I’m much more interested in seeing what this means six months from now than what it means today, but today is the day that the long awaited Google Android phone launches via T-Mobile and it looks like the phone is called the T-Mobile G1. Of course with such an eagerly anticipated launch there are leaks, speculation, and guesses, but we’ll know the real skinny later today.

An interesting bit of speculation that is bounding about is that Amazon may be launching a a mobile media (tunes and flicks) store similar to Apple’s iTunes that would roll out on the G1. Again, that’s speculation, but if true, it would certainly be as much of game changer as Google Android itself. UPDATE: Looks like this is official. I’m finding myself preferring Amazon’s MP3 store to iTunes more and more, and I think there’s a growing trend towards that elsewhere.

Gizmodo also has a list of what they are calling Android’s Top 10 Apps and that will also be interesting to follow on the developer front.

Meanwhile Microsoft is saying that Windows Mobile 7 will be delayed until next year.

Should be an interesting day and interesting days ahead.

Oh, my how time flies. Lora Heiny is reminding us that it isn’t too late to be thinking about the 2009 CES Tablet PC Meetup. Each of the last several years we’ve seen new interest in each new wave of mobile devices including UMPCs and MIDs. Lora is interested in making sure that as the industry looks forward, the opportunity for inclusion of newer technologies is there as well.

The industry is advancing and I want to make sure that the product interests represented are forward looking. Yes, I'm sure there will be plenty of Windows 7 chatter and hardware comparisons. A couple years ago we expanded the gathering to include mini-Tablet PCs more commonly known as UMPCs. Last year people interested in MIDs attended. My observation is that the common connection is an interest in natural input. Do you agree?

Following that logic, what do you think if Surface is included? What about... yep, I'll ask (gulp) -- iPhone? (Of course, Macworld may overlap, as the gathering has most recently been on the 3rd day of CES. So, it might just be like '08 where people are welcome to pull out their iPhones.)

And yes, then the gathering will need a new name...suggestions?

So, what do you think folks, a new name? Is it time? I notice Lora doesn’t include Netbooks. Should they be included.  The discussion is open.

Vodafone has already announced a subsidized Netbook deal with Dell n the UK and now T-Mobile Germany is doing the same with Acer. Buyers can pick up an Acer Aspire One for €1 (US $1.43) if they ante up for a two-year contract. The contract works out to about €841 (US $1200) per year. This apparently starts in November. Note that the Vodafone deal has a 1GB cap (which is paltry) and there is no word on what the T-Mobile cap may or may not be.

Via UMPCPortal

Get ready. Here it comes. Eagerly awaited and anticipated it looks like Google is set to finally unveil its mobile OS, Android. Word is there is an event scheduled for September 23. T-Mobile has the inside track with what is supposedly the first phone running Android, and the (cough-worst kept secret-cough) speculation there is that it will be the HTC Dream.

There are lots of expectations here on many fronts, not the least is the fact that everyone is counting on seeing what Android will actually be. The longer term ramifications of this are also potentially large, with some saying Google could change the mobile handset landscape as we know it.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested, a video of Android kind of in action was shown at an event in London.

I use the open source VLC Media Player on just about all my machines from the iMac to a Tablet. It will run just about any video source you can throw at it, without having to download any codecs or jump through hoops. I find it a suitable alternative to any other player.

VideoLAN just released the final of version 0.9.2 and you can check it out here.

Via Hackaday

Last week, I mentioned a number of computers that I'm evaluating. I'll be honest, it gets a bit overwhelming having so many computers sitting around, begging to get used. Fortunately, many of those are headed back to their respective OEMs, while others will find their new owner via eBay.

So, how do I set up and keep the computes in sync? Three processes are crucial to my set up and allow me to get productive on a new system relatively quickly.

We’ve talked about the coming of pocket sized mobile video projectors before and it looks like 3M will be the first to get the small wonders onto store shelves and into customers hands. Word is it will begin shipping on September 30. The MPro110 has both VGA and composite input but no speaker. Cost is projected at $359.

Via Popsci via Gizmodo

I’m at home tonight but my wife isn’t. She’s at the theatre where we work, acting as a guide for the DC Metro Ghost Watchers, a firm that checks out buildings and places for supernatural activity and/or ghosts. Our theatre, Wayside Theatre, does indeed have a legend surrounding a supposed benevolent ghost by the name of George (check out more about the legend here.) Let me just say that I think theatres are special places and while I can’t put my finger on a single moment where I can say I’ve seen or heard any evidence, I do believe most theatres are filled remnants and a presence of those who have come before. Now, at Wayside Theatre, during my time, there have been quite a few George events. I’ve never experienced one personally, but others swear they have.

Anyway, before I was chased away (by design-they only want so many folks there during the event) I got to snap a few pictures of some of the mobile gear they were laying out for their hunting and testing. Some of the video and audio I got to watch and listen to was pretty spooky stuff.

My wife, Thomasin, (who is a big fan of the supernatural and loves the various shows on cable TV that follow teams like these,) will be there through the end of the proceedings, no matter how late. Who knows if George will show up or not. There has been some local publicity on this event so when I left the theatre there were a few cars with folks sitting in them on the street watching the theatre.

Check out more pictures after the READ MORE link.

I found some videos on YouTube (The ones from yesterday, posted here), and it led me to the Fujitsu Daily Fuel web site.  Some interesting videos on mobile computing plus it's a cool interactive site with some videos of Tablet PCs and UMPCs in action.

My wife and I got lucky this weekend. Friends of ours offered us their Ocean City, MD condo for the weekend. After thinking about it for about 1/10th of a second we took them up on it after a long and busy summer. Of course we don’t travel far without a few gadgets. Even though we are going largely unplugged this weekend, (meaning I’m largely unplugged this weekend) we got on line after breakfast to check email and to check on our friends who are suffering through some serious weather conditions in Texas.

The WM WiFi Router program might be great tool for those times where you need to share a connection from your phone.  Say you and a friend are sitting in the airport with a delayed flight, both of you want to get on the Internet, but only have one phone with 3G.  Launch up WM WiFi Router and there is an access point!  Both of you can share that 3G connection via a Wireless or Bluetooth connection!  Pretty cool for only 30 bucks.  Click the Read More for the full press release.

Turns out HP isn’t the only OEM adding Gobi to their wares. Panasonic is also adding Gobi to its line of rugged Toughbooks. For those not following along, Gobi is Qualcomm’s hybrid 3G technology that works with either HSPA or EVDO (you make your choice with the flip of a switch). This allows users to not be tied to a specific carrier when they make a purchase. As an HP rep told us at the moment HP users are looking at a choice between AT&T and Verizon. Availability will be in October.

So, here’s a question for GBM readers. Will Qualcomm’s Gobi technology make a difference to you?

Via Engadget

This will be of real interest to mobile warriors. HP is going to include the new Qualcomm Gobi wireless solution in its series of EliteBooks, which includes the 2730p Tablet PC. Gobi is a wireless WAN module that works with either HSDPA or EVDO. The immediate benefit of this is when purchasing a device you have multiple carriers to choose from (at the moment Verizon and AT&T). If you’re traveling overseas you can add a Pay-As-You-Go SIM card and avoid the ridiculous charges when you’re out of the country.

Yesterday I spoke with HP’s product manager Jeremy Brody about this and other issues, and understandably he seemed quite excited about the inclusion of Gobi on these devices. We’ll start seeing these ship next month.

Don’t get your hopes up that this will change things, but the US Congress, specifically Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), is asking the Telcos to explain the outrageous increases (100% in 3 years) in the cost of text messaging over the last three years. Of course the answer is simple. This is a huge profit center as it doesn’t cost that much to operate and the companies are trying to milk all they can from it.

Senator Kohl asked for a response by October 6. I imagine it won’t be sent vis SMS.

Via CNet News

We posted about this a couple of weeks or so ago, and now one seemed too excited back then, but HP is trumpeting it to the winds now. They are proudly proclaiming that they broke the 24 hour battery life barrier. Now before you get too excited make sure you understand that this is on the HP Elitebook 6930p, using a Illumi-Lite LED display, and Intel’s new SSD technology, and running Windows XP. That means this isn’t mainstream yet, but it is certainly a new benchmark that others will try to hit.

Here’s the fine print:

Requires separately purchased Ultra Capacity Battery and customer download of the latest Intel graphics driver and HP BIOS. Notebook must be configured with optional Intel 80 GB SSD drive and HP Illumi-Lite LED Display (planned to be available October 2008) and requires Microsoft Windows® XP operating system. Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and usage.

Look for this to be available to customers in October.

Hit the READ More link to read the press release.