Wednesday January 6, 2010
It looks like Cydle, a South Korean electronics company is introducing a media player that runs on Android. LG announced WiFi ready TVs that include Yahoo!, YouTube, Picasa, Skype, and Neflix players built in. They also announced media players for mobile TV and phones optimized for video streaming. Boxee is introducing a player for Internet streaming videos as well.
The line between TVs, phones, and computers is increasingly being blurred. Netflix looks like they're positioned well for premium subscription-based content, and YouTube is doing well for what little premium content they do offer. Cable companies should be worried. I canceled my subscription last year, and I doubt I was alone. It's money I'd rather spend on a smartphone.
Tuesday January 5, 2010
I'm updating from the airport, so I don't have time for a detailed post, but Google did indeed announce the Nexus One today. This is an official Google-branded phone. As expected it runs Android.
It's also thinner than a pencil, has a snazzy Qualcom processor, a large 800x400 pixel display, and a 5 megapixel camera. Some of these details have already been leaked and are no great surprise.
You can buy a brand new Google phone today, but the only phone carrier that currently supports it is T-Mobile. Buy the phone outright for $529 or get one with a two-year T-Mobile contract for $179. If you wait a bit, you can also use your phone with Verizon sometime this spring, and European users will eventually have Vodafone service.
Contracts with T-Mobile are $79 a month, and that includes 500 minutes, data, and SMS messaging.
Tomorrow night I'm expecting to get a glimpse of this phone in person, so I'll let you know if the "iPhone killer" trope is appropriate. Right now, I'm with Jeff Bertolucci. What I'd really like to see is a smartphone with a cheaper plan.
Saturday January 2, 2010
Google is having a media event in Mountain View on Tuesday. They'll almost certainly announce the Nexus One phone. Although I can't attend Tuesday's event, I'm attending a media event with Google on Wednesday. I'm sure I'll get a glimpse of the Nexus One then. I'll be sure to tell you if it's the device of the decade or just a nice smartphone.
So far, the rumors are that the Nexus One will cost $530 or $179 with a two year contract, and plans will start around $80 a month. The phone will not be unlocked and open to any carrier as originally thought. It will instead be tied to T-Mobile.
That part is a bit surprising given Google's earlier stance on open devices. However, T-Mobile might have been the only company willing to live with Google's terms.
It also means it better be a killer device. The pricing and plans don't make it competitive. It will have to compete directly with features and function. Does the Google phone have what it takes? Well, there's not a long wait to find out.
Friday January 1, 2010
The I'm Feeling Lucky button on Google's homepage had a countdown to New Year's day. What happened when the countdown reached zero? Fireworks, that's what. I'm not sure how long it will last, but if you'd like to try the trick on New Year's at least, go to the Google homepage and hit the I'm Feeling Lucky button without searching for anything
Instead of getting the usual explanation for what the button does, you'll get animated fireworks and "Happy New Year" messages in the colors of Google's logo.
