• 16Jul

    The problem with free

    Android, Apps, Opinion No Comments

    There’s a lot of discussion in the Android community at the moment, well I say discussion but really it’s just a bunch of people who are whining that their favourite apps are either losing the free status they’ve previously had, or they’re having to introduce ads to support research and development.

    I’m not a developer and have no idea of the costs involved in producing an application for a mobile platform. But I am sure that it’s not cheap, many of the developers in the Android market at the moment are individuals or small teams working hard to get the best possible application to us as quickly and easily as they can.

    I work in a call centre, would I be able to continue helping people with their broadband issues if I wasn’t being paid for it? No. So why do we have a community who seem to believe that, because the Android source code is open source everything should be free?

    I’m happy to pay for an application that I find useful, fun or that simply enhances my experience. I have bought home replacement apps, games and organisational / office apps, and I will continue to do so. I don’t see the point in screaming if your favourite app starts to introduce ads, or charges for a newer version. The only thing that frustrates me is when a developer brings out an application with ads and no way to allow people to pay to remove them.

    If we want a thriving market and to see more high quality apps then it’s vital we all play our part. And this is why I’ve signed up for the #paidapppledge.

    Android is currently the fastest growing mobile platform and, if all anyone new to the community sees is a lot of complaints about the cost or advertisements on an app then they’ll be more likely to complete the circle and, eventually, the developers will just give up and leave.

    So, I implore you, please think carefully before complaining and join the #paidapppledge.

    Image taken from Chaos Software Add-ons

  • 15Jul

    Virgin, making me see red

    Carriers, Galaxy S, Virgin No Comments

    It’s frustrating and I must admit very annoying.  I know some people have had difficulties with T-Mobile but I haven’t.  They were always available when I needed them, always pleasant and friendly and, if I had an issue, they did their best to help.

    Virgin, on the other hand, just don’t give a damn. I now have to pay 10p just to have the pleasure of speaking to a random oik in their call centre in India who will transfer me to another agent, and another until I eventually give up.

    Well, I didn’t give up last time and for that I had the privilege of being told that I would have to pay 30 to 50p to use the front facing camera on my shiny new Galaxy S. Bearing in mind that they also have a horrendous 1Gb limit on Internet usage and this pathetic attempt at service, it pains me to know that I have to put up with this for the next 18 months.

    *sigh*

    Oh well, at least I’ve nearly got through month 1!

  • 12Jul

    I’ve taken the #PaidAppPledge

    Android, Apps, News 2 Comments

    This is a great idea, and I don’t want it to die. AndroidGuys posted an article earlier this month about the PaidAppPledge.  Now, I’m not in any way a rich guy but I think it’s a great idea.  The open source nature of Android leaves people who think that open source automatically means free.  This isn’t the case.  Many developers work really hard to get their apps out there, and I think that they deserve recognition.

    I’ve blogged about UltimateFaves Pro before, as I think it’s a great app that Lior Gonnen has worked really hard on.  He was having a hard time getting his app out there because he doesn’t live in a country with a paid app market. (Something that Google either need to get their finger out about or move aside pretty damn sharpish.)  Android’s coming up to 2 years old, surely by now they could have figured something out?

    But anyway, I’ve digressed again.  I’ve taken the Paid App Pledge and promised to spend £10/month.  If you’d like to, and you have a twitter account then AndroidGuys have made it really easy.  All you have to do is click this link!  If you really want to make it work then also shout out some recommendations or apps that you’ve bought.   And if you want to see what other people are pledging, or look for some paid app recommendations then just check out the hashtag.

    Image Credit: BuzzCritic

  • 12Jul

    Google App Inventor, Android becomes even more open!

    Android, Apps, Google No Comments

    We all know that Android is a (relatively) open system, but it seems that Google want to make it even more open. With the introduction of the Google App Inventor, the company line is that anyone can develop an app.  This is a great concept, but – as an Android Fan – it also concerns me a little.  At the moment I have to wade through chunks of apps in the Market when I search by ‘Just In’ (I like to see what’s out and see if anything piques my interest).  The number of apps that are released in chunks like converter/calculator apps, “listen to radio station A/B/C” apps or other cookie cutter apps.  I hope that Google improve the App Market to take this sort of thing into account – I want a filter so that I can block particular types of apps, particular developers or other reasons that I haven’t thought of just yet.

    I must admit that I’m thinking of having a play with it myself, but to create an app for my own use not spam the Market with a load of random stuff! ;-)

    All in all, anything that opens Android even further can only be a good thing, but we also have to hope that the new developer community treats the market, and customers, with respect and don’t just throw any old tosh at us.

    Image credit: Google App Inventor

  • 10Jul

    Samsung Galaxy S finally on T-Mobile UK!

    Android, Galaxy S, Phones, T-Mobile 1 Comment


    Yes, I’m finally happy, the Samsung Galaxy S has finally made it to T-Mobile UK. Although I’m not too keen on the 24 month contract but I’m going to have a word with them in the morning to see if they can improve that.

    So, if you’re in the UK, have a look, and remember to look around for the best offer for you!

    Image: Screenshot I took from the T-Mobile UK Website

    Update 10 July:  Unfortunately, T-Mobile were unable to match the offer that Virgin had for me at £35/month on an 18 month contract, 800 minutes, Unlimited Text and Internet (1GB fair usage) so I’ve had to wave goodbye to them finally – now let’s hope I don’t need to speak to the Virgin call centre in the next 18 months…

  • 08Jul

    App Review: WordPress for Android

    Android, Review No Comments

    There are a few blogging apps out there on the market but I’ve been using the WordPress for Android App for a couple of weeks now.

    I’m not an über-techie guy so the first thing I look for in my apps is simplicity.  The WordPress app has the balance between functionality and simplicity almost right.

    Being able to add a number of blogs into the app, all with just the URL to your blog homepage, your username and password is just perfect (you need to tick a box in the Writing Settings of your WordPress dashboard too, but hey, it’s not exactly difficult!)

    Once up and running it’s easy enough to add posts, moderate your comments and even update your pages.  Using a mixture of the WYSIWYG editor and HTML it’s easy to bold, underline or italicise words, cross out mistakes or updates and create links to <a href=”http://efan78.com/Android”>websites</a>.

    You can also add photos and videos through the media button, either images stored on your phone or create a new image, and of course manage your tags and categories.

    But the best bit for me is the fact that you can save a draft locally to your phone, upload it to your drafts folder or publish it.  Allowing you to work on a post without needing an internet connection.

    All in all I find it a great app that I’ve been using a lot to publish posts on the move and then tidy up when I get home and, as it’s free, I’d highly recommend it to anyone with a WordPress blog, self-hosted or via wordpress.com.

    Image taken from tech.ddvip.com

  • 07Jul

    What’s so good about Open?

    Android, Opinion, iPhone No Comments

    The iPhone v Evo short that’s been doing the rounds because it’s funny made me giggle.  I didn’t however think that the response had the same sense of  humour about it.  It did however bring up one specific point that’s been niggling at me.

    The point that was made was that Android is open whereas iOS isn’t.  The rebuttal was “Are you a developer?  Then why does it matter?”

    This completely misses the point of open software and operating systems.  An open OS means that a community of developers are able to work on the systems and processes, tweaking and adjusting them until you get the best possible OS for your needs.  Because there’s so many people out there working on it development comes faster, bugs are addressed swiftly and, if you don’t like one iteration you can jump to another.

    Android has a number of huge advantages over iOS, the community is fantastic and – unlike their Apple counterparts – can often show you tweaks that will address any issues you have.

    Don’t like the way your stock Android homescreen works?  Try one of Mappn’s replacements, or Open Home, or DXTop, or ADW or any of the others.  Don’t like the onscreen keyboard?  How about Better Keyboard, Swype, or any of the other replacement keyboards.  Want to control particular parts of your phone, switch the wi-fi, APN, screen brightness or anything else from your homescreen?  Grab a widget from the Market.

    Sure, Apple makes pretty products that work well for what Saint Steve wants you to be able to do.  The App Store’s easy for a user to navigate, but if you want your phone to be yours and you don’t want to have to plug your phone into a computer just to upgrade it then Android’s the way forward.

    And of course the choice doesn’t stop with the OS.  Because it’s open anyone can make a phone based on it.  Want a physical keyboard?  Droid does ;-P, want a really good camera?  There’s a phone for that, want a tiny phone to pop in your pocket?  Yep, you’re covered.

    So, why would you want an open OS if your not a developer?  Because you’re not a sheep, liking what you’re told to like because it’s all you’re getting.  Because you want specific features that allow you to do what you want when you want.

    Because you want to be treated like an adult, and given choice.

    Image credit: Digital Clio

  • 06Jul

    Can customer service really make that much of a difference?

    Android, G1, Galaxy S No Comments

    I mentioned the other day that my Galaxy S had arrived, I waxed lyrical about the gorgeous Super AMOLED screen, the speed, Android 2.1, and I even managed to get to grips with the on screen keyboard thanks to Swype.

    But it was on Virgin, T-Mobile didn’t have their version yet (and still don’t by the way) but yesterday I phoned Virgin and asked them to take it back. It was a wrench, especially now that I’m back to my G1 (which I love, but it’s really showing its age now) but I just couldn’t cope with Virgin as my network for the next 18 months. It’s bad enough that they’re the only broadband provider who can send me 20 Mbps speed, at least I have a bit of a clue about that and can fix most minor issues myself. The thought of being passed around from pillar to post for over half an hour every time I call and still not getting my issue sorted just fills me with dread. Being randomly called “Mr Ethan, Mr Hartley, Kris, Kristopher and the worst one – Mr Hart (they can’t actually get my name in their box!) just doesn’t do it for me I’m afraid.

    So it’s patience for me while T-Mobile decide to get their finger out, but at least I’ll be able to keep my G1 as a fall back phone, with its keyboard and D-ball.

    *sigh!*

    Image source: Answering Service Toronto

  • 04Jul

    Swype – A follow up

    Android, Apps, Opinion No Comments

    A couple of weeks ago I wrote a short piece about the new keyboard replacement app for Android.  Well, I’ve been using it for a little while now and I’ve also used it on the Samsung Galaxy S as well as on my G1.  I can tell you that the difference in screen sizes really makes all the difference to how I feel about the app.

    On the G1 I said that I wasn’t enamoured with it.  It was cool, and a great little idea.  It worked well for short burst messages and was definitely faster than the standard on screen keyboard.  I still stand by that statement.  But on the 4″ screen of the Galaxy S it’s a completely different animal.  My typos and the number of times I had to select an alternative from the suggested replacement was much lower.  In fact I would go so far as to say it was a pleasure to use!  (Bear in mind dear reader that I am a confirmed Hardware keyboard aficionado - so it’s high praise indeed.)

    So, what’s Swype all about?  How about I let Swype tell you all about it?

    And the TechCrunch guys did a comparison with the iPhone:

  • 30Jun

    In a Galaxy (S) far, far away..

    Galaxy S No Comments

    Well, my Samsung Galaxy S has arrived and I have to admit, even as an Android fan, I’m very impressed!

    Of course, I’ve only been using it for a few hours but it’s just so pretty – the live wallpapers are amazing, the Super AMOLED screen is clear, crisp and easy to use, and it’s so much lighter than I was expecting.

    There’s only a couple of issues that I have with it at the moment, the lack of a keyboard is a bit weird and I really am missing it. But I’m sure I could get used to it. No, the big issue for me is that it’s with Virgin, their attempt at customer service is woeful, I always end up with the Indian call centres and have found myself twice now being passed from department to department for half an hour before being randomly cut off. I’m also finding that, even though Virgin use T-Mobile’s network, the 3G reception seems to be much poorer.

    I’m going to give it a couple of days, but if I don’t see an improvement soon I may just have to stick with my G1 until T-Mobile get their finger out.

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