It's an interesting day for the folks at Google. Not only do we see the supposed GPhone (AKA, the
HTC Dream) get
trotted out to the FCC, and hear
new rumors about the device's release date, but now there's a brand-spanking-new release of the
Android SDK available. The version? 0.9 -- a number which puts this dangerously close to a number that most would consider non-beta. Meanwhile, the new version of the mobile OS has been significantly changed, adding a new widgetified (big old clock: present!) and flickable homescreen, a handy (and speedy) tab to pull up your apps, plus a media player, camera, and handful of other noticeable design tweaks. Don't believe us? Check out the video after the break showing it all in action.
Update: We've included a gallery of screenshots as well. Check out the sync contacts option. Sweet! Also, you may note that it asks you to "open keyboard to compose message" in the SMS screen -- almost like it's made for a device with a
slide-out keyboard.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
aaron @ Aug 18th 2008 4:33PM
Nice! can't wait till there are Android phones on every network, then I won't have to switch
haX0r @ Aug 18th 2008 4:40PM
sickness! can't wait!
TONY @ Aug 18th 2008 4:43PM
ANDROID LOOKS AWESOME! ! ! ! ! !
but I still like my phone (LG Dare)
Andriod should topple Windows Mobile.
luke @ Aug 18th 2008 4:50PM
Really like how the wallpaper slides a bit when switching between 'desktops', gives it that sort of artificial 3d thing with the different layers moving at different speeds when you scrol through the screen, like those mario and donkey kong games on the SNES for instance.
Jared @ Aug 18th 2008 7:02PM
That's known as parallax. I used to really love that effect on SNES games, too.
kap @ Aug 18th 2008 7:28PM
Yep, it's called parallax (the fake 3d thingy). I don't think that is whats being used here, but it looks nice anyhow.
ismote @ Aug 18th 2008 5:20PM
I'm sure I'm staring right at it, but can someone tell me where the aforementioned gallery is?
veeco @ Aug 18th 2008 8:27PM
The gallery is on the Engadget article (not Engadget Mobile)
Alan @ Aug 18th 2008 5:33PM
where are the screenshots?
I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 18th 2008 5:34PM
well from the vid, i see the browser sucks
Sahn @ Aug 18th 2008 6:08PM
Well, from your comment, I see you suck.
You saw the browser for a split second, and that's hardly enough to determine whether it sucks or not.
I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 18th 2008 6:55PM
have you ever seen the iphone browser for a second?
amazing. This one? hahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
epic fail
Jeremy K. @ Aug 18th 2008 6:59PM
lol... I find it funny that you would say that... since the iPhone uses basically the exact same browser.
Blad3 @ Aug 18th 2008 7:09PM
Itsuru @ Aug 13th 2008 10:43PM
I have an iphone, I think it's great, but I don't go defending it in any post I can Erik, you're fucking annoying,
I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 19th 2008 12:31AM
exacly, google tried to copy it, but it didnt work
plh2034 @ Aug 18th 2008 6:13PM
@ ismote and Alan - screen shots are over on the full Engadget
@ Sahn - Why bother answering her? Look at her name. It's clear what she's up to
ismote @ Aug 18th 2008 6:40PM
thank you!
Barrack Hussein Obama @ Aug 18th 2008 6:20PM
Wow, I'm kinda pissed I switched to AT&T for the iphone and AT&T's incredibly high rates... this thing looks pretty tight
iarecatt @ Aug 19th 2008 8:46AM
xD switch back! SWITCH BACK!!!
Dean @ Aug 18th 2008 9:20PM
How did the person type?!
It is clearly designed for an entirely touch screen phone...
John @ Aug 19th 2008 3:05AM
Looking forward to seeing if all the hype is worth it. For some, this could be the ultimate let down if it is not as great as expected. Time will tell.
http://kreuzer33.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/techcrunch-android-releases-a-new-sdk/
Tony @ Aug 19th 2008 12:49PM
I hope I can get it on My touch cruise!
keithwwalker @ Aug 19th 2008 7:19PM
Wow, it does everything that a Palm Treo does! awesomes!
JerryA @ Aug 19th 2008 9:54PM
Yeah, Treos were early on some of the best smartphones and lots of later devices were definitely inspired by them. I had a Treo 650 before I got my HTC 6800. It was a great little phone. I just got annoyed that Opera Mini always crashed it and I couldn't run lots of apps that were only for Windows Mobile. I held out hope for Palm for a while but since they don't seem to be eager to put out a new OS, I am glad someone is.
youngcalihottie @ Aug 21st 2008 10:49PM
awesome phone. want one even more now. so glad i didnt extend my contract for an iphone3g.
but gprs? really now? where was this guy? sucks to be him! have an android phone in your hand and only get gprs signal. lol.