Posts tagged with launch
Android phones call on Indian consumers
Samsung Electronics and Motorola are gearing up to launch handsets based on Google’s Android operating system (OS) in India.
“Between now and December, we would be introducing at least 13 new models in the country, including handsets based on Android OS. We expect the Android phone to be a hit, especially among the youth and the developer community in the country,” Samsung India Country Head (Mobile Business) Sunil Dutt told Business Standard. He, however, did not divulge the date of the launch, neither did he divulge any price point for the Android phones in India.
US-based handset major Motorola, too, according to sources close to the development, is planning to launch Android-based handsets in the country. A Motorola spokesperson said the company had earlier announced the global launch of Android phones, but an India-specific date could not be provided. “Motorola is planning to bring Android devices to market in Q4 in the US, on shelves in time for the holiday season,” added the spokesperson.
Earlier, this June, Taiwanese handset maker HTC had announced the launch of a handset based on Google’s operating system software ‘Android’ for mobiles and other wireless devices, in the country in partnership with telecom operator Bharti Airtel. Christened ‘HTC Magic’, is a touchscreen handset equipped with a 3.2-inch screen, 3.2 megapixel camera and has 3G capabilities and priced at Rs 29,900. Bharti Airtel is the exclusive carrier.
Android is a free and customisable OS for mobile phones.
Apart from being a serious rival to Apple’s iPhone, the open source suite is expected to help in lowering the cost and development of new mobile applications.
“Following the iPhone launch, which has done commendably well from a customer point of view, every manufacturer is looking at duplicating the success. With users looking for a robust OS, Android is an obvious choice, mainly because of it being an open source platform,” Ernst & Young Partner (Advisory Services) Manesh Patel told Business Standard, adding: “Eventually, these would lead to a reduction in cost of applications on high-end phones and development of the telecom ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, Google — which is shelling out $10 million for developing Android — plans to launch 55 handsets with the OS by next year. However, Nokia (the company with the largest market share in the country) will continue its dependence on Symbian OS. Even though, Symbian cannot be termed as fully open source, it permits geeks to develop the codes to a large extent.
via Business Standard
Android powered Samsung Galaxy arrives in Israel
Cellcom Israel Ltd. today launched the first Android phone in Israel, preempting the Israel launch of iPhone by rivals Partner Communications Ltd. and Pelephone Communications Ltd. by several weeks. Cellcom will launch the Samsung i7500 Galaxy Android phone, which includes a five-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch screen, and eight gigabyte memory, which can be expanded to 32 gigabytes.
Cellcom CEO Amos Shapiro said, “I am proud to say that Cellcom is the first operator to offer its customers, as of today, the first Android device in Israel. Cellcom is the third operator in the world to launch this device. As always, Cellcom offers its customers the best communications solutions.”
Cellcom will charge NIS 105 a month over 36 months for the Samsung i7500 and a three-year subscription to navigation content.
Glide Engage Android application to launch on Aug 14
Glide Engage is a rights-based social networking and micro-blogging service that enables users to send and read messages that carry Breaking News, documents, images and other files and share their thoughts. Glide Engage is fully integrated with Glide Email, Glide Groups, Glide Meeting, Glide Write (Word Processor), Glide Presenter (Presentation Application) and Glide Crunch (Spreadsheet Application) as well as with Glide’s synchronized, cross platform compatible file storage solution and Glide Mobile
Glide Engage allows you to simultaneously publish your Engage posts to Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Glide Engage also enables you to link your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Delicious and StumbleUpon profiles into your Glide Engage profile.
A native application for Android phones will be available August 14th.
China Mobile to launch Android powered OPhone next week
China Mobile, China’s largest cell phone carrier, will launch 3G OPhone that runs Google Inc’s Android operating system as early as next week, sources reported.
China Mobile will subsidize about 50% the cost of the smartphone for its prepaid and contract customers. The OPhone is made by Lenovo Mobile, sources said.
The Chinese cell phone carrier will also launch a version of HTC Corp’s Magic smartphone, which also runs Android operating system.
The OPhone is roughly 1mm bigger than the original iPhone in all dimensions, measuring in at 115.84×61.57×12.03mm. Besides the volume rocker, the OPhone also has its microSD slot on the left side. According to the China bloggers, it’ll support microSD cards of up to 16GB.
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Available in Stores from Today
T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the national retail availability of the highly anticipated T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G with Google™. Customers can now purchase the myTouch 3G in T-Mobile retail and partner locations, as well as online at http://www.t-mobilemytouch.com, and also choose from an array of accessories and customized shells to make their device truly their own.
T-Mobile has also launched a new application within the Market called AppPack, which highlights a sampling of noteworthy applications to help customers further personalize their myTouch 3G and manage their T-Mobile accounts. At launch, AppPack includes the following applications that are free:
- Sherpa™, created by Geodelic, Sherpa learns a person’s likes and dislikes through behavior and user feedback, prioritizing recommended retailers, restaurants and attractions. Sherpa features a learning machine that automatically customizes itself to the user’s preferences.
- imeem Mobile streams music customized to your tastes, recommending new songs and artists based on which songs you identify as your favorites.
- WorldTour puts live webcams from around the world onto your home screen.
- Phonebook offers an upgraded, more personalized phonebook for Android.
- FreshFace is a theme engine to further customize your myTouch.
- Movies by Flixster takes the aspect of movie reviews to the next level. Through integration with Facebook, you can find friends who also want to see that movie or read reviews from friends who have already seen it.
- Three T-Mobile applications will also be featured: T-Mobile My Account; T-Mobile Visual Voicemail; and T-Mobile Mobile Backup.
T-Mobile myTouch 3G is available nationwide at T-Mobile retail stores for $199.99 with a two-year agreement
Android based HTC 'Click' leaked
As we all know, around a dozen of Android based phones will be hitting the market this and next year. Starting from T-Mobile G1, all the Android handsets till date have been targeted to high end segment. But if we believe the rumours floating, a new Android based HTC handset have been snapped, which appeasr to be targeted to low-end users.
After the initial test drive days, Android is finally ready for the mass consumption [:)] .
The mystery HTC handset will be an entry-level handset that will compete directly with featurephones and cheaper touchscreen units.
The image source claims the Click integrates a camera and 3.5mm jack on the back side. Additional details remain unknown, including the carrier, pricing and possible launch time-frame.
HTC Hero UK launch delayed
According to the latest reports from various sources, the launch of HTC Hero in UK has been delayed to first week of August. While the Amazon product page of HTC Hero shows July 24 as the release date, while the latest tweet from Devicewire says that HTC Hero wont be launched till Aug first week.
Devicewire Tweet: Bad News – HTC Hero launch date delayed. Now due in to stock during the first week of August .
HTC Hero was earlier scheduled for July 15 launch.
Acer Android Netbook to come in August
Acer is expected to launch its previously announced dual-OS netbook, with both Windows XP and Android, in August 2009, while Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics both set to benefit from the orders, according to a Chinese-language Apple Daily report.
Since Acer still needs to pay licensing fees for Windows XP on the netbook, the product is unlikely to be priced lower than XP-only models.
In additional news, Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International (MSI) are still developing Android-based netbooks, but have no plans launch related netbooks in 2009, added the paper.
via Digitimes
Rogers Wireless slash HTC Dream and Magic prices
Rogers Wireless slashes Android PricingOn June 2nd, after an extensive advertising campaign encouraging consumers to “Join the Revolution,” Rogers released the HTC Dream and HTC Magic Android powered phones for $150 on a three year contract.
But just a month later, Rogers Wireless has announced that they will be lowering the prices of both the HTC Dream and HTC Magic to $99.99.
Whether the 33% price reduction just one month after its introduction is due to tough economic times or due to the June 17th launch the iPhone 3G S is unclear.
via Digital Home
Archos Android tablet to launch in Sep
Archos has announced that it will be bringing its Archos Android internet tablet to market on the 15th September. What’s special about the Archos Android internet tablet? Well, it’ll be the first Android device of its type, that’s what, which makes it a little special. Check out all the details on the Archos Android internet tablet after the jump…
Last month Archos announced its Windows 7 Internet Tablet (image shown) but it seems the company isn’t content with just one device. The Archos Android internet tablet is a device that promises to be one of the first connected devices in the UK to sport the new operating system. Archos hasn’t released too many details about the device other than the OS but it is believed to come with a 5-inch touchscreen display and offer full internet connectivity using HSUPA.
It will support full screen web browsing, Adobe Flash and Flash video, TV Recording and may well pack in a 500GB hard drive. Archos is claiming a battery life of up to 7 hours for the Android internet tablet, so it’ll come with an embedded CPU.
Pricing and fuller details will be announced closer to the launch date of 15th September.
via The Link
