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.
The full list of specs that the Android handset should come with includes:
- 117 x 55 x 16 millimeters (4.6 x 2.16 x 6.3 inches) and 159 grams (5.6 ounces);
- arc-slider design – although it’s not clear how this actually works;
- quad-band GSM connectivity (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) as well as HSDPA;
- a 528Mhz Qualcomm 7201 CPU;
- 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM;
- 1GB memory card;
- 3.17 TFT touchscreen display with 480 x 320 pixels;
- built-in compass and Google Streetview;
- Wi-Fi;
- 5-row full QWERTY keypad and trackball navigation;
- full HTML browser and YouTube dedicated player;
- email (Gmail, AOL, POP, IMAP, SMTP);
- Instant Messaging (Gtalk, Yahoo, AIM and MSN);
- SMS, MMS;
- Video player (H.264, MPEG4, 3GP, 3GPP);
- Music player (MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, AAC, MIDI, OGG, RA);
- Bluetooth;
- a 3.1 Megapixel camera with dedicated key but no flash and probably no auto focus either;
- USB and Google Sync;
- 1150 mAh battery.
Internal GPS and a front-facing camera (for video calls) are currently not in the cards, but… there is hope.
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