What's up, Android?

The Android Coffee Break Gang on Facebook has embarked on a global feat –> to extend their virtual coffee break outside of twitter and out into the real world. First stop is Houston, Texas!

This Friday, July 9, 2010 at 6pm a gang of Android Fans will be gathering together in Houston’s acclaimed social media hotspot cafe, Coffee Groundz. Photos, videos and tweets will ensue once the humble event takes place. Hope to see you there! Hashtag is #androidcoffeetourHOU

An advance heartfelt thank you goes out to two of our sponsors: androidSWAG and copydotcom.

Back in 2008 the popular Post-it notes had resurfaced in the news touting a new “techy” feel. Pranav Mistry of MIT Media Lab, developer of QUiCKiES: the intelligent sticky notes” had given post-its a digital make-over.

I remembered being excited about this development and then had somehow forgotten about it, amidst the run of other new and innovative tech projects. I tried searching on the internet for further developments but had not found any. I was thinking how wonderful it would be if the concept technology could be integrated into android phones. I’m not talking about evernote or other mobile “note, reminder” apps. I just want a physical note that I can write on and tack to any surface that will sync and “talk to” my other mobile (digital) devices.

I’m guessing that the cost of RFID’s at the time were a bit wallet intense and perhaps the project was put on hold. I did send an email to Pranav asking him about it. I hope he replies.

The largest toy manufacturer in the world has taken a bold step into the future. By offering their famous Rock’em Sock’em Robots as an augmented reality “interactive” game, they’ve taken the video version to the next level of platform play. Currently, Rock’em Sock’em AR (augmented reality) uses Google’s Nexus One, running Android 2.1. This interactive “technological” prototype was made possible by Mattel’s partnership with Qualcomm.

Finally, people might start to realize that my touting of augmented reality going mainstream may no longer sound too insane. Thanks Mattel for moving forward.

Android phones can now use their camera features to call up commands using hand gestures. Thanks to eyesight Technologies, developer of NUI (Natural User Interface) solutions, for just launching their technology to the Android platform.

By utilizing a device’s front facing camera, real-time processing and machine vision algorithms, simple hand gestures can now be translated into commands that control various functions on your phone. The technology offers a truly remarkable software solution that maximizes an Android device’s CPU, power consumption and memory usage.

Recently, the mobile technology sphere has seen a number of “think outside the box” user interface integrations that enable people to engage with their devices in a more natural way. The recent implementation of SWYPE, a text input feature for screens has changed the behavior of how people interact with a virtual keyboard. No doubt, eyesight Technologies, with the use of intuitive hand gestures to call up certain smartphone commands will definitely play a major role in changing the landscape of how we use our devices.

“A good technology is an invisible one. eyeSight’s Touch Free Interface technology for Android-based devices introduces exactly that – a new level of interaction that is natural, intuitive and simple to use,” said Itay Katz eyeSight’s Founder & CEO. “Users are looking for ways to ease, improve and enjoy their day to day interaction with their mobile phone, ideally aiming to gain effortless control of the device’s applications and functions, which is where eyeSight’s solution comes to place, answering exactly this need.”

You can watch a demo below:

eyesight Technologies has also been involved in developing and adapting their Touch Free User Interface for mobile games. After having showcased their technology at the 2009 Mobile Game Forum in London, the message was clear – mobile game interaction was clearly taken up a notch. Their earlier invitation to the Nokia Developer Summit last year in Monaco even had device manufacturers and developers drooling.

Today, they’ve launched their technology for Android and this is certainly going to help improve the Android experience. At yesterday’s WWDC10 and Jobs’ presentation of the new iPhone iOS4 and all its goodies, the future of mobile devices just keeps on getting sexier!

eyesight Technologies will be present at CommunicAsia 2010 event in Singapore (June 15-18). If you would like to schedule a demo, you can send an email to CommunicAsia@eyesight-tech.com.

For more information contact:

Liat Rostock
Marketing Manager
eyeSight Mobile Technologies
EMail: Liat.Rostock@eyeSight-tech.com
Mobile: +972 54 4670 162

Event lunches are always worth reviewing. What gets catered is usually a telltale sign of what kind of sponsors an event was able to get. That, or the event planner does not know how to get jiggy with food. Fortunately for the attendees at both the recent DroidCamp and DroidCon events in Berlin, the food was fab (fab – short for fabulous, not fabricated).

It’s no secret either that this pr gal has a sweet tooth unlike any other known to man. I can gulf down a few chocolate bars in a matter of minutes (me bad). And true to form, I was able to attack the dessert table with a strategy in mind. All things were progressing rather nicely until I brought to the table a bowl full of blueberry something and white cream something.

When I arrived, I was happy to see that someone else was not able to resist the blueberry and white cream somethings. And this something ended up being the center of attention in more ways than one. Here’s the scenario….

Two other individuals were sitting at the table with me. I and the individual to my right (let’s call him individual no. 2) were both enjoying our bowl full of somethings when individual no. 3 said, “You do know what that is, don’t you?”. I realized he was talking to me after my spoon completed one lap of mouth to bowl. I said yes, it’s a yoghurt something or other. Individual no. 3 smiled and said, “exactly, it’s not yoghurt, it’s something else”. At least we both agreed it was a something.

That’s when individual no. 2 chimed in and said, “It’s not yoghurt it’s quark.” Individual no. 3 beamed and said, “Yes, it is quark. You don’t have quark in the U.S. do you?” I said, no – still happily enjoying my something.

no. 3: What is quark? (no: 3 knew what quark was in his culture but he was trying to define what it was in an English context)

no. 2: It’s, it’s something …

no. 3: No, I know it’s something, but what is it exactly?

no. 2: It’s like a milk thing.

no. 3: No, it’s more than a milk thing. How can I describe it …

I thought they both described the blueberry and white cream something very well.

no. 2. Yeah, it is a milk thing but it’s more than a milk thing…

oh brother.

no. 3: I can’t quite seem to find the right words to explain what it is.

no. 2: silence .. (no. 2 was happily eating his bowl of “more than a milk thing”)

me: I guess there is no direct translation is there?

no. 3: No. You’re right, there is no direct translation for it.

I suddenly looked up from the bird’s eye view of my bowl of something and realized that there were two netbooks and two android smart phones on the table.

me: Ummm, hello? Why don’t you just Google it.

With that said, both quark experts each grabbed a netbook and started tapping on the keys. Almost simultaneously they both exclaimed, “It’s something like a cheese.”

me: A cheese?

no. 3: Yes, it’s like a cheese, but before it gets to be a cheese.

me: Oh, it’s before a cheese but after a milk, right?

no. 3: Yes, it’s like before a cheese and after a milk. You don’t have this in the U.S. do you?

me: I think we do, but if we do, it would be as a special baking or dessert ingredient and it wouldn’t be sold in bulk like yoghurt.

(That’s how much I knew about making milk-something desserts. I just eat them)

Now that the mystery was solved I was curious to know how each of the individuals arrived at the answers. No.3 used leo, a German/English translation site and individual no. 2 used Wikipedia. What amused me was the period prior when both were trying to figure out how to explain what quark was. This banter had been going on for about 10 minutes before I brought up the “just Google it” phrase. It makes me wonder then, with being in a conference full of geeks … just HOW aware of and connected to their devices, are geeks anyway? I mean, there we all were sitting at a table with two netbooks in front of us and having a conversation on how to explain what the main ingredient of my blueberry and white cream something dessert was. I’m almost certain that Einstein was turning in his grave.

Kind of makes you wonder just how much of the brain we really use.

I managed to snap a photo of individual no. 3. I didn’t get to take one of no. 2, since he went back for seconds.

But don’t get your e-wallets in an uproar. It’s not these kind of specs:

1. Specs: spectacles (if you were thinking of augmented reality glasses sometimes referred to as *specs*)
2. Specs: specifications. This is not about giving out specs on the latest android devices rumored or true but it IS about speculating what actually can go on during an android event.

Be it true or not, we really have no way in knowing other than taking wild and absurd educated guesses. Heck, any publicity is good publicity and we think it’s time to stir the ratings up a bit with some good ‘ol fashioned “rumor mill stories”. Besides, PR isn’t PR if there isn’t anything to stimulate PR. Just saying.

Stay tuned for some interesting android specs!

We went camping again. This time it was to take part in what one would call a “gathering of Androids” of sorts. Droid Camp Berlin was another successful event, in what will prove to be a continued and ongoing string of successes marching steadily throughout the globe.

DroidCamp is partnered with Droid Con, the official Android Conference. DroidCamp, patterned after the BarCamp brings in a healthy mix of developers of all skills sets from around the region, some travelling as far as the California Coast, Taiwan and India.

Both events ensure a unique balance of “developer driven” (DroidCamp) and “corporate backing” (DroidCon) energies. Unlike most conferences, DroidCons have a “developer focus” mindset and although a corporate presence is indeed obvious, the brand logos are there to support, sponsor and encourage the Android Movement.

This was Berlin’s second time around for hosting the two events and the number of attendees had doubled considerably from last year’s November 3-4, 2009 showing. The fact that there were attendees from as far away as Taiwan and India proves that the value of DroidCamps and DroidCons can be felt across the globe. What with the Android Movement gaining momentum fast and furious towards the end of the last quarter of 2009 and has not slowed down since, creates a promising sign that the world is ready for Android.

Just in the past few months alone, Google’s open source operating system – Android, has managed to seep into devices of all types. From small to big, companies are now looking towards implementing the operating system into its roadmap for new products and services due to the platforms flexibility and ease. Despite the positive signs that have come about, one challenge still looms above and that is the undeniable fact of Android’s fragmentation.

However, in a recent interview, Andy Rubin (Chief Architect of the Android OS) had one of the best explanations for excusing fragmentation and seeing it as perfectly normal, given the speed of which versions are being deployed, unlike Apple’s scheduled updates. Rubin reminded us of what Android really is. It’s about choice. He explained that if every device were to have the same interface and operating system then Android would be a mere commodity. That’s definitely not what the Android OS stands for. Android is truly about empowerment through choice.

And speaking of “Empowerment and Choice”, we’ve highlighted just a few of the many great moments that took place at these two events. It was difficult to see and take part in all sessions and talks since almost all were more than worth seeing. You can see which moments we were able to capture by visiting the DroidCamp Highlights and the DroidCon Highlights.

Photos and video’s were taken of the two events from various sources. Here are some of our photographic contributions.

DroidCamp



DroidCon

Naturally, I would have loved to take the time to detail and write about every moment that I considered was “a highlight” of the day but then that would seem like a play-by-play narrative. Instead, I’ve chosen to pick out two small events that pretty much summed up what the entire DroidCon Day was all about for me.

1. approachable, personable, passionate people
2. ambitious and talented android developers

approachable, personable, passionate people

Tom Higgens talks to game developer, Mario Hachemer

First off was a delightful and equally passionate gentleman by the name of Tom Higgins. Tom, the Product Evangelist for Unity 3D (an emerging, empowering, break-all-molds gaming engine and environment) was kind enough to take some time for a casual interview. The interview took place in the comfort of his hotel room where we brought in a young and talented game developer, Mario Hachemer. Mario, currently living in Frankfurt, was able to be present at the interview via Skype. Oh, the wonders of technology. I found out about the opportunity to interview Tom, just days before the event. During DroidCamp (that took place one day before DroidCon) it had occurred to me to “share” this opportunity with at least one game developer who would have the opportunity to ask Tom questions about Unity 3D themselves. I chose Mario Hachemer because of his current game project on Unity’s engine and felt it might give him valuable insight into further steering his approach to game development.

The interview was just under an hour. The actual video had to be divided into six parts, each approximately under ten minutes. Here’s part one to get you started.

ambitious and talented android developers

We managed to grab one of the android developers that was also there for DroidCamp and get him to tell us a bit about one of the apps he created, just for conferences. The app is called “Schedule Bot” and allows conference goers to carry around the conference schedule on their android phone. Of course, conferences already offer the ability for others to obtain schedules via accessing their website, downloading a .pdf file or other, but Schedule Bot’s friendly interface makes keeping track of sessions, a lot more simpler and most of all, easy to read. Tobias Fiebiger, the apps creator, was gracious enough with his time and we look forward to seeing more of Tobias’ apps in the future. I had wished to interview many more developers but time was really tight and there were so many great sessions to see. You can watch the “quickie” interview below with Tobias.

Like I said, there were so many “highlights” and I would’ve mentioned them all. Maybe I will in future posts, but for now, these two videos pretty much summed up what went on during DroidCon –

- Companies meeting face to face with developers of the future and entering into a supportive and engaging role with their projects, being open to answer all their questions, as best as they could and then offering their time if needed.

- Developers, being able to share, teach and learn from each other’s experience and thus solidifying that which makes the Android Community, special.

One appstore, two appstore, three appstore, four.
Five appstore, six appstore, seven appstore more.

The first DroidCamp session that everyone attended was the Appstore Competition, moderated and reviewed by http://twitter.com/thibautR#mce_temp_url#of wipconnector. It was almost like a “Celebrity Roast” but in reverse. A panel of representatives were on stage and were given the chance to present their appstores to the crowd. Thibaut then took the podium and began citing his reviews on each appstore. Based on various factors, each appstore was critiqued, publicly. The audience were given the opportunity to ask questions but the overall feel was that each appstore still had a long way to go, in terms of meeting developer demands and “user” experience. I personally, did not see any of the reviews as negative, but rather, as opportunities where each appstore could work on improvements.

One appstore that I have been waiting to see launch is AndroidPIT’s.
Here’s Fabien Röhlinger of AndroidPIT presenting their appstore:

Blinkendroid . Blinkendroid . Blinkendroid ….

Blinkendroid Crew

Truly a fascinating feat when a group of devices all running the Android Operating System perform a light image dance akin to “synchronized swimming”. Okay, maybe there’s a better way to describe Blinkendroid‘s demo, but even better – is to watch it happen on video. I thought it was a really creative and artistic way to use the Android OS – a true visual experience. Just staring down at the device displays and watching patterns of “light images” run across the side by side devices, as if they were one canvas was, for me, spectacular.

… but that was nothing compared to the record breaker success that Blinkendroid managed to do at the c-base After Party. 38 android devices were pooled together to collaboratively perform in unison. Check out the cool video below that was made by Jo Cognito a.k.a. videoamt. The Blinkendroid crew consists of four guys that go by the known names of: benjamin.r.m.weiss, lischke, das.dimamite and andreas.schildbach. You can follow Blinkendroid on twitter too (@Blinkendroid).

Whrrrrrr…….. Whrrrrrrr………. Android Flies!

Ligi Demo's Mikrokopter with Android

Another highlight at DroidCamp was when @Mr_Ligi demo’d his mikrokopter being remotely controlled by an android device via bluetooth. Ligi’s presentation was, what most thought, “deep geek”. Indeed, the implementation of the Android OS was not just the key feature that enabled the mikrokopter to fly. A combination of other technologies converging created this stunning result. Here’s a short video of the mikrokopter flying at the front of the room.

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin ….

Kevin McDonagh gives a Guided Tour of the Android Source Code

Kevin McDonagh of Novoda and one of the key people behind DroidCon London was another highlight at DroidCamp. Not only did he give an interesting Guided Tour of the Android Source Code but Kevin, himself was most interesting to watch. This gentlemen, as animated as he is, can truly capture the attention of a crowd. But don’t take it from me. You can see for yourself in the video below.

I’m really looking forward to the next DroidCamp/DroidCon. Last I heard, London will be hosting their second Android Conference this October. I hope to see you all there!

A few days ago, my Tweetdeck twitter android column was flooded with the words, “Official Twitter Android App Just released” or something to that effect. I really didn’t have the time to fully investigate, even though I caught bits and pieces on Twitter’s Official Blog, but it certainly got me to wondering about the word “Official”. What factors designate an app as “official” when it wasn’t even:

1. the first

2. there to meet the needs of people

3. the first

4. there to meet the needs of the majority

I’m not implying that something has to be “first” in order to be considered “official”. Not like the winner of the Miss Universe Pageant, making her the “official” Miss Universe for a particular year, or the winner of the “Rund um den Finanzplatz-Eschborn Frankfurt” bike race, making Fabian Wegmann the “official” winner of that race on May 1st. I suppose something can be considered “official” just because someone says so.

I suppose that if TechCrunch says it’s Official then so be it. Chris Pirillo did a short and sweet blog post about it and the one thing I liked about Chris’ post was that it didn’t mention the word “Official”.

Then again, if the big guys of Twitter teamed up with the developers of the big guys that developed the Android OS it should be safe to say that big guys + big guys = official. But what makes the word “official”  official kind of mute with this twitter app is that is only supports the Android OS version 2.1. There are still a plethora of Android phones out there running 1.5! I’m sure the “official” Twitter/Android developers will get around to making their “official” twitter app available for all platforms otherwise, what’s the point? And yes, let’s not go into Android’s  fragmented nature, shall we not?

In any case, I’ll definitely be downloading this twitter app and see how it fares with the other twitter apps that have been out there already. My good friends over at www.androidpit.de did a really good review on this new twitter app. What I’m wondering is, like the many other users of other twitter clients, “How good IS this app in comparison to the rest?” I may find myself feeling the need to retract that sentence only because of the fact that the “official” Google Android developers were apparently involved in helping to develop this one. Another questions is, “How loyal will users of other twitter clients be, seeing as there seems to now be an “official” twitter app? “

Which brings us to other more interesting behavioral cases when it comes to brand engagement with its users:

1. Staying with a twitter client (or any app or brand) because you’ve found it has not only met your needs but you and the app have sort of grown together through all its developmental stages?

2. Leaving your twitter client for a new, more trendy and fully loaded app?

The good thing about leaving your old twitter client for a fancy new one is that there is no alimony to pay, divorce fees or the usual back and forth bickering that goes on during the process of separation.

In any case, this certainly gives the other twitter client developers something to think about.

What do you think?