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Category Archives: mobile

iOS4 vs. Android 2.2 – A Fair Comparison

Out of respect for both of these quality operating systems and for the lack of fair comparisons out on the internet today, I’m offering a quick table for those who want the facts and unbiased information for BOTH platforms.

This is the COMPLETE list of features (that I could find documented) for both platforms, not wattered down to show the strengths of one over the other. If you have more to add, please let me know by adding it in the comments.

Keep in mind the hardware is NOT included. The only variable here is that some of Apple’s OS decisions were based on giving better performance to the hardware (speed/battery-life)

  Android 2.2 (Froyo) iOS 4
Devices
  • NexusOne
  • Droid
  • Droid X
  • Droid Incredible
  • EVO 4G
  • HTC Desire
  • MyTouch Slide
  • HTC Legend
  • Most 2010 HTC Phones
    		•
  • iPhone 4
  • iPhone 3GS
  • iPhone 3G *
  • iPod Touch 3G *
  • iPod Touch 2G *
  • iPad (coming Fall 2010) *

    • *Not all features

    Network
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Sprint
  • AT&T
  • T-Mobile
    		•
  • AT&T
    		•
    Apps 65,000-80,000 200,000
    Flash Support Yes. Flash Player 10.1 available on Android 2.2. No
    Tethering Yes, additional fees vary. Yes, $20 for 2GB/month (AT&T, also must have the limited 2GB/month DataPro, no option to tether with Unlimited plan)
    Multi-tasking Yes Limited, only a limited set of features are allowed in API to run in background
    Widgets Yes No
    Hot-Spot Capability Yes. Wi-Fi can be shared with up to 8 devices. No
    Folders Yes Yes
    Copy & Paste Yes Yes
    Video Chat Available through free add-on apps. (Wifi/3G) Native suport via FaceTime, front facing camera (Wifi Only)
    Books Available through free add-on apps. Support for iBooks to download and read digital books.
    Email Unified mailbox, setup online, threading Unified mailbox, setup on phone, threading
    Digital Zoom 4x 5x
    Sharing Email,Twitter,Facebook,Messaging,Picasa,Bluetooth Email,MMS,MobileMe,YouTube
    Notifications Notification bar, multiple types of notifications shown in bar at top of screen, Pop-up notifications for messaging, viewable from lock screen. Pop-Up notifications, only native apps viewable from lock screen
    Social-Integration
  • Contacts sync with Facebook & Google
  • Gallery sync with Picasaweb
  • Pictures upload to Flickr, Picasaweb, Twitter, Facebook
    		•  Available through add-on apps.
    Full-text search of Mail messages Yes No, headers only
    Voice-recognition Yes Voice commands
    Push to Phone Messaging, Links & Maps (Apps coming soon) Notifications
    Music Purchasing Amazon MP3 iTunes
    Music Sync Available through free add-on apps. iTunes
    Music Streaming Available through free add-on apps. Available through add-on apps.
    Automatic Updating OTA updates to OS, Automatic updating of apps. OTA minor updates, physical connection required for apps & major OS updates
    Search Web, Apps, Contacts, Mail, Phone Web, Apps, Contacts, Mail (headers only), Phone
    Spell Check No Yes
    Search Suggestions Yes Yes
    Customize Wallpaper Yes, includes Live Wallpaper Yes, includes seperate wallpaper for lock screen
    Voice Recording Yes Yes
    Calendar Sharing Yes Yes
    Maps & Compass Yes, Compass available through add-on apps Yes
    Parental Controls Limited through policy manager Yes

    Enterprise Support

      Android 2.2 (Froyo) iOS 4
    Encryption Yes Yes, Hardware encryption, email & attachment encryption
    Device Policy Manager Yes Yes
    Remote Wipe Yes Yes
    Password Policy Yes Yes
    Exchange calendar sync Yes Yes
    Global Address Lists Yes Yes
    SSL VPN Available through add-on apps Yes

    Top Android Apps (May 2010)

    Well with the recent news that the Android Market has seen an increase of 9,000+ apps PER MONTH over the March & April, it’s no surprise here that the quality and quantity of apps just keeps increasing…

    Of the top quality apps, here are my picks for May:

    1) Mint.com

    http://www.mint.com/features/android/ (not online yet)

    (Android Market) http://www.android.com/market/

    2) Official Twiiter app for Android was released (requires 2.1):

    http://blog.twitter.com/2010/04/twitter-for-android-robots-like-to.html

    3) Skyfire web browser (includes Flash video support)

    http://www.skyfire.com/

    4) iMobster (Mafia Wars like game for Android)

    http://imobsters.storm8.com/

    5) Asphalt 5 (paid)

    http://www.asphalt-5.com/

    http://www.gameloft.com/

    6) UPS Mobile

    http://www.ups.com/android/

    7) Runkeeper

    http://runkeeper.com/

    8) Subsonic (media streaming app)

    http://www.subsonic.org/

    9) Craigslist Notification

    http://craigslist-notification.mufumbo.com/

    10) SlideIT

    • Swipe based keyboard input (similar to Swype)

    http://dasur.co.il/Product/SlideIT/Android/download.php

    New & Upcoming Android Apps (April 2010)

    Well the CTIA (wireless association conference) was last week and, as one would expect, Android was the hottest topic for the upcoming year.  It seemed nearly every carrier and every manufacturer (sans Apple) was making an Android device.  It’s good news, really.  Now people have a choice and now there’s healthy competition.  It’s also good for those of us who refuse to switch to AT&T’s crappy service JUST so we can have the iPhone.  So for those of you like myself who are VERY satisfied with the Droid on Verizon, here’s some more apps (some that “used” to be iPhone only) to look forward to in the very-near future:

    Logmein Android
    https://secure.logmein.com/welcome/android/

    Paypal
    http://www.androidcentral.com/paypal-bump-android-bound

    Dropbox
    http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/22/dropbox-android-app/

    Skype Mobile
    http://www.skype.com/download/skype/android/

    Oregon Trail
    http://www.androidcentral.com/oregon-trail-android-app-ctia

    Fandango
    http://www.fandango.com/androidapp

    Rhapsody (public beta coming April 4th)
    http://www.rhapsody.com/android/download

    Blockbuster (aren’t they bankrupt?)
    http://www.androidcentral.com/blockbusters-android-app-ctia

    Grandmasterpixel (social pixel-art game):
    http://www.droidgamers.com/index.php/game-news/android-game-news/210-grandmastpixel-beta

    Zenonia (RPG game):
    http://www.eurodroid.com/2010/03/famed-iphone-rpg-zenonia-hits-android-for-5-99-and-1-6-phones-and-above/

    Thickbuttons:
    http://thickbuttons.com/

    DriveSafe.ly:
    http://www.drivesafe.ly/

    Slacker Radio:
    http://www.slacker.com/everywhere/mobile/android/

    It’s official: Android 2.1 coming to Droid this week!

    It’s official – Motorola Droid’s Android 2.1 update to be rolled out OTA starting Thursday

    The highlights:

    • New Weather & News Applications & Widgets
    • New Gallery Application now with 3D and integration of Picasa Web Albums
    • Google Maps update to include Pinch-to-Zoom
    • Google Maps Navigation gets a dark-theme for better visibility at night.
    • Live Wallpapers

    Here’s the screenshot (source:AndroidCentral):

    Well here’s the official Motorola document to prove it:

    http://support.vzw.com/information/droid_upgrade.html

    From the update PDF:

    http://support.vzw.com/pdf/system_update/moto_droid.pdf

    Enjoy improved performance with these Android™ enhancements. Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce new software updates for your Droid by Motorola smartphone.

    The Droid by Motorola software version AP: ESE53/BP: C_01.3E.03P update includes numerous enhancements and improvements.

    Enhancements

    • Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps.
    • New Weather and News application plus widget.
      • The Weather and News app pulls the information you want from the
        Web and brings it to your fingertips. You get weekly and hourly
        weather forecasts based on your location, and news headlines.
    • New support for voice-to-text entry.
      • Whenever a text-entry box appears, simply tap the microphone icon on the virtual keyboard and speak.
    • New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
    • Live Wallpapers offer richer animated, interactive backgrounds on the
      home screen. Access them with a long press anywhere on the home screen. Tap Wallpapers, then Live Wallpapers.

    Improvements

    • Free Yahoo!® Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password.
    • Google Maps update
      • Personalized suggestions and synchronized starring with
        desktop maps.google.com.

        • Starred items are stored and synced automatically between Google
          Maps on your device and maps.google.com on your computer, making it easy to search for places you’ve searched for before.
      • New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes the screen at night for easier viewing.
    • Improved pattern-lock functionality.
    • Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.
    • Email accounts no longer need to be re-entered after an over-the-air update.

    Stretch Your Phone’s Battery Life by…

    Choosing the Right Network? Not really. In part maybe, but not the most important part. Let’s consider some other factors, keep in mind we’re talking about battery-life here:

    While it’s true CDMA uses slightly more power than a GSM network, it’s a well-known fact that if you don’t have coverage your cell phone battery will be drained even quicker searching for signal.

    Also consider this, while the iPhone is a great phone, it doesn’t have the ability for consumers to swap batteries. This leaves you with only a couple options: Turn off your iPhone when you know you won’t have coverage, find an app that will help you manage your transmitting settings based on location, time, or battery-life status, or lastly buy a hideous external battery option. Otherwise you’re left to manage all these settings as put forth by Apple.

    If you’re using an android phone, chances are you have the option of carrying an extra battery if needed, ~$25

    In an ideal world you’d likely want an android phone on a CDMA network like Verizon, then you have better coverage equating to less signal searching, coupled with user-swappable batteries, along with the JuiceDefender app.  JuiceDefender & UltimateJuice gives you the options for all the battery draining settings and will AUTOMATICALLY change each setting according to your location, time-of-day, or battery-life status.  Can’t get much better than that.

    Of course there’s always the quality, type and rating of the battery.  As put forth by the manufacturer specs:

    iPhone (GSM):
    Talk Time: Up to 5 hours on 3G
    Standby time: Up to 300 hours

    Droid (CDMA):
    Talk Time: Up to 6.4 hours on 3G
    Standby time: Up to 270 hours

    Palm Pre Plus (CDMA):
    Talk Time: Up to 5.5 hours on 3G
    Standby time: Up to 350 hours

    Android Market on pace to hit 40,000 apps by April 14th

    According to AndroLib.com the Android Market hit 30,000 apps on February 24th, 2010. TechCrunch reported the 20,000 app milestone on December 15th, 2009 and predicted the Android Market would hit 50,000 apps by Q2 2010, I’d say that’s about right… well IN Q2 of 2010. Probably more like mid-May.

    Anyhow, here are my calculations for when we can predict the next 40,000 app milestone:
    12/15/2009 – 20,000 apps
    2/24/2010 – 30,000 apps
    In the last 2 weeks – +3,000 apps

    At this rate, it should hit 40,000 on or around April 14th, this is of course assuming the rate stays the same and doesn’t increase. We’ll see. Have your own prediction? Post it in the comments.

    UPDATE:  Well it seems no one could have predicted the kind of March Android Marketplace had, with over 9,000 new apps, it reached 40,000 in a mere 3 weeks, at or around March 25th.  Impressive!

    10 Devices to Deck out your DROID

    1. Bluetooth Headset – In terms of hands-free headsets, there are really only two brand options here.  The BlueAnt Q1 and the JawBone PRIME.  Both products are light years ahead of their competition in terms of fit, weight, and most importantly sound quality with their cutting edge noise-reduction technology.  Of course they also will set you back the most, but headsets are well worth it.

    2. Headphones – Sure you can use your headset to listen to music, but unless you are deaf in one ear, or like to listen to music in monotone, you’d be better off buying a good set of headphones.  This is a highly subjective category as some people are audiophiles and others are casual listeners.  For the casual listeners on a budget I’d propose the V-MODA Bass Freq (earbuds<$30), the JBuds J3 Micro Atomics (earbuds <$30).  For those audiophiles that have the cash, the UltimateEars SuperFi or Shure SE530 are your best bets.

    3. Dock/Cradle – For the best bang for your buck, the Motorola Multimedia Station is the clear winner here.  For ~$40 you can get an integrated solution that has it’s own built-in app into the DROID along with another wall fast-rate charger.  The only downside?  No speaker integration, but that can be fixed with adding a 3.5mm headphone cable to your speakers or amplifier.

    4. Travel/Car Charger – if you buy the car mount kit, you’ll get a car charger with that and if you buy the multimedia station you’ll get a wall charger with that, so really the wall adapter and USB power/data cable that came with your phone is the ideal travel charger.  But if you don’t get either, you can get a car charger standalone here and an extra wall charger here.
    5. Case – Cases are about as subjective as wardrobes are.  There are leopard print back cover shields, plaid back cover shields, or if you’re sane (like me) there are clear protective cases like the Zagg InvisibleSHIELD.  Not only does the invisibleSHIELD come with a lifetime warranty, scratch-proof military grade .2 mm plastic, but because it’s so thin, this protective covering you can keep on and it will fit in your dock, something you CAN’T do with back covers or thicker cases, keep that in mind.

    6. Extra Battery – Don’t take any chances here — your best bet is to buy an OEM (original manufacturer’s equipment) battery like the Motorola BP6X battery that was designed specifically for your phone.  Not only will it last longer and give you the best power rating, but it won’t damage your device, like some of the cheap knockoffs can.
    7. Chargers & Cables – The DROID comes with an excellent 2-in-1 USB cable that has the ability to power and send data, but if you need an extra data cable, I’d recommend this microUSB cable and Power-to-USB cable from Monoprice.  If you have the multi-media dock, you should be able to use your USB cable that came with your phone as your extra.  For fast-rate charging, there’s nothing better than the cable that is provided by default.
    8. Car Kit / GPS Mount – Another Motorola winner here is the Motorola Car Mount with a magnet built-in, once you put your phone in the mount, it will automatically launch Google’s Navigation app.  As a nice addition, the mount comes with it’s own fast-rate car charger, so you don’t have to buy an extra.

    9. Memory Card – For carrying all your music & movies with you, the standard 16GB micro SDHC card might not be enough.  I’d recommend picking up an extra along with a USB reader like the Kingston 16GB micro SDHC w/ USB reader.

    10. Software - Lastly and probably most importantly, don’t forget the Motorola Media Link software to upload your photos, music and videos.  The software will let you sync certain folders, or playlists created in Windows Media Player or iTunes.  It also has a quick share feature that let’s you upload directly to YouTube, Flickr, & Facebook.

    Enjoy this post?  Digg it!

    Top Android Apps (March 2010)

    I’ve done it.  I’ve jumped on the smartphone bandwagon. For the last year I’ve been debating the pros & cons of owning a smartphone. On one hand, I didn’t think I had any real need to have internet at my fingertips all day long; On the other hand, my schedule had gotten busier and busier and the need for my family to know each other’s schedules “on the fly” was ever increasing. Now we no longer have scheduling conflicts, we communicate better, and now no more phone calls to get “directions”.

    So now that I have a DROID, I thought I’d list my list of favorite android apps to get you started. I’ve spent hours researching the best of the best and well here’s what I’ve come up with:

    *All apps are free, unless noted otherwise

    Home Screen Replacement:

    Shopping:

    Google Apps: (http://www.google.com/mobile/more/)

    Twitter:

    Travel:

    Widgets:

    Academic:

    Utilities:

    Imaging / Photography / Graphics:

    Browser Replacement:

    Keyboard Replacement:

    Visual Voicemail:

    Games:

    Security / Location:

    Music:

    Productivity:

    News & RSS:

    Movies:

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