Life Begins at 4.0 - Xperia ray Ice Cream Sandwich Update Part 2

Ok, you're now on 4.0 ... now what? What's the big deal? Well, I think it's leaps and bounds better than both Gingerbread (2.3) ... why? Well, a lot of little things. And for me, it's the little things that count.

First thing you will notice is the sleeker interface. A new font (Roboto) is now system-wide and looks very refined. By default, ICS on Xperia has a bluish/teal look to it, just for highlights and stuff. Animations feel smoother and the phone feels faster over-all. Take note, most performance tests will show that the 2011 Xperia phones run slower on ICS, but it doesn't feel that way.

A new lock feature called Face Unlock is added to the Security menu. More of a novelty, it uses your phone's front camera to unlock it. It fails more often than it works, until they develop a better algorithm to process images, it's not really worth using. But it's fun to show off for a few times. The flaw is that any change in lighting or facial angle and it doesn't bother to reprocess and defaults to the secondary unlock mode right away.

For data hogs, there's now a built in Data Usage meter that also alerts you when you're getting close to your limit. You can allow it to cut off your data when your limit is reached to prevent data charges. And a neat feature seems to be that after a few days, it can plot your average use and will give a projection of data usage for the rest of the month as well!

App switching is better too, press and hold the home button for a thumbnail view of recently used apps. You can scroll through recently used (or still running) apps and a small thumbnail of it's previous state is displayed.

Voice Search is more integrated into the core system now, and can no longer be found as a separate app. It's part of the Google Search widget or app already and functions much better. Assuming a stable 3G (or better) connection, the text transcription now happens as you speak with each word appearing right after you speak it instead of after the whole sentence. This is highly network dependent and not a reflection of Google's voice system. On WiFi this performs reliably enough to not really need the keyboard anymore. As always, this can also be enabled in the system keyboard to allow easy access while typing.

Access to system settings is now made easier through the task bar. Simply swipe downwards, as if to access a notification, there you will find a shortcut to the system settings. No big deal, there were apps that could do this, but I prefer having small functions like this built into the core system, rather than having an app for it.

There are also 2 tweaks that you can do that are hidden in the Developer Options Menu, Animations, and Show All ANRs (Apps Not Responding). The Animations menu used to be under Display, and has now been tucked away from regular users. You may set the speed of the animations, or switch them off. I've found that only 1x and off work well. The rest kinda glitch up. The ANR function comes in handy. Usually, when an app hangs, Android shows a pop-up saying that the app is not responding and asks if you want to wait or close it. Show All ANRs does this even for certain background apps that are hidden by default (like Viber). This is quite handy as it functions like a task killer, but only for apps that are hanging. So no need to waste resources with a 3rd party task killer.

ICS task management is also way better, I've rarely had any resource problems that would require me to manually kill tasks. It does this quite efficiently and silently. If you have a lot of background tasks, you may get pop-ups from the ANR feature, but ICS can handle this task quite well even when not enabled. I just prefer to be notified and given the option to close the offending app.

So far, 4.0 is a big leap forward for Android. The system stability, improved interface, and general tweaks on core functions are well worth the slight decrease in performance over Gingerbread (2.3). I've been using it for a month now and have no regrets upgrading.

**Since I upgraded, Sony has already issued a new software version, 4.0.4**

Life Begins at 4.0 - Xperia ray Ice Cream Sandwich Update Part 1

A couple of weeks ago, the official Android 4.0 (codename: Ice Cream Sandwich) update for my Xperia ray was released. This was a promise by Sony Ericsson (now Sony Mobile) that all 2011 models (Xperia ray, mini, mini pro, neo, neo v, active, and arc) would all be getting an official ICS update.

How do I update my phone? Don't worry, it's easier than you think. I'm on a Mac, so my screenshots will be showing Sony Bridge for Mac (update your Bridge software, it should already say Sony Bridge, not Sony Ericsson Bridge) For those running Windows, the Companion Software does the same thing, the process is similar, even though the screenshots are different.

First, place your phone in Media Transfer Mode (MTP). You can find this in your phone's SETTINGS Menu under Xperia > Connectivity. Don't worry if you started the update without doing this, your phone will give you the chance to do it later on, this just eliminates the extra step.

Next, plug your phone into your computer using the supplied USB cable. Then start Sony Bridge for Mac (or Sony Mobile PC Companion for PC users)

A pop up screen saying that there is new software available for your phone will appear. Click on Update to start. A webpage will open on Sony Mobile's site stating the new features and other information on upgrading to 4.0, you don't really have to read this and can close it to begin the update.

That's it! Wait for the update to download and install. The whole process should take about 30 min depending on your internet connection.

When the update is done, unplug your phone and turn it on. It will take about a minute for the screen to even come on, this is normal for any major Android software update.

When the screen first turns on, you will see the SONY logo, replacing the Sony Ericsson one on your 2011 phone. Then the boot up. Congratulations! You're now using Android 4.0! In the next entry, a review on the big changes in 4.0

Sony Xperia ICS Update! (Android 4.0)

For those of you that own any Sony Ericsson 2011 Android model (Arc S, ray, Neo V...etc) roll-outs for ICS have started.

The process is quite simple. Plug your phone into your computer. Start up Sony Bridge for Mac (or PC Companion) and it will automatically check if ICS is available.

Follow the instructions to upgrade your phone.

Check your SI Number here to see if an update for your particular production run has already been released!!!!

The Ice Cream Man Cometh...

Now that Sony Ericsson is no more... Sony Mobile Communications is continuing the support for Open Development.

A new BETA release of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is available for download and testing on the following Xperia Models: arc S, neo V, or ray. Please read all the instructions and warnings before attempting the install the beta software!

Download the beta release of ICS directly from Sony Mobile here.

According to Sony, the official Android 4.0 will be available to the arc S, neo V and ray by April!

Hakunamatata, It Means No Worries...NOT! (OSX Lion)

Apple has always been synonymous with easy computing.  Trouble-free, hassle-free everything.  Well... upgrading to Lion is more akin to a Microsoft Windows Vista upgrade.  Now, let me clarify this by isolating this review to be specific to people UPGRADING to Lion... and not new systems preinstalled with Lion.

I was initially reluctant to upgrade to Lion, but when a Snow Leopard 10.6.8 update broke my digital audio, I was hoping it would be fixed in Lion... alas, it wasn't.  It's not as bad, but it's still doesn't work as well as it did prior to the update.  For those unfamiliar with the issue, it's quite specific: Digital audio gets disabled after watching Dolby or DTS movies.

Another issue is the Rosetta compatibility.  Granted few people now run Rosetta apps, but this usually requires you to reinstall apps that were running in 32-bit mode.  I had to reinstall Logic cuz I kept getting an incompatible version notice.

There's also the really fugly iCal skin update.  Although this can easily be fixed, I shouldn't HAVE to go through this much trouble for something that wasn't broken to begin with.  For those that don't know, iCal has been given a really fugly s**t brown skin.  So while OSX retains it's aluminum look, iCal, which used to match... now doesn't.

For those thinking of upgrading, I'd hold off... the minor updates in Lion aren't really worth it.  For those buying new systems, and doing a fresh install of all your programs, most of these won't be a problem.  Except for the s**t brown iCal.

RAMming It Up! (2011 Macbook Pro 13 RAM Upgrade)

With all computer systems, memory is very important.  RAM (commonly referred to simply as 'memory') is the most important upgrade you should perform on your system prior to any other upgrades.

More RAM will allow your computer to work on more programs, and work faster.  Why does it make a difference?  All your programs, applications and files are stored in your hard drive.  This is a cheaper and slower (yes, even SSDs are slower than RAM... unless you've got RAM Drives, that's another story) storage that allows you to save more stuff at a fraction of the cost.

The 2011 Macbook Pros come with 4GB of RAM.  Quite adequate for everyday computing, surfing and word processing.  But open 10 websites, or run complex programs like Photoshop or Final Cut... and you're gonna get significant performance hits.  You'll feel like your new Macbook Pro is not as fast as it should be.

With 4GB of RAM... it really isn't.  Half the time, your computer is just waiting for the tasks and information to be pulled out of the hard drive before it can begin processing the task you want it to do.

Now, upgrading the MBP 13 RAM is relatively easy:  It takes 2 modules of SODIMM DDR3 1333 memory.  So to max it out, you need 2 4GB modules.

• Make sure you're grounded (touch a large metal object, wear a grounding strap, or invest in cleanroom footwear like Birkenstock's ESD line)

• Make sure your MBP is off, flip it over and start unscrewing the bottom screws.  Please note, the screws are of different lengths, it's best to remember which position they were in.

• Carefully lift the bottom cover off to expose the internal components.

• Push the 2 retaining tabs of the original RAM outward, it should pop-up.  Just pull the ram out gently.  Try not to rock the module from side to side.  The bottom stick is a bit harder to get to but the process is the same.

• Take your new RAM and align the notch with the one of the socket.  Insert the stick at a 45° angle and push it in gently.  Then press the stick down until you hear a click and it lies flat against the main board.  Repeat the procedure for the 2nd memory module

• Replace the bottom cover and carefully screw it back in, making sure to use the right screws.  Do not over-tighten the screws.

That's it!  Just start up your MBP and the system automatically configures itself for the new RAM.

**Hallo, ich lerne Deutsch und ich kann ein paar Fragen zu beantworten.
Je parle un peu français aussi. Je peux répondre à des questions sur mes messages.**

Hard Up: An SSD Hard Drive Upgrade

Patient: A 2003 IBM X31 1.4 GHz Thinkpad

Procedure: Transcend SSD upgrade

I've had my IBM X31 for a few years now.  It was one of the many ultraportables I've owned.  The first being the famous "Butterfly" Thinkpad (701C).  For something that's going on 6 years, it has fairly decent specs: 1.4 GHz CPU, 12.1" LCD, 3 lbs, ATi video card, Bluetooth, Wifi, PC card slot.  Nothing impressive by today's standards... but the fact that it can still hold up to entry level machines today after 6 years says a lot.

The only thing that was showing signs of aging was the tiny 40GB HDD.

So I decided to try and see if the new SSD (Solid State Drives) would extend it's useful life even further.

Procedure was simple enough, Thinkpads are fairly easy to upgrade due to their modular construction, access to internal components is easy.

1) Clone your original drive using back-up software if you have no intentions of doing a clean install.  I use Acronis True Image.

2) Get all your parts ready, screwdriver, SSD, USB CD-Drive, external HDD

3) SSDs are more sensitive to static discharge so don't forget your grounding band.  You can just touch a large metal object to drain your body's static electricity or wear a ground band on your wrist.  Or my preferred method: ESD footwear (Also useful in dry climates to eliminate static shock when you open car doors)

4) Swap out your original drive, then install the new SSD

5) Restore the back-up image to the new drive

6) Boot up

Now, I only did a restore of my original IBM setup.  This includes all the original IBM software that came with my Thinkpad out of the factory.  You may do a clean install of Windows if you want as well.

Noticeable improvements:

• Startup-Shutdown times is under 30 seconds
• Webpage loading is significantly faster
• Battery Life extended by 40%

Additional benefits:

• Shock resistance.  SSDs do not have moving parts (like an iPad and the new Macbook Air) so you can use it on the move, and makes your system immune to extreme vibration.
• Slight reduction in weight.  SSDs are far lighter than traditional spinning drives so you save a few grams.

Now a few minuses:

• SSDs offer significant speed increases in most areas, but create DECREASES is performance in others.  For those in A/V production, SSDs offer much slower read/write real-world performance than current performance drives.  This is due to the fact that SSDs have to erase data before writing new data...ALL THE TIME.  Even over empty sectors of the drive.
• Current OSes aren't fully optimized for SSDs and some optimization settings can cause significant lag.  Swap files, temp files, and prefetching all cause really bad system lag.  These must be disabled when upgrading to an SSD.  Easiest way to do this is to run SSD Tweaker

How big a deal are SSDs?  Well, right now, 50/50.  For everyday computer tasks like surfing, word processing, and e-mail it is a big deal.  For large files, you might still be better off with a traditional platter drive.

**Hallo, ich lerne Deutsch und ich kann ein paar Fragen zu beantworten.
Je parle un peu français aussi. Je peux répondre à des questions sur mes messages.**