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This article is officially at  http://imandroid.org/2008/10/29/t-mobile-g1-unlocked/ please check there..

Posted in android, Hacks, News Tagged: android, g1, t-mobile, unlock, unlocked-tmobileg1, video proof ]]> http://imandroid.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/t-mobile-g1-unlocked/feed/ 1 IMAndroid http://imandroid.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/ea-shells-out-2-games-for-android/ http://imandroid.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/ea-shells-out-2-games-for-android/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:28:47 +0000 IMAndroid http://imandroid.wordpress.com/?p=166 ]]> Electronic Arts, world’s leading game developers, have shelled out 2 games for Android – G1. The games are Tetris and Monopoly here & now. The games are on sale at its flagship store – eamobile.com

[Thanks TalkAndroid for the heads up ]

“Serious Flaw” has been detected in Android release version ( that comes in G1).

Heres a quote from NewYorkTimes article

Charles A. Miller, notified Google of the flaw this week and said he was publicizing it now because he believed that cellphone users were not generally aware that increasingly sophisticated smartphones faced the same threats that plague Internet-connected personal computers.

The risk in the Google design, according to Mr. Miller, who is a principal security analyst at Independent Security Evaluators in Baltimore, lies in the danger from within the Web browser partition in the phone. It would be possible, for example, for an intruder to install software that would capture keystrokes entered by the user when surfing to other Web sites. That would make it possible to steal identity information or passwords.

Heres what happens. You visit a questionable website –> Browser in Android is exploited –> triggers download of an Application into your G phone –> Executed in background.

Its not clear if there are any websites/applications that actually exploit this vulneralibility but its not a surprise either. Android in principle will be primary target of malicious code in the future. And this is _the_only_real problem Google’s gonna face years to come.

Here are the precautions you SHOULD take to avoid any such infestation atleast till we have an alarm-caution system and you should be fine.

• DO NOT VISIT WEBSITES THAT ARE NOT WELL KNOWN
• LIMIT YOUR ONLINE MOBILE ACTIVITY TO THE USUAL STUFF
• DOWNLOAD ANDROID APPLICATIONS FROM CREDIBLE SOURCES. At the moment, there are about 2 other sites apart from Android Market

Remember, there are desktops near by for your adventures. Mobile Security can be potentially dangerous cuz we’re heading into “convergence” where our mobiles and destined to become our vallets.

Hence take such stories seriously.

Hop-on is known for their inexpensive services counting more on Mobile Gaming. It makes sense, considering Android is OPEN SOURCE and FREE

check out www.hop-on.com

[via Androidcommunity and AndroidAuthority ]

I’ve written before on why buy Android, Lets see how much of that is true and add anything new to it:

Here, we are going to focus only on the operating system and not the hardware device. G1 is all about Google’s Android platform and less about hardware or HTC, if it were, we probably would have a much better ergonomics!

User Interface – From the pictures Ive seen, Android brings freshness to the market. We are tired of running windows with monochromatic lustre. iPhone looked like the only attractive solution to our rebel mobile nature. It should be credited with bringing this drastic change and Android sure steps up right there if not further. Although, some have expressed their resentment with clutter in the Menu. Where Android takes lead is the fact that its open source. Hardware manufacturers and Carriers are free to form their own version of Home screen. This is a big bonus which will widen Android User’s experience.

Google in Android: Google services as appearing as native applications are welcome. There are issues here though.

• Can I use Android Mobile for calls without signing into GMail?

Lets exclude the possibility of using other software programs (hacks) that may (in the future) detach Google services embedded within Android. What restrictions does Google put in here? Can it be still used as a 3G Mobile device? Browse the Internet at 3G speeds via Chrome? These are questions that are coming up but without answers.

At GITEX Dubai, HTC Manager reveals Android Mobile Phone shall be in MiddleEast in 2009. Theres no talk of carrier tie-up yet. The Middle-East mobile story relies upon GSM unlocked devices. There are few devices that are locked to a particular Mobile Carrier with negligible success. And By then, we’ll see more OHA hardware manufacturers coming out with their stars. The question then is, HOW WILL Android behave in such markets/devices. Would it be free of  “Google clutter”

I’ll be actually waiting for a GSM unlocked Mobile Phone powered by Android that’ll probably do alot more than G1 in Asian and MiddleEastern markets.

Applications:

Unprecedented potential of Android Applications is the silver lining. Great applications like BarCode, Beetaun, Locale have taken mobile apps to new heights. It’ll be unwise to comment on current availability of productive applications. Hey, its just been what? a day or 2 since it launch. We’ll have great apps in no time.

There are some Basic issues as well here with Basic appz like Contacts. Contacts relies on Google Contact which in-turn is linked to Gmail. I’ve got about a 300 contacts in my Gmail of which 40 are hardly useful. This accumulated junk and its listing in your personal mobile that stays with you all day is quite irritating. I don’t spend time organising contacts in Gmail, so its pretty much a nightmare for guys like me. Again, there are some that may find this hell-u-va convenient.

Bottom line: Android is the future! MS rejected any threat by Android to WindowsMobile probably like how they rejected any threat to Live search by Google. And unless Symbian does something drastic with its newly formed Symbian foundation.. We see Android’s heading in the right direction.. But it sure does require some fine refinemnts.

Well, here comes the GMail Mobile 2.0! now with OFFLINE Support

A welcome add-on indeed. Many of us suffer from such periodic disconnections, either on Subway, a short flight, or just going on a field trip!

Apart from this, here are some more changes

• Multiple Account Support – sweet!
• Overall performance improvement
• Basic Offline support
• Shortcut keys
• Save multiple email drafts

Via – Official Google Mobile Blog

I wonder if there are any new companies that’ll come up making some custom devices. Android’s release is a significant step forward in its commitment to benefit consumers and make some profit. Google has shaken the business models around the world. Symbian foundation, formed out of android’s threat, is taking similar steps to ensure its got a future.

While Microsoft will have to make some changes or perhaps follow Android’s lead. Their already loosing ground in the webspace, If they wana stop Google from invading Mobile domination, the time is NOW to make some changes.

Not that we want them to do it, cuz we Love ANDROID!

this article has been moved to http://imandroid.org/2008/10/15/zzphone-a-scam/ , please check it there…

I’ve written about zzzPhone rolling out their custom built Android Devices. And their plans to release one on 30th November. Now that we’re approaching T-Mobile G1 Android release, I kinda felt curious and searched for some alternatives, that is, those that are scheduled to be released, announced or just some pure speculation about an upcoming Android powered mobile.

I found no official announcements not even speculations. All we can tell right now is OpenHandsetAlliance groups that are device manufacturers will probably announce something.

One thing stood out through out my search, Enter ZZZPhone.

I’ve searched about zzzphone pretty extensively and found no conclusive evidence  about it being legit. Mobility site says its a scam. I don’t know HOW I MISSED this.

• zzzphone’s website does not talk about components/modules their using in their custom devices
• Youtube, where mobiles from around the world are seen, has no clear unquestionable review of zzzphone that was supposed to carry windows mobile. There are two videos and i’m sure you’ll find something fishy
• Absolutely no reviews, reports by famous blogs, e-magazines – Engadget, pcmag, infosyncworld etc.
• One of their addons is a gold plated device and something – diamond studded thing that costs a whopping $22,500. This is simply outrageous! Ever heard of a new assembling company thinking along the lines of a Vertu?
• ZZZPHONE, the name?? what were they thinking. I can get better names than those!
• A comment at the above mentioned mobility site’s page claims it to be legit as he’s the reseller and also reports as early as march 08, that their coming out with Android. Sadly, his website – www.customiseaphone.com has only a logo. duhh!

AndroidGuys had an article with an interview with an executive of Unified Telecommunications ( US zzzphone reseller ). They were asked to order a phone if they wanted to see it. Even if you consider the fact that you need to order to get it because of its “custom” nature, its foolish from a consumer point of view to place an order without ANY EVIDENCE of its existance.

You dont even see an aggressive marketing campaign with pictures, videos, more specifics .. none… considering your gonna roll it out on November 30th.

Hence, I consider this a scam, until proven otherwise. I hope im proved wrong cum this november. Cuz the very idea is revolutionary in theory but may be a little impractical in mobile space.
Anyone with any info drop in a msg.

We’re heading into a world where PCs will be reduced to portable Mobile devices (about which I’ll have an article soon) and this calls for a change.

Enter into Parallel Kingdom! This new game is exploiting into a virtually empty space in mobile game industry where your move abouts in the real world actually have something to do with the game.

Their  blog writes

Parallel Kingdom uses location-based features to place the virtual world over the real world, where you can kill creatures, collect gold, and destroy your friends.

Im still not exactly sure what we are supposed to do in this game! I’ll have to experience it. From the looks of it, Parallel Kingdom is based completely on the location based services of your iPhone, iPod, Android - GPS but appears to have ignored their graphic capabilities. I mean com’on! We could have a much better game design other than just laying out maps slapped with icons. Nonetheless, Parallel Kingdom is still in beta stage and deserves to be recognized for its promising concept. It can spark a whole new range of games in this “location based” category.

And its game-network combines iPhone, iPod, Android. In other words, if you see a lot of players in your area rest assured, they’re all Apple eaters or Googlers!

Release date : 31st October 2008.

[ via Mixx ]

ps: for some reason, im reminded of an episode of CSI:NY!  and now its scaring me

1. Mobile Platforms are becoming opensource and free. An already established market leader Symbian is now symbian foundation following Google’s lead. Meanwhile Microsoft is sleeping.
2. A single Android Version can support a wide range of mobile hardware. Much like how windows behaves with PC components. 
3. Hardware Assembly in mobiles perspective is quite complicated. You need to have a company that actually produces an FCC Compliant device. Im assuming, since most of manufacturing these days has been China, assemblers will go down to their manufacturing units and cut a deal.
4. All one has to do is DESIGN a unique device thats got Modules like Bluetooth, GSM, wifi, output (screen) and input (touch, keypad, etc)

In theory, this is Possible! Very likely we might see a number of companies mushrooming all over in the future that “Assemble” Mobile Devices much like what PC companies did back in the day.

According to Their website www.zzzphone.com, they’ll start shipping as early as November 30 2008. 

All viewers, proceed with caution. Gearlog feels this is legit! Before you all the way for preorders, it’ll be a good idea to read reviews and what kind of “Support” this company would offer, which is still unclear.

A low end version costs around $150. 

Nevertheless, i’d say this is a welcome move. Mobile prices will go down around the world. Big hardware companies will feel the heat if they ignore this new industry trend.

heres the TV commercial

TmoNews has yet again succeeded in getting something we love. The Glorious Unboxing shots of the upcoming T-Mobile G1, scheduled to hit the shelves on 22nd October.

The unboxing pics are pretty much self explainable. The thing I was interested in was the headphones. The ear buds are pretty much like what I anticipated from all other HTC phones, they suck!! not comfortable at all. 

[ Read and Watch more here ]

We can kinda agree with that to an extent. Android didnt kinda pull anything from a win mobile junkie. Its first target will be the wide casual consumers which Nokia-Symbian dominate overwhelmingly. 

HTC is the winner here.. with both Windows mobile and Android under its belly. But is it realistically sustainable? We’ll find out only after G1 hits the shelves.

[ via DigiTimes ]

“The phone is extremely important,” said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi. “We have been waiting for the market leader to respond to Apple’s iPhone for a year and a half now. There is a lot of pressure on Nokia.” 

This news is kinda important to us as Android geeks cuz of its capabilities and symbian’s leading market share. Lets wait and watch how this goes…

Demand for a touch screen phone has indeed surged. But its not just a touch screen, its the associated features – _ Multi Touch! Any device that wants to take on iPhone has to challenge it both in terms of Operating experience as well as Hardware capabilities.

[ via Reuters ]

Its safe to assume that we have a pretty good idea of what G1 is all about. Its all great selling points, targets, T-Mobile data plans etc.. 

In this artical lets highlight some issues or potential troubling factors about this HTC manufactured Device. In other words, lets have some criticism! There can never be a perfect device and there better not be one!

We’ll list out the cons spread from superficial to deep. 

Device I guess its Okay, that wer getting this HTC phone that we saw many many months ago when android was a neonate and the device was a prototype. And after its launch, little has changed in the device or nothing has changed in the device. I wonder what HTC did other than having it out in 3 colors: black, white and dark brown.  Still I CAN LIVE WITH THIS

SCREEN: is no multitouch screen. Its been what? maybe two years since Apple iPhone’s out with its multitouch screen? And a year later, that tech is incorporated into its MacBook line ups (MBP and MBA). One would have certainly expected some similar technology. Still I CAN LIVE WITH THIS 

Aesthetics: Yea, we’ve been over this again and agan that HTC could’ve made a better looking device bla bla etc.. etc.. iPhone takes a bigger lead here. Phandroid.com says that device is actually alot nicer hands-on. But its a very lazy attempt at what could have been a powerful selling point being the _F_I_R_S_T_ ever Android Device. To a broader audience, organics are counted. STILL I CAN LIVE WITH THIS

HTC Propriety Jack. Lets face the truth here, HTC’s proprieties have been a mess, faced strong criticism from across the board. Uncountable complains. They call it HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one) [ source ]. My last worst experience with these proprieties was in HTC StrTrek which had all-in-one socket after 5months of use got loose and detached. BUT the name HTC ExtUSB seems new, maybe they’ve got something more stable here.. ( I dont know yet ) I CANNOT LIVE WITH THIS

3.5mm AudioJack. Absence of which would be a problem for music lovers. However, there will be converters. Their function eventually goes back to patency of HTC Propriety Jack. STILL I CAN LIVE WITH THIS 

ANDROID  software problems I CAN LIVE WITH only because PlayStation 2 did what it did not because of Sony but because of third-party developers. Similar terms i stated earlier, android’s basic principles are what developers dream of.

• No Video Player except YouTube. Is this simply to promote youtube? I dont know what you call a smartphone that lacks a First-party video playback app in 2008. Ofcourse developers are there to save us. But I rather have them not fill in the blanks, but create their own better space.
• Locked to T-Mobile. It will be locked for 90 days after which customers will receive their unlocking code. This is clever on T-Mobile’s part. They realised that with an operating system like android, they dont wana provoke  developers. They’ll probably unlock it in weeks of its launch.
• Sync Appz: None from the production house. But some are developing it. One of the problems ppl are gonna face is tethering it to your laptop to use internet. People in subways might need emergencies, like work on their ssh apps etc.. They’ll miss being able to use their mobiles as modems. ( DEPENDS ON YOUR JOB. Its a Problem You can/cannot live with!