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• video proccesing : extract frames and encrypt them then insert them back to the video in java using xuggler

  24 juillet 2015, par Anas M. Jubara

  I’m working on a video encryption application .. the main idea is to input the video file to the application and the application should output it in an encrypted form... am using xuggler library to manipulate the video and get to the frames and AES for encryption.
  my code works fine for accessing the frames and encrypting them, what i need help with is how to write the encrypted frame back to the video file to replace the original one without corrupting the video file for the video players.
  Here is my code

  package xuggler;
  
  
  
  import com.xuggle.mediatool.IMediaReader;
  
  import com.xuggle.mediatool.IMediaWriter;
  
  import com.xuggle.mediatool.MediaListenerAdapter;
  
  import com.xuggle.mediatool.ToolFactory;
  
  import com.xuggle.mediatool.event.IVideoPictureEvent;
  
  import com.xuggle.xuggler.Global;
  
  import com.xuggle.xuggler.ICodec;
  
  
  
  import java.awt.Graphics2D;
  
  import java.awt.Point;
  
  import java.awt.Transparency;
  
  import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
  
  import java.awt.image.ColorModel;
  
  import java.awt.image.ComponentColorModel;
  
  import java.awt.image.DataBuffer;
  
  import java.awt.image.DataBufferByte;
  
  import java.awt.image.Raster;
  
  import java.awt.image.WritableRaster;
  
  
  
  import java.io.File;
  
  
  
  import java.security.InvalidKeyException;
  
  import java.security.NoSuchAlgorithmException;
  
  import java.security.SecureRandom;
  
  
  
  import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
  
  import java.util.logging.Level;
  
  import java.util.logging.Logger;
  
  
  
  import javax.crypto.BadPaddingException;
  
  import javax.crypto.Cipher;
  
  import javax.crypto.IllegalBlockSizeException;
  
  import javax.crypto.KeyGenerator;
  
  import javax.crypto.NoSuchPaddingException;
  
  import javax.crypto.SecretKey;
  
  
  
  import javax.imageio.ImageIO;
  
  
  
  
  
  public class DecodeAndCaptureFrames extends MediaListenerAdapter
  
  {
  
  
  
   // The number of seconds between frames.
  
        public static final double SECONDS_BETWEEN_FRAMES = 5;
  
  
  
    //The number of micro-seconds between frames.
  
    public static final long MICRO_SECONDS_BETWEEN_FRAMES =(long)      (Global.DEFAULT_PTS_PER_SECOND * SECONDS_BETWEEN_FRAMES);
  
  
  
    // Time of last frame write
  
    private static long mLastPtsWrite = Global.NO_PTS;
  
  
  
  private static final double FRAME_RATE = 50;
  
  
  
  private static final int SECONDS_TO_RUN_FOR = 20;
  
  
  
  private static final String outputFilename = "D:\\K.mp4";
  
  
  
  public static IMediaWriter writer = ToolFactory.makeWriter(outputFilename);
  
  //receive BufferedImage and returns its byte data
  
      public static byte[] get_byte_data(BufferedImage image) {
  
      WritableRaster raster = image.getRaster();
  
      DataBufferByte buffer = (DataBufferByte) raster.getDataBuffer();
  
      return buffer.getData();
  
  }
  
  
  
  
  
  //create new_img with the attributes of image
  
  public static BufferedImage user_space(BufferedImage image) {
  
      //create new_img with the attributes of image
  
      BufferedImage new_img = new BufferedImage(image.getWidth(), image.getHeight(), BufferedImage.TYPE_3BYTE_BGR);
  
      Graphics2D graphics = new_img.createGraphics();
  
      graphics.drawRenderedImage(image, null);
  
      graphics.dispose(); //release all allocated memory for this image
  
      return new_img;
  
  }
  
  
  
  public static BufferedImage toImage(byte[] imagebytes, int width, int height) {
  
      DataBuffer buffer = new DataBufferByte(imagebytes, imagebytes.length);
  
      WritableRaster raster = Raster.createInterleavedRaster(buffer, width, height,
  
         3 * width, 3, new int[]{2, 1, 0}, (Point) null);
  
  
  
      ColorModel cm = new ComponentColorModel(ColorModel.getRGBdefault().getColorSpace(), 
  
              false, true, Transparency.OPAQUE, DataBuffer.TYPE_BYTE);
  
      return new BufferedImage(cm, raster, true, null);
  
  }
  
  
  
  public static byte[] encrypt(byte[] orgnlbytes, String key) throws NoSuchPaddingException, IllegalBlockSizeException, BadPaddingException {
  
      byte[] encbytes = null;
  
      try {
  
          Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES");
  
          KeyGenerator keyGen = KeyGenerator.getInstance("AES");
  
          SecureRandom random = SecureRandom.getInstance("SHA1PRNG");
  
          // cryptograph. secure random
  
          random.setSeed(key.getBytes());
  
  
  
          keyGen.init(128, random);
  
          // for example
  
          SecretKey secretKey = keyGen.generateKey();
  
          try {
  
              cipher.init(Cipher.ENCRYPT_MODE, secretKey);
  
          } catch (InvalidKeyException ex) {
  
              Logger.getLogger(DecodeAndCaptureFrames.class.getName()).log(Level.SEVERE, null, ex);
  
          }
  
          encbytes = cipher.doFinal(orgnlbytes);
  
      }
  
      catch (NoSuchAlgorithmException ex) {
  
          Logger.getLogger(DecodeAndCaptureFrames.class.getName()).log(Level.SEVERE, null, ex);
  
      }        catch (NoSuchPaddingException ex)
  
      {
  
          System.out.print("can not encrypt buffer");
  
      }
  
  
  
      return encbytes;
  
  }
  
  
  
  
  
    /**
  
     * The video stream index, used to ensure we display frames from one
  
     * and only one video stream from the media container.
  
     */
  
  
  
    private int mVideoStreamIndex = -1;
  
  
  
    /**
  
     * Takes a media container (file) as the first argument, opens it and
  
     *  writes some of it's video frames to PNG image files in the
  
     *  temporary directory.
  
     *
  
     * @param args must contain one string which represents a filename
  
     */
  
  
  
    public static void main(String[] args)
  
    {
  
      // create a new mr. decode and capture frames
  
  
  
  
  
      DecodeAndCaptureFrames decodeAndCaptureFrames;
  
      decodeAndCaptureFrames = new DecodeAndCaptureFrames("D:\\K.mp4");
  
    } 
  
  
  
    /** Construct a DecodeAndCaptureFrames which reads and captures
  
     * frames from a video file.
  
     *
  
     * @param filename the name of the media file to read
  
     */
  
  
  
  
  
    //makes reader to the file and read the data of it
  
    public DecodeAndCaptureFrames(String filename)
  
    {
  
      // create a media reader for processing video
  
  
  
     IMediaReader reader = ToolFactory.makeReader(filename);
  
  
  
  // stipulate that we want BufferedImages created in BGR 24bit color space
  
  reader.setBufferedImageTypeToGenerate(BufferedImage.TYPE_3BYTE_BGR);
  
  
  
  
  
  // note that DecodeAndCaptureFrames is derived from
  
  // MediaReader.ListenerAdapter and thus may be added as a listener
  
  // to the MediaReader. DecodeAndCaptureFrames implements
  
  // onVideoPicture().
  
  
  
  reader.addListener(this);
  
  
  
  // read out the contents of the media file, note that nothing else
  
  // happens here.  action happens in the onVideoPicture() method
  
  // which is called when complete video pictures are extracted from
  
  // the media source
  
  
  
  while (reader.readPacket() == null)
  
    do {} while(false);
  
    }
  
  
  
   /**
  
     * Called after a video frame has been decoded from a media stream.
  
     * Optionally a BufferedImage version of the frame may be passed
  
     * if the calling {@link IMediaReader} instance was configured to
  
     * create BufferedImages.
  
     *
  
     * This method blocks, so return quickly.
  
     */
  
  
  
    public void onVideoPicture(IVideoPictureEvent event)
  
    {
  
      try
  
      {
  
        // if the stream index does not match the selected stream index,
  
        // then have a closer look
  
  
  
    if (event.getStreamIndex() != mVideoStreamIndex)
  
    {
  
      // if the selected video stream id is not yet set, go ahead an
  
      // select this lucky video stream
  
  
  
      if (-1 == mVideoStreamIndex)
  
        mVideoStreamIndex = event.getStreamIndex();
  
  
  
      // otherwise return, no need to show frames from this video stream
  
  
  
      else
  
        return;
  
    }
  
  
  
    // if uninitialized, backdate mLastPtsWrite so we get the very
  
    // first frame
  
  
  
    if (mLastPtsWrite == Global.NO_PTS)
  
      mLastPtsWrite = event.getTimeStamp() - MICRO_SECONDS_BETWEEN_FRAMES;
  
  
  
    // if it's time to write the next frame
  
  
  
    if (event.getTimeStamp() - mLastPtsWrite >= MICRO_SECONDS_BETWEEN_FRAMES)
  
    {
  
      // Make a temporary file name
  
  
  
     // File file = File.createTempFile("frame", ".jpeg");
  
  
  
      // write out PNG
  
  
  
  //        ImageIO.write(event.getImage(), "png", file);
  
  
  
      BufferedImage orgnlimage = event.getImage();
  
          orgnlimage = user_space(orgnlimage);
  
          byte[] orgnlimagebytes = get_byte_data(orgnlimage);
  
          byte[] encryptedbytes = encrypt(orgnlimagebytes, "abc");
  
          BufferedImage encryptedimage = toImage(encryptedbytes, orgnlimage.getWidth(), orgnlimage.getHeight());
  
  
  
  
  
          ImageIO.write(encryptedimage, "png", File.createTempFile("frame", ".png"));
  
  //         indicate file written
  
  
  
      double seconds = ((double)event.getTimeStamp())
  
        / Global.DEFAULT_PTS_PER_SECOND;
  
  //        System.out.printf("at elapsed time of %6.3f seconds wrote: %s\n",seconds, file);
  
  
  
      // update last write time
  
  
  
      mLastPtsWrite += MICRO_SECONDS_BETWEEN_FRAMES;
  
    }
  
  }
  
  catch (Exception e)
  
  {
  
    e.printStackTrace();
  
  }
  
    }
  
  
  
  }

• Building my JAVA parameter array for FFMPEG

  29 janvier 2016, par user3541092

  FFmpeg Version : N-63893-gc69defd Copyright (c) 2000-2014 the FFmpeg developers
  built on Jul 16 2014 05:38:01 with gcc 4.6 (Debian 4.6.3-1)

  Machine : Amazon Linux t2.micro (free tier)

  Sample File : sample_iTunes.mov
  Sample File URL : https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201549

  I’m trying to replicate the following FFmpeg command, using a string array and then pass this array into the Runtime.getRuntime().exec().

  ffmpeg -i file:/var/local/ffmpegtest/media_input/sample_iTunes.mov -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:v libx264 -vtag mp42 -metadata major_brand="mp42" -b:v 8000k -minrate 8000k -maxrate 10000k -ac 2 -strict experimental -c:a aac -b:a 256k -metadata:s:a:0 handler="Stereo" /var/local/ffmpegtest/media_output/sample_iTunes.mp4 -y

  NOTE : This works when I pass the full command, as a single string into Runtime.getRuntime().exec().

      String _cmd = "ffmpeg -i %s -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:v libx264 -vtag mp42 -metadata major_brand=\"mp42\" "
  
              + "-b:v 8000k -minrate 8000k -maxrate 10000k -ac 2 -strict experimental -c:a aac -b:a 256k -metadata:s:a:0 handler=\"Stereo\" %s -y";
  
      String _ffmpegCommand = String.format(_cmd, _inputFile, _outPutFile);
  
      p = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(_ffmpegCommand);
  
      BufferedReader _reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(p.getErrorStream()));
  
  
  
      String _line = null;
  
  
  
      while((_line = _reader.readLine()) != null) {
  
          lw.writeLine(_logPath + _logName, _line);
  
          System.out.println(_line);
  
      }

  I started out with just a basic parameter list. As I add add each additional parameter, I re-build the JAR file and upload it to my EC2 instance to test for any errors.

  The following string array works :

  try
  
          {
  
              String[] _params = {"ffmpeg",
  
                         "-i",
  
                         String.format("%s", _inputFile),
  
                         "-pix_fmt",
  
                         "yuv420p",
  
                         "-c:v",
  
                         "libx264",
  
                         String.format("%s", _outPutFile),
  
                         "-y"};
  
  
  
              p = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(_params);
  
  
  
              BufferedReader _reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(p.getErrorStream()));
  
  
  
              String _line = null;
  
  
  
              while((_line = _reader.readLine()) != null) {
  
                  lw.writeLine(_logPath + _logName, _line);
  
                  System.out.println(_line);
  
              }
  
          }
  
          catch (Exception e) {
  
              BufferedReader _reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(p.getErrorStream()));
  
  
  
              String _line = null;
  
  
  
              while((_line = _reader.readLine()) != null) {
  
                  lw.writeLine(_logPath + _logName, _line);
  
                  System.out.println(_line);
  
              }
  
  
  
          }

  However, when I continue to build the array with additional parameters, I begin to experience problems (lets add -vtag mp42) :

  try
  
          {
  
              String[] _params = {"ffmpeg",
  
                         "-i",
  
                         String.format("%s", _inputFile),
  
                         "-pix_fmt",
  
                         "yuv420p",
  
                         "-c:v",
  
                         "libx264",
  
                         "-vtag", // <---- New
  
                         "mp42", // <---  New
  
                         String.format("%s", _outPutFile),
  
                         "-y"};
  
  
  
              p = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(_params);
  
  
  
              BufferedReader _reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(p.getErrorStream()));
  
  
  
              String _line = null;
  
  
  
              while((_line = _reader.readLine()) != null) {
  
                  lw.writeLine(_logPath + _logName, _line);
  
                  System.out.println(_line);
  
              }
  
          }
  
          catch (Exception e) {
  
              BufferedReader _reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(p.getErrorStream()));
  
  
  
              String _line = null;
  
  
  
              while((_line = _reader.readLine()) != null) {
  
                  lw.writeLine(_logPath + _logName, _line);
  
                  System.out.println(_line);
  
              }
  
  
  
          }

  Error Message : Could not write header for output file #0 (incorrect codec parameters ?) : Invalid data found when processing input

  Full Log output for errant trail run :

  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - Running FFMpeg...
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -  Input file: /var/local/ffmpegtest/media_input/sample_iTunes.mov
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -  Output file: /var/local/ffmpegtest/media_output/sample_iTunes.mp4
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - ffmpeg version N-63893-gc69defd Copyright (c) 2000-2014 the FFmpeg developers
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   built on Jul 16 2014 05:38:01 with gcc 4.6 (Debian 4.6.3-1)
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   configuration: --prefix=/root/ffmpeg-static/64bit --extra-cflags='-I/root/ffmpeg-static/64bit/include -static' --extra-ldflags='-L/root/ffmpeg-static/64bit/lib -static' --extra-libs='-lxml2 -lexpat -lfreetype' --enable-static --disable-shared --disable-ffserver --disable-doc --enable-bzlib --enable-zlib --enable-postproc --enable-runtime-cpudetect --enable-libx264 --enable-gpl --enable-libtheora --enable-libvorbis --enable-libmp3lame --enable-gray --enable-libass --enable-libfreetype --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libspeex --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-version3 --enable-libvpx
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libavutil      52. 89.100 / 52. 89.100
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libavcodec     55. 66.101 / 55. 66.101
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libavformat    55. 43.100 / 55. 43.100
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libavdevice    55. 13.101 / 55. 13.101
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libavfilter     4.  8.100 /  4.  8.100
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libswscale      2.  6.100 /  2.  6.100
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libswresample   0. 19.100 /  0. 19.100
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   libpostproc    52.  3.100 / 52.  3.100
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/var/local/ffmpegtest/media_input/sample_iTunes.mov':
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   Metadata:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     major_brand     : qt  
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     minor_version   : 537199360
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     compatible_brands: qt  
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     creation_time   : 2005-10-17 22:54:32
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   Duration: 00:01:25.50, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 307 kb/s
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Stream #0:0(eng): Video: mpeg4 (Simple Profile) (mp4v / 0x7634706D), yuv420p, 640x480 [SAR 1:1 DAR 4:3], 261 kb/s, 10 fps, 10 tbr, 3k tbn, 25 tbc (default)
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Metadata:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       creation_time   : 2005-10-17 22:54:33
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       handler_name    : Apple Video Media Handler
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       encoder         : 3ivx D4 4.5.1
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 32000 Hz, mono, fltp, 43 kb/s (default)
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Metadata:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       creation_time   : 2005-10-17 22:54:34
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       handler_name    : Apple Sound Media Handler
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - [libx264 @ 0x30c2c00] using SAR=1/1
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - [libx264 @ 0x30c2c00] using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 FastShuffle SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 FMA3 BMI1 BMI2
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - [libx264 @ 0x30c2c00] profile High, level 2.2
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - [libx264 @ 0x30c2c00] 264 - core 129 r2230 1cffe9f - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec - Copyleft 2003-2012 - http://www.videolan.org/x264.html - options: cabac=1 ref=3 deblock=1:0:0 analyse=0x3:0x113 me=hex subme=7 psy=1 psy_rd=1.00:0.00 mixed_ref=1 me_range=16 chroma_me=1 trellis=1 8x8dct=1 cqm=0 deadzone=21,11 fast_pskip=1 chroma_qp_offset=-2 threads=1 lookahead_threads=1 sliced_threads=0 nr=0 decimate=1 interlaced=0 bluray_compat=0 constrained_intra=0 bframes=3 b_pyramid=2 b_adapt=1 b_bias=0 direct=1 weightb=1 open_gop=0 weightp=2 keyint=250 keyint_min=10 scenecut=40 intra_refresh=0 rc_lookahead=40 rc=crf mbtree=1 crf=23.0 qcomp=0.60 qpmin=0 qpmax=69 qpstep=4 ip_ratio=1.40 aq=1:1.00
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - [mp4 @ 0x30c21a0] Tag mp42/0x3234706d incompatible with output codec id '28' ([33][0][0][0])
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - Output #0, mp4, to '/var/local/ffmpegtest/media_output/sample_iTunes.mp4':
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   Metadata:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     major_brand     : qt  
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     minor_version   : 537199360
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     compatible_brands: qt  
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Stream #0:0(eng): Video: h264 (libx264) (mp42 / 0x3234706D), yuv420p, 640x480 [SAR 1:1 DAR 4:3], q=-1--1, 10 fps, 90k tbn, 10 tbc (default)
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Metadata:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       creation_time   : 2005-10-17 22:54:33
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       handler_name    : Apple Video Media Handler
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       encoder         : Lavc55.66.101 libx264
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (libvo_aacenc), 32000 Hz, mono, s16, 128 kb/s (default)
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -     Metadata:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       creation_time   : 2005-10-17 22:54:34
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       handler_name    : Apple Sound Media Handler
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -       encoder         : Lavc55.66.101 libvo_aacenc
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - Stream mapping:
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (mpeg4 (native) -> h264 (libx264))
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC -   Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (aac (native) -> aac (libvo_aacenc))
  
  29 Jan 2016 03:45:09 UTC - Could not write header for output file #0 (incorrect codec parameters ?): Invalid data found when processing input

• Nexus One

  19 mars 2010, par Mans — Uncategorized

  I have had a Nexus One for about a week (thanks Google), and naturally I have an opinion or two about it.
  

  Hardware

  With the front side dominated by a touch-screen and a lone, round button, the Nexus One appearance is similar to that of most contemporary smartphones. The reverse sports a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, a Google logo, and a smaller HTC logo. Power button, volume control, and headphone and micro-USB sockets are found along the edges. It is with appreciation I note the lack of a front-facing camera ; the silly idea of video calls is finally put to rest.

  Powering up the phone (I’m beginning to question the applicability of that word), I am immediately enamoured with the display. At 800×480 pixels, the AMOLED display is crystal-clear and easily viewable even in bright light. In a darker environment, the display automatically dims. The display does have one quirk in that the subpixel pattern doesn’t actually have a full RGB triplet for each pixel. The close-up photo below shows the pattern seen when displaying a solid white colour.

  

  The result of this is that fine vertical lines, particularly red or blue ones, look a bit jagged. Most of the time this is not much of a problem, and I find it an acceptable compromise for the higher effective resolution it provides.

  Basic interaction

  The Android system is by now familiar, and the Nexus offers no surprises in basic usage. All the usual applications come pre-installed : browser, email, calendar, contacts, maps, and even voice calls. Many of the applications integrate with a Google account, which is nice. Calendar entries, map placemarks, etc. are automatically shared between desktop and mobile. Gone is the need for the bug-ridden custom synchronisation software with which mobile phones of the past were plagued.

  Launching applications is mostly speedy, and recently used apps are kept loaded as long as memory needs allow. Although this garbage-collection-style of application management, where you are never quite sure whether an app is still running, takes a few moments of acclimatisation, it works reasonably well in day to day use. Most of the applications are well-behaved and save their data before terminating.

  Email

  Two email applications are included out of the box : one generic and one Gmail-only. As I do not use Gmail, I cannot comment on this application. The generic email client supports IMAP, but is rather limited in functionality. Fortunately, a much-enhanced version, K-9, is available for download. The main feature I find lacking here is threaded message view.

  The features, or lack thereof, in the email applications is not, however, of huge importance, as composing email, or any longer piece of text, is something one rather avoids on a system like this. The on-screen keyboard, while falling among the better of its kind, is still slow to use. Lack of tactile feedback means accidentally tapping the wrong key is easily done, and entering numbers or punctuation is an outright chore.

  Browser

  Whatever the Nexus lacks in email abilities, it makes up for with the browser. Surfing the web on a phone has never been this pleasant. Page rendering is quick, and zooming is fast and simple. Even pages not designed for mobile viewing are easy to read with smart reformatting almost entirely eliminating the sideways scrolling which hampered many a mobile browser of old.

  Calls and messaging

  Being a phone, the Nexus One is obviously able to make and receive calls, and it does so with ease. Entering a number or locating a stored contact are both straight-forward operations. During a call, audio is clear and of adequate loudness, although I have yet to use the phone in really noisy surroundings.

  The other traditional task of a mobile phone, messaging, is also well-supported. There isn’t really much to say about this.

  Multimedia

  Having a bit of an interest in most things multimedia, I obviously tested the capabilities of the Nexus by throwing some assorted samples at it, revealing ample space for improvement. With video limited to H.264 and MPEG4, and the only supported audio codecs being AAC, MP3, Vorbis, and AMR, there are many files which will not play.

  To make matters worse, only selected combinations of audio and video will play together. Several video files I tested played without sound, yet when presented with the very same audio data alone, it was correctly decoded. As for container formats, it appears restricted to MP4/MOV, and Ogg (for Vorbis). AVI files are recognised as media files, but I was unable to find an AVI file which would play.

  With a device clearly capable of so much more, the poor multimedia support is nothing short of embarrassing.

  The Market

  Much of the hype surrounding Android revolves around the Market, Google’s virtual marketplace for app authors to sell or give away their creations. The thousands of available applications are broadly categorised, and a search function is available.

  The categorised lists are divided into free and paid sections, while search results, disappointingly, are not. To aid the decision, ratings and comments are displayed alongside the summary and screenshots of each application. Overall, the process of finding and installing an application is mostly painless. While it could certainly be improved, it could also have been much worse.

  The applications themselves are, as hinted above, beyond numerous. Sadly, quality does not quite match up to quantity. The vast majority of the apps are pointless, though occasionally mildly amusing, gimmicks of no practical value. The really good ones, and they do exist, are very hard to find unless one knows precisely what to look for.

  Battery

  Packing great performance into a pocket-size device comes with a price in battery life. The battery in the Nexus lasts considerably shorter time than that in my older, less feature-packed Nokia phone. To some extent this is probably a result of me actually using it a lot more, yet the end result is the same : more frequent recharging. I should probably get used to the idea of recharging the phone every other night.

  Verdict

  The Nexus One is a capable hardware platform running an OS with plenty of potential. The applications are still somewhat lacking (or very hard to find), although the basic features work reasonably well. Hopefully future Android updates will see more and better core applications integrated, and I imagine that over time, I will find third-party apps to solve my problems in a way I like. I am not putting this phone on the shelf just yet.