android

Yelp finds you food on Android

Frequent Yelp users will be pleased to see a Yelp for Android app take its place in the Android Market on Monday. Be forewarned, however, that the app contains the minimum services from Yelp.com in this iteration.

There's the usual search for restaurants and businesses nearby, which Yelp sniffs out using GPS or cell tower triangulation. Results records include ratings, reviews, and photos you can view from the phone. You can click or press a button to call the business. There's another button to map the location to a movable Google map, and this version thankfully includes … Read more

Android Team announces revisions to SDKs

We learned on Thursday that Verizon's Motorola Droid will be getting an update to Android 2.0.1 to address camera and voice reception issues. Today brings news that all 2.0 devices will be updated to this version before the year is out.

As of right now, the only other known 2.0 handset is the Milestone, also from Motorola. This update also deals with additional bug fixes and framework behavioral changes. For a look at the complete release notes, you can read them at the Android Developers blog.

The Android 1.6 SDK also gets a slight … Read more

In mobile, do developers or consumers matter most?

The mobile-computing world is increasingly a two-horse race between Google and Apple, with Apple clearly in the lead but Google Android making up ground quickly. Microsoft and Symbian are also still in the game, but the ultimate winner will be the one that best appeals to consumers or developers.

Or both.

This struck home while reading Mark Sigal's analysis of the "inevitability" of Google Android. On his way to dismantling the idea that Google's victory is assured, Sigal stumbles into apparently divergent interest groups:

[U]nlike the PC, where "good enough" was the bar … Read more

HTC Droid Eris to get Android update in 2010

While Motorola Droid owners are prepping to get Android 2.0.1 delivered to their smartphone in the coming weeks, HTC Droid Eris users might be wondering, "Hey, what about us?" Well, the good news is that there is an update coming. The bad news is you're going to have to wait a bit longer.

Verizon said Friday that it plans to release an OS update for the Droid Eris, which currently runs on Android OS 1.5, in the first quarter of 2010. The carrier did not specify which version of Android it would release for … Read more

Android 2.0.1 for Droid users coming soon

Verizon just informed us that Google released an SDK for Android 2.0.1 Thursday, which means those who have a Motorola Droid can expect a free over-the-air upgrade to their phone in the "coming weeks."

Some updates include an improvement to the camera's auto-focus and the phone's voice reception. There's still no news on the exact dates the new firmware will be rolled out, but we look forward to it all the same.

AndroidStats helps users keep up with growing number of apps

As the number of apps and games continues to grow for Android, it's getting harder to keep on top of everything. Rather than trying out every title that enters the Android Market, I like to look for specific genres of apps.

For instance, I really enjoy casual games on my T-Mobile G1. I always find at least a few minutes of downtime throughout my day so I'm constantly trying to get a new high score or unlock a new puzzle. However, as much as I'd love to try out every brain game that's released, it's … Read more

Dialed In Podcast 106: No, Virginia, there is no Verizon iPhone

Kent kicks off the podcast this week by reminding our dear listeners that Verizon iPhone rumors are just rumors. Until Steve Jobs says differently, he's not ready to believe a thing. New New Yorker Bonnie is taking the week off, but Nicole signs on to give her take on Android fragmentation, a costly new LG phone and the quality a Rock for Verizon.

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Rumor of the week Verizon iPhone rumors are just rumors

News Moto Cliq gets software update AT&T Voicemail to text … Read more

Moto Cliq gets software update

T-Mobile and Motorola have begun pushing a software update to the Moto Cliq. Google Android release 1.1.31 will offer the following changes. Motorola offers more information about the update on its support page.

Longer battery life New battery management Feature Better Bluetooth Touch-screen accuracy TTY option Better business connections Improved caller connectivity Quick Office 2 Accelerometer enhancements We haven't received the update on our review Cliq just yet, but we'll let you know when we do. Tell us what you think of the update's new features below.

Security, gaming apps win Android Developers Challenge

Three developers made it past thousands of community voters and a panel of judges Monday to emerge as the winners of Google's second Android Developer Challenge (ADC2).

The top overall prizes went to SweetDreams, What the Doodle, and WaveSecure. These winners took home between $125,000 and $250,000 for their efforts. Smaller cash prizes were awarded to the top-three applications in each of 10 categories, which included media, entertainment, education, and travel.

SweetDreams is a lifestyle application that lets users sleep comfortably while knowing their handsets will block unwanted calls in the middle of the night but still … Read more

Developers want a better Android Market

As I said last week, fragmentation with the Google Android operating system is beginning to frustrate Android developers. And according to a recent report by Skyhook Wireless, the issue isn't going away. Though developers are excited about the future of Android, the platform may face significant challenges if it does not soon improve options to monetize apps and take steps to protect against the risk of fragmentation.

According to the study, four out of five surveyed developers are finding it difficult to get their apps noticed in the current Android Market. Also, more than half polled (57 percent) are … Read more