Posts tagged android apps
Google Earth 1.1 Adds Layer to Explore Oceans
Aug 24th
An updated version of Google Earth (1.1) hit the Android Market this morning, adding a key component – oceans. And it’s about time. How can Google look themselves in the mirror and call it “Earth” if they omit nearly 3/4 of the planet? All kidding aside, the new version is something special in that it lets users dive deep under the sea and check out videos and pictures of the terrain where Poseidon lays his head.
The latest version of Google Earth for Android also introduces the “Explore the Ocean” layer, which features hundreds of photos and videos from more than 100 contributors who are excited to share their stories of the sea. Plan or get a sneak peek of your next vacation during your daily commute by clicking on any of the little blue icons.
For those of you running Android 2.2 “Froyo”, you’ll be pleased to learn that you have a few added benefits. Now that you have Flash and a true web experience, you can take advantage of the pop-up balloons that play Flash videos right in the balloon. It’s also possible to use two fingers to “look around” and adjust your viewpoint instead of relying on the on-screen button. And finally, Froyo also lets you install the app onto your SD card. Being that the app weighs in over 20MB, this is definitely a welcome feature.
Google Earth 1.1 Adds Layer to Explore Oceans originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Android App Development is “a Viable Revenue Stream”
Aug 23rd
Arron La, developer of Advanced Task Manager, recently posted information about that app’s revenue in an effort “to highlight how Android is a viable revenue stream after reading countless stories that it is not.”
La published the paid version of the app in February, 2009, followed by an ad-supported version in November of that year. In about a year and a half, the app has generated a total of about $80,000 in revenue for La, with about $50,000 in purchases (at $0.99 each, after Google’s 30% cut) and about $30,000 in ad revenue from the free version. This July alone, he saw more than $10,000 come his way, with more than half coming from ad revenue on the free version.
While Advanced Task Manager has benefitted from appearing on the Market’s lists of featured apps, it also occupies a space with several competitors. La cites issues with the Market and Google Checkout as holding his (and others’) apps from more revenue:
“Discovering applications is a problem right now. With these additional lists, users can click through them to find other high quality apps – unlike the ‘Top Paid’ list right now which is very arbitrary and is not an indication of the true top applications in Android.
“Google Checkout is also a big problem since it doesn’t accept payments in a number of countries causing Android to only support around 13 countries compared to 90 on the iPhone. This is inexcusable. The reporting feature on Google Checkout is also horrible. It was quite painful to generate tax reports.
“With that said, Google is doing a number of things to improve the situation. Paypal as a payment option will be extremely helpful. A website to browse Android applications and to send it to phones for installation will most likely raise applications discoverability and revenue significantly.”
He also acknowledges that improvements in the Android OS have removed much of the need for his app, but notes an overhauled new version is in the works that will add significant new features, such as backup capabilities and more app management tools.
NOTE: Android App Development is “a Viable Revenue Stream” originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Check-in to Music, Movies, Television, and Books with GetGlue
Aug 17th
GetGlue has released the Android version of their entertainment-based social network service today, allowing users to earn points and stickers for checking into movies, books, music, and shows. Already available for the iPhone, GetGlue also provides personalized recommendations and exclusive rewards from top entertainment brands such as HBO, Showtime, Barnes and Noble, and Universal.
Primary features of GetGlue include:
- Check-in to tv shows, movies, music, games, and books
- Share check-ins with your Twitter and Facebook friends
- See what your friends are currently watching, reading or listening to
- Earn leaderboard points and get stickers from GetGlue and major brands
- Rate lists of popular shows, movies, music and books
- Get suggestions for weekly new releases and old favorites picked just for you
- Take your favorite entertainment and suggestions with you everywhere
Download GetGlue for your Android phone for free by clicking this link!
NOTE: Check-in to Music, Movies, Television, and Books with GetGlue originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Check-in to Music, Movies, Television, and Books with GetGlue
Aug 17th
GetGlue has released the Android version of their entertainment-based social network service today, allowing users to earn points and stickers for checking into movies, books, music, and shows. Already available for the iPhone, GetGlue also provides personalized recommendations and exclusive rewards from top entertainment brands such as HBO, Showtime, Barnes and Noble, and Universal.
Primary features of GetGlue include:
- Check-in to tv shows, movies, music, games, and books
- Share check-ins with your Twitter and Facebook friends
- See what your friends are currently watching, reading or listening to
- Earn leaderboard points and get stickers from GetGlue and major brands
- Rate lists of popular shows, movies, music and books
- Get suggestions for weekly new releases and old favorites picked just for you
- Take your favorite entertainment and suggestions with you everywhere
Download GetGlue for your Android phone for free by clicking this link!
NOTE: Check-in to Music, Movies, Television, and Books with GetGlue originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Miso Brings Check-in Features to Television Shows, Movies
Aug 17th
You thought you were addicted to Gowalla and Foursquare. Going places and sharing your location with total strangers and followers is so early 2010. What are the cool kids doing in the second half of the year? They are checking into television shows and movies, that’s what.
Are you watching your twitter timeline fill up with location-based mentions to places and cities you will never visit? Aggravating and boring, isn’t it? What if check-in apps worked in a way in which you cared about your friends and had conversations about the movie they were watching, and not the theater they were at? Miso does that. Released to the Android Market in 1.0 form just this morning, the check-in app lets you share what you are watching. And before you ask, yes, there are badges.
Features include:
- Socialize and chat with your friends and other TV fans by liking and commenting on any check-in to any show.
- See what TV shows are currently trending among all Miso users and discover new shows.
- Use voice search, a cool Android feature that makes finding your shows as easy as saying the show name!
- Unlock badges and earns points for your all your check-ins.
- View all your earned badges and check out hints for badges you haven’t earned.
NOTE: Miso Brings Check-in Features to Television Shows, Movies originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Miso Brings Check-in Features to Television Shows, Movies
Aug 17th
You thought you were addicted to Gowalla and Foursquare. Going places and sharing your location with total strangers and followers is so early 2010. What are the cool kids doing in the second half of the year? They are checking into television shows and movies, that’s what.
Are you watching your twitter timeline fill up with location-based mentions to places and cities you will never visit? Aggravating and boring, isn’t it? What if check-in apps worked in a way in which you cared about your friends and had conversations about the movie they were watching, and not the theater they were at? Miso does that. Released to the Android Market in 1.0 form just this morning, the check-in app lets you share what you are watching. And before you ask, yes, there are badges.
Features include:
- Socialize and chat with your friends and other TV fans by liking and commenting on any check-in to any show.
- See what TV shows are currently trending among all Miso users and discover new shows.
- Use voice search, a cool Android feature that makes finding your shows as easy as saying the show name!
- Unlock badges and earns points for your all your check-ins.
- View all your earned badges and check out hints for badges you haven’t earned.
NOTE: Miso Brings Check-in Features to Television Shows, Movies originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
GPS-Based FastFoot Puts Team of Runners Against “X”
Aug 6th
So you’re pretty good about getting outside and running or jogging everyday, but you are looking for something different. Might I recommend a new app for you called FastFoot? This GPS-based fitness title will have you changing up your route right away. Here’s how it works: two to seven players compete against each other using their mobile phones. One of you is “X” and your job is to avoid getting caught before the time (25-60 min) runs out. You can use the live radar to see where the other players are whenever you want. The Runners hunting you down, however, can only see your location once every six minutes. To even things out, they have the advantage of being able to communicate with each other.
FastFoot comes in two flavors, a free and Premium, although I can’t tell what the difference is from their descriptions. The app is available in iPhone and Nokia versions as well, with all three playing nice with each other.
Here’s a video trailer showing the premise of the game. Although it’s almost two years old, you get the point.
NOTE: GPS-Based FastFoot Puts Team of Runners Against “X” originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
