Posts tagged android software
FixIt!: Android Users: Misers?
Mar 2nd
New figures published few days ago from AdMob told us few things about ourselves. They told us that we are males, aged between 25 and 34 and we prefer not to pay for apps…
I will guess that there is a good chance you will be reading this and say: No, I am not!
First, this has not taken into account the thousands of thousands of Android devices that have been offered for Saint Valentine. I am sure the next report will show way more female users.
Then, is there really only 21% of users buying at least one app every month? This seems very low and it doesn’t sound great if you are (or want to be) a developer on Android. Could we, the Android community, do something about this… I think we can, this is very easy. What I am suggesting is that each of reader buy one or two apps in March. You know this game you like, you’ve been playing with the free version for a while now, maybe it is time to buy it and be able to access more levels. You know this nice tool that is helping you every day in your life, maybe you want a better version. I don’t want to point you to just one app of my choice, this is for you to decide. Also keep in mind that most apps don’t cost a fortune, can you really not spare $4 or $5 in March and buy 2 apps?
I know what some will say, I am with you on this, I can’t buy apps where I am (using Market Enabler helps but you need a rooted phone). However, there are alternatives. Some developers have web pages with PayPal’s donate button, you could use that. There are also many apps that are ads supported, clicking on these ads from time to time will help the developers and, who knows, you might be interested by what the advertisers want you to see.
So, what do you say? Can Android users be known are a generous bunch, willing to pay for good apps and help developers? Please share your opinion in a comment, I want to hear it.
Might We Suggest…
Have Keyboard, Will Travel: Android Phones Capable of Using USB Keyboard.
Mar 2nd
Image Credit: Andrew de Quincey
In an article over at jkontherun.com, it seems that some enterprising Android enthusiasts have found that some Android powered devices have the ability to support USB keyboards built into their stock firmware.
As the author of the article points out, it is not as simple as plugging in that extra keyboard you have laying around, indeed it takes some splicing and some soldering to make it work. You also have to enable USB on the go host mode on the phone.
Credit for this discovery goes to Chris Paget, who lists the steps out on his blog. Chris used three different components to get a keyboard working on his Verizon Droid: a micro USB cable, a car charging cable and a USB extender cable. It seems Chris may be the McGuyver of the Android platform as he outlines how he spliced different things together to make the hack work.
For those of you who have been looking to use your Android handset with a keyboard, and posses the necessary savvy to splice cables together, make sure to check out Chris Paget’s blog. It is a very cool read on how he did it. You can also look here at Andrew De Quincey’s livejournal as he was able to achieve USB Host mode on his HTC Hero, using a simliar method.
The exciting thing about this kind of development is the possibilities of using USB Host mode for may other applications, USB devices, webcams and other things that you can interact with remotely. Here’s to looking forward to what comes next!
Might We Suggest…
Smartphones Partners Working on ‘College SuperFans’ Apps for over 80 Universities
Feb 25th
Smartphones Technologies has announced that they are currently working on creating college sports apps for over 80 different universities. The apps will bear the name of “College SuperFans” when they arrive and will give users breaking news, live game tracking, scoreboards, and more for their favorite college. Each version will be specifically tailored for your alma mater or team and will cover football and basketball programs. Future versions of the app will expand to other sports as well as allow for universities to connect with their fans via news updates and messages.
As of today, the first 30 teams are available for iPhone and include the following features:
- Live Game Tracker with real-time scores throughout the game
- Live scoreboard with scores of other games in progress
- Previews of upcoming games, recaps of completed games, and updates with the latest info about the team.
- AP News stories in the app, with links to stories from other sources
- AP & BCS polls and Conference Standings
- Message boards allowing fans to interact with one another regardless of their device
You can currently find an all-in-one version of their College SuperFans 2009-10 Season Pass in the Android Market today. Look for the new College SuperFans in the “near future”.
Might We Suggest…
Non-Google Android Languishes in Obscurity
Feb 13th
So I have several G1’s, a myTouch 3G, two Motorola Droid’s, and just one Archos 5 Internet Tablet. While, certainly no expert, I have been using Android the week the G1 was released and was following it before it was a Google acquisition and the only device that I have chosen to not keep is the Archos 5 Internet Tablet.
Let’s begin. The A5 IT debuted with Android 1.5 and has just gotten a critical update to 1.6 that added global search, widgets, and other system updates but mobile phones are marching their way towards Android 2.1. Even though, I enjoyed the novelty of the A5’s ARM Cortex 800 MHz processor and 800×480 4.8 inch screen I could not get over not having Google applications like Gmail, Contacts, Voice, Maps, Market and the almighty sync feature for my Google ID. And don’t even get me started on Archos’ AppsLib.
So even when I tried to use the native e-mail application I had to either manually enter my contacts or load them via USB from my PC, not a good solution when you have as many as 1,600 contacts or more. And even though the A5 has GPS it doesn’t have Google Maps so you are forced to use the maps application that has flaky GPS connectivity and dubious directions at best.
Archos is rumored to deliver the new A7 Internet Tablet soon and Camangi released their WebStation to minimal fanfare and even worse reviews. Can non-Google survive in the wake of Nexus One’s, Droid’s, and Hero’s? I don’t think so. Without Google apps and sync ability, the plain Android OS is just like any other OS. Is it open, is it still Android, can dev’s write for it? Yes, yes, and yes. Is it useful for everyday consumers without Google apps/sync? Not really.
When we pick up and use Android phones, rooted or not, we are accustomed to the fact that we can just enter our Google usernames and passwords and get all of our critical data back. I flirted with a TouchPro 2 recently and without Google sync it was not useful. Ditto for non-Google Android.
Is this just my opinion or do you think vanilla Android will survive or is it just a hobbyist’s dream platform?
Might We Suggest…
Firefox Development Underway for Android
Jan 29th
It seems that Mozilla has begun work in earnest on building Firefox for the Android platform. Citing sources from the German Firefox community, Softpedia says that Mozilla is working with developers to make a build available that will at least display webpages in February, with a usable Alpha coming months down the road from that.
This is great news for those Android users looking for the Firefox experience on the their handsets. With Mozilla announcing in late 2009 that they were considering moving towards the Android OS, it appears they are going make good on that statement.
It is safe to say however that we will not see something usable for most likely another 6 months if there are any development delays (and there always are). Still, the idea that there is a Firefox Browser build in the pipes coming our way is exciting and something to look forward to!
If you want to track the progress of the Android flavor of Firefox, and you can read German, check out the Firefox forums by clicking here.
Might We Suggest…
Chinavision Succeeds Where Others Have Failed, Makes a Boring Android Handset.
Jan 28th
Engadget Mobile has an article up taking a look at Chinavision’s “Robot” Android handset. Check out the article for the full specs and lowdown on the phone. I’ll give you a hint before you go – It’s a 2.8″, dual-band snoozer. As I stated in the title, this handset is nothing to get excited about in the least bit.
What I find interesting is the fact that we are starting to see Android penetrate deeply into the handset market, where even low end phones like this one are carrying Android. I really thought we would see this start to happen as Google pushed for Android to be on as many handsets as possible but I was not so sure after the release of the “superphone”. However, this is an example of how a low end developer takes advantage of the free and open source Android. In my opinion, this is a good thing, if only because that means Android is becoming the “go-to” OS for companies.
If you live outside of North America and do have an interest in this handset, it retails at $179.00.
Might We Suggest…
Is it Really Worth Putting Android on a Netbook?
Jan 27th
While the tech-addict in me would love to own and play with an Android based netbook, the question must be asked: Does an Android netbook make much sense?
Now before you go blasting me out of the water, (which I admit, may be deserved), take a look at the netbooks that are available right now for purchase. You can get a pretty decent netbook with some great specs for about $300 or so that will serve you quite well. If portability is what you seek, there are products running all flavors of OS to satisfy your need.
Would having an Android powered netbook be something that is actually useful, or something that would be a novelty? Don’t get me wrong, it would be great to have a lot more real estate on a touch screen, and I would love to have more processing and memory power behind the OS; but I am struggling with the idea of using Android in it’s current form reliably on netbook hardware. If I was to buy a netbook, it would need to be something that I could use without struggle, bugs or problems. It would not need to be a beta unit, like most of the Android netbooks are right now. I also would not be look for a netbook that was hooked into a carrier for mobile broadband, I simply do not have an application for that use.
Will Android mature to a point where it will be the preferable OS for mobile computing over the current choices? I really hope so. I would love to see a stable netbook flavor of Android that would work in conjunction with my handset, and all the Google Apps that I use daily. Do I think it will happen? Not anytime soon. My feeling is that there will be a few netbook offerings out there that will be mildly successful, but it won’t be a must have item.
Does an Android netbook make much sense? Regrettably, not at this moment. I hate saying that, I really do. However, if I am going to lay down $300, it needs to be very far from beta.
Let the flames begin.
Other Great AndroidGuys Posts
