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Home » Posts tagged 'iOS'
Data suggests that iOS apps crash more often than Android apps
Posted:
February 4, 2012
By: ccsoya
9 comments
Crittercism — a mobile app monitoring startup – painstakingly compiled data of mobile app crashes between November and December 2011, covering over 23 different permutations of the iOS operating system and over 33 Android versions, and over 214 million app launches between all those OS versions.
The data shows that iOS apps crashed more frequently than comparable apps on Android. As you can see in the data presented, iOS apps on iPhone, iPad and iPods Touch make up nearly 75% of total crashes in the period that the data was gathered.
The researchers suggests that the reason why Android apps see far less crashes than iOS apps is because the Android platform allows developers to send out updates faster and users are able to set their Android devices to auto-update apps which allow bugs to be fixed much faster than can be done on iOS. On iOS developers pushing updates have to go through an approval process which can take weeks and there is no auto-update for users using iOS.
From our own experience, we agree with the data. On a day-to-day basis we do see more app crashes on iOS than on Android. The apps that we use that crash on a daily basis include Safari, Twitter for iOS and Facebook for iOS, just to name a few.
So iOS and Android users, offer your thoughts, is the data indicative of your own user experience? Let us know.
A more detailed break down of the data sets is available after the break.
If you say you’ve never been addicted to Snake then you’re lying. Back in the day when everyone had a Nokia phone, Snake was the game to play. Actually, it was the only game to play on your Nokia phone.
Now you can waste time like its 1997 again with these remake versions of the ridiculously simple yet addictive Snake game first seen on Nokia phones complete with dot-matrix display, monotone sound effects and original old school controls.
The Snake game is available on Android, iOS and Windows Phone albeit from different developers. It’s free on Android (ad supported) and US$0.99 on iOS and Windows Phone. There’s a free trial version on Windows Phone app which is almost like the full paid version so it’s virtually free. It’s not like Malaysian can purchase any apps from the Windows Phone Marketplace at the moment anyway.
Download links for your convenience after the jump. Have fun!
Siri vs Google Voice Actions
Posted:
January 27, 2012
By: ccsoya
7 comments
The Woz says his favourite Android phone at the moment is not the Galaxy Nexus but the Motorola DROID RAZR. That was probably what inspired Motorola to do this video comparing Siri with Google Voice Actions.
Biased, maybe, but sill worth a look.
What’s also worth a look is this article from The Daily Beast about what Steve (Wozniak) thinks about Android. Here’s an excerpt about what he thinks about Siri.
Then there’s Siri, Apple’s new voice-recognition software. Woz says he’s been using Siri for a long time and used to love it when it was an independent application created for the iPhone.
But ever since Apple bought Siri and built the software into the iPhone 4S, it doesn’t work as well as it used to.
“I used to ask Siri, ‘What are the five biggest lakes in California?’ and it would come back with the answer. Now it just misses. It gives me real estate listings. I used to ask, ‘What are the prime numbers greater than 87?’ and it would answer. Now instead of getting prime numbers, I get listings for prime rib, or prime real estate,” Woz says.
Worse, a lot of the time Siri says it can’t make a connection to the back-end servers that power the system. “With the iPhone 4 I could press a button and call my wife. Now on the 4S I can only do that when Siri can connect over the Internet. But many times it can’t connect. I’ve never had Android come back and say, ‘I can’t connect over the Internet.’”
The Android system also delivers better results, he says. “I have a lower success rate with Siri than I do with the voice built into the Android, and that bothers me,” Woz says. “I’ll be saying, over and over again in my car, ‘Call the Lark Creek Steak House,’ and I can’t get it done. Then I pick up my Android, say the same thing, and it’s done. Plus I get navigation. Android is way ahead on that.”
Full article here.
Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition coming iOS and Android devices
Posted:
December 9, 2011
By: ccsoya
2 comments
We don’t really have time to play video games on tablets or smartphones but if we do, this would, beyond any doubt, be it.
Rockstar games will be releasing a special edition of its additively popular Grand Theft Auto series. The Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition will be available for both iOS and Android devices from December 15. The best part is that the game will cost reasonable US$5 when released.
The GTA III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition will also mark Rockstar’s maiden release of the popular franchise on the Android platform. We’re pretty sure many Android gamers out there who are GTA fans as well will be happy to know this.
The devices that the game supports include:
Apple iOS Devices: iPad 1 & 2, iPhone 4 & 4S, iPod touch 4th Generation
Android Phones: LG Optimus 2x, Motorola Atrix
Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, LG Optimus Pad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1
Yes, the selection of supported Android device do look rather limited but we suspect the game should run well on the Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Note as well. So should the Xperia Play and possibly Xperia arc as well.
In any case, head on over to after the jump to check out the teaser trailer GTA III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition.
Apple admits iOS 5 causing battery issues
Posted:
November 3, 2011
By: ccsoya
9 comments
Been having battery life issues after updating to iOS 5? It turns out the latest iOS version is to blame for your device not running longer than normal. Apple in a statement to AllThingsD said that “a small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices”. Apple says the it has “found a few bugs that are affecting battery life” and will be releasing an update to fix the problem in a “few weeks”.
Apple didn’t say when exactly the bug-fix update will be released.
At the same time Apple has released iOS 5.0.1 for developers which contains the following improvements and bug fixes including:
- Fixes bugs affecting battery life
- Adds Multitasking Gestures for original iPad
- Resolves bugs with Documents in the Cloud
- Improves voice recognition for Australian users using dictation
- Contains security improvements
Multitasking Gestures for the original iPad means good news for the first-gen iPad owners who were disappointed that their device didn’t support the feature. Also the security improvements means that the iPad 2 should no longer be vulnerable to exploits using the Smart Cover.
Recover all your lost apps and data post iOS 5 update
Posted:
October 14, 2011
By: ccsoya
8 comments
So you’ve made the jump to iOS 5. While you’re looking forward to the over 200 improvements made in what is probably Apple’s most significant iOS update, things are not all hunky dory.
We’ve got a number of reports from users who’ve complained that they’ve lost almost all their data on their iOS device. After a successful iOS 5 update, you may notice that all your apps, songs and what nots have all gone missing. We experienced this as well right after our iOS update.
But don’t despair, your apps and other data are not permanently erased. If you’re one of the many that was affected by this, here’s a step-by-step guide from PCWorld on how can recover everything back.
The Solution
- Plug your device back into your PC and open up iTunes.
- Click on the device name (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) in the left-hand column.
- Click on “Sync” or “Apply” in the bottom-right corner of the screen (see screenshot below). iTunes should begin restoring any data you had on the device.
- Be patient. Syncing can take a very, very long time.
- After restoring, iTunes may ask if you want to transfer purchased items back to iTunes. You must click “Transfer,” or else those items will be deleted from your device.
- Click “Apply” at lower right to restore your device’s data from iTunes.
- If all else fails, you can click on the “Summary” tab under your device settings in iTunes, then click “restore.” You’ll see a dialog box that allows you to pick from a previous restore point. Choose a date prior to installing iOS5 (do not click “set up as new”). This will take you back to the way things were. Then, you can install iOS 5 afresh.
Bonus Tip: If above steps don’t work
If the above steps don’t work. Make sure that the “sync apps” box is clicked in the apps tab in iTunes. Click it, select the apps to transfer and hit apply.
Extra Bonus Tip: If you have not yet updated to iOS 5
Before anything, BACK UP and SYNC your iOS device FIRST!
Sync your device first by clicking on the device in the left-hand column of iTunes, then hitting the “Sync” button in the bottom right corner. That way, no matter what happens during installation, you’ll still have everything backed up.
Also the update may take a long time to complete, so just wait it out.
Hope these tips help. Enjoy your update and good luck!
[source]
If you’re a racing fan, a serious mobile gamer and don’t own a Galaxy S II then you’re in luck. The full version of Asphalt 6: Adrenaline is free for you to download — for a limited time of course.
We’ve tried Asphalt 6 on the Galaxy S II and will tell you it is one of better racing games available on any mobile platform. It’s a full-featured game with real cars and multi-player support. In any case, it’s free, so quit ya yapping and start a downloadin’, you got nothing to lose (except if you’re on a data cap plan, then you’ll be losing some data downloading the game).
Asphalt 6: Adrenaline is available on the App Store now. Just search for Asphalt 6 or just click on the iTunes links below. Enjoys! Note: The game is a big file, so make sure your iPad/iPhone is connected to a speedy WiFi connection before you begin.
iTunes link for iPhone here
iTunes link for iPad here
A cool iPhone app that helps you get into the habit of eco driving
Posted:
September 12, 2011
By: ccsoya
4 comments
When it comes to eco-friendly driving, let’s get real, it’s boring and is as much fun as watching a bean sprout. But we all know that economical driving is good for our pockets and good for the environment. So what can we do to encourage ourselves to drive more economically?
A novel iPhone app might have the answer.
“A Glass of Water” is an application that encourages economical driving by placing a virtual glass of water on the dash of your car. The app behaves exactly like a real glass of water. The challenge is to drive smoothly so that there’s minimum spillage. The logic is, the less you spill the more economical your driving.
The app integrates with Google maps and records your driving distance, time, fuel consumption and amount of water spilled. The data is automatically uploaded to a dedicated website and can be analysed later to allow you to improve your driving further. You can also trace your driving route and identify locations where you can drive more economically.You can also compare your driving with other participants. There’s also an option to share your results and achievements on Facebook.
Overall, it’s a pretty nifty app that we enjoy using. Too bad that it’s only available for the iPhone at the moment. Hit up the source link for details.
[source]
Facebook Messenger for iOS and Android
Posted:
August 10, 2011
By: soyacincau
4 comments
UPDATE: Seems like iOS version is only available to those on US and other selected country stores. Thanks @luc_sohow for the headsup.
Here’s a new addition to your messaging complication channel. Facebook has announced its Messenger service which is available for both iPhone and Android devices. It offers instant messaging among your Facebook friends directly on your mobile.
So what makes it different from the Messaging via native Facebook app? It promises faster access with supposedly instant delivery and response. Basically taking on the likes of Whatsapp and Kik. The key differenciator we can see is that your conversations are both available on both web and app. This means no messages to lose in case of hard resets or when switching devices.
In addition, you can do group conversations, enable locations and attach photos. The Messenger app is now available and you can get it by searching for “Facebook Messenger”.
iPhone users can get it here while Android folks can download it from the Market.
More info here or via Facebook Blog.
Click for larger image
The iOS 5 has loads of cool features ripped-off from its competitors and here’s another one. It’s voice-to-text. As you can see in the screen cap, iOS 5 will allow users to say what they want to type and perhaps even control more advanced functions from their iOS device.
iOS 5 is still in beta and you should expect changes when the final version does come out with this feature. Also, it seems only iPhone and iPod touch will support the feature.
Voice-to-text is a cool feature but it is by no means new. The technology has been around for as long as we can remember and while early iterations of the technology have been laggy, impractical and basically useless, Google with Android have been key in bringing voice recognition to a point where it is now useful.
App developers like Vlingo, with its extensive support in Android, has also pushed the accuracy of voice recognition technology making a feature that was once reserved for geeks and those with patience, appeal to a wider mass audience.
But despite this, voice recognition hasn’t gained much traction. Apple has been known to bring the sexy back into old tech (For example: FaceTime = Video Call). So could voice-to-text come to age with Apple’s support? We certainly hope so. A mass adoption of this matured yet underused feature will push voice-to-text into the limelight and hopefully spur even more innovation for the benefit of us all.
[via]