SYNAPSE CIRCUIT ANDROID, iOS, MICROSOFT CYANOGENMOD: THE TRUTH!

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
ANDROID, iOS, MICROSOFT & CYANOGENMOD: THE TRUTH!

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! How’s it going? It’s pouring down with rain here in London! I hope that all is well with you and yours! I also hope that you are making the most of your tech!

It seems that Google ought to brace itself for the coming attacks on the Android robots! Despite CEO, Larry Page stating that he’s not interested into Tech Wars it seems that the poor chap can’t avoid it no matter what he (and Google) does! Read on!

#Google #Android #Cyanogenmod #Microsoft #iOS #Tizen #OxygenOS #Motorola #Lollipop #OnePlus #OxygenOS

SPIDER-MAN 3
You are probably wondering, “Spider-Man 3??? What’s that got to do with Android, iOS, etc?” Well, right now Android is looking like Spider-Man in the Toby McGuire franchise – the third movie! Android is the Amazing Spider-Man and facing a number of foes: iOS could be Green Goblin; Microsoft – Sandman and Cyanogenmod is very much like Venom! Hahaha! All of a sudden it looks as though Peter Parker (Google) has a brought untold trouble to himself with his alter-ego, Spider-Man (Android). Will Spider-Man’s (Android) enemies reveal his true identity?

It seems to me that many tech “journalists” (sic) are no better than cheap tabloid writers in that they seem to thrive on sensationalism and half-truths! The headlines are so silly that I can’t believe that people would actually put their names and photos to these ridiculous stories! Okay, there is some truth in the apparent animosity towards Google / Android. They (Cyanogenmod) don’t like the control that Google exerts over Android and they would like to develop the Cyanogenmod alternative to Android. Fighting talk, huh? But Google have every right to make certain stipulations with regards to how manufacturers use its operating system. So, why the drama? While you are thinking about it here’s something more to think about...


APPLE: RECORD SALES & PROFITS
Although Apple has made record sales the fact is that it hasn’t made a dent to the Android market! Again, iOS and Android are two different markets! The Android market is substantially bigger than that of iOS and therefore iOS cannot win. There are articles that state the iPhone 6 Plus is eating into the Galaxy Note 4 market but this is unlikely. Why? Glad you asked! I think you will find that the US and European marketplaces are pretty much set in their respective ways: there’s a huge demand for the Galaxy Note 4 and there is also a huge demand for the iPhone 6 Plus! But here’s the trick: iPhone fanatics have been crying out for a bigger screen ever since the first Samsung Galaxy Note! The demand was always there! Some iPhone fanatics may have been forced to go Android i.e. Galaxy Note as Apple back then preferred to release propaganda videos about “Hand Science”... “We found that the thumb can go from here to here and there to there comfortably... The iPhone is build around your hand...” I am paraphrasing but you get the gist! So, I would imagine that there would be quite a surge in the US & European markets for the iPhone 6 Plus. But if you listen to those who have bought themselves an iPhone 6 Plus they are complaining about the state of iOS 8 and that many apps do not yet take advantage of the 1080p screen. Once again (yawn), in London the computer exchange shops are full of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets! Oh, the computer exchange shops have an abundant supply of iPhone 5Cs in many different colours! Could it be that this is happening in Europe and the US – people taking their iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to the computer exchange stores out of disappointment and / or frustration? Maybe!



 It could very well be that the Android folk turning iOS are actually former iPhone users coming back to the fold. I also think that there are a number of technology lovers that have both an iPhone 6 Plus and an Android handset! Why not? But I honestly cannot see dedicated Android people just going over to the iPhone just because of a larger screen size thus abandoning Android. It’s just something I wouldn’t do! Why? Because Apple only makes Android stronger!

Now if you look at where the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is selling well it is in China. China is pretty much untapped territory for Apple and I would imagine that the affluent Chinese market have gone for the latest iPhone models in the way that a country will go mad for having a McDonald’s opening up for the first time! China has a huge population hence the great sales record for Apple! And once the Chinese market catches on with regards to the bugs in iOS 8, the fact that many apps do not scale and that the camera is pretty much lacking in comparison to flagship Android handsets the fascination could well and truly be over already! It could be that Apple has shot itself in the foot with regards to the sales of the next iPhone models! We’ll see!


ANDROID SALES HAVE DIPPED?
I am not surprised that Android sales have dipped and it is for the following reasons:-

1. These cheap and not so cheerful below £90 handsets from the likes of ZTE aren’t really worth the effort. And we all know why, right? C’mon! Add “crap” to the following: CPU, RAM and internal storage. Non-technical people have finally understood that cheap does not mean good!

2. I reckon there were two handsets that were hotly anticipated towards the end of the 2014 and those were the Galaxy Note 4 (three if you include the Galaxy Note Edge variant) and the Nexus 6! We have pretty much seen what the other manufacturers have done and the Galaxy Note 4, Edge and Nexus 6 are what many waited for. As you know I have both the Galaxy Note 4 and the Nexus 6! I was planning on the Galaxy Note Edge but...

3. The Android market is holding out for 64-bit handsets! Yes, I was a tad disappointed that the Galaxy Note 4 and Nexus 6 aren’t sporting 64-bit CPUs but I know that the qualities of these phones are excellent! I, like the rest of the smartphone world, am waiting for the complete lowdown on the Samsung Galaxy S6!

So, don’t believe the hype! 2015 is Android’s year! People say that Android 5 Lollipop is “buggy” but I have yet to come across any issues on my Nexus 6! Touch wood! Lol! But I can imagine that there will be some issues on the masses of Android devices out there! Upgrading to another Android version is not as easy as we would like! I am quite positive that some components of the Android used on Project Ara will be absorbed by the mainstream Android 5 that should translate into Android 6 Mud Pie(?) that should make it even easier to upgrade in the future.



Here’s a link to Motorola’s blog that gives you an insight to the upgrading process: Lollipop Issues

One day my little Moto G 2014 will let me know when I can download and install Lollipop! By then I it is possible that I would have moved on to the LTE version being released in Brazil (it will have Lollipop installed on it) or one of the inexpensive offerings from ASUS such as the Zenfone 2 with a 64-bit CPU!

Come March 2015 we will see a sharp rise in Android handsets!

THE NEXUS 6 IS NO iPHONE 6 PLUS
Thank God for that! Google recently stated that they have trouble meeting the demands for the Nexus 6... Hmmmm... Should I believe that? Let’s see... There are over 1 Billion Android handsets out there and out of that 1 Billion-odd what is the percentage of Nexus 6 users? Whatever that percentage is Lollipop doesn’t seem to have made a blimp on the Android user charts! KitKat still dominates on the majority of handsets out there and even then some of them aren’t the latest version, 4.4.4! But the fact that there are over 1 Billion Android users out there just shows me that the likes of Apple have made way too much over “fragmentation”! The fact is iOS is more fragmented in that iOS 8 run on an iPhone 4S and that those who have installed iOS 8 wished that they hadn’t! You don’t hear Cook and co talking about that issue! Of course not! What matters to Apple is PROFIT!!!! Apple doesn’t care about its workers or the environment and the BBC TV current affairs programme, Panorama, has exposed Cook and co for not being honest! The most honest thing that has come out of Cook’s mouth was his Gay declaration! Instead of the customary rainbow flag Cook is waving a black flag where the environment is concerned...

Watch Canadian documentary on corporations here: The Corporation
Watch the BBC news clip regarding Apple workers in China: Apple Exposed
You will see that nothing has changed from when the documentary was made in 2003 until now. Try and watch the Panorama programme on BBC iPlayer and what Apple does to the environment is shocking to say the least! I can only hope that other manufacturers are proactive in looking after its workforce and the environment! Any manufacturer can have a policy but it is something else to act upon it – practise it!

But going back to the Nexus 6... Of course it is no iPhone 6 Plus! It could very well be that Apple is making out that the demand for the iPhone 6 Plus surpasses that for the superior Nexus 6, Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge just to give the impression that they are winning but they are not (as I have pointed out to you before). I can believe that there is a high demand for the Nexus 6 as it is the best Nexus ever!

1. Lollipop; there are many people out there like myself that want to experience Android as Google envisioned it.

2. The Motorola design surpasses that of the iPhone 6 Plus.

3. There’s a 5.96” quad-HD screen that’s great for everything you do on a phone!

4. The front-facing stereo speakers; they are wonderfully loud and makes video watching a great experience. Listening to music is also a wonderful experience!

5. The 13MP camera is arguably better than that on the iPhone 6 Plus. I say “arguably” because each camera has pros and cons but a strong argument is 4K video recording and playback, 13MP is better than 8MP and when you take the time to take a good photo the Nexus 6 shouldn’t let you down!

See the Synapse Circuit Nexus 6 review if you haven’t already! Here it is: Nexus 6 Review

When the Google Nexus 5 came out it sold out in the UK retail outlets on day one! So, I would imagine that the same phenomenon is happening with the Nexus 6!



SOLD!
There is a reason why Google isn’t interested into being a handset and tablet manufacturer. According to CEO, Larry Page, Google is already thinking beyond the smartphone and tablet. Hence the sale of Motorola to Lenovo! What has to be appreciated is that Google has made the smartphone accessible to just about everyone with the Moto range! This trend is already being continued by ASUS – I am so curious about the 64-bit, 4GB RAM Zenfone 2 at $199!!! Or it could be that ASUS has another configuration for the Zenfone 2 that is $199 that does not feature 4GB of RAM. We’ll see...

Many tech writers / journalists don’t seem to understand that Google is in for the long haul when it comes to making profits. Yes, they have to make the Android operating system the best that they can in order for people to keep using it and to start using it! Android is the pathway to YouTube & Google Ads. Click on my Google Ads! Lol! Just kiddin’! I know that there are some people out there who are concerned about others making money! That’s so sad! Never mind! Anyhoo...

If Google had wanted to sell handsets they would have done so from that start and not made Android open source! Simple!


IN CLOSING: CYANOGENMOD & MICROSOFT
Yes, Microsoft has invested $70 Million in Cyanogenmod’s bid to “take Android away from Google...” but you have only got to look at the situation with Amazon to understand that this is never going to be as straightforward as Cyanogenmod and Microsoft would like! Amazon can’t even give its Fire phone away! It will be interesting to see how Cyanogenmod and Microsoft pans out... If Cyanogenmod manages to succeed in creating its own forked version of Android it may be of interest to tech-heads! I don’t know about you but if I see an advantage in other technologies I will invest in them! A couple of my handsets are running Cyanogenmod and it’s a good alternative to the official Android as I am able to keep these old handsets updated. One of the important features of Cyanogenmod is privacy and their efforts to ensure user privacy may force Google to take issue of privacy in Android more seriously.

Cyanogenmod certainly has its work cut out for them! They haven’t forged an alliance with OnePlus as OnePlus is releasing its own forked Android, Oxygen OS pretty soonish – I think! I am quite sure that Oxygen OS will still rely on Google Play Store! We’ll just have to wait for more information on that!

TIZEN?
If you look at Samsung’s Tizen operating system it shows great promise and can utilize Android apps. So, I am right about Samsung wanting to express itself without Google’s interference. Samsung needs to develop its own innovations and Tizen is the way to do it. It’s obvious that Samsung still wants to work with Google otherwise Samsung wouldn’t have gone to considerable lengths to make Tizen compatible with Google Play Store. If a Tizen handset offered something that I couldn’t get anywhere else I’d buy into it!

The next coming years will certainly be interesting for Google’s Android ecosystem. From where I am sitting, Android looks pretty much unstoppable; 1 Billion-odd Android users is a tough factor to compete with! Microsoft’s motive for backing Cyanogenmod isn’t a good one! Windows handsets haven’t gone mainstream as Microsoft would have liked. And as you know, they produced some Android handsets under Nokia which have discontinued primarily because Microsoft’s own forked Android didn’t work! I had intended to purchase one and install a custom ROM on it! But they are no longer on the market as far as I can see! Microsoft seems to have a lot of money to waste! It’s bizarre watching Microsoft throw money in any direction to be seen as a technological innovator again! Get your HoloLen goggles on! It’s fun for all the family!

We’ll just have to watch to see how it all unravels for Cyanogenmod, Microsoft and Google!

The Future of the Nexus programme...

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A NEW SYNAPSE CIRCUIT WEBSITE IS ON THE WAY! 

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT LOLLIPOP NEXUS 6

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
MY SWEET LOLLIPOP! ANDROID 5 IS HERE!
#AndroidLollipop #Android #NexusPlayer #NexusTablet #AndroidWear #AndroidAuto #AndroidTV #Chromecast #Glass #Nexus #Silver #Lollipop #Android5 #Android5Lollipop 

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers. It is great to see you as always! I guess you are buzzing from the knowledge that Android 5, “Lollipop”, is now official as well as the latest Nexus devices!

Rejoice!

IT’S A MATERIAL WORLD!

Above: The Nexus 6 which is said to be coming in black and white. It looks great; big without being cumbersome. I love this dual front-facing speaker design! I can't wait to get this in my hands! There is no way that Android fans are going to defect to the iPhone 6 Plus because of the size alone. Android 5 Lollipop is gonna take some licking! Wink, wink... 

 ANDROID MATERIAL
While some have an opinion as to what goes into a “premium” handset it has become very, very clear – judging by some hiccups with iOS 8 – that the most important aspect is the operating system! I have always said that Android is second to none and this was abundantly clear from the recent Google i / O conference in June! We got a glimpse of the future and this future has arrived for us lovers of technology!

Google promises that Android 5, Lollipop (I was right about the name) will give the user up to 90 minutes of more battery time and that it should be small enough to fit on many older devices! Hurrah! So, it is hopeful that many handsets and tablets will be receiving an upgrade at some point. Hmmmm, I don’t know how that bodes with rooted handsets as Cynogenmod appears to be stuck on KitKat for some reason... We’ll see...

What I have appreciated about Google is that it is running its own race; Google do not seem to be directly competing with Apple or Mircrosoft... Google are focused upon its idea of the future and the proof is in the products. If one takes the time to create great products then it is highly likely that people will want to buy into them. Also, bear in mind that Google wants to reach folks across the various platforms. Android 5, Lollipop is going to span across various platforms so there is a great potential for more devices that work with what we have already!

MEET THE LATEST NEXUS FAMILY ADDITIONS

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING  
"The Nexus 6. This new phone has a contoured aluminium frame, a 6-inch Quad HD display and a 13 megapixel camera. The large screen is complemented by dual front-facing stereo speakers that deliver high-fidelity sound, making it as great for movies and gaming as it is for doing work. It also comes with a Turbo Charger, so you can get up to six hours of use with only 15 minutes of charge..."

That's awesome! I do love my large screen handsets and this could very well be my next handset! It's made by Motorola and the Moto G 2014 is sweet! The review is coming soon! I got myself the second generation Moto G specifically for the Lollipop update! I want to experience Android 5 in all its pure glory! I also hope to get a review of the Nexus 6 out to you soon!

"Next, a new tablet built in partnership with HTC. Nexus 9, with brushed metal sides and 8.9-inch screen, is small enough to easily carry around in one hand, yet big enough to work on. And since more and more people want to have the same simple experience they have on their tablets when they have to do real work, we designed a keyboard folio that magnetically attaches to the Nexus 9, folds into two different angles and rests securely on your lap like a laptop..."

Wow! I am loving it! I was unsure about the partnership with HTC at first but this tablet sounds ace! It certainly looks great and there is a uniformity in terms of the design as it resembles the Nexus 6!

"Finally, we’re releasing the first device running Android TV: Nexus Player, a collaboration with Asus, is a streaming media player for movies, music and videos. It's also a first-of-its-kind Android gaming device. With Nexus Player you can play Android games on your HDTV with a gamepad, then keep playing on your phone while you're on the road. Nexus Player is Google Cast Ready so you can cast your favorite entertainment from almost any Chromebook or Android or iOS phone or tablet to your TV..."

The Nexus Player is an exciting product as you know that I am dissatisfied with my cable service of crap TV channels. I am looking forward to hooking up this device to my HDTV!

"Nexus 9 and Nexus Player will be available for pre-order on October 17 and in stores starting November 3. Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order in late October and in stores in November—with options for an unlocked version though Play store, or a monthly contract or installment plan through carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon. Specific carrier rollout will be subject to certification completion and will vary. Check out google.com/nexus for more details on availability..."

This is great news - especially for my US friends! I can't wait to learn the details of the European release.

"Android 5.0 Lollipop, which comes on Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player, will also be available on Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10 and Google Play edition devices in the coming weeks..."

Fantastic news for owners of the above products! Yes! However, Motorola has issued a statement to say that the Lollipop upgrade is coming to the following handsets:-

Moto X (1st Gen. & 2nd Gen.)

Moto G (1st Gen. & 2nd Gen.)

Moto G with 4G LTE

Moto E

Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini

Too bad about the Motorola RAZRi as I am very sure that there is a possibility there that Lollipop is small enough to be installed on that handset. I am very curious to find out if Lollipop could improve the fluidity of the RAZRi as it has become quite sluggish. Still, it's good to know that the latest Motoroloa Moto models (along with the Droid handsets) will be getting the upgrade! It is going to be a superlative time for Android and the mobile device industry in general! Watch this space for more commentary, reviews, competitions, etc!

5... ANDROID 5 IS ALIVE!

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SYNAPSE CIRCUIT ANDROID TALK NEXUS 6

Above: On the right is the LG G3 and on the left is the forthcoming Nexus 6 / X.

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT 

ANDROID TALK 3:
NEXUS 6 OR X, HTC NEXUS TABLET & ANDROID 5

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! How are you? How’s it going? I hope you are well and making great progress with your tech – especially if you are embarking upon a project using your mobile device applications and computer software! Did I tell you that I have now joined the Android tablet ranks? Well, I have! I will post up a review shortly! Watch this space for my reveal...

Ooooh, yes! It’s now the first day of October and you know what that means? Absolutely! That’s right... ...we are closer to the next Google Nexus range of toys: phone(s) and tablet(s) to usher in the next version of Android!

#Android #Google #HTC #LG #ASUS #Samsung #Sony

NEXUS 6 OR X

"Shamu! Hee hee..." Bad Michael Jackson joke... 

What can I tell you that you haven’t already discovered through a web search on the subject of “Nexus 6 (X)”? Nothing other than I am looking forward to the reveal! These days I prefer not to do too much searching for clues and leave some space to be surprised. I don’t know about you but I do get tired of feeling disappointed after a massive build up! Hahahaha!

The one interesting aspect that I would like to mention is that it appears as though Motorola is manufacturing the next Nexus; “6”? I would like to think that it’ll be called Nexus 6 regardless of the biological Androids featured in the classic Sci-Fi movie ‘Blade Runner’. A mobile phone is different from a movie character and this shouldn’t present a potential litigation problem, right? This situation reminds me of when ASUS were being sued over the “Transformer” name! Pathetic! ASUS won by the way! Yay!

The Nexus 6 may be the penultimate design and release from Google Motorola before the baton is passed over to Lenovo! When Google first acquired Motorola I thought that one of the first things they would have done is the Nexus 5 but it still worked out great for LG! From what little I have seen the Nexus 6 looks very much like a bigger Moto X which is fine by me! If you haven’t heard the latest whispers the Nexus 6 may come at a nice 5.9” screen size. What? Too big? Not for me! The other whisper is that there will be a smaller version at 5.2”. I guess like the iPhone 6 situation! I am curious if the Nexus 6 model(s) will feature a 64-bit chip as my hope is that Google will show off the 64-bit enabled Android with style!

As I stated earlier, I haven’t bothered to look for “spec leaks” but logic tells me that the imminent Nexus 6 is going to be a great contender – more so than usual! I can’t say that I care too much if it’s 64-bit because a premium Android is blazing fast and, apparently, at least 4GB of RAM is needed to take advantage of the 64-bit chip architecture. I can’t confirm this repeated notion.

HTC NEXUS TABLET

Again, like the handset I have vague details such as the codename: “Volantis” and that it’s either a 9” or 8.9” in screen size. Oh, there is a strong rumour that it will feature a 64-bit Snapdragon CPU! The 64-bit CPU wouldn’t surprise me as HTC is said to be in the process of releasing a 64-bit handset shortly! We’ll see!

It’ll also be great if ASUS was still in the game to produce the 7” Nexus tablet as it’s still a handy size. Despite the iPad market in continual freefall the Android tablet market is still vital! Why? If you have been following my articles on the subject of the tablet market you will know why Android tablets will continue to flourish! But if you haven’t been following my articles... ...here goes...

1. The Android operating system, unlike Windows and OS X, is not cut from a desktop operating system. Therefore there is no hardware to cannibalize as with the iPad Air cannibalizing the Macbook Air for example. In theory, because Android 5 will be compatible across different CPU architectures there is a possibility for an Android based desktop and the 64-bit tablet could very well be what Microsoft is trying to achieve with the Surface tablet; great idea that comes at a great price – so much so that a decent laptop is preferable!

2. Cost! The Android tablet comes in at different price levels to serve entertainment / social media, basic productivity to high end productivity.

3. The 3G / 4G enabled tablet has become the new “phablet” and it is just a matter of time before the UK (that’s where I am based) and International networks allow us to use standard phone SIMs. At the moment it’s either the Internet (data) or call / text limits. Not good! But one can use either a main handset as personal Wi-Fi hotpot (tethering) or a dedicated Mi-Fi device to keep you connected on the go!

4. Because Google Play is being populated with quality applications specifically for the tablet it means that it has yet to peak! Whereas with the iPad it has gotten to a point whereby you may as well add a bit extra and get a Macbook Air because there is no longevity in the iPad; next year your expensive purchase is outdated already! You are better off using software as opposed to apps. The iPhone 6 Plus will most likely eat into the iPad market.

Android tablets of today has longevity built into them as the operating system becomes highly optimized and remember that Android devices over the last 2 years is blessed with decent hardware; there is a good chance that the 2013 Nexus 7, for example, will be able to upgrade to the latest operating system (Android 5). I would imagine that a top notch tablet that is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S range will last a good while! Just look at the Nexus 10 – it has stood the test of time!

5. Combining the points above, the Android tablet can be an inexpensive sketchpad of sorts that compliments a PC / MAC computer as the files produced on an Android tablet is compatible. It’s so easy to put the 7” Android tablet / phablet in a jacket / coat pocket and be productive on a bus journey for example. It’s not as precious as an iPad where you might feel uncomfortable showing it off in public – especially in London where crime is rife!

There you have it! There will come a time whereby we will stop using a PC or MAC desk or laptop as the Android apps have a greater potential fulfil our needs as we continue to embrace digital formats. It’s funny... I have seen apps that create physical greetings and postcards; why not just send the postcard digitally? We already do with WhatsApp and LINE. Why waste a tree for the purpose of such folly? It is Android that has given us a great range of cost effective handsets and tablets that everyone on the planet should have one by now! I love it that I can send a picture, video, recorded voice message, etc to anyone in the world! Okay, I have to admit to enjoying sending and receiving Christmas cards as such items become part of the decorations. Other than that the greetings and postcards are practically dead or dying! The cost of the domestic printer ought to come down somewhat! I digress slightly... ...as usual!

My jury is out on HTC manufacturing the next Nexus tablet as I feel that it hasn’t delivered the goods where the handset is concerned. Yes, the One (M7 & 8) are great looking handsets but the cameras let them down. The One isn’t complete as the Galaxy S4 & 5 is where the camera is concerned. Sure, the Galaxy S range looks minimal in comparison but the handsets deliver all-round! HTC has got to be on top of its game for the Nexus tablet and I hope they turn its fortunes around big time! HTC reminds me of none other than Rocky Balboa in that they keep taking knocks but come back with something potentially brilliant! C’mon, HTC!

THE MOTOROLA NEXUS TABLET?
I don’t know about you but I hoped that Motorola would get back into the tablet arena. Isn’t funny how circumstance can create the most amazing phenomena? From what I have understood early versions of Android could only support a low resolution and as a result that gave us the 7” tablet! Typically, Jobs laughed at the very idea of a 7” tablet made it clear that there would never a 7” iPad. Derisively, Jobs stated that tablet apps were nothing but stretched out phone apps. So, Google responded with Honeycomb, Android 3. Motorola put out the XOOM 10.1” tablet to mixed reviews followed by the XOOM 2. If I remember correctly there was some dispute with the “XOOM” name and along with the idea that Android wasn’t quite ready for a large tablet Motorola pulled the plug on its tablet range.

My how times have changed! I hope that Motorola will design and produce the Moto Nexus Pad X (???); I envisage that this tablet or set of tablets could be aimed at the mid-range with competitive pricing. I feel that the Moto X and G ranges are missing a tablet counterpart! So, the Nexus 6 phablet makes a great deal of sense. I feel that there is room for a nice 7” Moto Nexus tablet with slim bezels and that dual front-facing speaker design that is working well for Motorola right now! I reckon it’d be something if there was a 3G and / or 4G version(s) with a dual SIM slot enabling calls and data as Android folk are gravitating towards bigger handset screens. I don’t know about you but I LOVE these huge screens as it makes the consumption of media, surfing the Net and productivity such much better!

I guess I am dreaming – again! But that would be such a higher note (no pun intended) for Google Motorola to go out on before handing over the reins to Lenovo! All the best to Lenovo! Anyhoo... ...by all accounts the legacies of the Moto X, G and E is such a brilliant achievement! Just when you thought that Motorola weren’t happening! After the RAZRi the Moto X, G and E constitutes of a great return to form! And let’s not forget the customization of the Moto X by being able to choose from a great range of colours and unique materials such as bamboo and leather for the battery cover! Awesome! Oh, and the Moto 360 smartwatch! I must review the Moto 360 asap!

ANDROID 5: LOLLIPOP?

My girl lollipop... 

Now the rumour is that Android 5 will be called Lollipop as opposed to Lemon Meringue Pie which was looking very likely... ...in any event I can’t wait to experience the game changer that is Android 5! Google appears to have taken its time with getting the next version of Android right. I am quite sure that if Google followed Apple’s enthusiasm for jumping from iOS version 6, 7 to 8 with minor improvements I reckon we’d have reached Android 10 by now. And look at how iOS 8 has been plagued with inconsistencies... ...this is not to say that this can’t happen to Android but I get the feeling that Google have been putting Android 5 through the wringer!

I have understood that Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4 will get the Android 5 upgrade towards the end of the year! Hurrah! Fingers crossed on that one! I do find myself wondering as to how far back can Android 5 go... Will it be possible for the Galaxy S4 and Note 2 / 3, for example, to get the update?

And if you are using a Cyanogenmod ROM on some of your handsets when will the Cyanogenmod guys have CM12 (Android 5) ready for installation?

One thing is for sure: Thanks to Google, Android and the awe inspiring manufacturers we get another Christmasesque experience! Bring it!

That’s something to think about!

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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