SYNAPSE CIRCUIT GOOGLE TALK

 Android L 5: Finally supporting 64-bits!

Android One: The sub $100 handset to enter world markets!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

GOOGLE TALK
Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. What’s happening tonight? What are you up to? Well, I can see that a lot of you have read my latest articles including the latest one on Apple!

Here’s the lowdown on Google...

#Google #Asus #Samsung #HTC #Nexus6 #AndroidL #Android5

SHOULD GOOGLE BE SCARED?
You know what I am on about... Should Google be scared of the imminent iPhone 6 launch whereby it is said that Apple have been said to have manufactured something like 150-odd million iPhone 6 units ready to engulf the competition... Oooh! Be afraid. Be very afraid...

Hmmmm... Gone are the days where iPhone fans sleep out on the streets in line to the Apple store to be the very first of a batch of very special people to hold the iconic smartphone. I saw people walk up to the iPhone 5 and walk away again in the stores upon the first day of release. Gone are the days where the iPhone is the dominant handset on the streets! Today paints a different picture of London’s hip inhabitants brandishing their sense of fashion regarding their choice of handset or handsets as so many people have a secondary phone! And from what I can see in my weird and wonderful neighbourhood the iPhone is outnumbered by around 10 to 1 by an array of Samsung handsets that includes the Galaxy S4, S5 and Note 3. Then it’s HTC One M7 and M8 followed by Sony and LG handsets. Oh, the other day I saw a rare Acer Liquid S2 and it looked great! Whoa! I went off on a little tangent there... The question is: Can the iPhone 6 recapture the smartphone market? The short answer is probably not... And now for the long answer...

ANDROID 5 / ANDROID L

The current buzz in the world of smartphones is Android L, version 5! When Apple announced the forthcoming iOS 8 what must have struck even the most ardent of iPhone fans can see that iOS 8 has taken so much from Android – especially the interactive notifications! Therefore I would imagine that many iPhone fans are secretly curious about the originator of mobile operating system innovation, Android! I know I would be! Just as I am curious about the iPhone 6, Samsung’s Tizen and Microsoft’s Windows phones – any development in mobile device technology! As a result of this perceived curiosity I reckon that many iPhone users will hold off on the iPhone 6 until they see what else is on offer! Yes, I do not deny that I am an Android fan as I have worked out that it is the best operating system for my needs and if you think differently I won’t begrudge you for it! Lol! I am happy. You’re happy! End of! But as an Android fan I have to say that I am very, very interested in what I think is the biggest and most important release of Android – version 5 codenamed “L”.

Check out my coverage of this year’s Google i / O to find out in depth why I and millions of others are excited about Android 5:-

i / O 2014 Thoughts & Reaction

In a nutshell Android 5 – the preview – looks simply amazing and it looks as though it is going to blast other mobile operating systems out of the water for shear innovation. This “Material” development looks like magic! I for one can’t wait to have Android 5 on my devices!

NEXUS

If you know anything about Google then you will know that with each major release of Android comes a new device in the form of a Nexus handset. Nexus is the only way to enjoy Android in its pure form. Android 5 could possibly present a problem for manufacturers that uses a user interface (UI) overlay to effectively cover Android that is unique to each manufacturer i.e. Samsung uses ‘TouchWiz’ and HTC uses ‘Sense’ and so on.

Android 5 will be a milestone when released and one can be said that it its coming of age. Android 5 could very well be the point at which Google will lay down rules regarding manufacturers using their own custom UI on top! Will these manufacturers comply? I would imagine that the top Android handset manufacturers will see the UIs as a means of identification and therefore there is bound to be some friction with a few manufacturers... Yes, I have Samsung in mind! Lol! But if Samsung and other manufacturers were to use Android 5 without using a UI overlay it could result in more sales as many, many people do not like TouchWiz or any other UI. I don’t like HTC Sense as a personal choice. The main point of focus should be Android and with version 5 it should come as a gift to manufacturers. If I am correct, Huawei have used the official Google Now launcher on their latest handsets and I presume that this is to usher in the pure Android experience when it is released this Fall. Perhaps Huawei have inspired other manufacturers to drop custom UIs to preserve the integrity of what will no doubt be the most advanced and greatest operating system in the world. I guess it helps that Android has the world share of the market! Manufacturers should be thinking the following:-

1. Creating a launcher that users can either download or purchase on Google Play; a “launcher” is an alternative user interface to customise the Android interface. So, if you don’t like the current interface on your handsets just go to the Google Play Store and type in “launcher”. Take your pick!

2. Custom widgets to add more functionality to Android.

3. Developing applications for the office; school / education; video editing; music composition and so on. I reckon manufacturers can make a fortune by selling quality apps that you will find on iOS devices. I know that I would purchase good apps that allow me to be productive!

Let’s not forget that Android L is compatible with 64-bit processors and this should start a new era of applications that will resemble programs on the PC or MAC. This also means that there will be a new era of handsets...

The Nexus 6! Already there is rumour that the Nexus 6 handset will be a 6 inch manufactured by Lenovo / Motorola and feature a 64-bit processor! Gosh! Again, 6 inches will not be considered to be a “phablet” by today’s standards and what better way to show off Android 5 than on a big screen? We could be seeing a Nexus 6 handset in October at the earliest to coincide with the release of Android 5!

There are also rumours about the next Nexus tablet that is said to be 8 inches and manufactured by HTC. Other rumours say that it will be made by Asus again! Either way I don’t mind as HTC and Asus make great products! And yes, there is rumour that the new Nexus tablet will feature a 64-bit processor. Now does this mean that Google will stop making a 7 inch tablet? Is this the end of the line for the Nexus 7 tablet? Could the Nexus 7 become a “phablet” in the not so distant future? The market indicates that this is what the “phablet” has evolved into. Me? I am all for it! It is so enjoyable to be able to be productive on the move on a big screen. The amount of articles I have started whilst on public transport; the music I have been composing and the poetry that I write on my Galaxy Note 2 is a dream for my busy and creative mind. My Galaxy S4 just looks small now in comparison.

I wonder if the new Nexus tablets will feature 4G by default and thus doing away with the need for a Wi-Fi version. It makes sense to me! The cost of adding 4G is really very small that it is not worth creating a Wi-Fi only model.

PHONEBLOKS

Phonebloks or Project Ara is yet another exciting development to come from Google. It is said that a working Phonebloks modular handset should be with us by December. It has great implications where customization is concerned but how will Phonebloks affect other Android manufacturers? Will people stop purchasing / taking out contracts on premium handsets? There again I would imagine that manufacturers would be creating the kind of Sci-Fi looking handsets through the mastery of the flexible screen and being able to print circuit on paper thin materials that would allow for foldable handsets and tablets.

In the meantime I would love to have a Phonebloks handset when it is fully realized! I wonder if it will be possible to create an Android kit in a similar fashion to the Raspberry kits whereby folk can learn how to program and perhaps create apps too! With Google anything is possible!

PREDICTION
I do enjoy making predictions because I am often wrong or proved right in the long term! Lol! But it is fun to make predictions...

The Apple biased tech-media have it that Google Android has peaked and thus this notion paves the way for the iPhone. Now if Android has peaked with handsets featuring 5 inch and above 4K screens then how do they think the iPhone 6 will go down? Surely if Android has peaked then this could mean that the iPhone could effectively be finished too! But the truth is that Android handsets have peaked by the way of design with the exception of the LG G3 and that a new era of design is about to kick in – it already has! The first wave of this new era has seen the “phablet” stretch to 6.5 inches to 7. We’ve seen the 7 inch Android Galaxy Q launched in China!

Designs accommodating the flexible screen are coming! But in the meantime what will happen is that what was once considered as high-end such as the Galaxy S4 will be sold for around £150! The low-end handset will retail at around £30! We will see these low-end handsets coming from China and will be made from surplus quad-core CPUs when the 64-bit CPU comes into effect. I will give it a year or a little under.

Although Apple got the jump on the 64-bit processor it is unable to compete at the mid to low end of the Android handset market. And these low-end handsets will be very powerful and capable. I would imagine that Apple will continue with this “premium” idea of what a iPhone should be and that will continue to hammer the nails of its coffin lid tightly shut!

APPLE’S MISTAKE

Apple made the mistake of entering pointless and continual litigations that effectively cost its reputation. Now that is ONE MASSIVE PR FUMBLE!!!! The constant litigations sent a message to the consumer that the competitors are better; why else would they try to get competitive products off the shelves (so to speak)?

When you’re busy initiating litigations all over the world you are not taking care of business at home! Apple should have been making inroads to make its loyal followers understand that it is in their best interests to be able to choose mobile devices of differing screen sizes and to forego this idea of “premium” materials that have proven to be delicate. My nephew’s iPhone 5S looks like it has been in a warzone in comparison to my Galaxy S2 that looks pretty much like it did when I first got it! Because Tim Cook was haunted by the ghost of Jobs he kept pursuing this idea that iOS is so different from Android when with each iOS update it took on Android attributes; a lot of people can see through that.

The way forward for the iPhone is to allow it to integrate with Google and Microsoft mobile devices and to bury or cremate this “us against them” attitude with Jobs. Technology should bring us together instead of dividing us.

That’s something to think about!



NO!
I don’t think Google are going to lose much sleep over the iPhone 6. Google has its objectives to meet for this and the foreseeable years to come! I haven’t even touched about Android Wearable; TV and Auto. Writing a good article on Google is hard work because they have so many irons in the fire! What will happen to the driverless cars? What are they going to do with all that robot technology they have purchased? What’s the future of Project Glass? Is there a Project Glass 2 in the pipeline? Will it cost considerably less? In a way the Android handset and tablet battle – if there was one – has already conquered a vast majority of the world. I reckon Google are currently thinking beyond handsets and tablets. The day is fast approaching when you will be able to pick up a quad-core pre-64bit CPU for £30! Already we can pick up a 7 inch 3G enabled tablet from Archos for £80! Come Christmas ’14, handsets and 3G / 4G enabled tablets will be sold very, very inexpensively that Apple and possibly Microsoft will be sitting it out in the cold. This will not be the fault of Google why these other tech giants aren’t competitive. No! It will be the result of pointless litigation over innovation. Manufacturers have to give consumers what they want. If a manufacturer wants to stick its head in the sand and say, “We are the epitome of premium prestige...” then good luck! When the innovation of a retail outlet is placed above the products within you know something is wrong.

Roll on Google! Show me what you’ve got!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT GOOGLE i/O 14 REACTION

Above: Android 5 "L". Lollipop? Lemon Meringue Pie? Liquorice Allsorts?

Above: 64-bit at last! Move over iPhone and iPad!

Above: Sundar Pichai introduces Android One which is aimed at the World market.
Android One costs under $100!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
GOOGLE i/O CONFERENCE 2014, REACTION
#Google #i/o2014 #Android #Chrome #ChromeOS #AndroidWear #AndroidAuto #AndroidTV #Chromecast #Glass #Nexus #Silver

Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. I hope that all is well with you! Did you catch the Google i/O Keynote? You didn’t? Ok... I will give you the rundown...

In short: Mind Blown - Again!

PREDICTIONS THAT CAME THROUGH...

ANDROID 5: LEMON MERINGUE PIE?
Shock, horror! I was pretty much spot on about much of the Google i/O developer conference. I knew that there would be no news of Nexus devices as Android 5, Lemon Meringue Pie(?) wasn’t hinted at. On the eve of the i/O there wasn’t the usual leaks with the coming of a new Android version. It was, as always, wishful thinking on my part that there would be some grand new toys! New toys always come with a new version of Android.

So, I reckon we’ll see new toys towards Christmas along with Android 5, Lollipop(?). And I bet that the reason why we haven’t seen the Galaxy S5 Prime and HTC’s Prime offering is because they want to take advantage of the 64-bit Android and will adopt 64-bit processors to keep up with the iPhone and iPad as far as 64-bit is concerned.

So, expect 64-bit handsets and tablets towards Christmas! It could very well be that Samsung will be releasing a 64-bit Galaxy Note 4 which would come in time to coincide with my next upgrade! Whoohoo! 

SUNDAR PICHAI
Unsurprisingly, the eloquent Sundar Pichai swept aside the bizarre remarks of Tim Cook. All Android users and those that know anything about technology would dismiss Cook’s comments outright when he talks about the competition. Pichai wisely did not bother to say anything derogatory about Apple, Cook and mobile devices and quite rightly went on to state facts about how Android is growing through handsets and tablets; the news is simple: Android Rules The World. No matter what Cook and co says nothing change that. Yes, there will probably be two iPhones this year, 4.7” and 5.5” but they – like iOS incarnations – have come too late. Too late for a corporation that claims “Android is a stolen technology...” as it is clear that the iPhone is trailing behind. The iPad’s edge is becoming duller by the month and by the end 2014 the iPad and apps is not going to matter. It’s great that Google is doing its own thing at their own pace which appears to be comfortable for them. They could have rushed the next version of Android but they take time to make sure it’s right from UI design looks to the functionality.



Above: Chrome for Android's new look!

MATERIALISM
I am looking forward to the release of Android 5, Liquorice Allsorts(?) due to new Material Design aspect to the UI (user interface) that acts like paper. Material Design just looks awesome! Icons, cards, notifications just look spectacular and I can’t wait to have it on my devices! Google are paying more attention to the design aspect of Android and “L” - as they refer to it – is going to blow away every other mobile operating system going.

I got that bit right and to be honest it wasn’t that difficult to predict due to the fact that Android releases have been slow to a crawl but one can see that this is for a reason. I knew that design and functionality was the reason and, of course, getting the 64-bit element in. There’s Project Volta to reduce battery strain and if it turns out like I think it will it means that a lot of us will be enjoying longer uses of our devices.

What I wanted to hear was the devices that will be compatible with Android 5, Lemon Drops(?) but there will no doubt be some casualties. There again many Android users do not really notice the difference between the different versions as Android as a whole works very well for most users. I would imagine that users with premium devices from 2011 may be in the safe zone! My Galaxy Note 2 could do with Android 5 as it crashes royally when using the i/O app to watch the live video streams. It is annoying to say the least. I can imagine how my devices would run on Android Lolly! Dare I say that some older devices may be saved by the likes of custom ROM creators?

DID I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY?
From what I gathered it looks like Android Lemon Pie will be able to run on other processors apart from ARM... x86 and MIPS. Does that mean that effectively Android could make better use of the PC and other computer systems? That would be something! I have always wanted an Android desktop for moments like this when I am sitting here typing-up my articles. Look at it this way: If the Galaxy S5 can shoot and edit 4K video then surely a dual core and quad core PC running Android 5 would prolong ageing desk and laptops. No doubt one would have to invest in a graphics card capable of 4K video.

CHROME
Yes, I almost got Chrome and Android right... Instead of Android adopting bits of Chrome it is quite the other way around. Chrome will be able to run some Android apps – at least I thought that’s what I understood.

Chromecast has more attributes to it such as allowing handsets to broadcast whatever is on the screen. Then there is Android TV – I am not too sure how that works... A lot of the tech press were predicting set-top boxes but none were mentioned. So, from what I have gathered Android TV will be built into Android 5 that allows users to stream from Google Play Movies and other sources through Chromecast. It sort of tallies up with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S media event and the focus on content!



Above: Android Auto.

ANDROID AUTO
No surprise that Google announced Android Auto for making interacting with the handset safer with voice commands whereby, for instance, you can ask for a place and get direction without touching the phone!  Cool!

I was hoping to hear more about their driverless cars. I guess that there will be more about their driverless cars later on.

PROJECT ARA & ROBOTICS
I was a little surprised that we didn’t learn more about Project Ara that allows folk to put their own handset together by removing and replacing modular components. Perhaps Google will have an Ara handset ready in time to coincide with Android 5!

We never got to learn what Google will do with those robots they’ve acquired! Bah!

SILVER NEXUS
The Nexus concept was hinted upon and that there is a possibility that we’ll see a Nexus 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 when – you’ve guessed it – Android 5 is released in the fall. At least it’ll coincide for Christmas – I hope! I envisage that we’ll be seeing a few Nexus devices to usher in Android 5 for sure.

There was no mention of the much rumoured “Silver” that is said to be replacing the Nexus concept. I can only imagine that it if Silver is on the horizon we won’t see it until the first quarter of 2015; I get the feeling that Google are planning something groundbreaking – again – to shake up the handsets and tablets that will make use of 64-bit processors and better hardware in general.



ANDROID WEAR
As predicted, Google showed off Android Wear, Google Fit and watches from LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live. The demonstration of Android Wear was awesome! Google have managed to beat Apple to the punch with releasing the Wear devices from LG and Samsung. Moto 360 will be released later on this summer. I think they have gotten the interface right! The wearable devices from LG and Samsung look very promising indeed... Just like the first wave of Android handsets I can see that there will be more manufacturers looking to take a slice of that pie! Therefore we will see a rapid development of design like we witnessed with the Android tablet only the wearable will develop faster! More so when these manufacturers work out the issues with producing these flexible screens!

There wasn’t any mention of Google Glass and I can only imagine that they are still perfecting it.

CONCLUSION
I really think that Apple stocks have gone down in value after this year’s Google i/O Keynote. Google are unstoppable! Google have so much going on that they do not have time to fit it all in!

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com