Archive for: android marketplace
Google has announced that over the recent weekend, the Android Market exceeded 10 billion downloads, a milestone reached by the Apple iOS store in January of this year.
The announcement was made by Eric Chu, Google’s Director of Android Developers Ecosystem on the Official Google Blog, who goes on to mention that the market’s download rate is clocking at a billion per month.
To celebrate, a bunch of Android apps each day will be reduced to 10 cents / 10 pence each day for 10 days, starting with Asphalt 6 HD, Color & Draw for Kids, Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro, Fieldrunners HD, Great Little War Game, SwiftKey X, Paper Camera, Sketchbook Mobile, Soundhound Infinity and the excellent indie game Minecraft. This is certainly a celebration to take full advantage of.
- November 11, 2009 7:56 am
Normally a ToS update wouldn’t immediately lead us to start speculating on an OS update. But with the recent update rumors flying around with “December 11th” mentioned and this new ToS update with a deadline scheduled for that very same day, well…it sure does make me wonder. A fresh Android 2.0 update will be seen by some as making up for failures from the beginning. I see it as extremely quick turn around on bugs. More or less the same outlook but mine is a touch more positive. The updated ToS is rather lengthy but if you’re up to the task or your boss hasn’t arrived yet to snoop over your shoulder yet, step on in and give it a look.
*Picture property of Jonny Durham*
If you were one of the many who were apparently led like helpless lost sheep by the alimighty Google when they brought the worlds first and only true “open” mobile operating system, Android, to market, you weren’t alone. These last few months that we have praised Android for its openess and pro-consuemr mentality were apparently for naught. Why? If you have any technological bone in your body, you have by heard of the Cupcake update for Android at least half a dozen times. Yet here were are several months later and still no Cupcakes are available for mass public consumption. So what is a user to do?
Touchscreens are the hottest feature currently on mobile phones. If your phone doesn’t have a touchscreen, it pretty much isn’t worth much, save for the obvious few smartphones such as Blackberry Bold and even a few WinMo HTC handsets. For people who can actually see, the super shiny, contrasty, and smooth glass screens simply ooze sophistication and high tech. However not everyone can enjoy the touchscreen phenomenon. That is until now.
Mobile professionals and Office junkies can now get their open source fix as Docs to Go announced their popular and successful Word and Excel open/editing suite at CITA in Las Vegas. Now while you’re on the go you can get your work done quickly and easily. (Though if you’re on a business trip and out of the office, who wants to bring the office with them). Still, we know work goes and and must get done. That’s where DataViz comes to help. Hurry up and get your copy now as for a limited (undisclosed) time, Docs to Go will only set you back $20. After the promotional period expires that price will creep up to $30. Head on over to the Android Marketplace and claim your prise.
Source: PC World
The outrage that Google and the Android team would have the nerve to remove software, specifically tethering apps from an “open source” app store has caused angry cries all of the web. Well there is some good news to report this morning. It appears Google is reinstating the tethering apps except with one small attached string — T-Mobile U.S.A. users are locked out from using the app.
Android and the Android Marketplace have been hailed as the “most open” app store. Developers and consumers have free rein. Besdies, Android is based off of Linux meaning everything should be up to the user base anyway…right? Wrong? According to a peeved Android developer who goes by Seth, an app he contributed towards was banned from the Marketplace for violating the Developer Distribution Agreement, more specifically a T-Mobile clause that bans tethering. His app isn’t the only one though. Apparently it is happening to other tethering apps. Why? T-Mob had something to say about it (inside). Is this a sign of darker things to come from the Android/T-Mobile alliance?
The Android Marketplace is the pinnacle of consumer choice to many in the mobile world. However, there are still improvements to be made. Thankfully the Android team does listen to their customers and apparently wants to update the Marketplace with some new features. What kind of new features? According to Google’s Dan Morrill, some of the updates and features being considered include:
- Customizable themes and skins (Awesome….Apple…WTF!!)
- More sorting options instead of just sort by “date” and “popularity”.
- A new desktop/web version of the Marketplace…(Again…Apple…WTF. Get with the program)
Themes and skins are frivolous extras to some, while the new sorting options and desktop/web version of the Marketplace would appease a lot of Android users. Personally, I love themes and skins. I like to change the theme on my iPhone weekly. I like change, what can I say. More sorting options are always a plus while a desktop or web version of the Marketplace would be a very welcome addition. One area they can go above and beyond Apple is by giving users the ability to manage apps on their G1 through the desktop/web version. That would be a very handy feature. Of course, these aren’t confirmed or even set in stone, but merely “ideas” that the Google engineers are looking in to.
Are the features mentioned above right down your alley? What features would you personally like to see come to the G1, Android, and the Android Marketplace?
Source: Andronica
- February 16, 2009 6:02 pm
In response to some of the more ludicrous prices that have appeared on the app store, Google is taking it upon themselves to limit such Tom foolery by placing a $200 price cap on apps sold through the Android Market. So, if you were planning on selling your remote app for $201 or even $200.99, you’re out of luck. On the other end of the spectrum, no app may be sold for less than $0.99. So a quick recap: If (your app == Free) << "Good". If ((your app > .99) && (your app < 200)) << "also good". Else << "try again". Sorry, coding got a little out of hand. Shame on me.
Source: Gizmodo
