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New Media News Every Morning

Android Playing “Cat And Mouse” With Dog Fighting Game

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Despite the fact that any developer can upload an app to Android Market without having it verified by a tribunal (which explains why Android boasts more apps than anyone save iOS), Google does at times remove offensive apps.

One app entitled “Dog Wars” (a game where players engage in virtual dog fights) was previously removed by Google after animal rights organizations expressed outrage over the app.

Unfortunately it seems like the app is back again, although this time under a new name.

The controversial Dog Wars app has been renamed KG Dogfighting and is back up on the Android Marketplace. […]

A Google representative said the application was “removed based on a trademark infringement complaint” but did not immediately say whether the app would be sold again if those issues were resolved. Google did not immediately respond to questions about the game’s renaming. (L. A. Now)

While the deplorable app’s reappearance underscores Android’s value in freedom of expression, its existence could dissuade parents from choosing an Android powered smartphone and instead select a rival device (like Windows Phone 7 or an iPhone).

Google might want to consider altering their terms of service and banning apps like these, as the last thing they need is bad press for their mobile OS.

Originally posted on April 30, 2011 @ 1:33 pm

Judge To Oracle: You Have To Many Claims Against Android

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It looks like Oracle will be unable to bring the full force of their lawsuit against Google as a judge has ordered Oracle to pick which claims they want to file against the search giant.

“Oracle will surrender all of its present infringement claims against Google based on the 129 asserted claims that will not be tried,” the judge added. “Oracle may not renew those infringement claims in a subsequent action except as to new products.” (ZD Net) [Read more…]

Originally posted on May 5, 2011 @ 1:25 pm

How PlayStation Can Regain User Trust After Being Hacked

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After allegedly being hacked by Anonymous (the same group that attacked Amazon), Sony is promising that the PlayStation Network will reappear by the end of this month.

The company is in the process of adopting an improved security system and its plan to restart the services fully by May 31 is unchanged, he said. Sony shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services April 20 because of possible data theft by hackers. (Bloomberg)

In order to appease fans, Sony is offering users four free games when the service reappears, although the company is only allowing fans to choose games from a preselected list.

While offering free games is “okay,” Sony needs to provide a better way to secure users accounts in order to regain the trust lost from fans (especially after Sony waited a full week before notifying anyone about the seriousness of the breach).

Although rebuilding the PlayStation Network from scratch is a good start, Sony might want to take a cue from Facebook and employ a two step verification feature whenever someone logs on or charges their credit card.

Since two step verification can be seen as a nuisance by some users, Sony should make this feature opt-in for the masses.

While only time will tell if Sony will be able to regain the trust of their users, securing how people can access the games that they love (as well as their credit cards) is a good start.

Originally posted on May 9, 2011 @ 11:17 am

Google Docs App Debuts On Android

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Google has blessed Android lovers with an official Google Docs app (which should help make the mobile OS a little bit more appealing to the corporate world).

Part of getting work done on the go is being able to easily access, edit and share content, which is why we’re happy to announce the new Google Docs app for Android.

With this new app it’s easy to filter and search for your content across any Google account, then jump straight into editing docs using the online mobile editors. (Google Docs Blog)

The fact that Google has released an official Docs app probably indicates their HTML5 web app wasn’t the blockbuster hit Google was hoping for, as many users were underwhelmed by some of the meager features offered.

Aside from providing more features than the web app, the native Android app also supports OCR (or Optical Character Recognition), allowing users to turn images with texts into editable Google documents (which is helpful when receiving numerous business cards or photographing legal documents).

Google has not hinted on whether they will release a similar app for iOS users, although with competition heating up between Apple and Android it would not be surprising if Google left that task up to third party iOS developers.

Originally posted on April 27, 2011 @ 12:45 pm

Hulu To Playbook: No Videos For You

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Hulu apparently is continuing their “iOS only” campaign, as the company has reportedly blocked Blackberry Playbook lovers from viewing videos over the web.

Some sad but expected news folks — we’ve started getting tips in the forums and through the CrackBerry support tips line that Hulu has gotten a little cranky about offering content on the BlackBerry PlayBook. Although PlayBook owners previously have had access to all movies and TV shows it now looks that Hulu has added the BlackBerry PlayBooks browser string to their blocked list. (Crackberry)

The block came within 48 hours of Playbook’s release which means fans of the device now have no way of watching Hulu as the company has yet to make an app for Playbook (or even Blackberry smartphones for that matter).

Currently there is no workaround for Playbook fans (at least not yet), although hopefully Hulu considers releasing an official app in the future (at least for Hulu Plus fans).

Originally posted on April 21, 2011 @ 1:32 pm