RickyCadden.com

Tablets Struggle To Be Shared

// July 29th, 2011 // No Comments » // android, Family, Mobile, technology

Tablets are finally starting to take hold in the marketplace, mostly due to the fact that we’re finally using an upscaled mobile operating system, as opposed to trying to cram a desktop operating system on them, in my opinion. Either way, one of the biggest issues is that of multiple users.

While most of my friends each have their own laptop, there are still plenty of households in the U.S. and abroad that have a shared machine with at least two different users. The tablet seems like it would be shared even more, due to the more portable experience (you can literally pass it around, as opposed to a laptop, which is a bit more involved to hand-off). Unfortunately, these mobile platforms that today’s tablets are being built on do not usually understand the concept of multiple users.

With Android, dang near everything on the device is tied to a unique username and password. Apps are downloaded, email, contacts, calendar synced, the list goes on. Apple’s iPad is the same way – purchases from the App Store are tied to a specific account, as is Facetime and other Apple services/apps.

Fortunately, that’s starting to change on both platforms, though it’s interesting to note the origins of the change.

As expected, on the iPad, multiple-user support is now available, provided you’ve gone down the back alley and jailbroken your iPad. The implementation is quite nice, as you can see in this video:

With Android, however, Google has been adding support for multiple accounts in various apps (Gmail, etc) one by one. The latest addition is in the newly-revamped Android Market. Users will find that they can easily swap between accounts with a handy popup menu, allowing you to have apps from more than one account installed at the same time.

Image via: Android Central

Of course, the Android solution isn’t full-on user switching, but it would be quite easy to have an option to confirm the user from the lockscreen, so that when you pick up the tablet and turn on the screen, you’re presented with a list from which you simply pick your name. A few seconds of loading and you would be presented with your customized experience, including homescreens and shortcuts and all.

Do you share a laptop/tablet in your home? How do you accomplish this right now?

My Three Favorite Nokia Phones, Ever

// July 25th, 2011 // 15 Comments » // Mobile, technology

My buddy Jason Harris recently posted on Nokia Conversations a list of his top three Nokia phones ever. His list is decent, but mine differs. I got my first Nokia cellphone in 1998, and since then have used nearly every smartphone the company has produced. I’ve personally owned more than half of those, and still have six different Nokia smartphones laying around my office. Thus, here are my three favorite Nokia phones of all time, and why:

6230 - this is an oddball, because it’s not a smartphone. The 6230 runs Nokia’s own S40 dumbphone interface, but even today it’s a stellar device. When the 6230 launched, it was unbelievably small, but packed quite a punch. Full Bluetooth capabilities, EDGE data speeds (Class 10, no less), and a classic design all contributed to this little phone. Cingular (now AT&T) released the U.S. variant of the 6230 in a really horrendous glittery-navy-blue color scheme, but luckily, Nokia’s original parts all fit, so I was able to order a full custom black housing, with the silver keypad. The 6230 was such a great phone that I actually bought it twice, and still regret not keeping one around, just for grins.

N73 – the Nokia N73 was an epic phone when it launched, mainly due to its 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss optics. In 2006, when this phone was released, most phones had a VGA resolution camera, or perhaps a 1 megapixel shooter. 3.2 megapixels with autofocus was completely unheard of, and the mechanical slider to activate the camera was also quite a big deal. Like the 6230, the N73 fit all of this in a completely classic and tight package, and it was just a stellar phone. I also owned 2 different N73s – one the extremely rare white/mocha color scheme and one of the later released ‘Music Edition’, which featured a dedicated music player button and a larger memory card (the M.E. was also clad in all black).

N95-3 – the Nokia N95 was one of the first phones that Nokia released in about 5 different configurations. The N95-1 featured support for European 3G frequencies and had a manual camera shutter cover. It also shipped with a small battery and minimal internal storage. The N95-2 was later launched, again with European 3G support, but this time clad in all black, with 8GB of internal storage and a larger display. The N95-3 was one of the first Nokia smartphones to support U.S. 3G frequencies, and dropped the mechanical lens cover but added a much bigger battery and plenty of internal storage. The N95-4 was later released, and was a U.S. 3G variant of the N95-2 (also known as the N95 8GB). Many enthusiasts felt the N95-4 was the ultimate N95 model for the U.S., but the N95-3′s microSD card slot made it a superior choice for many, myself included.

I still have my N95-3, and use it periodically. Considering the N95-3 was launched in 2008, it’s quite impressive that it’s still alive and kicking. I used it as my primary handset for over a year, and my mom used it for at least 6-9 months, as well, so it’s seen some duty.

What are your three favorite phones of all time? They don’t all have to be Nokia.

The Gaming Industry’s Missed Opportunity With Mobile

// June 19th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Mobile, technology

I have an Xbox 360 with Kinect, and have a few games such as Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, and Halo Reach that are very character-driven. The Xbox Live profile includes an avatar that you can dress up and buy things like pets and accessories for. It’s an entire ecosystem within the overall Xbox ecosystem, and it’s tragically left as a wide-open door, specifically when you look at the mobile opportunity.

I have an HTC HD7 that I sometimes use, which is powered by Windows Phone. There is an Xbox Live application that lets me see my avatar, messages, and manage a few other things around my profile. I can also buy games that often have achievements for me to unlock, and this all builds up my overall Xbox Live profile. However, there’s still something missing (and I’ve talked about this about 4 years ago)

There are many games, such as Kinect Sports or EA Sports’ golfing games where you start with a rather basic character and you build their capabilities the more you play. With Kinect Sports, it’s your avatar – you increase their capabilities as you complete more and more challenges or win more matches. With EA Sports’ golfing game (such as PGA Tour: The Masters) you have a golfer who starts out rather humbly, but gains more power, greater accuracy, and a better wardrobe as you play through various courses. Racing games are another great example of this.

When will the gaming industry see the opportunity to connect the console and mobile experience through these ‘buildable’ characters? What if when I bought EA Sports’ Tiger Woods ’12, it came with a code to download ‘Tiger Woods ’12 Trainer’ to my Windows Phone device? This side-app would download my character from EA’s servers and let me practice my putting game while standing in line at the grocery store, or hit the driving range while my wife drives us to her mom’s house for dinner. The improvements gained on my phone would then sync back to my player when I fire up my Xbox 360, so the whole experience is complete.

It’s such a simple solution, but I have yet to see a console game ship with a code for a free mobile download. Most of the big development houses like EA have mobile divisions – is it really so difficult to get them to talk to the console team? The benefit for the developer, too, is that they’re creating additional ways for me to interact with their product, in different ways than I have before.

If Windows Phone is going to take over the world the way Nokia and Microsoft hope it does, they’re going to have to get creative and tie the whole experience together. Just keep the N-Gage folks out of the room and you’ll be fine.

What Worked At SXSW 2011

// March 17th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Mobile, toys

I just got back from SXSW 2011, the annual nerdfest that takes place in Austin, Texas each spring. It’s a pretty harsh environment for someone to remain constantly connected. SXSW is spread out over several venues and covers most of the downtown area of Austin, so you’re constantly walking between hotels and meeting rooms. Despite the efforts of companies like Samsung to setup charging stations, there’s a pretty severe lack of power outlets available. Also, because you’re constantly on the move, you don’t really have time to sit there charging your gadgets, anyways.

The situation is quite similar to any other concert or festival that you would go to – wanting to stay online and connected to your friends pretty much constantly, and sharing things like photos, videos, and location with your friends, as well. What with summer coming soon, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you the things that kept me connected while at SXSW 2011.

HARDWARE

1. T-Mobile G2 – this is by far one of my favorite smartphones ever. It’s small, powerful, has a great battery, solid keyboard, and mine’s running Android v2.3 Gingerbread via CyanogenMod7. With the throngs of iPhone users at SXSW, it was rather nice to be using T-Mobile’s wacky 3G network – in fact, I was on HSPA+ (what they call 4G) pretty much the whole weekend, which was awesome. The G2 is so versatile that while I brought my Asus EeePC 1000HE netbook, the only time I used it was to charge up my phone via USB.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab – another Android-powered device, this was a loaner through my new job at RadioShack. While similar to the G2, the Galaxy Tab’s bigger 7-inch display made browsing the panels on the SXSW GO! app much easier, and Sprint’s network was decent, as well. The Galaxy Tab’s front-facing camera works with the built-in QIK video application, too, so I could easily make talking-head videos to share with you guys.

3. Portable Power – this is the real trick, honestly. Portable power packs like this Enercell one from RadioShack are basically a big fat battery, cased in plastic, with USB output. My phone’s battery capacity is 1300mAh, so the 2300mAh Portable Power from Enercell can refill my phone fully once, and still have plenty left to get me through the rest of the day. Even better, it’s super compact, so I can stuff it in my pocket without having to bring my whole backpack (or toss a few of them into my backpack, for longer trips).

4. Belkin Portable Power Strip – I bought this a few years ago, and it’s definitely great to travel with. You can easily convert a single power outlet into three 3-prong outlets and 2 USB charging ports, all with surge protection. It’s a bit bulky, but completely worth it when travelling.

Software

1. Beluga – I set this up the other day, just after it was bought by Facebook, and was pleased to see how good it worked. I was able to setup multiple ‘Pods’ to keep track of different groups of people, and we were all able to keep in touch easily. This is much better than sending SMS to everyone in a group, and the added multimedia capabilities are awesome, as well.

2. Twitter - I’m a Twitter nut (you can find me at @Rcadden) and used it extensively at SXSW for several reasons. Primarily, it’s a great way to keep track of all my friends who are at the event. Twitter is also great for keeping up with the various panels and sessions at SXSW. Some of the speakers setup a specific hashtag for their session, so you could chat about what they were talking about, or pose a question.

3. Foursquare – I know, I gave up Foursquare a few months ago, but the service really shines at events such as SXSW with multiple venues. In addition to the cool badges, I was able to see where the crowds were and where my friends were. The new version of Foursquare for Android gives you notifications of your friends’ checkins, too, so I could know if I was nearby someone. I’ll probably continue to use Foursquare at home now, but in a much more limited capacity.

4. SMS – plain-jane text messages also proved useful, especially when the data networks got overloaded. It’s also great for friends with different phones that may not support Beluga.

5. SXSW GO app – when I went to SXSW back in 2009, we didn’t get an app, just an iPhone-only website, leaving me and my Symbian-powered smartphone holding a hard copy of the session schedules. This year, SXSW had an app for most platforms, and it worked really well. Despite some long load times, I was able to star the sessions that I wanted to attend on my computer and then sync that back to my phone. I could also search for various keywords, to make wading through the options so much easier. My only complaint was the interface – panel titles were only given one line and only showed 3-4 words, so I had to click through every one just to see if it was interesting.

Next year for SXSW, I’ll probably leave the netbook at home and just bring my phone, a tablet, and a few portable power units. This will make my backpack even lighter, which is also a huge plus. If you made it out to SXSW this year, did you find anything else, hardware or software, that was simply indispensable?

Do You Practice Smartphone Etiquette?

// February 25th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // Mobile

My friends at AllAboutSymbian recently published an interesting piece on smartphone etiquette, stemming from a section that Debrett’s published on mobile etiquette. As mobile phones have invaded our lives, it seems as though most of us (myself included, at times) have completely forgotten etiquette and the idea that there is a time and a place for everything. With smartphones, and soon tablets, being accepted by more and more consumers, and the ‘always-on’ lifestyle gaining in popularity, it won’t be long before we’re glued to these displays 24-7, and it is going to require a conscious choice to combat this.

The Debrett’s article is rather short – a bulleted list of sixteen rules to remember when using a smartphone in public situations. Ewan at AllAboutSymbian also points to an anecdote from Patrick Rhone of a pair of friends going to lunch. One friend is rather high up at his company, and obviously uses his iPhone to manage his business when he’s away from his laptop. Despite this, when the two had lunch, the businessman actually put his iPhone on ‘airplane mode’ during their meal, as a silent sign of respect for his friend’s time.

To be honest, this is a big deal for me. I honestly can’t remember the last time I put my phone in airplane mode on purpose – probably back in October when I was actually on an airplane. However, it’s quite a bold move. On today’s smartphones, ‘airplane mode’ essentially disables all of the wireless connections that your phone may have – WiFi, cellular, Bluetooth, GPS, all of it – allowing you to still access the onboard features, but no communications will be incoming or outgoing.

While I most certainly am not ready to commit to doing this on a regular basis, I am definitely going to start doing this when I take my wife out on our date nights, and will be looking for additional situations in which ‘airplane mode’ is really the best option. What about you? When was the last time you put your phone in ‘airplane mode’ on purpose? Can you think of situations where you probably should be limiting your use of your smartphone?

Warner Brothers App Edition Movies Could Be The Future

// February 23rd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Mobile

If you can remember back this far, movies weren’t always available to download over the Internet. Even before DVDs, you got movies on what’s called a ‘VHS’ (Video Home System). These large cassettes were quite simple, but used a magnetic tape coiled inside to show video content in sequential format. Unlike DVDs, if you wanted to only watch the second half of a movie on VHS, you had to fast forward, which forced the VCR (Video Cassette Recorder (and player)) to scroll the tape quickly without rendering the image. Since this was strictly sequential, there was no real option for movie studios to add extra content. Of course, they could put the content there, but it was only accessible at the very end, after the credits, so most consumers never bothered to watch it.

With the advent of the DVD-RAM, consumers were introduced to random-access memory, which used software on the DVD player to skip around to various virtual bookmarks on the disc, such as the ‘Special Features’ or alternative versions of films. This was huge to movie studios, as they could now charge extra for ‘Special Edition’ versions of their movies, and include B-roll footage and outtakes as a value-add that consumers would pay extra for. They’ve done the same with Blu-ray discs, only moreso, given the extra amounts of storage available on the higher density Blu-ray discs.

Unfortunately, with the move to streaming media, movie studios are again limited to a sequential-presentation format. Of course they can include a few trailers and ads and such, but nothing like the extra features available on a physical disc. This is the same on mobile devices, where consumers either stream movies, or have them locally stored as a video file, much like the videos they are able to record with the device. Again, stuck with sequential presentation.

Fortunately for both consumers and the studios, Warner Brothers has found a way to innovate (somewhat) to both present consumers with extra bonus features and extract extra money. The new App Edition format, recently launched for The Dark Knight and Inception on iOS devices, offers a DVD-esque experience for moviewatchers using an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Really, it’s quite brilliant. The movie is available through the App Store as an app. When the consumer ‘launches’ the app, they have the option to watch the full-length movie or explore various extras. These extras might include deleted scenes, photos, trivia, and that sort of thing.

Of course, pricing isn’t all that great, with The Dark Knight ringing up for $9.99 and Inception priced at $11.99, but it’s a start. Also, unfortunately, these App Edition movies are only viewable on the device – there’s no digital copy included to watch on your laptop or TV, which is a shame. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing these bundled with the Blu-ray disc as a ‘Digital Edition’ in the future. It should be noted that Paramount is also planning this for Windows Phone 7 devices.

I personally think this is a rather cool idea. With tablets invading our homes this holiday season, I can definitely see these types of apps really taking off, once the studios get the pricing worked out. Would you buy an ‘App Edition’ movie?

via: Mobiputing

Warner Brothers App Edition Movies Could Be The Future

// February 23rd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Mobile

If you can remember back this far, movies weren’t always available to download over the Internet. Even before DVDs, you got movies on what’s called a ‘VHS’ (Video Home System). These large cassettes were quite simple, but used a magnetic tape coiled inside to show video content in sequential format. Unlike DVDs, if you wanted to only watch the second half of a movie on VHS, you had to fast forward, which forced the VCR (Video Cassette Recorder (and player)) to scroll the tape quickly without rendering the image. Since this was strictly sequential, there was no real option for movie studios to add extra content. Of course, they could put the content there, but it was only accessible at the very end, after the credits, so most consumers never bothered to watch it.

With the advent of the DVD-RAM, consumers were introduced to random-access memory, which used software on the DVD player to skip around to various virtual bookmarks on the disc, such as the ‘Special Features’ or alternative versions of films. This was huge to movie studios, as they could now charge extra for ‘Special Edition’ versions of their movies, and include B-roll footage and outtakes as a value-add that consumers would pay extra for. They’ve done the same with Blu-ray discs, only moreso, given the extra amounts of storage available on the higher density Blu-ray discs.

Unfortunately, with the move to streaming media, movie studios are again limited to a sequential-presentation format. Of course they can include a few trailers and ads and such, but nothing like the extra features available on a physical disc. This is the same on mobile devices, where consumers either stream movies, or have them locally stored as a video file, much like the videos they are able to record with the device. Again, stuck with sequential presentation.

Fortunately for both consumers and the studios, Warner Brothers has found a way to innovate (somewhat) to both present consumers with extra bonus features and extract extra money. The new App Edition format, recently launched for The Dark Knight and Inception on iOS devices, offers a DVD-esque experience for moviewatchers using an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Really, it’s quite brilliant. The movie is available through the App Store as an app. When the consumer ‘launches’ the app, they have the option to watch the full-length movie or explore various extras. These extras might include deleted scenes, photos, trivia, and that sort of thing.

Of course, pricing isn’t all that great, with The Dark Knight ringing up for $9.99 and Inception priced at $11.99, but it’s a start. Also, unfortunately, these App Edition movies are only viewable on the device – there’s no digital copy included to watch on your laptop or TV, which is a shame. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing these bundled with the Blu-ray disc as a ‘Digital Edition’ in the future. It should be noted that Paramount is also planning this for Windows Phone 7 devices.

I personally think this is a rather cool idea. With tablets invading our homes this holiday season, I can definitely see these types of apps really taking off, once the studios get the pricing worked out. Would you buy an ‘App Edition’ movie?

via: Mobiputing

Powermat Isn’t Satisfied With Cellphones

// February 21st, 2011 // 3 Comments » // cool, Mobile

Powermat is an awesome example of a tech company embracing my belief that technology should enrich and enable your real life. If you don’t know, Powermat produces wireless charging solutions for cellphones (currently). They use magnetic induction to charge your devices without having to plug them in. Currently, you need to have a Powermat-enabled device, either through a device-specific case or a universal adapter, and the Powermat charging pad. Once you’re all setup, you simply place your device on the mat and boom, instant wireless electricity. It’s really quite cool, and affordable, as well.

The company isn’t satisfied with cellphones, though, as Boy Genius Report discovered at the 2011 Mobile World Congress this month. Powermat is already working with auto manufacturers such as General Motors, to implement Powermat charging pads in the consoles of their vehicles. They’re also working with a company called Arconas that manufactures the seats you sit on while waiting for your flight at the airport, to include a charging mat in those, as well.

The really interesting part, though, is that Powermat is also eyeing your kitchen. Yes, you read that correctly. The company envisions all of the counter space in your kitchen being a monstrous Powermat charging pad, and small electric appliances such as your blender, coffee maker, or food processor. Rather than seeking an outlet and having cords and cables to all your little appliances littering the counter, you’ll simply place your toaster on the counter and Powermat will do the rest. The technology can apparently be incorporated to the underside of your countertop, and works through all materials, even granite.

It’s quite impressive, and really gets my brain going about all the other uses we could see for this. Powermat is definitely going to be an interesting company to watch in the next few years. They’re obviously looking at ways to use their technology to enrich and enable our real lives, and that’s awesome.

Powermat Isn’t Satisfied With Cellphones

// February 21st, 2011 // 3 Comments » // cool, Mobile

Powermat is an awesome example of a tech company embracing my belief that technology should enrich and enable your real life. If you don’t know, Powermat produces wireless charging solutions for cellphones (currently). They use magnetic induction to charge your devices without having to plug them in. Currently, you need to have a Powermat-enabled device, either through a device-specific case or a universal adapter, and the Powermat charging pad. Once you’re all setup, you simply place your device on the mat and boom, instant wireless electricity. It’s really quite cool, and affordable, as well.

The company isn’t satisfied with cellphones, though, as Boy Genius Report discovered at the 2011 Mobile World Congress this month. Powermat is already working with auto manufacturers such as General Motors, to implement Powermat charging pads in the consoles of their vehicles. They’re also working with a company called Arconas that manufactures the seats you sit on while waiting for your flight at the airport, to include a charging mat in those, as well.

The really interesting part, though, is that Powermat is also eyeing your kitchen. Yes, you read that correctly. The company envisions all of the counter space in your kitchen being a monstrous Powermat charging pad, and small electric appliances such as your blender, coffee maker, or food processor. Rather than seeking an outlet and having cords and cables to all your little appliances littering the counter, you’ll simply place your toaster on the counter and Powermat will do the rest. The technology can apparently be incorporated to the underside of your countertop, and works through all materials, even granite.

It’s quite impressive, and really gets my brain going about all the other uses we could see for this. Powermat is definitely going to be an interesting company to watch in the next few years. They’re obviously looking at ways to use their technology to enrich and enable our real lives, and that’s awesome.

Google Latitude Introduces Auto-Checkins

// February 10th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // android, Mobile

The location-based frenzy has gotten really interesting over the past 12-18 months, and gets more interesting almost daily, especially with the latest ‘check-in’ bonanza. However, current iterations, such as Foursquare, GoWalla, and GetGlue all require you to manually click the ‘check-in’ button. It requires you to do something to share your location with whatever group you’ve chosen.

Last Tuesday, though, Google upped the ante with a new version of Google Maps for the Android operating system, with a new version of Google’s Latitude location-based service baked right in. Latitude was launched a long time ago and allows you to share your location in real-time with chosen friends. Thankfully, there are granular controls, so for each specific friend, you can choose the accuracy to which they can see your location. I have some close friends who get my exact coordinates, while most anyone else can simply see the city that I’m currently in.

Until Tuesday, Latitude simply let you ‘be’ at a place – there was no concept of checking-in or any of that. Tuesday’s update, though, not only added the ‘check-in’ functionality, but went a step further to let you automatically check-in to approved places, get notifications if you’re nearby a place to check-in, and the ability to automatically check you out of a location when you leave.

1. Notifications – This is the first thing that I can see Google exploiting with its ad service. The application can now pop up a notification if you’re near a place, to see if you want to check-in. They’re currently pushing this as a reminder service, but it won’t be long before you see sponsored notifications – alerting you to a certain special or coupon for a nearby business. There are definite pros and cons to this, but that’s another post for another day.

2. Automatic Check-Ins – this is quite cool if you’re one who gets annoyed by people walking into a business and immediately dropping their face to their phone to check-in and alert the world of their whereabouts. Wisely, Google made this an opt-in feature, and only for approved places (home, work, your regular bar, etc).

3. Automatic Check-Outs - This is my favorite part, and the one that’s the most relevant to the location-based services industry, in my opinion. It’s also the one that Google is likely hoping you’ll use the most. Basically, because Latitude tracks you real-time, it knows when you leave a location, as well, and can automatically check you out. This adds a relevant time-based layer to check-ins. With Foursquare, for instance, you might be able to see that I checked into Rahr Brewery an hour ago. You’re left to wonder if I’m still there, or if I’ve already left. With Google Latitude, my phone would automatically update that check-in with the information that I’ve left, providing more useful information.

Don’t be fooled, though – Google wants you to use this to get an additional valuable piece of information – how long you stay at places. Google would soon know (and could sell this information to advertisers) that while males age 25-30 in the Fort Worth area spend an average of 1.3 hours at the Rahr Brewery on Saturday afternoons. The amount of time you spend there is nearly as important to advertisers as the fact that you’re there in the first place is.

I’ve tested this out a bit, but am hesitant to really use it without having a better understanding of who is seeing what. Location is a very powerful tool, and can also be exploited quite quickly and easily. It’s clear that this isn’t the first (or the last) example of location-based services toeing the line between useful and an invasion of privacy. What do you think of this? Are you excited about the possibilities, or more concerned for your private details?