Despite some people, notably Nokia, Microsoft and Symbian dismissing Google’s new Android operating system, it is apparently ploughing ahead with five prototype phones of one design, based on its Open Handset Alliance software development kit (SDK).
The phone is codenamed ‘Dream’ inside Google and will be used to show what it’s open-source software can do and also woo potential partners to join the Alliance.
The Dreamâ looks like an iPhone only thinner and features a rectangular touch-sensitive screen. Interestingly, the screen is time-sensitive, so when you hold your finger down on an icon, the area expands. The screen also swivels to one side to reveal a QWERTY keyboard.
The ‘Dream’ has the usual functions like email and other messaging forms, and also YouTube. Unlike other phones the YouTube application runs like a java application, meaning that once open it stays open (but running in the background) until you close it. This way, if someone sends you a YouTube video you can run it immediately without having to run your browser.
The ‘Dream’ is made by HTC, which is already considering a commercial version for the second half of 2008 (the one mentioned by Google?).
[Via Forbes]
About Chris Leonard
After reading many blogs and watching this nice video where developers talk about Android’s conception process (http://www.weshow.com/us/p/22462/introducing_googles_android), I think Android has a great concept. Although a phone means nothing but a phone to me because it’s just not as useful as a computer, I really hope that this new platform makes me change my mind.