Google Would Like Their Music Service Up and Running by the End of the Year, but yet to Sign any Record Label Deals
Google Music — or a version of what Google plans for Music to be — was shown off way back at I/O along with the debut of Android 2.2. It has since then been assumed that the launch of Music would most likely coincide with the launch of Android 3.0 (Gingerbread). From what has been revealed so far, the service will offer cloud-based functionality such as streaming from a desktop system to your Android handset as well as the ability to push song and album downloads directly to your phone. But when, exactly, does Google plan to unleash their counterattack on Apple’s iTunes?
The word is Andy Rubin has been hard at work in an attempt to get the service up and running by the holiday season, which does go hand-in-hand with the rumored release timeframe for Gingerbread. The problem is, so far Rubin and Google have failed to get any record labels to sign on to their music store. It isn’t that they don’t want to. One exec speaking on conditions of anonymity said, “finally here’s an entity with the reach, resources and wherewithal to take on iTunes as a formidable competitor by tying it into search and Android mobile platform. What you’ll have is a very powerful player in the market that’s good for the music business.”
See, music execs would love to have someone come along and take the power out of iTunes’ hands, or at least alleviate some of the hold Apple has on the digital music distribution industry. But for the same reason negotiations with Google may take a while. Record labels are very protective of their intellectual property, if you hadn’t noticed, and are pretty hung up on big profits at the same time. We expect most if not all major distributors to hop on board, though whether or not negotiations will delay the debut of Google Music remains to be seen.
[via BGR]
Archos 101, 70, 43, 32, And 28 Family Hands-On [Video]
Archos has their whole group of Android devices at IFA-2010. We will start off first with the Archos 101 and 70. Both of these tablets are the bigger ones coming in a 10 and 7 inches. They both sport a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 3D OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics accelerator and WiFi b/g/n.
The capacitive touch screen on the 70 has a resolution of 800×480 and the 101 is 1024×600 and both incorporate multi-touch that appears to be buggy at times. The slates have HDMI ports on them to output 720p HD video on to your HDTV and support the video codecs as follow, AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF and 3GP. The 101 weighs in at 480 grams, and is just 12mm thick, and over all it feels very solid without any flexing of any kind. It also is sporting a kickstand on back to relieve your hands if you are watching a movie or wanting to give you an angle to type on. Games on the device looked stunning and were very responsive to the action.
Now let’s move on the the 70. It is defiantly more pocket friendly with the dimensions of, 201 x 114 x 10/14 mm (the 250GB hard-drive unit is thicker than the 8GB flash version). The touchscreen was more responsive on the 70 than it was on the 101, it lacks the two-stage kickstand and only props up for watching video. When it comes to the camera’s both devices have a front camera, but no camera on the rear. The Archos tablets, are running Eclair 2.1 and are said to be launching with Froyo 2.2.
The 43, 32, and the 28, are the smaller of the bunch ranging from 4.3 inches (FWVGA), 3.2 (WQVGA) and the 2.8 (QVGA). All three of these guys are small hand sized devices that are half PMP and half MID starting out at $99, then $149 and ending at $199. These will support all the same video codecs, as their larger brothers and will also launch with Froyo pre-installed. The Archos 28 and 32, both are running an 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and the 43 gets a 1GHz version; all have WiFi b/g/n plus USB Host and Bluetooth 2.1. None have Android Market access, instead using Archos’ own AppsLib download store.
Archos’s 32 has 8GB of storage and comes equipped with a 720p capable camera, and with it’s low-res screen the browsing and typing are not the best experience to say the least. 43 is the best of the lower end devices despite it’s restive touch screen, rather than a capacitive. It has a really good sized display coming it at 4.3 inches, with plenty of features including, 720p video recording and playback (with a camera on the back), an HDMI output, up to 16GB of storage (with a microSD slot) and the same processor as in the bigger Archos 70 and 101. It will have Flash 10.1 support on board and we think with paired together, out of all 5 devices surely you can find one to suit your needs at a price point you can live with.
[via SlashGear]
)
IFA Hands-On Round Up With Toshiba and Huawei Tablets Plus More
While Phandroid wasn’t able to make an appearance at IFA and personally shmooze with device manufacturer’s as we fondled their goods, plenty of pals from around the Android community made their way to Berlin for the event and did a bang-up job of covering the many releases. Tablets seemed to be the hot topic at the event, specifically those running Android. Two slabs announced were the Toshiba Folio 100 and the Huawei Ideos S7, both of which seem to be getting shaky verdicts on the overall presentation of Android.
First up, the device with arguably less potential is the Huawei S7. SlashGear was on hand to take a spin with the thing, and took away an impression that the device may have been a stand-out tablet had it been released earlier in the year, but in the face of future tablets it probably doesn’t stack up.
And one of the tablets that will create a bit of a harder time for the S7 would be the Toshiba Folio 100, which boasts the sort of specs that could make you drool, though initial feedback has seen a version of Android not quite optimized or the 10.1-inch widescreen display. There is hope that may change as release draws near however. The tablet runs on the bigger side and lacks the portability of something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. You can check out Android Central’s full preview for more info on that.
And finally we will bring it back to Huawei for impressions of their entry-level Ideos handset also announced yesterday. This one provides a cheap and dirty pathway to Android 2.2 with surprsingly decent internals including a 2.8-inch QVGA display. 3.2MP camera, and the ability to act as a mobile hotspot. It should go for right around $150 off contract when it launches to numerous markets around the globe.
Bonus: Hands-on action with the recently announced line of ARCHOS Android tablets.
Android Central Podcast Episode 28
Top o' the news - AC at IFA 2010
- Samsung announces the Galaxy Tab 7-inch Android tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Hands On! [Video]
- Samsung Galaxy Tab specs versus the Apple iPad
- Samsung Galaxy Tab photo gallery
- Galaxy Tab Apps and Games [Video]
- Hands-on with the Galaxy Tab keyboard and dock
- Samsung Tablets: Gingerbread, Honeycomb, a 'full portfolio' in 2011
- Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab is a go
- Toshiba announces Folio 100 tablet -- 10.1 inches of Android 2.2
- Archos announces five new tablets
Android OS updates
- How to manually update your Droid Incredible to Froyo
- Nexus One gets a new software leak, Froyo version FRG33
- Motorola warns of leaked Droid X Froyo; we show you how to roll back
- Xperia X10's Android 2.1 update unchanged, still on track for September
- New Google Voice with widget support surfaces
- Sapphire custom ROM running on Droid X
- CyanogenMod 6 now stable, download for your favorite phone today
- Securing your applications the right way -- the Google how-to
Hardware news
- Sprint Epic 4G review: The Samsung Galaxy S grows a keyboard
- Verizon Fascinate benchmarks, pics
- So when's the Verizon Fascinate launching?
- AT&T's Xperia X10 hardware hands-on
- Evo sized HTC Android device making its way to Verizon
- T-Mobile G2 renders break cover; that's one sexy keyboard
- T-Mobile's G2 shows off again -- with Android 2.2, 800MHz processor
- T-Mobile's G2 pricing revealed, priced like you'd think a smartphone should be
- Motorola clears up Droid X battery tab confusion with design change
- Motorola announces the Milestone 2
- Best Buy guide shows off Samsung Gem
- More details, plus a new color, on the AT&T Motorola Flipout
- Better pictures of the Motorola XT300 slider emerge [video]
- Motorola Defy to hit Europe with water, damage resistance
Software news
- Vlingo adds Foursquare support, takes 'shout outs' to the next level
- Skype Mobile update does not allow use of Wifi after all [updated]
- Angry Birds beta flying to Android Market this Friday
- Microsoft's Bing Android App now available -- if you're on Verizon
- Yahoo brings fantasy football to Android
- Samsung to unveil Media Hub Sept. 16
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
ViewSonic ViewPad 100 For You Android Dual-Boot Lovers
ViewSonic is working on a tablet that isn’t ready for primetime that dual-boots the Android OS, along with Windows 7. This is a 10 inch device (1024×600) that has 2 point finger multi-touch, and is running an Atom N455 processor paired with 1GB of DDR3 memory. This is basically a netbook replacement that has lost its hardware keyboard.
The prototype is only running Android 1.6, along with Windows 7 because currently 1.6 is the most recent version of Android that supports Intel’s ATOM CPUs. ViewSonic did say they have plans to update the version as soon as compatibility is available. Some specs for the tablet include, Wi-Fi, 16GB SSD, memory card slot, USB ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. ViewSonic says that they expect the tablet to be available in Europe in October 2010, priced at under £500 ($769).
[via SlashGear]
)
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pricing And Full Spec List
Samsung has been hush-hush on pricing since the Galaxy Tab was announced this morning. Probably, because they are working with carriers to get it at subsidized pricing. This has not kept some stores online from putting it up for pre-order though. The pricing looks like it will be ranging from €699 ($890) to €799 ($1,020) in Europe.
In the UK, the retailer Expansys is taking pre-orders at £680 ($1,050). They are saying that the tablet will be available around the 11th of October, and we are thinking that pricing seems a little rich for our blood. It is a little more money than the iPad but, we are really thinking that Samsung is focusing on working with the carriers to get it at a cheaper rate. Anyways, we are still glad to see that it is being sold as a stand alone device and not just as a subsidized device. No mention on the US info yet but in due time we will know. If you would like to see the specifications they are listing about the tablet, hit up the gallery below.
[via Android And Me]
)
Android Atlas Weekly 14: Which Android Tablet will be the iPad killer?
This week we get Android math lesson from Google, Apple and Microsoft, check out four tablets vying to be the iPad killer and get giddy for Angry Birds on Android. Join Justin Eckhouse and guest host Jasmine France for this week's Android Atlas Weekly.
Listen now:
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
data="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/av/n/emff.swf?src=http://chkpt.zdnet.com/chkpt/1pcast.android/http://podcast-files.cnet.com/podcast/cnet_android_090210.mp3"
width="150" height="40">
Download today's podcast
Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (640x360) | RSS (MP3) | RSS (320x180) | RSS (640x360)
EPISODE 14
News Stories
Google responds to Steve Jobs' comments on activation numbers
http://www.androidcentral.com/google-responds-steve-jobs-comments-activation-numbers
Microsoft claims that Google's Android is not free
http://www.businessinsider.com/android-costs
First official look at T-Mobile's G2
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015229-251.html
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015422-251.html
Samsung Epic 4G now available from Sprint
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015161-251.html
Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet goes official
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015395-1.html
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-hands-video
Samsung Galaxy Tab specs versus the Apple iPad
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-vs-apple-ipad
Toshiba Folio 100 goes official, lands in Q4
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/toshiba-folio-100-goes-official-lands-in-q4/
Archos reveals five new Android tablets for fall
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015224-1.html
ViewSonic outs Android ViewPad 7
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20014969-1.html
Angry Birds beta flying to Android Market this Friday
http://www.androidcentral.com/angry-birds-beta-flying-android-market-friday
App of the week
Check your pulse with Instant Heart Rate
http://androidandme.com/2010/08/applications/check-your-pulse-with-instant-heart-rate/
Notable App releases
Microsoft launches Bing search app for Android
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015066-251.html
Firefox Mobile comes to Android in 'Fennec'
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20014919-251.html
PapayaMobile launches Android App of the Day
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20015091-251.html
Tip of the week
Its not so much a tip as something i just thought was cool. On the droid, 2.2 has added two new ways to navigate between screens in addition to swiping. The fist is by simply tapping the lower left or right corner of the screen. The second and i think cooler way is to 'long press' on the grid at the bottom of the screen, this will open up a row of icons representing each of your home screen (app icons and all), to navigate to a given home screen just tap it's icon. This is more useful when navigating between two screens that aren't adjacent.
mike
E-mail
(androidatlas@cnet.com)
"Hey guys,
I haven't heard you mention the App Inventor for a few episodes, and I thought that I'd let you know that I got the e-mail a week or so ago informing me that I could now access the App Inventor. I am a software developer, but I wanted to see this building block thing and play around with it a bit. It is a neat concept and depending on what you want to do, the blocks system seems to be fairly robust. I haven't had time to mess with it a lot, but if there's anything you want me to check or see if it grants access to certain capabilities, just let me know and I'll get you some screenshots / info. Thanks for the great show!
~ Robert Woodward
--------
"Great show Jason and the rest of the android atlas gang. But i was wondering if you could help me out. I want to be able to watch your video podcast like i did in my ipod touch. I loved how i could download the podcast straight to the device and when i was watching it and needed to pause it, it would save the place i was at the next time i accessed it. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Hector
Specs: Folio 100 vs Galaxy Tab vs iPad
Tablets are slated to be a hot ticket item this holiday season, with Apple’s iPad and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab set to be the heavyweights for iOS and Android, respectively. There are a seemingly infinite number of Android tablets hitting the market in late 2010/ early 2011, including the recently announced Toshiba Folio 100.
We decided to give you a rundown of the specs for the iPad, Galaxy Tab, and Folio, to show you how they stand up against one another side by each. It should be noted that the full Toshiba Folio specs have not been released yet, hence the “?” in several of the fields.
Specs: Folio 100 vs Galaxy Tab vs iPad
Adobe Says Not All Froyo Equipped Devices Will Run Flash
Although you suspect, that all 2.2 devices will be able to run Flash 10.1, Adobe says that is not always the case. Devices will be required to have minimum specs to be able to run the plug-in. Adobe’s website clearly shows that devices that have a VGA screen, need to at least be running a 550Mhz processor with hardware vector FPU support.
On top of that, displays that have WVGA need to have a dedicated Cortex A8 800MHz processor, also with the hardware vector FPU support. These listed devices should have support for Flash 10.1 currently, Google Nexus One, HTC EVO 4G, HTC Desire, and Motorola Droid, Droid 2 and Droid X. Even though most of the top end phones will have the option to have Flash run on them, there are still plenty of phones coming out later this year that will not meet the minimum specifications, Adobe has mentioned. We like to think it is probably better off anyways because Flash on a lower end device would not be the best user experience.
[via PhoneScoop]
)
Best Buy guide shows off Samsung Gem
We first http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-gem-shows-its-face-verizon-brandingwww.androidcentral.com/samsung-gem-shows-its-face-verizon-branding, and it has now shown up in the Best Buy buyer's guide.
The Gem is going to be another offering from Samsung on Verizon, but aimed at the low-end spectrum. Most likely the crowd that is transitioning from feature phones to smart-phones but doesn't want to spring for expensive devices just yet.
Here are the specs for the Gem:
- Android 2.1 (Eclair)
- TouchWiz 3.0
- Swype
- 3.2 MP camera
- 16 GB Micro-SD expansion
The Gem is being overshadowed by Samsung and Verizon's big release of the Fascinate on Sept. 9. They are aimed at different crowds though, and it just means that Android will continue to grow, which is a good thing. [Engadget]
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Most Popular Posts
![Nude Women Cause HTC Magic Removal From New Zealand? [NSFW]](http://www.androidjunkies.com/wp-content/plugins/featured-post-with-thumbnail/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.androidjunkies.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/37a49_android-girl-naked2-150x100.jpg&h=95&w=95&zc=1)
Recommended
Archives
- September 2010 (277)
- August 2010 (2237)
- July 2010 (2455)
- June 2010 (2542)
- May 2010 (1837)
- April 2010 (3601)
- March 2010 (2164)
- February 2010 (1439)
- January 2010 (1345)
- December 2009 (1301)
- November 2009 (1009)
- October 2009 (1057)
- September 2009 (846)
- August 2009 (513)
- July 2009 (545)
- June 2009 (581)
Tags
Recent Comments
- Download: HTC IME Keyboard for Froyo | Android Unlocked on Froyo on Nexus One: Google “Striving Hard to OTA it ASAP”
- Rumor: Galaxy S hits Magenta on 7/21 | Android Unlocked on Samsung Galaxy S tipped for July 21st launch on T-Mobile
- How to update and install Android 2.2 ( Froyo) on your Smartphone | Android Unlocked on Install Android 2.2 Froyo on iPhone 3G
- Ultra simple root for Dell Streak | Android Unlocked on Root Your 4G for WiFi Hotspot Goodness
- Samsung Galaxy Tab comes in three sizes, ships this fall? | Android Unlocked on Galaxy Tab in Three Sizes, Ships in Fall
- Plugin work! Wait a links!