Wednesday was supposed to be Google’s big day in the sun…the always entertaining and surprising keynote address at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco. But, they took second place in importance behind two important US Supreme Court decisions.
First, the court made cell phone searches illegal without a warrant. That is a big deal for protecting our rights from illegal search and seizures. Second, they ruled the TV re-broadcaster Aereo illegal, thereby probably ending the life of that company. Aereo rented antennas to customers for $8 a month so they could get local broadcast channels without cable. A clever idea with a bit of trickery involved to skirt the copyright law. However, it was ruled illegal, so the big broadcasters win again. This may have long term ramifications we can’t see yet.
As for Google I/O, I spent 2.5 hours watching it unfold and was mostly disappointed with what I saw. Remember a couple of weeks ago when people called the Apple Developer Conference “Pie-in-the-Sky?” Well that is what this conference was…all pie-in-the-sky with the only Smart Watches announced for sale now and no dates announced for other new products. Like Apple’s show, this was also for developers and we got to see a lot of code being written (yawn).
I find it ironic that they spent a lot of time talking about the next version of Android, code named, “L”. They have a lot of good things planned for it (read more about it in story #3). But the problem for most of you with Android devices is that you will never see it. Android is so fragmented with so many devices having different versions of Android and not getting the upgrades.
For instance, the most current version of Android, named Kit-Kat, is only being used by 19% of the people with Android products. Why? Not because you don’t want it, but cell phone carriers won’t upgrade your phones and some of the new Android operating systems are not compatible with your phones. Frankly, this is an absurd situation!
Apple iPads and iPhones only have one operating system…the same for Windows Phone 8. And people with those devices will all be upgraded when new versions are available…the exact opposite of the Android world. So if you want “L” you will have to buy a new phone or tablet with it installed.
When I sold off my Nexus 7 tablet, I left the Android world for good…and ironically, this device would get “L” when it is released. The main reason, as I stated here previously, is I found Android for tablets to be far inferior to Apple’s iOS on almost every level. It is a decision I do not regret.
A lot more happened at Google I/O but I will let you read about it in stories #3 and #4. Some of it was quite intriguing, like Android for cars and Android TV, and I look forward to seeing if it all comes true. Ironically, Google Glass and Google+ were never mentioned. Are they on the chopping block?
I think you will find this edition to be filled with good information and tips and tricks for your computers and mobile devices. Enjoy! -JRC
News and Opinions
Supreme Court: Cell phones are protected from warrantless searches
The high court issues a decision on two cases related to police searches of mobile phones, calling modern cell phones "not just another technological convenience.”
Aereo ruled illegal by Supreme Court; must pay copyright fees
The future of Internet TV was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. And it didn't go in cord cutters' favor. It was a big win for broadcasters.
The 17 most important things Google announced at I/O
From a brand-new visual design to wearable's, this is Google's vision for 2014 and beyond. Here is a look at Wednesday's highlights from the Keynote Address.
Google spells out ambitious plan: Android world domination
The message to developers at Google's I/O fest this year was crystal clear: Android software will power everything from phones and cars to TVs and beyond.
FAA Bans The Use Of Drones To Deliver Packages
The FAA made it plain this week that Amazon, or anyone else for that matter, won’t be able to deliver packages using a drone in the near future.
Computer Tips and Tricks
Office Online versus Google Apps: Facts and FUD
Microsoft and Google are locked in battle over free-for-personal-use productivity applications. Each is fighting for your attention. At this time, there’s no one best online suite; both are quite capable and both have some important limitations.
17 obscure Windows tools and tricks too powerful to overlook
Beneath Internet Explorer and the Start button hides a universe of tools and tricks that are positively brimming with potential.
Get Organized: Clean Up Gmail Contacts
Google's Contact Manager isn't the most organized system by default, so here are some tips to help you get it under control, whether in Gmail or another app.
How to Make Windows 8's Start Screen Actually Useful
Windows 8's Start Screen gets a bad rap, but with the right tweaks and a couple downloads, it can actually be pretty useful. Here's how to make the Start Screen into something you might actually want to use.
The Best Photoshop Alternatives That Are Totally Free
Photoshop has become so dominant that you can use its name as a verb, but if you want to get your hands on it you need to shell out at least $10 a month. Don't worry! There are plenty of completely free alternatives to Photoshop; here are a few of the best.
Mobile Computing
How to get Android L's performance boost right now
You don't need the newest version of Android to get all of the performance benefits. Here's how you can speed up your Android device in one easy step
6 things Amazon's Fire Phone can do that your smartphone can't
From Firefly’s compulsive-purchasing features to Mayday’s instant tech-support tether, Fire Phone has a few tricks up its sleeve that we weren’t expecting. But will that be enough to convince consumers to buy one of the AT&T-exclusive phones?
Microsoft Updates OneDrive Apps for Android, iOS
Microsoft today released new versions of the OneDrive apps for both Android and iOS. These updates make it easier for users to get your phone-based photos (and videos) into OneDrive.
What Android Wear is actually like to use
Google officially launched its Android-based smart watch platform at its I/O developers' conference this week, and the first two devices are already on sale: the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live.
Adobe Photoshop Mix review: Not just another iPad photo app
The new Adobe Photoshop Mix, a cloud-based image editor and compositor that debuted as part of Creative Cloud 2014, will actually perform some processor-intensive functions — like content aware fill, lens correction and shake reduction — in the cloud and deliver the results to your iPad.
No comments:
Post a Comment