Thursday, March 10, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Motorola XOOM OTA Going Out Tonight to Add Adobe Flash 10.2 Support

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 06:19 PM PST

This image has no alt text

Motorola’s just tweeted that the Motorola XOOM will be getting an over-the-air upgrade tonight to add the pieces required for the Adobe Flash Player 10.2 debut that is scheduled to come out soon. Many were upset that the Honeycomb tablet didn’t ship with the feature. We were originally promised that users would only have to wait a few weeks for the update, though, which doesn’t sound so bad in retrospect. Expect to see the update within the next week or two if their earlier promise holds true. [Thanks to all who sent this in!]

Things We Missed, You Shouldn’t [March 10th]

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 04:02 PM PST

This image has no alt text

We are slowly crawling towards the end of the week, CTIA is right around the corner, the latest update to Angry Birds Seasons is hot in the market. Just a few of the more noteworthy things going on in the Android world. Below you will find a few more.

For Two Weeks Only, Save $100 On the Nexus S at Best Buy

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 03:25 PM PST

This image has no alt text

The Nexus S is one beautiful device. From its subtle curves to its powerful hardware, there isn’t much for an Android fan to complain about. Did we mention its one of only two devices to offer a stock build of Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread? Sure, the Nexus One has it as an update, but that handset lacks compared to the newer Nexus S. Anyway, if you were on the fence about picking one up maybe a new deal at Best Buy could push you to the other side. From today until March 23rd the Nexus S will be offered for $100 less than its original $199.99 price tag. You’ll need a two-year contract with T-Mobile and the deal is only good for online orders, see the BB link below for all the info.

[Best Buy via Engadget]

Playstation Suite Coming to Tegra-Equipped Devices

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 02:52 PM PST

This image has no alt text

Today via their Tegra Zone portal NVIDIA announced that the PlayStation Suite, Sony’s Android gaming platform, will make its way to devices powered by Tegra processors. While the PlayStation Suite is slated to be available for most Android devices, the only so far confirmed is the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. That device doesn’t use a dual-core chip like the Tegra 2 found in phones like the LG Optimus 2X and tablets running Android Honeycomb.

With the added power of dual-core and even quad-core Tegra chipsets, it was mentioned that we can expect to see PlayStation 2 titles ported to Android. Several games from the original PlayStation lineup are already planned for release.

[via Android and Me]

March 21st Next Likely Candidate for HTC Thunderbolt Launch at Verizon

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 01:16 PM PST

This image has no alt text

It almost pains me to pass along yet another HTC Thunderbolt release date rumor, but BGR is reporting that two independent sources have come forward professing March 21st as the next likely date we could expect the 4G LTE handset to land at Verizon. Our fingers are still a bit cramped from the last time we decided to keep them crossed for this phone to make its launch, but you are more than welcome to twist your together and hope Verizon has their 4G/3G issues figured out within the next two weeks.

[via BGR]

ASUS 3D Tablet Concept to Be Shown at Milan Design Week

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 01:02 PM PST

This image has no alt text

Last week we heard ASUS CEO Jerry Shen talk of Android tablets with 3D displays in the company’s future, and a tweet is suggesting a prototype of what that slate might be will be on display at Milan Design Week in April. It also included the above image showing some sort of computer-generated hall full of tablets on pedestals…we aren’t really sure what it is supposed to be or how exactly it ties into a 3D tablet concept, but OK.

Now the questions remains: is ASUS looking to develop something along the lines of the LG Optimus Pad with 3D photo and video capture? Or will they be among the first to introduce a glasses-free 3D display at the larger screen size of a tablet?

[via AndroidCommunity]

Google Enables Click-to-Call for Emergency Number Search Results

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 12:26 PM PST

This image has no alt text

Google is making it as easy as possible for those in need of contacting emergency services to locate and quickly dial the proper number for help. While searches for things like “poison control” and “suicide” have returned the relevant phone numbers for quite some time now, Google has just enabled click-to-call functionality. Now users can dial the number by simply clicking it on the mobile search result.

It’s the type of thing you hope you will never have to use, but if the time comes you will be thankful the ability is there.

[via Google]

Rovio Pulls in $42M in Funding, Angry Birds Seasons Update Available Now

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 12:06 PM PST

This image has no alt text

If a recent round of venture funding is any indication, we won’t be seeing a shortage of Angry Birds titles and expansions any time soon. Rovio just pulled in a hefty $42 million in Series A funding from investors including Accel Partners, Niklas Zennstrom of Skype fame’s company. Rovio was hesitant to let others have their money back the company, as recent success left little need for any capital from outside sources, but a desire to grow the game development house into a billion dollar venture won out.

Speaking of Rovio and pots of gold, a tweet from the company is promising the St. Patrick’s Day update to Angry Birds Seasons has launched. So ask a wish of a leprechaun and count your lucky clovers, there are stolen eggs to be saved. [It actually looks like the update hasn't been pushed yet, but Rovio is assuring us it will be ready for download soon. Expect it by tomorrow at the latest.]

[via BGR]

Analyst: Honeycomb is “for the Geeks”, Doomed Against the iPad 2

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 10:34 AM PST

This image has no alt text

If you take the word of Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry’s word for it, Google’s Honeycomb update of their Android OS is one “by the geeks, for the geeks, and of the geeks.” For this reason, it won’t hold a chance against the iPad 2 when Apple’s new tablet hits shelves this Friday. His complaints seem to rest more on the only Honeycomb tablet currently available, saying the Motorola XOOM is plagued by freezes and crashes and suffers from inconsistent battery life that is far shorter than that of the iPad. His biggest issue with Honeycomb itself? The auto-wrap text doesn’t display properly in some cases on the tablets screen.

There is some good news in his advice for investors: Google won’t feel the hurt of Honeycomb’s shortcomings. While he thinks their web-based services like Gmail and Talk aren’t worth investing in an Android tablet, the companies that will really suffer are Motorola and NVIDIA, the manufacturer and processor provider of the XOOM.

[Forbes via AndroidPolice]

Kyocera Echo Passes the FCC, Dual-Screen Android Release Date Still Uncertain

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 10:14 AM PST

This image has no alt text

Just like a true sleight of hand trick, no sooner was the Kyocera Echo magically revealed than it disappeared from view with little mention since from Sprint. While no certain release date has been tacked down just yet, it looks like the handset is moving forward towards release with a recent FCC filing.

We weren’t huge fans of the Kyocera Echo when we had a chance to check it out at its New York launch event. Though the handset uses an innovative two screen approach, its buggy interface and poor battery life left room for David Blane’s underwater antics to steal the show. With a big presence expected from Sprint at the upcoming CTIA show in Orlando, we will no doubt have another chance to try out the Echo, hopefully with the kinks worked out by now.

[FCC via AndroidCommunity]

TetherGPS Turns Your NOOKcolor Into a GPS Device

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 09:52 AM PST

This image has no alt text

A new application called TetherGPS has hit the Android market that helps you use GPS features on non-GPS devices, such as a NOOKcolor. The application works by installing a server on the GPS-enabled phone you’re using and a client on the NOOK.

From there, the phone will feed the device GPS information over WiFi. (The NOOK has to be on the same WiFi network, so users would have to use their phones to tether.)

Sounds a bit cumbersome, but it’s a neat-sounding utility that only adds more functionality to what has quickly become the most popular budget tablet out there. Head to the Android market if you can find some use for this thing. [Engadget]

Doodle Frog is a Frogger Clone in a Scribbly Art Style [Video]

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 09:34 AM PST

This image has no alt text

Doodle games always seem to hit home with us, so when we heard that a new game called Doodle Frog was in the Android market we had to check it out. Doodle Frog is a Frogger clone that looks like it was drawn by a 2nd grader. (Don’t get me wrong: that’s a good thing. And some 2nd graders are probably better drawers than I am.)

It’s as simple as simple can be, but that’s what made Frogger a timeless classic to begin with. You’re updated on how far ahead you are of everyone on the leaderboards in real time. (I got to position 47 before I stepped in front of a car.) You can play the trial version for free, but the full version will give you access to more levels. Go ahead and check it out for yourself for $1.38 in the Android market.

Logitech, Still Banking on Google TV, Brings More Bacon [Video]

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 08:39 AM PST

This image has no alt text

I love bacon. Turkey bacon, real bacon, Canadian bacon, bacon-wrapped bacon, bacon-flavored bacon – I love it all. I don’t know if I love a guy named Bacon – Kevin Bacon – that much, but it seems Logitech does. They’re back at it with an extended version of the Kevin Bacon promo they originally introduced with the Revue Google TV unit. This one came back in February, we know, but we thought it was cool to see the thing in its entirety. Check it out above. [Android Central]

MIUI Weather Beta Brings You Weather Widgets in a Beautiful Package

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 08:08 AM PST

This image has no alt text

The folks behind MIUI have created an application that lightly mimics the beautiful iOS-esque ROM. MIUI Weather has hit beta and is available as a free download to anyone who’ll dare venture off to XDA. You’re fed your weather with beautiful graphics and animations depending on what’s going on outside, and geo-location is supported. (But you’ll have to install separate APKs depending on which region you’re in.) Let’s hope they bring more of what makes MIUI great to all users in application form. Head on over to this XDA thread to get started. [via Android Police]

If Google Wants Developers to Make Money, They Should Protect Users Too [Video, Opinion, Plea for Change]

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 07:31 AM PST

This image has no alt text

It’s not often that I find myself criticizing Google and Android. That’s not to say they’re perfect, but most of the things they do are quite alright with me and I usually don’t care enough to say anything whenever I find the occasional oddity. There is just one issue I can’t keep quiet on, though: if I buy an app, I should be able to use it forever.

I recently strolled through my list of paid apps to see how they were doing in terms of updates and user reception. In my traversal, I came across three entries that I could no longer access: 360 Live (an Xbox Live application), Hello IM (a once-popular AIM client) and I Tweet – a Twitter client.

Upon tapping their entries, I’m met with a message that says “the requested item could not be found.” I know the exact reasons why these three applications are no longer available – Multiple Facets – the studio who made the Twitter and AIM clients – was added to Facebook’s team when they were working on their Android application. Their website no long exists.

Juan Xavier Larrea was the developer of 360 Live and his application was apparently pulled because he violated Microsoft’s terms of service. Odd, that, because the iPhone version of that same app is still available for free on the Apple App Store. I’m not saying he wasn’t telling the truth when pulling his application, but it’s fishy business regardless.

With a free application, a developer pulling it from the Android market isn’t so bad because you haven’t paid any hard-earned money for it. But I have a serious, serious problem with not being able to use or access something I’ve paid for. My sentiments are the exact same when dealing with iTunes and Amazon to download MP3s: if you lose your music in a freak accident, you’ll have to pay for it all over again. The problem with apps is that we don’t even have that option.

Google wants developers to make more money and they’ve implemented a lot of features and made a lot of changes to the Android market to help facilitate that, but it seems they forgot to consider those who help make developers their money in the first place – users!

Having experienced this first-hand, I can see why someone would instead prefer to pirate their applications. I’m not condoning it, of course, but I get where they’re coming from. I get why people are hesitant to buy games from GameLoft with such questionable DRM practices. I get why some people will refuse to download an application unless it’s free.

Google wants to protect developers, but they aren’t doing anything to protect users. I don’t care if an application is $.99 or $99.99 (there are some that have been that costly), I should not be at risk of losing it. The applications I bought were $2.99 (360 Live), $3.99 (I Tweet) and $9.99 (Hello IM). That comes out to nearly $17. I spent that much on a pizza yesterday, sure, but I was able to consume that pizza. I’m not able to use these apps anymore.

This hurts more than it helps. It doesn’t help at all, in fact. There was a point in time where I would so readily pay for an application that you couldn’t get me to put my wallet away. My friends still gawk at my list of paid apps wondering why I would dare spend money in the Android market. As an aspiring developer, I understand the amount of work and time that goes into making applications so I wouldn’t want anything else but to give developers what they deserve.

Now that I’ve seen how an application I’ve paid for can be taken away, I’m hesitant to buy more applications. There’s another Xbox Live application I could use to replace the one I’ve lost, but who’s to say it won’t happen again? The only app I’ve purchased in the past 3 months is PowerAmp, and that isn’t by accident. (It took me a long time to make that decision, too.)

I simply don’t feel comfortable dishing my dollars out in the Android market anymore. Imagine the taste you’re leaving in the mouths of tens (and maybe hundreds) of thousands of people who buy an application. That leaves a long-lasting negative effect.

There are a few changes I’d like to see in the Android market that helps users who purchase apps.

  • Users should be notified of the change via the same Google account that the app was purchased with. Sometimes these changes happen in the dark without anyone realizing it until they can’t find the application anymore. An email can be automatically sent to users whenever a developer expressly elects to remove their application from the Android market. The email should include a reason as to why the application was removed. (This text would be mandatory and you’d only need to write it up at the time of removal.) If Google has to remove an application for reasons other than security, they should also be subject to the same.
  • Users should receive refunds for those applications they’ve lost. I understand that – in other industries – you aren’t always entitled to keep what you pay for. When tangible items are lost or broken, a manufacturer won’t replace them or fix them without the user having met some sort of condition. (Whether it be them needing to be under warranty or them having to pay a premium to get things situated.) (Note: More on my reasoning can be found in the paragraphs following this list.)
  • The developer should be afforded the option to refuse refunds. We understand it may be logistically difficult, complicated, or impossible for a studio to refund all of the money users have paid for their application. In such a case, Google should give them a host of options. Firstly, developers can choose to make the application free for all to download and keep it in the Android market with a disclaimer that the application has been “abandoned” (in not so exact words). If they would rather their applications not be freely available to users, Google should continue to host the application and only allow users who have paid for it to see it in the Android market. (Again, it should hold a disclaimer letting users know that it won’t receive updates.)
  • Users should be afforded an option to remove that application listing from their list of applications. It’s a bit of a slap in the face to have to look at an application that you can’t use or can’t update anymore. It also takes up a lot of space in an already long list of applications.

With software – especially software that is downloaded over the air and that you are forbidden to make a copy of – things should be a bit different. In the music industry, Apple asks you to back up all of your music as there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to redownload all of it should you lose it.

There have been some cases where they allow users to redownload some or all of their songs, but they decide on a case-by-case basis. I think this is wrong and in the case of music, it’s just another reason why I’ll always prefer physical media over digital. It’s always a good idea to back things up, but Android doesn’t (natively) allow you to do this.

If you lose an application you’ve bought due to a software defect that requires a factory reset or a hardware defect that requires a new device and it isn’t available for download in the Market, users should be able to get their money back.Imagine a corporate employee losing the only $30 exchange application that’ll work with their employer’s servers – they’d probably need to get a whole new phone if they can’t find another application to replace it. (And $30 is pretty hard to swallow.)

This entire piece makes me sound like I think I’m entitled to something, but that’s not the message I’m trying to get across. I’m warning Google that failing to protect the people who make them AND the developers money in the first place could come back to bite them in the ass. Let’s just hope that they seriously consider this plea and do whatever they can to put paying customers at ease.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)