G1 Shows Versatility On Sad Day

I'm not shy (or afraid) to admit that I'm a huge Michael Jackson fan.  And living in LA, we get a sort of celebrity sightings, news, and follies.  Of course, living through OJ's slow freeway chase, MJ's trial, and good things like movie premieres in Westwood, I've seen my share of stars.

But today's tragic news about Michael Jackson's untimely death came to me via my G1.  I've complained about the horrible battery life on the G1 and just about mobile devices in general, it was G1's ability allow apps to run in the background that alerted me to a new flash via Twidroid.  MJ had been taken to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood after suffering cardiac arrest.

Of course, you don't assume that the first piece of information is correct.  So I waited.  Then more tweets came through as I was confirming these information via Meebo (which I discussed in an earlier post that the app keep IM accounts connected unlike Cupcake's IM app) with Dave the Mobile Warrior and what he was hearing through his sources.

He IM'd me back that MJ had indeed been admitted to the hospital but no more info than what the LA Times and tweets were telling us.  At the same time, I was receiving e-mails, all without quitting Twidroid and Meebo.  Eventually, TMZ was the first to report that Michael Jackson had passed.

As far as mobile app implementations go, Apple has decided to go the route of push notification and I'm hold judgment until I see it in action.  So far, there isn't much to go on but I've concluded that whatever the battery life, allow apps to run in the background is a must for mobile devices.

Palm's Pre has unique scheme for background operations and no matter what the mobile platforms do to allow simultaneous apps to run, battery life will always be an issue.

But G1 worked flawlessly, albeit slower than I would like, as I switched between apps to get the latest information on Michael Jackson.  I had hoped that the initial news was simply sensationalized like much of celebrity news in LA is but in the end, that was not the case.

Meebo Comes Through Where Cupcake Can't

I've found renewed love for my G1.  Ever since upgrading to Cupcake, I have had one major issue.  The IM app will just not keep the connection live for me.

And the worse part is that when IM accounts (all of them:  Yahoo, MSN, AOL) are disconnected, the icons still shows that I'm connected and the only way I know whether I am or not is by touching the account.

Still, that is only one issue I've got with the IM app.  Even when I find that I'm fortunate enough to be connected, there are times when my contacts do no show up.  Or when they do show up on the screen, they would play hide-and-seek with me.  Sometimes, they just hide permanently and I'd have to log out and log back in to get my online contacts back.

Still I wasn't about to give up.  I did some research and found that many folks have this issue and no one expect a fix to be forth coming.  So, what are Android fans to do?

Get Meebo from the Marketplace.  Okay, seriously.  Some of you might have tried earlier versions and just like the IM app, you get disconnections after not playing with the app for a while.  Just like Android's native IM app.  For whatever reason, only gTAlk stays connected.  And this has lead me to believe that Google is play favorites and T-Mobile is going along with it.  Fine.

So back to Meebo.  I actually tried two apps.  Meebo and eBuddy.  I was not ready to put down a few hard-earned dollars on apps only to find that they have the same issues with the IM app.  Reading the reviews for some of the apps, free and paid, I decided I was not going to pay for these IM apps.

So, I was forced to try only the free ones.  Great, I thought.  I looked at Meebo and eBuddy.  Both promised to stay connected but even then some reviewers still had connectivity issues and eBuddy suffered stability issues.  Still both apps are free.  Why not give Meebo another chance and eBuddy as well.

After installing both apps, I set up IM accounts on both.  I was connected with Meebo with no prob.  The same with eBuddy.  In fact after a duration, both apps had my IM accounts connected.  I tested them with messages to my contacts.  "Testing".  "Testing".  "Testing".  I knew folks received my messages because I got back a couple of "@#$#%!!!".

Then I added more accounts to both apps and things continue to be great.  It's was just what I wanted.  To be able to stay connected as long as I want to my IM buddies.  Must be some childhood issue I don't know about.

Then something happened.  Meebo continued to work great.  But eBuddy developed issues.  I had problems with duplicate contacts.  Some appeared online while others were supposedly offline and I couldn't understand why.  It was not an issue that reviewers mentioned so I left it at then.  Then out of the blue, Android told me that I had to forced it to quit.  Now, that was an issue that other G1 folks have problems with.

It happened twice and I decided since Meebo is doing what I want already, there was no need for eBuddy at this time.  I went to watch "Hangover" (instant classic, by the way) and received a few IMs during the movie (I had the ringer off in case you're wondering).

At the conclusion of this post here, the Meebo has kept my IM live for almost twelve hours.  I don't know what Meebo did that Google can't or isn't willing to do but if Meebo wants to charge me for future updates, I would be willing to pay (nah, free works just fine for me).

Anyway, Meebo a definite download if you're having IM issues with the IM app from Google.  And I'll be keep an eye out for eBuddy to see if the stability issue has been resolved.  But since both are free, give them both a try!

Note:  Connection is over 3G.  I'm pretty sure EDGE will cut off your IM connection during a call.

WiMax And Android

Did you know that Google was part of a group of companies that invested $3.2 billion in Clearwire, company that is bring WiMax to the markets?

So, it stands to reason that perhaps there is more in stored for Android in 2010 as Spring and Clearwire bring deployment to more than 50 cities.

Oh, you're probably wondering what what Wimax is?  Essentially, it's a 4G network that competes directly with the future LTE network from ATT and Verizon Wireless.

More on WiMax and LTE comparison at Onxo Mobile Society, including a video and some highlighted information that Android phones should know about.

Impressions with Pre - Impressive And Android Has A Lot of Catching Up To Do

I got to spend some time with the Pre at my local Best Buy.  Over all, I am impressed with the Pre.  The design is very unique and takes a little getting used to.  The pictures on the Internet does not do it just, for better or worse.

I have an issue with the app support at launch and that's going to be critical.  And with the iPhone 3.0 and iPhone 3G's lower price at $99, G2 and Storm 2 on deck, the Pre will be competing in a very crowded market.

I've provided more notes at Onxo Gadgets and some recommendations on what you should do if you're in the market for a smartphone.  Overall, Palm knocked it out of the park but it was going up against last year's smartphones like the Storm and G1.

Palm went to a different direction with WebOS. As it is, Synergy is the center piece of a Pre user's link to e-mails, contacts, and the mobile Internet.  Palm stressed integration and ease of use.  Google went with the mobile desktop direction.  Unless there is a drastic change with Android 2.0, that will remain to be the case.  What it'll come down to for Android to prevail is more optimization, new innovative features, and a robust third party support.

Perhaps, Android stands to gain if it can "leave the nest" as it were and Google is willing to let the open source energy flow through it.  Certainly, Google will continue to be involved closely.  

At the end of the day, the Pre has the edge in integrating information for the user but Android enjoys a thriving app market and strong support from Google.  

More Pre impressions at Onxo Gadgets

Note:  This is not a simple case of Pre versus G1 or G2.  Both Google and Palm are planning to take their mobile platforms, Android and WebOS respectively, beyond the smartphone market.  Netbooks and tablets may be the next realms which these two will face off.

Computex: Android Devices Galore!

We all know that G1 is just the beginning and things are starting to look up for the Google-backed OS.  We're looking at netbooks, tablets, and, of course, smartphones.

Here are a couple of videos coming out of Taiwan.  Honestly, I've been waiting to see what Apple will be offering as far as a tablet based on the iPhone platform.  However, if Apple decides to take its time, the mobile itch I feel might just be satisfied with an Android-based tablet.

This is a video of an Android tablet at Computex, a computer show in Taipei that went on last week (likely overshadowed by the E3 in Los Angeles).  Now, not a lot going on there but the possibilities are just endless.  However, I wished they had demoed more of the input on the touch-screen and just how thick this tablet is.  And as always, the battery life on that baby.



Monday is going to be Apple's day but the 4th quarter of 2009 might be all Android!  All I'm asking for from the hardware companies are stability, better UI, and battery life and I'll be sold.  Many Android devices to ship end of the year and even more in 2010.  Hey, don't take my word for it.  It's in the videos.

More android videos (one with a netbook and an interview with a developer) about future Android hardware and feature developments at Onxo Gadgets.

Android Usage Update - Onscreen Keyboard

It's been a week since upgrading to Cupcake.  For fellow G1 users, if you haven't, it's a must.  For others who are curious and interested in the Android realm, welcome and I'm about to update you on the G1 after I've upgraded the OS to 1.5.


First, the onscreen keyboard.  It was a bit tiresome (not too much) to have to flip the screen up to gain access to the physical keyboard hidden underneath the G1.  Sometimes, when I'm surfing the Web, I just want to type in simple searches or the URL.  Having the virtual keyboard saves time.  And if you use your G1 for a lot of your mobile Web browsing on the go, that time adds up.  It's a good addition that should have been available right from the beginning.


Now, there are a couple of issues I have with the onscreen keyboard.  Google, are you kidding me?!  It's horrible!  First it's very small.  Compared to the Storm and in particular the iPhone, the Android keyboard is small, cramp, and easy to use at all.  Perhaps, this is another issue of the onscreen keyboard being a beta version.  


It's very easy to mistype but the screen was not very sensitive to the touch.  This is an issue that I've read about on blogs and users from forums.  The keyboard reminds me of Windows Mobile.  I'm talking about the Windows Mobile on my Dell Axim from 5 years ago.  It's no better.  In fact, I went to my drawer, took out the Axim, brushed off the dust, and charged up the Dell PDA.  I tested the onscreen keyboard and I was getting better results on the Dell.  


So the onscreen keyboard definitely needs work.  The G2 is coming this summer.  It's a iPhone-like form factor.  Here's my recommendation.  The G1 may still be on sale.  I don't know if T-Mobile will discontinue it in favor of the G2.  If they do, it's a mistake.  


Android's onscreen keyboard is not ready for primetime.  Here's my recommendation.  When the G2 comes out, go to the store and play with it.  Use the onscreen keyboard for a bit.  Don't just hack a couple of words on it.  Write a couple of paragraphs.  See if you like it.  If not, as dated as the G1 is now, it's still better than many of the smartphones on the market.  You might consider getting that instead if you do more typing than the occasional texting.


Note:  When I'm dealing with Android, as many iPhone users had to go through (just as Storm users had to go through), the first version is really a beta even if it's called 1.0.  At the pace of development on the Android, we fans have to wait until version 3 for things to be as it should and except from Google.


Note:  I'll try to post a couple of picture and video of the typing I'm talking about when I get a chance and put it to a side-by-side comparison with the iPhone.  


Another Note:  I'm pretty critical about the Android because I truly believe in the potential it offers.  It's not an iPhone OS-like platform.  It's a whole different beast, which is why I'm still very excited.  Nevertheless, Android users can expect a certain level of functionality and quality and, so far, we're not seeing it.  


Third Note:  There is a lot of talk about Android being ported to netbooks.  I really would like to see Google focus on Android on the smartphone market before it moves beyond it.