SAN FRANCISCO–Google unveiled the latest version of its Android platform for smartphones–2.2, dubbed Froyo–and detailed a range of advancements on the platform now open to developers.

In outlining the advancements in Android 2.2, Google’s Vic Gundotra, vice president of engineering, said the company hopes to provide developers the opportunity to make dramatic innovations on the company’s platform. In a presentation here at Google’s I/O conference, Gundotra outlined five areas of advancement in Android 2.2:

First, Gundotra said Android 2.2 is two to five times faster than Android 2.1 when running on the same hardware. He said the speed boost is largely due to Google’s introduction of its Just In Time complier, which will speed up both the phone and apps running on the phone.

Second, Gundotra said Android 2.2 will add 20 new features for the enterprise, including support for Microsoft Exchange and new APIs for device management functions such as remote device locking and wiping.

Third, Android 2.2 will provide new data backup APIs to developers, and will also offer a cloud-to-device messaging API that will allow applications to send “intent” messages to users’ devices. In a demonstration, Gundotra said the new cloud-to-device messaging API will allow, for example, a Google Maps user to send driving directions from their desktop PC to their Android device, and the new API will automatically open Google Maps on the handset and outline the directions.

Further, Android 2.2 will support device tethering and portable hotspot functionality, thereby allowing users to connect–either through a cable or a WiFi connection–their laptop to their phone and use a wireless carrier’s network for laptop Internet access. In a press conference after Gundotra’s demonstration, Google executives confirmed that the tethering and hotspot functionality is contingent on carrier support. Some carriers, such as Verizon Wireless, already provide tethering services on Android.

Fourth, Gundotra demonstrated the advancements in browsing on Android 2.2. He said the newly reworked browser can run Javascript two to three times faster than previous iterations of the platform–largely due to the inclusion of Google’s V8 technology from its Chrome Web browser.

Also on the browser side, Google said it would add Adobe’s Flash technology into its browser. However, Google’s Gundotra said the action wouldn’t necessarily bring all Flash content, such as Hulu, onto Android phones. “Control over content still resides with the content owner,” he said during a press conference after his presentation.

Fifth, Gundotra outlined updates to Google’s Android Market. He said users will be able to select an auto-update function on each application they download, thereby ensuring the application can remotely update without the user manually having to update it. Users will also be able to update multiple applications at once, rather than one at a time as is currently available. With Android 2.2, users can also store applications onto a memory card–a function that the system will automatically implement if there isn’t sufficient space on the phone itself. Finally, Gundotra said Android Market will provide users with an improved search function, and noted that users will also be able to send error reports to a developer if their app crashes.

Google also offered a view into its future plans for Android, beyond version 2.2. The company said it is working to provide APIs that will connect browser applications to the hardware inside a phone, thereby allowing Web apps to access phone functions like the camera and the accelerometer. The company also said it would improve its speech recognition service to, for example, allow users to search for a business and place a call to that business in one action: “Call Fifth Street Grill,” for example. Finally, the company showed off a new, forthcoming streaming music service (click here for details).

On the advertising side, Google unveiled a number of new ad formats for mobile that the company said would provide advertisers with more options. Specifically, Gundotra demonstrated slide out ads running inside an application that can contain multimedia like videos.

Without naming Apple, Google’s Gundotra also took a few jabs at Apple’s new iAd effort. “We have hundreds of thousands” of advertisers signed up to AdSense and other programs, Gundotra said. “We know a little about advertising.”

For more:
- see this Google release
- see this related FierceWireless article

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The Wholesale Applications Community, a global group of wireless industry players headed by the world’s biggest operators, said its application value chain will be up and running in time for next year’s Mobile World Congress trade show in February. The ultimate goal of the group is to ensure wireless operators get a cut of the revenues generated by the sale of applications to mobile users.

Though the WAC did provide a rough timeline of its planned activities for the next few months, the group didn’t provide much else in the way of specifics. Major outstanding questions include:

• Whether applications submitted through the group will be available via application storefronts like Apple’s App Store or Google’s Android Marketplace.
• What percent of application revenues will be allocated to developers.
• And whether major platform vendors like Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM), Google, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) will participate in the effort.

Nonetheless, WAC proponents continue to promise the push will result in success: “It’s going to create a lot more choice for a lot more people,” including consumers and developers, proclaimed Tim Raby, the WAC’s acting CEO and managing director of the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (which is working in concert with WAC).

As for the timeline, in July the group plans to form a not-for-profit company to oversee WAC operations and, more importantly, it will provide business model details including the revenue share for developers and app store owners. In September the group will publish materials and documentation for developers, in November it will hold its first developer event, and in February of 2011 it will “open for business at Mobile World Congress.”

Major U.S. operators AT&T Mobility (NYSE: T), Sprint Nextel (NASDAQ: S), Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) and T-Mobile USA are listed as WAC members, as are Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG–though none of the major platform providers like RIM or Google is yet participating. WAC executives said announcements about additional members could be made in July.  

WAC’s Raby explained that the group hopes to provide a single entrance for applications that can work across the networks of the group’s two dozen participating operators.

For more:
- see the WAC timeline
- see this GigaOM article

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Verizon Wireless announced it is now accepting binary submissions for its forthcoming V Cast Apps mobile software storefront. According to an email sent out last week to Verizon Developer Community members, programmers who’ve successfully submitted concepts to V Cast Apps can now upload binary files as well as provide additional information including Icons, Application Descriptors, Pricing, Export Compliance and Version Information. Upon accepting a binary submission, V Cast Apps will notify developers of certification results via email. Verizon Wireless adds it has updated its VDC forums with new links to app submission resources.

During the recent Consumer Electronics Show event in Las Vegas, Verizon Wireless said it is “on the cusp” of launching V Cast Apps, originally slated to go live in late 2009. Verizon Wireless director of business development Todd Murphy did not offer a specific launch date, but said the storefront would initially be available across five of the operator’s BlackBerry smartphones: The Storm 1 and 2, the Curve 1 and 2, and the BlackBerry Tour. “We’re just waiting for that inflection point” of enough quality applications, Murphy said, adding “We believe that when we put this out into the marketplace, it will have a significant impact.” Murphy said Verizon Wireless currently counts about 3,500 developers registered in the VDC program.

For more on V Cast Apps’ progress:
- check out the Verizon Developer Community website

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LAS VEGAS–Palm took the wraps off its developer program, and announced several new developer initiatives aimed at generating interest in the company’s webOS platform. However, at least one major mobile services company–VoIP calling company Skype–plans to wait on the sidelines until Palm’s offerings to catch fire with consumers.

During a wide-ranging press conference here on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show here, Palm said its webOS developer program is now “open for business.” Previously the company had only been working directly with a select group of developers. Palm also announced a new distribution deal with wireless heavyweight Verizon Wireless, as well as upgraded versions of its Pre and Pixi devices. (See related story here.)

“We look forward to working with you (developers),” said Katie Mitic, Palm’s senior vice president of products, in announcing the company’s developer efforts. She said Palm’s App Catalog currently holds around 1,000 apps (whereas market leader Apple counts fully 100,000 apps in its own digital storefront) but Mitic said Palm “expects that to grow even more, and faster.”

Palm’s developer program splits app revenues 70/30 (developer/Palm), after applicable taxes. The membership-based program has a $99 annual fee, which the company said will be waived for developers who opt to distribute open source Palm webOS apps on the Web.

During the company’s press conference, Mitic highlighted a number of Palm efforts aimed at exciting developers to its smartphone platform. Specifically, she detailed Palm’s new $1 million Hot Apps bonus program, which will run Feb. 1 through May 31. The program will award $1 million to the most successful applications distributed during this timeframe. The developers of the top free and paid applications each will earn a $100,000 bonus; in addition, 40 developers will receive $10,000 (20 each for free and paid), with 400 developers awarded $1,000 (200 each for free and paid).

Separately, Mitic hyped the company’s webOS Plug-in Development Kit, which she said enables new functionality such as 3D games. Indeed, EA Mobile showed off 3D versions of its “Sims 3″ and “Need For Speed” games running on the Pre.

Finally, Mitic said Palm will open up its database of webOS applications data, thereby allowing third parties to access app descriptions, ratings, stats and screen shots. The goal, Mitic said, was to allow app developers the freedom to promote and distribute their apps as they see fit.

“We give developers freedom and choice with how they take their applications to market,” she said, a possible knock at iPhone maker Apple, which has come under fire for its tight control over its iTunes App Store. “We’re taking a completely new approach to application distribution. … That’s better for everyone.”

Despite Palm’s efforts to tout its webOS platform–which is first announced a year ago at the 2009 CES show here–a few major players in the industry remain unmoved. Christopher Dean, chief strategy officer for Skype, said webOS is the only major smartphone platform that Skype does not yet plan to support. Dean said webOS does not have enough momentum behind it to make it worthwhile for Skype to invest in the platform.

For more:
- see Palm’s announcement

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LAS VEGAS–Verizon Wireless is “on the cusp” of launching its own branded app store–an action that essentially stands as an answer to the wildly successful Apple App Store for the iPhone (currently only available through Verizon rival AT&T Mobility). Verizon’s Todd Murphy, director of business development, did not offer a specific launch date, but said the carrier’s VCast Application Store would initially be provided to five of the carrier’s BlackBerry smartphones: the Storm 1 and 2, the Curve 1 and 2, and the BlackBerry Tour.

Verizon first announced its application store intentions in July, and at the time promised to launch it by the fourth quarter of last year. However, Verizon’s Murphy indicated the carrier needed to delay the launch to ensure that the store contained enough applications to make it worthwhile.

“We’re just waiting for that inflection point” of enough quality applications, Murphy said during a Verizon developer event here on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show. Added Murphy: “We believe that when we put this out into the marketplace, it will have a significant impact.”

Murphy said the carrier currently counts 3,500 developers registered into its program, and “thousands” of application “concepts” for its store.

Further, Murphy promised the application storefront would initially be available for BlackBerry devices, and would launch on Windows Mobile devices in the “middle of the year.” Murphy declined to provide a launch window for Verizon’s VCast Application Store for Android phones, but did note the app store is heading to Verizon Android phones.

Interestingly, and perhaps unintentionally, Murphy offered a jab at Apple and its trailblazing app store by noting that Verizon’s storefront effort would focus on “quality, not quantity.” Apple’s App Store recently passed the 100,000-app mark, a number that dwarfs app store efforts by the likes of Android and BlackBerry.

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