Tag Archives: LG

Mobile Operating Systems, Operating Systems, Technology

Nexus 5

Google fans unite!  Rather, pure-Android fans unite.  Whether you love the Nexus brand or not — it is always great to see another monumental device along with the latest version of Andriod be released around this time of the year.  As a Nexus 4 owner, I am excited for the new features of Android 4.4 (KitKat) as well as the new hardware found on the Nexus 5.

Nexus devices show the market what Android is all about, that is without the skins, colorful overlays and played transitions.  This is stock Android at it’s finest.  Typically OEM skins can slow down your device and leave the user with a poor experience, which in turn leads them to blame the OS, not the OEM.  When in fact you can pick up a Nexus device and always have a wonderful experience.

Nowadays, Android is stable, mature and bold and the software isn’t an issue unless it really brings the device down (Samsung’s TouchWiz, which could be vastly improved if it weren’t for the useless features baked in).  The thing that any Nexus device will not have is extra unwanted bloat, be it from the carrier, OEM or vendor — giving the end user an incredible experience directly from Google.

NEXUS-5

I am ready for the Nexus 5; the next pinnacle of the Android experience.

Mobile Operating Systems

Impending Android Announcement

With Google’s latest Android announcement around the corner; Android fans, myself included, are on the edge of their seats.  There are many predictions to be had regarding what Google will show us on Monday, October 29th.

However, one thing is almost for certain:  We will see a new Nexus device.  What exactly does Nexus mean you ask?  Pure unaltered Android without lousy carrier or manufacturer modifications.  That means no extraneous bloatware can spoil yet another glorious Android device.  In addition, it is rumored that there will be a slew of new Nexus devices from many manufacturers just waiting to grace your pockets with stock Android greatness.  On the other hand, it would honestly be fantastic if Google would allow any OEM to “create” a Nexus device just by following strict guidelines:

  • No carrier installed apps
  • No Android UI changes
  • Meeting certain hardware specifications

Instantly we would have a variety of top-tier Android devices that were powered to get the job done.  This would be good for consumers as well as Google because it would put that confidence back to the Nexus name, which is one that Verizon almost put a black mark on by withholding system updates to their version of Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus.

Additionally, it is speculation that Google will refresh the Nexus 7 line by introducing a 32 GB model and potentially a model with 3G/4G support.  Speaking of powerful tablets; Samsung is rumored to be making a 10-inch Nexus tablet for our enjoyment.

On the other hand, this all boils down to a possible update to the Android operating system, which is currently at 4.1.2.  Yes, Android 4.2 (Key Lime Pie) is on the horizon.  Does Android need a new full-update or an incremental update.  Remember, Android 4.0 and 4.1 together have a combined marketshare of 25%; so, is this the best time for a new version to be released?  It seems that OEMs typically put either the latest or next to latest version of Android onto the devices they build so, just as a new version will be a good thing for us early adopters — how long will it take to penetrate the market?

Bottom line:  What happens at Google’s announcement will likely awe us.  Be prepared for a new Nexus device of sorts and if a new version of Android comes out, be prepared to sell it to your friends — let’s help take away market from Gingerbread ( Android 2.3) and give it to finer tuned versions of Google’s OS!

Mobile Operating Systems, Operating Systems, Software, Technology

Specs; do they still matter in 2012?

Single core processors, dual-core, quad-core, six-core…retina display, HD display, polished aluminum — all of these specifications and more are the things that entice us gadget lovers to lose our minds and buy; yet again.  Yet in recent years most tablets, PCs, and other electronic devices work decently as they should and the question, “Do specs still matter?” still comes to mind.  For example, the Asus Transformer Prime is a quad-core lightning fast Ice-Cream Sandwich running monster of a tablet; yet does it have to be quad-core for it to run as it should?  Or are we just being sold on specs and the dream that it might run a litter faster?

Personally, I am a fan of Android; however, when it comes to seamless integration of an OS and the hardware Apple has it down to an art form.  Why?  Simple, the OS is tailored for the hardware, so that user experience is almost second to none.  On the other hand, and Android OEM must take stock Android and tailor it to fit their needs and this could potentially cause inconsistencies across the market.  So, what do hardware manufacturers do?  They beef up the spec sheet.  This could almost be sort of a fail-safe — think about it.  If the software isn’t exactly what it should be — the superior hardware of the tablet will make up for it.  Is this a good assumption?  I think so.

Bottom line:  The year is 2012; almost everything that reputable hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, Apple, Motorola, LG, and more release is an actual decent product.  In addition, if you use it the way it was intended to be used, the product should continue to run smoothly for some time.  There will continue to be some differences between iOS and Android as they continue to grow — important notes about Android devices are that they mirror the PC more because the OS is built for true multitasking — this is why they need to be more powerful than the Apple counterparts.

Choose whichever side meets your needs; although there must be power in these devices for a reason.

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Attack of the skins; are custom UIs hurting Android?

Motorola, Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei, and more apply their own custom user-interfaces atop of the Android operating system.  However, the question that should be asked is what is so wrong with the operating system that makes that custom UI useful?  Launchers and other interfaces that can be put on top of stock Android can potentially slow down and make for an unstable experience.  This is one reason that many users avoid Android is because it looks so different across the manufacturers that Google allows to use it.  With the advent of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)  Google has told manufacturers that they must keep the original coding their to ensure that apps work properly so end-users (you, the customer) do not suffer in the end.

As a Samsung Galaxy Nexus owner, I have become more and more of an Android purist and these themes and customizations appear more useless and cluttering everyday.  The user should decide what their phone looks like and has on it, including the pre-installed bloatware that manufacturers love to put on devices in order to get you to spend money.

Bottom line:  Pay close attention to Android devices that are released and you will deem this as an issue to.  Simple is best, Android is about customization; but it is best left up to the user.