Rare help
Skip/hold on the next generation of Droid
Jun 18th
Note: I’ve updated this post to incorporate news from the Droid X event on 6/23/10.
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Every once in awhile there’s a lull in the tech world where nothing is making me grind my teeth or shoot steam out of my ears Popeye style. During these extraordinarily brief periods, I kill time by offering up some advice to my tech brethren. While it’s not nearly as fun as berating companies, it keeps me writing and interacting with you all. So with that in mind, I’ve had some thoughts about the next generation of Android devices coming out. 
Two new Android phones from Motorola will be released in the next month or two. They are the Droid Xtreme and the imaginatively named Droid 2. The Droid X was announced yesterday and will be available on July 15th. The Droid 2 remains unofficial and rumored for an end of July release.
Here’s info on the Droid X and some early impressions of the Droid 2)
I find myself, along with the rest of the internet, SALIVATING over the specs of the Droid Xtreme. I mean just look at that thing. I’d probably crawl through a tunnel of broken glass just to get my hands on it. There’s a problem though. If you bought the first Droid at launch on a two-year contract (like I did), your upgrade eligibility is not going to look pretty. Here are the options…
1) Go broke buying the DX at full retail. ($550 or so)
2) Be a loser with your 7 month old phone.
While spending the cash is the OBVIOUS move, I’ve decided to hold off from doing so. If you’re mid-contract, I suggest you do the same.
Here’s why…
My first bone of contention is that both devices lack a front facing camera. Now I know this isn’t the most important feature in the world, but I prefer to be at the same level of the other bleeding edge phones de jour. Besides, app developers are going to go crazy with a front cam, and I want in on the fun. Having one should also extend the lifespan a little, because you won’t be jonesing for the new phone that DOES have one a month later.
The second issue is they’re both rocking Android 2.1 out of the box (now confirmed for the DX, still speculated for the D2). Froyo 2.2 had some massive behind the scene optimizations put into it, but since it was just released, it’s going to be awhile until it gets to handsets. We don’t know about the Droid 2, but we DO know that the X is rocking a new version of motoblur. I was initially concerned that this might add additional delay to a 2.2 update, but Moto assured consumers that won’t be a problem. That’s nice and all, but we STILL get a vague “later summer” answer for when we can expect the 2.2 update. I experienced the Droid’s 2.0 to 2.1 debacle firsthand, so forgive me if I don’t hold my breath. The point? It may be some time until Froyo is added to either device. Even better (or worse), is that the next version of Android, Gingerbread, is getting a massive interface update. That version is scheduled to be available at the end of the year.
And finally…
I think these devices are about to get leapfrogged fairly quickly (i.e. Nexus one released 2 months after the Droid style). I’ve been doing some sleuthing around, and the word is there’s another Moto phone on the horizon called the Droid Pro (I’ve also seen it referred to as the the Droid WE (World Edition)). The word is that this will be the baddest device of the bunch. Moto is basically throwing the kitchen sink at this thing, 2Ghz processor (crazy but possible), gyroscope, front cam, the works. The information is weak at the moment, but the same trusted Moto guys that leaked info on the X and D2 are saying this thing is the real deal. It will supposedly be available around the end of the year, just in time for us Droid 1 owners to get the discount.
As always, it’s up to you
If you’re eligible for an upgrade and these devices make you feel warm and fuzzy, go for it. If you’re a gen 1 Droid owner like me, I’m not sure they’re worth breaking the bank for, especially when “the next level” might be following up right behind. A few months of patience will save you money NOW, and put a far better device in your hand only a few months later.
The three greatest apps ever made in the history of man
Feb 25th
Every once in awhile you stumble across a utility that makes you utter the phrase “Sweet mother of Moses! This application is fucking insane!“. Well today, I’ve got three for you! The following apps are so awesome, their absence in your life should be considered a crime against humanity.
Note: I may be late to the game here. If you’re already using them, I tip my hat to you. If you haven’t heard of them, prepare for a new world of excellence.
Oh, and the best part? They’re all FREE AND they’ll all work on Android, Blackberry, and the iPhone.
SugarSync
We’ll start off with the app that inspired this post.
What it does
As you might extrapolate from the name, it um.. syncs stuff. I tried to type an explanation, but it really ended up making no sense.
Here’s a diagram…..
To get up and running
1) Go HERE to sign up for the entry level 2 GB acct.
2) Go to the Downloads page. There are two components you’ll need. The program that runs on your computer, and the app for your mobile device. Install them.
3) On your computer(s), select which folder you want to share with your other devices.
Welcome to your new life
Note: Your phone (or comp without Illustrator installed) obviously can’t read the file. You can still email it, delete it, copy it, etc. Anything except open it. Sweet!
1) Put the wrong version of a work file on your memory stick before you ran out of the house? No prob, just log into your account at work via a browser and download it.
2) A friend razzing you at a party about “never emailing that picture”? Too bad the file is at home on your computer. Oh wait a minute! Whip out your iphone and bring up “desktop computer”. Navigate to your picture folder and hit email.
3) Take a lot of pictures on your phone? Sure you do. Ever copy them to your home computer? I bet you don’t. It won’t be a problem anymore, so I’m glad you never wasted time getting into that habit.
Qik
This app is best described as “turns your phone into a streaming webcam”. There’s not much else to say about it. Pull your iPhone/’Berry/Android phone out and start filming. The video will be streamed in real-time up to your “youtube” style Qik account. You can also share it straight to FaceBook and Twitter. You have the option to make a video private and share with a select few, or you can make it public and share it with all.
To get up and running
Go here to sign up for an account. Then, go to the respective app store for your phone and download the mobile software.
Welcome to your new life
There are also some other helpful uses….
Google voice
Gvoice integrates a whole new level of awesome into not only cellphone, but your regular phone as well.
To get up and running
Go here to request an invite.
Wait a week until you get your info
Go here to sign up and put all the settings in.
Download the app for your phone.
Multiple Phones
One of the strongest features is that you’re not limited to one phone. If someone calls your GV#, it can ring as many lines as you want. When the number is dialed, both your cell number and house number will ring. Whichever you pick up first obviously takes the call. You can even switch between lines mid call.
Allow me to illustrate…
You can also do some neat GPS tricks
Welcome to your new life
1) You can’t find your phone/dropped it on the floor. Until you find or fix it, route all calls to your house number.
2) Spending a weekend visiting family in an area with horrible cell coverage? No worries, just route to both cell and their house. If the cell has reception you’ll get the call, otherwise, your “back up”, the house phone will get it.
3) Use the number for emergency only. Your kids have a problem, they call and it rings both parents and grand parents phones. Increase the chances of them getting help faster.
4) You’re on a work call and just ran in the house door. Cell battery is about to die, but you can’t find the charger. Pick up the home phone and switch the call to it. You’ll close the deal!
Multiple People
For some reason I always hate giving out my phone number for a one or two use purpose. Hotels, signing up for something, Chinese food, freelance work, etc. Gvoice gives you robust control over individual numbers.
Another illustration……
Welcome to your new life
Have a client that literally went insane halfway through a project? I have! Although I pulled out, the client kept calling and emailing me for advice as if nothing ever happened. Filter on gmail + Filter on Gvoice = Person no longer exists
Multiple Voicemail Greetings
Gvoice isn’t only about complex call routing and avoiding insane clients though, it can be fun!
Final pict-o-gram……..
Welcome to your new life
Your wacky message will brighten their day!
I hope you use and love these apps. They’ve made my life easier, and I think they can do the same for you. I have a few more I’ll be adding to the list at some point in the future. Until then…
