Tasker for Android update reveals the sad state of iOS automation
I saw the new version of Tasker for Android today. It really is very cool stuff, but it also serves as a constant reminder that iOS has very little at all in the way of automation applications or functionality. I’ve mentioned drafts and launch center pro before, but neither of these are a patch on Tasker. It’s a real shame as it’s a gap in the market which I’m sure would be filled if Apple would let developers make something like tasker, but that’s not going to happen for a while yet I think.
Nexus + Arduino, first step …
Getting these two finally connected is just the first step! Loads more to do with this as I think it’s going to form the basis of a number of projects for me.
Pd on Android
Getting Pd up and running on an Android device. Good to see it running, but I do wonder what I’ll do with it next.
A brief look at Samsung’s Galaxy SIII
I visited the O2 store and had a little play with Samsung’s SIII. My first impression was that it was very big, very big indeed. In fact, my iPhone 4 only just covers the screen of the SIII. But that sort of put me off a bit. It was so large that I wasn’t sure if I actually would get used to it.
Aside from size it has a very nice feel to it, but of course it is Android, and I’m still very much on the fence about a jump from iOS to Android. Of course, that could all change when iOS6 gets announced on Monday, we’ll have to see.
Further thoughts on a move to Android
I was thinking about moving to Android again. Weighing up whether I should move off iOS or not. One thing that I hadn’t thought about was which OS works best with the Pebble smartwatch. Whilst the smartwatch works with both operating systems, notifications work with Android, and not currently with iOS.
Of course, that could change, even next week at WWDC, but it does add another dimension to the question.
More looking into Android
Researching Android …
Serious consideration of Android
Yep, I am seriously considering Android for my next phone, which I will be able to update to in just over 2 weeks. As someone who is totally into music making on handheld devices you might wonder why I’m even interested in Android as it has no use whatsoever for music. Ok, that’s a little over the top. There are a few music making apps for Android, but not many to be fair.
So why move? Well, simply put it is that Android is more open and accessible. In data terms there is nothing to choose between the two operating systems really. If I want email, RSS, twitter etc then they can both do most of this stuff just fine. So one of the things I’m considering is moving to an Android phone and getting an iPod touch to use for music making.
The next couple of weeks will tell me if I can make the jump successfully.
Finding something interesting to do with LiveView
Ok, I’ve been tinkering with the LiveView and to be honest, whilst it is interesting and it does demonstrate that the whole smartwatch thing has moved on since the Fossil Palm OS watch, I don’t have a real use for it in it’s current form.
I guess the main problem with it is that it doesn’t work with my iPhone, but also because the screen isn’t really designed to show very much information and isn’t too useful. My guess is that the next version will be better. From what I’ve seen so far the screen is much nicer and the device is a lot thinner too.
Having said that I’ve already decided to get a Pebble smartwatch and I think that will have moved the technology forward, and also, the Pebble will work with iOS, which is a big plus for me.
LiveView controlling music
So, I got it to do something slightly useful now. It can play music, although it has seemed a little random so far and control isn’t brilliant. It’s a step in the right direction though.
LiveView watch case
So I finally got the case thing going for the liveview. It isn’t too bad either. Certainly compared to the old Fossil Palm watches anyway, which were more like having a small brick on your wrist.
Anyway, this watch is much better as the watch part is just a clip on back for the device so you can take it out and use it however you want. Good idea really.
Yep, I decided to fun the Pebble
I mentioned this the other day. A great idea and a massive response via kickstarter. I’ve joined in too now, so I look forward to September and getting a Pebble in the post.
Pebble looking amazing
Amazing to see that Pebble has been funded to over $3m from an initial request of just $100,000. I have to admit that it is an amazing idea and if it is as expected then it will be a major step forward for smart watches.
What’s especially interesting is the possibility of an SDK that could be used to make the Pebble do more, and possible control music software on an iPhone.
I guess it’s just a question of time to find out what people end up making with it.
Binary Clock in LiveView
LiveView BinaryClock
A little bit of progress with this project. I got the binary clock app running on the device. I really need to be able to get this working with RSS feeds and more soon.
Why do mobile phones have app platforms and landline phones don’t?
It really isn’t easy to find a home phone these days. Whilst we have loads of mobile phone shops, hardly anyone stocks a simple land line phone anymore. Why is that?
And, more to the point, why is it that land line phones haven’t evolved in the same way that mobiles have? I managed to find two Android powered home phones, but both had bad reviews that really put me off. But seriously, two smart-home phones? Is that all? Is there really no market for something more advanced in the home? I find it very strange indeed.
Moving forward with LiveView
I posted about LiveView a week or so ago, and it’s taken me a little while to get back to this again. Although I’m only tinkering with it, I think it could have some interesting possibilities.
I quite like the ‘find my phone’ function on it, which just makes the phone vibrate and play a tone and the screen lights up saying ‘Here I am’, which is fun.
Having looked around Google Play for apps for it there seem to be quite a few and doing some interesting stuff, but by far the most appealing is an app or applet that seems to suggest it can be linked to tasker. Now that could be very useful.
