Apple fans will not like this but the truth is that, just-announced Android 2.2 (code-named Froyo) looks like a winner, with plenty of capabilities that put it well beyond the iPhone.

Have a look at the video to get an idea why it is better then the IPhone.

Here are seven ways in which Android 2.2 is superior to the iPhone.

Link:  Seven reasons Android 2.2 Froyo beats the iPhone

Source: Computer World

Google is launching its new Android handset Nexus One. This 11.5mm thin handset built by HTC runs on Android 2.1.

Some of its features are:

• a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
• a 3.7 inch AMOLED touchscreen display
• a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash
• a multi coloured trackball that changes colors depending on the application running
• noise cancellation technology for eliminating background noise
• new news & weather widget
• voice commands to all applications on the phone that have text input fields

Nexus One  will be sold directly to consumers through a newly launched web site at Google.com/phone.The phone is available unlocked online for $529 and for $179 through T-Mobile USA with a T-Mobile Even More individual 500 Plan, which costs $79.99 per month. Unlocked, the phone will be able to access AT&T Mobility’s EDGE data network.

Source: Fiercewireless.com

Motorola introduced the first of a new generation of smartphones on Thursday that it hopes will reverse its plummeting cell phone sales.

The phone, called the Cliq, is meant for young people obsessed with social networks. Instead of the traditional menu of features, the Cliq’s home screen is an ever-changing mosaic of e-mail, Twitter tweets and status updates, superimposed over photos of the people sending those messages.

Phone is based on Google’s Android operating system, but Motorola has substantially modified the Google software
to make its phone stand out from the dozen or so other Android phones that are expected to be introduced before the holiday sales season. While phone users will be able to download and use any of the growing list of applications for the Android system, the look of Motorola’s phones and the way they operate will be different from other handsets using the operating system.

Source : ET

Nimbuzz has announced the launch of an Android application for it’s mobile social messaging service. The free app for Android comes after the updated iPhone 3.0 release in mid-July.

What does Nimbuzz do?

It’s a mobile messaging hub, combining a lot of different services in one application. Nimbuzz mainly focuses on Instant Messaging, geo-presence, and VoIP. Through the Nimbuzz “buddy list”, you can see if your friends are available to talk, what service they are available over, and where they are. It acts as a hub for quite a few existing services, including Skype, Google Talk, AIM, Facebook and MySpace.

Whats unique about Android app?

Unique to the Android app is a “local social network” feature. What it means is that Nimbuzz users in non-English speaking countries will have access to their most popular national networks. The examples given were Hyves in the Netherlands, StudiVZ from Germany, Gadu-Gadu from Poland, and Giovani from Italy. The Nimbuzz blog also claims that Skype IM is a unique feature to the Android version, with other versions only using the VoIP part of Skype.

Another cool new feature is a “time-sensitive” click. If you touch a friends contact in the app, it opens their profile. But if you touch and hold, it starts a chat.

There’s a brand-spanking-new version of the Google’s Android SDK out right now, replete with new apps, a new skin, and tightened-up functionality. In fact, it’s almost like a whole new OS.

Check out the Android Gallery

Source: Engadget Mobile

Google’s new platform, Android, takes on the might of Nokia’s Symbian, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, and Research In Motion’s BlackBerry, promising to turn handsets into fully functional PCs.

Google, through a collaboration with 33 other companies, is going to launch in two years a Rs 4,000 mobile phone that will replace personal computers completely. The alliance is targeting Internet-enabled smart phones where the asking price worldwide is closer to $ 200 rather than $ 20.

The Open Handset Alliance will include handset makers, technology developers and carriers, the prominent among them being Qualcomm, NTT DoCoMo, Telefonica, LG, and Samsung. Google will offer up something called the “Android Mobile Software Stack”, an integrated family of software including an operating system and new mobile applications.

Source: The Pioneer

Dan Morrill builds a simple application on the Android platform.

Source: Youtube

Video 1

You can also win $10 Million for creating the best app. See the video for details.

Video 2

Bruce Leak and Timo Bruck from SkyPop demo a couple of their new applications for Android

Source: OpenGardens

Google has developed prototype handsets, is currently in talks with operators such as T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, and has talked through technical specifications with phone manufacturers. Consumers can expect a variety of Google phones from multiple manufacturers based on its specs and better yet you may not even have to change carriers because it’s more than likely multiple operators will offer them.

Beautiful concept rendering of the Google phone courtesy of T3.

Don’t dump that new iPhone or old clamshell phone just yet because the Google Phone  wouldn’t be available until next year at the earliest, say people familiar with the project.

Source: Google-Phone.com