Android is an open-source platform, meaning interested parties can contribute to the development of Android and cater the software to meet their needs and desires. As an engineer close to the early development of Android succinctly put it, Android gives you “the ability to have your cell phone do whatever the heck you want it to do.”

Android’s Beginnings

Originally developed by Google, the search giant handed off Android’s reigns to the Open Handset Alliance – a consortium of hardware, software and telecom companies including HTC, Intel, LG, Motorola, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung and Texas Instruments, among numerous others.

Applications

There are thousands of applications available for the Android platform, and the list is quickly growing larger and larger as Android makes its way to new handsets and wireless carriers. The Android Market offers both free and paid applications, discoverable and downloadable from any Android device. Google does not screen applications, and any developer can create applications for the Android platform. The Android Market provides descriptions, screen shots, and ratings and reviews from the Android community for each application.

Google Integration

Because of Android’s Google origins, many Android devices are closely integrated with a variety of Google’s litany of services. Google search with voice, Gmail, and Google Calendar are pre-installed on most Android handsets.

Android Phones

On January 6^th, AT&T announced plans to launch five new devices from Dell, HTC and Motorola based on the Android platform. Stay tuned for launch dates of these exciting new phones.

What Does It All Mean For You?

• Browse the real Web—not a stripped-down mobile version of your favorite sites—including sites with Flash content.
• Choose from a broad range of phone styles and manufacturers—anybody can build a phone with the Android platform.
• Browse thousands of applications—right from your phone—to fit whatever need you have. From GPS-guided directions to restaurant finders, from music managers to email clients. You can download new apps on the go from Android Market.
• Ongoing enhancements to your phone’s capabilities. Anybody can build and distribute new applications for Android phones thanks to an open development platform and a powerful developer community.

Small Sample of Incredible Apps

KEI

It’s essentially a Bluetooth key which functions as a control for your car so that you can automatically unlock or start the vehicle remotely by using your phone. It’s set up so that you can control one car with multiple phones (for families that share cars) and/or you can control multiple cars with a single phone (for people who have more than one vehicle). KEI requires a simple install device in the car and is designed to eventually be able to read the car’s diagnostic information for you.

Locale

Ever get embarrassed at a company meeting when your cell phone unexpectedly goes off? With Locale, you can make sure your device knows to switch to vibrate mode the minute you step into your office. With Android’s GPS capabilities, Locale adjusts your phone’s settings to wherever you’re located. Your phone will forward calls to different numbers based on whether you’re at work or home, or will send out a status message on Twitter letting people know where you’re located.

Wertago

Billing itself as “the mobile application nightlifers have been waiting for,” Wertago is a social networking application that lets users coordinate social events with their friends, rate current hotspots and create personalized social networking profiles for users to share their favorite locations. Like many other Android applications, Wertago uses Google Maps to map out different clubs, restaurants and theaters.

Life360

This is a neighborhood-centric social networking application that keeps users up-to-date with their local communities and families. Life360 users can receive emergency alerts in their neighborhoods and can send notices to everyone in the area. Whether you’re holding a backyard neighborhood barbecue or looking for help to find a lost pet, Life360 gives you quick access to your neighbors and your family.

GoCart

The goal of GoCart is to help shoppers gather as much information as they need to make smart, informed decisions. Using GPS and Android’s built-in camera to scan bar codes, the application will search both the Web and local stores to compare prices of any product. The application also lets you read user reviews of products and can set up price alerts whenever prices go down either in stores or online.

]]> http://www.attconnects.com/blog/2010/02/android/feed/ 0 http://www.attconnects.com/blog/2009/11/alistwithrollover/ http://www.attconnects.com/blog/2009/11/alistwithrollover/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:02 +0000 admin http://attconnects.creativeanvil.com/blog/?p=136 Continue Reading »]]> Most of your calling is with a handful of friends and family. Now you can get unlimited talk time with five “VIP” domestic phone numbers at no additional cost! Families can join in the savings too and get unlimited calling with up to ten VIP numbers per FamilyTalk account. This is what we affectionately refer to as your A-List. And only AT&T lets you keep the minutes you save with Rollover. Let the good times ROLL!

Add your favorite peeps to your A-List – then talk to them as much as you want!

Here’s the scoop:

If you’re not on an A-List plan, stop by the store or give us a call and we’ll get you set up today!

The netbook typically weighs about three pounds and features a ten inch screen. Most have a low powered CPU for energy efficiency. Since the netbook hard drives are lower capacity than standard notebooks, most netbook users utilize the internet for online applications like Google Docs and store their information online as well.

Coming soon! All Communications Connection locations will offer the Lenovo S10. It will be available for only $199.99 after $100 mail-in rebate via AT&T Promotion Card with a two-year service contract. Visit attconnects.com to find the store nearest you or call your local rep for full details.

Whether your netbook is for pure entertainment or supplements your full-sized, powerful desktop, get access to everything you want while you’re on the go!

]]> http://www.attconnects.com/blog/2009/07/mobilefacebook/feed/ 0 http://www.attconnects.com/blog/2009/06/introducing-the-world%e2%80%99s-slimmest-smartphone%e2%80%a6the-nokia-e71x/ http://www.attconnects.com/blog/2009/06/introducing-the-world%e2%80%99s-slimmest-smartphone%e2%80%a6the-nokia-e71x/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:55:27 +0000 admin http://attconnects.creativeanvil.com/blog/?p=60 Continue Reading »]]> The super slim design and full metal casing looks as good as it feels. It’s easy to set up your work and personal email. Typing and texting are simple with the full QWERTY keyboard. You can access full HTML web sites when you’re surfing, searching or shopping the internet. And with full GPS capabilities, you get real-time traffic reports and turn-by-turn directions whenever you want and wherever you are.

Here’s additional details on why the Nokia E71x is considered one of the best values in the smartphone market:

• Navigate websites and files quickly with the Navi™ key.
• One-touch keys to your home, calendar, contacts and messaging.
• Stay connected around the globe with quad-band GSM support.
• Multitask effortlessly with the power of 3G speed.
• Sync notes, contacts, and appointments in real time.
• Open, edit and forward attachments including documents, spreadsheets and PDF files.
• Organize your inbox with simple sorting functions.
• Search your global company directory and address list from virtually anywhere in the world.
• Send text and multimedia messages.
• Use speed dial and voice commands to make calls.
• View web pages, Flash videos, and Flash content just like you would on your computer.
• Subscribe to RSS feeds from blogs and news services.
• Upload and share photos and videos.
• Find your way using AT&T Navigator A-GPS.
• Explore new places with searchable maps and step-by-step directions.
• Locate restaurants, Wi-Fi hotspots and more than 10 million business listings.
• Real-time traffic monitoring and automatic rerouting.
• Locate family members with AT&T FamilyMaps (see our Featured Service blog for more details).
• Play your favorite songs and discover new ones with the music and media player.
• Take photos with the integrated 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus, zoom, and flash.
• Share live or recorded video while talking with AT&T Video Share.
• Customize your phone with video ringtones.

Simple voice commands for hands-free calling

To answer an incoming call, one touch is all it takes. Make a call? Simply press a button, then say a name from your contacts phonebook. Call waiting, call history, call holding, call privacy and more. Simple voice commands and SYNC does the rest – all hands-free.

Uninterrupted connections

In the middle of a phone call while getting in your car? No need to hang up and call again to resume your conversation. Simply touch a button and SYNC will instantly connect to your Bluetooth-enabled phone. The system can also transfer the call back to your phone as you exit your vehicle.

Audible text messaging

Receiving and answering a text message while driving? No problem with SYNC, simply touch a button and SYNC will read it to you. SYNC is even smart enough to translate and speak commonly used text messages such as “lol” and .

Advanced calling features

With SYNC, you’ll enjoy many of the same features offered on your mobile phone, including caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, a caller log, a list of contacts, a signal strength icon, and a phone battery charge icon – all conveniently located on your radio’s display screen.

Ringtone support

Do you hear your favorite pop song every time your phone rings? For supported phones, SYNC will recognize and play it. And if you’ve configured unique ringtones to identify specific callers, SYNC will automatically play those, too.

Automatic phonebook transfer

Can you imagine having to re-enter every name and number in your contact list to make it work with your vehicle? Yikes! Neither can we. That’s why SYNC is designed to transfer all the names and numbers in your mobile phonebook automatically.

Multiple phone support

Several family members sharing the same vehicle? No problem. Up to twelve different phones can be paired with the system. Should more than one paired phone be present, SYNC will first attempt to connect to the primary phone with the ability to easily switch to another phone if desired.

Not only can you physically see where your friends are, you can set distance alerts for them. When your buddy from LA arrives in town and is within 25 miles you can be notified. You can even set an alert to let you know if any of your friends are within a mile of your current location!

Organizing events is simple. You can send out electronic invitations to your friends locally, so you’re not blasting out to your whole contact list. You can easily find nearby places and events recommended by your friends. Make it public or keep it private, you decide.

These cababilities are available to you through Loopt^®, the ultimate social networking tool from AT&T.

To use Loopt^® on your wireless phone you need:

• A GPS eligible mobile device
• An approved AT&T data plan
• An AT&T Loopt^® service subscription
• AT&T network coverage

The service is available on the following devices:

• Motorola: Moto Z9
• Nokia: 6650
• Pantech: C610 , Matrix
• Samsung: a637 , A767 , Rugby
• Sony Ericsson: W760a