oh, and about swype – reall keyboard FTW (G1 owner here)

Hey all. Glad to be part of the community.
@ktosiek you took the words out of my mouth ;). @Michael L problem with getting apk is in order for android to be the smartphone leader it needs simplicity. My parents should be able to use their phones without any complication.

This seems more like a request to developers rather than Google. They left it open for a reason, the best apps will become popular and be successful.

A number of your requests are already in Android, app2sd, folders, stable multitasking. A lot of the problems my friends have I would attribute to HTC/Sense rather than Android, my Nexus One is solid.

>Why can’t I queue downloads from the web?

What the hell? I can on my 2.1 phone.

Stop drinking the Apple koolaid

Clearly the writers here don’t actually use android, or they use a retarded Motorola phone running 1.5 w/ MotoBlur

I thought folders are way older than iOs.

X11 client app?

Swype is ok…. After about a month of using it on my android, i’ve found that it suffers some issues. first, you can’t stop mid-word which is a killer for people who are multitasking (no I don’t own a car, thanks). stopping mid-word should bring up the same prediction type menu that T9 offers.

fuller responses:

#1 – This is a catch-22. You can’t have a task killer which kills apps automatically, as that hurts battery life significantly.

This is always going to be limited to power users, since knowledge of what program is misbehaving is necessary. I’d prefer a program which better measured which programs are often waking. With well behaving programs, and no task killer, my HTC magic gets almost 4 days even with background data enabled.

Also worth noting, you don’t need a task manager. The manage applications screen in settings lets you kill applications.

#2 – Crashes? I’m not certain what you are referring to. I’m not sure you have a clear idea either. Multitasking is a fundamental part of android and I don’t believe that this hurts performance or battery life. Don’t forget that android is run on top of the linux kernel, I’m not sure there’s much sense removing multitasking from linux.

#3 – Swype owns (for us power users at least). Fair point.

#4 – I have a wifi-only (no sim card) G1 I use to control my XBMC box. It owns. Creating a real remote that does similar is a great idea.

#5 – Pretty recent feature. Would also like to see it around more. Probably waiting on application developers to update (not really something you can globally apply, just grant as nice an api access as possible)

#6 – Folders have been in android since 1.5 or so… iOS copied android on this one.

#7 – This is in froyo… Where have you been?

#8 – I think that 3.0 does address this somewhat.

#9 – There is a standard UI. It is the job of developers to use it properly rather than rolling their own. Not much google can/should do about this.
#10 – They demoed this at I/O. It’s in 3.0. Good.

@emuboy

Yep, so i can ssh forward X and run programs from my desktop on my phone.

@Jacob Nahin
I though the iPhone was #2 only when compared on a per model type comparison, and they usually lump all the iPhone models together for that, and only compare to smart phones.[1]

As for the walled/open garden, i feel there is an easy balance apple could strike. Simply mark vetted apps as such, with a logo, and let all apps(non malicious) on the store. Then let users choose to enable the non vetted apps to show up.

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_mobile_phones (Yes I realize i linked to wikipedia, but thats the best i could find quickly)

Great, now we have some Apple fanboy writing for HAD.

Except for the drooling horde of Apple drones – NO ONE is lusting for an iPhone or it’s walled garden DRM riddled iTune centric OS.

RIM (i.e. blackberry) is the leader of Smartphones – NOT Apple. with Android being the newest player AND having the largest percentage of new market growth.

Geesh, if you’re going to drool over your iPhone crap – at least get your facts straight.

Well I know what we would like to see from Android 3.0: more stable camera API, and proper shell script handling so I don’t have to do some crazy hacks just to make software work. Also, maybe making the documentation match the code would be nice…

Seriously, guys, college software design classes, you should all look into them.

I lolded bad when i read you want one w/o multi-threading, considering how android works this is not possible if you want apps to be able to run graphics etc. The way android developers develop it is impossible. Also i dont believe that it is the threading that is the problem, it is how is used and encouraged! With the current philosophy within android it is doomed to be like this

Is the pinch-to-zoom functionally somehow trademarked by Apple? I remember there being some sort of contention there, and so Google disabled it by default to avoid lawsuit. That might explain that, cause it is a very intuitive way to zoom.

USB Host!
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=738

So… “top ten” lists written by people that are utterly unfamiliar with the subject about which they’re griping?

Is that where we’re going with the ‘new’ HAD?

If so, count me out. This is purest garbage, and reflects simple ignorance of the sort that causes one to avoid shopping mall phone stores.

1) this assertion is Not Even Wrong.
2) ditto.
3) If you want Swype, install it.
4) Again with the N.E.W. You’re complaining that a 3.0 SOFTWARE release ought to somehow magically include HARDWARE. nevermind that 1992 called and wants it’s syncing tech back.
5) Now you’re complaining that the OS developers ought to go and rewrite all of the myriad vendor’s apps in order to include a feature. COMPLAIN TO THE AUTHOR OF THE APP IN QUESTION, you toolbox.
6) As has been pointed out, Apple stole the Folder functionality from Android. Android doesn’t need to steal it back – it’s already there.
7) Again, already there.
8) Once more with feeling: ALREADY THERE.
9) Missing the point, Not Even Wrong, etc.
10) … this is word soup that makes no sense. You’re spouting catchphrases about ‘winning wars’ and other such nonsense.

Hack-A-Day editorial staff: please, in the future, if someone submits this sort of garbage, ask them first if they’ve ever bothered to use the technology in question before you hit the ‘publish’ button.

jesus.

Sorry, I meant to say I hope this DOESN’T continue.

Bad articles are bad.

I rarely comment, but this is about the most misinformed & worthless article I’ve seen on HAD.

This is an absolutely worthless post, if this is the future direction of HaD it is a real shame.

A number of these are already in 2.1/2 or are in development for a future release. Did the author even look past his G1 before typing this up?

By the way, “IR-sender”? Really? The technical knowledge of HaD editors has never been terribly impressive, but this is getting ridiculous.

Perhaps worst of all, the writing style and flow here looks even worse than Mike’s, which is honestly something I didn’t think was possible.

Coming from an iphone to a desire, can’t believe this post was ever written. I am disappointed that HaD published such an inaccurate article. Most of the points are false or stupid. You shouldn’t allow posting about things you don’t really know.

And to my humble opinion android is much better than ios. After moving to android I realised that apple made me stupid, forcing me to do (and install) things their way. Sorry apple. not going back.

Hmm… I have had a moto droid for a while now. I have a friend who has had a G1 up until he switched to a droid incredible. He said he had some problems with the G1 up until the later moments, then it was just an issue of performance. I haven’t had any considerable issues or desires as the 3rd party market place fulfilled my needs and it’s easy to take control of the device. I can ssh and rdp to work. I can connect to all my mail boxes. I can connect via bluetooth, wifi and my carriers network to everything I want to connect to. And no GOOG doesn’t have to do it all nor do they need to tighten their grip on the market place. In fact I think it is critical that they remain open so we can hack our phones and/or purchase open market tools so we can use our phones the way we want to. As a platform Android is moving along quite fine for my needs and wants. If someone wants something that is more controlled or closed up than they can go with the iPhone.

Something even more interesting is when ever I start to think hey I wish my phone had this feature I search the dev API and start to figure out what needs to be done and after 6 or so hours I find out there are already 5 apps and one or two of them are under 5 bucks and have over 20,000 downloads and 5 stars. So I am just feeling almost uninspired because the Droid market place is already there and doing everything I need and want. I guess I can just go back to work and maybe do a few personal exercises one day I’ll think of something worthwhile! :P

The usb host hack is kinda old. Just search it up there are hard/software hacks that cover this.

Jacob Nahin,

Nice HAD debut!
Please find somewhere else to work

2. android’s multitasking works just fine.
3. swype is a piece of crap
4. this is a hardware issue. petition the manufacturers not google.
5. an app has to have a use for multitouch and then the dev has to use it. it can’t be forced.
6. check again I have folders on my screen
7. already has sd storage support. I keep all my apps on my sd card.
9. just NO!
10. already exsists. also I’m sure you should check out the chrome to phone extension.

HAHAHA, I keep seeing arduino posts and read “Android” as “Arduino”. LOL. My comments are directed towards the arduino crowd, NOT the android crowd ;)

Forgot to mention – syncing takes about 4 minutes, plus the transfer time for the video, so when you factor in the iMovie crap, transferring one video over takes 10-12 minutes.

The SDCard -> Remove[Phone] -> Insert[Card Reader] -> Copy -> Eject[Card Reader] -> Insert[Phone] method takes closer to 45-60 seconds.

@Jake
shut the hell up … arduino is a great way to quickly program a device and allow programming and serial communications using one port and its easy to interface anything with it
saying arduino is just for people who dont know hardware is an extremely ignorant thing to say and just shows that you are far from a professional

many many professionals use arduinos … cheap … open source … easy … you can upload it to most 168 or 328 configurations and makes debugging a cake walk
there is nothing wrong with using an arduino boot loader at all and you take your noob trolling else ware

I think that part of the reason many features showed up on this list is because Apple mentioned them, not because they are in high demand. Apple seems to be better at touting features that aren’t necessarily useful. I find it even more telling that the author of this post had no idea how many of these features actually were already in Android.

Many of the features on the list are probably used by 1 in 100 users, if not less. As pointed out in other comments, many of these also already exist on Android.

The features that /I/ value in android are much simpler: Stability, The ability to install any application I want via .apk files or the Android Market, free Google Maps with turn by turn directions (with voice prompts), and being on a carrier besides AT&T. The Droid is my favorite phone, hands down. The fact that I’m probably getting flash in the next week is just gravy :)

@ nagmier I did own one. Regarding folders: To clarify: I think folders on the Android should mimic Apple. I don’t own an iPhone and I don’t plan on owning an iPhone. That said, I am not happy with the way Google has implemented folders and I think they can do better on everything I mentioned.

Also, I imagine issues with task managing and multitasking vary from user to user based on the hardware and OS version.

As for the inaccuracies, I will admit, I haven’t had a chance to play with Froyo. My experience is with everything up to 2.1. Froyo was released a few weeks back and from what I read about it, SD card storage still has several issues and the software keyboard is still a pain.

Some of those who have commented have given a much better understanding of what the OS looks like dev-side, but from where I stand as a consumer, one who knows tech but was still unsatisfied, Google had a ways to go.

As for a standardized UI and some standardized features, the article was aimed at how Google can increase marketshare, appealing to a wider base of customers. I know a lot of people here love open platforms and the freedom to develop whatever and however you want, but standardization has a place. Consumers do not want to learn a whole new menu system for each application. Some developers do have an eye for design. Some do not, and when said developers release an app, it throws consumers off. That is why a standardized UI for applications makes sense.

First, this doesn’t affect the hacking, hardcore community or those who really want to do whatever they want. Almost any Android phone can be rooted, some with one click. It isn’t hard, but most just want a phone that works consistently.

I love hackaday and I read it every day and this article is crap.

This is pretty bad, haha, 3/4 of the stuff listed here is either already part of Android and or is ahead of the rest of the mobile OS’s available, only thing I saw on here that would be cool but isn’t possible at this time is IR control but there’s already plenty of good remote control apps for people that really want them. I would say USB host would be the coolest feature they could add. Has the writer used an Android phone?

Hmm. There is already folders. And with Android 2.2, there is already pretty decent Task Manager in the settings and SD-card support for app storage.

I do agree the need for the rest especially Built-in syncing for my photos, videos and music.

This article fails, in all honesty, please delete the person who wrote this…

Every single point the author makes is incorrect, stop bending over for apple!

Tell me this article is a joke?

W T F? Really? Who wrote this list? A 14 year old apple fan boy? This is complete bullocks. Most of it’s completely wrong, the rest is either already there or not needed.

A lite version? Are you insane? Hackaday used to be good, this single article has really added a 1 to the 3 strikes rule. I honestly don’t think the “writer” of this has any idea what they are talking about.

Are you high or stupid? The only people that should be allowed to write about a subject are the ones who know WTF they’re talking about. HAD just lost a long time reader, and I certainly won’t be sourcing any of my own writings from here any longer.

This article put me in a perpetual state of facepalm.

1,2,5,6,7 are all flat out wrong, while the rest remain debatable or truthful.

sigh~

Wow I’ve been reading hackaday for years and have never seen such a BS post by them. this post needs to be removed more then 75% of it is all lies. seems more like Apple paid someone here to make this post. And the fact that they think more people leave android for Apple is hilarious. oh and on a final note… to bash the multitasking of android when Apple took years to add multitasking support only goes to show someone at hack a day fell under the apple greed bus and was poked cash to come up with this article.

Wow this article contain many false statements about Android. You really should check your facts before posting wrong, Apple fanboyisms.

No need for a native task killer
Folders have been on Android forever
You can download apps from the web
The multitasking works fine
I dont want every app to look the same. Boring

Apples iTunes only proprietary sync crap is controlling and ridiculous. No room on Android for that. I sync anything I need between my Android device and my computer wirelessly. Im not tied to itunes or my computer in any way. I use dropbox mostly, but have used bluetooth, ftp, as well as some of several other ways available. Also, if you really wanna be tied to your pc with cords, Android is compatible with the true and tried “drag and drop” method for moving files around.

Oh yea, swype is available Android devices, as ad SEVERAL, differen keyboards, both swype style or traditional. That is the beauty of Android, you can use it however you want. Also, 3.0 for apps to sd? Its already available.

Sorry to all the readers that this post looks sloppy and rushed, but it is. I normally take my time and present a thought out, presentable contribution, but the author doesnt deserve it. Either he is a blatant troll, or just plain a bad writer. He obviously doesnt know much about Android, and surely didnt check his facts. I pray that noone believes this garbage, most of it is just plain wrong

Its fine if you dont like Android or prefer Ios, but its just bad manners to slander Android with completely false statements. I, for one, love Android and would highly reccommend it to anyone who likes to have control over their device, and like practically unlimited oprions.

What in the hill billy farms is this shiz… Seriously do you guys proof this stuff?

I refuse to believe that this article is real. If so, its pretty embarrassing for the site to post.

Who wrote this gibberish? Was it inferred from tarot cards?

Seriously, I won’t recommend that killing yourself is the correct option, however I would advise that you go into seclusion until such a time that you learn to use your brain.

This article is tantamount to someone writing an wishlist article for iOS5 to the effect of:

1: Native application development.
2: Music Player.
3: Ability to make phone calls.
4: Touch screen.
etc..

I hope you enjoy everyday of your life, they say ignorance is bliss and I’m sure you can confirm; don’t feel obliged to do so though, I’ll take solace in your future silence.

Not wanting to buy an iPhone and not being able to afford 1 are 2 totally different things. Most of the iPhone and Apple haters have never even tried them out, mainly because they can’t even afford the bus ride into town to have a go of one. They feel like the should hate it because it’s going against the popular choice. If you don’t have any friends that want an iPhone then you either don’t have friends or they are all sad skateboarding 15 year olds like yourself.

Vonskippy: I’m amazed that you can access our Internet from a different planet because you are clearly not on this one. Percentage increase means nothing. If they sell 25 phones in a week and the next week they sell 50 phones, that’s a 100% increase in sales but they still didn’t sell that many TOTAL UNITS. Show me a product that is competing with an Apple product that that outsells it, you can’t.

I can assure you, there are lots of people who have never owned an iPhone who are lusting after this one, hundreds and thousands more people that lust after this weeks Android device.

Have you ever used an Android device? You seem very misinformed.

Please HaD, don’t do this again…

“First, this doesn’t affect the hacking, hardcore community or those who really want to do whatever they want. Almost any Android phone can be rooted, some with one click. It isn’t hard, but most just want a phone that works consistently.” – Jacob Nahin

Then why on earth is it posted on HACKaday?!?!?