Google Docs, Enhanced For Android Tablets

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Google Docs team updated the Google Docs app for Android today to provide even better experience of Google Docs on your Android tablet. I was pretty pleased already how it behaved on my Asus EEE Pad Transformer but the new design makes it pleasure to work with. The Google DOcs team has customized the look to make the most of the larger screen space on tablets. The new layout consisting of a three-panel view, allows me to navigate through filters and collections, view your document list, and see document details, including a thumbnail preview of the document on one place.
No more opening of many documents before you find the right one.
All these are available in 46 languages on tablet devices with Android 3.0+ (Honeycomb) and above. Head over to the Android Market.

Smozzy : Browse The Web Without A Data Plan On Android Phones (Limited)

Smozzy : Browse The Web Without A Data Plan On Android Phones http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Once in a while an app comes along and you say "Hah" and Smozzy does that. Even though limited to T-Mobile network, the app which is in beta, allows one to browse the web without a data plan.
Smozzy does that by using you unlimited messaging plan via SMS and MMS, just like your Android browser does with a data plan.(Due to the large number of messages sent and received, it is recommended that those without an unlimited messaging plan not try this app)
So if you are on T-Mobile and have an unlimited data plan on either Nexus S or HTC G2 phones, head over to the Android Appstore, Android Market. If you want to join the discussion about the app, hacker news is the place.

Android Tethering (USB Tehtering), Without Hacking Your Phone, With PdaNet

Android Tethering, USB Tehtering, PdaNet http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
If you ever thought of rooting your Android phone, just to get it tethered to your computer, laptop or notebook, you can skip the rooting step now, thnks to an app called PdaNet from June Fabrics. In addition to the USB, it also supports Bluetooth DUN. PdaNet once activated on your Android phone, shares what ever the Internet access it has with your computer. According to the authors, it works on all Android phones. The same source tells us that it is capable of handling download speed of well above 35Mbps (35000kbps) over USB.
You can find the app on Android Market. The desktop counterpart, Windows and Mac, could be downloaded from June Fabrics site.

Google Removes Another Bunch Of Plankton Infected Apps From Android Market

Google Removes Plankton Infected Apps http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Infection by malware has forced Google to remove ten more apps from the Android Market. The Spyware delivered by various means installs a code known as Plankton on Android devices. The code was detected  and reported by Xuxian Jiang, an assistant professor at North Carolina State University's Department of Computer Science.
Earlier this month, Google removed Apps infected by another malware, DDLighr or DroidDream.
"While continuing an Android-related research project after the discovery of the DroidKungFu and YZHCSMS malware, my research team also came across a new stealthy Android spyware in the Official Android Market. This spyware does not attempt to root Android phones but instead is designed to be stealthy by running the payload under the radar. In fact, Plankton is the first one that we are aware of that exploits Dalvik class loading capability to stay stealthy and dynamically extend its own functionality. Our investigation indicates that there are at least 10 infected Android apps in the Official Android Market from three different developers. Its stealthy design also explains why some earlier variants have been there for more than 2 months without being detected by current mobile anti-virus software. " Jiang wrote in his article on the subject.
Webroot Threat blog also wrote about the Plankton after their analysts Andrew Brandt and Armando Orozco investigated the Plankton and discovered that it mostly taking advantage the popular game series Angry Birds. "Some of the samples we looked at came as Android apps with names like Angry Birds Rio Unlocker v1.0, Angry Birds Multi User v1.00 or Angry Birds Cheater Trainer Helper V2.0," they wrote on Threat Blog. According the the researchers, detecting the code was not a major issue and the way it was installed makes it easier to remove the code from the phone.
The developers of the malare developers are elusive at the moment. Always exercise care when you get new apps.

AT&T Wants Whack Apple, Google And You With WAC.

AT&T Wants Whack  Apple And You With WAC. http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
AT&T CEO wants to do good for you and make a buck while doing it. Realizing Apple App Store, Android Market doing brisk business and making big bucks, now the carriers wants a cut too. But they always sing the same blue, as wanting to do right by customers as a cover for the these money making deeds. When ever a big company comes out with wanting to do the best for the customers, I tend to look for the catch.
If you realize, AT&T sold millions of iPhones that run billions of apps from Apple App Store. With many of those billions of apps paying Apple 30% made Apple richer but AT&T none the richer. So AT&T CEO, together with other carriers and some handset makers, got together and mad WAC, to whack the nasty app stores. The song is;

"You purchase an app for one operating system, and if you want it on another device or platform, you have to buy it again, That's not how our customers expect to experience this environment." AT&T's CEO Randall Stephenson said in a keynote speech at the world's largest mobile-phone trade show in Barcelona, Spain.

Yes Stephen, your customers like to have more 3G cell towers in say San Francisco bay area. That will make customers much more happier than any HTML5 app you or your conglomerate can offer.

WAC brings together AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp,  T-Mobile USA and also includes China Mobile, MTS, Orange, Smart, Telefónica, Telenor, and Vodafone among it's members. LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Ericsson, Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp have promised to make HTML5 and WAC compatible phones.

“In the one year since WAC was initially formed at Mobile World Congress 2010, we have achieved a great deal, delivering against our committed timelines and objectives every step of the way,” said Peters Suh, CEO, WAC. “Working together in a unified manner as an industry, we are having a positive impact on the mobile application development ecosystem, providing developers with a simplified method of creating applications and content, and delivering them across operator, handset and operating system. With the commercial launch of operator storefronts, handsets and applications, all based on WAC, we can say that WAC is now officially open for business.”

What ever the case, I don't want to get whacked by any of those carriers, I will settle for native apps from App Store or Android Market.
You can find more about WAC here.

Google Reader app for Android Update Brings New WIdgets And More.

If you use Google reader like I do, you will love the new Google reader update for Android update. Just like the desktop, now through "Unread Count Widget" which can show you number of items to read, categorized by feed,label, person or all items on the home screen and clicking on the icon will take you direct to the items.
"News Ticker Widget", well it stream headlines on you home screen and the widget will cycle through items on your reader.

The old "Mark Previous as read" feature is back. now you can mark all items prior to the current screen in your list as read, with one click.

Even though the reader works on all Android versions since 1.6, you will need to have Android 2.2+ to use the widgets.
As always, the Google Reader App could be downloaded from Android Market.

(I read a bunch of comments on the market regarding the force closing on items with video. But as usual commenters did not give much information, other than crashing, so it could be anything)

Updates to the Google Reader app for Android - Official Google Mobile Blog

Android Apps To Help With The Tax Season

Android Tax Apps http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
The wireless service provider Cellular South has put together aew Android Tax Help apps the help you out with the tax season. The Cellular South had it's team, Discover Apps enlisted to search for the best Android Apps to help users manage their finances and file taxes on-the-go.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 75 percent of the 140 million people who filed tax returns in 2010 did it by e-filing. It is even possible to use the convenience of wireless smartphones, specifically Android-powered devices, to file their taxes.
“With tax time quickly approaching, consumers are looking for easy, convenient and secure ways to file their taxes. Cellular South is taking this opportunity to educate wireless users about the many options they have for filing their taxes wirelessly, Organizations like the IRS and TurboTax are offering impressive Android smartphone applications to help consumers navigate the tax return process and e-file their taxes with confidence" said Jim Richmond, director of Corporate Communications for Cellular South

The DIscover Apps team scoured Android Market and found  three best wireless e-filing apps for consumers.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

IRS2Go: This new, free app from the IRS is an easy and quick way for consumers to manage their e-filing and check the status of their refund. Users need to provide some basic information about their tax return and IRS2Go provides the updates and information needed to stay on top of their tax return.

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Taxcaster Mobile: This free, easy app from TurboTax provides a quick tax estimate. Users enter basic information about themselves, their income and deductions and get an estimate on whether they will owe taxes or receive a refund.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Snap Tax: This tax-filing app from TurboTax, the nation’s best-selling tax preparation software, magically helps taxpayers who file a 1040EZ to prepare and file their federal and state income taxes on their smartphones. All consumers need to do is take a photo of their W2, answer a few simple questions and e-file securely. The SnapTax app is free to download, but users pay $14.99 to prepare and e-file their tax returns.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
These apps could be used by any Android user and yes, we are not tax experts, in fact do not have a deep knowledge of TAX and our own taxes are handled by experts, so exercise care in all matters TAX.
For more information about Cellular South’s Android suite of smartphones, as well as Cellular South Discover Apps, visit www.celllularsouth.com/android.

Blogger Android App In The Android Market

Android Blogger App http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

If you wanted to post a blog post on Blogger on the go, either you have to have an iPhone or netbook with 3G / 4G / WiFi connectivity or a notebook.

But that capability is coming to Android users. Now it is easy to do a blog post on the go on your Android phone! Google just announced the first version of the Blogger Android App. With this app anyone can compose a post, attach a photo taken with the same phone, immediately publish it to your blog. One can also  save it as a local draft for later publishing.
So if you are an Android user with a blogger blog, you can start using the Blogger app today, downloadfrom the Android Market. Via Blogger Buzz

Google Beefing Up Android App Development

#Google Beefing Up #Android #AndroidApp http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Google seem to be working on to promote and energize Android app development and balance off those app surplus of 250,000 apps that Apple enjoy, at the moment.(Android App Market has more than 100,000 apps and Apple App store has nearly 350,000 Apps)
WSJ has learned from reliable sources, that Google is planing to hire developers for mobile app development for phones and the multitude of tablets that are emerging. It is not surprising because the mobile app market seem to be in an upward swing with billions of dollars as markers. Gartner research envisions the total mobile app income to be 15.1 Billion, both from advertising in free apps and paid app downloads.
The new Android app development force will be deployed, spread all over the global Google offices and will concentrate on developing apps like Angry Birds (game) to social apps like the mobile app from foursquare, providing location based services. But I am sure there are more targets than the WSJ reporter or the repeatedly reported "the people familiar with the matter" could think of. Google already has some apps that relates to its various services, like Google voice that AT&T and Apple tried to keep away from Apple app store or healthcare apps to support the massive initiative by Google on the healthcare and patient management.
Either way, according to the WSJ source, some of these apps will be exclusively for Android platform to support and spur the momentum Android has at the moment.
"Between the geolocation capability of the phone and the power of the phone's browser platform, it is possible to deliver personalized information about where you are, what you could do there right now," wrote the outgoing CEO and incoming Chairman of Google, Eric Schmidt, on the Harvard Business Review website recently. Yes it is significant, with nearly 150 different mobile phone with Android OS and more joining everyday, Android is on par with Apple infamous apple devices, and set to overtake pretty soon, in both phone and tablet market.
wsj

Android Market, And Android Market Client Get Updated

#Android Market Client Updated! http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Android Market engineers ahve been busy and now they have come out with a vastly improved client for Android devices running on Android 1.6 or higher. The update will reach all eligible devices in the roll out over next two weeks.
So what are these improvements? The changes lies in improving discoverability and merchandising meaning, improvements focus on merchandising of applications, streamline the browse-to-purchase experience, and make it easier for developers to distribute their applications.
There is a new carousal on the Android Market client home and  also present is two new categories. Carousal allows users to quickly flip through the applications and purchase and install those applications. The two new categories are Widgets and Live Wallpapers as these have been gaining ground in the market place. From the developers perspective, if they create applications that include Widgets and Wallpapers, they will be automatically added to appropriate newly created categories.
There is also new application content rating providing users with additional information on applications.
The refund window on the Android Market has also been reduced to 15 minutes as most users request refunds within one or two minutes from the purchase of the app or the game.
There are some changes at the market for the developers as well. Now there is support for device targeting based on screen sizes and densities, and on GL texture compression formats. The maximum size for .apk files on Market  has been increased to 50MB,allowing development of richer games.
Happy App or game hunting.
via Android Developers Blog

Droid Incredible Is Getting A System Upgrade, V CAST App Store Included!

#Droid #Incredible Gets #VCAST App Store Included! http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Verizon's Droid Incredible is getting a software upgrade over the air (OTA) in a few days bringing V CAST App Store. Yes you will still be able to access the Android Market apps but "WHY" comes to mind.  The difference is you will be able to purchase apps directly and the customers will see these charges in the monthly bill. With the difficulties in selling apps in Android Market, Perhaps developers will find this to be a better way.
Here is what Verizon had to say;

Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for your Droid Incredible by HTC. The HTC (3.26.605.1/Baseband Version:2.15.00.07.28) update includes numerous enhancements and improvements.

Enhancements:

+ Preinstalled V CAST Apps lets users purchase applications directly from their devices and bill them to a Verizon Wireless account.

Improvements:

+ Updated Flash® player includes security enhancements.
+ Visual Voice Mail Wi-Fi improvements include removal of incorrect service messages and post-call notifications.
+ Enhanced support for Yahoo!® IMAP email.
+ Updated Slacker application.
+ Attach files larger than 5 MB.
+ Updated COX POP3 email settings.
+ Play YouTube videos in YouTube application.
+ Seamlessly switch between portrait and landscape views in Google Maps.™
+ Updated Comcast POP3 email settings.
+ Search key and other buttons displayed in correct order.

For step-by-step instructions on how to perform the download, please visit verizonwireless.com/droidincrediblesupport

Android Market In Full Swing, Tops 100,000 Apps And Nears 2,000,000,000 Downloads!

Android Market In Full Swing, Perhaps Improving App Quality Will Bring Apps Above Clutter http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

I getting Android news from all ends today. NYT has wrtten and article about how the Android App Market is stepping up to the plate. Looks like the there are about 109364 apps in the Android Market according to Androlib. Also according to Androlib, 86.7% are Applications while the other 13.3% accounts for games.

 It could be that Android users do more work that iPhone users and play less. But on the other hand it is a good indication for Android developers of the vast playing field that they have. The pointer to the article on Android at the end carries a good article on App quality and how it could turn into better and popular app;

A better app can go a very long way: a higher quality app will translate to higher user ratings, generally better rankings, more downloads, and higher retention (longer install periods). High-quality apps also have a much higher likelihood of getting some unanticipated positive publicity such as being featured in Android Market or social media buzz.

It might be different from developing apps for monolithic platform like iPhone but I do not see that much of a issue as stated by the NYT article. Yes there are many devices, but when we developed our first app, we did not even have a single device, we relied on the Android emulators.
With Android devices selling like 200,000 a day, there going to be a huge app hungry users, be your app free or for pay, one will certainly be able to reap in benefits with a well designed quality Android App.

Android Developers Blog: Improving App Quality
Stats from Androlib

Y5, Android Battery Saver Free For Android Users..

Y5, Android Battery Saver App http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
All of us, who uses (who does not) phone with GPS and WiFi know that both these helpful utilities, drain battery power like Sponge Bob does . It would be nice if these services turn off and on when ever it is necessary. It is much easier with GPS as it will come on only when we fire up an app with GPS capabilities. WiFi is another matter, when it is on WiFi continuously search for WiFi providers and yes drains your battery whether you are using an WiFi using app or not.
Y5, Android Battery Saver solves the problem by shutting off WiFi when you are away from known trusted WiFi Zones. This location based service has another card up it's sleeves. It does not use GPS to find out where you are, Y5 relies on the GSM base tower identifier (CellID) to determine the location of the Wifi network.
Y5 gives Android Users;

• It saves the battery power. Having the Wifi radio on when no known networks are in range consumes the battery power
• It ensures the radio is on when Wifi is available thus you always use cheaper and faster connection
• Fire and forget - the app remembers the locations automatically. You have to turn the wifi manually only once, and the app will do it for you next time you are around again
• It's light and fast. It doesn't affect the device performance at all
• It's free

More info at Y5 and you can doenload the app from Android Market for free.

Using Skype Mobile On Verizon Smartphones (Video)

Skype Mobile On Verizon snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Beginning Thursday, March 25th, new and existing Verizon Wireless customers with Android 3G and BlackBerry 3G smartphones will be able to make Skype to Skype calls over Skype mobile. To get started visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile or www.skype.com/go/mobile from a PC to enter the mobile phone number to receive a text message with a link to the application. Verizon Wireless customers can also text “SKYPE” to 2255 to receive the link. In addition, Android customers will be able to download the app from Android Market™. New BlackBerry customers will find the application on their 3G smartphones’ home screens in the Downloads folder when activated.

Motorola Motoroi, A New Android Phone To Debut In Korea

Motorola Motoroi, snapvoip.blogspot.com
Motorola announced yesterday the partnership with SK Telecom to bring an Android based phone to Korean market.
The US market supposed to get the phone in March 2010. We like what we have seen.

“We are delighted to announce MOTOROI™, the first Android-based phone, with SK Telecom in Korea, a key partner in one of Motorola’s key markets in the world, ” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices. “MOTOROI™ is a smart phone without compromise, delivering a wiser, richer web and messaging experience with the most delightful touch-interface you have ever experienced, all made possible through the combination of Motorola’s expertise in design, a truly differentiated Android experience, and the power of SK Telecom’s network.”
“Motorola’s smart phones powered by Android are receiving tremendous response around the world, and it is our pleasure to introduce one of them for the first time in Korea,” said Ha Sung-min, MNO president of SK Telecom™. “MOTOROI™ by Motorola will bring a paradigm shift in the domestic mobile market with outstanding Internet, multimedia features and access to the fast-growing Android Market™.”

Main specs:

• 3.7-inch WVGA 16:9 touch screen (480 x 854 resolution)
• 8 MP camera with Xenon flash
• HD video recording (720p)
• HDMI interface
• TV tuner (T-DMB)
• 8GB internal memory (microSD card support up to 32GB)
• Android 2.0 OS

Motorola via MobileCrunch

Android Market Passes 20,000 Apps Mark

Android Market snapvoip.blogspot.com

Even though I have been visiting the place regularly, did not think of the number of applications until MobileCrunch directed me to Androlib doing Android analytics. Android Market has taken five months to jump from 10,000 apps to 20,000 (it is 20,035 just now). I think the phase will accelerate from now on taking in to account all the Android devices and "Droid Does" ads with Verizon coverage maps added to Google's own Google Phone. And there are 101 apps related to farts, that is certainly a good indication, woopee cushion always manage to get a chuckle from me everytime..
Androlib via MobileCrunch

Google SkyMap For Android!

Skymap on Android for Astronomers
I play around with telescopes and like to peak into the skyward looking for worlds that may excist in the yonder. Usually we go away from city to area where the atmosphere is not poluted by city lights to for star gazing. That also means that you are traveling away from your connected world and we lug our trusty notebooks with astronomy data and sky maps, targeted for the area where we gaze at the sky.

But with the Google Sky Map all that changes. The app, a star map for Android turns your Android phone into a dynamic window on the night sky. You just point your phone up you will see a map of the brightest stars, constellations, and planets in that part of the sky.
Now with that information, you can target your telescope to that star, without your notebook light blinding you.

Search: Find planets, stars, and constellations guided by your phone.
Motion detection: Sky Map uses your phone's GPS, accelerometer, and compass to create a window in the sky that moves with your hand.
Celestial objects: Browse a map showing the brightest naked-eye stars, planets, sun and moon, constellation lines, horizon, cardinal points, and Messier Objects.
Navigation: Use automatic mode to let Sky Map adjust the map for you or switch to a manual mode that allows the map to be dragged with a finger.
With Google Sky Map for your Android phone you can discover and browse the night sky just by pointing your phone to space.
By using your Android phone's orientation sensors, we can show you a star map for your location. Explore planets, stars, constellations, and more! Learn the name and location of space objects and impress your friends.

Get your Google SkyMap For Android app from Android Market.

Google Voice Goes Mobile!

Google Voice Mobile App
I am a very happy user of Google Voice as I have mentioned before. Lucky for me I did not have to wait for invites, as I was a former Grandcentral user.
Now Google Voice is telling me that I could be more happier with Google Voice Mobile App on my smart phones. I have seen the OOMA Google Voice app and I always wished for Google Voice on my Android and BlackBerry and iPhone 3G.
Google voice has has answered with Google Voice mobile apps for Android and BlackBerry ! Well I guess I will have to wait for the iPhone :)
The Apps looks like providing everything I do with Google Voice now, lets me place calls, send SMS messages from Google Voice number. It is good thing that I can use the phone's address book and most importantly I can display Google Voice number as calling number for caller ID. Which allows to keep my mobile numbers a bit private, if that is possible.
You can download the app from the Google Voice mobile site at m.google.com/voice. It's also available in Android Market — just search for "Google Voice."
You can watch a video and read more at following links.
Google Voice Blog: Introducing the Google Voice mobile app
Official Google Blog: Google Voice mobile app for Blackberry and Android

Tags: Google Voice, Google Voice mobile, Android Market, google mobile, google phone, blackberry, SMS

Transparent Windows Marketplace for Mobile Coming Soon

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Microsoft has announced their strategy for developers aptly named developer strategy promising to be transparent and just like Apple, Cydia App Store to take 30% commission for selling you wares on Mobile Market place. Oh there is a $99 joining fee and that will come again to meet you if you submit more than 5 apps a year. For every app beyond the initial five, you got to hand out $99 to Microsoft.
"Developers who sell applications through Windows Marketplace for Mobile will receive 70 percent of the sale of each application. In addition, they will have the ability to set the price for their applications in each market, maximizing their revenues based on targeted pricing strategies. Developers can also choose to distribute their application at no cost. Up to five application submissions to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile is included in the introductory annual registration of $99 (U.S.). Each additional submission within the annual period will have a cost of $99 (U.S.). The registration fee will be waived for student developers who want to reach Windows® phones customers, through enrollment in the DreamSpark program."
But most developers I know stick to single app and some deals with two or three apps. I guess it might work out to be a filter for bad applications. There are far too many windows developers than Apple or Android.
May be the transparency bit (Familiar tools, large worldwide customer base and transparent policies allow mobile developers to innovate and generate new revenue opportunities with Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Marketplace for Mobile.) might be poking at Apple's stringent app selection process.
But will be good for developers to have a distribution channel in the vast windows Mobile marketplace.
"We are empowering the thousands of existing Windows Mobile independent software vendors and prospective developers to grow their business by connecting them to the millions of global Windows® phone customers around the world," said Andy Lees, senior vice president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. "Our announcement today demonstrates Microsoft's unwavering commitment to providing developers with the latest tools and technologies to develop compelling applications, as well as the appropriate distribution channels to generate revenue."
The Microsoft Press release.

Tags: Cydia App Store, iTunes App Store, Android Market, Microsoft Mobile Marketplace, Windows Marketplace for Mobile, DreamSpark

First Paid Apps For T-Mobile G1 On Android Market

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
The Boy Genius is reporting that if your T-Mobile G1 has the latest T-Mobile G1 OS, you will be able to see paid applications in the Android Market and of course buy some if you want to. I can see some happy developers.

Tags: Android Market, T-Mobile G1