Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Android wants less fragmentation; NOW

With the implementation of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) we have seen the most polished version of Android yet.  The UI gorgeous and the speed and stability of the system is clearly unmatched by any of the previous versions.  However, Google has gotten fed up with phone manufacturers debasing the Android experience by putting their own theme on top of the OS and not giving the consumer an option to revert back to the stock UI.

Those times are gone.

Android has been plagued by fragmentation every since Google started distributing it.  This is certainly an excellent business move that will help Google and ultimately help the entire community.  How?  The hundreds of thousands of app developers will know that the UI that they build and test their apps on will be available to those that purchase Android devices.  This comes as exciting news because when Motorola, Samsung, HTC, and others throw their custom UIs atop stock Android it takes away from what Google meant to be there.  On the other hand, this does not mean that manufacturers can no longer build a theme to replace Android 4.0; yet the device must include the default theme, Holo.  Google stated, “If the device has Android Market it will have the Holo themes as they were originally designed.”  Read the full post from the Android Developers Blog Here.

Bottom line:  Google has wizened up and this move will certainly make Android more visible as a large proponent of the smartphone market; rather than looking and feeling so different on every device that you pick up.

Technology

Will Kodak go bankrupt?

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The beloved camera company that we all know, love, and respect is on the verge of filing bankruptcy.  Share prices have been as low as 47 cents; the New York Stock Exchange informed Kodak that if the share price did not reach $1 within 30 days that could potentially be unlisted.

With the advent of digital photography we have seen a rise in Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and more; however, Kodak has always been on one side of the spectrum that is cameras and print.  On the other hand, this time it seemed like specializing in one thing and not being dominant might have hurt the company.

Kodak will try to auction off it’s patent portfolio to stay afloat during this critical time.

Bottom line: Kodak has had a tremendous run, let’s just hope that they can regroup.

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Windows Phone 7; does it matter?

In the world of mobile handsets everyone has heard and/or used Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android operating system at some point.  However, these two behemoths can easily overshadow their competition.  How?

  • The market is flooded with Android devices; from high-end to low-end
  • Apple is everywhere and the attitude of the company seems to belittle the entire market

So, with two powerful players how can anyone achieve success?  It is possible; yet, the competing platform must be differentiated and stable.  HP’s webOS was just that and it failed, so how could Windows Phone 7 be any better?  First, Microsoft has been backing it’s mobile operating system for years while HP was impatient with webOS (although now they have chose to open-source the platform — good business decision) and pair that with poor marketing.  Second, Windows Phone 7 is a tremendous upgrade over the Windows Mobile of yesteryear.  The metro-UI is great and the operating system runs very fast and seamless.  With so many strong points to an operating system how could it not be a player in the mobile market?  There are a few ways for WP7 to push forward:

  • More devices on all major carriers
  • Dual-core devices will make the platform even faster
  • Increased marketing

Although WP7 has the lowest market share of the three (iOS, Android, and WP7) it is doing several things right.  For example, when compared to Android it has much better system support by providing all phones with updates; this drastically reduces the risk of fragmentation.  On the other hand, when compared to Apple, the OS seems to be just as responsive and has power in not being limited to one specific piece of hardware.

Bottom line:  WP7 will potentially go nowhere but up if Microsoft plays their cards right; this mobile OS reminds be of webOS because of the significant amount of potential that it has to be a leader.

Software, Technology

Chrome keeps pushing forward

As a long time Mozilla Firefox user it is always good to see competition in the marketplace; however, it irks some when a browser that has problems with page renderings at times can best a veteran.

Chrome.

Admittedly, I am a fan of anything that Google produces; I even signed up to receive the Chromebook.  However, the Chrome browser is so light on it’s feet that that fact prevents it from doing everything that it should, like displaying the web — correctly.  The browser wars really began to heat up in 2011 with Chrome collecting vast amounts of the market every quarter.  On the otherhand, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser has been losing ground although the last iterations have been improved substantially.

So, what keeps Chrome in the forefront?  A small footprint, fast update cycle, and satisfying the masses.  However, we have seen Firefox adopt a similar update cycle and reduce the browser’s RAM consumption, which really makes a difference.  With these changes, Firefox could be on the upswing seeing that it gained market share in Q4 of 2011.

Bottom line:  Chrome will continue to grow; however, as with Android some needed tweaks about successful platforms should be implemented in order to stay relevant. Until then, to Firefox I will remain faithful.

Technology

2011 Technology Year in Review

2011 has been a great year for the technology enthusiast to say the least. There have been many things to grace our eyes and ears that we have seen; some we haven’t seen. We have heard talks of Windows 8, iPhone 5, Android 4.0, legal battles and more. However, what was the biggest deal?

Apple fans are probably some of the most unique people around, there were iPhone 5 mockups and rumors since the release of the original iPhone 4; however, what did they receive? Iphone 4S. Shocked? I was primarily because this “big deal” wasn’t that big. Sure the hardware was allegedly faster but the thing that sold the phone was a plaything named Siri. Siri is a flawed personal assistant that is limited; yet, it allows the user to implement the device in unique ways without using keypresses. On the other hand, is it enough to rant and rave about especially for those that already have the iPhone 4? Certainly not and let’s not talk about iOS 5 that ripped off of every other mobile OS; yet, this is the company that likes to sue everyone else.  On the other hand, Apple must be doing something right because their loyal fans are sticking by them.

Microsoft, the dominator in the PC industry for years, has been working hard on a next generation operating system for desktop and tablets. I am a beloved Microsoft fan, Windows 7 is by far the best desktop operating system that I have ever used (Yes, I have used them all). Although, Windows 8 just scares me. Everything is not meant to be on a tablet, as I have stated before: Tablets are ruining the market. Why? Simply because everyone wants to cater to these under-powered, over priced playthings. The good thing about the new OS is that it is basically Windows 7 running underneath; yet, is it enough to grab the enterprise attention to upgrade? I doubt it – there are many companies still running Windows XP. We will need to see more of how they are tailoring this operating system for desktops; Microsoft I am waiting because I don’t want to see it fail.

Google and Android have been sweeping various markets for the past few years but especially in 2011. Android 4.0 has been on the radar for months and now it is finally at our fingertips; but is it a little underwhelming? Currently, Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) is available on one device, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. However, there are hundreds of Android devices available today; will your device receive the update? Probably not. I have a Motorola Droid X and I am almost certain that my device will never see past Android 2.3.3; good thing is that I am rooted. Android fragmentation has been a problem for some time now, even I will admit that. The issue is that Google promises to keep a device up to date for 18 months when the average contract is 24 months. On the other hand, we can’t blame it all on Google when we each have money hungry carriers that want you to upgrade more than anything.

Then you have the rumors of the technology world that never cease to come from every corner, some are believable and some are utterly ridiculous.  First, let’s start with the Canon 5D Mark III that the world is yet to see; however, they revealed the Canon EOS Movies concept which was exactly what we wanted.  Next, iPhone rumors never stop, from seeing case designs that look realistic to some that I wish were in Photoshop for 10 more minutes.  Lastly, operating system rumors; all platforms from mobile to desktop.  There are countless screenshots that are posted on a daily basis displaying what the next great thing is.  All in all, this is what keeps the technology world spinning- thoughts and innovation and as technology nerds we love it!

Bottom line: 2011 has been an interesting technology year to say the least, time will only tell what 2012 will bring.

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