Showing posts with label 5 Best Online Multiplayer Android Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 Best Online Multiplayer Android Games. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

new android system


Android Phones
The new Android phones are phones that operate on the Linux Kernal mobile operating System. It was developed by Android Inc, and later purchased by Google. This system enables developers to write managed codes in the java language and control the device with Google developed Java libraries.



The Android Phones are the phones of the future because they combine the ultimate advances in mobile phones, video, cameras, PC's and Navigation systems with multiple applications. The Phase development of the Android Phones started with the first model that had bugs and poor documentation, this was first introduced with the Sake Game-Android Development Phone. Next came the Android SDK it had a debugger, libraries, documentation, and tutorials. The final droid was the Android OS-Donut which added supports like voice search, priced applications and Gmail freeze fixes.



The Android OS system is important in this new system because it allows third party developers to create their own screen widgets. This allows for more applications and more opportunities for the manufacturer. The new Android Phones are being made by Google, Motorola, and HTC, LG, Dell and others breaking into the Smartphone market. The technology that it promises is ground breaking. The Android system acts like a robot, the user tells it what to do and it does it with supposed lightening speed.
The new Android Phones are basically bringing the desktop to the mobile phones. It allows for emailing, instant messaging, and web browsing all at the same time. It can run applications in the background while the user goes to a social network site. It also allows the user to listen to music and write an email at the same time, while talking on the phone. The possibilities are endless; the Android system allows several applications to run at the same time, just as a computer with windows does.
There are thousand of applications available for the Android phones and more are becoming available everyday. With the apps and the ability to multitask without having to shut down one act to do another is the new age of the mobile phones thanks to Goggles Android system. The new Android 2.0 is the latest in the line of Android systems to hit the market. The capabilities and promises are coming true very quickly as 2.0.1 stands ready for release.
Many people enjoy using the Android Phones already and sales have been phenomenal. Everyone wants a system that acts like a PC but is really a phone with all of the capabilities. The technology has just begun and there is more to come.
The author of this article has built and maintained multiple websites that support Cell Phones and Smartphones. The goals are help users get the most out of the newest technology and understand it. As the Android Operating System has been developed and installed by many carriers more user are looking for tips and tricks to optimize there Smartphones.
Seeing the author as been following Android since the day Google announced working the open source platform it is very fitting that he has built Droid Cell Phone. A Knowledge base and blog that's sole purpose is to help Android users.
He is a true authority with 7 years plus of involvement with telephone technology.


                                                





Sunday, March 11, 2012

new android widgets




The Android home screen is like your desk: It's where you use and organize your applications in a way that's most effective for you.
Because you go to the home screen after pressing the convenient Home button, you should dedicate it to shortcuts for your most frequently used applications. Out of the box, Google puts several of the most commonly used applications (Maps, Gallery, YouTube, Market, Phone, Gmail, Browser, and Voice) on the home, along with two widgets: the sleek Google search box across the top and the new News & Weather widget at the bottom.



Customize Your Android Home Screen With Widgets and Themes
The best feature of the home display is that it's completely customizable.
Long-press a shortcut, widget, or whatever, and a slight vibration (known as haptic feedback) tells you that you that you can move that item. Longpress an empty space on the home, and you'll be prompted to add a shortcut, widget, folder, or wallpaper to that screen.
In addition to apps, the Nexus One's home screen can display widgets, which are little apps that display dynamic information on the home. Power Control is another useful widget which allows you to toggle various Nexus One settings; many other widgets display everything from clocks to the weather to your Twitter timeline.
Another great feature of Android's home display is that there are five of them, so when your primary home screen fills up (as it inevitably will), you can easily add apps and widgets to any of the Nexus One's four additional home screens. Just swipe your finger left or right to navigate to the additional screens.



When you fill all five home display, you're maxed out. Android 2.1 currently has only five home screens that you can customize with shortcuts, but the only limit to the number of apps that you can store on your phone is the amount of memory in it.
If you forget which home screen a particular app is in, you can invoke a cool thumbnail view by touching the left/right dots at the bottom of the screen. When you do, you see five miniature home display, complete with miniature app icons and widgets.
When you spot your app, touch its thumbnail to be whisked directly to that particular home screen. Good stuff.
Managing apps and widgets
When you want to remove an app or widget from the home (and this will happen), simply long-press its icon. You'll notice that the gray Launcher icon turns into a trash can. Simply drag the item's icon to the trash can to remove it from your home. The icon and the trash can glow red when they touch, confirming the deletion.
This procedure doesn't delete the application itself from your phone-just the shortcut or alias to the app. To permanently remove (or uninstall, in Android parlance) an application that you've downloaded, simply follow these steps:
1. Launch Android Market.
2. Press the Menu button.
3. Touch Downloads.
4. Scroll to the app that you want to uninstall.
5. Press the Uninstall button.
You can also manage certain applications by touching Settings >Applications > Manage Applications and then touching the app's name to open the Application Info screen. In this screen, you can press the Manage Space button to manage the amount of space that the application is using or press the Uninstall button to uninstall an app update that's causing problems..
Using the Launcher
The home display is where you store frequently used apps, shortcuts, and widgets. Touching the gridlike icon in the bottom center of the home screen opens the Launcher, which displays a scrolling list of all the apps installed on your Nexus One.
Applications are sorted alphabetically. You can scroll through them vertically by flicking upward or downward anywhere inside the Launcher screen. You can launch an app from this screen either by touching its icon or by pressing the trackball when the app's icon is highlighted.
Visit http://www.tehkseven.net for Free Themes, Wallpapers and Ringtones.





                      
 
                                           

                           

Friday, February 17, 2012

i phone mobile phone

A reverse cell phone lookup is simply a process of finding someone's name, address and other related information by their cell phone number. There are a lot of websites on the Internet offering reverse cell phone searches. Some of them claim to be free, others require a small fee before you can access background information about a particular mobile or unlisted number. There are also directories that combine land line, cellphone and unlisted number listings - providing an all-in-one people search service.




Clearly, everyone would like to access this info for free and for this reason there are many websites that try to capitalize on this notion by running various scams. You should be very careful not to click on any of such websites unless you are 100% confident about their legitimacy. You may pick up a computer virus before you even know it.
To do a reverse mobile phone lookup you need to use a trusted directory service. While there is no national cell phone directory available in the USA due to various privacy concerns, there are specialized directories used by private detectives, journalists and anyone from suspicious spouses to bounty hunters to help in their business. These companies invest a lot of time and financial resources in compiling mobile phone numbers into huge data sets by using both private and public sources, as well as major cell phone carrier restricted databases.
The entire process of finding someone by cellphone number is very straightforward - all you have to do is enter the phone number you are trying to track down and hit the "Search" button. If the number is included in the directory, you will be able to view basic identifying information such as the phone owner's name, age, mobile provider, billing address, previous addresses and more.
Some cellphone directories like the one referenced below can be used to search both mobile and listed / unlisted residential numbers. You can also request a detailed background check that may include criminal and divorce records, if any, and more.
Visit www.CellPhoneLookup.com for more information and an instant reverse phone lookup.

 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

i phone review

Temple Run And GlassPong - Two Great Free Games For The iPhone 4S
Recently Temple Run has become the top grossing game for the iPhone 4S. The title is a free game although users have the option to purchase additional coins which can be exchanged for power ups and character boosts. The principle of Temple Run is quite simple, guide your explorer character through a series of paths and collect coins along the way while trying to travel as far as you possibly can. There are obviously obstacles in your way which you will need to swerve, jump and slide under to avoid.
Keep in Touch With the HTC Explorer Using the People Widget
Keep in touch with the HTC Explorer using the People widget that comes as part of the Sense user experience implemented through the power of the Android operating system respectively. The lightweight and compact handset which features a full touch display measuring 3.2 inches offers many features such as this widget for social networking and communicating with friends.
New Updates Help Cure Reported Issues On The Samsung Galaxy Nexus
One area where the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has encountered some problems is when sending an MMS message. Many users have experienced problems when they attach a photograph to a message and this content is never sent to the intended recipient. Many users have got around the problem by downloading a separate application to perform this task but sending the data with the built in application is a much faster and more simple affair. This new update cured this issue and from reports that we have heard nobody has encountered any further problems in this area.
Key Features Of The HTC Radar
If you compare the HTC Radar to its cousin the HTC Titan, this handset is smaller and easy on the pocket. It is such a looker and with a solidly built body.
What You Should Know About The HTC Titan
If you want a smartphone that will put you in awe, then the HTC Titan is for you. This is unlike anything that you have ever held before.
Motorola Atrix 2 4G MB865 Unlocked GSM Quad Band Android
The Motorola Atrix 4G MB865 Smartphone is perhaps one of the most advanced and surprising smartphones available of Motorola. It is and stands to reason that Motorola would offer advanced cell and smartphone devices. However, one would be surprised to find that the same device will act as a WiFi "hotspot" for up to five other devices.
New Waterproof Coating And Interface Changes Expected On The iPhone 5
When the iPhone 4S was launched in 2011 it boasted a brand new version of the famous iOS operating system. It is widely predicted that the new iPhone 5 will be accompanied by another new version that will offer many improvements to the consumer. It is expected that iOS6 will incorporate a new data control interface named Persistent Overlay.
HTC Radar - Premium Designed Android Mango Smartphone
If you want a smartphone that boasts premium design and one that runs on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, then the HTC Radar is for you. Yes, this is one of HTC's premium handsets that run on the latest Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS.
Android Devices Like The Samsung Galaxy S2 Attract First Time Smartphone Consumers
A new report reveals that first time smartphone buyers are favouring the Android platform over other formats such as iOS and Windows. According to market research firm NPD Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 dominated the market among first time buyers in Q4 of 2011 with a massive 53% share. Apple followed in second place with 34% which left the remaining 9% to be shared between alternative platforms.
UK iPhone 4S Users To Enjoy Faster Data Transfer Speeds During 2012
At present iPhone 4S users in the UK can enjoy mobile data transfer speeds of 21Mbps which enables users to experience a satisfactory web browsing experience when they are on the move. This transfer speed is ample for uploading media to social networking sites and also for general web browsing. This speed however can be improved and the new HSPA+ service will double the current data transfer speed to 42Mbps to give users an even faster online experience.
What You Can Expect On The HTC Explorer
So you are ready to make that transition. You want to start using an Android smartphone that is easy to operate and something that will fit your budget. You have heard a lot about HTC's Android smartphone the HTC Explorer.
The Interface Of The HTC Explorer
If you are looking for an easy to operate Android smartphone, then the HTC Explorer is for you. The handset is small and it ships with a 3.2" screen.
A Look Around The iPhone 4S
The release of Apple's refreshed iPhone disappointed a lot of Apple's fan base. It's not because it is not that good, but people were expecting Apple to release the iPhone 5.
The HTC Sensation 4G: Reasonable Price, Uncommon Performance
Android devices capable of 4G network speeds have been out for awhile now and just about every new phone released is 4G-compatible. Just because stable 4G cellular networks are relatively new doesn't mean you need the latest hardware to get the most out of the experience. HTC's Sensation 4G for T-Mobile proves that it makes more sense to do things right the first time rather than stumble your way to success.
Nokia N8 Unlocked GSM Touchscreen Phone GPS 12 MP
The Nokia N8 GSM Smartphone offers quite it a bit in a very neat package at 7.7 inches by 7.3 inches by 1.4 inches thick, yet weighing only 4.76 ounces. Into this modestly sized package Nokia has not only managed to squeeze a smartphone, but also a high-resolution 12MP camera with 3X zoom, as well as a front-facing VGA-compatible (640 x 480 resolution) lens for videoconferencing.

A Look At Some Great Fitness Applications For The Samsung Galaxy S2
If you are looking to use your Samsung Galaxy S2 as part of a more structured fitness regime there are some excellent applications available for users of all fitness levels. The excellent C25K application aims to take a beginner and have them comfortably running 5km within nine weeks. The software schedules a number of runs over the nine week period that increase in intensity each week.
Smart Tags And NFC Impress On The Sony Xperia S
Obviously all of the tasks that Smart Tags perform on the Sony Xperia S can be done manually by the user but there is no doubt that they do make using the phone a much easier and less time consuming affair. It is widely expected that we see a release date in the second quarter of 2012 for these useful new innovations. In terms of retail price we should expect a price of around £25 for a set of four tokens.
A Look At The Aviary Photo Editing Application For The Motorola Razr
A number of picture effects can be added to your photographs taken on the Motorola Razr to make them look even more eye catching. These effects are basically a variety of filters that are applied to your shot to give them a very vintage or retro appearance. Several of these are available on the application but there are also some additional options available to purchase if you desire.
Does the iPhone 4S Need to Compete in the Specs Race?
These days, device manufacturers are launching handsets that sport specifications we thought never possible. It all started with the LG Optimus 2X. It was the first to come packed with a 1 GHz dual-core processor.
What You Should Expect From the Blackberry Bold 9900
The Blackberry Bold 9900 is one of the latest handsets to come out of the Canadian phone manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM). Is it worth your money? What should you expect from this handset?
Siri And FaceTime On The iPhone 4S
The refreshed iPhone, the iPhone 4S is one of the top-selling smartphones in the market since its release last year. A lot of people are talking about the amazing new features that this phone is shipped with.
HTC Sensation XL And Ice Cream Sandwich
Back in November 2011, HTC introduced the second Sensation with Beats; this is the HTC Sensation XL. This very same model made both music lovers and geeks fall in love with a pocket-friendly Android music phone.
HTC Sensation XL - Will It Get The Android 4.0?
The HTC Sensation XL originally came with Android 2.3 or better known as the Gingerbread. It came packed with 1.5 GHz processor, HTC Sense UI 3.5, Beats Audio and Headset, 4.7" S-LCD capacitive touch screen, and more. Now the big question is will it get the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)?
HTC Sensation XE - Android Music Phone
If you are looking for a music handset and you cannot afford buying a fancy iPhone handset, then the HTC Sensation XE is for you. Yes, this is your next best bet in owning a spectacular music handset without paying more. With this phone, you will get a fast processor and the famous Beats by Dr. Dre.
HTC Sensation XE - Here To Impress
We all look forward to having something that will blow our minds. It doesn't matter whether we are looking for a brand new car, jewelry, or an electronic gadget.
A Look Around The HTC Rhyme
We all can't afford buying high-end smartphones in the likes of iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2. We all want them, but in reality we can only get what our budgets would allow us.
How To Use Skype On Your HTC Sensation
The HTC Sensation is well known for its versatility. In this article I will look at how you can use it to make free video calls using the popular Skype app which is available for download in the Android Market.
How To Make The Most Of The Samsung Galaxy Note And Its Multimedia Credentials
As the most powerful device in the manufacturer's current line-up, the Samsung Galaxy Note has the specifications to appeal to many types of user. In this article I will look at the benefits it can bring to multimedia enthusiasts by focussing on some of its key features.
How To Use The Facebook App On Your HTC Sensation
If you own a smartphone, the chances are that you also have an account with Facebook, the most popular social networking site in the world, and also the most visited, even beating goliaths like Google. The Android operating system is increasing in popularity, and to capitalise on this, there is an Android optimised Facebook app available from the Android Market, which can be downloaded to phones like the HTC Sensation. In this article I will look at how to use the main features of this app.
Olympics Promotion For All Galaxy Device Purchases Including The New Samsung Galaxy Nexus
There are several models that customers can choose from to be in with a chance of winning the tickets. If you are looking for good specification but at a wallet friendly price then the Samsung Galaxy R is a great option. This phone incorporates a 4.2 inch LCD display and offers some excellent multi media features including the ability to capture high definition video footage at a resolution of 720P.


                

Monday, February 6, 2012

i phone touch

Touch screens are being installed on so many devices these days. From touch screen computers to touch screen mobile devices. Today I'll be writing about a touch screen device from Sprint. They are the only company that will be able to provide you with the HTC EVO phone. This company was amongst the pioneer providers of wireless service and one of the first to become a 4g network. Probably this is the reason why HTC EVO is so famous.



If you will want to find some really cool applications for the 4g EVO mobile phone then you should look into the AppBrain Market application. This application is specifically created for such cellular phones and it will help you find all sorts of cool applications as long as your phone uses the Android operating system.
If you will want to find the greatest application for the EVO mobile phone you will have to do a little digging. But if you will use the AppBrain App Market you will make this effort a lot more manageable. If you will want to use this application then you will only have to one simple thing and that is to log onto your Google account. This application finder uses Google because everyone has a Google account and if you don't then you shouldn't worry because it is very fast and easy to create one.
When you will log onto your Google account you will be asked to create an AppBrain nickname and then to download and install this application onto your cell phone. You will then need to visit appbrain.com and see the whole collection of applications they have there and if you like one just install it. You can select more applications with the "Sync with AppBrain" action and then a bigger number of applications will be shown on your cell phone and you can install them one by one. AppBrain is a great application for the EVO just because it can be handled with such ease. You won't find any other such application for a cell phone ever.
Patty Hahne
To learn more about touch screen electronic devices, you may want to visit http://www.touchscreenlaptopinfo.com/ and the easiest way to do that is to simply click here.







                 

Thursday, January 26, 2012

i phone android


When the iPhone was first released, it was a game changer in the mobile device space. Now that Android based devices have hit the market, some people are starting to rethink their iPhones. There are a number of compelling reasons to give up your iPhone for Android.
Notification System. One reason to switch from iPhone to Android is the Android's robust and unified notification system. Unlike the iPhone, Android has a single notification system that developers can tap into when developing applications. This means that the Android can provide notifications of various things like weather alerts, Facebook notifications, new tweets, and much more. The Android truly excels at keeping up with the flow of information all around you.
Easy Connectivity Settings. The Android devices also have an easy way to access the various connectivity settings. On the iPhone you have to dig into the settings menus to turn Wi-Fi ON or OFF or to change a phone network, GPS or Bluetooth configuration. Android makes it much simpler to control your connectivity. The power management widget allows you to easily toggle GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth ON and OFF right from your home screen. And turning off the phone network is as simple as holding the "end" key and selecting "airplane mode".



Web Browser. One of the most compelling reasons to choose Android is the web browsing experience. The Android browser is incredibly fast and very capable. Unlike Safari for the iPhone, it also supports Flash, allowing you to watch videos or play games directly on web pages.
Integration with Google. Obviously, an Android device will be tightly integrated with Google applications. It really goes further than that though. Android syncs its contacts with Gmail. This allows you to easily manage your contacts on either your phone or the desktop. In fact, a number of applications save their information to the Google cloud. And you are not required to use iTunes to sync your phone. This makes dumping the iPhone for Android especially attractive to those using Linux, and unable to run iTunes.
Multiple Carriers. Being locked into a single carrier is the biggest reason that you might want to consider Android over iPhone. Android devices are available on a number of carrier networks so you truly have choice over who you want to use for your mobile service. With the iPhone, you are locked into AT&T for service.
Open-Source. Finally, Android is an open-source system. While that is less of a factor to some people, it is very important to others. Open-source means developers and hardware makers have much more control over how they can customize the Android devices. It also means that no one company has complete control over Android. Many users are frustrated by the iPhone's lack of support for Flash. On Android, even if it did not already support Flash, developers would be able to add support since it is an open-source system.
There are a number of compelling reasons to consider switching from iPhone to Android. Android provides a single notification system, easy access to connectivity settings, a fantastic web browsing experience, and tight integration with Google applications. You also get to choose your carrier. Finally, as an open-source system, Android allows developers to customize it in ways unimaginable with the iPhone. Choosing between iPhone and Android can be tough, but Android does offer a host of "addictive" features that enrich your mobile experience.
LearnComputer! provides instructor-led computer training solutions for individuals, small businesses, and corporations. Choose from beginner to advanced courses in Java, Android, Networking, Databases, SQL, Linux, MySQL and PHP.




Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Rewards Sites - Your Way to a New Droid X Phone For Free

Ever wonder how those rewards sites really work? Do you want to know if it is really possible to get freebies from these offers? Read on to know the answers.
Rewards sites are a great place for you to get freebie stuff without paying like for example a Droid X Phone for free. These sites work by giving items away as reward for a simple favor from participants. This favor includes signing up for some advertiser offers and referring friends to the site.



Before participants get their reward, they must agree to sample some sponsors' products or services, no payments are needed. Many people agree to do this because most sponsor offers are from established and trusted businesses.
The referral program is also very achievable and it is only a way for this rewards sites to gain more potential customers for their sponsors. If you know how to play this freebie game correctly, you'd be the proud owner of a brand new Droid X Phone for free.
If you are interested in taking your chance and get a cool new Android phone from Motorola, here's what you need to do:
• Register with a genuine freebie site using an existing e-mail address, your correct name and shipping address.
• Complete a survey and some sponsor offers. Choose the ones from businesses you are familiar with. You'd be surprised there are a lot of them, so opt for those that you think would benefit you most like discount coupons, pet food offers or beauty products.
• Refer some friends. The number of people you are asked to refer depends on the type of reward you want. This also depends on individual rewards sites policies.
When you complete all requirements, there's nothing left to do but wait for your Droid X Phone for free to arrive.
CLICK HERE To Grab Your FREE Motorola DROID X Today! Test A Brand New Motorola DROID X & Keep It 100% Free By Going To: www.NewCellPhonesForFree.com
Don't Miss Out!


The Samsung Galaxy Nexus Showcases The New Version Of Android

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the new flagship smartphone from the expansive Galaxy range by the prolific Korean manufacturer. In this article I will take a look at some of its main features so you can get an idea of the user experience you can expect from this high end device.
Screen
Arguably the most impressive feature of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is its high resolution touchscreen. And by high resolution, that's exactly what I mean. Standing at a whopping 720x 1280, it blows the previous record holder, the Apple iPhone 4S, out of the water. The iPhone 4S has long held the title as the highest resolution touchscreen available on a mobile phone. It is called the retina display because the human eye cannot distinguish between individual pixels, but the Galaxy Nexus boasts an even higher resolution. This makes it the perfect multimedia device, because whether you are using the phone to view photos and videos, play games or browse the internet, the contents of the screen are displayed in ultra high quality. Because the screen utilises super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen technology, colour saturation is great (up to 16 million colours can be displayed), further enhancing the multimedia experience.



Camera
When choosing a new smartphone, most users invariably look at the quality of the camera as one of the major deciding factors. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus does not disappoint on this front, boasting a 5 megapixel unit which operates at a pixel resolution of 2592x 1936. Although there are many phones with a higher pixel count, the quality of this camera is still very impressive. As an added bonus, the camera can also be used to capture video footage in settings of up to 720p high definition. The camera also comes with the full package of features that you would expect from any high end smartphone. These include touch focus, face detection, autofocus and LED flash. These features make it easy to capture pleasing results every time.
Internet Browsing
One of the major advantages of smartphone use is the fact that you can browse the internet pretty much anywhere. Wi-Fi and 3G connections provide the means to connect to the internet while the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS provides the default web browsing app. In areas with 3G coverage, speeds of up to 21 Mbps can be achieved, which is among the highest available on a smartphone.
Of course, this article only provides an overview of a couple of its main features, but if you look at the spec list, you will find that most aspects of this phone offer similar levels of quality. There is a powerful dual-core processor, plenty of internal storage (16 and 32 GB versions available), and, as mentioned, the new version of the popular Android platform, of which this is the handset assigned o showcase the new software.
If you are interested in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, you will be pleased to know that several UK networks are currently offering the handset for free on selected tariffs.


Saturday, January 14, 2012

droid x

Droid X for "Excellent"
Motorola hits another homerun with the Droid X. I'm not certain what the "X" stands for, but I'm going to say that it must stand for "Excellent" because it is. Let me tell you why I have come to that conclusion.
Basic Specs
The first thing that will grab you is the humungous 4.3 inch touch screen, and its brilliant WVGA edge to edge display that supports up to 16 colors. Remember the old three and four color screens we used to get so excited about?



Its sleek, shiny black case measures 5.02" x 2.57" x.39". It has a slight hump on the back presumably to accommodate the camera and flash-more about that later. It weighs in at 5.47 ounces. So, it's not going to make your pants fall down if you put it in your pocket.
The Droid X runs on the Android 2.1 with the Motorola platform. Version 2.2 (Google Froyo) should be available soon. It features a 1.0 Ghz processor with plenty of hunk and 8 GB of internal memory. With a micro SD slot, you can get up to 32 more Gigs of memory. It comes with a 16 GB card installed.



A 540 mAHLi-ion battery is rated to provide up to 480 minutes usage time and 220 hours standby time. But, in practice, I found that the battery can become exhausted rather rapidly, especially if you are multitasking with additional services such as GPS, Wi-FI or Bluetooth. Keep your charger handy or a spare battery.
Let's take a walk around the unit checking for buttons, inputs and outputs. On the top, we have a 3.5 mm jack for earphones, a microphone (one of three), and a power button. On the right side are two volume control buttons and a button to invoke the camera. There is nothing on the bottom unless you count the bottom of the screen in the front where there is another microphone plus Menu, Home Screen, Return, and Search physical hardware buttons. On the left side, toward the bottom is a micro USB port for a charging/sync cable. Below that is a HDMI cable port for audio/video output so that you can transfer content from the Droid for viewing on your TV. Nice. You can also output to a projector. On the back is an 8 MPX camera lens and a dual LED flash. On the bottom of the back is yet another microphone.
Camera and Video
The camera is to covet with its 8.0 MPX lens 1/1000 second mechanical shutter, auto focus, touch to focus, face recognition and panoramic modes features. The Droid X will share photos, video, and music with other DLNA compatible devices. (However, I didn't have much luck with this feature.) The 720 p ND video allows slow motion capture, fast action, and quick uploads to YouTube. It features directional audio capture with is three microphones that enhance sound while tuning out background noise. With HDMI output, you can play your recorded videos on your HD TV. Unfortunately, a cable is not included. But there is still no way to take screen shots, which is a pity.



Entertainment: Music-Movies-TV-Radio-Games
If you enjoy listening to music on your phone, the Droid should please you with its standard 3.5 mm jack for headphones, Bluetooth, Android Music Player, ability to create playlists, access to the Amazon Music Store of MP3 downloads, and FM Radio. There is also a Verizon VCast store available for the purchase of music.
I found the sound quality to be acceptable with earplugs, external stereo speakers, and with Bluetooth headphones.
If you're looking for video entertainment, the Droid X can deliver. It comes with an Interface app for Blockbuster video that allows you to stream videos. Of course, you must rent them. Unfortunately, there is no app for, nor could I even access Hulu on the browser to watch TV and movies. Fortunately, there is an app for Orb, which allows you to tune into your desktop computer remotely to access files, watch videos, and live or recorded TV. Also, I am happy to report that SlingBox now has an app for the Droid. It costs $29.95, and you must have a Slingbox installed on your TV, but it's well worth the investment. Welcome aboard Sling Media. There are some other apps for viewing more limited TV channels as well that are worth exploring. I only wish there were an application for Netflix streaming videos. Maybe I'll have to create one myself.
Droid X comes with an FM tuner that requires you to plug in ear buds that act as an antenna. There are many nice radio and music apps available as well. My favorite is Pandora, which is free. If you suggest a tune or a composer, it will create a playlist of similar items in the same genre and stream them to you. Nice.
If you are a gamer, there is a plethora of games in the Market for you to download. Many are free. The large screen, fast processor, memory and great graphics combine for a pleasant gaming experience. I haven't tried it yet because I don't have an HDMI cable, but I suspect it may also be possible to play games from the X on your HDTV or on a projection screen.



3G Mobile Hotspot
Another attractive feature of the X is that it can perform as a Wi-Fi router connecting up to five other devices using Verizon's 3G network. Unfortunately, this service costs an additional $20 per month, and there is a 2 GB cap on usage.
Using the built-in Wi-Fi feature will generally give you a much faster connection to the Internet and save possible billable connection time via 3G.
Apps and Software
As Android is a Google platform, it offers many Google mobile apps such as Maps, Voice, Latitude, Calendar, Push Gmail, Talk, and integrated Google, Exchange, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter contacts. Let me caution you though. Adding all your social networking contacts to your regular contacts can be overwhelming and bog down the system. It offers advanced Speech Recognition, IMAP, POP, Hotmail, and AOL email support. Other Google and Verizon apps may be installed from the Android Market along with around 50,000 other paid and free apps.
I am pleased to report that my Google contacts and calendar ported over seamlessly to the X and synced with my desktop Outlook information. You can access your Google tasks and Docs. Strangely, while you can edit Excel docs, you cannot create or edit any other Microsoft Office documents, which is not exactly a plus in my book. However, there is a workaround with a third party application from DataViz.
My Verizon, Backup Assistant, and CityID are some of the other apps that come preinstalled that let you keep track of your account, backup your device, and have a caller's city appear on the screen. It also comes with a voicemail widget that I never could get to work properly. You can subscribe and pay a fee, for visual voice mail. But I much prefer Google Voice, and it's free.
Screens and Navigation
After turning on the device and unlocking it with a finger gesture, a home screen appears sprinkled with apps and widgets. Navigation is accomplished with finger gestures. You can flick to six different screens that you can customize to suite your tastes. You can even customize the background with pre-loaded graphics or provide your own.
One of the six screens is set up for quick access to your favorite contacts. It did not work well for me. My first four contacts displayed with large photos, the next four with smaller photos, the next four would not display photos at all, just a blue box with a gear in the corner. Tech support was not able to resolve this issue.
Another screen is set up with a music widget for easy access to your favorite tunes and playlists.
At the top of another page is a widget that gives quick access to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Phone, and GPS, which I appreciate.
Another page comes with widgets for news and RSS feeds already set up for you. Of course you can remove these if you wish or add more icons of your own choosing to any of the six screens.
Google Voice search allows you to take charge of your phone and tell it what to do. You can search on the phone for such things as contacts, tell it to call someone or pull up an app or file. You can search the Web orally or find a business or address and then navigate to it. If you have an urge to be dictatorial, here's your chance to be the boss.
Keyboard
Unlike its predecessors, the Motorola Droid X does not have a slide out lateral keyboard. For me that it is plus. I do not like slide out keyboards, and I especially don't like lateral ones. They are bulky, mechanical, and just something more to go wrong. I don't appreciate being forced to use two hands to type if I don't want to. I really like the onboard input panel for Droid X.
The X also comes with an onscreen keyboard that opens automatically whenever text entry is required. If you prefer a larger keyboard, just orient the device horizontally, and the keyboard will shift to a wider, horizontal display.
In settings, it is possible to turn on such options as keypress sound or vibrate, auto capitalization, auto punctuate, word suggestions, and autocorrect errors. You also have your choice between the standard Multi-touch keyboard, and a new innovative one called Swype.
The Multi-touch keyboard expands the touched character, which reduces typos. You can slide your finger to the desired character if you make a mistroke. Holding the key down brings up every available variation of the letter including foreign characters diacritical markings. Another nice feature of this keyboard is the voice option. Touch the microphone and speak the text you want to create. It is surprisingly accurate. As a test I said, "I want to say that this is a very accurate system." The way it came out was, "I wanna say that this is a very accurate system." Whoops, maybe it's a little too accurate.
Swype is a pretty amazing keyboard option. You merely slide your finger around the screen from one desired letter to the next until the word is completed. When you lift your finger the word appears on the screen as if by magic. If there are other possibilities with the letter combinations, a list of choices to tap will appear on the screen. There is a tutorial to get you up and running. You can also use the speech to text engine with Swype, and there's a emoticon directory too.
Now comes the most exciting part for me, and that is the X's ability to connect to an external Bluetooth keyboard using an interface app called KeyPro. It works like a charm, and you are in the word processing, inputting business. There is a trial version to try before you buy.
The only problem is that there is no real word processing program available yet for the X. The work-around is to use Documents to Go by DataViz. It costs $14.99, but it's a most worthwhile investment if you want to turn you PDA into a road warrior. It will allow you to view, edit, and create Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents. I consider this an absolute must have.
It would be an altogether perfect world if the Android Market had an application that would display a Droid screen on your desktop and allow interaction with file drag/drop, keyboard inputting, and mouse/cursor movement. Sometimes I really miss my Windows Mobile devices.
Another feature I appreciate is the you can tap and hold to make a string of entered text expand and the easily see where to place the cursor to correct a type. Nice.
Browsing
Browsing the Net with the big, crystal clear screen and fast processor on the X is a pleasure. The response time is snappy, and scrolling is smooth and fast. Enlarging the image with spread or retracted figure gestures works well. My only wish would be that there were an option to configure a Webpage to fit the screen as you can with a Windows Mobile device. This is a much better way to view a Webpage on a handheld device because you don't have to scroll all over the place. I would put this option on my list wish for Droid developers.
There are many attractive features associated with the browsing experience. For example, you can tap on the star on the right side of the address bar to mark a favorite. It then appears on the favorite screen for easy access. The favorites screen lets you view the bookmarks in a list or image view showing the home page. There are also tabs for Most Visited and History. You can even place a Webpage on one of the home screens for instant access.
By the way, you can watch YouTube in high resolution by tapping HQ on the lower right of the screen.
Syncing
By connecting your X to your desktop or laptop via the supplied micro USB cable, you can transfer files, videos, and pictures. With downloadable Media Manager, you can also purchase, store, and listen to music from the Verizon store. Unfortunately, the Media Manager only supports 32 bit systems. So, if you have a 64 bit system, you're out of luck. However, you can still connect to the X as if it were another drive and transfer files that way.
Accessories
The X comes in a pretty bare bones box with just a charger, a micro USB cable, and a mini quick start guide. To take full advantage of this marvelous device, you may wish to accessorize it more fully with a 32 MB micro SC card, an HDMI cable, a windshield mount for navigation, a charging/docking station, and perhaps a case to protect your investment. I plan to write reviews of some of these items in subsequent articles.
Conclusion
The Motorola Droid X is a supreme powerhouse of functionality with its big, high definition screen, 8 MPX dual flash camera and HD camcorder with an HDMI port for output to TVs and projectors. While it may not have as many apps yet as the iPhone, there are certainly enough to keep anyone busy, productive, and entertained while more are being developed for this relatively new platform.
There are several things I wish the X could do and hope they will be forthcoming. I wish it were possible to take screen shots. I wish it had the native capability to handle Office docs. I wish there were an app to place an interactive X screen on a monitor. I wish there were an option to configure Webpages for single column viewing without having to scroll sidesways. I wish there were a Netflix app for viewing movies, which would be much better, in my opinion, than Blockbuster.
I could go on with my wish list, but I feel confident that the Droid platform is a serious contender now and developers with place a lot of energy into creating new and wonderful applications to make it even better. I fear, however, that as an open platform in which every manufacturer can put its own twist on things using all different screens, processors, and resolutions, that it will be more difficult for developers to create apps that work across all Droid models and they will become discouraged. That is a problem iPhone developers don't have as much.
The hump on the back reminds me of the Hunchback of Notre Dame and makes the device appear to be top heavy. It's too bad that it doesn't come with an HDMI cable and a case to protect it.
In any case, I am very pleased overall with the Motorola Droid X from Verizon, and I wish to give it my very highest recommendation. It is worth your serious consideration if you are looking for a new device. I would even encourage you to trade in your current model for this beauty.
Timothy Hillebrand, Ph.D. is a retired archaeologist and mobile device expert who writes for Smartphone magazine and several other publications. Visit his blog at http://professorpocket.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_S._Hillebrand,_Ph.D.