ShaswatPatel.com » Google

Google’s New Android “Test Market” Leaked Accidentally

Zac Davis — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 03:35:11 +0000

The people who run the blog Tech from 10, recently received an unexpected present from Google on their Galaxy S Vibrant. A new Android Market app, which they dubbed the “Test Market”, which they assume is used by Android developers.

The interface was generally the same, but there were a lot of new things to be found. Firstly, there is a new “Content Rating” section for applications, which showed that apps will now be receiving ratings similar to the ones games receive by the ESRB. Screenshots show that there will be an “Everyone” category, but not all of the categories are known yet.

New Music App Stock Android Music Player 3.0

New apps were also found in this “Test Market” including a new 3.0 version of the stock Android Music app, Google Gallery 3D, Camera v12, and Desk Clock 10. The only thing that could be installed, however, was the new Music 3.0 app, which showed off a new interface similar to the redesign of the Gallery app that Android got with version 2.1. It is very similar to the Music app that is currently shipping on Honeycomb tablets, and even comes with support for Google’s upcoming cloud music service, which was inaccessible to the reviewers.

The music app update will come long awaited, as an increasing amount of 3rd-party apps have surfaced due to the lack of features of the current stock app. It will be interesting to see just how far away the release of these new, updated app is.

Google’s Upcoming Cloud-Based Music App Accidentally Leaked

Chad Buenaflor — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 06:38:28 +0000

Speculations that Google was about to release its own cloud based music service similar to what Amazon has just released were further confirmed when a test version of the latest Android Market was accidentally made available to various Android devices.

A test version of the Android Market began showing in some Samsung Galaxy S models was similar to the current Android Market 2.3.4 save for a preview bar on top. The applications available were all labeled test which prompted people to believe that this version is meant for developers and not consumers.

Google Cloud Music App

One interesting application that popped up was the Music app which is similar to the Android 3.0 Honeycomb music app. This application has the ability to play music from the cloud through its “Stream Music via Wi-Fi” feature.

It has been reported previously that Google was planning a cloud based music service and this application might be used by Android smartphones to access the user’s personal collection on the cloud.

Android Ice Cream: A Combination Of Three Platforms

Chad Buenaflor — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:11:42 +0000

Google’s next OS called the Android Ice Cream will be a combination of its three current platforms namely Android 3.0 Honeycomb (tablet), Android 2.3 Gingerbread (smartphone) and Google TV (Internet TV). This will make it easier for developers to create applications for Android devices since it can be easily supported by various devices. It will also make it easier for manufacturers to release updates to their devices regularly.

Google Android Ice Cream

Reports indicate that Google is set to announce their latest OS this coming May at the Google IO event. This might be the solution Google has come up with to address the fragmentation concerns of the Android. The company has just to release one update that will affect three platforms rather than release three separate updates for three platforms.

The entry of Android Ice Cream may also be the reason as to why Google has not released the source code of Android Honeycomb yet. If the Honeycomb source code were released and the Ice Cream will be making an appearance next month then it might add more fragmentation concerns.

Google Pulls Out Grooveshark From Android Market Over Copyright Issue

Chad Buenaflor — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:39:07 +0000

Streaming music app Grooveshark is the latest application to be booted out of the Android Market. In a move seen by many as Google’s way of cleaning up its online store of copyright infringement applications, the company sent letter to Grooveshark informing them that their app was to be taken down.

No exact details were provided by Google on this action however representatives of the company said that the application violated the Android Market policy.

Grooveshark For Android

Grooveshark allows people to upload their music library and share their songs with other users. The company already has an arrangement with EMI on making available its music library however it is currently being sued by Universal Music Group. An estimated 6 million songs are available in the Grooveshark library.

This controversial application was also initially available in the Apple app Store however it was also removed last July. The elimination of Grooveshark from the Android Market is also a good move for Google since it will soon launch its cloud based music service. The less competition, the better it is for its service to gain lots of users.

Experts Predict Android Tablets Will Beat iPad In 2012

Chad Buenaflor — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:20:23 +0000

The tablet market which was started by Apple’s iPad is still being dominated today by the said device. This scenario might change soon as Android tablets are slowly eating up the market share of the iPad. Experts are seeing that by the year 2012 the dominance held by the iPad will soon be overtaken.

Android Tablets

Big name manufacturers such as HP, Samsung and LG are all planning to release their own tablet devices to compete against the iPad and their devices will be running on the Android OS. Although 9 out of 10 tablets sold in the market today belong to the iPad, the sheer number of Android tablets arriving in the coming months will cut this lead down.

Apple iPad

This revelation is actually good news for consumers since manufacturers will be finding ways to make their models more attractive. Competition will then focus on the features and pricing of tablets. Experts agree that if Android tablets can be priced lower than the iPad then Apple will be seeing some real competition.

Google Denies Rumors About Face Recognition App For Android

Chad Buenaflor — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:37:38 +0000

Earlier this week CNN reported that Google was creating an Android application that would recognize facial features. The application will allow people to snap photos of people’s faces and gain access to their personal information. In order for the application to do this, people have to agree to give Google access to their photos and information first.

Google Facial Recognition Apps

When Google was asked to comment on this they denied that they were making this application available for the Android. The company however said that they already have the technology to perform facial recognition through their Google Goggles service however have no plans yet of releasing it. Currently Google Goggle’s can recognize objects, read barcodes and even translate text.

Google Goggles For Android

Google claim that they will not release their face detection application not unless strong privacy protection policies are in place. CNN might have misinterpreted Google’s plans on facial recognition which might be due to the fact that it is one of the most highly requested features to be added in Google Goggle’s.

Mobile Threats Increased In Android According Kaspersky Labs Report

Chad Buenaflor — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:19:20 +0000

The increase in the number of people using Android devices is currently being taken advantage of by cybercriminals by developing mobile threats targeting Google’s Android operating system. A report released by Kaspersky Labs show that at the end of 2010 there has been a reported 7 families of malicious programs with 15 variants that are affecting the Android platform.

Malware Threats In Android

It is not only the Android platform that is affected by these mobile threats but other popular platforms as well such as Symbian, J2ME, Windows Mobile and even the iOS of Apple. The year 2010 showed a 65.12% increase in malicious applications compared to 2009. As of the year end of 2010 there were already 153 families of malicious programs with 1,000 variants.

Mobile Threats On Various Platform

How can Android users protect themselves from these threats? The best protection so far is to download applications straight from the Android Marketplace. Most Android smartphones get infected when people try to download popular applications from other sources.

New Android Malware Targets Pirate App Users Pirates

Chad Buenaflor — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:46:02 +0000

People who love to save on buying applications by downloading the pirated versions are now getting a nasty surprise. Those Android users who downloaded the “Walk and Text” application from unauthorized sources other than the Android Marketplace are finding out that the application is infected with a malware.

The illegally copied “Walk and Text” application sends out an SMS message to your entire contacts list stating

“Hey, just downlaoded a pirated App off Internet, Walk and Text for Android. Im stupid and cheap, it costed only 1 buck. Don’t steal it like I did!”

Walk And Text Apps For Android

Apparently this is the only action that the malware does and is clearly aimed at humiliating the person downloading the application illegally. Two reasons are pointed out on why this application exists which are to make legitimate software look bad or this could just be the work of a disgruntled application developer.

Security firm Symantec discovered this threat for Android devices and immediately warned people on the effects of downloading applications from unauthorized sources. If you want to stay safe get your applications from official channels.

Google Fights Against Android Fragmentation Concerns Issues

Chad Buenaflor — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:10:49 +0000

The Android platform is one of the best operating systems to ever run on a smartphone. This is why a lot of mobile phone manufacturers have models running on the Android. Several of these manufacturers have placed in their own personal tweaks to the operating system to either improve the user interface or personalize the model.

These changes done to the Android platform are causing fragmentation concerns that sometimes confuse the regular customer and Google does not want that to happen. One solution that the company is strictly implementing now is that mobile manufacturers who want to make changes to the way Android operates will have to get clearance first from Google through their head of mobile, Andy Rubin.

Android Fragmentation

This latest development hasn’t pleased most of the manufacturers with some of them even complaining to the Justice Department on the newly imposed rules.

One concern that Android devices have right now is that not all of them are getting the updated version of the OS. This is why you might see some models still running in Android 2.1 or 2.2 causing fragmentation which Google plans to resolve.

Google In Talks With MasterCard and Citigroup For Android Mobile Payment System

Chad Buenaflor — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:42:15 +0000

Google plans to make their Android devices pay for your purchases in stores by offering a mobile payment service. The company is currently in talks with MasterCard and Citigroup which it plans to partner with in their latest service.

Google Mobile Payment System With Mastercard

People who own android devices simply have to wave their smartphones over a reader to pay for their purchases. This is made possible by an NFC (Near Field Communication) sensor which will be included inside every Android device starting this year.

Google will not get a cut out of the transaction fees. The company plans to target people with specific ads and discounts that match their profiles and location.

Android Mobile Payment System

Those concerned about security over this wireless payment method should be pleased to know that it is much more secure than swiping your physical credit card. The payment information is much harder to steal since the technology involved is much more complex than that of the magnetic stripe.

Google plans to launch this service within the year.

ShaswatPatel.com » Google

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