New Android enthusiasts

Every week or so, new companies declare their flame to Android. And now OpenMoko and Asus are joining in, both of them announcing their plans to bring out Android powered phones.

OpenMoko, a phone manufacturer company that believes in Open Source, have even released a code name GTA02 and specs for their Android phone. The phone will sport a 2.8 touch screen, with two hard buttons with acceloremeter, bluetooth and Wifi. It should look very similar to their previous product, the Neo Freerunner.

If you are still not sure of what OpenMoko do, have a look at their official website. They design completely customizable phones, both on hardware and software level.

It seems pretty natural that they come to Android. Some rumours are already talking of a November release.

Asus, known for developping smartphones on Windows Mobile, have also announced plans to release an Android phone, this as early as in the first half of 2009. Nothing much has been leaked yet but we can bet on some features like touchscreen, card storage or keyboard. We'll keep a eye on that.

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Android code source released

What better day for Google to release the Android code source, when the first Android-powered phone, the T-Mobile G1 hits the stores today.

First, here is the precious sesame, Android code source is available here and it weighs around 2,1Go. For this, you will get the OS based on Linux, all of the middleware and several apps that come with Android.

Google have also released a video explaining all of this, check it out here:



So now that Android is really open-source, what does that mean? Android's biggest argument is that any developer can recode the OS and offer a completely unique and personal version of it. No doubts that big companies like Sony Ericsson and Nokia will have their people working on that code and the results can be incredible and breath-taking.

Google is also keen to remind us that this is only a first version of Android and that many will follow, probably integrating ideas that third part developers will work out.

In the meantime, the T-Mobile G1 is out and is already offering an interesting Android experience

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Microsoft keeping an eye on Android

Microsoft consider bringing Silverlight to Android as they gave up on an iPhone version.

So said Microsoft Vice President Scott Guthrie:

“Basically where we’re at right now is we have talked with Apple. We are very interested in being able to run [Silverlight] on the iPhone. At the end of the day, Apple ultimately controls what software runs on the iPhone. To date, what they’ve said is that at this time, they’re not looking to enable browser plug-ins like Silverlight or Flash to run on top of it.”

The openness of the Android platform once again seduces third part developers and Microsoft is not exception. Not only can anyone submit an app but this app can also bring alternative possibilities to what the OS can do. Besides, Android apps will also be able to run in the background. Guthrie added:

“[The] Google phone is slightly different. It’s more of an open platform, that is something we’re going to continue to look at. Certainly as it’s gotten deployed and if sales are good we’ll definitely keep our eyes out and look at that in the future.”

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• Microsoft Considering Silverlight For The Android Platform