Syncing Files: Amazon Cloud Drive and Google Drive

Posted on 03. May, 2012 by dfloyd in Mobile Applications, android, iOS

In the last couple weeks, Google Drive and Amazon Cloud Drive have both released desktop versions of their online drives. These desktop applications make it easy to keep your music, videos, pictures, and documents available online via any device such as a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a media player or even your television.

Up to now, the most common application for online drives has been syncing music via services like iCloud, Amazon Cloud Player, and Google Play. With the explosion of tablets, smartphones, SSD laptops, more and more people want access to all their files anytime. Now music, video, ebooks, documents, spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, movies, and much more can be easily access via cloud services like Dropbox, Box, Amazon Cloud Drive and Google Drive.

While Amazon and Google have both offered some form of an online drive for the past year, their recent desktop versions make it easy to upload files to your cloud drive. Here’s a quick snapshot of both services.

Google Drive
Working similar to the Mobile Me service, Google Drive installs a “sync folder” on your desktop. You can sign up at Google Drive. In order to use it, you must have a Gmail account. Google Drive comes with 5GB of free space. Once you install the drive, it immediately syncs all your online Google Docs to the sync folder on your computer. Whenever you want to add a file to Google Drive, simply drop the file in your sync folder. If you’re online, it will automatically sync folders. If not, it will automatically sync files as soon as your online again.

You can create new folders in your Google Drive folder, move files between folders, and add/remove files. Google Drive immediately syncs folders, files, and any changes you’ve made.

Amazon Cloud Drive
The Amazon Cloud Drive does not install a sync folder on your computer. It installs an icon in your system tray. Once you install the application, you can click on the Amazon Cloud icon. Then you’ll need to sign into your Amazon account (or create an account if you don’t have one). Like Google Drive, it comes with 5 GB of free space. To sync a file, simply drag a file or folder to the Amazon Cloud icon, and it will instantly begin to sync the files.

I wanted to test it’s ability to detect file types, so I added some MP3 files to the Amazon Cloud icon. Then I opened the Amazon Player on my Android. The MP3 files were on my Amazon Player ready for play or download. It’s a simple process, but if you want to add multiple MP3 files, Amazon recommends you Launch Cloud Player.

Which cloud drive is better? So far, I can’t recommend one drive over another at this point. Currently I am syncing files to iCloud, Box, Dropbox, Amazon and Google Drive. I want to compare how they develop and what process is simplest. If you want to share files, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box offer simple share solutions. Amazon doesn’t appear to offer a sharing solution at this point. All services offer the ability to expand the drive size based on some type of fee.

Smartphone Powered Motorola Lapdock 500 Pro

Posted on 27. Apr, 2012 by dfloyd in Equipment, Wireless Equipment, android

Motorola has introduced a dock for your Motorola smartphone. Ideal for on the go, you can use the lapdock to work online, create and edit documents, access your apps, and participate in video conferencing–all powered via your Motorola Smartphone.

This lapdock comes with a 14″ display, full-size keyboard, built-in webcam, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an SD card reader, headphone jack, Ethernet, and a Kensington lock slot.

A large trackpad supports two-finger scrolling for easy navigation (on the web, your documents and navigating your phone screens). Plus it comes with VGA output, so you can connect it to an office projector or monitor to share presentations, videos or a website with a broader group. It weighs around 2 pounds and offers a seven hour battery life, so it’s perfect taking on the road, in the coffee shop or just using around the office.

Connects to 4G LTE Network via Smartphone.
 The Smartphone plugs into the back of the lapdock (there is even a phone cradle for portability), and then you can utilize the Smartphone’s 4G LTE connection or WIFI for online access from anywhere you go.

Compatible with Motorola Smartphones.
 The Droid RAZR, Droid RAZR MAXX, Droid Bionic and Droid 4 are all compatible with this new lapdock. Plus, the lapdock charges your phone while docked.

Supports Smartphone and Lapdock Multi-tasking.
Even as you are surfing the web, working on documents or accessing various apps, they can still text or take a call on the Smartphone. The lapdock comes with a full Firefox® browser and Adobe®Flash®.

The Future of ChromeOS?
 Jason Hiner (TechRepublic/CNET) thinks this could be the strategic future of the Google Chrome, giving the Android community a device that Apple will not have any time soon. While it is initially aimed at business consumers, this could offer appeal to people wanting to replace an old PC but not wanting to spend the money on a new.

Apps for Seniors

Posted on 24. Apr, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS

Wireless technology is fast becoming popular among senior citizens. From tablets to smartphones, seniors are discovering how wireless is more about providing accessible tools and less about the latest trend. While some techies track new smartphones like teens track the latest pop song, there is a much larger emerging market that is discovering how technology can offer applications that support every day needs.

I have a friend who is turning 80 this year. He’s had a mac for about three years, and his favorite website is Facebook. The technology has given him a way to stay in contact with friends and family all across the country. Plus, it’s given him an opportunity to meet and engage a variety of people he would never have met otherwise. His story is similar to many seniors who are now turning to smartphones and tablets. So how might this technology meet their needs?

Communication
Seniors can stay in touch with children, grandchildren using tools like Skype. I know one man who is in his 60s. He still spends part of his time on the road. The iPad is a gateway for him to spend time each evening talk with his wife and family via Skype. Meredith Bower over at Curiosity.com mentions a neat communication app for seniors. A Story Before Bed gives grandparents the ability to record a video of them reading a story for their grandkids. 

Family Research
I was eating supper the other night with an older couple who kept telling me stories about their favorite service: Ancestry.com. Leveraging the research potential of the Internet, Ancestry.com is helping people research family trees and build an extensive online database of family history information. The smartphone and tablets apps provides users with a steady stream of new discoveries about relatives, family heirlooms, living relations, pictures, gravestones and more. Reading With the wide range of reading apps like Kindle, Nook, Aldiko and more, seniors are re-discovering many of the classics from their youth. I have one older friend who started reading through Moby Dick, Captain Nemo and more on his iPhone several years back. Now he reads virtually all his books on the iPad. The adjustable font size and lighting allow him to keep reading long after his wife has gone to sleep.

Health
Researching and tracking health issues has never been easier. With apps like WebMD, users have the tools that can help them research health issues and improve decision making, plus it give access to first aid information (with requiring an Internet connection). Plus there are a variety of wellness tools and information apps from providers like Mayo Clinic.

Travel
As seniors take to the road, they can take a favorite PBS travel companion along. Popular tour guide and travel show host, Rick Steves offers a range of apps, podcasts and books for the smartphone and tablet. He offers both audio tour information and tour booklets. Additionally, there are a wide range of other tour guide apps like PocketGuide, Tour Eiffel, Digi Guides, TourBuddy, and more that give seniors a personal guided tour through various travel sites around the world.

Cooking
An iPad in the kitchen replaces a shelf full of cookbooks as iPad and Android tablets offer a wide range of great cooking tools like AllRecipe, Cooking Lite, Menu Picker, CookFresh, Conversions for Cooking, BigOven and many, many more.

Games
From Suduko to Crossword Puzzles to Word with Friends, seniors can discover a variety of classic and new games that will keep them engaged with friends and family while playing games at the same time.

Android in Korea

Posted on 30. Mar, 2012 by dfloyd in android

Lately I’ve been watching Android marketing commercials on YouTube from different parts of the world, and I’ve been amazed by the different ways people in different nations market the Android platform on smartphones and tablets. In many American commercials that feature Android products, the focus is often on robotic technology that seems to be merging with humans. This Droid X commercials from 2010 has an X-Men feel as these soldiers go deep into the earth, and then discover a technology that merges with the human soldier (think Wolverine). Here’s another Droid one from the same period that focus solely upon an eyeball as the human eye transforms into the eye of a machine. Now compare these ominous Droid commercials with the following Korean commercials. Instead of the ominous merging of machine with human, the Android mascot is a prankster. He is a mischievous little guy (and girl in some commercials) who can show his teeth when needed and has a lot more power than we might imagine. First, we can see the baby Android being born. This video seems to indicate he is swallowing someone into his work of dance. As the end of the video, he expels wind (is that from the person he ate?). And finally, what a Dagwood sandwich made up of apps. I like these so much, I’m going to keep tracking Android ads from round the world. So keep an eye out as I post more Android ads in the future.

Android Market Becomes Google Play

Posted on 06. Mar, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Mobile Applications, android

Google takes a step toward its consolidated “Googleverse” by transforming the Android Market into Google Play. The goal is to provide a comprehensive media solution for applications, entertainment, books and more. Competing with Amazon and Apple, Google hopes users will find a simple place to search, buy and download media to computers, smartphones, tablets and more.

By way of introduction, Google is offering “Seven Days to Play,” which includes .25 cent offers and other discounted deals on music, movies, apps and books for seven days. Google Play is now the hub for purchasing, storing and searching for music, apps, games, ebooks and video. According to Google, Google Play offers the following:

  • Store up to 20,000 songs for free and buy millions of new tracks
  • Download more than 450,000 Android apps and games
  • Browse the world’s largest selection of eBooks
  • Rent thousands of your favorite movies, including new releases and HD titles

Jamie Rosenberg, Director of Digital Content posted an official announcement on the Google blog today. He writes, “Google Play is entirely cloud-based so all your music, movies, books and apps are stored online, always available to you, and you never have to worry about losing them or moving them again.”

According to the full announcement, the rollout of services varies by country as follows:

  • USA – music, movies, books and Android apps
  • Canada and the U.K. – movies, books and Android apps
  • Australia – books and apps
  • Japan – movies and apps
  • Everywhere else – Google Play will be the new home for Android apps

Your Own Personal Magazine – Feedly

Posted on 21. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS

Feedly is one of best solutions I’ve seen for tracking news, blogs and website updates. It delivers the content you want to follow in a format that looks a lot like your own personal magazine. Plus, it will sync across multiple platforms, so whether you’re on the phone, a tablet, your computer or a public device, you can instantly see the news you want, save the news your want to revisit and share the stories you want to broadcast to the world.

Here’s a quick run-down of the features I like:

1. Feedly Supports Multiple Platforms
On most days, I alternate between an iPhone, an Android tablet and a Macbook Pro. I downloaded the Feedly app for my iPhone and Android, and I added the Feedly extension to my Chrome and Firefox browsers (it also has an extension for Safari).

2. Feedly Can Be Easily Customized
Changing Feedly is easy and fast. I simply click on my name in the upper right corner and select Organize, Themes or Preferences. Organize gives me the option to drag and drop feeds between categories or move entire categories into order of priority. Themes offer a choice between different color themes. Preferences allows me to choose start page content, default layout, Facebook feeds, Twitter feeds and more. The moment I make a selection, Feedly saves the change.

3. Instant Sync Across Devices
From reading articles to bookmarks to design changes, one change in Feedly is instantly appears on all devices.

4. Feedly Suggests Content
Whether you’re researching a topic, look for good sources of new content, trying to match some of your preferences or simply wanting to subscribe to an RSS, Feedly makes it fast and easy. Click on “Explore” and you get a snapshot of the sites that the editors at Feedly like. Simply choose the “+” sign by any topic or feed to subscribe.

If you have a site that you’d like to follow, type in the name of the site, and Feedly will search for a corresponding feed. Choose from the results, and it displays a layout based on the feed. You can decide to “follow” from the site page.

You can search via hashtag (#) to customize recommendations. Either enter # and search term in the search box (like #news), or click on one of the feeds you currently subscribe and then click again on the hashtag that is just below the title. Feedly suggests related feeds that may interest you.

5. Share Feedly
Send a favorite article to your Read It Later, Instapaper or Evernote account,  or share the article with social sites like Facebook or Twitter. Feedly offers a wide selection of forwarding choices.

Get Your Hands on a Droid 4!

Posted on 10. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in 4G LTE, Phone Review, android

Keyboard lovers rejoice! Droid 4 is here. Made to be handled, this rugged phone is designed with Corning® Gorilla® Glass, protecting against scrapes, scratches, dents and dings. The power of nanoparticles protects the phone from rain, spills and unexpected sprays.

The big is deal is the low–light on a 5–row LED edge–lit keyboard. Your fingers will love the technically precise QWERTY keypad for accurate, fast and easy typing in day or night.

Powered with a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM, this phone flies across the Verizon 4G LTE network, streaming video and music, updating email, and downloading ringtones while giving you the speed and freedom to multitask from app to app to app.

The DROID 4 adapts to your environments with Smart Actions that adjust apps based on your custom settings. When you step into work and onto the office WiFi, the ringer can automatically turn off. You can set the phone to access certain apps at specific times of the day. For instance, on  wake-up the Ringer adjusts to high, the weather app comes on, the news updates with the latest headlines, and the phone wallpaper turns on sunshine. This phone can be set to adapt to all your environments throughout day and the battery settings will even adjust to help conserve when needed.

This phone is business-ready with security features that will make your IT folks cheer for joy (such as FIPS 140-2 government-grade encryption; PIN lock and password protection; device and SD card data encryption; and the ability to wipe the phone remotely if it’s ever lost or stolen).
Other highlights include:

  • 4-inch qHD (960×540) display
  • Rear-facing 8-megapixel
  • Full HD 1080p video recorder features image stabilization
  • 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera with HD 720p video recording
  • 16 GB of onboard storage
  • Optional microSD memory cards up to 32 GB
  • GPS for navigation and location-based services,
  • Low-energy Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming
  • Up to 12.5 hours of talk time

To learn more about the DROID 4 call your Cellular Sales Representative today.

DROID is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license.

Shop and Drop Wherever You Go

Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS

Whether wrestling alligators in Louisiana, running the Bulls in Pamplona, or diving with the sharks in Cape Town, you always want to be ready when that urge to shop hits. Be prepared by downloading some of these shopping apps to your smartphone now.

EBay
One of the most popular and highly rated shopping apps, the eBay app comes with everything you need to search, watch, shop and sell on this worldwide marketplace. You’re always ready to bid on that Dukes of Hazzard lunchbox, those emerald beetle earrings, or the steampunk goggles for your mom. eBay for Android or iOS (iPhone/iPad).

Amazon and Google Shopper
Shopping should be as easy as snapping a picture, scanning a bar code, speaking a product or actually typing a word. At least Google and Amazon would like it to be that easy. Their respective apps can price compare from multiple vendors; sell you new, used or refurbished product; and keep multiple wishlists. Amazon Mobile for iOS; Amazon Mobile for Android; Google Shopper for iOS or Android.

Shopkick
We all deserve rewards for shopping don’t we? Shopkick says, “We sure do!” So they give us prizes for just walking some stores. With Shopkick, you can get gift cards, donate to charities, and turn shopping sprees into your own personal game show. Shopkick for Android or iOS.

Key Ring Rewards Care
I’ve got an old plastic cassette tape case in my car. It’s filled with reward cards for gas, coffee, bread, groceries, clothes and more. With the Key Ring Rewards Card app, I can kiss the memory of cassettes goodbye forever. This app scans in all my cards so that no matter where I’m shopping, I’ve got their reward card. Hey wait a minute, this makes me think of Shopkick. With all these rewards, I’ll want to start shopping every day, hour, minute. Key Ring Rewards for Android or iOS.

Craigslist Mobile
Forget the bricks & mortar, I want to barter with my neighbors. Que the Craigslist folks. With the portable Craiglist app in my pocket, I’m ready to search for nearby deals on that weight set somebody got for Christmas and got tired of after Christmas. Last summer, New York Times suggested that this app is better than the actual web experience. Craigslist for iOS. Craigslist for Android.

Big Deal
What’s the big deal? That’s exactly right, “What is the big deal?” Apps like Groupon and LivingSocial deliver big deals to my pocket on services, products and restaurants that I simply have to try. Groupon for iOS or Android. LivingSocial for iOS or Android.

Shopping List
Make your list. Check it twice. Or ten times for that matter. I’ve found that a shopping list app is one of my top used tools on the smartphone. “What was it my wife told me to get at THE Walmart?” I’m always ready to find what I’m looking for with my handy shopping list. If you search shopping lists on Android or OS, you’re going to find a big bunch of shopping lists. So I’ll go ahead and tell you two of the top rated and most downloaded shopping list apps.

For Android try Shopping List by Fivefly. There’s a free version and paid version (ad free). With this app, you can organize, manage, add pictures, set quantities and even synchronize phone to phone.

For OS try Shopping List by Hensoft. There’s a free version and paid version. You can create, manage, sort, sync and share via email (paid), connect lists with stores (paid), and even create recipes.

Mobile Learning on the Rise

Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Mobile Applications, android, iOS

The use of online learning and mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) have both surged in recent years. Mobile learning represents the merging of these areas, combing the convenience of learning online with the versatility of mobile accessibility. This area is just beginning to grow, but there are already a range of mobile learning apps and several companies have already begun to embrace a mobile model for training employees.

According to the 2011 Survey of Online Learning, over six millions students and almost 1/3 of all higher learning students are taking at least one class online.[1] This demand is only expected increase in the coming years. As I’ve posted here before, smartphone sales have more than doubled over the past two years. In their 2012 trend report, Mind/Shift actually expects to see a greater integration of mobile devices with the classroom.[2]

Mobile Learners
A variety of applications have emerged to support the mobile learners through their smartphones and tablets. Real Simple Edu offers a wide range of course in math, science, medicine, business, law, english, languages and code. All their courses are designed to support iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry phone, Blackberry tablet, Kindle Fire, Nook, Nokia, and Palm phone or tablet.

Several companies like busuu.com have begun designing language learning tools. They offer a range of courses that be downloaded to a smartphone. Each course contains audio/visual elements, synchronization with online profile, and a range of tools that are accessible with no internet connection.

Dale Carnegie and Associates has developed their own app store with three leadership training modules and a secrets of success app as initial offerings. McGraw and Hill is offering a range of courses for children as well as adults, representing the diverse targets groups of their various companies. In addition to their children’s apps and medical apps, one interesting app is a public speaking primer that helps the user develop outlines, avoids common mistakes and time the speech.

Public Speaking Speech Prep - McGraw Hill

Training on the Go
Various companies have begun transferring training programs to the smartphone. In 2011, the Army’s Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) announced that they are in the process of opening instruction to mobile devices such as iPads, iPhones and Androids. This allows soldiers to continue training on specific courses while in the field instead of having to attend classroom instruction or study in a computer lab.[2]

Companies like Dashe & Thomson work with organizations to design training solutions for mobile devices. The mobile workforce can access specific training modules in multiple formats that best fit their learning habits. They can access ebooks, watch videos, listen to podcast or tap some combination of the three. Learner progress is tracked and can be uploaded manually by the user or automatically by the company.

[1] Erb, Michael. “Study: Online Classes More Popular.” News and Sentinel, January, 3, 2012.
[2] Watters, Audrey. “12 Education Tech Trends to Watch in 2012.” Mind/Shift, January 3, 2012 <http://mindshift.kqed.org/2012/01/12-education-tech-trends-to-watch-in-2012/>.
[2] Army Looks To Use Mobile Devices For Medical Field Training. Broadband for America, January 28, 2011 <http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/blog/army-looks-use-mobile-devices-medical-field-training>

Singing Praises for Galaxy Nexus

Posted on 16. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in Phone Review, android

Galaxy Nexus has people singing and smiling and sharing. CNET gave it the Editor’s Choice Award, praising the the power and performance of Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich unleashed on Verizon’s 4G LTE Wireless Network. With a stunning 4.65″ HD Super AMOLED™ screen, Nexus delivers a stunning display with plenty of space to see. Plus, the 1.2GHz dual-core processor compliments the great looks with speed and performance.

Stylish Simplicity
Running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), the Nexus brings the brilliance of a magazine to the simplicity of a phone. Smartphones are evolving, and the Nexus represents a new way of using phones with simple gestures that make navigation easy to learn and easy to control. Android 4.0 brings

  • Multitasking (jump from one app to another)
  • Face unlock (use your face as your password)
  • Simple, intuitive navigation
  • Voice control
  • And much more

Smart Sharing
The Galaxy Nexus makes sharing your life with your friends easier than ever before. Optimized for Google+, you can instantly initiate group chats, video chat and Android Beam™ (share information from one phone to another by simply beaming it). Your photos, apps, games, email, music, and videos can be shared, used, changed by easily accessing it in the cloud.

Joshua Topolsky at The Verge loves the Galaxy Nexus. He says that “Its the best Android phone ever made.” You read his review at The Verge, or watch it in the video below.

iTunes Match Launch Overwhelms Servers

Posted on 14. Nov, 2011 by dfloyd in android, iOS

Apple launched their new iTunes Match service today, which offers the ability to enjoy your entire media collection from any computer or iOs devices (iPhone, iPod, Apple TV). The immediate response was so overwhelming that Apple servers cannot meet the demand, and Apple is requesting users to check back.


Now that iTunes Match is available, the showcase showdown begins between Amazon Cloud Player, iTunes Match, Spotify and others. Each service has benefits and limitations. iTunes Match is not offered for Android devices; Amazon on the other hand, is available on Android but not iOs. While Spotify and other are available on both, they each have higher subscriptions costs. With the release of the Kindle Fire this week, the competition for streaming media is heating up.

Android Enterprise Management and Security Released

Posted on 10. Oct, 2011 by dfloyd in Enterprise and Business, android

Motorola Mobility subsidiary 3LM released its comprehensive support software for enterprise Android applications today (October 10). Delivering device management and security solutions, 3LM gives IT the power to support smartphone and tablet Android users.

With the explosive growth of smartphones and tablets in the workplace, traditional IT support has been forced to change from rigid restrictions to developing solutions the tools and devices users need to perform their job.

Garner Research has suggested that consumerization of IT is one of the top trends impacting IT strategies and practices. They suggest, “Consumer behaviors will have the power to reshape how enterprise IT works; they will bring new and varied expectations for IT, which, at an enterprise IT level, must be recognized and developed.”

Android is a perfect example of this dramatic shift as more and more consumers are using Android smartphones and tablets at home but also in the workplace. At the same, there have been security concerns related to supporting the Android operating system. Alongside the trending use of Androids in the workplace, 3LM has been working in “stealth mode” with the goal of delivering enterprise level security. Motorola bought 3LM last February with the intention of delivering 3LM solutions to all handset manufacturers.

The 3LM technology will provide business and government entities with easy to use management, enterprise security and device security. 3LM secures data on the device as well as in transit from device to enterprise. IT managers can use 3LM tools to manage fleet devices remotely from adding software to wiping data.

Device Management

  • Works with existing IT infrastructure to administer users and devices
  • Remote device management
  • Remote application installation
  • Full and selective remote wipe for devices
  • Lock devices
  • Locate devices
  • Incorporate advanced password rules

Secure Enterprise Link

  • Access enterprise resources and online resources securely.
  • Secure credentials for device interaction with enterprise.
  • Administrator controls security and access levels at enterprise.
  • All communication between device and enterprise is encrypted.
  • Secure channel delivery of critical information like email, calendar and contacts.
  • Remote device health and status checking.
  • Each device is identified by a unique IP address for tracking as a network endpoint.

Device Security

  • All data on device can be encrypted including internal memory as well as SD card storage.
  • Anti-malware protects corporate users.

Can an iPhone User Switch to Android and be Satisfied?

Posted on 04. Oct, 2011 by dfloyd in Phone Review, android

As we wait this morning for the big news update from Apple and information about iPhone 5, I thought I’d share my own experience comparing iPhone 4 with the HTC Thunderbolt. Android is fast gathering a loyal company of users, and many folks like MSNBC’s Wilson Rothman are wondering if iPhone can keep up.

Can an iPhone user switch to Android and be satisfied? For the past couple weeks, I’ve been testing that question. Having used iPhone 3 and iPhone for the past 4 years, I’ve grown accustomed to the simplicity of the iPhone. Not having handled Androids for any extensive time, I had to really on the comments of others. But for the past two weeks I’ve been using my iPhone side-by-side with an HTC Thunderbolt running Android 2.2.1.

I downloaded several applications that I use on a regular basis including Evernote, Facebook, Flickr, Kindle, and a music player (Amazon Music Cloud). Whenever I wanted to check flickr photos, read kindle, or use another app, I’d open the applications on both smartphones.

Over the years, I’ve heard the following complaint about Android: keyboard, too many buttons, poor quality of apps, no screenshot, battery drain. I’ll be honest. After using them side-by-side, I had no issues with the keyboard or the button or even the quality of apps. Every app I used looked great and performed to satisfaction. A screenshot is available on Android, but you have to root the phone (and I didn’t have that option on this Thunderbolt).

Battery Drain Challenge
The battery drain is a real challenge. If I leave the HTC unused for a whole day, it will be almost dead at the end of the day anyway. Even though the battery is a challenge, it’s not a deal breaker. The reason? It’s not that hard to manage power on an Android. There are several solutions to manage battery power on the Android (See How to Make Your Android Battery Last Long).

The Built-in Speaker on the iPhone Sounds Better
I listened to songs through the speaker on the iPhone and HTC. The iPhone speaker sounded fuller with a clearer bass. But I must confess that I don’t use the speaker on the iPhone much to listen to music. I’m usually either listening to headphones or output to a sound system.

The Android Screen Blows iPhone Away
The Thunderbolt is dramatically larger and substantially brighter than the iPhone. This is a big deal. I like to read from the iPhone in bed and usually have to wear glasses. When I compared both phones in Kindle, the Android was more defined, the contrast was sharper, and the screen was much easier to read. Once I quit reading on the Android, I didn’t even want to go back to iPhone it seemed dull and blurry.

Amazon Music Cloud Player Rocks
After uploading over 35,000 songs to the Amazon Music cloud, I’ve been looking for a chance to test it over a smartphone. Since iPhone has thus far refused that opportunity, I wanted to test it on an Android. Works great! The cloud player loaded fast, easily sorted my music and gave me the option of playing songs in the cloud or downloading to the smartphone. This way I don’t have a to take up extra GB on the phone drive for songs I’m not listening to the at the moment. Downloading was super fast, and in moments, I was playing a new album on the Android. Two thumbs for Amazon Cloud Player and Android!

The Thunderbolt is Faster Online and Off
With 4G LTE speeds, the Thunderbolt delivered a dramatically faster performance when compared to my iPhone. Even though both phones have 1GHz processors, it seems to me that the Thunderbolt processed offline information faster that the iPhone.

After using both smartphones for a week, I must say that I’m impressed with the Thunderbolt (and can’t wait to take a look at the Bionic). I found it easy to use, visually impressive, and the app selection meets all my needs as an iPhone use. In answer to my initial question, I think iPhone users will enjoy the Thunderbolt as a comparable smartphone tool that meets the challenges of iPhone and delivers a faster, brighter and clearer performance.

If you want to see a Thunderbolt and iPhone up close, contact your Cellular Sales representative or contact us online, and we’ll help you.

How to Increase the Battery Life in Your Android

Posted on 03. Oct, 2011 by dfloyd in android

Droid Bionic

If you’ve got an Android or are thinking about getting one, here are several great solutions for maximizing your battery life. There’s no reason to miss out on the speed, power and vivid display of Android mobile devices because you’re concerned about battery life. There are many great options depending on what kind of user you are. You probably are one of the following types of users:

  1. Power User – You want the maximum access to all the great Android potential all day long.
  2. Convenience User – You want the Android to work from sunup to sundown without any hassles.
  3. Tweaker – You like the customizability of the Android. In fact, that is why you chose Android over other smartphone models.

Here are three approaches to making your battery last all day long. Power Users – If you want all the power, all the time, the easiest solution is to buy another battery. Extra Android batteries are relatively cheap and small. So it’s easy to pick up an extra battery or two and carry it around in your pocket. Note: Avoid leaving it out in the heat as that may impact the lifespan and performance of the battery. Convenience User – The simplest, easiest way to improve your battery life is to install a battery app from the Android Market. There are a few battery apps currently available. One of the most popular and best rated is JuiceDefender. It offers preset modes as well as customized features and has a free version and two paid versions. Here is a video introducing the simplicity and power of this app:

Tweaker – Unlike some smartphones, Android doesn’t limit your access to apps and abilities, but at the same time, you may choose to limit power hogs. Because Android comes with such customizability, you can track, manage and improve performance with a few simple steps. Jamie Lendino and PJ Jacobowitz offer several great tips on improving battery performance over at PCMAG. Here’s a quick snapshot of their suggestions.

  • Disable Adobe Flash. You can limit this power hog by changing settings so that the browser only loads Adobe Flash when instructed. Hit menu, go to Settings>Enable Plug-ins, then change setting to On Demand.
  • Tweak Microsoft Exchange. Try reducing the size of your email folder to below 150MB. To see your the size of your email folder, go to Outlook, right-click inbox, then choose Properties>General>Folder Size. Now simply archive or delete emails to reach desired folder size.
  • Update Your Apps. Here’s an easy one. Make sure all your apps are updated (since newer apps ofter manage power more effectively). Go to the Market app, hit menu and select My Apps to check for updates.
  • Set display brightness to adjust automatically.
  • Reduce e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook polling. Change messaging apps to “manual” and watch your battery life increase.
  • Turn hardware features off. GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are ready when you need them. Why not switch them off until then?
  • Dump unnecessary home screen widgets. Just say “No” to unneeded animated widgets that are sucking your battery dry.
  • Reduce RSS feed update frequency. When you’re ready to read, update your RSS instead of updating continuously in the background.
  • See what’s hogging your battery. Go to Settings> About Phone> Battery Use and you’ll see a breakdown of power draining apps. Make adjustments as needed.