Google confirms the upcoming Pixel 8a model

Google confirms plans for an extensive battery information page to debut alongside the Pixel 8a, responding to a forum query. While the device hasn't been officially unveiled, its moniker recently surfaced on a support page, hinting at an imminent launch, possibly during Google's upcoming I/O event. The Pixel 8a is expected to inherit design elements from the Pixel 8 series and run on the Tensor G3 processor with a 90Hz refresh rate display. Leaks suggest two variants with 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage options, priced around EUR 570 and EUR 630, respectively. Color options may include bay, mint, obsidian, and porcelain. The Pixel 7a's specifications are likely to be maintained, including the Tensor G2 SoC, 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED display, dual rear camera setup, and 4,385mAh battery, running on Android 13. 

Google new sign-in page

Google is unveiling a refreshed sign-in page with a "more modern look and feel," aligning with Material Design principles. While reminiscent of the previous design, it now offers a horizontal layout for better compatibility across various screen sizes, including larger ones like the Pixel Fold or Pixel Tablet. Functionally, it remains the same, prompting users for authentication methods like passwords or passkeys. Unlike some controversial Google changes, this update appears less contentious. However, users won't have a choice in its rollout, as both Workspace admins and personal Google account users are subject to a gradual deployment starting February 21st, with completion slated for March 4th, 2024. Afterward, encountering the old login page may only occur with outdated browsers.

YouTube is experimenting with red, blue, and green video feeds

YouTube is currently experimenting with a new feature that enables users to filter videos on their home feed based on colour preferences, aiming to enhance the browsing experience. Initial reports from 9to5Google and discussions on Lemmy have unveiled this novel functionality. Select users on Android and iOS mobile devices have encountered a prompt within the YouTube app, inviting them to customize their video feed by selecting from various hues like red, blue, or green. However, this feature remains in the experimental phase and has not been widely rolled out. Upon selecting a colour filter, users observe colour-coordinated results as a new feed option atop the YouTube app interface, though the precise filtering mechanism remains opaque. While primarily serving as an aesthetic enhancement, akin to colour coordination techniques in marketing strategies, there's speculation about its potential role in data collection to understand user behaviour and preferences.

Google Chat's Redesign Starts Rolling Out on Android, Bringing a Streamlined User Interface

Google Chat revealed its redesigned interface in November, introducing significant changes aimed at streamlining navigation and enhancing the overall app experience. The update features a new bottom bar that introduces a lively touch to the app and offers users additional menu options. Although Google announced the redesign on its Google Workspace Updates blog, the rollout to smartphones has taken a few weeks. The updated UI is gradually becoming available to users through a recent Chat app update. Despite not being universally accessible yet, reports indicate that the redesign has reached some devices, with a Google Play Store update dated December 5. The server-side backend activation seems to contribute to the gradual deployment process. While Google initially mentioned a starting date of November 29 for the redesign to take effect, the blog acknowledged that it might take more than 15 days to become visible. As of now, it has been three weeks since November 19.

Google Pixel Introduces Direct My Call

Google has introduced a novel feature called Direct My Call, exclusively accessible on Pixel smartphones, designed to enhance the customer call experience. This feature empowers users to easily navigate through automated menu options during phone calls by displaying the automated voice prompts and menu choices on the Pixel’s screen. Users can simply tap on the desired option to progress through the call. Direct My Call is compatible with business phone numbers lacking a toll-free prefix. However, it's important to note that this feature is currently available only in English and is limited to Pixel 3a and newer devices in the United States, as well as Pixel 6 and newer devices in the UK.

Google Chrome will begin restricting third-party cookies in January, aiming for complete disablement by mid-2024

In an effort to enhance user privacy and curtail the tracking of online activities for profit, Google is preparing to implement its plan to block third-party cookies in Chrome. Beginning on January 4, the tech giant will commence tests for its Tracking Protection feature, initially limited to one percent of global Chrome users. The feature, which restricts website access to third-party cookies by default, is scheduled for broader implementation to all users by the second half of 2024.

Google Maps New Features

In a bid to enhance user privacy, Google Maps has introduced updates to provide users with increased control over location data storage and recent activity. These enhancements empower users to manage their Location History with greater precision, impacting the way marketers leverage analytics for location targeting. The Timeline feature in Google Maps, designed to help users reminisce about places they've visited, is undergoing a significant privacy-focused transformation. Users with Location History enabled will experience a shift in their Timeline storage, now being stored directly on their devices rather than on cloud servers. This on-device storage approach offers users more autonomy over their location data, ensuring its privacy. For those concerned about device loss or switching phones, there's an option to back up their Timeline to the cloud. While this on-device storage and deletion approach provides users with more control, it may limit the availability of user location data for ad targeting, potentially affecting campaigns heavily reliant on location-based targeting. The auto-delete function for Location History will default to a three-month lifecycle, a significant reduction from the previous default setting of 18 months. Users can customize this option to retain location data for a longer period or opt-out of location tracking altogether. This shift in user behavior regarding sharing location data could impact search patterns and potentially influence the effectiveness of location-based keywords and ad copy. Ads focusing on user privacy and control, highlighting opt-in features for location sharing or transparent data usage policies, may resonate better with users. In the coming weeks, Google Maps will introduce support for managing location information related to specific places directly within the Maps app. Additionally, the blue dot symbolizing the user's current location in Google Maps will serve as a quick access point to location settings, providing information on whether Location History or Timeline is active and if Maps can access device location data. This feature could be particularly useful for holiday shopping or surprise planning by allowing users to manage their digital footprint. If these changes result in reduced location data, contextual targeting based on user interests and online behavior may gain increased significance. These updates, set to roll out gradually over the next year on Android and iOS, underscore Google's dedication to prioritizing user privacy.

Google's "Project Ellmann"

Google has unveiled a new AI initiative called "Project Ellmann" that aims to transform users' stored memories into comprehensive narratives enriched with contextual information. The concept is to offer a "bird's eye" perspective into users' lives through this project, utilizing advanced language models like Gemini. As reported by CNBC, the AI model, drawing from the capabilities of models like Gemini, seeks to address previously unanswerable questions. It can gather insights from users' search results, recognize patterns in their photos, and incorporate a chatbot for interactive engagements. Project Ellmann is purported to extract information from biographies, past photographed events, and recent occurrences to craft a cohesive story.

During a presentation, a Google product manager mentioned that Project Ellmann could discern a child's date of birth, outline details about their parents, and identify if they are an only child. The "Ellmann Chat" aspect of the software envisions a scenario where a user engages with a ChatGPT-like interface that is already well-versed in their life details. Leveraging stored memories, the AI can respond to queries like "When did I last see my sibling?" or "Do I have a pet?" In the case of the latter, Google asserts that the AI can provide specific details, including the pet's name and the individuals they were most frequently photographed with. Despite the potential invasiveness, Google emphasizes its commitment to privacy, stating that this was an early internal exploration and any new features would prioritize user privacy and safety.

Project Ellmann is designed to comprehend users' eating habits, favorite foods, preferred websites, and apps. As Google expresses interest in creating an AI serving as a "Your Life Story Teller," the deployment plan for Project Ellmann remains uncertain. However, insights from a Google Photos product manager suggest potential integration with Google Photos, a platform already familiar with AI features such as the "Memories" view and the AI video editor.

It's noteworthy that Google has been intensifying its AI endeavors, introducing models like Gemini, which consists of three variants—Nano, Pro, and Ultra—tailored for diverse applications. While Pro excels at a wide array of tasks and Ultra handles complex ones, Nano specializes in on-device tasks. If Project Ellmann aligns with Google Photos, speculation leans towards it utilizing Nano, especially considering the recent introduction of Gemini Nano to the Pixel 8 series in Google's December 2023 feature drop, enabling applications like Recorder summaries and "Smart Reply in Gboard."

The closure of Google Play Movies and TV is scheduled for January

It seems that Google is bidding farewell to the Google Play Movies and TV app. The company has initiated the removal of the app from various platforms, having already transitioned Android and iOS users to the Google TV app. The app is also being phased out from platforms like Roku and smart TVs. In 2022, Google made Android TV the default platform for renting, watching, and purchasing movies and TV shows. Now, in a recent blog post, Google has officially announced the discontinuation of Google Play Movies and TV. The app will be removed from Google Play and TV devices. However, users won't lose access to their purchased content. Google has provided a straightforward method to access purchased content. For users on Android TV or streaming devices with Android TV, the content can be accessed in the 'Your Library' row on the Shop Tab. If using a web browser or a set-top box powered by Android TV, purchased content can be accessed on YouTube.

This move by Google is aimed at consolidating its entertainment apps, likely leading to a simpler and more user-friendly experience in the long run. Similarly, Apple has structured its TV app to allow users to access Apple TV Plus while also renting and buying TV shows and movies.

Google introduces Photomoji in Messages app

In a recent update to its Messages app, Google has introduced an innovative feature known as Photomoji, poised to revolutionize the way users express themselves in messaging. Initially exclusive to beta testers, this feature is set to roll out to all users in the coming weeks. Photomoji in Google Messages allows users to craft and send personalized emoji reactions using their own images. This means you can capture a picture of your own facial expression, feature a beloved pet, or even photograph an object that perfectly conveys your reaction to a message. Essentially, it's about creating emojis that are uniquely yours, injecting a personal and intimate touch into your conversations. By utilizing your own facial expressions, personal photos, or objects that resonate with your emotions, Photomoji enables you to convey feelings in a way standard emojis cannot. This feature transcends conventional emoji sets by allowing the use of real-life images to authentically capture your reactions. To familiarize users with this exciting new feature, Google has shared some key details. Currently, Photomoji operates solely in a specific type of chat known as RCS chats. Users can create and maintain up to 30 Photomoji at a time, easily modifying or deleting them from the dedicated "Photomoji" section in the app. However, not everyone may have access to this feature just yet, as it is still in the process of being made available to all users. To check its availability, users are encouraged to update their Google Messages app or consider joining the beta program for early access.

Google Gemini

On December 6, Alphabet, Google's parent company, introduced Gemini, its most substantial and versatile AI model to date, aiming to compete with OpenAI's GPT-4 and Meta's Llama 2 in the emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI). This marks the initial AI model after the consolidation of Alphabet's AI research divisions, DeepMind and Google Brain, into a unified entity named Google DeepMind, overseen by DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. 

Gemini, built from scratch, is "multimodal," enabling it to comprehend and process diverse information types—text, code, audio, image, and video simultaneously. The model comes in three variants: Ultra (for intricate tasks), Pro (for a broad range of tasks), and Nano (for on-device tasks). Sundar Pichai, Alphabet CEO, termed this as a monumental science and engineering effort for the company, reflecting the vision set upon the formation of Google DeepMind. 

Gemini Pro will be accessible to developers through the Gemini API on Google AI Studio and Google Cloud Vertex AI starting December 13. Gemini Nano will be available to Android developers via AICore, introduced in Android 14, initially on Pixel 8 Pro devices. Gemini Ultra is in early experimentation with select users, developers, partners, and safety experts, with broader availability to developers and enterprises expected in early 2024. 

Gemini will be integrated across Google's products, with Bard utilizing a fine-tuned version of Gemini Pro for advanced reasoning, planning, and understanding starting December 6. The Gemini Nano will power new features on Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. In terms of performance, Gemini Ultra surpasses current benchmarks on 30 out of 32 widely-used academic benchmarks in large language model (LLM) research. It outperforms human experts on MMLU (massive multitask language understanding) benchmark, covering 57 subjects. Gemini Pro outperforms GPT-3.5 in six out of eight benchmarks before its public launch. 

Hassabis highlighted Gemini's flexibility, capable of running efficiently from data centers to mobile devices, enhancing how developers and enterprises leverage AI. Gemini's multimodal reasoning enables it to extract insights from vast amounts of documents, understand nuanced information, answer questions on complex topics, and generate high-quality code in popular programming languages. Gemini's capabilities come with added protections, incorporating safety policies and AI principles to address potential risks, with ongoing collaboration with external experts and partners for comprehensive stress testing.

Gmail biggest security update

Google has divulged information about an enhanced technique employed to enhance spam detection on its free email service, Gmail. In the latest Google Security blog post, the tech giant emphasizes that this marks one of the most substantial defense upgrades Gmail has undergone in recent years. Google asserts that its latest model demonstrates superior text identification capabilities and has elevated spam detection by an impressive 38%. Text classification models, crucial for identifying harmful content like phishing attacks, inappropriate comments, and scams across platforms such as Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play, encounter challenges due to spammers employing adversarial text manipulations. These tactics, including homoglyphs, invisible characters, and keyword stuffing, make it difficult for machine learning models to classify such texts.

To enhance the stringency and efficiency of text classifiers, Google has introduced a new multilingual text vectorizer named RETVec (Resilient & Efficient Text Vectorizer). This innovation aids spam filter models in delivering more precise classification performance while significantly reducing computational costs. Google details how RETVec is utilized to safeguard Gmail inboxes. Over the past year, Google extensively evaluated RETVec's effectiveness and found it to be highly impactful for security and anti-abuse applications. Replacing Gmail's previous text vectorizer with RETVec resulted in a notable 38% improvement in the service's spam detection rate and a 19.4% reduction in the false positive rate. Additionally, the use of RETVec led to an impressive 83% reduction in the model's power consumption.

Notably, RETVec is language-agnostic and works with "all UTF-8 characters" without requiring any text preprocessing. This characteristic makes it ideal for on-device, web, and large-scale text classification deployments. Google asserts that "models trained with RETVec exhibit faster inference speed due to its compact representation." Furthermore, these smaller models reduce computational costs and decrease latency, which is critical for large-scale applications and on-device models. Models trained with RETVec can be converted to TFLite for deployment on mobile and edge devices. The open-source model is available on Github, contributing to the broader accessibility of this innovative technology.

Google Gemini launch date rumour

During the Google I/O 2023 event, Google unveiled its upcoming AI model named 'Gemini'. Originally slated for launch next week, recent reports suggest that Google may postpone the release to January 2024. Sources cited by The Information indicate that Gemini encountered challenges in handling non-English queries, prompting Google CEO Sundar Pichai to delay the launch. The report emphasizes the importance of language support for Gemini to compete with or surpass OpenAI’s GPT-4, noting that Google has made strides in meeting this standard in certain aspects. Pichai had previously mentioned the company's focus on delivering Gemini 1.0 promptly while finalizing the comprehensive version of the next-generation AI model. When introduced at Google I/O in May, Google positioned Gemini as its most potent model, building upon PaLM 2 and developed by the Brain Team and DeepMind. Described as 'multimodal,' Gemini is expected to handle diverse content types, including images and text, while incorporating memory and planning capabilities. The AI model may integrate various AI models, with Google planning to utilize it internally across its products and make it available to developers and cloud customers in various sizes and capabilities. Pichai emphasized that Gemini would be 'highly efficient with tools and API integrations.' The forthcoming AI model is anticipated to power Google’s existing AI-driven products such as Search, Google Assistant, and the popular chatbot Bard.

Samsung leaks Nexus Prime handset itself..

It looks like Samsung itself has gone and confirmed it is going to be behind the long rumoured inbound Nexus Prime handset. Samsung has worked on the Nexus line before, as they built the Google Nexus S, so their involvement shouldn't come as any great surprise. The new phone was mentioned in a cease and desist letter sent out to those who allegedly managed to get their hands on firmware relating to the as-yet unreleased handset.

Website Geek.com posted an image of the letter that contained the Nexus Prime mention. It appears to confirm, via Samsung's own legal team, that it is behind the new Google handset. Just a tad ironic that Samsung would go and confirm a rumour whilst trying to squash it. So has Samsung finally put an end to rumours surrounding the Nexus Prime? Most definitely not, now we know it exists, it is time to start speculating on pricing and release dates. 

Traditionally Nexus handsets fly the specs flag for any major new Android update. This means Ice Cream Sandwich and the possibility of either Samsung's own processor or something exciting from Nvidia. Either way it will likely be dual-core, but there is of course the possibility of quad-core, particularly the Kal-El we've been hearing about. Exciting times in the Google camp, particularly with Samsung in the driving seat for the next Nexus release. Given the strengths of the Galaxy SII, expect something pretty sweet indeed.

Excited about the Nexus Prime?

Schmidt confirms Google TV in UK and Europe for “early next year”..

Google’s Chairman Eric Schmidt has, as earlier rumours reported that he would, confirmed that Google TV will launch in the UK and other countries “early next year”. The confirmation was made at this year’s Mac Taggart Lecture at the Edinburgh Internation Television Festival. The Google chairman talked for over an hour giving his views on the television industry, ways he would recommend fixing it, and Google’s plans to stay out of making their own content, suggesting that the service, which has been available in the US for over a year, will eventually come to the UK.
“We are under no illusions that we can create content. We are good at creating platforms,” Schmidt said at the talk. "We're no good at content. That's what you do. So we're going to help fund it." Criticising YouView and it's chairman Lord Sugar, Schmidt used his talk to say that "Even if YouView launches next year it will still be late." “I was watching The Apprentice recently and Lord Sugar says companies don’t need engineers,” commented the Google chairman. "Shall we check a few facts here?! I don’t think we’ve done to badly.”
Instead Schmidt says that the industry and companies should ignore Lord Sugar and follow the Victorians by bringing engineers into every level of their company. Schmidt used the talk to pay tribute to Steve Jobs saying that the Apple chairman was the "Only person I've ever known who's actually been able to merge the two worlds completely of art and science”.

HTC sticking with Android says CEO..

HTC's CEO, Peter Chou, has reaffirmed his relationship with Google following the company's proposed acquisition of mobile giant Motorola.

Chou told the Wall Street Journal he planned to, "leverage partnerships" with Google and Microsoft whilst the company created something unique in the smartphone ecosystem.

HTC is planning to release a slew of handsets before the end of the year, with no less than eight new phones due to be announced. The company has also pulled in over 1000 new R&D staff, which many believed hinted at the possible development of a home-made HTC OS.

"This acquisition is more to enhance Google's patent portfolio, to support us, to protect us..." said Chou.  Clearly HTC is not as concerned with the Googorola pact as you might have expected. The company continues to feud with Apple over patents and the more technology over on Android's side the better for everyone attempting to compete.

"It’s not the operating system, it’s the ecosystem…We think we can find a way to differentiate to add value, but at the same time leverage our partners, Google and Microsoft, since we have such a great relationship with them." Chou explained.

Keeping operating system providers happy is key to HTC's success, after all many now associate the company with Android and nothing else. Developing its own OS, whilst providing a nice fall back in case relations with Microsoft or Google broke down, would be hugely difficult to bring to market, particularly given the strength of Android and Apple.

New Electronics on CTIA 2011 Roundup..

AT&T New Electronics

On the CTIA 2011, AT&T manufacture has introduced two smartphones to its lineup – LG Thrill 4G and HTC HD7s.

LG Thrill 4G is the first US version of the LG Optimus 3D with 4.3″ Glasses-Free stereoscopic display. It also features 1GHz dual-core processor, Android 2.2, two 5MP cameras with 3D capturing capabilities both in stills and video, 1080p output regular video and 720p 3D video. . Direct connectivity to YouTube 3D

HTC HD7S has the same 4.3-inch WVGA Super LCD display, 5 megapixel snapper and Windows Phone 7 OS, as highlights. It houses the latest version of Nodo system that supports Copy/Paste.

HTC’s HD7S will be coming in the weeks to follow, while the LG Thrill 4G will be released by AT&T in the months to come. Exact dates aren’t given though.

T-Mobile New Electronics

4G LG G2x is powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 2 processor with a 1Ghz dual-core CPU running on Android 2.2. The phone boasts a front-facing 1.3 MP camera and 8 MP front and rear facing cameras respectively, with HD 1080p video capture. The G2x could definitely end up being one of our favorite T-Mobile smartphones of the first half of 2011.

Sidekick 4G is an Android 2.2 running smartphone with slide-out QWERTY keyboard and HSPA+ connectivity. It has 3.5″ TFT display, 3MP camera, 5-row QWERTY keyboard, 1GHz processor, front-facing VGA camera and GPS.

Sprint New Electronics

Many excellent tech gadgets on CTIA 2011 were showcased, including whole new HTC EVO 3D and Google Nexus S 4G.

HTC EVO 3D is the first G phone with a QHD 4.3-inch 3D display. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, Android 2.3 under the hood and 5MP dual-lens camera for 3D photo and video capture. It also will come with a 4G hotpsot and you can connect up to 5 Wi-Fi-enabled devices to it.

Google Nexus S 4G is the second smartphone that introduced to the Nexus series. It runs Google’s new version of Android OS Gingerbread, and is powered by 1GHz processor. It is not a great leap forward in the same way that the original Nexus was but rather is more like a refreshed version of the Samsung Galaxy S. But the Nexus S 4G takes advantage of Sprint’s high-speed WiMAX 4G data network. Very nice!

All in all, the Sprint’s new electronics are either support 3D technology or carry 4G network. It will be a big hit on CTIA.

HTC Incredible S Android Smartphone Now Available in India..

HTC Corporation has launched its new smartphone HTC Incredible S in the Indian market, which was introduced at Mobile World Congress 2011. The HTC Incredible S is packed with stylish design and runs on powerful hardware to deliver stunning performance.

“In today’s mobile market, where one is bombarded with choices and features, users are looking forward to an offering which amalgamates the best of both. HTC has always endeavored to take the mobile phone experience to a higher level and with the launch of the Incredible S is set to create a new paradigm in mobile experience for the users,” said Mr. Ajay Sharma, Country Head, HTC India. “The HTC Incredible S is the answer for those looking for the perfect combination of performance and style and will help them stand out from the crowd as an icon.”

HTC Incredible S is equipped with 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display with 480×800 pixels resolution. It is powered by  1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 CPU and Google Android 2.4 Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System (possibly). It features stereo sound to bring a cinematic experience to the user. The high quality screen of HTC Incredible S enables users to watch High Definition videos in crystal clear quality. It is equipped with 8-megapixel camera with dual flash and features DLNA technology allowing users to share videos, photos and music to TV. The HTC Incredible S features automatic orientation shifting of the virtual home, menu, back and search function keys based on how it is held. The phone also outputs great sound quality and premium Hi-Fi experience with dual mics, noise cancellation, surround sound and HTC Sense, and all other features needed for a stunning mobile entertainment.

The HTC Incredible S also features HTC Sense, which is an enhancement to improve user experience to capture, create, share and access multimedia content. People would be able to record HD videos or capture and edit images with lots of camera effects, The HTC Locations presents a new generation mapping experience that lets people to get on-demand mapping without download delays and paying any roaming charges. The phone also includes a e-book store which is powered by Koboä and e-book reader to offer users quick way to search for definitions or translate unfamiliar terms into other languages. HTC Incredible S is now available at Price Rs. 28,900 through HTC resellers across India.

Recent Android updates roundup..

There is a couple of Android Gingerbread updates for smartphones unsettling the curtains behind the official scenes at the moment. Two of them, in fact. First one is an OTA update for the Nexus One which brings it up to 2.3.3 version number. The update is a minor one, of course. It generally fixes known issues and one of them is a biggie – random reboots. Some additional features are introduced like NFC tags. Unfortunately the update also might break Google Voice on a Nexus One. The other Android update is 2.3.2 for the Nexus S. This, is still to came and its change log is unknown, so we’ll have to wait a bit more for it.

PlayStation Phone by Sony..

Sony Ericson is making efforts on a phone that is using the platform of Google’s Android. This phone is expected to be released this year. Now gaming and communication would be beautifully blended in the PlayStation phone from Sony. The CVG unveiled that a trademark is being developed for Sony device and it would be named ‘PlayView’. However, now there are more issues about the Sony cross held between a Captivate phone as well as a PSPGo. Few features of the new phone have been revealed. It would include side-slider gaming controls and the QWERTY keyboard would not be a part of it. The D-pad would also be there but it would lack small joystick. The device will boast a four-inch multi-touch screen, providing up to five hours and 35 minutes of 3D gaming time. The phone will have a PlayStation-style controller with the standard PlayStation buttons. Available games will include Sims 3, FIFA 10, Splinter Cell, Tekken, and, supposedly, Guitar Hero. This new device is expected to have a long touchpad in order to get the analog controls. Apart from that, it would also have the standard PSP buttons and the shoulder buttons.

The display would be quite large between 3.7 and 4.1 inches. WVGA would also be a part of it in order to promote better resolution. It is possible that there would be a 5 megapixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU. At the initial stages, the phone would be available in black color with a highlight of silver while the gamepad area would be white or silver in color.

Michael Ephraim, the boss of Sony Australia, claimed that the PSP2 would be a smart phone. The device will probably be running on Gingerbread (Android 3.0) and Sony would be introducing a new section of the Android Market especially for the games.