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Google Preaches Purity With Google Nexus S

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After debuting Nexus One many months ago, the boys and girls at Google have unveiled Nexus S, which was created with the help of Samsung.

Despite the variety of Android devices available, it looks like Google is publicly frowning upon the custom UI screens that made HTC Android devices famous and is instead pushing for something more uniform.

Nexus S is the lead device for the Gingerbread/Android 2.3 release; it’s the first Android device to ship with the new version of the Android platform. We co-developed this product with Samsung—ensuring tight integration of hardware and software to highlight the latest advancements of the Android platform. As part of the Nexus brand, Nexus S delivers what we call a “pure Google” experience: unlocked, unfiltered access to the best Google mobile services and the latest and greatest Android releases and updates. (Google Mobile Blog) [Read more…]

Originally posted on December 6, 2010 @ 3:34 pm

Is Google Voice Trying To Starve Out Skype In 2011?

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Despite launching Google Voice within Gmail, Google is still playing second fiddle to the VoIP king (aka Skype).

While Google has yet to launch a full fledged VoIP client of their own (as Google Voice currently lacks a softphone client), the search engine giant has decided to decline charging US users in 2011 for contacting numbers within America.

When we launched calling in Gmail back in August, we wanted it to be easy and affordable, so we made calls to the U.S. and Canada free for the rest of 2010. In the spirit of holiday giving and to help people keep in touch in the new year, we’re extending free calling for all of 2011.

In case you haven’t tried it yet, dialing a phone number works just like a regular phone. Look for “Call phone” at the top of your Gmail chat list and dial a number or enter a contact’s name. (Google Voice Blog)

Currently Skype (as well as other VoIP companies) provide users with unlimited calling through annual premium plans which allow them to call mobile devices or landlines without paying for usage by the minute.

Although Skype does have a few advantages over its smaller rival (multi-video chat, Facebook integration, etc.), competing against a quality free service will be difficult to for Skype, especially considering the fact that Google has very deep pockets.

While Google Voice is obviously sacrificing short term profits for growth, 2011 could be the year that Google dethrones Skype in America, helping the search engine giant compete against the VoIP king later on upon the global stage.

Originally posted on December 20, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

Google To Governments: No Internet “Monopoly” Please

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The search engine giant is apparently not thrilled over who will control the future outlook of the world wide web.

While Google does not have a problem with a committee or group having a large amount of influence regarding the internet, they are taking issue over the requirements of exactly who will be sitting at the table.

But last week the UN Committee on Science and Technology announced that only governments would be able to sit on a working group set up to examine improvements to the IGF—one of the Internet’s most important discussion forums. This move has been condemned by the Internet Governance Caucus, the Internet Society (ISOC), the International Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations—who have published a joint letter (PDF) and launched an online petition to mobilize opposition. Today, I have signed that petition on Google’s behalf because we don’t believe governments should be allowed to grant themselves a monopoly on Internet governance. The current bottoms-up, open approach works—protecting users from vested interests and enabling rapid innovation. (Google Public Policy Blog)

In a post written by Vint Cerf (one of the founding fathers of the Internet), Google seems to be advocating that corporations also have a voice at the table in order to ensure that the internet remains a free place for all.

While it does seem strange for the global governments to lock out corporate entities from joining the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), it could have something to do with Wikileaks whose presence seems to have infuriated the US government (who has been unable to shut them down).

Although having the IGF being composed of just corporations would not be smart (as they would always vote what’s best for their stock holders), one held only by governments could help pave the way towards an Internet with less freedom (especially when it comes to exposing corruption).

Originally posted on December 17, 2010 @ 5:09 pm

Blackberry Playbook To Developers: Do You Have An App For Us?

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After bribing developers with the chance to win a free Blackberry Playbook, RIM is finally allowing them to submit their apps for approval upon the Blackberry App World.

We’re excited to announce that starting today, you can now submit your BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet apps to the BlackBerry App World™ vendor portal!

As announced at the Adobe® MAX conference earlier this year, developers who create an application for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet that is approved for distribution through BlackBerry App World prior to the tablet’s initial release are eligible for a free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. you’re submitting a brand new app, just submit like you would any new app. (Blackberry Developer’s Blog)

After less than thrilling sales of the Blackberry Torch, RIM has been making a huge deal regarding the Blackberry Playbook which they see as their answer to the mighty iPad.

Despite the fact that the Playbook is Flash friendly (unlike the iPad), Blackberry is going to need an army of developers in order to make their brand relevant to consumers as well as the corporate world.

RIM is planning on launching the Playbook “early 2011” (which ironically is around the same time as the rumored iPad 2.0) although the company has yet to announce a price point aside from the corporate sub-$500 mantra.

Note: I suspect the price will fall between $450-$499, but RIM has yet to confirm anything.

Originally posted on December 7, 2010 @ 2:18 pm

Windows Phone 7: Buy One Get One Free?

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No, this deal isn’t from Microsoft (at least that I’m aware of) but it looks like users in love with Windows Phone 7 can purchase 2 models for the price of one (provided you are on the right carrier of course).

I know many of you have been waiting for the perfect time to pick up your new Windows Phone. AT&T just sweetened the pot a bit for the holiday shopping season with the announcement of a buy one get one free deal for the HTC Surround, LG Quantum and Samsung Focus. To take advantage of this offer head down to your local AT&T retail store, sign up for a two-year contract and you and a friend will have a couple of the coolest phones of the season.

Combine that offer with the AT&T entertainment pack which includes a free download of the Xbox LIVE puzzle game ilomilo, 30 days of Zune Pass service plus 10 free song downloads and 30 days of AT&T U-verse and you have a great way to pass the long drive to grandmas house for Thanksgiving. (Official Windows Phone Blog)

To my knowledge AT&T is the only US carrier offering this deal, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see T-Mobile and Verizon (the latter who is also embracing Windows Phone 7) adopt this policy in order to prevent users from defecting.

It will be interesting to see whether this deal bumps up demand for Windows Phone 7, whose sales have been decent but not blockbuster hits (at least when compared against the iPhone and Android).

Note: Microsoft has thus far declined to disclose how well Windows Phone 7 has done, giving generic praises of the device which is rumored to only have sold 40,000 units at launch.

Originally posted on November 24, 2010 @ 1:24 pm