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Verizon Droid by Motorola

Will Smith — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:30:12 -0600

iPhone-killer this is not, but it's a big step in the right direction

Motorola’s Droid is full of firsts: It’s the first smartphone on Verizon powered by Google’s Android OS, it’s also the first Motorola smartphone to use Android, and it’s the first phone in the United States that ships with version 2.0 of the Android OS. Unfortunately for Motorola, all of the good news about the phone is centered on the OS, while any ill tidings regard the hardware.

There’s a lot to like about the latest version of the Android OS. The ability to leave frequently used applications running in the background is a welcome change for long-time iPhone users. Whether it’s a Twitter client, instant-messaging app, or simply your email, this is the Android OS’s main competitive advantage over Apple’s product. Of course, you shouldn’t discount the value of a powerful API that allows app developers to tightly integrate their offerings with the phone. For example, Android’s default Facebook app automatically adds information from your Facebook friends’ profiles to your Contacts list—including phone number, current email address, and even their profile picture. This type of integration makes services like Google Voice even more useful than they are on their own—if you install Google Voice on an Android phone, you can choose whether to use VoIP or cellular minutes on every call, pick which phone number your caller sees, and even manage calling groups on the phone. In that regard, Android really is a revolution.

What's sleek, shiny, and has the worst keyboard we've ever had the misfortune to use? That would be the Droid by Motorola.

However, Motorola’s implementation of the hardware has some problems. The core phone functionality is sound: Battery life is acceptable (1.5 days under normal usage), the voice quality is excellent, and we love the haptic touch buttons on the phone’s front. Most of all, the 3.7-inch, 854x480-pixel capacitive screen is lovely—and welcome to anyone accustomed to the iPhone’s relatively low-res 320x480 screen. The omission of multitouch functionality, however, is a big letdown. No multitouch makes the onscreen keyboard much more difficult to use than it should be. We also find that the default Home screen application doesn’t make particularly good use of all those extra pixels—it includes room for just 12 app shortcuts (the iPhone fits 20).

Furthermore, the Droid’s hardware keyboard should be a huge advantage over both the iPhone’s onscreen keyboard and the tiny keyboards on the face of other smartphones. Unfortunately, the keys are too small and flat for most people to use without staring intently at the phone, and they’re lined up in a square grid instead of the more traditional offset layout used for most QWERTY keyboards. We don’t understand why Motorola devoted fully 15 percent of the space on the keyboard tray to an eight-way D-pad that you’ll rarely use when that space could have been used to make the hardware keyboard good. While the Android OS’s onscreen keyboard is decent, if Motorola is going to increase the size and weight of the phone to include a hardware keyboard, we want one that’s usable.

Android still needs a few additions to qualify for best-in-class—a better way to manage and automatically close open applications is desperately needed, for instance—but as far as we’re concerned, it’s the most exciting mobile OS today. That said, we highly recommend waiting for better hardware before making the leap to Android.

Haitian IT Companies Scrambling to Rebuild

Paul Lilly — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:33:30 -0600

As everyone knows by now, Haiti was rocked by a devastating earthquake, and the true extent of the damage -- from lost lives to demolished structures -- is still being calculated. On the IT side, communications appears to have taken a huge hit, and that's put companies in a frenzy to fix whatever can be fixed at this point.

"The mobile network still appears to be down, though [we're] getting reports that Blackberry is working," said Ory Okolloh, a South Africa-based lawyer and co-founder of crowd sourcing site Ushahidi. "We've been struggling to get a local line or short code [numbers] that people can use. Radio stations also appear to be down."

According to Okolloh, some Haitians have been able to communicate with satellite phones, "so it's no a complete blackout." And because of the situation, Okolloh notes that he's seen "urgent requests" from Haitian government officials for satellite phones.

Ann Saxton, treasurer of Bellevue, Washington-based Trilogy, says getting communications up and running has become a top priority in light of Haiti's already weak IT infrastructure. Trilogy provides cellular services to around 1 million Haitians.

What You Need to Know about the Google Nexus One

Alex Castle — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:30:52 -0600

This morning, Google officially launched the Nexus One, the newest flagship Android phone, and the first that Google is selling and marketing themselves. A lot has already been said about the Nexus One, but now all the details are official.

Here’s what you need to know about the Google Nexus One:

It’s made by HTC, makers of several notable Android phones, including the Hero and the Magic. Google’s selling the thing, but it’ll ship from HTC.

It’s lightweight and thin. It's .45" thick, 4.7" tall and 2.5" wide. It weighs 130 grams, with battery. For comparison, it’s as thin as a regular pencil and weighs as much as a small Swiss army knife.

The Google Nexus One is packing some respectable hardware. Here’s what it’s got:
•   1GHz Snapdragon processor
•   3.7 inch AMOLED screen, 800 x 480 resolution. 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 1ms response time
•   GPS, compass
•   Accelerometer
•   Light and proximity sensors.
•   5 Megapixel Camera, with flash, captures 720 x 480 video at 20 fps
•   Stereo Bluetooth
•   3.5mm headphone jack
•   Two microphones for noise reduction.
•   512 MB of internal flash storage
•   512 MB of RAM
•   Micro SD slot with 4GB of storage included.

Google claims 250 hours of standby battery life on 3G, 7 hours of talk time, 5 hours of 3G internet use or 6.5 hours internet use on Wi-Fi. Additionally, they claim you can watch video for up tow 7 hours or listen to Audio for up to 20 hours on a single charge.

The phone will initially only allow apps to be stored in the 512 MB of internal storage, for piracy reasons. They plan to expand the software to allow storing apps on an SD card in the future, but this is still something to consider if you like playing 3D games on your phone.

The phone is multi-touch capable, but the OS and default apps won’t make use of it, likely because Google’s afraid of getting sued by Apple.

The Nexus One is powered by Android 2.1, ann updated version of “Eclair.”

The Nexus One features animated backgrounds, rather than still pictures like other phones.

It features voice support for standard features like dialing, as well as new ones, like navigation. In fact, the Nexus One allows you to use voice recognition to complete any text field.

It’ll finally bring Google Earth to Android, complete with voice control.

All of the new software features in Android 2.1 will come to other Android phones in coming days (although not all phones will be able to upgrade to 2.1).

Google’s going to try to get this thing called a “superphone” instead of a smartphone. We don’t think it’ll catch on.

You can buy it today, from Google at www.google.com/phone. It’s available for $530 unlocked, pre-tax, and if you order it today, it’ll ship today.

If you buy the phone unlocked and use it on AT&T, you won’t be able to use their 3G network, just Edge.

You can also buy it through a carrier. For right now, the only carrier with the phone is T-mobile, but if you wait until Spring you can pick it up from Verizon. With a contract, the phone will go for $180, plus tax.

If you’re interested in the Nexus One, check out their official website. You can play with a 3D model of the phone there, although the site seems to be getting hammered pretty hard right now.

Freeware Files: Awesome Apps to Use with Your Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Android, and iPhone

David Murphy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:00:00 -0600

This week's edition of the Freeware Files may seem a little unusual, but hear me out. A number of you faithful Freeware Files readers are going to be receiving (or have received) awesome gifts from Santa/your parents/Best Buy this holiday season. Trust me--I checked the list myself. Caught up in the frenzy of new toys, phones, and gaming devices to play with, you've probably neglected your poor ol' PC for the time being.

For shame.

A number of the goodies you're playing with actually have unique little third-party tricks for interfacing directly with your desktop or laptop. Yes, that's right. You can actually use the non-computer components and devices from your living room or pocket to enhance your normal PC use. And these aren't just little remote desktop hacks that let you see your PC's screen on your phone or something. I'm talking about hacks that blur the line between your PC and your game controllers or phones, unlocking new usefulness for your desktop system with devices that are anything but.

Gaming Systems

Xbox 360

Your Xbox 360 controller automatically works with Windows when you plug it in to an availiable USB port. But what if you do if your game isn't one of the titles that natively supports the controller? If you're crazy enough to want to try, say, World of Warcraft using a console controller, than the freeware program Xpadder is going to be your ticket to a handheld Azeroth. In short, Xpadder is one giant utility for mapping keyboard-based commands to Xbox controller buttons. Not only can you use the program to play games, but you can also control the various media programs on your computer as well--perfect for creating up your own wired (or wireless) remote control!

While new versions of Xpadder (5.6) cost money, older versions of the software (5.3) are completely free. Download it here!

Nintendo Wii

Oh, the Wiimote. For the ultimate wireless pointing device for your PC, which you can use to run your mouse cursor or play games from afar, you'll need two things: a Bluetooth adapter (or embedded Bluetooth functionality) and a copy of the freeware program GlovePIE. Be sure to check out this link for the pre-GlovePIE setup process--you know, connecting your Wiimote to your system and all that. After that, you'll be happy to know that GlovePIE supports not only your Wiimote, but your accompanying Nunchuk and Sensor Bar accessories as well. Happy pointing!

Download it here!

PlayStation 3

While you can also use GlovePIE to manage your PlayStation 3 controller, it's just not as simple a task to get the controller itself recognized by your Windows operating system of choice. There just aren't any native drivers for said device. That said, your best bet for hooking your PS3 controller up to your PC is to check out these DualShock 3 drivers--they're third-party and unsigned, which will make for all sorts of havoc if you're running a 64-bit operating system. Otherwise, they're the best way to connect your controller to your system. An included DS3 tool utility handles key-mapping.

Download it here!

Super-Bonus: PlayStation Portable

If you want to transform your PlayStation Portable into a second mini-monitor for your PC, look no further than the ever-awesome PSPdisp utility. You'll need to have a PSP that runs custom firmware or a homebrew enabler before starting--this isn't your everyday application. PSPdisp supports both wireless and USB connectivity, and this isn't just a one-way deal. You can open up context menus, type, and even stream audio from your system to your portable gaming device. Be sure to check out the included Slideshow feature as well--it turns your PSP into a miniature information screen for all sorts of data.

Download it here!

Next: Level up your day-to-day desktop activity using your iPhone or Android phone!

Phones

Apple iPhone

There are plenty of applications that mesh some kind of desktop-based activity with the portability of Apple's iPhone. That's the easy part. The hard part is finding an application that offers some kind of unique functionality beyond the standard, "control X program with your iPhone" or "VPN into your desktop with the iPhone" deal. At long last, I think I have found that application: NumberKey.

Coming in the form of a freeware utility for your PC and a downloadable App for your phone, NumberKey transforms the full face of your iPhone into a keyboard numberpad that synchronizes perfectly with your existing input device. This might not be the best application for your average desktop user unless your keyboard's number pad is organized all crazy-style. However, NumberKey is a lifesaver for a typical laptop or netbook keyboard layout. Just don't forget to plug your iPhone in, lest you drain the battery to oblivion!

Download it here!

Android Phone

I must confess, Android-based phones just don't have as cool of paired features (yet) as some of the applications you've read about above. So if you happen to stumble across an application that you can use on your Android phone to somehow extend the functionality of your desktop, I'm all ears. Other than that, there are a few programs that accomplish this goal somewhat, but not quite to the degree that I was hoping for:

If you want to replicate the features of the iPhone's Remote app on your Android phone--which you'd use to control a linked iTunes from afar--then check out TunesRemote.
To manage the BitTorrent downloads of a variety of desktop clients using your Android phone, be sure to grab Transdroid. And yes, due to Apple's App Store policies, no similar program exists for you poor iPhone users.
For good ol' fashioned, VPN-like remote control of your desktop from your Android phone, there's RemoteDroid
And to turn your Android Phone into a garage door opener, put on your Tinkerer's Hat of +5 Home Project and check out Brad Fitzpatrick's source code...

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

Super-Awesome Giveaway!

Remember Topify, the little Web App of the Week I mentioned a bit ago? In short, it's a way to better control Twitter follower requests through your email account--in fact, you can use it to perform all your following and "checking to see if this person is lame or not" activity straight out of your inbox.

Anyway, I have some extra invite codes to this closed-door service that I'd love to share with you. If you want one, scroll your eyes up to my Twitter handle. Friend me and shoot me an @message, and I'll DM you an invite! I will keep this up until I run out and, when that happens, I'll post a note on my own account.

Nokia Surge

Christopher Null — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:30:00 -0600

Is it a savvy corporate email manager? A text-happy messaging device for Gen Y? The Nokia Surge has style galore but it is heavily skewed toward the latter camp due to an unconventional design and more than a few awkward interface choices.

This Symbian S60-based GSM phone immediately catches the eye with its glossy black shell, impressively small footprint, and an unusual design that recalls a shrunken version of the iPhone, complete with metal trim around the edge.

To do just about anything with the Surge, you'll need to slide it open -- in landscape mode -- which reveals a QWERTY keyboard. There's no touchscreen on the phone, though it feels like there should be one, especially since the accelerometer in the handset responds quickly by reorienting the display when you twist the device between the horizontal and the vertical.

Fortunately the keyboard is quite good. Keys are surprisingly large for such a small phone (as few extra keys aside from the standard alphabet are included), our only complaint is that they need a little more vertical separation in order to make it a bit easier to thumb-type at speed. The general flatness makes the experience not unlike typing on a touchscreen, so you'll need to pay close attention to make sure you're hitting the right buttons.

One of the phone's bigger failings is its tiny LCD -- just 2.4 inches diagonally and 320 x 240 pixels in size. Symbian's web browser won't win any performance or beauty contests, and it's made even more disappointing by the tiny display you have to work with. If you're looking for a device that will give you a full-blown mobile web experience, look elsewhere.

The rest of the featureset just seems low-end for a modern phone. The 2-megapixel camera is only fair, and the integrated GPS is a hassle to get working. There's no Wi-Fi, either. There are also a passel of quirky design choices: Getting to the microSD slot is tricky, since it requires removing the phone's stubborn rear cover, and the headphone jack is cruelly undersized. Worst of all its placed right next to the nearly identically-sized Nokia power jack, which often leaves you stabbing at similar tiny round holes when you're trying to connect the device to its charger.

And you'll need that charger more than you might expect. With just four and a half hours of talk time, the Surge lands on the weak side of the battery life spectrum. Audio quality is acceptable, but that does you no good when your battery is dead.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the Surge, though, is that its curvy design and lack of grippable surfaces make it one of the slipperiest phones we've ever held. Flipping up the screen tends to make the phone recoil violently such that it regularly flies from your grasp. I've yet to meet someone who can hold on to it reliably. And at just 4.4 ounces in weight, it flies an amazing distance, too.

The Surge is ultimately fine for texting but it's just not a great email workhorse. Corporate environments will likely be disappointed with the device's limitations.

Murphy's Law: What is Skype Up To?

David Murphy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0600

The recent announcement of Skype turning quote-unquote open source has me twirling a finger with delicious glee. It's not that I dislike Skype. And it's not that I'm about to get into one of my 1,500-word debates on the differences between the definition of "free" and "open-source," I promise. This is nevertheless an important premise of Skype's entire move, as some Internet commenters are crying foul that Skype is only half-opening its popular application to the crowd. The GUI code will be yours to play with as you please. The underlying Skype protocol... nope!

To them I say: Duh.

I don't want to put words where they don't exist, but I'm willing to bet that Skype's sudden shift toward open-source waters has more to do with applying a giant, universal band-aid to staggered Linux development. It's not quite an altruistic gift to the community so much as it is a package and a bow with the phrase, "you fix it" written on the label. And that's fine. Let the community create the functional GUIs for Skype. It would be suicide for the company to release its heavily encrypted voice protocols for common use.

So what, then, is Skype up to?

Stronger Integration

Linux isn't just for geeks in the basement anymore. The open-source operating system powers an innumerable amount of devices, including super-small netbook PCs, equally small tablet PCs, mobile phones, et cetera. While opening up the Linux GUI still requires the underlying architecture of the Skype client in order to have any semblance of functionality, this is at least a first step toward smoothing the integration of Skype into Linux-based devices of all shapes and sizes. Developers could freely embed the Skype client and skin it to match the look and feel of a particular device--surely a boon versus, say, waiting for Skype to come into the app center of-sorts for each and every permutation of product.

Third-Party Takeover

And we now venture into the realm of the hypothetical. Imagine, if you will, that Skype's opening of the Linux GUI is but the first step in a gradual elimination of the Skype Client as a whole. Sure, this downloadable application would still exist for those that care to use it, but what if Skype was looking to offload the client's functionality into any software platform that wants to take it? Skype would still control the underlying protocol (depending on how the legal battle sorts out), yet this "naked GUI" approach, as it's been dubbed, would allow one to perform the same call functions using an application like Pidgin, for example.

For consumers, this approach would be a marvelous way to integrate Skype into existing "favorite applications." But there's also a fairly large flaw surrounding this plan. Skype would need to come up with some ingenious way to keep its services relevant, because you can bet that I'd want to add more VoIP services than just Skype to my communications app of choice. I'd love to be able to receive calls on Skype and call other people for free on Skype... but if there was a way to use a cheaper provider for outbound calls, I'd cast off the Skype experience like a boot on the end of a fishing line. Integration with third-party apps is truly a double-edged sword.

Skype as a Service?

Suppose Skype opts for option two and extends its service into third-party applications. What if this is not a measure of altruism, but rather, an investment? With countless developers around the world working on their own programming variants that somehow tie back into the underlying Skype protocol, what's to stop this mass intelligence from coming up with The Next Best Thing for Skype integration?

Both TechCrunch and I envision a future where even the desktop client has been rendered useless by the Skype service. No more installations; no more new applications to load up. Skype would be as permanent and unobtrusive a fixture in your operating system as Windows Contacts. Or, better still, you'd be able to dial up Skype directly through a Web application. As soon as you were to click on a phone number, the call would launch right in your browser of choice.

These are all far-off ideas. Some could even be ideas that only exist in a dreamy haze. Skype is promising a "larger offering" to come centered on its open-source Linux GUI announcement. When that big thing happens, do give me a ring.

AT&T Claims Google Voice Violates Net Neutrality

Ryan Whitwam — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:03:25 -0500

AT&T has sent a rather pointed letter to the FCC accusing Google of violating Network Neutrality standards. No, that isn’t a typo. AT&T’s beef is that Google Voice will not connect calls to some numbers that traditional telecoms are required to connect. This is because of so-called “common carrier” laws.

Some rural local telephone carriers charge long distance companies extremely high fees to connect calls to certain numbers on their networks. These are usually numbers for conference call centers, adult chat lines, or party lines. Sneakily, revenues from these connections are shared with the owners of the lines. Google Voice does not connect these calls, and AT&T thinks that isn’t fair.

It is interesting that Google, a company that strongly supports Net Neutrality, is taking this course of action. AT&T seems to want them to be treated like any other telecom, but in Google’s response, they lay out their rationale for why AT&T should shut it.

Google says that first and foremost, Google Voice is a free service. To make it workable, they simply cannot spend money to connect those calls. They also say that Google Voice is software, and software isn’t covered by common carriers rules. Finally, they claim that since Google Voice is an invite-only beta service, it doesn’t need to comply with all regulations.

So, is this just AT&T trying to distract the FCC, or is Google really in the wrong here?

First Pictures Released of Microsoft's Pink Phones

Andy Salisbury — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:06:47 -0500

There’s been loose talk of a Zune phone for some time now, and it looks like we’ve finally found out what it might be. According to some scoop from the folks over at Gizmodo, Microsoft’s reported Pink phone is the device at large, and it’ll come in two forms.

The two models, which are known as the Turtle and the Pure, look an awful lot like a Palm Pre and a Sidekick respectively. The phones will be made by Sharp, who will share branding with Microsoft. The phones are reportedly aimed at a younger audience, which explains the perpetually round aesthetics.

It’s expected that they’ll feature Zune services (hint: Zune phone) and have their own app store, making it an obvious competitor to Apple’s iPhone. No word yet on pricing or availability.

Image Credit: Gizmodo