Android Market

Android Market is Google's resolution to Apple's App Store, allowing for an arranged record and simple solution to download packages made for the specific phone running system. With the release of the Nexus One, phones with Google's Android OS are anticipated to greatly expand and with new users will come a brand new starvation for applications. Google has mentioned from the beginning that the imaginative and prescient for Android Market isn't just for customers however in an effort to draw in developers. Such was the reasoning in opting for the time period "market" over "store." Android Market is not such a lot a store run by way of Google but a market made to carry in combination app builders and Android OS phone users.
History of Android Market

The first assertion of the approaching of Android Market used to be on August 28, 2008 and it was once made to be had as a beta version on two months later on October 22, 2008. Android Market started by way of providing most effective free packages during beta testing with the full purchase gadget being implemented in the united states and U.K. in February of 2009. Once month later, in March of 2009, 2,300 programs had been to be had to users.

By the top of 2009, the applications available on Android Market had grown to over 20,000. This quantity positioned it ahead of Windows Mobile Market however nonetheless some distance in the back of the iPhone App Store at 100,000 applications. Even though Android Market falls brief compared to the App Store, proponents are quick observe that they reached the 20,000 mark much sooner than the App Store. These similar proponents additionally say that a few of the App Store's 100,000 packages are best duplicates of already current packages and they serve handiest to make it harder to wade through for the common consumer.
Android Market Developers

In the beginning, best builders located in the U.S. and the U.K. had been allowed to submit applications that carried a worth tag. In April of 2009, Google introduced plans to allow developers in Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain to put up their priced Android apps and, making just right on their word, soon later on those countries had the facility to amplify Android Market with their applications. Soon afterward, Japanese and Italian developers were added to the list. Australia, strangely, is absent from the record of nations which are allowed to put up priced programs and there was much hypothesis concerning the reasoning at the back of this decision. As of today, the the explanation why Australia has now not been brought remain a secret. Android app developers, no matter the country, do have one merit over iPhone app developers and that's the proven fact that distribution of Android apps isn't restricted to Android Market. iPhone apps can handiest be dispensed and bought via App Store, however Google permits Android Apps to be distributed from any source, so many builders make Android apps available on their own web page or on secondary Android software websites.
User Availability

Android Market is available to customers in a number of countries across the world. The listing of open Android Market international locations includes:

* Australia
* Austria
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Spain
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Japan

Android Market Devices

Some of the gadgets that use the Android OS and have Android Market available are:

* Acer Liquid A1
* Archos five Internet Tablet
* Barnes & Noble Nook
* Dell Mini 3i
* HTC– Dream, Magic, Desire, Hero, and Tattoo
* Google Nexus One
* T-Mobile Pulse
* Lenovo OPhone
* LG Eve
* Motorola Droid
* Samsung – Behold II, Galaxy, Moment

Tethering Applications

One controversy sparked by way of Android Market is the availability of programs that let tethering of cell gadgets to laptop or computer computers. Tethering is a way during which a mobile tool acts as a modem to provide web access to a "tethered" computer. This type of internet get entry to undercuts the separate web service to be had to shoppers and tethering a cellular device in this kind of manner is in direct violation of the T-Mobile consumer agreement. As a result, Google initially pulled all tethering packages off of Android Market. Later, however, they were restored to all different companies exceptT-Mobile.

Android Market update!!!

Android Market is scheduled for a big update this Weekday! There present be a 6-hour outage for developers during the update, but not consumers, so Robot Marketplace testament comfort be approachable.

Humanoid transmitted out an email to developers today confirming what Android is asking of developers for the new Robot Industry update:

* A "film graphic" of 1024 x 500 declaration
* A 512 x 512 high-res icon
* Two screenshots (maximizing to 8 in the time)
* A channel to a promotional YouTube recording

The intensiveness on high-res images could connect that the much-needed web-based type of the Golem Industry that was excited rearward at Google I/O is on its way to the mainstream.

Hit the domesticize to see the afloat netmail from the Android Market group!

Hello,
We’re writing to inform you about some changes to Android Market that require your attention.
First, we have added support for a recent changes feature, which allows you to add notes about changes specific to the newest version of your application. You are able to submit these from the Developer Console, similar to descriptions. In the Market app, these notes will appear under the app description as “Recent changes.”
Second, there is now a ‘draft upload’ capability for application updates. This feature enables you to edit your app listing and upload a new version without affecting the version live in Market. Your app listing edits will not change your live listing until you select “Publish.”
Finally, we are adding support for larger promotional graphics to showcase your application. In addition to the currently required app screenshot, you will be required to upload one “feature” graphic. Supported promotional assets will now include:
- A “feature” graphic, landscape aspect ratio, 1024 x 500 (required).
- A high-res icon, 512 x 512 (required).. The Android icon design guidelines located at http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/icon_design.html apply.
- 2 screen shots, 320w x 480h, 480w x 854h, or 480w x 800h, increasing to 8 screen shots in the future (1 required).
- A link for a promotional video hosted on YouTube (optional).
Thanks, and we look forward to continue working with you on Android Market.
Regards,
The Android Market Team

Opera For Android, Beta Testing

As promised, the boys and girls at Opera accept pushed out an Android-flavored beta adaptation of their Opera Mobile 10.1 artefact today -- and because the company's clue almanac for authoritative alarming backup browsers, allowance are acceptable that you're activity to appetite to analysis it out. Besides pinch-to-zoom and abutment for area services, you'll acquisition fan favorites like desktop browser accompany and Opera's Speed Dial, a concrete filigree of bookmarks. What's more, the beheld tab administration is absolute glossy (then again, outdoing the tab administration congenital to Android doesn't booty much), so you ability appetite to booty it for a analysis drive today -- can we advance engadget.com as a accomplished starting point? The app's accessible from the Android Market appropriate now; chase the breach for the columnist absolution and an official audience of pinch-to-zoom in action. Or, you know, aloof download it and do some pinch-to-zooming of your own. Go to Opera to download the software.

Kindle for Android advancing this summer

What was hinted at in those leaked Dell Streak flyers is now official: Kindle for Android. Unfortunately, it's not absolutely accessible to download. Amazon's chargeless Kindle ebook clairvoyant -- already out for Mac, PC, BlackBerry, and iDevices -- won't barrage until after this summer. When it does, users of Android 1.6 and aloft (with SD card) will accept the adeptness to search, browse, and acquirement (without departure the app) any of the bisected actor books in the Kindle Store. Like the added apps, Kindle for Android appearance Whispersync to accumulate your bookmarks, aftermost folio read, notes, and highlights synchronized beyond all your Kindle-enabled devices. Expect to see this approved at Google I/O starting tomorrow.

What is Android?

Android isn't just for cellphones anymore. Which means that there will come a day when Android is more important than the iPhone, more important than Windows, and more important than any one device.

Android is an open source operating system created by Google for primary use on smartphones, and is currently in use on many cellphones such as the Motorola Droid, the HTC Droid Eris, the HTC Hero, the HTC Desire, the MyTouch 3G Slide, and the Dell Streak.

Recently there's been a developer release of the Android operating system for use on the x86 archictecture, which will eventually allow Android to be ported to tablets, netbooks and even onto laptops and desktops, as well as onto many other devices, such as set-top boxes, video game systems, home control systems and other things not even thought of yet.

Android is written in Java on a modified version of the Linux kernel. Because of its open architecture, it's easy for developers to build applications to run on the Android operating system. Unlike the Apple closed architecture, with its draconian gatekeepers, anyone capable of coding can write an application to run on Android. And if Google's rules are followed, that application will be made available to all Android users.

What that means to you is that if you want your cellphone to do something it doesn't currently do, and there isn't an Android application that does it, you have the ability to contract with a developer to have an application built that will allow your cellphone to do exactly what you want, though there are also developer groups who, if the idea is a great one, may take your project on in exchange for the ability to put their name on it and offer servicing and customization of that application, which is the way open source works. The sky is the limit!

As of this writing there are approximately two Android phones activated per second. Because Android is offered on so many great phones, with many new ones to be launched soon, it won't be long before Android phones hold a greater market share than any other operating system on any other phone, including the iPhone, especially since the Android 2.2 Froyo release supports Adobe Flash, a sticking point with the iPhone and other cellphones. Android 2.2 Froyo is right now being rolled out to the Nexus One, and will soon be available for most other Android phones.