According to google, Google Checkout will be used as the online payment solution for Android Market.  Other than the paid applications announcement, Android Market will start to be available to Singapore users in few weeks time and Australia next week.

[via Android Community]

The HTC Dream’s large vibrant display slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, great for communicating with friends online or using the phone’s e-mail, Instant Messaging (IM) and mobile messaging capabilities. As another option for accessing the device, The HTC Dream comes equipped with a convenient trackball for an alternative, one-handed navigation.

The HTC Dream features a rich HTML e-mail client, which seamlessly syncs your e-mail, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. The HTC Dream multi-tasks, so you can read a Web page while downloading your e-mail in the background and also combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk. Pricing and availability details will be announced at a later date.

Specifications:

• Processor: Qualcomm MSM7201A, 528 MHz
• Operating System: Android
• ROM: 256 MB / RAM: 192 MB
• microSD memory card slot
• Dimensions: (LxWxT) 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm
• Weight: 158 grams
• Display: 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution
• HSDPA/WCDMA:
  • Europe: 2100 MHz
  • US:1700/2100 MHz
• Up to 7.2 Mbps down-link (HSDPA) and 2 Mbps up-link (HSUPA) speeds
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Keyboard Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
• built-in GPS receiver and map software
• Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
• Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g
• HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one)
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Battery: 150 mAh Lithium-ion
• Talk time: Up to 350 minutes for WCDMA / Up to 406 minutes for GSM
• Standby time: Up to 402 hours for WCDMA / Up to 319 hours for GSM
• Digital Compass, Motion Sensor

[via Android Community]

Google has made a comment on the issues, “We’ve been notified of this issue (Jailbreaking of Android) and have developed a fix. We’re currently working with our partners to push the fix out and updating the open source code base to reflect these changes.”

It is not sure that if users can completely ignore this updates, according to a member of xda-developers, Google can force a software update on your Android smartphone, without giving you any prompt for selection.

[via Android Community]

To access the T-Mobile G1 as root, first you have to connect your phone to your wireless network. Making use of a PTerminal application from Android Market, you can start the telnetd to start accepting telnet connection. With your T-Mobile G1 ip, you can telnet to the G1 from your PC directly. It is definitely not advisable to change any system files if you are not sure what you are doing. Read through the forum thread for more details. According to theregister, Google is planning to close the loophole in future Android software update.

[via Android Community]

This month, HTC has just started to sell its new HTC Touch 3G and Touch HD smartphones in many different regions. The Taiwan-based company will sell the Touch HD by the end of this year in Taiwan.

[via Digitimes]

During the first few days of availability, leading digital businesses such as Telegraph Media Group (TMG), publishers of the UK’s biggest selling quality daily newspaper The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and Telegraph.co.uk, have received significant traffic from the G1 handset from T-mobile. To date, a new Google Android application available at Telegraph.co.uk/mobile has generated more than 5,000 downloads and nearly 31,000 visits.

“Part of Android’s cachet is its encouragement of third-party development due to the openness of its platform. As a result, many businesses are already creating applications to increase brand awareness and engagement,” said Nick Sharp, VP and General Manager EMEA and Australasia, WebTrends. WebTrends updated its On Demand software to track and report on Google Android in its reports on Oct. 30, the day of the platform’s release in Europe.

The G1 offers a completely new mobile internet experience with full touch screen plus QWERTY keyboard for easy online communication and high speed internet with popular Google services already on board. With Google Maps, T-Mobile G1 users can instantly view maps, satellite imagery, find local businesses and get driving directions. And Google Maps synchs with the built-in compass – an industry first – to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand.

The 50 applications available to download for free at Android Market include Wikitude, which displays local information from Wikipedia live on-screen when scanning your local surroundings using the phone’s camera. There are also a number of applications designed to help consumers make their money go further including ShopSavvy, which uses the G1’s camera to ’scan’ product barcodes and then searches the web using the browser to find the best available prices. Other applications help users indulge their interests. SplashPlay teaches users how to play the guitar by streaming video over the web, whilst Cooking Capsules and Cocktail! comb the web to provide recipes and instructions based on the contents of your kitchen or drinks cabinet.

via [Android Community]

While the unlocking service from unlock-tmobileg1.com cost $22.99 USD, you can try to call T-Mobile to get the unlock code directly if your T-Mobile account is active for 90 days. One member from Android Community says, “The G1 does *NOT* need to be on the network for 90 days, your T-Mobile account only has to have been active (with another phone or phone number on the same bill as the G1) for 90 days. I have my code and it is FULLY unlocked. You can call 611 to request and within 24 hours you get the unlock code for free via email response”

Android Q1 2009 roadmap:

Input method framework (IMF)
This feature will enable support for input methods other than physical keyboards, for example soft keyboards. IMF will also enable application developers to provide IME (see below) applications based on the framework.Input method engines (IME)
IME will support soft keyboards, a dictionary of suggestions, and a suggestion algorithm. The Android platform may contain few reference IMEs, and developers can provide IME applications through the Android Market.

Source [Android] via [engadgetmobile]

“The complex shape and design of the G1 necessitates a specific kind of protection,” said Robert G. Pedersen II, President and CEO of ZAGG. “The invisibleSHIELD is custom-designed to protect the full body of the G1 without interfering with functionality or touch screen sensitivity. The G1 is a significant advancement in smartphone technology, and it deserves the most advanced protection. Unlike bulky cases that offer inadequate protection, the invisibleSHIELD is the most durable way to scratch-proof any device, while preserving the original, sleek design.”

The ultra-tough material used to create the invisibleSHIELD was originally utilized by the U.S. military to protect helicopter blades from wind, sand and the wear and tear of high-speed travel. Combining this military-grade scratch protection with precision-cut designs, the invisibleSHIELD, backed by a lifetime guarantee, allows customers to use their electronics without the fear of scratches or nicks.