Tag: Android
Universal digital chief: Android's selling bucketloads of Amazon MP3s, litigation is not a long-term fix to piracy
I haven’t exactly hidden my contempt in the past for Doug Morris, CEO of Universal Music Group. For many years, UMG has ridden the coattails of the other record labels, particularly the trailblazing EMI, when it came to digital music. It was with mild trepidation, therefore, that I began to read Cnet’s interview with UMG’s Digital Music head honcho, Rio Caraeff.
There are a number of interesting nuggets of info in the interview – that Android’s driving “a ton” of sales for Amazon MP3, that litigation is not “a definitive or long-term fix” for piracy, and another confirmation of the “tens of millions of dollars” that Rio had previously claimed the label was getting from YouTube.
Most interesting of all, though, is the way that Rio sounds like a guy who’s really got his head screwed on. He speaks very knowledgably about digital music, but the most telling statement is when he says “We’re trying new things constantly. There is nothing we won’t try.” Trying new stuff was one of the central themes of my Six Tenets series about how the next generation of music companies will work. Good to hear someone so high up in the ‘traditional’ industry echo those sentiments.
Cnet’s Rio Caraeff Interview
Related posts: Universal Music: We’re getting heaps of cash from YouTube | Dell fills its PCs with Universal MP3s
Unseen Android-based HTC better than Palm Pre, mobile exec claims
HTC could soon be about to rain on Palm’s parade if the boasting of an executive from Australian telco Telstra is any indication.
Apparently, the new Android-based handset is “better and more functional” than the touchscreen Palm Pre with Palm Web OS just unveiled at CES.
Googlers getting G1 for Christmas
Normally companies pay out cash as a Christmas bonus, but not Google this year. The search giant will be handing out T-Mobile G1 phones to all its employees as thanks for their hard work this year. The phones will come without a SIM card, but unlocked. They’ll also be specially customized, with a “‘droid” on the back.
The company, in their Christmas email, jokes that it’s a great chance for them to ‘dogfood’ the product – i.e. get employees of the company to test it. Perhaps this mass stock clearout (20,000 people work for Google!) lends weight to yesterday’s rumours that the G2 will be coming along sooner than we think.
(via Valleywag)
Related posts: G2 (and G3!) rumours surface, debate over release date | Google shows off 2008’s top searches
Garmin to launch Android mobile, too
Adding further fuel to the fire of evidence that Android will become the mobile OS of choice in 2009, GPS manufacturer Garmin has announced that it’ll be building an Android-based mobile phone. The release is promised for the second half of the year.
It’s unclear as to whether this is an entirely new handset or a upgrade to the still-not-released Nuvifone, but either way, this should be a touchscreen GPS mobile device that packs a powerful punch. Current plans are just to launch the device in Taiwan, but given that the company’s GPS units are sold all over the world, I wouldn’t be surprised if this followed too.
Garmin (via Adding further fuel to the fire of evidence that Android will become the mobile OS of choice in 2009, GPS manufacturer Garmin has announced that it’ll be building an Android-based mobile phone. The release is promised for the second half of the year. It’s unclear as to whether this is an entirely new handset or a upgrade to the still-not-released Nuvifone, but either way, this should be a touchscreen GPS mobile device that packs a powerful punch. Current plans are just to launch the device in Taiwan, but given that the company’s GPS units are sold all over the world, I wouldn’t be surprised if this followed too. Garmin (via Phandroid) Related posts: Garmin intros rugged nüvi 500 Series portable navigation device | Garmin partners with GyPSii geo-social network, find where your friends are and how to get thereroid-phone-coming-in-2009/”>Phandroid
G2 (and G3!) rumours surface, debate over release date
It’s no secret that, badass as the T-Mobile G1 is, it’s not a perfect device. The keyboard’s a little clunky, the GPS is a bit iffy from time to time, and there’s a fair bit of functionality missing out of the gate. That said, it’s the closest competitor we’ve had to the iPhone’s dominance, so many people are praying for a decent second iteration of the device.
I have little doubt that the rumours that surfaced over the weekend owe more to that yearning than any factual reality. First off, a site called CellPhone Signal posted a specs list for a “G2” that seems plausible, but tacked on a deeply unrealistic release date of January 26th.
Sony Ericsson announces Android ambitions
People tend to either love or hate Sony Ericsson phones. I’m not a fan personally, but Lucy over at our sister site ShinyShiny loves them. My main objection is the software, but that bugbear is about to be stripped away by the announcement that SE will be developing an Android phone.
Having only just joined the Open Handset Alliance, Sony Ericsson won’t be dumping Symbian and Windows Mobile, but claim that Android will “complement” the operating systems that they currently use. Still, whatever you think of Sony Ericsson, more open-source handsets is a great thing.
Open Handset Alliance (via Pocket Gamer)
Related posts: Rumour: HTC Dream G2 Android phone for China and maybe the rest of us too? | More androids unveiled – the Kogan Agora
Rumour: HTC Dream G2 Android phone for China and maybe the rest of us too?
So, the word round the campfire is that we’re looking at the next version of the HTC Dream, aka the G2, and yes, it will be running Android…
More androids unveiled – the Kogan Agora
This is the Kogan Agora, a Google Android-based smartphone. Kogan is an online-only company that gets its products custom-made in Chinese factories. That means they’re able to sell for rock-bottom prices. Before I tell you about that, though, let’s talk specs.
The Agora has a 320 x 240, 2.5″ touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, microSD card slot, and 3G. A ‘Pro’ model, also offered, adds Wi-Fi, GPS, and a 2-megapixel camera. Neither will blow the N97 out of the water, but when you factor in the price, you’ll see why they’re so special.
The Agora will sell for AU$299 (£130) and the Pro model for AU$399 (£175). That’s unlocked, and with no contract. For comparison, the N97 will cost £465 before it gets subsidised by contracts. At those prices, these are going to be fantastic entry-level smartphones, especially as they’re Android-powered, with all the joy that comes with that.
Both are available for pre-order now, with those orders arriving on Jan 29th 2009.
Kogan (via Engadget)
Steve Ballmer doesn't "understand" Android or why Google would give stuff away for free
Everyone's favourite jellyfish-like Microsoft employee has been shooting his mouth off in public again, this time thoroughly dissing Google's plans for its Android OS. Specifically dissing the idea of not charging money for it. Here's Ballmer's latest odd public outburst….
