T-Mobile Has Been Quiet With High End Android

T-Mobile just revived the Sidekick brand with Android as the basis. But since G2, there have not been any high end Android device that enticed me to sign up. I am eagerly waiting for the LG Optimus 2X. Due to my lack of familiarity with LG's track record in mobile and providing timely Android update, I am still waiting to see if HTC has something coming to T-Mobile.

Why T-Mobile? Well, it was the first US wireless network to introduce the first ever Android device, the G1. I was one of the first to rush to the website to order it. So you'll have to forgive me if I'm partial to T-Mobile.

This is what I hope to see from our favorite wireless provider here at On Android. I like to see the following three Android devices:

• Samsung Galaxy S II - this is the next upgrade from the Galaxy update.  It is a natural fit.  As one of the two networks without Apple's iPhone, I see Samsung and T-Mobile as a perfect fit to highlight non-Apple phones and devices, particularly Android.  And having it run on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network would be a plus.
• Because of Verizon's size and Google's eagerness to act as a check-and-balance to the Apple-ATT alliance, most people think Verizon And Droid when they think about Android.  Well, now that Verizon has the iPhone, I like to see Motorola bring the devices that are branded "Droid" to T-Mobile.  Yeah, give me a dual-core Droid-like device, and I'll sign up right this second.  Don't give me that Cliq or the Charm is the best Motorola can bring to the game here.  The Defy is okay but it's so 2009.  Give me Droid X2 or Droid 3 GSM version any day.  
• HTC - we need you.  The G2, while is a HTC-made phone, it is not branded so.  Regardless, HTC has been kind of MIA in my opinion.  Heck, give me the ChaCha which looks like the original Android prototypes.  Oh, but just don't call it the ChaCha on T-Mobile.  There's talk and rumblings about a high end device coming.  I hope so.  The G2 just isn't it.  

My hope is that T-Mobile will have a very active second quarter in Android.  After the Optimus 2X, maybe that'll be when we'll see a couple more high end devices for loyal T-Mobile fans. And yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing Sony's Play in here somewhere too.

Samsung Galaxy Player - Android For The Rest Of Us

Over at Onxo, I have blogged about my experience using and iSpot, basically a mifi dedicated to Apple's iOS device. In my case, I've been using the iSpot with the iPod touch and not the iPhone. Why? Because I don't think I like to pay the wireless providers, gatekeepers who only want to hand-cuff its users without innovation, and I believe the future of mobile computing and communication is through VOIP and video and telephony will go the way of the dodo.

For Android fans, there is finally an answer. Samsung will be unveiling a version of the Galaxy S without the telephone function and 3G antenna and rely exclusively on WiFi for wireless Internet access.

At CES next week, Samsung will introduce the Galaxy Player.

And of all the Android device makers, we really should have seen Samsung as the one to provide provide this mobile solution. Like Apple, Samsung with the Galaxy has a brand that is respected and known.

Maybe one day, we'll see a Droid without the 3G antenna and just a Wi-Fi only version but we don't know when that day will come or if it will come. Until then, there will be the Player.

I really like to see what Samsung has to offer and how it will be marketed to the end-users. I gather that many kids will snatch it up just like they do the iPod touch. And the timing is brilliant since the iPod touch will be out on the market for 4-6 months already and folks looking for something new will definitely consider the Player as their mobile device.

What's not to like? Near identical specs as the Galaxy S, great screen, 3MP rear camera and VGA frontal camera for video chats, 4" screen coming with 800x480 resolution, and comes in 8 to 32 GB of internal storage.

Source: Samsung Hub

Note: I spoke at length last last night with a friend about just such a device and I e-mailed him about it this morning when I learned about Samsung's plans for the Player. He's looking for something with a physical keyboard. And I'm looking for one with today's tech like Nvidia's Tegra 2. Hey, Motorola or LG, listen up. We're waiting for you to wow us with your own WiFi-only Android device.

A Droid that sells for $200 without 3G or Verizon will sell itself. A LG Optimus 2X san two-year contracts is just as enticing.

Tablet: Android Today, Chrome OS in 2011

I like to say go ahead and get the Samsung Tab or any other Android-based tablets if you can't wait. Why wait?

Well, Google has indicate that the latest version of Android 2.2 isn't tablet-friendly. And in fact, Samsung has said that some apps may not look good because they are not optimized for tablet use.

So what are we to do? A few year ago, being younger and more adventurous, I think I would get it no matter what warnings may come my way. Today, it's a little different.

But if I were to get one today, I would want to make sure that it is future-proof. By that, I mean the following two things.

First, I want to make sure that any tablet I get are free from carrier meddling. By that, I mean no crapware and I would not be at the mercy of the carrier for upgrades. Let face it, they are dar more interested in us buying new gears and signing multiple-year contracts than extending the life of our mobile gadgets, and that includes tablets.

Second, I want to make sure it is compatible with Android 3.0, which should be more suitable for tablet deployment. More importantly, I want to be sure the tablet is also Chrome OS ready. Google doesn't want to come out and say it but we get the feeling that Google believes the future of mobile should be Chrome OS and webapps, movin further away from Android and apps.

Ultimately, the best thing that can happen is for Google to launch and showcase what they think the ultimate tablet should be based on their philosophy much like they did with Nexus One. In fact, the tablet would be the perfect device for Google to try and get away from carriers.

We will know more in the next few weeks what the four major carriers in the US has planned for the Samsung Tab. We should learn more how upgradable it is and what upgrade path Samsung and Google plotted out.

T-Mobile's G2 Is Fast? How Fast?

I put in a double meaning for "fast" here. T-Mobile's G2, basically the replacement for the G1, is pretty fast compared to the Galaxy S (Vibrant and Captivate for ATT) and Droid 2. The following graph is a benchmark of a GLBenchmark.

It is just behind Droid 2 but ahead of the Galaxy. And this despite being handicapped at 800Mhz. However, it does sport a newer more efficient CPU from Qualcomm.

Like TmoNews says, it's the performance that matters most.

Now for the other meaning of fast? How about pre-order on Friday (it's already Friday except the West Coast of the United States). Apparently, Best Buy is going ahead with the pre-order. Looks like we'll see the G2 in our hands in early October.

More at Tmo-News.  It's getting exciting.  Looks like Christmas is coming early for some of us!

T-Mobile Needs To Allows Folks To Upgrade Early

A strange thing just happened. It's business as usual over at T-Mobile USA. I just tried to see if I can upgrade a month early. See my contract ends next month but I'm trying to see if I can get the Samsung Vibrant, T-Mobile's version of the Galaxy S. No go.

Meanwhile, ATT and Verizon Wireless are allow users whose contracts are up between now and the end of December to upgrade early. As the number 4 mobile provider in the US, T-Mobile needs to be more flexible.

As Android fans, things don't get better than the last few months with tons of high-end HTC devices coming to the market. Motorola is getting a second wind with Droid X and Droid 2. But Samsung is covering the whole market from top to bottom with its flagship Galaxy S.

So with plenty of Android competitions, not to mention Apple's iPhone 4 juggernaut, T-Mobile needs to do all it can to stay competitive. As the originator of the Android platform with the HTC G1, I like to see them do more. Since the G1, all the Android attention has been on Verizon. And for my fellow Android users who are with Verizon, I'm sure things are pretty good there.

But since then, I can't get T-Mobile has really gone the extra mile. What's going for it is the new HPSA+ network that it is trying to complete. Now, all T-Mobile needs are more power users like myself with a lot more high end Android phones.

It also helps if T-Mobile is more flexible with the two-year contract deadlines and upgrades. Especially someone who has been with them for six years. Just saying...

For now, I'll wait. Either way, I'll be getting an Android device or tablet this year. Maybe not necessarily with T-Mobile. At the end of the day, I'm first and forth-most a mobile fan.

WiMax In Los Angeles?

Being in LA is a good thing at times.  We're close to Hollywood, sunshine, beaches, and hotties all around.  But when it comes to tech, we're almost always the last to get it. High speed bandwidth like DSL and cable in the 90s.  We can pretty much forget about fiber optics.  That seems to be the came for wireless connection as well.

I went to Radio Shack today to play with the EVO and also order an iPhone 4 for my cousin.  In talking to the fellows who work there, they noticed my extreme interest in the EVO.  But I complained about having to pay for the 4G surcharge when we have no idea when I'll see WiMax being supported in my neighborhood.

So he said he understood which is why he's waiting as well.  He'll be jumping ship to Sprint from Verizon.  But he expects it soon. According to him, West LA already has WiMax coverage (I didn't know that) and my area is currently being tested.

He thinks it'll happen end of summer.

Anyway, I thought I pass that along in case anyone in LA is wondering about WiMax.

As for my impression with EVO, there was no working one to play with. But I did like the size.  I am not sure I like the plastic nature of the device.  While I don't like Droid's keyboard, I do like the toughness it conveys.

Galaxy S will be out for T-Mobile in July and I play on giving it a good look through because another Galaxy version will be available for Sprint that supports WiMax later this year.

I'm still waiting to see what the iPhone 4 has to offer when I pick it up for my cousin on the 24th.  I like to stay with T-Mobile and I'll be rooting for the Galaxy big time.  But that depends on when HPSA+ is available.  I imagine it'll happen around the same time as when WiMax becomes available for Los Angeles.  I'll pit Sprint's 4G versus T-Mobile's supercharged 3G network to decide then.

Meanwhile, my G1 is hanging in there.