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Google Creates “Android For Dummies” For The Rest Of Us

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For those of you who have aspirations of creating your own Android app yet are not fluent in the language of the geek, Google has announced a new program called App Inventor that allows the masses to create their own Android apps without having to learn a single line of code.

App Inventor is a new tool in Google Labs that makes it easy for anyone—programmers and non-programmers, professionals and students—to create mobile applications for Android-powered devices. And today, we’re extending invitations to the general public.

For many people, their mobile phone—and access to the Internet—is always within reach. App Inventor for Android gives everyone, regardless of programming experience, the opportunity to control and reshape their communication experience. We’ve observed people take pride in becoming creators of mobile technology and not just consumers of it. (Official Google Blog)

By lowering the barrier of entry, it looks like Google is hoping to increase the number of apps within Android Market in order to catch up with its rival, Apple whose walled garden of apps dwarfs the ever so popular Android Market. [Read more…]

Originally posted on July 12, 2010 @ 11:53 am

6 Ways Blackberry Can Get Its Groove Back

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With RIM about to unveil their latest Blackberry tomorrow (sporting OS 6), all eyes will be on the smartphone king to see if it can produce a worthy adversary to iPhone 4 and a slew of Android devices.

Although the upcoming Blackberry lacks the ability to make video phone calls (something even Microsoft is adding to its Windows 7 Phone), there is still hope for the Canadian phone company in its quest to retain its dominance (at least in the corporate sector).

While RIM would be smart to continue to innovate in the hardware arena in order to make its phone more attractive (i.e. screen resolution), there are actually 6 ways Blackberry could easily improve its BB device in order to prevent the company from being eclipsed by Apple or Android. [Read more…]

Originally posted on August 2, 2010 @ 1:49 pm

Will Google Create A Google Me iPhone App?

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With rumors of the search engine king launching a social network (dubbed Google Me), many in the geek-o-sphere have been pondering what features Google will add in order to challenge the mighty Facebook.

Google is already busy conducting studies to see how people interact with social networks (online as well as off), which the company hopes will help them build an intuitive social network without overwhelming the end user.

But if Google wants to challenge Facebook for social supremacy, they may have to deal with Steve Jobs who may not welcome the search engine’s entrance upon their beloved iDevice.

[Read more…]

Originally posted on July 28, 2010 @ 3:40 pm

Apple To Hand Out Free iPhone 4 Cases Until September?!

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Like every geek in the universe, my eyes have been glued to the press conference that was live blogged to the masses about the iPhone 4 antennae issue.

Instead of approaching the world mournfully, Apple came out swinging, and decided to replicate “antennaegate” upon their rivals smartphones, as well as mention how happy their users were via stats.

Apple also decided out of the goodness of their iHeart to hand out free bumpers (which Apple admitted they do not have enough of) or free iPhone cases from third parties.

Apple however seems to be hinting that the free bumper/case deal may not last forever by stating:

10:53AM Q: On the September 30th date, is that to let people know that you’ll have to buy a case?

Steve: Not really, we’ll reevaluate then. Maybe we’ll have a better idea. Maybe Eminem will come out with a band-aid that goes over the corner and everyone will want that. (Engadget)

Apple will probably end up creating their own iCase in the future, although they may end up selling it for really cheap (perhaps for a few dollars) if they decide that free isn’t the way to go.

While the free bumper/iCase will help Apple kill off the antennae issue, time will only tell whether the Cupertino company will rebound after this fiasco (although with the launch of the upcoming iPad in January, chances are that they probably will).

Originally posted on July 16, 2010 @ 2:27 pm

Video: Watch Out Apple! Google Is Activating 200,000 Androids A Day!

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It looks like Google’s path of mobile domination continues with Eric Schmidt (CEO of Google) revealing that Android’s popularity has grown since June and that the green robot is now being activated upon 200,000 phones a day!

While this is still a far cry from Apple’s unofficial numbers (as Cupertino is still extremely secretive about iPhone 4 activations), this trend may signify the end to the iEra of smartphones in a realm where Google is (once again) the center of attention.

Android’s new found fame is starting to attract a higher grade of apps, as Facebook has recently upgraded their Android app in order to make it more functional for Android lovers (although the app currently lacks chat).

Android’s popularity may spell trouble for other smartphones (like the Blackberry Torch and Windows Phone 7) as they may have trouble attracting third party developers who (more often than not) have few resources to spare when it comes to mobile platforms.

(via TechCrunch)

Originally posted on August 5, 2010 @ 2:59 pm