WILT: NullPointerException when calling startActivity

That’s such a beginner error but I have no shame posting about it because I AM a beginner with Android 

When trying to start a ListActivity from my main Activity, I kept on getting a NullPointerException. The code to launch my activity looked like this:

myActivityInstance.startActivity(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW));

Well, the problem was that I forgot to set the content view at the beginning of my launched activity. All I had to do was add this line at the beginning of my onCreate event handler:

setContentView(R.layout.tasks_list);

[Via http://benoit808.wordpress.com]

Pluto: Volume 2

Is it bad that I didn’t want to pick up anything else? At the time, I had to consider reading the rest of Barefoot Gen and To Terra. Pluto is too good.

Second volume deepened the suspense. More robots and robot activists die and the killer’s identity is close to being revealed. More super robot beings are introduced into the story as pieces to the puzzle. When Atom comes into the picture (see cover above), the story consists a chunk of emotion that was personally appreciated. Gesicht is living a “human” life with a wife at home and even discusses kids with Brando but he doesn’t fully understand or feel anything in response. When he sees Atom (who looks like a young boy) enjoying icecream, he asks him how he can eat it and act satisfied. This was a slight reminder that Gesicht was a robot, despite his appearance and personal life. The fact that these robots are existing to surpass human capability, they still lack what humans possess.

Later in the story, the investigation gets heated as another robot is killed while trying to kill the assassin called “Pluto”. I’m excited to see what happens.

[Via http://kawaiiuguu.wordpress.com]

Seattle Bus Finder - a promising Android app

Open Seattle Bus Finder, enter the bus route that you want to track, and the GPS function actually pinpoints where the buses are at that very moment. I stand at the bus stop for the #18, for example, look at the app and see a map with my current location at the center. On the map I see that the 18 is just four blocks from where I’m standing and heading my way. Cute little bus icon. All is revealed. The bus arrives shortly thereafter. I love this.

The next time I use it, however, the map shows no buses in my vicinity. I look forward to a long wait. But to my surprise the bus arrives at that very moment and there’s no sign of it on my app map. I hate this.

I don’t know if the inconsistent performance has to do with unreliable performance of the GPS on the bus, in my phone, in the sky, or what. The app is free so I have nothing more to say except that I hope the next upgrade can deal with this. If it worked consistently, I’d definitely pay for this app. I could reliably stand on my front porch and know whether I can stroll to the bus stop or whether I should run.

[Via http://dangblog.wordpress.com]

Android This Week: Nexus One Dock Arrives, ARCHOS Tablet Specs Revealed

Those who have deemed the Nexus One the best Android phone yet may like it even more now that the dock is available from Google. Not only does the phone charge while sitting in the dock, but cradling it there will automatically fire up the clock application, complete with local weather. You can even use it to run a slideshow of the pics you have stored on the phone.

But the really cool feature is the integrated Bluetooth, which allows the docked Nexus One to stream music wirelessly to the dock. Plug in some external speakers and the set-up becomes a full-fledged entertainment system. At $45, the Nexus One Dock isn’t cheap, but all those features make it worth a look.

Speaking of music, personal media player maker ARCHOS, which already has a 5-inch tablet based on the Android platform for sale, this week leaked details about its forthcoming 7-inch model . This new web tablet adds a web cam to the mix, and is expected to sell for just $245.

In the meantime, a netbook running Android has been sent to the FCC for review prior to launch. The new netbook is being produced by none other than HP, making this the company’s first foray into the Android space. The FCC filing is seeking approval for the netbook’s use on AT&T’s (s t) 3G network. So far, there’s no detailed information available as to when we might expect this to hit the market.

[Via http://gigaom.com]

Android Love

Ok I stole that title from an awesome blog that I just discovered (check her out here http://www.brendacarescorner.com/mytouch3g-and-android-love/)

Thought I might kick off the blog with a post about my current passion, my Android phone!

Whats an Android phone you ask?  Well probably not but I’ll tell you anyway LOL  It’s a smartphone running the Android OS (operating system) by Google.  Android OS is a true multitasking OS (joining Windows Mobile, WebOS, Blackberry).  This is the main separation between Android phones and the IPhone.  The IPhone is so far really just an application launcher rather than a true OS.  Not that I’m knocking the IPhone; physically is is arguably the best built touch screen phone on the market.  And so far, Apple has the best Apps Store and apps.  Time will see if that continues.

Meanwhile, I decided to invest in the Android platform.  The item that caught my immediate attention is that it is Linux based.  Now I know you fellow computer heads know what that means.  Linux is HUGE.  And easy to develop.  As evidenced by the tremendous growth of Android applications so far.  Up to over 10,000 in the Apps Market to date!  The other fact that drew me in is that Apple cant control it!  As much as I love Apple products (most), I HATE the way they insist on controlling the way I use them!  I mean, who really likes ITunes?  It’s a resource hog and bloated.  I would love my ITouch so much more if I could get music from whatever source I desired.  But I digress, this isnt an Apple rant.  That will come later LOL

So I’ve had my SPrint HTC Hero for nearly a month.  I love it!  I’m all about customization and Android lets me do it to my hearts content.  Had an initial issue with bad battery life, but I found lots of fixes for it online (google it) and now its a non issue.  Still dont get as long as I did with my BlackBerry Curve (my previous phone) but its decent.  Hopefully the 2.1 update will fix that.  Currently running 1.5 btw.

My next decision is whether or not to Root. Here’s an excellent explanation of what Rooting is [http://www.brendacarescorner.com/2010/01/what-does-it-mean-to-root-an-android-device/] .  Right now I dont really see the need, but the geek in me wants to tinker LOL  I’ll update with what I decide.

[Via http://adonistech.wordpress.com]

Saygus Vphone V1

Saygus plans to release the VPhone V1, a video transmitting and receiving phone that runs on Android and will be available from Verizon. As it is, it has a 5 Megapixel camera, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, and 3.5-inch touchscreen. It should have four hours of video chatting, and seven hours of talk time.

Saygus Vphone V1

Saygus Vphone V1 Specification Release Date: January, 2010

59.5×116.5×20.3mm, Google Android 1.6 , 32bit Marvell PXA310, 624MHz CPU, 256MiB RAM, 512MiB ROM, 3.5″ 480×800 color transflective TFT LCD, mini-USB audio jack, CDMA800, CDMA1900, cdmaOne, CDMA2000 1xRTT, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A, microSD, microSDHC, TransFlash, SDIO, mini-USB port, Bluetooth, WLAN, GPS, A-GPS, FM radio, Slide-out QWERTY-type keyb., accelerometer, 4.9MP cam., AF, macro, flash, sec. camera, 1500mAh removable battery

[Via http://onopc.wordpress.com]

HTC HERO

So.. I never thought something like a fancy cellphone could change my life. Yet here I am today talking about my HTC HERO from Sprint has aided me to see the world in a different light. I am even composing this blog from my phone now! This device keeps me informed of EVERYTHING that I hold dear in my life. All accessible with a swift flick & tap. Jealous? I seriously urge everyone to get their hands on one, or at least some sort of Android capable phone. G1, MyTouch, Hero, Droid, Eris, Nexus, Cliq, etc…

[Via http://cajonas.wordpress.com]