Here is a feature that perhaps most peoplpe don't even know it exists. You can install a webapp on your Android phone that will look like (and behave) like a regular mobile app, but without using extra disk space and giving up your privacy, relatively speaking. Well, at least in the sense that mobile apps often require way too many privileges and do plenty of things in the background that aren't truly needed for their regular activity. In the case of Firefox, follow these directions. I've done it for a few websites already, and the end result is indistinguishable from a mobile app. Obviously, this is not possible in some cases (e.g., when the app requires access to the camera or GPS). But it works for plenty of apps. More than you'd imagine. And, the way I see it, this is a far less intrusive, more privacy-friendly and more secure way to do things. {link to this entry}

Yesterday, I was looking for an SMS app for my Android phone that could be an alternative to Google Messages. If possible, my preference is to go for an open source app. But, one way or another, it should be able to do RCS, the reason being that a few people I usually text with (including my family) do use some of its features. To my surprise, I searched and searched, tested this and that other app, but couldn't find anything that would "speak" RCS. The reason? As it turned out, the folks who developed Pulse SMS explained it here. The title (Third-party apps cannot support RCS at this time) already says it all. But here is the full explanation they provide:

RCS is the next-generation messaging protocol meant to replace SMS/MMS in the future. It is more reliable, web-based, allows for larger media files, supports things like reading receipts and typing indicators, and will just be all-around better. It is on a limited rollout throughout different carriers, devices, and applications. A general Google search can provide you with more information. No one knows when or if it will ever fully replace SMS/MMS, but that is the goal.

For third-party app support (such as Pulse SMS), Google will need to release a way for developers to integrate it. They have not done this and have made no indication of when they will. We do expect them to, at some point.

In other words, Google has failed to publish a way for non-Google developers to integreate RCS into their own apps, even though at the same time they are trying to convince Apple to adopt the protocol. Now, isn't this a clear example of the semi-monopolistic position that Google has in certain markets? The "do-no-evil" company of yesteryear is almost unrecognizable. {link to this entry}