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Apptopia Is A New Brokerage Website To Help Developers Sell Ownership Of Their Apps
Jan 29th
There’s no question that mobile apps are a booming business and a new website called Apptopia wants to help developers captilize on this by selling their apps. And we’re not talking about selling an app to users — we’re talking about selling complete ownership of an app, handing over the reigns to a big company or business.
“Apps are not just products that you buy for .99; they are complete businesses with revenues, customers, technology, and partners. A mobile app is an asset.”
Prospective buyers would then, after purchasing an app, get full access to the user’s code to do with the app as they pleased. They could build upon the app or simply market it the app in ways the developer never could. Think of Apptopia as a broker or middle man who will find a buyer, and do all the negotiating while the developer kicks his/her feet up. While the site still isn’t completely ready for primetime, developers interested in selling an app can sign up for more information when the site launches in February.
[Apptopia.com]
Samsung Galaxy S III Shows Up On Support Website?
Jan 27th
We had heard that Samsung isn’t planning on introducing the Galaxy S III at Mobile World Congress. That’s why we find it surprising that a GT-I9300 appears on the Global Download Center in the United Emirates. For those playing at home, the I93XX would indicate a flagship device. The i91XX is for the Galaxy S II, while the i92XX represents the Galaxy Nexus and Note. That’s why it strikes us as surprising to see this show up on one of their websites.
This could be a simple placeholder, something that has zero bearing on when it might release. Then again, maybe news of Samsung not announcing the Galaxy S III at MWC was a great head fake.
Source: Engadget
Samsung Galaxy S III Shows Up On Support Website? is an article from everything Android, sponsored by the Everything Android Store.
Google’s new Android Design website aims to beautify third-party apps
Jan 13th
It’s a pretty well-known fact that some Android apps out there lack a bit in the “pretty and easy-to-use” department. More often than not, these apps have well-designed counterparts on other platforms like iOS and Windows Phone. As a result, Android has always been thought of as the ugly duckling of the mobile OS family.
However, that might start to change soon. Google just announced Android Design, a website with the sole goal of helping developers make their apps look great. The site has a great deal of information on how to integrate apps with Ice Cream Sandwich, how to use all the new UI elements included in the latest version of Android, and overall tips and guidelines to keep in mind when you’re building apps. If you’re an Android developer, you should definitely check it out.
This launch is just one of the latest moves made by Google in an ongoing war against some of the biggest issues hurting the Android platform right now: fragmentation and unattractiveness to the average consumer. The company started to fight these problems with Honeycomb — and more so with Ice Cream Sandwich — but the G-Team is nowhere near done. In fact, just a few days ago we found out that the Holo Theme available on Android 4.0 is included on every device that has access to the Android Market. That plus today’s announcement make it pretty obvious that Google is quite serious about getting rid of the “ugly duckling” tag.
As it is usual with Android, these UI guidelines are not enforced in any shape or form. Developers can still go their own separate way if they choose to — for better or for worse. Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised if Google decides to highlight those apps that stick to the official UI guidelines, while penalizing those apps that don’t.
LG Optimus 2 hits the LG website – Don’t get your upgrade guns ready
Jan 3rd
The LG Optimus One has been a great device for many entry-level Android users. It is by no means a super phone, but its availability (most carriers have it) and low price have taken this little guy very far. Technology moves forward, though. This guy is getting quite old, and a successor is definitely necessary. LG has been working on it, and the LG Optimus 2 has finally reached the official LG website.
LG really had this one very well hidden, right? But don’t start getting exited. This is yet another entry-level device, and if you own an Optimus One device (or any other low-end smartphone), you will probably want to upgrade to something better.
LG Optimus 2 Specifications
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- 800 MHz processor
- 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen (HVGA – 320x480p)
- 3.2 MP Autofocus Camera and Camcorder
- 179 MB of internal storage (microSD upgrade-able by 32 GB, 2 GB microSD included)
- Bluetooth 3.0 + EDR
Not the device of your dreams, but definitely a great option for smartphone first-timers. The entry-level market is very important, and it is good to see LG trying to keep it alive. Expect this little guy to hit stores soon with a very affordable price-tag. We’re pretty sure we’ll be seeing this at CES, so stay tuned for more details.
What do you guys say? Would you rather have seen the LG Optimus 2 become a super-phone? Who is thinking of getting one of these? Maybe for one of your kids?
Fusion Garage’s website goes dark — has it bitten the dust?
Dec 17th
Perhaps it’s the comeback that wasn’t meant to be — Fusion Garage has apparently silenced its radios for over a week on Twitter, and more than a month on Facebook. Potentially worse, its website is now unreachable, displaying only a “Database connection error.” Although its Grid10 tablet was set for a delayed October 1st release, some folks over at The JooJoo Forum and on Fusion Garage’s Facebook page are reporting that they’ve yet to receive their tabs, weeks after placing orders.
We’ve fielded more than a few concerned tips saying the same, and sadly, that’s just the tip of this iceberg, as there’s also been mention of slow correspondence from the company, with wishy-washy responses about what’s going on. One forum poster mentions eventually hearing back from its public relations agency — this after contacting FG for order details — with an indication that a refund is on the way.
We’ve reached out for an official comment but received nothing but silence. That said, we’re hearing we aren’t the only ones having a hard time getting in contact with Fusion Garage’s executives, leaving us with a sinking suspicion that there will be no third go ’round for the house that Chandra built. Ordered a Grid10 yourself, or still waiting on your free JooJoo replacement? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.
Update: We have a comment from Fusion Garage’s PR agency:
Unfortunately, none of our efforts have resulted in any communication from the company to the customers. Given all of this, we don’t have any other choice but to cease working with FG effective tomorrow.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Fusion Garage’s website goes dark — has it bitten the dust? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Engadget
Android Market website now supporting unofficial devices
Nov 24th
There are two things Android could not live without – development and the Android Market (among other things). There are those few manufacturers that chose not to get approved by Google, and their devices end up being released without the Android Market (or Google Apps, in general). Once developers get in the game, though, more than one can believe starts becoming possible.
For example, it is now possible to install the Android Market on most of these Google unapproved devices. So far, the Android Market on these builds has only worked via the Market application on the device itself, though.
For Google certified smartphones/tablets, it is possible to install apps directly from the web. Simply head to the Android Market website, select the app, click install, select your device, and boom. Next thing you know, your device already has the app in there. While we can get the Market to work on our non-Google Android devices, installing from the web has been impossible, until recently.
Reports have been attesting to the fact that the Android Market website is now supporting un-certified products that get the Android Market hacked in. Such are mostly tablets, and include the Kindle Fire, the Nook Color, Nook Tablet, older Archos tablets, etc. As you can see in the image to the left, the list of devices displayed includes 3 unofficial devices, even including the HP Touchpad.
This process seems to cause a small (but not massive) issue, though. Reports also claim that when using the Android Market app on one of these devices, there is a problem with the apps that were installed via the website. Apparently, the Android Market app can detect which apps were installed with the app itself, and upon trying to update the ones that were not, the process fails. Nothing that a re-install can’t fix, though.
If you feel like this process would be convenient to one of your hacked devices, go right on and try it out. Don’t forget to sound off in the comments to let us know how this is working for you. We would love to see if many of our readers are able to do this.
