Technology - Otlay Interactive Web Design and Development Blog

What Will Mango Do For Our WP7 Devices

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

I am sure most of you have already been hearing some of the rumors about out beloved Windows Phones being updated to the Mango update in the fall. Other than IE9 on WP7 getting HTML5, Silverlight support, and of course better multi-tasking/app switching, I have yet to hear much about any details. So I decided to just compile a little list of what I would like to see with the Mango update for my Samsung Focus.

Multitasking Improvement On WP7

Whether you like to call it multitasking or not I don't really care. It essentially is smart multitasking. They limit it for very good reason but I feel like they could limit it a bit less and it would be much better. On top of giving developers a little bit of a longer leash for the multi-tasking they also need to provide a nice app switching interface. Heaven forbid the follow iPhone because quite frankly that alone made me want to replace my iPhone 3gs. No company yet has topped Palm's epic card interface and it makes me sad that WebOS is not more popular than it is but what can you do. Regardless, WP7 please get an app switcher that is as user friendly as WebOS's card view.

Remote Desktop (RDP) Built In On WP7

This would be a great feature to add and every Windows full OS has had the capability there for a long time so why not us mobile users? I know there are apps out there that do it but I personally want to see Windows have it's own implementation for a couple of reasons. One if it is built into an update then it is (or at least should be) free. And secondly if Microsoft is taking care of it themselves then I am pretty sure they can come up with a better implementation than most developers. I am thinking instead of like most RDP's you see your desktop actually having a WP7 specific implementation of your desktop.

WP7 Needs New Ringtones

I don't actually even use custom ringtones all that much, but I am struggling with the fact that you can't add them to your current WP7 devices. This ability has been on a lot of phones for quite a while now. One thing I did like on my iPhone 3gs was going into iTunes and cropping out 30 seconds of one of my favorite songs and putting that as a ringtone.

SSH Terminal

I use putty on a daily basis for work and it would be nice to have the capability on my phone. SSH capability is pretty much all it needs and there might be apps for it I am not sure but I feel it is something that should be built in on every device. Doing web development there are many times where I might quickly need to ssh into the servers for a small change and if my WP7 Samsung Focus had a well polished built in app that would be awesome. On my iPhone I had an app, I can't recall what it was called but it was not well polished or very user friendly.

Free Developer (Homebrewer) Unlock Version

Actually, I would like to see this come long before Mango rolls out on my Focus but at the latest I want to see it on Mango. Having good terms with your homebrew community will set them far ahead of Apple and make the user experience awesome. I mean if you are limited to only your device (not getting apps in the app store) then you can't do much harm. Obviously there is the possiblity of being like the iPhone hacker community and pirating everything but if you are on good terms with your homebrew community this is much less likely to happen.

WP7 Mango Update Expectations Conclusion

In short I am very excited about this update and hope that at least some of what I am wanting is part of the Mango update. I know I wont get it all but hey, wishful thinking. Microsoft is doing a great job with Windows Phone 7 and I have confidence that they will keep it up. I mean they kind of have to to compete.

How To Update Your WP7 Samsung Focus With The NoDo Update On AT&T

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Check out this article and comment here for WP7 update Help and Tips

Since this is the first update out for our beautiful WP7 devices it is nice to have a little bit of insight to what you are getting into. It is certainly not a hard process but it is a bit more time consuming than you would think and slightly misleading at times. When you are done you will be copy and pasting on your Windows Phone 7 device like a pro. You will need your WP7 device, a micro USB cable, and a computer with an internet connection and Zune.

Updating Your WP7 Device With NoDo On AT&T

Plug your Samsung Focus into an open USB port on your computer
You might be prompted to update your Zune software, and if so the accept the update. (this should only take a couple of minutes or less)
Next, you should get a Zune window telling you there is an update for you WP7 device. Click "update". This will update your WP7 device to build 7004 and will happen very quickly. (My first reaction was that the NoDo update was unbelievably fast but this was just the first update)
Then, as soon as it was done you should be prompted again to update, if not then unplug the device and plug it back in.
Select "update". This update will bring your device to build 7008 and will take about 20 minutes so be patient.
When that one does finish you should unplug your phone and afterwards your phone should tell you you have update available so plug your WP7 device back in.
Third time is a charm! On the third update prompt for your Windows Phone 7 device you are going to be getting the NoDo build 7390 and it will take about 26 minutes.

Some things you will see along the way

In the image above you will see what your phone will look like while your NoDo update is taking place.

In this image you can see what the success windows will look like on your computer when you are done updating your WP7 device with the NoDo update.

Final Notes On NoDo WP7 Update Process

So far I am loving the NoDo update on my Samsung Focus. The process was longer than expected and like I said earlier a bit deceiving. After you think you have the 7390 build you only have the 7004 or the 7008. Considering this is the first update for our Windows Phones I think that the rest will be much smoother. NoDo did seem to bring the performance boost that it promised and of course the beloved copy and paste.

A Developer's First Impression Of Windows Phone 7

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

I recently switched from the iPhone 3gs over to a Samsung Focus with Windows Phone 7 (WP7). In this quick blog I will go through my first impressions, what I like, what I would like to see in updates, and just a few points of comparison with IOS.

WP7 First Impression

First turning the phone on WP7 instantly feels like it is a new concept and a great step up from the old Windows Mobile. Instead of just having a grid of application with a rather boring feel to it, you have crisp, bright tiles that pop out at you. The user interface looks extremely polished and is very user friendly. I did notice that out of the box plugging it into the wall or computer it started to lag. And since then it appears if the battery is low it will show slight lag at times while plugged in. At first I was pretty upset and thought that I had bought a crappy device but after the first couple of charges I don't notice it anymore.

What I Like About WP7

I love the live tiles and think that they have great potential. I feel like the live tiles is the biggest innovation in mobile operating systems for a long time. IPhone has not made any really outstanding leaps in my eyes. They have been using the same old layout with no upgrades to the lock screen or change in almost any other functionality that would streamline your productivity. More of a device specific point here but I LOVE the 4 inch AMOLED screen on the Samsung Focus. The screen blows the iPhone out of the water. It is also nice to be able to add up to 32GB of memory to the phone, although so far it has been quite the issue of finding a card that will work.

What I Want WP7 To Get In Updates

I want WP7 to get the ability to add ringtones to your device. I know this sounds like a small thing but not just for the ability to sport your favorite song but the current alarm is terrible. I don't see how any of the tones could ever wake anyone up.
Secondly, I want there to be copy and paste. In general I feel like I don't have any where near as much need for copy and paste as I did while using the iPhone 3gs but it would still be nice.
The third is a given... MORE APPS! I know this is not totally Windows responsibility, but there need to be more apps and I know there will be because WP7 is still a baby.
Also WP7 went the same route as iPhone as for the multitasking which personally I feel is good and bad. It causes developers to be more creative but it guarantees that a crappy developer won't drain your batter in 5 minutes. However, there is not really a task switcher other than the back button which obviously just goes back.

Windows Phone 7 Conclusion

WP7 is a huge step forward and I am extremely excited to see the first few updates roll out. In the next 6 months to a year I can see this being the best mobile operating system. I love Android and I especially love WebOS but WP7 is really raising the bar. In my opinion WP7 and IOS are very close to on par with each other as far as user friendly goes. I also feel that WP7 has much more potential until Apple decides to actually make a new operating system instead of just adding features. I love the concept of Android as I do appreciate open source, but I haven't actually owned one just yet so I can't speak much there. Although it is my understanding that they are for the more tech savvy of us, hence a reason many millions will choose IOS or WP7 instead.

Nintendo takes 3D to the next level with 3DS

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Nintendo has revolutionized the 3-D and Gaming industry with the release of its new hand held consol, the 3DS. This 3-D gaming consol offers a glasses-free viewing experience at a price the average consumer can afford. Though the technology that makes it possible has been around a while, it is just now being adapted to be brought to the masses

What Makes it Possible?

The 3.5 inch upper screen that features the 3-D option, boasts a resolution of 800x240 pixels. Due to the way the technology works, it actually splits the resolution between each of the user’s eyes, essentially making it 400x240 pixels for each. Then each scene is rendered twice; once for each eye. By separating both the resolution pixels and the rendered pictures for each eye, the 3DS creates a stereoscopic effect, giving the appearance of image depth.
3-D viewing is also made possible because of a holofoil-like film with precisely cut slits laid over the top of the LCD display. The slits cause your brain to differentiate images between the left and right eye, giving the effect of depth perception. The only downfall to this technology is the fact it has to be held directly in front of your face, usually at reading level, for the 3-D effect to be present. Some users have also reported not being able to see the images at all, and others report headaches after prolonged usage.

Other 3-D Features

Along with gaming, Nintendo has thrown several other 3-D features into the 3DS. They have included three total camera lenses, one on the inside and two on the front, capable of capturing 3-D images. There is also an array of special effects offered, including Merge. Merge takes two photos, one from the inside camera of the person holding the 3DS, and one from the outward facing cameras of the person across from them. It then combines the two images to create a single 3-D image of what you would look like combined into one person.
The 3DS will also offer an array of other multimedia content including 3-D movies, TV shows, augmented reality applications, and digital music. Nintendo has hashed out deals with DreamWorks, Warner Bros, and Disney to deliver stereoscopic content to the 3DS via Wi-Fi connection.

Just the Tip of the Iceberg?

Though Nintendo has made a name for its self as a gaming consol, the ability to play 3-D games may be the least notable feature of the 3DS. With its ability to connect to the internet using a Wi-Fi connection, the possibilities are endless. Its affordability and glasses free technology make it far superior to a $1500 TV that chains you to the couch.
Though the 3DS has the ability to connect to the web to access movies and updates, no current web browser exists for the system. Don’t you worry, one is in the works as we speak that’s based off of the Access Netfront platform. The ability to surf the web may very well open Pandora’s Box. How long until web sites are being viewed in 3-D? If Nintendo can get the new consol to be used and trusted as much as the smart phone, the possibilities are endless. We very well could be receiving all of our digital content in 3-D very soon.

Apple iOS 4.3 Update Leaves iPhone 3G Out of Commission

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

It's official, if you have an iPhone 3G, you're probably asking yourself "why isn't my iPhone 3G updating to iOS 4.3?!". It's because you're no longer in the hardware group that gets Apple software updates. They cut it out, you're stuck, and to date, Apple hasn't made any notion that they're intending to let you get security patches or continue much into the future with your phone. Funny timing with the launch of the iPad2, but far enough before the release date of iPhone 5 that you can't plan on upgrading your 3G to a 5 anytime soon.

Since iOS 4.0, the 3G model has mostly been short the ability to multi task. With the big speed improvements in iOS 4.3, is it really a question of the hardware not being able to support enough of the software, or is it an easy opportunity to shorten their development requirements and push some users to make those valuable upgrades?

iPhone 3GS Upgrades

AT&T has been making a big marketing push to get 3GS phones out the door for as little as $50. Assuming you (re)sign a 2 year agreement of course and are eligible for an upgrade. If you're not eligible, market price of a 3GS: $399. This means if you want to have the latest, secure software, and be able to run and update all of your apps, you're going to have to upgrade, or be stuck with a lack of features.

iPhone Upgrade Options?

Maybe now is the time to look at making a switch to Android, perhaps the stunning new Motorola Atrix? Or if your heart is really stuck on an iPhone, check out AT&T vs Verizon iPhone Comparison Chart and make sure you're with the company you want to be before ponying up for that new phone.

Lets just say we have both an AT&T and a Verizon contract in our office, and the Verizon staff does an awful lot of crap talking... I'll stick with my Blackberry Torch... for now... but if you're looking for a good time to upgrade, 2011 is going to be a good year to get some nice hardware. Multicore processors in phones are the future, and with powerful phones coming out that rival PCs less than 10 years ago, it's looking up to be a bright future for our handheld devices.

Apple 4.3 iOS Update, iPhone 4 back on top with HotSpot?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The much anticipated 4.3 iOS from Apple has finally arrived. Like every other update, Apple enthusiast were as excited as always to see what toys Apple had provided this time around. The new update scheduled for a March 11th launch, was released a day early. This update will allow iPhone 4 users to use their phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot as seen on the new Verizon iPhone and other mobile devices. Along with the new hotspot capabilities the iPhone 4 has increased the performance of Safari and in-home sharing through iTunes.

Hot spot

After the update to the iPhone 4 I was ready to become the neighborhood hotspot, or so I thought. In order to get my 4.3 iOS upgrade working to its full potential I had to spend eighteen minutes on the phone with an AT&T specialist to upgrade my data package. My current data package was grandfathered in allowing me to maintain an unlimited data plan for $30/month over the past couple of years.The once unlimited data plan was now ‘upgraded’ to a limited data plan with only 4 GBs of connection and tethering for an additional $15/month. The AT&T specialist informed me that once I have changed data plans I am not permitted to revert back to my previous data package. I hope it's worth the change!

2+2 vs. 4

Along with losing my current data package, which was without question better than the upgrade, the new data package is somewhat lacking. The new data plan will not include the 4 GB as advertised, but give users 2 GB of data for your phone and 2 GB for tethering purposes, a total of 4 GB. This may not sound like a big deal, but what this does is allocates your data usage for you. Instead of being able to use 4 GB of data at your discretion, you are forced to use 2 GB on your phone and 2 GB when tethering through your computer. However, if you over use your data on either of your 2 GB connections you will be forced to pay the additional $10 per GB. If the data plan enabled you to use the 4 GB how you desired, you would be able to use 3 GB on your phone and not have to worry about getting stuck with an overage charge every month as well as an unused GB of data.

Internet Connection

Although the data packages are a bit questionable and it made me second guess rather or not the updates were worth it, I was pleasantly surprised when it came to the internet connection speed. I ran a multitude of speed test through SpeedTest.net and the Speed Test Mobile Application. When using computer tethering, the internet connection maintained an impressive average of 3.96 Mb download speed, and an average of 3.25 Mb when using the Speed Test Mobile Application through a 3G data connection. I was very happy with the overall quality of the connection and will be a definite bonus to anyone that travels and has a hard time finding reliable internet. To top off the above average connection, I tested the phone using the Skype Application to place video calls through 3G data connection. The Facetime was much better than I had anticipated with no lag or down time and the quality is equivalent to Facetime via Wi-Fi. I don’t recommend this as a replacement to everyday hardwire and wireless internet but it is decent second option. When connecting an iPhone 3GS to the iPhone 4 hotspot, the 3GS was able to double its download connection speed vs. using its own 3G network.

Web Browsing

Like most phones the iPhone isn’t perfect and does have a few flaws. One of the most notable flaws was that of the Safari web browser. The previous Safari would cut out, lag, and bog down when being used at a fast pace. The new Safari is equipped with upgraded JavaScript that allows the browser to function up to three times as fast. This smoother operating browser gives the user a cleaner, much ‘prettier’ web browsing experience. The new, more responsive Safari has also been equipped to let slideshows and other animations run without the typical interruption or downtime.

Other Notables

The hotspot and new connection capabilities were the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the 4.3 iOS but not the entirety of the update. The iPhone has also been outfitted with new notification abilities which allow the user to select the number of times an alert will repeat, up to ten times. Apple also enabled the 4.3 to include iTunes home sharing. The home sharing will let users view their media on their mobile device through their PC or Mac through a Wi-Fi connection.

All in All

The overall update of 4.3 iOS was done with the end user in mind and has raised the bar once again when it comes to mobile devices and mobile user ability. Although the new "back door" data plan changes may be a bit questionable, the hotspot is no doubt a feature that every iPhone 4 owner will want to take part in. The new functionality added to the iPhone through the 4.3 iOS upgrade seem to outweight the miniscule price hike to use the If you can afford the few extra dollars a month on your bill, the upgrade to 4.3 will be worth the money.