Is Android About to Get Crushed?

This fall, smartphones are going to be better than they've ever been. That's true every year, but iOS 5 and Windows Phone 7.5 are looking pretty fantastic. What about Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, though?

We know a little bit about Ice Cream Sandwich, which seems focused on fixing a lot of the nagging issues in the Android world, like unifying its phone and tablet software, reducing fragmentation, and adding support for some neat integrations with other hardware in the real world. But that may not be enough to keep it from getting outclassed by the Cupertino Crusher and the scrappy Seattle upstart. It needs to be awesome.

Make it Pretty

Truth: Android's user interface is not particularly intuitive. That's okay to a point, since Android swaps some of that for greater customization. But consistency's a huge problem. (I have way too many friends who've had an Android phone for months and still barely have a handle on the basics.) For example, within an app, the back button doesn't always do the same thing. Sometimes it takes you up a level within an app, sometimes it switches you to another app you were previously in, and sometimes it just quits to the homescreen. Constantly, accidentally closing out of an app while you're in the middle of doing something is maddening (and it happens all the time, even to advanced users).

WP7 is gorgeous. It's sleek, smooth, modern-looking, and consistent. iOS is beautiful in the same sparse way that Christian Bale's apartment was in American Psycho. Android is neither. It's function over form, and it frequently looks cluttered and disjointed, with parts of the OS completely incongruous with rest of it (although you can install some snazzy home replacements like SPB Shell 3D). Honeycomb's aggro-Tron interface might appeal to nerds, but it's not going to go very far with normal people.

Bottom line, Android needs to look lickable and it needs to be totally consistent.

More Powerful Notifications

Android may have done them first, but iOS 5 is about to do them better. iOS 5's notification system is almost a direct rip of Android's, but it offers more control over how notifications are displayed/removed/opened/sorted. The webOS notifications for the TouchPad offer that same kind of granular control, so Android needs to do better, too.

Let my Android Be Free

If hardware manufacturers are going to insist on foisting their (mostly terrible) overlays on top of Android in an attempt to differentiate their devices, give customers the ability to turn them off and use Android the way Google intended it. At the very least, manufacturers shouldn't be able to replace a stock app with their own. For example, Samsung's music player on the Droid Charge is God-awful. It doesn't even have a widget. Yet, you can't just use the stock Android player (which does have a widget) because Samsung removed it. Ridiculous.

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Build More Stuff In

Android, stop making your users rely on third-party apps for features that should be built-in. We're talking basic stuff here, like voice recording or a half-decent calendar widget. There is a reason that third-party launchers (like LauncherPro) are so popular: they are orders of magnitude better than the stock launcher. Same goes for Handcent SMS vs. the stock messaging app. Why not just buy some of these developers so you can include the functionality your phones should have straight out of the box?

Improve Email

Surprisingly, Google's own Gmail app lacks some of the basic functionality that Android's generic Email app has. You can't save attachments (other than JPEGs)! You can open PDFs, but you can't save them. That's insane. Nobody wants to re-download the same document every time they move out of Gmail. Android is one of the few mobile operating systems that has an open file structure, so why not take advantage of it? Let the people save their attachments. (Correction: As of the Gmail app's most recent update you can save other file types, such as PDF and MP3.)

We Need More Media

The third-party program DoubleTwist gives you kind of an iTunes-like interface for transferring media to and from your Android device via USB or Wi-Fi. Trouble is, it's far from perfect. In fact, it's buggy as hell (especially over Wi-Fi). The sad thing is that it's still the best media-syncing option Android has. On the audio side of things, Google Music Beta has potential, but development has been excruciatingly slow. Google needs a desktop app with powerful, intuitive syncing capabilities. It could even be browser-based, just as long as it works.

Do we even want to talk about video? The video experience on Android is very clunky. It's basic without being intuitive or easy. Make it not suck, or at least on par with the iPad.

More Social Yo

The Google+ app on Android is good. The way it can auto-sync every photo you take to aprivate folder in the cloud is genius. They should take it further. WP7 Mango will have social networking deeply integrated into Contacts. Not only should Google do the same with Facebook and Twitter—taking what it already does a step further—but it should be the first to really get Google+ deeply integrated. In fact, if it really wants to give Google+ a boost, they should give every Android user an option to open an account with the press of a button.

Lock it Down

Slowing up Android's adoption in the corporate world is the lack of true enterprise-level security. While that's not a big deal for me personally, what Android does need for regular users—not Google Apps accounts or admins—is easy-to-use remote wipe and location tracking powers for lost phones, a la Find My iPhone and Windows Phone's phone tracking feature. Seems like a massive no-brainer for Google, out of anybody. Oh, and Android needs software and hardware data encryption, including SD cards (for devices that have them), and a better system for protecting against malware.

Wrap It Up, B

Android is a fantastic platform in a lot of ways, but it also has weeeeird holes all over the place. Yeah, power features have pushed Android closer and closer to par with iOS, especially for nerds—but with the latest iOS and Windows Phone, Ice Cream Sandwich needs to deliver some major awesomeness. With sprinkles on top.

Via: http://gizmodo.com/5826915/is-android-about-to-get-crushed

Verizon Droid 3 specs revealed, show a 4-inch Gingerbread world

Hey, look at that. It's the Verizon Droid 3 specs -- and lined up next to the Droid 2 and Droid X2 for good measure. Let's just give 'em the full rundown.

The Droid 3 looks like it'll launch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The screen resolution has already been all but confirmed at qHD resolution (that's 540x960), and it's repeated here as well, with a 4-inch diagonal screen size.

The Droid 3's looking at that dual-core TI OMAP 4430 1GHz processor, and is a world phone as well, meaning you can use it on GSM networks overseas.

It's got dual cameras, of course, with the rear shooter (really, the only one we care about) running 8 megapixels, capable of recording 1080p video. And it's got an LED flash, of course.

Memory's a mixed bag, it appears. The Droid 3 will have 16GB of internal storage, which is mighty generous. But in return for that generosity, someone's skimped on the microSD card, leaving it out completely.

Working our way down the list: Other items of note are the slide-out five-row keyboard, which will be supplemented by Swype. Adobe Flash and DLNA support are there as well, as is the usual VCAST service, and Blockbuster video (downloadable over Wifi only).

So that's it. All in all, nothing we weren't expecting, especially since the Milestone 3 (aka the non-U.S. verison) is already out there. Along with some hardware refinements, not a very big departure from the Droid 2, at least as the overall look and feel go. But why mess with a good thing, right?

Full breakdown is after the break.

Thanks, anon!

http://www.androidcentral.com/droid-3-specs-revealed-show-4-inch-gingerbread-world-phone

T-Mobile Upgrade 3G Networks

T-Mobile has announced that they're rolling out their super speedy HSPA+ network to over 100 metro areas covering 185 million people in 2010. More than half of that will be complete by the middle of the year. That's aggressive.

HSPA+ is an easier roll out than 4G, because it's overlaid over T-Mobile's existing 3G footprint. It also gets competitive speeds; its 21Mbps is three times what you're used to from current 3G technologies. And in the few regions it's currently available, like Philadelphia, it really does fly. Even better, most current T-Mobile devices are already compatible with HSPA+, meaning that customers won't need to upgrade their smartphone to get an upgraded network experience.

Products that'll get the HSPA+ treatment include a Dell Mini 10 netbook—welcome news, given that it's our favorite of the current crop. It'll only be available in limited markets to start.

There's also the T-Mobile webConnect Rocket USB Laptop Stick, available next week, which is the first HSPA+ stick available from a major carrier.

For phones, there's the Nokia Nuron, and the Cliq XT, and most enticingly the HTC HD2.

There are also plans for personal Hot Spots, although nothing concrete was announced today, and the execs were totally mum on tethering.

T-Mobile to Rollout the Nation's Fastest 3G Wireless Network with HSPA+ to More than 100 Metropolitan Areas in 2010

T-Mobile delivers home broadband-like experiences on-the-go when surfing the Web, accessing multimedia features, sharing content and more

LAS VEGAS and BELLEVUE, Wash. - March 23, 2010 - Today at International CTIA Wireless 2010, T-Mobile USA, Inc., showcased the nation's fastest 3G wireless network on its latest mobile broadband devices. The company unveiled plans to upgrade its national high-speed 3G service to the High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) technology, which will deliver customers data speeds faster than the current 3G network technology1 . By the end of 2010, T-Mobile expects to have HSPA+ deployed across the breadth of its 3G footprint, covering more than 100 metropolitan areas and 185 million people.

T-Mobile hosted live demonstrations of the home broadband-like HSPA+ data speeds on a variety of products including the new Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 with T-Mobile® webConnect™ - T-Mobile's first netbook - which launches March 24 online and in T-Mobile stores in select markets.2

"Consumers want a mobile broadband experience that's easy and as good as their connection at home on the best wireless devices available," said Neville Ray, senior vice president of engineering and operations for T-Mobile USA. "This year T-Mobile will upgrade its national 3G network to HSPA+ which will support faster speeds and give customers a superior wireless data experience when they access their mobile social network, stream videos or share content. T-Mobile's network is primed to deliver the speeds that today's data users crave."

T-Mobile successfully launched its HSPA+ network service in Philadelphia last fall providing customers access to one of the fastest and most modern wireless networks in the U.S. T-Mobile now has made HSPA+ commercially available in new markets including major areas of New York City, New Jersey, Long Island and suburban Washington, D.C., with deployment in Los Angeles coming very soon.

The company will continue to aggressively expand the availability of HSPA+ in additional 3G markets, putting the necessary backhaul capacity in place to support the very fast speeds. Today, its 3G high-speed data network covers more than 206 million people.

T-Mobile's HSPA+ network is outperforming competing 3G wireless networks with speeds up to three times faster. Blazing fast actual peak download speeds3 were demonstrated today in Las Vegas using both new and current mobile broadband devices, including the T-Mobile webConnect Rocket™ USB Laptop Stick, the first HSPA+ capable device from a national U.S .wireless carrier; the Dell Inspiron Mini 10; the HTC HD2; the Motorola CLIQ XT™ and the T-Mobile myTouch® 3G.

"The webConnect Rocket and Dell Inspiron Mini 10 are the latest mobile broadband products that deliver real customer benefits with faster speeds available today," said Cole Brodman, chief technology and innovation officer for T-Mobile USA. "And the great thing about T-Mobile's 3G network evolution is its backward compatibility - most of our 3G smartphones will deliver a better mobile Web experience. Customers don't have to spend money on a device upgrade, which is a rarity in consumer electronics."

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with T-Mobile webConnect
T-Mobile's newest mobile broadband product, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, features built-in access to T-Mobile's 3G network, Windows® 7 - Microsoft Corp.'s latest operating system - and the Intel® Atom™ processor N450 for easy Web surfing, instant messaging, e-mail, social networking, photo sharing and superb multimedia playback in one small, ultra-portable device. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is small and lightweight, weighing just three pounds, and its integrated six-cell battery easily provides up to eight hours of continuous usage. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 also comes preloaded with T-Mobile's webConnect Manager software to help customers manage usage and connections, including connecting to T-Mobile's 3G network, Wi-Fi and access to thousands of T-Mobile HotSpot network locations nationwide.

Pricing and Availability
The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 will be available tomorrow nationwide online at http://www.t-mobile.com and in T-Mobile retail locations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami for $199.99 with two-year contract and qualifying webConnect data plan.

For more information about T-Mobile's webConnect family of products, including the webConnect Rocket and Dell Inspiron Mini 10, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com/webconnect.

3G coverage is not available everywhere. For more information about T-Mobile's 3G services, mobile broadband products, device features, or the offers and services mentioned, see http://www.t-mobile.com.

Google Nexus One Available Today

http://www.google.com/phone
http://www.google.com/googlephone/tour/
http://www.google.com/phone/static/en_US-nexusone_tech_specs.html

The Nexus One, the Google Phone, is really here. And everything you need to know about it? Right here.

What Is It?

It's the latest, maybe greatest, Android phone. Google calls it a "superphone" that's an "exemplar" of what you can do with Android. It was designed by Google and HTC, who designed the G1 and the Ion.

How Much Does It Cost and Where/When Can I Buy It?

At Google's new web store, where you can shop for Android phones and do live demos of them over the internets to see if you like it. You need a regular Google account and a Google Checkout one to actually buy the phone.

You can buy it today on T-Mobile for $180 with a 2-year contract. Or you can buy it unlocked, without any service, for $530. Shipping's free.

The standard plan T-Mobile is offering for $80 a month includes 500 voice minutes, unlimited messaging (SMS and MMS) and unlimited internet.

Oh, and you can get it custom engraved.

It's Coming to Verizon in a Few Months

Verizon's getting it in 2010, though we don't know for how much yet. (Probably $200.)

The web store is launching today in the US, and will be shipping to test markets: UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. The Nexus One is just the first phone Google's selling with this new model, with more phones, operators and countries coming in the future.

Will It Work on AT&T?

Yes, but you won't get 3G, because it only supports the bands for T-Mobile's 3G in the US: UMTS Band 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

What's Inside?

A really fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, with a 3.7-inch, 480x800 AMOLED screen. The camera's 5 megapixels with an LED flash—it also shoots MPEG-4 video with one-click YouTube upload, which should be quick over its wireless N Wi-Fi. The trackball's got a multicolor LED for different notifications, and of course it's got a compass, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack, two mics for "active noise suppression," light and proximity sensors, and an accelerometer onboard. It's got a 1400mAH battery, from which they promise 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time. Oh, it's skinnier than a #2 pencil.

And did we mention Android 2.1?

What's Android 2.1?

It's basically a much sexier, more polished Android 2.0, which is on the Droid. We've got a visual guide to Android 2.1, but some highlights: You have things like five screens for homescreen panels and Live Wallpapers, which are basically backgrounds you can interact with. There's a revamped 3D photogallery, which pulls visual tricks like having photos zoom out when you tap an album, and load on a 3D plane when you move the phone around. And, galleries are now background-synced to Picasa.

Voice is even huger: Every text field is voice enabled, so you basically never have to type anything. Voice might turn out to be the biggest thing in Android 2.1, actually. Well, besides the fact you'll soon be able to install apps to the SD card, at last freeing Android of the internal ROM app limit.

There's also a new 3D framework that lets it do those fancy things like those interactive backgrounds, a new whizbang 3D photogallery app, and a refreshed, zoomier app launcher. And, we'd guess, better graphics in games. Explains a lot of the zippier, lag-free performance we noticed in our hands on, too.

Is There Multitouch in Google Apps, Since There's No Keyboard?

No.

What's It Like?

Like this: "If you want Android phones, this is the one to get."