Want to capture your road trips on film but don't have a video recorder to do so? There is an app for that. DailyRoads Voyager is an Android app that records your road trips the moment the app is activated. Recently this app captured a hit-and run in progress! Having a tool like this could give the police the evidence they need to capture offenders. Here is the video of the accident.
For more info on the app and a QR link, head over to Android Central.
I know that throughout this blog, I have taken great pleasure in bashing the iPhone from here to Krypton. But today I bring you a story that does the device justice. We all remember the horrible earthquake that ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010. Something that you may or may not have heard was the story of Dan Woolley, an American film director who was trapped for three days under rubble. Using an app from his iPhone, he was able to survive until he was rescued. Here is his story.
One of the biggest problems that has plagued the smart phone world when users decide to hack or "jailbreak" their phone, thus obtaining complete and utter control of the entire phone database and having access to functions that only the service provider was supposed to have. Jail breaking used to be an illegal action that could get you some jail time, but after a federal ruling last summer, jail breaking has become a legal activity that can only be frowned upon. Im pretty sure that providers and manufacturers are not happy that their legit devices are being digitally raped of its innocence, but hey, it's the law. I am a huge customization fan, so it would be uncharacteristic if I didn't support the jail breaking movement.
Now let's get one thing clear. Jail breaking is an iPhone term. Rootingis an Android term. There isn't really a difference between the two processes and the benefits they yield. So now we are clear.
I've heard of jail breaking before the federal ruling, but it was only in the context of making devices available for other providers or "unlocking" the phone, which wasn't even the case. It wasn't until last year that I purchased my first smart phone and last fall that I rooted the device. The controls that I gained were magnificent and included change of fonts, dumping cache files, overclocking the processor and being able to download and use customized roms that included new features and even a new O.S (going from Android 1.5 to 2.1).
Jail breaking/Rooting is mainly for those individuals that want to take the limitations off of their devices and customize settings and appearances if they get bored of stock settings. After the ruling last summer, jail breaking/ rooting apps became legal as well, and opened the door for such rom companies as Cyanogen mod to hit the field.
In this blog I have already showcased some of the cool benefits of jail breaking/rooting phones, here is one of them again.
Here is a video on why iPhone users should jailbreak
And why Android users should Root
Now are there risks in jail breaking/rooting? Yes for a few reasons. There are multiple ways to root and jail break a device. Youtube is the best way to figure out the best way. If the process is done incorrectly, there is a chance that the phone could be bricked, basically turning it into a paperweight. If an incorrect rom is downloaded, it could destroy the programming and brick the phone. Luckily, roms are optional, and not needed to fully experience the customization power of jail breaking/rooting. Also, most devices can now be un-bricked using programming methods. Even though it's a risk, it's worth it!
Yes I am totally for this ultimate customization process. People are not using these methods for evil purposes, but to enhance user quality for their device. There's nothing wrong with unlocking the true power of a smart phone because, sometimes you just wanna see how smart t is.
For this post, we are going to take a trip over to a very prestigious news source: The Huffington Post. Duh Duh Duuhhhhhh! The article in the light argues that Android speeds in terms of web browsing are indeed quicker than iPhone 4 browser speeds. The android device used was a Samsung Nexus S, which is the predecessor of the powerhouse HTC Nexus One, both powered by Google. The results given are described to contradict prior test results and talks about the speeds for both device and tablets. Let it be known that every test was performed on Wifi, which gives an optimal speed boost from the 3G-4G speeds.
The author does a good job of keeping current with updated information considering that the speed test methods were being questioned in an updated section at the bottom of the page. The author has done a good job of doing research on this issue by knowing the exact download speeds, median load times and obtaining interviews from both sides of the spectrum, even though it seems like its more pro-android based on the interviews. The author is thinking partly as a consumer, because those who are true tech minded would want the company with the fastest device. The question that is on everyone's mind is the rightful topic of this article: iPhone vs. Android: Which is faster for browsing the web?
Something else to think about is the speed of the provider. in this video, the iPhone 4 on both Verizon and AT&T were tested with the Verizon device coming out to be the faster iPhone. It also seems that location is an important factor, as stressed in this article. Also, each provider offers different Wifi speeds, as shown here. I know first hand that speeds vary in different parts of Philadelphia, so how much in different parts of the U.S?
I can see the author of the Huffington article not wanting to go that in depth and leaving it as a quick read, but if this were to be a highly substantial article, some of these areas would have to be addressed. As for what the article is right now, I believe it gives readers what they need to know and also may help them engage in research on the updated issue of the speed tests being faulty and who knows, they may do their own speed test and see for themselves which device is indeed the fastest....for now!
These hackers today are something else. Through the painstaking process of jail breaking, they have managed to possess the iPhone 3G with the essence of the Android operating system. Impossible you say?? Well...silly you for saying such things! Here is the proof!
And the iPhone running Android 2.2 (FroYo)
Now yes, there are lagging issues and some features aren't available...yet, but as time goes on, more stable versions will be ready for the masses to upload to their iPhones so that they too, can experience the power of Android themselves :-P
Now I know the burning question in you mind..."does it work the other way around? Can the iOS run on an android phone?"....well...Yes!
To add legitimacy, the phone used is a HTC Mytouch 3G powered by T-Mobile, which is indeed an Android device. So you see, these two power houses don't have to fight all the time, they can be friends too...for now!
A total blast from the past is back. The T-Mobile Sidekick has returned from the grave in smart phone form and put together by Samsung. If we recall, the sidekick was released in many forms in the past. It's been a few years since the sidekick has been on the market, until now. The new sidekick will come stocked with Android 2.2 (FroYo), 3.5 inch display screen with slider feature, front facing camera, a connection to the T-Mobile HPSA+ network at 21 mbps (4G speeds) and a 1 GHz processor. For more on the release, check here, and here is a nice video to showcase the phone.
Recently, the good folks at Apple have been bombarding the happy box (that's television to you) with commercials that illustrate what consumers would be missing if they didn't own an iPhone. Here is an example of a few. Now if you are like me who has watched all of these commercials (sometimes all in the same night), your response will be a resounding "WHO CARES!" Seriously, has the mighty Apple corporation been reduced to making commercials based on the premise of acting like people are actually missing something legitimate if they don't purchase an iPhone? Yes!
As we remember from the early iPhone days, the running slogan that captured the hearts of millions was "There is an app for that". I found myself pretty enamored by the slogan and seeing how many things the iPhone could do through the use of its apps. That, of course, was before I got into the hi-tech cell game. Since then, Google's Android system has greatly advanced into the super power it is now. So now the iPhone slogan has changed to fit it's primary focus since now Android has an "app for that" as well...for almost anything.
Apple prides itself on having the largest app market around. Well according to the graphs and charts from recent app market studies, it comes down to the quality of the market. While iPhone has a larger market, Android is gaining some pretty good ground. Plus, there are a larger number of apps that are free on the Android's market that are free on the iPhone market. As far as the ipod factor, there are apps such as Air Sync that allow for Android users to wirelessly sync all content to their PCs and/or laptops. This also includes iTunes. There are also tons of other apps on the Android market that can do just what the iPhone can do, if not more. But don't take my word for it, let this guy show you!
In closing, Apple's contagious commercials of the past were enough to cause a stir amongst iPhone and non iPhone users. Since that prompted more than a simple response form Android, Apple has now resorted to these attempts to shift the focus to it's more popular features. As an Android users and someone who is up to date on the technology, these features, while being the popular flagships, are weak in comparison to the vast amount of apps on Android that can do the same things, if not more. Let's not even mention that the iPhone cannot use video chat on it's 3G service (WiFi only), has no 4G service, no Data plan, has NO Adobe Flash and lacks customizable options including (excluding wallpapers now) but including live wallpapers. All of these Android can do and does possess. So simply, if you don't have an iPhone, you're not missing anything.
