How Google+ Can Improve Your Android
Posted on 20. Sep, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Apps
Android developers and Android lovers have flocked to Google+, making Google+ the perfect place for keeping up with the latest Android news, apps, shortcuts, tips and all things Android.
Combining the best of the social media services, Google+ makes it easy to connect with a variety of people and sort them by groups. You can sort people by groups in Twitter and Facebook, but Google+ offers one of the simplest platforms for sorting groups and guarding privacy at the same time.
Like Android, Google+ is easily customized to the preferences of a given users. This convenience can also be a bit confusing at first because there are so many options. This post offers an easy way to start using Google+ and incorporating it into your daily routine.
1. What if I don’t have Google+?
Google+ is still an invite only service, so you need a Google+ invite to get started. Invites are usually easy to get. First ask your friends on Facebook or Twitter. If not successful, search online using terms like “How to get a Google+ invite.” Or simply leave a comment here with your email address, and we can help get you one.
2. I’ve got Google+, now what?
Now you can connect with friends, colleagues, and potential contacts. Since I’m writing about how Google+ can help Android users, I’m going to focus on creating a circle of Android developers, Android enthusiasts, and Android writers that may share information that will helpful in using Android, choosing an Android device, and learning what’s on the Android horizon.
G+ lets you group people you follow into easily sortable “circles.” To start an Android circle, simply begin to follow people who talk and write about Android, and put them in that circle. I’ve listed a group of people on G+ that often focus on Android. You add them by entering each name in the “Search” box at the top of G+. When their profile appears, you’ll see a “red box” on the top right side.
Click on the box, select “Create new circle,” type “Android into the box
Now you can click on the Google+ logo in the upper left to return home. From there you can select, the all the circles you create. So if I want to track all my Android circle, I click “Android” and read that feed.
To help you get start on your Android circle, here is a list of Android enthusiasts I follow:
3. How do I find more people on G+?
First, you can simply type in someone’s name. Also, G+ will suggest names from your Gmail account. Here is a nice little G+ search engine that allows you search posts, profiles, buzz and Google Reader; http://gplussearch.com/
4. Don’t forget to download the G+ app from the Android Market.
5. One more thing. While your setting up circles, don’t forget to set up a photography circle. The G+ on Android renders the photographers nicely and it’s a great way to see some cool shots. Here are a few popular photographers on G+:
Romain Guy, Victor Bezrukov, Trey Ratcliff, Vivienne Gucwa, Giuseppe Basile, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Sharon Thomas, Bryan Woodward, Patrick Smith, Thomas Leuthard, Kjetil Greger Pedersen
Author – Doug Floyd
How Google’s Big Prize May Help Consumers
Posted on 17. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Google just spent 12.5 billion on the future of mobile computing. On Monday (August 15), they agreed to acquire Motorola Mobility, the maker of DROID phones and many other devices. While this move has a variety of implications in the industry, the big question is “How does this move impact consumers?”
This is a potentially positive move for the consumer market, but at the present moment, this impact will not be immediately obvious. As Avi Greengart of Current Analysis has suggested, “Short-term, this won’t impact the customer at all” (Mercury News). Over the long term though, this could open a variety of likely possibilities for consumers:
Increased Competition
Google has taken a direct step against the dominance of Apple in the mobile computing field. By purchasing Motorola, they can play a stronger role in developing an Android ecosystem similar to the Apple ecosystem with the difference being that Google remains committed to the open platform of Android. In Google’s own words, “Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies” (Google Blog).
All this adds up to increased competition on a more even playing field. For the long haul, this can mean better prices, better user experiences, and better products overall.
Improved User Experience
By playing a direct role in both the software and hardware development, Google can help overall user experience with the Android platform. Industry analyst Will Stofega writes, “Google’s ownership of the manufacturer will mean a smoother experience, fewer glitches with new releases, and a more seamless integration between hardware and software” (Mercury News)
Accelerated Innovation
Google has a history of pressing change in the mobile computing world. As New York Times editor Evelyn Rusli writes, “Google has shaken up the mobile industry by pushing cellphone carriers to open up their networks, and by licensing its Android system at no charge, increasing competition” (New York Times). This latest move may increase innovation in mobile computing as well as in television viewing. The combination of smartphones and tablets with Google TV set top boxes could open new avenues for searching and managing video content.
What about the future of Android hardware partners like HTC, LG and Sony Ericcson?
Google reaffirms its commitment to an open platform that continues to support multiple developers. “This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android’s success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences” (Google Blog).
If Google sticks to its commitment, this merger has the potential to be a great boon for the whole mobile computing industry. By purchasing Motorola, they’ve secured patent protection in the short term, but in the long term, they’ve taken a direct step toward advancing the future of the Android operating system. In their own words, they are “always looking for new ways to supercharge the Android ecosystem.” As a result of this merger, we hope to see all consumer reap great reward in the years.
- Doug Floyd
Google Maps now goes transit mode for all our big city people!
Posted on 06. Jul, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Equipment
Check out this article from Engadget.
Google Maps Transit Navigation beta for Android hands-on (Engadget)
“Earlier this afternoon, Google pushed Maps v5.7 to the Android Market. The app’s Transit Navigation (beta) feature brings GPS stop-by-stop nav to public transit systems in over 400 cities around the world, helping you find the subway or bus stop, then letting you know exactly when to get off as you ride. There are obvious benefits to using this in a foreign city, where alert-enabled (English!) directions could potentially save you hours of frustration. We left our office to brave the daylight in NYC, walking a block to the nearest subway station en-route to Times Square. The app worked well up until we reached the bottom of the first staircase, where it lost cell reception and its GPS fix. Jump past the break to see how it fared above ground, and check out our hands-on video for a Google Maps-led adventure through New York City’s public transit system.”
Google Gives Social Another Crack with Google+
Posted on 01. Jul, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
Google’s new social media community is already available on Android, kind of.
Google is dabbling in social media again with Google+. Their first attempts, Orkut and Google Buzz, were mostly failures. Earlier this week Google began leading the users of various Google products to Google+’s website. The landing page for Google+ offers tours of the services which include:
Garmin Ponders Future in Smartphones
Posted on 13. Sep, 2010 by Jay Witherspoon in Wireless Equipment, Wireless Industry
Garmin stepped gingerly into the world of smartphone production after it saw the writing on the wall that smartphones would soon replace the need for most handheld GPS units.
Here’s an interview from Reuters with the CFO of Garmin on the company’s future in the smartphone industry:
Garmin mulls future of smartphone unit
Chrome OS Tablet Coming To Verizon This Year?
Posted on 18. Aug, 2010 by Jay Witherspoon in Equipment, Wireless Industry
Some people can’t get enough leaked info about upcoming devices. I, for one, would rather wait until formal announcements are made before I get too worked up about a new device.
This one is no exception, but I’m catering to those of you who are interested in what comes out of so-called “reliable” sources online. This time it’s another rumor about a Google tablet coming to Verizon, this one running the Chrome OS.
This is by no means a formal announcement of any sort. Just another rumor that should be taken with a grain or fistful of salt.
If you can’t wait for a tablet, I’d suggest getting an iPad and a MiFi device from VZW so you can always get online.
-Jay Witherspoon, Director of Advertising, Cellular Sales
Track The Gulf Oil Spill With Your HTC Droid Incredible
Posted on 17. May, 2010 by Jay Witherspoon in Service Features, Wireless Equipment
I know I’ve been posting a lot about Google and Android handsets lately. Today is no exception. Here’s a way for folks interested in tracking the developing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico on their HTC Droid Incredible using Twitter and an Android app called “Peep”:
Track the oil spill with your Verizon Wireless, HTC Droid Incredible.
By the way, we do still sell LOTS of other phones, including BlackBerry’s and non-smartphones. But it’s hard not to talk about one of the best handsets that the industry has ever seen.
-Jay Witherspoon, Director of Advertising
Google on Nexus One for Verizon… Uh, Nevermind.
Posted on 26. Apr, 2010 by Cellular Sales in Company News, Equipment
HTC Incredible, Launches April 29, 2010
Google just did an about face and announced that their Nexus One handset will NOT be available on the Verizon network, and they suggest you buy a DROID Incredible by HTC instead. Cellular Sales is happy to see this announcement, because the Nexus One was set only to be available online through Google’s website (not CellularSales.com or Verizon’s site). And while we were not that worried that online handset sales through Google were going to cut into our numbers, we would prefer to have all equipment options available to us in our retail environment.
Cellular Sales does customer service better than anyone, and smartphones require more time with a wireless expert than most cellphones. So maybe Google’s decision was based on issues they had with customer service for the T-Mobile version? Not sure, but we’re happy to see it. And it makes us even more excited about Thursday’s launch of the Incredible. Visit CellularSales.com to find a location near you. Pre-order by calling a store. Pre-order will not be available through CellularSales.com.
-Jay Witherspoon, Director of Advertising
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