Archive for April, 2011

iPhone Vs Android Vs BlackBerry Info-graphic

Apr 29, 2011 Android Development Resources

The smartphone race is getting very intense. While the market is heating up, giving sleep-less nights to the various players, mobile users can chill as it means more great products and services. We found a funny, NO, hilarious info-graphic depicting how iPhone/BlackBerry/Android users feel about themselves and how he/she is seen  by BlackBerry/Android/iPhone users. It’s a little old but classics never die. Scroll down and Have Fun!!

Source- C-Section Comics

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Apple vs. Android: Google Android Market now the biggest in free apps, says Distimo.

Apr 29, 2011 News

A report by Distimo, app store Analytics Company, brings cheer for Android developers. The report reveals that Android Market has eclipsed the Apple App Store in free apps for iPhone. The study covered major app stores like Apple App Store for iPad, iPhone, Mac, BlackBerry App World, Google Android Market, Nokia Ovi Store, Palm App Catalog, Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, and GetJar, in the United States.

The Google Android Market currently has 134,342 free applications whereas to 121,845 free apps are available in Apple App Store. What will be music to ears for Android developers is the finding from the study that Android market may replace Apple App Store as the biggest application store in the next five months. The report predicts that if all app stores maintain their current pace of growth then in the next five months Google Android Market will be the largest in terms of number of apps followed by the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad, Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, BlackBerry App World and Nokia Ovi Store.

Android developers would also be happy to learn that Apple which had a dream run in the Tablet market is going to face its first serious competition from its rivals Google and BlackBerry.

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Latest Android Developer Resources For Android Phone and Tablet App Development.

Apr 28, 2011 Android Development Resources

There are many third party resources available for an Android developer to aid him in building powerful applications for Android phones and Tablets.  Today, in our series of Android Developer Resources, we feature OpenPlug Studio and Appia’s latest advertisng network service that will help an Android developer in building apps and marketing it to its audience.

OpenPlug Studio is now available free of charge to Android developer.

Android developers can now get OpenPlug Studio (earlier OpenPlug ELIPS Studio) free of charge. The toolkit will aid Android developers in efficiently creating Android phone and Tablet apps using technologies such as XML, JavaScript and ActionScript.

Alcatel-Lucent has also announced the launch of app development and developer training program named Certified OpenPlug Solutions Provider Program.  The program aims to help Android developers and others on how to use the OpenPlug tools in enterprise app development and take advantage of service providers’ network-based APIs.

Appia’s performance based advertising network for Android developers.

Appia, the world’s largest open application marketplace, has announced the launch of a performance based advertising service for Android developers. This service is available for app developers who want better ROI from their advertising spendings. The new service provides an Android developer a ‘pay per download’ opportunity, allowing him to promote his apps and boost downloads. The Android developer will have to only pay as per the results.

The new service makes it possible for Android developers to target mobile users by country and platform. They can also target over 200 million mobile subscribers in more than 200 countries available on Appia’s distribution network.

The new service will be integrated into the company’s Developer Program, making it simpler for android developers to set up and run pay-per-download campaigns and promote their apps. An Android developer participating in the advertising network program will also get access to online reports with detailed breakdown on device, platform and country to get insights into the ad campaign.

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Android Developer Resources: Top 10 Android Development Books

Apr 27, 2011 Android Development Resources

The popularity of Android market is soaring high. With most of the research reports and expert opinions predicting Android to be a market leader in future, there is huge potential for Android developers in app development. However, to be the best in the fast-evolving Android ecosystem, an Android developer requires consistent sharpening of skills and constant updating of knowledge. So, as part of our Android developer resources series, here is our list of Top 10 best android development books for aspiring Android developers to kick start their career and build intuitive and intelligent apps for the Android market.

  • Hello, Android: Introducing Google’s Mobile Development Platform (Pragmatic Programmers) by Ed Burnette

This book will aid developers in creating their first application for Android: Android’s version of “Hello, World.” The android book covers the basics of Android development in a step-by-step manner. You will also learn audio/video support, graphics using 2D and 3D OpenGL plus expert advice and practical tips on publishing your app in the Android market.

  • Android Application Development For Dummies by Donn Felker

This guide on Android development will explain you on how to download the Android SDK, get Eclipse up and running, write codes for your applications, and submit your apps to the Android Market, in a simple and lucid style. This book is for everyone, from a beginner to an experienced Android developer, as it covers both, basics and advanced subjects in Android development.

  • Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself — Hours) by Lauren Darcey and Shane Conder

If you are short of time and are looking for a crash course on how to develop applications for android market, then Sams Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 Hours will come handy to you. The book, in just 24 sessions, teaches you how to build great applications for Android.

  • Professional Android Application Development (Wrox Programmer to Programmer) by Reto Meier

This book is a hands-on guide to build powerful Android applications, and features real-world examples on how to build applications for Android phones. The book not only covers all the basics in Android development but also explores the future enhancements of the operating system to help you develop innovative applications for Android phones.

  • Android in Action by Frank Ableson and Robi Sen

Get a comprehensive knowledge of Android platform and build on a strong foundation in Android development with Android in Action. The book is an ideal resource for both, learners and experienced Android developers and covers latest topics in app development including web development strategies, Bluetooth integration, AppWidget framework and the Android Native Development Kit etc.

  • Learning Android by Marko Gargenta

Learn the fundamentals such as how to use Android’s basic building blocks to create user interfaces, store data, connect to the network, and what’s more, build a Twitter-like application throughout the course of this book, adding new features and learning new skills with each chapter.  The books covers an overview of the Android platform, Android stack, Android user interfaces, Android Interface Definition Language (AIDL) and the Native Development Kit (NDK) and is a useful resource in Android development.

  • Android Programming Tutorials, 3rd Edition by Mark Murphy

Android Programming Tutorials teaches you the unlimited possibilities in Android platform  through a series of 40 exercises. This book will give you practical tips on how to build powerful applications for Android market and covers topics such as Internet access, integrated WebKit browsers, location tracking, maps, cameras and accelerometers etc.

  • The Android Developer’s Cookbook: Building Applications with the Android SDK (Developer’s Library) by James Steele and Nelson To

The book will teach you on how to build apps from the scratch and covers important topics in Android app development including implementing threads, services, receivers, user alerts, UI layouts and views, audio/video support, hardware APIs, SQLite, testing and debugging apps.

  • Android Wireless Application Development (2nd Edition) (Developer’s Library) by Shane Conder and Lauren Darcey

The book on Android development offers latest information on the newest SDKs and covers best techniques for an Android developers. It covers up-to-date information on concept, design, coding, testing, packaging, and delivery with detailed coverage of Android APIs, data storage, networking, location-based services, multimedia and 3D graphics etc.

  • The Busy Coder’s Guide To Advanced Android Development by Mark L. Murphy

The book covers Android development in depth and will be of particular use to an Android developer intending to use playing media, camera, sensors and other sophisticated services in his application. The book also covers databases and content providers, using system services, handling system events and testing.

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Android vs. Apple: Android Tablets will overtake Apple iPad, says Dell founder.

Apr 26, 2011 News

We know Apple lovers will not like it but it will surely be music to ears for Android developers. Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell believe that Tablets based on Android tablets will in the long run surpass Apple’s iPad as the leader in the Tablet market. According to IDC, Apple grabbed 83 percent market share last year.

“Not tomorrow. Not the next day. But again, if you look at 18 months ago, Android phones were like, ‘What is that?’ And now there are more Android phones than iPhones. I don’t see any reason why the same won’t occur with Android tablets.” Dell said in response to a question in an interview to The Wall Street Journal.

He further said that Dell will continue to double down on Android. Michael Dell acknowledged that like others he too was surprised by the rising demand for Tablets. “I’d say [the] rapid rise of the tablet, I didn’t completely see that coming.”

Android based Tablets have not performed as well in the market. A survey by IDC and Appcelerator reveals that Google Android is losing Android developers and tepid interest for Android Tablets is said to be one of the reasons for developers losing interest in Google’s operating system.  Dell’s recent comment will surely relax these Android developers.

Source- CNET

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Is Google losing Android developers to Apple?

Apr 26, 2011 News

The last 18 months have been great for Google Android as it rose in popularity among Android developers and users, giving a tough fight to Apple in the smartphone OS race. However, a survey jointly convened by Appcelerator and IDC says that developer interest is reversing and shifting back from Android to Apple operating system. The survey reveals concerns over fragmentation and tepid response for Android based tablets as possible reasons for the shift in interest of android developers.

The survey report is based on the responses of 2,760 Appcelerator Titanium developers and was conducted from April 11 to 13. The report says that 91 percent of developers surveyed said they are ‘very interested’ in iPhone development and 86 percent said they are ‘very interested’ in developing apps for the iPad. Android developer’s interest in Android phones came down by two points to 85 percent and for Android based tablets it fell three points to 71 percent after rising by twelve points in Q1. 63 percent Android developers think that device fragmentation in Android poses the major risk whereas 30 percent find tepid interest in tablets and multiple Android app stores (28 percent) as chief concerns for them.

Android developers can read the other findings of the report here.

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