Google Android software and hardware: Post here

[haven]

On Feb. 15th, Dell is set to publicly announce the Mini 5 tablet computer. The Mini 5 will offer voice functions as well as data connectivity via its 3G radio. The Mini 5 sits at the intersection of smart phone and tablet computer.

As the name suggests, the Mini 5 has a 4.8 inch (diagonal) screen, which is a capacitive touch-enabled model. The screen display is 480x800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of almost 200 pixels per inch (translation: Screen images are sharp.) For comparison, the iPhone screen is 3.5 inches diagonally, and has a resolution of 480x320 (160 ppi).

The 5 inch size can be held in one hand, at least in a typical man's hand


Compared to a smartphone, the Mini 5's increased screen size makes the on-screen keyboard easy to use.


These photos from Engadget.com. See more at
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/d...-5-we-have-it/

A very brief video of Michael Dell showing off the Mini 5 is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjBcv9iZinY

The Mini 5 uses some form of ARM processor (reportedly a Qualcomm Snapdragon) and runs the Android OS that Google developed for smart phones. Dell has modified Android to meet its needs, so it's unlikely that the Mini 5 will be able to take advantage of third party applications from the Android Market.

The Mini 5 is well equipped. It has GPS and an accelerometer for navigation. WiFi and Bluetooth communication are included. The camera is a 5 megapixel model, mounted on the back so you can see the LCD as you snap the photo. A second camera is built into the front of the Mini 5, making video conferencing possible.

Dell is promoting the Mini 5 as a multimedia player as well as phone and computer. High definition TV uses a screen size ratio of 16 by 9. which would work out well on this screen (800 pixels wide, 450 high would fill the screen, leaving a little space at the bottom). The Mini 5 has an HDMI output, allowing connection to many LCD TVs and AV receivers. Some new computer monitors have an HDMI input as well.

Guesses as to the price of the Dell Mini 5 range from $300 to $500. We'll learn more shortly.

Dell is also expected to announce the Mini 3, a smartphone about the same size as the iPhone. It won't have all the features of the Mini 5.

[Corey]

Looks almost like my Droid on steroids.
The droids screen is:
DISPLAY SIZE
3.7-in.; WVGA (480 x 854 pixels); 16:9 widescreen

Pretty cool device for those who may not want to go to a smart phone such as the Droid or iPhone.

[TEJASYOTA]

Any word on price range?
Looks impressive.

[redbeard]

It's a nice size. I wonder if they will come out with larger sizes to compliment the 3 and 5 inchers. I'd say 5" or 7" would make a nice in-vehicle nav unit.

[locrwln]

It's a nice size. I wonder if they will come out with larger sizes to compliment the 3 and 5 inchers. I'd say 5" or 7" would make a nice in-vehicle nav unit.

A 7" would be the cats meow for vehicle navigation.

Jack

[haven]

Today, Google officially described the new features that will be available in the new Android 2.2 operating system. This is the software that was called FroYo during its development. (Google's developers choose to name Android versions after desserts, in alphabet order. The next version, coming late this year, is known as Gingerbread.)

Here's a list of new features coming to Android phones in a few weeks:

1. Froyo is as much as 6 times faster on benchmark tests than earlier Android versions. The Android 2.2 mobile browser is noticeably faster than the browsers in phones that use other operating systems.

2. Froyo will provide Internet access to a PC attached by a USB cable, or to nearby PCs by acting as a mobile wireless hotspot. (No wireless carrier has yet announced how they will charge for the use of this feature.)

3. Google is giving third party software developers increased access to the Froyo web browser. This will enable developers to create add-on features and extensions of the browser's capabilities. Developers also get an improved way to pass information between applications. (Android allows a more robust version of multi-tasking than most phone OSes do.)

4. Froyo improves the file system that supports applications, enabling apps to be executed from removable flash memory cards as well as from memory internal to the phone.

5. Froyo adds over-the-air syncing of the phone with your desktop PC. Copying new music files and updating apps can now be done without attaching the phone to the PC with a cable. Applications can be updated directly from the phone, too.

6. Froyo improves its voice recognition feature, allowing more complex commands to be given by voice. The example Google used is "Find images of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset." I can imagine similar commands for navigation, taking advantage of location-based services. "Go to the florist shop near the Mission Dolores."

7. Froyo will incorporate support for Adobe Flash 10.1. Today's web graphics will continue to work while we wait for web sites to update to HTML5-based graphics.

Android is on a roll right now. Google says that 100,000 Android phones are activated each day (36 million annually). There are 50,000 apps in the Google Marketplace.

And Android is about to appear on a multitude of inexpensive tablet and netbook computers. (The Compaq Airlife 100 is the first, available in Spain.) Remember those complaints about the iPad? No multitasking, no Flash, no built-in camera, no USB, no flash card support? Android 2.2 has all these features.

[wagner_joe]

Actually the WSJ reported today that Sprint with it's new EVO4 phone utilizing the Andriod 2.1 software will allow it to be used as a hot spot device. The cost is an extra $30 a month on top of the extra $10 a month for the 4g rated phone. I have an article somewhere if anyones interested...

[Corey]

Since getting my Motorola Droid shortly after they came out, I hardly ever use my laptop anymore.
I can do just about everything on it.

Been keeping tabs on the new update over at a Droid forum I use, Flash will be great.

[ol' scott]

I read the forum in the passenger seat while my wife drove to Atlanta last night. How? I tethered my Motorola Droid to my computer using an app called PDANet (there is also another out there, this one just works better with the Mac). Not sure if Verizon will end up charging extra for that later on down the road since it's not a factory installed feature but for now it's free and great. Technology is advancing more and more everyday.

[sleeoffroad]

That is all fine and dandy. I am on my 2nd Android phone and have been using it since Dec 08. The catch is that Google releases that, then the phone companies take forever to port it to their phones. Right now I have a Motorola Cliq from T-mobile and it is running 1.6. Been waiting for 2.0 since Dec.

Only way you get the latest the soonest is a Google phone from Google. But then you are between them and the phone company.

I love android, but it is not like you get a phone, go somewhere to download the latest operating system and off you go. There are ways to do that but for the man in the street, the phone company still controls that.