With the closing of Google’s acquisition of Motorola, we can finally say R.I.P. to Moto. The smart money says that Google’s takeover of Moto was mostly patent related and massive layoffs are just around the corner for employees of Motorola. Google has said that they’ll run Motorola at arms length but it’s unlikely that they’ll compete with partnering OEMs like Samsung and HTC – in terms of handsets.
Many make the argument that fragmentation also means “choice” but when the choice is between a multitude of horrid phones/devices, is choice really a good thing and is it even a choice at all? Saturation doesn’t mean superiority and ultimately, it’s the end user that pays (long OS update times) for the rapid fragmentation the Android OS has undergone.
Source: AllThingsD
We all heard the recent news about Facebook buying everyone’s favorite photo sharing app Instagram and how they just crossed over the 40 million user mark but have you ever wanted to download all your photos from Instagram, right to your computer? NO – then stop reading this article. Yes – well then, we have the right service for you.
After months in the works, popular photo taking/sharing app Instar.am is finally available for Android devices. The Android version is almost exactly the same as the iOS version but performance does differ (time to add filter effect) depending on the Android device you own. Also, you’ll need to have a smartphone with Android 2.2 and up, so that does prevent some phones and tablets. Since being released mere days ago, the popular app has over 1,000,000+ instals and a 4.4 star rating in the Android market or as Google is calling it now: Google Play. Get your version now.
This morning, Bloomberg Businessweek posted a very interesting article concerning Steve Jobs “Thermonuclear War” with Android and how the continuing war has spread from Google, to many tech giants in the industry. Apple hasn’t targeted Google directly but has gone after the Android OS, by simply attacking OEMs like Motorola (Google), Samsung and HTC. Yet, what makes the countless lawsuits even more intertwined, is the business relationship Apple has with Samsung for component parts – $8 Billion a year worth. Regardless of the complication, Steve Jobs still wanted Android dead:
“Google, you f–king ripped off the iPhone, wholesale ripped us off. Grand theft.” Jobs swore he would “spend my last dying breath” and “every penny” in Apple’s coffers “to right this wrong. I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go to thermonuclear war on this.”
We’ve all made fun of Android OEM’s and their ridiculous naming schemes but Matt Burns, over at TechCrunch, has put together a beautiful side by side. As it turns out, Android phone names don’t just sound crazy, they’re also indistinguishable from Condom marketing. That’s right – condoms. Could this have been the marketing play all along? We’ve all seen how super manly those Motorola commercials are – could they be marketing on a more subliminal, more sexual level? Check out the video below and be careful for the: “Instrument of efficiency…..”
Source: TechCrunch
Square, people’s favorite personal payment system has rebranded itself overnight – is now known as “Pay With Square.” In the wake of last weeks PayPal mobile payment system announcement (essentially a less attractive Square copy) Square has gone with a slight make-over and somewhat of a massive app update – both for iOS and Android.
Here are the major updates: Rebranded to “Pay with Square” - New UI Changes Make The App faster & simpler - Discovering Merchants & Businesses Much Easier - Add businesses you love to your Favorites list & Share with friends. Essentially, the UI changes allow for better and faster functionality, both in terms of performance but also in terms of finding businesses that use Square. The new UI also allows you to bookmark merchants and businesses that you have used, adding them to a favorites list and then share with friends - personalizing your whole Square experience. Solid update and smart slight re-branding by a very forward thinking company – get your iOS update here & your Android update here. Check out the hipster video below for a visual run-through of the update or visit Square for more info.
Source: Square
The “Madness” starts March 13th and while this years tournament promises to be as spectacular as years past, we’re always presented with the same problem: How can you watch all 67 games? Well, that long standing issue just got solved – big time! The NCAA has released a mobile app (iPad,iPhone,iPod Touch, Android) which allows fans to tune in to all 67 games and watch them live, right on their favorite devices. If this wasn’t good enough, the price for all 67 games is just $3.99 – that is madness! Good to see a consumer friendly solution – looking right at you TV/Movie studios. Get your iOS app here or your Android app here.
Source: NCAA
If you love your Android device and really love Google’s implementation of the Roboto font (sans-serif) – here is you chance to download it yourself. Google has made the typeface available and it can be found on the Android guidelines page – click here.
The Roboto font was released inside Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and Google describes it as: “…modern, yet approachable” and “emotional…” Roboto was made by Google in-house and more specifically was created by Christian Robertson, who also created Ubuntu’s tilted typeface. Still interested, go and grab it.
In a perfect example of Android fragmentation, Motorola has just released it ICS Android 4.0 upgrade schedule for its phones and man, does it look bleak. While the chart below only shows USA released hardware, you can find the global chart here – that said, it looks like even current generation phones won’t or might not get ICS. Even a new phone like the Droid Razr Maxx, which isn’t even months old, is still in the “Evaluation & Planning” stage – this is not to say that they won’t, as Motorola has stated that the Razr Maxx will but you might have to wait until 2013 for it.
CES 2012 has had some big surprises but one of the biggest came from Google yesterday and it dealt with Android ICS. Google has released a statement and has created a specific website to “help” developers develop “better” for ICS:
…To help you in that mission, we’re introducing Android Design: the place to learn about principles, building blocks, and patterns for creating world-class Android user interfaces. Whether you’re a UI professional or a developer playing that role, these docs show you how to make good design decisions, big and small.
The Android User Experience Team is committed to helping you design amazing apps that people love, and this is just the beginning. In the coming months, we’ll expand Android Design with more in-depth content. And watch this blog for a series of posts about design, and invitations to Google+ hangouts on the topics you care about most…
Essentially, all the crap apps in Android Market (70%) – Google wants to help devs make them look/act better for Ice Cream Sandwich. This has been a very serious issue for Google and the Android Platform. It’s open source nature makes it susceptible to poor coding and ugly design and this can be easily seen in the Android market. Think of this as cliff-notes for Android devs. While Google hasn’t set theses guidelines in stone (you don’t have to follow them as a dev) it seems like they are once again trying to restrain Android – In my opinion, they sound close it down completely and have a professional / secure / safe / design friendly ecosystem like Apple. After all, android isn’t that “open”.
Source: Google
In its ongoing campaign to recapture the handheld market it once reigned upon, Sony has released its nextgen PSP – the PSVita in Japan. While the US release is still a couple months off, it hard not to wonder that Sony is too lat to the table and with the wrong hardware. Before we talk about approach, here are the Vita’s specs:
- CPU: ARM® Cortex™- A9 core (4 core) - GPU: SGX543MP4+ - Ex. Dim: 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm - Screen: (Touch)5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544 - Rear Touch PadMulti touch pad - Cameras: Front camera, Rear camera - Sensors: Six-axis motion sensing system - (three-axis gyroscope, - three-axis accelerometer) -Three-axis electronic compass - Wireless Comm: (3G) - IEEE 802.11b/g/n - Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR - Location: Built-in GPS - Wi-Fi -
Essentially, it’s bringing to the party some great specs (at a great price $249) but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a one use device (gaming). It will be directly compared to all the smartphones that will also come out in the spring, some of which will have similar specs and have multiple use functions, not just gaming.
So, is Sony going after the ever shrinking audience that wants just a handheld gaming device with better controls than a smartphone? Hard to believe, since the mobile industry is moving so heavily into smartphones as the dominent one off device. Does Sony not see this? Are they stuck in a time loop and don’t possess the leadership to see where gaming is going?
Sadly, all the diehard gaming companies seem to have fallen under this mindset, even Nintendo. Stop making the DS and releases all your franchise games on Android and iOS – evolve and turn yourself into a gaming company (not hardware).
Source: Sony
Source: Reddit
Speaking at LeWeb 2011 in Paris, France – Eric Schmidt dropped somewhat of a bombshell: “By the summer of 2012, the majority of the televisions you see in stores will have Google TV embedded.” Now, no other details where released, so we don’t know if he was speaking about the actual TV set’s UI or if Google TV will be a featured app, as Netflix and Vudu are currently on many smart TVs. Is Google nurturing its mobile ties to the likes of Samsung, Sony and LG, maturing their relationship beyond the mobile space? Samsung, Sony and LG own 46%+ of the global TV market, so Google would have to get them on board along with other vendors like Panasonic. Add that info to deafening rumors about Apple’s own “Smart” TV in 2012, with Siri powering the UI and control. Looks like the TV space is heating up again!
Source: TheVerge
Kevin Systrom, CEO of Instagram told a panel at LeWeb 2011, that he had members of his design staff working on an Android version of the popular photo sharing app. Beyond that, we heard no release dates or any other information regarding an Android specific app but there was talk about Instagram’s inroads into monetization. Thats right, the app you love so much will have some kind of advertising built in at a future point. Does this mean there won’t be a paid versions without advertising, no but it does seem like the days of a simplistic UI – free of Toyota Ads, are limited. Personally, I can’t wait for people to fall in love with taking “Non-Filtered” pictures again.
Source: TheVerge
Starbucks processed 26 million orders through its mobile apps, adding $110 million to its bottom-line for 2011 fiscal year revenue. That might not seem like a lot of money, when compared to the $11+ billion it took in from cash/credit transactions but this is a rapidly expanding minority, which is projected to explode in the coming years. Small businesses take note – start providing mobile payment options, even if it’s something as simple as Square.
Source: The Verge
Earlier this year, we told you about a social image/message app called Path – well its just been updated and it looks real good. For a quick recap, Path is like Twitter and Instagram mixted together - allowing a small group (no more than 150) friends to share images and info about each other. This 150 person limit allows the group to be very personal and connected – something that Facebook has destroyed.
The updated UI is simply beautiful – minimalistic and to the point, as you would want from any app limited by a phone’s small screen size. Along with the increase in friends allowed, Path also allows you to share the song you’re listening to, share the images you take to more social services and they have even included a new automatic option, allowing the app to share when you’ve visited a new location. Yet, with all these improvements, Path still suffers from stagnent marketing and a tiny user base; even with Facebook integration, many people still don’t know about it. Path is available for Android and iOS – highly recommended.
Source: Path
If you’ve got an Android device, then you’ll love what Google’s added to maps! Google Maps 6 adds indoor view/layout to some of America’s biggest malls and airports: Mall of America, IKEA, The Home Depot, select Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s locations, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O’Hare Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Narita International.
I know, the list is limited but Google has allowed retail stores to upload their own floor-plans, thus adding to the database – yet another jump forward for Google’s amazing Maps platform. Along with indoor view, Google has also changed around the UI a little; allowing for quicker switching between subscreens and views. Want more info – Click here.
Source: BGR
Samsung’s new commercial, shown above, does a great job of mocking the rabid Apple fanboyism that takes place during a new product launch but does it do more harm than good? Pointing out the loyal Apple following is in itself, pointing out how successful the brand and products are – there is a fine line that has to be walked by Samsung, as to make a point but not be dickish about it. That said, one could argue that Android fanboys/girls are equally crazy when it comes to product launches. What do you think, does this commercial work?
Yesterday, Google held its music even in Los Angeles and unveiled Google Music – a music store to take on Apple’s iTunes but in a slightly different way. Sure, you get the much expected music store, where one can download song (99¢-$1.29 each) - Google has managed to sign 3 of the 4 major music labels, leaving only Warner on the sidelines, plus hundreds or thousands of independent labels. So, what does that give us? Millions of songs and a very strong competition to both Amazon’s music store and Apple’s iTunes.
Source: Allthingsd.com
“They are coming!” Could the smartphone market be going where the PC market went 10 years ago? Gartner’s latest prediction, as to the future of mobile OS saturation and dominance, hints at the democratization of smart-phones but also to the shifting of powers. The Chart above says it all but essentailly, Gartner predicts that Android will rule the future, in terms of OS marketshare, with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 taking second and iOS coming in third – all this by 2014.
Gartner goes on to say that it believes Apple will fall into this third place position because it is unlikely to lower its margins per phone, allowing competitors to sell their phones at cheaper prices, thus gaining market share. This is what we saw in the pc market, where Apple hold a 15% market share in the US but its profits (due to high margins) out weigh its competitors.
Personally, I believe Apple will combate this trend by releasing a cheaper version of the iphone because unlike the pc market, Apple makes tons of cash from the whole itunes ecosystem. Hardware sales are their cash cow but their vast saturation of iOS devices, also allows them to rake in billions from music/movie/app sales.
Gartner may say they predict the future but the tech industry evolves faster than their current statistical analysis allows – essentially they are predicting the future with present data – good luck with that.
Source: AppleInsider.com
Not happy with Skype? Qik just dropped one hell of an update to its iPhone app, allowing cross platform video and messaging chat. So, for all those people out there that have family or friends playing on the wrong side of the mobile OS war, now you can chat about your differences.
“Qik Video Connect Plus is the highest resolution mobile video communications service in the market that lets you connect and interact with your family and friends in exciting new ways with video. It is the most complete mobile video solution in the market and is used by millions globally for video chat, instant video messaging, sharing videos on social networks, and also storing precious moments.”
So what does the free version of Qik get you: Instant video sharing, Live “Friend-casting” (broadcast to friends on social networks or blogs), share videos instantly to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or send private video messages, new video feed displays all the videos shared by your friends, and makes it easy for you to stay connected with what they are doing, all recorded videos are automatically uploaded to your online video gallery for sharing. Or you can stop being cheap and buy the $3 pro version, which adds HD capability for video recording and uploading, video effects, video editing and video syncing. Sounds good, check it out here: Qik Website
Source: Electronista.com
Apple released iOS 4.3 to the world on Wednesday, two days ahead of the much rumored Friday due date, thus corresponding with the release of iPad 2. There is no such thing as too early! So what does this unifying OS include? Here is the short list:
-Airplay Enhancements -Safari Mobile Browser Performance Boosts – Specifically 2x Java Improvements -iTunes Home Sharing -iPad Side Switch Option -iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot
The unifying iOS update has been a long time coming – updating multiple devices to a single OS but is this going to be the plan from now on? Having all iOS devices share features and abilities has obvious advantages, for devs, devices and for consumers. This would also be a complete slap in the face to Android, which has made strides to consolidate but has left devices and consumers across multiple versions. How is your update coming?
Source: Apple.com
