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Is The Future Of Android Closed?

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Android lovers, we have a problem. It seems that Google’s mobile OS, once heralded as being the “open platform” is starting to trend in the wrong direction.

It seems that for all of Google’s tough talk of Android being an open platform free from interference, it looks like at the end of the day the carriers have the last say.

After receiving a tip that Verizon may be blocking Wireless Tether from the market, I decided to do a little digging on the variety of devices I own.  Sure enough, from all of my phones, including the Nexus S I have running on AT&T, I was unable to find Wireless Tether in the market.  So to see what was really going on, I jumped into the browser-based Android Market to see if I could find the app and definitely did.  But what you are seeing, is my list of devices, all of which cannot accept this app. (Droid Life)

Apparently wireless carriers were becoming upset that users were turning their phones into portable hotspots without their approval.

So now with Google’s help they are blocking (or in some cases censoring) tethering apps from being installed from the official Android Market.

While its understandable why carriers are charging customers for tethering, receiving assistance from Google is a far cry from what Android was designed to be (which was “open”).

If Google continues to allow carriers to dictate app policy, they could end up not only alienating their developer community, but also giving iOS developers one less reason to leave Steve Jobs walled garden.

Image Credit: IntoMobile

Originally posted on May 3, 2011 @ 12:32 pm

Should Apple Fear Google Talk Plus Video On Android??

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After months of waiting, Google has finally rolled out a native video chat client for Android that should help the search engine giant compete against Apple’s FaceTime for iOS.

While Google’s version of “FaceTime” does look impressive (at least from their promo video), it may not take off due to one critical flaw. [Read more…]

Originally posted on April 29, 2011 @ 1:11 pm

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