(Updated) Android Facebook App is (No Longer) Draining Battery after Update

So word on the street is that the new update to the Android Facebook app is draining batteries. This news came out just a few hours ago, and apparently Facebook has already acknowledged the issue. This is from the Facebook for Android facebook page:

Hi folks, a number of you have commented on seeing a battery drain on your device since installing the new Facebook for Android app. We have identified the bug that is causing this battery drain and are working on a fix now. As soon as the patch is ready, we will push out an update. Thanks for the quick feedback and for your patience as we get this fixed

So hopefully this gets fixed soon, because I don't really want to have to downgrade to the previous version of Facebook for Android. I'll be surprised if the fix comes out soon because previous updates to the Facebook app have been few and far between. 

On a side note, it's fun to read all the anger in the comments on the Facebook for Android page. People feel like Android users aren't receiving equal treatment because the iPhone app is so much better. 

Update: An update for this problem was pushed to the market last night. So go update your Facebook app and let us know whether you're still experiencing battery drain issues.

Android 2.2 Highlights from Google I/O

Well yesterday was pretty mind-blowing as far as Google and Android news goes. We've all been waiting for and expecting Google to announce the next update of Android to version 2.2, aka "Froyo." However, I was surprised at how many new features Android will be getting. Here is a list of the highlights:

* USB and Wifi data tethering

* SD card app installation and storage

* Automatic app updates and multiple simultaneous updates

* Faster browser

* Flash support

I know Google wants to keep its users happy, but that list is amazing. It took Apple forever just to allow its iPhone to record video, but with a single update, Google is giving us practically everything we've been asking for. I think what I'm most excited for is the ability to install apps on the SD card. A few of the apps I have installed on my phone take up 20mb or more of phone storage, such as The Rescue of Ginger (for my daughter) and Raging Thunder 2 (for me). It gets frustrating when I have to uninstall some apps just to install new ones, but now that problem should be solved.

Unfortunately, those of us who don't own a Nexus One will most likely be waiting for months for the official update to be released by the carriers. Oh well, at least I have something to look forward to!

Google's Larry Page blames poor Android battery life on app developers... Would blame Steve Jobs if he could

Any of you Android owners get a full day's usage out of your phone's battery? Anyone? Well there's something wrong if you don't, according to Google co-founder Larry Page. In a recent interview, Larry Page said that your phone's battery should make it through a full day.

My Motorola Droid gets horrendous battery life, although I will be the first to admit that I have done nothing to maximize my battery usage. I work in an office all day, so I have a plug nearby all the time. The only frustrating part of this is that I either have to carry my charger with me to work, or buy a new charger to keep one at home and one in my office.

My frustration hit a peak yesterday when I was stuck in a jury selection room for 6 hours or so and I forgot to bring a book with me. I spent 3 hours straight playing games and surfing the web on my phone when I noticed that the battery had drained to 20%. At that point I couldn’t risk going the rest of the day without phone access so I had to cut my Android distractions short.

In my opinion Larry is being a bit too quick to pass the blame to the Android app developers for poor battery usage. There will always be room for improvement in the Android OS, and I hope that Froyo will at least make an attempt at fixing the quick battery drain problem. Until then, I will just have to make do with carrying my charger around with me and continue to have people ask “What’s that strange bulge in your pocket?”

Catching up on Android News

Well, I apologize that I wasn't able to post a review today. I got called to do my civil duty today, so I was at the courthouse waiting to get my number called to serve on a jury. However, I wasn't one of the lucky few who were chosen, so I ended up sitting in a large room for 7 hours straight. Oh well, to make up for my time lost, I've decided to post some Android news:

• Amazon will be releasing a free Kindle app for those of you who believe your phones are perfect for book reading. The app is scheduled to be released later this summer. I personally think the value of this app depends on the price of the books available for download. If it's anything more than $3, I'd rather just buy the paper copy. I can also recommend the Aldiko book reader app for Android phones, which I currently have on my phone. I will put out a review of Aldiko soon.
  

• Yesterday, Gameloft opened a website to sell 10 new 3D games for Android, but it appears that the launch didn't go as planned and the website has been pulled.
  

• Google has updated the online Android Marketplace, although Appbrain is still a better way to discover apps. Why is Google so behind on the times?

• This news is a bit stale, but apparently Android 2.2 will add tethering via USB and Wifi, in addition to Flash support. Please tell me the Droid will get Android 2.2 before the end of the year. Somehow, I doubt it.
  

The Android Project News: Dropbox App Hits the Market

Well, along with my anticipation of the official Mint.com application (See my review here), I have also been waiting for an official Dropbox app to hit the market.

Although beta testers have been able to molest the pre-release version of Dropbox for Android for a while now, the rest of us have been standing by like dogs at the dinner table waiting for the full release. Well, it's time to break out the checkbook (not really, the app is free), the official Android app has hit the Android market and it's available for download now.

If you're wondering what the hell Dropbox is, it allows users to sync data between multiple devices by storing the newest version of a file in Dropbox's server. It makes it nice when you need to have documents available at all times, whether it be on your home desktop, work PC, laptop, or now your Android phone.

The Android Project will give the Dropbox application a test run and post a review in the coming days, so stay tuned.