Cranking out news for the geeks, music buffs and gossip junkies, my way. -Greg

I wonder when Google will become self aware? -Greg

Posted by Sam Diaz @ 3:15 am

There’s no question that there’s been some pretty astounding growth around Android, Google’s open-source mobile phone operating system. A year ago, there was only one Android device out there – the T-Mobile G-1. Today, Android is powering 12 devices in 26 countries with 32 carriers – and there’s more on the way.

During the company’s quarterly earnings call with analysts yesterday, CEO Eric Schmidt said it plain and clear: “Android adoption is literally about to explode.” And he may be right. Earlier this month, Gartner predicted that Android – which currently runs on less than 2 percent of all smartphones – will power 14 percent of the global smartphone market in 2012.

That would make Android second only to Symbian. Yes, that means it would surpass the iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and others.

The key, in part is the applications. Apple has already proven that the app experience is a winner in mobile devices. So far, there are about 10,000 applications for Android and its touch-screen interaction is probably the best I’ve experienced aside from the iPhone. (FTC disclosure: Google gave attendees at its last developer’s conference a free Android phone. I picked one up and activated my own pre-paid account to take it for a test drive.)

Also see: Android bolsters its app market as device lineup swells

Android has good engaged base for future app growth

For other consumers to experience Android, it’s important to get the devices into as many hands as possible. Unlike Apple, which has one device on one carrier in the U.S. (but other carriers worldwide), Google is offering multiple devices across multiple carriers, including a major launch with Verizon earlier this month.  Once the devices – which have deep ties to Google’s other services, such as Mail, Maps and Search – go mainstream. Google will be positioned to capture a lead in the mobile search advertising business.

Execs yesterday boasted that mobile searches grew 30 percent quarter over quarter. It was interesting to hear them acknowledge that it’s not always obvious how the company’s big investments tie together. But there are connections. On the call, CFO Patrick Pichette said:

The combination of the Android platform with all the smart phones and the momentum in there, as well as the iPhone and the rest of them, I mean, they’re just basically transforming how people live on a mobile basis… If we move forward the adoption of these smart phones by having a lower cost infrastructure because it’s open-source and you bring that, instead of taking seven years—I’m just kind of giving an illustration—all this happens in four years. Think of all the searches that will happen so much faster. So the ecosystem is incredibly vibrant right now and truly what’s interesting about these phones is there are a lot of new types of searches because you are location-specific, you are activity-specific, you are local-specific. Just a new set of areas that are to create a new set of monetization opportunities.

So, to be clear, we’ve got location-specific, activity-specific and local-specific searches being conducted on mobile devices. You also have the Internet’s No. 1 search engine integrating its own services – such as search – directly into the phone’s operating system. At the same time, the mapping application – where many of those location-based queries occur – is also deeply integrated.

And finally, don’t forget that Google is working hard on new advertising products that allow businesses to reach out to and find customers wherever they may be (even if it’s at a red-light down the street) and provide them with turn-by-turn directions on how to reach that business and a link to launch a Google Voice call to that business.

Put it all together – search, maps, voice and a mobile operating system that probably has the best chance of truly challenging the mighty iPhone – and I’d be bullish, too.

It’s no wonder that Schmidt thinks Android is about to explode.

Playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nights, His First Appearance Is Set for Dec. 11

October 15, 2009; Written by CMT.com Staff

 

Garth Brooks will come out of retirement with a solo acoustic show to begin Dec. 11 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Brooks and Steve Wynn, chairman of the board and CEO of Wynn Resorts, revealed the series of special engagements during a Thursday afternoon (Oct. 15) press conference at the hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

Brooks will be performing one show on Fridays, two on Saturdays and one on Sunday. Wynn is providing a private jet for Brooks to commute from his Oklahoma home where he lives with his three daughters and his wife, singer Trisha Yearwood. The five-year deal calls for Brooks to perform only during specific weeks each year to be announced on a quarterly basis. Tickets are priced at $125 and will go on sale Oct. 24 for the first five weekends. The specific dates are Dec. 11-13, Jan. 1-3 and 22-24 and Feb. 12-14 and 26-28.

Brooks has only played a handful of concerts since retiring in 2001. His engagement at Wynn Las Vegas evolved from a series of conversations he had with Wynn. He eventually performed an informal concert in the theater for several of Wynn’s friends and special guests, including Bette Midler. Afterwards, Wynn broached the possibility of Brooks performing an extended engagement.

“He said it was something he thought people should hear,” Brooks said. “That was sweet. I told him he couldn’t afford me.” He then added, “I was wrong.”

Brooks reiterated his desire to spend as much time as possible with his daughters, who are now aged 13, 15 and 17.

“I am a fortunate guy that has got to live his life playing music for people, and the people have always taken care of me,” he said. “In 2001, I announced my retirement to go home and raise our kids in Oklahoma. When Steve Wynn approached me about playing, he did something different than anybody else had. He didn’t throw money at me.”

Instead, Brooks said, Wynn understood the desire to devote time to his family.

“Every argument you ever had of why you didn’t do this, he had an answer for,” he said.

Brooks concerts are expected to run 90 minutes and will occasionally include special guest performers.

“It’s a one-man show, so there’s going to be a lot of disappointment after that first weekend,” he joked. “Coming out and just playing — just me and a guitar — takes me back to the first days I got to play. I was lucky enough to do a place called Wild Willie’s Saloon in Stillwater, Okla, before I moved to Nashville and started touring. That’s what this is going to be for me. It’s a chance to slowly get back into it to see what people like, what they don’t like. It’s going to be very intimate.”

Brooks says he’s especially looking forward to performing regularly at the Encore Theater.

“I’m always in buildings that are built for sports,” he said. “I love sports, and I feel lucky to have arenas and stadiums. But I’ve never played in a place built for sound like this. When I hear myself, I go, ‘Who the hell is that?’ It’s a beautiful hall.”