One interesting element of Android is how easy it is to replace the homescreen application. We had already seen HTC innovating with the Rosie UI, which offers an experience much more integrated around social networks. This one, OpenGesture, is an exact copy of the existing homescreen but with a nice gesture based interface on top. Neat !
One more nail in Microsoft coffin ! We knew it was coming, it is now official, Chrome is becoming the foundation of a new lightweight operating system. Great !
"Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010."
Ok, the device looks gorgeous: Hardware design, tech capabilities (8mp camera, Snapdragon 1Ghz,...), and streamlined UI with many new social capabilities (like the HTC Sense).
However... when I look at this.. I really wonder: do I want to consume my twitter stream in a funky 3D flow ? I receive hundreds of tweets an hour ! What is the point of seeing the last 10 tweets, even if it is a cool 3D UI ? Are these guys testing their ideas on realistic data sets or are they just throwing eye candy ?
from zee at the next web
By now, you should know how much I have a passion for burgers, such a simple concept, that exists in so many different forms and which is being adapted to so many culture. It was a shock to me to discover (but is it true) that some remote areas of our world... have not yet discovered the burger !
This being said, there is a real lack of good burger places in Belgium. Maybe a project for the future :-)
Ok, it is officially only available in the US, but with a bit of SSH tunneling, and using a US SkypeIn number, I was able to register to Google Voice. the setup is really fast, intuitive, and all free. Almost everything is free by the way: calling in the US, SMS in the US, call forwarding, voicemail and even call recording !
Yes.. you can record your conversations (the other party is made aware of it), but the most interesting feature is the 'Call Presentation' mode which effectively enable you to decide on a call-per-call basis what to do: accept, reject, listen in to the voicemail and pick up or record the call.
The UI is similar to GMail, dead simple to use and with nifty feature like automated transcript of voicemails, so that you can easily read them while on the go.
I still need to check out the Android Application, but Iḿ sure that I won't be let down. Google Voice is amazing and will change the way we use our phone in major ways.
As a bonus.. here is the first google voice conversation I had, it was with @alardw, and recorded by Google. Amazing.. but maybe also a bit freaky. I was used to G reading all my mails... now they will start listening to my conversations :-)
[Note: quality is poor due to this being also done through Skype, and echo is the result of both of us sitting in the same room during that call]