Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

No surprises.
The Allwinner A10 is a Cortex A8 on steroids.

However, I would like to see it running on the newest AMLogic MX chips or the new Rokchip ones. They're close to the OMAP 4430-4470 design, so should be close performance to that "open source chip".

Tegra (ahem*Nvidia*ahem) is a no-go.
Qualcomm S4-dual is a beast, but is a no-go. The Quad-S4 is moreso.

The Exynos 4412 has a nix dev board.
OMAP 5530 is just on the horizon.

I wonder how the openSUSE-ARM project is going, its the closest thing to MeeGo.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I find it odd but heartening to point out that although CM9 and CM10 won't work on my ancient Motorola Droid, apparently, CyanogenMod continues to support the old thing at CM7. I still have CM 7.0.2 on my Droid because I thought they'd stopped.. but lo and behold, I saw a recent release of CM 7.2.0 and nightlies as recent as 9/23/2012 (five days ago). I also noticed that my Galaxy Tab 7 (which is about two years old soon) also got CM10 nightlies (Jellybean!).

Meanwhile, my Nokia N800 hasn't seen a proper real upgrade in a long time and still shows all those long-dead links to Nokia sites that no longer exist... some of which were baked into the OS and couldn't be removed just like the media player and other dependencies. :P How're the N900 updates coming along, by the way?

It's ironic that Google didn't really TALK a lot about embracing open-source with Android but it did it reasonably well, but Nokia did a LOT of talking about open-source with Maemo then Meego and did very little open-source and instead crippled things more and more as they went along--finally not even implementing a full on MeeGo device, instead releasing a half-backed Maemo with MeeGo aspirations.

Just pointing out how OPENING up more to open-source kept the value of an old device, unlike Nokia's positioning of CLOSING up more and ignoring the bug reports and customers.

Discuss. :)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

For those who like me bought the Sygic GPS navigator for Maemo, just be aware that it is possible to transfer their license to an Android device. I sent a message to their support and they replied in less than a day with a new product code.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Good to see a mapping software manufacturer that supports customers long after their initial purchase unlike my old Wayfinder license. :)

Since we're on the topic.. has anybody seen the new Tom Tom app? Tt looks GREAT but it refuses to run on any new hardware (My Droid will run it, but NOTHING else I have would).

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

If you are interested in a fast, light browser, try https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...v.nakedbrowser

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

You guys may also want to check out boat browser. On the Nexus 7 it is simply the fastest browser that I have tried and it has nice features and a polished UI.

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=boat+browser

I've tried a few including Naked Browser, Opera, Nine sky, Chrome, etc. So far boat is best IMO.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

If you haven't tried chrome as of the jellybean 4.2 update, you should do yourself a favour and try it out. The problems with freezing and slow loading have vanished completely and the browser is very fast once again on my nexus 7. Thankfully it is once again my default browser

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I haven't noticed any freezing or slowness at ALL in Chrome on my Nexus 7 nor on my Galaxy Nexus ever in any version of ICS or JB, to be honest.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

how to install Android 4.0.4.
is calling function working ?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Wrong thread?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Is it valid from n900 sygic to aura?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

It seems that the Nexus 7 has some issues with ssd write performance that affect the UI for different users. I am one of those users. My random write performance is really weak, and this can block the UI if there are any file ops on the main thread -- like caching pages in the browser. I assume that this is at the heart of what I was experiencing, but whatever the real reason, it has been fixed as of the latest release.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I don't know. For me, it was valid for sygic n900 to sygic android.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Ok, I will try to conntact them and see if im in luck. How is the android version , for me on n900(version 9, 10) crached quite often during navigation. Have you used it a lot. Better than google maps? Pros cons?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

No crashes. Google maps has some issues, and the main is the need for mobile connectivity for routing and showing maps; but its maps seem more recent.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Wow.. that was quick. I'm running 4.2 now. These updates are coming fast... and I REALLY like the new separated drop-down notification (single swipe down from the left side of the status bar on a tablet, or single swipe down from anywhere on a small screen or phone) vs drop-down power-buttons (single swipe down from the right side of the status bar on a tablet, or a two-finger swipe down from anywhere on a small screen or phone). I like that a LOT... less real-estate wasted on symbols and bars and other stuff that doesn't need to be there. Although, I'm not sure I'm a fan of the lockscreen widgets--but it seems like a lot of people like them... and I DO like that I don't HAVE to have anything I don't like but everyone else can enjoy it too. :)

Oh the vast possibilities and configurations. I love Android more and more lately. NICELY done! I can't get over what an incredibly wasted opportunity Nokia had to be wayyyy out in front of all of this. >.<

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I too really enjoy the iterative changes in Android 4.2. There are a few things that I would have preferred for the stock experience, but these have more to do with the default apps, minor UI tweaks, and certain default OS settings. But these are mere nitpicks, as the experience is quite good overall.

The OS itself, seems to run very well, and the changes to the UI are very welcome. I'm looking forward to the Nexus 10 (as a shareable tablet, and a mobile development device), and the oh-so-gorgeous Nexus 4. I'm interested in noting the differences in performance that the various SoCs offer -- something tells me that the Exynos 5250 will perform extremely well with excellent SSD performance and best-in-class single-thread CPU performance.

As a developer, I'm very excited by the new APIs. One of the most understated features is Renderscipt Compute on the GPU that is now available for (presumably) the Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4. This should allow for complex things like image processing and video processing to be done at desktop performance, and hopefully some forward thinking developers take advantage of this powerful tool!

I also think Daydream is a really great new feature that hasn't gotten a lot of press. People see it as a screen saver, but any app can display any content when the daydream is triggered. It can act as a night-table clock, a news ticker, a security cam, etc. And daydreams are supplied like widgets, they come packaged with an app, so installation is really straight forward.

Lastly Mircast wireless display is perfect. It's not just about mirroring -- Android can actually display different content to the wireless display! This means a smartphone with video content could display a remote on its screen, while video is being streamed to the TV. I can think of some neat multi-window setups using this technology.

I'm really excited about the the next verision of Android. I think we'll see OpenGLES 3 which should bring the graphics API much closer to the desktop as well as more neat user-facing features. I really hope that multi-pane finally makes it to the platform and not in the ridiculous way that Win8 implements it.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

The only thing that really tempts me about the 4.2 is Miracast.

If you recall, I made a big rant about this feature many months back and how it is necessary on Android. Basically, utilize the Wifi n (dualbands even better) to stream the screen grab. Basically microHDMI feed without the cables.

A great idea for presentations, and perfect for home media/gaming setup.
Why?
It frees the microUSB port for HOST functions, and as these superphones are getting more powerful it won't be too long until the port runs a 5V current. That would mean many more accessories that "just work" without power.

They can even make a HDMI-dongle, one which simply passes the Miracast feed into a "dumb TV" port. It will also be inexpensive (<$50) unlike some AndroidSticks .

I don't know too much about gpu software, but any improvements to OGLES implementation and APIs is a boon not only for developers, but users and the whole platform. I just hope it gets there before Apple and Microsoft platforms get the traction they're looking for.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Yes, Miracast is a very exciting development. It is also one of those things that is far easier said than done.

The challenge of rolling out something like MIracast require a few things. It requires chips that are fast enough to do frame-buffer encodes on top of a potentially gruelling workload -- this generally calls for dedicated DSPs, multi-core CPUs, and a memory bus capable of hauling that information -- something modern SoCs can now do comfortably. This is especially relevant in games that tend to push resources to their max. Second, and perhaps most importantly, it requires coordination between OEMs that are producing different devices and forward vision to understand the future ramifications of the present specification implementation -- it bears the challenge of being a standard.

Sure, Google could have produced their own Miracast-like client on top of Android (eg. phone to GoogleTV), but Miracast wasn't an overnight development, and I'm sure they were well aware of and perhaps involved in the emerging technology. In this instance, waiting was wise: they produced a quality implementation that should yield a good UX, and will see very wide acceptance by many industry players.

I'm sure we'll see Miracast receivers for Android allowing us to connect stream screen content to tablet/phone/tv. I'm also looking forward to seeing the technology used in TVs, Projectors, and Head Mounted Displays, as the removal of a wire makes things that much easier.

With the growing inclusion of wireless charging, modern Android is 100% wire-free.

I feel the next major wireless developments will be device proximity detection (ie. knowing where other devices are relative to the searching device), and wireless charging at a distance (eg. anywhere in a room).

As for the GPU: GLES30 is a very, very big deal. It brings the mobile OpenGL API much closer to the feature set of the desktop which will make development much easier. It also has a ton of features that will enable a much more flexible rendering pipeline, far more efficient use of computation and memory, and way more rendering capabilities.

For example, using instancing -- the ability to reuse mesh data numerous times in a scene without having to duplicate it in memory -- tessellation (eg. LOD ~ Level Of Detail) is now possible on mobile devices, with little more than a dedicated Vertex Shader to manipulate the vertices of the instance patch! This is just one of the exciting features which should result in better graphics all around.

These changes are not trivial to the underlying hardware, but thanks to shrinking processes, there is more space to add additional functionality, and GLES30 is a great API to fill that space. Expect mobile games to come that seriously challenge current consoles in graphical fidelity.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Thx again, I was also able to transfer my Maemo to a android licence. Looks very good so far, any new cool features you can recommend?

Very nice move by sygic :)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Davey, the big day is almost here.

let's go bump some appropriate threads.
come on dude

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Simply not possible unless you have a laser more powerful than the one used against James Bond.

I prefer a simple microUSB dock instead of these wireless charging gimmicks... it simply robs you of space that could've been used for another port, function or make the battery larger.

Not to forget it causes it to get a little odd shaped and heavier than it needs to be. But its a theesable move for Apple which can sell the "Apple Dock" that can charge your iPhone, iPad Mini, iPad, MacBook Air at one center.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

To each his own, though wireless charging is a nifty feature to have for those that rest their devices in a common place. And it extends to beyond just in the home or single-charging pads. Car dashes, cafe tables, desks, counter-tops, etc, can have charging pads making it really easy to set your device down and get a charge without the need to physically plug it in.

It should be mentioned that the coil in the case is very thin and very light, so there is a negligible volume and mass cost associated with the implementation of the technology.

I'll personally take wireless power any day of the week. It's convenient, and makes life just a hair simpler. And it's only getting better:
http://blog.ted.com/2009/08/25/wireless_electr/
http://www.witricity.com/

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Apparently, the hardware hackers ripping apart and studying the Nintendo WiiU are pointing out that it appears that the screen-throwing functionality is being done using thw Miracast protocol. They're already trying to see if they can take advantage of this using Android. That bit of trivia is pretty interesting all on its own.

http://www.slashgear.com/wii-u-teard...tion-19257509/

So apparently, there exists a DEDICATED chipset controller for miracast. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Very interesting indeed! It certainly makes sense (in hindsight) to include this functionality in its own chip, rather than burdening the CPU/GPU with software that runs for every app, as is the case with the WiiU.

I wonder what types of console/mobile tie-ins will be cooked up!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I think its a second Wifi chip, the graphics seem to be handled directly by the cpu:gpu.

Thats actually good news.
It means the performance footprintprint of Miracast is not a huge burden, and can be handled via traditional means. With that said, an individual processor chip for Miracast is still possible if you need to output 3D in UltraHD @60fps.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Anybody playing with this?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2012139

Multiple apps can appear in resizable windows on galaxy note 1 and 2.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Welcome to 2012.
Just kidding. I played with this a while back... it sucks.
The regular/modded MultiView is so much better.

Resizable windows is really for something that's 9inches and larger. Otherwise, each window is too tiny and counteractive... splitscreen is more intuitive for small screen sizes.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Well, I guess it depends on what you are more comfortable with. I like having both features. Multiview is nice and you can resize the screen if you want to focus more on one app or it does not need that much space. But if you want to make an app smaller but keep it in a more square window you can't do that with Multiview as the aspect ratio is constrained by how you split the screen. I like having the option of opening an app in a window I can resize, fill the screen, put in background, bring back and so forth. It is also useful if you would like to connect your phone to a bigger screen so you can use it more like a pc.

BTW, you once mentioned you had a GN2 to play with. How did the Multiview compare with that on the GN1. Is it as responsive on the GN1?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

MultiView is great! They are essentially reinventing tiling window managers, which I fully support!

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Hi
Is there any way of importing and exporting ics files from splanner on a Samsung Note 2. I want to transfer a calendar from N900 to Note 2 secondary calendar. I don't want to sync via Google.

Cheers

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

I had the same problem when I first got the SGS I couldnt transfer my calender (weekly rotating schedule) from N900.

I think if you Sync via Google that would be the best route... I had to manually enter each event which was redundant.

Floating Windows on HDTV...Hmm it never occured to me.
I guess if you rotate the Note into landscape mode then disable rotation, and navigate with a wireless mouse/controller. I might have to try this.

What Im really excited about is the discovery that the Note1 doesnt have a Wifi bgn antenna but actually a Dualband bgn antenna. That means its Miracast-compatible. And Im going to purchase one of those small Bluetooth/Wifi dongles but one thats for Miracast and conects via HDMI. I know LG previewed one. So I can (theoretically) take the tiny dongle with my Note and beam the screen caprure/mirror to any TV (dont need dongle for some smartTVs). That lets me use the microUSB for OTG functions, or charging, or both!


To be honest I recently tried one of the earlier JB leaks (LS2) for the Note 1. Not the ROM but the full system dump, and somethings would crash and hang (but surprisingly little) some things were sluggish including the MultiWindow feature (not modded).

I havent compared it directly to the NOTE 2, but it was dedinitely slower.

Anyways Ive since updated it to the Ultimate ROM (4.1.2), and it was butter smooth. On v4 (LS7) the only problems I had were:
-Camera works much much better than AOSP but it freezes and fcs sometimes
-Gallery App also freezes
-No PhotoSphere

I updated to v5 v5.1 and v5.2 (new base LSA) and experienced many problems:
- Slow charging
- Excess battery waste (v4 was perfect 6hrs, v5 is 2-3hrs)
- MultiWindow not working properly
- But Camera and Gallery never freeze
- PhotoSphere works, kinda

On both v4 and v5 they are Note2-like....many gestures abd S Pen features work and work without performance issues. Im glad I didnt buy a Note2 for myself, it wouldve been a waste of money.

PS Tomorrow Im flying again to see family, Ill do a comprehensive comparison between stock Note2 and my updated Note1.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Ok, so I just discovered the open-source "Terminal IDE" project for Android, and am smitten. I do a lot of work on the command line: I edit text files using VIM, use more than a few scripts, and compile code outside of an IDE. Terminal IDE provides support the tools needed to build Android applications (as well as the requisite busybox.)

Terminal IDE in Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...x.spartacuside

My upcoming Nexus 10 will thus be a lean, mean, development machine. It's endowed with a powerful CPU, an outstanding screen, battery life that my current laptop could only dream of, and an ultra-thin, ultra-light foot print. I forsee my ageing brick of a laptop becoming a second tier to a multi-purpose tablet that only cost a few hundred.

I have a BT keyboard that will do the trick in the short run, though I would like to upgrade to a good keyboard dock or a nice stand-and-keyboard pair, if I can find suitable components.

Now if only Android did split-screen natively...

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Did you say split-screen natively...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nh2NSLgaII&feature=plcp

sorry about the ads...

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Thanks for the video! It was very entertaining and very well done.

Yes the split screen feature of the Galaxy Note is a killer feature. I just wish that it was available in stock android. Something tells me that future android will include this feature by default... It will turn Android into a fully productive system.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Finally, the Nexus 4 is once again available via the Google Play store in Canada. I was able to get an order in (after many tries "due to high demand"), but even 8mins after being available, the 8GB version was sold out!

Interestingly, the first time I was able to get to the order page (but had to make a quick modification so I didn't make a purchase) the wait time to delivery was 1-2 weeks. The second time I was able to place my order, the delivery wait time had jumped to 3-4 weeks! Now (around 15 mins after sales), the site is claiming that delivery will take 6-7 weeks!! Assuming decent sized inventories and noting that there is a 1/person policy, these devices are selling at an incredible rate.

It seems that the Nexus 4 and 10 are incredibly popular items, much more than Google or LG anticipated.

update: 40 mins after it went on sale, it is available to ship in 7-8 weeks, or roughly 2 months! Any longer and the Galaxy S4 will be out by the time people get their devices. I certainly hope LG can ramp up production to meet demand.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Gongrats to the order. The nexus is not for me but looking forward to see what you think of the device.

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

In truth, it is for my g/f, and a development platform for me to test against. I have little need for a phone, as I don't use it very often, but I will certainly play with it thoroughly and report my experiences.

I should also be getting the Nexus 10 today... if UPS doesn't screw up the order... which they probably will. :P However, that is a gift, so I won't be able to play with it until later in the month. I'm most excited about that one, in that it will largely replace my ageing laptop as a mobile workstation.

Of course, I will give my impressions of that one as well! :)

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

Quick question for the experienced Android users. I have an android device I don't often use but thought I should start using more often. I transferred my contacts to it recently, however I cannot add the contacts into groups. I've noticed that if the contact is on my google mail account I can. Does anybody know how to either send all phone contacts to the google contacts account or how to add groups without needing to do so?

Re: The Epic Android Thread
 

@Cue

I wish I could help... Let us know if you find a solution.