GooglePhone posts

Filed under: OS Updates, Google, Android

US Android users can finally have their Cupcake and eat it too

by Grant Robertson May 26th 2009

If you've been waiting for all the goodies in the Android 1.5 release (titled Cupcake), wait no longer. According to the T-Mobile forums, the rollout officially began a few days ago.

If you aren't the patient kind, AndroidGuys shows you how you can take a few minutes and do the upgrade yourself without waiting for T-Mobile to initiate it for you.

The most highly anticipated feature in Android 1.5 is the on-screen keyboard. I've been using a hacked pre-release 1.5 version for a few weeks and I can say that on-screen typing is definitely as useful as I always thought it would be.

Other niceties in 1.5 include video recording (bringing G1 users up to spec with iPhone and Curve counterparts) some updates to the camera (blurry photos no more!) and a few simple visual enhancements which make you wonder why they weren't there all along.

Viva la Googlephone!

(Thanks David!)

Tags: Android, cupcake, googlephone, t-mobile

Filed under: Business, Internet, Web services, Google, Search

Google phone in the final stages

by Chris Gilmer Sep 19th 2007

Rumors has it that the Google branded gPhone is on its way. Now when exactly is a different story.

Our brothers at Engadget report that sources at the DigiTimes have said that Google will definitely be launching a handset. The mobile OS is rumored to be Linux-based. The only issue is that hardware specs, production facility, and operating partners are still getting worked out.

As for the handset design, Google is supposedly leaning towards a 3G device instead of a full EDGE compatible cellphone, this all leading to a first quarter 2008 release.

We suppose we will wait for the initial gPhone announcement before deciding on whether to drop some coin on Google's device or the iPhone.

Tags: 3g, cell-phone, device, edge, google, google phone, GooglePhone, gphone, handheld, htc

Filed under: Business, Google, Search

Could the Google Phone really come to market in two weeks?

by Chris Gilmer Aug 24th 2007

Or is it all just a bunch of gossip that we have been hearing about for the past year? There have been endless amounts of rumors about the GPhone, but will it soon see the light of day in two weeks?

There has been so much said about the GPhone that it's hard to listen to yet another story on the topic. Is Google merely building some specialized software for mobile devices, or are they getting into full fledged handsets? An India publication has cited a few sources in the Google phone, and has said that it could be only two weeks away. Talks are believed to be underway in India with two of their largest networks, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Essar, with US regulatory approval going through soon.

Google has not commented on the GPhone rumors, and their plans to enter the market. All the pieces sure fit together, and it was even reported that a late 2007 launch could be in place. From the mobile Gmail and Maps applications, to YouTube on cellphones, and the iPhone email and mapping solutions.

[via searchengineland]

Tags: apple, google, google phone, GooglePhone, GPhone, iphone, phone, search

Filed under: Hardware, Google

Google Phone confirmed!

by Chris Gilmer Mar 15th 2007

The much anticipated and highly rumored Google mobile phone has been confirmed. Google's Chief Executive in Spain and Portugal has let slip that an "iPhone competitor" is in the works. The Google Exec downplayed the Google phone project, saying that its one of 18 current R&D projects in the works.

The "gPhone" may not be what you expected however, word has it the embryonic device might not be an iPhone killer after all. Google may be targeting developing countries with this device, so in order to cut costs GPS, touch screens, etc. might be out. Think "One Laptop per child" in mobile phone form.

[via Endadget]

Tags: apple, device, google, google phone, GooglePhone, handheld, iphone

Featured Time Waster

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

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