[Q] Why restrictions on Netflix/Hulu/etc? - General Questions and Answers

I'm just curious about this... why do developers like netflix and hulu restrict their apps to certain devices?
I assume the short answer is because they're not confident that the non-certified phones can handle the app. But I have a Galaxy S (Vibrant) and I use my slingbox all the time to stream to my phone and it works without a hitch... so why do these companies think that my phone can't handle streaming netflix or hulu?
It's just really frustrating.
And on a completely different note, when is someone going to tell the big corporations (banks, etc.) that Android has a pretty big lead in America over iOS? It seems like everybody still develops iOS apps first, then goes back and does Android... that annoys me, too.
Thanks for letting me vent! Anyone who knows anything about my question please reply... I'd be interested to see what you all have to say.
Cheers,
+mf

Related

Apps for the Hearing Impaired and Deaf

Hey all, this is my first new thread outside of my home, the CDMA Hero forum, lol. Be kind
I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations, reviews, or information on apps or utilities that help the deaf or hearing impaired on Android?
The reason I'm asking is I'm trying to write up a guide or editorial on the state of Android's disabled-friendliness. Hoping to generate some good buzz on it and inspire people to keep developing unique ways of helping the disabled use their handsets more easily.
Anyway, thanks in advance and all that.
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Deafcyclist said:
P.S. would it be okay if i post suggestions as to what kind of apps or features that might be useful for the deaf or hearing impaired? i don't have many but what I do have, i would love to see. if only to see if there is already an apps for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be fantastic. I'd really enjoy that kind of discussion.
I am not deaf myself but have a vested interest in any and all adaptation of Android to suit the disabled.
Recently an Android news site/community asked me to do some freelance op-ed writing for them and this is one of the topics I'd like to pursue, too.
If a discussion can start here and inspire some developers to create new apps/utilities to help the disabled then great! (=
phone fusion visual voice mail converts your voice mail to text message, if thats what kind of thing your looking for.
on the other side of that, handcent sms will read you your text message... neat thing when my girl checked the popup and accidently pressed that, we were both like wtf
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Suggestions
Deafcyclist said:
the number one thing for the deaf with android phone that would be extremely useful is an android based ip-relay service. Currently Blackberry is on the top with this having 2 relay app for it (info linked below). Sidekick also have the same relay apps.
I've once had a Blackberry Pearl (8100) and this was absolutely essiental for the deaf person like me to be able to call for cab or order out or for any situation that would require me to be able to contact hearing.
ip-relay,
http://www.ip-relay.com/wireless.php
siprelay,
http://www.siprelay.com/mobile_solution.aspx
Other than this for the deaf, accessibility to messages is absolutely essential. I'm still looking around at the IM apps for android seeing i've just installed XDANDROID 2 days ago. Essentially what i'm trying to say is that deaf peoples requires IM applications even more than anybody else that I've known. And sometimes (like for windows mobile), it's hard to figure out which one is the best and worth the price. The simple solution to this is a side by side comparison for all of the mobile IM app for the android here. (i'm only mentioning this despite it's not being an app or feature request but it would really help peoples in general figure out which to get for their need).
The default txting setup on android seem more than good enough for the deaf anyway so that's no real worry.
Thanks, I hope to see good result out of this especially the relay app!
Good luck, Is_907!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am an ASL terp. I can understand the need for visual awareness. In my opinion one of the better apps is Handcent. LOTS of options. Google Voice is another good option to change voice to text.
Let me know if I can help any other way \!,,!
I actually had been wondering if any hearing impaired Android-fans were using GV for the voicemail transcriptions. Good to know it's been thought of already!
Oddly enough, I've never used Handcent. I'm going to have to go through it and see what features it has now. It's just interesting to put myself in the mindset of a user who can not use some of the features that I take for granted.
- What would all of you say is the best thing Android has for deaf users? (We've already talked a bit about this.)
- More importantly, what do you think is the worst thing about using an Android device, as a deaf or hearing impaired person?
On AndroidAndMe.com someone started a thread asking how to remove a lot of the audio-related software from Android. I thought that was a really interesting idea, and something worth writing a guide on how to do.
This guy wanted to remove the Music app, Amazon MP3, Dialer, and a few other things that absolutely required the user to be hearing.
He wanted to clear these things out to leave storage space for more useful applications and utilities. Really got me thinking.
@Deafcyclist and @softwaretech:
Would you two mind if I PMed or emailed you some interview-type questions on this topic?
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@Deafcyclist that's so awesome, I ran tech (sound, ironically) for the play version of The Miracle Worker in college and we had a whole team of ASL interpreters, one shadowing each actor. During that production we had a lot of talks about the deaf community and how to make the play accessible for them. Gallaudet was mentioned quite a bit.
If you wouldn't mind finding someone there who specializes in tech that would be fantastic. It wouldn't surprise me if the university's IT department had resources or people specialized in this area.
So far all I've been able to find about Android for deaf users is stuff about data-only plans from cell carriers. (Btw, Sprint has the cheapest and easiest option. Surprised me.)
I haven't really found anything about apps or utilities designed for deaf users yet.
I know I am kinda late but I found this thread searching for an IP-realy app for Android...anyways
First I don't think the music apps on the phone are useless. I go to Gallaudet and alot of people listen to music as well do I-- more so the beat then anything but yea.
Second, I contacted all the major IP relay companies: Sprint, i711/Purple Communications, IWrelay, etc about creating an Android App. I think if more people were to contact them then they would probably get to making an app much quicker.
AIM is ok to use but I have yet to find a stable, decent AIM app in the market. BeeJive finally released their beta version which is actually one of the better IM apps. I used it on my Blackberry and it never failed me.
I am actually rather suprised that Sprint hasn't released a major app for the Android Market yet since they have a few Android phones and they created SIPrelay for Blackberry. They are often on campus trying to sell us Sprint phones with only relay and data so why not release the app to all users?!?!
Fring or Qik have the possibility of working for deaf people but you need a phone like the Evo with a front facing camera first.
All in all i think relay is the only way that Android hasn't addressed the deaf/hoh community. I think most of the phone are pretty deaf friendly, when I use the phone it effortlessly connects to my hearing aid BT. Which is something I could never find in the million other phone makers I've had.
What about a TTY app
What a great thread. Thanks for posting the initial question. How does your article look? Do you have a link?
I know that everyone has mentioned ip relay as a valuable app but what about TTY for direct calls? Would this be valuable? Wouldn't it be nice to communicate directly with folks and organizations via text? I am asking because my company is considering creating this kind of tool for the Android OS.
Thanks.
Dustin
Is_907 said:
Hey all, this is my first new thread outside of my home, the CDMA Hero forum, lol. Be kind
I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations, reviews, or information on apps or utilities that help the deaf or hearing impaired on Android?
The reason I'm asking is I'm trying to write up a guide or editorial on the state of Android's disabled-friendliness. Hoping to generate some good buzz on it and inspire people to keep developing unique ways of helping the disabled use their handsets more easily.
Anyway, thanks in advance and all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI i am hearing imparied.. using the samsung galaxy s..
accessibletele said:
What a great thread. Thanks for posting the initial question. How does your article look? Do you have a link?
I know that everyone has mentioned ip relay as a valuable app but what about TTY for direct calls? Would this be valuable? Wouldn't it be nice to communicate directly with folks and organizations via text? I am asking because my company is considering creating this kind of tool for the Android OS.
Thanks.
Dustin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TTY software would be fantastic. What company is this?
Hi,
my girlfriend likes to be active as a deaf person, asin sports and adventuring.. i want to communicate better with her on the phone, and looked into Blackberry, but, she wants android (no iphone/blackberry ATALL), she is also a great coder, and, i can coder alittle c++/c also.
I am wondering why has no one made a ROM for Hearing Impaired, ie: incorporate some of the ideas posted here, into one phone rom ? I know this maybe hard between versions, she likes to ride BMX sports bikes,is very active, so am looking for something wich 'has it all for her.
I currently own HTC Dream G1a 3.5g phone, she currently is waiting for the best phone but, pssibly only need a customised rom? Any help would be great.Thanks.
xd-
I think that's a great idea xd- I'm not deaf but briefly dated a deaf guy and saw how important texting is on a phone. A customized ROM would be great. I think more people need to be coding for apps that would help the deaf and hoh. If I was a developer I'd certainly work on those kinds of apps.
Webcaptel App
Sprint's Webcaptel is my "relay" service of choice. I can speak but cannot hear at all- late deafened adult. I prefer to speak into the handset directly to the person I've called and read their reply on the computer screen. It would be great if they made an app like this. First of all because I wouldn't be mistaken for a telemarketer like I am when I use standard relay (IP Relay, etc) and most importantly because it would make calls twice as fast since I wouldn't have to type out my half of the conversation. Check out SpringCaptel.com and harrassthem until they have a SprintCaptelApp please!
Jula
VRS apps,
MainstreamVRS for HTC Evo 4G, SprintVRS for Epic, ZVRS for Epic & MT4G.
DeafNote
A friendly communications tool when a deaf user needs to communicate, he/she may simply type down and enlarge the text into any size comfortable enough for a reader to read.
Deafies, please expect more VRS apps coming out this year (other than the listed above), this should be beneficial to the deaf community with broader available services at their disposal.
mobile streaming tv for deaf/hoh
im working on this currently, if interested in giving it a test signup at forums.subtheworld.com to access
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[Q] why is there a PSX emulator and not an ipod one?

ok, first off im not a developer. Most i can do is some front end web development. im a designer, so most of the time i just expect things to work. that being said, i also understand and appreciate all the hard work that you developers do, this is in no way me complaining about developers. I basically just want to understand a bit more. Why are we able to make Playstation emulators? which to me seems like it would be 10x more complicated than, say... an ipod classic emulator which is no where to be found. to me it seems like you'd be able to create some sort of app that was a framework where the ipod classic OS could run on. now, like i said, i am no developer, and i realize there probably is a completely legitimate reason, i just want to understand that reason. if there isn't, and its just a matter of someone taking the time to do it, this is my plea for that to happen.
now, you may ask "why do you want that? there are perfectly good mp3 player apps on the market if you're not pleased with the stock"
my response is: yes, i know, and if all i wanted was an mp3 player then there really wouldn't be any need for an ipod classic emulator. unfortunately the ipod has a lot more features than just an simple mp3 player. the organization system being a major point, as well as the fact that it is by far the BEST way to listen to audiobooks. the ability to skip through chapters and have chapter titles and remembered playback seem like simple things to me... but i do realize they are the result of lots of hard work. unfortunately no current player on the market can do all of this in one... let alone just the audiobook functions.
so this is why i want an ipod classic emulator, and want to know why there isn't one yet.
rampantphoto said:
ok, first off im not a developer. Most i can do is some front end web development. im a designer, so most of the time i just expect things to work. that being said, i also understand and appreciate all the hard work that you developers do, this is in no way me complaining about developers. I basically just want to understand a bit more. Why are we able to make Playstation emulators? which to me seems like it would be 10x more complicated than, say... an ipod classic emulator which is no where to be found. to me it seems like you'd be able to create some sort of app that was a framework where the ipod classic OS could run on. now, like i said, i am no developer, and i realize there probably is a completely legitimate reason, i just want to understand that reason. if there isn't, and its just a matter of someone taking the time to do it, this is my plea for that to happen.
now, you may ask "why do you want that? there are perfectly good mp3 player apps on the market if you're not pleased with the stock"
my response is: yes, i know, and if all i wanted was an mp3 player then there really wouldn't be any need for an ipod classic emulator. unfortunately the ipod has a lot more features than just an simple mp3 player. the organization system being a major point, as well as the fact that it is by far the BEST way to listen to audiobooks. the ability to skip through chapters and have chapter titles and remembered playback seem like simple things to me... but i do realize they are the result of lots of hard work. unfortunately no current player on the market can do all of this in one... let alone just the audiobook functions.
so this is why i want an ipod classic emulator, and want to know why there isn't one yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To put it onto layman's terms
Its apples copyrighted code so it would be illegal
So even if we wanted to, apple would Sue us and remove it from xda
The PlayStation systems run on a form of Linux, and so do our devices so that also plays a role since it makes porting that much easyer
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
aah, so Sony doesn't care about being emulated where as apple (due to the fact that it is a product that directly relates) does. that makes sense. but then if its just legal issues... wouldn't it still be around somewhere? legal stuff hasn't stopped people in the past (ie: beautiful widgets) and there are a ton of iphone skins you'd think would be copyrighted.
Emulators work because they don't distribute the copyrighted proprietary content with the emulator. That's why you have to go find a bios file on your own.
N
rampantphoto said:
aah, so Sony doesn't care about being emulated where as apple (due to the fact that it is a product that directly relates) does. that makes sense. but then if its just legal issues... wouldn't it still be around somewhere? legal stuff hasn't stopped people in the past (ie: beautiful widgets) and there are a ton of iphone skins you'd think would be copyrighted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For one reason apple will come down on you like none other and the other reason is apple has a unique code, unlike Linux it isn't open sourced so if it was to be done the software would hafya be reversed engineered for our devices
To be honest and no offense to you at all
its just too much trouble for the software
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
aah, i see. so because of the way apple is set up, everything is copyright so you couldn't even make a frame to hold an OS w/out breaking some copyright. ok, well thanks for the info!
Steve Jobs dont like it.
buy an iPod... problem solved...

Two things that would make my Android device AWESOME

So I assume everyone here is enjoying their android devices, and with the announcement of ice cream sandwich, there's only more and better to come in the future, whether it be by an official OTA or the more popular idea around here of taking this whole "update" thing in to our own hands. And while this is all good, and it's exciting for us android nerds, there are a few things that google can't add on it's own that need to be added.
First - Netflix. There are services that will 1. allow netflix usage, but through a few annoying stages, E.g playon. In these situations, a computer is available and more preferable rendering the attempt useless. 2. Use other sources like megavideo to provide movies and TV shows, but either the quality is terrible, the UI is impossible, or the selection is limited. An official netflix app must be released. Google recently announced their movie rental section, which is good if you want to use the service only once in a while, as more than 2-3 rentals in a month is more than many pay for netflix service, on top of not being able to watch these movies across many platforms. As a side note, it has been borderline entertaining to call customer support and ask my the app on my android device isn't working - I always get a pause for a second or two, an audible sigh, and then them saying something like "So you got the leaked app, eh?"
Second - A Skype app with proper video calling. I don't think I need to explain why this would be so useful, as many of you have probably noticed how little that front-facing camera on your device has been used. Google recently tackled this head-on as well with Google Talk with video. THIS is an incredibly good attempt at solving this issue, mainly because every android phone has Google Talk built in, so there's no worry about telling the other person to download an app in order to do a video call that usually ends up having tremendously bad quality. This fails for two reasons:
1. It's only compatible with gingerbread, and due to OEMS being rather lazy, there are only a few phones with official builds out there. Yes, there are those who used custom ROMS like Cyanogenmod 7, but personally I have met only one other person with a custom ROM on their device at all, and they are nothing more than an acquaintance. If Google had found a way to make it compatible with Froyo, I most likely wouldn't even be posting about this.
2: There is no effective implementation of cross-platform video calling. Sure, you can do it with computers with chrome AND the video chat add-on. Once again, this is not something most people have, and when i attempted installing it on my machine, it didn't even fully install. But what about the Iphone? I have a plethora of friends with the Iphone 4, and an official Google talk app for iphone is nowhere to be found.
The thing about BOTH of these apps though, is that there is a leaked version for both, and they have both worked at one point or only work under certain restrictions. (Netflix for an unexplained two-hour period and skype video calling only on the HTC thunderbolt.) Yet both of these companies hold them back. Netflix has a fairly legitimate case in dealing with DRM, but I would think that a situation with such a legal tightrope would call for keeping said app under heavy protection. Skype, however, has a track record of being pretty dishonest and disloyal towards it's android customers. Example: the skype app that we had a couple months ago was said to be "Incapable of voice calls over 3g." This was quickly disproved by the community who made some minor modifications and allowed it to work. Odd how it worked on verizon the whole time, though. It may be a opportune time to mention that the Thunderbolt is the only Verizon LTE phone. I guess it will be a while before it comes to the masses while Verizon customers will enjoy it before many of us, anyways.
So why am I posting this here? I'm aware that no amount of hacking will allow for the seamless playback of Netflix that only Netflix themselves could provide. I am also aware that the Skype video calling app that was leaked is extremely difficult to hack (If not impossible.) As there was a development thread about it, but it eventually died, with little to no progress on the final goal. The reason I post here is because if enough people want something, it will eventually be given to them. So i simply post this to make all of you aware of why these additions would be incredibly useful to a large number of people. So I urge anyone who reads this to begin talking more about it, begin making these topics ever more popular among android forums and blogs, and these companies will eventually deliver once they see the demand. (I can hope, right?)
Just a (Wordy) thought.

Newsflash: Android Is Not Perfect

This is just a PSA to all you vicious Android fanboys on this forum that hound anyone who asks the question "what phone should I get", especially when one of those options includes an iOS device or a WP7 device.
So let me get this started. I love Android. But Android is not perfect. Take a deep breath, and say it with me again, out loud.
"Android is not perfect." Was that too hard? If so the following explanation is for you.
Ever since Android first came out, people were hailing it as the iPhone killer. But in reality? It's really not. It may be getting there, and may be getting there quickly, but that's not that point.
It may be a surprise to many of you, but there are actually other human beings outside of XDA that use smartphones. Human beings that are not interested in rooting their phones or spending a lot of time completely customizing them or pushing them to the limit. These human beings want their phones to work when they need them, and that's all. Whether these phones are iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile/7 phones is completely irrelevant to them.
Except, it actually is. But see, not in the way most of you seem to think it is.
People shop for phones nowadays because the have an end they need to reach and they need the means to get to that end. Whether it's something as simple as checking an email message or quenching a thirst to play a game, they take into consideration what is the quickest, most hassle-free way to do this. This requirement is not because they are stupid. Most XDA users seem to think that anyone off XDA just buys iPhones because they are uneducated about "the true power of Android" and all that jazz. Guess what? That's not the case.
Yes. Here at XDA, we can do a lot with our phones. We root them, we build custom ROMs for them, we use features that were locked before, or get versions of our OS that aren't out yet.
But please be damn sure you understand that we are the minority. We will always be the minority. Your experience here doesn't define the mobile landscape, it only improves your personal experience with your phone. Just because you took a few hours to root your phone, find the perfect custom ROM, and settle down with it doesn't make the average Joe who just bought an iPhone (because it does what he wants easily and has all the apps he likes) a stupid user.
Here is the meat of this newsflash; Android wouldn't be here if it wasn't for iOS. (Going further, iOS wouldn't be there without Windows Mobile, and etc etc etc until we reached the very first man who asked 'why can't I see my email from my phone'). Apple took a chance on what people wanted, and realized they had something. They built an OS that was based on the ideals of OS X; simple, straight-forward, good looking, and well received. And so began the App and Data revolution. All of a sudden, the idea of having mobile data became real. These wonderful delicious little things called "apps" made the mobile world much more exciting than it had even been before. And so Apple hit a goldmine, and the mobile landscape had been painted. These apps were well-designed, fun, informative, useful, and people liked them so much, they started to buy paid apps. Apple knows how to market to people, and there success showed.
So then. Android.
Android was birthed out of the idea that Google could cash in on this app world. You may think the intentions were noble, with the idea that it was some pipe dream in the same way linux was; completely open mobile platform. After all, if Apple could have the success with a closed system, Google obviously could rock the world with an open one.
But it's not. Android, or at least what most people come to think of as Android these days, is not "open". It's open to phone manufacturers, and carriers, but that's it. It' snot open to the end user. Why else do we have locked down features, closed-source OEM skins that hinder future firmware upgrades? Why else do we have carrier-controlled Market restrictions? Why do some phones not ship with developer tools, or the ability to install from unknown sources?
Let me be frank. I love Android, but Android is a mess. It's a mess of a bunch of wonderful ideas that would have shined like nothing else in the perfect world, but a mess that didn't anticipate a simple fact; businesses like to make money.
The truth of the matter is that we don't have freedom with Android. Every little part of it has a restriction we need to bypass. Do you buy an expensive high end phone, or a cheaper low-end phone? Will you still be able to play those cool games on that low end phone? Will it get software updates? Is it safe from malware? Buying an Android phone has become the same as trying to buy a Windows PC.
It suffers from the same problem that Microsoft does when compared to Apple's line of computers. Apple builds its hardware AND its software, so they interface with complete precision and function. People with iPhones don't need to worry about security updates, or whether their phone will be obsolete. Apple may release a new phone every year, but the point is that those phones are made to last, both in terms of hardware and software. They even went the next step further and made the iPod touch, which gave phone users who weren't ready for smartphones a taste of what it was like.
My Sprint Hero came out on October 11th, 2009. The iPhone 3GS came out in June of the same year. Both were priced around the same amount, but what stands out to me the most when I think back to when I tested both that year? The fact it took Google this long to make an operating system which took ages to mature enough to be used by HTC to make a phone that STILL could not even give me a smooth web browser, something that the very first iPhone was able to do. Games on the Hero sucked in comparison to the 3D games that were playable on the iPhone.
Now then, Android smartphone hardware has advanced to a significant level, but the point of this whole rant is that Google has always been following in Apple's footsteps in the mobile world, and it's going to be that way for some time.
Be a bit humble about the begginings of Android and what it's become, and for f***'s sake, be a bit mature than just saying "LOLOLOL APPLE SUCKS GG GET ANDROID".
Because it's the rest of the world outside of XDA that defines the success of these mobile platforms, because I hate to say this, but you and I are not part of that outside world of mobile phone users, and we never will be.
The truth is, no one can really say what the "perfect" mobile OS is. All we can do is say what works best for us or what we prefer, but when we state it as fact, as though it's not arguable, that's when we become the fanboys that we so dearly hate. Just keep that in mind.
Opinions welcome, fanboyism from either side not wanted at all. Congrats on finishing this post.
Excellent post. Would read again.
Great things said there. I can see a point in it. But still, I don't either see Ios higher as Android since Ios is a mess too. Let me just take this simple statement. Music on a Ipod/Iphone needs to be converted from the computer to the device, you can't random download a song(on the device) from Internet and play it. Same as the file exploring.. if you want to search for a file, you find a file in some folder like: im/af/on/ar/qr, or just some folders which are messy, and the file types are unknown for the computer. All those small things give me the excuse to stay at Windows Mobile. Simply cause we can download music files and play it, simply cause there is great development on it, simply cause it can be customized how we want it.
Cool story bro
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
d12unk13astard said:
Cool story bro
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job. That must have taken some serious thought to come up with.
This is something I 100% agree with.
When I had a Samsung Moment, I had problems galore with it. Keyboard wouldn't type, horrible support, and the big network lockup. Mind you, a network lockup where you can't call out to anyone is against FCC laws. But just to get some type of damn support for the thing, I almost had to root it. And I'm sorry, but I shouldn't have to depend on an online community for support for a phone when the carrier and manufacturer of the phone should be doing that. What the hell is the point in buying the phone and paying damn near $70 a month if I can't use the damn thing?
Let's also talk about performance of the Moment and how unoptimized it was. The Moment uses the same SoC found in the Iphone 2g, and 3g. The only difference, stock 2g and 3g SoC is 600 mhz, clocked down to about 422 mhz for battery, while the Moment was 800 mhz. Both arm11 cpu cores. The Iphone 2g and 3g despite having almost half the clocked frequency of the Moment, was smoother and had actual hardware support and acceleration. Even this day, Samsung still does not have proper hardware support for the SoC being used in the Moment, Intercept, Transform, Spica, etc etc.
If done right, Android is pretty awesome I'll admit. But if I want a phone to work, I'll get something that actually works.
big advantage of android, but also a weakness:
it works well on many devices, but its not optimised for the spezific hardware of each phone...
gosualex said:
big advantage of android, but also a weakness:
it works well on many devices, but its not optimised for the spezific hardware of each phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good understanding
I love android because I love to tinker. Nothing could ever change my mind short of the os aging. I will say this flaws or not I refuse to give apple my money. So it's either wp7 or android.
My words to live buy if I can't hack it I don't want it. Just my 2cents
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium Apps
I would agree iPhones support is a lot longer no network changes added, updates can brick the phones though.
Android need some love. Fragmentation. Networks slow to update. Ui 's being to sluggish to update the phone to higher levels.
All android phones should be aosp no extras from makers or networks.
Love my cm7/miui.us phone but most people would want to flash it or know how to. They would just think might as well get an iPhone.
Just my feelings. I own apple computers. Custom built pcs android phones had iPhones I still use an iPod touch in the kitchen as you can get the best speaker docks for them. Use what works best for the situation.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Android security warning !!
I think android is the best system, but its very insecure if you let it on stock and don't secure it, root it, get rid of some apps and optimize it.
Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
-gps location
-contacts
-logs
-screenshots
-hidden camerashots
-sms/mms
-emails
-photos
-etc
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS FACT !!!
There was a test in germany, where a developer made a app with all the rights to do the things above and send them hidden in the backround to a specified server to that he had access. So he could read and see all the things above and it was even updating immidiatly after a new sms or something came in and the testuser who installed it had no clue at all and was shocked when they told it to her.
The App itself was just making photos with a black censor stripe in the eyes and it seemed that it never could do that, but all the real action is going on in the backround.
By the way, he sayd it was very easy and many apps could do that and most of them really do that.
And what I know, many of you don't know or don't care and spread all your information to some companys that like to have them alot. And they allways want more.
Maybe you should spread this information by quoting this post or linking to it, because many people don't like to be ripped of their information.
Or do you like it, when someone is standing close to you and listens all what you say to your friends, when you have a private conversation ? I think not!
check out my signature also.
and be safe!
edit: i think i should post this as a new thread!
Great post, good read!!
Hard to say any mobile OS is perfect. But the world of mobile OS is developing quickly in recent years.
Haven't played extensively with Android and IOS. Currenly, I still think IOS is more polish. Android definitely have a lot of features and I am looking forward to where they take the OS to in the future. It seems like it's an OS that has a lot of support and has had to "grow up" really rapidly.
I actually agrer with everything in this post. Fact is the best technology in the world is technology that is stable, works, and allows the user to complete what ever task is needed.
Last night it was decided my wife and I are switching to verizon why? Cause the wife wants IOS and I am more partial to android and BB and thats the only carrier that has all 3.
Now to add on what was already said I think google needs to pick one manufacture purchase them then do exactly what apple does marry the hardware amd software together to get rid of what can be a problematic OS simply cause with some manufactures android is worse then on others.
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
(•.•) said:
I think android is the best system, but its very insecure if you let it on stock and don't secure it, root it, get rid of some apps and optimize it.
Did you know that a normal app with all permissions can get all your data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You give apps on an iphone or WM phone permissions to do these things too right, so this is a more general problem in the new mobile world...
BTW, I like you're post LiquidSolstice, you could almost call it a fact, it's not that the one is better than the other. It's just that they are different and the majority of people likes easy and simple...
I agree with alot of what LS mentions in the first post. My wife is one of those who could really care less about rooting, overclocking, mem management, or even what version of Android she is using for that matter. She just wants to be able to send that text without the keyboard "hicupping", or to make that phone call without the dialer lagging, etc. I like Android, but I don't like Google's.. well let's say "less than kosher" business practices and corporate involvements. I think a big point to remember is that there will always be people like us that get a huge kick out of toying with electronics. For some, it's a hobby, for others, a career. With that being said, there will also always be those doofies that get on sites like this one and annoy the living crap out of you. Everything needs to be taken in stride, and though there are those who appear to be clueless on a subject, always remember that we all have to learn somehow. Knowledge is not obtained through osmosis.
Android feels like a permanent beta. I prefer iOS for simple tasks plusSbsettings is unmatched. WP7 seems more like a feature phone, it doesn't tell you 'I'm smart.'
I mostly agree
I don't think the problem with android is really the fact that more than one company is involved in developing phones for android. The problem is that those companies, (OEMs & carriers) have been given way to much freedom to decide not only what processor & RAM the phone would have but to put their "stamp" on android. I think the blame for that partially falls on Google for not putting a stop to OEMs & carriers putting their bloatware on phones. Google has been asked multiple times to do something about the "fragmentation" issue & they've refused, so ultimately they are partly responsible for the "mess" android has become.
tsaxda said:
I don't think the problem with android is really the fact that more than one company is involved in developing phones for android. The problem is that those companies, (OEMs & carriers) have been given way to much freedom to decide not only what processor & RAM the phone would have but to put their "stamp" on android. I think the blame for that partially falls on Google for not putting a stop to OEMs & carriers putting their bloatware on phones. Google has been asked multiple times to do something about the "fragmentation" issue & they've refused, so ultimately they are partly responsible for the "mess" android has become.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, carrier "bloat" --I put that in quotes because the current three major skins bring much needed features to Android (whether or not the execution is done well or not is a different argument)-- isn't quite what's killing it, it's the time spent optimizing the hardware for Android.
Android gets slapped on as many devices as possible and then sold as a low end affordable smartphone, and that's the issue, but that's the essence of Android at the same time.
ZeGuitarist said:
Excellent post. Would read again.
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Click to collapse
+1 Outstanding post. Completely agree.

I just dont understand...

Hey everyone,
There is something thst has been bothing me for quite sometime now and i am still without a solution.
Currently i own a samsung infuse as well as a galaxy tab 10.1. Media accesability has obviously grown in importance since the progression of smartphones. Apple has been pretty good with the use of itunes and their store. Now they have the icloud as well. Google was ahead of the curve with this in regards to their music beta.
My problem is that i live in the Dominican Republic for now and i feel like non of these imporant things are available to me. I cannot use the google music beta, cannot use the samsung media hug, nor can us use the amazon kindle reader app on my tab, nor the samsung ereader for that matter.
I have yet to come across work arounds for this and honestly its disturbing that something that has become so important to many of us has failed to become available to me. I love android, but this is a bit frustrating.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

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