Archive for December, 2009

Fragmentation in Android OS Market

By | 12.12.2009 | Android Development, Android Phones | Comments Off

PC World has a perspective on the most recent Android update made available by Google and pushed to Motorola Droid owners. This could be one not-so-subtle issue that may keep software houses from focusing development efforts on the Android operating system platform and instead opt for the Apple iPhone platform.

On Friday, Sprint posted a Twitter message saying its HTC Hero and Samsung Moment phones will get Android 2.0 in the first half of 2010.

The Sprint announcement points to a potential fragmentation issue that some experts worry might plague Android. Already there are phones on the market running Android 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0. The problem with having many versions in the market at the same time is that applications may have trouble working smoothly across all the OSes.

That makes the platform less attractive to the developers Google relies on to build interesting applications, and to end-users who may find that an application they download doesn’t work on their phone.

PCW Article

Motorola Droid 2.0.1 update slowly rolling out, DIY now available!

By | 12.09.2009 | Android Phones | Comments Off

Verizon has begun pushing the 2.0.1 update to Droid users.  They are doing it in phases so you may need to wait a few days to receive it.  You will get a notification on your phone when it is ready for you.  Details of changes and fixes in this release can be found here.

For those impatient souls like myself, there is a way do download the update and apply it yourself.  I did it and it worked fine.  That said, I don’t recommend it because if you hork up your phone, you will not get any support from Verizon (or me :) .)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduces bill after Verizon hikes early termination fees

By | 12.04.2009 | Android Phones, General Technology | Comments Off

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) introduced a bill to congress today that would restrict the amount cell phone carriers could charge for early termination fees when consumers choose to terminate their cell phone contracts early. Klobuchar’s bill would mandate that termination fees be pro-rated from the date of the contract start through the end of the contract.

“Changing your wireless provider shouldn’t break the bank,” Klobuchar said. “Forcing consumers to pay outrageous fees bearing little to no relation to the cost of their handset devices is anti-consumer and anti-competitive.”

Personally, I really like this senator. She has been on the front lines of consumer protection and her legislative efforts have been ramped up since the financial crisis that started in October 2008, pushing for a full and complete accounting of the unpopular TARP bill (troubled asset relief program). She’s a “populist” and that’s what I like about her. However, there’s a decent argument to be made for consumer choice and the intervention of government in the private sector. In the comments section of the article link below is an impassioned reader comment that presents a reasonable argument.

Read more…

Paul Thurrott: AT&T laughed right out of court

By | 12.03.2009 | Android Phones, General Technology | Comments Off

AT&T has had it’s “irreprable harm” lawsuit against Verizon dismissed from the Federal Circuit court in Atlanta, Georgia today.

The court did just that. And while that may seem like bad news for AT&T, the truth is, no one was ever fooled by the company’s legal grandstanding.

ATT Lawsuit

Paul’s Wininfo Home | Article

Supersite for Windows


Droid 2-for-1 special in the works?

By | 12.03.2009 | Android Phones | Comments Off

BGR has reported that Verizon is going to be offering a 2-for-1 special on the Droid starting on December 4th, with the requirement that you activate a new line.  It’s definitely worth waiting a few days if you are considering buying multiple Droids.

Update, 12/4.  More details have emerged at BGR. You can only get an HTC Droid Eris as your free phone, not a Motorola Droid.

WPTouch mobile theme enabled for Droid Today

By | 12.03.2009 | Android Phones | Comments Off

Droid Today author David Santoro suggested we start using a fantastic plugin for WordPress that formats the site for fast and easy display on mobile phones. While the plugin started life as an iPhone-centric template, it works on the Motorola Droid and other phones as well. Check it out by opening Droidtoday.com in your mobile phone browser.

Thanks Dave.

WPTouch homepage for other WordPress admins who want to use it.

Yes, you can tether your Droid with Windows

By | 12.01.2009 | Android Phones | Comments Off

I haven’t seen much press about this yet, but PdaNet now supports USB and Bluetooth tethering for your laptop so that you may use your Droid and its data plan for accessing the internet.   The best part is that there is no need to ‘root’ your phone.  I have personally done it with version 2.12, and it works very well.

For USB tethering you need to install these drivers from Motorola’s website.

Caveats:

  1. After a trial period the free edition of PdaNet will only pass HTTP traffic.  For full IP connectivity you need to purchase the full product at $29 US.
  2. Verizon is not likely to be to happy with this and may try to charge you more for tethering.  Use at your own risk.
  3. The fine print of your contract says your “Unlimited Data” plan is really limited to 5 GB per  month, an amount which can be used up very quickly by a tethered PC.

More info: PDANet for Android