Posts Tagged ‘HTC’
Google’s Nexus One – What are they thinking?
Over this past weekend the story broke that Google has developed a new phone that it is giving its employees to play. The Nexus One, as it is called, is being positioned as a “innovations lab”, according to Google.
Today, we hear that Google is in serious talks with T-Mobile to introduce Nexus One. This G-Phone is built by HTC and looks strikingly like the HTC Passion without, of course, the HTC logo. All this makes me wonder what Google is thinking?
First off, why does Google see the need to branch out into hardware. Imitating Apple in trying to control the complete user experience is not good enough reason as they are already late to that party having already open-sourced their operating system. If they have some legitimate reason for getting into hardware, starting out with a look-alike phone of a publicly available (or soon to be) phone is not the best strategy to launch a new product that is going to bear your name in such a competitive market.
Also, if Google is going to compete with its Android partners, I wonder how long they will tolerate that. Now, I truly believe that 2010 will be the year of Android, however, this is a fast moving market and both consumers and the hardware makers are fickle. Google will have to tread carefully so as not to antagonize its partners.
Finally, is Google ready to be a hardware company? So far they have been outsourcing the actual manufacturing of the phones. And it will work if they have a handful of devices. But, then they need to think of all the other things that goes with standing behind the hardware from support to logistics to marketing.
MWC Day 2 Recap: Android, Android Everywhere!
It was day 2 (almost on its way to day 3) of the MWC in Barcelona and it was Android’s day to shine. Several carriers and smartphone makers announced today that they will be launching devices powered by Google’s Android OS. First up, Vodafone announced that it will launch HTC’s Magic, the keyboard-less G1. Following up on Vodafone’s announcement with 1-2-3 punches, Heuwei launched its sleek-looking Android device; Acer is working on 2 Android based devices while Samsung does one better by launching 3 Android devices and potentially a Linux Mobile phone too.
In other news, Nokia announced that it will bundle Skype software on all its N-series phones starting with the N97. Also, a group of 17 phone manufacturers and carriers, under the auspices of GSM, adopted the universal charger standard. Phone manufacturers including LG, Samsung, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and operators like AT&T, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Telefonica agreed to use the microUSB socket as the standard power sockets on all their phones by 2012. Key holdouts include Apple, RIM and Palm, though RIM already uses MiniUSB on its Blackberry devices.
Microsoft to enter smartphone handset market?
Rumors have it that Microsoft might be planning to enter the smartphone market with its own device in later half of 2009. If these rumors are correct, then it goes against what Steve Ballmer and others have always said about Microsoft wanting to license the software. However, with its Danger subsidiary and success with XBox and Zune, Microsoft would be tempted to take on Apple and others in the smartphone arena. If it does, I think they need to look at the new Toshiba TG01 and go with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipset instead of the NVIDIA’s Tegra chipset. Also, they need to learn from HTC, Samsung and Sony Ericsson to wrap their clunky Windows Mobile in a more user-friendly and up-to-date user interface. I am not holding my breath, but lets see what comes out Redmond.
[Via PhoneArena]
HTC updates Touch Cruise and adds Footprints to it
Today, HTC announced the release of the updated Touch Cruise, the GPS centric device that it launched last year. The new release is a much sleaker version of the older model along with a host of new features including its new geo-tagging software called Footprints. This new software allows users to not only geo-tag their photos to make digital postcards but also add notes and audio to it. According to HTC, the Footprints software will be able to geo-tag both outdoors and indoors, though how it manages its little trick indoors is bit of a mystery. It also has a 2.8 inches touchscreen display and its detailed specs are:
The phone is slated to release worldwide in Q2 2009 with the price to be $500 to $600 for unlocked handset.
[Via Engadget Mobile]
HTC’s 2009 lineup
HTC has always had a stellar lineup in the years past and this year is no exception, according to the leaked images. There are 25 devices in all including second Android based device called Hero, updates to existing devices like Touch Diamond and Diamond Pro and some new devices. Some of them are going to make it to the 4 US carriers. Here is the list:
[Via Boy Genius Report]
T-Mobile to get New Year’s gifts from HTC
Rumor has it that T-Mobile is getting two very good gifts from HTC in the new year. HTC is working on G2, a follow-up to its popular, Android-based G1, code-named, Sapphire. Another device is code-named Rhodium, which is the follow-up to the Wing, a Windows Mobile based phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. There is not much else that is known about these phones yet except for these images.
[Via Engadget Mobile]
HTC Touch HD reviewed
The upcoming HTC Touch HD is gathering significant interest on the heels of the success with HTC Touch Diamond and Touch Pro. We have read a lot about the phone already and seen several photos of it. Now we have a full video review of the phone from The Unwired. They managed to get its hands on the prototype of the Touch HD that will launch in Germany on the O2 network. The phone recently got FCC approval too. However, there is no US launch information yet.
HTC Dream G1 pre-announcement leaks
Live Update: The device will be locked in to T-Mobile network. T-Mobile to launch its biggest marketing campaign for the G1. Android has Chrome-Lite browser, shares the same base as desktop Chrome. G1 will work with DRM free music and will work internationally.
Live Update: The G1 to cost $179 and can be ordered online with $25 & $35 data and messaging options. The device to launch October 22 80% of US 3G markets to be covered by year end. UK launch to happen in November. The G1 has ability to read MS Word and Adobe PDF documents, no MS Exchange capabilities. No desktop synchronization, only OTA synchronization.
Live Update: They are demoing the Google Maps application with street view and Compass feature which shows 1-st person view of the location and directions. They have games including PacMan.
Update: In a separate news release, Amazon has said that it will have over 6 million DRM-free songs available on G1 at launch.
As you know or might have heard, today is the day of the official T-Mobile launch of the HTC Dream G1, the Android-based phone. The press conference has begun and you can see the recorded version here. However, there are a few photos and specs of the HTC Dream G1 phone leaked before the conference thanks to TMoNews.com. The specs are as follows:
The photos are from the T-Mobile G1 site which show some of the Google applications like GMail, Maps which will be available on the G1. So, now the wait is almost over and the Dream becomes a reality.
HTC Touch HD shots
Here are some shots of the HTC Touch HD courtesy of CNET Asia. First up is a family shot with the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro.
Here is a shot of the browser which looks great in the 800X400 resolution.
You can see more shots at the CNET Asia site.
HTC officially unveils the HTC Touch HD
Along with officially releasing the HTC Touch 3G, HTC also unveiled the HTC Touch HD. The Touch HD, as I had written earlier, is an all-touchscreen phone like the iPhone and has two keys like the Blackberry Storm. The full specs for the Touch HD are:
The HTC Touch HD will be available across major European carriers in Q4 2008 and be introduced in other global markets thereafter. No pricing has been mentioned.
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