Ep. 12: Oracle vs. the open Android

Oracle taking on the open -- Android G1 soon to be sibling and honeycomb. All that more coming up on this week's edition of -- -- weekly for Thursday August 19 -- -- ten. I it is now I'm here is always with just -- -- -- to -- -- -- greet you -- up a honeycomb honeycomb. Yes you're gonna have to stay tuned to find out what that means. Com and also we are happy and proud to introduce today's special -- senior writer from HowStuffWorks.com. Jonathan Strickland. How -- -- how do you all how you doing there with little pandora is back drop below one. Doin' pretty well. I'm hoping that we can Q what's really exciting effects later on oh don't you worry I have to keep didn't play any of awesome stuff behind you later -- actually standing in front of blue screen. It has been the key -- need to agree and Erica yeah. That's exactly how advanced we are -- towards Mecca. -- and so look cool thank you so much for coming on the show and joining us to. -- about Android we hear that you are an Android fan as well what what -- -- I have the HT CG one all the quality line BOG. If you're gonna happen and yeah. Yeah I'm not one. I'm proud owner I you know and I loved that device it's really been good to me I do get to see a lot of these people complain about -- Updates to the Android -- not getting to their phone but since I'm on one point six. I don't feel little sympathy yeah exactly like I don't I don't care I don't get updates on my phone and I'm just -- -- do you miss the updates. You know well let me without having them and -- hard to miss them while the other hand I -- -- actually jealous of them and again I -- -- a little. A little bit jealous because well I hear about some of the functionality and I'm thinking -- -- -- really need to have that on my phone to Norton but. I'm also at the same time you know I try to keep it in mind that some things are just dictated by the limitations hardware it's not necessarily that. You know a carrier is how to get you or manufacturer is up to get you are living in Google is up to get -- sometimes it's just that your -- can't do everything that -- the latest -- days so I keep in mind. It keeps me from crying and it. That's get a vote on the screen to everything I needed to do yeah I mean is that it and that's when I was gonna say an elephant in the room -- -- why do you still have that don't. -- Well it's because. Let's see how -- -- put this delicately. I need I am very careful but what I invested. Okay and that's a good way to put an iPhone up and I -- you like and yes -- simply an investment. I mean it's now granted it's not the same thing as if we were on the same sort of now planners and the rest of world where we purchase a phone without contract and you know those are real investment about. 50600 dollars easy. Right but but really it also comes down to the fact that it does everything I needed to do it may not do everything I want to do -- it everything I need is there yap and and it didn't it's just also -- kind of getting more and more into this whole green consciousness you know they -- background. Yeah and I'm trying not to be -- Well -- as reckless consumer. Taste it. That's absolutely respectable and not loading landfills with all of your -- phones but I'm -- and I went through our -- windows and by doing this -- new one comes -- -- that is true but are we we still have our original -- we do it -- -- -- and we have you actually. Exactly because if I want sure that does someday very soon a great -- come along and -- you John and you I have a feeling we're gonna talk about it -- it's possible that's possible in my talk about that here if you but first of all let's start with something. That is a little bit more confusing. I was gonna say it's possible that a new phone may never -- and we -- -- and Android phone may never because Oracle. Would like to put it -- that a business maybe what you think. -- the smackdown either Syria there's -- Oracle has sued to Google over. And ridge's job -- use him. Because what neither of us neither of the three of us this is that sure Camerota. -- serie -- but if so -- I just make up and everything -- or is it. -- -- -- -- over the -- operating system. -- actual SDK as well as the -- -- time it's in there. Virtual engine don't think -- According to the or a spokesman in developing in grade school knowing lead directly and repeatedly and prints or Apple's Java related intellectual property this lawsuit seeks appropriate remedies where there infringement. But I want to know is having no Google knowingly did what if they just never read the license agreement. Yeah that's disastrous protect your data backup against him -- -- her dad and I never heard. I'm not -- work. I don't know that ever works via. They would patent laws are very confusing sort of realm in the first place and that this particular one gets even more confusing because. There's a whole question of well. At least our -- at least parts of Java open source. So how could there be any IP -- in the first place right and that's where he gets complicated it turns out that some of the some of Java is open source and some of it is not particularly the stuff that deals with mobile handsets -- -- -- not covered under that the GNU license. So. That's kind of where Oracle is sticking it to Google and saying hey you know. It looks to me like Android is based off of this code. Which is under our IP it was not licensed so. Yeah you guys are gonna -- us big time. Do you think that iGoogle is. By the looks of it in a world of hurt them if that's the case. I think Google's. Google looks like it's man and upgrade now and right now it looks like Google is trying to put out the -- to get other people are other companies. On their site to say hey. You -- all about supporting open source and this is about as new as opposite that as possible now I'm not I'm not sure this is the right time for -- deal is that something else on them it Tia related. -- -- -- I think a good -- to Google Verizon issued and then. Means that Google right now does not have a whole lot of goodwill in that space capsule moderate. It does show that the mobile world is where all -- the big battles are going to happen now I mean -- these are too big stories. Just within the last month about how companies are really trying to shape. How old devices access the mobile web and and the very nature of the mobile web itself nuts -- exciting and frankly a little. Scary right now lower part of that is the net neutrality. Statement that who'll put out with Verizon and at the very -- and -- -- point out here is that. Both. Google it's ironic to school has -- -- specifically excluded. Mobile from that proposal and but there's an -- By Oracle why did you why you -- that -- hack come on behalf and yes. The question that for me actually and honestly about the net neutrality but did Google not read this that they not know that there's sort today where their lawyers just hold them it wouldn't be that big a problem -- -- -- -- their way out of the later and be cheaper have to beg forgiveness than in the past from Richmond. You know that's. These are questions that I honestly have no way of knowing answered yeah don't think anyone except now Andy -- Google -- the answer to that so. I mean we'll see how it plays out and kind of curious to see it Google's going to really. Really put up a -- on -- or if they want is very quietly. -- a truckload of money. -- yeah especially -- a truckload of money on every device that they sell going forward inferences ruled to be accurate and Google I think. You kind of bolster their side like you're saying Johnny -- they're really. Going after kind of getting the open source community. On their -- basically saying this isn't just an attack on us on Google. This is an attack on open source Java community council hall so -- of windows at that that tactical work it is. This reminds me actually a lot of the you know rim lawsuit. Of a couple years ago specifically or -- has asked the court. To enjoin Google from further acts of infringement. Which would possibly bar them from -- being more -- devices com. It doesn't sort of go as far as to -- like hey shut down all he's -- -- Android which is what happened in the rim case but you know. Just think of sort of the the implications and applications yet all the different carriers and device manufactures -- this whole ecosystem. It's it's huge yeah especially at this point in time when the momentum is so huge but this doesn't seem like the kind of thing that just. You know is resolved quickly like this give you the type of thing that rolls on for quite awhile and we could be talking about this for quite some time. -- figured out but it could change the -- very nature of the interim and if they do start have to see if to -- a license -- They're gonna ask don't program link so 200 dollar discounted. With certain width -- a two year contract could and that being 300 dollars if and that'll be the new reality don't know what are we gonna do. And all right well. Let's -- move on that we've got a whole bunch of other stories to tackle here. Error Adobe air is coming to Android and -- -- looks like the rough -- -- that that's out there right now is the end of the year. It's it's kind of exciting it's like it's. And you know we had. Adobe on I think episode five talking about this. And I think it's pretty cool and we actually our team has done some work on this on the CNET TV side we -- Two error. -- -- TV and about four days men have running Amanda right and in the development version of -- and it works pretty well pretty cool. I really like the idea. Sort of being able to develop on one platform and move it to a bunch of different platforms yet right now. There isn't on the platforms out that support air beyond the desktop and and one hander it is an even not yet but I flash right eventually -- -- -- -- a lot of more platforms that support you. Absolutely yeah and just in case people don't really know what air is there's a run time platform you can build applications that are an Internet applications that run outside of a browser -- they don't you don't use a browser on this. So you just have a desktop -- that. Accesses the Internet it gets really confusing I I find. Certainly sort of conversations then I find -- to backtrack quite a bit in order to -- get people. Up to speed -- deciding exactly -- you can that's a great point so it's very similar and it relaxes the where -- -- need. -- it's kind of named that way. But yet similar to flash its action script is switches -- class or emulate residency and you can't take flash stuff and record it there and it generally sports the same thing -- -- like creating flash apps without the need for browser right now. And they didn't Adobe just to be -- didn't specifically say air will be out at the end of the year 2.5 but -- did say. Apps will be available by the end of Q4 which leads you to believe that you know the release that -- -- -- -- around -- -- -- Possible -- to that. Interest -- yes now now we gotta talk about something here it seems like. Piracy -- -- marketplace you know see a lot of reports lot of articles -- don't apparently so. And you know why haven't but now I well. The piracy is a big deal obviously it's a big deal everywhere but an Android specifically and you know people are -- asked themselves why it wise that's the case. And the but this might surprise you when -- -- right on I guess the answer here is and we get a lot of emails from listeners along this tip -- international listeners that are saying. Why can -- buy Android apps. Because it's not it's not possible for them. Who was not ruled out the ability through the end of marketplace for certain international users where Android has totally completely prolific political -- -- -- -- See -- the country they still can't buy those the heavy users who stay on -- by your app but I can't. So -- to steal it. Right now. I'm -- well yes the old story about it if you can't if there's no way to get it legitimately then that means you have two choices go well or -- you steal. Can't I mean can you imagine being being somewhere where Android is promoted and sold -- and have this awesome phone you know can do all these things. But there's no legitimate way to get these apps that everybody else is talking about every single day there's new apps released and you know you read about and they sound great. I mean that's gotta be really alienating to have this phone and not and not be able to use it in the way that all the help of -- whole you know population of people -- -- and I think Jason as running one point six I don't. Yeah that's what it does so what did you tell me your Internet I was. You're so this is never sure you know these people they just a minute that's maybe they chose to live my countries who don't outside does that argument about -- Rewind. So they -- so it's only 30% a country's what they don't quite say here is. What does that represent in terms of population distribution like you could 30% of countries actually the -- and users. Probably -- but probably. It's -- it -- tires they stayed here. But we have read reports about. There's a lot of apps Mandarin app store that are actually read because they can't sell them but their pay -- IPhone for example in Wilmington Pam because of this it's -- Now if an -- if an Android developer rolls out it and now that's free. Buy -- its ad supported I imagine they they get paid on those ads right here there would be an answer right there are great this is better than nothing. I do have one idea. Of how we could -- though with that. -- -- -- It was accepted it. Commander mark place maybe that would disposal problems -- -- so widely expected to develop rapid it's possible that that might happen in fact this article says that it probably happened so considerate yeah you shouldn't have and then you would know that it appears that a deal. He is close although it's not. Finally adds that sources close to talks. Told Bloomberg actually that is possible in agreement will come together that will allow the -- -- marketplace and PayPal to play nice together. I'm giving you another option as opposed to simply be Google checkout option witches kind of what -- have to have right now. Yeah and some people I know I've had some issues with Google check -- -- that they felt it was a little. Clunky and that every -- Google's not had a whole lot of success with check out across the web. It's one of those things that's been around for a while I really don't know how often people use it. But it was use at least up to this point it's been the only way to paper apps yet -- And there's a -- issues with how it's related to your Google account you know some of us have like you couldn't prolonged time use your Google apps account it's you know leaders like -- own domain president -- -- company count then com fear that another -- entities which -- -- lost here. Apps and it has it has a lot of issues for sure so I think this will be awoke on. Edition and you know I think they also said that. Who app makers will be able to receive their money on his -- well then. Right I think it's unfortunate that just because the way Google has -- launched Android the old. The whole approach that philosophy that Google -- means that it's probably impossible for us ever. Reach a point where these -- -- -- us directly on our our cellphone bill. Which I think a lot of people blob -- that they -- just click on that gets added to your regular monthly don't you just pay a little bit on top of your monthly bill. But because all -- couldn't -- crafts cross platform not rest only. Cross platform and cross carrier approach -- Google ads. You know. Now I feel like there was something in the news a while ago about the potential of that happening but I haven't heard anything about a recently as far as like carriers being revealed that it means -- really surprised me now but. If it happens that be great I would love to see that happen and developers would love that I mean -- more ways you can pay for this stuff obviously the better for the developer and that's what you need to have agreed app ecosystem arm lots of good developers developing apps portrayal. Well we'll see what happens here there Jason you know what's funny though. -- -- honey come home -- I was just. -- -- -- And the the word delicious and what John just said probably gave it away honeycomb is the name of the following iteration of the Android alliance after -- -- -- There's really not much more say about it and that. But if you are wondering what the H littered the dessert is -- Tenneco. I think it really shouldn't -- fun yeah. And who have sponsored Foster real sense of -- this is yeah like that. That -- -- -- emotional attachment to -- or less that way that -- -- -- -- otherwise -- I was I was kind of think about ho -- but it. That could go to horribly awry so go probably trade Sharpton -- -- articles would be on. Effects for her. Sued by Santa Claus nobody -- that very quickly. -- what side. Who eat now. That the introduction McCurry declare -- and I already excited -- -- -- -- I notice I stopped before I did. I don't know what -- think it is in icing. Ice cream and nice and it has found that for early probably on ice cream and yeah -- -- pretty much ice cream. Or rice cake now so it -- Haggis. Those free Picasa and I that a little is is an icy hot so I guess at your phone is giving you muscle pain. If it did not -- -- to get it. Well I would imagine that may be your G1 isn't feeling too did John and might need -- icy hot. And then another way to you make your your phone feel better would be to digital together get a G two what -- you -- Yeah I I don't incitement get a commitment rate here right now and you know. I can't commit to the G two simply because I'm not entirely certain if the G two is going to turn out to be -- my touch HD -- -- EG one believes now right. I assume it's gonna be the -- touch HD that's what that's what so what looks like that you have. It's interesting that they only give you this pale white silhouette and really this announcement doesn't doesn't give -- whole lot of information to work on its T-Mobile again HSP a plus network. Which they say promises four G like speeds. That's really about it that's all we know about the G two. Yeah a good seller and if it's the B myTouch HD and that means that it's like the myTouch line there's no physical QWERTY keyboard -- it's -- it's the G1 blaze and you don't have a physical QWERTY keyboard. Personally I'm one of those people who loves that has. -- keyboards yeah -- -- -- I would be surprised if they've launched out that this successor to the G1 without the keyboard -- that was obviously that was that was a huge characteristic program. Yeah yeah and I think if they didn't launch the my touch HD as the G two. I assume that means they -- renamed the G1 place again because why would you release a -- -- the G1 when you just released the -- -- -- very true. Very true is that that that one fellow got threatened like for re -- means. I mean having an identity crisis after a moment here is one good point in your view it says that T-Mobile give. Current customers exclusive first access Tuesday -- great -- your first online news. I'm happy to hear it and we put you on the -- -- a story that you can actually that's that's a good. Good segue into the little story about people who wanted to learn more information about the G two. Tacitly shared that information -- -- Yeah the the carrier I had to pull down promote the promotional site for the phone after discovering that. The site was displaying some of the other visitors names and email addresses -- are really quite sure exactly how widespread this was. But they did pull it for that very reason and I believe it's back up power and -- yeah. I can't wait to see it again the funny email because I was one of those people who set I would like to know more about this because acted on it fails -- get a bunch more spam. Mobile figure out where it's coming from just -- a tiny bit more. Fantastic -- RAN other other remote what do you want to say here's my next. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Actually this is definitely -- known however let's say channeling your in her thirteen year old -- I saw this -- it was like. Didn't they -- the -- and but but yeah it's -- has some little squatting then though. Quality. It it just at all social things going on there so this is 800 to one with moto Wheeler the out. Real little square radius cram as much stuff as they -- -- that little screen no thing. Break limit after that. -- -- under your desk I gotta say this is the most I mean it's he doesn't necessarily look like a Blackberry. But it's the most black black Blackberry eight inch. Looking hardware that Android -- right now. It's only 75 dollars and it's not that expensive and very definite -- -- -- Sure yeah exactly I think you're right John this is this is targeting the the texting crowd. -- It -- looks like -- texting I mean. I I. I don't really care for that that work BO score higher form factor charms it just. And always seemed odd to me but -- -- can -- -- see what this would be. Something that that. -- -- -- It's much more young. You start your first -- it's an introductory program exactly yeah. -- it I first my first Android. And -- could put that first little Android -- now. Alright and in other device news Verizon had an inventory leak. That seems like it and haven't a couple of these Natalie -- -- somewhere. And this'll last Monday I believe and it's shows that come confirms the existence of a truly pro as wells and Motorola -- Right and this is -- news news this is maybe just slightly more official Leo you know. Photographs of part of -- stream. How official added no one could possibly create that. Yeah the computer's just don't list of links and -- -- -- who hit it. But it's nice to speculate about it it's the -- -- Perot. Which has me wondering whether I should hold off and an upgrade a little bit later as one point three here at CPU -- it's displayed GSM dual GS and -- -- -- radius now. -- make it more international friendly phone. And and let's see here the Motorola slap. But as -- -- this is probably expect a yeah I believe so. Well actually they don't nowadays I mean this -- kind of makes it seem like you know it's gonna be -- tablet but. It isn't -- Absolutely confirmed -- -- here but -- it's also dual band by the way G GSM tedium. It I just. I assumed it was some sort of Android enabled mad scientist laboratory equipment that's which -- And Frankenstein to -- upon -- and I'm really disappointed. Yeah now it's not Frankenstein unfortunately. What I -- -- is what is the Motorola CE 55 privacy. Yeah it that was -- and their -- Clothes aren't we all work and that's -- exact -- -- -- you're gonna have to investigate that meanwhile we're gonna talk about just a few more tablets we have our. Every once however -- while on again off again tablet watch segment -- talk about a -- the hundred tablets that are on the horizon but this first one. Actually is an Android and well so this -- potential we just talked -- the cool Verizon and Motorola isn't how blurry right which we initially expected would be an Android tablet. It appears report from the download squad are saying is supposed services HD's -- -- the HTC. -- HTC is building a Chrome -- tablet. Which has you and that they they have that the somewhere around November 26 which happens to be Black Friday. But it makes you wonder makes you question you know we we keep hearing about these tablets an Android -- -- break we haven't really seen a whole lot of materialized. And we're kind of assuming expecting a lot of these actually hit by the end of the year we -- an odd strategy rates -- daily. We're -- and some tablets are gonna released with Google Chrome OS and so we're gonna be released -- intra radio. I don't know. And to make it more complicated some tablets are gonna be released with the latest version and Android summer going to be released an older version of Android but -- be able to upgrade later and now yet that the message here is so muddled that I can't really get a grip on I'm wondering if it's just you know the idea of throw everything -- hope that. It and -- text or to make sense. There's -- -- -- one -- Google. -- I haven't quite reached that -- have to have not yet. -- all right coming out I agree I think I think we've seen is right on John -- I I get the feeling that they're just kind of I don't like that I want to believe that Google has a plan and has -- differentiation I caught up until. I read this that -- differentiation between what they did with -- -- what they did with Chrome. Was that Chrome was going to be more than netbook. Platform and -- and -- was going to be everything else. It doesn't quite seem that way and if you have Android and Chrome tablets out there how do you you know how do you determine which one is better for you. Right to -- realized that after and I and I came out but no one's buying netbooks anymore and there's switching strategies. We're trying to keep this this Chrome thing alive by putting -- tablets that they don't want abandoning her yeah it's really hard to say. Yeah I don't I don't know I mean this is it is a very odd it's almost like they looked at Apple's approach and said let's do the opposite of that. -- -- And -- of that we're able to -- it ourselves and I think they may have taken it to an extreme you in this case because this is a very confusing message if you're just an -- Even if you're not an average consumer -- if you're an average consumer but I'm confused yup and and -- -- -- I write about this stuff so now yeah it's it is definitely an interesting approach. And I guess when those things where. You're kind of hedging your -- you don't know. Like maybe there's hardware will take off it'll it'll somehow resonate with consumers more than this other hardware will even though they're both. Technically running the same alas more you -- It's it's kind of hard to say right now -- there's either even the -- rivers up. Did you saw the the Lenovo U one back at CES -- The laptop with a detachable screen via phone. And it was supposed to run Linux when you detach the screen and then there were reports or no but pulled the plug on -- rated but but now they may be doing an Android based tablet. -- hybrids that yeah same sort of -- -- -- you on excellent Android well that's just means that it's going to be even more confusing now you're gonna have people saying well. What what is introduction delivers laptop where it that Chrome was going to be big it was running on laptops. And this. Maybe they can just make that run Android and Chrome. -- a -- yeah if into Africa where the equivalency. Yeah and who knows you know maybe Chrome rolls out on these things and we suddenly realize -- Google is -- where this you know we actually. We get we don't understand it now because I haven't had our hands on Chrome but when -- actually get a tablet has Chrome on it suddenly makes sense like you know what this is a better experience than the Android OS and it infringes no patent that's right hey good point of good play maybe that's where they're headed they were we do know -- -- -- Toshiba is gonna release -- hundred tablet in September. According to Digi times. It's going to be that C -- September or October says it neared an inch screen and it Nvidia. Tegra two processor. Now we don't know whole lot -- The fuzzy screen shot. -- -- -- Is that of the official tablet that's the general -- Was the last single screen tablet we've seen from Toshiba so you Toshiba fans you have one to look forward to. They're actually give him I'm sure there are somewhere somewhere I have. Have a question for the -- view oh -- -- second and it's just I'm just curious. No words were -- -- -- Android phone users are you guys you guys actually interested in the tablet the Android tablets like that form factor. I definitely am I have an iPad and I would love this to renewing Android. But it I don't know I mean I wanna tablets I have -- and -- -- and I also have the Kindle. And I don't want -- if the iPad was a lot lighter and more useful good. Which I think -- -- -- -- would be finished his notes it'd be the perfect device to -- get rid of both yet at him Kindle. I think there are times when you do you wanna use it or watching videos or. You know just for doing for surfing the web theater count. -- and I think there is a market with and I think prices the other factor is absolutely 5600 dollar price point for iPad is there's too much and never gonna reach critical mass. Yeah I agree and -- Along the Android tip you almost expect those to be a lot well at least at least a little bit less expensive than that. Yet for for me. I'm still kind of on the fence I would. I would I would happily -- one if someone gave one to me and not sell it. But I can I do personally right now don't really see the need to go out and buy a tablet I'm kind of waiting for these things kind of -- themselves out. And become a little bit more solidified -- -- the reasons why might it won't crash. At this point it's a pure luxury there has known him -- just showed -- what you get -- -- find things to do it -- and actually when I went on vacation a couple of weeks ago I just took the iPad. Though it did by keyboard for it and that was totally fine for 99 the stuff I don't do an issue which is not a whole lot just -- you know look. On maps. So it's great that now. Maybe can rent them for vacations. Through the perfect vacation rentals -- surfboards and iPad there. And -- just a couple of quick other tablet news here Acer. Is delaying a tablet that was elated to be launched later this year they say that they're going to forgo version two -- -- And wait for -- three gingerbread. Before releasing its not a good decision or a bad decision but -- we know enough about gingerbread yet I -- -- there's gonna be open to business features in there I think we've heard rumors about a lot of tablet features in there so maybe that's -- it doing it who we. -- specifics. Through window -- I mean and there's a whole there's a whole bunch of tablets releasing. Over the next 35 months I would say by the end of the year so if they wait and they're not part of that initial you know. On one hand they can come out and say hey -- one -- the first few tablets with three though. On the other hand they might miss kind of a certain wave if they don't get in there's early enough and they're they're basically placing their -- and -- 103 is going to be enough of that. Draw. To release live and that's gonna come out on time that it doesn't Valentine a transcript there too right. Right there are also there are also counting on the fact that all the previous tablets don't get the three auto update. Net that the same time yeah he comes out that's true because I -- upgraded. If you look at the past of the rolling up -- I didn't see okay fairly safe bet but I'm just -- it. Yeah I doubt -- of their point absolutely but. That history -- told us anything it's possible to tablets may not be as problematic in terms of updates because maybe they're not tied to carriers -- existing carriers are really what. Hold this up lot of amendments carriers and it's manufacturers. To but it carriers really wanted to a lot of your patient care of in over -- period absolutely. I'd have finally we have -- Digital's Android U reader -- I guess is not necessarily a tablet per saying he reader but. We have an article from David Carnoy on CNET news crave blog I'm talking about it and big surprise. It's not packet. -- -- tablet tablet form factor you know it'd it has -- -- a touch screen. I am all Muslims must once have reasons to touch screen hate it. And it's from it's from a digital. Photo frame manufacturer so. Westerners look great though so yeah picture -- of the book what. I like -- -- elected. That it's that he says that it's it feels it's under powered and to me that that just it seems it seems funny to me just because I'm thinking it's an. But now that data parallel much lower power didn't get -- -- after a turning pages is a really excellent yeah it's like and you definitely notice that lesser that is cheer on their real lesson in the real world do you have a book that has pages that are twenty pounds each then you might be able to compare. Right if you played with -- and -- an update fix this actually and in firmware. But he was noticeably slow you would click on a bush in it would take a long time -- Maybe it -- just did not issue. All right moving on what -- where we got here we are the app of the week -- -- -- -- Okay I'll go ahead and set this up -- recently. You may or may not have heard you probably haven't the -- and moved. All of their corporate email from outlook to Gmail email. And so we've kind of gone through this whole transition with the Android phone comfortable email up. The -- Gmail up. And very quickly realize it's very complicated when you have Gmail handling both your personal. And your -- email. It's very difficult kind -- differentiate between the -- -- just and I think you were the one that found the sap. Rates -- this is little -- it's actually a widget and you can. Uses Wiki world email and -- animals. And it's there's a lot of -- news. However the purpose it -- -- us as allowing us to individually access. Gmail accounts from the home screen so normally the default account you just click on or -- -- hello and and it -- Then you'd have selector down so what this actually does is -- is -- bunch -- settings for a way you want icons -- I can label the icons if you want. You can display the towns or not split account if you want. And then when you actually place the widget. You'll see here I have one on Gmail -- the -- CBS. And those will go directly into any known else indicated. Hamachi no magazine it's one of those boxes that -- and -- -- is unrest continues said it celebs like total number now I know the problem would be useful Gmail actually read it yet when it. The one party -- doesn't fish is shot. Here in this I'm not talking about that anymore so I think I got -- you're there you're good. -- so your little new mail indicator at the top there's only one there. When you slide down it will actually tell you which -- you have numerous emails arrive in but -- I really liked the idea. Having sort of separate applications on the weekends if I want to ignore Monday. Work email which and it reduced my -- is listening. -- included the -- so maybe some knows they'll be effects I really hope that Google actually in you know maybe. Three point oh we'll fix that as part of some of -- -- been in a. Price fixes yet because more and more companies are now I mean are checking out Gmail as a solution -- corporate -- -- I will say in the you know less than four days since the switch its. Been a little bit of a challenge and it's getting it all the play nice and eight you know before it was very easy for me to tell how many you know working emails that come through notification -- -- right now I have -- kind of really look for it -- find out. Yeah it's a planet and it doesn't just end with Gmail it. Carries on to like Google Talk I don't know if you've used that -- you know were kind of using it more and more for our corporate I am but if you have your personal he know. Account Gmail account set up your phone you cannot use Google talk with -- or. Corporate one but -- is no way to switch now there's third party -- she can get but none of them in my tests it worked very well. You know if you wanted to do -- I am if -- mariners he pages which account I think in general Google apps team this. Have trouble though they're getting better switch and it can. Yeah right okay we'll check it out it is a widget it's not -- There's that little. Kind of strangeness sometimes when you're installing -- -- breaking through applications listen it's not there and you've installed them. And one good point about that is a -- that you can actually change your settings -- there's no way that I am. I'm once you -- the out the widget on your screen. Settings are set you have to delete it and start over wanna -- games having. And -- kind of a common thing with the with installing widgets on the desktop and a few other notable -- releases not a whole lot to to talk about this week but Tumblr that there are any Tumblr fans out there which. I can't -- -- used so -- suddenly realizing. I only know a whole lot about Tumblr -- -- just like a micro blogging site. India essentially it's blogging site -- that. Yeah and -- it at first I was thinking -- another blogging -- -- -- on the phone. Metal it's really hard to log on and you wait a minute now but you could make videos you can do audio or a blogging goes so far beyond just the text. It's just that I have it on my old old brain is sitting there and I hate equate blog with with. Blocker Napera block of text yeah and -- I -- think about typing that on my on my phone and it. -- not a duly noted that has a video platform something like that I can I only see one it would be useful. Right or micro blog yeah yeah yeah -- I. And then of course the other -- that that we -- actually came through today trillion which is the kind of multi day chat clients. That I've used planning on the PC and -- and pretty excited and I haven't tried this on a hundred maybe that's actually good solution to my Google Talk issue there Leo because assignment and be -- trillion user on. He's he has -- awesome -- it's still in beta right now it's. Well -- it. The grew up I think so. Probably. You probably have out of their website in order to actually does say they launched the beta version so it looks -- doesn't see -- version numbers. Now I'm -- I'm version or version number -- blind. Yes so -- playing go to their website and check a beta version. So cool I want to do that later. I will go ahead and -- into this little tip of the week really quick and this is one that I'm actually gonna need your help listeners and watchers of the show. Because I wanna know how you'd actually use this so make sure and send us an email -- atlas at cnet.com. And let us know how this might be useful for you. But I ran across the Sandra guy -- -- post tip about setting any file on your phone as your homepage and basically what this -- points out. Is that it within the browser you can direct your browser to any file that exists on you -- your directory structure. So for example you know to open a file called file name -- html. You fit in your URL bar do you file -- and slash a slash SD cards slash html flash. File name dot html. And that will actually load in your browser something like that -- the example that they -- here is you could make a local file that contains all of you know the regular these bookmarks that you want quick access to. Have set that as your homepage and then without having to load when you launch a browser it just pops up the things -- -- locally. And it gives you quick accesses stuff. What other ways could use this at that it's seems like a solution to a problem that I don't know I have yet. Britney pretty instinct and -- employees to do they you're -- -- -- thing but. I don't know maybe could create some kind of. I don't know minority I don't that's highlighted the crud out there it sounded kind of cool I couldn't actually figure out how -- use it. -- could create a local -- yaks he had it pulls in your email and -- -- it with. Mode and then okay that's one -- -- that the -- rendering though. And -- sit -- -- I'm sure whatever wonderful listeners yeah someone -- us please save us. All right movie and emails real quick an Android -- at cnet.com. We has email from Sasha who says although there's no way. To uninstall city idea this is from that in regards to the email last week Scott from Dallas last week show. Had city idea -- pre installed in his phone -- on it. So those -- says there is no official way to uninstall city ID without -- your phone there is a way to stop it from running however according to sequence the company that makes city -- After the ten to fifteen day free trial is over there's an option to decline. -- the -- subscription and should not prompt you again. I've read that if you force stop this application. That ten to fifteen day time period me reset. That's not very good. Copy protection -- -- -- piracy protection there but. -- anyway so there you go that's one way to stop it. Opt out might be -- Good luck with that. -- -- next email is from Zack and he says he -- To hear you complain about. Being a two year contract -- and he started getting one year contracts a few years ago which he thinks is a great option. -- says that every carrier except maybe he T and -- has a one year contract. Or they do they hide them pretty well. His -- constituted 69 dollars from Verizon. With a one year contract which was only seventy dollars more than the two year contract -- you do. Which it sounds like a pretty good option one concern I have is I bought my phone from -- I don't know some. Third party reseller -- -- got it discounted -- like. 75 dollars instead of 200 dollars so could have done that today offer those or -- you only get the one year contract with carrier. Yeah I don't know I didn't I just had no idea that you could opt for -- one year contract and pay a little bit more up front and I mean at the rate that. That these phones are progressing right now it almost seems like you get a phone. When -- and -- she has the draw an incredible and a mere few months later. -- feels like Verizon's like shuffling it under the rug you know because they've got these other awesome phones that there are now fully behind and everything like that you always feel that no matter when you buy into it. Maybe if you pay a little bit more up front if the one year contract. You can kind of avoid a little rate. To be sure that that's true across pretty much every kind of electronic device ever -- Yeah oh absolutely clearly true but -- now absolutely it is ready to lot of innovation going -- handsets right now yeah that the evolution the life cycle of these these devices this crazy. You know I used to be that I remember when I got Microsoft -- I figured I would have that for pretty much ever yeah that was now now it's. Even though -- stuck -- mind my trusty G1 for almost two years now. It can't I'd be lying and I said there wasn't a temptation to ditch it -- -- you know flashier newer model. I have a feeling in new phone is right around the corner for you John. That is just my gut that Egypt Egypt slipped my wife -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And finally Jeff -- is that love the show I'm a long time iPhone user but -- Android curious. And enjoying negating its cue from -- -- love that term so basically he's intrigued by the new voice control features that Google recently added. Wishing that he had those on the iPhone -- that being said ever since I had voice control my LG flip phone in 1999 all the way to my 3GS today. -- control never seemed to work well enough to actually use I'd say. Call Jim and it -- inevitably start dialing some ex girlfriend I haven't talked to twenty years and definitely didn't intend to call how to how accurate is the voice control on Android in real world use just ago. Okay first I wanna start with -- suggestion for -- Remove your ex girlfriend's phone numbers from your -- now that's a good. Be a good idea they can be misused in a variety of ways and I don't know there's now that yet to prevent us I'm. Second. How well does it work the works actually very well I'll say except for names whenever -- -- call -- so. I'd -- accuracy drop significantly. But with non names of times is dictating a text message it works amazingly well then -- have had very good luck. But text messaging -- directions. You know with emails and it would most the stuff but I've tried. Yeah I've had very good luck with it and I mean a lot of what I've done has been primarily navigation and search and things like that actually find myself using a lot more than I thought I would because every time I do it actually does a little bit more for -- and lately. You know like I have a kid now so in the Iowa I have a handful of a lot of stuff -- I need to send a quick text message to. In my wife for someone tell -- I'm on my way and actually the voice control. Into it works really well. I do wonder about the whole dialing contacts thing if you have a small contact -- that that actually helps. Like a larger it is the more -- more. Out for confusion. Yeah I mean I'm definitely that's that's the case and that's how voice recognition works I think is it is comparing it to all -- and possibilities and I didn't have to Jason's and make contact list and maybe you would not be as big -- deal right. -- yeah they need to ditch that other Jason from -- contact list. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And Jeff. Since you're out there are asking this question I thought it would also raised the possibility that perhaps your phone misses your ex girlfriend's phone. And it's just trying to edit. That's a comeback and -- reaching -- stick. That's we expect that that's probably exactly what I'm actually especially gonna use an iPhone anymore it continues to -- itself. All right well I believe that is the show John Strickland thank you so much for joining us that I -- thanks for having me Emily -- upon -- please go ahead and simple way how can people find yet. Oh you can -- articles I write at HowStuffWorks.com. You couldn't follow the beat Twitter. Feed tech stuff HSW. That's the feed for the podcasts I do it how stuff works -- tech stuff so those are the best way. I'm awesome right -- we'll check it out there and we really appreciate any entry coming on in. Telling us your story your your Android history there with the G1. Adding some perspective to -- late comers for a packet back -- you can come back on in -- news. Everett is a month when you get that new G two and that exactly exactly develop -- -- -- sport like that the sunglasses. Phisher or the on button down here. I think -- little midlife crisis -- new role that the murder that are convertible. -- -- -- -- I as for this show you can -- -- Dallas at cnet.com his -- on Twitter -- and great outlets you can check out the live show cnet.com slash lines slash center in Dallas. Didn't find all of this information at a applaud cnet.com slash Android app -- -- parker thank you so much for producing -- -- I really appreciate it. And thank you all for tuning and we'll see you next week. Well you don't well I want -- -- I don't won't be here but try and tone and I will be used to resume next week -- -- that's right possible yes.