There is now a free Android app for download which gives you access to Amazon MP3 store in the UK. This provides the mobile operating system with an iTunes of its own. The Amazon MP3 Store offers access to over 9 million DRM free tracks. The store can be accessed via 3G or Wi-Fi and it is fast and efficient. The big selling point is the fact that the prices for the top 100 songs start at just 29p while they start at 59p on iTunes.

The thing is this has been available in the US for a while now and although Android devices are selling quite well the revolution overturning Apple which was predicted in some quarters still seems to be in its infancy. Reports of poor US sales for the Nexus One are surprising considering it is a top class mobile phone. Still with Android market growing day by day and frequently offering cheaper alternatives to Apple they will surely start to gain ground.

The success of the T-Mobile G1 is why new cellphone makers decided to release new Android handset. That’s the case with ASUS, who’s been invited by Google to join the Open Handset Alliance, and in return they’re going to come up with an Android mobile phone by the first half of 2009 (more like summer).

ASUS is also expected to ditch the Ericsson Mobile Platform (or EMP) in its phones and go for the Qualcomm and Marvell platform. Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that Ericsson is not yet a member in OHA while the other two, are!

Good game Google, on making the cell phone market even more crowded that before and on making people play by your rules. – via DigiTimes

The new T-Mobile G1 or the Google Phone, has been released in the US last week and the Chinese already got their hands on it and are illegally selling it for RMB 3,999 (about $550). In the US, G1 is bound on a two-year contract with T-Mobile and sells for $180 so I suppose it’s too bad for those that want to pay the extra fee (add $73 to unlock it if needed) because I’m sure Google will soon hit the Asian markets and the price won’t be that peppered. Next to get the Android-based mobile phone, are the Brits in early November, followed by Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2009. – via Pacificepoch

High Tech Computer (HTC) has just named its Android-based mobile. Called “Dream”, the phone would be the first one that runs Google’s software. Nevertheless, a rumor about a Samsung devices was stated in the news. Samsung also develops an Android-based mobile because they are part of Open Handset Alliance too.

A 5-inch long and 3-inch wide Dream will sport a large touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard that will slide underneath the screen. HTC tries to deliver a phone perfect for emailing and web surfing. The Internet navigational keys are placed just below the screen. Also I can tell you that we should expect the Dream by the end of the year. There is no information about multimedia capabilities, storage or network compatibility.

The Open Handset Alliance’s project – the Android – will become the alternative to Windows Mobile and Linux Mobile. Thus many major mobile manufacturers will migrate for the new powerful mobile software.

via Yahoo News

There is so much to tell about Android, but I will be short about it. First of all, you should know that Android is an Open Handset Alliance Project started by Google Inc.

More about the Android Project are said in the video below:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJHYqE0RDg[/youtube]

The Android Developer Challenge intends to encourage developers to built useful apps in the following areas of interest:

• Social networking
• Media consumption, management, editing, or sharing, e.g., photos
• Productivity and collaboration such as email, IM, calendar, etc.
• Gaming
• News and information
• Rethinking of traditional user interfaces
• Use of mash-up functionality
• Use of location-based services
• Humanitarian benefits
• Applications in service of global economic development
• Whatever you’re excited about!

The most suitable apps will receive a prize too. The Android Developer Challenge will award $10 million to developers who build great apps for Android. So, the race sounds to be very hard. The team has extended the submission deadline to 14 April 2008. The 50 most promising entries received by April 14 will be rewarded with $25,000. Furthermore the selected will then be eligible for even greater recognition via ten $275,000 awards and ten $100,000 awards.

Based on the feedback from developers, a new SDK version will be released in the next weeks. According to Android blog, the new SDK will feature UI and API enhancements. Thus, the deadline has been moved to April. Here are the scheduled activities for Android Developer Challenge:

• April 14, 2008: Deadline to submit applications for judging
• May 5, 2008: Announcement of the 50 first round winners, who will be eligible for the final round
• June 30, 2008: Deadline for the 50 winners of the first round to submit for the final round
• July 21, 2008: Announcement of the grand prize winner and runner-up

via Android’s Website

One year ago we asked ourselves if we got our eyes on a GooglePhone but I guess we all knew Google was not doing a race to produce the actual device because they would make more money by releasing their own OS with preinstalled applications.

Now we’re living in the world of the Android, which is Google’s project for the mobile phones operating system and here is the first virtual tour. Thanks to the OS emulator that was included with SDK, Engadget managed to put their fingers at work to see what we should expect from Android, in order to prepare the open source community for what will come. It looks nice so give it a shot. Here’s a small gallery bellow.