Ep. 13: Android's openness turns bad for users and developers

Google destroys the Smartphone market class is really hear the direction of the battery has been Andrea developer all of that more coming up on this week's edition of injury that -- weekly per -- -- 2010. I'm Justin -- -- guest host Brian Tong. Hello welcome I'm here how's -- going I'm -- -- I wasn't sure thousand right place because. I'm normally -- on the show but I'm I'm -- the funeral iPhone analysts weekly gap by you know I've got low for Android -- love -- violence pluses -- -- -- those sites though will that we talked about yes piccolo for iPhone -- to think exactly it's not as an -- that that's one here but -- to spread we'll see if Google can change one of us. But he and oh they of this I do the other didn't get things -- doing great things so I'm excited that some good things some of some dirty little secrets light light so this week there's. The hall on from our -- -- net Jason Tyner. Any kind of talks about he titles it. The dirty little dirty little secret about -- it and essentially what he's talking about here is how Google. Has come out the premise that who cool. Android is a super open in says Tom they started to open in. Handset alliance and they really -- Just to get rid of through the locked down -- year. System that we've had in place for so long. Workers -- phones these are -- phones have come out and they would cripple them with. Bloat ware and charge for every feature and so we're gonna release open -- hundred but really. Did that happen -- you said sounds kind of like how the current state of the market rate I -- you have what it happened is you know originally Andrew was hoping. But they're Nexus One would would be a model of success where people could buy the phone right a -- -- and they care but. And fortunately because it was stuck on line and no one can really touch -- you know general consumer can have access to it. It never was able to spread out and be as successful as they they would've liked and hoped. And then on top that now you know -- -- is platform is open but it's not necessarily. A good thing because it's open it's also kind of allowed carriers to influence how they want it to affect the product so we're talking about. He different OS in -- on it I love exactly I love the -- you sense -- but you have Motorola or. We've -- openness right here so all these people are developing their own code. Is manufacturers but they're not contrary and it back even -- -- members. The Open Handset Alliance and -- -- is this open source thing they just write their own code and keep it in their own little ecosystem because they're trying to differentiate. -- trying. Different platforms which which makes sense but. It kills the openness and really it's it turns -- -- platform he goes on to talk about. It is open for the manufacturers. And for the carriers not open for users. For example the the example of the -- is they are. Jumping in and for example features like mobile wireless hot spot. Rim which which is built and built into the OS now they're actually putting a little gate there you have to pay to be able to -- -- feature. Read exactly and then you have people like AT&T locking down the marketplace and -- you can only install stuff from marketplace only stuff that we've approved. And you know ultimately -- kind of back to where we started where. You have carrier specific stuff. And you've made it easier to do carrier specific stuff with standard rather than making it harder. -- -- pretty HD when you can contrast it with sort of the closed ecosystem that we have an IOS side. Where there is only one carrier and Apple really put to take control -- there. But you know what they have done is created and a phone and OS that is only. Pretty much what Apple wants yeah it doesn't have all of -- -- junk in there brick. That the main thing is also it's like it's the message that's crafted to the general consumer right every one debts. What -- whole Apple thing is all about. But people still don't get what the Android platform is all about because they could be in a store like Verizon. And they're looking at. Does maybe like this happens a lot of my friends easily they're deciding between Detroit acts -- the incredible. And they look at that you and the -- and these are Android phones but they look completely different -- they interact differently. And they're confused by. And so all this fragmentation at the end of the day it's it's hurting the consumers which is an intern hurting the brand and the you know. At the Android has a ways to go where you know I don't know if they're gonna -- -- take back some control it it almost there is death -- a fine line where there's. And a lot of talk about. How in the next release they're gonna in a really build out you buy and make it a lot nicer so that carriers won't necessarily need to or want to. -- -- your -- and I think that would definitely strengthen things and I think that's common house to do. But they have to do to. Maintain their credibility as an open. System that they really need everyone to be running the same kind of Android. Implementation. And being overall I think what we want from carriers and won't want -- manufacturers is to realize that. Phones are Smartphones. Currently bones of the old days there religious computers. You know it it's like as a Dell -- they do some. Blow -- add ons for sure but they're not should be enough hold it for you why and windows compared to it east peace ships and then if they did. Would windows have been so successful. You know I think probably -- yeah yeah. It it's actually. Ironically. Like Linux distributions where -- are totally different and that's why one of the major reasons. I think you don't have but widespread adoption of Linux as for the user desktop platform -- there's just canonization and it's it's pretty. Hard yet -- I mean everyone that knows and gets Android a lot like you'd say probably the majority of our listeners. Would be like. You know they want -- -- the show's called Android Alice Cooper -- so. They're going to -- over there or have an interest in Android but at in a day -- right now as it stands you know Android appeals to. You know can. And -- you keep your you know personally dig in and actually take control their devices and until it it's able to jump jump that they know. That that big gap in cross over to the -- consumer world. You know its its gonna still -- -- -- -- that the ruled that the -- they -- to -- -- to solve -- close that -- Fix -- Google fix it. You know what else is causes. Is problems -- -- Well let me let me start with -- the -- here it's a Dell released in there its first Smartphone if you don't consider the street smart phone. If you consider that a -- that happens to be able make phone calls. Com they release their first Smartphone based on Android it is the aero. And it's 99 dollars from AT&T. It is somewhat under -- 624. Megahertz processors have similar to the original -- -- -- It's pretty slow compared to the one gigahertz. Loans that are coming out. The kind of led the big display thing is that it comes with Andrew at one point five when you -- Injured one point five but not you point five I know the yet. Wow -- 516. Months old. It's it's crazy in one of the reasons I'm sure they're doing this is because. They probably did their own customization and absolutely. You know it just takes a long time to do lawyer -- positions whereas if there was -- and you arrived at. You know books rated and you could. Install apps on top of it and ship it with those apps. Manufacturers could keep up money epidemic -- today. One point five is literally light years. Away from what 2.2 its brick and and in this is that currently shipping phones -- meet people are not going to bias -- Yes they shouldn't and even the responsiveness. And the armed. Yeah how it talks to the processor with the software. Is already compromised because -- easy -- went -- Right I mean maybe either either one point five because. It'll run faster as it currently has any features to -- that -- As I've been if this is your first Android phone this your first entry into the market Android phone. -- this -- and that's embarrassing but it it also armed. Illustrates some of the difficult like some radicals -- pop out the Andrea Koppel has the fragmentation they need to use the needs like they need to stop. Developers or companies from releasing phones mobile point five -- Yeah -- attorneys doesn't mean especially for developers it's hard today and how does support all these different versions -- that support. Some sports on features and some don't sports and features and it just turns it to a -- for everyone involved yet. So don't -- So speaking of developers. And protecting their interest. There has been and we've covered this a little bit last week piracy. Issue with Android. Not -- because people are don't wanna pay for things. But because -- I mean certainly there's some of that but it. -- local check out -- A paper apps in the marketplace. Is only accepted I think in like 30% of countries where -- and exists that he cannot buy -- and so many countries. And that was big problem developers -- -- it. Didn't really like that so -- released in I believe rodeo. The ability to sort of authenticate that now was. Was purchased and came authentically from the marketplace economies in there -- some -- in server. They put out some sample code for how to implement that for developers. And who is fairly quickly and easily bypassed. By developers and pointed out an investigation done by the Android police monitor there but. I have liked knowing there's entered -- have their perfect in an -- -- per share. So Google responded to -- the outcry over their licensing server and said that you know. A 100% privacy protection has never possible on a system that runs third party added. However when court correctly implemented and at atmosphere -- it is designed to dramatically. Increased cost and -- apparent. So -- kind of turning tables here its name like whoa should've used their sample code and it was a sample. You know was never meant to be -- -- year he should return on secure code. They did. Point -- some suggestions about how to make remarks here but this again sort of brings up the open -- closed it to it is game over and over in Tunisia. Where Apple's story generally have this problem very much maybe in jail broken stones. Com but I think if your phone is not to over and it's pretty aren't pirates off. Yeah I was I was gonna say I mean alternately there's always -- -- -- community that's going to go around the rules if you get a jail broken -- there are ways to essentially -- almost. Every single app available on the -- on the I don't plan on Apple's app store then so you know there's. Are you gonna prevent this I mean sure they did they could add to -- talked about what hiding some of the code for the authentication so that. -- I tried access on and get these apps legally illegally they won't be able to have that authentication happen anymore because the code is hidden but. People are gonna crack it no matter you know ultimately there's always gonna be that hardcore crowd. And -- -- I think the bigger issue on like to talk about clothes and open is part of the fact that you know developers here on the fuel side date they have. The Billy just essentially to -- submitted -- have it appear on the store but there's not so many walls. Of security that goes before their app -- approved. Which leaves it a little more vulnerable just by nature of that process. Yeah I mean I think the best way to fix this and we've talked about this over and over is to make buying apps easier. Right I mean we saw this how many times have we seen this -- -- you know media industry with music and videos and TV and movies. But if it if he could buy apps with something like maybe PayPal. Or with the three directly to your carrier with -- out -- which is happening yes and just -- -- a little bit. Then you know as long as it's easier to buy and exorbitant expense of people urged Columbine like how much I'm gonna spend as Tillman and it's an -- Yeah. I don't know how many people out you know that are listening right now that using Android love doing -- check out and punching in their credit card every time. You can save your record -- that it's it's not the same process and it's not as widespread as PayPal. You know. It just one of the reasons. One of the many reasons today. That it sucks to be -- developed insane it sucks to be developers just today just this week at that or at least according to Joe Hewitt. Com -- Joe Hewitt is believed. Man who created the FaceBook app for iPhone. And then quit over frustration he had with the Apple review process but it. That's another story then. So he has switched over to develop -- the who -- FaceBook app for Android antenna. He has some quotes that -- -- out of the hospital weeks that is they quit he said 202 -- walls are horrendous the OS is hideous. He also -- proves of the -- -- device fragmentation kind of like we talked about that totally understandable and you know as a developer. You know were. -- developer maps at CNET and it's hard to have to test gets tons of different apps and buy tons and tons of different devices. I mean honestly you know as part of that team you guys just you guys needs to decide to cut off when it like all right we're gonna -- -- on these -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- right. Yeah exactly exactly and you know. That's one of the reasons it -- -- developer. That's fixable potentially by Google. Though he does give Diaz to -- to spend all this they -- feedback. It's a slight edge standard because of the quote absence of Big Brother telling you what to do. Who diluting pretty prowler who who would he be talking about their -- -- his last name is is Hewitt. At. His brother John blends. Down now so on but you know it. -- discuss how he really feels a heat because I don't I don't don't hold back too yeah I just think it's mean I don't know is this relieved. He's just being -- you know I don't need to -- -- B that's. A little you know run media are. Whoa is me developer of -- but. And it's a well -- it's through the FaceBook apps for FaceBook for 800 sucked for a long time and finally. It doesn't so when -- Good news. On the under -- front rise and today has announced that they're gonna push out the flash. By some marketplace for the Android those -- you have about that I am very happy about as we are all disappointed. When we got -- you who eating it flash. Yeah acrylic I I thought they were. Going hand in hand that makes no sense yeah yeah yeah to get in itself to DA were getting it and it's all it's all good there's nothing bad about flash and Mandarin right. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Will we will you know there's been articles on that if kind of showcase some the performance of how flash now that it is Al. And running on and on Android 2.2 devices -- how is a performing. So this is flash ten -- line. Using their beta player app and what it what a basic showcases that in certain -- -- like with certain flash games it actually runs really smooth and really well like you can interact with. A good amount of content. But then when it comes to the video and performance side sometimes it it will bog down the loading of aside this is an example -- they. On the showcase three phones obviously when is the iPhone that does and how of flash at all but they just -- show how these sites in -- with it and how they perform when you factor in the fact that now. -- -- load I think you know it's it's hit or miss but. There is definitely are certain types of users content that will -- you will be rewarding. Because you have -- sure it's only data. But I think at one of the -- is that you know it there's been this battle between two billion Apple going back and board -- classes this watches that. And we come out of the gates with the beta and it it. Has some issues that you know it almost. Puts a little like not in the -- of jobs and see I told. Right -- think there's there's truth to what jobs is saying and there's truth to at a donors are great like. There is a way and we covered a typical -- Disco bats of have to make flash only. Load on and on top of an actual class -- on the page. As soon that will that speeds up page -- -- a bunch. So it's nice to have the option to run classed as I can tell -- it's I didn't just hurt video have dented in a restaurant. Web sites and Mike can beat the menu -- because it's in -- Yeah a second. Yeah and they even they even showed even when flash elements load on here it's not even necessary the flash video will play -- -- actually slows down. The website scrolling to -- just moving around the website itself. Right yeah no I -- and I think it definitely could definitely see that I think. -- you can compromise -- -- it only loads of on demand. But it's it's nice to have the option where -- just it can't do it yet and I'm just that's lame and I don't like buttons. And it -- story. So here he is the story for our -- -- Because we pulls stories specifically yes if anyone else -- stories of recent look at for just send them is Florida tomorrow I -- it worked annoyed Google news alert here. That's an adroit incredible is going to get Android 2.2 tomorrow. When do we asked what do you think about now all I'll like that because my -- on Verizon if I had accused today and pick one -- would -- credible. It's pretty nice note I'm not all of it and it's also decides it's great sizes created its its rarity I think he he put incredible actually in -- a bumper. And you put that side by -- -- iPhone it's hard to know the difference. Accident that I've seen people claim -- -- credible on the bus memory. Oh look at oh wait I I mean I may be a little picky but I just don't like any Android phone that does not have the since July like a long distance you like personally. Yeah it's really nice I'm really hoping that in Vietnam gingerbread the next to standardize that they will take a lot of the keys from the sensor and builders yeah 'cause it's it's nice. Back you know I'd rather have standard position as the developers. And since you arrived for them -- Maurer good developer news. -- developers can make money so there's a story from -- -- me actually. And they talk about the developer of -- task manager and he initially launched -- happened 2009. And it was only be -- for routed users -- was making about 500 dollars a month for. Its first four months there's four months spray and then you was able to open up to non -- users and certainly increases profit -- but 99 dollars a month. -- then he released a free version there was ad supported by ad mob. And so right now we have they -- version and as part of version. And he's making it -- 101006. Because -- 40% of equipment compared happened 6% coming from the apps supported that. And his paid app I believe is only 99 cents great so you know I mean there is. The money to be made on Android. Yeah -- -- I'm Annette that's pretty good it's the united it's a popular app. It's definitely cool to see that and hopefully it'll draw more developers and it a couple of notes about the -- -- marketplace which we've heard mostly before. You know it calls the marketplace. Woefully inadequate. Mean because of Google check out. -- -- does praised the 24 hour return policy I think that's pretty bad ass yeah I love that I bought a bunch of maps and com. Have returned maybe one of them and follow -- just -- -- and and you have of the flexibility just try and that's exactly that's pretty nice and then maybe the app store doesn't get littered with all these like. Trial or light versions of -- totally. And any kind of talks got out of piracy thing is is kind of an issue for him. Hopefully who school's gonna solve that are developers and -- solve that. -- -- -- -- -- Now it in. In May be a bad example of how to try a -- really make a conscious effort. Not to make money off of parts that should sell -- game loft. -- continued to -- boycott the Android market so so what game loft is is if you're not the -- with them. There there's the idea that that makes a lot of mobile games they've been pretty pretty being successful on the I. Phone platform but they also have their games available on the Andrew -- the things that they're not putting them. On the market directly to Dallas so what happened previously is that game -- if you wanted to purchase some of their games you'd use a credit card but you'd have to go to their sites. They would send you a text message with the install with the link to get to the install file and then you could then run the game so there it's completely avoiding the Android market place. It seems like there would open them a lot to -- -- you get the download link these senator to your friend -- for the tolerant your friend attempt yet day you think that thing about this is that had they -- into the game purchases were limited to a single device. -- and what if there were errors. With that happened that did happen with that text message on the it was difficult to -- -- sock -- so it -- so. By needed that it was already kind of a little flawed in that point so then whatever -- they kind of re thought about what they wanna -- -- it. This is their new strategy now. A because they still don't wanna be and a hundred marketplace now how they are out customers can enter in your phone number into game -- site. To receive a free double version of the game that you want. And then if you light you can get billed directly your carrier. And then on you'll be able to get the full version but you're still completely avoiding the -- marketplace. And I just don't. -- -- -- What it is in the terms that game law is so you know. Religiously against the putting their games on there because right at the same time into marketplace needs it gains it definitely does -- mean do you think this is because in terms -- they don't it 30%. -- -- -- even you know they're the that's the confusing thing Apple takes a 30% cut of their. Games on the Apple source so what would really make the drive them to be so. Habitable well they have no choice and -- -- they have no choice -- Apple site but I can't see how they're actually selling more games -- not mean there's the jacket that you know I rarely even look for games that aren't in the marketplace yeah that's where do you look -- use Google for them idea. Basically -- an -- brain at some point. So this is this one way where. You would think a studio that's a little smarter than this is not is not -- I really. I'm really curious of why they're so against that -- They do have one game and -- that maybe they wouldn't have been tasked with I think it's a -- is on the article. I'll I'll asphalt HD. Right yeah. So that mean and it prove that they don't have. It's -- they can't put on the Android market place rate yet not a technical issues as they haven't I mean another thing you could you could. City Noah hypothesize that. They really are although -- games -- able to Andrew marketplace they're really trying to align themselves they really aligned themselves with with Apple's well you know doing demos like. They have a ridiculous -- great games on the Apple side but it just doesn't make sense. Yes -- someone -- the answer please idiots. -- all right well moving on to an app that he is in the marketplace. This is my son's favorite game. And will soon be direct print on their name but that's really game as much as it is a -- it's an Olympic. So this is this app is called talking Tom -- Larry Dolan -- There is you going easements that mean for -- while. Aren't so here -- is and each other -- they showed on the -- that on the -- Yeah. Okay I'm -- flat -- now. So he will essentially listen to what I'm saying -- upside -- will -- Yeah all right there you go. You're you're you're saying in his own little -- voice. And there ago they -- music. You can serve him milk and you conserve if this is the beavers are when you can. If the paid version with other animals and other. Things -- him like birds and four three -- after all that -- hours and hours of entertainment. Clearly. You know it's kind of like. Preschoolers version of auto tune of it help I am T pain and it's also really annoying -- the -- is everything you say. A gentleman down for the top you know it just listen sees the new rules that they're -- but -- -- listened to your name. It's gonna do any tricks he would well -- drink milk Atlantic. We've -- -- okay. I just saying that's good pick it up there today I would not have that -- That's all I'm saying we're not gonna see that -- -- that -- -- not that I personally that that's on things aren't students to know. Well besides talking to comics nowadays security check out please note the -- -- it's free so that's only result they'd take that one out. An app called. Pinpoint. Came out this weekend was covered in a blog posts on the iPhone and and right Alice by Jack Kent German. And -- preached -- it will basically. Lets you maps live. Different places you go. Such as shopping malls and airports. And somehow man I didn't see the details here it can you can pull up a map of San shopping mall. And then guide you to different stores and give you walking directions and -- know how they do this in side I don't know. Stand much of like Wi-Fi access points that they used it didn't know where you are as GPS is really -- but do. It's it's pretty actually I don't know checked out pinpoint it yes exactly and then state farm has released and Mandarin out. That well actually it's called on the move. And it'll respond to wall you're driving to text messages the -- -- -- can have it have the obviously they're pushing safety here and you can have a sort of text back whoever -- you've seen -- drive right now all attacks back later customized message for different users are. Have -- messages for different times of the day. -- all in the name of safety and like a good neighbor. Exactly very -- Is that our sponsors now they're not for a -- should be -- So get a tip for us. Yes so you know people might think oh -- on -- pre I love Android so. We also dig up some tips for you because we've done before on -- check this out this is a cool tip on how to free ups -- on the internal storage per year. Android phone. So lot of people like oh I don't have to worry about that you know what Android 2.2 it has support to store the apps on the SD card room but there's still things that you might wanna prioritize. And so arm -- gonna show you really quickly -- don't even know. Know what you wanna you wanna do this -- tell you what to do. It's really just talk through in the I think. Okay no -- goes are okay and press on -- so what you gotta do is you gotta jump into your settings so. Just an if you could please jump into the settings and -- in a -- of hundreds of death and that everybody could see an attitude that it's produced by your. There you go all right so right now he's in the settings and then I wanted it jump into your applications which is right there on the top. And then from there we're gonna go to manage applications. -- you'll see here is this is a list of all -- -- and a lot of times some of these apps store or cache. Data for example like your browser for using the Internet on you have things like the maps and I'll go back one step -- just until you need to follow my instructions okay. Now if you wanna sort this list by how much space these apps are taking if you press the menu button -- -- There's a little icon on the bottom left that says sort by size. The click on that. So now it'll -- sort your apps and you'll see from top to bottom I think was not paying which is like or -- sorry which is a -- a Twitter. Client is occupies approximately 24 megs of data who there's maps there's markets I I cleaned -- some these so I apologize to -- lot more but. What's this for example click on Internet and a lot times on your browsing the -- large and large I think it was around 25 -- at this time and you know apps on the Android market -- -- not that big. Down a million -- area called cache and if you want to you can clear the cache. Right now it's only like 2.2 megs but it cleans it out and and actually offers you more space to install. Apps on your phone -- on another on another application you can clear the entire data but this will remove kind of like your preset settings. -- and how you kind of -- means customize that -- to work but these are ways that you can free up space on your internal storage on your phone that's pretty awesome I like that so it. I'm just telling you people might -- like -- it's a cowboy -- -- to tell that homeboy. No that's good that is a good one -- Well a few how to tip you can email us that they enter an analyst at cnet.com. Like Marc did he -- and says the Andrea Alice crew I don't -- -- minutes in this that in regards to carrier billing in the -- marketplace. This is actually available he has -- -- out yes and he says that is that with T-Mobile and you can purchase apps through the marketplace and choose carrier billing. And this is actually confirmed by a fact. In the Android market place. That you can do carrier -- believe that most or all phones from. T-Mobile so that's pretty cool owner that maybe as a result of -- Google Nexus One relationship with T-Mobile. So maybe you'll see that from more carriers -- we definitely need to and thanks for -- -- there. While cool. So again the email address if you have any questions comments complaints forests -- -- at cnet.com. Her Twitter -- a hundred -- he can watch your show every week -- Thursday. Off on Thursday 2 -- CNET dot -- specialized maps hinder analysis where the blog where you'll find our show along with all the latest and -- Cnet.com slash -- -- -- Thanks Bob Bryan for coming on and thank you for having me be big shoes and -- it takes to of the builders use. British clippers land use Linux under something important battle all right well thanks -- -- -- --