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Google Nav offline mode, A better Android Market and India's $35 Android tablet
#18 | 5:05 |
Wednesday June 22, 2011
Android Weekly
Wednesday June 22, 2011
In this episode, Google Navigation going offline? Compatibility checks FINALLY make their way into the Android market and $35 for a full featured Android tablet, but you probably can't have one.
Also, Kate Abraham brings us an app that lets you keep on top of the world's news.
Also, Kate Abraham brings us an app that lets you keep on top of the world's news.
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Google Navigation going offline
Google Navigation has always been a major Android selling point for us. On the iPhone, you have to purchase an expensive GPS app to unlock turn-by-turn directions. On a Symbian smartphone you get Ovi Maps for free but... well, it's a Symbian smartphone.
The biggest complaint against the free Google Navigation app is that it requires an always-on data connection to work. Fine if you're tooling around town with a decent data plan but terrible if you're trying to navigate in a roaming zone or where the cell signal is sporadic or non-existent.
Recently, Google added the ability to cache Maps and navigation routes, but it was a lame solution that requires too much pre-planning. Add to that the fact that it simply didn't work that well.
Now, it looks like offline navigation will be possible in Google Navigation.
This isn't confirmed, but it's the next logical step. We're expecting to get more detail on this one later this summer. Offline navigation will mean you get turn-by-turn directions whether you're on the data network or not. When in offline mode though, you'll miss out on up to the minute traffic data, live search an other such niceties. A small price to pay, we'd argue.
Compatibility checks in the Market
Say what you will about Apple and iOS; the truth is, the app downloading experience is better than Android. Granted, they've had more time to iron out the kinks and owing to the fact that there are only a few different iOS devices on the market, compatibility isn't an issue.
In the Android camp, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to handsets. There are big ones, small ones, short ones, tall ones, powerful and not so powerful ones. This has meant headaches when trying to install apps though; often enough to be annoying, you'd download and app, try to fire it up only to realize that your device isn't supported.
The latest incremental improvement to the Android Market comes in the form of a pre-installation compatibility check. Previously, you'd have to rely on developers to include compatability information in the app description. Good luck with that. Now, you'll be told in no uncertain terms whether or not it's worth the download.
India's sub $35 Android tablet
What if I told you there was a sub-$50 Android tablet coming? What if I told you it would have 32GB of internal memory and 2GB of RAM plus the obligatory Wi-Fi and USB port? What if I then told you it would be subsidized to cost just $35? What if I dashed all your hopes and dreams by telling you you can't have one. Well, there is, it has, it does and you can't. Unless you're living in India.
The device, codenamed Sakshat, is set to ship 10,000 units by the end of this month, ramping up to 90,000 in the four months following. It's being subsidized by the government to cut its $50 price down to $35. That's a whole lot of Rupees, but WAY less than other tablets and computers available.
Sakshat is apparently Hindi for capable. Here's hoping it doesn't turn out to be English for [REDACTED].
Android App review of the day
World Newspapers
Google Navigation has always been a major Android selling point for us. On the iPhone, you have to purchase an expensive GPS app to unlock turn-by-turn directions. On a Symbian smartphone you get Ovi Maps for free but... well, it's a Symbian smartphone.
The biggest complaint against the free Google Navigation app is that it requires an always-on data connection to work. Fine if you're tooling around town with a decent data plan but terrible if you're trying to navigate in a roaming zone or where the cell signal is sporadic or non-existent.
Recently, Google added the ability to cache Maps and navigation routes, but it was a lame solution that requires too much pre-planning. Add to that the fact that it simply didn't work that well.
Now, it looks like offline navigation will be possible in Google Navigation.
This isn't confirmed, but it's the next logical step. We're expecting to get more detail on this one later this summer. Offline navigation will mean you get turn-by-turn directions whether you're on the data network or not. When in offline mode though, you'll miss out on up to the minute traffic data, live search an other such niceties. A small price to pay, we'd argue.
Compatibility checks in the Market
Say what you will about Apple and iOS; the truth is, the app downloading experience is better than Android. Granted, they've had more time to iron out the kinks and owing to the fact that there are only a few different iOS devices on the market, compatibility isn't an issue.
In the Android camp, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to handsets. There are big ones, small ones, short ones, tall ones, powerful and not so powerful ones. This has meant headaches when trying to install apps though; often enough to be annoying, you'd download and app, try to fire it up only to realize that your device isn't supported.
The latest incremental improvement to the Android Market comes in the form of a pre-installation compatibility check. Previously, you'd have to rely on developers to include compatability information in the app description. Good luck with that. Now, you'll be told in no uncertain terms whether or not it's worth the download.
India's sub $35 Android tablet
What if I told you there was a sub-$50 Android tablet coming? What if I told you it would have 32GB of internal memory and 2GB of RAM plus the obligatory Wi-Fi and USB port? What if I then told you it would be subsidized to cost just $35? What if I dashed all your hopes and dreams by telling you you can't have one. Well, there is, it has, it does and you can't. Unless you're living in India.
The device, codenamed Sakshat, is set to ship 10,000 units by the end of this month, ramping up to 90,000 in the four months following. It's being subsidized by the government to cut its $50 price down to $35. That's a whole lot of Rupees, but WAY less than other tablets and computers available.
Sakshat is apparently Hindi for capable. Here's hoping it doesn't turn out to be English for [REDACTED].
Android App review of the day
World Newspapers
App of the day
musiXmatch - lyrics plugin Android
Integrated with your favourite music app. More than 5m lyrics in your pocket!musiXmatch...
