gHacks technology news » g1 http://www.ghacks.net A technology blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:14:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 QR Code Generator http://www.ghacks.net/2009/03/22/qr-code-generator/ http://www.ghacks.net/2009/03/22/qr-code-generator/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:46:13 +0000 Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2009/03/22/qr-code-generator/ QR Code can be described as a two-dimensional barcode which can be decoded quickly by cameras, especially those in mobile phones, supporting the codes. The T-Mobile G1 cell phone is for example able to scan QR Code and open the associated resource in the cell phone. The resource is usually a website but can also be a phone number, sms or text. Anyone using a cell phone to open websites can imagine how much faster and comfortable this method is. Some print magazines have recently begun to include the codes in their magazines to provide their readers with a better experience.

The QR Code Generator allows anyone to create QR Codes easily. QR Jumps (via Make Use Of) is the name of the website that is offering this functionality. Only registered users are allowed to create new QR Codes. Registration is done in a few seconds and no verification email is send. The site distinguishes between basic and advanced QR Code generation. The basic form contains fewer options. It is possible to use the basic QR Code form to create url, sms, phone number or text resources.

The user selects the content type at the top and enters the information below. Creating a QR Code for an url would mean to enter an url in the form. The generator will then create the QR Code image which can be created in various sizes and the two image formats jpg or png.

qr code

The QR Code above will open the Ghacks website in the associated web browser. The next contains a secret message that can only be revealed by scanning the image with your camera.

qr code generator

The advanced QR Code generator offers additional options like creating multiple links at once or setting an expiration date for the code.

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]]> http://www.ghacks.net/2009/03/22/qr-code-generator/feed/ 4 T-Mobile G1: A Closer Look http://www.ghacks.net/2008/10/04/t-mobile-g1-a-closer-look/ http://www.ghacks.net/2008/10/04/t-mobile-g1-a-closer-look/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:16:10 +0000 Martin http://www.ghacks.net/?p=7404 Google is pushing their Android operating system on the market and the first mobile phone that has been build on it is the T-Mobile G1 phone. It comes out in a few weeks in the United States and will be exclusively sold by T-Mobile in a deal that looks similar to the one Apple made with AT&T in the United States to sell their iPhone exclusively.

There is however one fundamental difference between Apple’s marketing strategy and Google’s. Android is an operating system and several companies are developing mobile phones based on the operating system which means more choice for consumers eventually.

The G1 is just the first phone based on Android and receives coverage because of that. Not everything is perfect yet though and the article tries to look at some of the functions and features that are missing or inferior to today’s standards.

It basically comes down to the user and the things that he might want to do with the phone.

t-mobile g1

A few problematic elements can be identified by simply looking at the announcements that have been made:

  • No support for Microsoft Exchange Active Sync.
  • Uses proprietary headphone connection.
  • Access To Amazon MP3 store only over WLAN.
  • Media player seems to be incapable of playing videos, only Youtube supported
  • No Multi-touch.
  • Only 1 Gigabyte of Flash Memory, maximum of 8 Gigabyte supported
  • No video recording.
  • No virtual keyboard

Every user has to make the decision on his own if any of the missing features is a criterion to pass and wait for the next Android phone.

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]]> http://www.ghacks.net/2008/10/04/t-mobile-g1-a-closer-look/feed/ 8 T-Mobile G1 First Google Android Phone http://www.ghacks.net/2008/09/28/t-mobile-g1-first-google-android-phone/ http://www.ghacks.net/2008/09/28/t-mobile-g1-first-google-android-phone/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:01:39 +0000 Martin http://www.ghacks.net/?p=7270 The mobile phone company T-Mobile announced a first version of a new phone called T-Mobile G1 just a few days ago. The mobile phone will be the first to make use of the Google Android Open Source plattform. The G1 will be manufactured by Taiwanese company HTC and hit shelves on October 22 in the United States in colors white, black and brown. Europeans have to wait a little bit longer – as usual – before they can get their hands on the phone that is also known as the gphone.

British citizens will most likely be able to lay their hands on the phone in November while the rest of Europe will have to wait until 2009 to do the same.

The G1 phone has some strong arguments on its side. The phone uses an Open Source operating system which will win the Linux crowd over in no time. The QWERTY keyboard comes in handy for everyone who uses his phone regularly for writing.

t-mobile g1

T-Mobile G1 Specs:

  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM7201A, 528 MHz
  • Operating System: Android
  • Memory: ROM: 256 MB, RAM: 192 MB
  • Dimensions (LxWxT): 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm (4.60 in x 2.16 in x 0.62 in)
  • Weight: 158 grams (5.57 ounces) with battery
  • Display: 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution
  • Network: 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
  • GPS: GPS navigation capability with built-in GPS receiver and map software
  • Connectivity: 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)
  • Camera: 3.2 megapixel color camera with fixed focus
  • Audio: AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MIDI, MP3, WMA, WMV
  • Battery: 1150 mAh
  • Special Features: Digital Compass, Motion Sensor

Not everything is that shiny however. One of the main disadvantages of the G1 phone is the missing headphone socket. The only way to connect headphones to the G1 is by using an USB adapter.

The T-Mobile G1 does a few things better than Apple’s iPhone namely the full QWERTY keyboard and the Open Source operating system. It’s not an iPhone killer but a worthy contender. One of the main selling points will be the applications which can be downloaded from the application shop.

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