Android Phones

The HTC Dream, released in the US on 22 October 2008, finally became available in Australia on the 5 February 2009 through the Optus network. Let’s take a look at what the fuss is all about.

Intro

The HTC Dream, also known as the T-Mobile G1 in Europe and the US, is the first smart phone to run on the Android mobile device platform. This open-sourced operating system originated in a small start up company that was bought out by Google in 2005. Since then, Google has been instrumental in the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, an organization that will oversee the compliance issues related to the manufacture and source code development of the Android system.

All technical jargon aside, what this really means for mobile device users and software developers alike is a more diverse smart phone experience. Already the phone comes packed with built-in Google functions, such as G-Mail, search capabilities, Internet connectivity, Google Maps with built-in GPS, and a You Tube player, as well as having a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera.

HTC, the Taiwanese manufacturer of the phone’s hardware, has created a sleek and understated phone that really lets the content do the talking. The matte finish comes in three colours, brown, black and white, and comes complete with a touch screen for most functions and a QWERTY keyboard for emailing.

A rival for the iPhone?
As with most products released for the first time, the HTC Dream has its share of hits and misses, but its potential for development is most definitely there. It doesn’t rival the iPhone’s ability to seamlessly download and organise music, but rather has an almost clunky music feature. It also doesn’t allow for multiple touch screen function, with patenting rights for this technology firmly in the hands of the iPhone.

Where the HTC Dream does win is in its Google-based applications. For instance, through the use of a Google account, you have instant back-up of all G-mail contacts between the PC-based application and your phone. This means that if something happens to your phone, your contact list is never compromised.

The future or the open source based coding of Android has exciting prospects for the future too. As more companies begin to design specifically for mobile devices, the Linux-based platform will no doubt enable an unforseen amount of software development specific for Android use. The Android Market, already available for HTC Dream handset users, contains a growing choice of applications made specifically for the system that users can browse and download.

Where can you get one?

As at the time of writing, the HTC Dream is only available in Australia through the Optus network. Their package apparently allows larger than normal data packages to be sent back and forth, so that users can fully explore the potential of the handset.

A word of warning: if you’re about to jump up and go and get yourself one, it might be better to wait. In January, Telstra signed a deal with HTC to distribute the HTC Magic handset in Australia. As the second Android smart phone to be released by the manufacturer, this phone is no doubt going to be a vast improvement on the G1.

The story of the Kogan Agora and Agora Pro mobile phones is one of almost tragic proportions. Set to be released as Australia’s first smart phone running on the Android mobile device platform, delays in its launch and a higher than expected retail price have seen it already pushed out of the Android market altogether. Is it too late for the Agora?

The tale of the Agora and Agora Pro
Kogan, a fully Australian owned company founded by 25- year old Ruslan Kogan, was set to release the two versions of the Agora smart phone in January 2009 – instead, the release has been put on hold indefinitely. Kogan said in a statement in January that design would virtually go back to the drawing board.

“It now seems certain the current Agora specifications will limit its compatibility or interoperability in the near future," said Kogan, citing the low resolution of the Agora screens as the cause.

The open-sourced platform that the Android OS is based on has been developing rapidly, with a growing number of applications being made available through the Android Market. Many developers of the applications being made available through the site are basing their specifications on the HTC Dream handset, with its 3.2 inch, 320x480 pixel screen. The Agora 2.5 inch, 240x320 pixel screen was just never going to match up.

Down, but certainly not out, Kogan is still committed to releasing a smart phone on the Android platform, and it would be an important step in Australian communications products if his company did come up with some stiff competition to overseas rivals.

Why Android?
The Android platform is an open-source, Linux-based system developed by Google and now overseen by the Open Handset Alliance. With currently 47 corporate members covering all aspects of smart phone development, the Open Handset Alliance’s agenda is to ensure the code for Android maintains consistency as it grows.

The greatest potential of the Android platform is the fact that it is open-source. Software developers can create applications based on Android and upload it to the Android Market. Already, even in its infancy, the Android Market contains over 100 applications and is expanding rapidly.

Of course, when we talk infancy, we are also talking about the platform itself. Android has huge potential for both users of the handsets and companies alike to create connections and improve usability. However, like any new software development, its bound to have bugs in the first few years, and no doubt will improve as more users provide feedback on possible problems.

It’s perhaps a blessing in disguise then, for Kogan. They have the opportunity to watch the first two Android-based handsets in action worldwide - the HTC Dream and Magic – and hopefully learn from their inevitable mistakes as well.
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