Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Google Rant

I have multiple google accounts; one for school, one for work, and one personal account. This, for some unbeknownst reason, causes some of the biggest head aches I've had since playing games using a floppy drive. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I shouldn't have to sign in and out of each account just because I want to check something real quick, yet alone have the signing in and out done automatically for me so now I just signed up for an app that certain account doesn't have permissions for.

Great products though.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Cool development tool!


A new software allows IT groups to deconstruct mobile apps while they are actually running live on iOS and Android devices, which allows them to uncover bottlenecks, glitches, and many other problems any given piece of software can have.

This tool could potentially help app creators make faster apps with less glitches, overall helping create a better user experience. The software is named Aternity Mobile Frontline Performance Intelligence (MFPI) – an obviously very large name. What it does is add code to each app, which passes a continuous stream of information to a server, which is able to detect which parts of an apps codes are causing bottlenecks. 

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Rooting: A Love Story





My dearest Root,

I'll never forget the first time we met. I had heard your name whispered amongst inner circles and I couldn't wait to meet you. We've known each other for about two years now, and they've been the best two years of my life.

Remember our first picture together? I'll never forget how you increased my performance, made me last longer, and even gave me a makeover. Or that time you made me feel brand new

You helped me make new friends too.

I love you, Root.

Yours forever,
Phone

Monday, April 9, 2012

Facebook Buying Instagram!

Well Instagram sure is making some headlines lately.  Just after they release their widely popular photo sharing app to Android users, they get bought by Facebook!


Facebook has agreed to purchase Instagram for about $1 billion.  Facebook is proud of the photo sharing service they currently provide, and people share more photos on Facebook than anywhere else in the world.  There have been rumors for about a year now that Facebook was working on its own app to compete with Instagram, but I guess if you can't beat 'em, you buy 'em! 

Now this may sound like a bad thing for Instagram and its users.  Many small startups, with passionate founders and customers, are completely ruined after being absorbed into giant companies, but in this case it seems like Facebook is off to a good start.  Zuckerberg has said they are going to keep Instagram independent and keep all of its current features like being able share with other social networks.  So hopefully Facebook will not interfere too much, but supply necessary resources like servers to support Instagram's rapidly growing user base. Only time will tell how this new relationship works out.   

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Instagram for the Android: Ready Up

Instagram is coming to the Android phone, a free camera based app which gives your photos multiple filters to change popular attributes such as sharpness and contrast.

Instagram is not just a phone filter however, but it is also part of a social media platform with 30 million users, allowing users the ability to share photos instantly with their friends.

Your instagram account can be linked to your facebook, twitter, and tumbler accounts. Each photo you take, the app will ask you which of these accounts you want the photo uploaded to.

It gives android users another fun way to stay connected by allowing real time uploads of pictures while out and about!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Android: King of the Operating Systems


Recently, the International Data Corporation put out a statement saying that Android will be taking over Windows as the top operating system by 2016 (take that Apple!). Android is projected to grow from a 29.4% market share to 31.1% Windows market share is expected to plunge from 35.9%, to 25.1% and while they will still be ahead of the Apple iOS (it's supposed to hit 17.3% market share by 2016), it is clearly seeing the demise of its OS if this trend continues.

Have to say, it's a little gratifying to see Android blowing everyone else's OS out of the water! We're taking over and it seems like no one will be able to slow down the popularity of the Android OS. People, in conjunction with technology, are moving forward and growing what seems like daily. The trick is to keep the innovation alive. In the "PC Plus" era, making sure that all of the current and new devices are compatible for the same cloud applications and services is a large undertaking. If the Android market is able to keep up with the innovation, it seems like they will be an unstoppable OS player.

Here's the link to the full article if you're interested in reading more:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1112505289/idc-android-could-topple-windows-by-2016/

Temple Run - App Review



The wildly popular iOS game Temple Run has finally been released for Android devices.

The premise is simple- you're an Indiana Jones-esque character who steals the idol from a jungle temple. Demon monkeys (yes, you read that right) chase you through the temple while you try to avoid trees, fire, and other obstacles. Collect coins to purchase power ups, extra lives, and new characters.

Controls are gesture-based, making it extremely to use on any phone. Swipe up to jump, down to slide, left or right to turn. Users can also rotate their device to make the adventurer strafe to the side.



Its initial release was plagued with a few game breaking bugs. However, developer Imangi Studios was quick to put out a fix.

The game is extremely easy to pick up and is also quite addictive. Unlockable rewards will keep us playing for hours.

Rating: 

Monday, March 19, 2012


Windows 8

On February 29th, 2012, Microsoft released Windows 8’s consumer preview, which is simply a beta version of Windows 8.
Immediately following its release, consumers began noticing that for the first time since Windows 95, the start button had been removed from the bottom left corner of the windows menu. Why? Because Windows is attempting to adopt their metro-style user interface- a new interface which focuses on touch screen capabilities.
Metro-Style applications run full screen, and will be purchasable through the windows store.

Does it feel like windows keeps upgrading on you? Well, perhapse that is because it is.
Take a look at the current time tables:
October 25th, 2001, Windows XP was released.
January 30th, 2007, Windows Vista was released.
October 22nd, 2009, Windows 7 was released.
February 29th, 2012, Windows 8 consumer preview released.

What’s going on at Microsoft?


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

[How To] Get the new Google Play Store on your device

Yesterday we already talked about the new Google Play Store (read the article), today we will show you how to get the store earlier than other Android users on your device.


For all of those who are getting impatient of wating for the transition to occur on your smartphone or tablet, try this quick and easy process to force the update:
  1. Install or update to the latest version of Play Books, Play Movies, or Play Music
  2. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Market and hit “Clear data”
  3. Open Play Books, Play Movies, or Play Music
  4. Tap the Play Store icon and accept new terms of service
  5. Welcome to the Google Play Store
This trick should work on every Android 2.2+ device.

Source: androidandme.com

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Google Play

Google's newest service began rolling out today, and it's called Google Play.  Basically iTunes for Android; Google Play will put Apps, Movies, Music, and Books all in one convenient store.  After you purchase an item, it will automatically put that item on all of your devices, no syncing required.



To access the Play Store, go to google.com, then the Play tab across the top along with mail, documents, etc., or go directly to play.google.com.  Once there, you'll notice it looks very similar to the familiar Android Market, but a little bit more intuitive.  The Android Market will eventually merge with the Play Store.  The Play Store will allow you to easy browse and purchase all types of media for your Android device.

This is just the beginning of the rollout of the Play Store, and a big first step in Google's efforts to make the Android user experience more cohesive.    

Monday, March 5, 2012

Ipad 3 Unveiling

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/ipad-3-predictions/


Follow the link to find out what Wired thinks Apple will be unveiling this Wednesday. If you're too lazy to click the link, here are some bullet points:


  • High Def retina display
  • 4g
  • Quad Core
  • NFC
  • Office
Why care? Because as consumers, whatever Apple does, Android will have to match or one up; and we reap all the benefits.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Is Bigger Really Better?

Now that the Samsung Galaxy Note has been on the market for about a week and a half, the question of whether bigger is really better has to be considered.

Picture: allaboutsamsung.com
Does any one else think that the whole obsession with "bigger is better" makes sense? The Galaxy Note is definitely an impressive phone/tablet/whatever you want to call it, but is a 5.3" screen really necessary?? When does one draw the line between phone and tablet? If the obsession with bigger, badder, bolder phones continue, I almost fear that phones will eventually turn into giant laptop screens. What's the point of having a phone that is bigger than most palms when you can have a slim, easy to carry smartphone in your pocket, and a slim, however, easy to carry tablet in your bag? Why go dutch with your phone and tablet when you can just have both and not compromise on size and ease of use?


Someone, preferably with normal-sized hands, please enlighten me on this whole giant phone phenomenon...

Monday, February 27, 2012

World’s First Quad-Core Phone

The HTC One X was recently announced at the Mobile World Congress 2012. The phone will be sporting a 1.5 GHz processor, a 4.7″ screen, a non-removable 1800 mAh battery, and of course the quad-core Tegra 3 processor. AT&T will be the only carrier to receive this phone in the U.S. using their HSPA/WCDMA network.

Picture: HTC.com
Anyone else think it’s strange that a quad-core phone with such a huge display will be using a relatively tiny battery? Our dual-core phones are already suffering from terrible battery life. Since the One X will only be on a 3G network it might be able to last longer than we’re used to.

Thoughts?