.mobi And now the REAL news: Google Phone becomes Android + Open Handset Alliance. Great!!!

[Mobi Cheap]

Her it is guys, enjoy!

http://finance.myway.com/jsp/nw/nwd...9b7568&date=20071105&alias=/alias/money/cm/nw

Here is the main part of the pres release:

Industry Leaders Announce Open Platform for Mobile Devices

Monday November 5, 11:00 AM EST

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & BONN, Germany & TAOYUAN, Taiwan & SAN DIEGO & SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov 05, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A broad alliance of leading technology and wireless companies today joined forces to announce the development of Android, the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others have collaborated on the development of Android through the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders.

This alliance shares a common goal of fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms. By providing developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively, Android will accelerate the pace at which new and compelling mobile services are made available to consumers.

With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, the mobile phone has become the most personal and ubiquitous communications device. However, the lack of a collaborative effort has made it a challenge for developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to respond as quickly as possible to the ever-changing needs of savvy mobile consumers. Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences.

Thirty-four companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is the first step in this direction -- a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

The Android platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products. Next week the Alliance will release an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform.

Android holds the promise of unprecedented benefits for consumers, developers and manufacturers of mobile services and devices. Handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. Developers will have complete access to handset capabilities and tools that will enable them to build more compelling and user-friendly services, bringing the Internet developer model to the mobile space. And consumers worldwide will have access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces -- ultimately creating a superior mobile experience.

Open Software, Open Device, Open Ecosystem

"This partnership will help unleash the potential of mobile technology for billions of users around the world. A fresh approach to fostering innovation in the mobile industry will help shape a new computing environment that will change the way people access and share information in the future," said Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt. "Today's announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models."

"As a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance, T-Mobile is committed to innovation and fostering an open platform for wireless services to meet the rapidly evolving and emerging needs of wireless customers," said Rene Obermann, Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Telekom, parent company of T-Mobile. "Google has been an established partner for T-Mobile's groundbreaking approach to bring the mobile open Internet to the mass market. We see the Android platform as an exciting opportunity to launch robust wireless Internet and Web 2.0 services for T-Mobile customers in the US and Europe in 2008."

"HTC's trademark on the mobile industry has been its ability to drive cutting-edge innovation into a wide variety of mobile devices to create the perfect match for individuals," said Peter Chou, Chief Executive Officer, HTC Corp. "Our participation in the Open Handset Alliance and integration of the Android platform in the second half of 2008 enables us to expand our device portfolio into a new category of connected mobile phones that will change the complexion of the mobile industry and re-create user expectations of the mobile phone experience."

"The convergence of the wireless and Internet industries is creating new partnerships, evolving business models and driving innovation," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Qualcomm. "We are extremely pleased to be participating in the Open Handset Alliance, whose mission is to help build the leading open-source application platform for 3G networks. The proliferation of open-standards-based handsets will provide an exciting new opportunity to create compelling services and devices. As a result, we are committing research and development resources to enable the Android platform and to create the best always-connected consumer experience on our chipsets."

"Motorola has long been an advocate of open software for mobile platforms. Today, we're excited to continue this support by joining Google and others in the announcement of the Open Handset Alliance and Android platform. Motorola plans to leverage the Android platform to enable seamless, connected services and rich consumer experiences in future Motorola products," said Ed Zander, Chairman and CEO of Motorola, Inc.

Open Handset Alliance Founding Members

Aplix (www.aplixcorp.com), Ascender Corporation (www.ascendercorp.com), Audience (www.audience.com), Broadcom (www.broadcom.com), China Mobile (www.chinamobile.com), eBay (www.ebay.com), Esmertec (www.esmertec.com), Google (www.google.com), HTC (www.htc.com), Intel (www.intel.com), KDDI (www.kddi.com), LivingImage (www.livingimage.jp), LG (www.lge.com), Marvell (www.marvell.com), Motorola (www.motorola.com), NMS Communications (www.nmscommunications.com), Noser (www.noser.com), NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (www.nttdocomo.com), Nuance (www.nuance.com), Nvidia (www.nvidia.com), PacketVideo (www.packetvideo.com), Qualcomm (www.qualcomm.com), Samsung (www.samsung.com), SiRF (www.sirf.com), SkyPop (www.skypop.com), SONiVOX (www.sonivoxrocks.com), Sprint Nextel (www.sprint.com), Synaptics (www.synaptics.com), TAT - The Astonishing Tribe (www.tat.se), Telecom Italia (www.telecomitalia.com), Telefonica (www.telefonica.es), Texas Instruments (www.ti.com), T-Mobile (www.t-mobile.com), Wind River (www.windriver.com)

 

[gemulder]

Another one
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/05/AR2007110500434.html

 

[Mobi Cheap]

"Open Software, Open Device, Open Ecosystem"

Any speculation as to who wrote the press release?
:hehe:

 

[quasar1138]

Thank you, Thank you, Mobi Cheap... I was actually looking for this information....Lot's of reading to do. Thanks again.

 

[Mobi Cheap]

Thank you, Thank you, Mobi Cheap... I was actually looking for this information....Lot's of reading to do. Thanks again.

This is just the beginning, it appears that Google have a lot more in store - not just pure mobile but it will be great!
:imho:

P.S.: Just in case it's not obvious why this news is so great, would be happy to outline the mobi-obvious logic to any skeptic who asks nicely

To spare people having to do that, here is a hint:

http://www.namepros.com/dot-mobi/392440-android-open-handset-alliance-more-mobile.html

:hehe:

 

[PVFARKAS]

from engadget.com...

8:58AM PT - Ok, we're on the call, and there's soothing classical. We'll "be underway in a few minutes."

9:02AM PT - Ok, we're about to begin!

9:04AM PT - "Welcome everyone to the Google, Inc. conference call. Today's call is being recorded." Yeah, by us! Elliot Shraig (sp) from Google is on. "We have a number of companies here with an exiting announcement to make in the mobile space."

Sergey and Eric from Goog, Peter Chou from HTC, Zander from Moto, plenty of heavyweights. Eric Schmidt is kicking off -- Andy Rubin will join for the Q&A.

9:05AM PT - "Thanks everybody, for joining us. We're obviously very, very happy that this announcement is going out today. To give you some context, there are 3 billion mobile users worldwide... getting people access to information is very important. On Google's side we have a two part strategy... the part we want to talk about today is creating a whole new mobile experience for users, and we're going to do that with Android."

9:06AM PT - "Google along with 33 other companies are announcing Android, the first truly integrated mobile operating system. ... What's particularly notable is that it's available under a mobile open source license. It's incredibly important to say that this is NOT an announcement of the 'Gphone'... we hope there will be thousands of 'Gphones'..."

9:08AM PT - "... an unprecedented mobile platform... We couldn't do this alone. ... Users will have much better access to mobile experiences." Slow down, Eric!

9:10AM PT - Renee from Deutsche Telekom. "I'm delighted to announce T-Mobile is one of the founding members of the OHA. ... Our customers see real value in their offerings... we at T-Mobile strongly support and industry platform for wireless apps and services, and that brings us to T-Mobile's support for the OHA and Android. It can help us to create more value for customers..." T-Mobile will announce a device running Android in Europe and the US in 2008... "Details on how we plan to bring forth these services are not to be discussed on this call." Gee, thanks.

9:11AM PT - "We realize that with a platform like this there are virtually endless opportunities." Now he's rambling about synergy or some such bizspeak. Peter from HTC is up. "Thank you, good morning."
9:12AM PT - "On behalf of HTC I'm honored to be here today as a founding member of the OHA; I'd like to congratulate Eric, Andy, and the entire Google team on today's achievement... We firmly believe when it comes to mobility one size does not fit all... the law of mobile devices is giving quick and easy access to the technology users find most valuable." ... Ruh roh, Peter cut out there for a sec.

"We think this is a great opportunity for HTC to expand its portfolio. We plan to release the first Android phone in the 2nd half of 2008."

9:13AM PT - Next up, Paul Jacobs of Qualcomm: "Thanks, and good morning. Qualcomm is very pleased to be an active member of the OHA."

9:15AM PT - "We're particularly happy to be working with T-Mobile, an operator who's always driven the open internet model... as much as Qualcomm is known for pioneering CDMA technologies, it's also our business model that moved the wireless industry into an open, horizontal mode... Qualcomm's invested significant resources working on Android, working side by side working on both the mobile platform architecture and on" blah blah, now dude's just pimping his own products. Great, we all sooo care about Qualcomm chipsets, can you talk about friggin Android now?

9:16AM PT - "... we can now support services like video, location... if you look at the future of wireless, it's no longer about choosing a single radio technology, it's about apps and content..."

9:17AM PT - Ed ZANDR is up: "Good morning, like everyone else Motorola is pleased to be joining the OHA."

9:18AM PT - "I can remember back 20 years ago Eric and I talked about open software platforms... we at Motorola have long been an advocate of open platforms... we believe today's announcement is about more than any one vendor, it's about open platforms, open source, open brands, it's about creating devices organically connected to the internet and services."

9:19AM PT - "Consumers will see more innovative devices and services... we at Motorola have long been the leader in bringing open software products to market." Wait, what, Ed? "We at Motorola look forward to developing product with and for OHA members... in summary Motorola is proud to continue support of open platforms..." He's done fast.

9:20AM PT - Bill Wang, from China Mobile Research Institute: "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, first congratulations on the formation of the OHA. China Mobile is excited to work with Google... it will encourage faster adoption of smartphones in China. We are happy to see more attention being focused on mobile technology. We strongly believe and hear the vision of the Alliance."

9:21AM PT - "I wanted to thank Andy and Google for developing this platform..." Sergey Brin is up for closing words before Q&A. "Hello everyone." Ernie's on the line?

9:22AM PT - "Ten years ago I was sitting in a grad school cubicle, and we were able to build incredible things. There was a set of tools that enabled that... open source... Linux, GNU, python... all those pieces (and many more) allowed us to do great things and distribute it to the world. That's what we're looking at today. We're going to distribute the code, it's going to be freely available..."

"I'm really excited about this, I can't wait to see what the next generation of innovators is going to do with these tools." Q&A time. Andy's on the call now.

9:25AM PT - "My question goes out to the handset mfgrs -- does your involvement in OHA mean you won't be participating in other mobile OSs?" Peter from HTC: "We actually look at this as a good opportunity to innovate... we believe this is more opportunity, we can do more... our commitment to other OSs is the same." Zander is babbling on about being committed to open source and open platforms again. "We do have some commitments with some of our carrier partners, but we've been working a lot on this kind of strategy."

9:27AM PT - Andy answering our pal Om's question: "All of this software will be available... within one week's time... handsets will be available in the second half of 2008."

9:28AM PT - WSJ: "Where does Google take it from here? How will G's apps and services work with this platform? Will there be a prominent position for them on the handset?" Rubin: "One of the interesting things about G's business is the flexibility and relevance... part of this Android solution is a very robust HTML web browser... contrary to a lot of the speculation out there, you won't see a completely ad-driven cellphone based on this platform."

9:29AM PT - "This is not the Gphone -- will we see the Gphone, and what will it be?" Eric Schmidt: "We're not announcing anything, but this is THE (perfect) platform for building a Gphone. It starts a whole wave of innovation..."

 

[sags]

Google, with the backing of all these companies, certainly has the power to implement anything it wants. The question for mobi domainers is exactly what it is that Google wants.

First, they are a company basically built on the strength of one business, search advertising. How does this fit into their future plans? They aren't a charity so there must be future plans for some revenue. Will their browser only show their own ads eliminating third party domainers and parking companies?

Throughout this whole press release not a mention of "mobi". One can assume that without any mention of mobi, Google intends on this new platform to service the .com (and other extensions) world.

There are lots of quotes about the customer being able to access the whole internet in a way they are used to. A "complete" surfing experience, is what they call it. It sounds like a future with full websites full of Google ads.

Mobi does nothing to deliver this. Mobi can't deliver full websites, in fact quite the opposite. Mobi was designed to deliver "little sites" which load faster and are basically text links.

I see this news as "contrary" to mobi's future.

As a mobi investor, I hope that I am missing something here but I really don't see this as good news for mobi domains.

Enlighten me please,

Regards,

Sags

 

[Mobi Cheap]

Google, with the backing of all these companies, certainly has the power to implement anything it wants. The question for mobi domainers is exactly what it is that Google wants.

First, they are a company basically built on the strength of one business, search advertising. How does this fit into their future plans? They aren't a charity so there must be future plans for some revenue. Will their browser only show their own ads eliminating third party domainers and parking companies?

Throughout this whole press release not a mention of "mobi". One can assume that without any mention of mobi, Google intends on this new platform to service the .com (and other extensions) world.

There are lots of quotes about the customer being able to access the whole internet in a way they are used to. A "complete" surfing experience, is what they call it. It sounds like a future with full websites full of Google ads.

Mobi does nothing to deliver this. Mobi can't deliver full websites, in fact quite the opposite. Mobi was designed to deliver "little sites" which load faster and are basically text links.

I see this news as "contrary" to mobi's future.

As a mobi investor, I hope that I am missing something here but I really don't see this as good news for mobi domains.

Enlighten me please,

Regards,

Sags

If I had to script the perfect scenario for .mobi, I couldn't have done much better:

A. The content will start flowing almost immediately (floodgates open on Nov 12).

B. The first serious wave of hardware will reach the market in about a year.

What's the opposite of 'perfect storm'?

How will people say that this amazing new content will run on the pathetic hardware that the vast majority of users will still have until 2009/2010?

Can we say .mobi (yes, let's talk about compliance requirements and what they really mean)?
:bingo:

 

[cac14850]

Honeslty I think the original purpose for mobi phones to run on all cells is going to be outdated very quickly. What will be needed no matter what are two types of web content. Those easily viewed on small screens and the more traditional pages. If mobi can establish itself as the default for those using mobile devices to access the internet (or whatever the internet morphs into) we are all set. I think in the meantime, as we wait for the content to catch up to commonly used technology, mobis as MobiCheap pointed out, are likely to become the default. Once this happens and the better mobile devices (yes similar to iphones) become the norm all it will take is mtld to not enforce their originial requirements and mobi will be in great shape for the long term.

 

[Mobi Cheap]

These are all of the current mandatry requrements (with my color emphases), copied directly from the registry's official site at mTLD.mobi:

====================
4. Registrant Rules
4.1 Mandatory Registrant Rules
4.1.1 Valid XHTML Mobile Profile

[dotMobi] Requests for URIs consisting only of "example.mobi" or "www.example.mobi" must result in a response that is encoded in a format the device supports or valid XHTML-Mobile Profile 1.0 or later released version [XHTMLMP], where "example" stands for any domain name.

If the site provides its home page by redirection then all intermediate pages that are delivered in the course of the redirection must comply with this rule.

Note that registrants are not obliged to provide a service at either the above URIs.

What it Means

It is not the intention to restrict the uses that dotMobi registrants put their site to. However, in order to contribute to the overall usability and premium user experience of the dotMobi domain it is important that visitors to sites have the best possible experience of them, even if their devices do not support the formats that registrants wish to support. Consequently, at a minimum, visitors to dotMobi sites must receive a message that is displayable by their browser, directing them to a portion of the site that is accessible to them, or identifying the type of device that is necessary to experience the site properly.

Some web sites will adapt their content dynamically to accommodate the type of browser and formats supported by that browser. In this case the site should generate a page formatted in valid XHTML-MP 1.0 (or later released version) if it cannot find a match for the device in question. The user in this case stands a very good chance of receiving a page that their device can display. The content of the page is at the site owner's discretion, and may be a message allowing the user to select a particular type of experience, or may be a message detailing the types of device required to access the service. Site owners are encouraged to support the widest possible range of devices.

In cases where the site infrastructure does not provide the ability to detect the browser type or formats that are acceptable there must be a page at the domain root that is delivered in XHTML-MP. This does not mean that the rest of the site has to be formatted in XHTML-MP. Sites that cater specifically for some other format may have their entry point identified by a path e.g. a site that is specifically targeted at WML devices only could have its home page at example.mobi/wml. The preferred method of redirection is by using HTTP 3XX codes (see below).

4.1.2 Second-Level Domain Site

[dotMobi] Domains that operate a site at www.example.mobi must also implement a site at example.mobi.

What it Means

Research has shown that typing in URLs on a mobile phone is a significant barrier to entry for users using mobile devices. Pointing the second-level domain (domain.mobi) at the same site as the third-level domain (www.domain.mobi) makes it easier for users to get to your site.

4.1.3 Use of Frames

[dotMobi] Do not use frames (standard or inline) unless the target client is known to support them. See also [W3C NO_FRAMES].

====================

Lots of misconceptions around, not sure why (other than the unfortunate fact that one needs to click on a really small link at the bottom of the mtld.mobi home page, and then click a few more times before getting to the actual requirements).

IMHO it would be useful for people who have related concerns to read the above requirements in detail before we launch into another discussion.
:imho:

 

[Pred]

I'll be honest, my head is spinning.
I'm not a tech head.

I have read everything and kept my eye on ball since 26th sept '06.

This latest news, i really dont know if this is good or bad.

I know its bad half the backers/supporters of this thing their mobis are cybersquatted and more besides. That really doesnt help

 

[Mobi Cheap]

I'll be honest, my head is spinning.
I'm not a tech head.

I have read everything and kept my eye on ball since 26th sept '06.

This latest news, i really dont know if this is good or bad.

I know its bad half the backers/supporters of this thing their mobis are cybersquatted and more besides. That really doesnt help

O ye of little faith!

What is it that bothers you in particular about the news Gov?

 

[Pred]

Hi dude,
i'm not of little faith, i got 5-600 mobis :sold:

Its just this is the rollercoaster known as mobi lol
I can take the big auctions then the lulls, technology changing daily etc, BUT i'm not sure how to take it.
Its great for the mobile internet & whatever happens mobis should see increased traffic purely on back of that.
What we need is people to associate mobi with the mobile internet. Now they wont stop using com, co.uk etc,cool. but all we want is a slice of the pie. a largish one.

For this to happen, the biggies gotta promote and use, now they might be same as me (lol)..............
I developed a few early doors but have actually stopped as have too much on anyway but technology is changing daily it seems and i think a lot of companies are like me/us and waiting to see what happens before developing their mobis. This is all good news.

Thing is, still pisses me off things like myspace.mobi , sirf .mobi etc seem to be owned by squatters and 'squat' is being done about it.
Also mtld are saying 'squat' about anything at present.
Yeah, they're working hard behind scenes , not.
Dunno, just trying to be honest, maybe they're playing it all perfect getting more content out there before paying for tv ads etc.

Guess we're all waiting for promotion of google.mobi, facebook.mobi etc and we want to do backflips down the hall lol, when that happens.

I'll be honest too, i'm about a basic developer as they come, so a lot of the technology is WAY over my humble head & tech babble.

Pump me up with info bitch
I :sold:

 

[Mobi Cheap]

Hi dude,
i'm not of little faith, i got 5-600 mobis :sold:

Its just this is the rollercoaster known as mobi lol
I can take the big auctions then the lols, technology changing daiuly etc, BUT i'm not sure how to take it.
Its great for the mobile internet & whatever happens mobis should see increased traffic purely on back of that.
What we need is people to associate mobi with the mobile internet. Now they wont stop using com, co.uk etc, but allw e want is a slice of the pie.

For this to happen, the biggies gotta promote nad use, now they might be same as me (lol)
I developed a few early doors but have actually stopped as have too much on anyway but technology is changing daily it seems and i think a lot of companies are like me/us and waiting to see what happens before developing their mobis. This is all good news.

Thing is, still pisses me off things like myspace.mobi , sirf .mobi etc seem to be owned by squatters and 'squat' is being done by it.
Also mtld are saying 'squat' about anything at present.
Yeah, they're working hard behind scenes , not.
Dunno, just trying to be honest, maybe they're playing it all perfect getting more content out there before paying for tv ads etc.

Guess we're all waiting for promotion of google.mobi, facebook.mobi etc and we wabt to do backflips down the hall lol, when that happens.

I'll be honest too, i'm about a basic developer as they come, so a lot of the technology is WAY over my humble head.

Pump me up with info expletive deleted
I :sold:

Arnie,

I was being facetious; I know you didn't lose your cool even during mTLD's one great gamble - the decision to put hundreds of the best generics on the online auction block to close in the same hour. You went through that without obvious fear (unlike myself), and you waited till the optimal time to start developing proper mobi websites (like myself).

IMHO the optimal time will start in a week's time (Nov 12), when we can actually begin doing the amazing things that Google's CEO promised - in a sensible and efficient way.

The hardware enabled today will not be available for about a year.

As if that perfect combination wasn't good enough for mobi, over 200 stunning dictionary terms will have to be developed properly within the next six months - or they go back to MTLD, which would keep the original auction proceeds regardless - as per contract.

So in a week's time webmasters can start developing much more and much better mobile content, even though the proper hardware for it will not hit the mainstream until 2009!

And just when many early adopters are done with their first prototypes, they'll start hearing people referencing developed sites like cars.mobi, homes.mobi, hotel.mobi, and a few hundred others.

Do I need to say more?

This will be the real window of opportunity.

Who needs promotion?

Did Google advertise to become the dominant search engine?

No, they didn't. They've shown that there is no need to rely on promotion - when the right product is at the right life stage at the right time.

Lots and lots more to be said, this is just some quick stream-of-consciousness stuff for now (to which I've subsequently added more for clarity).

:kickass:

 

[Pred]

i agree. its time to sit and wait and have faith.
worst case scenario for anyone is having great keywords and brandables in a tld they paid regfee for... so no real gamble really :imho: :sold:

the best that can happen is mind boggling.

i'm not counting my chickens and know these companies, including mtld are as 'fickle as f*ck' ..... can i tm that?, :sold: . However if this success continues for .mobi and the ongoing adoption and development and secretion into the mainstream they may all stick to it and adopt eternally like com

Where's Yelo when you need some 'insane poetry'? ( can i tm that too? ) :hehe: :sold:

 

[Mobi Cheap]

...

Where's Yelo when you need some 'insane poetry'? ( can i tm that too? ) :hehe: :sold:

He is not here.

My bet is he is either calculating the density of the universe or adjusting OVT numbers for the sedo auction.

IMHO poetry is overrated, but I'll make exceptions for stuff written by really wise people.

You know what follows, right - we talked about it in another similar thread a couple of weeks ago.

This time just the link (courtesy of d'x) and the conclusion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNopQq5lWqQ

It's a time to buy!
:imho:

 

[hedgefund]

I am excited, can we finally say we did not miss the boat?

 

[Mobi Cheap]

I am excited, can we finally say we did not miss the boat?

IMHO we definitely didn't.

It looks like we're a bit early actually.

The last 100 (or at least 80+) first-class tickets are on sale for another 41 hours or so (not mine - the registry's, and no affiliate code in the link):

http://www.sedo.com/search/searchresult.php4?auctionevent=dotmobi&language=us

The main engine gets started in about a week's time (Nov 12 for now)

There may be a few obvious jokes shortly, and then it's full steam ahead!
:hehe:

 

[skeitel]

mobicheap rep'd for good information and comments!

 

[hedgefund]

The main engine starts in about a weeks time (Nov 12 for now)

Sorry, what will happen on Nov 12? I miss this one.