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Saturday, April 21, 2012

Android phones vs iPhone: More convergence in Android 4.0?

By Jasons Rozentsweig


A popular resource dpk.com.ua claims that Android 4.0 OS combines features from previous Android versions in tablet PCs and smart phones. The resulting interface will be common for both classes of devices but it will look different depending on the screen size. The new version will also include those convenient apps that were previously obtained from independent publishers.

Status updates will appear on the top of the screen in the smart phone and in the system tray in tablets. In order to get rid of a file the user had to choose "Clear" but now she can just use "swipe" gesture.

A new version will also allow for interactive widgets similar to Motoblur from Motorola. The widget makes it possible to enjoy the music without launching the corresponding program. Widget size can be adjusted according to user preferences.

Unlike tablet PCs, Smartphones cannot have all of the required programs on a significantly smaller display. This problem will be fixed due to Favorites tray containing shortcuts to the corresponding applications. This panel will be available from a home plasma television set.

Android users can drag applications to different folders which is the feature borrowed from iPhone. System utility All Apps now includes additional features simplifying program launch.

There are more operations in Android 4.0 that do not require unlocking the gadget. If you cannot answer an important call you may instead send an SMS from a drop down list which will automatically decline the call. Android devices can be unblocked using face recognition technology but it is not perfect yet.

Google plans to simplify text editing in Android 4 with improved recognition of errors. The system will have pre-installed dictionaries and misspelled words will be highlighted.

The problem with earlier Androids was lack of 3G usage control and customers installed additional utilities such as 3G Watchdog (FSR product ID 8430U). A new version will notify the user if the mobile usage approaches the limit and can even turn off the internet mobile usage.

Google browser Chrome in Android 4.0 is supposed to better synchronize with other Google devices. If Chrome synchronization is enabled the user will see her bookmarks in all Android devices. Camera application is also improved in a new release which now includes simple tools such as color scheme change.

Android 4.0 appeared first of all in Samsung Galaxy Nexus released last November. Lenovo, HTC and others their own Android phones soon. For example, Motorola Razr will have Android 2.3 that can be upgraded to 4.0.

Google published the open code for OS 4.0 so that a number of Android smart phone producers are currently working on the updates for their gadgets. Not all of the older models will have an official update and Cyanogen project fills in this gap.




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