SPlog

While browsing the forums over at xda-developers, I found a thread that talked about Android 4.0 (ICS) for the Nook Color. Yay, finally an update on the programming of the Nook Color. The thread had links to the software as it was being developed. You can participate in the development by downloading a “nightly” (more on this later) and testing all the features out, looking for bugs and such. So I decided to give it a try, I downloaded the 0114 nightly and 10 minutes later I had the newest version of android working on my nook color.

The developer works on the software every day. Each night an updated rom is released that includes the changes made during that day. These “nightly” updates are then available to anyone who wants to download, install, and test. So not a lot changes from day to day, but if you skip a few, and go maybe week to week, you will notice improvements that are taking place to get the software working on the device. I am very well pleased with how it looks so far on my nook. It brings out all the cool features of honeycomb making my nook color “feel new”.

Currently I have the ROM 0127 installed on my nook. I love the new features of the home screen, and especially the new widgets. I can’t wait until they fully develop a “stable” version of cyanogenmod9. Thanks again to the developers from xda. Your work will not go unnoticed!

Here is a quick glance of the new feature in Ice Cream Sandwich.

This is the Home Screen (Click for full size)

First big noticeable improvement is the home screen. This improved home screen has larger icons, and smoother transitions that make the user experience so much more! Personally I think the Tablet software is a killer, much better than my experience with the iPad’s home screen. If offers great combination of widgets and apps to enhance the users ability to retrieve information faster.

App Drawer

The next big improvement is the app drawer. This area contains all your apps in alphabetical order (by default). The design is very sleek and nice. And as a new feature in ICS, you now access all widets from inside the app drawer. You can click on the widgets tab on the top left of screen, or simply slide past your apps to go to the widget selection. This makes it easier to place your favorite widget on the screen.

Settings Menu

Now one of the coolest features of ICS running on a tablet is to view an app optimized for tablet view. If you were to run the settings app in Gingerbread (ie Android 2.3) then you would be shown the main menu of the app. Click on a menu item, and it then opens the window for that item. But now in ICS you have a dual screen tablet view for many apps. The menu is conveniently on the left, and when you click on an item, it then opens it on the right side. This works in most apps like settings, gmail, reader, google+, and many more. Just the fact that many apps are optimized for a tablet view makes the experience that much better.

Also the settings app now conveniently groups similar settings together, for quick reference and easy access to find the desired setting.

Recent Apps

The newest button on the bottom of the taskbar is the Recent Apps button. It displays all the recent apps on the left of the screen. They are easy to scroll through, and even provides a screenshot of the window. It makes it really easy to switch back and forth between apps. This feature was available in Honeycomb, but is now enhanced with a new way to close running apps. Simply swipe the screenshot to the left to close the app.

Notification bar, and volume bar shown

The last cool features with ICS is the notification bar, and the new style of the volume bar.

The notification bar is now located on the bottom right (just like Honeycomb ‘ie android 3.0′). You simply swipe up to view the time, battery, wifi, settings, and notifications. Clicking on a notification launches the corresponding app. To delete a single notification, you simply swipe to the right. Also clicking on the top section of the notification bar will load a quick access to common settings; wifi, airplane mode, auto-rotate toggle, screen brightness, notification toggle, and link to all other settings.

Lastly the new volume bar has been redesigned and now offers new features. When you click a volume key the volume bar will show. You can now touch the bar and move the volume settings up and down. Finally by clicking the settings button on the volume bar, it opens the volume mixer, giving you full control over all volume settings without the use of another app.

All these features are great, and provide a whole new experience to the Nook Color. However the Operating System is not stable yet and some apps still do not work. But it does show the advanced capabilities of a device that is now being sold for only a $150-200. Hopefully within a month, the development will be finished and many will be able to enjoy the new tablet optimized Nook Color with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Today there are so many e-book services out there, it’s hard to choose which one to stick with. Do you go with Amazon Kindle books or stay within Barnes and Noble’s nook books? Oh wait there is also books from Google, Apple, and even Kobo. With all these services, all claiming to offer you what you need in books, which do you choose?

Amazon Books offer many books through their online amazon store. Many times their book prices are very competitive for Barnes and Noble, so most of the times it makes no difference between the two. You can read you whole Amazon library on your Amazon Kindle. They also offer free apps for the Blackberry, Windows Phone, Android, and iPhone allowing you to read your book wherever, across whatever device you own. I personally use the Kindle to purchase how to books for technology. They seem to have lower prices on books that teach you how to do things, like build a website, or mobile app.

The Barnes and Noble stores offer their nook books that can be read on your PC, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, or Windows phone. You can also purchase their nook reading device to have instant access to your library. They offer a great source for novels. I personally will tend to buy my novels from them, like Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers. Barnes and Noble also offer Nook Friends, where you can borrow books from friends. So this makes Nook my preferred source for personal reading.

Google Books has an e-reader device as well. They offer apps for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry. But the best part about Google Books, is that they require no program to read their books. They are all online, so all you need is an internet connection to be able to read your books. So any device that can access the internet can read the Google Books. This means you can access your book from anywhere in the world. If you own a device that has the Google Books app, you can also download the book for access during times that you have no wifi. Google Books tends to focus on material that is in the Public Domain, and books that are older. They have software to scan the pages of  a book and translate it into text. This makes them the number one source for older books.
I took a college class that was focused on the works of Thomas Hardy. I was able to get all of the required Thomas Hardy books for free via Google Books. It was great! Also I use Google Books to purchase any book that I will want instant access 24/7, like any study material, or Biblical helps.

Apple offers books as well, but I have not used them personally. They offer no app for Android devices, RIM devices, or Windows Phones. However if you have an iPhone or iPad, you can get books there for a decent price. Sometimes even better than Kindle or Nook devices. They also offer a great reading experience for iOS users.

The Kobo books are limited at this time but expanding. Although they might seem insignificant, they offer a great reading experience, and can also read your nook, kindle, and Google books all within the same app or device.

I personally stick with the following three: Google Books, for old books and things I need access to at all times; Kindle Books, for the technical books, and how to books; and the nook books for anything I want to personally read.

On a side note. There is big taboo about getting school books in e-book format. Personally, I don’t like that idea because I like to resell the book after I’m done with it. Unless there is some type of buyback option, or selling tool, it is not a viable feature for me.

It is amazing how many coffee houses, fast food restaurants, and other businesses hosts wifi hotspots for their customers. The biggest fast food chain, McDonald’s, now has WiFi provided in many of their millions of locations. In fact I’m sitting right now at my local McDonald’s as I write this, slurping up my Dr. Pepper, and munching on my golden fries. Places like music stores and store fronts, waiting rooms and hair salons, all have the wireless hotspots. Even many hotels and motels now advertise FREE WIFI on all their signage.

So what makes these places want to serve some online browsing on their menu? I decided to look at the main reasons why I think a business would want to host a free wifi hotspot for their customers, and then look at why the customers actually take advantage of it.

The following reflect my personal opinions of the subject, and offer no credible research.

Attracts more people.
I work fairly close to a McDonald’s, and I’ve seen with my own eyes that their business has increased after they provided free wifi. People come in with their huge laptop bags and all their accessories, take up a whole table (near an outlet) and park it for a few hours. I mean let’s face it. They attract the college students with their homework and fancy gadgets. The work from home type, with their laptops and headsets, using Skype frequently. Also there are the older generation with their e-reader, or iPad, reading the news or some book. I’ve also seen just about every age group on Facebook a few times as well.
People bring the craziest things in sometimes as well. I’ve seen a guy carry in a printer before, printing off several pieces of paper. Everything is there, from the small netbooks to the huge laptops, the phones, to the tablets. I’ve seen tables filled with electronic gear, and even cords hanging from the ceiling where that was the only available outlet. It really is funny some of the things you see. But all of these people would not be there if there were no wifi. They may stop in, grab something and go, but without wifi, that’s it. With the wifi they stay a while longer, even going back for more food later. Which brings me to the next reason.

Generates more business.
People stay longer, they order more, they come back more often. I normally don’t care to eat fast food very often, however I love to sit at a restaurant and surf the web, watch movies, and write blogs. So I compromise, I’ll order a drink instead of food, or maybe just fries, that way I’m still supporting the business, and not taking advantage of the free wifi. I’ve noticed that I spend on average 5-10 more hours a week as I visit quite frequently.
Many people are staying for a while, and they keep getting up and ordering more food. I saw a lady, at Panera Bread, go up to the counter to order something 5 separate times within the 3 hours she was there on her laptop. Providing wifi generates more business. People come back, if they’ve enjoyed themselves. I’ve had more McDonald’s, Hardee’s, and Panera Bread in the last 12 months than I’ve had my entire life.

Creates a better public image.
The public image is really important for a business. So hosting a hotspot increases the positive reception of the public image. I mean the business is offering FREE WIFI. Instead of taking advantage of people’s need for internet and web, they are offering it as a free accessory to staying at their store. It a great advertisement, never mind many people already get internet everywhere they go on their phone. The business are offering it to you for free with no charge, or membership fee.
Lets face it, McDonald’s, Panera Bread, and I’m sure a few more are widely known for offering free wifi. So you know that their public image has improved a bit.  They could make you order something, and then have the access code printed on your receipt. It has been done before. But no, they offer it free of charge. They’ll even pay the electric bill for charging your device up while your there, and offer you heat in the winter, and air conditioner during the summer. So they become the nice guy, providing everything you need to be comfortable while surfing the web, and it’s FREE!

So what are some of the reasons that people actually go to these places? I feel that there are at least three main reasons why a customer will come and use the wifi.

Welcomed Homey Feel
Fist off is whole feeling of being welcomed in, and accepted, while keeping a homey feel. For instance a new McDonald’s has been built in my hometown, and I’ve already visited it. I love the design and layout of the place. They are definitely catering to people who will be coming in and staying for awhile working on homework, work, or personal projects. Also places like Panera Bread, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, and more now offer lounge areas for people to just sit and enjoy themselves. It gives a very homey feel that people tend to enjoy. Comfortable cushions and table spots. Plenty of outlets, and even a few bar stools. Walking in give the message “Come on in, and stay awhile!”
So for a lot of these businesses, they keep the place up so that people get a good reception when they come in.

Easy Access.
Personally I know that if I need to get in the internet really quick, maybe to upload something, or email a friend, I can easily look for the nearest McDonald’s or other convenient wifi hotspot and get instant internet access. This means whether or not you own a smartphone, you can still get internet just about anywhere in the states. The internet is always there and easy to get access. No special hoops to jump through, no crazy security locks that keep people away. Just free easy wifi for all within range. Why go home, when you can get your internet anywhere else? I’ve counted over 25 hotspot businesses that I pass on the way to and from work. My favorite happens to be McDonald’s in which there are several in my town.
Now I never have to go straight home to access my internet. Sure may be able to get peace and quiet there, but with everything happening around the local businesses, it’s too much entertainment not to go out. Even when I’m actually there to grab a quick bite, I can still pull out my tablet and do some things over the internet.

Social Lounge
Earlier this week, I ventured into a local Hardee’s Restaurant to work on a post for this blog. While I was there, several other people came in to lounge around and do whatever entertains them. For instance, one man was reading the local news paper, while another was watching the TV that was mounted on the wall, one other was on his laptop, while the last was simply eating with his phone out, obviously texting away. But it wasn’t long before we all were conversing with each other talking about many topics, including the end of the world, politics, Apple and Microsoft, tablets and laptops, and much more. In fact the manager of the place stopped by and mentioned that he had never heard so many interesting topics in his restaurant before, and then joined in the conversation. It reminded me of the old barbershop meetings, where all the men would lounge around the barbershop to hear the top news, and put in their two cents. It truly was awesome, and something that I would not normally get at just any restaurant, nor from my own house. It was a very pleasant conversation between several people. Some had to leave, while others joined in. I hated to leave when I had to. I was enjoying myself so much in word and conversation.

Even though offering wifi may be a gimmick to get more business, it does provide an outlet for those who want to surf the web comfortably. And since people are generally responding really well to places that offer wifi, it is a legitimate source for more customers and business.

Last year I had purchased a nook color just for the purpose of hacking it, and installing CyanogenMod 7 on it. CyanogenMod is an aftermarket version of Android, and the 7th version is based off of Gingerbread.

The nook color already had a heavily modified version of android on it, but with limited capabilities and features. Barnes and Noble did a add several of their own features on it. But in all retrospect, the nook color can do soo much more once it has a full version of android running on it.

The process was easy, and in just 10 minutes I had android up and running, with all the apps of my choice including, maps, music, Netflix, Skype, Facebook, and Twitter.

I was really excited when I found out that the nook color could be hacked and a fully functional version of Android could be installed, which includes all the apps in the Android Market. Features that not even the nook color used were unlocked. For instance Bluetooth was found, and actually works on it. So with the Bluetooth working, I could connect a keyboard to be able to type better.

The nook works great. The screen is very high quality, while the controls are very good. The accelerometer works perfect. The design is sleek and comfortable. Being the size of an average reading book, it is a good size to hold, and place in your backpack or purse.

The ironic part is that, I can still access my nook books via the nook app for android. But I can now also access all my kindle books as well, along with Google books, and other book apps. I am no longer limited to reading only nook books. This is a plus for me, especially since I have a few books I’ve purchased via kindle, because it was cheaper, and a few books purchased via googe books, because they are always available online. Kindle also sells most of my school book online should I chose to purchase them.

One of the biggest plus was that I have the full android market running on it. Giving me access the biggest android app store of all time. The apps are cheaper than the ones that you get from nook store, and there’s a whole lot more to chose from. For instance I could buy Angry Birds from Barnes and Noble for around $5, yet I can get it from the Android Market for only $0.99.

At the time that I hacked it, Netflix was just coming out on the Android. So I was able to watch Netflix movies on my nook as well. This was a huge deal for me, since the tablet is soo portable and easy to carry. It had the perfect screen for private viewing. However I will admit, Netflix finally came out on the nook app store as well. But that also makes another point. Not all android apps that are in the market are available on the nook app store. Some take awhile to finally make it, while others never come out for the nook app store.

Facebook, twitter, and Skype all work great on the nook, however there is no voice inputs, nor is there a camera, so no calls or video conferencing via Skype, just IM. Facebook works like it would on a phone since they haven’t made a tablet view for the app yet.

I have my music on the device as well. The tablet has a speaker on the back which makes it work well to listen to any audio. Also there is a headphone jack on the top.

All the hardware features mimic the first iPad. No camera, or microphone inputs, yet still has a speaker and headphone jack. It accesses the android market for all the billions of apps, and will even access other app markets such as the amazon app store (kindle fire apps) and the opera app store.

So in essence, by purchasing a cheap nook color. I paid only $200 for a tablet that will access all my books, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and Google books. It will access just about any app, via the android market and the amazon app store. I can watch movies via YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and even rent from android movies. I can purchase and listen to my whole music library via Google music and amazon mp3. And I can I can keep up with all my social media via the Facebook app, Twitter app, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, and much much more.

This makes the nook color only worth it, once it’s hacked. All in all, it makes me very happy to be the owner of a nook color running cyanogen mod7.

I had been working with my nook recently when accidentaly erased over 7 gigs off my 8GB card. Here’s how it happened.

I wanted to erase all the contents off my sd card and restore it back to default settings. Since windows has an easy built formatting tool. I opened up “My Computer” and right clicked on the drive, then clicked “format”. It ran through all the contents and reset it back to factory default. Unfortunately the SD card only showed 1gig instead if 8.

It was as if the card was only a 1 gig card. I flipped out. I had spent a good deal of money on that card, and I couldn’t use one that’s only 1 gig. I did everything I could think of to fix my card. I reformatted it again, unplugged it and remounted it, and even restarted my computer and reformatted it. Nothing worked. My laptop somehow turned my 8 gig card into a 1 gig card.

I found out that according to sdcard.org the Windows OS does not have the appropriate software to reformat an SD card. The default formatting software never really suppports SD cards. However there is free software that one can download and use. Once I did download it, I tried it out, and it restored my missing 7 gigs to the card.

So for future reference, windows 7 cannot reformat your camera’s SD card in file explorer. Try these links and get supported software. https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/