Android Widget Rant

I will apologize now, sorry. What is so special about widgets for Android?  I just either don't understand what they are or its just me. I don't get their appeal. I know the clock/weather widget is interesting, but meh, I don't really need that. As long as I can see the time and date, I'm fine. Weather I can see with my eyes.

There was an article in TechRebublic that says "will make iPhone users jealous ". Yeah, I don't have an iPhone and it doesn't make me jealous.  One was something called "Power Contol" so a user can adjust brightness level, turn off and on wifi or bluetooth and other things. But I can do that on the PlayBook By swiping from the top right corner of the bezel, towards the bottom left and I can control those things.

I would gather, people enjoy customizing their Android devices, I believe it is one of the appeals of Android. But I guess I don't. I don't see how it would simplify my life, make it easier or more productive.

This is a screen capture in browser and browser after swipe from top right corner of bezel.

To Mini or not to Mini

That is the question. Should I get a "iPad Mini" for my mother? It's a little early to ask that question, as there has been nothing announced, but there is a need to plan. I want to get something for her by Thanksgiving. American Thanksgiving.

She is almost 80 years old. She has a 1st generation iPod Touch, which she uses to Facebook, play games and read. But the OS is 3.1.3 and because it is so old, most apps can't be updated. Also, battery life is poor. It was always poor, now just getting worse. Now, we could get her an iPhone/smartphone, but I think she is better off with a phone that is just a phone.

I like the idea of the "iPad Mini" for her. The bigger 7.85" screen would be better for her then the new iPod Touch. It has to be as light as the new Nooks HD (11.1 oz/ 315 g). It also must have the same rear camera as the 5th generation iPod Touch, with LED flash. And front camera for FaceTime and Skype. The screen is not expected to be a "Retina" display, but "Retina" is just a made up term and overrated.

No camera with LED flash, no deal. It that is the case , we will get the 5th generation iPod Touch, red, 32 GB. $299 US. It has a 5 MP camera with LED flash. And a front facing camera.

Why an iOS device for her? All her grandchildren have either an iPhone or an iPod Touch.

My siblings and I are buying this gift for her. I'm too cheap.

Picture from store.apple.com

AutoPlay Videos in App World

More video players are appearing in App World for the BlackBerry PlayBook. "AutoPlay Videos", from Bumblebee Computing, is $0.99 US for a "limited time" only. How limited they don't say. I don't think this is a true video player, because like "Remote Media Player ", it uses the native video player. They both play whatever the native video player plays - no more, no less.

What "AutoPlay Videos " does is play videos one after the other. You make a list of videos to play and it plays them in the order you set. It may be good for long trips with the kids in the back seat or for presentations. I have no need for this feature, but someone else may. 

It also has a search function. Which will come in handy if you have hundreds of videos. As I have the 16GB model, it doesn't hold too many video. A 20 minute cartoon, transcoded into a mkv format will be maybe 60 MB. So you could get 17 episodes into 1 GB. Then 60 GB will hold over 1,000 episodes.  Search function will be needed. Alas, not for me. 

I have not tried this one, as it doesn't appeals to me, but others may like it. It also has resume play, always a good thing. 

Remote Media Player Update 2.0

Been using "Remote Media Player " for most of my videos needs. I have used the "PB Remote Control" app to advance or reverse in 30 second increments. It is awkward have both apps on the same PlayBook, but it works and I find it handy.

After a video has started playing, swiping from the top bezel will pause the video and take the screen to the menu page. Swiping from the top again, will bring you back to the paused video. Now to resume play, you need to touch the start/pause button twice.

Now, I have mentioned this before, top is whichever part of the bezel is facing up when holding the PlayBook. With the native video player, the video will play in landscape or portrait mode, so that would give you 4 choices. "Remote Media Player " will only play in landscape mode, giving you 2 choices.

I like this app because it will let you resume from last point played and I like the remote option. But now I find more options to play your videos in App World.

Kingston Wi-Drive Update 2.0

I haven't used the Wi-Drive for awhile, till yesterday. I'm not sure, but I can't connect the PlayBook to the Wi-Drive's wifi signal. I have not tried to connect the Wi-Drive to another device, but I will post when I have something definitive to say.

Remote Media Player and the Remote Update 1.0

Have been using "Remote Media Player" for a couple of days now. Always at home, where my PlayBook has been connected to wifi. At work today, where I have no access to wifi, I was using the player and I wanted to go back 30 seconds, because you can with the remote. But I could not.  I could not use the remote app for the player. When I got home, I tried the remote for "Remote Media Player " and it worked. WiFi is needed for the remote app to access "Remote Media Player ". I should get a cheap Android phone to test how that would work as the remote. Now I'm thinking of getting a BB10 phone when they come out.

Also, "Remote Media Player " needs to be closed, or it will run in the background. Not like the native video player, which will stop playing if you go to the browser. Still, I really like the player. And the remote has can in handy, if I want to go back in 30 second intervals or forward in 30 second intervals.  And, it remembers last point played.

TVR - The Neighbors - ABC

I saw the pilot and was not impressed. It was watchable. After seeing the 2nd episode, I will say, I would watch this show. Not a great show yet, but it has things going for it. The Weaver father, reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield. I always liked Jamie Gertz. The alien parents are interesting. I do like the Weaver teenage girl and the teenage alien boy. It has some funny moments and some heartfelt ones too. I will watch it again. Not a great show, but better then New Girl. Why that is still on the air is beyond me.