Google Mobile App for iPhone updated
Google today released a new version of the Google Mobile App for the iPhone. The changelog can be seen in the image above.
Category: Google
Google Nexus One vs iPhone 3GS – 3D Performance
A 3D performance comparison between Google’s Nexus One and Apple’s iPhone 3GS.
The test I’m showing here is a pretty typical 3D game scene. It contains a 3D environment and multiple animated 3D characters. The GPU is stress tested due to the high number of polygons in the scene and the CPU is stress tested as it is calculating the bone & skinning of the animation.
Starting up the test on both devices shows that the iPhone 3GS runs at 60 frames per second (fps) and the Nexus at between 30 to 35fps. As we add more woman models until we get to 8 models we see that the frame rate has dropped to 29fps on the iPhone and approx 21fps on the Nexus. Therefore, on the face of it, it seems the iPhone is 138% faster in this scene.
Check out the video after the break.
Homescreens compared – Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile and webOS
A homescreen comparison between Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile and webOS. The phones compared in the video are iPhone 3GS, Google Nexus One, HTC HD2 and Palm Pre.
Video after the break.
Google paying Apple $100 million a year for Search on iPhone
Jay Yarrow wrote in an article for Business Insider that Google is paying Apple $100 million a year for the default search engine deal on the iPhone.
Another interesting fact about Yarrow’s article, is that he basically kills the rumor about Apple entering the search business with its own Search engine.
Flash 10.1 to require an updated version of Android?
Adobe today told Engadget that Flash 10.1 will need ’some enhancements to existing versions of Android’. What they didn’t say, is if this version is actually Android 2.1, or some other? Here’s a take from the article:
Adobe, Google, and other members of the Open Screen Project are working together to make ensure the full Web experience can be delivered on largest possible number of devices. Support for full Flash Player 10.1 requires some enhancements to existing versions of Android. These enhancements are expected to be available as an upgrade to existing devices and for new devices starting in Q2 2010.
I don’t think this is Android 2.1, since the the update/version is about to be released in Q2 2010. As we all know, Android 2.1 is already available on a phone, the Nexus One. Could this mean that Flash 10.1 will actually be released for Froyo, the next Android OS version?
Google Buzz and Google Buzz for Mobile released
Google Buzz for mobile allows you to post buzz and keep up with your friends when you’re away from your computer. It also uses your location to identify places around you. You can select one of these places and attach it as location tag to your posts, or read what others have posted about the place.
Here’s a list of how you can Buzz with your mobile:
- Buzz.google.com: This web app provides access to Buzz from your iPhone or Android phone’s browser, allowing you to view and create buzz messages. It has two different views: ‘Following’ view shows buzz from the people you follow, just like Google Buzz in your Gmail; ‘Nearby’ view shows public buzz that has been tagged with a location near you, and might be from people you don’t follow. From Nearby view, you can also select a specific place from the list of nearby places and view posts attached to that place.
- Buzz on Google Maps for mobile: The new Buzz layer allows you to see buzz near you or anywhere on the map. You can post public buzz directly from the layer, and even attach a photo from your phone. Also, try visiting a mobile Place Page to read recent comments or to post buzz about that place. You can access Place Pages from the web app as well, by tapping on the place name in any location-tagged post.
- Buzz Shortcut from Google.com: You will see the buzz icon in the top right corner of the google.com homepage. Just tap on the icon to trigger the posting box.
- Voice Shortcut: The voice shortcut, which is available in the quick search widget on Android and in Google Mobile App on iPhone, allows you to post buzz without typing anything. Just say ‘post buzz,’ followed by whatever you’d like to post.
Check out the video after the break.
Nexus One owners get live phone support
Google has today corrected the lack of support for the Nexus One, when they opened at live phone support line for Nexus One customers. You can reach a live support person by calling 888-48NEXUS (63987). The support line is open from 7:00AM till 10:00PM PST.
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Nexus One: The Story – Episode 5: Day One
Google has put together a very nice series called “Nexus One: The Story”. It’s a behind the scenes look on their first phone, the Google Nexus One. We will see 5 episodes in Nexus One: The Story:
- Concept & Design - released
- Display & 3D Framework - released
- Testing - released
- Manufacturing- released
- Day One - released
Check out the fifth and final episode after the break. I have to say that I really enjoyed this mini series. You can see all episodes by visiting this page.
Linus Torvalds owns a Nexus One
Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, informed on his blog a few days ago that he owns a Nexus One. Here is a take from his blog-post:
I broke down and bought a Nexus One last week.
I got the original G1 phone from google when it came out, and I hardly ever used it. Why? I generally hate phones – they are irritating and disturb you as you work or read or whatever – and a cellphone to me is just an opportunity to be irritated wherever you are. Which is not a good thing.
At the same time I love the concept of having a phone that runs Linux, and I’ve had a number of them over the years (in addition to the G1, I had one of the early China-only Motorola Linux phones) etc. But my hatred of phones ends up resulting in me not really ever using them. The G1, for example, ended up being mostly used for playing Galaga and Solitaire on long flights, since I had almost no reason to carry it with me except when traveling.
But I have to admit, the Nexus One is a winner. I wasn’t enthusiastic about buying a phone on the internet sight unseen, but the day it was reported that it finally had the pinch-to-zoom thing enabled, I decided to take the plunge. I’ve wanted to have a GPS unit for my car anyway, and I thought that google navigation might finally make a phone useful.
And it does. What a difference! I no longer feel like I’m dragging a phone with me “just in case” I would need to get in touch with somebody – now I’m having a useful (and admittedly pretty good-looking) gadget instead. The fact that you can use it as a phone too is kind of secondary.
We previously wrote for instance that Steve Wozniak, founder of Apple, owns a Nexus One. Who’s the next celebrity to join the Nexus One bandwagon.
Nexus One: The Story – Episode 4: Manufacturing
Google has put together a very nice series called “Nexus One: The Story”. It’s a behind the scenes look on their first phone, the Google Nexus One. We will see 5 episodes in Nexus One: The Story:
- Concept & Design - released
- Display & 3D Framework - released
- Testing - released
- Manufacturing - released
- Nexus One: Day One - coming 2/8
Check out the fourth episode after the break.
Nexus One: The Story – Episode 3: Testing
Google has put together a very nice series called “Nexus One: The Story”. It’s a behind the scenes look on their first phone, the Google Nexus One. We will see 5 episodes in Nexus One: The Story:
- Concept & Design - released
- Display & 3D Framework - released
- Testing - released
- Manufacturing - coming 2/7
- Nexus One: Day One - coming 2/8
Check out the third episode after the break.
Nexus One: The Story – Episode 2: Display & 3D Framework
Google has put together a very nice series called “Nexus One: The Story”. It’s a behind the scenes look on their first phone, the Google Nexus One. We will see 5 episodes in Nexus One: The Story:
- Concept & Design- released
- Display & 3D Framework- released
- Testing - coming 2/6
- Manufacturing - coming 2/7
- Nexus One: Day One - coming 2/8
Check out the second episode after the break.
Nexus One: The Story – Episode 1: Concept & Design
Google has put together a very nice series called “Nexus One: The Story”. It’s a behind the scenes look on their first phone, the Google Nexus One. We will see 5 episodes in Nexus One: The Story:
- Concept & Design- released
- Display & 3D Framework- released
- Testing - coming 2/6
- Manufacturing - coming 2/7
- Nexus One: Day One - coming 2/8
Check out the first episode after the break.
