Sorry for the wait, but here are the answers to Volume 12 of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. We answered a few on last week’s show, so if you’re looking for even more personal thoughts from us on some of your inquiries, then be sure to watch that.

There seems to be a lot of people curious as to what we can see at this year’s Google I/O. To be completely honest, that is what makes it such a great event. We go in, thinking we have some good clues as to what we can see, and then Google always surprises us with new goodies. It is always the numero uno Android event of the year.

There is a good handful of other topics discussed inside, such as our favorite smartphone cameras, which apps we use the most, as well as which features we might like to see kanged from various OEM skins and baked into Android. But enough talking, let’s get to it.

Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tato, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

What features would you like to see “stolen” from various OEM skins (Sense, TouchWiz, Blur) and baked into future iterations of Android?

R:  I’d like to see SmartActions from Motorola and the flippy clock widget from HTC.

T:  As far as features go, the only thing I would want taken from various skins are some of the camera software from TouchWiz and Sense. Other than that, I don’t find anything found in them to be useful or necessary. Although, I could see the multi-window stuff being useful from time to time, but when I was using the Galaxy Note 2, I used it rarely.

K:  Take Highlights from Sense 5.0 on the One and give to every other phone. Better yet, just take all of the camera software from HTC and make it available to all phones. Samsung does some similar stuff in TouchWiz with the camera, but HTC does it so much more elegantly.

How much do you enjoy/hate the fanboy vs troll battles that erupt in the comments at times?

R:  It used to bother me more. The reality is, everyone has an opinion about smartphones and technology, but there are more important things to care about. I’m passionate about technology, but I don’t want to find my value in whether or not people like or agree with me.

T:  I find it disheartening that people can be so unreasonable in allowing a person to live however they choose. Our reality of freedom to do as we choose and buy as we choose is continuously questioned by others and it is at times frustrating to say the least. I am pretty sure I have never and will never give someone a hard time for buying a certain kind of smartphone. Instead, isn’t there something more important we can talk about?

E:  It happens, that’s why we’re all reading this website. We love our Android. The fights between the Galaxy Note II Cult and the X Phone cult is just banter. We’re all on the same side here and if the time comes that we need to join the tribes together to go to war, I’m sure everyone will answer the call.

Final predictions for Google I/O?

R:  Gmail redesign for Android, Nexus Q2, Babel (#BaybelCult), Now on the desktop, showing off more Google Glass, and…

T:  Google Glass. Google Glass. Google Glass. I am almost certain that everyone that is to take the stage at I/O will be rocking Glass. Other than that, I expect to see a new Nexus 7, a new version of Android, redesigned Gmail application for Android, Google Babel, and a new version of Google Music. Please and thank you, Google.

K:  I think we’re going to be overwhelmed by Glass. There will be Glass everywhere. Sure, Android will have its place with Babel and other new Google Now features, but Sergey will be in the building trying to sell every developer and media person on Glass.

E:  Babel (BAYBEL), sneak peek of Android 5.0, lots of Google Glass, revamp of the Nexus Q and they’ll make it into a Google TV device.

Do you think the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10 will be upgraded/refreshed any time soon?

R:  Maybe the 7. The 10 might not be refreshed until the end of the year.

T:  The Nexus 7 was the first vanilla Android tablet to really take off. If they don’t introduce a new version with updated specs, they’re shooting themselves in the foot. I couldn’t care less about a new Nexus 10 device, since the size alone turns me away. I like more easily portable devices.

K:  I would be surprised if Google didn’t refresh the Nexus 7 at I/O in 2 weeks. The Nexus 10 on the other hand, is still too new to already pump out something new, unless they create an HSPA+ version to be sold next to the WiFi model. I doubt we’ll see a completely new Nexus 10, though.

E:  Nexus 7 will be getting new specs at I/O this year, but the 10 hasn’t been out for too long so I’m not sure about that one.

What is your favorite food/meal?

R:  I grew up with a Pizza Hut right behind my house when I lived in Michigan, so surprisingly I love a good pizza (usually not from Pizza Hut).

T:  Well, my yearly birthday dinner consists of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and Brussels sprouts with bacon. If I’m going out, it’s all about the steak dinners with a nice gin cocktail on the side or a fabulous big bacon burger.

K:  I have an addiction to fine steakhouses and premium burgers. Burgers are always going to be king between the two. I’ve had just about every burger worth having in the city of Portland. The Tasty Burger from Tasty N’ Sons is probably top 3, as is the burger from Gruner. If you want something simple and cheap that’s also insanely good, you can’t go wrong with Little Big Burger (and their damn good truffle fries).

E:  Cheesecake and I have a bond that is impossible to put into written words.

What app do you use the most?

R:  Evernote, Email, or Twitter. Depends on the day.

T:  I am on Instagram quite often these days, but technically I should say Nova Launcher since it is on all of my phones by default. Beyond that, I am a Gtalk addict and Gmail fiend.

K:  If we aren’t counting Google apps, I’d say Instagram and Feedly or Press. For work, I need to check RSS feeds religiously, but to kill time and not have to think about a thing, Instagram is my vice.

E:  Still rocking the Twitter for Android. Haters gonna hate.

What’s your favorite smartphone camera?

R:  I haven’t tried the HTC One or the GS4, so I really can’t say. What I will say is this new obsession with low-light photos from manufacturers like Nokia and HTC needs to be worked on quite a bit more. The HTC 8X, for example, takes in more light than the average smartphone camera, but a light source also tends to get blown out of proportion. I preferred the last generation of cameras (like on the S3) to this current crop that I’ve spent time with.

T:  Last year it was the HTC One X, then it was the Galaxy Note 2. Now, and don’t shoot me, but it’s the HTC One. Talk about the pinnacle of Instagram-friendly cameras. I absolutely love it. And please, don’t talk about megapixels to me. The cake is an absolute lie.

K:  Tough question since they all have downsides. HTC One camera is the most flexible, but the Galaxy S4′s camera takes pretty amazing pictures in great light. Neither have Photosphere though, like the Nexus 4. Hmm, it’s just not so black and white like it was when you jumped from the OG Droid to the Incredible. Anyone remember that experience? I’m a terrible person – I really don’t have a favorite.

E:  Well I’ve had the Galaxy Nexus camera for the last year and a half which is probably one of the worst cameras ever put into a phone, so the One X camera that I’m using now is a Godsend.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 12 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

We have a ton of things going on currently, as the 2013 flagship devices are finally starting to arrive in customer’s hands, Google I/O is right around the corner, our HTC One review is finally up, as well as other Android goodness. We like to hold these Q&A Sessions every now and then when we feel there might be some folks looking for answers out there and this is the perfect chance to make sure the DL Staff hears what you have to say. You can ask us Android-related stuff, personal stuff or whatever. Have fun with it!

On Friday, we will go through them all and select a good amount to feature in a post on Friday. Drop down below in the comments section and submit those questions.

To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 12 is a post from: Droid Life

It’s finally Friday, which means it is time to go through all of our submitted questions from Monday and get to answering them for the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. In volume 11, we cover our favored go to pre-paid carrier options, which daily drivers the team is currently using (can you believe I didn’t answer with the Note 2?), and even touch on our own personal hobbies that we occasionally have time for.  

As a reminder, E is Eric, T is Tim, K is Kellen, and R is Ron.

What is your pre-paid carrier of choice?

T:  I like to stick to T-Mobile for pre-paid, but I have been meaning to check out Solavei.

K:  I’m currently using Solavei. Not sure why I’m using it over Straight Talk, but I am. It’s $50 per month for unlimited talk, text, and HSPA+42 T-Mobile service. It’s a hell of a deal.

R:  T-Mobile would probably be my pre-paid carrier of choice, but I honestly haven’t looked into it much. There really isn’t much of a market for pre-paid plans. I would love to see that expand. Hopefully T-Mobile’s latest moves will help move that forward.

How do you all feel about all of the bans/backlash against Google Glass?

E:  I feel like some of it is justified. The ban on having it while driving is probably the best thing to do going forward. I don’t want someone doing a Hangout while they drive down the interstate at 70mph. The bars and other places banning it however is a little overkill to me.

T:  As far as bars banning Google Glass, that sort of makes sense I guess. Seems like just a garb for attention, but what concerns me more is the government already taking steps to ban it while driving. It’s an unreleased product, no one has had a chance to see what it will actually be like, and the people in charge want to condemn it. I have zero tolerance for that. People are already terrible drivers and Google Glass is not going to make it any worse.

K:  It’s just like when cell phones first had cameras and gyms tried to ban them because they thought people would take creepshots of others working out all the time. People don’t know what to expect with Glass, so we’re seeing the whackjob conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork already to be seen in their stance against it. By the time they launch, we’ll have seen all sorts of attempted bans or negative press, yet it’ll still launch and likely be successful.

R:  I don’t mind them at all. Glass still isn’t a real product so it doesn’t have any material consequences. The reality of the situation is that products like that will have to prove themselves to not be distractions or dangerous in certain situations.

What hobbies do you guys have?

E:  Writing, basketball, keeping up with my television shows (American Horror Story, Adventure Time, The Americans, Being Human etc.), enjoying some good video games (Go play Bioshock Infinite right now).

T:  Well, I used to play a lot of video games, but lately I am so over sitting at my desk any longer than I already do. I spend as much time outside and with friends as possible, watching movies, eating out, drinking, and laughing. I play semi-competitive baseball (not softball) up here in Portland, so training and practices take up a lot of my time recently. Must get ripped in time for May. I play music, enjoy cooking, go on hikes with my dogs, and doing some light photography. Basically, I don’t like to sit still anymore!

K:  Over the last year and a half, I’ve become addicted to running. Ran my first half marathon ever in December (1:59:12)! Outside of that, I’ve got a thing for shoes, as you can tell if you follow me on Instagram. I wouldn’t consider myself a sneakerhead, but definitely love me some Jordans. Outside of those two things, tasting fine whiskey and eating Portland’s best eats are always on the agenda.

R:  I lead worship at my church and I like to play Halo with my wife. Outside of that I’m usually busy with work, church, and writing.

What device is your daily driver, and what are you planning to be your next device?

E:  Still rocking the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. Waiting to see if HTC releases something like the HTC One on Verizon and if they don’t then I don’t know what I’ll do with my life.

T:  The Nexus 4 is my daily driver currently and I am hoping to either make the Galaxy S4 or HTC One my next daily. Please, don’t tell the Note 2 cult members I left the group. They will find me and destroy me.

K:  It has been the Nexus 4 since it came out, but I am dying for something new. I’m really intrigued by the HTC One, just because it’s so different than what Samsung did with the Galaxy S4 (which is just a slightly beefier S3). So I’m guessing I’ll spend a lot of time with the One here shortly. After that, just give me whatever Motorola and Google are working on.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

E:  Editor in chief of The Verge or New York Times, I’ll take either. Or a host on Top Gear.

T:  I have always wanted to do law enforcement for some reason. I wouldn’t care so much for all of the paperwork, but being a member on a S.W.A.T. team has always been sort of a dream job. Getting paid to kick ass just sounds righteous.

K:  Front office of an NBA team. I’m a basketball fanatic, have been since I was a kid. At one time I actually wanted to be a sports agent, but realized you basically need to be a lawyer for that and didn’t want to spend the time in school as I was a terrible college student (not dumb, just loved the beer too much).

R:  I would love to lead worship full time or write about technology full time. Right now both are just side projects.

If you had to completely unplug for two-four weeks (you could only use a feature phone for emergencies), what would you do?

E:  Go to camp. Certified Eagle Scout here so I know how to unplug from time to time.

T:  Oh boy, that’s a tough one! Well, I guess a vacation would be in order. You would definitely find me on the coast in some quaint coffee shop just people watching and hanging out.

K:  I better be on a tropical island with my toes in the sand, ocean 10 feet in front of me, with a Dos Equis in hand, or I wouldn’t last an hour. There is something about the ocean/sun/booze combo that can have you forgetting about the world in a split second. Damn, that would be tough though. Even on the last vacation I took, I was squeezing out emails through 1-bar of service while on the beach.

R:  That’s basically what I did for Lent. I’ve still had my phone to read articles and whatnot, but I found myself doing a lot more reading and spending time with people face to face. It’s been really nice.

How many hours do each of you spend working on the website a week?

E:  Probably works out to be around around 10 hours a week on the site, depending on how busy the site is and how much work I do for school.

T:  Well, I would say too much and my boss would say not enough. But in the end, it’s just right. In fact, I actually joke with my friends that I’m sort of a doctor since we are “on call” for the news. No matter what time it is, if something important happens, we need to write it up. Call me Dr. Tato from now on, please.

K:  This is it. Droid Life is actually my life. I try to keep a regular schedule for the most part, which you have probably noticed. In all, I bet I’m doing something DL-related anywhere from 50-70 hours per week. Thing is, I love every second of it.

R:  I work at a local computer consulting company for my day job. If I’m reviewing a phone that tends to take around 10 to 12 hours and my opinion pieces tend to take 3 to 5 hours. It all depends on the subject.

Why hasn’t Verizon killed the Droid line yet?

E:  Because, like us, they’re clinging to the hope that Moto will come out with another great Droid phone.

T:  You can’t just go killing off what made you. The DROID brand is very important to Verizon I think and as long as it remains successful, then expect for it to stick around. At least until Disney or George Lucas start charging too much for the branding.

K:  It’s too powerful of a brand at this point to kill. Even if they release a mid-range phone, they can brand it with “DROID” and sell it. Thanks to the original DROID, they were able to go above Android, to create something all their own. Verizon is likely still the biggest Android carrier in the U.S., and I’d imagine a lot has to do with that brand. I doubt they’ll kill it any time soon.

R:  That’s a good question. I think Verizon is hanging onto it so they can claim to have an exclusive from certain companies, but it’s possible that they’ll retire the brand soon. I think it’s lost a lot of its marketing power and Verizon knows that. It would take a pretty killer device for that name to mean anything important today.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 11 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

As March is wrapping up, and we roll into Q2 of 2013, it’s time to submit your questions for Volume 11 of the DL Q&A Sessions. For some time now, we have been fielding a lot of your questions, whether they be personal, funny, or Android related. If there is something you need/want to know from the DL staff, now is the time to ask!

On Friday, we will go through them all and select a good amount to feature in a post on Friday. Drop down below in the comments section below and submit those questions.

To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 11 is a post from: Droid Life

We have your answers from Volume 10 of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. As always, we had a ton of questions to go through and we hand picked some that we thought everyone might benefit from. We even answered a few on this week’s Droid Life Show, so definitely give that a watch if you want an even more top of the head answer. If you are ready to go inside the minds of the DL staff, read on. 

Reminder: K is Kellen, R is Ron, T is Tim, and E is Eric.

1. 3 things out of the top of your head that your expecting at Google I/O besides the obvious (Key Lime Pie).

K:  It’s hard to think about I/O without thinking of Key Lime Pie, since that may be where all of the new fun comes out of. But outside of KLP, I want more Google Now. I want Now to continue to do things for me that I never thought it could, well. I’d like to finally get Google Glass on my head, so that Tim and I can stop arguing over whether or not it’ll be awesome. Last, I want the Nexus Q to return and to be as awesome as it could be.

R:  More Google Now, more Glass news, and a new Nexus Q.

T:  I want Google Glass. I want Gtalk to be completely integrated into other communication services from Google. Like an all-in-one. And I want them to reintroduce the Nexus Q so I can say, “I called it!”

E:  Chromebooks everywhere, especially after the announcement of the Pixel yesterday. More Android design refinements from our beloved Matias Duarte. Another crazy keynote like we had last year with the Google Glass parachuting into the room.

2. What are your deal breakers in a smartphone?

K:  It can’t be too big. Anything over 5″ is too big for me and won’t be my daily device. The camera also cannot suck or I’ll be looking elsewhere in a hurry.

R:  Bad screen, bad battery life, no CM10 option.

T:  The deal breakers for me this year are an HD display, a battery that can easily (and I emphasize easily) go a full day without having to plug it in, and a solid back-facing camera.

E:  It’d have to be battery life. Specs and screens and features are cool and all, but if the phone doesn’t stay alive long enough for you to use them then what’s the point?

3. If your contract was about to expire would you leave that carrier (Verizon for me) for a pre paid service? If so which one?

K:  That’s a really tough question. But I will say this – that I use my Verizon line less and less. In fact, the Nexus 4 on Solavei (T-Mobile) has been my daily driver since it came out. Well, it was AT&T before I switched to T-Mobile, but I really haven’t missed Big Red at all. Prepaid plans offer unlimited data and in some cases, if you can find T-Mo’s HSPA+42 service, it’s almost better than Verizon’s.

R:  If I wanted to leave Verizon then I would switch to T-Mo. Nexus devices have always been available on T-Mobile and they have great pre-paid plans. It’s a great option if you have good T-Mo coverage and you can get out of your contract.

T:  I don’t know if I would leave Verizon at this time. If I was kicked off of unlimited data I could see that being a though, but until then, I will stick with Big Red. I enjoy having coverage wherever I go.

E:  T-Mobile is looking more and more attractive with the things that Verizon is doing these days. If I had to move to a prepaid service it would be through them.

4. Do you think Google will release a Nexus (or X Phone possibly) that is sold through the Play store that will work on Verizon’s LTE, as well as all carriers?

R:  I think Google may release another Nexus on Verizon, but I don’t think a subsidized Verizon version will be available on the Play Store. I would love to be wrong about that, but I don’t think Verizon is willing to do it. That would mean giving up control, and Verizon doesn’t want to just be a dumb pipe for your data and voice.

K:  I’m not sure they can unless Verizon approves it. CDMA networks are all sorts of locked down as far as I know, and not just anyone can throw a CDMA radio in a phone and make it work on a carrier of choice. If they were to release an LTE-only phone that worked on Verizon’s LTE frequency, then maybe, but that would be risky since LTE isn’t everywhere at this time. We have to hope that they get approval from all the carriers, especially the CDMA ones.

E:  There is no way that Verizon will ok selling a phone through a source that they don’t have their hands on. Unforunately this is another instance where I see the other carriers actually working with Google on this and Verizon thumbing their nose because they have CDMA and don’t want to play nice. If we get an XPhone and if it comes to Verizon (big if there), you’ll have to buy it on-contract through their store on website.

5. Would you recommend the Nexus 4?

K:  100% would recommend it for everyone. I’ve been using it since before it was released and haven’t looked back. The camera is far improved over previous Nexus phones, the specs top most phones (except those with 1080p displays), and on HSPA+42, is as fast (if not faster) than some LTE networks. It’s my favorite phone of the last year, followed by the Galaxy S3.

R:  If you don’t need LTE and don’t mind being super careful or having your phone in a case, the Nexus 4 is a great phone. It all depends on your individual needs.

T:  Would certainly recommend this phone to anyone. My brother currently has one and he loves it. Stock Android, powerful chip, great camera, and sweet looks. It’s the ultimate Android phone, basically.

E:  Yes. It’s a fantastic phone at a pretty decent price that you can buy through Google Play, if I was on AT&T or T-Mobile that would be my daily driver right now.

6. What size phone feel the most comfortable and why?

R:  I prefer a 4.3 inch screen. It fits better in my hand and pockets. I have a tablet for watching video and writing. I want my phone to be super portable, yet powerful.

K:  I really like the feel of the Galaxy S3 and Nexus 4. Their 4.7″ and 4.8″ displays are just right for my normal hands as I can reach the top corners of the display without much work. Their designs are also made to sit well in your hands, aren’t too wide or tall, and lack the heavy weight of phones of old.

T:  Somewhere in the 4.7″ to 5.0″ range. Yes, I know I rock the Note 2 like a boss, but the 5.5″ is still completely overkill. I think once I get my hands on the HTC One, I will have a brand new love and passion for smaller displays.

E: I’m a big fan of the size of the Galaxy Nexus and the size around that area. 4.6″ – 4.8″ feels great in my hands, granted I have big ones. I think that is the new sweet spot between the small phones, 4.3″, and the huge ones, 5.5″.

7. What are your daily devices (phones, PCs, tablets)?

K:  On my desk at the moment, I have my Nexus 4 (T-Mobile service), Galaxy S3 (AT&T service), RAZR MAXX HD (Verizon), Nexus 7, iMac 27″, Blue Snowball mic (podcasts), 3TB Apple Time Capsule, Nexus 4 wireless charger, Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, Sony a33 camera. and some Bucky Balls. Yep, that’s all.

T:  Sitting on my desk is my beloved Galaxy Note 2 (Verizon service), a Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, Nexus 4, OG DROID (just so I can remember the good times we shared), ASUS Zenbook for work, 24″ Samsung LED monitor, wireless Microsoft keyboard and a Logitech wireless mouse.

E:  Daily phone is still my Galaxy Nexus, and the tablet that I use almost everyday is the Nexus 7. I have an Acer A510 that I keep around the house and use every once and a while when I’m in front of the TV or something.

8. Why were you all so quick to dismiss BlackBerry as a viable OS, you guys gave Windows 8 a shot why not Blackberry?

R:  I’ll give BB10 a shot like I did Windows Phone, but like Windows Phone I have sincere doubts. I didn’t pull any punches when I reviewed Windows Phone 7.5 or Windows Phone 8 – I don’t think they’re competitive. I won’t pull any punches if I get the chance to review Blackberry 10, either.

K:  We will most definitely do what we can to give Blackberry 10 a full look just as we did Windows 8. Once the device is more available, we’ll hit up carriers and Blackberry to get a review unit. Since we are an Android site, it’s not as easy to get early review units for an OS that we don’t typically cover. But yes, we’ll give it a full look so that the competition is covered.

T:  Because it’s BlackBerry. Not a fan. Never have been. Plus, I haven’t told you guys my story about Alicia Keys! She stalks me!

E:  Ever since their collapse shortly after the release of the Playbook, all BB has been saying is “wait until BB10 comes out and we’ll show you something.” Well we sat and waited for this new OS and it is nothing new or special. BB had all the time in the world to go back to the basics and try and come up with something competitive and new, but they are still just relying on their old image of “being for business people.”

9. What is your favorite college team?

K:  I’m a University of Montana alum, so I follow the Grizzlies football program still. Since I live in Oregon now, it’s easy to be a Ducks fan, since they are so damn fun to watch. I’m also a west coast homer, so I tend to cheer for the Pac-10 whenever they play anyone outside the conference, especially the SEC. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Arizona, Kansas, and Connecticut basketball.

R:  The Winston University Owl Cats.

T:  It’s all about Cal Berkeley! No matter what sport, they all gold everything!

E:  Mizzou, where I used to go and Indiana University, where I go now, are my two favorite college teams for obvious reasons. IU’s got a good shot to go all the way this year in basketball, who’s with me?

10. Do you guys have any individual Blogs, YouTube pages, or websites, and can I get a link. Also, Where can I find you guy’s individual twitters, or are those private?

R:  I have a couple blogs, none of which will be updated until Lent is over. You can find my thoughts on Christianity at ronoffringa.org and my thoughts on general technology at ronoffringa.me. My tumblr, which I update more regularly with random thoughts and comic book stuff, is ronoffringa.tumblr.com. You can find me on Twitter as @ronoffringa. When Lent is over Twitter will be the place to find me.

K:  My Instagram is about all I use.

T:  I love Instagram and I sometimes use my Twitter.

E: The only social network I really stay active on would be my Twitter, @EricRees. I also have a Tumblr under a similar name that I use every once and a while if you guys are in on that website as well.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 10 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

Well, we have made it to Volume 10 of the DL Q&A Sessions. We have MWC coming up later this month, plus it would appear we are going to have a brand new HTC flagship device tomorrow morning. With these posts, it’s the perfect way to ask the DL staff something Android-related, personal, or anything else you can think of.

We will be taking a handful of questions and answering them this Friday, so let’s do this! Drop down below in the comments and let us know what is on your mind.

To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 10 is a post from: Droid Life

It’s finally Friday and we have the answers to the Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 9. Earlier this week, we got some great submissions from our readers and its nice to just sit back and go through them, whether they be Android or non-Android related. Of course, we got some Super Bowl questions, along with some questions about how we all first met (online dating), and what we hope to see from Key Lime Pie. If you are ready to take a journey, read on. 

Reminder: K is Kellex, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

How did you all meet?

K:  We met at BloggerSingles.net, a fantastic place for lonely at-home internet trolls to meet other at-home internet trolls. After seeing the commercial during re-runs of Battlestar Galactica and joining shortly after for $14.95 per month, we quickly arranged team LAN parties in my Mom’s basement to see if we would be a good fit as a team. A dozen or so 64oz Mountain Dew Code Reds later, some sticky mice, and the rest is history.

R:  I didn’t really talk with Tim or Eric until we started doing the show. I had emailed with Kellen a few times and even written a guest post for DL. Eventually I decided that I wanted to write more opinion pieces because that was something that I didn’t see a lot of in the Android space. Apple has its MG Sieglers and John Grubers, but I didn’t see a lot of opinion and editorial in the Android space. I don’t think I’m anywhere near Sigler or Gruber’s levels, but I hope I’ve helped spur on the conversation.

T:  Well, I have never met either Eric or Ron in person, but we are Internet BFF’s and we talk almost daily. As for me, I came here as a reader/comment thug and then eventually started “writing” about Android and other random stuff like custom ROM’s. Once I became full time, I took a trip up to Portland to meet Kellen and learn the true ways of blogging. It was a really cool experience and it grew from there. You know, Mountain Dew Code Red can do a lot to a man and his inability to say, “No.”

E:  Back in the day when I was a wee little lad with a wee little Droid, I was curious as how to root and unlock it. Thus brought me to Droid-Life, and I became an avid reader. I watched the rise and eventual fall of Android Life and sent Kellex a message that said, “Hey, I’m Eric… and I like to party” and voila, here we are.

This might have already been asked, but what do you guys do for a living outside of Droid Life?

K:  This is it! DL 4 life.

R:  I work for a local computer consulting company as my main job for now. I also lead worship at an Anglican church in Yucaipa, CA.

T:  As for work, DL is my full-time gig. Beyond that, I spend my time bowling, driving, running around with the pups, and getting in all sorts of trouble with local business owners.

E:  I’m a senior in college so when I’m not writing and not studying for classes I’m doing totally healthy, non-alcoholic activities that my family and community would be proud of.

If you had to guess, when will the Motorola X phone be released?

K:  More than likely this summer, but it could be late spring. I’m actually buying into some of the rumors that Motorola will try to unveil something close to Google I/O, which takes place in May. Keep in mind that they haven’t released a phone in a couple of months, and so far, don’t have anything else in the works that we know of. They can’t wait much longer.

R:  October 17.

T:  Definitely October 17. But nothing is confirmed.

E:  Either this holiday season or next Spring, not what I’d like, but realistic dates.

Do you think Blackberry 10 will steal any market share away from Android and iOS, or do you think that they are really just gambling all-in on something that isn’t within their grasps anymore?

K:  If Microsoft and all their muscle can’t make Windows Phone 8 a player, I have serious doubts about RIM making a comeback with an OS that is 3 or 4 years in the making. I think you’ll see the Blackberry die-hards get excited, along with some tech media that has nothing better to talk about, but the regular consumer won’t care. They are already invested in either Android or iOS.

R:  I think it has been a two horse race for a long time. webOS had a shot and they missed. I hope RIM does well, but I don’t expect it.

T:  It’s not even in my spectrum of thought. As for taking away any market share from Google and Apple, yeah, good luck with that. I enjoy competition for the sake of innovation, but it won’t be coming from BlackBerry 10.

E:  BB has got some serious ‘splanin to do to all of their business market share that they’ve already lost. A lot of companies are now “bring your own device” with the downfall of BB so they will have to show that they have something special to lure people back from Android and iOS. As of right now I don’t know that something special is.

What is the first thing you look at in a phone?

K:  Used to be the display, but now I really do focus on the entire package. OK, that’s a lie – if it says “Nexus” in the name, I’m buying. I need a phone to have every single new technology that’s available. The Nexus 4 was a no-brainer because it had it all, plus will always be up-to-date with the latest version of Android.

R:  Screen. You stare at it all day, so it better be good.

T:  Size and then the display. If it feels good in my hand and then is nice to look at, it’s onto the performance. Have I mentioned I enjoy the Galaxy Note 2? I probably have by now.

E:  It used to be display, but anymore these days with myself being such a power user, battery life is on top of my list. Never again shall I have a phone with a bad battery life.

What is the one thing you are hoping to see in Key Lime Pie?

K:  Because we have seen a dozen or so emails in the last week – Bluetooth Low Energy support. Actually, we better see that sooner than KLP. I’d have to same cloud gaming support or syncing, like was written by a guest blogger on the site this week.

R:  Google Now on my home screen.

T:  I would love to see a unified messaging service across the platform. On top of that, I need cloud gaming saves and app data saves across multiple devices. I don’t want to have to keep leveling up in Need for Speed. It’s a real pain in the butt!

E:  More Google Now design throughout Android. I think the design team still has a lot up their sleeve and a lot of integration with Google Now left to go, I’m excited where the next version of Android is going to take us.

What do you prefer about manufacturer skins over stock Android, if anything?

K:  I don’t mean to sound Android elitist, but there isn’t anything that sticks out. I’ve given up LTE just so that I can use the Nexus 4 and so far, have no regrets. There isn’t anything from TouchWiz or Sense or Blur that I’m missing.

R:  Motorola’s Smart Actions are cool.

T:  Um, that’s a tough one. Off the top of my head, there isn’t too much I enjoy about skins. Maybe the ability to put custom shortcuts on the lockscreen with TouchWiz is a plus. Oh, the Sense camera software on the One X is great. Anything that adds function to the device I am all for. Tacky skins have got to go though.

49ers or Ravens? Why?

K:  Can’t stand either team. Sick of hearing about Ray Lewis. Sick of hearing about the Har-bowl. Just get the game here so I can eat fried, greasy foods for a day, drink red beer after red beer, and not feel guilty about any of it.

R:  That’s the sport with the touchdowns, right?

T:  I would love to run out into the streets screaming that the 49ers won the Super Bowl. I really think the team has some fantastic dynamics. A superior running game with Gore, Kaepernick. Great hands with Crabtree and Moss, plus Davis is back in action now. And as long as our secondary decides to show up, we should have it in the bag. Oh, and DO NOT attempt any field goals or we are completely screwed. Why coach decided to keep Akers in is beyond me. I want to like him, but if he continues to miss 30+ yard attempts, I will find him and I will destroy him.

E:  Let me tell you why I hate Joe Flacco. He’s one of the most overrated QBs in the league right now, in my opinion he’s just as bad as Phillip Rivers. Yes I know Flaccos has 8 TDs and 0 INTs in the post season right now, but he’s got 3 tall, fast, athletic WRs that bail him out every time he overthrows one of his patented “long balls.” 49ers and Mizzou grad Aldon Smith are going to stomp the Ravens (unfortunately because I’d like to see Ray Lewis get another ring). Full disclosure: all this hate may or may not stem from the fact that I picked Ray Rice in my fantasy league this year and got screwed by Flacco almost every game.

Are the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 the best tablets at their respective price points, and is now the time to buy one?

K:  Yes and yes.

R:  Yes and no. The Nexus 7 is probably still a good buy, but I’m not convinced about the 10 yet. I might get a Transformer over the Nexus 10.

T:  The Nexus 7 is still a steal. As for me, the 10-inch tablet market is just not my thing. I don’t use large tablets, but the Nexus 10 is pretty great. It’s thin, performs well, and looks good. Although, there are rumors that a new rendition of the N10 is coming at Google I/O. You may want to hold off until then.

E:  Yes, with the exception of the Nexus 10. With the very plausible rumor that the N10 might be getting a spec increase here in the next few months, I would suggest holding off on that. But the N7 is still my favorite tablet of all time and I use it daily to the point where I need to charge it every night.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 9 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

With CES behind us and MWC coming up, it is time for a DL Q&A Session. With these posts, it is your chance to ask the DL staffers anything and everything that is on your mind. Then on Friday, we will go through and answer our favorites in a separate post. It can be personal, Android-related, or even SF 49er’s related.

And yes, we will also take a handful of questions and answer them on air during this week’s Droid Life Show. If we get some really juicy ones, I will also field a couple during the Tato Show (Thurs. 7PM Pacific) as well. Ready? Drop in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind.

To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 9 is a post from: Droid Life

On Monday, we asked you all to send in questions for Volume 8 of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. As always, we received some fantastic questions and even went over a few on this week’s Droid Life Show. If you’re ready to see what we had to say about our thoughts for the upcoming year, where to buy a Verizon phone off contract, and when you can expect to be kicked off of your grandfathered data plan, read on. 

Reminder: K is Kellex, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

Where is the best place to buy a phone on Verizon off contract? And why would you choose that retailer?

K:  Not sure there is a better place than Verizon. They tend to have the best full retail prices. Best Buy and other retailers jack up their full retail prices because they only make money off of contracts. I have heard that some are able to get Best Buy to match Verizon’s prices, but haven’t tried it myself. Otherwise, try eBay.

R:  I’ve purchased off contract phones from Craigslist and eBay. Just keep an eye out for a good deal, make sure they have pictures, and you should be good.

T:  I have bought a device off of Swappa before. Was a decently pleasant experience. When the device did not meet my expectations, their staff was very good about making sure I received my money back and everyone was happy.

Why has it been so hard to find official accessories for my “official” Google Android products?

R:  Probably because they haven’t been wild successes in the market so it hasn’t made a lot of sense for Google to pump out a ton of accessories.

K:  I sort of complained about this earlier this morning, but the short answer is, we don’t know. For whatever reason, Google and the companies they partner with to make accessories, never work well together. It took months before we got anything for the Galaxy Nexus, and now it has been months without anything for the Nexus 7. The Nexus 4 is supposed to have a really cool wireless charging ball, but again, we have no idea when or if it’ll ever be available.

When do you guys think Verizon will kick the remaining ” grandfathered in” people off unlimited?

R:  Probably next year some time. They may never need to since the cost of getting a phone off contract isn’t going down any time soon.

T:  Hard to say. My bets would be sometime later next year or early 2014 maybe. It could be that they would wait to launch some type of new network that would entitle them to justify kicking grandfathered users off of unlimited 3G/4G data. Again, it’s hard to know what Verizon has going on.

K:  It’ll be tough for them to kick people off who refuse to sign a new contract. I’d assume in two years, when the last 2-year contracts were signed, they’ll have something in place. Just remember, that when that happens, you can always go elsewhere. And hopefully by then, we’ll have other carriers with 4G LTE networks on Verizon’s level.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

T:  I’m looking forward to a new lineup of devices. I’ve been pretty impressed with 2012′s offerings and I’m excited to see what 2013 has in store. Better displays, bigger batteries, fast processors. On top of that, new Android OS! 5.0, baby!

K:  New Google Now features, if Google will realize that they need to do something with mobile gaming, what Motorola plans to do to make a comeback, and if HTC can survive and stop their landslide. Samsung will probably own the world still, but when smaller companies are down, they tend to scrap to try to get back in play. It could get dirty, but it’ll be fun.

R:  I’m hoping we’ll see some innovation in battery technology across the board (not just from Motorola) and some innovation with cameras in phones.

As the year ends and 2013 begins, how would you feel if Verizon quietly dropped DROID branding anything at some point in 2013?

R:  I would feel fine about it. It might be a good idea to give it a rest. It’s lost a lot of its meaning over the years. Maybe it would be good to stop for a while and bring it back with a real halo device.

K:  The DROID brand isn’t as powerful as it once was. Look at the Galaxy S3, it’s not a DROID and it’s the hottest smartphone in the world. If the DROID brand dies, and I doubt that it will, the Android world will continue to thrive.

Which Android OEM are you most excited about for 2013?

R:  I’m hoping Motorola brings some Google-flavored designs out and I’m hoping HTC gets their act together.

K:  We sort of answered this on the DL Show the other night, but most of us are excited to see what the new Google-powered Motorola can come up with. New designs, hopefully no more kevlar, and the most open Android phones available is what I’m hoping we get. Samsung is always interesting as well, since they are the big dog on top of the smartphone world. A lot of people said the Galaxy S3 was overrated, but it’s been a massive success.

T:  I’m looking forward to the “new Motorola.” I hope to see more Google-inspired designs coming through in 2013!

What kind of devices are your family members using?

R:  My brother has a Nexus S 4G, my parents use Trackphones, and my wife has an iPhone. They’re all very different people with different needs.

T:  My family has a good mix. There are some iPhones, Galaxy S3, DROID X, Nexus 4, and even some flip phones still!

K:  Most have Android phones…actually I think they all do. Couple of Galaxy S3s, original RAZR, Incredible 2, and Thunderbolt.

If you were in-charge of Google+ what would you guys to do try and make it more popular?

R:  Right now Google+ is still a Facebook clone. What it needs is a niche feature to make it stand out. Hangouts are cool, but maybe releasing a photoshere app for iOS and Android (for those without 4.2) and holding a contest would help. At the end of the day people don’t want another social network unless it gives them something they didn’t have before or it is centered around one idea. Twitter does text, Facebook does everything, Instagram does photos, etc. Google+ doesn’t do anything that stands out. You need that when you’re a late comer.

T:  To me it isn’t about popularity. In fact, I can’t quite tell if that’s what Google is going for either. By weaving their services (Android devices, YouTube, Google Play, etc.) together through Google+, they’re uniting Google users on this service. Will it ever be the next Facebook or whatever? I don’t think so, but then, I don’t want it to be.

K:  I’m terrible with social networks and am the worst person on Earth to ask. You can find me on Instagram though!

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 8 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

There aren’t many new phones on the horizon to hypebeast, but we do have a bunch of recently released phones worth talking about such as the Nexus 4, DROID DNA, and Galaxy Note 2. We also have CES in Las Vegas to look forward to next month in early January, which Kellex and myself will be attending. With these Q&A Sessions, this is your chance to ask us your dying questions that need answering, whether it’s Android related or not. Feel free to have some fun with it and we will do the same!

At the end of the week, we’ll grab a handful of questions and let the team take to answering them. And for everyone asking, we will feature a few in this week’s Droid Life Show! Ready? Drop in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind.

To see all of our previous Q&A’s, check them out here.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 8 is a post from: Droid Life

Welcome to the Answers section of the seventh installment of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. Much like every other week, we had some great questions come in from the community, so we took our time to go through them and pull some of the good ones. It seems that many are curious about the DROID DNA, Verizon’s data plans, and why on Earth Samsung and HTC won’t get it together with those on-screen buttons. See what all we had to say down below. 

Reminder: K is Kellex, T is Tim, R is Ron, and E is Eric.

What’s your opinion on big players like Samsung & HTC not using on-screen buttons and ruining a consistent experience?

K:  While I’m a big fan of on-screen buttons, but I’m glad that we have choices. As you can see from the poll we ran last week, people haven’t fully bought into on-screen and still love hardware buttons. The beauty of Android is that you can find a phone that meets your needs and you aren’t stuck with one phone, one button, one build, and one skin.

R:  For me it isn’t a big deal. There are pros and cons to both designs. The reality of the situation is that companies like HTC and Samsung design phones a year or two in advance, so even though Google implemented the new on screen button design a year ago, companies like HTC weren’t privy to the change and even if they were (like Samsung) they wouldn’t be able to alter that kind of design that late into the game. I imagine we’ll begin to see more phones with on-screen keys in the coming months.

T:  It’s frustrating! I am hoping we won’t have to deal with it too much longer. These older designs are finally out of Samsung and HTC’s books and we can move on to hopefully a more uniformed design across OEMs. Although, I could see them pull some bs about how they want to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers. Either way, I want them gone!

E:  As much as I’d like everyone to hop on that bandwagon, it’s really up to the OEMs to decide if they want them or not. Google provides a platform with the Nexus devices and says “this is what you can do,” but doesn’t hold them to actually mimicking every design choice. HTC and Samsung’s capacitive buttons are iconic in their own right, and they are just keeping a consistent experience on their own brand.

Do you think Verizon will take away the unlimited data from those grandfathered users who aren’t on contract anytime soon?

R:  I think they’ll continue to push users into tiered plans, although they’ve already made it extremely difficult for users to keep unlimited plans. It wouldn’t surprise me if they forced users off of them in a few years.

T: There is no doubt that will come down sooner or later. The only question I think people should be asking, is “When?”

K:  Yes. I don’t know when, but at some point they are going to force us to change. Whether it be the next time you activate a phone or they set a date for it to happen, it’ll likely happen. Their new money-making scheme is all centered around shared data plans, so they’ll figure out a way to end our fun. The good news about that idea is, that you will then be free to join whichever carrier you want. Unlocked GSM phones for the win!

Galaxy Note 2 or Droid DNA?

K:  Ooh, tough choice there. I’d say Galaxy Note 2 because the software experience crushes everything that HTC is doing with Sense. While HTC may have incredible hardware, Samsung has both great hardware and the best software suite in the business. With Android, it’s about more than just specs, in my opinion. Until HTC innovates on the software front as well, it’ll be tough for them to top Samsung on any level.

R:  Need battery? Galaxy Note 2. Want the best screen ever? DNA.

E:  Depends on what you want it for. If you’re gonna use the stylus and dual-screen features then Note 2, but if you want just a phone with amazing specs then the DNA is going to be better.

T:  If you follow my opinions on anything it is that I care deeply for the One series devices from HTC. The Galaxy Note 2 is just too big for me and I think the DNA will offer just the right amount of space. Although, that battery size is seriously lame sauce on HTC’s part. Come on, HTC!

You probably get lots of tips from readers, some great and others not. What’s the most ridiculous or out-there “tip” you’ve ever gotten from someone?

T:  Well, we appreciate all of the tips and suggestions from readers. I think the most silly thing we get is hate mail. People take the time out of their busy lives to tell us how much they hate us or we suck. I think it’s great that our work has such a massive effect on these people’s live. It’s a great feeling.

K:  At least once a day, we get emails from people who think we are Verizon or Google or Motorola. They want to know why we haven’t refunded the expensive Play store app that their kid just bought or why their phone is now garbage because of a recent update and that we should fix the situation. It’s comical.

A year or so ago, Motorola said they were basically going to calm down and pump out only one or two solid phones per year. I think some other manufacturers fell in line with that. With all the phones released in the last/next two months, do you think things will be idle until this time next year now? In other words, is it finally safe to pull the trigger on a new phone?

R:  The best time on Verizon is usually around the holidays. For off-contract buyers I’d say get something now or wait for Mobile World Congress.

E:  Unfortunately you’re never safe in the Android market. I feel like there will be some decent phones announced at the tech conferences coming up early next year. But with the Nexus 4, DNA and Galaxy Note 2 out there right now you could do a lot worse.

K:  It’s probably safe to pull the trigger. I’d guess that January through March will be slow and that we’ll be waiting for HTC to drop the new One Series line. Samsung won’t have anything until the Spring, and Motorola is still trying to figure out what it’s doing. You also have to remember that buying phones is a lot different today than it was even a year ago. Specs are sooooo good, that even if a new phone comes out in a month, you won’t be disappointed with what you just bought.

T:  Being an Android fan is hard. There’s something new every couple of months, so my suggestion is if you see a phone you’re happy with, just go for it.

What is your most important feature on a phone? Is it the manufacturer, OS, battery life, screen resolution, etc?

K:  Battery life, display and camera for me. I’m not sure which one comes first, but if any of those three aren’t top notch, I usually need to find a new phone quickly. I can deal with skins because Android lets you block most of them out with 3rd party apps. But a crappy camera is always going to be a crappy camera. Same with a display and battery life.

R:  For me I want stock Android, an excellent camera, good battery life, and an incredible display. If I had to pick one feature it would be stock Android.

E:  I love me a nice screen. Ever since I upgraded from the Droid 3 to the Galaxy Nexus I’ll never go back to a bad display. However, I can’t live with a bad skin on top of Android so whatever the device is, I need to be able to root and hack it.

T:  To me, I think stock Android and a good camera take the cake. And out of those too, a really good camera could lean me towards any device. The One X has Sense, but I still loved it very much thanks to that ridiculous camera.

Even with it’s shortcomings and the fact that it’s a year old, would you still recommend the Galaxy Nexus on VZW?

R:  No. The screen and camera are really bad. I’d wait for something else or get off of Verizon.

K:  At this point, no. The display tech is a year old and way behind new phones. The battery life is still atrocious. And Verizon has proven that they do not care about this phone for a second, so it’ll never be up to date with the rest of the Nexus family. It’s a stepchild phone. There are also way too many good phones out to look at a phone that’s a year old any longer.

E:  Only if the person is alright with unlocking it and flashing a ROM. I did that day 1 of my Nexus and haven’t had half the problems that other people have reported. It will probably get 4.2 before a good number of phones if you have it unlocked.

T:  Sure, if you love rooting and hacking. But if you’re looking for a work phone that won’t let you down, you might want to stay away. Go grab a new phone instead!

*The rest of our Q & A sessions are all available at this link.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 7 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

This week is going to be insane. We have the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 going on sale tomorrow. Android 4.2 should be hitting AOSP at any moment, which means the first sets of ROMs could be here this week. The HTC DROID DNA will be unveiled in NYC tomorrow, an event we’ll be reporting from. Black Ops 2 is available at midnight…err. And we have a live Droid Life Show going down Wednesday night to talk about it all. After the snoozefest that was the Android news world last week, we are looking forward to some wild times.

So knowing that we’re about to be bombarded with awesome Android talk, let’s do a Q&A session. You probably have a bundle of questions ready to be fired off, so bring ‘em to us. Do you want to know our final thoughts on buying the Nexus 4? Should the DNA be your next phone? Is Android 4.2 the most important thing to happen this week? Drop your questions in the comments and we’ll pick ten to be answered on Friday (and probably on Wednesday’s show too).

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 7 is a post from: Droid Life

Welcome to the Answers section of the sixth installment of the DL Q&A Sessions. We got some great questions from the community on Monday, as always, and we’ve taken the time to go through and answer a few of them. It’s easy to see that many of you are concerned with what is coming to Verizon this quarter. Are we getting another Nexus? Should I jump on the new Moto devices? See what we had to say down below. 

1. Would you recommend a RAZR HD over waiting to see if a new Nexus ever comes out on Verizon?

K:  A new Nexus is not coming to Verizon. With that said, I still would not recommend that you go out a buy a RAZR HD at this moment in time. There are too many good phones with better specs on the way. Plus, the new RAZR cameras are horrendous. RAZR HDs are solid phones with exceptional battery life and decent HD screens, but they are not the cream of the crop.

R:  I would wait.

T:  Simple! Just wait to see what comes.

2. Why does it seem that there will not be another CDMA/LTE Nexus for Verizon customers?

E:  To me it seems that the struggle between Google and Verizon for power over the phone got a little heated. Allowing Verizon apps to be disabled, no branding on the front, some feelings got hurt. And with the nature of the CDMA drivers being hard to come by, I don’t know if Google wants to deal with that again.

K:  Blame both Verizon and Google. Since Verizon still wants ultimate control in the end when it comes to updates, Google has clearly decided that they are not interested in partnering any longer. With a Nexus, Google wants to be able to do as they please, but when you tie a phone to a carrier, you are adding in another layer or partner that you have to include in everything. It’s sad, but that’s the way it is. What we need is for Google to lay the law down, something they didn’t do in round one.

3. Why have device manufacturers largely given up on the keyboarded phone?

R:  Most people have learned to type on a screen. The keyboard adds weight and thickness, which doesn’t fit with the trends every other phone is following. The biggest reason is probably that they don’t sell as well as thinner phones, so it doesn’t seem worth the investment. Then again, every manufacturer still seems hell-bent on releasing too many phones every year so maybe there will be more phones that few will buy.

K:  Probably because sales numbers indicate that very few people buy them. Why create something with a keyboard if you can’t make any money off of it? Plus, “thin is in” and that means the thinner your phone, the more attractive it is to people these days.

4. What are you thoughts on the current Android Development community?

T:  It just seems unnecessary these days. Back when rooting and romming was huge, devices were slow and bogged down by crap skins. Now, Android is looking hot, performing even hotter, and the devices simply work how we expect. If further tweaking is needed or wanted, then at least you know the ability to do so is still there.

K:  It seems really stale to me. I wouldn’t necessarily put the blame for that on developers, but more on the evolution of the smartphone. In 2010, we needed developers to improve upon what OEMs could not do – create a fast and stable product with robust features. Today, Android in general is so polished and reliable, plus the hardware in phones matches up to computers in terms of speed and power. ROMs and tinkering isn’t as important as it once was.

5. You get 4 hours of non-sports DVR time a week. How are you filling it?

E:  American Horror Story, New Girl, Always Sunny in Philly and Adventure Time.

T:  Dexter, anything with Gordon Ramsey, Metalocalypse, South Park, and Family Guy.

R:  30 Rock, Scrubs reruns, House, Archer.

K:  Boardwalk Empire. Breaking Bad. No Reservations. Game of Thrones. Duck Dynasty. No Honey Boo Boo, though.

6. Do you think the Google Glass project will be replacing phones completely?

T:  In the year 2020, probably.

E:  Maybe a far, far time down the road. Technology isn’t at the place yet to make the parts small enough for you to wear it without looking ridiculous. Right now I think phones and Glass will work together perfectly.

K:  I highly doubt it. It’s a cute product, that super tech fiends will flock to, but I don’t see it becoming a mainstream phenomena any time soon. There are too many privacy concerns. I also don’t think tech in general is at a level that can make a virtual headset as feature-rich as a smartphone.

R:  I think the possibility is there. Smartphones and tablets are replacing traditional computers, so it’s possible that Glasses or some sort of contacts will be the next step in mobile innovation.

7. What is your favorite 90′s movie?

E:  Forrest Gump.

T:  Maybe Jurassic Park? That’s almost an impossible question to answer.

K:  Time Cop? I kid, I kid. I’d probably go with Fight Club

R:  Batman Returns. You have Batman, Penguin, Catwoman, Max Shreck, no Robin – what more do you need?

8. Best phone ever?

T:  You mean like, ever ever? I’m just gonna throw it up to the OG DROID. Followed by the One “seXy.”

K:  Ummm, wow. I actually don’t know if I could pick a “best phone” of all time. The original DROID was awesome because it started this whole Android life, but that phone was far from perfect. Every phone that has come out over the last few years, always has 1 or 2 things that keep it from being irreplaceable. The Galaxy Nexus can’t hold a signal and has a horrible camera. The Galaxy S3 has weak WiFi and that damn home button. The One X is up there, though. So torn.

R:  Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. No, not buying that? As far as phone design goes, I really like the Lumia 800 look, but I’d like it with stock Jellybean. In other words I want a phone that doesn’t exist. And while I’m rambling, I would love to see a phone inspired by the Nexus Q design. Imagine a notification light around the edge of the phone.

9. Are you guys cool with the other Android bloggers?

K:  Interesting question. I’ve definitely had the opportunity to meet most over the last few years in a variety of situations. Almost all of them are actually pretty good guys in person. Sure, we compete in the Android space, but get us in a bar together and it’s a great time.

T:  I personally love seeing a lot of my fellow Android bloggers at conferences. We’re a rowdy bunch that likes to have fun and drink beer. There’s never really drama or anything like that.

R:  Yes. Wait, did someone say something mean about my webcam? If so, then no, we are not cool.

E:  Picture the Android blogging community as Anchorman. Kellen is obviously Ron Burgandy, Tim is Brian Fantana, Ron is Champ Kind and that leaves me…Veronica Corningstone. We all have our news teams and we’re all vying for that No. 1 spot. There’s a mutual respect for everyone in the business because we’re all passionate about the same thing and we all write about the same subject. Sometimes however, there’s a rumble in the streets and the only rule is “don’t touch the hair.”

10. Do you believe Google has gone too far in the direction of serving their own needs with Android, over the needs of the end user?

R:  They can’t. If they betray the user too much then they’ll lose business. More importantly, most people are seeing Android as filtered and changed by the carriers and manufacturers. Most people are not seeing and using Google’s version of Android.

K:  I don’t necessarily think that Google has made Android anti-user, by any means. I think we all know that they are giving it away for free and are hoping in the end to make a huge profit off of it, but as of today, I don’t feel like they have begun that phase yet. This is still a fairly new OS. When we see ads in the Gmail app, then we’ll talk about this again.

*The rest of our Q & A sessions are all available at this link.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 6 Answers is a post from: Droid Life

We have been super busy around here with Nexus rumors, Jelly Bean updates, and traveling to San Diego for CTIA, but we are now home settled and ready for another DL Q&A session. For those new to this feature, it’s a way we let you, the readers, ask the DL staff anything that might be on your mind. It could be about Android, sports, gardening, dog training, yummy food, or anything in between. It’s uncensored goodness.

At the end of the week, we’ll grab a handful of questions and let the team take to answering them. Ready? Drop in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 6 is a post from: Droid Life

As is customary in Q & A session weeks, we have the answers to help take us into the weekend. The questions were great as always, including the one about fingernails. The focus from many of you, is clearly on the incredible lineup of phones that is about to become available on Verizon. You have some tough choices ahead if you are in the market for a new phone. Let’s talk about them. 

1. With all the phones that are coming out now, which phone on Verizon is the most appealing? Which device is most worthy of being someone’s daily driver?

K:  The 5″ HTC phone is the one that everyone should be waiting for. We may not see another Nexus on Verizon again, so if you want to stick with Big Red, you are going to have to consider a skinned phone. The Galaxy Note 2 will also be a great choice if you passed on the Galaxy S3, however, the HTC phone could be something special.

T:  If it were me, I would probably wait for the DROID RAZR HD MAXX. It might become the best device for everything an Android lover would want. Great specs, great battery, and awesome hardware.

E:  I got some hands on time with the RAZR M the other day and I absolutely love that device. It feels perfectly sized in my hands and built out of some quality material. It’s pretty snappy too. I do have a love affair with HTC’s One series so I want to wait and see what this Droid Incredible X is all about before I go looking for a new device.

2. So, if you could/had to, what carrier would you switch to from Verizon?

K:  I keep a second line on AT&T already, so I’d probably just move over to them permanently if I had to. While their service is spotty in every city I travel, I like having the option to slap my SIM into an unlocked phone of any type and having it work. Their LTE is also rolling out quite fast these days.

T:  I would switch to AT&T. In comparison to T-Mobile and Sprint, in my area AT&T has the better coverage and has their 4G LTE.

E:  I’d probably switch to T-Mobile if I had to. I could use unlocked phones and still have pretty decent HSPA+ coverage. They just re-announced an unlimited plan that’s only 80 bucks a month too, so it’s pretty enticing for cheap college kids like myself.

R:  AT&T or T-Mobile.

3. How come none of us care about LG? Even with the Optimus G with the best specs of any phone ever, I don’t want it, why?

K:  I blame the Chocolate, eNV, and Voyager for ruining everyone’s opinion of LG. The Optimus G will be a hit globally, just probably not in the States. I do like LG’s new focus on creating innovative software features though, rather that caring only about specs.

R:  Because their software looks like a bad copy of TouchWiz and hardware matters less than it did two years ago.

T:  LG has put out a few devices in the past that have basically marked them as a poor device manufacturer. The build quality was cheap, software was awful, and I think that stigma just sort of sticks with buyers. The Optimus G does have some great specs, but is it enough to bring LG back from the metaphorical “dead?” Time will tell.

E:  Because their history of devices has been horrible (Lucid, Spectrum, Intuition) they need to change our minds before we can care about their phones.

4. How does Windows 8 Phone look to you lately? Is it great for innovation, and do you see it as a viable competitor in the smartphone wars?

E:  I would love to get my hands on the HTC 8X and see how it feels. I think WP8 has a lot going for it in style and sophistication but a lot of Android users are here because of the flexibility we have on our phones. Apple and Windows seem to be running under the mantra that “mobile users don’t know what they want” so iOS and WP8 feed it to them, we’ll see down the road if people think that’s true.

K:  I’ll be picking up a Lumia 920 in some form, either via review unit or buying one myself. I really like Windows Phone and am dying to see what Windows Phone 8 is like. Plus, the specs and feature-set that Nokia included in this phone are as good as any Android phone. Always good to know your competition.

R:  All they’ve shown us so far is the new Start screen. If it has better notifications, better multitasking, and better apps then I think it will fair better.

5. How long do you think it will be before we see something from Motorola that will really make us say, “That’s very Google” or “Google Inspired and Designed”?

K:  Next year. I’m actually really excited to see what Motorola does in 2013. The RAZR HD was the last of Sanjay Jha’s phones, so we could see something completely new next time around. In fact, they have a special design and innovation team now that’s sole goal, is to create something the world has never seen. It should be fun.

R:  When it has ads on the lock screen. We haven’t really seen Google-only design in anything except the Nexus Q. If they make a phone that has that design language I’ll buy it now.

E:  I’m still under the assumption that there will be at least 5 Nexus phones this fall, and I think one of them is going to be a Motorola device. What I’m really crossing my fingers for is a revival of the OG Droid but as a Nexus. I think Google would love having that diversity in their Nexus line up.

(Throwback photo!)

6. How do you think Android will evolve in 2013?

R:  A lot in Android can still be simplified and improved. I’m hoping the design language stays the same. Maybe add full cards for multitasking.

E:  More User Interface polish. Jelly Bean is already sexy as all get out, but I think Google has more up their sleeve.

T:  Well, if anything I would hope to see more performance increases and possibly a better camera experience. More focus on homescreens and the notification area, along with many more improvements to the Google Play store.

K:  Google Now will take over your life. Google has clearly realized that this service has endless possibilities. Google already wants you to sign into all of their services, so if they can make Google Now pull from them all, they essentially get you to continue to use them all.

7. Besides being pure Google, is the Galaxy Nexus still a good buy?

K:  It’s still my favorite phone to date. I’ve handled just about every new Android phone that has dropped in the last year, but when I get done reviewing them, I usually can’t wait to get back onto my Galaxy Nexus. Bad camera and all, the form factor to me is perfect. Nothing feels as good in hand as the G-Nex.

T:  The device is almost a year old and with that, you’re going to have a few devices coming out later this year that will basically put it to bed. If you want to root and do all of the tinkering, then go for it. If you want a reliable device that will work when you need it to, then I would probably pass based on the fact that the Galaxy SIII has great battery life and is pretty dependable.

E:  I would only suggest it to someone who wouldn’t be afraid of unlocking it and hacking away. Stock it’s an OK phone but if you unlock it you can make up for many of the flaws that it still has.

R:  As long as you don’t use your phone to take pictures, yes.

8. Hands down, best/worst reviewed Android phones and tablets ever that you have used?

K:  The DROID Charge was absolutely the worst phone I’ve reviewed in some time. When people get the impression that Samsung makes “cheap” products, it’s because of phones like that.  Worst tablet has got to be that 3D disaster that LG released on T-Mobile in 2011. It was so cheap and gimmicky, that you needed to wear red and blue 1985 glasses to see 3D content on it. I think 4 people bought it.

R:  The original 10 inch Galaxy Tab was pretty bad. Worst phone was probably the Eris (though I love that form factor).

E:  Best reviewed would be the HTC One X. My friend had the unfortunate luck of getting a bottom-dollar 7″ Android 2.3 tablet from his mother. I think the company was “American”? Or something of that sort. It was god-awful and I wanted to put the poor device out of it’s misery.

T:  The Photon Q. I despise that phone. Clunky body, crappy software, and an unusable camera. To me, worst device I have ever reviewed.

9. In a quick one-two liner, tell us why Android is better than iOS to you.

K:  iOS is beyond stale. Android continues to evolve and change the industry still to this day.

R:  Android has a better design language and has continually made major improvements while iOS has slowly iterated on itself without changing the design for 5 years.

T:  Software. Customization. Hardware options. Preference. Choice. Freedom. America.

10. Newton/RG3/Luck ranking after 3 years each in the league?

E:  I think Luck will have a better future going forward (all Indianapolis bias aside). RG3 will follow the same path as Newton, and if you saw the Panthers get stomped by the Giants last night you can see that teams can prepare for rushing QBs and gimmicky option offense. You can’t prepare for a QB who can sit in the pocket and pick your defense apart.

K:  Luck, Newton and then RG3. How many quarterbacks in history have been ultra-athletic and survived or became elite? I’d say very few, so the odds are in Luck’s favor as a traditional QB. Newton is a freak of nature though, so he could end up as one of the greats of all time, as painful as it is for me to admit that. RG3 will join Vince Young in a couple of years. Actually, he’s a wild card, but his whining after 2 games about cheap shots in the league isn’t giving off a good vibe.

T:  Is that a player in hockey or something?

*The rest of our Q & A sessions are all available at this link.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 5 Answers is a post from: Droid Life