The particular ring tone market is booming. The danger hiptop is sold in Austria, Great Britain, Philippines, Europe, Usa, Australia and also Singapore. Kid Rock does not like the fact that people can simply obtain 1 song without purchasing the entire album. However besides the many companies out there, any cellular phone user needs to pick from so many obtainable genres regarding ringers accessible, especially those for music ring tones.
This means that one could already be contaminated with spyware and adware otherwise you may well not, all of this depends on whether or not you've got saved any of these (now eliminated simply by Google) applications from your Android os market place; Falling Lower, Extremely Acoustic guitar Single, Super History Eraser, Photo Editor, Very Ringtone Maker, Extremely Intercourse Jobs, Warm Alluring Videos, Mentally stimulating games, Yelling Sexy Japoneses Ladies, Falling Golf ball Avoid, Technological Calculator, Chop Roller, Advanced Foreign currency Ripping tools, Iphone app Uninstaller, Humorous Paint as well as Spider Man. Not merely are rap as well as RB many of the most well-known genres with regard to jewelry, another highlight is Latina audio. All you have to complete is enter "ringtones" in to an internet search engine and you will be offered 1000s of outcomes. Many favorite movie or perhaps tv rates, many songs...when you can find it about the huge expanse from the Web and also help save that for your computer, you could have it on your own Rim.
Mono phonic cellular phone ring tones are quite obvious songs, mostly suitable for the current cell phones. Womanizer became the initial #1 single on Billboard.net Hot a hundred Charts because her very first first appearance record "Baby One More Time" that has been released practically 10 years prior. With companies focusing on how rewarding the mobile media customers are, the majority of movies have complete enjoyment delivers with regard to cellular users : from the comfort of a topic with a ring tone to some pair of private icons. This individual surely could fuse several types of audio that have been previously simply noticed by folks of just one particular ethnic party or another.
Mobile world wide web can be referred to as WAP or even GPRS and may incur a cost. Sound monitor from the film "Mission Impossible" focused for almost a couple of years when we have been fascinated with how these types of tone performs on the cell phone. It's a beneficial program whenever coming in contact with upward a report or perhaps taking some information. The most popular Boost Cell ringers are the type designed and compiled for kids. One of those several ringers has been the actual Christian ring tone. You can also post your own personal refreshment recipe tips as well as reviews. It takes on the music you would like to notice. Free gospel ringtones usually do not entail virtually any concealed expense and also the body's not necessarily billed virtually any membership payment.
Kyocera free ringers usually are not simple to get, but the providers carry out supply you with a selection. MetroPCS includes a constrained program and hence this particular displays on the some other solutions provided to their clients. This kind of brand new advancement within the cellular world has greatly benefited the music market.
Plenty of ringers obtainable at no cost. Mobile phones were also much more expensive throughout days past where there weren't a lot of people who can afford them. One of the things which are significantly appreciated by iPhone consumers are: wireless ability, sending and also receiving e mail, 2MP camera, contact LCD screen and 3rd generation. You should know and also understand almost everything regarding your own phones. This telecommunications provides report product labels a little percentage in the salary of the ringers. Trying to find your own personal ring tone isn't very difficult.
Mark is really an upon the market programming technician. He often writes posts about computers plus some tricks and tips in the additional time. This individual recommends Android Ringtones
to understand more about all of them.
Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Honeycomb Android Finest Evaluation
Honeycomb Android might be an efficient software developed for pills. It's the initial tablet edition of Android. When you are dealing with make the most of the tablet with honeycomb, you'll understand that it does not retain the bodily buttons, that exist of items. Google made the home, Back and Menu virtual buttons on-screen because the Research button remains eliminated currently. The House, Back and Menu buttons sometimes seems concerning the decrease left within the unit. These buttons reduce their dimensions when it requires pixel thickness whilst a couple of programs are operating concurrently.
The apparatus bar sits within the base within the screen. The gentle navigation buttons are saved to its left aspect. Applying this, you will discover status notices and status updates. If you want extra space in your screen, it may be decreased.
Honeycomb Android action bar is arrives up the screen, which shows context delicate options and drop lower menus. This vanishes when there is no application that's open. It is 5 home pages, which you could personalize depending on what may be important that you you. Honeycomb materials a brand new visual layout that could personalize the web page easily and add drop shadows or other visual cues.
Multi-tasking is clearly an incredible capability connected acquiring a gadget or device and Honeycomb Android has the capacity to complete this wonderful ability. An completely new Recent Programs checklist will be the gear bar. This feature allows you to definitely definitely definitely see your prior activity for every one within the software which you just had been utilizing correct before identifying to reduced the display for an additional application.
A tablet is not a tablet with out its Keyboard. Honeycomb Android tablet stays refurbished to make sure that can fit perfectly for individuals who've bigger screens. The company-new keyboard also permits you to certainly certainly definitely definitely get special figures via touch maintain secrets and techniques. This resembles a laptop or desktop's hold Alter command.
Another enhanced feature is Honeycomb Android easier copy/paste and drag/drop experience. Comparable to stand out stick out stand out excel spreadsheets, you'll be able of multi-choose options, use various cells or numerous products of content all concurrently. The drag and drop feature will assist you to pull a content article from one application to another.
Honeycomb Android also refurbished its main symbols like clocks. Other regular programs have become a transformation too.
Enhancements are really created for Honeycomb Android technical features. Consider for example Bluetooth Tethering. You'll be able of share your cellular internet connection together with other products by way of Bluetooth just just just in situation your network business permits this. You'll possess the capability to synchronize your photos or movies obtaining a laptop computer or pc by way of USB. Clearly, you may even fasten an USB keyboard prefer a real keyboard to accomplish the particular function. Another amazing function is 3d graphics assistance. These individual personal bankruptcy aren't the conventional 3d pop outs. Results just like a creating look in the event you undertake an region via Google maps. You will be able of alter from a larger view by getting an actual take an appear in a location.
Looking for more details about it , check out my website right away to learn much more information on Best Honeycomb Android
The apparatus bar sits within the base within the screen. The gentle navigation buttons are saved to its left aspect. Applying this, you will discover status notices and status updates. If you want extra space in your screen, it may be decreased.
Honeycomb Android action bar is arrives up the screen, which shows context delicate options and drop lower menus. This vanishes when there is no application that's open. It is 5 home pages, which you could personalize depending on what may be important that you you. Honeycomb materials a brand new visual layout that could personalize the web page easily and add drop shadows or other visual cues.
Multi-tasking is clearly an incredible capability connected acquiring a gadget or device and Honeycomb Android has the capacity to complete this wonderful ability. An completely new Recent Programs checklist will be the gear bar. This feature allows you to definitely definitely definitely see your prior activity for every one within the software which you just had been utilizing correct before identifying to reduced the display for an additional application.
A tablet is not a tablet with out its Keyboard. Honeycomb Android tablet stays refurbished to make sure that can fit perfectly for individuals who've bigger screens. The company-new keyboard also permits you to certainly certainly definitely definitely get special figures via touch maintain secrets and techniques. This resembles a laptop or desktop's hold Alter command.
Another enhanced feature is Honeycomb Android easier copy/paste and drag/drop experience. Comparable to stand out stick out stand out excel spreadsheets, you'll be able of multi-choose options, use various cells or numerous products of content all concurrently. The drag and drop feature will assist you to pull a content article from one application to another.
Honeycomb Android also refurbished its main symbols like clocks. Other regular programs have become a transformation too.
Enhancements are really created for Honeycomb Android technical features. Consider for example Bluetooth Tethering. You'll be able of share your cellular internet connection together with other products by way of Bluetooth just just just in situation your network business permits this. You'll possess the capability to synchronize your photos or movies obtaining a laptop computer or pc by way of USB. Clearly, you may even fasten an USB keyboard prefer a real keyboard to accomplish the particular function. Another amazing function is 3d graphics assistance. These individual personal bankruptcy aren't the conventional 3d pop outs. Results just like a creating look in the event you undertake an region via Google maps. You will be able of alter from a larger view by getting an actual take an appear in a location.
Looking for more details about it , check out my website right away to learn much more information on Best Honeycomb Android
Honeycomb Android Finest Evaluation
Honeycomb Android might be an efficient software developed for pills. It's the initial tablet edition of Android. When you are dealing with make the most of the tablet with honeycomb, you'll understand that it does not retain the bodily buttons, that exist of items. Google made the home, Back and Menu virtual buttons on-screen because the Research button remains eliminated currently. The House, Back and Menu buttons sometimes seems concerning the decrease left within the unit. These buttons reduce their dimensions when it requires pixel thickness whilst a couple of programs are operating concurrently.
The apparatus bar sits within the base within the screen. The gentle navigation buttons are saved to its left aspect. Applying this, you will discover status notices and status updates. If you want extra space in your screen, it may be decreased.
Honeycomb Android action bar is arrives up the screen, which shows context delicate options and drop lower menus. This vanishes when there is no application that's open. It is 5 home pages, which you could personalize depending on what may be important that you you. Honeycomb materials a brand new visual layout that could personalize the web page easily and add drop shadows or other visual cues.
Multi-tasking is clearly an incredible capability connected acquiring a gadget or device and Honeycomb Android has the capacity to complete this wonderful ability. An completely new Recent Programs checklist will be the gear bar. This feature allows you to definitely definitely definitely see your prior activity for every one within the software which you just had been utilizing correct before identifying to reduced the display for an additional application.
A tablet is not a tablet with out its Keyboard. Honeycomb Android tablet stays refurbished to make sure that can fit perfectly for individuals who've bigger screens. The company-new keyboard also permits you to certainly certainly definitely definitely get special figures via touch maintain secrets and techniques. This resembles a laptop or desktop's hold Alter command.
Another enhanced feature is Honeycomb Android easier copy/paste and drag/drop experience. Comparable to stand out stick out stand out excel spreadsheets, you'll be able of multi-choose options, use various cells or numerous products of content all concurrently. The drag and drop feature will assist you to pull a content article from one application to another.
Honeycomb Android also refurbished its main symbols like clocks. Other regular programs have become a transformation too.
Enhancements are really created for Honeycomb Android technical features. Consider for example Bluetooth Tethering. You'll be able of share your cellular internet connection together with other products by way of Bluetooth just just just in situation your network business permits this. You'll possess the capability to synchronize your photos or movies obtaining a laptop computer or pc by way of USB. Clearly, you may even fasten an USB keyboard prefer a real keyboard to accomplish the particular function. Another amazing function is 3d graphics assistance. These individual personal bankruptcy aren't the conventional 3d pop outs. Results just like a creating look in the event you undertake an region via Google maps. You will be able of alter from a larger view by getting an actual take an appear in a location.
Looking for more details about it , check out my website right away to learn much more information on Best Honeycomb Android
The apparatus bar sits within the base within the screen. The gentle navigation buttons are saved to its left aspect. Applying this, you will discover status notices and status updates. If you want extra space in your screen, it may be decreased.
Honeycomb Android action bar is arrives up the screen, which shows context delicate options and drop lower menus. This vanishes when there is no application that's open. It is 5 home pages, which you could personalize depending on what may be important that you you. Honeycomb materials a brand new visual layout that could personalize the web page easily and add drop shadows or other visual cues.
Multi-tasking is clearly an incredible capability connected acquiring a gadget or device and Honeycomb Android has the capacity to complete this wonderful ability. An completely new Recent Programs checklist will be the gear bar. This feature allows you to definitely definitely definitely see your prior activity for every one within the software which you just had been utilizing correct before identifying to reduced the display for an additional application.
A tablet is not a tablet with out its Keyboard. Honeycomb Android tablet stays refurbished to make sure that can fit perfectly for individuals who've bigger screens. The company-new keyboard also permits you to certainly certainly definitely definitely get special figures via touch maintain secrets and techniques. This resembles a laptop or desktop's hold Alter command.
Another enhanced feature is Honeycomb Android easier copy/paste and drag/drop experience. Comparable to stand out stick out stand out excel spreadsheets, you'll be able of multi-choose options, use various cells or numerous products of content all concurrently. The drag and drop feature will assist you to pull a content article from one application to another.
Honeycomb Android also refurbished its main symbols like clocks. Other regular programs have become a transformation too.
Enhancements are really created for Honeycomb Android technical features. Consider for example Bluetooth Tethering. You'll be able of share your cellular internet connection together with other products by way of Bluetooth just just just in situation your network business permits this. You'll possess the capability to synchronize your photos or movies obtaining a laptop computer or pc by way of USB. Clearly, you may even fasten an USB keyboard prefer a real keyboard to accomplish the particular function. Another amazing function is 3d graphics assistance. These individual personal bankruptcy aren't the conventional 3d pop outs. Results just like a creating look in the event you undertake an region via Google maps. You will be able of alter from a larger view by getting an actual take an appear in a location.
Looking for more details about it , check out my website right away to learn much more information on Best Honeycomb Android
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Introducing the new Google Docs app for Android
(Cross-posted from the Google Docs Blog and Google Mobile Blog.)
Increasingly, people are using mobile phones to access information -- from email to web browsing to editing documents. Part of getting work done on the go is being able to easily access, edit and share content, which is why we’re happy to announce the new Google Docs app for Android.
With this new app it’s easy to filter and search for your content across any Google account, then jump straight into editing docs using the online mobile editors. The app also allows you to easily share items with contacts on your phone, right from within the app.
The Docs app also allows you to upload content from your phone and open documents directly from Gmail. You can also add a widget to your home screen for easy access to three core tasks: jumping to your starred documents, taking a photo to upload, or creating a new document with one tap.
And my favorite feature: Using the app and your phone’s camera, you can turn photos with text into editable Google documents with the power of optical character recognition (OCR). Just create a new ‘Document from Photo' or select the camera icon from the widget, and your converted document will appear in your documents list shortly after you snap the picture. You can also convert photos already stored on your phone by sharing them with the Google Docs app. OCR does a pretty good job capturing unformatted text in English but won't recognize handwriting or some fonts - stay tuned, it will get better over time!
The Google Docs app is currently available in English and works on Android 2.1+ phones. Try it out by scanning the QR code below or by visiting Android Market.
Let us know what you think of the new Google Docs Android app in our forum.
And my favorite feature: Using the app and your phone’s camera, you can turn photos with text into editable Google documents with the power of optical character recognition (OCR). Just create a new ‘Document from Photo' or select the camera icon from the widget, and your converted document will appear in your documents list shortly after you snap the picture. You can also convert photos already stored on your phone by sharing them with the Google Docs app. OCR does a pretty good job capturing unformatted text in English but won't recognize handwriting or some fonts - stay tuned, it will get better over time!
The Google Docs app is currently available in English and works on Android 2.1+ phones. Try it out by scanning the QR code below or by visiting Android Market.
Let us know what you think of the new Google Docs Android app in our forum.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Buy Google when market sells
Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) reported first quarter non-GAAP EPS of $8.08 after the bell Thursday, up from $6.76 in the prior year period, a 19.5% increase year-on-year. The consensus estimate was for EPS of $8.11. Google reported quarterly revenues of $8.6 billion, a 27 percent increase year-on-year and 2 percent over the previous quarter.
Mobile momentum
Google did really well in the mobile market, considering it "tripped" into it. Mobila ads are fetching a billion plus dollars quarterly. "We already announced that [mobile] was a billion-dollar run-rate business," Google SVP and CFO Patrick Pichette said Thursday on its first-quarter earnings call. "And we tripped into it. ... We tripped into a billion dollars. That gives you a sense of the momentum."
"Thanks in large part to Android, search on mobile devices has increased by more than 500 percent in the past two years," Jeff Huber, Google's SVP of commercial and local, said. Over 350,000 Android devices are activated daily, translating to over 127 million activations annually! Over 3 billion apps have been installed. Huber said "Android Market has benefited from its online presence and the addition of in-app billing."
SVP of Advertising Susan Wojcicki noted that for mobile ads, AdMob Inc. has more than 150 million iOS and Android devices receiving ads every month, up 50 percent over the last four months. And, many advertisers are running mobile-only campaigns and customizing them to the handsets with location and click-to-call, a feature that over half a million advertisers are using.
Hiring key talent in volumes
Google added 1,900 employees in the first quarter and is set to hire 4,000 more in 2011. Google is treating their employees well. Everyone in Google got a 10 percent salary increase. More employees and higher salaries led to increased expenses, resulting in lower EPS for the quarter. Huber claims that 2011 will be Google's biggest hiring year to date.
Management changes
When asked how the executive change-up has affected business, CFO Pichette only reiterated that it's business as usual. Co-founder Larry Page is the incoming CEO, and it appears that he is willing to make strategic investments in resources and talent to make Google better and more innovative. Mr. Eric Schmidt has stepped down from the CEO role; however, he remains as the chairman of the board.
In his first week on the job, Page promoted seven of his managers to senior positions, including Andy Rubin, who heads up mobile efforts, and Vic Gundotra, who is in charge of social initiatives, according to a person briefed on the changes. The executives will report directly to Page, the person said. (source: Bloomberg)
"In short, the company’s position has not changed," Pichette said. "Google is a technology company focused on users and looking for products that can affect billions of people."
Google stock movement
In after hours Google stock was down more than 5.6%, and is expected to fall further tomorrow. This will present an excellent buying opportunity. Fundamentally, there is nothing wrong with Google. Google sales growth is over 25% year over year, the Android mobile market is booming, YouTube is picking up steam, new talent pool is growing, and social networking is getting a renewed focus in order to compete versus Facebook. These are huge positives, and make Google a safe long term play. Buy Google when market sells tomorrow.
Leading Creativity and Innovation eBook, Insights, Report. Business Innovation Resource Kit includes 212 pages Definitive Guide, 439-slide insights Innovation Bootcamp, Annual Innovation Report. 212-page collection of over 55 best practices, case studies, and insights on the current state of Creativity and Innovation in Business at Top Innovators including Apple, Google, Netflix, 3M, Frito Lay, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Toyota, GE, BMW, Deloitte, Southwest, Nike, IBM, Dell and more. "Your report from the eBook and definitive guide was the primary reference that we used." Used by over 650 leading organizations including HP, Pepsi, EDS, Nokia, Tata, LG, J&J...Download NOW!
Mobile momentum
Google did really well in the mobile market, considering it "tripped" into it. Mobila ads are fetching a billion plus dollars quarterly. "We already announced that [mobile] was a billion-dollar run-rate business," Google SVP and CFO Patrick Pichette said Thursday on its first-quarter earnings call. "And we tripped into it. ... We tripped into a billion dollars. That gives you a sense of the momentum."
"Thanks in large part to Android, search on mobile devices has increased by more than 500 percent in the past two years," Jeff Huber, Google's SVP of commercial and local, said. Over 350,000 Android devices are activated daily, translating to over 127 million activations annually! Over 3 billion apps have been installed. Huber said "Android Market has benefited from its online presence and the addition of in-app billing."
SVP of Advertising Susan Wojcicki noted that for mobile ads, AdMob Inc. has more than 150 million iOS and Android devices receiving ads every month, up 50 percent over the last four months. And, many advertisers are running mobile-only campaigns and customizing them to the handsets with location and click-to-call, a feature that over half a million advertisers are using.
Hiring key talent in volumes
Google added 1,900 employees in the first quarter and is set to hire 4,000 more in 2011. Google is treating their employees well. Everyone in Google got a 10 percent salary increase. More employees and higher salaries led to increased expenses, resulting in lower EPS for the quarter. Huber claims that 2011 will be Google's biggest hiring year to date.
Management changes
When asked how the executive change-up has affected business, CFO Pichette only reiterated that it's business as usual. Co-founder Larry Page is the incoming CEO, and it appears that he is willing to make strategic investments in resources and talent to make Google better and more innovative. Mr. Eric Schmidt has stepped down from the CEO role; however, he remains as the chairman of the board.
In his first week on the job, Page promoted seven of his managers to senior positions, including Andy Rubin, who heads up mobile efforts, and Vic Gundotra, who is in charge of social initiatives, according to a person briefed on the changes. The executives will report directly to Page, the person said. (source: Bloomberg)
"In short, the company’s position has not changed," Pichette said. "Google is a technology company focused on users and looking for products that can affect billions of people."
Google stock movement
In after hours Google stock was down more than 5.6%, and is expected to fall further tomorrow. This will present an excellent buying opportunity. Fundamentally, there is nothing wrong with Google. Google sales growth is over 25% year over year, the Android mobile market is booming, YouTube is picking up steam, new talent pool is growing, and social networking is getting a renewed focus in order to compete versus Facebook. These are huge positives, and make Google a safe long term play. Buy Google when market sells tomorrow.
Leading Creativity and Innovation eBook, Insights, Report. Business Innovation Resource Kit includes 212 pages Definitive Guide, 439-slide insights Innovation Bootcamp, Annual Innovation Report. 212-page collection of over 55 best practices, case studies, and insights on the current state of Creativity and Innovation in Business at Top Innovators including Apple, Google, Netflix, 3M, Frito Lay, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Toyota, GE, BMW, Deloitte, Southwest, Nike, IBM, Dell and more. "Your report from the eBook and definitive guide was the primary reference that we used." Used by over 650 leading organizations including HP, Pepsi, EDS, Nokia, Tata, LG, J&J...Download NOW!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Putting Android to work for your business
With more than 300,000 devices activated per day globally, Android is seeing rapid adoption in the post-PC era. Android works quite well with Google Apps, but we’re working to make it an excellent choice for both end-users and IT at businesses and schools. Over the last year for instance, we helped IT administrators manage Android straight from the browser, and we introduced features such as Priority Inbox view in Gmail for Android and the ability to edit Google Docs on the go.
Today we are announcing three more updates to our Android for business portfolio around security and connecting with colleagues. These products will be available to all Google Apps for Business and Google Apps for Education customers:
Today we are announcing three more updates to our Android for business portfolio around security and connecting with colleagues. These products will be available to all Google Apps for Business and Google Apps for Education customers:
- With the new version of the Google Apps Device Policy app, employees can quickly secure a lost or stolen Android 2.2+ device by locating it on a map, ringing the device, and resetting the device PIN or password remotely via the new My Devices website.
- Google Apps administrators have an option in the control panel to “Encrypt Data on Device”, which will now include requiring encrypted storage on Android 3.0 tablets. Devices will need version 2.0 of the Google Apps Device Policy app.
- A new corporate contacts app, Google Apps Lookup, makes it easier to find and contact people in your organization. Type (or speak) the name or email address of a coworker, and then tap to call, email, IM or send a text message. Lookup pulls information from the Google Apps directory, so admins need to enable “Shared Contacts” in the control panel before employees can use Lookup on their Android 2.1+ devices.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Book Cataloging Site?
Curious if anyone uses:
Any other sites? Curious to hear from anyone that may have tried more than one and why they eventually choosing the site they now use? aNobii seems to be the only site with mobile/tablet apps, any others? A barcode reading app would be great.
Amazon.com would be wise to get on this. Could you imagine scanning all your books, and then getting recommendations based on that?
Please let me know what you use to catalogue and journal your books.
###
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bring Your Phone to Work Day: Managing Android Devices With Google Apps
Today in Tokyo, more than 600 IT leaders from across Japan are coming together with Google and 18 of our partners at Google Enterprise Day. It’s our annual event dedicated to discussing trends in enterprise technology and how businesses can use cloud technologies to increase productivity and innovate more quickly. This year, one of the hottest topics is mobile computing and how companies can allow employees to use their personal phones and tablets at work without compromising corporate security.
With over 200,000 devices activated each day, Android is seeing rapid adoption, and today we are launching new administrative controls that make it possible to securely manage these devices in the Google Apps environment. With this launch, Google Apps provides secure management and sync capabilities for all major mobile platforms. You can manage most mobile devices right from the browser, without having to deploy dedicated servers.
Many Android devices feature tight integration with Google Apps, including native applications for Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Calendar, as well as mobile access to Google Docs. Now any employee with an Android device running version 2.2 - personal or company-issued - can access their corporate information while allowing administrators to enforce data security policies such as:
When the employee leaves the company, the administrator can withdraw access to corporate info, which allows the employee to continue to use their device if it’s their own.
These policies can be enforced on devices that have installed the Google Apps Device Policy application, which will be available from Android Market in the next few days. They will be available free to all Google Apps Premier and Education Edition customers in the next few days, and can be accessed from the 'Mobile' tab under 'Service Settings' in the Google Apps control panel.
To learn more about these updates in mobile device management for Google Apps, join us for a live webcast with Mayur Kamat, Google Apps Product Manager, on November 10, 2010 at 9 a.m. PDT / 12 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT. Register now.
With over 200,000 devices activated each day, Android is seeing rapid adoption, and today we are launching new administrative controls that make it possible to securely manage these devices in the Google Apps environment. With this launch, Google Apps provides secure management and sync capabilities for all major mobile platforms. You can manage most mobile devices right from the browser, without having to deploy dedicated servers.
Many Android devices feature tight integration with Google Apps, including native applications for Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Calendar, as well as mobile access to Google Docs. Now any employee with an Android device running version 2.2 - personal or company-issued - can access their corporate information while allowing administrators to enforce data security policies such as:
- Remotely wipe all data from lost or stolen mobile devices
- Lock idle devices after a period of inactivity
- Require a device password on each phone
- Set minimum lengths for more secure passwords
- Require passwords to include letters and numbers
When the employee leaves the company, the administrator can withdraw access to corporate info, which allows the employee to continue to use their device if it’s their own.
These policies can be enforced on devices that have installed the Google Apps Device Policy application, which will be available from Android Market in the next few days. They will be available free to all Google Apps Premier and Education Edition customers in the next few days, and can be accessed from the 'Mobile' tab under 'Service Settings' in the Google Apps control panel.
To learn more about these updates in mobile device management for Google Apps, join us for a live webcast with Mayur Kamat, Google Apps Product Manager, on November 10, 2010 at 9 a.m. PDT / 12 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT. Register now.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Is Android Evil?
This is a guest post by Andreas Constantinou, an expert in the ecosystems of network operators, handset manufacturers and mobile service providers, research director at VisionMobile and a frequent speaker on the topic of mobile open source.
You thought Android was open? The Android governance model consists of an elaborate set of control points that allows Google to bundle its own services and control the exact software and hardware make-up on every handset. All this while touting the openness rhetoric that is founded on the Apache permissive license used in the Android SDK.
Whereas Android is completely open for the software developer ecosystem, it’s completely closed for the handset OEM (pre-load) ecosystem. There is no other platform which is so asymmetrical in terms of its governance structures.
Indeed, Google’s mobile platform is the smartest implementation of open source designed for driving commercial agendas. But before we dig into why, it’s worth discussing why Android’s success has very little to do with open source.
What makes Android tick
Despite early skepticism, Google’s Android operating system has been unequivocally supported by the mobile industry, including more network operators and handset manufacturers than one can count – with the stubborn exception of Nokia. Android managed to ramp from 1 handset model in 2008 to 50+ models announced for 2010 launch, leaving most industry observers in awe.
The Android success has nothing to do with open source; it’s owed to three key factors:
- Apple. As strange as it might seem, Android owes much of its success to one of its arch-rivals. Let me explain. With the unprecedented success of the iPhone and the take-it-or-leave-it terms dictated by Apple to network operators, the carriers have been eagerly looking for cheaper alternatives; as such the tier-1 operators have been embarking on Android projects to produce iPhones for people who can’t afford the iPhone and more importantly, without forking out the 300EUR+ subsidy needed to remain competitive in an iPhone market.
- Network operators/carriers around the world are eager to differentiate. Android provides the allure of a unified software platform supporting operator differentiation at a low cost (3 months instead of 12+ months offered by SavaJe, which was also aimed at the MNO customisation market). For larger operators with a software strategy, Android also presents a safe investment, as the mainstream option for bringing down the cost of smartphones. That’s why most Android handset projects are backed by a commercial bipoles of operator + OEM deals, with purchase commitments and NRE fees coming from the operator.
- Qualcomm. The $10B chipset vendor has been paramount to Android’s ramp up; manufacturers can take Qualcomm’s hardware reference design which is pre-integrated with Android and can go to market within an estimated 9-12 months (down from 16 months for the Motorola Cliq handset and 24+ months for the HTC G1). Besides Qualcomm we should also mention TI’s OMAP3 platform (on which Moto Droid is based) and ST Ericsson and Broadcom who are ramping up to offer chipsets with out-of-the-box support for Android.
In other words, in an Android handset, most of the OEM budget goes into differentiation; compare that to Symbian where most of the OEM budget goes into baseporting (radio and functional integration of hardware) due to historical choices made by Symbian in 2001. All-in-all, Android allows OEMs to reduce their R&D budgets and invest in differentiation, which is mana from heaven to manufacturers.
We should also not forget the ‘free factor’ (technically zero per-unit royalties for the public SDK) which stirred the emotional hype around Android handsets.
All in all, the ‘open source’ marketing moniker has been very successful at triggering major industry disruption – incl. Nokia ’s acquisition of Symbian and the derailment of Windows Mobile. Perhaps more importantly, the openness rhetoric and the Google aura has attracted thousands of developers on the platform, at a time when the money equation is sub-par; consider that – compared to the Apple devices – Android handsets are around 9x less in volume and paid-for apps are available in 6x fewer countries.
Behind the Open Source facade
What’s even more fascinating is how closed Android is, despite Google’s old don’t be evil mantra and the permissive Apache 2 license which Android source code is under. Paraphrasing a famous line from Henry Ford’s book on the Model-T, anyone can have Android in their own colour as long as it’s black. Android is the best example of how a company can use open source to build up interest and community participation, while running a very tight commercial model.
How does Google control what services, software and hardware ships in Android handsets? The search giant has built an elaborate system of control points around Android handsets.
To dig deeper we spent two months talking to industry sources close to Android commercials – and the reality has been startling. From a high level, Google uses 8 control points to manage the make-up of Android handsets:
1. Private branches. There are multiple, private codelines available to selected partners (typically the OEM working on an Android project) on a need-to-know basis only. The private codelines are an estimated 6+ months ahead of the public SDK and therefore essential for an OEM to stay competitive. The main motivation for the public SDK and source code is to introduce the latest features (those stemming from private branches) into third party apps.
2. Closed review process. All code reviewers work for Google, meaning that Google is the only authority that can accept or reject a code submission from the community. There is also a rampant NIH (not invented here) culture inside Google that assumes code written by Googlers is second to none. Ask anyone who’s tried to contribute a patch to Android and you hear the same story: very few contributions get in and often no reason is offered on rejection.
3. Speed of evolution. Google innovates the Android platform at a speed that’s unprecedented for the mobile industry, releasing 4 major updates (1.6 to 2.1) in 18 months. OEMs wanting to build on Android have no choice but to stay close to Google so as not to lose on new features/bug fixes released. The Nexus One, Motorola Droid, HTC G1 and other Experience handsets serve the purpose of innovation testbeds for Google.
4. Incomplete software. The public source code is by no means sufficient to build a handset. Key building blocks missing are radio integration, international language packs, operator packs – and of course Google’s closed source apps like Market, Gmail and GTalk. There are a few custom ROM builders with a full Android stack like the Cyanogen distribution, but these use binaries that are not licensed for distribution in commercial handsets.
5. Gated developer community. Android Market is the exclusive distribution and discovery channel for the 40,000+ apps created by developers; and is available to phone manufacturers on separate agreement. This is one of the strongest control points as no OEM would dare produce a handset that doesn’t tap into the Android Market (perhaps with the exception of DECT phones, picture frames, in-car terminals or other exotic uses of Android). However, one should acknowledge that Android’s acceptance process for Market apps is liberal as it gets – and the complete antithesis of the Apple vetting process for apps.
6. Anti-fragmentation agreement. Little is known about the anti-fragmentation agreement signed by OHA members but we understand it’s a commitment to not release handsets which are not CTS compliant (more on CTS later).
7. Private roadmap. The visibility offered into Android’s roadmap is pathetic. At the time of writing, the roadmap published publicly is a year out of date (Q1 2009). To get a sneak peak into the private roadmap you need Google’s blessing.
8. Android trademark. Google holds the trademark to the Android name; as a manufacturer you can only leverage on the Android branding with approval from Google, much like how you need Sun’s approval to claim your handset is Java-powered.
In short, it’s either the Google way or the highway. If you want to branch off Android you ‘re completely on your own and you need resources of the size of China Mobile (see their OMS effort) to make it viable (hint: China Mobile is the biggest network operator bar none).
The Open Handset Alliance is another myth; since Google managed to attract sufficient industry interest in 2008, the OHA is simply a set of signatures with membership serving only as a VIP Club badge.
Another big chapter in the Android saga is the CTS (compatibility test suite) which is the formal testing process by which a handset passes Google requirements. According to our sources, CTS extends significantly beyond API compliance, and into performance testing, hardware features, device design, UI specs and bundled services. CTS is based on the principle of ensuring baseline compliance, so it’s ok to add features, but it’s not ok to detract; compare this with Apple’s no-Flash policy. Note that beyond CTS compliance, there are additional commercial licensing agreements that OEMs have to sign for Google services and private line access.
CTS hampers Android’s progress as well, as it precludes OEMs from creating stripped-down versions of Android that would fit on mass-market phones – those shipping in the 10s of millions. CTS – and forward compatibility to the pool of 40,000+ apps – is Google’s main challenge for hitting a 2-digit market share in the smartphone market. These restrictions – and frienemy relationship between Google and its OEM partners – have stirred up discussions of an ‘Android foundation‘ within OEM circles
The Google Endgame
With Android, Google aims to deliver a consistent platform to its own revenue-generating services. For now, this is the ad business. But in the future, Google is aiming at voice (reaching the billions who don’t have a data connection) and Checkout (i.e. becoming the Visa of mobile).
Yet whatever the endgame, it’s worth realising that [from the manufacturer perspective] Android is no more open – and no less closed – than [licensable operating systems like] Windows Mobile, Symbian and BREW; it’s the smartest implementation of open source aimed at driving commercial agendas. Android is much less about the do-no-evil rhetoric that the PR spinners in Mountain View would like us to think.
So, is Android evil? No, it isn’t. It has done no harm – quite the contrary, Android has boosted the level of innovation on mobile software. The point of the article is not to vilify Google or concoct visions of Darth Vader; but to balance the level of openness hysteria with a reality check on the commercial dynamics of mobile open source.
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