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Cupcake update underway, what’s cool about it?

Fri, May 29, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka

Android OS, Firmware updates

Cupcake update underway, what’s cool about it?

Cupcake is coming. For real this time. If you haven’t already installed Cupcake manually, you’ll be happy to know that a number of T-Mobile USA subscribers are reporting getting an over the air update for Android 1.5. The update is going out randomly, so don’t check your phone every five minutes to see if it came.

I’ve been playing with Cupcake for a few days and found some great things, so I’d love to see what other people have noticed about the latest version of Android. The browser and interface enhancements were expected based on toying with the SDK, but I was pleasantly surprised in other areas.

WIDGETS
I’ve long said that widgets held the top spot on my Android wish list, and it’s good to finally have them on my G1. Some of the best ones I’ve found so far are the Battery Meter, AndWeather, and the default Calendar widget. Be mindful that overloading your screen with too many widgets can affect how quickly the home screen loads/responds. You may also find that some widgets don’t work in homescreen replacement apps.

FORCE STOP > FORCE CLOSE

Force close errors are Android’s version of the Blue Screen of Death. You’ll get a bit of those because some apps don’t perform well in Cupcake yet, but you’ll at least be able to shut down apps. Yes, Android finally has a kill switch to help manage resources. Go to Settings> Applications> Manage applications> Press menu, Filter to show only running apps> Select an app or activity, and then scroll down to press force stop. It a laborious process, but it’s there. Let’s hope someone manages to shorten it.

Edit: Thanks to commenter Chris for pointing out the correct syntax

BATTERY IS BETTER (for some)
I read that Cupcake was supposed to take it a little easier on the G1 battery and I can confirm that’s the case. I don’t need to recharge as soon as I did previously, and under the right settings, my phone makes it through most of the day just fine. Thank you Android for improving battery management and addressing one of the most important issues.

Edit: Like most electronics, each person’s individual experience may vary. I can only attest to what I have seen others comment about and my own personal experience that since the update, I’ve been able to get more talk time/standby time out of my phone. That’s no guarantee you will see an improvement.

Not all is rosy, however. A few apps don’t work or need to be updated to “Cupcake version” (search in the Android Market) and you can’t toggle GPS through apps or widgets at the moment. Hopefully, that improves soon.

What are you enjoying about Cupcake?

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8 Comments For This Post

  1. jman Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    the battery is better …? your joking right?….that battery is the same if not worse….

    and how long does it take to charge now?

    http://jjutol.blogspot.com/

  2. poot Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    I’m sure everyone’s battery life is different. I’m still sans cupcake update, but I can tell you my battery doesn’t last as long as it did when I first got the g1. So apply that variable when you attack someone’s comment.

  3. Adam Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Much like you, I could not wait to get Cupcake on my G1. After the US manual update, I am loving it! The best part, to be honest is the virtual keyboard. I can finaly text with one hand!! The spell check/ suggestion box is brilliant and usually gets the word I was trying to spell (I have big fingers, so its hard to use the keyboard perfectly, but the suggestion box works great). I love the new zoom buttons, they are much easier to tap on. The portrait/ land scape modes when tilting the phone are not new to me since I have been running DX Top home, but Im glad Android finaly has that option built in.

    Only gripe was having to reinstal/ update my apps for Cupcake compatability again. At least they were all saved in Android Market where I could easily update them all in one place… um, dont try to update them ALL at the same time. I forced closed my Market that way. Do them in small batches of about 5 or 6 at a time.

    I love me some cupcake! Now, where are the doughnuts?!

  4. chris Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    Your force_stop/force_close instructions don't make sense. When in settings if you press menu, nothing happens.

  5. chris Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    The proper force_stop is:

    settings->applications->manage applications->menu button->filter->running->select process->force stop

    And yes, it's a bit laborious.

  6. Joe Says:
    May 29th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    you might like the new skins being put out for the keyboard, they have bigger keys for bigger fingers. And you can choose different skins for the keyboard

    App – "Better Keyboard"

    The only down side I can see is the sound doesn't disable when you choose not to have it and you don't get the "suggested" word list like you do with the default android keyboard

    Joe

  7. AndrewKam Says:
    May 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Thanks, Chris. I've edited the post to reflect the correct order. I really hope someone creates a shortcut to it like they did to toggle other settings.

  8. Wade-0 Says:
    May 30th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Thanks Chris, I was also confused by his force stop instructions.

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