Open a connection with the new Android SDK 0.9

It took sometime to me to understand why my connection class wasn't working anymore after the update to the new Android SDK 0.9.

Trying to open a simple socket I got the error "UknownHostException" even if my code wasn't changed.

The solution has been add to the AndroidManifest.xml this line:

<uses-permission xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"></uses-permission>

Magically the problem disappears.

New Android SDK released

After the rumors about the HTC Dream which should be on the market earlier than expected after the supposed delays, Google has released a Beta of the new Android SDK.

The SDK can be downloaded at http://code.google.com/android/download_list.html and for information about upgrading from the previous version you can visit http://code.google.com/android/intro/upgrading.html .

Google wants to move quickly towards the release of the SDK 1.0.

The important changes in this new BETA release are:

• First and most obviously, the new Home screen is included, along with a ton of UI changes for 1.0.


• Some new applications are included: an Alarm Clock, Calculator, Camera, Music player, Picture viewer, and Messaging (for SMS/MMS conversations.)


• Several new development tools were added, such as a graphical preview for XML layouts for users of Eclipse, and a tool for constructing 9-patch images.


• Since we've got a new Home screen application now, we thought the now-obsolete version from the M5 early-look SDK might be helpful to developers, so its source is included as a sample.


• A number of new APIs are fleshed out and improved, and others are now close to their final forms for 1.0.


• Tons of bugs were fixed, of course. (If you had problems with the MediaPlayer, try it now!)

This is how the new main screen of the emulator looks:

Will TMobile make the first Android phone available on 17th ofSeptember?

The unofficial TMobile blog (TNO News) claims TMobile will offer the first Android Phone (called with the (code)name G1) on 17th September for their customers at the price of 150 $, much less than the expected 399 $.

The other customers (not already TMobile) should wait until the beginning/mid October when the national launch will take place.

Expected specifications:

• 3g


• a 5" long by 3" wide touch screen


• a slide out QWERTY keyboard


• 3.0 Megapixel camera


• Three available colors: brown, white and black

Users will be required to have a GMail account to get the phone working.

We have only to wait and see if TMobile will really meet this exiting deadline.

Android: HTC denies GPhone delay

HTC has confirmed that their first Android phone will be on the market on the 4th quarter of 2008 denying the rumors which claimed a possible delay to first quarter of 2009. No more details came from HTC.

A video (not very high quality to be honest) showing the first images of HTC Dream, an Android based phone, has been posted on YouTube: