GOOGLE i / O 2015 SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

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 SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

GOOGLE i / O 2015
M-PRESSIVE?

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! How’s it going? It is great to see you as always! Did you enjoy Google i / O 2015?

Here are my thoughts... Read on!

#GoogleiO2015 #iO2015 #Android6 #AndroidM #AndriodWear #AndroidAuto

CODENAMED ‘M’
Is it me? Have you noticed that the Google i / O keynotes have become progressively lacklustre? Don’t misunderstand me... ...there were great tidings as per usual but these revelations are mostly aimed at developers (app programmers and general Google / Android / Chrome programmers). In other words: There were no announcements regarding new tech for us to drool over! Typically my mind wandered and I don’t think that that the Nexus Player was mentioned at all nor was Google Glass. Hmmmm... I would have thought that there would have been an announcement on the next version of Chromecast; I had the inclination that Google Glass wouldn’t be mentioned at all as I reckon that there is a lot of work to be done still! That said we learned that more content was being added to Chromecast – including HBO! Yay!

We learned about developments in Google Wear and Auto; there are new wearables on the horizon but, again, no details. Fair enough!


‘M’ PEOPLE
I was very happy and surprised to learn of Android codenamed ‘M’ that’s in the pipeline that will go back to basics i.e. quashing thousands of bugs (not that I have noticed anything untoward with my Nexus 6, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S4 and Moto G 2014)! The sound settings will return to having control of notifications, ringtone, alarms and media on an individual basis! As predicted Google are going to try and deliver battery efficiency with a facility called “Doze”. Doze effectively allows your device to go into a deeper sleep mode when not in use for long periods. There is, predictably, support for the USB C type port that should allow devices with the USB C port to charge more efficiently. Great!

If, like me, you do a lot of messaging and word processing on your mobile device you will be glad to know that selecting text will be easier with Android M – Milkshake. That’s good news as there are times when I am close to throwing some of my handsets against the wall!

Sharing will be made even easier! I never had a problem with sharing – when I borrowed my nephew’s iPhone I realized just how wonderful life is on Android.
FINGERPRINT SCAN & ANDROID PAY
Android M – Mudpie will include the fingerprint scan as part of the security functionality within. This means that any device with a fingerprint scanner will be compatible directly with Android 6, M – Moonpie.

Android Pay pretty much sounds like what Samsung has created with Samsung Pay; I am no expert by any means but it seems as though there isn’t much between these two payment options.

Perhaps we can glean from this that the next Nexus devices will include a fingerprint scanner. Of course there was no mention of the next Nexus devices as they are typically announced towards the third quarter in time for Christmas! The tablet isn’t such a big deal anymore and so there is no need to wax lyrical over the Android (iPad killing) tablet! In the event of these new Android devices I can only hope that they’ll be getting some decent processors respectively.

BRILLO:
THE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING
In a nutshell ‘Brillo’ is a scaled down version of Android that should allow electronics manufacturers to include Brillo in a multitude of devices such as smarthome devices such as Nest, fridges, coffee machines, cameras and so on. The idea is that these devices do not need to run on the up to the minute CPU! Brillo is said be able to run on the most minimal hardware requirements. Brillo can definitely up Google’s game somewhat as Android is ubiquitous and it should make things easier for the manufacturer to create devices that make it easy for the consumer to connect to (and control).

Brillo opens up many, many possibilities for manufacturers to add Android compatibility with just about every conceivable piece of electronic equipment! So, the next time you purchase a standalone digital camera it could very well be that it has Android compatibility built into it which brings me to...

GOOGLE PHOTOS
I have been hearing and reading on the prospect of Google Photos... Google Photos does look pretty awesome with its ability to catalogue photos and videos for free and unlimited! Whoohoo! But the catch – if you can call it that – is that the photos are taken with a 16MP camera (so there goes the standalone Brillo enabled 30MP camera) and the video is limited to 1080p! I think it’s pretty good going! I like it and I will use it for sure! It’s available right now! Yay! Oh, but does this mean that the forthcoming Nexus handsets will be limited to 16MP??? Mind you 16MP is great quality! But you know me and Android fanatics – we want the biggest, fastest and the best! Yes, this is subjective but I am sure that those who just love taking pictures on the handset would want to have the highest possible MP rating!

Just to go off tangent slightly... I found myself looking for a dedicated digital camera recently... Why? Four things:-

1. Optical zoom; I find that there is no Android handset or any other handset that has a really useful optical zoom. Digital zoom is no substitute!

2. Mega Pixels; I can get a very high MP rating on a standalone dedicated digital camera that should – with a decent lens – translate to even better pictures.

3. It ties in with points 1 and 2... ...it’s a good lens! A good lens can make such a difference!

4. Video quality; although many of today’s top handsets can record high quality video I think better quality can be had with a better lens and microphone.

The question is: Will there be a Photos Pro and how much will it cost per month or year?

Anyhoo, it appears as though we’ll get a video editor thrown in the mix! Oh, Google Photo will put together photo collages and edit video for you automatically! It sounds interesting! I must give it a try some time... Google Photos is available NOW on Google Play Store!



THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SEE
Apart from new toys for the consumer I wanted to see...

The Android PC; I know that I keep going on about it but now that Android is multi-processor compatible I keep imagining the possibilities with an i7 CPU and a decent graphics card! I reckon that it would be easier to edit video on an Android PC than a Windows one. I am sure that many established software developers for the PC would do an Android PC version!

Google Car; with today’s electric car engines becoming more powerful, efficient and cost effective and 3D printing technology I think it is time for the consumer to design his / her electric car online and either have it delivered or be able to go to the manufacturer and drive it off the premises. When I take public transport I see people getting on the bus just to take them 5 minutes down the road. That’s nuts! The main reason is for shopping; all too often lone mothers with a push buggy have the arduous task of jumping on a crowded bus – often with no space for a third buggy – and I reckon the solution is the affordable Google (electric) Car! I’d get one as I would use it for short trips i.e. to shop, visit my folks (more often), etc. And because advances in battery technology it is possible to charge fully in a short space of time thus making Google Car a Godsend! Do you know how expensive it is to run a petrol / diesel car in the UK??? Jeez, Louise!

CONCLUSION
Oh, I forgot to mention that in Android 6, M – Maltesers, the user will be able to have more control over app permissions which is a welcome relief as I am concerned as to why certain apps have to access my contacts! What else do these apps access – my emails???

It’s always great to see, as an Android user, Google making greater improvements on the best and most used mobile operating system on the planet. However, it would have been better if the consumer had a new toy to get excited about – even if it was Chromecast 2! I did feel that there could have been more said on the Nexus Player and possibly a hint at a strong tablet to come... Yes, tablets are kind of passé at the moment but I feel that it is because the best is yet to come from Android. I think that Google’s Sundar Pichai missed out on an opportunity to get Android tablet users whipped up into frenzy over the delivery of a truly outstanding tablet (I still think it’s going to come from Samsung this year)! I am seriously ready to throw my Asus FonePad 7 LTE out of the window!

I get that Google might want to keep the forthcoming Nexus handsets under wraps for now but I look at the Moto products as taking up where the Nexus 5 left off in terms of affordability. I would have like to have heard news on the Moto G 2015 (add that to my things that I wanted to see list).

Google i / O 2015 was definitely one for the developers! The consumer will reap the benefits later. I did enjoy i / O 2015 nonetheless. I have come to appreciate this latest subdued style of keynote instead of watching and listening to the Apple one that blows smoke up...


Above: Flick your wrist and change the screen! Wow!



Saying that (above) I have yet to be convinced by the Android Wearable... Not that I find the Apple Watch better... So far I am just not enthusiastic with the reinvention of the watch. At least Google have, once again, made me curious about the forthcoming new wearable devices.

It’s now time to play the guessing game as to what the next version of Android will be called and to await its release early next year (I hope).

If you are a consumer I can only say to you: Watch out of Google announcements throughout the year! I am almost certain that Chromecast 2 is on the way... I think Google are waiting for Apple to announce Apple TV 2.

As for the Nexus handset or handsets (as the latest rumour is that LG and Huawei will be launching 2 new Nexus variants later this year)... ...the announcement will probably come late September – after Samsung announces the Galaxy Note 5. Certainly after Apple has announced the iPhone 6S and 6C (if they will release another plastic handset with a multitude of colour options again).

Roll on!

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GOOGLE iO 2015 SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
GOOGLE I / O 2015
28 & 29 MAY, SAN FRANCISCO

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! It’s me again! I am on a roll!

If you are an Android user you’ll know that Christmas is practically every month at this rate! We have the imminent Samsung Galaxy S6 release, HTC One M9, ASUS ZenFone 2, Sony Z4... The list goes on... One of the main events of the year is Google’s i / O developer conference where we get to learn about things to come – be it the development of the Android operating system, resources for app developers, new hardware and so on. The mind boggles at what Google will show us this year! Read on...

#Google #GoogleIO2015 #iO2015

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
It is always exciting to see what Google have in store for us Android and even non-Android folk. I am anticipating that components from the version of Android used on Project Ara will merge into the mainstream Android. A tremendous amount of work as gone into the building block Android handset and that can only pay off for the Android operating system and components in the future. I also anticipate news of when Project Ara will be available in other markets such as Europe.

Here in the UK there is a lot of anticipation and expectation of what should be the successor to Chromecast and that is the Nexus Player. I anticipate that we’ll be hearing details of content partnerships and when we, here in Europe, can expect it. This year is definitely the death of cable TV! I am hoping to get my handset on a Nexus Player very soon!

ANDROID AUTO
Android Auto can go a long, long way (pun intended) in the motor industry – especially with driverless cars on the horizon. And for those who like to be in the driving seat I am very certain that we will see 3D printed cars become mainstream; affordable electric cars that we the consumer can design.

I guess we’ll learn more about the state of Android Auto and where it is going. There has been some talk of late about driverless cars in the UK but nothing regards to what system these driverless cars will be operating on. I guess Google have its work cut out to put Android Auto forward worldwide.

ANDROID WEAR
As Apple’s Tim Cook makes claims to have invented the smartwatch with Apple Watch I reckon Google will be announcing more developments in Android Wear and may have some new hardware to show. I personally don’t quite understand why OEMs are trying to create a dainty wristwatch instead of these futuristic armband devices we see in the science fiction movies. Samsung has announced that it will invest about $4 Billion into screens and I am just waiting for a decent sized wearable to hit the market. I think that the Gear S has the right idea and I like the Moto 360 too! Oh, the ZenWatch does look good also.

With the development of the hardware I am expecting to see better wearable devices. I guess more information on Project Glass won’t be forthcoming as that has gone into redevelopment. What a pity!

CHROME OS & DEVICES
While I understand why Google do not want Android to merge in to Chrome and vice versa I do think that there is scope for a decent Chromebook and Chromebox that can run both Android and Chrome. With the advent of 64-bit processors I am expecting to see stronger applications for both Android and Chrome. Applications that will give the user an experience like that of using software on a Windows / Mac PC. Maybe my mind is quite far ahead but I do see devices that can run both Android and Chrome simultaneously. The last time I looked at the Chrome OS it seems to be lacking in a decent video editor. I don’t know about you but I am tired of these “we’ll stitch your video together for you apps” on Chrome OS (and to some degree Android). We are looking for the equivalent of Final Cut for Chrome (and Android).

GOOGLE APPS
With Google Apps I can see the Microsoft Office equivalents becoming even more powerful than they are now and to the point where we’ll be able to jettison Microsoft Office for the most part. I would like to see Google Slides, for example, being able to produce simple multimedia APKs so that users can create eBooks, digital manuals, and presentations and so on without the need to programme. I envision this working by converting HTML5 to APK – it ought to be simple enough. I am surprised that Google haven’t done this already as these Slides apps can contain Google Ads. There again if you use YouTube that’s part of the problem of creating monetized content solved. However, it is about time we had the capability of producing these eBooks, etc.

I am hoping that Google will announce more additions to Google Apps such as a video editor capable of editing 4K video material and sending the finished product straight to YouTube.

I would like to see Google making it possible to use Windows PC fonts without having to root the Android device. If you are going to make the most of Google Docs then I think this move will be essential.

Well, I will stop anticipating and predicting. Besides, my predictions are not very accurate anyway. Lol! I can only hope for the best and to be wowed by things that I haven’t even thought of!

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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!

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SYNAPSE CIRCUIT GOOGLE i/O 14 THOUGHTS

Above: Countdown to Google i/O 2014 

Above: Pichai planning world domination...

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

GOOGLE i/O CONFERENCE 2014: MY THOUGHTS...
#Google #i/o2014 #Android #Chrome #ChromeOS #AndroidWear #AndroidAuto #AndroidTV #Chromecast #Glass #Nexus #Silver

Good early morning, Synapse Circuit Readers. It is great to see you as always! I hope you are well and happy!

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Google i/O 2014... Here are my thoughts – before they become illegal.



BROKEN GLASS?

NO VISION?  
There was no mention of Google Glass – at least I didn’t hear anything. Did you? Have Google given up on this potentially groundbreaking project? Somehow I don’t think so. Yes, there has been a lot of negative press and that is largely because that is the very nature of the press: Creating controversy because it sells.

No doubt that Google will have to do more to win the media over. But we know that Glass has gotten an upgrade to 2GB and the 1GB version has gone on sale in the UK Play Store for £1000! That it has gone on sale in the UK shows me that Glass is still happening! I would imagine that Google are busy working on selling the idea based on quality apps that we never knew we wanted. So, do not count Glass out! I am quite sure that Google are tweaking it to perfection.

I have noticed that other manufacturers that are working on their own version of Glass are just waiting for Google to break through – they seemed to have gotten cold feet. Like Apple the other manufacturers are waiting for Google to create that market!

GOOGLE MINUS?

WIMPING OUT?
With Vic Gundotra out of the picture what’s going to happen with G+? We never heard anything about G+ at this year’s conference.

Rumour has it that G+ will become something of a gateway that links up Google services. I think that would be a shame. I think there is a lot of potential in G+ and I see it as being integrated into Google Glass like a Social Networking Operating System (you read it here from Synapse Circuit); I think G+ can do with an overhaul that makes use of the Material Design Paper concept.

I would hate to see G+ being shot down in flames but I get the impression that if something doesn’t take off immediately with Google they terminate with extreme prejudice! Some things take time! What I find missing from G+ is real social interaction that can be found on Facebook and old school MySpace before the redecoration. MySpace’s refurbishment is a lesson on how NOT to do it. Facebook is okay considering that it is being run awfully. Because Facebook was initially people oriented it suckered many of us in and then it revealed its true face (no pun intended). Google + was like that too but it showed its face quite early in the game... By showing its “true face” I mean that people could no longer use names that they prefer to go by and that it wanted to extract more about you too fast. That’s a faux pas! It’s the equivalent of asking someone you’ve just met to perform a sexual act on you: bold but incredibly stupid! G+ is the goofy looking Poindexter kid that is introduced to a new class and has the uncanny knack to alienate his or herself with social awkwardness. I haven’t bonded with people on G+ like I have on Facebook. G+ suffers a lot from angry Pointdexter’s that keep screaming “spam” at every opportunity. It is freaking annoying! G+ needs to relax a little and open up. G+ needs an overhaul that is inviting to all. Android as an operating system and handset is a great paradigm that has a solution for everyone!

Well, I find G+ to be better than Twitter!



MINUS CEO LARRY PAGE

HEALTH PROBLEMS?
I sincerely hope that Google CEO, Larry Page is getting better but I missed his presence at this year’s conference. His speech still rings in my ears regarding the notion of Tech bringing humanity together as opposed to all this Apple vs. Google vs. Oracle vs. Microsoft nonsense! I happen to think that it is sad that Tech is viewed as a corporate commodity to be torn apart between them. An image of a live chicken just came to mind whereby Apple, Microsoft and others are ripping it to shreds and not making use of the great potential presented. It’s a great big shame. I reckon that Google would like to use technology to enhance our lives and that involves us trusting that their intentions are good... What was their motto, “Don’t be evil”? Is that still their motto? Peace protestors managed to cause a little disruption due to Google “obliging the military contracts” that come with one of the robotic companies they’ve bought. Me too! I do not like the idea of Google getting mixed up in military projects that could potentially result in more deaths. This scenario reads like a Sci-Fi movie – I guess RoboCop reboot is the most appropriate analogy as the scientist, played by Gary Oldman, didn’t want his research and discoveries to be used by the military.

Google needs good PR behind it but not to deliver bullsquirt in the manner that Apple does. There are people out there who really believe that Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc are part of this “New World Order” and they make their presence known each day via the Internet with, ironically, the aid of YouTube and physically in protest. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tim Cook sent these protestors to cause some disruption! Ha! But seriously... ...after watching the Women in Tech at the Google conference I see hope... Hope that mankind is not going to destroy itself.



A LONG TIME COMING...

NUMBER 5 IS ALIVE
Yes, that’s right! I am talking about Android 5, Liquorice Allsorts, Lemon Meringue, Lemon Pie, Lemon Drops, Lollypop, Lime Cheesecake... That’s all the desserts I can think of beginning with the letter “L”.

The future of Android was the biggest news of this year’s conference! Quite right too! It seems like ages since we have something to dance about where Android is concerned. Don’t get me wrong, KitKat is awesome but now we know that Android is about to go supernova! The way it looks and the functionality is just mind blowing! We are witnessing great new Android devices by the likes of LG, Oppo and Samsung to name a few and the mind boggles as to where Android can go from version 5 onwards!

64-bit... Where can we go with 64-bit? Faster apps and games! Soon the PC will be a relic of the past! But if I understood the Android part of the conference correctly it should be possible to install Android on x86 PCs! I reckon all the major software players should be working on Android versions like Microsoft Office! But I think it may be too late for that now as Google Docs, Sheets and Slides can edit Office documents without having to convert. I can see better applications on the horizon for Android. I am really curious about the handsets to come around December this year... Will Samsung, LG and others release 64-bit devices? I know that Samsung have expressed a wish to go 64-bit and were waiting for Google... So, are Samsung (amongst others) ready? I reckon so! Like I said in the last article: there is a reason why Samsung and HTC have not yet released their “Prime” versions and it can be summed up in 64-bit!



iOS & THE APPLE BUSINESS MODEL

WHAT’S THE EXCUSE?
Here’s what Apple says about iOS 7 “Details make the experience. These details make it brilliant.

iOS 7 set the bar for how an operating system should be....”

Bold as brass! Ha ha! You can’t blame them for trying. There is no doubt that iOS 7 is a decent operating system – it does what it does but albeit at the expense of the user. What do I mean by that? Okay... When iPhone users received the iOS 7 upgrade it caused problems for many what with their whole music collection being lost and loss of general data such as contacts. And while it borrows a lot from Android iOS 7 still wants to keep the user in the Apple bubble – especially when it comes to sharing! I’ve never read or listened to anyone from Apple claiming that Android’s sharing routine is “stolen” from iOS.

iOS still isn’t able to offer the user a split screen to have two apps open at the same time. This version does not allow third party keyboards but version 8 will. So, when Apple says “iOS 7 sets the bar...” I am truly at a loss to see how. Look at the beauty of Android in that if you do not like the UI overlay one can use another from great sources such as Nova, Buzz and so many others; with iOS 7 and probably 8 too there is no way to replace the UI for one that is more conducive to the user. Android goes far beyond widgets! I think a lot of iPhone users do not understand that Android caters for a myriad of screen sizes (resolutions)! I understand that Android’s screen diversity makes it hard for developers but I think that this is soon becoming a thing of the past due to better development tools such as Android Studio! I do think that Cook and co takes every opportunity to slate Android apps for handset and tablet but when I look at the state of the Play Store today I can see that Cook and co are dead wrong!

Then there is this idea of “fragmentation...” Fragmentation is not such a big deal as Cook makes out because, as I have said many, many times, when someone purchases a budget handset with an older version of Android he or she is none the wiser: it works! But as time goes on “fragmentation” will be irrelevant. The big elephant sitting in the Apple Corporation is... ...wait for it... is... Everybody, say it with me: CANNIBALIZATION!  

Because Apple is one corporation whenever it puts out a smaller or bigger version of its bestseller the sales will eat into that of the original device. Thus the market for the original device becomes cannibalized. This is what has happened to the iPhone 5S with the advent of 5C and with the iPad when the Mini was released. So, when Apple puts out two different sizes of iPhone, 4.7” and 5.5”, it will – I predict – result in the two devices amounting to equal the sale of the original device – if that makes any sense. For example, the 5C was a success at the expense of the 5S. And it is the same for the iPad Mini; it sells well but it means fewer sales for the iPad. I talk to Apple users and they mostly say that the iPad 2 was a waste of money because it has depreciated badly over time: it became slower and the battery isn’t what it was. To buy another one is an expense that is frivolous. Whereas the Android tablet comes in at a more reasonable price point and, yes, it is possible that Android tablets (and handsets) can depreciate over time but it is expected and it can be less costly to replace. In my own experience I find that good Android products have a longer shelf life. My beloved Galaxy S2 works just like it did out of the box when I got it 5 years ago! There you go!



And because Google Android is free to manufacturers it means that it is up to them (the manufacturers) to create a market for themselves. One possible downside is that when a manufacturer puts out what is considered to be a “budget” handset where the customer can purchase it outright it would make more sense to invest that cash into a contract with yesteryear’s premium such as the Galaxy S3, Motorola Moto X and Sony Xperia M2 to name a few.

With Android it is the consumer that wins along with Google and manufacturers. Well, some manufacturers... But that’s another article for another time...

THANK YOU FOR READING!

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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