Tag Archives: android-market

More Carrier Billing Options on Android Market

[This post is by Eric Chu, Android Developer Ecosystem. —Dirk Dougherty] Over the past year, we’ve seen very strong growth in the number of Android users around the world. To make it easier for those users to purchase their favorite apps and games on Android Market, we’re bringing Direct Carrier Billing to additional carrier networks in South Korea, the UK, and Germany. In South Korea, we’ve begun a phased rollout of the service to users on the top two carrier networks — SK Telecom and KT Corporation . When complete, the rollout will reach more than 10 million users, who will be able to charge their Android Market purchases straight to their phone bills. In Europe, we’re rolling out the service to users on two popular regional carriers, Vodafone UK and Vodafone DE . Initially, the service will be available only to users who have purchased their devices through Vodafone’s online and retail channels. The new launches expand the network of carriers already offering direct billing service in the US on the T-Mobile , AT&T, and Sprint networks, and in Japan on SoftBank, KDDI, and NTT DOCOMO networks. Direct Carrier Billing is a key payment option for users worldwide, especially in regions where credit cards are less common. We will continue to partner with more operators to offer this payment option to their Android users. Watch for more announcements in the weeks ahead.

Google acquires local ratings expert Zagat; Maps integration coming soon

Google isn’t shy when it comes to acquiring other companies to bolster their already robust selection of services. Today’s acquisition of Zagat is a perfect example. Zagat is a restaurant rating service that thrives in the “local” arena. Using a scale of 1-30, Tim and Nina Zagat, friends, family and other die-hard foodies have critiqued restaurants for over 30 years now. Currently available in over 100 cities, Zagat’s sophisticated rating system will soon be integrated into Google services. Maps, Places and Search will all see some form of integration in the coming months. Zagat has suffered lately due to the shift in information distribution. What originally started as a locally shared paper book hasn’t had the best luck in making the transition to digital. Details surrounding the acquisition are sparse, but as expected, both companies are putting on a smiling face for the public. Zagat gets to live on in some of the most frequently used web services to date, while Google gains yet another reputable name to add to their portfolio of acquisitions. Who do you use for restaurant rating? Yelp, Zagat, Google Places, Urbanspoon? Let us know in the comments below. ZAGAT for Android US$9.99 Handmark MARKET QR

New QNX BlackBerry phones to be Android app compatible

When RIM first announced they’d be bringing Android compatibility to the PlayBook with the help of their Android Player, fans and developers of both platforms had reason to celebrate. BlackBerry users will have access to thousands upon thousands of incredible apps while still enjoying the device of their choice. Android developers can theoretically take a “develop once, distribute twice” approach to apps, extending reach beyond just one platform. Unfortunately though, RIM has yet to release the Android Player for the PlayBook. It’s been several months since the PlayBook’s release without much said on how development is progressing. Hopefully, the same won’t be the case for RIM’s QNX devices. When RIM finally releases their new QNX-powered smartphones in early 2012, they will indeed feature Android app compatibility. Again, this is great for users of both platforms. While I doubt Google would be so kind as to allow apps like Android’s far superior Gmail client to grace Berrys, the extended selection of third-party apps will still be impressive. And while we’re on the subject, what if native Android apps could eventually be ported over to BlackBerry devices? That may put BlackBerrys back in the pockets of millions of users in the US alone. If the Android Player works like RIM has said it will (and if the short demos that do exist actually stand up to real world use), then they might as well just become a hardware vendor for Google. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but it’s a real possibility. Any ex or future BlackBerry owners out there excited to see how the Android Player for QNX devices will turn out? If you could use apps like Google Maps and Android Gmail on a BlackBerry, would you be tempted to make the jump?

Google Closing Android Market Developer Support Forums

If developers weren’t already peeved enough, we have some more bad news for them – Google’s shutting down the developer support forums where the coders of the market convene to discuss issues with the Android market or application development. The site has been home to huge discussions and complaints from market developers with massive threads usually spawning when developers are seeing diminished returns due to Android market bugs, errors or what have you. Now, Google’s going to focus on supporting developers one-on-one, handling issues only when developers directly contact them. We like to think they’re getting a bit annoyed when a big ****storm brews over market issues  and seeing the entire tech community immediately alerted to it. But what’s the alternative? Developers can continue to contact Google independently for each issue as they always have. The problem with that is, more often than not, developers are met with canned responses. And in some rare instances, they are met with no response at all. If you do get that canned response, you probably won’t get a status update on whatever fix you’re concerned with. I imagine a lot of isolated issues are handled in a timely manner, but the widespread issues that have popped up in recent months have taken Google forever to fix, with some not even having a resolution in sight. Many would say that Google’s taking the easy way out (or being a “cop out”) by shutting the developer support forums down. I’m not so sure I’d disagree. As one Reddit user put it, their customer service and support were already rock bottom with the forums, and to take away the avenue developers use to discuss issues in hopes to fix problems Google drags their feet with is doing nothing at all to help. [ Google ] From August 22 on, t his Android Market  forum  will be dedicated to user issues and discussion . Because of the nature of developer issues, we feel that one-on-one support is best for the types of threads that have historically been posted to this forum by app developers. Moving forward, threads regarding developer-facing issues will be closed, and we ask that developers report Android Market issues here so we can address your concerns in a timely manner: https://www.google.com/ support/androidmarket/ developer/bin/answer.py? answer=136601&hl=en In addition to addressing concerns sent in via these “Contact us” fields, we’ll maintain the developer known issues page with up-to-date information on widespread issues: http://www.google.com/support/ androidmarket/developer/bin/ static.py?page=known_issues.cs Thanks for your understanding and cooperation in helping us get your issues and concerns resolved in the most efficient way.

New leaked version of Android Market brings +1 button and PIN code option for purchases

It wasn’t long ago that we first saw the new Android Market grace our presence and become available for download . Well, there’s a new version in town that brings a couple of new tweaks that are more than welcomed and that some people have been waiting for. Likely a highly requested feature that’s been added to the Android Market is that you now have the option to use a PIN number to confirm your purchases.  This will keep your thieving, sticky-fingered children from buying 80 applications under your nose, and just give you an extra security measure that’s likely won’t be getting any complaints from anyone. Another nifty addition to the latest build of the Android Market, which happens to be version 3.1.3, is that you can now +1 an application. While some may believe the rating and review system is good enough, big G obviously thought otherwise. We like the addition of the +1 button, as it extends behind the Market and you can see the apps others have +1 by checking out their Google+ profile. With October getting closer, hopefully we’ll begin to see a few more leaks other than the new Market. Ice Cream Sandwich is right around the corner and believe us when we say that we can almost taste the Nexus Prime already. Feel free to download and install the new version of the Android Market below. A rooted devices isn’t required and the only prerequisite is that ” Unknown Sources” needs to be checked in the Settings> Applications menu. Download the new Market here ! [Via: AndroidPolice ] New leaked version of Android Market brings +1 button and PIN code option for purchases originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2011-08-23T20:48:38Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Video: New Android Market update: +1 apps and stop your kids from purchasing them

The old Android Market is nice and cozy, but times change and so do Google’s services. While it may have taken us a bit of a learning curve, the new Android Market is much more organized, including not only apps, but books and movies. Is there room for improvement, though? Always! Google has just started rolling out an update to the Android Market, which is version 3.1.3. Aside from a few slight aesthetic changes, the two main features include the ability to +1 apps and password protect (PIN lock) your Android purchases. While the +1 feature is exciting, the PIN locking ability is necessary (especially if you let kids use your devices). Most of us have thrown some bucks away because someone purchased an app unwillingly (or willingly). If you have been scared to let your little brothers and sisters borrow your phone, it is now time to rest your mind. There you go – a small but very helpful update. If you would like to see how the new update works, our friend Phil Nickinson from Android Central has recorded a nice little video with a demonstration of the Market’s new features. Also, Android Police has an APK file for those that do not like to wait. If you are an impatient one, you can go ahead and install it yourself. Has anyone received this update yet? Liking it? Will you be PIN locking your Android Market purchases?

Android Market Updated Once Again, Receives +1 Button

Yet another Android Market update has begun to arrive on handsets. It’s nothing as drastic as the complete overhaul we saw just a few weeks back, but it does add in some desirable features. For starters, the +1 button that has been featured on the Android Market’s web iteration has made the journey over to the mobile world, allowing you to share all of your favorite apps with your Google+ circles. The second most notable enhancement is the option to PIN lock the Market, preventing easy access to your shopping credentials and insuring you are the only capable of downloading new apps. The new additions are rolling out to handsets now, but for those lacking in patience and with a bit of search engine knowledge and installable APK shouldn’t be too hard to find.  

Amazon Free App of The Day: ZDefense by ZStudio

Zdefense by ZStudio is being given away today in the Amazon Appstore . I don’t normally post on Amazon’s “free apps of the day” but I had so much fun with this one, I figured I’d let y’all know. Essentially what we have here is yet another tower defense game (the Android Market is FULL of them) and even though I wasn’t expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised. Graphics have a sort of “Tron” feel to them with bright colors and smooth animations. Gameplay was surprisingly more complex than your average TD game which is what really drew me in. The game is normally $1.99 in the Android Market so this is quite the steal. Once you check it out be sure to leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Google TV Preview Comes to Android SDK, One Step Closer to Apps on the Big Screen

Back at Google I/O it was announced that a future update would move the Google TV platform over to a build based around Android Honeycomb. Along with the overhauled interface would come the Android Market, a feature promised since Google TV first hit the scene last year. While it is unclear when the Honeycomb update will eventually be pushed to old devices (and come installed on new devices), a Google TV preview has been released today as part of the Android SDK. The preview will allow developers to emulate the GTV ecosystem to test and develop apps for the television platform. Along with the preview comes new features specific to televisions, such as the ability to call up channel lineups. Google warns that apps calling for non-television features such as a touchscreen won’t show up when the Android Market is accessed from a Google TV box and encourages developers with apps currently in the market to test their software for compatibility with the platform. Google admits it expects few apps available at launch, but hopes this early preview will jumpstart interest from developers. [via Google TV Blog ]

The Android Market Is Now Available In The Android Market

Okay, before your head explodes trying to figure out just what the heck is going on here, let me just tell you that no — this is not a joke and no — this is not inception. The Android Market from within the Android Market is actually the tablet version of the Android Market specifically for devices with Android 3.0 Honeycomb and up. See? Perfect explanation. You can now stop looking for your totem. Not sure why I never came across this sooner but there it is for anyone with a tab and may have missed it. Protip: Don’t try to uninstall the Market from within the Market. This may cause a rip in the time space continuum, resulting in reality imploding on itself. (Not really but okay). Cheers! [ Market Link via Reddit ]