Sunday 10 March 2013
Now to the heart of smartphone software, Android. While
version 4.1 Jelly Bean the system is now more democratized on newer
phones, it still represents only a tiny fringe the Android Market. That's
why we decided to divide the presentation into two parts: the first
will be devoted to Android as amended by Sony, the second will focus on
the application ecosystem of the giant.Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is the logical continuation of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the suite illogical to Android 2.3. To make more clear, there are many differences from version 2 to version 4 and very little from version 4 to version 4.1. That said, "very little" is quantitative, because if we talk in terms of quality, version 4.1 is a huge step. First, it should be noted that it is the first to integrate the Google Apps suite and revised. From the first ignition, so you'll classics Gmail, Gtalk, Calendar or Maps, but Chrome, Google+, or Play Play Books Films. Sony
has understood the importance of this result for the user and the
manufacturer is pleased to have avoided distorting For example, there is
not on the Xperia Z, browser other than Chrome.
Push synchronization of these applications is perfect once you have set up your account and you will instantly receive your messages, chats and other references. It still serves as a reminder: if you choose an Android smartphone is that you are a heavy user of Google services. You may also want to find, but if you do not use them at all, you will miss most of the system. These applications were designed to run on Android and so are perfectly smooth, ergonomic and well integrated into the interface.
The interface Moreover, let's talk. We find on the Xperia Z model advocated by Google, that is to say, a smartphone without physical button or going to the screen. In other words, you will have a black bar at the bottom with buttons that change function depending on the application. On the left, you go to multitasking and a selection of widgets that will appear all over the screen, the clock in notepad. On the right, you will have a back button or "hide the keyboard." In the center is the eternal home button, which takes you back to the homepage.Subtlety from Android 4.1 by making a long press Home, you will trigger the Google Now. Now Google is a little big brother in your pocket. This service offered by Google is a double-edged sword: it will spy the corners of your privacy to make your life easier. It will be up to you to choose whether you want to use it or not. What does it mean in practice? He will look your contacts, appointments, your position and give you practical information in context. You have an appointment in two changes metro home? Now Google knows that you take public transportation: 45 minutes before he remind you to leave if you want to be on time and offer you a route showing also its cost. You leave your appointment and you miss a movie? Open Google Now, he will know what is broadcast and what time the sessions. Anniversary, weather, transport to and from your home, booking tickets, sports scores, Now Google knows you and knows about what you want to see when you visit. Freaky? Yes, but it works pretty well - great if you're in a city that has released data on its transport and other urban information.
Sony has not worked hard notifications bar remains that Android 4.1 You therefore have all your notifications stacked on each other, you can view or send in digital limbo. Few additions to this bar are scarce: we would have liked to find a button to manage the synchronization of accounts and another to adjust the rotation of the screen in landscape mode, convenient in bed for example. There, when the smartphone is bent, the back button always up the machine, which is very strange, since you tend to keep the bottom: it forces you to use one hand more.
Finally, a word on energy management proposed by the manufacturer. Let's be honest: the Xperia Z is well supported. We are quite happy with that side, since it's been a while we have not seen a really upscale unable to hold a big day and more if affinity. However, the saving options offered by Sony battery is bad and we do not recommend using them as is. STAMINA mode disables mobile data when the screen is off: farewell mails, chats, notifications that you could reach into your pocket. Configure and you can activate in each case some applications ... but in this case, the data is logically off. So, it's hard to see the real impact of the thing in practice. In addition, the French translation is misleading: the software will tell you 4 days before standby, which will make you think you will have 4 days of battery. In fact, he calculates, it's time ... Battery standby. Result, the energy saving is not striking enough to pass the comfort features of a smartphone.
Low battery mode is also very poorly thought default disables it simply as data services to 30% of battery, which is huge. He must remember to configure it to put 15% for example and select services only rarely used. Wi-Fi geolocation, it did not impact in practice.This little paragraph on battery management leads gently part dedicated to applications and services based on Sony the same paradigm: each time, we welcome the effort, but if it was really helpful or well done, it would be even better.
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Push synchronization of these applications is perfect once you have set up your account and you will instantly receive your messages, chats and other references. It still serves as a reminder: if you choose an Android smartphone is that you are a heavy user of Google services. You may also want to find, but if you do not use them at all, you will miss most of the system. These applications were designed to run on Android and so are perfectly smooth, ergonomic and well integrated into the interface.
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|
The interface Moreover, let's talk. We find on the Xperia Z model advocated by Google, that is to say, a smartphone without physical button or going to the screen. In other words, you will have a black bar at the bottom with buttons that change function depending on the application. On the left, you go to multitasking and a selection of widgets that will appear all over the screen, the clock in notepad. On the right, you will have a back button or "hide the keyboard." In the center is the eternal home button, which takes you back to the homepage.Subtlety from Android 4.1 by making a long press Home, you will trigger the Google Now. Now Google is a little big brother in your pocket. This service offered by Google is a double-edged sword: it will spy the corners of your privacy to make your life easier. It will be up to you to choose whether you want to use it or not. What does it mean in practice? He will look your contacts, appointments, your position and give you practical information in context. You have an appointment in two changes metro home? Now Google knows that you take public transportation: 45 minutes before he remind you to leave if you want to be on time and offer you a route showing also its cost. You leave your appointment and you miss a movie? Open Google Now, he will know what is broadcast and what time the sessions. Anniversary, weather, transport to and from your home, booking tickets, sports scores, Now Google knows you and knows about what you want to see when you visit. Freaky? Yes, but it works pretty well - great if you're in a city that has released data on its transport and other urban information.
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|
Sony has not worked hard notifications bar remains that Android 4.1 You therefore have all your notifications stacked on each other, you can view or send in digital limbo. Few additions to this bar are scarce: we would have liked to find a button to manage the synchronization of accounts and another to adjust the rotation of the screen in landscape mode, convenient in bed for example. There, when the smartphone is bent, the back button always up the machine, which is very strange, since you tend to keep the bottom: it forces you to use one hand more.
|
|
Finally, a word on energy management proposed by the manufacturer. Let's be honest: the Xperia Z is well supported. We are quite happy with that side, since it's been a while we have not seen a really upscale unable to hold a big day and more if affinity. However, the saving options offered by Sony battery is bad and we do not recommend using them as is. STAMINA mode disables mobile data when the screen is off: farewell mails, chats, notifications that you could reach into your pocket. Configure and you can activate in each case some applications ... but in this case, the data is logically off. So, it's hard to see the real impact of the thing in practice. In addition, the French translation is misleading: the software will tell you 4 days before standby, which will make you think you will have 4 days of battery. In fact, he calculates, it's time ... Battery standby. Result, the energy saving is not striking enough to pass the comfort features of a smartphone.
|
|
Low battery mode is also very poorly thought default disables it simply as data services to 30% of battery, which is huge. He must remember to configure it to put 15% for example and select services only rarely used. Wi-Fi geolocation, it did not impact in practice.This little paragraph on battery management leads gently part dedicated to applications and services based on Sony the same paradigm: each time, we welcome the effort, but if it was really helpful or well done, it would be even better.
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