Google

Google announces Android Developer winners

Sue Marek — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:02:29 -0400

Three months after whittling its Android Developers Challenge to 50 finalists, Google formally announced the winners of the event. Out of 1,788 total submissions, the final phase of the competition awarded $275,000 prizes to 10 teams of finalists and $100,000 prizes to another 10 entrants. Check out the winners here.

Report: Verizon close to mobile search deal with Google

Lynnette Luna — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:46:38 -0400

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Verizon Communications is close to securing a deal with Google that would make the search-engine giant the default search provider on Verizon devices and give the operator a share of the ad revenue as well as expand search services to other Verizon services such as Verizon's Web portal and FiOS TV.

Under the deal, Verizon and Google would split revenue from ads that come up as a result of keywords used in a search. The percentage split, however, is unclear. That issue has been the main reason why major mobile operators have opted for their own search services and apparently why Google hasn't been able to get a deal done with Verizon in the past.

While Verizon doesn't particularly have a rosy relationship with Google. For instance, the two butted heads over open-access provisions for the 700 MHz auction, and Verizon hasn't really expressed interest in Google's Android platform. But it's clear that Google is taking the lead in mobile Web search. A recent survey from comScore M:Metrics indicated that out of the 16.7 million who said they use mobile search, about 63 percent said they used Google, 34 percent said they used Yahoo, while 25 percent said they used carriers' services. According to consumer research provider Nielsen Mobile, Google dominated mobile web search in the first quarter of 2008, accounting for 61 percent of mobile searches during the quarter.

For more:
- check out The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)

Related stories:
Google continues to dominate mobile search. Google story
Google: Mobile ads will be more lucrative than online. Mobile ads story

Google launches white spaces campaign

Sue Marek — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:29:47 -0400

Google is hoping public pressure will help it in its campaign to get the FCC to make white space spectrum available for unlicensed wireless Internet devices. The company today launched a campaign called "Free the Airwaves" that will target rural and Native American communities across the country that have inconsistent or no Internet connections.

Google has been lobbying to get this spectrum, which sits between the airwaves currently licensed to TV broadcasters, to be used to develop new mobile communications devices. However, the initiative has raised the ire of the National Association of Broadcasters, which argues that white-space devices may interfere with existing television broadcasts.

The FCC just completed field-testing of various white-space devices and is expected to report its findings on those tests. Soon after, the commission is expected to take up the contentious issue of whether the spectrum can be used for unlicensed devices or whether they pose too much of an interference threat to television broadcasters and wireless microphone users.

For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)

Related articles:
Pressure mounting in white space debate
FCC expected to release white-space findings next month

Google is hiring Android Developers

Sue Marek — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:13:20 -0400

Google is searching for designers, engineers and developers to work on its Android open-source operating system. The search firm is advertising for positions that involve working on things like hardware user interface design, battery life, RF issues and handset-security software.

The first Android device is likely to be the HTC Dream offered by T-Mobile USA. The device recently received FCC approval.

For more:
- see this Unstrung story

Related articles:
HTC's Dream comes true for T-Mobile USA
Rumor mill: T-Mobile will presale HTC Dream Sept. 17

HTC Dream gets FCC approval

Sue Marek — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:06:59 -0400

The highly anticipated HTC Dream, which is supposed to be the first Android device, received FCC approval. The device, which is expected to be offered via T-Mobile USA beginning in October, will run on 850/1700/1900 MHz spectrum bands and have WiFi connectivity. See this pic. Report

New York Times: T-Mobile will be first with Android phone

Lynnette Luna — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:10:24 -0400

The New York Times is reporting that T-Mobile USA will be the first operator to offer a mobile phone based on Google's Android platform. The newspaper, citing sources briefed on the company's plans, said the phone will be HTC's Dream, and is anticipated to go on sale in the U.S. before Christmas and maybe as early as October. The release date of the device depends on how early the FCC certifies both the Google software and the HTC device. Executives at T-Mobile and Google hope to make an announcement by September so the two companies can make a splash for the holiday season.

The "unofficial" blog T-Mobile online reported earlier that T-Mobile would begin taking preorders for HTC's Android-based device on Sept. 17. T-Mobile executives declined to comment on the news, only saying it was on track to offer it in the fourth quarter. HTC, which is expected to be the only device maker to have an Android phone on the market this year, also declined to comment.

Earlier this week, HTC denied a report claiming it will be forced to delay its Android handset. Last week Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research said that HTC was struggling to incorporate the Android feature set and the first Android phone--originally slated to debut in the fourth quarter--would not make its debut until after the first of the year. But HTC reiterates that it remains on schedule--moreover, a new video posted to YouTube purports to demonstrate the company's Android-based Dream device, which boasts a fold-out QWERTY keyboard as well as an orientation sensor that automatically flips the screen layout in tandem with the user's movements.

For more:
- read The New York Times

Related stories:
HTC denies Android delay nightmare. HTC story
Rumor mill: T-Mobile will presale HTC Dream Sept. 17. T-Mobile story

Wireless customers stuck on hold; Does the App Store have a kill switch?

Sue Marek — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:20:21 -0400

> J.D. Powers and Associates 2008 report on customer care found that wireless customers who call their provider when experiencing a problem are waiting on hold longer than in the past to speak with a service representative. Release

> AT&T accuses New Clearwire players of doublespeak. Article

> Google: Mobile ads will be more lucrative than online. Article

> Hands-On Mobile invests in Connect 2 Media. Article

> Another explanation as to why Garmin's nüvifone is late. Article

And finally... Does the iPhone App Store have a "kill switch" for certain applications? Video

Pressure mounting in white space debate

Sue Marek — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:43 -0400

Lobbyists are getting Capitol Hill involved in the white space debate. Earlier this week eight members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin asking the FCC to adopt rules governing white space spectrum within the next 90 days so that the spectrum can be used to establish low-cost broadband connectivity in rural areas and across the country.

And just last week Representatives Anna Eshoo and Edward Markey wrote a similar letter to Martin, warning him that wireless carriers are "seeking unnecessary and unprecedented testing delays to prevent new innovative competitors from entering the market."

The FCC is wrapping up tests of prototype devices that access unused television airwaves, called "white spaces," to see if they will interfere with television broadcasts. Companies such as Google and Microsoft want to use this spectrum to develop new mobile communications devices. However, the initiative has raised the ire of the National Association of Broadcasters, which argues that "white space" devices may interfere with existing television broadcasts.

For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
- see this NY Times article

Related articles:
Motorola exec: FCC white space testing going well
White space debate won't be resolved with field testing

Rumor mill: T-Mobile will presale HTC Dream Sept. 17

Sue Marek — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:40:29 -0400

Another day, another HTC Dream rumor. Today the "unofficial" blog T-Mobile online is reporting that T-Mobile will begin taking preorders for HTC's Android-based device, the Dream, on Sept. 17. The phone will be available to T-Mobile USA subscribers for $150, much less than the initial rumored price of $400. New customers will be able to purchase the phone in October.

This is a far cry from what we heard last week when Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research said that HTC was struggling to incorporate the Android feature set and the first Android phone--originally slated to debut in the fourth quarter--would not make its debut until after the first of the year. HTC subsequently denied that claim and reiterated that it remains on schedule. In addition, a new video posted to YouTube purports to demonstrate the company's Android-based Dream device, which boasts a fold-out QWERTY keyboard as well as an orientation sensor that automatically flips the screen layout in tandem with the user's movements.

For more:
- See this report
- see this video of the HTC's Dream

Related article:
HTC: Report of Android delay is not true

HTC: Report of Android delay is not true

Sue Marek — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:42:21 -0400

HTC is denying last week's report from Tech Trader Daily that quoted Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research saying that the computer maker was having problems incorporating Google's Android feature set and that the first Android phone would not make its debut until the first of next year. HTC says that an Android-based phone will be available in fourth quarter as previously announced.

Chowdhry isn't the first to question the deliverable date for the first Android phone. In June, the WSJ said Google's Android software suite would likely not show up on handsets until late 2008, as opposed to its original plans to debut Android in the second half of the year. Insiders said carriers are having trouble customizing Android so it promotes their own Internet offerings. Meanwhile handset makers are having problems testing and building custom user interfaces to meet carrier specifications.

For more:
- see this article

Related articles:
Android is not delayed. But who cares if it is?
Android launch delayed until 4Q
Google Android news round-up