Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Ever since Google Android was first officially released, one question asked by many was which cell phone carrier would use it in their phones.  With the release of T-Mobile’s G1, we knew T-Mobile liked Android and gave it a shot.  From that, another question was developed, which other carriers would follow suit to T-Mobile.  At the Web 2.0 Summit, Ralph de La Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, was asked about Android being used in AT&T phones. 

Unfortunately for AT&T enthusiasts, AT&T will not be incorporating Google Android into their cell phones anytime soon.  He wants to see Google Android evolve more before they think about using it in their phones.  He also adds that they are looking at it as a possible new platform.  Lastly, he adds that he wants to see Google Android take on more non-Google Apps. 

From what I can infer, I think AT&T will be using Google Android at some point, but not in the immediate future.  Looks like AT&T is just waiting for Android to mature a bit before fully adopting the platform.

Read [SFGate]

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Sections: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Web, Google

SMobile is putting out some software to protect your G1 called VirusGuard.  Android is a very open OS and plenty of people have thought about how to keep it secure.  While Google has a kill switch for apps, that doesn’t stop you from downloading and running malware.  This new application aims to protect Android from malware, spyware and viruses.

VirusGuard only costs $4.99 and you can get it through Handango.com.  Will you need something like this?  Android is built on Linux, but that doesn’t stop people from creating malware apps to make a mess of everything. 

I am curious about what kind of resources VirusGuard will require to run.  A background app monitoring everything that is going on could be a resource hog.  I’m sure many of us have had our bad Norton Anti-Virus experiences.  If you decide to pick up VirusGuard, let us know in the comments.

Read: [SMobilePress Release]
Buy the app: [Handango Link]

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Sections: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile, Computers, Security, Web, Google

You remember Drobo, right?  It’s the cute, little storage robot, now with up to 4TB of storage.  Well, some interesting news surfaced that might make you take another look at this gem: Drobo Apps.

Yes.  With all the ways our phones can become different and more useful devices with 3rd party applications, now your Drobo can as well.  Currently, there are 20 Apps for Drobo.  In what ways will Drobo change?  Find out by following.

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With the release of the iPhone App Store and the Android Market, a lot of apps are trying to become the next social networking app.  E-ventr for Android tries to accomplish this goal by managing your free time.  With E-ventr you can create ope events, or join open events that your friends that are attempting to do something.

Sure, E-ventr requires everyone else to have the same app, which as of now means they also need to have a G1 phone.  So, assuming that is the case, you’ll be able to coordinate events easily. 

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Sections: Communications, Cellphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle, Web

For many people, the G1 isn’t even so much about the phone as about the apps.  And one of the cool applications the G1 sports is called “Breadcrumbzs.“  Remember Hansel and Gretel?  Following the trail?  Well, hopefully this one won’t lead you into a oven to be eaten by some big-nosed witch, Halloween right around the corner or not.  But, it does sort of work the same way…well, if Hansel and Gretel would have had a G1 complete with camera phone that is.

With Breadcrumbz, you take pictures with the camera phone to give directions.  You can add tags or little arrows or other signs to help direct your viewer.  You can also use voice markers.  The program uses GPS, Google Maps, and, of course, your phone’s camera to map the route.  Keep reading for more after the break.

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I’ve seen and heard all kinds of things happen on the internet.  This one by Facebook and SpeedDate.com definitely ranks up there as one of the oddest internet business deals I’ve heard of.  If you are a Facebook user that plays the game Oregon Trail, you had better be prepared because your application is no longer going to be the one you know and love.  It’s going to be one that is trying to sell you on love.  Or find you love . . . or something.

Find out more about the Oregon Trail-SpeedDate affair after the break.

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Sections: Gaming, Games, Web, Downloads, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Websites

Last month, I asked whether Google would start to pay favorites with respect to designing and upgrading their products now that the Android phone was out.  Today, I learn that Google Earth for iPhone became available yesterday as a free application from the App Store.  There is no Android version, yet.

The Google team seems very excited about putting the world in your pocket via the iPhone.  A quick tour of the application shows it augments the native Google Maps application that comes with every iPhone and iPod touch.  An accelerometer based trick allows you to tilt the phone to get a 3D view, panning up or down as you tilt.  It’s quite a neat trick.  A bare bones search function is also available, though in my test the very same results were brought up in Maps. 

Keep reading to see a video of the app in action and more.

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Sections: Apple, Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation, Web, Google

A decently known cell phone manufacturer, Hop-on, has recently decided to create a phone running Google’s Android platform.  In case you are not familiar with Hop-on, it is basically a company that creates cell phones as well as accessories for diverse and new markets.  They are probably most known for creating the world’s first disposable phone.  One of the special things about Google’s Android that makes it so appealing is the fact that anyone can create apps for it, as it is open source.  Plenty more after the break.

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Sections: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Web, Google

Today, T-Mobile proudly launches the G1 Android phone nationally in the US.  Although many customers received their G1 days ago, the super phone will be available in select retail stores starting today.  But how is it going?

A quick look over in the forums at T-Mobile and I am surprised to see what appears to be loads of bugs.  Keep reading to see what new owners of the G1 are saying.

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Committing to a firm date of March 2009, RIM announced today it, too, would have an app store at its super-fun RIM BBDC (BlackBerry Developement Center).  Just like the cool kids from Apple and Google, users can shop for applications to bring new functionality or just time wasters to their phones.  Developers can begin submitting applications to RIM come this December.  In what appears to be an obvious attempt to thumb its nose at Apple with a, “whatever you can do, I can do better” attitude RIM will only keep 20% of the revenue brought in as opposed to Apples crushing 30%.

Your boss might still want you to work.

Users will have to navigate PayPal for the purchase of apps, which could make the ride a little bumpy from a diminutive screen (assuming everyone isn’t upgrading to the Storm if it shows).  What’s more, in a move to be uber-business friendly to your corporate IT, running BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Professional Software, can make sure you can’t get any games, just like on your laptop.  Hmmmphf. 

Might the telecoms stop RIM from offering the storefront on their phones?  Find out by clicking “more” below.

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