Posts Tagged ‘ Gingerbread ’

Android, Jellybean and What we can expect next from Google

These past three weeks have been jam-packed with OS news. First Mountain Lion reared its face back mid february then Microsoft released the highly anticipated Windows 8 consumer preview to the public. These new softwares from the tech titans of silicon valley show us not only what’s coming later this year but the direction they’re taking computing. For once Apple is the less interesting of the two, presenting an OS that’s just more of an incremental step closer to bridging the iOS/OSX gap. Windows on the other hand is coming in packing a completely new OS with Windows 8. The desktop we’ve all come to know and love has taken a backseat to a more Windows Phone 7-eque metro tile screen. This new interface makes windows more walled, adds an app store and, most importantly, finally makes Windows finger-friendly.

                                

But in all this buzz, one major player is still left out. Google has for over a year now been trying to sell us on the idea of a Chrome OS without any success. Sure, they’ve come down in price but at the end of the day they still leave people asking, “why don’t I just install Chrome?” But, Google has seen nothing but good results when it comes to their Android mobile OS. In light of the major plays by both Cupertino and Redmond, Google may just have just had their hands forced. Putting Android on a laptop would make for a lightweight OS that, with the inclusion of the Android market, would be more than capable of performing most common tasks such as writing documents, browsing the web, playing music and light gaming. And because Google licenses Android for free, a mobile version could be priced competitively against Microsoft’s offerings and still keep all the revenue from searches and Android Market purchases.

So what’s the hold up? Well, Google still has a lot of work to do before they’re ready to enter the laptop market. First of all, Android on tablets is a hot mess. Samsung, by far the largest seller of Android tablets, had to admit during Mobile World Congress that their tablet  sales were less than steller. The biggest reason is most likely because Android isn’t micromanaged enough. It’s closing in on half a year since Ice Cream Sandwich was released and we’re still only seeing it on select devices. While this is a nuisance for smartphone owners, it’s a deal breaker in the high-end market. If Google wants to be a respected player on the laptop front, they’re going to need to be able to give people the peace of mind that their $400+ investment will be supported for 2-3 years at least.

This may just be speculation but with the way the market is going I don’t think Google has a choice unless they want to kill off the Chromebook experiment. For now, we just have to hold our breath and wait to see what’s coming down the road with Jellybean.

2012
03/11
CATEGORY
Apple
Google
ipad
Microsoft
Post-PC
Software
tablet
Windows 8
Leave a comment

Are you getting Ice Cream Sandwich?

Image

Ice Cream sandwich is out and Google’s fragmentation problem is rearing itself to everyone’s chagrin. Imagine being at the beach with your family and your parents choose to give only a few of you Ice Cream and you just have to sit there and watch. Oh, might I remind you that you’re paying these parents monthly…this is terrible! With my iPad, I got iOS 5 in a timely manner and my single complaint – not having multitouch – was cleared up within a few weeks and I’m completely up to date. My Motorola Triumph that came out this summer, the Motorola Atrix that was the darling of the smartphone world BACK IN FEBRUARY and that HTC EVO that ushered in the 4G era less than a year and a half ago are all out of the question. I understand why my phone was off the list, it’s a Virgin Mobile phone, but I can’t understand how you can leave behind the Goliaths of the Android space less than two years after their release? And even those phones that are getting upgraded aren’t getting it until “first half of 2012″… in what world is that acceptable? Remember that Open Handset Alliance that EVERY ANDROID OEM SIGNED UP FOR? What happened to the 18 months of support? This is a huge problem when you’re tied to a two year contract and the person you’re paying nearly a hundred bucks to (or more) each month doesn’t care enough to keep you supported after your device is out of the spotlight but you’re still stuck in a contract. This definitely isn’t the best way to build up customer appreciation and this shows why Apple is still #1 in customer satisfaction and brand quality in general. Enough of my ranting, here’s the list of supported phones (from Engadget) so check it out and prepare to be dissapointed.

Note: If you don’t see your device listed, don’t fret… yet. If it hasn’t been confirmed or denied, the OEM’s likely still deciding which products will get the upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich. Keep checking back here from time to time, as we’ll continue to update the list.

ASUS

Official statement:

Google recently announced the latest update for Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, which brings some exciting new features and capabilities. At ASUS, we pride ourselves on delivering a great experience with our products, thanks to frequent updates that further enhance our products’ capabilities. We’re delighted to confirm support for Ice Cream Sandwich on the ASUS Eee Pad Family – our aim is to bring the latest Android update to the Eee Pad Series, but at this time we are unable to set a date for its release. Please stay tuned for more news on our Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade plans.

Confirmed:

Denied:

  • None specified
AT&T

Official statement:

We plan for both the Vivid and Galaxy S II Skyrocket to be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich.

Confirmed:

  • HTC Vivid
  • Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket

Denied:

  • None specified
HTC

Official statement:

HTC knows how excited our fans are to get their hands on Google’s latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, so we’re thrilled today to announce the first wave of HTC phones that will receive upgrades: We can confirm the brand new HTC Vivid is upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich. In addition, Ice Cream Sandwich is coming in early 2012 to a variety of devices including the HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G and HTC Amaze 4G through close integration with our carrier partners. We’re continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich.

Confirmed:

  • Rezound
  • Vivid (AT&T)
  • Sensation (OG, XL and XE)
  • EVO 3D (Sprint)
  • EVO Design 4G (Sprint)
  • Amaze 4G (T-Mobile)
  • Sensation 4G (T-Mobile)

Denied:

LG

Official statement:

LG confirms today that the Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) OS will be initially available for the following high-end LG smartphones which were introduced this year: the Optimus 2X, the Optimus Black, the Optimus 3D and the Optimus LTE. We are also continuing to evaluate the ICS OS to determine whether it is compatible with the functionality, features and performance of other LG smartphones to make the ICS OS available on as many LG smartphones as possible. In December this year, the forthcoming upgrade schedule and additional specific models for the ICS OS upgrade will be posted on our LG Mobile Global Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LGMobile) and on our local LG websites. Please stay tuned for more updates from LG.

Confirmed:

Denied:

  • None specified
Meizu

Official statement:

MX market remains unchanged. However, MX and M9 we will soon upgrade to 4.0 (Jack Wong, CEO).

Confirmed:

Denied:

  • None specified
Motorola

Official statement:

We’ve confirmed that DROID RAZR/ Motorola RAZR, DROID BIONIC, and Motorola XOOM (all editions) will get an upgrade to ICS… we have not confirmed any devices will not get ICS.

Confirmed:

Denied:

  • None specified
Pantech

Official statement:

We’re currently evaluating our plans and will provide an update soon. Our customers are our top priority and we intend to upgrade technically eligible products.

Confirmed:

  • None specified

Denied:

  • None specified
Samsung

Official statements:

Samsung Mobile U.S. has not made any official announcement plans for Ice Cream Sandwich software updates to any of our US products. We will let our customers know as soon as we have more information to share.

From Samsung UK’s Twitter account: “The Galaxy S II will be receiving ICS, but there are no dates confirmed as yet. We’ll keep you posted.”

From AT&T: We plan for both the [HTC] Vivid and [Samsung] Galaxy S II Skyrocket to be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich.

Confirmed:

Denied:

  • None specified
Sony Ericsson

Official statement:

Sony Ericsson is currently rolling out the upgrade to Gingerbread 2.3.4 across its entire 2011 Xperia smartphone portfolio. This software upgrade will be available through a phased roll out in select markets. Beyond Gingerbread 2.3.4, we plan to upgrade our 2011 Xperia smartphone portfolio to the next Android platform made available to us.

Confirmed:

Denied:

  • None specified
Sprint

Official statement:

Sprint will begin to rollout Google’s latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, to our customers in early 2012. Ice Cream Sandwich will be available via an over-the-air update to a variety of devices including HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G and other key products in our line-up. Stay tuned for more details and exact timing.

Confirmed:

  • HTC EVO 3D
  • HTC EVO Design 4G

Denied:

  • None specified
T-Mobile

Official statement:

T-Mobile is committed to enhancing customers’ experience with our devices, including providing upgrades to the latest Android operating system — Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). We are actively working with our OEM partners to ensure that a number of eligible T-Mobile devices are upgraded to Android 4.0 in the coming months and will communicate updates as we have additional details to share. Today, we can confirm that Android 4.0 is expected to come in early 2012 to the HTC Amaze 4G and HTC Sensation 4G.

Confirmed:

  • HTC Amaze 4G
  • HTC Sensation 4G

Denied:

  • None specified
ViewSonic

Official statement:

Google’s latest update for Android Ice Cream Sandwich brings advanced features and functionality to users. ViewSonic will support Ice Cream Sandwich with our award-winning ViewPad tablet line and are currently evaluating the operating system. Once the BSP is formally released from Google, we’ll have more details, as at this time we can’t set an exact release date. Stay tuned for more updates, as our team will bring you the exciting announcements as we’re able.

Confirmed:

  • ViewPad series

Denied:

  • None specified
ZTE

Official statement:

ZTE hasn’t issued an official statement about Ice Cream Sandwich or when we will introduce new products using the upgraded OS. However, we continue to work very closely with Google to ensure we deliver the best possible Android user experience across all of our devices and with all of our partners.

Confirmed:

  • None specified

Denied:

  • None specified
2011
11/29
CATEGORY
iOS 5
iPhone 4s
Software
tablet
Leave a comment

Kindle Fire Reviewed

Hey folks, good news! Reviews for the highly anticipated Kindle Fire are finally out and they’ve kinda been what I expected at first but didn’t want to accept. When it was announced, the price and visual appeal were enough to make me think of it as the ultimate tablet. I completely overlooked the smartphone level specs and small screen size and how they would inhibit the device’s operations but that becomes apparent the moment you try to load websites, pinch to zoom or view magazines. But, thanks to Amazon’s Silk browser, this tablet is actually still competing with the new 7-inch Galaxy Tab. The fact that a $200 tablet was able to beat a tablet twice it’s price at all deserves huge praise. So, if you go in expecting something on par with the iPad, of course you’re gonna be disappointed and that’s not Amazon’s fault. But if you’re looking at other sub $300 tablets, Amazon’s offering is sleeker, faster and has a much better UI and app selection. There just isn’t any competition here. A solid 3.5 out of 5 (or 4 if you’re going in with the right expectations) is very well deserved.

2011
11/14
CATEGORY
Amazon
Apple
Kindle
Software
tablet
Leave a comment

Google VS. Apple

Google’s been on a tear lately with its Android operating system. It has become the most popular phone operating system, commanding 40% of the smart phone market, and still expanding at an incredible rate. It’s hard to imagine that the adorable little green android’s humble beginnings on the bulky, sluggish, and unpromising T-Mobile G1. From there came a torrential downpour of phones, each better than the last until finally we had a true iPhone competitor with the HTC Incredible (Verizon’s rendition of the first Google Nexus phone). From then on it has been a chase, every year Apple would announce a new phone that would blow all the current Android phones out of the water and the enclave of Android would continue to push back until a clear competitor would arise and the cycle continues. But, while this trend is what makes Android profitable, it is also a huge crutch moving forward. Android is the bestselling OS by far but three major aspects of its growth keep it far behind Apple’s throne:

  1. In all its growth, the Android OS has managed to completely avoid Apple’s market share. Apple has been growing steadily and untouched since the first iPhone came out. Every year they break records (4 million in the first weekend this year) and every year they mint more and more income. Android has actually planted itself in the lush soil left behind by decaying giants Nokia, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry.                     
  2. Android also isn’t that profitable once you break it down. Google actually makes little or no money on the operating system itself, it just gives it away and profits on the tail end with the search engine, baked in services and (mainly) Android Market… That’s how it’s supposed to work at least. In reality the Android Appstore isn’t even as profitable as Blackberry App World even though it commands more than twice the market share. The companies are also not touching Apple’s numbers individually.      
  3. And the biggest reason, like it or not, is that they’re just not Apple. Before you light your torches, let me explain myself. An Apple product just has an air of prestige and class that no Android phone has matched to date. Even six months after the iPhone 4 was announced, it was still outselling the latest and greatest of the Androids even with their dual-core, LTE, massive screen and all that. No Android has ever been a heavy hitter after more than three months of shelf life.
               

And I shouldn’t forget to mention Apple’s earnings on the iPhone. No phone comes close to having the same market dominance as the iPhone. In fact, carriers pay top dollar just to have the iPhone in their line up just because it brings that many customers. Sprint’s deal to get the iPhone on their shelves is losing them money and they won’t start making returns on profit until 2015! That just shows you how strong a presence the iPhone has. Add to that the amount of capital Apple has to put towards R&D for new devices and their complete control of hardware and software and it doesn’t look like they’re being dethroned any time soon.

2011
11/05
CATEGORY
Apple
iOS 5
iPhone 4s
iPod
Microsoft
Software
tablet
3 comments

iOS vs. Android: Why Geeks Should Go Apple

*Before we proceed, I need to add a disclaimer: this whole post would be completely useless if you make your decisions predominantly on image (if you want an iPhone to look cool or you want an Android for geek cred, I can’t help you). *

Choosing a mobile operating system has become one of the most pivotal options for consumers everywhere. To make the choice easier, a rule of thumb has been that if you’re nerdy, you should own an Android and if you’re a technophobe (or the vast majority of people) you should just stay with iOS. But maybe it’s time to change that rule of thumb. As both companies have matured, they have shown tendencies that support an opposite measure. Before you go blasting, hear me out for a bit and I think I could change your mind.

The original line of thought was that Android, while less user friendly, allowed those looking to tinker with their devices to tinker away to their hearts content. iOS, on the other hand, was much more user friendly but was far more locked down. But thanks to Jailbreaking, iOS has become a much more the nerd’s tool. One big problem with Android is that there are so many different phones and versions of Android that no single device can build up a hacker community, and those that do are outshone within months. But iOS devices are updated in a timely manner so they all get the love and support they need from third party developers. iOS devices can be jailbroken in as little as a website visit and click of a button and once they’re jailbroken you can use Cydia to do everything from change the skin to downloading third party apps and even dual booting Android. In fact, some features (such as wireless syncing) became available on Cydia before getting baked into iOS. And if a new device, say an iPhone 4s, get exclusive apps that should be available across the board (*cough* Siri), then you can count on the developer community to make a port within a few weeks to a couple months.

That’s all fine and well, but if you’re an average Joe who doesn’t want to deal with jailbreaks and Cydia then all this means absolutely nothing to you. An Apple device is nothing but a waste of money in your hands; a beautiful waste of money but a waste nonetheless. With Android though, you can get a device that’s just as responsive for free. Plus, Android phones offer features that are more useful on a day-to-day basis such as full QWERTY keyboards. As for usability, Android has become more and more user-friendly with each and every iteration, and that’s about to ramp up with the upcoming release of Ice Cream Sandwich, Google’s OS. Sure, rooting isn’t as easy as jailbreaking and the hacker community is abysmal on a per-phone basis but what does that matter to the average person? Some of you might point out that Android’s appstore collection isn’t comparable to iOS’s and I would have to whole-heartedly agree with you there. But the average person doesn’t venture that far with Apps. Give them basic apps (Facebook, twitter, mail, maps) some games (Diner Dash, Angry Birds, Doodle Jump, etc.) and some camera apps and they’re more than perfectly content. Not everyone is jumping for the greatest VNC client or Plex app on his or her phone. Most people just want a phone that lets them check services and maybe waste time in the subway/bus or wherever.

Again, if you’re a die-hard Android or Apple fan then this doesn’t apply to you since your mind is already made your mind up and nothing I can say is likely to change that. And, of course, there are going to be exception to this basic rule since not everyone fits nicely into a little mold. But, for the vast majority of phone users, this is a good guideline for choosing a mobile OS. I know not everyone will agree so I would like to hear your opinions in the comments section. Whether you think I’m brilliant or I’m spewing shit, just

2011
11/03
CATEGORY
Apple
iOS 5
iPhone 4s
iPod
Software
tablet
Leave a comment

Creative Commons

Creative Commons License
Synqed by Nelson Bude is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at Synqed.wordpress.com.