Google's Android demo shows app store, tweaks iPhone formulas
Attendees at Google's I/O Conference this week were greeted with an Android phone interface that shares yet more common ground with the iPhone from the company's close neighbor Apple, including the first evidence of a dedicated app store.
The search engine giant's project lead for Android, Andy Rubin, dropped hints at the event that his firm's commitment to open development access doesn't preclude it from creating an official marketplace for Android apps. Instead, he argued that the concept could be essential for promoting the mobile operating system and its partners.
"It would be a great benefit to the Android community to provide a place where people can go to safely and securely download content and where a billing system would allow developers to get paid for their effort," The Register heard Rubin say. "We wouldn?t have done our job if we didn?t provide something that helps developers get distribution."
While details of just what this would involve are still murky at this stage, the Google manager's live demonstration of the latest version of Android revealed a conspicuous "Market" button already in place -- albeit one not explored during the presentation.
Even so, the addition creates an unusual similarity between Google's commercial platform and that coming with Apple's iPhone 2.0 firmware in June. Where most mobile app stores are operated independently of hardware or software, such as Handango, both the Android Market and the iPhone's App Store will be controlled by the same companies responsible for their respective operating systems.
Google's open platform is believed to allow installations of apps without official blessing, however, in contrast to the official certification process necessary for iPhone software.
The Market icon in Android. | Image credits: AndroidCommunity
Although one of the more conspicuous similarities, the I/O gathering also revealed a few familiar, if improved, interface elements initially seen in Apple's hardware.
Of note are multiple home screens accessed through the same swiping gestures as those introduced with Apple's January firmware update, though with an extra twist: while Apple's screen is limited to application icons and web shortcuts, the Android front-end uses the extra space for links to particular contacts and even immediately viewable widgets like clocks.
Even the slide-to-unlock motion, which is a simple left-to-right affair with the iPhone, expands to a nine-point system with Android that lets users secure the phone with a memorized pattern.
And while Google has regularly declared its pride in offering Google Maps with the iPhone, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company has reserved some of its best features for its own platform. The accelerometer that largely governs just screen rotation in the iPhone can now be used in a new Street View mode that rotates the point of view simply by changing direction in the real world.
Google itself won't produce handsets and is leaving that responsibility to established handset makers like HTC and Samsung, many of which are expected to produce a mix of devices that will kick off Android's debut late this year.
Android's new home screen.
Street View in Google Maps.
Google Maps on Android.
Android's new slide-to-unlock system.
The search engine giant's project lead for Android, Andy Rubin, dropped hints at the event that his firm's commitment to open development access doesn't preclude it from creating an official marketplace for Android apps. Instead, he argued that the concept could be essential for promoting the mobile operating system and its partners.
"It would be a great benefit to the Android community to provide a place where people can go to safely and securely download content and where a billing system would allow developers to get paid for their effort," The Register heard Rubin say. "We wouldn?t have done our job if we didn?t provide something that helps developers get distribution."
While details of just what this would involve are still murky at this stage, the Google manager's live demonstration of the latest version of Android revealed a conspicuous "Market" button already in place -- albeit one not explored during the presentation.
Even so, the addition creates an unusual similarity between Google's commercial platform and that coming with Apple's iPhone 2.0 firmware in June. Where most mobile app stores are operated independently of hardware or software, such as Handango, both the Android Market and the iPhone's App Store will be controlled by the same companies responsible for their respective operating systems.
Google's open platform is believed to allow installations of apps without official blessing, however, in contrast to the official certification process necessary for iPhone software.
The Market icon in Android. | Image credits: AndroidCommunity
Although one of the more conspicuous similarities, the I/O gathering also revealed a few familiar, if improved, interface elements initially seen in Apple's hardware.
Of note are multiple home screens accessed through the same swiping gestures as those introduced with Apple's January firmware update, though with an extra twist: while Apple's screen is limited to application icons and web shortcuts, the Android front-end uses the extra space for links to particular contacts and even immediately viewable widgets like clocks.
Even the slide-to-unlock motion, which is a simple left-to-right affair with the iPhone, expands to a nine-point system with Android that lets users secure the phone with a memorized pattern.
And while Google has regularly declared its pride in offering Google Maps with the iPhone, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company has reserved some of its best features for its own platform. The accelerometer that largely governs just screen rotation in the iPhone can now be used in a new Street View mode that rotates the point of view simply by changing direction in the real world.
Google itself won't produce handsets and is leaving that responsibility to established handset makers like HTC and Samsung, many of which are expected to produce a mix of devices that will kick off Android's debut late this year.
Android's new home screen.
Street View in Google Maps.
Google Maps on Android.
Android's new slide-to-unlock system.
Comments
No multi-touch no sale
Also the gesture lock is just a pin. whoopity doo, 9 points (9 numbers) joined by a line, its a glorified pin number.
If they truly wanted to create a great mobile OS they should have been more creative and original instead of taking a sheet of carbon paper to the iPhone. Come on, are Google the new Microsoft? Start your copiers now.
There are plenty of choppy, poorly executed code demoed for Android that can mocked, but that can be rewritten and icons can redone. This is the closest Apple has seen to any device that could be called an "iPhone-killer". I'm sure Apple is going over Andorid with a fine tooth comb looking for anything they can borrow.
I'm wondering what is going to happen with the maps app on the iPod touch and iPhone. If Google are creating their own devices with this in mind, then why would they allow access to the competition?
Because Google isn't selling Android.
Windows 95 was "good enough" to most people. Android could be "good enough" to most people also. And if people can get cheap phones with Android on them, Apple could be in trouble.
Mind you, there seems to be a huge reversal recently. People are buying Apple products in droves with little regard for price. Seems like people have finally awoken and seen the light (thanks to iPods and word of mouth).
There's nothing about the iPod that couldn't have been said about the Mac 10-15 years ago. Macs were clearly a superior product...but nobody knew that. A series of events allowed the iPod to break this curse and make people more aware of Apple products (including the Mac).
Still...Apple has to be careful and not let Android become "good enough". I think Apple's doing a good thing patenting many iPhone innovations. Anything to stop people from directly copying the iPhone look and feel is a good for Apple.
All of you dismissing Android because of icon aesthetics and missing feature should realize that Android could be the next Windows 95 that wipes Apple out of the mobile business.
Windows 95 was "good enough" to most people. Android could be "good enough" to most people also. And if people can get cheap phones with Android on them, Apple could be in trouble.
Mind you, there seems to be a huge reversal recently. People are buying Apple products in droves with little regard for price. Seems like people have finally awoken and seen the light (thanks to iPods and word of mouth).
There's nothing about the iPod that couldn't have been said about the Mac 10-15 years ago. Macs were clearly a superior product...but nobody knew that. A series of events allowed the iPod to break this curse and make people more aware of Apple products (including the Mac).
Still...Apple has to be careful and not let Android become "good enough". I think Apple's doing a good thing patenting many iPhone innovations. Anything to stop people from directly copying the iPhone look and feel is a good for Apple.
I had similar thoughts, but the differentiator, I think, is that the iPhone is an iPod. Apple's done extremely well with the UI, and all the Android phones are going to look kind of similar and pedestrian. It will still be the iPhone users that have something special.
I do wish Apple had taken the iPhone opportunity to dump Objective-C and Cocoa and gone with a more modern API, and that's one area that Android will have a HUGE advantage over the iPhone in. You'll have droves of developers who have years of experience in the toolchains, languages, and systems involved.
Having a hard time visualizing this? Someone care to take stab at explaining this? Sound like the technology that?s already in a GPS unit? too me anyway.
Thanks
I had similar thoughts, but the differentiator, I think, is that the iPhone is an iPod. Apple's done extremely well with the UI, and all the Android phones are going to look kind of similar and pedestrian. It will still be the iPhone users that have something special.
I do wish Apple had taken the iPhone opportunity to dump Objective-C and Cocoa and gone with a more modern API, and that's one area that Android will have a HUGE advantage over the iPhone in. You'll have droves of developers who have years of experience in the toolchains, languages, and systems involved.
Strongly agreed, I see apple's advantage as being control over the hardware integrating with the UI. But google and the open market will move extremely faster in pushing new innovative ideas to the user, rather then waiting on the apple approval.
if you look at what google has been able to accomplish simply w/ text messaging, its great. I'm very interested in what they'll come up w/
"The accelerometer that largely governs just screen rotation in the iPhone can now be used in a new Street View mode that rotates the point of view simply by changing direction in the real world."
Having a hard time visualizing this? Someone care to take stab at explaining this? Sound like the technology that?s already in a GPS unit? too me anyway.
Thanks
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRfVKzuUJ4
Apple could develop a "Boot Camp" for the iPhone as it has done with their Mac computers. That would negate many from even considering another smart phone vender. Imagine being able to dual boot your iPhone to either Mac OS X or Android.
I'm sure the hackor community will do this, but I see no reason for it. The reasons to dual boot a PC are not the same for a cell phone.
I do wish Apple had taken the iPhone opportunity to dump Objective-C and Cocoa and gone with a more modern API, and that's one area that Android will have a HUGE advantage over the iPhone in. You'll have droves of developers who have years of experience in the toolchains, languages, and systems involved.
Sadly, Android is C code under the hood and developers only get to write in Java. I think Apple's approach is going to pay off much better than Java on Android.
I had similar thoughts, but the differentiator, I think, is that the iPhone is an iPod. Apple's done extremely well with the UI, and all the Android phones are going to look kind of similar and pedestrian. It will still be the iPhone users that have something special.
I do wish Apple had taken the iPhone opportunity to dump Objective-C and Cocoa and gone with a more modern API, and that's one area that Android will have a HUGE advantage over the iPhone in. You'll have droves of developers who have years of experience in the toolchains, languages, and systems involved.
It shouldn't be that big of a deal for Amazon to create a Google app to download music directly to Android-enabled phones.
If anyone is of the opinion that open-source is superior to closed systems, then I would be very concerned if I were in the Apple camp. We're seeing "Microsoft vs. Apple" all over again, this time on the phone.
I have little doubt that iPhone2 will be a big winner, but the gap is getting narrower. Steve... get more product out there on more carriers and soon!
"The accelerometer that largely governs just screen rotation in the iPhone can now be used in a new Street View mode that rotates the point of view simply by changing direction in the real world."
Having a hard time visualizing this? Someone care to take stab at explaining this? Sound like the technology that?s already in a GPS unit? too me anyway.
Thanks
In the Android demo, they were demonstrating a "compass" feature that linked the Street View mode to the phone. Pretty brilliant, if you ask me. It's almost like having a HUD overlay viewable on your future Android phone.
In the Android demo, they were demonstrating a "compass" feature that linked the Street View mode to the phone. Pretty brilliant, if you ask me. It's almost like having a HUD overlay viewable on your future Android phone.
Really? I found that feature to be completely retarded. What's the point of having a street view when you're physically on the street and can witness how it looks. Unless you're not on that street. At which point it's just a gimmick feature...instead of using a finger to spin yourself around in the street view, your entire body spins.
I may just point and laugh when I see people looking at their Android phones and spin around in circles instead of using a finger to change the street view.