New Android Functionality Added to Blackberry Playbook in Beta Developers Update

The Blackberry Playbook got a Beta developers update on May 31, which launched new Android functionality and features. The developers update currently adds support for Android applications running in their individual window, which will permit more native Android apps to run on the Playbook.

Certainly, the update added numerous additional improvements like HTML5 optimization, full device encryption support and lots of others.

The complete list of improvements and software changes, which were originally listed by Crackberry, are listed below:

•     Improved HTML5 support
•     Portrait support for Email, Calendar and Contacts
•     Improved folder support including IMAP folder support
•     Full device encryption is currently supported, so that the entire device and individual partition can be safe.
•     Screenshots are currently saved in lossless PNG format.
•     Each Android app will now run in its own window. This significantly develops the user experience and constancy amongst the additional application runtimes.
•     Access to the Camera hardware is currently supported for Android apps, permitting lots of more application types to work on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
•     In-App Payment is currently supported through the BlackBerry Payment SDK, so Android applications can contain virtual objects for sale in their applications.

In order to obtain the update, you have to register your Blackberry pin and install the update within a 24 hour time gap. It should also be noted that because the update itself is both a Beta and developers version, it could probably initiate a number of new bugs and concerns. This means that one user who is not involved in working with potentially unsteady software on their Playbook, should stay away.

The update modifications the OS build to version 2.1.0.560 and is now be alive at here..

iOS, Android Are Mobile Kings

Google Android OS and Apple iOS are have become the king of mobile world and they are beating the rest smartphones, a new report said by IDC.

Both major OS have increased their share in the smartphone market rapidly in the last 1 year with Android has covered upto 59% and Apple iOS has capture 23%. While in the 1st quarter of last year both joined share was only 54.4%.

Mr Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology, said, “The popularity of Android and iOS stems from a combination of factors that the competition has struggled to keep up with…..Neither Android nor iOS were the first to market with some of these features, but the way they made the smartphone experience intuitive and seamless has quickly earned a massive following."

Symbian, an ex-market leader, has been out of the market and Nokia has joined Microsoft’ Windows OS. Blackberry is also facing downfall and it has only 6.1% of market share l ast year it was 13.6%. And about Windows Phones 7 and Windows mobile currently has only 2.2% of market share but the platform is expecting more growth in the 2nd half of the year as Nokia and Windows can increase Windows Phone 7 sales.

IDC observes that this platform developemnt is very slow until Nokia should be fast with its rhythm of its smartphone releases or add more vendors with their owm Windows-powered smartphones.

Another report from an analyst firm called ABI Research recommends the launching of “Phablets”. These are the devices which are bigger than Smartphones but smaller than tablets, sauch as Android powered Samsung Galaxy Note. And the firm tells the market of Phablets can increase up-to 208 million units worldwide by the year of 2015.

Senior ABI analyst Joshua Flood stated, “One of the chief drivers for phablets is the amount of time people use their smartphones for Web browsing, reading articles and newspapers on the go, or simply navigating their journeys…..The larger screen sizes make a significant difference to the user's experience when compared to conventional-sized touchscreens between 3.5 and 4 inches. "Additionally, new phablet-styled devices provide an attractive two-in-one device proposition."

Fake Android Apps Scam Cost Users £28,000

Angry Birds and Cut the Rope these malicious Android apps created by scammers and by them consumers were cheated by premium rate text messages worth upto cost £27,850.

This hit happened at the end of last year and with it 1391 mobile numbers got affected in UK only. Though the telecom regulator PhonepayPlus got only 34 complaints and all those people whose money has been lost will be repaid automatically. The total sum of lost money for any individual is £80.

These false apps were placed into the Android Market named as Angry Birds, Assassins Creed, Cut the Rope and other trendy labels. The ‘Trojanised’ hits increased access to anyone’s phone when they were downloading and then automatically sent 3 premium text messages with no info to that person eevery time when app was opened.

Though Google has eliminated these malicious apps from the Android market (Play Store) but it didn’t inspect the apps before they uploaded. PhonepayPlus get proof of the app in 18 conutries.

According to figures from Juniper Research, this premium rate text message Trojans account was the 2nd biggest form of malware later than spyware. And these Trojans sent premium text messages without permission giving all revenue straight to the criminal PhonepayPlus said.

These malicious apps were placed to Google Market in th emidle of the November and PhonepayPlus received the 1st complaint on 28 November. And then it requested instant suspension of the text message shortcodes on December 16.

Some of securities firms such as F-Secure and TotalDefence showed up the apps at the time and on may 10 this year, the regulator fine A1 Aggregator Ltd £50,000 and al so forcing it to stick to follow all operating terms and to repaid all users.

For more information about Android Development visit this blog.

Sony to Update All Tablets with Google Android 4.0

On Sunday, Sony confirmed to CNet that the whole Sony tablet devices for all area will obtain an over-the-air update which carries Android 4.0 with it. The company informed the new updates will be ready to available by means of over-the-air updates.

In the past Sony declared its policies to propose the Google Android 4.0 update although its didn’t give any time duration for those updates till it’s officially confirmation came on Sunday.

A number of Sony tablet had already got the upgrade with Sony Tablet S in the US though further tablets especially those which was situated in Europe and Japan remain same with the older and not much stable Android 3.2.1.

A few numbers of chief updates for Google Android 4.0 are a panoramic camera mode, an updated gallery viewer through SD card navigation and browser improvement along with extra bug fixes, security related updates and additional latest features by which users can attracts easily to these updates.

Google and Sony are hopeful that worldwide squash for Android 4.0 may satisfy the clients who had major complained that the fragmentation of Android allows unstable local timetables for the new product’s release as other devices leave out over Google Android upgrades. When we compare to Apple then it is capable to update any device they select at the same time, permitting iOS without any difficulty get used to as upgrades turn into accessible globally.

The accurate updates for every tablet area-wise are not identified though Sony will send a note to every user’s device when upgrade time has appeared.

New HTC Android Phones Tweaked to Evade Apple Patents

Sometimes before HTC caught offender to violate the two Apple patents then HTC said it will be change its phone for the violation. Now let’s see how can it would be concern for the users.

The actual deal was how iPhone provide you the record of probable commands like when you are taping the phone number, e-mail, anyone’s physical location or others data. For example, if you tap on a phone number in a file then the iPhone allows you to call the number; send a message and either attaches the number in your contact list or copy the number to the clipboard. HTC’s Android phones contain same functions which was enough reason for violation of the patent, according to U.S. International Trade Commission’s rule.

According to The Verge, the US model of HTC’s new phones haven’t supposed “data tapping” feature. In its place of when you tap on a proper amount of data then phone instantly comes into the action it means when you tap on a phone number then the phone will skip to the dialer. A separate options menu allows users to select what comes about by default if they tap on a limited amount of data.

A number of users may b like this change, for example when you tap an email add then there is a possibility that you attempt to write that address however an instant act might be a irritation for unintended tapping.  And as alternate actions are covered in a separate menu so users may not feel any trouble with them.

The Verge also reported in this week, The HTC one X and Evo 4G LTE are presently in custody at US Customs until the they observe the phones for patent violation. All I have only wish that those phones will reach user’s hands very shortly. All the best to HTC.

Twitter Fixed Its Many Bugs for Android

If you have an Android phone and you are using Twitter on it then you have lots of options for your Twitter clients. So it is certainly possible that you might use 3 apps of them. The very first is official twitter app, 2nd may be TweetDeck app and 3rd would be either TweetCaster or Seismic app. Since some of last years TweetDeck was a self-governing company and at that time it was known as a best Twitter customer for approx all main OS. The app launched as a desktop client for MS Windows and then expanded to Mac and Linux.

After mobile revolution TweetDeck was transferred to iPhone. Later the app came in the Google Play Store and after striking there it is hitting the android Market. Formerly this app came in then the fame of the authorized Twitter app vanished its position in the Android Ecosystem. At the time only few wanted to use the authorized Twitter app because this TweetDeck presented a number of amazing features like to creation of new columns and how to manage the notification’s choices for every of these columns. As a result, it might be possible t he expansion of the official Twitter app was covered up because Twitter purchased TweetDeck soon.

At the moment authorized Twitter app has backed with a little of bug fixes which were in fact considered as a stupid bugs. Actually these bugs specially influenced the aged version of Android called Éclair. This update has solved the bug which was reason for profile images not to load on Éclair devices, also solved for main tweets were showing out of order in the Find and Discovery views and is also solved the reason for Sync setting.

It is available to download at the Google Play Store openly and if you want to have in Android phone or tablet then you can get it from there.

Social Phonebook TrueCaller: Available on Android

Truecaller offers a global name and number search for your Android device and it’s totally free of charge. It permits you to go with phone numbers by names, addresses, social networks and images. It binds in with Facebook and LinkedIn to fetch you the most related information about anyone calling you. The address book also automatically revises if anyone modifies a number. This service previously has 3 million users globally and seeking to get bigger through the added Android platform.

These lines are taken from their Press Release:

    TrueCaller Brings More Available, Relevant and Accurate Caller ID to Android  STOCKHOLM (8 May 2012) TrueCaller, the new global social phone book, announced today that TrueCaller for smartphones is now available on mobile devices with the Android operating system.

    Possessor of Android devices can currently take advantage from the TrueCaller caller ID application that joins phone number directories from worldwide into one easy-to-use app, at no cost. TrueCaller defends users from spam calls and facilitates them to search half a billion phone numbers from all over the word.

    In recent times TrueCaller achieved 3 million users, and it has become 1 of the most popular caller ID smartphone app.

    The key features of TrueCaller for Android are as listed below:

• Global Number Lookup service facilitates users to seek and get people from all over the world.
• Caller ID functionality immediately demonstrates the identity of strange callers from out of the country; wherever in the world a call is picked.
• Call Filter defends and advises users of scam, spam and unwanted calls. If a call is pciked from any of the scam, spam or unwanted numbers that TrueCaller has listed, a notice will show to warn of the unwanted call. Users can then select to respond or block the call.

For more about Android Development visit my blog.

Google+ Updated on IOS with new UI, Android on Its Way

Let’s think over it, iOS users have been hold back on Google+ since the launch. First they didn’t get an app, and when they got, it wasn't accurately the mainly functional in the App Store. Google did, however, attach to Android by updating and improving the application often and often adding features and improving on the app. They’ve even renovated the desktop site a few times still without touching the iOS app. Now, the iOS has been the 1st to get this G+ update.

Google has already announced it its blog that they are thinking to create its G+ mobile experience much easier and more nice looking then before. The iOS app has got a fully renovate UI, and it comes in very smooth black interface though its lighter then we are using. The photos have already in big size then before and now we can use fewer abstract colors means overall this is really a great mobile app which is professionally designed. See what Google team said about the upgrading of this mobile app;

 "To be clear, we’re not interested in a mobile or social experience that’s just smaller. We’re embracing the sensor-rich smartphone (with its touchable screen and high-density display), and transforming Google+ into something more intimate, and more expressive. Today’s new iPhone app is an important step in this direction—toward a simpler, more beautiful Google."

On the peak of a marvelous new UI, Google has also at last added the capability to join a Hangout via Messenger to the mobile G+ app for iOS. This feature was missing by iPhone users since a long time and certainly t hey will welcome it. The G+ team also announced this Android App will be also updated so that it can be equivalent to the new mobile UI. Lets see when it is going to be released, till then iOS users can enjoy with this app.

Android Regains 61% of all U.S. Smartphone Sales

Android got a dramatically lead over Apple’s iOS as the war of Smartphones continue.

When the Smartphone sell was compared by NPD Group they found Android has covered 61% of total US market share of Smartphone which was more than last year’s 4th quarter. And for iOS a fall down came and it covered only 29% while it was 41% in the last year’s final quarter.

When Apple launched its iPhone 4S then we have been seen a heavy demand for it but as New Year started then Android got its position on the top again.

Though Apple lost its market share but this is not the end of war. And it is also true now Android and iPhone has covered 90% of all Smartphone sales in US market.

According to NPD, if we see overall results, then we find Smartphones failed to increase  its grip to hold the market but they got to success in 66% of all handsets sales in last quarter. If we compare all top ten selling models in the 1st quarter then we observe half of them from Apple, 3 of them from Samsung, and 1 each from Motorola and HTC.

According to Nielsen, Android is the top dog in the US but Apple is trying to back on the top.

Android Devices Hacking: New Trick from Hackers

It’s not just malicious apps you require to be cautious of infecting your smartphone. Now, accessing to poisoned websites is a danger also.

Security researchers have exposed a latest malware aiming Android devices that doesn’t acquire the common way of implanting itself in any app. The malware, named “NotCompatible,” is in its place put into the websites that seek to push the malware on visitors’ devices, representing a unsafe new trick by hackers to attempt and access private data, according to researchers.

Fortunately, the malware isn’t very quiet. To find infected, you would require to approve the download of the application, which pretenses as a security update. Mobile malware threats are not as prevalent as those aiming PCs. Illegal hackers are testing with unusual business models for mobile devices, such as tricking users into subscribing to pay-text-message services that the criminals control.

The message from the ‘NotCompatible’ findings is same to cautions for PC users have gotten for years: “The worst kind of update you can download to your machine is one that you didn't ask for and don’t know where it comes from”

For any kind of Android Development contact Rapidsoft Technologies.

Samsung teases us with a new website to advertise the Galaxy S III

As we’re more than conscious that Samsung is set to broadcast the forthcoming Galaxy S III on May 3rd, a latest teaser site has popped up that illustrates a countdown that ends tomorrow.

Sammy put the phase for the new site in an easy tweet, “Destination: tgeltaayehxnx”. The anagram spells out The Next Galaxy, and if you straight your browser to tgeltaayehxnx.com, you’ll find the countdown. Supposed countdown ends tomorrow, so we distinguish it’s not for the real device itself but it does look like Samsung desires to let us in on a few information pertaining to it’s subsequently flagship device.

More than the counter, it states “You can take the next step in”, which possibly means that we can imagine teases similar to this until the authorized declaration.

The Galaxy S III should simply put shame to just regarding each Android handset on the market when it’s released, with the HTC One X left over the only option. We’ve heard numerous rumors regarding the Galaxy S III, from a 1080p display to eye-tracking software to wireless charging. At the same time as we include our worries that we’ll observe a 1080p display on the handset, it should even turn into one of the go-to Android handsets for the remaining year.

For information about latest Android Development visit my blog.

Google Wallet updated with privacy and UI improvements

The respected individuals at Google have just issued one more update to Google Wallet. Expectantly this time it won’t cause issues for all of us fixed users also. While Google Wallet is still in its early life and to come to actually take off, they’ve added tons of improvements with today’s update.

First off the update talk about UI improvements but I don’t see too a lot of modifications on the whole user interface. It does consider smoother and maybe a bit additional polished, but nothing major related to the UI or design.

This time approximately it specially talks about privacy enhancements as well as bug fixes. As Google hasn’t listed anything exact related what bugs or issues have been determined, I’m sure a number of those casual crashes some reported should end with this update. For now Google Wallet is still unsuited with nearly all of my Android devices so until things open up a bit, this will have to do.

So try Google Wallet Google with its latest version and let me know about your experiences.

Amazon Kindle app is updated for Android

When the Amazon Kindle Fire smack the market, everybody that wasn’t sure Amazon could do it was totally converted and currently a latest revise for the Amazon Kindle app will change every Android powered device into a Kindle reading device.  Once the latest Kindle app from Amazon gets fixed, it will contain support for usual Kindle Format 8 files, as well as, files that anyone download from other eBook stores that appear in DRM format.  The app permits additional dissimilar formats that consist of PDF, MOBI, HTML or DOC and as long as your eBook is formatted in one of those ways, it will be carry by the Kindle app update.

Google Play page for the Kindle app you can opt from thousands of free books, shop for new books and utilize the built in services for Dictionary, Google and Wikipedia.  You can sync your eBook library by extra devices and select the accurate where you left off, no issue what device you stop or start reading on.  The new app facilitates you to customers your font size, screen brightness, background color and the direction in which you would like to read.

This Android apps present equally reading and navigation abilities, so that users can simply find other books in the Kindle store or read those that they contain previously purchased and downloaded.

At the end I must say that though these updates are fine. But one thing is running my mind is, when they are going to give us the capability to group books into sets in Kindle for Android like the real Kindle devices can perform.

AT&T updates HTC Vivid with Android 4.0

AT&T said Thursday that the HTC Vivid update to Android 4.0 is now accessible via Wi-Fi or a PC connected to the smartphone.

The download will carry Face Unlock (it is a technology that allow unlock the screen through facial identification) an updated HTC Sense Experience interface and optimized audio with Beats by Dr. Drew Audio, AT&T said. A full list of Android 4.0 features is available at a Google Web site.

The Vivid is the first U.S. smartphone to obtain Android 4.0, also called Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), as an update, and the first to be issued by a wireless carrier, told by AT&T.

Some of its important & latest Features are:

Beats Audio - improve your music and video experience with Beats Audio.

Face Unlock - Face Unlock is a new screen-lock choice that lets you unlock your device with face identification.

Improved E-mail - Easier to send, read and handle from side to side receiver auto-completion, stored text, and nested sub-folders.

Bluetooth Mouse and keyboard - Use a Bluetooth mouse and/or keyboard with your device and change its settings.

UI Improvements - Access the notification bar on the lock screen. Draw apps/shortcuts on top of one a different to generate folders.

Advanced Voice and Text Input - stronger and can be used to speak an entire email. Smart enough to recognize pauses, breaks and punctuation. Advanced Spell  Checker.

But the HTC Vivid is not the just device that will be upgraded to Android 4.0. AT&T has exposed a list of handsets that will be getting updated as well in the upcoming months. It contains the following devices;

LG Nitro HD
Motorola ATRIX 2
Motorola ATRIX 4G
Pantech Burst
Pantech Element
Samsung Captivate Glide
Samsung Galaxy Note
Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

No big shock in there, and expectantly this'll all happen on the earlier end of the "upcoming months" level, but it's good to observe that these carriers are aware that clients want to be kept in the loop on the Android update strategy.

New Update for Google Play: News on the Music Store & Android Apps

Google Play gives us update for Android apps and news on the music store. Google Play is update from Android Market Place, and it was launched a few weeks ago. So, does Google Play going as a replacement for Google Music? Because Google Play has one so attractive feature that called as ‘The Mix Instant’, a feature that permits to make our Google Play playlist of the Apple’s Genius Playlist and it works fine. As Google Music was also available for the iPhone and iPad via an HTML app, and so far Google Play seems available for iOS as well.

According to ZDNet, “Google is quick to point out how many tablet apps are in the Google Play market, and just as quick to get its own apps released. Unfortunately they seem to crash regularly, even on ICS.” but this can be this can be sort out in the upcoming time, for sure. But more terrible news is there are some fake websites have been created with the name of Google Play. According to Trend Micro, “a group of dynamic malware developers can make Android Apps on the fly like (like ANDROIDOS_SMSBOXER.AB) that may force you for its subscription services, and then you have to pay for its unwanted charges”.

But in my view there are really some badly written apps that crash all the time, so you just don't use them. In a few case, in browser, some pages act some strange JavaScript processing that may cause for it to suspend for a while. I am sure depending on apps used, your results may vary.

Does Windows 8 Really a Threat for Android?

Android is a major participant for Smartphone and Tablets and has a market of 52% Smartphone market share. The OS has developed with time and its latest stable release is V 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). But Microsoft has launched the Windows 8 tablets and its giving the tough competition to the Android.

Android Developers are doing hard work to prove themselves as the best in the market and are introducing new and upgraded versions of Android. They have full knowledge and know the market well, by now we can wait for that they understand the client’s needs better than everyone in the industry. But with Windows 8, the whole situation may be change. Microsoft has backed with its windows 8 Tablets and below points are needs to be concerned;

1) Windows is the most leading OS in the world (has 90% market share) and many people all over the world have been using Windows, so they know the system better.

2) Windows PC consumers may just support a windows tablet because it would permit a lot more choices for synchronization with the Windows PC, so you can easily run each of your software’s configured on your Windows Tablet.

3) Cost may be another key point. Windows certainly keep its price equal to android tablets.


But Now If we talk about Android, then we must say that Android is a well recognized brand and many people do not worry about ICS (Android latest release) vs Gingerbread. They just love Android. Android has a powerful share feature. Though there are some limits of the processors, but this will also recover soon. Security can be also a big issue. Windows users are afraid of virus and this point also goes into the favoir of Android.Google also has introduced a lot of value added features from some of last years which have been established in the market sucessfully.

The base line is Microsoft has properly done its homework and waiting for the result which may actually not like then it's expecting. But it may be really dangerous for Android and Apple. Let the war start....

Updated New Features of Google Docs for Android

The Google Docs for Android app just got an update that makes it more like its desktop equivalent. It has a number of new features for both phone and tablet:

1) It provides the facility to build, analyze & editing in the Google docs with a new apps called Android editor.

2) Now anyone can use rich text editor for example sumone make text bold, italics usage of font colors, background colors & many more.

3) Apart from rich text editor we can also use the Layout tools and can listed our documents in numbering & bullets.

4) A very awaiting feature has now included and this is called Real Time Collaboration. Now if any of our co-worker edit anything in the document then we can also see the edited part and what he/she edited in just few seconds.

But unfortunately these new features are available only for Google docs not for spreadsheet. But this is really a good step from Google that we have a usable Docs interface but its need to update this interface more so that we can take advantage of spreadsheets also. Let’s hope for the best and just say to Google, spreadsheets next please!

Android Mobile Development Creates Dynamic Applications

Since Google launched Android OS, the market of smartphone has gone to new heights. Android OS turned the smartphone a common device with uncommon utilities. But something made Android a globally popular OS is its affordability. If you have a moderate budget, you can have a smartphone installed with next-gen mobile operating system like Android!

It’s an open source OS and because of this fact, manufacturers do not have to pay for using it in Android mobile development. There is nothing less in an Android OS if compared with iOS. Both have similar capabilities and both can perform a variety of operations with similar efficiency. Technically, Android is an advanced OS that supports almost all modern-day features of smartphone and countless apps. Android runs on Linux Kernel and supports Java language codes, allowing developers to quickly write application. Google provides Software Development Kit (SDK) that is a software stack for Android mobile development.

Android mobile development creates innovative & dynamic third party applications which are very useful in executing different tasks for which we usually use a PC. Android mobile development provides business communities with a new world of opportunities. It facilitates lower-middle class of society to buy smartphone and access various mobile based online activities. More number of smartphone users simply means more scopes for business communities.

So, it is easy to go for Android mobile development and all you need is – hire the android mobile development services provided by expert developers.

Here’s bright future for Android game development

It’s quite easy to guess the popularity of Android game development by the fact that Electronic Arts, the giant in PC gaming domain, has also launched Android version for most of its popular PC games. It’s an exciting experience whether for me or any gaming freak to play a PC game like Need for Speed Underground on Android. Android’s Market is just stuffed with similar free & paid games.

Gone is the time when I used to play games on mobile and used to struggle while handling game’s protagonist by a number of buttons. I always felt sorry for not making any sizable record using those buttons. But now, highly responsive touch screen and accelerometer in smartphones have removed the use of mechanical buttons and controlling the game has also become very easy. It is simple to move a smartphone left or right to drive a car and putting and slipping finger on touch screen to target birds towards naughty pigs. I can never imagine completing even a single stage of Angry Birds if it for ordinary mobile. Thanks to the inventors of touch screen and accelerometer.

Android OS, like any other smartphone, is quite popular platform for game developers, especially for those who have matchless ability of conceive, develop and release games. If you are a programmer, Android game development welcomes you to introduce a game in market. Just submit a one-time fee and you can release your products to millions of customers.

The process followed for Android game development has given a wide variety of games in smartphone market. Depending on the requirement, customization can take the game very close to the original concept. Excellent support to 2D & 3D graphics helps developer in developing world class mobile games, which have all features to surpass any type of PC game.