Here's an update to my last post on the rising rumors on the highly anticipated Google Android based mobile phone. It seems that preparations for the release of the Android phone are well under way as Google has officially announced the existence of the Android market.

The Google Android market is similar to the Apple app. store. This market will offer an open content distribution system where Google Android phone owners can can find, purchase, download and install content on their Gphone.

The Android market will provide a way for developers to deliver their applications to users of Android based cell phones. An interesting feature of this market is the "rating and feedback system" which will be similar to the one installed in the hit video sharing site, YouTube. The system will allow users to rate an application and offer some feedback and comments on its performance. I have observed that cell phone ratings and other types of rating systems haver become popular on the web. This will undoubtedly work on the market for the Android.

Google also announced that the Android Market will be a beta feature on the first wave of Android handsets. However, the Android Market feature is not yet a final product because decisions about how it will function are still being made. It's expected that simmi8lar to the Apple app store, the Google market will offer paid content and free products.

The Android market will be finalized after the market Android mobile phone officially launches. Google will then provide a software update to the first wave of mobile phones running on the Android OS.


Here are the basics steps provided by Google for getting content into the Android Market:

• First the developer needs to register as a merchant
  

• Second, the developer needs tto upload and describe the app/service
  

• The last step would be to publish it app/service in the Android market.

The first Google phone which will probably be the HTC Dream is expected to have quad-band GSM/EDGE radios, WCDMA 1700, Bluetooth and WiFi. It is also being rumored to offer a slot for microSD cards and a camera of unknown quality.

That's all for todays Android update. Keep on visiting this blog for more news and info on the Android and other mobile phone related news.

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Lately, there has been a lot of buzz about the Android phone also known as the Google phone. There have been rumors about the release dates and possible features of the anticipated device. Let's take a look at the latest updates and rumors about the first phone that will run on Google's Android platform.

The most important development on the Android scenes is probably the FCC's approval of the HTC Dream, the phone being pegged as the first Android mobile phone. FCC documents also provided new information on the "Android" phone. For instance, the documents confirmed that it will have quad-band GSM/EDGE radios, WCDMA 1700, Bluetooth and WiFi. The documents mention a camera of unknown quality and a slot for microSD cards.

More importantly, the timing of this approval makes the rumors that the HTC Dream will run Android plausible. Recently, HTC and T-Mobile confirmed that they will be releasing a new phone based on Google's Android platform by the end of the year.

The HTC Dream phone also supports the 1700 MHz band earmarks it for T-Mobile. T-mobile has been working towards the development of a phone that will run on the Android platform.

A few weeks ago, there were some rumors that T-Mobile may offer a phone running the Android platform as early as October . However, some recent statements made by Moe Tanabian of IBB Consulting may dampen the spirits of Android fans.

Moe Tanabian is an anlyst and one of the few persons who has actually who has actually seen the very first Android-based device. This is of course significant because most of the info we have on the Android are based on rumors. There are even no actual pictures of the the device so an analyst who has first hand experience with the device is a good source of info.

Now, Tanabian said that has announced that the Android phone will arrive in stores around Thanksgiving in November. Now this statement discredits rumors that we can get the Android phone by October.

Tanabian also revealed that the first Android mobile phone may not support Microsoft Exchange. This may mean that Android users who want to receive push email may have to rely exclusively on Gmail. This is significant because major smartphones like the iPhone and Blackberries offer Microsoft Exchange and its absence could hurt the Android phone.

Fortunately, Tanabian also offered some good news. For example, he said that confirmed that the Android device will come pre-installed with Google's advertising software. This may mean that the cost of the phone will be lessened . He also confirmed that the Android handset will provide access to T-Mobile's own App Store-like service.

Well, I guess we all have to wait for further updates to see if the Android phone will finally come on the upcoming months. Tune in to this blog for more updates on the Android and other mobile phone news.

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Here's some breaking news from AT&T. The 3G iPhone set to hit AT&t stores on July 11th, the Mobile phone carrier has decided to announce the pricing information for Apple's hit device.

According to the company, new and existing AT&T customers will be able to choose from several attractive voice and data plans if they want to get the 3G iPhone. AT&T also provided some tips on how to be "iReady" when iPhone 3G goes on sale at AT&T retail stores.

Ralph de la Vega, the president and CEO of AT&T's wireless unit released this statement as part of the announcement.

"We can't wait to offer iPhone 3G to our customers, and we want to make sure the buying process is as easy as possible. Considering all the great new features of iPhone 3G, we think our pricing and monthly plans present a tremendous value for consumers and businesses alike."

You can read the whole announcement or press release by clicking this link: AT&T Announces iPhone 3G Pricing and Tips. But I have also prepared a summary of the information on the announcement. Here they are:

• Customers who purchased an iPhone before July 11, new customers, and customer who are eligible for an upgrade discount will get the 8GB 3G iPhone for $199 and the 16GB iPhone for $299.

• The 8GB model will be offered for $399 to customers who are not eligible for a discount. They will also be charged $499 for the 16GB model.

• New and old customers will be required to commit to a new two-year agreement.

• Apple's new iPhone will require one of four plans, which bundle voice minutes with unlimited data for web and email use.

• The unlimited minutes and data plan will cost $130 per month, the 1350-minute plan will cost $110, the 900-minute plan will cost $90 and the 450-minute plan will cost $70.

• Messaging is not included in any of these plans and must be added separately. $20 buys unlimited messaging, $15 buys 1500 messages, and $5 buys 200 messages per month.

• Any iPhone customer seeking corporate email support will need a $45 business data plan.

• AT&T will offer no-contract availability of the 3G iPhone at the full retail price of $599 for the the 8GB model and $699 price for the 16GB models in the future.

Tune in to this blog for more updates on the 3G iPhone and other mobile phone topics.

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It seems that Apple's iPhone will now conquer the globe? Will this put an end to the fake iPhones in the mobile phone market? I don't know but let's explore the rest of the story. After all, the iPhone may soon be launched in your country.

Recently, there have been stories and rumors about an operator making a deal to launch the iPhone in several countries. This time, Orange has announced that they have completed a deal with Apple that will give them the authority to launch the iPhone in ten markets around the globe.

Orange will be releasing the Apple iPhone on the following countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• The Dominican Republic
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Switzerland
• Africa

However, the launching dates for these countries have not been revealed. Is your country on that list? If not, then you shouldn't worry. At this rate, the iPhonwe will be released in your country. Anyway, let's get back to the story.

In Austria, Egypt, Portugal and Africa, the iPhone may be available from multiple carriers. T-Mobile has also announce it will release the iPhone in Austria. Vodafone has its own list of “ten countries for the iPhone” which include a few countries listed in Orange's list.

It's probable that other global operators will be releasing the iPhone in more places. The iPhone may be spreading like wildfire around the world to make way for the next generation device. The 3G version is rumored to be released soon and some say that it will be the standard communications device in the near future.


More iTunes for the iPhone

Here's a juicy iPhone update:

The New York Times has punlished that some multiple label executives have confirmed that Apple is looking to expand its iTunes ringtone collection by June. The number is said to be far more than was targeted in the past. Downloadable song snippets and ringback tones are included in Apple's list. However, the labels feel that these ringtones should cost more over a hypothetical 3G iTunes store than the current Wi-Fi option.

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