Monday, May 9, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Google Checkout Glitch Allowing Paid App Purchases To Clear For Free

Posted: 09 May 2011 05:37 PM PDT

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Whenever I’ve purchased an app from Android Market, I’ve immediately received a confirmation e-mail stating my credit card had been charged. But a flood of reports from developers claim a recent glitch allow users to download paid apps without ever being charged. The purchase shows as “Charged”, allows download, but never gets processed. Authorization expires on the purchase and that’s the end of the story – user get said “paid” app for free.

The issue has been documented on Google Support Forums and dozens of developers are chiming in to agree with the disturbance. One developer explains (this morning) it isn’t anything new:

This issue has been going on for several weeks.  Sometimes Google fixes it in time and all your past orders are charged, and sometimes they get to it too late and you lose a lot of money.  Looks like this is one of the times we lose money.  I already have a few orders where the authorization expired.

How is it possible for a company as huge as Google to be this negligent with developers?

That sounds like trouble and I’m sure this sore spot will be addressed by developers and Google engineers alike at IO sessions over the next couple days. Are you a developer that has been affected by this? If so, how much money have you lost because of the glitch?

Hopefully Google addresses this soon… because many devs work their butts off for every sale- it sucks to not get the sales you’ve earned.

Old iPhone Outselling Motorola Atrix, HTC Inspire at AT&T?

Posted: 09 May 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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With hundreds of different Android phones on the market and available, every one can’t be a blockbuster hit. You’ll have some that are hugely popular, some that hit a niche crowd, some that find mainstream success, and some that perform full face plants. It’s no secret that the Motorola Atrix and HTC Inspire are intended to be two of AT&T’s hottest selling Android products, so how and why are old iPhone 3G devices outselling them?

There are several possibilities, but it’s most likely a combination of many factors. Here are a few of them:

  • The economy is sucking and people are looking for a bargain. They don’t want high-end Androids or the new iPhone 4 at a premium price, so they go for last year’s batch of goods. Unfortunately, AT&T’s previous batches of Android goods weren’t so good. See what I did there?
  • Despite Verizon now carrying the iPhone, AT&T is notoriously the iPhone carrier, so people walk into AT&T and think iPhone. Not to mention they’re much more forward about promoting Apple.
  • There are realistically only 2 choices when looking at AT&T iPhones – the 4 or the 3G/S. Meanwhile, you’ve got a handful of options for AT&T Androids. Obviously then, you’d expect Apple to win slice vs. slice matchups, because even if the iPhone were to own a smaller pie, they’re comparing bigger pieces.

You’ve also got to remember that this is just one analyst’s statistical estimate. They could be wrong. Just because someone writes it, doesn’t make it true. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some truth to this, but again I believe it’s a combination of several factors, some seen above.

In related news, Apple has overtaken Google as the world’s #1 brand based on a report by WPP Millward Brown. If they were to include Verizon’s “DROID” campaign in that branding, I think Google might enjoy the edge. Brand value is inherently a speculative and unquantifiable aspect of marketing, but I don’t deny that Apple has huge equity in this regard.

[Via iSource.com]

Google Goggles 1.4 Adds Support for Notes, Allows You to Submit Suggestions & More

Posted: 09 May 2011 03:50 PM PDT

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The Google gang has just let loose Google Goggles 1.4, a new version of their image-based information application that’ll let you search the web, the stores and more simply by snapping a photo of something.

New features include a searchable history, notes (that can be included in the aforementioned search results), sharing features to let your friends know what you’ve scanned, the ability to submit suggestions for more accurate results when other users go to scan something and better handling of business cards when scanning them. (The application will try its best to organize the data as a contact so that you may easily add it to your phone.)

This application seems to get better with every release and this is by far one of the most interesting updates to Goggles yet. If any of this interests you (the business card scanner is of particular interest to me) go ahead and update in the Android market. [Google]

T-Mobile Brings Back Unlimited WiFi Calling, Teases G2 Gingerbread OTA & Plans Enhanced Caller ID/Voicemail Features

Posted: 09 May 2011 03:36 PM PDT

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Lots and lots of stuff from T-Mobile today that I’m sure plenty of you will love. Firstly, they’re finally bringing back unlimited WiFi calling. If you have access to a WiFi network and your signal strength is spotty you can use WiFi calling (on a select number of T-Mobile phones) to ensure you and the person you’re talking to enjoys the smoothest of conversations. It’s free and should be available for anyone with an Android device with WiFi calling features. Look out for that one on Wednesday.

Secondly, they’ve informed their employees about Gingerbread on the G2. We won’t get too excited, but it does confirm that we’re even closer to getting the OTA upgrade. Owners of this phone were frustrated considering it was just one of few stock Android devices on the market and it still has not gotten its taste of ginger. Looks like we may not have to wait much longer.

Finally, Magenta’s bringing Name ID and Voicemail to Text. The two are straight forward – the former will show you the caller’s name, number, city and state if they aren’t in your address book (and if they aren’t calling blocked), while the latter will transcribe your voicemails to text so you can read instead of listen. (And we’re not so sure you should be getting too excited about that if it’s anything like YouTube’s automated captions or Google Voice’s voicemail transcriptions.) [TmoNews 1|2|3]

HURRY! 100 Google IO Seats Left, $550/each! [OFFER OVER]

Posted: 09 May 2011 03:06 PM PDT

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Google just tweeted that they’ve got 100 Google IO seats left at $550/each if you’d like to attend. Considering the value of the rumored giveaways well exceeds the price, I have no doubt these last 100 will vanish in minutes. So we’ll keep this short.

Visit Google-IO.com and use coupon code for last minute access to awesomeness!

UPDATE: And almost as soon as we could get it up… Google took it down:

Android Tablet, Nexus S To Headline Back-To-Back IO Giveaways [RUMOR]

Posted: 09 May 2011 03:00 PM PDT

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An unsubstantiated rumor circulating on Twitter suggests that Google won’t just be giving away a free phone to every Google IO attendee as they have in years past. This year, they’ll give away an Android Tablet on Day 1 and the Nexus S on Day 2. Even if you aren’t attending Google IO, you could win them both: now would be a good time to enter our Google IO Giveaway Contest.

The rumor originates from @phillyearl who claims a Google Employee spilled the beans,but doesn’t provide any concrete evidence to support the claim. It appears Earl is attending Google IO and is followed by T-Mobile, but other than that, not many clues exist. Other sites have begun picking up the rumor and having just arrive in San Fran, I’m sure other IOers would be eager to hear the news.

This would indeed outdo Google’s last two performances, giving away Android Phones at each. If Google keeps going at this pace, outdoing themselves every year, they probably WILL be giving away cars (that drive themselves) by the end of the decade (Oprah Moment).

The Motorola XOOM would be the obvious choice for an Android Tablet giveaway but it could be any of the Android 3.0 tablets. Do you think this rumor will come true?

(Don’t forget to enter the contest!)

ComScore: Android Passes RIM in US Market Share to Become Number One, Mostly Everyone Else on the Decline

Posted: 09 May 2011 02:58 PM PDT

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Take the title above, switch RIM with any major mobile operating system or their vendor and you’ve got a gist of what’s going to happen throughout 2011. 2010 was Android’s breakthrough year as it skyrocketed to relevancy and won the interest of users, developers and the enterprise sector. That’s not enough, obviously.

In 2011, you’re going to hear a lot about how Android surpasses RIM, Apple, Microsoft, Symbian and whoever else (in the phones sector, anyway) as Google has gone full sail ahead with their business model and it seems to be working out for them tremendously.

Researchers and analysts have previously predicted that Android would be the top smartphone OS in market share worldwide by 2015, while some believe it can achieve that goal much faster. Regardless, they all believe it’ll eventually dominate the phone wars. As you know, tablets are currently an entirely different story.

Take a look above at the hard numbers if you really care for all of the nitty gritty details. To summarize, RIM is now second, Apple follows them, Microsoft follows Apple, and Palm is still last. Only Google and Apple have grown, though the former has grown a lot more than the latter. Sweet! Let’s hope this trend will continue throughout the rest of the year. (We certainly expect it to.)

WatchESPN Gives You Access to ESPN Broadcasts on the Go

Posted: 09 May 2011 01:07 PM PDT

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Reading text and viewing images not enough to fill your sports-enamored heart up? How about live broadcasts courtesy of ESPN from their most popular channels? The ABC-owned sports giant has released WatchESPN, a free Android app that’ll allow qualifying customers to watch what they normally would on that shiny HDTV at home. Channels include ESPN, ESPN3.com, ESPN2 and ESPN U.

ESPN has committed to bringing their Goal Line and Buzzer Beater channels to the app when their respective  seasons make their way to the front of your calendar. Unfortunately, a vast majority of you won’t be able to take advantage as ESPN is only offering this to subscribers of Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV. Make your way over to the Android market to download it.

G2/Desire Z and Desire HD/Inspire 4G Get Fully-Working Sense 3.0 ROMs

Posted: 09 May 2011 12:41 PM PDT

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While the HTC EVO 4G was the first device to get some Sense 3.0 port love from the folks at XDA, it wasn’t perfect and was just barely usable as a daily driver.Many of you have flashed it and reverted back to your previous ROMs. The only way you’re going to get a fully-working Sense 3.0 ROM right now is if you go out and buy the Desire HD and Desire z ( T-Mobile G2 and HTC Inspire 4G here in the states) and flash newly-launched fully-stable ROMs. Everything you want from Sense 3.0 is here including the enhanced lockscreen, updated widgets and a ton more. You rooting types already know the deal so be sure to get your butts to XDA and get started. And no, we will not kiss your device’s booboo if you end up bricking it – going ahead with installing these ROMs is your own decision and your own responsibility. [via Reddit]

Samsung Galaxy S II Source Code Now Available

Posted: 09 May 2011 10:50 AM PDT

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Well that was fast, wasn’t it? Samsung – who has been working to win the hearts and minds of developers – has gone ahead and released the source code for one of the hottest devices headed our way this year, the Samsung Galaxy S2 The phone’s already running on Android 2.3 with the latest version of TouchWiz so it isn’t like early adopters have any real need for custom ROMs right away, but it’s good news regardless and we’re sure the code monkeys have already gotten their paws on this one. (Wait, are monkeys’ paws called paws?) Yeah, anyway, download’s here. (Search for GT-i9100 if that doesn’t ring it up for you right away.) [Android Police]

Groupon & Ticketmaster Partnership To Shakeup Concert Ticket Landscape [GrouponLIVE]

Posted: 09 May 2011 10:49 AM PDT

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Groupon undoubtedly hit it big by focusing on “deals” with a unique web and mobile strategy. I’ve long thought Ticketmaster, who all but has the concert ticket market cornered, was way behind in term of innovation. If they made it easier to discover entertainment options, share these concerts and ideas with friends, and offer a streamlined way to purchase, they could sell a lot more tickets and make a lot more money.

With the announcement of GrouponLIVE – the partnership between Groupon and Ticketmaster that will bring local concert deals directly to your phone – things could get interesting.

This has the ability to shakeup an industry that has been pretty set in its ways for years. Want tickets? Buy them online or try to call in without getting a busy signal for twelve hours. But allowing music lovers and entertainment seekers to casually browse things to do with great deals for them will be an absolute home run in my opinion.

How often do you and your friends wonder, “So what do you want to do tonight?” There’s obviously the typical nights out ideas, but GrouponLIVE could be a go-to source of inspiration for those looking for fun.

I have Groupon installed because I’m curious to browse local deals – it’s fun to see what’s around in small doses every few days. But GrouponLIVE is an app I’d download, use, and make many, many purchases with.

Sprint’s WiFi-Only XOOM Now Available

Posted: 09 May 2011 10:24 AM PDT

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If for whatever reason you didn’t want to get this thing from Motorola or any third-party retailers, another buying spot for the Motorola XOOM WiFi has opened up – your local Sprint store. We can’t imagine any of you will find any real incentive getting it from there, but it’s always nice to know. The version we really want to know about – the one with 4G – has yet to be unveiled, unfortunately. Sources say we should be seeing it late Spring or early Summer, but don’t hold me to that. The Honeycomb tablet is available for $600 in-store. [via Android Central]

Samsung Replenish Now Available, Software Update Commences

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:53 AM PDT

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For the earth-friendly and green-centric folks out there who don’t want a guilty conscious over buying an Android phone, the Samsung Replenish is now available from Sprint. The device is designed to create a smaller carbon footprint than other handsets by utilizing recycled materials and promoting green lifestyles via an exclusive Sprint ID pack. The handset is easy on your wallet, too, priced at a meager $49.99 on a new two-year agreement.

For those who do pick up the Replenish, a software update is already available. The new version software enables the LED notification light for missed alerts, improves roaming performance, and fixes Bluetooth email sync functionality. The update is going out in stages and should hit all handsets within four days.

[via Sprint]

Maintenance Update Already Going Out to Newly Released Nexus S 4G

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:41 AM PDT

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The Nexus S 4G has only been officially on the streets for a day, but already Sprint and Google are pumping out an update for the handset. The update brings the phone’s software version to GRJ22 (Sprint’s Nexus S shipped with version GRJ06D) and includes minor system enhancements that improve the performance of the device. This version would have made the handset’s launch but wasn’t ready. The two parties decided to quickly release the over-the-air update rather than delay the launch of the Nexus S 4G. No specific changelog has been provided as of yet.

The software update is currently being pushed to Nexus S 4G handsets, and chances are you will be greeted with the installation prompt shortly after picking up the handset (if you haven’t already). Anyone out there receive it yet?

[via Sprint]

Internal Google Email Calls Open Nature of Android Into Question

Posted: 09 May 2011 09:11 AM PDT

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Skyhook’s lawsuit against Google is about to add some new life to the debate over Android’s openness. The company is suing Google for allegedly using some industry elbowing to keep Skyhook’s GPS technologies off of Motorola’s Android devices. Part of the investigation called for several internal Android Team emails as evidence, emails that have now been made public by a Massachusetts state court. One email in particular doesn’t paint a pretty picture in Google’s favor.

Android open source and compatibility program manager Dan Morrill wrote “we are using compatibility as a club to make them do things we want.” While a quote from an email discussion taken out of context can be easily misconstrued, the words are still disconcerting to hear. Morrill’s words indicate that open-source or not, Google and the Android Team are employing a sort of preferential treatment to those who play by Google’s rules. Sure, anyone can still tinker with Android source and create a device running the OS but without Google’s blessing and the perks that come along with it.

Certainly not the news Google wants to have aired out just a day prior to the commencement of their Google I/O developer conference. It would not surprise me one bit if the issue is brought to the forefront during Q&A sessions.

[NYT via BGR]
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