Google postpones Android phone launches in China

Google has decided to delay the planned release in China of two smartphones based on its Android platform, a sign the company's handset operations could be affected by its dispute with China over cyber security.

The company made the announcement a day before China Unicom was set to release Android phones from Motorola and Samsung. According to the New York Times, a source close to the situation said that given the uncertainty over Google's operations in China, the company decided the devices should not be released. Additionally, another unnamed source told the Wall Street Journal that it would be "irresponsible" to release the phones, given the current atmosphere.

Last week, Google said it had been the target of cyber security attacks originating in China, and that it would no longer censor the Chinese version of its search engine--even if that led to Google shutting down its operations in China.

Google had worked closely with the handset makers and China Unicom on the design of the devices, which were to come packaged with several Google applications. Google did not provide any further information on the delay.

Read more: http://www.fiercewireless.com/

Google Confirms New Discounted Nexus One Pricing

Google has made some changes to the pricing structures for the Nexus One. A Google spokesperson told Phone Scoop in an email, "Previously there were two price points for those fully eligible for T-Mobile upgrades. Those without data plans were paying $279 for the Nexus One, and those with data plans were being charged $379. We worked with T-Mobile and are now able to offer the higher upgrade discount to all existing fully eligible T-Mobile subscribers.

This price is now $279. Refunds will be granted to all eligible subscribers who previously purchased the Nexus One at $379. This doesn't affect any eligible customers who bought the phone for $279." The Nexus One remains $529 for those who choose to buy it with no contract, and $179 for new T-Mobile customers.

Source:http://www.phonescoop.com/

How to Buy Nexus One Google Phone, plans and price

If you have not bought yourself the Nexus One Google Phone yet then please read the quick guide on how to buy it below.

All you need to do is visit google.com/phone and then click the “Get your phone”, which will get the whole purchase process started. You can buy this smartphone without a service plan for $529 USD, you can also buy obtain this device with a T-Mobile US service plan at a discounted price, whatever one you choose both phones are unlocked.

You will have to sign into your Google Account and provide your credit card number/billing address/shipping address, and then you will need to use the Google Checkout to complete the purchase. If your existing Google Account is not associated with Checkout, you will also be asked to sign up for Google Checkout before completing your purchase.

Do you want the Google Nexus One with the T-Mobile service? If you do you will need to have this information to hand: Where you will use the phone, Your Social Security number, your existing mobile phone number (if porting your number from another mobile provider) and Your T-Mobile account number (existing T-Mobile customers only).

A little about the T-Mobile service plan: This plan is called “T-Mobile 500 Even More individual service plan” and features 500 Whenever Minutes, Unlimited T-Mobile to T-Mobile calling, Unlimited nights and weekends, Unlimited web access and Unlimited text. This plan will cost $79.99 per month.

Source:http://www.phonesreview.co.uk

Google Goggles, Mobile Visual Search

Google revealed some details about an upcoming mobile application that lets you upload photos and returns relevant information.

Google is working on Google Visual Search, a mobile application that lets users take a picture of a location from their Android-powered smartphone and trigger a Google search that pulls up information associated with the image.

"Imagine you're a tourist and you arrive at this place and you would like to know more about it, all you will have to do is take a shot of the [Santa Monica pier] sign and you see we recognized this as the Santa Monica pier," [Google Product Manager Hartmut] Neven said.

However, the technology, known internally as Google Goggles, didn't pass muster when Google tested it with a focus group in August. The company's engineers are working out the bugs and building out the immense database required to propel the technology.



Neven Vision, a company acquired by Google in 2006, had several patents on mobile visual search and object recognition, including a patent for an "image-based search engine for mobile phones with camera".

Source:
http://googlesystem.blogspot.com

Google gPhone On The Way

Google has never been a company to rest on it’s laurels. An organization driven by innovation, being the leading search engine was one accomplishment, but Google has branched out in many directions with such products as the Chrome browser, Chrome operating system and Android based phones.



It looks like Google is now readying the troops to make an assault on the mobile phone industry by offering it’s own gPhone or Google phone with “unlimited free calls.”

The Google phone is expected to be one of the most advanced smartphones available and will come with a large screen display and a Qualcomm processor that is significantly more powerful then the current Apple iPhone 3GS. Google phone will be powered by Flan, the latest version of Android. Flan is said to offer superior 3D graphics and gaming that rivals handheld console games.

gPhone may launch as early as next year in the US but as more details become available, we will let you know.

Read more: Google gPhone On The Way http://www.coated.com/google-gphone-on-the-way-1126090005/#ixzz0Y30K9Kc9

New Google News for mobile

At Google, we are committed to giving you a consistent user experience across products and devices, and we really value the feedback you've given us about Google News for mobile. Today we're excited to announce a completely new Google News offering for iPhone, Android, and Palm Pre users. (We already offer a mobile-optimized version of Google News for other phones, such as Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and S60, and more improvements will be coming to those in the near future)

This new version provides the same richness and personalization on your phone as Google News provides on desktop. Our new homepage displays more stories, sources, and images while keeping a familiar look and feel. Also, you can now reach your favorite sections, discover new ones, find articles and play videos in fewer clicks. If you are an existing Google News reader on desktop, you will find that all of your personalizations are honored in this mobile version too.

Google News for mobile is now available in 29 languages and 70 editions.

So pick up your mobile phone and point your browser to http://news.google.com to catch up on news anytime and anywhere. Feel free to check out more information or leave feedback in our Help Center.


Official Google Mobile Blog: New Google News for mobile