Google Sky Map illuminates Android

It may not be Google Earth, but Google's latest application for its Android operating system is headed in the direction of at least one Earth's layers--up.

Google Sky Map uses your exact whereabouts, including the direction you're facing and the tilt of your handset, to show you the stars and planets all around. Because the Android phone is an extremely portable device, unlike your desktop or even laptop, Sky Map can heavily lean on the phone's built-in GPS and its accelerometer. This allows you to point the phone like a remote to see the sky above. Yet Sky Map isn't bound by such paltry limitations as "up" and "down." With Sky Map activated and the G1 (also known as the HTC Dream in Asia) calmly resting by my elbow, I can turn my head to gaze at Australis and the South Pole.
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Garmin Nuvifone delayed again

Though I know that the Garmin nuvifone actually exists--I have held it in my hand--I'm beginning to think it's like the proverbial carrot held over a poor horse's head. Every time we think we're getting closer, the GPS phone magically recedes farther into the distance.

Twice Mobile reported last week that Garmin President and COO Cliff Pemble announced yet another delay for the handset. During a first-quarter earnings conference call, Pemble said the phone should now go on sale in the second half of this year, which would make it a year late. Pemble said that building the phone is proving to be difficult. "Smartphones are complicated and bringing one to market that's built totally from the ground up on a custom Linux platform is not an easy task," he said.

We first heard about the nuvifone more than a year ago and we got our first glimpse of a prototype at the GSMA World Congress in February 2008. At the time, Garmin promised that the phone would be out at the end of last year, but last July the company delayed it until the first half of 2009. Then last February, we got our first hands-on with the nuvifone after Garmin announced a partnership with Asus to produce a series of nuvifone models.


As the first half of the year is ticking to a close, we were wondering if Garmin would make good on it's last word. Sadly, that's not the case, but we hope that it won't happen again.

Via CNET Crave

T-Mobile G2, T-Mobile G1 v2 details surface

While the Android 1.5 Cupcake update is on its way to T-Mobile G1 owners, the bigger question on some people's minds is when we're going to see a new Android device here in the US. The HTC Magic, which was first introduced at GSMA 2009, has launched in several European countries, and Canada will get its Android devices in June, so how far behind could we be?

Well, according to the Boy Genius Report, July will be the hot month. BGR posted what it says is Wal-Mart's roadmap of upcoming mobile phones and under the July column is the lovely HTC Sapphire (another internal name for the Magic) for T-Mobile. It's expected to go for US$179 with a two-year contract and interestingly, the Sapphire appears to have a better camera than the Magic: 5 megapixels versus 3.2 megapixels.

Also in Android news, TMOToday found a new iteration of the T-Mobile G1, called the T-Mobile G1 v2 (codename Bigfoot), which features a similar slide-out QWERTY keyboard as the G1 but in a much more attractive design. BGR later found the smartphone on the Wal-Mart document with a slated October release and US$148 price tag, which adds some credence to the story, but here's hoping that we get some official announcements soon.

Via CNET Crave

Motorola shakes it up with the W7

Motorola wants you to wave your hands like you just don't care--with the new Motorola W7 Active Edition. This motion-enabled phone has an accelerometer that uses gestures to perform tasks.

For example, you can flip the phone over to shut up an incoming call, snooze the alarm clock, or put the music on pause. You can shake it twice to launch a favorite application, and you can flick the phone right or left to browse through your media library.

Those who want to get fit can also use a built-in step pedometer that will count and record your daily walks. Motorola even included a Personal Trainer app that lets you work toward you fitness goals. If you prefer fun and games, you can use the W7 to shake, jump, and dance your way through some of the preloaded titles.
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ViewSonic announces plans to make 3G smartphones

Dell aside, seems like computer peripherals maker ViewSonic also wants in on the 3G smartphone industry. If we sound a little cautious here, that's because the market which the California-based outfit is diving into is dominated by Apple, HTC, LG, Nokia and Research In Motion.

The company plans to introduce its smartphone first in China, followed by Europe and the US, which ViewSonic claims to be a "natural extension" of its 3- to 300-inch product lineup, from handhelds to LCD TVs and projectors. We welcome competition since that would theoretically drive innovation, but we are keeping our fingers crossed on this one.

Via Engadget and Business Wire

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