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Analyzing the increasing utility of Android smartphones
by Alan Zisman (c) 2012
First
published in Business in
Vancouver February 21-27, 2012 Issue #1165 High Tech
Office column
While Apple fans line up at dawn the day of an iPhone model launch,
competing smartphones running Google’s Android system have quietly
gained features and market share.
When the first Android-powered phone was released (late 2008 in the
U.S., the following spring in Canada), it seemed merely an iPhone
wannabe, in existence mostly so that mobile carriers lacking an iPhone
franchise could cater to customers wanting a touchscreen.
Android software, however, has evolved more quickly than Apple’s iOS
and because of the wide range of manufacturers developing Android-based
hardware, new features – like support for fast LTE networks – come
first to Android phones.
Some downsides: Android’s openness results in incompatibilities.
Manufacturers customize the operating system for a range of hardware,
which can make upgrading difficult as new Android versions are
released. And while Apple keeps tight reins on its App Store, Google’s
Android Market is relatively wide open, sometimes allowing low-quality
apps and even malware to slip in. While many IT departments are
starting to support iPhones and iPads, there’s more hesitation about
bringing Android into large organizations.
In any event, there were some 200 million Android systems in use
worldwide by late 2011, with an estimated 700,000 new activations every
day.
While no single Android model outsells the iPhone, overall there are
claimed to be more smartphone users with an Android model than an
iPhone. However, I haven’t been able to find Canadian statistics.
Recently, I’ve had the loan of three Android smartphones, one from each
of the top manufacturers: HTC, Motorola and Samsung.
All feature big, attractive screens – larger than the iPhones, with
fast dual-core processors and reasonably high-resolution cameras. Each
can act as a mobile hotspot for your laptop on the go.
The HTC Raider (not to be confused with that company’s Radar – which
runs Windows Phone 7) runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and is the only
one of the three supporting speedy LTE speeds. My loaner Raider ran on
Rogers’ network. (Telus’ high speed LTE network has recently “gone
live” in Vancouver.)
Rogers is offering the Raider for as little as $25 with a three-year
contract – or for $575 with no contract. It’s also available from Bell
– while Bell’s LTE network has not yet been rolled out here, the Raider
can also connect to existing 3G networks.
HTC’s Android models all feature that company’s Sense customization,
which offers multiple customizable home screens and integration of
social networks, email and other messages. The customizable lockscreen
lets you view weather, stock updates or more without unlocking the
phone.
Before the iPhone/Android revolution, Motorola sold 130 million of its
original, stylishly thin RAZR, which is still a record. The company’s
new RAZR is touted as the thinnest 4G smartphone.
Like the Raider, it runs Android 2.3 and boasts a back covered with a
thin layer of rubbery kevlar. I doubt that makes the phone bullet
proof, but it does make it less slippery than most other models.
Like the Raider, the RAZR runs a customized version of Android 2.3 –
Motorola sometimes calls its customizations MotoBlur - again providing
social media integration and screen customization. It also includes
Motorola’s custom MotoCast software that works well for connecting to
Mac and Windows computers for sharing music, photos, documents and
more. Nice feature – data can be transferred wirelessly. Also nice –
Smart Actions for customizing rules like “turn off GPS overnight” to
save battery life. From Rogers: from $100 with a three-year term to
$650 with no term. Note that a new, somewhat thicker RAZR Maxx with a
larger battery is on its way.
I also had loan of a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, currently the only device
available running Google’s newest Android version – 4.0 (code-named Ice
Cream Sandwich or ICS). More about that next time.
Presumably, both the HTC Raider and Motorola RAZR will be upgraded to
ICS, but neither company is saying when. As is, though, either is an
attractive alternative to the iPhone juggernaut.
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