It's been over two months since I've been using the G1 as my primary mobile platform. In general, I have to say it has thus far performed adequately. Nothing fancy mind you. It's not going to win any beauty contest. There's a lot that the Android team can improve upon.
I'm not talking about new features but about making existing features work easier. I don't want to compare it to Windows Mobile or the iPhone but I do want to see it thrive within its own community in the sense that the Android supporters come up with suggestions and solutions.
First, let's ask Google to make Marketplace more robust. Get developers excited again. Again? Honestly, I don't know how excited developers are because the Marketplace isn't finished yet (it's still in beta) and it's difficult to know if folks are just holding back apps until they can start charging for them or not. But one look at the MP from an user standpoint and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Next, Docs for Android. We want it now! I do a lot of writing and some simple spreadsheet work. I want Blogger to work natively either with the browser or as a standalone app.
Thirdly, stability. It's a beta copy of Android as far as I'm concerned. Let's make it faster and more stable. Also, I've been getting a lot of low memory warnings and I don't even have that many apps or data. Something has to be done there.
Now, I've got other stuff I want Android to improve on but I'm going to stop here for now. I want to go ahead and make a few predictions based on Android handsets and initiatives coming out of Google for its mobile platform but we need to see more data and announcements before I'm willing to go out on a limb. Even for fun.
We might see something exciting at the CES in 2009 but so far Android announcements are thing. I don't traffic in rumors so you'll have to go to the other sites for those on G2, G3, or whatever Moto and Sprint might be up to.
Well, there is one last thing. Something the Android community, including Google can learn from Apple this year. Communicate. Talk to us. We're adults (sort of) and we can take it. Apple kept a lot of folks guessing and created a thick fog of confusion. Let's not do that in 2009.
So, what do you like to see happen with Android in 2009? Let's compile a list and see about getting some attention with it. We're not talking about giant leaps but paving a firm path on which we can travel.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
G1 Streaming Audio
Here is something that I think will have a big play in Android and perhaps other mobile devices.
Streaming audio. Ouside of checking if Congress and the White House will be handing out any more money (I'm sure we're not part of any bailout), checking e-mails, and getting weather updates and sport scores, I've been listening to streaming audio.
This can be done with any mobile Internet device provided there is an app that streams audio. And the G1 has just that app to do it.
StreamFusion is my favorite app by far. If you have a G1, this is a must have app. It comes with about twenty or so preset stations. But because it's interfaced with Shoutcast, you'll have access to many more Internet radio stations.
I think this will be even bigger than streaming video or Youtube. A lot of mobile warriors like myself are constantly on the move: driving, jogging, or working around the house. And since we have our mobile devices like the iPhone or G1 with us at all time, it is just an source of entertainment or news.
I've been listening to NPR, FoxNews, and BBC. Now, if only someone can figure out a way to get CNN's TV audio to stream, then I'll be in heaven (CNN provides audio to their regular US broadcast).
So, if you've got a G1, this is a must have app.
Note: It also works with EDGE if you happen to venture in a bad neighborhood. By bad neighborhood, I'm strictly talking about non-3G parts of the country.
Streaming audio. Ouside of checking if Congress and the White House will be handing out any more money (I'm sure we're not part of any bailout), checking e-mails, and getting weather updates and sport scores, I've been listening to streaming audio.
This can be done with any mobile Internet device provided there is an app that streams audio. And the G1 has just that app to do it.
StreamFusion is my favorite app by far. If you have a G1, this is a must have app. It comes with about twenty or so preset stations. But because it's interfaced with Shoutcast, you'll have access to many more Internet radio stations.
I think this will be even bigger than streaming video or Youtube. A lot of mobile warriors like myself are constantly on the move: driving, jogging, or working around the house. And since we have our mobile devices like the iPhone or G1 with us at all time, it is just an source of entertainment or news.
I've been listening to NPR, FoxNews, and BBC. Now, if only someone can figure out a way to get CNN's TV audio to stream, then I'll be in heaven (CNN provides audio to their regular US broadcast).
So, if you've got a G1, this is a must have app.
Note: It also works with EDGE if you happen to venture in a bad neighborhood. By bad neighborhood, I'm strictly talking about non-3G parts of the country.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Android Netbooks
Android would be a perfect OS for a netbook, wouldn't you think? Okay, maybe not today given how I've bitched about the G1 and the beta feel to Android. In fact, I've been getting quite a bit of app crashes of late.
But once a netbook manufacturer like Asus or Acer can get Android to work properly with power management, add a full web browser like Chrome, you can be looking at a really mean and lean mobile platform that is competitive with the XP and Linux offerings on the market today.
Once an Android netbook hits the market, users will already have access to hundreds if not thousands of apps available.
And good thing going for netbooks with Android. Google has a good relationship with Sprint and is a WiMax supporter. I wouldn't be surprise if the first Android netbook will support WiMax out of the box. And if you didn't already know, Google is a white spaces backer.
Today seems to be netbook days as I've posted at Onxo about a potential Apple answer to the netbook segment of the laptop market and Acer teaming up with ATT in providing subsidized netbooks. But the trend is clear. Mobility. Wireless. Googleness. Well, the last one is a bit subjective and biase on my part. So again, why Android netbook?
But once a netbook manufacturer like Asus or Acer can get Android to work properly with power management, add a full web browser like Chrome, you can be looking at a really mean and lean mobile platform that is competitive with the XP and Linux offerings on the market today.
Once an Android netbook hits the market, users will already have access to hundreds if not thousands of apps available.
And good thing going for netbooks with Android. Google has a good relationship with Sprint and is a WiMax supporter. I wouldn't be surprise if the first Android netbook will support WiMax out of the box. And if you didn't already know, Google is a white spaces backer.
Today seems to be netbook days as I've posted at Onxo about a potential Apple answer to the netbook segment of the laptop market and Acer teaming up with ATT in providing subsidized netbooks. But the trend is clear. Mobility. Wireless. Googleness. Well, the last one is a bit subjective and biase on my part. So again, why Android netbook?
- Strong alternative to XP.
- Made for mobility. That means speed, power saving features, portability.
- Google apps - this is especially useful for folks who live and die by Google.
- Apps already available.
- Cloud computing with Google.
- Push mail, Android marketplace, support for Google Docs
- Wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi, 3G, WiMax, white spaces, LTE.
- An expanded market for developers
- Light weight device with great flexibility.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
State of Android - December 2008
If you look around the Web, there is not a lot of information about the G1 nor a lot going on with Android. I think that is to be expected.
Well, not quite true. We know that HTC expects to sell 1 million G1s by the end of 2008. An incredible feat if you ask me. But that is likely based on Google's involvement. It's the reason I bought into Android.
But since I've gotten it, I have had a love and not-so-love relationship with the device. First, the design for G1 has lead me to believe that it's a rush-out-the-door device and not necessarily something that Google had envisioned. It's a debatable point but what isn't debatable is the beta feel of Android. It is hard to argue this point since Google gave Android Marketplace a beta status.
But in the last few days, a few apps have come out to help make things more palpable, more in line with what I expect from Google and developers in general. Which apps?
Let me start with Doggcatcher. It's a podcast retriever that works well and allows users to pull podcasts from virtually any source. Only recently is this feature built into the iPhone but I like the fact that its an app that independent of Google. It's also an app I use a lot and pulling 50MB podcasts over a fast 3G and Wi-Fi really helps.
Another app I like is StreamFurious. It's an app that allows the user to listen to radio over the 3G network. I love NPR and the BBC and StreamFurious lets me do just that help satisfied an early criticism I had about Android for the lack of streaming access to certain media, particularly talk radio. I've used up gobbles of bandwidth with this app and I don't care one bit if T-Mobile does try to throttle down my access. I simply love it. I was able to go on a run with BBC updating me on events in India (very very sad for the nation and humanity in general) and when I tired of it, I switched over to the MP3 or podcasts.
I have one other app that I like to highlight here. Before I get into that, I want to say that G1 allows me access to fast Internet, push e-mail (though limited to Gmail), provides me with a mobile platform from which I can run my life, and if need be, a business. With better apps now, I'm more able to "connect" as I believe Google's vision for mobility is.
Textonphone is the app I want to highlight. It's readily available on Safari for the iPhone but I haven't been able to access it on G1's browser. Now, this ebook reader give me access to thousands of titles. And I'm talking about just classics which we can read over the Internet or download. I'm also talking about new books by A-list authors. I don't know how they have the rights to give readers access to those works and I suspect they don't (a lot of books are updated by users and shared), but knowing that it's there is awesome. So, finally, an ebook reader.
There are two a couple of more things I like Google to work out for Android. Better IM as in always on IM, a more efficient Android, and blogging tools. I wouldn't mind seeing Google Gears for Android. Right now, I've had to resort to using e-mails for blogging which I think it rather stupid coming from Google. Also, G1's battery is just being killed. Maybe it's the 3G hardware but I still wonder if Android can't be tweaked to be more efficient.
As for IM, it's ridiculous that only gTalk stays connected while other networks can't do the same. If I can do that in my laptop, I should be able to do that with my G1. Meebo has recently released their own G1 app but it's still buggy and it doesn't stay connected in the background.
So, things are still promising but not quite there yet. For those looking to get into G1, it's as good as any device out there san the iPhone. I'm sorry if folks don't agree. I expect a lot from Google and I believe they will deliver eventually. But right now, I wouldn't pit the G1 with the iPhone.
G1 stands well on its own but I do recommend that people wait until G2 or whatever it'll be called. There are a couple of other companies out there who will be coming out with their own Android devices. I'm guess we'll see them towards the middle of 2009 at the earliest.
Wait and see. I'm optimistic given Google's supposed openness for Android.
Note: I guess I'm a bit torn. I want to give G1 and Android raving reviews but I haven't even started on a review. It's simply won't be fair I think given what I've used in the past. I had hoped that when the G1 launched, there would be hundreds of apps on Android Marketplace but that didn't happen and if you ask any iPhone user out there, the 10K+ apps in the iTunes app store is a large part of what makes the iPhone so cool to use.
Well, not quite true. We know that HTC expects to sell 1 million G1s by the end of 2008. An incredible feat if you ask me. But that is likely based on Google's involvement. It's the reason I bought into Android.
But since I've gotten it, I have had a love and not-so-love relationship with the device. First, the design for G1 has lead me to believe that it's a rush-out-the-door device and not necessarily something that Google had envisioned. It's a debatable point but what isn't debatable is the beta feel of Android. It is hard to argue this point since Google gave Android Marketplace a beta status.
But in the last few days, a few apps have come out to help make things more palpable, more in line with what I expect from Google and developers in general. Which apps?
Let me start with Doggcatcher. It's a podcast retriever that works well and allows users to pull podcasts from virtually any source. Only recently is this feature built into the iPhone but I like the fact that its an app that independent of Google. It's also an app I use a lot and pulling 50MB podcasts over a fast 3G and Wi-Fi really helps.
Another app I like is StreamFurious. It's an app that allows the user to listen to radio over the 3G network. I love NPR and the BBC and StreamFurious lets me do just that help satisfied an early criticism I had about Android for the lack of streaming access to certain media, particularly talk radio. I've used up gobbles of bandwidth with this app and I don't care one bit if T-Mobile does try to throttle down my access. I simply love it. I was able to go on a run with BBC updating me on events in India (very very sad for the nation and humanity in general) and when I tired of it, I switched over to the MP3 or podcasts.
I have one other app that I like to highlight here. Before I get into that, I want to say that G1 allows me access to fast Internet, push e-mail (though limited to Gmail), provides me with a mobile platform from which I can run my life, and if need be, a business. With better apps now, I'm more able to "connect" as I believe Google's vision for mobility is.
Textonphone is the app I want to highlight. It's readily available on Safari for the iPhone but I haven't been able to access it on G1's browser. Now, this ebook reader give me access to thousands of titles. And I'm talking about just classics which we can read over the Internet or download. I'm also talking about new books by A-list authors. I don't know how they have the rights to give readers access to those works and I suspect they don't (a lot of books are updated by users and shared), but knowing that it's there is awesome. So, finally, an ebook reader.
There are two a couple of more things I like Google to work out for Android. Better IM as in always on IM, a more efficient Android, and blogging tools. I wouldn't mind seeing Google Gears for Android. Right now, I've had to resort to using e-mails for blogging which I think it rather stupid coming from Google. Also, G1's battery is just being killed. Maybe it's the 3G hardware but I still wonder if Android can't be tweaked to be more efficient.
As for IM, it's ridiculous that only gTalk stays connected while other networks can't do the same. If I can do that in my laptop, I should be able to do that with my G1. Meebo has recently released their own G1 app but it's still buggy and it doesn't stay connected in the background.
So, things are still promising but not quite there yet. For those looking to get into G1, it's as good as any device out there san the iPhone. I'm sorry if folks don't agree. I expect a lot from Google and I believe they will deliver eventually. But right now, I wouldn't pit the G1 with the iPhone.
G1 stands well on its own but I do recommend that people wait until G2 or whatever it'll be called. There are a couple of other companies out there who will be coming out with their own Android devices. I'm guess we'll see them towards the middle of 2009 at the earliest.
Wait and see. I'm optimistic given Google's supposed openness for Android.
Note: I guess I'm a bit torn. I want to give G1 and Android raving reviews but I haven't even started on a review. It's simply won't be fair I think given what I've used in the past. I had hoped that when the G1 launched, there would be hundreds of apps on Android Marketplace but that didn't happen and if you ask any iPhone user out there, the 10K+ apps in the iTunes app store is a large part of what makes the iPhone so cool to use.
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