Android “Ice-Cream Sandwich” Confirmed!
May 6, 2011 Android Development
The much speculated name of the upcoming Android OS “Ice-Cream Sandwich” is confirmed now. Earlier Eric Schmidt had mentioned that the next version would start with an “I” and will be named after a dessert. This gives enough evidence of it being names “Ice-cream” and “Ice-Cream Sandwich”.
A developer from Google responded to the code issue using the term “ice-cream sandwich” which makes it pretty much official. The current issues in Honeycomb will be resolved in the up coming version of Android OS.
The upcoming Google I/O should give enough us info on this.
Tags: Android, icecream-sandwich
Android Honeycomb gets immense boost with new internet tablets from Sony
Apr 27, 2011 Android Development
Sony today unveiled its first internet tablets powered by Android’s Honeycomb. The launch was through official launch from the company at a press event. The first Sony tablet is 9.4-inch S1 media tablet with both front- and rear-facing cameras and a curved wrap design that resembles a folded magazine. The S1 features a Tegra 2 SoC and customized “Quick and Smooth” touch panel UI and has integrated infrared.
Sony second tablet is the dual-screen S2 clamshell with the same processor. The tablet is fold able and fits well in the jacket pocket. The split screen makes you relive the PSP gaming experience enhanced with its touch sensitive screen. Both the tablets are Wifi Capable and capable enough to take on the iPad head on.
Android developers one may feel happy that major companies are looking forward to using Android as their OS even for tablets.
Juniper Research predicts mobile augmented reality apps to touch $1.5 billion by 2015, to be facilitated by big mobile app developers.
Feb 7, 2011 Android Development, BlackBerry Development, Mobile Development, News, iPad Development, iphone development
A latest study by Juniper Research has predicted that global revenues from mobile augmented reality (AR) applications and services are expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2015. The report title- ‘Mobile Augmented Reality: Opportunities, Forecasts & Strategic Analysis 2011-2015′- says that a growing number of top retailers, brands, and mobile vendors are showing great interest in investing on augmented reality applications.
According to the study, the installed base of Augmented Reality capable smartphones has grown from 8 million in 2009 to over 100 million in 2010. AR applications which in the beginning were of interest of smaller application development companies and researchers at technological institutes are now increasingly facilitated by large mobile app developers.
Other key developments highlighted in the report are- release of AR-software development kit for Android by Qualcomm, Samsung’s pronouncement to preload AR browsers onto their handsets in select markets and advertising campaigns on mobile featuring AR elements from leading brands such as Carlsberg and Coca Cola.
According to report author, “One of the key benefits from this heightened activity is the fact that it generates press interest and public awareness: even if consumers don’t necessarily understand how it works, they can see real life examples of AR in action. Likewise, it serves to generate wider interest amongst brands and developers who can see potential applications for AR technology; it educates the market” says Dr Windsor Holden, author of the report.
However, the report also cautioned that both mobile application developers and customers are still not convinced about the exact benefits of AR in customer relationship as efforts in the past have either failed or delivered very little of benefits.
Tags: mobile app developers, mobile app development, mobile developers
Android Market Web Store brings more options to Android application developers.
Feb 4, 2011 Android Development, Mobile Development, News
Google has launched Android Market Web Store yesterday, a move which could boost Android app developer’s interest in Android OS as it provides more options to them to market and increase visibility of their applications. The mobile app marketplace is getting fiercer and all major players are luring app developers to develop apps for their app store.
Search engine giant Google and iPhone maker Apple are battling hard to gain the maximum space in the smartphone application market. Apple’s app store has more than 350,000 apps and recently it achieved 10 billion downloads. Google, on the other hand, is trying hard to compete with Apple and hence is making efforts to get mobile app developer’s attention for its Android platform.
The Android Market Web Store allows users to select their favorite apps and download it using a web browser. The app is linked to the Google account of the user and then can be easily sent to an Android device registered to the account.
Tags: Android developer news, Android developers, Android Development, Android Market Web Store, mobile app development
Android leading platform, says Canalys.
Feb 2, 2011 Android Development, Mobile Development, News
Recently released data by Canalys reveals that Android is the leading platform for smartphones worldwide. 32.9 million Android based smartphones were shipped this quarter, whereas worldwide smartphone shipment figures for Nokia’s Symbian platform fall slightly to 31.0 million. However, Nokia has retained its place as the leading smart phone vendor, with 28% market share.
As per the report, the last quarter of 2010 also saw upsurge in the worldwide smart phone market with total shipments of 101.2 million units, a year-on-year jump of 89%. Around 300 million units of smartphones were shipped on 2010 signaling an increase of 80% from 2009.
The volumes of Android-based smart phones were boosted by strong performances from its vendors chiefly LG, Samsung, Acer and HTC, who grew 4,127%, 1,474%, 709% and 371% correspondingly year-on-year.
‘2010 has been a fantastic year for the smart phone market. After a difficult 2009, the speed with which the market has recovered has required real commitment and innovation from vendors and they have risen to the challenge,’ said Canalys VP and Principal Analyst Chris Jones.
“But vendors cannot afford to be complacent. 2011 is set to be a highly competitive year with vendors looking to use new technology, such as dual-core processors, NFC and 3D displays, to differentiate their products and maintain value” he adds.
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) remained the largest market with shipments of 38.8 million units and a year-on-year growth of 90%. Nokia maintained its leadership position in EMEA and Asia Pacific. However, RIM overtook Nokia in Latin America.
In United States, RIM’s Blackberry recaptured the first place from Apple. ‘The US landscape will shift dramatically this coming year, as a result of the Verizon-Apple agreement. ‘Verizon will move its focus away from the Droid range, but the overall market impact will mean less carrier-exclusive deals, while increasing the AT&T opportunity for Android vendors, such as HTC, Motorola and Samsung.’ commented Canalys Analyst Tim Shepherd.
Google Releases YouTube 2.1 For Android
Dec 13, 2010 Android Development
Android based smartphones gets YouTube app version 2.1. The new version of the app was released by Google today. This new version of YouTube app has been taken out of android build allowing the app to be updated when needed rather than updated each time Android increases a version.
New features have been integrated with the app like in-page playback, posting comments, subscription updates as well as a full screen UI. It simply mirrors the desktop version on smartphones.
Using this app, an user can view video content along with browsing comments and other related videos. The new comments section can be used while the video is playing and also lets you comment while the video is playing.
As for compatibility, it’s Android 2.2 and 2.3 at the moment. For those running Android 2.2 you can download it from the market.
Tags: Android, Android apps
Google Maps 5.0 For Android with 3D And Offline Support
Dec 8, 2010 Android Development
Guys and gals with no sense of direction- again Google is there for you!! Google Maps 5.0 app for Android phones will take your life in the right ‘direction’ and make it a lot easier with 3D graphics and the ability to function online.
According to Gizmodo, the app — which was demoed at D: Dive Into Mobile conference in San Francisco — is much faster than the previous iteration and renders in real time.
3D buildings are visible at street-level view, which lets you tilt the image and check out your virtual surroundings. The map will also adjust as you move, dictated by the compass, or you can rotate the map yourself if you want to check out various views.
Apart from this, the stunning feature of this app is it’s ability to work in offline mode. A ‘blessing’ for those who are stuck in places where internet is a bit slow like underground or subway.
The app is not yet available, but will require Android (Android) 1.6 (Donut) or higher.
Image Courtesy: Switched.com
Tags: Android, Android apps
The ‘Machos’ Want Android, Women Prefer iPhone
Dec 2, 2010 Android Development, iphone development
The ‘Macho’ Droid ads are now paying off!! It’s true. Women prefer iPhone and the ‘Macho’s’ prefer Android. According to a Nielsen survey, a distinct gender gap can be seen when it comes to smart phone platforms. 9,200 people participated in the survey in US conducted in August through October, Android is the most-desired platform among men, with 33% of male respondents saying they want one. The iPhone was a close second, with 29%. Among women, 31% said that they want an iPhone versus a paltry 23% who said they’d prefer an iPhone.
There was almost no gender difference in BlackBerry, with about 12% of men and women saying they’d prefer one, but Windows Mobile was slightly more preferred by men, 7.4% to 5.8%.
Apple Bans Android Magazine App by Mediaprovider From App Store
Nov 29, 2010 Android Development, iphone development
Media Watch has reported that Android Magasinet, a magazine app from Danish company Media provider has been rejected from Apple’s App Store because of its extensive Android operating system content. This incident has stirred accusations like Apple being too ‘far-reaching’ and ‘hypocritical’.
There’s already an Android news app available in the App Store called Androidworld Reader, as well as various apps that have content about other operating systems. But Mediaprovider’s Brian Dixen told Media Watch that his app, Android Magasinet, was rejected primarily for its Android-focused content.
Dixen said that his other company apps got published in Apple’s app store with no problem and addded that Both iPhone Magasinet and Gear, apps that deal with iPhone info and news about consumer electronics respectively, are both available for download.
“It’s funny really because I don’t think we would sell many magazines on Android through Apple App Store, but the question is where this is going,” said Dixen, who thinks that Apple is too heavy-handed with its censorship.
Tags: Android, android news, Apple, apple news
Google Android ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ With Apple iOS for Mobile Ad Platform
Nov 23, 2010 Android Development, iphone development
Google Android has caught up with Apple iOS as an advertising platform? Yes, it’s true, as per the Millennial Media’s October Mobile Mix Report. The report reveals that Android and iOS had the same market share of ad impressions (how often an ad appears), at 37 percent each. For Android, that’s an 8% increase from the previous month. After iOS and Android, the next largest market share are taken RIM’s BlackBerry platform, at 20 percent.
Taking into account ad requests, or how often an ad is clicked on, the numbers were quite remarkable for Google Android. Requests from Android phones grew 65 percent in the last month, and since January the increase has been a whopping 2,182 percent. For iOS, requests grew only 12 percent month-over-month, and 32 percent since January, though Apple’s platform has been around longer.
Image Courtesy: image.eyelk.com
Tags: Android, android news, iOS, iphone
