Lee Graham's Digital Home

I've only had two critiques of Android so far: 1) OS Fragmentation & 2) some tweaks to the UI/UX would be nice.

As Google has a solid history of doing, they are stepping up their game with the next release of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Google is said to be "laser-focused" on improving the UI so carriers don't need custom skins such as: Motoblur, Ninjablur, SenseUI, etc...

Two possible, positive benefits if this pans out: 1) the end of these custom UI's from carriers that slow down the devices and cause so much pain while waiting patiently for them to upgrade, and 2) a better user experience is really welcomed!

The best part, it is rumored that Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) will be coming Q4 of this year, and then after that it will move over to a year;y iteration/release process.

Interesting overall fact about Android I didn't know,

"If this news is true, it means that Google Android has had five variants that has a code name taken from the cake, such as Android 5.1 as 'Cupcake', Android 1.6 'Donut', Android 1.2 'Enclair', Android 2.2 'Froyo' (Fozen Yogurt) and Android 3.2 'Gingerbread '. If the note all the names that have the prefix letter alphabet C, D, E, F and G. An intelligent approach than Google, while the use of a snack/cakes makes this platform so impressed more "sweet" and sound friendly for the user." - via Oki Rosgani

This is a video demo that I created to show how easy it is to convert older Flash eLearning content so that is optimized for mobile devices. There is an actual demo towards the end that shows how smooth it runs on the Google Nexus One (running Android 2.2 FroYo and Flash Player 10.1 for Mobiles).

RESOURCES:

Authoring mobile Flash content for multiple screen sizes

Optimizing Performance for the Flash Platform

Fresh off the digital press (or PDF)... download your copy of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine for FREE!!! Also, check out my Special Report section introducing Adobe's AIR for Android!

Don't forget, the AIR for Android beta is now OPEN to developers.

Download here

Download here

Day 1, the big news was the Chrome Web App Store.

Day 2, it was all about the little green dude... Android! The Android OS seems to have finally matured past the point of playing catch up with Apple's iPhone and now seems to be setting its own agenda.

Android 2.2 (FroYo) Developer's Note:

1. Speed - faster VM & JIT compiler 2x-5x faster apps
2. Enterprise - 20 new features including Exchange support
3. Data Backup API
4. Cloud-to-Device Messaging API
5. Tethering and wireless hotspot
6. A better Browser:
   • V8 video. 
   • The Android browsers dusted the iPad browser hands down in decoding JavaScript. 
   • Eventually web apps will be able to access the device hardware such as the camera & accelerometer. 
   • Flash Player 10.1 support within the Browser. 
7. Android Market - Search can search within apps and removable storage. 
8. Apps on SD. 
9. Application can be set to auto-update. 
10. A stack trace reporting feature for developers to better help with debugging. 
11. Android Market account tied to devices. 
12. Devices will be able to download application OTA (Over-The-Air) directly from your computer. 
13. Music is now purchasable on the Android Market!
14. Non-DRMed music purchased on iTunes will be able to play on your Android device.
15. AdSense for Mobile Ads - Google's counter Apple's iAds I'm sure. Expandable ad formats within apps which can use maps and the click-to-call feature.

CNET's Stephen Shankland: "Basically, Google is working to reproduce iTunes abilities with just a browser, no iTunes." 

Google TV: TV meets web. Web meets TV.

Imagine your computer, mobile phone and TV viewing experiences all being blurred together. This is exactly what Google is doing! Its a fact a large quantity of people spend hours of time watching YouTube on their computers and mobiles, now imagine watching that on your 1080p HD TV. Lets take it one step further, how about watching that YouTube clip and then sharing it with your buddy from your TV. Its no longer a dream, its coming later this year (Fall 2010) to a BestBuy near you. 

What you need to know about Google TV:

• Running the Android OS + Chrome Browser
• Will be integrated with with Sony TVs that are coming out.
• Will be available as a standalone box (thanks to Logitech) and will work with your current TV. Will require a keyboard & pointing device. 
• Better searchability of the program you like. 
• More interactivity with your favorite programs. 
• Allows your to record future episodes of your favorite shows and ties directly to Amazon Video so you can purchase previous episodes. 
• Access to Android Apps! You will be able to login to your Android Market account, buy an app on your phone or computer & have it automatically downloaded to your Google TV.
• You can watch YouTube directly on your Google TV.
• Will be able to interact with Facebook, Pandora, Flickr, etc...
• NOTE: your Android phone can be used as a remote control.
• You will be able to login to your Android Market account, buy an app & have it automatically to your Google TV.
  
• Watch & listen to your podcasts directly on you Google TV. Podcast via Google Listen (http://listen.googlelabs.com/). 
  
• Notably: the NBA.com has create a Google TV site that allows for more interactivity while you consume sport. This is the future!
  

Google TV Developer's Note:

• Developers will be able to build both Android apps as well as Web apps and access them on Google TV.
• Google TV currently runs on Android 2.1 & has the Google Chrome browser & Flash Player 10.1.
• The SDK will be released early 2011.
• Best part... its all OPEN SOURCE! This will happen late 2011.

Adobe AIR for Android Developer's Note: its nice having a little green guy and Google as friends! 

1. You can develop Android apps using AIR for Android which is now in beta (developer access only). SIGN UP HERE!
2. As a Flash Developer, you can develop Flash Apps and content (720p & 1080p videos) for Google TV. READ MORE HERE...
3. AIR for Android will work on Google TV eventually. Top priority is optimizing AIR for Android on mobiles.
4. General tips for designing websites to work on Google TV

There is no unified way to update the Android OS & users are getting frustrated with these carrier-customized Android Operation Systems. Version 2.1 was released officially January 12, 2010 and Sprint still doesn’t have their act together. I know Verizon had similar issues when they were trying to update the Droid.

http://phandroid.com/2010/05/07/sprint-hoped-youd-get-your-2-1-update-by-now-but-youll-have-to-wait-longer/

I think this is probably going to be the largest issue with people adopting to Android when they compare it to iPhone. Granted I’m sure Google will do these updates in a timely fashion for my Google Nexus One, but Sprint & Verizon are falling way behind.

This is where Apple does have the upper hand and its a serious selling point. 

Don’t get me wrong. I’m really digging Android. I took my SIM out of my iPhone and I’m using the Nexus One daily. Its kickass! I stated everything above as just a heads up into possible future issues.

QUESTION: Should Google intervene? If so, what are their options?