Android Market embraces fragmentation, allows multiple APKs for a single app


Google wants to keep its third-party app developers ‘appy by letting them upload multiple APKs to the Android Market under a single product title. This means developers can subtly offer different versions of their app to suit different devices and OS versions without having to worry about mixed-up download stats, user reviews or billing data. They can also tailor their software to exploit the capabilities of a new handset or tablet without having to mess with their existing customers. What will the App Guy have to say about this?

Android Market embraces fragmentation, allows multiple APKs for a single app originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Developers  | Email this | Comments

Android 3.2 SDK now available, new features get detailed

And just like that, it’s official. After hearing about the next incremental step in Honeycomb’s journey by way of Huawei’s MediaPad, we’ve seen breadcrumbs about its functional differences. Today, we’re being given the full shebang — Google has just made official v3.2, boosting the API level to 13 and releasing the SDK into the wild in one fell swoop. The new build brings along optimizations for a “wider range of tablets,” as well as “compatibility zoom for fixed-sized apps,” media sync from SD card (huzzah!) and an extended screen support API. Head on down to the links below for a closer look, and expect to see this rolling out to [insert your favorite Android tablet here] in due time.

Android 3.2 SDK now available, new features get detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Id co-founder: mobile devices will be as powerful as today’s consoles within two years

Id Software has taken that whole “can it play Doom” challenge to heart in recent years, embracing the mobile space in a big way. Given the explosion of phone-based gaming, it’s not hard to see why — in fact, the speed with which devices have advanced has apparently left co-founder John Carmack’s mind reeling. In a recent interview, the Wolfenstein / Doom / Quake developer noted how iOS has gone from non-existent to a major gaming player in the time that it has taken the company to develop the still forthcoming Rage. And while the iPad 2 isn’t quite as advanced as some might suggest, Carmack predicts that in two years, mobile devices will “almost certainly” be as powerful as the current crop of high-end consoles. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Id co-founder: mobile devices will be as powerful as today’s consoles within two years originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Game Industry (Registration Required)  |  sourceIndustry Gamers  | Email this | Comments

TouchPad homebrew patches surface in Preware, devs keep on giving

Earlier this month, we told you about the free TouchPads being custom wrapped for the devs at WebOS Internals. It seems that those fortuitous webOS junkies have upheld their end of the deal, as the first delectable homebrew patches have begun to show up in Preware. As we’ve seen, this tech is offered at no cost — and HP continues to reach out to devs of unofficial apps, making the situation a win for everyone. Check out a shot of the first patch officially completed for webOS 3.0 below (Glass Effects Squite), and hit the source to keep an eye on what’s brewing next.

Continue reading TouchPad homebrew patches surface in Preware, devs keep on giving

TouchPad homebrew patches surface in Preware, devs keep on giving originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 01:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PreCentral  |  sourceWebOS Internals  | Email this | Comments

Apple to allow license-free virtualization with OS X Lion, developers roar with delight

Developers and IT managers have reason to smile today, because it looks like Apple is changing its approach to virtualization. According to Mac Rumors, users who download the client version of OS X Lion will be able to run one or two virtualized copies on a single Mac, using tools like VMware or Parallels. This functionality first surfaced with Leopard, but was only available to users who obtained a pricey OS X Server license. The EULA for 10.7, however, suggests that Lion owners won’t need any extra licenses to tinker away in an alternate OS universe. It’s news that the enterprise community will certainly welcome, but we’ll have to wait a little longer before riding the Lion into a virtual realm, later this month.

Apple to allow license-free virtualization with OS X Lion, developers roar with delight originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW  |  sourceMac Rumors  | Email this | Comments

iOS 5 beta 2 blocks Gevey SIM Unlock, brings photo album curation to iDevices

It’s only been a few days since Apple released iOS 5 beta 2, but we’ve already received a bevy of tips from developers who’ve spent some quality time with the update and uncovered a few of its more salient features. Here are some highlights.

  • It looks like Apple has blocked Applenberry’s Gevey SIM software, which allowed users to unlock devices running iOS 4.3 or iOS 5 beta 1 without having to jailbreak. (Read)
  • According to Dev Team member MuscleNerd, iOS 5 beta 2 can still be jailbroken using the RedSn0w 0.9.8b1 tethering tool, released earlier this month. (Read)
  • The beta refresh also brings a few tweaks to iOS 5’s notifications system. Traditional alerts and reminders now pop up on the lock screen in larger typeface, alongside their appropriate icon. If left unattended, the notifications will eventually be added to the Android-like banner menu, at the top of the lock screen. (Read)
  • Users can now create and curate photo albums directly from their iDevices, though the feature isn’t without its quirks. A tipster informs us that photos added to new albums remain in the original collection, as well. If you migrate an image from one album to another and delete the original, both pics will disappear.
  • The next beta release might be issued over the air. When a tipster checked for updates on an iPad running beta 2, he received a “No updates were found” message, suggesting that users may be able to find future refreshes without syncing their devices with iTunes. (Screenshot after the break.)

Update: We’re hearing from many of you that the gallery functionality was actually a part of beta 1. But, you’re encouraged to continue enjoying it here, in beta 2.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

Continue reading iOS 5 beta 2 blocks Gevey SIM Unlock, brings photo album curation to iDevices

iOS 5 beta 2 blocks Gevey SIM Unlock, brings photo album curation to iDevices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 06:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia’s N950 splayed by FCC, 12-megapixel camera lurking within

Our friends over at the FCC have somehow both scored and already torn asunder Nokia’s new flagship MeeGo development phone. Slicing and dicing Espoo’s latest confirms the watered-down N9 specs we’d previously heard about, except for one: a 12-megapixel camera. An intriguing addition, as the N950’s official specs list an 8-megapixel shooter, which the Finnish firm touted as “different” than the unit in its brother. Perhaps different means the additional 4-megapixels we spotted earlier this year? Sure, last minute component changes aren’t unheard of, but if you ever manage to convince the Finns to throw one your way, do us a favor and let us know what it’s packing. Ok?

Nokia’s N950 splayed by FCC, 12-megapixel camera lurking within originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceMy Nokia Blog  | Email this | Comments

iOS 5 beta 2 now available for developers

iOS 5 beta 2 now available for developers

Hey iOS developers, guess what? iOS 5 beta 2 is now available for your downloading pleasure, and from what we understand, it ushers in wireless syncing for Macs running iTunes 10.5 beta 2. So hop on over and download it already, and don’t hesitate to tell us how it’s treating you in the comments below. We’ll return the favor if we find anything remarkable — we promise.

[Thanks, Haseeb]

iOS 5 beta 2 now available for developers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTechnoBolt, Apple  | Email this | Comments

Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video)

Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video)

In an attempt to edge its way into the crowded mobile payments market, a new credit card scanning system is saying “ah, hell no!” to typing and swiping. Card.io is billed as an SDK that takes advantage of smartphone cameras to let devs accept credit, because, as its creators point out, “typing on mobile phones is slow, and most consumers don’t have a separate hardware attachment.” When it’s time to pull out the plastic, Card.io gets your phone’s camera going, and up pops a little green rectangle, in which you frame your card and snap a pic. Your credit card info is then processed by a third-party merchant, and the details are subsequently deleted from your phone. Can you hear that? That’s the sound of our chubby thumbs breathing a sigh of relief. The Card.io SDK for iOS is now available at the source link below, and an Android version should be close behind. For now, hop on past the break for a video demo.

Continue reading Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video)

Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PCMag  |  sourceCard.io  | Email this | Comments

Nokia N950 pictures: a gallery’s worth of MeeGo to tell the story

At long (long!) last, the N950 is upon us. While “announced” via a nondescript text document earlier this week, we still had no clear indication of what Nokia’s second MeeGo device would truly look like just a day ago. Despite years of leaks and an inestimable amount of visions tip-toeing around in our brains, we never could nail down a solid image of the thing. Until today. In addition to the video grabs seen earlier, we stumbled upon a backdoor repository leading to a somewhat curious looking Nokia device; and sure enough, 20-some-odd N950 photos from Nokia itself flowed forth. It’s mighty troubling to still not have a cemented price or release date, but hey — at least you know it’s worth saving for. Enjoy.

[Thanks, Jerry]

Nokia N950 pictures: a gallery’s worth of MeeGo to tell the story originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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