TOOGAB - Daily Google Android News, Reviews and More

Fusion Voicemail Plus is an application from PhoneFusion that will bring visual voicemail to the G1 and the Andoid OS. The free application will allow users to view their voicemail boxes and see various details such as who they have voicemail from and when it was received. The application will also allow users to listen to voicemail directly from their handset.

Louis Lubin, Cheif Executive of PhoneFusion said:

“Our Fusion Voicemail Plus application is tremendously popular with our existing customers who wanted iPhone-type functionality on their favorite devices,” said Louis Libin, chief executive officer, PhoneFusion. “With the launch of T-Mobile’s G1, the first Android-powered smartphone, people have been looking for an innovative visual voicemail app that runs on this breakthrough device. We believe Fusion Voicemail Plus fills this gap, giving the Android community a better way to stay connected when it matters most. We expect this application will quickly become one of the favorites on Android Market.”

The application very much resembles the visual voicemail application built-in to the iPhone. Although it doesn’t look the same, it features pretty much the same functionality.

Fusion Voicemail Plus is expected to hit the Android Market at the end of this year.

[ Source ]

The Android team has recently opened its doors to allow developers the chance to submit their applications, as promised last week.

Just like the App Store for the iPhone, downloading software to your G1 is a simple process via the Android Market. It is also claimed to be just as easy to submit applications — just click here and follow the simple steps. It will cost developers $25 to get in!

Unlike the App Store, there is currently no approval process for submitted applications. This means that the Android Market could see a surge of innapropriate and useless applications, just like the many that swamped the App Store… I wonder how many flashlight applications we’ll see? The structure of the Anroid Market is similar to the App Store and users can rate applications, however, there is no guarantee the best applications will be easily found, expecially since users are restricted to the built-in store on the G1 as opposed to having the ability to search for decent applications from their computer.

No approval process means developers can submit anything they want for download, with no prohibitions or restrictions. Developers also have full access to the phones hardware which is excellent for applcations that allow tethering, something I for one would like to see on the iPhone. The downside of course to no approval process means it would be possible for harmful and unsafe applications to enter the Android Market, which could affect the stability of the end user’s handset.

A few days ago, Google accepted the first patch to Android… Only 4.5 hours after the initial release! The patch was contributed from someone outside of the Open Handset Alliance, and it added 6 more lines to the source.

Last I heard was that 5 patches have now been accepted, out of 8 submitted. I can just see developers foaming at the mouth over the open source code here. I’m sure Google is more than pleased with the feedback and development from around the world thus far. Seems as though a lot of things are happening.

The Android Market got off to a great start as well with some heavy download numbers. A promising start for a promising OS!

[ Source ]

Our friends over at Medialets published a cool post detailing the day one stats from the Android Market. Very interesting indeed. It’s a quick and easy read, so if you’d like to check it out simply click here.

First off, some general observations from day 1 at the Android Market:

• They like to play games, shop, and know what music they are listening to
• They are curious about the weather
• They generally share the same interests as iPhone users

Next, some more important observations…

1. The average app has 7,800 + downloads.
2. 9 apps made it to the 10,000 - 50,000 downloads range.
3. 24 hours into it, it appears that Android users are interested in the same types of app functionality as iPhone users…. either that or Android developers are interested in creating the same types of apps as iPhone developers.

Early days, but some interesting data is contained in that report for sure. Should prove to be very interesting not only to watch the download numbers, but to see what other trends develop in the near-term.

[ Source ]

The Android app news is starting to roll in now! News today is that the first VoIP app for Android has been released. It’s called iSkoot for Skype, and the new Android version joins the other versions of iSkoot for J2ME, Symbian, Win-Mo, BlackBerry and more.

iSkoot makes it easy and cheap to stay in touch with friends and family all over the globe. The app uses the voice-optimized circuit-switched wireless networks of mobile carriers. I have no idea what that means but apparently it allows for the best voice quality possible even without access to WiFi or 3G.

Jim Hudak, iSkoot Vice President of Business Development commented:

“We are honored to be the first mobile VoIP application available in the Android Market because we are dedicated to bringing carrier-grade Web communications services to mobile phones and platforms around the globe… iSkoot continues to work on delivering innovative products that give people a rich mobile experience so that they can cut the cord from their desktop.”

For more information on iSkoot, check out their website.

[ Source ]

T-Mobile G1 owners will be pleased to hear that the Android Market has officially opened its doors. G1 owners are able to browse and download all kinds of different apps and games. Last I heard there were 50 or so apps in the Market. Not bad for an initial offering.

Starting next monday, October 27th, Android developers will be able to register and upload their own apps to the Android Market. Developers need to register and pay a one time $25 application fee however. I’d pay it. What the heck… a one-time payment for access to the Android Market? Sounds like a great deal.

Starting in early 2009, developers will apparently be able to charge for their applications. 70% of the revenue goes to the developer, while the other 30% goes to carriers and billing settlement fees. I’m really interested to read more about the Android Market/Developer agreement once it becomes available.

[ Source ]