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Android this week: Galaxy S4 Zoom; New Nexus 7 tested; HTC One Mini pegged for August

Kevin C. Tofel — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:18:57 +0000

Samsung was the first to create a “phablet” and it looks like it’s also the first to create a “phomera”. OK, my silly name doesn’t really exist, but the device I’m referring to actually does.

On Wednesday, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Zoom: an Android phone that includes a 10x optical camera zoom (24-240mm, F/3.1 to F/6.3). Essentially the rear part of the phone looks like a traditional Galaxy handset. Turn the device around and it looks more like a point-and-shoot camera. Supplementing the zoom lens is a 16 megapixel sensor and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to reduce camera shake. Samsung also added a Zoom Ring to quickly access the camera functions: In-Call Photo Share, camera mode choice and other controls.

Of course, since this is a phone, it has the expected connectivity choices: GSM, HSPA+, and LTE. The device runs Android 4.2 on a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. Samsung hasn’t offered specifics on the exact chip, nor does it mention how much RAM is in the Zoom. That rear display on the camera — or is the front display of the phone? — is a 4.3-inch qHD resolution screen: 960 x 540.

From what I can tell, this isn’t going to be a high-end smartphone with better camera optics but should appeal to photo fanatics that want a solid Android experience. I’m curious how the added camera optics will affect holding the device on a phone call, however.

In tablet news, more details surfaced on the next-generation Nexus 7. This week, FCC testing documents were found for a Nexus-branded, Asus built 7-inch slate. The device (or devices, as there are different models) will have Wi-Fi and LTE options and use a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip in lieu of Nvidia’s silicon that powers the current Nexus 7. The biggest detail missing so far is: what resolution will the new tablet have? My hope is for two options: a lower-cost 1280 x 800 unit and a premium-priced 1080p version.

And HTC looks sure to follow Samsung’s lead in making a mini version of its flagship phone. Bloomberg reported this week that the HTC One Mini will launch this August. The “mini” refers to the smaller design and display: Expect a 4.3-inch screen with 720p resolution; that compares to the HTC One’s 4.7-inch, 1080p display.

Engadget has a reported picture of the new Mini next to the existing HTC One, showing similar design cues. That’s a smart move by HTC, given that its current flagship is regarded by many, including me, to be the best built and designed Android phone available today. You’ll likely give up some performance if you opt for the smaller version though: a dual-core chip and possibly a lower camera resolution. For some, a more manageable size could trump those feature reductions.

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If you believe the FCC (and I do), a new Nexus 7 is coming soon

Kevin C. Tofel — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:42:27 +0000

In the market for a 7-inch Android tablet? The Nexus 7 is now 11 months old and we’ve seen bits of evidence that appeared to signal an updated version of Google’s small slate. Now, it’s an even safer bet that an updated Nexus tablet will be announced soon. Why more certainty? The FCC has certified a new Asus tablet with mention of the Nexus branding — not a guarantee that such a device will go on sale, but a definite requirement and the best indicator yet.

Ironically, it wasn’t even a U.S. news outlet that spotted the FCC testing documents: Notebook Italia got the jump on us all in finding the data. Based on the FCC report, the 7-inch tablet under test uses a Qualcomm APQ-8064 chip, which sounds like the Snapdragon S600 used by the Galaxy S 4, HTC One and LG Optimus G Pro handsets. The tablet will have both a front and rear camera as well as a 15 wHr battery. Versions with Wi-Fi and LTE are likely.

There’s no indication of the screen resolution but the Snapdragon S600 is surely capable of driving a 1080p display: It does so for the trio of smartphones mentioned above. However, a panel with 1080p resolution would likely drive the cost up. I still think Google should offer a wider range of new Nexus 7 tablets: some at a lower price with the current 1280 x 800 resolution and higher-priced models with 1080p screens. Call them Nexus 7+ or Nexus 7 HD tablets.

Regardless of what the final product line update looks like, if you’re in the market for a Nexus 7, it may make sense to hold off. Even if you’d rather have the current model, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Google offer it for a lower price as new models fit into the current price points of $199 to $249.

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Sony opens up SmartWatch platform to third-party firmware

David Meyer — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:43:29 +0000

Sony’s second stab at the SmartWatch concept is either a vast improvement over the first or a crashing failure, depend on who you’re listening to. Either way, the Android peripheral has hardly set the world on fire – but Sony clearly thinks a lot more goodness can be wrung out of its wristborne platform.

And to achieve that, the company is opening it up. Developers could obviously already write apps for the SmartWatch using Sony’s SDK, but now they can write their own alternative firmware and flash it to the device. It’s called the Open SmartWatch Project and, according to Sony, it will make it possible to “create new experimental use cases and innovations” around the SmartWatch hardware.

It should go without saying that those flashing their watches do so at their own risk and may find their warranty voided. There is a Sony hacker guide for the project, full of reference information.

Sony is kicking off the project with a SmartWatch Arduino hackathon this coming Saturday in Malmö, Sweden — the idea there is have Arduino firmware run on the SmartWatch.

The creation of the Open SmartWatch Project suggests Sony may have found its own user experience efforts lacking, but overall it’s a good thing. It gives developers a relatively affordable (currently around $95) and attractive piece of hardware to play around with and create new smart watch ideas on, and it should feed ideas back to Sony in case the company decides to take a third crack at the concept.

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Much iOS 7 design inspiration came from others but Apple elegantly puts it all together

Kevin C. Tofel — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 21:18:18 +0000

While introducing iOS 7 on Monday, Apple called it the “most significant design” since the original iPhone. That’s obvious the moment you see the new mobile software with its overhauled fonts, spacing, flat-looking icons and buttons. For some, iOS has been feeling “stale” so the timing of this particular release is likely good for Apple; those considering a switch based on a six-year old design will likely stay put. And all of the changes can be attributed to Jony Ive, who took over iOS for Scott Forstall in October.

How much of Ive’s new design is groundbreaking? From what I saw, actually not much. Many of the items that caused the crowd to clap and cheer have been around on other platforms for some time. I noticed elements from Microsoft Windows Phone, Android, third-party widgets, HTC Sense and even Palm’s webOS, which may have been ahead of its time. That’s not to take away from iOS 7 though. As a fan of all things mobile, I can appreciate the refinements Apple has built into iOS 7. Let’s take a closer look.

Where have we seen iOS 7 elements before?

You can’t look at iOS 7 without immediately noticing the flat design of the icons and native apps. Gone is the old “skeumorphism”: the virtual representation of physical objects such as a notepad, calendar book or bookshelf. In its place is a fresh, clean design that’s far easier on the eye and more elegant. And Microsoft is likely stomping mad right now because it led the way with flat design in Windows Phone as early as 2010.

How about that new multitasking feature? You can actually see the open app windows — in addition to their icons — in iOS 7. In fact, they look just like the cards that represented open apps in the ill-fated webOS. Apple didn’t show much more than the look of multitasking so I don’t yet know if those apps are active, i.e.: changing in real time on the screen when displayed. And in webOS, you closed the apps by flicking the cards off the screen. I suspect Apple will keep the current method of app closing.

I love the new Control Center in iOS 7 that comes up with bottom-up flick on the screen. It provides one-touch access to Airplane Mode and toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Do Not Disturb mode. Of course, this has long been available natively in Android — some third-party manufacturers have even extended it; some too much (I’m looking at you, Samsung!). Control Center also provides brightness and music control as well as easy access to some quick functions. It’s much the same as Android, but this is one of the best parts of Google’s platform, so Apple chose well.

There were many “oohs” and “aahs” when the iOS 7 home screen wallpaper and Weather app was shown. Tilting the iOS device allows you too see more of the image behind the icons, which is pretty nifty. And it’s something I’ve seen on Android launchers for a good two years. And while the weather app now has moving images to show the weather, that was one of the features found in the Rosie version of HTC Sense, circa 2009!

Another “wow” moment was had for synchronized notifications. And Apple deserved it. There’s nothing more annoying than seeing the same notifications over and over again when switching devices. That’s probably why Google announced it for Android devices at last month’s Google I/O event.

In the end: it doesn’t matter

I could go on with more examples, but you get the point. I do find it ironic that Apple is borrowing heavily from competitors — Steve Jobs once said “good artists copy, great artists steal” – yet it viciously fights back if it sees a competitor product having a similar look or feel. Perhaps that’s more a testament to Apple’s legal team and not its design team: It could be that Microsoft, Google, Samsung and others aren’t as good at the patent game.

Regardless of where the best ideas come from, Apple can put them all together like nobody else. And ultimately, that’s what’s going to matter. Apple will provide the best of its own ideas along a few from other sources when it delivers iOS 7 this fall.

And that is a testament to where Apple excels: Combining hardware, software and services to produce best overall experience across the widest audience. Make no mistake: iOS 7 will be a hit because of that singular integration expertise Apple illustrates time and again.

We’ll be highlighting the future of experience design at our annual RoadMap conference in San Francisco in November, and tickets will go on sale later this Summer. To learn more about the event sign up here.

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Android this week: Google’s keyboard for all; Galaxy S 4 updated; Xperia Z going stock

Kevin C. Tofel — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 13:21:24 +0000

Google continued an Android strategy this week to decouple core apps from the base software by releasing the native Android keyboard in the Google Play store. The company began breaking out apps from Android in 2010, making it easier for all phones to run the same core Google applications and services; there’s no need for users to wait for a major software release to get some improved experiences.

The free app is available for Android 4.0 or better devices and has seen more between 500,000 and 1 million downloads in just three days. While each hardware maker typically creates their own software keyboard — and there are also many good third-party keyboards — I generally stick with Google’s. This gives me the same typing experience and key layout regardless of what Android phone or tablet I’m using. Fans of Swype will be happy because the native keyboard supports typing with gestures.

I also prefer the native, or stock, Android experience without a manufacturer skin. If you do too, you might be interested in the new “Google Experience” phones that start selling June 26 on Google Play. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One will go on sale with a pure version of Android that Google will directly update; just like its own Nexus devices.

The Sony Xperia Z is expected to round out the “Google Experience” offerings according to multiple reports this past week. The phone offers a similar display to its peers — a 5-inch, 1080p screen — and uses a quad-core processor paired with 2 GB of memory. Sony hasn’t officially announced this edition so there’s no price yet. However, the very similar Xperia ZL costs $639 direct from Sony, so I anticipate a similar price point.

Owners of the Galaxy S 4 should also be anticipating a software update in the very near future. Samsung released one in Germany for the handset which adds a few new features but also offers a workaround for the low amount of user accessible storage in the 16 GB model.

That phone only comes with 9.15 GB of free space, which left many buyers grumbling.

You can certainly expand the storage capacity with a microSD card but Google removed the ability to store apps on external storage some time ago. I’ve installed single games that gobble up nearly 1.5 GB of storage, so that 9.15 GB can go away quickly.

With the new software, Samsung enables support for application installs on the memory card, which should appease storage concerns.Also included in the software update is support for HDR video, updated camera firmware, a toggle switch for the Smart Pause feature and a semi-transparent Status Bar. Samsung hasn’t announced release dates for other regions, so stay tuned or check your phone for availability.

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Analyst suggests HTC One sales already peaked, blames next iPhone and delays

Kevin C. Tofel — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:12:05 +0000

Has the HTC One already hit its sales peak? At least one analyst thinks so: Citigroup Global Markets Inc analyst Kevin Chang, told the Taipei Times on Friday that the investment group expects “HTC shipments to peak in May, stay at a similar level in June and start to decline in July.” Even with a well-received product, the issue appears to be one of timing.

It’s true that HTC was held up from offering the flagship phone by at least a few weeks. The problem was related to component sourcing as early as March. HTC resolved the issue quickly enough for Chang to boost sales expectations from 1 to 1.2 million for the month. That’s a far cry from the 5 million that an anonymous HTC executive said were sold through the first month of availability, however.

With such delays, HTC’s already small window of opportunity closed a little more. The HTC One could have beat Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 to market by weeks, but instead is competing head-on. Samsung says it sold 10 million units in the first month. Making matters worse in Chang’s mind is that consumers are now readying for Apple’s next iPhone iteration. I think it’s a bit early for that, but with Apple’s WWDC event next week, it will surely get some buzz and marketing going to remind people about its iPhone.

Phone Arena raises another good point on HTC’s challenges. Even if the company finds success here in the U.S. with the HTC One, the bigger opportunities are overseas. Too much focus here doesn’t help HTC because the U.S. is heading towards a point of smartphone saturation. Perhaps the rumored HTC One Mini will arrive before Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 Mini in overseas markets and the company gets a sales boost.

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iPhone and Android are different, so stop trying to compare them

Lauren Hockenson — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:29:55 +0000

Another trends report. More rabble-rousing about which is better. The fanboys fighting the fanboys.

Can it be over already?

Since both devices stepped on the block, there has been endless comparisons between iPhone and Android. Researchers conduct countless “head-to-head” data analyses, polls and measurements to find out which is the better phone. But, especially within the last year, a clear (if unfavorable) result has emerged: iPhone and Android are different phones with different approaches. As such, comparing the two is fruitless.

A study by mobile company Flurry shows what months of studies have proven: iPhone and Android are inherently better in different ways. Android leads slightly in global device share, and Apple commands a stronger share of apps both in volume and time spent. The company certainly points to valid reasons why these statistics are the way that they are, including the fragmented nature of Android app development, greater dissemination of Android phones in general, and the immense push that Apple has made in advertising premium apps. But it doesn’t tell us anything new – it just casually avoids the idea that comparing the two is moot.

Android devices and iPhones aren’t in the same race, and it’s impossible to even tell if they’re on similar tracks. Android has achieved the great feat of widespread penetration all across the world, and its unique hardware options mean that low-cost devices can successfully navigate rising markets. Meanwhile, Apple has entered the rising global hunger for smartphones with little momentum, although its recent foray into financial subsidies has worked well in India.

Android’s diversified system and widespread market appeal simply cannot be compared against the more concentrated pockets of iPhone users, and sometimes these statistics don’t actually prove dominance in a particular market. Sure, Android may get more downloads overall, but Apple’s revenue from the App Store remains unmatched. Other times, they’re different depending on what time, place and particular region of the world.

In a lot of ways, it comes down to the semantics of how we view this debate: holding a head to head between two different phones with two different aims and environments is just impossible. It discounts the strengths and weaknesses both have, and it eliminates burgeoning competition from Windows Phone and Blackberry.

So let’s agree that this “head-to-head” nonsense just doesn’t work anymore.

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Sony Xperia Z tapped as a likely “Google Experience” phone. Whither Nexus?

Kevin C. Tofel — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:00:26 +0000

First Samsung and then HTC decided to offer their flagship phones with a pure build of Android. Who’s next to bring their handset with a “Google Experience” to the Play Store? Sony with its Xperia Z smartphone, says Android Central. The enthusiast site claims that sources have confirmed Sony is working on a stock Android edition of its flagship device.

The Sony Xperia Z is the newer, bigger brother to the Xperia ZL I’m currently reviewing. The two are very similar but the Xperia Z is more comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One, which it would share shelf space with in the Play Store.

The 5-inch, full HD display has on-screen software buttons, which are ideal for a pure Android device. The Nexus 4, for example has no hardware buttons on the front face of the phone as the latest version of Android works with software buttons.

Stock Android should run nicely on the Xperia Z, which uses a Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip with 2 GB of memory. The base model also includes 16 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with a microSD card. Sony’s Exmor camera sensor tops out at 13 megapixels on this particular device.

My gut tells me that Sony, Samsung and HTC didn’t decide to offer these Google Experience devices on their own. This is a Google-directed initiative, in my opinion. It won’t replace the Nexus program — Google has said the Nexus line will continue — but instead will supplement it. The best-designed flagship phones will come with stock Android at full price, roughly $599 and up.

I suspect Nexus devices will be almost cutting-edge handsets: a slightly downgraded component here or there will keep them from being true flagships. This will let Google price them lower than the Google Experience phones — the Nexus 4 currently sells for $299 to $349, for example — so that people can get pure Android without spending $600 or more for a contract-free handset.

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Amazon starts selling Kindle Paperwhite and Fire HD in China

Laura Hazard Owen — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:20:37 +0000

Amazon started selling Kindle e-readers and tablets in China on Friday. The front-lit Kindle Paperwhite e-reader is ¥849 (USD $138), and the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD is ¥1499 (USD $244) for the 16 GB version and ¥1799 (USD $293) for the 32 GB version.

Amazon launched a Chinese Kindle store, with iOS and Android apps for reading ebooks, in December. The store contained around 25,000 ebooks at launch and is now up to about 47,000 titles. When I surfed around a Google Translated version of the store today, I noticed that the device page translates as “Optional Kindle device,” perhaps to remind users that they don’t actually have to buy a Kindle in order to read ebooks. Most of the books in the Chinese Kindle store are priced very, very low, with the top 15 bestselling books in the store all priced under 3 yuan (USD $0.49) and many at 1 yuan (USD $0.16).

Amazon also launched an Android app store in China last month.

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Poll: Android users, what version are you running?

Kevin C. Tofel — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:48:31 +0000

Earlier this week, I noted that Google’s fragmentation issues with Android are close to disappearing. That article prompted a few dissenting responses with valid points: There are still prepaid phones selling with Android 2.3, for example. Still, Google’s data suggests that these phones are quickly becoming part of the minority when it comes to Android versions. I’ll have more to say on why and what that means in an upcoming post.

Some have questioned Google’s data, particularly because the company changed the way it tracks Android version data in aggregate. A few months ago, Google started looking at version numbers of Android devices hitting the Google Play store; prior to that it would check whenever a device hit Google’s servers. I actually prefer the new method because the data is really meant for developers. And if I were a developer, I’d want to know what devices are actively seeking apps.

In any case, mainly as an exercise in curiosity, here’s a poll for Android device owners to tell us what version of Android they’re currently running on the Android device they use the most.

For many that’s a smartphone, but it could also be a tablet. And to keep things simple, let’s ignore the various sub-versions and stick with the base — or named — versions of Android. Of course, I’m always happy to welcome more discussion on how big a problem Android fragmentation is or isn’t, depending on your point of view.

I also realize that our more tech-saavy audience could be better informed on Android’s version issues, so the results may be skewed towards Android 4.0 and up. Still, I’m wondering if people either still see many fragmentation issues or experience them on their own Android devices.

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