android

Though the T-Mobile G1 offered only a physical keyboard at launch, the release of the Android 1.5 "Cupcake" update brought a virtual keyboard to the first Google Android handset. What's more, Google included its own soft keyboard, but also released an input method engine API so developers could create keyboards. Here's one of my favorites.

TouchPal is a new virtual keyboard for Android offered by CooTek. It stands apart from the default version by offering many new enhancements and shortcuts and three keyboard layouts (QWERTY, compact QWERTY, and T9). ToucPalm also supports four languages with … Read more

Google Android fans have long been waiting for official multitouch support on Android devices, but Google has yet to offer any confirmation. Even at this year's Google I/O developers conference where multitouch was a hot topic, I only heard that "we don't know when it is coming." But after doing some digging and speaking to several sources with knowledge of the situation, it looks like Android users may finally get their wish this holiday season.

When is it coming? Allow me to start with the rumor of the day. From what I understand, Android 2.0 will ship this year and will include multitouch support similar to what's found on the iPhone and the Palm Pre.This might sound far-fetched to some readers, but there is mounting evidence to back it up.

Several blogs have reported that Android will receive two more updates this year. I believe the first will be a minor update based on the Donut branch of Android. The second update, however, is likely to be a major refresh based off the Eclair branch.

The release schedule was recently echoed in a Reuters interview with Andy Rubin, director of mobile platforms at Google. Reuters reported that Donut will become Android 1.6 and Eclair will ship as Android 2.0.

So if Android 2.0 is coming this year, when exactly will it be released?… Read more

On Tuesday, two versions of file-viewer Documents To Go entered the Android Market. There's the new, free version of Documents To Go 2.0 for Android, and an updated version of the premium model, which expands some of the original app's capabilities.

The lighter, freebie version lets you view Microsoft Word and Excel files and e-mail attachments, but not create new compositions or edit documents.

For a $29.99 upgrade, Documents To Go Premium adds editing into the mix. It also contains more grownup features, including context menus, formatting, word count, and the ability to create a Live … Read more

Panasonic and NEC announced nine new cell phone on Tuesday that use the open-source, Linux-based mobile operating system called LiMo.

As the mobile phone market evolves, software is becoming more crucial to handset development.

Apple set the bar high with its iPhone, which uses a form of Apple's own proprietary operating system used in its computers. Other companies have followed suit with advanced software of their own, namely Google with its Android mobile software. Like LiMo, Android is based on open source Linux. So far only two devices have been introduced running the Android software, but several handset makers … Read more

Losing your smartphone can be as scary and stressful as losing your wallet, especially if you store passwords, financial data, and other sensitive material on you handset. Fortunately, Mobile Defense is a new Google Android application that aims to protect your personal information and privacy while helping you to recover a lost phone.

Mobile Defense works by installing a small tracking code on your device. Think of it as LoJack for your phone. The easy setup process only requires you to create an account to register your phone. After you install the app it will remain dormant until you activate … Read more

The HTC Hero is one of the most sought-after phones among hard-core Google Android fans. It went on sale last month with several European carriers, but it has yet to receive an official U.S. launch date. That lack of confirmation has led many to speculate which North American carrier will land the phone first.

AT&T

AT&T should offer a Google Android phone this year, but the carrier's plans remain unclear. Several months ago, we got a first look at the HTC Lancaster, but there has been no news since. The phone had a target availability of August 3, but AT&T may be fine-tuning the software.

Last month, the HTC Hero was spotted on the FCC site with the WCDMA 850/1900 bands that AT&T uses. We've seen other Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy get the FCC's approval, but still fail to materialize. If you're an AT&T customer who is hoping for an Android phone, you might have much longer to wait.

Sprint

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has taken the wait and see approach for an Android phone. After recent upgrades to the operating system, Hesse said Android was ready for prime time and Sprint would offer at least one Android device this year.

One week after Hesse's announcement, Engadget posted a leak of upcoming Sprint phones that included the HTC Hero and the Samsung Q.

As with any Internet rumor, I wouldn't hold my breath, but this tip came from a mobile software developer who has been making the same claim since April.… Read more

So you finally got your MyTouch 3G and you are looking for some free apps to download from the Android Market. With more than 6,000 titles, it can be hard to find something worthwhile. I've been using Google Android since the day it came out and I've spent a good amount of time wading through the available apps. The following list contains some of my favorite free apps from several categories.

1. Security--Mobile Defense

After spending serious cash on your new phone, you don't want to worry about losing it. Mobile Defense is a free … Read more

T-Mobile on Wednesday threw a coming out party for its new Google Android-based phone, the MyTouch, with great fanfare. The celebration included skydivers, celebrity impersonators, and yes, even mimes. Here are a few of the more artistic photos from the event.

For more photos detailing the spectacular affair, see our photo gallery: MyTouch 3G gets campy launch in S.F. Or see our related story here.

Article updated 8/5/09 at 3:00 pm PT to clarify Qik's YouTube uploading capabilties.

It's been about a month since Qik for Android became available on the Android Market as an open alpha version. Since then, Qik has been feverishly updating its video streaming and broadcasting app. Starting Wednesday, Qik for Android (version 0.1.3) lets you trim captured videos and more speedily share them with friends, or post them to social networks.

Qik's editing mechanism comes in the form of a slider tool. It's not immediately clear how to get to this … Read more