Google’s mantra for the new Android 4.0 Operating System – “one OS everywhere”. This effort will resultin a single version of Android running across phones and tablets alike.

Features include facial recognition and new APIs to reduce fragmentation.

Ice Cream Sandwich will utilize the interface of Android 3.0 Honeycomb. An updated app launcher and a holographic user interface along with an interactive homescreen complete with new homescreen widgets and the multi-tasking panel.

Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich will incorporate all the best parts of Honeycomb and Gingerbread making this operating system a mirror from smartphones to tablets. Making, them in essence, one system for both.

This new update allows Android tablets to be able to act as a USB hub. Then you can connect devices such as mice and keyboards and game controllers to tablets and smartphones.

Google is also intending to make life easier for developers by releasing a new set of APIs that will help them to scale their apps across the various sizes of Android devices – Google acknowledges that it’s important for developers to be able to design apps that will work across 3.5-inch smartphones up to 10.1-inch tablets.

During the Google Google I/O keynote those on stage also showed off 3D headtracking using the front-mounted camera so you can figure out who is speaking and focus on them while on a video call. Face detection will be a key feature in the OS.

* I could run a report. Simply click on “Run Report”. I chose vehicle, then start and stop time. End Time and End Date. I could see the route. I could see if the truck was idling or not. Stop threshold and Idle threshold. Then I generate a report by clicking on “Generate Report”.

* Also there is a “spot on map” feature. Its fast.

* I could also Manage the subgroups. I broke it down into different categories by region. Depending on where the fleet were going. Actually reads very well on the map.

The support for Silent Passenger GPS Fleet Tracking is 24/7/365. You call and you get someone to answer. In the event they are busy. They call back and they respond to emails quickly. Issues are resolved in a timely manner.

Purpose

- Automatically finds conference calls on your calendar
- One click to dial
- Automatically enters conference code at prompts
- Adds popup reminders
- Call disruption detection with options to redial.

Pros:

InstantMeeting is a wonderful tool for those who participate in conference calls
often. The dial in lines however are the codes.It figures out scheduled conference
calls from your calendar on your Google Android phone for the next few weeks and
automatically pops up a reminder when it’s time for your call with one-touch prompts
to make the call, snooze or cancel. The real beauty in the app is when it makes the
call and the automated prompt asks for your conference code it places it for you,
and you manually confirm and begin your call (convenient). The application also
detects when you get disconnected and offers to redial and do its job again (even
more convenient). This is a must have app for business professionals.

Cons:

Available for:Android
Application: Client side

More Details:

Plantronics InstantMeeting instantly connects you to your conference calls.
InstantMeeting automatically identifies conference calls and dialing details from
your calendar, reminds you just before the meeting is scheduled to begin and with
just one press connects you to your conference call.

Hardware and Software Requirement:Android
Download from:

Download from Android Market

External Links:
1.http://www.understandroid.com/?p=96 I have read a bunch of posts on the web stating that we are finally getting a real phone. Well, those are my words.

Name: WaveSecure

Type: Protection ,Locking , Mobile, Convenience , Security

Purpose

- Remotely lock down your device
- Wipe out important data stored on your mobile to protect your privacy
- Back up your data from your phone or remotely on the web
- Access your data online from anywhere. Restore your data to a new phone
- Locate your lost phone and plot the locations on a map
- Track SIM cards inserted and phone calls made to help get your lost phone back

Pros:
When you choose to “Track Location” via the website, it sends out a text message
(encrypted/gobbledygook text) or MMS that seems to activate the WaveSecure
application and if GPS is enabled uses that and if not uses the Wireless Tower
Triangulation method to determine your location.Finally, the remote wipe allows you
to wipe all your secure data of your phone (if you work for the CIA or if you are
Tiger Woods and don’t want Elin to see any of the text messages/call logs when you
forget your phone at home). You can easily restore the data after you recover your
phone. The site also offers the option to lock your phone remotely which instructs
the person who found the phone to call 911 to return the phone or if you know the
secret PIN you can unlock it yourself.It also has a “Lock & Alarm” feature which
makes your phone wail (annoyingly!) and will embarrass any thief who hoped to get
away with your phone.

It also displays your emergency contact phone numbers (which
it asks you for when you install the program) so you can call them and return the
phone sooner. The next time my phone is on silent or vibrate and I cannot find it
within my house, I plan on using the “wail” feature to locate it. You can also
unlock the phone through the website as well. With WaveSecure, there is a yearly
charge of $19.90. You can set it for daily scheduled backups of your SMS, contacts,
and call logs. It does it in a smart way since it will only do this while it’s
charging so it won’t kill your battery. With the newest version, you can now backup
your media as well. When a new system update comes up, it might format your phone.

Just reinstall WaveSecure and in 3 clicks you can restore all of your lost info. You
can log on to www.wavesecure.com, lock down your phone, wipe all of your personal
information from the phone, and then find exactly where it is! And if someone tries
to change the SIM card it tells you the number and locks the phone automatically.
The interface for WaveSecure really couldn’t be easier. The hardest part about this
app is remembering your PIN. Even the web interface is easy.After your initial setup
and configuration, one of the most beautiful aspects of WaveSecure is that you don’t
have to use it again… until your phone is missing.There are two different interfaces
that need to be spoken about for WaveSecure; the app itself and the web interface.

The app consists of 5 buttons; Backup, Upload Media, Restore, Lock Down Phone, and
Wipe Now! They do exactly what they say. You really can’t get easier then that.The
web interface isn’t that much more complicated consisting of 10 buttons; Lock,
Track, Location, Backup, Wipeout, Restore, Contacts, SMS, Call Logs, and Media. The
only one that seems to be confusing is Track. It doesn’t track the phones location
(that’s what Location does) but it tracks what’s going on with the phone (turned
off, switched SIM, etc.).

Cons: Costs $19.90 a year

Available for: Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile

Application: Client side

Cost: $19.90 a year.

More Details:

WaveSecure is an award-winning security service that protects your phone, data and
privacy in the event of loss.With WaveSecure, you never have to worry about losing
your phone again!

Hardware and Software Requirement: Android or blackberry

Download from:

https://www.wavesecure.com/download-mobile.aspx – For Mobile
https://www.wavesecure.com/download-pc.aspx – For PC

External Links:

1. WaveSecure (wavesecure) on Twitter
2. href="http://lifehacker.com/5448157/wavesecure-is-an-all+in+one-lost-phone-solution-for-android">WaveSecure is an All-In-One Lost Phone Solution for Android

Name: Sherpa

Type: Location, Surroundings , Mobile, Convenience

Purpose

- Relevance Engine

Our proprietary technology automatically filters your surroundings, by weighing
relevance against distance. It allows you to filter by category (restaurants, coffee
shops, travel spots), by location (for what stores are in the mall) or by brand
(everything from Martha Stewart to Target).

- Search-less Search
With a click, find instant information about where you are and the type of location
you’re browsing. For movies, we’ll give you movie reviews and show times. For
restaurants, we’ll include the menu, a tipping calculator or help make a
reservation. For traveling, get flight arrivals and baggage restrictions.

- Passive Personalization
The app’s learning feature is an exclusive customized experience. This feature
enables the app to automatically create a unique interest profile, learning your
bank or your favorite coffee shop. Over time, the app becomes more and more “you”,
effortlessly.

- Simple Search Bar
Browse by category to find exactly what you’re looking for. Swipe and tap to filter
by restaurants, shopping or banks.

- Location Carousel
Automatically discover locations in your vicinity. Spin the carousel to easily view
what’s around you.

- Information Window
Get location info, event alerts and discounts that update as you browse or move.

- Go To
Virtually teleport yourself to discover information around another location.

- Easy Essentials
Just click on a location and find everything you need. Access contact information,
directions, detailed description, customer reviews, store hours, amenities and
specials.

- Refine Your Recommendations
Give your favorite java joint a thumbs up, and the app will recommend more stuff
like it, quickly and easily.

- Quick Links
Make full use of smart phone functionality. Dial or map with just one click.

Pros:

Sherpa Android App is good and useful. Geodelic developed a nifty location-based app
that brings the nearest eateries, businesses, attraction, etc. to you… and does it
with style. Spin the virtual carousel of attractions, view them on Google maps (with
aerial view of buildings),or view them in a list.This fancy feature set was
optimized for the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, which has a slight memory bump.

Using Sherpa on a G1 can have some performance issue if memory on your phone is low.Sherpa
Android App is very useful in everyday practical use or for recreational needs.The
app is easy to use, it brings entities nearest your location. It gets simpler as the
app adapts to you. The user interface features a slick carousel Open GL enriched,
and optimized for mobile use. If you are not interested in things nearby, you can
use Sherpa to find things somewhere else.Eventually, Sherpa will offer three types
of experiences for the user. The first, which is currently available, is the General

Experience that lists everything around you and updates as you move.Geodelic refers
to the second experience as “Onsite.” After you reach a location with published
custom information, Sherpa will load that experience for you. Examples include a
restaurant displaying its menu and current specials, a retailer publishing its
weekly circular ad, or an amusement park providing the map to their rides.

Other Android apps like Where and Aloqa are attempting similar features, but Sherpa has
the advantage of being backed by T-Mobile.Themed Experience is a collection of
locations and information that is targeted toward a specific niche. For example,
Greenopia, which is a themed version of Sherpa that is currently available on the
iPhone, includes more than 1,000 green stores, restaurants, and services in the Los
Angeles area.

Cons:

1. It takes a long time for this start up screen to go away.

Available for: Android

Application: Client side

Cost: Free

More Details:

Sherpa discovers information about your surroundings. Learning your likes and
dislikes, the app automatically displays surrounding restaurants, retailers and
attractions that reflect your taste. Drill-down for location details, reviews and
contacts. Sherpa, your indispensable all-in-one guide.

Hardware and Software Requirement: Android phone

Download from: Download from Android Market , just search for “Sherpa”.

External Links:

1.Archives for: Sherpa
2. href="http://www.betanews.com/article/Sherpa-helps-Android-users-find-their-way-in-foreign-cities/1249592460">Sherpa
helps Android users find their way in foreign cities
3.Meet
Sherpa, the Hottest Android App

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.

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”