Android

The 'NEXT' level

Android - one word is enough to convey so much without speaking anything else.
For the non geeks/enthusiasts this may seem to be just another word or maybe something synonomous with a robot or something. Well it is quite that, partly.


Android was originaly just an idea that was concieved by Andy Rubin (Designer of Android), primarily for just being a mobile system that remembers and stores user preferences. The huge change to the system was brought about by Google (after EL Goog purchased Android Inc.).This change has been regular with such immaculate precision and full of new ideas and concepts that brings about a tide of changes with each iteration. At this rate it may very well end up being a Robot.!

Those close to me know how passionately I follow Google’s products and innovations in technology. So it was inevitable that I would some day eventually be awed by Android. Then it happened. One of my close friends was courageous enough to take the risk and get an Android phone, and that was it. Now most people around me have at-least one droid with them and that makes me so happy.

Since most of you by now know everything ‘Android’ I will speculate about whats to come and can be expected from Google devs.

The previous versions have been

• ·         Android Alpha(1.0)
• ·         Android Beta
• ·         Android Cupcake(1.5)
• ·         Android Donut(1.6)
• ·         Android Éclair(2.0/2.1)
• ·         Android Frozen Yoghurt(2.2)
• ·         Android Gingerbread(2.3)
• ·         Android Honeycomb(3.0-3.2)
• ·         Android IceCream Sandwich(4.0)

Android transformation is amazing with each of these versions. Each time the devs have come up with so many new features and interfaces and gesture control, multi touch, advanced gaming engine, the huge market, music, cloud, remote access, wireless display, face unlock, zero shutter lag camera and so much more.

Now the next is expected to be called something that is sweet and starts with ‘J’ (following naming tradition mimicked from Linux distros).
 

Enter the ‘JELLY BEAN’! It is expected to come with 5.0 version badging and will be supporting multi-core processors inherently, native support (Tegra3, OMAP A15). It may even feature some revolutionary technology, or maybe some new features or even a larger image sensor support. It’s all speculation.

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean (neither the number nor the nickname is official, remember) may:

• Launch in the second quarter: Nothing is known about the "launch," but, yeah. Google IO is June 27-29. They shifted the IO conference 1 month (earlier it was supposed to be held on 23 may). And it's more than likely we'll get details on the next version of Android there. But "launch"? Maybe.

• Further optimized for tablets: It can be certainly otherwise, but what's the point? Jelly Bean (or whatever it's called) probably will be further optimized for smartphones, too. Maybe even Google TV. Now will the UI undergo some major reconstruction for tablets? That's entirely possible, and it's not a bad idea at all. Since Android has already been made universal for Tabs and smartphones a singular UI is expected.( the change happened eith ICS,Ice Cream Sandwich)

• Integrating Chrome for "dual-operating system designs": Uh, OK. The idea, apparently, is to offer manufacturers the option of having an Android/Windows 8 system, without having to shut down. Hey, why not. BlackBerry's already doing that with its PlayBook tablet. But somehow I don't think adding a full second operating system and ecosystem is going to make choosing a tablet any simpler for consumers.

• Google looking to get back into the netbook/notebook market with Jelly Bean: Sure. Why not? Android netbooks aren't new -- HP Compaq Airlife 100 at Mobile World Congress in 2010. And you have the likes of ASUS' excellent Transformer line of tablet/notebook hybrids. Or maybe Chromebooks?

• Native WebTop: Since Google has already bought out Motorola they may very well incorporate some of their technological knowhow. It’s rumored that JB will natively support a WebTop architecture. For those who don’t know, A WebTop is a simple laptop like device without any motherboard or electrical components except for a battery, display and IO ports.( so by connecting a phone to it, as a dock, you will get a laptop like environment powered by the cell phone.)

A LapDock - By Motorola

And staying with the subject of usability, the keyboard input options should also have something of a makeover come the next edition of the Android OS, in order to iron out any of the current minor frustrations that people encounter, particularly when using the smaller virtual keyboards found on-board many smartphones.

Perhaps one of the other most important tweaks could also come in the shape of better power management features, because many of the current smartphones and tablets are so heavy on battery usage that they’re actually turning some customers off from Android all together.

Of course, one thing that we pretty much know for sure is the fact that the interface will get a good old makeover as well. Although many smartphone and tablet manufacturers already produce their own custom touches that overlay the core Android features, it's more than likely that Android itself will be able to benefit from a revamp that will make it even better to look at than it is now.

So, with all of this tweaking and fine-tuning going on, when will Android fans be able to get their hands on this new and improved interface? Well, if the stories are true then Google is working hard to deliver the update at some point during the next twelve months. However, in the meantime, there is still more than enough to enjoy in the latest version of the OS. One thing is for sure though—each successive version is always an improvement over its predecessor.

So, yeah. Really not a whole lot of things there. A little patience. I've got a good feeling that Google's got something up its sleeves for 2012.


Whats your opinion.? Comment.


Adios,
HellRa1SeR

Windows Phone 7

‘The Underdog’

Windows Phone 7 is the newest iteration from the Redmond Valley (Microsoft, who are trying to increase their market share). They have come up with absolutely new and fresh interface while also changing the framework from the previous versions, a la Windows Mobile 6.5. This new yet inspiring interface does have some very innovative design as well as functional features while incorporating gestures into it. 

I have not used a Windows Phone 7 on a personal mobile device yet have gathered enough experience to comment about it and state my feelings and opinions.

WP7 is relatively very new in the industry but that is its advantage (of being new). Regardless of the numbers, WP7 is one of our favorite mobile platforms, outshining Android and iOS in many aspects. Here are some of them.

Streamlined User Interface

Android’s are different depending on the SKU of the handset (mobile phone manufacturer). In other words, the UI you’ll be dealing with when using, for example, a Motorola device, will be radically different than one from HTC or Samsung. With WP7 this fragmentation is avoided and the interface experience is universal amongst all WP7 mobile devices. We’d imagine that an un-tweaked user interface would also make lives easier for developers, as well. We love some Android user interfaces or iOS interfaces, but loathe others. With WP7, at least you know what user interface to expect, regardless of the handset maker.

WP7 Has An Easier-To-Use Interface

It really does. And look, we get it. An Android is a power user’s phone, and we know that if you’re really looking for power-use, you’ve got to be willing to learn some things. But we’re the geeky minority here, and you’ve got to keep in mind that most people are looking for a phone that makes it easiest to do their day-to-day tasks. Keeping that in mind, WP7’s “tile” system or commonly, Metro-UI, is simply easier to organize and find the things you need to throughout the day. It looks cooler too.!

WP7 Has Apps That Aren’t Crap

Open-source is good, and it’s a compelling reason to support Android as a mobile platform, but there are a lot of shitty apps on the market that even don’t even deserve to be there. You’ve got to sift through some real $#@t in the Android Marketplace to find apps that are worth downloading, much less buying. Also to add to Android’s woes almost anybody can publish an app without any review system that might block under perfoming /under developed apps to be published.

Most people fail to realize that the Windows Mobile SDK has been around for quite some time now, and it shows in the Marketplace, especially on the gaming side of the spectrum. Many of the games we played featured awesome 3D graphics and a level of polish simply not (yet)-to-be-found in the Android hemisphere. Microsoft has a far stricter criteria set than Google about which apps and games can populate their respective marketplace.

Microsoft LIVE Integration Is Bad Ass

If you’re achievement junkies or participate in online games and such, then a WP7 handset is a must-have. If you have a game on Xbox or PC that you love playing, pop over to the Windows app store and  chances are there’s a mobile version of that same game, where you can continue earning points and unlocking achievements with your handset. You can also keep tabs on your buddies’ achievements, and tweak and enhance your Xbox Live avatar. Granted, this integration is still in an infancy stage, but we’d be willing to bet that we’ll be seeing deeper and more intuitive connections between gaming and phones in the near-future. Forward progress is good progress. This kind of system or UI has been mimicked from the Sony PlayStation platform where they promote such multi device gameplay. 

Microsoft Mobile Office Integration

This is where it gets even a better. For a general user Microsoft Office is synonymous with any document related work. A very few of the PC-users opt for other softwares (Open-Office etc.). So WP7 has one of the best, or maybe the best mobile document editor ever. Period. Microsoft Word Mobile Edition is actually a very intuitive little program, allowing you remote access documents using SharePoint Server 2010, you can use the “find” tool to look for particular words or phrases, and you can even email documents directly from the program.

I’ve had the pleasure of testing some Android phones that can dock with workstations to function as a laptop; imagine how crazy it would be if Windows launched a similar product with a full-fledged Office Suite. That’d be one step closer to a true fusion between phones and computers, and we’re all for that.

Microsoft Isn’t Constantly Getting Sued by Apple

Whether targeting HTC a year ago or Motorola last year or even Samsung (which is remarkable seeing how they are a flat out key supplier of Apple’s hardware components!) just a few weeks ago, Apple has been regularly suing the hell out of Android handset makers; mostly in regards to hardware and software patents. So why is Apple seemingly ignoring WP7 in the courts? Well, there could be numerous reasons:
Optimistically, it could be because the software and hardware developments on WP7 are truly original and innovative, meaning Apple can’t accuse Microsoft of lifting their ideas. A more realistic reasoning? Apple doesn’t see WP7 as that big of a threat…yet.

Apart from that Microsoft has patents that make all Android device manufacturers to pay certain sum per each device sold in market. Plus one at that.!

Stability

This is speaking from personal experience with various handsets across both platforms, but to put it simply, WP7 has just been a more stable experience. Apps simply run the way they were meant to with far less of the hiccups and crashes found on the Android platform (Because of very strict regulations and publishing procedures). This runs parallel with the overall theme behind WP7 mobile devices: Simplicity. Granted, WP7 had to forgo some of the more complex actions Androids are capable of (i.e. lack of tethering support, lack of ability to capture screenshots, no multi-tasking but not every user uses such features).

Zune is a Native Client, and it’s Not Pay-Per-Song

Zune as a service—you pay a monthly fee and can download as many songs as you want, as opposed to being pigeonholed into paying per song, like with Apple and Android. Also, the fact that Zune is a native client that comes fresh out-the-box with WP7—setting up music services on an Android involves downloading various apps (like Google Music, which then has to sync to your Google Wallet, which then has to sync to your Google Music Server … well, you get the point) that is just sort of a hassle, and glitchy to boot. Again, simplicity reigns supreme.

Snappier Keyboard

Windows Phone 7 has a snappier, and more importantly, a more consistent stock keyboard that is snappy and accurate, regardless of the device.( Though on Android you could download better paid apps for keyboard from the market but I am talking about Stock. It matters.)

No Ad-Ware!

That’s right, you will never find a pop up ad, whether you’re in the Windows Marketplace, or playing a game. There is nothing more irritating when using an Android that having to manually close pop-up ads, many of which appear mid game and also cannot be closed. There are, indeed, advantages to more stringent app restrictions, and WP7 seems to have found a perfect balance.

Conclusion

Though WP7 is new, has relatively less features, less apps on the market but its stable, simple and intuitive. Its greatest strengths are Simplicity and Integration of all services into one place. Those features work very well for a mobile platform. Theres lot to go and WP7 will see its Mango Tango and Apollo versions which have a lot in offer.

What do you think.? Voice your opinions and comment.

Adios.

HellRa1SeR

Apple iPhone 5

 iPhone 4S Vs iPhone 5 – What changes can you expect?

The next iteration of the Apple iPhone (5) is expected to have a lot of new features (read NFC, LTE). We will discuss some of the changes , new features that may be brought about in the new version of the fruit phone.

Design and build quality

One of the most alluring factors of the iPhone is its simple and yet classy design which feels like a premium phone in your hands. Many looking forward to the iPhone 5 are expecting to see a different form factor, something radical like a tear drop design. However, recent rumors, by one of Apple’s sub contractors, suggests that the iPhone 5 looks pretty much the same as the iPhone 4S, except for a bigger screen. The bigger screen may not have drastic changes when compared to the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 might be a recipient of an edge to edge screen.

When it comes to design and style elements, the iPhone 5 might be different from the iPhone 4S, thanks to a metal back like the one shown in the picture

Screen size 

Millions of Apple fans around the world have unanimously said, in the form of comments, blogs and twitter arguments, that they want to see a bigger screen in the iPhone 5. Though there are a few loyal iPhone purists who want the iPhone 5 to have the same 3.5 inch screen as the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS, the general opinion is that the next generation iPhone should have a bigger screen.

The iPhone is tipped to have a bigger screen, maybe a 3.8" or even 4.0". Though Jobs and co. have always insisted on a 3.5" display as they feel its the perfect form factor for their phone. Any larger and it might not be so aesthetically appealing. Also increasing the screen size may cause a lot of problems like iOS fragmentation and aspect ratio problems(apps). So it may even be possible that Apple retains the same screen size.

iOS

iOS 6 is definitely on the cards for the iPhone 5. About 5 months ago, a hacker revealed a few lines of code in iOS 5.0.1 that showed that Apple was revamping the iOS to allow the iPhone 5 or the next iPhone to take pictures in panoramic mode. In fact, it is rumored that most of the changes scheduled for the iPhone 5 and the iOS 6 have to do with the picture and video taking abilities of the iPhone 5.

iOS 6 is rumored to offer several enhancements for the iPhone 5's camera. If those rumors were to be true, iOS 6 might allow users to apply a plethora of effects that will allow the iPhone to capture great videos and pictures, even in difficult light conditions..

Camera

The iPhone 4S has an 8MP camera with some fantastic optics. It looks like the iPhone 5 might also feature the same 8MP camera, with even more advanced optics. About a month ago, rumors originating from Sony suggested that the iPhone 5 is going to be a recipient of a camera that will come with an advanced RGBW sensor that will allow for brilliant photography in both low and bright light conditions. The rumors also suggested that the iPhone 5 camera would have HDR (High Dynamic Range) video recording capabilities.

RAM

A lot of people do not know that the iPhone 4S only has 512 MB of RAM. In a smartphone or even a featurephone, RAM has a much greater impact on speed and performance than processor speed. In other words, a smartphone with just an average processor and 1GB of RAM can sometimes do better than a phone with a super fast processor but limited amount of RAM.

Though there have been no rumors about it, we would think that Apple would really be making a blunder if they introduce an iPhone 5 with 512 MB of RAM. 1GB seems to be the bare minimum that is now expected. The rival Samsung are rumored to be coming up with 2 gigs of RAM on their flagship, the Galaxy S III. So, an increment in the RAM is mandatory.

Processor

The iPhone 4S featured a brand new A5 processor that had a dual core. There is a major probability that the iPhone 5 will retain the same processor as the 4S. Although the possibility of a quad core processor cannot be neglected. These rumors are a bit iffy as quad core processors are just overkill for a smartphone and an average smartphone user. Fancy, yes. Useful, absolutely not.

 

4G

Will the iPhone 5 finally be Apple’s first 4G phone? With the 4G LTE network roll out awaiting complete installation only by the end of 2013, Apple might save 4G LTE speeds for the seventh generation iPhone, which will probably be called the iPhone 6 or iPhone LTE!

The iPhone 5 might not have 4G LTE speeds, but feature HSPA+ instead (also considered 4G)

What would be really disappointing is if the iPhone 5 remains a 3G phone. That would indirectly boost Android phone sales and hence Apple cannot take this gamble.

Siri

While Siri is great when it works, thousands of people are bitterly disappointed with some of the malfunctions in the iPhone 4S. As of now, Siri is a server based service, which means that the iPhone 4S communicates with Apple servers each time you make a request to Siri. With the iPhone 5, Siri could be a sort of a hybrid service that will run both from the iPhone 5 hard disks as well as the Apple servers, when it needs to. This will reduce the load on Apple servers, which has been the primary reasons for Siri to malfunction in the iPhone 4S.

The iPhone 5 Siri version might also support more languages, location based services in foreign countries, in addition to being much more understanding towards accents. The possibility of a training module for Siri might also be included in the iPhone 5, to allow the iPhone 5 owner to individually train Siri to understand their unique voice and pronunciations.

Conclusion

All these are mere speculations and cannot be confirmed. Though it is expected most of these, if not all, changes to occur.

What do you think? Do you think the changes mentioned above are along the lines of what you expected.

Let us know with your comments.

Adios.

HellRa1SeR

Nokia

The Fallen Hero

 

My first article starts with something that is very close to my life and has been with me for such a long time. My first mobile phone was a Nokia (Ngage). 

In that time (Early to mid 2000s) Nokia was the market leader in mobile phone industry, making all new stuff. Cameras (Carl-Zeiss), S60, N-series, the business phone, Vertu and what not. That was the time the company was taking huge strides in innovation, advancement and features. I still remember at that time Nokia had released their flagship 6600 which was so ahead of the competition that Nokia sold it for four straight years. It featured all new tech with VGA camera, new S60 software, nice design and a very pocket-able form factor and not forget the huge software developer base. 

That’s exactly when I think Nokia stopped its innovation and started stagnating by releasing the same phone just in a different shell. Its success just stopped after it released the N95 which was another power packed device from its stables. They stopped improving the software platform and that is where it got hit so badly by the other competing companies.

Market Share 2007

Apple had already started selling iPhones in huge number by then and Google had also come up with an exciting new open- source platform called Android. These two, iOS and Android, started eating away the sales of the mobile phone industry. The consumers like me got excited by new interfaces, gesture recognizing, and much powerful platforms. This is where Nokia should have woken up from its slumber, and it didn’t. Add to the fact that Nokia had organizational issues. It couldn’t recover from the setback which resulted in Symbian being shut down. The other platforms it was pursuing were expected to perform but didn’t. Maemo and MeeGo with Intel were so looked forward by the prosumers but alas Nokia decided to shut them down as well. It was without a OS of the future. And it languished.

Market Share 2011

As can be observed from the pie charts. Nokia did lose a lot of market share. The usual sale of mobile phones is in millions, so even losing a percent means a lot of change in the market. This loss also contributed to loss in standards, innovation and a mental setback for the company.

I will not say that Nokia is gone, done for, but only that it gave up all that it had. Its best qualities are that it offers stunning design and finish to its phones which are so much more durable than the others. It has always produced devices with stellar hardware configurations which bests all other devices. People like me appreciate quality in their phones (which HTC & Motorola has been doing lately) that makes us feel that we have a capable device with us.

In my opinion, Nokia could have done much more than just sit back and relax. It could have actively participated with Intel in Maemo or MeeGo which could have been a much better outlook for the company.

Fast forward today and now Nokia has a tie-up with Microsoft for its software platform, Windows phone 7, which in my opinion is a very fresh outlook to the mobile interface. As a company it has huge resources which can be utilized in the positive way. Although it has to catch up to its competitors, it can be said that not much has been lost and the lost sheen can regained again with future planning and some risk taking. I may not ascertain the future of Nokia but this partnership with Microsoft will keep it alive and running though it will lose its market share to the other competitors. Ending on a positive note, I quite like the appeal of the newer generation from Stephen Elop’s (CEO Nokia) stables, can be considered good for daily use phone.

Thank you for your valuable time. Do comment and post your views.

Adios.

HellRa1SeR