Google Maps Navigation will be part of Android 2.0, and Android 2.0 is expected to come to most—if not all—Android handsets on the market eventually, so given how complicated this hack is (fairly!), and that it requires a rooted phone, it'd be prudent for most folks to just wait this out. That said, there's no saying how long it'll be until Eclair seeds out to older handsets, and there's no guarantee that the G1—and old fart in its little corner of the universe—will ever get it. Anyhow, here's what you need to do, from XDA:

Download here

Make sure you have CyanogenMod 4.2.3.1, by the way.

1) Unzip zip to desktop
2) Run Part 1.bat
3) When prompted to press any key, do so; the phone will reboot
4) When your phone is running again, run Part 2.bat
5) When prompted to press any key, the installation process is done.
6) Make sure GPS is enabled
7) Open Maps and press OK
8) Press Menu
9) Press Directions
10) Enter an end point
11) Click Go
12) Just under "Show on map", click Navigate.
13) When prompted to install the voice codec, do so.

And there you have it: Free, not terrible turn-by-turn navigation for your G1, without Android 2.0. Early reports say it runs well; let us know how it goes for you in the comments. [XDA via
Engadget Mobile via IntoMobile]

The HUD replaces technical manuals on a bulky laptop with floating instructions, labels and oh yes, 3D models of tools right in front of the mechanic. The wrist-mounted interface is run off an Android-powered G1 (which looks much cooler as gauntlet). Apparently Android's seeing a lot of use as a tool of war. You can check out a video of it here. [Technology Review via PopSci]

This is their top 10 in best phones. The cellphone with less radiation (0.15 - 0.35 W/kg) is the Samsung Impression SGH-a877, sold in the US by AT&T. Second position goes to the Motorola RAZR V8 (0.36 W/kg), and third is another Samsung, the SGH-t229 from T-Mobile.

1. Samsung Impression (SGH-a877) [AT&T]
2. Motorola RAZR V8 [CellularONE]
3. Samsung SGH-t229 [T-Mobile]
4. Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837) [AT&T]
5. Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627) [AT&T]
6. Samsung Gravity (SGH-t459) [CellularONE, T-Mobile]
7. T-Mobile Sidekick [T-Mobile]
8. LG Xenon (GR500) [AT&T]
9. Motorola Karma QA1 [AT&T]
10. Sanyo Katana II [Kajeet]

But wait, where are the big names? Well, as you probably guessed, those are the ones with the bad grades, way down in the list. All the iPhone models have poor scores, with the iPhone 3GS getting 0.52 - 1.19 W/kg. The Palm Pre gets a pretty lousy score too, sitting at 0.92 W/Kg, and so does the T-Mobile G1, at 1.11 W/kg.

So there you go: If you are paranoid, and use your cellphone a lot without an ear piece, then better be safe than sorry, no matter what the research says now. [All Cellphones Ranking and Smartphones Ranking]

It's going to be more limited, for one, according to TechCrunch's source. But it's apparently going to revolve more tightly around the stream and status updates, using Facebook's newest Stream API that shows how many new stream updates are waiting for you as they come in. Better Stream integration doesn't really make up for not having an inbox though, personally. And all the crazy stuff the next iPhone app will have makes it look even more sadly barebones. But hey, it's happening at least, right??

Facebook apparently reversed course for the same reason Pandora did after calling it saying it "doesn't matter" last October: Android's just about ready for primetime. (Though it helped Google deemed the project important enough to let Facebook borrow an Android engineer.) It also adds credence to the idea we're in a third wave of Android apps—past the initial run, and the arrival of quality apps that really fit the OS—the big name apps.

I'd like still like an iPhone-quality Twitter app, though. [TechCrunch]

Also intriguing is CDMA support—as in the kind of network that Sprint runs—adding on to Sprint's Dan Hesse remark that Android is coming to Sprint this year and rumors that it'll be Hero. You can see a lot of the new Donut features in action here, like universal search, in this video from the Google I/O conference.

Folks at XDA are working on a build that'll run on the Dream (G1), though it works in the emulator right now. [XDA Developers, Images via XDA's cyanogen, Thanks Will!]

A couple interesting things gleaned about the Hero as I barely refrained from cramming it down my pants: There's a ton of HTC software on there, not just the Sense UI—they've built their own mail client with Exchange support, and even a slick, iPhone-worthy Twitter app. Also, the grey Hero has a rubber back—only the white one is rocking out the Teflon (but it's the only one that needs it).

Oh yeah, dear god please give me one. Right now. Thanks.

Also, for T-Mobile customers, there's going to be a direct-to-bill payment option for apps (so it shows up on your phone bill, in other words), so buying apps will be a little simpler.

The Autonomobile, or ATNMBL, is a giant vehicle with panoramic windows that throws speed out the window. Instead, it focuses on the journey, driving to your destination automatically while you sit on the wrap-around sofa passenger seat and take in the view or interact with the entertainment system. It's powered by solar panels on the roof and has no way of the user controlling it.

It's a mere concept for now, obviously, but an interesting one. I can't imagine our car-crazy culture going for such a big change in how we get around, but this seems just right for urban environments where traffic prevents us from moving at any type of real speed anyways. [Dezeen via Fast Company]

According to some Italian software enthusiasts, it is possible to flash your G1 with their SuperHERO ROM, a port of the HTC Hero's firmware. Aside from the OS skin's beautiful graphics and animations, SuperHERO will activate G1 multitouch that allows you to zoom into webpages a la iPhone.

Of course, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi aren't all that functional with this firmware, and the OS can get a bit laggy and light on memory. So you'll need take the good with the bad should you decide to hack your G1. [HD Blog via androidguys]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Zagat nru: You know that compass thing the iPhone 3GS does? Yeah, whatever. Imagine it repurposed to show you nearby restaurants or bars with Zagat power. Zagat nru is flashy, and neat, though a bit limited, since the places are plotted according to proximity on a radar-type interface rather than an actual map. When you click one, it takes you to Zagat's mobile site, so it's not a completely in-app experience. Also, to get to the full reviews, you've got be a paying Zagat customer. Still worth a download—a hunch on where to eat is better than starving while you figure out where the hell you are. Free.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Brightkite: Another semi-famous social thinger making its way to Android. After sitting in beta for a bit, Brightkite's finally released its Android app for everybody. For the uninitiated, Brightkite is another location-based social network dealio—you see friends and people around you, post notes and photos to wherever you're at, that kind of thing. Stalking will only get easier and prettier from here on out people, might as well get used to it. Free.

Qik alpha: It's the live video streaming app Qik! On Android! That pretty much sums it up, actually—but if you're not familiar with Qik, it's a live video streaming app/service that's basically on every major smartphone platform (with one major exception). You can share via Twitter, Facebook or GooTube. It does require Cupcake, as well as an SD card for storing video. Pretty awesome that it's finally here. Free.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Places: Not to be outdone, Google's got their Places directory app—guess what it does? It's rather standard directory-style fare, though it covers pretty much the whole gamut of stuff you'd wanna find close by—restaurants, bars, parking, shopping, hotels, theaters, "attractions," and more. Where it really loses to Yelp is the reviews of places—there are so pitifully few of them by users that you won't have any idea where a place is worth a crap or not. Where is that Android Yelp app, anyway? Free. Update: As commenters have noted, Where, an app that's been out for a bit, is the best directory app by far and it does access Yelp—I was just curious where an official Yelp app was, since we seem to be entering a "brand name" phase of Android apps.

Flickr Photos Nearby: Not technically an app, but mobile Flickr will now show Android users photos taken nearby with some new location hotness using the regular ol' browser.

Android App News on Giz:

• HTC CEO Says the Sexy "Sense" Android Interface Coming to Existing Phones.... Or Maybe They Won't

• Flash on Android and WebOS Landing in October

• Google Offers Updated Maps Features Through Android Market

• Layar: First Mobile Augmented Reality Browser Is Your Real-Life HUD

• Dildroid: Runs on Android, You Know Exactly What It Does

This list is in no way definitive. If you've spotted a great app that hit the store this week, give us a heads up or, better yet, your firsthand impressions in the comments. And for even more apps: see our past app coverage here. Also, why isn't it easier to take a screenshot in Android dammit? Have a good week everybody.

This is unconfirmed for now, but Peter Chou, the CEO of HTC, reportedly noted that "HTC sense will be available on some other existing devices," after his announcement of the Hero. HTC's existing Android devices are, using the American names for the sake of ease, the G1 and myTouch 3G, which share similar enough hardware that if one received the upgrade, the other likely would as well. Again, this is unconfirmed, but we were pleased enough with Sense that we'd be pretty excited if the rumor was true. [Pocket Lint]

Contrary to previous reports of the phone being released in October for $150, Boy Genius's source is reporting that the Bigfoot will be launching "really soon"—perhaps as early as this summer. [Boy Genius Report]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Spotify: Demoed at Google IO 2009, it actually isn't available in America—legit use is limited to a handful of countries in Europe (we get Hulu, you guys get Spotify). It's a scary good music streaming app. It caches songs so you can listen to them offline, and you can add music to your playlist from a computer—it'll show up instantly on your phone. Oh yeah, did I mention Spotify gives you millions a tracks to create a totally customized library from? Pandora what? Pleasepleaseplease come to America.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Flixster: Fllxster's my preferred movie app on the iPhone because you can find what you're looking for really fast, so I'm pretty happy to see it on Android. It finds theaters close to you and lists showtimes, along with reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and trailers. It also covers what's new in DVD. The only real flaw is that you can't buy tickets direct from the app. Free.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Searchme: A "visual search engine," meaning it delivers results as thumbnail previews of websites and videos. The native Android app actually replicates most of the functions of the full desktop version of Searchme, you know, if you're looking a search engine that looks a little slicker than Google.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Gensoid: A BYOR (bring your own ROM) Sega Genesis emulator, from the same cat who brought you Nesoid, an NES emulator (pictured). It runs at nearly full speed, but the sound can get a little wonky. All of the usual emulator caveats apply (gray legal area, spotty performance) but you can try it for free with the lite version before throwing down $3 for the full shebang. And hey, just try finding anything like this in the App Store. $3.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Better Keyboard: Love Cupcake, but hate the look of the soft keyboard? Skin it. Better Android has pumped out a handful of Android keyboard skins that make the keys a bit wider (yes!) and maybe just a little bit sexier. Installing it can be tricky, and the delete key could be a little easier to hit, but not bad. $2.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Paypal: It is what it is—a Paypal client for Android that lets you manage your account, send money to that guy you bought a vintage Star Trek Kirk action off of on eBay, or just the people in your contact book. (Screenshot via Androidtapp.) Free.

This Month in Android App News on Giz:

• Google Product Search Now Has Built-in Barcode Scanning

• Here's a Peek at Android 2.0 Donut

• TuneWiki for Android Cupcake Blips Your Playlist to Twitter and Facebook

• Android Apps Coming to Ubuntu!

• Android's Telenav App Looks Pretty Good

• Android Powers All Kinds of Gadgets, Like to Monitor Your Power

• App Converts Android into Handheld Metal Detector

• Lifehacker's 12 Free and Super-useful Android Apps

This list is in no way definitive (especially cause it's our first!). If you've spotted a great app that hit the store this month, give us a heads up or, better yet, your firsthand impressions in the comments. And for even more apps: see our past app coverage roundups here. Also, why isn't it easier to take a screenshot in Android dammit? Have a good weekend everybody.

It seems like a handy idea, using an iPhone app to placate fussy babies. But do you even need a special app? I'm betting that your child will find plenty of amusement calling the random ex girlfriends you still have saved in your address book (for reasons never quite adequately articulated to your spouse/the mother of your children). I know I would.

TuneWiki Introduces Social Blip Technology with New Android Cupcake Release

TuneWiki's Social Music Player App for Latest Google Phone Offers Worldwide Connectivity in Music and Lyrics through Facebook, Twitter and Email

(San Francisco, CA) May 20th, 2009-TuneWiki, the next generation social media music player, today announced its new app for Google's Android 1.5, Cupcake. This new version of the app features Blip technology for increased social connectivity, offering to post the user's current song on their Twitter or Facebook profile. The new social media capabilities come in addition to earlier TuneWiki versions, promoting a social network that allows users to add, edit and subtitle lyrics for audio and video files in all languages. This new version of TuneWiki is the most advanced and comprehensive social media music player compatible with Cupcake available today. Features found only in the Cupcake version include a home screen widget, allowing users to control TuneWiki without having to launch the full player, and the ability to organize and access different parts of their music collection directly from the home screen through live folders. TuneWiki for Cupcake is Bluetooth compatible and can be upgraded to an ad-free version for $4.99.

Features Include:
• Blip technology to update Facebook and Twitter with current playlist selection
• Android Home Screen widget
• Bluetooth wireless compatible
• Free Ad-Supported or Ad-free version available for $4.99
• Interactive Music Maps showing what other users are listening to around the globe
• Lyric subtitling for both audio and video, including the option to translate lyrics into 40+ languages

[TuneWiki]

Just like on the Android-wielding G1, if you sync your Pre to your Gmail account, your contact list will populate with basically every person you've ever emailed—that is, unless you've edited it down on a regular basis.

Still, Google gives you some options with Gmail to make this work.

The Pre will take address book inconvenience one step beyond the G1 by integrating Facebook. You add your Facebook account to the Pre, and then your friends pop in to your contact list—the solitary list that manages everything from phone calls to emails on the Pre. That convenience sounds fantastic...but how many contacts do you have in Facebook? Do you really need or want that weird dude you added for high school just to be nice staring you in the face every time you go to make a phone call?

And because of the way the Facebook API is structured, you cannot tailor this contact list to your phone. It's an on or off scenario. In other words, it's time to defriend some Facebookers or just give up on Facebook on the Pre. [Forums via PreCentral]