Today marks the one year anniversary of the first publicly available Android phone the HTC Dream T-Mobile G1 as it made its debut on October 22nd, 2008.

I have been talking about Android for well over a year as I presented and spoke on panels at SMX Advanced, PubCon, BarCamps, Google User Technology Groups, SMX East as well a recent Cornell University study.

I enjoyed seeing the evolution in awareness and respect Android has received since I first spoke about it at conferences as people would initially scoff that it would never make any real inroads into the smartphone market nevermind ultimately supplanting the mighty iPhone.

Earlier this month I spoke at SMX East in New York City and provided an update with Cindy Krum on Android for WebProNews with the video below:

I been keeping an updated list of all the current & upcoming Android mobile phones both rumored and confirmed as it totals 50 on this one year mark.

BOLD if available now / ITALICS is rumored release date

1. Acer Liquid – A1 – November 28th
   
2. Compulab Exeda
3. Dell Ophone mini3i – Benzine
4. Geek Phone One
5. General Mobile DSTL1
6. Haier H7
7. HKC Pearl
8. HighScreen PP5420
9. HTC Click – Fiesta – Tattoo
10. HTC Desire 6200 – November
11. HTC Dragon – Zoom 2
12. HTC Dream – T-Mobile G1
13. HTC Hero – G2 Touch
14. HTC Lancaster
15. HTC Magic – Sapphire – T-Mobile myTouch 3G – Google Ion – Dopod A6188
16. HTC Passion
17. HTC Predator
18. Huawei U8220 – T-Mobile Pulse
    
19. Huawei U8230
20. Innocomm Skate
21. Kogan Agora
22. Koolu Freerunner – Openmoko GTA02
23. Lenovo O1 Ophone
24. LG Etna
25. LG GW620 Eve – November 2009
26. LG GW880
27. Motorola Calgary
28. Motorola Devour
29. Motorola Droid – Sholes – Tao – November 7th
30. Motorola Heron
31. Motorola MB200
32. Motorola MB300
33. Motorola Morrison – Cliq – DEXT
    
34. Motorola Motis – 2010
35. Motorola Sholes Tablet – 2010
    
36. Motorola Zeppelin – 2010
    
37. Philips V808
38. Qigi i6
39. Samsung Behold 2 T939 – November 18th
    
40. Samsung Bigfoot
41. Samsung Galaxy i7500
42. Samsung Galaxy Lite i5700 – Spica – 2010
43. Samsung Houdini
    
44. Samsung m850 Q
45. Samsung Moment – InstinctQ m900 – November 1st
46. Sciphone N12
47. Sony Ericsson XPERIA X3 / x10 Rachael – January 2010
48. Sunno S880
49. Tiger G3
    
50. ZTE Android

I am curious to the expansion of this number at the next anniversary of the G1.

First Android Phone Anniversary with 50 Already Planned

Post from: Google And Blog

Driving can be one of life’s finest frustrations. Getting lost, encountering traffic, and not being able to find exactly what your looking for are all stresses that make driving, especially in an unknown area, such an unpleasant experience. Thankfully, through the power of Android, drivers can download several applications that can curb these stresses and make driving a more pleasant experience. So without further adieu, here are four must have free android apps for the next time you hit the road.

1) Waze

Waze is a sweet social mobile application that enables drivers to build and use live maps and real-time traffic updates for an optimized commute. When you use Waze, not only do you get access to constantly updated driving maps and turn-by-turn directions, but you also receive live road condition reports from other users in the area.

On top of getting the best route to your destination, you can also find out about road annoyances such as traffic, hazards, road construction and even police traps before you’ve left your driveway. Ultimately, by using Waze, you will be able to save time, fuel and much of the frustration that comes with day-to-day commuting.

Waze looks like it could be one of the most interesting and useful applications that have surfaced in a long time.

Of course, since it is 100% powered by users, it will only gain value as more and more people start using it.

This app clearly has a lot of potential and I hope it catches on for the sake of my daily commute.

2)Google Maps V 3.1

Obviously many people are familiar with Google Maps but did you know that Google released an updated version for Android with a few new cool features? Aside from a new and improved UI, Google Maps 3.1 now includes the option to search anything through voice recognition.

Additionally, using this new version of Google Maps, you will be able to see ratings & reviews straight from Google Maps Mobile whereas previously this information was only available on the web.

Other cool new features to Google Maps 3.1 are options for directions using either public transportation or simply by walking. As you would expect from Google, it has public transportation coverage for almost every major city in the US.

As of now, this updated version of Google Maps will not come automatically to your Android phone. You must visit the Android Market and download it manually.

3)Where

Driving to an unfamiliar destination? If so, be sure to have this useful app handy.

Where allows you to find everyday needs that are in their proximity at the click of a button.  Need a coffee? Click the Starbucks button. Low on gas? Click the gas button. Simple as that.

If you are looking for a specific business or restaurant, you can simply type it into the free text box and Where will locate it for you using the Yellow Pages directory.  Another option is to search within the Yelp directory, which contains reviews from other Yelpers.

In addition, Where provides you with news that is relevant to your proximity including whether and traffic reports. You can even ask advice about anything from locals living in the area by posting a message on their Where walls, a nice social feature.  Overall Where is an easy app that can help you adapt quickly in unfamiliar places.

4) Zagat nru

Being in a new place can be a lot less fun if you haven’t a clue about good restaurants or bars to check out.

Fortunately the Zagat nru application can direct you to some well recommended restaurants, nightspots and shopping.

Being free, it beats buying a Zagat book or becoming a Zagat member.

The Zagat nru application has a cool UI shaped like a compass where Zagat-rated places appear with their direction and distance from your current location.

Reviews of a specific Zagat locale and maps of its location can be found by clicking on any of the results within the Zagat compass.

For some, you can even reserve a table right from your mobile.

4 Must Have Free Android Apps for the Next Time you Hit the Road

Post from: Google And Blog