Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Taiwan-based OpenMoko launches Android-based handset
In addition to High Tech Computer (HTC) and Asustek Computer, Taiwan-based OpenMoko has also launched an Android-based handset recently, according to the company.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
China Mobile may offer Android handsets through cooperation with HTC, say Taiwan makers
2008/9/25
China Mobile Communications (China Mobile), the largest operator of mobile communication services in China, may take the initiative to offer Android handsets in the China market through outsourced production by Taiwan-based High Tech Computer (HTC), the maker of the T-Mobile G1, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
China Mobile Communications (China Mobile), the largest operator of mobile communication services in China, may take the initiative to offer Android handsets in the China market through outsourced production by Taiwan-based High Tech Computer (HTC), the maker of the T-Mobile G1, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sony Ericsson boss says studying Android system
LUND, Sweden (Reuters) - Sony Ericsson is studying Google's Android mobile operating system, but was not able to embrace it yet, President Dick Komiyama said on Wednesday.
"We are certainly studying this opportunity, although we're not in a position to do this at this moment," Komiyama told journalists at a media event in the southern Swedish city of Lund, where the company has a research and development site.
"We should look at this application," he said. "We are certainly interested."
Android is an open source platform for designing mobile devices which Google (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) says will encourage innovation by allowing outside software developers to tinker with the system and create better mobile programs and services.
However, Komiyama said Sony Ericsson was already part of the Symbian Foundation, a group which since June has attracted some 40 companies and gives developers free access to its software.
Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile unveiled on Tuesday the first cellphone that uses Android software. The phone is being touted as Google's answer to the iPhone. The G1 phone, made by HTC Corp, has a touch-sensitive screen, a computer-like keyboard and Wi-Fi connections.
"We are certainly studying this opportunity, although we're not in a position to do this at this moment," Komiyama told journalists at a media event in the southern Swedish city of Lund, where the company has a research and development site.
"We should look at this application," he said. "We are certainly interested."
Android is an open source platform for designing mobile devices which Google (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) says will encourage innovation by allowing outside software developers to tinker with the system and create better mobile programs and services.
However, Komiyama said Sony Ericsson was already part of the Symbian Foundation, a group which since June has attracted some 40 companies and gives developers free access to its software.
Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile unveiled on Tuesday the first cellphone that uses Android software. The phone is being touted as Google's answer to the iPhone. The G1 phone, made by HTC Corp, has a touch-sensitive screen, a computer-like keyboard and Wi-Fi connections.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
T-Mobile Planning "Google Phone" Launch at End of Sept - Report
T-Mobile USA is reported to be planning a launch of its first Google Android phone within just a few weeks. Sources told the Reuters news agency that the mobile operator would make an announcement in New York City, and said that Sept 23rd was the probable date for the press conference.
There had been reports that the phone would be delayed - but T-Mobile has said that it is still on target for a launch in (or by) October.
"T-Mobile is on track to bring an Android-based phone to market in the fourth quarter," said a T-Mobile spokesman earlier this month. "We haven't announced any specific details about the Android phone at this point and don't comment on rumors."
T-Mobile did not comment when Reuters contacted them today.
The touchscreen based smartphone will be supplied by Taiwan's High Tech Computer, or HTC, a company which has traditionally focused on Windows Mobile based handsets. There were unconfirmed rumours last month that Sony Ericsson is in talks to buy HTC.
Google is also widely expected to announce improvements to the Android platform in the next few weeks - including a new software development kit (SDK) following complaints about the current platform.
On the web: Reuters
Posted to the site on 11th September 2008
There had been reports that the phone would be delayed - but T-Mobile has said that it is still on target for a launch in (or by) October.
"T-Mobile is on track to bring an Android-based phone to market in the fourth quarter," said a T-Mobile spokesman earlier this month. "We haven't announced any specific details about the Android phone at this point and don't comment on rumors."
T-Mobile did not comment when Reuters contacted them today.
The touchscreen based smartphone will be supplied by Taiwan's High Tech Computer, or HTC, a company which has traditionally focused on Windows Mobile based handsets. There were unconfirmed rumours last month that Sony Ericsson is in talks to buy HTC.
Google is also widely expected to announce improvements to the Android platform in the next few weeks - including a new software development kit (SDK) following complaints about the current platform.
On the web: Reuters
Posted to the site on 11th September 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
T-mobile Android Phone Release Seen Bringing 'avalanche'
23rd April 2008
SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- With Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA preparing to ship out its first cellphones built on Google's open Android platform later this year, wireless carriers are expecting an avalanche of innovation from users - and radical changes to what customers expect and demand.
But some disagree on where start-ups should focus their efforts if they aim to make money in this fast-changing landscape.
At the Wireless Innovations 2008 conference in Redwood City, Calif., sponsored by Dow Jones & Co., Joe Sims, vice president and general manager of T-Mobile's broadband and new business division, said he had already seen prototypes of the company's Android-based phone, which are scheduled to ship in this year's final quarter.
"I'm impressed," he said. "We will have more than one product...(The move to an open platform) will be innovation across the board, not just one device."
T-Mobile, like other carriers, was leery of Google at first, because the open platform that the search giant was pushing seemed radical and untested, Sims said. T-Mobile is now a part of Google's Open Handset Alliance, as is chip maker Qualcomm.
Like T-Mobile, Qualcomm was "skeptical" of Google's plan at first, said Sayeed Choudhury, Qualcomm's vice president of product management for CDMA technologies. "But we got over that hurdle when we saw the use-case models," Choudhury said. "The Web-browsing, the taking and uploading of pictures."
Choudhury said he expects big changes to happen fast once the Android phones get into consumers' hands. Nedim Fresko, director of strategic platform initiatives at Blackberry maker Research in Motion, predicted T-Mobile's release would be a "wake-up call for innovation."
But conference panelists differed on what areas of mobile technology - video distribution, social networking, enterprise or entertainment - were likely to heat up first.
"Security is the issue," Fresko said. "People want secure, managed and safe" networks.
John Smelzer, a senior vice president and manager of News Corp.'s Fox Entertainment Group's interactive media division, said photo and video distribution would be the "next killer app."
News Corp. owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires.
Fox isn't immediately interested in moving social networks to mobile, Smelzer said, but it sees great potential in start-ups working on applications that replicate the broader online experience on handsets - for instance, middleware companies, content aggregators, ad distributors and companies working on encoding and transcoding data.
Subscription-based video has served Fox well, Smelzer said, and the company plans to continue that model as networks and handsets move toward openness.
"For the long tail, we think it will be mobile Web," he said.
T-Mobile says all of its offerings will be tailored to the consumer, and the consumer, in turn, will tell the carriers what they expect their mobile devices to be able to do.
Panelists agreed that the major, inevitable changes in the next few years won't be top-down changes, but will be a response from carriers to consumers, who are going mobile in ever greater numbers and learning to expect much more from their phones. In addition, they said, the time is ripe for innovators and start-ups to deliver what consumers want in new, possibly lucrative ways.
"The college kids out there have all the ingredients, finally," said J.H. Kah, senior vice president of Korean cellular service provider SK Telecom.
"It's so easy and cheap for these kids to start new ventures," Kah said. "VCs ought to look at very early-stage (companies), but the real winners (will be) those that stick around a few years."
-By Timothy Hay, Dow Jones Newsletters; 415-439-6625
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- With Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA preparing to ship out its first cellphones built on Google's open Android platform later this year, wireless carriers are expecting an avalanche of innovation from users - and radical changes to what customers expect and demand.
But some disagree on where start-ups should focus their efforts if they aim to make money in this fast-changing landscape.
At the Wireless Innovations 2008 conference in Redwood City, Calif., sponsored by Dow Jones & Co., Joe Sims, vice president and general manager of T-Mobile's broadband and new business division, said he had already seen prototypes of the company's Android-based phone, which are scheduled to ship in this year's final quarter.
"I'm impressed," he said. "We will have more than one product...(The move to an open platform) will be innovation across the board, not just one device."
T-Mobile, like other carriers, was leery of Google at first, because the open platform that the search giant was pushing seemed radical and untested, Sims said. T-Mobile is now a part of Google's Open Handset Alliance, as is chip maker Qualcomm.
Like T-Mobile, Qualcomm was "skeptical" of Google's plan at first, said Sayeed Choudhury, Qualcomm's vice president of product management for CDMA technologies. "But we got over that hurdle when we saw the use-case models," Choudhury said. "The Web-browsing, the taking and uploading of pictures."
Choudhury said he expects big changes to happen fast once the Android phones get into consumers' hands. Nedim Fresko, director of strategic platform initiatives at Blackberry maker Research in Motion, predicted T-Mobile's release would be a "wake-up call for innovation."
But conference panelists differed on what areas of mobile technology - video distribution, social networking, enterprise or entertainment - were likely to heat up first.
"Security is the issue," Fresko said. "People want secure, managed and safe" networks.
John Smelzer, a senior vice president and manager of News Corp.'s Fox Entertainment Group's interactive media division, said photo and video distribution would be the "next killer app."
News Corp. owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires.
Fox isn't immediately interested in moving social networks to mobile, Smelzer said, but it sees great potential in start-ups working on applications that replicate the broader online experience on handsets - for instance, middleware companies, content aggregators, ad distributors and companies working on encoding and transcoding data.
Subscription-based video has served Fox well, Smelzer said, and the company plans to continue that model as networks and handsets move toward openness.
"For the long tail, we think it will be mobile Web," he said.
T-Mobile says all of its offerings will be tailored to the consumer, and the consumer, in turn, will tell the carriers what they expect their mobile devices to be able to do.
Panelists agreed that the major, inevitable changes in the next few years won't be top-down changes, but will be a response from carriers to consumers, who are going mobile in ever greater numbers and learning to expect much more from their phones. In addition, they said, the time is ripe for innovators and start-ups to deliver what consumers want in new, possibly lucrative ways.
"The college kids out there have all the ingredients, finally," said J.H. Kah, senior vice president of Korean cellular service provider SK Telecom.
"It's so easy and cheap for these kids to start new ventures," Kah said. "VCs ought to look at very early-stage (companies), but the real winners (will be) those that stick around a few years."
-By Timothy Hay, Dow Jones Newsletters; 415-439-6625
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
Thursday, March 13, 2008
LG aims to ship two million handsets in 2008; Arima to be direct beneficiary
13 March 2008
LG Electronics has said it is aiming to grow its handset sales contribution in 2008, and Arima Communications, the OEM partner of LG, should be the direct beneficiary of the move.
During a March 12 event to launch new handsets in Taiwan, Finsen Chen, LG president of telecom business unit, Taiwan, said the company aims to grow its handset sales contribution by 7-8 percentage points on year in 2008, up from 24% in 2007. As for the Taiwan market, LG aims for a handset sales amount of US$100 million for the year.
Arima, which has already secured OEM orders for three 2.5G handsets from LG, is believed to be the direct beneficiary of the aggressive sales plans. Industry sources estimate that LG is likely to ship a total of two million handsets in 2008. The sources added in saying that Foxconn International Holdings (FIH) also produces another 2.5G handset for LG.
In addition to handsets supporting Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, LG said it is closely working with Google to develop Android-based handsets. Chen remarked in saying that the company will introduce a Android handset to the Taiwan market during late 2008 to early 2009 if the company sees demand for the platform.
On a separate note, LG introduced five new handsets to the Taiwan market: the KS20, KF600, KF510, KP215 and KP320, of which, the KP320 is produced by Arima.
LG Electronics has said it is aiming to grow its handset sales contribution in 2008, and Arima Communications, the OEM partner of LG, should be the direct beneficiary of the move.
During a March 12 event to launch new handsets in Taiwan, Finsen Chen, LG president of telecom business unit, Taiwan, said the company aims to grow its handset sales contribution by 7-8 percentage points on year in 2008, up from 24% in 2007. As for the Taiwan market, LG aims for a handset sales amount of US$100 million for the year.
Arima, which has already secured OEM orders for three 2.5G handsets from LG, is believed to be the direct beneficiary of the aggressive sales plans. Industry sources estimate that LG is likely to ship a total of two million handsets in 2008. The sources added in saying that Foxconn International Holdings (FIH) also produces another 2.5G handset for LG.
In addition to handsets supporting Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, LG said it is closely working with Google to develop Android-based handsets. Chen remarked in saying that the company will introduce a Android handset to the Taiwan market during late 2008 to early 2009 if the company sees demand for the platform.
On a separate note, LG introduced five new handsets to the Taiwan market: the KS20, KF600, KF510, KP215 and KP320, of which, the KP320 is produced by Arima.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
LG Electronics to double handset sales in Taiwan in 2008
31 January 2008
LG Electronics aims to double its sales of handsets in Taiwan to 700,000 units in 2008, with handset revenues reaching US$100 million, accounting for a 10% share in the local market in terms of sales value, according to Finsen Chen, vice president of telecom business unit at LGE Taiwan.
In 2007, LG sold 350,000 handsets in Taiwan worth US$49 million, accounting for a 5% share in terms of unit sales and a 5-6% share in terms of sales value, Chen stated.
In line with increasing sales of handsets in Taiwan, LGE expects handset revenues to account for 30% of its total revenues in Taiwan in 2008, up from slightly over 20% in 2007, Chen said.
A total of 30-35 new handsets are to be launched in Taiwan in 2008, with 10-15 models supporting 3G standard and 20 models supporting 2G and CDMA standards, indicated Chen, noting that the company also plans to introduce Android-based handsets into the market by the end of this year.
LG Electronics aims to double its sales of handsets in Taiwan to 700,000 units in 2008, with handset revenues reaching US$100 million, accounting for a 10% share in the local market in terms of sales value, according to Finsen Chen, vice president of telecom business unit at LGE Taiwan.
In 2007, LG sold 350,000 handsets in Taiwan worth US$49 million, accounting for a 5% share in terms of unit sales and a 5-6% share in terms of sales value, Chen stated.
In line with increasing sales of handsets in Taiwan, LGE expects handset revenues to account for 30% of its total revenues in Taiwan in 2008, up from slightly over 20% in 2007, Chen said.
A total of 30-35 new handsets are to be launched in Taiwan in 2008, with 10-15 models supporting 3G standard and 20 models supporting 2G and CDMA standards, indicated Chen, noting that the company also plans to introduce Android-based handsets into the market by the end of this year.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC)
UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC)概念源自微軟(Microsoft)及英特爾(Intel)共同提出的Origami計畫，首款產品於CeBit 2006豋場即成市場焦點，但隨著時間推移，2年後的今日，UMPC卻始終未能繳出亮眼成績單。 UMPC最令人詬病的便是效能及電池續航力不足(目前頂多3~5小時)，顯然未達消費者期望水平。但這一切預估2008年將有所變化，主因2008年上半英特爾將推出專為UMPC設計的Menlow平台，目標使UMPC可連續使用6小時(待機10小時)，2009年英特爾更規劃推出可使UMPC待機24小時的Moorestown平台，效能亦可有所提升，將使UMPC硬體技術趨向成熟。 但硬體技術成熟，並不能代表UMPC的未來將是一片坦途，因為，UMPC市場還存在產品定位不明的問題。為此，英特爾另提出MID (Mobile Internet Device)概念，將此類產品重點放在Mobile Internet，但無獨有偶，Smartphone產品未來發展方向也鎖定於此，並已有蘋果(Apple)的iPhone大獲肯定、即將推出的Google Android平台手機引領話題，此外，華碩亦推出以低價訴求但規格與定位卻約略可見UMPC影子的Eee PC。一場行動上網終端大戰於焉展開。 事實上，上述硬體裝置互踩地盤的競爭關係，背後乃行動數位匯流趨勢的推波助瀾，在此趨勢洪流下，不同領域業者無不各出奇謀，以搶佔新市場版圖。對已在NB領域取得全球90%出貨量佔有率的台廠而言，UMPC/MID的出現，確實是業者搶進行動數位匯流趨勢的新契機，但在此之前，有必要掌握該產品的市場定位、與Smartphone和Eee PC等終端產品的競爭關係。DIGITIMES乃針對前述議題規劃本研討會，以提供關注UMPC發展的產業界最完整與精闢的分析。
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Google's Android Platform Shown Working on a HTC Smartphone
15th January 2008
The mobile Linux developer, "a la Mobile" has ported the Google Android mobile OS platform to run on HTC's Qtek 9090 smartphone. The demonstrated applications, some with enhanced graphical user interface (GUI) developed by a la Mobile, include: browser, phone dialer, audio player, maps, camera, games, calendar, contacts manager, calculator, tasks manager and notes.
The HTC Qtek 9090 smartphone is more typically sold running the Windows Mobile OS.
Dispelling the Mystery of Android
"While mobile Linux has made steady progress in the industry since 2006, Google's advocacy with the unveiling of the Android framework further substantiates the position of Linux as a major mobile operating system alongside Windows Mobile and Symbian," said Pauline Lo Alker, President and CEO of a la Mobile. "However, despite the market enthusiasm about Google Android, many questions remain concerning the technical details, and skepticism exists concerning its readiness. As the leader in mobile Linux, we believe it is our responsibility to take the initiative to allay the 'mystery' and dispel any skepticism surrounding Android by first demonstrating a complete mobile Linux system stack, including drivers, middleware, and a suite of Android-based applications running on an existing advanced smartphone manufactured by one of the premier handset vendors in the market."
Building a Complete Mobile Device System Stack
A Linux application platform for mobile devices, Android provides a framework and Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to enable third-party developers to create applications based on a 'unified application standard.' While Android's impending official release of the source code is a great stimulant for popular adoption of Linux and a good platform that enables application interoperability among various mobile devices, it is not an off-the-shelf complete software stack.
A complete system solution for mobile devices consists of numerous software components, including: device drivers, Linux kernel, system utilities, mobile middleware (such as security, device management, provisioning, etc.), an application framework (such as Android) that supports JAVA services, browser, and miscellaneous applications for the end device.
"Despite the open-source nature of the Android framework, developing a complete mobile system solution with customized, differentiated features continues to present major technical challenges requiring considerable time, effort, and resources -- a barrier and reach beyond the scope of many handset vendors," continues Alker. "Our mission is to remove the complexity for handset vendors and mobile operators to enable them to accelerate their device time-to-market, ensure high quality while reducing total development and device costs. The experience we have gained in putting together this demo will enable us to trim a device's time-to-market by at least half!"
"The wireless industry is preparing itself for the growth in the use of Linux as the operating system for smartphones," said Bill Hughes, Principal Analyst with In-Stat. "Some industry participants are seeking to offer mobile Linux platforms that are only partially 'open,' with key interfaces being kept proprietary. In contrast, a la Mobile is pursuing mobile solutions that are open and support third-party application developers and network partners to provide solutions that apply across multiple platforms. a la Mobile's demonstration of the Android framework on an actual smart device is a concrete example of this vision put into practice. Such efforts support the growth predictions In-Stat has made about the smartphone industry as a whole and the mobile Linux platform in particular."
a la Mobile's first Linux system offering -- Convergent Linux Platform (CLP) version 1.0 - based on the Qt application framework by Trolltech, was first introduced in 2006 and adopted by several handset vendors.
The mobile Linux developer, "a la Mobile" has ported the Google Android mobile OS platform to run on HTC's Qtek 9090 smartphone. The demonstrated applications, some with enhanced graphical user interface (GUI) developed by a la Mobile, include: browser, phone dialer, audio player, maps, camera, games, calendar, contacts manager, calculator, tasks manager and notes.
The HTC Qtek 9090 smartphone is more typically sold running the Windows Mobile OS.
Dispelling the Mystery of Android
"While mobile Linux has made steady progress in the industry since 2006, Google's advocacy with the unveiling of the Android framework further substantiates the position of Linux as a major mobile operating system alongside Windows Mobile and Symbian," said Pauline Lo Alker, President and CEO of a la Mobile. "However, despite the market enthusiasm about Google Android, many questions remain concerning the technical details, and skepticism exists concerning its readiness. As the leader in mobile Linux, we believe it is our responsibility to take the initiative to allay the 'mystery' and dispel any skepticism surrounding Android by first demonstrating a complete mobile Linux system stack, including drivers, middleware, and a suite of Android-based applications running on an existing advanced smartphone manufactured by one of the premier handset vendors in the market."
Building a Complete Mobile Device System Stack
A Linux application platform for mobile devices, Android provides a framework and Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to enable third-party developers to create applications based on a 'unified application standard.' While Android's impending official release of the source code is a great stimulant for popular adoption of Linux and a good platform that enables application interoperability among various mobile devices, it is not an off-the-shelf complete software stack.
A complete system solution for mobile devices consists of numerous software components, including: device drivers, Linux kernel, system utilities, mobile middleware (such as security, device management, provisioning, etc.), an application framework (such as Android) that supports JAVA services, browser, and miscellaneous applications for the end device.
"Despite the open-source nature of the Android framework, developing a complete mobile system solution with customized, differentiated features continues to present major technical challenges requiring considerable time, effort, and resources -- a barrier and reach beyond the scope of many handset vendors," continues Alker. "Our mission is to remove the complexity for handset vendors and mobile operators to enable them to accelerate their device time-to-market, ensure high quality while reducing total development and device costs. The experience we have gained in putting together this demo will enable us to trim a device's time-to-market by at least half!"
"The wireless industry is preparing itself for the growth in the use of Linux as the operating system for smartphones," said Bill Hughes, Principal Analyst with In-Stat. "Some industry participants are seeking to offer mobile Linux platforms that are only partially 'open,' with key interfaces being kept proprietary. In contrast, a la Mobile is pursuing mobile solutions that are open and support third-party application developers and network partners to provide solutions that apply across multiple platforms. a la Mobile's demonstration of the Android framework on an actual smart device is a concrete example of this vision put into practice. Such efforts support the growth predictions In-Stat has made about the smartphone industry as a whole and the mobile Linux platform in particular."
a la Mobile's first Linux system offering -- Convergent Linux Platform (CLP) version 1.0 - based on the Qt application framework by Trolltech, was first introduced in 2006 and adopted by several handset vendors.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Taiwan market: Motorola to launch 20-30 handsets in 2008 to restore leading market position
20 Nov, 2007
Motorola plans to launch 20-30 new handsets in Taiwan in 2008 with an aim to re-capture the lead position in the Taiwan handset market, according to Bill Chen, newly appointed general manager of mobile device business at Motorola Taiwan.
In the coming year, Motorola will also stress strengthening its relations with channel partners in Taiwan and to pursue a balance between sales volume and profitability while gearing up efforts to boost performance, Chen stated.
Motorola currently was ranked as the fourth largest vendor in the Taiwan handset market accounting for a 13.6% share, compared to Nokia's 32%, Sony Ericsson's 20.6% and Samsung Electronics' 14-15%, according a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report as well as sources at Samsung.
Motorola on November 19 launched it RAZR 2 V8 Luxury Edition handset and other 2GB V8 models in Taiwan targeting the high-end segment, with the company planning to introduce its 3G-version V9, ROKR Z8 music handset and 3.5G Q9 smartphone in the local market before the end of this year, according to company sources.
Motorola has ventured into the development of Android-based handsets, but the company still has no timetable for the launch the open-platform mobile devices, Chen stated.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Chunghwa Telecom to cooperate with HTC to develop Android-based handsets
15 Nov, 2007
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), the largest telecom service provider in Taiwan, plans to cooperate with High Tech Computer (HTC) to jointly develop Android-based handsets, according to CHT chairman Tan Hochen.
Noting that CHT and HTC have been cooperating in the manufacture of customized handsets, CHT's participation in the development of Android-based handsets will bring the cooperation of the two companies to an even higher level, Hochen said.
CHT and HTC on November 14 jointly launched the HTC Dual 3.5G handset in Taiwan, with CHT expected to initially purchase 60,000 HTC Dual handsets from HTC, according to sources at CHT.
Chunghwa Telecom has purchased over 100,000 smartphones from HTC since the beginning of this year, including 25,000 CHT 9000, 300,000 CHT 9110/9110 and 50,000 CHT Touch, according to sources from the companies.
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), the largest telecom service provider in Taiwan, plans to cooperate with High Tech Computer (HTC) to jointly develop Android-based handsets, according to CHT chairman Tan Hochen.
Noting that CHT and HTC have been cooperating in the manufacture of customized handsets, CHT's participation in the development of Android-based handsets will bring the cooperation of the two companies to an even higher level, Hochen said.
CHT and HTC on November 14 jointly launched the HTC Dual 3.5G handset in Taiwan, with CHT expected to initially purchase 60,000 HTC Dual handsets from HTC, according to sources at CHT.
Chunghwa Telecom has purchased over 100,000 smartphones from HTC since the beginning of this year, including 25,000 CHT 9000, 300,000 CHT 9110/9110 and 50,000 CHT Touch, according to sources from the companies.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Google Announces $10 Million Android Developer Challenge
12 Nov, 2007 BusinessWire
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) today announced the Android Developer Challenge, which will provide $10 million to developers who build mobile applications for Android(TM), the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. The Challenge is designed to support the developer community and spark innovation on the Android platform by awarding cash prizes ranging from $25,000 to $275,000 to developers whose applications are picked by a panel of judges.
"We've built some interesting applications for Android but the best applications are not here yet and that's because they're going to be written by developers," said Sergey Brin, Co-founder and President, Technology, Google. "We'd like to reward these developers and recognize them as much as possible."
"We believe that the Android platform offers developers a unique opportunity to create truly innovative mobile software," said Andy Rubin, Google's director of mobile platforms. "We're challenging developers to stretch their imaginations and skills to leverage the full capabilities of this new platform and to create something amazing."
Android was announced on November 5 by the Open Handset Alliance(TM), a group of more than 30 technology and mobile industry leaders committed to fostering innovation on mobile phones and offering a better consumer experience. The Alliance will provide developers with a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively. Today, the Alliance released an early look at the Android software developer kit (SDK) that includes the documentation, sample projects, development tools, emulator, and libraries that developers will need to build an Android application. Today's Android SDK announcement can be found on the Alliance blog: http://android-developers.blogspot.com.
The $10 million total in the Android Developer Challenge will be distributed equally between the Android Developer Challenge I and II. Submissions for Challenge I will be accepted from January 2 through March 3, 2008, and the 50 most promising entries will be recognized by end of March with each receiving $25,000 awards to fund further development. These 50 entries will then be eligible for even greater recognition by applying by May 1, 2008 for ten awards worth $275,000 each and another ten worth $100,000 each. Recognition for the top apps among those entries will be announced by end of May 2008. Challenge II will launch after the first handsets built on the platform become available in the second half of 2008.
A panel of technology and mobile experts selected from the Open Handset Alliance member organizations and the industry in general will judge all qualifying entries. Awards will be given to the developers whose applications leverage all that the Android platform has to offer in order to provide consumers with the most compelling experiences. Developers retain all intellectual property and other rights to their applications. Interested developers should:
1. Download the SDK at http://code.google.com/android/download.html
2. Build a great app.
3. Submit an application between January 2 and March 3, 2008.
Additional information about the Android Developer Challenge can be found at http://code.google.com/android/adc.html
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) today announced the Android Developer Challenge, which will provide $10 million to developers who build mobile applications for Android(TM), the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. The Challenge is designed to support the developer community and spark innovation on the Android platform by awarding cash prizes ranging from $25,000 to $275,000 to developers whose applications are picked by a panel of judges.
"We've built some interesting applications for Android but the best applications are not here yet and that's because they're going to be written by developers," said Sergey Brin, Co-founder and President, Technology, Google. "We'd like to reward these developers and recognize them as much as possible."
"We believe that the Android platform offers developers a unique opportunity to create truly innovative mobile software," said Andy Rubin, Google's director of mobile platforms. "We're challenging developers to stretch their imaginations and skills to leverage the full capabilities of this new platform and to create something amazing."
Android was announced on November 5 by the Open Handset Alliance(TM), a group of more than 30 technology and mobile industry leaders committed to fostering innovation on mobile phones and offering a better consumer experience. The Alliance will provide developers with a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively. Today, the Alliance released an early look at the Android software developer kit (SDK) that includes the documentation, sample projects, development tools, emulator, and libraries that developers will need to build an Android application. Today's Android SDK announcement can be found on the Alliance blog: http://android-developers.blogspot.com.
The $10 million total in the Android Developer Challenge will be distributed equally between the Android Developer Challenge I and II. Submissions for Challenge I will be accepted from January 2 through March 3, 2008, and the 50 most promising entries will be recognized by end of March with each receiving $25,000 awards to fund further development. These 50 entries will then be eligible for even greater recognition by applying by May 1, 2008 for ten awards worth $275,000 each and another ten worth $100,000 each. Recognition for the top apps among those entries will be announced by end of May 2008. Challenge II will launch after the first handsets built on the platform become available in the second half of 2008.
A panel of technology and mobile experts selected from the Open Handset Alliance member organizations and the industry in general will judge all qualifying entries. Awards will be given to the developers whose applications leverage all that the Android platform has to offer in order to provide consumers with the most compelling experiences. Developers retain all intellectual property and other rights to their applications. Interested developers should:
1. Download the SDK at http://code.google.com/android/download.html
2. Build a great app.
3. Submit an application between January 2 and March 3, 2008.
Additional information about the Android Developer Challenge can be found at http://code.google.com/android/adc.html
HTC expects revenues to grow over 20%, plans to launch 2-3 Android-based handsets, in 2008
12 Nov, 2007
High Tech Computer (HTC) expects its revenues to grow more than 20% on year in 2008, and the company also plans to launch 2-3 Android-based mobile phones in the coming year, according to the Chinese-language Commercial Times which quoted remarks made by HTC CEO Peter Chou last week at a meeting with analysts from foreign investment firms in Taiwan.
During the meeting, Chou also said that HTC plans to launch a non-Qualcomm 3G solution in the near future, introduce a new user interface which will be better than its current TouchFlo technology in 2008, and launch WiMAX/TD-WCDMA mobile devices by the end of 2008 or in early 2009, the paper reported.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Google Mobile Alliance Seeks to Avoid Pitfalls of Past Groups
7th November 2007, Dow Jones Newswires
SAN FRANCISCO -(Dow Jones)- Google isn't the first to try to bring order to the cellphone industry - it's just the latest and biggest name to do so.
Monday, the Internet giant announced its 34-member Open Handset Alliance of carriers, hardware makers and software groups that aims to create a mobile phone platform built on Linux-based open-source technology standards. To hear Google tell it, the initiative will revolutionize the mobile phone industry and enable customers to access the Internet through any wireless device and service provider.
Industry analysts, though, remain far more skeptical. Google and alliance partners such as Sprint Nextel, Samsung Electronics and Motorola certainly have the clout to drive changes within the industry, but skeptics question whether Google will be able to finesse the technical conflicts, political differences and business model disputes that inevitably arise in alliances of this size.
"Alliances typically don't work. Responsibilities are not clearly defined, and there aren't any penalties for failure," said Lisa Pierce, wireless analyst at research group Forrester.
Google dismissed such concerns, arguing that its end-to-end mobile software package - dubbed Android - will minimize technical conflicts, and that alliance members are all determined to create a cellphone industry based on open standards.
The Internet search and advertising giant hopes Android will be the foundation for a new generation of cellphones that let consumers surf the Internet much like they do now with their computers.
The goal for Google is to extend its core search and advertising business into the mobile marketplace, which research group Informa Telecoms & Media projects to be greater than $11 billion in 2011. If successful, Google's mobile advertising play could yield the company up to $4.8 billion in annual revenues within three years, according to Sandeep Aggarwal, analyst at Oppenheimer & Co.
Nonetheless, some are wondering if an alliance of nearly three dozen partners is the most effective way to create a seamless set of wireless products and services.
"You can't just slap together a mobile software platform, make it work with hardware and have it spin like a top," said John Jackson, wireless analyst at Yankee Group. "This is an exact opposite play to what Apple is doing," noting that Apple's popular iPhone works well specifically because the company developed its own hardware and software.
Ken Dulaney, wireless analyst at Gartner, cautioned that the very openness touted by Google could create unexpected technical hurdles. For example, he noted that handset makers will be able to choose from several Linux versions and then add a variety of open-source modules to provide a range of features. Carriers could then add one of several browsers and select from hundreds of applications.
"The end result is that each device delivered through each carrier, despite being built on Google, can in reality be quite different from each other," said Dulaney. He said handset makers can never be sure how components and modules will interact with each other, so they must be tested to make sure they will not cause a mobile device to crash.
Another concern is that some handset makers or developers might be unable to resist the urge to lock down products so that rivals can't take advantage of their modifications.
Skeptics also noted the alliance had failed to draw in key mobile players, including leading handset maker Nokia and U.S. carriers AT&T and Verizon Communications.
Then there is the potential for confusion with other mobile industry groups - such as the LiMo Foundation, the Linux Phone Standards Forum and the Open Mobile Alliance - that aim to define technical standards and foster collaboration.
Bill Hughes, analyst at In-Stat consultancy, noted that these alliances - including Google's OHA - have overlapping memberships even as they seem to be pushing their own standards, raising questions about which companies are most committed to which alliances.
"If you have a lot of variation, it will scare off developers," he said. "People will get confused and confused customers won't buy."
Google was quick to downplay those concerns. Ethan Beard, director of new business development at Google, argued that while other alliances were debating rules, discussing technical specifications and authoring papers, the OHA was preparing to ship software development tools next week.
Beard also argued that Android is a robust software package that includes all the components that handset makers, carriers and developers will need to build low-cost mobile phones, minimizing the risk of fragmentation.
When asked about the possibility that some alliance members might try to lock out rivals, Chief Executive Eric Schmidt suggested those companies would ultimately lose out in a market in which consumers demand openness.
Money Issues
But industry analysts said technical issues were only half the battle. A key question was how the introduction of mass advertising might change the economics of the wireless carrier industry.
For example, would carriers stop subsidizing phones that work on rival networks? If so, would consumers be willing to let advertisers subsidize the cost of their phones? And most importantly, how would alliance members share the services and advertising revenues that Google and some financial analysts so readily anticipate?
Google was determined to talk up the technical side of OHA this week, but some analysts questioned whether the alliance will be able to withstand the tensions that will inevitably arise as members stake their financial claims.
"I have significant questions about changing parts of the (business) model," Forrester's Pierce said. "The hard work is yet to come."
HTC to ship one million Android-based handsets in 2008, says paper
7 Nov 2007, Commercial Times
High Tech Computer (HTC) is expected to ship about one million Android-based handsets in 2008 following an announcement by the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) on November 5 of the availability of the Android open platform for mobile devices, the Chinese-language Commercial Times quoted securities firm Morgan Stanley as saying.
Morgan Stanley estimates that shipments of Android-based models will account for 8% of HTC's total shipments in 2008, according to the paper.
Where's my Gphone?
11/05/2007 08:09:00 AM Posted by Andy Rubin, Director of Mobile Platforms
Despite all of the very interesting speculation over the last few months, we're not announcing a Gphone. However, we think what we are announcing -- the Open Handset Alliance and Android -- is more significant and ambitious than a single phone. In fact, through the joint efforts of the members of the Open Handset Alliance, we hope Android will be the foundation for many new phones and will create an entirely new mobile experience for users, with new applications and new capabilities we can’t imagine today.
Android is the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, user-interface and applications -- all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation. We have developed Android in cooperation with the Open Handset Alliance, which consists of more than 30 technology and mobile leaders including Motorola, Qualcomm, HTC and T-Mobile. Through deep partnerships with carriers, device manufacturers, developers, and others, we hope to enable an open ecosystem for the mobile world by creating a standard, open mobile software platform. We think the result will ultimately be a better and faster pace for innovation that will give mobile customers unforeseen applications and capabilities.
We see Android as an important part of our strategy of furthering Google's goal of providing access to information to users wherever they are. We recognize that many among the multitude of mobile users around the world do not and may never have an Android-based phone. Our goals must be independent of device or even platform. For this reason, Android will complement, but not replace, our longstanding mobile strategy of developing useful and compelling mobile services and driving adoption of these products through partnerships with handset manufacturers and mobile operators around the world.
It's important to recognize that the Open Handset Alliance and Android have the potential to be major changes from the status quo -- one which will take patience and much investment by the various players before you'll see the first benefits. But we feel the potential gains for mobile customers around the world are worth the effort. If you’re a developer and this approach sounds exciting, give us a week or so and we’ll have an SDK available. If you’re a mobile user, you’ll have to wait a little longer, but some of our partners are targeting the second half of 2008 to ship phones based on the Android platform. And if you already have a phone you know and love, check out mobile.google.com and make sure you have Google Maps for mobile, Gmail and our other great applications on your phone. We'll continue to make these services better and add plenty of exciting new features, applications and services, too.
What would your phone do?
Despite all of the very interesting speculation over the last few months, we're not announcing a Gphone. However, we think what we are announcing -- the Open Handset Alliance and Android -- is more significant and ambitious than a single phone. In fact, through the joint efforts of the members of the Open Handset Alliance, we hope Android will be the foundation for many new phones and will create an entirely new mobile experience for users, with new applications and new capabilities we can’t imagine today.
Android is the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, user-interface and applications -- all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation. We have developed Android in cooperation with the Open Handset Alliance, which consists of more than 30 technology and mobile leaders including Motorola, Qualcomm, HTC and T-Mobile. Through deep partnerships with carriers, device manufacturers, developers, and others, we hope to enable an open ecosystem for the mobile world by creating a standard, open mobile software platform. We think the result will ultimately be a better and faster pace for innovation that will give mobile customers unforeseen applications and capabilities.
We see Android as an important part of our strategy of furthering Google's goal of providing access to information to users wherever they are. We recognize that many among the multitude of mobile users around the world do not and may never have an Android-based phone. Our goals must be independent of device or even platform. For this reason, Android will complement, but not replace, our longstanding mobile strategy of developing useful and compelling mobile services and driving adoption of these products through partnerships with handset manufacturers and mobile operators around the world.
It's important to recognize that the Open Handset Alliance and Android have the potential to be major changes from the status quo -- one which will take patience and much investment by the various players before you'll see the first benefits. But we feel the potential gains for mobile customers around the world are worth the effort. If you’re a developer and this approach sounds exciting, give us a week or so and we’ll have an SDK available. If you’re a mobile user, you’ll have to wait a little longer, but some of our partners are targeting the second half of 2008 to ship phones based on the Android platform. And if you already have a phone you know and love, check out mobile.google.com and make sure you have Google Maps for mobile, Gmail and our other great applications on your phone. We'll continue to make these services better and add plenty of exciting new features, applications and services, too.
What would your phone do?
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