Google's Rich Miner to deliver keynote at Sprint's mobile developer's conference

Remember not so long ago when Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said that Android was "not yet good enough" for the Sprint brand, and how weird and awkward that was, all things considered? Well, it turns out that Google's VP of mobile technology, Rich Miner, is set to deliver the keynote at Sprint's mobile developer's conference on December 12th. We assume he'll be there to talk about how much he loves hot dogs, or... an Android and Sprint teamup. So, does this mean that the platform is now approaching Sprint Speed, or what?

[John P @ Dec 9th 2008 3:28PM]

If so, I'll be upgrading my Treo to whatever has Android on it come May. That or an HTC Touch Diamond/Pro. But I'd really enjoy Android..

Please Dan?

[waiownsyou @ Dec 9th 2008 3:37PM]

But isn't this bad? Wouldn't all phones eventually be the same UI with a different look on the outside?

[johann @ Dec 9th 2008 3:41PM]

that's fine with me

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 9th 2008 3:47PM]

Absolutely nothing wrong with everybody using one interface as long as it's touch-driven, feature-rich, and extensible. I played with the G1 pretty extensively when it first came out, and I thought the operating system could use a little refining, and the hardware could use a better fit and finish, but I really wouldn't mind using an Android phone in the second half of 2009.

[BlurMagic @ Dec 9th 2008 3:53PM]

The whole point of Android... The Open Handset Alliance... Is that every phone has the same interface, but is fully customizable per the preferences of the user. Hopefully this answers your question.

[RooGuy @ Dec 9th 2008 8:00PM]

I have spoken to the Product Manager on Android. The point is to have them all run the same OS, not the same UI. Google and device makers have a vested interest in making the UI unique to their brand, otherwise they have nothing distinctive to offer.

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 9th 2008 6:27PM]

Eh, I'm not quite buying into the consensus here.. I think Android is more about the back-end than the front-end. I think that sooner or later they're going to make a standard way to swap out the existing G1 UI for something else entirely, either by the manufactuer or the end user. Run the same programs, but your desktop and menu systems would look totally different. Sort of like WinMo 6's ability to run things like TouchFlo, but much more complete.

Google's goal is to get manufacturers on board churning out Android phones. They want that not because they want to build the Android brand, but because they want people surfing the internet on the go. When people surf the internet, Google makes money. That's why they're taking every opportunity to relinquish control over this OS to manufacturers, just to make it as attractive as possible for companies to start churning out phones with full HTML browsing capability.

[Metkis @ Dec 9th 2008 3:31PM]

I just want something sexy-looking with a capacitive touch screen and Android.

[KarlW @ Dec 9th 2008 3:34PM]

That guy has the best name ever. I hope he's from South Africa and comes loaded with bling.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 9th 2008 3:44PM]

He always outshone his brothers, Filthy and Trapped.

[StalematE @ Dec 9th 2008 4:14PM]

His parents Nose and Cole are very proud of him.

[MyHeadisFed @ Dec 9th 2008 5:44PM]

Sorry stalemate, you lose.

[StalematE @ Dec 9th 2008 5:48PM]

I know :o(

[GaryZ @ Dec 9th 2008 6:48PM]

you bet! i thought it was a metaphor or something when i saw the title :D

[loocas @ Dec 9th 2008 7:01PM]

:D:D:D I love US names!

[Smileypanda @ Dec 9th 2008 7:06PM]

So that's how google got all their money...

[Kris120890 @ Dec 9th 2008 3:38PM]

What's the chance that we will see a new mobile other than the G1 for sprint. There is a new mobile launching in Australia and another in Asia both using Android. It would be cool to see a new device.

[cl0ugh @ Dec 9th 2008 7:12PM]

well maybe will see this (but CDMA and running android) brought to sprint

http://www.htc.com/www/product/max4g/overview.html

[JamesR @ Dec 9th 2008 3:39PM]

Rich Miner is such a fitting name for a Google exec :).

[Butato @ Dec 10th 2008 4:10PM]

He would have done well in the military too. "Major Miner" has a nice ring to it.

[AtOurGates @ Dec 9th 2008 3:42PM]

Horray! I mean - don't get me wrong, there's plenty to hate on about the Sprint, but:

1) They'll give you a frickin' sweet deal.
2) Their EVDO speeds are pretty impressive.
3) I seem to get better reception than my friends with other networks - both in urban and rural areas.

The big problem is that most of their handsets suck. Looks like that might change.

[haX0r @ Dec 10th 2008 11:02AM]

Key words "most of the handsets suck". I like Sprint's speeds and reception but they have left me high and dry without a decent handset I personally like.

[boe @ Dec 9th 2008 3:44PM]

Considering how Sprint F'd up the perfectly good HTC Diamond with a bad radio set, bad BT stack causing a wretched battery life - I have to wonder how Sprint will muck up the Android.

I can't imagine they'd leave it alone as Hess seems hell bent on driving away all Sprint business so he can sell the company and cash in on his stock.

[Platinum_Skeet @ Dec 9th 2008 3:45PM]

T-Mobile, ATT and now possibly Sprint all have confirmed Android phones. Hopefully Verizon jumps aboard too...

[Vic @ Dec 9th 2008 3:54PM]

When the heck did AT&T confirm they will utilize Android? Hell, they're not even part of the OHA.

[BlurMagic @ Dec 9th 2008 4:01PM]

Those are very, very, very, VERY high hopes. Verizon uses a plethora of LG & Motorola phones... And I don't see the Android OS popping up on an LG phone anytime soon. Maybe a Motorola... But they aren't doing anything interesting at Motorola. So. I dunno. Maybe you should switch networks... Magenta is calling...

[BlurMagic @ Dec 9th 2008 4:04PM]

Correction, I just read what i said, I meant to say, I don't see Android popping up on a Motorola phone anytime, but maybe an LG phone. Sorry.

[cl0ugh @ Dec 9th 2008 7:16PM]

@BlurMagic
See: http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/20/motorolas-android-slider-getting-social-in-q2-2009/

[cl0ugh @ Dec 9th 2008 7:19PM]

@Platinum_Skeet
http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/04/verizon-gets-behind-android-still-iffy-on-open-handset-alliance/

[sandmanfvrga @ Dec 9th 2008 3:48PM]

FINALLY. I want to see Android on CDMA and Sprint is fine. I have Sprint EVDO and I play online with it, even bridging network connections and get on Xbox live. Sprint has the speed. Not like higher end DSL or Cable, but better than Verizon (had that to). I would get this and the G1 is fine, just add 3.5mm jack and do some "house cleaning" on the design. Like the G 1.1 or something.

[Chris @ Dec 9th 2008 3:56PM]

Why does everyone like 3.5mm jacks?
No love for the dongles?

:(

[Félix @ Dec 10th 2008 5:16AM]

This is a Joke right ?
3.5mm => my earbuds to listen my music on my 32GB N97 mate wake up !

[Patriks7 @ Dec 9th 2008 3:52PM]

This world domination from Google is coming way too fast...

[at305 @ Dec 9th 2008 3:56PM]

i got all exited when i saw the picture of the g1 with the sprint logo :)
let's see if sprint get's it done too bad i i just got a diamond a 2 month ago :s
but if is a good handset ill buy it for full price

[Greg Duckworth @ Dec 9th 2008 3:57PM]

Don't forget the Google + Sprint + Clearwire connection as well.

[jwhere @ Dec 9th 2008 4:22PM]

This is great news. I'm crossing my fingers for a Touch HD-esque phone running Android, now THAT would be an iPhone killer.

[Freakin Ijit @ Dec 9th 2008 4:23PM]

So what does this mean vis-a-vis Palm's best carrier customer and Palm's Linux effort?

[Lee @ Dec 9th 2008 4:38PM]

I've played with the HTC Touch lineup a few times at my local Sprint store, waiting for my contract to expire in April '09. This is pretty exciting news from where I'm standing.

[Mikeweezer @ Dec 9th 2008 4:55PM]

So - does this mean I'll have the option to switch to Android on my Sprint HTC Touch Pro? WinMo can be a rough time, despite HTC's best efforts with TouchFlo.

I'll hold off Android does Exchange, but I'd welcome a new mOS.

[bangladeshiluv @ Dec 9th 2008 5:18PM]

it pays to have a Sero plan

[davelogan77 @ Dec 9th 2008 5:58PM]

too late....should have had it by now..

wanna hear a funny storie??

I was walkin through the mall..went to the Sprint Kiosk, and asked the sales tools when Sprint might get Android, and they said "Android?...whats that??"


baaa haahahahahaha

[StalematE @ Dec 9th 2008 6:23PM]

that's a good story, you should tell it at parties.

[alex1jam @ Dec 9th 2008 6:10PM]

I got an iPod touch I wanted an iPhone but his is good cuz I got sprint I try to persue my mom on buyin an iPhone I faild.

[bangladeshiluv @ Dec 9th 2008 6:43PM]

let me ask your mom for you.

[souravgh @ Dec 10th 2008 12:34AM]

You fail at english too.

[Levi @ Dec 9th 2008 6:14PM]

Team up with AT&freakinT!! I'd buy an unlocked G1 at this point because I'm so sick of iPhone Safari crashing or not submitting my comments to Joystiq and Engadget that I'm willing to get something new... but Wyndowz Mobile didn't turn out to be my style.

Damn Sany Erricsan

[fino35 @ Dec 9th 2008 7:41PM]

I've been wanting to try out the g1, may have to upgrade from my HTC Touch.

[Hackettman @ Dec 9th 2008 7:21PM]

YES!!!! Im alittle too excited.....

[hugo @ Dec 9th 2008 8:51PM]

Sprint is dumb, just move your logo below the screen, you have plenty of space there!

[thatguy @ Dec 9th 2008 10:08PM]

i hope u know thats just a photoshop mock-up done for the sake of the article...its not real my friend