android on pc

In my previous post I explained about the basics of Cloud computing. Now let us focus on some Android applications which uses cloud computing technology.

When a mobile device is considered, people more interested in are playing music and printing from their devices.

How Cloud Music Works on Android?

1. Amazon MP3
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.amazon.mp3
Play or download music stored in Amazon Cloud Drive - Available only in US

2. Sony's Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sony.snei.mu
Listen to millions of songs anytime, anywhere with the Music Unlimited Android App via 3G or wi-fi connection.


3. Google is about to launch a Cloud based Android App soon.

How Cloud Print Works on Android?

1. Cloud Print BETA
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.pauloslf.cloudprint
A free application uses Google Cloud Printing service. The best part is your PC not need to be on to use this service if you have a HP e-Print enabled printer.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is mainly divided in to three:

1. SaaS – Software As A Service
Suppose you need a software for your personal or professional use, only for a week, and you don't want to spend a huge amount just for a week's use. It would be great if you can rent the software for a week for a nominal charge. Cloud based SaaS model makes this possible where the software vendor hosts the software on cloud, customers can use the software based on their need and pay only for what you use. Adobe LiveCycle Managed Services is a best example for SaaS model.

2. PaaS – Platform As A Service
Here you will be provided a platform where you can develop your application and can be executed. So you concentrate on your application, not on the platform where it will be deployed, the PaaS service provider will do it for you. The service includes database management, security, workflow management, application serving etc. Major players in this area are Microsoft Windows Azure, Google App Engine, Force.com from SalesForce, Rackspace and Amazon EC2.

3. IaaS – Infrastructure As A Service
You are developing an application targeting a small user group, but in future you want to make it available for a large user group. Also you don't want to invest heavily on the infrastructure for this application. You can go for PaaS where the whole hardware will be provided to you based on your requirements. You can add memory, processors and storage whenever you want. You need to pay based on how much resources you use, if you are not using any service, then do not pay anything, great isn't it? Biggest players in this field are Amazon and Cisco.

Enough about Clouds, let us come back to some Android Apps which are based on cloud.

In my next post I will list out some Android applications which uses Cloud technology.

One of the best Arcade games on Android with 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 downloads! Paradise Island is a well designed game with stunning graphics where you need to build an island with the tools and materials provided to you. Initially you will be given an empty island, you can build coffee shops, ice cream parlors, houses and so on and make the island a paradise.

Visitors visit your island based on the facilities you provide, they will pay for it and you can buy more materials to expand your island.

The best part of the game is its free and don't worry, like other free apps on Android its not filled with Ads, currently its Ad free! Then how the developer makes money? Its simple, you have an option to buy Paradise Island Cash for real cash.

Beware, it is an addictive game, download it only if you have enough free time!

Click here to download Paradise Island Game for Android

Yes, the dream comes true, world's first glasses free mobile phone has been launched! I wonder how fast the world is moving, now you can take 3D videos with your phone, you can watch 3D movies on your phone, and with no glasses to wear!

How 3D works on mobile phone?

Mobile phones uses parallax technology to create 3D effect. A parallax barrier is a device placed in front of the LCD or LED display, thus blocking the images seen by each eye so that the resulting disparity causes a 3D effect. No need to wear a 3D glass as 3D effect is achieved by making each eye to see a different set of pixels. Currently the following devices uses parallax barrier to achieve glasses free 3D experience:


1. HTC Evo 3D Android Phone
2. Toshiba 3D Dynabook
3. Nintendo 3DS Game Console
4. LG Optimus 3D Android Phone
5. Movidius Myriad 3D
6. Samsung W960

What's new in HTC EVO 3D?

As mentioned earlier, HTC EVO 3D is going to be there in the market for couple of years as it has all the features you need. A dual 5MP camera will allow you to record 3D videos, a faster 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon Dual Core processor and 1GB RAM for running your apps in stunning speed, stream 3D content wirelessly to 3D TV and lot more...


Last but the least, the phone is designed in such a way that you can upgrade to any higher version whenever it is available, so your phone will be always up-to-date.

Yes, finally Samsung made it real. You can watch your videos recorded in your Android phone on your TV! The reverse is also possible, you can watch TV programs on your mobile, also you can use your phone as a remote control. Play your favorite games on your TV, control the game using your phone!

This feature is available only in Samsung Galaxy S II, but will be enabled on other Samsung smart phones soon including Samsung Galaxy Tab.

You need a TV Model greater or equal to LED 7000 from Samsung:

UA46D7000LM
UA55D8000YR

These models are capable of connecting to the the network and the Internet using a wired or WiFi connection and steam content from internet, news, videos or social media whatever it is!

Download Samsung Smart View from Android Market

Are you an Android developer? How are you making money on Android? Is it via selling your Apps on Android market or via Ads? A recent research by Distimo revealed that most of the developers are making money not by selling their apps but only via Ads served through their Apps!

There are only two non-free applications that have been downloaded more than half a million times in the Android Market till date. Another interesting fact is that Twenty percentage of all free applications and eighty percentage of all paid applications have been downloaded just less than 100 times! Developers are finding it difficult to monetize their apps using a one-off fee monetization model.

While writing this blog there are a total of 206,143 applications on Android Market. Most of the free applications generate revenue via Ads. It is found that the popularity of paid Apps are going down drastically, more and more free Apps are appearing with similar features in the market.

So our advise to Android developers is:

1. Develop nice user friendly Apps
2. List it in Android Market
3. Sign up for Adsense mobile, Admob or Airpush
4. Inject Ads in to your App
5. Do not add too many Ads
6. Add a feedback button
7. Give proper support
8. Release new versions
9. Reply to queries in Android Market itself(important)
10. Become Rich!

Another important information for you from Chitika, an online advertising network that serves 2 billion monthly impressions over more than 80,000 websites:

"Android users are 80 percent more valuable than iPhone users"

They have data to prove this, sample of 1.3 million impressions across its network, showing a click-through rate(CTR) of 1.187% on Android devices vs 0.654% CTR on the iPhone. The reason for this is, Android device interfaces are designed by Google, a world leader in content based Ads management!

A god news for you, American Red Cross has launched an Android version of S.O.S, which is loaded with step-by-step first aid guide and also quick help diagnosing a medical emergency. This app can be used as a hand guide while you wait for an ambulance to arrive. Quoting from Android market:

"The S.O.S. app provides step-by-step video narration by Dr. Oz and follow along demonstrations allowing people to quickly and confidently respond to common emergency situations with the goal of saving lives."

Emergency care protocols for over 30 of the most common emergency care situations were developed and reviewed by prestigious medical and educational panels from both the American Red Cross and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). These protocols were then adapted for an Android app surroundings and are accompanied by dynamic videos that walk through clear and concise emergency action steps that are appropriate for any audience. Dr. Oz is the instructional voice of each video, reassuringly guiding users on how to provide emergency care. 3-D animations are included for the more complex techniques, specifically Unconscious Choking and CPR which also include an audio and visual counter for actual time CPR compressions.

Definitely this app is going to be a hit among Android users, as its a great companion especially while travelling. This is going to be a good refresher if you have ever taken a CPR/first aid course.

Cons: Voice enabled commands are not integrated, in case of emergencies users may find it difficult to browse through the app.