ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM

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The only way to purchase a Nexus One is to visit google.com/phone and get it either on AT&T unsubsidized, or on T-Mobile with or without a subsidy. If you visited the site as recently as last week you also would have seen a placeholder for Verizon Wireless which stated the device was coming soon. This morning, though, James Kendrick found a new note : It doesn’t explicitly say that the Nexus One won’t hit Verizon, but that seems like a strong implication. Why move people towards a different handset if you still plan to offer one?

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One thing I’ve noticed since getting my Nexus One is that the 3G coverage inexplicably cuts out from time to time. It doesn’t happen often, and it seems to come back in due time. It also doesn’t heavily impact my usage unless I’m watching a streaming video — with audio I’ve experienced no issues. Google tried to solve the problem a few months ago with a software update, but, considering I got mine just a few weeks ago, it’s pretty clear that it didn’t work. The issue, it appears, relates more to the hardware than the software. Engadget points us to a Google support forums thread in which a Google employee addresses the issue. Nexus One owners might not like the implication. Hey guys, I’ve seen some recent speculation on this thread about an OTA to improve 3G connectivity and I want to give you an update on the situation.  While we are continuing to monitor user feedback regarding the 3G performance on the Nexus One, we are no longer investigating further engineering improvements at this time.   If you are still experiencing 3G issues, we recommend that you try changing your location or even the orientation of your phone, as this may help in areas with weaker coverage. Engadget takes it as a “pretty conclusive sign” that this issue relates to the Nexus One’s hardware rather than some software quirk. Another forum user notes that it could be an HTC thing. In its review of the Droid Incredible, Boy Genius Report notes a similar problem : Unfortunately, there is one area of the device’s phone performance that is a little troubling, though probably not the end of the world. We noticed the Incredible gets a slightly lower signal than the Motorola DROID and other Verizon Wireless phones. The Incredible seems to be a bit finicky bouncing around from 2 bars to say 4 bars randomly while other devices are steadily on 4 or 5 bars consistently. We are not sure if the signal is just not being represented properly due to a software issue or the phone is actually receiving a lower signal due to other reasons. It appears, then, that Nexus One users are stuck with this problem. Could an update to Android 2.2 solve the issue? It’s possible, I suppose, but I’m not at all optimistic at this point. Still, I prefer the HTC Android devices to Motorola despite the hardware issue. It might be a bit obnoxious at times, but as Ry Guy notes, there are little tweaks that can improve signal. For instance, I moved to a treadmill at the gym closer to the window. That has made all the difference. I haven’t had video cut out since. Nexus One reception issues hardware-based? Post from: Google And Blog

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When I first heard about a Garmin phone running Android, I thought it would fuse two great features into an excellent device. Now that we’ve gotten a look at the Garminphone, I’m a bit less impressed. A couple of years ago — even early last year, really — I think this would have made a bigger impact. As it stands, though, it seems like an already outdated model. Unsurprisingly, it resembles the Garmin nuvifone, an AT&T exclusive (apparently), which also seemed a bit behind its time. That’s not to say that the Garminphone is a poor model. For what it is — a Garmin-quality GPS receiver that has smartphone capabilities — it actually does reasonably well. The camera clocks a bit low at 3MP, but the 3.5-inch HVGA display looks pretty good (in theory, of course). Still, unless you particularly like the Garmin navigation system, I’m not sure this provides any real value over other Android handsets. Unless it comes in significantly lower than the Nexus One, I think that, with Google Maps, will handle your navigation needs just fine. There is one neat feature to this, though. It includes Garmin Voice Studio, an application that allows you to record a voice — your own or someone you know — and use that to speak directions to you. I prefer the Homer Simpson voice myself, but if you’d rather have the comforting voice of your significant other reading your directions, you have that option. You can read more about Garmin Voice Studio here. Unfortunately, it appears to rock Android 1.6. This is particularly discouraging not only because there are newer builds available, but also because Android 2.2 could be coming soon . The device should launch, complete with window mount, later this spring, though there’s no set date or price on it. Bold prediction: this is Garmin’s last foray into the smartphone arena. Garminphone doesn’t look that impressive Post from: Google And Blog

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While the performance of Adobe’s suite of applications is remarkable in itself, what makes the company stand out more is the way its made itself an integral part of computer usage. Flash dominates the web. The next frontier, without a doubt, is mobile. While Flash hasn’t made a huge foray into mobile phones yet, we’ve heard strong rumblings over the past year or so that it wouldn’t be far off. Lately those rumors have taken off. Take, for instance, this interview on FOX Business with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen (courtesy of Android Guys ): Watch the latest business video at video.foxbusiness.com In case you don’t want to watch all seven minutes of the video, Narayen says that Google, as well as RIM and Palm, will make Flash available for smartphones and tablets in the second half of 2010. We’ve heard this before, of course. Flash was supposed to hit mobile phones last fall, but that came and passed without any further developments. How do we know Adobe is serious this time around? For starters, they’ve already

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While it causes greater battery drain than perhaps any other feature, I still love using Wi-Fi on my Nexus One. Maybe it’s because before this I used Verizon (still do, really), which only welcomed Wi-Fi last year. Still, whenever I get a chance to use it with my Nexus One I do — that is, as long as I have enough battery and know I’ll have a chance to recharge in the near future. Today we learned of an excellent development for Android users who prefer Wi-Fi when it’s available. Cablevision, Comcast, and Time Warner, three of the largest cable providers in the New York Metro area, have announced a Wi-Fi partnership . Each of the companies hosts its own Wi-Fi networks at various locations, including train stations. The problem of course, is that each offered Wi-Fi to only its own subscribers, so while you might have access to Cablevision Wi-Fi, if Comcast was the only available network you were a bit out of luck. With the combined agreement users get access to the internet regardless of the provider. All you need is an account with one of the three and you can access these hotspots, which exist in hundreds of locations in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Again, you’ll probably want to make sure there’s a power outlet nearby so you can charge up after Wi-Fi usage. If you have that, well, then have at it. You’ll be watching high-res steaming video like you can’t really experience on a 3G connection. That, I think, is worth the battery life trade-off. Cablevision, Time Warner, Comcast Wi-Fi agreements a boon for metro-area Android users Post from: Google And Blog

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Earlier this week we learned that Mark DeLoura had been named Developer Advocate for games at Google. This signals that gaming will become a future development strategy for Android, among other Google projects. I haven’t gotten around to much gaming on my Nexus One, though I can see why people would be drawn to mobile gaming on some Android devices. The screen size can make it feel like a portable gaming system in the mold of the Nintendo DS. That is one cool looking controller. It comes from Game Gripper, and it is designed for the Motorola Droid. Yes, the Droid already has a d-pad, but it’s on the wrong side of the device. Gamers are used to having the pad on the left and the action buttons on the right, so this new style attachment should go over well. As Engadget notes , it appears the pad simply hits the buttons that already exist on the Droid’s slide-out keyboard, so it doesn’t appear to be a realistic option for any of the touch-only devices. Perhaps Game Gripper or another company will work on such a peripheral in the future. If Google does plan to put a greater emphasis on gaming, these attachments make perfect sense. For gamers who have a Droid, you can get Game Gripper for $14.99 plus $5 shipping and handling. It’s currently listed as pre-order, though, so you’ll have to exercise patience. In the meantime, you can watch this video of the device in action. Game Gripper a perfect supplement for gamers Post from: Google And Blog

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Earlier this week, when we caught a glimpse of the myTouch Slide, Android Guys noticed a peculiar button. As you can see in the picture above, it’s a cursive lower-case g. It’s easy to mistake for a Google button, but rather it’s called the Genius Button. It replaces the search button from other HTC models, though it performs a similar function. As Android and Me points out, it appears to activate voice input. Google has implemented voice commands in a number of its mobile applications, so it makes sense that they’d include a dedicated button on Android devices. This is where my experience with BlackBerry comes in handy. Old BlackBerry devices used to come with one side key, dubbed the convenience key, while newer models feature two, one on each side. By default the right-side convenience key activates voice commands, so it acts in a similar capacity to the Genius Button. No one I know, however, chooses to keep the convenience key set to voice commands. It’s just not practical in most situations. Instead, there is an option to change the convenience key to activate any function on the device. This would be useful on Android. The ability to set the Genius Button to a custom function would enable users a bit more control over the device. On the BlackBerry there are many applications that create shortcuts. Using the convenience key to activate this type of application is useful because it means fewer keystrokes in general. I use one of my convenience keys to activate a screenshot application. That would also be useful on Android. The idea of a dedicated button on the device is a great idea, though it’s not such a great idea to keep it locked to one function. Some people simply do not prefer voice input. It would be helpful, then, if those people can customize the Genius Button to perform a common function. I don’t see the harm in that. The usefulness of the genius button Post from: Google And Blog

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Where has Google And Blog gone? And who are you? Appropriate questions for sure. Over time we’ll get to better answer them, but for now we’ll take what we can get. I’m Joe, and I’ll be taking over editorial duties at GAB. By way of introduction, I cover BlackBerry ish over at BBGeeks . That’s all fun and good, but with Android the fastest-growing smartphone platform, well, I just couldn’t help myself. This post has taken roughly 30 percent longer than usual to write because I’ve alternately been typing and playing with my new Nexus One. As for the fate of GAB, fret not. We will maintain the mission of GAB and continue delivering content that will help you get the most out of your Android device. We’ll also put some of the latest Android developments into perspective. So, hopefully, you won’t notice much of a change. If you do, pray it be for the better. I promise not to get all RIMmy here. In the near future, look for some more substantial content and a redesign. Yeah, some of us in the office like building things, so every once in a while we let them run wild. Other than that, not much figures to change. Now let’s get down to the fun stuff. See you Monday. Under New Management Post from: Google And Blog

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