Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Sunday, 28 September 2008 18:28
Opinion and Analysis
Page 3 of 4
And in a dig at Apple’s multi-tasking device that only multi-tasks with Apple’s apps and forces everyone else to single-task, Google says the following: “Apps can run in parallel”.
Google emphasises that: “Android is a complete multitasking environment where apps can run in parallel. While running in the background, an app can produce notifications to get attention.”
Watching videos of the Android at work, including the simple ability to switch between applications and instantly be notified of applications trying to get your attention thanks to a new message or something else, was very interesting and smoothly implemented.
A bar at the top of the screen notifies you of, for example, a new IM message. Just tap and drag that “bar” down the screen, and suddenly you can see which apps have messages for you.
The interface also looks quite smooth, letting you customise your home screen easily with new icons or photos.
There is no “on-screen keyboard” as the G1 relies on its physical QWERTY min-key keyboard, although with 5 rows of keys, including an individual row for numbers, flicking up the screen to enter data is simplicity itself.
The G1 also supports copy and paste, something Apple is yet to officially unveil. This is available whether to send a link to a friend by email, or copy and paste text from one note to another, and works in other apps too.
This
online video – and another
here - of the Android G1 OS in operation show how copy and paste works, by pressing and then holding to bring up the equivalent of a “right mouse button” menu.
It also shows how easily Apple could introduce copy and paste if it wanted to, and unless Apple is working on some way to “revolutionise” cut, copy and paste even further, there really is no excuse any further for Apple simply pretending copy and paste doesn’t exist on handheld devices.
So, what now before the October 22 launch, and the upcoming Christmas sales bonaza season? Please read on to page 4.
