Google announced the launch of its mobile phone platform “Android” backed by an “Open Handset Alliance” gathering mobile phone operators (Telefónica, TIM, NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, China Mobile, Sprint), semiconductor companies (Intel, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, SiRF), and handset manufacturers (Samsung, Motorola, LG, HTC) among others.
Open Handset Alliance aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is a fully integrated mobile “software stack” that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the US on Sprint and T-Mobile by the second half of 2008—plus, it’s going to be available in China, Japan, Germany, Italy, and Spain on their respective carriers.

The 10th annual Vintage Computer Festival took place past weekend at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. The event hosted industry veterans and computer hobbyists. The festival featured the largest collection of Radio Shack Pocket Computers. Among the other exhibits there was 1-bit flat-panel Apple IIc—one of just 10,000 ever made, the Canon Cat developed by Jef Raskin, also one of the original creators of the Macintosh computer. The Festival also features a marketplace for collectors to buy, sell and trade vintage computers. There is also a screening of documentaries and films on both days of the event that have vintage computing or vintage technology themes.

Huge megalopolises confront daily with the problem of pollution and traffic congestion. Media Lab researchers proposed City Car design as a way to improve urban mobility. The concept of smart car aims to be pollution-free and easily customized. The City Car is a stackable electric two-passenger city vehicle. It utilizes integrated in-wheel electric motors and suspension systems called “Wheel Robots” that eliminate the need traditional drive train configurations like engine blocks, gear boxes, and differentials. The vehicle can maneuver in tight urban spaces and park by sideways translation.

The Design Town, a unique company which provides perfect design solution, announced the launch of their new product – the Aircraft Mouse. It is designed in stealth mode and is available in black or white. The mouse features two buttons, a scroll wheel and LED lights in red and blue. Size: 149 x 109 x 30 mm.

TechFaith Wireless, China’s design manufacturer focused on research and development of cell phone solutions announced the release of the world’s first WCDMA/GSM dual mode phone.

It is the world’s first cell phone that allows users to load one WCDMA card and one GSM card or to load dual GSM SIM cards. This feature has been long demanded by international travelers, and by people who would like to have both a business and a personal number in one cell phone.

This handset is supplied with a 2.8 inch touchscreen. Moreover, it also comes equipped with a 2-megapixel camera which allows taking only average quality captures. Producers also added an MP3 and video player and a microSD card slot.