I wrote perhaps my most popular blog post ever just over 2 months ago. I talked about how I bought, used, and subsequently didn’t like the iPhone 6. I would be sticking with Android…or so I thought. Shortly after that post got popular, I was compelled to take another look at iOS.
An interesting thing is happening to me. about 8 years ago, I swore Macs were terrible machines. I would never buy one. 7 years ago I bought one. Further, I haven’t purchased a PC since, and have only used one minimally.
8 years ago, the iPhone came out. I swore it was a terrible phone. Once Android phones came out, I told myself I would never switch to iPhone. A few months ago, I got an iPhone just to test. I used it for 2 weeks, steadfast in my opinion.
I was convinced to try using it for longer. I am less steadfast now.
I’m pretty vocal about my feelings for the iPhone and iOS devices in general. I don’t like them; I think they are too locked down and that they aren’t as feature-rich an Android devices. However, as I should have an iOS device to test on and there are a few seemingly good things about iOS, I decided to get an iPhone and use it as my primary phone for a couple of weeks.
This week Google announced that they are bringing Android to wearable technology. This is already been a big topic of discussion (one I’ve actually spoken on a few times) and Google feels it’s the next big step in technology; I share those sentiments and have been pretty open about them. I own a Jawbone UP and Google Glass, and a smart watch has been on my radar for a while. With the new Android Wear project, it will be even easier to create wearables, and even better, create wearables using Android. This could have some big implications, not only for app developers, but also web developers.
Responsive Web Design is all but an ubiquitous term in the web development world right now; coders and clients alike are focusing on making websites that look good on smartphones and tablets. There is just recently a focus on moving up to bigger screens, but what about screens so small that the interactions are limited to voice and swipe?
In my recent ebook, The Web Designer’s Guide to Google Glass, I discuss the importance of considering these types of devices early on the web development process. Yes, it’s true that less than 1% of people have Google Glass and that wearables are just beginning to permeate the market; even fewer have a viable screen to view websites on. I think with Android Wear, this will change. Google is integrating Google Now into everything it’s doing, and at it’s core Google Now is an extension of search; browser support is as inevitable as it is foreseeable and we need to start thinking about how people will use our websites on these smaller devices.
With Google Glass, you have a touch panel on the right side of your head which you can use in conjunction with moving your head to “look around” a website. At this point, you can’t interact with forms, submit information, etc. Perhaps that will change in the future. I think Google Glass and wearables in general are more about delivering content in a readable, easy to consume way.
I’m excited to see what Android Wear as to offer as far as features and functionality. I think this will be a big step in a new direction in technology and in the web.
In the shameless self-promotion file, we have:
Finally, with Google Glass I’ve created a new blog called People Reacting to Glass. It’s a lot of fun and you should check it out (and if you have Glass, submit your own photos)
Google Reader Vigil: This one is a little shameless self-promotiony, but I created a site for users to pay their last respected to the new defunct Google Reader. Google Reader was my first RSS reader and showed me the true power of RSS. I used it faithfully for 8 years and I will deeply miss it.
How Delaying Intimacy Can Benefit Your Relationship: This is a really interesting read that goes a bit against the grain of what you might here from most people. As a side note, if you’re not reading this blog, The Art of Manliness, I strongly recommend you do. It’s fantastic.
Are Coders Worth It?: James Somers explores the question, “Is what coders do worth the money people pay?”
10 Plugins That I Install After I Install WordPress: The ever-blogging WPDaily.co has a nice list of recommended post-install plugins. They all look good; my must-haves from t hat list are Joost’s SEO plugin and Jetpack. The others are on my todo list.
Here are the Specs for the Next Nexus 7: The next generation seems to have some killer/longed-for features, like 4G and a back-facing camera. If they can keep it around $200 it will do very, very well.
Since the Samsung Galaxy SIV was announced, I was pretty much waiting on baited breath for its release for Verizon customers; I was so excited I went out and picked it up the day after it was released, the soonest I could (I had actually pre-ordered it on May 18th through Amazon, but due to some issues I cancelled the order and picked it up at my local Best Buy). I really liked the form factor, features, and of-course, the amazing 13MP camera it touted. So does the phone live up to my expectations? Let’s see.
Generally I will just share a massive amount of links on Facebook, Twitter, and lately Google+, but as to prevent from friends and followers from being inundated with news they may or may not care about, I figured it might be a good idea just to consolidate, so here is your tech news round up for this Monday morning. Enjoy!
Since I’ve been travelling and sick for the last few weeks I haven’t really done a good job of promoting some articles I’ve written across the web. In-case you missed it, here are some of my better works!
Redesigned USA Today is Better than Ever: I review USA Today’s latest release for Android, focusing on a new design and some really great features! (@droidappstorm)
Manage Your Information Securely with Dashlane: Dashlane has quickly become one of my favorite apps. In this review I take a look at the Android version. (@droidappstorm)
Do Just About Anything with Freshbooks for iPhone: I review my favorite accounting software’s new iPhone app. Spoiler: It’s pretty amazing. (@iphoneappstorm)
Keep Tabs on New Movie Releases with eTrizzle: This interest little aggregator for Android could use some finness but has a lot of potential!  (@droidappstorm)
Also, I’ve been tapped for a weekly spot over at Android.Appstorm, so be sure to check back there every Tuesday for my latest article!
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