TOOGAB - Daily Google Android News, Reviews and More

In the last post about Google’s ‘Cupcake’ firmware upgrade we saw that there would be a on-screen keyboard added.  Well there is now video evidence of the keyboard being used.  From the looks of the video the keyboard features the click and drag function like the iPhone, for when you touch the wrong number.  The only problem is that it looks to be pretty slow when changing letters.  The black interface goes well with the black G1, but I don’t think it will look all that good on the brown and white versions of the G1.  I guess we’ll have to see what comes of this, and hopefully more details will come about in the future!

This week many companies confirmed that they were working on new phones that support the Google Android operating system.  The two that stand out the most and have fully confirmed the devices are HTC and Sony Ericsson.  Garfield Brusewitz, spokesperson for Sony Ericsson, stated that they will be looking into producing more high-end Android phones to start but will focus on creating more mid-range phones after the release of the higher ones.  He is also quoted for giving us a ballpark figure of the phones being available in Summer 2009, which isn’t as far as it seems.  Not to be outdone HTC also leaked that they were working on more headsets for a Summer 2009 release.

Sony Ericsson has given us good phones like the Xperia, but some might think about the W350a they just released that, let’s just say, is not a very good idea. Hopefully HTC will take battery life into consideration when creating these new phones, but I know that I am super stoked to see these new phones and hope to get a review unit or two! 

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Opera Browser in the Android Platform

Opera has been working on a mobile release of their popular web browsing software for the Android platform. They released a Beta in April to show how great the software looked on the G-1, but it was not ready for full roll-out.

Today the application was released in the Android Marketplace and available for download on your G-1.

The mobile client features some of the great features available on the full desktop browser, like a speed dial for your most viewed pages and also the ability to change skins for ultimate customization. Anyone out there tried it out yet? We’d love to hear hwo it works and how it looks. Shoot us a comment to share with the rest of the community here.

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All the audiophiles rejoiced today as we find out that the T-Mobile G-1 is now shipping with a 3.5mm headphone adapter.  The first wave of shipments included a miniUSB headset with a microphone.  Those of you that were crossing their arms in the corner and pouting, saying ‘I’m not buying that until I can have 3.5mm,’ can now go buy a G-1!  Now you just have to worry about the battery life. Short post, I know, but there isn’t much to say about a headphone jack.

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Gizmodo has found evidence that there may be hidden multi-touch on the HTC G-1. Readers have re-activated some code that was commented out in the software that allows for multi-touch. This find could allow for developers to take advantage of multi-touch in their applications. But don’t get too excited, you can’t just flick a switch and enable the use of multi-touch. Even though this is a cool feature, it was obviously hidden for a reason, so if you find the way to enable it, do it at your own risk!

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Dream G2

Why so soon, you ask? Well it’s not exactly what you think. This is the Dream G2 that is set to release in November by Sciphone in China. This is no beauty like the G-1 but it does come with the Android platform. The company states that the phone will have EDGE, Wi-Fi, QVGA display, FM radio, etc. and was slated for a November 28th release date.  But there is one thing no one can find, the keyboard.  There is no mention of a physical keyboard, so maybe my dreams of controlling my phone with my mind is finally coming true! I guess we will have to wait for the launch to see if there actually is a keyboard, or maybe there is talk to text. Okay I give up, I guess I have to wait like everyone else. Although I’m not too excited with the Dream G2, design looks horrible.

The HTC G-1 is not available for Aussies seeking the use of Android, so one phone maker has decided to create a device themselves. Kogan Technologies is reporting that they will make their own Android clad phone that includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, trackball, Qwerty keyboard and all the other features found on the T-Mobile G-1.  They are slated to release the phone at the price of $199.  Many of the Android users down under are G-1’s that they got for loads of money and unlocked through little stands like those in China.

I hope they take battery life into consideration.  They need to make sure their battery life outlasts the G-1, then they will have people paying super high prices to get their device.  They haven’t set a release date, but let’s assume they’ll have it ready by late next year.

Well this is where research comes in.  I just did a browse for a picture of Kogan Technology and found their site.  They have said that an Android device will be ready by Christmas! That’s a pretty hefty statement by Kogan.  Less than two months and they don’t even have a name or specs.

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Chart showing the progress of the Marketplace

The Android Application Marketplace has been opened a couple weeks and the downloads have blasted off.  Analysts have show that there have been significant downloads of the included apps.  The most downloaded apps are Pac-Man and The Weather Channel applications.  Applications have tripled since the release of the Marketplace, and developers keep adding to the pool.  Total download is speculated to be as high as 2.9 million applications.  All apps have seen nearly an 80% increase in downloads fro G-1 users across the United States.  Once we can add the United Kingdom to the list the downloads will increase even higher.