Everything Android

[LQDSNK]

Watching that vid, it makes me think MS will need to come close to perfect if they want to launch that cross-platform Windows 8 with a high success rate. As gamers we will need windows anyway but as persons become more attached to their phones, which only do EVERYTHING, we could full OS and tower sales declining in a few years.

[Spazosaurus]

I dream of the day Android can run on full power ATX systems and game developers write for the platform as well, not just the mobile mainstays like Gameloft but also the likes of Dice bringing Battlefield 4 to an android powered PC.

Only reason I run windows on my home PC is for gaming. Hopefully this will one day no longer be necessary. Android/linux can already handle all of my other computing needs.

[TriniXaeno]

I think they are looking at the bigger picture which is the mobile space.

Full ATX desktops have become the minority.

Mobile devices are the future. From phones to tablets to laptops.

Microsoft knows that.

It is only a matter of time when your smart phone will become your "computer" for everything.

It is already the case for many in asia (including gaming).

There is a Mass Effect and Battlefield game on the tablets already.

Fast forward three to five more years. gg no re

[Spazosaurus]

In addition to the mobile space, i'd like to see open source gain more traction for serious gaming and I see android as the way to achieve that.

Clearly it hasnt been happening all along but now, Android probably has more games made for it than there ever was for Linux since its inception.

And almost instant on, bloat free Android install capable of running all my PC games. Sounds like a console, doesnt it? But why is that a bad thing?

One open source OS, installable on ANY machine even remotely capable of gaming, of course better hardware will get you better results but essentially, one OS to rule them all.

Its like having whatever OS runs on the xbox on ANY pc....

[TriniXaeno]

yeah, precisely

a dream in the making

with the sort of specs and gpus making their way to the mobile space at the moment, it is just a matter of time.

I've tinkered with running android on the PC (to run whatsapp of all things) and it is doable.

ultimate gamer showed me a damn beautiful racing game on his android phone.  Better than last gen consoles.

3 - 5 years. Should be good times, good times.

[woodyear99]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57391350-261/google-reboots-android-market-launches-google-play/



Google is rebuilding Android Market.

The Internet giant, looking to create a more comprehensive source for movies, apps, music, and e-books, is folding Google Music and Google eBookstore into one store, now renamed Google Play, according to Jamie Rosenberg, director of digital content for Google. The changes go into effect today.

Google Play marks a radical departure from Android Market, which has been a fixture of the company's mobile platform since the debut of Android more than three years ago. The move is a tacit admission that offering apps, games, and e-books--the main features of Android Market--isn't enough to remain competitive even as rival app stores spring up. Google Play is designed to break down the walls separating the company's disparate offerings, Rosenberg said.
"Google Play will become a single experience for users," Rosenberg said. "This creates a more powerful experience around Android and also increases opportunities for content partners" to interact with more of Google's offerings.

It's a shocking branding shift, considering the resources and energy spent into building the Android name, which will live on as the brand for Google's mobile operating system.

The move is likely to appease critics who have argued that Google's approach to digital content is fragmented. Services that should blend well together often seem out of sync. One example of this is Google Music and YouTube's music videos.

When Google executives were pitching the idea of Google Music to the labels throughout much of 2010 and 2011, they spoke of closely integrating the service with YouTube's music videos, one of the bright spots in online music distribution. Yet the services never were combined.

The formation of Google Play means that music will no longer remain a standalone service, Rosenberg said.


Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57391350-261/google-reboots-android-market-launches-google-play/#ixzz1oO2aMhAS

[woodyear99]

Good sale going on for google market rebranding.... Some apps 50% off

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/promotion_2012_03_06_AppsFavorites?feature=banner#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDIwMSwibnVsbC10b3BfZmVhdHVyZWRfYXBwc19fXzFfcHJvbW9fMTMzMTA1ODM2NDgyNSJd


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

[W1nTry]

I was wondering how this would affect custom ROMs and if this didn't belong in the 'everything android thread'

[woodyear99]

I was wondering how this would affect custom ROMs and if this didn't belong in the 'everything android thread'

Isn't this the everything android thread?

I am using Checkrom and just bought a few apps using the "old" market app though it did have the new terms of service. Doesn't really matter what rom you use, there will probably be an updated google play apk if one isn't available already.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

[woodyear99]

I bought a few apps today with the 49 cent sale on Google Play. These are some of my favourites.

[MessiaaH]

We'll, its like this:

I've been on Digicel 4g network for d past few months, 4g is fass like grass. But digicel network on d service is rel mess. When 4g is active, phone call quality is horrible. Calls drop, cutouts, stutters, etc.
So to get good call quality, id have to disable 4g. This has happened on the HTC Titan, Samsung Focus, Iphone 4s. All owned by different engineers in my company.
We've complained to digicel numerous times and they've attempted various solutions with no resolution. Thus we told them, we're switching to LIME, (Cayman's Bmobile/TSTT).

In response digicel said that the phones we use are not tested on their network, and they want someone to have an android device, since its tested on their network.
Our response was, even if the android works fine, one of the most popular phones in the world not supported on your network? (i.e. 4s) And that when we go to clients they want to see us sporting the latest and greatest hardware, so when we recommend they spend x$ to buy latest hardware/services they more readily spend it, and we are not going to sport the rubbish that is android. So even if the android works, none of us wants to give up our Windows Phone or Iphone to use that.

Digicel said to do them a favor and at least test one of their devices, so they can prove to us, that it's not their network, but just the phones are not supported. (Digicel get alot of business from us directly, also through client recommendations to choose digicel for their mobile/pbx systems, so apprantly they really dont want us to jump ship)
As a result, 2hrs ago, they hand delivered an android device to my desk, and ask me to please test it for 1-2 weeks.

So im sorry to report im now the unhappy own of a Samsung Galaxy S 2.

Initial Impressions:

At first blush the screen is gorgeous as to be expected from a super amoled plus screen.
The build quality is rank rubbish compared to the HTC Titan, and typing on the gs2, when the haptic feedback activates, its very disjointed, and vibrates parts of the phone it shouldn't, feels very unnatural. This could be contributed to the poor build quality of the gs2.

The typing speed, ease and accuracy on the titan is much better, which i attribute to the titans 4.7" screen vs the gs2's 4.3".
And thats where im at thus far. Here begins my official foray into android. It's gonna be a bumby ride!

As such i ask for the top 20 app recommendation for android. So i can get the show on the road.

(note: since i'm most likely giving this phoen back to digicel in the next few days, i wont be doing any flashing.)

[woodyear99]

Check out the top free ones here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/topselling_free?feature=top-free

Top paid ones here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/topselling_paid?feature=top-paid

Really depends on what sort of apps you need though.

In terms of your 4g issues I'd assume the S2 would have similar network issues. There isn't anything unique to the Galaxy hardware, definitely an issue on their end...

[Arcmanov]

You REALLY takin on Messiaah!?

He's so biased against Android, nothing he says (about it) I take seriously anymore.

[MessiaaH]

^^ LOL thats exactly why i dont be around gatt again, but anyways... yes i biased against it cuase is shit, and i coulda very well tell digicell hull they tail.
BUT i still choose to take d phone, and give it ah proper run through for a week or 2. And its going to be my main driver.
From d little i use of it on various ocasions i hate it. But if d laggy ui and poor integration of d services i use, turn out to be outweighed by some hidden epic sauce, then ill admit as much. Which is why i ask for d top 20 apps. Since i choose to suffer through ah 2 weeks of android, i mite as well get d best experience possible.
If i turn out to like android in d end, then u know is good shit. If i dont, juss write it off as biased opinion

Side Note: HTC One X is the best phone hardware in the world, period. Now that is phone. Delete Android, Add WP, GG.

[Spazosaurus]

ICS is a major improvement over gingerbread in terms of UI fluidity and usability. You using a gingerbread device and saying is shit is like me using my Father's Omnia II and saying Windows Phone is shit.

yes yes, we all know you dont like any OS other than Windows Phone. You love it, some of us hate it. You dont see me coming over on WP forum and bawling Windows phone is shit anymore do you? Why must you continue to display your childishness by repeatedly beating a horse that has been dead so long it done turn to skeleton?

And yes the one-x is a beautiful phone, NOT to be contaminated with any other inferior OS's, I call no names.

Now unless you'v used ICS which is rolling out to most major devices within 4 weeks from now, I suggest, according to Jules in Pulp Fiction...dont be like Yolanda.



Oh and btw, nobody is holding a gun to your head to visit these forums. if you dont like us, locate the sign out button depending on your theme settings and move on.

[captainchris]

.....

You're full of shit dread...WOW...

To top that off, you start bashing Android, you end up in the Android thread.. added to that, you say your done with GATT, but again, I make mention...you end up in the Android thread HOSTED by GATT Forums. Was google broken on your end?



You mad bro??

[TriniXaeno]

we really back here gentlemen???

On the plus side, Messiaah in his own special abrasive way, is extending an olive branch (with thorns) to the android lovers on GATT.

At best, he'll be convinced the platform isn't absolute rubbish after trying some of the apps woody advised or perhaps going brave and installing ICS.

At worst, he'll use this as a cheap shot to flame down android some more under the guise of an informed opinion having spent two weeks with the OS.

Given his notorious pro WP7 stance, I can understand the suspicion raised by the androidites....but still I'd have liked to see how this panned out before the pitch forks and torches were brandished.

and on a parting note, sorry to hear that Arcmanov bullied  you off of GATT Messiaah. Thought you were made of sterner stuff like myself. lol

[woodyear99]

For those that want to improve productivity on their Android phones and tablets I'd suggest some of these apps. Evernote has been a real useful tool for me over the past year, from making grocery lists to tracking my travel itnerary, the ease of syncing notes between devices is awesome.



http://workawesome.com/software/android-apps-improving-productivity/

1. Voice Recorder : As the name suggests, this app lets you get things done by recording your voice on your Android phone. The app could be used to record a conversation, interview, take notes or to quickly capture a random idea. There’s a timer that runs while you record, and the resultant files could be emailed as an attachment to your Gmail account. The app is free to use.

2. Remember The Milk : Remember the Milk for Android is the Android version of the popular task management service. It lets you access your RTM tasks and reminders, see tasks that are located nearby (uses the location feature of the phone), and add new tasks and sync it with your RTM account. The app is only available for those who use the RTM pro version — which costs $25 a year.

3. Astrid : If RTM’s pro version doesn’t excite you and you are looking for a free (yet effective) to-do list app for Android then Astrid is the one you need. It makes adding and viewing tasks really simple and has features like reminders, notes, task filters and much more. And here’s the nice part – it also syncs with the aforementioned RTM. Definitely worth a try.

4. Springpad : An innovative Android app that lets you save stuff worth remembering. It goes beyond the conventional note-taking method and adds much more to your information by pulling in related data from sites like Amazon, Netflix, Yelp and many more. You could also easily search for a store or a nearby restaurant using this tool. And all this at the right price: $0.

5. Any Cut : Any Cut aims to make your Android phone experience a smooth one. One of the major grievances of all the smartphone users, be it Android or iPhone, is that once the phone gets loaded with apps and tools it becomes time-consuming to find the stuff you need. It’s just like a cluttered computer desktop. This app helps you create shortcuts for other apps and phone functions right on the homescreen, thereby saving you the time you’d be spending in finding them.

6. Slide Screen : If you are an advanced smartphone user and use your Android phone to do a lot of things, then is a must-have app. It aims to enhance your productivity by customizing the Android home screen in a way that allows you to access all kinds of information quickly and easily. It offers much more than the default Android home screen.

7. ASTRO File Manager : This app provides a file managing interface that facilitates faster navigation of various files stored in your phone’s internal memory — as well as the external memory card. And that’s just the start. It can also backup files, has built-in viewers for text and images, works over bluetooth, accepts SFTP, has a task manager and much more.

8. GDocs : If most of your document editing and viewing happens inside Google Docs then you might want to give  this a shot. It has a clean and simple interface that lets you access the documents in your Google Docs account and work on them with your Android phone. Once you are done editing, you can save it and the app will automatically sync it with Google Docs.

9. Evernote : This is the first of the productive iPhone apps we talked about that finds itself in the Android apps list too. And it deserves the mention. Its note-taking and syncing capabilities are well above par, and the experience is much the same on the Android phone as well. All the Evernote features, like text notes, voice memos, photo snapshots, file upload and attachments are available.

10. Dropbox : Lastly, we’ve got the second (and last) app that also appears in both the iPhone and Android productivity tools list. Like its iPhone counterpart, this app also lets you access your Dropbox on the go, upload, view and share files and most of the other things you do with your Dropbox account.

[MessiaaH]

we really back here gentlemen???

On the plus side, Messiaah in his own special abrasive way, is extending an olive branch (with thorns) to the android lovers on GATT.

At best, he'll be convinced the platform isn't absolute rubbish after trying some of the apps woody advised or perhaps going brave and installing ICS.

At worst, he'll use this as a cheap shot to flame down android some more under the guise of an informed opinion having spent two weeks with the OS.

Given his notorious pro WP7 stance, I can understand the suspicion raised by the androidites....but still I'd have liked to see how this panned out before the pitch forks and torches were brandished.

and on a parting note, sorry to hear that Arcmanov bullied  you off of GATT Messiaah. Thought you were made of sterner stuff like myself. lol

EXACTLY WYATT EXACTLY!!!!!

I thought this would have been an opporutnity for d hardcore android fans, to come out d woodwork, and recommend some good shit, to show me what d platform is all about. Where on God's earth do u find an android man spending 2 weeks with windows phone? Anyways, i tell ah real-life story, to show how i end up wiht android, not hiding d fact that i hate it, but still willing to test it for 2 weeks, just to give it a chance. But like u said wyatt, pitch forks were drawn one itme. lolol. If this was d WP thread, and ah man had ah wp in d same manner, boy i was making sure i help him to have d best experience possible. But d usual gatt bullshit has entered d fray, so what i go do?  lolol Juss laugh and shake my head thats all.

Woodyear thanks for your recommendations will check them out, you and wyatt seem to be d only 2 intelligent ppl that post after me. Though i take seriously cap awesome point about ics. because last night i was asking myself, if is because i using this touchwiz my experience wouldnt be as it should...

But woodyear most of d apps u recommend is like general crossplatform apps, i looking for a more hardcore expereince to make me feel like i have no choice but to use android. havent read your last list yet, will do in ah bit.

And wyatt, arcman din bully me off d forum. I quite frankly dont have time to study idiots again. (Insert list of specific gatt admins here). Nice pico to encourage man to hang around doh. Very smart lololol. But know is not me alone.

[woodyear99]

In terms of exclusive apps to Android I'm not sure if there is anything that really stands out.

A quick look at these 2 lists....
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-android-apps-you-wont-find-on-iphone-2011-4

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Exclusive-Apps-Google-Android-Apple-iOS,review-1654.html

I'm pretty sure you can get similar apps on Windows Phone. I am a big fan of cross platform apps though. Lets say my household has Android, iOS and WP devices, why should I have to choose.....this is especially true for cross platform chat apps. My friends are huge fans of Whatsapp, why get stuck to one platform especially since alot of people ditching their Blackberries.

This discussion about Android compared to WP, I really would say it is a matter of preference. Love it or hate it I guess.

As for ICS check out these videos....