Archive for January, 2009

Google Android on Nokia N810

Good example of the actual power of the Open Source solutions, in depth example of how to port Android 1.0 to the Nokia N810 from someone that actually did it - look no further than this writeup over at LinuxDevices.

As you’re probably well aware, the N810 is not a mobile phone. It’s an Internet Tablet, normally running on Linux. It has a built-in slide-out keyboard and a 4.1-inch touch screen so at least at a base physical level it seemed like a great candidate for Android. What Peter McDermott and his NthCode consulting firm did, was to evaluate the differences between a standard Linux install and the Android distribution and bring the N810 into compliance with Android.

Skyhook positioning support for Android platform

Skyhook Wireless has updated its software developers kit (SDK) to add support for Android, the Open Handset Alliance operating system initially developed and still backed by Google. Skyhook offers a combination of WiFi, GPS, cellular tower, and sensor-based positioning data for determining approximate geographic coordinates and an error range.

While the first Android-based device, the T-Mobile G1, includes Wi-Fi, 3G, and GPS radios, part of what makes Android appealing is the low-level access to hardware that cellular handset makers typically restrict access to via hardware abstraction layers or higher-level application libraries.

Is Google looking at the netbook market

Given how flexibly Android has been developed and how well it adapts to new platforms without needing specific adjustments, Google would be foolish to not at least consider this avenue as an active development path. Google has the strength, the influence, and now it seems the technology, to take Linux-based netbooks and notebooks to a newer, more polished, and friendlier place. With Android and its overall consumer ready interface, netbooks could appeal to a wider group of customers and to a possibly revenue-rich market.

Android on Eee PC netbook

What is a future of Android platform, is it only limited to the handled devices? Last week, two enthusiasts managed to load Android onto an Eee PC netbook. What they did proves Android and Android-like operating systems could have a potential range far wider spectrum of devices. According to their write-up, it took no more than about four hours to compile Android for the Eee and get it up and running.

This wasn’t just a proof of concept install. Once running, Android was able to use the onboard graphics, sound, and wireless capabilities of the device. This installation success is helping fuel speculation about the future of Android and other possible Google operating system initiatives.

Linux system on mobile devices

As smart phones continue to grow in market share and importance, here is the list of the latest and most exiting products:

Google Android Dev Phone 1 — Dec. 08, 2008 — The Android Dev Phone 1 is a version of the HTC G1 offered by Google with the SIM- and other hardware unlocked. The Android Dev Phone 1 aims to provide Android developers with real hardware on which to test their applications, and is sold for $400 (or $425 with network member fee).