What’s the big news in the Smartphone world this week? It’s a mix, really. Android’s looking like a viable platform to more and more people, there are a ton of Windows Mobile devices on the way, and both CrackBerry.com and the iPhone Blog are running contests that ought to spark your interest. Read on!
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[This is a TiPb AT WORK App vs. App Interlude! Last week, we ran our Remote Desktop/VNC Showdown, with Jaadu edging out Mocha for the victory. But which forum voter and blog commenter won copies of the winning App? Congratulations MSZATNY and GOS
This week, while the TiPb iPhone Forums vote on THE TWIST Casey steps in to look at Earthscape and it's major-league new rival, Google Earth! They're both FREE, but if you comment below (and make sure you leave a valid email address in the comment form -- it won't be made public, but it will be used to contact you), you'll still have a chance to win an iTunes gift certificate from TiPb! Check out the full contest details, then grab your iPhone and get ready to get things done -- the TiPb AT WORK Interlude: Earth vs Earth is on!]
Google has a certain love affair with the iPhone. Yeah, we know Android is Google’s baby but that doesn’t stop them from putting out top-notch applications for the iPhone. The Youtube App and Google Maps are both best in class and Gmail and Google Reader on Safari are setting the bar for web-based applications. So though Android is all Google, they’re still not ready to leave the iPhone.
Case in point, the release of Google Earth on the iPhone. Anyone a bit surprised that they released one of their more unique products on the iPhone before it got even as much as a sniff for Android? Luckily, as iPhone users we don’t have to worry about the politics of the situation and we get to enjoy the app for what it is.
But Google Earth isn’t the only player in town. Earthscape has been around, is free (used to be $9.99), and works admirably. So in this arena of mobile Earth based apps, is Google Earth the young challenger or the new champion?
Read on to find out in this special edition of App vs App!
You may not realize it, but the site you’re reading right now is a part of one of the premier networks of smartphone news and review sites. We call it the ‘Smartphone Experts Network’ and if you haven’t heard, we’ve recently added a new member to our family, Android Central. That brings the number of our smartphone communities up to five sites. You can find links to these sites and to their latest stories either in the sidebar or footer of every SPE site.
I thought now would be a good time to introduce a new weekly blog post I’ll be putting up at each of our sites called ‘Around SPE,’ which will give you a very quick roundup of the biggest stories at each of our sites. Now, ‘big stories’ are just a tiny part of what we offer, as each of our sites also feature vibrant communities, engaging podcasts, and also accessory stores if you’re looking to make your smartphone a little better.
In addition to our new sister site, there’s also some other SPE Network news to share, so follow me after the break to learn more!
The Reviews of the Android G1 Phone on T-Mobile are out and the verdicts are generally as follows: Partly Cloudy1, but forecasting big things to come. We’re not going to try to hit every point just yet, but there’s one point where this “Sidekick for Grownups” has what appears to be a real advantage over everybody else: dead-simple cloud setup.
So compared to the iPhone, just how good is the setup on the G1? The answer is: Depends on whether or not you’re a Gmail type of person.
Yeah, “depends” isn’t exactly a clear answer, so follow us after the break for a bit more on whether the G1 is PIM Push Paradise compared to MobileMe’s Mechanized Movement of information.
Woz co-founded Apple and pretty much kick-started the personal computer revolution; fair enough. Since then, however, he’s made his bones as a fairly big practical joker. Which Woz was it, then, who told the Telegraph:
“Consumers aren’t getting all they want when companies are very proprietary and lock their products down,” he says when comparing the iPhone’s closed operating system to the new Google phone’s open source system which allows anyone to modify and adapt the way the phone works. “I would like to write some more powerful apps than what you’re allowed,” he laments.
Of course, Woz could probably stroll into Apple, flash his stock certificates, and write any App he wants. So what’s he really saying? That average consumers would be better off with a more open platform from Apple?
That probably better defines the harder core developers, geeks, technophiles, and blogerati than the average consumer — just the type currently salivating over the Google Android.
Apple has made their iPod — and now iPhone — fortune, however, by giving average consumers what they really want: unmatched ease of use wrapped in a drop-dead gorgeous package.
My 2 and a half year old godson could use an iPhone with startling ease. Google Android? He could probably figure out how to throw it (likely at my head in frustration).
Woz is a genius, no doubt about it. He dented the world. But the classic mistake of any genius is seeing multiple problems when all every day people see is a single solution. The iPhone isn’t a kit computer like the Apple II. It’s the ultimate sealed-up Mac. Two different markets, with the second one being better for average consumers (despite geek howls to the contrary).
If you didn’t know, Google and T-Mobile held a small event that introduced the world to Android and the first Android device, the T-Mobile G1. And though Android impressed many (TiPb included), a lot of people scratched their heads when it came to the T-Mobile G1. Sure it packed a lot of features, controls, layouts, etc in one device but looks-wise it just didn’t blow anybody away. Is this really the device that Google is going to use to introduce the world to Android?
So we decided to take a closer look at the hardware and see how it compares to the iPhone 3G!
Okay, phew, it’s not just us. Seems everyone is being swept up in the iPhone vs. Android hype, including the fun(nerer)-loving folks over at College Humor, who wrote in to tell us:
Yesterday, Google introduced their new Android cell phone platform, which is expected to bring big competition to the iPhone, but people are already starting to notice a few glitches with the new phone’s features. Specifically the Did-You-Mean feature.
Visual hilarity ensues, so be sure to go check it out!
Sure, on the surface Google’s Android seems more like a shot through the heart of Windows Mobile — or the head of Palm’s Linux-based OS 2.0 aspirations — but while those platforms enjoy their own historical and market share, it’s Apple’s iPhone that has all the mind share of late. That means, despite Google’s CEO being on the Apple Board of Directors, Google’s Maps, Search, and other services having a prominent place on both devices, and — let’s face it — Google’s full on tech-crush for the iPhone — no one is going to hesitate to pit the two systems head-to-head. Including us!
So, what advantages does each one have? What drawbacks? Here they are, in our opinion: the top five iPhone vs. Android Wins and Losses… after the break!
Today is a good day, we have had a few Android related stories today here at TiPb but competition is good. It will only make Apple kick things into high gear and improve on what is arguably the top touchscreen phone on the market today. That brings us to the first thread I want everyone to check out. It’s brought to us by none other than our very own writer extraordinaire, Rene. Android vs iPhone! What are your thoughts?
Our next thread comes to you from forum member sturamsden, and he wants to talk more about the rumored 32 gig iPhone 3G. I honestly can’t see it coming out this soon but who knows… anything is possible, no? Finally here is a thread that yours truly started, how many home screen pages do you use? I found 3 home screen pages to be a perfect fit for me, how about you?
Not a member of our growing community? Head over here to join us!
Yeah, A-Day — it’s like that. No sooner did Apple announce the iPod Touch as the “funnest” ever (yet apparently didn’t tell OS X’s built in dictionary not to take issue with that obscure, yet valid usage…), then Google and T-Mobile decided to have a little, er, “fun” with it themselves:
The friendly feel of Google but funnerer, smarterer, and conecteder
No, they have to go and get with the Funnererer…er…
Well, with Windows Mobile 7 delayed until late 2009, which may be before Palm OS 2.0 even sees the light of day, and Blackberry still not even on the next generation OS radar, it’s nice to see someone taking it to Apple (even if they, with a CEO on the board of Apple, and services linked to the iPhone, may be more about complementing than competing at the moment).
Still, when the dust settles, and Steve takes the stage at Macworld 2009, we’ll just see who’s the Funnererer…est!
