Google announced the Android Market, which will be an open content distribution system where users can find, purchase, download and install content on their Android-powered phones. Google will host the service and allow developers to use it to get their applications into the hands of end users. “Similar to YouTube, content can debut in the marketplace after only three simple steps: register as a merchant, upload and describe your content and publish it,” Chu said. “We chose the term ‘market’ rather than ’store’ because we feel that developers should have an open and unobstructed environment to make their content available.” A very interesting aspect about the Dream / G1 is that, according to Androidguys, it will have an Android Marketplace. This should provide access to an online portal, from where users can download applications, games and so on – much like the App Store for which Apple’s iPhones and iPods are famous. read more…
 
AT&T and Samsung are set to launch the a837 in the coming weeks. Samsung’s A837 is sturdy device which has military-spec grade. Â People aren’t going to buy the Samsung a837 because of its looks, but they’ll certainly appreciate the healthy compliment of features that back that rugged design from Samsung. As with most military-spec grade hardware, the A837 won’t be a looker by any means, but at least you don’t have to pick up your heart from the floor the next time you drop your phone.The phone has push-to-talk, Bluetooth, Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, dual-band UMTS/HSDPA, video share, AT&T Navigator, AGPS, 1.3 megapixel camera, and allows conference calls. read more…
 
The Nokia 6650, previously a T-Mobile (EU) exclusive handset, is headed to the USA and will be carried by the operator AT&T. Its 3G bands have been changed to be suitable for the U.S. carrier (850 and 1900 MHz), but the specifications remain the same as before. The 6650 is set to become the first S60 phone since the Nokia N75 to be taken by a US operator. So with AT&T realising the facts Americans are big fans of Symbian they have kept their S60 equipped options firmly on the table with this one. read more…
 
Telstra along with local bank, NAB and Visa have launched a contactless, mobile phone payments trial with a group of consumers and participating merchants at Melbourne’s Docklands.This technology allows consumers participating in the trial to remotely download their NAB Visa credit card software application onto their Telstra mobile phone SIM card, enabling them to purchase goods and services by waving their mobile phone over a participating NAB merchant’s reader. read more…
 
One of the largest social network services in the world has just launched a mobile version. hi5 Networks has announced the availability of hi5 Mobile, available on mobile phones in 26 different languages.”No other social network offers mobile support in as many languages as hi5. This extensive in-language support represents a significant market opportunity for the company,” the release boasts. Â read more…
