Tablets are (and will be) making a major change in the way we work, entertain ourselves, and go throughout our daily life. Though Android 3.0 Honeycomb is made to fit tablets, it simply does not fully serve its purpose if an application is not designed for the honeycomb environment, or the bigger screen. As Android Tablets start becoming more popular, we will start seeing more developers take advantage of Android 3.0′s potential, and as expected, Google is improving its major apps as well.

Today, Google has updated Google Earth to fit the Honeycomb tablet environment. Google Earth now has support for textured 3D buildings (as you can see in the image below), as well as simultaneous image and map viewing. The links at the top-right of the screen also allow for a much faster and intuitive interaction with the device, only made possible thanks to the bigger screen of a tablet.

It must be said that the interface does look much nicer and well organized. Have you guys checked out the new tablet optimized Google Earth yet? Let us know how it feels for you.

• Mobile Roadie Now Creates Apps For Android Ecosystem – Want to create a web app for Android and iPhone at the same time? Mobile Roadie has created their own CMS that allows publishers to easily build apps and then push them out to both operating systems simultaneously.
• Rogers to exclusively launch Android-powered Acer “Liquid e” this Spring – Canada will finally get their first phone with Android 2.1 via the new Acer Liquid e. Our neighbors to the north still don’t have access to paid apps in the Android Market, but that hasn’t slowed down the Android phone launches.
• Installing Google Earth on the Motorola Milestone without root (translated) – Google Earth was finally released, but it is only available for phones with Android 2.1. German blog MobiFlip has instructions for a quick hack to get Earth installed on the Motorola Milestone. I tested it out on a spare Droid we have and it installed with no issue. Use at your own risk.

Today’s Android Events

The highly anticipated game Mystique Chapter 3 launched today in the Android Market for $2.99. A full review is upcoming, but we think this will be a big hit based on previous titles in the series.

Google says the app will work on the Nexus One and “on most devices that have Android 2.1 or later”. I’ve seen several reports of Google Earth currently running on the Droid, but other users say they can’t access it from the Market. The Droid update for Android 2.1 is expected to roll out soon so those users should eventually see it.

The mobile app is essentially a mini version of the desktop client with the addition of a new roads layer and voice search.

Users should note the Google Earth download is only 5 MB, but the app takes up a full 22 MB after it is installed.

From Google: Use Google Earth to explore the world from the palm of your hand. Fly around the planet with the swipe of a finger, as you view the same 3D imagery available in the desktop version. Search by voice for cities, places, and businesses. Browse layers of geographic information including roads, borders, places, photos and more.

Google Earth for Android

Google Earth has been available on the iPhone for over a year. The application was recently updated to version 2.0, but it is still not available for Android. Believe it or not, Google Earth was originally slated to be available on the Motorola Droid. Apparently it was not ready in time because the application was left off the phone. Keep an eye on the Android Market, because we expect to see Google Earth in the next couple of months.

Chrome Sync for bookmarks

The Motorola Droid was also supposed to support bookmark syncing with the Chrome browser. This feature is currently available in the latest Chrome 4.0 beta, but it was not ready in time for the Droid launch. Expect this feature in a future version of the Android browser once it comes out of beta for the desktop version.

Know of any other features that might be coming to Android 2.1? Hit up our tip line.

The following information should be considered a rumor and I’ll let you judge how accurate we have been in the past.  I think our readers are pretty smart so I’ll present some public info and you can answer the following questions on your own.

Please remember that anything is possible with Android 2.0.  Google, Motorola, and Verizon are working very hard to make this major update compete directly with the iPhone OS 3.0 and the Palm Pre WebOS.  It appears they are pulling out some major new features to ensure Android 2.0 is a huge success.

5. Is Flash 10 coming to Android 2.0?

I’m sure most of you have seen the video where Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch demos Flash player running on a T-Mobile G1.

That video was filmed in November 2008 at the Adobe MAX conference. It was there that Andy Rubin announced Google and Adobe were collaborating to bring flash to Android.  Since that time, we have seen Flash Lite on the HTC Hero, but nothing official on Flash 10 for Android.

Adobe MAX 2009 takes place October 4-7 and Flash 10 for mobile is expected to be the key announcement. It has been confirmed that a beta player will become available for smartphones during this conference.

Look for a Flash 10 beta for Android on October 4, 2009.

Several people with access to a Motorola Sholes have told me that it will come with Flash. Previously, I was not sure what version would be included but after looking at all the evidence it appears to be Flash 10. Look for Adobe to make the announcement on October 4, 2009 and the Motorola Sholes to possibly be the first phone to ship with Flash 10.

6. Is Google Earth coming to Android 2.0?

Many people asked “Where is Google Earth?” when Android first launched. It was a popular iPhone application and many people expected it would ship with Android.

Unlike my first five predictions, I do not have any new evidence to bring to the table. This tip comes directly from an inside who has been very reliable in the past. Google Earth should launch around the time of Android 2.0 and be available as a separate download in the Market. Google Earth is not really that important to me, but all the people who cried out for it should be happy.

Android 2.0 Recap

1. Google Maps 4.0

Fact:  Google Maps 4.0 is being developed for Android.

Rumor:  We have heard it would include spoken turn-by-turn directions, but have been able to confirm this.  New info I have received reported there was a special “Verizon edition” of Google Maps running on the Motorola Sholes.  It could be that Verizon will be offering enhanced map features and thus the rumor for turn-by-turn.

2. Multi-touch

Fact:  Multi-touch code has been spotted in future Android code.

Rumor:  We know multi-touch support is coming, but don’t know the exact build it will appear.  The Motorola Sholes is expected to ship with multi-touch, but we do not know if this was a Motorola add on or comes from native support by Android 2.0.

3. Chrome Sync

Fact:  Chrome is adding support to sync bookmarks to multiple devices.

Rumor:  I think this one is a no brainer.  I expect to see it included with Android 2.0 by the time it rolls out.  Google already syncs a lot of data for Android phones and browser bookmarks will be a welcome addition.

4. New Android Market

Fact:  A new Android Market is in the works.

Rumor:  I got new screenshots of the Market update this week and I’m excited an update is finally coming.  I was told the new Market was pictured running on a Donut build.  This make perfect sense to me because I believe Donut (Android 1.6) and Eclair (Android 2.0) will launch at the same time.  Expect all Android phones with access to the Market to get an update in late October.

A new Android Market is right around the corner.

5. Flash 10

Fact:  Flash 10 for mobile is coming October 4, 2009.

Rumor:  This is another no brainer.  I expect Flash 10 will be available on all second generation Android phones.  As for the G1, nothing is really certain when it comes to updates but I hope it will get Flash 10 as well.

6. Google Earth

Fact: None.

Rumor:  This one is pure rumor.  I have nothing to back this up other than an inside source.  I thought some people would be happy to hear this information so I decided to share it.

Give us your feedback

If all these features come to Android 2.0, how do you think it will stack up against iPhone OS 3.0?  Are there any major features missing from Android 2.0 that you would like to see added?  Do you hate the inside info we post and want to flame us for ‘making stuff up’?

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