Posts From Chris Gilliam

Chris Gilliam
Chris Gilliam

Chris Gilliam is a front-end web developer with a background in physics, but his passions lie with open ecosystems, Android, linked data, and the unfettered exchange of ideas. He dreams of a semantic future in which knowledge organically evolves within hives of creativity like the XDA forums, and works, tinkers, and writes to help make that future possible.

Vinli Sync: The Connected Car Goes Phone-Free

Vinli Sync: The Connected Car Goes Phone-Free

November 12, 2015
Vinli is an unassuming smart stick that acts as a wifi hotspot, comes with a suite of apps, and aims to replace OnStar in the digital age. It's latest trick? You can leave your smartphone at home thanks to a 4G connection to the cloud called Vinli Sync. We covered Vinli last month at the Big Android BBQ...
Pixel C: Google’s In-House 10.2-In Nexus With Laptop Aspirations

Pixel C: Google’s In-House 10.2-In Nexus With Laptop Aspirations

September 29, 2015
Google announced an entire hardware fleet during today's Nexus event, but the Pixel C stands out as a convertable with roots in multiple dissimilar worlds. On the surface, this 10.2" Android slab with Google branding, the latest OS, and guaranteed updates appears to be a refresh of 2012's Nexus. However, it's the vision and stewardship of a design...
Sunday Debate: Are Push Notification Ads Ever Okay?

Sunday Debate: Are Push Notification Ads Ever Okay?

August 23, 2015
Join us in a fun Sunday Debate on the problems with push notification ads (and how you would fix them). Come with your opinions and feel free to read some of our thoughts, then pick your side or play devil’s advocate to get your voice heard and engage in friendly discussion. You can read our...
XDA Recap: This Week In Android (Jun 14 – 20)

XDA Recap: This Week In Android (Jun 14 – 20)

June 21, 2015
Another week, another recap. The Sunday tradition marches on this week with a fresh no-nonsense look at big-picture news. Here in the digital XDA writers’ room, we spend our days poring over an average of 2,500 news items and forum threads every 24 hours. Only the most timely and interesting bits survive the editing process,...
XDA Recap: This Week In Android (Jun 7 – 14)

XDA Recap: This Week In Android (Jun 7 – 14)

June 14, 2015
Another week, another recap. The Sunday tradition marches on this week with a fresh no-nonsense look at big-picture news. Here in the digital XDA writers’ room, we spend our days poring over an average of 2,500 news items and forum threads every 24 hours. Only the most timely and interesting bits survive the editing process,...
XDA Recap: This Week In Android (May 31 – Jun 6)

XDA Recap: This Week In Android (May 31 – Jun 6)

June 7, 2015
Another week, another recap. The Sunday tradition marches on this week with a fresh no-nonsense look at big-picture news. Here in the digital XDA writers’ room, we spend our days pouring over an average of 2,500 news items and forum threads every 24 hours. Only the most timely and interesting bits survive the editing process,...
XDA Recap: This Week At Google IO (May 24 – 30)

XDA Recap: This Week At Google IO (May 24 – 30)

May 31, 2015
Another week, another recap, right? Not so fast; this week was home to Google’s annual developer conference, and announcements ran wild! We have a lot of line-items to cover, including the deluge of features in Android M, a suite of assorted Google product updates, Android Pay, stereoscopic 3D virtual reality, and more. Without further ado, let’s...
I/O Summary: Google Cardboard Virtual Reality

I/O Summary: Google Cardboard Virtual Reality

May 29, 2015
One year ago, Google introduced cardboard. Amazingly enough, that was all it took to fire up the Virtual Reality scene on Android, and what began as an open design concept exploded into thousands of apps and dozens of headsets from big and small vendors alike. Now, there are more than 1 million cardboard viewers/handsets -...
XDA Recap: This Week In Android (May 17 – 23)

XDA Recap: This Week In Android (May 17 – 23)

May 24, 2015
Another week, another recap. The Sunday tradition marches on this week with a fresh no-nonsense look at big-picture news. Here in the digital XDA writers’ room, we spend our days pouring over an average of 2,500 news items and forum threads every 24 hours. Only the most timely and interesting bits survive the editing process,...
Nexus 4, 5, and 9 OTA Downloads of 5.1.1

Nexus 4, 5, and 9 OTA Downloads of 5.1.1

May 20, 2015
This month was a big one for Android 5.1.1 updates, as you can see from last week's roundup and the barrage of posts on the portal's front page in the recent past. So far we are seeing the lineup of Wear watches, the Nexus 4, Nexus 9, Nexus 10, Nexus Player, and a handfull of others slowly make...
Android Wear 5.1.1 OTA Downloads

Android Wear 5.1.1 OTA Downloads

May 20, 2015
The much anticipated Wear update that brings wrist flick gestures, a new launcher, and wifi support is now rolling out to wearables far and wide, though staggered releases never come fast enough. Luckily, we have you covered with a series of direct download links for immediate consumption! The zip files for each model are still...
XDA Recap: This Week In Android (May 10 – 16)

XDA Recap: This Week In Android (May 10 – 16)

May 17, 2015
Another week, another recap. The Sunday tradition marches on this week with a fresh no-nonsense look at big-picture news, but first, a note on global events. The nation of Nepal is no stranger to devastating earthquakes, and much of the country has suffered yet another blow at the hand of plate tectonics. As a public...