Google Tightening Fist Around Android As They Experience More Fragmentation.
One thing that Google’s Android platform has been praised for is completely open nature. However, while people have fallen in love with the fact that Google has embraced and kept their mobile platform open, many have been inquiring whether the search giant can prevent fragmentation from occurring in the platform and keep all Android devices on the same software version. Steve Jobs made comments last year about the Android platform and its open stance. While he upheld the importance of open sourced software by informing the crowd about WebKit, their opened sourced web software, he explained a software like Google’s Android being open will be “fragmented” and it is best for iOS to remain closed, making it better for consumers.
Android Apps For Tablets Greatly Over-Credited By Apple
During the iPad 2 event back in February, Steve Jobs gave an interesting stat on the amount applications dedicated for Android tablet devices. In his presentation, he spoke on where the App Store stands among other platforms when involving tablet computers. Steve mentioned that the App Store is now home to over 350,000 applications, 65,000+ of which are tailored for the iPad, which is all-in-fact true. However, he said that the Android Marketplace houses somewhere around 100 apps.
“That compares to our competitors, who are trying to launch these days with at most 100 apps. And I think we’re being a little generous here. This is a huge advantage we have,”
Motorola Exploring New Web-Based OS To Replace Android.
It seems as though Nokia is not the only handset maker looking to stay out of the Android bubble to challenge Apple and the iOS platform. Motorola, Google’s major licensee to the Android platform, is venturing to experiment with a web-based OS that will allow the handset maker to have more control of the future of it’s devices. In light of this, Android enthusiast have been frowning at the decision made by the veteran handset manufacturer.
Handheld Game Developers Switching to Smartphones
We don’t even think it is arguable anymore, RIM’s and Google’s Android and Blackberry dedicated users defend their OS’s ground, but when it comes to the facts, Apple really made the smartphone arena of the tech world what it is today, seriously. There are games on the iOS front that is even approaching console gaming! Funny thing is, Apple didn’t really set out to cause a ruckus in the gaming industry, having both Sony and Nintendo saying “You gotta be kidding me” after looking at the numbers. Seems like those two are going to be shaking their heads in amazement more often as a number of dedicated handheld developers are witnessing the life that competitors are making on the smartphone and the want a piece of the cake.
Google Docs Finally Goes Mobile
Google made public in September that they will be working on making Google Docs mobile. Since then, company has been tweaking the web-app for use on mobile devices. This week, they introduced that Google Docs is officially ready fro public use on Android 2.2 and iOS (Android 2.2 or higher and iOS 3.0 and higher only).
DeNA Bags ngmoco for $400 Million
Ngmoco is undoubtedly one of the most successful game developers on the iOS platform. Makers of the highly popular adventure game Rolando and the first person shooting game Eliminate, the founders of the company Neil Young, Bob Stevenson, Alan Yu and Joe Keene have decided to be absorbed by Japanese social game developer DeNA for a cool 400 million dollars. Founder and CEO of DeNA Tomoko Namba had some nice things to say for the talent picked implying that they have been looking for talent like this in the market for a while now.
Flash In the Mobile Space FAIL
Seems like Adobe still has some work to do, and the clock is ticking. According to the folks over at LAPTOP, Flash is shaky at best. With the HTML5 movement taking over both Vimeo and Yahoo! and all the “Flash in the mobile space” hubbub, the group decided to judge for themselves the performance of Flash on a mobile device. What better candidate to host this testing none other than the latest Android device Droid 2, at least, thats what we thought. After some thorough use of Flash on the device, the verdict from LAPTOP: Thumbs down. Way down.
Vimeo and Yahoo! is Now Fully Compatible With iOS
Vimeo’s work is finally done. The company has switched their code to completely support the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. They mentioned a while back that they were working on going fully HTML5 and axing Adobe’s Flash.
Adobe Throws In The Towel To Apple
United Kingdom-based website telegraph.co.uk has got the scoop that Adobe has finally decided to wave flag with Apple in getting Flash incorporated on the iOS platform. The report is given in full in which they state Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen believes that he doesn’t need the iOS platform to be successful anymore.
Large Amount Of Verizon User Report Poor Service
Well isn’t this something! While we don’t pay attention to this stuff at MacApper, this report definitely caught our attention. TechCrunch chimes in that they have been hearing buzz that an alarming amount of Verizon users are complaining about reception issues on the network (Wow!). Apparently, Motorola’s new addition, the Droid 2, is having multiple issues with reception when held in the hand of users. Not only that, the report states that they have been informed from their sources that the device even loses reception when not in contact of a hand (i.e. a protective case).
