Android Os Psp
This Week In Technology February 12Th: Apple®, Facebook®, Google® Android™ Development
Last week we covered Google exclusively, but this week we will spread the love around a bit more and share what is going on at some of the other big names. In an effort to be fair, we’ll go alphabetically.
Apple
This week Apple had an interesting announcement. No, not another “iDevice,” but it is related. In fact, recent research shows that Apple’s® iPhone™ is now more popular than Nintendo’s® DS™ and Sony’s® PSP as a gaming device. This is huge news for app developers and for those still weighing the value of an app for their business.
As if we didn’t already recognize the iPhone as an immensely popular platform (not to mention the iPad and iPod Touch, which also use the same OS 3.2 platform and are compatible with all iPhone apps), we now have more evidence that developing apps can be very profitable, and profits for individual developers may eventually rival that of game developers for the DS and PSP.
Here at Amadeus Consulting, we already have a great amount of experience on the iPhone and are already developing apps for the iPad as well. It is always exciting to see what ideas our clients have for new apps, and new ways to connect with their audience. If you think your business could benefit, or if you have a really great idea, swing by our Contact Us page and let us know.
Besides a new layout, there is some really cool stuff happening in the world of Facebook. First, a report by Business Week forecasts that by 2012 sales of virtual goods will reach $3.6 billion, up from $1.6 billion this year.
What does that mean? It means that all the Facebook games, widgets and apps are set to make huge amounts of money just by selling digital flowers, digital credits, Farmville dollars, and other virtual goods. Even though the virtual goods market extends far beyond just Facebook, the company is also rumored to be planning a universal Facebook currency that is usable for all applications, much like Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE® marketplace.
Although it’s probably important to point out that huge market success does not guarantee individual success, this forecast provides a boost to investors with a good business plan and a willingness to try something new. In fact, we are really interested in social networking application development, and we would love to help you develop your idea.
In other Facebook news, there are some rumors and upcoming changes. First, it is rumored that Facebook will be getting its own email client, meaning that users could get a @facebook.com email address.
Also this week, Facebook partnered with AOL to integrate Facebook Chat into AIM, and vice-versa. This allows users to chat with their AIM and Facebook contacts without having to switch between windows. It also integrates Lifestream, which aggregates updates and feeds from multiple social media sites into the AIM environment and allows users to follow updates and chat with both users simultaneously.
It has been a busy week for Google and unfortunately we cannot fit everything into a single post. However, there are some things that we are pretty excited about.
First, let’s start with the under-reported. Google has been testing televised QR codes to advertize apps. QR codes are basically complicated bar codes that most smart phones can read (by using the camera), and that provide information to the phone. In this case, Google was displaying the QR code during a broadcast on The Weather Channel, along with the message “Android Users Scan Here.”
If users scanned the QR code, it would take them to the Android™ app market where people could download an official The Weather Channel app.
Although this definitely is not a huge technological leap, it provides a much needed connection between existing dots. It is really just a neat way to integrate apps and user feedback into traditional advertising. This could become much more common in the future, and could easily be integrated into all the “check out our new app” commercials that you see on TV now (and works for iPhone apps as well).
Check out our Client Success Story for Alion Science and Technology to see how we leveraged bar code technology for their handheld scanners.
Second in Google-related news, and probably the biggest news item of the week is Buzz. As any regular Gmail™ user has noticed, Google has incorporated a social media application directly into Gmail. It is a mix between Twitter™ and Flicker™, allowing users to post status updates, follow other users, and upload pictures.
Despite some recent privacy updates Buzz continues to receive criticism because of the difficulty in controlling who can and cannot follow you, and because it publically displays who you follow, and who follows you as a default. We are pretty excited to see how Buzz evolves, and so far it has been a positive experience for us here. We mentioned last week that Google was opening an app store for Google Docs™ and other Google services, and so it will be interesting to see if they allow third-party applications for Buzz as well.
We are also excited to see how Google develops its new acquisition: the Aardvark social search engine. Next week, Google is also set to release Android 2.1™, the latest upgrade to the Android platform which will provide much anticipated features. Oh, and Google added a “Ski-view” for many of the 2010 Olympic™ ski events that enables users to get a first person perspective on many events by using Google Maps™.
Also, we are looking forward to next week’s Mobile World Congress, the largest tradeshow for mobile phone makers and related technologies. Stay tuned.
About the Author
About Josh Turpen
Josh Turpen is the Director of Client Engagement for Amadeus Consulting , a custom software development company dedicated to creating intelligent technology solutions. As a Microsoft® Gold Certified Partner, Amadeus Consulting excels in mobility and data management, content management, e-commerce, social networking, data collection and management, browser plug-ins, and iPhone™ application development.
Sony PSP Phone / PSP Tablet
|
|
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight $8.98 Features include: •Sign on for 5-on-5, online objective based battles which also features an all-new party system that lets you move with your party of friends from one online battle to the next.•Kane returns in the thrilling conclusion to one of gaming’s longest running storylines, told through gritty live-action cinematics. Choose to take on the campaign solo or team up with a friend a… |
|
|
Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year Edition $8.99 Get ready to soil your pants with a special edition of the award-winning PopCap game!Stem a zombie attack in this Game of the Year Edition of the zombie-zapping phenomenon! Zombies are invading your home and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Bonus content includes the Zombatar to make your own fun-dead creations and a bevy of in-game achievements. With five game modes to dig into the fun… |
|
|
X-Plane 9 $29.49 X-Plane is the world’s most comprehensive and powerful flight simulator available. Welcome to the world of props jets single- and multi-engine airplanes as well as gliders helicopters and new Very Light Jets such as the Cirrus Jet.The most realistic flight model available for personal computers. It comes with subsonic and supersonic flight dynamics simulating aircraft from the Bell 206 Jet-Ranger … |
|
|
802.11g/n USB WiFi Wireless Lan Adapter w/5dBi Antenna $6.54 Specifications  ata Rate:IEEE 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps IEEE 802.11g: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps PSP X-link support Software AP mode support Security: WEP (64/128/256bit), WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-PSK Supporting O.S.:Windows 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista Mac v10.3 and v10.4 and 10.5 Linux Kernel v2.6.6 and later…
|
|
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play R800i Unlocked Phone and Gaming Device with Android OS and Slide-Out Gamepad $279.99 A full-featured Android mobile phone, the unlocked, 3G-enabled Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is also the world’s first PlayStation certified smartphone–providing the ultimate mobile gaming experience. Get your game on with the high-res 4-inch multi-touch screen and slide-out game pad, which reveals a directional keypad, dual analog touch joystick, two shoulder buttons, and the four iconic PlayStati… |
|
|
Sony Ericsson R800IEUWH Xperia PLAY PlayStation Certified Android Smartphone with 5MP Camera, Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth – Unlocked Phone – International Version – White $294.22 A full-featured Android mobile phone, the unlocked, 3G-enabled Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is also the world’s first PlayStation certified smartphone–providing the ultimate mobile gaming experience. Get your game on with the high-res 4-inch multi-touch screen and slide-out game pad, which reveals a directional keypad, dual analog touch joystick, two shoulder buttons, and the four iconic PlayStati… |
|
|
Sid Meier’s Civilization V [Download] $22.03 … |
|
|
Ship Simulator Extremes [Download] $12.06 … |
|
|
Max Payne 3 [Download] $59.99 … |
|
|
Palm 3169WW Universal Wireless Keyboard $11.99 The Palm 3169WWZ Wireless Keyboard is compatible with many popular models of Palm OS and Windows Mobile OS devices. Operating through a infrared sensor, the keyboard is wireless and can be folded into a compact, conveniently portable size. It features the generic “QWERTY” format, and its keys can be customized to allow quick navigation and data entry. This makes it possible to access your favorite… |