This past year we’ve seen the Android OS grow to unimaginable heights and it has helped reassure its adopters time after time they are in good hands. Through the countless devices we’ve handled and reviewed, the devices and merchandise given away, and events we’ve attended – 2011 been one of our best year’s! Though indiscrete after a while, one of our biggest changes was our AC logo. It proved to be a much welcome change to the entire community. Also, this is the first year of Device.AC – our Android Community device database. Its got the specific specs of the latest and greatest to earliest and iconic Android devices. The release of Google+ and Google Music were quite significant as well. They have brought us closer to acquaintances of all kinds – whether it be friends or co-workers.
It seems as though Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) arrived so long ago, but in reality the user features and official announcement was just in January. And contrarily, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) seemed to sneak up on us almost instantly. Ice Cream Sandwich was officially announced at Google I/O, and don’t forget the 5,000 attendees that received a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 3 months of Verizon 4G LTE service for free. Who knows what will be in store for us in 2012 within Jelly Bean.
The Samsung Galaxy S II was the most accomplished handset of 2011 – hands down. Reaching all major carriers over the globe, the Galaxy S II does nothing other than make Android look good, real good. Our man Chris Davies set a new standard to the term “Unboxing” with his extreme unboxing video of the GSII. On the other hand, I feel it necessary to say Sprint’s Kyocera Echo was the most pointless. Sure dual screens will possibly “work” one day, but by then they better be built to last and have the hardware to properly perform while maintaining sufficient battery life. For the tablets we’ve reviewed, it’s safe to hand off the first place trophy to the ASUS Transformer Prime. The NVIDIA “Kal-El” quad core super chip soon be seen in the future of tablets within 2012.
A recap of the giveaways of the year consist of the Motorola XOOM, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Android mini collectibles, Android Community official merchandise, and of course Tabletpalooza. The latter consisted of a month long tablet giveaway that made plenty of our fans happy. And here’s a hint: We’ve got another huge one coming for 2012 – so stay tuned.
Two of the most innovatively new devices seen for 2011 are the Samsung Galaxy Note, WIMM Labs 1.7 wearable Android platform, and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. With the Note, Samsung finally offers a polished Android device to those yearning for a modestly sized handset. Though the 5″ screen hasn’t taken off yet, I assume it will eventually be a hit. On the other hand, literally, we have the WIMM Labs Android platform. This device can be worn as a watch, clipped to a bookbag or briefcase, or simply pocketed. Through “micro-apps” users will be able to interact with their other Android devices. Finally, the Galaxy Nexus sporting an extra large 4.65″ screen with no softkeys was released on Verizon here in the US. This device alone (and more importantly Android 4.0), will change the future of Android forever.
Like guys…. keep up the good work.
I wholeheartily disagree with you on Gnex being on your best list. The only good thing it has going is the best Android OS that utilizes the hardware the way an os should. Yes it has the latest in phone screen technology, but that’s it. It’s an overhyped phone that is so behind in features that are surpassed by others. In addition, why get it now when early this year new phones and technologies wiill make the Gnex a dinosaur? The worse feature it has is it cheap plastic build. Like my brother said, it feels like a cheap toy and its camera is outdated when everything else on the market is at least 8megapix and up; especially, when devices that are slated to come out soon are 10mega pixels and up.
It is an overrated device that’s going to get old before one takes in their next breath. Now i understand why verizon hasn’t dedicated much hype to it as in previous releases. All the hype has mainly come from the google community. In fact, software bugs are now being reported. Verizon should not have released a new phone that just can’t compete with its counterparts or will be absolete before it even catches fire. So what justice does an os do to a phone that’s already behind at the time of release?
Andy – Electronics Engineer – Manchester, NH