Archive for January, 2010
Boy Genius is not happy with Google Android
Jan 9th
Boy Genius at the boygeniusreport.com has ripped into Google because as he says that the ”entire OS is fragmented, poorly driven, poorly policed, and because in typical Google fashion, you’re already on to the next thing before making this an absolutely flawless experience for users.” As much as I’m a fan of Android, everything he says in the post is spot on. The Android core team should take his advice and soak up his comments.
Linpack runs and a video
Jan 8th
Google is a great thing. I found an Italian Android blog (batista70phone) talking about running Linpack on a Motorola Milestone. As he said, via translation, “This morning I was trying on the Linpack Milestone in different situations, the best result was stable at about 4.6, the liquid reaches 3.2, just for example … then out of curiosity I watched the Top 10 . I saw that the American Droid arrives at 5-5.1 but then I noticed the Nexus One: 7-7.1 !!!!!!!!!!! I can not wait for my arrival retest live.”
What was really cool was he mentioned another site where a friend had tested a Motorola Milestone (Droid) vs a G1 Dream and they had a video of the test. Too cool. If someone knows Italian, please comment on what is being said.
Google could do better
Jan 7th
So where is the Android 2.1 SDK?
They are shipping Nexus One with Android 2.1 and all those Market apps out there still haven’t been tested with 2.1, why? Because none of the developers (except a very select few) have the 2.1 SDK. So when will the SDK get released? Google says soon. I bet it will be within a few days. No doubt Motorola is wanting to get 2.1 updated to the Droid. As the Google open source guru Chris DiBona said, “We could do better” (via The Register)
NVIDIA Secret Tablet seen at CES
Jan 7th
Tom’s Hardware has an interesting piece on a secret tablet from a manufacturer called IDC. “ICD is partnering up with T-Mobile UK to offer this device as a “family hub tablet” designed primarily to sit in the kitchen and offer one-touch access to calendars and the like.” Interesting device…
Nexus One Day
Jan 6th
Yesterday was quite a day for Google. They formally announced the Nexus One at a small event streamed to thousands. They showed off the newest Android unit and where to buy it – from Google’s own website: www.google.com/phone
The phone will retail for $180 with a 2-year contract with T-Mobile, but will also be available for $530 unlocked. One interesting tidbit from the site was that support for Verizon and Vodafone is coming in the Spring.
So what was the news after leaking all the buzz for the past month(s)? Most of the news came in the Q&A section.
1. They kept calling it a “superphone” – not sure if that is going to catch on.
2. New voice-enabled typing system for all text fields – I really like that
3. Will other Android phones get the slick new 2.1 interface? Most can, since they said the software would be released in “days”. But, my trusty old G1 is probably out of luck on this one.
4. The phone does have two microphones for noise cancelling.
5. Multi-touch? Not now.
6. Support for tethering? Nope, not yet.
Some interesing analysis from Billshrink shows that the Nexus One may be worth a try with a Total Cost of Ownership lower than even the Verizon Droid:
