Android: Growing On You Or Simply Getting Better With Age?

I haven't always been kind to Android, specifically, my G1 since I've gotten it.  The hardware is dated and feels cheap compared to the iPhone.  Let's just be  honest here.  T-Mobile's myTouch is simply G1 without the slide-out keyboard, which after playing with the onscreen keyboard, is certainly one of the strengths of the G1.  Except for the rise on the right-hand-side, the keyboard is quite good.  Now, we also know the HTC Hero with its beautiful take on the UI on top of Android is coming but that this mobile device is also plagued with dated hardware.

Imperfections aside, I have grown to appreciate how the Android is so flexible as a mobile OS.  I'm still confused about how to shut down apps running in the background but on the whole, the ability to run apps in the background is one of the better features of Android.  It's something that Android has, as far as a feature, over the iPhone OS.

For my mobile needs, I believe I've gotten down what I expect from the G1 and the apps available for download and use.  See, the thing about mobile computing is the ability to stay connected to the Internet - email, IM apps, and social networks.  In the beginning, that was not possible.  For instance, there is still no Facebook app but I've been able to get around that with Meebo, which now is able to maintain a semi-stable connection.

I believe like all things Google, it a snail's rate of development and innovations but, most certainly, there is always progress.  However, more and more, I believe it's worth waiting for.

Take for instance, Google Voice (GV).  While technically not of Android's development, it's an app that is certainly makes mobile computing and daily tasks all the more efficient and easier for folks to stay in touch.  With GV, you're able to link any number you want to a GV number, send and receive SMS for free (I've yet to use any of my regular T-Mobile SMS allotment this month), have recordings of voices mails, and just found out yesterday, that I can record individual greetings based on who is calling.

It's stuff like this that makes me very excited about Android's future.  To be frank, I still think we're paying members of Google's beta army but more and more, I don't mind as much.

Looking at it another way, mobile computing is years if not more than a decade from perfection (just don't let me get into battery life) and we'll be in beta for a long time to come.  I'll probably find something to complain about in the future as I try to squeeze more from Android but for the time being, I'm pretty happy.

Note:  Oh, and if you don't already have Google Voice, sign up and get one.  Head over to Google Voice and ask (beg) for an invitation.

Android Versus Chrome OS

It's been a week and still, I don't get why Google decided Chrome OS is the way to go instead of putting more into Android.

But today, I think I finally learned why. The future isn't Android. The future is still the Web. Android is just something to hold things over until the Web finally takes over. And perhaps, Palm might have it right with its WebOS that relies heavily on the Web and HTML codes.

Vic Gundotra, VP of Engineering, used his 5 minutes of fame to state that app stores like the insanely popular iTunes app store will go the way of the dinosaurs as webapps become more and more robust and useful.

The reasons he offered does make a lot of sense. There are quite a few mobile platforms out there and Google can't support all of them. So if an 800-pound you know can do it, what hope do the little guys have?

Hence, robust and powerful browsers in the next few years. That's what. And eventually, they will supplement the app stores as folks start to develop for it, instead of four or five different platforms. Develop for one, the Web browser, and it'll work for nearly all mobile platforms.

So, where does that leave Android? Well, folks, looks like we've been had. Android is just to hold things over until Chrome OS is ready for prime time or whatever else that Chome OS will morph into. Android is like to remain a priority for Google in the next couple of years. Google can't well tell its Android partners that it's got a new toy to play with and abandon it.

Plus, it's a good hedge just in case the webapp takeover doesn't happen in the time frame Google hopes.

Like I said at the top, I don't get Chrome OS. If it's just a browser, what's the OS that supports it? Well, we know it's Linux, just like Android is. The key implementation is the Web browser. In Google's case, it is Webkit, the open-source browser that powers Android, Chrome, Safari, iPhone's Safari, Palm, and some of Nokia's Web browsers. If it works on Webkit, it'll work on all the mentioned platforms.

Hope to gain more traction, Gundotra invoked Steve Jobs when he told developers to "build for the web" when the iPhone first came on the scene. Perhaps, Jobs was right but he was a few years ahead of the times.

I have to say that Pre's WebOS is pretty sweet and if anything Google's working on is even close, I am excited. More so if it runs on top of Android.

So, is this like Android versus Chrome OS as the title of this post states? Too early to tell. It does feel like Android is no longer the number one mobile priority for Google but I am still excited about webapps and cloud computing.

Sources: Financial Times (Must Read), Fierce Mobile, Wired, Mobilecrunch (must read)

Note: Apple has a directory for webapps that it first ask developers to create. It is still updated and perhaps this is the reason. Look there for useful apps. Since Android devices, iPhone, and Pre all use Webkit as its underlying technology for browsing, those webapps will work for all these devices.

Beware of Ever Getting An Android Device From Verizon

Verizon, yet to even have a Pre or Android device, has boldly stated it will only allow its app store to be used on devices it sell.

If you're a G1 owner now, you know that you have full access to the Marketplace without any overt interference from T-Mobile.  T-Mobile has no policy that we only use their app store.

Now, to be fair, Verizon isn't excluding what they consider to be 3rd party app stores like Marketplace.  It's just that they won't endorse it and won't help you access them. You'll have to do it yourself.  

Honestly, reliable network or not, I hesitate going to a network where it has open stated it will be the gatekeeper of wireless Internet access.  It seems like all their talk about an open network is just that. Talk.

Source:  Onxo

G1 Perfect As A Workout Companion

I think when mobile devices were created, especially with a platform like Android, Google probably did not think that using it as a workout device is one of the more useful functions.

More than finding directions, geo-tagging, and social apps, I've come to use the GPS more as a running companion.  In the early days, GPS devices dedicated for runners like ones from Garmin were your only option.  The use was limited and at times, acquiring signals can be an issue that throw off the accuracy of  the runner.

Then Apple and Nike worked on the Nike+ that uses a quarter-sized sensor with the iPod to estimate the distance ran by the runner.

On the G1, there are two apps, MyTracks and CardioTrainer that I enjoy using and it will really change help out G1 runners.

I have tried both apps for the last couple of weeks and I find both to work as advertised.  More at Onxo Mobile Devices.