Android UK News, Reviews and Allsorts

Hexage hits the million mark- Developer Interview

Android UK — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:55:33 +0000

As a part of our new “Behind the Apps” series, we will bring you access to developers and other mobile professionals who are helping bring forward the mobile app revolution. If you work in the field and have something great to share or talk about we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to get in touch. First off check out our interview with ace developers Hexage.net where we talk numbers, cow apps and the future.-

Hexage, the Developers behind some great titles like Radiant, Everlands, Totemo, and Buka, have announced that they have surpassed the 1 million downloads mark for their games. For those of you unfamiliar with hexage , they are a small studio who produce very addictive games and puzzles with very high visual production values. They are one of the class of studios that have sprung up that focus on bringing their app ideas to the mass market The million milestone download is the holy grail for a lot of developers and clearly shows that the guys at Hexage are onto a good thing. After wondering how they managed to pull off such feat, we arranged a developer interview hoping that it would encourage them to let slip on the secret of their success!

What got you into developing apps?

Everyone has a different story about how he or she got to Hexage, but ultimately this line of work attracts creative people who have at least one thing in common – love for videogames.

Do you develop apps just for yourself, or do you work on apps for clients

So far we are focusing on our own games. It’s riskier, but the freedom of choice and the joy of realizing your own ideas – that is priceless.

You have already released some great apps- which of them is your favourite and why?

That’s hard to say, we have quite emotional connection to all of our games and we like each for different reasons. However each game is clearly better than others in some way. We really like the character and the concept of Buka, the spirit and the action of Radiant, the melancholic atmosphere of Totemo and we love to duel in Everlands.

Well done on hitting the million mark. It must have taken a lot of work. What’s the secret of your success?

I think that part of this success might be thanks to the fact that we don’t make apps that desperately try to grab your attention by mimicking other trends. When the most downloaded apps on the market are about, say, ‘cow’, you’ll see tons of “cow apps” emerging everywhere. However I think that there are also people who appreciate when you are making something that is yours and fresh – they see you are confident in your own product.

(Video of Buka- Interview continues below)

Do you have any advice for young starting app developers- how to get the word out about their apps?

That is the hardest thing. It’s sad when you invest lots of work into a project that doesn’t get noticed. It’s also the main reason why there are so many apps trying to grab your attention and failing, because they make little sense. The word of mouth is still the best way. The successful app promotes itself either because people really need it – or because they want to show it to their friends and they want to talk about it.

Some of you apps are quite fun and crazy- Where do you get inspiration for your apps?

I’d say we usually come up with a gameplay idea first and then we dress it into a setting that works well with it. We also like when there is that kind of quirky humor present. For instance, when we chose the animal theme for Everlands – it immediately felt like a fable. So we thought, what if all those cute animals had this really grave agenda going on? It’s fun to read their story when these cute colorful critters speak all super-serious like some zealous warriors from a warhammer novel. The result is so strange that it’s almost poetic.

Whats next up?

We’re working on a new arcade title that will have quite unique look and it will combine various gameplay elements from different genres in a mix that has never been done before, as far as we know. We’re really excited about it – it will be out for Android later this fall.

Thanks to David at Hexage for sharing some of his thoughts. To celebrate reaching this milestone Hexage have announced a sale on all their games, which will be available at the 99c mark for the rest of the weekend so go download some of their apps from the Android market.

You can find out more information about their Android and Iphone apps by going to the hexage website or hexage facebook page

Guest Post: T-MOBILE tease us with G2 holding page

Richard Simbasics — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:24:13 +0000

Only two years ago T-Mobile, Google and HTC instigated the Android revolution by launching the T-Mobile G1.

The G1 was the first handset to run on Google’s operating system and was distributed exclusively on mobile network, T-Mobile.

Now, it has been revealed that the G1 has a successor. A T-Mobile G2 teaser site (http://g2.t-mobile.com/) has been revealed for the Android-powered G2 model and though there is little given away in terms of specs, the micro-site tells us that the device will be the first to operate on T-Mobile’s 4G HSPA+ network in the US. Maybe this will mean the G2 won’t make it over to the UK but we’ll have to wait and see…

As you will see the image on the site doesn’t give a whole lot away either, but rumour has it the G2 will come equipped with a 1Ghz processor, 3.7” AMOLED touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera and 720p HD video capture. Also, based on past experience, we expect HTC will again lend a hand in manufacturing the G2 device.

Expected to go on sale on September 29th in the USA. Check back for more information.

(Edit: This upcoming phone shouldn’t be confused with the T-mobile G2 touch which is currently available in the UK and is the t-mobile version of the HTC Hero. )

Courtesy of Richard at Sim Basics a really great site with loads of great deals on Sims and other bits.

Want to do a guest post for Androidbloke? We love to hear perspectives from all sorts of people. We don’t do this for money but just because we love mobile. If you have something to say or share- then please feel free to get in touch by Contact Androidbloke link above we may publish it, if we think our audience will enjoy it.

What Android Phone? August 2010 edition

Android UK — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:36:39 +0000

After a tweet for help from Steoreilly asking for some Android phone buying advice, Androidbloke has come into the rescue. I have posted up some of my thoughts on what the best in breed android phones are around today. From the news being released on our friends at Expansys blog, you are not the only one getting an android phone as it is currently taking the market by storm.

Well Steve, if you need a phone today- then great news, there are a load of really great Android phones to choose from- some of which will leave you wondering why you didn’t get on the Android bandwagon sooner.

If you are going to be showing off your android phone then you are going to want something that has a large size screen and is really clear. You also want something that has built in multi-touch, so you can show off the full power of the platform. If you are going to be carrying it around with you to show clients then you also need something that’s portable.

If I was picking out a phone right now I would choose one of the following.

HTC Desire- HTC’s flagship device now comes equipped with the latest Android 2.2 and is a veritable superphone. With a great SLCD/AMOLED screen and a super fast 1GHz Snapdragon processor the phone looks great and is really snappy and responsive. HTC’s Sense Custom user interface on top of Android adds some great features such as App Sharing via Twitter, email and facebook as well as upgraded sync to itunes and 720p HD Video recording. Links: HTC Desire Homepage/ Comparison of latest HTC Desire Deals
Google Nexus One – Google worked closely with HTC to make this Android reference Handset. Similar in looks to the HTC Desire but sports the standard Android 2.2 interface. Because this is a Google reference design, it is most likely to get the latest versions of Android first. In addition it also has a dock connector, and noise cancelling microphone at the back to improve call quality. Links: Google Nexus One Homepage/ Comparison of latest Google Nexus One Deals )
Samsung Galaxy S- This is the latest and greatest from the Samsung crowd, which has the largest (4inch) screen and uses the latest in Samsung’s SUPER AMOLED screen technology. Its called super, that is an understatement as the screen is amazing. Like the other phones it also sports a fast processor but is also able to act as a media sharing device to your telly via DLNA. Sadly the only drawback is that the phone is still running Android 2.1, although Samsung have promised an upgrade as early as September. Links: Samsung Galaxy S Homepage / Comparison of latest Samsung Galaxy S Deals

If you aren’t Stephen and are wondering what the best phone for you is get in touch- but here is a brief summary of what’s around on the market:

Best For business- Motorola Milestone- Also known as the famous Droid in the USA, it has a fast processor and is a really stable and good platform. Also comes with built in support for exchange and a slide out keyboard to help make the transition from your blackberry to Android seamless. Links: Motorola Milestone Homepage / Comparison of Latest Motorola Milestone deals)
Best For Students- HTC Hero or HTC Legend- These are smaller form factor phones that will fit perfectly into your jeans pocket whilst you are in a lecture or in the pub drinking (or both at the same time!) They all give you access to the market and apps and also aren’t quite as pricey as the other handsets. The Legend is the latest version of the HTC Hero and has a better screen and processor, but both phones will more than fit your needs. Links: HTC Hero Homepage/ Comparison of Latest HTC Hero Deals . HTC Legend Homepage / Comparison of latest HTC Legend Deals
Best for Budget/ Size- HTC Wildfire- Matching the same specs as HTC Hero, it is the smallest and thinnest phone in the HTC Android range. It comes standard with a slightly smaller capacitive screen than the other handsets but still has all the main apps present on its market. Its real strength is in the small size of the phone- and its pure pocketable power. Links HTC Wildfire Homepage/ Comparison of latest HTC Wildfire phone deals available.

There are some other great Android phones around at the moment, hopefully I will be able to have a review of them and tell you what I personally think of them. The phones listed above are my personal favourites that I can recommend based on my own use and can vouch for them. With next month set to have some more great phone launches- I am really looking forward to writing my next month’s edition already.

The Great Camera ZOOM FX Giveaway

Android UK — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:41:01 +0000

Our Friends over at Camera Zoom Fx ( reviewed last year here – ) have really taken their app to the next level over the past year and made it into one of the coolest photo apps on Android.

To celebrate the latest update to the app, they are running an endless Summer Competition. So for all you budding mobile Mario Testinos out there can join in and win a prize or two.

For me the best thing about the competition is not only seeing how creative you android people are out there, but seeing also just how powerful Camera Zoom and your mobile can be.

I am off to go find some inspiration- Look out for my entry soon.

For those of you looking wanting to find out more about Camera Zoom FX- check out the features here

The Great Camera ZOOM FX Giveaway.

Credit for image goes to “Long Day” by @streetwearblog – they get my vote for nices photo so far

Samsung Android 2.2 Tablet ANALYSED!!

Android UK — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:37:47 +0000

Two words describe the news I received this afternoon. “OH WOW” Just as I was getting out of the train my jaw dropped as I watched the most awesome video teaser of the new Samsung Tablet.

To save you all the task of pressing the forward button to view all the images- here is the full advert analysed-

The “Samsung Tab” looks set to join the “Dell Streak” and the Huawei S7 in the rapidly expanding line up of Android Tablets which are going head to head against the Apple Ipad.

Like the others it boasts a cool 7inch screen(hopefully with its Super AMOLED super screen). It looks very sleek and thin and quite beautiful- and really looks like it will bring its top game in a showing against the Ipad.

The teaser video does give some great hints what to expect:

Android 2.2 features:

Full Web browsing
Flash Support
Navigation
Front facing camera support

Samsung Galaxy Features

HD movie playback
Ebook Reader
Pc- Link – am sure this means the “Allshare” feature which allows you to share your content to your tv/ console or pc via DLNA ( the industry standard for digital content sharing)
Swype included as Standard
Augmented Reality
HD Video Playback

Something new???

Enhanced Gmail app for tablets- Dual panel display in Gmail – I am not sure if this is something that Google have done or whether it’s a customization by Samsung- but YUM!!!

2. Video Calling- Hopefully this will be included in Android 2.2 – but I suspect this will be a Samsung only app for now.

3. Tablet version of Google maps- Could this be the sign that google is set to announce new versions of the standard Google apps??

3. Enhanced Calendar App with completely new interface- Did Google make this or is this Samsungs? I am betting on Google.

It finishes off with the image above indicating it will most likely be announced during IFA Consumer electronics show in Berlin- where we can no doubt expect a blockbuster release.

Anyone who wants to call me geeky and obsessive about gadgets- congratulations you are a great judge of character. Just think of the apps that you can run on this- Great job Samsung!

I started this post with two words, and I am going to finish it off with five words….”I REALLY REALLY WANT ONE “!

You can obsess about the Teaser by viewing it here

What do you think??

You can already purchase some great Samsung Galaxy Tab accessories for it from mobile fun including a Samsung Galaxy Tab leather case stand, desk dock and car charger. Roll on September 2nd!

Droidcon London 2010 is GO GO GO!

Android UK — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:25:31 +0000

I am very excited to report that Droidcon, London is a officially GO GO GO!

We can all look forward to painting London town green with Android and having a whole 2 days ( plus afterparties) to celebrate android. Droidcon will be taking place this year on 28-29 October, where developers from all over Europe ( and hopefully further) coming to town to meet, network , eat and drink with their fellow androiders.

Already there are some great people lined up to share their android information gold to the huddled masses:

Jan Berkel (@Jberkel ) Soundcloud
Russel Buckley- Admob Champion
Tom Hume – Future Platforms MD
Reto Meier- Google Developer advocate and author of "Professional Android 2.0 Application Development"
Aaron Miller- Couch.io
Mark Murphy- Commonsware and author of "The Busy Coder’s Guide to Android Development"
Sean Owen – Co-developer of the awesome Barcode Scanner app for Android
Al Sutton – Developer extraordinaire at Funky Android Ltd- including my essential favourite Funky Expense app
With still more to come- check out the Droidcon Speakers page for the latest info

For those of you who aren’t going to be in London, its worth heading over to the Droidcon London webpage to marvel at the extraordinary hand drawn images of Android which are statements of art that would make even the Andry Warhol or the Google Doodlers give a standing ovation. ( Image credit to artist Kevin McDonagh)

Early bird tickets for Droidcon London 2010 – News – DroidCon.

RUMOUR: Android 2.2 finally rolling out to Vodafone HTC Desire

Android UK — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:20:35 +0000

Thanks to the awesome tip from one of our readers, Phil. It appears that standard version of HTC Desire’s Android 2.2 (aka Froyo) has started rolling out to Vodafone HTC Desire users.(without any branded extras!)

The update is the best version of android yet and has a bevvy of great new features including flash support.
Vodafone Desire users should either wait for updates or go to settings- about phone- system updates to see if they can get the update.

This is the first time I have used wordpress for android to do an entire post. Awesome

Earn money with your Android Phone and Nielsen is back

Android UK — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:07:48 +0000

Finally after 2 months of waiting the Android Mobile Panel is back and with new improved software. Nielsen have taken on board all the really great feedback that they received and are launching a brand new version of their software.

With android becoming so popular the world is starting to pay attention to Android users habits. The company that reports tv audiences is now getting into the Android business and is launching a mobile panel specifically for Android Smartphone Users.

Become a member of the panel and earn rewards

After signing up, members of the mobile panel will be able to earn Nielsen points which can be exchanged for vouchers and other rewards via the member website. Here are some of the gifts you can redeem your points for:

Shopping vouchers (Amazon, John Lewis, Boots, Debenhams…)
Gift cards (GAP, Starbucks…)
Sports & Fitness
Experience vouchers
Food and drink

Long term members also get entered into a Quarterly Prize Draw, where you can win a share of over 200,000 Nielsen Points to spend on their online store. The Android Panel is a very small size so your have great odds at winning it.

Your privacy is safe!

I have checked through the terms and privacy prior to posting and the mobile panel meter software will report individual usage or pass on your details to 3rd parties. Here’s the quote from their terms and conditions:

The panel gathers this information through Meter software that runs silently and transparently in the background of your mobile phone. This software allows us to measure the applications you use and the websites you visit for the purpose of anonymous, aggregate measurement. We will never report your individual usage and will never release your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes

For those of you looking to sign up, remember do it quickly as numbers are very limited.

(Edit: In response to your emails, regarding why its not market. As this is currently a very limited group, it cannot be put onto the android market. Its currently only available as non Android market app. Nielsen are currently looking into changing this but for the moment the app will direct you to the android menu option to allow install of non-market applications – see screen on right. It can still be removed the same way through your applications menu ( but you will lose out on the vouchers!)

If you are a UK Android phone owner: Click here: Nielson Android Mobile Panel Sign up

if you are outside of the UK- I have set up a waiting list for other countries and will notify you when Nielsen open up places on the android Mobile panel in your country: http://bit.ly/9bFqzW )

OpenMobileSummit, SF: Android makes a good showing

Android UK — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:52:16 +0000

For those of you lucky to be in the San Francisco this November, be sure to register to head down to the Open Mobile Summit. This event is one of the premier mobile events on the calendar and is one of the few opportunities to bump into the top people in the mobile industry

What is really encouraging is to see how many Android app related players are going to be there this year including some from Google:

Alain Mutricy, SVP, Motorola
Jason Spero, VP, Admob / Google
Loic Le Meur, Co-founder and CEO, Seesmic
Ben Keighran, CEO and Co-Founder, Chomp
Gustav Söderström, VP Product, Spotify
Mike McSherry, CEO, Swype

For those of you in Europe there is another open Mobile Summit in London circa May so you can have your go too without forking out too much of your hard won to airlines.

Keep an eye on this one- there is always something interesting.

OpenMobileSummit.

RUMOUR: HTC invitation analysed: 3 phones to be released 15 September?

Android UK — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:36:00 +0000

I am very excited to see that the HTC invitation for something on September 15 has really sparked the world interest. Luckily I too have a friend who is good with Photoshop and have managed to come up cropper with the following ~~news~~ complete speculation on our part. Here is what we can see:

Phone 1: HTC Desire HD

Firstly there is in fact a really great outline of an HTC Logo with what looks like the a similar design style to the HTC Legend, showing what I hope looks like an engineered aluminium shell. I am hoping that this is in fact the HTC Desire HD. Rumoured to have an 8 MP, zenon flash and 720p HD recording. I am hoping that equally with the jump up with these other specs we will have a good jump up with the battery life and display technology to push it past the Iphone 4 spec. I am assuming that, like the Desire this will be a HTC Sense ( HTC’s custom User interface) and will hopefully be with us for October/ November.

Phone 2: HTC Blaze G1/ HTC Desire Z ( and potentially T-mobile G2)

with the picture above you can clearly see that there is a second handset transposed behind it which appears to be in portrait mode. Its subtle curves for me , definitely show some similarity with HTC Blaze G1 . (Image to the right) Further there appears to be some squarish- marks along the base which could just be artefacts from the photo- or more likely are artefacts generated by a blurred keyboard. ( highlighted in magic marker yellow) The fact the wording says “dreamt up” also points towards it being a follow up the HTC Dream ( aka the first google phone, the T-mobile G1) . If this is going to be the follow up to the G1, then there has been some speculation by the twitterers that it will be the next “google experience” phone to come out since the HTC Nexus One came out in January.

Phone 3: HTC Mozart- HTC Legend HD or something else?

The best bit is it if you look at the top of the screen there is a 3rd phone outline that is clearly shown that has a similar Zenon flash to the HTC desire HD. It even has what looks like a large lettered- HTC down the edge of it. Purely speculating I am guessing its a HTC Legend followup, which originally was released around the same time as HTC Desire. I think it might be a bit early for the HTC Mozart ( ie the latest Windows mobile 7 ) to hit and would guess that something else is probably the best place to bet.

I personally wouldn’t hold my breath that any of these phones will launch with the new version of Android 3.0 ( dubbed Gingerbread) as that isn’t expected till December 2010. Most probably because the spec for Gingerbread has already been outed, I am sure that these new phones will see the latest version of Android (at least one way or another!)

What do you think it is? speculation is welcome on this!

What features would you love to see in the next Android Phones to come out?

Here is the original Picture below- with out my expertly crafted lines:

Invitation credit- HTC

Photo of T-mobile G1 Blaze- from Engadget