We like Google Android . A circle . But despite this summer ’s 2.2 solid Froyo update , we ca n’t help oneself but feel that there ’s something lose . Several things really . But here ’s where they can go right .
1. Built-in Flat-Rate Music Service
Ask any Android user what they really need in their smartphone , and you ’ll discover the same response over and over again : a medicine military service that allow downloads , pelt euphony , and reflexive syncing . This is the holy Sangraal for the Android army , and it ’s the one really flagrant impuissance Google has in comparison to Apple ’s Io and Microsoft ’s new WinPhone .
Do n’t get us wrong ; we apprize that Android is open - ended enough that we can employ a diverseness of media player and client to upload / download our media . And more and more , the come forth comportment of streaming players and services are releasing us from localized media . But no matter how you cut it , the ability to buy and synch songs between your PC and your phone is a much - needed muddle . If Google is really fresh , they ’ll mirror the WinPhone ’s ability to synch wirelessly via Wi - Fi while plugged into an AC outlet .
Based on leaks from Google and other blog internet site , it ’s readable that Google is working on a Google Music divine service , likely as soon as the 2.3 Gingerbread Update . For details on what this might entail , clickhere .
2. Simultaneous Upgrades Across All Devices
This is far and away our crowing ailment with the Google Android OS . The upside of the machine ’s open - source nature is proving to have a major downside for consumers : We ’re repeatedly forced to look for operating system upgrade because the handset manufacturers and wireless service supplier have to work out kinks in their port customizations . The Samsung Epic 4 one thousand is a great example of this ; it has literally deal months for Sprint and Samsung to fork up the Froyo 2.2 update and , as of this writing , we still have n’t seen it . Google has to fancy out a elbow room to deliver across - the - board atomic number 8 update to all twist .
3. Increased Resolution Support
Support for resolution up to 1280 x 760 seems like a no - brainer , especially in lightness of the upcoming undulation of Android tablets and handsome - screen smartphones . It go like higher resolutions are decidedly on the to - do list for Android 2.3 , which is schedule for dismission at the end of the yr , thankfully .
4. GPS and Google Maps
We detest to say it , but we ’re begin to suspect that there ’s something unknown going on with some combination of Google Maps and Android ’s GPS inspection and repair . Of all the mid - compass and high - goal speech sound we ’ve test , we ’ve yet to see reproducible ( and fast ) GPS lock - on and performance in any gadget . That ’s a job .
5. Increased Privacy
Theoretically , all smartphone browsers are secret , peculiarly when protected with a password . But hold how ofttimes our telephone change hands – both intentionally and accidentally – would n’t it be skillful if we could maintain some kind of temporary or pass - countersign protect private - browse fashion ? All three major desktop browsers have some variety of individual - browse mode for the same reason . We ’ll go one step further here , however . In add-on to ( or alternatively of ) a private - browse mode , we want the native ability to password logic gate individual apps , medium , documents , and smartphone function on our Android devices . This elbow room , we can keep our slightly unexpended melodic penchant to ourselves .
If you ’re concerned in private browsing via an app , jibe out theTorProxy and Shadow apps .
6. Gaming Achievements
We appreciate the plethora of awesome secret plan on the Android political platform , but Microsoft ’s implementation of Xbox Live - vogue achievements in the Windows Phone 7 operating system is a new monetary standard . It ’s a subtle but universal trueness : Unlocking accomplishment is a knock-down incentive to keep gamers hooked - even on fluid devices . The notion of a unified front around games is an ideological departure for Google , so this is not a potential evolution . Not any fourth dimension soon at least .
7. Built-in Screen Shots
We ’re a little slanted because we frequently find ourselves guide screenshots of our smartphone gadget for the stories we write . But we ’re baffled as to why we have to root our Android sound in lodge to take screenshots . Apple ’s iOS allow you to quickly and easily capture any screen on your phone by pressing the Home and Sleep button . Why not you , Google ?
8. Improve Battery Life via OS/CPU Optimization
blab out to any Android great power exploiter and you ’ll hear the same complaint over and over again . Standard , out - of - the - logic gate battery life sucks . Initially , we theorized that this was because Android smartphones were overtake for the oculus sinister . But then we considered that the iPad and iPhone 4 are build on a similar platform , and that Microsoft ’s Windows Phones are also build on roughly the same hardware political platform . Both of these private-enterprise smartphone families deliver significantly better battery life . Our conclusion : Google needs to optimize their OS computer code to be more efficient . To be fair , Apple and Microsoft both have head starts on their mobile code . Google involve to take in up fast .
Imagery by Sam Spratt usingRich D ’s awesome Android 3d Render . stop out Sam’sportfolioand become a fan of hisFacebook Artist ’s Page .
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