Aug 23

Android SDK add-on brings Market one step closer to your Google TV

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, apps, AppStore, GoogleTv, hdpostcross, honeycomb, market, Today's Chili
We knew the Android Market was coming to Google TV and yesterday product manager Ambarish Kenghe announced the tools to make it a reality. The Google TV add-on to the Android SDK has been released to developers so they can begin the process of porting their apps to your 40-inch flatscreen. At the moment, only developers using Linux with KVM can use the kit but Kenghe says they’re working on support for other platforms. Apps that require unsupported tech like touchscreens won’t be visible on the market, so developers need to make sure their software is optimized for TVs before they make their living-room debut. Hammer your finger on the source link below for the inside skinny from Mr Kenghe himself.

Android SDK add-on brings Market one step closer to your Google TV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Developers Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 22

Last Year’s Smartphones Selling Better Than the Latest and Greatest

Posted in: Android, android market, ios, iPhone, Miscellaneous, Phones, Smartphones, Software and Operating Systems, Today's Chili

Hardware companies are in the business of convincing you to buy the hottest new item. And save for Apple, it looks like smartphone makers aren’t doing a good job of it.

Four of the top five best-selling consumer smartphones of the second quarter were all made over a year or more ago, according to a recent report.

The iPhone 4 was the best selling smartphone among non-corporate consumer purchases from April through June, according to research firm NPD, with the iPhone 3GS coming in at a close second. Representing the Android operating system, HTC’s EVO 4G ranked as the third most purchased smartphone in Q2. And finally, the lesser-known Samsung Intensity 2 (released in June of 2010) came in fifth place. Samsung’s Inspire 4G ranked fourth, the only phone released in 2011 to make the top five.

To some extent, the increased iPhone sales make a certain amount of sense. The price of the 3GS dropped after Apple debuted its iPhone 4, attracting the bargain hunting demographic. To boot, the iPhone 4 saw a surge of new buyers after the release of a CDMA version on Verizon’s 3G network. Most recently, Apple released its white iPhone 4, resulting in another spike of sales.

With the slew of new Android phones released this year, sales have spread across the myriad Android-powered options consumers face. As a result, no one particular Android model has emerged as a true victor.

Instead, Android continues to dominate in operating system market share, as 52 percent of new smartphone purchases run Google’s operating system. Apple’s iOS emerges in a not-too-distance second place, with 29 percent of the OS market share. And of course, much of this growth is at RIM’s expense; the Canadian company bled out over half its share of sales compared to the same period last year. As usual, Windows Phone 7, Windows Mobile, and webOS each held less than 5% of the market.

Image courtesy of NPD Group

[via SplatF]

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Aug 18

ThinkFlood releases RedEye remote control app for Android, makes it even easier to sit around

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, application, hdpostcross, honeycomb, laptop, mobile, mobilepostcross, PC, remote, remote control, RemoteControl, smartphone, tablet, Today's Chili, TV

Nearly two years after releasing their Red Eye app for iOS users, the convenience enthusiasts over at ThinkFlood have now brought the universal remote control to the Android community, as well. The app, which was released in beta a few months ago, allows users to remotely control their non-networked home theater, lighting and air conditioning systems from the comfort of their tablets, laptops or smartphones. Version 2.7.0 also brings plenty of customizable graphics and layouts, for those looking to add a more personal touch to their lives of leisure. Compatible with any device running Android 1.6 or later (including tablets running Honeycomb), the app features a built-in TV program guide that can be used with any display, but in order to take advantage of its other home theater controls, you’ll have to purchase networked ThinkFlood hardware products like RedEye or RedEye Pro (it’s not compatible with RedEye mini). If you’re interested in downloading the tool for free, check out the source links below, or click past the break for more details, in the full PR.

Continue reading ThinkFlood releases RedEye remote control app for Android, makes it even easier to sit around

ThinkFlood releases RedEye remote control app for Android, makes it even easier to sit around originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThinkFlood  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 16

Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, application, game, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Today's Chili, xperia
Just a couple months after making its grand debut at this year’s E3, Minecraft has finally made its way to the Android Market, much to the delight of cube enthusiasts and time-wasters everywhere. With this new, Pocket Edition app, Mojang is hoping to faithfully recreate the Minecraft experience on mobile platforms, with a special emphasis placed on the game’s creative side. In version Alpha 0.1, users will be able to explore randomized worlds, invite friends to play along in their worlds and save multi-player realms directly to their phones — all while manipulating 36 different kinds of blocks from the comfort of their touchscreens. For now, the game will only be available for Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play, though Mojang plans to release it for other Android handsets “in the near future.” You can grab it now for $6.99, or swerve past the break for more information, in the full press release.

Continue reading Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply

Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Market  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 05

Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, apps, Google, GoogleTv, hack, hdtv, honeycomb, leak, logitech, Today's Chili, TV, video

Now that eager hackers have actually managed to shoehorn the latest flavor of Android onto Logitech Revue units, the question is what does it actually look like? We got a few screenshots at Google I/O but now there’s pictures and videos popping up all over. One of our tipsters sent a few shots over, while the Channel Android folks on YouTube have posted a video walkthrough (embedded after the break). So far it looks good, with little remaining of the original Google TV UI, now replaced by widgets, box art-style listings of TV content and more. Thinking about dropping a Benjamin on one of these units and upgrading to Honeycomb yourself? Be warned — it’s very raw, so with no Netflix and not much app compatibility to speak of, remaining a voyeur is probably advisable for now.

Gallery: Logitech Revue running Google TV Honeycomb beta

[Thanks, Michael]

Continue reading Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good

Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceYouTube  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 05

Nissan’s Android app lets you charge your Leaf from afar, puts the ‘ease’ in EV

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, charger, charging, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, green, sales, smartphone, Today's Chili
If you happen to be both a Nissan Leaf owner and an Android user, you’re in luck today, because the automaker has just released an official app that could make your life a little easier. With Nissan’s tool, you’ll be able to monitor your electric vehicle’s battery life and estimated driving range directly from your smartphone, which you can also use to remotely charge your Leaf, or start its air conditioning. It may not be the most groundbreaking app ever, but it definitely offers some welcomed convenience to Nissan’s growing base of EV drivers. Yesterday, the company confirmed to Autoblog Green that Leaf sales “crossed the 10,000 mark a couple weeks ago.” Exact figures are hard to come by, due to Japan’s summer holiday, but Nissan says it’s 100 percent certain that the milestone was crossed. Next up: world domination.

Nissan’s Android app lets you charge your Leaf from afar, puts the ‘ease’ in EV originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community  |  sourceAndroid Market, Autoblog Green  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 03

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, Apple, apps, AppStore, Chrome, developer, developers, Google, ios, iPhone, sdk, smartphone, Smartphones, Software, Today's Chili

The Chrome Web Store welcomed a new arrival today, and it goes by the name of appMobi XDK. While the addition is targeted squarely at developers, it’s entirely free and packs quite a doozy — cross-platform HTML5 software development from within the web browser. As you might expect, the tool is perfect for making applications to run within Google Chrome, but get this… it’s also capable of creating native apps for submission to Apple’s App Store and the Android Market. Like any competent development environment, it features a full set of debugging tools, along with the ability to test your apps via on-screen emulation and directly from your target device. Hardware integration is accomplished with JavaScript hardware abstraction, which enables access to the camera, GPS, accelerometer and the like. Further, the platform boasts full compatibility with PhoneGap, which means you can easily transition if you’ve got a project in the works. If you’re already hooked, be sure to check out the PR after the break, which describes such goodies as in-app purchasing and secure user authentication, which are made possible with appMobi’s cloud services.

Continue reading appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceChrome Web Store  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 29

LauncherPro dev’s skinnable UberMusic player finally hits the Android Market

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, Google, MP3, Music, Today's Chili, video, Wp7, zune

We were thoroughly infatuated with LauncherPro developer Federico Carnale’s then-unnamed music app the first time we saw it in beta, bringing Metro UI styled playback to our Android lifestyles. Now UberMusic v1.0 is available on the Android Market, flexing its customizable skills for the princely sum of $3.49. Don’t think this is just some ripoff however, while one of the skins (that can also be found on the Market) is a Zune lookalike, third parties can make it look however they might like, including the widgets. If you missed our demo the first time around you can check out the video after the break to see why we’re so excited, or hit the source link to purchase now. Allergic to spending money on apps? Don’t give up all hope, as the creator tweets an ad-supported free version may be on the way as well.

Continue reading LauncherPro dev’s skinnable UberMusic player finally hits the Android Market

LauncherPro dev’s skinnable UberMusic player finally hits the Android Market originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink @fedecarnales (Twitter)  |  sourceAndroid Market, UberMusic.com, Metro Skin  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 28

Gmail v2.3.5 for Android adds label-specific ringtones and sync priority mail only options

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, Gmail, Google, sync, Today's Chili, update

If you love Gmail and need to access it on the go, you probably already know that Google’s Android platform is the best way to do so, and with the new v2.3.5 it’s getting even better. The top two new features this time around include the ability to sync only priority messages (saving battery life and keeping unimportant messages at bay) and the ability to individually set notifications and ringtones for any of the labels in your inbox. The Android Market website is still showing version 2.3.4.1, but we successfully upgraded via the Market on our devices. Also new are features like remembering “Show Pictures” for specific senders, a toggle for sticky message actions in all orientations as well as improved overall performance and TalkBack screen reader support.

Update: The website is now showing all the details for 2.3.5, hit the source link to update or just check the official list after the break.

Continue reading Gmail v2.3.5 for Android adds label-specific ringtones and sync priority mail only options

Gmail v2.3.5 for Android adds label-specific ringtones and sync priority mail only options originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Market  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 27

Android Market seen running on BlackBerry PlayBook (video)

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, BlackBerry, blackberry playbook, BlackberryPlaybook, playbook, RIM, tablet, Today's Chili, video

We’ve already seen the Android App Player leak out, and now the BlackBerry PlayBook has taken one more (unofficial) step towards being a full-fledged, psuedo-Android tablet. While it’s described as a “proof of concept,” the video above from CrackBerry forum member Lawguyman shows that the tablet is at least capable of running the Android Market and downloading apps, albeit with a few PlayBook-induced obstacles — check out the furious swiping around the 1:30 mark. Here’s hoping for a slightly more official solution before long.

[Thanks, Steve]

Android Market seen running on BlackBerry PlayBook (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCrackBerry  | Email this | Comments

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