Android Dev Phone 2 (ADP2) Is The Google Ion

Well look what has just joined the HTC Dream as only the 2nd sanctioned “Android Dev Phone” (ADP2):

That’s right… the Google Ion. This phone was actually provided FREE to those who attended the Google I/O developer’s conference earlier this year in what was undoubtedly an Oprah moment. Way back on June 5th I suggested the Google Ion would become the ADP2… and now it has.

A couple things you should note are that the Google Ion is virtually the same exact phone as the HTC Magic and the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G… they are just different names. However, in addition to a few stylistic changes is one HUGE feature – this is a world phone. Because Google is selling this phone directly to developers for use and testing, it needs to work no matter who purchases it and/or where they purchase it. And so you’re essentially purchasing an unlocked Android Phone that can be used on pretty much any carrier.

One interesting thing to note here is that ADP2 runs on Android 1.6 which doesn’t offer as many deviations and challenges as Android 2.0. Hopefully Google offers an Android 2.0 device that includes a larger screen and other key hardware differences in the near future, so devs can better predict how their apps will operate outside of an emulator in the real world. Unfortunately, I doubt we’ll be seeing the Droid made publicly available by Google directly to developers any time soon (ADP3?) as Verizon and those selling the Milestone want to cash in first. But at some point, Google should and probably will offer an ADP3 with more robust hardware.

It can be yours for $399… here are some other infos directly from the ADP2 landing page:

Run and debug your Android™ applications directly on a device. Modify and rebuild the Android operating system, and flash it onto a phone. The Android Dev Phone 2 is carrier independent, and available for purchase by any developer registered with Android Market™.

Please note that this device is intended for development purposes, and may not include certain features found on consumer Android devices.

Development Platform Features

  • SIM unlocked – Put any SIM in the device
  • Hardware unlocked – Rebuild the Android operating system, and load it onto the device
  • Test out your apps on real hardware before publishing them to the world
  • Ability to see forward locked apps in Android Market

Software Features

  • Real web browsing
  • Customizable home screen
  • One-touch Google™ Search
  • Android Market
  • Google applications:
    • Google Maps™
    • Gmail™
    • YouTube™
    • Google Calendar™
    • Google Talk™
  • SMS and MMS
  • Music player

Hardware Features

  • Android 1.6 OS
  • Dimension (LxWxTmm) 113 x 55.56 x 14.65
  • Display Size 3.17
  • HVGA Resolution
  • Capacitive touch screen
  • 512MB FLASH Memory
  • 192MB RAM
  • MSM7200A,528MHz chipset
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE Quad band
  • 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
  • WCDMA 1700/2100 MHz : BC4
  • 2100 MHz : BC1
  • HSPA Speed HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
  • HSUPA 2 Mbps
  • Blutooth 2.0 with EDR
  • WiFi 802.11b/g
  • 3MP Auto Focus Camera
  • 1340 Battery(mAh)
  • microSD Memory Slot
  • USB 2.0
  • GPS/AGPS

There you have it ladies and gentlemen… the Android Dev Phone 2… aka ADP2… aka Google Ion… is now yours for the taking!

[Thanks OldDogNuTrx!]

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