More Android Users Than iPhone Users Have Downloaded IRS Tax App

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Adding to the emerging research on smartphone users, the Treasury Department reported Tuesday that more Android users than iPhone users so far have employed their smartphones to check on their tax returns.

Online tracking data already has exposed some dividing lines among smartphone users: Apple Inc. (AAPL)'s iPhone users prefer chicken to pork ribs, which are favored by Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android users, Coupons.com said last fall, for example.

When it comes to checking in on their tax returns, Android users are flocking earlier to IRS2GO, the Internal Revenue Service's first mobile application, according to a report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released Tuesday. Users can check on their tax returns and get tax tips with the program.

The Treasury report found that 178,773 Android users and 147,205 iPhone users have downloaded the app since its release on Jan. 20, 2011. Those numbers may even understate the preferences since the iPhone figure dates to May 15, while the Android figure is slightly older, from March 1.

The Treasury report found no security problems with the application, but sounded concern over the IRS's decision to use a programming language and open-source software that had not been approved when developing the application. Senior officials also never approved the application before its release, the report noted.

"The IRS is to be commended for using technology to make tax information more accessible to taxpayers," Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George said in a statement. "However, I am troubled that the IRS took some shortcuts in developing the application."

In its response to the report, IRS officials noted that rules mapping out the approval process were written 25 years ago and last updated in 2000, before the advent of mobile platforms. The tax agency said it will make sure new programs are properly screened, but are still released in a timely manner.

Source: foxbusiness

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What will happen to Android in the tablet market as mobile and desktop platforms merge?

Since the introduction of iOS in early 2007, the mobile world has never been the same. Google, Apple, Microsoft and a select few others have entered themselves in a race for the best mobile operating system around. In light of bigger, faster, more powerful handsets, the capabilities of mobile software has increased tenfold, along with the idea of how said software should operate.

Back at the WWDC in June, Apple gave us a peek into their endgame: merging their desktop software (OS X) with their mobile platform (iOS). Likewise, Microsoft has been working around the clock to make Windows 8 ride the line between mobile and desktop software. The approaching Windows 8 update will support x86, x64 and ARM architectures and schizophrenically share the very familiar Windows desktop with a Windows Phone-like Metro UI.

The obvious cause here is to bring together two markets that are inevitably merging with one another instead of killing one off entirely. The two technologies come with serious faults of their own, but could be vastly improved by bringing the two together and creating one super platform. Full desktop software has extreme functionality with more apt Internet browser options and programs, but it doesn't play well with more lightweight hardware and components. On the other hand, mobile platforms run happily on lighter, less powerful hardware – which translates to extreme portability – but only offers a fraction of the functionality. If the two can be integrated appropriately, this could take tablets, PCs and mobile computing to an entirely different level.

For the most part, we know how Microsoft and Apple have this planned out. The path is already paved for Windows and OS X, and with such a large, existing footprint in the computer business, the marketing options are endless. They can tweak their in-house software to work just as they want – no need to start from scratch. But where does Android fit into this whole tablet-computer merger? If you recall, Google only owns Android. They currently have no desktop equivalent. They do have Chrome OS, but it is neither a full desktop OS or really any more functional than current mobile platforms.

Then there is Linux, which is the sole foundation of Android. Being open source and so closely related, I feel if Google were to follow the lead of companies such as Apple or Microsoft, they would be forced to take the Linux path. But even Linux may not be enough to edge out its competition. Linux has been around for 20 years and despite being a fully functional operating system, it never went mainstream. The personal computers that you can buy preloaded with Linux are few and far between. Linux has mostly remained behind the scenes and running the gadgets and gizmos that you would least expect.

Although Linux is fully capable and my operating system of choice, the third-party software support is a hit or miss. I spend a lot of my time searching for alternatives to Windows or Mac programs, so I don't have to reboot my computer to Windows. It's only for the junkies. Not everyone is going to want to load their Linux/Android tablet up with Wine just run Windows programs on the go. (Just the thought makes my head hurt.) No, they're probably going to buy a Windows 8 tablet instead.

Lest we forget that Intel support is coming to Android in the not too distant future, which could definitely expand options quite a bit. But don't set your hopes too high for a Windows-Android dual-booting tablet. Although I doubt Microsoft would complain if Google (and their partners) came crawling to them for a licensing deal, El Goog is on their own here.

So what will Google do? My best guess is they will try to keep Android operating a solo operation until they absolutely have to come up with something else. Linux seems to be their only viable option at this point, and even that route may leave them stranded, choking on the dust from Microsoft and Apple. For the die-hards, Linux will be great. But basic consumers will stick to the more mainstream platforms when push comes to shove.

Who knows, Android may finally be what brings Linux into the limelight. A guy can dream, right?

It's tough trying to predict how this inevitable merger will pan out. But it appears as if Google may quickly find themselves in a pinch. What say you, tablet lovers? Would you prefer a full (yet optimized) operating system on your tablet? When the time comes, will you drop Android for other, more functional and mainstream platforms if Google can't keep up? Is there anything in particular that you would like to see Google do with Android to make it more functional?

Source: phonedog

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iPad continues to drive growth of media tablet shipments

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Media Tablet and e-Reader Tracker, media tablet shipments have increased worldwide by almost 90 per cent on a sequential basis, and year over year by about 300 per cent in the second calendar quarter of 2011 to 13.6 million units. Because of the strong performance that leads to a positive outlook for the gadget for the second half of the year, IDC made a forecast of 62.5 million units being shipped all over the world. This projection is definitely higher than the previous forecast of 53.5 million units.

The shipments of media tablets in the second quarter increased because of the continued robust demand for the iPad 2. Apple’s iPad 2 shipments reached 9.3 million units which represents 68.3 per cent of the worldwide market, a 2.6 per cent increase from 65.7 per cent of the previous quarter. Apple’s continued competitiveness and RIM’s introduction of their very own media tablet brought chagrin to the Android-based media tablets, whose shares slipped down from 34.0 per cent to 26.8 per cent. Competition’s getting real tough nowadays, isn’t it?

IDC is expecting that Android will yield additional market share in the third quarter of 2011 before it begins growing its share once again in the fourth quarter. IDC also expects continued demand for Apple iPads and Touchpads pegged at $99. Before the end of the year, TouchPad shipment is seen to be close to around a million units. WebOS’s worldwide market share will reach 7.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2011.

According to Mobile Connected Devices research director Tom Mainelli, the strong demand for Apple products has driven the growth of media tablet shipments in the second quarter. He added that shipments will continue to increase in the latter half of the year because more Android manufacturers will introduce more price-competitive products into the market while Apple strives to retain its reign.

Jennifer Song, a research analyst at the Worldwide Trackers expounded that Apple’s iOS share will maintain its lead by more than 40 per cent over Google’s Android for the rest of this year, but its share will fall closer to 50 per cent by the end of the forecast period due to the new tablets which will be rolled out by manufacturers.

The second quarter experienced a seasonal downfall for the e-Readers. Amazon led the market with its 51.7 per cent share; Barnes and Noble came in at second with 21.2 per cent. IDC expects growth in e-Reader shipments through the holiday season. Mainelli said that we must anticipate sellers to bring down the prices of their current generation black-and-white eReaders by the holidays in order to entice more potential customers. Amazon’s rumored color LCD-based device is also expected to be shipped within this year.

Source: mobilemag

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Duo: iPhone 5 release date arrives with Sprint iPad 2 ahead of iPad 3

So much for the iPad 3 arriving this year alongside the iPhone 5. But the latter isn’t the only new Apple hardware whose release date is in 2011. Sprint, Apple’s new iPhone partner, is set to launch its own iPad 2 instead. If the iPad 3 were imminent, the carrier would instead be waiting for its arrival. The report from CNET, if true, brings to a seeming end the will-they or won’t-they saga of whether the iPad 3 might arrive just before the holidays instead of the traditional spring 2012 timeframe. Instead the iPhone 5 is on its own for 2011. Although Apple most often goes a full year between mobile device generations, a number of factors have led some to believe Apple would yank the iPad 2 after a mere seven months in favor of a new generation. This news does not, however, kill off the possibility of an iPad 2S type of spec-bump before the year is over.

The Sprint news echoes the last time Apple gained a new iPhone partner. Verizon began selling the iPad in advance of the Verizon iPhone 4 release date as well. However, in that instance Verizon was selling the non-3G iPad bundled with a Verizon Mifi hotspot device. This report has Sprint selling its own iPad 2 with built-in Sprint mobile networking. That it’s a "2″ and not a "3″ is bound to disappoint those who were expecting an iPad 3 to arrive this year with the iPhone 5. After the iPad 2 turned to to be a mere spec bump with a handful of new features and a slimmer body with no revolutionary new features or redesign, many were expecting Apple to deliver the "real iPad 2", the ambitious one which the company had surely been working on since spring of 2010 or before, heading into the holidays…

Apple’s other seeming motivation for changing up the iPad release date schedule was so it could avoid the scenario last year in which some consumers put off iPad purchases during the holiday season amid "When is the new iPad coming?" talk. By shifting the iPad to a fall release date alongside the iPhone 5, Apple could turn things to its advantage, changing the sentiment to "A new iPad just launched, now is a great time to buy one as a gift." The news of a Sprint iPad 2 model points to the iPad 3 not arriving until after the new year, leaving the device on its current annual upgrade schedule. However, that doesn’t mean the iPad can’t still be revved this year…

Apple could find middle ground by revving the iPad 2 into an "iPad 2S" type of model, with better specs along the lines of capacity or battery life, and making a comparatively quiet changeover even as the iPhone 5 announcement grabs all the headlines. The move would allow Apple to push a "new iPad" to market going into the holidays and mitigate "When is the iPad 3 coming out?" talk among holiday shoppers. For all that is known, the "Sprint iPad 2″ could in fact be a Sprint iPad 2S, with Verizon and AT&T also getting their own iPad 2S models. It’s not clear what the device would actually be called, however, as iPad 2S is a moniker created by those who are hoping it’ll arrive. As usual, Apple has had nothing to say on the subject of a new iPhone 5 or iPad.

Source: beatweek

2:20 AM | 0 komentar | Read More

Shrug off the recession with your new Ayn Rand iPad app

I once dated an objectivist. Every sentence began with "I am" or "I want." Which made asking her questions about her feelings a little awkward.

Still, there are those for whom Ayn Rand's movement represents a guiding element that lights up their lives in a way Debby Boone never could. For these people I have great news. For Rand's great opus, "Atlas Shrugged," is now available in a fascinating and self-empowering iPad app.

"Atlas Shrugged" might well have passed you by. This might be because it has around a thousand more pages than Kate Middleton at her wedding.

It is the story of people with brains who decide to go on strike--as if that has never happened before. It was published in 1957, when people could actually rely on entities like corporations and governments. So prescient was it that, even then, it posited a world where self-reliance was the only way to go.

Some of those who watched the Republican debate last night and heard an audience cheer at the thought of a sick person without health insurance being left to die might imagine that the true author was Ayn Rand Paul.

But, no. This was merely a woman who hung with Alan Greenspan and, somewhat refreshingly, didn't care whether we all got along or not. I make her sound heartless. But this iPad app will, apparently, give you insight into her as well as her book, so you will be able to judge for yourself.

You will see video of the author talking about the book and be treated to Rand's full-length audio lectures. You will also be able to experience her from the grave opinions about Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, rap music, and Obamacare. (OK, that last sentence may be entirely inaccurate.)

You might be wondering whether this fine (and somewhat interactive) app will cost you a month's salary. No, it is a mere $14.99 and it will help you rise above the detritus that surrounds you and become the person you've always dreamed of being. Yes, Harry Reid. Or Debby Harry. Or Debby Boone.

Ayn Rand was the ultimate laissez-fairy. She waved her wand and imagined a world in which only the individual mattered, only the individual could make things happen. She may well have been right. With just one wave of your index finger, you can now cuddle up to her and listen to the whispers of her wisdom.

Source: news.cnet

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Apple loses unreleased iPhone 5 in bar, rumored features leaked

A year has come and gone since the release of the iPhone 4, and Apple has been fairly silent until recently.

On Aug. 31, CNet.com ran an exclusive story describing how, in a repeat of last year's missing iPhone 4, an Apple employee lost an unreleased iPhone model in a Mexican restaurant and bar in San Francisco. Apple reportedly contacted the San Francisco Police Department, saying the device was "priceless" and they were "desperate to secure its safe return."

Apple traced the phone to a two-story home in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood and partnered with SFPD to investigate.

Police and Apple's investigators arrived at the home and spoke with Sergio Calderon, who acknowledged his presence at the bar the night the iPhone went missing but said he didn't know anything about the phone.

Calderon gave the police permission to search his house, but they found nothing. Apple's investigators also offered Calderon money, no questions asked, for the return of the device, but he continued to deny knowledge of the device.

It was reportedly sold on Craigslist for $200, according to the article.

The latest lost iPhone added to speculation that has been building in the months following the release of the iPhone 4, the Internet has been ablaze with rumors about the next iteration of the device.

Brian Middleton, unified applications analyst for the University, explained some of the supposed features.

Near Field Communications chip

"In the typical sense, it allows data transfer between two devices over a short range," Middleton said. "It could allow the phone to be used in place of a credit card. You could just hold your phone up to the vending machines around campus and buy a drink."

A5 dual-core processer

"Basically, dual core just means there are two processers on one chip, which gives you more processing power," Middleton said.

More processing power allows the device to run faster.

Eight megapixel rear-facing camera

"Megapixels don't really mean too much," Middleton said. "The pictures will be larger, but you're still limited by the size of the optics and the device."

In addition to those features, the iPhone 5 is rumored to have an "edge-to-edge" display, making its screen comparable to Google Android phones like the HTC Inspire.

As for Apple's lost iPhone, Middleton said he thinks it was an accident.

"I think they're just bad at keeping track of it," Middleton said. "With all of the stuff that went down with the iPhone 4, I don't think they meant to lose it."

But some students don't think Apple's actions are purely accidental.

"I don't think Apple would allow a prototype to just float around with their employees," said Chris Nguyen, biochemistry sophomore. "I thought they would learn from the last time they lost one."

Apple apparently won't be taking any more chances, as the company added two job listings for a product security team after the phone went missing.

But Nguyen doesn't think the lost iPhone will deter people from buying the phone anyway.

"If anything, everyone gets kind of a sneak peek into what's definitely going to be in the phone," Nguyen said.

Apple has yet to make any announcement regarding the next iPhone.

Source: lsureveille

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Apple May Not Increase iPhone 5 Screen Size: Analyst

As the October release date nears for the iPhone 5, the rumor mills are churning anew over its expected features and specifications.

Apple needs to be much more cautious over the specifications of the iPhone 5 as several Android smartphones are threatening the next iteration with breathtaking features. The notable ones include Samsung Galaxy S2 and Motorola Droid Bionic. Both smartphones feature the latest version of Android Gingerbread OS with screen size of at least 4 inches.

In addition, the recent breed of Android phones such as HTC Holiday, HTC Thunderbolt and Motorola Photon found expression in 4.3-inch displays. The trend seems to highlight that the next barrage of Android phones will follow the 4.5-inch form factor.

As a result, if Apple seeks to pose a strong competition against Android it may have to increase its screen size especially when it is prepping for a bigger iPhone market in the second half of this year.

Apple is also rumored to be boosting the screen size of the iPhone 5 to compete with Android rivals, probably going for a 3.7 to 4-inch screen. But if the latest findings from a Wall Street analyst are to be believed, then Apple would not increase the screen-size of iPhone 5.

"iPhone 5 component orders increased for FQ4 (Sept.) and FQ1 (Dec.); timing of orders continues to suggest an October launch. FQ4 orders for iPhone 5 increased ~700k; timing continues to suggest an Oct. launch. iPhone 5 screen size likely to be same as iPhone 4," Pacific Crest Securities analyst Andy Hargreaves wrote in a note to clients.

iPhone 4 has a 3.5-inch screen featuring the LED backlit liquid crystal display with a 960×640 pixel resolution and is marketed as the "Retina Display."

Source: ibtimes

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Stomp goes Android

By popular demand, Singapore's No. 1 citizen- journalism and social- networking website Stomp has launched the Android version of its mobile application.

This follows the success of its award-winning iPhone app, which received the Best Mobile Application and Judges' Choice awards at the recent Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation Awards.

Stomp was also winner of the Best in Mobile Media award in the 2010 Asian Digital Media Awards organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.

The Android app allows citizen journalists to easily contribute reports, photos and videos to Stomp via their mobile devices.

Simply snap a photo or record a video on your Android phone, or load an existing photo from your phone, write a short description and tap "Send" to contribute your story to Stomp.

Android users can also get the latest citizen-journalism stories in real time on Stomp, and interact with other Stomp readers by commenting on these stories.

A new feature exclusive to the Android version is a widget that users can set up on their home screens, allowing them to scan quickly through Stomp's hottest stories at any moment.

Avid Stomp reader Erin Khoo is excited about the new app. The 31-year-old property agent said: "I've been waiting for Stomp to be available on Android since my friends got the iPhone app.

Now I can join the discussion when they're talking about the stories and events on Stomp!" Developed in collaboration with Sony Ericsson and M1, the Stomp Android app is available exclusively to all M1 subscribers with Sony Ericsson smartphones for six months.

It will be available for all other Android devices after this period.

The app will come preloaded on the new Sony Ericsson Xperia ray smartphone, available from M1 from today, providing a seamless communications and entertainment experience for all Stomp readers.

It will also be preloaded on existing and upcoming Sony Ericsson Xperia devices distributed by M1.

M1 subscribers who are current users of Sony Ericsson smartphones can download the Stomp app free-of-charge from the M1 App Store.

Said Mr Chew V Ming, editor of Stomp: "This is a milestone for Stomp, and we know that there are many Android phone users who are looking forward to their own version of the Stomp app.

"We've worked hard to deliver an improved user experience on this platform, so welcome to our mobile community!"

Source: news.asiaone

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Microsoft inks Android patent deals with Acer, ViewSonic

Microsoft on Thursday announced a pair of patent licensing agreements with Acer and ViewSonic, granting the companies broad coverage of smartphones and tablets running Google's Android mobile operating system.

According a press release issued by the Redmond, Wash.-based company, ViewSonic will pay royalties under the agreement, which also covers the Chrome platform, as noted by the Seattle Times. Microsoft's statement regarding the Acer deal doesn't specify whether royalties are involved in its patent license agreement.

It has been reported that the Windows maker currently makes more money off of patent licensing to Android vendors than it does off its own Windows Phone 7 platform. HTC reportedly pays as much as $5 per Android device sold to Microsoft.

In July, Microsoft announced that it had reached four new Android patent deals. Wistron Corp, Velocity Micro, General Dynamics and Onkyo Corp have all signed agreements with the company.

For its part, Acer has said it will face any patent infringement challenges that come with the Android platform. Chairman JT Wang has accused Apple of starting a "patent war" with HTC over Android.

Last month, Microsoft and Google executives exchanged tense words over the current patent situation. The spat began when Google's chief legal officer complained that Microsoft, Apple and others have conspired against the company by banding together to buy up patents from Novell and Nortel. Microsoft fired back by asserting that Google had declined an invitation to join the Novell consortium.

"Google says we bought Novell patents to keep them from Google. Really? We asked them to bid jointly with us. They said no," Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith said on Twitter.

Google CEO Larry Page said in August that it had purchased Motorola to "protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies." The company announced the deal to acquire Motorola, which has more than 17,000 patents, for $12.5 billion last month.

Meanwhile, Apple's legal battles against Android vendors such as Samsung and HTC continue. Earlier this week, HTC sued Apple again with patents it had obtained from Google. Apple has been successful in obtaining a number of injunctions against rival Samsung's Galaxy line of tablets and smartphones.

Source: appleinsider

10:31 PM | 0 komentar | Read More

Mobile Application Development With Demand For Business Expansion

Mobile application development has been using to develop applications for internet enabled low-power handheld devices like personal digital assistants, enterprise digital assistants and mobile phone devices.

Today, booming mobile applications platform has been very popular for business expansion. Businessmen are showing their interest in developing mobile apps for their smart phones like iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows mobile etc. Mobile application development makes their simple mobile device a professional business phone by creating easy, user friendly and dynamic apps.

Mobile Apps Development is today's demand for the business development because it saves money and valuable time of business. Many successful businesses are doing their most of the important work on mobile using professional, simple and business applications. In this era, internet surfing has become very famous and most of the work has been doing through mobile. Many mobile platforms are there that is very popular for the business use among businessmen.

Several platforms for mobile application development:

• iPhone

• Android

• Blackberry

• Windows mobile

• J2ME mobile

• Symbian

• iPad

• Android Tablet

These mobile as well as Tablet PC platforms have been using widely today. The purpose of these mobile devices is to get people connected with each other, entertainment, expansion of new technologies and its usage in business expansion etc.

Many mobile apps development companies are engaged in rendering applications to their clients. They are providing today's most popular applications among the mobile users. Some of them are stated as below:

• Business

• Finance

• Games

• Internet

• Productivity

• Utility

• News

• Sports

• Multimedia

• Lifestyle

• Educational

• Social Networking apps

• GPS navigation

• Health and fitness

• Travel

These applications are today's popular and demanding apps for every mobile platform.

Apart from these, many other applications have been developing by expert and experienced mobile application developers as per clients' requirement. If you are looking to hire best mobile application developer then you can get this service at affordable rate. Choose the best company having core knowledge of various mobile platforms' SDK (Software Development Kit) and able to provide mobile software development for your application project.

Source: Sooper Articles

2:55 AM | 0 komentar | Read More