android phones

The Android Overload is lookin’ a little skimpy, here tonight. But that doesn’t mean you wont a little something. I’d suggest taking a look at the sexy Sony Xperia SX (the SX stands for sex). Have a great night, guys.

• Google adjusts contact info for Gmail (web). [GmailBlog]
• Android (and iOS) fuel an app explosion in the US. [Nielsen]
• Sony Xperia SX shown off in press release sporting various shades and colors. [XperiaBlog]
• NTT Docomo president says he prefers open Android to iPhone. [TheVerge]
• Google’s bots learn to read web pages more like humans. [ArsTechnica]

The Android Overload is lookin’ a little skimpy, here tonight. But that doesn’t mean you wont a little something. I’d suggest taking a look at the sexy Sony Xperia SX (the SX stands for sex). Have a great night, guys.

• Google adjusts contact info for Gmail (web). [GmailBlog]
• Android (and iOS) fuel an app explosion in the US. [Nielsen]
• Sony Xperia SX shown off in press release sporting various shades and colors. [XperiaBlog]
• NTT Docomo president says he prefers open Android to iPhone. [TheVerge]
• Google’s bots learn to read web pages more like humans. [ArsTechnica]

Before the release of the HTC One X, S and V, HTC was making the rounds, touting Sense 4.0 as the lightest, leanest version of their Android skin ever. We were inclined to believe them after seeing how zippy and kicky fast Sense was, not only real world usability tests, but in benchmarks as well.

As it turns out, Sense may not be as lean as we once thought. The internet has been abuzz recently, after a user uploaded a video showcasing a uniquely Sense 4.0 multitasking issue, in which the HTC One X will keep only a very minimal amount of apps paused in the background. The result are apps that fall out of RAM, and need to reloaded when revisiting them each time.

HTC’s response? It’s “Sense optimized.” And that’s just the way they like it. The boys at HTC issued this official statement on the matter:

HTC is aware of some questions in the enthusiast community about how the HTC One X handles multitasking and memory management for background apps. We value the community’s input and are always looking for ways to enhance customers’ experience with our devices. That said, right now multitasking is operating normally according to our custom memory management specifications which balance core ICS features with a consistent HTC Sense experience.

You may remember Android’s early development years in which devs attempted to port Sense to less.. RAM worthy devices. Homescreen reloads plagued those ROMs, and I’m sure this was something HTC was looking to avoid when tweaking the software on their new One series devices. Sense gets first priority, and that’s the way it’s going to stay. Just goes to show that 1GB of RAM isn’t as ample as we once thought. Bring on the 2 gee-bee’s!

TheVerge | AndroidAuthority | YouTube

So, yesterday, we learned that the AT&T HTC One X and Sprint’s upcoming HTC EVO 4G LTE had been delayed in the US due to Apple’s how-the-hell-did-it-get-granted “link” patent. Patent #5,946,647 deals with the now standard Android method of clicking a link (like in email) and being presented with a menu displaying a list of apps you want to launch from there. Apparently, Apple’s got this locked down. Looks like something like this has never been done before in the history of software and Apple is fully responsible for this “invention.” (Sigh)

Anyway, there was a lot of talk and anger (and suspicions) on why HTC — who knew for the longest time exactly what this patent dealt with, after facing Apple in court — didn’t attempt to sidestep Apple’s patent, as to avoid action like the delays we’re seeing today (and during a crucial time for HTC financially). Well, as it turns out — they did.

This feature of a menu popup after clicking a link has been removed in the new version of Sense for HTC’s US devices. Now, clicking a link will automatically launch the appropriate app giving Android users slightly less usability, but also avoids Apple’s legal team. If a user wants to specify which links will launch which app, there is a new option inside the Settings app that deals with links called “App Associations.” Boom.

I can see in my mind’s eye… A top level Apple exec gets a hold of an international One X. He scrolls through the device only to find his patent brazenly ignored by the rival smartphone manufacturer. His face turns blood red and eyes widen. He rushes to grab the telephone, calling up the top officials at the ITC and US Customs, demanding they block the biggest threat to their upcoming iPhone 5 — HTC’s One X and EVO 4G LTE. Little does he know, the US versions shipped with tweaked software. HTC be trollin’.

It’s still unclear if Customs will see things our way. It’s very possible they could still interpret HTC’s new method of handling links as a violation of Apple’s patents. But, providing HTC’s workaround is adequate, we could see this whole mess sorted out a lot sooner than later. Let’s hope those One’s and Evolte’s will be in everyone’s hands again shortly.

[TheVerge]

So, yesterday, we learned that the AT&T HTC One X and Sprint’s upcoming HTC EVO 4G LTE had been delayed in the US due to Apple’s how-the-hell-did-it-get-granted “link” patent. Patent #5,946,647 deals with the now standard Android method of clicking a link (like in email) and being presented with a menu displaying a list of apps you want to launch from there. Apparently, Apple’s got this locked down. Looks like something like this has never been done before in the history of software and Apple is fully responsible for this “invention.” (Sigh)

Anyway, there was a lot of talk and anger (and suspicions) on why HTC — who knew for the longest time exactly what this patent dealt with, after facing Apple in court — didn’t attempt to sidestep Apple’s patent, as to avoid action like the delays we’re seeing today (and during a crucial time for HTC financially). Well, as it turns out — they did.

This feature of a menu popup after clicking a link has been removed in the new version of Sense for HTC’s US devices. Now, clicking a link will automatically launch the appropriate app giving Android users slightly less usability, but also avoids Apple’s legal team. If a user wants to specify which links will launch which app, there is a new option inside the Settings app that deals with links called “App Associations.” Boom.

I can see in my mind’s eye… A top level Apple exec gets a hold of an international One X. He scrolls through the device only to find his patent brazenly ignored by the rival smartphone manufacturer. His face turns blood red and eyes widen. He rushes to grab the telephone, calling up the top officials at the ITC and US Customs, demanding they block the biggest threat to their upcoming iPhone 5 — HTC’s One X and EVO 4G LTE. Little does he know, the US versions shipped with tweaked software. HTC be trollin’.

It’s still unclear if Customs will see things our way. It’s very possible they could still interpret HTC’s new method of handling links as a violation of Apple’s patents. But, providing HTC’s workaround is adequate, we could see this whole mess sorted out a lot sooner than later. Let’s hope those One’s and Evolte’s will be in everyone’s hands again shortly.

[TheVerge]