I have been a big Android fanboy for a while. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Then when I did, I couldn't wait to customize it. Then when I hit the ceiling there I couldn't wait to unlock it, root it, ROM it and go nuts. Once I was a pro at that I realized how much I didn't like the feel of anything but the stock experience. They hire a bunch of people to make sure that they get it right and for some of the stuff... they do.
Fragmentation
I have been fighting this argument for a long time and now I totally get it. There are still people in contacts that are NOT EVEN RUNNING 2.0! There are still people using 1.6 IN A FUCKING CONTRACT! There are still loads of people stuck on 2.1. The advances from 2.1 to 2.3 were massive and changed a lot of the experience and things that the OS could do. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of awesome available, just a whole lot less. The fact that so many people are still sitting on phones that are stuck at 2.3 is sad enough, the 1.6 guys really tug at my heart. I understand that not every phone can utilize these new features and I'd never hope that Android took such a closed approach as Apple, but we have to find a middle ground.
El Cheap Sucks-a-dick brand Android phones are ruining the experience. The basement bargain phones aren't good. At all. There are still bad Android phones. There are still people locked into contracts using Thunderbolts, Charges and Galaxy Stellars. Those are all 4G devices... and they are bad. By letting so many makers make phones they can get them into more hands. More makers means more small customized bits of the device. A switch here in settings. A UI tweak there. One Android to the next can seem completely alien. This is NO BUENO!
Google needs to put on the big boy pants and tell the carriers to fuck off and the phone makers to invest more into the devices. A good phone is worth it and once the market is filled with good phones, the negative stigma might life AND they might manage to get everyone upgraded. Every phone can't be a Galaxy S (insert number) branded device of a Nexus. Those seem to be some of the more popular and better selling devices, also some that seem to stack up well against Apple. But... when you're pumping out year old garbage Android phones that won't ever run the best software you are crippling yourself. 2.3 was awesome compared to 1.5, but is hilarious compared to the leaps made in 4.2.
Good hardware. Good software. Upgrades for your phone. Without these things, the brand is going to begin to stagnate. People have heard of it and think it looks cool, but it won't continue to flex it's dominance if it can't continue to do well as people move to second and third contracts since the phone has been out.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The latest WoW expansion feels alive.
I know that I kind of get sad about the state of the game, but the fact still remains: nothing is better than WoW.
Nothing.
Not RIFT, not SWToR, not LoTRO, not DDO, no AoC, not EQ2, not AION.
WoW is it's own entity. A lot has changed in the game, but a lot has stayed the same. I am pleased with the new expansion and some of the things that it gets right. I am sure that I will talk, at length, about most of these features of the next 18-24 months as we wait for the new expansion to come out.
The expansion FEELS alive. People are in the new zones. People are in the old zones, thanks to cross-realm technology. People are playing and doing things and it makes the world feel full of life. The fact that not all of the zones are destroyed, broken, or otherwise a fucking trainwreck makes it nice, too. The overall feel of the game is very fall-esque. It looks gorgeous with the colors and leaves everywhere. The huge fields of green and the fact that so much of the game is about delicious fucking beer. BEER. Mmm!
It is nice to actually log into the game and not be greeted by horrible and depressing scenario. However, you will do some dailies... FOR A LONG TIME... that are in a very sad place. It is kind of black and shitty, but, you won't be there forever. The Golden Lotus dailies make you remember how beautiful the game and this expansion can be. I am still in awe when I fly through it. It is breathtaking. It brings back some old feels that I had back when WoW was still new and unexplored.
I like it.
Nothing.
Not RIFT, not SWToR, not LoTRO, not DDO, no AoC, not EQ2, not AION.
WoW is it's own entity. A lot has changed in the game, but a lot has stayed the same. I am pleased with the new expansion and some of the things that it gets right. I am sure that I will talk, at length, about most of these features of the next 18-24 months as we wait for the new expansion to come out.
The expansion FEELS alive. People are in the new zones. People are in the old zones, thanks to cross-realm technology. People are playing and doing things and it makes the world feel full of life. The fact that not all of the zones are destroyed, broken, or otherwise a fucking trainwreck makes it nice, too. The overall feel of the game is very fall-esque. It looks gorgeous with the colors and leaves everywhere. The huge fields of green and the fact that so much of the game is about delicious fucking beer. BEER. Mmm!
It is nice to actually log into the game and not be greeted by horrible and depressing scenario. However, you will do some dailies... FOR A LONG TIME... that are in a very sad place. It is kind of black and shitty, but, you won't be there forever. The Golden Lotus dailies make you remember how beautiful the game and this expansion can be. I am still in awe when I fly through it. It is breathtaking. It brings back some old feels that I had back when WoW was still new and unexplored.
I like it.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
New Job = New Busy
I finally scored a new job. I even managed to find something in the mobile technology industry, too. It's not glamorous, but it is something where my brain can get a work out and I don't have to be on my feet 10+ hours a day.
I recently started a new job working as tech support for mobile phones. I guide people through issues like setting up a device or troubleshooting issues with it. I work through backups and restores. I handle app installations and explanations. I don't do a lot of tough stuff, but depending on the person it can become very stressful.
While this new job is MORE MONEY AND LESS HOURS I have to drive to and from work about 45 minutes each way and I normally have to leave at least an 75 minutes before work, to make sure I can make it even if there is a wreck on the interstate. Interstate driving is it's own stress, but the rest of the job isn't too bad.
This does, however, make my life very busy. That results in no posts, mostly because I haven't had a chance to play many games. I've been bounced around in my schedule several times. From training to floor work my schedule has been changed at least 5 times. Days, nights, in-betweens. Once I move into a more regular schedule I believe that I will find some time to play some games and actually be able to say things about them again. This is especially exciting because GW2 AND MoP are here (well, 3 days for MoP). WOOO!
I look forward to not only playing again, but to actually being able to vent again.
I recently started a new job working as tech support for mobile phones. I guide people through issues like setting up a device or troubleshooting issues with it. I work through backups and restores. I handle app installations and explanations. I don't do a lot of tough stuff, but depending on the person it can become very stressful.
While this new job is MORE MONEY AND LESS HOURS I have to drive to and from work about 45 minutes each way and I normally have to leave at least an 75 minutes before work, to make sure I can make it even if there is a wreck on the interstate. Interstate driving is it's own stress, but the rest of the job isn't too bad.
This does, however, make my life very busy. That results in no posts, mostly because I haven't had a chance to play many games. I've been bounced around in my schedule several times. From training to floor work my schedule has been changed at least 5 times. Days, nights, in-betweens. Once I move into a more regular schedule I believe that I will find some time to play some games and actually be able to say things about them again. This is especially exciting because GW2 AND MoP are here (well, 3 days for MoP). WOOO!
I look forward to not only playing again, but to actually being able to vent again.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Google Currents really sucks.
I spend a lot of time drooling over the next cool thing that Google decides to do. I have run into a few instances where Google is clear ahead on a project and it ends up canceled because they can't find a good place for it in their ecosystem. Google Wave was a clear example of this. It could have been very useful if it had been introduced to the proper niche. I feel that in a corporate environment it could have been interesting. I think that as a social media addition it could have been very cool. It didn't make it and I have to deal with it. Oh well...
Google has something now that acts kind of like an RS reader. Google Currents. You can sign up for numerous magazines, e-zines and countless websites. The app is then supposed to bring you the top news to you. It is supposed to be tailored more toward your tastes based on what you signed up for. In the end, it just sucks.
Most of the stories are simply trending topics. Some of which aren't even the most current news. The way that the app displays these things is hilariously bad. The pictures are wrong most of the time and the generic pictures that it puts up when it can't figure out what to put is even worse. The headlines aren't displayed in a manner where you can really figure out what the story will be about. It's really all kind of sad. Add to that there are UI performance issues and it just slides downhill rather quickly.
There is a lot that can be done to infuse this app with the life that it needs to be a real winner. To be something that Google would be proud to put their name on, but I'm not sure if it's being done. I don't see a lot of talk about Currents and considering it is so new and is supposedly taking the place of the Google Reader... I'm not sure I have a lot of hope. Don't get me wrong. It CAN be good, it just needs work.
With some reductions in UI lag and how easy it is to pick a story/feed/trending topic the UI can be helped. Offering different versions of styles based on phone or tablet would go a long was as well. Allow stories or videos to pop up in a browser or in YouTube, don't keep them within the app (this has been a MAJOR issue for me). Put some work into actually making the entire package usable and orient it more toward the individual user. I have given you ALL of my information. You know me. You can tell me how much traffic there will be on my way home, but you can't give me topics that REALLY interest me? Come on Google!
Google has something now that acts kind of like an RS reader. Google Currents. You can sign up for numerous magazines, e-zines and countless websites. The app is then supposed to bring you the top news to you. It is supposed to be tailored more toward your tastes based on what you signed up for. In the end, it just sucks.
Most of the stories are simply trending topics. Some of which aren't even the most current news. The way that the app displays these things is hilariously bad. The pictures are wrong most of the time and the generic pictures that it puts up when it can't figure out what to put is even worse. The headlines aren't displayed in a manner where you can really figure out what the story will be about. It's really all kind of sad. Add to that there are UI performance issues and it just slides downhill rather quickly.
There is a lot that can be done to infuse this app with the life that it needs to be a real winner. To be something that Google would be proud to put their name on, but I'm not sure if it's being done. I don't see a lot of talk about Currents and considering it is so new and is supposedly taking the place of the Google Reader... I'm not sure I have a lot of hope. Don't get me wrong. It CAN be good, it just needs work.
With some reductions in UI lag and how easy it is to pick a story/feed/trending topic the UI can be helped. Offering different versions of styles based on phone or tablet would go a long was as well. Allow stories or videos to pop up in a browser or in YouTube, don't keep them within the app (this has been a MAJOR issue for me). Put some work into actually making the entire package usable and orient it more toward the individual user. I have given you ALL of my information. You know me. You can tell me how much traffic there will be on my way home, but you can't give me topics that REALLY interest me? Come on Google!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend
This is the first time I've been able to play in the Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend events. I wasn't cool enough or invited to any of the others. Apparently I had to pre-purchase the game, not just pre-order it (which I did as soon as I could). I'm not really big on giving a company money for a product when a release date isn't even available. Just my "thing".
That aside, I was super excited to see that I had finally made it! I finally got my shot to to give the game a go. This seemed like the best time, too. This looks the last event before launch AND it finally gives us a look at two of the classes people have been very excited about.
I don't really have a lot of free time, so I didn't get a chance to play a whole lot. I got a couple hours last night and I am going in for some more tonight, but I've got enough that I can get out some first impressions.
The game looks boring. Visually it is absolutely boring. The models and game world doesn't look bad, far from it. The game just isn't an over the top super polished masterpiece that we are used to seeing. The game runs on a very wide array of PC specs and seems to pretty much cater to the ENTIRE audience of those who can run the first one.
I played a Ranger and a Thief. I was excited to play both and I think that both classes will be very good. I will probably give them both a shot. The game has moved on from the originals class system (or multi-class system). There isn't a whole mini-game of making the best class based on certain abilities, that has been replaced with a weapon system that is fluid and absolutely awesome. It might just be some of the most customized fun I have ever had. I'm not sure how it progresses as you level, but in the lower levels (sub 15) it is great.
The Ranger is your normal ranged class. You can get in close and do some work depending on your weapons, but it isn't nearly as fun. What sets the class apart is how neat some of the ranged stuff is for them. Using melee weapons does give the class a very interesting feel, but it isn't what I want when playing a Ranger. The pet aspect is also very fun. Picking your own pet and allowing it follow you around or attack. There are even weapons that make your pet better. It will be fun to see how this class plays in all of it's different ways at max level.
The Thief is probably the class I will play first. A sneaky-stabby class that can also use a gun. It's like my Witch Hunter fantasy all over (best class ever in WAR). Hopefully I will get to play this class for a good amount, though. =P The class looks like a blast and the only reason I didn't play it as much as the Range is because I found out that I hate the Sylvari. That aside, it's fun. The seamless gameplay between gun and dagger is so amazing. The fluid motions and the easily understandable use of abilities is a breath of fresh air. I am very happy with the entire experience.
That aside, I was super excited to see that I had finally made it! I finally got my shot to to give the game a go. This seemed like the best time, too. This looks the last event before launch AND it finally gives us a look at two of the classes people have been very excited about.
I don't really have a lot of free time, so I didn't get a chance to play a whole lot. I got a couple hours last night and I am going in for some more tonight, but I've got enough that I can get out some first impressions.
The game looks boring. Visually it is absolutely boring. The models and game world doesn't look bad, far from it. The game just isn't an over the top super polished masterpiece that we are used to seeing. The game runs on a very wide array of PC specs and seems to pretty much cater to the ENTIRE audience of those who can run the first one.
I played a Ranger and a Thief. I was excited to play both and I think that both classes will be very good. I will probably give them both a shot. The game has moved on from the originals class system (or multi-class system). There isn't a whole mini-game of making the best class based on certain abilities, that has been replaced with a weapon system that is fluid and absolutely awesome. It might just be some of the most customized fun I have ever had. I'm not sure how it progresses as you level, but in the lower levels (sub 15) it is great.
The Ranger is your normal ranged class. You can get in close and do some work depending on your weapons, but it isn't nearly as fun. What sets the class apart is how neat some of the ranged stuff is for them. Using melee weapons does give the class a very interesting feel, but it isn't what I want when playing a Ranger. The pet aspect is also very fun. Picking your own pet and allowing it follow you around or attack. There are even weapons that make your pet better. It will be fun to see how this class plays in all of it's different ways at max level.
The Thief is probably the class I will play first. A sneaky-stabby class that can also use a gun. It's like my Witch Hunter fantasy all over (best class ever in WAR). Hopefully I will get to play this class for a good amount, though. =P The class looks like a blast and the only reason I didn't play it as much as the Range is because I found out that I hate the Sylvari. That aside, it's fun. The seamless gameplay between gun and dagger is so amazing. The fluid motions and the easily understandable use of abilities is a breath of fresh air. I am very happy with the entire experience.
Friday, July 13, 2012
It's the Steam Sale!!
The time has come and it's summer. It's hot. AND.... it's time for the Steam sale!
I honestly couldn't give less of a fuck.
There is one game that I even care about getting. I want to pick up Half Life: Source, so I can have ALL of the Valve games. Other than that I don't really care about anything else being offered, at all. Most of the games either aren't appealing or just don't place on my list of things I want to play. I still have a ton of games that I haven't played on Steam already.
I do play a good amount of games. I play all sorts and find different kinds enjoyable. Contrary to popular belief I am not just a bitter, hateful fuckhead. I do enjoy games. I just REALLY hate games with huge budgets that don't hold up on their end. Failed promises, piss poor optimization and dumbed down console controls will kill a game before I even get to play it. So what if I'm picky, I think I should be allowed. When PC gaming are shelling out 300 bucks for middle-of-the-road video cards every two years or so, we are allowed. When we are dropping 200 bucks for second-tier CPUs on the same time table, we are allowed. When we fork over the SAME amount and receive so subsidy, that's shitty, and we are still allowed.
I still love Steam as a platform. I am still excited that they have sales. This particular sale is lackluster because.... WHAT HAS COME OUT SINCE CHRISTMAS?! What amazing game has come out since the holiday season (their last sale). Not much has popped up on my radar and with Guild Wars 2 coming up in six weeks, I can't see spending too much on games I might never play. A new WoW expansion will be out shortly after that and that 40 dollars will have WAY MORE content than just about anything Steam currently has on sale. I understand that entertainment will be different, I just find it so hard to care about this.
I'm more excited about getting a tablet. I bet I can play a ton of cheap ass tower defense games on a tablet, too.
I honestly couldn't give less of a fuck.
There is one game that I even care about getting. I want to pick up Half Life: Source, so I can have ALL of the Valve games. Other than that I don't really care about anything else being offered, at all. Most of the games either aren't appealing or just don't place on my list of things I want to play. I still have a ton of games that I haven't played on Steam already.
I do play a good amount of games. I play all sorts and find different kinds enjoyable. Contrary to popular belief I am not just a bitter, hateful fuckhead. I do enjoy games. I just REALLY hate games with huge budgets that don't hold up on their end. Failed promises, piss poor optimization and dumbed down console controls will kill a game before I even get to play it. So what if I'm picky, I think I should be allowed. When PC gaming are shelling out 300 bucks for middle-of-the-road video cards every two years or so, we are allowed. When we are dropping 200 bucks for second-tier CPUs on the same time table, we are allowed. When we fork over the SAME amount and receive so subsidy, that's shitty, and we are still allowed.
I still love Steam as a platform. I am still excited that they have sales. This particular sale is lackluster because.... WHAT HAS COME OUT SINCE CHRISTMAS?! What amazing game has come out since the holiday season (their last sale). Not much has popped up on my radar and with Guild Wars 2 coming up in six weeks, I can't see spending too much on games I might never play. A new WoW expansion will be out shortly after that and that 40 dollars will have WAY MORE content than just about anything Steam currently has on sale. I understand that entertainment will be different, I just find it so hard to care about this.
I'm more excited about getting a tablet. I bet I can play a ton of cheap ass tower defense games on a tablet, too.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
How to make Spotify better
I have been a fan of Last.fm for a while now. I do not care for Pandora, however. Pandora seems to be VERY random and put a lot of strange things on my list. Why am I hearing Rhianna on a list of 80's music? Why is Beyonce on my Less Than Jake station?! It makes no sense. I feel like Last.fm leanrs my listening habits much better and is able to give me music more focused at what I am looking for. Last.fm always pays attention to what I've listened to and can play back those songs as well. ALL OF THEM. Well, anything that they have the appropriate rights to.
I have switched to Spotify for a little bit now. My brother seems to like it and a lot of people are on the bandwagon. It isn't bad, but it isn't all that good, either. I have compiled a list of things that I would like to see added that would make it more well-rounded and worth of it's 10 dollar a month fee.
1. Love/hate, upvote/downvote.
2. More variation based on selected radio.
3. More easily manageable playlists (online/offline).
4. Support for MORE artists.
I have used Spotify for many things, but one of the things that I really wanted to do was find artists similar to those I already enjoyed. It is very hard to find good music these days and Spotify doesn't make it any easier. On top of the mediocre radio (which is supposed to lump like groups together), it moves further away from band similarities and almost becomes hilarious in some situations. The "New" and "Popular" songs and albums are hilarious. I was hoping that a music provider with such a huge tie to social media would at least understand what I enjoyed. It doesn't.
If they could somehow find a way to implement Last.fm type features into this, I'd buy it 100%. It isn't all bad, but it's bad enough that I can't help but wait for improvements. If those don't come, I'll be ditching this service. I just hope others are smart enough to do the same.
I have switched to Spotify for a little bit now. My brother seems to like it and a lot of people are on the bandwagon. It isn't bad, but it isn't all that good, either. I have compiled a list of things that I would like to see added that would make it more well-rounded and worth of it's 10 dollar a month fee.
1. Love/hate, upvote/downvote.
2. More variation based on selected radio.
3. More easily manageable playlists (online/offline).
4. Support for MORE artists.
I have used Spotify for many things, but one of the things that I really wanted to do was find artists similar to those I already enjoyed. It is very hard to find good music these days and Spotify doesn't make it any easier. On top of the mediocre radio (which is supposed to lump like groups together), it moves further away from band similarities and almost becomes hilarious in some situations. The "New" and "Popular" songs and albums are hilarious. I was hoping that a music provider with such a huge tie to social media would at least understand what I enjoyed. It doesn't.
If they could somehow find a way to implement Last.fm type features into this, I'd buy it 100%. It isn't all bad, but it's bad enough that I can't help but wait for improvements. If those don't come, I'll be ditching this service. I just hope others are smart enough to do the same.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
