Hasta La Gadget!

You might’ve thought that Google was positioning its industry-changing Google Maps Navigation as a value proposition for Android 2.0 and beyond, but yeah, not so much — instead, they’ve gone ahead and backported it to 1.6 (alias “Donut”) which means that T-Mobile’s myTouch 3G and G1 plus other 1.6-equipped devices across the land can get in on the action. In the case of the memory-starved G1, that’s especially surprising, and a heartening sign that the world’s first retail Android device still has some fight left in it. It’s available from the Android Market now, so go ahead — try to get yourself lost. We dare you.

Google Maps Navigation officially comes to Android 1.6 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The CrunchPad may or may not have stumbled, but competitors seem to be swooping in for the kill regardless. The latest is Camangi with its WebStation, a 7-inch, Android 1.5-powered tablet said to be shipping in just a few weeks. Detailed specs have still not been made official, but the glass touchscreen is 800 x 480, WiFi 802.11b/g, and there’s GPS on tap if you want to take this out into the real world. We found two demonstration videos, both embedded after the break for your viewing pleasure, the first a simple walkthrough while the second shows it struggling to render the Avatar trailer — something James Cameron is surely hoping won’t be a problem on the final device. Retail price is said to be $399 but the site indicates the first 100 purchasers will get “early bird pricing,” whatever that amounts to. Might as well sign up and see. What’s another bit of spam these days?

[Thanks, Peter]

Continue reading Camangi’s WebStation tablet ships soon, sports Android, loves early birds (video)

Camangi’s WebStation tablet ships soon, sports Android, loves early birds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When it comes to nerd obsessions, the only thing that can trump a fictional tablet developed by battling left-coast legends is the promise of a revolutionary OS from Google that relies upon nothing but a browser and the dreams of a young Larry Ellison. Don’t even start with your Korean product waifs as we’re trying to keep the discussion in the realm of possibilities. Now, with the weekend over, you’ve probably experienced the same sense of ennui we’ve all felt at having downloaded and tested a copy of Chrome OS. To be fair, that meh-ness is kind of what you’d expect from a browser-based OS that’s meant to get out of your way. Still, it’s hard not to wonder where Android and its growing application base fits into Google’s long-term OS strategy especially after seeing several ARM-based smartbook prototypes running Google’s smartphone OS. Fortunately, Google co-founder Sergey Brin shed some light on this topic in a candid statement following the Chrome OS event. According to CNET, Brin said that Android and the Chrome OS “will likely converge over time,” noting the common Webkit and Linux foundation of both operating systems. It’s unclear when this might occur however. In fact, listening to Google CEO Eric Schmidt attempt to explain the difference between Google’s operating systems in a recent CNET interview leaves us wondering if Google has a clear idea of its target markets as smartphone and laptop functionality continues to converge across devices. Schmidt concedes that it’s too early to tell how the OSes will be used and prefers not to “prejudge the success” of each. “The future will unfold as it does,” he says, and the open-source community will determine the natural fit. Check the interview after the break — the Android vs. Chrome OS waffling begins at the 16:30 remaining mark of the 19 minute and 11 second interview.

[Original image courtesy of Rich Dellinger]

Continue reading Sergey Brin: Android and Chrome OS ‘will likely converge over time’

Sergey Brin: Android and Chrome OS ‘will likely converge over time’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s a funny thing, the CLIQ. When it was introduced at a low-key press conference, the world gasped as the flagging handset maker finally made its first really bold move since the RAZR by ushering in its first-ever Android handset. Here we a few months later, and the only Android-based Moto that anyone’s talking about is the Droid. That said, we’re confident that a few of you T-Mobile loyalists are sticking to your guns (wouldn’t want to get caught up in that whole Verizon / AT&T scuffle, now would you?), but moreover, we’re certain that early CLIQ adopters have quite a bit to say now that the Droid is on the market. Is the CLIQ still living up to the hype? Are you still impressed with what it offers? What recommendations would you have for improving the next-generation? Feel free to spout off below, and hey, don’t try to hide any lingering bitterness — we won’t look down on you for it.

How would you change Motorola’s CLIQ? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s surprising that Yelp, the go-to site for finding restaurants, bars and other venues, has no presence in the Android Market. But that’s okay. Foursquare does the job with a social incentive to boot.

Foursquare is a location-based social mobile network that allows users to check-in at different places, post tips and to-do items with their phones, and compete with their friends and fellow city rivals to accumulate points and become the “mayor” of various places (basically, by spending more time there than anyone else).

The Android app makes Foursquare into much more than a game — it becomes a handy way to find new places for a cappuccino, a martini or a bowl of ramen.

During my use, I found the app to be refreshingly simple. Foursquare hides most of the options in the “Menu” button; allowing the focus to be on its two main features: Nearby locations and friends.  Clicking a location displays tips from other users, a map, and recent check-ins. If you would like further options, press “menu” and you can add a tip or call the establishment. Navigate to friends and you can view their recent check-ins, shout a message and keep tabs on the leaderboard. The app’s consistency in usability makes it easy to dive in and find your way around; just press menu for more options.

Interestingly enough, Yelp is also built into Foursquare as an option to find further information. It seems at this point, Foursquare should build upon their business information and leave Yelp out of the equation completely.

Foursquare is free and available in the Android Market.

See Also:

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• Spotify Premium Bundled With Android Phone