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Leave it to Google to take on industry incumbents with the goal of completely redefining the user experience. Google’s latest project, Chrome, is a web browser based on Apple’s open-source rendering engine Webkit. As a new web browser designed from the ground up to put the user experience in line with advanced features, Google’s Chrome is set to light up the web browser-stage.

But, let’s not forget Google’s other major project, the Android mobile OS. It stands to reason that Google would inject their Google Chrome genes in to the Android platform in the form of a Chrome-based mobile web browser. According to Sergey Brin, “Probably a subsequent version of Android is going to pick up a lot of the Chrome stack… My guess is we’ll have ‘Chrome-like’ or something similar.”

The eventual integration of Google Chrome into Google Android could set the stage for truly portable, cross-platform applications. Applications developed using Google’s App Engine could be ported to both the desktop and mobile versions of Google Chrome out-of-the-box. Rather than spend time and money to port software to the mobile side of life, developers will likely be able to code once and see their applications running smoothly on the both desktop and mobile fronts. Now that’s cool.

[Via: CNET]

Ladies and gents today we’re presenting you with the first leaked photos of the Android-powered HTC Dream. As you can see from the image above — and more images after the jump — the device clearly wears the T-Mobile badge. The QWERTY keyboard doesn’t look that great, though, and I wonder why HTC and Google haven’t opted for the similar-kind-of-keyboard HTC uses in its Touch Pro model. That one looks much better. Anyway, don’t want to put the device down prior to trying it… Keep reading for more photos.

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The Android Developer Challenge (ADC) was launched earlier this year to spur Android development and dangle a $10 million prize pool in front of developers. Today, we are presented with the winners of the ADC.

Of the 50 developers and development firms that made it in to the final round of judging, 10 were cut $250,000 checks and 10 were given $100,000 for their hard work. The Top 20 ADC competitors, as well as the finalist group, can be found here. Head on over and check out the winners, they really have some interesting ideas that make the HTC Dream that much more appealing. We’ll be picking up one as soon as possible.

Android Developer Challenge winners and finalists

[Via: Google]

Back in May, we wrote about Google’s apparent plans to introduce an Apple-like AppStore for its Android platform. Well that’s confirmed now, with the official Android Developers Blog posting an article on the subject.

First of all - it’s not a store, it’s a market, because they feel developers should have “an open and unobstructed environment to make their content available” (unlike Apple’s AppStore?). Second, being an open platform means there will be tons of apps available for the users. To help future Android-powered handset owners make decisions, Android Market will have a feedback and rating system similar to YouTube, enabling community to filter things out for the rest of us.

As for the developer, they will be able to quickly put their apps available for the grab — the process is explained as easy as publishing a video on YouTube, consisting of three steps: registration, upload and description of the newly uploaded app. Additionally, Google will provide developers with a “useful dashboard and analytics to help drive their business and ultimately improve their offerings.”

Initially, the first beta version of Android Market will support free apps, only. Paid applications will be added later, and so will be other features like versioning, multiple device profile support, analytics, etc.

[Via: MobileBurn]

Sony is re-branding its Mylo Personal Communicator into Mylo Internet Device. We’re talking about the Mylo 2, as the original Mylo is not interesting to anyone any more.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve nothing against the Sony Mylo 2. The only problem it has is that now the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet is available for the same amount of money - $299. Bringing the price down would certainly help Sony more than simply renaming the device. Whether is “Personal Communicator” or “Internet Device” is not that important. It’s the features that count…

[Via: Gizmodo]

Following hot on the heels of the HTC Dream video showing the new HTC-made handset running the oft-speculated Android OS, we’re hearing that T-Mobile is gearing up to offer their customers the HTC Dream on September 17 through pre-sale channels. The pre-sale window falls in line nicely with the expected HTC Dream’s rumored arrival.

The HTC Dream has also been flaunting a new moniker, there’s talk of the Android-powered HTC handset being called the “G1.” We can’t comment on the validity of the G1 model name, but speculation has T-Mobile pushing the “G1″ as their 3G-capable Android handset.

The G1 should be rocking a huge touchscreen (5-inches by 3-inches ?) that should rival (and even out-size) the huge 3.5-inch multi-touch display on the iPhone and iPhone 3G. A working Google Gmail account will apparently be a pre-requisite to using the Android-powered G1’s phone features. And, of course, that slide-out keyboard that we saw in the Android video yesterday will make it easy to tap out longer text messages and emails ont he HTC Dream G1.

T-Mobile will apparently be kicking off pre-sales on September 17 for the incredible price of $150! Apple, in comparison, rocked the wireless industry with their $199 iPhone 3G price-point, so we can only imagine what the $150 price-tag will do for G1 sales. Unfortunately, only current T-Mobile customers will be offered the HTC Dream G1 during the 1-week pre-sale period.

T-Mobile’s up-and-coming 3G network needs a good bit of extra coverage before we can consider the carrier a true 3G provider, so here’s to hoping that T-Mo can increase their 3G footprint before the HTC Dream G1’s launch.

Bring on the HTC Dream G1 with Android! HTC is all about giving Apple a serious run for their money with their Windows Mobile-powered HTC Touch Diamond and HTC Touch Pro, and with the Android-powered Dream G1 on the horizon, Apple should be shaking in their boots.

So, will you be putting in an order for your own HTC Dream G1 next week?

[Via: TmoNews]

We’re not sure what to think about the following video. Apparently the blurry clip shows the upcoming HTC Dream running Google’s Android.

Now, we’ve seen it is possible to make Android run on other devices, Nokia’s Internet Tablet included, making us wonder is this the real thing or not? The device on the clip sports a Sidekick-esque design with slide-out keyboard, hinting us Nokia’s Tablets our out. Maybe it’s real, after all. HTC is on track to release the first Android phone during the fourth quarter of this year, so I guess it’s about the time to see the first leaked videos.

Enough rant, here’s the not-that-much revealing video.

[Via: Boy Genius Report]

For a while the Asus Eee PC ruled the UMPC roost, with it’s quirky but cool design, good features, and most importantly, LOW price point. Until now.
Acer has entered the fray with the Aspire One UMPC - this combines an 8.9 inch screen, full QWERTY keyboard, Linux O/S, and WiFi - all in a package costing about £234.99 (Expansys UK).

I’ve a feeling this burgeoning market is going to really explode in the next twelve months, so expect a plethora of models, to add to those out there already from Asus, Acer, and MSI.
If you would like to find out more about the Aspire One UMPC, you can go to Acer’s site here. If you want to buy one, then go to the Expansys site here.

According to ABI Research, the MID market is likely to be the first real example of a greenfield situation in which all mobile operating systems start on the same equal footing. The Linux OS in the form of Moblin, LiMo and Maemo looks ready to take the lion’s share of the MID market and is set to capture unit volumes of 50 millions units per annum in 2013.

The research company’s VP and research director Stuart Carlaw said: “Maemo is already in this space thanks to the patronage of Nokia; Moblin will benefit from tight integration with Atom and Intel’s drive; and LiMo is actively being positioned for this market. The flexibility, customization and very positive cost comparison to Windows Mobile looks set to ensure that Linux takes the leading role in this market.”

As you’re probably already aware, the concept of a single OS that covers MIDs, smartphones and mid-tier devices is very attractive indeed. However in reality, only LiMo and potentially Moblin hold the possibility of achieving this. I wouldn’t count out Maemo, as it is pushed by such a player as Nokia…

More information on ABI’s “Mobile Linux” research is available from their website.

Like releasing the CAD files for its Neo1973 handset is not enough, OpenMoko is going one step further. This time they’re out with schematics for the Neo 1973 and Neo FreeRunner mobile phones. The idea is to give engineers “free reign to modify Neo phones” and provide them with vital information so they could enhance OpenMoko’s products with new functionalities, external instruments or sensors — or assist them in debugging problems.

Likewise, Switzerland-based u-blox, a maker of the GPS chip in the Openmoko phones, has also made complete schematics for the mentioned GPS chip available. The document shows how the GPS chip is wired into the system, “providing vital information for developers who want to leverage the GPS functionality for new designs involving the Openmoko phones.”

The release of the schematics will be covered under a Creative Commons license and files will be posted in due course on openmoko.com and openmoko.org.

[Via: Gizmodo]