07.20.10
Links: Motorola Fails at Android Freedom, Android Comes to Tablets
Summary: Motorola takes predatory approach; the Linux-based Android expands
Android
- Droid X actually self-destructs if you try to mod it
Well, I might have recommended a Droid X for big-phone-lovin’ fandroids out there… but now that I’ve read about Motorola’s insane eFuse tampering-countermeasure system, I’m going to have to give this one a big fat DON’T BUY on principle. I won’t restate all my reasons for supporting the modding, hacking, jailbreaking, and so on of your legally-owned products here — if you’re interested in a user’s manifesto, read this — but suffice it to say that deliberately bricking a phone if the user fiddles with it does not fall under the “reasonable” category of precautions taken by manufacturers.
- Droid X sells out as Motorola defends lock-down chip
The Motorola Droid X sold out in its first day, and won’t be available at Verizon Wireless until July 23, says eWEEK. Meanwhile, Motorola responded to complaints over the Droid X’s eFuse ROM lock-down chip, reassuring potential buyers that it won’t destroy the phone if ROM modifications are made.
- Google: Android Cost “Isn’t Material” For the Company — Android Search Up 300% In 2010
During Google’s Q2 2010 earnings call today, one of the things Google’s executives were clearly very excited about was the Android platform. They noted that there are now 70,000 apps in the Android Market — up from 30,000 in April. They also reiterated the company line about how important openness is to the platform. But during the Q&A session, an interesting question was raised: how much investment is Google putting into Android for this open platform?
- Android Poised For Dominance In China, With Global Implications
Android seems ready to leapfrog competitors to grab dominance in China, the world’s largest mobile market. A combination of drastic price drops on Android phones and custom Chinese mobile apps supported by the massive domestic market is bound to push Android past the entrenched leaders, setting the tone for how the mobile internet is built and interacted with around the world.
- Sony Ericsson Posts Profitable Q2 Thanks to Android
- Google Android gets open source PHP tools
Developers at an open source company in Spain are leading an effort to boost PHP application development for Android-based phones. Called PHP for Android (PFA), the project supports Google’s Scripting Layer for Android (SL4A) project, formerly called Android Scripting Environment (ASE).
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Tablets
- HP Files For “Palmpad” Trademark
We knew that HP was going to get their money’s worth from Palm when they nixed their Android plans and downplayed their Windows 7 tablet. While reports still have them making the latter in at least some form (likely for enterprise), statements from HP and Palm indicate that webOS is going to be the focus for HP’s portable computer business.
- Hands on with an £85 Android Tablet Computer
Today (Sunday 18th July) Techcrunch published a story about how the Android operating system, which is now spreading beyond the mobile phone, is poised to take over China and said this will have global implications. Coincidentally yesterday I took delivery of a device, made in China, that is maybe not too well known: the Eken M001 Android Tablet. This gives you a WiFi enabled Android computer with a seven inch touchscreen that has 128MB of RAM, 2GB of storage and an SD card slot. None of these specifications are particularly remarkable, but what is astonishing was the price: £85 (about US $130) from a reseller on Amazon. Even a 7” digital photo frame would typically set you back £30! (about US $46)
- HP Files For “Palmpad” Trademark
