Archive
From an engine that searches to a computing system that answers questions
The New York Times has a nice piece on a new computer system that can answer questions from the knowledge it has amassed (been fed…) – rather than just pointing you to resources that may or may not have what you are looking for. And it appears to do pretty well. This is where things are ultimately headed.
However, if you want a source of curated data that you can carry around in your pocket, you might be better off with Wolfram Alpha…
Mini-review: Iron Man 2
Still pretty cool, but not as good as the original…
Scarlett Johansson sizzles -worth the price of entry alone.
(P S: Stick around till the end of the credits.)
Android vs iPhone – decision made
I’ve been thinking about getting a new phone for a while, and have been waiting to see what the new iPhone is like. The iPhone was always going to be the favourite, but I have heard a lot of good things about Android, especially the latest version 2.2 (Froyo). I wasn’t really convinced by the hardware until the Nexus One came out – a handset with , seemingly, enough horsepower to run the system properly. I want to get to know Android as it is getting a real foothold on the market now, selling about 3 million units a month. I also appreciate the more “open” aspect of the operating system (no Apple Store restrictions on what can be installed), but I would be happy enough in Apple’s “walled garden.” HTML5 web apps will work fine on both platforms – when they come – so there is no issue there. Both platforms will benefit greatly.
On the Android handset front I’ve also held off because there are better handsets on the market in the US now than the Nexus One (eg the HTC Incredible) which are not available in the UK yet. The Nexus One hasn’t been a massive seller either. Why settle for what you know is second best even before you buy it? Also, when you get the latest and greatest version of Android is a decision made by the handset makers, dependent in part on whether they have added extras to the operating system.
After a little thinking, I now have the answer – I have installed the Android SDK, which includes Froyo in emulation, and which was pretty straightforward with the right instructions. I’ve not got any apps on it yet, but that will happen soon. That leaves the path open for a new iPhone at some point soon…
(PS – this discussion will no doubt reopen soon enough when it comes to an Android-powered Google TV set top box and an iOS-running Apple TV. Watch this space.)
• Wired: Apple iOS 4 vs. Google Android 2.2: How Do They Stack Up?
