Developers who joined the Android developer program and bought the $400 unlocked developer T-Mobile G1 phone from Google discovered that they are not allowed to access paid Android Marketplace apps.

The reason Google gave was that ‘these phones give developers of handset full permissions to all aspects of the device, including the ability to install a modified version of the Android Open Source Project. We aren’t distributing copy protected applications to these phones in order to minimize unauthorized copy of the applications’.

One Android developer explains more technically that Google copy protect apps by downloading them to a restricted folder but for unlocked phones, the folder isn’t protected. However a developer could return the original for a refund since the Android Market allows refunds within 24 hours of purchase.

Source: Gizmodo

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 is the first clamshell BlackBerry from RIM and it’s a sleek departure from the bulky business wide look of the BlackBerry lineup. It uses the Tron UI and the latest BlackBerry OS and although the screen is smaller and lacks the horsepower, the translation goes pretty well but marred with performance issues.

Features include OVGA 2.4 inch 320×240 screen supporting 65K colors, media capabilities, 2 megapixel camera and video recording, html rendering, stereo bluetooth support, external microSD memory card slot and full fledged BlackBerry apps such as email, Flickr and Facebook.
Connectivity support includes Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WiFi network as well as support for international roaming.

T-Mobile is currently the exclusive telecommunications courier for the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220.

11 more pics of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8820 after the jump.

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Charlie Miller, a veteran security researcher/hacker discovered a security hole in the T-Mobile G1 phone that runs Google Android Software. The hack which allowed a redirect of the G1’s web browser to a malicious web site was notified to Google. Google was aware of the problem but clarified that the security features of the phone would limit the extent of damage that hackers could do.

T-Mobile issued a statement regarding the security flaw:
“Google is working on a browser software patch for Android. We are coordinating with Google on a plan to soon deliver this update over-the-air to customers’ G1 devices. For people currently using the phone, we do not believe this matter will negatively impact their experience with the device.”

Google’s statement:
“We treat all security matters seriously and will carefully work with our partners to investigate and update devices periodically to reduce our users’ exposure. We are working with T-Mobile to include a fix for the browser exploit, which will soon be delivered over the air to all devices, and have addressed this in the Android open source platform. The security and privacy of our users is of primary importance to the Android Open Source Project – we do not believe this matter will negatively impact them.”

Via: VentureBeat

Android powered T-mobile G1 lacks a virtual keyboard on the screen where one do not have to slide open the G1 to enter some data. The Android roadmap currently sees a release date of Q1 2009 for a virtual keyboard. From the Android development site itself reads - Q1 2009 Input method framework (IMF) This feature will enable support for input methods other than physical keyboards, for example soft keyboards. IMF will also enable application developers to provide IME (see below) applications based on the framework.

Input method engines (IME)

IME will support soft keyboards, a dictionary of suggestions, and a suggestion algorithm. The Android platform may contain few reference IMEs, and developers can provide IME applications through the Android Market.

Via: IntoMobile

T-Mobile has announced two new Sidekicks - Sidekick LX and Sidekick Slide. The Sidekick LX comes with a wide QVGA display that uses Sharp’s brilliant display technology and 1.3 megapixel camera with flash. The Sidekick Slide comes with a slide display and a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash. The LX will be hitting stores in October 24th in midnight blue/espresso brown colors for $299 on contract while the Slide will come on November 7th in purple/black for around $199.

4 more pics of T-Mobile Sidekick LX and Slide after the jump.

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