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iPhone Cafe

Devoted to bringing you News, Gossip, Rumors and How-Tos for the iPhone and iPod touch

Posts Tagged ‘android’

Apple Asked Google Not To Use Mutli-Touch In Android, And Google Agreed

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Apple, which of course makes the signature multi-touch mobile device the iPhone, apparently asked Google not to implement it, and Google agreed, according to an Android team member.

The multi-touch capability of the iPhone gives it a key advantage over competing phones such as the G1 and the BlackBerry Storm, and it raises the question of why Google, which has devoted a lot of resources towards the development and subsequent release of Android, decided to comply with Apple’s request.
Further, the Android team member went on to say that they were relieved that Google didn’t go against Apple’s wishes, given the legal storm that appears to be brewing between Apple and Palm, which is using multi-touch technology in its new Pre phone. Even if Apple ultimately decides not to pursue legal action against Palm, the situation has likely soured the relationship between the two companies. Google, it seems, wants no part in ruining its relationship with Apple.

Apple’s iPhone May Have Outsold Android Nearly 6-to-1

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

It seems that Android hasn’t been too successful in its goal to dethrone Apple’s iPhone. Apparently the iPhone has out sold Android devices by a margin as high as 6-to-1. The claim is based on polls of recent cell phone buyers by Morgan Stanley. The firm believes that T-Mobile has sold up to 300,000 G1 devices compared to the estimated 1.7 million 3G iPhones Apple has moved.

A number of factors play into the wide gap between the two. Apple’s handset had the full run of the quarter as well as significantly longer time to establish its reputation. AT&T also counts a significantly larger subscriber base as well as a much more established 3G data network to encourage sales. T-Mobile’s faster data speeds reached only 25 major coverage areas by the end of the year versus over 300 for its challenger.

Worldwide figures aren’t mentioned in the survey, though Apple’s advantage widens here with over 70 countries selling iPhones where only the UK could sell the G1 outside of the US.

Is The T-Mobile G1 A Rival For Apple’s iPhone?

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

T-Mobile has unveiled Google’s answer to the iPhone. The G1 uses Google’s Android operating system. The T-Mobile G1 features a touch-screen, slick software, and a software store that makes it appear a strong competitor to other smart phones. It arrives October 23rd at a competitive price of $180 with a two year contract from T-Mobile

Though the T-Mobile G1 is not as sleek as the iPhone it does promises to give mobile-phone users a lot of freedom and flexibility. One of the biggest difference from the iPhone is that the G1 s addition of a physical keyboard, which slides out from underneath the touchscreen. The G1 has just a touchscreen, which means it can’t track multiple simultaneous gestures, while the iPhone 3G has a multi-touch screen. The G1 doesn’t have true video playback capabilities, although it does have video-streaming capabilities via YouTube while the iPhone 3G does. Apple’s reported battery life for iPhone 3G on standby time is significantly longer than the G1′s. The G1 offers multimedia messaging, copying and paste, voice dialing and a removable battery which the iPhone notably lacks.

There is also the Android Market, which is Google’s answer to the Apple App Store. Where many Apple apps cost money (typically anywhere from $0.99 to $9.99), at launch all Android Market apps will be free. Where Apple takes hard line to any App development, they approve every App to their store Google will allow creators to upload any application to the Android Market without its review.

Certainly T-Mobile has an uphill battle, but it’s strong features and subtle differences could be the boom that the smart phone market needs for Apple to find a true rival.