I have been adamantly trying to promote the Google Android ideals. I am trying to disseminate what Google is trying to do. I understand their vision, I see their goals. Why does the rest of the world not?
I have continuously tried to talk about Android, even to many highly educated and informed persons, only to find out they are completely unaware of what Android is. A phone, software, hardware, service? They have no clue.
I understand that Google is trying to create an open framework, an open operating system for mobile devices. Maybe they are trying to tiptoe around the "OS" description for fear of backlash from current providers. I can't explain it. Google is creating an operating system. The goal of this operating system is to see the mobile market adopt a similar approach to the rest of the computing and internet industry. A free system where anybody, with any device, on any carrier, using any software, may feel unrestricted.
Mobile carriers for too long have squeezed hard earned dollars out of consumer pockets using practices such as text messaging, roaming, fees, long distance, feature crippling, proprietary ringtones/music systems, etc.
How would a consumer feel today if Apple or Microsoft said, the only way you can listen to your music on your home computer is with our music service? What if your internet provider charged you for adding a wireless network to your home or plugging in a internet ready device? What if they said you could only use their computers to get on their internet with? What if your landline phone company charged you a different price depending on what time if the day you called? Bloody Murder, Lawsuit, Kill Them people may shout....
Now imagine. Imagine that Google has successfully lobbied, marketed, and pushed devices to consumers that would be allowed to be connected to any wireless network. Imagine that you can get an unlimited data only plan with your mobile device. Imagine that you could install any of a number of VOIP service providers to make your local or long distance calls. Skype, Vonage, etc. Imagine you pay $40/month for your data contract, using built-in messaging/SMS/MMS over any network for free, and pay $3/month for unlimited domestic phone calls.
How could this ever be possible? Google Android.
This seems to be an unbelievable feat to many. Brainwashed by the wireless providers and Apple marketing machine. Here is a list of the misinformation/comments I have heard with my responses.:
Google is creating a phone. - Google is creating an operating system and lobbying so that an manufacturer will be able to design a phone to use it, just like Windows Mobile, LIMO, Symbian, etc. There will be many phone models on many carriers that support the Google Android operating system
I don't want a phone with ads all over it. - Google phone will not have ads, there may be systems developed that will allow a cheaper phone if ads are used. There will be no forcing of such a system.
What is Android? - Google is creating an open-source operating system that will induce innovation and competition.
Google is just trying to do the same thing as Apple. - Google is creating an open-source operating system that will induce innovation and competition.
Google is just trying to do the same thing as Microsoft. - Google is creating an open-source operating system that will induce innovation and competition.
Have you read the news? Google software is full of security problems and so is these new gadgets. - Google & Apple both use UNIX/Linux for their operating systems. - Google took out the Bluetooth API and GTalk API from the SDK due to security reasons, they are doing the smart thing
Google Android phone won't be able to use Bluetooth or Google Talk - UNTRUE, these devices will support normal use of Bluetooth hardware and built-in messaging over the Jabber/Google Talk network. - The programming support for these components will not be IMMEDIATELY available due to scheduling and security reasons, expect an update to the SDK in the future that will allow support for developing software applications for these devices. - The iPhone doesn't have a Bluetooth API either, not that I want to follow in those footsteps.
I wonder if the Android Market will be policed like the iPhone online market - The Android Market is only a method of promoting development and allowing an easy way for consumers to connect with developers and developers to earn money. BUT, it will not be the only way to install applications on the phone, YOU ARE FREE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT!
... I'm sure more to come...
Google, please. Get this information out there. Buy some TV ads, do something!! People need to understand what you are doing, what you are lobbying for, what has already been done. Shipping that first phone is going to help a lot and put the speculation, rumors, and misinformation to rest. I will probably switch to T-Mobile from Verizon just to get one of the HTC Dream/G1 phones. I will do my part. My hacked Motorola Q will be up for sale ;)
I just added some good software updates to the Motorola Q software section.
Microsoft has been posting some good freebies and I finally noticed the InboxExtender app that enables "Mark All Read" in your Inbox!! The FlashVideoBundle for TCPMP that lets you watch YouTube has been updated as well. So head on over to the Motorola Q section to check it out.
To sum it up, "WOW". I skipped this game on my XBOX360 due to the reported control issues. I have a difficult enough time playing FPS games on the 360 due to my long history with PC gaming (Half-Life on Dual Monster 3D Voodoo 2 cards to give you a hint). The PC version has evidentally remedied these shortcomings and delivered an explosive title that cannot be missed.
I cannot say enough good things about this game. It is an interactive movie that enfolds based on your social decisions. It pulls you in and doesn't let go. The storyline is engrossing, the graphics are breathtaking, and the action is thrilling. I played through all the side-missions and ended up with about 40 hours of game play. As I understand it, there are many different ways I could have gone about this game.
I just finished the game and I already want to replay through it differently. Bioware is planning a free release of the "Bring Down the Sky" downloadable content that was released for XBox Live. This adds new missions and scenarios to explore.
Well I have been working on getting the WiiWhorld visuals working on my XP x64 64-Bit System. The only working 64-bit virtual midi driver I can find is Loobe1 (http://www.nerds.de/en/download.html). This has build in feedback protection which gets overloaded by excessive dumps to the midi channel.
The WiiWhorld script needs some heavy coding to get it to be compatible with the LoopBe1 feedback protection. It shouldn't take me more than a day of work. It is a matter of reducing the granularity, timing, and reseting of the bus.
