Killer apps for Android?

[DaFace]

Since there's an iPhone version, I figured I'd start a Droid version. After being handcuffed by Sprint's SERO plan for the past two years, I finally ordered my LG Optimus S last night. It'll be here in about 24 hours. So, what toys should I play with when it arrives?

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

They've moved away from that a bit with the S III, which I think is an awful phone. And their tablets are shit. I don't have much sympathy for Samsung.

But I don't think it matters to Android in the long run. Companies should innovate, not copy. It's probably a good ruling, in the long run.

I'm not a huge Samsung fan but I think they are getting jobbed on this. They deserve to lose some but not like they did.

And you are right, won't change things for consumers. Hell iPhone is less then 17% of the world market now. That's unlikely to change. I think that is their natural equilibrium point.

[WoodDraw]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

I'm not a huge Samsung fan but I think they are getting jobbed on this. They deserve to lose some but not like they did.

And you are right, won't change things for consumers. Hell iPhone is less then 17% of the world market now. That's unlikely to change. I think that is their natural equilibrium point.

I like Apple - I haven't used anything but an Apple laptop for years. Their innovation with cellphones has been huge, and to deny them all rights to that would be a big blow for innovation.

I do have a problem with a lot of their patents, but I can understand their frustration. They design an amazing device, unlike anything before, and Samsung comes in and copies it and gains a huge market share. How do you respond?

Android has moved away a lot from those days, when it really did feel like an Apple clone. But Samsung has skinned the shit out of everything to make it look as close to an Apple competitor as possible. Just look at Siri - Google releases something new and different to compete; Samsung copies Apple. They are not a good company.

I have an HTC phone now. It's beautiful, well designed, and works great. And it looks nothing like an iPhone.

The patent system is ****ed up. I would have been pissed if Oracle won over Google. But I'm strangely okay with this decision. We'll see what the Federal Circuit says though.

[DaFace]

Basically, the entire patent system needs to be blown up. All these lawsuits are ridiculous.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

I like Apple - I haven't used anything but an Apple laptop for years. Their innovation with cellphones has been huge, and to deny them all rights to that would be a big blow for innovation.

I do have a problem with a lot of their patents, but I can understand their frustration. They design an amazing device, unlike anything before, and Samsung comes in and copies it and gains a huge market share. How do you respond?

Android has moved away a lot from those days, when it really did feel like an Apple clone. But Samsung has skinned the shit out of everything to make it look as close to an Apple competitor as possible. Just look at Siri - Google releases something new and different to compete; Samsung copies Apple. They are not a good company.

I have an HTC phone now. It's beautiful, well designed, and works great. And it looks nothing like an iPhone.

The patent system is ****ed up. I would have been pissed if Oracle won over Google. But I'm strangely okay with this decision. We'll see what the Federal Circuit says though.

The problem is this.. it WASN'T unlike anything.. it was just the first to bring it all to market AND promote it well. Yes Samsung ripped them off some and should be punished some. BUT Apple is straight up lying about a majority of their claims. They simply didn't invent multi-touch or MOST of the innovations they claim Samsung ripped off. Hell MS had all of these things in the labs and patented years before. The "look and feel" part of the lawsuit is where they have the most valid argument. And I agree with the ruling in that narrow regard.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Basically, the entire patent system needs to be blown up. All these lawsuits are ridiculous.

Agreed. If you look, there are tons of patents on the books that are clearly rip offs of a prior patent but if you are big enough you can get a patent on damn near anything. Apple is one of the worst offenders at basically just running roughshod over existing patents and claiming they invented it. Not to single Apple out though, EVERY ONE of the big players does it all the time.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Basically, the entire patent system needs to be blown up. All these lawsuits are ridiculous.

Agreed. It's going to hamper new innovation. If it hasn't done so already.

Shit is way out of hand..

[WoodDraw]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

The problem is this.. it WASN'T unlike anything.. it was just the first to bring it all to market AND promote it well. Yes Samsung ripped them off some and should be punished some. BUT Apple is straight up lying about a majority of their claims. They simply didn't invent multi-touch or MOST of the innovations they claim Samsung ripped off. Hell MS had all of these things in the labs and patented years before. The "look and feel" part of the lawsuit is where they have the most valid argument. And I agree with the ruling in that narrow regard.

I agree that "look and feel" is the strongest argument. Software patents are a bit of a joke, and large damages off them is crazy. Innovation is good, but copying not so much. And that's what Samsung did. Just look at this picture.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/24/32...-what-it-means

We'll see where this goes. They'll be a big hearing coming up on JMOL motions, injunctions, and treble damages. And of course then to the federal circuit.

[WoodDraw]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Agreed. It's going to hamper new innovation. If it hasn't done so already.

Shit is way out of hand..

The problem is that you'll have a handful of companies that can afford the cost of "innovating", and everyone else will get squeezed out. You can't design successful software anymore without attracting the interest of patent trolls. It's a serious issue.

Android (and Google) aren't in big trouble, though. All of that nonsense comes from one blogger being paid by companies to write what he does.

[Luke Warm]

100 Rooms is awesome...addicted.

[WoodDraw]

Google is discounting apps and games again. 25 a day for .25 $ each.

They are also discounting books and music, if that's more your thing.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/c...ate_25_billion


[edit]I guess it's not 25 a day, but instead about a dozen different ones.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

The problem is that you'll have a handful of companies that can afford the cost of "innovating", and everyone else will get squeezed out. You can't design successful software anymore without attracting the interest of patent trolls. It's a serious issue.

Android (and Google) aren't in big trouble, though. All of that nonsense comes from one blogger being paid by companies to write what he does.

Yep. Money = lawyers. Lawyers = policing patent infringement. Policing patent infringement = "innovation"

[ZepSinger]

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

Google is discounting apps and games again. 25 a day for .25 $ each.

They are also discounting books and music, if that's more your thing.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/c...ate_25_billion

Awesome. Just downloaded OfficeSuite Pro6 to my Galaxy Nexus for a quarter. Thanks for posting this.

[morphius]

Asus Transformer Prime (TF201) officially released Jelly Bean update today. I believe 701 is tomorrow.

Just in case anyone else has one.

[SLAG]

I installed this app - Current Caller ID -

It was neat to identify some of the numbers not in my address book

and then it gives you stats on texts / calls etc

Check it out


https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...5jYWxsZXJpZCJd

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by morphius

Asus Transformer Prime (TF201) officially released Jelly Bean update today. I believe 701 is tomorrow.

Just in case anyone else has one.

Neat - thanks for the heads up!