UNDERSTANDROID

Android is throwing so many lefts that iPhone is begging for a right, Android Beats out iPhone in Smartphone Sales.

Android OS on the Rise.

I don’t think this really comes as big surprise. Apple and its iphone was out first and it will be lucky to exist in a few years. Well, not really, but you have to admit. They had a chance to be on EVERY single phone network, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.) but they chose exclusivity and control. Smart (pun intended), short term but not smart for the long term.

I think it can be argued that Apple has a great crossover hit on its hands with the iPad which competes with cheaper netbooks and boosts Apple’s share in the mobile computing space.

But back to our current reality. Apple has the stronger brand here, but for how long, its clear consumers feel that Android is the “better” platform, as they seem to be buying Android at twice the rate of iPhone. You can’t argue with fact. And its hard to not say Apple didn’t blow it like they did in the 80s, come out with the revolutionary App Store and be too stubborn to open it up or adapt to new technologies that could threaten it (like flash player). They just ended up alienating their customers. There are still die-hard Apple fans that will always support Apple, but its the difference between Apple dominating the entire mobile industry (OS + hardware, even more than Microsoft owned PCs) and just being a semi-profitable niche.\

I believe what will happen here is there will be a transition. That transition doesn’t have anything to do with Apple or Android per se. The transition I speak of is the transition from Blackerry Smart Phones. What will the Blackberry user do? Go to a iPhone or an Android based smartphone. I will say this now, I think its a far gone conclusion. Android will have a more executive feel to it and apple will stay the niche, a smaller niche for the kids.

Android running on iPhone

It was one of the first apps I looked for. While not perfect it is a step in the right direction. The Missed Call Android App is a great tool for notifying you of any missed Call, SMS Text Message, Blue Tooth service, Calendar service, and even Application service. You have the option to show the Notifications status icon and to Auto-start the app.

Missed Alert App

My guess is that this simple feature was left out on purpose. Missed Call Android App fills a void with Android which by default doesn’t offer adequate settings to be notified of missed calls or SMS text messages. Android wants people searching for apps. What better way than to leave off simple features that all want or are used to. Like alerts. There is just a flashing green LED light. Missed Call Android App allows you to configure notification services,  LED color and LED intervals, vibration and vibration intervals, sound… plus option to choose sound file, and repeat notification options.

The calendar notifications are not 100%.  This was a problem. It worked then it didn’t. One time is didn’t alert while I was looking at the phones screen. At the moment when an event reminder pops up you will get your custom LED notification. All the other notifications are disabled. In addition you have to stop the LED by sliding down the window shade status bar!

You have to deactivate the notifications in the default messaging applications or any other application that organizes your SMS. If you don’t do this you will get two notifications! I didn’t do this at first and the phone over-alerted.

Tip on how to disable SMS notifications in other apps.

If using SMS apps like the default Messaging or ChompSMS:

* Open Messaging app
* Tapp “Menu” button
* Tapp “Settings”
* Tapp “Notifications”

Hello, and welcome to Understanding Android!