As you know, AdSense is Google's publisher advertising platform for content creators to monetize their website by displaying contextual ads to their audience from Google AdWords and other ad networks.
The new app allows fast and easy access to data from your AdSense account. Information can be viewed by your selected time period (today, yesterday, last 7 days, this month, last 30 days, or last month) and for each account in use on your Android device. The screens available are:
Earnings Overview
Top Sites
Top URL Channels
Top Custom Channels
Top Ad Units
Payment Alerts
Settings
Check out the screenshots and let us know your thoughts about the app in the comments below. It works great and is a good first version to gain quick insight into your ad performance, but is not nearly as robust as the website. Hopefully future updates will expand the functionality. Install Google AdSense for Android from Google Play to give it a try.
Gather was launched on July, 20 2012 by Mikeal Rogers and Max Ogden to help bring people together. Gather for Android, iPhone, and web is used to share your upcoming plans with your Facebook and Twitter friends as well as those in your Gather network. The clean and simple interface makes creating, broadcasting, and managing your meetups quick and easy while giving you a single place to stay up to date with nearby friends' plans.
Today, Mikeal announced that with finances running out and a small user base they have decided it is time to phase out Gather. Unfortunately this answers Techcrunch's statement "Now let’s see about that traction". The good news for users is that there is enough money to keep the apps available and the service running until the end of the year!
Gather truly did an amazing job of creating a simple and useful product. It will be sad to see them go, but perhaps it will get enough traction this year to justify them getting more venture capital. They have praised Atlas Venture, there seed investor, for their continued support, which is great to hear. Give the app a try if you have not before and follow them on Twitter for updates. Have you tried Gather?
Today Dropbox has redesigned their website's file management portal and updated the Android app to the include the automatic background uploading we saw in the beta test earlier this month.
The new website design, as shown in the screenshots below, is brighter and more spacious. In addition, it includes a lightbox feature that allows you to easily flip through larger images. It will show up once you automatically upload some images.
Once you download the new Android version and allow automatic uploading you will get 500 MB of additional space added to your account when your first photo/video uploads. Your entire current photo and video library will upload automatically, then whenever you take a new photo or record a video it will be uploaded to the "Camera Uploads" folder in your Dropbox account. Over time an additional 3 GB of space will be added to your account when you automatically upload more images and videos; they have not disclosed the specifics of how this increase will work.
Download the new Android version today from the market and let us know what you think. An updated iOS version will be coming soon as well as new Windows and Mac desktop clients.
Dropbox is testing Android Build 2.0.9 and increasing users' storage space by up to 5 GB for trying it out. This experimental version includes the following updates:
Automatic background uploading of photos and videos over Wi-Fi or data plan (sorry Sync.ly)
Can now upload files of any size (the 180 MB limit is gone)
Uploads will pause when there are network issues, then resume when resolved
Other performance improvements & bug fixes
Once you download the beta version APK and allow for automatic uploading you will get 500 MB of additional space added to your account when your first photo uploads. Your entire current photo and video library will upload automatically, then whenever you take a new photo or record a video it will be uploaded to the "Camera Uploads" folder in your Dropbox account. During the beta period you will get an additional 500 MB of space for every 500 MB of photos/videos that are automatically uploaded. The program caps out at 5 GB of extra cloud storage space.
If anything be sure to at least get the initial 500 MB for trying it out. The app is nice and works smoothly. Save or share this page to come back on your Android device and click here to download Dropbox 2.0.9. If you do not have a Dropbox account you can signup here and get 2 GB of space free.
Syncly was released on the Android market and is a simple way to backup your photos to the cloud. Just install the app, set up and account, then link to Dropbox. (Update: HiDrive support was added on February 21, 2012.) You can designate to have it automatically upload over Wifi & 3G, just Wifi, or only when indicated. After that, any time you take a picture it is automatically saved to your Dropbox account in a "Syncly" folder.
This is a great tool to have setup! Google+'s Android application has this functionality built in to automatically send the pictures to Picasa, and it has come in very handy. This dedicated simple app is a great solution for many with its smaller size (1.1 MB installed) and Dropbox integration. If you have Dropbox's desktop program installed your pictures will even be automatically loaded on your computer after you take them.
The Syncly team says it will support other services in the near future to upload to as well as syncing other types of data. The app is brought to you by the Products & Innovation department at Deutsche Telekom AG (T-Mobile) in Berlin. Their unit can create, launch, and try new out products quickly like a startup.
Give it a try and let everyone know what you think in the comments below. I really like it and am looking forward to future updates. I am having an issue with my device where the file name extension (.jpg) is dropping off during upload that they are looking at. Others have not had this issue.
After installing it you quickly link your Twitter account via OAuth and you are off and running. It starts up by reading some of your recent tweets then sits in idle waiting for new ones (you can adjust the checking interval in the settings). The app runs in the background so that you can continue doing other things. Male and female voices alternate the reading, which isn't bad; there are a some words and phrases that get jumbled up, but you can usually figure out what they are saying. It accurately lets you know when there is a hashtag and links are interpreted by reading you the non-shortened domain name only (nothing after the first forward slash).
Oh yea; the music. You can play music that is on your SD card and it will automatically cut in with a nice news-like intro when you have new tweets to listen to. The music part is completely optional and I found it nice to just let my phone sit on the table and listen to my timeline as it came in with silence in between. If I heard something of interest I would go out to Twitter to click on the link. This can also be used while running or driving, but since you are not able to act on the tweet it works best for news, weather, and other informational (non-actionable) tweets.
A nice feature to add would be a way to save a tweet. Maybe by clicking a button to have the tweet being read emailed to yourself or saved in the app somehow. Otherwise, I can envision people writing down things to check or trying to remember what they heard when they get home.
I am really looking forward to the web version. Watching your Twitter timeline is one of the most time consuming activities if you are a heavy social media user or publisher. By listening to it you are freeing up your eyes to monitor other networks or complete other activities. Keep up with them on Twitter, Facebook, or their blog.
The Gametel attachment by Fructel will turn any Android device into a true gaming unit. One of the main reasons I do not play many of the games on my Android phone is because with the touchscreen they are just not as enjoyable and lack needed finite control, never mind my finger covers up the action! I believe one of the reasons Angry Birds is so successful is that it is perfectly designed for touchscreen play but what about everything else? The Gametel unit will bring familiar D-pad controls to racing, RPG, and arcade games built for the Android ecosystem.
Gametel wirelessly connects to your android phone or tablet using Bluetooth after installing the Gametel driver from the Android Market; directions. The rubber clamps let you combine the controller and a phone into one cohesive device for a true handheld experience. Or, you can keep it separate when playing games on a tablet or TV (via HDMI from your device). According to the specifications you can get up to nine hours of play time.
The new gaming controller will be compatible with Android 2.1 and later and is set to be available in December. There is already a list of games that can be controlled with it, with many more coming. Sign-up here to be notified when it is officially launched; pricing looks to be around $75.00 and could be a hot item this season.
An alpha version of MusicBox by Scott Haley was just release today on the Android Market. It is an interesting way to create a simple melody or song with game metrics. With the app you arrange pieces called noteblocks that correspond to specific notes and a when a ball is released it bounces off each block on to the next creating a sound on impact. More than one ball can be used to increase the depth of music.
The below demo video starts off with the basic functions and moves on to a more complex piece. You can download MusicBox for Android for 99 cents which I think is a bad move at this early stage; free is the way to go. More people testing, giving feedback, and getting the word out would be better. It looks promising and the final product could be marketed to different groups of people Check out the video and screenshots below.
Today Google had their Q2 earnings call and Larry Page shared some impressive statistics about some of their products as well as incredible earnings (pdf) growth.
Today I woke up to find an update was available for my Motorola Charm through T-Mobile. For a moment I got excited thinking I may be upgraded from Android 2.1, until I remembered they are not upgrading my phone. After reading the highlights (outlined below) I thought the Wi-Fi calling was a step forward as a standard feature. I use other solutions, but the average user needs something simple and built-in.
My dreams and hopes where shot down fast. After the update and restart I was welcomed with a message stating calls over Wi-Fi use my cellular plan minutes. Really? So, I use my network connection and you still charge me? Not today T-Mobile. I promptly disabled that "feature". The rest of the update had some good behind the scenes updates, but horrendously includes more applications you can not remove. Leo Getz is still right about cell phones!
Wi-Fi calling - Added Wi-Fi calling, a solution for coverage issues in and around the home or wherever cellular coverage is limited. Wi-Fi Calling works anywhere there is an open Wi-Fi signal available.
Other new applications - Added SlackerRadio and NAB applications
Phone stability - Numerous fixes have been implemented, resulting in fewer occurrences of unresponsiveness and/or programs quitting unexpectedly
Calendar - Corrected several errors related to calendar functionality
Battery - Improved battery performance for longer battery life
Security - Installed new Google security patches
Audio - Songs downloaded from Amazon MP3 are now visible in Connected Music Player
Screen - Improved touchscreen responsiveness
Text messaging - Last message is now shown instead of first
Today Epistle launched from kookLab. The app automatically synchronizes your notes with your Dropbox account. For me this is the lightest weight solution out there (253k) to make notes or send myself links. More robust applications are on the market, such as Evernote, that have every single option known to man. Sometimes you just need a easy text editor to save your thoughts; Epistle will do that. I hope the app is kept light. If more options are added I would suggest they make a second app called "Epistle Extra"; I stopped using other services because the footprint and interface just became to much. Epistle was a breath of fresh air when I came across it today.
Gowalla releases version 3 that includes a full user interface overhaul. Upon logging in you will have a passport view that will give you a snapshot of your profile; including your stamp, pin, and photo counts. In addition there are icons for Check in, Activity, Spots, Trips, Friends, and Settings. Notifications will splash across the bottom of the page. They also added push notifications for users with Android 2.2 and above so that you will receive notifications when a friend checks in or makes a comment about your own comment or check in. The changes are on every page and have really enhanced my experience using it. There are so many changes that you will have to download it to see everything.
They have done a wonderful job and have always been, in my opinion, the best check in application and website. They have great attention to detail and intuitive designs that are much better than SCVNGR or Foursquare.
Motorola has released their upgrade plans for their Android line up. Below are the US plans; all plans can be found here. Sadly, it still seems the best way to get the latest software is to buy a new phone.
BACKFLIP MB300 - upgrade to Android 2.1 now available
CHARM MB502 - will remain on Android 2.1
CLIQ MB200 - upgrade to Android 2.1 now available
CLIQ XT MB501 - will remain on Android 1.5
DEVOUR A555 - will remain on Android 1.6
DROID A855 - upgrade to Android 2.2 is complete
DROID X MB810 - upgrade to Android 2.2 available
FLIPOUT MB511 - will remain on Android 2.1
MOTOROLA i1 - will remain on Android 1.5
MILESTONE A854 Will remain on Android 2.1
MILESTONE XT720 Will remain on Android 2.1
Five Guys has launched their Android application today. They just launched their online ordering system a couple weeks ago and are now 100% mobile. The app finds the closest Five Guys Burgers & Fries restaurant from your location, you can then place your order through it, then go pick up your food. I have eaten at Five Guys a few times and it is always good; a gourmet McDonald's in a way. I would miss the peanuts though if I did not eat in house!
Redbox launched their Android application a few days ago. The app is simple, but does everything you need and expect. Once you download it you will want to login with your account. You can then search by (or browse) the movies and when you find one you like it will automatically find the Redbox locations closest to you so that you can reserve it right away. Also if you prefer, you can locate a kiosk and see all the movies at that location. Basically it does everything you are used to from Redbox.com and is a welcome additional to my Android phone because their website was not easy for the small screen.
Geocaching [jee-oh-kash-ing] is fun and a great way to get out and see the world, nature, and even the urban jungle. There are different kinds of caches everywhere for everyone and at every skill level; get out and do it! If you have never heard of it just watch the video below to get an idea. The largest unofficial governing body is Groundspeak and they run Geocaching.com, (my profile) and do a great job.
There are many ways get started with an almost unlimited number of devices and software. You can even go out with a paper map and compass to find them! To ease you into the word I will take you on my journey of geocaching; don't worry it is not a long story. Being good with directions, knowing how to read maps, and loving the outdoors are all qualities that will make this hobby enjoyable.
I started by getting the Magellan eXplorist 100 Global Positioning System (GPS) unit in September 2006. Talk about basic, this unit does not have maps; it is a dot (you) and a dotted line (where you have been), that's it. Of course it knows your location via GPS and provides those coordinates. In those days I would go onto the website and research where I was going to be then write down the coordinates to some caches in the area. Once I was in the woods on a hike and close to the area I would turn on the GPS and set it to direct me to the bounty. It was not hard back then, but it was not like today; I did not do to many caches over the next few years.
Enter the Android mobile operating system and the Motorola Charm. Being a member of Geocaching I knew there was an app and I went to get it. No such luck; it was not available yet for my phone. Now what? After searching I found an amazing geocaching application called c:geo that links into the Geocaching databases and has many great features. I installed it and I was off geocaching again. This app and the mobile platform made it fun. I had everything with me and any place I was I could fire it up and see what caches were around and go find them. There are two other apps I use in conjunction with it; they are RMaps and GPS Status. Some technical knowledge and patience is recommended for this set up. Having a Geocaching premium membership is also preferred as you will get more data and have it flow without interruption through c:geo.
That Geocaching.com application is now available on my phone, but I am not so sure about the $10 price tag. The app should be free for paying members! I digress. My brother does have the app on his iPhone though and it works perfectly. We have gone out together and both of us find the caches with our setups. (Update, April 5, 2012,I purchased the Geocaching Android app and it is very good and worth the price if you go a lot.)
Geocaching is fun, but can also very frustrating if your equipment is not working. I highly recommend you start out with a friend that knows what they are doing if you are not comfortable. Even once everything is working there are many challenges.
Tips: 1) If you are going to have your life depended on GPS, especially in freezing conditions, do not trust your cell phone. Use something even as simple as the Magellan I have above. When I go on backpacking trips, whether or not I am geocaching, I bring it. 2) Bring a paper map and compass, you don't want your life in any GPS' hands. I speak from experience on both items.
Global Positioning System (
