Sharkey reversed engineered the technology on the iPhone and iPod Touch that allows for this and re-programmed it to work with Android. All you have to do is download the application, virtually NOTHING else is needed. And even better, in the open source spirit of Android, Sharkey has made the application FREE to download and supplied the FULL SOURCE CODE!

Take a look at the application in action on an emulator:

Congratulations, Jeffrey… this is an AMAZING application for Android and will surely be one of the most popular. This very application release serves as a great testament to what Android stands for and what consumers and tech enthusiasts can look forward to.

To give you a frame of reference, when the Application was launched for the iPhone it was one of the first that Gizmodo reviewed and they had this to say:

• There’s only one word to describe it: perfectomfgthisissocool
• Verdict: download it now.

Its getting harder and harder NOT to jump on the Android bandwagon. As Android progresses, so will the applications. Your phone might age, but the possibilities will always be increasing with an eternally expanding library of applications.

Android iTunes Remote Control is what Android is all about. Thank you and Congratulations to Jeffrey Sharkey and all the other developers out there who are making Android what it is!

Android DACP Remote Control

• Its as fast
• Its fast
• We want it

Seeing as how we’re based in Baltimore, we’ll probably be picking up XOHM in the next week or so to give it a long-term test drive. Afterall, you don’t have to sign a long-term contract, you only have to commit month-by-month and its only $50/month ($25/month during the trial period). Sounds like a deal to me!

Not only is this thing BLAZING fast but you can use it ANYwhere in Baltimore as illustrated at the event. In your house? Of course. In the car? No problem. In the middle of the Inner Harbor on a Water Taxi? You betcha!

Not only that, WiMax currently covers 70% of Baltimore city and a quick look at XOHM.com shows the expansion within the Baltimore area over the next several months. My folks live in Columbia, MD which is 20 minutes away and only 30 minutes or so from Washington DC… their area will be covered in 2009 as well. Awesome.

If you want a more in depth look at how the day went, check out the MobileRoar WiMax post. Otherwise, take a look at the super quick and uber random video below, with bullet points below briefly explaining what the heck you’re gazing at:

• Barry West (XOHM President) and Dan Hesse (Sprint CEO) spoke at the presentations and busted out a few quirky jokes including West cluelessly claiming, “I’m not sure why you would buy anything with the New Egg.” The Press Conference was exactly what you would expect: WiMax is the best thing since sliced bread… NOW EAT IT!
• Kiosks displayed the new devices launched (laptops and internet tablets) that were WiMax enabled and they worked as advertised - fast as hell.
• A limousine van drove about 10 guests at a time through Baltimore City to experience WiMax on the go. Speeds ranged from 10 MPH to 30MPH and it was OCCASSIONALLY spotty but mostly right on the money. And when it was on… BOY was it on. Once again, FAST!
• Time to move to the In-Home demonstration. Sprint rented out a nice row home on the water to display WiMax in the home including data and voice.
• The house overlooked Water Taxis which were… giving more WiMax tours of how the service performed in the middle of the freaking Inner Harbor. And guess what? It worked!

If there was a main problem with WiMax its that its hard to get worked up over an Internet Connection. Most people get amped about hardware and stoked about software but the common thread that is able to tie the two together is seen as just that: glue… boring old glue.

Barry West actually acknowledge that to some degree saying that people don’t care HOW the technology works.. just that it WORKS. Sprint has a long road ahead of them in explaining why choose Sprint WiMax over Comcast, for instance. Their marketing campaign of “WiMax: A Hotspot As Big As A City” really hits home and explains to most regular, tech friendly folks exactly what WiMax is.

As far as I’m concerned, Sprint has a few major challenges and they are:

• Educating the public
• Convincing the public to sign up for 1 more service when Comcast already bundles it all. Nobody likes having more bills to pay, even if they add up to the same amount. And frankly, I don’t think anyone wants to speak to any “lenders” who will “consolidate their monthly payments” at the moment.
• The economy - do people have the money to spend?

As far as WiMax and Android/Mobile goes, we’re a little bit away from seeing that. The focus of the day was on devices - mobile devices - but that means notebooks/laptops and Internet Tablets… NOT Mobile Phones.

Sprint said that WOULD come at some point, but not until the scope of their network was larger. Later this year, Baltimore will already see a Sprint AirCard that is based on 4G and DEFAULTS to slow 3G connections when it is forced to (do you sense our sarcasm?). Selling these localized products/services to Baltimore consumers makes sense… but Mobile Phones is another whole step that will have to wait.

“How Long Will It Have To Wait, Rob?”

I’m glad you asked. It will have to wait until the New Clearwire - the new legal entity of which Google is invested, officially “passes” the restrictions of the FCC. Today, Sprint executives said they fully expect that deal to be completed by the end of the year.

What then? Then $3.2 Billion Dollars of Capital go towards expanding the WiMax network on a global scale. Dan Hesse explained it would likely take $5 Billion dollars to get the job done and noted that they, “better start fundraising.” They’ve got partners with a lot of deep pockets, but I’m sure Intel execs weren’t overly thrilled when Sprint execs drooled over their cash, commenting at their Balance Sheet and how they could narrow the $1.8 Billion Dollar gap.

Imagine a tribal village somewhere in Africa or India where there are no wires… no telephone landlines… heck, perhaps not even bathrooms. But imagine still being able to get Internet access there… and faster access than you get on your desktop computer. Its possible, and Sprint hopes to cover over HALF of the world’s population (area wise) in the next several years. That’s a lofty feat.

Sprint executives made it perfectly clear that Wireless Carriers should NOT feel threatened and that WiMax was mainly for DATA delivery purposes… for now. It seems much more likely that in the next couple years we’ll first see a device that uses 3G voice as a maximum but when browsing the web, it first looks for 4G WiMax.

Since basically the beginning of this whole “Android Thing” we’ve been talking about how Google and Android could usher in an era of 100% Free cellular phone service that is subsidized by on-phone advertising. Thats not likely something that would happen in 2009… but why shouldn’t it or couldn’t it happen in the next several years? And why not a WiMax enabled Android Phone?

There are SOOOO many pieces out there and it can be really fun to try and put together the Mobile puzzle. WiMax/XOHM has the potential to be one of those edge (no pun intended) or corner pieces that serve as the foundation and reference point to which you can start filling in the details.

We’ll likely be getting WiMax in the office for at least a couple months as a trial. But in the meantime… where do you think Sprint/WiMax/XOHM will be in 1, 2, 3 or even 5 years from now?

The App Center news seems to have slipped along with information of the upcoming BlackBerry Storm touchscreen phone. That device is launching on Vodafone and Verizon Wireless sometime in November and a screen shot of the new RIM OS 4.7 on the BlackBerry Storm serves as the proof:

Take a look at the rumored “features” of the device:

Check out the feature list:

• The Application Center will be available on 4.7 Storm devices and will be designed for the Storm touch screen UI.
• Carriers will be responsible for hosting the application data and sending updates to the directory to RIM.
• The main application screen will provide the user with a list of all applications that are available for install from the particular carrier for the specific device model and OS version. Incompatible applications will not be displayed.
• The main screen will provide the user the ability to quickly browse the application list, then view the available information about each application in a detailed description screen which shows the logo and full description. Installation will occur with one click (launches the web browser).
• The user will be able to access the Options > Applications screen from within the App Center (allowing the user to delete applications directly from within the App Center).
• The user will be provided with various status info: date the app list was most recently updated; notification that updates are available; option to reapplication list was completed, etc.
• Since the download and installation will be handled by the browser in this first release, the Application Center will not be capable of restarting the application / download intelligently.
• The Application Center will automatically check for updates daily.

Uhoh… will the BlackBerry Storm be an immediate T-Mobile G1 competitor, offering an equally competitive catalog of applications? Check out the second bullet:

Carriers will be responsible for hosting the application data and sending updates to the directory to RIM.

So basically, the “App Center” is just BlackBerry putting a trendy title and cleaner UI on Verizon’s various Get It Now! Services. SUCH a disappointment.

To be honest, we were nervous about T-Mobile and other carriers crippling Android and the Android Market. Its one thing to have full functionality and the carrier TAKING AWAY functionality and options on purpose. But with the BlackBerry App Center, it appears the carrier has to be the source of putting Application on the market to begin with. Hmmmm.

Verizon did launch a developer program earlier this year (or maybe late last year) but we have seen absolutely ZILCH from it. It seems as though this “App Center” was built specifically for the Storm OS but that it is just the start of something larger?

Whatever RIM has up their sleeve… we’re happy to see this development. We’re not Pro-Android and Anti-Everything-Else as it seems many iPhone Fanboys are. We appreciate the forward thinking of Apple and now RIM… they are both working to drastically improve the capabilities and options available to consumers. SO much is possible and we’re just now starting to unlock all of the potential.

It doesn’t seem like the iPhone App Store or BlackBerry App Center will come close to the openness and flexibility of Android and the Android Market. But, if the success of Android pushes Apple and RIM to move in that direction, it will be a great success for the OHA and a big win for consumers.

To use the emulator, visit the following link:
http://tmobile.modeaondemand.com/htc/g1/

You’ll need to click the “Emulator” button in the upper right hand corner to actually play with the Android interface. You can also get a 360 degree view of the phone, view animations of the Keyboard Slide, Battery Removal, SIM Card Insertion and SD Memory Card Insertion.

Enjoy!

[Thanks Isaac]

UPDATE: hmmmm the website seems to be down at the moment. Anybody have another link?

First of all, if you’re going to name a cell phone that hasn’t yet been released to your biggest busts lists how about pointing your finger at the Xperia or Tube or something… ANYthing besides the G1 - a phone with a RIDICULOUS amount of potential? So whats your beef with the G1?

The Letdown: Letdown: The G1’s unveiling was a lot like the Bigfoot press conference — a long, awkward presentation that left a lot of people confused and/or disappointed. The handset poised to out-iPhone the iPhone had a laundry list of hardware letdowns: bulky, unattractive, and saddled with yet another proprietary headphone jack. Under the hood, the G1 had even more perplexing issues. Any sort of multitouch interface was missing, as was Microsoft Office support (beyond viewing), and video playback. Updates to Google’s Android OS could salvage the device  (à la the iPhone 3G). But for now, the G1 doesn’t even trigger the same excitement as a gorilla costume in an ice chest.

Well it obviously left ONE person confused.

The hardware let down is a matter of function over design. iSnobs can make as many jabs as they want at the T-Mobile G1 but I guarantee that having a device with a touch-screen, several dedicated, physical keys, a trackball and a full QWERTY keyboard will make the G1 MUCH more of a pleasure to use in the long run. I saw the phone live and I think its pretty darn attractive.

Any sort of multi-touch is missing? Well I was demonstrated the longpress which is the virtual equivalent of a right click with your computer mouse - that seemed pretty cool and functional to me.

Microsoft Office, Video Playback, etc…. the list goes on and on but these are all things that can be solved by 3rd party developers. THIS is the power of the platform AND the phone. The APPLICATIONS. Somehow so many people are missing this point and it is unnerving.

Finally, the author sums up the article by saying, “the G1 doesn’t even trigger the same excitement as a gorilla costume in an ice chest.”

What does that even mean? If it actually HAS a meaning please don’t tell me - save your breath - it’s really, really not worth explaining. The phone is selling like hotcakes, excitement is extremely high and this phone will be T-Mobile’s hottest handset in history by a landslide. And… there are more Android phones on the way.

I just wanted to make an equally idiotic list to illustrate a level of epic fail unmatched for the day.

Top 1 Dumbest Articles of October 3rd 2008

1. Wired.com - Top 5 CellPhone Busts of 2008

Already ordered your T-Mobile G1? If you ordered before October 3, 2008 it will be delivered right to your door as early as October 22, 2008*.

That’s truly great. But what about folks who have yet to order it, want to order tomorrow or whatever?

Order yours before October 21, 2008, and it will be delivered as early as November 10, 2008.* After all, as a loyal customer, you deserve to get what you want—when you want it.

Okay… so as a loyal customer what if I want mine before November 10th? Like… by October 22nd when all the other loyal customers are getting theirs? Too bad.

So did HTC really have to go back to the drawing board and up the production levels to fulfill unit demand by November 10th? Did they purposefully create a shortage to build hype and buzz? I’m not sure we’ll ever know.

But whats REALLY crazy is that this demand is ONLY for EXISTING T-Mobile customers. What happens when the floodgates open? Will Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Alltel, etc… customers flock to T-Mobile to get their hands on a G1?

There HAS to be a lot of strategizing and plotting behind the scenes - there IS a method to this madness - but we’ll never know what the raw, untamed conversations behind corporate doors contains. I imagine they want the G1 to create a spectacle. Only allow a select group to own it and in the time frame of when THEY get it and its available at RETAIL, start a ridiculous marketing push that will have everyone wanting one but nobody selling them.

People want something they can’t have. Especially when they see other people have it… and those other people are showing off all the awesome features to them.

Its a good move and I assume thats what they’re doing. Of course, I’m just speculating as to what I’d do if I was marketing the device… I think they’re playing their cards well. What do you think?

[Via T-MobileG1.com]

Props to TmoNews.com for scooping up the first unboxing! Great job guys.

While October 26th is listed as the “In Stock” Date there is another date for “Street Date” which begs the question… can we have more details? All of this is stemming from spy shots aquired by BGR but we must say, they do look legit. And, with BestBuy’s recent mobile success we wouldn’t put it past them:

Three similar screen shots show that the T-Mobile G1 isn’t the only upcoming hardware BestBuy is getting their mitts on. Expect BestBuy to have the following this holiday season:

• T-Mobile G1
• Sony Ericsson C902 CyberShot
• Palm Treo Pro (unlocked)
• BlackBerry Pearl for T-Mobile (in red)

Awesome. But one last thing… the “Out Stock” date is December 31, 2011. We know its just a placeholder but its fun to stop and think for a second… how much further will the mobile industry go in 3 years? Exciting stuff!

Apparently, T-Mobile plans on ordering between 1.5 million and 2 million G1 handsets including 400k-500k which will be sold in 2008. But do the numbers add up?

If author Steven Huang is spot on with the numbers then selling 500,000 units THIS year at $179/G1 would result in less than $100 million in revenue. Does that mean T-Mobile is subsidizing over 50% of the device’s cost with a 2-year contract? Hmmm.

Later in the article, we find the following quote: “As a competing model against HTC`s Diamond, Apple`s iPhone and Samsung`s Omnia smartphones, G1, without either Google`s or HTC`s mark on it…”

Well we know THAT is inaccurate, which makes those numbers seem a little more flimsy. But it DOES raise a pretty set of questions. The 400k to 500k units has been the standard G1 forecast around the web… but how much revenue will it create? How much subsidizing is T-Mobile doing? What does T-Mobile forecast its revenue increase will be directly resulting from the G1?

The above is a fun excercise in speculation, but I’m not sure how accurate the information is. In addition, the revenue numbers were provided in Taiwanese currency, New Taiwan Dollar and translated to US Dollars using, ironically, Yahoo currency converter. If its any consolation, I found it by googling

[Via CENS.com]

Sprint is holding a press conference in Baltimore to announce and discuss WiMax/XOHM and phandroid will be AT the event to get all the nitty gritty details to report back to you! In short, WiMax is the generic name for Sprint’s 4G network that was sold to a group of tech investors (including Google) that comprise Clearwire. XOHM is Sprint’s branded service that uses WiMax technology. It can be used for home internet, city wide hotspots and mobile phone connections to make the internet MUCH faster.

We’ll report ALL the details to you after the October 8th Baltimore event so make sure to check back into phandroid for more!

In the meantime, people are already up in arms over the fineprint of XOHM service that says, “To ensure a high-quality experience for its entire subscriber base, XOHM may use various tools and techniques designed to limit the bandwidth available for certain bandwidth intensive applications or protocols, such as file sharing.”

Ben Scott, Policy Director of Free Press had this to say: ““We are very troubled by this development and the larger moves across the wireless industry to limit consumer access to the legal content and services of their choice. We hope that Sprint will quickly disclose exactly what tools and techniques it plans to use, and demonstrate why it is necessary to maintain a closed network when consumers demand an open Internet.”

I think people are making this a bigger deal than it should be. Yes, there should probably be details provided on what the cap is and at what point it is triggered. But come on people, the purpose of that fine print is to protect the average person. A few idiots with WiMax that has drone computers auto set to download the entire interwebs 24/7 could easily strain resources at which point your XOHM access could be *gulp* as slow as the iPhone 3G.

And perhaps the network SHOULD be strong enough to handle unlimited people doing unlimited things but its just not realistic. Putting measures into place to protect customers from slow access imposed by the abusive practices of other customers is A-Okay with me. Sure, they should be extremely lenient and not stringent regulations and Sprint should outline exactly what they are… but I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I think they just saw the disaster that was AT&T’s 3G launch with the iPhone 3G and said, “lets not do it that way.” Once again, come back on the 8th for coverage of the XOHM event in Baltimore!