Google Publishes Android Style Guide for Ice Cream Sandwich
In yet another effort to streamline Android’s look and feel, today Google introduced guidelines for design within Ice Cream Sandwich. The guide is aimed to help developers and manufactures by giving them a point of reference when creating apps for Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Things like themes, patterns, typography, color and icon design can all be found in the guide along with instructions and samples to get you started. Hopefully OEMs and app developers will get to cracking with this guide and start making some really beautiful apps modeled after ICS. I’m so tired of seeing shit like this.
via [The Verge]
Google+ Update brings fresh look and screen sharing
Google has been working on their social network again. The option to share your screen has been available under Hangouts with Extras for a while, but Google rolled it out officially in the forefront now along with a whole new look for Hangouts.
The UI is a nice improvement, looking more integrated with the rest of Google’s design for it’s other services. Also the video windows gets larger than previously. Although some still use Google+ and some have stopped, it seems that Google is still pushing forward to make it’s social network more user friendly and a great experience to use.
(via The Verge)
Ice Cream Sandwich is Not the Answer to All Android Tablet Problems
I keep hearing and reading people talk about ICS (Android 4.0) like it is the savior of Android tablets. Saying things like, “X tablet will be so much better when it has Ice Cream Sandwich”. I just don’t believe that. Granted it was a huge leap in UI for phones and brought a lot of much needed polish and consistency to the platform, ICS is not a stretch from Honeycomb (Android 3.0). When I bounce from using my Galaxy Nexus to a Honeycomb tablet, I feel like they are so close in experience that there isn’t much difference at all. Sure Ice Cream Sandwich will make it easier to develop apps that scale specifically for a phone or tablet, but that in itself doesn’t mean developers will flock to making apps.
What worked with Android on phones won’t work with tablets. Phones are disposable, cheap and for most, a necessity. Android tablets are the opposite. They are too expensive, most are tied to a carrier, and don’t offer any clear benefits over one another. Look at the Kindle Fire and Nook as proof. They are both under $300 with no type of contract and offer a very specific benefit and set of features to customers. They are winning because of price and strong ecosystem, same as the iPad.
Just like HTC and Motorola with their phones, Android has no “Halo Tablet”, no Nexus Tablet. It was supposed to be the Motorola XOOM but that was tied to carrier, too expensive and had shit software. It just was a botched launched and started Android tablets off in a bad direction. Apple has the iPad, Amazon has the Kindle, and Barnes & Noble has the Nook. They all have a single name to represent a unified brand. It’s easy for customers to understand and buy into. Samsung has come pretty close with their Galaxy Tab line and they are the most successful traditional Android tablet manufacturer, which isn’t saying much.
Android’s tablet problem is multifaceted. You need the attention of developers to make great apps, but for that you need a product that is interesting and shows promise. So far, all the manufacturers have given us is empty promises with nothing very interesting.
With CES upon us, I still don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure there are some cool ideas from Lenovo and Asus, but it takes more than cool ideas. It’s about simplicity and mind share. Neither of which Asus and Lenovo are particularly known for.
I think Google realizes this and that’s why they may make a tablet themselves. Like the Nexus program for phones, Google needs to get some buzz around Android tablets. A “Google” tablet is what will catch people’s attention, and if it’s good, hold on to it.
So yes, ICS will help Android tablets,especially from an app development side, but it is not the cure all everyone seems to be making it out to be.
T-Mobile Announces The Galaxy S Blaze 4G And Continues To Improve Their 4G Network
T-Mobile is has announced the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G at CES. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G features a Super AMOLED display and 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor. The release date for the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze is currently unknown; however, you sign up to get notified about availability by visiting the official Blaze 4G sign up page.
T-Mobile has also announced the expansion of their HSPA+ 42Mbps to an additional 12 markets and the expansion of their HSPA+ 21Mbps nine additional markets. T-Mobile stated that their 4G network now covers 217 markets, reaching more than 200 million people across the country.
You can check out the press release after the break.
The Gadget Gurus Podcast Ep 144 – Donny and Vic Get Married, Awwww
The Gurus are back with another fun filled episode of tech greatness. So the week was a little slow for gadget related news, The Gadget Gurus didn’t let that stop them from putting on an awesome show! Oh and shout out to Nic for the lovely album art this week. What a lovely couple!
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