Yesterday Skype announced an upgrade of their Android client (2.6). The three main features added were: The new features include most of all extended battery life, on top of file sending of photos and videos. These features likely come from some of the technology acquired when they picked off QIK just before the sale to Skype. Sadly, the Android OS is so fragmented Skype has to whitelist various devices in order for video to work. While this is not usually a manufacturer led issue, it is more often the desire of the carriers to not permit two way video on... Read more »
Here Comes Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich
This post was supposed to be about the hassles of Android but with the looming arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich I figured I'd just point out the issues and explain what may be changing. Right now I have Android devices running the following Android Operating Systems: Android 2.1 -Huawei IDEOS 7" Tablet (Unlocked) Android 2.2 -Samsung Galaxy Tab P-1000 (Unlocked) Android 2.2 -HTC Thundebolt 4G/LTE (Verizon Wireless) Android 2.3 Google Android Nexus (Unlocked) Android 3.1 Samsung Galaxy Tab 4G/LTE (Verizon Wireless) Android 3.x Motorola Xoom Tablet 4G/LTE (Verizon Wireless) offline WiFi Only for now Android 3.2 Huawei Media Pad (Unlocked)... Read more »
Motorola DROID BIONIC 4G Android Phone (Verizon Wireless)
Motorola DROID BIONIC 4G Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) Android Gingerbread 2.3-powered smartphone with 4G wireless connectivity and 4.3-inch qHD multi-touch display for brilliant video playback Dual-core 1 GHz processor; capable of running full Firefox desktop browser with optional accessories; Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (with optional Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot service) 8-MP camera; full HD 1080p camcorder; front-facing [...] Read more »
Verizon Wireless and AT&T Both Launch Android WiFi Apps
Funny how things happen. Over the weekend the two top wireless carriers in the USA have both released WiFi latch on applications for Android devices running OS' 2.1 and above. AT&T released the app entitled Smart WiFi while Verizon Wireless has deployed Verizon WiFi Auto On. The VZW app doesn't presently work with my Galaxy Tab 10.1, which was also the case with the very helpful Verizon Wireless data tech I spoke to on Saturday. It did work perfectly on the HTC Thunderbolt. Basically the applications mimic the functionality that has existed for a few years on the Apple iOS... Read more »
LG Optimus Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile)
LG Optimus Prepaid Android Phone (Virgin Mobile) Android 2.two Operating Method Quickly 3G connectivity Onscreen keyboard with Swype input Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) What’s in the Box:LG Optimus handset, rechargeable battery, charger, two GB microSD memory card, fast begin guide, user manual Fast 3G connectivity by way of Sprint’s 3G network Powered by the Android [...] Read more »
Skype for (some) Androids Get Video
Skype's the Big Blog served as the news outlet letting Android 2.2 users know that their mobile client is now on par with Apple's iOS without saying so, as video, at least one on one video, is now available for most Android mobile phones. That's good news, as Skype calls actually are working on the Verizon Wireless network. Sort of. A quick test this morning revealed how long it takes to set up and connect over 4G on VZW, and a video call took almost 4 minutes for the other parties video to appear, even though I was sending video.... Read more »
Samsung Nexus S 4G Android Phone (Sprint)
Samsung Nexus S 4G Android Phone (Sprint) Android 2.3-powered phone with 4G wireless connectivity (also compatible with 3G networks) and 4-inch curved touchscreen display 1. GHz processor GPS for navigation and location services Google Voice integration Near Field Communications (NFC) support Wi-Fi networking (with optional hotspot capability) five-MP camera/camcorder front camera for video chats 16 [...] Read more »
Skype For Android Points Out Android OS Weakness
The new Skype for Android is out, but...and it's a very big, BUT. The BUT is the big problem with Android that developers face. Device fragmentation. The problem here is that not all Android devices are created equal, and that means that some apps only work on some devices, making adoption, espeically virally driven adoption very, very hard. This is the same issue that Symbian developers faced before, even for Nokia devices, but that was usually a serial release issue, not a simultaneous release problem as often. This further supports the Apple model of "no licensees." If you notice though,... Read more »
Why Apple Leads, And Everyone Follows
I bought my first Apple back in 1984. It was a Mac, and until about 1996 I was a Mac addict. Did I buy the occasional Windows box, sure, but the bulk of my work was on the Mac at the house. Then I bought a Dell laptop, and it became my weapon of choice. I came back to Apple in the early 2000 era as I began to feel once again the Mac was the way to go. Now, I'm almost all totally Apple, and leaning more and more to just doing a Tony Soprano, and saying "forgetaboutit" to... Read more »
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