Sony tries to lure developers by waiving the $99 PlayStation Mobile licensing fee

by Spencer McClendon on
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If you have a game and would like to port over to PlayStation Mobile devices, but can’t afford the $99 license fee Sony usually charges developers, then I have some good news for you. For a limited time this summer, Sony has decided to open its Mobile Development program up to all new developers, and waive the license fee.

This could turn out to be a fantastic opportunity for both Sony and developers. If this plan works Sony could see an upswing in development while developers add another platform to launch their games on. This isn’t only limited to Android certified devices either, it also includes development for the PS Vita as well. Let’s hope this plan works out better than expected and Sony makes it a permanent deal.

Check out the video for the PlayStation Mobile Development Program after the break. I feel like the guy in it myself, how many of you can relate?

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Google releases Mirror API to developers, complete with documentation and code examples

by Jared Peters on
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If you’re waiting on your Google Glass unit to ship, you can get prepared for it by taking a look at a new API that Google has released for Glass developers. The Mirror API has been released with complete documentation and some code examples for developers to get their feet wet so they’ll already have something ready for when Google Glass does arrive. Getting a head start never hurts, and I’m sure Google knows that. Google has highlighted some major features in the API as well as given some examples and guidelines for ensuring the best user experience.

With all the rumors of smartwatches lately, it’s pretty obvious wearable technology is going to start making waves in consumer markets fairly soon. But, like we’ve seen with some mobile OSes, if there are no developers or applications, it’s tough to get the platform off the ground. Google made sure that wasn’t a problem for Android, and it looks like they’re taking steps to make sure Glass is a repeat experience.

source: Google Developers

Ford releases OpenXC SDK for Android applications for vehicles

by Jared Peters on
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This is definitely one of the more unique things to pop up at CES this year. Ford is releasing an OpenXC SDK to allow Android apps to access the sensor data in Ford vehicles and spur the growth of aftermarket accessories and software. There’s are already parts and the SDK available that allow a device to access sensor information via USB or Bluetooth, which could be anything from the GPS to the vehicle’s speed. Best of all, all of the hardware components are external from the car, so there’s no messy installation to worry about. I think it’ll take a while for this to really catch on, but before long I imagine we’ll see some really cool uses for it, and hopefully more similar programs from other OEMs. Hit the break for the press release, and be sure to check out the rest of our CES coverage here. » Read the rest

Google won’t be developing apps for Windows 8

by Alexon Enfiedjian on
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Last night Google released its long-awaited Google Maps app for its biggest competitor: IOS. However, just because the Mountain View company is developing apps for the “dark side”, doesn’t mean that everyone is going to get in on the Google-goodness. Recently, Google Apps product management director, Clay Bavor, announced that the Google team has no plans to develop apps for Microsoft’s new Windows 8 platform. According to Bavor, Google is very careful with their resources and time, and right now users “are not on Windows Phone or Windows 8.” This comes as a hard blow to the already fledgling platform. However, Bavor did leave the door open for reconsideration and said they’d keep an eye on Windows 8′s sales and market performance. As our Editor In Chief, Robert Nazarian, posted earlier this morning, Google is willing to develop apps even for its competition if it means increased revenue and ad sales, but right now, it seems Windows 8 isn’t even worth their time.

Source: SlashGear

New App Inventor Beta Released By MIT

by Josh O'Donnell on
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Google Labs was responsible for some of the apps we can’t live without on our devices: Google Search, Google Goggles and my personal favorite, App Inventor. Unfortunately the app was phased out, along with Google Labs, but not before the source code was made open for all. Of course, since App Inventor was a pivotal educational tool, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology picked it up right where Google left it.

I bring some good news today, as the beta version of the application is available to anyone with a Google account! That’s right, anyone can pick up and go create their own apps in a versatile, innovative and naturally intuitive environment. Anyone who’s ever wanted to give app development a shot but didn’t quite understand the jargon involved with software development should head over to the MIT’s App Inventor website (source link below) and give it a go.

source: mit

HTC Releases Beats Audio API Among Others

by Stacy Bruce on
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We already knew that HTC had planned on releasing the Beats Audio API for developers to integrate the music tweaking software into their own apps. What we didn’t know was that HTC also planned on granting access to a few other APIs as HTCdev announced the availability of four important HTC APIs. The announced APIs are:

  • Beats Audio API
  • Lockscreen API
  • Mobile Device Management API
  • And soon a HTC MediaLink HD API

Now developers can better create apps that integrate deeper into the HTC device experience. For example, accessing various apps directly from the lockscreen, view/listen to an apps media on the stock HTC media player, and the ability to enjoy Beats Audio from within other music apps such as PowerAMP. In addition, HTC plans on listing newly created apps that leverage the HTC APIs within the HTC Hub. A place where consumers can go to find all the apps that are tailored to their HTC device.

It will only be a matter of time before the development community starts pumping out creative ways in which to use their apps. I would be stoked to see Beats Audio tied in with Google Music. What would you like to see come out of this?

source: HTCblog

New App Stats Available for Publishers via the Android Market Developer Console

by Jack Holt on
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Those of you familiar with app publication on the Android Market should surely be familiar with the Application Statistics. For those that aren’t, they are tools that help developers tune their development and marketing efforts to better appeal apps to you. Application Statistics shows your app’s installation performance across key dimensions such as countries, device models, platform versions, etc. Well the folks behind Android are beefing these analytics up even more with newly added metrics, new ways to analyze data and a newly redesigned UI that’s easier to use.

With the new installation metrics you can now see your installations measured by unique users and by unique devices. Active installs, total installs, daily installs and uninstalls can be viewed for user installations while active installs, daily installs, uninstalls and upgrades can be seen for device installations. But they don’t stop there as they are adding two new data dimensions —Carrier and App Version. This will allow you to track your app’s installation trends across mobile carriers or the ability to monitor launch metrics of specific app updates.  » Read the rest

Android Design V2 Now Includes Stencil Availability

by Roy Alugbue on
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Android Design has long been a developer favorite when it comes to the development of apps for the Android platform. While it is a great resource to use, developers have complained of the lack of stencils available. The Android User Experience Team has heard your cries and finally released some mockup stencils for any and every Android developer to use. The AUE team promises the stencils will feature the “rich typography, colors, interactive controls, and icons found throughout Ice Cream Sandwich.”

The stencils are available today. The AUE Team has highlighted Adobe Fireworks and Omni OmniGraffle are among the design programs for which the stencils will be available with. Moreover, the source files for the various icons and controls are also available in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

source: Android Developers Blog

Motorola VP Says Hardware Is The Reason For Android 4.0 Upgrade Delay To Its Devices

by Roy Alugbue on
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So you own a sweet MOTO DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX, DROID Bionic or other premium device, but are still aching for that ICS update? Well we know it’s on its way, but as of this time, there’s no estimated release date from MOTO at this time. Owners of the devices previously presumed it was because of customizing the (MOTO)BLUR skin on top of Android 4.0. However, the software development isn’t the hassle— it’s actually the hardware that’s causing a bit of a hassle and prolonging the eventual rollout of the update to the handful of MOTO devices. Christy Wyatt, Senior VP and general manager of Motorola’s Enterprise Business Unit makes that point clear:

“When Google does a release of the software … they do a version of the software for whatever phone they just shipped. The rest of the ecosystem doesn’t see it until you see it. Hardware is by far the long pole in the tent, with multiple chipsets and multiple radio bands for multiple countries. It’s a big machine to churn. I would have to know that every single operator I have is going to want to upgrade every single product, and sometimes they’ll want to control the timing … it’s just not easy to make that blanket statement.”

Motorola completely feels for its customers and wants to push out timely updates as quickly as possible, but it’s not at this point because of various factors involving hardware and mobile carriers. The problem is pretty straightforward: Motorola finds out if the hardware is compatible, throws on the custom skins like (MOTO)BLUR and waits to finally get re-certified by every individual carrier– which is a difficult process by itself. As tedious as the process is upgrading devices to Android 4.0, it’s a necessary one in order to ensure all aspects of the devices are running smoothly and without issues.

All is not doom and gloom though folks. While highlighting the difficulties in updating the software for each phone, Wyatt added some understandable enthusiasm for Android 4.0 because it gives developers a single UI for phones and tablets:

“That has to be one of the promises of Ice Cream Sandwich,” she said. “By bringing these UIs together, you solve the experience gaps and the ecosystem gaps between [phones and tablets].”

Our sentiments exactly Christy. While additional tweaks such as the WebTop (laptop) mode needs to be worked out as well, expect MOTO and its great group of developers/engineers to figure out everything sooner than later.

source: PC Mag 

 

Mystery Device From Google Stops By The FCC

by Josh O'Donnell on
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An FCC application filed by Google, Inc. suggests the possibility of a Google entertainment device is in the works. The application requests permission for a six month window in which this mystery device can be tested at the Google HQ as well as in Google employees’ homes in four different cities: Mountain View CA, Los Angeles CA, Cambridge MA, and New York, NY. The description of the device and purpose of operation describes what sounds similar to Android @Home, which was announced at last years Google I/O. Excerpt from the application after the break.

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