Tag Archives: android

Gmail Update Borgs iOS Default Apps

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | NO COMMENTS

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Google recently rolled out update to Gmail for iOS that will open links to Google services in the native Google app, if they’ve been installed. If you click on a YouTube link or Maps, the update will skip Safair and open the link in the corresponding Google app. The interesting twist is that standard URLs will open in Chrome instead of Safari.

So far both Google and Apple have been mum on the change and it remains to be seen if Apple will roll back some of these features. Apple doesn’t let users pick default applications in the iPhone, so this bold move by Google circumvents the typical user experience. Users can opt to turn the feature off, even at that it seems surprising Apple approved such a sweeping change.

Overall I see this as a good thing and Apple should get props for giving users the option to modify their default applications, even if it comes in the form of a hack by a competitive company. It’s a positive change that will make the iPhone even more attractive as users won’t have to choose between their favorite phone and their favorite online service apps. If Apple pushes users too hard they’ll switch to Android, it seems smarter to cooperate.

The world of technology truly does make some interesting bedfellows sometimes and it’s going to be fascinating to watch this change play out.

PC Sales Plunge But Is It Fair To Blame Windows 8?

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | NO COMMENTS

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Global PC sales suffered a dramatic drop in sales the last three months; the numbers were startling even considering PC sales in general have slumped over the last year. The news took a bite out of PC makers and Microsoft stock prices with HP losing 6.5 percent and Microsoft losing 4.4 percent.

While it would be easy to blame Microsoft and Windows 8 for the sudden collapse of PC sales, and as a Linux user I would find that somewhat satisfying, this is really a problem that runs deeper than the operating system for the PC industry.

Even my big Linux PC doesn’t see as much use lately, there just isn’t any compelling reason to fire it up. I have a laptop that meets my needs just fine, so why bother with the big hardware? Sometimes when I’m doing photo editing I miss my big, dual monitors but that’s about the only time. The problem for the PC market may not be Windows (for once) but the improvements in more compact hardware and connected devices.

One could have predicted the continued popularity of smaller connected devices by looking at Japan where the connected device market is nearly a decade ahead of the U.S. and has continued to eat away at PC sales as most consumers just don’t need big applications.

Productivity Applications In The Cloud

Probably the most disruptive change for the technology market is the easy availability of productivity apps. If you still need desktop productivity you have many options; gone are the days when Office was the only serious game in town. Online apps like Google Docs and Zoho are quickly replacing desktop applications all together, even for big companies like KLM and Disney. Those tools will only get more functional and ubiquitous as time goes on.

Without productivity apps what does that really leave for big boxes? Video editing, gaming, maybe big graphics work, not really a long list.

So it’s not just an operating system issue. There’s enough power in relatively modest hardware to do most of the tasks users require. New tablets, netbooks and smartphones don’t need an outside monitor or mouse and even keyboards are optional. Storage and applications are moving to the cloud, reducing even the need for external storage. Connected devices are light, convenient and powerful, cheap enough to be almost disposable and you don’t need Geek Squad or an IT department to set it up for you. The OS is largely peripheral to the equation.

To be fair Windows 8 does deserve some of the blame. Instead of separating the desktop and device markets, Microsoft went for a one-size-fits-all solution that didn’t really work for anyone. That was followed by the Microsoft admission that Office for Android will be delayed by at least a year. In the meantime Google is forging ahead with the integration of Google Docs and QuickOffice.

For the time being Microsoft Office still dominates the productivity market, but one wonders how long they can maintain the lead while absorbing a near continuous series of body blows, some of which are self-inflicted. It’s good to remember that RCA once dominated the personal electronics market and Kodak dominated imaging. In their day it seemed impossible that more nimble competitors could overtake them, but that’s exactly what happened.

Microsoft needs to pull it together or their legacy is going to be joining the ranks of those serving as a warning to companies of the future.

Where Is The Chromebook Trend Going?

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | 1 Comment

gallery-trackpadI’ve been watching the connected device trend develop for the last ten years and it’s just now starting to get interesting. What happens to the device market from here will depend a lot on the established players in the PC industry.

When I say “established players” I don’t mean Microsoft, which is meeting the Chromebook challenge the same way they met the Android challenge; by signing deals with hardware manufacturers to pay them off to avoid patent litigation. Chromebook supplier Wistron recently signed a deal to pay the Microsoft patent tax on Chromebooks and there will be others. You’re already paying the same Microsoft patent premium on Android devices.

That is an unsustainable business model for Microsoft that also seems a little pathetic. Sticking to it will ultimately leave Microsoft as relevant in the technology world as Kodak is in the world of imaging.

Connected devices like tablets and Chromebooks are at a clumsy stage in their own development. Chromebooks are not quite replacements for a full size laptop or desktop but they’re powerful enough for 90 percent of the routine tasks most people perform on their larger computers.

It’s that last 10 percent that’s going to determine whether connected devices become the standard or we all face up to buying a new generation of laptops. Right now the last mile for Chromebooks are applications like Illustrator, Photoshop and heavy video editing and rendering in applications like Premiere Pro. Chromebooks just don’t have the juice to run big apps and the native applications are still a ways off. A lot will depend on where development goes at places like Adobe, which is heavily invested in the desktop market.

Productivity applications, like Word and Excel, are starting to fall to cloud alternatives although adoption is irregular. I’m not counting productivity apps in the 10 percent of applications keeping people chained to a laptop.

Hardware manufacturers have seen the disembodied hand writing on the wall and jumped into the device market, but it’s low-end hardware. The hardware limitations almost seem designed to protect the manufacturer’s own laptop and desktop market. So far only Google has dared put more punch into Chromebook appliances but the pricetag will certainly discourage many people from even considering a high powered appliance which is a little like being able to brag about having the fastest go-kart in town.

For the moment, Google’s Pixel is the fastest go-kart in town but with its sleek aluminum construction, boot up times measured in seconds and high definition monitor it shows what Chromebooks are capable of being at a time PC and laptop manufacturers may secretly want them to go the way of netbooks. Chromebooks, and the concept behind them, are very disruptive to the big hardware and big software models that have been around for decades.

Google knows that and isn’t standing still to give anyone a chance to corral Chromebooks to serve the status quo. Development for Android and native applications for Chromium OS are flying ahead and the features of an online operating system like instant backups, cloud synchronization, automatic updates and integration of Google services are already compelling features that can only improve in the days ahead.

The real sea change will come if Adobe releases functionally competitive cloud versions of their popular image editing and video editing software. If they wait too long that runs the risk of watching their market share be eaten away by more nimble competitors.

For now most of us are still juggling a smartphone, which we use increasingly more often, a laptop or desktop, which we use less often and are loath to carry, and some assortments of tablets, netbooks or e-readers. What you’ll be carrying in two years and what operating system it will be running is still up in the air, but what is certain is you will have more functionality in fewer devices.

Google Now Coming To Your Desktop

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | NO COMMENTS

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Google Now is a mobile Android app that takes predictive technology to the next level. So much so that one starts to wonder exactly where the line between “convenience” and “creepy” is actually drawn. Google Now knows where you’re going, when you’re going to get there and can make some eyebrow-raising guesses at what you’re going to need when you arrive. All that combined with reminder and organization features that make Siri look primitive by comparison.

I do have to say the convenience is quite amazing; during your commute to work Google Now will map out alternate routes in case you run into traffic and keep you posted on train and bus schedules. Near mealtimes Now will present a panel with nearby restaurants and if you’re by a particular restaurant it will present the menu. Besides the location features Now also keeps tabs on the weather, notifies you of changes to your flights when traveling, keeps you on schedule for your appointments and keeps you posted on your travel time back home. The panels in Google Now are constantly changing to provide information about where you are and what it thinks you might need when you get where you’re going.

Now speculation abounds that Google is getting ready to integrate Now with the desktop. Support for Windows and Chrome OS have been spotted in the wild and, once the applications are opened up to third party developers, the universe that is Google Now could expand dramatically.

Imagine the possibilities for a suite of applications that coordinate both your work and personal life, for those of you fortunate enough to have a life outside work. Google Now would know when you’re at the office and switch over to desktop mode automatically, when your phone leaves it knows you’re on the move and starts populating your panels with relevant information.

The big, red flag with applications like Now is, of course, privacy. Google Now not only can take a guess about where you’re going but it will know everywhere you’ve been. If you’re around other people also on the service, the system would be able to build a relationship matrix in the background, both in your working and private life. And that’s just your physical location information. Google would be able to combine all that with what knows from your email, contacts and search as well.

In the age old battle between privacy and convenience, the smart money is on convenience. But now we’re starting to get into some pretty scary privacy territory. Santa Claus won’t be the only one who knows when you’re sleeping and when you’re awake, or whether you’ve been naughty or nice. As more of our life revolves around our phones, the greater the privacy implications. And there’s no place to hide from your own phone.

For now the Google Now server URL remains out of reach for testing, but as soon as it’s available, you can check back here for the full review.

Home Automation Coming To Your Living Room

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | NO COMMENTS

home_automateYou can tell home automation has come a long way when the cable company starts selling the service. That means the systems are packaged, reasonably affordable and within the skill of their contract installers to put in. Not putting down cable companies or their installers, who have always done a good job for me, but if you’re at all handy with simple tools there’s no need to pay the cable company every month for what you can do yourself.

These days home automation systems are becoming easier to assemble thanks to both hobbyists and home improvement specialists. Simple controls, most of which can be activated from a smartphone application, include:

- Wireless cameras
- Door locks
- Interior light controls
- Smart thermostats
- Various outdoor modules

If you really want to go big you can add more sophisticated systems, like programmable zone heating and cooling, which requires some specialized equipment and expertise to install.

Z-Wave and Zigbee

New wireless mesh standards like Z-Wave and Zigbee have helped standardize functions and make packaging of new devices easier. In your home you can literally have light switches and door locks creating their own self-discovering networks. While that may make some concerned about security, in the age old contest between security and convenience, always bet on convenience. What’s security compared to having the lights come on and garage door open when you pull in the driveway?

DIY Projects Mature

There are many mature DIY projects, including one that utilizes the new Raspberry Pi. Most of these started out as hobbyist projects but have matured enough a few of them are no longer routinely updated.

Enter Lowesiris

Lowes has fielded the Iris system that’s a turn-key, unified package of home automation products that utilize Wifi, Z-Wave and Zigbee and source from a variety of vendors. But Lowe’s is insuring that any controller with the Iris logo will be compatible with their system. It’s a brilliant move of the type that is increasingly rare in established companies.

Iris already has both Android and iOS apps for controlling the system and offers an upgrade service for $9.99 that adds additional functionality, including scheduling options.

Between packaged systems like Iris and a myriad of mature roll-your-own DIY systems, it’s now within reach of people with a minimal amount of skill with common tools and a little bit of technical ability to install some of these systems on their own.

I’m not sure I’m comfortable with a front door that can be opened electronically, but there are numerous options for operating lights, wall outlets, security cameras and saving energy that can be implemented without worrying about the neighbor kid hacking your front door.

China Raises Red Flag Over Android Dominance

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | NO COMMENTS

china_googleAccording to a new paper from the research division of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China is becoming wary of Android market dominance and the influence of Google. The paper suggests Chinese companies have been the victims of “commercial discrimination”.

This isn’t the first time Google and China have been at odds. Through most of 2009 Google and China were involved in an undeclared cyberwar as groups with ties to the Chinese military executed Operation Aurora and gained access to a number of core systems at several large tech companies. Google hit back by making available a totally uncensored version of its search engine and threatened to close its Chinese operations.

With 98 percent of handsets in China running some flavor of Android, the concern is not a total surprise and the paper applauds the efforts of companies inside China to develop their own fork of the Android operating system. While the source code for Android is open, the development pipeline is not, complicating the efforts to develop a Chinese version of the popular handset operating system.

It’s a certainty that the strife between Google and China is still very near the surface as the two combatants continue to warily circle one another. The paper stopped short of recommending any specific regulatory action but the proverbial skunk is definitely on the table as both sides hunker down for a protracted conflict.

Three Awesome ToDo Apps To Organize Your Life

Posted on by Chris Poindexter | 1 Comment

Any.DO makes my list of life organizers.

Technology is usually a wonderful thing. I say “usually” because technology can make life more efficient, which can have unintended consequences. When life is efficient it moves more quickly and that means there is more to do and more to forget.

Our ancestors did not have that problem. Life moved at a slower pace, dictated by the rhythms of nature and progression of the seasons. You never met a farmer who forgot to sow his fields in the spring or who was out of town at the in-laws at harvest time. The human brain evolved to be good at survival and reproduction, not to juggle 500 tasks in a given week.

So modern life is, in many ways, an unnatural act for all of us and our poor brains, evolved to receive input at a slower pace, struggle to keep up. Fortunately technology provides ways to help manage our increasingly busy lives by providing applications that can help us keep track of those myriad details and remind us it’s time to do something.

There are many, many apps out there for time management and it’s a little arbitrary to reduce it down to just three. The criteria I used were that the app needs to sync between all your devices and, since we live in a highly collaborative world, needed to include the ability to network with other people.

Any.DO Logo + Name

Any.DO is an impressive little application with a robust set of features. It’s available for Android or iOS and packs all that usefulness into a tiny, intuitive interface that’s easy to use. Key features include sync with GoogleTask, voice recognition, repeating/recurring tasks and gesture support. Just swipe-right to mark a task complete or grab a task and rescheduled just by dragging to a new time slot. What I like about Any.DO is that it’s fast and intuitive. A reminder app doesn’t do you any good if you don’t use it.

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I have to admit that part of the reason I like this app is the name is brilliant, but it wouldn’t be on my shortlist if it didn’t deliver. If you’re life is busy, I mean like Kim Kardashian busy, you will really appreciate ToodleDo’s rich feature set and ability to sort and reorder tasks, change priorities, due dates and mark tasks as optional. Optional tasks automatically fall off your schedule after the due date. Part todo list, part project manager, ToodleDo is robust enough to let you manage small projects or a plan for world domination.

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For a long time Android fans could remind themselves with an inner smirk that their friends with fancy-schmancy iPads couldn’t use Astrid. You can wipe that smirk off your inner face, those days are gone now as Astrid is available on Android and iOS. Astrid gets points for being fast, useful and has a Chrome plugin available, it also gets points for being the most improved on my list. Set tasks by voice, manage tasks by email and enjoy nearly seamless integration between your desktop and phone.

My only concern with Astrid is the emphasis on premium features. If you want attachments and some of the team management tools, it’ll cost you. That’s why Astrid is now at the bottom of my shortlist. It’s a great little app for time management, but if they continue ramping up the pressure to move users to the premium version, it will fall off my list altogether.

Bored By Your Workouts? Try These Apps For Getting Fit

Posted on by Vance Miller | NO COMMENTS

Keeping fit during the summer can be a challenge, especially with record temperatures throughout the country. While it’s great weather to go sit by a pool, finding the motivation to get out of the house to exercise can be a chore. Luckily, there are thousands of health and fitness apps that can help you make smart decisions, keep you on track for your fitness goals, and best of all make working out fun. Whether you’re trying to make a final push to keep that New Year’s Resolution alive or if you just want to spice up your daily routine, there’s probably a smartphone app for what you need. Here are a few to get you up and moving.

Running Apps

RunKeeper is one of the most well-known running apps, for both iPhone and Android. It will use your phone’s GPS to track your run and keep a record of your running achievements. An optional running assistant will give you mid-run updates or instructions for variable training. Available for iPhone and Android, in free and paid versions.

Zombies, Run! is an innovative way to freshen up your run. This game delivers the story of a zombie apocalypse to your headphones. Your runs will help build up a survival outpost as you collect supplies, rations and outrun zombies. If the thought of marauding zombies puts a little extra pep in your step, this game may be for you. Currently, some of the game elements are not supported on certain Android phones, so do some research before you pay for the game. ($7.99 on iPhone and Android.)

Daily Mile isn’t exactly an app, but it can be a great motivational tool for your runs. It’s a running social network that connects with your Facebook or Twitter and allows you to share and track your runs. You can measure perceived effort, track calories burned and compare your workouts to friends.

General Fitness Apps

Jefit is the app of choice for general fitness and weightlifting routines. Jefit offers a number of routines and exercises targeted for your skill level. The app will help you build and track any workout routine to help you get the results you want. Jefit has settings for weight loss, sport specific routines, weightlifting and more. (iPhone and Android, with Free and Pro versions)

FIT Radio. Creating the perfect music playlist for your workout can be tedious. FIT Radio removes the work from your workout mix. FIT Radio lets you select a genre and then gives you a workout designed to make your workout more enjoyable and effective. Music can be a great motivator when you’re working out, and FIT Radio is a no-sweat solution for your musical needs. (iPhone and Android)

Nexercise. Your workout shouldn’t be a chore, and turning it into a game is one of the most effective ways of turning exercising into a habit. Nexercise is a great app to make your exercise fun and entertaining. The game rewards users with medals, discounts and even free merchandise. It lets you compete against friends and motivate them in their own fitness routines. (iPhone and Android)

Nutrition

Fooducate is great for people trying to cut calories as well as exercise. With a massive food database and online community, Fooducate lets you scan a barcode at the grocery store to learn the true nutritional value of a food. The app will offer alternatives if the food you scanned doesn’t have favorable stats. (iPhone and Android)

Restaurant Nutrition is an essential app for fitness buffs that travel or just like to eat out. It can be tough to choose a meal that is actually healthy, but this app takes the guesswork out of your meals. It has a significant database of restaurants and lets you track your calories to ensure you don’t go overboard when dining out – available for iPhone and for Android.

My, How Things Have Changed in Android Land

Posted on by David Pierce | NO COMMENTS

Came across this today in reading a great back-and-forth about Apple, Google, manliness and win between John Gruber and Joe Wilcox. That’s worth reading by itself (start here, go backwards through the links John gives), but what I really loved was his link to what the Android operating system used to look like, circa 2007 (before the iPhone, which Android devices now look suspiciously similar to, was announced):

That’s the phone (looks a lot more like a certain fruit-named phone than what it looks like now, no?), and click through for pictures of the operating system (think Windows Mobile and Blackberry had an illicit, business-friendly affair and conceived an open-source child).

See it at Engadget.

How to Buy a Cell Phone

Posted on by David Pierce | 11 Comments

Post by David Pierce. Find me on Twitter.

I love gadgets. I know—surprising, right? I love ‘em, I read about ‘em, I talk about ‘em to the point where everyone hates me, and I buy ‘em in droves. Some say it’s a problem to have four screens, three laptops, too many phones and not enough money for a cup of coffee, but I say it’s all about priorities.

Over the last few months I’ve figured out there’s one thing I’m terrible at shopping for: cell phones. I bought a new phone in January, and over the last four months have hated it so furiously and fervently that I’m seriously debating buying a new one already.

The problem isn’t that the phone is broken, or defective, or just a bad device. The problem is that it’s absolutely 100% the wrong phone for me. 98% of the time, I need a phone for three things (other than, you know, phone calls): texting, checking email, and getting un-lost 39 times a day. Pretty much any phone out there can do those things by now, so I thought the world was my oyster. I went for cheap and small, and bought a Droid Eris.

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