iPhone 5 better bring it...

To my surprise, I've been hearing the same comment more & more lately, from iPhone users & diehards. That comment goes much like this: "If Apple doesn't impress me with this new iPhone, I'm seriously considering switching to Android."
This is a bit shocking to me in some ways because most of my friends who own iPhones say they prefer them over Android phones because of the quality familiar interface. Until Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), I didn't dare push back too hard, frankly because they were right about the build quality, no doubt. Interface-wise, well, that's more of a user preference. Not everybody's going to like the same thing, obviously. But with ICS, the whole thing changed. It literally put the user experience between the two operating systems on par (i.e.: slickness, ease of use, uniform controls & look across apps menus). Then, of course, Android released version 4.1 (Jellybean). This has now pushed Android past iOS in the same categories previously mentioned. So now, you better believe I push back. There's no reason not to. Every argument iPhone users have used against Android are now null & void.
Bottom line is, iOS on both the iPhone & iPad (yes, the iPad as well...) are at least a generation or two behind Android. Apple began copying many features from Android & now seems to take sort of a wait and see approach on everything. Not to mention suing everybody that remotely looks or sounds like it could ever compete with them. Pathetic.
So, this all brings me to my point: Are you in the "Apple better bring it" group, too? Do you want Apple to implement into iOS what Android users have been enjoying? Most, if not all, the reasons for choosing an iPhone or iPad over a top-tier Android device with 4.0+ are no longer valid. The Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Asus Transformer series, and Google Nexus 7 are proving this. Android is consistent, reliable, innovative, and fun.
Apple will announce their newest iDevice today. No doubt, the geek in me is excited because I love tech. But with Google expected to announce the next generation of Nexus phones very soon, do you think Apple will be able to maintain their user base after today & moving forward?

Upcoming Devices and What I Want (Need...)

    This is the time of year when the tech world becomes a prism of ideas, rumors, speculation, wishes, & demands. The heavyweights of the world- your Apples, Googles, etc. - all converge numerous times in convention centers around the globe to launch or announce their newest, baddest, most glorious devices & innovations to the mass public. This is the season I enjoy most=)
    Google i|o was a great day for Android purists as Google announced the Nexus 7 & Nexus Q.  The 7 has taken off & doing really well. It could possibly be the best selling Android tablet on the market. I was reluctant about grabbing the N7 at first, because I've seen & used several other Android tablets over the last couple of years & figured this would be no different.  Why buck for another tablet that would be more of the same. As it turns out, I was very surprised & more than pleased with the performance so I got one. I've hardly put it down...  The Q hasn't done nearly as well, mainly due to Google's pulling it from the Google Play Store to "enhance" it.
    Motorola announced, today, that it was releasing 3 new RAZR models on Verizon. I'm sure they're gonna be really good but my question is why are they making all the new models look so similar?  Even the new Atrix HD looks like a RAZR?!  I'm not sure if this is to distance itself from Apple's trigger-happiness or they just really, really like the top-heavy design.  I'm on the fence...
    Apple should be having their lil get-together pretty soon, as well.  From what I gather, they're giving their faithful some things Android users have been enjoying for awhile, now.
    Personally, I'm holding out for a new Nexus phone.  This is going to be a bit interesting this time, as there will be 3 dropping this time, rather than only 1, as usual.  3 different manufacturers. I'm giddy=)

So what device(s) have caught your eye so far? 

Anti Piracy... (sigh)

The Power of Intimidation

The government's recent crackdown on internet piracy file sharing is both frustrating yet understandable in some very rare instances.

I, personally, don't like it but we were due. This sorta thing has to happen every 7-10 yrs or so.

The list is growing, too. I'm witnessing many file storage/sharing sites voluntarily shutting down in order to avoid getting nailed by the feds. The intimidation factor is real, here. Some of our favorite sites have succumbed to the heat, such as MegaUpload, MegaShare, & btjunkie:(

Ok, so now it's not only affecting the "technologically inclined" who frequent many of these sites in search of files needed to mod and optimize their devices, such as smartphones and tablets, among others. It's affecting the way the developers working on 3rd party ROMS distribute applications such as the Google Apps package (Gapps) & what is included in it now. Mind you, I believe the biggest reason for the change in what is offered here is due to the fact that the Android OS has recently undergone a very big change so some of the stock apps in the package may not be completely compatible with earlier OS versions such as Gingerbread & Froyo. But the fact remains, that this is all quite obviously in direct relation to federal crackdowns.

Of course, there is a flipside...

For starters, for every 1 file sharing site shut down, 5 pop up in it's place. This isn't going to shut down the system at all but will most definitely force many of them to tighten things up a bit. Bummer. But something to consider is the fact that many of us have saved most if not all the files we've downloaded. Some of us have done so for different reasons, but mine has, without a doubt, been because I've seen this coming for quite some time. Many of us will continue to help other modders, hackers, enthusiasts in our endeavors by providing the files needed to accomplish whatever is needed but moving forward, it may be a bit more complicated securing newer files online.

Again, this happens every 10 yrs or so. Anytime things are made available for free over here, when so many people are paying for the same thing over here, eventually the government decides it doesn't have anything better to do and sticks its very long nose into places it doesn't necessarily belong. One word: LOBBYISTS.

For more information about the changes being made with the distribution of newer Google Apps packages and more, click the link below and read- courtesy of Rootzwiki....

Google Apps and Vanishing APKs - Addressing Best Practices in Software Distribution:

'via Blog this'

Motorola wins permanent injunction against Apple's iCloud in German court There's another legal brouhaha brewing in Germany, where Motorola today won an injunction against Apple's iCloud. In a decision handed down from the

Motorola wins permanent injunction against Apple's iCloud in German court There's another legal brouhaha brewing in Germany, where Motorola today won an injunction against Apple's iCloud.