Google Android
 

Linux-based open OS for mobile phones.


Can they seriously challenge the mighty Symbian & MS?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7078921.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7080758.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7082414.stm

Re: Google Android
 

If its nice and lightweight, doesn't eat a lot of resources such as RAM memory and provides a scalable platform based on Open-Source technology then I reckon they could, their problem is, they've entered the market a bit late, we'll just have to wait and see!

Re: Google Android
 

MS? yes. Windows mobile hasn't made a massive impact on the market.

Symbian? Possible, but unlikely. They'd have to persuade Nokia to use android. Nokia, being part owner of symbian would want a good reason.

Re: Google Android
 

Stepping back a bit from mobile phones - it's becoming ever more obvious that the thing most likely to knock Microsoft from its perch is 'the web' in all its aspects. Google have been working on web-based applications for some time. For the user, this has many advantages. Want to send someone a document? Just email a link to it. It doesn't matter what the format is, the server will display it correctly for anyone. Use a word processing package from A.N.Other? No problem 'cos the server knows how to convert it to plain HTML for display on anyone's computer.

The problem with all of this is: what do you do when you're not connected to the net? This is where the suped-up mobile phone comes in and is, I'm sure, why Google are getting into this.

Re: Google Android
 

I've been watching some videos from Google about Android and the SDK that's been released. Any programmers out there would find interesting, especially MLM as its in Java.

It looks very good, I can't wait use it on phones.

One radical feature I have to mention though, the mapping works without GPS if its unavailable. Apparently it coordinates cell-tower IDs to give a rough positioning. Nice :)

Re: Google Android
 

I imagine myself crashing into the base of Crystal Palace transmitter. :shocked:

Re: Google Android
 

HHHmmm I wasn't sure where to put this but..

If you have a google android handset (1.6 or above) you can now update your google maps to use the google turn by turn navigation system for free.

http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/mob...tion&dc=gh4smm

I gave it a little go yesterday and found it very good (the voice is synthetic rather than human but I'm used to that lol). It ran in the task bar at the top and did indeed direct me properly while I walked home yesterday.

Re: Google Android
 

That looks very interesting especially as 'the better half' is due a phone upgrade soon :D Her currant choice from the Three offerings are either the Sony Ericsson X10 or HTC Desire (Both Android Handsets)

Re: Google Android
 

I have a HTC Desire. I find it very nice indeed.

Re: Google Android
 

the SE is plastic so its gonna get damaged. I think I am gonna go for the Desire in June unless there is something else new by then lol

Re: Google Android
 

Even I am tempted by the Desire but I also love my iPhone :( Not fair. I think some of the aspects, like working closer with your google account, appeals to me but the app store plus iTunes in general (where I hold all my music) keeps me too the iPhone.

Re: Google Android
 

You should check this out..

http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt

For iTunes ;)

As for the app store well it's true there aren't as many apps on the android market but it's getting there.

Re: Google Android
 

i have had my desire for 4 days now and i lurve it! i installed the turn by turn for gmaps on Wednesday, the voice is a bit weird but im sure there will be extra voices soon.

Re: Google Android
 

I got an Acer Liquid a couple of months ago and it's great, especially as it was an upgrade to a 2006 era clamshell.

I specifically wanted Google Android and it hasn't disappointed. The only downside is Football Manager 2010 isn't available!

Street View is available on Google maps as well now, by the way.

Re: Google Android
 

I have a Motorola Milestone, which is nice. My wife has the HTC Desire which is *very* nice. Who needs an iPhone?

Re: Google Android
 

I got the Nokia 5800 and its great does everything the iphone does and more,

Re: Google Android
 

Most phones seem to do that now :D

Re: Google Android
 

But not as well..

Re: Google Android
 

I've used the 5800.. and while it's alright, the current crop of Android phones just leave it in the dust.

Also, the Nokia N900 is a fine phone, but it doesn't have much software available for it.

Re: Google Android
 

Yup - but I always found symbian to be crap anyway :( - at the time I only had one reason for using it and that was because I had to use specific software on my phone.

I think the n900 is linux (Maemo) though?

Re: Google Android
 

Yes, the N900 is Maemo rather than Symbian. I bought the very first Maemo device (the Nokia 770) when it came out. Maemo is OK, but Android seems to have a better choice of software and devices.

Re: Google Android
 

Yup I used to have a 770 (used it for sat nav and all kinds of things ;))

I find my HTC Desire much better than either my nokia 5800 I used to have or the iPhone I used to have.

But as with anything it has it's moments ;) Still I look forward to updates with interest.

Re: Google Android
 

Kind of on the same topic. My mum got a HTC Hero. Is there any FREE GPS Sat Nav software for it? I found out about "CoPilot Live", but that was paid............. so if anyone knows any FREE SatNav software then please let me know!

[You might wanna PM me "links" if required ;)].

I can't do this Google one, as I don't want it using the internet. I have an external Bluetooth GPS too, so I could possibly use that. I just need the SatNav software with UK Maps...

Re: Google Android
 

You could try here :)
http://androidforums.com/htc-hero/73...n-sat-nav.html

HTH

Re: Google Android
 

Actually there is a lot of software for the N900 if you add the correct catalogues. More than I saw available on my friends HTC Hero though only just.

Re: Google Android
 

There's a nice interview with the VP of Engineering at Google on their Android project.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0...thing-android/

I like this bit:

Take note Mr Jobs.

Also Android 2.2 will get full Flash 10.1

Re: Google Android
 

I just found out my HTC desire can read out loud articles on it's news reader app - Nice :)

Re: Google Android
 

Just found that Ocado have got an app on Android for shopping including with voice search

Never used Ocado before, but had a play around with the App and it's very good. As they deliver to my area my have to consider trying them out. Doing my shopping on the bus to work sounds quite useful ;)

Re: Google Android
 

Re: Google Android
 

Hardly a surprise. The iPhone OS is only currently available on two handsets (not counting the iPad). Android is available for many more than that. That's like saying Symbian outsold the iPhone.

The real surprise is that one handset manufacturer (Apple) is outselling many (if not all) of the Android manufacturers..

Re: Google Android
 

Also not a surprise considering the slew of excellent Android phones, such as the Desire, coming around about the same time (Droid as well).

Re: Google Android
 

Not denying that. If I wasn't so happy with my iPhone, I'd definitely be looking at one of the Android phones in preference to anything else. I say that as a long-term Symbian fan.

Re: Google Android
 

Isn't that the point though? While Google Android is open to manufacturers to utilise with their hardware, Apple has decided the iPhone OS shall be a strict Apple hardware only product.

Much like the Windows vs Mac situation. Which is why Android may end up dominating with the becoming iPhone a niche product.

Re: Google Android
 

I was just making the point it was always going to happen..

Re: Google Android
 

Lots of Android news today!

http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/20/froyo-android/

• Much Faster
• New API's send stuff to the device, webpages can be sent from chrome, you can buy applications online and they are sent right to device
• Music store it seems
• Other cool stuff.

Re: Google Android
 

No news on a release date though.

Saying that I had an OTE update this evening, something to do with improving the camera but I can't see any difference as yet.

Re: Google Android
 

Makes me keener to get the HTC Desire, see what Apple come up with. I would really miss the iTunes management though.

Re: Google Android
 

I went for the Legend, couldn't see enough difference between them to justify the extra £15 per month.

Re: Google Android
 

Desire has a much faster processor and am sure there are a few other differences. Legend is still a top classs phone though :)

Re: Google Android
 

Not quite as good as iTunes, but it's getting there - you should have a look at this (Which I use with my Desire)

http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt

Re: Google Android
 

Screen is bigger and higher def on the Desire as well. Russ is probably right though that your effectively paying twice as much so a phone that isn't twice as good. However I love the look of that screen.

As well as iTunes this is quite annoying:

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/3323...oid-os-updates

When Apple release an OS, because there is only one device, you get it instantly. Having all these providers implementing their own interfaces remains a bad idea, first of all not all phones will get this update, Apple is the same but your phone will tend to be good for a while. Only the very first iPhone is excluded from the next update. Here though phones pre-2010 may not get 2.2 at all. Some people will only be a few months into a 2 year contract with these phones.

They boast about developer tools but anyone developing for Android will now need to consider the wide fragmentation of their user base. A lot of phones will not support 2.2, some are still waiting for the 2.1 update, and round 4 - 6 months wait as all the existing phones that will support 2.2 get slowly updated. The HTC Hero is still on 1.6, that phone came out after the iPhone 3GS, yet it's already way behind the latest OS.

Nexus One might make sense considering this, UI isn't as nice but OS updates are near instant as a result.

Re: Google Android
 

Don't forget the CPU is almost twice as fast and almost double the RAM too.

Its annoying but the HTC phones run a customised version of the OS. When the update is released they need to port their customised UI over to the new OS and do QA testing etc. It takes time. If you want though as soon as the update is released you can install the Google flavoured one and lose the UI.

It is just like Apple. The 3G doesn't have video recording or voice control even though the hardware is capable of it. I had excellent video recording on my 2G. With Apple there is no way around it. At least with Android there is and the phones will be brought up to spec eventually.

There isn't that much difference developer wise between 1.6 and 2.1 The vast majority. The vast majority of methods belong to the lowest API releases.

Re: Google Android
 

In case anyone missed it: http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flas...0.html#android

Very rough Ports of 2.2 (Froyo) are already ported to older HTC devices such as the G1 although without Flash at the moment.

More confirmation of resuscitation : http://bit.ly/chk0zL

Re: Google Android
 

Nexus S with Android 2.3 to be available from Carphone Warehouse in December:

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/dm/nexus-s

Re: Google Android
 

Havent even seen the promised upgrade to 2.2 for my Wildfire yet :(

Re: Google Android
 

Ive looked at the preview vids of 2.3 and it looks OK... might wait a bit for a new phone then - I've been looking at the Desire Z

Re: Google Android
 

Finally(!) got the 2.2 Froyo update on my Vodafone HTC Wildfire today, it's sped it up loads to be honest, didn't get an alert it was available, just thought to check for it myself so don't know how long it's been there.

Re: Google Android
 

OK so I took the plunge and bought a Google Nexus S... I haven't really used it much yet, as I've got a Silicone Case and Screen Protector on order (Samsung don't provide screen protectors in the box) so I'm looking forward to being a fellow Android(er?)

Re: Google Android
 

Welcome to the gang :)

---------- Post added at 17:51 ---------- Previous post was at 17:50 ----------

Oh and don't forget http://market.android.com/

Re: Google Android
 

Yeah I've been looking at the online market...quite impressive you can remotely install apps... its a pity you can't remotely remove apps though :(

Re: Google Android
 

Whats the NS like? & welcome to the fold :)

Re: Google Android
 

Welcome to Android! :)

Re: Google Android
 

Not played properly yet, but the screen is nice (more vibrant than an iPhone 4), Touch screen is very responsive, its very light (and much sexier than the apple square slab :))

I'll do a full "review" once I've had it a week or two...

I'm waiting for the cover/screen protector combo to arrive before I switch over properly. I don't wanna make a mess of it before I've had it a week :D. I did use ProtectYourBubble.com for my insurance though, and they seem very good (£90 for a year including accidental damage/loss/unauthorised calls etc).

Re: Google Android
 

Rooted it yet then?

;)

Re: Google Android
 

No... not really into the hacked ROMs etc, used to for WM but found them virtually unusable.

It's pure Android (2.3 Gingerbread) so no real reason to root I don't think.

Re: Google Android
 

Fair play, I must admit though Cyanogen Mod 7 is pretty cool though :)

Re: Google Android
 

Rooting is also needed for a number of very useful apps. For example:

Titanium Backup: https://market.android.com/details?i...TitaniumBackup (allows easy removal of built in apps and has tons of other features)

AutoKiller Memory Optimizer: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rs.autokiller (keeps my phone working more smoothly and saves a lot of battery power in the process)

Re: Google Android
 

As it's vanilla Android 2.3 I would assume there are very few built in apps that aren't actually required?

Re: Google Android
 

When i say built in apps, i don't mean system apps. I mean stock apps like Facebook, Documents to Go, RoadSync etc which aren't removable by normal means.

Re: Google Android
 

Again, it's vanilla Android 2.3 on the Nexus S i.e straight from Google. Those apps won't be there in the first place will they?

Re: Google Android
 

Those apps aren't installed on stock android versions, they need to be downloaded via the market.

I'm currently running 2.3.2 (the update came down last night).

I don't really do facebook so thats not an issue. Documents to Go is definitely NOT installed, and I've never heard of RoadSync...?

I have installed "Advanced Task Killer" and "Battery Meter" though.

Re: Google Android
 

Ah i see, that's interesting.

Re: Google Android
 

i use this site, log in with your google account details, select and mark apps for install or uninstall, then just sync your phone using the appbrain market app.

simples

http://www.appbrain.com/

Re: Google Android
 

You don't need it. Android does not work like Windows... It has been done to death on many Android forums ;)

I have been running for a year without one and never had an issue with memory.

Re: Google Android
 

Had my Desire HD a week or so now, replaces my Touch Pro 2. It's a million times better, so fast. Now looking in to writing some apps. Personally I've had no issues with battery life that lots of people have reported with the HD. One of the best apps has to be Tasker. I use it to turn wifi on and off depending on location together with ringer volume, silent etc. Not rooted it yet but probably will. Had to use custom ROMs (Energy) on my Touch Pro 2 to make it useable. WinMo 6 and 6.5 were awful compared to Android.

Re: Google Android
 

Well yeah, of course you don't need it, i'm well aware of the tedious memory debate. I ran for a year without one too, now i've been running for a month with one with clear benefits.

Re: Google Android
 

The Nexus S has replaced my Touch Pro 2 :D The TP2 would be a brilliant phone if it had capacitive screen and Android :)

Re: Google Android
 

By the way, AutoKiller Memory Optimizer is not a normal "task killer" anyway. It's basically an automated way of doing this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=622666

Re: Google Android
 

I am not going to get this thread dragged in to another task killer one. You don't need one.

End.

Re: Google Android
 

You've said that already. Nobody has claimed or even implied otherwise.

End.

Re: Google Android
 

You always have to have the last word don't you...

;)

Re: Google Android
 

run Forest run. How far did you go in the 12 months? did you keep going or turn around 6 months in? ;)

Re: Google Android
 

Hi again all...

I just thought I'd give you a bit of a review on the Nexus S.

It isn't a comprehensive list, and if anyone has any questions about specifics, please post and I'll try and answer :)

Re: Google Android
 

Android Event 02/02/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfJui...layer_embedded

Its a bit long but very interesting especially 3.0 Honeycomb development.

Re: Google Android
 

About it being a scratch and fingerprint magnet - your best bet would be to use a Zagg Invisible Shield for it, you can get them on ebay for about £18 and they offer a lifetime replacement guarantee. You can get cases for a lot cheaper of course but sometimes you can forget to keep them on - the Zagg stuff is like a screen protector but is pre-cut for all over the phone, it's almost indestructible. I have one on my Desire and just to show what it can do I've dragged a rusty nail over the the screen and it's not left a mark

Re: Google Android
 

I've got an invisible shield for the screen.

Re: Google Android
 

Have to second this I bought one as well, although I went slighly paranoid and got the one that also has one for the back and around the keys.

Just don't rush putting it on as it's not that easy

Re: Google Android
 

I found it fairly easy to put on (though I had some latex gloves lying around which helped avoid prints under the film), and the solvent they provide is also excellent at helping remove bubbles etc.

---------- Post added at 11:49 ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 ----------

I like the silicone case that I bought because its bright orange, and the phone is black, so it just fetches a bit of colour out :)

Re: Google Android
 

Russ, There is a video on YouTube of a guy going at the screen of a Nexus One with a pair of scissors. They did not leave a scratch!

Dunno about a piano black case though lol

The Mrs and I both have Nexus One's and she has a protector, i don't. Neither screen shows sign of any wear.

We both have CaseMate Tough cases though :)

Re: Google Android
 

[QUOTE=Matt D;34429402]Linux-based open OS for mobile phones.


Can they seriously challenge the mighty Symbian & MS?/QUOTE]

Looks like thay can ;)

Infact now, when I look back at the first post, it almost seerms funny.

Re: Google Android
 

Indeed. How things change :D

Re: Google Android
 

Especially since Nokia are now going into partnership with MS

Re: Google Android
 

Anybody tried the Tasker app?

Amazing what your phone can be set up to do. 7 day free trial before it asks to be validated as the paid version.

Well worth paying for, £3.49 if you allow unknown sources & get it via download or QR Code direct from the website. £3.99 via the market...

Re: Google Android
 

Looks like a useful app actually. I might consider purchasing it :)

Re: Google Android
 

So, after Honeycomb, what next? Ice Cream?
Link

Re: Google Android
 

I heard rumours it would be called "Ice Cream Sundae" but they were just speculative.

---------- Post added at 09:09 ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 ----------

Due to the fact that 2.3 and 3.0 are due to fork in different directions, I'm also guessing there will be different naming conventions from that point.

Re: Google Android
 

I'm sure a few weeks ago when we used google navigation there was a coffee shop layer. This put icons up so you could immediately see Costa, Starbucks etc.
Now it's disappeared & I can't seem to turn it back on. Any ideas?

Re: Google Android
 

If you open the maps app, there's a little square in the top right that looks like paper layered on top of each other its in there I think.

Re: Google Android
 

Thanks, I know where to find the layers but this particular one has disappeared.

Re: Google Android
 

Ah sorry I misunderstood :)

I don't seem to have as many as I did have... I recently updated my Maps app, have you done the same?

Re: Google Android
 

I've just checked mine and if I select the layers option from the menu button and scroll down coffee is still at the bottom of the list. I'm running the latest versions as far as I know

Re: Google Android
 

Yes I'm on 5.1

Re: Google Android
 

The layers displayed tend to track what you have searched for. So to get the Coffee Shop layer back, go into Places and select it there

Re: Google Android
 

No, these were preset layers not searched for ones. I can create a layer for coffee shops by searching but this just results in red dots as locations. The original layer gave icons for costa starbucks etc.

Re: Google Android
 

Never seen that

Re: Google Android
 

Does this seem legit?

Google abandoning android for winpho7?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04..._leaves_nokia/

I know its april fools day but it was posted at 18:52gmt

Forget it...its a fool...final comments made my mind up!

Re: Google Android
 

[QUOTE=techguyone;35172596]

Interestingly we may well find out in less than a year that the combo Nokia/Windows 7/8 makes a remarkable comeback again, to challenge android & IOS - watch this space.

Re: Google Android
 

Nokia will have to fight hard to regain a large share of the Market.

At the moment i dont think Android has anything to worry about, i think Apple tho if they have another Iphone 4 repeat with issues with handset they may start to slip. And the fact samsung are suing Apple for patients that apple cannot get out of unless they remove the call features on their phones which would defeat the object of their phone.

Im a big Android fan, my sister was a big apple fan until she came up against the famous brick wall thats Apple Support. Her handset just kept locking up and had to be reset by apple at store twice, on the third time they changed the handset and she just lost total interest and got a HTC Desire running Android 2.3 and loves it.

Re: Google Android
 

Nokia are still very respected for their hardware and build quality, pretty much all their critisms were software aligned. Combine that with a windows 7 interface (don't forget windows 8 has a very similar interface so it'll be very familiar) and I think you'll see that MS/Nokia are a bit of a dark horse and may well sneak back into the race.

I'm not a particular Nokia fan, but I've done a *lot* of research into the phone makers around things like reliability, build quality, component quality (this is where brands like Samsung & HTC fail). Apple I dunno, it's possible with Mr Jobs out of the picture, that history may repeat itself like the last time he wasn't around, apples star may be waning or about to. I think we'll know for sure in the next two years abut them. When their current and 'in development' projects are done.

In short MS & Nokia are definitely 2 contenders to watch closely over the next 6 - 9 months.

Re: Google Android
 

I think M$ may have dropped the ball with no flash support on there new OS. This has always been the area that Android has beat up IOS and now Windows 8. It is a shame that Nokia have never been able to get Symbian to work properly with touch screens and is the reason I now have an Andriod phone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14949869