Android, a product of Open Handset Alliance (OHA) is a complete package of software for mobile devices. It is comprised of an operating system, middleware and mobile applications. The android operating system runs on open Linux kernel. It contains a set of APIs (Application Programming Interface) and libraries that gives users enormous facility to innovate new applications, for example: a developer can combine information from the web with data on an individual’s mobile phone — such as the user’s contacts, calendar, or geographic location. A developer can build an application that enables users to view the location of their friends and be alerted when they are in the vicinity giving them a chance to connect.

Android provides a software development kit (SDK) which is constituted of debugger, libraries, a handset emulator (based on QEMU), documentation, sample code, and tutorials.

Key features of an Android operating system:

• Handset Layout>: The platform is adaptable to VGA, 2D graphics library, 3D graphics library based on OpenGL ES 1.0 specifications, and traditional Smartphone layouts.
• Storage: The Database Software SQLite is used for data storage purposes
• Connectivity: Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. 
• Messaging: SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging including threaded text messaging.
• Web browser: The web browser available in Android is based on the open-source WebKit application framework.
• Media support: Android supports the following audio/video/still media formats: MPEG-4, H.264, MP3, AAC, MIDI, OGG, AMR, JPEG, PNG, GIF.
• Additional hardware support: Android can utilize video/still cameras, touch screens, GPS, accelerometers, magnetometers, accelerated 2D (with hardware orientation, scaling, and pixel format conversion) and accelerated 3D graphics.
• Development environment: Includes a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, a plug-in for the Eclipse IDE.
• Market: The Android Market is a store house of applications that can be downloaded and installed .Originally only freeware applications were supported. Paid-for applications have been available on the Android Market in the United States since 19 February 2009.
• Multi-touch: Android has native support for multi-touch but the feature is disabled at the kernel level. An unofficial mod has been developed that enables multi-touch, but requires superuser access to the device to flash an unsigned kernel.

Evolution of Android:

Way back, on November 5, 2007 a consortium of companies(whose count is 47 now) comprising of  Broadcom Corporation, Google, HTC, Intel, LG, Marvell Technology Group, Motorola, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Texas Instruments came into existence, coinciding with the release of their first product ‘Android’ with ARM Holdings Plc, Atheros Communications, Asustek Computer Inc, Garmin Ltd, Softbank, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba Corp, and Vodafone Group joining later. The latest entry in OHA is Acer.

Android is available as an entirely open source since October 21, 2008. Despite of the fact that it is an open source product, there are few developments happening in the product in a private development branch named ‘Cupcake’ (Its a read-only mirror branch for public view). This development activity will result in changes in download manager, the framework, Bluetooth, the system software, radio and telephony, developer tools, the build system and several applications, as well as a number of bug fixes.

On 30th April, 2009 another milestone was achieved with the release of 1.5 update for Android which led to following enhancements:

•  Ability to record and watch videos with the camcorder mode

•  Uploading videos to YouTube and pictures to Picasa directly from the phone

•  A new soft keyboard with an “Autocomplete” feature

•  Ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset within a certain distance

•  New widgets and folders that can populate the desktop

•  Animations between screens

•  Expanded ability of Copy and paste to include web pages. 

Lets have some insight on devices already running on Android and those which would be running on it soon. HTC dream, HTC Magic, Chinese company QIGI I6, Geeks phone ONE (first Spanish android phone) are the ones which are already using android. The mobiles which are coming soon with android are Samsung I7500, HTC Hero, HKC Imobile. Acer is expected to release Android for the Acer One netbook in Q3 2009. Chinese ODM Yuhua’s first Android phone, the dual-SIM DSTL1 will be released in June.

Latest Buzz in the territory of android based device is the announcement of Android Native development kit version 1.0 which allows software or applications to run natively on the Linux layer below and the possibility of fennec (Firefox’s mobile version) to be a part of Android mobile OS.

With Android around we can customize our phones to our interests and has the capacity to incorporate almost all the technologies coming in future.

Already Report says Google Android to grow 900% in 2009. Keep watching … 

Project NATAL : Redefining the gaming experience with Xbox 360!

Microsoft brings to light the much rumoured hands-free and motion-sensing gaming and entertainment. This is a project (code-named Natal) that is still within Microsoft laboratory walls and has a long way to go to come to market.  This small black device, an add on to the Xbox 360 gives a full on real life gaming experience of what is happening in the screen without any controllers and wires attached.  It has the capability of playing with multiple users during a single session.

It has a surprisingly sensitive video camera which can capture and track where your body is and what you are doing. It automatically recognizes if you are a man or a woman. It has a monochrome camera (works with infrared) that reads the depth in our movements like how far away our body is. It also exhibits a super sensitive and multi-array microphone that can not only pick up voice commands but also tells when you are talking, when your friends are talking and when somebody in the game is talking. It is powered with a software that tells Xbox how to find our body’s various joints.(It tracks 48 of them). Isn’t it ultimate?

The project is headed by Don Mattrick, the head of Microsoft’s interactive and entertainment division and the former head of Electronics Art. Any guesses on why is the project named Natal?? Lets see.. This is because Microsoft tends to name its internal projects after cities; Natal is a city in Brazil, where Alex Kipman, one of the key engineers on project Natal comes from.

The other players in market in this field are Nintendo Wii, Sony EyeToy but they come with some kind of swing and swivel device and with not so good movement capture and are in no way close to Project Natal.

However, some say it would be weird to dodge a ball when you actually don’t hold it and it is not meant for hardcore gamers and games like star wars etc.         

Microsoft has denied disclosing the date when Project Natal is going to take its first independent step outside the laboratory. People are eagerly waiting for the day when they can actually see this in market and have the ultimate fun.

Let’s wait and watch how it turns out!! 

iPhone 3GS is here- Check out on its improvements!

 With Apple’s CEO Steve jobs recuperating and is about to resume work there is no dearth of ideas and innovation to get launched and connected with people. After the initial success and buzz of Apple’s iPhone, the company has thought to launch an upgraded version with higher network speed, more memory storage capacity and definitely extended battery life and a mirror image of Apple iPhone 3G. It is iPhone 3G S that is now storming in news and views. Again, the launch of iPhone 3GS definitely coincides with the release of iPhone OS 3.0.

 But one must know that iPhone 3G S is indistinguishable from iPhone 3G if you keep both the handsets next to one another with face up. However, it is the phone internals that have undergone changes. Remember that the S in iPhone 3G S stands for Speed.

 iPhone 3G S is redesigned with additional features with gaming capabilities scoring really high. One can now enjoy the cell phone features now in iPhone 3GS such as the voice dialing, video recording and multimedia messaging. From 2 megapixels, the iPhone 3G S is equipped with 3 megapixel camera and definitely improved imaging experience. RAM is doubled from 128MB to almost 256MB.  

The phone is available in the market with two memory capacities, 16GB and 32GB. However some of the flip sides to this smartphone is the call quality that is still uneven as 3G reception remains bumpy. USB transfer or storage device is still a far cry. No multitasking, no flash, no java in Apple iPhone 3GS. 

The bottomline therefore is should you buy this smartphone? also when there are other options like Nokia N97 

Need to read on more to take a well informed decision.  

 Nokia launches N86 with 8 MP Carl Zeiss 

Did you check on the latest Nokia N86 slider phone endowed with 8MP camera posing competition to the digital cameras? It is not just an addition to the behemoth N series or another 3G handset. It calls for greater show so check out this smart phone from the Finnish mobile maker Nokia.

 Most importantly this phone is equipped with 8 megapixel camera with wide angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, autofocus and LED flash light. With Carl Zeiss technology you can be rest assured of crystal clear picture and you will not be surprised to find that this handset has won for best Mobile Imaging Device, the Technical Image Press Association 2009 award.

Watch the pictures and videos on 2.6 inch OLED screen. The handset is also equipped with 3.5mm audio jack and FM radio. Nokia maps are also additional feature in Nokia N86. What about the storage capacity? It’s a winner here too as it has 8GB memory space and memory can be enhanced up to 16GB with extended memory card slot.

This 3G touchscreen phone reflects a stylish look and supports WiFi and GPS.  

Keep posting your comments if you like Nokia N97  better but I feel Nokia N86 reflects similarity in appearance and function with Nokia N95.

Nokia unleashes N97 to challenge iPhone

The buzz on the mobile industry is the latest N97. The mobile giant Nokia tells people that N97 is the  company’s flagship model. If that’s true, then this little phone weighing not more than 150gms is sure  to be equipped with cutting-edge technology and appealing design. Nokia N97 is the ultimate mobile  computer for young professionals who juggles between work and play with a hungry for more spirit. Check out a short review on Nokia N97 as it gets launched targeting the Gen Next!

 This slim-trim N97 is dominated by its 3.5 inch touch screen display with full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with a navigation pad on the left side. The look is a blend of many phones ranging from AT&T tilt phone to Google G1phone. But what makes it powerful is the amazing touch screen display with 16:9 aspect ratio, 640×360 pixel resolution and 16 million colors. Real bright and sharp pictures indeed! The phone does not look all that chubby and has the least number of function keys. On the top of the phone, there is the power button and a hole for 3.5mm head phone jack. Its altogether a much enhanced experience than Nokia N96

Internet experience in this Nokia N97 is awesome. You can simply stay connected as it has the ability to support websites including the social networking sites such as Facebook and Hi5 with its in-built web browser. Besides the fully operational web browser software, N97 comes with Nokia maps and a flexible widget system that helps you tailor make your own set of applications with complete ease.

Again, Nokia N97 comes with 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and dual LED flash. What is impressive about this killer iPhone is the fact that N97 comes with a whopping 32GB storage capacity with additional 16GB Micro SD.

Nokia uses Symbian’s S60-5^th edition and supports HSDPA/3G and runs on Quadband GSM networks. Get the best with in-built Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the GPS system of N97.

However, the flipside to the high-end smart phone is its annoying small keys. However, this business phone will not disappoint its loyal customer base and definitely poses challenge to Apple’s iPhone and even Blackberry Storm.

So, if you love having the hottest and the latest in gadgets, Nokia N97 is for You with a Wow glance of envy from the onlookers.  

Did you check the latest unlimited entertainment device … The Nokia N96

So, here is the new gadget from Nokia, N96 that has again set the craze amongst millions to possess one for its brilliant features and advanced technology. This latest N-Series line up from Nokia is a very high-end handset and has features that will keep you entertained wherever you are. Much advanced than N70 and N80, Nokia N96 help you chuckle and giggle with a very high quality video in a 2.8 inch display and it supports stunning wide range of video formats too. It cannot be a replacement for Nokia N95, but nevertheless, check out its features and then decide whether you would like to be a proud owner of Nokia N96.  

The Look of Nokia N96:

It is the ultimate device with high end consumers and style-conscious clientele. The smart-phone Nokia N96 is slightly slimmer with 18 mm in thickness and bit wider than Nokia N95. It has polished flat surface with silver highlights, rounded edges and smooth corners. The 12 pad keys are visible only when Nokia N96 is illuminated. It is the screen of Nokia N96 that is omnipresent and the dual-slider device looks streamlined with all connectivity options included. Simply put it in your pocket and stay connected with Nokia N96.  

Features of Nokia N96

Did you check on the storage space of Nokia N96? Internally with microSD slot extension, Nokia N96 comes with 16GB storage place, much above than Nokia N95 with only 8Gb storage place. So you can load all your favorite videos, movies and carry this entertainment device with no worries on memory space.  

There is a live TV inside Nokia N96, with a live antenna and DVB-H TV tuner, you can remain updated with TV serials in your mobile phone. Again, you can click photos with the best camera in your Nokia N96, as it is equipped with 5 megapixel camera with Tessar and Carl Zeiss optics and autofocus option. In the market, 8 megapixel camera fitted Samsung mobile phone is out, nevertheless Nokia N96 has a credibility of its own. This smart phone Nokia N96 supports video recording too. The video clips can be shared and transferred to other compatible devices too. Equipped in Nokia N96 is a video stabilizer too.

 The operating system in Nokia N96 is upgraded so that it features stable functions. Nokia N96 is based on Symbian S60 3^rd edition operating system with feature pack 2. It has built-in GPS navigation too with Nokia maps. So download up to 150 maps for free with Nokia N96. 

Are you a music fanatic? If so, you will not be disappointed with Nokia N96 as this smart mobile phone is equipped with a music player that features everything and supports Nokia Internet radio and Visual Radio as well. With a built-in FM stereo and features that help create play lists, you can listen to your favorite songs anywhere with Nokia N96.

 It is the VGA camera in the front side of Nokia N96 that helps you view each other while speaking. It is possible if the other phone is equipped with 3G video calling feature. Technologies incorporated in Nokia N96 are 3G HSDPA for high speed and better efficiency, EDGE technology for high speed data transfer rates and above all WLAN Wi-Fi technology for wireless connection and fast broadband speed.  

Nokia N96 allows its users a wonderful web experience with the internet as the Nokia web browser supports both Java Script and HTML. The messaging services have never been so varied ranging from simple SMS, MMS (multi-media messaging), e-mailing service and instant messaging. The email of Nokia N96 supports IMAP4, SMTP and POP3 formats of emailing.  

Who are the competitors of Nokia N96?

Samsung M8800 Pixon, Samsung i8510, C905, INNOV8. The downside of this tiny piece of extraordinary technological excellence is the battery life. With added features, the battery life is really shortened in Nokia N96. With full charge, Nokia N96 roughly provides with only 3 hours of talk time. So, be cautious and keep your Nokia charger handy for making the most of Nokia N96.  

Nokia N97 is on the anvil … We will check out in our subsequent posts.