When it was just the G1, everyone knew that awas an Android device. Today, there are probably a couple of dozen Android phones on the market. More are released each month.
However, each release isn't generating the type of fanfare that the G1, Droid, and Nexus One seemed to enjoy.
Battle with the iPhone, WebOS, Blackberry, and WM has been joined but no one group is more vocal in their support than the iPhone camp.
This is why I think Google and its partners should create an annual or biannual conference to drum up excitement for the platform. Allow folks to showcase their programming kung-fu. Have a whole keynote dedicated to games. Even allow peaks at what developers are working on in terms of hardware and what the future holds.
Google can have two events a year. A big one in San Francisco and a smaller one that move from city to city each year. Why do I think this is necessary? Android is the hottest platform right now. But going forward as it becomes mainstream, it risks being marginalized as another mobile platform.
Showing posts with label nexus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nexus. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
lessons From Nexus One (For All Device Developers)
Over at Onxo, we talked about the lessons that can be learned from Nexus One for the iPhone. But more specifically, other Android device makers and the Android team should try to learn the same lessons as well.
The Android is successful in large part to the Google name. From a mobile perspective, Android is the second wave of major changes to the market if the iPhone was the first wave that shook up the market. Android's influence are not as apparent but it is being felt.
For many users, we can build our own experiences from that of Nexus One and go from there. My main issue with Android is the speed. The iPhone is fast. To this day, you can only say that about one or two Android phones while the rest of the devices on the market, likely due to competitive pressures, continue to sport the same or similar hardware configuration as the original G1.
Speed aside, Android's flexibility ought to advertised as one of its main features. As I sit here hacking away at this article, my G1 sits faithfully next to me. I continue to use it along side my iPhone on a daily basis. The main feature I use on the G1 today is the ability to tether any Wi-Fi enabled device like another Android device or laptop. This isn't an officially sanctioned feature but it's there for me whenever I need it.
Over all, Android development is coming a long nicely but a long way to go until it matches the more polished experience offered by Apple. It'll be great to see what iPhone 4.0 has to offer and how Google intend on answering it.
Ain't competition grand?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Google Quiet About Lousy Customer Service; Pretty Loud About Blaming T-Mobile
Today, the world in the Android realm is that the Nexus One issue was largely T-Mobile's fault and that was the gist of it.
Oh, by the way, says one Google employee, a patch is coming. WTF? Is it or is it not T-Mobile's fault? Seriously, I'm not sure Google should be playing this kind of blame game. It's beneath them. They ought to own up to a faulty software or something that is of their doing.
Because why would a patch be forthcoming if it was T-Mobile's lackluster 3G coverage? I have a serious problem with this. And wasn't there an unofficial fix from JkOnTheRun? Judging by the comments and on other sites, it seems to be more of a software issue than anything that was T-Mobile fault.
So, I think Google ought to look into this some more and be less readily to point the finger at T-Mobile. As a matter of fact, Google should look into the lousy customer service for its Nexus One customers. Oh, wait. I'm sorry to folks who provide lousy customer services. In Google case, calling forum help customer service would be dead wrong.
Google provides zero service in this regard. Anyway, I'm glad a patch is forthcoming. And here's the kicker. What happens when the patch over-the-air is applied and suddenly Nexus One users are starting to see 3G coverage in areas where Google previously said there are not T-Mobile 3G coverage?
Wow, blows one's mind, doesn't it?
Note: If you read T-Mo's comment section, many users are reporting 3G coverage in areas where the Nexus One are having 3G issues. Google, please.
Another note: For all the lousy 3G coverage that ATT provides for the iPhone, Apple has never once publicly blame ATT's network. In fact, in today's financial call, Apple's Tim Cook said he reviewed ATT's plan for network upgrade in areas where coverage is lacking and they are confident in ATT's network going forward. That's the best thing Apple has said about ATT in months.
More at T-Mo News.
Oh, by the way, says one Google employee, a patch is coming. WTF? Is it or is it not T-Mobile's fault? Seriously, I'm not sure Google should be playing this kind of blame game. It's beneath them. They ought to own up to a faulty software or something that is of their doing.
Because why would a patch be forthcoming if it was T-Mobile's lackluster 3G coverage? I have a serious problem with this. And wasn't there an unofficial fix from JkOnTheRun? Judging by the comments and on other sites, it seems to be more of a software issue than anything that was T-Mobile fault.
So, I think Google ought to look into this some more and be less readily to point the finger at T-Mobile. As a matter of fact, Google should look into the lousy customer service for its Nexus One customers. Oh, wait. I'm sorry to folks who provide lousy customer services. In Google case, calling forum help customer service would be dead wrong.
Google provides zero service in this regard. Anyway, I'm glad a patch is forthcoming. And here's the kicker. What happens when the patch over-the-air is applied and suddenly Nexus One users are starting to see 3G coverage in areas where Google previously said there are not T-Mobile 3G coverage?
Wow, blows one's mind, doesn't it?
Note: If you read T-Mo's comment section, many users are reporting 3G coverage in areas where the Nexus One are having 3G issues. Google, please.
Another note: For all the lousy 3G coverage that ATT provides for the iPhone, Apple has never once publicly blame ATT's network. In fact, in today's financial call, Apple's Tim Cook said he reviewed ATT's plan for network upgrade in areas where coverage is lacking and they are confident in ATT's network going forward. That's the best thing Apple has said about ATT in months.
More at T-Mo News.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
State of Google Mobile - Android, Search, China, Nexus One
Nexus One pretty much sums it up but things have evolved quite a bit since January 5th. So here's what Google's mobile strategy stand.
NEXUS ONE AND ANDROID. Some what of a good news is that 20K units of Nexus One has been sold. Now, that might not sound a lot compared to the Droid or the iPhone. But this is a Google's business plan to promote Android devices as a whole. It'll take time for things to evolve. If you know Google, you know that from the prehistoric days of the Gmail (still evolving in my opinion) to the G1 to, now, the Nexus One, it'll be in beta for about a year before things shape up to the way it'll eventually be. Honestly, I'm not even sure Google knows what that will be.
The bad thing about Nexus One is that it's currently having 3G issues. Some folks either don't have 3G or have their 3G cut out and end up with very slow Edge. Just about everyone has acknowledge this problem. It's a problem for the first adopters, Google, T-Mobile, and HTC but with 20K users, it should be easier to manage despite Google having virtually zero customer support.
More bad news. Google, where's the customer support?
Now, some good news, Google lobbed off $100 for some T-Mobile customers eligible for upgrade. Bad news is no one knows who is eligible. Worse, I'm not one of them. Worser (spelled this way on purpose), at $279, it's still more than $179 for new users.
More at Tmo-News.
MOBILE SEARCH. Now a bit of good news for mobile users on the mobile search front. Google's search now offers location suggestions based on where you are.
More at Google Mobile for this feature. I suppose some folks are having issues so Google suggest refreshing Google search in your browser and to make sure your location awareness feature is turned on such as the GPS. I know I don't always have it on to save battery power.
Yes, this is very very useful.
Google Stares Down Beijing. Yesterday, Google announced they were a victim, along with 30 or so foreign companies of cyberattacks sanctioned by the Chinese government. Though Google doesn't come right out and say it, I'll do it for them.
For that and the fact that Google's search results has been subject to censorship (which the Chinese likes to call "self-discipline"), Mountainview felt it could no longer operate in this manner in China. They are currently discussing with the Chinese officials on how Google can operate its search engine without filters.
If no agreement can be reached, well, Google will put out of China. Bravo! It's about time. So proud...
Once this is resolved (and to my satisfaction), I'm gonna push for everyone I know to go Android. I'm liking the Nexus One but the 3G issue has given me pause. I'm sure the three parties involved will solve that soon. By then, the China standoff should be resolved. Google called Beijing's bluff. So proud...
More Android. Out of CES, many companies made announcements relating to the mobile platform. There are more Android devices coming to the market (probably not to China anymore). In fact, iPhone-only ATT will be bring a couple of Android devices "soon".
Plus, there are more tablets based on Android coming out way as well. We already know that Archos has tablets on the market. Personally, I'm interested to see if there will be come based on Nvidia's Tegra chip that offers gobbles of hours of use.
On the software side, I'm very concerned about fragmentation. Most of us are just users with no in-depth knowledge about programming so we like things to just work. It would be insane for Google, carriers, hardware developers, and app creators to keep track of whether an app will work on our Android device or not.
It's good that Google is trying to come out with a reference device in the form of Nexus One but Google also has to realize that carriers and hardware developers don't care much about upgrades once they sell something to the end users. I'm hoping Google will come up with a new scheme that is independent of hardware or which wireless provider they use.
In conclusion, things are looking great for Android. It's a strong competitor in the mobile market and will certainly do very well as it expands into more markets with dozens of models in 2010.
NEXUS ONE AND ANDROID. Some what of a good news is that 20K units of Nexus One has been sold. Now, that might not sound a lot compared to the Droid or the iPhone. But this is a Google's business plan to promote Android devices as a whole. It'll take time for things to evolve. If you know Google, you know that from the prehistoric days of the Gmail (still evolving in my opinion) to the G1 to, now, the Nexus One, it'll be in beta for about a year before things shape up to the way it'll eventually be. Honestly, I'm not even sure Google knows what that will be.
The bad thing about Nexus One is that it's currently having 3G issues. Some folks either don't have 3G or have their 3G cut out and end up with very slow Edge. Just about everyone has acknowledge this problem. It's a problem for the first adopters, Google, T-Mobile, and HTC but with 20K users, it should be easier to manage despite Google having virtually zero customer support.
More bad news. Google, where's the customer support?
Now, some good news, Google lobbed off $100 for some T-Mobile customers eligible for upgrade. Bad news is no one knows who is eligible. Worse, I'm not one of them. Worser (spelled this way on purpose), at $279, it's still more than $179 for new users.
More at Tmo-News.
MOBILE SEARCH. Now a bit of good news for mobile users on the mobile search front. Google's search now offers location suggestions based on where you are.
Yes, this is very very useful.
Google Stares Down Beijing. Yesterday, Google announced they were a victim, along with 30 or so foreign companies of cyberattacks sanctioned by the Chinese government. Though Google doesn't come right out and say it, I'll do it for them.
For that and the fact that Google's search results has been subject to censorship (which the Chinese likes to call "self-discipline"), Mountainview felt it could no longer operate in this manner in China. They are currently discussing with the Chinese officials on how Google can operate its search engine without filters.
If no agreement can be reached, well, Google will put out of China. Bravo! It's about time. So proud...
Once this is resolved (and to my satisfaction), I'm gonna push for everyone I know to go Android. I'm liking the Nexus One but the 3G issue has given me pause. I'm sure the three parties involved will solve that soon. By then, the China standoff should be resolved. Google called Beijing's bluff. So proud...
More Android. Out of CES, many companies made announcements relating to the mobile platform. There are more Android devices coming to the market (probably not to China anymore). In fact, iPhone-only ATT will be bring a couple of Android devices "soon".
Plus, there are more tablets based on Android coming out way as well. We already know that Archos has tablets on the market. Personally, I'm interested to see if there will be come based on Nvidia's Tegra chip that offers gobbles of hours of use.
On the software side, I'm very concerned about fragmentation. Most of us are just users with no in-depth knowledge about programming so we like things to just work. It would be insane for Google, carriers, hardware developers, and app creators to keep track of whether an app will work on our Android device or not.
It's good that Google is trying to come out with a reference device in the form of Nexus One but Google also has to realize that carriers and hardware developers don't care much about upgrades once they sell something to the end users. I'm hoping Google will come up with a new scheme that is independent of hardware or which wireless provider they use.
In conclusion, things are looking great for Android. It's a strong competitor in the mobile market and will certainly do very well as it expands into more markets with dozens of models in 2010.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Really Want Nexus One And This Might Help
I really want the Nexus One but I hate getting burn. G1 is a good device but let's be honest, it's a beta device seeing what Droid can do. Here's a video of the Nexus One in action. I think this is gonna tip me over.
Still, I won't made a clear decision until next Tuesday when Google officially gives us the word on this. I don't like the T-Mobile terms or having to shell out $530 for it.
Anyway, enjoy the video and I'll be back over with comments and drool...
More at Droid Dog.
Still, I won't made a clear decision until next Tuesday when Google officially gives us the word on this. I don't like the T-Mobile terms or having to shell out $530 for it.
Anyway, enjoy the video and I'll be back over with comments and drool...
More at Droid Dog.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
TMo-News Confirm Nexus One On January 5th
The good folks at Tmo-News hae been able to confirm that Nexus One is indeed going to be available through our favorite carrier (unless you've got an Android device with Sprint or VW).
Now a word about pricing. Smart money is on $199. It's possible Google might subsidized it further with T-Mobile's help and drive it down to $99. I know some of would like to hear the word "free" with ad support but I doubt that'll happen this time around.
We're a week away so I'm sure rumors will start flying and leaks will get lost in the mix. Just fire up your browser and sit tight next Tuesday and wait.
More at TMo-News
- Available for order January 5th
- Starting at 9am
- Only through Google.com
- No pricing yet.
Now a word about pricing. Smart money is on $199. It's possible Google might subsidized it further with T-Mobile's help and drive it down to $99. I know some of would like to hear the word "free" with ad support but I doubt that'll happen this time around.
We're a week away so I'm sure rumors will start flying and leaks will get lost in the mix. Just fire up your browser and sit tight next Tuesday and wait.
More at TMo-News
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