Tuesday, February 7, 2012




    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 03:06 PM PST
    Even as an Android fanatic I have to admit that its main competitor, the iPhone, does extremely well. As much as I hate to say it, the iPhone is here to stay and will continue to be a thorn in Android’s side. I have been sitting and wondering though on why so many folks go over to the iOS side or stray from Android. While I am not an expert I believe a lot of it has to do with how these phones are marketed coupled with the amount of Android phones that OEMs are putting on the market.
    Why I Think iDevices Sell
    The iPhone is one of the more popular devices out there as more people seem to line up for each new iteration of the device. While it could be the commercials that appeal to people I think it's another completely simple reason. I will tell you but first do me a favor. Go to your cell carrier's local store and ask yourself what do you see? If you don’t know the answer I’m looking for I’ll tell you. You see one or two versions of the iPhone, in two distinct colors, in a sea of Android devices. That’s the exact reason. It's overwhelming for a consumer who is new to the smartphone market or even to cell phones period. It’s a lot easier for a local rep to explain how that one iPhone works instead of comparing what each Android device, side by side, has versus their counterparts (I know, I’ve had to do it).
    Plus, there is a reason why Apple only releases new versions of their iPhone or iPad roughly once or twice a year. By building one or two products a year and developing the user experience on that they can usually guarantee user satisfaction and experience. Given that they have one device, with the same hardware they may run into less bugs and have less hardware conflicts. One device a year or even two devices a year can help those who bought first round versions to not feel slighted as well. While users may still feel slighted most don’t because they’re usually half way through their contract and can get the next new iPhone in about a year’s time.
    Android Manfacturer Issues
     Android has come a long way in just a few short years. I know some of you guys can remember Android 1.5/1.6, I can as I first had the Droid Eris. Ice Cream Sandwich is by far the most beautiful and useful graphics interface I have worked with. Everything just seems to work in my opinion. However the issue is, as of right now, that only 1% of the folks out there have official ICS software on their devices. The majority is some iteration of Android 2.3 and Froyo (2.2) is in second. Coupled with the amount of hardware that is in all of these devices OEMs have a hard time delivering support to each and every device.
    Don't get me wrong, the amount of phones that came out in 2011 were monumental in their help to make Android the top dog again in the latest comScore but there was a lot of choices out there to pick from. Again, so many that it could be overwhelming. Dropping support also plagues Android phones.
    Motorola, Samsung and HTC all released phone after phone within just a few short months after releasing other “top-of-the-line” phones. A prime example would be that Motorola released the Droid Bionic, "the phone to rule all phones," in September of 2011 and roughly two months later they dropped the Droid RAZR on the world. It made the Bionic look and feel old. Two months after that we have the RAZR MAXX with amazing battery life and talks of an unlockable Droid RAZR being released. Those who bought the original RAZR feel like Motorola bamboozled them.
    Given that people go out and to pay $299 (which carriers think is a discount) of their hard earned income to have the best phone that will last them two years only to have it replaced by a newer incremental model a month later is a big slap in the face. Given the possibility that carriers could drop support for that previous device and focus on the new one, we have a big problem here. This feeling of discontent only grows and it’s so long Android, hello iPhone.
    The last and final issue I will touch on before I go on to my ideas of solutions is that device manufacturers are releasing phones that are some what half baked. The Droid Bionic came out of the oven a bit early, even with its already massive delays, and look at all the bugs it had; the whine and antenna issues for starters. HTC's Thunderbolt had problems to begin with and while OTA's are working on fixing the problems, the device left a bad taste in some consumers' mouths. HTC feels the same way as they just admitted that their phones under performed in 2011. Heck, even the latest and greatest Galaxy Nexus phone had issues out of the gate.
    The Solution
    So what do Android OEMs have to do in order to generate a better consumer experience? Simple, only release a few devices in a year. While both HTC and Motorola have stated that they will be doing this there isn't to say how many devices will actually see a release. If each of these companies focused on releasing one or two devices a year and then focused on building the best software and hardware user experience possible Android would be unbeatable. Hands down unbeatable.
    Simply by building anticipation and releasing one or two devices a year, Android OEMs would remove a lot of discontent from the consumers' minds. Focusing on two products at the most means that support for each device will continue to happen and you run into less issues. Yes Android is built on openness and freedom but it still takes time to code the OS to work on every bit of hardware out there. Android could still be the open, amazing OS we all know and love just on a few less pieces of hardware.
    Plus, if there were fewer pieces of hardware people would feel less slighted as the next latest and greatest device didn't come out two months later. Seriously, I sit here and wonder what's going to replace my Galaxy Nexus at the MWC this month. By dropping the need to flood the market with choice after choice we run into fewer frustrations by consumers and their disinterest to a new an amazing product.
    Conclusion
    Now before you call me a secret Apple fanboy think about it for a moment. As much as I hate to say it, and I really do, Apple has the science of releasing phones down. Even the iPhone 4S, which in my opinion was a big middle finger to Apple buyers everywhere, saw a favored release. Android manufacturers can take a page from Apple’s playbook on this one, but be careful, you might get sued. Seriously though, Motorola, HTC, Samsung and other manufacturers have a responsibility to their consumers in releasing well made products if they want to keep their consumer base around.
    By not flooding the market with too much choice they will help Android stand the test of time and help the OS to remain on top. If they focused less on the amount of devices that were on the market and more about making the experience top notch for consumers, Android will forever be top notch. Spending some extra time with the OS and making it work well on the hardware is worth it. Trust me, most people will wait patiently for what they know to be a great product. I just hope that the rest of the device manufacturers can get on board with this idea, like Motorola and HTC did, before it's too late. What do you guys think?
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 02:53 PM PST
    For those of you who don’t know Google dropped official “developer device” support for the CDMA (Verizon) version of the Galaxy Nexus last week. While a statement was released explaining why, it apparently required further explanation as it wasn’t officially explained in full as to what this drop actually meant. So without futher hesitation here is what the official Google Group’s post has to say:
    “Hi, all! Thanks for all the questions. Here's a quick omnibus to answer the questions folks have asked…
    First, just to be clear this change is only related to AOSP support for these devices — that is, personal custom builds. These are obviously still officially-supported Nexus devices for everyday use, they will receive official software updates, and so on. Similarly, these are still fully-supported development devices for app developers.
    Second, as I noted at the top of the thread, Nexus devices will still have unlocked bootloaders, and we'll continue to make available as many of the closed-source binaries as we can. CDMA support in AOSP has always been more challenging than GSM, and this change is a reflection of that reality.
    On that topic, here's a quick clarification on the core issue. Every device has a number of closed-source software packages included on it. Though Google distributes some of these binaries for Nexus devices for use with AOSP, Google does not own the software. Rather, this software is variously owned by the device manufacturer, the carrier, and their suppliers. We try to get distribution rights for as many of these binaries as possible, but in some cases it is difficult or impossible to obtain these rights. (CDMA specifically has a tricky history of intellectual property.) Combined with the technical issues of needing to sign the apks correctly, this has prevented us from obtaining the distribution rights we need to support these devices in AOSP.
    Finally, we will of course continue to work on improving support. If we can resolve these issues, we'll certainly restore CDMA support to AOSP. In the meantime, we've updated our docs to be more accurate about the degree of support.”
    For those of you worried that custom ROMs won’t work or that development has been halted this is simply not true. Usually developers take the time to pull the CDMA binaries straight from the device at hand. Even with Google not distributing them this should not be an issue. Given that Google doesn’t have license to use the binaries they can’t fully come out and say that the device is supported. The device will still get timely updates and is officially supported for every day use. Also it will come with an unlockable bootloader so it is still very much a Nexus device. If you want the technical break down you can also check out the link below. While some may still cry foul I feel that this can help the rest us breathe a sigh of relief. What do you think?

    CDMA devices in AOSP: technical details – link
    source: Google Groups
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 01:15 PM PST
    Following disappointing revenue results in the last quarter of 2011, HTC is conceding that their phones were under performing.  The company had previously announced that it would release fewer but more quality phones in 2012.  HTC had spread itself too thin by releasing a constant stream of devices.
    Earlier today, the company had announced that its revenue in the last three months of 2011 had fallen 2.49 percent year-on-year, and a full 25 percent from Q3.  These dire numbers prompted HTC to reflect and improve on their previous strategies.  With the new outlook, 2012 will likely bring increases to HTC’s revenues.
    Chief Financial Officer Winston Yung noted in a conference call with investors that HTC plans to produce phones that combine a long battery life and attractive design with fast 4G connection speeds.  In the past, HTC feels it had always sacrificed one of those components.  Yung expects these problems to be resolved in 2012, and using a 4G LTE phone will not require a compromise in quality any longer.
    While Yung declined to provide details on future products or release dates, rumors have been flying about the HTC Edge and the HTC Ville.  Look for more details to emerge on these phones in the coming months.
    source: Slashgear
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 12:56 PM PST
    Rumors of a joint venture between Verizon and Redbox can finally be laid to rest as the pair have announced today a streaming media and Blu-ray/DVD rental service.  The newly partnered dynamic duo will be looking to take the fight to current streaming and DVD mailing leader Netflix.
    The service is expected to be available on all major platforms from smart TV’s and game consoles through to handheld mobile devices. It isn’t clear at this time if the service will only be available to Verizon customers.  There’s no word on price or a solid release date confirmed as of yet but keep tuned to Talk Android as dig a little deeper to keep you informed.

    Verizon and Coinstar's Redbox Form Joint Venture to Create New Consumer Choice for Video Entertainment
    Joint Venture Will Offer the Best of Both Worlds – Physical and Digital – to All Consumers Nationwide
    NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon and Coinstar, Inc. today announced the formation of a joint venture that will create a new choice for quality- and value-conscious consumers seeking a simple and affordable way to access the video entertainment they crave. The venture's services will offer all of the convenience, simplicity and value of Redbox® new release DVD and Blu-ray Disc® rentals combined with a new content-rich video on-demand streaming and download service from Verizon.
    The joint venture plans to introduce the product portfolio in the second half of 2012. It will offer subscription services and more in an easy-to-use, flexible and affordable service that will allow all consumers across the U.S. to enjoy the new and popular entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the media and devices they prefer. Additional brand and product information will be revealed in the coming months.
    "When you consider the core elements the parties bring to this venture – our powerful brands; our national rental kiosk footprint; our anytime, anywhere network presence; and our mutual commitment to customer-focused innovation – it's clear that Verizon and Redbox are a powerful entertainment team," said Bob Mudge, president of Verizon consumer and mass business markets.
    "Consumers rely on Redbox for the latest new release movies at a great value, and our joint venture with Verizon will enable us to bring them even more value by offering expanded content offerings and greater flexibility for how and when they enjoy entertainment," said Paul Davis, chief executive officer of Coinstar, Inc. "This alliance is the result of a deliberate and strategic process to identify a partner who shares our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to consumers. We look forward to rolling out the shared benefits this venture will bring to consumers, retailers, and shareholders."
    This venture between Verizon and Redbox will create the kind of national multi-platform product that customers are demanding from video entertainment service providers. It will leverage Verizon's industry-wide relationships with entertainment content providers, its advanced cloud computing technologies and state-of-the-art IP network infrastructure to distribute video on-demand content to its customers.
    "The joint venture will combine the accessibility and value of Redbox with Verizon's vision for a borderless lifestyle – where consumers easily accomplish what they want or need to do, on their terms, through the power of the network," said Mudge. "Together, we are erasing old technology boundaries, freeing people to spontaneously enjoy the entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the devices and media they prefer, at home or away."
    By offering instantly available online and mobile content with immediate access to physical media through rental kiosks, Verizon and Redbox will be uniquely positioned to deliver the best of both worlds – digital and physical – to consumers across the country.
    The joint venture is a limited liability company with Verizon holding a 65 percent ownership share and Redbox holding a 35 percent ownership share at the outset.
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 12:35 PM PST
    You have to hand it to Motorola as they released two cutting edge phones in the past few months. First was the DROID RAZR, which is currently the thinnest smartphone available. Then last week, the DROID RAZR MAXX came along, with an unprecedented 3300mAh battery, which is 75 to 100% larger than competing phones. Motorola teased us before CES with an “unplugged” video, and they weren’t kidding. 4G LTE phones have been around for about a year, and the single biggest complaint has been battery drain. They improved a little over the last few months, but Motorola completely changed the game. This isn’t a little tweak, this is a major improvement, and one that actually allows you to be connected to 4G LTE all day and literally stay unplugged for nearly 24 hours. This is my full review, which won’t be all that in depth because the DROID RAZR MAXX is essentially the same phone as the DROID RAZR except for the thickness and battery. You can also checkout my initial hands on review as well as my preliminary battery tests.
    Design
    The DROID RAZR MAXX is essentially the same look as the DROID RAZR except for the thickness. The RAZR is 7.1mm thick and the MAXX is 8.99mm with the size difference for accommodating the larger battery. I think the extra 1.89mm makes the RAZR MAXX more comfortable in the hands. In my review of the RAZR, I said it was the sexiest phone I’ve ever held, but after some time had past, I realized that thin isn’t necessarily so great. I found it hard to use the phone with one hand when it’s that thin. I still think it’s an amazing device, and I still don’t know how Motorola was able to build that solid of a phone that thin. The RAZR MAXX feels a lot better, and the extra battery ends up being frosting on the cake. That’s not to say that the RAZR MAXX is thick because it isn’t. It’s actually thinner that the iPhone 4S and the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. So Motorola was able to still produce one of the thinnest phones in the world and still pack a monster battery in it.
    Since the design is still the same, the same Kevlar backing is in place, and unfortunately, the same plastic glossy sides still exist. This makes the phone slippery in your hand much like a lot of phones available today, which is a big turn off for me. Because of the battery, I’m willing to overlook it.
    The other negative is the bezel is larger than most phones. When comparing it to the Galaxy Nexus, which has a screen that’s larger by .35-inches, it’s almost the same size. The Galaxy Nexus is 5.3 inches x 2.7 inches and the RAZR MAXX is tad shorter at 5.15 inches, but the width is essentially the same at 2.71 inches. Again, things I can look past when you consider the battery.
    Hardware
    At his point, it should already be drilled into your head that the battery is 3300mAh. The rest of the specs are identical to the DROID RAZR, and include  a 4.3-inch (960 x 540) Super AMOLED display, 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4430 processor, 1GB RAM, 8MP rear camera with 1080p video recording, 1.3MP front camera, 16GB internal storage, 16GB microSD card included (upgradable to 32GB), 4G LTE compatible, Bluetooth, WiFi, micro HDMI, and Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread.
    Battery
    It’s all about the battery when it comes to the RAZR MAXX. You almost feel like you’re buying a battery with a phone around it. If you’re concerned that it’s non-removeable, forget it. This is literally the first phone in which you don’t panic when it gets down to 10% remaining. With light use, you could still go another 3 to 4 hours on 4G LTE. This is truly a phone that lets you go completely unplugged from the time you wake up till you go to bed. For example, when I’m in the car, I typically listen to a lot of online stuff while streaming via Bluetooth. Even with 3G phones, I always plugged in to conserve my battery. With the RAZR MAXX, I don’t feel the need to ever plug in even in a 4G LTE area. You can even watch a movie at some point during the day and never feel the need to plug this bad boy in until you go to bed at night.
    I already posted my first 2 days of results, so if you want to check them out, please do so. For day 3, I was on 4G LTE all day with both the RAZR MAXX and the Galaxy Nexus (for comparison).
    I unplugged both phones at 7:00am and the Galaxy Nexus was dead by 4:55pm with light usage. Not only that, it was actually on WiFi for maybe 2 hours. The RAZR MAXX was never on WiFi and still had 50% battery left at 4:55pm plus I had already ran continuous video for 2 1/2 hours. Bluetooth was on, WiFi off, auto brightness off and turned up to 2/3′s brightness, and the GPS was on. When midnight came around, it still had 15% left. It should also be noted that the Galaxy Nexus results were with the 2100mAh battery.
    For day 4, I just did a continuous video rundown test on the RAZR MAXX only while on 4G. I was able to go nearly 10 hours straight playing continuous video while on 4G LTE. It actually was 9 hours 40 minutes, and the settings were the same as day 3.
    I can go on and on with tests, but this is truly, hands down, the best phone in the market for battery life.
    Performance
    The processor is the same as the RAZR and it works and acts exactly the same, which is top notch and very smooth. I did run the AnTuTu benchmark, and it came in at 6006, which was actually higher than the RAZR test, which was 5369. Scoring better is nice, but it all comes down to real world experience, and I didn’t notice a difference.
    The display is somewhat a disappointment in that it’s only a qHD (960 x 540) screen. With HD screens already out from the likes of LG, Samsung, and HTC, its surprising to see Motorola lacking in this category. At the same time, I can’t blame them. As I mentioned in my RAZR review, I think the display is on par with most non-HD displays. The color has deeper blacks and I honestly don’t think most people will find a big difference as compared to the newer HD screens. I presume this is why Motorola is backing off the HD screens here in the U.S. They are blessed with the “Droid” branding which guarantees a certain amount of automatic success so they can save a few bucks with the cheaper screen. The LG Spectrum, HTC Rezound, and Galaxy Nexus don’t receive the same marketing push. Which is more important? An HD display or battery. Motorola chose battery, and I think they chose wisely.
    Software
    There really isn’t anything to add here that’s different from my DROID RAZR review. The software is so identical that even the ROM versions and kernels are identical. Motorola has been under a lot of scrutiny for its UI skins, and I think its unjustified. They are doing a lot of really nice things with Smart Actions and MotoCast. For more information about these, checkout my DROID RAZR review.
    Camera
    Again, there isn’t much here to add. The camera is the same as the DROID RAZR. Motorola has never been known for great cameras, but they’re getting better. The DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX are not top tier, but there not the bottom of the barrel either. I have included some example photos for your reference (the 4th one utilized flash).
    Closing
    I said it earlier in the article that the DROID RAZR MAXX is a battery with a phone around it, but it also happens to be a very good phone. There’s only one reason not to buy the DROID RAZR MAXX and that’s the fact that it doesn’t have Ice Cream Sandwich. If you’re a hardcore, then it might not be the phone for you, but if you’re the typical consumer, who doesn’t mind waiting 2 or 3 months, then it’s a no brainer – The DROID RAZR MAXX wins hands down.
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 12:15 PM PST
    Some leaked pictures are giving us an exciting look at the HTC Ville, which will debut on T-Mobile in mid-2012.  The Japanese site Ameblo repeats some of the rumored specs we’ve reported, including a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon Series 4 processor, and an 8-megapixel camera.  The audio system will be sporting Beats Audio, and the battery will be 1650 mAh. Remarkably, the phone will be packed into a housing of approximately 8mm.  That would make it thinner than the iPhone!
    The phone is supposed to run Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense 4.0, but the leaked photos show the Ville running what looks to be Sense 3.0.  You can, however, see the amazing slimness of this new device.  We’re still hoping to see the phone at Mobile World Congress in a few weeks.
    Leaked HTC Ville_1 Leaked HTC Ville_4 Leaked HTC Ville_2 Leaked HTC Ville_3
    source: Ameblo
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 11:52 AM PST
     Add another to the stack of rumours surrounding the upcoming Galaxy S III. This time, South Korea’s Electronic Times News reports that an unnamed source claims the quad-core, super AMOLED plus, Android 4.0 powerhouse will be enclosed in a Liquipel waterproofed chassis only 7mm thick, 1.49mm thinner than the Galaxy S II. Electronic Times News also reports that we could see the S III launched as soon as May, which would line up with Samsung’s statement earlier this month.
    With technology becoming smaller and cooler, I would not be in the least bit surprised if this rumour turned out to be true. With such a thin profile and all the rumoured specifications swirling around, it seems the Galaxy S III is going to turn Galaxy Nexus owners on their head with an impressive device to tempt them into premature replacement.
    Source: Electronic Times News
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 10:14 AM PST
    In June of last year, the Taiwanese government issued a complaint to multiple companies including Microsoft and Apple, defending a certain law they have in place that details anything downloaded from the internet must be subject to a mandatory seven-day trial period in which the user can request a complete refund. Both Apple and Microsoft yielded, complying with the Taiwanese law. Google however, argued that users have ample time – even within the 15 minute window Google allows – to use the app and determine whether or not they want a refund.
    As a result, Google was fined NT$1,000,000 (about $34,000 US), which they appealed. Google’s final appeal ended yesterday, and it didn’t bear any good news for the internet giant. The Taiwanese government gave a statement, saying “We urge Google to respect Taiwan’s laws and the rights of our consumers to resume sales of its Android Market paid apps.”
    Google’s been fairly quiet thus far, but it’s only been a day. I don’t believe they’re necessarily too worried about it, though. Do you?
    Source: India Times
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 09:57 AM PST
    Those of you in the U.K. can mark your calendars because the white Galaxy Nexus has been officially confirmed by Samsung for release on Monday, February 13th — just in time to buy one for your special someone on Valentine’s Day. The sleek looking Samsung flagship model comes with the same color scheme as yester-years’ white Nexus S, a white chassis and a black glass face. The internals remain the same.
    It’s disappointing – to say the least – that nothing has been hinted thus far at any North American release to satisfy our white GNex hunger, though one can still hope, right?
    Press release after the break.

    SAMSUNG LAUNCHES THE GALAXY NEXUS WHITE
    Samsung's latest Android device coming to UK shores 13th February
    6th February 2012, London, UK – Samsung has today confirmed the availability of a white variant of the Galaxy Nexus in the UK. The first smartphone to feature Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Galaxy Nexus White can be bought in a range of stores across the country from 13th February.
    Simon Stanford, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division said: "After much speculation, we are pleased to announce the availability of the Galaxy Nexus White which follows the great reception the phone has received since it was launched back in November. One of the things we at Samsung pride ourselves on is the choice we offer customers, and we've enjoyed huge success to date by introducing white variants of our most popular models to our product portfolio."
    The Galaxy Nexus™ White offers customers all the features found in the original Galaxy Nexus, from the 4.65'' HD Super AMOLED display which boasts a market-leading resolution of 720p (1280×720), to the 5 megapixel camera and super-fast 1.2GHz dual core processor and HSPA+ connectivity so owners can connect to and browse the internet quickly and easily when they're out and about.
    As the first  smartphone to run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Galaxy Nexus White offers customers an entirely new look and feel, including a redesigned user interface with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support and a full web browsing experience. In addition to a rounded slim design, the Galaxy Nexus White also introduces new innovations such as 'Face Unlock', which uses facial recognition to unlock the phone. Whilst integration with Google+™ means owners can easily stay in touch with friends and family and talk over Google+ Messenger.
    Posted: 06 Feb 2012 09:46 AM PST
    Well it appears Motorola is growing some stones in regards to its injunction against Apple’s iCloud and MobileMe software. Motorola is apparently looking into receiving 2.25% of Apple’s sales in return for licensing FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms) patents. Right now Apple is currently battling in its use of the Qualcomm-Mot0r0la license agreement for its defense. They are trying to show the court that the patent has already been exhausted, which would safeguard Apple from also being sued by Qualcomm. They just happen to be its supplier and a license already exists between the two. They are also trying to disclose terms of the agreement in order to prove that 2.25% is an exaggerated amount.
    They are also asking for documents that contain the agreements between Motorola and other manufacturers, like Ericsson, HTC, LG, and Nokia. Apple hopes that these agreements show the court that 2.25% is exaggerated as was said before and that it exceeds the amount agreed upon with those other OEMs.  The ruling could go either way. One thing is for certain, Apple isn’t steam rolling over Android OEMs anymore in their patent suits.
    source: FOSS Patents
    via: PocketNow

    Posted by at 10:37 PM

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