vB Easy Archive - What is known so far about the 'gPhone'

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What is known so far about the 'gPhone'
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Posted by: SaintJimmy

Companies involved in Android

Mobile Operators
China Mobile
KDDI
DoCoMo
Sprint Nextel
T-Mobile
Telecom Italia
Telefonica

Semi-Conductor Companies
Audience
Broadcom Corp.
Intel
Marvell Semiconductor Inc.
NVIDIA
Qualcomm
SiRF Technology Holdings Inc.
Synaptics Inc.
Texas Instruments

Handset Manufacturers
HTC
LG
Motorola
Samsung

Software Companies
Ascender Corp.
eBay
Esmertec
Google
LivingImage Limited
NMS Communications
Nuance Communications
PacketVideo
SONiVOX
SkyPop

Commercialization
Aplix Corp.
Noser Engineering
TAT
Wind River

Facts that we know

-There has not been an announcement of an actual 'gPhone', per say, but for a new mobile operating system called 'Android'

-Google plans to implement 'Android' on mobile phones in Q3 2008

-On 11/12/07, an early look at the software development kit will be availiable to developers via the Android website (http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/)

-It is a Java/Linux based platform that is made for smartphones

About the Android software

Android™ will deliver a complete set of software for mobile devices: an operating system, middleware and key mobile applications. On November 12, we will release an early look at the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) to allow developers to build rich mobile applications.

Open
Android was built from the ground-up to enable developers to create compelling mobile applications that take full advantage of all a handset has to offer. It is built to be truly open. For example, an application could call upon any of the phone's core functionality such as making calls, sending text messages, or using the camera, allowing developers to create richer and more cohesive experiences for users. Android is built on the open Linux Kernel. Furthermore, it utilizes a custom virtual machine that has been designed to optimize memory and hardware resources in a mobile environment. Android will be open source; it can be liberally extended to incorporate new cutting edge technologies as they emerge. The platform will continue to evolve as the developer community works together to build innovative mobile applications.

All applications are created equal
Android does not differentiate between the phone's core applications and third-party applications. They can all be built to have equal access to a phone's capabilities providing users with a broad spectrum of applications and services. With devices built on the Android Platform, users will be able to fully tailor the phone to their interests. They can swap out the phone's homescreen, the style of the dialer, or any of the applications. They can even instruct their phones to use their favorite photo viewing application to handle the viewing of all photos.

Breaking down application boundaries
Android breaks down the barriers to building new and innovative applications. For example, a developer can combine information from the web with data on an individual's mobile phone -- such as the user's contacts, calendar, or geographic location -- to provide a more relevant user experience. With Android, a developer could build an application that enables users to view the location of their friends and be alerted when they are in the vicinity giving them a chance to connect.

Fast & easy application development
Android provides access to a wide range of useful libraries and tools that can be used to build rich applications. For example, Android enables developers to obtain the location of the device, and allow devices to communicate with one another enabling rich peer-to-peer social applications. In addition, Android includes a full set of tools that have been built from the ground up alongside the platform providing developers with high productivity and deep insight into their applications.

Android FAQ

What is Android™ and how is it different?
Android is a complete mobile phone software stack. It includes everything a manufacturer or operator needs to build a mobile phone. Android will be made available as open source via the Apache v2 license. Android was designed from the ground up to enable the best user experience possible on a mobile phone. It leverages web and Internet content to provide advanced services such as mobile mashups.

Why did you pick the Apache v2 open source license?
Apache is a commercial-friendly open-source license. The Apache license allows manufacturers and mobile operators to innovate using the platform without the requirement to contribute those innovations back to the open-source community. Because these innovations and differentiated features can be kept proprietary, manufacturers and mobile operators are protected from the "viral infection" problem often associated with other licenses.

When will Android be available?
An early look at the SDK will be available for download on November 12, 2007.

What are the benefits of this platform to developers?
Developers can take advantage of a comprehensive platform that gives them full access to the device, enabling them to develop innovative, integrated applications and more compelling services. Developers will also appreciate the rich built-in libraries that bring powerful and well-developed functionality that can easily be integrated into applications built for the platform. Open Handset Alliance members also plan to make it easier for platform developers to distribute and commercialize their applications.

Can you tell me more about Android's architecture?
Complete documentation will be available on November 12, along with the SDK.

If the Open Handset Alliance is giving it all away for free, how will the platform be differentiated?
Because the Apache license does not have a copyleft clause, industry players can add proprietary functionality to their products based on Android without needing to contribute anything back to the platform. As the entire platform is open, companies can remove functionality if they choose. Applications are not set in stone, and differentiation is always possible. For example, if you want to include Hotmail instead of Gmail, it will not be an issue.

How will the open source effort be managed?
There will be a publicly accessible repository, similar to how the Linux kernel is managed. Each platform module is assigned an owner who validates contributions, and new module additions are governed by the original contributor.

Posted by: infamo

I cant wait for this......DOWN GOES APPLE!!!!

Posted by: SaintJimmy

Don't be too sure...open source is great but a lot of iPhone buyers bought the iPhone because it has a completely beautiful interface. I'm hoping that Google realizes this and works hard to make a good looking interface

Posted by: andyskycom

hello,everyone ,I Come here first.

Posted by: manchuia

great put together of all the information on the platform. I don't think android poses too much a direct threat to Apple. The beauty of the iphone device is that it's a closed system, so everything works incredibly well together. You don't see that too much in wide open / open source systems because everyone that can program has an idea on how the device should work.

I think windows mobile are more of a competitor to this as more of the programs will be more "functional" than form.

What I would love to see happen is the ability for android to bridge that gap between smart and semi smart with software that works on both.

Posted by: xtoddx

Here are developers talking about Android:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rYozIZOgDk

"What we're doing is allowing an entire industry to create thousands of gPhones."

Posted by: rockyj81

DOes anyone know When Google is planning to release the gPhone?!

Posted by: manchuia

Google isn't releasing a gphone. They are putting out an Operating system that other manufacturer's can use. That being siad we should see devices come out at the end of '08

Posted by: Abom

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchuia

Google isn't releasing a gphone. They are putting out an Operating system that other manufacturer's can use. That being siad we should see devices come out at the end of '08

That said, it looks like Google will be bidding on the new 750 MHz spectrum.... Perhaps the Gphone will be specifically for that spectrum, making Google not only the carrier, but the phone manufacturer as well.

Posted by: jaustin

wow, this will really give Windows based phones and Palm phones a run. Should really see some new and creative things within the next 12 months now.

Posted by: LIVEFRMNYC

I have been pleased with almost everything google, so I have good hopes for this.

Posted by: rockyj81

They should totally get into the phone industry....there are so many new apps that can be developed in the phone industry...if they have their own phone, it's even easier

Posted by: jeny.342

I heard they are developing a GSM phone....something similar to Blackberry....which makes sense cause they need to differentiate themselves from Apple!

Posted by: geoff.scottcomm

They've already explicitly said that they are not making a phone.

Posted by: S0nIc_201

I am under the impression that Andriod and Dnager is working side by side from now on and will be implement through the same servers thus giving the sidekick branded phones to use the Andriod or the Danger OS.. is this correct?

Posted by: fractured

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abom

You mean the 700MHz spectrum. As to the other assertions, I doubt it will go that far.

Posted by: SaintJimmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by S0nIc_201

I am under the impression that Andriod and Dnager is working side by side from now on and will be implement through the same servers thus giving the sidekick branded phones to use the Andriod or the Danger OS.. is this correct?

I don't believe that is correct...

Posted by: FL1134

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaintJimmy

Don't be too sure...open source is great but a lot of iPhone buyers bought the iPhone because it has a completely beautiful interface. I'm hoping that Google realizes this and works hard to make a good looking interface

Android is only opensource with respect to the kernel and webkit. Sandboxed java is not the best SDK either for being open.

Posted by: SaintJimmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL1134

Android is only opensource with respect to the kernel and webkit. Sandboxed java is not the best SDK either for being open.

Nothing that IDA Pro can't take care of