GetJar Study: Mobile Apps To Grow $17 Billion by 2012

I had an opportunity to sit down with Bill Scott, V.P. Sales & Business Development of GetJar.com at last years Mobilize event in San Francisco to discuss mobile apps. Today,  GetJar, the premiere independent mobile app store with more than 60,000 mobile apps on hand for major mobile platforms: Android, Symbian and Windows Mobile, put out a study that predicts a gold rush in the number of mobile apps and the increase in size of the mobile app marketplace.

According to the study, performed by Chetan Sharma Consulting, mobile app downloads should jump from 7 billion in 2009 to almost 50 billion in 2012. The market is estimated to be worth approximately 17 billion dollars. GetJar CEO Ilja Laurs makes another statement, echoing the one from a Google executive. “It is easy to see how mobile apps will eclipse the traditional desktop Internet. It makes perfect sense that mobile devices will kill the desktop,” he said. Mr. Laurs backs up this claim with more data from the study, citing that 17% of GetJar users spend more time on internet-linked smartphones than they do on desktops.

[Via http://fonefrenzy.com]

March 23rd Android Workshop

This coming week is a busy one on a number of fronts. Our second Android Workshop takes place at 7pm Tuesday, March 23rd at the Galway Bakery Company. It will give participants an opportunity to hold a reverse Q&A on the SDK based on their experiences over the last week. Come upstairs to the back section when you arrive and we will order from there. Some of us are heading to Dublin for the Mitch Altman and Jimmie P Rodgers Electronic Workshop at the Science Gallery. We also hope to pay a visit to TOG enroute.

Hotel Meyrick plays host to Twestival Galway on March 25th. If you are free on the day try and swing by to support a very worthy cause. 091 Labs is contributing a small prize for the raffle on the night. This years Irish Blog Awards are being held in the Radisson Hotel, Galway at 8:00pm Saturday, March 27th. Tickets are still available for the event for those interested. Looking forward to meeting participants at all of the above events!

[Via http://091labs.com]

Ahhh, Technology

The leaps and bounds by which technology changes and grows nowadays is astounding. Here’s today’s cool example:

I was searching for a file sharing app for El Droido and came across a message board post from a guy who had written one. He had posted a 2D barcode in his post. I pulled out the Droid, opened the barcode scanner program, pointed it at the screen and SNAP – it took me to the Android Marketplace entry for his program. 15 seconds to accomplish – no typing, copying and pasting URLs or anything like that. W00t!

[Via http://thesethingsjust.wordpress.com]

Droid 2.1 clarification

There has been a lot of confusion it seems over the recent OTA push of the much awaited 2.1 update for the Droid.  It was delayed, there were bugs, the moon isn’t aligned correctly with the earth, etc.  However, it seems that Verizon still pushed the update out to a small bit of test users:

“The Android 2.1 upgrade for the Droid by Motorola was deployed to a small number of Verizon Wireless test users as scheduled. It is expected the broader phased rollout to all Droid by Motorola users will take place, but not just yet. No date scheduled yet.”

So it seems as if things were taken out of context and that they did push it out to their test users.  When will the rest of us see it?  Well, no one knows yet but hopefully soon.  I’ll keep up with the updates!

Source

[Via http://parasomia.wordpress.com]

Not feeling the love. Why don't operators give us dates?

Surely in this day and age, companies (the phone operators in this case) no when they’re going to be releasing a product? They have meetings and set targets and probably drink tea and eat biscuits whilst doing so.

So why do they persist in annoying their loyal customers by not telling us things?

I am of course talking about the release date of the HTC Desire. There has been a lot of crap going round the Internet about Vodafone having exclusive rights to the phone, T-Mobile releasing the phone next week and so on but why is everyone else being so quiet?

On my way to buy a second hand iPhone (for a colleague at work – believe me) I decided to take some of this paid time to go around the other mobile phone shops and ask some questions. Get to the bottom of what is happening with regards to release dates for the Desire.

My first stop: The 3 Store.

After waiting 10 minutes for the fat man in front of me to give up trying to make the sales assistant copy his phonebook across to his new phone, I managed to ask the question: “Any idea when you’ll be getting the HTC Desire in stock?”. Admittedly, he was polite in his answer but it was of no help to me: “We’ve been told somewhere between the end of March and beginning of April”. Great, thanks for nothing.

So, next stop was Carphonewarehouse. Surely these guys would know a thing or two. I probably should have walked back out when I saw the geek behind the counter playing with his iPhone but I decided to persist and try and get the truth. Again, I ask: “Any idea when you’ll be getting the HTC Desire in?”. After a lecture on how Vodafone will have it exclusively first blah blah blah he then said “normally the other operators follow up shortly afterwards”. Even less helpful and I had just wasted 5 minutes of my life which I shall never be able to reclaim.

Next up was T-Mobile. I’d heard that someone somewhere had managed to have a play on a Desire in a T-Mobile store (probably in London) so I thought I’d give it a go. After looking round their stands of ancient and crappy looking phones I decided to ask the spotty man behind the counter. “Any idea when you’ll be getting the HTC Desire in?” . . . . *Pause* . . . . “Sorry, I’m not sure if we’ll be getting that in or not, I haven’t heard of it yet”. Me: “WHAT?! What the hell is wrong with you man?! Have you been under a rock for the past month?!!” Well that’s what I’d liked to have said but instead I decided to cut my losses there and then and just thank him and walk out.

So, my mission was a failure. I am still none the wiser as to when I’ll get my Desire

[Via http://desirefanatics.wordpress.com]

Google Maps 4.1 released for Android

Google has released its latest Maps software for the Android based systems.  The latest version is 4.1 and includes a few new features such as a better results screen, support for multiple Google accounts,  and swipe gesturing.  The last feature is pretty neat as it allows Google Maps to be used as a live background on your phone.  Yes, that way your background can always be a map of where your at and of course constantly moving with you.  That’s a pretty cool feature to have.  I can hear draining batteries everywhere as we speak

Google Maps 4.1 is available for Android systems 1.6 and up.  And if you’re interested in the live wallpaper idea, you’re going to need Android 2.1 or up.  Roll out that firmware!

[Via http://parasomia.wordpress.com]

Google Maps 4.1 for Android brings multiple account support, trippy live map wallpaper

Google’s been iterating its Maps client for Android devices at a positively ridiculous pace lately, burning through versions 3.4 and 4.0 in a span of just a few days last month — but hey, March is upon us, which apparently means it’s time for another fresh cut. This time around we’re looking at 4.1, though the mere 0.1 bump in the version number really doesn’t do this thing justice — they’ve redesigned the results screen, added a swipe gesture for moving between results, served up a new Latitude widget for the home screen, and brought in support for multiple Google accounts (for seeing different Buzz follows, for instance). The icing on the cake, though, is a new live wallpaper for Android 2.1 phones that’s a live map of your location, which sounds absurdly awesome — assuming it doesn’t beat your battery to a bloody pulp with constant GPS access, of course. It’s available now from the good ol’ Market for devices running Android 1.6 and up, so if you’re on a device that’s still stuck on Cupcake, feel free to shake your fist angrily at the sky a couple times. Interestingly, Google specifically says that the live wallpaper feature works on “Android 2.1+” devices — a sign that the next major build is around the corner, perhaps?

[Via http://f3.kz]

Nexus One Sales Are Lackluster: Here's Why

Nexus One Sales Are Lackluster: Here’s Why.

The Nexus One has not had nearly the same sales as the iPhone or the Motorla Droid.  But is this really the fault of the device or how it is being sold?  I would have to say it is how it is being sold.  You can only get a subsidized Nexus One on T-Mobile.  If you want it on AT&T you have to pay almost $600.

Next you purchase and setup the phone through Google directly.  Since this is Google first attempt at something like this, there are sure to be problems.

The true test of the Nexus One will be how it sells once another carrier can sell it and have it on their network.  Rumor has it that Verizon will begin to carry the Nexus One starting March 23rd. If this in fact is true, there is no reason why sales should not take off.

[Via http://jebandcompany.wordpress.com]

Android: how to add custom title bar

If you want to create your own custYou should do change default themes and styles for title bar. So you need to go through following steps, details are below of these section:

1. define custom/your style derived from window title style, and that is referenced in theme
2. derive default theme and override attributes for window title bar
3. define custom title layout that will be shown in title bar
4. set custom theme attribute in activity declaration that will use this custom title bar  in AndroidManifest.xml
5. in derived activity class, for example LoginActivity extends Activity, your first code is to request Custom title feature in onCreate()
6. load content view and main layout
7. after that set custom title bar view/layout
8. that’s all

Details of these aforementioned steps are:

1. define – styles.xml (in folder yourproject/res/values/styles.xml)

2. define – themes. xml (in folder yourproject/res/values/themes.xml)

3. custom title bar layout (in folder res/layout/custom_titlebar.xml)

xmlns:android=”http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android”

android:layout_width=”fill_parent”

android:layout_height=”fill_parent”

android:fitsSystemWindows=”true”

>


android:id=”@+id/headerSmallLogoImgVw”

android:layout_width=”40dip”

android:layout_height=”20dip”

android:scaleType=”fitCenter”

android:src=”@drawable/logo40″

android:layout_alignParentTop=”true”

android:layout_marginLeft=”10dip”

android:layout_marginTop=”3dip”

android:layout_marginBottom=”3dip”

>


android:id=”@+id/headerTitleTxtVw”

android:text=”Title”

android:layout_width=”wrap_content”

android:layout_height=”wrap_content”

android:layout_alignTop=”@+id/headerSmallLogoImgVw”

android:layout_centerInParent=”true”

>

4. set activity’s theme attribute in AndroidManifest.xml

[5, 6, 7]. in Activity class

@Override

public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)

{

super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

//request custom title bar

requestCustomTitle();

//…. load content view and other stuff

//set custom title

setCustomTitle(“All Incidents”);

}

//request to set for custom title bar

protected void requestCustomTitle()

{

requestWindowFeature(Window.FEATURE_CUSTOM_TITLE);

}

//set custom title bar

protected void setCustomTitle(String msg)

{

//set custom title bar

getWindow().setFeatureInt(Window.FEATURE_CUSTOM_TITLE, R.layout.custom_titlebar);

TextView tv = (TextView) getWindow().findViewById(R.id.headerTitleTxtVw);

tv.setText(msg);

}

References:

• http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/themes.html
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/820398/android-change-custom-title-view-at-run-time
• http://www.anddev.org/my_own_titlebar_backbutton_like_on_the_iphone-t4591.html
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2251714/set-title-background-color
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2065430/fixed-android-detecting-focus-pressed-color

[Via http://zaman91.wordpress.com]

Geolocation using the Browser in the Android OS (Part 2)

Yesterday I wrote about my initial explorations with the web browser available as part of the Android operating system. In that post I was using the W3C Geolocation API which is supported in the browser in the more recent releases of the operating system. Older releases do not support this option and so an alternative has to be used.

The alternative comes in the form of the Google Gears for Android library. Using this library it is possible to determine the geolocation of an older Android device. Of course “older” is a relative term as it applies to devices such as the HTC Hero, which I own, and has been available for just over 6 months.

The first change needed to use the Google Gears library is to include the following script tag in the header of the page:

The second is to expand upon the JavaScript in yesterdays post so that it looks like this:

$(document).ready(function() { // Try W3C Geolocation (Preferred) if(navigator.geolocation) { navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(function(position) { // success $('#map_canvas').empty(); $('#map_canvas').append('

Latitude: ' + position.coords.latitude + '
Longitude: ' + position.coords.longitude + '

'); }, function(position_error) { // failure $('#map_canvas').empty(); $('#map_canvas').append('

An error occured while determining your location. Details are:
' + position_error.message + '

'); }, { // options enableHighAccuracy: true }); } else { // W3C Geolocation method isn't available // try Google Gears if (google.gears) { // google gears is available so use it var geo = google.gears.factory.create('beta.geolocation'); geo.getCurrentPosition(function(position) { // success $('#map_canvas').empty(); $('#map_canvas').append('

Latitude: ' + position.latitude + '
Longitude: ' + position.longitude + '

'); }, function(position_error) { // hack to check if we're running in the emulator if(navigator.userAgent.match(/sdk/i)) { // running in the emulator so ignore error and fake coordinates $('#map_canvas').empty(); $('#map_canvas').append('

Running in the emulator

'); } else { // error $('#map_canvas').empty(); $('#map_canvas').append('

An error occured while determining your location. Details are:
' + position_error.message + '

'); } }, { // options enableHighAccuracy: true, gearsLocationProviderUrls: null }); } else { // not available $('#map_canvas').empty(); $('#map_canvas').append('

The W3C Geolocation API isn\'t availble.

The Google Gears API isn\'t availble.

'); } } });

The new code in this version starts on line 20 where a check is performed to ensure that Google Gears is available. Next an instance of the beta.geolocation class is instantiated. The getCurrentPosition method is called using a familiar pattern. The first function will be used if geolocation information can be retrieved, the second function will be called if an error occurs and the last parameter is an options object.

There are a few important things to note:

1. The gearsLocationProviderUrls is set to null in an attempt to get the Android emulator to use the GPS coordinates supplied to it using the technique I outlined yesterday
2. The error function uses a simple hack to detect if it is being called by the browser in an emulator and if it is we can fake the coordinates that we want to use

For me geolocation in the emulator is a bit of a “hit and miss” affair and I’m having to make changes in the code to take this into account. Hopefully when we have the appropriate devices available I’ll not have to keep doing this. The emulator is really useful but the geolocation capabilities can be frustrating at times.

It’s also important to note that this code works on Android devices, and my limited testing shows it works on iPhone devices as well, other devices are not supported at this time. Due primarily to time constraints. I intend incorporating a feedback mechanism into this part of the mobile website so that users can alert us to other devices as required.

The planned direction for development from this point is to clean up the code a little bit and start incorporating it with the latest version of the Google Maps API which will introduce a new series of challenges that will need further exploration. These will be the topic of future posts.

[Via http://techxplorer.com]

March 16th Android Workshop

Our next meetup is 7pm Tuesday, March 16th at the Galway Bakery Company. Come upstairs to the back section when you arrive and we will order from there. After chatting with participants at the recent X-cake Galway meetup we have decided to start an Android Workshop this week. If the Android platform is new to you then checkout this site – for developers the SDK is available here – if you have never written a line of code in your life before but keen to learn all are welcome.

This coming week is proving to be a busy one within the Irish hackerspace community. TOG are hosting a special St Patricks Day Hackathon encouraging all participants to come up with an Irish themed project. Bitbucket in Dublin have a number of active and planned projects worth checking out. Limerick Hackerspace is starting up an Arduino Workshop – anyone interested should get in contact with Jiri. Hackerspace Cork are making progress and looking for more members to get involved. Onwards.

[Via http://091labs.com]

Verizon Nexus One typos make no Sense

Yesterday Android Central posted a leak document that said the Nexus One would feature HTC’s Sense UI. Many people questioned the information and pointed out several typos. In addition to Sense UI, Verizon listed the wrong model Snapdragon processor and the incorrect URL for Google’s phone store.

Verizon quickly noticed the mistakes and has already updated their equipment guide. Once again, Android Central has the screen grabs which show the corrected information. The Verizon Nexus One will be available only online and it will include the stock Android 2.1. This is exactly how the T-Mobile launch went down so it looks like Google is sticking with their original Nexus One strategy.

It was interesting to read the comments from yesterday’s post because our reader’s opinions were split down the middle on Sense UI. Some people love Sense and others said they would not by the phone if it was included. Thankfully, this device will have a bootloader that can easily be unlocked so you can flash virtually any firmware that your heart desires.

The Verizon N1 will feature the same Android 2.1 as the first device.

Related Posts

• Verizon Nexus One to include Sense UI, available only online
• CDMA Nexus One clears FCC, headed to Verizon soon
• For those N1 users who desire Sense UI
• HTC Desire (Bravo) expected to be next Android superphone
• Warning: Do not try this at home with your Nexus One

http://androidandme.com/2010/03/news/verizon-nexus-one-typos-make-no-sense/

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[Via http://fonehack.wordpress.com]

Android This Week: Android Passes Palm; Backflip Crippled; Sense to Nexus One

Android (s goog) adoption by consumers in the U.S. is growing at an astounding rate, according to numbers released this week by comScore. Not only did the Google platform’s market share surge 153 percent from October to January, but it surpassed that of Palm’s (s palm) webOS for the first time ever. Equally impressive is how Android market share is now almost half that of longtime competitor Windows Mobile (s msft).

AT&T (s t) become the final major carrier in the U.S. to carry at least one Android phone with the launch of the Motorola (s mot) Backflip, but early users of the device are reporting that it has been crippled compared to other Android phones. AT&T has removed Google search from the Backflip and replaced it with search from Yahoo (s yhoo), which is more than a little ironic considering Android is Google’s own platform. There are also a dozen special AT&T apps that perform many of the same functions as integrated Android apps, and these special apps are not removalble by the owner. Finally, AT&T has disabled the ability for Backflip owners to download apps from anywhere other than the Android Market.

Google promised the Nexus One would be going to the Verizon (s vz) network this year, and this week, some eagle-eyed folks uncovered proof that it is indeed getting close to release. The Verizon information indicates the Nexus One will only be sold online, similar to the T-Mobile version of the phone. Most interestingly, the new Verizon information clearly indicates that its version of the phone will run the HTC Sense interface. Sense is considered a good addition to the Android interface, and the original Nexus One shipped without it.

[Via http://gigaom.com]

Odroid handheld game console due early March sportin' Android 2.1

We know you’ve been champing at the bit for some Odroid news… wait, you forgot already? You know, the Android-powered handheld game system that the manufacturer, Hardkernel, bills “the developer-focused portable game device”? To be honest, we’d hope that the company would focus on game players, but that’s really beside the point: the thing finally has a release date: “early March.” And for those of you lucky enough to get in on the ground floor, they’ve gone and upgraded the thing to Android 2.1. Peep it in action after the break.

Continue reading Odroid handheld game console due early March sportin’ Android 2.1

Odroid handheld game console due early March sportin’ Android 2.1 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community | Hardkernel | Email this | Comments

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/odroid-handheld-game-console-due-early-march-sportin-android-2/

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[Via http://fonehack.wordpress.com]

Android Development on OS X

I always liked all those little gadgets cell phones, iPhones, iPods. The more programmable it is the better. Recently I bought MacBook Pro and started using OS X for development. So far it is good experience. Recently I got attracted by the idea to some Android development. Got environment set up and build my first Android application. I would like to share my experience with you.

Set Up

Set up is pretty easy and consists of downloading Android SDK, installing it, installing Android Development Tools and … that’s it.

[Via http://ihadtoshare.wordpress.com]

It Was All About Smartphones, Wi-Fi, Enterprise, And Security In Barcelona

by Elias Shams

Not sure how many of you made it to the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month. I had a chance to meet up with many companies and learned more about their new gadgets during my three days trip there. I meant to write this a week after my return, but got bombard by ton of other articles that required more immediate attention, iPad was certainly one of them. Finally got a chance last night to sit down in my favorite local coffee shop Tryst to summarize my report.

There were indeed several noteworthy product announcements with significant enterprise implications. In addition to Android and Windows Phone 7, there was big emphasis on new mobile security solutions for enterprises. Referring to my last article about the rise of smartphones for enterprise, this was expected.

With the help from a few colleagues who were also in Barcelona with me, here is the list:

Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi

ConnectOne debuted the $99 Wi-Reach Classic battery-operated 3G/4G/WiFi personal hotspot. This wireless broadband device transforms an existing 3G USB modem into a personal Wi-Fi cloud that can be easily shared between as many as 10 Wi-Fi devices. Its built-in rechargeable battery delivers four to five hours in normal use and can be recharged using the  built-in USB connector. With upgradeable software, Wi-REACH Classic is designed to support upcoming networks such as WiMAX and LTE. Users can migrate to 4G networks with a software upgrade by simply plugging their next-generation USB modem into Wi-REACH Classic. Wi-REACH Classic is available from Connect One at a price of $99.

Enterprise Collaboration

Samsung introduced a range of enterprise mobility solutions, in collaboration with partners Cisco, Formotus, Microsoft, Spring Wireless, Sybase, and Wipro. The range of solutions includes enterprise email, enterprise IM, security, Mobile Device Management, Unified Communications, Customer Relationship Management, Sales Force Automation, Business Intelligence and vertical applications. Samsung is actively discussing with major mobile operators to commercially launch the solutions in 2010. Most of the enterprise solutions showcased by Samsung at MWC are expected to be commercially available by the end of 2010. Samsung smartphones will support robust enterprise solutions on Microsoft Windows Mobile, and soon offer enterprise solutions on Android platform. In 2011, Samsung will expand the capability to offer enterprise solutions on LiMo as well as bada, its own platform.

Secure Connections

Juniper Networks unveiled new mobile security software that aims to close a significant security gap for enterprises. Available in 2Q 2010 for popular mobile devices, Junos Pulse is a downloadable client software that provides secure connections across smartphones, notebooks and netbooks to a broad range of corporate applications. Based on the Juniper scalable SSL VPN technology, Junos Pulse delivers built-in mobile security in an extensible software platform.

The solution provides mobile users with location-aware and identity-aware access to enterprise networks — using the same SSL VPN gateway as traditional desktops. The company’s current client software has been licensed broadly to run on more than 20 million PCs and mobile devices worldwide, via networks that can seamlessly upgrade to Junos Pulse. Enterprises can set and enforce sophisticated dynamic and granular security policies that allow them to enable access to specific resources and data by user identity, and restrict access by others.

Wave On

On the smartphone front, Samsung introduced the Wave, the first mobile handset to be released on Samsung’s new, open mobile platform, Samsung bada. The Samsung Wave offers a Super AMOLED 3.3-inch display, a Social Hub to bring you closer to contacts and connections, and TouchWiz 3.0 for an intuitive, customizable user interface. The Wave’s high-speed CPU ensures swift, smooth application experiences and multi-tasking.

Samsung also introduced a 4G LTE N150 netbook PC using the company’s own in-house designed LTE modem chipset, Kalmia. The Samsung netbook N150 is currently available in market with HSPA 3G communications and WiFi access and will become commercially available with LTE according to service schedule and market demand.

Managing BES Express

On the heels of Research In Motion’s introduction of its BES Express BlackBerry server aimed at the SMB market, BoxTone announced that it is in the process of getting its mobility management solution certified for use on the new server.

Onward, Android

Motorola added to its Android portfolio with the new Quench with Motoblur, featuring a full-touch, virtual QWERTY design. QUENCH’s touch-screen design, combined with navigational features such as pinch and zoom and a touch pad, as well as the inclusion of Adobe Flash Lite, are designed to enhance browsing the web on its 3.1-inch, high-resolution display. Motorola QUENCH will be available in 1Q 2010. In the U.S., it’s called CLIQ XT and will be available in March exclusively through T-Mobile USA. Quench is the eighth Android-powered device launched by Motorola around the globe.

AT&T is launching its first Android device, the HSPA 7.2-capable Motorola Backflip, in stores March 7, 2010. The device (which will cost $99 with a two-year smartphone data plan after a mail-in rebate) features the Motoblur social aggregator. This allows users to sync contacts, posts, messages, photos and more from sources such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Gmail, Picasa, work and personal e-mail, and Last.fm. It automatically delivers them to live widgets for immediate reply right from the home screen. BACKFLIP features a unique form-factor with a reverse-flip design, spacious keyboard and BACKTRACK touch panel, allowing the display to be hands-free while your fingers work behind the screen. BACKFLIP comes with a full HTML and makes use of 7.2 HSPA 3G technology. The Motorola BACKFLIP also features WiFi connectivity, and AT&T customers receive AT&T Wi-Fi access at more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots included as part of their unlimited data plan. HTC continues its support of the Android platform even as it moves forward with its Windows Phone 7 offerings.

HTC introduced the Android-based Legend and Desire, both of which feature the latest Android version 2.1. Both feature an enhanced HTC Sense experience designed to improve interactions with your most important people. A new HTC application and widget called HTC Friend Stream aggregates all of your social communication, including Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr, into one organized flow of updates. In addition, people can be organized into specific social circles, such as groups of friends, colleagues, etc.

The HTC Sense experience also introduces broad improvements to applications, including the browser, email client and others. In addition, the new version of HTC Sense includes a new newsreader application and widget, as well as a new seven-screen thumbnail view for quick and easy access to specific screens.

The HTC Legend is designed with a smooth, continuous surface, machined from a single aluminum block into a seamless compact frame. It features a 3.2-inch, AMOLED HVGA display. The traditional trackball has been replaced with an optical joystick, surrounded by a narrow button to improve usability without interrupting its design.

HTC Desire features a 3.7-inch AMOLED WVGA display and is powered by a one gigahertz Snapdragon processor. It’s Adobe Flash 10.1-ready and also includes the optical joystick. The Legend will be available in Europe through Vodafone and in the direct channel beginning in April 2010. It will roll out to other parts of the world, including Asia in early Q2.

HTC Desire will available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2. In Australia, it will be exclusively available through Telstra. The enhanced HTC Sense experience will also be offered as a free upgrade on the HTC Hero in Europe and Asia.

Windows Phone 7 Ahead

HTC is getting ready to roll with a series of Windows Phone 7 smartphones, due out later this year. The HTC HD mini, an HTC Sense-based Windows Phone is a compact version of the company’s HD2. HTC HD mini includes capacitive touch for viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft Office files, PDF documents and pictures. Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, the HTC HD mini offers personal Wi-Fi anywhere for your computer or other devices. The HTC HD mini will be broadly available to customers across major European and Asian markets beginning in April 2010. The smartphone also utilizes the above mentioned HTC Sense.

On the HD2 front, T-Mobile will begin offering that smartphone in the U.S. beginning in March 2010. The HTC HD2 has a high-resolution 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, a blazing-fast 1GHz Snapdragon by Qualcomm processor, and support for T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network for a fast mobile data experience.

[Via http://awesomedc.com]

Android Market on pace to hit 40,000 apps by April 14th

According to AndroLib.com the Android Market hit 30,000 apps on February 24th, 2010. TechCrunch reported the 20,000 app milestone on December 15th, 2009 and predicted the Android Market would hit 50,000 apps by Q2 2010, I’d say that’s about right… well IN Q2 of 2010. Probably more like mid-May.

Anyhow, here are my calculations for when we can predict the next 40,000 app milestone:

12/15/2009 – 20,000 apps

2/24/2010 – 30,000 apps

In the last 2 weeks – +3,000 apps

At this rate, it should hit 40,000 on or around April 14th, this is of course assuming the rate stays the same and doesn’t increase. We’ll see. Have your own prediction? Post it in the comments.

[Via http://designerati.wordpress.com]

Android NetCounter App for counting data usage

This is a nice, simple app for Google Android. NetCounter simply keeps count of the amount of data you are using whilst browsing the web on your device.

This App is essential if your monthly contract does not include unlimited data or if you have a data limit. NetCounter displays the amount of data used as a total, in a month, in a week and in a day for both your WiFi and 3G connections. Although you are not charged for data used on a WiFi connection, it can still be useful to see how much data is used when browsing. 

 

Perhaps the most useful feature of the App is the data alert feature. You can set an alert so that the app notifies you when a certain amount of data has been used. For example, if your monthly data allowance is 500mb, set the alert for this figure and NetCounter will then notify you once the 500mb has been reached.

NetCounter is available for free from the Android Marketplace

Thanks to Kate Russel’s BBC Webscape from BBC Click.

[Via http://blog.clove.co.uk]

Verizon’s 4G LTE Coming Soon!

We are all eagerly waiting for the upcoming 4G network. As some of us maybe on it already for instance Sprint customers but is it really 4G? Most of the carriers are still in process of testing its 4G on its network. Verizon Wireless tells us that their 4G speeds will be faster than their 3G speeds. Not just marginally faster, significantly faster:

Trials in Boston and Seattle indicate the network is capable of peak download speeds of 40 to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and peak upload speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps. The speeds are significantly faster than Verizon Wireless and other wireless providers’ current or promised 3G network speeds.

That is crazy fast but don’t expect those types of results once it has been launched. Having thousands of consumers sharing bandwidth with good/bad spots and objects in the way and all the other variables Verizon says you can reasonably expect 5-12Mbps down and 2-5Mbps up.

Read the full press release here:

03/08/2010

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless announced today that its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network field trials in the United States have demonstrated wireless data speeds that are significantly faster than today’s 3G network speeds. Trials in Boston and Seattle indicate the network is capable of peak download speeds of 40 to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and peak upload speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps. The speeds are significantly faster than Verizon Wireless and other wireless providers’ current or promised 3G network speeds.

Verizon Wireless has been testing its forthcoming 4G LTE network in both Boston and Seattle since August, 2009. Successful data calls involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, and Web browsing, as well as calls with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable voice transmissions over the LTE network. Verizon Wireless engineers report LTE average data rates of 5-12 Mbps on the downlink and 2-5 Mbps on the uplink in real-world environments and will offer Verizon Wireless customers mobile browsing speeds comparable to customers’ current, typical online Internet experience.

“Our LTE rollout plan positions Verizon Wireless to be a global leader in 4G LTE deployment. We are on track to deliver an outstanding wireless data experience to customers in 25 to 30 markets covering roughly 100 million people by year’s end,” said Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technical officer at Verizon Wireless. “As device makers, manufacturers and others around the world begin to introduce newer and faster products to take advantage of these incredible new speeds, Verizon Wireless will be positioned to offer our customers new and exciting products on the nation’s first 4G LTE network.”

By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment in the United States, Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage and in-building penetration. Verizon Wireless is currently installing LTE equipment at existing cell sites and switching centers around the United States as part of its extensive, ongoing investment in its voice and data network infrastructure.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.

VIA | Verizon Wireless

[Via http://fiercetechnology.com]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini Preview-GSMArena

Mini is the John Smith of names in mobile phones these days. All makers in the Big Five are keen to have a diminutive version of a popular handset but if there is one to be the definitive repack, it would be the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini.

You know, a couple of millimeters on each end are obviously enough for Nokia (N97 and N97 mini). Even the HTC HD mini isn’t that much smaller than the Touch HD. But when Sony Ericsson go mini they mean it.

The X10 mini is here to show how a mini phone should live up to its name – sheer smartphone power in a half-size package. There’re always sacrifices involved to fit the new cut but if size is what matters it’ll hardly get any better than that.

Here’s the link

[Via http://erazer007.wordpress.com]

Advacned Tip Calculator (Free) is released

Looks like there are tons of tip calculators on the android market. Nevertheless since we already did it as part of Advanced Financial Calculator, we extracted it out and made it a free app so that it is available to everyone. What we like about it is that in addition to the tip splitting and rounding features that other tip apps have, it also can save the tips into history and bring it back any time. All previous inputs are remembered so next time to find out the tip, all you need to do is to input the bill total, simple as that. You can even email it to your own email address to keep a record or to your friend to remind he/she owes you some money since you pay the bill this time. It kind of changes from a simple tipping app to a prefect application to keep track of all the dinning expenses. You may want keep an eye on it as you might know already, dinning expense could be huge sometimes.

Here are some screenshots.

[Via http://yingwentech.wordpress.com]

Android This Week: Apple vs. HTC and Gesture Search

Android (s goog) news this week was dominated by Apple — in the form of a lawsuit Cupertino (s aapl) filed against Android phone maker HTC alleging that it infringes on 20 patents that Apple holds “related to the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware.” The move is clearly a shot at Google as Android is at the heart of all of the HTC phones named in the suit. I believe Apple is also running scared ahead of the Chrome OS release due out later this year.

In the meantime, I had a chance to do a full review of Motorola’s (s mot) latest Android phone, the Devour. The Devour is one of the heaviest smartphones I’ve tried, with a sleek industrial design that’s pleasing to the eye. It runs Android 1.6, not the latest and greatest version of the OS, but it handles it without any laggy performance. And of course, it comes  with the social networking aggregating MotoBlur technology.

And it is now possible to search for information stored on Android phones by writing on the screen using just a fingertip, with Gesture Search. A Gesture Search icon sits at the bottom of the Android screen; once tapped, the user simply starts spelling the desired search term on the screen, one letter at a time. Gesture Search will search all information on the phone, including music and contacts. It learns as it is used so frequently accessed information on the phone will appear at the top of results for searches.

[Via http://gigaom.com]

Meet The New Foursquare. Same As The Old Foursquare -- But Prettier.

It’s hardly a secret that all of the major location-based players are planning big updates to their services to coincide with the SXSW festival starting next week in Austin, Texas. One of them peeked out a bit early: Foursquare.

Earlier today, the latest version of Foursquare, 1.6, went live in the App Store for a brief period of time. I’ve been using the build for a couple of days, and while the functionality isn’t all that different from the previous versions, the look-and-feel has been completely revamped.

This is notable because the vast majority of Foursquare users are still using the iPhone (67%). So this update will be a welcome change for many, especially as Foursquare and Gowalla continue to compete. Gowalla, while smaller than Foursquare, is generally considered to be the prettier of the two. Certainly, with its new website revamp, Gowalla still holds that title on the web, but the new Foursquare app looks pretty nice compared to the Gowalla iPhone app now.

So what’s different? The entire color palette is now a mixture of silver, blue, white, and bright green. Some may not like the bright green elements, but it’s effective to let people know where to click when you want to check-in. Also new is the fact that the “Shout” button is emphasized on the upper left part of the main screen. “Shouting” is basically the equivalent of tweeting out a message, it allows you to send a message to your followers without having to check-in at a place. It’s a bit odd that this is now a main button on the left side while the “Check-in” button is on the right side (considering most people read left to right).

Another new element is the idea of categories. As we wrote about a couple of days ago, Foursquare is starting to categorize venues into certain categories. While there isn’t much you can do with these yet on the new iPhone app, you are able to see icons that represent how a venue is categorized.

Something else new that is nice is that you can click on individual venues in your friend stream to load that venue’s main screen (which now shows who is there, right away). Previously, you had to click on your friend, then click over to see the venue — so this saves time.

While using the app, I wondered if Apple would approve it given that it uses the text, email, and phone icons used by the iPhone itself within the app (see screenshot below), but apparently if they accidentally put it in the store today, they’re going to be okay with those icons. These icons are shown on the new profile pages, which also show how many mayorships a member as, as well as how many badges they’ve earned. Interestingly, the point-based element of the app has been depreciated a bit, as that’s how a harder-to-get-to area of the app.

As a bonus to this advanced iPhone preview that some users got today, Foursquare also launched a new version of its Android app tonight. I’ve been playing with that for a few minutes, and that seems very solid as well. Look for the new version of Foursquare iPhone app at some point late next week when SXSW starts.

CrunchBase InformationFoursquareiPhoneInformation provided by CrunchBase

[Via http://techcrunch.com]

Microsoft and Android (Google)?

Today Microsoft released its first app for Google’s Android mobile operating platform.  The app, Tag, turns your device into a bar code reader (similar to effort already in existence by Google) that has basically limitless possibilities and applications.  However, the reason this is so strange is because Microsoft is in direct competition with Google and releasing an app for the system is counterintuitive.  However, I think its a good move.

The more good technology Microsoft releases the better. It’s easy to get caught up in the branding and lose sight of what actually matters: the technology.  As long as Microsoft is putting innovative and useful technology into the hand of users, the company will keep a hold of the market.  To some degree, it doesn’t matter what platform the consumer uses the app on, all that matters is that the app is being used.

Many Android consumers are also Microsoft users. The big three operating systems are Microsoft, Apple and Linux, so chances are that Android users ARE using Microsoft products, versus iPhone users.  It could be away to help recapture those users with the release of the Windows phone.  They are more likely to be willing to adapt Microsoft products and remain and more malleable group.

In reality, Android should be blocking the app.  Microsoft is acting rationally and appropriately by releasing apps for Android and iPhone (in December 2008) in order to reach larger audiences and stay relevant.  Not sure if the app will actually catch on, but I would like to see similar releases in the future.

[Via http://theacumenity.com]

More on DivX on the HTC Desire

As reported previously, the HTC Desire will support DivX playback shortly after its release with a small Android update.

Also reported previously was that the HTC Desire will record in 720p (high definition).

DivX support coming natively to the Desire

What I didn’t do was put 2 + 2 together as a report from LeakDroid.com has pointed out; the Desire will actually record its 720p videos with the DivX codec.

It’ll be interesting to see how the videos come out when the phone is finally released.

[Via http://desirefanatics.wordpress.com]

Apple sues HTC, not Google

Cites 20 cases of alleged infringements on iPhone patents

HTC's G1: The first Android phone. Photo: HTC

Apple (AAPL) announced Tuesday that it had  filed a lawsuit against HTC, the Taiwanese maker of smartphones, for allegedly infringing on 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware.

“We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We’ve decided to do something about it,” said Steve Jobs in a statement prepared for release. “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.”

Apple COO Tim Cook had made similar statements last year when asked about Google (GOOG)’s Android operating system, which bears a close resemblance to the iPhone’s.

Google wasn’t mentioned in Apple’s press release, but could very well be implicated. Although HTC originally made smartphones that ran Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows Mobile operating system, it began switching to Google’s Android in 2009. HTC was the first to market an Android smartphone. It now makes more than half a dozen.

The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade Commission and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.

[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]

[Via http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com]

Gallerie App Splash Test

I still have not finalized the splash look yet, but you get the idea. Spacing of center textview was accomplished  with android:layout_toLeftOf parameter. and of course a back button in fomrm of company logo and forward button in form of application logo.

All other menu items except for navigating the individual galleries is being place on the context menu. For example, the about and settings menu choices will be on the context menu.

Still undecided whether I should make this as a replacement application for the default Gallery Android Application.

[Via http://mobilebytes.wordpress.com]