Google recently announced the launch of Android Instant Apps, a new technology which allows just the bare minumum of an App to be downloaded from links, bypassing the Play Store. This sounds cool enough on its own, but the implications of this reach far deeper than at first appears, and could end up changing the entire internet.
The Nexus S
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Today both Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and a new handset, the Nexus S, was announced by Google. The Nexus S is made by Samsung and follows the idea behind the "pure" Nexus One, released a year ago, in that it is the clean Android experience without any operator customisations. Samsung had a runaway success with their Galaxy S series and the Nexus S is an evolution of that line. Its packing quite a punch too - for starters, it supports NFC (Near Field Communication) , which by an amazing co-incidence so does this new version of Android. Expect to see lots of activity around this in many areas, such as contactless payments. Even though its been around a while there hasn't been any mainstream adoption yet - has the market been waiting for a big player to make such a move?
The Android Terminators are coming!
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Hackers have infiltrated Skynet and seen secret plans by Motorola to launch the Terminator series of Android handsets in early 2011. The first is codenamed T2, and will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread on hardware described as "astonishing" by todays puny human standards. These beasts have two brains - the chipset is based on the Nvidia dual-core Tegra 2. Actually, pretty much every detail regarding these handsets is unofficial since Motorola has clamped down on anyone involved with its development by forcing them to consent to silence with an NDA. There's clearly also the need to prevent cannibalisation, where users considering buying current handsets delay their purchase once they hear of a new, better model just round the corner.
Suli Sl-7 Android tablet
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Suli International Co have unvelied an Android tablet priced at $150 cheaper than its closest rivals. The Suli SL-7 is a 7" Capacitive-Glass design which supports multi-touch with better performance due to it utilising the Rockchip RK2818 (ARM9 600mhz + 550mhz new high performance DSP). If that's too much of a mouthful, click the read more link because there's a video which will make it clearer...
Toshiba announce AC100 Android MID
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Toshiba rebooted the netbook market in style today with the announcement of the Android AC100. Boasting an awesome 7 day battery life, this baby sits between laptop and smartphone form factors. Weighing in at a dainty 870g it sure pushes all the right portability buttons, and as we know by virtue of Android we get top notch connectivity and web browsing. One thing which may take existing Android users some getting used to is the screen - specifically, the non-touchiness of it. Instead we get the usual trackpad laptop users will be familar with to use as a mouse.
The ultimate personalised designer Android
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Customise your own bespoke Android smartphone? Apparently, that's just what Germany based startup company Synapse is offering users. Although its website has been permanently down since the news broke, we have established that you will be soon able to order a basic model and then select hardware extras to suit your individual requirements and pocket. So even though there is a vast selection of Android handsets currently hitting the market, this will no doubt appeal to the discerning buyer with the designer touch.
Android free turn-by-turn navigation hits the UK
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UK Android users found a nice present on their handsets today - the maps application now has the long-awaited turn-by-turn satnav extension and it's all free!. It runs on Android 1.6 or later, so this means Hero users will have to be a little more patient as they wait for their June OTA update. The service is extra special too as it trumps the more traditional offering with its streetview overlay. That's right - your route is shown physically over the streetview image, so you see a floating ghostly arrow pointing the way down the road.
Here comes the ASUS EEE Pad
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At the Mobile World Congress today Adobe is to demonstrate AIR running on the Motorola Droid. This is pretty significant news as it's based on Flash 10.1, and thousands of apps (think BBC iPlayer etc) have been waiting for just this. AIR is far more than flash, however. As a complete runtime environment it allows apps outside the browser with their own SQL database, UI and hardware support such as multi-touch, acellerometer sensors and GPS. Developer support is promised too, with SDK's from both handset ODM's and carriers expected. Web apps outside the browser promise to further strengthen the Android corporate penetration, as the environment can be controlled to a much higher degree than regular apps.
Acer announce 4 handsets at MWC2010
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An Android quartet from Acer greeted attendees of MWC2010 today - 2 new BeTouch models, the Ferrari and the Liquid E. The first BeTouch is the ultra slim E400 and unlike some of its competitors latest offerings is running Android 2.1, the very latest. It sports a Qualcomm 600Mhz 7227 CPU with a 3.2" HVGA screen, 3.2Mg camera with flash. A big plus, which more than a few other handset manufacturers who should know better could do with taking note of, is a genuine standard 3.5mm headphone jack so you can use your favourite earphones.
T-Mobile announce budget Android handset
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Mass market Android handsets took a tantalising step forwards today with the announcement from T-Mobile that the Pulse mini, a £99 PAYG handset, would be launched in April. This is the baby brother to the earlier Pulse, which itself was notable being the first PAYG Android handset to hit the market. The great news is this model runs Android 2.1, which leapfrogs a few big name launches at MWC2010 - for the time being at least. Being a budgset model does mean some compromises have to be made, including only having 300Mb onboard memory.
