Droid Life Q&A Session: Google I/O Edition

by: Kellex | posted 07.02.12 | News

As most of you know, we spent all of last week in San Francisco, attending Google I/O. We haven’t had a chance to fully reflect on it yet, so since this happens to be one of our Q&A session weeks, we thought you could all help us do that. Rather than the normal Android chatter that these sessions tend to focus on, this week it will be all about the I/O experience, our thoughts, and what we did while we were there. So as usual, you can ask us whatever you’d like, but try to make it somewhat relevant to last week’s fun. You can ask for our opinions on the Nexus 7, Jelly Bean, or the Q if you’d like. You can quiz us on what sights we saw or restaurants we frequented. Have at it in the comments below.

177

Brien Gerber

If you had to guess, how long do you think it will take until the Verizon Galaxy Nexus gets the Jelly Bean OTA?
- TimothyLMJR
  
  I’m guessing Mid-July like they said.
- Tyler
  
  I would assume Mid-July like they said at IO. If you think about it all the compatibility stuff with radios (only difference between its GSM brother) has been addressed with 4.0.4 and most features wont be affecting that so I would say they should get it right on time. All assumptions tho, who knows what Vzw will do.
Aardvark99

Did you guys score one of those awesome accessory development demo hardware kits? Also, will JB help me know if it’s raining outside or help me propose marriage through a glass wall?
mike mcginnis

Do you think that we will ever be able to build/upgrade our own mobile devices? With computers you can buy a case, motherboard, videocard, ram, and processor and put it together or just get a new processor and upgrade. Do you think there will ever be a day where we can do something similar with mobile devices. Like buy the screen, processor, about of ram, battery etc?
- CapnShiner
  
  Have you ever tried upgrading hardware in a laptop, other than RAM or a hard drive? It’s not as easy to upgrade a laptop as it is to upgrade a desktop. Now imagine that scaled down to phone size. The reasons we can’t build or customize cellphones are because it would be too difficult and not cost-effective.
  
  OEMs get components cheaper than we ever could because they buy in bulk. They do the research and development because they can afford to. Phone internals are not standardized like PC internals. They are not designed to be upgraded or built by consumers. The parts are so tiny that they have to be assembled by robots(or Chinese children, lol). Any way you slice it, it is both cheaper and easier to buy a pre-made phone.
  
  That being said, you can sort of build your own with Bug Labs. It just won’t be as small or pretty.
br_hermon

Devs had Jelly Bean ROMs created within 24 hrs. Was there any buzz among IO attendees about that? People walking around with JB on their phones while at IO!? If so, what were the reactions?
me08053

What did they say about the future of Google TV?
Droid Freak

I know you all just got home and all… but can we hurry it up and got some reviews on the product you received!
schmaltzy

I know this is suppose to be about I/O, but what do you guys look like? I’ve been a DL follower since week 1 and I have no idea what you guys look like! Can we just get a little pic of you guys so we know what we’re dealing with here? As to relating that to I/O….how about the picture is of each of you interacting with something from I/O!
- zUFC
  
  that and can someone explain the “Kellex-Kellen” story? Are there two people there with those names? or is it a joke (someone called Kellex the Kellen name one day and it stuck or something?). i can’t figure it out! I thought there was only Kellex.
  - http://www.JWesCampbell.com/ Wes Campbell
    
    kellex is his online alias. kellen is his actual name.
    - zUFC
      
      thank you Wes. That’s been driving me crazy!!!!
  - CapnShiner
    
    There can be only one!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joe-Buck/100003482949493 Joe Buck

on a different note, my wifes company just upgraded her company phone, she now has a shinny new blackberry 9350/. you can just imagine her excitement lol
edmicman

Oh, and were there any real GoogleTV announcements? Any new set top boxes with DVR functionality built in?
edmicman

Are we hopeful the VZW Galaxy Nexus might be slated for Jelly Bean sooner than later, too? Too much to hope for being lumped into mid-July like they mentioned?

And how does the new injunction by Apple affect Google’s rolling out of new Android stuff?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=705034 Jeff Simpson

Does the Nexus 7 Tablet support MHL or USB OTG / USB Host Mode?
- http://twitter.com/mikedotdunham mike dunham
  
  No MHL, USB Host is there but only a few uses. Cannot mount external storage
  - Adam
    
    This is only true out of the box. Rooted with Stickmount, works fine.
    - http://twitter.com/SailorPsy Sailor Psychic
      
      What works fine? MHL, USB host, or both?
nightscout13

The people who have worn Project Glass, have any of you had a chance to try out the HUD feature? was it even operational? At I/O Sergey Brin focused on the camera function, but not the HUD function. Phandroid staff will not respond to me regarding this, I’m hoping you guys can. How does the HUD look, and do you have a POV photo?
TimXer

so jelly bean, would you recommend the GNex now or SGSIII and wait for JB?
Josh Flowers

Can one Nexus Q control multiple speakers in different rooms–or must you have 1 Q/Room? the video showed the ability to choose which room the music would play from, but i’m uncertain if that means the user was choosing a Q-Unit or a Q-Speaker set
- Royal2000H
  
  I thought they said you choose which Q (as in which unit) to connect to.
- http://smartic.us bryanl
  
  You’ll need one per room as it stands right now. It only has one set of speaker ports/hdmi.
http://www.facebook.com/bmyton Ben Myton

1. Did you guys pre-order the glasses?
2. Was there discussion of iOS vs Android and the litigation wars?
3. Any love for NFC or Wallet during I/O?
4. Any talk about integrating the NexusQ technology for car audio?
5. Did Google discuss the system requirements of JellyBean? Will devices approved for ICS be likely candidates for JB as well?
6. Will Google be doing more work in the mobile document space? Office file compatibility, etc.
7. Will there be an API (or similar) to give developers access to the Google Now card space?
8. Native Facebook sync?
9. Will Chrome replace the default Android browser at some point?
- Michael
  
  5. any device that gets ICS I’d say can support JB.
  9. Chrome is the default on the Nexus 7, i wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes the default for others.
  - CapnShiner
    
    I’m guessing Chrome is not just the default browser on the Nexus 7 but in Jelly Bean itself.
- RedPandaAlex
  
  In the Android Fireside Chat, they said they had no plans to give developer access to Google Now. I hope that changes though.
  - Royal2000H
    
    Yea I saw that too. Behaving like Apple – Really upsetting. What gives Android its success is the ability to customize the finer points of the OS with apps.
BikerBob1789

Before Google I/O, there were rumors of multiple Nexus devices to be sold directly through Google. Any news on this? Either official or unofficial?
- Josh Flowers
  
  Yes! i really want to know if the “November 5th” as the 5th anniversary of Google will see the 5 devices be released.
  - JoshGroff
    
    Remember remember the 5th of November.
  - nwd1911
    
    I’m afraid we will see the following 5 Nexi: Galaxy Nexus (released last year, but new life with JB), Nexus 7, Nexus Q, all but announced Nexus 10 and 1 new Nexus phone. Perhaps the Galaxy Nexus will be replaced with another phone leaving 2 new Nexus phones.
- r0lct
  
  Maybe those devices are the oems working with the PDKs and in the end there will still only be one phone.
- CapnShiner
  
  Technically, 2 means multiple- The Nexus 7 and the Galaxy Nexus.
  - BikerBob1789
    
    I think the rumors were a total of 5, including more than one phone – that I what I was referring to.
Bill Anderson

One of the most interesting things I heard from I/O was that Jelly Bean will now support USB Audio Out. This means that any application can now stream their audio out via USB. With ICS and before, if you connected to a phone to a car stereo or doc via USB, it would be able to see and play and MP3 files you had on your device, but they could not play anything from Pandora or even notification sounds. With USB Audio out, this changes. This could give kind of a “universal” audio/charge connection to all our phones.

Was there any discussion or sessions on this at I/O? This seems like a great feature that they didn’t, well, feature!

–Bill
- http://twitter.com/NotAnotherTW Jordan Friedman
  
  I really want to hear more about this! Does it only work on certain devices? Could any device with JB potentially utilize this? I want to see more Android docks a la iHome!
  - michael arazan
    
    I haven’t read anything yet on when 4.1goes to the masses. Is their a release date for when JellyBean will roll out to Nexus, Samsung and Motorola phones on Verizon?
  - Bill Anderson
    
    They say any device running Jelly Bean will have this…
- Dan-O
  
  This is awesome. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to have a phone replaced because of the audio jack crapping out. USB jacks seen to take lot more wear and tear. Bring on the USB headphones! Anyone else see this as a general problem?
- Bill Anderson
  
  Here is what Google says about it on the developer site:
  
  USB AudioUSB audio output support allows hardware vendors to build hardware such as audio docks that interface with Android devices. This functionality is also exposed with the Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK) to give all developers the chance to create their own hardware.
  From: http://developer.android.com/about/versions/jelly-bean.html
  - Bill Anderson
    
    Here is where they talk about it in the ADK (Accessory Development Kit) session:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUaKSs3utrs#t=20m47s
  - Bill Anderson
    
    And here is the documentation on the developer site (Geeks Only). States currently only supports 16-bit 44.1 kHz (same as CDs) but others may be added in the future:
    
    http://developer.android.com/tools/adk/aoa2.html
Hiawatha Dawson

Questions: why does Google introduce new upgrades using their gadgets?. Why can’t they make the code available to the phone manufacturers before introducing it at one of their staged event?
- OhAaron
  
  Isn’t that what the new PDK is? It’s access to the code 2-3 months before it comes out.
http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick

Given the latest upgrade fiasco (Jelly Bean in the coming weeks and phones are JUST NOW starting to get ICS) would you advise anyone to ever get anything other that a Nexus ever again?
- Kyle Cummings
  
  With what i’ve seen in the past 3 years i.e. gb>ics>jb. i can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t get a nexus device. hell, even the nexus S is getting a JB update.
http://twitter.com/BlackTaxi2d Henry S

please let us know how the gapless audio playback works under jellybean.
shredder47

Do you think the PDK will actually make a difference with updates? Especially for phones like the GS3
- br_hermon
  
  And as a part 2: If Google is going to get out new versions of Android early to the manufacturing companies, won’t this equate to a new stable version being created, then Google sitting on it for months while OEMs work with it, THEN announce it / release it into the wild? Does that equal “early access?”
  The other scenario, assuming Google develops its new OS’s right up to announcement day, is OEMs have already had access to the OS as it’s being developed and updated daily, leading up to Google announcing it the world. I hope the first scenario doesn’t happen, but also I have trouble believing OEMs aren’t going to be pulling their hair out as they try to develop around an OS that’s still in development.
  Long story short… I can’t see OEMs wanting to develop for a still-in-beta OS. And I also can’t see Google creating an OS and just waiting to announce it until OEMs have had time with it either.
OhAaron

I have three questions:
1) When do you think Smart Updates for Apps might be rolled out?
2) Google Now is a platform that is meant to grow to cover other things. That is why it is a framework that is built around cards that are delivered from the web and can be delivered at any time (rather than something that Google’s sluggish manufacturers would have to deliver in an update). What other things do you think might be incorporated into Google Now?
3) Finally, do you think the PDK will have any affect on update times for manufacturers?
Drew Carpenter

Did Google ever give any hint as to why there are 4 POGO pins on the N7? Previous Nexus devices only had 3 pins (2 for power and 1 for audio out).

I am hoping the extra pin allows for full USB comms since JB added the ability to output PCM audio via USB to a dock.
http://www.kovdev.com/ koveleski

Do you foresee a more concerted effort on Google’s part to bridge the gap between device form factors and offer more cross-compatibility with functionality pairing? For example, the Q is controlled by an Android device as it lacks any sort of input capabilities on its own (ignoring the future possibility of the ports on the back offering direct input from a standard device like a keyboard or controller). Do you think we will be seeing the ability to potentially take our Android experience from device to device seamlessly?
SirSoloDolo

PDK, will this speed up updates for phone?
- http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
  
  Remember Android Upgrade Alliance or whatever that farce was called. That didn’t speed up jack donkey either. Carriers and OEM’s just don’t care. Get a Nexus if you want updates.
  - SirSoloDolo
    
    I have a Nexus and the updates are still slow thanks to Verizon
    - http://infotainmentempire.blogspot.com Rob
      
      Because it is not a “true” Nexus device, but I get what you’re saying, and I totally understand how you feel!
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513511066 Travis Michael Carr
      
      Then just unlock and use CyanogenMod. Or just unlock and install Jellybean… my Vzw nexus is running JB great!
Southrncomfortjm

I’m really interested in Google Now. I like the idea of having personalized information at my fingertips without asking for it. I’ve got JB running on my Galaxy Nexus and I can’t seem to figure out how to get Google Now to start working properly. For starters, I want it to tell me whether there are delays on either the metro or commuter train I ride every day. If it could do that for me without me asking, that would be amazing since I always forget to check and forgetting to check can mean a big delay getting home.
Any insight on how to get Google Now to start doing all the cool things its supposed to do?
- http://www.JWesCampbell.com/ Wes Campbell
  
  It starts within a couple of days of taking the same route to the same place.
  - Southrncomfortjm
    
    So, do I actually have to do searches or just leave location services on and it will figure out that I’m riding the train?
    - http://www.JWesCampbell.com/ Wes Campbell
      
      To be clear: Location services, not gps. But yes. It figured out where I was going just by where I stopped and where I went home. Haven’t tried public transportation though. In theory, it would work because there is a spot to say that it’s public transportation.
      - Southrncomfortjm
        
        Right on. Guess I will be leaving location services on from now on. Thanks Wes!
      - http://www.JWesCampbell.com/ Wes Campbell
        
        of course! aaaaaany time.
      - quiklives
        
        The other comment I’ve seen is to make sure your Web History is enabled (I’m sorry, I don’t remember where) because without that it won’t record.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513511066 Travis Michael Carr
    
    Eh. Google Now knew the path I took home within an hour of installing Jelly Bean. You think it just knew from previously collected data?
    - http://www.JWesCampbell.com/ Wes Campbell
      
      it’s possible. I had history turned off off before google now came out.
http://twitter.com/dantmaldo Dan Maldonado

Is the Nexus 7 worth getting?
PABNJ

Will Google make available the new Voice Search and Google Now to ICS users, or will it strictly be reserved officially for Jelly Bean.
- http://www.JWesCampbell.com/ Wes Campbell
  
  seems to be strictly for Jelly Bean. (as they probably had to do a lot of revamping of some of the libraries used for search and now)
EvanTheGamer

When do you think Jelly Bean will be available for the Galaxy Nexus?
- guest
  
  Google has already came out and said mid july
  - Paul Sheble
    
    Does this include the GNex for Verizon?
    - SirSoloDolo
      
      Doubtful, I’d say Nov in all reality for how VZW updates
  - EvanTheGamer
    
    I’m talking about the LTE Verizon Galaxy Nexus, not just any G-Nex in general.
    - r0lct
      
      No way they are letting the GN update to JB before the RAZR HD ships with ICS.
- Southrncomfortjm
  
  Mid-July for GSM phone. If you have a Verizon Galaxy Nexus it may take a lot longer.
  - http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
    
    Rooted phones already have it. Waiting for carriers is like hoping Jesse Jackson won’t try to capitalize and ultimately look like a dim wit if something race related happens. It’s like hoping that Mexico will get a decent government and Mexicans will decide to actually live there happily. It’s like hoping for peace in Arab countries. It’s like hoping to get reliable news out of NBC. It’s like hoping that our government will have a better than 50% approval rating. It’s like hoping that fat people will quit going on fad diets and actually eat right and exercise. It’s like hoping that psychiatric hospitals will quit bilking Medicare. It’s like hoping that your girlfriend learns to parallel park.
    
    Hope all you want, but carriers and OEM’s don’t really give a shit about upgrades. If you want upgrades, get a Nexus.
  - tomn1ce
    
    Sad, but true….I’m guessing that I will be rooting my VZW G-Nexus for some JB…I’m not the rooting type but VZW is too slow to upgrade their line up of devices..
college grad

Hi. I’ve got an artisian well on my property, and the water pressure is lousy– any suggestions?
- http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
  
  Jump in the well. Your body will add to the mass of whatever leaks there are and increase water pressure.
  - Kyle Cummings
    
    Eureka!
- OhAaron
  
  Who down-voted this? Seriously? It was obviously a joke.
  - Anthony Armando
    
    and hilarious. most of the US is experiencing rather hot weather, so they are drinking a lot of haterade. haters gonna hate.
    - quiklives
      
      It’s actually statistical fact that people are angrier when they’re too hot…more crime in the “dog days of summer” and that sort of thing. I think you’re onto something here. It could also explain why there are so many nutjobs in FL. (I live here, and it’s depressing, but often true)
- C-Law
  
  Lol. I just watched that episode yesterday bc I finally got my gf into star trek:tng and had to show her that episode
TheWenger

What are the biggest differences you saw between Google I/O and Apple’s WWDC?
- http://smartic.us bryanl
  
  Disappointingly enough, there were no Android talks at WWDC.
Mike

how soon can we expect Jelly Been for the SGS3
- Jigga_Z
  
  Someone already ported it over
- http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
  
  8 months. GS2 is just now receiving ICS in the states. 8 months after ICS dropped.
EvanTheGamer

For someone who’s never owned a tablet before, would you highly recommend the Nexus 7 as their first ever tablet?
- Immolate
  
  High end tablet specs at a low-end price, and it’s a Nexus. I’m trying to think of a way to make this more appealing to you, but I’m at a loss.
  - EvanTheGamer
    
    That was actually a general question for anyone’s who’s never owned a tablet before and wondering if the Nexus 7 would be a good first tablet.
    - Gerolux
      
      I owned the OG Transformer tablet. Been waiting for something to come along that is worth the money being charged for it. The Nexus 7 tablet is the best spec to value I have seen in a while.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513511066 Travis Michael Carr
  
  PERFECT. Get it.
EvanTheGamer

Are you going to sell your limited edition white Nexus 7 on ebay? (lol)
Southrncomfortjm

What is the point of the Nexus Q? I really want to know because I don’t get it. Where can I store the music and videos that I will play off the Q? Does it have to be in the cloud/internet or just a networked computer?
http://twitter.com/Littlehorsie ZombieDroid

See any signs of new Android Mini collectables? Perhaps from series 3 or special ones for I/O?
RadicalPie

When can we see a review for the nexus 7?
http://twitter.com/reverik Erik Meyers

How do you see yourself using Google Now in your daily life and is it a real benefit? I have tried using Evi and S Voice, along with other Siri-esque tools and even with a decent answer, I can google search it as fast as I can launch an app and speak it and get it to hear me correct
- CapnShiner
  
  The benefit is that you can use it when your hands are not free, such as while driving. Google Now + Google Maps Navigation = brilliant! If you can set it up as the default app, instead of Voice Command, when you press the button on a bluetooth headset, it could be perfect.
poeddroiduser

What do you know (or speculate) about a Nexus 10?
UKFan4Life

what are your thoughts, ideas on the Nexus being sold at other retailers? I have read speculations on the fact that it won’t be sold on other venues but what are your thoughts? I am hoping to pick one up on Amazon. Do you think this is a possibility? Thanks
- JoshGroff
  
  Considering Game Stop is in on it, probably.
RedPandaAlex

What is Google thinking developing the Q instead of rolling its functionality into Google TV and making a harder sell on that front?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513511066 Travis Michael Carr
  
  I’m glad I wasnt the only one confused in this front… I could have seen the Nexus Q being a “premium grade” Gooe Tv box… but as it is, it is pretty nonsensicial.
- http://smartic.us bryanl
  
  I think the key thing here is that the Nexus Q is more than meets the eye. It has the capability to run apps (same hardware as the gnex), and has some cool hacker underpinnings as well. I hope we haven’t seen the last announcement for this device. I’ve read where people have already installed apps on it, and are finding out the boundaries.
- CapnShiner
  
  There was a feature on Engadget about this, sort of. I think the Q is meant to be more of a platform for development than a general consumer device. I see the Q as being to Google TV what the Nexus phones have been to Android phones. I don’t think the Q is meant to compete with Google TV devices, but rather build upon them.
Chris

Do you think the Nexus Q is worth the $300 and what are your thoughts on the Nexus 7′s lack of storage and back camera?
Alix8821

LOVING this Jelly Bean ROM on my G-Nex. JW, how long until the OEMs push out updates? At least those that already have ICS devices out there…I Pre-Ordered Galaxy SIII, waiting impatiently for it. But saw that the 2GB RAM was to “future proof” it. And that Sammy has had the JB source for a few weeks now…

SO, my question is this:
1) How long until Galaxy SIII gets updated ?
2) Will this new PDK actually impact the terrible update schedules OEMs are currently on?
- Jw
  
  TO answer question one for you, the rumors that are going around are saying that you could see a Q4 roll out for 4.1 on the GSIII
  - Alix8821
    
    Yeah? Not bad… Cause Obv excited for the hardware, and was planning on giving Touchwiz a week or 2 before rooting. But its gotten decent reviews. So If the JB wait wasn’t all that bad, maybe I”ll root for kernel control, but stay “stock”
- http://www.facebook.com/LuisElTiburon Luis Rojas
  
  root and rom that sucker
- http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
  
  GS2 (in the states) are JUST NOW getting ICS updates. We are in July. ICS came out in November. Samsung got to build the Nexus. So you are looking at 8 months from now for GS3 update to JB.
  
  Sorry but if you want the latest Android you gotta get a Nexus. OEM’s just don’t care. Have we not already learned this after 3 years of late upgrades (or no upgrades in a lot of cases) to anything not called a Nexus?
  - Alix8821
    
    someone needs a hug…
    
    The GS2 was a disaster here in USA. Too many versions. There is ONE version of the GSII. VZW is at fault for G-Nex, not necessarily Sammy. And After what VZW pulled with said G-Nex, I’m just gunna go for best phone available, and root if need be. Can’t rely on “Nexus” with VZW.
    
    Plus Sammy seems a lot more focused on updates, and had the JB PDK weeks ago… I”m gunna trust them. And if not, I’ll root. was just curious
    
    ALSO:
    Got GSIII to keep unlimited data… the fact that it’s a beast is cherry on top for me… So wateva
    - http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
      
      Can you hug me?
      - Alix8821
        
        Dinner first….
- Scott
  
  What ROM are you using? I want to flash it, but am hesitant until its been out a little while. I’m a stability guy.
  - Alix8821
    
    http://rootzwiki.com/topic/28486-rom-vicious-toro-jellybean-v3-100-functional-franco-kernel-beats-audio-mods-optimized-link-in-op-for-stock-kernel-added-112am-06302012/
    - http://www.tformers.com Peter Van
      
      Have you had any issues with this?
      
      I tried turning on the camera with V3 and it blew up my phone and freaked the crap out of me. It got stuck on the boot screen and took several battery pulls to get over it.
      
      I restored my ICS image and decided to wait.
      - Alix8821
        
        Everythings working for me…
      - Scott
        
        I think I’ll wait another week or so. I’m running fine with AOKP 39 and really don’t have an afternoon to spend trying to get out of a boot loop. It does sound appealing though
      - http://www.tformers.com Peter Van
        
        Yeah, it took all of less than six hours to port the GSM OTA to the CDMA Nexus. Once the official JB 4.1 version gets pushed to GSM Nexus Phones, a CDMA port will come out pretty quickly.
  - http://twitter.com/mikedotdunham mike dunham
    
    I am using V1 of the linked ROM and I have not had any issues. (Other than flashing the wifi fix that was rolled in V2)
http://techonblogger.ward.pro/ TechRumblings

In light of the recent litigation win for Apple against Samsung, can you tell if JB addresses Apple’s claims?
matt m

So what do the DL guys REALLY think of the Nexus 7? IPad kliller? Fire Killer? What? I preordered one and am excited, but am curious about what you guys really think.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513511066 Travis Michael Carr
  
  Eh. It’s not meant to compete with the Ipad. Its a media selling device. It has already been blogged about, but google isn’t making a profit off the device. They are selling it so people will buy media from the Play Store. This is an almost direct attack on the Kindle Fire.
  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28e4cFHVqE&context=C400d214ADvjVQa1PpcFOiLGlDqf2sJr2k4TNISoJzm8bFM7wgYKU= TheAndroid1
    
    It is meant to compete with the iPad.
    Most people are going to choose one or the other, they won’t be purchasing both.
    Because the customers have to choose one versus the other, there is definitely competition involved.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513511066 Travis Michael Carr
      
      Well sure, but Google didnt go into this saying: “we want to make something to compete with the IPad”
      
      My point is, this is a device with a completely different focus. Sure, people will decide between the two, but its not a direct competitor.
      - nwd1911
        
        I agree with you. The iPad killer will be the Nexus 10. This is trying to replicate the success of the Fire as a media selling device…also a great way to showcase Jelly Bean.
- CapnShiner
  
  “Fire killer?”
  
  The obvious pun: Fire Extinguisher.
David Parrella

My question: Was Train as terrible Live as they sounded through the stream?
Danny Sullivan

Were there a lot of people preordering the Google Glass?
- Charlie Rodiger
  
  yes there were actually quite a few.. the lines never really went away
- duke69111
  
  Did the droid-life boys purchase a pair?
2001400ex

Is jelly bean actually fixing the tablet experience on android? In that the iPad apps blow androids out of the water.
- http://smartic.us bryanl
  
  I think it is getting better. Look for video of the new Google+ app on a Nexus 7.
http://twitter.com/patfrank Patrick Frank

Does the Q have any chance of being successful? It seems completely worthless to everyone but Android power users.
- http://twitter.com/Chasemanhattan3 Chase Chick
  
  MHL is 15 bucks and does essentially the same thing. So … no … no chance.
Matt

Here is one: What’s up with the phone layout on the Nexus 7? Does Jelly Bean do away with the tablet layout that we see in Honeycomb and ICS?
- Greg Morgan
  
  Good question as I was curious about that as well. I wonder if it was specially designed just for the N7?
  - quiklives
    
    It makes more sense for 7 inch devices, whereas the lower-right notifications make more sense for the larger screens. To me, at least.
- RedPandaAlex
  
  No, someone asked this in one of the sessions. 10 inch devices with 4.1 still have the notifications in the lower-right corner. I confirmed this by setting up a virtual device with the SDK just to make sure my Xoom wasn’t going to get messed up later this month.
  - RedPandaAlex
    
    Actually, if you put 1280 x 800 into the ADK, you get the tablet interface we’re all familiar with. If you put 800 x 1280 in the ADK, you get the phone interface. So I guess it’s a matter of whether the OEM sets the dimensions as either portrait or landscape.
    
    But yeah, in the Android Fireside Chat, they said the layout of 10-inch tablets wouldn’t change between ICS and JB.
- Southrncomfortjm
  
  I remember reading that ICS, and JB by extension, were meant to unify phone and tablet interfaces. I think this was an attempt to increase the ability of app makers to make both phone and tablet apps.
  I actually like the idea that my tablet and phone will be just about one in the same except for size. I’m wondering if there’s a sync option to ensure that phone and tablet have the same setup rather than having to make the same change on each device.

Droid Life Q&A Session: Google I/O Edition

Accessory Store

Review: Galaxy S4

Review: HTC One

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Review: Galaxy Note 2

Review: Nexus 4