While I am a satisfied user of the stock Messaging app (mixed with SMS Popup) that comes with the Galaxy S II on Android 2.3/4.0, there are plenty of people out there who prefer a messaging app that does more than just send/receive text messages. They want abilities like being able to schedule texts, receive pop-up notifications, voice input/output, a nice home-screen widget, blacklisting, favorite contacts etc. etc.
Android is known for the sheer variety of excellent third-party apps available in Google Play that are good alternatives to stock, pre-included apps. Mobile browsers, particularly, are available in the dozens with strong ones like Boat Browser, Dolphin and, of course, Opera Mobile/Mini.
Despite being such an “open” mobile operating system, all Android phones in the market today come with a few limitations. These are actually safety mechanisms put in place for more security and to ensure that (inexperienced) users don’t mess up their devices. For enthusiasts, though, these safety mechanisms are limitations. Limitations that limit how they get to use a device they own.
A plethora of apps, programs and devices were showcased at this year's CES - many of which are unlikely to ever see the light of day in the actual consumer market.
Those of you who own a smartphone will know that this small little device has become an integral tool in their everyday life. It is used to take high-res photos, record full HD videos, listen to music, online communications and, of course, to handle calls and texts.
One thing that Apple did right when they copied Android’s excellent notifications drawer feature was its ability to work even with full-screen apps such as games, video players and alternative browsers. By default, Android doesn’t give you this option. If you’re inside a full-screen app and wish to see the time or the latest notifications, you are forced to exit the app and then pull the notification drawer from the homescreen. It’s inelegant, ugly and simply makes for an inconsistent user-experience.
Mobile devices like the recently launched 3rd generation iPad which has a 9.7” display whose resolution - 2048x1536 - is higher than any commercial LCD HDTV in the market today. Then, we have phones like the Galaxy Nexus which has a 720p Super AMOLED HD display that is sharper, has a wider color palette, and even wider viewing angles than the TVs/monitors that we have at home. These displays are simply amazing in every way.
There are a bunch of image-only social apps out in the wild just now, but none seem to have captured the imagination quite like Instagram for iPhone.
With so much power packed into these little devices, I say it’s a shame if you don’t make full use of all of it. Whether it’s getting out of Apple’s nicely-maintained walled-garden or Android device manufacturer’s locked, stock ROM, rooting your smartphone/tablet is something I recommend all tech-savvy people to go ahead with. There’s an entire world of apps, tweaks and ROMs just waiting to be played around with.
One very small area where Android could take a lot of improvement is its wallpaper cropping tool. For most people, this isn’t really an issue, but with enthusiast folk who like to work on every fine detail of their homescreen setup, a good wallpaper is considered to be one of its integral parts.
