Qualcomm…shipping…1.2GHz Snapdragon-BGR

Qualcomm begins shipping dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processors « Boy Genius Report.

I have never been so happy to have to wait untill December to get a new phone. Give me something HTC, Froyo, 1.2Ghz, 1080p

What did you expect from a Samsung?

I’ve seen the Samsung Behold II on T-Mobile’s website for a while now. I was never sure anyone would buy a phone from them though. It’s not to say that they make crap. Hell, my tv is a Samsung. But I only trust a select few companies with my mobile electronics.

The Samsung Behold II issue, a situation what has broader implications for Samsung as well as the industry, is a perfect teaching moment for the growing pains that Android and the cell phone industry are having.

People have written extensively and exhaustively about the fragmen….uh…I mean “legacy” situation that Android is going through. With Android set to release Froyo, the fourth iteration for droid, there are phones sold as late as last year (Behold) and ones being sold today (Garmin Nav) that have the old 1.5 version.

The is a problem shared by Google, phone companies, and phone makers. Everyone has to work together to further the platform which will get more people buying these phones. One people are on top of it (Verizon, HTC, Moto), while others (Samsung,) are not.

The organizations that are leaving their customers behind are stuck in an old business model that doesn’t understand the new reality.

Smartphones are getting more and more powerful. Like with other computers, the OS gets semi-regular updates. All software does. We want to be able to take advantage of new features and best practices that are developed every day. In order to do this you must have access to these firmware updates.

This issue is seen when you go to Crackberry and see a new leaked OS for the 9700 every week and a half. It is seen when Moto Blur phones are left on 1.6. These companies are not used to working in a new OS update once the sell/make the phone.

The iPhone doesn’t run into these issue like this only because their software is older. They have less need/want to make changes frequently. RIM has gone from 4.6 to 5.0 in what, two years? With constant tweaks along the way. This problem is not an android only one.

The good news is that this is simple to fix. Develop teams that work with the OS engineers to be ready. As the OS evolves, any manufacturer apps/overlays (Moto Blur, HTC Sense) or service provider apps (AT&T/VZ Navigation) can develop right along with it.

The only other option is to allow the OS maker to push updates to phones when they want to. There is no reason that people should have to wait for ATT to allow the update to proceed five months after the update is available.

OS developers, phone makers and service providers can continue the way they have. Haphazardly updating and ruining their customers experience. But all that will breed are customers who will say, “why would I buy a Samsung Galaxy S, when my Behold was stuck on 1.5 for 7+ months? What if they never upgrade this phone to Gingerbread. ” And all that does is lead to stop buying their phone/service.

HTC Vision rumored to be a Desire with QWERTY keypad « Boy Genius Report

HTC Vision rumored to be a Desire with QWERTY keypad « Boy Genius Report.

Google IO Review

The Google IO conference is over and according to Gizmodo, Google has leaped over Apple in the tech world….sure.

Google TV
I love the idea of GTV. Having the ability to watch a tv show/movie, in HD no less, on your tv wether it is on a local station/cable/sat/web. The idea however is not new.

It will be compition for AppleTV, but that’s like saying you are competition for the Palm…who cares. It is an amazing bit of tech. Logitech, Sony, and Intel are smart for getting in on the ground floor. But the tech will not survive if people do not want to add on more box to their TV stand. I have four boxes already. And people might not be in the market or a new Sony tv.

AdMob
Congrats on the mobile ad business. The FTC has just today approved it. Blah blah blah consumers like me don’t care.

Android 2.2
AMAZING.

From the improved UI, wired/wireless tethering, and hotspot ability Android has finally come into its own. From the super fast browser to built-in Flash 10.1, this new build of Android is really to take on the new iPhone OS and Windows 7.

The improved home screen look adds to the cleaner look and feel of 2.2. The added ability to store apps on your SD card puts your 2.2 equipped Android on par with a 32 GB iPhone. With improvements to the Gmail integration, camera interface, and the security screen (PINs are now accepted) this rounds out the OS. these updates should get rid of the “beta” feel some out their complain about.

Its great to see such growth year-over-year from the Android team.

Motorola Shadow? Droid 2? | Android Phone Fans

Motorola Shadow? Droid 2? | Android Phone Fans.

Android 2.2 (Froyo) Will Support USB Tethering & Create Wi-Fi Hotspots: Gizmodo

Android 2.2, aka Froyo, Will Support USB Tethering and Create Wi-Fi Hotspots – Android froyo usb tethering – Gizmodo.

Verizon X Google

Oh, god YES!

Good job Google. You have finally decided to go full steam ahead with your tablet plans.

Great.

Great.

This means nothing. Tablets are still, borderline, pointless. They don’t replace desktops, netbooks, PDAs or anything you could imagine.

Teaming with Verizon was a good idea though. The whole “selling things on our own” thing worked like crap.

Verizon seems to be enjoying its role as the leader in Android OS and Google’s new best friend. Never been a fan of Big Red, but I might have to make the switch.