Netbooks Are Going To Fly This Christmas Season
The real question in my mind is if these small laptop devices really have a future. As I sit down at my grandparent's kitchen table, I type on keys that are 92% of the normal size keyboard. I hardly notice a difference in the quality, boot time, and options. My HP Mini 311-1000NR
I've sold my MacBook, and until I splurge on some sort of powerful desktop or laptop, I've got this brand new netbook. My expectations are quite high and I need everything to work. I keep saying in mind, I have papers to write and things to do – it all just needs to work.
Picking up the 3.2 lbs Mini, I know that I have a powerful and sturdy device in hand. The keys are responsive and the QWERTY part of the keyboard is well sized and perfect for my keystrokes. The start time is a little slower compared to other netbooks, but I hardly notice it because I'm constantly having it hibernate.
I start up and log in to Windows XP Home, the computer is slow to allow any start to applications, but I get something open soon enough. It has a convenient on/off button for the WLAN card inside that has b/g wireless capabilities. Which begs me to ask the rhetorical question, “Are you kidding me?” There's a child-like card inside what's supposed to be an ultra-portable netbook. At least throw in Wireless-N. But the switch is effective and nice to have either way.
Connecting to a network, I realize the potential power behind a device like this; I'm connected! Connected anywhere and everywhere these days; internet and open Wi-Fi spots seem to pop up constantly. And I have an on-the-go device that can effortlessly slip into my backpack and go unnoticed because of its svelte weight and dimensions.
But here's where I run into trouble. The device is essentially incapable of running Flash videos. This cracks me up, we're in the tech age right now – how the hell can't these laptops play Flash video? I'm not the only one. Comment after comment on a number of different netbooks talk about “performance.” It's not real performance that's an issue – I can multitask relatively well. It's video that's essentially unplayable and intolerable.
Downloading the latest episode of the Totally Rad Show in HD, I find that the video plays back, and gets better as the video goes along, but it's still stuttering and the frames per second are barely cutting it. The HP Mini 311, featuring an HD-resolution screen can't even playback quality HD content! Seamless playback was never an issue on my MacBook. How does a 1.6 GHz processor and Nvidia Ion graphics card fail so miserably?
The answer is complicated, but the basic idea is that Flash media is processor and memory intensive. In future updates there's hope that it'll be reduced. It needs to be reduced before it'll run on devices like the Motorola Droid
The bottom line is that I love the simplicity and portability of netbooks. There's tremendous potential behind them and a growing market. People will be buying more of these, and makers of Flash and other HD content will become better producers of content for these devices. Now after a little less than a week of owning the device, I looked at Amazon.com to see the latest prices on my device and comparable ones; I'm shocked, Amazon.com is offering the bigger brother HP Mini 311-1025NR
If you need something that can handle video whatsoever, I'd recommend the HP Mini 311-1025NR
Droid Does Tethering: How-To Guide (Free!)
Missing my iPhone is a long lost phenomena. I shudder to think about how cut off I was before the Droid. The Motorola Droid with Verizon Wireless service has been incredible. Where AT&T's service was consistently inconsistent, Verizon's is always on. Recently, I went on a road trip from Colorado to California and was amazed at the consistency of service across the desolate landscape of Nevada and Utah. I decided to get creative and really test my device's capabilities.
The Droid has been advertised as the king of devices and the multi-tasker of the powerful. I naturally said, “Let's see what you're made of.” I had long known about a little company called PDAnet. PDAnet is an app maker for devices like the iPhone or Android software. I had always been tempted to use it with my iPhone, but was unfortunately dissuaded by horror stories and awful reception. The iPhone would require a jailbrake and then the app download; not that big a deal, but much harder then I would soon find out on my Droid.
The Android market and software system is incredibly powerful, but it's taken me a few weeks to understand all of its potential. The market is very open, with few apps being removed because of the open market – users vote to remove an application. The market is so open that PDAnet, maker of the tethering app for my Droid, has a nice little home. Just do a simple search and you're off. Download the app and it'll be on your phone within seconds.
As a previous iPhone owner, this is where I say, “That's too easy, something is bound to fail or block me.” But then I install the software from PDAnet's website, USB tether my Droid, and plug it into my new HP Mini 311
Connect.
Verify.
On.
That's it. On the internet and surfing at rates up to 2.4 Mbps, but it's more like 115 Kb/s average. Regardless, it feels like high-speed DSL, and I'm insanely happy. My netbook can have internet whenever and wherever I want!
I have been reading about tethering for a few weeks now, and have noticed a common theme in forum posts. “Does PDAnet work with the Droid?” Verizon associates have been telling consumers that the Droid “does not tether” and that it will be about “$15 more a month to enable tethering on the Droid [next year].” Verizon is not exactly lying, but it isn't the whole truth. Verizon will most likely announce tethering software a la Verizon-brand to the market next year. After that, Verizon customers will be able to download the software and tether; albeit at a cost, $15 a month. Why suffer the extra cost burden and wait?
Tethering isn't illegal; in fact, the Android system encourages this type of open development, which is geared towards internet for all. Go try it out today – let us know how it works or if you have any questions below.
Caution: Remember Verizon still has a cap on the "unlimited data" -- it's still just 5GB of data per month.
Top 5 Android Apps for Motorola Droid
It's been a couple weeks without my iPhone, I expected withdrawals; instead, I'm loving my new Droid. This device is powerful and when people ask what I think, I don't know how to respond. You'll like your iPhone, no doubt, but give this device a chance and you'll go crazy over the Motorola Droid. But this isn't a review, we've already done that.
I've been trying to hone in on the most important and vital apps for my new Android 2.0 phone. With the help of Twitter followers and Luke, I've come up with a great list of top 5 Android apps for my wonderfully powerful Droid. If you enjoy this, check out our Top 3 News and Weather Apps for Motorola Droid too!
- Google Voice -- [Link to Site]
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I've been addicted to Google Voice, it saves me something like $15 to $20 every month on texting and I can call ANY number with a secure, controllable line from Google. Google Voice may actually be more important, relevant, and usable than Google Wave. There's so much potential with this technology. On an Android phone, unlike the closed off iPhone, you can have the Google Voice App take over all calls -- even international ones! By taking over the device, any call that I make through the phone emulates my Google Voice number. No inconvenient Google Voice mobile website for me [on an iPhone], now I just make a phone call. The application transcribes my voicemails and allows for a visual form too. This visual system saves me yet another $2.99 -- Verizon charges that for visual mail access.
- Downsides: No messaging app support, SMS messages are not pushed (fetched at every 5 mins -- fastest rate), must have a data connection to make phone call through GV number.
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- Pandora -- [Link to Site]
This is nothing new, and it's still the ultimate personalized radio. Pandora delivers a fantastic application and service to Android and iPhone. The experience is hindered by a basic ad on the bottom of the application, but it's nothing compared to the ads and messages that Pandora places on its website. Pandora let's you create personalized stations with a thumbs up/down voting system. It allows you to bookmark songs and artists for later viewing. The application also supports the adding and removal of new "stations" that can be based off of artist, song, album, etc.- Downsides: Advertisements on the bottom of application, improper Bluetooth support (doesn't stop playing if Bluetooth headphones are disconnected), and still slow, despite the Droid's processor power.
- DoggCatcher -- [Link to Site]
There is no native application to download, subscribe, and listen to your latest podcasts. DoggCatcher is the perfect accoutrement to your powerful device. It comes at a price though, $6.99, which makes it one of the most expensive apps in the Market. In fact, it's the only app that requires a purchase on this list. But it's still well worth it and powerful. DoggCatcher lets you select and subscribe to your favorite podcasts, and unlike the iPhone (AT&T), you can download as large a file as you'd like. While burning through battery, it can download that 131 MB episode of Diggnation for immediate viewing. And if you don't feel like burning through battery life, you can choose to have the device only download new episodes on Wi-Fi and/or while being plugged into power. Unlike Pandora, DoggCatcher responds to disconnects from headphones and Bluetooth, pausing where you are.- Downsides: Price tag ($6.99), no automatic downloads despite a subscription (still need to queue downloads), and small selection of suggested podcasts.
Motorola Droid Review (Updated)
Alrighty, so here's my initial review of the Motorola Droid.
Apps:
We all know that there aren't enough, but it's growing and there are some decent apps already out there.
Navigation:
Google Maps with Navigation is an amazing upgrade. But it's buggy, slow, and a major battery hog.
Screen:
The screen is brilliantly clear and responsive. Great for watching video on YouTube or through a podcast. Unfortunately, it's been picking up finger prints too easily.
Speed:
The home screens are slow to switch between pages, but the actual in and out/start and close of apps is incredibly fast.
Camera:
Definitely better than an iPhone 3GS, but not a major step up. The camera has so much potential and this may just be a software error. It's slow, unresponsive and hard to tell when you've actually taken a picture.
On-Screen buttons:
Sometimes unresponsive. Frustrating, and I wish their was a better "home" button like the iPhone.
Battery:
Hard to charge the unit with a computer or on a non-traditional USB charging device. The Droid has to be plugged into the wall charger to make any battery progress. Otherwise, the battery life is fantastic after a full charge.
Google Voice:
Definitely a major upgrade over iPhone's non-existent support. Phone calls are quick and the quality is surprisingly good. This is such a time saver! Needs to send SMSs into the Messaging app for a more seamless interface with the phone (but that's an upgrade that the individual app needs to do).
More to come! Stay tuned and subscribe to Twitter updates @DrPsychology
Updated: Camera now works great! The focus is back and is taking fantastic pics! Now, head on over to this post to see the Top 5 Android Apps for the Motorola Droid!
3.1.2 iPhone OS now Unlockable!
Geohot has recently announced a new blackra1n version, which will be intended to unlock iPhones with OS versions 3.1.2+. The unlock will allow the iPhone to operate on all GSM carriers, without restrictions.
For many US iPhone users, that means you can now choose between T-Mobile and AT&T. And if you're abroad for any reason, pick up a cheap SIM-card and plug it into the iPhone--you should have no problem (as long it is also a GSM carrier)!
Check out an eBay auction that is now advertising a 3.1.2 iPhone 3GS that's unlockable with Blackra1n.
Jailbraking an iPhone with Blackra1n
Curious how you go about jailbraking an iPhone? Go to blackra1n.com and download the software. Plug in your iPhone, run it, and horay--you have it! Simple, right?
Keep in mind that jailbraking can void your warranty! Watch out and mind the risk.
Facebook 3.1 to get Push Notifications
Here's some breaking news for iPhone users--the Facebook app will be getting a lift.
Facebook iPhone update: 3.03 with bug fixes coming soon, and 3.1 with push notifications to follow.
From Joe Hewitt on Twitter.
“Droid Does” will lead to “iPhone Does Too”
Just a few days ago, I wrote a post on the Google/Verizon collaboration and what that means for Apple. Now, Verizon is gearing up with their campaign entitled, "Droid Does." The campaign aims at the missing attributes of Apple's little iPhone.
The iPhone doesn't do/have: multitasking, a 5MP camera, open-source development, Google Voice, etc. But here's an early prediction, Apple will soon have a face off with Verizon's new "killer." If the environment and competition warrants it, I foresee Apple and AT&T retracing a number of their preventative methods, which hinder the phone's greater capabilities.
Verizon's Droid is due to come out on October 30th, with some estimates pointing to an early November release date. Either way, the phone its accompanying specs will quickly stunt the iPhone's growth; that is, if Apple and AT&T do nothing.
That's where I think we're going to get a healthy does of competition. Apple can quickly and easily allow apps to background and therefore multitask--it just takes the flick of a switch and a major press release to developers. All of a sudden, apps like Pandora and NPR, which stream over 3G/EDGE/Wi-Fi, will operate for as long as you want, even while checking your email. No doubt, their will be complaints over battery drain and AT&T's horrid wireless network. But at least the iPhone will have built-in multitasking capabilities.
Soon after that, we could see a firmware update with a major megapixel upgrade to the iPhone. FM capabilities will be a must. Google Voice may soon be approved. And we could see improvements to AT&T's troubled data network.
Maybe the last couple sentences are more of a hope than reality. But without a doubt, competition will force Apple to finally step up. It's time to take advantage of everything the phone is already capable of!