John Dezember

Google announced the latest version of their Android OS, code-named Froyo, at the Google IO convention last week. Since the announcement, the internet has been buzzing with anticipation, speculation and rumors about when this latest-and-greatest will be available.

Then on Sunday, a tweet by TechCruncher @parislemon:

Google Confirms Froyo Launch: “The roll out to Nexus One devices has begun!” – http://tcrn.ch/9iZyHZ by @parislemon

The comments on the TechCrunch page eventually led to a link on Google’s server to download the update… I wasted no time!

For some time now, I have been running Cyanogen’s custom ROM for the Nexus One. Many of the features that enticed me to void the warranty of my Nexus are now available in the new 2.2 update (like WiFi tethering and installing Apps to the SD card). The new features are what caused me to head back to the official ROMs…

• Improved performance!!
• Automatic updating for Apps
• Flash 10.1 support
• Updated Market
• WiFi Hotspot
• Updated Camera (still and video)
• Updated Gallery
• Voice dialing for Bluetooth

So, I’ve upgraded to 2.2, but (due to traveling) have not been able to test all the new stuff. Right off, though, it’s FAST! Switching screens, opening apps, browsing the gallery, FAST! The new camera is much easier to navigate and change functions like flash, zoom, etc. It also looks better in landscape or portrait modes. The gallery now has a nice feature that allows you to get a sneak peek of picture stacks (handy when you’re looking for that one picture of your dog to show someone). I viewed a Flash site or two and it seems to work well. Most sites I visit are for news and really do not have much flash content. I look forward to testing out the WiFi hotspot and voice dialing for bluetooth. I’ll post anything of interest later; maybe some screenshots.

For those of you anxious to get the upgrade, here is a great link: http://www.androidguys.com/2010/05/22/manually-update-your-nexus-one-to-android-2-2-froyo/

If you are using a non-stock ROM, I would recommend checking out the XDA-Developers forums for links and How-Tos.

[UPDATE]

Ok, so it seems that I grabbed some sort of pre-release of Android 2.2; as reported by Androidheadline

.: FroYo Released too Early? http://bit.ly/bi9WCz

I did a full wipe (factory reset, whatever) of my Nexus One before upgrading to 2.2 (just had the urge to start fresh). As I was checking on my most used apps (including some apps I had paid for), I noticed some were missing… not even showing up in the Market! Also, I have yet to get bluetooth dialing to function. Other minor issues include random trackball color support/actually working. I hope these issues will be resolved in the final release!

I recently started working with the Android SDK and plan to start development on two projects.

The first is an advanced shopping list app. This is more for my wife than me. She has used/tested several of these apps that are curently available on the Android Market, but while they all offer necessary functions, they lack features that should be available in a quality app.

The second is an idea that I’ve been kicking around in my head for some time now. We have a home security system that is able to be controlled by a key fob. This is much better than having to race to the keypad to punch in the code to deactivate, but doesn’t offer any features beyond the range of the system. Using a mix of hardware and software, I’d like to have full control over the system from my phone.

I look forward to these projects and will post more details as I get things rolling.

Developer: Swype Inc.
Website: http://swype.com
Cost: Free (BETA)
Available Via: Developer Website
Moving from a small screen Windows Mobile (HTC Touch) device to the HTC Nexus One’s monster screen made a huge difference in the speed at which I was able to type text messages, emails, and web addresses. Swype has just made typing on any touch screen even faster! Gone are the days of single-character, touch-type. We are now able to compose messages or enter text of any  kind just by drawing a line over the characters on the keypad that make up the word (like the pic to the left, which will type the word quick).

Swype uses a patented intelligence technology that ‘knows’ what word you want to type by analyzing the path that you make over the keyboard. The results are amazing! Their website boasts that you can type swype in excess of 40 words per minute. While I never expect to achieve this, I am happy with anything over 10 words per minute! I no longer dread the task of replying to an email that requires more than a sentence or two.

There are cases where different word possibilities exist for a particular swype, but if this happens a menu is displayed so you can select the appropriate option. Overall, however, the program has been very accurate and rarely needs to give me options. It even got my last name (Dezember) correct on the first try (capital D and all).

See if swype is available for your device and sign up for the beta at http://swype.com

Pros:
Fast
Free
Available for multiple languages
Available for many devices
Support common editing actions (cut, copy, paste, etc.)
User editable dictionary
Works with passwords too

Cons:
Requires you to set up an account
Text entered is sent to a server
Limited functionality without data connection (still testing)

Here’s a video demo of Swype on an Android device:

Developer: The Sipdroid Open Source Project
Website: http://sipdroid.org
Cost: Free
Available Via: Android Market or developer’s website

Sipdroid adds native SIP/VoIP to your Android dialer and contact list. With sipdroid you can connect to your personal or office SIP/VoIP service and make calls over Wifi, 3G, and EDGE.

Sipdroid allows you to connect to most any SIP or VoIP provider. Our office uses a Talkswitch phone system and I have a SIP client on my desktop and laptop computers. This is normally all I need to stay connected with clients, except for when I’m traveling down the highway or rebooting or any number of other reason that I may not have the SIP client running. With sipdroid I was able to quickly get connected to the Talkswitch phone system and now, no matter where I am, customers can reach me and I can respond.

Pros:
Price! You really can’t beat free!
Supported SIP/VoIP providers.
Ease of installation/configuration.
Active Open-Source community.
Frequent updates.

Cons:
Bluetooth headsets are not currently supported.
Occasionally there seems to be a noticeable delay in communication.

Sipdroid is a relatively new app, so some features are still being added or updated, but it is still very usable. There have been several updates since I started using it; I’m happy to see that it is a supported app. Unless you are connected via Wifi, you are at the mercy of the cell network when it comes to call quality. If you are lucky to live or work in an excellent 3G signal area then you should have no issues. I happen to work in an area that causes my phone to fight between 3G and EDGE towers, so Wifi is my friend.

Developer: June Fabrices
Website: http://junefabrics.com
Cost: $23.95 – $34.00 (depending on your phone) or Free*
Available Via: Developer’s website and Android Market

PdaNet allows you to access the internet on your laptop by using your mobile phone as a modem. The software is available for Windows PCs or Apple Macs and works with most newer smartphone devices including  Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm Treo/Centro, and Windows Mobile.

I first started using PdaNet several years ago when I was a Sprint customer using a HTC PPC 6700. The 6700 initially supported being used as a modem, but an update from Sprint disabled this feature. A quick search turned me on to PdaNet by June Fabrics. With PdaNet you can connect your phone to your laptop or desktop (PC or Mac) via sync cable or wireless with bluetooth.

I recently became an Android user on the Nexus One with T-mobile. I contacted June Fabrics to inquire about a license transfer from Windows Mobile to Android (couldn’t hurt to as, right?). They don’t do transfers, but did let me have the upgrade pricing ($19.00). I had to uninstall the Windows Mobile version from my laptop before installing the new Android version. The setup was straight forward with fully explained instructions. I was online in less than 10 minutes (my laptop is old and slow, I think most people could have this done is less than five minutes).

Pros:
Quick, easy install.
Wireless connection via bluetooth
Available for many platforms
Able to use phone as a modem regardless of cell provider restrictions
Excellent support available from the developer’s website and via email

Cons:
If there has to be a con, it would be the price; not because it is a very expensive app (it’s not), but it is when comparing to other apps. If people are used to paying between $0.99 and $9.99 for an app, $23.99 to $34.00 seems a little steep.

Other thoughts:
For the ease-of-use, I am willing to pay the price (twice – my wife uses this app as well).

* PdaNet is offered for free from the Android Market. The free version is fully functional for a week. After a week, you can still use the app, but cannot access secure websites (https://) or connect to VPNs.