Apple vs Google: The Voice Assistant

by Justin Horn on Jun 29th, 2012 @ 12:36 pm

Have to agree with TechnoBuffalo here, Google has really taken their voice assistant to the next level. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple has something up it’s sleeve with Siri and the latest 2012 iPhone due out this Fall.

(via iClarified)

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Andriod, Apple vs ?, Google, iOS, iOS 6

How I imagine the boardroom of Android device makers

by Justin Horn on Oct 20th, 2011 @ 4:34 pm

This Smart Car commercial perfectly captures how I believe Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and other Android device makers boardrooms sound, when discussing new product design.

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Andriod, Apple vs ?, Humor

Verizon Skype app does not use 3G data or WI-FI for voice calls

by Justin Horn on Sep 2nd, 2010 @ 2:25 pm

Skype announced today that you can now use the Verizon Skype app on your Andriod phone without disabling WI-FI. AndroidCentral jumped on the news assuming that you could now make calls using WI-FI. They later updated this, stating that you could now leave WI-FI enabled while using Skype, but not actually place calls via WI-FI.

It was obvious to me that there is no way they would allow WI-FI calling. Remember, Skype doesn’t just have an app out on the Andriod market like it is on Apple’s app store. The app is only available to Andriod phones (and BlackBerry) that are on the Verizon network. This is all part of a very shady deal between Skype and Verizon, which I  highlighted back in March. It’s basically an exclusivity deal that would tempt Skype users to pick Verizon over a different carrier. Even better for Verizon, your Skype calls to domestic phones use up your regular Verizon voice plan minutes. Skype to Skype calls are free and international calls are billed by Skype, but I still beleive they connect through Verizon’s regular voice network. I’m really not sure what’s in it for Skype.

What AndriodCenteral and others missed, is the fact that Skype calls don’t even use your 3G data connection. Brian Klug brought this to my attention in a tweet about a month ago:

@justin_horn @gruber even worse, the skype app on android doesn’t even do real VoIP – it places calls. Doesn’t use data.

This explains why Skype-to-phone calls come out of your Verizon minutes, but then what’s the point of using Skype at all? Your Skype address book?

I confrimed Brian’s hunch today with Skype’s main PR guy, Peter Parkes, on Twitter:

Me: @PeteratSkype Does Skype Verizon on Andriod work on 3G data, or just call into VZ mothership via normal CDMA phone connection and then out? (Original Tweet)

Peter: @justin_horn it uses the data connection for IM, contact list, etc and the voice network for calls – hope that helps (Original Tweet)

So if Skype were to allow WI-FI calling with this update, they would obviously be in breach of their contract with Verizon.

Compare this to un-open iOS Skype app which allows you to make calls on 3G and WI-FI. These calls are placed just like they would be from a laptop with a 3G card or WI-FI connection. All usage is billed to your Skype account alone. You can even make WI-FI calls from the iPod touch.

(via Daring Fireball)

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Andriod, Skype, Verizon

Android “open” Market really making Apple’s garden bloom

by Justin Horn on Aug 13th, 2010 @ 4:30 pm

TweetDeck official Twitter account:

Someone has uploaded a “TweetDeck” app to the Android Market and is charging for it. THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL APP. Do NOT download.

Remember kids, curation is a bad thing.

UPDATE Click here to view the listing on DoubleTwist website  (via DaringFireball)

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Andriod, Apple vs ?, iPhone apps

Android Trojan virus, I think I’ll keep playing in Apple’s garden

by Justin Horn on Aug 10th, 2010 @ 10:37 am

ReadWriteWeb:

Purporting to be a harmless media player application, the Trojan, once installed, actually sends out SMS text messages without the users’ knowledge or consent.

The Trojan penetrates Android-based smartphones disguised as an ordinary application, says Kaspersky. Users are prompted to install a small file of around 13 KB that has the standard Android extension .APK. But once the “app” is installed on the device, the Trojan bundled with it begins texting premium rate phone numbers (those that charge). The criminals are actually the ones operating these numbers, so they end up collecting the money via charges to the victims’ accounts.

Yes, some of the drawbacks of Apple’s walled garden do suck, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. As mobile phones and devices act more and more like our old school desktop, the risk for virus increases. This is only going to get worse.

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Andriod, Apple vs ?, Mobile Viruses