“Best application” will be determined on June 1, based on the general compellingness of the application, usability, capabilities, and quality of coding.  Basically, the most interesting, complex, and user-friendly application will land its developer $10K.

Other requirements are listed on the page.  The application needs to have been tested on at least 2 of the listed operating systems, must use either GPS, PIM contacts, or camera capabilities and must operate “upon synchronized local data via RhoSync.”

Rhomobile is fortunately not asking for rights or licensure for submitted applications.  They are trying to get people to use Rhodes.

If you happened to have already registered remember to have your applications in by 5pm PST on May 24, 2009.  Unfortunately, the deadline for registration was April 15 (sorry I couldn’t get the information to you guys beforehand.)  While the site will still accept registrants- I submitted a test registration, I’d count on Rhomobile standing by this deadline. Also, if you aren’t able to enter the competition, still check out the platform. ReminderGoogle still has unfulfilled promise of a second Android Developer’s Contest.

Hopefully this contest will incite a lot of creative application development and Rhomobile will succeed in promoting Rhodes.  I always wish the best to open source developers.  You ought to check them out.

Open source software provides a means of producing relatively inexpensive and technologically advanced, feature-rich mobile devices, both factors being key in approaching the Asian market.

It only makes sense, then, that late last month Dell announced a partnership with China Mobile in developing two new smart phone models to operate on China Mobile’s Open Mobile System(OMS), an operating system which uses Android source code.

It has also been reported that a Samsung executive in Korea claims there has been an internal push to get an Android phone out in the second quarter of 2009 in order to “meet the needs of local carriers.”  This could well mean an Android phone for Koreans this year, and possibly near neighbors.

Right now, Dell and Samsung seem poised to bring Android to the Asian mobile market very soon.  Surely other competitors will follow suit.

If Android phones catch on significantly in Asia they wouldn’t even need launching elsewhere when considering the sheer number of potential users.  With its vast potential as a proving ground, introduction in Asia and subsequent success should nudge otherwise skittish or conservative carriers and manufacturers in the direction of Android-powered mobile devices and that could lead to some pretty cool things.

Sources and Further Reading:

http://www.gsmdome.com/android/android-g1-gets-an-asian-side-next-year_1198

http://venturebeat.com/2009/04/13/forget-the-g1-the-android-invasion-is-landing-in-asia/

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=91699142&source=Newsfeed

http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS9919576434.html

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hope this helps…

• New Android Phones / Devices
• Android Software Updates
• Android Market Developments
• Android in non-standard applications
• Your personal experience with Android
• Much, much more.

Here’s to many more successful months. Thanks!

Such is the sleek header found at HTC‘s website. However, underneath the surface, things aren’t so rosy. A recent report states that HTC suffered a 30% profit decrease. While most scapegoat skeptics would point towards the hopelessly flailing economy as a reason for this, others (myself included) point towards the fact that HTC expected the Magic to be released by now. Having leaked rumors back in January about the phone, we’ve been abuzz about the second iteration of Android devices (I’m reluctant to call this second generation). Originally slated for release this month, this device’s release date has been slid to May.

Why so serious delay? The explanation is simple. They’re waiting on Cupcake. The Magic has no slide out keyboard like the G1. The Magic, as one of its features, touts video capabilities. Both of these are features that aren’t coming to Android until the Cupcake update is released.

No Cupcake for you!

But while we [impatiently] wait for Cupcake to come out, lets look at the Magic and some of its specs, shall we?

Most data from: HTC product specs

Features

• Access to your favourite Google applications like Gmail™/Google Mail™, YouTube™, Google Maps™, Google Talk™, Calendar and Google™ Search
• High-speed 3.5G network connection and Wi-Fi technology with seamless transition to open networks
• 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus for quality image and video capture
• microSD™ (SD 2.0 compatible) expansion slot for all your storage needs
• 3.2-inch touch-sensitive screen with HVGA (320 X 480 pixel) resolution
• Support for Bluetooth wireless stereo headsets

Specifications

Pictures

EDIT: Apparently the Magic is up for pre-order as of April 17th, with a release date of May 1st. Does this mean that the first crumbs of Cupcake will be released by then?
Reference: droiddeveloper.com

Read the paper here

Also here is a powerpoint presentation on the paper that I gave recently:

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by triplem

If you have an original application for Android that you wish to be reviewed here on droidweb.com, e-mail me an updated .apk file for your application at triplemwebsolutions.

Look forward to hearing from you!