How a yearly release cycle could improve the Android experience
Back in 2010, when Andy Rubin was still heading up Android, he told Mercury News, “Our product cycle is now, basically twice a year, and it will probably end up being once a year when things start settling down, because a platform that’s moving — it’s hard for developers to keep up. I want developers to basically leverage the innovation. I don’t want developers to have to predict the innovation.”
If you look at the Android version history, you can hardly fail to notice how erratic the release schedule has been. In the early days of the platform, it was important to rush, because Android was playing catch up, and there was a lot to do. Each new version brought a raft of essential features, but that’s no longer the case.
There are now signs that Google might finally be settling into an annual update schedule, albeit later than expected. Android 5.0 Lollipop landed a year after 4.4 KitKat. Google announced it in June at Google I/O 2014, providing time for a developer preview before the consumer launch in November.
Smaller updates with bug fixes are inevitably going to be released throughout the year, but it looks as though Android M will follow the same pattern.
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A lot of benefits
You would assume that having a concrete schedule in mind would be a good thing for the Android team at Google. It’s not a rush to push out new features with the decision on when to ship being made as they go. It should improve the chances of a stable release that’s been properly planned and tested, at least in theory. Nexus owners can attest to the potential impact of bugs in new Android versions.
Predictability and stability are big potential pros for developers and OEMs. If they know when a new version is set to land, then they can plan accordingly. Having to guess isn’t ideal, and it can obviously be pretty frustrating. For OEMs it would provide a nice foundation for their own annual flagship releases. Some manufacturers have stuck to big shows, like MWC, others have chopped and changed every year, but a fixed schedule makes it easier to build hype and expectations.
It should also make it easier for developers and OEMs to plan updates. Previews help developers to ensure that their apps and games work with the latest Android version on day one. Manufacturers can theoretically make the necessary tweaks to their UIs, and push new versions over-the-air (OTA) within a predictable timescale. The current situation is a rush. Often by the time the update actually goes out, Google is announcing a new version of Android.
For consumers, a predictable release schedule for new Android versions would be great. As it stands, the fragmentation situation is very frustrating for device owners keen to get their hands on the latest and greatest features. When Google decides to update Android, there’s a wait to see which manufacturers will push it to their devices, and then another wait for the carriers to make their changes before the update can be pushed out OTA. HTC released an interesting infographic about the update process a while back. You can see how a stable timetable and longer gaps between releases might help. Fragmentation isn’t going to be solved by the annual cycle, but it should certainly make things a bit more transparent.
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A yearly cycle also means one big exciting release with a new feature list, instead of a stream of smaller updates. It brings a bit more clarity to the divide between versions, and it makes it harder for OEMs and carriers to justify not updating. With fewer updates to deal with, perhaps they’ll start to update devices for longer.
And a few drawbacks
The reason that Google hasn’t had a yearly cycle thus far, is to do with the pace of innovation. More frequent releases provide the opportunity to push out new features and cool functionality as it’s developed. With a yearly cycle we’re going to have to wait a bit longer to get the new goodies.
OEMs feed off each other right now, with the competition pushing them to innovate, and a steady stream of new devices hitting the market year-round. A single annual update model could deflate this constant jockeying for position, and slow innovation further.
Security is an issue. If there’s one improvement you don’t want to wait for, it’s the closing of a vulnerability. Bugs are never intended to be part of a release, but unless Google ups its game in terms of defects in new versions of Android, the wait for a fix could grow longer. Even with a yearly cycle, small updates for security and bugs will surely be inevitable.
Is it the right move?
There’s another compelling reason for Google to switch to the annual cycle that we haven’t mentioned yet. The move to deliver new features within Google apps is clearly underway. We don’t always need a platform update to get more out of Android. Regardless of how you feel about this trend and Google’s motivations for it, there’s little doubt that it’s happening.
It’s also worth remembering that Google is starting to push Android for Work and it wants the platform to challenge for the enterprise. Businesses, IT departments, and enterprise app developers want stability, and expect a stable update schedule. For planning purposes it may be seen as a prerequisite that’s currently harming Android’s credibility.
The Android platform is mature. There’s always room to innovate and improve, but we aren’t seeing vital new features in every update. As Google moves towards the refinement process, it seems to make sense to slow down and reduce the disruption of a faster release cycle. It may be difficult to determine whether it will have any impact on the pace of innovation, when it feels as though innovation is already slowing, but the potential benefits for developers and OEMs will hopefully be felt by end users as well.
London’s ‘Boris bikes’ get an app for paying and planning rides
Using one of London’s “Boris bikes” isn’t as simple as, say, taking the Underground or catching a bus. You have to find a docking station with an available bike, work out your journey time and how much you’ll be charged, and then find another drop-off point that’s close to your destination and not already full. To make the process a little simpler, Santander and Transport for London (TfL) are launching an app for iOS and Android. You can use it to find your nearest docking station, check how many bikes are available and pay for your next ride. Once you’ve selected a 24-hour or annual pass, a unique release code will be sent to your phone, which can then be used to unlock a two-wheeler.
To give you some peace of mind, the app will log exactly when you took out the bike — which could prove useful, because even with a 24-hour pass, TfL will charge you extra for rides that last more than 30 minutes. The app can also help you plan your journey, hopefully avoiding any nasty charges, confirm when you’ve returned a bike, and offer a breakdown of recent hires and how much you’ve spent. We’re still waiting for the scheme to support Oyster cards and contactless payments, but this is definitely a start.
[Image Credit: Steve Bardens/ Getty Images for Santander]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Santander Cycles (iOS), (Android)
Google adds pre-registration and alerts for Android apps
Starting with Glu’s Terminator Genisys: Revolution mobile game, you can now pre-register for apps from the Play store. Now if a developer wants to drum up some interest before an app release, they can stick a placeholder page in the store where users can sign up and receive an alert on their phone when the app is actually released. This is obviously handy for users, but it can also help devs gauge interest in their apps before they’re released.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Android and Me
How to set up a VPN on Android
There are a myriad of reasons as to why you might want to setup a VPN on your Android-powered smartphone or tablet. Some of those reasons are for security purposes and others are to simply get your local network or ISP to stop being a nuisance. After all, who wouldn’t want ISP’s to stop throttling them on certain websites, such as BitTorrent, even if the file you are downloading is completely legal.
We’re going to be reviewing what a VPN is, why you want to use one, how to set one up, and the best VPN apps to use on your device. Be sure to read on to find out more and finally have a truly private Internet connection.
What is a VPN?
A VPN may sound more technical than your used to, but it really isn’t. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) simply allows you to secure your connection while on a private network. More technically, upon connecting to a VPN, you’re being routed through servers across the world, masking your IP to keep it away from prying eyes, such as your ISP.
For instance, your ISP collects all of your browsing history data, and some ISPs even throttle a lot of services, such as BitTorrent and Netflix. You might be familiar with Comcast doing this extensively. We’re not advocating piracy, as the file you could be downloading off of BitTorrent could be entirely legal. In connecting to a VPN while downloading from BitTorrent and streaming through Netflix, you might find the speeds to be faster, as it stops the ISP from throttling the connection and collecting that data. As I mentioned earlier, it secures all of your data.
Another great example is websites that are geo-blocked. Some websites, such as Netflix UK, are only free to access if your IP is in a certain country. For instance, if your IP is based out of the U.S., you cannot access the U.K.’s version of Netflix. Running a VPN and masking your VPN in another country makes this possible.
Why you should use a VPN
In our digital age, it can be a real concern of hooking up to public networks at the Airport or at your local coffee shop, especially with incidents like these becoming more common. In cities that are highly populated, like New York, using your banking information on a public network is essentially the same thing as standing in the middle of a crowd, and announcing your username, log-in, and social security number to everyone.
Setting up your VPN right after you hit a public network will keep your most personal information secure, where it would normally be open for anyone with knowledge to see.
Best VPN apps to use
There are a lot of VPN apps out there. Some are free and others are subscription based. However, I feel like there are three specific top-of-the-line ones that are worth looking at here.
Tunnelbear
My all time favorite VPN app to use is Tunnelbear, as it’s quick and easy to setup. It’s ease of use is remarkably impressive. However, for the most part, it is a service that you have to pay for, but it is certainly worth the $4.99 per month. There’s also an option to pay for it on a yearly basis for a flat rate of $49.99. There is always the option of taking it for a test run, as the company does give you 500MB of data on a monthly basis for free.
Like most VPN apps you can choose where your Virtual Private Network is located so that you can access those websites that are geographically blocked, such as Netflix UK, and etc.
You can download it here.
Hideman VPN
Hideman VPN is another favorite, although it’s not as straight forward as Tunnelbear is. That’s not to say it’s hard to set up either, the design and layout is just different, and thus there are more menus to wade through. It does the same thing as most VPN apps, such as encrypt your data, hide your IP, etc. You really do not want a free solution, and I’ll explain why soon.
Much like Tunnelbear, Hideman isn’t free either. There services do cost money, but not nearly as much as Tunnelbear. A year subscription will only run you about $25.
You can download it here
Hola VPN
Finally, we have Hola VPN. This particular VPN app is unique in that it is entirely free and has it’s own built-in browser. However, it doesn’t matter what connection you’re on, it runs extremely slow.
As I mentioned earlier, you need to watch out for free VPNs, but this is one of the few that will do you well, as it handles the data management and security much differently than other free solutions out there. It takes advantage of idle resources, such as data when you’re not using your phone, and shares it with its users. In layman’s terms, everyone’s extra broadband data is thrown into a pool to be shared with users so that Hola doesn’t have to charge you for a data subscription.
It’s an interesting way to handle to handle data management that not many other free VPNs do.
You can download it here.
Setting up a VPN
Setting up a Virtual Private Network on your mobile device is ridiculously easy. In this case, I’m using my personal preference, Tunnelbear. It’s really just the option of selecting your choice of country, and then tapping connect, although you may have to enter payment information if you’re using a subscription-based service.
However, some smartphones have their own integrated Virtual Private Networks where you don’t need to hunt down a decent VPN app. Just head on over to Settings > Wireless and Networks > Other. If your smartphone has it, select the VPN option under Other, type in your desired username and password, and then simply tap connect! Your VPN should be ready to use now.
The idea of setting up a VPN can sound intimidating, if it has never been in your technical realm. However, if you’re able to navigate applications like Facebook and Twitter, setting up a VPN is just as easy.
Final words
One thing you need to keep in mind before going forth with your new Virtual Private Network is that VPNs can slow your connection down. You won’t be likely to notice it on a broadband connection, but you’ll definitely be able to see the change if you’re using a VPN over a cellular network.
Another thing to keep in mind–not all free solutions are good solutions. Some free VPNs have a little bit of security, but not nearly enough. They’re alright for doing your usual browsing on the web, but I certainly wouldn’t trust them with bank account information and other personal accounts. Just be sure to carefully research what you use and connect to.
If you have any questions or need further help setting up a VPN, post a comment below or we’d be more than happy to help you over on our forums.
Come comment on this article: How to set up a VPN on Android
Nintendo launching five smartphone games by 2017, one out this year
While many companies are embracing mobile gaming with open arms, Nintendo has been a bit reluctant to enter the scene. However, Nintendo, with their recent partnership with DeNA, is now ready to jump in.
Plans are to release one game by the end of this year. Nintendo won’t just been releasing a single game, though. Immediately after the company’s 2014 earnings, CEO and President Satoru Iwata said that they plan on launching five mobile titles by March 2017.
“You may think it is a small number,” said Iwata, “but when we aim to make each title a hit, and because we want to thoroughly operate every one of them for a significant amount of time after their releases, this is not a small number at all and should demonstrate our serious commitment to the smart device business.”
Keep in mind that these games won’t just be ports from much-loved console titles–they’ll be entirely new games designed to function on smartphones and tablets.
“Even with highly popular IP, the odds of success are quite low if consumers cannot appreciate the quality of a game,” he said. “Also, if we were simply to port software that already has a track record on a dedicated game system, it would not match the play styles of smart devices, and the appropriate business models are different between the two, so we would not anticipate a great result.”
Of course, we have no idea what Nintendo plans on bringing to the mobile platform. For now, we’ll wait patiently to see what innovations Nintendo has up their sleeve for the mobile industry. However, this is great news overall from the company, as Android has been taking over Nintendo’s market share. Maybe this move will provide them with more growth.
What Nintendo game would you like to see on the smartphone? A Yoshi version of Temple Run? Let us know in the comments.
source: Nintendo
via: The Verge
Come comment on this article: Nintendo launching five smartphone games by 2017, one out this year
Bloomberg: Google improving controls for Android app permissions soon
It’s always a little concerning when a battery management app needs access to your location and contacts. According to Bloomberg, Google’s poised to ease that anxiety by improving control over what apps can access in Android. According to its sources, an update to the operating system — possibly coming ant Google’s I/O event this month — would allow users to switch off access to things individually, similar to how app management in Facebook works. Features like those described were discovered in Android, hidden, as far back as 2013. If you’re using one of Android’s most famous forks, you’ve had them since 2011. Google eventually removed the hidden controls, perhaps to prevent incomplete tools from interfering with apps not primed for the change, but now it seems they’re ready for prime time. How will your torch cope without knowing all your friends’ names, and where you are? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Filed under: Cellphones, Google
Source: Bloomberg
Android Finally Poised to Overtake iOS in Revenue for Developers
Though Apple often owns the discussion, Google’s Android owns the market, accounting for a whopping 81.5% of market share as of the end of 2014. That’s huge, and yet, iOS has been a more reliable revenue generator than Android since time immemorial.
But all that appears to be changing. For the first time in history, Android generated 45.8 percent of ad revenue in Q1 of 2015 compared to 45.4 percent for iOS. That’s the first time Android has outperformed iOS.
However, take this with a grain of salt. We’re discussing ad revenue, not app store purchases. Only with the inclusion of China’s complex Android marketplace does Android eclipse iOS’ App Store. But what this means is that Google is poised, likely sometime this year, to overtake Apple on actual app store-related revenue.
Bear in mind this is due to a global onslaught of Android devices. iOS devices are – and for the foreseeable future will be – far more potent revenue generators on a per capita basis than their Android counterparts. Apple customers spend more on apps and are demographically more attractive to advertisers. Catering to such a level of exclusivity and caché isn’t really Google’s beat, so they’ll take their lumps and continue pushing Android and Chrome OS all over the world, from cheap devices aimed at lower-income consumers to high-end boutique products.
Accel Partners’ Rich Wong describes the situation:
“Considering the major volume advantage of Android, outside the US in particular, this milestone was inevitable… While Apple deserves enormous credit for some recent market share resurgence (in the US in particular), the longer-term trend hasn’t changed. Developers ultimately have to go where the eyeballs are, and for global mobile eyeballs, Android is way out in front.”
So raise your glasses and celebrate as we vanquish our greatest of foes, those fiends from Cupertino. Bwahaha.
Source: ReCode
Come comment on this article: Android Finally Poised to Overtake iOS in Revenue for Developers
Flickr 4.0 update takes photo storage app a big step forward
In 2012 when Marissa Mayer took the helm at Yahoo, there was a viral Internet campaign requesting that she ” please make Flickr awesome again!” Well folks, that day is here, and Flickr 4.0 has just launched, giving the app a major facelift on all platforms.
For Android users, Flickr 4.0 can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, if you haven’t received the automatic update on your smartphone yet. The new update brings with it an entirely new engaging and elegant design, giving users a marvelous browsing experience.
Moving away from the completely overhauled interface, the new app brings with it a new feature called Camera Roll, which lets you manage all of your photos from different platforms, whether it be iOS or Android. Not only that, but Camera Roll has a lot of photo editing capabilities, such as filters, cropping, and much more.
Another feature you get is called Auto-Uploadr, which will automatically let you upload photos and videos from whatever device you’re using. It also stores these files in the cloud, so you can access your pictures and videos from any device! Be sure to remember that there’s no need to worry about space you have in the cloud, as Flickr does give you a terabyte worth of storage for free.
Be sure to hit the source link below to get the new update.
source: Play Store
Come comment on this article: Flickr 4.0 update takes photo storage app a big step forward
At £199, could you see yourself picking up the Nexus 9?
A lot of us are familiar with spending $300 or more on a big ticket item, and later feeling like it was a waste of time and money. At $399/£319, this feeling rings true for most who picked up HTC’s sub-par Nexus 9. However, would it be a waste of money to you if it were £199/$300?
That’s how much you can pick up the tablet for at UK-based retailers John Lewis and PC World. This is the biggest price drop we’ve seen since the tablet released, if not the only price drop. Even with the price drop, there’s still something you have to decide.
When purchasing a product, there’s a problem that you have to solve within yourself before physically paying for said product. You have to decide what will add more value to your life–keeping $399 in your wallet or trading that $399 for a Nexus 9. By going with the tablet, you’ve decided that the device will provide more happiness to your life than the money.
That decision is different for everyone. Some will find it worth trading the money for the tablet, and others will decide that there are better options out there and keep their money. With a price reduction, there is a much larger group that is willing to purchase the tablet, mostly because it is no longer a $400 risk.
In my opinion, a lower price should be implemented worldwide, as it’d not only benefit and value the consumer, but Google’s revenue and sales, too. What do you think?
source: Engadget
Come comment on this article: At £199, could you see yourself picking up the Nexus 9?
LG is making a smaller, stripped-down version of its G4 phone
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Via: GSMArena
Source: WinFuture (translated)
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