wasn't labeled plainly and I would have to either guess around or look up a guide.

They basically rode out the wave of success on their Moto Razr design for way too long and I've fallen out of favor with them for too long for me to care about them again since there are plenty of other great phone makers out there

I understand where you're coming from. Which is also why I never imagined myself going Moto again. Infact, I recall saying this aloud months ago. :lol Never say never guys.

That said, Android plus the Motorola hardware is the winning combination that's bringing me back.
 
Zyzyxxz said:
I didn't say they were unreliable phones, they worked well for what they did but in the year prior their UI's and menus became so outdated and unfriendly really quickly.

Back when I had the Moto Razr it was shit but even then the menus were so counter-intuitive in that if I wanted to change certain settings it wasn't labeled plainly and I would have to either guess around or look up a guide.

They basically rode out the wave of success on their Moto Razr design for way too long and I've fallen out of favor with them for too long for me to care about them again since there are plenty of other great phone makers out there

So you're saying Moto hardware is fine, but its their homegrown OSes you have a problem with? Then why are you complaining about a phone which has Moto hardware but a Google OS? :lol

CaptainStrong said:

You can't even tell it's the Tao from those pics.
 
sholes.jpg


Due to all the recent leaks, I expect this to be announced at the Motodev summit in six days. There has been some confusion about whether or not this will run 2.0 (Eclair), but apparently right now it runs 1.6 (Donut), and I wouldn't expect that to change before release. The background wallpaper in the above pic leads me to believe this will definitely run Motoblur (if there was any doubt.) Now, any questions on Verizon's first Android phone?
 
Fatalah said:
I don't know what your lingo means at all! :lol
HTC has released roms with the Donut code for the Android Developers Phone 1 (Google branded Dream/G1) and the ION (Google branded Magic) so its only a matter or time before rom devs start cranking out roms with final donut code for people to use with their G1/Magics.
 
Fatalah said:
I don't know what your lingo means at all! :lol

Hrm, to Google!

Google Translate said:
Android version 1.6 is out officially for the two Android developer phones, so it is only a matter of time before its features will be added to the custom Android installations.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom