Google Phone Is Real!

In the past I wrote a lot about the existence of a Google phone/device and finally after a year of speculation the first Google phone has emerged. The T-Mobile G1.T he G1 utilizes the new Google sponsored and developed Android operating system. Do you even know what operating system is on your phone? Chances are that if you don't have a smart phone you don't know and don't care. So who is this phone for? I'm not really sure who the target audience is, and so what does T-Mobile say, let's see.
Here are the specifications of the device:

Real Web browsing capabilities

• Quick and easy access to the Internet one click away
• View more pages and rich Web content on your phone

Touch screen

• Instant access to key information with the touch of a finger
• Just tap the screen and go

3MP camera

• Capture key moments in high-quality fashion wherever you are
• Never worry about blurry photos with auto focus built right in

Customizable home screen

• Just drag and drop any of your favorite applications, photos, or folders onto your home screen for quick access to what you use all the time

QWERTY keyboard

• The built-in familiar layout lets you type messages easily without scrolling for the letter you want
• Hinged screen slides open to reveal keypad and closes to prevent accidental dialing

One-touch access to Google applications

• Maps (including satellite, traffic, and street views)
• Gmail
• YouTube
• Calendar
• Google Talk

IM/text/e-mail

• All the ways you need to connect while you're on the go

Music player

• With the 1GB memory card, you'll never be without your favorite tunes

One-click Google Search

• Quick and easy access to the Internet in one click

Video playback

• Watch your favorite videos, even YouTube, anywhere

3G network and Wi-Fi access

• High-speed 3G network connection for surfing the Web or downloading information quickly and effortlessly
• Seamlessly transition to open Wi-Fi networks to surf the Web or download information quickly

Android Market

• One-touch access to Android Market
• Customize and personalize your device to fit your life with a variety of software applications like games, social networking, and on-the-go shopping
• Download the applications wirelessly with just a couple short clicks

MIT Android Class Project

Some MIT students had a chance to develop some new software utilizing the Android platform that Google is promoting/sponsoring. AP writer BRIAN BERGSTEIN documented the work of the MIT class. It seems that most of the software tools developed by the students utilize the GPS capabilities of the Android platform. I'm also interested in basic calendar, task, and even video calling capabilities utilizing the VoIP capabilities. Read the story from the AP and let me know what you think.

Abilene Christian in the News

Engadget picked up on the plan published by ACU to utilize Apple devices to increase communication for it's students. You can read the details on ACU's website, but what it says is:

"We are not merely providing cutting-edge technology tools to our incoming students," said Roberts. "We are also providing the web applications that ensure these tools will become critical to the students' learning experience. Because 93 percent of ACU students bring their own computers with them to college, we are choosing to take them to the next level by providing converged mobile devices."

My only criticism of this plan is that I think it is too confined to just Apple devices and think it should be more open. Hopefully with Android this type of exclusiveness will come to an end. I thought it was cool that one of my favorite blogs had a story about my alma mata. Go Cats!

Android Story of the Day

Digitimes is reporting that HTC will produce 2-3 Android devices with Wi-MAX and TD-WCDMA.

Good on it's word the Open Handset Alliance and Google have released the first SDK for the new OS. Check out all the greatness on the Google/Android site.