Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

and higher spec of hardware sir, but too much fragmentation of chipset, too much android will kill android, but damn theyre improving themself everyday, ics is so cool, *sigh

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

what amazes and disappoints me about Android is that I can't carry through my chess dream even on the Acer Iconia A500 I now have.

All I want to do is sit here reading a chess book (I have some ready in the Kindle app) and play through the moves using a great chess display program such as Scid, which I have in a good Android version.

But I see no way to display both programs at once even on the 10 inch screen I have! I can look at the moves or look at the commentary on the moves -- take my pick!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Then you will LOVE this...
Android gets multi-windowed UI with new Wind River software modules

Or this...
Windowed Android UI by Ixonos Makes an Appearance

In the meantime, you can also read this for technical reasons regarding why Android isn't natively windowed... yet:
https://plus.google.com/105051985738...ts/XAZ4CeVP6DC

In the meantime, today you could multi-pane (instead of windowed):
http://www.onskreen.com/cornerstone/

Hope this was helpful or at least genuinely hopeful information. Cheers!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

@geneven: If you can access what you would like to read using a browser then you can use OverSkreen (not to be confused with Onskreen) to make mutiple windows for browsing. The window (or windows) will sit on top of whatever app you are running i.e. Chess game, mail, polaris, angrybirds and so on. One nice thing is that if at some point you prefer to have full screen with your app you can tap a button on the top of the Overskreen window that relegates it to the taskbar. Going to the taskbar you can bring it back. Now, lets say, while playing chess you would like to listen to Mozart but do not have any music available. If you have the Stickit app, you can go to Youtube, pick your favorite piece, say the clarinet quintet, and then play it using Stickit with no screen visible if prefered. Unfortunately it will not make your cappuccino!

@danramos I think there is great hope here and the multitasking experience will continue improve on android due to growing interest in the android community. Perhaps partly due to former N900 users having to switch to android! Currently, (I prefer to be wrong here) I do not think any of the products you mention are generally available in a form that they can readily be used.The only exception is cornerstone onskreen that provides, for free, a ROM for the galaxy tab. Have you given it a try? Anyways, if anyone knows of a product that one can run apps in a window (less desirably in a multi-pane) on the Galaxy Note I'd definitely like to know!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I've always debated this...and frankly on a smartphone, a tablet or even a Galaxy Note, we shouldn't have a need to see two applications concurrently. But I think it would make a lot complex things much more practical.

Onscreen's approach was also good, but I didn't quite like it. I think the screen should have 3 modes: Portrait (one app), Landscape (one app), and Landscape (side by side, two apps). Having 3 available was sometimes counter-productive.

And I wish the ICS navi-buttons would be permanently fixed on the screen. Sometimes your playing an app and it disappears, you want to open another app but the only way to escape is to hit the sleep and wake the device. Happened to me a couple times too much, and its annoying as fvck, it proves Android has no multitasking ability. And getting rid of the Menu button was the biggest mistake Google has made in the last 2 years, its a disaster by a design and a functionality standpoint

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Also it is helpful to show or juxtapose multiple things in the same app. Like the mail on Galaxy note is nice in landscape because you can see what is in the inbox and an actual message at the same time.

One thing I especially do not like on the Galaxy note is the long press to get to the task manager. It was so annoying to me that I have made a shortcut to task manager on nearly every screen. You might also consider Wave Launcher. You can set it up to go directly to another app or the task manager with a swipe upwards. It pauses the app you are currently using when you go to a new one. It is a little awkward at times but it works ok.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I purchased a Transformer Prime + Dock KB and loving it, got none of the problems few people reported who was early adopters, dont like Asus half *** implementation for unlocking bootloader though but least its something till someone hacks a better way to do it.
Just need to wait now till Tegra 3 devices become the norm so more apps are built to take advantage of the multiple cores and GFX

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

While Nokia moved increasingly FARTHER AWAY from open-source, Google's Android is moving TOWARD openness:

With Linux merge, expect Android flowers to bloom
Developers outside Google who want to build on the mobile OS's foundation should be able to stretch out and blossom. That should pay dividends for building a better Android.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57...wers-to-bloom/

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

It's not so that Google is creating new code which is adopted into The Mainline Kernel (Linux)... its moreso that Linux is becoming more -droidish and Android becoming less -droidish.

All the performance boosts in software we've seen from the iterations are simply [linux] available code that entered into the Android Kernel.

I think Android will ALWAYS be separated from the mainline kernel. But they are getting more shared features, and eventually the AMP (Android Mainlining Project) will be complete.

So that certain devices (eg Nexus) can have the AOSP-kernel removed and replaced with a hybrid-kernel (Linux with crucial aosp differences) so that it can run *some linux code without prior modification. Or perhaps the opposite, so an (old?) x86 device that's used for nix (ubuntu/rh/osuse) can get its kernel stripped and replaced with AMP so that android can be compatible within the build--I'm not talking about ssh environments either, talking about native running code.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

how crap is the android store for finding tablet optimised apps, they have a little stinky"staff picks for tablets" section but nothing proper so no way of knowing if an app is stretched to fit or optimised properly.
If anyone as any suggestions for me of good tablet apps please drop a reply in here or PM.

cheers guys

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

^Problem is that my NOTE has the same resolution as lets say the SG Tab. The tablet optimized App will fit pixel-for-pixel perfectly on my phone, but the ui elements would be too small and cramped.

The same goes the other way around. Something optimized for the NOTE will be pixel-for-pixel fitted into the SG Tab, but all the ui elements would be stretched and the potential of the extra space will be wasted.

That's why Android uses a dpi solution. Problem is, the whole thing is made into one mega package (.apk) so that after its downloaded, the Android Installer chooses the right configuration. This wastes storage, internet download/server traffic and is a "messy" situation. But it works.

The reason there's a lot of problems with this is because its completely reliant on the developers to put in the effort and "re-write" their app so that it supports other dpi's. And the reason developers haven't put in the effort is easy: there's no incentive. Google needs to start placing tags (HD ?) to signify its available for tablets. And Google probably should allow the developers to create the differed dpi Apps in separate .apk's but launched them under one title. So if I searched for "Temple Run" I would only get one result, and in the information panel it would clearly show the App is available for tablets. Next part, Google Market (Play ?) should automatically detect which (dpi) version is necessary for the device you are downloading it to, and it should fetch the correct version for you...keeping the download rates smaller, less stress on the server, quicker installation, and a lot smoother experience. This makes the problem reliant on Google, meaning developers won't hesitate as much.

For iOS it doesn't matter as much, since Apple has strict regulations anyways, and the developers don't expect much flexibility. Apple has streamlined their developer kits aimed at the iPhone and iPad independently, but sharing everything in common. Apple's created a new ecosystem, and alot of incentive for developers to target the iPad. Google should copy Apple's business model in terms of this.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

In general, except for a very few exceptions, all phone apps render perfectly in the Galaxy Note. Don't worry about that.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Maybe these will help?
http://play.google.com/store/apps/co...ablet_featured

There's also this 'Tablified Market HD' (free and Pro versions) you could try out:
http://www.starkinsider.com/2012/03/...id-tablet.html

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

App situation as a whole was beyond funny on my transformer back when i bought it.
Got myself ipad 2 back then and haven't looked back. User experience, apps and speed are couple of levels above.

It doesn't get bloated either like so far my Transformer and GS2. Android really needs to work on the smoothness still and user experience before i try them again.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Thanks for this piece of information. I'd been debating about a Galaxy Nexus, but the lack of expandable memory was making me hesitate. The fact that I might lose the ability to easily change between applications (already one of Android's biggest drawbacks) makes it that much easier to cross the Nexus off the lists of possible choices.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

This does bug me about android. And it makes me appreciate multitasking on Maemo/Meego so much. But the Galaxy Nexus is still the android device that I currently want. Even over the HTC One X. I'm happy with my N9, but still debating on picking up a GN.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

After 3 months deliberating between the Transformer Prime and Samsung Galaxy Note I finally decided to go for the Transformer Prime. Should hopefully arrive tomorrow.

I was in the extremely difficult situation deciding position because I already have the original (7 inch) Galaxy Tab so have a device smack in the middle of a 5.3 inch phablet and a 10 inch tablet so won't have really felt the full benefit of either.

Add to that the fact that getting an android device is already an incredibly tough decision cause you know no matter what you get you know that something better would be coming out just around the corner. Waited till MWC to see if Samsung would have a tablet that would beat the Transformer Prime but they didn't. Also already know that there is a higher resolution Prime coming out sometime soon.

In the end decided would be better to wait to see if I prefer the Galaxy SIII to the Note than wait to see if any 10 inch tablet comes out which I prefer to the Transformer Prime (besides the higher resolution version). For now I will keep using my N900 as my phone though I don't use it for anything besides calls as my Galaxy Tab does everything I was using the N900 for and much more.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

SGS III would only be a evolutionary step-up from the NOTE. Besides a 5.3in screen is way better than a 4.6in screen, if you are man enough to handle it ;)

The tab you were reffering to is the ASUS Transformer Prime Infinity....comes with a better screen to match the iPad3, (higher clocked?) Tegra 3 and (thinner profile ?).

The ASUS would be obsolete in 6 months.
There's no alternative to the NOTE, maybe in another 9 months.

After using the NOTE combined with my Ultrabook...there's simply no room for a tablet in my life, maybe if the tablet could dock and run Windows/Linux.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

User experience is Android's only flaw...can't wait for that to be sorted :)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

You could be a bit more specific. :) ...or could it be?
http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...49/023/2b1.jpg

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Yep I am pretty sure I will still end up getting the Note rather than the SIII. But for now a 10 inch tablet is a higher priority than a new phone. As I already have a 7 inch tablet which is portable enough to carry almost everywhere with me I lose the main benefit of the Note which is a big screen on the go as I already have a bigger screen on the go.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

The current app pool seems to lack a specific design language, I'm not sure how to put it in words, but it's not cohesive and seems separated. ICS has changed it but only the native apps seem to follow it, and even then I've discovered some inconsistencies in the UI. It lacks a specific identity....I guess that's the payoff for being open and flexible I suppose.
I wish Android used Qt Quick Meego/harmattan components and squircles lol, I wonder if anyone tried to do that

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

^ You know you're debating apple's and oranges. Google has limited control over 3rd party software. Then again, if Google were to be too limiting in its own App Store, it would give an opportunity for a competing App Store to overtake it...like the Amazon App Store!

Can you be precise what you mean about inconsistencies in the native apps. Such was a case in Froyo, but not in GB or ICS from what I've noticed....unless you really mean "native apps" that are oem made.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

My Mumma wants to buy for herself a Galaxy Note 10.1 when it's out - Of course I'm the one to go take it and populate with apps - Am I a lucky son or not? ;)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

...inb4 "lucky son of a b*tch". :D

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Awesome. Don't forget to root it and install ubuntu for her!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

it's some little things like when in calender on day view, u have to swipe left to right to go to the other day however u have to swipe down to go month to month in month view., Pressing return on the home screen of the app doesn't exit it. Search button is on the left sometimes sometimes it's on the right. I find myself having to look for things...it's not obvious as I expect it to be. It's leaps and bounds over gingerbread no doubt though. Minor gripes I think. It is the best OS out there, was just sayin

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Meet Cid, CyanogenMod’s new mascot !
It marking the group’s success/maturity as a leading OS or branch off the Android curb:
http://1.androidauthority.com/wp-con...yanogenMod.jpg


I agreee with many, I don't like this mascot. Where to begin?

The name - "Cid".
It feels like a copy of Cydia for iOS, and it doesn't help Android's case as "iOS Copycat".
My suggestion - "Cym".
Its new, its funky and different. Mostly thanks to the letter "Y" which is pronounced as an "I" a little twist. Furthermore, it has the C the Y and the M (main words) of CyanogenMod. Or maybe even puns off it like Cymbal or Cymoid etc.

The looks - too mainstream.
The new look has a bland, humanoid shape to it. It scores good points for its simple design but the overall effect is undesirable.
It needs to be something more distinct, weirder, spunkier, a little more Pokemon-ish.

My suggestion: "Cym"
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1263/cym3.png

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Well after spending months deliberating about whether to get a Transformer Prime or a Galaxy Note it turns out I needeth have bothered. Few days after I got myself a Transformer Prime my wife suprised me with a lovely white Galaxy Note for my birthday. Have now rooted the device (had to install a custom rom because the root tools I could find do not work on the Giingerbread version of the note). Now restoring all my apps and data from my Galaxy Tab with Titanium Backup. Unfortunately still as yet no working root method for the Transfomer Prime so have been unable to restore all my stuff.

So now time to officially retire my N900 and my Galaxy Tab as no need for either device now that I have a 5 inch phablet and a 10 inch tablet. Wife has already laid claim to the Galaxy Tab. Could of course get her to try using the N900 as a phone if I want her to file for a divorce as she would surely hate me after using it for only a day.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Hey CONGRATS on a DOUBLE RAINBOW EPIC WIN!! :)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Samsung Reportedly Tops Nokia In Mobile Devices

"The king is dead, long live the king! Ok, Nokia is far from dead, though Samsung may have stolen its throne, crown, and possibly girlfriend (http://goo.gl/eOERB). Declining sales from Nokia in the feature-phone market, failure to successfully make a dent with their Windows Phones, and unheard of success by Samsung, seems to have been enough to move Samsung into the top spot in sales. The question is this: will Nokia continue its plunge into irrelevance? Samsung certainly looks like it's still in great shape." --someone we know on Google+ ;)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

It was only a matter of time I guess haha.

How do you like your GN? I am thinking of trying one seeing how they keep dropping in price every week.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

all about time before nokia become a zombie, overtaken by m$?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I'm loving the device itself a lot, LOVE the new operating system even more but Verizon... ugh. I truly, truly wish I didn't bother renewing with Verizon as a carrier. Their network is technically excellent but the company fights tooth and nail to make SURE they get everything in their own best interest at the expense of everyone else and they end up pissing all over Google and us customers. I feel like I might not last until the end of my two-year contract... just pay up the penalty for leaving contract early and just go to another carrier that doesn't act so damned totalitarian. (The problem being there are very, very few national-sized carriers to choose from and they pretty much all are like that, more or less, thanks to very little regulation from the government in the name of consumers.)

The damned FCC is useless.

Anyway... as I said, Verizon crippling aside, I freaking LOVE the phone otherwise. REALLY fluid, fast and solid! Ice Cream Sandwich even fixed ALLLLLL my complaints about HID profiles--like wonderfully natural bluetooth mouse support and ALL the important keys on my bluetooth keyboards work in pretty much every terminal... like the escape, control, alt, etc. It's made my phone FAR more useful than my tablet running 2.3 (gingerbread) at this point!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

ACER announced ICS for the A500 and A100 April 27.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Thanks! Yeah I still really want one. Will probably wait for S3 to be released and see the Nexus drop to $400 or lower (it's currently at $430) since I won't want to drop all that cash for an S3 anyway.

Someone wants to trade me their GNex for my white n9. I don't really want to give up my N9 (especially because I waited forever for it), and also because the Gnex is constantly dropping in price and I know I will get one cheaper once the S3 releases. Tempting though...

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

@danramos

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Galaxy Nexus, can you see any reason why I shouldn't?

Thanks in advance.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Well, I went ahead anyway. If you're in the U.S., here's the link:

http://www.google.com/nexus/

Unlocked, direct from Google for $399.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

At that price for a fully unlocked world phone with these specs.. hell, no--I can't find a reason not to! I wouldn't find a reason not to. I was almost tempted to buy this one just to have a GSM version.. but I had to keep reminding myself I already have one for LTE. Be sure to get a really nice bluetooth keyboard and/or mouse, too, and download "Terminal IDE" (free). It's INCREDIBLY good under Ice Cream Sandwich for ssh/scripting/etc.

Let me know how your experience goes and if you have any questions. ENJOY!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Thanks for the info. Yeah, it seemed like a no-brainer. I've been off-contract for over 5 years now, and finding a desirable pentaband smartphone for my T-Mobile service hasn't left many choices. And now there's a rumor that an ICS version of the Note is coming to T-Mobile, which is interesting. I wonder if that will be a world phone/phablet thingy.