Google TV Vs Apple TV - Why Google Is a Clear Winner

There is a war brewing on the horizon. Two technology giants will be fighting to own your living room. Apple recently announced a new Apple TV which will be available in September 2010. Google similarly announced their own television platform with the first devices being available sometime in the fall of 2010. Google TV and Apple TV differ in a number of ways and the two companies have different business models. However, it seems clear that if Google TV does what they've promised, it will easily beat Apple TV as the hottest new way to use our televisions.

New Apple TV

The new Apple TV improves on the earlier design in a number of ways. The box is much smaller and less expensive. It uses the A4 chip being used in iPhone and is based on Apple's new iOS 4. Unlike its predecessor, the new Apple TV does not sync content with a computer. Instead, it relies on a computer running iTunes to stream media to it. The big improvement in the new Apple TV is that it will include support for watching streaming movies from NetFlix. Users will also be able to rent TV shows for $0.99 from the iTunes store. This fits well with Apple's business model of locking users into iTunes for content and keeping that content "imprisoned" in the Apple ecosystem.

Google TV

Google TV initially will be a similarly closed system available on select devices made by Sony and Logitech. However, Google's plan is to open source Google TV and make a developer's SDK available in 2011. Google TV is based on the Android operating system which is already outselling Apple's iPhone in the smartphone market. Google TV will feature Google's Chrome browser. It will also feature its own version of the Android market. This is where Google TV really shines. Users will be able to download applications for their TV just like they do now for their Android phone.

Different Business Models

This is where the difference in their business model becomes more apparent. Apple has no plans to allow applications to run on the Apple TV. The Apple TV is simply another way to keep users tied to iTunes and keep content locked up in the Apple pen. Apple's business model is based on selling content. On the opposite side, Google wants to make content free. By allowing developers to build Android applications for the Google TV, they are insuring that a wide range of content will be freely available to their users. This is because Google's business model relies on advertising revenue. They provide free content in order to sell advertising space with it.

Is Google's business model better? Maybe. Maybe not. It's immaterial, however. The reason Google will beat Apple is because Google believes in openness, and users want choices. The ability to download and install Android applications makes Google TV a far better choice than the new Apple TV. For a user, it means that Google TV will keep current with the times because it can easily be extended. The Apple box on the other hand is a closed system that will likely be retired by Apple in a short time as they move towards something new. Google's TV will allows you to watch what you want where Apple will require you to go through their approved channels. Which one would your prefer?

Five Simple Steps on How to Make an iPhone App

The iPhone app market is a competitive industry but it can also be a rewarding one. With hundreds and thousands of applications available in the iPhone, it can be rather difficult to compete. This fact, however, should not discourage new developers though. After all, the demand for these applications has always been high. With the existing technology and the availability of tools to make iPhone apps, it does not take a professional developer to create one. In fact, nowadays, just about anyone can design their own app without any difficulty. The following steps present a brief overview of the entire process:

Brainstorm for ideas

The first step on how to make an iPhone app involves a lot of thinking. The key to succeeding in a market where there are thousands of other applications demanding for attention is to come up with something unique. However, since it is difficult to come up with an application that is entirely original, your next best bet is to take an old application, study its flaws and improve it. You can also take on an existing category and create an app that offers innovative features unlike its competitors. It would also be helpful to find a niche to make the designing process go by smoother.

Check for Competition

The next step on how to create your app is to research your competition. The higher the competition is, the harder it would be to sell your app. Ideally, it would be best to look for a category with the highest demand and the least number of competitors but since this is an impossible task, you can opt to look for those with minimal competition. If you do decide to choose one with high competition, you have to be ready to come up with an app like no other.

Download all the necessary tools

There are a lot of tools you can utilize to help you make your app look appealing. Of course, most of these tools you have to pay for. Research and ask for recommendations about which tools would make your design process easier. Making apps isn't too difficult once you have the right tools.

Begin the Designing Process

You can do this yourself or you can hire a developer to help you. Whichever method you choose, make sure to be as original as possible.

Market Your App

After you have finished creating your iPhone app, you have to successfully market it. The Process of how to make an iPhone app would not be complete without actually selling the product.

Hire a Google Android Developer - Company VS Freelancer

Do you have an Android application development project? Do you want to get it developed in the best way possible but economically? Then hire a Google Android developer, this is the best option as it will work on all android projects, from their start to completion without any glitches. However the question is whether to hire a freelance Android developer? Or hire an Android app developer through a company's hiring solution? What would be better?

There has to be a reason for selecting either of them. Sure, there is a reason; an Android application development company offering an Android hiring solution should be the best choice for people with no or less knowledge of the platform. Most of the companies that offer these solutions are well renowned in the field; hire some of the best Android developers and provide cutting edge services.

You just have to go to them with your requirements and they would be sure enough to convert your requirements into the application of your dream. Since Android application development companies are big, they are sure to have worked on different types of Android projects. Hence there are chances that they would have worked on a project similar to yours. If that happens then you can be 100% sure to receive the best work from them. Their experience will make sure that the development goes on smoothly.

Companies have their own terms of working, once the agreement is signed, they are sure to deliver the work on time and as promised. However if in case they do not do so then, as per the agreement signed by both the parties you have the right to take legal action against them. Apart from these their "hire a Google Android developer solution" is designed to benefit clients. Thus you can also expect to receive the best so far as quality is concerned. Also most of the companies allow you to hire an Android programmer just as you would be hiring a freelancer either on hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or project bases.

Freelance Android developers can be a good option for people with good knowledge of the platform and those who need help only with some part of the development. They also offer many benefits and can be hired either on hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or on project bases. However the downside is that, often you can be duped into hiring a developer without good knowledge of Android development. There are all possible chances that they would not be able to complete the project on time, due to lack of knowledge and resources. Most of them ask for upfront payment, once you make the payment, things start going wrong. If you are a novice at Android then there are all possibilities that you will be not able to catch them and get trapped into paying more money at each stage of development without seeing the work progress through the stages.

Hence, it can be concluded that it would be better to hire an Android developer from an Android development company to get the best work done.

Learn How Restaurants Are Using Apps to Increase Reservations

Owning a custom iPhone and Android app for your restaurant will open the door for many great promotional strategies. Custom restaurant apps gives the restaurateur 24/7 access to a direct line of communication with their customer-base. Restaurants are now easily accessible by users wanting to know more about their history, menu, specials and more. One feature however is actively changing the way things have always been done before - In-App Reservations.

Customers are now provided with a convenient feature within the restaurant's app allowing them to make reservations, receive email notifications confirmations with the time, party size and date, and get turn-by-turn directions to the restaurant location. Reservations are free and can be made around the clock. App users are completely accommodated with In-app custom features by the restaurant including being able to choose from utilizing Google's GPS map and directions or directly calling the restaurant with the easy one-touch button residing on the landing page of the restaurant's custom app.

Reservation systems like Open Table are saving business owners time and eventually money by allowing a convenient way for customers to reserve a spot at their favorite eatery. Open Table has more than 20,000 restaurant customers and has helped more than 200 million diners globally since its inception in 1998. Restaurant mobile app developers should always provide restaurant owners with an east-to-use backend reservation management system. This system allows restaurant owners to develop superior guest recognition. Due to the "real-time" availability, reservations systems immediately record information to the database. The greatest benefit for business owners is the time and money it will end up saving you in the long run.

There are multiple reasons why restaurants and other businesses are employing the mobile app strategy within their marketing tactics, but the most common is to have an advantage over their competition. Nearly 65% of small businesses agree that wireless technologies help provide a better competitive advantage for businesses. Mobile apps are a great time-saver for both you and your customers. Many are wondering, could mobile apps be the next big gain for marketing restaurants? So far, thousand of restaurants are coming aboard the new innovative app craze to get ahead of their competitors and it's working. If you're a restaurant owner interested in mobile marketing for your business, be sure that your mobile app developer can provide you with the option of also choosing from the OpenTable Reservation System.

Reach More Customers Through Mobile Apps

Mobile device usage is soaring at an incredible rate and so is the popularity of mobile applications. Your business can benefit from selling or offering a mobile app - no matter what industry you are in. But while the need for application development is real from a mobile marketing standpoint, the success rate of mobile apps is relatively small - especially for brands.

It is harder to retain your target audience's attention on mobile apps than it is through social media or a traditional website; and there are several factors that separate successful apps from unsuccessful ones. But it can be accomplished. If you are considering building an app for your company, use the following guidelines to start your mobile endeavors on the right path.

Create and Implement a Marketing Strategy

Aside from working with a developer to create an app for your business, your marketing team will need to implement a marketing strategy for it. Work with them to define goals for your app and to understand how your customers can benefit from it. An app that looks good, functions properly, and is downloaded by thousands (or even millions) of people, is of little use to your company if the content isn't driving sales or raising awareness for your brand on the web. Mobile apps, like social media, are an extension of your marketing efforts and knowing how to engage your customers will separate your app from those made by your competitors.

Make It Clean and Easy to Navigate Through

Much like your company website, your mobile app should look clean and be easy to navigate through. People who download your app will quickly delete it from their phones if it's visually unappealing to them and if they can't find the information they want. Some of the highest rated apps in both the Android Market and Apple's App Store use a minimalist design. Consider this approach especially if you are a small to medium sized business. The worse thing you can do is take yourself out of the game before users get to your content.

Perform Maintenance Regularly

Having an app that is available to the public is not enough. Your app needs to be updated and checked for bugs regularly. Users are easily frustrated with apps that crash or freeze when in use. They typically receive 1 star ratings because they crash upon opening. You don't want to lose customers based on negative reviews and poor ratings. An app that functions properly, even if the content is static for a few weeks, is more useful than an app that has new content every week but only works 50% of the time.

Integrate Social Media

Apps are a great marketing platform to build your social media audience. Make it easy for people to share the content they view on your app on Facebook and Twitter. By doing this, you are extending your reach beyond your target audience and are potentially bringing in new customers whom you don't have the time and resources to reach out to. Many users are more than happy to show their Facebook and Twitter connections what they're reading or purchasing - so give your content (whether it's company news or products) a chance to reach as many people as possible on the web's largest social networks.

Price It Accordingly

Free apps, while popular because they are free, typically do not have long shelf lives on mobile devices. But do not be afraid to put a price on your app if it is good and functions properly on every device. People will pay for quality apps that meet their needs and are interactive. Justify the price you set by offering items (content or promotions) that users cannot find anywhere else. Exclusivity is vital to the success of paid apps because it gives customers a higher level of confidence in their purchasing decision.

Share Your Thoughts

How will you market your business through mobile apps for web success?

By Justin Delos Reyes, Web Success Team

Facts About the Android Tablet

The Android is a relatively new operating system which was designed for mobile devices such as cell phones, tablet computers, and netbooks. The Android OS is developed and designed by Google and is based upon GNU and Linux Kernel software. Statistics point out that the android tablet OS is ranked second among all smartphone OS handsets in North America.

The android OS will have many major advantages, such as Flash capabilities. While it is true that the internet itself is trying to limit its content which relies on Flash, the android OS is built on the idea of an open platform allowing anybody to add, or remove, whatever plugins they feel like. Unlike with Apple where all applications, programs, and addons are created by them and a user can only get just those programs. Apple's OS is quite intolerant of third party applications, the exact opposite is true of the android tablet OS which allows anybody to share with everyone what they have developed, even just for this reason alone, the android tablet is already better than the competition.

The android is also less restrictive about hardware and ports. Most android tablets come with USB ports and that alone is already a massive advantage to other tablet PCs as one would be able to use flash drives, keyboards, and all sorts of devices which plug into a USB port.

One slight drawback is that the android OS comes in different versions which have some slight differences among them. But this problem is easily fixed as all one needs to do is upgrade to the latest version of the OS. Another drawback is that it may appear a bit daunting or intimidating to those who are not used to working with computers. Although to those who are used to it, this should actually come as an advantage as they are able to fully see just how powerful the android tablet OS is and can be.

While the android OS is not as stylish as its main rival and the fact that there are so many versions of it that may act to confuse the average user, it still has all the benefits of being more flexible and available on a variety of different devices. Its customizability is way ahead of its time and is its best feature. One who invests in an android tablet is sure to see that their money was definitely very well spent.

iPhone Apps to Lookout for in 2012

As the mobile app count passed a million mark, 2011 has been a great year for the smartphone users. Apple released some exiting products such as iPhone 4S and iPad 2 for the iOS and for Android a plethora of devices were launched that include Amazon's Kindle Fire. As an app reviewer, I have listed a few iPhone apps, which I think could make an impact in 2012.

Vidify: As iOS devices have HD video recording ability, apps like Vidify make the most of it. With this app, users can edit their videos inside the iPhone. They can add audio, cross dissolves effect, fade in - fade out effects and sepia or warming filters and they can also adjust video length, video resolution and edit speed. I find it really easy to add an audio file, but it needs some sort of expertise to master the other areas of the app. This app has already been called as Instagram for videos. Vidify is compatible with Phone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (4th generation), iPad 2 and it requires iOS 4.3 or later. It costs USD 1.99.

iCircuit Training: This is an iOS app that helps users do all the workouts without the help of any equipment. It has18 pre-designed circuits and 50 exercises classified under three levels of difficulties - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. To do specific workouts, there are options like Upper, Lower and Whole Body. It has images and videos to guide the users, but it needs active internet connection to play the videos. As this app has a lot of images, it is a bit bulky and I think, the UI needs some rework regarding the look. However, iCircuit Training is a great app for the users who want to do workouts from the luxury of their home and at zero cost. It is compatible with iPhones and iPads running iOS 4.2 or later and it costs USD 1.99.

Goldman HD: Goldman HD is a game app where the objective is collecting the gold by guiding the miner to blast the mine. There are 8 grounds and the users need to use the right kind of bomb for every ground. He can also use some super weapons during his endeavor. The graphics and the sound effects are amazing in Goldman HD. This game doesn't have any complicated rules and has 100 amazing levels. This app would look even great, if it has a help section. Goldman HD is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad and it requires iOS 3.2 or later. This app costs just USD 0.99 and there is also Lite version available for free.

App Store has seen the arrival of a lot of good apps in 2011. Let us hope for a more productive 2012. We checked over 4,000 apps last year. Among them, we hope these few apps could perform well in 2012. Our evaluation process is generally based on the design and usability. If you think, you too have found a great app, please let us know at Alpha Digits. Wish you all a happy new year!!!

Great Apps For Android Cellphone

Navigating android market can be complicated, with unclear descriptions, doubtful user reviews, and often buggy apps. Here are a few searched best apps available you can use on your android cellphone.

Tracking:

Locale

This is a $1 app in the android market that lets you form location-based missions. For instance, you can have your android phone's Wi-Fi turn on when you arrive at home, or have the cellphone quiets itself once you arrive at your work place. The app provides a great way to automate slight tasks, affording you a few extra battery time and the discomfiture of having an exaggeratedly noisy ringtone start out in the middle of a meeting. 

Wunderlist

Wunderlist is a free app in the android market that syncs your to-do lists in all your devices, which means you'll always have your errands with you. You'll also be sent regular emails by Wunderlist when you are close to a cut-off date, these applies to those who don't check the app often. (It's also optimized for android tablets).

Springpad

Springpad is also a free android app that creates reminders and notes about books you'd like to buy, movies you'd like to watch or just various events you'd like to remember. Springpad puts together your shopping lists while you quickly build checklists and examine barcodes to keep tabs of items you'll want in the future.

Entertainment:

Minecraft Pocket Edition

This is a $7 app that lets you kill time on the go; Minecraft Pocket Edition is a very wanting game to play. Even though the app doesn't include the Survival Mode that runs in the desktop version, its Create Mode allows you to mine and construct to your heart's content (optimized for android tablets).

Reckless Racing

This is a $3 app and one of the top-looking racing games offered for android cellphones, and it runs dozens of courses to pick from, some are hidden shortcuts (an added advantage if you're familiar with them). Then, after you've broaden your skills, you can compete with friends and strangers to an online multiplayer contest and check out who's really is the top reckless racer. 

StumbleUpon

StumbleUpon is another free app that allows you "channel surf" the Web to locate things that are significant to your likes. Listing the topics that interest you, StumbleUpon app will recommend sites to match your list. With Android powered devices, the app will even suggest other apps that are already installed in your android phone  (also optimized for tablets).

Is Traditional Boxed Software Heading For Extinction?

Hello Everyone,

I was sitting here thinking about a few trends that are happening within the technology world and one thought kept on coming up in my mind. And that is the increased adoption of app stores in technologies we are currently using. From now all Apple products using the "App Store" to Google Android devices using the Android Market. Just recently announced was that starting the next version of Windows, Microsoft will implement its own app store called the Windows Marketplace.

What brought this question into my head was that during a recent visit to Staples, I noticed is that the isles that used to go for one third of the store for computer software is now getting smaller and smaller, and I see that trend just continuing industry-wide. And that is why I am posing this question "Is Traditional Boxed Software Heading For Extinction?"

Now I know you are all reading this and want to know where my opinions are on all of this and where I stand on all of this is that app stores are a WIN, WIN, WIN on all sides (Except for virus & malware creators). And my reasoning for this are as follows:

1. It drastically simplifies the whole software install process - No more trying to figure out if your computer is compatible with a specific program. The app store program is constantly running a check against all programs on the app store to see if it will run on your device. If it is not compatible, then the specific app simply will NOT show as an option to install at all.

2. It drastically reduces the chances of getting infected with Viruses & Malware - For program writers to be even have a chance of getting their applications into a specific app store, all of the app stores mentioned previously take extensive steps to make sure that the apps people purchase from their app stores are free of anything that could harm the purchaser's devices. If a submitted app is found to be or potentially malicious, It is IMMEDIATELY removed from the store and if it is installed on a device, the program is also removed from the device.

3. It makes recovering and upgrading your device a much less painful ordeal - We all have instances where we either had to reinstall everything from scratch on our device for one reason or another or just want to upgrade to a better device, there is always one issue that comes up. And that issue is that all of the software that was purchased will not work or is missing on the device. With purchasing all of your apps from the app store, recovering those apps are now a point and click operation. Now what you do is that in case of the Apple's App Store, all you will do is sign into the app store, single left click on the purchased link, and all of your previously purchased apps will show up in a list. Single left click on the install button and the app will be installed back on your device. In case of the Android Market, purchased apps will be listed under the "Not Installed" section. Just single tap on each one of those and the app will then install back on to your device. All you now have to worry about backing up is your individual documents.

Also, with the trend of going to ultra-mobile devices such as tablets and cellular phones and also computer manufacturers phasing out of the desktop and laptop markets, I really can see a day in the near future where we will not see a software section in most electronic stores. That alone sounds very strange to me, but time will bring about change.