Android App Center: November 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Content Rating for Android Market

[This post is by Eric Chu, Android Developer Ecosystem. —Tim Bray]

Providing users with more information about applications on Android Market has been a top request from Android users. Starting in a few weeks, we will be showing content ratings for all applications on Android Market. This new capability will provide users with additional information to help them select the best applications for them.

Android Market’s content policy remains the same as before: applications will be rated according to four content rating levels: All, Pre-teen, Teen, & Mature. Details on the rating levels can be found at Android Market Help Center.

To prepare for this launch, starting next week, developers submitting new or updated applications will be required to include a rating for all applications and games uploaded onto Android Market. In addition, developers will have the next several weeks to add a rating to their existing applications and games. Once content rating is visible to users, any applications or games that do not include a rating will be treated as “Mature”.

We are working hard to rapidly deliver improvements and upgrades to Android Market. Please look for more Android Market upgrades in the coming weeks. Thanks for your continued support and please don’t hesitate to give us feedback on what else we can do to make you more successful with Android and Android Market.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Sony Includes FIFA and PES Game on PlayStation 3

Manufacturer game console PlayStation 3, Sony plans to equip the console with football simulation game FIFA 11 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011. This promotion is only available in South American countries.

Reported by Softpedia, Buyers in South America will be able to choose between FIFA or PES game when buying the PS3. The selected game will be directly installed in the console gaming hardware.

This program is an attempt by Sony to attract the attention of football lovers in Latin American countries. Because football is the most popular sport in the region. In addition, the program is deemed capable of representing gamers assessment of these two famous football game. FIFA 11 which is made by Konami going head to head with PES 2011 to reach the market in South America. Gamers can compare the quality of the games.

Sony still has not set retail prices for the products. The program will take place in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Brazil, Honduras, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guatemala, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Market Housekeeping Alert

We’ve had quite a bit of discussion in this space recently about how to make sure that your app is visible in Android Market to any device that can run it, and only to those devices. In particular, check out two recent pieces by Reto Meier, Future-Proofing Your App and The Five Steps to Future Hardware Happiness.

As Reto points out, Market used to infer some <uses-feature> settings for older apps that were uploaded before certain device features arrived. This hasn’t been the case for applications uploaded since June of this year; developers have had to be careful about <uses-feature> and its android:required attribute. From what we see, it looks like most of you have got this sorted out and things are working smoothly.

However, there are still apps that haven’t been re-uploaded since June. In preparation for introducing some new Market features (that we think you’ll like), we’re about to launch a re-scan of all those legacy apps, looking at their Android Manifests and updating Market’s database. This means that if you have an app that you haven’t updated since June, and it lacks up-to-date <uses-feature> settings, it may stop being visible on certain devices.

We think the set of apps that will have this problem will be small, if only since most successful apps are updated regularly. If you want to be sure, check Reto’s advice here under "Android Market Rule #2”.

We’ve said it before but it bears repeating: There are a lot of different sizes and shapes and flavors of Android devices in the product pipeline, and you want your app available on every one that can possibly run it. So this is an area that is going to be requiring attention from developers on a continuing basis.

Rumours about 10-inch Galaxy Tab Scattered on the Internet

The rumor about Samsung will release Galaxy Tab tablets with a size larger than the current version, more heat be discussed after an image of the 10-inch galaxy tab scattered on the internet. Tablets are referred to as a prototype electronic book reader will also be supported by 3G networks. In addition, the panel on these tablets using 1.8 mm LCD size, with resolution of 1.024 x 600 pixels.

Reported by Engadget, Samsung still has not given a statement about the certainty of whether the Galaxy Tab really would be presented with 10-inch size, including when this product will be released. Although previously reported the tablet will be powered by Android 3.5, a version of the Google operating system that probably will not even come out until 2011. But Android 3.0 should come out faster. It is expected that within the first few months of 2011 and is anticipated to become the dominant platform for tablet devices Android-based.

Samsung also previously admitted that some of Android applications on the next Galaxy Tab tablet will not be displayed properly because it runs on a smaller screen. These problems arise because there are applications that can not be run at a resolution of 800x400 pixels. This problem applies only to downloads some third party applications, the entire package of google mobile applications such as Android Market and Maps fully running smoothly.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Android Market Action

Almost instantly after I joined Google, it became obvious to me that the number-one area where Android developers wanted to see action and progress was in Android Market; your concerns in this area vastly outweighed whatever issues might be bothering you about the handsets and the framework and the programming tools. In recent months there has been a steady, quiet, incremental flow of improvements and upgrades. They add up. This is by way of a glance back at developments since the arrival of Froyo last summer.

First, we introduced error reporting to Market, so developers can see if their apps are locking up or crashing; and if so, exactly where.

Second, we upgraded the Market publisher site to include user comments, so you can read what people are saying about you, or at least what they’re saying in a language you understand.

Third, we added the licensing server, which, when used properly, tilts the economics of Android apps toward you, the developer, and against the pirates.

Fourth, we cranked up the number of countries people can buy and sell apps in: as of now, you can sell them in 29 countries and buy them in 32.

Fifth, we rolled in a “recent changes” feature, a place for developers to put their release notes. Android Market has a zero-friction process for app update, and the really great apps have followed the “release early, release often” philosophy. As a developer, I like having a place to write down what’s behind an app release, and as a person who downloads lots of apps, I like to know what the goodies are in each new update.

Sixth, Market now has a “draft upload” feature; this removes a lot of the tension and strain from the app-update process. Get your screenshots and feature graphics and text and APK all squared away with as much editing as you need to, then update them all with one click.

You’ll notice that I didn’t say “Sixth and last”, because this is a team on a roll and I expect lots more goodness from them; if you care about the larger Android ecosystem, or are already a developer, or are thinking of becoming one, stay tuned to this channel.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Opera Mobile 10.1 Available on Android

Opera Software officially released the Opera Mobile 10.1 beta for Android. The software can be downloaded from the Android Market and also at the Opera site. This browser will work on Android version 1.6 or above, and available in 18 different languages.

The advantages possessed by this browser compared to other Android browser is speed and ease of use. Opera Mobile boasts faster loading pages than other browsers, equipped with a Turbo feature that can compress data more quickly. This feature is very useful in a slow or busy connection.

As reported by PC World, other features are available in this browser is the Opera Speed Dial, password manager and Link, synchronize bookmarks and other user data between mobile phones and computers. Speed Dial feature set nine favorite sites at the thumbnail grid.

In addition, the browser will be supported flash feature. This feature will not work in beta release, but will be included in the final version.

Monday, November 8, 2010

MacBook Air Battery Hold up to six hours Without Flash

On that last October, Apple officially launched its newest generation of MacBook Air. Surprisingly, the MacBook is presented without Flash pre-installed. Are there any benefits for users?
According to rumors that happening because of political problems between the CEO of Apple and Adobe, but it is still uncertain. Maybe Apple has another reason, why do not want to use the flash pre-installed on all its latest products.
Reported by Apple Insider, through experiments performed by Ars Technica on MacBook Air 11-inch model found that the MacBook is able to browse for 4 hours with Flash enabled. However, when Flash is turned off, the MacBook is able to survive for more than 6 hours.

Indeed, Apple CEO Steve Jobs explicitly said that all products made by his company will not be supported by features of Flash from Adobe, including the products of their new MacBook Air.

It was recently disclosed by a company spokesman Bill Evans said that Apple will refrain from installing the Adobe Flash platform on all Macs in the future.
However, the MacBook users are still able to get Flash by downloading it via the Adobe website.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Top 10 Android Phones in 2010

The presence of Google's mobile operating system, Android seized the attention of the global handset vendor. A number of vendors vying to using 'green robots' or android on their phone product.
Currently there are approximately 34 models of phones using the Android operating system, all spread across multiple vendors. The latest data show sales of android phone sufficient increase in the market. At least Android phones sold approximately 60 thousand units every day around the world.

Support for Android applications is increasing, a number of vendors provide support for the operating system. But from some phone models released by the vendors, there are several phones that are categorized as the best Android phones based on the capabilities and features possessed by each phone.

Here are the Top 10 Android phones in 2010 and its specifications:
1. Samsung Epic 4G

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Microsoft Launches Kinect for Xbox 360

Sensor control for games from Microsoft, Kinect, finally launched. Predicted this device will change the style of console gamers.

This device represents the latest technology that allows gamers to play Xbox 360 with just moving the body. This technology is almost similar to those in the Nintendo Wii. But if Wii integrate these sensors into the console, contrary Kinect presented separately with the Xbox.

According to estimates by IDC, Microsoft will be able to sell approximately 2.5 million to 3 million units Kinect in the U.S. during Christmas holidays. But the Microsoft targeting approximately 5 million units Kinect will be sold in this quarter. Even they claim if Kinect will be the Xbox's best selling accessories ever.

Currently Kinect already sold in about 30,000 retail stores in the U.S.. This device uses a 3D camera and motion recognition software that will allow gamers to play without having to rely on the button. With Kinect, gamers can control the game with gestures and voice commands.

Friday, November 5, 2010

The New Mobile Phone is Waterproof, Tradesman

The development of technology today's has changed everything that is not likely to happen becomes possible. This was proven with a waterproof mobile phone, developed by the Data Select company.

Data Select together with JCB company has developed a device called “Tradesman”. This phone is the successor of the previous generation Toughphone. In addition, these phones can also float on water for more than six hours, and also not easily damaged and are still operating despite having been dragged by a vehicle with a distance of 120mph, or buried in debris weighing two tons.

As presented by the Marketing Director of Data Select, Jason Kemp via Telegraph, "Tradesman is a phone that is suitable for outdoor workers, who often engaged with the rain, sailing, mountain biking, or skiing. The design is sturdy enough to be destroyed," he said.

The phone is priced at £ 70 get about 4,000 orders immediately after launch. Previously, about 50,000 units of Toughphone mobile phones successfully sold. Tradesman phone is still marketed in several countries in Europe.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Intel Oak Trail for the Tablet will be Released in 2011

The development of tablet market that recent increases have pushed Intel to produce chip specifically intended for tablets. Chip that will be released in early 2011 called Oak Trail. Intel claims that the chip has better energy efficiency compared to other processors.

Another advantage offered by the Microprocessor Oak Trail is allowing users to watch high-definition video up to eight hours without recharging their batteries, this is an improvement from previous versions.

Microprocessors made by Intel has been running on eight of 10 personal computers around the world but they still have to struggle to gain market share chips into smartphones.

According to iSuppli predicted that the distribution of tablets will reach about 200 percent next year, while notebooks and other PCs will only reach 1 percent.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

iPhone 5 Equipped with Mobile Payment Technology

After iPhone 4 was launched, Apple is planning to develop iPhone 5 which according to rumors will be equipped with the payment system via mobile phone. In addition, the iPhone 5 will be equipped with technology called Near Field Communication (NFC). This technology enables the iPhone as a digital wallet and can make any payments just by swiping the phone to other digital payment devices.

On iPhone 5 will also be added a feature that allows iPhone users to synchronize data and settings from their Mac computers to iPhone 5, and then transferred back into the other Mac computers without a cable.

With the NFC chip will allow users to send data to Mac computer simply by swiping the iPhone to the Mac computer that also use NFC, including the existing applications and settings. But when the iPhone NFC was started away from the Mac that are targeted then the data will be transferred back to the original Mac.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Approximate Specifications of the Nexus Two

Although the truth about the presence of Nexus Two which will be held by samsung is still uncertain, but the specs of this phone is busy talking on the internet.

According to TG Daily, the Nexus Two will use the Android operating system Gingerbread or 3.0. In addition, Nexus Two reportedly will have a 4-inch AMOLED screen or Super AMOLED screen, 1.2 GHz processor, an external camera 5 MP and 1.3 MP camera in front of the handset, 16 GB of internal storage and 512 MB of RAM.

Equipped with these specifications, no doubt Nexus Two will be the fastest android phone in its class. It is probable that Google will hold the same operator with Nexus One is T-Mobile. According to the rumor that the device also may be available for AT & T vendor.

Here's the Nexus Two Approximate specifications:
- Display: AMOLED or Super AMOLED 4 inches
- Processor: 1.2 GHz
- Camera: 5MP behind, in front of the handset 1.3 MP
- Memory: Internal: 16GB
- RAM: 512MB

Monday, November 1, 2010

Asus will Launch a Tablet Based on Windows and Android

Asus is preparing to launch a tablet that plan will be based on Windows and Android. These tablets will use x87 ARM-based processor that will be available in various shapes and sizes are 7-inch, 9-inch, 10-inch to 12-inch.

According to DigiTimes, The 12-inch tablet will be called Wintel and will be launched in January 2011, while two other models are 7-inch and 9-inch is expected to be launched in March 2011. On the 7-inch model will be equipped with WiFi support, while others will support 3G features.

One of these tablets is a 9-inch tablet will be equipped with Tegra 2 processors from NVIDIA and using Google's Android operating system. Another 9-inch tablet will run on Windows operating systems with Intel chips.