alaTest Blog » iOS

RIM Plans a Comeback with BlackBerry 10

Paul — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:24:13 +0000

There once was a time when BlackBerry devices dominated the smartphone market, but as the market started branching out from enterprises and professionals to general users, RIM began losing ground to iOS and Android devices – even Windows devices have stolen some of the thunder with WP7. Rather than throwing in the towel, RIM has just announced BlackBerry 10, a new version of its BlackBerry operating system that completely revamps the product line (and hopefully saves the company).

What’s New?

Compared to the BlackBerry 7, the current version, BlackBerry 10 will be very different – so different that it completely skips versions 8 and 9. While change can be a bit scary, RIM is definitely focusing on the right aspects.

New Core – Rather than the Java-driven operating system of its predecessors, BlackBerry 10 will be based on a UNIX system from QNX that has provided a solid infrastructure for many telematic systems in cars. It provides a much more modern and robust operating environment and is a much needed improvement to the BlackBerry platform.

New Look – While not much has been showcased yet, BlackBerry 10 looks unsurprisingly like a cross between its biggest competitors, Android, iOS, and WP7. The homescreen features customizable tabs that act as application shortcuts as well as providing real-time information, similar to WP7’s tiles.

New Functionality – When BlackBerry 7 came out with multitasking, everyone thought it might just be enough to save the day. BlackBerry 10 not only has multitasking, but even goes a step further, integrating applications into the operating system directly so that multitasking is achievable with every application while having no impact on overall system performance.

More on the New UI

RIM plans to give the new user interface of BlackBerry 10 more than just good looks. UI functionality is one of the key features RIM is addressing. BlackBerry 10 will feature system wide gesture controls for things like switching between apps, answering calls, and as additional tools in applications.

One of the more interesting features RIM has added is an active learning system. BlackBerry 10 will automatically adjust itself to better suit its user over time. For instance, it will learn how you prefer to touch the screen and adjust itself to make your selections more accurate.

What about the Apps?

One of BlackBerry’s biggest downsides is its limited app selection. Devices running Android and iOS have app markets with hundreds of thousands of apps available. Rather than trying to play catch-up, slowly building up an app market of its own, RIM has partnered with developers around the world to develop quality apps that integrate perfectly with the operating system. RIM is aiming for quality over quantity here, and as long as it covers all of its bases – that is, it has at least one app for anything a user would want to do – BlackBerry 10 could be a worthy contender in the smartphone sector once again.

RIM’s Target

Without a massive app library, RIM knows it will have a difficult time breaking into the general consumer market, but with the right application suite, the enterprise markets where RIM got its start are still within reach. RIM’s goal is to entice growing and developing enterprises with sleek, capable, and affordable devices. The only problem is that both Android and WP7 are zeroing in on these markets as well, so RIM will have quite the upward battle ahead of them. Only time will tell if BlackBerry 10 is enough to keep RIM afloat.

The Best Halloween Apps for Android and iOS

Paul — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:09:50 +0000

Halloween is upon us, but the parties and the trick-or-treating doesn’t start until the evening. What better way to kill the time than killing some zombies in the process (not to mention keeping track of your young ones as well as staying safe). Here are some of our favorite Halloween apps for Android and iOS.

Angry Birds Seasons

Everyone should be familiar with the ever popular Angry Birds games. Angry Birds Seasons is the same beak smashing, pig squishing game play you find in the original, only themed to popular holiday seasons – in this case, Halloween. This time it includes a new type of bird and some delightfully eerie levels. Android uses even have the option to get it for free (ad-supported, of course).

Plants VS Zombies

This one has been out for a while on the Apple App Store, but only a few months for Android; nonetheless, Plants VS Zombies is an addicting strategy game set in your home, about to be overrun by zombies. Your only defense? Plants. Amass your army of photosynthesizing greenery and dig in for the long haul. This game is a hard one to put down, and the Android and iOS versions are currently on sale for just $0.99.

Pumpkins vs. Monsters

Though it’s clearly a knock-off of PopCap’s Plants VS Zombies, Pumpkins vs. Monsters is just as enjoyable, and arguably even more Halloween themed. The game play is similar, but much less immersive, making it a more casual experience, great for those brief moments of down time when you might have to step away at any time.

Ghost Detectors

What fun is Halloween without any ghosts? Both Android and iOS have plenty of ghost hunting apps available. Searching either the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace will give you a lengthy list of Ghost Detectors, EMF Sensors, and EVP Scanners. Some will even translate EMF and EVP signals into text! Spooky.

Other handy Halloween apps include Flash Light apps, GPS Maps and/or Route Planners, and spooky soundboards. There is also Trick or Tracker which is extremely handy for parents with multiple children who will be out trick-or-treating. Just remember to be safe out there and scare responsibly. Happy Halloween!

Smartphone Showdown: Android vs iOS

Paul — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:00:30 +0000

The Android operating system and iOS (the iPhone’s operating system) are the two titans in today’s Smartphone market. We’ve pitted the two platforms against each other in a battle amongst several categories which are integral to a Smartphone.

Ease of Use

Creating a product that is extremely simple and easy to use is Apple’s forte. The iPhone has a uniform experience throughout all of its versions. The Android platform tends to be different from manufacturer to manufacturer, and the interface is more complex than iOS’s. This point goes to iOS, no contest.

iOS=1 / Android=0

Flexibility

Part of what makes Android a bit more complicated to use than the iPhone is its flexible platform. You can easily alter your Android interface to focus on social networks, multimedia, apps (like the iPhone), or all of the above. Score a point for Android.

iOS=0 / Android=1

Hardware

The iPhone 4 has impressive hardware specs, but with a design refresh only once a year or so, you’re stuck with any design flaws it might have (such as poor antenna placement). The Android platform on the other hand has an entire slew of devices available, many easily matching the iPhone 4’s capability, and even several surpassing it. It’s a closer race in this category, but the point still goes to Android.

iOS=0 / Android=1

Network

One of the biggest drawbacks of the iPhone is the network it’s on. AT&T has become a victim of the iPhone’s success, and its network has become a mess of bottlenecked traffic. Android offers devices on all of the major cell carriers, so not only can you avoid AT&T, you can also choose the carrier best suited for your area. Rack up another for Android.

iOS=0 / Android=1

Multimedia Playback

The iPhone has always been an excellent multimedia device. In terms of fluidity and ease of use, it easily beats most Android devices, but Android has an advantage in that it does not require the use of iTunes. With Android, you can simply copy your songs and videos to your devices and play them directly, or you can purchase them through the AmazonMP3 app from your phone. We’re calling this one a tie.

Apps and Development

The iPhone certainly has more applications available than Android, but Android is also catching up very quickly. The iPhone’s App Store is also easier to navigate than Android’s Marketplace, but where Android really shines is application development. Android offers a completely open environment for developers, as well as true multitasking capability (unlike the iPhone 4’s limiting API’s for some multitasking). This gives Android far more potential than iOS, but since iOS is currently ahead in the game, we’re calling this one a tie as well.

Fragmentation

Fragmentation is a development term having to do with accounting for all of the different types of devices available. In short, it’s a bad, bad thing. Because the iPhone is really only available in a few flavors (the original, 2G, 3G, 3Gs, and 4), there are really only five devices to account for when developing an application (even fewer when you consider the original and 2G versions are essentially obsolete). Android on the other hand has hundreds of devices coming out, some with powerful hardware, others created as entry level devices. This makes development much more difficult, making iOS the clear winner in this category.

iOS=1 / Android=0

Conclusions

Tallying up the points, Android comes out as the winner with three wins compared to the iPhone’s two. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the Android platform is right for you. You should consider which categories each platform excelled in and attribute additional weight to those categories you feel are more important to you. Both offer very capable Smartphones, making neither a bad choice.

Results: iOS=2 / Android=3

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