Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Should I root my Android device?

Rooting your Android device is certainly a question that should enter the brain of any technology and Android enthusiast.  Why?  The answer to that question is simple – pure, raw, unadulterated control of your device.  Sure, Android is pretty customizable stock from your OEM of choice:  Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG and more; however, if you want to overclock, underclock, block ads (ALL ads) and most importantly, run custom ROMs, then rooting is certainly for you.

First off, rooting your device and unlocking your bootloader will VOID your warranty.  However, as you dive more into the world of root you will realize that everything you do to your device is completely reversible and if you ever want to return to stock (why be stock?), be un-rooted, and have your bootloader locked again.  On the other hand, after rooting you’ll never want to be without it again.

Google wants Android to be open; it is the OEMs and carriers that sometimes make it difficult to enjoy Android as it was meant to be.  How do they do this?

  • Over skinning of Android when it is absolutely astounding stock.  (Ie. Samsung’s TouchWiz, Motorola’s MotoBlur, and HTC Sense; making updates even harder for you to get — most claim this makes Android easier, but it isn’t hard if you just let users USE it.)
  • Carriers loading your phone with bloatware that can potentially slow your device down
  • Carriers taking their sweet time with the “testing” of an Android update (Ie. From ICS 4.0 to JellyBean 4.1)

However, since the acquisition of Motorola Mobility by Google, the latest Motorola devices are taking a more stock approach to Android and are being generally well received.

Pros of rooting your device:

  • More customizations
  • Custom ROMs, your phone will always be up to date with the latest version of Android as long as developers support it; hence why the Nexus line of devices is so popular.
  • Un-altered tethering
  • Backups (Who wouldn’t want a backup of their device?)
  • Removal of carrier bloatware
  • Ad blocking
  • New phone feeling; brings older devices back to life and makes new phone even better

When it comes to customizations I like to have complete control; take a look at my main homescreen on my Verizon Galaxy Nexus running AOKP Build 3:

Cons of rooting your device:

  • Bricking (When rooting and installing custom ROMs there is a possibility that you could render your device useless ie. a brick.  However, like everything you do you a technological device, it can be fully reversed.  If your device boot loops or a ROM installation goes awry, simply flash back to stock or just re-flash another ROM.  On the other hand, that is why creating a backup of your ROM is essential when you are an avid root and ROM-er.

Other than that, there is absolutely nothing wrong or bad about unlocking and rooting your device; in fact Google encourages it.  Why would the creator of this mobile OS stand-by and let users gain root access; simple because it is YOUR device — the same cannot be said of the other mobile operating systems out there that lock you into their “bubble”.

Bottom line:  Should you root your Android phone?  Yes, by all means go for it; enjoy a custom ROM, recovery, and more on your device; it is YOURS.  Rooting and ROM-ing is even more important for the Android purist, like myself, who enjoys the stock look of feel of this fun mobile operating system just as Google meant it to be.

Mobile Operating Systems, Software, Technology

iPhone 5, First Impressions and Hands-On

Apple you’ve done it again.  You have created a device which in turn, has been already been garnered as being a major success.  Congratulations is surely in order for a mobile device selling 2 million units in a timespan of 24 hours; however, is this device worth your money if you already have an Apple iPhone 4, 4S, or even an Android device?

This is certainly where things get tricky, the iPhone 5 does feature a larger rich display however, does this larger display feel awkward in the users hand?  This update also features panoramic photo capture, more powerful battery specs, LTE, better social networking integration, an improved Siri, and a few new minor updates (Apple is quoted at saying there are 200 improvements, which I believe is a lie).

In addition, let’s not forget Apple’s new mapping app which outed Google Maps as the default navigation for the OS, which has been a major thorn in their side.  This one app alone has caused a major backlash in the iOS user community.  Personally, I do have not had to use an Apple product since I had an iPad, but this switch by Apple even brothers me; so, I can only guess how a true Apple fan could feel when a half-baked app such as this sees light a little too early.  Apple even had the audacity to state that Maps will get better over time.  First and foremost, you should not include an application that is a “work in progress” and just expect your end users to just “deal with it”.  Google Maps is potentially the most robust mapping software on the planet, it certainly beats out the in house solution within iOS, which is already known for getting people lost and making others miss meetings.

When it comes to build quality iPhones are second to none; yet, with this release that same statement cannot be made.  Every iteration of this device has felt very solid in the hand, however when this one is being held it almost feels too light or even cheap.  On a lighter note, the brushings on the exterior of the device are virtually seamless and look fantastic.

View a hand-on demo here [Source: The Verge]

Bottom line:  If you are engulfed in Apple’s ecosystem is this a worthy upgrade?  That is a loaded question.  For some people, every iteration is a vast improvement.  However, this release has been surprisingly underwhelming in many aspects, one in particular is the fact that Apple has done nothing more than play catch up to industry standards and no real innovation was done.

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

iPhone 5, why it isn’t that great

Apple, a company known for making beautiful looking and innovative products are equally known for entrapping customers in their ecosystem and releasing incremental upgrades that you “have” to buy.  The iPhone 5 is exactly that, an incremental upgrade that honestly is not that great.  Why?

Let’s start off by getting the facts out of the way.  Apple has the largest app collection on the planet, top-tier developer support, recurring users and devices that look like they should be walking down the runway.  On the other hand, with all of these facts that they can tout; they still do not have the highest global market-share like Google’s Android.  When Apple releases a product things are greater than “big”, they are gargantuan.  The press loses its mind, there is leak after leak and fan-boys worldwide almost pass out as the new device is unveiled.  However, things just were not the same with this release.  Apple not only released this update to the phone because the iPhone 4S had been out for a year, but because they had to play catch up with the market leader.  To prove a point, these are a few of the upgrades to the iPhone:

  • 4G
  • 4 inch screen
  • Faster Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • Battery improvements
  • Call screen options (such as: send a text to the caller letting them know you are in a meeting etc.)
  • Panoramic photos
  • Can captures pictures will recording video

Now, with these “upgrades” in line, let’s debunk them.  4G LTE is a technology that practically every high-end device released in the last year and a half has taken advantage of, the iPhone should have included it in the 4 or 4S, but it did not.  As usual, the company forced it’s customers to wait on a technology that, at the time, was already advanced enough to go into their phone.  The part that is even worse is that the buyers of the phone accepted it; which I will never understand.  The iPhone has had the same size screen since it’s “revolutionary” debut in 2007.  Why?  The screen size of 3.5 inches should’ve been discarded with the iPhone 4 iteration, imagine if they debuted their retina display on a 4″ or 4.5″ display — that would’ve been truly resolutionary.  Honestly.

The rest of the list of “upgrades” are things that older phones have had for a while.  On the other hand, when Apple releases these same features they are treated as if they are brand new and unbelievable. Whether you love the iPhone or not, it is hard to say that these additions weren’t a long time coming.

Bottom line:  I watched the keynote, not to climb on an anti-Apple perch; but, to honestly hope to see something great and new.   I saw something good, the iPhone 5 is a beautiful looking device, perhaps the best design on the market.  But when you pair a list of improvements that aren’t new with the same stale OS from 2007 – it just isn’t that great; but Tim Cook had the audacity to say, “It is the biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone.”

Software, Technology

MS Office or Free Alternative

The age old question for modern computers, should I buy Microsoft Office or opt for a free alternative?  Coming from a long time open-source and free office suite advocate, both options have their alternatives.  For example, for pure compatibility there is no other choice than a Microsoft Office installation.  However, realistically there are not a lot of people that have $100 or more laying around waiting to be used on this suite of programs; so, what are some popular alternatives?

  • OpenOffice (can be used on any of the big three desktop OSes – Windows, OS X, or Linux)
  • LibreOffice (can be used on any of the big three desktop OSes – Windows, OS X, or Linux)
  • Google Docs (file editing via Google Drive)

Do not think that there are not options; however, where there are options there are potential shortcomings.  For example, when saving traditional text documents in Open-Office’s Writer application (or any alternative application), if you use heavy formatting within your document be prepared to potentially lose most of that when converting to an Office format.  In addition, there are simply some programs that have no suitable alternatives included in these popular suites such as:

  • OneNote
  • Visio
  • Lync
  • Sharepoint
  • Outlook

Bottom line:  In most cases a free alternative to Microsoft Office can suffice many users; however, when you step into that “power-user” realm Microsoft is where you need to be.

Technology

Google’s Nexus 7 Ad — Why complain?

Technologists near and far almost had a cow when they went to our favorite search engine and saw this:

Some were so shocked that Google decided to put an ad on their homepage.  However, most people took Google’s move in stride; I sure did.  This is an excellent move for the search giant.  Not only will you search from Google, you will see a great device with unbelievable specs peeking out at you.  Who could ask for more?

The Nexus 7 is one of the best tablets on market, regardless of size (7 inches).  However, now that this ad is being displayed on Google’s actual homepage; it will reach audiences that it never could.  While the Nexus 7 has garnered a huge amount of much earned success and respect from tech-goers like you and me.  On the other hand, there is a completely different audience that might not have had the opportunity to learn about the biggest tech release of the year.

Bottom line:  Smart move Google; naysayers — get over it.

Tech for the masses, meant to empower, educate and inform by Dexter Johnson.