We already covered the launch event of the Huawei U8180, and Yomi has a review of the Gaga phone here on the blog already too. So, you might be asking, What’s the point of a second review?

What you are to expect from this review is a narrative from someone who is having his first ever experience with Android OS. Yes; that’s me. It is also the first time I am spending a great deal of time with a full touchscreen device. I once bought the Nokia N8, but sold it shortly after.

The Gaga phone is a small, dainty device with Android 2.2 and a 2.8-inch screen. The full specs were already published in the previous review here.

Setting up the phone up was simple. Power on the phone and enter your Google email and password. If you do not have one, you’d do well to create one. Without it, you will not be able to access some basic features of the phone like the Android market.

Take note, the Huawei u8180 that I am reviewing is a loaned device from Etisalat. It is available for offer at N18,999. Bear in mind also that it is locked to the Etisalat network, so forget about trying to slot in a SIM from another network. That won’t work.

What I adore about the device
As someone who is coming from a Symbian environment, there are certain things I immediately loved about the phone.

Integration of third party apps with the Phone – This is a feature that can be found in other Android phones too, not just the Gaga phone. I use Opera Mini browser much, as it helps to conserve amount of data consumed. As soon as you click the option icon on the Opera Mini browser and click on Share, you will be presented with different options depending on the messaging apps you have installed on the device.

In my own case, I had installed Facebook, Twitter for Android, Twitterific, Buffer App, Google+ and Gmail that came with it. The browser gives you option to share whatever you are reading to these locations with ease.

Android Market
In the Android market you can search between paid and free apps. There are lots of free apps in the Android Market. In my case, I was keen to download, Twitter for Android, Twitterefic, Angry bird. Facebook app, Whatsapp, Google plus and some other apps I was playing with. You have to be signed in to your Gmail account before you can access the Android market. After you do that, the rest is easy.

Software
Gaga runs Android 2.2 Froyo. Given the screen estate, there is not so much opportunity for you to enjoy its features to the maximum. But I tell you after spending a few days with the phone, you will be forced to like it and want to take it with you any where you go. It is not as smooth and fast when switching from one operation to the order. For its price range, however, I will say that it is okay.

Entertainment
YouTube is there for you. There is an app that comes pre-installed with the phone. With ease you can search among the numerous videos that are on YouTube.

I was able to stream some videos over Etisalat’s 3.75G network.

Music playback has some nice quality too on the device.

Social Networking
The major social networks have apps that are free for Android, and so available for the Gaga phone. There is Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Google plus, Facebook, and Skype. They all integrate effectively with your contacts. When downloading the different apps, the phone will prompt you and ask if you will like your Facebook contacts to be synchronised with your contacts on the phone.

I particularly like the way the contacts can synchronise with the other apps. It would sync your Google contacts with your mobile phone for you. While working with Twitter of Facebook, it’ll allow you to decide what browser you want to use to open the link.

Typing on The Touchscreen
Typing on the touchscreen will be a chore for starters. However, as soon as you get more comfortable with it and use the auto-correct feature, you’d be comfortable. I spoke with a few people who are hard core physical QWERTY fans and who say they will not go for any touchscreen phone. I think that’s a sentiment that will last only for a while. Soon touchscreen will become ubiquitous.

I was not happy about a few things
I could not get an app to take screen snaps. After a few inquiries, I was told I would have to root the device to make the screenshot apps that are available work with it. It is most likely that those who will pick interest in the Gaga phone are not geeks. So, they will not be ready to root or hack their phone to perform such a function.

The battery does not last long enough. I do not get a full day use from it. I am a heavy user.

The Gaga phone comes with 50MB monthly free data from Etisalat. I exhausted the 50MB in less than 4 hours. If you do decide to get the phone and will like to know how to manage it to minimise data consumption, be sure to check this piece we did here – Managing mobile internet consumption on Android smartphones.

The Yahoo Messenger app for android has just got a bump up to version 1.5.0. The changelog reads:

• Support for front facing camera on devices with OS 2.3
• Improved performance and stability

If you have marked your apps for automatic updates, yours should be up-to-date already. If not, you will need to login to the Android Market to manually update it.

To take advantage of the camera, the Yahoo Messenger Plug-in 1.5 is required, so you need to get that from the Android Market too.

ZDNet reports:

McAfee has released its third quarter Threats Report, and the findings aren’t all that much different from the second quarter issue: Android is basically a mess when it comes to malware.

Key points from the ZdNet news item include:

• Android’s “open source” nature is what is leaving the door open to mobile malware.
• the amount of malware targeted at Android devices jumped by almost 37 percent since the previous quarter.
• nearly all new mobile malware that was produced during the third quarter was targeted at Android.
• The most common new forms of malware attacking Android were SMS-sending Trojans that collect personal information and steal money, as well as malware that records phone conversations and forwards them to the attacker.

Read the ZdNet news item: McAfee threats report: Android is in the crosshairs

In a move that can be seen as a response to Apple’s iTunes, Google yesterday launched a new service called Google Music. The Google Music platform reportedly contains millions of songs. This new service also allows consumers purchase “individual songs or entire albums right from your computer or your Android device and they’ll be added instantly to your Google Music library, and accessible anywhere.”

As a kick-start strategy, Google will be giving out one free music download to each consumer.

Google seems to be offering so many “freebies” on this new platform. Below are some of the them:

• The Rolling Stones are offering an exclusive, never-before-released live concert album,Brussels Affair (Live, 1973), including a free single, “Dancing with Mr. D.” This is the first of six in an unreleased concert series that will be made available exclusively through Google Music over the coming months.
• Coldplay fans will find some original music that’s not available anywhere else: a free, live recording of “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall”, a five-track live EP from their recent concert in Madrid and a remix of “Paradise” by Tiësto.
• Busta Rhymes’s first single from his upcoming album, Why Stop Now (feat. Chris Brown), is available for free.
• Shakira’s live EP from her recent concert in Paris and her new studio single, “Je L’Aime à Mourir” are both being offered up free.

According to Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President, Mobile:

Starting today, Google Music is open in the U.S. at market.android.com, and over the next few days, we will roll out the music store to Android Market on devices running Android 2.2 and above. You can also pick up the new music app from Android Market and start listening to your music on your phone or tablet today. And don’t forget to turn your speakers up to eleven.

Source

That the Android OS has a ravenous appetite for data is no news. Android users keep tearing their hair out as a result of the data guzzling nature of the OS.

Take a look at this U.S. data usage chart from Nielsen:

You can access the full Nielsen article here, if interested. Speaking of the various data usage activities engaged in, Nielsen reports:

But while a higher proportion of iPhone owners engage in these kinds of activities, consumers with Android devices who engage in these activities consume more data on average.

This is from a U.S. report, but our own in-house consumer surveys here at The Mobility Company here in Nigeria pretty much tallies. Android is the undisputed mobile OS data guzzling king.

What makes it more pertinent here is that many consumers use their mobiles as the primary point of access to the internet. This is in contrast to what obtains in the US where the majority have access to PCs, Wifi and cable internet. The likelihood of seeing higher mobile data consumption rates here is strong.

An Example

I was recently contacted by one such user who had recently converted to Android. She reported that her droid was using up 1 GB data plan in two weeks. On my recommendation, she disabled Background Data and subscribed to a 25MB plan to see how things would go. Her feedback was that 25MB was used up within a day, even though she had her smartphone switched off for a few hours.

If you really do want to use Android but don’t have deep pockets for data subscription, you must be ready to nurse your device. There is no way around this.

Tips To Manage Mobile Data Usage On Android & Save Money

I have a few tips to help you manage data consumption on your Android smartphone and save you some cash (please send some my way, in the spirit of give and take).

1. You can turn off Background Data in the settings menu. Note though that when you need to sync or check your mail, your smartphone will ask you to turn it back on.
2. Download a 3rd party app to restrict data usage on certain apps and services.
   These apps generally tell you how much data you are using, or when an app is using a lot of data in the background. Some also let you block specific apps on 3G or shut off 3G data when they exceed a cap that you set, or limit data usage on certain apps to Wi-Fi only. There are dozens of them available in the Android Market, but you can start out with Onavo.
3. For web browsing, forget the stock browser, do yourself a favour and install Opera Mini
4. Install an app manager and shut down any app that requires an internet connection if you wont be using it.

By implementing the above tips, you may cut down your device’s data usage significantly. If the above tips are too much for you, then you have no business purchasing an Android smartphone. No?

Did I miss out anything?

Look what dropped in at Mobility Towers yesterday – the Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660! Etisalat Nigeria gave units of the Gio out at their 3rd anniversary event yesterday, so we got one.

This is not the first time that we are getting a free smartphone from Etisalat either. The Huawei U8180 was first. Our thanks to the Etisalat PR team and agency.

Quick Description

The Galaxy Gio is the smartphone (at least one of the available options) that you buy if you want a Galaxy but cannot afford the S-class – and you don’t want to buy a budget droid.

In other words, the Gio is mid-range. You get most of the functionality, but the Android and Samsung/TouchWiz experience are there. Specifically, you get:

• a 3.2″ capacitive display without the AMOLED touch
• an 800 MHz processor
• 158 MB internal storage (plus microSD slot) and 278 MB RAM
• a 3.2 megapixel camera
• Android OS v2.2 out-of-the-box, but upgradable to v2.3
• No DivX/XviD/WMV video support
• no TV-out
• no Flash support in the web browser
• a 1350 mAh battery

It seems a nice enough package for the target market.

Setting Up

Setting up was trouble-free, as it should be. I configured my Gmail account, and all my contacts, calendar entries and email were on board in minutes. Next up was Twitter. Then Facebook. All easy pie.

Firmware Update

The Gio came with Android version 2.2.1 out of the box. After setting it up last night, the first thing I did was connect it to a PC running Samsung Kies to see if the v2.3 update was available.

The mobile gods must have been happy with me, because an update was available. It didn’t take more than 20 minutes to get the Gio updated and purring on Android 2.3.3, which is the latest version for this particular device.

PS: Ye gods, I am still waiting for my N9 update (by the way, can/should one wink at the gods?).

Ready to Roll

I have pulled out my microSIM from the N9 and managed to get it into the Gio by adaptation and I will be using it as my primary smartphone for a number of days.

I have over 70GB bonus data on my line, so Android can guzzle all it wants. Already, from 8pm last night when I set it up till this morning, 82MB of data has been used. That’s almost 100MB in 12 hours (and I slept 6 of those hours).

But all is well. I’m covered. While on the subject, I have been getting lots of help requests from Android users who are freaked out at how their devices consume data like its going out of date tomorrow. I have an article in the works with tips to help you guys out, so hang in there!

Any questions about the Gio or a feature on Android that interests you? Please submit in the comments box below.

Though I was not expecting this release to arrive this early, Google has taken a bold step to release the source code of their new born baby, the Ice Cream Sandwich. What this means is that we will begin to see the ICS ported to numerous devices unofficially. The release also contains Honeycomb’s source code but developers are advised to focus on Android 4.0 since Honeycomb was incomplete.

In the words of Jean-Baptiste M. “JBQ” Queru – (a Google Software Engineer):

This is actually the source code for version 4.0.1 of Android, which is the specific version that will ship on the Galaxy Nexus, the first Android 4.0 device. In the source tree, you will find a device build target named “full_maguro” that you can use to build a system image for Galaxy Nexus. Build configurations for other devices will come later.

He further stated:

This release includes the full history of the Android source code tree, which naturally includes all the source code for the Honeycomb releases. However, since Honeycomb was a little incomplete, we want everyone to focus on Ice Cream Sandwich. So, we haven’t created any tags that correspond to the Honeycomb releases (even though the
changes are present in the history.)

This is the first time that Google will be releasing the tablet version of the Android OS. It is also commendable that this is coming before the availability of the first ICS device. With this, third party developers will begin to build custom ROMs.

Source

While Android has its strengths, I am not a fan of the Android user interface or of its resource hogging. The two might be tied together; who knows?

A Europe-based company believe that they have the answer to Android’s less-than-inspiring UI. A quote from them in introducing Verzo UI:

We are not the only developer of mobile phones in the world, who was not completely satisfied with the graphics of the Android OS. The difference lies in the approach and the final processing. As with the outer design of the phone, so with the VERZO GUI we were thinking it through carefully, while focusing on functionality and originality, neatness. We have examined every original graphic element and its placement within the Android system and if it did not seem fit or well placed, it has been notably modified.

We have dreamt of the most amazing graphic interface for mobile phones with Android OS available on the market and even though we have managed to make most of those ideas come true, only your reactions can tell us if we were right.

Yes; only user reactions can tell – and honestly, I would love to play with this.

Verzo UI will be introduced on the Kinzo Android smartphone. A brief specs sheet:

• 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 resolution, TFT LCD
• 5 megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash
• Single-core 1GHz TI OMAP 3630 processor with PowerVR SGX 530 graphics
• 512MB RAM
• 1,590mAh battery

As you can see, its not a top-specified robot, but the argument seems to be that with Verzo UI, performance and user experience is optimised and so not needing top specs.

Source

One of the many features that made me sing praises of the ICS is the facial recognition feature. This feature allows users to lock and unlock their device without using a password. Just a facial capture will do. While this feature is a great one, we can begin to expect that it’s not a perfect improvement on the Android platform yet. Just yesterday, a Galaxy Nexus user out of curiosity tested the facial recognition feature and discovered a lapse.

He discovered that the photograph of the owner of an ICS powered device can actually unlock the phone. He snapped his picture on the new Galaxy Note and pointed it to unlock the Galaxy Nexus. Phiam!!! The Phone unlocks. I thought the feature was programmed to unlock on spotting the face, not a photograph. Well, that’s how we have it on the ICS and the Galaxy Nexus.

So, if you’ll be getting the Galaxy Nexus or any other ICS device soon, take note that the facial unlock may just not be the most secured way to unlock your device as earlier anticipated by many.

Here is the link to the video: Ice Cream Sandwich Face Unlock feature compromised

Source

Should your kids use tablets? Well, some manufacturers are now saying that tablets are not meant for adults alone. They’re seeing no reason why a kid shouldn’t own a tablet. That’s exactly the proposition of FUHU (an app developer) and Toys R Us (a toy and juvenile-products retailer) with the introduction of the Nabi tablet.

The Nabi tablet is an Android device that was designed with a kiddie user experience in mind, though, adults too may find it great to work on. Here’s a quick spec sheet of the Nabi tablet:

• Screen:  7 inch, 800 x 480 resolution display
• Processor: 533MHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor with PowerVR SGX530 GPU for 3D gaming
• Internal Storage: 4GB Internal
• Battery: 3,000mAh (up to 5 hours of non-stop gaming)
• A front facing camera good for video chats
• Wifi
• 1080p HD video playback

The Nabi tablet also comes pre-installed with its own Nabi App store which boasts of over 500 titles for kids. Not only this, the Nabi Tablet features a design studio portal with 30 creative apps for drawing/painting.

A quote on the educational potentials of Nabi:

it also has access to Fooz Kids University, FUHU’s site featuring over 22,000 state standardized math skills from grades pre-kindergarten all the way up to fifth grade.

It is also reported that the Nabi Tablet will boast of over $150 worth of pre-loaded games books, apps, and music.

Nabi tablet is expected to start shipping by December 1, 2011. If the Nabi tablet finally finds its way to Nigeria, do you consider it a good Christmas gift for your child?

Source

I must state up-front that this is not an official tip of any kind, it is just my prediction.

Before you decide on agreeing with me or not, let me take you through the previous versions of Android according to their release.

• Cupcake
• Donut
• Eclairs
• Froyo
• Gingerbread
• Honeycomb
• And NOW Ice Cream Sandwich

Take a second look at the previous versions above, you will discover two things:

1. They are all pastries.
2. They were released alphabetically.

I did a Google search for the names of pastries that begin with letter “J” and here’s what I came across:

• Jelly roll (thin cake rolled up with jelly as a filling)
• Jam thumbprint cookies (cookies with dents made by thumbs with jam in the middle)
• Jalousie (a jam tart made with puff pastry).
• Jelly Bean (small bean-shaped type of confectionery with a hard candy shell and a gummy interior)

Well, Jelly Roll is my prediction for the next Android Version, what’s yours?

Version 3.3.11 of the Android market has been leaked already, though rumours indicate that it is being rolled out to devices already.

The followinng changes were spotted by Android Police:

• New setting: Auto-update apps (presumably, sets all apps to auto-update mode, woohoo!)
• New setting: Update over Wi-Fi only
• New setting: Auto-add shortcuts (automatically adds homescreen shortcuts for new apps, ala Honeycomb)
• Smaller font
• New app drawer icon
• Microphone (voice command) button in search menu
• Star rating chart on app pages
• Minor UI tweaks

Some reports are circulating that the update doesn’t run smoothly on Honeycomb devices.

Here’s the Download link.

Pic Source: The Verge