Sunday, February 20, 2011

Update: Hootsuite being Updated back at 6PM PT


Yesterday Twitter lost some of their major celebrity tweeters counting for about 9 million twitter followers when they pulled the plug on UberMedia’s Twidroyd and UberTwitter apps for Android and Blackberry respectively. Yes those celebrity tweeters can easily use an official Twitter app and some have already started tweeting again but it was a landmark move made for “policy violations”
Many industry analysts, including thedroidguy, feel its more vented towards competing with others like UberMedia and now possibly Hootsuite Media as well.
Around 6pm Eastern Time Hootsuite went down with no explanation. Typically they are only down for a few minute and Hootsuite going down is far less than a Twitter fail whale.
Hopefully Hootsuite is just having a technical problem and will return later this evening. Currently Hootsuite and Tweet Deck (rumored to be in negotiations to be purchased by UberMedia) are the only apps that allow you to customize streams to your liking and a host of other features.
All of the apps built on twitter apis do force traffic and users through twitter so we aren’t sure why they aren’t playing nice with others right now. Especially some of the biggest twitter apps available
UPDATE: Hootsuite is taking an update from 3pm-6pm PT and will be back with new features.  We apologize for the confusion however most Hootsuite updates have been in the overnight hours in the past.

Android Market Poised For All Out iTunes War

Everyone has noticed that the Android Market has really grown up in the last few weeks.  Earlier this week we ran a story about the impending launch of Google Music based on a slip of the tongue from Motorola Mobility CEO, Sanjay Jha. Now Androidcommunity.com is reporting that the Android Market will roll out music, movies and books with Honeycomb Android 3.0 as early as this month when the Motorola Xoom releases to the US via Verizon Wireless.
To top that off, the guys over at Frandroid (some of the coolest Android guys out there) uncovered the photo at the top of this story while playing with the Motorola Xoom which clearly has a tab for books.
Earlier this week our very own 16 year old app editor Elijah Ketchum uncovered a url that 404′d in the android market. Most dismissed this as possibly just going to a music apps page, but why? There is already a music apps category.  Put it all together with the other urls that have cropped up and we have a whole Google-Tunes ecosystem budding.
Read On more after the break

One of the best features of the new Android Market website is the ability to get an app either free or purchased and have it install directly to your device(s) via the cloud. There are countless ways this will prove useful when the entire Google Cloud system unveils. Some examples?
- You’re traveling and your boyfriend or girlfriend or husband or wife isn’t and they ask hey did you hear that new song by xxxx, well if you haven’t they can get it right off the market and have it download to your device.
- Same thing goes for those of us worldly travelers that sometimes enjoy a virtual movie date, as geeky as it sounds sometimes crashing out in the hotel room and watching the same movie in real time with your significant other 1000 miles away is the best you can do…for that time. Something like a cloud based Google market makes it super easy.
The possibilities for a  cloud based market ecosystem are endless.  And it’s closer than you can imagine. Those fortunate enough to get advances of the Xoom have already reported that this system is in fact up and running.
Just another reason to get a Honeycomb Android tablet.

Route 66 Brings Augmented Reality To Your GPS Navigation

Route 66, at MWC revealed their new augmented reality overlay for their map system on Android devices.  Dubbed ROUTE 66 Maps + Navigation, the app uses TomTom’s software to get you to your favorite destination, whether in a vehicle or on foot.  In addition to your standard features for mobile navigation applications such as 2D and 3D views, endless list of POI’s and weather, ROUTE 66 has added a new twist to the mix, separating themselves from the competition.
You can activate what is called the “follow me” option on your smartphone or tablet and the app will generate an augmented reality feature using your camera’s lens.  In addition to this, it will place a virtual car in front of you to follow to your destination.  Now, that’s just plain o’l cool.  There’s also indicator lights that go off to inform you when to make a turn.
No word yet as to when the app will be available, but we’re told “soon”.  The application will be offered free with options to upgrade (for a fee of course) to add turn-by-turn navigation and more.  ROUTE 66 is also giving users a free 30 days just for downloading the app.  I can’t wait to try this on my Galaxy Tablet.  Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Wired Magazine App Coming To Android

Big fan of Wired Magazine?  Big fan of Android? Have a Tablet? Boy do we have some treats for you as news comes to us by way of MWC at the Android booth.  Wired Magazine has produced a tablet version of their syndication for of those addicts that can’t be without their Wired tidbits.  We’re seeing a great trend of magazines arriving in tablet form and we just have to say, keep it up!  Our friends over at Android Central were present at MWC and they got a quick glimpse of the app in action running on the Motorola Xoom, courtesy of publisher Conde Nast.  Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Tap-Translate For Android Lets You Translate Text In Your Web Browser

Tap-Translate, by developer Ronen Drihem, is officially the first translation application for Android that allows you to translate a word or phrase and more directly within your browser.  This is a fantastic app and brings excellent functionality as most translation apps force you to open another application or to leave the page in order to utilize its services.  However, Tap-Translate allows you do that all while never leaving your browser.  In addition, with one single tap, you can instantly hear the translation’s pronunciation of the word as well as view it.  Translate whole words, paragraphs and whole pages when browsing on foreign websites.  There are a total of 56 languages supported by the app to date and we suspect the developer is working on adding more..   The app will run you $1.99 in the market but it’s well worth the benefits.  Check out the video below of the app in action and if you’re ready to give it a go, head on over to our apps database for more info and to download it.  And don’t forget to let us know what you think of the app in the comments below.
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More Streaming Video Comes to Android with PlayOn

We know that a native Netflix app is coming to Android soon. But it’ll be a bit, and it will start with the NEXT generation of Snapdragon processors. So what does that mean for us in the meantime? Well for those of you with Froyo (should be soon for US Galaxy S owners), PlayOn is bringing an app to the Android market that can perhaps scratch your itch for now. At $40 for the first year and $20/year after that (or $80 for a lifetime subscription), PlayOn will bring you an app that will stream Netflix, Hulu, Comedy Central, Amazon VOD, ESPN 3, and more on your phone. The app is available now in the Android market…video advertisement and full press release below.

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Android Gets PlayOn Support and More Video Content Streaming Than Ever Before
Now Watch Hulu, Netflix, TBS, Oprah, Nickelodeon, ESPN3 and Many Others on your Android Device
Seattle – February 17, 2011 – After months of Beta testing, MediaMall Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has officially launched support for Android devices. The free software update and free PlayOn™ Mobile app for Android 2.2 and higher are now available to PlayOn Premium customers, enabling users to stream online video and personal media with Adobe Flash technology from a networked PC to Android mobile devices over 3G or Wi-Fi. PlayOn’s media library contains video content from providers including Hulu (ABC, NBC, Fox, etc.), Amazon VOD, Netflix IQ, TBS, CBS, PBS, the Oprah Winfrey Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Nickelodeon, ESPN3, NFL Rewind, MLB, MTV, VH1, Syfy, Spike, TV.com, The Ultimate Fighter and others.
“We’re pleased to add Android to our ever-growing list of compatible devices for streaming online video content,” states Jeff Lawrence, CEO of MediaMall Technologies. “Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to affordably access online video content using the screen of their choice. With support for Xbox 360, PlayStation3, Wii, Google TV, Roku, iOS, and now Android, among a multitude of other DLNA-compliant devices, PlayOn offers the most affordable one-stop solution for accessing online video content on your living room TV and mobile device.”
Existing PlayOn Premium customers may download the PlayOn Mobile app for free from the Android Marketplace. Those new to PlayOn can try it out free for 14 days, after which PlayOn and its full library of content, including updates for new channels and supported devices, can be purchased for $39.99 for the first year and $19.99 for each year thereafter.
PlayOn Premium customers with Android 2.2+ need just to download the PlayOn Mobile app from the Android Marketplace and initially pair the device over the local Wi-Fi network with the PlayOn media server. The device may then be used to stream online video and personal media content over 3G or Wi-Fi anywhere in the world where you can get a signal. In addition to Android, PlayOn also currently features mobile support for iOS devices including the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
For a full list of content providers and supported hardware platforms, and to try PlayOn for free, please visit: http://www.PlayOn.tv.

Bizzy For Android Now Available, Download It From The Market

Stuck in an endless loop of  ”I don’t knows” with your friends or spouse on where to go out for the night?  Let Bizzy help you decide.  The highly popular and coveted application for iPhone is now available for Android lovers everywhere.  Bizzy allows you to quickly locate places to eat, shop and play while on the go.  Bizzy Inc’s recommendation engine incorporated in the app is pretty powerful and you shouldn’t have difficulty conjuring up a restaurant, shop or access to quick night life when needed.  
The app uses your gps location to quickly generate the closest location to you.   When you first sign up for the service, you’ll be asked quite a few questions, but if you can get through that, your well on your way.  The questions assist in getting a general feel for what you like when it comes to things like food or closthing.   So, if you’re ready to get restaurants, bars and movie theaters placed at your fingertips, then head on over to the market place and give it a go.  Don’t forget to let us know what you think of the app in the comments below.

Angry Birds To Play Nice On Windows Phone 7

For those who own a Microsoft Windows Phone 7 device who haven’t as yet been able to get in on some thieving green pig crushing action via the highly successful multi-platform game Angry Birds, you just might be getting to play nice with Angry Birds in the not too distant future.
According to an article over on Unwired View and by way of the guys over at Pocket-lint, Angry Birds maker Rovio has told Pocket-lint they are planning to bring the popular mobile game to the Windows Phone 7 platform.
Apparently Peter Vesterbacka, of Rovio has said… “We’re working on it,” and that it is Microsoft that has held up Angry Birds coming to Windows Phone 7, saying…”Let’s just say, Microsoft has a lot of lawyers.”
However, just when WP7 is likely to see a version of Angry Birds is not yet known, so it could take donkeys or happen quite soon. Other Angry Birds news though is that Rovio is currently working on pushing out a 3D version of the popular game, and again no word on when we’re likely to see that.
So there you have it, are our Windows Phone 7 sporting readers happy that they may soon be able to squash some thieving green pigs with an onslaught of devilish, feathered demons?

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Android 3.0 Honeycomb Playing Nice on HTC Desire HD: Video

Okay, Android 3.0 Honeycomb is a tablet specific operating system from the Google guy’s right? But that being the case doesn’t stop some clever hacker from slapping a version of Android 3.0 Honeycomb onto a smartphone now does it.
So for your viewing consideration today we have some video footage of Android 3.0 Honeycomb playing nice on none other than the HTC Desire HD, which comes our way courtesy of Ubergizmo and by way of the guys over at XDA-developers and YouTube user RiotNOR.
Apparently its currently a proof of concept, but does show that it can be accomplished although would require quite a bit of work to get Android 3.0 Honeycomb scaled down to suit the smaller displays of smartphones.
Word is if you want to give it a go on your HTC Desire HD you can download the necessary from T3hhaxx0r, but naturally you do so at your own risk.
So for those that would like to see Android 3.0 Honeycomb playing nice on the HTC Desire HD, jump on down, mash that play button and enjoy.