HTC Trace vs Swype

It's old news that HTC has introduced a Swype-like keyboard which they called it the HTC Trace Keyboard. However, when I upgraded my HTC Sensation to Ice Cream Sandwich recently and I am too busy playing with Ice Cream Sandwich that I don't have time to reinstall the Swype keyboard (which is actually quite tedious to install compared to other Android app), I decided to give HTC Trace keyboard another try and I feel that the trace keyboard works better then it previously was.

I personally hated the Trace keyboard when I tried to use it the first time. The reason is simply because it SUCKS! It always give me the wrong words even though I've put more effort into tracing the right alphabets. And sometime when I tried to trace a word, it didn't register the swiping and treat it as a tap. So after some tries, I gave up and switch from Trace to Swype and I never look back after that.

So when I tried it after my ICS upgrade, I feel that the Trace keyboard has slightly improved. The tracing is much more accurate now and it almost get every words that I traced correctly. However, it will still register a swipe as a tap sometimes.

Even though the Trace Keyboard seems to have been improved, after using Swype for quite a long time, I could never go back to this Trace Keyboard. Here's some of the reason why I simply can't go back to the Trace Keyboard:-

1. Better text prediction
• One thing that really stands out about Swype is its great prediction. Sometimes you can simply scribble and it will still gives you the correct word.
2. Choice to add in new word
• Swype allows you to choose whether you want to add in a word that is not in your Swype Dictionary whereas Trace will automatically add in all the new words that does not exists in your dictionary even when you knew you will not be using this word ever again in your whole life.
3. Gestures support
• This is what I love most about Swype. If you can't live without your usual Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V or Ctrl+A then you will love the Swype gestures as it allows you to do these with some simple and familiar gestures. Simply swipe from the Swype icon on the bottom left of the keyboard to the character A (to select all), C (to copy the current selected text) or V (to paste the copied text). This is the best way to copy paste any text in your phone (at least in my opinion as it is way better then the usual copy paste in Android).

But using Swype in your ICS phone also means it will be more difficult to switch from typing/swiping to the new Google Voice Typing input that comes with ICS. This is because Swype is using Nuance voice-to-text instead of the Google's Voice Typing. Thus, if you wish to use the Google's Voice Typing feature, you will have to switch your input method back to the original keyboard.

So here you go, the comparison between the HTC Trace in ICS and the Swype keyboard. If you have any better keyboard to recommend, please leave a comment.

HTC Sensation ICS Update Reached Malaysia

ICS update has been pushing out for the HTC Sensation in several countries and now the update has finally reached Malaysia. As you can see from the screenshot above, the update will upgrade the HTC Sensation to Android 4.0 (a.k.a Ice Cream Sandwich) and HTC Sense 3.6 (not HTC Sense 4.0 though).

This update might not be in your notification yet but if you can't wait to grab it now (just like me!) then you can manually check for update in your phone setting. Simply go to your homescreen, press the menu button and then select Setting->About Phone->Software Updates and then click on the Check Now button. And then voila! your update will be on its way to your phone.

Some apps may not yet be optimized for ICS yet so some of your apps may not be working properly. Or you might even need to hard reset your phone (just like any other major updates previously). Anyway, just download and enjoy it for now.

I'll be enjoying mine now. Ciao.

OTA Update for HTC Desire HD with HTC Sense 3.0

HTC Desire HD Screenshot

HTC has been releasing OTA updates for Desire HD and Incredible S this month as Christmas/New Year present(?) and we're excited to know that finally the update is available for Desire HD in Malaysia!

The update is going to upgrade your phone to Android 2.3.5 and HTC Sense 3.0! Now, you can screenshot your phone and the awesome lock screen!
To check whether you have updates, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Updates and tap 'Check Now'. You will be notified if there's an update. Good Luck!

First wave of HTC devices to receive upgrades to Ice Cream Sandwich

HTC has announced today that the first wave of HTC phone that will receive upgrades to Google's latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich are HTC Vivid, HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G and HTC Amaze 4G through close integration with their carrier partners in early 2012!!!

Original Note from HTC: http://www.facebook.com/notes/htc/announcing-the-first-wave-of-htc-devices-to-receive-upgrades-to-ice-cream-sandwi/10150518462703084

Android App: Saving Bob Live Wallpaper

Save Bob! Don't let your battery die out..
Bob is a naughty and arrogant dog from a small island called Yogua. One day this naughty dog accidentally bit Mr. Plumber a little too hard in the butt, OUCH! Mr.Plumber tied Bob to one of the pipes in the basement to teach him a lesson. But wait, there's a leak in the pipes and the water level is rising as your battery runs out! Save Bob by making sure your mobile phone never runs out of juice! If your battery level is too low, Bob the Dog will drown!

Here's a video of Bob drowning!



Download Saving Bob Live Wallpaper here.

HTC Sensation Power Button Issue After Upgrading

Ever since I updated my HTC Sensation to Android 2.3.4, my power button has been acting up.

Firstly, when I hit the power button to turn the screen off, the screen goes off for half a second then comes back on again.
Secondly, when I hit the Home button, it automatically takes a screenshot (it should only take screenshot when I press power button followed by Home button). Both these scenarios happen 50% of the time.

So I sent it back for warranty. After a week, I got it back. They claimed that nothing is wrong with my power button and they tested it everyday. Nevertheless, they replaced me with a new back cover. However, the problem persists.

I sent it back to warranty again, stating that the problem is still there despite using a new back cover. After a week, finally I got my phone back and the problem is fixed now. According to them, they've replaced a part called Rigid Flex. Til now, I still don't understand why a software update could cause hardware malfunction.

Android Ice Cream Sandwich Features

Here's some of the enhancements found in Ice Cream Sandwich:

• Virtual buttons in the UI, instead of taking up a capacitive screen
• Widgets are in a new tab, listed in a similar list to apps
• Folders are much easier to create, with a drag-and-drop style similar to iOS
• A customizable launcher
• New phone app with visual voicemail functionality that lets you speed up or slow down voicemail messages
• Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
• Gmail has offline search, a two-line preview, and new action bar at the bottom
• Swipe left or right to switch between Gmail conversations
• Integrated screenshot capture by holding power and volume down buttons
• Improved error correction on the keyboard
• Ability to access apps directly from lock screen (similar to HTC Sense 3.x)
• Improved copy and paste
• Better voice integration
• Face Unlock, a facial recognition service
• New tabbed web browser, allowing up to 16 tabs
• Browser now automatically syncs your Chrome bookmarks
• Modern "Roboto" font
• Data Usage section in settings lets you set warnings when you reach a certain amount of use and disabling data when you go over your limit
• Ability to kill off apps that are using data in the background
• Camera app: zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, zoom while recording
• Built-in photo editor
• New gallery layout, organized by location and person
• Refreshed people app with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images
• Android Beam, a NFC feature that lets you exchange websites, contact info, directions, YouTube, etc.

Source: Engadget