[SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to use and be familiar with all the new social media communications tools. Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest market share and are best value for money. And of course I like Linux. Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can study ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
some adhoc feedback... i have found that podcasts dont work as well on android (especially enhanced podcasts - which i think are an apple propritary thing anyway, surprise surprise!!! :) i personally prefer android anyday, get the phone, root it (or not), and you have way way way more control than you can hope to on an ios. On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 8:42 PM, Rod Butcher rbutc...@hyenainternet.comwrote: I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to use and be familiar with all the new social media communications tools. Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest market share and are best value for money. And of course I like Linux. Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can study ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/**mailinglists.htmlhttp://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
I owned an IPhone for a number of years and recently got a android galaxy II. First comment is that they are all slippery suckers. 16 year old has destroyed a number of phones just by dropping them out of his pockets. Deep pockets are a must (that is literal). Look after them and don't drop them. I drowned one and apple replaced it for a reasonably cheap fee ($250 at the genius bar) a definite plus. The iPhone has some great features however over a period of time the software burdens your phone and it simply stops working because it is overloaded. Call pick up does not work at times (iPhone 4 the same) When I bought the iPhone I thought laptop tethering would save me a 3g modem, I unfortunately went with Optus who charge to allow access, I have since moved to Virgin that does not. So read your plan. also look at the chunks they charge in, virgin charges in small increments, others charge for a large chunk even though you use a small one. It is definite that Telstra has the best coverage, Optus (hence a few others like virgin) are OK and Vodafone is the worst.For example Heathcote to the city on the train with Optus internet does not work about 50% of the time, especially around Oatley station. So make sure you have good 3g coverage at work and at home. Wifi is essential, my iPhone 3gs just stopped connecting, heard the same problem from a number of other people as well. Upgrading apps on Wifi and searching is so quick. I also decided the camera was important, your needs may vary but I never have the camera when I need it. Flash and a good pixel size is important, 8+ depending on what you want. Screen, the larger the better the galaxy SII is huge, so you better have big pockets. The screen is crisp but battery is terrible. I installed a juice defender and it is now far better. I find the screen on the galaxy better than the iPhone. Read a document with small text to compare. Android negatives. Calling seems more cumbersome than the iPhone. Android favourite is a name you then have to pick a phone number, IPhone is a number that just dials. You seem to be left alone a bit when you are setting up your phone, iPhone seems to be better documented / easier. For example how do you get spell correct to work? Samsung KIA did not install on Windows XP, worked on Windows 7. So the setup utilities are not as good. ITunes is much easier to drive than KIA. Notice that most people hate KIA, not surprised. email is not as friendly. Changing password on exchange account is not automatic like it should be. Reading the internet other mail clients are better, not bothered yet. Mail purges off when you pull all your mail on your desktop, so it is harder to keep those notes for later. Still have not figured out cut and paste. Overall I am very happy to have switched and I love the big screen and can put up with the bad battery life. Ken -Original Message- From: Rod Butcher Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:42 PM To: slug@slug.org.au Subject: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ? I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to use and be familiar with all the new social media communications tools. Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest market share and are best value for money. And of course I like Linux. Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can study ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
I used to use pocketcast but sharing a link was forced via pocketcast I currently use Google Reader, for the subscription to pocketcasts, and playback via Google Listen. It's shame it has to be two apps. On 2/02/12 10:08 PM, simran wrote: some adhoc feedback... i have found that podcasts dont work as well on android (especially enhanced podcasts - which i think are an apple propritary thing anyway, surprise surprise!!! :) i personally prefer android anyday, get the phone, root it (or not), and you have way way way more control than you can hope to on an ios. On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 8:42 PM, Rod Butcherrbutc...@hyenainternet.comwrote: I need to have a smartphone as part of my job needs me to be be able to use and be familiar with all the new social media communications tools. Initial research indicates that Android-based phones have the highest market share and are best value for money. And of course I like Linux. Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Any serious comparison documents I can study ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/**mailinglists.htmlhttp://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote: Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system can. Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source. Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored. Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing about principles. Wow, I sound like RMS. Or a troll–like version. Didn't think that day would come. signature.asc Description: OpenPGP digital signature -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
Jeremy Visser wrote: On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote: Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system can. Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source. snip Given the issues with Battery life, seems there is some scope for tuning either customised/personal/individual or across the op system. I expect, things like the WiFi are hungry and even leaving the OS running, while you wait for a phone call. I expect another thing to consider is Chrome/Google Docs on Android vs Safari/Dropbox(Apple's offering???) on IPAD. Any comments? Thinking out loud, has anyone played with 4G(LTE) or dual/band smartphones - do such things exist? With regard to coverage - I have used Virgin/Optus Broadband (3G) for a few years (ever since the I-Burst Wireless Network was shut down) and Vodaphone (2G) mobile telephone since 1996 - their coverage has improved over the years. Telstra has better coverage eg west coast of Tasmania - actually most of Tasmania except Launceston and Hobart and probably the highway between the two. I haven't done a pricing check recently, but Telstra was also more expensive. So, it is a balance, whether you share the cost with more customers or pay for more exclusive access. Marghanita -- Marghanita da Cruz Ramin Communications (Sydney) Website: http://ramin.com.au Phone:(+612) 0414-869202 -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On Friday 03 February 2012 08:25:40 Jeremy Visser wrote: Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored. Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing about principles. Some of us care. Those who care currently have Nokia N9s, which is the most open phone (straight out of the box) on the market. It's a real Linux (not Android), with apps written in C++. If you switch on development mode (it's an option in the settings) you can even get a terminal window, or SSH in, and become root (no hacks required). The only drawbacks are that development of the ecosystem is somewhat terminal given that the vendor has moved it to maintenance mode in favour of an OS from the Western United States, and that it has Aegis FS, so root cannot necessarily access all files. It's also pretty, which is one of the reasons my daughter got one. Regards, Troy Rollo Solicitor Parry Carroll Commercial Lawyers Direct: (02) 8257 3177 Fax: (02) 9221 1375 Switch: (02) 9221 3899 E-mail: t...@parrycarroll.com.au Web: www.parrycarroll.com.au Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation This message and any attachments are confidential to Parry Carroll. If you have received it by mistake, please let us know by reply and then delete it from your system. You must not copy the message, alter it or disclose its contents to anyone. Thank you. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On 02/03/2012 09:21 AM, Marghanita da Cruz wrote: Thinking out loud, has anyone played with 4G(LTE) or dual/band smartphones - do such things exist? I played with a HTC 4G device at a telstra shop yesterday in penrith, speedtest gave me 20mbit down and 3mbit up. ping was 82ms. looking through the history of all the other times the phone had run speed test (and it was ALOT, thing was front of store with a speed test icon on the home screen) worst result was 5mbit, most common was 15+ ping was always in the 80-100 range. With regard to coverage - I have used Virgin/Optus Broadband (3G) for a few years (ever since the I-Burst Wireless Network was shut down) and Vodaphone (2G) mobile telephone since 1996 - their coverage has improved over the years. My missus's mother lives in Bega and uses virgin Internet via 3g dongle. I was doing some manipulations of her mythtv box a few days ago and virgin kills the connection after a few minutes with no data so I started to ping it. 3938 packets transmitted, 3804 received, 3% packet loss, time 3940409ms rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 116.925/2825.981/46904.876/6009.332 ms, pipe 47 That's right, max ping of 46 seconds, and an average of ~3. These results are typical for her Internet connection. I use virgin on my phone and it doesn't seem to suck that badly, though if you try to run VoIP over it you generally have about a 30 second delay. Telstra has better coverage eg west coast of Tasmania - actually most of Tasmania except Launceston and Hobart and probably the highway between the two. I haven't done a pricing check recently, but Telstra was also more expensive. So, it is a balance, whether you share the cost with more customers or pay for more exclusive access. I'm thinking of moving to telstra for my mobile (i want a galaxy note), and their 3G internet plans have really come down in price, mother in law can now get internet off telstra cheaper than the current plan she is on with virgin. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On Fri, February 3, 2012 9:21 am, Marghanita da Cruz wrote: Given the issues with Battery life, seems there is some scope for tuning either customised/personal/individual or across the op system. I expect, things like the WiFi are hungry and even leaving the OS running, while you wait for a phone call. on the subject of battery life, I have been making some semi-scientific (but not really) attempts at assessing battery life on my Motorola; GPS on or off, WiFi on or off, BT on or off makes very little difference to battery, insignificant with my phone/usage. 3G radio **used** to make HUGE battery drain, in the past, with 3G ON, my phone wouldn't last whole day (but I'm not sure whether I was on MotoBlur.. or not..) after loading CM7 Ba2TF, and, now, CM7 weeklies, my battery life is pretty good, with 3G off, I get two+ days on single charge when I 1st started obesrving battery discharge slope, enabling 3G made a huge difference, at some point, with either CM7 Ba2TF or a weekly, 3G radio ON made very small, just observable change in discharge slope, I was able to leave 3G ON all day (I'm currently out of data allowance, as soon as I get more, I'll re-test usage with 3G radio ON) another obseravtion: HTC DesireHD: initally, out of battery before day was over, since latest s/w updates (just few weeks ago), all 'on', still on 50% by 8pm fwiw, there is a nifty (y5 ?) utility that enables/disables WiFi based on your location, for power saving, idea is great, in my expeirience, battery drain for WiFi is si minimal, I don't use it) for 3G, I use a data enabler widget to toggle as needed, though it seems latest s/w build might make that need almost obsolete as always, ymmv -- Voytek -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On Thu, February 2, 2012 10:30 pm, Ken Foskey wrote: I owned an IPhone for a number of years and recently got a android galaxy II. I got my very first 'smart' phone about 6 month ago, Android, never had or used iPhone or any other 'smart' phone prior like my phone, Blur was OK, CM7 is good (probably better ?) First comment is that they are all slippery suckers. 16 year old has destroyed a number of phones just by dropping them out of his pockets. yes, dropped my Moto from shallow pocket on 2nd day grrr phone is OK, (but Gorilla Glass is no much for roadside gravel) (only scored two or three minute gravel rashes on screen g...) Deep pockets are a must (that is literal) if anyone cared to ask me what to get, if the person was into technical things, I'd say get Android, if that person was not, I'd say get iPhone Android negatives. on the positives: Swype I find good, better than Graffiti email is not as friendly. I find K9 good Still have not figured out cut and paste. when I first got phone, with Android... 2.2 ? prior to GB, yes, I couldn't really figure c'n'p, that sort of stuff was pretty poor, IMHO luckily for me, shortly after I got the phone, 2.3 ? or something ? came out, few things, (like categories on desktop) and c'n'p got fixed compared to my Palm, initially, I was quite dissapointed with quite a few aspects, with the GB update, most of that was fixed ymmv -- Voytek -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On Fri, February 3, 2012 10:02 am, Jake Anderson wrote: Thinking out loud, has anyone played with 4G(LTE) or dual/band smartphones - do such things exist? I played with a HTC 4G device at a telstra shop yesterday in penrith, speedtest gave me 20mbit down and 3mbit up. ping was 82ms. looking through fwiw, my best ever on 3g Moto, Sydney metro, evening time: 8.3 down, 3.2 up, 70 ms -- Voytek -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
On Fri, February 3, 2012 10:24 am, Voytek Eymont wrote: phone is OK, (but Gorilla Glass is no much for roadside gravel) oops, 'match' oh, yes, and, in spite of my prior moanings here, SIP VOIP over 3G now works on my phone, seems my issues were phone/Motorola releated rather than anything else -- Voytek -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ? So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ? Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also, are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
Hey Jeremy, You don't sound like a troll... just someone who has been around a long time and is used to doing it all themselves. I think people do care... but there is a lot more specialisation now... it's like medicne an ENT specialist doesn't know much about the legs... but because he has specialised, he has furthered the research and solutions in ENT. Same in technology, people are specialists, and not everyone has to re-invent the wheel. There are those that care, and those that care but are specialising in areas where they can't impact the OS level decision... s. On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Jeremy Visser jer...@visser.name wrote: On 2/02/12 20:42, Rod Butcher wrote: Are there any things they can't do or can't connect to/interface with, which other proprietary systems can ? Not really, all there are lots of things it can't do that an open system can. Like logging in as root. Or, y'know, compiling the whole OS from source. Sadly, people these days don't care and this post will be ignored. Amazingly enough, not even technical or otherwise FOSS–loving people seem to care. Blah blah pragmatism blah blah works well enough. Nothing about principles. Wow, I sound like RMS. Or a troll–like version. Didn't think that day would come. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
The most important app to me is that Libre app. Called Freedom or something... not sure what others call it sometimes. If you so insist on a self-centered reason: there's that big brouhaha what, just December or something (can someone remember the name please)? about that key-logging binary blob in the heart of _every_ iOS _and_ android device?!! Seriously, have we already forgotten?! At least with Android/mostly-libre you can go and install your own OS, eg Cyanogen-mod etc. By all means feel free to include that binary blob... What absolutely befuddles my mind, and so saddens my heart, is that we, those who are supposedly somewhat informed in respect of the computing world, don't remember such abominations to all decency, to rights, to common sense, to respect and honour and integrity, barely a month after it bloody happened!@! FFS! Seems we really, actually, don't care. If it shiny, glossy, easy, nice, we in soma happy place, yeah government look after me very well, nice shiny gold cage I in with yummy swipe interface Please note my very royal use of the word we. As RMS said so many years ago, am I prepared to sacrifice some (these days such a very firetruckin little!) convenience, shiny-new-ness, etc, to gain freedom? Am I prepared to do a little extra work, suffer a little extra frustration, to get the kind of freedom my kids would be proud of when the day comes they understand such things, and ask me about why our world is the way it is? D: Here's a present son... S: How does it work dad? D: Just download the source son, and check it out. Might take you a few days... S: What can I do with it dad? D: Whatever you are able to son, just don't stop the next guy from doing what he wants too! To echo so many before us - the only real protection of our freedom, is the love/care/seeking of freedom by the people. That's us. That's you. That's me. Live your rights. Live freedom. Live it or lose it... ...or perhaps a greater range of apps available for the OS is what it really comes down to, correct? Zen On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcher rbutc...@hyenainternet.com wrote: Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ? So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ? Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also, are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?
I'm not at the cutting edge, I just need to have a smartphone that can do most things and is open-source without participating in holy wars. Can you clarify your comments ? thanks Rod On 02/03/12 14:30, Zenaan Harkness wrote: The most important app to me is that Libre app. Called Freedom or something... not sure what others call it sometimes. If you so insist on a self-centered reason: there's that big brouhaha what, just December or something (can someone remember the name please)? about that key-logging binary blob in the heart of _every_ iOS _and_ android device?!! Seriously, have we already forgotten?! At least with Android/mostly-libre you can go and install your own OS, eg Cyanogen-mod etc. By all means feel free to include that binary blob... What absolutely befuddles my mind, and so saddens my heart, is that we, those who are supposedly somewhat informed in respect of the computing world, don't remember such abominations to all decency, to rights, to common sense, to respect and honour and integrity, barely a month after it bloody happened!@! FFS! Seems we really, actually, don't care. If it shiny, glossy, easy, nice, we in soma happy place, yeah government look after me very well, nice shiny gold cage I in with yummy swipe interface Please note my very royal use of the word we. As RMS said so many years ago, am I prepared to sacrifice some (these days such a very firetruckin little!) convenience, shiny-new-ness, etc, to gain freedom? Am I prepared to do a little extra work, suffer a little extra frustration, to get the kind of freedom my kids would be proud of when the day comes they understand such things, and ask me about why our world is the way it is? D: Here's a present son... S: How does it work dad? D: Just download the source son, and check it out. Might take you a few days... S: What can I do with it dad? D: Whatever you are able to son, just don't stop the next guy from doing what he wants too! To echo so many before us - the only real protection of our freedom, is the love/care/seeking of freedom by the people. That's us. That's you. That's me. Live your rights. Live freedom. Live it or lose it... ...or perhaps a greater range of apps available for the OS is what it really comes down to, correct? Zen On 2012-02-03, Rod Butcherrbutc...@hyenainternet.com wrote: Thanks for all the feedback - Galaxy Nexus sounds like a contender. I think it comes down to the range of apps available for the OS, correct ? So are there important apps for IPHone and Windows Phone that Android lacks or doesn't have apps that can provide equivalent functionality ? Clunkiness doesn't bother me so long as the function is possible. Also, are there any commonly-used file formats that Android apps struggle with ? thanks Rod -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
