Guess what?  The secret is out in the open  FriendCaller-the first platform independent VoIP app for iOS, and OS Browser, is now thrilled to announce Group Video Calling feature for Android offering FREE Group Video calling for 4 Video and 6 more audio participants, which makes a total of 10 concurrent users communicating altogether.

Hold on, the best part is yet to come!

The unique feature, unlike other Group Video Calling apps for mobile platforms is that, you can see everyone LIVE on the same screen without toggling among the contacts and yes, you can do this all without any charge!

Furthermore, with Push notifications for Android 2.2+ via Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM) from Google Projects, save battery more 8).

Available for over 962 Android devices now, FriendCaller is at the drop of a hat to further increase the number of participants in Group Conferencing feature. Any idea of how many more video participants can communicate together on Android platform?

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To celebrate this event, Google is offering some really cool paid apps for an awesome price of  10-cents on Android Market for 10 days. This 10 cent sale is being done in cooperation with some great Android App developers who contributed to this landmark by making some great apps available at an amazing price of 10 cents. FriendCaller will continue offering 5 million calling minutes and text messages in its Offer Wall, and yes, we are still free to download and use!

So Android lovers, Do you know that with our latest Android version (1.2.0.4) launched just today, you can avail FREE credits by downloading apps from our credit enriched Offer Wall which has 5 Million Calling Minutes and Text/SMS secured for you. The latest release contains much refined an All-in-One Offer Wall loaded with offers of downloading apps, watching videos, and short surveys. A real treat for Android users, indeed! So what are you waiting for? Download the latest version, and earn credits to call and text, making your Android a full featured VoIP device, saving huge on bills!

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These days, a large number of smartphones and tablets use ARM architectural-based processors built by companies like Texas instruments and Samsung instead of Intel, mainly because of the power efficiency factor. Intel teaming itself with Google at this stage when the sales of PCs are slowing down is a smart move. With Android dominating the smartphones’ market, taking the lead from Apple iOS, Microsoft and RIM, Intel would definitely get the long-term benefit out of this mobile partnership.

Now, who will be the manufacturer of these devices? None of the companies mentioned it but Google’s recent acquisition of Motorola Mobility hardware definitely leaves a big hint here. Whatever the case maybe, this partnership offers a great opportunity for Intel in order to make a much-needed breakthrough entry into the booming smartphones’ market.

Earlier versions of Android such as Android 2.2 (Froyo) are already been ported to Intel. Now, with this recent collaboration of the two companies to improvise all the future Android versions, Intel and Google are certainly taking their relationship to the next level, providing developers a wide range of opportunities to expand their expertise.

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Overall, there are 19 ongoing lawsuits between Samsung and Apple. The recent addition to this patent lawsuits showdown is filed by Samsung against Apple for infringement of three of its mobile phone technology patents in iPhone and iPad tablets.

Apparently, this patent war is getting a bit over the top now. After suing HTC, Apple continued with its aggressive patent-building strategy. Last month, Rechtbank’s-Gravenhage (a Dutch court in the city of The Hague) imposed a EU-wide ban on Samsung’s Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and Ace smart series. Initially, the court banned the release of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 all over Europe as well but later on, the decision was narrowed to Germany only.

Do you know that Samsung is already enjoying the top position in the mobile phones market according to a recent report by comScore? As reported by Samsung, the sales of its Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 have been on the rise since it’s launch in France back in mid-August. The complaint was filed  in July and the first hearing of this latest patent lawsuit by French court is due in December.

What does Google has to say about this recent episode of patent war between Samsung and Apple? Since Android market is still going strong, we are yet to see whether it will leave any effect on Android if Samsung or Apple loses their respective lawsuits.

The cold war between Apple and Samsung does not seem to end anywhere in near future.  Even though, Apple has pouched more enforceable decisions in this series of patent wars, but Samsung is also not going to settle down for anything less here!

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Wow! In just 2 months time, the Smartphone market for Google and Apple has surely become gigantic. But for RIM BlackBerry smartphones, the stats are not that much promising. According to comScore, Google is ruling the market with 41.8% market share (gone up from 36.4% in April), while Apple lands on the second slot with 27% market share (gone up from 26%).

Now, where does RIM’s BlackBerry fit in? Well, frankly not anywhere near to Google and Apple. The market shares for BlackBerry smartphone dropped from 25.7% to 21.7% in a short span of just 3 months. Moreover, no new versions are coming up and the apps for BlackBerry have become stagnant with no latest updates at all. Pretty disturbing scenario for BlackBerry developers who have experienced this downfall in the past as well.

The data collected by comScore shows a clear downfall of RIM’s Blackberry in the smartphone market, how? According to the facts stated in the report, approximately 234 million Americans aged 13 or above own a mobile phone, not necessarily a smartphone. Samsung gets the lead here with a 25.5% share of U.S mobile subscribers as compared to LG and Motorola with 20.9% and 14.1% respectively. Apple gets the forth position with 9.5% of the total market. RIM lands on the 5^th spot with 7.6% market share. Not that impressive!

What will be the future of mobile market in the coming years? Well, it’s hard to predict. That’s why giving up on BlackBerry according to these facts and figures didn’t appeal us much. So, we are hopeful and our FriendCaller for BlackBerry app will soon be launched with all the latest VoIP features.

 Although there’s a rumor about Windows Phone taking over iOS by 2015, but this seems dubious to us even if it’s Nokia Windows Phone 7. As for now, Android and iPhone continue to dominate the Smartphone market. Let’s wait and watch what the future unfolds!

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I was already disappointed to find out that the Asus Transformer TF101 tablet used a different connector when I purchased it. Since, it was proprietary and they gave you just one cable at the time of purchase, often you experience ‘low or dead battery’ and often at times you do not have the charger with you as well. So, I wasn’t missing it much when I left it behind in our US office.

Today, I got another tablet, an Acer Iconia. This is the 7^th tablet that I have purchased I guess and they did it again. I connected it to my USB cable to test our upcoming FriendCaller Android Video Calling app and was very happy about the great video quality. But then the moment arrived when the tablet ran out of power while connected to my MAC. What was going on? How did it happen? My initial thought was that it is using more power and less charging but then to my horror, I found out that the micro USB port would not charge at all.

So, I searched the box and found a proprietary charger with a connector similar to the old Nokia one but with a 12V output. No doubt, it is a disturbing trend. Although I understand that the power of the USB port is limited, still it should be good enough to charge any mobile device of that size, shouldn’t it?

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The decision was being announced by Rechtbank’s-Gravenhage (a Dutch court in the city of The Hague) after the hearing held on August 10 and 11, this year. Apparently, Samsung’s Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and Ace smart phones series have suffered this EU-wide preliminary sanction issued by the court which will be practically implemented by mid October. However, this injunction is not imposed on Galaxy tablets except in Germany.

So, how did it all start? After HTC, Apple continued with its aggressive patent-building strategy. It all started back in April 2011 when Apple sued Samsung for creating a patent outlook and feel of its iPhone and iPad as Samsung launched its Galaxy S series.

Samsung fired back with a countersuit targeting Apple for developing five patents relating to wireless networking. Since then, the rift between both the companies has not reached any conclusive settlement.

Currently, there are 19 lawsuits between Samsung and Apple that are still waiting for a decision. Experts are calling this decision as a ‘serious blow to Android’. While the two companies are unable to resolve the conflicts between them, Android might become a silent victim here. As the winning patent is likely to be banned by one or more of the apps that are compatible with Android, the effectiveness of Android might suffer in the long run.

So, now Apple has the first enforceable decision in hands, this patent dispute doesn’t seem to come to an end in near future. Samsung has also announced that the idea for an iPad-shaped tablet was in the pipeline for years even before Apple has ever imagined about it. Pretty interesting isn’t it? Well, it would be a delight to see what kind of evidence Samsung will bring to the court supporting this accusation and how Apple would respond to it. Stay tuned as the battlefield gets all fired up day by day.

According to analysts all over the world, this patent war has divided the tech world into two. Whether Apple will take the lead once again here or is Google going to stay indifferent to this controversial patent war? What’s going to happen to Android if Samsung or Apple loses their respective patent lawsuits? Guess, we will have to wait and watch!

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Yesterday, I wrote a blog post about forceful sign-ups with Samsung only to find out no updates in the end on  Samsung Galaxy S Plus. Can it get any worse? Well, the answer is yes. I bought a Samsung Galaxy S5 too that resembles an iPod touch with 5’’ screen. Features include a front face camera that we need for our FriendCaller Android Video Chat App. But here’s the catch! The device came with an Android 2.2 installed in it whereas front face camera feature is supported only by Android 2.3 version. Now, that’s disturbing, isn’t it?

One bad experience led to another. I could not find any ‘System Update’ option, which should have been above status on about section. Great! What’s going on here?

It dawned on me after searching Samsung website and going through this that a special software installation is required on my MAC, (Hurray, they offer a MAC version).  This looks almost similar to iTunes with its own Android market place. So, this explains why Samsung forces the user so much into ‘Kies’. Yes, you either sign up and buy your music and apps or get ready to receive no updates. Ouch!

Did I have a choice? No, so I downloaded and installed the software, updated the new download and connected my Galaxy S5. Wondering what did I get? A pop-up that ‘this device is not supported by Kies 2.0’! Are you kidding me???

Android has certainly taken 2 steps back here, losing enough credibility. I frankly don’t care if they sell half a million Android a day or 1 million. If they cannot control these major issues like fragmentation or bad user experience just because they ignore these device makers’ proprietary stunts, this is not going to work. What’s in it for me if I spend a cool thousand bucks on 2 Samsung devices that turned out to be an epic fail right from the beginning?

So, I am back to my Nexus S, a pure Android inside out. Ironically, it’s also manufactured by Samsung but it works like a pro, always updated and does not limit my mobile freedom.

What is your Android experience?

P.S  I fancy the name ‘Kies’. The German meaning of this word is a kind of loose gravel. Hmm, a perfect description I must say based on the kind of user experience it offers which is totally built up on loose grounds.

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The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, “Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”

Google was to pay $4 billion for Nortel’s 6000 wireless patents. So, acquiring Motorola, doesn’t seem to be a bad trade, but in fact with Motorola’s Mobility’s patents, Google can now easily fight back the lawsuits. Page called out that patents were the biggest reason of Motorola Mobility acquisition.

Truly we have seen how Apple was happy of having Galaxy Tab being blocked in Australia and Europe. Also, in United States Apple won a patent infringement case against Android’s largest handset maker, HTC. Furthermore, Microsoft played its part by squeezing out the patent licencing fees from 5 Android manufacturers. But, now with the Google having Motorola Mobility, end of patent war seems to be possible, providing developers more freedom on Android platform.

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The truth is, however, that the Android Market is growing rapidly, yet at the same time it has a much higher attrition rate than the iTunes Store. Recently, Appsfire reports that 32% of Android apps have disappeared from the Android Market since they were introduced. In contrast, the attrition rate for iTunes Store is half, at only 16%.

So, why is the attrition rate higher for Android? Appsfire points out that Android developers are more creative, and therefore are using the Android Market as a testing ground for new ideas. With the Android Market, virtually anyone can publish an app. In fact it only costs a $25 on-time fee to open a developer account, and there is no approval process. In contrast, Apple requires developers to pay an annual fee and imposes strict developer guidelines.

So is it a matter of low cost and convenience that is driving the high attrition rate for Android Apps? Easy come, easy go, as they say? Creativity vs. conformity? Quantity vs. quality? Are developers simply pulling their own apps? Google rarely removes apps from the market, and it limits its intervention to removal of malicious apps.

Personally, I am not fully convinced that it is the lack of an approval process that creates a higher attrition rate. Published apps can be updated immediately, and once published there is no cost involved to keep them in the store. For example, we have been updating our FriendCaller Android VoIP app on a regular basis, and it has been fun since we can react to user feedback at the Android Market much faster that on the iTunes Store.

Some of our latest updates to the FriendCaller Android version make it easier to build your friend list using Web email or Outlook contacts, and comes with an extended offer wall that presents opportunities to get more free call credits. On the other hand, our FriendCaller iPhone VoIP app has not been updated since Apple requested fundamental changes in the way offer walls work.

What do you think? Is it simply easy come, easy go? Are there other reasons that one third of all Android apps have disappeared from the Android Market? Please share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment or re-tweeting this post.

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