Nexus 7 Flaws: 5 Potential Dealbreakers

While we love the new Nexus 7, we’ve got some complaints about it, including problems with apps and hardware issues.

As an owner of the original Nexus 7 and someone who loved the tablet, the new Nexus 7 couldn’t come soon enough. With high hopes for the new tablet, the old Nexus 7 found a new home with a friend who didn’t own a tablet. We waited expectantly for Google and ASUS to finally release the new Nexus 7. Our local Staples store started selling them a little earlyand we barely got our hands on one, buying the last 16GB model left in the store with no 32GB models available.

App Compatibility

HBO Go usually gets installed early on when we get a new phone or tablet. Not with the Nexus 7. The Google Play Store reports that the app won’t work because “Your device isn’t compatible with this version.” This happened with the first Nexus 7 too. Some apps just wouldn’t work because the app maker didn’t update in time for the launch. This could result from the Nexus 7 running Android 4.3. We expect a solution soon, just as we found with the original. A user at the XDA Developers Forum contacted HBO and got a response which said the update would come soon.

Tivo for Tablets originally didn’t support the device, but now installs fine, so most apps will likely receive updates to work soon.

Strangely, one incompatible app comes from none other than Google itself. The Google Wallet appwon’t work on the Nexus 7 and probably never will due to a lack of a “Secure Element.” Search the play store from the tablet and Wallet won’t even show up in the results. Here’s the word from Google’s Peter Hazlehurst commenting at Android Police.

Hi folks, there is no Secure Element in the new Nexus 7 (or the HTC One Play Edition) which is why Google Wallet isn’t supported.

Poor Quality Tablet Apps

Android developers made great strides in the past year tablet specific apps. However, we can’t find good apps in a few categories, like handwritten note-taking or inking apps. On iOS Notability ($1.99) does a great job with:

• fluid inking
• note organization
• note exporting and syncing
• typing and inking
• page layout with inserting photos
• zoom feature for fine inking

That last feature means the most to those who take notes in their own handwriting. Notability gives users a zoomed in box that lets them write in large print, but shows up on the page looking more like fine print written on a real paper tablet. The app shrinks the words and places them at the insertion point for precision inking.

Some Android apps give us a close facsimile to Notability, but nothing works as well on Android. Here’s a few apps, mostly free, with potential, but they’re frustratingly not close enough.

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• AntipaperNotes
• Handrite Pro – $3.99
• Note Anytime
• Papyrus

Papyrus offers fluid inking but no zoom feature.

Of those, Note Anytime (below) offers the best hope, but it’s still not good enough to replace Notability.

Note Anytime offers more Notability features than any other Android note taking app

Lack of LTE at Launch

We knew they’d leave out LTE at launch, but it still frustrates some users. The ability to jump online any time regardless of available Wi-Fi makes LTE tablets useful for mobile users.

Phone hotspots solve the problem, but they’re not as convenient, even with Android widgets that toggle the phone’s hotspot on and off. The iPhone hotspot feature doesn’t work as well since it forces the users to toggle it on/off every time from within Settings. iOS 7 promises to fix this, but it’s not proven and months away.

Hotspot drains the phone battery faster and could create a security risk.

An LTE version of the new Nexus 7 will come shortly, but impatient gadget freaks don’t like waiting. Apple had this problem with their first iPad, but the later versions dropped the same day as the Wi-Fi only models. Google needs to fix this with the next version.

Sensitivity of the Touch Screen

The display looks awesome on the new Nexus 7, but the touch screen’s sensitivity causes problems. Tapping and holding icons to drag them, like when a user wants to move an app icon, proves difficult. The screen is so sensitive that the finger must remain perfectly still. Any movement at all keeps the tap and hold feature from working.

Battery Life

The new Nexus 7 battery runs about as well as the old Nexus 7. We get about 8 hours with average to above average usage. On an iPad mini one can expect about 8 hours, so the Nexus 7 doesn’t run as long. We’re not too upset over an hour’s difference. Just keep it in mind if deciding between the two devices.

Not All Bad

While some people found the build quality suspect, we didn’t. It feels like a solid low-end tablet. We’ve played with other tablets that feel like they’d likely fall apart quicker than the Nexus 7. The original Nexus 7 held up well, so we’ve got high hopes. The iPad mini sat in a drawer for a few days while exclusively using the new Nexus 7. A full review will come later, but these were the few issues discovered early on.

Stuck in Traffic? Let your Elected Officials Know with I’m Stuck!

Everyone hates being stuck in traffic. Whether it is a traffic jam caused by an accident or road construction, or a lousy train that stopped in the middle of a crossing, we do not like to wait.Building America’s Future has created an app called I’m Stuck, and that promises an easy to way report traffic issues directly to elected officials.

The application is a free download for both iOSand Android that allows users to report that they are currently stuck in traffic, or on mass transit. The application (based on your address you provide during registration) determines who the elected officials in Congress are for the user’s area. The user can then choose who receives the notification.

The I’m Stuck app main screen.

The user simply clicks on the Report an Issue button and the process begins.

I’m Stuck lets users attach an image.

The user has the opportunity to attach an image (using the phone’s camera) to send along with the message.

I’m Stuck lets the user choose which type of transportation tie-up they are having.

The user then selects what type of congestion problem they are experiencing.

I’m Stuck lets the user choose which member of Congress to send the message to.

Because the app knows where the user lives, it can search a database of Congressional districts and tell the user what representatives cover their area. The app then allows the user to choose any or all of the representatives to send it to.

I’m Stuck safety warning.

The I’m Stuck app will be presumably used when the driver is in a safe location (stopped in traffic) but it does take the time to remind the user to use the app safely.

I’m Stuck is basically an email application that makes it easier to send a message to a member of Congress about a specific issue. The application allows the user to attach a picture and customize the message. While nothing particularly fancy, it does do what it says and makes people more aware that they have people can complain to about traffic problems. Hopefully, if enough people complain about a particular location or issue, it will be fixed.

Leaked Display Panel Shows iPad 5 is Inspired by iPad Mini

After a number of leaks of the rear casing of theiPad 5‘s rear casing, we now have a leak of the front glass display panel for Apple’s fifth generation iOS tablet. The iPad 5′s display shows that the device will be inspired by the smaller iPad mini, with a large display area and slimmer side bezels that would help to reducethe size and weight of the tablet and make the device easier to hold and more portable.

These new leaked photos of the front panel of the iPad 5 come by way of Australia’s MacFixIt website. The website says that the supplier claims that this is a genuine front panel that comes by way of an Apple supplier. MacFixIt sells parts for do-it-yourself at home repairs of iPad in case your tablet has a broken screen. The display panel for the iPad 5 is currently listed as out of stock.

In addition to the front, we now also have a good look at the rear of the panel and the connector cable. The connector cable is said to be different than what Apple is utilizing on current and past generation iPad tablets, including the iPad 4, 3, and 2 models. Here’s what the site says:

• The display area is the same as the iPad Retina.
• The edges of the frame are narrower using the same style as the iPad mini. - The ITO (Indium tin oxide) is the same as the iPad mini.
• There is now 2 connectors instead of 1.
• The connectors have been changed from FFC (Flat Flexible Cable, like the iPad 2/3/4) to FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits, like the iPhone 4/5).

A part number of 821-1892-02 was imprinted on the front of the display, and the formatting of this number matches what Apple had used for a lot of the components found on iOS devices, according to MacRumors. 

The iPad 5 is expected to go into mass production next month and an announcement is expected for fall.

iPhone 5S May Come in Champagne Color

In addition to the black and white color options for the iPhone today, Apple’s next generationiPhone 5S flagship smartphone may have a third color choice as well in the form of champagne. The gold-hued color would be the first for Apple’s smartphone lineup and may follow the expanded color choices available on the rumored low cost iPhone 5C.

The gold color appeared in a number of leaked parts for what is believed to be the iPhone 5S. Those parts are for the volume control buttons as well as the silent/vibrate switch for the smartphone. The parts were posted in images from Luna Commerce and has since shown up on Redmond Pie.

Both the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C are expected to come in the fall. Phone Arena reports that Apple could unveil the smartphones on September 18 and the devices could come by September 27.

In addition to the new color option, the iPhone 5S will come with some new improvements. Though the device is largely expected to maintain the same design and form factor introduced on the iPhone 5, a fingerprint scanner and new camera module with a better sensor and dual LED flash have been rumored for the new iPhone 5S as some hardware improvements. The device will also ship out of the box with iOS 7 as well.

It’s unclear if the iPhone 5S will come in other new colors in addition to gold.

Most recently the iPhone 5S was said to potentially be named iPhone 5G, though it’s unclear if Apple will change from its traditional “S” series device naming convention that was used since the debut of the iPhone 3GS.

How Apple Could Evolve OS X to Look More Like iOS 7

iOS 7 represents a new design language and a radical departure for Apple from theskeuomorphic design that Apple had used on previous versions of the iOS operating system in the past. Under the design leadership of Apple’s fame Jony Ive, it appears that many consumers and developers are so far satisfied with the look and feel of the OS in its beta stage currently. After iOS 7′s minimalist design, Apple could also update the look of its desktop OS X operating system as well for the Mac to keep the design consistent between the two platforms and designer Stu Crew is showing us how that could be done.

Crew shows the look of many of the OS X apps with inspiration from the simple design of iOS. Given Apple has been unifying features from its mobile iOS operating system with its desktop OS X in the recent past, it may only be a matter of time before Apple adopts its new iOS 7 design language on the desktop OS X.

Apple will be debuting its new OS X Mavericks this fall. Though Mavericks will come with new features, Apple has so far not updated the look of the OS to resemble iOS 7′s minimalist appearance.

The concept designs were posted on 9to5 Mac and shows how Apple could become more like Microsoft in creating consistency between desktop and mobile OSes. Rival Microsoft debuted Windows 8 last fall that was largely inspired by its mobile Windows Phone 8 OS.

The flatter look for OS X may help Apple’s desktop OS feel more modern, especially when compared against Microsoft’s Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems with the Metro UI design. It would also serve to help iOS users who are new to OS X to feel more at home.

Nexus 10 2 Rumors Point to Asus, Not Samsung

A new Nexus 10 launch sometime later this year is almost a given, given that Google’s Android head Sundar Pichai confirmed the device for arrival sometime in the near future. And while the device seemed destined to be made by Samsung, the manufacturer of the current Nexus 10, it appears that Nexus 7 maker Asus could be making the upcoming Nexus 10 2.

In late July, Google hosted a launch event for three major products. The $35 GoogleCast, the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update that is rolling out to owners and the new Nexus 7 tablet that once again was made by Asus. At the event, Google’s Pichai seemed to confirm a new Nexus 10 for arrival. Samsung was mentioned as a possible manufacturer as well.

Asus is rumored to be making the new Nexus 10 2.

Samsung worked with Google on the current Nexus 10, the 10-inch iPad competitor that is currently available on the Google Play Store and has been since November.

Well, it appears that a new Nexus 10 is indeed incoming though it looks like the device will be made by Asus rather than Samsung this time around. While nothing is set in stone, Russell Holly fromGeek.com has a good track record and he claims that Asus, not Samsung, will be making the Nexus 10 this time around.

The device, which is said to be coming before the end of the year, will evidently be manufactured by Google’s Nexus 7 collaborator, something that doesn’t come as a surprise given the success Google and Asus have had with their Nexus 7 tablets. No other information about the tablet is available though we think that there is quite a bit that the Nexus 7 launch revealed about the Nexus 10 2.

Asus makes the new Nexus 7 from Google.

With rumors swirling about Android 5.0 and a new Nexus smartphone from Motorola, it looks like Google has quite a bit up its sleeve for later on this year. Whispers suggest that Google could introduce these new products sometime in October though at this point, nothing is set in stone.

The Nexus 10 boats a large high-definition display, speedy processor and thin design, features that we should see emerge on the next-generation Nexus 10 from Asus or Samsung.

KeyMe iPhone App Saves Your Keys & Saves You Money

Getting locked out of your house or apartment can easily result in a $100 or more locksmith bill, but with the KeyMe iPhone app anywhere you have your iPhone you have your keys, complete with instructions for any locksmith to cut a new key.

This is not a new lock that connects to your iPhone to let you in the house. Those are cool and interesting, but not for everyone.

Instead KeyMe scans your keys, front and back to make it easy to get a duplicate made at a locksmith, or at special kiosks in New York City. Users can get a new key cut in a few minutes and for a few dollars instead of paying for an expensive visit from the locksmith.

Users can store keys on their iPhone and on the KeyMe service which makes them available at a kiosk. Once a key is scanned and stored the user can share a key with a friend or family member, order a replacement copy through the mail or take it to a locksmith to get back in immediately.

To scan a key, users need to place it on a white background and hold the iPhone 4 inches from it. The app scans the front and back of the key to ensure a good fit. KeyMe claims the app will only work on keys scanned under these circumstances so a nefarious user can’t use a random snapshot of your key taken at an angle or from great distance to get it replicated. The service uses a dual verification including a credit card verification to add to the security. The company says it does not store your information alongside data that could tell someone where you live.

At this point users will need to find a locksmith, which the app helps with, or if they are in New York City they can use a kiosk at select 7-11′s to make a key with their login information. The kiosks include fingerprint verification for added security.

For now that Key Me app is only available on iPhone, but the website teases an Android version and a Windows Phone version.

Nexus 7 2 GPS Problems

In addition to dealing with Android 4.3 bugs, it appears that owners of the new Nexus 7 2tablet from Asus are experiencing major issues with the new tablet’s GPS.

Google’s event in late July produced both a new version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and a new version of the Nexus 7 tablet. Android 4.3 Jelly Bean has been rolling out since late July and users of all shapes and sizes have been reporting a number of issues with the new software including poor battery life, lock ups and more.

Owners of the new Nexus 7 2 are complaining about GPS issues.

It appears that the new Android 4.3 update isn’t the only new Google product that is causing problems either. New Nexus 7 owners appear to be dealing with some major issues of their own.

The Nexus 7 2 has arrived on the scene to replace the original Nexus 7. It brings a higher-resolution display, quad-core processor, 5MP camera, slimmer design, and LTE speeds to the table. It also has brought some major GPS issues along with it as well as new Nexus 7 owners are reportingbroken GPS on their new tablet.

Nexus 7 2 owners are reporting a wide range of issues. Some users say that the GPS will work for several minutes before losing connection and going back into “Searching Mode.” Others are saying that it’s not working at all. We haven’t been able to replicate the issue on our new Nexus 7 so it doesn’t appear to be affecting all Nexus 7 owners but enough that Asus and Google will likely investigate.

Android 4.3 has brought a number of bugs along with it as well.

Owners are reporting that a simple reboot has fixed the issue but others are saying that nothing has worked to remedy the situation, leaving owners frustrated and looking for a fix from Google. It appears that Google is aware of the issue but it’s unclear as to how it will proceed. Whether it will be a brand new Android 4.3 update or something else.

This is a fairly big issue as the Nexus 7 is one of the more portable tablets on the market and users often depend on GPS when using the tablet whilst on-the-go.

Asus’ new Nexus 7 has only been on sale for a few weeks and already, it has garnered stellar reviews from critics, who have proclaimed it a solid replacement to the original Nexus 7.

Amazon Gearing Up to Make Its Own Android Video Game Console?

Amazon could be preparing to launch a video game console of its own by the end of the year.

That’s according to sources who have talked exclusively with GameInformer. These sources tell the video game news outlet that Amazon would actually avoid the markets of the two main high-end gaming consoles, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Instead, its gaming device would focus on competing in the low-end Android powered gaming market that’s shown signs of life in recent months. The console would have its own dedicated gaming controller, and launch sometime before the end of the year. Reportedly, the console’s software would be built on top of Android, that’s the same operating system that Amazon heavily modifies for its line of Kindle Fire tablets.

What’s Next from the Online Giant?

Unfortunately, the outlet does not have much more information than that. If Amazon were to enter the low-end video game console market, it would do so relatively unopposed at a time when low-cost gaming alternatives seem poised to take off.

The Ouya console seems to have caught a lot of attention, only for users to lose interest once the console launched. But the idea of producing a relatively cheap gaming console that uses the App Store business model pioneered by Apple with the iPhone could be a serious break through.

Right now, the biggest strike against Ouya is that the custom version of Android that it runs is relatively immature. With its larger pool of resources, already existing Android App Store and experience creating user interfaces on top of Android, an Amazon gaming console could be just what the low-end video game market needs. That’s especially true since the cost of high-end gaming is continuing to balloon.

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 cost users four times what Amazon would likely be aiming for with their Android console. For example, the Ouya costs just $99. That’s about one-fourth of what the PlayStation 4 will cost users and one-fifth of what the Xbox One will cost when it launches.

To be fair, it is likely that the console Amazon is planning wouldn’t be able to compete with the sheer power and graphics capabilities of Microsoft’s and Sony’s offerings. However, just as smartphone games have shown in their battle with handheld consoles, sometimes the best gaming machine that you can have is the one that’s more affordable.

With No G2 Google Play Edition

Often overshadowed by larger rivals such as Samsung, HTC, and Motorola, Android smartphone-maker LG had announced that its latest and most recently announced G2 flagship smartphone won’t be coming in a Google Play variant. This is something of a surprising move as Google Play variants of the popular HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 have been getting good reviews from the press as these models stick mainly to Google’s default Android UI and eschew many of the user experiences that the hardware-makers implement, such as TouchWiz by Samsung and HTC Sense.

For an underdog like LG to forego releasing a Google Play Edition LG G2 is a bold move and signifies that LG is content with its UI. Even Google-owned Motorola Mobility will soon be releasing a Google Play Edition of the flagship Moto X smartphone for sale in the Google Play Store in the future.

LG had introduced a number of software and hardware enhancements for its LG G2 at an event earlier this week in New York City. The company is highlighting low light photography with optical image stabilization technology, a 13-megapixel camera sensor, sapphire crystal camera lens (similar to the iPhone 5), and the repositioning of hardware keys to the rear of the phone just below the camera module on the backside. According to LG, these subtle tweaks were implemented as a result of looking at the smartphone behaviors of consumers.

For example, the rear button placement was made because most users rest their index fingers at that position. Moreover, the volume keys can also be used as a camera quick launch key, which is good for holding the phone steady when using the device for taking a quick self portrait, or selfie.

Another potential reason why LG may be reluctant to release a Google Play Edition is that the company is currently involved with Google in manufacturing a Nexus 4. Unlike the Google Play Edition phones, the Nexus line is pure Google and will be the first products to receive Android software updates. Google Play Edition phones are usually next in line, but due to software drivers for various hardware–like HTC’s Ultrapixel Camera and dual front-facing BoomSound speakers–it can take a little longer for updates to get pushed out, but Google Play Edition phones still receive updates in general ahead of carrier-branded variants.

LG has also been rumored to be working with Google to produce a Nexus 5 smartphone that would be released this fall. As such, it may not need a Google Play Edition phone as the Nexus 5, if rumors are accurate, would serve that purpose. However, most recently LG execs have denied that the company will partner with Google on a Nexus 5.

How To Sync Documents to Windows Phone Using SkyDrive

While it doesn’t get much attention, Microsoft’sWindows Phone operating system has a few features that differentiate it from smartphones running iOS and Android. For most business users its key stand-out will likely be the free version of Office that is included with every Windows Phone device. With it, users can view presentations created with Microsoft’s PowerPoint application and view and edit documents from Word and Excel.

Unfortunately, in its quest to make things easier for consumers, Microsoft didn’t necessarily make it apparent how users are supposed to sync their documents. Here’s how to sync documents to Windows Phone Using SkyDrive

Save the document to your desktop or local hard drive. In our example, our document is called Test Document.

Go to SkyDrive.com and enter the same user name and password that you used for your Windows Phone Device.

Open your Documents folder in your SkyDrive cloud storage.

Drag and drop your document into the Documents folder on your SkyDrive from your desktop.

Unlock your Windows Phone and tap to open the Office hub. It’s the orange, box looking tile.

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In the Office hub tap SkyDrive under places.

Tap Documents.

Scroll to find the document you recently uploaded to SkyDrive. The entire list is in alphabetical order.

Tap to open the document. In our example, this is Test Document.

You’ve just synced your first document to your Windows Phone from SkyDrive. From here, you can choose to edit these documents and save them on your phone locally or make changes and sync them back to SkyDrive for use on other Windows Phones or your PC.

Remember, right now only certain document types work on Windows Phone. Today, that includes Power Point presentations, entire Excel workbooks and Word documents. It’s also key that you approach creating and editing documents in Office on Windows Phone the same way you would other mobile applications. It is not fully featured, and even some styles in Word documents do not yet work on any other version of Office besides the traditional application.