android vs apple

Not too long ago I posted about a leak regarding Sprint's next big phone headed out this month. Well the new HTC Evo Shift 4G will officially be available January 9th for $149.99. Though many are thinking of it as a sucussor to the Evo, I'd say it's more of a sibling; similiar to the Droid 2, Droid X, and Droid Incredible on Verizon. It shows Sprint's decision to launch an Evo line of phones; a smart move in my opinion. I'm loving HTC's phones right now and Sprint's line up was definitely in need of more variety and another  NON-SAMSUNG full qwerty Android device. I am not really feeling Samsung right now for a number of reasons (possibly an entire separate post), so a qwerty device from HTC is definitely welcome.

Not quite the "Evo with a Keyboard" I hoped it to be, the Shift ( as I am dubbing it) is still a really good phone!  It basically takes the Evo, adds a keyboard and a newer snappier processor but reduces the screen and rear camera and removes the front facing camera.  It's actually a lot closer to the the T-Mobile G2 (also made by HTC).

Looking at the Specs might draw a better picture:
*Forgot to add OG Evo has HDMI out. I don't believe the Shift does

The first real Android Tablet competitor to the iPad is among us. The Samsung Galaxy Tab, and it is available in a number of different carrier flavors and is equipped with wifi and varying types of cellular data coverage. I am very excited about Android Tablets in general and I think the Galaxy Tab really gets things heading in the right direction.

Powered by Android 2.2 Froyo, with a 7" screen Samsung emphasizes  it's "portability", I guess implying that other larger screen tablets *cough iPad cough, cough* aren't very portable. I will agree I think I'd prefer the slightly smaller sized screen, but definitely look forward to tablets to come that cover a spectrum of screen sizes. The Tabs only 14oz but I don't know about Sammy's implications that it is pocket-able. Sounds like a great way to waste a few hundred bucks, but it's clearly a bit more hand-sized than the 10" iPad. One feature the iPad lacked that the Tab has that I griped about is a camera; and not just one but two! So unlike iPad which will undoubtly be followed by a slightly upgraded successor with the camera it should've had to begin with, the Tab will allow photo, video and video chat (via front facing camera) out of the box!



Samsung does there best to make it more than just a giant Android powered smartphone. Adding their own app suite to the mix to provide some additional functionality and features.  One I really like is the landscape email app; which allows you to view your inbox list on one side and a preview of a given email on the other.  Apps like this are the things that get me excited about replacing my laptop on daily treks around campus and to work with a tablet of some sort.  It gives you the mobility of a smart phone with the expanded functionality of a more full-fledge computer.  On the flip side Android still has a way to go with its tablet platform as many of the apps are still not optimized for the larger screen experience and it seems that in many capacities it is just a large phone (without phone functionality).  Fortunately Google is on top of this and should be addressing these issues soon with Android 3.0 Honeycomb software update, which will be optimized for tablet devices.



If nothing else I welcome the Galaxy Tab as a worthy competitor in the Tablet arena, and I am very excited to see what is to come. Not just from the Tab but from the upcoming onslaught of Android tablets from a plethora of manufacturers. With the Tablet-centric Honeycomb version of Android on the way we should see a boost on the software/OS side too.  2011 will definitely be an interesting year and we will likely see some exciting changes in the way we use technology, computers and the web.

Check out some Galaxy Tab video footage!


More detail at sources:
Engadget
Samsung

  

Is it just me or new Android phones popping up like pimples on a teenagers face?! Seriously, though I feel like I can't even keep up with all the new devices.  From T-Mobile's newest high end devices the G2 and the myTouch HD to Sprint's up-coming, low-end $50 Froyo toting LG Optimus S new Androids are dropping every day! I'm glad to see the new phones rolling out; the more options the better and the bigger the Android user base grows which is good for all.

Sprint is FINALLY expanding their Android options some more after being completely left in the dust by their fellow CDMA carrier Verizon, and offering 3 new mid to low-level Android devices, the previously mentioned LG Optimus S, Samsung Transform, and the Sanyo Zio. In my opinion Sprint has really been needing some more Android devices especially in the mid-tier realm and these look like they may fill out that space nicely. Even better the phones are priced at $150 (Samsung Transform), $100 (Sanyo Zio), $50 (LG Optimus S), putting them right in the impulse purchase range and making buying an old school feature phone even more pointless!  The phones will also ship with a new Sprint software add-on called Sprint-ID; it allows user to select different thematic lay outs with pre-configured themes, settings, apps and widgets.  For example a business theme that automatically downloads and installs business related apps, widgets and adjusts the settings. This approach seems better than the current method of loading the phone with a bunch of Sprint crap straight out of the gate.  Check out the vid below for a walk-through of Sprint-ID.

      

The Samsung Transform is basically a "baby" 4G-less Epic. Running Android 2.1, with a 3.5" capacitive touchscreen, 800MHz processor, FRONT and rear cameras and a slide out qwerty keyboard.  It has a similar design to the Epic 4G minus the Super AMOLED screen and $100 less. And despite the lack of 4G the Transform still supports video chat!!!

And then the LG Optimus S, which in my opinion may be the most interesting of the bunch. For $50 the phone has a 3.2" HVGA screen, mobile hotspot, WiFi, 3.2MP camera,  and 600MHz processor; additionally Engadget describes it as having a Nexus One like feel.  Best of all it is running Android 2.2! It is really looking like it could have the biggest "bang for your buck"  in the Android world thus far!


And potentially following in the Samsung Galaxy S family's foot steps the LG Optimus One will apparently be the family name and it will be offered on other carriers as well; so far T-Mobile is the only other US carrier to announce a device.  The T-Mobile LG Optimus T will be dropping soon as well. Specs appear to all be the same but T-Mo was sure to point out that its Optimus comes with Swype preloaded and the button layout is slightly different.


Not to be left out Verizon will be adding another member to it's Droid family, with the Motorola Droid Pro.  This phone should be a nice device for Team Blackberry members looking to jump ship to Android with its BlackBerry-like portrait qwerty design.  The keyboard looks like a BlackBerry keyboard and has been describe to feel like one too! The Droid Pro has some impressive specs, with a 1Ghz processor, Android 2.2, 8GB of internal storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, a dual LED flash-equipped camera, 3G mobile hotspot and an optional 1860mAh extended battery.  The Pro will come ready to handle the busy business-person's daily tasks and will also have a desk mount like some of its other Droid relatives available for purchase! VZW customers your choices just keep getting better and better. The VZW Droid lineup has got to be the best selection of Android devices offered by any carrier. VZW customers biggest issue is likely which Droid to take home, but thats got to be a good problem to have.... right?

As of today VZW will begin rolling out the long awaited Android 2.2 Froyo update for HTC Droid Incredible units. Bringing a speed boost, wider app library, 720p video recording, mobile hotspot, and Flash 10.1 and other tweak and goodies to the Incredible. VZW has really done a great job with its Android devices and its good to see its first 1ghz super Droid get brought up to date. Better late than never right? if you haven't automatically been prompted to update yet go to menu/settings/system updates and start checking periodically. if its as smooth as it is on the Evo (which it should be) you will love the tweaks! Please share your thoughts after upgrading below in the comments.

Google is goin in with Android and has been dropping hot features and devices left and right.  Today its voice search app gets a boost for Froyo equipped devices. Its new features include very advance voice commands. But why type what you can watch. Check out the unbelievable app in the video below. I'm downloading this RIGHT NOW!!!!



  

The Evo recently got an update to Android 2.2 Froyo, but because it is an HTC device some features where not included as HTC opted to use their own versions. One of such features is the 3D picture gallery. I just installed it and it looks really great but is a bit slower and less efficient than the stock option from HTC. Still it doesnt override your stock HTC pic gallery so you can use both and show off the 3D effects of the stock Android 2.2 gallery. Check out the video and if you like it follow the link to download and install.



To install you will need either an app like Astro file manager (highly recommended app) or you will need to download to your computer and email it to yourself at your Gmail account, at which point your phones Gmail will offer you the option to install the file.

Download: Android 2.2 Stock 3D Picture Gallery
Source: Good and Evo

This nothing new but it is something that is often overlooked.  With the Froyo update came the ability to effortlessly share websites between your Froyo equipped Android device and your computer's web browser.  There are likely several ways to do this butI'm going to share what I use.  This is something I always wanted and I use it daily it is REALLY helpful.  Instead of having to email yourself links or trying to remember them and retype them you can now simply push a button and the link will instantly pop up on your phone from your computer and visa-versa.

First you will need Google's Chrome to phone App and Chrome browser extension. For some reason both of these are hard to find so I will provide links below.  I guess I should also note that this is for use with Google's Chrome browser (my favorite) and I will also provide a link for Chrome to Phone for Firefox (I haven't tested this version) unfortunately I don't have anything for Safari or Internet Explorer (do people still use IE?).

Each of the links will allow you to download the files to your computer or directly to your phone using a bar code scanner ( another great app that you should download from the market).  The Chrome to Phone ".apk" file should be installed on your phone.  Once installed complete any registration steps and then download the browser extention (either chrome or firefox accordingly).  Once this is done you should get a small button in your browser tool bar.  This button will send whatever site you are viewing directly to your phone!  This feature is infinitely useful!!!

Video of Chrome to Phone:



Now for the inverse; to send items from your phone to your computer I like to use Android2cloud.  I have provided links to download both the app for your phone and the Chrome browser extension for this one as well.  This app does the same thing except now when you are viewing a site on your phone you can long press in the url bar and select share page (or press menu and share page), you will see Android2cloud as an option and selecting it will load it on your computers browser.

Check out the video demonstrating this feature:



These are features that took entirely too long to come to our phones and now that they are out they aren't widely publicized.  Check them out I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Downloads:
Files for Chrome to Phone (send sites from computer to phone):
Chrome to Phone apk file (actual app for your phone) UPDATE: This app is now available in the market officially!
Chrome to Phone Browser extension for Google Chrome Browser (install to computer)
Chrome to Phone Browser extension for Firefox (install to computer)

Files for Android2Cloud (send sites from phone to computer):
Android2Cloud apk file (install to phone) Also available in the market search "Android2Cloud"
Android2Cloud Google Chrome Browser extension (install to computer)

The Droid 2 finally gets official and will go on sale Thursday August 12th for $199.99 on a new contract. Verizon's website will begin offering units tomorrow during an early pre-sale event. There is also a special edition R2D2 Star Wars Droid 2 that will be packaged with Star Wars goodies set for release in September.

The Droid 2 will surely be a success boosting the Droid into the arena with the latest Super-smartphones.  Maintaining the original Droid's general shape, design, camera and screen size (5MP camera, 3.7" screen), the Droid 2 has a redesigned keyboard, 1Ghz processor, 8GB of built in memory plus a 8GB microSD card and Swype pre-installed.  The Droid 2 will also come with Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box (flash support, plus hard keyboard equals lots of great FREE gaming)! For an additional $20/month Droid 2 owners will also be able to utilize Verizon's Wifi hotspot functionality on the Droid 2.

The best part of this whole ordeal for many current VZW customers is that Verizon will be allowing any customers whose contract ends by December 31, 2010 to upgrade to any smartphone, including the Droid 2, without penalty!!!! I'm sure many orginal droid owners (and Blackberry owners) will be jumping on this!

The Evo just got even better officially today! As promised Sprint began releasing the update over the air today.  So far reviews of the update have been excellent.  My personal experiences have been equally good; increased speed, battery efficiency and new features.  This update gives the Evo even more of an edge in the smart phone competition and in my opinion solidifies it as the best smart phone available!

Make sure to update your phone if you're already a lucky Evo owner. To update, from your home screen hit Menu->Settings->System updates.  Please share your responses to the changes in the new upgrade below in the comments section.


Source: Engadget

  

The official Evo 4G FroYo Android 2.2 update starts tomorrow and I wanted to put up a quick video showing a little of what  you can expect.  I was lucky enough to get the update this past Friday and have been using it all weekend and I'm very impressed! I'm running a custom rom from Geekfor.me, which I highly recommend if you have a rooted device. Well enough said, check out the video below!




More in depth video from SmartPhoneJunkie.com


  

Thats right Sprint's "soon" is finally here! The update is scheduled to begin trickling out to customers via an over-the-air (OTA) update tomorrow around 11am est.(UPDATE: Official release of the update will begin Tuesday August 3rd) Include in the update are many new features and fixes including:
Application Sharing
Built in LED Flashlight App
Many upgrades to Facebook integration
Small updates to the keyboard
Flash 10.1
New HTC Widgets
Camera/Camcorder updates - including Spotlight for video

To view the HTC/Sprint specific updates check out Engadget's slide show and Sprint's official announcement

Check out this video for some of the new features of Android 2.2 Froyo


Click here for more info on Android 2.2

LG begins to release the first of it's wave of Google powered Android phones to the world. These devices will compete with the offerings from HTC, Motorola and Samsung. Launching off over seas first of course but likely to make it to the U.S. in one form or another soon.

I don't really care for LG's designs but I'm glad that more Google options will be in the market. As the Android Army grows its good for all who use Google powered phones; it increases the appeal to developers, which means more and better apps and more. It will be interesting to see how these phones show up across the different american carriers...

Very few details have been released so far, but it looks like the devices will come with Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box!!!



Source: Engadget