We’re halfway through the day, the week, and the news. There’s been plenty happening this morning, if you’ve missed out on anything you can catch it all here in our lunchtime rundown of all the big stories. Don’t grab a sarnie without it.
Tagged ‘android market’
Fire up the Android Market on a device running Android 2.2 Froyo or higher and you’ll find it’s been given a nice new look. Google has totally overhauled the Android Market mobile interface to better showcase top apps and games.
The new Android Market layout adds a range of charts charts including which apps are among the top paid, top free and top grossing. It also handily cuts down the buying process to two taps. One thing you might notice while you watch the Google video after the break is how similar to Windows Phone 7 that tiled UI looks…
There’s a new catch-up TV service in town for Android users. ITV player for Android is now live in the Android Market, offering unlimited access to seven days worth of past programming from the network’s four channels.
Unfortunately, just like the BBC iPlayer app, ITV player does not offer live streaming. In order to use the app you’ll need to be running Android 2.2 Froyo or higher, Adobe Air 2.6 or higher and be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
The Android Market is a work in progress. Yesterday Google updated its application store to include a list compatible handsets beneath each title. Although screening was previously available while browsing on an Android smartphone, the update is particularly useful for those who browse and install via the web store.
Unfortunately Google made one major omission with the update. They forgot to include a filter for Honeycomb apps. As an Android tablet owner I cannot begin to explain my frustration in finding quality Honeycomb-optimized apps. We are no closer to solving the issue today than we were several months ago when 3.0 launched.
iOS developers currently targeted by Lodsys now have a new friend, Apple. The company has come out of the woodwork to put its legal weight behind its developers. The real question is whether Google will follow suit and extend the same courtesy to Android developers?
Apple’s support began yesterday when the Cupertino-based company filed a motion with the Eastern District of Texas to intervene as defendants in a lawsuit from Lodsys that targets seven iOS developers. Furthermore, Apple has presented a counterclaim which suggests its developers have the license rights to use the technology.
Fan boys antics and daily device activations aside, both Android and iOS are excellent products. The tremendous growth we’ve experienced over the past three years in the smartphone industry is unparalleled. While some may argue iOS is the premier platform based on application libraries alone, Google’s Android OS brings plenty to the table — and quite frankly, outshines iOS in several categories. Here’s five things iOS can learn from Android.
The Android 3.1 update rollout currently underway promises performance improvements, browser stability, new USB device support and Movies. Unfortunately, owners of the Motorola Xoom WiFi edition are reporting the Movies tab is not available inside the Android Market. It appears Verizon Wireless customers with their 3G variant will be receiving the royal treatment this time around.
The time has come ye Android faithful. Netflix has gone official with an Android client, now available in the Android Market free of charge. If you’re a T-mobile USA customer with a Nexus One, G2 or Nexus S, you’ve got first dibs. For everyone else, you’ll need to make sure you’re device has the “requisite playback support”.