Ask Willie Stylez - The Posts

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

I have been seeing SO many Google Android related articles about...

• Am I getting Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Why am I not getting another update
• What's taking so long to get my update

Well! I'm tired of it! Most of these people paid all of $12 bucks for their phone and they are demanding updates! OK, yes I'm exaggerating a bit, but $100 retail is NOTHING for a phone! Especially since MOST people never pay retail! They usually get like $25-$50 off, if not more!

So seriously, when will the whining end! I'm tired of hearing the complaints about updates! If you want the new Android software SO BAD, then go to XDA Developers, learn how to unlock and customize your phone, then get the new updates! That's what I've done! Stop waiting on, and whining about, carriers and manufacturers! Google put the code out there for use and good XDA Developers are making use of it for most of the better phones! So there's no excuse for people to get off their lazy behinds and go get it!

If your device doesn't support a new update (or doesn't have XDA Dev support), then you probably shouldn't have gotten that weak piece of $50 crap that you bought 2yrs ago! Every Android (and some WinMo) phone that I have ever bought has cost AT THE VERY LEAST $200 AFTER rebates and each one of them have been upgradeable! I have a 2.5YO HTC HD2 that has Android v2.3.7 on it now (the most up to date phone OS available, outside of ICS)! If you actually pay something for a phone, then yes, I think you deserve updates (sorry Sony owners). But whining and crying about your FREE phone not getting updates... you get NO sympathy from me!

And for everyone that says... but I'm not a techy, I just want my phone to work and be updated when Google puts out new software... Then you know what, you've all been warned before! And here it is again...

BUY A GOOGLE NEXUS PHONE!

Every Nexus phone that has been released has been supported by Google with updates! NO EXCUSES! You all love your updates, so stop circumventing the process and buying OTHER phones. YES, Android is about choice, that's the beauty... but if you made the choice to go outside the Nexus line, then live with that choice and make it work for you! Go get your updates when you want them! Or stop your whining and wait for them to be released (or buy a new phone)!

That is what Stylez thinks! What do you think? Please share in the comments!

I just received a request for recommendation of a good RDP or Remote Desktop control app on Android phones & tablets.

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

My first recommendation is 2X Client RDP/Remote Desktop!

It works on Android 1.6-4.0. I use it on my 4.3" touchscreen and it works AWESOME! It has great reviews on tablets too. It's free and uses true RDP (only problem there is only Pro or Ultimate versions of XP & Vista allow RDP, I think all versions of 7 allow it). And it works even better than Wyse PocketCloud (which is $25). And I see they just introduced an AMAZING new features... Published Apps! If you don't know what that is, think VMware ThinApp meets Android! You can run apps from a machine in your network as if they were natively running on your phone or tablet!

My second choice would be TeamViewer for Remote Control.

This app is also FREE! It runs on Android 1.6 and up (not sure if it has Android 4.0 support yet, but if not, I'm sure it's coming). It doesn't use true RDP, it uses a Host/Viewer (or Host only) service app on the desktop (which is great for people running Home versions of XP & Vista). It's an AMAZING app that works internally and externally when you're on the road, with NO router changes. I think you have to change a setting in the server portion of the software combo to allow internal network connections. But otherwise it works GREAT! I use it on friends and family PCs so that I can assist them remotely!

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

I was excited back in January to hear that Sprint was releasing some HUGE news in February, that was supposed to revolutionize the mobile industry. There was much debate, speculation, and wishful thinking as to what that announcement was going to be. Well, February 7th came... then it went... and most of us, well, are not impressed! SMH! The big announcement turned out to be Sprint's newest smartphone, on the Android platform, made by Kyocera (parent company and current manufacturer of Sanyo phones). The Kyocera Echo is a dual-screened, Nintendo DS inspired, device that (by their marketing statement) will revolutionize the way people use their Android device. I don't buy that, but it is a good concept. I don't think the concept is practical, but it's good.

Well, I got a chance to look at the Kyocera Echo, the press release and the FAQ and here are my thoughts:

Pros:

- dual screens (of course)

- multiple modes of the screens

- size of the combined display (4.7")

- (the idea of) the optimized apps (since they are not out yet, its hard to say they will perform as intended)

- current Android smartphone OS (v2.2) which allows the use of FLASH for web animations/videos

- Additional battery and charging stand included

Cons:

- Only 3G (which is not slow, but Sprint's 3G network is lacking)

- Additional cost for internet (Sprint is also charging Premium fee on a device that does not truly use the Premium features, like 4G)

- Hinge system has not been proven (phones that open and/or slide have ALWAYS been a problem, and although Sprint claims that this one has passed all of its "stringent" tests, their tests in the past have yielded phones that break within the 1st year!)

- its a Kyocera (they're not a horrible company, but they also haven't proved to make durable and high performance devices)

- possible compatibility issues with non-optimized Android apps (this is a new device with even newer technology that has never been seen, or programmed, for. So there is a huge chance that most apps will fail to run properly)

All in all, it is a great idea and an emerging technology. If you don't mind being their guinea pig, then go for it. At $200 (after mail-in rebate) and an expensive data plan, I would like to have seen this be 4G instead. I myself wouldn't jump up to buy it because a) its too new of technology and needs to be tested in the consumer realm and proven to work and b) its made by a company that is not a star in the mobile phone game. Kyocera acquired Sanyo and builds the phones, but Sanyo is not the most premier company for phones either!

That is what Stylez thinks. What do you think? Please read more below and comment!

Read the rest of this post »

So What Does STYLEZ Think?

Before anyone asks, I'm still using my T-Mobile HTC HD2. I recently modded my HD2 (again) and added the ability to run alternative mobile OS's from the phone's internal memory (NAND). This has given me the option to run everything from Windows Mobile (WM) 6, 6.1, 6.5; Android 2.1 (ECLAIR), 2.2 (FROYO), 2.3 (GINGERBREAD); Windows Phone 7 (WP7); UBUNTU Linux; and even Nokia's newest project MEEGO! Currently I am dual booting the phone with a custom GINGERBREAD installation (based on the popular Cyanogen Mod 7) running from the MicroSD card, and a custom release of the WP7 operating system built for HD2 running from the NAND memory.

So in this review, I want to talk specifically about Windows Phone 7 (WP7) and how it stacks up to expectations. This is written from a more consumer stand point, and if anyone wants a more technical overview of the ROM that I am using, then please feel free to contact me. Well let's get to it.

I have been running WP7 for over 3 weeks now. It works fairly well. Not any major issues, it's just that WP7 is really showing its "youth" as a Phone OS. I think that it will be great phone OS... eventually. It has its positives and its negatives. But doesn't every phone OS? Anyway, the following two lists really show why I love... and hate... WP7 as my newest phone OS acquisition!

Read the rest of this post »

So What Does Stylez Think?

I was on Facebook today and found this posting from LifeHacker website

Have you switched from Android to iPhone? Let us know how it went (what worked, what didn't, etc.).

Now, after re-reading that question about 12 times, I realized that they REALLY SAID "Have you switched from Android TO iPhone"!!! I'm still convinced it was a typo, because that has got to be the most BACKWARD question ever asked by a technology web magazine! Of course, the comments went NUTS! Of course I had to join in because its what us techies do!

Read the rest of this post »

I received a message from a friend today asking what I thought of Android OS and if I felt she should upgrade to a new Android phone or keep up with Windows Mobile. Here was her request:

Can you give me the pros and cons for a windows smartphone vs and android? Right now I can sync my phone to outlook and update my calendar (doc appointments, etc) I like that. Can I still do the same on an Android? Is it windows compatible or should I just stick with a smartphone?

This is my response:

Android is THE BOMB!!!! I use BOTH an Android (currently 2.1, but just installed 2.2 update) and a WinMO 6.5 w/ HTC Sense 2.5! So I understand the hesitation. Let's address your main concerns:

1. Windows Compatibility... technically NEITHER mobile OS is COMPATIBLE to Windows XP/Vista/7. Because they cannot SHARE the same programs. i.e. iPhones and iPad are COMPATIBLE because they can share apps. However, YES they BOTH can communicate and be synced with Windows OS.

2. Oulook - (Im assuming you mean, ONLY mean calendar, contacts, etc) due to some unusual programmings on Google's side, you have a few options here. You can use Google's Calendar Sync (which works GREAT) to sync Outlook & an online Google Calendar. Or you can use Kayxo KiGoo to sync both the Calendar AND Contacts (http://icio.us/b2axyt)

3. Apps - you didnt mention this, but I like to anyway. I LOVE my WinMO because it was the ONE OF THE ORIGINAL mobile computer to handle applications, tools, etc. iPhones DID NOT originate, yes, they made it easier to locate and acquire apps, but WinMO has been doing it since late 1990s! Anyway, but just like iPhones, Android has a GREAT app marketplace and a HUGE (and growing) list of awesome and useful apps!

I would DEFINITELY recommend purchasing an Android phone! There are SO MANY to choose from (I personally recommend Motorola DROID (original, X or 2), HTC EVO 4G, Samsung's new model or T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide). And this mobile OS is here to stay!!!

PROS & CONS:

Windows Mobile:

Pros - I would say familiarity, but, because no two WinMO phones are EXACTLY alike (unless you have HTC already and get another HTC), the interface is not ALWAYS the same. GREAT community support for most phones and devices. ULTIMATE compatibility with Windows, Linux and Apple PCs. Most come with a physical keyboard, but a slew of units are now available with full Touchscreen only (and multi-touch too). THOUSANDS of apps and software tools available. Huge selection of phones and devices available at different price points, discounts and deals. Flash (via app, Skyfire Browser) and multitasking.

Cons - some phones suffer from (compared to Android and iPhone) performance issues, glitches or are just slower than the competition. New app marketplace only available on some phones but is also VERY inadequate compared to Android & iPhone.

Android Mobile:

Pros - (in general) familiarity. There are currently only about 2 types of Android interfaces (maybe 3 if you count the semi custom Droid X interface), one from HTC and then the stock interface from Google. But even with those two, there are a only a few differences so you can jump from one phone to the next (so far) and be able to use it with no learning curve. The app marketplace is GREAT and very usable (even more now with categories and per app auto updates). Flash and multi tasking. GREAT performance and speed across the board. New functionality and bug fixes are done throughout the year and available on (most) phones (they actually listen to their consumers requests, UNLIKE Apple!). GREAT syncing with Google & Gmail online accounts.

Cons - lots of updates for apps (but mainly because most of the apps and tools are new and technically beta), multiple OS updates per year (not really a CON for most ppl, but some ppl dont like this feature. but again, like the apps, the OS is also pretty new and new functionality and bug fixes are done throughout the year instead of only once per year). 3rd party apps (but a couple are free) are needed to bring Outlook Syncing up to par with WinMO.

That's What Stylez Thinks! What do you think? Please Comment!