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Tagged: Android Applications

AT&T waiting for Android to open up to non-Google applications

By Staff Editor
on 6 Nov, 2008

AT&T Mobility CEO, Ralph de La Vega, had the time to speak with the Web 2.0 Summit today about the iPhone 3G broadband limits. The talks mostly consisted of U-Verse and data limits that followed, but for some reason he slipped a bit of Android information in among all of the iPhone talk. It looks like AT&T's position has not changed, an AT&T representative has stated, "We continue to evaluate the android platform, and if customers want it, we will offer it." AT&T seems to likes the Android platform, but wishes to let it open up and evolve a little bit before taking on an Android-powered handset of their own. “De la Vega said AT&T continues to look at Google's Android operating system but is not prepared to make any moves to carry any Android phones. He said the platform is still evolving and needs to open up even more to offer a wider array of non-Google applications.” Looks like AT&T is one of the few companies not using the opportunity to put Google’s Android OS. Who (other than myself) would like to see Android on AT&T next? [Via SFGate]

Splashplay brings learning guitar to Android

By Staff Editor
on 28 Oct, 2008

SplashPlay is now available in the Android Market for guitar players everywhere. While the application title does portray that it is geared around music, it does not do the application justice. SplashPlay claims to have people strumming away to their favorite songs in minutes. For those of us who have always wanted to learn how to play guitar here is our chance. SplashPlay offers a new generation of learning to play the guitar. Only G1 owners have the ability to interact with videos giving them exclusive features. Getting started is easy, just attach the pod and light panel to your guitar and download the software.

Share and learn music on different instruments using the SplashPod and a paper-thin light panel.

Combines freely available tutorials with optionally available hardware.

Learn songs or chords wherever you want, on a bus or train or even in your tent at a music festival.

Use the phone to wirelessly control the light panel using Bluetooth.

This application is very portable, SplashPlay sends information to the pod from a mobile phone or computer using a Bluetooth connection. Some features SplashPlay also offer include a guitar tuner, metronome and hands free Bluetooth foot pedal. The guitar version of SplashPlay is scheduled for early 2009, shortly followed by light panel releases for the keyboard/piano, drums, violin and many other instruments.

PocketFinder finds its way into the Android Market

By Staff Editor
on 28 Oct, 2008

Today Location Based Technologies Inc announced that Android smartphone users will now be able to download PocketFinder. This application gives users the ability to stay connected in several ways. Some of the features PocketFinder has to offer include real-time location, zone and speed alerts, instant messaging, and travel history for one low service fee. The CEO of Location Based Technologies (LBT), Dave Moros stated, "In addition, our new Android-based application will eventually support other smartphones and smartphone platforms as we intensify our development efforts to make this enhancement available to their customers and expand our coverage of the global marketplace." PocketFinder is now available in the Android Market with a 15-day free trial, starting November users may purchase the app for $4.95/month per phone through the month of November. It will remain at that price as long as the account is kept current and in good standing. Users can even integrate PocketFinder with other devices such as the PetFinder device. PocketFinder will eventually work its way to other smartphone handsets making this a perfect application for families that need to know where everyone is.

Caller ID from WhitePages hits Android Market

By Staff Editor
on 28 Oct, 2008

Among the applications that hit the Android Market today, one in particular stands out in our minds. Caller ID from WhitePages is a handy application that very well might get looked over. This application provides you with advanced caller ID functionality on your Android-powered handset that you would normally only get on a land line. Utilizing the mapping tools and promoting the truly mobile nature of the device. Caller ID from WhitePages allows users to:

See name of incoming caller (based on one of more than 200 million listings in WhitePages online directory)

Map location of caller

Add caller to contacts

It took less than two weeks to create this clean, branded user-interface with simple, clean functionality. This application is just what a mobile phone needs, it takes the guesswork out of incoming calls. Caller ID from WhitePages is perfect for those of us who screen our calls. Below is a video provided by Vice president of monetization and mobile for WhitePages, Kevin Nakao. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfyUeJ58CVM[/youtube]

JOYity brings mobile gaming into the real world

By Staff Editor
on 27 Oct, 2008

JOYity has brought social based gaming to a whole new level with Android. JOYity uses GPS to help users play adventure-based games with other people in the real world like it has never been done before.

JOYity is not one but three games in a single application. Once you download the application you can either choose to play YouCatch, Roads, San Francisco or City Race Munich or choose to design your own game. In Roads of San Francisco you have to follow clues all around the city. When you arrive at one location, a text or picture message tells you where to go next. The game is basically a Scavenger Hunt with a story line that can be played with several people. YouCatch is a version of Manhunt in which players in the same proximity sign up for the game. Everyone acts as a hunter and the hunted, the game assigns you a person to hunt while assigning you to someone else as the victim. The location of everyone is periodically flashed on the map so you can locate others. When you get within 25 feet of your victim just press the scroll ball for the kill, the catch is your location is broadcast every time you press the scroll button. The winner is the last person left standing. Below you can see two video reviews from AppVee of Roads of San Francisco and YouCatch. YouCatch is being played in Madison Square Park in New York City. AppVee was also impressed with this application saying that it is a “massive multiplayer trans-reality game.” What do you think about the new direction mobile gaming is going? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDeG2FDjS1w[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqpTM8eBl5Y[/youtube] [Via Tech Crunch]

AndroidDevCamp 1 being held in Dallas

By Staff Editor
on 25 Oct, 2008

Today an event called AndroidDevCamp is being held in Dallas Texas to help developers prepare for further developing for the Android platform. Developers will be able to learn from not one but two of the Android Developers Challenge winners.

Jason Hudgins, developer that worked on Tunewiki (and that is now a part of ShopSavvy), along with Rylan Barnes, the original developer of GoCart (now known as ShopSavvy) will be demonstrating their applications and sharing development experience on Google’s Android platform. Basic points that will be covered during the camp are: How to get started on Android, Google’s Android Developers I and II, lessons learned in the development of ShopSavvy and understanding Android fundamentals. The event will include breakout sessions where developers can share ideas and form working groups to begin building Android apps. AndroidDevCamp 1 in Dalas is being sponsored by SpringStage and hosted in the Big in Japan/Architel offices located in the Dallas INFOMART. They can support around 75 'campers' for the day. AndroidDevCamp is organized by Anuj Bhatia, Alexander Muse, Rylan Barnes and Jason Hudgins. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping, organizing or hosting an event please email Alexander Muse at amuse 'at' m-ven.com. Event location: Infomart 1950 Stemmons Fwy Suite 2022 Dallas, TX 75207 Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan. [Via Upcoming - Yahoo]

Android Market charging for apps in early 2009

By Staff Editor
on 23 Oct, 2008

Today the Android Market was officially launched, as the Android Developers Blog reported. They wrote a lot about what is expected for developers in order to bring their applications to market. Developers will be able to upload their applications on Monday, October 27th when they have wrapped up all the details. Google requires registration and a one time application fee of $25 to ensure developers are authenticated and responsible for their apps. Once the developer is authenticated they may add applications for users without any further validation. We believe that a lot of applications that have been ready for an ok by Google will hit all at once, making many G1 owners very excited to get so many at one time. In early 2009 developers will be able to offer paid applications to users, bringing home 70% of the revenue their applications brings in, while the remaining amount goes to carriers and billing settlement fees - Google will not be taking any percentage of profits. It comes as no surprise that Google is stating the Android Market is still in Beta. "Android Market helps developers get their applications in the hands of users by acting as an open distribution system. A beta version is now available on the world's first Android-powered phone, the T-Mobile G1." Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan. [Via Android Developers Blog]

T-Mobile Hotspot Connect hits Android Market

By Staff Editor
on 22 Oct, 2008

Google finally added the T-Mobile Hotspot Connect to the Android Market, and not a minute too soon. Now you will be able to use your G1 to connect to any T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for free saving your battery from the strain of using 3G. You can find T-Mobile Hotspots in many places including coffee shops, hotels and airports with more added all the time. You can use the hotspot for anything from surfing the net and sending instant messages to connecting to your corporate network with confidence on a completely secure network. I personally do not know anyone who actually uses this feature. I can imagine it coming in very handy in times when coffee shops charge you for internet use. To date I only know of one place that actually has a hotspot, who knows of a local hotspot that they will be using regularly?

Google returns applications to the Androd Market

By Staff Editor
on 22 Oct, 2008

Google has started replacing the applications in the Android Market after taking down 75 percent of them on Monday. Developers quickly chimed in telling us that that the applications that were available the week before were demo apps, they are now putting the production versions of them all back but this time they are slipping in a few godsend apps as well.

Google plans on having between 40 and 50 applications ready to go in the Android Market by the time the phone is “officially” released. Applications that were previously in the Android Market such as ShopSavvy, Any Cut, Shazam and PicSay back now back accompanied by new apps like MySpace Mobile, imeem and Moile Banking by Bank Of America. PicSay is a solid, easy to use picture editing applications that allows you to do simple things such as add a conversation bubble or ad add color to photos that are on your microSD card. Imeem is a music based application similar to Pandora for iPhone. This application allows you to search for popular music and stream it directly to your device. Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan.

MySpace Mobile Launches for Android

By Staff Editor
on 20 Oct, 2008

With just days before the official launch of the T-Mobile G1, MySpace Mobile has already made its debut in the Android Market. It looks like MySpace has beat FaceBook to the punch this time. This version of MySpace Mobile seems very polished and runs smoother than previous versions on other devices.

FaceBook no doubt has their application ready for release any second now. The MySpace Mobile application has undergone a face-lift in the Android release, with a very simple layout it allows you to easily navigate some of the basic features that MySpace has to offer. Navigation tabs on the right side of the screen list from top to bottom Home, Mail, Friends and Photos, to allow quick navigation of the application. While the application is not as in-depth as the online version, it still allows you to do many things such as approve friend requests, send and receive messages, search for friends, update your current status and upload photos directly from your G1. Now that MySpace Mobile is out, will we see a FaceBook or Twitter application before the 22nd? FaceBook may never be found on Android because of the bad blood between the two companies. I would like to thank Android Community member mikeyrokschicago for bringing Myspace Mobile to our attention. [gallery]