Motorola Xoom review

The Motorola Xoom was the first Android Honeycomb tablet to be launched worldwide and is finally available to buy in the UK.
Comparisons between the iPad 2 and the Xoom are inevitable as equivalent 32GB versions both have a starting price of £479.99.
The Xoom comes with superior specifications and a refreshed version of the much loved Android interface. During our tests we found that the Xoom performed admirably and offers business users a genuine alternative to the iPad 2.
Hardware
With a 10.1in screen, the Xoom is the biggest Android tablet on the market and comes with a 1,280 x 800 WXGA resolution. The display also packs a 16:9 ratio meaning that videos and web sites can be viewed in full, as intended.
However, the brightness is a tad disappointing and the screen is visibly duller when placed side by side with an iPad 2. Like other devices, the Xoom is also a fingerprint magnet and we were disappointed that no cleaning cloth was supplied, as it is essential.
The Xoom is also a little bulky at 730g, making it 100g heavier than the equivalent 32GB Wi-Fi iPad 2. This extra weight is noticeable, but it is not a deal breaker.
The Motorola device has dimensions of 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9mm making it thicker than the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab, which have dimensions of 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8mm and 190 x 120 x 12mm respectively. Apple's tablet is noticeably wider when the two tablets are directly compared.



A 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor powers the Xoom supported by 1GB of RAM. This makes the the tablet nippy when it comes to performance, and there is no lag between opening and switching applications or when swiping between homescreens.
Motorola supplies 32GB of internal memory for storage, and there is also a micro-SD card slot to increase capacity and facilitate quick transfer of files with smartphones.
However, the micro-SD card slot is currently unusable although a Honeycomb upgrade is expected imminently to fix this issue. This is disappointing and suggests that the operating system has been rushed out much like Windows Phone 7.
Additional connections include micro-USB, mini-HDMI output and a proprietary charging port that uses a very thin connector, similar to the one used to charge devices such as the Nokia 6300. USB charging is not supported, an all-too-common problem with tablets.

Read more: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/review/2045013/motorola-xoom-review#ixzz1KTNQdsMm
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Chrome notebook for sale this summer?

The Cr-48 is just about out of beta testing and could be yours by this summer - provided you're ready for a subscription plan possibly linked to a Google account.

Last month we heard that Google was all out of Cr-48 models for beta testing, but that “partner devices” would be available later this year. And if Neowin’s “reliable source” is correct, Google will indeed begin selling its notebook in late June or early July.
But of course, it won’t be a cake walk to get your hands on the elusive Cr-48. According to the insider, Google is planning on implementing “an unconventional form of distribution to customers.” They will be available via a subscription that Gmail users are privy to. It seems that Google is trying to keep some air of exclusivity around the Cr-48 and users who pay the premier account rate will get the first go at it. It will then eventually trickle down to general Gmailers. In an even stranger move, in addition to buying a Cr-48 up front, Google will reportedly have some sort of lease, or rental option on the units, pricing them at $10-$20 a month.
The notebook will receive updates in a similar fashion to the Android OS, and Google will also include hardware upgrades with the subscription fee. How exactly all of this will actually play out remains to be seen, and it sounds like a complicated system for a notebook. That said, we still really want to get our hands on one.

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Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR Review

It’s easy to feel like there’s a price ceiling when it comes to point-and-shoots: If you spend too little, you’ll be replacing the thing every six months. Spend too much and you’ll end up feeling like you may as well have sprung for a DSLR. So before you write off the Finepix F550 EXR and its hefty $349.95 price tag, there are a few things to consider. The camera comes packed with Fujifilm’s latest sensor technology, which truly improves on the typical pocket cam experience. It’s also outfitted with enough scene presets for any shooting situation you’ll come across, as well as one of the most intuitive manual operation UIs of any point-and-shoot camera on the market today.

Features and design

The first thing we noticed about the F550 EXR is how different it looks from many competitor point-and-shoots. Many high-end models are indistinguishable at first glance, but Fujifilm makes no qualms about standing out from the pack. It’s a little thicker than rival pocket cams, and perhaps a little heavier than some might like. Personally, we think a little heft gives a camera a high-quality feel, and the F550 EXR definitely isn’t oversized. The camera measures 103.5×62.5×32.6mm (WxHxD) and weighs in at roughly 7.6 ounces, battery and memory card included.

The closed lens slightly protrudes from the face of the camera’s chassis, and it features a grip panel. This further helps to give it a more professional feel, although the camera is small enough to do without it, so it ends up looking a little like it’s just there for show. Around back, the F550 EXR features a mode dial that sits at an angle, straddling the top and back face of the camera. This is yet another unusual element of the device’s design, and while aesthetically it doesn’t distract–and actually frees up room around the shutter button, zoom toggle, and power button–the mode dial’s positioning proves a little difficult to maneuver. It’s a small concession to make, but it is easier to turn the dial with our thumb alone at the base of the dial, otherwise it becomes difficult to properly grip. Again – small concession.

The rest of the back of the camera is much more recognizable and the control dial, playback button, and additional mode button for extended manual use complete the interface. This makes for intuitive use, and it helps users navigate inside what may at first appear to be an unfamiliar scene. Familiarity is all well and good, but the F550 EXR’s 3-inch, 460k dot resolution LCD display steals your attention. Just to offer a comparison, the Canon Powershot S95 (which retails for $400) features a 3-inch, 461k display that beats most, if not all, competitor point and shoot LCD screens out there – and the 550EXR has no problems rivaling it in this department. It’s incredibly bright with impressive, natural contrast.
As for the insides, Fujifilm packed the F550 EXR with some impressive and surprising technology. The most obvious of these features being the camera’s EXR CMOS sensor. The F550 EXR marks its debut, and the idea is that EXR and CMOS capabilities are combined to offer improved resolution and speed. The camera’s 16-megapixel resolution is mildly impressive for its size and price, and its BSI (back side illuminated) sensor improves its ability to shoot in low light and cut down on noise at high ISOs. Of course, its 15x optical zoom and 24-360mm range doesn’t hurt either. The camera’s pop-up flash is also easy to control, and it’s discreet.
In a somewhat surprising move, Fujifilm doesn’t include as many art filters as other point-and-shoots. Honestly, we’re willing to sacrifice these for higher quality presets, which the F550 EXR delivers. The camera includes settings for its EXR mode (to prevent washout, shoot detail, or for high IOS/low noise situations), auto, dogs and cats, panorama, high speed movie, and various other options, like beach/snow, party, and landscape. We actually didn’t miss the built-in fisheye mode we’ve become so accustomed to in pocket cams

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o new PlayStation, Xbox console til 2014

Patience is a virtue, and one Xbox and PlayStation apparently take very seriously: It's looking like both are waiting until 2014 to release next-gen consoles.

Last we heard, the next Xbox console was speculated to debut in 2015, but a new report from Kotaku claims that PlayStation and Xbox are aiming for 2014. “Industry sources” say that Sony and Microsoft are both planning to squeeze as much life out the PS3 and Xbox 360 as possible before introducing the next generation versions.
Does three years feel like an eternity to you? Maybe – the Xbox 360 was introduced in 2005, and the PS3 in 2006. Both consoles are just now hitting their strides with new software that is pushing the hardware to its limits, but both systems may start showing their age sooner rather than later. So for those that are ready for the next-gen, the good news is that an insider said 2013 isn’t out of the picture, but only if one of them “feels pushed.” There is also a chance that a 2013 product launch for Microsoft could be a “Kinect-upgraded 360,” followed by the upgraded console the next year. PlayStation gamers have no such luck with an earlier upgrade: Spokesperson Patrick Seybold said Sony PlayStation is “laser-focused” on its existing lineup and coming handheld device.
If it’s any comfort, the wait should be worth it. While it appears that both companies are trying to eke every last dollar out of their current models, they aren’t entirely trying to torture their loyal gamers. Microsoft and Sony are likely both focused on taking big steps with a new device, delivering noticeably advanced technology and entirely new features for their consoles. Details about either machine are still relatively unknown, although there have been whispers about an Xbox 720, that could feature Blu-ray capability and 3D.
This is all good news for Nintendo, which would have the attention all to itself and the Wii 2 at E3 this year – not to mention the lack of competition for the new console when (can we say “when” yet?) it appears on shelves in 2012

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Hot, High-Tech Travel Gadgets

Before you slam the trunk, gas up and hit the road, check out some of our favorite high tech travel gadgets for finding your way, staying in touch, and keeping connected.

Money? Check. Identification? Yep. Clean clothes? Uh huh. The necessities of travel haven’t changed much over the years, but a number of high-tech toys can help make your upcoming trips more fun, productive and hassle-free. A good camera and/or camcorder is a given, sure, but also consider one or more of these following gadgets, ranging in price from $25 to $500.

Weight a minute

Avoid the embarrassing surprise of the “luggage shuffle” at the airport, where you must shift the contents between two or more suitcases to avoid the excess weight charge. Instead, the Balanzza ($24.95; balanzzastore.com) is the first digital luggage scale that lets you easily weigh your luggage at home or at the hotel before heading to the airport. Simply attach the strap to your luggage, use the handle to lift it up with one or two hands and hold it until you hear a beep.

A smarter smartphone

A smartphone is a must-have companion in today’s day and age, as it not only lets you stay in touch with those who matter — via phone, text, email or IM — but you’ve got a web browser at your fingertips, apps for currency conversion and language translation, music and games, GPS navigation, a camera, and much more. A good pick is the HTC Evo 4G ($199.99 with 2-year contract; sprint.com), a powerful Android phone with support for the speedy (and growing) WiMax network.
Check out our HTC EVO 4G Review.

Hit the road, Jack

Not all GPS navigation devices are created equal. The Garmin nuvi 1370T ($239.99; garmin.com), for instance, includes maps for both North America and Europe out of the box. This 4.3-inch dashboard device also features support for Bluetooth (allowing you to chat hands-free via a nearby phone), lifetime traffic alerts in supported cities and a lane assist feature that prepares you for upcoming turns or off-ramps. Leaving the car? A pedestrian and public transit mode could be helpful, too.

Thin is in, light is right

While many adventurers will opt for a netbook or notebook — and they are both ideal travel companions — the Apple iPad (from $499; apple.com) offers a number of appealing advantages over a conventional computer. It’s only 1.5 pounds, turns on instantly, last up to 12 hours between charges and supports more than 200,000 applications right from the get-go. The iPad is also a competent e-book reader, media player, and more.

    

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Nokia X7 released

Nokia has released the X7, a brand new gaming phone.
The pverall chassis is made from stainless steel and glass and comes equipped with a 4-inch display and an arching back panel, perfect for gamers.
Other features include an 8-megapixel rear camera with a dual-LED flash and is also capable of recording HD 720p video.
the X7 will come preloaded with “Galaxy on Fire” and “Asphalt 5 HD”, other games will be available in the Ovi Store. The X7 will be arriving around Q2 of 2011 and priced at $547, (£334 app)

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 Review

All tough cams are not made equally – or similarly for that matter. Sony offers up the world’s slimmest rugged point and shoot, along with a very capable touchscreen responsible for most of the camera’s operations. Its most notable elements will either win users over (tiny size, touchscreen dependence) or be the reason they opt for a competitor’s camera like the Olympus TG-610.

Features and design

First off, we’ll start with what the TX5 has going for it. It’s an incredibly light and slim device, with a sliding panel to protect the lens. Touch pocket cams don’t always have the luxury of being quite as convenient to carry as Sony’s – it weighs a mere 5.1 ounces and its backside is all screen. The 3-inch LCD touchscreen packs approximately 230,000 pixels in resolution. It registers touch surprisingly well and doesn’t require tap after tap after tap to get where you want to go – but always expect this to get a little more difficult underwater, or while wearing gloves.
But back to what it does well. The sliding panel not only protects the camera lens but functions as a power switch, yet another convenience in a tough cam. And it’s virtually buttonless: There is a designated power button, zoom, playback, and shutter control, but that’s it. If you’re planning to exploit everything this camera can do in the great outdoors, you’ll be happy with the lack of tiny bells and whistles you need to manipulate. Of course, if you’re unfamiliar with touchscreen controls or have an affinity for messing with the smallest details of your photo setup, it might be frustrating to have it confined to the screen. That said, the learning curve with the touchscreen controls is anything but steep.
The TX5 comes equipped with a slew of scene selectors, included “snow,” “beach,” and of course “underwater.” To get more specific, users also various white balance options and of course, more experienced photographers can alter ISO sensitivity themselves. But the camera’s real selling points are its simplicity and durability.

What’s in the box

The TX5 comes with the camera, a startup and help guide CD, wristband, multi-connector cable, NP-BN1 battery, and battery charger.

Performance and use

The most impressive feature the TX5 is arguably its speed. Consumers should be able to use tough cams to their fullest abilities, and sometimes it seems like their indestructibility takes precedence over their speed. But the TX5 comes packaged with an incredibly capable sensor and processor – the Exmor R CMOS sensor and the BIONZ processor – that allow it to take 10 frames in one second at its full 10.2-megapixel resolution.

The camera’s wide-angle 4x zoom gives photographers some room to work with: It offers some variety and makes landscape shooting a possibility, which can’t be said for every pocket cam out there. The camera’s built-in scene selectors also work well, and can further simplify using the TX5 for novices. Better yet, the touchscreen interface is extremely intuitive when it comes to using and finding these presets. Just like any good outdoor-use camera should, it comes with a panorama option. It’s a different take on the feature, however: You simply select the mode and then follow the easier than easy instructions which include an arrow telling you to sweep the camera across your desired landscape. It then processes the image for you; push it to the limits and it can capture an image with a 258 degree field of view. Of course, the quality can’t be compared to costly DSLRs like the A55, but it shouldn’t have to be. The TX5 performs admirably in low light, thanks to its sensor, but be ready for some lag with the auto focus.

While the diminutive size is convenient for packing and pocket purposes, that doesn’t always mean it’s easier to use. The zoom toggle is absolutely miniature; using it with gloves or underwater could prove difficult. And sure, no one wants a weight secured to their wrist – but the TX5 feels like it could blow away. The child-sized camera might just be too small for some, and while a 3-inch display is impressive for a device so small, it’s a relatively small space to work entirely within.

Conclusion

If you’re specifically on the hunt for a dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof point-and-shoot that you can really subject to the elements and push to the weather limits, the TX5 will do, but it can easily be bested by cameras without rugged specs. A slightly heavier device that doesn’t entirely rely on a touchscreen will also be easier to manipulate in your more extreme photography sessions.
That said, if you’re looking for a quality point and shoot that can double as your rugged cam, the TX5 is a great option. The touchscreen isn’t anything to be afraid of, even for those unfamiliar with it. And for general use, its size is definitely a plus, not to mention its iAuto and built-in scene options. However, for its price we’d expect some artsy filters or expanded editing capabilities.

Highs:

• Responsive touchscreen
• Impressive in low light
• Panorama sweep is a nice bonus feature
• Sliding on/off panel is convenient

Lows:

• Too small
• Touchscreen only operation might scare some off
• Competitors have more built-in features to offer
•  Touchscreen can be difficult to manipulate in some “tough cam” scenarios

 

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T-Mobile unlimited everything plans made official, heavy data users to have speed capped

T-Mobile confirms the launch of two new wireless plans which offer unlimited every -- voice, data and text -- for industry-low prices, the trade off being that those with more than 2GB of data usage in a month will be speed-capped.

What first popped up as a rumor earlier this week is now an officially confirmed fact: T-Mobile has launched a pair of new pricing plans which offer unlimited domestic airtime, text messaging and data access. The plans are split between the wireless carrier’s two price tiers, Even More and Even More Plus. The former carries at $79.99 per month price tag and includes a discounted phone and a two-year contract commitment. The latter costs $59.99 per month; with this one, you don’t get a discounted phone but you also don’t have to make a contract commitment.
The new plans will only be available for a limited time, according to the T-Mobile press release. Though given the fact that AT&T recently moved to acquire the company, all time is limited at this point. There’s a big, fat catch that data users will need to consider with these two plans, however. As the press release states: “Consumers exceeding 2GB of usage in a billing month will still have access to unlimited data at reduced speeds until their new billing cycle starts.”
That should be clear enough. Use too much data in a month-long window, and T-Mobile will throttle your speeds. In fairness, most on-the-go Internet users don’t manage to reach such heights in their daily data usage. Then again, T-Mobile is “America’s Largest 4G Network.” It’s a lot easier to kill time on your web access-equipped smartphone when your average site takes that much quicker to load.
Before you go and get bent out of shape, screaming for blood over the very idea that your wireless carrier would have the nerve to cap your data speeds, remember that an unlimited data plan is an exception rather than a rule these days. These plans are very affordable. A comparable plan with AT&T, for example, which would still cap your data usage at 4GB (with overage charges being applied after that), would run you in excess of $130 per month after taxes and surcharges. So go ahead and celebrate, T-Mobile customers. The speed limiting is unfortunate, but it’s a worthwhile trade off for unlimited data access on the go.

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Apple to launch revolutionary cloud-based TV service, says analyst

Apple has forever altered the music industry with its popular products. But now, says analyst Peter Misek, Apple plans to launch new products and services that will transform the television industry as well.

Apple could soon debut a cloud-based video service that will have “far reaching” implications for the television industry, says Jefferies & Co analyst Peter Misek. The purported launched could bring both new subscription services and new hardware that will amount to nothing less than an “assault on the living room” as we know it.
“In addition to subscription revenues, we think Apple could potentially benefit from a halo effect that increases units and average selling prices for its existing products and provides a foundation for the launch of an iTV-like device,” wrote Misek, which he says could arrive in 2012 or 2013.
The prediction, first reported by The International Business Times, was made in a research note to clients for which Misek checked in with “developers and content providers on Apple’s possible plans regarding the cloud and their assault on the living room.”
Misek says that Apple is planning to open another massive data center directly next door to the one it recently opened in North Carolina. His information is based on aerial footage, which shows that the land adjacent to the current data center has been cleared, most likely to make room for another data center. Also, says Misek, a site mock-up at Apple’s announcement ceremony for the current data center — the largest in Apple’s storage arsenal — showed two side-by-side data centers.
In addition, Misek believes that Apple is planning to open similar data centers in other parts of the US and Europe.
Apple has confirmed that the data center in North Carolina, which was completed earlier this year, will be used for iTunes and MobileMe. This further fueled rumors that Apple has plans for a cloud-based iTunes service, launched in conjunction with a revamped MobileMe “digital locker” for music and video collections, which would allow users to stream their media libraries from any iOS device.
According to Misek, however, Apple’s cloud plans go beyond music, since he believes the capacity of the data centers are more than what’s needed to support relatively small music files. In addition, Misek believes Apple is currently negotiating with television networks to distribute their content to iOS devices, which would explain the recent litigation against the Time Warner and Cablevision TV streaming apps.
“We find it notable that the content companies, citing a lack of domain license, asked Cablevision to remove channels from its iPad app,” writes Misek. “We believe these same companies are negotiating some sort of deal with Apple.”
Misek says that Apple will “convince Hollywood and other content creators” to license their products for an Apple service by using the same model they employ with app developers, which allows them to “take the vast majority of the revenue” from the content, while Apple makes its money from the devices.
Lastly, Misek says that Apple CEO Steve Jobs could be stepping down soon, and its likely that revolutionizing the television industry — just as his company revolutionized the music industry — would be an apt parting act.
“We would find it easy to believe that Steve Jobs’ final hurrah before turning the reins over would be to revolutionize video much in the same way Apple has transformed the mobile, computing, and music world. It is also notable that his authorized biography is due in 2012.”

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HP EliteBook laptops get sleek, Apple-like redesign

Today, HP has announced a redesigned, more durable line of EliteBook laptop computers. The new notebooks also use the electronics maker's new DreamColor screen technology, allowing more vivid color.

Today, Hewlett Packard revealed a redesigned line of EliteBook laptops that use the “Forge” design framework it introduced on its business notebooks in February. The new designs are meant to be simpler looking, more durable, more reliable, and are built in a more environmentally friendly way. The new EliteBooks feature a gunmetal brushed finish, backlit HP logo, and “orange-colored accents.”
Replacing the EliteBook 8440w, 8540w, and 8740w, will be the EliteBook 8460w, 8560w, and 8760w, which range from 14 inches to 17.3 inches in size.
All of the new models have full HD screens and a choice between AMD FirePro or Nvidia Quadro graphics cards. The two larger laptops also feature HP’s new DreamColor display that can “allow for more than 1 billion active color combinations–64 times the capabilities of a traditional display–and uses a 30-bit notebook LCD panel” for brighter, better color. We have yet not seen the EliteBooks or DreamColor display in action.

 As the fastest growing segment of the workstation market, mobile workstations continue to provide value to our most demanding design, animation and engineering customers,” said Efrain Rovira, director, Mobile Workstations, Notebook Business Unit, HP. “The new EliteBook mobile workstations announced today combine innovative design with trusted, workstation-class technology to fuel creativity.

 The smallest of the three EliteBooks starts at $1,299, while the 17.3-inch model (8760w) begins at $1,899. HP also announced a new entry level desktop today, the Z210 Workstation, which starts at $569.

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Are carbon fiber Apple products in the works?

our next MacBook could be made of ultra lightweight carbon fiber, if a recent Apple hire is any indication. 9to5Mac reports that Apple has brought expert carbon fiber designer Kevin Kenny on board, which suggest that his talents for working with the lightweight material could soon be used in upcoming Apple products.
Kenny, who holds the title of “Senior Composites Engineer” at Apple, comes from Kestral Bicycles, where he served as the company’s president and CEO for most of the last 14 years. Kestral is famous for its groundbreaking work with carbon fiber, and was the first company to produce an entire bicycle frame out of carbon fiber.
Apple’s materials of choice has long been aluminum, stainless steel and glass to build their popular products, from Mac computer to iPhones and iPods. The Cupertino, California, company’s employment of Kenny points to a possible shift.
As long-time Apple watchers have surely already noted, this is far from the first time rumors have surfaced about Apple planning to release products made of carbon fiber. All the way back in 2008, there was talk about Apple producing a MacBook Air laptop with carbon fiber replacing the aluminum parts. And just this February, reports indicated that the iPad 2 would have a carbon fiber body. Obviously, neither of those rumors turned out to be true.
Not all carbon fiber-Apple talk has been based purely on speculation, however. In 2009, Apple filed a patent for a “reinforced device housing” partially made of carbon fiber, which suggests either a carbon fiber Mac laptop or iOS device is in the works.
Carbon fiber isn’t the only next-generation material in Apple’s arsenal. Last year, Apple filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to acquire the rights to nearly all of the “non-crystalline alloy metals” invented by Liquidmetal Technologies.
While Apple’s production plans remain purely speculation, the constant motion of the technology industry toward more lightweight devices makes this carbon fiber talk likely — even if the specifics aren’t entirely known.

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Nike+ SportWatch GPS Review

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is not the first sports watch to plug into a computer, the first to offer GPS, or the first to put your data online where you can share, compare and brag to friends. So how did Nike saunter back from CES this year with an armload of awards a queue of eager customers?
Like the Apple of the athletic world, Nike’s not looking to do it first, it’s looking to do it simpler, sleeker, and with a marketing budget that would make Kobe Bryant blush. The SportWatch GPS takes the same tech previously wrapped in button-studded watches for diehard competitors and makes tracking runs novel, easy and just plain fun for folks who wouldn’t know Prefontaine from Plantar Fasciitis.

Design

Though Nike makes some sharp conventional timepieces that look as good with khakis as they do with nylon running shorts, the SportWatch is not one of them. From the rigid rubber watchband and overly beefy face to the fluorescent “volt yellow” highlights, this is clearly an athletic watch through and through.

It works. An inch-wide band keeps it firmly grappled to your wrist, a sturdy dual-pronged clasp ensures it won’t unhook accidentally, and the closely-spaced perforations let your wrist breathe while allowing tiny adjustments for just the right fit. The “excess” end of the watchband even has two prongs that snap into the holes beneath to keep it from flapping around.

The display on the SportWatch uses the same inverted white-on-black color scheme that a lot of trendier sports watches use, which can be easier to read in the sun. It’s also surprisingly dense with pixels, so numbers and even tiny print look smooth and easy to read.

Features

The same running-centric design that dictates the SportWatch’s styling applies to the features Nike has crammed in: If it doesn’t have anything to do with running, the SportWatch won’t do it. Even the most basic features you could find on a kid’s digital watch, like an hourly chime or alarm, have been stripped out. There’s no question Nike could have included these features, but we suspect it was an intentional move to cut the clutter and avoid anything that could interfere with the running settings.

Put it in “run” mode and things start to get interesting. Using an internal GPS sensor (“powered by TomTom”) or the Nike+ sensor you pop in a shoe, the SportWatch GPS will tell you your pace, total distance, total time elapsed and total calories burned, all at a glance, on the move. Though it saves every run in the watch, the real fun comes when you get home. The wristband actually conceals a full-size USB connector which you can pop open, plug into your PC, and push every detail of your run online to a Nike+ account. Your runs are chronicled by date, available for others to see, and meticulously plotted against Google Maps with your pace overlaid in full color.

Setup

Part of the beauty of owning a watch that plugs into a computer comes from actually setting it up on the computer, rather than spending twenty minutes reading a matchbook-sized manual and clicking buttons the size of pinheads to set the time. The first time you plug the SportWatch in, it prompts you to download Nike+ Connect software, a lean and unobtrusive app that interfaces with the watch. Really, you’ll only use it to configure the watch and upload data, the meat and potatoes reside online. Consequently, Connect requires you to create a Nike+ account the first time you use it, which serves as repository for everything you’ll add from then on. After that, it’s a simple matter of choosing your preferred distance units, entering your weight, gender and a few other specifics, and you’re off and running. Literally.

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Gaming tops tablet activity, says Google study

A new survey by Google AdMob has found that tablet owners primarily use their touchscreen devices for playing games, the Guardian reports. Other popular uses include emailing, social networking and consuming media like videos, music and e-books.
Out of the 1,430 tablet owners interviewed, 84 percent used the device for playing games. “Searching for information” came in as the second most-popular activity at 78 percent, followed by emailing (74 percent), reading the news (61 percent) and using social networks (56 percent). Only 51 percent use their tablets for watching videos or reading music, the study found. And Reading e-books was only popular among 46 percent of those interviewed.
The study (PDF) also shows that tablets, while not yet more popular than PCs, are certainly making headway against their bulky competition with 28 percent identifying their tablet as their primary computer, and 43 percent admitting that they spend more time using their tablet than their PC.
Despite obvious benefit of being able to easily take a tablet anywhere, most people (82 percent) say they mostly use their device at home. A mere 11 percent said they use their tablet as a mobile device. A total of 68 percent of owners use their tablet at least one hour per day, with 34 percent admitting that they use the device for two or more hours daily.
While some of the information wasn’t much of a surprise (59 percent use their tablets more than they read books), the study did find that 1 in 3 tablet owners use their tablet more than they watch TV. (Which would probably explain why Time Warner and Cable vision are so anxious to offer their programming on the iPad.)
Google never explicitly mentions what type of tablet those they interviewed own, but considering that the study was conducted last month, it’s safe to assume that a large percentage of those polled owned an Apple iPad.

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Shift 2: Unleashed Review

When it comes to the racing genre you have two options. You can go with the racing simulators— the Forza and Gran Turismo series games— where you can lose hours of your life fiddling with gear differentials, weight distribution and thousands of other things that most of us will never truly understand. Most importantly though is a realistic sense of physics in the actual driving. On the flip side of the coin are the arcade style racers, which drop you in places like Burnout’s Paradise City, or Midnight Club’s Los Angeles and command you to go forth and race while trying not to hit a building at 200 mph. Both are racing games, but there is a massive gap between the two genres. Shift 2: Unleashed is a game that tries to fill this gap, and does a fairly decent job of it.
Shift 2: Unleashed is the heir to the Need for Speed series that has reinvented itself, and changed from the arcade style that had you running form cops through all environments, to a more simulated racer; but the vestigial traces of the original series remain, and in doing so they offer something that is a bit unique.
Shift 2 is a racing simulator in the sense that it is all track based and where the cars are unbelievably customizable; but the racing is what sets it apart. While there is a sense of realistic physics at work, the game has an arcade feel to it that bends those physics. You can hit a corner at high speed and drift around the bend, when in reality you would probably hit the wall and explode. It may not be absolutely realistic in that sense, but it works, and makes a racing game that combines the simulator and arcade style with an exceptional balance that makes it just plain fun to play.

The Garage is Small, but Well Stocked

Shift 2 features exactly what you might expect a racing sim to offer. You have a career mode which unlocks features as you earn experience with cash to buy new cars. Also, as you progress, you earn the right to race with different classes of cars-like muscle cars and eventually F1 supercars. As you progress through the 36 different maps, you can also tune your car via an incredible amount of options.
An online mode is also available, and “lobbies” offer races of all classes and styles. You can race in ranked and unranked matches, as well as head-to-head in a “Driver Duel” against another person with a similar rank. In these races you race a best of three series, and the winner receives cash, experience and a crown. The more crowns you earn the better your rank.
One interesting feature that fans of the series will love is that if you have played the previous games in the Need for Speed series, your game will recognize that and award you with additional experience, cash, and a few other perks. It isn’t anything that you can’t unlock on your own so new fans aren’t missing anything, but it is a nice touch to reward fan loyalty. If you haven’t played the series before, and if you don’t have the patience to unlock your cars through progression, there is also the option to buy cars using Microsoft points. Some people might call this a cash grab, but it really is an interesting option for people. It adds to the game, and while most purists will sneer at it, it won’t affect their game in any way. Alternatively, it might make casual fans more into the game.

The Drip Beneath the Car

While Shift 2 does play very well, there are a few things that prevent it from stealing the crown from the Forza or Gran Turismo series. There is nothing that makes this game anything less than awesome, but there are a few things that hold the series back.
First is the limited number of cars. The selection of the cars is fairly robust, with 145 cars from 37 manufacturers. From a Ford Focus to a Bugati Veyron, the selections are fairly impressive. Shift 2 doesn’t have the sheer number of choices that some of the other games, like Gran Turismo 5’s 1000+ cars, but honestly will anyone miss a VW Jetta or a Kia Spectra when you can use a BMW or an Audi from the start? There are plenty of options.
While the car selection is solid albeit unimpressive, the customization options for the cars run so deep that you can use every car thousands of times and it would be slightly different each time. While the number of options is incredible, it can also be incredibly overwhelming. Unless you are a gearhead—and not just a “Hey, I watch Top Gear” gearhead, but a gearhead in the sense that you can read on the screen that you are adding a new gear box and you will instantly understand what that will do to the car without the benefit of pages of stats—then you might have some troubles.
The customization menu is huge, but it offers little to no help. Granted, in the real world when you customize a car, adding new suspension or tires makes a notable difference, but in a video game it is harder to tell. This makes it tough to know exactly what you are doing—unless you actually know exactly what you are doing. Most gamers have the tendency to just go for more of everything, which isn’t always the best option. It is about balance, a rule Gran Turismo taught us years ago, but Shifted 2 makes it oddly tough to find that balance. Average gamers—especially ones used to the more arcade like upgrades of the old Need for Speed series—are going to face a ton of trial and error, and most are likely to do only the most obvious changes to their rides.
The graphics are also good, but not amazing, and that is something of a theme for this title. The lighting effects in particular are exceptional, and the interior view is well rendered, but some of the cars look cartoonish, and there is an inconsistency that stands out.  There is also a series of videos to introduce segments, and they can quickly become annoying.
What Shift 2 has is well done, but it doesn’t offer anything surprising or impressive, with the possible exception of the gameplay (which granted, is a good thing to excel at). You get exactly what you would expect, and no more. There are no neat channels to watch racing videos on, nor are there go-kart challenges. You won’t find a personalized racing calendar, or off track events. You have tracks, you race them, you buy new cars—that’s it. Even the online—while fun—is somewhat barebones and there is a distinct sense that building a community was a low priority. That may all sound like nitpicking, but when you are trying to break into a field dominated by giants like Gran Turismo and Forza, you have to at least try to offer something that the other don’t. Everything in Shift 2 can be found in other games, and while the limits of the options won’t hurt the actual playability, which is great, it will likely stunt the game’s lifespan.

The AI Hates “Days of Thunder”

Most of us were raised with the idea that “rubbin’ is racin’”. While this quote comes from the film Days of Thunder, the idea comes from the more primal idea that if a car is in your way, and there are no consequences to annihilating him, then it is fine to introduce him to a wall at high speeds. Shift 2 disagrees.
To encourage you to race properly, and to give the game a bit more value during the races, if you slam into a car, it will remember. More than that, it will swear a vendetta against you, and make it its primary purpose in life to utterly destroy you. A nudge here and there might get you an aggressive bump in return, but a reckless slide into the side of a rival will have them seeing red, and you will spend the rest of the race nervously watching your rear view mirror for an angry blur that wants your (digital) blood.
In this, the AI in Shift 2 is amazing. They are not an easy set of racers to crush, they are responsive and adaptive, and you need to bring you’re A-game to finish in first. One of the more clever ideas in the game is that when you first begin, you race a few challenges, and the results determine your level of difficulty and car settings. As you progress so does the difficulty, and it is a nice touch to have the game adapt to you.
But regardless of whether or not you are in the easy or hard difficulties, the races are not going to be handed to you—you need to beat your opponents. They will test you, and force you to drive almost perfect races—not perfect in the sense that you have to hit every corner perfectly, just in the sense that if you hit a wall–even if you don’t wreck–you may as well start over if you are determined to win. Sometimes this is logical. If you are in a tough race and mess up, you will naturally be overtaken. But other times you can have a big lead and not even see the next car in your rear view, then you take a turn too harshly and slow down off the track, and you will almost magically find yourself in last place.
The AI has moments where it is brilliant, but it also has moments where it is very, very bad. You might be in a dogfight with the top 2 cars, while the others are 5-10 seconds behind—then suddenly they will all have made up an improbable gap, regardless of how well you are driving, and you will be surrounded. It doesn’t usually make a difference to how you race, but it is noticeable.
Still, the pros of the AI outweigh the cons, and they make the races challenging and fun.

Conclusion

Shift 2 does exactly what it sets out to do. Developer Slightly Mad Studios has created a racing game that takes the customization options of a true racing sim, and combines it with a touch of arcade style racing to give us something that falls between the two. The results are a game that is just plain fun.
The AI is a bit unbalanced at times, but when it works it works brilliantly. The graphics aren’t the best, but they are better than many, and while the career mode is relatively short—at least compared to other games of the genre–it is varied enough to keep the races feeling fresh. The biggest issue though is that there isn’t anything new. What there is, is great, but there isn’t anything that will surprise you.
Still, faults and all, racing fans won’t regret giving this game a try, and the arcade pedigree should offer a bit of appeal to gamers everywhere. It may not have the depth to satisfy hardcore fans for too long, but Shift 2 has the gameplay to have them smiling while they try.

 

 

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The rumor that won’t die: Google has a mole at Twitter

It's a little outlandish to this Google has a spy infiltrating Twitter, but here's our take on the Google-Twitter fiasco.

This is one we tried to ignore for as long as possible, but it just won’t quite go away. Yesterday, TechCrunch editor Michael Arrington lodged a major claim that Google had a mole working at Twitter. According to Arrington, “Multiple sources close to Twitter have said that someone with access to Twitter’s most confidential information, such as who they are interviewing for key executive spots, may be leaking that information directly to Google.”
This comes after Google reportedly shelled out millions to retain two high level executives that were being recruited by Twitter. Apparently, Google was able to best Twitter’s offer before one of the employees even admitted he was considering the move to the microblogging company, which supposedly lends credibility to the idea of a Google spy working at Twitter.
If the story ended there, it wouldn’t be worth repeating, but it’s struck a chord with Silicon Valley and now, names are being named. Business Insider suggests that the most likely suspect is Kleiner Perkins associate, John Doerr, who is now being scrutinized as the alleged mole. Doerr is a well-known social media investor, and has stakes in sites like Twitter, Groupon, and Zynga. He is also serves on the board of directors for Google and has been a “board observer” at a recent Twitter board meeting.
So while there may be something of a conflict of interest in Doerr’s case, that doesn’t necessarily mean he leaked any confidential information to Google that he shouldn’t have. What’s become more intriguing in this sordid tale is how much Google and Twitter are pitting against each other: Twitter seems supremely interested in poaching some very important pieces of the Google machine–most notably Sundar Pichai, crucial to the Chrome team, and Neal Mohan, another product manager. Google already has its hands full trying to come up with a successful social product, and is busy waging war against Facebook. Then, there is also the looming antitrust investigation, which may begin now that the DOJ’s investigation into Google’s purchase of ITA Software has concluded. If its thus far ill-executed social platform doesn’t land successfully and soon, it might get swallowed up by competitors (at least in that particular arena).

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Incomplete and overpriced: How Motorola doomed the Xoom

The obvious shortcomings of Motorola’s Xoom at launch have Rob Enderle wondering how Motorola managed to squander its good hype from CES and botch the Xoom.

This week the Deutsche Bank reported that the Xoom sold 100,000 units so far, which compares to the iPad’s initial weekend sales of 300,000 very badly. Current estimates indicate there are 20 million iPads in the market, which suggests the Xoom failed. Recall that the Samsung Galaxy tablet sold an estimated 250,000 units in the hot fourth quarter of last year, a small fraction of the iPads sold. You might conclude that Android just can’t compete. Let’s explore this.

Crippled from the start

When Apple products come to market, they are complete. They have a full set of included applications that make them useful, and the key parts that folks are looking for are in them. They also come out at premium prices, which typically set the most you can charge for a similar product. The smart play, if you are a competitor, is to build a product that is differentiated from the Apple offering, but still contains the core capabilities at a lower price and then market it strongly. That isn’t what Motorola did, and it may have effectively killed the Xoom.

The Xoom’s failure

There has been an assumption that the Xoom cost substantially more than the iPad to build, which is why Motorola priced it initially well above the iPad. However, I just saw recent analysis that said it only cost $26 more, making Motorola’s overprice strategy even more difficult to understand. Apple sets the premium price point. You can’t successfully price above Apple unless you have something that is substantially better, and the Xoom wasn’t.
In addition, the Xoom launched without its two key differentiators: 4G and Flash support. While Flash could be a later software upgrade, 4G support wasn’t, and early adopters were told that the product would need to be shipped back to Motorola for six days to be rebuilt. Granted, this was a free upgrade, but this would be like buying one car over another because it had a V8 engine, then being told it needed to go back into the shop in a few weeks to get that V8 engine. Even at value price, wouldn’t you wait until they actually finished the car, or in this case the Xoom, before buying it?
Even in marketing and sampling the product, Motorola screwed up. One key marketing application on the Xoom was a cool-looking game, but the device didn’t ship with that game. 
Another key hook was watching videos, but it didn’t come with a video application that worked out of the box, either. You had to get one yourself.

In short, Motorola was selling an incomplete “kit” tablet at a premium over the luxury product Apple dominated the market with. Going back to cars, this would be like coming to market with a car priced at more than a Lexus that the buyer has to finish himself and ship back to the factory for additional construction at some future point.
I’m actually kind of surprised Motorola even managed to sell 100,000 of these things. I’ve been told they had a 20-percent initial return rate, though, so a lot of folks that did buy seemed to understand they had made a huge mistake.

Is Android dead on tablets?

So far, yes. Android is part of the problem, because Android OEMs are all livid at Google for poor execution. However, Xoom was mostly the fault of Motorola for bringing a product to market that was incomplete and overpriced. Android phones are, in total, outselling Apple phones at the moment, which suggests they can be competitive (though with lawsuits surrounding Android, probably not profitable).
In the end, this is an execution problem that extends from Google through Motorola, and once again emphasizes that the Android ecosystem may be far sicker than it appears from Google’s phone numbers. Since Samsung’s tablet shipped with the phone version of Android and so wasn’t really complete either, we have yet to see a complete Android tablet in the market, and it is clear an incomplete overpriced product won’t sell.

Wrapping up: Are these folks idiots?

You really have to ask this question, because you would think that a 6-year-old could figure out that you can’t bring out incomplete products, price them over Apple products, and have any hope of being successful. If you aren’t going to play to win, what the hell is the point of even bothering to enter the competition? The Xoom was a huge waste of effort because Motorola and Google didn’t play to win. Samsung and now Motorola have both struck out batting against the iPad. RIM and HP are next up to the plate; let’s hope they learn from this and do a better job.
The Xoom had a huge amount of potential. It took home plenty of “Best of Show” titles at CES, but like the Palm Pre a few years ago, the executive team pissed this all away. Maybe some of these firms should have a “no more idiots” hiring policy at the executive staff level, because this is just pathetic.

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Spring brings splash of color to laptop aisles

Laptop manufacturers now elbow for eyes with bright colors and unique designs as they compete with the growing tablet market, and each other.

Guest contributor Deron Kershaw is a market analyst for Gap Intelligence.
Roy G. Biv is about to make himself comfortable in the notebook section at your local retailer. Manufacturers are preparing to deviate from the standard black and grey color schemes and will soon produce configurations in a variety of colors. As tablets are increasingly seen as the hippest new device on the block, PC manufacturers are being forced to compete for coolness, if only aesthetically.
For low-priced mini netbooks, color is the main appeal. Since the vast majority now feature the same 10.1-inch display, Atom processor, and 250GB hard drive, color has become the easiest way to differentiate between models. Consumers have begun treating netbooks as an accessory, rather than a computer. And what’s cooler than being able to match your netbook with your shoes? Here’s a rundown of the major PC manufacturers’ plans to make computing more colorful:

HP

In January, HP launched its Mini 210 netbook line that comes with a plaid pink casing with a fast 7200RPM hard drive, selling for $299 at Best Buy. HP’s low-priced Pavilion G-series is now available in a variety of colors and patterns, a departure from the drab silver designs found on most current G-series models. The new colors include Butter Gold, Luminous Rose, Sonoma Red, and Sweet Purple.

Acer

Just in time for Easter, new Aspire One “Happy” series netbooks have all the pastel colors covered including: Candy Pink, Lavender Purple, Lime Green, and Hawaii Blue.

Sony

The Vaio C notebook line radiates light (literally!) around the logo, touchpad, and the notebook’s edges. Neon orange and neon green versions is now available through Sony’s website and are expected to become available to the retail channel in the coming weeks.

Asus

Even some higher-performance laptops have experienced a splash of color. Asus continues to expand its bamboo-paneled U43F notebook line, launched last August, as a first for the industry. They look a bit like those classic old Woodie station wagons without surfboards. Asus has since released two additional configurations, the latest with a Core i5 CPU, 640GB hard drive, 6GB of RAM, and 8-cell battery for $779.

Dell

Dell has probably taken color customization the farthest. As of last week, Dell’s popular Inspiron R notebooks now come with the ability to swap out lids with over 25 different colors and designs. At the end of 2009, Dell partnered with nail-polish maker OPI to use their hues in casing colors, which brought about some of the worst names I’ve ever heard: “La Paz-itively Hot” (pink) and “I’m Not Really a Waitress” (red). Thankfully, Dell has gone back to more normal colors like Lotus Pink and Tomato Red for the popular Inspiron and Inspiron Mini lines, but even the standard options still have funky names like Mars Black.

Samsung

Samsung had a series of red notebooks and netbooks on shelves at Best Buy during the holiday shopping season. Now, the company’s new Sliding 7 Series hybrid netbooks, which will become available this month, look even sharper and some configurations feature a vibrant blue keyboard.

Lenovo

The new IdeaPad U260 line hit shelves last week with bold new color options including Clementine Orange and Mocha Brown. At CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, unreleased teal blue IdeaPads were also on display.

A rainbow of choices

It’s only natural to shop with our eyes, so luring consumers in with visuals is a smart marketing tactic. But how does a Peacock Blue laptop’s functionality measure up? Quite well, actually – Dell’s Inspiron 14R-1296 comes with more than just a cool blue casing. The line also sports WiMax connectivity and Intel’s Wireless Display technology, which allows you to stream content to your TV without any cables. For $599, it’s a great deal. But check your newspapers, HP’s refreshed Pavilion G series is launching with an array of new colors and is typically the best value for mainstream notebooks. HP has a knack for integrating color into the overall design of its notebooks (beyond just the casing) and the refreshed series should be no different.
The flood of color is reminiscent of what happened to the digital camera industry five years ago. In 2006, after years of pumping out black and silver cameras, manufacturers responded to consumers’ desire for personalization by offering proven series in pinks, blues, and reds. History has a funny way of repeating itself, and now it’s the laptop industry’s turn to show some personality. Maybe that plaid pink netbook really is for you?
About the author: Deron Kershaw is a market analyst for Gap Intelligence, a San Diego-based independent technology research firm with emphasis in helping product manufacturers and retailers understand current retail market trends in order to respond to customer demands as they occur. He can be reached at

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Sony confirms it will introduce tablet this year

Reports out of Japan say that Sony is on track to release a tablet in the very near future. Could it be the S1?

In February, just as anticipation over the Xperia Play’s existence and forthcoming release hit a fever pitch, rumors of a PlayStation-certified, Vaio-branded tablet cropped up. The original report included content plans and even early specs, including the fact that it would run Android 3.0 and join the small, elite cluster of Honeycomb tablets. Now, Sony CEO Howard Stringer has confirmed to Japanese publication Nikkei that the device will become a reality this summer.
Bloomberg first reported the confirmation this morning, which also revealed that the tablet (which early claims said is codenamed the S1) will hit US shelves first.
Of course, what about those S2 rumblings? Shortly after the S1 speculation began, there was also mention of a second project, the clamshell-shaped S2. The device (from early renderings and specs) takes an extremely non-traditional approach to tablets, and was even initially described as an “electronic book with enhanced features.” As you can see from the mockups, the S1 also puts a unique spin on the tablet, but at least keeps a more similar shape and size. This and the early look at its specs seem to point to the S1 for the first Sony tablet release. Early reports said that this could be by the end of summer, but since then has been amended to year’s end.
Sony’s been taking its good, sweet time entering the tablet wars. And being the major computing manufacturer it is, you had to imagine this was only a matter of time. The company has been investing ample time and money into product features, like its media platform Qriocity and its cross-platform gaming model PlayStation Suite – all of which Sony may be planning to solidify before it introduces a tablet based on this content.
Suffice it to say we’re excited to see what Sony can bring to the table. Here’s a quick refresher on the S1:

• Tegra 2 processor
• 9.4-inch touch display; 1,280 x 800 resolution
• Rear- and front-facing cameras
• USB-A port
• Built-in IR port
• Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
• (Relatively) button-free chassis; volume controls and (possibly) designated Qriocity button
• Wi-Fi only version rumored to cost $599 and ship in September

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Tickets for Apple’s WWDC selling for over $3,500 apiece on eBay

The iPad 2 isn't Apple's only hot item on eBay. Single tickets for June's WWDC are selling for double -- sometimes near triple -- their face value. 

The iPad 2 isn't Apple's only hot item on eBay. Single tickets for June's WWDC are selling for double -- sometimes near triple -- their face value.

Tickets to Apple’s upcoming World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) sold out in under 10 hours after going on sale on Monday. Now, some of those tickets are popping up on eBay. And they’re fetching premium prices — some going for well over double their $1,599 face value.
A search on eBay reveals one active auction for a single WWDC ticket with a current high bid of $3,951 (includes free shipping though!). EBay shows nine other active auctions with currents bids ranging from $1,225 to $3,450. Computerworld reported one ticket listed under eBay’s “Buy It Now” option with an asking price of $4,599. That ticket appears to have been sold or removed.
Apple’s 2011 WWDC will kick off on June 6 at San Francisco’s Moscone West convention center. Apple has promised to reveal “the future of iOS and Mac OS” during the five-day conference.  It’s expected Apple will announce iOS 5 during the conference en route to a fall release. Questions linger whether or not Apple will announce its next-generation iPhone as it has traditionally done at WWDCs in the past. Rumors have indicated the Apple may hold off on releasing the iPhone 5 until sometime during the fall.
It’s worth noting that the WWDC isn’t open to the general public. Ticket holders are required to be registered developers with Apple in order to activate their ticket.
Apple’s iPad 2 continues to be one of eBay’s hottest items, with selling prices routinely eclipsing the $1,000 mark

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Google is clamping down on Android, but is it going far enough

 

Google has begun enforcing much tighter restrictions on Android manufacturers to avoid further fragmentation of its operating system. But we think it could go even further

 

Times are changing for Android manufacturers. After taking heat for the increasing fragmentation between Android devices, Google has begun stepping up in 2011 and requiring manufacturers to start adhering to a stricter code of conduct. In response, “a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem,” have been complaining to Business Week and the Justice Department 

 

Here’s what’s happening:

• Chip and device manufacturers that hope to use Google services and access the Android Market must comply with Google’s rules.
• Android licensees must now adhere to “non-fragmentation clauses,” meaning that modifications to Android handset hardware or user interface (HTC Sense, Motorola Blur, TouchWiz, etc) must be approved by Google’s Android guru, Andy Rubin. This includes monitoring and approval of new app partners for built-in software.
• Google has specifically asked to review tweaks and code from Facebook, which is creating its own Android UI for a Facebook phone of some kind.
• Google has tried to hold up the release of Verizon Android devices that use Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
• Google is playing favorites (more than before), delaying the open source release of Android Honeycomb, but letting choice manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung, and LG access so they can get a head start on the competition. As a result, out of the loop manufacturers like Acer and Dell are being pushed months behind the competition.
• Google may standardize Android on ARM chipsets, leaving Intel in the dust.

Is this right؟

Sometimes we forget that Google is a business. We want it to be this pure force for good and openness. While it may have had pure intentions with Android, manufacturers have been taking advantage of Google’s lax nature for the last three years. Unlike Windows and every other platform, Android has always been, and still is a free platform to use. Google gave all of the major manufacturers the ability to compete with Apple’s iPhone at a time when none of them could. This is why Android’s marketshare has sprung from single digits to more than 40 percent in the last year or so.

More control please

Unlike every other operating system, Google has also given handset manufacturers an unprecedented level of control to customize and modify Android, and they have, often to the detriment of the Android experience itself. It can be a very frustrating thing for a user if they buy an Android phone by HTC and learn how to do things one way, then buy a Motorola handset and can’t find many basic menus or functions that they got used to on their last phone.
PCs and Macs never had this problem, and with Windows Phone, Microsoft laid out strict (but fair) requirements on all handset manufacturers, requiring 100 percent compliance. While HTC has created an entire UI experience called Sense on top of Android, its Windows Phone devices are identical to all other manufacturers except for a single “HTC Hub” where their custom software can lie. Time will tell which model is better, but it’s clear that Google needed to do something. In fact, it may not be doing enough.
Here’s what Google should do:

• Require handset manufacturers using Google services to update their handsets in a timely fashion during their lifecycle (one to two years from release). Google releases a new version of Android every six months or so. To maintain a consistent experience, It is important that Google get as many handsets on the new version as possible. If manufacturers choose to modify Android, they must be able to update their custom UI within a few months and issue the update. Or perhaps make more parts of Android off limits, so that updates can occur without affecting custom UI.
• Get updates out of the hands of the carriers. We’ve been railing on Windows Phone for relying on carriers for updates but Android is no better. Somehow, Google needs to take control of Android updates. It’s bad enough that handset manufacturers are involved in Android updates, involving wireless carriers is just asking for trouble. Neither manufacturers or carriers have much incentive to issue updates. Even if it involves hooking my phone to a PC, there should be a way to get relevant updates when they are issued.
• Make the stock version of Android more attractive and with better features. It is hard work to make an operating system, but if Google took some time to ensure that the stock version of Android had the kind of flair HTC adds with its Sense UI, then all manufacturers would benefit. If there weren’t so many obvious ways to improve Android visually, perhaps manufacturers wouldn’t need to do so. Gingerbread and Honeycomb have been steps in the right direction, but there’s no reason why the standard version of Android can’t look as good as any custom version. Get cracking, Google.

Stop playing favorites

While I have defend some of Google’s actions, the company should take a cue from Microsoft and treat all major venders equally. It’s fine to keep creating new “Nexus” devices that show off the power of a new Android version, but it looks bad when partners like Motorola are allowed to release tablets and phones with new software months before the competition can even look at it. That’s not open, and it’s not good.
 

 

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