Posts tagged google android
My Addiction For Android Continues With This…
Mar 20th
In my (never ending) quest to inundate my life with all things Android I run across some of the most bizarre and sometimes awesome things. Fortunately, my family tolerates my craving for more (usually, until I brought my Nexus One to bed with me… ya that was some great advice). I did find something recently that I had to fight my kids over though, and even standing at 6’4″ tall and 240 lbs, I almost lost it to them.
Say hello to my new desk companion:
It's Not A Doll!!
I love this little dude. Handcrafted by a lovely young lady named Nicole Aaron at A Plus Amigurumi, he’s just too adorable. Yes, a 33 year old grown man just said “adorable.” You can find Nicole Aaron and her awesome creations, including the stuffed Android (it’s NOT a doll!) at her Etsy Store. Price is only $15 and $4.95 to cover shipping anywhere in the United States. If you live outside of the States, Nicole Aaron will ship it to you for only $7.
Since she makes every single one of these by hand, it does take a while to get to you (mine arrived three weeks after I placed the order). But, it’s well worth the wait to be the envy of your other Android-loving friends. Even if you are a 33 year old man that still plays with dolls collects memorabilia.
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10 Android Apps You Need To Download NOW!
Mar 15th
by Scotty Brown
Have you ever seen one of those lists on a tech site giving you this list of apps that they claim are the end-all-be-all of lists? The type of article that swears up and down that what they are telling you is for your own good, and that the author knows everything about all of the apps in the Market? Yes? Great! Here’s another one!
After weeks of exhaustive research (and by “weeks” I mean 20 minutes, and by “exhaustive research” I mean I asked a couple of my buddies), I’ve compiled what I believe to be an excellent list of apps that everyone should give a shot. I’ve divided these apps into three different categories for your reading and browsing pleasure.
Utilities:
For the purpose of this article a utility program is one that doesn’t fit into one of the other two categories. See, it’s good to be the writer, I can make things up as I go along. Actually, these are general purpose applications that would include social networking apps, enhancements to the user interface, or apps that allow additional functions.
HootSuite
You may know HootSuite as a main stream iPhone application, but recently they’ve launched an Android version. This app is easy to work with, graphically appealing, and has a web interface as well. Some users with smaller screens may find it harder to navigate the menus, but if you’re running Droid or Nexus One you shouldn’t have any issues. This app comes in a free (limited functionality) version as well as a paid flavor. From the HootSuite Website:
Now Google Android device users can enjoy HootSuite from anywhere with a choice of full-featured and lite versions of the popular social media dashboard. Built to utilize Google open web platform, Android users will now enjoy the same benefits iPhone user have raved about, including:
- Managing multiple identities and accounts
- Creating custom views for tags and searches
- Understanding reasons for trending topics
- Scheduling messages for the future
- Adding followers to lists and accounts
- Sharing photos and shortening URLs
- Plus HootSuite Android version includes a few new tricks including background notifications so messages keep on coming even when you’re browsing elsewhere.
Choose between two versions – including a free option. The full-featured allows unlimited Twitter accounts plus on-board, click-through statistics tracking. The Lite versions – available for no cost – are limited to three accounts.
Already using HootSuite on the web? Tight integration means a single import gets you rolling so you are synced up on the go, and at your desk with help from a powerful wizard.
Get your fingers on this Owl to outreach to audiences, track conversation, spread messages and track statistics from anywhere you choose and let the robots work for you.
PDANet
PdaNet is a handy little app that allows you to tether your device to a laptop, netbook, or desktop PC. The tether will work either with USB or Bluetooth without changing any settings on your PC/Mac. But, that’s not all… the greatest part about this app is that it doesn’t require root access. So, if you’re like me and you don’t want to void your warranty but still want to tether, here’s the app you’ve been waiting for. From the PDANet website:
PDANet has been one of the most popular software for Windows Mobile phones, Palm OS phones and iPhones. It is now ported to the Android system! PdaNet provides you with FULL Internet access so all your email, instant message programs will work without any setting changes. Supports both USB Tether and Bluetooth DUN.
PDANet does NOT require root access or hacking your phone’s firmware in order to work. It is just a regular Android application that works on all Android phones as-is. Tethering is fast, secure and USB mode will also charge your phone at the same time. Your phone can either connect to 3G data, WiFi, or even through VPN and PdaNet will share the connection with your computer.
New! Version 2.41 adds an SMS Agent for sending/receiving SMS on Windows.
Weather Channel
Likely the most widely used Weather app in the Market is the Weather Channel. This is a full featured app (for free) that provides you with up to date localized weather, videos, maps, and even alerts for severe weather issues. This app is graphically appealing and contains a lot of detailed info. Also, this is a must-have if you’re doing any travelling!
Android Guys Pro
What AndroidGuys list would be complete without me plugging our own app? You can listen to our podcasts, view our articles, join in on our poll, and pretty much inundate yourself with AndroidGuys. It’s kinda like carrying us all around in your pocket… only, not nearly as creepy. Yes there is a free version but I’n not plugging the paid version because we’re money hungry (ok, we are… but that’s still not the reason!). You want the paid version for one reason: the desktop widget. Yes, it’s very attractive and updates frequently showing a stream of our latest stories. That, and you’re friend will be jealous because AndriodGuys is awesome. From our website:
Get it while it’s hot! That’s right, we’re serving up fresh and hot Android Guys News and Podcasts right on your phone! We understand your need to get Android gossip, news, and reviews and we’re more than enthusiastic to give it to you.
Now available for download on the Android Market and on SlideME.org is the Official Android Guys App. Coming in two versions we have the ad-supported version for free, and the ad-free PRO version for $0.99 as well.
Official feature list for the app is as follows:
- Read Daily News from Android Guys
- Read comments on all news articles
- Share articles with friends
- Listen to the most current and older Android Guys Podcasts
- Weekly Polls from Android Guys
- Staff Application Picks, linking you directly to the Market
- Changeable themes and backgrounds, 3 currently available.
- Homescreen Widget to view the day’s top articles (PRO version only)
Grab yours now and become part of our great community. In addition to all these fun things I do suggest you read our End User License Agreement and General Public License that the application is being released under. Please be kind and rewind rate it on the market!
Music Apps
Music Apps would be an application that’s primary function has something to do with… you guessed it, music!! Gold star for you! But not all music apps just play music.
TuneWiki
TuneWiki combines social networking, music, and connectivity to other social sites. Now you can broadcast to your friends and followers exactly what you are listening to in real time. From the TuneWiki website press release:
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 is the world’s leader in social media music players, with the largest legally-licensed lyrics database in the world, covering more compositions in more territories than ever available before. The company has won numerous international awards for innovation including the Android Developers Challenge, the GSM Association Best Consumer Application in Asia, and the AT&T Best Consumer Application at the CTIA. Founded in May 2007, by Rani Cohen, Amnon Sarig and Chad Kouse, headquarted in the British Virgin Island with R&D offices in Bellbrook, Oh.
Pandora
My favorite desktop music player, now in travel size! If you’ve used the desktop client then you’ve got to try this gem of an app. You can log into your stations right on your phone and listen to your streams, vote songs, see song info, and discover new music. From the Pandora website:
Pandora Radio is your own FREE personalized radio now available to stream music on your Android phone. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs or classical composers and Pandora will create a “station” that plays their music and more music like it.
Already a Pandora user? Even easier. Just log in. Pandora on Android is fully integrated with Pandora on the web. Enjoy all your existing stations – and create new ones right from your Android phone.
Pandora for Android is designed to run on all Android phones.
Shazam
I love Shazam. Have you ever been driving in your car and hear that awesome new song pounding on your stereo, but you don’t know who sings it or the name of it? Though you bounce in your seat, pound your steering wheel, and mouth along to the lyrics, there is no way you can download the song later if you don’t know anything about it! No longer do you have to Google what you think are the lyrics! Simply load up Shazam, let it listen to the music for a few seconds, and find out that you’ve been doing the car-mosh to the latest Winger comeback song. From the Shazam website:
Create music moments. With Shazam you can identify music tracks, store them, and buy them; plus you can learn more about the artist and connect to their MySpace page. Start your music journey now!
Games
Pretty self-explanatory. Fun stuff!
Parallel Kingdom: Age of Emergence
Need to get your MMORPG fix while on the go? Parallel Kingdom: Age of Emergence is the app for you. But, be careful this game will suck you in and take a great deal of attention if you’re wanting to be good at it. Think of this as World of Warcraft Light. You can fight other players, expand your territory, chat, trade, and many other things. Honestly, this is one of the most in-depth apps on the Market. One of the pioneers in augmented reality, PerBlue has managed to really hit a home run with this app. Yes, I play this game daily. Yes, I will kick your butt if you make me angry. Yes, I highly recommend you download this app now and start playing.
Gem Miner
From the creators of the highly addictive Abduction! World Attack game comes the equally addictive Gem Miner. Boasting excellent graphics and an infectious game play, this is one that you can play over and over and not get bored of it. Seriously, The Greatest Girlfriend In The World played it all the way from Seattle to Sacramento on one of our road trips. Download it and give it a shot.
Jewellust
Wrapping up this list is another favorite time-waster of mine, Jewellust. This isn’t your mothers typical gem-swapping game either. The paid version of this game adds a very cool campaign to it where you pass through different levels in Egypt collecting different types of gems. Also, the graphics in this game are incredible. The colors are vibrant and the motion is smooth and you’ll get a lot of replay out of this game. From the Jewllust website:
Your journey begins from the small Step Pyramid and runs through seven Egyptian Pyramids. Each pyramid has several rooms with closed doors. To open each door you must gather a mosaic tiles from mystical lock and put them together. Every pyramid holds a magic crystal. Using seven crystals you will get into the very heart of the Great Cheops Pyramid and enter a Pharaoh’s Treasury. Your jewelry lust will be surely satisfied!
Burst the gems by grouping them to three or more in a row (or a column) before time runs out. Your must take all mosaic tiles to the lowest row. If you’ve burst four or more gems in a row, a bonus gem will appear. In campaign mode new bonuses become available as your journey goes.
So there’s my list… what say you, AndroidGuys readers? What are your “must install NOW” applications? When your buddy get’s his brand new shiny Android phone, what are the first apps that you tell them to download? What apps were you told to download? Let’s get some awesome discussions going in the comments!
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3G Issues Proving to be Super Phone’s Kryptonite
Feb 18th
It seems that the 3G issues that the Nexus One continues to have may be hardware related. According to an article at TmoNews, Nexus One users are able to change their 3G signal levels just by how they are holding the unit! This is happening despite an OTA update which was supposed to have helped fix the issue. Check out this video that shows how the Nexus One switches from 3G to EDGE when the user changes his hand position.
Click here to view the embedded video.
What is disheartening is that others users are able to replicate the signal state change in the same way as the video above. The 3G issue may not be software related as originally thought, but rather a significant hardware issue. Here’s to hoping that they can get this issue taken care of, Google doesn’t need more problems with the Nexus One.
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Conspiracy Theory: Is Apple Orchestrating a Media Attack on Google?
Jan 25th
For various reasons, I’ve had plenty of free time on my hands lately. And since I’m an Android Guy, I was closely following the CES 2010 developments. I was also reading all I could about the Nexus One, what kind of impact that it was going to have on the smartphone market, and the wireless industry as a whole. With Google taking some unique and difficult directions, I wanted to see what the response was from the different tech reviewers, as well as the people who have been lucky (wealthy) enough to pick up an N1.
Like most of you, I read a vast array of different media outlets – from the biggies like USA Today and CNN, down to individual blogs written by people I admire. As I was reading, I was starting to notice a trend in a many of the articles. What I was noticing was that in all the big media outlets, there was at least one, and in many cases two or three, articles which were trashing Google and the N1.
For example, USA Today had an article up talking about how the N1 is a failure from launch. Take a look at one of the quotes in the article:
“This is an epic failure for Google,” says Rob Enderle, an independent analyst at the Enderle Group. “It tried to create an Apple-like experience, but it’s so far off from the Apple experience, it’s not even on the same planet.”
Notice the Apple comparison from Enderle that the author used. The writer goes on to talk about the different problems people are having from the support forums. Spotty 3g (which was a localized problem I was told), different small bugs and the such. I am used to seeing the N1 being compared to the iPhone, it is a natural comparison with all the hype and build up we created with the N1, but I was intrigued by the words the analyst used. “It tried to create an Apple-like experience,” I found this intriguing because I do not think Google was trying to do that at all, and has not done that with Android since launch. I believe that they have tried to go into a different direction, albeit there are certainly similarities in the two operating systems.
ABC News released an article before the launch of the N1 that was geared totally towards the idea that Google is no Apple, and the N1 was nothing compared to iPhone, again something that I am used to reading, but there was a quote that stuck out to me:
“Android was envisioned as a major breakthrough in cellphones because it offered an ‘open’ operating system – i.e., one that other companies could use and design applications for. At the time, this strategy was compared to that of Microsoft Windows, which broke the market hegemony of Apple’s decidedly non-open OS in the mid-1980s and within a decade, turned Apple into a niche company. This time around, the new Android phones were supposed to break the hegemony of the Apple iPhone. So far, it hasn’t quite worked out that way with Android.”
This piece was released before the N1 was launched, and already the author was putting it down, saying that Android was put into play to break the iPhone’s dominance of the smartphone market.
When you read the article, the author goes on to talk about how much Apple has learned over the years how they are innovators, and are always one step ahead of their “opponents.”
I have read other articles like the two I mentioned above, extolling the virtue of Apple’s creativity and awesomeness, while downplaying Google and where they are heading with Android. The question that comes after reading piece after piece like this is, where is this coming from? This is GOOGLE, the makers of some pretty amazing applications and tools that people across the globe use. Not to mention for the most part… free of charge. Gmail, Google Voice, Google Wave, Google Apps, Google Docs, Google Maps, I could go on and on. All of those tools I use daily, along with millions of others. Google has done it’s fair share of innovating and changing the face of how we do business in the world, so why with Android are we getting all these ideas that Google is totally screwing the pooch?
The title of the post is a little tongue in cheek, but the idea is still there in my mind. If I was Apple, and saw a serious threat to my business from a company that has a good amount of money to throw at a platform that is directly competing with my main source of revenue, what would I do? There are many things, and discounting that platform in the media would be one of them. I was talking with one of the authors here at Android Guys, wondering how long it is going to be until we start to see commercials with “I’m a Mac and I’m an Android” like the PC Mac commercials we see now. I don’t think that is very far down the road.
Apple has plenty of influence in the media, a few quotes placed here and there off the record about Android would be fodder enough for writers to start casting negativity on Android. With all of the comparisons and the fawning attention Apple is getting from the media in an almost conciliatory way, it makes one wonder about where the ideas are coming from.
So is Apple behind all the negative press that Google and N1 has received? I’m not sure, but it something to chew on. What do my fellow conspiracy theorists think?
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Eating My Words Never Tasted so Good!
Jan 24th
And of course, I would be talking about the Nexus One, the most glorious Android phone to date. About four months ago, I wrote an article called, “Don’t Hold Your Breath…”, talking about the fact that I really did not see Google trying to get into the phone market through manufacturing their own handset. Boy was I wrong, and I am so glad that I was.
With the release of the Nexus One, I find myself happily shocked that it is actually here and ready to go. My theory of Google just trying to get more people tied into their search engine, and as a result generate more revenue, looks like a short assessment on Google’s ambitions. The Nexus One is a direct assault on the iPhone and Apple, it is an interesting and exciting move, and opens up much speculation about how Google wants to change the playing field of the mobile industry.
The question must be asked: What does Google gain by creating and selling the new Superphone? Here are my thoughts:
- Revenue. This has to be #1. Money. Google is a business, as of last October, they had an estimated market value of 153 billion. People are going to flock to an unlocked phone that can be used on any carrier without rooting. This phone is going to sell like hotcakes.
- Launching a flagship handset will bring legitimacy to the platform. Android has been growing and has become a major player in the smartphone market. However, the array of handsets and their ability to run the platform has been all over the map. By launching a handset that has been spec’ed by Google itself, they can control the user experience, creating a tighter user environment and provide their customers a phone that will run everything without problems.
- Encourage developers that Google means business with Android, thereby helping to mature the market. One of the major complaints right now is that the Android market is a bit of a mess, and is a revenue sink for developers. People just are not making money yet selling in the Market. By proving to devs that Google is serious about providing hardware that can do some awesome things, they are reassuring potential software creators to jump into the Android pond.
- They reward T-Mobile for their loyalty. I find it really classy that Google did not abandon T-Mobile with the Nexus One. T-Mobile took a big chance with the G1, and to open up some subsidy rights to them to sell the phone is top notch. It also in turn rewards the G1 adopters, and gives them opportunity to get their hands on the phone for a cheaper price, if they meet the requirements.
- Despite the high unsubsidized price, releasing a phone that can be used on different carriers is a step forward for unlocked handsets to be the norm. This one I know is a bit of a reach, since you can buy unlocked handsets for a premium, but with Google’s clout behind it, I wonder if we will start to see this more and more. I believe that this certainly threatens the trend of exclusivity of different phone models.
I have little over a year left before I can jump on the Nexus One wagon, and I am counting the days. Those of you who can grab it now, congrats; I am looking forward to seeing where the Nexus One goes. In the meantime, I am getting ready to eat my word sandwich.
Other Great AndroidGuys Posts
FixIt!: Google Calendar and time zones
Jan 22nd
One of the best features of Android is the integration with Google’s services. If you are using Gmail and Google Calendar, you will like the fact that everything will be seamlessly synchronized between the cloud and your Android device. The issue is that any problems on one side will be duplicated on the other side; i.e. if your contacts in Gmail are a mess with duplicates and redundancies… they will be exactly like that on your Android.
One of the major weaknesses of Google Calendar is the lack of time zone tuning when you create new events. To illustrate this, let me tell you a story.
Last December, I went with my family for few days to Brussels (GMT +1) coming from Dublin (GMT). I had created events a few weeks earlier in Google Calendar for our flights with the reservation numbers, thanks to online checking I didn’t have to carry print-outs and could have everything on my HTC Hero. On the way to Brussels, an early morning flight and the buzz associated with the few days of holidays didn’t make me notice there was something wrong with my arrival time (it seemed we arrived earlier than planned). After few days, it was time to go back to Dublin, I checked the calendar in Android, the flight was planned for about 11.00am. We took our time but still were at the airport early only to be surprised when we realized that the time for our flight was not 11.00am but 10.00am… We didn’t have the time for a nice breakfast after all and made it to the plane with little time to spare! I should not have been caught up like this but I guess I had too much faith in Google Calendar.
When I had input the times for the flights on my computer, Google Calendar associated these with Dublin time (GMT) but once in Brussels, the HTC Hero changed automatically the time to GMT+1, as expected, but additionally changed the time for ALL the events in the calendar so that they stayed on GMT (Dublin time). So the return flight was 10.00am to 11.00am but became 11.00am to 12.00am…
In a perfect world, it should be possible to set the time zone for the start and end time of each events in Google Calendar (or on Android). It is not possible right now but it is something to be looked after by Google immediately! There is already talk about it on the Google Code Android page.
The only way to avoid issues is to take the time zones changes into account when creating events. For flights, not insert the time of arrival at destination but add the flying time to the take-off time. For appointments that will occur when you will be in a different time zone, used the time for the time zone setup in your Calendar settings (or on your phone). I agree, this is not an easy gymnastic!
To help you can display one extra (just one!) time zone in Google Calendar (see Calendar Settings – General – Show an additional time zone). You should also activate the World Clock from the Labs page, to be able to see a few different time zones.
This is something that should have been corrected a long time ago by Google… something hat should be prioritized for the next Android update.
Other Great AndroidGuys Posts
Who to Ask for Support for Nexus One…
Jan 12th
The Nexus One, while being a very good Android device, has some issues. It is starting with the ordering process with Google and the upgrade eligibility with T-Mobile. There are also reports of signal quality with 3G as outline by Gizmodo. The Nexus One is made by HTC, distributed by Google and subsidized by T-Mobile, so who is responsible for technical support, software updates and contract conditions…?
Well HTC, through their Tweet account said 2 days ago:
For the Nexus One, rate plan related ?’s should go to your carrier. Hardware/software support, please reach out to HTC http://ow.ly/UnTI
and again today:
Again, if you need hardware/software support with Nexus One, please contact us (HTC) via http://ow.ly/VemJ
They take responsibility on their part of the deal, which is nice. Then, we can only assume that the 3G problem a lot of users are experiencing will be resolved with a software upgrade from HTC.
It seems the problem with the confusion came from Google who didn’t communicate about this, they could have done it from the Nexus One’s page. Also, T-Mobile was not ready to deal with the specific of customers already on contract with them as outlined by TmoNews.
Unfortunately, once again, this highlight the fact that carriers don’t care much about existing customers and prefer to be nice only with potential new ones! Google want to change the game by distributing the phone themselves but until there is an infrastructure in place (WiFi everywhere or use of white spaces) to do without them, we still have to deal with carriers!
