Tag: Mobile Tech

Linus Torvalds Loves His Google Nexus One

Linux creator and programming man-god Linus Torvalds loves his new Google Nexus One. He recently raved about the phone on his blog, saying:

I have to admit, the Nexus One is a winner. I wasn’t enthusiastic about buying a phone on the internet sight unseen, but the day it was reported that it finally had the pinch-to-zoom thing enabled, I decided to take the plunge. I’ve wanted to have a GPS unit for my car anyway, and I thought that google navigation might finally make a phone useful.

And it does. What a difference! I no longer feel like I’m dragging a phone with me “just in case” I would need to get in touch with somebody – now I’m having a useful (and admittedly pretty good-looking) gadget instead. The fact that you can use it as a phone too is kind of secondary.

That’s some pretty awesome geek cred for the Nexus One. The only problem is that it doesn’t really need geek cred. It needs mainstream marketing and, for whatever reason, Google seems content to (only) bombard the world with AdSense spots for the phone. While I still believe that the Nexus One was the first brush stroke of a much larger painting, getting mainstream attention never hurts. A lot of people became aware of the iPad simply because Stephen Colbert busted one out during the Grammy Awards.

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Poll: What Was Your Favorite Super Bowl XLIV Tech Commercial?

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First off, congrats to the New Orleans Saints on winning Super Bowl 44! Now that we’ve been bombarded by 52 Budwesier commercials (that still won’t make it a good beer), let’s discuss your favorite tech commercials that aired during the game. I’m disqualifying all the GoDaddy.com spots because I’m tired of Danica Patrick. Dante’s Inferno was the only videogame commercial I recall (I could have missed some). The choices in this poll are Google, Vizio, Intel, and Motorola. Let’s check out the videos and get to the poll!

Google’s ad was the most romantic and a lot of people were raving about in the Twitterverse. I thought it was cute…but that’s about it.

My personal pick is this Vizio ad, simply because Tay Zonday rules. “Chocolate Rain” forever!!!

Motorola promoted its upcoming Devour phone (a mid-level Android phone coming to Verizon) and MotoBlur with Megan Fox (with her circus-freak thumbs) in a bath tub.

I thought Intel’s commercial was lame, but it made drool for a MacBook with an i5 or i7 processor.

AT&T Keeping the Apple iPhone Until 2011? (Oh Noes!!!)

When I first read this report from GigaOm my initial thought was, “Please God don’t let AT&T hang onto the iPhone until 2011.” That would truly suck, as I would love to use the iPhone as a phone (crazy idea, I know) but have little faith that AT&T will substantially improve its network in 2010. Thankfully Credit Suisse’s Jonathan Chaplin’s theory is a bit…basic:

We believe there is a 75% probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity in 2010. We arrive at this probability through a two step process: First, we try to determine whether the Apple / AT&T agreement expires in 2010. The consensus view is that it does; however, we couldn’t find compelling evidence that this is the case. We conclude that there is only a 50% probability that it ends in 2010. Next, we try to determine whether AT&T bids for another year of exclusivity if exclusivity does end in 2010. We conclude that they would and that they can afford to compensate Apple such that Apple would be economically indifferent. Our approach yields a 25% probability for this outcome. Taken together, we see a 75% probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity for another year.

I expect more from a Swiss banker (like Claudio Castagnoli). Is it me or does Chaplin’s theory seems third-grade-ish?

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Teens That Buy Their Own Phones More Likely to Talk About Sex

This report from Pew Internet (embedded below) has all sorts of interesting figures on how young adults use modern tools like social networking services, mobile phones, and the Internet, but one interesting bit uncovered by CrunchGear revealed that teens that buy their own phones are more likely to engage in “naughty” activity. John Biggs reported that, “The Pew Internet Project says that kids who buy their own phones are four times as likely to sext — that is send inappropriate images or texts to other kids.”

Ah, to be a teenager again…. Honestly, I don’t think it’s a big deal or a cause for alarm. It’s a perfectly natural combination of raging hormones and technology. I’ve actually never sent a sexual SMS or MMS. Have any of you?


Source via CrunchGear

Joojoo Tablet (aka CrunchPad) in Full Production

Fusion Garage has announced that its Joojoo tablet — the device formerly known as the CrunchPad — is in full production. In addition to facing stiff competition with Apple’s iPad, the Joojoo is also the center of a nasty legal squabble, but that hasn’t stopped it from going into production. Here’s the official description:

JooJoo, officially introduced in December 2009, is the category-creating Web tablet that provides near instantaneous Internet access and the best online experience. The African word “joujou” means magical object and Fusion Garage’s JooJoo brings users into an online world where everything on the Internet is just a single touch away. Powered by Fusion Garage’s innovative browser-based operating system, JooJoo enables users to quickly and easily tap into Internet applications, news, music, high definition video, social media and web services. JooJoo has revolutionary hardware, including the largest capacitive touch screen of any device on the market — 12.1 inches — providing full screen content viewing. Its ultra-portable, ultra-thin design offers the best Internet experience anywhere — on the couch or on the go, standing or sitting.

In an interview with Engadget, Fusion Garage CEO Chandra Rathakrishna touted the Joojoo’s advantages over the iPad, name Flash support and a larger app store due to it being an open device.

Still, this is definitely David going up against Goliath. What do you guys and gals think? Does the Joojoo have a chance? Or will Goliath kick the crap out of David this time around?

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Google Nexus One Getting Multitouch This Week

One of the big complaints on Google’s Nexus One phone is that it didn’t integrate multitouch functionality. A firmware update — available on a rolling basis this week — fixes that issue. In addition to new features in Google Maps and the addition of Google Goggles, this update adds pinch-to-zoom functionality in Maps, the web browser, and the photo gallery.

*sigh* I’m trying to be patient because I want an Android 2.1 phone with a good keyboard…but the Nexus One is so tempting!

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Google.com/phone and the Nexus One: 28 Days Later

It has been 28 days since Google launched the Nexus One phone and its Google.com/phone web site. Some aspects of Google’s foray into consumer electronics went smoothly. Some didn’t. I caught up with a company representative to get some insights on the launch and Google’s mobile-phone future.

It has been 28 days since Google launched the Nexus One phone and its Google.com/phone web site. Some aspects of Google’s foray into consumer electronics went smoothly. Some didn’t. I caught up with a company representative to get some insights on the launch and Google’s mobile-phone future. Some of the answers were insightful and some were the standard PR line. Check it out and see for yourself!

Raymond Padilla: Considering that the Nexus One was Google’s first attempt at selling consumer electronics, what were some of the things the company did right? What were some things the company could have done better?

Google: Because we just launched the Nexus One four weeks ago, I think it’s too early to comment on these questions.

RP: A lot of journalists are fixated on iPhone killers and are unable to talk about the Nexus One without comparing it to the iPhone. To me, the bigger story is Google.com/phone. Isn’t that the bigger deal?

Google: We do view our new consumer web store as a significant announcement. With the Nexus One and future devices, our hope is to change the way consumers purchase a mobile phone. The goal of Google’s new consumer channel is to provide an efficient way to connect Google’s online users with selected Android phones from partners. We want to make the overall user experience simple: a simple purchasing process, simple service plans from operators, and simple and worry free delivery and start-up.

RP: Some of my readers don’t see how Google.com/phone is changing anything. I see it as a work in progress with the potential to change the market. How is Google’s effort to sell phones directly to customers different than buying an unlocked phone off of Amazon.com, for example?

Google: Working with device manufacturers and operators worldwide, our vision for this new program is to give customers more choice and simplicity when it comes to purchasing their mobile phones by matching hardware preference to service options. Our ultimate goal is to give the consumer the opportunity to buy the phone of his/her choice (as more phones beyond the Nexus One become available) and choose an operator which best meets his/her needs. This is a new model in the US, and we hope it simplifies the buying process for mobile devices moving forward.

RP: What about the disadvantage of not being able to play with a phone at a store. Some people feel that the Amazon Kindle would have been more successful if more consumers could see what it could do first hand. The Nexus One is currently in a similar boat. Doesn’t it take a leap of faith to buy a $529 product without getting to play with it?

Google: We are introducing a new consumer purchasing model with the Nexus One. It will only be available through our Google-hosted web store initially, and we have included tools in this online store to enable users to take virtual tours of the hardware and software elements of Nexus One.

RP: In a perfect world, what will Google.com/phone have to offer one year from now? Would 25 phones on all four major American carriers be a conservative or aggressive estimate?

Google: The Nexus One is just the beginning, our plan is to:

  • Add more operator partners in the US and internationally.
  • Launch more Google-branded devices, brought to market in partnership with other Android handset partners.
  • Bring these devices to more countries for more consumers to enjoy.

RP: Some customers need someone to talk to for customer service. Are Google’s support forums for the Nexus One enough?

Google: Our support site can be found at google.com/phone/support, which has pointers to our help center, where there is lots of troubleshooting information. HTC provides telephone support for device troubleshooting and warranty, repairs, and returns. Google also offers self-help through our help center, user-to-user help through forums, and email support to customers who are unable to find answers to their questions online. T-Mobile USA also fields calls regarding their service (including service billing inquiries).

We work quickly to solve any customer support issues as they come up, and we are trying to be as open and transparent as possible through our online customer help forums. We’ll continue to address all issues in as timely of a manner as possible, and we’re flexible and prepared to make changes to our processes and tools, as necessary, for an optimal customer support experience.

Apple Working on Second Tablet That’s More Mac Than iPhone?

While it’s fun arguing about the future prospects of the Apple iPad, TechCrunch’s excellent MG Siegler has thrown a huge wrench in the works. According to one of his sources, Apple has another tablet that’s “pretty far along” in development. This one should be quite different from the iPad. Siegler wrote:

From what I’m hearing, Apple is pretty far along on work on second tablet device. A bigger one. And this one may be much more like a Mac than an iPhone.

Some of you (*cough* Smartguy *cough*) are down on the iPad because of its limitations that stem from operating in a closed an environment. This second tablet should keep tech enthusiasts and Mac power-users happy.

That said, it seems unusual that Apple would introduce this product so soon and possibly confuse the market. If the device is “pretty far along” then it’s reasonable to think that it would be launched this year. Considering how new the market is, that’s probably too soon. Why confuse customers and splinter the developer community? The counterargument is that Apple’s competition will soon release competing products that will probably lack the iPad’s refined interface but offer more versatility. Perhaps this second tablet will fend off those products.

What do you think of this rumor? Is Apple going tablet happy? What do you think the second tablet will be called? How long will it take before someone Photoshops a picture of Moses holding two Apple tablets?

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Another Case for Why the Apple iPad Will Succeed

Similar to this interesting analogy of the iPad being the Wii of personal computing is developer Ethan Nicholas’ view on Apple’s upcoming (and divisive) product. While some of you don’t like that fact that the iPad lives in a tightly controlled environment and is limited to the functions deemed acceptable by Apple, Nicholas believes this is why the system will appeal to a certain group of users. In a guest column for TechCrunch he wrote:

The iPad is a computer for people who don’t like computers. People who don’t like the idea of upgrading their 3D drivers, or adjusting their screen resolution, or installing new memory. Who don’t understand why their computer gets slower and slower the longer they own it, who have 25 icons in their system tray and have to wait ten minutes for their system to boot up every day.

It’s an excellent point that a lot of tech enthusiasts don’t consider. People forget that the iPhone didn’t succeed because of its power; it was a success because it harnessed the power of a smartphone with an incredibly refined interface that anyone could use. While the iPad is certainly more limited than a thin-and-light laptop, it’s also completely simple to use and maintain.

Now that I’ve had more time to think about it, I’m pretty sure Apple will sell millions of these things. Between people that want a simple (but powerful) computing device, tech hipsters that have to show off at Internet cafes, and Apple fanboys that will buy anything Steve Jobs sells, the iPad has a great chance at being another massive hit for Apple.

What do you think? Is the iPad Apple’s latest “insanely great” device? Or is it the second coming of Newton?

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PadCast: Tarver Games’ Chris Cross Talks iPad Game Design

Last week I chatted with Tarver Games president and co-founder Chris Cross for an RPad.tv PadCast. Cross gave me an update on what’s going on with his excellent iPhone game Ghosts Attack and his upcoming project Brickman. Naturally, I was interested to hear his thoughts on the Apple iPad as a game designer. The always entertaining Cross revealed some cool insights that will give you an idea of how iPad games will be different from their counterparts for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Check it out!