Firefox 6 Browser Beta Now in Android Market

Firefox was updated to version 6.0 today for many users on desktop and laptops everywhere, today they’ve also pushed the latest 6.0 out to the BETA version on the Android Market. Just as a reminder the standard Firefox in the market is still on 5.0 and the beta app has been updated to 6.0 so you can keep your original should you run into problems. We love updates and Mozilla just keeps rolling them out. From once being a laggy and buggy terrible mobile browser Firefox is now one of the most popular and secure 3rd party browsers for Android.

One change I really like is the “Awesome Screen” that basically instantly brings you to a page of everything you browse most often, like a shortcut to your bookmarks only better. They’ve also added a new look, I love the Gingerbread theme they provide for users on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Mozilla also mentions plenty of “under the hood” changes but that is expected with a large update like this.
Firefox for Android offers tons of options and add-ons and developers should have some exciting new API’s to try out with the latest Firefox v6.0 released today. For all the details for users and developers alike be sure to check out Firefox 6.0 release notes to see what’s new and exciting from Mozilla. It is available now in the Android Market so head on over via the source link below.
[via Android Market]

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Google Videos App Hacked to allow root users to stream movies

This has been discussed more than a few times since we first found out the Google Videos App would not allow rooted users to watch rental movies on their devices. Just yesterday Google updated the video app to allow streaming and playback of rented movies on FroYo and Gingerbread devices too. We have good news for those rooted users though.

The developers over at SDX have been hard at work, we can now use a modded version of the app where they have removed the root check so all devices will be able to enjoy movie playback. This version should also work with all supported devices running Android 2.2 and above so those on older Android are also in luck.
As always make sure to backup or save the previous version just to be safe, otherwise uninstall and install the new modded APK and you are good to go. For the few not wanting to use the modded APK and have rooted devices and rented movies didn’t play, you can also go to the YouTube app and watch them through “rentals” in YouTube as Google has yet to implement the root check into it — just a tip! Head on to the source for more details.
Modded Video App Download
[via Droid-Life]

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Research firm claims Android Market is driven by very active developers

Data from an app rating and discovery company called Mobilewalla has surfaced that digs into the Android Market and found some interesting details about developers for Android. According to the metrics firm, the Android market is led by a number of very prolific app markers. The company also found that the apps on Android also see more updates per app than apps on the App Store at Apple sees.

I am sure that has to do with the fact that developers on the Android Market can update and publish as they see fit whereas Apple forces all updates through an approval process. The data the company published shows that in May Android devs that have created more than 100 apps and are responsible for more than 53% of the apps on the Market.
On the App Store, by contrast developers that have more than 100 apps to their credit only represent 23% of all apps. The implication is that the fast growth of the Android market means that it is driven by a smaller set of developers that are pushing out lots of new apps.
[via Gigaom]

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