Google is constantly looking at ways to improve its Chrome web browser. One way is looking at compressing the data using a proxy. This would be similar to Amazon’s Silk web browser and also Opera. The purpose would be to provide a faster web browsing experience.
This could be a good idea, but is it a means of reading and learning more about your web browsing to sell on to advertisers?
Google has removed several ad-blocking apps from Google Play and sent letters to the developers explaining that they were breaking one of the rules. Section 4.4 of the Play store developer distribution agreement says:
“You agree that you will not engage in any activity with the Market, including the development or distribution of Products, that interferes with, disrupts, damages, or accesses in an unauthorized manner the devices, servers, networks, or other properties or services of any third party including, but not limited to, Android users, Google or any mobile network operator. You may not use customer information obtained from the Market to sell or distribute Products outside of the Market”.
It seems that after Google announced it was closing down 70 services including Google Reader (which is criminal) it is still on the war path.
Don’t anyone tell me Google is open and Apple is a closed walled garden. That is so not the case anymore. Google is slowly but surely shutting down the hatches.
The latest tablet shipment forecast from IDC projects that Android will take a 48.8% share of the tablet market in 2013, a significant jump from the 41.5% share of the market the platform held in IDC’s previous projection. The rise of Android in the tablet realm comes at the expense of Apple (AAPL), which IDC projects will hold a 46% share of the tablet market in 2013, a decline of five percentage points from the 51% market share it held in 2012.
Only one problem, actually two.
These forecasts are made without any input of sales of new iPad versions and secondly there is a chronic shortage of android tablet apps.
So here I am at Day 2 with the Samsung Note 2. I am starting to move data from iTunes across and I discovered two options. Samsung are promoting their cloud music hub, a copy of Google Music in every way and also a piece of software easyphonesync.
Easyphonesync has an app on your phone and mac and syncs playlists from iTunes across, it can also sync every track if you want. What I didn’t realise as I went through the options is that it can also use your last iPhone back and add your text messages and calendar , contacts and photos. This has made the transfer so much easier. As I now have the music on the card, I can use the Samsung music player app which has incredible sound quality versus the other options.
Web browsing on the overall screen size has been a joy to use, making the small iPhone 5 screen seem well tiny.
I’ve installed Splashtop Desktop. Using the Note 2 to remotely access my mac is wonderful as its big screen is so easy to use. This is the first app where the Note offers a better experience and options over the iPhone.
Day 2 report.
Sales figures for the new Xperia Z smartphone have been very strong as reported thru many outlets and in many countries.
The question is how will the Z perform once the S4 comes to market. It’s possible that due to its use of quality finishes it might continue to hold its own.
The only true figures will be those released in 6 months time.
Some crazy developments have taken place over at the German court halls. The patent dispute between Microsoft and Google/Motorola, the one that accuses the latter’s Google Maps platform of infringing on map-related patents owned by the former, seems to be heating up.
According to FOSS Patents, German courts are inclined to enforce an injunction on Google Maps in Germany, and this ban wouldn’t just affect the use of the service on mobile. Google would apparently need to unlist Google Maps in the Play Store (and possibly on other platforms) for German users, block German IP addresses from accessing Google Maps from any web browser, and if it wants to continue to distribute Chrome in Germany they must implement a filter that effectively blocks Google Maps.
Now what is up with Germany and their handling of patents. Google provides the most detailed mapping services so by banning them would create huge backlash and affect millions of innocent people.
Samsung will be taking the wraps off the replacement to the S3, the S4. I will use this post to add any new info as it appears. So keep coming back to check for the latest and some surprises too. Not long now.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 specs –
Galaxy S IV features an Exynos Octa 5410 CPU clocked at 1.8GHz ( Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU for the U.S.) PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU, 2GB of RAM, 4.99″ Full HD (1920×1080) display and a 13 Megapixel Camera. The device also runs Android 4.2 out of the , the device supports GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks with an Exynos processor on-board. The Galaxy S IV will be a world phone.
Software / Hardware Extra Features include –
Qi Wireless charging using a special back cover.
Smart scroll, Smart Pause, Smart Stay and Smart Rotation. Those new functions were made possible thanks to the front camera following your eyes.
Air Hover using your finger.
Latest leaked photo below. Obviously until official it’s not official and could be a fake.
Times Square is the big party event for the Samsung S4. So what did LG do? It has big advertising for its new super smartphone to try and outshine Samsung.
Now it wouldn’t surprise me if Apple sent out invites to the press for its next product launch today just to draw attention away from Samsung’s S4 launch.
Google has announced that Google Reader will be retired on July 1st due to what has been a steady drop in usage. Likewise, several other Google services will also be shutting down.
Twitter and Facebook are both alight with users who are expressing their displeasure over the announcement, and the search is on for an adequate replacement that lives up to its Google counterpart. This is not a popular move and I hope Google changes their mind!
Google Reader isn’t the only service that will be shutdown. In addition, CalDav API, Apps Script, Google Cloud Connect, Google Voice App for Blackberry, Google Building Maker, Snapseed Desktop for both Windows and Mac, and Search API for Shopping are all getting the axe as well. According to Google, this is its second round of spring cleaning.
After this takes place, the combined results of spring cleaning rounds one and two will be a total of 70 services and features being shutdown. Are you a Reader user? What service do you plan to transition to? Let me know in the comments!
Without a doubt the Samsung Note 2 is in a class of its own, providing you like a larger than life screen.
Tomorrow sees the release of the new Galaxy S4. But will the new software and hardware of the S4 be enough to top the Note 2.
Part of me believes the Note 2 will be king but maybe the 5 inch screen size will be more popular.
Do you have any thoughts?
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 