Google announced its new product Google Maps Navigation will provide navigation instructions in real time directly to phones that operate with the new version of its Android software.

The navigation product, which offers voice recognition and screen guidance that incorporates the online archive of photographs of street Google represents a further step to “fight” iPhone, Apple, and Windows Mobile software from Microsoft, with its Android operating system for smartphones.

Google executives told reporters that the company decided to offer a navigation information for drivers, as part of its mapping service launched four years ago because that was the most requested feature by users. However, the chief executive of Google, Eric Schmidt, said the expansion into a new market with new competitors, was not among the reasons for the company.

The decision represents direct competitive threat to companies like Garmin and TomTom, which sell navigation devices with specialized software. TomTom also produces a navigation application for the iPhone, which is sold by for $ 99.99 in the United States. “This is a tactical problem that occurs after the definition of a strategic objective, namely to offer something that works with some magic in portable devices…,” Schmidt said.

The new navigation service will work with the new 2.0 operating system Android.

Via: Folha.

In an effort to make its blogs more visually pleasing on mobile platforms, Wordpress released on Tuesday two themes that will be displayed automatically when a blog hosted on Wordpress.com is accessible from smartphones and other mobile devices.

According to the company, two types of mobile themes are available, and the type of browser used will determine which theme will be shown.

According to the site CNET News, those who access blogs from iPhone or Android devices to see the site in the subject and can access WPtouch posts, pages and files, and get support for comments and posts based on AJAX. If there is image header, this will be scaled proportionally to the size of the screens. Users of other devices will not have many visual benefits, because the focus will load the content as quickly as possible.

The decision to display automatically adapted subjects was taken from the success of mobile devices, which are now responsible for about 60 million hits per month. Previously, the content was loaded slowly, and sometimes was not displayed completely. With the new measures from Wordpress, these problems should be minimized.

To view the themes for mobile devices is standard, and can be disabled by users who do not want to see them. According to the site Mashable, this is a very interesting feature, and it’s unfortunate to be available only for blogs hosted on Wordpress.com, as it would be something very useful to those who use the Wordpress.org platform in their own accommodation.

Via: CNET.

The official news on the roadmap of 2009 for Android were published, and they contradict the initial buzz: the mobile operating system not only got 2, but three updatings up to 2010, each one with a more eccentric dessert name of than the previous.

After the version Cupcake, arrived the Donut version. And finally, the Eclair version and, the next updating will be called of Flan.

The association between the updatings and the chosen desserts can seem as something random, but they are not. However, nothing impedes that the people can start to imagine other names for future updatings, like Android Petit Gateau, or Android Amaretto Sorbet, or Android Pudim. It is better I stop speaking of desserts that I am beginning to be hunger.

The fact of the names seemingly follow the alphabetical order contributes only (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Flan – C, D, and, F) for led us to belive in the Android evolution, unless the updating corresponding to the letter G is gelatine…

The interesting is that to commemorate each release, gigantic desserts are exhibited side by side. Already an enormous and an intimidatingly cupcake large donut exists, and now, a gigantic eclair. As the time passing, who knows Google goes gets to enter in Guinnesss Book for having created the largest demonstration of gigantic desserts in open sky, or as a wicked friend mine would say, a museum to attract fat people.

Via: TechCrunch.

Come September 15 and the Android based 5-inch Archos Internet Media Tablet will be released. This tiny 5-inch device will run on a resolution of 800×400 pixel that will produce a good quality picture on a big screen. It can perform the basic functions like a laptop can. You can use internet, watch movies, listen to songs and also play games.

The best part is that Archos 5 also comes with a useful accessory called the ‘DVR Station’, which will not only allow you to record your favorite TV programs but it will also allow you to fix the Archos 5 to your TV for a bigger screen view. Better still is, the DVR can charge the Archos 5 while in the dock.

This touch screen device is a must-have in today’s technological world. Considering the umpteen features, you might not find the Archos 5 very user friendly but you will definitely fall in love with it after using for a few days. It will be just great if Archos 5 comes with a screen cover as the device is pretty fragile. It often tends to gather dust as well.

Via: EnGadget

There are so many lookalikes of this latest Android handset from Spain, that you could easily confuse it with the likes of Samsung Omnia. But this is the very first time a Spanish firm has decided to venture into the relatively new Android market and GeeksPhone (very appropriately named company) seems to have done a good job with ‘One’. Powered by a 625MHz PXA310 core and comes loaded with quadband EDGE plus HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and AGPS. Sporting a 3.2 megapixel primary camera plus a front-facing cam for video calling and microSD expansion the mobile comes with enough features to keep you both interested and busy.

The 3.2-inch touchscreen is an absolute beauty and considering the relative lack of many other options in the Android market and with its pretty reasonable price of $352 to $422. Considering that many the European market have been clamoring for more Android options, One seems to be a welcome sight indeed!

Via: Geeksphone

The all new HTC Hero will have some of the same features as of HTC Magic, another mobile device  powered by Google Android. HTC Hero sports a 3.2 inch touchscreen and also comes with an on-screen keyboard, just like Apple iPhone.

Although there are numerous mobile phones currently in the market with Google Android OS, still HTC Hero is considered to be the best of them all. This is because of the user interface of HTC Hero. Also known as HTC Sense, this one of a kind interface enables HTC to streamline its mobile devices regardless of the operating system they are working on. Also, the SENSE technology gives the power to the users to configure it according to their needs and likes.

Via New York Times.

Google is slowly diversifying into computer and hardware market as well. Its stakes are supported by its operating system Android. Now, luckily for Google, Acer has come with an Android powered netbook. It was announced at the Computex and seems to be quite promising and interesting. It just takes 18 seconds to switch on and 1 second to turn off.

There is no information about either the price or what specifications the netbook would come with. It would also have a 10 inch screen and a built in Firefox for all your Internet requirements. It will apparently be launched as soon as possible in the market but the only problem seems to be people having to adapt to Android OS on laptops.

However, this is still in a beta stage and when the netbook is finally ready in sometime; people may actually try it out. The only problem seems to be Google’s ability to dominate everything in its sight.

Via: Engadget

Google has revealed that there will be about 18 to 20 cellphones launched by the end of this year which will have Android as their operating systems. About 8 to 9 different manufacturers are involved in the production of the 18 models and each manufacturer would release the phone as their own product.

However, Google has kept many options open as to how the Android OS would be used, and how apps can be downloaded on to it or not downloaded. Carriers will also be slower to launch the phones in the US than in Europe as they quote severe domestic competition to be a reason.

Android based phones would compete against iPhone’s OS, Windows, Linux based OS, Palm OS, Symbian and others. There would be three options for device manufacturers and the first one is that there would be an obligation free version. Here, the manufacturer can just download the free version of Android but cannot pre-load services like Gmail and others.

The Small Strings option would let the device manufacturers to sign agreements with Google for certain Google apps. The no-censorship version would come with a Google logo and there would be no restriction whatsoever. Google certainly is trying to compete with other biggies out there, and if the Android really becomes successful as an OS, then Google will begin to monopolize cellphone space as well, which is certainly not healthy.

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Via: NYTimes

The popularity of e-money gains is on an all time high in Japan. As an expected consequence, multiple forms of electronic money supporters like the versatile FeliCa RFID readers are popping up everywhere. And now, electronic giant NEC is readying to make a new version of the FEliCa payment terminal that will look like a life-sized andriod.

The concept was given a form at the recent iExpo 2008 trade show in Tokyo recently. NEC is hopeful that the robo will find a job at the many amusement parks in Japan functioning as a ticket seller, equipped with FeliCa-enabled wallet phones called ‘osaifu keitai’.

So, the user will just have to select the e-money icon on the robo’s chest-mounted touch screen panel and then swipe their phone over the reader/writer embedded in the left hand. The andriod will also be able to transfer electronic coupons and other data to he user’s phone after the payment has been made.

A camera system is also installed in the robot with face recognition technology to identify and profile visitors. And if you wish, it can also recomment some attractions that will suit your age and gender.

Via pinktentacle & itmedia